Amish Promises Review!!!!

Amish Promises by Leslie Gould

+Leslie Gould 

Book Description:
Journey Down a Quiet Lane in Lancaster County Where Love and Heartache and Friendship and Healing Meet
When Joel and Shani Beck arrive at their new home, they're looking for peace. Shani is thrilled to have Joel back from Iraq, but he needs time to heal, and the quiet of Lancaster seems just the place. They can't imagine any trouble with their Amish neighbors, the Lehmans, but things get off to a rocky start when their son is involved in an accident that injures one of the Lehman boys.
 
Eve Lehman has run her brother's household ever since the death of his wife, but Tim's a stern patriarch. Despite his protests, she's drawn to the new neighbor, Shani, and the two begin to form a strong friendship forged on faith and family. Things seem like they've quieted down until Joel's single and handsome army friend Charlie catches Eve's attention--a man unlike any Eve has ever met. Suddenly life for both families becomes more complicated than any of them could have ever imagined.

My Opinion:
Turned out to be an AWESOME read!!!!!!!  I REALLY wanted to read this one because I was Blessed to have read Leslie's whole The Courtships of Lancaster County series.  I fell in love with her way with words, and the Inspired way she crafts a story, through that series and I wanted to read her next venture.  There were times that I struggled with reading this one though because of how deeply emotional it truly is, and there were times I had to put it down for a little while to take an emotional break! LOL!  Both sides have HUGE obstacles they must over come and I won't lie, there were also times I wasn't sure how this was going to have a happy ending!  But in a way that's what was so beautifully real about it.  Life is just like this book.  In that, when you're in certain situations you just don't see how things can work out, you don't see how there can be a happy ending, or you can't see anything good come out of it, but then God takes that and makes the most beautiful things work out! :)  Dealing with strict Amish relationships, PTSD, injury, heartache, and more; the emotional range fluctuates drastically throughout.  I LOVE the kids in this story!  They add both a light heartedness and extra depth to the story and I really loved when they lifted the mood with their antics! :)  The ending makes this whole book worth reading for me!  I recommend this read for someone looking for a deep story with a happy ending and beautiful messages in between!  Overall an excellent and beautiful read!

Songs that I feel go with the story: 
"Drops in the Ocean" by Hawk Nelson, 
"Day One" by Matthew West, 
"Amazing Grace" by Chris Tomlin, 
"Shoulders" by for KING and COUNTRY, 
"Good Fight" by Unspoken
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Mark 12:31, Matthew 22:39

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Bethany House for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Amish Promises. ~ASC

The Proposal at Siesta Key Review!!!!

The Proposal at Siesta Key 

by Shelley Shepard Gray

Book Description:

The Proposal at Siesta Key (Avon Inspire, May 2015)

A young Amish woman, yearning for freedom, crosses paths with a handsome Mennonite celebrity in a deeply moving tale of friendship and self-discovery---the second installment in the unforgettable New York Times bestselling author's new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Penny Troyer rarely disobeys her parents. In the years since her sister's tragic death, they've wanted nothing more than to keep her safe...even if it means never leaving the house.

But tonight, she's bending the rules because Michael Knoxx, the most famous member of The Knoxx Family Singers, a traveling Mennonite Evangelical family ---is scheduled to speak. Penny has heard of Michael---how he lost part of his leg in a terrible accident and uses the experience to inspire others---and knows she must meet him. So, for the first time ever, Penny stands up to her parents and goes out on her own.

Though he speaks about living life to the fullest, Michael knows he needs to take his own advice. Life on the road is grueling and Michael wants to slow down, to rest...to perhaps meet someone who sees him as a man, not just a celebrity. So when a twist of fate allows him the chance to stay a little longer in Pinecraft, Michael knows God is showing him a new path, especially when he discovers how much he and Penny Troyer have in common.

But new friendships can't stop time. Soon, Michael's time in Pinecraft will be over and he'll be back on the road. Her time with Michael has brought her happiness, but will she be able to follow her heart? Or will she be faced with the one thing she's sure she'll never have the courage to do?

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1AvyvUr

About the author: 

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Find Shelley online: website, Twitter, Facebook

My Opinion:
Another sweet read from Shelley! :)  I always know I can expect a sweet and easy read from Shelley Shepard Gray and I really enjoy them.  There are times when I found my thoughts wandering with this one, but I just LOVE the way Pinecraft is described!  I also LOVE learning more about Pinecraft as it is a place I think I'd love to visit!  The new characters are great and their back stories are deep, plus the return of favorite character Beverly as well as the return of Eric make it a well rounded story.  I will admit that I had hoped to really love Eric, but he kind of made me mad in the last book! LOL! So I'm very happy to tell you that he's back on my good side after The Proposal at Siesta Key and I can't wait to see where Shelley leads him and Beverly next! ;)  The things that Shelley touches on and brings out in the story are great.  From seeking God's will instead of having what other's think His will is for you, pushed on you, and how to move forward after tragedy strikes.  I think this is a sweet read with interesting aspects and I am looking forward to the next one! :)


Songs:"Amazing Grace" performed by Alan Jackson and "Press On" by Mandisa
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Psalm 119:1

~ASC

*I requested and received this book as a member of Litfuse for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about The Proposal at Siesta Key. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/sgray

‘The Proposal at Siesta Key’ 5-Book Giveaway

click image above to enter giveaway

MUSIC MONDAY!

MUSIC MONDAY!
And Happy Memorial Day!
I thought this song was appropriate and I hope you agree.
It still gives me chills no matter how many times I hear it! :)
GOD BLESS THE USA!
IN GOD WE TRUST!

Would you want to buy Poll!

As you may have noticed, [I hope! :) ] 

there is a new poll up on the right side of my blog!  

And I want to thank the person who has voted on it!

In response to your awesome answer my fingers and crochet hook flew through a pair of fingerless gloves! :D

So without further adieu!

May I present!

My Bobble Bee Fingerless Gloves! (A Follower First item***)

These gloves are made from 100% gold and black acrylic yarn!

They measure as follows:

(Thumb notes: I'm not very good at measuring for the thumb, but it fits mine which is about 3 in. around)

They are for sale for $20.93 (including shipping and tax)!  
Purchase is through paypal
PLEASE measure your hands and make sure these fit you before purchasing, I offer NO refunds at this time!

If you are interested please leave a comment with your 
email address or email me at ascphotos87063ATgmailDOTcom
 and I will be in touch! :)

Once again a huge THANK YOU to you who answered my poll!

Haven't voted yet?  Please do!  Look to the right side at the top under the search bar and vote until your heart's content! :)

P.S. I am working in acrylics right now mainly because of the warmer weather, but if there is someone out there where there is still cold weather and you may be interested in Wool fingerless gloves PLEASE let me know!  And I'll post what I've got also! :) ~ASC


***A Follower's First item means my blog followers are the first to see and get the opportunity to buy this item.  
After a certain amount of time I will post it to facebook also!

Music Monday!

Music Monday!

Click through to ASC Book Reviews for videos if they don't show up in your inbox

Lyrics (compliments of KLove.com)

"There are days of taking more than I can give

And there are choices that I made that I wouldn't make again

I've had my share of laughter

Of tears and troubled times

This has been the story of my life

I have won

And I have lost

I got it right sometimes, but sometimes I did not

Life's been a journey

I've seen joy, I've seen regret

Oh, and You have been my God through all of it

You were there when it all came down on me

When I was blinded by my fear and I struggled to believe

But in those unclear moments You were the one keeping me strong

This is how my story's always gone

I have won

And I have lost

I got it right sometimes, but sometimes I did not

Life's been a journey

I've seen joy, I've seen regret

Oh, and You have been my God through all of it

Oh, through all of it

And this is who You are, more constant than the stars

Up in the sky, all these years, all my life

I, I look back and I see You

Right now I still do

And I'm always going to

I have won

And I have lost

I got it right sometimes, but sometimes I did not

Life's been a journey

I've seen joy, I've seen regret

Oh, and You have been my God through all of it

Oh, and You have been my God through all of it

Oh, and You have been my God through all of it"

Robin Lee Hatcher’s Kickin’ Karaoke and Country-Music Matching Contests

Real-life romance meets fictional romance in Robin Lee Hatcher's new book, Whenever You Come Around. Being back in Kings Meadow dredges up a painful secret, and old fears threaten to overwhelm Charity. But after Charity's dog causes an accident that leaves Charity’s former high school classmate Buck injured, Charity has little choice but to render aid while he recuperates. Soon Buck becomes the inspiration for Charity’s hero, both on the page and off. Can he also help her face and overcome her fears so they might find their own happily ever after?

Robin is hosting TWO contests to celebrate the release of Whenever You Come Around! 

 

Robin is challenging you to a karaoke contest and giving away a $100 iTunes or Amazon gift card to one lucky reader and karaoke-r who uploads a karaoke video of himself or herself to YouTube (song choice is completely up to you). The person whose video has the most likes by May 26th will win the gift card! Plus everyone who participates by uploading a video and filling out the form below will receive a copy of the book. For full details about the $100 gift card giveaway, karaoke contest, and the chance to get a free copy of the book, click here—voting begins May 12.

 

Robin is also challenging you to a matching contest. How well do you know your country music?

One winner will receive:

• A set of rustic, decorative Mason jars
• A copy of Whenever You Come Around

Another winner will receive:

• A decorative country-music vinyl
• A copy of Whenever You Come Around

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 26th. Winner will be announced May 27th on Robin's blog.

Colleen Coble’s Perfect Pairing Giveaway and Blog Tour

Sarah risks everything to expose the betrayal threatening the man she loves—but will the risk be worth it? Find out in book three, A Heart's Danger, of Colleen Coble's A Journey of the Heart series. Rand’s new fiancée wants to keep him from returning to Sarah Montgomery . . . for whom his heart clearly still yearns. Sarah just wants to move on with her life at Fort Laramie, but doing so under the watchful eyes of both Campbell—the man whose love she craves—and Croftner—the man whose lies have cost her everything.

Enter to win the perfect pairing giveaway: three books (books one–three in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series) and coffee to pair with your new book!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of A Heart's Danger
• A pound of Colleen's favorite coffee, Captain Davy's Coffee Roaster Costa Rican
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 31st. Winner will be announced June 1st on Colleen's website.

Kindle Giveaway, Blog Tour, and Author Chat Party with Colleen Coble

Can a woman held captive by her family make it back to the one man she knows she can trust? Find out in book two, A Heart's Obsession, of Colleen Coble's Journey of the Heart series. When Sarah Montgomery’s father succumbs to his long illness, Sarah is faced with a life-altering choice: submit to her brother’s will and marry the deceptive Ben Croftner . . . or escape through the dangerous American West to reclaim the heart of her beloved Rand Campbell at Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

Celebrate book two in Colleen's A Journey of the Heart series by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• A copy of A Heart's Disguise
• A copy of A Heart's Obsession
• A copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge (blog tour coming in mid-April)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced May 8th on Colleen's website. Plus be sure to clear your calendar on the evening of May 5th because Colleen is hosting an author chat party on Facebook to celebrate her A Journey of the Heart series and the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge! RSVP here!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!

Tamera Alexander’s To Win Her Favor Blog Tour and Kindle Giveaway

Can Maggie prove that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America? Find out in Tamera Alexander's To Win Her Favor. To give her that chance—and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder—Maggie must marry a man she's never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.

Celebrate the release of To Win Her Favor with a Kindle Fire and book giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD 6
• A copy of To Win Her Favor

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 10th. Winner will be announced May 11th on Tamera's blog. Plus stay tuned for more opportunities to win after May 11 with a special Pinterest contest—more details coming soon!

{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}

As Love Blooms Review!!!!!

As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad

+Lorna Seilstad 

Book Description:
Tessa Gregory is nothing if not tenacious. Denied a position as a horticulturalist at prestigious Como Park in Saint Paul, she is not above a little benevolent deception in order to get the park superintendent to change his mind and hire her. She plans to infiltrate the world of wealthy and influential people in hopes of drumming up financial support for a world-class conservatory. But before she can put those plans into action, she meets Reese King, a handsome gardener at Como Park--and a major distraction. Still, Reese might be the key to achieving her dream. But is his goal to help her . . . or to capture her heart?

Against a lush backdrop of early twentieth century Saint Paul, Minnesota, Lorna Seilstad weaves a sweet and sassy story that is sure to please. Tessa's young romance opens like a rose, stealing readers' hearts and filling their senses with the intoxicating fragrance of dreams come true.

My Opinion:
Fabulous book!  This is an excellent finale for this wonderful series!  This is the first series to make it to my Favorite Books List as a whole.  I absolutely LOVE how Lorna writes and the great characters she puts together!  From the beginning Tessa was my favorite sister, her highly entertaining personality and her ability to get herself into trouble added to these stories from the very beginning.  The title encompasses the book not just because flowers is at the forefront, but because Tessa's character truly blooms as she has, and continues to, grow!  Twists and surprises start to truly popup towards the end, and I both love what happens to, and want more for Aunt Sam.  Love prospects are all around and the return of all the beloved characters in Hannah and Charlotte as well as their husbands makes this an amazing read!  I highly recommend this whole series!  The historical detail that Lorna weaves into her stories is, as always, lovely, and the adventures that these characters face in this final part of the series is the best that they have ever gone through!  From flowers, to suffrage, to secrets, from love, to betrayal, to forgiveness, follow the Gregory sisters as Tessa finally get's her chance at her dreams!  I cannot wait to see what Lorna comes out with next! :)

Songs mentioned in the book:
"Amazing Grace" sung by Alan Jackson, 
"Tell Me the Story of Jesus" sung by Annette Rigney, 
"Land of Golden Dreams" performed by The Browns, 
"When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabama" by Tommy Dorsey, and
"America The Beautiful" performed by US Marine Band
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Colossians 2:6-7 

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Revell for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about As Love Blooms. ~ASC