Behind The Stage

About The Book:  Follow Christian minister Josh Allen’s harried life as he struggles to rescue his family and his church from the pitfalls of desire and intolerance in Anne Sanders’ new book, Behind the Stage. As his world falls apart, Josh must build a new life in a Southern town where temptation takes hold of his daughter and his congregation. On the church’s stage he leads his flock, but what will happen behind the altar?
About The Author:  Anne Sanders is an author, blogger, teacher and researcher. Her first articles were published in 1992. After working as a research consultant and teacher, she returned to writing in 2002 with the birth of her son. She began by crafting articles for a local newspaper and was picked up as a regular features contributor by the Pensacola News Journal.  She found herself writing features about people who made a difference through their life work or volunteering and wanted to help others see how they could do the same thing, especially Christians.

My Thoughts On The Book:  I am a pastor and pastor's wife and loved this book.  I understand the moving concept and it is difficult to pick up your life and move somewhere new every few years.  This book is about a year in the life of Pastor Josh.  The former pastor had been at the church for over fifteen years and when Josh comes in there are many congregants who are not happy with his views and his method of doing things.  Most pastor's know that when you are moved to a church it takes a year to learn how things run.  On top of learning the new church in a small town....he finds his own family is falling apart.  This is an easy and good read.  It was raining here and I sat and read the book.  Loved it!  Good job Anne Sanders on this debut book. 

Disclaimer: This book was given to me to review as part of Thomas Nelson Publishing Company's BookLook Blogging Program in exchange for an honest review.  The thoughts are entirely my own. 

A June Bride

About The Book:  A year's worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed. It takes a reality TV show for Wynne to realize love isn't just a game. Wynne Hardy never thought she'd get engaged on a reality TV show, but when she met Andy on The Rejection Connection, the two of them hit it off. Now he's asked her to marry him, much to the public's delight and fascination. They're all set to wed on live TV in a seaside ceremony at the height of the wedding season. But just as Wynne thinks all her dreams are coming true, her ex-boyfriend walks back into her life at the worst possible time. Steve broke her heart years ago, and she's still sorting through her feelings for him. Her heart isn't as clear as her head that it's past time to move on---even though she's engaged to Andy. At a local TV talk show appearance, Wynne meets Meredith, who won another reality TV show---Marathon Mom---proving herself nothing short of a superhero. As Wynne's beach wedding plans spin out of control, Meredith offers to help, unknowingly stepping on Wynne's secret feelings . . . and exposing some secrets Meredith has been keeping to herself. Can these two reality stars get real about their feelings? Will Wynne go through with her televised wedding and be the perfect June bride the network is looking for?
About The Author:  Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. The family lives outside Charlotte, NC. Marybeth is the author of the novels "The Mailbox," "She Makes It Look Easy," "The Guest Book" and "The Wishing Tree." She also serves as director of She Reads, an online book club focused on spotlighting the best in women's fiction. Marybeth spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes long enough to scribble some words. She's always at work on her next novel. You can find her online at www.marybethwhalen.com.
My Thoughts On The Book:  I have read all but one of the years worth of wedding novellas so far and loved them all.  This novella was my first book by Marybeth Whalen and I hope not my last.  Whalen did a remarkable job of drawing you into the plot.  I loved this story!  It was a quick read and very touching.  Whalen develops her characters to the point that you feel as if you know them personally.  Each of these is a stand alone novella so if you have not begun reading them you can jump in anywhere and fall in love with these brides, bridegrooms, and the ups and downs of getting married. 
Disclaimer: This book was given to me to review as part of Thomas Nelson Publishing Company's BookLook Blogging Program in exchange for an honest review.  The thoughts are entirely my own.  I cannot wait to read A July Bride!

Sarah's Choice

About The Book:  Only one thing stands in the way of Sarah's success . . . her unborn baby.  Sarah Collins is about to receive a promotion that will give her everything she's ever wanted: a huge pay increase, a new car, a fabulous apartment, and first-class travel.  But then she discovers she's pregnant. And while she thinks she loves her boyfriend, Matt, she isn't sure he's mature enough to be a responsible father. And the job she's pursuing is open only because the previous employee is out on maternity leave. She'd never be able to handle the travel as a single mom. Torn between advice from her coworkers, the adamant insistence of her mother and sister that she keep the baby, her insecurity about her relationship with Matt, and the void where her father should be, Sarah has no idea how to make this decision.  A Christmas card from a mysterious old woman is the catalyst for three visions of her future—and may just be the miracle she needs. But can she trust the visions? Are they the yearnings of a conflicted heart? Or are they true visions from the God she thought had turned his back on her?  For every woman who has made painful decisions, Sarah's Choice offers comfort, wisdom, and hope.
About The Author(s):  Rebecca St. James is both a Grammy and multiple Dove Award recipient as well  as a best-selling author whose books include Wait for Me and What Is He Thinking??  Her leading role in the pro-life film Sarah's choice won critical acclaim.  A passionate spokesperson for Compassion International, Rebecca has provided sponsorship to more than 30,000 children through her worldwide concerns.
Nancy Rue is the best-selling author of more than 1o0 books for tweens, teens, and adults, two of which have won Christy Awards.  Nancy is also a popular speaker and radio guest due to her expertise in tween and teen issues.  She and her husband, Jim, have raised a daughter of their own and now share their Tennessee lake home with two yellow labs. 
My Thoughts On The Book:  I love books that draw you in from the first page and although this book does not do that it does eventually make you sit down and listen to Sarah's story.  The story of choices, questions, and God really comes together.  Abortion is an ugly word to many and the books handing of  pro-life verses abortion can really strike a nerve with the reader.   Sarah's friendship with Audrey was my favorite part of the whole story as one pregnant woman helps another one make the most important decision of her life.  This is a good read and if you get the chance be sure and see the movie.  It follows the story line pretty close.  I am delighted that I had the chance to review this book.
Disclaimer: This book was given to me to review as part of Thomas Nelson Publishing Company's BookLook Blogging Program in exchange for an honest review.  The thoughts are entirely my own. 

A May Bride

About The Book:  She thinks she has prepared for her wedding all her life . . . but it seems she may have forgotten the most important part.  Ellie Martin, a country girl in Atlanta, has dreamed of a traditional wedding all her life-a wedding just like the one her younger sister is planning back home. Their single mom will pay for Alexa's wedding, but Ellie started her own wedding fund years ago. She only needs to find a groom.  At a wedding at her church, Ellie bumps into a man who's one of the guests. She's noticed him around the neighborhood, but today he introduces himself as Gray Whitby. They embark on a whirlwind romance, but her mother doesn't trust freewheeling men like Gray.  When Ellie risks her own future for her sister's sake, Gray feels betrayed. Will he always play second fiddle to Ellie's family?  Will Ellie and Gray reconcile their differences so her dream wedding can come true, or will the romance they've begun come crashing down?

About The Author:  Although she has lived more than half my life in other states, she is still a Californian at heart. She loves vintage bungalows, twisted oaks on rolling hills, and the rocky beaches of the Central Coast. A few blocks away from her childhood home stood a Lutheran church where she came to faith, first through Sunday School teachers whose kindness drew her to the kindness of God, and then through confirmation classes. The Bible verses that had been drilled into her head came to life in her heart.  After moving away from home as a teenager, she worked at a variety of jobs, from candle-maker in a tourist town to administrative assistant at a Christian college. She married a wonderful man from Michigan, and they lived north of Detroit for seventeen years. That's where they started homeschooling their three children, an endeavor that they finished in Georgia when their youngest graduated from high school in 2009.  Moseley and her husband live near Atlanta, close to the foothills of the Southern Appalachians. His motorcycle often carries them to the mountains of Georgia, Tennessee, or the Carolinas. Sitting on the back of the bike,she can pray, enjoy the beautiful views, and plot new stories. Fiction makes her world go 'round, whether she is writing it or reading it.

My Thoughts On The Book:  This is another in the series "A Year of Weddings"  published by Zondervan - Fiction. Each of these novellas focuses on a wedding and the trials and tribulations leading up to the event. This is a sweet story that is for your pure reading enjoyment.   The story begins with a renegade and this was something that was new to me.
During the renegade wedding Ellie meets Gray and the romance begins. Of all the Year of Weddings books this was not really one of my favorites.  Even with that it was still a great way to spend a few hours.  I cannot wait for the next in the series. 

Disclaimer: This book was given to me to review as part of HarperCollins Publishing Company's BookLook Blogging Program in exchange for an honest review.  The thoughts are entirely my own.  Thank you, NetGalley and Zondervan, for the opportunity to read A May Wedding

Happy Wives Club

 

 

About The Book:  One woman undertakes a worldwide search to learn the secrets of a great marriage—and finds one foundational truth that could change everything.  Happy Wives Club is Fawn’s journey across the world to meet her friends and discover what makes their marriages great. Join her on this exciting, exotic trip across six continents and through more than eighteen cities. Walk the streets of Mauritius, the historic ruins in Italy, and the vistas of New Zealand and Australia. Go from Cape Town to London, Manila to Buenos Aires, Winnipeg to Zagreb.  Along the way, you will meet everyday women whose marriage secrets span cultures. You will hear their stories, witness their love, and be inspired by the proof that happy, healthy marriages do exist—and yours can be one of them!  It turns out great marriages are all around us—when we look for them. Go on a trip with Fawn and learn the best marriage secrets the world has to offer.

About The Author:  Fawn Weaver was a happily married woman running a successful business—and then something happened. Maybe it was divorce rate reports on the evening news, The Real Housewives of Orange County, or any daytime talk show where husbands and wives dramatically reveal their betrayals. Everywhere she looked, Fawn saw negative portrayals of marriage dominating the airwaves and dooming everyone to failure.

Looking at Keith, the love of her life, she knew that wasn’t true. She was determined to find and connect with women just like her—happy and optimistic about marriage, deeply in love with her spouse, and committed to building a strong marriage that stands the test of time.

On a whim, she started the blog HappyWivesClub.com and sent the link to a few of new friends. What started as a casual invitation to five women exploded into an international online club with 150,000 members in more than 100 countries.

My Thoughts On The Book:  My first marriage lasted over 23 miserable years and finally ended in divorce.  I was the one who left.  I am now on my 12th year of my second marriage and this book is about where I am now in my life.  I am an avid reader, and love self-help books, yet when I chose to review this book I was dreading it.  To my joy and amazement I could hardly put it down. I loved this book so much that I have found myself sharing it with friends when we meet for coffee each morning.  I have found myself sending snippets to friends who live far away.  I have found myself finding friends written within the stories of the book. It was so inspirational and so encouraging.   This collection of stories from couples who have been happily married from around the world is something all newlyweds need to have in their personl libraries.  Marriage is hard.  A happy marriage is even harder. It was eye opening to see that the core elements to having a happy marriage are the same for everyone in the world.  It does not matter where we live, who we are, or what we do. I would highly recommend this book and will definitely be sharing this book with newlyweds, friends, and family members!  Thank you Thomas Nelson for allowing me to review it! Thank you Fawn Weaver for having the inspiration and insight to write this book and start the Happy Wives Club!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing Company and Book Sneeze and Booklook Bloggers. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*