The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson

Is it too early to be reading a Christmas book?  No, this book is not just a Christmas themed book but a book that brings a smile to your face and enjoyment any time of year.  I have read some books by Melody Carlson before so I didn't think she would disappoint me in this one.   And she didn't!

The message I received from this book was GIVING.  When you give from your heart, the whole world will be a better place because of it.  Abby Wentworth gave all year round to her friends and to everyone in her community.  Her legacy was a gift to her friends.

This story is about Abby's friends giving back and what they gained from their experiences.  Christmas is not the only time of year to give of yourself to your family, friends and community.  

Loved the book.  Loved the characters.  Love, Love, Love Melody Carlson.  I will continue to look for her books as they come out as I have enjoyed each one I have opened.

Five STARS!!!

I received this book from free from Baker Books to review.

 

Without Warning by Lynette Eason

 This is Book 2 of the Elite Guardians Series.  I didn't read Book 1 so at times I wasn't up to what was happening.  Ms. Eason made it quite easy to follow along in Book 2.  Plots were explained and I became quite intrigued by the storyline.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery.  I had no clue as to whom the "bad guy" was.  It took me by surprise when it was revealed.  

Kate Singleton, partner in the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, was a woman of strength and conviction.  She was vulnerable and had some fears to overcome.  She gets the job done even with reservations.

Dan Williams has his own issues to deal with.  He is now the guardian of his teenage niece, Ruby.  She is has a feeling that something bad is going to happen to her Uncle Dan.  So she hires Ms. Singleton to protect her Uncle.  

I appreciated the love the characters had for each other that was shown throughout the book.  I have never heard of Lynette Eason and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book.  Finally a book where the main character, Kate, was a strong woman.  I look forward to reading other books by this author.  

Jennifer Beckstrand and the Honeybee Sisters:= Sweet as Honey, A Bee In Her Bonnet and Like a Bee to Honey

I just received three books that are part of a series called The Honeybee Sisters by Jennifer Beckstrand. I never heard of this author until I received these ebooks free to review. The books were "sweet as honey" and I couldn't put them down. The books are about the three sisters that were raised by their maternal aunt, Aunt Bitsey. Aunt Bitsey is unconventional but the Christner Girls love her to bits.

Sweet as Honey:
Lily is insecure and loyal to a fault. Her boyfriend, Paul, doesn't deserve her loyalty. But Lily needs to come to this conclusion herself. She is very confused as to where her heart truly lies. Is it Dan? Or Paul?

A Bee in her Bonnet:
Poppy is independent and will protect the ones she loves at all
costs. She doesn't believe anyone could care for her as she is not a typical young Amish woman. She has found herself punching a few boys in her lifetime to get her point across. Can Luke have a place in her heart after putting up with him throughout childhood?

Like a Bee to Honey:

Rose is shy and is easily frightened. She believes that she is a burden to her family. She shys away from any man who shows an interest and is happy to stay home withh Aunt Bitsey and the cats. But Josiah enters the picture and Rose finds him opening the door to her heart that she thought was permanently closed.

All three sisters had their own perceptions as to whom they really were and how they thought they were seen by others. It wasn't what they thought at all. At times, I was aggravated by their beliefs and wanted to shake each one of them out of it. They were prisoners of their own fears. Once they allowed Dan, Luke and Paul into their hearts, they learned that they were lovable just as they were. Aunt Bit had her own surprise at the end.....nothing is always what it seems.

I rate these books 5 stars. I loved the sisters, Aunt Bit and the community that they lived in. When an author can create a character that I loathe such as Paul, that's talent!!!!!

http://www.celebratelitteam.com/the-honeybee-sisters-series-bloggerblogspot-html/

Honor Redeemed by Christine Johnson

From the very first page, I was hooked.  I was carried back to a time when your word and honor meant something.  David gave his word to Prosperity.  She believed him and waited for him to come for her.

Her world came crashing down with the death of her mother and when she discovered David married someone else.  How could he?  All her hopes for the future was tied to his promise.

The story continues when Prosperity learns she can have a future without David.  She has choices.  She learns how to honor herself.

 David and Prosperity learn to open their hearts to the unexpected.  With this knowledge it opens up a world of possibilities.

I enjoyed reading this and stayed up late to finish it.  I will recommend to others.  Great read.

Dance and Be Glad by Melissa Wardwell

Dance and Be Glad is a title that we all can live by.  It makes my heart sing just by reading the title of this new book by Melissa Wardwell.  There are two other books that precede this one but you can read this book all by itself.

I really enjoyed Jill and Michael's story.  She is alone raising her daughter after her husband died over 9 years ago.  Life is a struggle for her. Jill is holding on to the past as protection of any chances of being hurt in the future.   But with this comes a price.......she  is not allowing herself to feel true joy and happiness.

Michael is a doctor that thinks his life is going well.  He is planning on opening up a new clinic in town.  He unexpectedly is now raising his young niece.  Can he do it?  He turns to Jill for advice and help.

Jill and Michael were once a couple years ago.  Her father interfered and their relationship was over.  Sparks fly and with the help of Jill's daughter and Michael's niece there might be a chance of a future together.

This book was just like an old-fashioned love story.  Michael knew he had to court Jill to win her back.  I appreciated the integrity of Michael and Jill in this book.  It wasn't all about them.  They had others to think about.  They loved their family and friends and would go out of the way to help others

I enjoyed reading this book.  It was about Jill and Michael but also about their community and the love they had for their children.  I highly recommend this book.

I received this book free to review.

Hold Me Close By Marguerite Martin Gray

This book is rich in history that I was transported back to 1772.  I loved Elizabeth Elliott.  She was true to her feelings even if she was sacrificing the love of her family.  She could very easily pretend her loyalty to the crown.  But she knew she couldn't do this....

Louis Lestayette just wanted to do a profitable business in Charles Town, S.C.   But as he became closer to his aunt, uncle and Elizabeth, his beliefs and views began to change.

This was a delightful read.  This was much more than just another love story.  Louis took me on a journey as he grew in his faith and in his love for Elizabeth.  I am very impressed with Ms. Gray's research and writing skills.

I received this for free to review.

Hold Me Close By Marguerite Martin Gray

This book is rich in history that I was transported back to 1772.  I loved Elizabeth Elliott.  She was true to her feelings even if she was sacrificing the love of her family.  She could very easily pretend her loyalty to the crown.  But she knew she couldn't do this....

Louis Lestayette just wanted to do a profitable business in Charles Town, S.C.   But as he became closer to his aunt, uncle and Elizabeth, his beliefs and views began to change.

This was a delightful read.  This was much more than just another love story.  Louis took me on a journey as he grew in his faith and in his love for Elizabeth.  I am very impressed with Ms. Gray's research and writing skills.

I received this for free to review.