5th Cup of Tea~ How do Americans brew their tea?

SPECIAL SEGMENT OF Cup of Tea Thursdays                                                                        “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”             ― C.S. Lewis

Today is the 4th of July here in America, and because I live in America it would be wrong to showcase a picture of fireworks on my blog today. I love fireworks so preeeeeeeeety!

This is a special segment because yes it is the 4th of July so my book will be a book during this time era, plus, it's called a cup of tea and all I can think of is the joke:
 - How do Americans brew their tea?
- They throw it in the harbor!

I am sort of a history nerd so that joke is just fabulous! As an American I didn't do much today. The most patriotic activity I participated in was eating apple pie and listening to "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus. Good job Taylor. I'm sure all of the forefathers had this exactly in mind when they fought for independence. It's a 110 outside where I live and I don't want to burn, plus, I have homework (an essay no less) so I'm assuming my ancestors will understand.

Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall 

This book takes place during the War of 1812. I know that Independence Day happened in 1776, but still I decided to choose this book because it illustrates the rich past of American history.

The reader is able to relive this era through the eyes of Marianne Denton and Noah Brenin, who both aim to please their families but neither one wishes to marry the other.

Noah is determined to get his cargo to England before war breaks out, and Marianne is equally determined to have a wedding so that her inheritance can be unlocked and her destitute family saved. When their stubborn games get them captured by a British warship, can they escape and bring liberty to their country—and growing love?

This book was simply spectacular. I loved the growth of love and trust between Noah and Marianne. Another amazing factor to this book was the additional background characters who were just as rich and loveable as the main characters. Especially the British characters. This is a the first of a 3 book series which I have yet to finish.

RATING: 5 out of 5 bookshelves.

Currently Reading: Yesterday, I went to the library and finally got my hands on Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I can't wait to dig into this book. :)
What are you reading this summer?

I wish everyone a fantastic 4th of July wherever you are! May it be full of watermelons, vanilla ice cream and apple pie!

For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid

My 4th Cup of Tea

Cup of Tea Thursdays 
 “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”             ― C.S. Lewis

Showcasing my most favorite books that I can't get enough of.

I have been drowning in summer midterms and rehearsals for the summer musical and training for a half marathon and and and and and..... These past 3 weeks have been busy and the next 12 weeks are going to be jam-packed  for myself but I remembered about today! I made a commitment and will follow through with it! Without further ado my fourth cup of tea choice~

 Tour de Force by Elizabeth White 

First, I want to start off and bring some attention to the cover. I mean how gorgeous and beyond great is it? Sometimes Christian novels have this certain "type" of cover. For example, a waist up view of a girl who is the main character, or the back of their neck etc., but this is just so great I love the simplicity and fresh feel of this book. The cover totally drew me in and I had to read it!

Gillian Kincade--the main woman-- is a soloist with the Ballet New York, a sought-after-guest artist, and on top of that a committed Christian. She may be an anomaly in the world of dance, but Gilly believes her devotion to God isn't compromised by following her dreams.

Then the world tilts when Jacob Ferrar-- the brilliant young artistic director-- enters her life. He is also a born-again Christian. He offers Gilliam the lead in his latest ballet and she accepts knowing it won't further her career but touch her soul. Gilly and Jacob develop a deep professional respect for each other and begin to fall in love.Then their terrific first performance is destroyed by a terrible accident, and both must face an uncertain future. Together, they dance the fine line between personal vision and God's will, listening for the guidance of the Father's heart.
  
Whoa, doesn't that sound like an epic read? It certainly was for me! I could not put it down! White created a beautiful story that could touch any heart of any age. I loved loved loved it! I have yet to read a Christian novel with this sort of storyline. Seriously, get it if you haven't read it! 

I give this novel: 5 out of 5 bookshelves. 

For His Kingdom, 
Taylor Adams

My 3rd Cup of Tea

Cup of Tea Thursdays   Friday 
 “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”             ― C.S. Lewis

Showcasing my most favorite books that I can't get enough of is exactly what I aim to do with this little segment.  

This Cup of Tea segment number 3 has been put off for exactly 15 days, my apologies! My only excuse is summer school. Statistics and English are putting a hold on my reading and blogging at the moment, but this morning I had some free time to post a little something.

That's (Not Exactly) Amore by Tracey Bateman

This book's genre is contemporary/romance Christian fiction. With a blend of humor, all things Italian (including mobsters), faith and love this book has all the components that will make you fall in "Amore." 
 
The story follows a young woman seeking out her true passion in life and how she decides to live that out. Become the interior designer or open up her own bakery/restaurant one day that displays her delicious creations? Can she date/love the Italian supposed mobster from her job or settle for the seemingly nice and respectable cop? You won't want to forget about this book.                                       

I give it 3.8 out of 5 bookshelves. 
It's also a stand alone book even though it's part of a series!

For His Kingdom, 
Taylor Reid  

My Yellow Cruiser and I Are a Forever Thing

I love my yellow cruiser. It is imperfectly perfect.

The left handle bar is missing the foam piece, while the right handle is too stubborn to let the foam fall off. A screw is missing from the back that could decide if I make it from point A to point B. The yellow paint is fading and there's a sticker of an Indiana Jones character always starring up at me.

Under all it's unpleasing features it still is a wonderful bike. It feels like it was made just for me. When I push my legs harder to beat the impeding doom of a red light it's like Cruz (the name of my bike) wants to beat it just as bad as I do.

Cruz and I are on a journey that involves meeting strangers in parking lots to buy cheap textbooks, go to Musical rehearsals, school, the store, my friend's house, to the gym, the library and maybe to the moon.

My yellow cruiser and I are a forever thing.

For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid

My 2nd Cup of Tea

Cup of Tea Thursdays 
 “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” ― C.S. Lewis

Showcasing my most favorite books that I can't get enough of is exactly what I aim to do with this little segment.

This is my second week doing this little blog article, hence the title, my 2nd cup. Last week was my first cup! :) Hope that it makes sense, ha!

The one book that can't seem to get out of my head is:

Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist

I remember when I bought this book. It was my first purchase from Amazon and of Deanne Gist's works.

It's placed in 1860's Seattle, where a man with a wife could secure himself 640 acres of timberland.

Joe Denton (handsome lumberjack man) finds himself about to lose his land so he decides to buy one of the Mercer girls arriving from the East. 

A woman he'll marry in name but keep around mostly as a cook.

Anna Ivey's journey west with Asa Mercer's girls is an escape from the griefs of her past. She's not supposed to be a bride, though, just a cook for the girls. But when they land, she's handed to Joe Denton and the two find themselves in a knotty situation. She refuses to wed him and he's about to lose his land. With only a few months left, can Joe convince this provoking--but beguiling--easterner to be his bride?

There is a huge age gap between Joe and Anna, but  they still fit each other perfectly. Gist has a talent with being able to write about love between two people that is still clean and I really enjoyed reading about them falling in love over time. 

If I could add anything there was one character I felt could have his own book finding a Mercer girl for himself! 

Other than that this was was delightful read and that's why it's my 2nd cup of tea this Thursday. 


For His Kingdom, 
Taylor Reid

Book Review #9: Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

I just love Karen Witemeyer. I have ever single one of her books on my kindle. 

I will not deny I have been anticipating her newest book since I found out about it. That was quite some time ago.

On some circumstances I prayed for the release date to be earlier or for God to loan me a time machine so I could acquire it. None of those two things happened.

After months of agonizing pain, due to my impatience, my bookreader's heart can finally rest and so can my body. I spent the previous night staring at my kindle app on my iphone--which tends to make your eyes feel like they are burning-- until  4am so I could finish it. I just couldn't be patient and read 1-5 chapters a day...my brain doesn't work that way. 

When I finished this book I sighed and the first word that came out of my mouth was, "Satisfaction."

If I learned anything after reading this book it was: do not start reading this book after 10pm. It is so great you will not want to put it down once you start. Follow that one rule and you will enjoy this book, and still be well rested (and less crankier) the next day. 

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer 

Karen's newest book will steal your heart!

Karen has such a gift with grasping her readers within the first chapter. It's fast pace, in your face, hilarious, sweet, and overall enjoyable. 

1885 - Crockett Archer is on his way to interview for a position at a church. While on the train Crockett can barely believe it when he's forced off by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minster she asked for her birthday. 

Back Cover Description: 

Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher? 

[End of Description]

The only way to make me stop reading this book would only be if  my hands or eyes were ripped from my body. I could not stop! 

I loved Joanna's soul it was beautiful. Her passion and commitment to her father's salvation was  endearing and encouraging. I even got teary eyed at the end (p.s. it concerns her father asking for water)

To read about the beginnings of the church and the community surrounding it was insightful to the beginnings of all church life.

I feel in love with Jackson, the brother like figure to Joanna. (Reader's heads up: Jackson's entrance in the story is perfect.)

Crockett is a man after God's heart and also mine I'm more than positive! 

This book should be on your bookshelf, kindle, somewhere in your possession! It's just divine and I am so honored and blessed to have had received a copy. 

I give this book a 5 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."]

Amazon  link to the book~ 

For His Kingdom, 

Taylor Adams

A slice of humble pie

It's Sunday.

I just love 1 Peter 5:6

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." 

It can be such a relief to say, "Lord, I humble myself before you."

Today and onward, I'm going to do my best to be humble before God because I know only great things can come from that. 
 

For His Kingdom,
Taylor Reid