Accepting Grace By Anna Boulier

Hillary Blake is having a very bad last day of school. Called into the principal’s office she is accused of cheating and will be put on unpaid leave until she can be proven innocent. Her day gets worse when she arrives back at her rental apartment only to be told she has three days to move out. Desperate for a job, Hillary hears about a young fireman left with his sister’s orphan children after her sudden death. Luke Toledo needs a nanny, but one look at tall, platinum blonde Hillary, and Luke can’t decide if a nanny-princess combo will work for his new family. Both too desperate to walk away, will the obvious attraction keep them from working through their differences and past hurts to create a ready-made family?


Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/173250475X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

Anna Christine Boulier has been a writer/storyteller since she begged her mother to learn to read before she entered first grade- to the bane of her first grade teacher. Since then she has written short stories and had characters that lived in her head for years. In May of 2013, God gave her a story and she wrote it in six weeks. Once the first book lived on paper she couldn’t stop. She currently has three books written with more on the way.

She grew up in Cartersville and except for a brief stint in Atlanta for college, she’s been there ever since. If you meet her, she can tell you more, because it’s a story! Writing is not full time, she pays the bills with a full time job that helps her stay creative.

Writing is my testimony- Grace my story!
It isn’t just a tagline, but a way of life.

Website: www.acboulier.com
Email: writer@acboulier.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/acboulier
Twitter: @acboulier
Instagram: acboulier_author
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/acboulier


My Thoughts...
I'm not giving my thoughts on this book or this series. I want to be kind so I will just feature it on my blog and let everyone make their on choice.
It is self published I wanted to be sure and let you all know that.

Restoring Grace By Anna Boulier

Viviane Stanton-Mays has spent the last ten years making a life in Atlanta but finds herself worried the Grandmother who raised her is hiding a serious illness. Headed back to Cartersville to visit her Grand for a month to determine how sick she is, Viviane will be forced to face her high school sweetheart, Cole West, the man who broke her heart since he is now the current youth minister at their hometown church. Viviane doesn’t know that her Grandmother has concocted a plan to bring her back to face Cole and marry the man she let get away ten years ago. Trouble abounds, because Grand doesn’t know why the couple broke up, she only knows that Viviane and Cole are meant for each other and will do whatever it takes to see them reunited. Will Grand’s plan succeed or will Viviane and Cole’s past keep them apart?


Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Restoring-Grace-Anna-Christine-Boulier/dp/1732504792/ref=pd_sbs_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1732504792&pd_rd_r=32da87ff-ec63-11e8-b8bf-2d5ac68107a8&pd_rd_w=znBLx&pd_rd_wg=P9Zth&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=7d5d9c3c-5e01-44ac-97fd-261afd40b865&pf_rd_r=9K4MT3V5SBCP1RXMRSD6&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=9K4MT3V5SBCP1RXMRSD6

Anna Christine Boulier has been a writer/storyteller since she begged her mother to learn to read before she entered first grade- to the bane of her first grade teacher. Since then she has written short stories and had characters that lived in her head for years. In May of 2013, God gave her a story and she wrote it in six weeks. Once the first book lived on paper she couldn’t stop. She currently has three books written with more on the way.

She grew up in Cartersville and except for a brief stint in Atlanta for college, she’s been there ever since. If you meet her, she can tell you more, because it’s a story! Writing is not full time, she pays the bills with a full time job that helps her stay creative.

Writing is my testimony- Grace my story!
It isn’t just a tagline, but a way of life.

Website: www.acboulier.com
Email: writer@acboulier.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/acboulier
Twitter: @acboulier
Instagram: acboulier_author
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/acboulier

My Thoughts...

I'm not giving my thoughts on this book or this series. I want to be kind so I will just feature it on my blog and let everyone make their on choice.
It is self published, I wanted to be sure and let you all know that.

Count your Blessings

 I wanted to take the time to tell those of you who come over to visit my blog everyday just how thankful that I am for you. Your support means so much to me. It's very hard to get people to support me, and my blog, so I am very thankful for you that do it everyday.
 On this day many are with their family and friends and I am with my only family today as well, my husband. We are not cooking we are not laughing and having a good time we are just here. My daughter would have been here with us eating watching movies and begging to put up the Christmas tree today. Boy do I miss that so much!
 With her gone the house is very empty and quiet we are left with an ugly void today. I have never had a Thanksgiving with out her for 29 years and I will never celebrate another one again. Here is a picture from Thanksgiving 2 years ago of the three of us before she put the tree up.

When I count my blessings, You faithful blog followers who never fail to leave a comment are one of the blessings that I count. So just know I am thinking of you all today. I love you all and I hope your day is surrounded  by those that you love. Hold On to them and enjoy your time with them, keep them close.

A Poppy in Remembrance By Michelle Ule

Spanning three countries and the four years of World War I, A Poppy in Remembrance tells the epic story of a young American woman’s struggle to become a journalist in her father Jock Meacham’s world. As she searches for where she belongs professionally in London, Claire Meacham meets Reverend Oswald Chambers who opens her eyes to a completely different life. Working as Jock’s stenographer, Claire journeys to Egypt in 1916 where unbeknownst to him, she volunteers at Chambers’ YMCA ministry for ANZAC soldiers.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Poppy-Remembrance-Michelle-Ule/dp/1724569767/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1542133181&sr=8-1

Best selling writer Michelle Ule is an essayist, the author of two novels, five best-selling novellas, and a biographer.

An avid student of history, she’s traveled the world and studied World War I in conjunction with writing her WWI coming-of-age novel "A Poppy in Remembrance."

She’s written more than 50 blog posts about the war on her website and maintains a dozen WWI-related boards on Pinterest.

The biographer of Mrs. Oswald Chambers, Michelle has written more than 100 posts about Oswald Chambers, Biddy and "My Utmost for His Highest" on her blog at www.michelleule.com.

Her degree may be in English Literature from UCLA, her training may be as a newspaper reporter and her life may be rich with travel and family, but Michelle Ule always comes back to the most dynamic parts of her life: reading and loving God.

Oh, and she adores irony.

My Thoughts...

As I always promise to tell you, this is a self published book.
That out of the way, I struggled with reading it. It's not my favorite genre for one, it's not my cup of tea for that reason only.
I do however like Oswald Chambers, so that was a plus.
If you are a fan of Chambers and you like history then I say grab a copy of this one. I did learn a few things from reading it.
I gave this book 3.5 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.

The Liberty Bride By MaryLu Tyndall

Lieutenant Owen Masters and Emeline Baratt meet on a British warship as sworn enemies. Where will Emeline place her loyalties when forced to spy against her country?
A brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

War Forces a Choice Between Love and Country

A trip home from England to Maryland in 1812 finds Emeline Baratt a captive on a British warship and forced to declare her allegiance between the British and Americans. Remaining somewhat politically neutral on a ship where her nursing skills are desperately needed is fairly easy—until she starts to have feelings for the first lieutenant who becomes her protector. However, when the captain sends her and Lieutenant Owen Masters on land to spy, she must choose between her love for him and her love for her country.

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Bride-Daughters-Mayflower-book/dp/1683226178/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1542674680&sr=1-1

Award winning and best-selling author, MaryLu Tyndall dreamt of pirates and sea-faring adventures during her childhood days on Florida's Coast. After obtaining a degree in Math and working as software engineer for 15 years, she decided to test the waters as a writer. With now more than seventeen books published, she makes no excuses for the deeply spiritual themes embedded within her romantic adventures. As a follower of Christ, her stories often reflect her own journey and walk with God. Her hope is that readers will not only be entertained but will be brought closer to the Creator who loves them beyond measure. In a culture that accepts the occult, wizards, zombies, and vampires without batting an eye, MaryLu hopes to show the awesome present and powerful acts of God in a dying world. MaryLu makes her home with her husband, six children, two grandkids, and three cats on the California coast, where her imagination still surges with the sea.

My Thoughts...


This series Daughters of the Mayflower has not been the best but I did like this one the best out of all of them.
Tyndall is a good author and historical fans are going to like this one by her.
A good clean fun read. I gave this book 4 stars. Give it a try.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

The Cow Said Neigh! By Rory Feek

From New York Times bestseller Rory Feek, one half of the singing duo Joey+Rory, comes The Cow Said Neigh!, a fun and humorous tale of farm animals who wish they were like the other animals . . . which leads to a farm-full of confusion! This delightful book will be a family favorite for years to come.
The Cow Said Neigh! is the story of some peculiar farm animals who wish they were like other animals on the farm. The cow wants to run free like a horse, the sheep wants a snout like a pig, the dog wants to be inside like the cat. Soon the entire farm is in chaos!
With silly farm animal sounds, clever rhymes, and adorable art, The Cow Said Neigh! will have kids of all ages laughing out loud as they celebrate the unique strengths in each of us.
This delightful board book is sure to be read time and time again.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Cow-Said-Neigh-board-book/dp/1400311896/ref=tmm_other_meta_binding_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1542203093&sr=8-1-spons

Rory Feek is a true renaissance man, known as one of Nashville’s premiere songwriters, entrepreneurs, and out-of-the-box thinkers. He is a world-class storyteller, crossing all creative mediums, from music and film to books and the Internet, and is the New York Times bestselling author of This Life I Live.
As a blogger, Rory shares his heart and story with the world through thislifeilive.com and has more than two million Facebook followers. As a songwriter, Rory has written multiple number-one songs. As an artist, he is half of the Grammy-winning county music duo Joey + Rory. He and his wife, Joey Martin, toured the world and sold hundreds of thousands of records. As a filmmaker, Rory wrote and filmed the touching documentary To Joey, With Love and directed the upcoming feature-length film Josephine, an epic love story set during the declining months of the Civil War.
Rory and his youngest daughter, Indiana, live an hour south of Nashville in an 1870s farmhouse near their family-owned diner, Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse.

My Thoughts...

My house is full of books for every age. SO I could not pass up this one by my to favorite people.
Rory and Indy have given us this great board book.
It is a fun read that kids are going to be wanting read over and over again. The pictures are so much fun and hold children's attention.
Get your copy for a great stocking stuffer.
5 star board book. I'm so blessed to share his book with little ones who come visit me.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Indivisible By Travis Thrasher

Inspired by true events, Indivisible is a story of love, service, and finding each other all over again.
Darren and Heather Turner share a passion for serving God, family, and country. When Darren is deployed to Iraq as an army chaplain, Heather vows to serve military families back home as she cares for the couple’s three young children.
Darren knows he’s overseas to support the troops in their suffering as their chaplain. What he doesn’t know is how he will get through his own dark moments. And as communication from Darren dwindles, Heather wonders what is happening in her husband’s heart. Meanwhile, she’s growing weary in the day-to-day life of a military base—each child’s milestone Darren will never see, each month waiting for orders, each late-night knock on the door.
When Darren returns, he is no longer the husband Heather once knew. She is no longer the woman Darren wed. And so it’s at home that the Turners face their biggest battle: to save their marriage.
Based on the screen play by David Evans, Indivisible is a tribute to the beauty of serving our country, the courage of choosing love in the darkness, and the power of a God who never gives up hope.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Indivisible-Novelization-Travis-Thrasher/dp/078522405X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542131130&sr=8-1&keywords=indivisible+book

Bestselling author Travis Thrasher has written over 50 books and worked in the publishing industry for over twenty years. He has penned fiction in a variety of genres, from love stories and supernatural thrillers to young adult series. His inspirational stories have included collaborations with filmmakers, musicians, athletes and pastors. He's also co-written memoirs and self-help books. His novelizations include Do You Believe? and God's Not Dead 2. Travis lives with his wife and three daughters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more information on Travis, visit www.travisthrasher.com.

My Thoughts...

I had trouble with this one. It did not hold my attention and it did not seem like a thrasher book. (I am a huge fan of his.) It was one book that was not as good as the movie was.
I will say this the emotion that I felt watching the movie was not in the book. But the book had some depth and the characters were will portrayed on the pages.
I had to give this book 3.5 stars. But please give it a try you may feel different about it when you read 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.

Tell Her No Lies By Kelly Irvin

Even the most admired families have secrets to hide . . .
Nina Fischer carries a camera wherever she goes—so she can view life through a filter. Safely. After her mother abandoned her to the streets, Nina has kept people at a distance, including her uncle, who adopted Nina and her sister. Wealthy and proud, he is a good man, a fair judge, and someone many in San Antonio admire.
But when he is murdered, and the detective assigned to the case accuses Nina of the crime, she knows she must act. She’s determined to use her journalism background to find the real killer. The two men in her life want to help, but can she trust them?  She’s known Rick since they were children, but now he’s an attorney whose political aspirations seem more important than Nina’s tragic loss. And then there’s Aaron, a news videographer; using their friendship could break the biggest story of his career.
Following the evidence leads Nina on a journey of discovery into her father’s shocking masquerade as a law-abiding, family-loving Christian. Unlocking these secrets could prove fatal, but it’s the only way Nina will ever be able to trust love again.
Combining romance and suspense, bestselling author Kelly Irvin’s Tell Her No Lies is a high-stakes race for the truth.


Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Her-Lies-Kelly-Irvin/dp/0785223118/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542130298&sr=8-1&keywords=tell+her+no+lies+by+kelly+Irvin

Best-selling novelist Kelly Irvin's latest book is Beneath the Summer Sun, the second book in her Amish romance series, Every Amish Season, from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This four-book series delves into the lives of four Amish women linked by life altering experiences that bring them together as wives, mothers, and grandmothers in the small town of Jamesport, Mo. The first book, Upon a Spring Breeze, received critical acclaim from the Library Journal: "A moving and compelling tale about the power of grace and forgiveness that reminds us how we become strongest in our most broken moments."

Kelly Irvin is also the author of The Amish of Bee County series, which includes the critically acclaimed The Beekeeper's Son. Publishers Weekly called the first book in the series a beautifully woven masterpiece and Romantic Times Magazine called Kelly a storyteller extraordinaire. It was followed by The Bishop's Son and The Saddle Maker's Son, which is an ECPA bestseller.

A two-time ACFW Carol finalist, Kelly's novellas have been included in numerous anthologies, including An Amish Summer, The Amish Christmas Gift, An Amish Market, an Amish Christmas Love, and Amish Quilt.

She also penned the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Hope Amish series, both published by Harvest House Publishers. Love Still Stands, the first book in the New Hope series, debuted in September 2014, and the follow-up, Love Redeemed, released March 1, 2014. The final book in the series, set in Branson, MO., was A Plain Love Song, released in July 2014.

The Bliss Creek Amish series, set in Kansas, includes To Love and to Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love's Journey Home.

In the New Hope series, familiar characters from Bliss Creek move to Missouri to start a new district and a new life.

Kelly is also the author of two romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine, set in San Antonio, Texas. Two more romantic suspense novels are on the horizon, with the first, Tell Her No Lies, slated for publication by Thomas Nelson Publishing in January 2019.

Kelly recently contracted with Zondervan for a new 3-book series set in Montana. More details to come!

The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the ACFW San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers, as well as Romance Writers of America (RWA) and Sisters in Crime.

A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly wrote nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso, where she was exposed to culture and language that serves as fodder for her fiction writing. She has written hard news, features, entertainment pieces, restaurant critiques, editorials, and weekly columns. Writing awards include the Silver Star Award from the Texas Mental Health Association for articles pertaining to mental health and numerous awards in news, feature, and editorial writing from the Texas Press Association and Texas Press Women.

Kelly retired in 2016 from her position of 22 years as public relations manager for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, where her duties included writing and designing an employee newsletter, writing news releases, collaborating on marketing campaigns, coordinating ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings, coordinating press conferences, updating the web site, and acting as a media spokesperson.

Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for more than 30 years, and they have two young adult children and two grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and visit the babies.


For more information, visit http://www.kellyirvin.com

My Thoughts...

 It seems as if Irvin has stepped out of her comfort zone and took on a whole new genre. Irvin who normally writes Amish fiction books has given us romantic suspense fans a good one.
I hope that Irvin's Amish fiction fans pick up a copy of this and like it as much as I did.
Great characters and good story line.
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.

Deadly Christmas Duty By Virgina Vaughan

This Christmas could be her last…Unless Covert Operatives shield her

Prosecutor and single mom Melinda Steele thought her nightmare ended when her abusive husband died, but now someone wants her dead by Christmas. Navy SEAL turned security operative Noah Cason needs her to get justice in his sister’s disappearance, but first he’ll have to keep her alive. And his mission shifts from difficult to almost impossible when Melinda reveals who she suspects is really after her.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Christmas-Duty-Covert-Operatives/dp/1335490744/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1542129600&sr=8-1

Award winning author Virginia Vaughan lives by the motto ‘It’s not hoarding if its books’. Always the kid with her nose stuck in a book, becoming a multi-published author hasn’t stopped Virginia from continuing to grow her own collection of favorite reads. Her family has refused to help her move anymore because of the sheer number boxes of books, but she’s no quitter. She’ll keep buying books and, the next time she moves, hire a moving van.

If you love stories where romance intersects danger and faith, subscribe to Virginia’s email list at http://eepurl.com/dtFeVP and be the first to know when a new story arrives.

My Thoughts...

From the very beginning this book was full of great suspense and a great page turner.
I will say this again I just don't think great writers should write little novellas.
This is a 4 star book Romantic Suspense fans are going to devour.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Three Ellie Claire Journals Giveaway!

The perfect resource to discover and develop your own personal style for lettering and illustrating your faith.
New from professional letterer Krystal Whitten! With guides, instructions, and tutorials, this is a fun and inspiring way to create beauty with words. It is the perfect place for journalers to practice Bible journaling, lettering quotes and verses, or decorating a page with original thoughts and plans. Exploring your God-given creativity has never been so rewarding.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Lettering-Journal-Deluxe-Signature-Journals/dp/1633261824/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541899932&sr=8-1&keywords=Ellie+Claire+Faith+and+Lettering+Journal

My Thoughts...
Faith and Lettering Journal is a scripture journal like none I have ever seen. The journal teaches you how to letter with easy steps. I must say that I am not a very artistic person but with the instructions and practice I found myself really enjoying learning to letter and writing scripture. The book is hard cover and has nice thick pages to keep any bleed through to other pages. It also has a holder on the spine to hold your pen.

Use this almost-lost art of illuminating letters to enhance your writing, Bible journaling, or sermon note-taking. Rich illustrated manuscripts in the Museum of the Bible's collection inspired these gorgeous letters. Easy to follow instructions, practice pages, and encouragements guide you through the creation of amazing start letters, flourishes, and more.
HIGHLIGHTS: Cloth spine opens for lay-flat journaling; Elastic pen loop on spine; High-quality, non-bleed paper; Uplifting, inspirational quotes sprinkled throughout; Drawing guides, grid background practice pages, plus lined pages for journaling; Ribbon marker, pocket, elastic band closure.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Illuminate-Journal-Deluxe-Signature-Journals/dp/1945470682/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541900630&sr=8-1&keywords=Isbn+9781945470684

My Thoughts...
Illuminate Your Story Journal is a nice hard cover journal. The nice thick pages make it easy to write on. The journal has a holder for a pen. The Journal teaches you how to create illuminated letters. With step by step instructions it makes writing scripture fun and enjoyable. Would make a great gift. This one was my favorite of all three it has a place in the back to hold your keepsakes safe and sound. This is not your everyday boring journal. This is a unique journal that everyone is going to want. The price is great for this.  

Glorious illustrations from ancient manuscripts recreated as line drawings for the reader to color.

Create your own masterpiece with this journal that has forty glorious illustrations from ancient manuscripts that have been recreated as line drawings. Just as medieval monks brought Scripture to life through intricate inked illustrations in handwritten manuscripts hundreds of years ago, you can now create your own stunning keepsake that will be treasured for years to come.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Word-Illuminated-Coloring-Signature/dp/1945470194/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541900825&sr=8-1&keywords=Isbn+9781945470196

My Thoughts...
 The Illustrated Word is a coloring journal. It is a nice hard cover book with thick pages. Each picture can be colored and made unique and is very detailed. The journal pages are sturdy and easy to write on. The first page of the book has a place to write the name of the owner and the date received. Lots of pages to write prayers or letters, or memories you never want to forget.
So this would make a great gift, for someone special.

To be entered in the GIVEAWAY, be sure to follow this blog and leave a comment on this post and share this post on social media.

Cole & Sav By Cole and Savannah Labrant

Popular YouTubers Cole and Savannah LaBrant share their inspiring love story, highlighting the redemptive, surprising nature of God at work in our lives, and how He graciously steps in and turns our messes into something beautiful.

Millions around the world followed the fairytale love story of viral YouTube stars Cole and Savannah LaBrant and watched as they said “I do.” Their subsequent YouTube channel, dedicated to family and faith, garners more than 100 million views each month. But now for the first time ever, Cole and Sav invite you beyond the highlight reel and into the beautiful and messy, funny and tender story of how God brought two unlikely people together in a surprising, unexpected way. 

With their signature charming and engaging style, Cole and Sav take you behind the camera and open up about past heartaches and mistakes; painful secrets and difficult expectations; the joys and challenges of raising their daughter, Everleigh; and the spiritual journey that changed their hearts—and relationship—forever.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Cole-Sav-Surprising-Love-Story/dp/0785222901/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541896377&sr=8-1&keywords=cole+and+savannah+labrant+book

Cole and Savannah LaBrant's lives have been a series of trials and triumphs—but also full of beautiful redemption and grace. They were on seemingly different paths but were brought together by God in a surprising way, which culminated in a public love story on the Internet that was witnessed by millions of viewers. Their subsequent YouTube channel, dedicated to family and faith, garners more than one hundred million views each month. Cole and Sav believe that God's biggest surprises—like the gift of their marriage; daughter, Everleigh; and her soon-to-be little sister—are sometimes right in front of us, hiding in plain sight.

My Thoughts...

WoW, this was such a great read. I love how you get both Cole and Savannahs perspective of what was going on. Their love story is definitely  one for the books.
Cole showed Savannah God's love and grace and she  was an open book about how God's grace was shown to her through Cole.
I hope that ALL young people read this book and see the important part of relationships.
This is a must read 4.5 star book. I highly 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.

Secrets of the Pastor's Wife By Christina Ryan Claypool GIVEAWAY!

Wherever Cassandra Martin goes, her secrets go with her. And hiding her past is beginning to take a toll.
Cassie lives in a small white parsonage in the village of Maple Grove. For 15 years, the beautiful and talented artist has appeared to be the perfect wife for Rev. John Martin, the new pastor at Maple Avenue Community Church.
The couple has moved frequently, and Pastor John is too busy with other people’s problems to notice Cassie’s distress. She has no close friends to confide in, fearing her secrets could jeopardize her husband’s position.
That’s until Maple Grove coffee shop owner Katherine “Katie” Montague embraces Cassie as if she were the daughter she never had. Sensing her pastor’s wife is haunted by something tragic, the caring widow begins praying for her. Will Cassie trust Katie with the pain of her past or will she let the secrets destroy her?
Secrets of the Pastor’s Wife features discussion questions for women’s book clubs, church small groups, and recovery ministries. Entertaining and inspiring fiction, this compelling storyline will encourage emotional healing, forgiveness, and restored faith.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Pastors-Wife-Christina-Claypool/dp/1973601354/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1541632874&sr=8-1

Christina Ryan Claypool is an award-winning freelance journalist and inspirational speaker who has been featured on Joyce Meyer Ministries Enjoying Everyday Life TV show and on CBN's 700 Club. She is a past National $10,000 1st Place Amy Writing Awards recipient and Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor.

Her fall 2018, "Secrets of the Pastor's Wife: A Novel," is an entertaining and inspiring read, designed to be used for Inspirational book clubs or women's ministry groups to promote emotional and spiritual healing. Claypool is also an Ohio Associated Press Media Editors' award-winning newspaper columnist, former TV reporter, and the author of several Christian recovery books. The autobiographical title, "Seeds of Hope for Survivors," chronicles the writer's own amazing journey of surviving a near fatal suicide attempt and confinement in a state mental institution as a teen to having a successful life today.

Christina has a B. A. from Bluffton University and an M.A. from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where she served as an adjunct instructor in the Communications Department. She is married to a public school administrator, and has an adult son. Besides her "boys," she adores coffee and chocolate. Her website is www.christinaryanclaypool.com.

 My Thoughts...

 What a book, Claypool hit on some tough subjects all in this one book.
Healing and forgiveness and all with out being preachy and over bearing.
Just my thoughts but this would make a great book for women's small groups to read together or Bible study groups.
Now this is for my blog followers who are going to say you promise to tell us if the book is self published or published by a small publisher. This one is BUT it has been edited very well. I challenge you get a copy  of this and see just how good it is and how well it has been edited, and what a touching story this is.
I gave this book 4 stars and I recommend it. A book full of Love.
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 are going to love the extra novella at the end. Let me know what you think about the Casserole Lady.

To be entered in the GIVEAWAY you must follow this blog and leave a comment on this post and share this post on social media.

I will Be Praying For You By Corine Williams

Share with your child how much you are praying for them with this sweet book! Before your child was born, you prayed for him. Each and every day, you pray for him. As a parent, you know that wherever your child goes, whatever he does, no matter what happens in this life, you will be praying for him. Now, snuggle up and share with your little one how you are covering him in prayer. This book is filled with prayers based on the Bible. Parents everywhere will resonate with this eternally important message!

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/I-Will-Be-Praying-You/dp/1948476029/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541632174&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=I+will+be+praying+or+you+by+Corine+Williams

About Corine...

Corine Hyman, Ph.D. is a psychologist in Baltimore, MD where she treats children and adults who experience or may be at risk for trauma due to physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, domestic and community violence. She graduated from Saint Louis University with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and completed an APA accredited predoctoral internship in Clinical Psychology at Virginia Treatment Center for Children. Dr. Hyman's clinical work has entailed addressing psychological and social issues that affect children both on the national and international level. These works include being a vital part in the development of The World Health Report 2001 - Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope. Current areas of clinical and research interest include the treating and understanding the long terms impacts of trauma on development, parent-child attachment/engagement and assessment issues.

She is the author of three books: Why We Give Gifts at Christmas Time; My Journey With Jesus Christ and What is Love. Why We Give Gifts at Christmas Time is a Christian Children multi-cultural book that uses biblical passages to answer the question of why we give gifts at Christmas time if it is Jesus' birthday. It contains over 10 different bible verses to reinforce the joys of giving at Christmas time and throughout the year. Why We Give Gifts at Christmas Time is also available in Spanish - Por qué damos regalos en el Tiempo de Navidad.

My Journey with Jesus Christ is a personalized devotional. It is designed to help your child grow in his/her relationship with God while helping him/her understand some key principles of the Christian faith. This book contains 10 lessons and include space for you to write your child's name throughout the book.

She is currently working on the first book in a series that combines her training as a clinical psychologist and Christian faith. The first book is tentatively entitled Godly Feelings. Godly Feelings will be for parents, teachers and professional who often wonder how to react to the variety of emotions expressed by children. It will provide children with an entertaining and constructive way to learn to accept and appropriately express their emotions based on the Bible. Godly Feelings also helps to stimulate discussion and interaction between children and the adults who care for them.

My Thoughts...

This is a cute children's book. It has a few pages in the back of the book where you can write your own prayers for your children. and it has a page of Scriptures that you can pray over you child each night after reading to them.
I thought book was cute and the illustrations were cute as well.
Give this as a gift this year if you are looking for books for kids add this one to your list.
The Mary Reader received this book from the author for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Inkling By Kenneth Oppel

From the acclaimed author of The Nest, The Boundless, and Airborn comes a brilliantly funny, breakout book about a boy who discovers an ink blot that's come to life! Perfect for those who love Hoot and Frindle and sure to be a hit with kids everywhere!
The Rylance family is stuck. Dad's got writer's block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school--even though he can't draw. Sarah's still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom. So much more than they can say.

Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance's sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together--and then leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything.

Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple chapters of his math book--not good--and the story he's supposed to be illustrating for school--also not good. But Inkling's also started drawing the pictures to go with the story--which is amazing! It's just the help Ethan was looking for! Inkling helps the rest of the family too--for Sarah he's a puppy. And for Dad he's a spark of ideas for a new graphic novel. It's exactly what they all want.

It's not until Inkling goes missing that this family has to face the larger questions of what they--and Inkling--truly need.

Kenneth Oppel has given us a small masterpiece of middle-grade fiction. Inkling is funny and fizzy and exciting, and brimming with the kind of interesting ideas and dilemmas that kids will love to wrestle with. And Sydney Smith is creating wonderfully inky illustrations to bring the story to vivid life. Get ready. A little ink blot is about to become your new favorite character!

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Inkling-Kenneth-Oppel/dp/152477281X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541592968&sr=8-1&keywords=inkling+by+kenneth+oppel

Kenneth Oppel is the author of numerous books for young readers. His award-winning Silverwing trilogy has sold over a million copies worldwide, and been adapted as an animated TV series and stage play. Airborn was winner of a Michael L Printz Honor Book Award, and the Canadian Governor General's Award for Children's Literature; its sequel, Skybreaker, was a New York Times bestseller and was named Children's Novel of the Year by the London Times. He is also the author of Half Brother, This Dark Endeavor, The Boundless, and The Nest, winner of the CLA Book of the Year for Children. His latest book is the YA novel EVERY HIDDEN THING. Born on Vancouver Island, Oppel has lived in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, England, Ireland, and now lives in Toronto with his wife and children.

My Thoughts...

Young adult books just keep getting better and better.
8-12 years is what the author had in mind but this adult really enjoyed this book. So don't put an age on it. It's for all ages to enjoy.
Good Characters, good story, good writing.
I gave this book 4 stars and I hope that you will give it a try. It would make a great stocking stuffer.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Our Gift to our faithful followers!

                                    THANK YOU All so Much!

This Year The Mary Reader wanted to show our appreciation to our faithful followers who never missed one time leaving a comment for the whole year on our posts. So you are getting some of our favorite things.
 I have already mailed out packages with the following items  to all four of you! Here are a few things in your goodie box.

 And of course you need a few books to read while enjoying this wonderful candle. So I sent you a box with five of my favorite books of 2018 one will not be in the box it will ship from Amazon and you will get it tomorrow. P.S. It releases tomorrow!

And in case you are a coffee drinker and or Hot Chocolate there Is some of that as well in the box.

Let's not forget the chocolate as well. This is my favorite chocolate ever!

Last but not least in case there has been a book, CD or movie on my blog this year that you are dying to get your hands on you can run to Amazon and order a copy or two with your gift card.

This is just a small token of our appreciation to all four of you!
THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts, Emma Grace, Henrietta J.,
Amanda Lynn, and Natalie Smith for all of your support.
My Daughter would have been on this list had she still been here. She never missed until the day she passed away!

On Magnolia Lane By Denise Hunter

Falling in love with Daisy was easy for Jack. But finding the courage to tell her becomes problematic when his secret feelings lead to even bigger complications.
After two years of counseling sessions with Daisy Pendleton, Pastor Jack McReady has earned a permanent spot in her life as a spiritual leader—and nothing more. Jack would never risk losing her trust by exposing the depths of his heart, but he’s hopelessly in love with her.
Daisy loves her southern small-town life and her job at her family-run flower shop, but she doesn’t have the thing she longs for most: someone to share it with. Her recent foray into online dating has been a disaster—until she meets TJ.
Jack could kill his friend Noah for using his initials and some indistinct photos to set up a profile on the dating app Daisy is using. But when he’s finally afforded the opportunity to show her a different side of himself, he’s sucked into the plan before he has time for second thoughts.
Online, Daisy shares some of her greatest fears with TJ, but in person, Jack and Daisy are spending more time together. When a devastating family secret surfaces, Daisy knows that only her trusted friend and counselor can bring her comfort. Jack wants nothing more than to be both men for Daisy, but revealing his secret will prove to be the ultimate test of Daisy’s grace.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Magnolia-Lane-Blue-Ridge-Romance/dp/0718090543/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541342049&sr=8-1&keywords=on+magnolia+lane+denise+hunter

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including "The Convenient Groom" and "A December Bride" which have been made into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on the The 700 club and won awards such as The Holt Medallion Award, The Carol Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.


In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking good coffee, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband raised three boys and are currently enjoying an empty nest.

You can learn more about Denise through her website www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or by visiting her FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/authordenisehunter

My  Thoughts...

Oh boy, I loved Pastor Jack. And Daisy was the perfect fit for pastor.
I loved the sister twist, I loved the forgiveness and the way everything turned out. Did I say I LOVED the whole story and the whole Blue Ridge Romance series.
All I can say is I LOVED this book and I gave it 5 stars and I can't recommend it enough.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Odd(ly) Enough By Carolanne Miljavac

Humorous. Authentic. Relatable.
That's Carolanne Miljavac in a nutshell.

And those qualities are just what her nearly half a million social media followers adore about her. Her Odd(ly) Enough is a message that your heart needs to hear: It's time to embrace the "you" God made you to be. Tune out the naysayers of the world and jump into His loving arms. He'll walk alongside you as you passionately pursue your God-given purpose. With chapters like “Who Do You Think You Are?,” “Control Freak,” and “Mistakes and Grace,” you will find yourself becoming a little more courageous. . .and a lot more confident about God’s purpose for your life. 

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Odd-Enough-Standing-When-World/dp/1683227891/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541114512&sr=8-1&keywords=oddly+enough+carolanne+miljavac

Hey y'all! I am a southern-raised, Jesus-saved, barely sane author, speaker, and social media goofball. I'm married to such a lucky man, and mother to three sweet, loving, kind little girls who only whine EVERY now and then. I'm also super sarcastic. Poverty and abuse were tough to overcome, but it was the crushing loss of my seven-year-old niece to cancer that finally humbled me enough to listen to God when He spoke into my shattered heart, “Give it up.” Without the chains of fear and insecurity, I followed my spirit’s instruction to speak freely. That led to over 100 million video views, and nearly half a million social media followers. My story has been a true reflection of “beauty for ashes". I pray my writing leaves you laughing, crying, rejoicing, and encouraged. I hope to pull heartstrings while tapping funny bones with transparency and vulnerability. Grief taught me gratitude, pain gave me purpose, and loss revealed true love. With faith, I found audacity, and my mission is to give you the guts to be you too.

My Thoughts...

I'm going to call this my on time book for this season in my life right now.
It really hit home for me. I want to share it with everyone.
My hope is that you will run out and grab a copy on let it change you too.
So much wisdom and truth this book, it needs to be read by all of our teens.
I gave this book 4 stars and 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.

Stratagem By Robin Caroll

A High-Stakes Simulation Adventure Leaves Grayson Thibodeaux the Prime Suspect. . .for Murder
Deep in the gritty underbelly of New Orleans, psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux loses everything when his wife leaves him to climb her company’s corporate ladder. He buries himself in his job of creating mind-bending adventure games for businesses as team-building explorations. When his ex-wife’s company hires Grayson’s to create an elaborate game, he doesn’t see how things can get worse. Until she dies during the course of the game he created…making him the prime suspect for murder.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Stratagem-Robin-Caroll/dp/1683227301/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr

"I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I've never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in." ~Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better.

Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin's mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage--two aspects Robin weaves into each of her 30 published novels.

When she isn't writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty+ years, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home--in the South, where else?

She serves the writing community as Executive Director/Conference Director for ACFW.

Her books have finaled/placed in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, RT Reviewer's Choice Award, Bookseller's Best, and Book of the Year.

On her faith, Robin says, "I love Jesus and will follow Him wherever He leads me."

An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Although her favorite genre to read is mystery/suspense, of course, she'll read just about any good story. Except historicals! To learn more about this author of deep South mysteries of suspense to inspire your heart, visit Robin's website at www.robincaroll.com.

My Thoughts...

Carroll wrote a pretty good who done it with Stratagem. The characters were developed well. Most of the time there is a character that I love to hate but there really wasn't a character that you could pin down as "the bad guy". The plot was a little refreshing and unique. I was guessing who did it until maybe after halfway of the book. With that said it didn't take away from my enjoyment of reading. I enjoyed Stratagem and I am sure you will as well.

I gave this book 4 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.

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