Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Coming Soon...


Disgraced dime novelist Kate Tenney fled the city that banned her latest novel for the emptiness of the desert. Answering an ad to be “heiress” to a vast cattle ranch in the Arizona Territory, Kate hopes ranching turns out to be as romantic as she portrayed it in her novels.
But what awaits her is a life harder than the one she just left. There is no room for mistakes on a working cattle ranch, and Kate is ill-prepared for her new life. She quickly learns that dawn comes early. But she is tenacious.
Having been abandoned by a string of men, Kate has no intention of ever marrying. But she didn’t expect to meet Luke Adams, either. Luke awakens feelings inside Kate she doesn’t recognize, and his steady presence is a constant distraction. She has only written about love in the past, never known it herself. But her feelings for Luke stand in the way of all she has to gain if she is chosen as the heir.
Perhaps God brought Kate to the barrenness of the desert to give new life to her jaded heart.

The Encounter by Stephen Arterburn



I recently finished reading “The Encounter” by Stephen Arterburn.  Although the story was simple and at time predictable, I enjoyed the easy flow and natural thought process that this book provided.  I enjoyed the character development as you follow Jonathan Rush to Fairbanks, Alaska to find out about his past to bring a degree of healing for the future.  As the story unravels you find that each of the main characters is turning to God to help them heal troubled pasts and move on with a brighter future.

The book was a quick, easy, light read.  I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a short story that leaves you feeling good and reaffirms the belief that God is there for us and through Him, we can leave our yesterdays behind and find a happier tomorrow.

This book was provided to me free of charge by Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Coming Soon...


A wealthy businessman travels to Fairbanks, Alaska, to learn why his mother abandoned him when he was a child, and in the process learns that not everything is as it appears to be.

The Encounter, the unique new book from best-selling author and counselor Stephen Arterburn, is a moving parable involving Jonathan Rush, a wealthy and famous entrepreneur, who is tortured by bitterness toward his mother who abandoned him when he was four. He travels to Alaska to find her but instead meets an enigmatic old woman known only as Mercy. Mercy has the information he needs but is strangely reluctant to talk to him. Somehow Jonathan must find a way to persuade a frightened woman to unlock the secrets of his past.

The book includes an invitation to the readers to verify the facts of their own stories, to accept the reality of their existence, especially the most painful ones, and to live in forgiveness. The end result is a healthy new way to look at life with an ability to share hope with others for the future. Healing is possible but requires truth, acceptance, and forgiveness, including of oneself.

An Amish Wedding

I recently finished reading "An Amish Wedding", three novellas written by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long.  This is the second book of short stories that I have read by these 3 wonderful authors.  Just like the first, "An Amish Love", I loved the easy read and flow of these stories.  I love that there are 3 separate stories but that you find familiar characters throughout.

The first story was fun as you follow Rose through her engagement to Luke, a long time friend who suits her perfectly but seems boring.  Deep inside Rose is wanting more in the adventure and romance department.  As you follow Rose through her journey you discover that there is more to Luke than meets the eye.

The second story was a story of being open to love at the right time.  Naomi and Zeke are both a little "old" to be single by Amish standards but neither has found the right person.  Naomi is always busy trying to take care of others and too busy for love but she can't deny the feelings she has for Zeke.  This story gives insight to love working it's magic to teach a couple of "old dogs" new tricks.

In the third story you follow Priscilla and Chester as they navigate through endless obstacles trying to reach the alter.  I enjoyed this story because you learn a lot about marriage in the Amish culture and how their traditions vary from big elaborate weddings we see in most cultures.

This book made my heart smile and I would recommend it to anybody looking for a quick and easy read full of love of God, love of family, and true love.

This book was provided to me at no charge by Booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review.