Wyatt: The Montana Marshalls - an inspirational romantic suspense family series 

ebook, paperback

by Susan May Warren

• Publisher: SDG Publishing
• Publication Date: October 15, 2019
• ASIN: B07XGDRYMV

He’s lost her twice…he’s not going to lose her again...

NHL Hockey Goalie Wyatt Marshall has everything--fame, money and a thriving career. But he’s hiding the two things that matter most...a career-ending injury, and his broken heart. He’s been in love with Coco Stanley since she walked into his life at age fourteen, a foster child for the Marshall family. She stole his heart years later, when, after a secret tryst, she returned to her home country of Russia. But she won’t let him back into her life—and he can’t figure out why.

She’s harboring a secret that could cost lives...

Coco Stanley is tired of living her life undercover. Or at least, with an assumed name, always pretending to be someone she’s not. And that’s not the only secret she’s harboring. If Wyatt discovers the real reason she left him, it might just destroy him. She’s resigned herself to loving him from afar...

But when he discovers she’s in danger...

Wyatt is horrified when he learns Coco has been shot and left in Russia, her fate unknown. There is nothing—nothing—that will stop him from finding her. So what if he’s not one of his super-heroic brothers, not a Ranger, not a SEAL...Wyatt is a hockey goalie, a special kind of crazy brave. Except, is he brave enough to face the secret Coco is keeping, or will it destroy everything he’s hoped for?

What will it cost them to save her?

What Wyatt and Coco don’t know is that revenge is stalking her and bringing her home just might cost them their long-awaited happy ending.

Continue the breath-taking Montana Marshalls series!

My thoughts:  WYATT is the fourth book in the Montana Marshalls series  and readers  will want to read them in order... Knox, Tate, Ford and WYATT as this series does not stand alone. There is an ongoing suspense tying all the books together.

I  absolutely loved the faith message in WYATT, one both he  and Coco have to embrace and I love  Wyatt's mom and the way she's so... matter of fact. That is all I can  say without giving away spoilers. :)

The Marshall  Family is larger than life - in a word, epic - and none of the siblings are cowards - they are all crazy brave and rush in where angels fear to tread.  The boys are also well-versed fist  fighters.  For more conservative readers there is violence and some beer drinking. 

I can't wait to read Ruby Jane coming next month for the sure-to-be exciting conclusion to the Montana Marshall series.

Readers will want to read WYATT with a box of tissues close by (if they cry easily.)  Parts are really sad, some parts upsetting, and others totally sweet.  And fans of York (from Ford) will rejoice as York is once again  a key player in WYATT.

Grab your copy of WYATT today.

I was given a  copy free. All opinions are my own.

The Amish Wedding Promise (Hidden Springs #1)

The Amish Wedding Promise 

(Hidden Springs #1) 

Mass Market Paperback – ebook

December 17, 2019

by Laura V. Hilton (Author)

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages

• Publisher: Forever
• ISBN-13: 978-1538700648

Could this bride's wedding disaster be a blessing in disguise?

Grace Lantz always imagined her wedding day would be a blissfully happy occasion. But after a tornado swept through town, she finds herself relieved that the ceremony is delayed. After all, her groom-to-be hasn't even bothered to check on her. Instead, it's the handsome volunteer Zeke Bontrager who selflessly offers Grace his strong shoulders to lean on.

Zeke came to Hidden Springs to assist a community in need. He didn't expect to meet his soul mate. Determined to ignore his feelings, Zeke promises to help reunite kind, beautiful Grace with her groom. But after spending time together, Grace confesses that she might not want to marry her fiancé after all. Can Zeke convince her that her true love is standing right in front of her? And can she find the courage to follow her heart?

Reviews:

"[An] enjoyable inspirational romance."―Publishers Weekly on Christmas Admirer

"Fans of Amish romance will love The Amish Wedding Promise. In Laura's signature style, you'll find a swoon-worthy hero battling his own insecurities, a daring heroine longing for the one who fulfills her heart's desire, and an ever-loving God who can calm the raging storms of life. This book pulled on my heartstrings, but also made me laugh. Another book from Laura that I didn't want to put down! Once you begin reading this author's books, you'll want to read them all."―Jennifer Spredemann, author of An Amish Deception

"Can a tornado and a cancelled wedding be God's answer to Grace's prayer? When Laura V. Hilton tells a story, expect the unexpected!"―Charlotte Hubbard, author of New Beginnings at Promise Lodge

PreOrder your copy:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QFPZ6N8?pf_rd_p=183f5289-9dc0-416f-942e-e8f213ef368b&pf_rd_r=S53848EFG361TKK1QNGY

My thoughts:  (Reviewed by Marilyn Ridgeway):  Laura V. Hilton will attract readers with not only the stunning cover but also the descriptive and enthralling storyline in The Amish Wedding Promise. The setting in a fictional community in Illinois was a treat, since most Amish stories are set in larger Amish communities. Hidden Springs experienced a devastating tornado that delayed a wedding that Grace Lantz had prayed might be stopped. I loved her special needs sister Patience who replied multiple times regarding the situation “Jesus calm the storm” to her and others. Daadi Cliff was another charming character along with the hero and heroine.

Grace Lantz and Ezekiel Bontrager lives are dimensional with all they’ve experienced before they met. Zeke knew he wasn’t allowed to date as a volunteer helping with the recovery but him and Gracie sure seemed to connect. There are pure moments of hilarious laughter with Slush, the dog smiling at Zeke, and twelve brothers being protective. This poignant story is filled with realistic events and dialogue, hidden secrets revealed, letting go and letting God along with plenty of drama, humor, grief, overcoming, finding peace and faith with new beginnings. The unexpected happenings challenged some to admit their flaws and gave hope that God did all things well. The interspersed message of God’s sovereignty, forgiveness, unconditional love, faithfulness and hope will resonant with readers. This is one masterful, winsome, and touching story I highly recommend by Laura V. Hilton. I look forward to the next book in this new series called The Amish Secret Wish.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the author. I was under no obligation to write a review or compensated in any way. I have expressed my sincere thoughts in this review. Hilton has become one of my favorite authors with the faith message and drama she includes in all her stories.

Interview with Kathy Harris

Today we welcome Kathy Harris to my blog. Thanks for stopping by, Kathy! Tell us about the book – a brief blurb:

Deadly Commitment is an inspirational romantic suspense set in Nashville. It’s also the first book in a new series from New Hope Publishers.

Danni Kemp fears she’s being stalked—but the truth is much more deadly. Her fiancé, Robert Evans, has a dangerous secret, and the homeless man who is stalking her, Caleb Samuels, may prove to be her only escape from the seedy, underground world of illicit drugs that has intruded upon her life. Will Danni discover in time that neither Rob nor Caleb are who they appear to be, and the one person she fears most may be the one person she needs to trust?

Are any experiences in Deadly Commitment based on personal experiences?

Not directly, but the book is set in the middle of my ordinary life in Nashville, Tennessee. I had a great time doing “research” and learning more about my hometown.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in Deadly Commitment?

That’s an interesting question. I wouldn’t change the story but, like most writers, I would love the chance to rewrite it. Ha.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Balancing the romance, suspense, and faith elements.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

This is my first romantic suspense, and I learned that I really like writing in this genre. It’s fun… and challenging.

Did you have to travel much for research for Deadly Commitment?

Not at all. Most of the story is set in Nashville. The rest was set on the road and/or on the tour bus, which is second nature to me because I’ve worked in the entertainment industry for several decades.

Do you foresee any more stories for this family of characters?

Deadly Commitment is the first book in The Deadly Secrets series, but each book will be a standalone with a unique hero and heroine. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is the common denominator in each story.

Who was your favorite character in Deadly Commitment?

I’m not sure I can pick a favorite, because Caleb Samuels is a strong hero and Danni Kemp has an interesting character arc. Also, several of the secondary characters (Jaycee, Jamie, and even Sophie) play an important role in the story. I look forward to learning who readers will pick as their favorite character!

Share your bio and links for social media and to buy:

Kathy Harris is an author by way of a “divine detour” into the Nashville music business where she has worked for 30 years as a marketing director. She sold her first Christian nonfiction story in 2007. Her debut novel, The Road to Mercy, released in 2012. Kathy writes romantic suspense and women’s fiction. Visit her website, read her Divine Detour blog and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook, BAM, Parnassus Books

Love, Honor, and Obey by B J Bassett

In a marriage relationship, there is authority from Christ to husband, and from husband to wife. The authority of Christ is the authority of God. Any man who speaks with God or about God in a way that shows a lack of respect for the authority of Christ, dishonors Christ. In the same way, a wife who speaks with God in a way that shows a lack of respect for the authority of her husband, dishonors her husband. 1 Corinthians 11:3-4

Obey? You’ve got to be kidding me. I don’t think the word obey is even used during many wedding ceremonies anymore.

Because of the era I was raised in and my faith in God and His Word, I never had trouble being a submissive wife, showing respect and honor to my husband as the head of our home. Sure, I can be bossy and stubborn. And I have my own opinion on many subjects.

Our marriage was a partnership and my godly husband treated me like an equal. He was wise and considerate. And he listened to me. Yet, even in a partnership there are situations when someone needs to make a final decision and that person is the head, the final word.

While I’m writing this devotional for wives, daughters of the King can glean from it as well. As wives, do we honor our husbands by being submissive? Do we give him control as the head of the home? As daughters of the King, are we honoring our Father? Are we giving him control of our lives?

I loved being a wife to my dear husband for over 60 years. I also love being a daughter of the King.

When we honor our husbands, we honor God.

Father, Your Word is an instruction book on how to live. My desire is to live my life honoring You in everything I do. I submit to Your will. Amen.

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.

The Spice King (Hope and Glory #1)

The Spice King 

(Hope and Glory #1) 

Paperback – ebook, hardcover, audio

September 3, 2019

by Elizabeth Camden (Author)

Paperback: 352 pages

• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 
• ISBN-13: 978-0764232114

Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building his very successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Resolved to salvage his family before it spirals out of control, he returns to his ancestral home to save his brother and sister before it's too late.

As a junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle Larkin has been charged with the impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. If she fails, she will be out of a job and the family farm in Kansas will go under. She has no idea that in gaining entrance to the Delacroix world, she will unwittingly step into a web of dangerous political intrigue far beyond her experience.

Unable to deny her attraction to the reclusive business tycoon, Annabelle will be forced to choose between her heart and loyalty to her country. Can Gray and Annabelle find a way through the storm of scandal without destroying the family Gray is fighting to save?

My thoughts: One of the things I love about Elizabeth Camden is her ability to find unique topics to write about. She has a loyal fan here for that reason alone. THE SPICE KING is about a man who got rich off spices and the woman who works for the Smithsonian and wants his well-guarded secrets.

Despite his mistrust of Annabelle, and that his personality is as drab as his name, Annabelle and Gray form a friendship that comes under fire when the government decides  Gray is a spy and promises Annabelle all her dreams come true if she spies on Gray and finds  him guilty. Despite her initial misgiving she succumbs and snoops....

  

Gray is openly anti-government but is he a spy? 

I really liked Gray's brother and sister, but both Gray and Annabelle as well as her sister were one dimensional and I couldn't force myself to care for them. The sexual tension between them was nonexistent but should appeal to readers who like love to come softly. I did take issue  with a works-based faith message instead of grace...  

I liked the touch of suspense and loved the unique topic.  Fans of Elizabeth Camden and regency time period romances will likely love THE SPICE KING.

I was given a copy free.. All opinions are my own.

When God Says Wait: A Devotional Thought Journal

Hardcover – 

October 1, 2019

by Elizabeth Laing Thompson (Author)

Hardcover: 224 pages

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

ISBN-13: 978-1643521626

A job, a true love, a baby, a cure. . .
We’re all waiting for something from God.
And the place between His answers can feel like a wasteland where dreams—and faith—go to die.
When we’re waiting, we wonder, “Why?”, “Why me?”, and “How long?”

But the truth? . . .
When God says, “Wait,” He doesn’t tell us for how long.
When God says, “Wait,” we face one of life’s greatest tests.
When God says, “Wait,” we have decisions to make.
When God says, “Wait,” we can control only two things: how we wait, and who we become along the way.

Author Elizabeth Laing Thompson invites you to journal through your personal "wait" and come out on the other side with your faith, relationships, and sense of humor intact. 

This lovely volume will encourage and inspire you in your wait--with meaningful devotional thoughts, scriptural truths, and thought-provoking journal prompts.

 

Features:

• A beautiful, textured hardcover binding
• Delightfully designed one-color interior with quality paper
• Dozens of encouraging, inspiring thoughts from Elizabeth Laing Thompson's popular Christian living title When God Says, "Wait"
• Generous space to record personal thoughts and feelings
• Thought-provoking reflection questions and journal prompts
• Scripture selections on every spread

 My  thoughts  (Reviewed by Marilyn):  It’s not easy waiting no matter what an individual might be waiting for. When God Says Wait, a devotional thought journal, is the perfect for recording your thoughts, actions and prayers as you wait.

This hardbound journal will encourage you in your spirit and mind as you wait. The two pages for each day or whatever pace has a Bible verse on the left page then a wonderful thought and question to ponder and answer on the right side. There is plenty of room to journal your prayers, thoughts and preparations as you wait for your answer. This journal is perfect for using during your devotions with God to grow your faith while waiting, knowing that God does all things well. The scriptures will uplift readers and some would be great to commit to memory.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. I have shared my own opinion.

 

Part 1 of an Interview with Barb Roose, Author of I’m Waiting, God

Part 1 of an Interview with Barb Roose, Author of I’m Waiting, God   Need information quick? Just grab your phone and do a search. Didn’t plan ahead for dinner? Toss something in the Instapot. Forget about patience, we live a world where Prime shipping seems to take too long. Waiting on the little things is an inconvenience, so what happens when we have to wait on the big things? When the bills are stacking up because a new job hasn’t come along, a family situation is causing great heartache, or a loved one faces an illness, we pray for answers. We know God hears our prayers, but it’s hard when the clock is ticking yet He hasn’t shown us the answer. Sometimes he wants us to wait. In her new Bible study I’m Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God’s Delays (Abingdon Press), Barb Roose helps readers build patience until God’s plan comes to fruition. Q: What is it about waiting that often reverts us back to toddler-like tantrums? All my kids went through that crazy toddler phase when they would fall out on the floor screaming when I didn’t let them have something they wanted. What always amazed me was that those little girls were so focused on the one thing they couldn’t have that they forget everything they already had to enjoy. Over the years, I’ve kicked up my own fuss when God hasn’t given me what I’ve wanted. There were times when I crossed my arms and pouted about not getting that bigger house, the job that would solve some financial issues, or why God hadn’t fixed the addiction issue that was breaking our hearts. I might not have thrown myself on the floor, but there were times when I didn’t want to pray or I’d withhold my worship because I felt like God being unfair. However, during some of my long seasons of unanswered prayers, I’ve learned how to halt my tantrum long enough to look around and see what God has already blessed me with. As I’ve learned to embrace a life of gratitude, God’s gifted me a multitude of better blessings that have far exceeded anything that I could have ever asked for. Q: An author writes about what she knows or needs to hear. Can you share an example of when you were waiting out God’s timing for what felt like forever? For several years, I prayed for a full-time job to open up at the church where I worked part-time. I looked forward to paying the monthly bills without worrying if there’d be enough money to pay them. Finally, I was offered a full-time job. However, the Great Recession devastated our automotive industry community. The loss of jobs led to reduced weekly giving at our church. In addition to some staff layoffs, my full-time position was postponed indefinitely. Disappointed, I was really angry with God. I was so tired of figuring out how to make ends meet month after month. After my big feelings calmed down, I kept trusting God to make ends meet and stayed faithful on my job. Almost a year later, a different full-time job for me – a promotion and substantial pay raise. It was a better job than the one I’d gotten angry about losing the year before! While there were many years of sacrificing for what God calling us to do, he took care of my family during those difficult days until times got better. Q: We often blame our impatience on the fact we live in a world of technology where everything is at our fingertips, but as humans, haven’t we always had that problem? We live in an “Insta-Everything” world that makes it possible for us to get what we want by the press of a button. Hungry? Order delivery from Postmates. Run out of toilet paper? Amazon can be a hero and deliver the next day. Even though technology highlights how much we love speed, human nature has always been to get what we want, no matter the cost. The tension is that when we try to fix or force solutions, not only do we miss out on God’s best, but we often wreck our human relationships. In Genesis, Abraham and Sarah live with an unanswered prayer for a child. Even though she knows what God has promised, Sarah tires of waiting and cooks up a scheme. Impatience does result in a baby—and broken relationships and a lot of bitter feelings, too. I’ve been like Sarah and got impatient with God. However, I bear the Jesus-healed scars of my foolishness. I’ve learned this: When I we try to push my way out of a waiting room, I will cause pain and problems in other people’s lives. Q: What spiritual issues are usually being tested in us while we are in sitting in the waiting room of life? Waiting room seasons of life challenge what we believe about God and how much fear and control are operating in our lives. Those long, frustrating days may prompt questions such as “Does God still love me?”, “Did I do something wrong?”, “Why is God answering their prayers, but not mine?” or “How long do I have to live like this, God?” For more than a decade, our family felt the effects of a growing addiction issue. At first, I prayed, but my prayers were all about asking God to deal with the addiction because I wanted my happy, mostly pain-free and problem-free life back. As the years went on, the effects of addiction began suffocating our daily lives. I stopped caring about getting my happy life back, I needed God’s power, presence and His peace to just help me get through the day, sometimes, even just the hour in front of me. Those last few years allowed me to discover there was nothing I needed more than God, even as I watched the once-lovely life I had fall apart and disappear. Yet, in God I found all that I needed. Q: You write, “This journey looks more like a winding path instead of a formulaic three-step plan. Here’s the unique twist: your path to patience is paved right over the road of your unanswered prayers.” Can you talk about why there isn’t a formula? There’s no formula for learning how to be patient, mainly because the human heart doesn’t respond to formulas. While there are formulas or strategies to bake cakes, build cars and even space travel, there is no formula that governs how a heart starts to love, begins to hate, moves toward God, or learns patience. God knows our hearts need to experience certain situations, challenges and even heartache for us to learn how to trust his timeline for our lives. This means God is patient with us because part of our journey is learning we can’t fix people or force solutions in order to get what we want. Unlike a plan, a winding path of learning to live on God’s timeline is more than just finding the fastest route from point A to point B. The winding path toward patience is a journey full of life-changing experiences, connections and relationships that we encounter along the way that God uses to help our hearts look more like His. Q: Sometimes God’s plans for us are so much better than anything we could have ever expected. What are some important things to remember moving forward after a blessing in disguise or a prayer answered in an unexpected way? It’s really easy to forget God when life is good! This is why gratitude is so important because the more we give thanks to God, the more we continue to share his glory through our story. Often, after we finally get that thing that we’ve been praying for forever, we forget all of the lessons God taught us while we were waiting. Gratitude keeps us connected to those lessons and allows God’s better blessings to keep flowing through our lives. Q: What final piece of encouragement would you give to those who may be in an intense period of waiting right now? This is the encouragement that I share whenever I speak before an audience: Today, you are doing the best that you can! Keep holding on! God has more for you because God has put more in you! Visit Barb Roose's online home at barbroose.com. Readers can also keep up with her on Facebook (BarbaraRoose), Twitter (barbroose), and Instagram (barbroose). Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who is passionate about connecting women to one another and to God helping them apply the truths of God’s Word to the practical realities and challenges they face as women in today’s culture. Roose enjoys teaching and encouraging women at conferences and events across the country, as well as internationally, including national platforms such as the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks Conference, and the UMC Leadership Institute. She is the author of the I’m Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God’s Delays, Joshua: Winning the Worry Battle and Beautiful Already: Reclaiming God’s Perspective on Beauty Bible studies and the books Winning the Worry Battle: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua and Enough Already: Winning Your Ugly Struggle with Beauty. Her writing has been featured in many magazines, and she also writes a regular blog at BarbRoose.com. She is the host of the bi-monthly “Better Together” podcast. Roose lives in Toledo, Ohio, and is the proud mom of three adult daughters. Her perfect day includes sleeping in, taking a long walk outside, shopping for shoes and eating two big bowls of chocolate peanut ice cream. Visit Barb Roose’s online home at barbroose.com. Readers can also keep up with her on Facebook (BarbaraRoose), Twitter (barbroose), and Instagram (barbroose).