A Beauty So Rare

This is a story that intertwines history and fiction.    The story takes place in Nashville TN, not long after the civil war.

In this story we are introduced to Eleanor Braddock, plain, practical, no stunning Southern beauty; a single woman past her prime of marriage.  But with a dying soldier's last whisper, she believes her life can still have meaning and determines to find his widow.  Penniless and struggling to care for her ailing father has been determined to get along in life with her father; who has a faltering memory.   Eleanor arrives at Belmont Mansion, home of her aunt, Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America--and possibly the most demanding, as well.  , Adelicia promised Eleanor’s father to find her niece a husband, but a simple act of kindness leads Eleanor down a far different path--building a home for destitute widows and fatherless children from the Civil War. While Eleanor knows her own heart, she also knows her aunt will never approve of this endeavor.

Then we are introduced to the Archduke Marcus Gottfried who has come to Nashville from Austria in search of a life he controls, instead of one determined for him. Hiding his royal heritage, Marcus desires to combine his passion for nature with his expertise in architecture, but his plans to incorporate natural beauty into the design of the widows' and children's home run contrary to Eleanor's wishes. As work on the home draws them closer together, Marcus and Eleanor find common ground and a love neither of them expects.

Complete with discussion question, this is an excellent book to be used for a reading circle, or just on one’s own to give thought to what one is reading.   This is an excellent book, well written and hard to put down!

 I received this book free from Baker Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

The Adversary

We are in a huge battle every day.  It surrounds us, we live in a world enclosed in sin.    With our fallen nature, we live encircled by adultery, fornication, uncleanliness, heresies, witchcraft, hatred, inconsistency, emulations, anger, discord, envying, murders, drunkenness, it’s in our faces every day.  Through media, our schools, the internet, movies, television.

This world is Satan’s kingdom.  The world would loves to dictate our values and try to pressure us into its mold.

In his book, Mark Bubeck teaches us about our adversary, how to recognize him, and how to defeat him.  He teaches us that through prayer and God’s word, which the victory has been won through Christ.

Full of scripture and guidance, this is a good book for any Christian, new or old to read.

 I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

Bride In Store

In this story we are introduced to Eliza Cantrel, business woman and mail order bride.  When we meet Eliza, it’s on the train arriving a week early arrival to meet her future husband.  Unfortunately the train is robbed, stealing her dowry, and Eliza needs medical attention.

In enters Will, a man who has the calling to be a doctor, and tends to Eliza’s needs.   The fact is, is that Will happens to be the business partner of Eliza’s future husband, who happens to have no sense of business at all.

As Eliza waits for her fiancée, she tends to the shop, where sparks begin to fly between Will and Eliza, but Eliza knows that she has promised herself to Axel and hopes for a future with the store.    Will in the meantime is biding his time to go off to medical school.    That is until Axel returns and trouble begins, what will Eliza decide?

A well written story, one that every reader will enjoy.

 received this book free from Baker Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

Churchless

The Barna group has put together a study on churchless people, and the statistics will amaze the reader when they read the truth behind why people remain churchless.

Who are the churchless?  The churchless are those that haven’t attended a church service during the last 6 months.  This unfortunately is becoming the “norm”.

What makes people not want to come or ignore church?   How could we best help those people connect; that is engage or reconnect in a community of faith?

This book helps us to equip ourselves and our “faith community” to approach and involve those people.  So one asks how we create these relationships.

This book is great for Pastors, church leaders or anyone who wants to know why people are not coming to church; at the end of every chapter you will find questions to consider.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

Discover God's Heart Devotional Bible

As they journey through the Bible from cover to cover, readers will appreciate how the NIV Discover God’s Heart Devotional Bible will help them through tough spots such as Numbers and Leviticus while giving them deeper understanding of the Scriptures and connecting them with the heart of its Author. Readers will experience rich insights into the original contexts of Scripture, and God's heart will be unveiled in new ways. This Bible includes 312 engaging devotions to serve as your tour guide, walking you through Genesis to Revelation in manageable portions. Each devotion includes a summary section of the Scripture passage, an application section that reveals God's good heart, and an insight section that ties each passage into the rest of God's great story. As you experience God's Word through this devotional Bible, you'll see his divine fingerprints from beginning to end, even in the most unexpected places. And you'll encounter a deeper, fuller picture of the Jesus you thought you knew. Whether you are starting out on your first steps or a seasoned traveler, let the NIV Discover God's Heart Devotional Bible open your eyes to God's good heart. Join him in his story. And experience a more intimate walk with him.


This Bible comes with 312 daily devotions, it has book introductions, and shows how each book fits into God's story.  The book introductions all fit together so that if you read them straight through from Genesis to Revelations, you can glimpse over the entire story line of God's story.

There are a couple of reading plans to choose from:  a 364 day reading plan, a 90 day reading plan, a 30 day reading plan for new Christians,  a 30 day with Jesus reading plan, 30 themes of Pslams.... just to name a few.  

The cover is very attractive, with a durable hard cover, makes for a lovely gift for anyone.  This Bible does not have maps or a concordance, but it is a great devotional Bible.    Written in the NIV with a type size that is easy to read, makes this a wonderful devotional Bible.

This is a great devotional for new or seasoned Christians.... let's get reading!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

Undetected

From the back of the book:

Commander Mark Bishop is deliberately low-key: "I'm in the Navy." But commanding the ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada, keeping her crew trained and alert during ninety-day submerged patrols, and being prepared to launch weapons on valid presidential orders, carries a burden of command like few other jobs in the military. Mark Bishop is a man who accepts that responsibility, and handles it well. And at a time when tensions are escalating around the Pacific Rim, the Navy is glad to have him.

Mark wants someone to come home to after sea patrols. The woman he has in mind is young, with a lovely smile, and very smart. She's a civilian, yet she understands the U.S. Navy culture. And he has a strong sense that life with her would never be boring. But she may be too deep in her work to see the potential in a relationship with him.

Gina Gray would love to be married. She has always envisioned her life that way. A breakup she didn't see coming, though, has her focusing all her attention on what she does best--ocean science research. She's on the cusp of a major breakthrough, and she needs Mark Bishop's perspective and help. Because what she told the Navy she's figured out is only the beginning. If she's right, submarine warfare is about to enter a new and dangerous chapter.

Here we have the story of two people looking for someone special.   Who will they find?    In this story we find four key characters:  Gina Gray, Mark Bishop,  Jeff Gray, and Daniel Field.     

Gina comes back to Bangor Washington, to the safety of her brother Jeff after a breakup.  Gina is super intelligent, always on the brink of another breakthrough.    Mark a submariner commander realizes that it is time to get remarried.    In this novel we have a romance with a huge amount of suspense going on.   

I really enjoyed this novel from start to finish, it was very hard to put down.  In this novel it is easy for the reader to get lost in the lives of the characters.   The characters are so real, that one can easily identify with them.    The author has done a great deal of research to make the novel as realistic as possible.  I also appreciated the word of God in the novel, it was well defined and put forth in a good manner. Well done, I would definitely read another by Dee Henderson.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”