Unique Christian Fiction

Cameo Courtships is a wonderful and fascinating read that has history, family, love and Faith all wrapped up into a fantastic book.

Book Synopsis  from back of book

I was hooked right from the start of this book because of how unique the concept of following a cameo through 4 womens lifes and how it helped them find true love. Each woman has a distinct personality so it makes it very interesting to follow from one woman's experience to the next. It all wraps up in a fast, fun, romantic historical read of faith, family and love. I was so glad that each author made the recipient of the cameo her own woman and personality. They are all strong women with strong convictions and Faith. They are not looking for love but it seems to find them. Is it because of the cameo? You will have to read the book to find out. From journalist to frontier woman to detective to librarian each woman is tenacious, capable, strong and strong willed, but also loving and strong in faith. I really enjoyed this book, each and every story. 

If I found anything to dislike it would be that there wasn't more. I was not ready for the journey to be over at the end of the book.

If you are looking for a good historical fiction with a fresh unique take on a story, then you will want to definitely read this book.

One line from the last story really stuck with me when Russell said:

"But as your pastor reminded us, we are not constrained by our pasts . We are valued, not only for what we are now, but also because we are beloved of Christ"

I hope you will get this book and read it. It is a wonderful fun experience.

If you would like to buy this book you can at:

https://www.barbourbooks.com/cameo-courtships/

https://www.amazon.com/Cameo-Courtships-Stories-Touched-Legendary-ebook/dp/B07L557N33/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Cameo+courtships&qid=1561134941&s=gateway&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/courtships-stories-whose-lives-touched-legendary/susanne-dietze/9781643520483/pd/520484?product_redirect=1&search_term=Cameo%20courtships&Ntt=520484&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

I received this book for my honest opinion and review.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK, AND KEEP ON READING!

Long Time Gone 5 Stars

Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy is another great western by her which is a mixture of romance, action, faith and love of family. She weaves a tale that ropes you in and pulls you along with the Boden's as they face danger from unknown people. They don t know who they can trust and neither does the reader until it all unfolds.
I love a good western with cowboys, wilderness and a strong woman or two. This book has it all. The Boden's are being attacked and they aren't sure who is after them or why. They have to rely on each other, their faith, and all the while trying to lay a trap for the ones who are after them without anyone else being hurt or killed.
Justin, Cole, Heath and Sadie find an unlikely, but yet strong ally in Angie who is really a city girl with no country skills.

I found this book to be a wonderful mixture of action, humor and strong relatable characters. One of the favorite things in this book for me is to see how Angie finds herself and the  strength she didn't think she had.

If you like a good book, with fun strong characters, a lot of action and a message of family, love, faith and strength then be sure to read this one.

I received this book for my honest opinion and review.

Fun, Magic, Just A Good Cozy Mystery

Crime and Poetry a Magical Bookshop Mystery by Amanda Flower is a great new series. I just loved the book and would love to  sit in the Charming Bookshop and enjoy the atmosphere while reading.

Violet hurries back to Cascade Springs, her hometown she swore she would never return to, thinking her Grandma Daisy is ill. When she arrives though she finds Grandma is not sick at all but just wanted Violet to come home and stay to take over the bookshop as its caretaker.Violet is shocked when her Grandma explains about the mystical shop, the tree, and how the books gives the caretaker messages and now Violet is suppose to be the new caretaker and the books will talk to her. Wow she has trouble wrapping her head around all that Grandma tells her. Not just that but she is surprised to  find how devious her Grandmother had been to get her to come back. She vows not to stay but that changes when Grandma Daisy's friend Benedict is found dead by Violet in his carriage in Grandma's driveway the next morning and Grandma seems to be the number 1 suspect. Violet has to overlook her past in Cascade Springs, the past that made her swear never to come back and   help find who really killed Benedict and prove her Grandma innocent before she leaves. What is Violet to think and how can she prove Grandma is innocent before something happens to her or Grandma and soon so she can get back to her life in Chicago?

This is an excellent surprising mystery with strong characters and plot. Violet is a smart, strong willed and independent woman which is always a plus in a mystery,  Grandma Daisy is cunning, smart, loving and someone everyone loves. These are two women you would want to be friends with. I like that the Mystical bookshop is an important part to the plot. I could just curl up in a corner of that shop and live there. Who wouldn't want to have a shop that is mystical and the books give you messages what could be greater than that? You also have the good looking intelligent yet kind police chief, Chief Rainwater as well as many suspects.

I can not say it enough I loved this book.  One of my favorite lines is when Grandma is explaining to Violet about the history and mystery of the bookshop and that she now is its caretaker,
"You are the Caretaker. You are to care for the tree and shop now. The books will speak to you now." pg 64 also "Not everything in this world makes sense, you only need to believe it. You are the next Caretaker." pg 64
If you enjoy a good mystery that keeps you guessing with a surprise or two, strong characters, add in a mystical bookshop then don't miss this one. Amanda Flower has another hit with this one.

If you want to know more about Amanda Flower and her books check out her site:


http://www.amandaflower.com

If you want to buy her book go to

http://www.amazon.com/Crime-Poetry-Magical-Bookshop-Mystery/dp/0451477448/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448408749&sr=8-1&keywords=crime+and+poetry

http://www.christianbook.com/1-crime-and-poetry/amanda-flower/9780451477446/pd/477443?event=ESRCG


I won and received this book for my honest opinion and review.

Until Next Time:

GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP ON READING!

Wonderful Novel Found in A Table by the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge.

 

A Table by the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge is a fantastic book about family, love, faith and a family mystery. I found myself relating to the dynamics found in Juliette’s family. The rivalry and bond between siblings and the closeness of the family reminds me of many families I know. This book takes you on a search to find out the family secrets that Juliette’s Grandmother has kept from the family all these years and only discovered on her death by Juliette when she inherits her Grandmothers prep table. This is a great book for anyone who loves family history as well as a mystery, romance and fiction lovers.

The people in this book could be yours or my family and are easy to relate to.  I could so relate to how Juliette and Nico feed off each other and when they decide to open a restaurant together the big brother Nico has to listen to little Sister Juliette even though sometimes his I am your big brother attitude tends to cause trouble between them. Juliette also has to learn to listen and trust her own heart and what God has planned for her instead of taking the safe way and do what the family and others think is right. She has to be strong and step out in faith to be happy and find true love with Neil even over her families objection of a long distant relationship not working.

This book is a journey to find truth. Truth of her Grandmother’s life and who the mysterious man is in her Grandmothers past. Truth to find out what is best for Juliette, truth of what she wants when it comes to Neil and the restaurant. It is also a book of forgiveness, family and faith. This book when I got to the last page made me want it not to be over. I can’t wait till the next book is out to read it. I found myself saying NO it can’t be done, I don’t want to wait to find out more of the family secret, more of what happens between Neil and Juliette and more of how the restaurant goes.

I have to say when I first start reading this book I wasn’t sure I would like it and it was a little slow but after a few pages I was hooked and could not put it down. This is a must read for anyone who likes Christian fiction, has an interest in genealogy, loves a good mystery and likes food. This book has some good recipes included.

I give this book 5 Stars and will be getting book two .

If you want more info on this book, the other books or author you can go to:

 http://www.hillarymantonlodge.com/blog.html

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=223982
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/SneakPeek_TablebytheWindow.pdf
 

 "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

5 + Stars to Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick

Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick is a must read for anyone, but especially for everyone that has ever doubted themselves, questioned if they are worthy, wondered if God really had a purpose for them, or had problems with low self esteem. Steven Furtick takes us through steps to overcome these feelings and how to quiet the voice or as he calls it the chatterbox in our head that tells us we can't or we aren't good enough and not worthy. This book looks at scriptures and leads us in ways to crash the chatterbox in our minds.


I loved this book. It is a book that really can change your life. I would recommend this book to everyone. I think it is a must read for everyone that has had these doubts but also for those who know someone who deals with low self esteem and doubts. I think everyone at one time or another had thought these things about I can't, I am not good enough, I am not worthy, ect. its normal at one time or another to feel this way but Steven Furtick in this book helps us look at how we don't have to believe or even listen to these thoughts and feelings. He doesn't just tell us to stop listening but shows us how to. He uses some of his own experiences to demonstrate how he too has dealt with these thoughts and feelings and shares what God has shown him to help him to realize these thoughts are not true. He gives us Bible verses to use to help us too but more than that he assures us that these thoughts of unworthiness are untrue. I can not say enough good things about this book and can not stress enough how it can help you in your daily life as well as your walk with God. I plan on reading this one over and over again and share it with others.


One of the quotes from the book that really spoke to me was, " But insecurity is much more than an extreme lack of confidence. In some ways insecurity is the ultimate insult to God. Because when we allow insecurity to override God's purpose in our lives, we're implying that He didn't quit get the job done when He put us together."pg 23 Ouch that really hit home for me to think every time I think I can't or I am not good enough I am insulting God.


"Condemnation reminds us of our wrongs by showing us our shame, but the Spirit convicts us of our sin by reminding us of our righteousness in Christ". pg 153 Wow
 
Last one that really struck home though the whole book did, "If you are a believer who hopes to accomplish the will of God for your live- and go to the next level spiritually- you have to defy the inertia of internal discouragement to get there.
you cant let the chatter stop you. You have to keep rolling . And God says you can." pg 168-169
Awesome Keep rolling God says you can says it all if God believes in me then I should too.


This book is great for a Bible Study or Small Group and Steven Furtick has included questions in the back to help in your study.


I hope you will go and read this book and us it to learn to listen to God's voice over all others, it will help you in your Christian walk and life.


If you would like to learn more about the book and author here are some sites to check out:
Website

Twitter

Elevation Church Website

More Info

Read Chapter One

Author Bio

 "I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."