My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas: Priscilla's Reveille by Erica Vetsch ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Priscilla is travelling to Fort Bliss to take care of her niece and nephew, whose parents have recently died. She plans to take them back to Cincinnati with her, where she has a job, creating artwork for a ladies' catalog, she wasn't counting on meeting their uncle.

Elliot Ryder is a doctor and Major in the Calvary, he has known Timothy and Tessa since they were young, and he is committed to raising them in the Fort like he knows his sister and her husband wanted.

Priscilla get's an extension on her leave, in order to take the summer to work things out with Elliot.

Priscilla has never met Timothy and Tessa before, because her mother hated the military and cut off her brother when he chose to join.  Priscilla is not travelling alone, and her travelling companion Fern is coming to Fort Bliss to marry her fiance, Harry. Fern adapts quickly to her new life, unlike Priscilla, who is unafraid to show her disdain for all things military.

Elliot and Priscilla's relationship starts out on rocky ground because they both see the other as trying to take the children away, but as they work together, they come to admire the other and how they relate to the children. Elliot and Priscilla share a strong faith, and pray with the twins, leaning on their faith in times of trial.  I liked how Priscilla comes to admire Elliot, and how the life he has chosen has helped him to use his talents.

Overall, this is a great read that bring to life the pride, protocol, and hardships of military life in 1874. Full of action, drama, family and faith, this book has wonderful characters, and I loved how Elliot and Priscilla worked together to care for the twins. Excellent storytelling, I would definitely recommend this book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

The Guardian Rancher by Brenda Minton ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Daron and Boone work together as bodyguards, and Daron spends more time at Boone's ranch than his own,  and he is still plagued by nightmares from his time in the military. One night he drives by Emma Shawl's place and notices something very wrong.

When Emma's brother-in-law shows up looking for money to pay for his drug addiction, even though when her husband died everything went to his brother and not to her, but Pete thinks that she is holding out on him. Emma is determined to take care of her family on her own, without Daron's interference.

Will Emma and Daron find that they are just what the other needs?

I like Daron and how he wants to help Emma, and he admires Emma for her strength and determination to raise her daughter without being a burden to others. He loves Jamie, Emma's daughter and he wants to help as much as he can with her upcoming surgery.

Emma is a hardworking mother, who also helps her granddad who is alot like her, in that he doesn't like depending on others and wants to do everything for himself. I admired her mettle, faith, and determination.

Overall a great book with a lot going on, with great humor, Boone is especially apt at pushing Daron's buttons. It has great characters and dialog, and I liked how Daron's goals change over the course of the book.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising." 

The Beginner's Bible by Kelly Pulley ~ Review + Giveaway

My Review:


A timeless and classic Bible storybook for children, from Genesis and The Fall to Calvary to Revelation, this edition does a pretty good job of covering it all.

It is a wonderful book to read along with the young ones in your life, with colorful illustrations and straightforward style that makes the stories easy to talk about.

This is a  sturdy book, meant to last through the years, and is one of the top selling Bible storybooks of all time. One of the things that I liked, was the big print and easy to read style, that makes it great for new readers to read of Jesus Christ on their own!

Overall, a timeless classic, sturdy in make, and great value. A lovely gift for young children that they will read over and over again, and treasure through the years. A delightful book that is a pleasure to share. Definitely a great addition to a child's library.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. 

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Giveaway open to US residents only the winner will be contacted January 9th, 2017. Comment below to enter, please say what your favorite Bible Story is and leave your email address encoded so I can contact you if you win :)

Nowhere to Hide by Sigmund Brouwer ~ Review

My Review:

King and his friends, Blake and MJ, find themselves swept into another adventure of espionage and conspiracy, working with the CIA against possible terrorists.

This is a fast paced, non-stop adventure that picks up right pretty quickly in the aftermath of the previous book. I was actually a bit confused because I had picked up this book thinking that it was a stand alone, and so in the first few chapters I knew that I was missing something. I would say that this book does a good job of catching you up without revealing too many spoilers from the previous book. But I would probably recommend reading the books in order to minimize possible confusion.

I loved the friendship and camaraderie between King, Blake, and MJ. King with his astute observation, Blake and his hacking skills, and MJ's clowning that hides a sharp young man beneath. This story brought to mind growing up with the Accidental Detectives, and how Mr. Brouwer is still expertly blending heart-pounding suspense and non-stop action with humor, and surprise twists along the way.

King and his friends are swept into a conspiracy so tangled that they don't know who to trust, I loved this book to the very end, riveting. The characters were very well done, and I instantly was cheering for their gang to get to the bottom of everything. I liked King, he is very observant and he knows how to read people. MJ's antics had me groaning and guffawing throughout.

Overall, a fantastic read from beginning to end it was thrilling adventure, and I loved the strong sense of family and friendship that this book brought to the forefront. You will not regret picking up this series!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Looking Back on 2016

2016 has brought a lot of changes into my life. There have been high points and low ones, though now on the other side of it, I feel that it has helped me to grow immensely. 

Looking back at the beginning of the year, I was working as a dental assistant in public health, working chairside, front desk, and with the school-based clinics, with temporary status (about 20-28 hrs weekly) as well as working retail about an average of 25 hrs a week.  A full time position opened up in the public health clinic, and I applied. But unfortunately I did not get the position. And I'll be honest it was a difficult time, as I wasn't entirely sure what to do next. But I continued to stay busy with work, reading, blogging, and church.

So in February and March, I spent a lot of time applying for jobs and going to interviews. As well as still working as a temp dental assistant and retail. The end of March and beginning of April the full-time position I had previously applied for opened up again, and on April 25th, I began working full time hours at my main job. I decided to keep 10-15hrs a week with my retail job as well. During this time I also began attending a young adult church group.

In Mid-May my maternal grandmother passed into the arms of Our Lord in heaven. So we traveled to Wyoming for her funeral. It was wonderful to see so many of my extended family all together in one place, though the reason that had brought us together was bittersweet. 

In early July I took a trip with 2 of my dear friends to Wisconsin, and also Minneapolis to the Mall of America. Soon after our trip, an opportunity opened up for one of my dear friends, Amber, and she accepted a teaching position in China, teaching the English language to children at a elective school.

At the end of August Amber moved to China. 

In September I began volunteering at a local mission on Saturday mornings.

In October, I turned 22.

In November I began picking up extra shifts at my retail job, working 20-23 hrs retail in addition to my full-time job. Meanwhile, still blogging, attending Bible study, helping in Awana, and volunteering when I could.

December flew by, though a joyous time to celebrate the Savior.I continued to work 60-63hrs a week between by jobs, in addition to everything else. I looked forward to the hour between jobs on Friday, and the 3 hours between volunteering on Saturday and my 2nd job, Sunday was my day off,though I was still very busy. Christmas was a lovely day, and our family was joined by a couple from church who has become dear to our family. 

It seems this year has flown by, though it has brought many changes, and not all of them mentioned here. I have made many new friends, done new things, taken more responsibility, and grown a lot as a person. I'm thankful for the countless blessings that have been bestowed on me throughout the year, and I can't wait to see what 2017 will hold!  ~ Faith

Of Stillness and Storm by Michele Phoenix ~ Review

My Review:

Lauren follows her missionary husband, Sam, to Nepal, a country racked by poverty, unstable government, and terrifying beauty. She does her best to be a good wife to Sam, and mother to their 13 year old son, Ryan, but with Sam away three weeks to every one week at home, and Ryan slowly slipping into sullenness, she struggles to hear God's reassurance in being in Nepal.

Suddenly an old friend comes back into her life with  startling news, that leaves Lauren pulled in two different directions, straddling two worlds, her present and her past.

I was drawn to this book because of the setting. I work in health clinic where we see many Bhutanese/Nepali refugees, and they have many intriguing stories of the poverty, corrupt government, unpredictable landslides, and day to day instability and how few the opportunities are few for employment in Nepal. So when I saw this book I wanted to read it to learn more about beautiful but heartbreaking land. Ms. Phoenix did a great job of painting a realistic picture of the poverty that is present in many regions, showing the stark differences from life in the USA.

Lauren struggles to be the poster missionary's wife, where Sam has always been a dreamer, idealistic, yet determined, Lauren has always played it safe. The story is told in the present day with flashbacks to when they first met in Austria, and what eventually brought them to Nepal. We also get a peek into her childhood friendship with Aidan, and how everything brings them to where they are now.

I liked the stark rawness of this book and how it shows a different more honest side of missionary life, that it isn't all glamour, tent revivals, miraculous medical treatments, but it can be lonely and desolate as well. I think that Ms. Phoenix did an amazing job with the characters, and bringing them to life, I felt that I could see why many of them did what they did, and how their different personalities and mindsets affected their choices throughout.

Overall, a well written and thoughtful read, full of emotions and memories, good and bad. I loved and hated the bittersweet ending, but applaud this novel for tackling a unique setting and subject.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

A tale of troubled love and honorable intentions gone awry—don't miss Michèle Phoenix's new intimate and bold release, Of Stillness and Storm. It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream—reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal. When a friend from Lauren’s past enters her life again, the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past might be too much. Will it be the family's undoing?

Take Michèle's new book with you on your winter vacation and enter to win her Bookworm On-the-Go Prize Pack (because you can't take a stack of books with you when you travel).

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Of Stillness and Storm
• A Kindle Fire tablet
• A Kindle Fire map cover
• A passport holder

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on December 31. The winner will be announced January 3 on Michèle's blog.

Love Bears All Things by Beth Wiseman ~ Review

My Review:

Caroline has been evicted from her apartment in the city, and her boyfriend Ryan has left her for another woman. So she decides to return to Lancaster County, to stay with Hannah's family, and try to sell her late brother's home.
But before she leaves, Jacob shows up on her doorstep, wanting to see and experience more than the Amish life that he has lived for 17 years.

When Caroline returns she uncovers more secrets about her brother, as she tries to help Jacob's family come to terms with his dreams She befriends Daniel Byler, and his sister, Annie, who loves Jacob.

More secrets are brought to light as Caroline looks for answers to her brother's suicide.

The second book in a series, this book isn't hard to pick up on, yet I would still recommend reading this book along with the first one so as to understand the dynamics and what is going on better. I didn't read the first book, so I had some catching up to do and somethings to figure out.

I really liked Caroline, and I feel that she has grown a lot over the course of her journey, I liked her willingness to help others, and her big heart. Caroline has a secret in her past, and she cares very much for her adopted Amish family, and does her best to be honest with them and to help them out.

I really liked Daniel and his fierce protectiveness of his sister, and how willing he was to help others. He is honorable, and he doesn't let differences deter him from doing what is right.

Overall, a wonderful book of family, friendship, and forgiveness, as well as faith. Caroline has grown over the course of this series, and it has been good to see her get her life in order, and find peace. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Cowboy Christmas Homecoming by Mary Connealy, Ruth Logan Herne, Julie Lessman, and Anna Schimdt ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Last Chance Christmas
Now a new believer, Grace wants to turn her life around. She arrives in Last Chance, CA, to help her childhood friend Eileen, but instead finds that her friend has died, leaving behind her pastor husband and 4 children.

Colton is in a bind, and he accepts Grace's unexpected help. Grace quickly befriends the children, and even though she can't cook, she even wins over Aunt Millie.

I loved the way that this story all came together, with humor, surprises, great characters, and dialog. I really liked Colton's sense of honor and how he stand up for her when her past comes calling.

A Cowboy for Christmas
June is willing to do anything to care for and provide for her two daughters, after losing their home in a fire. She is not alone, and she and her friends look for work and care for each other's children, rejoicing in each other's small victories.

Hugh Stackman learns about the families the displaced by the fires, and he wants to help them opening his home to them. Having the women staying with them helps Hugh's sister, Lily, come out of her shell.

June is a woman of strong faith, who stands firm despite the adversity in her life. June admires Hugh for his generosity but knows that he doesn't share her faith. This is a great story with threads that are like a re-telling of Ruth and Boaz.

Longhorn Christmas
Roy Hollister rushes to the rescue of Nettie and her son Jeremiah, saving them from a longhorn named Cyclone.

Nettie lives on her family's ranch, and since the death of her husband and father, has been struggling to keep everything running smoothly. So she offers Roy a job.

I liked how Nettie welcomes Roy into their Christmas and how Roy tells Jeremiah a part of the Christmas story every night. One of my favorite stories in the collection, and I loved the humor, dialog, and characters.

Connie's Christmas Prayer
Isaac Porterfield knows what he wants in life, he bought a ranch in Arizona and is ready to settle down. Isaac becomes a regular at Connie's mother's restaurant, often eating with them and helping them clean up. He wins over her mother, but Connie still wants to return to St. Louis.

I like how Connie grows and matures over the course of the book, and comes to see more possibilities for her life than going back home.

Isaac is a patient man of faith, who takes action and goes after what he wants.

A wonderful collection of novellas, enjoyable till the last. Great stories about brae women, and the cowboys that capture their hearts.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Classified Christmas Mission by Lynette Eason ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Deputy Sheriff Lance Goode recognizes the driver of the car before an SUV forces it off the road, and he rushes to Amber Starke's aid.

Amber has been working as a nanny to the Pirhadi home, secretly as an undercover CIA agent to protect Sam, a young autistic boy, as she tries to collect evidence on his father. Sam's mother was helping Amber, but now she is dead, and Amber and Sam are on the run.

Lance sees he need and refuses to let her go it alone, he gather back up, and convinces her to let her brother know what is going on as well. But still it will be a fight against the clock to keep Amber and Sam safe, and stay one step ahead of Pirhadi's game.

Amber understands Sam and cares for him deeply, she has papers signing his custody to her and she would like to keep it that way. Even though Sam isn't like other children, he is brilliant at math and has an excellent memory.

Lance takes time to get to know Sam and introduces him to Chess, and give him math problems to help him take his medicine. Lance and Amber get to know each other again, and Lance tells Amber about his past. Amber has always admired Lance, and knows that he is a man that she can trust.

I liked the fast pace of the storytelling, from the very beginning I was cheering for Amber, Lance, and Sam. There is pretty much non-stop action all the way through, and fantastic dialog. I loved the depth of Sam's character, he was so well written from beginning to end. A thrilling read with a heart pounding climax. Fantastic, utterly fantastic!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Pony Express Christmas Bride by Rhonda Gibson ~ Review

Lucie's Review:

Josephine Dooly cuts her hair and takes a job with the Pony Express as "Jo," in order to escape the arranged marriage that her uncle is trying to force her into. She rides with the Express until she arrives at Young's Pony Express Station, where she is to meet the man that she has agreed to marry by answering and ad for a mail-order bride.

Thomas and Philip Young run a station not far from their adoptive mother's, and ride for the Express as well. Philip is there to meet Jo and bring her to Thomas, who has no idea that she is coming to marry him.

Hazel Gorman is there when she arrives and she offers to let her stay with her while she and Thomas are figuring things out. I liked how she was there to give good advice to Thomas and Josephine while they are getting to know each other.

Josephine fits easily in with the brothers, and she quickly proves herself to be a hard worker cleaning the house from top to bottom and finding ways to make delicious and diverse meals. She is determined to make the best out of this situation, and adapts quickly to life in the country. I liked the dialog between Josephine and Thomas as they get to know each other as strangers to friends.

Thomas is completely surprised by Josephine, she is that last thing that he was expecting to show up, but she might just be what he needs. I liked how Thomas took the time to get to know Josephine and he went out of his way to do things for her.  Thomas is very protective of Josephine and he is a man of honor and integrity and honor who stands by his word.

This is a delightful read, full of surprises and great interaction between the characters. One of my favorite things was the friendship and camaraderie between Thomas and his brother Philip. A very enjoyable read.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."