Waiting For Butterflies - Karen Sargent

What a beautiful story!  I can't begin to tell you how this book touched me.  I just put it down but it's message will stay with me forever.  

It appears that Sam and Maggie have it all.  But one accident changed everything.  Can life ever be the same again?  What needs to happen so the family can heal?  With forgiveness comes healing.....

What an appropriate title- WAITING FOR BUTTERFLIES 

Butterflies represent new life-rebirth.  This is the journey that Sam, Rachel and Olivia must take to navigate their "new" normal without Maggie.  Maggie can not be set free as a butterfly until she knows her family will be ok.

The characters in this book became so real to me.  This shows how well Karen Sargent wrote this book.  

So thankful that I was given this to read for free for a review.  Very emotional and touching story.  

About the Author

Karen Sargent creates characters whose imperfect faith collides with real-life conflicts, taking readers on a journey through grace and redemption to discover enduring hope. A romantic element is woven within each story. In addition to writing inspirational novels, she blogs at The MOM Journey…where moms aren’t perfect and that’s perfectly okay. Her writing has been featured in Guidepost’s Angels on Earth magazine and on ForEveryMom.com. When she is not writing, she teaches high school and college English in the beautiful Arcadia Valley where she resides with her husband and two daughters. Visit her at KarenSargentBooks.com.

Promotion Giveaway - https://promosimple.com/ps/bef1

The Beloved Christmas Quilt

I received this free to review.  I was thrilled to get this and held on to it for a few weeks as I knew that it would be a fast read and an enjoyable one.  It was and I can't wait to share this with my Mom.  This was written by Wanda Brunstetter, her daughter-in-law, Jean Brunstetter and her granddaughter, Rochelle Brunstetter.  A family collaboration.  Wonderful job to connect the three stories.

I loved that the stories were three generations of the same family.  It shows that life goes on.  Everyone has trials and tribulations but God will get us through those tough times.  GOD does hear our prayers.

Every family has traditions or heirlooms of some kind or another.  I wear the wedding ring of my maternal grandmother.  She gave it to my Mom and my Mom gave it to me to wear.  I treasure it.  One day I'll pass this on to my daughter.  I wear it in her memory. She had her own trials and tribulations.  She survived World War II.  She immigrated to America from England on The Queen Mary in the 1950s.  Her strength was passed on to my Mom.

I look forward to seeing if these very talented ladies write together again.  Thank you for the early Christmas gift.

ALL SHE LEFT BEHIND by Jane Kirkpatrick

What a wonderful read!  I took the step back in time and was part of Jennie's world.  I cried when she cried.  I cheered when she conquered her fears.

She had dreams and desires.  She felt insecure and had guilt.  She sounds like so many wives and mothers I have met.  She felt responsible for her husband and son's misdeeds when she had nothing to do with them.

Jennie suffered a tragedy.  But with this tragedy, she was given the gift of renewal.  She was given the chance for making her dreams come true.

I was finishing this book late at night.  I didn't want to put it down.  And as I was turning the page....I turned to my husband and said " I'm not liking this".  I was quite surprised at the ending.

Wonderful story.  I had no idea that this was based on a real woman.  So interesting.

 I received this free to review.

Chief of Sinners by Caryl McAdoo

What a total mess Buddy made of his life and the impact of his sins on others!  I turned page after page hoping he would learn from his mistakes.  How Could He?  What?  Oh, No!!!

GOD is always present.  We only have to ask for His deliverance.  Just because you love someone doesn't mean it is good.  Buddy and Sandy's love or lust for each other was destructive, dangerous and deadly.  So sad to see what happened to the people they touched.

Was Buddy "THE CHIEF OF SINNERS"?  GOD'S grace is greater than sin.  There is always hope and salvation.

At times, I just cringed throughout the book.  I wanted to shake Buddy and Sandy back to reality.  What are you doing?

I received this for free to review.

This is part of a series.  I didn't read any of the others.  This book stood on it's own.

Promotion Giveaway:
https://promosimple.com/ps/bfd5

About the Author

Caryl McAdooprays her story brings God glory, and a quick scroll through her novels’ rankings by Christian readers attests to the Father’s faithfulness. She loves writing almost as much as singing the new songs He gives her—look her up on YouTube to hear a few. Her high school sweetheart husband won her heart fifty-one years ago, now they share four children and seventeen grandsugars. Ron and Caryl live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door.

The Christmas Blessing By Melody Carlson

Amelia found herself in a terrible predicament.  She knew what she had to do but it was at a cost. Could she do this for her son?  Would she regret her decision for the rest of her life?

As I read this story, I couldn't help to think about Jesus and the ultimate sacrifice he made for us. Jesus knew what he had to do to save us from our sins.

I read this quickly and enjoyed every page.  I was quite surprised by the ending.  It wasn't what I expected!

I have read a few of Melody Carlson's books and they were all great.  What a treat!  Her book "The Christmas Blessing" was a blessing to me.

I received this free to review.

About Melody

Melody Carlson is the award-winning, best-selling author of more than 200 books for women, teens and children. She and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest.

Find out more at www.melodycarlson.com.

ALL OF YOU BY SARAH MONZON

Picking up a book by an author you have never read can be daunting.  Will I like it?   Will it be a waste of time?

  Or just maybe it could lead to a fantastic discovery of a new favorite author.  Fortunately for me this book was a delight.  I opened the page not knowing what to expect.  By the time I finished, I was looking to see what else Sarah Monzon has written.

I was thrilled that the leading man was Michael. He was far from perfect.  He needed to learn a valuable lesson before he could accept his circumstances and find love.  Thanks to his Mom.  

Jack was not looking for romance after her previous disastrous relationship.  But thanks to her brother, love came walking into her garage.

I loved the throwback to Alice during World War II.  She was a brave and pretty daring woman.  You need someone like her in your side.

Great book.  Enjoyed the story.  I will be looking for more by this talented author.

I received this book free to review.

Five stars!

About the Author

Sarah Monzon is a Navy chaplain’s wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world. Playing pretend all day with them isn’t enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters. When she isn’t in the world of make believe, she can be found in the pine forests of western Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings.

Her debut novel, The Isaac Project, skyrocketed to Amazon bestseller status while her Sophomore book, Finders Keepers, won the 2017 Selah award for contemporary romance.

 GIVEAWAY:

https://promosimple.com/ps/bd52

Terri Wangard- Wheresoever They May Be

Just finished, very difficult to put in words the impact of this book.  I'm going to sit here and let it soak in.  I read the last page and took a breath-WOW!  The book was way more intense than I expected.  It was a page turner.  Intense. Exciting. Sometimes jaw dropping!!!

I loved that it stayed real.  The book wasn't one where every thing turned out great.  It did give you hope.  You can survive.  You will grieve but GOD is there to help you pick up the pieces. 

GOD promises Everlasting Life.  This promise carries Lily through her darkest days. She believes and is strengthened by this.  She is comforted by GOD'S PROMISE.

I loved the historical content and adored Lily, Frank, Joe And Susan.  

I received this book for free.  I was happy to have the privilege to read and review this book

GIVEAWAY- https://promosimple.com/ps/bd12

About the Author

Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.

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.