A Sure Way To An Open Heaven

 A sermon by Carter Conlon, from the Times Square church in NYC!

A Sure Way To An Open Heaven

Wedded to War ~ By Jocelyn Green

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wedded to War follows the lives of four very different people, caught in the middle of the Civil War.
Charlotte is determined to make a difference in a man's work as a battlefield nurse. Dr. Caleb Lansing is a surgeon who has loved Charlotte since childhood but when he suddenly disappeared after her father's death they became nothing more than "old friends". Phineas Hastings, Charlotte's suitor is a man of dark secrets and dual personalities who is running from his poverty infested past. Ruby O'Flannery is an Irish immigrant living in the Five-Point slum of New York City. When her husband joins the Union army she must do what she can to survive,but the consequences and guilt are more than she can take, all she wants is a second chance. But her "second chance" comes with scandal and blackmail.
I don't want to reveal too much about the plot but it was AMAZING!!!
This is historical fiction at its best! It was gritty, believable, and extremely informative and insightful!
The research that was obviously put into this novel is immaculate! If you like historical fiction you HAVE to read this book!!!!!
I will be anxiously awaiting more historical fiction form Jocelyn Green!

I received this book free from Moody Press in exchange for an honest review.



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An Angel by Her Side ~ Ruth Reid

An Angel by Her Side by Ruth Reid

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


At 29 years old, Katie Bender has never been married but at least her job as "teetshah" keeps her from feeling like an old maid. But all that is changed when a tornado takes away her school and job, suddenly Katie feels alone and unneeded.
Then she meets Seth Stutzman who is just visiting long enough to help his brother in-law Amos get resettled after the passing of his wife.
Both Katie and Seth begin to fall in love but they both hold secrets from their past. Will the let pride and pretense keep them from the future that God has planned for them? Or will the learn from their new and mysterious friend, an angel named Elias who is on a mission from God to save both of their hearts, if they will just let go of the past and have faith in their future.
Seth and Katie both learn that when God takes everything away from you it's only because He's got something so much bigger and so much more perfect!
I am not usually a fan of Amish fiction. I'll admit I wasn't exactly enthusiastic about reading this book but about halfway through I was intrigued!
I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed this book! A lot can be learned about forgiveness, prayer, love, and helping others.
I received this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.




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Echoes ~ By Robin Jones Gunn

Echoes by Robin Jones Gunn

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Lauren has an unusual amount of bad luck, but just as things seem to be looking up her fiance leaves her for a better job in New York.
When her brother Brad hears about his sisters plight he shows up with a computer in hopes of cheering her up. While teaching her how to use a chat room he randomly introduces her to a complete stranger who goes by K.C.
Through their online correspondence she learns that, like herself K.C is a fellow "God lover" and a fan of her heroes Robert and Elizabeth Browning. After a year of corresponding via email, they both decide it's time they meet each other in person. But Lauren fears that she will be heartbroken and abandoned once again and cannot face "the other half of her heart".
If I had to describe this book with one word it would be.... LAME!
The story plot may have had potential but the book itself was seriously cheesy! 
First of all, the romance was way too unbelievable, I mean who's first kiss really happens like this??

" 'How say you?' he whispered the familiar Browning line. 'Let us, O my dove, Let us be unashamed of soul, as earth lies bare to heaven above! How is it under our control, to love or not to love?' Before the last word was out of his mouth, his lips had met hers in a lingering kiss that was full of love."

Second of all, the story moved so fast it felt like she contacted him a few times and they instantly
knew they were soul mates! Also there was almost no side stories and Laurens everyday life became quite boring after awhile! "She went grocery shopping", "she needed to finish this paper for school", " she stopped at the garage sale and brought a new book".... and on.... and on...
Needles to say I personally was not impressed!



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While Mortals Sleep ~ Jack Cavanaugh

While Mortals Sleep by Jack Cavanaugh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's 1940 and Germany is finally coming out of it's depression. With the rise of the der Führer an electrifying patriotism ignites the German people.
Young Pastor Josef Schumacher can't help but being impressed with what he is hearing from the charismatic Führer. But when he is challenged by a friend to watch them and "know them by their fruits", he knows what he is seeing is not right.
As he watches the young men of his church being transformed by the Hitler Youth Movement and the members of his congregation letting their fears change their believes, he knows he cannot just hide and hope it will all disappear.
However his father inlaw and mentor Reverend Olbricht begs him to lay low for the sake of his wife and unborn child. His wife Mady, like her father does not understand why he would endanger all of their lives for a "movement".
Through unimaginable treachery, unexpected protectors, and horrific confessions Josef holds to the words of Martin Luther's Hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God".

"A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper, He amid the flood
Of mortal life prevailing."

I have read a lot of WWII christian fiction books and I have to say I'm most impressed with this one!
Throughout the whole books I was inspired, disgusted, and surprised by the characters. Some were people of unbelievable courage, others were conscienceless,some uncommitted, and most cowards of the highest degree.
This book is a must read for any fan of WWII fiction!!!!   



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The Air We Breathe ~ Christa Parrish

The Air We Breathe by Christa Parrish

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Their family had been a typical family living the American dream. But a weekend shopping trip with her father turns into a nightmare for 11 year old Hannah, when her father is killed in a bank robbery and she is kidnapped by her fathers murderers who can't risk losing her because she is a witness. She is mistreated and abused and only by a miracle does she escape, but her life is in shambles, she's always afraid they will find her and always blames herself for her daddy's death.
There is only one person that Hannah trust enough to talk to but her mom is jealous and distrustful of this stranger and eventually she and Hannah disappear without a trace, both fearing for their very lives.
I found this book hard to review, it is so deep, so sad, and so real!
I was emotionally exhausted by the time this book was over. I felt like I knew these people, feared for them everyday, prayed for them, and lost them.
The ending was so sweet and hopeful, like a rainbow after a terrible storm, so subtle yet so full of promise!
Read "The Air We Breather", I don't think you will regret it. This is THE best book I have read in quite awhile!

I received this book for an honest review from Bethany house publishers!



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The Witness ~ Josh Mcdowell

The Witness by Josh McDowell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Marwan Accad is the owner of a private security business. Danger and mystery are a way of life for him, but when he is hired by Rafeeq Ramsey, one of the richest men in Egypt to find his kidnapped wife, what looks like an open and close case takes a dramatic twist when he finds a piece of evidence that incriminates some of the most respected and powerful men in Europe.
Rafeeq Ramsey is gunned down by sniper fire only seconds after he is shown this evidence and Marwan Accad is in their cross hairs.
Accused of murder he did not commit and tracked by murderers that no one suspects he seeks refuge in Cairo where he finds true love for the first time in his life.
The only reason I id not give this book 5stars is some of the parts were a little bit unbelievable. Also while it was a great story it was a little lacking in plot. There was pretty much a "good guy verses bad guy" story with no true side plots or unsuspected revelations.
I would recommend this book, it's a fast action story that really does hold your interest but it's not as complex as I had personally hoped.   



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