I follow author Jessica Turner and I received an email this morning with this beautiful, touching video. Her husband Matthew Paul Turner has written a book about praying for your children and Amy Grant read an excerpt from it. Follow the link and have tissues handy!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2325509651028255&id=218252274912312&_rdr

Enjoy and remember that each day is a new day for you to help others!

I pray for you all to have a blessed day, full of encouragement for yourselves and for those whose lives you touch.

Yesterday I went for my pre-op appointment at the surgical center. I had lab work done and lots of questions and advice, including things like using clean towels each time I take a shower for three days before my surgery and changing my bedsheets the night before I head to the hospital for surgery. All very serious stuff! I got a little upset when I was told that my husband won’t be able to be with me in the prep area of surgery because of the sterile environment there. So, I will be called back at noon and Harry will be in the waiting area looking at a board that says “Prepping for Sugery” or “Surgery in Progress” or “In Recovery.” My surgery actually begins at two, so I’m sure that Harry will be praying as he waits. Even more, it was brought home to me that I will be alone with the Lord when I head into surgery. Yes, the doctor and all of his helpers will be there, including the robot, but my help is in the Lord and in Him is my life. My Scripture this morning in my devotional really spoke to me and was certainly timely.

My life is in the hands of the Lord. He has already destroyed death. When does one start fearing death? Well, in my experience, it began happening for me as I aged and as my health problems began. That was actually four years ago, on January 23, 2015, when I had a major stroke. But I didn’t find the answers that I was seeking until recently when I began to seek the Lord earnestly before going into this surgery. God has spoken to me again and again that life and death are in His hands, so as His child I don’t need to be afraid. Yes, it’s a scary thing to go through, but God knows what is happening and what the end result will be.

I was also reminded last night as I was falling asleep of the first song that I ever learned how to sign to. I was in a sign language class with my former pastor and hoping to learn enough sign to be able to communicate with our autistic granddaughter who is non-verbal. I learned those signs that I needed, but I also learned how to praise God in sign language. Here is the song that I learned to sing and sign to. I hope that it blesses you as much as it blesses me. Have a great day in the Lord!

My Life Is In You, Lord by Hillsong

This book is both depressing and captivating. It is depressing because the stories of the young women at 17 Sean Street is so sad, with little hope that any of them will fully recover and live the lives that they dream of. It is captivating because I was drawn into the story of Anna Roux, a dancer who hurt her leg, moved from Paris to the United States with he husband, and finds herself spiraling into loneliness, depression and anorexia. When the book opens, we see Anna entering the treatment house at 17 Swann Street. The other woman who lives there have stories also, but it is Anna’s story that is compelling and told in detail. The reader is introduced to Matthias, Anna’s spouse who sincerely wants her to succeed in her recovery. This was a fiction novel but at times it seemed like an entry from Wikipedia with its detailed description of what the women had to go through in their quest for recovery. A most memorable scene for me was when Ann had to complete a menu for the week, with six meals each day. The foods that she used to enjoy and which she no longer eats become evident as she checks off what she is willing to eat daily. This was a realistic look at a very complex problem. The struggles of the women are real, and the author presents Anna’s story with empathy and authenticity. Readers of contemporary fiction will enjoy this book, as will those who want to know more about eating discorders and how it ravages the bodies of those affected and the lives of their loved ones.

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 today at your local bookseller or online retailers

Although I expected this book to be more of a thriller because of the blurb from the publisher, I still was not disappointed when I read it. It starts with a huge bang in that Liza is in Chicago, trying to touch base with her best friend in Cincinnati via a video call, when she sees an intruder come into Molly’s house. She can’t get in touch with Molly again, so concerned for Molly’s safety, Liza rushes to find out what happened. Molly denied that the event ever occurred and therein lies the mystery, not the thrill. I was definitely drawn to keep reading to find out why Molly would lie and who the masked intruder was. The book is not really about the masked man, however. It is about how people grow away from each other as they mature: spouses, siblings, and friends. The pace was slow and methodical as the author revealed what was happening in each of the main character’s lives. I was not able to identify with any of the characters, but I found Liza to be the most likable since she was willing to rush to her friend’s rescue and upend her life to try to help Molly. All of the characters were flawed and needy, so none drew a lot of sympathy from me since their problems were of their own making. I enjoyed the book and think readers of domestic suspense will like it, also, but I must say readers need to be prepared to stay the course because the book is definitely worth finishing.

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 Christian romantic suspense at its best and is available TODAY at your local bookseller!

This was a powerfully fast-paced and suspenseful story of lost love that is found again. That seems to be the theme of the book, in fact, since Willow Anderson is searching for a girl who was kidnapped from the hospital when she was only hours old. She is joined in this seemingly impossible quest by a former FBI agent, Austin McKade, who also happens to be her former love interest. As the story unravels, the reader finds out why Willow and Austin broke up and what really happened to the missing baby. The tale is romantic suspense at its best, with a lot of plot twists and a surprising ending. This is a great start to a new series, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series! Readers of romantic suspense and fans of Elizabeth Goddard will not be disappointed with this novel that will keep you engrossed from the prologue all the way to the conclusion that is both satisfying and mind-blowing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books. 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 on February 5, 2019

This is a totally gut-wrenching story of a mother and daughter who seem to have lost each other in a sea of deception and lies. Abi awakens one night to answer the call that no parent wants to hear: Olivia is in the hospital after a fall from a bridge. The rest of the book is a series of flashbacks for Abi and Olivia as the secrets between the two are slowly unraveled. This is a mesmerizing tale because of the emotional connection between the mother and daughter and the pull that I felt to find out what actually made Olivia fall. There are some false clues along the way, and the concluding was absolutely heart-wrenching. The two points of view are Abi and Olivia and this style made the book feel more authentic. The action was fast-paced, and this was one of the best suspense books that I have read recently. Readers of domestic suspense will want to set aside plenty of time to read this book in one sitting because you won’t be able to put it down.

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.”

After two months of constantly living with the fear of impending surgery, God directed me to Psalm 34 and has vanquished my fears. Am I looking forward to the surgery? Of course not! Would anyone? But God has spoken to my heart and has shown me that Jesus will be right beside me during the entire ordeal. I will be sleeping peacefully under the effects of anesthesia, but Jesus will be right there, guiding the hands of the surgeon as he guides the robot to complete the procedure.

Release from fear for me and for everyone starts with praise. I will praise God at all times: when things are going well and when things go awry. God didn’t change, even when the circumstances are not to my liking. He always deserves praise, not because of what is happening in my life but because of who He is. Once you get that truth deep into your heart, you are more than ready to conquer your fears. Because what is fear except a lack of faith in the God who created you and who is watching over and guiding your steps? So, I have abandoned my fears and substituted them for praise. Each time a new fear comes into my mind, my reply is to praise God, with a Scripture verse or a song or a simple, “Thank You, Lord”, acknowledging that He is sovereign over all that is happening to me.

Wouldn’t you like to be freed from your fears? There is no magic formula. Instead, all you need is praise deep in your heart. Fear can’t live where God is being praised. I have found that out personally, and I hope that you will, too! Blessings!

I only read this book occasionally, so it took me a while to finish it. It wasn’t because it didn’t interest me. It absolutely did! I just had a lot of books to read at the same time. This was an excellent story of redemption and forgiveness and love. I enjoyed the way the plot rolled out easily to the conclusion. I really liked the character of Maggie and how she went from despondent and totally discouraged to believing in love again. Fans of stories that make you feel warm and happy will enjoy this book!

Disclaimer

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a Christmas gift and own it as part of my personal library. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Available on February 5th. Christian romantic suspense at its best!

The latest romantic suspense by Rachel Dylan will not disappoint her fans and will definitely attract new readers. Mia is an associate in a law firm with a best friend there who is a partner. Chase was working hard on a huge litigation when suddenly he was murdered. Mia found him in his bedroom and as his associate and friend, she was devastated. She is happy that the perpetrator seems to be caught quickly and is determined that ex-ATF agent David McDonald will be help responsible for killing her friend. She is joined by another friend, Noah, who doesn’t think that David committed the murder. Working together, although on opposite ends of loyalty to David or to Chase, Mia and Noah find themselves in danger but they don’t know from whom. This book was one that needs to be read quickly so that you can find out just who the bad guy is and what the motivation is. I was pleasantly surprised at the twists in the novel as well as the realistic portrayal of Mia’s loyalty and misgivings about taking over Chase’s case. My favorite character was Mia because she is a strong female heroine, with real feelings and doubts about herself and her work. I think that readers of clean romantic suspense will thoroughly enjoy this fast-paced, mesmerizing tale of good versus evil.

I should also note that this book is part of a series, but I had not read the other books in the series and did not feel like I was lost or anything. Thus, it can be read by anyone as a standalone!

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 on May 14, 2019. Appropriate for all readers.

This is the best feel-good book that I have read in a really long time! It is the story of Madeleine, Janet and Claire, the three women who work tirelessly to keep The Printed Letter Bookshop open. Told with empathy for each character, from the viewpoint of each woman, the story is one that will remain long in the hearts and minds of real devotees of reading books. Maddie, Madeleine’s aunt has died, and at the same time Madeleine needs a place to go, a purpose for her life. Enter the bookshop and the women who knew her aunt the best and who are more than a little leery of Madeleine’s motives. I enjoyed the development of all the characters, but none more so than Claire who was facing an empty next, an absentee husband and a teen who was determined to rebel at all costs. Having lived through that life myself, I was drawn to her story. The struggles in life and in keeping the business going are portrayed so realistically that I was immediately drawn into the story and mesmerized by each woman and her story of love, loss and life’s challenges. Readers of contemporary fiction will fall in love with this novel and it should find a place of honor in the circles of book lovers everywhere.

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.”