The Roll of the Drums

 "The Roll of the Drums" by Jan Decker

A great heartwarming story about how God can use anything for the good. You see the struggles that Gideon has to overcome to be able to move on after the death of his wife. He has to learn to be there for his children, learn how to overcome his past and learn to love again.

I love the relationship that develops between Gidean's sick wife and Ruby. They became heartfelt friends from the very first meeting. Ruby was so loved by Livonia that she knew Ruby was the right girl to take her place. To take care of her children and her husband.

I give this book a five stars.

I love to recommend this book of friendship, family and love to others.

I received this complimentary copy of this book from Revell for a honest review.. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Dark Ambition by Irene Hannon

     What can I say about this book? It is fabulous!  I normally don't like mysteries, but this book has changed my mind.  "Dark Ambition" was intriguing and suspenseful from the very first page. 

     My thoughts - The first thing is the well written and the characters come to life from the very beginning. The thing I loved the most was the relationship that develops between Frederick Jordan a ex Army Night Stalker and Heather Shields a private investigator. I love the way this two had a flirtation from the beginning. It was a great connections!

     I will give Dark Ambition a 5 out of 5 stars

     I will recommend this to everyone who loves a great mystery!

I received this complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for a honest review. Thought and opinions are mine.

"One More River To Cross"

                        By Jane Kirkpatrick

 This was my first book by Jane Kirkpatrick so I didn't really know what to expect. I have to say that this book was hard for me to get into at the beginning, but after a while I began to enjoy the storyline.

What first caught my attention was the book description. This story was two years before the Donner Party.  Doing genealogy on my family I found that my relatives were among other who made this journey west though Donner pass.  This story showed me the trials and adventures they most have gone through too. It also showed me how strong the women had to be during this time in history. It was a all around great book!

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good western book that is a lot like " Lonesome Dove".

I give this book five stars!

I received this complimentary copy by the publisher for a honest review.

"No Ocean Too Big"

By

Carrie  Turansky

The book "No Ocean Too Wide" by Carrie Turansky was a great book.  It was filled with intriguing story lines.  It is placed in World War I I, when underprivileged children were being shipped from England to Canada with the premise of them having a better life there. It was sometimes far from the truth. They were sent to farm's for farm labor.
Carrie Turansky is a great author, whom I will continue reading. She had a gift of bringing the characters to life. I feel in love with the characters and the story line.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a great book!

"The Words Between Us"

By

Erin Barrel

     What a great book!  Erin Barrel was able to bring the character alive and you fall in love with them from the minute their are introduced.  The story is written in the past and present, which wasn't confusing. 

 
Robin spent the majority of her life trying to hide from her past, which wasn't always an easy task at time.  It's during these years that Robin developed several relationships with people who would shape her life in one way or another. It's a story of love, suspense at times and forgiveness.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a great book!

I will give this book a score of 5 stars

 "I received this complimentary copy of this book from Revell for a honest review. These are my thoughts and not those of the author or publisher.

"The Girl Behind The Red Rope" by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker

"The Girl Behind The Red Rope"

Summary of book - When a terrible scourge is unleashed on the
world, Grace and others from their religious community are
already hidden deep in the hills of Tennessee, abiding by every rule that will keep them safe, pure and alive.  The only thing is they all have to stay behind the red rope!

My Review - This is the first book of Ted Dekker's that I have read and this the first collaboration between father and daughter Ted and Rachelle Dekker. I have to say that this is only the beginning of my love with Ted Dekker's books.  This book was very hard to put down!  It was intriguing and full of adventure. 

This sure made me thing about my fear of the unknown.  I think, we all have a fear of what is to come in the future, but we truly need to remember who is in charge of that fear. We need to have faith and trust. It also made me think of God's love for his people.

When Grace and Jamie decide to crossover the red rope, they come face to face with their fears.

Favorite quote - "You don't have to rely on fear to keep you from putting your hand in the fire,  You can make that choice without fear, only because you still want your hand."

"There is no fear in the love, the love that hold no record of wrong. "

About the author's -  Ted Dekker is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of more than forty novels, with over ten million copies sold worldwide. 

Rochelle Dekker is a Christy Award-winning author of The Choosing, The Calling, and The Returning in the Deer series.  She is the oldest daughter of author Ted Dekker.   

was inspired early on to discover truth through the avenue of storytelling.

I received this complimentary copy of the book for a honest review

Special Assignment

By

This is the first book by this author I've read and it will not be the last. I realized after I read this book that this is the third book in the series. I believe this book can stand alone. "Special Assignment" was one amazing book! I normally don't read suspense book, but I fell in love with this book. It was filled with a ton of suspense and adventure. You are caught in the story from page one.

The main characters are very likable. The story begins with Melissa realized that money is missing in the company and she had to investigate what was happening. She enlisted the help of military pilot Sam to help her. Sam has his own obstacles to overcome. I really enjoyed the plot of this book! It was a easy read.

I recommend this great Christian Suspense book by giving it five stars!

I received this complimentary copy of this book from the author for a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Yours Truly, Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yours Truly, Thomas

  

by

 

Rachel Fordham

 

 

Synopsis:  For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people's mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more--a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient. Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn't expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never really expecting a reply. When Penny's undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring--perhaps too much--for the one who wrote it.

 

My Thoughts: I have to say that I fell in love with this book from the very first page.   The character's come to life and by the end of the story you want to read more.  This is a book about forgiveness, work on what to do with ones future and it has several funny parts.  I have never heard of a Dead Letter Office, which I found very interesting.  I love how Penny was so attached to Thomas letters and she came to care about him so much that she wanted the letters to make it to their destination.  You see from the very beginning how Thomas and Penny's relationship developed.  There was a connection with both people even  though Thomas didn't really understand why.

About the Author:  Rachel Fordham started writing when her children began begging her for stories at night.  She'd pull a book from the shelf, but they'd insist she make one up.  Finally, she put her love of good stories with her love of writing and she hasn't stopped since.  She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.

 

Recommend:  I will be happy to recommend this book to all my friends.  It is a great Christian Historical Fiction that people will fall in love with.

 

Disclaimer:  I received this copy from the author and Baker Publishing Group in return for a honest review 

All manner of things

By

Susie Finkbeiner

Description: After Annie Jacobson's brother Mike enlist as a medic in the Army in 1967, he mails her the address of their long lost father. If anything should happen to him in Vietnam, Mike says, Annie must let their father know. I Mike's absence, their father returns to face tragedy at home, adding an extra measure of complication to an already tense time.

My thoughts: I  fell in love with this book and the relationship between all family interaction.  My favorite part of the book was the consent communicate between Mike and his family while he is in Vietnam.  It makes me think about what it must have really been like during the war wondering and hoping for the next letter to arrive. That as a mother, father, sister or wife you would never hear The word's "So sorry! Your love one is not returning home! The book also brings out the story of Annie's family and her long lost father Frank. Frank decided to leave his family and didn't return till there was tragedy in the family. 

It is a book of learning to forgive, and repairing extremely hard relationships. It is about having faith! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good down to earth book!

About author:  Susie Finkbeiner is a CBS best-selling author of A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs and A Song of Home.  She served on the Breathe Christian Wrierd Conference planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women's events across the states.  Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.

STAR OF PERSIA

 

THE REVEAL OF "STAR OF PERSIA"

by

Jill Eileen Smith

 

 

 

Synopsis:In an effort to complete a war his father had planned to win, King Xerxes calls every governor, satrap, and official in his vast kingdom to his palace in Susa to strategize and feast. When they finally leave, he decides on one more week of frivolity, which ends in the banishment of his favorite wife, something he never intended to do. But when he discovers Esther, Xerxes is sure he has a second chance at happiness.

In her wildest dreams, Esther could never have imagined that she would end up as queen of Persia. Yet she knows better than to become complacent. Another of Xerxes's wives is vying for position, and his closest advisor has a deep and dangerous grudge against Esther's adoptive father. Caught in the middle of palace politics, Esther will find herself in an impossible position: risk her life or consign her people to annihilation.

With her impeccable research and her imaginative flair, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the romantic, suspenseful, and beloved story of Esther, queen of Persia.

 

Jill's Author Bio:

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David, the Wives of the Patriarchs, the Daughters of the Promised Land, the Loves of King Solomon series, The Heart of a King, and the nonfiction When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.

When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable, “helpful” cat, Tiger. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Contact Jill through email (jill@jilleileensmith.com), her website (www.jilleileensmith.com), Facebook (www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith), or Twitter (www.twitter.com/JillEileenSmith).



The Amazon preorder link https://amzn.to/2XsABSg 

Goodreads link https://bit.ly/2Wu2axR

"The Heart Of A King : The Loves of Solomon"

 By

 Jill Eileen Smith

About the book -  In the engrossing novel, find yourself whisked away in ancient Israel, where you'll meet for remarkable women:

Naamah - the desert princess

Abishag - the shepherdess

Siti - a daughter of pharaoh

Nicaula - the queen of Sheba

As you look at the world of Solomon through his eyes and theirs, you'll grapple with rather this king's storied wisdom ultimately benefit him and those he loved.

My review - I have to say that this is one amazing story!  Like so many people, I have read the story of Solomon in the bible, but "Heart Of A King" by Jill Eileen Smith brings the story to life.  While reading this book I was transported back in time. You can envision yourself back in time, standing on one of the balconies watch the temple for God being built.

You start by seeing the relationship Solomon had with his dad.  He wanted to make sure that the temple was built the way David always envisioned. It was a relationship of respect and love.

 I have to say out of all the women in Solomon's life , I love the relationship he had with his mother. There was so much love there. He went to his mother "Bathsheba" for advice on several areas of his life. He talked to her about his love for God and advice about his many wives.

The next woman in Solomon's love was his first wife "Naamah".  She loved Solomon from such a young age.  She even approached her father about a union between the two.  She was able to give him who's first born son.  It was a very sweet union! She did struggled when Solomon started marrying other women.

Next was Abishag.  She was brought into the picture when King David's health was failing.  She was  his wife, nurse maid and companion.  There was a connection between Solomon and Abishag from the very beginning.  After his father died, Solomon decided to marry Abishag.

Siti, the daughter of pharaoh, was Solomon first  wife whom worshipped other Gods.  She was fascinated by Solomon and his religion and his way of life.  Their marriage was one of allegiance in the beginning, but soon turned to love and respect. You can almost feel the conflict, Solomon felt about marrying a woman who worshipped other God's besides his Lord. He was also concerned about how his mother would feel about this union especially after the conversation they had before he left for Egypt.

The last wife mentioned in the book is Nicaula.  Nicaula was the queen of Sheba.  She came to Jerusalem to seek Solomon's wisdom and to learn About his God.  It was one relationship, that was on the same level as Solomon.

After reading this book, I really began to wonder about Solomon's wisdom.  God gave him wisdom, but I wonder if he used it wisely.



About the author -   Jill Eileen Smith is a bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, the Daughters of the Promised Land, and the Lives of King Solomon series.  Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in the Old Testament time.

When she isn't writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, reading stories that Take her away, riding her bike to the park, snagging date night's with her husband.  You can contact Jill through her email (jill@jilleileensmith.com) , her website (www.jilleileensmith.com) Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

Disclaimer - In accordance with the FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, not was a positive review required.  All opinions expressed are my own

Justice Delivery by Patricia Bradley

     I've never read one of Patricia Bradley books and this will not be the last!  What a great book!

     There is adventure, reunion with people of her past (both good and bad) and romance!

     From the very beginning you are drawn into the life of Carly Smith.  Carly is the main character and throughout the book she has been able to overcome several obstacles from her past life.  She has to come ace to face with her past to be to move forward with life.  She has to learn to forgive, trust and learn to love herself to achieve this.

     Carly at the age of 17, was sold into human trafficking, by a man promising her the world through modeling.  She soon learned that her life would never be the same.  She was sold into human trafficking.  Eventually she was able to escape, but she was always looking over her shoulder for her abuser.  She was hiding from her abuser, but always looking for the man that started it all.  It is through counseling  other that she learn several girls had the same experience.  She needed to stop this nan and in doing so she had to return to the very beginning."

     My favorite quote in the book was "because she was strong and had more faith, she believed in forgiveness instead of judgment".

     I have to recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery and a lot of suspense.

     I give this book 4 stars.  I would have given it 5 stars, but it was a little confusing to keep up with all of Carly's names.  You will understand when you read the book.

     I received this complimentary copy of this book from Revell for a honest review.

Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin

Far Side of the Sea by Katie Breslin

What can I say about this book? The first thing that come to mind is perfection! If you like a good love story, mystery, and a book written in the WW1 time period this is for you!

This is the first book that I have read of Katie Breslin and it will not be he last.

The story begins with Colin Mabrey, whom is a Luietenant in the British military.  After Colin was injuried in a tunnel accident, which he lost his hand, he was working with the M18 receiving messages through a pigeon program.  It was during his work that he received a message from a person in this past Jewel Reyer.  Jewel helped to hide him from the German's when his plane went down.  It was during this time that he feel in love with her.  When he was well enough to leave he leaves Jewel's with the promise of returning one day.  It was after that he thought she died in the invation of her small town. The message will lead Colin to Paris, where he is met by Jewel's half sister Johanna.  As they search for Jewels they travel to Spain and other locations.

This book is full of adventure, intrigue and romance. The author puts you in the middle of the war and helps you see the importance of the Pigeon program in the winning of the war.  I would highly recommend his book by giving it 5 star's.


Disclaimer - In accordance with the FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, not was a positive review required.  All opinions expressed are my own

Never Let Go by Elizabeth Goddard

   What a amazing mystery!

    I love to read a great mystery and Elizabeth Goddard didn't let me down with "Never Let Go".  This is the first book, I have read from this author and will not be the last. 

    This is the first book in the "Uncommon Justice series".  After "Never Let Go", I will be sitting on pin's and needles waiting for the next installment to be released.

    From the very beginning, she pulls you into the story of forensic genealogist Willow Anderson and her old flame Austin McKade.  When Willow's grandfather die's unexpectedly, Willow decides to finish the last case he was working on. The case is about a kidnapping that happened 21 years earlier, when a new born was taken from the hospital and never seen again. It is apparent from the very beginning that someone was not wanting Willow and Austin on this case.  The case leads them to the state of Wyoming, which is where Austin grew up.  It is in Wyoming, that Austin will have to face his own demon's. How can Willow and Austin solve the case and overcome their past at the same time?

   Elizabeth Goddard is a award winning author of more than thirty romance novels. She is the winner of the Carol Award in 2011 for her mystery "The Camera Never Lies".

My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge

"My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge" by Pepper Basham

  I have to say that this the first book in the "My Heart Belongs" series that I've the privilege to read and I loved this book.  It reminded me of growing up in Southeast Oklahoma.  My childhood was spent living in the middle of nowhere with no electricity for 6 months.  We even survived with no telephone, which was unheard of in the 1970"s.

     This is just a great book! It starts out with Jonathan Taylor, whom is from Britain, he decided to follow his uncle to the Blue Ridge mountains to teach. Jonathans desire wasn't to teach but to one day be a doctor.  He was just trying to get out from under his fathers controlling hands.

      Jonathan had never been in a place like this,  He was born into a family of wealth and prestige and now he was living in North Carolina living in a one room house where everyday was a adventure and  the winters are very rough. Teaching where anything out of the ordinary was frowned upon.

     The first day there he meets a girl named Laurel McAdams.  She is a girl with big dreams of going to college and returning to help her community by teaching.  Leaving the mountain life, wasn't something that people did in the hills. Laurel had a big family and there was also a family problem that she tried to keep from Jonathon.

     Jonathon was the first one to realize how special Laurel was and how he would like to start a relationship with her, but he was unwilling to come between her and her dreams for the future.

     I love this book and would recommend it to others that love a great Christian book.

     I received a compliment copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to publish a review.

We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartels

     It's not often that one finds a novel as exciting as "We Hope for Better things" by Erin Bartels.  This really touched my life because in reminds me of doing genealogy of my own family. Erin brings you into this story from the start to the end!

     It is a story about three women at different places in history.  They are all related, strong women that grown through different situation during their lives. The book is written going back and forth in time, makes the reading easy and interesting.
 
     It starts out in modern day Detroit with Elizabeth Balsam.  Elizabeth is a journalist who just lost her job and is wondering what to do with her life now.  She was surprised when someone contacts her to return some long lost photo's to a aunt she never knew she had.  When she finally meets Nora, there is a connection at the very start. Elizabeth is about to learn about the history of the family home and the relatives that have lived in it through the years.

     Nora life spans from modern day Detroit to 1967 Detroit which was during the height of race riots. Her story is about her inter-racial marriage to William.  It shows you the struggles a couple had to face during this time in history.

     Then the last strong woman of this book is Mary Balsam, who lived during the civil war.  She helps in the cause of hiding runaway slave in her home. You see the relationship that she develops with the slaves she has been called by God to help.

  This book is one that I recommend to anyone that once to read a book about a families genealogy through time