"Where the Blue Sky Begins," by Katie Powner

 "Where the Blue Sky Begins," by Katie Powner

Sometimes the hardest road of all is the road home.

When confident and handsome Eric Larson is sent to a rural Montana town to work in the local branch of his uncle's financial company, he's determined to exceed everyone's expectations, earn a promotion, and be back in Seattle by the end of summer. Yet nothing could prepare him for the lessons this small town has in store.

At forty-six years old, eccentric and outspoken Eunice Parker has come to accept her terminal illness and has given herself one final goal: seek forgiveness from everyone on her bucket list before her time runs out. But it will take more courage than she can muster on her own.

After an accident pushes Eric and Eunice together, the unlikely pair is forced to spend more time with each other than either would like, which challenges their deepest prejudices and beliefs. As summer draws to a close, neither Eric nor Eunice is where they thought they would be, but they both wrestle with the same important question: What matters most when the end is near?

This book took me a little time to get into it; and honestly I wasn't totally convinced to start with that I would.  However, by the time I was a quarter of the way through it, the story took over and I did enjoy it.  As it says above Eunice is terminally ill, so it's no surprise she dies.  What is a surprise is how Eric and Eunice's friendship develops and how they come to rely on one another.  They need one another and they learn from one another.

It takes a skilled writer to write this type of story that creeps up on you without you knowing. There are a couple of twists in this book, and a couple of surprises that catch you unaware.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  This is a book you have to work at in the beginning but once you get hooked it is totally worth it.  Everything and everyone is not always what they seem on the surface, which was true in this book and true in life.  Well done Katie.  This is the first book I have read by Katie and will look out for more of her books.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Targeted," by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Natalie Walters

"Targeted," by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Natalie Walters

Three women. Three men. Three unsuspecting targets.

Get ready for triple the thrills with three heart-stopping stories from your favorite romantic suspense authors!

In On the Run, IT Specialist Daria Nevsky is a highly skilled FBI agent with the ability to hack any computer. She must go on the run to find out who wants her dead--and Dr. Ryker Donahue refuses to let her do it alone.

In Deadly Objective, physical therapist Emily Dixon and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper are committed to keeping their relationship professional. But when the vice president's son enters the crosshairs of a killer, some lines will have to be crossed in order to keep him safe.

In Caught in the Crosshairs, there is no love lost between former Army PSYOPS officer Ari Blackman and CIA officer Claudia Gallegos after Claudia is implicated in the murder of a Saudi prince. But to prevent a coup that would put America at risk, they'll have to learn to trust each other--before it's too late.

If you don't have time to read a book, but enjoy reading, this book is perfect for you.  As they are Novellas, they are "mini-books" that take a fraction of the time to read, but still give you the full effect of a regular novel.  Each one packs a punch in their own way.  Each one take's you through a roller coaster of emotions and each one had me sitting on the edge of my chair at times.  All were so good in their own way.  If I had to pick a favourite, it would the first one "One the Run," by Lynette.  However, I thoroughly enjoyed them all.

Stars out of 5 : 5 this book would make a perfect gift for a book lover, as it gives you a taste of how each author writes.  Hands down one of the best books I have read in a while.  A real gem!

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Clutter Fix," by Shannon Acheson

 "The Clutter Fix," by Shannon Acheson

Create the Organized Home and Life You've Always Longed For

Living in a disorganized, cluttered home can leave you feeling chaotic, anxious, and even depressed. You want a change, but you don't know where to begin.

Home coach Shannon Acheson is here to help. She has written the only book you'll ever need to get your entire home sorted and organized for good--in a way that makes sense for you and your family's unique, God-given personalities.

In The Clutter Fix, Shannon helps you

· win the battle with all of your stuff by following her step-by-step instructions and checklists

· discover your Clutter Personality and your Organizing Personality

· create rhythms and routines to keep your home decluttered

Clutter isn't just about the stuff. It's about how you feel in your home--and in your mind. This book will give you the peaceful dwelling you've always hoped for.

I am not a fan of "reading" non-fiction books, but thought I would give this a go.  I do like how every area of your home is dealt with.  There are sections/ideas for those of you who are strapped for time; for example the 10 minute declutter.  Everyone can find ten minutes in their day.

I liked the suggestions for donating things; I even looked up and contacted a couple in our area, about things I had to donate.  I have not read every page of this book, but picked and chose bits and bobs which I thought I needed help with.

There are places in the book (worksheets) which asks you questions and where you can write down answers and figure out what/where you need help with.

Stars out of 5 : 4 it's a good book to have on hand.  Not one I would turn to on a daily basis, but one when I am in a cleaning/decluttering phase would be handy to read.  The only thing I didn't get was the religious side of things?  I don't see how that works in with this book?  I do agree though that having a cluttered, untidy house does affect your mood.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Honor Bound," by Hallee Bridgeman

 "Honor Bound," by Hallee Bridgeman

It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. But all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a local warlord's mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces A-Team on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia's life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia doesn't want to like anything about Rick and his team--but an unexpected attraction is taking hold.

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to draw upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive . . . because he's beginning to think that, despite their differences, they just may be able to make a life together.

This book starts at such a fast pace you are left breathless.  You HAVE TO keep reading to see what happens next.  I couldn't put it down.  BUT, despite a great start I found my mind wandering a bit after they all got out of Africa.  The pace dropped and although interesting it didn't have the same intensity as the first part of the book.

I could not fault the author at all about that first part of the book, I too was holding my breath when they were..LOL  The lead characters, were well suited for one another and their strength of belief was spot on.  I enjoyed the little insight into Rick and his team and how they worked together, it totally made sense to me.  

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  This is the first book in the Love and Honor series by this author.  The good news is the next two are coming out in October and November, so won't have to wait long to read them and I will be!!  I read the first chapter of the next book (it's previewed in the back of this book,) and again I was sitting on the edge of my seat.  Well worth reading this book, and again a new to me author.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Dangerous Beauty, by Melissa Koslin

"Dangerous Beauty," by Melissa Koslin

Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She's not a victim, she's a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she's determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers. But she can't stay safely in America--unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.

Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Instead, he becomes the key to Liliana's rescue. If he can keep his secrets hidden, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.

This is the first book I have read by Melissa Koslin.  It's about a subject matter I wouldn't normally pick up and read about and totally outside of my comfort zone.  However, I did really enjoy how fast paced it was.  The two leading characters had a lot of depth to them.  Not sure if the whole marriage of convenience was a good way to keep these two together; but I guess it works.

There were enough twists and turns to keep this book interesting; you know what is going to happen at the end though!!  No real surprises there.  Liliana's faith was so strong and it got her through the worst of situations. Not sure I could have stayed as strong as she did.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 I am glad I read this book.  It was a good way to introduce folk to human trafficking for those of us who know nothing about it.  I look forward to reading more by this author.

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Beneath The Bending Skies," by Jane Kirkpatrick

 "Beneath The Bending Skies," by Jane Kirkpatrick

Mollie Sheehan has spent much of her life striving to be a dutiful daughter and honor her father's wishes, even when doing so has led to one heartbreak after another. After all, what options does she truly have in 1860s Montana? But providing for her stepfamily during her father's long absences doesn't keep her from wishing for more.

When romance blooms between her and Peter Ronan, Mollie finally allows herself to hope for a brighter future--until her father voices his disapproval of the match and moves her to California to ensure the breakup. Still, time and providence are at work, even when circumstances are at their bleakest. Mollie may soon find that someone far greater than her father is in control of the course of her life--and that even the command to "honor thy father" has its limits.

Jane never fails to write a really interesting book.  What makes it even more special is it's based on a real person.  The way everything is described you can visualize it all in detail.  The hardships though they went through was unbelievable, but they never wavered in their faith.  

Choosing between honoring your parents and wanting love and happiness must have been a hard choice for Mollie.  It made me wonder if people nowadays would do that?  You went through a roller coaster of emotions when reading this book and it was a well worth read.

Stars out of 5: 4.5 I enjoyed the book.  Loved it was based on a real person.  Didn't really get how the title of the book applied to the actual book though?

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip," by Sara Brunsvold

"The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip," by Sara Brunsvold

"A throwaway assignment is about to change two lives forever

Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she's been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who's just entered hospice care.

But there's more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she's not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it's a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that's just what Mrs. Kip will give her--but she's going to have to work for it."

This wasn't the easiest book to get into.  I found it slow going at first.  However the more chapters I read the more I wanted to read.  It took a while for the story to unfold, but the more you read, the more involved you will get.  

Although this is a sad story as Clara is dying; and yes you will be in tears, it is a story of a life well lived and of a women who achieved a lot with God's help and love.  It is a book that will make you think and will make you evaluate your own life.

Stars out of 5 : 4 The first half of the book dragged by too slow for me.  The story didn't interest me right away.  I had a good cry close to the end.  I also found it interesting the small details of life in the hospice.  Also the small things that were super important to Mrs. Kip, for example just feeling the sun on her face.  It's those things we just take for granted.  It was those attention to details things that made this book for me.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".