The Promise of Palm Grove

e Promise of Palm Grove (Avon Inspire, January 2015)

Leona must decide: Does she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?

A young Amish woman finds herself torn between the man she's pledged to wed and the man her heart desires in this heartwarming story of chance, duty, and choice in the face of love---the first volume in the beloved New York Times bestselling author's new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Amish bride-to-be Leona is thrilled to be in Florida, on a mini-vacation in the pretty town of Pinecraft. Her girlfriends think she's happy because she's away from the stress of wedding planning. They have no idea that Leona's real joy is in being away from her fiancé.

Edmund is a good man, and will make a decent husband . . . just not for Leona. The more time she spends with him and his overbearing ways, the less she wants to be his wife. Her cousins are sure Edmund is the right man for her---and their certainty makes Leona begin to doubt herself. But when a chance encounter with a wayward cat brings her face-to-face with a handsome, fun-loving Amish man named Zachary Kauffman, Leona's faced with two vastly different futures.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1aQJuw2 

About the author:

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Find Shelley online: website

My Review:
This was an enjoyable read. Love the way the author makes you feel like you are there in Pinecraft watching the characters in the story.You can easily change from the two major story lines without any confusion.
I would recommend this book to those who love reading Amish fiction like I do. Read this book to find out who Leona chooses to be the man for her. Also follow the story of Beverly.
Her life is about to change but how?

I receives a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for this review. 

Season of Change

A Season of Change: Seasons in Pinecraft | Book 1 Paperback

by Lynette Sowell (Author)

 Can a past filled with loss lead to a new season of life? Stranded at a Sarasota hospital at the bedside of his ailing daughter, Amish widower Jacob Miller is wary of his unfamiliar surroundings—including the strange curiosity of Englischer Natalie Bennett. Natalie, an aerial silks artist whose career in the circus ended before it began, has just uncovered a secret her mother kept hidden for years. Her mom—or rather, mamm—was once Amish. A hundred questions suddenly surface. Why did Natalie’s mother keep this secret for so long? Does Natalie still have Amish relatives? How can she learn more about her heritage? Can Jacob trust Natalie’s piqued interest in his family and their simple ways, or will their clashing cultures thwart their hopes for finding the love of a family? “A Season of Change is an Amish tale with a fresh voice and unique twist. Filled with warmth and love and fried pies, it’s poignant and compelling in a whole new way. You’ll read it and wish you could stay there . . . just a little longer.” —Elizabeth Goddard, Carol Award–winning author of Oregon Outback and Wilderness Peril “Lynette Sowell’s new twist on the genre will capture fans of Amish fiction as well as lovers of unlikely romance. Readers will pull for Natalie and Jacob to stitch their two very different worlds together into a comfortable quilt of family, faith, and future plans.” —Lisa Wingate, best-selling author of The Prayer Box and Wildwood Creek

My Review: 
This book was a pleasant surprised. Set in the Sarasota community of Amish and Mennonites known as Pinecraft Village that I have heard of but not witness myself. This is the story of an Amish widower Jacob with two children that is being pressured to marry again. Instead of fallen for the Amish girl back home he falls for a Circus performer, Natalie that he meets at the hospital of his sick daughter. Find out if these two can find love. There is a secret that Natalie's mom kept that may help these two to become a family.
This book is a good read that I would recommend to others.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Surprised By Grace

About the book: Surprised By Grace

Renowned writer Elizabeth "Tib" Sherrill shares her own faith journey at last! Embrace this page-turner and see God's work in your life every day.

Tib has written for Guideposts magazine for over sixty years, contributed to Daily Guideposts for over twenty-five, and coauthored the best-selling, inspirational adventures of all time with her husband, John, including: The Hiding Place, The Cross and the Switchblade, and God's Smuggler. Yet, Tib's most powerful story ever is this beautifully written, exhilarating memoir.

In it, you'll discover how God's love transformed her life from one of great struggle to one with a clear direction and find inspiration, hope and strength for your own journey.

Enjoy touching stories about Tib's family and close relationships, from her unhappy childhood to John's surprising marriage proposal. Meet her lifelong friend Mea, and her dear father-in-law who was able to see her for the complex person she was even though he was blind. Travel with her to fascinating places across the United States and Europe. And find out how she overcame her poor self-image after a stunning encounter with her Creator.

Elizabeth Sherrill's superb storytelling brings you into every scene, making you laugh and cry many times over. You'll be reminded that God intends hope and freedom for you. You'll also find wonderful insight and encouragement in the uplifting foreword by Guideposts Editor-in-Chief Edward Grinnan and in the inspirational "Conversation Starters," particularly useful for women's Bible studies, book clubs, or home groups.
Surprised by Grace will help you understand more deeply how to completely trust God in the toughest times of your life, how to recognize your dependence on Him, and how to allow Him to light your way.

Purchase a copy at Guideposts and get Elizabeth's devotional 101 Moments of Prayer FREE.

 

About the author: Elizabeth Sherrill is the author behind the classic best sellers The Hiding Place about Corrie ten Boom, The Cross and the Switchblade about David Wilkerson, and God's Smuggler about Brother Andrew. She also is a longtime contributor to America's best-loved inspirational magazine Guideposts, and best-selling devotional, Daily Guideposts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Review:
This is a wonderful book from someone who spent most of her life helping others write the stories of their lives. She now shares her life story in this unique style that makes you want to read more. She starts off telling of her childhood and the sadness she felt most of her early years. She shares some of the details of suffering from depression. Mostly she tells of the amazing journeys her and her husband shared through the many years of research and writing of such stories. And as we read her stories we realize as she said all roads lead to heaven. Amazing book I would recommend to all my friends.

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Heart Wide Open

Heart Wide Open: Trading Mundane Faith for an Exuberant Life with Jesus [Kindle Edition]

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson   

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson (Author)

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Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 2014

You believe in God. You’re trying to serve Him.
But do you know how to truly love Him—and let Him love you?

As a Bible-believing churchgoer, author Shellie Tomlinson harbored a secret in her good-girl heart. She longed for something more than routine faith; she wanted to love God with a genuine, all-consuming passion. So she got honest with Him: “I admit it. I don’t love you like I should, but I want to love you. Help me!”

In Heart Wide Open, Shellie invites you to answer the call of your restless heart and refuse to settle for anything less than the intimate friendship of God. Through her heartfelt and honest words, you’ll find practical inspiration to help you…
·   exchange your “just enough Jesus” mindset for an all-out pursuit of Him
·   put sizzle in your Bible study by asking God to show you the wonder of His Word
·   trade formulaic devotions for a devoted life

Are you ready to stop struggling to make time for God and instead live every moment with God? Discover how to live with your heart wide open.

My Review:
This is a good book. The author is able to share in a down to earth way about how to open your heart wide to God. She shares stories of her life that helps us see  she truly understands what it is like to need a true personal relationship with God and not just going through the motions of weekly church services.
I think we all can learn something through her experience and to question do we really love God with all our heart and if not what do we do about it. If we truly seek to have a deeper walk with the Lord all we need to do is seek the Lord with all our hearts and spend time with God in prayer and study of His Word.
I would recommend this book to all my friends.




Required Federal Trade Commission disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest appraisal.

The Making Of A Prophet

 

Making of a Prophet, The: Practical Advice for Developing Your Prophetic Voice Paperback

by Jennifer LeClaire

In this book, leading prophetic voice Jennifer LeClaire guides readers along the journey of a prophet-- from the initial call all the way through to maturity.

This process is anything but easy. But LeClaire offers honest, accessible counsel to help you move into your prophetic call. Her spiritual insights will help you overcome the fear of man, identify and eliminate wrong motives and, above all, pursue intimacy with God.

Many prophets are called . . . but not everyone endures the & making process; to his or her prophetic destiny.   
God is looking for people to entrust with the secrets of His heart.

Embrace the journey toward your call with this comprehensive, practical guide, and experience the awesome process of being formed into a mouthpiece for the God of the universe.

A clean read filled with good information. LeClaire covers a wide range of issues that affect prophetic ministry, tackling them biblically and with practical wisdom;--R. Loren Sandford, senior pastor, New Song Church and Ministries

Written for this hour! Whether you just have some small inkling or have ministered a long time in the prophetic, there is much wisdom to be mined like treasure from its page. Destined to be a classic for generations to come;--Cindy Jacobs, Generals International; Dallas

Whatever the sacrifice, take The Making of a Prophet into your hands and into your heart. I can assure you it will not let you go until your questions are answered."--Steve Hill, evangelist; author, Spiritual Avalanche


My Review:
This is a great book! It teaches how to distinguish between the office of a prophet and the gift of prophecy. Even if your are not called  to this office and it well you to better understand how to judge between a true prophet and a false.
This book will also help you in your own spiritual growth as you learn to stand strong in opposition and to grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
I would highly recommend this book!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary book from Chosen Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

 

 

The Winnowing Season

Book Two in the Amish Vines and Orchards Series

Written by Cindy Woodsmall

About This Book

The tornado that devastated Kings’ Orchard pushed Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob to make a new start in Maine. Are they strong enough to withstand the challenges of establishing an Amish community—and brave enough to face the secrets that move with them?

On the eve of their departure to begin a new Old Order Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is shocked to discover that choices made by her business partner and friend, Samuel King, have placed her and her unusual gifts directly into the path of her district’s bishop and preachers. She is furious with Samuel and is fearful that the Kings will be influenced by the way her leaders see her, and not what they know to be true—that Rhoda’s intuition is a gift from God.

Jacob King won’t be swayed by community speculation. He loves Rhoda, believes in her, and wants to build a future with her in Maine. But when the ghosts of his past come calling and require him to fulfill a great debt, can he shake their hold before it destroys what he has with Rhoda? Samuel has a secret of his own—one he’ll go to great lengths to keep hidden, even if it means alienating those closest to him. Throwing himself into rehabilitating the once-abandoned orchard, Samuel turns to a surprising new ally.

Book 2 of the Amish Vines and Orchards series asks: can the three faithfully follow God’s leading and build a new home and orchard in Maine? Or will this new beginning lead to more ruin and heartbreak?

 My Review:
I love this author! This is book 2 of a three book series. It is full of mystery and suspense. Rhoda is quick to move away due to the misunderstand of her gift from God. As she and the others move to Maine for a fresh start someone's secrets may put their chance for a fresh start to an end.
You cant go wrong with any book written by this author. I enjoy all her books!



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

Proverbs 31

 

Real Women: Leading with Proverbs 31 Values Paperback

by Lisa Troyer (Author) , Dawn Yoder (Author) 

 

 

 Today’s marketplace is not always a “values-friendly” environment. Business leaders Lisa Troyer and Dawn Yoder show you that you can live and thrive in a “valueless” workplace when you live by biblical values and principles.

Real Women: Leading with Proverbs 31 Values is a must-have leadership resource for today’s Christian woman. Written by women in the marketplace, Real Women cultivates biblical truth, credible relationship development, and practical application into everyday life through ten foundational principles. Once women embrace these ten principles, they will soon discover the multiple attributes of the Proverbs 31 woman in today’s marketplace and learn practical ways to implement the wisdom from that timeless Scripture passage.

Women will be encouraged to develop their God-given gifts and talents in the marketplace as they live out the principles that invite others to embrace the equality-inspiring values they live by. Knowing that we are not the end users of the gospel message, the Proverbs 31 leader will find the initiative to inspire the upcoming generation to view womanhood as a gift and continue the learning process that will impact generations to come.                  

 

My Review:
This book is a very practical approach to the Proverbs 31 woman. It intertwines the spiritual aspect with the practical to apply 10 important principles. If you are a woman who desires to learn more about becoming a Proverbs 31 woman this book is for you. Some of the topics the book hits on is forgiveness, responsibility, generosity and honesty.
Personally I found the book difficult to get into and to keep my attention. After saying that I would recommend this book as a group study for women. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”