Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

  

As a young girl Cate lost her mom and ended up raising her sister Betsy. Now as a young Amish woman almost past the typical age for marriage, Cates dad decrees that Betsy cannot “court” unless Cate is being courted. The only problem is Betsy already has someone courting her.

When Pete arrives and gets the job working in the showroom working for Cates dad, plans are set in motion. Ultimately, will Cate settle for a marriage of convince? Will her sister Betsy use Cate to get what she wants like always? Will dad find out before Cate marries? Does life get worse for Cate as a wife?

I enjoyed how the author kept changing course so you never know what is around the next page. This was a great novel about family and life doesn’t always work as planned and that it can be messy.

I am happy to give this book a five star rating.

 

I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House Publishers.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

 

A Marriage of the Heart by Kelly Long

This is a collection of three Amish stand alone books by the author.

In “A Perfect Secret” Luke and Rose set to marry but do they know each other? Luke has a secret; can he keep Rose from finding out the truth? Can Rose love him during this difficult time?

In “Christmas Cradles” midwife Anna has three potential babies to deliver on Christmas. Anna is helping her Aunt while she is away on vacation. Asa is to be her driver if someone goes into labor. Asa and Anna are single and past the typical marriage age for Amish young people. Asa and Anna seem to be drawn to each other. Will Anna’s self-reliance get in the way? Will Asa’s past keep him from wanting a future with Anna?

In “A Marriage of the Heart” Abigail hoodwinks Joseph into marriage. Her deceit gets her into a hasty marriage. Can Abigail and Joseph find love for each other? Abigail is looking for a way out of Amish life and thinks Joseph is too. At one time Joseph had a problem with addiction to pills. Will this ruin their marriage? Can they come to love one another?

I like that the author has included some Amish recipes in the back of the book. Each book has a reading group guide. I found the novellas easy to read and entertaining.

I am pleased to give this collection a four star rating.

 

I received this book free from the publisher through BookSneeze.com.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

Wow. I couldn’t put this book down. I so enjoyed how Lydia and Bane bantered. This is so uncommon for the main characters to behave in such a way. It really worked for the novel.

A battle with Opium addiction is woven throughout the novel. The Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup was actually marketed for baby’s and teething children. This was a very real problem for people in Europe and America from 1849 until 1930’s.

The (ONI) Office of Naval Intelligence was established in 1882.

I appreciate the author’s attention to historical accuracy while writing this novel.

I am thrilled to give this book a five star rating.

 

I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House Publishers.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

The Imagination Station Books 8 &9

Battle for Cannibal Island by Marianne Hering * Wayne Thomas Baston

Join Patrick and Beth as they journey to the Cannibals. On the island they become separated…Patrick is with a sailor and they find the King of the Cannibals, while Beth is with missionary James Calvert.  Can Calvert find the king of the Cannibals and keep Beth safe? Will the king of the Cannibals kill them if they are found? Join Patrick and Beth on their island adventure.

Escape to the Hiding Place by Marianne Hering * Marshall Younger

Join Patrick and Beth as they travel by bike to the hiding place. During WWII travel in Holland is very dangerous, but can Patrick and Beth make a special delivery before they get caught by the Gestapo? Can Patrick and Beth get to safety? Yes, but once there are they able to deliver their special package – a baby to its mother in hiding. Join Patrick and Beth as they meet up with Corrie Ten Boom and help the Resistance Movement!

I love Adventures in Odyssey! I am so excited about being able to pass these two books on to my children. I know they will enjoy them just as much (if not more) than myself! In the back of each book they have included secret word puzzles.

I am pleased to give both books a five star rating.

Visit : www.TheImaginationStaion.com

Recommended for ages 7 and up.

I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale House Publishers.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

 

Taming the Wind by Tracie Peterson

 

 Book #3 Land of the Lone Star

 

 

This is book three in the Land of the Lone Star Series. If you haven’t read the first two, I would recommend reading them. You can read this one without reading the other two books.

Carissa is struggling with trust and fear issues. Tyler has anger and hate issues. He longs to avenge his father’s death. I like how the author has Carissa and Tyler working through issues, while having thoughts of each other.

Can Carissa and Tyler work through them so they can be together? Is that the Lord’s will for them or does Carissa need to stay a single mom and Tyler destined to avenge his father’s death, that leads Tyler down a pit of despair?

I am pleased to give this book a five star rating.

I had the pleasure to read the first two books in this series. You can read my reviews below:

Book #1

http://readitsfundamental.blogspot.com/2012/05/chasing-sun-by-tracie-peterson.html

Book #2
http://readitsfundamental.blogspot.com/2012/07/touching-sky-by-tracie-peterson.html

I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House Publishers.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

A Big Life by Peter Horne

I love the fact that God chose to use such an ordinary person like John Heerema.  John’s life was not easy, as a young boy he had major struggles. He chose to persevere through them especially when times were tough. John shares with us in detail about his young life and the process that God took him through. It is very evident that God chose to use John and his wife Kathy. Kathy shares with us her own journey to God and it wasn’t an easy one. John and Kathy are real everyday people…almost like friends. This makes for a very easy comfortable read.

I am thrilled to see another “style” of missions. Sometimes I get the feeling that we try to limit the things that God wants to do because we are not ready or are afraid of what people might say or think. I LOVE that John is sooooo willing to think outside “the box.” We need to get rid of the box because God’s plans are too huge for any size box we might want to make.

I think this book will help people understand that we can do missions work in many different ways. When God chooses to use someone, He will remove the “obstacles” or what we humans see as obstacles out of the way. God wants to use all of us but we need to be willing vessels for Him. John and Kathy are such vessels! Will you let God use you as a vessel for Him and His cause? People are yearning for Him. We need to get Him out of our box and let Him have free reign over our lives.

Thank you John and Kathy for your example of following God in His timing and His direction! Will you let God use you His way and not yours?

I am pleased to give this book a five star rating.

I received this book free from the publisher through Gloria S. Lee, A. Larry Ross Communications.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The River by Michael Neale

This is an easy read. This is a great “guy” book. It’s not romance it’s about fear, grief, and resentment. The river is used to show a variety of things in this story. If you’re into white water rapids then you will love this book.

 Gabriel has a difficult situation happen to him at a young age. It ultimately changes his life…but can/will he let the river change the way he sees things? Gabriel became captured by the “river” and was free for adventure and love.

I am pleased to give this book a four star rating.

 

I received this book free from the publisher through BookSneeze.com.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255