Review: You're Already Amazing LifeGrowth Guide by Holley Gerth

5 Stars!!!

This is such an absolutely amazing, life changing book! Even though this is only the second book of Holley Gerth's that I have read, I am completely in love with her books! They are always humorous and fun, while simultaneously being incredibly deep and meaningful. So many times during this book I found myself smiling at numerous quotes that were the exact words I needed to hear at that moment in time!!! I loved how interactive this guide is and even though I haven't read and don't currently have a copy of You're Already Amazing, I found that I was able to follow along just fine without it, I also ended up being swamped with review books so I had to speed read this one, but my goal for the next couple of months is to do all six sessions over a few weeks time the way they were meant to be done. One thing that I loved was that this book truly does apply to women of all ages, and the session on relationships focuses on all the relationships in our lives not just marriages (In fact, I don't think marriages were actually touched on at all!) This really stood out to me because as a single twenty-something, I find it very difficult to find non-fiction books that fit where I'm at in life right now, it seems like most of them are written either for teen girls or women who are married and in many cases have kids, which is excellent but I always ended feeling left out, so I was absolutely ecstatic to find a book that applies to me and that I could relate to right at this moment in my life! I just loved this book so much, like I said before I don't read much non-fiction but if it has Holley Gerth's name on the cover then I will read it, she is probably the only non-fiction author that I will read by choice!!! In my opinion this is so much more than a book, it is a treasure that can be kept for your entire life, and re-read any time you forget who you are and that You're Already Amazing!

Every woman should read this book!

I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Revell publishers in exchange for my honest review! 

Top Ten Books on My Spring TBR List!

Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR List!

1. Her One and Only by Becky Wade-I can't wait to read Dru's book! Lucky for me I have a Netgalley copy on my Kindle and it will probably be my next read!

2. Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin-I can't wait to read Arch and Lillian's story!!!

3. Silence in the Dark by Patricia Bradley

4. Season of Glory by Lisa T. Bergren

5. After the Thaw by Therese Heckenkamp

6. Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

7. Fury by Steven James-I need to finally get this read so I'll be ready for the release of Curse!

8. Wounds by Alton Gansky

9. No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

10. The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter-I love Denise's books, this is one of her older ones that I haven't yet read but since I am super excited that it is going to be a Hallmark Channel movie this spring, I really want to read the book before I watch the movie!!!

Review: A Fool & His Monet by Sandra Orchard

5 Stars!!!

This was my first read by Sandra Orchard, and I can tell you right now that it will not be my last! I loved this book! I was totally hooked from page one! It was such a fun ride, several moments had me on the edge of my seat, there was some sweet romance and I laughed my way through the book at the numerous funny scenes and lines! I really liked the main character, Serena. And I am not usually a fan of love triangles but I have to say that this one (Or I should say the start of this one!) was just pure fun to read about, I can see the merits of both guys and look forward to learning more about them as the series progresses and I can't wait to see who Serena ends up with! This was such a unique story, I don't think I've ever before read about an FBI agent who specializes in finding stolen art, and I found Serena's job to be absolutely fascinating. Something else I loved was how Serena decided on a celebrity that each person in her life looks like, that was such a fun quirk of hers. Another quirky thing I loved about the book was Serena's sleuthing, mystery-loving Aunt Martha, she was just so great, yes some of her theories were outlandish but I loved that Serena actually listened to her at times and discovered things she may not have thought to try in working on solving the case! I am a pretty observant reader so few things usually surprise me, but I will say that there were several twists in this book that totally took me by surprise, I loved that! 

Overall, I loved this book and I highly recommend it! I am so glad that I read it and I very much look forward to reading the next book in the series!

I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Revell publishers in exchange for my honest review! 

Review: Annabel Lee by Mike Nappa

5 Stars!!!

This is a new to me author so I didn't really know what to expect, but since I read in the Revell catalog that this book was recommended to fans of Steven James, I knew I had to read it (I am a HUGE fan of Steven James' books!) Boy, I am glad I did! This book was sooooo good, I was completely on the edge of my seat for most of the book, I had no clue what was going to happen next! I also loved that the author kept me guessing a bit as to who was bad and who was good, and oh man were the bad guys creepy, they still make shiver! I really had no idea what I would think about a book where two of the main characters are a divorced couple, but I ended up actually really liking it, even though I never really fully connected with either Samuel or Trudi I still really enjoyed reading about them, I can't wait to see what happens with them in future books. I am predicting that they will get back together! I also really liked Annabel Lee, I thought it was especially cool how the author made me hear her accent through her speech patterns and the way she said things, I'm always impressed when authors do that! I absolutely loved all the cloak and dagger, code word stuff, it was so cool and may have been my favorite part of the book! In my opinion this book needs to become a movie, I could see every single scene playing out like a movie in my head as I was reading it, love it when that happens! 

Overall, I loved this book and am very much looking forward to reading The Raven when it releases this fall (The sample at the back of this book made me want The Raven NOW!) 

I highly recommend this book to fans of Steven James' work and anyone who enjoys creepy, intense, edge of your seat thrillers!

I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Revell publishers in exchange for my honest review! 

Review: The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

4 Stars!!!

This was my first read from this new-to-me author. So I didn't really know what to expect, but I was absolutely delighted with the story I discovered! I really liked main character Marie, my heart broke for all she had been through. While I grew to love Seth, I will admit that I wasn't immediately smitten with him, he actually really annoyed me in the beginning, but I did grow to like and even love him as a character. I loved the humor and banter sprinkled throughout this book. I loved that the characters were fixing up and bringing new life to an inn. And I loved the secondary romance between Jack and Aretha (They are such a cute couple!) just as much if not more than Marie and Seth's romance, I always love it when an author does something like that to give a book multi-generational appeal! 

I also loved the other secondary characters on PEI, I can't wait for Caden's book!

Like your typical book nerd I grew up obsessed with Anne of Green Gables, so needless to say when I found out that this book was set on Prince Edward Island, I didn't need to know anything else about it to know that I wanted to read it! I think my favorite thing about this book was just that, the setting. I truly felt that I was really there and it made my desire to visit Prince Edward Island (Which is less than a day's drive from my home!) even stronger, I'll get there someday!!! 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. And I highly recommend it. If this book sounds interesting to you, I think you should definitely read it! I would also recommend it to any and all fans of Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg and Susan May Warren, you won't want to miss this one!

I am very much looking forward to book two in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series, especially since I already know it's about Caden. And I am also looking forward to reading more of Liz's books (Especially her romantic suspenses!) in the future!

I was honored to receive a review copy of this amazing book from Revell publishers in exchange for my honest review! 

Review: A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund

5 Stars!!!

Wow! What an amazing book, I think I loved this one even more than An Uncertain Choice. I loved both main characters, Juliana and Collin, and as is typical in a Jody Hedlund book she created an excellent cast of secondary characters, I especially loved the fatherly, overprotective Bulldog! This book had such a cool storyline, I loved the twist on the story of Robin Hood. The title for the book was perfect, I love that the story provides teens today with a reminder that true love is truly all about giving rather than receiving. 

I found myself anxiously perching on the edge of my seat for most of this book, fretting over what would happen next! And when I got to the end, boy did I have the biggest smile on my face!!! I'll stop here for fear of spoiling something, but I will finish by saying that I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone and I fully anticipate re-reading it many times in the future. I cannot wait to read Jody Hedlund's next YA book!!!

I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher to help promote it. The above is my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own. 

Interview with Dani Pettrey!

I'm absolutely thrilled to have author Dani Pettrey here with me Today!

Welcome Dani! I'm so happy to have you here. Congratulations on the release of COLD SHOT!

 

Thanks so much for having me. :)

 

What is one thing your readers might not know about you? 

 

I write all my first drafts longhand. Sit me in front of a blank computer screen and I freeze. Put a pen in my hand and a fresh notebook and the words generally pour out. I think since that’s the way I started writing stories, it’s how I naturally write them. I can work on the computer for revisions, but the first draft always has to be longhand. It gets quite interesting when it’s time to type in what I’ve written as I tend to write in blocks, lines and doodles. It’s like interpreting a foreign language at times, but it works for me.

 

 

Where did the idea and inspiration for COLD SHOT come from? 

 

The inspiration for Cold Shot was a combination of me wanting to explore friendship and its many nuances, the investigative careers involved—I’ve been dying (no pun intended) to write about a forensic anthropologist for years, and the setting. 

Setting has always been a big part of my novels, and the Chesapeake is a beautiful area. Plus, it’s home. It’s a little-known area, but so gorgeous with such a vibrant history, especially maritime and nautical history. And, living right down the road from Washington DC, with the FBI, CIA, NSA, and so many other agencies, it’s also a perfect place for a suspense story. It’s been so much fun getting to share my backyard with readers in Cold Shot.

 

 

 

What's at the top of your to-be-read pile right now? 

If I Run by Terri Blackstock. I’m just waiting to get beyond a couple deadlines and then I plan to devour it.

 

 Any favorite TV shows?

My hubby and I tend to binge watch a series on Netflix. We’ve found some great series that way. Right now we are watching Season One of The Mysteries of Laura and it’s got to be my favorite show. I love Laura. She’s hysterical and my husband jokes, aside from being a cop and single, she has a lot of my quirky qualities. We really enjoy it.

 

 

If you weren't a writer what other profession would you have? 

I love being a mom, even with both of girls grown now; I think if I weren’t a writer, I’d simply spend more time with my girls and grandson. I’d love to travel more with my husband. I suffer from wanderlust. And, I’d love to volunteer with a number of local organizations that really tug at my heart such as Samaritan’s Woman, Helping Up Mission, and Habitat for Humanity.

 

If, in addition to the Bible you are allowed to pick one book and only one book to read for the rest of your life, what book would it be? 

 

Pride and Prejudice. It’s my absolute favorite, and it’s timeless. I often re-read it or re-watch the movie. Colin Firth will always be Mr. Darcy, but I do love the Keira Knightley version, especially the part where Darcy is walking through the early morning fog to her. Wow!

 

 

Thank you so much for being here today Dani! Is there anything else you'd like to add?

 

 Just how very much I appreciate you and your constant support, Caitlyn. You’ve been an awesome encourager from my debut novel. Thanks for having me here today, and thanks to everyone who has taken time out of their hectic schedules to drop by. Appreciate you all!

Book Summary:

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world–and friendships–crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet–until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern–a young social justice lawyer missing since spring–and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper.

When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he’ll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he–and those he cares about–are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.

Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the brand new romantic suspense Chesapeake Valor series, as well as the well-loved Alaskan Courage series which includes her bestselling novels Submerged,Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super-adorable grandson.

Be sure to check out Dani's Website and you can find my review of Cold Shot HERE

Now it's YOUR turn! If (In addition to the Bible) you were only allowed to read one book for the rest of your life what book would it be?