>>Reckless<< Devotion by Heidi & Rolland Baker

This devotional book is numbered and not dated, so you can easily start on any day of the year.  I’m kinda strange though... I always feel guilty when I don’t start a book at the beginning.    It didn’t take me long to get over that hurdle though because this devotional is one of the most inspiring devotionals I have ever read through!

Almost without fail, every day I was eager to get to my morning quiet time to read words that always touched my heart.  Every day challenged me to draw nearer to God and to develop a deeper relationship with Him. 

I found many days where my mind wandered back to the devotional throughout my day.   One of those days was when Heidi Baker talked about how there would be NO nonbelievers in heaven.   That wasn’t new information to me of course, but it made me really think about how important it is to be witnessing NOW and how big our mission field really is here on earth.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is wanting to develop a deeper relationship with God. This is a book that you will not want to go through just once. I love it so much that I will be rereading this same devotional next year. 

Disclosure:  I was given a free copy of Reckless Devotion in exchange for my honest review.  Thank you Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me to review this book.

A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears

Kate Dawson finds herself taking a position as a school teacher in Missouri when the mail-order bride advertisement she responded to did not work out to her liking.  When she is offered a position as a school teacher she decides to take it to support herself.    She is a rather strong willed young lady and soon finds herself butting heads with members of the school board.

Anthony is one of her students and because of his home situation, she finds herself quickly bonding with him.  His mother, Lucinda has become quite ill and is unable to take care of herself or her son.  Kate steps in and helps take care of Anthony as well as helps to pay for their housing.  After Lucinda's death, Anthony believes Kate (his teacher) will become his caregiver.  Unfortunately, two men came to town that had been a part of Lucinda's past and that is when his life begins to crumble.  

Richard Fitzgerald and Lucinda had a relationship with many years ago.  Anthony remembers this man and what he forced him to do many years ago and did not want to go with him.  Richard, however, is eager to claim Anthony as his own son and take him back home with him.  He wanted Anthony to pick-pocket for him and give him all the money he collected.

Silas Jonesey was Lucinda’s husband.  She was a mail-order bride and had no idea what she was walking into.  Times were tough on the farm and she was not use to such hardship and being around a man that drank.  She did not want anything to do with that lifestyle, so one day she just up and left without a word.  He had never heard a word from her until she asked him for money during her later days.  Instead of sending money, he came to see her.

There appears to be no proof of who is the biological father of Anthony.  Anthony does not want to go home with either of these men…so before the judge can determine who gets custody of Anthony... Anthony takes matters into his own hands and runs away. 

This book has many twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat.  The author, Melissa Jagears covers many areas that affect the lives of these characters.  Abuse, forgiving other, alcohol addiction, being abandoned by the people you love, trusting others are just a few of the matters that are addressed throughout this book.

I absolutely loved this book.  The characters had so much going on with them and I found the book hard to put down!



Disclosure: I received this book from Bethany House through their reviewer program free of charge.  In exchange, I agreed to review A Bride at Last and give my honest opinion

Among the Fair Magnolias - Four Southern Love Stories

Among the Fair Magnolias is a book with 4 historical fiction stories that take place during the 1800's.  These sweet books are filled with a taste of the south mixed with sweet love stories.  

"A Heart So True" by Dorothy Love

Abigail’s family is busy preparing for their annual barbecue. She was excited because it meant there would be several people coming... but there was one particular young man that she was hoping would be in attendance.  This barbecue was an annual event, but this year it was of particular importance because the Governor would attending. Abby knew that it was important that she make a good impression because of her father’s political aspirations.   Abigail was shocked when at the barbecue her father suddenly made an announcement that could change the rest of her life.  She knew what she was expected to do, but she also knew that this was not what she had planned for her life.  You will need to read this storyto find out what she decides to do.   

"To Mend a Dream" by Tamera Alexander
Savannah Darby suddenly finds herself becoming the mother of her younger brother and sister after her parents die.  They had lost the family farm and now found themselves living in a widow's and children's home.  Struggling to make ends meet, she was unexpectedly given the opportunity by the new owner of the farm, Aiden Bedford to use her skills as a seamstress to return to the family farm to redecorate.  Although she was excited to have the opporunity to earn much need money, she had another motive.  Her father had supposedly hidden a box in the house sometime during the war.  She was desperate to find it and she was running out of time.  While searching for the box, she found something she wasn't expecting.  

"Love Beyond Limits" by Elizabeth Musser

Of the four stories in the book, this was my least favorite.  In fact, I had a very hard time finishing it.  Emily was a young lady that fell in love with one of the freedmen on her family's plantation.  This story took place during the Klu Klux Klan era... so her feelings toward this man could prove to be very dangerous.  

"An Outlaw's Heart" by Shelley Gray

Russell Stark returns home after spending many years living a life that he now wanted no part of.  He finds his mother very ill and the women he loved is taking care of her.  Russell wants to begin a new life but her know he has to deal with his past.  It is a sweet romance story.  

Disclosure: I received this e-book from Thomas Nelson through the NetGalley reviewer program free of charge. In exchange, I agreed to review Among the Fair Magnolias and give my honest opinion.