Favorite author alert!!!

Chick lit author Michele Gorman has a women’s fiction alter-ego Known for her best-selling chick lit (the Single in the City series and Bella Summer Takes a Chance), Michele also writes women’s fiction under the name Jamie Scott and today sees the re-launch of her first novel, Little Sacrifices. This atmospheric, evocative depiction of the American South may just be the perfect summer read for fans of The Secret Life of Bees or To Kill A Mockingbird. ABOUT THE BOOK How much would you risk to stand up for your beliefs? When the Powell family moves to Savannah Georgia in the late 1940s, they hope against hope that they'll be welcomed. But they're Northerners and worse, they're civil rights advocates almost a decade too early. The American South is deeply segregated. At first their daughter, May, can pretend they're the same as everyone else. It means keeping quiet when she knows she should speak up, but it's worth the sacrifice to win friends. Unfortunately her parents are soon putting their beliefs into action. And when they wake to find that they're the only family on the block with a Ku Klux Klan cross blazing on their front lawn, the time comes for them to finally decide between what's easy and what's right. HOW IT BEGINS “Fifty–five years has made me a Savannahian by inclination if not origin. Everyone who meets me hears the taffy pull drawl of a native and feels the Southern hospitality for which we are known. They are surprised to find that I was once a Yankee, so well have I acclimated. The process began when we moved, but will never really be complete.” -- Bella Summer Takes a Chance Sometimes the life you walk away from doesn't let you walk away

Review: A Revelation in Autumn

A Revelation in Autumn: Part 5 by Wanda E. Brunstetter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my knock my socks off! I loved this one even more than the last if that is possible! Just when I thought things were going to connect, it went a different way and I am thoroughly excited to see what happens!

We have Luke/Eddie living with Susan/Anne and their grandparents. His memory is not coming back at all.

Meredith had the baby, a BOY named Levi. Meredith is getting along ok with herself and the baby. However, she isn't sure she can cover their expenses.

Jonah is still madly in love with Meredith and I think he is thinking about courting her!!!

Laurie and her boyfriend are engaged. They are going to be missionaires to a Native American tribe in the US.

So much going on. However what really is exciting is at one point Meredith and Luke are at the SAME hot air balloon ride thing, and because Luke was up in the balloon, Meredith didn't realize that was him. That and he had a hat and sunglasses on.

Also, Susan and Luke/Eddie are starting to really like each other!!!

Woot woot, I can't wait to see what Wanda does in the last book. I hope everyone else is enjoying them as much as I am!

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion!

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Review: The Pieces of Summer

The Pieces of Summer: Part 4 by Wanda E. Brunstetter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Meredith and Luke's sad saga continue.

Meredith doesn't know Luke survived and Luke doesn't know who he is! What a mess. Luke's nurses call him Eddie and they are growing to like him greatly, especially I think Susan is!

Meredith is growing bigger every day with the baby's empending birth. Will she be able to support herself and the baby when it comes? Good thing she has lots of people to help! I love that about the Amish community. Makes me want to move over there! They are always so helpful and kind to each other.

Meredith's sister, Laurie has a secret of her own, although I think Meredith was thinking Jonah liked Laurie. She doesn't realize he has his eye on her! However, Luke's mom doesn't want Meredith and Jonah, or probably anyone for that matter to even think about getting together! She is afraid another husband will take her grandchild away from her.

At the end of the book, the baby is coming and they don't have time to get to a hospital! Find out what happens in the next book!!

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion from Net Galley.

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Review: Booked

Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me by Karen Swallow Prior
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Well, any book that talks ABOUT books is one I want to read. In the beginning was so with the author. Who has a young girl didn't love Charlotte's Web? I wanted to live on a farm after that and that book, along with CS Lewis's books and Little House On the Prairie books ignited my love of reading.

Then with Jane Eyre, I haven't had the pleasure of reading it, but I did get it on my kindle. So I enjoyed that. But beyond that, I got lost in her journey. When it came to the poems, I shut down. I greatly dislike poems. I am strictly pretty much fiction, unless it has to do with marriage books and devotionals.

At times, I felt as if I understood what she was saying and other times I was beyond lost. Also, there wasn't as much talk of how she came to her relationship with God. Overall, I do love books that talk about books, but maybe non-fiction is not my cup of tea, unlike others who might enjoy it!

I know though if it is on my dad's book talk show on www.kufoam.org I am going to listen!

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Review: One Glorious Ambition

One Glorious Ambition: The Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix, a Novel by Jane Kirkpatrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kirkpatrick never fails to get the reader interested in the character and fall deeply in love from the very beginning. Dorothea Dix by all accounts was a woman growing up in an era when she was supposed to find her prince charming and be satisified with that. Dorothea had different ideas though. She felt as if God called her to be more, and more she did!

I loved her enthusiasm for life and all it could offer her was contagious. Her ideas and thoughts made me smile and laugh. Dorothea was a true gem and inspiration. I love how she thought, well every time I do this, I get sick, so maybe God has different plans for me. And she went from there to explore what really was her purpose and what God's plans were for her, to that if what she really wanted to do. She let that be her guide, which God blessed her greatly I feel.

Every Kirkpatrick book makes me want to know more about the person and I really love that in an author. I highly recommend this book as well. You will be inspired and what a good lesson for all of us, to let God guide our paths. I really wanted her to be a mom to Marianna, but that wasn't meant to be, no matter how hard Dorothea tried. I really felt bad every time she would mention it to Grace, she would be cold. Also, her relationship with Anne's family. I am sure her not having any real family but Charles, she longed forever for a family, but perhaps it wasn't meant to be.

Read it, you will love Dorothea's rising to the challenges God has set forth! May you be blessed by this book and inspired to really think of what God might have for you, instead of what you might have planned for you. It will be better, we know that!

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Review: It Is Well With My Soul

It Is Well With My Soul by Shelly Beach
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful devotional help for people struggling. I can see it being for a lot of different problems throughout life. Shelly Beach tells some of her story, so you can know where she is coming from. She too has been there!

What I liked about this devotional is it is rooted firmly in scripture, turning back every time to a verse. Read and re-read them. They will grow in your head, so when you face troubles in the future, you will have verses handy to turn to. I also liked the prayer guides in the back. Just small prayers, but ones to get you really talking with our Lord about your troubles and worries.

I love how at the end of each section there are just 2 questions. Questions that really are worth thinking about and doing.

Shelly Beach is one author that I haven't had the pleasure of reading till now, but I will not be a stranger much longer! I highly recommend this book. Even if you aren't going through a trial now, as we all know, in this life you will be. So be proactive and prepared! Get those verses in your head. Pass this book along to others you know as well and be a blessing!

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Review: NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible

NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women: Insights for Everyday Life by Lysa TerKeurst
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was thoroughly excited to get my hands on this new NIV devotional Bible. However, I didn't know that some of my other favorite ladies at Proverbs 31 had done devotionals for it too, like Wendy Pope, Melissa Taylor, Karen Ehman, Micca Campbell, Renee Swope, Lynn Cowell, Suzie Eller and more! Each of these ladies really know how to speak to us women and with God's directions, speak to my heart each day.

For a few years now I have followed all these ladies, so I will treasure this devotional Bible. The cover is divine. Each day brings some new words from our Savior, and a brilliant little nugget the ladies have shared with us.

Add this Bible to your daily devotions, what a blessing I know it will be for you!

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