Embracing Your Freedom by Susie Larson

My review:
This book is a devotional book. The author shares her own experiences with her readers as she has become involved with I(International) J(Justice) M(Missions). Each chapter closes with a prayer and deeper study questions. Millions of people are in bondage and slavery, maybe not physically, but in Satan's grips. Larson shares how the reader can embrace freedom. "We must become more God-aware than self-aware," says Larson. Her work with IJM is intertwined in the stories she shares and experiences in this book.

Some things learned in this book:

• How to face evil and recover what's ours
• Identify the area of captivity
• Identify the lie
• Believe God is true to His word
  
• Replace the lie with truth
• Trust God
• Follow God Lead in changing the World
  
• Help others secure their freedom
• How to take our thoughts captive
• How to enlarge the space we live in

Watch a UTube here.

While our culture places great emphasis on comfort, security, control, and success, there are deeper rewards for those who take hold of God’s promises and reach out in the Name of Christ. Adventure, faith, miracles, and a deep knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is what Susie calls her readers to realize.

Many women feel stuck in their faith. They are bored living in a Christian bubble and long for the greater adventure of significance God designed for them! But just how do we move past our fears and the lies that keep us bound to our past? And are we really called to change the world? Embracing Your Freedom will give you a deeper understanding of your freedom in Christ and a bigger view of God’s heart for the world.

Ask Susie about her conviction for women, and she’ll tell you, “The two pillars in my ministry, the two things I care most about are for women to be drawn into a ‘deeper life in Christ’ that they might live more ‘powerful lives on earth.’ When we pursue a thriving, personal, intimate walk of faith, we can’t help but be compelled to make a difference in our world.” With enthusiasm, humor, and conviction, author/speaker Susie Larson has spoken to thousands of women locally, nationally, and internationally. She is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Women in Christian Media, and has served on the board of directors for the Christian Authors Network. Susie also regularly fills in as guest host for Along the Way – a two-hour talk radio show (AM Faith 900). Susie worked as a freelance writer for Focus on the Family, and published over fifty articles with them. She has been featured on radio and TV programs across the country, including Moody Midday Connection, Family Life Today, Chris Fabry Live!, The Harvest Show, and the LIFE Today Show with James and Betty Robison.

While in Washington D.C., Susie and her husband Kevin, along with Troy and Sara Groves, represented International Justice Mission’s*concerns in meetings with Congress as part of their efforts to abolish and prevent human trafficking and slavery. The four of them serve as co-chairs for the IJM benefit banquet in Minnesota. Susie and her husband Kevin have been married since 1985 and have three wonderful, grown sons. Susie comes with a passion to share the love of a Savior who will never let us go. Susie’s messages will help you to:
Cultivate a more personal and thriving relationship with Jesus
Understand God’s promises and be more bold in your faith
Understand your value and the important call on your life
Comprehend God’s heart for the least-of-these

You can find Susie online at http://susielarson.com/

*IJM, among other things, rescues young girls from the horrific life of human trafficking. (visit ijm.org)


A copy of this book was provided for review by Virtual Book tours

Visit Virtual tours here

Never Far from Home by Mary Ellis

With the consumer demand for "bonnet fiction" raging, novelist Mary Ellis and Harvest House release NEVER FAR FROM HOME. To craft this story of one woman's quest for love, another for life, and a man's gamble with the laws of nature, Ellis didn't stray far from her home in the Amish country of southern Ohio. During her research, she visited Homes County and spoke with local farmers and townsfolk.

"I came home from one long weekend with a handmade Swartzentruber quilt and a trunk filled with homemade peanut butter, bulk seasonings, three kinds of cheese, and jars of pickled everything-under-the-sun," Ellis said.

Her visits with the Amish didn't just net fantastic foodstuffs, though. Farmers and shepherds freely shared with Ellis the details of their way of life, which she then incorporated into NEVER FAR FROM HOME. The result is an engaging, touching story about dreams planted close to home and the adventure of discovering god's will for a life.

Mary Ellis grew up near the eastern Ohio Amish community of Geauga county, where her parents often too her to farmers' markets and woodworking fairs. She and her husband now live withing the largest population of Amish in the United States--a four-county area in southern Ohio. They frequently engage in weekend getaways to purchase farm produce, stay with Amish families in bed and breakfast establishments, attend country auctions, and enjoy the simpler way of life. Never Far From Home is her second bonnet fiction title. A Widow's Hope was her first. Tow more Amish fictions titles well be released this year from Harvest House. Learn more at www.maryeellis.wordpress.com. There is a link to read a chapter of this book at Mary's website.


Since I just received this book about a week ago my review will have to come at a later date. Sorry.

Visit the author's site here.

For more information about this book click here.

A copy of this book was provided for review by GRPR.

Plain Jayne by Hillary Manton Lodge

My Review:
Jayne Tate is given a forced leave from her newspaper reporting job. She decides to use this leave to uncover some questions she has about the Amish community:
What would cause people to live the plain life ?
How can they forgive when faced with hatred?
How can anyone live without electricity and cars?
Why don't they like the limelight?
What is their secret?
How can they care so much about forgiving those that aren't Amish, but can't forgive their own?

Jayne sets out to feed her journalistic, inquiring mind. She learns about the the courting rituals (the hard way) and what it means to be shunned. This community makes little sense to her, but is very beautiful. Becoming a part of the community for three weeks can't be all that bad, she learns some pretty good lessons ~ baking, sewing and child care. Little does she know but she's in for a change of heart and life. She must really and truly come to grips with what she believes about God, family, dating and what she wants in life.

Jayne learns that even in this "picturesque" life they have dysfunctional families

• they forgive a thief
• turn away own son
• education on through 8th grade

'Simple' life mean 'insignificant'

I loved the humor author uses in this book.




Jayne Tate is an investigative reporter for a major daily. When her editor demands she take time off to grieve the death of her father and get her writing back up to par, Jayne instead follows her instincts. She's certain there's a story to uncover about the Amish, but where to start?

An initial interview with the intriguing owner of an Amish furniture store opens the door for Jayne to live with the Amish family he left behind. What she doesn't yet know is that her journalistic observations of this sincere, yet conflicted family are destined to cause reflections of her own childhood.

Visit the author's site here.

For more information about this book click here.

A copy of this book was provided for review by GRPR.

Another Award

I received this award called Honest Scrap and it is a fun award. It was given to me by Tweezle of Just One More Paragraph. Thank you so very much, Tweezle.

The award recipient has to list ten things about themselves that few or no people know about them. Then they choose 7 blogs to pass on the award to.

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Me:
1.) I played the violin for a brief time while in high school.
2.) My favorite color is pink
3.) I love Doritos
4.) I've never traveled outside of North America
5.) I have 9 siblings
6.) I love to sew
7.) I've been married 24 years now
8.) I love color, color, color
9.) I want to redo my blog site, but blogger is having issues right now. ARGH!
10.) I'd love to visit Europe



Now for the 7 blogs this award goes to:
Edna @ My Favorite Things
Stormi @ Books, Movies, Review, Oh My!
Keith @ Teach with Picture Books
Patty @ Patterings
Emily @ Benedicitons
Maureen @ Books & Writing Life
Brenda @ Southernbellewriter

The Big 5-Oh! by Sandra D. Bricker

This week, the


Christian Fiction Blog Alliance


is introducing


The Big 5-Oh!Abingdon Press (February 2010)


by


Sandra D. Bricker





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Author Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While writing in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant

and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.



One of Sandie's passions revolves around the rights of animals. She's been involved in fundraising for Lost Angels Animal Rescue for several years now; in fact, a portion of the proceeds of Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida will go to help the non-profit group with their expenses. And Lost Angels paid her back in a big way: They brought a free-spirited Collie named Sophie into her life after the loss of her 15-year companion Caleb.



It was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer.



In Sandie's words: "I guess most people would see my career as a publicist as a sort of dream job. But giving it up turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me!" she declares. "Not only was I given the gift of getting to know my mother as an adult woman before she passed away, but I was also afforded the blessing of being able to focus completely on my dream of a writing career. I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost, so it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch their new Love Finds You line."





ABOUT THE BOOK

Olivia Wallace has a birthday curse . . . or so she thinks. It was a broken heart on her 16th, a car accident on her 21st, pneumonia on her 30th, and a fall down a flight of stairs on her 35th. There were Ohio blizzards on her 38th, 39th, and 40th; and six days before her 45th, she lost the love of her life to a heart attack. Numbing grief stole that birthday and a couple more to follow and, on the morning of her 48th birthday, she received the call she’d dreaded ever since losing her mom so many years ago…she was diagnosed with stage-3 ovarian cancer. The doctors didn’t hold out a lot of hope, but Liv survived and maintained her faith. Months of surgeries and chemotherapy and radiation treatments followed.



But now, as her 50th birthday creeps up the icy Ohio path toward her, her hair has grown back, her energy level is up, and she is officially cancer free. It makes her nervous. After everything she’s gone through, Liv hates the idea of driving on icy roads and returning to work as an O.R. nurse in a local Cincinnati hospital.



Her best friend Hallie knows just the thing to break Liv out of the winter doldrums, while providing a safe haven of warmth, sunshine, and a time to regroup: a holiday in the Florida sunshine!

Read my Review here.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of The Big 5-Oh!, go HERE



Watch the trailer:

Teaser Tuesday ~ Embracing Your Freedom

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought I would play for fun! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

...it's important to note that physical beauty and giftedness lead nowhere if our thinking is off. You can be plain and not-so-gifted yet still change the world if you take God at His Word. Externals don't determine our greatness; understanding God's greatness within us makes all the difference.

p. 112, Embracing Your Freedom, by Susie Larson

Click here to read my review and this book's blog tour.

Cowgirl At Heart by Christine Lynxwiler

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Cowgirl at Heart

Barbour Books (February 1, 2010)

by

Christine Lynxwiler





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Best-selling author Christine Lynxwiler lives with her husband and two precious daughters in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Christine has been writing toward publication since 1997. She sold her first story in 2001 to Barbour Publishing. Since then she's written and sold fourteen Christian romance novels and novellas including the four novels that were included in the best-selling book Arkansas, which has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide. Her novel, Forever Christmas, ranked number 12 on the Christian Bookseller's Association Bestseller List in January, 2009.



A four-time winner of the prestigious American Christian Romance Writers/American Christian Fiction Writers' Book of the Year Award, Christine recently signed a new six-book contract with Barbour Publishing bringing her total of contracted books to twenty. Besides, Along Came a Cowboy, her latest novels include Promise Me Always and Forever Christmas. She also writes mysteries with two of her sisters, Sandy Gaskin and Jan Reynolds. Their book, Alibis in Arkansas, is currently available nationwide, as well as in many bookstores. The first book in Christine's new McCord Sisters series, The Reluctant Cowgirl released in April, 2009 and was a TOP PICK in Romantic Times Magazine.



When Christine isn't at her computer, you'll often find her, with her husband, co-coaching their daughters' softball team, kayaking down beautiful Spring River with her family, or getting together with friends from church.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Elyse McCord always plays it safe─a fact she blames on being the biological daughter of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde. Even in the security of her adoptive family the McCords, the timid dog whisperer keeps her guard up with strangers. But when she discovers a dog being horribly mistreated, shy Elyse transforms into a mighty warrior and charges into a perilous situation, not only risking her life but also her heart



Reporter Andrew Stone has been fearless since the day his wife was shot and killed three years ago. He has one mission─use hid Texas Ranger upbringing to find her murderer and clear his own name of any involvement. When he sees a beautiful brunette in the hands of a pistol-welding maniac, he’s forced to abandon his covert surveillance and go to the rescue. The danger surrounding Andrew doesn’t scare him at all, but the awakening of his dormant heart terrifies him.



When painful pasts collide, the explosion is deafening. Can Andrew and Elyse pick up the pieces and go forward together? Or will they forever live with haunting memories, unable to forgive, unable to love?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Cowgirl at Heart , go HERE.

blog icon

I've been asked for a blog icon so here it is:

I don't know how to make a code so you'll just have to copy and paste icon to your blog with it linking back here: www.myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com

Life Choices by Judi Moreo

My review:

The choices we make in life will determine how successful we are or are not. The chapters in this book are choices others have made in their life and they are sharing their outcome so that you can learn from their experiences. How we respond to choices we make will determine the outcome in the end. In this book 26 different authors share their hearts and experiences with their readers. We can be successful in life if we learn from mistakes made (ours or someone else's) and take a different course. Each author has a story that is unique to them and to their success.

One author shares characteristics of happy, successful people. Another author shares with the readers three groups of people and how they respond. Yet another author shares the secret to success along with 7 keys to success. "A crisis," says one author is an opportunity in disguise. We achieve success not only by recognizing opportunity, but also by determining to make a difference."

I thought each story was interesting and very intriguing. The reader will learn how each person turned failure into success and triumph in adversity. We all have failures and hardships how we respond to those will bring about an outcome. Choices are made everyday. Obstacles can be overcome. We are what we are because of thge things that happen in our life and the choices we make. Life is full of roadblocks, dead ends and detours. It's up to us to respond in the right way.

Judi Moreo is the author of You Are More Than Enough: Every Woman’s Guide to Purpose, Passion, and Power, and it’s companion, Achievement Journal. She is also the co-author and compiler of Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Turning Point International).

Judi is an award-winning businesswoman and motivational speaker. Her superb talent for customizing programs to meet organizational needs has gained her a prestigious following around the world. Her passion for living an extraordinary life is mirrored in her zeal for helping others realize their potential and achieve their goals. With her dynamic personality and style, she is an unforgettable speaker, inspiring motivator, and an exceptional life coach.

If you would like to find out more about the woman behind Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths, visit www.judimoreo.com. If you would like to find out more about the book, visit www.lifechoicesbook.com.

Judi Moreo is the author of You Are More Than Enough: Every Woman’s Guide to Purpose, Passion, and Power, and it’s companion, Achievement Journal. She is also the co-author and compiler of Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Turning Point International).

Judi is an award-winning businesswoman and motivational speaker. Her superb talent for customizing programs to meet organizational needs has gained her a prestigious following around the world. Her passion for living an extraordinary life is mirrored in her zeal for helping others realize their potential and achieve their goals. With her dynamic personality and style, she is an unforgettable speaker, inspiring motivator, and an exceptional life coach.

If you would like to find out more about the woman behind Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths, visit www.judimoreo.com. If you would like to find out more about the book, visit www.lifechoicesbook.com.

A copy of this book was provided for review by Virtual Book tours

Visit Virtual tours here

The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard

Beatrice, sister of the heroine in The House in Grosvenor Square, is intent upon landing as wealthy a husband as her sister managed. Yet her youthful heart is about to encounter life lessons that will leave her re-aligning priorities and re-considering the individual upon whom she can depend and love.

About Linore Rose Burkard

Publishers Weekly acclaimed the work of Burkard in its review of The House in Grosvenor Square, saying, "Ms. Burkard's command of period detail is impressive..On the whole, it's a tasty confection."

Burkard, a fan of classic romances and graduate of City University of New York, began writing stories when she couldn't find true Regency romance within the inspirational fiction category. "I knew that many women like me want stories that are historically authentic and offer glimpses of God's involvement in our lives," she says.

Raised in New York, Burkard now lives with her husband and five children in a town full of antique stores and gift shops in southwestern Ohio. To learn more about her, visit www.linoreburkard.com.

Visit the author's site here.

My review will come; however, I want to read book 2 first.

For more information about this book click here.

A copy of this book was provided for review by GRPR.

The Pastor's Wife by Jennifer AlLee

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

The Pastor's Wife Abingdon Press (February 2010)by

Jennifer AlLee

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer AlLee was born in Hollywood, California and for the first 10 years of her life lived over a mortuary one block from Hollywood and Vine. An avid reader and writer, she completed her first novel in high school. That manuscript is now safely tucked away, never again to see the light of day. Her first inspirational romance, The Love of His Brother, was released in November 2007 by Five Star Publisher.



Besides being a writer, she is a wife and mom. Living in Las Vegas, Nevada, her husband and teenage son have learned how to enjoy the fabulous buffets there without severely impacting their waistlines. God is good!





ABOUT THE BOOK

Maura Sullivan never intended to set foot in Granger, Ohio, again. But when circumstances force her to return, she must face all the disappointments she tried so hard to leave behind: a husband who ignored her, a congregation she couldn't please, and a God who took away everything she ever loved.



Nick Shepherd thought he had put the past behind him, until the day his estranged wife walked back into town. Intending only to help Maura through her crisis of faith, Nick finds his feelings for her never died. Now, he must admit the mistakes he made, how he hurt his wife, and find a way to give and receive forgiveness.



As God works in both of their lives, Nick and Maura start to believe they can repair their broken relationship and reunite as man and wife. But Maura has one more secret to tell Nick before they can move forward. It's what ultimately drove her to leave him three years earlier, and the one thing that can destroy the fragile trust they've built.



If you would like to read the first Chapter of The Pastor's Wife , go HERE

guest article by author Frankie Sherman

Share a Laugh—Bless a Friend

In Honor of Celebrating Friendship Month

By Frankie Sherman

I live in a sleepy little town in the Deep South. Sometimes after my morning workout I’ll have breakfast at our local restaurant with some of my girlfriends. These women are diverse in age and background, but as southern as sweet tea.

Over cups of hot coffee, we share things that only women can appreciate, and men would never understand. It’s times like these I am extremely grateful for this wonderful gift of friendship. No wonder our Creator designed us for fellowship.

In between bites of a wholegrain muffin, my dear friend, Martha, told us about putting her mother in a nursing home and how difficult it had been. Yet in the next breath she reminded us of God’s incredible sense of humor.

It seems her mother hasn’t a clue that she’s a patient there, but firmly believes she’s on staff as an employee. In addition, she had been complaining to management because they weren’t paying her, and had threatened to walk out. Martha is now bringing her mother money in a bank envelope and telling her that the nursing home is doing a direct deposit, and she’s cashed her check. So far Mrs. Floyd continues to see herself as a valued employee and is very helpful. Martha’s just praying her mother won’t ask for a pay raise!

We laughed with Martha till our sides hurt as she told that story. Our laughter made the truth of the situation easier. That’s “why we need girlfriends!”

Anyone who has put a parent in a nursing home realizes how heart wrenching that is. Something precious has ended. Roles have reversed and it hurts like a piercing knife.

This will be a hard journey for Martha, she’ll certainly need her girlfriends, and we’ll be there for her.

I am so glad God gave us a sense of humor and laced it with laughter. When utilized for goodness it will restore a hurting soul. Who’s hurting in your circle of friends today? Now, go share some laughter. Both of you will feel better.

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy,” Job 8:21 NKJV.

Frankie Sherman is a national speaker, comedian, and Bible teacher for conferences, retreats, and women's events. She fell in love with Jesus at Vacation Bible School and takes every opportunity to tell others about the joy of being alive in Christ. She is a former choreographer for the Georgia Peach Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl Halftime Show. Her specialty is in theater musical/productions. Her first Bible Study, Why We Need Girlfriends is based on the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth, from Luke's gospel. Two women brought together by extraordinary circumstances by an extraordinary God. Frankie is from South Carolina—loves sweet tea, BIG hair and her grand-girls. She believes there will never be another Elvis. And knows that her Jesus will return for her soon.

Kathy Carlton Willis Communications is now scheduling interviews for Frankie Sherman. Please contact WillisWay@aol.com or KCWComm@rgv.rr.com for more information, or to request permission to use this free content article in your publication or on your site.

A copy of this book was provided for review by KCWC

Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, OR by Miralee Ferrell

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon

Summerside Press (January 1, 2010)by

Miralee Ferrell





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In October 2007 Kregel Publications published The Other Daughter with excellent reviews. The Romantic Times Review magazine gave it Four out of Four and a half stars, with a very strong review. Two different major motion picture studios are currently considering the book as a possible family movie, and my second book in the series (Past Shadows) is on my publishers desk being reviewed for a possible contract offer now.



In February of 2009, Love Finds You in Last Chance, California was published by Summerside Press



And Finding Jeena will release in April 2010 from Kregel Publications.



Miralee Ferrell lives in Washington with Allen, her husband of more than 37 years, ans has two grown children. She serves on staff at her local church ans is actively involved in ministry to women.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Against a backdrop of thievery and murder in Bridal Veil Falls, Oregon, a historic logging community, a schoolteacher is torn between the memories of a distant love and the man who could be her future.



Sixteen-year-old Margaret Garvey had given her heart to Nathaniel Cooper the night he disappeared from town. Four years later, just as she's giving love a second chance with Andrew, a handsome logger, Nathaniel suddenly returns. He steams back into Bridal Veil on a riverboat to work at the nearby sawmill to town with a devastating secret.



While grappling with the betrayal of those she trusted most, Margaret risks her reputation and position by harboring two troubled runaways who might be involved in the murder of a local man.



When disaster strikes the town and threatens the welfare of its citizens, Margaret will be faced with the most important choice of her life.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon, go HERE