Whisper by Mark Batterson

I received this for free and thought I would attempt to read this book.  I never heard of Mark Batterson.  After reading this book, I'm sure I'll look for his other books. 

 Whisper....a good title to grab your attention.  It's about hearing GOD when HE is talking to you.  Yes, HE does talk to you but often we don't pay attention.  There were many notes I took while reading this.  

1.  GOD enters by invitation only.  You have to invite him in.  He is ready when you are.  

2. FAITH is taking the first step before GOD reveals the second one.  Sometimes you have to leap based on faith alone.

3.  GOD puts people in our lives to draw out our potential.  GOD has a plan for us.  We don't know (only GOD does) the significance of whom we meet and have contact with on a daily basis.   A meeting with one person can alter our whole lives.  Mark Batterson calls this the " human pinball". 

4.  You are the answer to someone's else prayer.  This put things in perspective for me. A smile, a kind word, helping someone out......can make a major impact on someone.  At times, when I was working, I felt like what I was doing didn't really matter.  But later I was approached by previous clients and they told me that I did help them.  I asked one young man, please tell me what did I say?  Maybe I could use this piece of knowledge over And over again.  He said I listened.

GOD IS TALKING TO US.  We just have to listen.

The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Return- What was returned?  What was lost?  Could it be returned without any problems or changes?  Could it be returned without pain and conflict?  Could it really be returned at all?

This book is set in the l700's in an Amish Community.  It is the story of Anna and Bairn coming to America and starting a new life.  This book is the third book of the series.  It is about Tessa, their daughter, and the conflict with the Indians and in their community.

Tessa was young but she was in love with Hans.  Could he return the love that Tessa so desperately desired?

Hans loved Betsy with all his heart.  Was Betsy able to return his devotion after everything has happened? 

Betsy longed to return to her home.  But could she really return? Could she forget the Indians that helped her in her journey?  Could she return and be the same?

Caleb knew he couldn't return to his mother's family.  But he could help Betsy return even if meant he lost someone so very special to him.

Hans was so angry and his need of revenge was strong.  Before he knew it, he was involved in a deadly situation.  His last gift to Betsy was to help Caleb return to his people.

Tessa did a terrible thing and quickly regretted it.  Was there anything that she could do to rectify the situation?  Could she really return what was lost?

I read all three books of this series and loved every minute of it.  It was very enjoyable and interesting to read.  I loved the historical content.  I was sad to see it end. 

Five Stars! 

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna’s Crossing and The Newcomer in the Amish Beginnings series, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

 To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is doing an amazing giveaway from August 1 through 14! Check it out:

Four winners will receive one of the prizes below:

• An Amish Gift Basket and a copy of The Return
• Amish popcorn sampler and a copy of The Return
• The Amish Beginning 3 book set series

One grand prize winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini

You can enter at Suzanne’s website (http://suzannewoodsfisher.com/contests/) or on her Facebook page (http://gvwy.io/q1kb9u4)

ANY DREAM WILL DO by Debbie Macomber

My dream is that Debbie Macomber continues writing books for years to come.  Starting to read a book by Ms. Macomber is like going on a vacation.  You are excited to start the trip.  You have a great time while on the trip and sad when it is over.  This book was no exception.

Any Dream Will Do shares that you must always have dreams and to not give up on them.

Drew lost the love of his life and the mother of his children.  He never thought he could love again.  Would he risk all for this second chance of love?

Shay had risked before and lost.  Could she take the chance of opening her heart?

I will wait as patient as I can for the next book by Debbie Macomber.  Enjoyed the story.

Wanda Brunstetter's The Blessing

The Blessing is that Mrs. Brunstetter continues to write such delightful stories that I love.  It is so easy to like her characters.  How could you not love Heidi?  She suffers such heartbreak but continues to be faithful and trusts that GOD does have a plan for her.

Each character blesses others in some way (big or small).  They each might have an obstacle to conquer in their own lives but by giving to others they are blessed in return.

I read this very quickly.  I loved it.  I don't read Wanda Brunstetter's books.  I devour them until she released a new one.  Thank you for blessing my life with your talents.

With You Always by Jody Hedlund

This is a wonderful story of Elise and her determination to make a better life for her and her family.  I was concerned when she came upon misfortunes and cheered when she conquered her fears.  Elise thought she was just a plain, immigrant girl but she was so much more.

  Thornton met Elise and couldn't get her off of his mind.  He knew she was someone special but he was so caught up with proving to his father he was worthy and the competition against his brother.  He almost lost a wonderful gift from GOD.

GOD was with Elise always.  She didn't realize it.  She fought against it.  She refused to believe it but GOD was right there.

The answers we often seek are sometimes right in front of us.  We get so caught up with everything around us that we need to just stop.  We need to stop- take a moment to reflect- pray to our Heavenly Father and the answer will come.  GOD is there to guide us every step of the way.

Elise and Thornton's story is an excellent example of this.   GOD was there and he provided.

Great book.  I loved the story and look forward to the next book in the series.  Thank you, Jody Hedlund, for giving me hours of enjoyment.

Heart On The Line by Karen Witemeyer

Amos and Grace didn't expect to find love any time soon.  Amos thought love was beyond his grasp.  Who would want to love him?  Grace was afraid to get close to anyone.  As long as she was in danger, she kept her distance from friends.  But what harm was there in striking up a friendship over the wires -  (Sounds like the internet and Facebook)?  But GOD had a plan for them..

Their paths crossed by wire and both of their lives changed.  Grace learned the valuable lesson of allowing others to help her with her struggles.  Amos took a risk and he discovered not only what he was capable of but the love of his life.

Valuable lesson- We need to believe that GOD is there every step of our way.  We are not alone.  He is protecting us and gives us strength in our moments of weakness.

Karen, this was such an enjoyable read.  I loved the story and was happy about the outcome.  I will always be eager for your new releases.

I took this book on a mini-vacation and enjoyed reading it while watching the waters of Lake Michigan.  It added to my rest and relaxation time.

Return to Huckleberry Hill

A lovely story about two people who were childhood friends and how they helped each other.  Fern is the friend we all need.  She is there for you and will tell it like it is.  Reuben needed her to learn some valuable lessons.

Their journey of discovery was a delight to read.   Three words came to me while reading this book- Loyalty, Pride and Forgiveness.  Fern was loyal to to Reuben.  She knew he  always looked out for her and had a warm, softer side.  Reuben allowed pride to blind him of what was important in his life.  Forgiveness was needed for Reuben to move on and to grab a hold of happiness.  I love to read anything by Jennifer Beckstrand.  I have no problem to RETURN TO HUCKLEBERRY HILL over and over again.

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the award winning Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries and The Honeybee Sisters series for Kensington Books. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth and the Honeybee sisters’ aendi Bitsy. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a passion for Jane Austen and Shakespeare. She and her husband have been married for thirty-two years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and soon-to-be six adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

GIVEAWAY-

https://promosimple.com/ps/b3b2

AMISH BRIDES

Three delightful stories of love lost and love found.  I enjoyed all three stories.

1.  The Reluctant Groom by Jennifer Beckstrand
I was excited to return to characters I have loved in her previous books.

Anna and Felty were up to it again.  Suvie wanted their help to find a groom.  Aaron, their grandson, needed help to begin living again.  Anna and Felty knew what it would take to bring the two of them together.

2.  Joshua's Bride by Molly Jenner
Joshua and Madeline had a date for their wedding.   But his parents were against it.  Would the wedding occur with their disapproval?  Neither gave up hope that they would change their minds.

3.  A Summer Wedding in Paradise by Amy Lillard
Aunt Reba needed a husband.  Her three nieces were in a mission.  They knew exactly who they had in mind - Abel.  But were Reba and Abel ready for what her nieces had in store?  Reba learned a valuable lesson.  She had to be true to herself and stop trying to be someone she's not.

All three of these stories were delightful and inspiring.  All three women in these stories had the family support they needed when times were difficult.  They had the love of GOD in their lives and they knew with prayer that they could survive anything.

Love, love, love this collection!

About the Author

Molly Jebber’s books have been featured in Publisher’s Weekly, USA Today’s HEA, and Romantic Times has given them a near excellent rating. She’s on RWA’s Honor Roll. She’s a speaker for Women’s Christian Connection, and she offers presentations on writing, publishing, Amish lifestyle and traditions. She has received widespread media coverage, including live interviews, across the United States for her books and speaking engagements.

She’s just signed a new contract for four more Amish books! She loves interacting with her readers. She loves God, her husband, family and friends. She has a hard time saying no to cupcakes, swimming, nine holes of golf, and walks on the beach. Coconut, oatmeal, and onions, on the other hand, are not hard to say no to!

Giveaway:
https://promosimple.com/ps/b3a7

Behind The Scenes by Jen Turano

At first glance, the cover made me think of Debbie Reynolds and the wonderful characters she played in the movies.

Permilia was considered a wallflower.  I beg to differ.  She just didn't fit in with the society crowd.  She was told she was a wallflower and she believed it.  BEHIND THE SCENES she was bright, funny, inquisitive and very talented.  She was loving and thoughtful.

Her stepmother continuously told her that she was odd and ackward. I

 Permilia was true to herself and Asher Rutherford was very interested.

This book has it all- romance, mystery, and humor.  I loved it.

The Farmer's Market Mishap by Wanda Brunstetter

I anticipated that I would love this book so I saved it for my vacation.  I read this while we drove home.  I guess you could say I devoured this book as the scenery flew by my window.

Elma was on her own after her sister married.  She was trying to keep her shop going, taking care of her home and being there for her pregnant sister.  At times, she felt overwhelmed and so lonely.  Was she destined to be a spinster?  She adopted a cat and a stray dog but she wanted so much more.

At times, Elma was so envious of her sister.   Elma prayed often and knew that GOD would bring her the answers.  She needed to be patient.

I loved that Elma didn't settle for second best. She could have.  Her sister tried to play matchmaker.  Elma stood firm.  Then a mishap happened at the farmer's market that changed her life.....was she willing to take a risk?

I loved this story.  It is so refreshing to read about families who love each other and will do what it takes to take care of them.  This story shows that at times we must make sacrifices for ones we love and that dreams can come true.

I always finish Ms. Brunstetter's books wanting more.  Thank you for giving me so much enjoyment especially today as I travelling down a boring highway.

The Ebb Ride by Beverly Lewis

This touching story is about Sallie, an Amish girl, who wants to travel the world beyond her Amish community.  Her family have been waiting patiently for her to join the Church but Sallie has other plans.

As you turn page after page, you are Sallie's growth.  She is a dutiful daughter but she comes to the realization of who GOD wants her to be.  It's not an easy decision.I

The Ebb Ride is the period between high and low tide.  After Sallie visited the ocean I see her right in the middle of the ebb tide.  She is trying to make the right decision.  With prayer and much needed time, the decision was very clear to her.

I loved this book.  I was quite surprised by the ending.  Thank you, Beverly Lewis.  Delightful journey to Cape May.