BOOK REVIEW- THE ESCAPE(#3 The Survivors' Club)

After surviving the Napoleonic Wars, Sir Benedict Harper is struggling to move on, his body and spirit in need of a healing touch. Never does Ben imagine that hope will come in the form of a beautiful woman who has seen her own share of suffering. After the lingering death of her husband, Samantha McKay is at the mercy of her oppressive in-laws—until she plots an escape to distant Wales to claim a house she has inherited. Being a gentleman, Ben insists that he escort her on the fateful journey.

Ben wants Samantha as much as she wants him, but he is cautious. What can a wounded soul offer any woman? Samantha is ready to go where fate takes her, to leave behind polite society and even propriety in her desire for this handsome, honorable soldier. But dare she offer her bruised heart as well as her body? The answers to both their questions may be found in an unlikely place: in each other’s arms.
AMAZON  4 STARS

I liked this story mainly because of the main characters of the book.  Unique challenges had been a part of their life. There had been some happiness but most of it had been many years ago. I will say that it started out slow for awhile but it also helped give a good indication of where the both of them stood in their individual lives.  It was incredible how much guff Samantha put up with from her late husband's family.  Her father in law had way too much power and way too little mercy in him.  He wielded his power over his family like an iron fist.  Samantha's sister in law, who was staying with her to keep her in line, was more like a female dictator. She allowed nothing of smiles or laughter or much joy of any kind to be expressed.  At first Samantha was too exhausted from caring for her ailing husband for 5 years and numbed by  his dying so young that she barely noticed.  But it was becoming alarmingly clear that she was in a prison of sorts and would wither away if it continued.  Her first meeting with Benedict was both scary, dramatic and life changing although neither one of them realized it at the time.  Ben was a totally likable man battling enormous odds to find his place in his altered life.   I did like how both of the M.C's developed a friendship over time; each being cautious of each other especially at first.
There was quite a surprise with a few twists towards the end of the book.
There are no cliffhangers and there is a HEA. 

Old Shale Lace Baby Hat

Old Shale Lace Baby Hat



Skill Level- EASY

Jesse Duplantis ALL, Part 1

28:30 minutes

What Goes Up Must Come Down! by Dana Jarvis

What Goes Up Must Come Down!
by Dana Jarvis

Recently, I noticed that the spiritual atmosphere was brighter than usual. As a Seer, I often detect when a spiritual change takes place in the atmosphere; or a change where the spiritual atmosphere becomes brighter or transitions to various shades of darkness. It tells me that a significant spiritual shift is taking place.

The Lord then revealed to me a vast angelic army in an ocean of radiant light. They were simply standing there waiting and watching. I kept looking at the heavenly host feeling their anticipation as if they wanted to break through to something. They were ready for take-off! Then one of the angels that stood in front spoke and said, “It is not quite time just yet!” This angelic multitude wanted to burst in with a flood of divine activity, but those words held them back.

Then I heard the Lord say, “Tell my faithful ones, Heaven is coming down! Heaven is breaking in!”

The Lord is moved by those who did not grow weary in the place of prayer throughout their dry times, their mundane times, you remained steady. God loves the sound of your voice as it rises like incense before His throne. When we pray, our voices arise like a fragrance. He hears every prayer, every cry, every song, every plea - and He answers. What goes up must come down!

In this vision of the angelic host, I noticed they stand waiting for the words “Break Through” so they may go forth breaking through and bursting in your life with Heaven’s answer for you. I began to pray to the Lord to call them to go forth and release them to their awaited destination. As I began to pray, I saw other angels begin to rise up in the mountains. I saw them lining the clouds and looking down and even standing on the top of buildings. This is a season to look and expect God to break in. He is sending forth His angels of revival and restoration. He is sending those angels of breakthrough and healing. He is sending out those watcher angels to monitor the activities of God’s people and how they are responding to fulfill their destiny. As messengers of the Lord, they often communicate to those called to know the times, (Sons of Issachar) and communicate the heart of God to watchmen of intercession and those called with a specific purpose.

Cry out for the breaking in of the host of Heaven to go forth and strike the hearts of the lost. God is sending forth His mighty power. Heaven and earth are about to collide. The veil between the two is becoming thin. Revelation 5:8 tells us that the elders who are ever before the throne of God each hold a harp and bowl. The harp is a symbol of constant worship, and the golden bowl full of incense is the prayers of the saints. That is your voice. That is my voice. Our voice is ever before the throne of God. Prayers never die; they live on. So I cry out and I share this with you to assure you in your prayers that God is listening and He will answer. Each one of those angels standing in this heavenly multitude I saw is assigned to each one reading this today! They have something with your name on it!

Your prayers have gone up and your answer is coming down!

Dana Jarvis
www.hezekiahswall.weebly.com

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BOOK REVIEW- EXPLOSIVE FORCES

Danger is heating up…

When Carly Reese’s beloved fashion boutique catches fire, she sees her dreams go up in smoke. The good news is that Carly was saved from the flames by a barking dog nearby. She soon discovers the heroic pooch is a trained K-9 who’s guarding his unconscious partner …a gorgeous firefighter who ends up in Carly’s arms.

Noah Glover and his K-9 are a fearless duo, and Noah has clearly met his match with the brave, beautiful Carly. Soon they team up to track down the arsonist behind the blast – a psychotic criminal who’s intent on framing Noah. Meanwhile, the sparks between Noah and and Carly could ignite a five-alarm fire. Should they smother their feelings in the name of justice…or fan the flames of passion?   
AMAZON 4.5 STARS

A really good story.  Dramatic start.. and it isn't long before "evidence" begins to stack up against Noah.  He's up against a very clever enemy.  An enemy he didn't even know he had, someone who has had Noah in his sights for quite a while.  This book had a good story-line and great characters and that includes Harley, the dog.  

The "set up" against Noah was a good one and it continued in the book in a pretty good way.  How in the world is Noah going to get out of this alive and not in prison?  His enemy decides if  his plan to kill Noah didn't work at least he can destroy him and his reputation by sending him to prison.  All of this made the villain of the piece a really good adversary.  No light weight in any way. There are really good secondary people in the story too.  Carly's cousin Jarius was one who showed up from time to time and I enjoyed their relationship.   Carly all by herself was a hoot, what a great character.  Noah didn't have a chance of resisting her. 

There is one part where I am almost screaming at Carly, "don't do it, don't trust this person.  Get out."  I'm thinking don't be that person, for a smart woman don't do this stupid thing. 

It made me shake my head.  But when I calmed down, I realized it had to happen in order for the action to ratchet up to the next level.   This book had a lot of action and twists and turns and this did  move things faster to an explosive but satisfying ending.  

One of the things that really endeared this book to me, was the conversations between Carly and Noah.  I laughed more than once on the way they interacted.  They were even humorous during some of their foreplay.  I liked the writer's style and it felt like she did here homework when it came to fires and arson.  Later, I found out in her authors note that she did have a source of help in that area. 

I just have to share a couple of reasons why I also enjoyed this author's style of writing.  One of Noah's thoughts about Harley was "His furry companion might be a taste bud surrounded by fur.."  What a great description of his dog's always being on the hunt for food.  I also liked how one man was described as " a thirty-three year old man who ate like a teenager with a tapeworm."   Still makes me smile.  These phrases were good, I enjoyed them and they were sprinkled sparing throughout the story.  It didn't feel cheesy to me nor did it over-power the story.  

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

BOOK REVIEW- RULE'S BRIDE

 
Unrepentant rake Rule Dewar is living the good life when a most surprising event occurs--he falls in love with his wife.

After their strategic "marriage of commerce" three years ago, Rule quite forgot about Violet Griffin, the teenage heiress to a Boston manufacturing fortune. He simply spoke his vows, took over her father's business and returned to England to resume his usual pursuits: high-priced wine, high-stakes gambling and highborn women.

Yet when Violet, now a sophisticated woman, unexpectedly appears at Rule's London town house, husbandly duties no longer seem so odious--he can't wait to take his stunning bride to their marriage bed. Violet, however, is not so easily led: she has her own ideas and is seeking an annulment to marry another. But as Rule attempts to win her over, someone else is determined to frame him for murder and keep him out of the way for good....AMAZON  4.5  STARS

I was pleasantly surprised.  I have to admit expectations of this book weren't all that high. In fact, I wasn't really sure what to expect.   Yes, I know.  I've heard of this author and heard that she was a good one.  But I have been disappointed before by other similar plot-lines.  Well, I'm happy to say, I enjoyed this book and it got even better as the story went on.  Rule left a tomboyish innocent bride but when Violet came boldly back into his life it was a whole different ball game.  She is a strong woman now and she is now cynical about her "husband".  She's heard about his legendary lover status during her absence and she's not impressed.  Beautiful like her father said she would be but also a woman with a mission or two on her mind.  Her girlish wonder at his handsome beauty has been tarnished with reality and she wants out.  Now!  
Oh sure he's still handsome and can make her senses tingle, but she wants someone much better.  Someone who will love her and be faithful; something she's pretty sure he can't be.  Faithful!

Rule, has had his pick of women for years but he's been restless for a while.  Thinking that he needed a change, a challenge.  And then suddenly, Violet shows up and once he sees her, he wants her.  And then he sets out to seduce his wife.  The fun really starts then and as time goes on twists and turns begin to show up when it comes to the villain/villains of the piece.  How many of them are there?  There are plenty of suspects, with differing motives.  It makes it really interesting.   
There are secondary people in the story that add to it. Rule's family also plays a part in this book too, they come in handy helping him more than once and in more than one way.  
 Caroline who came with Violet from America, is another one of  the secondary characters.  She's Violet's cousin and she has a side story in this book as well.  I liked the challenges and the outcome of that story as well.
In fact, I liked the challenges and outcome of the whole story.
No cliffhangers and more than one HEA.

BOOK REVIEW-ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS

Most of the year Honoria “Honey” Westfield Campbell is a shoo-in for Miss Congeniality, but when it comes to Christmas she morphs into a Scrooge-arina. She wants to jingle her bells and deck her halls but she just can’t get into the spirit. Honey knows exactly why she breaks out in a sweat the minute the stores start putting up the holly. On a cold Christmas Day when she was seventeen she betrayed the only man she’s ever loved. All that’s in the past, but guilt, like love, doesn’t have a statute of limitations.
When Honey’s invited to spend the holidays skiing in the New Hampshire Mountains she jumps at the chance. But fate is fickle and she finds herself lost and stranded in a blizzard. Yikes! She’s about to panic when a Santa/Willie Nelson lookalike arrives on a snowmobile decorated like a Christmas sleigh. The helpful stranger delivers her to the Magic Tree Farm, and Matt–the ex-husband she’s never stopped loving. Oops–he has three kids and a dog. The homey environment of a family celebrating Christmas makes Honey nostalgic for the dreams of her youth. 
Can a miracle happen at the Magic Tree Farm? Will Honey rediscover the joy of Christmas and rekindle a romance with Matt? And who was that Santa/Willie Nelson lookalike?    AMAZON 4 STARS


Short, Sweet and Charming, that is how I would describe this book.  .   A perfectly good story for the Holidays.  
I liked both of the M.C.'s and thought that Matt and Honey were pretty well developed as likable people, in this shorter book (novella).  It didn't take long for me to be rooting for them to be together.   Wow, they might have been pretty young when they first got together but they sure had the cards stacked against them then.  It  was a really good look  at how lives were screwed up because of the control of others. 
Not a pretty picture but an amusing re-meeting of Matt and Honey, does bring around a second chance.  Now what are they going to do with it?  
The 3 kids mentioned in the blurb were a welcome addition and of course the youngest was especially charming.  
I'm still smiling from the warmth of the story.




I received the book as a gift.