Last Words for the Journey

  Steven Furtick has written a great book using the last word's of Jesus as he hung from the cross. The "Seven-Mile Miracle" takes the reader on a seven mile journey using the words of Jesus as mile markers. Furtick is able to take these simple words and break them down showing the real meaning behind each of Jesus' statements. These are words I hear every Easter but did not think of their profound meaning on my life or my journey in growing my relationship with Jesus. As the Lent season approaches I would highly recommend this book as reading material between now and Easter, or in fact any time. It will make you view the cross on Easter morning in a new light. Or if you are a new Christian this book will help explain why Jesus did what he did by going to the cross willingly.

I received this book free to give my honest opinion from WaterBrook.

Wild and Wonderful Alaska

 A must read historical fiction of the Alaskan frontier and the Curry Hotel! Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse bring to life the historic town of Curry and the building of the Alaskan Railroad in In the Shadow of Denali, a new series. Allan Brennan travels to Curry not just for his new job but to discover the truth of his father's death on Mount McKinley. His new boss is John Ivanoff, his father's expedition guide, and according to Allan's uncle, the person responsible for his father's death. He finds a friend in Cassidy Ivanoff, John's daughter. Together they try to discover what really happened to Allan's father. Great characters; brings the town of Curry back to life; and through it all God is in control. My type of read!!
I received a complementary copy from Bethany House to review and give my honest opinion.

Food, Friends & Faith

 Wanda Brunstetter follows the format of her previously popular series "The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club" as she begins a new series with The Seekers. Meet Heidi Troyer who is looking for a way to fill up her days since she has no children and loves to cook for her husband. So Heidi decides to follow in the steps of her Aunt Emma, who teaches quilting, only she would teach cooking classes. After posting flyers and putting an ad in the paper, Heidi gets five very different people interested in her cooking classes for a variety of reasons. Who can predict what will happen by the sixth and final cooking class? As one reads the book the reader can anticipate what may happen to each person in the cooking class. There are a few cliff hangers for future stories I would imagine. An easy and fast read for those who like reading about the Amish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under  no obligation to post a review."

Moments Treasured

  Abby McAndrew is nine years old the summer of 1970 when her idyllic life, as she describes it, turns upside down in one tragic moment in Ann Marie Stewart's Stars in the Grass. Told by Abby, the story follows the brokenness and grief her family suffers after the death of her brother. It is a sad story that draws the reader in causing one to reflect back on life: the losses, the what-ifs, the pain, the memories. Her older brother, Matt, begins to act out. Her father, Reverend McAndrews, is not able to return to the pulpit after the tragedy, instead he turns to fixing clocks. Each family member has their own guilt about the tragedy; each responds differently to the loss. Through it all, Abby tries to make sense of what is happening to her family and how she feels. But her ultimate question is will her family make it through this period of brokenness intact and still remember her brother as he was.
The reader cannot come away without experiencing a roller coaster of emotions and be buoyed by hope.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Dog Who Was There

Ron Marasco has presented an interesting twist on the story of the Jesus' crucifixion in the novel The Dog Who Was There. Barley is a dog who tells his story of living near and in Jerusalem. He has loving human companions but when tragedy occurs, Barley strikes out on his own. He meets Samid, a petty thief, and his friends. He learns of their struggles to survive and their take on the teacher from Galilee. Barley's encounter with Jesus as he walks to Golgotha as well as his thoughts on what he witnesses is moving. I particularly like the twist in the story as it ends. Very unexpected!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group and was under no obligation to post a review.

Parenting Do Over

Have you ever had a day that you wished you could do over? Especially when it comes to your kids? I know I do. That's one reason why I wanted to read Jonathan McKee's book If I Had a Parenting Do Over. The book is neatly laid out in chapters of seven parenting changes if you had a do-over: bonding, don't sweat the small stuff, and pressing the pause button are examples. The last chapter talks about how to apply these changes which I found to be helpful. I would recommend this book for parents of tweens and teenagers to read before their kids enter these stages.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.