Stars Collide by Janice Thompson

A light & fun read with some good spiritual truth woven in! Stars Collide is the first book in the Backstage Pass Series. This is also the first book by Janice Thompson I have read. She has a previous series, Weddings by Bella & apparently there are some crossover characters but you do not need to read them prior to picking up this one. 

Pleasant reading, 

To those who bless us through their writing...

I've been thinking these thoughts for a while now, sadly I am just now writing them down. Thank you, to all of you who put yourselves out there... Who use the gifts God has given you... Who take the time to research,think, dream, write & all that goes into the finished work we get to receive... The gift of your words, tears, joys, experiences - all wrapped in a book.  

It's courageous to put yourselves out there & be open to criticism & praise. I just want to say that I admire you. Thank you for sharing & blessing us! May God bless you!

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

Siri Mitchell is one of those authors who has yet to write a novel that I haven't liked. I order her books knowing I will enjoy the read & want to keep them.

Although this novel started out a little slow for me at first, I knew I would come away from it with a smile on my face & pleasure in having read it. And I was right!  

Her main characters' struggles & pitfalls,  if we're being honest, are like most of ours. Our desire to win, to be right, to want to succeed, to be special, looking to our own interest & on & on. I loved the wisdom Winnie shared with both Lucy & Charlie. Deep truth that is so sweet all we have to do is open up our hearts to receive the gift of grace & love God has given us through Christ Jesus. 

Thank you, Siri Mitchell for a sweet & delightful read!

Once Upon a Prince (The Royal Wedding Series) by Rachel Hauck

 

Hauck gently woos you into her tale and then completely captivates you.  If you can put this book down, you will find yourself eagerly awaiting the moment you can pick it up again.  I breezed through this one... and came away absolutely delighted!  What can I say I am a romantic and this is a book that will romance you.  I eagerly await book 2 in this series!

 

I loved the theme of faith woven in this tale.  Let us not have little faith but believe God and trust in Him, He has so much more for us than we can even imagine!  I finished the book last night and came away thinking then and today about my true Prince, Jesus.  He never fails me.  He pursues me.  His love is beyond amazing.  When I think of all that Jesus has done to rescue me and how He never gives up on me, He never leaves me, I am just blown away. He has clamimed me as His own and prepared a place for me.  That is true romance at it's best!

Barefoot Summer (A Chapel Springs Romance) by Denise Hunter

 

 

Denise Hunter never let's me down... I always come away glad to have read one of her books.  Barefoot Summer is the first book in her new Chapel Springs series; book 2 - Dancing with Fireflies is due out next Spring. 

 

I will admit that this book's pull was a little slow for me in the beginning but I just knew that it would catch me and lure me in, which it did.  Madison's struggle with spiritual questions, with God was something honest and believable.  Hunter has a wonderful way of weaving in deeper truths and giving you things to ponder on.  The sparks and romance are a good touch too (wink).

 

I eagerly await her next instalment in this series!

 

 

Love's Reckoning, The Ballantyne Legacy Series, Book 1 by Laura Frantz

 

Bravo! Frantz has masterfully spun a tale sure to lure you in and keep the pages turning way into the night!  My only complaint was that I found myself too quickly on the last page and now must await book 2!

 

Frantz captures the time period and places; and her characters are so vividly written it is as if you have been transported into the story.  Suspenseful, endearing, moving and not to be missed!

 

 

The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck

 

Billerbeck captured my interest from the first page.  I enjoyed the whit, humor and in the beginning waiting for that proverbial other shoe to drop.  This is a fun read, that will keep the pages turning and leave you with a smile upon your face. 

 

 

The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

 

Another wonderful story from Hedlund!  John Costin has been called to proclaim the gospel and nothing will deter him.  Elizabeth Whitbead desires to serve the Lord and others.  Their lives, through circumstances become entwined.  Threats, danger, rumors are all to frequently occurring but something else is closing in on them as well... John and Elizabeth will both have to learn to trust, to stand firm, to love and to forgive. 

 

Hedlund writes a beautiful and engrossing tale that portrays the struggle for religious freedom.  This is a work of fiction that is based off of the true life story of John Bunyan, author of the classic Pilgrim's Progress. 

 

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund

Fantastic! From page one Hedlund  captivates readers with her story of Priscilla White & Dr. Eli Ernest. Two people who both long to serve the Lord as missionaries.  However, the missionary board requires them to be married to do so. Married in name only they set off on a long & difficult journey westward. 

They have so much to learn about themselves, about perseverance, love, forgiveness... They will be tested many times and must learn to lean on & trust the One who is, who can & who does. 

This story truly captivated my interest & I flew through the pages,eager to know what would happen next. Her characters, plot & the emotions; the thrills, the scares, all of it is brilliantly written. I was sad to come to the end. 

Interestingly, this story is based off of the real life story of a young missionary couple who traveled overland to Oregon in 1836. The two women who made this journey were the first white women to do so. These women were brave & led the way for the women who would later follow them on what is now known as the Oregon Trail.    

This is the first book I have read from author, Jody Hedlund but I look forward to reading more of her work!

  

Captive Trail, A Morgan Family Series by Susan Page Davis

 

 

This is a story about a young girl taken captive and raised by the Comanche Indians. After years have passed she escapes and seeks to find her family, this is really where the story starts.  She through a mishap finds shelter with nuns and a friend in Ned, the stagecoach driver. She has to relearn life in the "white world", English, culture, about God, etc.  All in the hopes of not being recaptured and finding her family.   

 

It was a little slow moving for me, not uninteresting but not gripping and fast paced, with the exception of a few chapters.  I think depending upon your style of preference in storytelling there would be several who would like this book.

 



Chase, a dvd-based study by Jennie Allen

 

Chase is the first study I have done by Jennie Allen but I hope to do more in the future!  This is a wonderful study that takes a look at David, his heart, his God, their relationship and how this relates to you personally. Allen urges you to pursue, to chase "after the heart of God". David loved God and saw God as more real than anything.  Because of this David lived life outrageously... he fought a giant, he took risks, he worshiped with abandon and even when he messed up he went running back to God. 

 

There is so much to say and give credit to this study but I just want to hit a few highlights for me.  I thought the theme of seeing God as more real than anything; that God and His promises are real more so than any "giant" you may face, was a definite encouragement.  Also, that it isn't about striving for perfection and works but about relationship and loving God above all.

 

I think this would be a wonderful study to do with a group of ladies.  I would personally love to do it with a close set of girlfriends or people who I know would really open up and get into the discussion cards/talk time.  Either way acquaintances or close pals, I believe that doing this study will help you focus on the One and loving Him with abandon.

 

 

Recommended!

 

Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher

Betrayal is the second book in Hatcher's Where the Heart Lives Series.  See my review of Book One, Belonging.

I found this to be an enjoyable read.  Julia Grace and Hugh Brennan have both been hurt and betrayed by people close to them, now both have to learn to trust others and more importantly trust in and rely upon God. 

I confess that Book 3, Beloved  (due out in September) has sparked my interest. The excerpt in the back was a nice teaser!