Divine Collision: An African Boy, an American Lawyer, and Their Remarkable Battle for Freedom by Jim Gash

★★★★✩

In a Ugandan prison for two murders he didn’t commit, Henry is losing hope. He pleads with God for a sign. Jim, in California, finds himself saying a small ‘yes’ to God who brings their two lives together with momentous results.

In Divine Collision: An African Boy, an American Lawyer, and Their Remarkable Battle for Freedom, Jim Gash tells a fascinating and inspirational story where cultures and experiences collide. Henry sits imprisoned in Uganda for crimes he did not commit, while Gash, from a world away, responds to God’s prompting, finds himself in Africa, and encounters Henry and the injustice he faces daily. Their uniquely combined story offers an incredible read, involving faith, prayer, and justice, and offers any Christian reader a story of value and worth to experience. I would recommend it.

Thanks to Worthy’s First Look, I received a copy of Divine Collision and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

An Insider's Guide to Praying for the World by Brian C. Stiller

★★★★✩
Goodreads | Amazon

The world is getting smaller. Cutting ourselves off from Christians around the world is not an option. In many countries, the rise of persecution fuels concern over the safety and rights of believers, while other nations that used to be closed to the Gospel are seeing unprecedented numbers of conversions to Christianity. As global ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance, what Dr. Brian Stiller experiences on the ground in these nations is often counter to our impressions. As he listens to people's ideas and observes their innovations, he invites you to see and hear what he does.

An Insider's Guide to Praying for the World includes country-specific insights calling us to a deeper understanding of the Christian church and witness. Each chapter also provides prayer challenges that come from believers in the country as well as maps and sample prayers. Nations from every continent are included.

Be inspired to learn about other lands – both familiar ones, such as China and Kenya, and ones you may know very little about, like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. But more important, take part in God's work by praying for the real needs of your brothers and sisters around the world.

An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World is certainly an interesting and practical idea for a book. Brian C. Stiller uses this book to discuss the presence of the Christian church and believers throughout the world. He tells inspiring and powerful stories of people in various countries and specific ways to pray for them and their communities. Anyone looking for a resource to better understand Christianity around the world and how to pray for its people and their needs would benefit from An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World. It’s a worthwhile read.

Thanks to Bethany House, I received a copy of An Insider’s Guide to Praying for the World and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Bronner: A Journey to Understand by Sherri Burgess

Can God use pain and suffering in our lives to teach and refine us? Journey with Sherri Burgess in her new book, Bronner, to discover the purpose behind pain through the powerful story of her son Bronner’s earthly death. An empowering resource for book-club discussion or small-group Bible study, this is much more than simply a retelling of an inspiring story. It is a call to action beckoning us to know our Holy God like never before.

Join Sherri in celebrating the release of her new book, Bronner, with a blog tour and a Kindle Fire giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Bronner
• A Kindle Fire HD 6

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 12th. The winner will be announced February 15th on the Litfuse blog.

About the Book

★★★★★

Author and Bible teacher Sherri Burgess leads readers on her journey to understanding the purpose behind pain through the powerful story of her son Bronner’s earthly death. Using her rich, marvelous experiences of God’s works since her son’s heaven going, she provides comforting assurance that God truly is everything we need in this life. An empowering resource for small-group discussion or book clubs, this book is a call to action and a beckoning to know our Holy God like never before.

Sherri Burgess lost her young son in an unexpected and tragic accident on January night, and Bronner: A Journey to Understand explores her experience adjusting to and understanding this major life-altering change. While accidents like Bronner’s drowning are never anticipated or desired by a family, Sherri and her family have graciously and faithfully allowed their heartbreaking pain, loss, and grief to point to God’s glory. Throughout her book, Sherri recounts how Bronner’s brief time on Earth has left a lasting impact in their lives and the lives of many around them. Overall, Bronner is an emotional, inspiring, and worthwhile read, and I could certainly recommend it to interested readers.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Bronner and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here, and purchase a copy of the book here.

About the Author

Sherri Burgess' life is a beckoning for you to know a Holy God like you have never known Him before. The wife of Rick Burgess of The Rick and Bubba Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show, Sherri is someone who now passionately pursues holiness and inspires others to do the same. A seasoned Bible teacher, writer and blogger, she has in recent years answered God's call as a women's ministry speaker. This mother of five stays active with her family in Birmingham, Alabama.

Connect with Sherri at her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Miriam by Mesu Andrews

★★★★★
Be sure to read the first chapter here.
Goodreads | Amazon

The Hebrews call me prophetess, the Egyptians a seer.
But I am neither. I am simply a watcher of Israel and the messenger of El Shaddai.
When He speaks to me in dreams, I interpret. When He whispers a melody, I sing.

At eighty-six, Miriam had devoted her entire life to loving El Shaddai and serving His people as both midwife and messenger. Yet when her brother Moses returns to Egypt from exile, he brings a disruptive message. God has a new name – Yahweh – and has declared a radical deliverance for the Israelites.
 
 Miriam and her beloved family face an impossible choice: cling to familiar bondage or embrace uncharted freedom at an unimaginable cost. Even if the Hebrews survive the plagues set to turn the Nile to blood and unleash a maelstrom of frogs and locusts, can they weather the resulting fury of the Pharaoh?
 
Enter an exotic land where a cruel Pharaoh reigns, pagan priests wield black arts, and the Israelites cry out to a God they only think they know.

Revisiting the land of ancient Egypt for a second Treasures of the Nile novel, Mesu Andrews tells more of the Moses narrative in Miriam, as the plagues descend upon the land before the Pharaoh allows the Hebrews to leave. Andrews focuses on Miriam’s perspective (as well as her nephew’s) throughout all the events and brings the well-known biblical story to life with vivid and realistic detail. This novel is equally as compelling as The Pharaoh’s Daughter, and I just could not get enough of this story. I absolutely loved it, would recommend it to fans of biblical fiction, and cannot wait to read more from Mesu Andrews in the future.

Thanks to Blogging for Books, I received a copy of Miriam and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Waiting on Wednesday: A Fool and His Monet & Flirtation Walk

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 
to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Title: A Fool & His Monet

Author: Sandra Orchard

Publisher: Revell

Expected Publication Date: March 2016

Serena Jones has a passion for recovering lost and stolen art – one that's surpassed only by her zeal to uncover the truth about the art thief who murdered her grandfather. She's joined the FBI Art Crime Team with the secret hope that one of her cases will lead to his killer. Now, despite her mother's pleas to do something safer – like get married – Serena's learning how to go undercover to catch thieves and black market traders.

When a local museum discovers an irreplaceable Monet missing, Jones leaps into action. The clues point in different directions, and her boss orders her to cease investigating her most promising suspect. But determined to solve the case and perhaps discover another clue in her grandfather's murder, she pushes ahead, regardless of the danger.

Title: Flirtation Walk

Author: Siri Mitchell

Publisher: Bethany House

Expected Publication Date: 1 March 2016

Trying to escape the shambles her con-man father has made of their reputation, Lucinda Curtis arrives in West Point, New York, determined to land a husband from the military academy. Campbell Conklin is first in his class and preparing to embark upon a storied career in the U.S. Army. Lucinda thinks Campbell will make the perfect husband… as long as he does not find out about her father.

Seth Westcott also has taken a liking to Lucinda. He's kind, smart… and working extremely hard to graduate last. Tradition states that the worst cadets are assigned to the cavalry out west. And west is where Seth must head to track the swindler who stole all of Seth's mother's money. Seth is smart enough to vie for the top spot, but life isn't fair and this is his chance to catch the man who ruined his family. It's too bad Campbell is all shine and no substance, but Lucinda will surely see through all of that, won't she?

Game Over by Andrew Klavan

★★★★★

Rick emerged victorious from The Realm twice. Is his luck about to run out?

After multiple trips in and out of The Realm, Rick is becoming a part of it—a direct connection point has formed in his brain. He’s now slipping back and forth in his dreams and has become linked to The Realm and its creator in ways no one anticipated.

That link is an asset in terms of what Kurodar is planning…but it’s absolutely detrimental to Rick personally. If he doesn’t destroy Kurodar and The Realm quickly, he’ll be completely absorbed by them. But destroying The Realm will mean destroying Mariel, and Rick is still torn by his love for her and his love for Molly. How can he lose either of them?

Meanwhile, there’s still a traitor in their midst. So even if Rick figures out what he needs to do, actually doing it will be exponentially more difficult.

Game Over finishes Andrew Klavan’s MindWar Trilogy with the expected fast-paced action and suspense, and just like with the previous two books in the series, I could not stop reading this one until I reached the end. Rick Dial continues to his interactions with the Realm, trying desperately to stop Kurodar’s terrorist attempts, and the boundaries between the Realm and Real Life slowly begin to disappear. The story is exciting and gripping, and I really enjoyed revisiting these familiar characters and the drama of the Realm. Fans of the series will not want to miss this fantastic conclusion - I recommend it.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of Game Over and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

If I Run by Terri Blackstock

Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer . . . but her DNA is all over the crime scene, and she's now a fugitive. Don't miss Terri Blackstock's next page-turner, If I Run. Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than Dylan has, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. But as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of If I Run
• A Fitbit One™ or a Fitbit Flex (winner's choice)

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 16th. The winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog.

Plus don't miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here.

About the Book

★★★★★

Casey knows the truth.

But it won’t set her free.

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested… or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up. Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer… or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

Terri Blackstock’s If I Run begins a thrilling new series, as Casey Cox must run from the life she’s known in order to save herself from being accused of a crime she didn’t commit, and Dylan Roberts must track her down. From the very start, this novel offers action and suspense and kept me reading as more and more details became uncovered. I thoroughly enjoyed following both of these main characters through the storyline - seeing how Casey went about covering her tracks and how Dylan battled between doing his job and following the truth. I definitely can’t wait to find out what Blackstock has in store for Casey and Dylan and, in the meantime, would have absolutely no problem recommending If I Run to interested readers. It’s an intriguing and fast-paced read.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of If I Run and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here, and purchase a copy of the book here.

About the Author

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series.

Connect with Terri at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

The Confessions of X by Suzanne M. Wolfe

★★★★★

Before he became the sainted church father of Christianity, Augustine of Hippo began a love affair with a young woman whose name has been lost to history. They were together for over thirteen years, and she bore him a son. This is her story.

She met Augustine in Carthage when she was just seventeen years old. She was the daughter of a tile-layer. He was a student and the heir to a fortune. They fell in love, despite her lower station and Augustine’s dreams of greatness. Their passion was strong, but the only position in his life that was available to her was as his concubine. When Augustine’s ambition and family compelled him to disown his relationship with the her, X was thrust into a devastating reality as she was torn from her son and sent away to her native Africa.

A reflection of what it means to love and lose, this novel paints a gripping and raw portrait of ancient culture, appealing to historical fiction fans while deftly exploring one woman’s search for identity and happiness within very limited circumstances.

In her new novel The Confessions of X, Suzanne M. Wolfe fictionally explores the experience of the woman who loved Augustine - before he became the church father he’s known to be. Since I did not know much about Augustine’s history, I was intrigued from the start to the finish of this novel. Wolfe gives voice to this woman and her love beautifully and does a brilliant job of telling a difficult, historical story set amid an ancient culture and its ideologies. All-around, I thoroughly enjoyed The Confessions of X, well-told and emotional, and I could easily recommend this novel to interested readers looking for an interesting and unique historical read.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of The Confessions of X and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Be You. Do Good: Having the Guts to Pursue What Makes You Come Alive by Jonathan David Golden

★★★★✩
Goodreads | Amazon

Almost anyone you asked would say that they want to do work that matters. Yet just one third of Christians feel "called" to the work they currently do. Others may feel a sense of calling but lack either the courage or the supportive community to carry it out. But if God created each of us "on" purpose, "for" a purpose, we should be ordering our lives "around" that purpose.

Jonathan D. Golden, founder of Land of a Thousand Hills coffee company, has discovered and is living out his unique calling to promote social, spiritual, and economic justice while providing a living wage to 2,500 farmers in Rwanda and Haiti. Now he reveals to readers how to identify their calling, dispels the myths and misunderstandings we often have about what constitutes a calling, and challenges them to pursue that calling with a courage that can surmount the many obstacles that may lie in their path. He also shows readers how to cultivate a community of support that will help them fulfill their calling.

For anyone who is dissatisfied with the work they are doing, especially young Christians just entering the workforce, this book shows how to embrace the meaningful life they were meant to live.

Be You. Do Good: Having the Guts to Pursue What Makes You Come Alive is an inspiring and motivational book. Jonathan David Golden shares from his personal experiences of working in his Land of a Thousand Hills coffee company to speak about purpose and calling. With this combination of interesting stories and practical lessons, Be You. Do Good. is an engaging, relevant, and quick read that I quite enjoyed. I recommend it.

Thanks to Baker Book Bloggers, I received a copy of Be You. Do Good. and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Author

Jonathan David Golden is the founder of Land of a Thousand Hills, a multimillion-dollar coffee company that provides a living wage to more than 2,500 Rwandan farmers and their families. He and his company have been featured by CNN, Fox News, Christianity Today, Relevant, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Charisma. Learn more about Jonathan at BeYouDoGood.com.

Growing God's Church: How People Are Actually Coming to Faith Today by Gary L. McIntosh

★★★✩✩
Goodreads | Amazon

Reaching a changing world with the unchanging gospel.

God does not change--but people do. The ways people are hearing the gospel and connecting with churches today are not the same as they were even twenty years ago. It stands to reason, then, that if we want our churches to grow--if we want the kingdom to grow--it's time to reevaluate the way we do outreach.

Based on ten years of comprehensive research, Growing God's Church unveils how people are actually coming to faith in the 21st century. Church growth expert Gary L. McIntosh answers questions like:

· How are new Christians hearing the gospel today?

· How are they finding churches?

· What makes them stay at a church?

He helps you evaluate your motives for ministry, your church's priorities, the reality of churchless Christians, the name of your church, and much more in light of the Great Commission and the changing face of our modern world.

Gary L. McIntosh discusses the ways people connect with faith and the church these days in his book Growing God’s Church: How People Are Actually Coming to Faith Today. It’s a relatively interesting read as McIntosh shares various statistics and data and explores how Christians and the church today can be most effective in reaching people and sharing the Gospel. While I didn’t love some parts of this book, it still provides plenty of beneficial information and, for readers interested in evangelism today, could prove to be a valuable read.

Thanks to Baker Book Bloggers, I received a copy of Growing God’s Church and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Author

Gary L. McIntosh (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is president of the Church Growth Network and professor of Christian ministry and leadership at Talbot School of Theology. He is an internationally known speaker and church consultant who has written twenty-four books, including Biblical Church Growth, Beyond the First Visit, and What Every Pastor Should Know.

The Newsmakers by Lis Wiehl with Sebastian Stuart

★★★★★

What if it turns out that the newsmakers are actually making the news happen?

Television reporter Erica Sparks has just landed her dream job at Global News Network. Beautiful, talented, and ambitious, Erica grew up dirt poor, worked her way through Yale, and is carrying a terrible secret. She moves to Manhattan to join GNN, leaving Jenny, her adored 7-year-old daughter, in the custody of her ex-husband. Erica’s producer at the network, Greg Underwood, is handsome and compelling. Scarred by her divorce, Erica is wary of romance, but there’s no denying the mutual attraction.

On one of her first assignments, Erica witnesses a horrific Staten Island ferry crash. Then she lands a coveted interview with presumptive presidential nominee Kay Barrish. During the interview Barrish collapses. Erica valiantly tries to save her with CPR. The footage rivets the world—GNN’s ratings soar and Erica is now a household name.

But she’s troubled. What a strange coincidence that both events should happen on her watch. It’s almost as if they were engineered. Is that possible?

Erica’s relentless pursuit of the truth puts her life and that of her daughter in danger. Her investigation leads her into the heart of darkness—where the future of our democracy is at stake.

The Newsmakers is another intriguing novel from Lis Wiehl (with Sebastian Stuart), as television reporter Erica Sparks starts a new job for Global News Network in New York City. She witnesses and reports a couple tragedies, and quickly her career skyrockets with fame and popularity. Driven to uncover the truth, she investigates the causes of the tragedies and find herself in more and more danger, surrounded by characters of questionable trust. At the center of the action, drama, and suspense, Erica Sparks is a great character with a challenging background and an admirable pursuit of justice. Overall, The Newsmakers is a fascinating read and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more from Lis Wiehl, and I would definitely recommend this novel to readers hoping for a bit of mystery and suspense.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of The Newsmakers and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Waiting on Wednesday: Room for Hope & Kissed by a Cowboy

Hosted weekly by Breaking the Spine 
to spotlight eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Title: Room for Hope

Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Expected Publication Date: 1 February 2016

In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?

Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.

When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”

Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?

Title: Kissed by a Cowboy

Author: Debra Clopton

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Expected Publication Date: 9 February 2016

Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong… not for a cowboy to steal her heart.

Having lived through her parents’ endless string of “matrimonial bliss gone wrong,” Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She’s been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she’s inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She’ll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed & breakfast and follow in her aunt’s footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy… and single.

Rancher Jarrod Monahan’s hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He’s pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster… and that’s a challenge that Jarrod can’t pass up.

Jarrod sets his mind to breaking down the walls around Cassidy’s stubborn heart. How can he show her that a cowboy’s kiss lasts forever?  For the good folks of Wishing Springs, falling in love has never been so much fun to witness.

Where She Belongs by Johnnie Alexander

About the Book

★★★★★

Shelby Kincaid is ready to move on from her grief. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family's ancestral homestead so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she'll have her work cut out for her.

AJ Sullivan never wanted the homestead. Inherited as a punishment from his grandfather, it has sat empty for fifteen years and fallen into ruin. He's glad to finally unload it. But a clean break isn't possible when he can't get the young widow Shelby off his mind.

Welcome to Misty Willow, a place that will have as great a hold over the reader as it does over its inhabitants. With writing that evokes a strong sense of place and personal history, Johnnie Alexander deftly explores the ties that bind us to home – and the irresistible forces that draw us to each other.

Picking up a book by a new-to-me author is always a treat, and I thoroughly enjoyed Johnnie Alexander’s Where She Belongs. With realistic characters, emotions, and romance, as well as a touch of mystery, intrigue, and history, Alexander tells a sweet, page-turning contemporary story. From start to finish, it’s a great read that I could not put down, and I definitely look forward to reading more from Johnnie Alexander in the future. Fans of contemporary fiction will not be disappointed with Where She Belongs, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a copy of Where She Belongs and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Author

Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides. Johnnie is an accomplished essayist and poet whose work has appeared in the Guideposts anthology A Cup of Christmas Cheer. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and taking road trips. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I've Recently Added to My TBR

Hosted weekly by The Broke and the Bookish.

Thin Ice by Irene Hannon

About the Book

★★★★★

After losing her parents in a car accident and her sister to a house fire, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Life is finally starting to feel normal again when an envelope arrives in the mail – addressed in her sister's handwriting. And the note inside claims she is still alive.

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case, but he's coming up with more questions than answers. If Ginny Reed is still alive – who is the woman buried in her grave? Where is Ginny? And is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game – or the target of a sinister plot? As he digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: whoever is behind the bizarre ruse has a deadly agenda.

Bestselling author and two-time Christy Award finalist Irene Hannon warms readers' hearts as they root for a romance between Lance and Christy, but she pulls out all the stops as this high-stakes thriller chills to the bone in a race to the finish.

The second Men of Valor novel, Thin Ice delivers Hannon’s typical mix of suspense and romance in a fast-paced, action-packed plot. Lance McGregor begins his work for the FBI with an unexpectedly twisted and challenging case, when Christy Reed determines to discover the truth behind her sister’s disappearance. Working together, Lance and Christy uncover clue after clue - and naturally, a striking romantic connection - and follow the evidence through numerous twists and turns to a heart-racing conclusion. I absolutely loved page after page of Thin Ice (and obviously, now I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the third McGregor brother in the next Men of Valor novel). Any fan of Irene Hannon should definitely make time to read Thin Ice - I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Revell Reads, I received a copy of Thin Ice and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Author

Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including That Certain Summer, One Perfect Spring, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, a Carol Award, three HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, a Retailers' Choice Award, a Booksellers' Best Award, and a National Readers' Choice Award. In addition, she is a two-time Christy Award finalist, and Booklist included one of her novels in its "Top 10 Inspirational Fiction" list for 2011. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at her website.

The Feathered Bone by Julie Cantrell

★★★★★

“Feathers – no matter what size or shape or color – are all the same, if you think about them. They're soft. Delicate. But the secret thing about feathers is… they are very strong.” 

In the pre-Katrina glow of New Orleans, Amanda Salassi is anxious about chaperoning her daughter’s sixth grade field trip to the Big Easy during Halloween. And then her worst fears come true. Her daughter’s best friend, Sarah, disappears amid the magic and revelry – gone, without a trace.

Unable to cope with her guilt, Amanda’s daughter sinks in depression. And Amanda’s husband turns destructive as he watches his family succumb to grief. Before long, Amanda’s whole world has collapsed.

Amanda knows she has to save herself before it’s too late. As she continues to search for Sarah, she embarks on a personal journey, seeking hope and purpose in the wake of so much tragedy and loss.

Set amidst the murky parishes of rural Louisiana and told through the eyes of two women who confront the darkest corners of humanity with quiet and unbreakable faith, The Feathered Bone is Julie Cantrell’s master portrait of love in a fallen world.

Julie Cantrell’s newest novel The Feathered Bone packs quite the emotional punch, beginning with the disappearance of sixth-grader Sarah while on a school trip to pre-Katrina New Orleans. The novel then follows the subsequent emotional turmoil, after nobody is able to find her. In dealing with the loss and guilt of Sarah’s disappearance, as well as other difficult circumstances, The Feathered Bone offers a heartwrenching and tragic yet beautiful story, and Cantrell’s persistent characters are richly detailed and fascinatingly flawed. I loved reading this novel and could not put it down. I would highly recommend it to interested readers - it’s a worthwhile read.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of The Feathered Bone and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language by James N. Watkins

★★★★★

When does a classic become new, fresh and extremely relevant? When someone takes it out of an outdated format and makes it readable, searchable and understandable. The Imitation of Christ has been in print for over 500 years for a good reason. It is powerful, beautiful and heart piercing. James Watkins has taken those words and reworked them into ninety daily readings, arranged by topic. Whether for daily devotions or for sound insight into a particular issue, Watkins paraphrase blends the ancient with the modern to introduce this classic to a new audience, speaking to all Christians with credibility and authority and using inclusive language not found in the original.

I have never read the classic version of The Imitation of Christ, but James N. Watkins’ updated version of the devotional allows it to be a more understandable yet still convicting modern-day read. This devotional explores the importance and application of imitating Christ and his character. With short chapters, it is easily incorporated into a daily reading routine, but offers plenty of spiritual food for thought. An excellent devotional that I found both enjoyable and valuable, The Imitation of Christ would benefit any follower of Christ - I highly recommend it.

Thanks to Worthy’s First Look, I received a copy of The Imitation of Christ and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble

To move forward past a life of shame and confusion, Mallory Davis must go back to Mermaid Point to find out who murdered her father in Colleen Coble's new book, Mermaid Moon. As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father’s killer—it is also about finding herself again . . . and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

Celebrate the release of Mermaid Moon with Colleen and a mystery e-reader prize pack giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Mermaid Moon
• A Kindle Fire
• A mermaid necklace
• A pair of mermaid earrings

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 1st. The winner will be announced February 2nd on the Litfuse blog.

About the Book

★★★★★

Mallory's mother died fifteen years ago. But her father's last words on the phone were unmistakable: "Find… mother."

Shame and confusion have kept Mallory Davis from her home for the last fifteen years, but when her dad mysteriously dies on his mail boat route, she doesn't have any choice but to go back to Mermaid Point.

Mallory believes her father was murdered and childhood sweetheart Kevin O'Connor, game warden in Downeast Maine, confirms her suspicions. But Kevin is wary of helping Mallory in her search. She broke his heart – and left – without a word, years ago.

When Mallory begins receiving threats on her own life – and her beloved teenage daughter, Haylie – their search intensifies. There's a tangled web within the supposed murder, and it involves much more than what meets the eye.

As answers begin to fall into place, Mallory realizes her search is about more than finding her father's killer – it is also about finding herself again… and possibly about healing what was broken so long ago with Kevin. She just has to stay alive long enough to put all the pieces together.

The second novel in Colleen Coble’s Sunset Cove series, Mermaid Moon, follows The Inn at Ocean’s Edge with just as much attention-capturing suspense, mystery, and romance. When Mallory Davis’ father dies and leaves her with a cryptic message to find her mother, she decides to return to her small hometown to discover what he meant - and recruits her high school sweetheart Kevin O’Connor to help. She and Kevin begin to uncover well-kept secrets, and the more they find, the more danger they seem to encounter. Full of unexpected twists and turns from start to finish, Mermaid Moon is an exciting and enjoyable read that won’t disappoint Coble’s fans. I loved following Mallory and Kevin through the mystery and the romance, and now, I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens.

Thanks to LitFuse Publicity Group, I received a copy of Mermaid Moon and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. To read other opinions, be sure to check out what other reviewers think here, and purchase a copy of the book here.

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble has written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Her books have sold more than 3 million copies.

Connect with Coble at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.