This is one of those books that is hard to put down and then as you read more, it’s hard to believe. When I started reading it, I was quickly drawn into the story of Libby, a young mother and writer who is on vacation at a resort with her young son Ethan. Libby is all alone since her husband left her shortly after Ethan’s birth, and of course, she wants to have a good time on her vacation. But taking care of Ethan seems to be challenging at times since he continues to escape her and run to the elevators. That’s where the story becomes really strange since Ethan runs to the elevator and disappears, only to be found on cameras later with a hooded figure. When Ethan is finally found, the “kidnapper” refuses to give him up since she says that she is Ethan’s mother. Thus begins the story’s entry into an ethics dilemma involving legality of surrogacy. I enjoyed the story of Ethan and read with bated breath what would happen to him in the end. The twists and turns did not allow me to guess what would happen, but there were many parts that I said to myself that the action was not believable at all, yet the book was compelling enough to keep me reading. I did not guess the ending at all because it was the most twisted part of all. Readers of psychological suspense will enjoy this book, the story of a young boy caught between two mothers.

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 book will be available at your bookseller on August 6, 2019.

This is a fantastic book with prayers to pray over you son, no matter the age. The topics covered are relevant for today, including things like “When He’s Rebellious, “ When He’s In the Wrong Crowd,” and “When He’s Managing His Money.” What I liked most is that at the end of each section, there was a testimony or a short story about a real dad or mom and the relationship they have with their son. This book can be read from cover to cover or it can also be used as a tool to pray for specific things that your child is going through since there is a comprehensive table of contents. Each prayer starts with a Scripture and then there is the prayer, a heartfelt cry to God for help raising a young man in today’s world. Parents of sons will want to get this book and keep it handy because it will definitely be a tool to use as your child gets older and more independent.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. 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 fantastic book is available now at your local bookseller!

Photo courtesy of Jewishjournal.com

Yesterday, I received great news! I went to see my surgeon and he released me! No more tests or follow up appointments! And the best news is that I can have a regular diet now, adding one new food daily until I have added all of my normal foods. Last night I had chicken for the first time in five months! No more fish for me! I was absolutely exultant as I drove home. Yes, I still have to be careful and if something hurts me to swallow or eat, I have to cut it from my diet. I also can’t eat red meat yet…another month or so until I can think about adding a hamburger to my diet. But I am over the moon happy about being able to eat something that doesn’t swim! Furthermore, as much as I liked my surgeon, I am delighted not to have to go visit him again with more problems. He says it seems that my surgery was a success. Praise God!

And that brings me to the second part of my release, and you have been released, too. When Jesus went back to Heaven to be with the Father, He released us into the world. But we are not just to consider our own lives and pleasures. So many are dying without accepting the Lord. People can’t know about Jesus unless we tell them! That is what He released us to do. If you read David Ettinger’s post this morning (I hope you did because I re-blogged it!), then you know that not everyone with whom we share the Gospel will accept its truth. However, that should not stop us from sharing. We never know how people will react and how many will be saved because we have shared.

Just as the surgeon told me to “go,” so Jesus told all of us to go. We are commanded to go and to tell. So, what will you do with your day? I hope that you will feel the freedom that only comes from knowing the Lord as the Savior of your life. I also hope that you will feel a deep stirring in your heart to go and tell. You are released from the chains of sin so that you can tell others this Good News. Blessings for a fruitful and peaceful day!

This is a perfect book for parents of girls, starting from a young age throughout her life. The topics encompass so many different topics, and although I went though the book reading it, I recommend that it be used as a daily devotional, with the appropriate topic for prayer being used as a spring board to your own prayers for your beloved child. Topics include such things as using the internet, dating, feeling lonely or rejected, etc. There are so many topics that this book is an invaluable tool for parents who desire to pray an effective prayer for their child. Each topic includes a scripture and a prayer.

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell. 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 book is available now at your local bookseller. I highly recommend this book for parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone else who prays for girls as they grow up in this confusing world of ours.

This is the story of the Baxter family and Cole’s getting ready to leave for college. He is blindsided by the new girl in his high school who comes second semester from Louisiana. Elise has the goal to go to art school in New York and to use her talent to create beautiful art. Cole wants to attend Liberty University and become a doctor. But the teens’ plans are put on hold when Elise finds out that she is pregnant. The whole story is about Elise’s dilemma and how it involves Cole, who has fallen hard for her. The title and the whole story are so important, so I won’t share too much lest I give everything away. This is classic Kingsbury, told with a lot of love and heart.

Disclaimer

I own a personal copy of this book which I purchased from Apple. I was not required to write a positive review.

This inspirational book is available now from your local bookseller! I highly recommend it for its clean content and lovely story!

When I was in high school, I was very shy, so I didn’t participate in many extra-curricular activities. Whatever I did, I made sure that I did it with my group of close friends. However, I really desired to be in the National Honor Society, so when I was not inducted my junior year, I asked my friend Sharon what was wrong with me. Why didn’t I get accepted? She advised me that I needed to participate more. So my senior year, I threw myself into extracurricular activities, including the yearbook and the Spanish Club and the school newspaper and literary magazine. I was even elected as the president of the Spanish Club, much to my surprise. The end result was that in the Spring of my senior year, I was inducted into the coveted NHS. Then, I went to college, taking my shyness and lack of desire to participate with me. Nevertheless, my friend Sharon was at my college and after spending my sophomore year in the Spanish House (for Spanish majors at my college), during my junior year, I applied for and was accepted to be a junior counselor in a freshman dorm. That was fun, but it wasn’t what I really wanted to be doing. Then, my senior year at Mary Washington, I was elected to be president of the Spanish House. I was subsequently chosen to be a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Shortly before graduation, I married my husband and added the title of Mrs. to my name. That has meant a lot to me for the last forty-six years because it is a title that I never expected to have and didn’t really aspire to. Added to that was the title of “mama” to three wonderful children.

But what I had prepared diligently for was to be a Spanish teacher and I did that task and many others in eleven different schools, even becoming the department chair here in Virginia before retiring. However, one award evaded me…I really wanted to be selected to be Teacher of the Year. I just did my job to the best of my ability because that is the only way that I know how to do things. I came in early and worked with students. I stayed late to help students. I volunteered for various committees. And yet after about a dozen years in the school system and numerous nominations for the coveted title, I was never selected. I remember talking with my dear friend and colleague at lunch one day and we came to the conclusion that since the main departments were larger and it was all a popularity contest, we would never be selected, regardless of how much work or how many hours we put in. Plus there was the whole standardized testing thing for the core subjects and the core teachers were basically taking turns garnering that award annually. English would win, then math, then history, then science, and then they would rotate again. But those of us who were the supplementary subjects did not receive recognition for our efforts. When I pointed that out to a superintendent one year during a meeting with him (I was also president of the local education association, so I attended the school board meetings and met with the superintendent as needed for myself or my members), the next thing I knew, a new award was conceived called “Apple of the Eye.” I did receive that crystal apple award one year, but it didn’t satisfy my desire for the Teacher of the Year Award. Nevertheless, I retired disappointed, without ever winning that award. When I awakened this morning, this whole scenario that I have described above ran through my mind. So, as I was talking to God and releasing the bitterness that comes with unfulfilled desires, God spoke to my heart about my real reward and my real title.

I am called to be a servant, not to be a distinguished member of the faculty or a president of anything. There is no competition in Heaven, or on earth for those of us who are His children. The only person we compete with is ourselves, to be better each day. Our reward is to appear before the Father and to be told that we did a good job. That has become more important to me than all of the accolades that I could possibly ever receive here. My pride at my accomplishments is lying at the feet of Jesus, the One who has made me able to do and to be all that He wants me to me. I am not boasting of what I have done. No, I am saying that none of the above things means anything in the face of eternity with God. Do I think that God is going to care about my golden Phi Beta Kappa pin? Of course not! It is what I do for Him that really matters. Do I tell others about Him and His love? Do I serve when called on to do so? Do I meet the needs of others when I can? My titles and awards will one day be left behind.

I am trying to live my life in such a way that others will see Christ in me and want a like relationship with our Savior. Isn’t that what really counts? We can’t take all of our awards and titles with us when we die. It all ends. Only what is done for Christ will stand forever.

What I want to hear now more than anything is approval from Christ.

Isn’t that what each of us craves? We need to move through each day knowing that God is using us as His instrument in this world, if we will just listen and obey.

You Can Have Me by the Sidewalk Prophets

This book is a thrilling roller coaster ride with twists and tunnels where hidden clues are there for the very astute reader. What a wonderful book! The story of Caroline, the wealthy socialite with a million dollar mansion at the beach, and Aiden, a bartender with a crush on Caroline and her house, is told from both points of view so that at times the story seemed confusing, that is until the very satisfying and explanatory ending. Caroline doesn’t seem happy in her marriage, since her husband showed up at her housewarming party with another woman. It was inevitable that she seek out Aiden’s companionship and bared her heart and soul and deepest secrets to him. She needs his help and isn’t afraid to ask for it. In helping Caroline, Aiden risks everything, including his freedom. Just when you think that the ride is about to end in a certain way, another twist is brought in and you are again left guessing about what is really happening. The false trails that the author uses were wild but extremely compelling and original. Fans of psychological thrillers and suspense will definitely want to read this latest book by Michele Campbell and will definitely not be disappointed!

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 suspenseful and thrilling book will be available on July 23, 2019, but it is ready for you to pre-order it now! Recommended for mature audiences because of content.