Softly and Tenderly Review

Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck is the second book in the Songbird Novel series. “Jade longs to begin a family with her husband, Max’ but she discovers he has an illegitimate son. Her mother’s health is failing and her life is falling apart. She tries to run but in her pain God shows His mercy and love.
I have to say I was almost finished with this book before I found out it was second in a series which is a good thing for me. I don’t like to read books out of order but this one could be a stand alone for anyone who hasn’t read the first one. The character’s names were a little odd to me but the characters were easily identifiable and had lots of personality. I enjoyed this book. The only con I really have with it was the characters were all supposed to be “Christian” but none of them were really living a life representative of a Christian and even though they seemed to find their way back to Christ there is never a mention of a real repentance just that they were changed but no reason for their change. I found it somewhat bothersome and can’t put my finger on it. I would have like to have seen more of a biblical stance for their belief not just that they were going to do better and therapy.
I would probably read more books by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck. It is a good book to make you really think about your relationships and the importance of living your life building those relationships but lacks the biblical principles that I desire in a book of this genre. The ending also left off too abruptly as though it wasn't finished and I wasn't thrilled with that. I realize it is a series but I feel it should have a definite beginning and ending that makes sense not just a book with missing chapters.
This book was provided to me a not charge by www.booksneeze.com for an honest review.

Waking Hours Review

“A high-school girl is found murdered in a park in Westchester County, New York. The shocking manner of her death confounds the town and intrigues forensic psychiatrist Dani Harris, who is determined to unravel the mystery. All the suspects are teenagers who were at a party with the girl—yet no one remembers what happened. Could one of them be a vicious killer? Or is something more sinister afoot—something tied to an ancient evil?”
Dani runs into Tommy whom she had a major crush on in high school but she thought he didn’t even know she existed. After a football injury ends Tommy’s NFL career he decides to study to become a private investigator. When Dani is assigned to the town’s mysterious murder her friendship with Tommy begins to grow. Will they make a love connection? Will they be able to solve the murder with all of its strange twists and turns?
If you like books written by Ted Dekker or Frank Peretti you will enjoy Waking Hours: An East Salem Novel written by Lis Wiehl with Pete Nelson. Although Waking Hours isn’t exactly written like A Dekker or Peretti novel. It doesn’t have the same type of symbolism but it is similar. Dekker and Peretti’s novels have a much deeper spiritual meaning. Waking Hours has more realism and less symbolism. It is in the realm of a crime mystery with some spiritual things happening. This book kept me interested to the very end. I read it quickly and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am looking forward to more books in this series .
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes crime novels. I received this book from www.booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.

There You'll Find Me Review

”Grief brought Finley to Ireland. LOVE WILL LEAD HER HOME.” Finley Sinclair is an eighteen year old girl who is struggling with many emotional problems after the death of her brother Tim. She misses him so much and she decides to follow his footsteps by studying in Ireland. Just a few years earlier Tim had visited Ireland as an exchange student, he kept a journal of his experience. Now Finley is on a mission to follow him through his journal. She is trying to finish a violin composition to honor her brother.
While on her way to Ireland Finley meets Beckett Rush, a teen heartthrob. He is known for his wild escapades and Finley has had enough drama and wants to stay far away from him. Beckett on the other hand finds himself attracted to her.
Will Finley find what she is looking for in Ireland or will her trip destroy her? There You’ll Find Me, written by Jenny B. Jones is a wonderful read. It is supposedly written for a younger audience but I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you like a heart touching book you will love this one. This book is a quick and easy read. It is a very inspiring story for young adults or anyone who loves a good story. I am well passed my teenage years and I loved this book. The book would make a great gift or a nice addition to your own library. Jenny B. Jones is a new author to me but I will definitely read more of her books and I will introduce her to my preteen daughter.
I received this book at no charge from booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.

The Corruptible Review

The Corruptible: A Ray Quinn Mystery written by Mark Mynheir is a wonderfully written mystery. This is the second book in the series. Private Investigator Ray Quinn who is an ex-homicide detective finds himself in a tangle of criminal activity, murder, and betrayal. “Retired from the force and living with a painful disability, Ray’s options are limited.” He starts his own P.I. business paired with his trusty sidekick Crevis. The two make a wonderful team. Ray is offered a job with a shady client, who he feels isn’t being totally honest with him. Armon, the client, offers him a hefty amount of money that makes it hard for Ray to refuse so he takes the case. He’s trying to find Armon’s “valuable” information and trying to find who killed an ex-cop that was somewhat shady himself.
I really enjoyed The Corruptible and am looking forward to reading more in this series. Mark Mynheir did a wonderful job with this book. I had not read The Night Watchman and although this is the second book in the series it didn’t matter it was easily followed and it wasn’t necessary to read the first one in order to enjoy this one. The pros of this book: The characters were believable and I could easily connect with them. The story line and plot was easy to follow and left you wanting to know what happens next. The only con that I can think of is that the book is a little predictable but still has some twists and turns that you don’t expect.
Overall, if you love mysteries this is one that you will want to read. I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
This book was provided to me at no cost by Waterbrook/Multnomah for an honest review.

Life Everlasting Book Review

Life Everlasting: An Alexia Lindale Novel, book 2 by Robert Whitlow is a Christian fiction novel about a family who has their share of troubles. Baxter Richardson clings to life after a fall during a hike with his wife. His wife has secrets that she is trying to hide. His brother wants to control the family “empire” and his father fights to keep him alive. Alexia, a lawyer, agrees to help Rena, his wife, but she has no idea the twists and turns that this woman will cause.
It took me a long time to get through this book. I had a really hard time identifying with the characters and a hard time getting to know them. I feel like maybe if had read the 1st book in the series, Life Support, that it would have helped. Other than that the book is well written and has the potential to keep ones interest. Although this book can be read and fully understood without reading the 1st one I would suggest reading them in order. I enjoyed the budding romance between Alexia and Ted but for some reason it just didn’t feel right to me. It seemed almost an afterthought and didn’t mesh well with the story. Again, it may be because I haven’t read the other book. I may go back and read the 1st in the series and might feel differently about Life Everlasting.
I will try more books by Robert Whitlow because I feel like the reason I wasn’t crazy about this book was my fault. He seems to really be a good author and I did want to finish the book to see what happened. The ending obviously leaves you with the understanding that there will be a 3rd book because many of the book’s secrets weren’t revealed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review by booksneeze.com.

Mine is the Night

Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs is set in historic Scotland in the 1700 circa and based on the book of Ruth. I had not read her other book before reading “Mine is the Night”, but I really don’t think it mattered. I had a hard time getting into the book at first. It took me several chapters before I really started enjoying it, but once I got into it I loved it and had a hard time putting it down. Now it may have just been me and not having a lot of time to put into it at first and not just the material itself. The author did an excellent job of researching the area and the subject material. It is a true love story: a daughter-in-laws love for her mother-in-law but mostly her love of God. She devoted her life to God and He led her paths and because of her devotion she was blessed beyond anything she could imagine.
The characters were real and believable, the setting was beautifully described and the story was wonderful. The book was pretty long to read and took me a while to get through it but part of that was the limited amount of time I had to spend on it. Although it was long after the first few chapters it kept my attention and drew me in. This is the first book I have read by Liz Curtis Higgs but it will not be my last. She is truly an amazing author.
If you love historical romance novels you will love this one and you must put it on your list of great books to read.
This book was provided to me by Waterbrook/Multnomah for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Strike it Rich with Pocket Change

Okay, can I say I just love this book. Strike it Rich with Pocket Change is chocked full of information on how to spot pocket change that may or may not be worth lots of money. I know I will look at my change with different eyes. I'm the crazy person who picks up pennies on the ground and now I will make sure I do it more often. You never know when you may pick up a treasure. The illustrations in this book are superb and are very detailed so you know just what to look for. This book tells you about different coinage including pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars. It shows you what "flaws" to look for from the mint and tells you which ones are more collectable vs ones that aren't collectable at all. I read through this book in less than 2 hours and then started looking at my coins. I've not struck it rich yet but it sure is fun to hope.
I would advise anyone who wants to collects pocket change to give this book a try. I received this book in e-book form to review but wish I had gotten it in physical book form. I will be purchasing another copy of this book for a birthday gift for a coin collector in my life. I receive this book at no charge from Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review and honestly it is one of my favorites so far.

God's Love Letters to You

“God’s Love Letters to you” by Larry Crabb is a nice little devotional. It has 40 days of “letters” from God based on different books in the Bible. I really enjoyed reading each of the devotions and look forward to doing them one at a time. After each devotion there is a list of questions to make you think about your passage that day, and then a short prayer.
I understand the author’s concept of the letters being directly from God to each person individually and he writes the “letter” as though it is written to you directly by God in first person. I however find this a little bothersome because it is still Mr. Crabb’s opinion of the way the scripture should be interpreted. Although, I mostly agree with his opinion it still is his opinion and I’m just not sure if I like him using “I” in his letters. He starts each letter “God Says:” then continues on with the letter. With that being said I still enjoyed the letters and would like to think the things he has written is what God actually has in mind for each of us and his use of first person wouldn’t make me not want to read the devotions.
I would recommend this devotional to others. The cover has a wonderful feel and look to it and as I said it is a well written. The questions are thought provoking and there is scripture to go along with each devotion.
This book was given to me by Booksneeze.com in exchange for an honest review.

Land of the Free

I haven't shared files in a while so I thought I would do a file for the upcoming 4th of July. I hope you enjoy. As you can see I have also started reviewing books. If you wouldn't mind I would love for you to rank some of my reviews for the books from Waterbrook Publishing; it helps me get more books to read.

Land of the Free

Spring for Susannah

Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond is a wonderful love story. Susannah a city girl who is left alone after her parents die is forced to make a decision of what to do with her life. Her pastor’s brother is looking for a bride and writes to his sister-in-law to see if she knows anyone who would be a perfect mate for him. Feeling as she has no other choice Susannah becomes a mail order bride and marries Jesse. Her Victorian upbringing cause her to be so timid with her new husband that it tries his patience but Jesse knows her potential and shows her nothing but love. Will Susannah ever return his love?
I really enjoyed reading Spring for Susannah. The author kept pulling me in. She did a really good job of bring out how hard life was for homesteaders after the war in the late 1800s. She showed that life in the Dakotas was very unpredictable, especially for a city girl who appeared to be afraid of her own shadow. This book really kept my attention and was never boring. I would have really like to have seen an epilogue at the end. I was left with only my imagination to come up with an ending for many of the secondary characters, although that isn’t a problem for me I enjoy reading what the author has in mind for these characters. Then the author left you wondering about some in the story which only adds to the reality people most likely faced in those times.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good historical, Christian romance. It is very well written and an enjoyable read. This book was provided to me by Booksneeze.com for free for an honest review.