All the Lovely Book Covers!

Time for another COVER LOVE post!

Comment below with YOUR FAVORITE BOOK COVER and WHICH BOOK YOU'RE MOST EXCITED TO READ.

Eternity Between Us by Stephenia H. McGee

Published: October 9th, 2018 by By The Vine Press

A Soft Breath of Wind {A Stray Drop of Blood #2} by Roseanna M. White

Published (new cover): November 2014 by WhiteFire Publishing

Mirrors and Pearls: A Retelling of Snow White {Fairytale Dragon Riders} by Lea Doue

Published: November 24th, 2018 by Butterwing Publishing

Finding Ever After: four fairytale-ish novellas by Pepper Basham, Rachel McMillan, Ashley Clark, and Betsy St. Amant

Published: February 14th 2019

A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh {Regency Brides: Daughters of Aynsley #1} by Carolyn Miller

Expected Publication: March 19th, 2019 by Kregel Publications

The Tinderbox by Beverly Lewis

Expected Publication: April 2nd, 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

Charity's Burden {A Quaker Midwife Mystery #4} by Edith Maxwell

Expected Publication: April 8th, 2019 by Midnight Ink

The Edge of Mercy by Heidi Chiavaroli

Expected Publication: April 9th, 2019 by Hope Creek Publishers

The Lady and the Wish {Faraway Castle #4} by J.M. Stengl

Expected Publication: April 2019 by Rooglewood Press

Moments We Forget {Thatcher Sisters #2} by Beth K. Vogt

Expected Publication: May 7th, 2019 by Tyndale House Publishers

Now, and Then, and Always {A Maple Valley Romance} by Melissa Tagg

Expected Publication: May 28th, 2019

The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke

Expected Publication: June 4th, 2019 by Tyndale House Publishers

Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson

Expected Publication: July 1st, 2019 by Tyndale House Publishers

The Spice King {Hope and Glory #1} by Elizabeth Camden

Expected Publication: September 3rd, 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

The Express Bride {Daughters of the Mayflower #9} by Kimberley Woodhouse

Expected Publication: July 1st, 2019 by Barbour Books

Diamond in the Rough {American Heiresses #2} by Jen Turano

Expected Publication: September 3rd, 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

What Comes My Way {Brookstone Brides #3} by Tracie Peterson

Expected Publication: October 1st, 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

A Distance Too Grand {American Wonders Collection #1} by Regina Scott

Expected Publication: October 1st, 2019 by Revell

Aiming for Love {Brides of Hope Mountain #1} by Mary Connealy

Expected Publication: October 1st, 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Expected Publication: October 5th, 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

The End of the Magi by Patrick W. Carr

Expected Publication: November 5th, 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

A Pursuit of Home {Haven Manor #3} by Kristi Ann Hunter

Expected Publication: November 5th, 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen

Expected Publication: December 3rd 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright

Expected Publication: December 3rd, 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

The Major's Daughter {Fort Reno #3} by Regina Jennings

Expected Publication: December 3rd, 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

Painted Memories {Art of Love #2} by A.M. Heath

Expected Publication: Unknown

She Walks in Love {Protectors of the Spear} by MaryLu Tyndall

Expected Publication: Unknown

Freedom!: The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and the Life Beyond It by Jennifer Renee Watson

Purchase HERE

Title: Freedom!: The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and the Life Beyond It

Author: Jennifer Renee Watson

Genre: Christian Living/Nonfiction

Audience: Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

Brokenness has become a buzzword. We wear it like a badge, proudly showing off the shattered pieces of our lives--while still fighting the same desperate battles. But brokenness was never meant to be the destination. Or your identity. It was meant to be the catalyst for breakthrough.

Inspiring, vulnerable, and powerful, this new book from Jennifer Watson helps you take your eyes off the idol of brokenness and experience the God of breakthrough. She shows how breakthrough is really hope moving forward, even when life hurts. And she gives you practical, uncomplicated ways to: 
- stop feeling shame and emptiness
- leave the victim mentality behind 
- experience lasting restoration in your story and your soul
- and more

It's okay to not be okay for a little while. But Jesus has a plan to see your scars become success stories that reflect his glory to the people around you.

~ MY REVIEW ~

**3.75 stars**

I picked up Freedom!: The Gutsy Pursuit of Breakthrough and the Life Beyond It by Jennifer Renee Watson because I'm tired of me telling myself that I'm broken and I can't move beyond it. (And, to be honest, the cover is quite gorgeous!) I enjoyed it, and, overall, feel like it had a truly great message!

God is not the voice in your head shaming you, saying you are not enough. God is telling you that He is enough. That He is the great I AM. Who He is inside of you is more than enough to take care of whatever you are facing today or what you will face in the future. Jesus is not tired of you. Jesus is waiting and unafraid of your questions. (Freedom! pg. 66)

For real, a lot of us Christians ... perhaps especially women ... willingly live in brokenness. We take on the victim mentality and try to survive each day and do the right thing and please all the people. Freedom! is here to tell you that it's time to pursue freedom! In Christ, we can move into deeper freedom than we ever thought possible. We can stop listening to that negative, nagging, dark voice in our head that tells uswe'll never be good enough. This book hit on some important topics and gave me another boost in my journey of freedom & wholeness in Christ.

A couple things. For some reason or another, this book wasn't as easy of a read as some. Some chapters took me awhile to get through. Also, there was just a bit of that You Deserve It!, You're a Strong, Kick-Butt Heroine stuff mixed into the message. And that tends to rub me a little wrong. But it wasn't overpowering, because the biggest thing I got from this book was that I don't have to stay broken, and Jesus Christ is my everything - He will help me break through.

Your safe person is always Jesus. He alone can mend and do what no person or soul sister can do. (Freedom! pg. 96)

Your grateful soul was what motivated you to service. You were too busy pleasing God to concern yourself with pleasing others.(Freedom! pg. 151)

So, Freedom! wasn't a five-star read for me. But it still had some really, really good points in it. Paragraphs and prayers that brought just a little more healing to my heart. God is so good. Thank you, Jennifer Renee Watson, for writing this book. I look forward to growing in freedom and grace together, even though we may never meet. God bless you!

I received a complimentary copy of Freedom! from Bethany House Publishers. This review is honest and completely my own.

Book Review: Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin

Purchase HERE

Title: Far Side of the Sea

Author: Kate Breslin

Series: Standalone

Genre: Historical Romance

Audience: Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

In spring 1918, Lieutenant Colin Mabry, a British soldier working with MI8 after suffering injuries on the front, receives a message by carrier pigeon. It is from Jewel Reyer, the woman he once loved and who saved his life--a woman he believed to be dead. Traveling to France to answer her urgent summons, he desperately hopes this mission will ease his guilt and restore the courage he lost on the battlefield.

Colin is stunned, however, to discover the message came from Jewel's half sister, Johanna. Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence, found Jewel's diary and believes her sister is alive in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Colin is skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust begins to grow between them.

When their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot, danger and deception turn their search for answers into a battle for their lives

~ MY REVIEW ~

**3 stars**

Fans of World War I historical fiction, you're going to want to check out Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin! With much attention given to historical detail, this book is full of intrigue, suspense, action, and a lively dash of romance.

This fourth novel of Kate Breslin's focuses on a side character from Not By Sight, and a plucky young woman with a shadowy past. Together, the forge through danger and drama amidst the war to find family, faith, and love.

I have really enjoyed some of this author's other books, but Far Side of the Sea didn't make the favorites list for me, personally. The beginning was quite promising ... but after a time, for some reason or another, I started to lose interest. I still finished this novel, and enjoyed it overall! But I felt there could have been more depth to the characters and the faith theme. And some of the historical detail was a bit overwhelming for me.

I think some readers will really love this book! It simply wasn't  exactly my cup of tea.

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of Far Side of the Sea. These are my personal, honest thoughts.

Little Life Update! (at last)

Hello, readers! I'm coming to you today with some photos, some books, some ... stuff. A little bit of a life update! I hope you all have been doing well and are living with purpose as we begin this third month of 2019. ^_^

So, it's been awhile! Let's begin with Christmas 2018. I had an absolutely beautiful Christmas Day with my family. Even my older brother was there, as he was able to fly out and join us last minute! It was such a sweet time & very blessed.

Living room after some cleanup has happened. *winks* Christmas morning we all gathered here and opened gifts.

Some puzzle time!

Fun gifts from family! Of course, my seven-year-old, little sister gives me her torn-up copy of Deborah because I love books! Hehe.

A beautiful Christmas Day. I went outside with my book, a journal, and red nail polish.

All ready for the festivities with relatives!

Going to town.

In the beginning of January, I went to an awesome conference. Read about it HERE.

Bible study on Wednesday night. My group just started a new book called Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations.

Started reading through the Bible again. The NKJV this time.

Shopping at Goodwill. Yes, ma'am!

Coffee because I had a gift card. I'm not a big coffee-drinker, but I have to say that Starbucks' coffee tastes much better than Dunkin' Donuts. In my opinion. *winks*

Writing blog posts & reading at Starbucks. Their coffee is good. They have healthy snacks. And it's just the perfect place to write. So quiet and cozy and relaxed.

Some of my cousins came to visit for about ten days! We had lots of fun. Always love seeing those dear-hearts. *winks* *hugs*

Had a burst of energy after work and decided to spring-clean my room!! (A little early, haha). It was great. Although, after about three hours of being on my feet and cleaning, I was aching all over. My bones, my joints ... they have issues. :p

I found this pretty shirt at Goodwill for half-off. ^_^

***

So yes! I got a job! ^_^ In childcare again. I'm really enjoying it! This time, it's only part-time.

... Which is okay, because I'm still working on getting healthy! My last doctor left his position, so I'm going to a new naturopathic doctor/chiropractor who has helped some of my relatives &  family acquaintances. I'm already starting to see improvement!

Back on my crazy, anti-inflammatory diet where I can't have - in addition to gluten, dairy, peanuts, coconut, & flax seed - eggs, beef, turkey, tuna, pork, almonds, black pepper, kidney beans, apples, grapes, oranges, avocados, carrots, cabbage, oregano, and so on and so forth.

Plus, I'm trying to stay away from sugar because that's obviously inflammatory as well ... and just bad for you in general.

I'm doing a little bit of working out about three days a week. Goodness, am I ever out-of-shape! :p We're working on it, folks.

I went back to the amazing bookstore that I went to for my birthday! Traded in books I didn't want for about $30 of pretty, new books!! (Maybe I should do a Book Haul Youtube video one of these days. Hmm.)

I'm going to meet my seventh younger sibling in May! So excited for this sweet baby to arrive! <3333 What a precious blessing.

I've been meeting new people, deepening friendships, experiencing new things, and continually finding God faithful. He, the Lover of my Soul, is always so close. I'm amazed at the way He comes through in even the little moments. <3

***

Recently Watched:

Like Arrows - my Mom bought this and we watched it around Valentine's Day. It wasn't quite as good as I was hoping it'd be, but still a worthwhile watch ... and a needed message! Some really poignant moments.

Play the Flute - decided last-minute to go and see this in theaters with my sisters and a friend. It was good! Surprisingly well-acted!

Counting On: Season Nine: Episodes 1 & 2 - I just love this family. So much excitement going on this season.

Currently Reading:

The First Love by Beverly Lewis

Grown-Up Faith: The Big Picture for a Bigger Life by Kevin Myers

Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations by Jimmy Scroggins, Steve Wright, and Leslee Bennett

1 Kings

Luke

Latest Lady Grace Blog Post:

Politics, the Medical World, and More

***

Anyway, that's all for now, peoples! Let me know what's been going on your life. How are you doing? Anything I can be praying about for you? Blessings! <3