BREAKING FREE by JENNIFER SLATTERY

Alice and Trent seem to have the perfect life. Trent has a high paying job and Alice is very involved in church activities . They have two boys that seem well adjusted and enjoy sports. Everything seems to be going well until Trent starts to slip. He turns to drinking and then becomes involved in gambling. It is hard to keep these things from his wife as their money starts dwindling and his moods being to swing. That is how subtle the enemy is. He comes into your life, dangles enticing things at you and before you know it the trap is set. 

I really enjoyed how Alice tried so hard to hang on to their marriage by being there for Trent until he stared shutting her out. Trent knew he was in big trouble and couldn't find a way out. He had gotten involved with some dangerousc men and needed to find a way to pay his debt. Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom , before we reach out for help. The story is well written and very faith based. The anguish they both felt was written with raw emotions and you could feel their desperation. It is hard for us to forgive when we are so hurt, but when you finally surrender, the feeling of peace surrounds you. Alice and Trent both needed to ask God to forgive them and slowly allow Him to confort then. The book is filled with a great message of hope, forgiveness and renewal. The characters are well written and you can feel yourself glued to the story as they try to restore what the enemy had tried to destroy. Overall it is a good story that deals with a marriage torn apart and the trails the couple go through to get their life back on track. 

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

HER TEXAS COWBOY by DEBRA CLOPTON

I really enjoy reading books from this authors as  her writing flows with such ease and the emotions of the characters can be felt in your soul. She delivers a heartfelt story that instantly connects you to the characters. I love reading stories that show real struggles and slowly takes the characters through pain as they open their hearts to healing.

Abandoned as an infant, Maddie has always had trouble trusting anyone. When Cliff shows up to visit his brother on the ranch she now is part owner of , she instantly has her guard up. Cliff is a handsome and strong  man with a heart of gold. After riding bulls for a living, he has decided to settle down and buy land near his brother. The banter between Maddie and Cliff is funny at times. She really doesn't give him a break, does she? She is stubborn as a mule and I think she just might have met her match with Cliff. Can Cliff break that wall Maddie has built around her heart?

I love Maddie's take charge attitude. She feels like she needs to prove how tough she is to everyone. But deep down, is a small girl crying out for acceptance. Maddie loves to control everything , but sometimes being in control can lead to missed chances and hurt. It's hard to feel worthy when you were not wanted as a baby. I love the compassion and patience Cliff shows Maddie. Maddie has prayed for  so long to God to bring her someone who cares about her. Has her prayers been answered? My eyes filled with tears as I felt her yearning to be loved, to be accepted , to be important to someone.

When something happens between Maddie and Cliff, will she close her heart up and feel abandoned again? Can she trust Cliff at his word? It is refreshing to read a book that shows a vulnerable side of someone and watch them transform into a beautiful butterfly that is set free.

"Your past isn't you today."

WHAT DOES GOD REALLY PROMISE? By CAROLYN LARSEN

Every time I read the bible I find myself having so many questions. I might have read  a passage a million times and still didn't quite get the jest of what it was saying. I really like this book because it is easy to understand and answers a lot of questions I have had for many years . Have you ever promised someone something , only to break your promise? God doesn't break promises. There are stories throughout the bible that show us God's promises were always kept. One of the key things this book talks about is God does keep His promises, but He does it on his timing.

Looking for a place to start seeing when God kept His promise? Go to Exodus and be  reminded how He "delivered His people out of slavery in Egypt." Also remind yourself of the times He kept His promises to you. It says "He will never leave us, nor forsake us." He has never broken that promise to me . I know he was there when I was going through tough times. He heard my cries and felt my pain. But He never left me. He stayed with me, protected me and wrapped His arms around me as I whimpered that I would never turn my back on Him. .

Do you remember the promise God made to Noah? He said He would never destroy the world by water again. I love the trust and faith that Noah had. He obeyed God, built an Ark and God promised him his family and the animals would be safe.  I think faith has always been a big question for people. "Faith is believing and trusting in something without absolute proof that the object of your belief is real. " He will test us to see how strong our  faith is. I remember a time when my youngest child was only eighteen months old. He became very ill and started having seizures. He had developed big welts on his body. The hospital staff thought he may have a contagious disease and had us wear masks. They informed us that he was being transported to Children ' Medical Hospital . I was terrified. As I looked as my child, he looked at a chair and started saying Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. I asked him why was he saying that name. He told me because  Jesus was sitting in the room and told my child not to fear, he would be ok.

If only I had that faith. Once we got to the ICU unit in the hospital, he started having seizures again. but I learned through that experience that God was right there and kept His  promise. We took out child home five days later. From that day forward, I knew God loves us, protects us, and always keeps His promises. I encourage everyone to get this book.  If you have questions about Why is it important to go to church? What is the purpose of Sunday School or you want to know what communion is , this book will help you understand, give you scriptures to look up and help you grow spiritually. I love  how the book is straight forward, answers questions in a direct manner with grace and follows up  with stories and scriptures. This would be a great tool for bible study and also when teaching in Children's ministry. I highly recommend this book to anyone with questions that they have been searching answers for.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Blogger Program for an honest review.

GRATITUDE A PRAYER and PRAISE COLORING JOURNAL

When I was younger , I liked to color and was always careful to stay in the lines. I couldn't draw at all, but I sure thought I was the champion of coloring. It's funny how things you enjoy as a child is now something adults are doing  as a type of relaxation. This book is a hard cover and very well designed. I always look for  journals when I go to the store. I like to write down scriptures that are meaningful to me or just thoughts of something I heard a pastor speak on.

This book is a treasure. It is a unique way to get into the Word, get a fresh perspective and jot down your thoughts. There are beautifully designed graphics and pictures to color as you journey through the book.  It is a very encouraging book and the prayers in the book are powerful. This would be a great gift to surprise someone with and definitely grab an extra copy for yourself. It is not very long , but it really gets you to thinking and what better way to study the Word. I am taking my time going through the journal and enjoying all the topics it has in the book. It is sure to encourage people and put a smile on faces. Go ahead, grab a copy or two, get those colored pencils ready and dive into your new journal filled with pages where you can relax and enjoy your time with a perfect way to pray, praise and color .

I received a copy of this book from The Tyndale Blogger program for an honest review.

TWO CROSSES by ELIZABETH MUSSER

I have become a huge fan of Elizabeth Musser. She takes a story and captures the time period with such ease. This book was so intriguing I couldn't put it down. I loved the description of France and felt like I had been swept away to witness the story of Gabriella and David.  There is more to the book than just a blossoming relationship as the story also takes us to a scene where a war is raging on. It's the heart of the book and brings intrigue and hidden secrets that will change people's lives.

Gabrielle is a smart young woman with fiery red hair and blue eyes that sparkle in the sun. . She wears a cross around her neck that is very special to her. I loved the intricate description of the cross and could picture it as it hung gracefully around Gabriella's neck. She has come to France in 1961 to further her studies. I loved the beautiful countryside where she stayed and the history of the Algerian war. I am not familiar with this war at all, but with the details that the author wrote , I have become very fascinated by this time period.  I could hear the sounds of war as people screamed .  The author did an excellent job of vividly bringing the war to life with her descriptions. Will anyone be able to survive the horrors of the war?

 The secrets, deceit, intense drama and overall powerful story had me glued to the book. I found David to be quite a charmer.  He is one of Gabriella's teachers and is  drawn to her from the start . Can David be trusted? It was interesting to read the interactions between the two as Gabriella shared her faith with David. As an unbeliever, he really struggled to believe there was such a God who  forgives and loves unconditionally.

When Gabriella learns a secret about her mother, will she turn away from those she trusts? Can she forgive those who kept the secret from her for so long? The story is intense at times and there are times I found myself gasp out loud. What is the connection to the nun who  Gabriella is staying with and David? I loved how we see Gabriella praying and relying on her faith when she sees danger closing in on her. The book is very well written and l loved the  reading about the orphans.  Are they being hidden from someone? I am so glad to know that there are more books that continue the journey of David and Gabriella. Will David be able to find who he is looking for? Can he accept someone he didn't know existed and be able to forgive what happened in his past?

Forgiveness is not just for the offender. You're a victim , and until you forgive , you will always be a victim, locked in your hurt and bitterness. Forgiveness frees."

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

JESUS RODE A DONKEY by LINDA SEGER, Th. D.

As the election draws near, voters can find lots of books, magazines and newspaper articles that give readers a lot to consider before casting their vote. I wanted to read and review this book because I like to read everything available before I  cast my vote with confidence. Everyone has their own opinions , and I enjoy reading them . It gives me another way to look at things and perhaps make me see something differently that I would not have before.

It is so true that we are ready to fight when something negative is said about the candidate that we are thinking of voting for. But does  it really accomplish anything? All it really does is cause bitterness and ends up being a nasty race where everyone looks bad. I loved when the author said, "Why are the Seven Deadly Sins so dangerous? Because they hook the basest part of our human nature and drag us into the pit of nastiness." That is such a true statement. Each party  tries to find the nastiest or most embarrassing thing on the other candidate . All it really accomplishes is mistrust and hurt feelings.

We have been given the right to vote anyway we want. I want to make sure I don't throw my vote away, so reading this book helps me to see a point of view I may not  have really studied before. When we were in school, we would study for a test . We wanted to gather all the information we needed  so we could get a good grade. To me it just makes sense to keep an open mind, study the facts, then vote without any regrets. It is time for us to listen to each other and hear all sides to understand the platform of the candidates.

I really liked reading about democracy. The author gave great examples of questions we should ask to find the right solutions. I have always  heard, "You won't know until you ask." Be informed, ask the questions and study the answers . That is what we need to do to truly make a decision. The author makes a great point about sensitive subjects like homosexuality. "Evidence shows that the presence of a gay person or relationship has no effect on someone else's relationship, in the same way that my neighbors' divorce has no effect on my marriage."  To me is is simple. We are not to judge. What I really like about this book is that we each want to make the right choice in the upcoming election. I want to open minded and listen to everything , not be judgmental and remember that everyone has a right to their opinion. It does  more harm to argue and criticize then to just be quiet and listen with a pure heart .

At the end of the book, the author has provided a study guide . I loved how it was written and really showed me I need to do some homework. Their are scriptures provided that go along with the questions being asked. I want to thank the author for writing a book that helps me see different viewpoints and does  it with grace and compassion.

"If we learn to discern the log in our own eye, and are willing to admit that we might be wrong, certainly that ability can lead us also to to discerning where Truth and Light reside."

I received a copy of this book from The BookClub Network for an honest review.

THE WITNESSES by ROBERT WHITLOW

I have always been a huge fan of Robert Whitlow. Each of his books keep my attention and always has a fascinating  storyline. This book is no exception. I love reading about World War II. The author does  a great job of describing the horrors of that war. We meet Franz Haus at the beginning of the book. He is a captain in the German Army. He has an uncanny gift that proves very valuable to the General . As he realizes his gift is both powerful and special, it can also be dangerous for some. Franz decides to leave and heads to Switzerland. I loved how he became friends with a fisherman and later used that trade when he finally ended up in America. Do you think anyone will look for Franz? He was quite valuable but will he be seen as a traitor? What secrets does he know?

The story moves seamlessly through World War II to present day where we meet Franz's grandson. I thought it was interesting that Franz has changed his name to Frank House  now. He must be hiding from someone. His grandson , Parker is a trial lawyer and is doing well for  himself. I found his character to be likeable and sure of himself. One day he discovers that he has the same ability that his grandfather has. Could this be  an advantage for him at his job? Will it bring danger to him or prevent tragedies from happening? You will have to read this amazing story to find out what gift they both have.

There is a love interest in the story for Parker. Layla to me was a distraction for Parker and I'm not sure I was rooting for them to get together. She sure had a lot going on in her life, but when you are in love, you look past those problems and hopefully are able to build a lasting relationship. Will they find true love?

The story moves at a great pace and readers will not be disappointed by the scenes involving a trial. It is very dramatic, high volume action that really kept me guessing. I loved how the story was like a puzzle. You find that first piece and you begin to get an  adrenaline rush. As Frank's past start to catch up with him, another piece of the puzzle is added. A potential employer for Parker seems quite interested in  him and Frank and their shared gift. One more piece of the puzzle slides mysteriously into place. The intrigue , history , kidnapping, explosive trial all add up to a story that is action packed and filled with faith and trust. The ending was good and I can't wait to read Mr. Whitlow' s next book.

"One of the biggest mistakes of my life was misusing the gift God gave me. "

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild for an honest review.