Book Review: Tidewater Inn

Tidewater Inn
By
Colleen Coble

About the Book (from thomasnelson.com):

Welcome to Hope Beach

Where the sea breeze is fresh, sun sparkles on sand . . . and trouble appears with the force of a hurricane.

Inheriting a beautiful old hotel on the seaward shore of Hope Island could be a dream come true for Libby. The inn cries out for her restorer’s talent and love of history. She’s delighted to learn of family she never knew she had. And the handsome Coast Guard lieutenant she’s met there on the island could definitely be the man of her dreams.

But Libby soon realizes that only way she can afford the upkeep on the inn is to sell it to developers who are stalking the island. The father who willed her the inn has died before she could meet him, and her newfound brothers and sisters are convinced she’s there to steal their birthright. Worst of all, her best friend and business partner has been kidnapped before her eyes, Libby’s under suspicion for the crime, and her handsome lieutenant clearly doubts her innocence.

Libby’s dream-come-true is becoming a nightmare. Can she find her friend and establish her innocence? Must she sell Tidewater Inn and lose her family again? Or can she find a home for her heart on the beautiful shores of Hope Island?

My Thoughts:

This was the third book I’ve read by Colleen Coble and I loved it just as much as I loved the others. She has a way of combining mystery, suspense and adventure and wrapping a love story right up in the middle of it. Her stories aren’t usually predictable unlike many others in the genre; just when I thought I knew where she was going, she threw another twist into the story.

The characters in the story are lovable and their quirks and personalities really help make the story enjoyable and interesting. This was another book that left me wishing there was a sequel, I’m always interested to know what life is like for the characters after the last page is read. Thankfully I just realized that this is the first book in a new series by Coble, the Hope Beach series. Maybe that means I’ll get to catch up with some of these characters in the future! I highly recommend this book as well as the other novels I’ve read by Coble, Lonestar Angel and The Lightkeeper’s Ball.

This book can be found at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as many other retailers.

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Book Review: Jesus Calling Devotional Bible, NKJV

Jesus Calling Devotional Bible, NKJV
By
Sarah Young, General Editor

What can I really say to describe a Bible?  It’s been the same for a LONG time.  What makes this particular one unique are the devotions throughout the text. Here’s what thomasnelson.com has to say about this Bible:

The Jesus Calling Devotional Bible puts readers in touch with God and His answers for their life situations. Missionary Sarah Young had been journaling her prayers for years when she began “listening” for what Jesus was saying to her within the words of Scripture. In this Bible, 260 scenarios pose life struggles to which Sarah Young gives answers from her Savior—words that Jesus has lovingly laid on her heart—words that have comforted and inspired Sarah and many others around the world.

Features include:

–260 scenarios with devotions by Sarah Young

–Hundreds of inspiring scriptures highlighted throughout the text

–New King James Version® (NKJV) in paragraph format

–Index to devotions

–Two-color text

–Presentation page

–Ribbon marker

 I received an electronic version of this book therefore I can’t speak to all of the features it’s supposed contain; this version didn’t have two-color text, a ribbon marker or a presentation page.  What I can tell you about are the devotionals you’ll find as you read through this version of the Bible. Each devotion is presented as a letter from someone to God, these touch on many topics including adversity, prayer, transformation and emptiness. After each letter to God you’ll find an answer to the letter, if I understand it correctly these answers contain text from Sarah Young’s book, Jesus Calling.  The words in these “answers from God” speak straight to the reader and really make it a personal experience with God. This topical index makes it easy to find just the answers you’re looking for.

There was only one issue I had and that might be due to the fact that it’s an e-book and not an app of some sort; the devotions often take up big chunks of space and make it difficult if you’re just trying to read the text.

Buy the Book:

If you’re interested in checking out this book you can find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as many other retailers.

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: An Amish Wedding

An Amish Wedding
By
Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long

An Amish Wedding is a collection of three wonderful stories, each one written by a different well-known author of Amish fiction. Though the stories are all written by different authors, they are all intertwined with each individual story focusing on a different couple. Rather than try and explain it all myself, I’ll let the publisher Thomas Nelson tell you what to expect: (from http://www.thomasnelson.com)

 Priscilla’s upcoming wedding is stirring up trouble—and romance—in Paradise.

 A meticulous planner, Priscilla King has dreamed of marrying Chester Lapp since she was sixteen years old. Thanks to her sister Naomi’s matchmaking skills, Chester courts Priscilla and on her nineteenth birthday, he proposes. Priscilla puts her wedding plans into action.

While happy about her own wedding, Priscilla wishes Naomi would find her own perfect match. When Chester’s cousin Zeke shows up, Naomi’s life gets complicated.

More problems arise as the big day approaches, including the strange behavior of Priscilla’s best friend Rose, whose own fiancé is hiding something from her—something she’ll do anything to uncover.

Is God sending a message to call off the wedding? What is certain is that the hearts of these three women will be forever altered by this Amish Wedding.

Three possible brides. Three separate tales that tell one bigger story. From three best-selling Amish fiction authors.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading this book. You might remember that I recently posted about a book that was rather short; I found it rushed and felt like there wasn’t enough depth to the story.  While each of the stories in this book are quite short, they are all intertwined so you get backstory on a variety characters even though each story mainly focuses on a few. I enjoyed be able to spend a bit of time with the characters without the story getting old. I also thought that this book might seem chopped up since it was written by three authors, but I found the stories to flow well and didn’t have a hard time leaving off one story and picking up another.

I know it seems like I’ve been reviewing a ton of Amish fiction lately, but I just take what the publishers are offering for review.  Not to mention, the Amish fiction genre has me captivated lately. It’s so interesting to me that these stories are not historical, they are set in modern times and the Amish are living in a way that is so “old-fashioned”.  I think I tend to forget that there are actually people living like this in America! I guess that means you can expect to see some more Amish fiction review from me in the future!

Buy the Book:

If you’re interested in checking out this book you can find it on Amazon and christianbook.com, as well as many other retailers.

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: The Waiting Place

The Waiting Place
By
Eileen Button

This collection of short essays by Eileen Button seemed as though I had snuck into her room and read her diary. Eileen shares her heart with the reader, approaching a variety of topics including being a pastor’s wife, having a seriously ill child, death in the family. Each essay touches on the way each situation required waiting – waiting on fish, waiting on God, waiting on others. The essays are written very honestly, nothing is held back.

I loved the opportunity this book gave me to peek into the life of a fellow Christian wife and mother; Button’s sheer honesty made this book super relatable. From viewing the church as her husband’s mistress to coping with being “just a pastor’s wife,” Eileen shared her heart and soul with the reader.  If you’re in the market for a book that you can totally relate to, this is for you. Button helps the reader to realize that not everything about life is peachy keen, there are seasons we all go through and it is very normal.  I walked away from this book feeling enlightened, enouraged and just a bit more “normal.”

This book can be found at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as many other retailers.
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Book Review: A Cowboy’s Touch

A Cowboy’s Touch
By
Denise Hunter

     Who doesn’t love a good cowboy story?  I know I certainly do, especially when it’s a love story! This novel by Denise Hunter is no exception.

     When the stress of her job as an investigative reporter threatens her health, Abigail Jones is forced to take a leave of absence. Her mom, who is also her boss, sends her to visit her great-aunt who lives in a small town in Montana. Moose Creek, Montana is quite a change from Abigail’s fast paced life back in Chicago. Though she initially thinks she will be bored out her mind and that her time in Montana will be miserable, Abigail begins to fall in love with the town and its people. One of these people is a little girl named Maddy, whose father just happens to be one of the most handsome cowboys Abigail has ever met, Wade Ryan. As Abigail begins to develop a relationship with Maddy and Wade, she discovers that he is running from his past. Will she ever get to know the real Wade Ryan?  Can he ever let himself get over the past and love another woman? The pages of this novel answer these questions and more.

     When I finally got the time to sit down and read this book, I was wrapped up in the story.  From the descriptions of the characters to the descriptions of the setting, I wanted to be in Moose Creek, Montana and be a part of the story of Abigail, Wade and Maddy. This book combines a love story with a bit of mystery regarding Wade’s past. I stayed up way too late turning the pages of this book so that I could finish reading this beautiful love story; I just couldn’t tear myself away.

This book can be found at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as many other retailers.

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Book Review: We Be Big

We Be Big
By
Rick Burgess and Bill (Bubba) Bussey

Before reading this book, I had no idea who Rick and Bubba were; now I want to drive to Birmingham, AL and hang out with them! 

     In We Be Big, Rick Burgess and Bill (Bubba) Bussey share how two Southern guys came to be the successful radio hosts they are today. From chance encounters with radio bigwigs to open doors and a growing and loyal fan base, God’s hand is definitely at work in the journey these two are on. When Rick and Bubba started their show, no one thought they would make it very far, but God had other plans. This book is a great story about where God can lead you when you choose to listen to him and obey his will for your life.

     I loved reading this book; it was very conversational and I could picture myself sitting down with Rick and Bubba listening to them tell this story. Their personalities and their love of life, and food, strongly come across in this book. I enjoyed reading this book so much that I look forward to reading their other books and finding somewhere I can listen to their broadcast archives.

This book can be found at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as many other retailers.

Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.