Tuesday, December 6, 2022

The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen

 




1819 Sidmouth England. When their father dies, his estate goes back to an heir. Their Mother and four sisters own the house at Sea View but have little to live on. Their former lady's maid helps them to consider taking in borders to help keep them going. This is the start of a fabulous series with shadows of Jane Austen. It's easy to settle in and feel involved in their lives. The struggle of starting this business after being a Gentleman's family, lost loves, new interests, new people and their lives, social norms and their reduced state add flavor to the story. Originally, they had come there because their mother was in need of the healing of the sea. One sister was born with a cleft palate has had several surgeries, left more scarred inside than she is outside now. Interesting things to learn about the area, healing baths and cleft palates. Beautifully written, keeps you enthralled to the end and looking forward to the next in the series. 

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#TheSistersofSeaView #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #JulieKlassen #ChristianHistorical

My reviews

Friday, December 2, 2022

Wagon Train Wife by Catherine Kennedy

 



She will do anything to ensure her sister's safety… even marry a man she barely knows.

Good read. I love wagon train stories, the trip, the starting over. The reason Eliza, Hannah and Thomas left is enough to get hooked. The path they take and people they meet on the way are quite interesting and endearing. Has some interesting twists. 
I received this book free from the publisher and Book Sirens review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#BookSirens #WagonTrainWife #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #HistoricalRomance
Quotes:
“I believe God put us in each other’s paths. He knew before we did we needed each other.”

"As Thomas had stated earlier, this was supposed to be a happy day. There would be time later to mourn what she had given up securing her sister’s safety."

My reviews

Friday, November 25, 2022

Love on the Border, McKinnie Mail Order Brides by Ciara Knight

 




Who doesn't love a man who takes in orphans that no one else wants? Eli does but it's a struggle. He sent for a mail order bride and met her while robbing the stagecoach she's on. Love, redemption, forgiveness forming a tight bond. Struggling the whole time.  Excellent read.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#LoveOnTheBorder #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #RegencyRomance #CiaraKnight

My Reviews

Thursday, November 24, 2022

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

 




Set in Maine around 1942, Christian Historical Fiction. Told from the point of view of four different characters, each with their own back story and interesting personality. It's during the war in a small coastal town. They decide to get together for a book club at the library to take people's minds off the war. They soon become a close-knit group of friends. It's told in a neat format of individual characters and then again when they gather for the club. They take minutes of the meetings, the format of which I've never seen before, completely informal and personal as to the character whose turn it was to take them. Very clever. Each has their own issues, but realizes how much better life is when you let friends in. Not a dull moment! Easy to get attached to. 

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#TheBlackoutBookClub #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My reviews
Goodreads

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

The Call of the Wrens by Jenni L Walsh

 




Marion's story spanned both WW1 and WW2. Evelyn's story was in WW2. Both served as motorcycle dispatch riders for the British Women’s Royal Naval Service or Wrens. Their stories go deep for each. Marion wants to fit in, Evelyn wants to prove herself. Each is handicapped in their own way. Marion grew up in orphanages, Evelyn was brought up in a wealthy family and sheltered. They each had wonderful men in their lives. It's easy to get attached to these characters and find yourself rooting for them, holding your breath and at the edge of your seat at times for each. I found it interesting that lives of real Wrens had influenced the writing, real life situations during war. The excellent writing kept me engaged to the very end. Inspirational.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheCalloftheWrens #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #JenniLWalsh #WW2  #WW1

My reviews

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

5000 Blankets film trailer

 


This looks really good. Great inspiration! 

Inspired by a remarkable true story, 5000 BLANKETS is filled with hope and highlights the power of family and faith. When her husband has a mental breakdown and goes missing, a woman and her young son set out to find him on the streets, sparking a movement of compassion towards those in need and inspiring a city.

Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nd42fLZpG0

#5000BlanketsMIN #Momentum #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout


Monday, November 21, 2022

The Abide Bible

 


"Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path. Psalm 119:105"

Thomas Nelson, New English Translation. This bible is absolutely GORGEOUS! The leathersoft cover with the subtle design is quite elegant. The feel of it is also wonderful; it's supple. The pages are gold edged and there are two beautiful ribbons for marking your place and maps in the back. Overall, it is a very beautiful bible and would make a wonderful gift. 

The only objection I have is that there is a page near the front of the book called Explanatory Notes. Here they note differences in the text from different translations. Personally, I think they should be included as footnotes on the page with the text. The way it is, there is just a small mark that you have to pick up on as you read. You need to read the pages with the explanations and study them out. 

If you're a fan of "coaching", this bible is for you. It excels in that area. Each double-page has things to contemplate, journal, things to imagine or picture and praying scripture and includes beautiful engage-through-art sections. These are in the margin areas of every page throughout the book. It encourages engagement as you read.

I was given a sample bible by Thomas Nelson. I was not required to give a positive review. These thoughts are my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

#AbideBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #Christian #Bible

From the publisher:

Check out The Abide Experience: 21 Days in John, a FREE Video Devotion featuring Dr. Phil Collins, general editor of the Abide Bible, a Bible designed around five methods of Scripture Engagement that will change the way you read Scripture. The 21 Days in John FREE Video Devotion also provides a free download of the book of John from the Abide Bible. 

Experience Abide - Thomas Nelson Bibles

The Abide Experience is FREE and includes 21 Video devotions delivered by email and a full download of the book of John from The Abide Bible! 
• Transform your personal Bible devotions into intimate, ongoing conversations with God with various Scripture engagement approaches that keep Bible reading fresh and new. “Abide in Me.” John 15:4
 
Do you yearn for life-giving, intimate communion with God? The Abide Bible is designed to help you experience the peace, hope, and growth that comes from encountering the voice and presence of God in Scripture. Every feature in Abide is designed to teach and develop Scripture-engagement habits that help you know the power and spiritual nourishment of abiding in Christ. 

Created in partnership with Bible Gateway and the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, The Abide Bible’s features include articles, book introductions, and practical Scripture engagement prompts based on five ways of engaging deeply with the Bible:
     • Praying Scripture: Pattern your prayers after biblical texts, personalizing the 
prayer and gaining language for the thoughts and emotions you want to express. 
     • Picture It: Place yourself in a biblical narrative as a bystander or participant in 
important events. 
     • Journaling: Focus and reflect on Scripture and its meaning for your life, opening yourself to God’s voice as you ponder. 
     • Engage Through Art: Consider a classic piece of art—photograph, sculpture, 
painting—and let it deepen your meditations on scriptural truths. 
     • Contemplate: Follow the church’s longstanding practice of reading, meditating 
on, praying, and contemplating a passage of Scripture in order to experience 
God’s presence through the words of the Bible
.
Features include: 
• Bible book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read 
• 365 Day Bible Reading Plan guiding you through the entire Bible in a year 
• Line-matched, single-column Scripture text for improved readability 
• Smyth-sewn binding lays flat in your hand or on your desk 
• Two satin ribbon markers allow you to easily navigate and keep track of where you were reading 
• Easy-to-read 9-point NET Comfort Print

Giveaway: 1 copy of the Abide Bible (NET)
(Note: This is limited to US winners only. Winner chosen at random from comments below. If you're a winner, I will need your full name and email address by 12/2) 

My reviews: