Sandpiper Cove was the first book I’ve read by author Irene Hannon. I hope to read other books by this gracious and gifted author.
I loved reading this book. It was a real treasure with stories of grace and redemption in the lives several characters who live in Hope Harbor. This book is an example of why I like to read books by Christian authors who write about faith and show it lived out in their characters and everyday life.
Sandpiper Cove tells the story of Adam Stone, an ex-con who moved to Hope Harbor with the hopes of starting a new life for himself. He’s quiet and a bit of a loner. However, crime which he was hoping to get away from, comes to his doorstep, not once, but twice. Getting to know the police chief, Lexie Graham, was not on his list of things to do. However, providence was at work in the lives of these two people and their friends, family and co-workers.
I really liked the characters in this book, both the main characters and supporting characters. It felt like I could walk into Hope Harbor and meet these people and feel welcome. They were people I would want to know. I liked the relationships in this book and how it showed people can impact others for good or bad.
I appreciated that Sandpiper Cove was a safe book, one that did not assault me with vulgarity, profanity, sexual immorality and violence.
I highly recommend Sandpiper Cove by Irene Hannon. This book was a pleasure to read. The only problem I encountered was that it ended. I look forward to reading more of Irene’s books.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Revell publishers for the opportunity to read Sandpiper Cove. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.
Raise your hand if you’re ready for Becky Wade’s new series! Celebrate the release of book one, True to You, with Becky and other readers on Facebook on May 4th during a fun author chat party at 8:00 PM EDT (that’s 7:00 Central, 6:00 Mountain, & 5:00 Pacific)! Becky will be chatting about the book and answering your questions about the new series, and of course, there will be plenty of fun giveaways too!
Pre-order your copy of True to You so you’re ready for a fun book discussion. Find out more about the book here.
Hope to see you on May 4 for Becky’s True to You Facebook Party!
After reading Steven Curtis Chapman’s autobiography, Between Heaven and the Real World, I wanted to share pictures that I took at one of his concerts in 2007. It was at a church venue, so I was able to take pictures. An excellent concert…so glad I was able to attend.
I am grateful for the opportunity I had to read Steven Curtis Chapman’s autobiography, Between Heaven and The Real World. Steven’s professional career started in the late 1980’s, which was a few years before I became a Christian. When I think of the music that influenced me as young Christian and throughout the years, Steven’s music is at the top of that list. That’s why I wanted to read this book.
I loved and enjoyed Between Heaven and the Real World and want to read it again and share it with others. I wept as Steven shared in a very humble, open and transparent way the pains and trials he and his wife Mary Beth and their family endured over the years, most notable was the death for their precious daughter Maria Sue.
When you connect with an artist’s work and feel like he expresses in words some of the thoughts and emotions you’ve experienced, it’s interesting to learn the genesis of the songs and what was going on in his life when they were written. It was heartening to see the providential hand of God in Steven’s life. How He had gifted him from a young age to love and write songs that gave a voice to what he was feeling, his faith and capture his reflections about God.
I appreciated the honesty in which Steven writes. It’s real, but also reverent towards God. He so obviously loves, honors and respects God, his parents, brother, wife and children. Somehow, he manages to do so while being open and real about circumstances, choices and events. Kind of like his music. I appreciate Steven and Mary Beth’s deep and abiding faith that they cling to in the face tribulation, never more so than in tragedy. It was heartening to read about the support of family, friends and professionals that came alongside them when needed most. I applaud their commitment to their marriage and efforts to recognize that their spouse is not their enemy and that they fought for each other, not against.
While the hearts of a mother and father longs to see, their child healed and alive, the Chapman’s have allowed God to redeem their losses and impact others for good and for eternity.
If you’ve listened to Steven’s music, you can’t help but come away encouraged, strengthened and your faith built up as he drives a stake in the truth of Scripture. It’s almost like reading one of David’s psalms. He may start out low and in the depths of despair, but as he focuses on God, hope is restored and a light is found to illumine the next step.
I highly recommend Between Heaven and the Real World, especially if you are a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman’s music. It’s encouraging to see someone’s faith proven genuine and real. Even if you aren’t familiar with his music, I think you will benefit from reading this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Revell/Baker Publishing Group for the opportunity to read Between Heaven and the Real World by Steven Curtis Chapman. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.
I’ve been checking our bank account almost daily to see if the check had cleared yet. It’s been over four weeks now, but I figured that it would show up any day now.
On Monday, I saw the check had finally posted. I knew that my original birth certificate was on its way. I would soon see what I’ve wondered about for years.
I was adopted at three months old. For as long as I could remember I’ve known that I was adopted. As were my two brothers. I know who my parents were…they were the mother and father who raised me. They were there in good times and bad. They encouraged me and discipline me. They loved me even when I was unlovable.
After finishing my Bible study in Genesis this year, I came away with the knowledge and assurance that God gave me just the right family. It won’t be until I get to heaven that I may know why God chose my mother and father and brothers. But He did and God had a purpose and plan He was working out in all our lives.
Over the years, off and on, I’ve been curious about who my birth parents were. What was their story? And my beginning? What’s happened in their lives?
I also found myself reticent about finding them. I mean, what if they never wanted to see me? In some respect adoption is the greatest gift. It’s the gift of life and chance to have what they may not have been able to provide at that time in their lives. Not sure if other adoptees feel this way, but I’ve got to confess, sometimes it feels like the ultimate rejection.
But recently, I’ve felt a comfort and freedom in knowing that God has overseen all the details of my life and put me with the family He chose for me. I think this is a good place to be in if I’m going to try and find my birth parents.
Some of you may have seen the TV show Long Lost Family. It’s been on a couple of years now. There’s just something about seeing these people find their birth families and make a connection with them. Perhaps that’s stirred a longing in me. I submitted my story and received a confirmation they got my application. They get a lot of people applying for their help, so the chances of them choosing me may be small. But, I thought I would give it a try.
I also realized that I could do some searching on my own. In the past, I’ve put my information in on adoption websites to no avail. In my new search, I found out Colorado had recently changed their laws and adoptees and birth parents can get information, including their original birth certificate. I sent away for it four weeks ago and now it’s on its way.
That will be a beginning. It will give me the names of my birth mother and possible biological father. From there, I can do some searches on Ancestry’s website among others to see if I can find them.
It’s in the Lord’s hands and I need to trust Him with the outcome. Whether I find them or not. Or if I do locate them, if they don’t want to meet me or be in contact, I need to be okay with that too.
Along with sending away for my original birth certificate, I’ve been working on our family tree on Ancestry. It’s pretty cool to flesh things out. I’m finding some surprises along the way.
In putting information in on my grandparents, I’ve found that my grandmother had two siblings that I didn’t know about. One was a baby sister, Marie, born about seven years before she was. It appears that child died young, but I need to do more searching. Also, she had a brother I had never heard about. He died in the 1940’s.
I found a record that looks like one of my Uncles was married twice and was divorced once. Also, I found that my dad had a second sister that I had never heard of before. Her name was Mary. She first appeared on census paperwork.
I’m sure there will be more surprises to come as I research and add more records. It’s both exciting and kind of disorienting. I wish I had done this when my mother still alive and I could ask questions and find out about our family.
I’m grateful for the support and encouragement of my husband, Chris. I know that at the end of the day genetics and blood relations aren’t the be all and end all. But something I’ve never really had is looking like my family members. Or having similar abilities, talents and interests. So, we shall see what tomorrow will bring and if I’m able to find my birth parents.
At 58 years old, I’m well aware the clock is ticking. My chances of finding them dwindles with each passing day. It’s in the Lord’s hands and I will trust Him.
Some books are a pleasure to read and the review is easy to write. That holds true for Deep Undercover by Jack Barsky with Cindy Coloma.
If you like intrigue, suspense and mystery look no further than Deep Undercover which tells true story of KGB spy Jack Barsky, or should I say Albrecht Dittrich.
I found this book fascinating and of particular interest was Albrecht’s early life. He was born in 1949 in East Germany, following WWII. As I read about his early years, I was struck by the contrast between growing up in his war-torn country and life here in the United States of America.
Have you even wondered how someone becomes a spy? How are you trained to do the job? What skillsets do you need to be a KGB operative? What happens if you fail or if you change your mind? Can a spy have any kind of a real life with a wife, children and friends? Or is a spy destined to live a life of loneliness where no one really knows him?
Those questions and much more are answered in Deep Undercover which tells about the intriguing life of Jack Barsky. While his life started much different than your typical American, and his career path took some twists and turns, this man came to love this country and the freedoms that regular everyday Americans have. The freedom and capitalism that he once fought against, he came to embrace, even at the risk of losing his life.
At the end of the book, Jack explains how he came to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. I especially liked how he shared about God providentially weaving together the circumstances of his life which resulted in him coming to America and ultimately becoming a Christian.
Something I would like to clarify, the statement by Jack’s soon to be wife Shawna, “You are already a Christian; you just don’t know it.”, is not Scripturally accurate. Jack may have been in the process of learning about Christ and she saw that his faith was growing, but accepting Christ is a purposeful decision.
I highly recommend Deep Undercover by Jack Barsky, it’s a fascinating book. Be forewarned, this book may keep you up at night so you can find out what happens next. If you like mysteries and intrigue, biographies, or you just like to know what makes a man tick, pickup Deep Undercover. You won’t be disappointed.
I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers for the opportunity to read Deep Undercover for free. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.
As a mystery lover, I was excited to read a mystery by an author, Caroline Fardig, who new to me. After reading the description of her new book, Brew or Die, I decided to give it a try.
One of the descriptions, by USA Today, for this mystery is a “cozy mystery” which is defined as a crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed and it takes place in a small community.
If Brew or Die lined up with that description, I probably would have liked it. Unfortunately, it was a lot different than I expected.
So, what’s not to like about Brew or Die? The story opens with character Juliet Langley at work in the local coffeehouse, Java Jive. The reader is introduced to a cast of characters that are in Jules life, including her current boyfriend, Stafford, who is a police officer, longtime friend Pete and her old boyfriend Ryder. At first I thought this book would be clean.
But beginning on pages 12 & 13, started a trend of vulgarity which continued on throughout the book. Profanity was used well over one-hundred times, perhaps much more. It was to the point of distraction. I don’t understand why authors resort to the use of profanity.
If I had picked up this book to read on my own, at the beginning of the profanity, I would have put it down and not finished it. But because I agreed to read it for a review, I read the entire book and couldn’t wait to be done with it.
In addition to the excessive use of profanity, Juliet (Jules) seemed to be attracted to any male that had a pulse. Thus, sexual immorality also included in the book.
Based on the profanity (used excessively), casual sexual and sexual immorality, I do not recommend this book. Brew or Die by Caroline Fardig was a big disappointment and not my cup of tea.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read Brew or Die in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.
It’s springtime in Texas and that means it’s Bluebonnet time! Woohoo!
For those folks for love watching The Pioneer Woman on the Food Network, you know why I was excited to visit Ree Drummond’s new store The Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
On the way to the store, we passed the now famous Drummond Ranch.
Beautiful countryside in Oklahoma, even in winter when things are brown and bare.
Even on a cold winter day with the trees bare and a cold breeze blowing the Thorncrown Chapel was beautiful. From the outside, we could see the warm glow of a light inviting us in. A somber and beautiful place. I couldn’t help but reflect on the crown of thorns that Jesus willingly bore on His way to the cross. He willingly went to the cross to bear our sins. His atoning death on the cross paid the penalty for my sin. My sin debt was paid in full that day over 2,000 years ago. Thank Father for giving Your Son. Thank You Jesus for bearing my sin, so one day I could be clothed in Your righteousness. Thank You Holy Spirit for opening my eyes to see the truth in Scripture of my sin and my need for a Savior, Christ Jesus is the Promised Messiah. Jesus alone is The Way, The Truth and The Life and no one comes unto the Father except through Him.
Has your sin debt been paid in full? Have you been clothed in the righteousness of Christ?
If not, today can be your day of salvation if you will repent of your sin, believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and confess Him with your mouth.
Wouldn’t you like to know with absolute certainty, that no matter what happens to you in this life, your eternity in heaven is secure in Christ Jesus?
I’m looking forward and very excited at the prospects of hummingbirds soon returning to north Texas. It will be a few more weeks, but they are likely in route from Central and South America. They will only be around for six months, but I hope to enjoy them each day they are here.
This little girl’s picture was taken in central California back in 2011.
Feeling grateful today. After some significant knee pain for about a month, I went to the orthopedic doctor. He was able to give me an injection in my knee and already the pain is significantly lower.
I know that all health and healing is from the LORD. I know that He uses sickness and pain in our lives for His good purpose and plan. I can trust God who is good and sovereign in all things.
I’m prayerful that the pain relief will last and today give thanks with a grateful heart. I give thanks that He has helped me each day in dealing with the pain.
I’m grateful when I come across a Pastor or Bible study teacher who is sound in their theology because it’s rooted and grounded in the Bible. Pastor and teacher Gregory Brown is one of those men. He studies to show himself as a workman approved and accurately handles the Word of Truth.
That’s why, I was eager to read Pastor Gregory Brown’s newest Bible Teacher’s Guide, Abraham: Living the Life of Faith. I’ve been privileged to study the book of Genesis in-depth several times under solid Bible teachers. Even though I’m familiar with Abraham’s story, Pastor Brown shares some sound interpretation of the passages and brings some new insights in this man of God who is foundational to both the Jewish and Christian faiths. He does this through the sound exposition of the Scripture.
Not only does he examine Abraham’s life and his faith, both his victories and failures, but Pastor Brown helps the reader to ask some challenging questions and apply what they are learning to their own lives.
You may wonder, what you can learn from a man who lived over 4,000 years ago. Is his life relevant to you today in a much different day and age? I can answer that with a resounding yes. Abraham, who was called by God and is known as a friend of God, is a Patriarch whom we can learn much from.
Do you ever wonder if God still calls people today? As a Christian how well do you respond to trials? Do you know any believers who seem to be falling away from their faith or are friends of this world? Do you ever do battle with fear, doubt and discouragement? Ever find yourself struggling with a sin, time and time again? Can you have victory over that sin? What promises in the Bible belong just to the people whom God spoke to and which ones can you as a Christian know with confidence belong to you too? These are just some of the areas Pastor Brown delves in to.
If you want a quick one minute Bible reading for each day with a clever quote, this book may not be for you. But if you want to better understand the Bible and who God is as He has revealed Himself in the perfect and inerrant Word of God, Abraham: Living the Life of Faith may be just what you are looking for. If you want someone who will deal with you straight, someone who preaches the Word in season and out of season, someone who will reprove, rebuke and exhort you with patience and instruction, then I encourage you to read Pastor Gregory Brown’s newest Bible Teacher’s Guide – Abraham: Living the Life of Faith. This book would be good for a group study and also for the individual.
I would like to thank Pastor Gregory Brown for the opportunity to read Abraham: Living the Life of Faith. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.
If you would like to know more about Pastor Gregory Brown, please take a look at his website: Gregory Brown. On this website, you can learn about additional resources that are available.
Not that I would like to admit that I’m controlling, but when I saw Shannon Popkin’s new book Control Girl – Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible, I knew I wanted to read it. Perhaps the Lord had something He wanted to me learn about being controlling.
How come it’s always easier to see a behavior, attitude or action as sinful and wrong in someone else’s life but be oblivious to it in my own life? I guess in some respects I let my sin blind me to the reality that being a control freak is not good and may be downright sinful. God used Control Girl to make me more aware of my sinful propensity to be controlling.
In this book, Shannon does an excellent job unveiling the tendency in some women to be controlling. She does this by being open and transparent with her own life and shares the negative and hurtful consequences of being controlling. More importantly, she takes the reader to examples from the Bible of real women, that lived in a different day and age, who also had inner control girl issues. Through Scripture she shows examples from the lives of Eve, Sarah, Hagar, Rebakah, Leah, Rachel and Miriam on why and how our control girl may spring into action and how it effects our relationships. Being a control freak may not be conducive to our own happiness and reflects and impacts our relationship with God.
This is an excellent book to help people who struggle with control issues to see it for what it is. Being a controlling person is sinful and not something we should leave unexamined and unfettered. But we can have victory when we repent, trust God and surrender control to Him.
I found this book to be painful as I recalled examples from my own life of being a control girl. Things that as I look back on, make me want to cringe. How in the world did I not see that as wrong back in the day?
Warning…you may find this book to be painful and direct in confronting sinful controlling tendencies. But Shannon manages to it with tenderness and grace and from the vantage point of someone who has addressed the issue in her own life. This is also an encouraging book to help us walk in a manner that honors and glorifies God, trust Him and help us to treat people with loving respect.
I highly recommend Control Girl. If you think you have control issues, read this book. If you have a loved one who struggles with control, you may want to read this book to better understand what may be going on beneath the surface that rears its ugly head as being controlling. This book is a keeper, you may want to reread it and make notes as you go along.
I would like to thank the people at Litfuse and Kregel Publications for the opportunity to read Shannon Popkin’s new book Control Girl. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.
Are you trying to stay in control of your quest for peace, joy, and security . . . and you’re exhausted? Shannon Popkin’s debut book, Control Girl, is a must-read for anyone with a heart that craves control. Join Shannon as she shares what she has discovered about her own control struggles and about God from studying seven Control Girls in the Bible. Whether it was Eve’s desire to know instead of trust, Sarah’s inability to wait for God to move, or Rebekah’s controlling hand on her family’s future, each of these women’s stories contain warnings and lessons for us today.
Learn how to give up control to God and become a Jesus girl! Enter to win a prize pack that will help you give up your Control Girl tendencies.
One grand prize winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on February 21. The winner will be announced February 22 on Shannon’s blog.
Absolutely love this view from the Marland Estate in Ponca City, OK. Love the colors and the veiled view through lovely curtains. We visited in December when the landscape was brown and bare, but beautiful nonetheless.
Love this sculpture, Pioneer Woman Statue, by artist Bryant Baker. We saw this beautiful piece when we toured the Marland Estate in Ponca City, OK. It seemed like the perfect picture for the Scripture on the Proverbs 31 woman.
On our recent trip to Oklahoma, we planned to visit Ree Drummond’s new store The Mercantile. For any of you who watch The Pioneer Woman this may be on your list of places to visit.
Saturday is a busy day for The Mercantile and this particular day it very cold outside. They graciously provided heat lamps for people waiting for their turn to go in the store. Pawhuska is a small town. They have some beautiful old buildings. Hopefully they too will be restored.
Since mysteries are one of my favorite genres I was excited at the opportunity to read a book by an author whose work is new to me. That’s why I selected this historical fiction by Anita Davison, Flora’s Secret.
Flora’s Secret is the story about a young governess, Flora Maguire, who is accompanying her charge Eddy Vaughn as they journey home to England on the maiden voyage of the Minneapolis. Any hope for smooth sailing is quickly abandoned when Flora finds a dead body at the bottom of stairway. Is it an accident or murder? Spunky Miss Maguire is not one to be easily deterred and will do whatever she can to get to the bottom of this man’s untimely death. Thrown into the mix is a shipboard romance with a fine gentleman Mr. Bunny Harrington.
I really enjoyed this book. The main characters well developed, interesting and very likable. The author did a great job in describing people and scenes. She gave enough details for the reader to imagine the scenes, but not too much. The characters, Flora and Bunny, where very likable; people I would want to know. I’m hopeful their story will continue in another book. Other characters were intriguing and it was fun to try and figure out who the good guys were and the bad guys were.
While this book is not from a Christian writer and publisher, I appreciated the fact that the story was told and developed without profanity and sexually explicit scenes. It’s clean historical fiction, a mystery with a bit of romance, that focused on developing characters and the storyline. This was the first book I’ve read by Anita Davison and I look forward to reading more of her books.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Aria Publishers for the opportunity to read Flora’s Secret by Anita Davison. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.
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