Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Rebecca Reviews ~ Keep Holding On (Walker Family #3) by Melissa Tagg

RELEASE DAY!!!

Paperback, 346 pages
Published September 27th 2016 by Larkspur Press

Swoon-worthy Romance. Small-town Charm. 
Best friends reunite in Tagg's latest novel of second chances and enduring love.  
Beckett Walker hasn't stepped foot in Maple Valley in years. There's no getting past the painful memories, and there's every chance he'll be arrested as soon as he shows his face. Which is exactly what happens when he finally returns. Suddenly his dream of adventure as a military lawyer comes skidding to a halt.

Horticulturist Kit Danby has spent too much time missing home and her childhood best friend--Beckett Walker. Now she might have a shot at reclaiming both. After years of living abroad, she returns to run her family's apple orchard. She has one season to turn a profit and impress the father she barely knows. But she can't do it alone.

It should be simple: Beckett needs community service hours. Kit needs a helping hand. But there's more at stake than either of them planned. With a tangled past and futures that look nothing alike, they'll have to find a way to weather the storms of the present . . . or risk losing everything.


Purchase link:
Amazon
 
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Rebecca's Review
4 STARS!!! 

"Sometimes God whispers. Sometimes He shouts. He doesn't always communicate the same way twice, but . . . . . . . even when we are confused, God is faithful."

Kit Danby and Beckett Walker are confused; about life, about love, about the future, about their calling. Yet, they have both ended up back in their home town, working together on Kit's fledgling apple farm, in spite of the fact that Beckett maintains plans to leave Maple Valley again very soon.

Completing hundreds of community service hours, to erase a years-old local warrant, Beckett's dream job; becoming an JAG Corps Officer, is just within reach. Kit, on the other hand, is determined to remain local, working tirelessly to revitalize her grandparents' orchard property into an iconic Maple Valley tourism destination. Being around Beckett, after years of separation and unresolved memories, has been a blessing and a heartache, because those closest to Kit's heart have always left her behind.

Melissa Tagg has written a beautifully scripted story, rippling with tender romance and deep inspiration, reminding her readers of a mighty God, who is faithful to all His promises and extraordinarily reckless in His unwavering love.

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




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".
 
~Happy Reading~
 

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Rebecca Reviews ~ Newton and Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace by Jody Hedlund

Happy Release Day!!! 

Paperback, 400 pages
Published September 20th 2016 by WaterBrook

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found 

 
Now remembered as the author of the world s most famous hymn, in the mid-eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton is a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life. His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father until the night he hears Polly Catlett s enchanting voice, caroling. He s immediately smitten and determined to win her affection.
An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John s reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerns for the responsible, devout Polly. When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever. Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves?
Step back through the pages of history, to uncover the true love story behind a song that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe."


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Rebecca's Review
5 STARS!!!

"He hated his father. He hated God. Most of all he hated himself."

How could the same man, once filled with so much hate, manage to pen the words to one of Christendom's most beloved hymns? . . . . .. . The answer is startlingly simple, amazing grace.

It was love at first sight for John Newton. Polly Catlett had the voice of an angel, coupled with a face and form that a man could not easily forget. Innocent, enchanting and deeply religious, Polly embodied everything that Newton was not, for although young and intelligent, John Newton was daring, reckless and habitually irresponsible.

Paying the price for his obstinate behavior, John finds himself impressed into the British navy, violently punished for insubordination and ripped from any hope of a future with the lovely Polly. Yet his steadfast devotion to her memory, along with God's powerful, providential and unconditional love, ultimately saves Newton's life; paving the way for one of history's most incredulous stories surrounding a prodigal, who finds his way home.

"Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see." Jody Hedlund has penned a masterpiece!

I received an advance 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".
 
~Happy Reading~

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Review ~ Almost Like Being in Love (Destination Wedding Series #2) by Beth K. Vogt

Paperback, 384 pages
Published June 28th 2016 by Howard Books (first published May 17th 2016)

5 STARS!!!

Vogt's skill with a pen is AH-MAZ-ING! Heart and soul, I was transported along on the journeys of Caron, Alex, and Kade. This isn't your average feel-good romance although it certainly contains romance. J The characters bear real life struggles and they're worked out on the page with refined delicacy. It's an emotional read encompassing disappointment, fear, joy, and love-- just to name a few. The settings leap off the page, they're so descriptive! And the secondary characters…let’s just say this supporting cast is perfect!


I highly recommend this book to fans of Contemporary/Christian/Inspirational fiction. 


I received a copy from the author and publisher in exchange for review purposes. No compensation has been received.


Pick up a copy at a favorite retailer.
 Amazon 
Barnes & Noble
CBD

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About Beth


Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” Beth is a 2016 Christy Award winner, as well as a 2015 RITA® finalist, and three-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. She continues her destination wedding series with You Can’t Hurry Love (May 2016) and Almost Like Being in Love (June 2016). Visit Beth at bethvogt.com.


~Happy Reading~ 

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Review ~ A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M White

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!

A Lady Unrivaled 
Ladies of the Manor
Book 3 


Congratulations, Roseanna, on another magnificent book! 


5 STARS!!!

I wasn't sure how this series was going to conclude -- although I knew it would be good because it's written by one of the most gifted writers of our day -- but I could not have imagined a better finale! 

James Cayton was not a character to swoon over in the first two books. But in this one, he is walking a road of redemption and it is beautiful! The things he feels are so real. I could relate easily to many of his thoughts about himself and his role in others lives. And he is the sweetest daddy!!! Be still my heart!

Ella...oh, Ella. I wasn't sure about you either but you captured me from the beginning! Your personality so completely matches your facial expression on the cover. I could just imagine that it really is you! You are brave and loving and compassionate with just the right touch of mischievousness. 

I completely and utterly enjoyed the interaction between these two characters. The ensemble cast is spectacular too! I stretched out reading this book for over a week because I didn’t want it to end. It’s supposed to be a 'fix' for us Downton Abbey fans, right?! The least Roseanna could do is make it a six book series. Okay, I know that’s unreasonable so how about five? ;-)

Seriously, if you haven’t read Ladies of the Manor series, you are missing out on some exciting intrigue and romance and faith-filled moments. I know at one point I gasped when a certain characters' deed was hinted at and then I exclaimed out loud No, no, no! Then there is the heart-melting moment when ‘fiction becomes reality’ and Cayton and Ella discover they really do love one another.  *Sigh worthy*

I highly recommend this book! It’s definitely on my favorite list for 2016. 

I received a copy from the author and Bethany House for review purposes only. No compensation has been received.



Pick up a copy (or all three if you haven't read them) at a favorite retailer.
 Amazon 
Barnes & Noble
CBD

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About Roseanna



Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of nine novels, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. Roseanna lives with her family in West Virginia. Learn more at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

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~Happy Reading~