Child of Mine

From Goodreads:

Bestselling Author Duo Delivers Heart-Stirring Drama

Jack Livingston has been raising his nine-year-old adopted niece, Natalie, since the accident that took her parents' lives. While he travels for work, Natalie is lovingly cared for by Laura, an Amish nanny who loves her as her own. Kelly Maines is nearing the end of her rope. Her baby was kidnapped, the apparent victim of a black market adoption ring, and for eight years, Kelly has tirelessly pursued every lead to its bitter end.

Now, there's one last lead from a private investigator: Just a few miles away lives a girl who matches the profile. Could this, at long last, be her beloved child? Desperately, Kelly initiates a "chance" meeting with Jack Livingston. It goes really well. So well, in fact, that Jack asks her out. One date leads to another, and before she can come clean with her original motives, Kelly realizes Jack is falling for her--and she for him.

Now how can she tell Jack why she's really here? And having gotten to know Natalie, what if she isn't her long-lost daughter, after all? This was all supposed to be so simple. But nothing in Natalie's world is simple.


Cafe Lily's Review:

This book was much more intense than I ever expected.  By the time I turned the last page, I was worn out from the emotional highs and lows, but in a good way.

This story did NOT end the way I expected but kept me engaged all the way through.

This is not your typical Amish fiction.  It has a contemporary feel, and reads more like a mystery - there are constant twists and turns and unexpected events.

It bogged down a bit for me in the middle and felt a little too drawn out, but I had to keep reading to see what would happen.   Some of the details didn't make sense and could have been left out to shorten the story, but overall it was worth the read.

 

Love Comes Home

From Goodreads: 

World War II is finally over and the people of Rosey Corner are busy welcoming the boys home. The Merritt sisters in particular are looking toward the future. Kate is eager to start a family and live out her dream of happily ever after with Jay. Evangeline wants a beautiful house and encourages Mike to pastor a big-town church. Victoria wants what can never be–a life with a man who will never come back. And little Lorena is growing up and wondering more and more about her birth family.

Through the heartfelt storytelling of bestselling author Ann Gabhart, readers join these endearing characters as they walk an uncertain road. Each sister must learn to hold her plans with a loose hand, trusting that God will guide and strengthen them as they share the joys and sorrows of life in their little corner of the world.


Cafe Lily's Review:

Love Comes Home continues the story of the Merritt family, and the changes they face as the war comes to an end.   I have read the two previous books leading up this one, and while Angel Sister was my favorite, Love Comes Home was excellent.  I believe it is my new favorite in this series.

As I've mentioned before, these titles easily stand alone but I think reading them in order makes the storyline flow better, as the second and third books refer back to previous characters.  I highly recommend them.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that a fourth book will follow and continue the story of Clay and Torie - I love the Merritt family and hope to read more about them.   The characters in these books are easy to relate to and interesting.   I never tire of reading Ann's books.  


You can take a look at my earlier reviews here:

Angel Sister  

Small Town Girl   

The Secret of Grace

From Goodreads: 

Are you "living by the rules" or letting the grace of God rule you? If you're living for God--living by the rules--you'll always be exhausted. You'll feel you're not doing enough for Him and if you don't "measure up," He'll be displeased.

But letting His grace have its way in you is entirely different! In the Scriptures it's an open secret that the love of God for us isn't based on our performance for Him. He sent Christ to set us free from rules. He didn't make us His children so we could serve Him in our own feeble power, but to let His limitless power flow through us!

God the Father has provided everything we need for a truly meaningful, joy-filled life here on earth...all because of His marvelous grace. Rest in the grace of God, and let Him live through you. Find out how in The Secret of Grace.

"Understanding grace doesn't lead to sinful desires. It has the opposite effect - it causes our motivation toward obedience to be love and desire." 

- The Secret of Grace 

Cafe Lily's Review:

In the last few years, I have met many Christians who are completely burned out, worn out, weary and empty.  There's almost a glaze to their eyes.  They are hurt, wounded, dazed.

So many Christians are or have been caught up in a "performance - acceptance" cycle. (count me in, and add me to that number)

If they do all of the right things, God is pleased. After sitting under years of sermons that admonish them to try harder, do more, read their Bible more, attend church more, _________________ (fill in the blank) more......Christians are slowly withering inside.

They can't measure up, can't keep up and feel like failures. 

Keeping all of the rules is tiring. And the word grace? A matter of semantics.

To some, it's a "slippery slope teaching" that leads to rebellion and heresy. To others, its the refreshing oasis they've been searching for, that causes them to pause and breathe. (count me in, and add me to that number)

The Secret of Grace is a fantastic book. It is simple yet thorough. If you are coming out of legalism and need a good starting place, I highly recommend this book. It is very sound teaching, with plenty of scripture and questions to help you dig deeper.

It does NOT teach that by embracing your freedom in Christ, you also have the freedom to go "hog wild" and do whatever you please. This book helps redirect your focus to what Christ did on the cross, and teaches you to learn more about who you are in Christ.