Bittersweet Surrender

Bittersweet Surrender
By: Diann Hunt

Bittersweet Surrender by Diann Hunt was heartwarming and a little heart wrenching at times, as I could relate to some of the characters, and not in the best ways either. Carly is the owner of a chocolate spa and while you are reading this book, all you want to do is eat chocolate and go to the spa! However, while this sounds amazing, she has had some difficult circumstances in her life. She suffered from breast cancer and her husband left her while she was battling the cancer. She is overweight and has a difficult time looking at herself in the mirror because all she sees is someone not fit to be loved due to the cancer. She works with her best friend Scott who is managing her finances and taking care of her taxes. He was married to Carly’s best friend that died in an auto accident. Carly and Scott as you can imagine have a great relationship as friends and tend to miss all of the signs that the are meant to be together.
This book has interesting twists that you don’t see coming, which adds just a little added suspense to the romance side of things. As always I enjoy a good romance novel and especially when the author uses scripture and prayer to guide the characters lives, I always find that to be engaging for me. There were several references to prayer and scripture that I was able to take away and store in my mind for later, while reading this book.
Diann Hunt also included a reference to the town Smitten, from the novel that she wrote with three other authors I previously read, Smitten. She writes with such ease that you wouldn’t even know she was referencing another book if you hadn’t already read it. I enjoy reading stories from Diann Hunt, and look forward to another!
I received a copy of Bittersweet Surrender from Booksneeze, and received no compensation for my thoughts.

Christmas Break is Here!!!!!

Well, as you may or may not know....it has been a rough four months. BUT....the break has finally arrived! Unfortunately, I am not even half way through with the school year. I hope things start to go better come January. BUT (again) we are not going to think about that, because it is Christmas Break!

So, here are some of my plans for the break:
1. Clean! Yes, I said clean...I have already gotten a head start...I am working on the office and I washed my car today! :)

2. Read! Well, that isn't too hard for me to do. I have found that I am a very good multitasker...I can read while walking 2 dogs! :)

3. Craft! I want to finish my amazing blanket that I started last year at this time, and I really want to make my hubby a new scarf in Grizzly Colors. Go Griz! :)

4. Pray! I need to find quiet time and start up a habit again of finding time to spend with God. I just got a new book that I am reviewing called The Perfect Love! I can't wait to get into it, because it is all about God satisfying our need for love, rather than seeking that need elsewhere, which I have been known to do. :)

5. Bake! I need to try some new recipes, however, tomorrow, I plan to do my signature....Apple Pie! I am making little mini pies for my amazing spin classes! Boy do they know how to keep me in shape! :)

I am determined to find joy this break. So if you see me with a frown, help me turn it upside down!

A Good Christian Mystery!

Shadows on the Sand

By: Gayle Roper

Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper was a wonderfully written book. I enjoyed every minute of it! The setting of this book takes place near a beach/ocean, which is my kind of perfect lifestyle! The characters are very believable and have significant backgrounds. Carrie, the main character owns a café. She and her sister ran away from their mother at young ages, because her mother was a drunk and brought home men who were less than ideal. However, they made a life for themselves and really turned things around. It is interesting to note that the man Carrie has fallen in love with is a widow and has baggage himself. In fact, he barely says two words and while Carrie is madly in love with him, it appears he has absolutely no interest or idea she is even alive, besides going to her café everyday. There is also a mystery involved with this story. You think and the characters think it is going to go one way, but it turns out to go completely different. However, about 2/3’s or even ¾’s of the way through, you start to figure it out. The only part I did not care for was the reference to the polygamist lifestyle. However, scripture and prayer was interwoven seamlessly to show that they author did not condone this, it simply added to the plot of the entire story.

This was the first book that I have read by Gayle Roper and I would be very interested in reading more by her!

I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest opinon of this book.

A Short Video to watch...Maybe a free book for me?!?

Amazing Books!

Here are two books that I have been reading! One has been by my bedside and the other on my Kindle while I have been running at the gym. What a great way to not only relax before going to sleep but keep my focus while at the gym. Here are two great books that I highly recommend!

Smitten

By: Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt

I LOVED reading Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt. The four authors did such a good job merging four stories together; it did not feel like you were reading a book by four different authors! Before reading, I read their introduction to the story. The authors decided that they would write about four friends, each with personalities similar to their own. This idea was unique in and of itself and made me more intrigued to read the story. I had only read one other story by Colleen Coble, and truly enjoyed it. As I was reading Smitten, I related most to the characters that Colleen Coble and Diann Hunt wrote about, Natalie and Reese. This also made it more interesting to read, figuring out which character I was most like!

The four girls are best friends in the story. Their town, Smitten, is “going under”. The mill where many people in town worked is closing down and the town looks as if it has no hope for a future, until the girls and the town decide that they can use the name of their town, Smitten, to get tourist there. They are going to turn their town into a romance destination. Each girl has a man in their life. Natalie and Carson are both town members and help decide things for Smitten, Shelby and Nick are really good friends of about 4 years, Julie and Zac are high school friends and Zac and Julie’s brother are best friends, and Reese and Griffen are childhood friends.

The romance between the couples is a little bit predictable, but still very enjoyable to read! Also, the authors did a great job incorporating scripture and prayer into each story. I found myself taking a moment to say a prayer for my own life several times while I was reading. When this happens, I know the book is hitting home!

I enjoyed reading Smitten! Thank you Booksneeze for yet another wonderful opportunity!

I received a copy of Smitten from Booksneeze. I did not receive compensation for my thoughts.

Here Burns My Candle

By: Liz Curtis Higgs

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs was written prior to Mine is the Night. I read Mine is the Night first and FINALLY had the opportunity to read Here Burns My candle. These are two books that I will definitely be reading again. They are written so well and the characters are developed very nicely. It is easy to get right into the story. Liz Curtis Higgs does a wonderful job incorporating historical fiction into her writing. She engages her readers from the very beginning.

As I mentioned in my previous review for Mine is the Night these books do not have to be read in order, however, Here Burns My Candle does set up the next story. It was nice this time to be able to have some of my questions answered and to have more background information for some of the Scottish History. I have read many historical fiction books and it is always nice to view different locations and the history that is present there.

I highly recommend both books!

I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest opinon of this book.

Another Review! :)

Well, it is 10:00 at night, and tomorrow I plan to wake up at 3:15 to get a run in at the gym and then shower, put on make-up blow dry my hair and be ready by the time my mom picks me up to head to the airport! I should probably get to BED!!! But...I love to read! :)

By: Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long

An Amish Wedding, by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long was written into three books, with each author taking a book and putting their personal flair and touches to it. It was a very easy read with a very simple plot line. I would really have liked to see more climax to each of the stories as well as more thought out problems that occur in life. The problems that each of the bride-to-be’s faced was so simple, it was almost funny. I kept thinking to myself, “Man, these authors need to walk in my shoes for a day and they might come up with something more!”

Besides the simplicity of it, it was a good read. The characters were well developed and the writing was nicely done. Also, if you are not familiar with the Old Order Amish ways of life, each author does a good job describing some of the most important details with their readers.

One last thing that I enjoyed was how the books were interwoven. This made for an easy flow from one book to the other as each had a connection to the others. However, that being said, the first books connection was not as prevalent or woven in as the other two.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

I received a copy of An Amish Wedding from Booksneeze. I did not receive compensation for my thoughts.

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior!!!

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior

By: Max Lucado

Max Lucado never disappoints. In his book, No Wonder They Call Him the Savior: Experiencing the Truth of the Cross, Lucado looks at three parts of the Cross. Part 1 of the Cross is about It’s words, Part 2 of the Cross is about It’s witnesses, and Part 3 of the Cross is about It’s wisdom.

Each chapter was to the point which is something I love about Max Lucado’s writing. He gives you just enough to think about and when he has said what he needed to say, he moves on. Some authors that I have read on Spiritual Growth and Christian thought tend to drag on each chapter to the point that I have wanted to skip the rest of it. “I get the message” is something I want to say, but never with Lucado. Each chapter brings me in to the wisdom and insight he has gained through his ministry as a missionary, a pastor, and as an author.

It is hard to pick out one part of this book that stuck out to me. This is one that I intend to read over and over as it takes such a profound look at the Cross and our Lord and Savior. I am in awe of what the Lord has done for me, someone who is undeserving of His Grace, yet, he took that long walk and died the death that was mine. All I can say is “No wonder they call Him the Savior!”

I received a copy of this book through Booksneeze. I did not receive compensation for my thoughts.