The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear

Wow! I had the opportunity to read The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear! What a thrilling tale!

Rachel is excited and jealous as her best friend, Sally, marries her new beau.  However, something isn't quite right at the wedding ceremony.  Rachel is happy to stand as a witness with her childhood friend, Hugh, but he is clearly off soon to be with his new interest, Liz.  Time moves on. Is Sally safe? What is going on with her new husband? And what has become of Hugh? What about his friend, a potential suitor for Rachel, who he mentioned in passing?

The Blue Cloak will captivate you!  This compelling novel will draw you in and carry you along the frontier on a journey set in the late 1790's.  The Blue Cloak is part of the  Historical Stories of American Crime Series.  It is truly a spellbinding story.  In fact, I couldn't put it down!  The author does start off with a "warning" that this book does share some (real) graphic details. That made me nervous at first - as I've read some other author disclaimers - but honestly I'd give it a PG or PG13 rating.  Not appropriate for children and likely historically accurate.

I did enjoy The Blue Cloak and would highly recommend this book. I  received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

A Different Kind of Love Story

A Different Kind of Love Story is a fabulously written personal life story from Landra Young Hughes.  In A Different Kind of Love Story, Landra shares a journey starting in her teenage years to being a young mother. She was raised the daughter of a famous pastor and endured some turbulent times as a family that were very public, not necessarily by choice. Landra then went on to develop an eating disorder and went to treatment for her eating disorder. Although this book does share about her eating disorder it is applicable to many. 

On page 122 Landra shares a label that women need to put on themselves. It is “Chosen By God”.  This really resonated with me!

On page 148 Landra writes, “Maybe you need to keep your personal life private because that’s what’s been modeled for you. Maybe your parents never talked about spiritual or faith based topics and it’s just a foreign concept to you. Maybe it feels weird to let others in when you have doubts because you are afraid of looking stupid or weak or like you’re not a ‘good’ Christian.”  Laundre then goes on to share how opening up your personal life will deepen your spiritual life.

A Different Kind of Love Story is full of wisdom, personal experiences and encouragement. 

 A Different Kind of Love Story is an excellent book that I would recommend. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review which I was happy to do.

Find More Money $$$$$ by Art Rainer

Find More Money by Art Rainer is a fabulous book to help those who are looking for additional income through a side hustle, side gig or whatever you choose to call it!  Art has a history of authoring books about finances, however this is the first one I read!  Art shares several key elements as to why you need a side gig: you need more money just to make it through each month, you need more money so you can pay down your debt, you need more money so you can create an emergency savings account, you need more money so you can eventually retire, you need more money so you can be more generous (page 15). Art also lays out the options for making more money, which include, get a raise, get a new job, get a side gig (page 15).  Art also encourages you to know you why of why you want to make more money, and encourages you to explore your passions and what you can do. I appreciated that Art listed practical websites that you can use and does acknowledge the websites are always changing!  Art explores what it takes to find a side gig, develop that side gig and more forward to try and make additional money!

I appreciated that this was a practical book. Art offered many suggestions to help the reader move forward with a side gig! Perhaps the big questions is: is this in line with Dave Ramsey and what is taught by Financial Peace? Yes! Art Rainer has similar principles that will compliment and encourage any Dave Ramsey followers! (Note that programs are slightly different, but similar in many ways!)

I did enjoy this book and found it very helpful but most importantly practical!  I would encourage others to check it out! I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.

Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill

Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill is a captivating fiction mystery. 

This book shares the story of Detective Alvarez who happens upon a mystery of students killed in a school bus accident three years ago. However the students may be alive. Even though detective Alvarez has no children of her own, she is intrigued by the prospect of solving the case. She also desperately wishes to get out of property crimes and move into homocide. 

This book is a thrilling and entertaining mystery fiction. I found myself unable to put it down. I did find it interesting however that this book is published by a Christian publisher with no mention of any Christian aspects  throughout the book. The characters are entertaining and the story is gripping. 

 I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review. I would definitely recommend this book. 

Holy Guacamole by Carrie Stephens

"Have you ever felt on the edge, alone, down and out, or maybe wondered what in the world God can do with someone like you?"

Carrie Stephens shares her journey of life, being a pastor's wife, and motherhood in an entertaining way in Holy Guacamole.  Carrie shares stories from her growing up years, to early marriage, to raising teenagers and how she has been used by God during those times.  I loved the footnotes {which are hilarious side commentary!}

Carrie also draws on her experience of a being a pastor's wife and the dynamic that it adds to her life as well as the expectations of others. One time a friend shared with her that she is "holy guacamole" and totally worth it!  Carries expands on this idea of value and worth.  I appreciated the practical and real life stories that 40 something Carrie incorporates into the book!

On page 174 Carrie writes, "Relax, you'll get what God has planned for you from the beginning of time. In the meantime, let her (meaning those you compare yourself to) have her things. Let him do what God made him to do. Let God be God.  To carry this truth in our broken world, maybe we need to practice receiving whatever God's hand is holding out to us today - even when it seems like less than what He promised."

I did enjoy this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.  

Isaiah's Legacy

I recently had the chance to read the book Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Anderws.  This book is the fictional story of King Mannasseh and his wife based on the Biblical account. It is fiction. You will want to keep that in mind while reading the story  

This story is a psychological take of how God has worked during Isaiah‘s time period. Isaiah's Legacy studies the life of king Manasseh and how Satan made him one of the most wicked kings. This book illustrates the war between Satan and God as seen in the lives of real people.

I really enjoyed how the author starts the book with a list of the characters in a map of the location and a brief note giving a background for the book. The author takes the liberty to explore the story and make it very vivid.  

I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.