A Pius Stand by Declan Finn

Well I'm sad to say this is the final book of The Pius Trilogy, A Pius Stand A global Thriller. I have loved this series and hope I can do it justice on my review. I loved the first two books but this one is awesome. I loved the Army of God, what I loved the most about it is the army contained ordinary people; not pure, holy, and righteous people but men and women who were real. I must tell my good Christian followers that there is some language issues but then it is a war and it was done appropriately. The Army of God goes against overwhelming odds knowing they would all die defending the Pope and the Christian faith. The really sad thing is that all of what was written could very easily happen right now. Although I think the UN would be going against Israel in stead of the Pope but then they want to rid the world of all of us.

We still have our main characters from the first two books. We only lost Giovanni Figlia in the group and James Ryan and as this book begins we are at their funerals. Their leader stunt man Sean Ryan who came to teach the priests and nuns to defend themselves but now is going after the man that killed his grandfather James Ryan, Secret Agent Villie Goldberg is pretty sure she has been fired by the President for staying to help the Pope, Matthew Kovach the author is still there and publicizing everything that was going on at the Vatican on social media and to his publisher, Interpol Agent Maureen McGrail a woman that is a lethal weapon on her own, Father Francis Williams former Special Forces soldier and his father Captain Wayne Williams Sr., Scott "Massad" Murphy a Boston Irish Catholic who was taken in the Mossad but Scott was an accountant who was sent to the Vatican, Manana Suushurin a Russian who had been blackmailed into going to Rome by her father but is now siding with the people she was sent to destroy, Veronica Fisher (Giovannie's widow) a forensic expert,  we have the Auxiliary Bishop Xavier O'Brien the Pope's right hand man, and of course we have Pope Pius XIII born Joshua Kotjok an African.

In this book we add some more interesting characters to help them in their quest: Jonathan Koenig a 6'10" mafia commando the FBI call the Masciale's Monster and he brings the mafia to Rome with him, Officer Tommy Nolan of the Boston Police and a huge portion of the police force that had been force to stand back and watch people try to loot the Catholic Church throughout the USA, we again see Deaglan Lunch of the IRA and his commandos moving through France trying to get to Rome but they have to intervene in churches along the way as France tries to destroy the Church and are imprisoning the priests and nuns into the concentration camps used during the war, then we have a friend of Sean's who is also a stunt man Galahad Wren known as Galadren, this man was buried alive in a faulty stunt and something broke within him and now he thinks he's an elf and speaks Tolkien also known as the Elven Assassin, Moira McShane a trained lethal weapon and the wife of Matthew and Matthew's uncle Michael Finn a CIA assassin. These are some of the main characters but there were many FBI, CIA, Polish Special Forces, Sayaret Metcal (the Israeli Special Forces) and US Special Forces that were on vacation involved behind the scenes.

These people stand against untold odds as armies from China, North Korea, and Sudan are sent to destroy the Vatican, loot the treasures, and kill the Pope. The battle is unbelievable and would make an awesome movie.

This is a must read! You will love it. You will see God intervene in the war and that is cool. I love it when God fights with us and He loves to do that when we fight in His name and do all we can, He will step in and save us.

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

My book review today is on the nonfiction book The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. I loved this book and I have to say it made a big difference in my prayer life. I know that everyone who reads this book will see their lives changed. How big is your God? We all need to enlarge our concept of God, we tend to put God in a box and limit Him in our lives.

Mark writes about the Legend of the Circle Maker, an eccentric sage of the first century BC, who was called to pray for rain. He drew a circle around himself and prayed saying he wouldn't leave the circle until God gave them the rain they needed. Mark then writes about how to draw prayer circles in our own lives and how God has honored his prayers and those of his family, church members, and the people he has taught.

I especially liked what Mark wrote about the books he wrote and how he prayed circles around them before he sent them out. I also was encouraged when he wrote that if God called a person to write, all we had to do is be obedient and write the book. If it never is published or even read by another we have done what we were called to do. That spoke to my heart. I have written six books and am on my seventh but although I have put them in ebook form they haven't sold. The devil keeps telling me I'm a joke, I haven't even made a penny on them but this book set me free. Now I can say I don't care because I have done what God told me to do. It doesn't matter if I make a fortune as long as one soul is helped.

I pray you will get a copy and read this book. It will set you free also. God bless you all.

Untraceable by Elizabeth Goddard

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Untraceable. This is the second book in the Mountain Cove Series. I didn't see how Elizabeth could possibly top the first book in the series, Buried, but she managed it quite well. I have always been fascinated by Alaska but now I'm not sure I would want to visit there. I have always appreciated the men and women who volunteer to go out and put their own lives in jeopardy to search and rescue people in mortal danger. Elizabeth then weaves a tapestry of faith into the action to give them hope when there seems to be no way. I love that.

 In this book we revisit the Warren Siblings of the North Face Mountain Search and Rescue Team. Heidi Warren has had some difficult things happen in her life recently. She has pulled away from the team and hasn't been on a rescue for some time. Unfortunately there are several problems and she is forced to go out with her brother Cade and Isaiah Callahan. She is struggling with her relationship with Isaiah to whom she is drawn but he has some secrets and has pulled a way from her.

Isaiah Callahan has moved to Alaska, changed his name and is trying to start a new life but the secrets of his past has just followed him and is coming between the only woman he could spend his life with. He has no choice but to put distance between them but then they're thrown together in a rescue. Cade tells him he knows his secret and to stay away from his sister.

The team is called to a daring mission to rescue a crew of stranded hikers and an injured person. Upon arrival they find that there isn't a wounded hiker but a dead body. They are told he fell but on inspection they find he has been shot and that the four members left are thieves and are on the run. The leader takes their weapons, radios, and phones and force them to take them to the ice fields to catch a ride.

A journey of a team struggling to save the lives of thieves and murders, knowing that once they reached their destination they will lose their lives. They do what they are trained to do and pray that God will do the rest. A great adventure.

Silent Hunter by Maggie K. Black

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Silent Hunter. I love Maggie's work, she does an excellent job on suspense or adventure stories. This book is an awesome example of her work. This book is well written, action packed, and full of adventure. It's not a book you can set down. I love the faith that is woven throughout the story. I recommend this book highly.

Nicky Trailer is a camp director of Camp Spirit. She had been a part of this camp for almost twenty years, first as a camper, then a counselor, and now as the director. Unfortunately the camp is falling a part. The owner of the camp, George, puts together a camping trip to their island with several men and women who will hopefully donate funds to rebuild and refurbish the camp. The day before the trip there is a fire in the lodge trapping Nicky and George inside. The man that steps up to save them is the man who broke her heart years ago. Now he expects her to trust him.

Luke Wolf was a runaway when he found Camp Spirit all those years ago. He had hidden in a broken down cabin and spent several days at the camp. Nicky was the only person who ever showed him love. The day he was to meet her, George catches him stealing the cash box and has him arrested. The next day George bails him out and then helps him turns his life around. Luke has spent his whole life trying to make up for the mistakes he made, now George asks for his help. He arrives to find George unconscious and Nicky stuck in the loft. Knowing he's not worthy of Nicky he does his best to try to protect her but every time they turn around they are being stalked by a hunter.

The camping trip becomes a nightmare when the hunter picks them off one at a time. A journey of faith, trust, and redemption. God has a plan and will make a way where there seems to be no way. Run out and get a copy, you will love it.

Manhunt by Lisa Phillips

My book review today in on the Love Inspired Suspense, Manhunt. Lisa is a great suspense writer, this book is well written, full of action, and great adventure. Faith is interwoven throughout the book like a tapestry. God always has a plan and He will lead you in the way you should go. How awesome is His mighty power.

US Marshal Hailey Shelder is an important team member of the fugitive apprehension task force in the Marshal's Service. A single mother Hailey takes risks to prove she is capable of handling these fugitives. Her ex-husband, the mayor is a constant thorn is her side but he had stood with her when no one else had. She didn't want a new partner but had no choice, now that her life and the life of her daughter were threatened she began to lean on him.

US Marshal Eric Hanning's career in WITSEC has been compromised in Arizona and he is force into fugitive apprehension and transference in  Oregon. Doesn't the rain ever stop here? This place had to be the worse punishment God could deal out to him, almost as bad as losing his ex-girlfriend. Eric is a by the book kind of guy and has a hard time dealing with Hailey's risk taking. As the town floods, going by the book isn't really an option.

A journey of learning to trust, relying on each other, and facing the horrors thrown at them. It's a book that is hard to put down. You will love this story.

Harvest of Blessings by Charlotte Hubbard

My book review today is on the latest book of the Seasons of the Heart Series by Charlotte Hubbard. This is an Advance Readers Copy sent to me by the Kensington Publishers. I'm thrilled to receive these books when they first come out but I can assure you these are my own thoughts about the book. I loved this book. I enjoy reading books about the Amish. We all want a simpler life these days, although doing everything the old way might not be as simple as one might think. I enjoyed visiting couples from the previous books, I like that in the books I read.This is a story of the prodigal daughter. This book is well written and I loved her characters. Charlotte's characters are not always cookie cutter Amish people but they are heart warming and extremely entertaining. I also like the fact that each character had to take their own path to faith and they didn't all see it the same way. Isn't that how it is with us? We all have to find our own way.

Nora Landwehr was forced to leave her home at only sixteen. Her father, Preacher Gabe had forced her to leave when he learned of her pregnancy, now sixteen years later she comes home to reconcile with her daughter and family. Nora has a problem embracing the Old Order but dreams of helping the little community but it seems the men of the community have other plans for the young divorcee.

Luke Hooley is a reckless immature man who is trying to win the attention of the beauty who moved in next door. A player, Luke has no intention of settling down but he is drawn to Nora in a way he had never experienced before. As she goes from sexy to plain Luke doesn't understand how he can be even more intrigued.

Nora's sixteen year old daughter is dating Luke's brother, Ira, a man almost twice her age, her mamm is laying at deaths door and her father refuses to speak with her. Can Nora find her way back to her faith and her family? Does God have a plan through the mess of her life?

A great journey of restoration, forgiveness, and love. I know you will love this book, you will laugh, you will cry, and it will touch your heart.

The Engagement Bargain by Sherri Shackelford

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Historical, The Engagement Bargain. This is one of the Prairie Courtships Series. This is great book. I enjoyed it very much and I know you will too. Sherri writes a great western; they are well written, funny, and full of action. If you haven't read any of her books you need to get started right a way.

Anna Bishop is a suffragist. Her mother is a single woman, bitter, and forceful. Anna had little choice in her involvement in the movement but she has become a passionate speaker on the cause. As she is speaking in Kansas City she is shot by one of the crowd. A man in the audience steps up to protect her.

Caleb McCoy comes to Kansas City with his sister Jo. Her husband is unable to come with her and he intrusts Caleb with her care. Jo is a faithful follower of Anna's and is thrilled to hear her speak. After the gun shot Caleb carries her to safety an ends up stitching her up her wounds. She is put into Jo's room and her name is removed from the hotel's registry and replaced as Caleb's fiancee.

In order to protect Anna they take her home to Cimarron Springs. Unknown to Caleb and Anna the rumor of the engagement follows them. Anna comes under a different name but everyone in town knows exactly who she is, including the killers. A humorous story of finding love, forgiveness, and faith. I know you'll love following them in their journey.

Fugitive Trackdown by Sandra Robbins

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Fugitive Trackdown. This book is the first of the Bounty Hunters Series and I can't wait until the next one. Don't you just love Sandra's books? This one is well written and full of adventure, you'll love it. I love the way faith is a constant in her writings.

Claire Walker has taken over her father's bounty hunters business. She must find her father's killer to save the business even though she has no idea how to do that. She tracks down the killer and attempts to take him in when his partner points a gun in her back. Her life is saved by the one man she can't stand to be around. The man who broke her heart and walked away.

Adam Knight has loved Claire as long as he could remember but to save her from the possibility of being a military widow he breaks her heart and walks away. Now imagine his shock when he finds the man he is tracking only to find Claire with two men trying to kill her. A bounty hunter himself he sets out to help her find her man and bring both men in.

A great journey of restoration, faith, and trust in God. God always has a plan and once we let Him take control we are able to move mountains. This is a great read.

A Season of the Heart by Dorthy Clark

My review today is on the Love Inspired Historical, A Season of the Heart. This is the last book in the Pinewood Weddings Series. I look forward to Dorthy's next series, I enjoy her work. This book is well written, a story of a girl living the life her parents dreamed of for her but a life that she never wanted. You might hate this girl at first but she will touch your heart before long. A journey of faith, restoration and love. God always has a plan for us but so often the things of this world get in the way.

Ellen Hall returns home for the holidays. She must decide upon two men who are vying for her hand in marriage. Both are rich and prestigious but she doesn't know which to pick. When she arrives one of the first people she meets is her childhood crush, unfortunately he doesn't seem impressed by her fancy clothes and airs.

Daniel Braynard is a rugged logger. He thought he was over the love he felt for Ellen but when he runs into her in all her finery he realizes his love is still strong and growing each time he meets her. There is nothing he can do but admire her from afar because he has nothing to offer her, he can't even take care of his mother.

These two are caught up in the task of decorating of the church, gazebo, and parsonage for their childhood friend, the pastor's wife. As they work together their lives change and God intervenes in the mess they have made of their lives. A great read. 

Undercurrent by Sara K. Parker

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Undercurrent. I'm sure I haven't read any of Sara's books before but I'm looking forward to the next one. This one was awesome, although I'm not sure I would want to take a cruise anytime soon after reading it. I loved the way she slips her faith in throughout the story. The book is well written, full of action, and has characters that will touch your heart. A must read.

Kathryn Books is a concert pianist, the last year had been devastating for her. She has lost her father, was injured as her house burned down, and she has lost everything. She takes a job with a cruise line for six concerts but  her third idyllic transatlantic cruise suddenly become a cruise of horror when her best friend disappears, a chandelier falls and barely misses her. and her life is threatened. The man who saves her from the chandelier vows to protect her.

Secret Service Agent Sam West sees a man run through the atrium that obviously doesn't belong there. A short time later the chandelier explodes right over the head of the beautiful pianist, he manages to save her but isn't convinced it was an accident. Sam is a widower escorting his grandmother on a cruise. His grandmother invites Kathryn to come to her room and devises a matchmaking scheme. Sam isn't interested in a relationship but is pulled to this woman as her life goes from one threat to another. Can he keep her safe when he couldn't save his wife and child?

Kathryn has suffered many horrors and has no intention of falling for this man but is thrown together with him time and time again. Can she trust this man? A great journey of two flawed people that are pulled into God's plan for them.

Calculated Risk by Heather Woodhaven

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Calculated Risk. I believe this is the first book of Heather's I have read, I did enjoy it very much. It was well written and full of action. I liked her characters and how they dealt with each other. She wove faith throughout her story in a way that was meaningful. I'm sure you will enjoy this book. I look forward to her next book.

Victoria Hayes gave up her dream to join the FBI to become an accountant. A safe calculated job, no risk. She lost her first job when she found discrepancies in the accounts. Now it is happening again but she's smarter now she retrieves the data so she will have proof. Unfortunately someone burns down her home and Victoria barely escapes with her life. Not willing to give up she goes to her supervisor for help.

Jeff Tucker isn't sure about the whole thing but he does agree to take her to the office to retrieve a copy of the evidence she needs. When they enter the office Victoria's ID doesn't work, they are attacked and Jeff's car is blown up. So begins the adventure.

A journey of two dysfunctional people trying to find their way out of the horror surrounding them and into God's chosen plan for them. A great read.

Little Girl Taken by Glenda Parker

Today I'm going to talk to you about my new book that was just published last week. A few years ago I was watching a show on TV that was talking about the horrors of Human Trafficking in this nation. It touched my heart in such a way that I cried out to God for money to give to these people that were reaching out and saving the children. God laid it on my heart to write a book about it. Knowing there was a good chance that it would never be published, I simply obeyed. The words of this story just flowed. I have worked on it trying to make it better but I think it's as good as I can do it without help. I loved this story and have put many of the special people in my life in the characters. I hope it will touch your heart. Even now after working on it all this time it still makes me cry in places and touches my heart. Let me know what you think of it. I pray I wrote what God wanted said.

             Children are missing….Young girls are disappearing….Human Trafficking?

                                                       Not in Nebraska

When Rachel Zion’s daughter, Zoe, is abducted Rachel is forced to contact her ex-husband. Special  Agent Greyson Zion of the OSI and his team join an ICE task force to find the missing girls.

Special Agent Mitch Baer is aware of a human trafficking cell working in his area.    Could this be the break he has been hoping for?  Will they be able to find the girls before they can be moved and sold     on the black market?

Can Grey bring his family back together or will the new man in Rachel’s life pull them further apart?  How can Baer reconcile the evil forces around him with the loving God that Grey put all his trust in?  Does an all powerful God even exist?

Human Trafficking is a 32 billion dollar industry second only to drug. This industry is favored by criminals because unlike drugs and arms, you can sell people over and over. Conservative estimates put the number of slaves in the world today at over 27 million, more than at any other time in history. Unfortunately over 99% will never be rescued. The average age of these slaves are 11 and a half years of age. U.S. laws prohibit human trafficking in every state but only 10% of those caught are being prosecuted, only the children are being punished. This problem is due to the men in high offices that are purchasing this kids. This last weekend is one of the biggest events in human trafficking, the Super Bowl. Young children are lined up in every available nook for use to people attending the event. 

We need to stop the horrendous epidemic going on in our nation and we need to realize our children are not safe from these monsters. Groups like; www.equipandempower.org. saveslives@sharedhope.org, abolishslavery.org work to free children and turn their lives around. You too can do something to help, pray for these groups, pray over your children, and watch over them.