BOOK REVIEW - Love Everlasting

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Abrianna Cunningham has always viewed her longtime friend, Wade Ackerman, as a protective  brother. Lately, however, she’s begun to see him differently and finds herself attracted romantically to him. But she’s confused and overwhelmed by these unfamiliar feelings.  Wade, on the other hand, has loved Abrianna for some time and has been waiting for her to realize they are more than just friends. When he asks her to marry him, she asks for time to adjust to their changed relationship. And then there’s Priam Welby, who has been relentlessly pursuing Abrianna. Will his underhanded tactics succeed in luring Abrianna into marriage with him?
Author's Website:  http://traciepetersonbooks.com/brides-of-seattle-series/

MY REVIEW:
Maybe it is the happy ending, but I always find the last book in a Tracie Peterson series is my favorite.  Throughout the series I have grown fond of our heroine, Abrianna, and her exciting adventures. Love Everlasting lets us see Abrianna in an adventure that may just cost her life and she deserves the casting role of heroine.

All along in the series, we have known that Wade has started to think of Abrianna as more than a friend and we finally get to see how Abrianna returns those same feelings.  I enjoy the differences in their personalities and how they compliment each other.  I believe that makes for a great marriage.  Her lively, adventurous spirit works well with his calm, practical spirit.  He tames her somewhat and she brings him to life.  How Wade would quieten her with his kiss was perfect.  My favorite parts of the book were their conversations.

As I read this book, I was reminded of the word change.  Abrianna was 21 years old and that age range brings about a lot of changes - physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.  Then, I felt the spirit remind me that life is full of changing seasons.  I recently turned 40 and I feel like I am going through one right now, so I wondered what lessons I could learn from Abrianna's story.  Remember to fully trust God, remember that I have friends and family that love me, and remember that in times of change... never change who I am.

BOOK REVIEW - Refining Fire

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Twenty-two-year-old Militine Scott is in training at the Madison Bridal School in Seattle, yet she has no intention of pursuing marriage. What respectable man would have her? But she has found the school provides the perfect opportunity to keep her unsavory past hidden. Thane Patton, though fun-loving and fiercely loyal to his friends, hides a dark secret, as well. He finds himself drawn to Militine, sensing that she harbors a haunting pain similar to his own. Will they allow God to make something new and beautiful from the debris of their past?

MY REVIEW: 
If you frequently read book series, you probably understand the long wait until the next book is released.  Tracie Peterson's books are no exception - I have eagerly awaited the rest of the story in several of her series.  With the Brides of Seattle , I was so excited to start reading the next book, Refining Fire.  After the first book, Steadfast Heart, I was ready to continue in the drama of the Madison Bridal School and the ladies living there.

Refining Fire is the story of a bridal student, Militine Scott, and her surprising relationship with a local boat maker, Thane Patton. I say the relationship was surprising because Militine had no interest in a husband (she was a student in order to seek shelter from her past).  I really enjoyed their story in the book because both Militine and Thane had  pasts filled with violence and remorse that with God's help they would overcome.  Each found their refuge in Seattle and were surrounded by friends who were strong in their faith.  Neither had a strong spiritual life, but together they began to grow in their faith and discovered true love.  We all have something in our past that we wish to escape and the question is where and in Whom we find our refuge.

If you have been enjoying this series, it is obvious that the heroine is Abrianna Cunningham and she continues to be the primary character.  Abrianna does not let you down in this book as she finds herself in several predicaments and also a love triangle.  The two suitors are local carriage maker, Wade Ackerman, and the wealthy businessman, Priam Welby.  I enjoy Abrianna's addition to the series due to her spunk and determination to serve her Lord and minister to those in need.  What a spirit she has!  Her comebacks to the new pastor, Ralston Walker, were witty and had me laughing as I read them.  At first I thought maybe Abrianna and Pastor Walker might have an "opposites attract" relationship start, but I was very relieved that was not in the plot-line.  Pastor Walker was definitely a character I was not sad to see exit the story.  I think if I was a character in this book, I would have to give him a good "what for".

Tracie Peterson never fails to deliver a book with vivid imagery and an interesting plot-line that is rich in history.  I was not aware of the 1889 Seattle Fire and cannot imagine seeing my entire city engulfed in flames.  I think her choice in title, Refining Fire, was reflective of the burdensome fire in Militine and Thane that wore at their hearts.  God is no stranger to overwhelming fires and He can certainly tame them and bring about a beautiful refinement.  Beauty from ashes!

I was provided this book for free as an Advanced Reader Copy by Bethany House, a division of Baker House Publishing, for my honest review.

BOOK REVIEW - Sing For Me

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
When a good church girl starts singing in a jazz club and falls for the music—as well as a handsome African American man—she struggles to reconcile her childhood faith with her newfound passions.  Raised in the Danish Baptist Church, Rose Sorensen knows it’s wrong to sing worldly songs. But Rose still yearns for those she hears on the radio—“Cheek to Cheek,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”—and sings them when no one is around.  One day, Rose’s cousin takes her to Calliope’s, a jazz club, where she discovers an exciting world she never knew existed. Here, blacks and whites mingle, brought together by their shared love of music. And though Rose worries it’s wrong—her parents already have a stable husband in mind for her—she can’t stop thinking about the African American pianist of the Chess Men, Theo Chastain. When Rose returns to the jazz club, she is offered the role of singer for the Chess Men. The job would provide money to care for her sister, Sophy, who has cerebral palsy—but at what cost?  As Rose gets to know Theo, their fledgling relationship faces prejudices she never imagined. And as she struggles to balance the dream world of Calliope’s with her cold, hard reality, she also wrestles with God’s call for her life. Can she be a jazz singer? Or will her faith suffer because of her worldly ways?  Set in Depression-era Chicago and rich in historical detail, Sing for Me is a beautiful, evocative story about finding real, unflinching love and embracing—at all costs—your calling.

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE: http://www.karenschreck.com/

MY REVIEW:
I confess that I am drawn to books by the cover art...horrible, I know.  While book shopping at Mardel, my eye was drawn to a low shelf and there packed amidst several possible reads was a beautiful art deco font showing the title of "Sing for Me".  As a long time fan of Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney, it is no wonder my eyes spotted this cover.  I've had this dream of being a modern-day lounge singer since probably about my sophomore year in high-school.  (That was about the time I discovered Harry Connick, Jr, my second musician crush...sorry Rick Springfield).  As I have gotten older and lost most of my singing ability, I am okay with letting Jane Monheit and Diana Krall carry that honor.

Maybe it was the excitement of starting the book or the stress I am currently going through in my job, but I had a hard time getting into the story of the book.  It is well-written and seems to be true to the time period, so I am sure I was to blame for my slow beginning.  I enjoyed the characters and appreciated the different dilemmas each were going through, but I was anxious to get to the music and romance. When that began to develop and became forefront, my interest fortissimo-ed and I finished the last half of the book in about a day.  I loved how the author included lyrics from hymns and standards throughout the story.  I found myself singing them all as I read and that makes a great read for me!

There are two evils addressed in the book - prejudice and stubbornness - and both of these give a painful ache to my heart.  Judgement has to be the most hurtful behavior in the world as it leads to much worse.  The judgement given to me since early childhood has not been the color of my skin or the religion I practice, but any judgement is hurtful and leaves permanent scars on the soul.  If I could have one wish granted, it would be that people would think first to accept differences rather than to punish them.  Let us live a life lead by love!  After all, we as Christians, are called to be examples of Christ who was Himself the truest form of love.

As I was finishing this book, the tragedy in Charleston occurred and I found myself crying for the families of the victims and the community.  I was saddened that in 2015 the cruelty of skin-color prejudice is still prevalent in our country.  It breaks my heart and I can only imagine the sadness it brings Christ who loved each one of us enough to sacrifice Himself for our freedom.  Oh, how I pray, that somewhere over the rainbow we can finally overcome this obstacle.

BOOK REVIEW- Until the Harvest

BOOK DESCRIPTION & AUTHOR'S WEBSITE
When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips's college studies, he's left unmoored and feeling abandoned. The only things that can tamp down his grief are the family farm, his fiddle, and an unexpected friendship with sweet but unusual preteen Mayfair Hoffman. Unfortunately, Mayfair's older sister, Margaret, despite her spray of freckles and cute, turned-up nose, has a completely different effect. His grandmother's helper, she's always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems at first that she doesn't care about his troubles. Henry soon realizes, though, that Margaret's facing her own struggles. Mayfair's health and unique gift sit at the heart of those worries. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as potential tragedy collides with growing hope in a warm story of family bonds and the surprising ways healing finds us all.  http://sarahloudinthomas.com/

MY REVIEW
Personally, this was a very inspiring book to read. I chose to read it because it was set in the Appalachians and I have liked other books set in this area of the country. However, this book was SO much better due to the spiritual message that flowed through the story. It was an engaging read as I finished the book in only 1 day (I was home recovering from surgery, so pain was my only distraction).

I thought the book was a sweet love story. At first, the main love story seemed to be Henry and Margaret, two people trying to find their place in the world with the fear of an unknown future. Who doesn't love a story of two somewhat lost people being brought together by God?  I can relate to both of the characters, but more so with Margaret and her struggling belief in God's love for her.   The book suggested that maybe she couldn't really love until she better understood how much God loves her.  As I became more involved in the story, the TRUE love story seemed to be between God and all the interesting characters. He was very active in all their lives.  God's love shined so bright through His precious vessel, Mayfair (Margaret's younger sister). My eyes filled with tears when Beulah looked at Mayfair and said "I don't need to look into your eyes to feel your love".  My deepest desire is to offer this much love, kindness, and "peace of mind" to those I come into contact with in this life.

There were a few other insights I pulled from the story that I would like to share because I think they are sometimes forgotten in our lives today.  The first is the value of the wise elders in our lives.  In the story, all the older characters were full of wisdom that they so freely gave to the Henry and Margaret.  I cannot tell you the amount of wisdom I have learned from my grandparents and church members - they are such a blessing to my life.  The second is the value of the love we offer through our talents and gifts.  There is a focus on the healing that Mayfair offered her community, but I also enjoyed the telling of how Perla stretched food through hard times and I truly feel that Margaret showed love to Beulah and Emily by cleaning their homes as they were no longer able to themselves.  We all have something we do really well that we can use to serve those around us.

What a story! "Until the Harvest' was a sweet read and is well written by Sarah Loudin Thomas. I am very grateful to Bethany House, a division of Baker House Publishing Group, who provided me with the book for my honest review.

READ - Coffee Book Tag

I stumbled on this tag watching Booktube videos and thought it looked like fun.  Hope you enjoy my picks and let me know if you liked or disliked any of them.

BOOK REVIEW - Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe

BOOK DESCRIPTION

What if you could ask God anything? What would you ask? And how would He answer?  Chelsea Chambers is on her own. After a public split from her NFL superstar husband, Chelsea takes a bold step out of the limelight and behind the counter of the Higher Grounds Café, an old-fashioned coffee shop in dire need of reinvention. But when her courage, expert planning, and out-of-this-world cupcakes fail to pay the bills, this newly single mom finds herself desperate for help. Better yet, a miracle.  Then a curious stranger lands at Chelsea’s door, and with him, an even more curious string of events. Soon, customers are flocking to the Higher Grounds Café, and not just for the cupcakes and cappuccino. They’ve come for the internet connection to the divine. Now the café has become the go-to place for people in search of answers to life’s biggest questions. When a catastrophe strikes and her ex comes calling, Chelsea begins to wonder if the whole universe is conspiring against her quest to make it on her own. After a shocking discovery opens her eyes to the unseen world around her, Chelsea finds the courage to ask God a question of her own. Heaven answers in a most unexpected way.
Author's Website:  http://maxlucado.christianbook.com/miracle-at-the-higher-grounds-cafe/max-lucado/9780718000882/pd/000882/1529702503?event=MLDTS01

MY REVIEW
Although I am not a coffee-drinker, I was close to trying a mochachino as I read the newest book by Max Lucado.  The book started out a little slow for me, but I perked up when the God Blog modem was installed at the cafe.  The questions being asked by the customers and the answers they received from God were interesting to read and warmed my heart.  The responses reminded me of the Jesus Calling devotions in which scripture is written as a brief note from God.

The variety of relationships seemed to be the theme of this book - there were strong, bold relationships and light, sweet relationships.  The story revolves around the bittersweet, failing marriage of Chelsea and Sawyer.  I am probably the odd reader out because I enjoyed the maturing character of Sawyer.  I respected his desire to salvage his marriage and family.  He knew he had horribly wronged Chelsea yet he sought her forgiveness and tried to regain her love in a humble way.  The fact that he previously played for the Dallas Cowboys had only a small part in this.  Overarching these relationships was the relationship of God and His people.  With the God Blog we see His amazing love and throughout the story you cannot help but see His sovereignty in each of their lives.  My favorite character would be Manny - our "geeky" angel who I'd love to see fighting the Dark Side with his light saber.  

There is a battle brewing in the spiritual world and the book gives you glimpses of demons succumbing to the Heavenly angels.  (They don't need a light saber:))    At one point an angel said he had been delayed and that reminded me of Daniel 10 when the angel was delayed and left Micheal fighting in the spiritual realm.  I easily forget what all could be going on in the unseen by my human eyes.  I am humbled that God finds me worth fighting for.  

Miracles abounded at this beloved cafe and each was such a joy to read.  God is SO good!  For days I thought about the 1 question I would ask the God Blog.  Are You proud of me? Am I serving as You desire?  Why have I dealt with so much pain in my life?  Then came conviction and the remembrance of the TRUE MIRACLE - we don't need a God Blog, we have direct access.  We can ask God infinite questions and, like the cafe-goers, we can expect an answer.  It won't always be a written blog comment, but God knows how He can talk to His children.  Whether it be via music or nature or exercise, He will speak.  Are you listening?

READ - February Wrap-Up & March TBRs

The month of February I was quite excited to have read 4 really interesting books. In my first Booktube video, I have given brief reviews of my February reads and shown my TBR (to be read) books for March.  Thanks for watching!