Rebecca Reviews ~ Forever Safe by Jody Hedlund

Paperback, First, 342 pages

Expected publication: June 1st, 2016 by Northern Lights Press

 

Race Point, Massachusetts, 1876

Will she ever be able to stop running, even when she believes she’s finally safe?

Heiress to a vast fortune, Victoria Cole has everything she wants, including the perfect fiancé. Having left two other men at the altar, Victoria is sure that now she’s found her true love and will finally live happily ever after. As her wedding draws near, however, Victoria’s life is threatened. To keep her safe, Victoria’s father hires a bodyguard.

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Rebecca's Review

 4 STARS!!!

 

Would Victoria Cole ever feel safe? Recent threats on her life nearly mortally wounded one beloved bodyguard; can recently hired Thomas Cushman possibly provide the protection that she needs, when her wedding date looms only days away?

Tom Cushman makes it a point to provide protection for older women, not beautiful young socialites like Victoria Cole. What could his friend Arch have possibly been thinking, persuading Tom to serve as a bodyguard for the lovely Victoria Cole? When a second attack on the young lady makes it obvious that Victoria needs a secure location, away from family and friends, Tom decides to escort her back to his home at Race Point Lighthouse on Cape Cod, Massachusetts where he can easily intercept intruders from land or sea. Never could he have imagined that he would also need to vigorously protect his own heart, from a woman whose background and lifestyle will never match his own.

"Forever Safe" by Jody Hedlund is a deeply inspirational story, softly blanketed with passionate romance between two individuals whose fears of the past, present and future nearly strangle the life that God intends for them to enjoy. Safe. Forevermore.

I received a copy of this story from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. 

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Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With nearly 28 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".

 

Patriotic Wreath Inspiration

My fingers have been itching to get back in the craft room and make a Military themed wreath. I saw this project on Michael's Pinterest board this morning and knew it's just the inspiration I need!

Michael's

Since I already had a Grapevine Wreath I found at Goodwill for $2.00, I thought this would be an easy and economical project. I have to modify my 'sign' since the one at Michael's is a whopping $25.00! That, my friends, is not in my budget. Not even with a 40% off coupon. I combed through their clearance area and found an alternative 'board', alphabet letters and glitter, along with the prerequisite red bandana. I also found some cute clear stick-on stars that will work for a flag I am painting as my sign. Hopefully, it will look good and not need to go in the trash when I am finished. It's been a while since I made a wreath!  I'm looking forward to working on my project this evening. I'll post finished wreath pictures later.

Have you made any decorations for Military holidays? Where do you go for ideas/inspiration?

~Happy Crafting~

Rebecca Reviews ~ The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson

Published May 15th, 2016 by Ember Roth Books

(first published November 1st, 2010)

After the murder of his partner, Detective Rollin Wells hides away in an Amish home to find out who is collaborating with Cleveland’s notorious mob. While Rollin searches for answers to his partner’s death, he befriends an elusive young Amish woman named Katie and her young son. As Rollin learns about Katie’s past, he’s shocked at the secret Katie is hiding - a secret that has haunted Rollin for almost ten years. 

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Rebecca's Review

 4 STARS!!!

 

Cleveland Detective Rollin Wells has a personal vendetta; find enough evidence to expose the nefarious Cardano family mobsters once and for all, allowing justice to run its course. They stole something very precious from him and Rollin is not about to stop until each and every one of them has been apprehended. He just didn't expect to lose his junior partner in the process.

Katie Lehman and her young son, Henry have embraced the Amish way of life in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Her past is but a distant memory until an injured lawman is found unconscious in a neighbor's barn. One look at his face, and Katie's worst nightmare begins to unfold. How could Rollin Wells possibly have found them?

"The Silent Order" is a story beautifully written; mixing a violent Italian mob family with peace-loving Amish in such a way that the ending seems very much like a new beginning. Enjoy this re-release of a story that deserves to be re-told.

It was my pleasure to receive a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With nearly 28 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".

Random 5 Friday

It's Random 5 Friday, where you share 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever! 

1.  I love riding around in the countryside and finding beautiful old churches here in VA. This one had a sign on it that said it began in the 19th century.

2. I chose Carnations as my flowers for Mother's Day because they last such a long time. I should get at least three weeks of enjoyment out of them.

3. We had a lovely visit with our daughter and her family over Mother's Day and the early part of this week. The grands had a blast at the beach. We played and walked until they were exhausted. Fun memories!

4. I just discovered the BBC program, Call the Midwife. Oh. My. I am addicted!

5. A Raccoon likes to saunter across the deck of our apartment in the evenings. I have let the landlord know about this before but the animal trapper has failed to trap it. Not a happy camper here. Not at all.

Today marks the fourth anniversary of our oldest daughter's home going. I'm trying to think on that which is lovely and pure, which was the embodiment of our Amy. If you feel so inclined, I would appreciate your prayers for our family.

Sharing @

WINNER!!!

Review ~ Playing the Part by Jen Turano

Published March 1st 2016 by Bethany House Publishers

 Jen Turano is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in Clothing and Textiles. She pursued a career in management for nine years before switching to full-time motherhood after the birth of her son. When she's not writing, Jen can be found watching her teenage son participate in various activities, taking long walks with her husband and dog, socializing with friends, or delving into a good book. She lives in suburban Denver, Colorado. Learn more at www.jenturano.com.

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Anne's Review

Lucetta Plum is a popular actress in New York and when a fan’s interest turns obsessive, an elderly friend, Abigail Hart, sweeps her off to a remote estate owned by Bram Haverstein, who just happens to be Abigail’s handsome grandson. Lucetta has no intention of becoming romantically involved with anyone, let alone the mysterious and secretive Bram.  Abigail is a crafty matchmaker though and is sure these two are meant for each other. 

It’s hard to come up with new ways to describe a Jen Turano book. Jen is exceptional at writing comedy interlaced with suspense and faith. Talk about a great twist to the story, I was intrigued with the mystery surrounding Bram and totally surprised when it was revealed. Playing the Part had me laughing out loud many times but then that’s a given with Turano’s stories. You’re always in for a fun ride!

There’s much more to the story; especially Lucetta’s back story. I sure didn’t see any of that coming. Fascinating plot twists, action and suspense, humor and faith all equal a Top Ten Read of 2016 in my book! 

Playing the Part is the third and final book in A Class of Their Own series. Now, I’m sure some will say you can read them in any order as there is enough back story to give the reader a pretty solid foundation, but… my advice is to read them in order to get the full enjoyment these stories bring. 

I want to thank Bethany House for providing me a copy of the book for review purposes. No compensation has been received.

Random 5 Friday

It's Random 5 Friday, where you share 5 random facts about you, your day, your pets, your kids, whatever! 

 

1. This Osprey swooped down on the beach the other day and snagged himself a big fish for supper. You can't see it in the photo but it's there, under the water. A few minutes later another Osprey came along and I thought there was going to be a fight over that fish but the one just stood off to the side watching this one eat.

2. House hunting is not for the faint of heart. We've had six homes that have been snatched right out from under us. My husband and I both dislike the competitive market here. If we had known how difficult it was going to be to find a home (and the actual cost of housing) before he accepted this position, we might not have done it. Seriously.

3. Most of the time it rains. I would have thought there would be more sunshine on the coast but our pastor's wife told me yesterday they usually get more than they've had. What?!

4. I'm really missing my children. Our oldest son was in Tech School last year when Mother's Day rolled around, and this year our youngest son is house sitting for our daughter and her family so they can have a vacation at the beach. Now, granted, they're coming here, but I thought I had a few more years before my youngest wouldn't be with me on Mother's Day. So many changes....

5. Living in an apartment has limited space. It's making me appreciate not having a lot of stuff up here yet. Less really is more!

I hope each one of you has a blessed day!

 Sharing @

 And in case any of you read Kindle books, I'm having a giveaway on this post--  In My TBR (To Be Read) + GIVEAWAY -- You Can't Hurry Love (an E-Novella) by Beth Vogt

 

In My TBR (To Be Read) + GIVEAWAY -- You Can't Hurry Love (an E-Novella) by Beth Vogt

GIVEAWAY has ended!

I always think I'm making a dent in my TBR stack, but with so many great books continuing to come out each month, it just grows and grows and grows.

Here are a few books I'm reading over the next few weeks. Yes, I'm probably overestimating my time available to read since two of these weeks family is coming to visit, but hey, a girl can dream, right?

(You Can't Hurry Love (an E-Novella) by Beth Vogt is up for giveaway!)

And these aren't including some seriously awesome looking books I have won recently! Here's a sampling...

What's in your TBR?

Share in the comments below and you will be entered to win the E-Novella, 

You Can't Hurry Love by Beth Vogt!

Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A 2015 RITA^® Finalist and a two-time Carol Award finalist, Beth is a contemporary romance novelist with Howard Books. Her 2014 novel, Somebody Like You, was one of Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2014.  Beth enjoys writing contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Find out more about her books at bethvogt.com. An established magazine writer and former editor of Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth is also part of the leadership team for My Book Therapy, the writing community founded by best-selling author Susan May Warren.  

Beth is one of my favorite Christian fiction authors! Be sure and visit her website or connect with her on Facebook.

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Leave your email address in a non-spammy format like this -- you[at]here[dot]com -- to be entered to win an E-Novella copy of You Can't Hurry Love!

Being a follower is not required for the giveaway but is greatly appreciated. :)

Giveaway ends May 11. Open Internationally. Winner will be notified by email on May 12.

DISCLAIMER!!!
For the most part, ebooks can be 'sent' anywhere, BUT on occasion, when trying to send to Australia, they haven't been able to be redeemed.  Just so you know, in case you live in an area where it's finicky. I've never had trouble 'sending' to anywhere in Europe,although there's a first time for everything. So there's my International Disclaimer! :-)

~Happy Reading~