An Amish Cradle Review

Tiny fingers,

Tiny toes,

And lives that will never be the same.

Journey with four families as their lives are about to change forever.

In His Father’s Arms by Beth Wiseman

Ruth Anne has been dreaming about motherhood her entire life. Now she is doubly excited that she and her best friend are due with their children the same week. But when Ruth Anne’s baby is born with Down syndrome, she and her husband struggle to understand God’s plan.

I think that this may have been my favorite story of the four in this book. (Though I loved them all!) I loved seeing each parents struggle and how they overcame them. I felt their struggles and hurt for them but I also rejoiced with them too!

A Son for Always by Amy Clipston

Carolyn and Joshua are thrilled to be pregnant with their first child together. Carolyn was just a teenager when she had her son, Benjamin, and she still feels solely responsible to secure his future. As Joshua watches Carolyn struggle to accept his support, he knows he has to find some way to convince her that she—and Ben—will always be taken care of.

Carolyn was a character that I found myself frustrated with. I just wanted to step in the story and tell her to let go of all her worry and to just trust her husband. But even with my slight frustration I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

A Heart Full of Love by Kathleen Fuller

Ellie’s mother hasn’t stopped meddling in her personal life since Ellie lost her sight—and she’s taken it up a notch now that Ellie’s pregnant. When Ellie gives birth to twins, her mother insists on moving in to care for them. But when her mother’s behavior becomes unbearable, Ellie is forced to take a stand . . . and finally find out why Mamm can’t let go.

This story was a great! I loved the characters of Ellie and Chris! In fact I just realized that their love story is told in the book An Amish Love and now I can't wait to read it too!

An Unexpected Blessing by Vannetta Chapman

At 42, Etta thought she was finished having children, but she’s pregnant again. After a frightening labor, Etta finally gives birth, but her constant worry over her estranged grown son, David, haunts her still. As a new mother again, Etta must hold tightly to the promise that God will watch over her children—and that one day David will return.

An Unexpected Blessing was another great story! I loved reading about Etta and her family. I now have to go find some more of Vannettas books!

All in all An Amish Cradle is one of my favorite novella collections!

5 out of 5. An amazing Amish Afternoon Snack!

I received a copy of this book from BookLook in exchange for my honest review.

Rise of the Fallen Review

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A six thousand year war rages and now the demonic Fallen are coming for him—the one man shrouded in mystery. Only Validus stands in their way.

Validus is the last and least of God’s angels, but he’s seen much across the millennia since his creation. Empires have risen and fallen as angelic and demonic forces battle in a raging war that will determine humanity's fate – and the fate of his defeated brothers.

Eventually called to be an earth-bound warrior, Validus rises to a position of power and respect, commanding legions of angels through impossible battles and overwhelming odds. But when orders arrive from the Creator's most elite Messenger, he finds himself suddenly demoted to a task of apparent insignificance considering the fierce war they are waging against the demonic Fallen – the covert protection of one unbelieving man. 

Validus soon finds himself on a mission that will push him beyond his abilities as he battles to protect Drew Carter, for the Fallen are coming for him. Legions of them. 

As Validus races against time to discover why Drew is so important to humanity's survival, can he stand between Drew and all who would destroy him?

Rise of the Fallen by Chuck Black is the second book in the Wars of the Realm, and what a book it is! I have been waiting for what has felt like forever to read the second installment of this series and I can say that while I wish I didn't have to wait at all, it was worth it! If you haven't already started this series I suggest you do so quickly. Rise of the Fallen is a amazing read that will definitely make you think more about spiritual warfare. I loved getting to 'see' the Bible through angelic eyes. All in all this book, this series, is a must read.

5 out of 5. An angelic Afternoon Snack!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Trouble with Patience Review

Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance. The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him. Now she is consumed with the restoration of a dilapidated boarding house in order to support herself. Despite her desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local sheriff with a reputation for hanging criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life. It seems like such a simple arrangement: Patience needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse, and Jedediah needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners. But Patience gets more than she bargained for as she explores the depths of the "hanging lawman"--and finds both betrayal and love.

The Trouble with Patience by Maggie Brendan is the first book in the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series. I always do love a good old western story and I don't think The Trouble with Patience let me down in any way. I really felt for Patience character and I loved seeing some growth in her. I also loved the growth that we got to see with Jedediah's character. Stick with this book till the end and I think you'll find it as wonderful as I did. If you love to read sweet romances set in the old west then The Trouble with Patience is just the book for you. 

4.5 out of 5. An wonderful Afternoon Snack.

I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

The Crimson Cord Review

Wife to a gambler who took one too many risks, Rahab finds herself sold as a slave to cover her husband's debt. Forced into prostitution by Dabir, counselor to the Syrian king, Rahab despairs of ever regaining her freedom and her self-respect. But when Israelite spies enter Jericho and come to lodge at her house, Rahab sees a glimmer of hope and the opportunity of a lifetime. In one risky moment, she takes a leap of faith, puts her trust in a God she does not know, and vows to protect the spies from the authorities. When the armies of Israel arrive weeks later, Rahab hopes they will keep their promise, but she has no idea what kind of challenges await her outside Jericho's walls--or if she will ever know the meaning of love.

The Crimson Cord by Jill Eileen Smith is the moving story of Rahab. I think I've said this before but I really enjoy reading retelling's of Bible story's. I think that they help to make the Bible come to life a little more. The Crimson Cord is based on the Biblical account of Rahab which, if your familiar with the Bible,  is a pretty short story. I liked Jill's imagining of Rahabs story a lot, I think its one of the best ones I have read! The story and it's message of forgiveness is one that will stay with you. The Crimson Cord is the perfect book for those who love Biblical Fiction.

5 out of 5. An amazing Afternoon Snack! 

I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Two Renegade Realms Review

In Two Renegade Realms, Cantor, Bixby, and Dukmee must band together to find the storied realm walker Chomountain after a devastating attack by the corrupt Realm Walkers Guild. But what they discover while traveling turns their mission upside down: the great wizard is not as he once was, and they must now find a way to restore Chomountain before they and he can restore the Guild once more.

Two Renegade Realms by Donita K. Paul is the second book the Realm Walkers Series. It continues the adventures of Cantor and I must say I really enjoyed this installment. I wasn't that into the first book of this series but now after reading Two Renegade Realms I can't wait for book three! I need to know what happens now! I have fallen completely in love with the amazing cast of characters that Donita has crafted. If you are having any doubts about either starting this series or continuing this series, let me tell you that you won't regret it! The Realm Walkers Series is a wonderful series that I believe all fantasy readers will enjoy!

5 out of 5. A fantastic Afternoon Snack!

I received a copy of this book from BookLook in exchange for my honest review.

When Mercy Rains Reveiw

She left, heavily weighted with secrets.

But God reveals all things, in His timing. 

And He redeems them.

Suzanne Zimmerman was only seventeen and pregnant when her shamed mother quietly sent her away from their Old Order Mennonite community in Kansas. With her old home, family, and first love firmly behind her, Suzanne moved to Indiana, became a nurse, and raised a daughter, Alexa, on her own.

Now, nearly twenty years later, an unexpected letter arrives from Kansas. Her brother asks her to bring her nursing abilities home and care for their ailing mother. His request requires that Suzanne face a family that may not have forgiven her and a strict faith community. It also means seeing Paul Aldrich, her first love.    

Paul, widowed with an eight-year-old son, is relieved to see Suzanne again, giving him the chance to beg her forgiveness for his past indiscretion. But when he meets Alexa, his guilt flickers in the glare of Suzanne’s prolonged secret—one that changes everything. 

Suzanne had let go of any expectation for forgiveness long ago. Does she dare hope in mercy–and how will her uncovered past affect the people she loves the most?

When Mercy Rains by Kim Vogel Sawyer is the first book in The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy. Like always I Kim did not disappoint with her writing. Normally I wouldn't pick up this book based on it's back cover description, it just didn't seem like my kind of read. But because its by one of my favorite authors I asked to review it. And boy am I glad I did! I loved Suzanne's story, it was so real and the message was great. I am looking forward to read the next book in The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy. I recommend that you pick this book up as soon as possible.

5 out of 5. A great Afternoon Snack!

I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for an honest review.

At Home in Last Chance Review

What happens when the life you’re running from won’t let go of your heart?

Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden have always had a similar philosophy of life: when the going gets tough, they get going—out of town and away from the problem. Now they are both back in Last Chance, New Mexico, and trying to start over. 

Kaitlyn is working to reestablish a relationship with the seven-year-old daughter she left behind six months earlier. Steven is trying to prove to his family that he is not the irresponsible charmer they have always known him to be. As Kaitlyn and Steven find themselves drawn to one another, one big question keeps getting in the way: How will they learn to trust each other when they don’t even trust themselves?

At Home in Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong is the third book in the A Place To Call Home series. While this wasn't my favorite book in the series I really liked getting to know these new characters and seeing the old ones again. Kaitlyn was not my favorite person at first but she grew on my fairly quick and I enjoyed seeing her character grow. I could say almost the same for Steven . The story is a nice sweet read giving the reader a feeling of hope when it comes to righting ones wrongs.

4 out of 5. A delightful Afternoon Snack!

I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.