“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and staff, they comfort me.” ~Psalm 23:4
Daily Inspirations – January 6, 2017
“Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ. Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.”
– Oswald Chambers
Pursuing Gold Book Review
About the book:
Pursuing Gold (Elk Lake, October 2016)
With his father dead and his business partner incapacitated, Peter Chandler inherits the leadership of a bank in economic crisis.
With only a newly-minted college degree and little experience, Peter joins his partner’s daughter, Mary Beth Roper, in a struggle to keep C&R Bank afloat while the Civil War rages around Chattanooga. Political pressure for unsecured loans of gold to the government stirs up trouble as tempers and prices rise. Their problems multiply when Mary Beth discovers counterfeit money with Peter’s forged signature. Can they find the forger before the bank fails? The two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace.
Purchase a copy: https://bit.ly/2gCb1pb
My Thoughts:
Civil War period novels are my favorite and this one did not disappoint. Filled with drama and hardship of the day, this book shares about two friends partnering together to save their bank. However, this was not easy and the plot shares the ups and downs of their story as they learn to trust and depend on each other, and most importantly, Jesus. Dealing with counterfeit money and political issues of the day saving this bank is no easy task but much is learned through the process. This is a must read and a book you won’t forget. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
I was given this book by Litfuse.
About the author:
Cynthia L Simmons and her husband, Ray, have five children and reside in Atlanta. She has taught for over thirty years as a homeschool mother and Bible teacher. She’s a columnist for Leading Hearts Magazine and she directs Atlanta Christian Writing Conference. Cyndi has a heart for encouraging women in today’s crazy, upside-down world. She loves history and peppers her speaking and teaching with fascinating vignettes from the past. Her first book, Struggles and Triumphs, was nominated for 2008 Georgia Author of the Year. She co-founded Homeschool Answers and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio.
Website | Twitter
The Remnant Book Review
About the book:
The Remnant (Plain Truth Ministries, August 2016)
In the year 2069 the Apocalypse came and went, but Jesus didn’t show up, as some expected.
Instead, a cataclysmic war, natural disasters and pandemics eradicated 90 percent of earth’s population. Now, in 2131, a totalitarian government rules the world from the majestic, opulent capitol of Carthage, Tunisia. Blamed for igniting the war, religion and religious books are banned. Citizens who will not renounce their religion are sent to work camps.
Grant Cochrin, imprisoned in a bleak petroleum camp in what was once North Dakota, leads his family and friends to escape and embark on a long, dangerous quest for a Christian community. Their resource in this journey? A cherished page torn from the now banished Bible—a remnant of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount handed down from Grant’s grandparents.
What if there were an Apocalypse and Jesus didn’t return? What if the survivors found themselves living in a world ruled by a totalitarian government, where religion is forbidden and all religious texts have been destroyed?
In The Remnant, award-winning author Monte Wolverton tells the tale of a band of concentration camp escapees who trek through the lawless American wilderness on a quest for authentic Christianity, only to come face to face with an unthinkable dilemma. The Remnant is a fast-paced story punctuated with dry satire, memorable characters and hard questions about religious institutions.
Purchase a copy: https://bit.ly/2fVwBoJ
My Thoughts:
The Remnant was a departure from the books I normally read, but surprisingly it was a page turner. I am still not a huge fan of dystopian writing but Wolverton did an excellent job of forming the plot and the storyline keeps the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the book. This could easily be read in one sitting, especially if this is your favorite type of fiction.
I was given this book by Litfuse Publicity.
About the author:
Monte Wolverton is an award-winning author and syndicated editorial cartoonist. He is associate editor of CWR magazine. He is an ordained minister and holds a MA from Goddard College in Vermont. Along with his wife Kaye, he makes his home in southwest Washington State.
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Trust My Heart Book Review
About the Book:
Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible. The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.
After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore—much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant’s fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.
The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there’s healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what’s needed to finally guide him home.
My Thoughts:
Trust My a Heart by Carol Post is such a sweet and easy read. I enjoyed the characters, and love simple romances like this one. Although, I wish the book would have been longer. However, if you are looking for a good weekend read this book is for you. This is the first book I’ve read by Post, but it certainly will not be the last.
I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity.
Purchase a copy here.
About the Author:
From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special events decorating company, Carol’s resume reads as if she doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love for writing. She currently pens fun and fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. Her books have been nominated for a RITA® award and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. To learn more about Carol, you may visit her web site at https://www.caroljpost.com.
Traces of Guilt Book Review
About the Book:
She’s turning up the heat on Carin County’s cold cases . . .
Evie Blackwell loves her life as an Illinois State Police detective . . . mostly. She’s very skilled at investigations and has steadily moved up through the ranks. She would like to find Mr. Right, but she has a hard time imagining how marriage could work, considering the demands of her job.
Gabriel Thane grew up in Carin County and is now its sheriff, a job he loves. Gabe is committed to upholding the law and cares deeply for the residents he’s sworn to protect. He too would like to find a lifetime companion, a marriage like his parents have. . . .
When Evie arrives in Carin, Illinois, it’s to help launch a new task force focused on unsolved crimes across the state. She will work with the sheriff’s department on a couple of its most troubling missing-persons cases. As she studies old evidence to pull out a few tenuous new leads, she unearths surprising connections. One way or another, she knows Gabriel Thane and his family will be key to the answers she seeks.
My Thoughts:
Dee Henderson has been one of my favorite authors for years. While I don’t enjoy her newer books like I did some of her earlier ones, I still loved this new release. Traces of Guilt contained very intricate storylines and it was very interesting to see how all the stories related throughout the book. Henderson definitely keeps the reader in suspense until the end which I appreciate. One quality that I like about all of her books is her ability to keep you intrigued. There were a large cast of characters in the story and a few of my favorite characters from her previous books made appearances and it was neat to see how all of their individual stories worked together. Gabriel and Evie had a nice connection as they worked together to solve cases, and I look forward to learning even more about them in future books. I am already excited for her next book. If you are a fan of a good mystery and of Dee Henderson, this book is a must read for you.
I was given this book by Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers in exchange for a review.
To purchase the book visit here.
About the Author:
Dee Henderson is the author of numerous novels, including Taken, Undetected, Unspoken, Full Disclosure, and the acclaimed O’Malley and Uncommon Heroes series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois. Learn more at www.deehenderson.com.
Daily Inspirations – March 25, 2016
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16
Daily Inspirations – March 7, 2016
Happy Monday! “In Christ I am rooted and grounded in love.” ~Ephesians 3:17 💛
Happy Monday!
Happy Monday friends! I hope you all survive getting back to the real world today after the holidays, and maybe continue some online Christmas shopping..ha! Its not even 7am yet and I have already been taking advantage of some amazing Cyber Monday deals.
I am so thankful to the Lord for giving me and my family a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was a weekend of yummy food, family, and lots of Christmas movies (we are a bit addicted to Christmas movies in this house..we just can’t help it..haha)! My mom cooked a delicious meal on Thursday and my family came to our house for the day. We had such a good time catching up with one another and shared many laughs. Then on Saturday my parents along with other family members participated in the Christmastown 5k in McAdenville, NC. I went and watched them and loved being a part of it. Also, the Christmas lights in McAdenville are absolutely beautiful. I have been wanting to go with the family for the past two years but each year they have participated, I have been too sick so I am extra grateful that I was able to go this year. Below are some pictures from the past few days.
Yesterday, was the beginning of Advent Season, and my friend Erin and I are writing a series on our blogs each Sunday leading up to Christmas. We started yesterday, and would love for you to check out our posts.
Read mine here.
Read Erin’s here.
I hope and pray that you all have a great week! Below are some pictures from the past few days.
Love Lexi and CJ!
Gran with the grandkids
Sweet Emily
Crazy cousins who are more like brothers!
Auntie Ellen and Me
I love Lexi Rae!
My favorite pic of me and mom! Best friends!
Aunt Ellen and Uncle Lewis
Cousin Love – Me and Laurie
Mr. and Mrs. Claus
Oh Christmas Tree!
Courage, Dear Heart
“Courage, dear heart.” That is one of my favorite quotes from C.S. Lewis, and I have been reminded of it many times recently.
When I think about people who have courage, I think about people such as Corrie Ten Boom who was imprisoned in a concentration camp, Elisabeth Elliot who ministered to the people that murdered her husband, Esther Ahn Kim who stood up for her faith to the Japanese who took control of Korea, Amy Carmichael who moved to India alone and rescued orphans, and the list could go on and on.
All of those women displayed courage in major ways, and when I was younger those are the people I wanted to be like. I still want to be like them. They are some of my heroes. I’ve had the thoughts many times, “if only I could go overseas and be a missionary then I would really be courageous — then I would feel purposeful,” or “If only I were married and serving my husband and the ministry God has for a family then I would be living a fulfilled calling,” or if only I were able to travel more and not be bogged down with health problems then I would meet more people and have more career opportunities — then I would be secure.”
None of these things mentioned are bad and to certain people they are God’s calling. However, right now in my life, they are not my calling. I can live in the “if-only’s” all I want, but that is not going to change the now. I was praying the other day and said, “God, if only I was in better physical health right now, just think of all I could do for you and all the places we could go. Lord, if you would let that occur that would be wonderful.” Yes, it would be wonderful, but the Lord whispered back, “Yes, my child, but what about the now. What if the calling I am asking of you is this hard season, right here, right now. It takes just as much courage to stay put in the hard as it takes to be on the go doing something else. That “something else” has its hard as well.” The Lord reminded me he does not want me to live in the “if onlys,” but He wants me to live in “the now.”
He has as much purpose in “the nows” as He does in the “if onlys” even though our human hearts do not always believe that to be true. In those quiet moments the Lord said, “Take Courage, dear heart, take courage, your life is worth a great price to me and you have an enormous purpose today. Believe that, daughter.”
Friend, if you are struggling like me right now, and if your life has not turned out the way you thought it would — God still has a plan and a purpose for you, you just have to be willing to accept what He has given you and rejoice in the now. As I am learning, He will use you in ways you least expect it so be encouraged in that today.
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