A Stitch and a Prayer by Eva Gibson

*I won this book by entering a Litfuse giveaway: Rival Hearts - Summer Camping Kit Giveaway. Thank you to Litfuse and Quilts of Love for the giveaway!*

Overview: After her fiancé returns from the Klondike gold rush in 1897, Florence Harms sets about building a new life in her new marriage—even though the lingering effects of illness have left her weak and vulnerable. She and her young husband, Will, work tirelessly to clear the land around their Northwest cabin, content with their modest life.

But then a stranger comes knocking and Florence suddenly senses a restlessness in Will’s spirit that she had never seen before. When he leaves her with only a note that tells her he will return before their baby’s birth, she is devastated, and the illness that stiffened her joints returns. Counting the days until Will walks back through her door, Florence busies herself with a Tree of Life quilt displaying a map of the farm they call home. Doubts claw at her heart as Florence struggles to believe Will’s promise to return to her. Will her labor of love—and faith in God—sustain her as she waits to see her beloved once again?

ISBN-13: 9781426772528

Publisher: Abingdon Press

Publication date: 5/20/2014

Pages: 240

Buy It: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: This is a wonderfully sweet story. It is not a very fast-paced story, and I found it a little hard to keep the time line straight as I was reading it, but overall it was well written and interesting. The characters are well-written. Florence is a relatable character, and her friends and aunt make the story more interesting. I wish we would have gotten to know what Will was doing while he was away, but you can tell he loves his wife very much when he is home. Florence and Will show very human like characteristics in their marriage and life. The little nuggets of Truth sprinkled throughout this book make it the best! I have little post-it note tabs throughout the book so I can go back and re-read some of them! 

Overall, I enjoyed the story, even though the time line was a little hard to follow. It was interesting to see how Florence learned to cope with her husband leaving and how she kept her Faith intact while he was gone. If you want a sweet story about trials and testing your faith, this is it!

About the Author: Eva Gibson is the author of twenty books, including The Gift of Forgiveness and The Three Marys. She currently teaches "writing your life story" classes for Portland Community College and is an active member of Oregon Christian Writers. She has lived most of her life on the family farm in Wilsonville, Oregon, which is the setting for A Stitch and a Prayer.

Miracle In a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Overview: In a Drought, It's the Darkest Cloud
That Brings Hope

It's 1954 and Perla Long's arrival in the sleepy town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle.

Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor . . . until he meets Perla. She's everything he's sought in a woman, but he can't get past the sense that she's hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla's unique gift divides the town in two, bringing both gratitude and condemnation, and placing the pair in the middle of a storm of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.

ISBN-13: 9780764212253

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication date: 8/5/2014

Pages: 304

Buy It!: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I am so glad I read this book! It was absolutely fantastic! We first met Perla in Sarah's novella Appalachian Serenade. (If you haven't read it yet, don't worry! You don't need to, but I highly recommend it! It's fantastic!) The plot of the story was unique to me. I haven't read many books set in the 1950's era. It was well written and kept my interest page after page. 

The characters were fantastic! It was nice to catch up with Delilah and Robert, who play a prominent role in this story. Perla Long is a unique heroine because of her past and her special gift with food.  Perla becomes the "miracle" in Wise's "dry season," much to her dismay. Then she meets Casewell Phillips. I loved him as a male hero because the author gave him pride and humility, braun and brain, and most importantly, a sense of right and wrong. Watching their feelings blossom amidst the division of the town was sweet. The secondary characters (Casewell's father, the twins, and Frank) provided the perfect mix of humor and seriousness to the story.

The message read much like a story from the Bible. In every season, there is a time to learn. The town of Wise had to learn that judgement comes from the Lord, it's not for us to dish out. Yet, when someone comes among you that is unique, it's easy to judge. Perla had to learn to forgive those who hurt her, let go of her anger at her past, and most importantly, forgive herself. Casewell, even with his great qualities, had to face his flaws and overcome them in order to get what God wanted him to have. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more from this upcoming author!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Bethany House Blogger program in exchange for my honest review.*

About the Author: Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Her first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, releases August 2014 through Bethany House. Sarah is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency.
A graduate of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, Sarah once dreamed of being a marine scientist. But her love for words won out and she has spent much of her career in public relations and marketing. She currently oversees fundraising and communications for a Christian children’s home in Black Mountain, NC.

Sarah and her husband Jim live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and throw sticks. Sarah is active in her local church and enjoys cooking and–you guessed it–reading.

Connect with Sarah: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Wynn in the Willows by Robin Shope

A haunting story of forgiveness, science, murder, and other matters of living.

Wynn Baxter returns to Willow Island to study rare plant life and welcomes the opportunity to investigate the mysterious circumstances of her father's death. But the truth gets complicated as twenty year-old memories begin to surface. What Wynn learns will shake her emotional foundation.

ISBN-13: 9781611163346

Publisher: Pelican Ventures

Publication date: 5/16/2014

Pages: 274

My Review: First, I want to thank Lena Nelson Dooley at A Christian Writer's World for hosting Robin on her blog! She always has the best authors and giveaways! 

The story was pretty good. I read it sitting by the pool in about two days. It kept my attention and kept me turning the pages. The characters were well developed and well written. Wynn was an excellent character with a lot of depth and emotions anyone can relate to. I wish we could have gotten to know Doug and his story a little better. He had an air of mystery about him and it would have been interesting to read his thoughts during the trials he endured. The Bridge Over Troubled Water Bible Club ladies were excellent secondary characters and added more than humor to the story!

The story centers strongly around forgiveness. Wynn has to forgive and let go of the things that have happened in her past. "Even if God doesn't help me, or never answers another prayer of mine, He has already done everything for me." What a powerful statement! I think we can all learn to lean on the Lord for help forgiving others and then thank Him for what He's already done in our lives. 

Overall, this was a good book with a great message!

I'm back!!! AND I'm married!!! :D

After a year full of making plans and spending money, the day finally arrived when I would walk down the aisle and become Mrs. Mauney! I am SO happy it's over! In case you're wondering where I disappeared to for the last week or so, that's what I have been up to! The two weeks leading up to the wedding were SUPER stressful, but we made it! The wedding was beautiful, the reception was a blast (ending with a dip in the pool) and our honeymoon was so much fun!

I missed you all immensly and I look forward to catching up on all the reading I didn't get to! So BE PREPARED to be bombarded with book reviews over the next few weeks while I catch up!

In the meantime, here's some wedding and honeymoon pictures (in no particular order) for you to enjoy! (and yes... that is me and my husband jumping in the pool at the end of the reception.. FULLY CLOTHED IN WEDDING ATTIRE!) :D

Spotlight: Slave Again by Alana Terry

Special Discount ~ Limited Time Only

Special Time-Sensitive Giveaway! The first 25 readers who enter the giveaway below will receive a free audiobook from award-winning author Alana Terry. She's also giving away a $100 amazon card, a hundred free audio downloads, and a free ebook to anyone who signs up! 



About Slave Again: After escaping a North Korean prison camp, Mee-Kyong is
hustled over the border and sold into the Chinese underworld. She vows to
survive, but sheer determination and willpower won’t save her this time. Is she fated to remain a slave forever?



Slave Again is a Christian suspense novel from award-winning author Alana Terry, whose debut novel, The Beloved Daughter, won awards from Women of Faith, Grace Awards, The Book Club Network, and Readers' Favorite.



NEW BOOK RELEASE: Slave Again by Alana Terry is hot off
the press, and both the ebook and paperback are at a steep (30-60%)
discount!! Prices will go up soon, so grab your copy today.

 Slave Again book trailer (contains one mildly violent image)

About the Author: Alana is passionate about human-rights issues in North Korea and has devoted her writing to raise both awareness and funds to help North Korean refugees find freedom and safety. You can learn more about her work with Liberty in North Korea at alanaterry.com/link.

Check out Slave Again now before the price goes up, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Appalachian Serenade by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Overview: Delilah Morrissey has always wanted to be a mother, but when she becomes a young widow, that dream now seems farther away than ever. Unable to continue to live alone in Chicago, her only option is to accept her sister's offer to move in with her family back in West Virginia. Will Delilah have the faith to pursue a new dream--even if it means giving up the old?

In this charming novella, debut novelist Sarah Loudin Thomas introduces readers to Wise, West Virginia--a small town nestled in an Appalachian valley where the everyday miracles of life and faith play out in stories of healing, hope, and love.

ISBN-13: 9781441264985
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Publication date: 6/4/2014
Series: Appalachian Blessings
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 128

Download it, IT'S FREE!: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I absolutely loved this short little novella. The characters are sweet and charming. The story is well written and interesting; the dialogue is full of Southern charm. I also appreciate the fact that the author shows the passage of time, even though the story is only 70+ pages.

Delilah and Robert were fun to watch fall in love. They both had ideals they had to overcome and they both had to learn to accept the hand that God gave them.  Delilah is a very admirable character. She is modern, yet traditional. She is down-trodden, yet hopeful. Robert is much the same.

The best part of reading this sweet little novella was some of the charming sayings in the book! I'll list a few of my favorites below (and don't worry, they won't spoil the story for you!):
* "Why, thank you, Robert. That's a....regionally specific compliment."
* "We all need a little pretty in our lives."
* "Oh well, my mother always said if wishes were horses, paupers would ride."
* "Like a hound dog staring at the last piece of cornbread on the plate."
* "But I figure God knows better than I do, and this is the life he's given me. Might as well make the most of it."

I am so looking forward to diving into Miracle In a Dry Season shortly!

About the Author: Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Her first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, releases August 2014 through Bethany House. Sarah is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency.

A graduate of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, Sarah once dreamed of being a marine scientist. But her love for words won out and she has spent much of her career in public relations and marketing. She currently oversees fundraising and communications for a Christian children’s home in Black Mountain, NC.

Sarah and her husband Jim live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and throw sticks. Sarah is active in her local church and enjoys cooking and–you guessed it–reading.

Connect with Sarah: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Water Your Faith Wednesday (Sept 3)

Hello everyone! Welcome to "Water Your Faith" Wednesday! How do you feel after spending your Sunday at church praising and worshiping our Lord? I know I feel great! I start my week fired up and ready to face what's in store. Oftentimes, however, by Wednesday, life begins to drag me down. My goal is provide a way to overcome the spiritual doldrums with encouraging words, scriptures, devotions, songs, etc. Let me know what you think!

 

Blogging friends, I'm sorry about last week! As we are getting closer and closer and CLOSER (10 days...) to my wedding, I have less and less free time! Last Sunday was a "wedding work day" as my future family and I worked to get everything organized and prepared for Wedding day! I feel a lot better about everything now. 

 

As I read my Proverbs 31 devotion this morning, it really struck home for me. The past four years of my life have been riddled with "potholes" and I've often wondered "Am I on the right path, Lord?" I've questioned every decision I've made, even after promising to "Let go, and Let God" because, let's face it, that's easier said than done! (At least, it is for me!) This devotion reminded me that God has everything under control and I thank Him for that timely reminder! Read it below:

SEPTEMBER 3, 2014 When Potholes Fill Your Path ALICIA BRUXVOORT

"The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth." Isaiah 26:7 (NIV)

On the night before he began kindergarten, my youngest son, Joshua, announced he'd "rather go to jail" than go to school.

His big brother mumbled something sarcastic about the prison bars in the principal's office, while his sisters attempted to soothe Joshua's anxieties by pointing out the perks of being a kindergartener.

"Did you know that when you lose a tooth at school you get to bring it home in a tiny treasure box?" my daughter Hannah asked.

Joshua grinned and poked his finger in his mouth to check for loose teeth. But when it was time to brush those pearly whites and head to bed, his smile faded and fears returned.

What if my legs get cramped on my carpet square?

What if my ears hurt from listening all day?

What if I forget to raise my hand?

What if I'm the only one who can't read?

To be honest, Joshua's worries resonated with my own. I'd prayed unceasingly over the school year to come and was certain God had placed my son in the kindergarten classroom that would best meet his needs. Yet I just couldn't imagine my littlest boy thriving in any classroom at all. He loved piles of dirt more than stacks of books and preferred hammers over pencils.

Joshua's eyelids drooped and his breathing slowed. Then, before he surrendered to sleep, he voiced one last concern: "I can't go to kindergarten tomorrow, Mommy. I don't have even one wiggly tooth!"

I assured my son that loose teeth weren't a prerequisite for kindergarten, and I headed to the kitchen to pack lunches for morning. Minutes later my husband found me crying over the peanut butter, and I had to confess the angst preying on my mind. "I can't figure out how Joshua's going to make it through the school year."

"You don't have to figure it out," my husband gently replied as he wiped a smudge of peanut butter off my cheek. "That's God's job."

Have you been there before? Perhaps you've sought God's direction, followed His lead, only to find yourself walking a path marked by concerns that cause you to stumble.

Sometimes the potholes in our path make us wonder if we are really on the right road. Unanswered, difficult questions can make us doubt the direction we've been given.

However, today's key verse reminds us it's not our job to fix the chinks in our trail. If we let God lead, He will smooth the way: "The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth" (Isaiah 26:7).

Whatever the path looks like, God has a plan for every step (Jeremiah 29:11). We may be trekking toward a new school year or stepping into an empty nest; stumbling along a painful detour or skipping into a new job; but no matter where we're headed, God is aware of every gap in the road He's established for us.

Joshua's school year wasn't perfect, but God was faithful. And nine months later, as we waited for the big yellow bus to chug up our street on the last day of school, my son admitted he'd changed his mind. With a toothless grin, he conceded. Going to kindergarten was definitely better than going to jail!

The bus slowed to a stop, and Joshua climbed aboard. He pressed his face against the window and waved good-bye. That's when I noticed a splash of white hovering at the top of his gaping grin.

Soon a new tooth would inhabit that endearing hole in his smile. Because that's just how God works, faithfully filling every gap in His own way and in His perfect time.

Lord, I don't have every step figured out, but I'm thankful You do. Fill me with courage when my path is packed with potholes. Give me faith to follow Your lead and awaken me to see You at work as I travel along the road You've prepared for me. Thank You for providing direction and peace in Your perfect timing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:
Following God even when your road feels confusing or difficult requires faith. Lysa's book, What Happens When Women Walk in Faith will encourage you to trust God with your next step.

Visit Alicia Bruxvoort's blog today for more encouragement and for a free printable of "pothole prayers."

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
What is the most daunting "pothole" in your path right now? Today, how could you lean on Christ rather than on your own understanding?

God's word is like a GPS for life travelers. When your path feels confusing or difficult, the truth of Scripture brings peace. Set aside ten minutes this week to read your Bible. Look up these promises in the Psalms: Psalm 16:11, 18:36, 119:9, 119:35, 119:105.