Review: Rest, Girl: A Journey from Exhausted and Stressed to Entirely Blessed by Jami Amerine

About the Book

If you’re overwhelmed and exhausted. . .
If you’ve ever thought that all you need to do is try harder. . .
If you’ve ever felt unappreciated or overlooked. . .
If you’ve found Jesus or you’re still searching. . .

Your Heavenly Father Invites You to Rest, Girl.

***

Female readers of all ages will find a sassy, funny, authentic, and encouraging friend in master word weaver Jami Amerine, as she comes alongside you to share God’s overwhelming grace and peace in an inside-out journey to true, life-sustaining rest. In a climate that is steeped in stress and worries, this book offers a priceless opportunity to walk in faith to experience the overwhelming blessing of a mind, spirit, and body at rest. Jami will lead you on a humorous, engaging and life-altering journey from restrictions and unrealistic expectations to the unconditional love of the Father.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I was so happy to have won this book in a giveaway. I probably never would've picked up a copy of it otherwise. I don't read a lot of nonfiction. I probably should read more of it; I've just always been more drawn to fiction. But anyway, this book was great. Filled with lots of helpful advice and words of wisdom for this chronic worrier.

My favorite chapter, and the one I'm going to strive to put into practice right now, was "What If...Wow." This really opened my eyes up to how often I always think and then prepare myself for the worst-case scenario to happen. Thinking, "What if...ugh" situations. But what I should be doing instead is thinking about all the "What if...wow!" moments that could happen. Starting with a positive attitude and thinking about all the wonderful things that could happen, instead of expecting everything to go wrong. This isn't gonna be easy, but I'm really gonna try. 

This was a really great book that's backed up with scripture. And while there were a few things I didn't quite agree with, this book as a whole was very helpful and full of lots of good tips. I highly recommend it to every woman. Everything in here might not apply to everyone, but it's well worth the read. I'm planning on reading it again soon. 

I won this book in a giveaway and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Orphan's Wish by Melanie Dickerson

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Orphan's Wish by Melanie Dickerson releasing June 26, 2018.

About the Book

From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a magical fairy tale retelling in The Orphan’s Wish.

From the streets of the Holy Land to an orphanage in a faraway kingdom, Aladdin has grown up alone. Until he meets Kirstyn. With a father who is the duke of Hagenheim and a mother who is the patroness of the orphanage where Aladdin lives, Kirstyn is a member of the most powerful family in the land . . . and way out of his league. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn’s favorite companion for taking walks in the forest, and their childhood friendship grows along with them.

Through his scrappy skills, intelligence, and hard work, Aladdin earns a position serving in the duke’s house. But he knows it isn’t enough to grant him his one desire: Kirstyn’s hand in marriage. If he hopes to change his station in life and feel worthy of marrying Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim to seek his fortune.

But once Aladdin leaves, no one is around to protect Kirstyn, and the greedy men desperate to take advantage of her father’s wealth take notice. Now, more than Aladdin’s background stands in the way of the future he’s worked so hard to obtain. His only hope is to rescue Kirstyn and somehow manage to win her hand as well.

Why I Need It

While Aladdin has never been one of my favorite fairy tales, I'm excited to see what Ms. Dickerson does with the story. She's a master at fairy tale retellings, so it should be really good.

What book are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Ready to Fumble (The Worst Detective Ever Book 1) by Christy Barritt

Summary:
I'm not really a private detective. I just play one on TV.

Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless, which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart.

When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless, Joey has no choice but to get involved.

Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame, or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option?

Get Ready To Fumble your way through this enchanting new series.

• Amazon
• Goodreads

My Review:

Four Stars

Ready to Fumble was such a fun book! When I first heard about it, I knew I had to read it! I loved the premise: an actress who plays a TV detective tries to play detective in real life. Joey Darling believes herself to be "the worst detective ever" and the exact opposite of her TV alter ego Raven Remington. Joey heads to North Carolina to investigate the disappearance of her father. Before she can do much, she's pulled into a different mystery when a murder is eerily similar to one from her TV show.

I really liked all of the characters. Even though Joey is a famous actress, she was totally relatable and instantly likable. There seems to be a bit of a love triangle developing, so that will be interesting to see how it turns out. Zane or Jackson? Hmm... I don't know. The mystery was really great, too. I didn't figure it out until it was revealed. All in all, this was wonderful start to a new series and I can't wait to read the next one! I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys mysteries!

• Reign of Error (The Worst Detective Ever Book 2) 
• Safety in Blunders (The Worst Detective Ever Book 3)

To learn more about Christy Barritt, visit her website here.

Waiting on Wednesday: Firstborn (Descendants of the House of Bathory Book 2) by Tosca Lee

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm featuring Firstborn by Tosca Lee, releasing May 2.

Summary

From New York Times bestselling author Tosca Lee comes the much-anticipated, high-speed sequel to The Progeny.

Face-to-face with her past, Audra Ellison now knows the secret she gave up everything—including her memory—to protect. A secret made vulnerable by her rediscovery, and so powerful neither the Historian nor the traitor Prince Nikola will ever let her live to keep it.

With Luka in the Historian’s custody and the clock ticking down on his life, Audra only has one impossible chance: find and kill the Historian and end the centuries old war between the Progeny and Scions at last—all while running from the law and struggling to control her growing powers.

With the help of a heretic monk and her Progeny friends Claudia, Piotrek, and Jester, Audra will risk all she holds dear in a final bid to save them all and put her powers to the ultimate test. Love, action, and stunning revelation reign in this thrilling conclusion to The Progeny.

Why I need it...

The Progeny was such a fantastic thrill ride of a book and ended in such an 'oh my goodness' way, that I've been anxiously awaiting Firstborn.  I can't wait to read it!

What book are you waiting on?  Leave a comment below and let me know.

Review: The Bull Rider's Homecoming (Blue Thorn Ranch) by Allie Pleiter

Summary:

Healing the Cowboy's Heart

When Luke Buckton left Blue Thorn Ranch, he'd hoped to return in a blaze of rodeo glory; instead, he's limping home with a busted leg. To get back on the circuit he'll need physical therapist Ruby Sheldon's help. Six years ago, he left Ruby behind, convinced she was too innocent for such a public life. Now his high school sweetheart is stronger, tougher and even more captivating. A high-profile success story like this could make Ruby's career. All she has to do is rein in Luke's bullheadedness, heal his injuries—and hope his reckless charm doesn't trample her heart again…

• Amazon
• Goodreads

My Review:

Five Stars

The Bull Rider's Homecoming was my first Allie Pleiter book and even though it's book four in the Blue Thorn Ranch series, I was not lost at all. It can totally standalone.

Luke's rather surly after reluctantly coming back home after suffering a bad injury. He's bristly and has a bad temper, but hiding behind that facade are his fears and insecurities. I didn't know what to think about Luke. He's not super likable in the beginning, but I did completely understand his frustration with his current situation. Ruby's a strong woman. I admired her ability to stand up to Luke when he was being a bit of a jerk. They were high school sweethearts until he abruptly left town and left her behind. So, you could say they have a complicated history, but their chemistry was still great. I really liked the whole Buckton clan and am really interested in reading the first three books in this series.

I absolutely loved this book! I read it as fast as I could and didn't want to put it down. I was instantly sucked into these character's lives and sad to leave them behind when I finished. I'm definitely going to be checking out Allie Pleiter's other books! I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves swoonworthy romances!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my own honest opinion.

Books in this series:

• The Texas Rancher's Return (Blue Thorn Ranch)
• Coming Home to Texas (Blue Thorn Ranch)
• The Texan's Second Chance (Blue Thorn Ranch)
• The Bull Rider's Homecoming (Blue Thorn Ranch)
• The Texas Rancher's New Family (Blue Thorn Ranch)  (Releasing later this year)

For more information on this author, go to her website here.

Review: If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock

Summary:

In this riveting sequel to the USA TODAY bestseller If I Run, evil lurks, drawing Casey out of the shadows . . . but there is light shining in the darkness.

Casey Cox is still on the run, fleeing prosecution for a murder she didn’t commit. Dylan Roberts—her most relentless pursuer—is still on her trail, but his secret emails insist he knows the truth and wants to help her. He’s let her escape before when he had her in his grasp, but trust doesn’t come easily.

As Casey works to collect evidence about the real murderers, she stumbles on another unbearable injustice: an abused child and a suicidal man who’s also been falsely accused. Casey risks her own safety to right this wrong and protect the little girl from her tormenters. But doing so is risky and may result in her capture—and if she’s captured, she has no doubt she’ll be murdered before she ever steps foot in a jail cell.

• Amazon
• Goodreads

My Review:

Five Stars

With the way If I Run ended, it's sequel, If I'm Found, has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2017. It starts off almost immediately where book one stopped and switches POV between Casey, Dylan, and occasionally Keegan. I'd definitely recommend reading If I Run first to better understand everything that goes on in this book.

Casey's still on the run after being wrongfully accused of brutally murdering her best friend. I really admired her courage to stand up and do what's right for people around her (and even strangers), even though it put her at risk of exposure. I, also, really enjoyed watching her faith grow stronger.

And then there's Dylan. I don't know what to say that won't sound like gushing, lol. He's just such a great guy and I thought Blackstock did a really good job at realistically portraying a person suffering from PTSD.

If I'm Found was a super action-packed novel filled with so many twists and turns that had me glued to the pages, reading as fast as I could. There were even a couple of times when I had to set my kindle down and take a breath or two because things got so stressful. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys edge-of-your-seat suspense. I'm super eager for the next book!

Other books in this series:

• If I Run (If I Run #1)

To learn more about this author, visit her website here.

Book Beginnings: If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading, along with your initial thoughts/impressions. 

This week I'm featuring If I'm Found (If I Run #2) by Terri Blackstock

The police lights in my rearview mirror almost destroy me.

My Thoughts:

Uh oh!  Remembering how If I Run, book one, left off... this makes me very nervous for Casey and super eager to find out what's going on! 

What's the first line of the book you're reading?

Waiting on Wednesday: True to You (A Bradford Sisters Romance Book #1) by Becky Wade

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

This is my first time participating and I'm really excited!  I'm featuring Becky Wade's upcoming release of True to You, the first novel in the Bradford Sisters Romance series releasing May 2!

Summary

Exciting Start of a Brand-New Series by a Contemporary Romance Fan Favorite

After a devastating heartbreak three years ago, genealogist and historical village owner Nora Bradford has decided that burying her nose in her work and her books is far safer than romance in the here and now.

Unlike Nora, former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient John Lawson is a modern-day man, usually 100 percent focused on the present. But when he's diagnosed with an inherited condition, he's forced to dig into the secrets of his past and his adoption as an infant, enlisting Nora to help him uncover the identity of his birth mother.

The more time they spend together, the more this pair of opposites suspects they just might be a perfect match. However, John's already dating someone and Nora's not sure she's ready to trade her crushes on fictional heroes for the risks of a real relationship. Finding the answers they're seeking will test the limits of their identity, their faith, and their devotion to one another.

Why I need it...

I read the free prequel novella Then Came You  and absolutely adored it.  Then I read the excerpt for True to You that was in the back... and well... you know how it goes...  I wanted to read the rest of it right then and there and I'm not a patient person, lol.

What book are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: Love at First Bark: A Novella for Dog Lovers (Love Unleashed) by Dana Mentink

Summary:

There's Just Something About Jackson

When Marcy Deveraux's romance series catapults to the top of the New York Times bestseller list, no one is more surprised than Marcy herself. After all, she barely passed high school, flunked the driving test four times, and fell into a pool at her sister's wedding.

Marcy is keen to continue her literary success, but she cannot think of a single idea for her next book. Hounded by her agent, family, and friends, she decides to sequester herself in a rustic cabin in the mountains. There, she finds herself face-to-snout with a surprise visitor—a rascally black dog who must have escaped from his owner at a nearby campground.

Enter hunky cowboy Jackson Parker, who runs the stables for the campground and helps Marcy survive the antics of the ill-behaved, zany dog. There's something tender and gentle about this man, who could easily grace the cover of any romance novel. Soon Jackson has Marcy rethinking her own beliefs about what heroes are really made of...and what God intends for her life.

It's cowboys, canines, and capers galore in this charming novella for animal lovers.

• Amazon (Free)
• Goodreads

My Review:

*****

Five Stars

*****

Marcy's a bestselling author struggling to come up with an idea for her next book, so she secludes herself in a cabin hoping an idea will come to her, but a rascally dog keeps interrupting her. Handsome cowboy Jackson shows up and makes Marcy question all of her preconceived notions of what a hero really is.

It says on the cover 'A Novella for Dog Lovers' and that is absolutely true. I count myself as a dog lover, well animal lover in general, and fell in love with the mischievous dog featured in this story. He's a wonderful little fella'. There was a really great quote in here that I loved so much because it's so true: “That's the great thing about dogs, isn't it? They look at you like you're a hero just for loving them.”

Love at First Bark was a great, short novella that can be read in one afternoon. Highly recommend!

• Sit, Stay, Love (Love Unleashed Book 1)
• Fetching Sweetness (Love Unleashed Book 2)
• Paws for Love (Love Unleashed Book 3)

For more information on this author, visit her website here.

Review: Time Search (The Time Counselor Chronicles Book 3) by Danele J. Rotharmel

Summary:

In the wake of a recent wave of violence, TEMCO employees are left reeling. While some of the staff are put into hiding, others are left behind to discover the true identity of the mysterious nemesis who is determined to destroy them all. While Crystal, Marc, and Zeke search for clues to unravel the mystery of his real name, their enemy is lurking in the shadows searching for TEMCO’s missing leaders. It’s a race against the clock! And as the hours and seconds tick away, it’s anyone’s guess whose search will be completed first. It’s a classic battle of good versus evil, and the stakes couldn’t be higher!

• Amazon
• Goodreads

My Review:

*****

Five Stars

*****

Time Search was another awesome read from Danele Rotharmel! This book has everything you could want in a great read: heart stopping suspense, thrilling action, sigh worthy romance, hilarious moments that will have you literally laughing out loud, and great messages of faith woven seamlessly all throughout. When I picked up this book and started reading it, I felt like I was visiting old friends. I love this series so much and can't wait for the next one!

• Time Tsunami - Book One
• Time Trap - Book Two

For more information on this author, go to her website here.

Review: When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin

Summary: When fun-loving glamour girl Quintessa Beaumont learns the Navy has established the WAVES program for women, she enlists, determined to throw off her frivolous ways and contribute to the war effort. No-nonsense and hoping to make admiral, Lt. Dan Avery has been using his skills to fight German U-boats. The last thing he wants to see on his radar is a girl like Tess. For her part, Tess works hard to prove her worth in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Unit in Boston--both to her commanding officers and to the man with whom she is smitten. When Dan is assigned to a new escort carrier at the peak of the Battle of the Atlantic, he's torn between his lifelong career goals and his desire to help Tess root out a possible spy on shore. The Germans put up quite a fight, but he wages a deeper battle within his heart. Could Tess be the one for him?

With precision and pizazz, fan favorite Sarah Sundin carries readers through the rough waters of love in a time when every action might have unforeseen world-changing consequences.

• Amazon
• Goodreads

My Review:

*****

Five Stars

*****

Feeling like people only see her as a pretty face with nothing underneath and no substance, Tess wants to do something significant and meaningful, so she joins the WAVES. Lieutenant Dan Avery is a no nonsense, practical guy married to his job in the Navy who has no time for frivolities or romance.

I'm a huge Sarah Sundin fan. I've loved every single one of her books and When Tides Turn is no exception. This was another stellar and impeccably researched World War II read from Sundin. She always amazes me with the level of detail and the amount of research she puts into her books. I always learn something new, which I completely love. I really liked Dan. I've been intrigued by him from the beginning of this series and so I enjoyed getting to see the many layers beneath the often brusque man. I was surprised by Tess. I didn't know if I'd like her very much considering some of her previous actions, but no worries. Just like with Dan, Tess had many hidden depths and great qualities. There was, also, a bit of a mystery, which kept me guessing until the reveal.

When Tides Turn is a book that I'm adding to my favorites shelf. Highly, highly recommend and can't wait to read whatever comes next from this amazing author!