Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans

Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans is about a woman named Jade who has several crisis hit her once. Her husband is an addict, her sister is in danger on a daily in Guatemala and their mother has cancer.
Jade and her mother-in-law disover her father in law is having an affair and the last straw is when her friend dies leaving a young son behind who just happens to be her husband's son.

This book is one that will keep you turning page after page, the way Jade deals with the crisis' is intriguing. Her belief in God gets her through these devastating blows. A very good read!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <[...]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Vanished by Irene Hannon

In her newest romantic-suspense novel, critically-acclaimed author Irene Hannon asks herself what would happen if the victim of a deadly car crash on a secluded country road simply disappeared? Vanished is the gripping first novel in Hannon’s Private Justice series. It opens with a shadowy figure caught in the beam of reporter Moira Harrison’s headlights – followed by a solid thump before she loses control and crashes into a tree. But when Moira regains consciousness, the victim is nowhere to be seen.

The police say the disappearance never happened, but Moira can’t forget the look of sheer terror she saw on the person’s face in the instant it was caught in the glare of her headlights. Now her only hope of discovering the truth is a former police detective turned private eye—and her own investigate skills.

My thoughts...

Moira Harrison had gotten lost taking a detour while driving home one rainy night and ended up on a two lane highway. Out of nowhere a woman appeared in her headlights, Moira's car hits her before running off the road. Those terror filled eyes would haunt Moira until she could no longer stand it. She had to find out what happened to the woman.

I loved this book, though I wouldn't call it suspenseful it is a great mystery. The characters are likeable and fun, I liked the attraction between Moira and Cal, the PI she hires to investigate. Great storyline! 5 out of 5 stars.

I received an ecopy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

About the Author...

Hannon, a former communications executive for a Fortune 500 company, left the corporate world in 2003 to focus on her growing fiction brand. While continuing to write contemporary romance, she also delved into suspense. From the beginning, her romantic suspense books have garnered rave reviews. Booklist named Deadly Pursuit (Revell, 2011) one of the top ten inspirational fiction titles for 2011. The final book in her Guardians of Justice series, Lethal Legacy (Revell, 2011) received a starred review from Library Journal, which praised the book for its “compelling characters and edge-of-your-seat action.”

Irene Hannon is the author of more than 40 novels, including the bestselling Heroes of Quantico and Guardians of Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, a HOLT Medallion, a National Readers’ Choice Award, a Daphne du Maurier Award, a Retailers Choice Award and two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine. She lives in Missouri. For more information about her and her books, visit her web site at www.irenehannon.com and follow her on Twitter at @IreneHannon.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books for everyday life. For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

Coming Soon...

More reviews will be forthcoming. Right now, I'm working my way through a family crisis.

Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper

Carrie Carter’s small café in Seaside, New Jersey, is populated with a motley crew of locals … although Carrie only has eyes for Greg Barnes. He’s recovering from a vicious crime that three years ago took the lives of his wife and children—and from the year he tried to drink his reality away. While her heart does a happy Snoopy dance at the sight of him, he never seems to notice her, to Carrie’s chagrin.

When Carrie’s dishwasher is killed and her young waitress disappears, leaving only cryptic clues in her Sudoku book, Greg finds himself drawn into helping Carrie solve the mysteries … and into her life. But when Carrie’s own painful past becomes all too present, her carefully constructed world begins to sink.

Will the fragile relationship she’s built with Greg implode from the weight of the baggage they both carry.

My thoughts...

This is the first book by Gayle Roper I've read and I loved it! I read it in one day, it was that good. Roper is an excellent writer, she weaves her powerful characters into the storyline with ease and mystery.

This book has the right amount of romance and mystery, including a bit of tragedy. There is forgiveness and trust mixed in as well. Just a perfectly wonderful story.

The story of a girl who has been abused and neglected and finally gains the strength and courage to escape from that world. With her is her little sister. Their story will hold your interest.

I certainly hope there is a sequel in the works! I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman

Katie Ann lost the love of her life. Then God offers her a new beginning in Colorado.

Katie Ann Stolzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan, Colorado. At forty she is widowed and raising her first child. But baby Jonas will never know his father, and Katie Ann wonders if her Heavenly Father hasn't forgotten about her as well. Is it really God's plan for her to be a single parent?

Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation. Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester. He's enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.

When Katie Ann and Eli meet, there is an instant connection. Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work. He is done parenting, while she has just begun.

But as their friendship slowly blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God's plans.

Can Katie Ann entrust her heart to another man, and rediscover the wonder of God's love?


My thoughts...

Beth Wiseman's Land of Canaan series is a touching portrayal of Amish life. The characters she has created are interesting and enjoyable, people you would like to meet. I enjoy a book with great characters that come alive and make you feel as though you are right there with them.

The shame and pain Katie is feeling after discovering her deceased husband had been having an affair is described so well you feel it with her. God's love is the theme of the book, His love is amazing and the characters experience it over and over and want others to know Him and His love.

Overall a wonderful book. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book free from Booksnzzze in exchange for an honest review.

Living Beyond Your Feelings by Joyce Meyer

The average person has 70,000 thoughts every day, and many of those thoughts trigger a corresponding emotion. No wonder so many of us often feel like we're controlled by our emotions. Our lives would be much improved is we controlled them.

In LIVING BEYOND YOUR FEELINGS, Joyce Meyer examines the gamut of feelings that human beings experience. She discusses the way that the brain processes and stores memories and thoughts, and then - emotion by emotion - she explains how we can manage our reactions to those emotions. By doing that, she gives the reader a toolbox for managing the way we react to the onslaught of feelings that can wreak havoc on our lives.

In this book, Meyer blends the wisdom of the Bible with the latest psychological research and discusses: the 4 personality types and their influence on one's outlook, the impact of stress on physical and emotional health, the power of memories, the influence of words on emotions, anger & resentment, sadness, loss & grief, fear, guilt & regret, the power of replacing reactions with pro-actions, and the benefits of happiness.

My thoughts...

Meyer encourages people to not let your feelings determine how your day goes or how you make decisions, etc. Too many of us are living according to our feelings and as Christians we can't do that and live peacefully. Meyer says we must be careful what we say as our words effect us greatly. Our words impact our lives so speak positively and stop complaining and all negative talk.

Our choices can be difficult at times so don't be hasty, pray about them. Think positively. Don't let your feelings have a say!

Meyer brings in the 4 personality types... if you are choleric be careful you don't try to control people or situations. you are melancholy you tend to think a lot and want everything done a certain way. If you're phlegmatic, you tend to ignore things that should be confronted or get up and do something about that pile of laundry instead of just sitting in a chair. If you are the sanguine type you tend to be more serious and not very humorous. You become more balanced as you allow God to control your personality.

There are many interesting facts, lots of scripture to back up what she is saying. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author:

Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers, with her TV and radio broadcast, Enjoying Everyday Life, airing on nearly 450 television networks and 400 radio stations worldwide, including ABC Family Channel, Trinity Broadcast Network, Daystar, and the Word Network.

Her bestselling books include Battlefield of the Mind, Look Great, Feel Great, The Confident Woman, Never Give Up! and Power Thoughts.

Joyce holds conferences approximately 15 times each year, worldwide, speaking to thousands.

A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits.

Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality.

Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas?

My thoughts...

I absolutely LOVED this book! This is the second book by Suzanne I have read and believe me, I am not disappointed. She is a wonderful writer. What I really like about her writing is the way she tells the story and brings God into the picture and reveals His plans, she gets her message across in a wonderfully written story of a young couple in the midst of marital woes who become trapped in a snowstorm and end up spending Christmas with an Amish family. Both families touch each other's lives in an amazing way. The characters come alive and you get so attached to them.

Suzanne has an awesome gift for writing, you feel what she is describing. The hurt from a suspected affair, the fear of your child missing, the love for a pet, and the joy of celebrating Christ at Christmas.

This book is about an English couple and an Amish family but it's more about God working in the lives of these people. Truly a WONDERFUL book!

I give it 5 out of 5 stars and would love to rate it even higher!

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author:

Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania , as well as to Ohio , a couple of times each year for research.

Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles--simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-- into your life.

When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

To celebrate the release of her first Christmas book, Suzanne Woods Fisher has teamed up with her publisher, Revell, to bring you the "Christmas in September" iPad Giveaway! The winner will be announced on 9/27 at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party! Details below. Tell your friends and join in the fun (9/7-9/27).

Oh and be sure to follow the blog tour here - many of the bloggers have copies of the book to giveaway!

Suzanne and Revell will be presenting one merry winner with a Christmas Prize Pack (valued at over $600):

A Brand New iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
$25 gift certificate to iTunes
A copy of A Lancaster County Christmas

To enter, click here http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13425768. But, hurry the giveaway ends on 9/26.

But, wait! There's more! The winner will be announced at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27 at Suzanne's author page. During the party she'll be revealing something *BIG* - you won't want to miss it. She'll also be hosting a book chat, trivia contest and giving away a few early Christmas presents! Hope to see you there.