Thank You Father for 20012

My blog today is a thank you letter to God my Heavenly Father.

I just want to praise You Father and give you glory, honor and praises. This year has been the best year of my life. I have come so far in You Father, I'm not satisfied yet but I'm so much closer to You than I ever thought possible. You have truly become a father that I can crawl up on Your lap and cry my heart out to. You hold me in the palm of your hand and make the crooked places straight. You lift me up when I am ill or under attack. You show me how to be a better woman of God. I can't use words to describe how much I truly love you. Words are totally inadequate.

Last January we were barely holding on and this the last day of the year we are blessed beyond measure. How awesome are you Father! We are totally victorious! Glory to You Lord! What wonders have You in store for me and my family for this coming year? How will You use me to Your glory? I come into this new year so excited I can hardly wait. I feel like I might burst from the wait.

Panama was truly one of the main highlights of this last year. A thousand people we saved, people were healed, and lives touched supernaturally that will never be the same. How awesome were You Lord! Now as we prepare for Peru we claim five hundred children for the mission team and five thousand souls won over to Jesus. We claim lives touched in supernatural ways, severed arms and legs to grow back, demons cast out of people, and even the dead raised to life. Nothing is to difficult for You Father. I promise to give you all the glory and "write, for these words are true and faithful." Revelations 21:5, that all may know of Your glory.

I will continue to write books for your glory, even if no one wants to read them for it is what You commanded me to do. I will continue to seek publication of our books(for I know the stories are from You)
I will serve you more in this coming year.

Wednesday will start my fast and I will seek Your face for the plan You have for the coming year. I will be obedient to all that You tell me to do for I love you with all my heart. My sole desire is to please You. I know that You will show me exactly how you want me to do that.

Thank you Father for all of my followers on my blog may I truly touch their hearts in the coming year and I pray that You pour out blessings on each and everyone of them. Touch the lives of each person who accidentally land on my blog or finds my author's page on facebook. Let me always be a blessing to those who read my work.

All Honor, All Glory be the King of Kings, the Lord of Glory, the Heavenly Father, the Great IAM. I love you so much and only want to thank You for being who You are and for loving me. Thank You for choosing me, for adopting me, and claiming I am Your own. Glory! Glory! Glory!

A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman

My book review today is A Simple Amish Christmas. I really enjoyed this book. I love the Amish books, a simpler way of life. (in some ways anyway) This one was no different, it was very well written, and kept my attention. I hadn't read any of Vannetta's books but I will enjoy reading more.

Annie Weaver left the Amish world to live with her aunt, she didn't fit in with the rest of her people. While living with her aunt she received her GED and went on to receive a nursing degree. She became a nurse caring for very ill children. Annie is called home to Miffin County, to care for her father who has had a bad accident. How can she explain to her family about her training?

Samuel Yoder is a hard working farmer, he is also the only health care provider in the Amish world he lives in. He was widowed many years earlier, a lonely man he has taken on the responsibility of his people to the point that he felt much older than his twenty-nine years. He has little hope of ever having a family of his own.

Annie's return brought Samuel and Annie together in the care of her father. Annie soon earned Samuel's respect with her nursing skill and he started taking her on calls with him. Annie was very attracted to the handsome, gentle man. Samuel had many issues to deal with but began to care deeply for this young girl.

A story of forgiveness, trust, and finding where you fit into God's plans. I know it will inspire you. It's a great read, even though Christmas is over. I hope you will go out and get a copy, you can find it at Amazon.com.

I hope you all had a great Christmas. We had our family celebration on Saturday night. My grandson had to return to his dad's on Sunday, but Saturday was great. We were to have Christmas dinner at Scott's (my son-in-law) mother's home in Sargent. She was brought to the hospital Monday night and is still there today. I was having some problems and was kind of relieved not to go out in the cold weather. I became very ill and we ended up not having a Christmas dinner but just had some snacks. I went to the doctor on Wednesday and was told I had a serious case of Bronchitis, ear infection, and a cracked rib. Merry Christmas! God is good and I am improving daily. God bless you all. I'll talk to you on Monday.

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year! My grandson is here, Praise God I haven't seen him since July. So I'm not going to be posting today or Monday. I plan to enjoy every minute I can with my family. God bless you all and I pray only the best for you this season.

Fear of Faith You Choose

This last week has been a week of horror for the United States. A week where a dysfunctional mother was killed by her tortured son that went on to kill twenty babies and several adults. A normal mind would ask why. Many people will blame God for such a horrendous event, but God doesn't kill babies, He doesn't call them home to be a flower in some garden in the sky. No, the devil stole these children! He reached down into a tormented mind and told him there was no other way. Just what goes on in the mind of a man like that we will never know. Many writers try to tell stories about it but we really have no idea. We do know that
he felt he could no longer live with what he had done. Maybe he felt like he was saving them from a terrible life, maybe in his tortured mind he was protecting them. We will never know.

Two weeks ago, that community was celebrating. They had a tree lighting service where the whole town came. There was face painting and singing, everyone was full of joy and now the whole community is in mourning. I was thrilled to see the Billy Graham Chaplains there ministering to the people. They even brought grief dogs to minister to the crowds.

Where do we go from here? I have read so many stories and posts on the internet where people are afraid to send there kids to school or let them out of their homes but we can't live like that. We can't let the devil win! We must fight back! We need to pray for divine protection over our children everyday. We need to lay hands on them and bless them. We need to pray for our kids and our nation. God is a good God but if we live in fear His hands our tied. When Job lost his children he said "The thing that I feared has come upon me" Fear drives out faith. You each have a choice, you can believe God's Word, believe in His divine protection, His love for you or you can live in fear and never leave your own home. Joshua said "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord" That is what I choose. I choose to believe that God has a plan for me and my family, a good plan and if evil comes to my household He will see us through.

Where evil abounds grace does abound more. Choose Faith, don't live in fear. God is good and His mercies endures forever. God bless you and keep the joy of Christmas in your home. God sent Jesus into this world for such a time as this.

Acts of Honor by Vicki Hinze

My book review today is on Acts of Honor. I ordered this from Amazon and didn't realize it wasn't a Christian Suspense. There was a lot of language that is not normally in the books I read but it wasn't obsessive and it was necessary in story. Men in a mental hospital that had been tortured wouldn't use Christianeze. I love Vicki's books and this wasn't the one to disappoint me.

Dr. Sara West has specialized in working with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She now has an eighty-percent success rate. Her methods are very unorthodox but she gets results. Her brother-in-law, David Quade committed suicide five years ago, now Sara struggled to help her sister and her niece learn to live again. Sara hates the military for what happened to David and her family, she had spent the last five years trying to get answers form Colonel Jack Foster, now he comes to her and wants help. He has an officer that has had his brain scrambled. Foster wants her to find out if this Shadow Watcher is salvageable. She will be given five patients and she will need to find his man and report back to Foster. She tries to send Foster packing but his promise that she will find the answers to David's death leads her to accept the challenge. She goes under cover to a military mental facility that doesn't exist. To treat people that no longer exist. If she fails she too cease to exist.

Major Jarrod  Brandt wakes to find himself in isolation, wearing a straight jacket, and not knowing who he is. He remembers an electric chair, a red haze, and episodic rage nothing more. Sara meets with him but triggers and episode of rage and he almost kills her.

Sara meets her patients and gives them each a name as the hospital only has them identified by numbers. (I love the fact that when she meets the patient she named Joe, she immediately knows he is "The One") She recognizes that Joe is her Shadow Watcher. Now she has to help this man even though he tries to kill her at their first meeting.

This is an excellent military thriller. I come from a military family and I found the story very plausible but quite heart stopping. I would hate to think of things like this happening to my son, who was in the Special Forces.
I really liked this book and will read the rest of this series. 

Happy Birthday to Me

My Birthday is today so I am going to share with you about how I feel about that. I was born two weeks before Christmas. My parents brought me home on Christmas Eve (in those days women were kept lying flat for ten days) I still have a doll that they gave me for that first Christmas. It's a cloth bodied goggle eyed doll.

For as long as I can remember my parents always told me there would be an extra present under the tree for me because of my birthday, yeah right! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to count gifts under the tree. I was always disappointed. Christmas was always hard at our home, my dad was military and there was four of us kids so money was tight.

The first year I was married, we had nothing, my husband gave me crayons and a coloring book. The next Christmas he was in Vietnam, by the next Christmas my marriage was in trouble. A year later I had three kids under two and a husband who had disappeared off the face of the earth.

Every year in the past forty-four years I have thought; 'next year will be different, next year I won't be alone, and next year I won't be broke.' I would fight depression all the way through November and December. I know as Christians we aren't suppose to be depressed, but sometimes that is hard to put in practice. It doesn't help when your parents pass on, a grandchild dies of SIDS, or when you lose a child.

This year should have been different for me. I have grown so much this last year. I thought I had it all together but as my manuscript(only the first chapter, no one will read the whole thing) was rejected again, I found I had a fight on my hands again. I started getting up at five each morning to pray in the Spirit and then the attacks began; a cold, the flu, a pulled muscle. How many know how hard it is to be up and positive when your in pain?

Today is my birthday and I know that the attacks are over. Not just because of the date but because God is good and His mercies endureth forever. I have come through it all victorious. I trust God with everything and in everything and I know that He has only the best in store for me.

Thanks everyone for all the Birthday Wishes and Prayers. God bless you all. I'll see you all on Monday.

Tracking Justice by Shirlee McCoy

My book review today is the first book in the Texas K-9 Unit Series by Love Inspired Suspense. I love Shirlee's books, she writes great suspense stories and her romance is second to none. She doesn't preach but her faith is woven deep within each of her stories. I love her characters, although they are flawed in many ways they fight for what they believe in and they don't give up.

Eva Billows wakes up in the middle of the night to find her seven year old son had been kidnapped. Eva isn't a stranger to violence and has little faith in the law enforcement of her city. Both  of her parents had been murdered several years ago and the killers still haven't been found.

Police Detective Austin Black and his canine partner Justice are called in to track the young boy. He assures the desperate Eva that he will find her son but Eva isn't about to trust a man so she follows them into the woods.  Austin is unable to tell her she can't come. Finding the child isn't the end of their troubles as one of the men who kidnapped Brady comes back to get him. Can they keep him safe? Can they find "The Boss"?

The book is action packed and very hard to set down. I know you will enjoy this book. You can find out more about Shirlee's books at; www.shirleemccoy.com. God bless you all.

The General's Secretary by Debby Giusti

My book review today is The General's Secretary by Debby Gousti, a January issue of Love Inspired Suspense. It is the fourth book in the Military Investigations Series. I really enjoy the way Debby writes. She is one of my favorites. Her books are always fast paced, action packed stories but filled with love and faith and this book is no exception, it is a great read.

Lillie Beaumont is the secretary of General Cameron. She has made a good life for herself while trying to live down her past. Her mother disappeared years ago. Everyone assumed she had ran off and left her only child, a four year old to fend for herself. Her murdered body was found years later in a oil drum, she had been buried alive. Now Lillie's past has found her, when the man that had been sent to prison for her murder show up on her doorstep. He tries to tell her of hidden secrets but is murdered before he can tell her who is behind her mother's death.

Special Agent Dawson Timmons of the Criminal Investigations Division is there to protect Lillie and find the killer but Dawson has his own agenda. He is fighting his own demons from his past. The past of both of these people is intertwined, are they brought together by divine inspiration? They begin to face the problems from their past but someone is trying to prevent them from finding the truth.

The truth must come out. You know it always comes out, how we deal with those truths are what makes us the people we are. I love stories of love and forgiveness. How awesome God is and how He loves us. It is awesome to share this with the world and touch those who might never enter a church. I'm sure you will love this story. You can find out more about it or how to order it at www.DebbyGiusti.com. God bless you all.

Midnight Shadows by Carol J. Post

My book review today is by Carol J. Post, I haven't read any of Carol's work before but I really enjoyed her writing. Midnight Shadows is the January issue of Love Inspired Suspense and a first for Carol.

The story takes place in a small town in Florida. Melissa Langston has a stalker, she flees to her hometown.
Melissa changes her name and tries to make a new life for herself but soon she starts receiving flowers, notes, and sees shadows in the night. She is sure her stalker has tracked her down but the police think shes over reacting.

Chris Jamison, former fiance` comes back to town to take over his father's business after his death. A former cop Chris believes she is in danger and sets out to keep her safe.

Melissa turns to Chris for protection which triggers her stalker to go after Chris instead of Melissa. It's a good story and I'm sure you will really enjoy it. I highly recommend it.

Ready for the Holidays

We live in a HUD house, when we moved back to Broken Bow there weren't and houses to rent so we were forced to rent a low income home. I hate living in one because we pay high rent and yet everyone assumes you are poor because of where you live. You may ask yourself what that has to do with the holidays but I am getting to that. Twice a year we get a notice that they will be inspecting our home, yesterday was that day.

I will be the first one to tell you that I am not a good housekeeper. I'm a creative person, which means I tend to be messy at times. I take care of the home, my daughter is the Assistant Manager at our local Runza Restaurant, my son-in-law is disabled and almost blind, my seventeen year old granddaughter is a full time student and works nights at McDonalds, my grandson work as a manager at McDonalds, his girlfriend works full time at the nursing home, and that leaves me with the house and a fourteen month old baby girl. Need I say more?

We received the notice last month so I have been trying to deal with things. It was what they call a white glove inspection. They want all the walls cleaned, windows washed, filters changed, ect. Some of those thing are hard to do ahead of time.

The day before Thanksgiving I was taking down all of the decorations to make room for our Christmas stuff when I pulled a muscle in my lower back. I have been fighting this condition ever since, the more I do the more it hurts. Night before last I hurt so bad I was up all night. I can't take pain meds as I am allergic to them so I just had to tough it through. I prayed, I confessed healing, I cried all to no affect but my house is now clean. We passed the inspection with flying colors and my house looks beautiful. All of the Christmas stuff is up, I actually slept last night, and I am ready for the holidays.

Are last couple of months have been really hard, our car has been broke down and we are walking or having to call for rides, which is so embarrassing when you keep telling people how blessed you are. I know people look at us and laugh, they sure don't want what we have but this is just an attack and we are not giving up. We are going forward and what you see and feel has noting to do with our real world. God has this plan for our lives and we are standing on the edge of a breakthrough. I am excited to see what He has in store for us.
I trust God with everything with in me and I know something awesome is about to take place.

I'm read for the holidays, how about you? Are you ready to go forth even when things look bleak? God has a plan for each of us, we just have to trust Him. Thanks for visiting today, God bless you.

Oblivious to the Obvious

What we need now is a fresh prospective. In Philippians 4:4-8 we find that God is good all the time. We are to think on His goodness; whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, and anything praiseworthy-- think on these things.

II Kings 6:15-23 tells of Elisha servant, he is frightened by the army but Elisha prays to God to open his eyes that he might see that there are more on their side than in the opposing army.

Oblivious means preoccupied, not conscious of your surrounding, just like the old saying, you can't see the forest for the tress. We get to the place that we are so focused on the problem that we can't see the answer. Our problem is just another opportunity to prove God's Word works, a chance for God to show off for us and show us what He can do.

We have just had a major disappointment in our election. So many of us are so focused on what we have lost that we have given up looking for the answer. God wasn't shocked because of the way the election went, we need to stop looking at the fearful economy, at the joblessness, and at the situation with Israel. We need to humble ourselves and pray for our nation and we need to trust God to do the rest. Believe me He has a plan and it will be a good one.

God bless you all.

Narrow Escape by Camy Tang

My book review today is on the January issue of Love Inspired Suspense, Narrow Escape. I really like the way Camy writes and this book was one of her best. I enjoy the way she works her Christianity into her story line.

Arissa Tiong is the sister of a man believed to be mole in the narcotics division of the police force. He was killed in the line of duty three years ago. Now someone is trying to kidnap her and her three year old niece.
It's been three years, why do they want her now? Arissa runs to the only man she can trust, her brothers partner.

Nathan Fischer lost his career when his femur bone is shattered by a bullet as he watched his partner bleed out. Nathan is convinced Mark is a mole and sold them out but there wasn't enough evidence to prove it. Now three years later Arissa comes to him for help. He can't help himself how can he help her? God took his whole life from him including his chance at happiness with Arissa.

In an action packed story Nathan helps Arissa and Charity get away from LSL drug gang and finds God along the way. I really enjoyed the story and I know you will too. You can get more information on Camy's books at:www.camytang.com.

When A Heart Stops by Lynette Eason

Please accept my apology, I'm sorry about Monday, I was ill and unable to get on line. My book review today is on the second book of the Deadly Reunion Series by Lynette Eason. I love the way Lynette writes, I learn a lot from her books. This one was awesome, I enjoyed it very much and I know you will too.

Awakened from her sleep Serena Hopkins calls 911 for help when she realizes someone is in her home. She takes the gun her father taught her to use. The man knows her name, this isn't a random break in. She warns the man but is forced to shoot him. As the medical examiner she is later called to the scene of a murder. The scene is familiar to her as is the victim. A woman she knew from her past. Even more unnerving is the FBI agent they send to the scene, a man she also knows from her past, a man she once thought she loved.

FBI Agent Dominic Allen is on medical leave as a favor to one of his friends he goes to the murder scene. He needs to talk with Serena about one of her friends who has disappeared. What he finds as evidence mounts up is a pattern that leads to a serial killer. A serial killer that has been behind bars for years or what appears to be a copy cat murderer but how does Serena fit into this case?

Serena and Dominic are thrown into an action packed drama centering around Serena.They struggle to find the killer before he kills again but it is soon apparent that Serena is one of the targets. Both are drawn to each other as the violence becomes more personal.

I enjoy all of Lynette's books. She has such a way with words, her stories are fast moving and action packed. This story will not let you down. You can find it on Amazon or at www.LynetteEason.com

Thank You Father

My post today is on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. A holiday that is all about Thanking God for all the wondrous thing He has done. God is so good and His mercies endures forever. There is no way to thank God for all He has done in my life. I wish we had more times that were devoted to just thanking Him.

How can you not thank Him? I woke up this morning... I was able to get out of bed... I was able to make coffee... put a load of clothes in the washer...clean house...

 I spent an hour in prayer. I had been devastated because of another rejection of my book, I felt like I had let God down. He had given me the story but I was unable to do it right. Too much going on... too long... not enough romance...Why can't they just read the whole manuscript? How can they say there is too much going on when they only read the first chapter or not enough romance when your character just met?I was so frustrated, I was ready to give up, but my scripture today was: Where's your faith? Where is your trust? Luke 8:22 The temptation is for people to give up believing God in tough times. I will not cast off my confidence which has great recompense of reward.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good. I thank Him for what He is doing in my life and even though I am under attack right now, I will praise Him and thank Him with all that is within me.

A Family's Christmas Wish by Lisa Manley

My book review today is on the story A Family's Christmas Wish a story in the A Snowglobe Christmas by Love Inspired. I love Christmas stories, I always join that club when they offer it. The two stories in this book were great, I really enjoyed them.

Sara Kincaid is a young single mom with a three year old daughter. Her father ran off and left her mom when Sara was a small child. Her husband ran off and left her before her daughter was born. Her trust in men was non existent but she needed help with her B&B.

Owen Larsen was a single dad, his wife had died and shattered his world. Owen had made up his mind he had to get away from Snowglobe. The memories were just to painful to live with. He made arrangement to move to another place but  he still had jobs that needed to be done. His babysitter was unable to take of his daughter. Owen makes a deal with Sara, he would fix her roof if she would care for his daughter.

The two girls, Janey and Mia instantly bond. Owen and Sara are drawn to each other but both of them plan to stay alone. They couldn't trust one another or God. A struggle to meet God where He is leading them takes place.

I don't know about you but that is a struggle I deal with every day. I would like to say that I trust God completely but it's a battle that you deal with each day. I don know that I am making progress and getting better each day. I hope you are too. God bless you, see you Wednesday.

Yuletide Homecoming by Linda Goodnight

My post today is on Yuletide Homecoming, one of the Snowglobe Christmas Stories by Love Inspired. I really like the way Linda writes, her men are always such delicious hunks. Although he didn't have milk chocolate eyes like some of her stories, he is described as delicious.

Amy Caldwell returns home to take over the running of the family business.She had left five years ago with a broken heart but now she's coming home. The small town of Snowglobe is a Christmas wonderland that she has really missed. The rejection of her father and then the love of her life has left deep scars but her returning faith has helped her heal.

Rafe Westfield broke Amy's heart when her became a Marine, broke their engagement, and then went off to war. Battle scared and weary he has returned to his home to make a new life. Giving back to the town is his way of putting the world right. He throws himself into the Christmas giving programs and is then thrown into Amy's presence. He soon realizes he is still in love with Amy, can he win her back.

Amy is bound and determined she will not be hurt again but life doesn't work that way. Her mother is dating some strange man and then she finds out she can't trust Rafe, he has lied to her.

It was a delightful book, one I know you will enjoy. I love a good christmas story and this one is good. I hope you enjoy it. God bless you until next Monday.

The Wedding Journey by Cheryl St.John

My book review today is a Love Inspired Historical. The Wedding Journey is the first book of the Irish Brides Series by Cheryl St.John. I really enjoy Cheryl's books and I know you will too.

Following the death of their father, the Murphy sisters are forced to leave the only home they have ever known. While packing they find a deed to a home in America and a mysterious letter from an unknown man to their mother. Selling what little they had and using the coins their friends gave them at their father's funeral they leave for the new land.

Maeve assists a injured boy before getting on the ship. Dr. Flynn Gallagher is so impressed he asks her to be his assistant and finds jobs for her sisters. Maeve is a beautiful, spirited young woman who bring new life to the heartbroken widower. Her gentleness and kindness draws him like a bee to a flower. Slowly she leads him back to God and the things he has turned his back on.

Maeve is a poor farm girl. She knows very little about the ways of the world. She is drawn to this doctor but is aware of his intense love for his deceased wife and child. How could he ever be attracted to her? He can have his choice of women; she wears plain hand-me-downs, her corkscrews curls are uncontrollable, and she is uneducated. What must he think of her?

I really enjoyed the book. So often we are unable to see the beauty in ourselves or what gifts we bring to the body. Both of these people were like that. They cared about others and put others first in their lives but were unable to see anything of worth in themselves. God was able to use their gifts to change the lives of most of the passengers on the ship. How many lives can we change if we but follow the leading of the Holy Spirit?

I know you will enjoy the story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. As always God bless you for visiting my blog today.

Inescapable by Nancy Mehl

My book review today is on Inescapable, a Road to Kingdom-Book One. I love Amish Fiction and I thought this was one but it was a story of the Mennonites. I use to live by a colony of Mennonites in Missouri when I was in high school so that was great and its a mystery, what more could I want.

Elizabeth Lynn Engel is being stalked, she is receiving threatening letters, she's accused of embezzlement, she loose her job, she's without money, and fears for her daughters life. Desperate, she runs home, a of abuse, a place of shame, a place she swore she would never return to. Her mother and her friends are happy to see her but her father refuses to allow her to come home. She takes a job at the local cafe with a woman who had been a friend to her before she had ran off and is given an apartment above it.

Elder Noah Housler has returned to Kingdom, his love for Lizzie still very much alive. He tries to protect her and her daughter and help her start a new life. Lizzie's daughter Charity is fascinated by Noah as he looks just like the prince in her Sleeping Beauty book. Can an elder have a future with an unwed mother?

Clay Troyer, Charity's father returns to Kingdom wanting to be a part of Charity's life. Clay left her when she found out she was pregnant. His parents tried to force her into having an abortion. How could you trust a man like that? Could Clay be God's plan for her? Is this why God brought her here?

Torn between the two men, her father unforgiveness, a stalker, threatening letters, and trying to right by her daughter Lizzie tries to put her life back together. It is a story of faith, of restoration, of forgiveness, and of love. I enjoyed the book and recommend that you get a copy.  

Sandwich With a Side of Romance by Ktista Phillips

My book review today is a book I won on one of the blogs. I always love to receive free books. It's hard to feed my obsession on books. My book today is Sandwich With a Side of Romance by Krista Phillips. I hadn't read any of Krista's books. She's a friend on facebook but I wasn't familiar with her work. I really enjoyed this book. It was cute, funny, and very entertaining, I know you will love it.

Maddie Buckner moves to Sandwich, Illinois to work in a beauty shop. Thrilled to have the chance to make something of herself so she can get custody of her brother, Kyle. Her first day at work she is disaapointed because all she gets to do is sweep floors. Her boss walks out the door and a man, Reuben Callahan walks in wanting a haircut immediately. Maddie is more than happy to do the job but he falls asleep, jumping awake she cute four inches off the side. Her boss walks in, she fixes the hair, but fires Maddie. When Reuben leaves she is on the roof of his brand new BMW claiming he owes her a job.

Reuben felt bad so offered her a job as a waitress in his restaurant. She manages to dump a tray of food on the mayor's lap so she is fired again but she talks Reuben into taking her as his assistant when she sees the mess his office is in. She is actually very good at that.

Reuben is in a relationship with his manager, Livy, a girl he has dated for years. Livy isn't happy with the new relationship and does everything in her power to sabotage the new employee. Reuben is having issues with his step father, finances, and two new stores he is trying to start.

Maddie comes from a past in foster care, abusive relationships, and poverty. She doesn't want a man in her life especially a good looking one. God is all she needs.

Their antics will have you laughing and crying. It is a hard book to put down and their journey is very entertaining. You must get a copy of this book. I can't wait to read more of Krista's work. God bless you.

Betrayal on the Border by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

My book review today is a Love Inspired Suspense book for the month of December, Betrayal on the Border by Jill Elizabeth Nelson. Jill is one of my favorite authors. I really enjoy her work and this book is one of her best. I really loved it.

Former Army Ranger Madison Jerrard was involved in a deadly mission. Everyone is killed but Maddie and a journalist Chris Mason. She didn't cause the ambush so that only leaves Chris as the traitor. She is unable to remember the details of the attack because of her injuries is bound and determined to discover what really happened.

Maddie's location is discovered so she makes a run for it but finds Chris sitting in her car. Chris talks her into working with him to discover the truth. Maddie refuses to trust him but they are thrown into life threatening situations where they must work together. Drawn together in an attraction they both had felt before the mission had torn them apart, they struggle to keep their hearts in tact.

Chris helps Maddie find her way back to God as they search for leaks in the DEA or the Ortiz Cartel. I love the way faith is woven into the plot. We serve an awesome God and it is so great to see it shared in such a great way. I know you will enjoy this book, please check it out. you can find more information at:
http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com. God bless you all, see you Friday.

Descended - Jett by Dana Pratola

I found this book on facebook a couple of days ago. It sounded so intriguing that I went to Amazon. I read the first chapter and was hook. It was a different concept and I loved every minute of it. A book you just can't put down. Oh to have the ability to come up with a story such as this one.

Haven Silano is an artist. She is the daughter of an artist, now deceased. Her father belittles her talent and has her painting houses for a living. Haven has issues with her father and the way she saw him treat her mother. She has a strong faith in God although in the beginning of the story she was having trouble getting to church and spending time in the Word.

Jett is a man with supernatural gifts. He comes from a long line of gifted men. He has become a strong disciplined man even though he survived a horrendous childhood. He uses his gift to save young girls captured and forced into human slavery.

Jett hires Haven to paint a Tuscany painting for his grandmother. He is drawn to her in a way he never imagined but there can be no future for this pure talented painter and a spawn of the devil.

Haven is not turned off by the horrors of his childhood but is filled with love for him. She believes his gitfs are gifts from God Almighty. She sets out to show him God love and God's plan for his future.

I was captivated by the book. I had never read any of Dana's book but I will be looking for more. It is a great read. You need to run out and buy a copy. You can find it at Amazon.com. God bless you all.

Deadly Business by Susette Williams

My book review today is by special request. The book has not been released yet but I know you will enjoy it when you get the chance to read it. Deadly Business is the first book in the Maid for Murder Trilogy. It is written in first person, which I don't always like but I did like this one. Susette did a great job with her story it was very funny.

Bailey was a quirky, little, Christian out on her own for the first time. Thing just don't ever seem to go right for her. Her grandfather dies and leaves her his cleaning business. Her family doesn't want her to run the business. Her father and two older brothers want her where they can keep their eyes on her. She is deeply attracted to Max but he isn't a Christian so she must avoid him.

Detective Max Willington meets her when she finds two dead bodies at work. She is arrested but later released. Max is driven crazy by Bailey's constant interference in his investigation although she is instrumental in helping him solve the case. He is very attracted to her but she keeps giving him mixed signals.

A few weeks later she finds a hand. She calls Max and the fun begins. He orders her to stay away from the investigation but of course she is in the middle of it. She lands herself in all kinds of sticky situations as she is determined to solve the case. Her list of possible suspects keep growing as fast as the list of missing bodies.

Bailey has a strange and humorous way of looking at life. I know you will laugh your way through it. It will be out this week on Amazon or check out her books at www.susettewilliams.com

A Promise to Protect by Liz Johnson

My book review today is on a Love Inspired Suspense for December. A Promise to Protect by Liz Johnson was a very good book. I highly recommend it. Liz Johnson has written several books for Love Inspired Suspense. I really enjoy the way she writes. Her books are fast paced, action filled stories with lots of romance, a great combination as far as I'm concerned. I love the fact that faith has an intricate part in her stories.

Ashley Sawyer is running a home for abused women and children. She has been abused in the past and wants to help these battered souls. She helps a young girl by moving her out of town to another shelter. The men that had her kept hostage resent that and go after Ashley and her clients.

Navy Seal Matt Waterstone is best friends with Ashley's brother, Tristan. Tristan is on the phone with Ashley when she is attacked. He send Matt, a wounded warrior, to protect her. Coming from several foster homes with abusive fathers he knows first hand about the problems Ashley deals with. His main problem is how to care for her, the women, and children without getting involved. He know he could never be worthy of a woman like Ashley and he fears what her brother would do to him if he did.

Ashley has always had a crush on Matt and even though she was badly hurt by her abuser she is now drawn to this wonderful man. Their journey throws them together in intimate ways so that both are struggling to not care for each other. While they are forced to rely totally on God.

I know you will enjoy the book, please check it out and more of her books at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com.
God bless you all.

Christmas Countdown by Vicki Hinze

My book review today is on Vicki Hinze's book. Christmas Countdown. It's the second book in her Lost Inc. series by Love Inspired Suspense. It is the December edition so it won't be in stores for awhile. This was a great book. I really enjoyed the first one, hopefully you read my review on that one. Paul and Della, from the first book, are in this book but only in end of the book do they make an entrance. I love the way Vicki tells her stories, her characters ring true, the military segments are believable and the action is fast moving. This book like the last one leaves you kind of hanging, they catch the bad guy but there is still one lurking in the wings. She also does a great job weaving her Christian beliefs into the story. I love that about her.

Maggie Mason is an FBI Profiler. She is being stalked by a serial killer, she has played cat and mouse with this guy for three years. One of the investigators at Lost Inc. talks her into coming home for the holidays. She has spent the last few years trying to keep the killer away from her friends and family but she now feels the need to go home. The killer has shown her signs that the game is over and he is ready to kill again. Maggie comes from a home where parents had little use for her or her older brother Paul but Paul has taken over the parent role to let her know that she is truly loved. The killer had attacked her and Paul almost killing them, now she must protect her brother.

Investigator Dr.Ian Crane lost his wife three years ago. She was murdered while he was deployed. He had a problem with God not protecting his wife when he was off fighting the war. His relationship with God is over. Maggie was a close friend of his wife's and after her death Maggie steps up to help Ian deal with her death. They have become close friends and it is Ian that she calls when she is afraid at night. She emails him her thoughts, feelings, and fears. She is the reason he keeps going. Now she comes back home and he is going to be the one to save her.

Both of these characters are flawed people just trying to survive as the take on a cold blooded killer. It becomes a journey of love, of forgiveness, and restoration. It is a great read and I know you will really enjoy it. You can find out more about this book or the first Lost Inc. book, Survive the Night, by going to
www.vickihinze.com. 

Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig

My book review today is on Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig, an Abingdon Press release. I loved this book. I give it a five star review. As I said the other day, I read my Kindle when I exercise. I hurt my foot in July when I was in Panama so anything that can get my mind off the pain of walking is great. This book kept me going, I couldn't believe when my thirty minutes were over. It is action packed from the first page to the last. I was almost through it when I dropped my Kindle. The Screen shattered and my first thought was how am I going to finish this book. Thank you Jesus it still works and I was able to finish it. I would give anything to be able to write like Ronie does. I love her books. Her characters were so real. I laughed, I cried, and many times held my breath not knowing what would happen to them next.

Shiloh Blake is out on an archeological dive, she finds a cylinder that wasn't an artifact. She comes up to the surface to bullets blazing. Her fellow divers fall into the water. Mikhail is dead and her best friend, Khalid is shot. She grabs hold of Khalid and swims to shore dropping the cylinder. She signaled for help and is forced to do CPR as she waited. The Indian Coast Guard rescues her and Khalid and takes them to the city where they are rushed to the hospital.

Reece Jaxon is on the Coast Guard ship, he watches the interaction between the two they had rescued from a distance but is fascinated by Shiloh. Reece is CIA and is assigned to protect the girl. Her father is an agent that had been a mentor to Reece. He must keep her safe and to do that he must keep her at a distance or he will lose his heart.

Shiloh hates her father. He had left her to return to being a spy. He mother had been a spy and had been killed. She had watched her mother die and it was his fault. Her mother had left her, everyone had left her. She couldn't trust anyone not even God, He had left her too.

Shiloh had no idea what she had gotten herself into. Reece seemed to be the only one to get her out of it. She is drawn to him but can she trust him? He is just like her father.

Her father is drawn into the situation. Shiloh has some serious decisions to make as she is drawn into a life she despises. She is forced to trust the God she felt had let her down.

I love the end and won't give it away but I do love it. You can find more about this book or where to order it at: www.RonieKendig.com. I know you will love it so check it out. Go bless you all.

Treacherous Skies by Elizabeth Goddard

Today's book review is on one of the Love Inspired Suspense Books for December. Treacherous Skies is the second book Elizabeth Goddard has written for Love Inspired Suspense. I really enjoyed Freezing Point which was her first so I was excited to read her second book. I was not disappointed. It was a great read.

Maya Carpenter is the only daughter of a Colombian drug-lord. She was abducted by her father's arch enemy and competitor as a small child. She was helped by a servant and her mother took her and ran back to the United States. Now after years of peace and quiet, her father has asked to see her before he dies. She arranges to meet him but instead of her father she is captured by her father's worst nightmare.

Conner Jacobson is a flawed character, his main desire is to be a hero like his father but has repeatedly failed. He is hired to repossess a Lear Jet. This would give him a chance to redeem himself in his brothers eyes. He drags one of his brother along to help him. Imagine his surprise to finds a beautiful woman trussed up in the lavatory on the plane. They take off with bullets flying. He is so in over his head but he was a test pilot and a fighter pilot so he know a few tricks that could help them. The plane now disabled, they must make an emergency landing in Golden Key. They can trust no one, the whole world seems to be after them.

Maya just wants Connor to leave her alone, she can't bare for others to get hurt. She is drawn to Connor but refuses to tell him what is going on. She knows once he knows who her father is he will run just like the others in her life. Connor not knowing exactly who she is and what is going on, refuses to leave her. He is going to save her or die trying.

I loved the book. Both of these characters are trying to save the other one but are thrown together so they must trust each other. God is their only hope in a terror filled world. Elizabeth did a great job weaving in her faith into this story. I love stories of redemption and unfailing love. I know that you will all enjoy this book so please check it out. You can find out more information by going to: www.ElizabethGoddard.com.

Christian Fiction Book Reviews

I joined the Christian Fiction Book Reviews web site yesterday. They are having a contest for a new Kindle Fire which I would love to win. To find out more about the contest you can goon facebook at:
www.facebook.com/ChristianFictionBookReviews or ChristianFictionBR@gmail.com. To win five extra chance we were asked to put information on our blogs. I would have put the information on my blog even with out the five extra chances. I love book reviews, in case you haven't noticed that already.

I have spent the last few months doing my own reviews on the books that I have been privileged to read. I hope that in doing reviews I will be able to help fellow writers and readers. With so much fiction out there it is hard to know what to invest your money in. I hope to encourage reader to run out and get a good book but not only that to try some new authors.

My daughter and I have limited funds for books and so we have books by the authors we have come to love. It has only been recently that I have started reading new author. I have relied on other peoples reviews to purchase those new author books. So far I have been bless by the choices I have made. I hope that you will broaden your reading list and enjoy a few new authors. God bless you all.

Her Homecoming Cowboy by Debra Clopton

My book review today is on Love Inspired's Her Homecoming Cowboy by Debra Clopton. It is another of her Mule Hollow Homecoming Series. I remember when she first started the Mule Hollow books. She is so funny and her characters are so alive that even after several years they are still a part of me. I have really enjoyed her books. This one was no exception. I love the matchmaking posse and of course they were a part of this story. I love that she brought up the brightly painted businesses. Shear joy! That was what her main character said. I do love this book and I know you will too. If you haven't read any of the Mule Hollow books you need to check them out.

Annie Ridgeway moves to Mule Hollow after her home burns down. She and her nephew lost everything so they must start over. Annie decides it is time for her nephew to meet his father. She almost died in the fire. Where would Leo be if that would have happened? No one knew who his father is.

Leo is in total hero worship mode over Colt Holden, the bull rider. His mother has told him stories about the Colt from the day he was born. He has no idea who his father is but he does know he wants Colt to be that man.

Colt is recovering from an accident that took a family's life. Guilt has caused him to shut down. He can never recover from the pain. When he learns Leo is his son he is thrilled but refuses to acknowledge him because he is not worthy of happiness.

This is the struggle of two people bound together in love but refusing to give in to it. They need the intervention of Leo, who wants them to be a family, Colt's family, and the matchmaking posse. You will enjoy their struggles as they find their own homecoming.

You can find more about Debra's books at; debraclopton.com. Check her out God bless you all.

Proof by Jordyn Redwood

My book review today is on Proof: Bloodline Trilogy. I so enjoyed this book but it became a problem for me. I usually read books on my Kindle when I go and exercise. I then read a printed book when I take a bath and then go to bed and read until I get sleepy. During the day I am doing housework, on line, or writing my own books. This book I took to the gym and I had finished my exercising before I was even aware of it. I couldn't seem to get that book out of my mind. The next day I did the same thing only I actually worked out longer than I usually do and didn't realize it. The third day I worked out longer but I went home and finished the book. I didn't do laundry like I should have, I skipped lunch, I threw a frozen prepared dinner in the oven, I took my Kindle in the bath(I never do that, I don't want to drop it in the water)and took the book to bed with me. I couldn't put it down.

Dr. Lilly Reeves is on the emergency staff of Sage Medical Center. Her keys are taken in the first chapter. the keys were returned before it was time to leave and she didn't think much about. She was called to take a women that is brought in from a car accident. The patient, Torrence, was a pregnant woman that was ran off the road and struck a tree. This Torrence was a victim of rape. The baby she carried was from that rape and she wanted to help bring justice to the man that raped her. She had been on her way to the police when she was hit. Torrence has severe head trauma and is unconscious.

Detective Nathan Long is investigating a serial rapist.  Torrence is a key part of that investigation but he is unable to speak with her before she dies.  Lilly blames him when she finds out that this is one of several rapes. She tells him he should inform the public.  He failed to tell her that missing keys was a part of these rapes.

Lilly was raped. One of her best, Dr.Kadin Daughtry find her, naked, bathed, drugged, and posed as she would appear in a coffin, covered only by a sheet. Her friends do everything they can to help her deal with the rape. She refuses help or counseling but turns to drugs and alcohol.

A visit from Gabe(angelic messenger, which I loved) tells her a story about Adolf Hitler,he tells her there is a life she must decide if they live or die, then he tells her to let Kadin pray for her. Later a patient comes in to see her. Her name is Caroline, she gives her a message from God. She tells Lilly the story of the virgin birth, then tells her she is pregnant but not to fear, her baby would save her. Lilly explains that she is not pregnant and that there was no way possible. Caroline tells her to take a test.

Lilly freaks out when she finds out she is indeed pregnant. She has been living on pills and alcohol, the baby can't be normal. Now everything has changed. she tries to help a pregnant rape victim by revealing her condition and comes face to face with her rapist. She punches him out and is arrested. He files a restraining order on her. His DNA is not a match.

Lilly set out to prove this man was the rapist. Knowing that the baby is the key, she goes in hiding. Nathan believes Lilly and does his own investigation even though all clues point to another man and his co-works think he's nuts. The story is action packed and fast moving. Her characters are severely flawed but they are so believable and real. I loved this book and look forward to the next one. I love how Jordyn wove her faith in to the story especially at the end. I know you will love the story. You need to run out and buy a copy of it. You can find out more about how to get this book at; http://jordynredwood.com/.

Dangerous Melody by Dana Mentink

My book review today is on the next episode of the Treasure Seekers Series of the Love Inspired Suspense.    
I have enjoyed this series as I do all of Dana's books. She has a very unique way of writing and I really like her style. This book was very much appreciated.

Stephanie Gage is the main character. Brokenhearted and disillusioned she is forced to help the man who is stalking her and destroying her life. Joshua Bittman, causes her brother to have a serious car accident and abducts her father to force her to retrieve a valuable violin for him.

Tate  Fuego, Stephanie's ex-boyfriend, is trying to find his sister, Maria. Maria is trying to find the violin for her own reasons. Tate sets out to help Stephanie so he can find his sister. Tate has been battling a severe injury and the death of his father causing him to become dependent on pain killers. He is clean now but there is no way to make up for the pain and heartbreak his drug abuse caused.

Luca Gage finds out about the kidnapping and sets out with Stephanie and Tate to find the violin. Luca blames Tate for everything that is happening. Maria had accused Luca of taking advantage of her so there a serious issues between the two men. Throw in a mental case billionaire, a homeless thief, arsonist, and you can see that this story has a lot of action and stressful situations. Dana has a strong Gospel message woven in and out of the tale. Love and forgiveness is life changing.

I really enjoyed this book and I know you will too. I look forward to the next episode. I know Luca's story will be a good one. You can find more about Dana's books at: www.danamentink.com

Denied by Michael Rushnak

My post today is on the book Denied. I won a copy and promised Michael a review. I didn't promise a good review just an honest review. I do appreciate a copy of a book from a new author and I hadn't read any of Michael's books before. I will read more of his work. I found the story fascinating.

The story is about Cardinal Joesph Gallagher. A man of God secretly suffering from pyromania. His struggle to hide his mental illness. He asks his long time friend, Doctor Jonathan Rodgers, to help him right a wrong from his past.

Bishop Shuls is the Cardinals mentor and has been instrumental in his fast rise in the Catholic Church. He has managed to keep Gallagers mental condition hidden through out the years. He deeply resents Dr. Rodgers involvement in Church affairs.

Jonathan sets out to help his friend but does everything in his power to influence the Cardinal to get medical treatment. His journey to help his friend pulls in his daughter Ashley, a psychiatric nurse Beth, a patient Andrew Barrister and his sons, an ex- girlfriend of the Cardinal's, and a PI Panini.

Evil forces are out to stop their quest. The story is full of life threatening situations for each of these characters as the plot is revealed. The story is a book that is hard to set down. The characters are flawed but very intriguing. I know you will enjoy this book if you like action packed suspense.

Prosperity

Prosperity one of God's benefits. Many don't realize that the Greek word for Salvation means a lot more than just saving your soul. Yes, it is true that salvation means your spirit is reborn. God Spirit moves inside of us and we a truly saved. He leads us, teaches us, and guides us in the way we are to go but there is so much more to it.

We have divine health. Imagine Jesus bore the stripes on His back just so I could be healed and made whole, but He did more than even that. He bore the blows on His face and His body when they struck Him. He bore the crown of thorns being pushed into His head and He even bore them pulling out His beard, all for me that I might be healed. If that doesn't prove to me that He wants me healed and whole then I must have a screw loose.

Prosperity is also a part of the package. Jesus allowed Himself to be nailed to a tree that we may be redeemed from the curse of the law. Galatians 3:13-14 says Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree") that the Blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

I have the Blessing of Abraham, it is the same Blessing God gave Adam. It was actually the first words Adam and Eve heard. Genesis 1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them,"be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves on the earth. That was Gods main intention, and He hasn't changed His mind. He still wants us to have that same Blessing. We have the Garden of Eden on the inside of us just waiting to be let out to bless everything and everyone around us. It is the same Blessing that Moses and Aaron had, the same Blessing Kind David and Solomon had. Jesus died that I can have that same Blessing.

I am redeemed from the curse of poverty, I am redeemed from lack, I am redeemed from not enough, I am redeemed from living pay-check to pay-check. I don't know about you but to me and my family that is good news. I pray God blesses you too.

Dead Wrong by Susan Sleeman

My book review today is on the November Book of Love Inspired Suspense. Dead Wrong is the recent story of The Justice Agency. I love Susan Sleeman's books. This one is one of her best. I want stories to have a message, I want them to lead you to Jesus. These books might be the only Jesus they ever hear of. I know that it's hard to believe but I know girls who will read these books but would never go to a church. Susan does a wonderful job sharing her faith without turning people off.

Kat Justice is a PI and is hired to help her old college roommate, Nancy. Someone is following Nancy and she thinks it might have something to do with her twin brother's death. Nancy calls Kat to come over but when Kat gets there she find the lights are out at Nancy's home. Entering the house she find her friend has been killed. The man is still there. He threatens her and attempts to kill her.

Police Detective Mitch Elliot comes to her rescue. Mitch is a man she once cared for when she was on the police force but he had rejected her in front of all her peers. He was the last person she wants to help her.

Kat comes from an abusive home. She had seen her father beat her mother and finally kill her. No man would ever control her. She worries constantly about her loved ones be put in harms way.

Mitch allows Kat to be involved in the investigation but he is in control. Not what Kat wants or needs. Mitch has troubles of his own. His former partner and fiance` was killed right in front of him. He still blames God and can't risk another relationship.

Both are on a journey to to learn to trust God no matter what is thrown at them. I hope you run out and get this book it is excellent. you can find out more about Susan's books at www.susansleeman.com. God bless you all.

Freefall by Jodie Bailey

I don't think I've read anything by Jodie before but I really enjoyed her book. It was a Love Inspired Suspense for the month of November. I hope to read more of her work.

Cassidy Matthews is a Chief Warrant Officer in the Army. She is in charge of the Eighty-Second Airbourne Rigger Shed and the men and women assigned there. After an explosion rocks the place, her ex-husband Special Forces Major Shane Logan runs to the rescue.

Shane is investigating a drug ring that is using the parachutes to smuggle drugs into Fort Bragg. He was unaware that the person being accused would be his ex-wife. A different man than when she divorced him almost ten years ago, he sets out to prove she is innocent and that she is being set up while trying to keep her alive.

Cassidy wants nothing to do with this man. She has been independent for all these years and she is not going to lean on a man, especially a man she couldn't trust. Her dad died and let her down, her husband turned into another man when he became Special Forces and let her down, the man she is now dating has managed to let her down, even God let her down. No, she couldn't trust anyone.

Their journey to forgiveness and love is full of action and drama. I really enjoyed Cassidy. She is not your typical girly girl. Shane although a tough Special Forces guy had become a man of God and sees Cassidy in a whole new light. He fights to bring her back to her faith. I liked that about him. It was a great book and I know you will enjoy it. God bless you.

Danger on the Mountain by Lynette Eason

This is not a normal day for my blog but Monday I wrote a post on what God is doing in my heart and in my life. I didn't receive many hits so I will do a book review for you. I didn't write a review for one of my book club books in October's selection so today I'll write a review of Danger on the Mountain, a Rose Mountain Refuge Series.I really enjoy Lynette Eason's books They are always intriguing. This one wasn't a disappointment, it was really good. I enjoyed every page of it.

Maggie Bennett has been badly abused, her husband has died and she sets out to start a new life for herself and her infant daughter, Bella. Her grandfather has died and left her a home in the mountains and plenty of money to live on. While at the bank, a robbery takes place. One of the robbers command her to come to him. Police officer Reese Kirkpatrick was in the bank and stops the robbery, wounding one of the robbers. The robbers leave but one threatens Maggie as he leaves. Not understanding why they would threaten Maggie, Reese takes over the job of keeping her safe.

Maggie doesn't want or need a man. She can't allow herself and her daughter to be hurt. How could she ever trust a man again? Reese has his own problems. He lost his wife and baby daughter. Just looking at Bella brought back the feel of his lifeless child in his arms. How could he be drawn to the mother when he couldn't bear the sight of her baby?

The book is a journey on forgiveness and love. Her characters were deeply flawed and were just trying to survive. My heart went out to them. I was once abused and I could really identify with Maggie. I hope you will go out and read the book, I know you will love it. Thank you Lynette and God bless you.

Vision for Victory

My post today is on what my pastor taught us yesterday. It was so good I want to share it with you. One of the things he shared with us was the scripture Psalms 119:164 "Seven times a day I will praise you, because of Your righteous judgements." To practice this scripture will change your life. I told you last week about how God told me there had been a change in the spiritual realm, God showed me praising God daily is what has made that change.

Joshua 6:1-5 Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua; "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, it's king, and the mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This shall you do six days. And seven priests shall bear trumpets of rams' horn, and when before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the rams' horn, and  when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him." What is standing between you and the victory?

#1 You must have a vision. If you can see it, you can achieve it. Verse two said "See, I have given you." You must see it. you must have a vision. Ask God if you don't have a vision. He will give it to you.
#2 You need a strategy. How do you do it? What do I do? God has a strategy for you. Many times He gives us that strategy one step at a time. When it seems like God is silent, keep your eyes on the vision He has given you.

Genesis 13:14-18 And the Lord said to Abram after Lot had separated from him;."Lift your eyes no and look from the place where you are as far --northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all this land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will give you so many descendants that like the dust of the earth; so that man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendant also could be numbered. Arise, and walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you. Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord."-

Lift up your eyes... All the land that you see... it's not what God sees, it's what you see... Rise Up! Don't wait for what God has for you, Take It! The name of the city Mamri, in the Greek, place city of prosperity. The name Hebron means place of fellowship. Your prosperity is linked to the fellowship! You will have to put somethings on the altar.

I hope this teaching blesses you as much as it blessed me. It really touched my heart. God bless you all today.

Christmas Stalking by Margaret Daley

I just finisher another book so I'm doing yet another review. One of my Love Inspired Suspense book this month was Christmas Stalking, the next book in the Guardians, Inc. series. I love Margaret's books and was excited to find it this month.(I don't usually pay much attention to what next months book are)

Ellie St James is one of the Guardians Inc. bodyguards. She is hired to guard an elderly client, Rachel "Winnie" Winfield. She is hired as an assistance to Winnie because the CEO, Harold Jefferson, doesn't want Winnie to know there have been threats made against her life. Things were fine until Winnie's grandson, Colt Winfield, comes home unexpectedly in the middle of the night. Ellie assumes he has broken into the house as he assumes she is the intruder as they crash into each other.

Ellie doesn't trust Colt and Colt certainly doesn't trust Ellie. What kind of an assistant carries a gun with her? He confiscates the gun and locks it into the safe, leaving Ellie angry and frustrated. Suffering from a past that has made it impossible to trust, she is thrust into a situation where she will be forced to trust Colt. Colt knows that something is not right in this household and is soon torn between trying to trust Ellie and feeling a need to protect her and his beloved grandmother.

Winnie has come up with a new cosmetic line that will revolutionize aging therapy. Now someone is trying to kill her, is it another cosmetic company or a disgruntled employee. First they steal her dogs and then go after her and her family.

It was a fast paced book that you didn't want to put down. I loved her characters, especially Winnie. She was older but she was strong and not about to be bullied or wrapped in cotton. She was a true woman of God who trusted Him to keep her safe. I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't quite ready to read Christmas books yet but I really liked this one. Well Margaret you did it again! It was wonderful.

You can find out more about this book or others that Margaret has written at; www.margaretdaley.com. God bless you all and please check out the book.

Missing Monarch by Rachella McCalla

I have been waiting for this the final book in the Reclaiming the Crown Series for what seems like forever.  There was a problem on my account while I was in Panama and I didn't receive them when I should've, so I called them. When  they sent the books this book was not included. I have spent weeks checking at WalMart for the book to finally come out. I finally got it and I was not disappointed. It was a great book. I had often wondered about the missing prince. What would make him run? What would keep him away when someone blew up your family and threatened your country? Now my questions were answered and I loved it all.

The Crown Prince Thaddeus of Lydia had ran off six years ago. He left his family without telling them or anyone else of his secret marriage, he abandoned his new bride all  to try to save his country. Now six years later, his arch enemy has found out about his wife and a son Thad didn't know even existed. Octavian kidnaps Monica to find her husband or lose her son. Monica sets off the find Thad and turn him over to this evil man.

Octavian kidnaps their son, Peter, while Thad and Monica tries to get back for help. They are taken to Lydia to find the Scepter he had hidden before he left. Their journey to find the scepter and take back the country is full of action and suspense. You really aren't sure who you can trust and who you can.

Monica is so angry at Thad and can't understand why he had abandoned her. How do you forgive something like that. Thad's family welcomes her with open arms. She has a hard time to understand their acceptance.

Thad is still trying to sacrifice himself for his loved ones. Brokenhearted he had missed his child birth and childhood, lost six years with the love of his life, and all for nothing. he was right back in the hands of this evil man. How could he save them all?

I enjoyed that you also got to revisit the prince and princesses and their fiancees. I loved all these couples. I hated to see the story come to an end for they were people I had come to love. It was a very good book and I recommend it to you all. You can find out more about Rachelle and her books at www.rachellemccalla.com. God bless you all

Survive the Night by Vicki Hinze

I usually only write three blogs a week but I've been trying to catch up on book reviews so today I'm writing one on one of the books I just finished. Survive the Night is a Love Inspired Suspense in the Lost Inc. Series, October Issue. Vicki has done a great job with this book.

Della Jackson is a broken spirit. She has lost everything and is trying to make a new life for herself but her past won't leave her alone. I love Della, she's lost her son, her husband, her faith, and a job she loved. She is stronger than she thinks. She struggles to go on and not let anyone close but God has other plans.

Paul Mason is doing everything in his power to help Della heal but has allowed his heart to become involved. As Della's life is threatened and attempts against her are made, he struggles to help her without revealing how he feels about her.

I can't tell you about the end of the story but I can say I love how Vicki leaves you hanging. I can't wait for the next installment. I hope you run out and get a copy. You can find out more about Vicki's books by going to vickihinze.com. God bless you all

Geese Mate for Life by Lillian Duncan

My post today in a book review; Geese Mate for Life. I haven't had the opportunity to read any of Lillian's books before and I always love to find new authors. I will indeed get more of her books. The book is really different but I really enjoyed. It's always nice to read a book that's not a rubber stamp of all thing romance books you read.  In fact I was not able to figure out who had done the murder until the very end, that is always a plus for me.

In the prologue Michael Hamilton is called into his boss's office, suddenly hot, sweating, and hulcinating
he is arrested for embezzling from the company. He is rushed from the police station to the hospital where he dies of a cocaine overdose, a suspected suicide. This is a Christian man that would take pennies back to a business if he received extra change.

The book is Jenni Hamilton's journey to accept what has happened even though it went against everything she knew to be true about her husband. Her mother tries to help her by drugging her without her knowledge, a doctor give her medication without even seeing her, her husband's boss tries to help smooth thing away, and even her husband's lawyer tries to convince her it is the truth and she must accept it. They all tell her he was guilty of embezzling three million dollars, putting the money in off shore accounts, and that he was leaving her so he could be with his lover.

Finally a friend that had led them to the Lord talks to her about what an honorable man he was how honest he was, even to a fault. So begins her journey to find the truth. She is kidnapped, thrown into a mental hospital, chased by murders, and her home is blown up. It is a fast paced suspense that will not let you put it down.

I loved this book a gained a lot of insight in my craft through this book I hope you run out and get a copy.
As always God bless you and thanks for reading my blog. I do so appreciate it. You can learn more about Lillian's books at:  www.lillianduncan.net.

Critical Condition by Sandra Orchard

Today my book review is on Critical Condition, the latest book in the Undercover Cops Series for Love Inspired Suspense. I have enjoyed this series. I really like the way Sandra tells her stories. Her characters are life like and it is easy to become involved with them. I always hate to get to the last chapter because you know you will never be involved in their lives again. It is like losing a close friend.

Tara Peterson, the head nurse in a cancer ward, walks into a room to answer a light, a light that seems to be malfunctioning. She hears something clattering to the floor and a loud thud. Her patient seems to be having a seizure. Tara is shoved out of the way hitting her head on the bed rail, looking back she sees a man runs out of the room, all she notices is a lab coat. Her patient's husband is lying on the floor bleeding. She calls for help. As they work on Mrs. Parker, she tries to help her husband. He tells her to stop the killer and then he dies along with his wife. This is the basic Prologue.

Tara starts out on a journey to try to get people to believe that the Parkers were murdered but no one seems to believe her. Zach Davis is sent undercover to find out what is happening. He poses as a computer consultant. He couldn't believe all the fuss over a couple people dying in a cancer ward. He soon overhears Tara trying to tell everyone in the hospital about the murder. He pulls her aside to warn her of possible danger.

Finally believing Tara, Zach has issues of his own as he is pulled into the investigation and into her life. The murders want to silence Tara. Zach reveals who he is to Tara as they are pulled deeper into the situation. Zach and Tara are drawn to each other as things heat up but each have problems of their own to deal with.

I know you will enjoy this book as much as I did. You can find out more about this book at www.SandraOrchard.com. God bless you.

The Doctor's Defender by Terry Reed

My post today is a book review on The Doctor's Defender. This book was a Love Inspired, October 2012 issue. I love Terri Reed's books and always look forward to reading them. This book is no exception. It was one of the Protection Specialists Series.

Dr. Brenda Storm is an important trauma surgeon at a large hospital. She receives an anonymous gift of poisoned cupcakes, causing the death of one of the security guards. Her Boss hires a body guard to protect her. Brenda doesn't really believe her life is in danger until another attempt is made in the operating room. The much to handsome body guard looks and acts more like a surfer than a body guard. Even though he is always joking around and trying to lighten up the situation, he manages to save her life and whisks her off to a place she should be safe, her parents home, right. They aren't there long when it is obvious that something is wrong there.

Kyle Martin is drawn to the beautiful doctor but feels she is to up tight. As he probes into her past and her relationship to God, he is  pulled into her world. He does everything he can do help her find her way back to her Heavenly Father. Brenda wants no part of faith, a very important issue for Kyle. He decides that is part of his mission, to lead her back to God. With each attempt on her life they are pulled closer together.

 I loved all the drama. Her characters were intriguing and although total opposites they blended well together. I really enjoyed this book. I hope you will all get a copy, I know you will like it too.Visit her at www.loveinspireddaughters.com.

God bless you all and thanks for visiting me today.

Accidental Meeting by Susette Williams

I just finished Accidental Meeting and want to share with you my review. This was one of the funniest books I have read for quite awhile. It was a fast easy read that you laughed all the way through. I enjoyed every moment of it.

I loved the characters especially Abbey Martin. A really strong Christian, she tries to live her faith even in times of real struggles. Her day begins when her car refuses to start. Running late for a meeting she borrows her roommates car. She then has a run in with her boss. He makes an inappropriate advance, one of many. She quits but Gary, her boss yells loudly that she is fired.  Knowing no one will believe her story of harassment, she leaves the office angry and upset. Driving home she run into the back of a Lincoln Town Car. Thrilled that the driver isn't hurt she runs to him to give him a hug. He takes one look at her running straight at him and takes a step back only to fall down and embankment.

Bruce Harrison is injured when he falls down the embankment. When Abby runs down to help him up, he asks if she has come to finish him off. He is taken to the hospital. Driven by her Christian duty Abby follows him and offers him a ride home. Bruce's housekeeper is there and talks to Abby why they wait. Abby offers to help Bruce anyway he needs. Intrigued by this woman he tells her he needs an assistant and a chauffeur.
She tells him she will do it.

She takes a part time job at night at a grocery store. During the day she drives him around and takes him to work. His company has just taken over the business where she worked. He was now her ex-boss's boss.
It is a great story and very uplifting. One of my favorite parts was when she was at the hospital and there were several bikers there. One of there buddies had been shoved through a window. They had whistled and
upset her but after Bruce drove off one of the bikers was outside smoking and asked her if she and her boyfriend had made up. She explained that she had struck him with her car. She talked to him about forgiveness. He talked to her about how he was the one who had thrown his buddy out the window. They had been best friends for years and wanted him to forgive him. She asks him if she can pray with him. She takes his hand and prays with him. Most people wouldn't do that. She is great. I loved it.

You need to read this book, you will love it. I love how it turns out. You can buy this book through Amazon or www.susettewilliams.com. God bless you all.

False Pretenses by Kathy Herman

I want to talk to you today about a book I just finished, False Pretenses. I really enjoyed this book. I hope you will get a copy to read yourself. Kathy did a wonderful job on her story.

This is a story about two couples, one couple living a life of lies and deceptions, the other living a life serving a God they know and love. It tells how their lives were interwoven and how God was able to use the situation to turn everything around.

Zoe is a young woman that was badly abused by her own father. Her mother knew of the abuse but failed to help the young girl. Zoe took jobs to stay away from home and then took a job as a live in servant far from home.  After working several years for a wonderful lady she steals a valuable ring and hides the money in three banks. Sometime later she runs away, changes her name, and buys a Cajun Eatery. She meets a wonderful man and marries him even though she swore she would never marry. Now five years later everything she has is in jeopardy because of her deception.

Pierce tries to save his wife, his neighbor Vanessa, and his own life while trying to understand how the woman he loved could have deceived him the whole time he knew her. How could he ever trust her again? Could he forgive her? Could he live without her?

Vanessa and Ethan are a young couple who are still trying to get over a life changing experience of their own. They have moved here to rebuild a family home and turn it into a Bread and Breakfast. Through their own trials they have learned to trust God in all situations. They have a real relationship with their Father. They set out to help Zoe and Pierce.

I liked the struggles that tore them apart, brought them together, and that even though Zoe had made terrible mistakes how her town rallied around them. Zoe's journey could easily be one that we all take even though we may not have made mistakes as serious as her we all make mistakes. These characters and their struggles were real and I loved who they were and how they reacted. I know you will enjoy the book. You can find out more about how to get the book  at www.kathyherman.com.

Whispers in the Wind by Lauraine Snelling

I received this book through a contest. I love to win books or receive them free, otherwise I would be unable to read as many different authors as I do. I live on a limited income and I'm unable to purchase as many books as I need to feed my obsession. I promised Lauraine a review so here it is. I didn't promise to give her a good one, just a review. I do love her books and my only problem with this one is that I must now buy the next one to find out what happens.

Cassie Lockwood belonged to a Wild West Show her father and his partner ran. After her fathers death, the partner ruins the show and runs off leaving everyone with nothing to live on. Cassie finds the deed to a ranch that her father had talked about but she had thought it was a only dream. She takes her adopted family, Chief a friend of her fathers, Micah the animal handler, and Runs Like a Deer an Indian with a broken leg they found on the way and goes to claim the ranch.

Mavis Engstrom and her two sons Ransom and Lucas are surprised when Cassie and her family shows up but Mavis explains the secret that she and her husband kept from the boys. Cassie is indeed half owner of the ranch. Mavis and the boys help Cassie and her friends fix up and old cabin that was once lived in by Cassie's father and their father.

Cassie has always been traveling and is thrilled with a chance to put down roots but is confused by Mavis desire to help them in every way. Ransome  is suspicious of Cassie and why she is here. He is angry with his mother for keeping her secret and her willingness to just hand over the ranch. Lucas is thrilled with Cassie and wants to marry her. The neighbors are up in arms because Cassie has brought Indians into their world.

Cassie is driven to compete in a shooting  contest to try to earn money for her family but is shot just a few weeks before the event. Determined to support her people she forces herself to use the arm before it is ready. I love this girl's determination and strength. She is willing to do whatever it takes to help her family.
Mavis is a character that just loves Cassie as the daughter she never had but could have. She wants to help this girl in any way she can. I like that about her. I loved Ransom, he didn't appreciate his mother's lies and deception but he loved her, respected her, and did what she told him to do to help Cassie. Lucas is not my favorite character as he seems to go from one woman to another but he does help Cassie to get shooting gigs. He seems to understand her need to care for her own.

I loved this book as I said before my only problems is that now I have to get the next book to find out what happens next. I hope you will run out and buy a copy of this book, I know you will love it. The book is published by Bethany House so you can find it in line or through www.laurainesnelling.com.

I'm Back!!!

Wednesday I was about to give up hope on my computer. Corey, my computer guy, couldn't get me  screen. Everyone was telling him that you can't get that screen anymore. They don't make them anymore, they would send him a different screen with an adapter kit but he had tried that before. My computer was broken last June, he has been searching for a screen ever since. I have been so frustrated. I have had to run to the library each day I can. Blogging has been a real challenge, keeping up on line has been a real challenge, and ministering to my teen friends and other authors has been a real challenge. God is so good though.

Wednesday our ladies prayer group started again. (We didn't have group prayer over the summer.) We had prayed for the needs of the church and our people and were getting ready to leave when I thought of my computer and we called that screen in. I don't know why I hadn't thought to pray that way. Thursday Corey called and my computer was finished. He had found a screen somewhere in China. Praise God!! He is so good.

Are there thing in your life you forget to pray for? God loves to give us those little things we need if we just ask. Nothing is to small for Him to step in and fix it. He loves to give good gifts to His children.

Hurt But Not Forsaken

Today I want to share what happened with my granddaughter this weekend. I want you to know that bad things happen to good people and that God is there right in the midst of it all. I praise God that we have victory and that God is always there for us.

Last fall Schanae, my granddaughter had problems with a boy that goes to her school. He has some mental issues and Schanae felt bad for him because of what her mother had gone through. This boy became a stalker and made Schanae's life a nightmare. The police were called in when several of the girls were chased by this teen and ran into a store and 911 was called. He was taken to Kearney to a mental facility. He was put on medication and has been doing better.

Last week I saw him on the corner of our block and was concerned, Schanae told me he was on meds and was doing good. He just wanted to walk with her. I was very concerned. This child had potential to become a real threat to the kids in our school and we have had enough trauma in our school this year. (We just had a Junior found dead in his home this weekend, he was in Schanae's classes) I talked to my daughter and she talked to Schanae about this boy.

Saturday Schanae went to her friend's house to watch the Nebraska Football Game. She was walking home around six-thirty. She was just two blocks from our home when this boy attacked her. He told her he loved her and needed her as he struck her and kicked her. She did fight back, bless her heart. A older couple saw what was happening and yelled for him to stop. Schanae managed to break away from him and run home. To some they might not see the hand of God in this situation but it could have been so much worse. I praise God for the couple and for her being able to get away.

The police were called, pictures of the bruises were taken, and the boy was arrested for third degree assault. We were told to get a restraing order. Tuesday I drove her to school and picked her up but the boy was back in school acting like nothing had happened. I don't know or understand why things like this happen to good people but they do. We live in an evil world and the devil likes to torment the Christians that cause him problems.

We pray for protection for her each day and we will continue to do so and with much more vigor. Our God is a good God and I know He will keep her in the palm of His hand. Do you know God as your protector. In this evil world we need to claim the 91st Psalm each day especiall for our kids. God bless you all.

Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann

Today I want to share my review on Freefall. I love Kristen's books and this is one of her best. I have had a hard time putting it down.I usually have three of four books I am reading at a time but this one kept me from doing that.

Injured on the first page of the book when she goes over the water fall, she has no idea who she is. She struggles to get out of the river and find help. Her trek down the mountain is difficult with all her injuries. She is not aware she has lost her memory until Monica finds her and asks her name. Monica names her Jade and helps her to heal even after she refuses to go to the hospital or call the police.

Monica's brother, Cameron, comes to save his sister from this unknown predator. Cameron investigates frauds and insurance claims for a living. He sees the evil in the world on a daily basis. Convinced this woman is threat to his sister, he takes her to the doctor and finally to the police. A dream reveals to Jade that she was not alone when she fell. Full of doubts and misgivings Cameron helps Jade to climb the moutain to find the man who was with her and her journey to find out who she really is.

The search for this man and her memory is a long road. Answers come but only seem to trickle in, leaving her confused and in danger. Cameron has his own issues and is fighting his demons as he helps her fight hers. Who would think they would run into life threating situations? As they struggle with their pasts they are drawn together in a force neither are able to control.

I loved this book. Even without her memory she stills has her faith. I would like to think my faith would still exist if I lost my identity. Cameron has lost his faith but is put in places where he must reach out to God. I love their journey. I don't want to ruin the book for you so I won't tell you anymore of the story but I do know you will enjoy every minute of it as I did. I do suggest you don't pick it up right before you go to bed because I promise you will lose a lot of sleep.

I still don't have my computer up and running so I will not post on Monday as my library is closed. God bless you guys. Run out and buy this one, it is awesome.

Navy Seal Rescuer by Shirlee McCoy

I want to do a review today on the Navy Seal Rescuer, a book in the Heroes for Hire Series. I love Shirlee's books and this is no exception. It is a fast paced suspense and her characters truly jump off the page at you. My problem is I get so involed with the characters I want to know what happened to them after the story is over.

This story is about Catherine Miller, a woman that has just spent the last four years of her life in prison for a crime she didn't commit. She returns home to find the grandmother who raised her dying of cancer, her home falling a part, and a town that still believes she's guilty. Catherine, a nurse, just wants to be left alone so that she may care for her grandmother for whatever time they have left. Someone is trying to see that it doesn't happen, he writes Murder on the side of her home, and makes an attempt on Catherine's life.

The next door neighbor, Darius Osborne steps in and saves her life. He vows to keep anyone from harming the two women he has come to care for. Darius, a former Navy Seal has his own issues to deal with. Now a security contractor, he sets out to track down the people who are trying to destroy Catherine. It was an intriguing story of faith even in the most difficult of times.

I really look forward to the next story in the series. Thank you Shirlee for sharing your heart. You are an amazing writer and I learn a lot about my craft when I read your work. God bless you and I hope you all run out and buy a copy. I know you won't regret it.  

Saving Hope by Margaret Daley

On my post today I want to tell you about a book I just finished. Saving Hope is about a woman, Kate who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth but after a life changing experience as a child she sets out to save young girls from being trapped in prostitution. She starts a foundation to rehabilitate these girls and bring them back into society.

One of her girls, Rose, steals her van and runs off to help a friend to get out of the ring but is captured by her old pimp. Kate sets out to find Rose but things only get worse. Because of the bad publicity her mother pulls her funding hoping Kate will give up this farse. Kate refuses and sets out to bring the crime ring down.

Wyatt, a Texas Ranger assigned to a task force for missing children, finds the van and a young girl that had been missing for a couple of years. He is thrown together with Kate to find Rose and the crime ring that is moving in his back yard. Kate is kidnapped and Wyatts family is threatened.

This book was a fast paced suspense that has you sitting on the edge of your chair. I couldn't put is down. I really enjoyed her characters especially Wyatt's daughter and his mother, together they would be a true handful. I love the faith that helped Rose and Kate through the valley of darkness and how Wyatt was able to find his through it all. It was a great read and I highly recommend it. You can learn more about the book and other that Margaret has witten by going to www.margaretdaley.com or MargaretDaley.com.
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Mission Conference

Today I want to share a little bit about our second annual Church Growth and Missions Conference. It is held in the fall each year and all of our ministers in the state are invited to come. We will have some from Kansas too.

Our Pastor decided God was leading him to minister to the pastors in our area who were unable to leave their churchs to attend camp meetings and minister conferences in far off places. Taking a week or to off to go across the counry is not always an option in small town America. Pastors need to be fed and refreshed. Pastoring and giving everything you have often leaves ministers empty and dry. Pastors need to be ministered to themselves. A church that doesn't look out side of themselves will die. It is so important to reach out to the lost, the poor, the starving, and the dying. We possess a strong missions program and are doing all we can to improve that program.

Our key speaker this year is Guy Duininck. I don't know if you have ever heard him but he is a dynamic speaker and we are truly blessed to have a man of his caliber. Tonight we have a catered meal, a special band to perform a small concert, and then Guy speaking. It will be awesome! Tomorrow we have more speakers and Guy will speak again. It is so amazining what a small church in rural Nebraska can do. The concert will be on our cable stations, our website, and you can get the tapes if you ask for them. Our website reaches people all over the world. We get email from 15 different countries. We touch the world, how cool is that!

I am so excited, I hope you have a heart for the missions too. That is where God's heart is, if you trully love Him there your heart will be too. After visiting third world countries I know the way most of the world live, very few have even heard the name of Jesus. We must change that. I hope your church is out there doing it's part to reach the world. Nothing is more important to God.

God bless you all. I pray you will have a wonderful weekend.

Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman

Today I am going to review the book Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman. I have told you before I love Amish books. All though it is a simpler way to live it does have it's own drawbacks, mainly a lot more work.
This book is not really a normal Amish story. It is much more. I love the whole concept, reality shows have become the normal TV. Kathryn took that to a whole new level with her book. I just loved it. I could picture myself in there trying so hard to do what needed to be done and failing at every turn.

Julie, as favor to her sister-in-law, consents to appear in a televison reality show, Almost Amish. She feels like her life is out of control and welcomes a chance for a simplier way of life. She convinces her two teenagers to go with her for the summer.

Susan, a divorcee, is trying to prove to herself what a wonderful wife, mother, and homemaker she really is. She is a Type A perfectionist and is thrilled with the chance of showing America all of her homemaking skills. She has written a book and her whole future depends on this show. She too drags her teenager along.

I can't imagine most teens would be quite so easily taken out in the middle of nowhere without their cells, ipods, and videogames. These teens agree to it and are forced to wear horrible clothes, walk or ride in buggies, and do school through the summer.

I love the fact that Julie, who is surrounded by a husband and sister-in-law with OCD tendencies and  are perfectionists, can barely manage her home but is more than willing to do what they ask of her. I see many of my own mistakes in Julie. She doesn't know when to say no and struggles with all of the distractions in life.  Before the show she was so busy she couldn't get anything done now she struggles through this adventure hoping to find her true gift. As she watches Susan struggle trying to please everyone on the crew, especially a munipulating producer, and literally works herself until she is ready to blow up, she finds an inner strength and determination that changes her world.

I love what these two women learn about themselves, their children, and each other. It was just a great book. I can't help but wonder how many of us do the same thing. Does God just watch us from heaven and shake His head at why we make everything so difficult? We get so caught up in our every day lives that we have no clue what we are doing to ourselves and our families. Distractions are one of the main tools the devil uses to destroy our homes, our marriages, and our families. How can we hear His voice when the whole world is pulling us in the other direction.

I truly loved this book. I hope you will get a copy of it and learn there is more to this life than struggling to survive. You can learn more about the book or buy it at www.kathryncushman.com. Please check it out.
God bless you.