Service Tails by Ace Collins

Service Tails (Abingdon Press, August 2016)

Heart-tugging true stories of the courage, faith, and loyalty of remarkable service dogs.

Not all heroic dogs wildly toss themselves into lifesaving situations. Some save lives simply by their incredible commitment to duty and service. Some lead the way to independence for people whose disabilities were supposed to limit their lives.

In Service Tails: More Stories of Man’s Best Hero, prolific author Ace Collins introduces us to leaders whose entire lives are wrapped in the banner of service. Their stories are remarkable snapshots of the value of vision and teamwork, as well as devotion to duty and unconditional love and acceptance–stretching the way we see both canine and human potential. Their training was intense, their loyalty unquestioned and each step of the way they constantly adapt to better serve those they lead. These unforgettable dogs are more than heroes; they are models from which we can learn how to love and serve unconditionally.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT ACE COLLINS}

Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. He has authored more than sixty books that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a network television special and does college basketball play-by-play. Ace lives in Arkansas.

Find out more about Ace athttp://acecollins.com.

My Take: I love reading stories about animals help humans by saving them or helping them in some way.  This is a whole book about just such animals in the form of dogs.  Service dogs help their companions to live a more independant life. Each story tells the tale of how each dog is unique in the way that they help their human. This includes the story of when the first service dog came to America. A great story of dogs loving their humans.  

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review from Litfuse. 

The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

From Goodreads.com
  

Robert Reed gave his life for his country in the early days of World War II. His sacrifice was honored when his widow and son were presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Each Christmas the final decoration Madge Reed hangs on the family s tree is that medal. Rather than being a symbol of honor for young Jimmy Reed that shining star represents loss, pain, and suffering. Yet a letter delivered by one of Robert s fellow soldiers and a mystery posed in that letter put a father s sacrifice and faith into perspective and bring new meaning to not just the star hanging on the Christmas tree but the events of the very first Christmas. Then, when least expected, a Christmas miracle turns a final bit of holiday sadness into a joy that Jimmy has never known

My Take:This is the kind of book that I like to read around the holidays.  Jimmy is a young man that is hurting (just like many people hurt around the holidays when they lose their loved ones).  Jimmy makes a few bad decisions when he thinks that these decisions will help with how he is feeling but when he learns how his father really dies and when he reads a letter written by his dad it helps him to have a truly Christmas Miracle.  

This is a great story for this time of the year but also for any time of the year. 

I received a review copy from Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinion.

Darkness before Dawn by Ace Collins

About Darkness Before Dawn: Will grief push Meg over the edge?

On the same night she discovers she is pregnant, twenty-eight-year-old nurse Meg Richards's husband is killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken teen. James Thomas comes from one of the most influential families in the community. He's a star athlete and glamour boy at the local high school. But the accident he caused will change his life---and Meg's future---forever.

Angered by her senseless loss and facing life as a single mother, Meg blames God for what has happened and considers a decision that could change her life even further. Enraged by the brutal trial and the court's decision, Meg starts down a frightening path of retribution. When the opportunity for revenge comes unexpectedly, will Meg follow through? Or will the remnants of her faith lead her in a different direction?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/jZlsf

Meet Ace: Bestselling author Ace Collins has written more than 60 books including novels "Swope's Ridge" and "Words of the Father," as well as the nonfiction "Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas"; and "Lassie: A Dog's Life". His books have become movies and network television specials. Ace Collins has sold more than 1.5 million books during his career and makes his home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. 

Learn more about Ace at: http://AceCollins.com

My Take:  Meg receives a phone call in the middle of the night fully expecting it to be the hospital where she works calling her in but instead it is a call telling her that her husband was killed in a drunk driving accident.  She also learns on the same night that she is pregnant.  Facing a future of raising her child by herself and feeling betrayed by the justice system,  Meg decides to turn her back on God and to extract her own justice.  But God isn't finished with her and that is really the main story here. 

What a horrible call to get, that your loved one has been killed in an accident that was totally preventable if only the driver hadn't gotten behind the wheel after he had been drinking.  Then to learn that the driver had a powerful Judge for a father that he could get him off.  Where did that leave you and the feeling of justice.  But remember that justice comes from God.  And even if we don't feel like justice is served, God has a Plan.  

This book had me feeling alot of different emotions, anger, disbelief, sorrow to name a few but in the end I felt that God has all things in control.  Great book.  Would recommend it.  

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Enter Today - 4/18 - 4/29!

The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

 The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

From Goodreads.com
 

Robert Reed gave his life for his country in the early days of World War II. His sacrifice was honored when his widow and son were presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Each Christmas the final decoration Madge Reed hangs on the family s tree is that medal. Rather than being a symbol of honor for young Jimmy Reed that shining star represents loss, pain, and suffering. Yet a letter delivered by one of Robert s fellow soldiers and a mystery posed in that letter put a father s sacrifice and faith into perspective and bring new meaning to not just the star hanging on the Christmas tree but the events of the very first Christmas. Then, when least expected, a Christmas miracle turns a final bit of holiday sadness into a joy that Jimmy has never known

 

My Take:This is the kind of book that I like to read around the holidays.  Jimmy is a young man that is hurting (just like many people hurt around the holidays when they will their loved ones).  Jimmy makes a few bad decisions when he thinks that these decisions will help with how he is feeling but when he learns how his father really dies and when he reads a letter written by his dad it helps him to have a truly Christmas Miracle.  

This is a great story for this time of the year but also for any time of the year. 

I received a review copy of this book from Pumpupyourbook.com.  All opinions are my own.