Book Review-When Death Draws Near--Carrie Stuart Parks

                                                       

About the book (provided by Litfuse)...Plunge into forensic artist Gwen Marcey's world, full of cold-case murders, shady politics, and a den of venomous suspects. Add Carrie Stuart Parks' new Gwen Marcey novel, When Death Draws Near, to the top of your must-read list. Gwen accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky—a small town facing big-city crime. But before she can finish her first drawing of the serial rapist who is on the loose, the latest witness vanishes. Just like all the others. Can Gwen uncover the truth—and convince anyone to believe her—before she becomes a victim herself? 

And I thought . . . When I was offered the opportunity to read and review this book  I was excited.   I am a fan of thrilling suspenseful and a little romantic books.   I  opened it and began reading the day I received it.  I got to the end of chapter two and put it down.  It didn't 'click'.

A few weeks later I picked it up again.  I got a little farther along but I just couldn't get into this book. 

This weekend because this review is due I picked up with the intention of reading it all the way through. 

And honestly it finally began to become interesting to me.  But as I finished the last page I was back to my first impression.  I didn't like this book. 

The story was good.  The story was filled with bumps and twists and turns.  The reader is caught of guard at the end wondering just who is behind all the violence.  

But I didn't connect and frankly I really didn't like the main character.  I got annoyed with her constant turning everything that happened around her or circumstances to her own past misfortunes and failures.  The past was always on her mind and seemed to be always brought into the present through her references.  

When she receives a phone call from her ex-husband informing her he was sending their teenage daughter to her my thought was ridiculous!  Who in their right mind sends their daughter to their ex 

(who they already have issues concerning parenting with)who is on assignment out of town knowing that these assignments tend to lead to danger.  

And Gwen the main character just says o.k and goes and picks her up at the airport!  This is after she has already had two attempts made on her life for investigating the towns recent murders and rape cases.  

The craziness continues after the daughters arrival and until the end.  Which btw turns out o.k. for all. 

Personally I could have left all that drama out of the story and I think it would have been much better.  

Admittedly I have not read the 1st two installments in this series.  And maybe if I had I would have liked the story and the main character better.  Maybe I would have understood the reasoning.  

For more information about the authors other works and other books in this series visit her website

Litfuse is offering a giveaway . . . 

Join Carrie in celebrating the release of When Death Draws Near by entering to win an Undercover Artist Starter Set. 

One grand prize winner will receive: 

• A copy of When Death Draws Near
• A $30 Michael's or Hobby Lobby gift card (winner's choice)
• Colored pencils
• A sharpener
• A pencil case
• An eraser
• A coloring prayer book
• A coloring notecard set
• A lap desk

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on August 22. The winner will be announced August 23 on the Litfuse blog. 

I received a complimentary copy of When Death Draws Near from Litfuse in exchange for my honest 

receive. 

This review is posted at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and CBC. 

This review is posted on Good Reads and My Reading Journey.

Wordless/Critters

Caption/Subject Today
                Tired . . . (including Blue skies, Blue hats, Blue paint and more for Blue Monday)
                                                       
                 
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Linking with: Camera Critters, Eileen's Critters, Blue Monday, Wordless Wednesday
Create With Joy, Image-in-ing.
                             Happy Trails  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                     

             

A Different Beautiful- Book Spotlight

                                         
                                

About the book . . . 

When Courtney Westlake’s family was given the shocking news that their daughter, Brenna, was born in 2011 with a severe, life-threatening skin disorder, they began to discover a new and different kind of beautiful in their lives–one that values extraordinary differences and appreciates the wonderful sameness found in our humanity.

In A Different Beautiful, Courtney explores what her family has discovered in raising a child with physical differences and what she has learned about true beauty. Through her personal insights and experiences, Courtney shares how we can all learn to find and celebrate God’s version of beautiful in our lives, especially within our differences and struggles.  

Visit the authors website click here.

And I thought... A special story.  Written beautifully from the heart.   Everyone should read this powerful story.   The story is gripping and honest.  Courtney's shares her struggles and her families struggles along with the wonderful blessings of family.                                                            
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
This review is also posted at My Reading Journeys and Good Reads.

This review will be linked at the following blog parties:
The Art of Homemaking, Share Your Cup,  Create with Joy,  Grace At Home
Wake Up Wednesday,  The Homemaking Party, Friday Features
Simple Sweet Fridays,  

The book is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and CBC.  I have posted my review at these retail sites. 

God Made You Just Right--Book Review

                                                   
About the book (from Amazon)...
A bright and cheerful reminder that God made each of us special and unique

Here is a message that every parent will want to share with his or her child: You're brilliantly created and there s no one else like you! With easy-to-understand descriptions and simple, rhyming text, Jill Roman Lord shares the message that God created each of us in just the right way in a manner that even the youngest child will understand. Bright and engaging illustrations from Amy Wummer pair perfectly with the text and enhance the appeal of the book.
Ages 2-5.

And I thought ...
What a precious little book filled with God's plan and promises for each child.  It's a small little toddlers board book.  An excellent introduction to God's love and promises for the toddler.   

Parents will love reading this little book to their children. 

The illustrations by Amy Wummer are delightful depicting children baking cookies, building sandcastles, running and jumping and playing.  

I love that the story is based on Jeremiah 29:11 and is printed on the last page.  Giving parents an opportunity to share this verse with their toddler over and over every time they read the book. What a great verse to be the first verse a child learns!

I recommend this book for parents, grandparents and teachers.  Its a great book for a church nursery or toddler classroom.  

5 big 'ole stars are 'Just Right' for God Made You Just Right!  You won't be disappointed.  

A complimentary copy from Worthy Publishing was offered to me in exchange for my honest review. 

This review will be posted at My Journey Back  Good Reads. 
This post is linked at the following blog parties:
The Art Of Homemaking, Create with Joy, Wake Up Wednesday, 
Share Your Cup, The Homemaking Party, Grace At Home,  
Simple Sweet Fridays,  Friday Features
And the following retailers . . . 
Amazon, Barnes and Noble and CBC.  

Book Review-Fetching Sweetness by Dana Mentink

Fetching Sweetness-Dana Mentink--Book Review                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Celebrate the release of Fetching Sweetness with Dana by entering to win the Sweetness Unleashed Prize Pack!

                    Click Here to enter

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Fetching Sweetness
• A $75 Visa cash card
• A library book necklace
• A dog-inspired insulated shopping tote

About the book (provided by Litfuse)...

Fetching Sweetness (Harvest House, July 2016)

Standing between Stephanie and her dream is one hundred pounds of lovable trouble.

It should have been so simple for Stephanie Pink: Meet up with Agnes Wharton in a small town in California, retrieve the reclusive author’s valuable new manuscript, and be promoted to a full-fledged literary agent.

But Agnes’s canine companion, Sweetness, decides to make a break for it before Stephanie can claim her prize. Until Agnes has Sweetness safely back at home in Eagle Cliff, Washington, Stephanie will never set eyes on the manuscript she needs to make her dreams come true.

When Stephanie tracks the runaway mutt to a campground, she meets Rhett Hastings—a man also on the run from a different life and a costly mistake. Rhett agrees to help Stephanie search for the missing dog…thus launching a surprising string of adventures and misadventures.

Once Sweetness gets added to the mix, it’s a recipe for love and loss, merriment and mayhem, fun and faith in the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest.

About the author...

Dana Mentink lives in California, where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Dana is an American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year finalist for romantic suspense and an award winner in the Pacific Northwest Writers Literary Contest. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third and fourth grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with her husband, two daughters, a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle, and a feisty parakeet.

Find out more about Dana at http://www.danamentink.com.

And I thought...Another winner!  I loved the fun and 

quirky story and characters.  This is my second chance

to read the work of Dana Mentink. This is the second book in the Love Unleashed Series.  I am looking forward to many more.  

This story is creatively written and just fun.  I read it in a couple of days because I couldn't put it down.   

I caught myself reading funny sections to the Cowboy. I caught myself giggling.  

The main character 'Sweetness' was a mix of quirkyness, goofiness and tender hearted.  Who had a habit of collecting other strays.  'Sweetness' captured the hearts of the 'people' characters in the book and this reader. 

Miss Mentink weaves together a fun and sweet romantic story around the crazy lives of a young couple that are both facing challenging things in their lives.  Each are dealing with their own questions about God and their faith.  

Fetching Sweetness is worthy of my 5 star rating. 

This review is posted at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBC and Good Reads.  Visit the retail sites to read additional reviews or purchase.  

This review will be posted at My Journey Back and my favorite link parties including: The Art Of Homemaking, Share Your Cup, Create With Joy

I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. 

Wordless Wednesday--Welcome Home

Sharing on Wordless Wednesday (with a few words). . .

         
                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                     

After 11 years my son got his horse back.  More words with more pics. soon.  
              All these pics taken by our 16 year old grandson

                 
Linking with: Wordless Wednesday, Camera Critters, Eileen's Critters, Good Fences, Image-in-ing
Create With Joy, 

Wordless-ABC Wednesday

D is for . . . 

                       







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Linking with ABC Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday,  I-maging, Camera Critters, Eileen's Critters
Create With Joy

Book Review--If My Husband...-Rhonda Stoppe

                                                                                

About the book (provided by Litfuse)...(my review follows)
If My Husband Would Change, I’d Be Happy: And Other Myths Wives Believe (Harvest House, August 2015)

Like most brides on their wedding day, you no doubt were filled with love for your husband and the hope of a happy life together.

But perhaps today, as the realities of life together have settled in, those happy expectations are going unfulfilled. And it’s tempting to think, “If only my husband would change, I’d be happy.”

That myth is but one of many that Rhonda Stoppe dispels in her easy-to-read exploration of what it takes to experience a truly happy marriage. In the process, she addresses such important topics as

—understanding your husband’s need for your unconditional respect
—rekindling the love that drew you to your husband in the first place
—refusing to believe the lie that you’d be happier married to someone else
—learning to be content in the midst of financial struggles
—thinking about sex from a biblical worldview

If you desire to rekindle the love and hope you felt on your wedding day, this book will go a long way toward making that dream come true.

Contains discussion questions and personal reflections at the end of each chapter.

ADVANCE PRAISE

“Need help with your marriage? In this insightful and solid book Rhonda Stoppe gives wives real help! She puts her finger on problems and attitudes that plague every married woman — and then supplies answers, solutions and counsel from God’s Word.” —Elizabeth George, author of A Woman After God’s Own Heart

“This is the book for everyone who wants to be content and happy in her marriage but just may not know how.” —Shaunti Feldhahn, social researcher and best-selling author of For Women Only

“Rhonda Stoppe debunks misleading myths with grace, humor and candor and leaves you with hope that your marriage can become more than the stuff of your dreams: it can be the handiwork of God.” —Dr. Richard Blackaby, author of The Seasons of God and Customized Parenting in a Trending World

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Rhonda Stoppe is the No Regrets Woman. With more than 20 years of experience as a marriage mentor, pastor’s wife, author and speaker, Stoppe leads women of all ages to live lives. of no regrets.

Using sound biblical teaching through humor and honest communication, Stoppe teaches women how to apply God’s word to live boldly through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Stoppe has appeared on radio programs and has spoken at women’s events, MOPs groups and homeschool conventions around the nation.

Stoppe is the author of Moms Raising Sons to be Men,which mentors thousands of moms to guide sons toward a no-regrets life. Her latest book, If My Husband Would Change, I’d Be Happy & Other Myths Wives Believe, is helping countless women build no-regrets marriages.

Stoppe lives in California with her husband, Steve. They have four adult children and five grandchildren.

Keep up with Rhonda Stoppe by visiting her atwww.NoRegretsWoman.com, on Facebook (Rhonda Stoppe No Regrets Woman) and on Twitter(@RhondaStoppe).

And I thought... A very modern approach excellent for all women.  Although this reader didn't care for the title.  And actually neither did The Cowboy.  I get the concept.  But, I think that there are women that wouldn't buy the book based on the title.  Especially if your in a marriage that is struggling.  There have been times in my marriage that if I had bought this title I wouldn't have left it laying around for The Cowboy to see.  With that said . . . 

I encourage you to buy it anyway.  The teaching is Biblically sound.  And in my opinion if Elizabeth Barnes endorsed it (and she did) then you need to read it!  

This one is a keeper for me (along with the titles by Elizabeth Barnes).  

It was a simple read.  Filled with humor and light heartedness but also filled with great insight and sound scriptural advice.  

I received a lovely complimentary signed copy from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

This review is posted at Amazon, CBC, Barnes and Noble and Good Reads.

This review will be linked at blog parties.(see the list on my parties page).

This review will be posted on MyReadingJourneys.

Stepping Into A New Day-Book Review

About Stepping to a New Day

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (June 28, 2016)

In Henry Adams, Kansas, you can’t start over without stirring things up . . .

Many a good woman has had to leave a no-good man, but how many of them took a backseat to his six-hundred-pound hog? On her own for the first time, Genevieve Gibbs is ecstatic, even if certain people preferred the doormat version of Ms. Gibbs. Finding someone who appreciates the “new” her has only just hit Gen’s to-do list when T. C. Barbour appears in her life.

A tiny Kansas town is a far cry from his native Oakland, California, but it’s just the change T. C. needs. While helping his divorced nephew acclimate to single fatherhood, T. C. lands a gig driving a limo for the most powerful woman in Henry Adams. It’s a great way to meet people—and one in particular has already made the job worthwhile. All it takes is a short trip from the airport for Genevieve to snag T. C.’s attention for good.

But it wouldn’t be Henry Adams without adding more drama to the mix. When Gen’s ex Riley returns with his hog in tow, it sets off a chain of events that can ruin everything—unless the residents pull together once again to save the day.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Beverly Jenkins

Beverly Jenkins has received numerous awards, including five Waldenbooks/Borders Group Best Sellers Awards, two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine, and a Golden Pen Award from the Black Writer’s Guild. Ms. Jenkins was named one of the Top Fifty Favorite African-American writers of the 20th century by AABLC, the nation’s largest on-line African-American book club. She was recently nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature.

Find out more about Beverly at her website and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

And I thought ...This was a good book.  I enjoyed the story line.  I loved the small town feel of the story.  I have to admit I did get bogged down with all the characters.  There were so many.  This is a book that takes the reader into the lives of almost the entire town.  At any other time I probably would have gotten more into the story and read it straight through but it did take me a while to get into it.  It did turn into a wonderful feel good story.  I warn the reader to plan a couple of days or more because you won't want to put it down.  I look forward to the opportunity to visit Blessings again. 

I received a complimentary ARC copy from TLC Book Tours.  A complete list of other reviews on the tour follows.  

My review is posted on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Good Reads.    I will be linking this post at blog tours including: The Art of Homemaking,Grace At Home Party,     Create with Joy, Share Your Cup

Tour Stops

Wednesday, June 29th: Gspotsylvania: Ramblings from a Reading Writer Who Rescues Birds and Beasts

Thursday, June 30th: The Book Diva’s Reads

Friday, July 1st: Chaos is a Friend of Mine

Tuesday, July 5th: Luxury Reading

Tuesday, July 5th: What Will She Read Next

Friday, July 8th: The Englishist

Monday, July 11th: Back Porchervations

Tuesday, July 12th: A Book and a Beer

Thursday, July 14th: Bookish Realm Reviews

Friday, July 15th: Literary Quicksand

TBD: My Journey Back

TBD: Queen of All She Reads

Good Fences

Joining Tex today to share some 'Good Fences' . . . 


                                                                 Source
Love this one from a fence builder here in Texas.  This one so reminds me of our bed . . . 
             
          A little sneak peek of my new Summer bedding. 

Now this is a cool fence . . . 

                                                Source
   
                     
                                                                    Source

                     I always wonder what's behind them.
So that's a just a few of the cool and interesting fences you can still find here in Texas.  

Wanna see more cool fences from all over.  Go by and visit Tex
at Good Fences.  Click here. 

Party With A Plan--Book Spotlight

                                           
About the book (provided by I Read Book Tours)

Finally! Here is a proven, practical way to drink alcohol and lower your risk for problems. Up until now, there have been two primary messages when it comes to drinking alcohol. One is “just say no,” which for the majority of the population is not an option. The other is to “drink responsibly.” But what does that mean? If you ask five random people to define responsible drinking, you will most likely get five completely different answers. This invalidates the term because it can be defined in so many different ways. Party with a Plan® gives a concise and research based formula that teaches people how to drink and lower their risk of negative consequences. It’s like creating a speed limit for drinking. If you stick to the speed limit, your chance of problems is minimal. However, the more you go over the speed limit, and the more often you go over the speed limit, the more you put yourself and others at risk. This book is long overdue!

Check out the trailer here

Enter the giveaway . . . 

Click here to enter

About the author...

Randy Haveson knows addiction. As an alcoholic in long-term recovery (May, 1984), he has dedicated his life to helping others make more empowered choices in their lives. He is a 25 year veteran in the substance abuse field with extensive experience as a counselor, Director of Health & Alcohol Education at highly accredited universities, and speaker on over 100 campuses, speaking about harm reduction, self-esteem, leadership, and supporting students in recovery.

Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook