{Sunday} Morning Worship & Praise

Sing like never before, O my soul, I'll worship Your holy name.

"10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)", Matt Redmon

~Have a blessed Sabbath~

Giveaway ~ Falcon by Ronie Kendig (Kindle Copy)

UPDATE TO GIVEAWAY: In Rafflecopter, it says Leave a Blog post comment, BUT you have to FOLLOW the link and leave your comment on the REVIEW post, not on this post. 

I'm so sorry for the confusion! It is my first time using Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review ~ Falcon (Quiet Professionals #3) by Ronie Kendig

 

Special Forces operator Salvatore “Falcon” Russo vowed to never again speak to or trust Lieutenant Cassandra Walker after a tragedy four years ago. But as Raptor closes in on the cyber terrorists responsible for killing two of their own, Sal must put his life—and the lives of his teammates—in her hands. Despite his anger, Cassie is ill-prepared for his resistance and the fallout when she must protect the one asset who can end the attacks. As allies become enemies and hostiles become unlikely partners, Raptor fights for its very existence.

 My Review

I didn’t read this book in the way I typically would. I wanted it to last so I languished over the story for two weeks. I knew it was the end, and who knows how long I will have to wait before the next Kendig series comes out.

Trust me, it was really hard not to push everything aside and finish it in two days because Falcon is full of twists and turns and shocking discoveries –jaw dropping ones. 

The last of The Quiet Professionals, Falcon (Russo) is part of an elite brotherhood of soldiers who risk their lives in some of the most extreme conditions imaginable and come through them wounded, scarred, stronger. But some don’t survive and that’s what ultimately makes this an outstanding and realistic book series. In real life, soldiers die. In real life, traitors are within. In real life, the cover models aresoldiers.  

Falcon is an emotionally captivating story with diverse personalities that work together for a common goal. Tensions are high, not only because of the military situations but because of personal conflicts that drive the story forward. Man, are there conflicts!

Crafted with an expert pen, Kendig once again creates people and places that come alive on the page. By the time you get finished with this book, you’ll feel the betrayal deep in your bones. But you’ll also feel the faith that runs through the souls of these heroes. You’ll come to know the One who gives them hope and a future. 

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. This is my honest opinion, no strings attached. 

: : :

About the Author

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She married her own hunky hero, who’s an Army veteran. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her husband have a full life with four children and two dogs. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of raw, broken characters. Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie’s Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, finaled in numerous contests and reader awards, including ACFW Carol Awards, RWA’s Faith, Hope, & Love’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Awards, Christian Retailing’s Readers’ Choice Awards, INSPY Award, The Christian Manifesto Lime Awards, and FamilyFiction’s Readers’ Choice Choice Awards. Ronie loves people and helping other writers through speaking, workshops, and/or mentoring. Find Ronie at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction) , Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads.

~Happy Reading~

Baby Mockingbird Update & Empty Nest Syndrome

I have enjoyed documenting the hatching and growth of these little birdies.

This photo was taken on May 19th, when they were both wide awake and loudly chirping. 

They are demanding little creatures.

 Look at those big mouths!

8 days old

 On May 23rd, the sun was high over head as I stealthily stepped up to the basket 

and peered over the side.

Awwww.....

They're sleeping!

12 days old

And they even look like Mockingbirds now!

Remember, this is only three days ago and I have not seen them flitting around or trying to get out of the basket. Not once. So you can imagine my utter dismay when my son comes in this morning and says they are gone.

WHAT?!

Gone? 

They can't be. They're still so tiny.

Of course I have to go look because they could be lying hurt on the ground and they can't get back to safety.

Or....

Maybe another bird dragged them out of the nest and has horrid plans for them!

My mind was racing with all kinds of disastrous scenarios.

(I might read a little too much fiction. haha )

But alas, They have just flown the nest! 

I came inside relieved that I didn't find them wounded or dead but with a heavy heart that I missed their triumphant flight to freedom.

According to allaboutbirds.com, by 13 days old they are ready to spread their wings and fly, baby fly!

Perhaps I will catch a glimpse of them frolicking among the bushes. 

I certainly see a lot of activity out there. 

I just kind of feel like an empty nester today.

I hope you've enjoyed my feeble attempt to document one of God's miraculous designs.

Genesis 1:20 (ESV)

 And God said, “...let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”

~Have a blessed day~

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Review ~ From the Start by Melissa Tagg

Bethany House 2015

 Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley.

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

 My Thoughts

Where to start? I read this book in two days. I couldn’t put it down. It’s more than just about two people. There’s a myriad of fascinating characters, so this means there are more books coming. Yay!

Kate and Colton are a great pair. They’re team players. It was easy to watch from the sidelines as they played offense and defense in their verbal play. The chemistry between them is palpable From the Start. See how I got that in there? ;-)  

Seriously, there is usually some glaring flaw that a character has and can often make me not like them until I’m further into the story. Not so with this one. I found the problems they are dealing with to be down to earth and how they handle them seems pretty normal to me.

Melissa’s writing style reminds me of Susan May Warren.  The details are balanced. It’s not overly descriptive, making me sigh in disinterest. It’s written with sparkling dialogue and well-crafted prose. There are fascinating references to football, but then I am a huge professional football fan. Okay, maybe not huge like folks in MN, but I am a staunch Carolina Panther fan. So if you haven’t read Melissa’s books, but do like SMW, then I think you will be satisfied with From the Start and be a new MT fan.

I was provided a copy of this book from the author and publisher for review purposes only. I was not required to write a positive review, just my opinion of the book. No compensation has been received. 

 Read Excerpt Here

Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former newspaper reporter, current nonprofit grant writer, and total Iowa girl. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly at www.melissatagg.com.

A Gorgeous Spring Day

Weather-wise, it's been a beautiful spring as far as temperatures are concerned. Some years it seems like winter just runs right in to summer but not this year. Cool breezes and lazy days tooling around the yard. With the windows open, I wake every morning to the sound of the frogs, crickets, chickens and birds rejoicing in the sun coming up.

On May 9th, my son discovered these two eggs in a flower basket that I took out of the chicken coop and hung on the edge of our deck swing. I had every intention of planting something in it but it looks like it has made a safe nest for a Mockingbird family.

Then on Monday May 11th, they hatched! 

Aren't they the cutest?!

And boy does that one have a big mouth. Must be super hungry. :)

Moma bird was watching me from a telephone wire as I made the picture of her babies. As soon as I was done, she flew right down there to give them a tasty worm, as evidenced in the bottom left photo. 

Well, sort of. She had it in her mouth but it didn't show up well in the photo.

And as I was out strolling through the yard, I took some pictures of the different flowers and vines blooming. Above Moma bird is some sweet smelling Honeysuckle. On the top right are my Sweet Williams. I just love these flowers. They're so colorful and greet me first thing when I open the front door. The top left is some kind of flowering shrub that has a sickeningly sweet smell and I am highly allergic to it. It's pretty but oh my! It causes horrendous sneezing and itching. The only reason they are still there is because more birds nested in them and I hated to whack down their home. But come autumn, when they are all gone....

How is Spring in your area? 

I hope you are enjoying some beautiful weather!

~Have a great day in the Lord~

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3rd Anniversary...

Today, May 13th, marks the third anniversary of my oldest daughter, my firstborn, being ushered into her eternal home. I wrote this poem during the Writing Through the Heartache grief workshop by author Alice Wisler, a grieving mom herself. Writing has been instrumental in the grief process and I haven't shared much of it, but today I wanted to share this poem. Amy had delicate hands and she loved to have them held. And I loved to hold them. I miss that. 
I miss her.

hands

tiny and weak

your newborn hands,

cradled protectively

within my own,

sweet kisses from my lips

cover them in prayer.

slender and cool

your delicate hands,

entwined  gently

within my own,

hot tears and desperate kisses

blanket them in prayer.

warm and strong

your beautiful hands,

reaching out

enfolded safely,

for all eternity

held by Another.

creased and worn,

my cold hands

rest empty,

wet with tears

and

silent prayers.

Written by Anne Payne
April 24^th 2013

The following are Scriptures that show how much the Lord loves us and comforts us in our grief.

Matthew 5:4  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Isaiah 41:10  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Psalm 18:28  “You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Isaiah 43:2  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Truly, without the love and compassion of the Lord and his constant heart, my humanness would fail to uphold me during these last three years.

Praying that each of you who are walking this road of grief feel His presence today and everyday.

~Have a blessed day in the Lord~


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Spine Poetry 2015!

It's always a fun challenge to put together Spine Poetry. I have so many books it's hard to choose which ones to use. There's a bit of a running theme through my entries this year as there was last year...mystery.

The game is afoot. 

 Before the Season Ends, Raptor 6 Whispers from the Shadows,
"The Fruitcake Challenge Rules of Murder."

 The Guardian Duke Abducted all my belongings! 
 wish you were here Before I Wake.

This is my collection of favorite Christian Military Suspense from author Ronie Kendig.
No mystery here that I love her books. They are full of intrigue, adventure, romance, and more!

Sharing @ Spine Poetry Challenge over at Beth Vogt's blog.

EXTRA: Have books? Want more?

Enter the book giveaway blitz from 5 favorite authors by submitting your Spine Poetry now! Join in the fun hosted by: Pepper Basham, Kristy Cambron, Carla Laureano, Beth Vogt and Catherine West! 

Any spine poetry is entered to win a copy of each of our author’s books:

The Thorn Bearer by Pepper Basham
A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron
London Tides by Carla Laureano
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt
Bridge of Faith by Catherine West

If you create a Spine Poetry with any or all of these authors in one collection, you’ll be entered to win THIS mother lode:

Hand-crafted journal
Hand-crafted Swarovski crystal bracelet
Pride & Prejudice DVD
The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron
Yesterday’s Tomorrow by Catherine West
Somebody Like You by Beth Vogt
Downton Abbey inspired tea spoon & tea

Get started with the full tour here: http://wp.me/p63waO-1Sc  
https://promosimple.com/ps/71d3 

AND...

We're also celebrating Beth Vogt's BIRTHDAY
AND we're celebrating the release of Can't Buy Me Love today with giveaways on her author FB page.  
http://on.fb.me/1cfhKSG