Another Way Home

November 4th, 2015

Another Way Home

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By Deborah Raney

Sometimes God’s ways are not at all what we expect . . . and exactly what we need.

Grant and Audrey are adding grandchildren to their family left and right, but middle daughter, Danae, and her husband, Dallas Brooks, have been trying for years with no baby in sight.

Though Danae is ready to consider adoption, Dallas will not even discuss it. Despairing of ever having a family of her own, Danae decides to pour her passion and energies into volunteer work with a newly opened women’s shelter in town. Looking for a good cause to fill her lonely days, she never expects to give her heart to the hurting women she meets there. She’s finally learning to live her life with gratitude, but then heart-wrenching events on Thanksgiving weekend threaten to pull the entire Whitman clan into turmoil-and leave them all forever changed.

ISLAND BREEZES

We’re going back to Chicory Inn where another daughter of Grant and Audrey is having problems. She really wants a baby, but has nearly given up after of trying. She tried talking adoption, but her husband wouldn’t even consider that possibility.

To fill up her time and take her mind off her problems, Danae starts volunteering at a shelter for abused women. It’s there that violence entered her world along with an adorable little boy.

She falls in love with him knowing she’s leaving herself open for pain. You know, I can’t really tell you anything else without giving away the plot. You’ll just have to read this for yourself. You won’t regret it.

I’ve enjoyed every Deborah Raney book I’ve read and am looking forward to the fourth Chicory Inn book, Close to Home. There’s a teaser at the end of this book, but we’ll have to wait until June, 2016 to read the rest.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

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Deborah Raney’s books have won numerous awards, including the RITA, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken, recently traded small-town life in Kansas-the setting of many of Deborah’s novels—for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita, where they enjoy gardening, antiquing, movies, and traveling to visit four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away.

Valley of Decision

November 3rd, 2015

Valley of Decision

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By Lynne Gentry

Every choice has a consequence in the explosive conclusion to the Carthage Chronicles as Lisbeth returns to third-century Carthage for a thrilling final adventure.

Thirteen years ago, Lisbeth made an impossible decision—leave third-century Carthage and her husband Cyprian behind for good. She knew it was to protect her daughter Maggie, so Lisbeth gathered the strength to move on with her life.

All these years, Lisbeth has thrown herself into her work and raising her headstrong daughter, all to live up to the promise she made to Cyprian. But Maggie is sick of being protected. In an act of teenage rebellion Maggie decides to do what her mother can’t—secretly returning to the third century on a quest to bring her father back, leaving Lisbeth no choice but to follow.

With Maggie’s surprise arrival in Carthage, chaos ensues. She finds her grandmother on trial for murder and attempts to save her, but instead the diversion sparks a riot that nearly destroys the plagued city. Only one thing will appease the wrath of the new proconsul of Carthage: the death of the instigator.

Will Lisbeth arrive in time to save her daughter from the clutches of Rome? How can God possibly redeem such a slew of unwise decisions and deep regrets? Filled with heart-wrenching twists and riveting action, Valley of Decision brings the romantic adventure epic, The Carthage Chronicles, to an electrifying conclusion.

ISLAND BREEZES

There are lots of decisions in this book. Some of which aren’t so good. The book starts with one decision which create a domino effect.

Some of these decisions precipitate action which will have you on the edge of your seat.. This is a time travel novel which gives one a better perspective of what early Christians had to endure.

Although this is the third book in The Carthage Chronicles, it is a good stand alone read. But it would definitely be good to read the first two before this one to have the background of these characters.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I certainly wish Ms Gentry had more up her sleeve for these characters. I will miss them.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

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Lynne Gentry has written for numerous publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director, and playwright. Lynne is an inspirational speaker and dramatic performer who loves spending time with her family and medical therapy dog.

War for the Waking World

November 3rd, 2015

War for the Waking World

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By Wayne Thomas Batson

Would you be willing to fight for your dreams?

Fifteen-year-old Archer Keaton has the ability to enter and explore his dreams. He is a Dreamtreader, one of three selected from each generation. Their mission: to protect the waking world from the Nightmare Lord who dwells beyond the Slumber Gate. But as Archer’s dreams become more dangerous and threatening, so too does his waking life.

In this fast-paced conclusion to the exciting fantasy trilogy, the dream world and the waking world bleed into each other when a rift is formed between the two. People in the real world suddenly find their waking lives resemble their wildest dreams. Now it’s up to Archer and his fellow Dreamtreaders to race to reverse the rift before too much damage is done and to battle Archer’s ex-best friend, Kara, who sits on the throne of the Nightmare Lord. Kara is building an army of her own. Will Archer be strong enough to stand against her?

ISLAND BREEZES

Dreams or nightmares? Sometimes night time dreams can become waking nightmares. It’s becoming a real mess, and the fate of the world hangs on a teenage boy, his friend and his little sister.

It took me a little while to get into this book. That could be because I’m a few decades older than the intended audience. But once this book grabbed me, I didn’t want to put it down. I also had to daydream a little about what it would be like to really have a bit of their magical powers.

This is a good stand alone read, but as with any trilogy, it’s good to read the previous books first to get a better handle on the background.

I do like these young people. I hope Mr Batson will include them in future books.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

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Wayne Thomas Batson is an American writer. He has been married to his wife, Mary Lu, for seventeen years and has four children. He currently works as a teacher at Folly Quarter Middle School teaching sixth grade English language arts and is the youngest of four children. His most recent series, Dreamtreaders published by Thomas Nelson Inc (2014), is a modern-day paranormal YA adventure dealing with the subject of dreams.

Faith Defined

October 31st, 2015

 

 

 
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of realities not seen. For by it the elders received commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen did not come from anything visible.

Hebrews 11:1-3

Miracle Drug

October 29th, 2015

Miracle Drug

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By Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

Overcoming these odds will take more than a miracle drug—it will take a miracle.

The infection wasn’t supposed to happen, but it did. The treatment was supposed to take care of it, but it didn’t. Then Dr. Josh Pearson discovers why—his patients, including the former President of the United States, have been dosed with a different strain of the original virus, one that is universally fatal. The only chance for survival is treatment with an experimental drug, but the manufacturer might already have discarded its supply.

As if treating the President of the United States isn’t stressful enough, the situation goes from bad to worse when Rachel Moore, a nurse Josh is falling in love with, falls ill. With the nation’s eyes on him, Josh must pull off a miracle to save a man who holds a good deal of power and the woman who holds his heart.

ISLAND BREEZES

Boy, do these people ever need a miracle drug! Once they locate the drug, they need another miracle to find more of it.

There’s intrigue and suspense galore. This is one of those books you can neither put down nor turn the pages fast enough.

As always, Dr. Mabry keeps the adrenalin flowing. Being a nurse, I also appreciated seeing proper protrayal of medical ethics, protocol and procedures. Thank you, Dr. Mabry.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

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Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician who writes “medical suspense with heart.” His novels have won multiple awards: a semifinalist for International Thriller Writers’ debut novel; finalists for the Carol Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and Romantic Times’ Reader’s Choice Award; and both finalist and winner of the Selah Award. “Miracle Drug” is his ninth published novel. He and his wife live in Frisco, Texas.

A Fearful Thing

October 24th, 2015

For if we keep on sinning willfully after we receive the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

but only a terrifying expectation of judgment and a fury of fire about to devour the enemies of God.

Anyone who rejected the Torah of Moses dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses.

How much more severe do you think the punishment will be for one Ben-Elohim underfoot and has regarded as unholy the blood of the covenant by which he was made holy, and has insulted the Ruach* of grace?

For we know the One who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, ” and again, “Adonai will judge His people.”

It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:26-31

*Spirit

Our High Priest

October 17th, 2015

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Therefore, since we have a great Kohen Gadol* who has passed through the heavens, Yeshua Ben-Elohim,** let us hold firmly to our confessed allegiance.

For we do not have a kohen gadol who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all the same ways – yet without sin.

Therefore let us draw near to the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help in time of need.

Hebrew 4:14-16

*The high priest who served as head official; the only one to enter the Holy of Holies

**Jesus, Son of God

The Splendor of Ordinary Days

October 14th, 2015

The Splendor of Ordinary Days

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By Jeff High

The pastoral charm of small-town Watervalley, Tennessee, can be deceptive, as young Dr. Luke Bradford discovers when he’s caught in the fallout of a decades-old conflict.

After a rocky start as Watervalley’s only doctor, Luke Bradford has decided to stay in town, honoring the three-year commitment he made to pay off his medical school debts. But even as his friendships with the quirky townsfolk deepen, and he pursues a romance with lovely schoolteacher Christine Chambers, several military veterans’ emotional wounds trigger anger and unrest in Watervalley.

At the center of the clash is the curmudgeonly publisher of the local newspaper, Luther Whitmore. Luther grew up in Watervalley, but he returned from combat in Vietnam a changed man. He fenced in beautiful Moon Lake, posting “Keep Out” notices at the beloved spot, and provokes the townspeople with his incendiary newspaper.

As Luke struggles to understand Luther’s past, and restore harmony in Watervalley, an unforeseen crisis shatters a relationship he values dearly. Suddenly Luke must answer life’s toughest questions about service, courage, love, and sacrifice. Purchase a copy here.

ISLAND BREEZES

This is the first Jeff High book I’ve read. I loved it and am looking forward to reading more about Watervalley and the people who live there.

Watervalley has secrets that are hurting people. Will it hurt them even more when the secrets are out in the open? I must warn you that even though you will laugh while reading this book, you may very well need a box of tissues near the end. I did.

 
You will find a bonus here. But please don’t read this until after you read the part in the book where Connie and Estelle are discussing their family reunion.

 
Thank you so very much, Jeff High.

***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***

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After growing up on a farm in rural Tennessee, Jeff High attained degrees in literature and nursing. He is the three-time winner, in fiction and poetry, of an annual writing contest held by Vanderbilt Medical Center. He lived in Nashville for many years, and throughout the country as a travel nurse, before returning to his original hometown, near where he now works as an operating room RN in open-heart surgery. He is the author of the Watervalley novels, including More Things in Heaven and Earth and Each Shining Hour.

A. D. 33

October 10th, 2015

A. D. 33

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By Ted Dekker

New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker delivers the gripping story of Maviah, a slave who becomes a queen in Arabia, A.D. 33.

They call her the Queen of the Outcasts. Maviah, a woman whose fate was sealed on her birth by this world-unwanted, illegitimate, female, a slave-subject to the whims of all. But then she met a man named Yeshua who opened her eyes. She found strength in his words, peace from the brutal word around her. Because of what he taught her, she has gathered her own traveling kingdom of outcasts deep in the desert, wielding an authority few have seen. But when her growing power threatens the rulers around her, they set out to crush all she loves, leaving her reeling as a slave once more. She must find Yeshua to save her people, but when she does, she will be horrified to discover that he faces his own death.

Enter a story full of intrigue, heart-wrenching defeat, uncompromising love and staggering victory-one that re-examines everything you thought you knew about the heart of Jesus’s stunning message and the power that follows for those who follow his easily forgotten way.

ISLAND BREEZES

There’s a lot of royalty in this book. Kings, queens, princes and others in authority. These people carry baggage. It includes intrigue, loyalty, disloyalty, jealousy, hatred and love.

A slave becomes a queen and then is returned to slavery. But Maviah learns that Yeshua is indeed the way to peace and truly living, but like a lot of us loses track of that truth.

This novel is based on Biblical characters and events. As always, this brings Scripture to life and teaches me new things. It is obvious that this author has done much research into this time period. Plus, this book leaves me even more in love with Yeshua.

This is the first book by Mr. Dekker that I have read, but I don’t want it to be the last. Thank you, sir, for such an enjoyable book.

***A special thank you to Sarah Stringer for providing a review copy.***

Ted Dekker Author Photo

TED DEKKER is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 novels with a total of more than 10 million books in print. He is known for thrillers that combine adrenaline-laced plots with incredible confrontations between good and evil.

The Grace of God

October 10th, 2015

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For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, training us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live in a manner that is self-controlled and righteous and godly in the present age.

We wait for the blessed hope and appearance of the glory  of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua. He gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people, zealous for good deeds.

Titus 2:11-14