Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie J. Davis

Book Descrpition:

What would cause an eighteen-year-old old senior class president and homecoming queen from Nashville, Tennessee, to disappoint her parents by forgoing college, break her little brother’s heart, lose all but a handful of her friends (because the rest of them think she has gone off the deep end), and break up with the love of her life, all so she could move to Uganda, where she knew only one person but didn’t know any of the language? A passion to make a difference. Katie Davis left over Christmas break her senior year for a short mission trip to Uganda and her life was turned completely inside out. She found herself so moved by the people and children of Uganda that she knew her calling was to return and care for them. She has given up a relatively comfortable life—at a young age—to care for the less fortunate of this world. She was so moved by the need she witnessed, she's centered her life around meeting that need. Katie, a charismatic and articulate young woman, is in the process of adopting 13 children in Uganda, and she completely trusts God for daily provision for her and her family. 

Despite the rough conditions in which Katie lives, she has found a life of service to God to be one of great joy. Katie's children bring constant delight and help her help others by welcoming whoever comes to their door. As the challenges grow, so does Katie's faith and her certainty that what she's doing in Uganda, one person at a time, will have far-reaching rewards. It isn't the life she planned, but it is the life she loves.

To further her reach into the needs of Ugandans, Katie established Amazima Ministries. The ministry matches orphaned children with sponors worldwide. Each sponsor's $300/year provides schooling, school supplies, three hot meals a day, minor medical care, and spiritual encouragement. Katie expected to have forty children in the program; she had signed up 150 by January 2008; today it sponsors over 400. Another aspect of the ministry is a feeding program created for the displaced Karamojong people—Uganda's poorest citizens. The program feeds lunch to over 1200 children Monday-Friday and sends them home with a plate of food; it also offers basic medical care, Bible study, and general health training.

Katie Davis, now 22, is more than fascinating, she's inspiring, as she has wholeheartedly answered the call to serve. 

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Inspiring, gripping and heart felt! Katie Davis didn't set out to be a missionary, a person bringing change and hope, an example... She just loved Jesus and she followed where He led her. She pursued His love and the love He gave her for this place and the people there. Home is where the heart is and Katie's home is wherever Jesus would call her to be and right now that is in Uganda. 

I found this story to be not only well written, with an easy, conversational style flow, but also very encouraging and inspiring. Inspired to do what God calls me to do, and to know that yes, even just one thing, one person, can have a huge impact. Not just here on earth but for eternity. No, we don't all need to pack our bags and move. Some of us may, but for many, God is calling us to love the people He has placed in our lives and areas. To reach out and seize the opportunities He brings our way. To live and love, beyond ourselves. To live and love, filled with His love and strength at work in us. To share.

There are some critics out there, but when are there not?! The main thing isn't about pleasing people but pleasing God. And that is what Katie Davis is living to do. She's didn't set out to do some awesome thing, she just followed God. Where He leads her she goes and she obeys. I thank God for her and others like her who are out there being the hands and feet of Jesus. Not just serving, but showing and sharing the love of God, and telling them about Jesus; not just in words but in actions too. If your hearts not in it, if there isn't love, as 1 Corinthians 13 tells us, it's all empty.

Again, this book is to inspire not tell you how to do ministry but to follow God where He leads you and to be obedient. I love how she shares her heart and how God captured it so completely, giving her a passion and love not only for Him but for this place and its people - for these children. She is honest, refreshingly so. Life is hard but God is good. He is faithful. Let us rejoice!

Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig

Book Description:
Dead Reckoning is the story of a young woman anxious to abandon the crushing effects of her father’s espionage career only to find herself tangled in the very web of mystery and intrigue that consumed his life. Underwater archeologist Shiloh Blake is consumed with passion for the water and inflamed at the injustices of life, blaming her secret agent father for her mother's death. When her first large-scale dig traps her in the middle of an international nuclear arms clash, she flees for her life and is followed by an unknown man. Who is he? How is he always one step ahead? Reece Jaxon is a former Navy SEAL, who now serves his country as a spy. His mission is threatened by the beguiling Shiloh Blake as he hunts down the sources to a nuclear dead drop in the Arabian Sea. The only way to end this nightmare and prevent a nuclear meltdown is for Shiloh to join forces with Reece. Will Shiloh violate her vow to never become a spy like her father?  Will she reconcile with her father? Will her trust issues destroy her chance for love? And will she allow God to help her through this ordeal?

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Kendig's debut novel blew me away! This is no light weight story, and I for one was glad. Even at the end I still did not want to part with this novel and its' characters. Dead Reckoning will draw you in and have you speeding through the pages. In fact reading this novel is like watching an action, suspense, romance movie.

Thrilling story, engaging characters - all the way around, a well written novel. Kendig knows how to balanced a story. One in which you don't feel as if you are reading about people, as much as you feel you are in the story. She knows how to gear up the suspense, when to add the romance and how to write characters & emotions that seem real and fleshed out. In fact, Kendig has yet to write a novel that I can't say this about - She has found a fan in me!

Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund has yet to write a novel that I haven't loved! She did not disappoint with her newest novel, crafting once again not only a well told story but one rich in history, depth, characters and emotions! From the beginning she captured my attention and held it steadily throughout the novel. Even when I had to put the book down, it still lingered on my mind and I could not wait to return to its' pages. 

Hedlund has a way of bringing History to life in her novels, she not only makes it interesting but engages your mind and emotions as you journey through a place and time period. Learning about Michilimackinac Island and the people held there during this time of unrest was fascinating. Her characters seem to live and breath, and garner a place in your heart. I so enjoyed Pierre and Angelique's story. Their struggles, failings, hopes, and desire to do what is right, all pull at you. They are characters you love and root for. Characters who manage to help you see yourself and examine truths, all the while being completely captivated by their story, as you hungrily devour the pages to see what will become of them! All I can say is that this novel is SO good, a definite keeper!