A March Bride

A March Bride
By Rachel Hauck

About the book:
A year’s worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.

Susanna has found her true prince, and their happily ever after is just around the corner. But when Nate asks her to give up something precious to her, Susanna can’t help but wonder if it’s a sign that their love is not meant to be.

Susanna Truitt (Once Upon A Prince) is three weeks from royalty. She’ll soon marry King Nathaniel II of Brighton Kingdom. But when the government insists she renounce her American citizenship before the wedding, coupled with the lack of involvement by family and friends, Susanna’s heart begins to doubt whether this marriage is God's plan for her.

Nathaniel would do anything for his bride-to-be. But he knows his position requires that she give up a lot to be with him. Her life will never be her own—right down to her very identity. When she travels home to St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, right before the wedding, Nathaniel fears she won’t return. Gathering his courage, he devises a plan to win his bride all over again, and together they seek out a kingdom to treasure above all.

My Thoughts:

This modern-day fairytale has a theme that runs deep. Suzanna is on her way to marrying Prince Nathanial but the country expects one thing of her, that she gives up her American citizenship. Feeling as if they are tearing away a part of her she has to decide if holding into all she knows is more important than a step of faith.

How I envision Susanna:



*i received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers through netgalley.com*

Rating: 4 carats

Unstoppable

Unstoppable
By Nick Vujicic

About the book:

Millions around the world recognize the smiling face and inspirational messages of Nick Vujicic. Born without arms or legs, Nick has not allowed his physical challenges to keep him from enjoying great adventures, a fulfilling and meaningful career, and loving relationships. Nick has overcome trials and hardships by focusing on the promises that he was created for a unique and specific purpose, that his life has value and is a gift to others, and that even though he may endure hardships, God is always present and in control. Nick credits his success to the power that is unleashed when we put our faith into

My thoughts:
How could anyone with no arms or legs be unstoppable? Most would think Nick Vujicic wouldn't even have the ability to begin let alone a worry about being stopped. Yet Nick does not measure his abilities or inabilities by the physical body he was born with but measures his life opportunities by what God has provided for him. Unstoppable is an example of the power God offers to everyone when we choose to overlook the boundaries life sets at our feet. No one is exempt from adversity, every person will be faced with difficult life situations and challenges at some point. We can choose to stop when life gets difficult or we too can become unstoppable when we rely on the power of faith in Christ and put that faith into action.

Nick shares many personal triumphs and struggles with readers, opening himself up to offer hope for readers to see the key for life isn't to be overcome by adversity but to allow God to walk us through the good times and the bad. Nick blends his stories right along with those of others he has met along his journey, each is unique and offers a true life dimension to understanding him.

Yes the stories are inspiring, feelings are true and heartfelt, but at times it does become a long read. In spite of that, the book is worth reading and sharing with anyone dealing with doubt or life struggles.

Favorite Quote:

"You may have many friends and advisors. Maybe you base your decision on the alignment of the stars or a gut feeling. Everyone has a process. Mine is surrender. God understands us to the core because He created us. "

Rating: 4 carats




* I received this book free for review rom Waterbrook-Multnomah Publishers*

Seeing Through Stones

Seeing Through Stones
By Rajdeep Paulus

About the book:
"I live in the in between. Between yesterday and forever. The way forward haunts me. The gap I must cover daunts me. And hope beckons, ‘Run to me,’ but I just learned to walk." After a lifetime of abuse, the Vanderbilt siblings flee their home, finally free to pursue new dreams while running from yesterday’s nightmares. Once bed-ridden Jesse navigates the Chicago streets, concealing his identity and planning revenge. A chance encounter in the rain introduces a girl who offers Jesse a glimpse of a sunnier future, but how will he weather the growing storm inside himself? Separated from her Post-it note prince, Talia hides at a safe house for survivors of domestic violence while her father turns the city upside-down to find her. Surrounded by women fighting their own demons, Talia faces her past at every turn.



My thoughts:
It's not easy to write a sequel picking up where you left off but Rajdeep Paulus pulled it off in "Seeing through Stones". She seamlessly wove the continuing story lines into another emotional and sometimes chilling story. This time told from two perspectives, Jess and Talia.

I really liked seeing more of a glimpse into Jesse and his feelings towards things. Talia continues to blossom through the book and take a few more courageous steps.

If you liked "Swimming through Clouds" you'll love "Seeing through Stones" just as much.

Talia dreaming in a blue dress inspired by Cristian siriano

The Stone Collective

The Stone Collective is a community making much of Jesus as we create art, photography, prose, poems or music that commemorate the wonderful things God does in our life. Based on the passage in 1 Samuel 7:12-14, each month we will collect Ebenezer Stones as a regularly practice in the art of worship via our creativity. Want to join in on The Stone Collective? Create your own Stone and link up to LIVE IT OUT! Blog. #TheStoneCollective


Sometimes, only music will do.
Waiting Room by Jinny Diaz

See all of The Stone Collective
Here

feel free to use #TheStoneCollective for IG,FB, Twitter, Etc.

A February Bride

A February Bride
By Betsy St Amant

About the book:
A year's worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.
Allie left the love of her life at the altar---to save him from a lifetime of heartbreak. When a Valentine's Day wedding brings them back together, she struggles against her family's destructive history. Can Allie ever realize that a marriage is so much more than a wedding dress?
History repeats itself when Allie Andrews escapes the church on her wedding day---in the same dress passed down for generations and worn by all the women in her family---women with a long history of failed marriages. Allie loves Marcus but fears she's destined to repeat her family's mistakes. She can't bear to hurt Marcus worse.
Marcus Hall never stopped loving Allie and can only think of one reason she left him at the altar---him. When the two are thrown together for his sister's Valentine's Day wedding, he discovers the truth and realizes their story might be far from over. Can Allie shuck expectation and discover who she is as a bride and in the Bride of Christ? And if she ever walks down the aisle, what dress will she wear?

My thoughts:
In a February Bride, Allie forgoes her chance at happiness because she believes her family is cursed. She leaves her fiancé at the alter and a few months later is thrown back into his circle bringing all her conflicted feelings back. Will Allie be able to move past her past heartbreak and take a chance at a lasting future?

How I imagine Allie's dress



* I received this book free for review from Zondervan Publishers through netgalley.com*

Rating: 5 carats

A January Bride

A January Bride
By Deborah Raney

About the book:
A year's worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.
What will happen when novelist Madeleine Houser's 'pen pal' friendship with a lonely widower takes an unexpected turn?
Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie's never met the innkeeper---but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie's alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn's owner---a man who's likely many years her senior---and who she's never even met.
Arthur Tyler is a college professor who lost his young wife to cancer. Together they ran the bed and breakfast where Art lives, but without his wife, the house is missing warmth and cheer. He jumps at the chance to have author Madeleine Houser use the space that was once filled with guests. He, too, begins to enjoy the daily exchanges with Maddie, but a series of misunderstandings lead him to believe she's far from being a prospective date---even if he were ready to date again, which he's not.
When Maddie and Art finally meet and discover one another's identity, sparks fly. Even so, they each have obstacles to overcome in order for this winter romance to blossom.

My thoughts:

A January Bride is a quick, light read a sweet and somewhat predictable read. Maddie is an author in need of a place to write. Art is a widower who owns a Bed and Breakfast. A pretty typical romance set up. While predictable, how events came about were sometimes surprising and a little bit sweet.

Dear Mr Knightley

Dear Mr. Knightley
By Katherine Reay
About the book:
Samantha Moore survived years of darkness in the foster care system by hiding behind her favorite characters in literature, even adopting their very words. Her fictional friends give her an identity, albeit a borrowed one. But most importantly, they protect her from revealing her true self and encountering more pain.

After college, Samantha receives an extraordinary opportunity. The anonymous “Mr. Knightley” offers her a full scholarship to earn her graduate degree at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. The sole condition is that Sam write to Mr. Knightley regularly to keep him apprised of her progress.

As Sam’s true identity begins to reveal itself through her letters, her heart begins to soften to those around her—a damaged teenager and fellow inhabitant of Grace House, her classmates at Medill, and, most powerfully, successful novelist Alex Powell. But just as Sam finally begins to trust, she learns that Alex has secrets of his own—secrets that, for better or for worse, make it impossible for Sam to hide behind either her characters or her letters.

My Thoughts:

Samantha, who grew up an orphan, is a twenty something determined to make it on her own. But one too many mistakes gives her no place to go but back go the place she grew up, Grace's house. Discouraged but still determined she decides to earn back the journalism scholarship she lost. Earning her scholarship back comes with one condition, that she write letters to the unknown man providing the scholarship to her. She calls him "Mr. Knightly"

This entire book is written in letters. Initially that sounds boring but is actually unique and a bit captivating. Samantha feels like a failure on the inside and appears awkward on the outside but having the birds eye view of her that we do she is tender and likable.

Katherine Reay is a debut novelist who I can tell has many more captivating books to come.

*I received this book free for review from Thomas Nelson Publishers*

Rating: 4 carats