Monday, May 28, 2018

Together Forever (Orphan Train #2) by Jody Hedlund + A GIVEAWAY





About the Book



Title: Together Forever, Orphan Train Book 2  

Author: Jody Hedlund  

Genre: Inspirational historical romance  

Release Date: May, 2018


Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children’s Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she’ll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited. 

Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though, seems to linger a grief that won’t go away–and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden. 

As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.


Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review

This is an absolutely incredible historical romance!

I love the characters in this book. They are extremely well developed. I was able to relate to them and truly empathize with the heartaches that they were dealing with.

Until I started reading this series of books I really didn’t know anything about the orphan train. I had no idea of the plight that so many children were facing right in New York City during this period of history. 

This marvelous book truly showed me the hard work that some of the adults were willing to put into trying to help the children to have a better life. My heart broke for many of the children as they were dealing with feelings of abandonment and unworthiness. Their fear of the unknown was palpable.

I look forward to seeing what other aspects of the Orphan Train this author has researched and brings to life in future books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through Celebrate Lit. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinions.

I am giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I’m highly recommending it.

About the Author


Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher’s Bride, and A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.



Guest Post from Jody Hedlund

30,000 Abandoned Children 

By Jody Hedlund 

Imagine a city where 30,000 abandoned and homeless children live on the streets. 

Sounds like something from a futuristic dystopian novel, doesn’t it? Or something that might happen after a war or apocalypse or major disaster, right?  

This exact thing actually happened in the 1850’s. And the city was New York City. 

It’s hard to believe, but an estimated 30,000 homeless children roamed the dirty city streets and alleys of New York City. 

30,000. Children. Let that sink in for a minute. That’s the size of a town. 

Historians look back on that time and try to make sense what led to such horrific conditions for children. Of course, the influx of immigrants was at an all time high. Jobs and housing were scarce. Diseases were rampant. Hunger and poverty became a norm. (Orphan Train Depot)  







As more and more people became aware of the enormous problem within the crowded slums, courageous heroes rose up and attempted to do their part to make a difference. 

While we may not always agree with the methods that were used to save the thousands of homeless children, we can admire the men and women who could no longer sit idly by. 

The Children’s Aid Society was started by Charles Loring Brace as one such attempt to help the hordes of homeless children. His “Emigration Plan” is better known today by the term “Orphan Trains.”  




My latest series tackles various elements of the orphan train movement. Together Forever, releasing in May, highlights the placing agents, those devoted people who rode the trains with the orphans. The agents spent weeks and months on the road caring for the children, all the while trying to place them in loving homes. 

(If you’d like to try out the series, start with my FREE novella, An Awakened Heart.) 

Like the brave men and women who came before us, may we always strive to do our part to make a difference!

Blog Stops

By The Book, May 22
Genesis 5020, May 23
Radiant Light, May 26
Mary Hake, May 27
Carpe Diem, May 27
Simple Harvest Reads, May 28 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)
Bigreadersite, May 30
Vicky Sluiter, June 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter: 


Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

The Seekers (The Amish Cooking Class #1) by Wanda E. Brunstetter













Title: The Seekers (The Amish Cooking Class #1)
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Pages: 319
Year: 2017
Genre: Amish Fiction
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press
Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     Join a class of unlikely Ohioans who take cooking lessons at Lyle and Heidi Troyer’s Amish farm. A woman engaged to marry, an expectant mother estranged from her family, a widowed mom seeking to simplify, a Vietnam vet who camps on the Troyer’s farm, and an Amish widower make up the mismatched lot of students. But Heidi’s cooking lessons soon turn to life lessons as they each share the challenges they are facing. Is this what God had in mind when Heidi got the idea for cooking classes?

My review:

     This is a delightful Amish novel!

     I love the main characters in this wonderful story. They are very well developed and easy to connect with. The variety of characters and the situations they are dealing with is great. I really liked the fact that Heidi needed support and encouragement from her mother. 


     The journeys that each of the students went through with their problems was realistic and actually encouraging. They helped to remind me that no matter what problem you face scripture can uplift and guide you.

     I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I'm giving it a 5 star rating and highly recommending it.

Monday, May 21, 2018

Journible: The 17:18 Series by Rob Wynalda & Joel Beeke + A GIVEAWAY



About these Books

Title: Journible: The 17:18 Series  

Author: Robert Wynalda (a local businessman) and Dr. Joel R. Beeke (President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary)  

Genre: Non-fiction, Bible study tool  

Release Date: Series released in 2009


Why the 17:18 series? In Deuteronomy 17, Moses is leaving final instructions concerning the future of Israel. As a prophet of God, Moses foretells of when Israel will place a king over the nation (v. 14). In verse 18, the king is commanded to not simply acquire a copy of the law (the entire book of Deuteronomy) from the scroll publishing house, but to hand write his own copy of the law. Thirty-four hundred years later, educators are discovering that students that physically write out their notes by hand have a much greater retention rate than simply hearing or visually reading the information. Apparently, God knew this to be true of the kings of Israel also. From such understanding came the conception of this series of books.

How to Use These Books Each book is organized so that you can write out your very own copy of Scripture. You will be writing the Bible text only on the right hand page of the book. This should make for easier writing and also allows ample space on the left page to write your own notes and comments. From time to time a question or word will be lightly printed on the left page; these questions are to aid in further study, but should not interfere with your own notes and comments.
Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review

A wonderful way to learn scripture!

I have to admit that the idea of writing out a book of the bible for myself intrigued me a lot. I was curious as to how this book would be arranged and would there be enough space to write everything. When the book arrived I took some time to look through it and discover the layout. They have the verse numbers marked on the right-hand pages. I was very pleased to find that even though I write fairly large I had plenty of room even for the longer verses.

I think though that the thing I enjoyed the most was the questions posed on the left-hand pages. They got me to really spend time pondering the meaning of what I was writing. This really helped me to come to a deeper understanding of the book of John than I had gotten from just reading it.

I am giving this great little journal a rating of 5 stars. I do recommend it.


I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the Author

Dr. Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, a pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited seventy books (most recently, A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life, Living Zealously, Friends and Lovers: Cultivating Companionship and Intimacy in Marriage, Getting Back Into the Race: The Cure for Backsliding, Parenting by God’s Promises: How to Raise Children in the Covenant of Grace, Living for the Glory of God: An Introduction to Calvinism, Meet the Puritans, Contagious Christian Living, Calvin for Today, Developing a Healthy Prayer Life, and Taking Hold of God), and contributed 2,000 articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. is in Reformation and Post-Reformation theology from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia). He is frequently called upon to lecture at seminaries and to speak at Reformed conferences around the world. He and his wife Mary have been blessed with three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.

The 17:18 Series



Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, May 17
Book by Book, May 21
Genesis 5020, May 23
amandainpa, May 24
Bigreadersite, May 24
Multifarious, May 27

Giveaway



To celebrate the tour, Reformation Heritage Books is giving away a grand prize of the entire set of New Testament Journibles!!

Click below to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/cee2/journible-celebration-tour-giveaway

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Revelations by Terry James













Title: Revelations
Author: Terry James
Pages: 312
Release Date: May 7, 2018
Genre: End Times Novel
Publisher: CKN Christian Publishing
Format: eBook (also available in Paperback)
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Tyce Greyson, a TV journalist and reporter, visits the Wailing Wall at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. He is confronted by a Jewish cleric while he is photographing the are for a story he will be doing for a magazine. The Rabbi says to him, “Israel is the sign of the end.” 

     A blind writer in the genre of Bible prophecy is later interviewed for a book in his  study by Greyson, who is a television reporter for a nearby TV station. The writer tells the story of the interview and the young reporter informs him that he is not interested in Bible prophecy. Greyson tells the writer he intends to go to Patmos in the Aegean to visit the cave of the Apocalypse where John was given the Revelation.

     Greyson is given a new job as an anchor for a local station in New York City. While doing broadcasts, Greyson has episodes, that bring on visions. While on air, he makes predictions that come true. He becomes well-known as excerpts of his “prophecies” go viral.

     Greyson must fulfill the destiny appointed to him as one who is of Jewish parents. The blind writer wraps up the story in a twist that confirms it is all part of human history’s consummation.

     It is a story that both he and Tyce Greyson know must be told.

My review:

     This is an extremely exciting end times novel!

     The characters are very well developed. I liked seeing the different approaches to the scriptures that they had. Watching them try to understand what was happening and the prophecies that were being fulfilled was great.

     I have read the entire Left Behind series and enjoyed it. The thing that I really liked more in this book was the fact that most of it takes place in Israel. Having the Jews perspective on all that was going on was fantastic.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. I’m looking forward to seeing what this author comes up with next.


Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Rodeo Standoff (McKade Law #2) by Susan Sleeman













Title: Rodeo Standoff (McKade Law #1)
Author: Susan Sleeman
Pages: 224
Release Date: May 1, 2018 (eBook) / May 8, 2018 (paperback)
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     The rodeo arena is always treacherous. Now it’s deadly…

     It’s no accident Deputy Tessa McKade is trapped with an angry bull ready to trample her to death. She quickly realizes that McKade law is no longer enough to keep her safe—and it’s her rescuer, Braden Hayes, who stands in as her bodyguard. As they seek to stop a would-be killer, Braden will have to use all his professional skills to guard Tessa’s life.

My review:

     This is an absolutely incredible romantic suspense novel!

     I LOVE the two main characters! I felt captivated by Tessa. She is such a strong woman, but she has some definite vulnerabilities. I actually found myself telling her what she needed to do at one point. Not just in my head but out loud. If she had only listened to me she would have avoided some difficulties too.

     The McKade family is one that I would thoroughly enjoy having as neighbors and friends. The way they support and care for each other is great.

     The plot of this story is fantastic. There are plenty of plot twists and suspects to keep the reader engaged and guessing.

     I was fascinated by all of the details given about rodeos. I have never been to one and I really have no interest in going. I do appreciate having an understanding of how a bull rider hangs on, the prep work they do and so on. I also liked getting a look into the mental preparations that barrel racers have to do. 

     This is a wonderful book and I am definitely giving it a rating of 5 stars. I am highly recommending it.


Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*