I am a Christian, a retired teacher, a mother and a grandmother. I love to read and I love the Lord Jesus Christ! Unless otherwise specified ,all visual illustrations are from the YOU VERSION APP of the Bible.
Author: vicklea
I love to read! I’m a retired teacher with a spouse of 45 years, three amazing children and nine wonderful grandchildren. I am blessed!
I was beyond delighted when I was invited to review Debbie Macomber’s new Christmas book since I love her books, especially the Christmas ones that I look forward to each year. The story of Everly and Asher is an old as time, and so well-written that I laughed, I cried and I rejoiced as I read. Just the feelings I wanted as the holiday approaches! Everly is a real estate executive who is tricked into going on an Amazon River cruise. There she meets naturalist Asher, a young man dedicated to telling everyone about all of the mysteries of the Amazon. I laughed aloud at some of the escapades that Everly got into. She may have been a very capable real estate mogul, but she was definitely out of her element in the wilds of the Amazon. It was amusing to read about Asher’s attempt to thwart her getting seriously injured while also teaching her about the place he loved so much. The conflict comes when the two fall in love and they have no idea to believe that their love can continue since they live worlds apart. I always enjoy how Ms. Macomber resolves the conflict and I think that her readers will recognize her fine hand in this wonderful Christmas story. It’s all about family, love, talents and compromise. Fans of romance and Debbie Macomber will thoroughly enjoy this story. And, bonus! I learned a lot about the Amazon, too! 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.”
Rated G for all audiences who enjoy romancePhoto and bio from author’s website at Debbie Macomber
Lisa Jewell’s latest book is the story of misfits in society, the story of desiring acceptance and love, the story of betrayal and lies and deception, and the story of secrets. It is a multi-layered story told from the point of view of three main characters. Cat Fours, the wife of Roan and mother of self-centered Georgia and spoiled Josh, is a woman who knows something is wrong but chooses to ignore it rather than confront. Saffyre Maddox is a teen who was abused as a young child and is still suffering from that physical assault. She sat under the therapy of Roan Fours, but since he didn’t cure her, she has decided to stalk him. The final narrator was the most unreliable but also the most interesting. Owen Pick is a complete misfit, a thirty something who has yet to find his place in the world. Fired from his job as a geography professor, Owen lives with Tessie, a relative who seldom interacts with him. Owen is part of an online group known as the incels, a group of involuntary celibates, something that I had never heard of before and I’m not sure that I want to know more about them now. Dark! Very dark! When Saffyre disappears, Owen is naturally the first suspect and is picked up, questioned and finally charged. Owen continues to declare his innocence, Cat continues to turn the other way and refuse to acknowledge that evil may exist under her roof, and Saffyre is still missing. This is not really what I would call a thriller, but rather a psychological family drama. It was thought-provoking throughout, especially at the end, when I closed the book and continued to reflect on the deceptive appearances that are a central theme. Who is in my life who wears one face and hides the real person inside? I really enjoyed this book, but not with a happy feeling at the end. The book is too dark with multi-faceted themes to leave me with contentment at the end. However, it left me with a lot to ponder. Fans of Lisa Jewell and psychological mysteries will really enjoy this fast-paced book. 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.”
Very entertaining but extremely dark content and themes, so not recommended for teens. Mature audiences only! Photo from the author’s website at Lisa Jewell
Have you ever awakened during the night, when all is dark and almost impossible to see anything? Here in the rural area in which we live, that’s what it’s like when the electricity goes off. No lights anywhere. It’s a good thing that I know my way around my own home, even in the dark. That’s what this Scripture verse spoke to me about. Our eyes cannot see clearly the truths in God’s Word unless He opens our eyes. We need the Holy Spirit speaking to us through His Word, and for that we have to pray that God will open our spiritual discernment. There are so many wonderful things in God’s Word. No matter how many times I read it, I always get something new from it each time I read. How about you? Do you pray before you read God’s Holy Bible that He will open your eyes to see the wonder of it? Blessings on this Sabbath day that God will reveal great and wondrous things to you!
This was a superb addition to the Brenda Novak Silver Springs series! With many of my favorite characters poised to take part in the story of Dallas and Emery, I was mesmerized by the way the story was intricately woven around the town and people of Silver Springs. Emery is a wounded young woman who is invited to stay at the ranch with Aiyana while she finds her bearings again. There, she meets Aiyana’s sons, most importantly Dallas. Emery has some healing to do, but so does Dallas and it takes the whole novel before the two of them figure out how to go about it. I particularly enjoyed the details about Aiyana’s wedding to Cal and how helpful her sons were determined to be. Family working together and supporting each other was a main theme of the book. Another theme was forgiveness and just letting things go so you can move on with your life. I was outraged at how Emery had lost her job through no fault of her own, but I also liked how she ended up handling the whole situation. I also enjoyed seeing Susan and her bakery in the story this time as she was one of my favorite characters previously. For her to play a role in Emery’s decision to forgive was like icing on the cake. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend that you read the series so that you are familiar with all of the characters and the many positive vibes from living in a small town like Silver Springs. Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Mira via Netgalley. I also purchased my own autographed copy via the Brenda Novak Reader Boxes. 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.”
Highly entertaining romance. Rated a hard PG-13 for content as there are some definitely “hot and spicy” bedroom scenes. Nothing was too graphic, though, so if you enjoy a good romance with some bedroom antics, then this is the book for you! I really enjoyed it and I have been called a “prude” by more than one person. I got to meet Brenda in 2019 at an event in Hopewell. Here I am with my son and Brenda in the middle. She is just as friendly and sweet as she looks! For more information about her or her books, go to Brenda Novak. And if you want to join her Facebook group, go to Facebook with Brenda Novak.This is book seven in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Available on Tuesday, October 13th wherever books are sold. Purchase Links:
We need to concentrate on doing what God has called us to do, i.e. share the Gospel. In that way, we are pleasing God, not men. Whatever is weighing us down and keeping us from sharing, we need to get rid of. We can’t “fly” with the Gospel if we are worried about the opinions of others. Have a a blessed day, my friends!
The third book in the Global Search and Rescue series was intense, gripping and absolutely amazing! It can be read as a standalone, but why miss out on the adventures in the other books? This book focuses on Hamilton Jones and his wife Signe who disappeared years ago. Now Ham is focused on finding her and he ends up finding her and trouble…the terrorist kind. THE PRICE OF VALOR was so fast-paced that at times I felt like I had whiplash. With a plot that was easy to follow and mind-blowing, I think this was my favorite book of the series. I really enjoyed the easy camaraderie that Ham had with his team as well as their loyalty to each other. The scenes in Italy were unbelievable and totally awesome! One rescue scene after another! I also enjoyed the brilliant repartee between Ham and Signe, childhood friends who became sweethearts and lovers. Such a sweet combination that showed the plans that God has working out in someone’s lives. This is Christian romantic suspense that will take you into another world, a world of spies and subterfuge and horror and love. I highly recommend it and can’t wait for the next high-octane thriller from this talented author! 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.”
A totally clean read with a lot of intense action. PG rating because of content but nothing was explicit or objectionablePhoto was taken from the author’s website at Susan May Warren
This was a sweet romance that had me cheering for the couple to be. Piper is running the diner that her beloved father used to own before his untimely and unexpected death. Unfortunately, the diner is operating way in the red and Piper needs a way to save it. Braden North, her childhood friend who disappeared from her life shortly after her father’s death, suddenly reappears and has a suggestion that may help save the diner. The relationship between the two of them sparkled like the Alaskan snow and was so evident to me as I read that they were destined to be together if both of them would just realize that no relationship is without hardships. I enjoyed reading the story of Piper and Braden, and the setting for the tale was perfect! I could so easily conjure up an image of the little Alaskan town in my mind that it became real to me. The author did a wonderful job of establishing the setting, lovable but flawed characters and a plot that just flowed. I especially enjoyed that it was a clean read that I can recommend to any of my friends who enjoy reading romance. 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.”
A clean romance suitable for all who enjoy this genre
Author bio: Belle Calhoune lives in Connecticut with her college sweetheart husband and two daughters. After a thirteen year career as a Federal Investigator, she chose to pursue a writing career. An avid lover of romance novels since she was a teen, she enjoys writing love stories and reading them. She loves spending summers in beautiful Cape Cod and traveling to new places. A dog lover, she has a mini poodle and a chocolate lab. More than anything, she believes in happily ever afters.
Excerpt, ALASKAN CHRISTMAS REDEMPTION by Belle Calhoune
Braden watched as Piper’s eyes widened with surprise. The shock on her face made him want to laugh out loud, but he knew the situation was far from humorous. The Snowy Owl Diner was at stake, and although he’d agreed to provide his assistance, he wasn’t sure if Piper even believed it could be saved. From this point forward, she would have to tell him everything about her situation. He would have to look over the books with a fine-tooth comb. If he was truly going to help her, he needed to understand exactly what she was facing. The good, the bad and the ugly. “A-are you serious?” she asked, sputtering. “Completely,” he said, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. “Whatever you need is what I’ll do.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “You will? Really? You were so decisive last night. What made you change your mind?” Braden paused before answering. “Because I owe you, Piper.” “For what?” she asked, confusion radiating from her eyes. Telling her the truth wasn’t an option. She wouldn’t want to know why he would forever be indebted to her. “For a million different things. You’ve always being in my corner. How could I say no to you when you’ve always said yes to me? No matter what trouble I got into or the problems I laid at your feet, you always jumped in to help me. There’s no way I could do any less for you.” Tears slid down Piper’s face, and she made no attempt to wipe them away. She bowed her head, and he could see her lips moving. When she raised her head back up, Braden saw pure happiness emanating from her eyes. “Thank you, Braden. I’m so grateful that you changed your mind. I know it’s complicated, but in my heart I truly feel that I was meant to carry on Daddy’s legacy. I just can’t imagine my life without this place in it. I’m willing to do just about anything to save it.” Braden couldn’t envision Piper losing ownership of the restaurant either. It would be agonizing for her. Not to mention Trudy and Hank. They were all invested in it. The townsfolk would be both saddened and upset. Piper would be the subject of endless gossip about the circumstances of her losing ownership of the Snowy Owl. She wouldn’t be able to bear it if the townsfolk discovered that the diner had been struggling since before her father’s death. He knew Jack’s reputation was important to Piper. People would sympathize with her as well, but he knew she would be inconsolable. If there was even a small chance of them reversing things, he wanted to give it his all. It would be his penance for shaving years off Jack’s life. If it hadn’t been for him, Jack might be here today, doing everything he could to boost the restaurant and spreading his effortless charm throughout the establishment. “We should meet up so you can give me an opportunity to look over the books and all of your monthly bills along with revenue. That’ll at least give me a snapshot of what’s been going on.” Piper made a sad face. “Sure thing. I hope you see something in there that I missed, but I crunched the numbers over and over again. It’s not looking good.” “We have to look at all your options. You might need a lawyer or a consultant.” She shook her head. “I don’t have money for an attorney. It’s a lack of money that’s gotten me into this situation in the first place.” Piper let out a frustrated groan. “Why don’t we meet this evening to try and sort some of this out?” he suggested. From what he’d initially gathered, they had only a short window of time to get things dealt with before everything imploded. That needed to be prevented at all costs. “That sounds good. Come by after I close up,” she told him. “I have to get back out there, but I’m so thrilled you changed your mind about helping me.” She flashed him a smile. “In case you didn’t realize it, I’m super grateful.”
These are the verses that spoke to my heart as I read my Bible today during my devotional. I hope that they will also encourage and speak to you. What verses is God speaking to your heart these days?
Blessings, my friends, for a clean heart and an ear that is able to hear when the Lord speaks to you.
www.bible.com/1171/psa.119.18.mev
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 