Journey to New Heights

Journey to New Heights
We need a heart for the lost

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

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

Monday, October 29, 2012

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.

Friday, October 26, 2012

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. 

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

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.

Monday, October 22, 2012

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.

Friday, October 19, 2012

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.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

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.

Monday, October 15, 2012

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/.

Friday, October 12, 2012

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

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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.


Monday, October 8, 2012

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.

Friday, October 5, 2012

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.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

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.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

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.

Monday, October 1, 2012

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.