Though My Heart is Torn

Though My Heart is Torn, The Cadence of Grace book 2 by Joanne Bischof is the sequel to Be Still My Soul.  “Gideon O’Riley has two wives-but he doesn’t know it.”  Lonnie and Gideon have finally found happiness after the rocky start to their marriage but a strange turn events tears their lives apart.

I thoroughly enjoyed Be Still My Soul so when I got the opportunity to review Though My Heart is Torn I jumped at the chance. I was not disappointed. The book may be a little hard to understand if you haven’t read the first one though. You will miss the whole saga of how Gideon and Lonnie became husband and wife so I would suggest reading the 1^st one before reading this one.

I found myself heartbroken for the couple after they had overcome so many struggles to get to a place in their marriage and they were so happy and then faced with this trial.  I really enjoyed the characters in the 1^st book and all of them were included in this one with some additional people added. The author does a really good job with keeping with the era and backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She brings the characters to life. She brings out the struggles of both Lonnie and Gideon and through their faith they believe God’s grace will bring them through. Even though it is difficult they both are trying hard to move on with the new life they have been dealt.  I couldn’t put this book down once I started it.  With the way the book ended I’m sure there will be a 3^rd in this series and I can’t wait to read it also.

If you love Christian romances this book is for you. I received this book at no charge from Multnomah publishing for an honest review. You can purchase a copy of this book here.

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Invisible

Invisible by Ginny L Yttrup is an awesome book. I have to say it is right at the top of my favorites list. It is a unique Christian fiction that feels more like reality. I’ve read it at a time in my life when I really need it.

 It’s a story of a group of people who seemingly have nothing in common. Ellyn is a chef who struggles with her weight and eating too much.  Twila, a 27 year old nutritionist, who struggles with an eating disorder. Sabina, a psychologist, who is struggling with depression. And Miles, a doctor who lost his wife a few years earlier because of cancer struggling with the fact he couldn’t do enough to save her all looking for a way to be invisible.

The story intermingles the life of each individual person and an intricate web is woven that brings each of them together. The author does a wonderful job at pulling you into the lives of these people. Ellyn is the common denominator of the group. They are each drawn to her for different reasons. God has put them together to help them heal and grow. They learn they have more in common than they expected.

The author has broken the book up with headings using each person’s name. It is very easy to follow who is who. The book has wonderful insights on what God wants for each of our lives. Several points have stuck in my mind one being that sometimes when we believe we are responsible for situations we are putting ourselves on the same level as God. He after all is the one and only Creator and is in control of all things. We are only put here to facilitate and do what He would have us to do. He wants us to use the things He gives us to help other and to teach others about Him. We are made in His image.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Christian fiction and anyone who has ever asked God “Why?”  As I said before it is one of my new favorite books.

I received this book from Handlebar Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Truth Stained Lies

I have loved every book that I have read by Terri Blackstock and Truth Stained Lies is no exception. I could not put it down. My biggest con of the book is that I shouldn’t have picked it up at night before bedtime. I stayed up two nights in a row until 2 or 3 am reading it.

“Cathy Cramer is a former lawyer and investigative blogger who writes commentary on high-profile homicides. When she finds a threatening not warning her that she’s about to experience the same kind of judgment and speculation that she dishes out in her blog. Cathy writes it off as mischief….”

Cathy’s family is thrown into turmoil after she receives this letter. It doesn’t hit her at first but then things keep happening. Her brother faces jail for a crime he didn’t commit and then his son is kidnapped. One thing right after another happens. Cathy’s family pulls together to work it all out. And throw in a little “romance” to boot.

The characters were so fun to get to know. I loved the plot it was very believable and not far out in left field somewhere. This could be a true story that could happen very easily. I don’t enjoy reading books that are unbelievable I believe that is why I loved this book. Terri sticks to events and people that are realistic. I like the way that she includes more than just mystery. I love the little tidbits of romance that she adds in.

If you love a good mystery you will love this book. If you like romance you will like this book. If you like books by Terri Blackstock you will like this book. If you’ve never read anything by her you need to start. Happy reading.

I received this book from booksneeze.com at no charge for an honest review.

We finally had a beautiful spring day

Well spring has finally sprung in Northeast Tennessee. We had a beautiful day and the family and I were able to take a little weekend trip to Museum of Appalachia. I got to finally get out and get back to a little photography.

 

I think my new favorite animal is the peacock.

 

 

 

North of Hope: A Daughter's Arctic Journey

 

North of Hope: A Daughter’s Arctic Journey is a memoir by Shannon Polson.  Her journey begins when her dad and stepmother are killed by a bear on a rafting trip in the Arctic. She decides to retrace their last steps hoping to find a peace and understanding for her life. Her journey teaches her lessons and helps her cope with the losses in her life. She explores her relationships not only with her father but also other family members and friends along with other aspects of her life.  I believe God gives her a peace throughout her journey and I believe He has opened her eyes to His grace. Her words and thoughts seemed to flow beautifully in the pages of this book.

 I normally don’t read this genre of book but I really enjoyed this book. It really made me want to examine my path in life. I think maybe I should try more memoirs. North of Hope very well written and I found myself not being able to put it down. I believe it made me think we each have a journey in life and maybe we should take a “journey” even if only in our quiet times to evaluate what God wants us to hear and know. I think even if you don’t usually read memoirs you will thoroughly enjoy this boo and if you do like memoirs you will love it.

I received this book at no charge from Handlebar Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Wishing on Willows

 

After reading Wildflowers in Winter I was looking forward to Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert and I wasn’t disappointed.

“A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa, she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.”

“So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight.”

Robin had suffered so much and now Ian threatens to take one more link to her late husband. She is so torn. The author once again did a wonderful job at bringing the entire story to life. The characters were so easy to get to know and fall in love with. I found myself cheering Robin on (knowing in the end she would probably make the right decisions). She was always so busy helping others but feeling like she was losing everything. Would Ian be a thorn in her flesh or her knight in shining armor? There are no great surprises in the book and I would say it is light reading. I would start and had a hard time putting it down. I really enjoyed the book. I think if you love Christian, romance novels this is one that you won’t want to miss.

This book was provided to me at no charge from Blogging for Books for an honest review

You can purchase this book here

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