BOOK REVIEW- Holdiay by the Sea

BOOK REVIEW-  Holiday by the Sea-  Teagan Becker comes home to save the family business, putting her dreams on hold for the holiday season. A professional video blogger, Teagan is determined to see the world without anything tying her down. No car, no apartment, and definitely no boyfriend. 
Riley McSorley teaches music to fourth graders, glad for the steady job with insurance and a 401 K. Sure, he once wanted to be a rock star, but that was a childish dream. Now he wants a white picket fence by the sea. Teagan offers him a part-time job at Becker’s Bakery over his school vacation, which saves her from getting behind on cookie orders. Side by side in the trenches, they realize that they are total opposites, but those differences create symmetry. Riley wants a girlfriend, to hang out at the beach and enjoy the tropics. She wants independence, and blisters under the sun. By New Year’s, Riley knows that Teagan is the woman for him, yet she can’t, won’t, give up her dream to travel Europe. Despite their great passion, unless they learn to compromise, their relationship will be lost.   AMAZON

A good Holiday story.  Its also a sweet yet sassy story.  Probably a good story for the YA market, although I don't want to limit the ability for it to reach other readers either. Yes, they do seem to be total opposites in so many ways but that spark is so there between them.   Tegan is the sassy one with the bohemian spirit.  She vlogs and people rush to hear what she has to say.  She draws them like a magnet.  Like Riley says, she sparkles. Riley liked the fact that she looked at the world in a totally different way than he did.  Besides, she was funny too.  I don't think Riley was as stick in the mud type of guy that people might think he was.  Tegan sees him as nerdy but cute as all get out.  And he's growing on her and when he kisses her?  Now she's really ready to run for the hills.  Only she can't, she's stuck in the bakery for just a bit longer. Having a boyfriend and settling down was NOT on her to do list.   Now her German parents would be all in on that though.  And though she loves them, their traditional views are at odds with her need for indpendence.

I got this copy free in exchange for an honest review.
You might want to grab it soon, it is free as of this posting.  I'm not sure how long that will last.

Top 12 Malaya Watson Take Me To The King AMERICAN IDOL SEASON XIII

Dogs live long (p)

  

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BOOK REVIEW- SOYALA

 
 REVIEW- SOYALA-   She called him Tender Spirit, because he was kind to her, for she knew not his true name. In fact, Beth named them all, the entire band of young Indian men who took her from her home.  As she watched them, she found their characters and mannerisms interesting, and it occupied her mind giving each of them names. This kept her from dwelling on the worst and helped her keep her mind off the pain--the pain of the wound she received when the bullet from one of their guns tore through the tender flesh of her thigh. Beth wondered what had happened to her brother, Tom, back at their cabin, their home where they had taken care of each other since the death of their parents over a year ago. Why had he not tried to stop them was her question, as she struggled to keep her fear, and the agony she was in hidden away.Where she was being taken and why, would soon be revealed. The man she called Tender Spirit, whom she came to know by his true name, Kiyiya, had taken her hoping she could bring happiness to his mother, Helaku. With Kiyiya's sister having been lost to death, he wanted Beth to help lessen that loss, or at least this is what Beth was led to believe.  But for Beth, seeing Kiyiya as a brother was never truly an option. She knew when she first looked into his black eyes that she would never be the same.   AMAZON

I enjoyed this story; it was unusual from most of the usual white woman taken captive by Indians.  Beth later was given a new name of Chista.  It was interesting to see how quickly she adapted to her new life.  I really liked the way that she came up with names for each one of the Indians as they "escorted" her to her new home.  Very creative.  Beth is welcomed into the village and has a new mother, Helaku.  Helaku fills the missing part in Beth when it comes to having a mother.  They  needed each other and grow close.  Beth isn't sure where she stands with Soyala, but she is drawn to his tenderness as time goes on.  

BOOK REVIEW- FINDING FIRE

BOOK REVIEW- FINDING FIRE-  She knew they existed. 
But now the truth is more terrifying than she realized. 
When Anna sets out to discover the truth behind the tragedy she witnessed, she's unprepared to uncover a world of danger and mystery. As she comes face-to-face with a vengeful, but sexy and intoxicating vampire that proves she was right all along, she realizes that there's a fine line between myth and reality. 
Nicolas has no patience for meddling and annoying mortals. After realizing that Anna just might have the answers he's been searching for, Nick decides to use Anna for his own personal gain, putting her fragile life on the line. However, as her calming and irresistible presence overcomes him, Nick is forced to choose between revenge for the past and allowing Anna to be the light in his darkness. But can he find a way to have both?  AMAZON

Anna was incredibly brave but also at times incredibly stupid.  She took quite a few reckless risks. Anna had survived a pretty painful past with the scars to prove it.  There were things she just HAD to get the answers to, so she saw many of her decisions to be worth the risk. Nick was all about himself pretty much.  Especially in the beginning.  Beautiful  (yes I used that word about a man, that's what the story also said) powerful and potentially deadly.  Still with all that said, I'm not saying that they were unlikable.  I did like the both of them and Nick was who he was and how history had shaped him.  There was sex, because what vampire story has been written without it?  But it wasn't overdone, overdetailed.There was evil and good but finding out  who each one was is part of the story.   Everything was NOT as it seemed.  

Major twists and turns towards the end of the book.  One was kind of predictable, the others not so much. 

While the cover for this book is different, I can't say that its one of my favorites.  But that's not a deal breaker for me. 

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review  

11-29-2015 Doug Addison Word

November 29, 2015 - Daily Prophetic Word ‪#‎dailyprophetic‬ 


It is important to create a new vision 


and make declarations that 


will open the heavens over your life.

Bethel Music Moment: Seas of Crimson - Jeremy Riddle

Larry Huch - Words and Expectations - NB Church - November 22, 2015

 
A Short Clip-
2.28 in Length

Hey God By Lonestar

BOOK REVIEW- TEXAS LILY-  Lily Porter is newly a widow with a child to raise and a cattle ranch to run in the Texas frontier aflame with violence, and where a woman is to be seen not heard. 
She needs a man to stand up for her land.
His name is Cade. Part Apache brave and part Mexican grandee, Cade has a past and a secret. But he possesses the power and passion to command all in his path. 
Lily welcomes Cade into her struggle against treachery and terror—and discovers a love worth risking everything to keep.  AMAZON

Great Story.  I caught a copy of it when it was free on Amazon and I'm so glad I did.  I enjoyed every action packed minute of it.  It was a bit long, but there was quite a bit of story to cover. Lily IS a strong person, a great role model for a heroine.  Both Cade and Lily yearned for love but had learned to live without it.  Both Cade and Lily had lived a tough life, although in different ways.  Lily had never truly felt welcome in her old life before she married Jim.  Cade had never really found a home but he was caught between several worlds.    Passion had caught her once.  And she got burnt by it when she found herself pregnant without marriage at 16.   She managed to snag Jim as a husband and then she was off to Texas.    He was much older than her and while there was no passion or anymore children she was safe and a partner of sorts when it came to the ranch they owned.  Jim disappeared and Lily needs help (even though she doesn't like that idea).  And she needs it Pronto!  Thus the adventure starts, "Independent,do it my way" Lily and " I've got this and I won't explain", Cade.   There were also great secondary characters, among them being Roy, Lily's son.   I'm not going to list them all because there were a quite a few but in no way did they confuse the story.
I'm not sure that I've read anything by this author before but this won't be my last one.

There is also an Excerpt at the back of this book.  It's called,"Texas Rose-Too Hard to Handle" Book 2.

Prophetic Future/G. Cooke

If you’ve got a prophetic word that connects to your future,

it means that you’ve got one. 

This is not rocket science.

 If you’ve got a word about your future, it means you’re going to survive 

everything in between now and then.

 Remember David? 

He goes up against Goliath. 

What is he running toward? 

He’s not running toward Goliath. 

He’s running toward his future.

“You can’t kill me; I’ve got a word from Sam. (God). Sucks to be you!” 

Every problem, every difficulty, every obstacle, every giant

between where you are now and your future 

has already been taken care of.

That’s why you’ve got this prophecy. 

You embrace the prophecy. You embrace your inheritance.

(from Living Your Truest Identity)  Link

Cute and Crafty Christmas Booties

Cute and Crafty Christmas Booties

Skids update

I sound stupid, but I saved a kitten.

Watch This Heroic Biker Save a Kitten Trapped in Traffic - Pet360 Pet Parenting Simplified

Watch This Heroic Biker Save a Kitten Trapped in Traffic - Pet360 Pet Parenting Simplified

Stress is a by-Product (p)

PhD in Rejoicing

I don't see that we have any choice about rejoicing. 

If you are going to get a PhD in anything, it has to be in giving thanks!

You have to see that rejoicing is your breath. It must be like water for you.

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The Essence of Thanksgiving

The Essence of Thanksgiving By Graham Cooke

People usually get entirely the wrong idea about how we live as Christians.

The first mistake they make is to imagine that we have trapped ourselves in an austere system of rules, moral laws from on high that we absolutely will not and cannot break. That life in Christ is like being in prison, or a particularly strict military school. They believe that we live regulated lives, and that our lives are defined by that regulation and discipline.

Visions of tightly-wound and fiercely buttoned up men and women float before their eyes; the stern countenances of the pilgrim fathers (and mothers) who first settled in America. From there, other assumptions are made: Christians must be weak or we’re rigid. We must be inflexible or in desperate need of a crutch to make our way through life.

And then comes the other major mistake that people living in the world make about us: They decide that we must be having absolutely the worst possible time in all the world. We must be such miserable, joyless creatures! The whole idea of Thanksgiving gets boiled down to a bunch of stern men and women in three-cornered hats and white bonnets, solemnly “giving thanks” with no enthusiasm or genuine delight. What could Christians possibly have to be thankful for?

There is, of course, one common thread to these misunderstandings about the nature of our lives in Christ: There’s no Christ in any of it.

They don’t understand, and (literally) bless them, but how could they? They’ve never met God!

Likewise, their idea of who the Father is is limited to clichés about an old man sitting amid clouds, probably looking and speaking remarkably like Charlton Heston, furrowing His brow and hurling the occasional thunderbolt at people that take His name in vain.

There’s no God in the god they picture.

There’s no Spirit in the holy places they imagine.

And there’s no joy in any of it.

It doesn’t ring true of our experiences on any level, does it?

We’re a people of rejoicing.1

It’s the cycle of spirituality that defines our being. God delights in us, and in Jesus within us, and as we bask in His acceptance and pleasure, our own delight in Him grows.

Worship isn’t simply a few hymns or some pretty tunes. It’s the rejoicing of a community that has citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven, the return of His delight to Him in the form of our own.

It’s not a rote thing, some archaic ritual handed down through the generations for those generations to bore future generations to sleep with; it’s a living, breathing expression of who we are.

Being a Christian isn’t a burden or a chore. There are no disciplines in Heaven. No one’s marking time, grimly pounding a beat, gritting their teeth to get through another day. There’s no procrastination involved, no waiting for the boring stuff to be over. Living in Christ is like having the best conversation with your favorite people, like doing your dream job and doing it well. It’s like vacationing in your favorite spot, and deciding to move there. Or, as Hebrews 12:1-2 puts it:

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We make Christ’s passions our own, with a little help from the Holy Spirit. Everything that they see as a discipline is our delight, because when you’re in the Spirit, joy is integral to your life, as much a part of us as the sun on our faces and the clothes on our backs.

When you don’t factor in enjoyment or rejoicing to your life as a Christian, then there’s a central piece to the puzzle missing from your life.

It’s like having Thanksgiving dinner without the turkey, or a movie night without a TV. It just doesn’t work. It doesn’t make sense.

We’re captivated by Jesus. We’re not held captive by ritual. We focus our attention on Him, flowing in the nature of God Himself, moving in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. When we’re filled with Christ, it becomes such a natural thing for us that it’s not an effort to make Him the full focus of our lives, it’s like opening our mouths and drawing in air. And as His affection for us overwhelms us, He becomes the object of our desire and enjoyment.

That’s why Thanksgiving is such a beautiful day for Christians. The cycle of the Spirit continues, the wheel turning on delight and joy, and a radiant glimpse of a future that promises more to come. Rejoicing is the essence of worship, the essence of our lives as Christians.

It’s the essence of Thanksgiving.

P.S. Instead of rattling off a list of things you’re thankful for, what are some ways you can truly live a life full of rejoicing? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Budweiser Clydesdale Horses Snowball Fight

Warrior NOT Worrier (p)

  

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No Longer Slaves // Jonathan David & Melissa Helser // We Will Not Be Sh...

LOVE, LOVE THIS!    Still gives chills!  Stirring!

Ur Faith TAKES (p)

  

I really like this phrase on this poster of a meeting that is already passed.

Open Ur eyes & Fight!

Creflo A. Dollar:You can't just close your eyes and wish bad thoughts and negative circumstances will disappear. When Satan challenges you, get in the fight and stay in the fight until you see the victory! I don't care if you have to confess a scripture 500 times a day. Do what you have to do. Also, remember to put on the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10–17.

Baby Ruffle Hat- Crochet

Baby Ruffle Hat



This adorable Baby Ruffle Hat pattern is perfect for newborn baby girls.  Made with soft bubblegum pink yarn and embellished with a sweet ruffle, this hat is as much fun to make as it is to give.  This cute crocheted hat pattern can be adjusted to fit babies ages 6-12 months and is a simple crochet project that works up quickly and easily.  With a few hours to spare, you can have a new adorable crocheted baby hat to fit the new little one in your life.  You could also make a handful of these cute hats and donate them to your local hospital or shelter.

Materials:

• 1 Ball Bernat® Baby Jacquards (100 g /3.5 oz) #06415 yarn in Cherry Berry
• Size 4 mm (U.S. G or 6) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge:  19 sc and 20 rows = 4" [10 cm].

Instructions:
To fit child sizes 6 (12-18-24) mos.

1. Ch 4. Join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
    
2. 1st rnd: Ch 1. 6 sc in ring. Join with sl st in first sc.
    
3. 2nd rnd: Ch 1. 2 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st in first sc. 12 sc.
    
4. 3rd rnd: Ch 1. *2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in next sc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st in first sc. 18 sc.
    
5. 4th rnd: Ch 1. *2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st in first sc. 24 sc.
    
6. 5th rnd: Ch 1. *2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 3 sc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st in first sc. 30 sc.
    
7. 6th rnd: Ch 1. *2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st in first sc. 36 sc.
    
8. 7th rnd: Ch 1. *2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 5 sc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st in first sc. 42 sc.
    
9. 8th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st in first sc.
    
10. 9th rnd: Ch 1. *2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 6 sc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st in first sc. 48 sc.
     
11. 10th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st in first sc.
     
12. 11th rnd: Ch 1. *2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in each of next 7 sc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st in first sc. 54 sc.
     
13. 12th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc around. Join with sl st in first sc.
     
14. Cont in same manner, alternating 12th round with inc round, increasing 6 sts on every other rnd to 72 (78-84-90) sc. Place marker at end of last rnd.
     
15. Rep 8th rnd until work from marked rnd measures 3 (3 1/2-3 3/4-4)" [7.5 (9-9.5-10) cm].
     
16. Ruffle: Next rnd: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1). (1 dc. Ch 1. 1 dc) in same sp as sl st. *(Ch 1. 1 dc) 3 times in next sc. Rep from * around. Ch 1. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of ch 4. Fasten off.

If you think this free crochet pattern is adorable, check out our collection of 15 Cute Crochet Patterns for Babies.

Read more at http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Hat-Patterns/Baby-Ruffle-Hat-Crochet-Pattern#MoUUpWMYJjg1wf5K.99

Easy One Ball Crochet Baby Blanket and Hat Set

Easy One Ball Crochet Baby Blanket and Hat Set

If you're looking for free baby blankets to crochet, check out this Easy One Ball Crochet Baby Blanket and Hat Set from Red Heart Yarn. This is a sweet and easy crochet baby blanket and baby hat pattern. With this pattern, you will be hooking a baby shower gift in no time. The great thing about this baby blanket crochet pattern is that you can make it with one skein of yarn.  Perfect for a little boy or girl, this crochet hat and blanket set is great for beginning crocheters and makes a wonderful gift for a new little one.

Materials:

• 1 ball Red Heart® "Baby Blankie™" Yarn (16 oz, 819 yd) in Lavender
• 6.5mm [US K-10.5] and 4mm [US G-6] crochet hooks
• Yarn Needle

Gauge: 2 repeats = 4 inches; 7 rows = 4 inches in pattern with larger hook. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.

Abbreviations: ch = chain; dc = double crochet; mm = millimeters; sc= single crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); * or ** = repeat whatever follows the * or ** as indicated; [ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified.

Instructions:
Blanket measures 39 x 32 inches.  Hat fits 6-9 month old.

Blanket:

With larger hook, ch 90.
Row 1 (Right Side): Dc in 6th ch from hook, dc in next 4 ch, ch 1, skip next ch, [dc in next 5 ch, ch 1, skip next ch] 13 times, dc in last ch; turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, dc in first dc, * ch 2, skip next 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 2 **, 3 dc in next ch-1 space; repeat from * to last 2 sts, end at **; skip next ch, 2 dc in next ch; turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in next dc, * dc in next ch-2 space, ch 1, dc in next ch-2 space **, dc in next 3 dc; repeat from * to last 2 sts, end at **; dc in next dc and top of ch-3; turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first dc, * ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-1 space, ch 2, skip next 2 dc, sc in next dc; repeat from * across working last sc in top of ch-3; turn.
Row 5: Ch 4, * dc in ch-2 space, dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch-2 space, ch 1; repeat from * to last st; dc in last sc; turn.
Rows 6-65: Repeat Rows 2-5 fifteen times. Do not turn at end of last row but pivot to work down next side.

Border
Round 1: With right side still facing, work sc evenly around all 4 sides and work 3 sc in each corner; join with a slip st in first sc.
Round 2: * Ch 3, dc in same st, skip next 2 sc, slip st in next sc; repeat from * around adjusting as necessary at corners and end of round; join in first st of round. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

HAT
With smaller hook, ch 4; join with a slip st in first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in ring; join with a slip st in top of ch-3 – 12 dc.
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st as joining, [2 dc in next dc] 11 times; join – 24 dc.
Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same st as joining, dc in next dc, [2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc] 11 times; join – 36 dc.
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same st as joining, dc in next 2 dc, [2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc] 11 times; join – 48 dc.
Round 5: Ch 3, dc in same st as joining, dc in next 3 dc, ch 1, [dc in next 5 dc, ch 1] 4 times, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next 3 dc, ch 1, [dc in next 5 dc, ch 1] 4 times; join – 50 dc and 10 ch-1 spaces.
Round 6: Slip st in next dc, (slip st, ch 1, sc) all in next dc,* ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-1 space, ch 2 **, skip next 2 dc, sc in next dc; repeat from * around, end at **; join in first sc.
Round 7: Slip st in next ch-2 space, ch 3, * dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch-2 space, ch 1 **, dc in next ch-2 space; repeat from * around, end at **; join.
Rounds 8-12: Repeat Rounds 6 and 7 twice, and then repeat Round 6 once more.
Round 13: Ch 3, * dc in next ch-2 space, dc in next 3 dc, dc in next ch-2 space **, dc in next sc; repeat from * around, end at **; join – 60 dc.
Round 14: Ch 3, dc in each dc around; join.
Round 15: Ch 3, dc in front loop of each dc around; join.
Round 16: Ch 3, dc in both loops of each dc around; join.
Fasten off. Weave in ends. Fold up last 2 rounds.

 Notes:

To make this free crochet pattern, we recommend the following materials. They are all available at a great discount at CutRateCrafts.com!

• Crochet Lite Crochet Hook size K - Olive
• Crochet Lite Crochet Hook size F - Red

Read more at http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Baby-Blankets/Easy-One-Ball-Baby-Blanket-and-Hat-Set-from-Red-Heart-Yarn#0gawjjHMFATg7f1X.99

Modern Wallpaper Wall Art

Modern Wallpaper Wall Art

Create the look of expensive wallpaper using STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam sheets and a roll of your favorite wallpaper. With this quick and easy project you can add a little pizazz to any room in no time!

For more great wall decorating designs, check out 19 Cool Wall Art and Decor Ideas.

Read more at http://www.favecrafts.com/Wall-Decor/Modern-Wallpaper-Wall-Art#l3ipyjozgJ4kpREt.99

 

Materials:

• STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam:
  • Three 36" x 12" x 1" sheets
• One roll contemporary wallpaper
• Grosgrain or velvet ribbon, 1" x 2-3/4 yds. per panel
• Poster adhesive or small sawtooth hangers and nails
• Low-temp glue gun and glue sticks
• Thick, white craft glue
• Yardstick or ruler
• Scissors
• Straight pins

Instructions:

1. Cut three 12" x 36" panels from wallpaper, taking note of desired design placement.
    
2. Spread thick coat of white glue on back of first piece and press to foam sheet; smooth with fingers and let dry. Meanwhile, glue remaining wallpaper panels to foam sheets. Let dry completely.
    
3. Beginning and ending at one lower corner, use glue gun to secure ribbon around edges of each foam sheet; trim excess, allowing a bit of overlap.
    
4. Use poster adhesive to attach to wall. Or, glue sawtooth hangers to back of each panel; for additional hold, insert and glue two straight pins through holes in sawtooth picture hanger; let dry.

Read more at http://www.favecrafts.com/Wall-Decor/Modern-Wallpaper-Wall-Art#l3ipyjozgJ4kpREt.99

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Gorgeous Cable Fingerless Gloves

Gorgeous Cable Fingerless Gloves

You may actually look forward to winter when you make these Gorgeous Cable Fingerless Gloves. Cable knitting is one of the easiest ways to add intricate, decorative patterns to your knitting projects and this is no exception. Learn how to make fingerless gloves that are elegant and cozy. You'll be able to wear them all winter long and still have your fingers free for your busy life. The best part about these cable knitting patterns is that you'll only use one skein of yarn for both.

image: http://d2x7flet1wqc2h.cloudfront.net/images/easy.jpg

Knitting Needle Size: 4 or 3.5 mm, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)

Yarn Weight: (1) Super Fine (27-32 stitches to 4 inches)

Gauge: 28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Click here for knitting pattern

Read more at http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Fingerless-Gloves/Gorgeous-Cable-Fingerless-Gloves#zzY2PG2HQXYXAf8S.99

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BOOK REVIEW- A Bride for the Black Sheep Brother

 
BOOK REVIEW- A Bride for the Black Sheep Brother-  Cooper Larson doesn't care about finding Hollister Cain's long-lost daughter, even though a huge inheritance hangs in the balance. As Hollister's illegitimate son, the renegade snowboarder broke away and made his own millions long ago. So when his former sister-in-law Portia Callahan insists she's spotted the missing Cain heiress and solicits his aid, it isn't money that motivates him. It's his long-forbidden hunger for Portia. So he agrees to help if she'll collaborate on an event to finance his latest venture. With Portia finally within reach, he quickly melts the cool society princess's resistance…but will the barriers that kept him a black sheep before get the better of him now?   AMAZON  3 Stars is what I'm giving it.

I liked both of the main characters and the family dynamics were unusual to say the least. 
Hollister Cain sounded like a totally unlikable person/father although he never made an actual appearance in the story.  But it sounded like he screwed over pretty much everyone he knew, including his legal and illegitimate children.   Anyone in his orbit was not treated well at all.  Cooper was used to it and didn't spend much time caring about it.  Portia had spent most of her life trying to conform to her demanding parents and had lost of her real self in the process.  Her mother was so harsh in her conversations with Portia, that I just wished that Portia would grow a backbone.    But in a way she begins to as she begins spending time with Cooper and they work together on several "projects".  That attraction that they have been ignoring all these years?  Well, its popped up even stronger now and they think they have come up with the perfect idea of fall into bed, enjoy their moments and then walk away.  Yeah.  We all have read enough books to figure out how well that is going to work out!  Especially they both begin to see parts of the other that have been hidden from others.  Good parts!!   Portia has some quirky, adorable ways about her that she's tucked away but Cooper has seen her like no one else ever has. 

There is an Excerpt from "A Sinful Seduction" at the end of this book that sounded like an interesting plot. 

Glenn Beck- Facebook 


Another friend added this note: 

We can ALWAYS find things to be thankful for. Just requires intentionality and creativity! Be Thankful and Grateful!

Why Desire Is Better Than Discipline

Why Desire Is Better Than Discipline by Graham Cooke

I was talking to a friend of mine in Dallas and he said “I really can’t crack the discipline of prayer.”

My question for him was a simple one: “Why try to crack discipline in the first place?”

All discipline is rooted in desire. This means you shouldn’t be asking the Lord to give you the discipline of prayer. You should ask Him to give you the delight of praying.4

We shouldn’t be asking for the discipline to stay pure in our behaviors. We should be asking to delight in purity.4

If you are going to ask God for anything, ask for passion.

Ask for a passion to pray. Ask for a passion for the lost. Ask for a passion for the prophetic. Whatever it might be, ask for passion for it. Then, simply follow your passion.

And to all those that say following your desires is dangerous, I’d say this.

God is extremely passionate for you, so you can be extremely passionate about your desires.

We’re learning to see everything that He sees and we’re learning to agree with his mindset. The law of life in Christ is always about permission for our passions. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says,

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

That means that we have a green light until God turns it red. Go until God says no. Don’t sit here waiting for God to say yes. Go until He says no. Go for it!

Seriously, go for it!

God is with you. You have permission. Everything is yes and amen. If He wants it to be a no, He will show up and tell you. Until then, assume “yes.” Get over your bad self. Everything’s yes. Permission is granted.7

You have permission to desire, so pursue your passions! Allow your circumstances to come under God’s passion for you. If I am in Christ then so are my circumstances. If I cannot ever be separated from the love of God then surely my circumstances cannot be separated from the power and intention of God.

I love to close my eyes and imagine the Father and Jesus chatting about my life issues. The smiles, the easy going conversation, the delight in their agreement over me.

Does it change my situation? No! It relaxes me. I feel peaceful, I have confidence in who God is for me. All circumstances are firstly about my transformation. I am the Beloved. His love proves that to me. My trust in His love proves it right back. Another day in the Kingdom.

I digress.

God is more interested in your desires than your discipline.4

He calls us to live in a place of delight in Him. From that secret place He gives us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). Because God is always first, He delights to initiate and we delight to respond to Him. It is called being led by the Spirit.

The Christian experience is not about discipline. It’s about pleasure. When we see this life as being about discipline, we are convinced that we don’t have what we need to live it and it will be hard to get it. That’s not true. We have everything in Christ Jesus!

The trick is to stop asking God for help trying and start asking Him for helpwanting.

PS. For more on the subject, check out “The Art of Thinking Brilliantly.“

PPS. What is one thing you’ve been passionate about but waited on God for the green light to pursue? What would you do today if you knew God has given you the green light on all of your passions?

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BOOK REVIEW- The Paris Protection

 

BOOK REVIEW- The Paris Protection- While President Abigail Clarke attends a summit in Paris, an unknown enemy makes a brazen attempt on her life, inflicting horrific losses on her protection detail. Plunged into a battle beyond anything they could have trained for, Secret Service Agents Rebecca Reid and David Stone must find a way to keep the president alive. The attackers have vast resources and would sacrifice everything for a devastating blow against America. The agents must be willing to do no less.  AMAZON

The danger comes at you, clearly, in the opening chapter.  
Although I'm not a weapon's expert, it seemed like the details of them were good but without overtaking the actual story.  Good details also when it came to the security around the U.S. president.  You could feel the tension of always watching even with really great security measures in place.  Very detailed.  
It got so intense that I had to lay my kindle down for a few minutes just to catch my breath!  More than once.  When I looked again I wasn't even at 30% of the book yet. Whew!

 Maximilian Wolff, the evil mastermind was a great admirer of Hannibal and different methods of attack were formed by his study of that man.  A pivotal point in Maximilian's life had been 5 years before when he found a book.  A book had "opened his mind to the possibilities of living purely for a cause greater than himself."  That book had inspired him as he read about the brilliant strategies that Hannibal Barca performed against much superior forces.  Maximilian's actual background was something of a surprise.  Glimpses into each of the main character's lives was skillfully done with flashbacks of their lives prior to this attack. Although only a little bit is seen of  Rebecca Reid and David Stone.  Maximilian and Kazim were both fearsome, brilliant, and terrifying in their determination to kill the president and strike a blow against America.    But things weren't going to be quite as easy as they thought it would be, there is a crack team of equally brilliant people protecting the president.  They are equally determined to get her out and are willing to die if they have to.    And people will die.  On both sides.  
My final words on this book?   It was written in such a way that I felt like I was dropped right into the very middle of all the action.  Bravo!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Developmentally Disabled Young Adults Socialize Special Needs Cats

Developmentally Disabled Young Adults Socialize Special Needs Cats


Photo credit:
Gabe Souza, the Press Herald

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Publishers have offered some really good ebooks via Netgalley for free!!!

Book Review- Highland Heat

Book Review- Highland Heat-With blood still drying on the front lines at Waterloo, Lady Grace Carrington helps an injured soldier to a British medical tent. Though she believes she's pulled him to safety, in fact she has put them both in grave danger: Because when his brilliant blue eyes meet hers, the passionate Scottish sergeant kisses her in a way that leaves her breathless and trembling.  As the obedient daughter of an earl, Grace shouldn’t be tempted by   someone so far below her station. But as a red-blooded woman, she longs for so much more.  As far as Duncan Mackenzie is concerned, getting stabbed in the arm was the best thing that ever happened to him. When he wakes on the battlefield, the sight of Grace's lovely face sets his soul aflame. As an enlisted man and a farmer's son, however, pursuing his guardian angel means facing the wrath of London society, not to mention his own superiors in the British Army. Aye, but he'd risk all that and more just to keep her in his arms.  Amazon

The first meeting between Duncan and Grace starts out dramatic and their story ends up the same way.  Even though the two of them are from different classes, they still make an early, strong connection.  
Their friendship and love grows but so does the feelings of doom that they can never really be together.  When Duncan is released from his service in the military, he is recruited to a special covert unit, the Highland Knights.   Its a brotherhood that he has sworn his loyalty to.  It was an honorable, noble alliance with the sole duty to work at home in the interests and protection of the Crown.   Grace's sister, Claire was concerned with Grace's happiness but also that she wouldn't be hurt or compromised by her own actions.  Claire is married to a titled major who is also a part of the newly formed Highland Knights.   Claire becomes an advocate for Grace and Duncan, but will  it be enough to really change things?  There are twists and turns as dangers began to pop up and not just for the Highland Knights.  Anyone one they love is suddenly a target for a wealthy, fanatical group, of ruthless malcontents.   That definitely provided  an unexpected violent twist.  It all made for a good story.  

I was given a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.