WINNER...

Congratulations!!!

You won Heart of Mercy by Sharlene MacLaren!

I can't believe how many people haven't read any of Sharlene's books! I encourage each of you to check with your local library. I'm sure they will carry some of them. Or you can use the purchase link below. I make a small commission on the sale of the book.

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Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Giveaway ~ Heart of Mercy by Sharlene MacLaren

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About the Book

Mercy Evans has known a great deal of heartache and hardship in her 26 years. She lost her mother at a young age and was only 16 when her father was killed in a brawl sparked by a feud with the Connors family that spans several generations. When a house fire claims the lives of her two best friends, Mercy is devastated, but finds comfort in caring for their two sons, who survived thanks to a heroic rescue by Sam Connors, blacksmith in the small town of Paris, Tennessee. Yet the judge is determined to grant custody only if Mercy is married. Mercy loves the boys as her own, and she’ll go to any lengths to keep them—but what if that means marrying the son of the man who killed her father?  Set in the 1880’s, Heart of Mercy is the first book in MacLaren’s new Tennessee Dreams series.

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Whitaker House has graciously consented to give away a print copy of this fabulous book to one of my blog readers. Aren't they grand?! 

Just leave a comment below letting me know why you would like to read the book, and you will be entered in the drawing. 

Just saying "Enter me" will not get you entered.

Please share with your friends for an extra entry, if they tell me YOU sent them!

Giveaway is open to US only (lower 48) due to postage costs. Ends June 25th!

I will contact the winner by email (be sure and leave me one). You'll have three days to contact me with a mailing address that I can forward to the publisher so they can send you the book. 

If winner doesn't contact me within that time, I will choose another winner!

***UPDATE- IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE LEAVING A COMMENT, PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL TO DUHPAYNES[AT]GMAIL[DOT]COM INSERTING AN @ AND . IN THE CORRECT PLACES.***

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Have a blessed day in the Lord!

 ~ Giveaway has ended ~

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Review ~ Somebody Like You by Beth Vogt

Book Blurb (from Goodreads)

Can a young widow find love again with her husband’s reflection?

Haley’s three-year marriage to Sam, an army medic, ends tragically when he’s killed in Afghanistan. Her attempts to create a new life for herself are ambushed when she arrives home one evening—and finds her husband waiting for her. Did the military make an unimaginable mistake when they told her Sam was killed?

Too late to make things right with his estranged twin brother, Stephen discovers Sam never told Haley about him. As Haley and Stephen navigate their fragile relation­ship, they are inexorably drawn to each other. How can they honor the memory of a man whose death brought them together—and whose ghost could drive them apart?

Somebody Like You is a beautifully rendered, affecting novel, reminding us that while we can’t change the past, we have the choice to change the future and start anew.

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My Review

Displaying  a mastery of writing skills, Beth Vogt has penned an astonishingly complex and emotional novel. Somebody Like You is a deeply moving story about a pregnant young widow whose husband Sam, after only three years being married, has been killed in Afghanistan. 

Haley, otherwise known as ‘Hal’, grew up having three older brothers that she had to keep up with or be left out. Over the years, she developed the persona of being ‘one of the guys’. That’s one of the traits that attracted Sam to her in the first place. He always said she was the perfect Army wife; he didn't have to worry about her while he was deployed (which was most of their marriage) because she was independent and strong. At her core, she wonders how she is going to manage everything without Sam; taking care of a new house and a baby. And then her world is rocked again. Is that her deceased husband back from the grave, standing on her front porch?

Stephen Ames has been estranged from his twin brother, Sam, for over a decade.  When he gets news that Sam has died, he is filled with remorse and wonders how will he reconcile now that his brother is gone. He decides to seek out Sam’s widow in hopes of learning about his brother’s life the past decade and somehow make amends. Stephen is the opposite of Sam in so many ways, except looks. In fact, they were mirror twins, so when he shows up on Haley’s doorstep, she thinks Sam survived after all. That scene in the book is one of the most touching and wrenching I believe I have read in a long while. Can you imagine someone that you thought was gone, reappearing?

Somebody Like You is a beautiful book, from the lovely cover to the words on the pages. While I felt the sadness and sorrow over Sam’s death, I enjoyed watching Haley and Stephen get to know one another. They had to let go of expectations of themselves and each other, much like we do in real life. And the scenes between Stephen and the baby are precious! He really is the best fictional uncle J

There’s such a great blend of faith, grief, humor and just plain fun in this story. I know it sounds kind of crazy. How can all those things go together? But they do, and quite perfectly at that.

I appreciate the author and Howard Books providing me a copy for review purposes. My honest opinion is all that was required. No monetary compensation has been received.

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About the Author

God’s best is often found behind the doors marked “Never.”

So many times I approached life with with a virtual roll of yellow duct tape emblazoned with the word NEVER. Over and over again I sealed off certain opportunities.

I would never marry a doctor or anyone in the military.

I would never have children.

I would never write fiction.

And don’t you know God stripped off the duct tape and walked me through each of those NEVER doors?

Have you ever marked a door NEVER … only to discover his best waited where you said you’d never go?

Following God through that door doesn’t mean we’re on “easy street,”‘even though we’re where he wants us to be.

Connect with Beth @ www.bethvogt.com

Contributor Review ~ A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert

From WaterBrook Press

“A Broken Kind of Beautiful” – reviewed by Rebecca Maney

It's the kind of story that movies are made of! Fantastic, yet realistic; gut-wrenching, but satisfying; the healing power and nature of God's unfailing love was displayed in all of its glory through-out the pages of this book. Watching Ivy Clark metamorphose from a pile of shattered pieces into a totally new creation was a beautiful thing to behold. And the fact that her journey left a wake of answered prayers made the story even better.

Ivy Clark, super-model and Davis Knight, photographer par excellence, meet up again, after many years, in the small town of Greenbriar, South Carolina. When their lives are inextricably thrust together in a town fund-raising effort, their careers and their dreams are muddled with doubts, regrets, and hidden agendas. Davis and his aunt are confident that God has called them to "see" the beautiful-on-the-outside, but empty-on-the inside Ivy as she truly is; but, how to "fix" her? . . . . . .. is another matter indeed.

I read and enjoyed Katie's first two books, but this one is in a class all its own!

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Have you read this book? I know it is now on my TBR list after reading Rebecca's review.

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Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Giveaway ~ Just 18 Summers by Rene Gutteridge & Michelle Cox

About the Book

After the tragic death of Butch Browning's wife, Jenny, four families begin to realize how precious--and fleeting--their time together is. Each is at a different stage in life: Butch is facing single parenthood. The O'Reillys are expecting their first child. The Andersons are approaching an empty nest, and the Buckleys are so focused on providing their children with everything that they've forgotten what they truly need. With just eighteen summers before their children are grown, how do they make the most of that time when life so often gets in the way?As summer flies by, each of these parents must learn about guilt and grace . . . and when to hold on to their kids and when to let go.

Author Bios

Rene Gutteridge

Rene Gutteridge is the award-winning and bestselling author of

twenty-two novels,including her latest releases, Misery Loves Company (suspense), Greetings from the Flipside (comedy), and Heart of the Country (drama). Her recent suspense titles also include Listen, Possession, and Escapement. She has novelized seven screenplays and movies, including two new releases due out in 2014, Just 18 Summers and Old Fashioned. Never the Bride, a romantic comedy with screenwriter Cheryl McKay, won the Carol Award in 2010 for best women's fiction.


Her indie film—the comedy Skid, based on her novel—is in postproduction and due to release in 2014. Rene is a creative consultant on Boo, a film based on her beloved novel series, which is in development at Sodium Entertainment with Cory Edwards attached as director and Andrea Nasfell as screenwriter. Rene is also a cowriter in a collaborative comedy project called The Last Resort with screenwriters Torry Martin and Marshal Younger.

Find Rene on Facebook and Twitter or at her website, www.renegutteridge.com.

Michelle Cox

Michelle Cox is a speaker, songwriter, conference and webinar instructor, and the author of seven books. She has been a guest on numerous radio and television programs, including Hannity, The Harvest Show and Focus on the Family. Most importantly, she’s a wife, mom to three sons, and grandmother of five perfect grandchildren. Visit her websites at 

www.michellecoxinspirations.com  and  www.just18summers.com

Read Michelle's guest post here: 

Michelle Cox shares about Just 18 Summers + Giveaway

***UPDATE- I will combine the comments from BOTH posts when the giveaway is over in order to choose a winner

Tyndale House Publishers is offering one print copy to a reader of Stuff & Nonsense. You must be a follower of this blog and leave a comment below sharing about a memorable family vacation to be entered. Don't forget to leave an email address so you can be contacted if you win!
US ONLY  Ends 4/11.

Purchase link:

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Review ~ Caught in the Middle by Regina Jennings

Bethany House Publishers (April 1, 2014)

Contributor Review from Rebecca Maney

"Is God to be loved apart from His gifts?" "Is He to be obeyed despite the consequences?" Anne Tillerton and Nicholas Lovelace are about to find out. 

First impressions are important; and first chapters can drive readers to distraction or immerse them into a story line with amazing results. "Caught in the Middle" has a great first chapter. Anne Tillerton, disguised as a man, happens on the same train as Nicholas Lovelace, obviously a man; when they suddenly discover that they have been acquainted in the past. Before they can fully decide what to do with that revelation, their train is overtaken with bandits; and Anne saves Nick's life with her quick thinking and even quicker draw of her gun.

Both head to Garber, Texas; Nicholas to resume his business as a railroad transportation specialist, providing valuable lumber for a large railroad company, and Anne to hunt down a runaway cook from the Pushmahata Indian Territory depot. Both become "derailed" when their paths cross again; Anne is homeless and guardian of the runaway cook's young son and Nicholas discovers that his recent appointment to the county commission is a ruse to ensure that he votes against a proposed bridge project.

There were so many things that I loved about this book; great characters, an interesting story line and deep, personal struggles that took courage to resolve. Anne is an amazing young woman; she has survived a difficult childhood and a murderous, abusive husband. Although smart and witty, her broken heart is terrified of love. Nicholas learns, mostly the hard way, that there are more important things in life than money and fame. People whom he thought were honorable friends become ruthless enemies when threatened with exposure. When Annie takes off with Sammy, to avoid relinquishing custody of a child she has grown to love, Nick follows her. They are both driven to overcome their fears of total commitment; to their God and to each other, if a deep attraction is ever going to grow into an enduring love. 

"Caught in the Middle" is an amazing book that I was privileged to receive from the author as an advance reader. Regina Jennings has now written three great stories and I am thrilled to know that there is a fourth one on the horizon!

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Review ~ Life Support by Candace Calvert

About the Book  Nurse Lauren Barclay put her life on hold to keep a watchful eye on her troubled sister. It's why she's back in Houston. But that means confronting the brooding physician assistant who caused painful turmoil in her family--and left Lauren with memories her heart can't forgive.PA and single parent Elijah Landry is no stranger to stormy relationships, including one with his father, who is threatening him with a restraining order. It won't stop Eli from protecting his disabled brother--or from making peace with Lauren. He wants that and so much more.But as Lauren and Eli draw closer, a powerful hurricane roars toward Houston. Survival instincts take priority and everything changes. Can hope weather the storm?

My Review

There are times I read a book, put it down and basically forget the story. This was not the case with Life Support! My heart strings were being pulled from one side to the other like a rope during a rousing game of tug of war.

The  medical drama present is riveting. At a certain point, I thought the author was going to take the story to a place I did not want it to go but instead she gave voice to one of the characters that lifted my heart and brought about happy tears. I was left with no doubt that the situations portrayed could be true.

Life Support  is a beautiful story of the love between two brothers, the love between two sisters, and the love between two people who have devoted their lives to watching over their siblings. The story is quite satisfying with just the right touch of faith, suspense and romance. Fans of medical fiction will enjoy this fast-paced, arresting read.

I want to thank Tyndale House for providing me with an advanced reader electronic copy for review purposes through Netgalley. My honest opinion is all that is required. No other compensation is received.

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Author Bio (short)

Former ER nurse, wife, Mom and grandmother, Candace Calvert believes that love, laughter, and faith are the bestmedicines of all. Her new Mercy Hospital Series for Tyndale House offers readers charismatic characters, pulse-pounding medical drama, romance, humor, suspense--and a prescription for hope. Think, “Grey’s Anatomy finds its soul.” 

http://www.candacecalvert.com/ 

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Review ~ Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley

Available now!!!

Gunpowder Tea 

A female Pinkerton agent goes undercover. A male Wells Fargo agent goes undercover.

Same place. Same time. Same ‘ranch’ channel. Ok, I couldn’t resist J

Seriously, Gunpowder Tea is the highlight of The Brides of Last Chance Ranch series for me! With her trademark humor firmly in place, Margaret Brownley brings the adventure and mystery to an impressive conclusion.

Miranda Hunt has made a name for herself as one of the best Pinkerton agents. Applying to be the heiress of Last Chance Ranch is the perfect cover to find the criminal she’s looking for. Jeremy Taggart has so many aliases it’s hard to know what his real name is anymore but he’s hot on the trail of a gang leader, The Phantom. Hiring on as a ranch hand brings him into close proximity. Both Miranda and Jeremy are strong characters, with realistic flaws, that learn to work together toward a mutual goal. Their investigative techniques and interaction played out magnificently. I felt as if I was watching a classic western movie.

If you enjoy historical stories set in the west that are filled with mystery, humor and romance, you’re sure to love all the books in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch series, especially Gunpowder Tea.  A totally satisfying end to a delightful series!

In exchange for my honest opinion, Margaret Brownley sent me an ARC of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. 

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Have you read Margaret's books? If so, do you have a favorite?

Review ~ The Truth About Forgiveness by John MacArthur

"The greatest measuring rod of love in the life of a Christian may be forgiveness, because God showed His love to us in terms of forgiveness." ―John MacArthur

Does anyone really want to forgive? Or admit that we need forgiveness? Whether we're giving or receiving, forgiveness is hard. It seems unfair. It feels unnatural. And as best-selling author and pastor John MacArthur demonstrates, forgiveness apart from Christ is unnatural. It is only as we understand our need, Christ's power and example, and what it reallly means to love that we can embrace two of the most liberating acts of love: forgiving and being forgiven.

The Truth About Series

For decades MacArthur has encouraged countless Christians to develop a deeper understanding of the Bible and a greater respect for God's truth. In The Truth About series, he now gathers his landmark teachings about core aspects of the Christian faith in one place. These powerful books are designed to give readers a focused experience that centers on God's character and how it applies to their daily walk of faith. 

My Review

Pastor John MacArthur is renowned for his clear and precise teaching of God’s Word. Although this tiny, truth filled book is a tough one to swallow in the opening pages, I believe it is full of sound and true doctrinal statements about forgiveness.

Reiterating that we must first recognize sin as sin, and not gloss it over as a sickness, disease or disorder, The Truth About Forgiveness is hard hitting and convicting. The truth is…we must confess our sin and repent, turning away from that which has ensnared us, by the strength and victory that we receive through Christ Jesus.

The book gives solid evidence that God requires we forgive others. That’s not always easy to do, but it is necessary.  As Pastor MacArthur states, “The blood of Christ cries for forgiveness.” (Pg. 113) Contained within these seven short and decisive chapters are a raw and intimate look at God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, and how each plays a part in forgiveness.

The thing I love the most about John MacArthur’s books, especially this one, is his straight forward approach to the Gospel. There’s no glossing over, no making the Christian walk into a life of rainbows and lollipops, but showing me the way to have a deeper and more committed relationship with my Savior.

I received a copy of this book from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation has been received.

If you use the product widget below to purchase a copy, I make a small commission form the sale of the of the book.

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