Joyful Surrender (7 Disciplines for the Believer's Life) by Elizabeth Elliott

Book Description:  In our age of instant gratification and if-it-feels-good-do-it attitudes, self-discipline is hardly a popular notion. Yet it may be one of the most important lost virtues of our time. In Joyful Surrender, former missionary and beloved author Elisabeth Elliot offers her understanding of discipline and its value for people of all times. 

My Thoughts:  I've always enjoyed Elizabeth Elliott's comments on the radio and her books.  

This book is quite interesting but I was a little taken aback at Mrs. Elliott's comments at times.  She seems a bit harsh in her "dealings" with humanity.  I realize that as we grow older that we, sometimes, see the world in a different way.  It seems that Mrs. Elliott views 7 Discplines for a believer:· 

* discipline your mind, body, possessions, time, and feelings

*overcome anxiety
*change poor habits and attitudes
* trust God in times of trial and hardship
*let Him have control in all areas of life

I agree with Mrs. Elliott that we need disciplines in our christian walk.  BUT we can't do all of these things on our own.  I'm not real sure but she seems like she's reformer/reformed...a person who makes changes to something in order to improve it.

It seems to me as Mrs. Elliott has aged that she has changed...she rambles in her story telling. I'm not sure the reader needs to know just where she is at each time she writes. 

To be honest I was bit disappointed in this book.  Guess I was expecting a more biblical view.

Fun Friday! Go Read!

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Present Danger (Rocky Mountain Courage) by Elizabeth Godddard

  

Book Description:  Former FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner is working as a detective in Montana when he comes across a body in the national forest during a search and rescue mission. He's committed to finding the killer, even if it means working alongside his old flame, US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors.             When Terra discovers that the murder victim had ties to a powerful and dangerous trafficker of archaeological artifacts, the investigation takes a deadly turn--one that hits too close to home. As Terra fears she lacks the courage to face what comes next, Jack is more determined than ever to protect her. But he's failed her before. And if he fails this time, it will cost them far more than just their hearts.

 My Thoughts: What a read!  What a story!  What a cover!  Oh, yeah it's a murder investigation at its best.

This is the first book I've read by Elizabeth Goddard and it won't be the last.  

I love the thrill of the investigation, the clean romance and the way Mrs. Goddard uses descriptive words, not just adjectives, to describe all that is transpiring in this mystery.

Of course, I love mystery/suspense novels and this book is one of the best.

Jack Tanner is great detective and all around great guy.  He discovers a body in the national forest.  The national forest of all places!

But he needs help on this murder investigation so he ends up working with Tara Conners, a long lost love.

But what he and Terra don't know until they begin to uncover the facts about the murder only to discover that the murder must be tied in to the stolen artifacts.

And, poor Jack, he's failed the gorgeous Terra before.  

It's a great story!

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

 

 Slap your tongue happy!

The Hawaiian Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Jean Brunstetter

   

My Thoughts: I love books authored by Wanda Brunstetter! And now her daughter-in-law, Jean, co-authors this wonderful novel, the Hawaiian Quilt.

This is not your "regular" Amish story.  In this lovely story about four Amish friends  who take a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands.  

The cruise is nice but the beds not.so.much to the four friends disappointment.  Love the real descriptions of the ship and the "funny.to.me" reason Mandy and her three friends decide to take a cruise because their Amish parents wouldn't approve of flying in an airplane.  

When Mandy and her friends decide to split up in to two groups of two to see more Hawaii and then share their experiences later at supper, Mandy loses her phone and this incident causes she and Ellen to miss the ship.

I love the Hawaiian Christian couple, Luana and Mikaio,  who take them in at the bed and breakfast and whose Hawaiian quilts fascinate Mandy.  

This is not your "regular" Amish read!  It's about stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing life and God's people.

Loved, loved this fantabulous read!  

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press 

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1634092244

ISBN-13: 978-1634092241

A Heart On Consignment (The Heart of the Amish} by Mindy Steele

 

Book Description:  Despite knowing her parents are getting desperate for their only child to marry and give them grandchildren, Salina Stoltzfus is weary of seeking the perfect match. Every time she thinks she has found “the one,” he marries another.

 
The best way to forget you are the last woman any man in Havenlee, Indiana, wants to hitch his buggy too is to find something passionate to focus on. When the area is overrun with donations after a tragic storm, Salina suggests opening a consignment shop. The deacon supports the idea and offers his visiting nephew to help set things up.
 
After the embarrassment of having his fiancée call off their wedding, Seth Weaver takes his mother’s advice to leave Kentucky to stay with his uncle for a while. Unfortunately, Seth knows nothing about building furniture in his uncle’s factory, which is the only reason he agrees to help ready the consignment shop next door—not because of the little chatterbox working inside.
 
When Salina’s parents are caught meddling in her love life, she comes up with a crazy idea that might gain her some time and space. Could it be the road to happiness is paved with good intentions and epic fails—until we cross paths when the one made especially for us?

My Thoughts:  It's been awhile since I've read a story by Mindy Steele. She's a great writer and brings each of the characters to life.

Salina Stoltzfus is Amish and an only child.  To her parents dismay their only child is not married yet with children but Salina is waiting {im}patiently for the "right man" to come along.

Salena wants to marry only someone she can love and build life with. Is there truly such a man?

As the days wind down so do Salina's images of a marriage to the perfect man.  Until donations pile in after a terrible storm. So many dionations the donations no one knows what to do with them. Salena suggests opening a consignment shop and putting all the donations in the store along with other items that may be donated in the future.

Then Seth Weaver comes to town.  He's nursing his own past.  He intends to work for his uncle but making furniture is not his thing.  So, he goes next door to help with the consignment shop. 

OOOLAALAA!  This is not a match made in heaven at first sight!

A fun read for the romantic heart in us all.

*This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing*

Amish Country Killer (Love Inspired Suspense) by Mary Alford

 

 My Thoughts:  First of all, I love the new format of the Love Inspired books.  It's not a small book but it's not as big as a large print.  It's just right.

And Mary Alford is one of my favorite christian suspense writers.

THIS book!  is WOW!  Of course, Mary Alford is a high octane suspense author but the twists in this read had me guessing until the end.  I was TOTALLY surprised!

This book is not as scary as her others but it does keep you on your toes.  I read this story in an hour!  

I really liked Diana and detective Micah.  They both have a lot of baggage to work through while working through the missing Amish girls/young ladies cases.  

Such a surprise ending!  

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}