The Wonder of You by Susan May Warren

Book Description

Mortified after her semester abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough for the adventures she’s dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness.

Heir to a European hotel dynasty, Roark St. John has trekked from one exotic locale to another, haunted by tragedy and the expectations that accompany his last name. Amelia is the first woman to give him a reason to stop running. He’ll do anything for a second chance―even contend with Amelia’s old flame, who is intent on sending Roark packing.

While one surprise after another leaves Amelia reeling, Roark’s continued presence only highlights the questions pursuing her. Like him, is she running from the life God has called her to? Could finding her new place mean leaving home behind?

My Review

Beautiful, just beautiful! I loved getting to know Amelia's character. Having started from book #3 I haven't really gotten to know her!

When I saw this was about a rich boy coming to win an american hometown girl I was just a tad concerned I would get bored really quickly. However, that was not the case!

First of all, Roark is not what I expected, far better in fact. He has a much different story than I ever expected. Roark has never felt for anyone the way he does for Amelia Christiansen. He crosses the ocean to try and win her back. However, he has quite a few obstacles to get through. Including some demons that haunt him till this day.  

Amelia runs back home from heartbreak, but that's not all she is running from. She has to figure out what God's will is for her. Is it a life with her high school sweetheart, is it life of adventure taking pictures across the world, is it taking the ultimate risk of a relationship with the British playboy or is she meant for something more?

I loved that the song "Be Thou My Vision" was a part of this book! It just really enhanced the book and overall story of these two endearing characters and then some.

This amazing book is filled with adventure, romance, and faith! Susan May Warren can never disappoint ;) 

I give this book a 5 out of 5!

It's Time Again, I'm Back!

I've been without/minimal internet access. I'm glad to say that is changing soon! Sometimes God says it's time to take a break and if you don't hear him he will make a way.

I've been doing well, keeping busy with church and home life. I hope everyone else out there is doing well tonight and for those having a rough night "you are in my prayers."

I'm currently reading "The Wonder of You" and a song Susan May Warren uses in the book is one I've fallen in love with in Choir and has been on my heart the past week. I hope you are blessed by it. I almost choked up in choir practicing it this week.

One day I am going to do a study of this song and share some insights that I know will touch you!

For now, listen, enjoy, and tell me what you glean from this song. Leave a comment.

To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino

Book Description

It is 1664 and Patience Terry is devastated to learn that Captain Jeremy Horton's ship has been shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados, with no survivors. She had hoped that Jeremy would someday give up the sea and settle down with her in Southold, Long Island. 

Unaware his memorial service is being planned, Jeremy is rescued and aboard a British Naval Gunship with secret orders to attack New Amsterdam and claim it for the British Crown. When he makes his surprise return to Southold--and to an overjoyed Patience--it's not the happily-ever-after his beloved had hoped for. 

My Review

This has been a highly anticipated book for me! These books can stand alone but I highly recommend reading them from start to finish; I started with book two, unknowingly, but I can't wait to get my hands on the first book!

To Follow Her Heart is the third book in this series. Again, Rebecca has captured a beautiful and captivating story! 

Patience had much more patience than any ordinary woman would to wait to marry a man.  I related to her, because I'm a pretty patient, big heart, kind of person myself I feel like that would have been me in that time period! Captain Jeremy is a knucklehead that I wish I could have knocked some sense into! Making her wait that long and putting her through the heartache!

            Weaving together all the characters and history, this was a wonderful ending to a beautiful series! I loved it so much.

I give it a 5 out of 5!

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part Revell Tour blogging program.

Harvest of Hope by Lauraine Snelling

Book Description

Miriam Hastings has her future plans in place...
But Trygve Knutson is intent on changing them.


Just a few short weeks into her year-long training at the Blessing Hospital, Miriam Hastings is called home to Chicago, where her mother is gravely ill. With siblings to care for, Miriam pleads to be allowed to finish her training in Chicago. Her nursing supervisor grants her a brief reprieve but extracts a promise that Miriam will return to Blessing and fulfill her one-year commitment. 

While in Chicago, Miriam has tried to get Trygve Knutson and Blessing out of her mind, but his letters make that impossible. Trygve is busy building a house, hoping he can convince Miriam to return to North Dakota and marry him. Torn between Trygve's love and her family's needs, she doesn't know what to do. 

When Miriam finally returns to Blessing, she buries herself in her work. But no matter how hard she tries to put it off, she has some life-changing decisions to make about her future, her family... and the man who is never far from her thoughts.

What will it take to convince her to stay?

Me Review

Lauraine Snelling has really good character and growth, keeping the theme of love and grace in the midst of tragedy and loss. After the death of Ingeborg’s husband Haakan in the previous novel, she has to learn to live the rest of her life without him, leaning on her faith and family for strength.

And Miriam, losing her mother and having to leave her siblings on their own. I forget sometimes the way the world used to be and sometimes still is. Now torn between her family and the growing love burning for Trygve, she has a choice to make that will break her heart either way. But what is faith without hope?

A great sequel! It took me a while to really get into it but once you do you’ll love it too!

I give this book a 4 out of 5!

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part Bethany House blogging for book program.

Really Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs

Book Description

Discover the Truth About
God’s Sovereignty
from the Bible’s Really Bad Girls.

Eight of the Bible’s most notorious females strut across the pages of Really Bad Girls of the Bible with troubles that still hit home in the twenty-first century.

The Medium of En Dor crossed over to the dark side. Jael stood up to a ruthless enemy. The Adulteress was caught between a rock and a hard place. Athaliah made a bid for power that ended badly. Bathsheba captured the wandering eye of a king. Herodias made a cruel request of her husband. Tamar exchanged her widow’s weeds for a harlot’s garb. And the Bleeding Woman had a serious health issue only a great physician could handle.




My Review


I have loved Liz Curtis Higgs books since I first read "Thorn in My Heart". But there is just something about her devotional books that captivates me every time.


The women she discusses in this book are: Medium of En Dor, Jael, The Adulteress, Athaliah, Bathsheba, Herodias, Tamar the Widow, and The Bleeding Woman. Some of these women I was not as familiar with as others and loved learning more about them!
What I love about this book and those like it is that Liz C. Higgs applies these women to our daily lives and those around us and in Really Bad Girls of the Bible shows those who feel are seem beyond redeeming.


I can never get enough of these books and these lessons! I highly recommend this book (now I have to go back and read the first one!) And the new cover is beautiful!


I give this book a 5 out of 5!


WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group provided this book to me for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review as part of their Blogging for Books program. 

Seated with Christ by Heather Holleman

Book Description

As Christians find themselves trapped in the rhetoric of platform, influence, retweets, and fame, they need a ladder out of the fray.

Many of us live in a prison of self-absorption. Shackled with pride and despair, we compare ourselves to others constantly in our frantic, unending pursuit of perfection.

Seated with Christ gets to the root of this behavior and charts a path to freedom.

Scripture says that God’s beloved are seated with Christ in the heavens (Eph. 2:6), treasured by Him and given a place at His table. Heather Holleman unveils what this means for us.

It means we walk out on the fight for acceptance. We quit measuring ourselves to others.We leap free from cycles of shame.

Securely-seated people can ask themselves hard questions about their lives; they can deal with sin, grieve their losses, and move forward in hope. From a position of security and self-forgetfulness they can joyfully do the good works prepared for them uniquely. They can even celebrate the successes of others.

Seated with Christ is a deeply personal, liberating look at a glorious truth: that we have a place at God's eternal table.

My Review

The moment I opened this book I knew Heather Holleman spoke my language. She looks at the small and simple verbs like “sit” and “stand” and sees they have much more importance and meaning. Using Ephesians 2:6 as her foundation, we who have accepted Christ are all seated with Christ at the table.

I have thought of the wedding feast before but not what as in depth. Or how I actually have such a privilege as to have a seat at his table. As Heather Holleman elegantly explained,

 

“According to customs of the time, people around a table would sit, squat, or recline on the floor. If the event was important or ceremonious or royal, attendants sat on seats. Even in Jewish feasts, you as a guest would recline or squat unless you were part of the kings circle. Only then did you have an actual seat.”

 

Wow! I never knew that or thought of it before!

Heather goes over some of the different tables we strive to claim a seat at:

• The Smart Person’s Table
• The Thin and Beautiful Table
• The Good wife and Mother Table
• The Published Author’s Table
• The Fruitful Christian Table
• The Wealthy Family Table

 

Many of the tables she describes in this book I have either struggled with or am still struggling with today. It is very relatable and relevant to our day and age. As a single, overweight, aspiring Christian writer, I struggle with wanting to find somewhere I belong. To feel loved, accepted.

Going over each part of this book was both an encouragement and growing experience. One you won’t want to miss.

The end of each chapter has a “Sit and Savor” questions to help you stop and think. They were really good too.

 

Now I see better how special my seat is. It is mine; no one can take it away from me. I don’t have to fight for it; it already has my name on it. I am seated with Christ at his table, forever. I can adore instead of agonizing over my appearance. I can access instead of architect my life around affluence. I can abide instead of achieve. And so can you.

 

I give this book a 5 out of 5!

I received this book for free from the publisher’s in exchange for this honest and unbiased review as part of Moody Publishers Bloggers Review program.

Evergreen by Susan May Warren

Book Description

As a beautiful blanket of snow transforms the north woods into a winter wonderland, a deep chill settles over John and Ingrid’s marriage. With the holidays fast approaching, their only hope of keeping their love evergreen depends on turning the page on the past and embracing a new chapter of their future.

My Review

If you are looking for a great way to start the holiday season than I know just the book for you! The Christiansen Family is the best place to visit for the holiday but especially this year.

John and Ingrid are emp­­ty nesters this Thanksgiving and Christmas season and both have different feelings and views about it. John can’t wait to rekindle the flames in his marriage with Ingrid with his surprise getaway but Ingrid feels alone as emotions rise on the memories of a child she lost 16 years ago.

However, a spark of hope ignites when Ingrid hears from her sister, who she hasn’t heard from in 16 years. She asks Ingrid to care for her son Romeo while she goes into rehab; her eldest son Matthew is over seas in the military. John is not as enthusiastic.
It's another great book by Susan May Warren! You won't want to miss it this Holiday season (or anytime!). Check it out today!


I give this book a 5 out of 5!!!