Every Woman's Read ~ Your Heart's Desire by Sheri Rose Shepherd ~ Nonfiction Review

During a month where I have been talking about “not settling” for less than God’s best in your life, I feel privileged to have had the chance to read this nonfiction book.

            I don’t read much else but fiction, so to tear me away from my beloved novels takes some doing. This book was full of so much to offer and I’m so glad I read a chapter a night in addition to my devotions.

            Sheri Rose has an honest, humble way of teaching, making you feel as though you might be sharing stories over a plate of cookies and lemonade. Her wisdom and candor are a welcome breath of fresh air and the 14 truths for how you love are a powerful new way to look at how we as women so often act.

            In a time where women settle for less than best or fight their man to become who “they” think he needs to become to fit “their” needs, this book shows that often the best thing we can do is love with God’s love, because His romance is the ultimate love story.

            I would definitely encourage single, married, young and old to read this book. The prayers and words from God at the end of the chapters were a special blessing to me. And I found myself wanting to apply this not just to married life someday, but to my days right now.

            This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

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More about the book....

Hope and healing for every woman who has ever loved a man

Bestselling author and Bible life coach Sheri Rose Shepherd shares 14 truths that will forever change the way you love and are loved. This book is written for the married woman who loves her man but struggles in her marriage. It’s for the single woman who wants to find a godly man to love and for the divorced woman who believed in her marriage until her man walked out.

Each chapter has life-challenging love stories, love coaching, powerful prayers, inspiring scriptural love letters, and a Transforming Truth.

If you’re ready for a refreshing perspective on love, men, and marriage, this book is for you.

Unique and Entertaining ~ Love in Disguise by Carol Cox ~ Review

Pinkerton detective agency? Undercover agents? Romance? History? Dastardly deeds? Hmm, yes please!

           

From just a little bit of the book’s plot, I was eager to get my hands on this novel. It has those qualities to the story structure and characters that set it apart, especially in today’s historical fiction genre. I wasn’t disappointed.

           

There is much to love about this book. Ellie is a rookie Pinkerton detective, playing not one, but two operatives. The quirky and funny things that happen to her once she is in disguise, keep the story an element of lighthearted. But there is plenty of serious to go around.

          

  The mystery of the silver mine thieves was well portrayed and even a bit surprising once I found out who the real villains were.

            

The romance was so sweet! Ellie might have fallen in love, but what happens when the man who loves you…actually loves the woman you’ve become to solve the mystery? If that doesn’t make you want this story nothing else will.

          

  Story was solid. Plot was well founded. The writing was enjoyable. The novel has that star quality about it that makes you want to keep reading. I loved the uniqueness of it all.

            

Overall, four stars to a good book. One I’m glad I took the time to read.

           

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review. 


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More about the book and author....

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Love in Disguise Bethany House Publishers (June 1, 2012) by Carol Cox


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Native Arizonan Carol Cox has an abiding love for history, mystery, and romance. The author of more than 25 books, she believes in the power of story to convey spiritual truths. Carol lives with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where deer and antelope really do play--within view of the family's front porch.








ABOUT THE BOOK

When costume-maker Ellie Moore suddenly finds herself out of a job in the middle of a bleak Chicago winter, she uses her knowledge of theatrical disguise to secure a position as an undercover operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her assignment: find the culprit behind the theft of silver shipped from the mines near Pickford, Arizona.


Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie begins her investigation. Soon she finds she must also pose as the dazzling young Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Love in Disguise, go HERE.

Giveaway! Love Finds You in New Orleans, Louisiana by Christa Allan!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Christa Allan, it is great to have you here! Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

I probably shouldn’t admit this in public, but I once won first place at a talent show for a stand-up comic routine. The show was for charity, so perhaps the award was as well!

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

                I think my ADD-ness extends to my reading and writing because my bookshelves (and floor) are jammed with almost every genre. And just when I think I’m not all that into science fiction or historical novels or mystery, along come books like The Hunger Games and everything by Sarah Addison Allen.

 My first genre choice for both would be women’s fiction. I like developing characters who come to see that they are so much stronger than they ever thought they were. Yet the paradox is that God can only work through our weaknesses t demonstrate his grace.  Love Finds You in New Orleans was the first historical I’ve written, and I enjoyed immersing myself in another century and coming to know those characters. I hope to write another historical.

Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

No piece of writing is ever finished…it’s just due.

5 things you love?

 Besides my family and God, I love…

1. When my husband leaves for work and sets a just-brewed cup of coffee on my nightstand (wait, is that a thing?)

2. Blue Bell Mocha Almond Fudge ice cream

3. Boiled shrimp

4. Sitting on my balcony watching the sun collapse.

5. Every day I wake up breathing!

What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

I’ve come to realize that what’s most made me fell like a published author is the privilege of interacting with readers either through emails, letters, comments, book clubs, Skype sessions.  I am still amazed listening to readers as they discuss the people in my novels and knowing they see them as real as I do.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

My blog: Christa Allan

Twitter: ChristaAllan

Facebook: Christa Allan, Author

Pinterest

Thank you for being with us today!

My pleasure. Thanks for letting me hang out on your blog!

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Christa's first historical novel!

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on June 22nd.

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

Special Giveaway! Worship Music CD!!

Hey everyone!! Happy Saturday to you. :-) Do you like worship music? I LOVE to sing my praises to my Creator. Preferably in the car. Loud. ;-)

I got this CD to review and wanted to share it with one of my readers! If you like contemplative worship then I'll bet you love this collection of songs from Lisa Troyer. Also, the winner will get to choose a book from my swap list on my Bookstore Page. 

So...leave a comment telling me why you love worship music, or what kind of music you love and I'll enter you! Contest will run until next Friday, 6/15.

Happy Saturday!!!

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Inspirational music & message from Circle of Friends President Lisa Troyer

Every woman needs acceptance, love and a place to belong. That’s the underlying theme of the new music CD, A Place to Belong (Lifeway Worship) from singer/songwriter Lisa Troyer, president of Circle of Friends Ministries. Refreshingly authentic and dynamic, the companion worship CD to Troyer’s recently released book, A Place to Belong: Out of Our Comfort Zone and into God’sAdventure (Barbour Publishing), tenderly draws women into a place of true freedom and belonging in the very heart of God. In her book,Troyer shares her own journey to acceptance as well as the story of a group of dynamic “women helping women” who call themselves the Circle of Friends. Troyer encourages readers to form their own circle of friends, a safe place of truth and love where women can develop lasting relationships and discover together the purposes of God for their lives.

Obviously noticeable in both the book and CD is Troyer’s passion to lead others into the bottomless love of God. This fierce desire compelled her to plunge deeply into the heart of the issues all women face, but most keep to themselves. With tendencies toward depression, anxiety attacks and an eating disorder, Troyer knows firsthand the bondage of secrecy and shame. “Living with a secret,” Troyer admits, “doesn’t make it go away. It doesn’t change your heart. As well hidden as your secret is, that is how deeply lonely you will be. I’ve been there. I know it’s true.” The newly released companion CD reinforces her book’s admonition that there is complete freedom and acceptance to be found in the Father. “This CD was birthed out of the knowledge that music is so often used by God to solidify a written and/or spoken message,” says Troyer. “Dawn Yoder and I have been blessed by the friendship and songwriting partnership God’s given us, and songs like ‘Let Us Bow Down,’ ‘Lifting My Praise Up’ and ‘I Found Grace’ (Circle of Friends theme song) are reflective of how, by finding a place to belong, we are inspired to share encouragement, while keeping our focusing on worshipping in ‘Spirit and in truth.’” A Place to Belong has the potential of changing the way women think about themselves, about others and about doing God’s work in this world. In both her book and worship CD, Troyer challenges women to connect to one another, comfort each other and affirm each other in using the gifts God has given them. Ultimately, A Place to Belong offers a healing dose of real hope that life can be rich, life can have purpose and no woman need ever be alone. The new Circle of Friends CD is available online at http://lifewayworship.com and iTunes. It can also be purchased through your local Christian retailer. www.findaplacetobelong.com Lisa Troyer is available for speaking opportunities. For more information, visitwww.ourcircleoffriends.org/contact-us/

Not Settling ~ Go for Lavish, Not Less ~ Guest Beth Vogt

Throughout the month of June, we have talked about "not settling", being content in where we are as young women, waiting for our Prince Charming. And until the day comes that we meet and fall in love, that we will not swerve from our standards anchored in the word of God. If you wish to read the other posts in this series, please click on my page "Committed to Purity" where they have been gathered. 

“Some day my prince will come …”

So sings Cinderella as she slaves for her evil stepmother and endures abuse from her stepsisters. Despite a dreary life à la Disney, Cinderella believes the “wish her heart makes” will come true.

What about you?

Beth and Rob on their wedding day

Are you dreaming of your happily ever after with a present-day prince of a guy? Or are you thinking about settling for something – someone – less than?

Waiting for Mr. Right is often woven into romance movies and novels. Think Sleeping Beauty. Or Enchanted. Or the recent CBA bestseller, The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck. But waiting is so wearying when it’s part of real life – of your life. And when everyone else is finding their guy, it’s tempting to settle for Mr. Almost Right.

Don’t do it.

I know, I know, it’s easy for married-me to tell single-you to wait. But hear me out.

Before I married my husband, I almost said “I do” to someone else. Other people thought he was my Mr. Right. Truth be told, these people thought he was an a-ma-zing guy: gregarious, athletic, intelligent. Of course, no one else was dating him. And no one knew the hours I spent crying over this relationship, wondering why it felt so forced.

But I had a flawless diamond ring on my finger. And a lot of family and friends watching. Despite being young, I was old enough to accept life wasn’t ever going to be perfect.

I could have settled – all the while convincing myself this relationship, this guy, would be enough.

In the end, I couldn’t do it.

Why?

Beth and Rob ~ 2011
(John Skiba photography)

I wasn’t a believer at the time, so I can’t tell you that God and I had a long talk (God talking and me listening). Here’s what did happen: I realized marriage should never be about less. When you’re committing “’til death do us part,” there should be anticipation for all the “more” waiting for you. And yes, this means the good and the bad. You’re going to do real life together.

I walked away from the engagement. Endured a lot of “Are you crazy?” reactions.

And within weeks I met my future husband, who also talked to me about his faith and helped me rediscover mine.

Does making the choice not to settle mean God ensures Mr. Right appears? Nope. But here is the one thing you can be certain about:

God is all about more.

God, who lavishes his grace on us (Romans 5:1-2 The Message), also says marriage is one way we reflect him to the world. His plans for your life – whether they include a Mr. Right or not – will always mean embracing his absolute best for you.

And God is not less than – he’s awe-some.

Casey here again: All this month I have had a giveaway of Never the Bride by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl Mckay and hopefully it will encourage you on your journey. Leave a comment on how YOU are NOT settling below and I'll draw the names from all the posts and announce the winners (one from every Settling post) the first Friday of July.  

Also, Beth's novel, Wish You Were Here shares bits and pieces of Beth's story woven through the life of her character Allison. The winner from this post will have the chance to request Beth's book if they so choose. 

So Much to Love! ~ Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt ~ Review

So fun. So delightful. Such a great new voice to watch! A perfect weekend read and oh, so much more.

            “Wish You Were Here” has got so much to love! A kiss within the first ten pages? Yes, please! Conflict, love triangles, just a *wee* bit of drama (because what romance wouldn’t be good without it?), llamas, some LOL dialogue, but yet a depth to the characters that was well crafted. Awesome.

            I love Allison Denman. You can read so much of this character in her actions and she wants her happily-ever-after so badly, but it seems life isn’t going to give her one lying down.

            Sigh. Daniel is an easy-on-the-eyes hero. He has a great heart, but don’t let his outdoorsman exterior fool you. He’s got his own share of problems. Only one being the fact that he kissed his brother’s fiancée - five days before the wedding. Yeah. I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.

            I loved the depth to the characters. I felt Allison was really well rounded and played wonderfully upon the page. Don’t let the cute cover fool you, the novel has its moments of hilarity, but also some serious undertones that compliment it really well.

            I’d love to see Allison and Daniel get their cameo part two. Maybe a short story, please?

            An excellent new voice in Christian Fiction to watch, this novel does its genre proud!

            This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publisher and author for my copy to review/influence.

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More about the novel...

Kissing the wrong guy days before her wedding leads Allison to become a runaway bride. But can it also lead to happily ever after?

Allison Denman is supposed to get married in five days, but everything is all wrong: the huge wedding, the frothy dress, and the groom.

Still, kissing the groom’s brother in an unguarded moment is decidedly not the right thing to do. How could she have made such a mistake? It seems Allison’s life is nothing but mistakes at this point. And pulling a “Runaway Bride,” complete with "borrowing" her best friend’s car, doesn’t seem to solve her problems.

Can Allison find her way out of this mess? She prefers to be the one in control, and giving it up is not going to be easy. But to find her way again, she will have to believe that God has a plan for her and find the strength to let Him lead.

Wish You Were Here is fun and full of humor—sure to be a pleasure to inspirational romance readers.

Achingly Beautiful Story ~ Covenant Child by Terri Blackstock ~ Review

From the way this novel was written, to the characters filling to the pages, to the story that grabbed my heart, “Covenant Child” is a novel to be cherished and shared.

            I can’t honestly say I “enjoyed” this story as a means of pure entertainment. The story is exceptional, don’t get me wrong, but because of the strong subject matter, it quickly becomes a story that I wanted to see redeemed.

            The main character of Kara is a bitter young woman and if the story weren’t written from her perspective, as one who stands back and looks back on her life, I think I would have become fatigued with her. But to see the struggles of Kara and Lizzie and not have your heart wrenched is an impossibility.

            The story is gripping from one chapter to the next moving on a swift emotional roller coaster. My heart was jerked more than one time.

            I loved that the story was first person, it truly came alive. Though I would have loved to experience the story from Amanda’s point of view.

            I believe this is a rerelease from a previous edition, but the story is timeless. A stirring story from a masterful story teller and a wonderful allegory for God’s unending grace and love.

            This review is my honest opinion. My thanks to the publisher for my copy to review.

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More about the novel...

Beautiful, three-year-old twins Kara and Lizzie Holbrooke live a charmed life with their widowed but doting father, Jack. When Jack finds love and marries again, it seems all their lives will finally be "happy ever after." That new life shatters when Jack and his wealthy parents are killed in a plane crash. Jack's new wife, Amanda, inherits the family's estate but fails to gain custody of the twins.

Devastated but bound by her covenant to care for the girls, Amanda manages the estate, hopeful she'll be able to return it to Kara and Lizzie one day. Meanwhile, the twins grow up in an abysmal home environment with distant family members and become hard-drinking, shoplifting, promiscuous teenagers.

After years of trying to reach them, Amanda is finally able to offer them love, comfort, wealth--the life they have always wanted. But when all you've known is deprivation, how can you believe a gift of grace? When you've been lied to for so long, how can you ever know the truth?

Intensely involving, emotionally charged, and infused with hope, "Covenant Child" is an inspiring story that challenges us to embrace the life God holds out to us.