Hope's Highest Mountain, Misty M. Beller. (Book Review)

About the book:

 On her way to deliver vaccines to a mining town in the Montana Territory, Ingrid Chastain never anticipated a terrible accident would leave her alone and badly injured in the wilderness. When rescue comes in the form of a mysterious mountain man, she's hesitant to trust him, but the journey ahead will change their lives more than they could have known.


 My thoughts: 5/5 stars

  My first immediate thought for Hope's Highest Mountain is AWWWWW.
I've always been a huge fan of Beller's huge-hearted heros and endearing heroines.
This book was no different; plus there was a cute little dog thrown in. :)

 Ingrid Chastain had this immense amount of strength and trust for her God. It made me question my own amount and realize that maybe I put too much trust in my own limited abilities, and not enough in my limitless God. 

  I loved the faith content and this undying trust in God. 

My heart ached for Micah Bradley who still struggled so much with his past and fear.

 I believe Beller's relatable characters could inspire many people with similar experiences heartache. 

Plus there was an amazing story in there with Beller's usual incredible writing abilities. 

 The way she describes the rugged land of Montana so beautifully, you'll never lack a picture in your mind of the scene.  

  I'm a huge fan of her descriptions and lovable characters. 

This book gave me some much needed encouragement and I believe it will for you too! 

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.**

-Rebekah 

 Pre-order link :)

What Comes My Way, Tracie Peterson. (Book review)

About the book:

 
Only while trick riding can Ella Fleming forget the truth about who she really is--the daughter of a murderer. Phillip DeShazer buries the guilt he feels for his father's death in work and drink, and his guilt continues to grow the more Ella Fleming comes to his rescue. Will they be able to overcome their pasts and trust God to guide their futures?



My thoughts: 4.5/5 stars

 

I was so excited to welcome the Brookstone Troupe (plus meet a few new ones) back into my life!

   The troupe is back on tour which, of course, means new adventures and troubles.

I was slightly disappointed some of my favorite characters were not further along in their lives and were still struggling with things I'd thought we'd gotten past in the previous two books.

   That being said, I was very pleased with how much Phillip Deshazer changed and grew throughout this story.

In the previous books, and beginning of this one Phillip is a struggling alcoholic with a past he refuses to share. He believes he's unforgivable and that if the people he cares about knew the truth they'd hate him. Fortunately the people he cares about have a heart for Christ and His forgiveness.

 I was equally impressed by Ella Fleming's ability to overcome. She's endured a lot of heartache where her family is concerned and in this installment of the Brookstone Brides it may have been worse than ever. We're finally given the answers to questions asked in When You Are Near and Wherever You Go.

What Comes My Way was a delightful tale of forgiveness, family and Faith. 

  **I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.**

Purchase Link 

A Redesigned Life, Tracy Steel. (Book Review)

About the book:

 The very existence of HGTV, the DIY movement, and Pinterest proves we love great design. We adore plans and perfectly staged rooms. But what happens when we discover we are living a life we did not design? When our dreams lie in tatters or when we experience loss of any kind? What happens when life feels like one big Pinterest fail? Where is God in the midst of what doesn't make sense? Does he care?

Drawing from time-honored design principles such as movement, contrast, and pattern, former interior designer and Bible teacher Tracy Steel offers frustrated and discontented women the assurance that God is their ever-present, caring Designer. With a mix of wit and wisdom, Tracy proves through biblical examples and personal testimony that God remains true to his plans and purposes, accomplishing them in and through us in every season of life. She helps us recognize God's design principles, enabling us to embrace our sometimes messy lives, especially when they're ones we never would have designed for ourselves.

 My thoughts: 5/5 stars

 Tracy Steel took two of my favorite things and put them together into one awesome book 

 She gave great tips on designing and even greater tips on living your best life for Christ.

 Steel pointed out some of the exact things I'd been struggling with. That was a real God thing for me. 

While reading this I just felt God in my presence.

Steel writes beautifully in the a way that points us back to the direction we should go. 

 She gives us inspiration from key events in her life that I believe we can all relate to. 

I also really enjoyed the excerpts from a few other women's stories. I found myself relating and being immensely encouraged by them. 

I 10/10 recommend this book! 

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.**

I did not finish this book through no fault of its own, but because of lack of time to finish and review the book. Which was also completely my fault.

-Rebekah

Purchase Link.

You Belong With Me, Tari Faris. (Book Review)

About the book:

 Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents. Unfortunately, selling houses in the town where her family name is practically poison isn't one of them. When a business tycoon determines to raze historic homes in the small town of Heritage, Michigan, and replace them with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets about helping Heritage win a restoration grant that will put the town back on the map--and hopefully finally repay the financial debt Hannah's mother caused the town. But at first no one supports her efforts--not even her best friend, Luke.

Luke Johnson may have grown up in Heritage, but as a foster kid he never truly felt as if he belonged. Now he has a chance to score a job as assistant fire chief and earn his place in the town. But when the interview process and Hannah's restoration project start unearthing things from his past, Luke must decide if belonging is worth the pain of being honest about who he is--and who he was.

My thoughts: 5/5 stars

Tari Faris took a story full of broken people and turned it into a beautiful tale of redemption, faith, and love. 

I loved reading about these characters' as they went on a journey to discover being broken is not as much of a flaw as they thought, but actually, quite beautiful.

My heart went out to Hannah and Luke so much as we discovered the pasts they've worked so hard to not let define them.

They both chastised others' for seeing only their pasts, but when they looked in the mirror, that was all they could see.

 I related so much to Hannah's story and especially to Luke's struggle to realize his worth.

Hannah's pain from the past that seemed like a constant cloud hovering over her life broke me and touched me. 

These were very beautiful, very broken characters who allowed God to remake their stories into something incredible. 

The faith threaded throughout every aspect of the story was very wonderful and encouraging.

There were  many life lessons we can all be encouraged by.

Through many ups and downs, there was two things constant, and that was God and good writing. 

Faris' writing was simple yet elegant and full of humor and swoony sweet moments.

I would recommend this book to everyone!

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.**

-Rebekah

Purchase Link.

Always We Begin Again, Leeana Tankersley. (Book Review)

About the book:

 None of us wants to be sidelined, stuck, shamed, or silenced. But the difficulties of life have a way of putting us in a corner, and we don't know how to move forward. We see brokenness in our communities, our relationships, and our spirits. It's so easy to blame ourselves or our circumstances, to get bogged down in discouragement and toxic thinking. But that's not what we were meant for, and that's not how God wants us to live.

Leeana Tankersley has good news if you're struggling: each new day is an opportunity to begin again. In her warm tone and with her signature humor she offers 100 short readings to encourage and motivate you to begin again in your relationships with God, your family, your friends, and yourself. Because there is always a hand reaching toward you, there is always grace available, and there is always a chance to begin again.

My thoughts: 5/5 stars

 Leeana Tankersley really delivered in this beautiful and encouraging book that gives key inspiration to begin again.

 Each passage made me think a little deeper, feel a little braver, and love a little more.

 I had some passages that did not apply or stick out to me in just because of the season I'm in. 

 But then there were some that felt like God reaching a finger down from Heaven and saying, "Here, read this "

 It was amazing how much God used this book to speak to me and help me grow. 

 One particularly hard night I picked this book up and flipped to where I'd left off. I looked at the title of the passage and just went, "Whoa."

It was exactly what I'd been crying about earlier. 

 I 100% believe God uses books to reach us in a way spoken words cannot.

And I believe God will use this book to speak to you like He did for me. 

 Purchase Link.

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.**

*I did not finish this book but only because I ran out of time before my review needed to be posted.*

-Rebekah 

Finding Lady Enderly, Joanna Davidson Politano. (Book Review)

About the book:

  Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London's east end when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley and offers her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady. Things she could only dream of might be coming true. But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.

Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within--and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden.

My thoughts: 5/5 stars

 Finding Lady Enderly was a tale of secrecy and lies, laced with a fear of becoming someone you are not, and forgetting who you are.

  I was deeply intrigued by this story told in first person by Raina, a mere rag woman rescued off the streets to play the part of a refined Lady.

But there is more to the tale she was told; now she's forced to stay and discover what happened to the true Lady Enderly.

What Raina discovers is not what she expected at all. She's unsure of how to get out of the mess she's fallen into, but she must soon, or all of the woman she used to be will be gone forever. Crumbled into a pile of lies.

   This book kept me awake well into the night.

My heart raced and I called out in literal agony over what should become of Raina and her true love.

 This is a tale of twists and turns and gut wrenching, wretched beautifulness.

 The emotions that swirled through me will stay with me for time to come.

 I shall never forget the beauty of the real lady whom was hidden under the rags of poverty.

 This tale speaks of loss and love in an unexplainable kind of way, so beautiful were the words Politano wrote that now remain in my heart.

 I cannot tell you what an adventure my heart and soul went on through this beautiful story where love always wins.

This book utterly destroyed me at every turn and then made me completely whole. 

It enraged me at its worse, and completely melted my heart at its best.

I recommend this book which tells a tale of true love and reminds each reader of their true identity in Christ.

Honestly it was such a gorgeous story of faith and renewal where our sins hold us back.

100% clean and I recommend to everyone.

Finding Lady Enderly  is on sale now!

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are purely my own.*

-Rebekah