Emptied By Wynter & Jonathan Pitts

For a Marriage That Brims Over
Maybe you entered marriage with some pretty high expectations—most couples do. Jonathan and Wynter Pitts did. Until the reality of married life spilled into their expectations.
Jonathan and Wynter invite you on a journey to explore a different approach to your happily-ever-after marriage. Join them for an honest look at the lessons learned as they navigated the ups and downs of early marriage while raising four daughters.
Here you will...

• be encouraged to remove the pressure of a keeping-up-with-the-Joneses marriage
• learn to let go of assumptions and embrace your role as servant-leader to your spouse
• experience how God can pour His purpose, passion, and fullness into your relationship

Emptied is a way of life. It’s not about trying harder, it’s about thinking differently. Only when you are emptied of your own self-focused motivations can God pour new life into you for the abundant marriage and satisfying relationship you long for. Are you ready to approach your marriage poured out, ready to be filled up?

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Emptied-Experiencing-Fullness-Poured-Out-Marriage/dp/073697041X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1548887146&sr=8-2&keywords=Emptied%3A+Experiencing+the+Fullness+of+a+Poured-Out+Marriage.


Wynter Pitts is the author of several books, including You’re God’s Girl! She is the founder of For Girls Like You, a bimonthly magazine that equips girls to walk boldly into who God has created them to be and to resource their parents to raise strong Christ-following God girls who say yes to His plans for their lives. Wynter tragically passed from death to life on July 24, 2018, after 15 years of marriage to her beloved Jonathan. She leaves behind an incredible legacy through her many writings but more importantly in her four daughters—Alena, Kaitlyn, Camryn, and Olivia.

Jonathan Pitts is an author, speaker, and executive pastor at Church of the City in Franklin, TN. Prior to pastoring, Jonathan was executive director at The Urban Alternative, the national ministry of Dr. Tony Evans in Dallas, Texas. Jonathan lives in Franklin, Tennessee with his four daughters.

My Thoughts...

Ready to learn from another couple that is not perfect? This is a good guide.
Know yourself so your relationship can be better and know your partner is not perfect. Then we can empty ourselves for each other.
This is a great book to give as a wedding gift. This would make a good book for small couples groups.
I gave this book 4 stars. Pick up a few and give them as gifts.
  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 at Cedar Cabin By Colleen Coble

Her mother lied about her identity and her husband wasn’t who she thought he was—can Bailey even trust herself anymore?
Running for her life in the wake of her mother’s murder, Bailey Fleming escapes to the only place she can think of—a remote, dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides. Intending to finally get to the truth behind the lies of her past, Bailey only finds more questions when bodies are discovered near her cabin hideout along with traces of a dangerous human trafficking ring. In an unlikely partnership with FBI agent Lance Phoenix, Bailey races to understand the mystery surrounding her life and circumstances before the murderer tracks her down.
Meanwhile, Lance is determined to rescue his sister, Ava, who was abducted after running away from home as a teenager. An unexpected lead brings him to the remote cabin, and he wonders if Bailey—with her suspicious past and strange connections to his sister’s case—is really who she claims to be and if she can somehow lead him to Ava.
Filled with Colleen Coble's custom blend of suspense and romance, Secrets at Cedar Cabin takes us back to the evocative landscape of Washington's coast where nothing is quite as it seems.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Cedar-Cabin-Lavender-Tides/dp/0718085841/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1548387552&sr=8-2&keywords=secrets+at+cedar+cabin+by+colleen+coble

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at http://colleencoble.com.

My Thoughts...

This is going to be short and sweet, I don't want to give anything away!
Oh my I love the suspense and the romance in this one.
I read it in one sitting I had to find out about the girls. I have now deemed Coble Queen of Christian Suspense.
I stayed plastered to the book until the very end.
You have to read Lance and Bailey's story and tell me what you think!
I gave this book 4.5 stars. 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.

Playing for Keeps By Jill Shalvis GIVEAWAY!

If you’re planning on falling in love…When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker, Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other the wrong way. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul. But after they accidentally co-rescue an abandoned dog from a storm, Sadie sees a vulnerable side to the seemingly invincible hottie.
you’d better be sure…Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to fall.
… someone is there to catch you.
Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each willing to risk.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Playing-Keeps-Heartbreaker-Bay-Novel/dp/0062741888/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1548213989&sr=8-1&keywords=playing+for+keeps+jill+shalvis

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit http://www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
www.facebook.com/jillshalvis
www.twitter.com/jillshalvis
www.instagram.com/jillshalvis
http://jillshalvis.tumblr.com/
or email her at contact@jillshalvis.com

My Thoughts...

I love this series. I was so happy to read Caleb's story. If you have read Shalvis' books before you know she loves dogs and is the queen of romance. This book did not disappoint.  Sadie and Caleb are great together. I only wish their story was longer.
I can't wait for The Lemon Sisters this fall.
You have to run don't walk and get your copy of Playing for Keeps. It's a great 4 star read.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.


An extra copy fell off the truck to enter the GIVEAWAY follow this blog leave a comment below and be sure to follow Jill www.facebook.com/jillshalvis
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More Of God By R. T. Kendall

Many of us want more from God instead of more of God.Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” This is a promise. No one needs to tell you if the water you drank when you were thirsty made you feel better. So too with experiencing God. When it happens, you will know it for yourself.
More of God is about moving beyond faith. It is about getting more of God. Experiencing more of God. Every book in the Bible, especially the books of the New Testament, are written for this purpose. Take the letters; those who are addressed were already saved. But the writers wanted their hearers to experience not just more knowledge about God but more of God.
Everything in this book is designed to make you hungry. Thirsty. As you read, keep in mind that the ever-increasing hunger for more of God is from God.
Kendall’s advice: “Don’t settle for more mere information about God. Or more theological knowledge. Give yourself no rest until you cross over that crucial line from secondhand knowledge about God to firsthand knowledge of God. There is nothing more exciting than when you see for yourself that God is real, Jesus is real, the Holy Spirit is real, and the Bible is true!”

 

Pick up your copy here...

https://www.amazon.com/More-God-Seek-Benefactor-Benefits/dp/1629995843/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CJ5YG8RMKP86&keywords=more+of+god+rt+kendall&qid=1547939065&sprefix=More+of+God+By+R%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1

 

R. T. Kendall was the pastor of Westminster Chapel in London, England, for twenty-five years. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, he was educated at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv) and Oxford University (DPhil). Kendall is the author of more than sixty books, including Total Forgiveness, Holy Fire, It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over, Prepare Your Heart for the Midnight Cry, and Whatever Happened to the Gospel?

 

My Thoughts...

Kendall wants us to learn to seek the benefactor, Not just the benefits. This book is the guide to learn more about that.

 We always want more from God not More of God. That's the flesh but we can learn to want more of God with help from this book.

It's written easy to read and scripture to back up all that Kendall is saying.

This is a spirit filled book written by a spirit filled author.

A very inspiring book. I gave it 4 stars. I recommend 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.

Song for a Whale By Lynne Kelly GIVEAWAY!

In the spirit of modern-day classics like Fish in a Tree and Counting by 7s comes the story of a deaf girl's connection to a whale whose song can't be heard by his species, and the journey she takes to help him.From fixing the class computer to repairing old radios, twelve-year-old Iris is a tech genius. But she's the only deaf person in her school, so people often treat her like she's not very smart. If you've ever felt like no one was listening to you, then you know how hard that can be.

When she learns about Blue 55, a real whale who is unable to speak to other whales, Iris understands how he must feel. Then she has an idea: she should invent a way to "sing" to him! But he's three thousand miles away. How will she play her song for him?

Full of heart and poignancy, this affecting story by sign language interpreter Lynne Kelly shows how a little determination can make big waves.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Song-Whale-Lynne-Kelly/dp/152477023X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547820061&sr=8-1&keywords=song+for+a+whale+by+lynne+Kelly

Lynne Kelly grew up in Houston, lived in a couple of much colder places, then returned to the Houston area, where she works as a sign language interpreter and writes novels for children and young adults. CHAINED is her first novel.

My Thoughts...

I loved this book. Kids are going to read his one over and over it just might end up being their favorite book.
They will learn will reading it and they will love the story.
I found it to be good for ages 7-13 but I liked and I am much older.
Kelly has a way with bringing the kids into the story.
You don't want to miss 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.

Promise Me The Moon By Nichole Evans

When Grace Quincy ("Q") lands a job as the lead scientist and engineer in the CIA's Clandestine Operations and Properties group, she becomes the Quartermaster for U.S. reconnaissance—the creator of spy gadgets for Jayce Jackson, special agent with a license to kill. As charming as the famed British double-O, Jackson is one-hundred percent all-American, from his dusty cowboy boots to his unending Southern charm. His conquests in and out of the bedroom are the stuff of legends, yet Q daydreams of being something more to Jackson. At the highly sought-after event, Nebulas and Novas, Q gets tangled in Jackson's latest mission and the mysterious disappearance of NASA's green glass Moon stone. Q must trust her wits to survive the dangerous operation, thwart Dr. Faust's sinister plan, and save the sexy spy she loves.

Nichole D. Evans’ writes tales of international intrigue laced with salty humor—probably from growing up in a hometown centered around a national laboratory and fifteen years teaching bawdy eighth graders, respectively.

She believes in heroes and heroines who are smart, loyal, and do the right thing, even when the mission seems impossible. Inspired by the clever quips of James Bond and the unexpected courage of Jack Ryan, her plots are woven on a backdrop of real-world events, resolved just in time to fall in love.

Nichole is married to her real-life “Q”, and she has two children who are out saving the world on their own.

My Thoughts...

Oh How I hate writing this review.
As most of you know I am not a fan of self published books because 90% of the books have not been edited by professionals.
This was not my kind of read and I read a lot of books. It was all over the place and their was no editor in sight of this book.
I struggled with reading it and it is not one that I recommend.
It was at best a 2 star 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.

Growing Forward By Laurie Pawlik

After life is shattered by loss or a traumatic experience--whether big or small--it can seem impossible to heal or even move on. Deep down you believe God intends good for you, but you just don't have the energy or strength to figure out how to move forward.

Author Laurie Pawlik has been there, and here she shares how she flourished despite multiple losses. Through practical tips and thought-provoking questions, she helps you take small yet powerful steps toward healing and letting go. She also offers insights and encouragement from the lives of strong women in the Bible. You'll glimpse the painful losses these women experienced and learn how they flourished despite seasons of hardship and grief. You'll discover how God shows His presence and power in the valleys, deserts, and storms. And you'll feel a fresh sense of hope that, with God, you can redefine yourself, remake your life, and grow forward into a beautiful new season.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Forward-When-Cant-Back/dp/0764232177/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3Q2CK4J1VWDXV&keywords=growing+forward+when+you+can%27t+go+back&qid=1547941992&s=Books&sprefix=Growning+Forw%2Cstripbooks%2C167&sr=1-2-catcorr

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, MSW, is the Adventurous Writer who created the “She Blossoms” blog and book series. She writes full-time from her treehouse overlooking the waters of Indian Arm in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Married, childless, joyful, dog-loving, flute-playing, Blossy-drawing, big-hearted - this woman knows what it's like.

And she loves learning! Laurie's undergraduate degrees are in Psychology and Education, from the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Her Master of Social Work is from the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver. Her street smarts are from the life's school of hard knocks, three years living and teaching in Africa, and approaching the age of 50 with her heart intact.

Grow forward and blossom with Laurie at https://blossomtips.com/.

My Thoughts...

This was what I call an on time book. Not sure how the publisher knew to send it to me but I am glad that they did.
After losing my only daughter I needed this to help with the grief.
 It was good to read others stories and not feel so alone.
I really have put this book to good use. I plan to reread it again and sit down with it and take my time and  let it all sink in.
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.

Grace & Guts By Shannon Perry

In Grace and Guts, Counselor, Speaker and Award-Winning Author Shannon Perry offers life-changing answers in twelve areas where women claim they struggle the most.
Women are warriors. They fight for their families their friends, and their faith, but women often lay down their gloves when it comes to caring for themselves while the opponent comes to “steal, kill and destroy.” It’s time to fight back with strategies that win! Through the unfailing truth of God’s Word, relatable stories, and down-to-earth solutions in Grace and Guts, women find grace that strengthens their resolve to win and the guts to defeat whatever may be holding them back.

 Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Guts-Strategies-Living-Knock-Out/dp/1642790451/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1547513765&sr=1-1-fkmr0

Shannon Perry is an author, a conference speaker, TV show host, and national recording artist. Her TV show, "Grace in High Heels," airs into 100 million homes each week. Shannon speaks at women's conferences, retreats, and educational events across the country. Shannon holds a M.Ed and Counseling degree, and is a Certified Instructor in Crisis Counseling and Parenting Classes. Her website is www.ShannonPerry.com.

My Thoughts...

A book that addresses 12 areas that we women struggle with the most. So to say that this is a hand book for us, that we ALL need to read is an understatement.
If you want to call this a self help book okay whatever you want to call it I call it a much needed read.
if you have read Perry's other three books you already know you are in for a treat with this one. Some funny stories that you are going to laugh out loud but some sound advice as well.
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.

The Last Romantics By Tara Conklin GIVEAWAY!

When the renowned poet Fiona Skinner is asked about the inspiration behind her iconic work, The Love Poem, she tells her audience a story about her family and a betrayal that reverberates through time.
It begins in a big yellow house with a funeral, an iron poker, and a brief variation forever known as the Pause: a free and feral summer in a middle-class Connecticut town. Caught between the predictable life they once led and an uncertain future that stretches before them, the Skinner siblings—fierce Renee, sensitive Caroline, golden boy Joe and watchful Fiona—emerge from the Pause staunchly loyal and deeply connected.  Two decades later, the siblings find themselves once again confronted with a family crisis that tests the strength of these bonds and forces them to question the life choices they’ve made and ask what, exactly, they will do for love. 
A sweeping yet intimate epic about one American family, The Last Romantics is an unforgettable exploration of the ties that bind us together, the responsibilities we embrace and the duties we resent, and how we can lose—and sometimes rescue—the ones we love. A novel that pierces the heart and lingers in the mind, it is also a beautiful meditation on the power of stories—how they navigate us through difficult times, help us understand the past, and point the way toward our future

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Romantics-Novel-Tara-Conklin/dp/0062358200/ref=pd_cart_vw_crc_1_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0062358200&pd_rd_r=72456304-9944-4edb-9e1d-a6fed5e77aba&pd_rd_w=Cmep1&pd_rd_wg=PhGNO&pf_rd_p=7b1a11cb-b9d6-4645-a52e-34c86ca37029&pf_rd_r=46SQXE61HEAN0TNN2GYD&psc=1&refRID=46SQXE61HEAN0TNN2GYD

Tara Conklin was born on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands and raised in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Yale University, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and New York University School of Law. A joint US-UK citizen, Tara now lives with her family in Seattle. Her first novel, The House Girl, was a NYTimes bestseller, #1 IndieNext pick and Target Book Club pick.

My Thoughts...

A story about family, love, loss, and of course forgiveness.
The inspiration  "The Love Poem" is something I can't wait to hear your thoughts on after you have read this one. Conklin is an author to watch out for. I can't wait to read more of her books in the future.
I think you find this a good afternoon read.
I gave this book 4 stars and I hope that you enjoy 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.

The Curse of Misty Wayfair By Jamie Jo Wright

Left at an orphanage as a child, Thea Reed vowed to find her mother someday. Now grown, her search takes her to Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin, in 1908. When clues lead her to a mental asylum, Thea uses her experience as a post-mortem photographer to gain access and assist groundskeeper Simeon Coyle in photographing the patients and uncovering the secrets within. However, she never expected her personal quest would reawaken the legend of Misty Wayfair, a murdered woman who allegedly haunts the area and whose appearance portends death.

A century later, Heidi Lane receives a troubling letter from her mother--who is battling dementia--compelling her to travel to Pleasant Valley for answers to her own questions of identity. When she catches sight of a ghostly woman who haunts the asylum ruins in the woods, the long-standing story of Misty Wayfair returns--and with it, Heidi's fear for her own life.

As two women across time seek answers about their identities and heritage, can they overcome the threat of the mysterious curse that has them inextricably intertwined?

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Curse-Misty-Wayfair-Jaime-Wright/dp/0764230301/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1546968115&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=the+curse+of+misty+wayfair

Professional coffee drinker & ECPA/Publisher's Weekly best-selling author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited turn-of-the-century romance stained with suspense. Coffee fuels her snarky personality. She lives in Neverland with her Cap’n Hook who stole her heart and will not give it back, their little fairy TinkerBell, and a very mischievous Peter Pan. The foursome embark on scores of adventure that only make her fall more wildly in love with romance and intrigue.

Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimejowright.com!

My Thoughts...


This is the second book by Wright that I have read and loved. Wright has a way of making the pages come alive right before your eyes.
You do not want to miss this story tellers books. She can tell them like no other. She just night be the master of split time stories.
I gave this book 4 stars and recommend it.
Inspirational and so compelling, You can't miss this book! There may or may not be a  ghost. 
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Growning In Prayer Devotional By Mike Bickle

What would your world look like if you prayed every day?

Every believer who sincerely desires an intimate relationship with God must discover the transformational power of prayer. This one-hundred-day devotional, inspired by Mike Bickle’s best-selling book Growing in Prayer, will give readers daily inspiration, knowledge, and guidance to help them cultivate deeper intimacy with God through prayer.
Each day contains a quote on prayer from a classic Christian author, a passage from a chapter in Growing in Prayer for reflection, a Scripture verse or reference, a prayer starter, a suggestion for practical application of the principle being taught, and lines for journaling.

This devotional will help energize a prayer life that has become routine, stale, or nonexistent and will be a welcome resource for believers who desire to grow in prayer.

 

Pre order your copy here...

https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Prayer-Devotional-100-Day-Journey/dp/1629995762/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1546966396&sr=8-2&keywords=growing+in+prayer+by+mike+bickle

 

Mike Bickle is director of the International House of Prayer of Kansas City (IHOPKC) and founder of the International House of Prayer University, a four-year ministry school. IHOPKC has a ministry staff of seven hundred people who have hosted 24/7 prayer, led by worship teams, nonstop since 1999. He also leads an annual Onething young adult conference. Bickle is the author of several books, including Passion for Jesus, Growing in the Prophetic, The Pleasures of Loving God, After God’s Own Heart, Growing in Prayer, and God’s Answer to the Growing Crisis.

 My Thoughts...

If you don't have time to pray everyday, then this is the devo for you.
100 days of small devotionals and a place for reflection notes on each day.
This seems like a unique way to study your Bible and have quite prayer time each day. 
Bickle even gives you ideas of what you can do each day to find more time for prayer and getting closer to God.
I gave this devo 4 stars. It would make a great gift as well.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Prayer Forty Days of Practice By Scott Erickson

A simple yet profound guide to facilitate the instinctively human desire to pray.We pray because we are human, not because we are religious. Something in our nature points beyond itself; something in us searches for and desires personal connection with God. Although communicating with our Creator through prayer is innate, the effective practice of it often feels just beyond our reach.
     This unique book guides you to pray in deeper and more authentic ways. The short prayers and thought-provoking imagery, interspersed with contemplative reflections and suggested practices, will stir, inform, and encourage you. The simplicity of the prayers and the aesthetic appeal of the images will inspire people in every facet of life, including those with no real religious background at all.

Pre order your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Forty-Practice-Justin-McRoberts/dp/0525653058/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1546967151&sr=1-1&keywords=prayer+40+days+of+practice

Scott Erickson is a touring painter, performance artist, and creative priest who mixes autobiography, biblical narrative, and aesthetics to create art that speaks to our deepest experiences. He is currently touring his one man performance piece "We are Not Troubled Guests”, and is the coauthor of “Prayer, Forty Days of Practice.” Scott is most loved by his Wife Holly and their three children in Portland, Oregon.

My Thoughts...

 This is what I call a gift book for those that need to be lifted up and or inspired. It would make a great addition to a gift basket.
It was a fun fast read.
It has cute illustrations as well.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Before We Were Strangers By Brenda Novak GIVEAWAY!

Something happened to her mother that night. Something no one wants to talk about. But she’s determined to uncover her family’s dark secrets, even if they bury her.Five-year-old Sloane McBride couldn’t sleep that night. Her parents were arguing again, their harsh words heating the cool autumn air. And then there was that other sound—the ominous thump before all went quiet.

In the morning, her mother was gone.

The official story was that she left. Her loving, devoted mother! That hadn’t sat any better at the time than it did when Sloane moved out at eighteen, anxious to leave her small Texas hometown in search of anywhere else. But not even a fresh start working as a model in New York could keep the nightmares at bay. Or her fears that the domineering father she grew up with wasn’t just difficult—he was deadly.

Now another traumatic loss forces Sloane to realize she owes it to her mother to find out the truth, even if it means returning to a small town full of secrets and lies, a jilted ex-boyfriend, and a father and brother who’d rather see her silenced. But as Sloane starts digging into the past, the question isn’t whether she can uncover what really happened that night…it’s what will remain of her family if she does?

Pick up your copy here...

https://www.amazon.com/Before-Were-Strangers-Brenda-Novak/dp/0778369943/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547068179&sr=8-1&keywords=before+we+were+strangers+brenda+novak

Join Brenda Novak's Online Book Group on Facebook--http://www.facebook.com/groups/brendanovaksbookgroup/. They're currently reading her last release of the year, BEFORE WE WERE STRANGERS. Get an autographed copy in one of Brenda's popular Professional Reader Boxes: http://www.brendanovak.com/store/

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak's career as a bestselling author--she caught her day-care provider drugging her children with cough syrup to get them to sleep all day. That was when Brenda decided she needed to quit her job as a loan officer and help make a living from home.

"When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book," Brenda says. But she sold that book, and the rest is history. Her novels have made the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and won many awards, including six Rita nominations, the Book Buyer's Best, the Book Seller's Best, the Silver Bullet and the National Reader's Choice Award.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are proud parents of five children--three girls and two boys. When she's not spending time with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising funds for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). So far, Brenda has raised $2.6 million!

My Thoughts...

I normally do NOT post reviews or my opinions on my blog about books that I have bought. I get so many from publishers and authors and I leave the blog for those books. But I bought this book (first time I have read this author) and I got an autographed copy from my best friend for Christmas so I ended up with two copies and I want to share the extra copy with one of you.
 You are going to devour this book in one sitting.  You will be adding this author to your must read list.
So leave a comment below make sure that you are following this blog to be entered to win my extra copy. Thanks followers!

The Rancher's Unexpected Baby By Jill Lynn

From bachelor to daddy…overnight!
A Colorado Grooms novel

After his marriage ended, Gage Frasier vowed he’d never remarry or have children—but now he’s guardian of an orphaned baby boy. Thankfully, his friend’s sweet sister, Emma Wilder, offers to nanny while Gage seeks a more suitable family for the child. But soon Gage finds himself bonding with his new son…and with Emma. Parenthood surprised Gage, but will love sneak up on him, too?

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Ranchers-Unexpected-Baby-Colorado-Grooms/dp/1335428739/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1546481139&sr=8-1

Welcome! I’m Jill. Award-winning author, hot mess, loud laugher and coffee addict. I write small-town stories filled with grace, humor and happily ever after. I also co-authored Just Show Up with Kara Tippetts—a book about how to support one another during hardships.

My books:
Texas Series
(Prequel) The Start of Us
1. Falling for Texas
2. Her Texas Family
3. Her Texas Cowboy

Colorado Grooms Series
1. The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter
2. The Rancher's Unexpected Baby (releases 1-15-19)
3. Mackenzie & Jace's story is to-be-titled (releases September 2019)

Non-fiction:
Just Show Up with Kara Tippetts

Find out more at Jill-Lynn.com or on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest: @JillLynnAuthor

My Thoughts...

As always with Lynn's books I devoured this one in one sitting. She pulls you in from the very beginning.
I love this series, It can be read as a stand alone but please do yourself a favor and read the first book as well.
You are going to really enjoy this fast read.
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 Friendship War By Andrew Clements

Stickers, Silly Bandz, Rainbow Looms, fidget spinners . . . buttons?! A brand-new school story about friendship and fads from the bestselling author of Frindle.This is war. Okay--that's too dramatic.
But no matter what this is called, so far I'm winning.
And it feels wonderful.

Grace and Ellie have been best friends since second grade. Ellie's always right in the center of everything--and Grace is usually happy to be Ellie's sidekick. But what happens when everything changes? This time it's Grace who suddenly has everyone's attention when she accidentally starts a new fad at school. It's a fad that has first her class, then her grade, and then the entire school collecting and trading and even fighting over . . . buttons?! A fad that might also get her in major trouble and could even be the end of Grace and Ellie's friendship. Because Ellie's not used to being one-upped by anybody. There's only one thing for Grace to do. With the help of Hank--the biggest button collector in the sixth grade--she will have to figure out a way to end the fad once and for all. But once a fad starts, can it be stopped?

Andrew Clements, the beloved author of Frindle, returns with a deliciously entertaining and deeply satisfying story that will resonate with anyone who's ever been in a classroom . . . or been a kid. A fad is a tough thing to kill, but then again, so is a friendship.

Pick up your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/Friendship-War-Andrew-Clements/dp/0399557598/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545874879&sr=8-1&keywords=the+friendship+war+andrew+clements

Most of my characters are fairly normal people who are dealing with the basics of everyday life--getting along with others, finding a place in the world, discovering talents, overcoming challenges, trying to have some wholesome fun along the way, and getting into some scrapes and a little mischief now and then, too. I guess I hope my readers will be able to see bits and pieces of themselves in the stories, particularly the novels that take place in and around school. School is a rich setting because schools and education are at the heart of every community. The stories that are set in school seem to resonate with kids, teachers, parents, librarians--readers of all ages. Everyone's life has been touched by school experiences. And I also hope, of course, that kids and others will enjoy reading, enjoy the use of language, enjoy my storytelling.

My Thoughts...

This was such a cute story for Second or third graders. Do you remember fads from when you were in school?
Friendships are so important and this book is a great edition to your young readers library.
I recommend this book and gave it 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.