Book Spotlight of There Once Were Stars (Dome 1618 #1 by Melanie McFarlane

Peace. Love. Order. Dome. That’s the motto that the Order has given the residents of Dome 1618 to live by. Natalia Greyes is a resident of Dome 1618, a covered city protected from the deadly radiation that has poisoned the world outside for four generations. Nat never questioned the Order, until one day she sees a stranger on the outside of the dome. Now Nat wants answers. Is there life outside the dome and if so, what has the Order been hiding from everyone?

Here Skies Surround Us (Dome 1618 #2) by Melanie McFarlane

Nat leaves her home, Dome 1618, just as they begin to colonize on the outside. She travels with Evan to his home, Dome 569, to deliver a replica of the immune serum and allow Evan to report back to his mother, Caroline. But when they arrive, members of the “New Order” take them into custody and Nat and Evan are separated, once again.

Thankfully she is reunited with her uncle, Alec, who takes Nat under his protection. But Nat has a lot to learn about Evan’s home, a progressive dome that colonized on the outside over a decade ago. There are many rules in Dome 569 put in place by Caroline; some that come with sharp and sometimes deadly consequences when broken. Here, Nat learns of the struggles that can come with change, and how tearing down the old ways doesn’t always make things better overall. In the process, she uncovers truths that could tear down the kingdom Caroline has sacrificed to protect, and in turn puts Nat at risk.

Will Nat be able to protect Evan from the lies, or will he succumb to them for the sake of his family, just as his mother did many years before? As Nat uncovers the secrets of Dome 569, will she be willing to give up her morals and values to pay the price for freedom, or die fighting for what she believes in?

My Take:  This is the second in the Dome 1618 series.  It is a Young Adult dystopian series.  In this book Nat and Evan go to Evan's home Dome 569.  The Leader of this dome isn't fair and is very strict and unwavering.  Nat is determined to find out what is going on.  Change comes very hard for some people and Caroline the leader doesn't like change much at all.  I would recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this book.  Recommended if you like dystopian young adult fiction.  

I received a review copy from Chapter by Chapter in exchange for my honest opinion.   

In the Middle of the Mess by Sheila Walsh

How do you turn your struggles into strengths? Beloved Bible teacher Sheila Walsh teaches readers how the daily spiritual practices of confession, meditation on God’s Word, and prayer result in fresh freedom in Christ.

In her long-awaited new book, Sheila Walsh equips women with a practical method for connecting with God’s strength in the midst of struggle. From daily frustrations that can feel like overwhelming obstacles to hard challenges that turn into rock-bottom crises, women will find the means to equip themselves for standing strong with God. Using the spiritual applications of confession, prayer, and meditation on Scripture to form a daily connection to Jesus, women will learn how to experience new joy as a child of God who is fully known, fully loved, and fully accepted.

In In the Middle of the Mess, Walsh reveals the hardened defenses that kept her from allowing God into her deepest hurts and shares how entering into a safe place with God and practicing this daily connection with him have saved her from the devil’s prowling attacks. Though we will never be completely “fixed” on earth, we are continually held by Jesus, whatever our circumstances. 

My Take:  I found this book very encouraging and very helpful.  Although I do not suffer from mental illness except for occasional depression because of my several other chronic illnesses I found that illness is illness and problems are problems even though we as humans seem to place more significance on certain ones over others.  Christians especially even though we are suppose to be more forgiving than others have a tendency to be less tolerant of mental illness as we tend to think if we truly believed you would not have problems in this area.  I thought that Shelia Walsh was very brave to come forward and talk this openly about her issues.  I found it very helpful for myself.  I would recommend this book if you are having a hard time just with life in general.  

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

The Sacred Slow by Alicia Britt Chole

If yesterday’s word was “simple,” tomorrow’s word will be “slow.”

Our culture is shifting from fast food to health food both physically and spiritually. Self-care, soul-care, life coaches, and spiritual retreats all show our dissatisfaction in quick fixes and fast faith. The Sacred Slow is an invitation to unhurried honesty before God. Formatted as 52 experiences, The Sacred Slow reminds readers on every page that God never wanted to use them: He always wanted to love them.

Experienced devotionally or in small groups, each chapter features a short but unexpected reading and two options for application: a thought focus or a heart exercise. The content is the overflow of Dr. Alicia Britt Chole’s thirty+ years as a spiritual mentor to leaders and learners. The tone is personal, practical, and penetrating. The fruit is sustainable (as opposed to event-based) intimacy with God.

My Take:  In today's world of fast everything and instant gratification this book is about slowing down and taking the time to really developing your relationship with Jesus.  This book is perfect to take one chapter a week for a whole year and really working on that particular weeks topic and putting in the work. Each week is meant to bring you closer to Jesus and to take your spiritual walk to the next level.  I would recommend if you are seeking to grow closer to Jesus.

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

Book Spotlight of Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall

"Family, community, faith, and love. These "quilt blocks" sewn together made Ariana's beautiful life. When they are pulled to pieces, will anything familiar remain? The Old Order Amish life Ariana Brenneman loved vanished virtually overnight with the discovery that she was switched at birth twenty years ago. Now she's immersed in the Englischer world, getting to know her mother, and under the authority of her biological father, an atheist intellectual with resolute plans to expand Ariana's worldview. Only Quill Schlabach, a childhood friend living Englisch, can help steady Ariana's tilting ground between the two worlds, but can she trust him after so many betrayals? At the same time, Skylar Nash is forced to choose rehab or spend several months with her true relatives, the large Brenneman family and their seemingly backward life--no electricity, no technology, no fun. What the young woman can't leave behind is her addiction to illegal prescription drugs and deep emptiness from the belief that she doesn't belong in either family. New ties are binding Ariana and Skylar to the lives they were meant to have. Can they pray for the wisdom and strength they'll need to follow God's threads into unexpected futures? Fraying at the Edge is the second novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series"

Book Spotlight of Ties That Bind by Cindy Woodsmall

Ariana’s comfortable Old Order Amish world is about to unravel. Will holding tightly to the cords of family keep them together—or simply tear them apart?

Twenty-year-old Ariana Brenneman loves her family and the Old Ways. She has two aspirations: open a café in historic Summer Grove to help support her family’s ever-expanding brood and to keep any other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schlabach. 

Five years ago Quill, along with her dear friend Frieda, ran off together, and Ariana still carries the wounds of that betrayal. When she unexpectedly encounters him, she soon realizes he has plans to help someone else she loves leave the Amish. 
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Despite how things look, Quill’s goal has always been to protect Ariana from anything that may hurt her, including the reasons he left. After returning to Summer Grove on another matter, he unearths secrets about Ariana and her family that she is unaware of. His love and loyalty to her beckons him to try to win her trust and help her find a way to buy the café—because when she learns the truth that connects her and a stranger named Skylar Nash, Quill knows it may upend her life forever. 

Ties That Bind is the first novel in the Amish of Summer Grove series.

Gathering the Threads (The Amish of Summer Grove #3) by Cindy Woodsmall

Gathering the Threads(WaterBrook, August 2017)

Finally back in the Old Order Amish world she loves, will Ariana’s new perspectives draw her family closer together—or completely rip them apart?

After months away in the Englisch world, Ariana Brenneman is overjoyed to be in the Old Order Amish home where she was raised. Yet her excitement is mixed with an unexpected apprehension as she reconciles all she’s learned from her biological parents with the uncompromising teachings of her Plain community. Although her childhood friend, ex-Amish Quill Schlabach, hopes to help her navigate her new role amongst her people, Ariana’s Daed doesn’t understand why his sweet daughter is suddenly questioning his authority. What will happen if she sows seeds of unrest and rebellion in the entire family?

Meanwhile, Skylar Nash has finally found her place among the large Brenneman family, but Ariana’s arrival threatens to unravel Skylar’s new identity—and her sobriety. Both Ariana and Skylar must discover the true cords that bind a family and community together and grasp tight the One who holds their authentic identities close to His heart.

Gathering the Threads is the third and final novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.

Learn more, read an excerpt, and purchase a copy.

{MORE ABOUT CINDY WOODSMALL}

Cindy Woodsmall is the “New York Times” and CBA best-selling author of nineteen works of fiction and non-fiction with more than a million copies sold. Her connection with the Amish community has been featured in national media outlets such as ABC’s “Nightline,” the “Wall Street Journal,” and a National Geographic documentary on Amish life. Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains.

Find out more about Cindy at http://www.cindywoodsmall.com.






My Take:  This is the third and final book in the Series The Amish of Summer Grove,  I have enjoyed all of the books that I have read by Cindy Woodsmall.  She writes the Amish as real people not some goody goody people who don't do any wrong.  Any way This book has Ariana and Skylar both displaying what they have earned in their time with their respective biological families.  I would recommend reading the first books in the series so you can see what transpired.  Recommended for people who like their Amish Fiction with realism.  I really enjoyed this series.  

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

Chords of War by Christopher Meeks and Samuel Gonzalez Jr.

Inspired by Sam Gonzalez’s true story, "The Chords of War" is the tale of punk rock teenager Max Rivera from Florida, who seeks purpose as he tries to understand why his life always teeters between music and mayhem. After he's kicked out of his band on tour, he joins the Army to change his life. It's after 9/11, and he finds himself under fire in Iraq, part of the surge in Baquabah. In order to deal with his teen angst and raging hormones among daily patrols, coordinated battles, and women fighting alongside him, Max creates a new band with soldiers. Will Max and his friends make it? 

My Take:  What a great book for today's world.  It is the true story of Samuel Gonzalez Jr.  but all the names have been changed to protect the innocent , just kidding about the protect the innocent part.  This is the story with the trappings of a modern army with the gadgets and such but also with the bad things that come with war like the toll it takes on relationships and on the human beng themselves.  I would recommend this book to anyone who in interested in a more modern take on the toil of war.

I received this book from Virtual Author Booktours in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Book Spotlight of God's Grace in your Suffering by David Powlison

It's easy to see God's grace when things are going well. But in the midst of suffering--when we don't sense any positive change in our circumstances on the horizon--we can start to question God's goodness. Exploring the biblical truths found in each stanza of the classic hymn "How Firm a Foundation," experienced biblical counselor David Powlison invites us to hear God's perspective and see God's purpose in our suffering. Rather than offering abstract theory or mere sentimentality, Powlison writes to anchor our hope in the God who promises to be with us and transform us in the midst of even our darkest trials. 

Book Spotlight of Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

REDEMPTION IS NEVER FREE
When Reece Murphy is forcibly dragged into the Rose Riders gang because of a mysterious gold coin in his possession, he vows to find the man who gave him the piece and turn him over to the gang in exchange for freedom. Never does he expect a lead to come from an aspiring female journalist. But when Reece's path crosses with Charlotte Vaughn after a botched train robbery and she mentions a promising rumor about a gunslinger from Prescott, it becomes apparent that she will be his ticket to freedom—or a noose. As the two manipulate each other for their own ends, past secrets are unearthed, reviving a decade-old quest for revenge that may be impossible to settle.

In this thrilling companion to Vengeance Road, dangerous alliances are formed, old friends meet new enemies, and the West is wilder than ever.