Journey to New Heights

Journey to New Heights
We need a heart for the lost

Friday, June 28, 2013

Fatal Inheritance by Sandra Orchard

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense Book, Fatal Inheritance by Sandra Orchard. This was an awesome read, I know you will enjoy it. Sandra always writes a great intrigue. It is very well written and I really liked her characters. A journey home to try to find redemption.

Becki Graw returns to the only home she has ever known. Her grandparents had just passed away and she wanted to find the serenity and comfort she had known with them. The farm had been a summer retreat throughout her childhood. Now after loosing herself, she hopes to find some peace. Unfortunately the first thing she finds in her mailbox is a note telling her she doesn't belong here. She is then attacked in the barn, not how she envisioned her arrival. Is it her sister trying to scare her into selling?

Police officer Joshua Rayne is Becki's neighbor. He remembers Becki as a little girl following him like a puppy. He finds Becki after she is attacked and is unconscious. Why would anyone hurt this beautiful girl?
Her sister had turned down his advances, could he get past that? Joshua soon finds out she is no longer the little girl he remembers as they  are thrown into an intriguing investigation.

Learning of jewelery heist that points to Becki's grandparents, Joshua and Becki set out to prove their innocence but the real thief has other ideas. A book you won't want to set down. I always love Sandra's books you will too. You can find out more about her books at www.SandraOrchard.com. God bless you and have a great weekend.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Rake's Redemption by Regina Scott

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Historical, The Rake's Redemption, the third book in The Everand Legacy, by Regina Scott. I really enjoyed this book, as I've said before I don't read much historical fiction but this was a fun read. It was well written. I liked the characters, they weren't what I was expecting, that always is a plus.

Imogene Devary is in her second season. She had four proposals last season but she has made up her mind she will only marry a man that will be able to entice the king to grant the continuation of her father legacy. This year she thinks she might have found the one. It doesn't hurt that he is a handsome rake, a poet, and an infamous duelist.

Vaughn Everand is out to expose a murder. He is trying to give the man a chance to explain but he refuses to speak with him. On his quest to find the truth of his uncle's death, imagine his surprise when a lady asks him for a dance, a thing ladies don't do. To his further surprise this lady turns out to be the daughter of the man he is seeking. Can he in all good conscience use this beautiful lady to get access to her father? He needs information is it fair to use this innocent lady?

Imogene is convinced it is her mission to redeem Vaughn and at the same time clear her father's name. Vaughn is on a journey to expose the Marquess. Their worlds collide as they find much more than they they bargained for, but God is faithful and redemption is always there for the asking.

If you like historical intrigues you will certainly enjoy this book. God bless you all.

The Rake

Monday, June 24, 2013

Daughter of Joy by Kathleen Morgan

My book review today is on the book Daughter of Joy, it is in the Brides of Culdee Creek Series by Kathleen Morgan. I don't read a lot of historical fiction, although I am reading more than I use to. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were broken and just trying to survive but God had another plan, they helped each other to heal. I liked that concept because that is the best way for a person to heal, to help someone else. The story was very well written and quite humorous as they journey back to the true meaning of life and God's purpose for them. Kathleen did an excellent job.

Abigail Stanton was the daughter of a minister who married her off to a man fifteen years older than she was.
Her husband had a call to build a mission but died before he could complete it. Abby had lived under her father's faith and then her husband's, so when her husband died she had a hard time but after God took her son, her faith was floundering. Her sister-in-law thought she should start the mission but Abby saw no way to do that without money. Answering an ad in the paper, she interviewed for a job as a housekeeper and a teacher. Her sister-in-law told her all about how terrible this man was, a widower, womanizer, and Godless man. The interview didn't go well. He demanded an answer right away so she left but God dealt with her so she ran back told him she would take it.

Conor MacKay is a rancher. He desperately needs a housekeeper and a teacher for his young daughter who had been thrown out of school. His wife had left him over ten years ago, he later found out she had been killed in a fire. He took an Indian woman to help raise his small son finally taking her into his bed. She died leaving him a daughter. He had hired many housekeepers, most just wanted him or his ranch and had done much harm to his young half-breed daughter. His son had ran off last year with all of his savings, forcing him to sell some of his land. As far as Conor it was all God's fault. Drink seemed to be his only comfort. He didn't want this pious, beautiful woman but he had no choice.

He told Abby she could work for him only if she never mentioned God's name in his house and so starts a journey for the three of them. You will laugh and you will cry as they take step after step closer to where God wants to take them. I know you will love this story, I know I will find the next one in the series. God bless you all and have a great week.


Friday, June 21, 2013

Defender For Hire by Shirlee McCoy

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense Book; Defender For Hire. It is one of the Heroes for Hire Series by Shirlee McCoy. I have really enjoyed this series, Shirlee does a great job with intrigues. This one was no exception, it was an awesome read. I have been waiting for Seth Sinclair's story, he has always caught my attention. He has always been a mystery. Big quiet men draw me to them. I love the way their faith is woven into the tapestry of the story. It was well written and a difficult book to put down.

Tessa Camry is a physical therapist. She has moved all over the country running from her past, a mission trip turned into a massacre where her husband, his brother, and a village died. Each year she receives a black rose on the anniversary date of her husband's death. This year something more is going on and she is attacked. How can what happened five years ago put her life in danger now?

Seth Sinclair is an ex-military man. He was wounded in Afghanistan two years ago, his shoulder blown up. He finished a year of therapy but has now reinjured the shoulder. He comes to Tessa for help with the injury only to find a woman in serious trouble. A bodyguard now with Personal Securities Incorporated, he steps in to save the day. Seth is a man seriously hurt and basically running from relationships, even his brothers and their wives. He is drawn to help this beautiful woman even though he is sure she is keeping a secret from him. Can he keep her from running again?

A story of pain, suffering, of loss, and of redemption. They find each other as they search for answers to the massacre. We all are searching for answers. Maybe we haven't faced a massacre but many of us have faced the death of a loved one or the death of all our dreams but God has a plan for each of us. Our journeys may vary but will be basically the same for each of us, we must learn to trust God and know that He can keep us safe and on the right path. God bless each of you on your journey, have a great weekend.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Lifeline by Christy Barritt

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense Book; Lifeline by Christy Barritt. It is the second book of The Security Experts Series. I really enjoy Christy's books and this one was awesome. I love the way she brings out the faith issues in her work. It is very well written and I love her characters.

Julianne Grace was engaged to an abusive man, she thought her problems were over until strange things begin to happen. Now believing her ex is still alive and out to destroy her, she runs to his commander to help her find out if he really died, only to find a man of stone, just like his name.

Security Specialist Bradley Stone has retired from the Navy Seals and now is working at Eyes, a security company. He is just about to release a new invention to the military. Security around this project is at an all time high. Imagine his reaction to Julianne breaking through their defenses to try to convince him one of his men is alive, a man he saw die with his own eyes.

Bradley doesn't know whether to trust this young beauty or not, although there is something that is drawing him to her. He is pulled into the situation even as someone tries to blow her up, kill Bradley, and frame Julianne. How is the Mexican Cartel involved with Julianne? How can they stop this mad man before he kills again?

This is a journey to trust in God and in each other, both have baggage to deal with and trust is an issue they both have problems with. God is able to protect them and save the day. I love that whole concept. Do we really trust the God of the universe to be able to keep us safe? Trust is always difficult as we are all broken and full of baggage of our own. I know you will enjoy this book so run out and get a copy. 



Monday, June 17, 2013

Coming Undone by Staci Stallings

My book review today is on the book Coming Undone by Staci Stallings. This story is a heartbreaking story of a man journey to find peace with a dying father and the situation of a broken family. It is very well written and will touch your heart. I enjoyed the book even though it dealt with the transition of life unto death in a hospice facility.

Ben Warren is a man going through life on the fast track. He works hard but plays harder with out a care in the world; until the day he receives word that his father has had a massive stroke. His father is his hero and his best friend, how can he live without him?

Kathryn Walker is a social worker in a hospice care facility at the hospital. It is her job to help the family and the patient make the transition from this life as easily as possible. Some families have a much more difficult time than others but she is there to support them no matter what. She believes this is her ministry and she has become very good at it.

When Kathryn meets the worldly Ben Warren she is drawn to him. His eyes are full of pain and she can tell that he is coming undone, is that why she is drawn to him or is it a God thing? Ben doesn't know God that much is obvious, is she there to lead him to him or is there more.

Ben doesn't believe in a God even though his father was a believer. Now his brother, that he had not seen since he was a small child and Kelly, Ben's best friend, are here and they believe in this God that the beautiful Kathryn seems to know and talk with. He doesn't understand any of it, he just knows the bottom has fallen out of his world and he has no way to fix it. the only time he can find peace is with Kathryn.

His journey is intriguing and inspiring at the same time. Even though the subject matter can be painful, especially at time it is a very uplifting story. You need a copy of this book. You can find out more about this book at http://stacistallings.wordpress.com/  God bless you all and have a great week.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Riptide by Elizabeth Goddard

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense Book, Riptide, by Elizabeth Goddard.. I love Elizabeth's writing. Her characters are all flawed but she manages to bring them all to Jesus saving grace. I love that about her. This book is well written, fast paced, and a book you just can't put down.

Jake Jacobsen is out on a routine repo job when he bumps into an old girlfriend and to make matters worse someone starts shooting at them. This should have been an easy job. He had scoped out the yacht and no one should have been on board.

Kelsey Chambers took a job as a travel correspondent to forget her ex-boyfriend only to run into him on the last day of her trip. Jake takes control of the yacht and heads out to sea. This is the beginning of an intriguing journey to escape smugglers, killers, and ex-soldiers.

Poor Jake is the manhandled, knocked unconscious twice, drug behind a boat and almost drowned, and shot, yet he remains the hero as he struggles on.

Kelsey has a real trust issue because of a womanizing father. Jake is a gorgeous hunk and women tend to throw themselves at him. How can she trust him? She broke up with because she saw a woman leave his place when she went there for dinner, now can she get past that and learn to trust him with her life?

Life is so complicated and there issues make for a great story. I know you will love the way they find there way through all of the life altering adventures. God bless you all and have a great week end. 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Last Sewer Ball by Steve Schindler

This book was sent to me to review, it is not what I normally read. I usually just read Christian fiction. This is not a Christian work by any stretch of the imagination. For those who follow my blog I need you to know there was a lot of street language and sexual situations throughout the book. It was however well written and held your attention. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. I'm sure you will love the end.

It was written in the first person and includes Vinny's flashbacks from his childhood days in the streets and in his grade school years. He attends his grade school reunion as a man who has lost everything, remembering how he managed to mess everything up.

Your heart goes out to this man who had it all and then lost it. As a rural Nebraskan it is hard to imagine some of the things that go on in cities, how hard that life can be. I never read the first book Sewer Ball so I am not sure if the sequel is as good  but I'm sure if you liked the first one you will love this one.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Royal Heist by Rachelle McCalla

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense Book, Royal Heist, the second book in the series Protecting the Crown. This series is by Rachelle McCalla. I loved her last series Reclaiming the Crown, so I was thrilled when she came out with another series on Lydia. You get so involved with her characters that you really want to find out what happens to them next. This book was awesome and I loved it. I sailed through it and then was upset that I didn't take more to time to saver it. It is very well written and I really enjoyed the suspense of it. Rachelle always manages to get them out of the mess they are in and save the day. I love that she is able to weave her faith throughout her stories. Imagine a whole country built on a love of God, oh yeah we had that and we let them take it all away.

Ruby Tate is a gemologist. she has come to Lydia to help Princess Stasi prepare the wedding jewels. The two girls had gone to gem school together and had spent the last four summer together. On her way back to her apartment after work she is attacked by a man in a mask right out side of the palace.

Galen Harris is a member of Royal Guards. He met Ruby several summers ago and had fallen really hard for the American but Ruby had made it clear on her last visit that she didn't want a relationship with a mere guard. So he had kept his distance since her return. Hearing her screams, he ran to her rescue. Galen's boss is not impressed that he left his post to run to Ruby's aid and threaten to terminate him. He warns him to not get emotionally involved with this girl. Princess Stasi has other plans and makes sure Galen is put in charge of Ruby's welfare.

Ruby is sure she recognizes a man in the street from their time in school and thinks he might be her attacker but Rocco is a bounty hunter in search of the Bulldog Bandits. He has followed them to Lydia as they planned to steal the crown jewels. The Bulldog Bandits have killed several guards but are so well prepared that they haven't ever set off an alarm.

Ruby believes she has betrayed her family in the past and is struggling to make amends and help their jewery business by getting the reproduction contract of the wedding jewels. She loves Galen and Lydia but she owes her family too much, she must make it up to them. Galen is the youngest of four boys, his brothers are all in the Lydia Army and have given him a hard time about being a guard. He is trying to prove to them he can be someone they can be proud of. Both characters have a lot of baggage but are able to find their way through it all.

Like I said I loved this book and know you will enjoy it. God bless you all and I will see you Wednesday. 

Friday, June 7, 2013

Deadly Devotion by Sandra Orchard

My book today is a the first book in the Port Aster Series, Deadly Devotions by Sandra Orchard. It is a very well written, fast paced, intrigue and I couldn't put it down. I really enjoy the way Sandra writes and was thrilled when I received a copy in the mail. This book did not let me down, it was a great read. Her characters were all seriously flawed but then most of us are. I loved how they dealt with their issues and continued on their journeys.

Kate Adams is a research scientist and has just about made a major breakthrough on an herbal cure for depression  when her mentor and dear friend is found dead. Daisy is believed to have taken her own life but Kate refuses to believe she could do that. She sets out to force the police to reopen the case.

Detective Tom Parker, former FBI agent isn't sure what to think of the feisty little red head when she bursts into his office and orders them to reopen a closed case. His boss has ordered him to close the case and Tom hasn't been able to fit into the small town life of his hometown and fears for his job. He tells her if she finds any evidence he will do his best. He never though she would jump into an investigation with both feet, nor did he realize he would be force to bail her out of trouble time after time.

The case where everyone seems to have a motive is forcing Kate to doubt each of her close friends, only to find herself as the main suspect.

The story is funny, inspiring, and at the same time as it is mysterious and intriguing. I know you will love the story so you should run out and get a copy. You can find out more about Sandra's books at www.SandraOrchard.com or at www.facebook.com/SandraOrchard. I was sent a copy of this book to review and I assure all my reflections are my own.

Have a great weekend and God bless you all.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

The Move

Last week I told you about what a time I was having trying to get my apartment. Last Tuesday she called to tell me everything was set and to come in at eleven and we would set up the lease, it would only take a minute. So Wednesday I went in. The lady that runs the place, in another town, asked if Shannon had got me all signed up. Shannon didn't have any of the paperwork, so she had to send it but Shannon's printer wouldn't work, she ended up printing the page four or five times before she got a complete set. All in all it took several hours to get through what normally would take a few minutes.

I had put several boxes in the car so  I unloaded it. I just made it back to my daughter's when the heavens opened up and flooded the place. Kellie and I watched a movie when her daughter-in-law came in to tell us Schanae was with them in the basement and why weren't we taking shelter as there was a tornado spotted just out side of town. Oops! We have no place to take shelter so we prayed and went back to our movie. It rained for several days, I did manage to get a few things there.

Friday night I stayed there but I had to sleep on the floor. Saturday Kellie and Scott took me to the city wide garage sales. Scott didn't last long but the grand kids piled in and we went on for several hours. Kellie and I loaded up the van and brought over a lot of things but by the time we emptied the van I couldn't go any more but I still didn't have a bed. I told Kellie to forget the bed I was exhausted. Kellie and my grandkids did get my bed to me late Saturday night.

Sunday after church, Kellie had me over for lunch. It was great but we didn't try to move anything else. Early Monday morning Scott called and told me if I would walk out to Runza and get the car he would help me move the boxes in storage. We had to run a bunch of errands but we did get all the boxes moved. As of today I still need my couch and dining room table but otherwise I am moved in.

I feel like I am playing house. I am having so much fun. Last night my BFF came over, it was so cool. I am so happy. I still don't have a car, satellite, or internet but I do have a bunch of teaching CD's and lots of movies on DVD. Runza isn't to far to walk and they have WII so I'm doing good. My internet presence will not be as much but I will be on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. God bless you all.