You Can Begin Again

For those who have come to the end of themselves and feel like giving up, this new book by Joyce Meyer encourages readers that it's NEVER too late for grace!

 Joyce presents this statement as the "core" message of the bible - it's never too late to start over, never too late to turn your life around and never too late for a relationship with Christ. This book is packed with encouragement and positive reinforcement, urging readers to take a step back - breathe deep, and look for hope.

Joyce shares stories from personal and ministry experience, along with stories of those she has met along the way in her 38 years of teaching God's Word.

Progress is made one step at a time and if you need something to motivate and push you forward in your journey, this book would be a great first step.
 

Distortion (Moonlighters Series #2)

A husband's lies can have deadly consequences.

When Juliet Cole's husband of fifteen years is murdered before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning, then returns home to break the tragic news to her boys.

But a threatening voicemail takes this from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. Juliet realizes that she and her children are in danger too, unless she meets the killers' demands. But as she and her sisters untangle the clues, her husband's dark secrets come to light. The more she learns, the more of her life is dismantled.

Was her husband an innocent victim or a hardened criminal?


Cafe Lily's Review:

I am a huge Terri Blackstock fan and this book is a great example of why.  Usually, I don't enjoy suspense but Terri has a way of writing that just connects me immediately to her characters and plot.  Both are very believable and I could not put this book down.

Juliet Cole not only suffers when her husband is gunned down right in front of her, but she also suffers a loss of the life she thought she had with him.  As the investigation into his death unfolds, secrets begin to emerge and Juliet wonders if she ever really knew her husband at all.

Each chapter draws readers in a little deeper to a very fast paced, complex story line that leaves you wanting more.

This is a great stand alone novel - however with all series books, I highly suggest reading them in order to get a good background on the characters.  I *hope* there is a third book in this series - I would love to spend more time with these characters.


 

The Winner's Game

From Goodreads:

Ever since seventeen-year-old Ann Bennett was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition two years ago, her family has been pulling apart. Ann and her two younger siblings fight constantly, as do their parents. When the doctors announce that Ann's only hope of survival is a heart transplant by the end of the summer, the Bennetts decide to wait for news of a donor at a family vacation home on the Oregon coast, near Haystack Rock. But rather than healing their differences, the time away only widens the rifts between them. That is, until they learn about The Winner's Game, a game their great grandparents invented to save their marriage decades ago. It doesn't work immediately, it takes some time to figure out the right way to play, but little by little things start to change. It seems everything might be okay, until the day tragedy strikes, and they are confronted with what it really means to love--and to be a family.


 Cafe Lily's Review:

I so wanted to love this book.  And I tried....I really did.

I just wasn't able to connect because the story is told from constantly changing view points.  I could not find a rhythm and get locked into the characters or the story. 

I was so interested in the subject matter, and had high expectations from reading the back cover.  Sadly, I just never seemed to find the connection I was searching for.  




 

All Things Hidden

This was an interesting book for the most part and I enjoyed learning more about a period in history that I wasn't very familiar with.

The authors based this book around the Matanuska Project, created by FDR for the Alaska territory, back in the 1930's.

While I wasn't completely surprised by the ending, and found the book overall predictable, the characters were enough to keep me reading.

I enjoyed the historical aspects of the book, more than the romance between the main characters. There's a lot of drama going on all the way through the book, and I enjoyed the suspense that the "villain" in this story created. Without that tension, the story may have dragged along a bit.

This book was ok for me - not the best that I've read by Tracie Peterson and certainly not my favorite out of all of her books. 

I suggest reading it for yourself, to see what you think.

 

Where Courage Calls

I have been enjoying this series on the Hallmark Channel and was so excited to be able to review this book.

This book focuses on Beth Thatcher, a delicate young woman who has lived a very comfortable and privileged life. When she accepts a teaching position in the mining town of Coal Valley, she has no idea what to expect or just how much her life is about to change.

The people of Coal Valley do not exactly make it easy on her, and Beth has to make some adjustments in order to gain their trust and respect. In many ways, this part of the story reminded me of Christy, by Catherine Marshall.

 If you are already familiar with Janette Oke's writing, then you know to expect a very good story, rich in details.The book is far less romantic than the television series, but it is still a good story.


 

Growing Up Duggar

Airing weekly throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, 19 Kids and Counting has made the huge Duggar family into a media phenomenon.

The Duggar children are frequently asked, "Tell the truth; do you really agree with the lifestyle your parents have created for you?" Now, the four eldest Duggar girls-Jana, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger-open up about the blessings and advantages of living the Duggar lifestyle.

With a backdrop of the key relationships in their lives-relationship with self, parents, siblings, friends, boys, and God-the four Duggar girls open up about their own personal faith and convictions, boys, dating, manners, living in a large family, politics, and much more.

You'll learn how the family navigates the difficult years between twelve and sixteen and what the girls look for in a man, all in a frank and fun book that will inspire teens and adults alike. Including lighthearted stories about the younger kids' antics, Growing Up Duggar is a wise and entertaining trip into a family like no other.

About the Authors: Jana, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger Duggar appear with the rest of their family on TLC's 19 Kids and Counting, which airs five times a week and is now in its tenth season. The Duggars have appeared on such national TV shows as the Today show, Good Morning America, The View, Inside Edition, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and more.


 Cafe Lily's Review:

I can't imagine that by now, anyone would NOT know who the Duggar family is.  Although I'm not a follower of the cable show, I do find this family interesting.  This book was very good and gave some insight on how they manage such a large family, and do it well.

Whether you agree or disagree with the Duggars' convictions, beliefs or "large family" mindset, they provide good examples in this book of how to get along with others.  Writing about various relationships with their parents, siblings, those in authority and God, the Duggar girls explain their family life basics in an easy to read, conversational tone. 

They mention early on that this particular book was a response to the many emails and letters they receive.  They try to answer some of the most commonly asked questions and address the issues they are asked about repeatedly.  They also make it very clear that they do not consider their way of life right for everyone, but simply share what they believe and why. 

It is hard to argue with a family who has so much "proof in the pudding".  The girls seem to be mature, well adjusted and sweet.  The family doesn't seem to revolve around themselves, but encourages community involvement and outreach.  This book centers every subject around their faith - it is the core of everything they do, and how they react. 

Every single aspect of the book points back to their foundation in Christ and reflects their faith.  And that's exactly how the Duggar family intends it to be. The impression I got from the book is that they are on a mission to point others to Christ, and do good wherever they can.  

Overall, I highly recommend it if you are interested in learning more about this family.