Hope Under Mistletoe (Seasons of Hope Book 1) by Jessica R. Patch

Leaves You With a Sigh and a Smile...

Book Description: "A rowdy bar owner. A widowed pastor’s wife. And Christmas hope that brings them together. 

After widower Eden Snow’s church almost burns to the ground, she’s compelled to find a temporary place to hold services and Christmas cantata practices. 

Has-been hockey player, Knox Everhart, has a reputation for being fast on the ice and with women. Except Eden. She’s always been a fascinating mystery to him, which is why he agrees to let her use the back room of his bar—with one rule: No converting his customers. 

But when Eden brings the church to the bar, it offers something the bottle can’t. Hope. And he finds himself falling in love with a woman and a Savior he feels unworthy to pursue."

That book description was exactly what hooked me into reading this book.  That, and the fact that although I have my favorite authors whose every work I read, I'm always looking for new authors and what they have to offer.  I must say that I have definitely found that in author Jessica R. Patch.  If this is her debut work, I can only imagine what the rest of her works will be like.  

Hope Under Mistletoe is first and foremost just that; a story of hope.  Although the setting is Christmastime, it is a book that can be enjoyed any time of the year.  Aside from being a story of hope, it's a story of redemption, forgiveness, love, and new beginnings.  Eden Snow is a widow and mother.  She is such an optimist, and her optimism seems to spill over onto others, even the ones that would presumably be immune, such as bar owner and "bad boy" Knox Everhart.  Knox and Eden's past is connected by the fact that they’ve known each other for many years, as well as the fact that Knox and Nathan, Eden's husband, were best friends.  Somehow Knox finds himself struggling to say, "No," to Eden, no matter what her request is.  This includes the request to use a back room of his bar as a temporary church location while Eden's church is being rebuilt.  

The author has written a beautiful story.  She masterfully takes us through what seems to be the impossible and turns it into the possible which leaves you with a feel good feeling of hope.  She just as masterfully unfolds a wonderful clean, sweet love story that is simply beautiful.  Hope Under the Mistletoe will leave you with a sigh, a smile, and a desire to read more of this author's works.  As for me, Jessica R. Patch has definitely earned a spot on my favorite author list.

Under Texas Blue Skies by Debra Holt

Awesome and Amazing!

Under Texas Blue Skies is a beautiful contemporary romance. It tells the story of a young couple, that are separated by a dream that takes one of them away. The separation is then compounded by a series of misunderstandings, miscommunications, and unfortunate events which results in a very extended separation. Through this time, Mandy, aka Amanda, works her way through making a life for herself, sans JD, the former love of her life. JD has also worked his way through life by fulfilling his dream of becoming a country music star, but that's just a part of his dream. Unbeknownst to Mandy, the other part of JD's dream very much involves her. Challenges are faced as the misunderstandings, miscommunications, and unfortunate events of the past slowly come to light. Mandy and JD have much to overcome if there is to be any hope for them to move from past hurts to a future where dreams can come true.

I absolutely loved this book! Debra Holt did an awesome job of taking me on an emotional roller coaster ride. One minute I wanted to shake Mandy until her teeth rattled and the next minute I was cheering for her and shedding a few tears with her. JD, on the other hand, was just... Wow! The way the author described and developed his character had me holding my breath and rooting for him all the way. Loved him! I also loved how Mandy and JD's story unfolds so beautifully without any graphic details or language. But the thing I loved the most about the story is how it left me at the end. When stories end with a HEA, I find that I'm left with a feeling of, "Wow, that was really good." On the other hand, Under Texas Blue Skies left me with a sigh, a smile, and an all around genuine feel good feeling of, "Wow, that was awesome and amazing!" 

*****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions and viewpoints are my own.

Love Dangerously by Suzanne D. Williams

Loved It!

Although I enjoy reading full novels, I also enjoy reading shorter stories.  The problem with some short stories is that they end up feeling rushed and are not very enjoyable.  Such is not the case with Love Dangerously.  Suzanne D. Williams knows just how to write a novella. I was hooked right from the very first page, and it just got better and better as I kept reading.  Love Dangerously has humor, romance, suspense, and even some surprises along the way.  It's also a story about acceptance.  But my favorite thing about the story was how Vienna and Abe's relationship developed. Sweet. Endearing. Passionate. Loved it!

*****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions and view points are my own.

A Good_hearted Man by Barbara Kaylor

A Beautiful Story

I have to say that for me, this is one of the best Christian romance stories that I have read. And although this is a romance, it's also a story of forgiveness, redemption, overcoming, acceptance, faith, and trust. The author blended all of these elements together in such a way that I was able to feel what the characters were going through, from the pains to the joys and everything in between. I loved how Sarina and Jess's relationship unfolded and blossomed. I also loved that the characters did not compromise their beliefs or their moral values. It is an absolutely beautiful story.

Murder Tightly Knit (Amish Village Mystery #2) by Vannetta Chapman

What You're Missing

"In a town where Amish and Englisch mingle every day, a grisly murder leads to mutual suspicion. Can Amber and Hannah find the killer before fear unravels the community...and before he strikes again?"

And if those lines from the back of the book don't make you want to read Murder Tightly Knit, then you'll never know just how much you're missing out. You'll miss a great mystery entwined with romance. You'll miss reading on and on, because you can't put the book down even though you told yourself, "Just one more chapter." The reason will be that the story has you sitting on the edge of your seat anticipating the next part, and you just can't put it down. ("Grasped in both of his hands and pointed directly at them was his crossbow.") You'll miss learning a little about the Amish and survivalists. And, you'll miss out on some laughs, too. (Is Tate really jealous of the cat?) You'll miss reading a story of love and friendship. You'll also miss out on biting you nails and holding your breath on some suspenseful events. Yah, if you don't read Murder Tightly Knit, you'll be missing out on all of that and so much more. Murder Tightly Knit definitely deserves a spot on your "To Read" list, because you surely won't want to miss out on anything.

*****I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and viewpoints are my own.

Hidden (Jacobs Family Series) (Volume 1) by Vannetta Chapman

Wow!!!

Having read just about all of Vannetta Chapman's books wasn't enough to prepare me for Hidden (Jacobs Family Series Book 1). One thing I knew for sure, if Ms. Chapman wrote it, it has to be a winner, and is it ever!

Ben Marshall recently ended his military career and is starting a new job with the Department of Homeland Security in Taos, New Mexico. He knows God has placed him there for a reason, and soon enough, Ben believes that reason is Dana Jacobs. Dana Jacobs is a woman with a very sad and troubled past, but every day she tries to put that past behind her in order to fulfill her job as supervisor in charge of the Department of Homeland Security. And the last thing she wants to be troubled with is Ben Marshall. However, that is easier said than done when a backpack left at the local high school begins a string of events that cause Ben and Dana to team up and join with the rest of the department in order to solve the series of mysterious events that follow. 

Hidden is full of romance, humor, suspense, action, and enough twists and turns that will have you turning pages as fast as you can while literally sitting on the edge of your seat. Aside from being a romantic suspense story, it's also a story of faith, forgiveness, and redemption. It's an emotional roller coaster ride that you won't want to get off of. It's just that good. And by the time you're done, all you'll be able to say is, "Wow! That was amazing!"

*****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and view points are my own.

Anhelando la Presencia de Dios

Tengo un libro que leo cada mañana y cada noche. El título es Starting Your Day Right and Ending Your Day Right (Comenzando tu Día Bien y Terminando tu Día Bien), escrito por Joyce Meyer. He tenido este libro ya hacen muchos años y sin embargo, cada vez que lo leo, me bendice.

Hacen unos días, el título era “Anhelando la Presencia de Dios.” Ese título es tan digno, porque así es como empiezo cada día; anhelando la presencia de Dios. Pero, no se trata sólo de anhelando su presencia. Es anhelando su guía y dirección, Su voluntad, Su amor, Su Espíritu, y mucho más.

Ponemos tanto tiempo y esfuerzo en conseguir las cosas que queremos o cumplir los objetivos que queremos alcanzar. Sin embargo, ¿por qué no ponemos el mismo entusiasmo y pasión en nuestro caminar con Dios? Debemos tener mucho más hambre, entusiasmo, y pasión en nuestro anhelo por Dios, nuestra relación con Dios, y nuestra confianza en Dios. Que nuestro deseo y pasión diario sean desear la constante presencia de Dios.

y me buscaréis y me hallaréis, cuando me busquéis de todo vuestro corazón.  Jeremías 29:13 RVR1977

Mas si desde allí buscas a Jehová tu Dios, lo hallarás, si lo buscas con todo tu corazón y con toda tu alma. Deuteronomio 4:29 RVR1977

Y amarás a Jehová tu Dios con todo tu corazón, y con toda tu alma, y con todas tus fuerzas. Deuteronomio 6:5 RVR1977

¡Cuán amables son tus moradas, oh Jehová de los ejércitos! 2 Anhela mi alma y aun ardientemente desea los atrios de Jehová;Mi corazón y mi carne cantan al Dios vivo. Salmos 84:1-2 RVR1977

Como el ciervo busca jadeante las corrientes de las aguas,
Así te anhela a ti, oh Dios, el alma mía.  2 Mi alma tiene sed de Dios, del Dios vivo;…..Salmos 42:1-2 RVR1977

Enséñame, oh Jehová, tu camino; caminaré yo en tu verdad;
Afianza mi corazón para que tema tu nombre.  Te alabaré, oh Jehová Dios mío, con todo mi corazón,  Y glorificaré tu nombre para siempre. Salmos 86:11-12 RVR1977

Mas buscad primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia, y todas estas cosas os serán añadidas.  Mateo 6:33 RVR1977