Wednesday Night Bible Study (Dec 27, 2023) Bill WInston

   

YOUTUBE-FAVOR- BILL WINSTON

Praise (feat. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore) | Elevation Wo...

    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2oxGYpuLkw

+BOUGHT/ BOOK REVIEW- Love Me Like You Do (A Calamity Falls Small Town Romance Novel # 11) by Erika Kelley

How did the hottest hockey player in the NHL wind up braiding hair and hosting tea parties?

Because someone was foolish enough to name him co-guardian of their children. That's how.

Cole Montgomery's living his best life--until he gets a call from an attorney letting him know he's been entrusted with the care of two little girls. He can't imagine why anyone would think he was a good role model. He can't even keep a plant alive.

Lingerie designer Hailey Casselton grew up with a free-spirited mother. So, when she finds out she's the temporary co-guardian to two children, she's determined to give them the best Christmas they've ever had. Unfortunately, she has to live with the jerk from high school who ruined her senior year.

But she gets a glimpse of the man behind Cole's larger-than-life persona, and she likes what she sees. He might be used to living for himself, but he works hard to change his ways and meet the needs of these lost and scared girls. It doesn't take long for her to enter dangerous territory--falling for a guy who's never going to settle down.

Except...as much as Cole keeps saying he can't wait to get his freedom back...he can't deny these girls--and okay, even Hailey--have become the very best part of his life.

And he's not quite sure what to do about that.

AMAZON LINK 

5 STARS

 This story hits all the high marks for me ! Hailey and Cole are outstanding characters with great depth to them.  I couldn't not like them.  And as different as their upbringing was (she was poor and he was rich) they still had a thing or two in common.  For one thing although their parent loved them, they didn't meet their basic needs as they were growing up.  This was well done on the emotional level without descending into mush to my way of thinking. 

Those two little girls?  Paisley and Evvie were the added sparkle in the story. I enjoyed them so much and it was fun and touching to see how easy it was for Cole and Hailey to fall in love with them. 

Cole's father Trevor was a famous, very well liked actor.   This is where the riches came from although Cole was making big bucks as a great hockey player. I was so glad Trevor was included in the story. Not only was he bigger than life fun but he also adds more emotional connection as time goes on.

Did I like how the story ended ? Yes, and I'm so glad that I bought this book.  I had high hopes for it and those hopes were met. 

 By the way, this book cover was the first thing that caught my attention and caused me to slow and take another look.  So, for me it was a good cover choice !

BOOK REVIEW- The Edge (6:20 Man Book 2) by David Baldacci

   

The 6:20 Man is back, dropped by his handlers into a small coastal town in Maine to solve the murder of a CIA agent who knew America’s dirtiest secrets—can Travis Devine uncover the truth before his time runs out?
 
When CIA operative Jenny Silkwell is murdered in rural Maine, government officials have immediate concerns over national security. Her laptop and phone were full of state secrets that, in the wrong hands, endanger the lives of countless operatives. In need of someone who can solve the murder quickly and retrieve the missing information, the U.S. government knows just the chameleon they can call on.
 
Ex-Army Ranger Travis Devine spent his time in the military preparing to take on any scenario, followed by his short-lived business career chasing shadows in the deepest halls of power, so his analytical mind makes him particularly well-suited for complex, high-stakes tasks. Taking down the world’s largest financial conspiracy proved his value, and in comparison, this case looks straightforward. Except small towns hold secrets and Devine finds himself an outsider again.
 
Devine must ingratiate himself with locals who have trusted each other their whole lives, and who distrust outsiders just as much. Dak, Jenny’s brother, who’s working to revitalize the town. Earl, the retired lobsterman who found Jenny’s body. And Alex, Jenny’s sister with a dark past of her own. As Devine gets to know the residents of Putnam, Maine, answers seem to appear and then transform into more questions. There’s a long history of secrets and those who will stop at nothing to keep them from being exposed. Leaving Devine with no idea who he can trust... and who wants him dead.

AMAZON LINK 

5++ STARS

 The title for this book is Perfect !It's so fitting in more than one way.  But first off, The Edge has quite the edge to it.  I so enjoyed the descriptive way that this author writes.  One great example was when Travis was confronted by three men meaning to hurt him. This was written, "his senses did the preliminary calculations and ran it through the combat computer under his skull." Who writes like that ? I loved it !

Also the combat breathe was another thing worth mentioning. Inhale for a 4 count, hold for 4 count, exhale for 4 count, hold for a 4 count. Repeat. 

This story will definitely keep you on your toes, thinking you've got it figured out.  Right.  Too many secrets that are hidden for you to figure it out right out of the gate.  So well woven, making me have a suspicion here and there but so much more to the story.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and Travis was such a great main character too.  I liked him not only for his skill but also his goodness to other people as well.  He wasn't just a hardened warrior but he was also well able to relate to people in their pain.  He was sent as a "Fed" but he just kept surprising people.  They expected one thing and he just kept throwing them off balance.  Travis has a small unexpected romance that I hope will be revisited. But not sure that it will be

The ending was great and I hope there are more stories with Travis leading the way.

 

 “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- Into the Fire (Undaunted Courage# 1) by Irene Hannon

  

Christian | Mystery & Thrillers | Romance

Description

As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.

When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the danger escalates. But will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance--and maybe even their lives--go up in flames?

The bestselling and award-winning queen of romantic suspense is back with a brand-new series that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping as you burn through the pages to discover the truth. 

 

AMAZON LINK 

5 STARS

Intense story with great depth and main characters who also have great depth.  

It was easy to like both Bri and Marc as we got to see their personalities and wounds.  They each carried emotional wounds and Bri had the physical ones as well.  Another thing that they had in common was love for family and a never give up attitude.  Marc' love and care for his grandmother adds so much to the story too. 

The action in this one is ongoing and you almost feel like you fell into the rabbit hole with Bri and Marc.  At first it looked like nothing was going to happen when it came to the fiery death of her fellow fire investigator.  Well..until things began to unravel, bit by bit.  There is so much more though. And I liked how the tension was kept tight. 

The story comes to a stunning conclusion but a really good Epilogue.   

 

 

 “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

 

-NETGALLEY-

BOOK REVIEW- Plain Jane and The Enforcer(# 8 of Plain Jane Series) by Tmonique Stephens

   

Two alpha A-type personalities should never be in a relationship. Good thing because Bruno and Nevaeh want nothing to do with each other... Until a friend’s wedding changes everything.

No biggie. Sex between consenting adults with no expectations of anything deeper is perfectly fine. As long as it never happens again.

But it does happen again.

And again.

 And again.

No post-coitus cuddles and no strings attached. It’s the perfect arrangement for two people who have no intention of falling in love.

When one of them catches feelings and breaks the rules, the strings attaching them are suddenly steel cables.

There’s a thin line between love, hate, and obsession. And no line when you’re a victim to all three. It’ll never work. So, one of them has got to go. Who will it be? The mob enforcer with everything to lose? Or the chick with no filter who’s lost everything and has nothing left except vengeance.

 AMAZON LINK

4 STARS

I will say that this is definitely an adult story. Just so you know that going in.

Both Bruno and Nevaeh make really good main characters.  Nevaeh may have started out a loving, woman who was unloved, pretty much forgotten by family, and used by men but she's coming out of that shell.  NO one is going to use her ever again, she's over that and has moved on to the the one to enforce HER rules. 

Bruno didn't give too hoots for any woman, certainly not enough to change HIS rules. He also had his heart broken by a woman he trusted.  So he was done with that. He had his group of men that he trusted with his life and would give his life to trust them.  They all worked together to keep things together for their line of work.  Problem was so many of the men had fallen in love with strong women and they were happy, and building a life.

Something that really got to me was Bethany's part in the story.  She's a woman that Nineveh had found temp work with.  Nineveh was unexpectedly drawn to help her.  

Plenty of danger, enemies with some of them hiding in plain sight. You just know things are NOT going to work out well for those enemies.  

Towards the end of the story one of those enemies punishment did make me cringe.  

There is a good Epilogue and some good news for our couple. There is also a question that needs to be answered about another girl's parentage.  Which sounds like a lead in to another book.  Which does sound like a good idea. 

I just have to add how interesting the book covers are for this series and this cover doesn't disappoint either.  I REALLY like them. 

 “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

+BOUGHT/BOOK REVIEW- One Word from God Can Change Your Destiny

   

God has a magnificent plan for your life! Perhaps you've seen glimpses of it in the talents and abilities He's given you or even in the dreams you have for your future. But transforming your dreams into reality requires a combination of faith and hope. That's the kind of hope you'll find in this book the kind that forges a vision for your future! In this powerful book, you will gain the insight needed to place you on the road to your destiny and keep you there! Learn how to distinguish God's voice to find His specific plan for you and to sidestep any obstacles in your path. Allow the Word of God to build success in you and bring your dreams to life! Find the keys to realizing your destiny revealed by: Kenneth Copeland, Gloria Copeland, Jesse Duplantis, and Happy Caldwell Don't put your dreams on hold another day! Find out today how One Word From God Can Change Your Destiny...forever!

AMAZON LINK 

 5 STARS

It may be smaller but it packs quite the punch ! A good one.  

There's just so much here that there is no other way to review it than to say it is FULL of helpful Truths ! And you really need this book if you are in a jam.