Spoken For: Embracing Who You Are and Whose You Are by Robin Jones Gunn and Alyssa Joy Bethke

Spoken For is a beautiful and poignant book that women in all walks and ages of life should read. It's a wonderful book that is backed up with Biblical truth, personal stories from the authors, and great ending chapter questions to help the readers for personal reflection and great material for quiet times with the Lord. When you read this, get ready for the moving experience that lays out the firm foundation of embracing who you are and whose you are. 

*BONUS DEVOTIONS AT END OF REVIEW*

 

What it's About

Say Yes to the Love Story of Your Life 

A great romance was set in motion before you were born. A relentless Lover is pursuing you, and He has made His intentions clear. He wants you to be His forever. How will you respond to the One who longs for you to be His with your whole heart?

In Spoken For, Robin Jones Gunn and Alyssa Joy Bethke speak to your heart about what it means for you to belong to Christ, who you are because of His love, and how that affects the way you live. Drawing on biblical promises and their personal experiences,   these two friends share what it’s like to live out God’s unfolding love story.

You are not up for grabs. You are spoken for.

 My Thoughts 

Being a single lady, I was slightly apprehensive to reading this book due to a personal reason. Truth being told, I really didn't want to read a book that told me that being single meant God was "saving me for the special one" or "you're the precious diamond and He's preparing you." Now, all of these are great and truthful, but for me if a whole book is pointing out my singleness as a way of God just keeping me out of sight for that one guy, I'm out. This book however did not do that. And I am so grateful for that. 

This book doesn't focus on a relationship with another man that could be our husband. Instead, it focuses on the relationship with the perfect Lover. The Lover of our Soul. He wanted me, so He died for me, and because of that the distance between us is shortened to a personal relationship.

I just loved this book. It wasn't too long but it wasn't too short. Each chapter was carefully laid out with a perfect opening beginning to prepare the reader for the content, then from there both Robyn and Alyssa would give a flashback from their lives where God was working and showing them this truth. The truth of what God says and believes of us as His children. 

I could relate a lot more to Alyssa's stories, but Robyn's were just as powerful and meaningful to read. I zoomed through this book and just wanted to keep going. Would love for these two to collaborate more together with books for women with different topics that remind us of who God says we are and what we are with Him. 

You should say Yes to Spoken For.

Rating: 5 out of 5 bookshelves 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

About the Author(s) 

 

Robin Jones Gunn passion for storytelling and travel are evident in all her books, especially the Sisterchicks novels, and she has received thousands of letters from readers around the world who have come to know Christ through her writing. She sees this as her dream come true. Her novels are traveling to foreign lands and her characters are doing what she always longed to do; telling people about God’s love. She is the author of the popular, Christy Miller Series.

Link to Robin's: Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads  

 

Alyssa Joy Bethke is a popular blogger and a newlywed. She serves with her husband - speaker, author, and spoken word artist Jefferson Bethke - as they travel the world sharing God's lavish grace. Alyssa lives in the Pacific Northwest with Jeff and their yellow lab, Aslan, and ejoys reading, hiking, paddleboarding, and of course, coffee. This is her first book.

Link to Alyssa's: Blog, Facebook, and Twitter

Purchase Spoken For: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, ChristianBook 

BONUS! As a great kickoff for their book launch, Robin and Alyssa created a ten day devotional that can be accessed on both of their sites. Here are all 10 days!  

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid 

Litfuse Blog Tour Event: A Sensible Arrangment (Lone Star Brides #1) by Tracie Peterson

A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson is a remarkable milestone for the author. Being her 100th book this books stands as a great example for all future writers who dream, pursue and experience the constant trial and error that anything is possible. This story is simple and heartwarming at it's best. It's about getting a second chance at love and living again.

Goodreads Summary 

Marty Dandridge Olson is a widow looking for a way out of Texas. Widower Jake Wythe has secured a job as a bank manager in Denver, only to discover that the bank board wants him to be a married man. With Texas in his roots, he advertises for a Lone Star bride, and Marty answers the call. They both agree they are done with romance and love and will make this nothing more than a marriage of convenience.

Marty works to carve out a new life in high-society Denver as Jake works to guide the bank through a collapsing economy. But when money goes missing at the bank and accounting discrepancies point to Jake, he must find a way to prove his innocence. Yet all he wants to do is go back to Texas and own his own ranch. Marty, on the other hand, owns a ranch–one she’s never told her husband about. She hates Texas because it represents the losses in her life. But as the couple grows closer and love begins to bloom, Marty realizes she needs to tell Jake the truth. Can she come to terms with the past and her anger toward God in order to make room for love?

My Thoughts 

I liked this book. I didn't love it, but I liked it. It was a cute read that kept me good company when I was commuting on the bus to the college I attend. 

I want to commend Peterson for having published her 100th book, and I'm sure she has others just waiting for publication. I always admire author's who just plunge themselves in writing and have the vigor for not stopping. Peterson is a great example of that. I have read a handful of her books, and have generally liked all of them. I was not surprised in the least that this book was good too. 

There were times though that some chapters felt tedious and could have been shorter for me as the reader, but it didn't hinder from the storytelling that much. The relationship building between Marty and Jake flowed well. There both were at interesting points in their lives and coming together as complete strangers could pose a issue for anyone. I really liked Marty she had a lot of qualities that a person could admire such as honesty, thoughtfulness and compassion. I also love a women character who embodies characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit. Jake sometimes I felt seemed closed off, but throughout the book this progresses into openness with Marty which is a great moment in their relationship. 

If you're a fan of Peterson, historical fiction, mail-order and or in name only story lines this book has it all. This is another trilogy so I'm excited to see what other characters are looming in Peterson's imagination that she is going to put into her writing.

For all of you Peterson fans what is your favorite book by her so far? 

Rating: 3 out of 5 bookshelves 
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.

About the Author 

 
Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.

Link to Author's: Website, Facebook, and Goodreads 
Purchase her book: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, ChristianBook 


Welcome to the campaign launch for Tracie Peterson's 100th book! A Sensible Arrangement launches Tracie's new Texas-based series, Lone Star Brides, that’s sure to please. As a special treat, devoted fans will be able to catch a glimpse of several popular characters from previous series.

Tracie is celebrating by giving away an iPad Mini and hosting a LIVE webcast event on 4/29.

 

  One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 29th. Winner will be announced at the A Sensible Arrangement Live Webcast Event on April 29th. Connect with Tracie for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Tracie will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, fun prizes, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of A Sensible Arrangement and join Tracie and friends on the evening of April 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

In His Grace,                                                                                                         Taylor Reid

Litfuse Blog Tour Event: The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley

The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley is rich in history and drama. It follows the story of a jealous Egyptian Queen, a lascivious Galilean Governor, a beautiful servant girl, and how their stories come together with prophecy, self-discovery, and revelation.

Goodreads Summary 

From the servant halls of Cleopatra’s Egyptian palace to the courts of Herod the Great, Lydia will serve two queens to see prophecy fulfilled.

Alexandria, Egypt 39 BC

Orphaned at birth, Lydia was raised as a servant in Cleopatra's palace, working hard to please while keeping everyone at arm's length. She's been rejected and left with a broken heart too many times in her short life.

But then her dying mentor entrusts her with secret writings of the prophet Daniel and charges her to deliver this vital information to those watching for the promised King of Israel. Lydia must leave the nearest thing she’s had to family and flee to Jerusalem. Once in the Holy City, she attaches herself to the newly appointed king, Herod the Great, as handmaid to Queen Mariamme.

Trapped among the scheming women of Herod’s political family—his sister, his wife, and their mothers—and forced to serve in the palace to protect her treasure, Lydia must deliver the scrolls before dark forces warring against the truth destroy all hope of the coming Messiah.

My Thoughts 

Higley knows her history. I could not believe how in depth and well written The Queen's Handmaid was. I also the loved the time period that this book was set in, with Cleopatra and Marc Antony, and also how she used her own character Lydia with the Jewish aspect. This is such a heightened time in history where the coming of the Messiah is set up, and it's really exciting to read when authors take this time and make it into their own fictional accounts. As I have said before, it just gives a voice to the possibility, and with the well researched process that went into writing this book it's really a treat to read! 

I loved the drama and the intensity of the palace! It felt like I was watching an HBO series it was that great! Highley's writing style is very loaded, in both good and somewhat not good ways. There where passages that had a purpose I felt, and some that seemed a bit long. Sometimes I did want the story to pick up the pace at times, but from the middle to the end the movement of the pace is nothing but fast. 

I liked Lydia as a character, she wasn't perfect, but she was endearing and a person that people gravitated towards. Her one downfall I felt was loving to feel needed, but she was groomed and trained to be the handmaid of queens, so I guess those feelings came with the job. Plus, there is Simon. I don't think he's even mentioned in the synopsis on the back of the book, but he is a treat as well. I loved the loyalty he had to his heritage and also to Lydia. They made a great pair, their excerpts together where always my favorite. 

If you love reading fiction that takes actual historical accounts as a background development for the plot line this is a brilliant book to pick up to satisfy your needs!

Rating: 4 out of 5 bookshelves 
Disclaimer: I received a free copy for an honest review from Litfuse Publicity Group.

About the Author 

From her earliest childhood, there was nothing Tracy loved better than stepping into another world between the pages of a book. From dragons and knights, to the wonders of Narnia, that passion has never abated, and to Tracy, opening any novel is like stepping again through the wardrobe, into the thrilling unknown. With every book she writes, she wants to open a door like that, and invite readers to be transported with her into a place that captivates.

Tracy started her first novel at the age of eight and has been hooked on writing ever since. After attending Philadelphia Biblical University, she earned a B.A. in English Literature at Rowan University. She then spent ten years writing drama presentations for church ministry. Over 10,000 people have attended drama productions she has written.

A lifelong interest in history and mythology has led Tracy to extensive research into ancient Greece and other myth systems, and shaped her desire to shine the light of the gospel into the cultures of the past.
 
Link to Author's: Facebook, Website, Twitter, and Goodreads
Purchase a copy: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, ChristianBook 

Tracy L. Higley is celebrating the release of The Queen's Handmaid with a fun giveaway.

Retailers + Resources gave it this glowing review: "Rich in historic detail, Higley’s vivid writing brings to life the plots and intrigues that swirled through the ancient world as alliances were built and broken on the calculated schemes of power-mad monarchs." 

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Queen's Handmaid by Tracy L. Higley

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 19th. Winner will be announced April 21st on Tracy's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Tracy's blog on April 21st to see if you won.

In His Grace,                                                                                                                             Taylor Reid

Book Review #18: For Such a Time by Kate Breslin

For Such a Time is a beautiful tale that takes the account of Esther in the Bible, and recaptures the drastic measures of a woman put in a position by God to save her people from death. 

Goodreads Summary

In 1944, blonde and blue-eyed Jewess Hadassah Benjamin feels abandoned by God when she is saved from a firing squad only to be handed over to a new enemy. Pressed into service by SS-Kommandant Colonel Aric von Schmidt at the transit camp of Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia, she is able to hide behind the false identity of Stella Muller. 

However, in order to survive and maintain her cover as Aric's secretary, she is forced to stand by as her own people are sent to Auschwitz. Suspecting her employer is a man of hidden depths and sympathies, Stella cautiously appeals to him on behalf of those in the camp. Aric's compassion gives her hope, and she finds herself battling a growing attraction for this man she knows she should despise as an enemy. Stella pours herself into her efforts to keep even some of the camp's prisoners safe, but she risks the revelation of her true identity with every attempt. When her bravery brings her to the point of the ultimate sacrifice, she has only her faith to lean upon. Perhaps God has placed her there for such a time as this, but how can she save her people when she is unable to save herself?

My Thoughts 

I just can't get over how involved I became over this book. Breslin took one of my favorite books in the Bible, Esther, and took another real life account, the Holocaust, and meddled them together to create a drama that gripped me all the way to the last chapter. You will be doing yourself the biggest favor by buying this book and reading it. It's well thought out, the struggle of Hadassah between loving Aric and saving her people is compelling, and Aric trying to figure out the path he will be willing to take shows the drastic conditions that were going on during the Holocaust. 

Each chapter was set up by a Bible verse from the book of Esther. I really liked this choice of helping the reader to follow with the story, and also as a way to interest them into actually reading the whole book (which is not that long at all). 

Hadassah, also known as Stella, was a great heroine. She was a caretaker and ultimately took upon the role of saving her  people. She was willing the risk her life for them, which to me brilliantly symbolized Esther in the Bible. Both women were scared, but took it upon themselves to do the unbelievable with their God guiding them. However, Aric was a hard character for me to warm up too. He seemed to be a stiff character and was consumed sometimes with Stella/Hadassah almost like she was a posession. I felt that towards the end though that changed, and he triumphed over this, and maybe that is what the author wanted to convey through him because he was in a SS Kommandant, but I'm not sure. But other than that I loved the relationships that formed through this book despite the horrid events taking place in the environment around them. 

Breslin did a really well job at writing this book. I felt it was well researched in both Biblical and historical facts. It's the perfect blend of both sources. If you love the story of Esther, stories set in the Holocaust that have a joyful ending, and or all of the above this is the book for you! 

Rating:  4.75 out of 5 bookshelves 
[Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]

About the Author 

A Florida girl and former bookseller, Kate Breslin migrated to the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her husband and a spoiled cat named Coco. Kate has written travel articles, published award-winning poetry, and was a finalist in RWA's Golden Heart Contest. FOR SUCH A TIME is her debut novel; now that she's writing inspirational romance, Kate enjoys creating stories showing how God's love brings two hearts together.

Author's: Website and Goodreads
Purchase a copy of her book: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, ChristianBook 

In His Grace, 
Taylor Reid