THE CHANGING SEASON

ABOUT THE BOOK:

This was supposed to be a simple summer for Billy: one more lazy expanse of time before college began. He'd fill the hours playing with Jimmy – his canine best buddy – going camping and doing all the things he promised Jimmy they'd do before Billy left. But that was before the accident that shook the entire town. It was before the summer job that turned into something so much more than a way to get a paycheck. And it was before Vicki. This summer was destined to be many things to Billy, things he didn't truly understand until now. But it was definitely not going to be simple.

An enormously touching, richly textured, deeply moving novel of new adulthood, THE CHANGING SEASON is an experience to savor.


MY THOUGHTS:

The Changing Season tells a tale of Billy and his dog(Jimmy), and two of his friends, Mark & Charlie.
The boys are hoping to make some great memories over the summer before they have to go to College. Mark & Charlie have a plan, but Billy doesn't know what he wants to do or major in, but that decision will  just have to wait because they have parties to attend and fun to be had!

I just love how Stephen Manchester takes you right into the lives of his characters! I haven't really read a "Coming of Age" book before but I loved all the relationships Billy has and the lessons he learns during that summer. I laughed and I cried and just LOVED this book!!

This would be such a great book for anyone really...  high schoolers, those in their final summer about ready to head off to college, or just anyone who enjoys a story about a boy and his wonderful dog!!

I totally recommend "The Changing Season"!!! You will be sooooo glad you read it!

Thank you Steven Manchester for sharing your gift of writing such wonderful stories with all of us! Thank you for allowing me to read your book in exchange for my honest review!

Always Watching ~ Review

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have more than just skill and prowess in common--they're also all women. When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians in order to protect his son.

But when Wade's bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap. Olivia's skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade's stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him. Olivia has the feeling that she's next on the list. And to complicate things even further, she realizes that her heart may be in as much danger as her client.

Bestselling author and fan favorite Lynette Eason drops readers right into the action in this fast-paced new series with a unique twist. Readers will love these strong female characters who put it all on the line to save lives.


MY THOUGHTS:
I have said it before and will say it again and again ... I am HUGE Lynette Eason FAN and I absolutely LOVE her books! I love it when she begins a new series and this book is the 1st in her new  Elite Guardians series.

Always Watching is a fast paced thriller with a little bit if romance! The Elite Bodyguards Agency is an all women agency and Olivia is called into this case after her co-worker was seriously wounded protecting Wade.  Unbeknownst to Wade, his father has hired the agency to protect his son from a stalker. Wade knew he was receiving some rather odd gifts that arrived at his home anonymously but he just shrugged it off, making light of the situation. His father however, did not. He saw what was happening and took matters into his own hands.

I absolutely LOVED this book because I would think I knew who the stalker was, and then, bam! Lynette threw a curve ball and I had to keep reading to try and figure it out yet again! Don't you just love books that keep you guessing all the way to the end!?!?! Well, if you said YES, then do yourself a favor and pick up, down load, or go check out Always Watching! I promise .... You will LOVE it too!!

Thank you Lynette Eason for sharing your gift of writing with those of us who LOVE your books and those who will hopefully read one of your books for the first time! I know without a doubt they will become huge fans just like me and so many others!!

Thank you REVELL, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review!
Hands down... A 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s!!!

If I Run ~ Review

ABOUT THE BOOK:

If I Run (Zondervan, February 2016)

Casey knows the truth. But it won’t set her free.

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up. Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

My Thoughts:

It is safe to say... I. LOVE. TERRI. BLACKSTOCK. So, when given the opportunity to review her latest novel you will most likely find me doing the "happy dance." As soon as I receive the book I calm down and begin reading IMMEDIATELY!!

IF I RUN has so much going on between a murder, a suicide, a missing teen, and lets not forget a group of dirty cops! All of this and one girl who has lived through the pain of losing her Father at the young age of 12. Casey never believed what they said about her father...not even for a minute. She learned at that young age that sometimes police will fail you and all you thought was true! 

As she gets older she is more determined to find the truth. But it's not just black and white, and as Casey learns, finding that truth could cause serious and maybe deadly harm to those she loves!! Will she Run??

I devoured this book in just hours! I was also traveling at the time and was walking/reading in the airport .... yes you know those people that aren't looking where they are going bc they are doing something on their phone or IPAD? yep, that was me!! No worries, I didn't hurt anyone or myself! :) 

Trust Me! If I Run is a DEFINITE 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s!!! I think it should be wayyyy higher than that but its just safe to say....DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!! Just Know that "If you run" to get this book it will be TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!

Thank you so much Litfuse Publicity for this complimentary book in exchange for my honest opinion! 

Bronner: A Journey to Understand

Bronner: A Journey to Understand(New Hope Publishers, January 2016)

God teaches and refines us through pain and suffering. Author Sherri Burgess, wife of Rick Burgess of The Rick and Bubba Show, knows this to be true. After the earthly death of her youngest son, Bronner, Burgess asked, “Why?” And God answered.

Journey with her through this powerful testimony of healing to understand the purpose behind the pain. An empowering resource for book-club discussion or small-group Bible study, this is much more than simply a retelling of an inspiring story. It is a call to action beckoning us to know our Holy God like never before.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT SHERRI BURGESS}

Sherri Burgess’ life is a beckoning for you to know a Holy God like you have never known Him before. The wife of Rick Burgess of The Rick and Bubba Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show, Sherri is someone who now passionately pursues holiness and inspires others to do the same. A seasoned Bible teacher, writer and blogger, she has in recent years answered God’s call as a women’s ministry speaker. This mother of five stays active with her family in Birmingham, Alabama.

Find out more about Sherri at http://sherriburgess.blogspot.com.

My Thoughts: 

I surely feel I cannot do this book justice.... This is truly one of the most amazing, unnerving, awe struck books I have ever read! Sherri Burgess is hands down, a godly woman who met the Lord and I mean really met HIM, during, in my opinion, one of the most difficult, heart breaking times in her life. I simply cannot imagine losing my two year old in my own pool and moving on with life vs. going into a time in your life that questions God and wondering WHY did this happen to me???? Why did you take my baby Lord?? Why did you let him die in our own pool?? and on and on my questions would go...

But, I also know the Lord, and while we all think something like this couldn't happen to "me",  in reality, the truth is, it absolutely can. We, as believers, are not immune to situations such as these, and the Burgess family handled this in such a way that brings glory to our Lord, our Father.  The Lord provided such tangible ways in which it was nearly impossible to deny HIM.  Sherri's husband was exactly as the Lord would hope for him to be. He sought after a man who could be about His business!!

I, for one, look forward to meeting Bronner and letting him know how much his story blessed and encouraged me! 

I was so glad to read that Sherri didn't write this book in the first few months of her Loss of Bronner, but instead it took place over a 5 year period.  As I said before, I cannot even begin to imagine how to deal with the loss of your baby, a 2 year old sweet blonde haired, blue eyed precious little boy, Your baby boy. But immediately, God moved on the behalf of the Burgess family and NEVER let up.... I mean NEVER!!

Thank you  Litfuse for allowing me to read and review this book in exchange of my honest opinion! I give Bronner a 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s

If I Run by Terri Blackstock

ABOUT THE BOOK:

If I Run (Zondervan, February 2016)

Casey knows the truth. But it won’t set her free.

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up. Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

My Thoughts:

It is safe to say... I. LOVE. TERRI. BLACKSTOCK. So, when given the opportunity to review her latest novel you will most likely find me doing the "happy dance." As soon as I receive the book I calm down and begin reading IMMEDIATELY!!

IF I RUN has so much going on between a murder, a suicide, a missing teen, and lets not forget a group of dirty cops! All of this and one girl who has lived through the pain of losing her Father at the young age of 12. Casey never believed what they said about her father...not even for a minute. She learned at that young age that sometimes police will fail you and all you thought was true! 

As she gets older she is more determined to find the truth. But it's not just black and white, and as Casey learns, finding that truth could cause serious and maybe deadly harm to those she loves!! Will she Run??

I devoured this book in just hours! I was also traveling at the time and was walking/reading in the airport .... yes you know those people that aren't looking where they are going bc they are doing something on their phone or IPAD? yep, that was me!! No worries, I didn't hurt anyone or myself! :) 

Trust Me! If I Run is a DEFINITE 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s!!! I think it should be wayyyy higher than that but its just safe to say....DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!! 

Lightning by Bonnie Calhoun

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Lightning

Revell (October 6, 2015)

by

Bonnie S. Calhoun


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bonnie S. Calhoun is Owner/Director of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Northeast Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and the ACFW ‘2011 Mentor of the Year.”


She loves to write with body count, blood, or blowing things up. She also has mad skills at coding HTML, and website design. And she lives in a log cabin in the woods with fifteen acres and a pond full of bass, though she'd rather buy fish at the grocery store. Bonnie shares her domain with a husband and two cats, all of whom think she’s waitstaff!


Her latest series is a YA dystopian with Revell titled Stone Braide Chronicles. The first book Thunder published in 2014. The second book Lightning published Oct 2015. There are also two FREE e-book short stories. Tremors is the prequel to Thunder, and Aftershock (short story) comes before Lightning.


ABOUT THE BOOK

After she found her real father, life for Selah should have felt settled. But the horrors have just begun. In her broken world of toxic earth and tribal clashes, Selah must battle the forces of nature alongside those in the Mountain who are calling for her blood. Haunted by the pain of mounting losses, she forges on, seeking her lost family and
uncovering new mysteries. But the ultimate betrayal of her own body may soon make her quest impossible as it becomes apparent that what has made her new could also drive her to a life of madness.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Lightning, go HERE.

The Five Times I Met Myself

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Five Times I Met Myself (Thomas Nelson, November 2015)

What if you met your twenty-three-year-old self in a dream? What would you say?

Brock Matthews' once promising life is unraveling. His coffee company. His marriage.

So when he discovers his vivid dreams---where he encounters his younger self---might let him change his past mistakes, he jumps at the chance. The results are astonishing, but also disturbing.

Because getting what Brock wants most in the world will force him to give up the one thing he doesn't know how to let go . . . and his greatest fear is that it's already too late.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1O1Wrle

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James L. Rubart is a professional marketer and speaker. He is the author of the best-selling novel Rooms as well as Book of Days, The Chair, Soul's Gate, Memory's Door, and Spirit Bridge. He lives with his wife and sons in the Pacific Northwest.

Connect with James: website, Twitter, Facebook

My Thoughts:

Oh My!!! Where do I begin! This book is fascinating!! Have you ever wished you could go back in time and change certain situations in your life? I know I have! Well, The Five times I Met Myself, takes us on a journey with Brock Matthews doing just that! Things aren't going so well in many areas of his life so when he learns he can go back and possibly guide things in a different direction, he is thrilled. But like so many things in our lives, just because we change things doesn't mean they're going to work out any better...or will they ?? 

I LOVED this book!!! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s FOR SURE!!!

Thank you LitFuse for allowing me this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review!F