Monthly Reflections! #1

Hosted by Christian Bookshelf Reviews

In June I read 10 books! The books were (In Chronological Order of When I Read Them!):
1. Fear Has A Name by Creston Mapes
2. Unseen by Ted Dekker
3. Seer by Ted Dekker
4. I Really Do Miss Your Smile by Susan May Warren
5. Rearview (7 Hours series) by Mike Dellosso
6. Danger In The Shadows by Dee Henderson
7. Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson
8. Stranded by Dani Pettrey
9. Stealing The Preacher by Karen Witemeyer
10. In Golden Splendor by Michael K. Reynolds


My favorite read this month is a three- way tie between Stranded, Stealing The Preacher, and Danger In The Shadows
They were absolutely AMAZING and all three of them have a permanent spot on my favorites shelf!!! :-)

My goal for July is to (Hopefully!) read 15 books! :)

My other personal goal for this Summer is to read the rest of The O'Malley series by Dee Henderson. I have already read Danger In The Shadows, The Negotiator, and Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story. And I can't wait to read the rest, really hoping I can get to them this summer! :-)

Waiting on Wednesday!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, Hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

A Match Made In Texas: A Novella Collection by Karen Witemeyer, Carol Cox, Mary Connealy, and Regina Jennings

Bethany House
Expected Publication: January 2014

In Dry Gulch, Texas, 1893, a young woman with a tender heart that longs to help those in need takes it upon herself to meddle in the affairs of three acquaintances who are in dire straits. Wanting to stay anonymous, she relies on unusual methods to hire men and women of good character who she thinks can solve the problems facing her “targets.” How was she to know that her meddling would turn into a cupid’s arrow? And what will she do when her friends turn the tables on her with a matchmaking scheme of their own?
Four novellas in one volume.

Why I want it: I mostly want this one because I can't wait to read Karen Witemeyer's novella, because it's about Neill, the youngest Archer brother! But the other stories sound really good too!!! :)

Book Blogger Hop!

The Question: So would you read a book just because of the hype?


My answer: Not usually! While the hype of a book will sometimes draw my attention to start with, the book must genuinely intrigue me and kind of suck me in before I am willing to give it a try! Oh, and I also talk to online friends that have read it to make sure it's clean and if, in their opinion it is worthy of all the hype! :)

Review: Stealing The Preacher by Karen Witemeyer 5 Stars!!!

Karen Witemeyer knocked my socks off, and completely melted my heart!

After reading and enjoying Short Straw Bride last year I couldn't wait to read Stealing The Preacher! My absolute favorite character in Short Straw Bride was Crockett, so when I got the opportunity to review his story, I jumped at the chance! Needless to say, I had some pretty high expectations, and I am thrilled to report that Stealing The Preacher met and even exceeded all my expectations!!! Crockett and Joanna were so amazing, they were absolutely perfect for each other. I spent most of the book wanting to whack Holly upside the head (But I don't think she was supposed to be like able !) Especially when she did something incredibly horrible (Not going to say what!) but I wasn't really shocked by what Holly did because I had sort of been expecting it, and I was pleased that I had suspected correctly!
I also loved Silas! In fact, the scene where he is facing extreme adversity was written so beautifully that it brought tears to my eyes! I also loved that I got updates on the other characters from Short Straw Bride, I can't wait to read Neill's story when it comes out in January!

I loved this book! There really aren't words to describe how absolutely amazing it is! Stealing The Preacher definitely has a permanent place on my favorites shelf! I highly recommend it!



I received this book for free from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review. The above is my honest opinion.
All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own

Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson (CFBA Tour)

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel

B&H Publishing Group (April 30, 2013)


by

Melody Carlson




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.



She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.











ABOUT THE BOOK

With high hopes, Dorothy Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it's not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?



When her eccentric Aunt Dot passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Dorothy, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.



Dorothy only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt's very specific posthumous terms -- personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dot’s cats.



And if Dorothy thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dot's life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God's perfect timing.



If you would liketo read the first chapter of Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel, go HERE.





Link To Buy The Book


My Review:

4 Stars.
This was my first read by this author. And I was not disappointed! This was a very fun read, the pages really seemed to fly and I had a hard time putting it down! As a small town girl myself, I loved that this book was about a girl leaving the city and returning to her small hometown. The characters were great, I found myself relating to Daphne in a lot of ways. And all the other characters were great, it's funny because even though the reader never has the pleasure of meeting Aunt Dee, the other characters memories of her really make you feel as if you know her. There were several twists and surprises that I did not see coming, which definitely made for an exciting reading experience!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and am very much looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel



I recieved a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via CFBA in exchange for an honest review. The above is my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Top Ten Books On My Summer TBR List!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish


1. Stealing The Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

2. A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano

3. A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund

4. Widow Of Gettysburg by Jocelyn Green

5. Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig

6. Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall

7. Abducted by Janice Cantore

8. Heiress by Susan May Warren

9. Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

10. Divergent by Veronica Roth

Fear Has A Name by Creston Mapes (CFBA Tour)

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Fear Has a Name

David C. Cook (June 1, 2013)

by

Creston Mapes




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as "The Shop."



Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.





ABOUT THE BOOK

From popular suspense author Creston Mapes comes another faith-building thriller, a tale that follows journalist Jack Crittendon as he fights to protect his family from a stalker's terrifying schemes, investigates a pastor's mysterious disappearance, and struggles to keep his faith amidst unthinkable fear.



With his family's safety on the line, Crittendon realizes there are secrets behind "Christian" walls--secrets with painful, deadly implications. He must find the faith to trust a God who allows inconceivable trials, and the courage to guard his family, with danger exploding at every turn.



Through it all--the sharp, character-driven writing for which Mapes is known--takes fans and new readers on an edge-of-your-seat journey that explores the harsh, far-reaching consequences of bullying and the Christian response to fear.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Fear Has a Name, go HERE.



Link To Buy The Book



My review: 4.5 Stars!

This was a really good suspense book! I enjoyed it very much. I liked the characters a lot, Jack and Pam were awesome and their little girls Rebecca and Faye were absolutely adorable. Even the villain was very complex, I couldn't believe all that people had done to him when he was growing up, I actually found myself feeling sorry for him at times. The suspense was great, there were many times when I had no clue what would happen next! I love that! I also loved the fact that there were two parallel story lines, that for a most of the book don't seem to have anything to do with each other but then it all comes together perfectly in a way only God could orchestrate!
I really liked that I could feel the emotions of the characters, a definite mark of good storytelling!

The ending was great, but it felt like all the tension and suspense that had been building for nearly four hundred pages, ended a little abruptly. But I still very much liked it!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! And while it didn't quite make my favorites, I highly recommend it if you like Christian Suspense! And I am very much looking forward to the next book in The Crittendon Files, Poison Town.


I recieved a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via CFBA in exchange for an honest review. The above is my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Book Blogger Hop!

The question: What is your favorite genre? (genre that you read the most) - Recommend a book!

My answer: I have two favorite genres, Suspense (If it includes suspense in any way, I will probably adore it!)
And historical fiction! Picking a book to recommend was kind of hard for me because I have so many favorites in both genres, but then the perfect one came to mind. It is a historical that has some great suspense in it as well, it is also one of my all time favorites. This book is none other than Against The Tide by Elizabeth Camden.

Top Ten Beach Reads!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke And The Bookish

I define a Beach Read as a book that will make me smile and possibly laugh! I would also use long Summer days as a chance to reread some of my favorite books, so that I could experience their magic all over again!


1.The River Of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren

2. Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon

3. A Change Of Fortune by Jen Turano

4. Against The Tide by Elizabeth Camden

5. There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

6. Shattered by Dani Pettrey

7. The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund

8. Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

9. The Future Savior series by Jennifer Hartz

10. Stealing The Preacher by Karen Witemeyer (I haven't read this one yet, but I am positive it will be amazing!)

Book Blogger Hop

The question: What is your favorite trilogy?


My answer: I have three absolute favorite trilogies, in no particular order. The Guardians Of Justice series by Irene Hannon And The Women Of Justice series and Deadly Reunions series, both by Lynette Eason! :)