You Again by Amanda Waters ~ Book Review

September 5, 2021

About the Book

Book: You Again

Author: Amanda Waters

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 5, 2019

The summer before her senior year of high school, Rosalee fell in love with George. By the next summer, George had broken her heart, and Rosalee was sure she'd never see him again.

Forty years and a lifetime later, Rosalee's quiet, predictable life is turned upside down when she runs into George at a restaurant and discovers he's moved to town. George wants to reconnect, and while Rosalee's head isn't sure that's a good idea, her heart is saying something different.

It's a story about first love and second chances, family, friendship, and living life to the fullest

My Thoughts

This is one of those stories that you are either going to love a lot or just have an okay love to it. I am in the latter of these emotions. This is a dual time line which I absolutely love to read so that was a plus for me right away. It did move kind of slow and I found myself making myself read it and sticking with it which obviously not a fun thing for a reader. In this story we meet Rosalee and George and we see how they are as a couple when younger, break-up and later we see how they come together once again as older adults. So their story sort of comes full circle.

I could not relate to Rosalee and perhaps that's why it was hard for me to get comfortable with the book. I also thought that George was sort of a jerk. He was constantly persuading her to go a bit further and she stands by her beliefs which I applaud her for. Present day Rosalee I felt sympathy for. She has lost her husband, feels alone and frankly has not known who she is as a woman for a long time. When she sees George again it's a shocking experience for both. I won't divulge much more as it would give the story away.

I think the author did a great job in her writing and the generational relationships that she was trying to convey definitely were on point. She however lost me as a reader when the mild cussing was written in. I'm not a prude but I just don't think its necessary. I am not sure if this was considered a Christian book but it had no elements of faith whatsoever.

My Rating: 3 Stars/ It was good

I received a copy of this book through Just Read Tours. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Amanda Waters is a former journalist-turned-librarian. She’s a midwestern girl currently living in Houston, Texas with her husband and their two children. When she’s not writing or hiding from the humidity, you can find her reading, drinking way too much coffee, or playing endless games of UNO and Go Fish.

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Dogwood Winter by Candace West ~ Book Review + Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Dogwood Winter
Author: Candace West
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Valley Creek Redemption, Book 3
Release Date: August 24, 2021

A Lukewarm Correspondence. A Tattered Reputation. Two Hearts at Odds.

He is walking away while she is fighting to walk.

After a springtime swim, Ella Steen is stricken with a dire illness, leaving her without the use of her legs. Meanwhile, Dr. George Curtis, the man she secretly loves, faces ruin. For over a year, the crusty New York City bachelor and vivacious spinster have exchanged dozens of letters and formed a wary friendship.

Neither are willing to open their hearts completely. Until they face each other. The past looms between them, however. Does George still love another or is his heart completely free?

A trip to Valley Creek holds the answers. Instead, when George and Ella arrive, they encounter obstacles that force other truths to the surface. Is George brave enough to confront what he fled in New York? Can Ella confess why she hates dogwood winters? Will their hearts survive?

If only their pasts would keep out of the present.

Click here to get your copy! Also available through Kindle Unlimited.

My Thoughts

This is the third book in the Valley of Redemption series but it can be read as a stand alone. Granted I recommend you read them from the beginning just so you know a bit more about the characters but you should have no troubles should this be the first one you pick up. The author does a great job at re-capping the first two books. I was glad to return to these characters and see more into their lives. The romance between Ella and George was beautiful!! I loved how real they seemed. They were relatable and easy to like while reading their story.

This is my second book by this author and I love how she weaves God into every aspect of the story. You can definitely see God's hand moving in these characters as you are reading. If you enjoy Christian Historical Romance I highly recommend you look into this author and add her to your TBR list!

My Rating: 4 Stars/Really Liked it

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Candace West was born in the Mississippi delta to a young minister and his wife. She grew up in small-town Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. At twelve years old, she wrote her first story, “Following Prairie River.” In 2018, she published her debut novel Lane Steen, book one of the Valley Creek Redemption Series. By weaving entertaining, hope-filled stories, Candace shares the Gospel and encourages her readers. She currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and their son along with two dogs and three bossy cats.

More from Candace

Biscuits and gravy has been a staple for generations in my family. It’s perfect for any occasion or breakfast, dinner, and supper. Yes, in our neck of the woods, dinner is lunch, and supper is—well, supper.

And then, we have biscuits and gravy with a twist. We’ll shove the traditional aside for a bowl of chocolate gravy. That’s right, chocolate.

Now, don’t get grossed out. Some people believe chocolate gravy is this weird, mysterious concoction made with meat grease. It’s the gravy part that boggles their mind, but it’s actually straightforward and easy—not true gravy at all. Trust me, if you like chocolate, you’ll want to try this. When you butter a biscuit and drizzle the chocolate over it, you’ll get a little taste of heaven on earth.

And you’ll get a little taste of the Appalachians and Ozarks.

My grandparents, both raised deep in the Arkansas Ozarks, were raised on “chocolate an’ biscuits” and passed the recipe down to us. Throughout the mountains and in pockets throughout the country, you’ll find this lesser-known treat on kitchen tables and family gatherings.

Every recipe is a little different. Every family has their own special way of making it. My family likes their chocolate gravy a little thinner while my husband’s family wants theirs to be the consistency of pudding.

In Dogwood Winter, my characters would’ve eaten chocolate an’ biscuits. Their corner of the Ozarks is famous for it. I can see Ella and George, along with the Steen family, gathering around a table, saying the blessing, and passing the fare to each other. The only skeptical one in the bunch would be George, a New Yorker who wasn’t raised on it. One bite would make him a believer.

Have you ever eaten biscuits and chocolate gravy? If not, would you try it?

This is our family recipe.

Chocolate Gravy

1 ½ cups sugar

1 tbs Hershey Cocoa powder

2 ½ tbs flour

Mix dry ingredients in a saucepan

Add 1 ½ to 2 cups of milk (depends on the thickness you want)

Bring to a boil and cook until thickened (3 or 4 minutes) Note: Bring to a slow boil and continually stir. Remove from heat then add 2 tbs butter and 1 tsp of Vanilla extract. Pour over buttered biscuits and enjoy!

Blog Stops

deb’s Book Review, August 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 27

Connect in Fiction, August 27

Inklings and notions, August 28

For Him and My Family, August 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 30

Reviewingbooksplusmore, August 30

Connie’s History Classroom, August 31

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 1

Texas Book-aholic, September 2

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 3

Daysong Reflections, September 4

Britt Reads Fiction, September 4

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 6

Life, Love, Writing, September 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Candace is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1161b/dogwood-winter-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Angels All Around Us by Larry S. Glover ~ Book Review

September 3, 2021

About the Book

Book: Angels all Around Us

Author: Larry S. Glover

Genre: Christian Children's Fiction

Although we may not see them, we feel their presence; and these kind-hearted celestial helpers are guiding us in our everyday lives

when we need them the most!

My Thoughts

I have some mixed feelings about this book. While I do think there are angels all around us I think this book puts too much emphasis on angels doing all the work instead of pointing towards God a bit more. That being said, this is my opinion. My kids enjoyed the story and asked lots of questions regarding angels which I just brought back to what it says in the Bible.

If you want a book that could be a conversation starter with your kids I recommend this one.

My Rating: 3 Stars/Liked it

I was provided a copy of the book by the author. I was not required a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

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Vision by Hope Bolinger ~ Book Review + Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Vision
Author: Hope Bolinger
Genre: YA Christian Suspense

Series: Blaze Series, Book 3
Release Date: August 9, 2021

Rabbits for Food meets Waiting for Fitz meets One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

After Danny Belte ends up with a gunshot wound to the head, he’s shipped off to a local psychiatric center under the assumption he’d attempted to commit suicide. Knowing that he’d actually been killed by a fellow enemy at his high school, and a photographic memory to prove it, manages to keep him sane.

After meeting the fun and playfully rebellious members of his ward, he suspects that some underlying connection ties them all together. Haunted by revealing visions, he may have a shot at discovering a conflict of interest and buying their ticket out of the ward.

But memories are dangerous things. He may just make as many enemies as friends at the ward who want his memories erased.

A modernized take on Daniel 7-12.

Click here to get your copy! Also available through Kindle Unlimited.

My Thoughts

This is book 3 of the series and I highly recommend you read the previous books so that you understand the characters and the storyline. This is a somewhat retelling of the story of Daniel from the Bible. Danny has visions at night but he can't explain them but he knows there is meaning behind it all. He is in a psychiatric center and he is persistent that he can find a way to help his friends and himself in getting out.

This is a very interesting read. It is also a hard read. The author doesn't hold back and is very open and honest in the treatment of patients in mental facilities. If you enjoy retelling of Bible stories you may enjoy this one. Although this is considered a young adult fiction I would definitely make sure that they are mature enough to handle the topics in this book.

My Rating: 3 Stars/Liked it

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to pos a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Reviewer's Note: This story deals with the topic of suicide which may be a trigger for some.

About the Author

Hope Bolinger is a content editor at Salem Media and a multi-published novelist. More than 1000 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer’s Digest to Keys for Kids to HOOKED to Crosswalk.com. She writes about 250-300 articles a year.

She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. She had four of her books traditionally published in the last three years (see below) She has 8-9 books scheduled to published between 2021-2023.

She has won awards for her essays, poetry, children’s books, novels, and plays. Her favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on Instagram and Twitter @hopebolinger .

More from Hope

“The Book of Daniel? In a high school? Where on earth did you come up with an idea like that?”

I’ve gotten this question a number of times and the answer to it comes from an even stranger place than the concept itself … a college classroom.

We’d blitzed through the entire Old Testament in a semester for our Biblical Literature Class my freshmen year. The professor often accompanied each class for this Gen-Ed with a PowerPoint full of 70 or so slides we’d try to keep up with in our notes. Our hands would cramp from the sheer speed our pencils had to go across the paper.

One day, as she went over the Book of Daniel, something she said snapped me out of my 9 A.M. stupor. “Daniel, and his friends, would’ve been 14 or 15 years old when taken into the Babylonian captivity.”

This woke me up. I’d dropped my pen onto the paper and stared at the front of the atrium classroom for a few moments. Fourteen or fifteen? High-school aged?

I’d always pictured Daniel in his late thirties. Part of me blames VeggieTales and Larry the Cucumber’s rendition, which in no way could’ve been interpreted as a teenager’s voice. But the reality of the Old Testament story came crashing down on me right then and there.

Daniel had been evicted from his home through the Babylonian siege. He likely watched his friends and family members die at the hands of the Babylonians and the fires that scoured Jerusalem. Then he and the cream of the crop were herded to Babylon for a three-year education, where they tried to stamp anything Israelite out of him.

And yet, he trusts God. He continues to stand strong in his identity. As do Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—even when it meant certain death … as teenagers.

That got me thinking about culture now. And how so many Christian teens face problems and dilemmas we could’ve only dreamed about in our adolescent years. What would it look like to stick Daniel in a modern-day high school? I thought.

So that summer, I started to write the Blaze trilogy. I chopped the Book of Daniel into three parts, and showed a teenager standing strong in integrity and faith despite death threats, bullying, and peer pressure. It was the book I needed back in high school when confronted with hot-button issues, and I was so thankful to have that college professor guide me to learn more about the prophet Daniel in the Old Testament.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 22

Texas Book-aholic, August 23

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 24

For Him and My Family, August 25

Inklings and notions, August 26

Blogging With Carol, August 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 27

deb’s Book Review, August 28

Nancy E Wood, August 29

Rebecca Tews, August 30

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 31

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 1

Mary Hake, September 1

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 2

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Hope is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of each book in the trilogy!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1141f/vision-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Walking in Prophecy, Signs & Wonders by Glenda Jackson ~ Book Review + Giveaway

September 2, 2021

About the Book

Book: Walking in Prophecy, Signs & Wonders
(Please note: This title has been from Call of the Watchmen to Walking in Prophecy, Signs & Wonders.)
Author: Glenda Jackson
Genre: RELIGION / Christianity/Pentecostal & Charismatic
Release date: August 10, 2021

God is prophetically speaking to us today while performing signs and wonders in the last days. These movements of the Spirit are a continuation of the signs, wonders, and other supernatural works God has done in the past to demonstrate His power and glory. Through miracle testimonies, faith-building teachings, and remarkable accounts from her personal family heritage—including miracles in the life of noted healing evangelist Maria Woodworth-Etter—Glenda Jackson shows how God can work powerfully in your life, bringing to pass what He has ordained for us and His purposes in the world. Discover what it means to be a prophetic watchman and a vessel for God’s glory in these momentous days before Christ’s return.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

I have a really hard time reviewing these types of books. I am a strong believer in God and his works. I believe that he did and does perform miracles but I have a hard time with the evangelists and tele-evangelist like this author tends to be. I am also accustomed to Church of God ideas as this is what I grew up on and even went to a COG University. I feel like some people can take the good out of a book like this but as for me I will keep my very strong opinions to myself and let you know that the beauty of a book is that not all of us need to agree.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Glenda Underwood Jackson is a powerful prophetess and healing evangelist. She moves in signs, wonders, and miracles to glorify Jesus. Since 1974, Glenda has been a missionary evangelist. Her primary ministry focus for over thirty years was Native Americans, ministering to many tribes throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Glenda comes from a Church of God background. Her father, C. L. Underwood, was a healing evangelist who saw many great miracles in his services. Her great-aunt was Maria Woodworth-Etter (1844–1924), whom some considered to have had one of the most powerful evangelistic ministries of modern times.

On December 29, 2007, on her birthday, Glenda had a powerful angelic visitation from the Lord in which she was told that doors would open to her to major ministries throughout the United States. Since then, doors have swung wide open to her ministry. Glenda has ministered at several Fire conferences for evangelist Benny Hinn, at King Jesus International Ministry with Apostle Guillermo Maldonado, and at the World Convention of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International. She has also appeared on Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural! Glenda has ministered in numerous churches, conferences, and camp meetings in the United States, Europe, and Africa. Her ministry is marked by her accurate prophetic words. Glenda often says in her response to her ministry, “I’m nothing; it’s all God.”

More from Glenda

God is prophetically speaking to us as He works signs and wonders in these end times. Discover what it means to be a prophetic watchman and a vessel for God’s glory in these momentous days before Christ’s return.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 20
Texas Book-aholic, August 21
Beauty in the Binding, August 22 (Spotlight)
Inklings and notions, August 23
For Him and My Family, August 24
Splashes of Joy, August 25 (Spotlight)
deb’s Book Review, August 25
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 26
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, August 27
Artistic Nobody , August 28 (Spotlight)
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 29
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 30
Simple Harvest Reads, August 31 (Spotlight)
Cats in the Cradle Blog, September 1
Fiction Book Lover, September 2 (Spotlight)
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, September 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Glenda is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1141e/the-call-of-the-watchmen-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Flipping Hearts by Chautona Havig ~ Book Review + Giveaway

September 1, 2021

About the Book

When a hurricane rips through Hooper Island, a tidal wave of TV crews follows and upsets the locals.

Brooks Crawforth agreed to volunteer crews helping to clean up and repair things on the island, not a whole home and garden series on the total renovation of several houses and a bit of cleanup on the side. He’s furious, and the show host is spitting nails at the person who blew it in the first place.

His and his father’s jobs are in jeopardy, the islanders are about to kill him, and that crazy show host blames him for her assistant’s last-minute, “you’ve-got-to-sign-this-now-or-we-can’t-come” contract.

One more thing. Did she have to be so cute?

He’s got even more trouble, though. Islanders are starting to blame Mallory Barrows for the invasion. Not only that, there are rumors of dismantling the association and allowing tourism on the islands. How’s he supposed to fix this mess?

They can’t stand each other, but if they can manage to flip off the enemy switch and flip on some cooperation, maybe their hearts’ll get flipped, too.

This “enemies to romance” novel introduces the next island in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to get your copy! Also available through Kindle Unlimited.

My Thoughts

Back to Independence Islands except this time we are in the island of Hooper or as the locals call it Hopper. This is book one in the series and we are off to a good start! If you were thinking this is merely a romantic story boy are you in for a surprise! This also has quite the mystery and intrigue and it will keep you reading. I must also mention that the enemies to lovers trope is on point! Chautona wrote some lovely characters that kept your attention throughout the story.

One of the things I really enjoy about this author is the way she immerses the element of faith that makes you stop and think once you are done reading! If you enjoy the enemies to lovers trope, a bit of mystery and HGTV type shows then this is the book you should pick up. If you have read any of the other books some familiar faces and names will pop up on this one!

My Rating: 4 Stars/ Really Liked it

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Author of the bestselling Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

How I Almost Missed This Important Life Lesson

He annoyed her. The guy was bossy, demanding, rude, and unwilling to admit fault—mostly. Truth be told, she was pretty much the same. Two people with similar faults. The relationship would never happen.

Now what was I supposed to do?

Without any idea how I’d take two near enemies and turn them into a couple, I kept writing the primary story—the one that was supposed to bring them together. The one that would have driven me far, far away from a guy like Brooks.

Right about the time I thought about that is when Bailey had her revelation. “He likes me.”

I nearly did a spit take. I mean, where did that come from? Why would he like someone who hadn’t bothered to be likeable?

And still the story unfolded. “Life or death” moment? Check. Unintentional sharing of attraction and heart. Check. Still confused author as these characters draw closer and closer… check, check!

It took until after the story’s climax for me to realize that Brooks really did like Bailey for who she was—and vice versa. Only after all that tension diffused and their distrust had been smashed to smithereens were Bailey and Brooks able to examine everything. Only after that was I able to realize a truth I hadn’t expected to learn.

People fall in love with people they argue with.

People in love argue. See, my husband and I don’t do that. We don’t argue. Ever. Do we agree on every little thing? No. We just don’t argue about it.

Look, it’s not like I’ve never written people who argue. I do. But Never have I looked at a fictional relationship, seen that it would produce the kind fireworks that Bailey and Brooks will, and thought, “Oh, they’re perfect for each other.”

Because see… if I were Bailey, I’d run. Fast. Conflict is a natural part of life and relationships, and I’m not so naïve as to think it’ll never occur. But entering a relationship knowing it’ll be a regular occurrence? Unthinkable!

So as I pondered all this during those last pages of the book, something hit me.

Jesus enters a rocky relationship with us. Willingly.

Don’t believe me? Think about it. Jesus knew, before He ever spoke light into existence, that His bride would blame Him for… pretty much everything. He knew she’d get him brutally murdered. He knew she’d rail at Him, spit at Him, abandon Him, cheat on Him, and even after forgiveness… she’d do it all over again the next day.

Even knowing all that… He still whispers to our hearts, “Be Mine. I love you.”

If that’s not the most beautiful, unbelievable, amazing thing, I don’t know what is.

It’s probably one of the most important life lessons I’ll ever learn. People choose to be in relationships with people they know they’ll argue with—people who will hurt them, annoy them, demand things of them. And the greatest example of One who does it so beautifully is Jesus. Because see… Jesus entered that relationship with me, knowing I’d be that person. Humbling, yeah. Important life lesson? Most definitely.