Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Bathed In Prayer By Jan Karon GIVEAWAY!




A new must-have collection for fans of the New York Times bestselling Mitford series, featuring the prayers, sermons, and inspiration from beloved Father Tim, as well as new essays and reflections on faith from author Jan Karon.Over the course of fourteen novels, millions of readers have fallen in love with the faith, encouragement, and wisdom that are at the very heart of Jan Karon's Mitford series. Now, for the first time, readers will have the chance to walk with Father Tim through a collection of prayers, sermons, and inspirational passages that incorporates material from each of the novels. In addition, fans will get to hear directly from author Jan Karon, in a brand-new essay about her own personal journey in faith and the ways that the Mitford novels have impacted her.

Full of advice and inspiration from the characters that fans have followed for years, this beautifully designed compilation will soon become a staple for any Mitford reader.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Bathed-Prayer-Prayers-Sermons-Reflections/dp/0525537562/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540779396&sr=8-1&keywords=bathed+in+prayer+jan+karon


Jan Karon is the author of the bestselling series of nine Mitford novels featuring Father Timothy Kavanagh, an Episcopal priest, and the fictional village of Mitford. Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karon's Mitford books include At Home in Mitford; A Light in the Window; These High, Green Hills; Out to Canaan; A New Song; A Common Life: The Wedding Story; In This Mountain; Shepherd's Abiding; and Light from Heaven. The Father Tim Novels include "Home to Holly Springs" and last fall's release of "In the Company of Others," set in County Sligo, Ireland. There are over 40 million Mitford and Father Tim novels, childrens books, and CDs in print.

My Thoughts...

Are you a fan of Karon's Mitford series?
If you  said YES, then you are going to flip for this book full of  inspirational quotes and prayers and sermons. This would make the perfect gift for those who are big readers and have everything already. I'm sure that they would cherish this.
Jan has written about her faith in this book you don't ant to miss that.
I gave this book 4 stars and recommend it. Perfect gift I think.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.


To be entered in the GIVEAWAY, leave a comment below and you must share this blog post and follow this blog.

Monday, October 29, 2018

The Happy Stay at Home Mom By Sara Gaviria




Finally: A Guide About Taking Care of Mom During Baby’s First Year

What if you could let go of the guilty feelings that come with leaving a career to stay at home with your little one? What if you could overcome common new motherhood struggles and achieve sleep, sanity and self-fulfillment – all without breaking a sweat? (Okay, occasional sweating is fine.)
In other words, what if you had a handbook that explained not what to do with your new baby in that trying first year, but what to do with yourself?
These are the questions Sara Gaviria started asking herself midway through her pregnancy. Before the bun in the oven, she had lived in different countries, worked as a Manager of Hispanic Publications, and enjoyed the company of colleagues in a corporate environment.
So when she had a full-on panic attack at the enormity of her decision to leave her sales and marketing career and become a stay at home mom, she started looking for resources to show her the way. That’s when she discovered … there aren’t any!
So she wrote the book on happy mommy-hood herself. In this helpful and hilarious guide, you’ll encounter insightful stories, incisive research, and charming personal anecdotes. You’ll also learn:
  • What no one (seriously, no one) tells you about your body after delivery
  • How to cope with breastfeeding obstacles and overcome challenges
  • How to deal with one of the most common emotional after effects of pregnancy
  • Why the best-laid birth plans go awry … and what to do about it
  • How to approach eating and exercise (without saying goodbye chocolate!)
  • Why you need fitness plans broken down by month
  • How to transform any complexion from droopy to dewy immediately
  • Why you should take your grandmother’s old beauty trick seriously
  • The no-fuss approach to beauty, stretchmarks, hair, and sunglasses (yes, sunglasses)
  • The Mommy Dress Code, and how to stop breaking it for good
  • What to do about your husband – er, that is, how to act in partnership with your husband
  • How to remain mindful through the madness of the first year
  • How to reconnect with a tribe in your target market (fine, so Sara may not have let all of the marketing lingo go)
  • Why “lean in” may be the exact wrong advice for you
  • Why “finding your passion” is more than a buzz phrase, and how to go about it

See, being a mom is more than learning the right breastfeeding tips, dealing with postpartum depression and losing weight after pregnancy. It’s more than skincare and tribes and healthy sleep habits. It’s all those things too, of course – but with a huge dash of realism, tranquility and wit all mixed in. Sound like the recipe for your first year? You’re in luck.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Stay-at-Home-Mom-amazing-having/dp/0692090614/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1540778504&sr=8-1


 
Sara Gaviria is a Colombian journalist with an MA in Marketing and Communications from Westminster University, U.K. She has lived in London and California, working as an advertising executive for media publications such as The San Diego Union-Tribune, serving in her last position as a Manager of Hispanic Publications. She now makes her mission to help other mothers take care of themselves post pregnancy through her writing. Sara currently lives in Houston with her husband and son.

My Thoughts...

This is a book for new moms and it is chock full of ideas and helpful tips as well as recipes.
You are not alone new moms and author and mother Sara Gaviria is here to lend you the support you need.
Sara has your backs new moms, if you are experiencing it Sara has a tip to help you.
This is a good book for new moms. I would give this book at baby showers and make sure to let Sara know how you like it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Thursday, October 25, 2018

Holy Roar By Chris Tomlin CD GIVEAWAY!




HOLY ROAR: the freedom, the experience, the wonder of worship. It is seeing the church come together, hands lifted to God, pouring out our praise with an eternal song in our hearts. It’s every voice together, changing the way we worship.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Roar-Chris-Tomlin/dp/B07DKRRZZ9/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1540421301&sr=8-1






Chris Tomlin is one of the most heralded singer-songwriters in the world who has amassed an impressive body of work. He has sold more than 8 million albums, 11.3 million digital tracks with 16 #1 singles. Chris is one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 Billion digital radio streams, others include Justin Timberlake, Pitbull and Garth Brooks. 

The Grammy® winner’s list of music awards include an American Music Award, 3 Billboard Music Awards, 21 Dove Awards, a BMI Songwriter of the Year Award and more. Chris’ concert tours have sold-out venues in major cities including New York City’s Madison Square Garden, The Forum in Los Angeles, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and Red Rocks in Denver, among others. This spring, Chris marked another career milestone by launching his own imprint record label, Bowyer & Bow, in partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group.
 
 
My Thoughts...

Chris Tomlin is one of my favorite Christian artist. Several churches in my area the worship leaders perform a great deal of his songs. Chris is one of the few musicians when I listen to his albums I never skip over a song. I can listen to every song. Holy Roar is no different. Tomlin has written another album for the ages. I like every song on the CD. My personal favorite is Nobody Loves Me Like You. It is another playlist  of songs that will have hands lifted to God and raising their voices to Him.
I gave this CD 4 stars. It would make a great gift.
The Mary Reader received this CD from @flybypromotions for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
 
Post by AJ
 
 
To be entered in the CD GIVEAWAY, leave a comment below and you must share this blog post and follow this blog.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

His Promise By Shelly Shepard Gray




New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray’s latest Christmas novel in her Amish of Hart County series.
It’s set to be a white Christmas in Hart County, and Grace King is pet-sitting in a beautiful home with only a difficult dachshund for company. Just as she starts to miss the bustle of her large Amish family, Grace runs into a familiar face. Living right next door is John Michael Miller. He’s a fireman now, but five years ago, he had courted her older sister, then broke her heart. Seeing him again stirs Grace’s anger, but also reminds her of deeper feelings she’s done her best to deny.
The infatuation John Michael once saw in Grace’s eyes is long gone, though his complicated attraction to her remains. He had walked away all those years ago when he realized he was falling in love with the wrong sister. Now, as suspicious fires are set in their community, that’s not an option. Grace dismisses his warnings, and John Michael vows to keep an eye on her. But he can’t help wondering if he’s reconnected with Grace, only to risk losing her again.
Now all John Michael wants for Christmas is to keep Grace safe, in the hopes that they can one day have a future together.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/His-Promise-Amish-Christmas-County/dp/0062469193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540337950&sr=8-1&keywords=his+promise+shelley+shepard+gray

Shelley Shepard Gray lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. A busy wife and mother of two, she spends her days writing and keeping track of her two teenagers. Her two dogs keep her company when she writes in her basement.

Shelley enjoys writing about the Amish and visits Amish communities in Adams and Holmes counties several times a year. When not spending time with her family or writing, she serves on several committees in her church.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news...or become her friend on FaceBook.

My Thoughts...

Gray always writes with so much compassion and the story is always very inspirational.
You are going to enjoy your trip to Hart County. And my dog loving friends are going to love the dachshund.
Mystery and romance in one Christmas story.
I gave this book 4 stars and recommend it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

The Christmas Remedy By Cindy Woodsmall





When an Old Order Amish woman takes a job at a small-town pharmacy struggling to survive in a world of "big box" stores, her motive is to help her Plain community. But the advent of the holiday season brings an unusual mystery to the surface--and possibly love.Twenty-four-year-old Holly Zook lives a unique life for a young Amish woman. Years ago, her bishop allowed her to continue her education and become the lead technician for Greene's Pharmacy, an old-timey drugstore that looks out for the Amish community--a group largely without secure healthcare plans. She knows she can't marry and hold onto her professional job. She's Amish, and she can only have one or the other, so she spurns love and works toward addressing treatable diseases--like the one that claimed her father's life.

As long as Holly continues to avoid Joshua Smucker, the one man who draws her like a warm hearth in winter, she should be fine. When something unexpected threatens Greene's Pharmacy, Holly and Joshua must work together to unravel what's happened and find the "missing" patient before the Board of Pharmacy shuts them down. As the snows of December arrive, with Christmas in the air, will Holly succumb to the generous spirit of the season?

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Remedy-Amish-Romance/dp/0735291047/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539879319&sr=8-1&keywords=the+christmas+remedy+woodsmall%2C+cindy+and+erin+woodsmall

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times, CBA, ECPA, and USA Today best-selling author who has written twenty-two (and counting!) works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Cindy has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal,and has worked with National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life. Wall Street Journal listed Cindy as the one of the top three most popular authors of Amish fiction.

She's won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer's Choice Awards, Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings' Best Books of the Year. She's been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice Awards.

Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she didn't realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn't allow television or radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During the numerous times Luann came to Cindy's house to spend the night, her rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them--afraid that if they didn't, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann's because her family didn't own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the relationship. While navigating around the adults' disapproval and the obstacles in each other's lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy's family moved to another region of the US.

As an adult, Cindy became friends with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her. Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God can accomplish through His children. Over the years Cindy has continued to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite communities--from the most conservative ones to the most liberal.

Cindy and her husband reside near the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains in their now empty nest. 

If you'd like more information or to contact her, you can go to her website: http://www.cindywoodsmall.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall


My Thoughts...

Woodsmall Has given us a gift this Christmas season. The Christmas Remedy.
You are in for a treat with this book, great storyline and generous characters.
Don't forget to pick up an extra copy for your friends and family.
4 stars for this one. I recommend it.
  The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Friday, October 19, 2018

Bless your Husband By Angela Mills




Sometimes, choosing to love your husband is hard. Whether you've been married one year or 31 years, chances are he's done things that have frustrated you, angered you, hurt you, or flabbergasted you. But after arguing over how to load the dishwasher yet again, you might be wondering how you can show him that you really do love him.

In as little as 15 minutes a day, you can do something meaningful for your husband and grow in your faith. From washing his car to writing a positive post about him on social media to watching his favorite movie with him, these pages are full of creative, simple, and interactive ideas on how to bless your husband. You'll discover daily Scripture verses, inspirational readings, and journaling prompts to encourage you as well!

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Bless-Your-Husband-Creative-Encourage/dp/0764231766/ref=sr_1_1?s=gift-cards&ie=UTF8&qid=1539886371&sr=8-1&keywords=bless+your+husband

Angela Mills is an author and blogger known for her transparency and encouragement for women. She's been married to her best friend for 18 years and is a homeschool mom to two daughters.

Angela runs a private Facebook group for thousands of Christian wives and has written over 60 articles online for various websites. She is passionate about following Jesus, helping marriages thrive, and encouraging women to intentionally love their husbands and children.

Her first book, Bless Your Husband, comes out in October of 2018. When not writing or teaching or playing with her grandson, Angela loves to bake or escape into a good book. An avid reader, she brings a book with her everywhere she goes.

You can connect with Angela here:
angelamillsbooks.com
Facebook.com/AuthorAngelaMills
Or you can join her private group for wives at: facebook.com/groups/BlessingYourHusbandDailyChallenges

My Thoughts...

Oh my ladies, this is a fantastic read.  Very Creative ideas. It is a life changing book. So much advice and helpful tips. You all should see my copy I have wrote all in it.
Mills really gets you to think and to open your heart.
This book really shows you  some things to strengthen your marriage and help keep the flame burning in your relationship.
The more that you work on the things that you need to the better off you both will be.
5 Stars and I HIGHLY recommend all my friends read this one.
 The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Missionary Mom By Shontell Brewer




Mission work is not for the faint of heart. We admire those brave souls who leave behind the comforts of home and go to foreign fields to bring the love of Christ to people in need. And sometimes it feels uninspiring to be stuck at home in the day-to-day of parenting when others are out there changing the world, soul by soul.

Shontell Brewer has a message to renew the spirits of everyday moms: they too have a critical calling as the very first missionaries their children meet. In her informal, funny voice, Brewer points out the many unexpected parallels: A missionary may need to learn a foreign language and new customs to understand and communicate with those around her. A missionary has to follow the path God puts before her, sacrificing sleep, comfort, time, and toilets. Sound like any moms you know?

Brewer tackles common challenges from mom-guilt to the temptation to be a martyr to those days when it feels like only a box of cookies and a Netflix binge can restore a sense of peace. But through it all, she shares the truth that there's more to parenting than potty training and orthodontist appointments. Mothers make the love of Christ tangible and understandable to their children. With determination and a few purposeful steps, moms can embrace their own mission field, leading their families--heart, soul, mind, and strength--to Christ.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Missionary-Mom-Embracing-Mission-Field/dp/0825445388/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538567123&sr=8-1&keywords=missionary+mom+shontell+brewer

Shontell Brewer is a wife, mother, kindergarten teacher, and associate pastor with Foursquare International in Reno, Nevada. She holds a master of science degree in teaching English as a second language and a master of arts in Christian studies with an emphasis in urban ministry. Her blog, Nonsense at Its Finest, can be found at shontellbrewer.com.

My Thoughts...

This was such a fun read, I loved the humor throughout the book as well as the great advice for moms.
Let me not forget that there is scripture as well all throughout the book which makes it even better.
Moms who feel like they are not doing what they think they are called to do being a stay at home mom need to grab a copy of this is take a long hot bath and read what Brewer has to say to you.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

A Sparkle of Silver By Liz Johnson





Ninety years ago, Millie Sullivan's great-grandmother was a guest at oil tycoon Howard Dawkins' palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Now, Millie plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of the same manor. But when her grandmother suggests that there is a lost diary containing the location of a hidden treasure on the estate, along with the true identity of Millie's great-grandfather, Millie sets out to find the truth of her heritage--and the fortune that might be hers. When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate's private library, he threatens to have her fired. But her story seems almost too ludicrous to be fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up . . .

Get ready for a romantic escapade through dark halls and dusty corners that will have you holding your breath and sighing with delight as two charming characters get caught up in the adventure of uncovering the past and finding their way to an unexpected future.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Sparkle-Silver-Georgia-Coast-Romance/dp/0800729625/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538998257&sr=8-1&keywords=a+sparkle+of+silver+by+liz+johnson


By day Liz Johnson is the marketing director for a radio network. She finds time to write late at night and is a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Liz makes her home in Tucson, AZ, where she enjoys theater, exploring local history, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. Find out more about Liz at www.LizJohnsonBooks.com.

My Thoughts...

Book one in the Georgia Coast Romance series was out of this world.
Johnson is becoming one of my go to authors. She never disappoints.
Millie and her search was so much fun. I ended up liking Ben as the story progressed.
Maybe because I am going through what Millie as dealing with, with her grandma with my own dad this made the story so much more real.
This is a 5 star book that I highly recommend. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.


Monday, October 15, 2018

Every Breath By Nicholas Sparks GIVEAWAY!





In the romantic tradition of The Notebook and Nights in Rodanthe, #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks returns with a story about a chance encounter that becomes a touchstone for two vastly different individuals -- transcending decades, continents, and the bittersweet workings of fate.Hope Anderson is at a crossroads. At thirty-six, she's been dating her boyfriend, an orthopedic surgeon, for six years. With no wedding plans in sight, and her father recently diagnosed with ALS, she decides to use a week at her family's cottage in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, to ready the house for sale and mull over some difficult decisions about her future.
Tru Walls has never visited North Carolina but is summoned to Sunset Beach by a letter from a man claiming to be his father. A safari guide, born and raised in Zimbabwe, Tru hopes to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding his mother's early life and recapture memories lost with her death. When the two strangers cross paths, their connection is as electric as it is unfathomable . . . but in the immersive days that follow, their feelings for each other will give way to choices that pit family duty against personal happiness in devastating ways.

Illuminating life's heartbreaking regrets and enduring hope, EVERY BREATH explores the many facets of love that lay claim to our deepest loyalties -- and asks the question, How long can a dream survive?

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Every-Breath-Nicholas-Sparks/dp/1538728524/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539613713&sr=8-1&keywords=nicholas+sparks+books+2018

Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 105 million copies sold worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 75 million copies in the United States alone.

Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), and See Me (2015) as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His newest book, Two by Two, was published on October 4, 2016.

Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars.

In 2012, Sparks and his publishing agent and creative partner Theresa Park, launched Nicholas Sparks Productions, with Park as President of Production. A film version of The Guardian is currently in development, as is a film based on Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers’s friendship with Chicago Bears teammate Brian Piccolo.

Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4 x400 meter, in New York. The record still stands. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.

The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to improving cultural and international understanding through global education experiences for students of all ages was launched in 2011. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.

My Thoughts...

If your favorite book by Sparks is The Notebook then you are going to LOVE Every Breath.
The Kindred Spirit mail box on the beach is a real thing here in  North Carolina. It is what we call the original blog.
This is a very intense romance. So much empathy. You have to read this book. It is going to be your new favorite by Sparks.
The Mary Reader received this book from the author for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.


You must follow this blog and share this post to be entered in the GIVEAWAY! I will be mailing out the book tomorrow.

Delayed Justice By Cara Putman




She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard.
Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.
Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.
This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life


Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Delayed-Justice-Cara-C-Putman/dp/0785217916/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538566208&sr=8-1&keywords=delayed+justice+putman



Since the time I could read Nancy Drew, I have wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 I attended a book signing at my local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, is history. There I met Colleen Coble. With prompting from my husband, I shared my dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, I've been writing award-winning books with the count currently at 29.

In addition to writing, I am a mom of four, attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women's ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, my husband, and my kids. I graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!), George Mason Law School, and Purdue University's MBA program. You can learn more about my books at http://www.caraputman.com. And if you'd like a copy of my legal suspense novella, Dying for Love, simply connect with me here (http://www.caraputman.com/contact/) , and I'll send you the link.

My Thoughts...

Putnam to me is one of the best when you want a good court room thriller. The character introduction is great and the faith that each character displayed is bar none fantastic. The two main characters in the book are totally lovable but I must warn you, the heel in this story is to me the worse type of bad there is. The main female character is a very strong female and very brave. I really enjoyed reading this book.
I gave this book 5 stars. I highly recommend this book, as well as the whole series.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.


Review by AJ

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Catching Christmas By Terri Blackstock






This Year, Christmas Comes Just in Time
As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.
The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is paying his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild-goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.
When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Catching-Christmas-Terri-Blackstock/dp/0310351723/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1539135693&sr=8-1-spons

Terri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over six million copies sold worldwide. She has had over twenty-five years of success as a novelist. Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in an Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual "new kid," her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.

In 1994 Terri was writing for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening drew her into the Christian market. As she was praying about her transition, she went on a cruise and noticed that almost everyone on the boat (including her) had a John Grisham novel. It occurred to her that some of Grisham's readers were Christians, and that if she wrote a fast-paced thriller with an added faith element, she might just find her niche. As God would have it, Christian publishers were showing interest in the suspense genre, so she quickly sold a four-book series to Zondervan. Since that time, she's written over thirty Christian titles, most of them suspense novels.

Besides entertaining her readers, Terri tackles issues that she hopes will change lives. Her recent book, Predator, was inspired by her experiences on Facebook and Twitter, and her concern that people posted too much personal information about themselves. The book deals with an online predator who uses social networks as his playground. She hopes the book will change readers' online habits. Her New York Times best-seller, Intervention, was inspired by her own personal struggles with a daughter on drugs. In the book, a mother hires an interventionist for her drug-addicted daughter. But on the way to treatment, the interventionist is murdered, and the daughter disappears. Barbara, the mother, sets out to search for her daughter. Terri modeled Barbara after herself, and poured many of her own emotions and experiences into that character. As a result, many families experiencing drug addiction have written to thank her for telling their story and giving them hope.

Other recent books include her stand-alone novel Shadow in Serenity, and Vicious Cycle (Book 2 in her Intervention Series). She's also known for popular series such as the Restoration Series, the Cape Refuge Series, the Newpointe 911 Series, and the SunCoast Chronicles series.

Terri has appeared on national television programs such as "The 700 Club" and "Home Life," and has been a guest on numerous radio programs across the country. The story of her personal journey appears in books such as Touched By the Savior by Mike Yorkey, True Stories of Answered Prayer by Mike Nappa, Faces of Faith by John Hanna, and I Saw Him In Your Eyes by Ace Collins.



My Thoughts...



I devoured this book and was left wanting more. I laughed and cried I was blown away.
The best romance you will read this holiday season.
If you only buy one Christmas book this year, This is the one you will want to read and reread each year. 
I gave this book 5 stars two times. I HIGHLY recommend this book.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Lethal Target By Janice Cantore GIVEAWAY!




Police Chief Tess O’Rourke thought she’d taken care of her small town’s drug problem last year. But now Rogue’s Hollow residents are up in arms over a contentious vote on legalizing the sale of marijuana within city limits. And when an eighteen-year-old is found dead of a possible overdose, Tess wonders if the local pot farms might be involved and begins to fear that a new, deadlier drug supply chain has cropped up. As tempers flare and emotions boil over, Tess faces the possibility of losing the town’s support.

With her relationship to Sergeant Steve Logan on shaky ground, Tess could really use a friend, and she feels drawn to Pastor Oliver Macpherson’s quiet presence. But the anger she holds over her father’s death prevents her from embracing his faith and finding peace.

Battling storms within and without, Tess is shocked when a familiar face from her past shows up in town to stir up more trouble. And his threats against Tess may prove lethal.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Lethal-Target-Line-Janice-Cantore/dp/1496423747/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538996135&sr=8-1&keywords=lethal+target+by+janice+cantore



A former Long Beach, California, police officer of twenty-two years, Janice Cantore worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, administration, juvenile investigations, and training. She's always enjoyed writing and published two short articles on faith at work for Cop and Christ and Today's Christian Woman before tackling novels. She now lives in a small town in southern Oregon, where she enjoys exploring the forests, rivers, and lakes with her Labrador retrievers, Abbie and Tilly.

Janice writes suspense novels designed to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired. Crisis Shot is the first title in her latest series. Janice also authored the Cold Case Justice series—Drawing Fire, Burning Proof, and Catching Heat—the Pacific Coast Justice series—Accused, Abducted, and Avenged—and the Brinna Caruso novels, Critical Pursuit and Visible Threat.

Visit Janice's website at www.janicecantore.com and connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JaniceCantore.

My Thoughts...

I love a good who done it. I really couldn't figure out who was responsible for the murders until the author wrote it. Most books I read I can figure it out. The characters were developed well. There is a great deal about this book I liked and enjoyed.The one thing that got to me was the setting was in a state that had legalized marijuana and the town has a local marijuana farm. I have to say this before I go to far, is the author when she referred to the "pot farm" it was never pro legalization. To me I grew tire of everyone saying "pot farm". With that said there is nothing else that I didn't enjoy about this book. I gave this book 3 stars. 
 The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Post By AJ
 

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Winnie The Early Years By Dandi Mackall




Now younger readers can saddle up and join Winnie and her family at the Willis Wyoming Ranch!Winnie is the star of the bestselling Winnie the Horse Gentler series that sold more than half a million copies and taught kids around the world about faith, kindness, and horse training. Winnie could ride horses before she could walk, but training them is another story. In this new series, eight-year-old Winnie learns the fine art of horse gentling from her horse wrangler mom as they work together to save the family ranch.

Winnie would love to be one of the popular kids, but is it worth joining in on their bullying? When her class comes to the ranch for a field trip, Winnie has to decide if she’s going to stand up for her friends, both human and horse.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Horses-Best-Friend-Winnie-Early/dp/1496432843/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538064877&sr=8-1&keywords=winnie+the+early+years

Dandi won her first writing contest as a 10-year-old tomboy. Her 50 words on "Why I Want to Be Batboy for the Kansas City A's" won first place, but the team wouldn't let a girl be batboy. It was her first taste of rejection.

Since then, Dandi Daley Mackall has become an award-winning author of nearly 500 books for adults and children of all ages, with sales of 4 million copies in 22 countries. MY BOYFRIENDS' DOGS is now a Hallmark movie. THE SILENCE OF MURDER won the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. Her picture books range from rock and roll, ROCK AWAY GRANNY! to legends and history, like Legend of Ohio, Legend of Saint Nicholas, Rudy Rides the Rails: A Depression Era Story, FLIPSIDE STORIES, showing the same story from different points of view. Awards include: Notable Book; Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People National Council of Social Studies; Children's Book Council; the Angel Award; Award of Excellence from Chicago Book Show; Christian Book of the Year; Mom's Choice Awards & Amelia Bloom Award. Eva Underground, Harcourt young adult novel, nominated ALA Best Book with starred reviews, awarded a Top Teen Read by New York Public Library, finalist for Ohioana Award, was based on the author's experiences behind the Iron Curtain. Love Rules was awarded Romantic Times' Top Pick. Middle-grade fiction, Larger-than-Life Lara, which teaches how to write, while tackling the problem of bullying, made the KY Bluegrass Award List, William Allan White Award list, KS, Delaware, and KY Children's Choice lists. Her Winnie the Horse Gentler series has sold over half a million books and Starlight Animal Rescue is a Gold Medallion finalist. Dandi received the Helen Keating Ott Award for distinguished contribution toward promoting high moral and ethical values in children and young adult literature. She also received the Distinguished Alumna Award in 2008 from the University of Missouri.

Her latest novel is WITH LOVE, WHEREVER YOU ARE, based on the incredible true story of her parents, Army doctor and Army nurse in WW2, received starred reviews. Visit: https://youtu.be/LJL59-UsAyo
and www.withlovebook.dandibooks.com

Dandi is a national speaker, keynoting at conferences and Author events, and has made dozens of appearances on TV, including ABC, NBC, and CBS.
Visit Dandi at her website (www.dandibooks.com) and on social media websites:
facebook.com/dandi.mackall  
goodreads.com
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85oaIUbJ8j8

My Thoughts...

This is such a cute book. The little's are going to love this chapter book.
The story is one they will learn from and have some fun reading.
it's and easy read for  eight and nine year olds.
I gave this book 4 stars and recommend it for the little ones.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Monday, October 8, 2018

Burden of Proof By Diann Mills



Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.

As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Burden-Proof-DiAnn-Mills/dp/149642705X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1538965784&sr=8-2&keywords=burden+of+proof

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader's Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the following social media platforms or others listed at diannmills.com.

facebook.com/diannmills
twitter.com/diannmills
instagram.com/diannmillsauthor

My Thoughts...

I absolutely loved this book. The characters were developed excellently. Like every good book there will be characters you love and some you love to hate. This story has it all, action, comedy, drama, romance, faith and much more. Jason and his family were strong in strength and in there faith in God. I thought the story was going to be cut and dry and right when I thought I had the story figured out the author threw me a twist. I will be reading more from Mills. In fact I can't wait for her next book.
I gave this book 4 stars I recommend it.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

 Post by AJ

Friday, October 5, 2018

Marked By Love By Tim Stevens



If you’ve ever been discouraged by Christianity—whether you’ve been a lifelong churchgoer or someone who left religion a long time ago—this book will change your life.

God only spoke twice while Jesus was on earth. (We should probably sit up and pay attention.) Both times He said: Jesus is “marked by my love.” No tattoo. No handshake. No team colors or logos or code words. The only thing that marked Jesus Christ and the only thing that would mark His followers—love.

Consider. . .
How would I treat someone who I disagree with in a political discussion if I ran everything I said through a filter of love?
How would I care for someone who is contemplating an abortion if I were marked by His love?
How would I help a friend going through a divorce if I really loved him and his family?
What would be different about my social media posts or comments if I really loved the people I was responding to or writing about?
How would I show love toward the gay couple that moved in next door if I was actually following in Jesus’ steps?
How would I treat the Hispanic family who I think may have crossed the border illegally and are living off government welfare if I were marked by his love?
How would I respond to the homeless guy begging on the curb in a loving way?

This is real life stuff. If every follower of Jesus was truly marked by love, it would change the world.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Marked-Love-Dare-Judgment-Hypocrisy/dp/1683226550/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1538065858&sr=1-1


Tim is an author.

My Thoughts...

This is a book with a lot to chew on.
I found it repetitive and like many  Spiritual Growth books out there right now.
Stevens make some valid points and there is scripture to back up his content.
I would recommend this book to those who have not read many self help books.
I gave it 3 stars and I just did  not find it to be my cup of tea. You give it a try and see how you feel about it.
 The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Thursday, October 4, 2018

The Sound of Distant Thunder By Jan Drexler



Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents' insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother's name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother's place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation?

From the talented pen of Jan Drexler comes this brand new Amish series set against the backdrop of the Civil War. She puts her characters to the test as they struggle to reconcile their convictions and desires while the national conflict threatens to undermine and engulf their community.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Sound-Distant-Thunder-Amish-Weavers/dp/0800729315/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1538566452&sr=8-1


Jan Drexler's husband of more than thirty-five years often says she's never happier than when she's in the kitchen cooking for someone, and he's right. With her Amish and Mennonite ancestry and mid-American roots, Jan has always enjoyed cooking from scratch and sharing the subsequent goodies with friends and family.

Jan and her family have lived all through the mid-west, from Indiana to Texas to Kentucky to South Dakota, with a few others in between. Born in Michigan, Jan still proudly carries her pocket map of Michigan on the end of her arm, like all true Michiganders, and will gladly give you a tour of her home state. But her current love is the Black Hills of South Dakota, where she can be found hiking the Hills at all times of the year and regularly visiting the "boys" at Mt. Rushmore.

Jan brings a unique understanding of the Amish culture to her writing, with ancestors who were among the first Amish immigrants to Pennsylvania. She has written several books for Love Inspired Historical as well as “The Journey to Pleasant Prairie” series from Revell.

Visit Jan at www.JanDrexler.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JanDrexlerAuthor

My Thoughts...

For me this was a confusing read. I was thinking this is not the first book in the series, I have missed something somewhere.
But yes it is book one in the series The Amish of Weaver's Creek but it left me feeling really lost.
The characters were likeable for the most part. The Amish are depicted in such a way that you know Drexler knows about Amish living.
The story had some holes in it.
I gave this book 3 stars. I will read book two in the series to see if it fills in the holes.
  The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.