The Key on the Quilt

Hello World.
How is everyone doing?  It's Wednesday and I have a very brilliant achingly sad book for you today.  I'm going to very honest and poignant about this book.  It isn't a fluffy book; several times I had to set this book down just to think through everything.  It brought questions to my mind, and for me to have a book where I'm waking up in the middle of the night grieving for the main character is truly hard to do.

The Key on the Quilt is kind of like Shawshank Redemption.  I don't really like to compare things, but it's the best way to make you understand this book.  Our main character (Jane Prescott) is a woman broken from an abusive relationship serving time for manslaughter.  Here we have a woman wrongfully accused in a very desperate situation. The story takes place while she is serving her time and she encounters people that either build her up or try and tear her down.  I don't really want to give you more because truly I want you to read this story with an open heart and an open mind.

Ms. Whitson does a phenomenal job at creating books.  They are so beautifully written that one is magically drawn in.  Needless to say, I almost didn't read this book, because of reading the back cover.  I didn't want to be sad, but as a dear friend said to me "Sometimes you need to know the truth about the evils of this world."   What made me want to read this book was the amazing Christian characters who are in Jane Prescott's life.  They are wanting to do the will of God and yearning to glorify Him in every way.  Going about their daily work, using their own two feet as a mission field.  These characters made me want to do my best in what I am doing right now.  That's a good book to me, as sad as it is, the book made me desire to grow closer in my walk with Jesus.  Pleas read The Key on the Quilt you won't regret it.


*This e-book was given to me through netgalley by Barbour Books for my honest review, and I'm honestly very happy about that.


James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


I thought this was appropriate considering the book I reviewed :-)  Let me just tell you how these verses make me feel.  Joy, I don't think you fully realize this word unless you have faced a difficulty.  I don't know what your difficulty is, but it doesn't matter this command here is telling us to call it a joy.  Here's the kicker while we are struggling and going through difficult times we're asked not to run a way but to remain steadfast, to remain under the struggle.  Why?  Because the struggle and steadfastness will produce perfection and you will lack in nothing.  I'm sure this is the last thing you desire while going through a hard time, but please dear reader remember that God wants the best for you and He loves you so much more then anyone ever could.  So much that He desires you to be the best that you can be.  Like our character for The Key on the Quilt, she went through something terrible but in the end something far greater was given to her.

A Texan's Honor

I know what you're thinking... Bre it's not even Wednesday and you're writing another blog.  Here is why dear readers, I have too many books to read from all of theses awesome publishers.  Thank you netgalley.com you guys rock.  Thus why I am writing on a Monday about A Texan's Honor by Shelley Gray.  This book was given to me by Abingdon Press in hopes of my honest opinion.  And I am honestly very excited to review this book.

A Texan's Honor immediately drew me in because of the cover.  I love adventure stories!  You can just tell it's going to be an adventure story with a train and a very contemplative looking man on it's cover.  This is the 2nd book in the series Heart of a Hero, don't fret though you don't need to read the first book to understand the second book.   Ok, on to the description!  I would like to describe this book kind of like jumping into a Lake.  The rush and excitement is immediate.  Jamie Ellis finds herself in a horrible situation, a gang of thieves has overtaken the train and is keeping her and several gentleman captive.  Very afraid for her virtue and life she finds herself in the precarious position of being the only female captive.  Will McMillan is undercover as a gang member of the Walton gang.  How does Will protect Jamie and see her safely to her Aunts?  What's the story of Scout Proffitt hmmmm....  Very intriguing

If this doesn't have you jumping out of your seat to go buy the book I don't know what does!  Ms. Gray does an excellent job of combining heart stopping adventure and truly meaningful characters.  She doesn't overdo the high risk, on the edge, nail biting scenes, which I'm very grateful for.  She weaves a great story with characters I loved getting to know and hoping the best for them.  It was a great read!  I hope you go pick A Texan's Honor and enjoy it as much as I did.  In fact as soon as I got done with the book I started re-reading it again (that is how good the book was, it is definitely a re-read book).

Romans 4:20
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God. ESV


Oh to be like Abraham when times are tough!  This is actually a verse that I have memorized for this very reason.  When tough times come for me, or if I feel God has promised me something and it hasn't come yet I refer to this verse.  This verse is referencing Abraham and he didn't stop praising God, he didn't stop giving God the glory and praise He deserved.  Not only does he praise God, but He doesn't stop trusting in the promises God gave him.  I am so childish when it comes to not getting my way, and here I see I need to be trusting God and giving Him glory.  My faith grows strong every time I choose to do exactly what this verse says.  Hopefully I remember that when hard times comes and to give God the glory.

My Own Worst Enemy

Hello!
Isn't the word Hello just fun to say, a lot of times it can bring a smile to someone face instantly.  So that's why I usually start off with a big ol' Hello!  Because I truly hope when you read my blog you're smiling.  You may be wondering why I'm writing today, a Saturday.  Well I received so many page views these couple of days and books from some awesome publishers that I have to start doing a nonfiction book day and a fiction book day.  Thus why I'm writing on Saturday.  Saturday's are now the new nonfiction book days!  I hope you enjoy it and start digging into some awesome nonfiction books.

Bethany House Publishers very nicely gave me my first free book in hopes for my honest review and taking this from another reviewer I am honestly very happy about doing that.

Ok back to work.  My Own Worst Enemy by Janet Davis is really for women readers.  This book looks at your fears and what is holding you back.  Taking stories of women from the Bible and using examples of herself Ms. Davis dissects our thought life, actions, and emotions to get down to the nitty gritty of what is holding us back.

Ms. Davis does a great job at truly making sure that her book is sound in Biblical doctrine.  Not only does she use examples of Biblical women but she supports her findings with verses and doctrinal teaching.  What a relief to read a "self-help" book and know that it doesn't have any fluff in it.  I also really appreciated her using examples of women struggling with some of the same fears that her readers might be struggling.  Telling their story was uplifting.  So dear readers if your feeling as if you're hiding behind insecurities or if God is asking you to take a leap and you're scared, please read My Own Worst Enemy.  You will not regret it.

Proverbs 31:30
     Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.  NABS 


Out of everything in this verse I'm caught by the words "fears the Lord".  What does that mean necessarily?  You see I grew up in a household where I had no fear of my Dad.  I remember my dad saying "Breeze do you know how much I love you?  I love you so much, but God loves you a million times more."  I grew up knowing that God loved me more then life itself, I did not grow up with a fear of the Lord.  So reading this verse I am at a loss with how to fear God.  In Hebrew, fear can take many forms: revere, shake, and awe are just a few of its meaning.  I imagine that when I meet God at the end of my life I will be on my knees shaking because of His enormity and wonder.  When I revere God it is with a humble heart realizing how much He has done and will be doing in each of our lives.  Foremost, being in awe of such a great and wonderful God who created sunrises, my children, and beauty all around us.  Fearing the Lord when I see it in these terms makes it slightly easier to understand this verse.  

To Win Her Heart

Hello World :-)
I'm not very tencho savvy and fortunately I was looking at my blog and this page came up blank.  Why I don't know, since I wrote a very nice explanation of why I've been gone, an awesome review and what my plans are for this specific blog spot.  So once again I start typing my explanation grrr.....

These last couple of weeks I have been seriously considering what I wanted to do with this blog.  I wanted to write reviews at least twice a week but I was struggling with being a wife and mother doing that.  Then to top it off I was wondering how I would be able to receive new books without paying them.  As always I'm a little slow on the uptake but it finally occurred to me that I might just want to pray about it.  Sure enough God placed in me this idea.  I will contact publishing companies and ask if they'll send me books to review.  Sure enough Bethany House has very nicely started doing that.  I will continue to look for new books in the library and Amazon, but hopefully you'll start seeing some fresh new books from Bethany House as well.  My plan is to have my reviews up on Wednesdays.  One review of a book and then a little encouragement from the Bible.  I felt very convicted that since I read the Bible everyday my readers should get a little of it as well.  So dear readers there you have it, why I've been gone and what my plans are for this blog.

To Win Her Heart

Might I add the new and improved website with the awesome looking book cover.  A good many times I definitely judge a book by the cover.  If I'm not liking the cover a lot and I mean a lot of the time I don't even bother reading the back.  Thank goodness this was a great cover.  Look at it, doesn't it just scream with curiosity?  A gently well bred lady back to back with a rugged looking man (blacksmith I read the back of the cover hehe).  Who wouldn't want to start reading this book!

We start our book with Levi Grant.  Levi just moved in to the town of Spencer and is looking to start his new life there.  With a secret past and halting speech Eden Spencer is quick to judge him as not being bright.  This unlikely couple go on a fun adventure of courtship where they get to know each other at.... yep.... the library :-)

I thoroughly enjoyed To Win Her Heart not only is the message of forgiveness, sacrifice, and love so wonderfully mixed in, it's also a beautiful fun love story.  Where two unlikely people find that they have a lot in common.  I hope you read Karen Witemeyer's book you will not regret it!

Proverbs 31:28
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ESV Standard


Every day my husband wakes up and has a quiet time, every day I tell myself today is going to be the day that I wake up with him.  Unfortunately I think I'm sleep deprived from having three kids under three, but fortunately God has placed in my heart to have a quiet time with him no matter how late I get up.  Recently I've been reading the Proverbs 31 woman ( I like to call it that).  This woman bless her heart has it all, wakes up early, makes great business deals, serves diverse food to her family, mends and prepares all clothes, looks awesome (she probably even showers everyday), and still has time to make her household run smoothly.  Who wouldn't want to be that woman!  Though I am far from that, I want to constantly be sanctified, to draw myself closer to God in my jobs as wife, mother, and teacher.  One day I hope to hear my children bless me and my husband praise me, but what I want to hear most is God saying "Well done good and faithful servant".

Serendipity

The clash of two cultures come together in the book Serendipity by Cathy Marie Hake. Todd Valmer finds himself in need of a doctor when his mother mysteriously faints on their way back to his farm. The train drops him off at Maggie Rose's house for healing and possibly love? Can Todd and Maggie find love with an interefering mother, and cultures that differ in every aspect? Cathy Marie Hake once again takes us on a fun adventure of courtship and love. I really enjoyed how Maggie handled Todd's mom with the love of Jesus. She also does a great job at writing about married life and that it's not always roses and sunshine. There is misunderstanding, love, hurt, and acceptance. If you love a good story that maps out how two people can come together and make marriage work you'll love this book.

Edwina

This book I found on Amazon top 100 free books for the kindle.  If you're a kindle owner or Ipad owner you should always look there on a weekly basis because there truly are some great reads. Ok now on to the book. We find our character Edwina in a bit of a predicament.  Her sister was supposed to go on a tour of Scotland with her, but unfortunately had been called away because of a family tragedy.   By herself in a foreign land her lack of confidence puts her in a tough position.  Thus allowing the perfect story for the shining knight to come rescue her.

I cannot say that this book was boring or in anyway not entertaining.  I will say though that the Edwina was hard to like.  Her lack of confidence and low self-esteem was hard for me to swallow, and though she did grow through the story it wasn't leaps and bounds like I would have liked her to.  Because of that and the slight transitional problems I can't say that this was the best book I've read in ages.  A decent read, with room for improvement.

Jenna's Cowboy

This book was really an amazing read about a great courtship and healing of a soldier. It is also a tale from the male's perspective too. Nate is a returning soldier whose enlistment has ended. He returns home to Callahan Crossing to help his parents on the farm and long time crush on Jenna. You'll love the journey they have together and the challenges that they meet together. I was really naive about the effects of war on our soldiers, and Sharon Gillenwater really does a great job about telling us the sacrifice that they gave to our country. Really we see Nate's journey of recovery and how God really works in him through friends and family. This book also made me realize how important our soldier's are and how important it is to pray for them when they return to civilian lifestyle. I hope you read Jenna's Cowboy, I thought it was a great book!