DYNAMO by ELEANOR GUSTAFSON

I really enjoyed reading this book and I appreciate the knowledge of horses that the author shared. I have always been afraid of horses, but love looking at them. They are quite tall and after reading this story I have come to respect them. As the author described some of the horses as being wild and needing training, I thought about people. Don't some of us kinda live wildly and find ourselves in trouble. Just like a wild or stubborn horse, when we  experience patience and love, we begin to let our guard down and begin  to trust.

Jeth has seen some hard times and really needs a break. He finds himself at a ranch that is run by Rob  and Katie Chilton. They run a place that trains, shows and sells horses. What a perfect place for Jeth to start over. He knows all about horses and hopes this will be a new beginning for him. I really liked how he was hungry to hear the word and how patient Rob was as Jeth asked questions. Jeth really was down on himself because of the trouble he had been in. He just couldn't understand why God would forgive him.

Dynamo is one tough, and hard headed horse. Jeth has a challenge ahead of him when he takes on the role of taming this horse.  As Jeth's faith grows stronger, he finds himself being tested . Will he make the right choices? What lessons will Dynamo teach him? The story is well written and I loved the interaction between Jeth and Dynamo. The story has secrets and surprises that will have you on the edge of your seat. Get ready for a ride that will take you on a journey of forgiveness and faith.

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network . The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.

SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE by CHRISTA ALLAN

How to start my review? I guess the best way is to say that the story was riveting, emotional and so powerful that I never put the book down until I finished it. I have  not read a book from this author before, but wow does she have a way to make a story come to life. Her characters were so real, I felt like I was sitting beside Olivia as each painful journey she took was mixed with tears and disappointment.

On the day you are to be married, you realize your groom is not going to show up, so what do you do? For Olivia that day will forever be a painful, and sorrowful day. Why did her fiancé not show up? As you read the story you begin to see the man Wyatt , her fiancé was. He loved Olivia with everything he had, but on their wedding day, a tragedy happens that will bring secrets to the surface.

I loved Olivia instantly and thought her character was someone I would want to be friends with. She is smart, pretty and full of life. There is one thing she is struggling with , though. She has a hard time understanding why her parents believe in God. Her mother is very critical of her and their relationship was difficult at times. I loved the scenes when they argued as it brought realism to the story. Parts of the story really hit home for me and I knew I was going to cry before I finished the book. It is hard to love someone who always says negative things to you.  As their fights became an almost daily thing, Olivia was beginning to distance herself from her mom.

I loved how the story showed us that forgiveness can tear down bitterness and restore relationships. Olivia's journey to trust in God is very well written and I enjoyed reading her transformation. She endures tragedies and feels like God is punishing her. Have you ever felt that way? Throughout the story , Olivia's grandmother is a very gentle person who reminds Olivia that God does not hate her. The story is filled with deep emotions and the ending is one you won't forget. I'm so glad I read this story because it reminded me how fragile life is. Take time everyday to tell those you love how important they are. Remember that God is always there and forgiveness will set you free.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.

MERCY AT MIDNIGHT by SYLVIA BAMBOLA

Oh how I love this author. Her books are so emotional and action packed that I find myself reading into the wee hours to finish it. The author has written a great story that takes readers to the seedier parts of a town. Her description is perfect and I was able to picture the homeless people as they rummaged for food. Don't you ever wonder how someone ends up on living on the streets? It just takes one person to reach out and make a difference. The story reminds me that we all need a helping hand at sometime . Will you be the one to encourage someone and give them hope?

Jonathan  is a pastor who I really liked. He has such a gentle spirit and his compassion and patience was very endearing. He gets a word from God that will take him to a place that he will witness forgiveness and redemption. His journey will lead him to open a shelter that had been closed up for awhile. I really liked how he was determined to get it up and running and ignored those  that thought he was not capable of taking on such a big challenge.

Cynthia is a news reporter who is always looking for the next best story. She definitely has some secrets from her past and she has a hard time trusting. When she finds herself at the shelter, will she allow herself to open up to someone? Why Is she really at the shelter? Her character reminded me of someone that acts really tough, but inside is a hurt and lonely person. I thought the author did a great job of having Cynthia slowly begin to trust and feel like she had found friends at the shelter. She has always been very private , but as her story takes a dangerous turn, will she let her new friends protect her?

Stubby is a homeless man who lives on the dark streets waiting for something good to happen in his life. His character was my favorite because he was so hungry to change his life and all he needed was that one chance . He had always felt like such a loser, going days living on drugs and watching his friends die while living on the streets. Why is a gang trying to kill Stubby? Will he find safety at the shelter ? The part where Stubby cries out to God is an emotional scene and I cried as I could feel his desperation.

Throughout the story I kept thinking about the song "Amazing Grace." Sometimes we think we aren't good enough and no one loves us , but God loved us so much that he sacrificed His  son for us. How many of us are guilty of judging others? Do we turn our backs on the homeless, the weary and desperate people in this world? The story really opened my eyes to the horrible conditions people live in and I thank the author for  writing about a subject that reminds us that we need to be His hands and feet.  We need to show grace and mercy and not turn our bs is on people in need. The scriptures are beautifully placed in the story to draw readers to learn to trust and rely on Him.

The book is action packed with secrets, lies, gangs, drugs, murder, greed, forgiveness and redemption. The ending is a real edge of your seat thrill ride  as the characters face danger. I can't wait till the author has another book coming out. She writes with passion and makes characters come  to life with real problems that people face everyday.

I received a  complimentary copy of this book from The BookClub Network. The review is my own opinion and I was not compensated for it.