He Renews Our Strength
Please go to the original post and follow Sue.
Month: June 2020
Review of THE CRUSHING DEPTHS by Dani Pettrey
Dani Pettrey exhibits her signature style and gift of creating ordinary characters doing extraordinary things. In the second book of her Coast Guard series, the setting is an oil rig that seems to be cursed. Two members of the CGIS team are sent to investigate and end up endangering themselves in their dogged quest for the truth. The book was well-researched and I received a lot of knowledge about how the investigative team works as well as what the crew of an oil rig does. The vivid descriptions placed me mentally right into the scene, with the ocean rolling and the storms rushing in. I loved how the author created a suspenseful and intricate plot that kept me enthralled as I read. The most remarkable part of the book, in my opinion, was the effective and strong characterization. The relationship between Mason and Rissi is a stunning and emotionally charged trip into an exploration of young and tentative love. Each character had a special role in the book, with all of them contributing to a phenomenal picture of the service and private lives of those who are willing to risk their lives to save others. Noah, my favorite character and the leader of the team, displays a unique ability to perceive what the strengths are of each member of his team. Noah is also dealing with his own awakening of romantic feelings for a young woman, and I was genuinely pleased with his final acceptance that his feelings were real and should be pursued. The author’s sharp, perceptive look at members of the investigative team was riveting. The action was intense and intriguing, and I was compelled to continue to read long into the night by the absorbing story of the ill-fated oil rig. I found the entire book exceptionally well-written, with a stunning glimpse into the dangerous and sacrificial world of members of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
This is a completely clean Christian romantic suspense.
Available on June 30, 2020, but you can pre-order it today!
Purchase Links:
Author bio and information:
Review of WHAT YOU WISH FOR by Katherine Center
With the magical and flowery prose that is the signature of Center, this book explores relationships, love, loss, honesty, grief and self-discovery. Samantha Casey fled California from a love interest that didn’t reciprocate and ended up in Galveston, Texas. She is the librarian at a small private school there and is loving it. Max Kempner, the co-founder and principal of the Kempner School, encouraged curiosity, investigation and artistic freedom there, and Sam is in her element. When Max suddenly dies, everyone is grieving but determined to find a good principal to carry on his legacy. When Duncan Carpenter arrives, Sam remembers him from California and expects him to be fun and charismatic, much like Max. But Duncan seems to be the antithesis of Max, demanding changes in the entire atmosphere and physical appearance of the school, all in the name of safety and security. Although Sam knew Duncan in California, she was not at all ready for this new form of him who has lost his hope and love of life. The scene is thus set for conflict, lots of emotions and plenty of cheering for one side or the other. Should Duncan be fired or should he be allowed to continue his reign at Kempner? As a former teacher and a rules person, I was kind of on Duncan’s side, but I did think he went too far in some of his demands and was expecting an explosive reaction from the faculty who were all more used to laid-back Max. Duncan seemed determined to get rid of freedom of expression at the school, and Sam was equally determined to save it. I really liked both characters, because Center is a master at strong characterization, creating a siren’s call for me to an emotional connection with her characters. I think that this book had a slower start for me that her other books, but about a third of the way into the book, I was captured and the magnetic pull of the charm and intrigue in the book just wouldn’t let go until I had finished it. Fans of Center will really love this book and I encourage fans of romance with multiple themes interwoven to try it. I love to feel happy after I read a book, and that is always how I feel after a Center book. This one also made me think about what I really want in life and what I am willing to do to grab it.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Available on July 14, 2020, but you can pre-order it now. Purchase links:
Review of More Than Neighbors by Shannon Stacey
This is a predictable but a really fun-tastic read because it’s light, humorous at times and romantic. Meredith Price and her precocious six year old have moved to Blackberry Bay for a new start after the death of her beloved husband two years before. There she meets her new workaholic neighbor Cam Maguire and the sparks begin. Meredith isn’t sure that she is ready for a new relationship and Cam is certain that he doesn’t. Nevertheless, the antics of little Sophie keeps pulling the two together, along with the fact that his cat loves to tease her dog. Meredith goes from wanting to build a fence to being amenable to sharing his hammock. The journey from reluctance to love is a light-hearted one that is filled with romantic moments and just what you would expect from a lovely story like this one. Fans of romance will enjoy this new book in a new series.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
About Shannon Stacey: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shannon Stacey lives with her husband and two sons in New England, where her two favorite activities are writing stories of happily ever after and off-roading with her friends and family. You can contact Shannon through her website, http://www.shannonstacey.com, as well as sign up for her newsletter.
Author Social Links:
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49875473-more-than-neighbors?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=BPmoRsG1Za&rank=1
• Author website: https://shannonstacey.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/shannonstacey
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonstacey.authorpage
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonstacey/
Purchase Links:
• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/More-than-Neighbors-Blackberry-Book-ebook/dp/B08337V9GG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=more+than+neighbors%2C+stacey&qid=1587390776&s=books&sr=1-1
• B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/more-than-neighbors-shannon-stacey/1135744197?ean=9781335894694
• Google: https://books.google.ca/books/about/More_Than_Neighbors.html?id=7DQGzQEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
• IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335894694
• Harlequin.com: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488069901_more-than-neighbors.html
•
Excerpt, MORE THAN NEIGHBORS by Shannon Stacey (Harlequin Special Edition)
“So you’re staying for the summer, you said? Where do you usually live?”
“New York City, actually.”
Her hazel eyes widened. “Wow. That’s quite a change in pace.”
“It is, but I was ready to get away for a while.” “What do you do in the city?”
“I work for my dad,” he said, which wasn’t technically a lie, but wasn’t entirely accurate, either. “A lot of accounting and paperwork and boring stuff like that.”
She was cute when she wrinkled her nose. “I’m not a fan of boring math-related paperwork.”
A yelp from across the yard caught her attention and she turned to see Elinor swipe at the white puff-ball. Sophie was frowning and picked the dog up, turning her body so the cat couldn’t see him any-more.
“Your cat appears to be bullying my dog.”
“She’s not my cat. And you’re embarrassing your dog by even making that claim right now.”
She arched an eyebrow at him. “If you don’t think cats can bully dogs, you don’t spend a lot of time on the internet.”
“She just wants the dog to know who’s boss, I guess.”
“It’s his yard,” she pointed out.
“She’s a cat.”
“Point taken.” A genuine smile lit up her face and made her eyes crinkle. “They’ll get used to each other. And speaking of that, now that I know you’re going to be my neighbor for a while, I should prob-ably introduce myself properly. I’m Meredith Price, and that’s Sophie and Oscar.”
“Calvin Maguire,” he said, extending his hand. “But everybody calls me Cam.”
As she shook his hand, he noted how soft the skin was and had to resist rubbing his thumb over it.
She tilted her head as she smoothly pulled her hand away from his. “How do you get Cam from Calvin?”
“My initials. Calvin Anthony Maguire.” His mouth twisted in a wry smile. “The fourth.”
“Interesting.”
“It was a better alternative than being Little Cal for my entire life.” He didn’t really want to open him-self up to more questions about his family, since they were the last thing he wanted to talk about. “Since Oscar’s from California, let me guess. Oscar de la Renta?”
She laughed. “Oscar the Grouch.”
“You’re kidding.” He looked at the dog again, who looked like the kind they put on the packaging of fancy dog food. “I don’t really see the resemblance, but maybe it’s a personality thing.”
“He’s actually named after Sophie’s favorite book at the time, and trust me, we spent days explaining to her why we couldn’t make his hair green.”
“He doesn’t bark a lot, does he?”
“I wouldn’t say he barks a lot.” She glanced at the dog before giving him a sheepish look. “It’s more like a really high-pitched yip.”
“That’ll be fun while I’m reading over spread-sheets,” he said, picturing spending his summer being harassed by a stubborn cat and a high-strung dog. “Maybe I should have packed my noise- canceling headphones.”
She looked startled for a second and then her eyes narrowed. “I have a child and a dog, so I guess you’ll just have to figure out how to make it work.”
“Maybe a muzzle?” he asked, but he wasn’t re-ally serious. Yipping dogs weren’t his favorite, but he wasn’t a total jerk.
She stared at him for a long moment before giving him an arch look. “I don’t know if I can find one in your size, but I can try.”
Cam chuckled, appreciating her comeback, but she didn’t even crack a smile. Maybe she hadn’t been joking. And maybe she’d thought he wasn’t, either.
“If you’ll excuse me, we just arrived and I have a lot to do.”
“Nice to meet you,” he said as she walked, and she held up her hand in what looked more like a dis-missive gesture than a wave.
That was fine. If she wanted to play that game, she’d find out he didn’t really care that much. She and her yipping dog could stay in her yard and he’d stay in his.
He had better things to do, anyway. Like learning more about Carolina Archambault, and figuring out how to convince her cat he was the boss.
I highly recommend this fun and happy trip to Blackberry Bay! Available now!
www.bible.com/1171/num.6.24-26.mevThe Highest Death Toll – And Its Enablers
The Highest Death Toll – And Its Enablers
— Read on theweeflea.com/2020/06/17/the-highest-death-toll-and-its-enablers/
Please go to the original post and follow.
Review of THE DAY GOD MADE YOU by Rory Feek
This is a beautifully illustrated book that I could tell was written with love and a lot of heart-felt feelings. Each page is a new discovery for the reason God creates wonderful children to inhabit the world. It begins with the things of childhood and progresses to adulthood and all the difference that one child can make. It is an absolutely breathtaking look at God’s creation and the fact that each person has a purpose. Parents and grandparents will want to purchase this book and read it over and over again to their precious little ones, showing them the value that they have and how they were not an accident or a mistake, but a purposeful creation of a loving Father in Heaven. Charming and exceptionally Biblical look at how God sees each child He makes!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Available now at all major booksellers and online!
Review of A MILLION LITTLE LIES by Bette Lee Crosby
The story of Suzanna Duff is a tale of a woman who feels the need to lie in order to survive in life. She lost her mom when she was ten, her dad was an awful example of love, so on her own she decides to make her way in the world. Along the way, she got pregnant as a teen and had baby Annie to take care of, again without any support system. Hooking up with a drunk named Earl meant years of hopeless abuse, but Suzanna escaped and was determined to start a new life. At a bus stop in Georgia, she meets her destiny in the form of Ida, a widow who is seeking family and chooses to believe that Suzanna and Annie are family. Not meaning to continue to lie, Suzanna decides to harmlessly go along with Ida’s belief that she is Darla Jean, her long-lost step-granddaughter. I loved the way Suzanna was a strong female character with gumption and independence. Of course, I didn’t like her continued lies, but the author presented her dilemmas in such a way that they were understandable and fascinating. I was totally absorbed in “Darla Jean’s” story and how Annie kept making wishes that she saw fulfilled, one after another. The author does a great job of tying up all of the loose ends in Suzanna’s life and giving her reason to hope for a better future. I love happy endings, and Suzanna’s was particularly appreciated since she suffered so much to get there. That’s not to say that everyone in the book had a happy ending; you will have to read it to find out who does and who doesn’t end up with happy endings. Fans of women’s fiction will really enjoy this book that offers a laugh or two, a happy ending and a hope for more wishes come true for little Annie. This is the first book that I have read by this author, but I will look for more by her since this was a perfect book to read during this current pandemic…offering hope and healing and second chances at love and happiness.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Available now for purchase:
Out love Our Critics
I have to admit that I was very disturbed by the ruling of the Supreme Court yesterday on the LGBTQ issue. Add that to the isolation of Covid-19 and the riots and looting and takeover of part of a city, I looked up and asked God if this is still the nation that “One Nation Under God”? You know, I didn’t get an answer, but I think I can look around and find my reply. As a nation, we have stepped away from God, with many running as far and as fast as possible away from anything that even hints at rules and restrictions. Thus, we have become a nation of people who vaguely know that God exists but we don’t really revere His Name and His sacrifice enough to listen to His voice and heed His call. Faced with this turning away from God and His precepts, I cried and then I heard God’s voice say that this is what He has been feeling for years as His truth has been rejected by one group, one nation after another. Isn’t that what the Bible promises will happen? There will be a great falling away from the Truth, and then…well, I hope that you, like me, have read the end of the Holy Bible and you know that God wins. And those “still playing for the home team” also win. In the meantime, all we can do is to continue witnessing and to continue to show others the truth of God’s love and the wisdom of following His laws. There was lawlessness in the time of Lot and look what happened. What I would describe as a mob scene or a riotous crowd demanded the crucifixion of Jesus, and look what happened. God ALWAYS wins, folks. Always! He doesn’t want to win with judgment; that is why He sent His Son to die for sinners. But God in His righteousness will judge and it won’t be pretty for those who keep pushing the envelope and trying to change God’s laws to suit their beliefs.
This morning I read Dr. Denison’s take on the whole SCOTUS decision. Here is what he had to say:
Dr. Denison and Three Biblical Certainties
It is from Dr. Denison that I got the title for my blog today. We have to out love our critics because we have no other choice. I do believe that black lives matter, but I don’t believe that they matter more than any other person’s life. I believe in social justice, but I believe in justice for all and not just a select group that is most vocal (and most violent right now.). And I don’t believe that anyone should be discriminated against on a job, but I also know that we have to draw a line in the sand and say that since we the Christians know that the gay agenda is sinful, then those who seek employment in Christian schools and churches cannot be hired there. As the justices said, that battle will be fought at another time, and we need to be ready for it.
In the meantime, our words and our actions need to be those of love and not judgment. God is the Great Judge. He left us here on earth to love, not to condemn. I confess that I have been wont to condemn lately, so I am working on praying for those who choose the highway to hell, praying that they will repent and turn away from their wicked ways and back to the God who created them. After all, our loving and gracious Heavenly Father wants that for all of mankind. How can I want any less?
Before we can lead others in the right direction towards our Heavenly Father and salvation, we need to make sure that we are right with the Lord. I prayerfully leave you with this song.
JK Rowling and the Deathly Hallows of the Culture Wars -CT
JK Rowling and the Deathly Hallows of the Culture Wars -CT
— Read on theweeflea.com/2020/06/16/jk-rowling-and-the-deathly-hallows-of-the-culture-wars-ct/
Please go to the original blog and follow.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 