Though My Heart Is Torn Review

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Gideon O’Riley has two wives—but he doesn’t know it. 
   
Settling into a simple life in the majestic Blue Ridge mountains, Lonnie and Gideon O’Riley have finally found happiness after the rocky start to their marriage. The roguish bluegrass musician has fallen in love with his gentle wife and the God she serves, and Lonnie rests secure in his tenderness for her and their young son. A heartless ruse interupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob—and forces them to face the claims of Cassie Allan, a woman who says she is Gideon’s rightful wife.
 
As Gideon wades into the depths of his past choices, Lonnie is stunned by the revelations. She has no choice but to navigate this new path, knowing that surviving the devastating blow will take every ounce of strength  she has.
 
While Gideon’s guilt  and his bitterness towards Cassie threatens to burn up his fledgling faith, Lonnie wrestles to find the courage to trust the God who brought them together in the first place. Will their hard-earned love be able to conquer all? 
 
Lonnie only wanted her husband’s love. Now that he belongs to another, can she surrender Gideon to a God with a bigger plan?

 Though My Heart Is Torn by Joanne Bischof is the second book in The Cadence of Grace series. It was just simply... Amazing. Though I shouldn't be surprised because after reading the first book, Be Still My Soul, I was amazed by it too. I just didn't think it could get better. But once again an author has proved me wrong. I found myself crying throughout the book. And not just soft little sniffles, sometimes it was a full on sob, snot and all…Okay that was a little TMI. But seriously, Though My Heart Is Torn brought me to tears in a good ‘I’m living in the book’ way. I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Lonnie and Gideon in the next book. But if it’s anything like the first two I know I’m in for a treat…And I’ll be prepared with Kleenex next time! 

5 out of 5. An Amazing Afternoon Snack! 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Misery Loves Company Review

Don’t tell me it’s terrifying. Terrify me.

Filled with grief, Jules Belleno rarely leaves the house since her husband’s death while on duty as a police officer. Other than the reviews Jules writes on her blog, she has little contact with the outside world.

But one day when she ventures out to the local grocery store, Jules bumps into a fellow customer . . . and recognizes him as her favorite author, Patrick Reagan. Jules gushes and thoroughly embarrasses herself before Regan graciously talks with her.

And that’s the last thing she remembers—until she wakes up in a strange room with a splitting headache. She’s been kidnapped. And what she discovers will change everything she believed about her husband’s death . . . her career . . . and her faith.

Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge was mind blowing. I don't think I've ever read a book as quickly as I did this one. It arrived in the mail one second and was in my hands being read the next. I'm glad it was a summer day and I had nothing planned otherwise I would have been in trouble ignoring life around me. ;)  I was captivated instantly by Rene's story telling ability and I now wonder why I've never read any of her other books. Because if they're anything like Misery Loves Company they must be amazing.  That being said I can't wait to get my hands on more of her writing. 

5 out of 5. I devoured this Afternoon Snack. 

I got a free review copy of Misery Loves Company from Tyndale House Publishers in return for my honest review

A Most Peculiar Circumstance Review

Miss Arabella Beckett, defender of the down-trodden women of America, is returning from her travels in support of the women's suffrage movement when she makes a simple offer of assistance to a young woman in need. But things go sadly awry, and both ladies soon find themselves in dire need of rescue. Arabella, always loath to admit she needs help, is particularly reluctant to receive assistance from the arrogant, narrow-minded knight in shining armor who shows up just in time.

Private investigator extraordinaire Mr. Theodore Wilder is on an assignment that began as a favor to his good friend Hamilton Beckett, but swiftly evolved into a merry chase across the country. He is already in a less than pleasant mood, and when Hamilton's sister turns out to have radical ideas and a fiercely independent streak, he's at his wit's end. 

Much to their chagrin, Theodore and Arabella's paths continue to cross when they return home to New York, but the most unusual feelings beginning to grow between them certainly can't be anything serious. When the trouble Arabella accidentally stirred up in her travels follows her home and threatens her very life, the unlikely couple must face the possibility that they might have landed in the most peculiar circumstance of all: love. 

A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano was an excellent book. I loved how the whole story started and how it kept getting better and better. A Most Peculiar Circumstance is the sequel to A Change of Fortune and brings back old characters as well as some new. I loved getting to know the characters better, especially the two main charters, Theodore and Arabella, and watching their stories play out. A Most Peculiar Circumstance is sure to bring a smile to your face and put a warm feeling in your heart as you read the last chapter and set the book down. It did to mine. Now I can’t wait for Jen Turano’s next book!

5 out of 5. A sweet Afternoon Snack that you’re sure to love.

I got a free review copy of A Most Peculiar Circumstance from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

Renegade Review

Having grown up in the foster system, Private Pike Morgan’s rough exterior and problem with authority earn him few friends among his fellow Marines. When he’s not on missions for the Marine Reserve, Pike’s rebellious attitude and eagerness for vigilante justice have the local police regularly at his doorstep. Struggling to set down roots, and nervous of his desire to, Pike’s eager to answer the military’s call for another deployment.

On a peacekeeping mission to Afghanistan, Pike and his squad soon find themselves entrenched in a heated war zone. After an American journalist is kidnapped by known terrorist Zalmai Yaqub, the whereabouts of this al Qaeda leader become a top priority for the American military. But when Yaqub flees to Pakistan, will anyone aid Pike in his hunt, or will this strong Marine find himself without an ally?

Renegade by Mel Odom is the second book in the Called To Serve series.  I had said that the first book was the most captivating book I’ve read in a while; well it’s just been topped. I loved reading more about Pikes story. His past was kept a mystery in Deployed and was revealed more in Renegade. I can’t wait for the next book! 

That Dog Won’t Hunt Review

Dearing Family Book 1, Southern Contemporary

ebook: $2.99 

 

    paper: $9.69                     

www.brandilyncollins.com 

Meet the Dearings, a crazy, loving, boisterous family in small-town Mississippi. There's mom and dad, three daughters and their families, and the youngest—twenty-five-year-old Ben. Oh, and the family dog, a Yorkie who thinks she's royalty.
"This one's perfect," Ben says about his new fiancée, Christina, when he brings her home for a family reunion. Ben is just sure everyone will love Christina, and she'll fit right in.
He always did tend to wear rose-colored glasses.
Christina loves Ben but secretly fears their relationship will never work. They've only known each other ten weeks. She hasn't told him about her horrific past as an only child—the beatings, the neglect, and verbal abuse. Christina doesn't
know how to trust or be honest about her feelings. Being thrust into the middle
of a tight-knit family like the Dearings is sure to send her over the edge.
With poignancy and humor, That Dog Won't Hunt explores the complexities of
relationships and the inner strength needed to overcome a difficult childhood.

The Dearings are no perfect family, but they know how to love—if only Christina will accept it

That Dog Won’t Hunt is different from Brandilyn Collins other books but just as great. Being used to Brandilyn’s trademark Seatbelt Suspense® I wasn’t sure if I would like her newest book  as much as do all of her other books I’ve read. Boy was I wrong. I fell instantly in love with the loud, loving Dearing family that seemed so much like my own. I loved That Dog Won’t Hunt and can’t wait for the next book in the Dearing Family series. I would definitely recommend this to my friends.

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that leave you with a good taste in your mouth. 

A Noble Groom Review

All Annalisa Werner hoped for was fairy-tale romance. A prince charming to sweep her off her feet and carry her away. Instead she got a husband who cared more about his drinking and gambling then his wife and daughter. But now with her husband dead and on the brink of losing her farm Annalisa must marry again if she hopes to save her land. So her father sends a letter to his brother in Germany, asking him to send Annalisa a groom.

           

            Carl Richards is a man who is lucky to still have his head. Forced to flee Germany with nothing but the clothes on his back Carl takes refuge with Annalisa’s family. He claims that he is former school teacher and was sent by Matthias, Annalisa uncle. Carl asked that he be allowed to stay with Annalisa’s parents in exchange for helping out on her farm until her new husband arrives to take his place. Desperate Annalisa accepts his offer.

            Annalisa soon realizes that Carl is everything her first husband wasn’t. Caring, fascinating, and gentle, the prince charming she always dreamed of.  But she also knows that her new husband may arrive any day.

            A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund was brilliant! I fell in love with Annalisa and Carl immediately and felt their troubles as if they were mine. Everything about this story was great. The best thing was that I could imagine every part of this story being true. Every character and every place was brought to life with Jody’s writing. I absolutely loved A Noble Groom and will definitely recommend it!

5 out of 5. This Afternoon Snack was worthy of royalty!

I got a free review copy of A Noble Groom from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

Avenged Review

Officer Carly Edwards’s life is once again thrown her a curve ball when she discovers three Las Playas gangbangers shot execution style. This puts the whole Las Playas PD on edge knowing a gang war may be around the corner. But everything isn’t adding up and when Carly discovers a gang leader with weapons stolen from a military base thing become even more unclear. Making matters worse Carly loses her partner to a knee injury and is facing questions about her job when a reporter decides to ruin her professional reputation. Will Carly have enough faith to trust God when trials push at her from all sides?

Avenged by Janice Cantore is the third and last book in her debut series, Pacific Coast Justice. I loved, loved, LOVED this book! I had thought the first two books in the series were as good as it could get, but boy was I wrong. Avenged was a great conclusion to the Pacific Coast Justice series and I can’t wait for Janice’s next book to come out!

5 out of 5. As an Afternoon Snack it was quite delicious!

I got a free review copy of Avenged from Tyndale House Publishers in return for my honest review.