Friday, March 24, 2017

21 Days of Grace Review!!!!

21 Days of Grace:

Stories that Celebrate God's Unconditional Love

+Kathy Ide,

+Deborah Raney, +Lori Freeland, Roxanne Anderson,

Tracy Higley,

Angela Hunt, +Cindy Woodsmall

AND MORE!

Book Description:

Genre: Devotional

Release Date: March 24, 2015

Christians have long loved devotionals, but today’s Christians are also developing a strong love for fiction. They want to read stories about characters they can relate to, who experience situations similar to their own, and learn from those examples how to live out their faith. For them, life lessons are more easily absorbed this way.

21 Days of Grace fits all of these needs. It is a collection of engaging, inspirational short fiction stories written by new, intermediate, and well-known authors including Angela Hunt, Deborah Raney, Cindy Woodsmall, Cecil Murphey, Robin Bayne, and more.

Like Jesus’ parables, these stories deal with important life issues in a subtle, unpressured manner. And, as Jesus did, the authors follow up with life applications based on the stories, suggesting how the inherent lessons can be applied to the reader’s daily life.

About the Author:

Kathy Ide is the author of Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors and the editor/compiler of the Fiction Lover’s Devotional series. She’s a full-time freelance editor and writing mentor, working with Christian authors of all genres at all levels. She teaches at writers’ conferences across the country and is the director of the SoCal Christian Writers’ Conference and the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. She’s a co-owner of the Christian Editor Network LLC and founder of the four divisions that comprise the CEN: Christian Editor Connection, The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, PENCON, and The PEN Institute. To find out more about Kathy, visit www.KathyIde.com

Guest Post from Kathy Ide:
I’ve always loved Christian fiction, and I’ve seen the power of fiction to touch hearts and change lives, both firsthand and hearing about the experiences of others. But you know, in my quiet times with the Lord, reading a chapter from a novel just doesn’t seem quite appropriate. So a devotional with short fiction stories seemed like a great solution. And you can take these purse-sized devotionals wherever you go, to read when you have a few minutes of down time. It’s a great way to get “inspiration on the go.” And they make fantastic gifts for friends and loved ones.

My Opinion:
Nice Collection! :) I really liked most of these stories, there were one or two that I didn't like very much, but for the most part they all had very thought provoking and interesting plots. I loved that at the end each story there was a "Life Application" section, a "moral of the story" if you will! :) I would have liked if they had started with the scripture like other devotionals do, but having them included throughout the stories was nice to! :) Overall I enjoyed the thought provoking, Faith message filled, short stories, by well known and new authors a like! :)

There are SO MANY Songs that go with this book....here are a few of them: "Even If" by MercyMe, "Eye of the Storm (feat. Gabe Real)" by Ryan Stevenson, "Come Alive (Dry Bones)" by Lauren Daigle, "Chain Breaker" by Zach Williams, "Chain Breaker" by Zach Williams, "Never Been a Moment" by Micah Tyler, and "What A Beautiful Name" by Hillsong Worship
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 15:11, Romans 3:24, Romans 5:20

~ASC

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away:

1st – 4th place winners: A set of all four devotionals in the series.
5th & 6th place winners: An autographed copy of 21 Days of Grace with a novel written by one of the contributing authors!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b2cd

*I requested and received this book as a member of Celebrate Lit for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about 21 Days of Grace: Stories that Celebrate God's Unconditional Love. ~ASC

Blog Stops

March 23: Reading Is My SuperPower

March 23: A Reader’s Brain

March 24: ASC Book Reviews

March 24: autism mom

March 24: It’s Storytime with Van Daniker

March 25: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner

March 25: Inklings and notions

March 26: Blossoms and Blessings

March 26: The Power of Words

March 27: Lighthouse Academy

March 27: Because I said so – and other adventures in parenting

March 28: Moments Dipped in Ink

March 28: A Greater Yes

March 28: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

March 29: Captive Dreams Window

March 29: Donna’s BookShelf

March 29: Southern Chelle

March 30: Pause for Tales

March 30: The Scribbler

March 31: Carpe Diem

March 31: Faithful Acres Body Soul Spirit

April 1: A Baker’s Perspective

April 1: Splashesofjoy

April 2: Christian Bookaholic

April 2: Karen Sue Hadley

April 3: Ashley’s Bookshelf

April 3: Lane Hill House

April 4: Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet

April 4: History, Mystery and Faith

April 5: God is Love

April 5: Reader’s Cozy Corner

April 5: Simple Harvest Reads

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

A Stolen Heart Review!!

A Stolen Heart by Amanda Cabot

Book Description:

From afar, Cimarron Creek seems like an idyllic town tucked in the Texas Hill Country. But when former schoolteacher Lydia Crawford steps onto its dusty streets in 1880, she finds a town with a deep-seated resentment of Northerners--like her. Lydia won't let that get her down, though. All will be well when she's reunited with her fiancé. But when she discovers he has disappeared--and that he left behind a pregnant wife--Lydia is at a loss about what to do next. The handsome sheriff urges her to trust him, but can she trust anyone in this town where secrets are as prevalent as bluebonnets in spring?

My Opinion:
Hmmmm..... I was torn with this one. I've read a short story in a collection by Amanda and loved it. So I was excited for a chance to read another of her books. Well.......I liked parts of it and some parts were a touch lacking for me personally. I LOVED the candy aspects (even though there was nothing mentioned in the book description about it) and in the beginning the mystery was intriguing. But I figured out the mystery nearly only half way through the book and then it was a little dry once I knew everything, but the characters weren't catching on. The story as a whole was a little too long for me and I wish the pace had been faster. I also felt that it started out light hearted and then it changed leads mid-stride and got significantly more serious; which was a little uncomfortable at times. I wish there had been more candy making/description scenes because I devoured ;) them. And even though I did have it all figured out, the end scene when the characters figured it out and trapped the bad guy was still a great few scenes. I just wished it had happened A LOT sooner. :) Overall there where scenes that I truly enjoyed, but the book as a whole fell a little flat. If your looking for a book with interesting candy making, business scenes, Faith scenes, and pretty good characters, but not an advanced mystery, this may be the book for you.

Songs: "He Leadeth Me" by The Cluster Pluckers
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Romans 8:28

~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 A Stolen Heart. ~ASC

Monday, March 20, 2017

The Elusive Miss Ellison Review!!!!!!!

The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller

+Carolyn Miller

Book Description:

Pride, prejudice and forgiveness...
Hampton Hall's new owner has the villagers of St. Hampton Heath all aflutter--all except Lavinia Ellison. The reverend's daughter cares for those who are poor and sick, and the seventh Earl of Hawkesbury definitely does not meet that criteria. His refusal to take his responsibilities seriously, or even darken the door of the church, leave her convinced he is as arrogant and reckless as his brother--his brother who stole the most important person in Lavinia's world.

Nicholas Stamford is shadowed by guilt: his own, his brother's, the legacy of war. A perfunctory visit to this dreary part of Gloucestershire wasn't supposed to engage his heart, or his mind. Challenged by Miss Ellison's fascinating blend of Bluestocking opinions, hoydenish behavior, and angelic voice, he finds the impossible becoming possible--he begins to care. But Lavinia's aloof manner, society's opposition and his ancestral obligations prove most frustrating, until scandal forces them to get along.

Can Lavinia and Nicholas look beyond painful pasts and present prejudice to see their future? And what will happen when Lavinia learns a family secret that alters everything she's ever known

My Opinion:
LOVE IT! :D I'm a HUGE fan of Jane Austen and Carolyn's style reflects Jane's beautifully! Actually it has everything I LOVE, but isn't as hard for me to read as Jane's. And while The Elusive Miss Ellison took a little while for me to get into because it did require a little more brain power than some books ;) , I absolutely LOVED this book!!! Once I was used to the style and flow the story just carried me away! I did not want this to end! These two characters had SO much against them and their relationship! The turmoil was rampant!!!!! LOL! The cast of characters is fantastic! From the good to cheer for and the not so good to get frustrated with, and throw in some in between; everyone brings something different to the table! Nicholas for one is a character that starts out frustrating and troubled, but transforms into a great hero! I truly LOVE the Faith messages throughout; this book is filled with the truth of forgiveness and the peace of redemption!!!! Pride and prejudice yet it's own unique story; I can't WAIT for the next book!!!!! HIGHLY recommend this one!!!!!!!

Songs to come, suggestions welcome! :)
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Jeremiah 29:11

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Kregel for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about The Elusive Miss Ellison. ~ASC

Monday, March 13, 2017

Beauty and the Beast BUMMER! :(

Beauty and the Beast is probably one of my favorite tales, if not my favorite one. SO last year when I heard they were making a live action rendition I was pretty excited!

Until......I found out two things.

1). the horns they chose to put on the beast are a sign of and related to the devil

and

2.) they chose to make the character Lafou gay. :(

It's so heartbreaking to me that they ruined the movie this way. We are bombarded with homosexuality in this day and age and now it's even in the disney movies.

I personally will not be watching this movie and instead I will choose to watch Belle and the Beast A Christian Love Story (Netflix link), and/or read +Melanie Dickerson's The Merchant's Daughter or the The Beautiful Pretender

Friday, March 3, 2017

Murder on the Moor Review and GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Murder on the Moor by Julianna Deering

Click here to purchase your copy.

Book Description:

Mystery Awaits on the Mysterious Yorkshire Moors

At the urgent request of an old school friend, Drew and Madeline Farthering come to Bloodworth Park Lodge in the midst of the Yorkshire moors, a place as moody and mysterious as a BrontE hero. There have been several worrisome incidents out on the moor--property destroyed, fires started, sheep and cattle scattered--and worst of all, the vicar has been found dead on the steps of the church.
Drew's friend is obviously smitten with his bride of eight months, though it's hard to imagine what she sees in the awkward man. Drew can't help wondering if her affections lie more with the man's money and estate, while her romantic interests focus on their fiery Welsh gamekeeper. As the danger grows ever closer, it's up to Drew to look past his own prejudices, determine what is really going on, and find the killer before it's too late.

Book: Murder on the MOOR, A Drew Farthering Mystery

Author: Julianna Deering

Genre: Historical Mystery

Release Date: February 2017

About the Author

Julianna Deering is the creator of the acclaimed Drew Farthering Mystery series. She has always loved British history and is a particular fan of the writings of Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in business administration and spent several years as a Certified Public Accountant. She lives outside Dallas, Texas. For more information visit www.juliannadeering.com.

My Opinion:

LOVE IT!!!!!!! This was my first Drew Farthering mystery AND IT WAS GREAT!!! I can't wait to read the ones before it! There were a few things that were mentioned from the previous books, but Julianna added them in a way that I still felt like this was a stand alone and yet made me curious enough to go back and see what I've missed! :D I also fell in love with her style! This is a fantastic mystery that left me wondering what could possibly happen next. By the end I had figured a few things out, but was totally blown away by others! Which, for me, makes a HIGHLY entertaining read!!! Drew was a tad frustrating at times, but still a lovely character and his wife was a fast favorite of mine! Lessons of not judging people by our personal prejudices and past wrongs shine through the twisty mystery plot! Ever since Jane, Sherlock, and Heathcliff and Cathy's tales I've enjoyed settings on the moors. And Julianna writes it beautifully! I could just picture it all and the setting with the small town is just right for this type of story!!!! I highly recommend this book!!!!

Though I LOVE a book sometimes it's difficult for me to find a song that I think fits. Sadly this is one of those times :) What about you? Have you heard a song that would fit? Let me know in the comments.
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Jeremiah 29:11

~ASC

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Julianna is giving away a set of the A Drew Farthering Mystery (5 Book Series)!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4664b0499