Book Review~The Alliance

About the Book:
The Alliance, written by Jolina Petersheim, was published by Tyndale House Publishers, and is 384 pages long. ISBN 978-1496402219

Leora Ebersole is a young woman who is part of an Old Order Mennonite community.  She has had a rough life, and has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders caring for her siblings. One day, a small plane crashed into the field near her house. She and other community members rush to pull out the pilot, Moses Hughes. At the same time outside their community, cars came to a stop, and there was no more electricity or cell phones. Moses explained to the Pacifist community that he believes an EMP has occurred, and the community is at risk from outsiders wanting their food stores.

In the days that followed, although from two different worlds, Moses and Leora become closer, to the dismay of the Mennonites close to Leora. As their lives become more and more dangerous, their backgrounds seem to matter less, and it is just a matter of survival.  As an Old Order Mennonite, Leora and others must come to terms with deciding what lengths they would go to to protect their loved ones.


About the Author:

Jolina Petersheim is the bestselling author of The Midwife and The Outcast, which Library Journal called "outstanding . . . fresh and inspirational" in a starred review and named one of the best books of 2013. Her writing has been featured in venues as varied as radio programs, nonfiction books, and numerous online and print publications such as Reader's Digest, Writer's Digest, and Today's Christian Woman. Jolina and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but now live on a solar-powered farm in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin with their young daughters. Follow Jolina and her blog at jolinapetersheim.com

What I Thought: 

If I could give The Alliance more than five stars, I would! It was an amazing story that kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. Actually, I'm still on the edge of my seat because there is a sequel that hopefully comes out soon.  I love Amish and Mennonite fiction, as well as apocalyptic stories, so this was a great combination of the two. It was not like any other story I have read before. The characters Leora and Moses were wonderfully developed and I felt like I was feeling their turmoil along with them. The story makes you wonder how far you would go to protect your loved ones. I highly recommend The Alliance!

 *Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review & Author Giveaway~Service Tails: More Stories of Man's Best Hero

About the Book: 
Heart-tugging true stories of the courage, faith, and loyalty of remarkable service dogs. Not all heroic dogs wildly toss themselves into lifesaving situations. Some save lives simply by their incredible commitment to duty and service. Some lead the way to independence for people whose disabilities were supposed to limit their lives.

In Service Tails: More Stories of Man's Best Hero, prolific author Ace Collins introduces us to leaders whose entire lives are wrapped in the banner of service. Their stories are remarkable snapshots of the value of vision and teamwork, as well as devotion to duty and unconditional love and acceptance---stretching the way we see both canine and human potential. Their training was intense, their loyalty unquestioned and each step of the way they constantly adapt to better serve those they lead. These unforgettable dogs are more than heroes; they are models from which we can learn how to love and serve unconditionally.

Purchasing Link: You can purchase your own copy of Service Tails at Abingdon Press. 

 About the Author: 

Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. He has authored more than sixty books that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children's works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a network television special and does college basketball play-by-play. Ace lives in Arkansas.

Connect with author Ace Collins:
 Website
 Facebook
 Twitter

What I Thought: 
I love animals, especially dogs, so I was thrilled to review Service Tails: More Stories of Man's Best Hero. I had not read Man's Best Hero, but had read great reviews on it, so I was hoping Service Tails was great as well.

Service Tails has an Introduction, then twelve chapters that are each individual true stories of service dogs and their people. The first chapter, Beginnings, tells the fascinating story of how the first service dog came to America in the 1920s. The other eleven chapters are all more recent stories. Each chapter is between 15-20 pages, making it easy to set down between chapters and pick up later without having to remember the story you were reading.

I loved each and every chapter in Service Tails. I knew service animals could do amazing things, but did not realize the depth of their service. These incredible animals become their owner's eyes, ears, hands and feet, while providing companionship and love. Again and again, the stories expressed the huge increase in self-worth these people would gain with their guide dogs assistance.

Each and every story in Service Tails: More Stories of Man's Best Hero touched and amazed me in a different way. I am looking forward to passing this book on to my parents, who are also dog lovers and I know will thoroughly enjoy reading it. I also plan to read Man's Best Hero right away! Thank you to author Ace Collins for a wonderful book!

You can read more reviews of Service Tails at Litfuse.

Author Giveaway
 
Fall in love with these remarkable service dogs and their stories of courage, faith, and loyalty in Ace Collins' new book, Service Tails. Their training was intense, their loyalty unquestioned and each step of the way they constantly adapt to better serve those they lead. These unforgettable dogs are more than heroes; they are models from which we can learn how to love and serve unconditionally.

Celebrate the release of Service Tails with Ace by entering to win the Take-Your-Dog-to-the-Park Pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Service Tails
• A copy of Man's Best Hero
• A dog blanket
• A dog leash
• A dog-cape towel
• A dog bandana
• A dog toy
• Dog treats

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on August 30. The winner will be announced August 31 on the Litfuse blog.

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Review & Author Giveaway~When Death Draws Near

About the Book: 
Death has always been part of Gwen Marcey’s job. But when faced with her own mortality, everything takes on a different hue.
Forensic artist Gwen Marcey is between jobs and homes when she accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky. The Eastern Kentucky town, located deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, has been plagued by a serial rapist and a series of unexplained deaths. Before Gwen can develop a composite drawing, the latest witness vanishes, just like all the previous victims.
Turning her attention to sketching the face of an unidentified body, she discovers a link between his death and a Pentecostal serpent-handling church. Serpent-handling is illegal in Kentucky, and the churches have gone underground to avoid the authorities and continue to worship as they believe. Gwen is offered a handsome reward to infiltrate the renegade members, a reward she desperately needs as it seems her breast cancer has returned.
Joined by her digitally-obsessed, Generation Z daughter, Gwen goes undercover to a nineteenth century revival, planning to draw the faces of the snake handlers so they can be identified and arrested. Instead she uncovers a murderous plot and a festering evil.

About the Author: 

  Carrie Stuart Parks is a Christy finalist as well as a Carol award-winning author. She has won numerous awards for her fine art as well. An internationally known forensic artist, she travels with her husband, Rick, across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement professionals. The author/illustrator of numerous books on drawing and painting, Carrie continues to create dramatic watercolors from her studio in the mountains of Idaho.

What I Thought: 
When Death Draws Near is the second book I have read by Carrie Stuart Parks. The first book was A Cry in the Dust, and I was captivated by it. Although the books have the same main characters, the stories are separate and stand alone. Although I never gave much thought to what a forensic artist does, reading these two books has made me so intrigued by the job and all that it entails. Gwen Marcey puts herself, friends and family in danger with each new case-making for a thrilling read. Multiple cases intertwining, many interesting characters, and Gwen's personal trials make for an edge-of-your-seat story I couldn't put down. There are Discussion Questions at the end of the book, making it a great choice for a Book Club. 

You can read more reviews of When Death Draws Near at Litfuse. Purchase your own copy of the book, and learn more about the author and her other books at her website.



Author Giveaway:

Plunge into forensic artist Gwen Marcey's world, full of cold-case murders, shady politics, and a den of venomous suspects. Add Carrie Stuart Parks' new Gwen Marcey novel, When Death Draws Near, to the top of your must-read list. Gwen accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky—a small town facing big-city crime. But before she can finish her first drawing of the serial rapist who is on the loose, the latest witness vanishes. Just like all the others. Can Gwen uncover the truth—and convince anyone to believe her—before she becomes a victim herself?

Join Carrie in celebrating the release of When Death Draws Near by entering to win an Undercover Artist Starter Set.

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of When Death Draws Near
• A $30 Michael's or Hobby Lobby gift card (winner's choice)
• Colored pencils
• A sharpener
• A pencil case
• An eraser
• A coloring prayer book
• A coloring notecard set
• A lap desk

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on August 22. The winner will be announced August 23 on the Litfuse blog.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review AND Giveaway~I Love You Just Because

About the Book:  Through adorable, cuddly art and fun rhyming text, I Love You Just Because will help little ones understand their parents' love for them and that it doesn't have to be earned. With playful artwork and the same friendly bear family you already know and love from Donna Keith's first two books—I Love You All the Same and I Love You Even When—the sweet story of this book will touch you and your family and will remind you that family members love each other...just because.
Parents will gravitate toward the felt need and fun messaging of this book as it seeks to help them explain to their little ones that they are truly loved just because.

Purchasing and Social Links:
Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/dp/0718088530/ref=cm_sw_su_dp?tag=hcads-20
 Facebook @DonnaKeithAuthor
Facebook @TommyNelsonBooks
Twitter @TommyNelson
Instagram  @TommyNelsonBooks
Pinterest Tommy-Nelson-Books

What I Thought: 

Written by Donna Keith and illustrated by Alison Edgson, this adorable hardcover board book captured our hearts. The picture above is my grandson Daniel, 4, 'reading' I Love You Just Because to our new puppy, Daisy. I love this picture and the sweet looks on both their faces!  

There are many reasons we like this book so much-the adorable illustrations, the cute and meaningful story, and the bible verses on each page. But I think the main reason is that lately we've been talking about adoption. I was adopted and we adopted our youngest son. This topic recently came up with my grandson, and he has been trying to understand. It was perfect timing to receive I Love You Just Because and read about the three different bear cubs who were all given to their parents by God. They look different and eat different things, but are loved just the same by their parents and grandparents. 

Giveaway!!!

I have one copy to give away! I will email the winner within 24 hours of the contest end, and the winner will have 48  hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

  Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  Open to residents of US and Canada.If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Children's Book Review~Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?

Author Carole P. Roman has written another delightful children's book, Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? Illustrated by Mateya Arkova, the book is thirty-two pages long with just one or two lines of text on the pages. It would make a great gift for a beginning reader. 

In Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?  two little girls ask their father if they can still be princesses if they were to become firefighters. The father describes all the different occupations they can become when they are older-they can be anything they want to be, and still be princesses. 

Although it looks like a 'girly' book from the cover, my grandson Daniel enjoyed the book. The story rhymes, and the pictures are so cute! He likes to see the girls dressed up in all the different outfits for the different jobs. I love the sweet story and the beautiful, soft illustrations.

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is a former teacher turned businesswoman. She has successfully run a family business with her husband. Her most favorite job is being grandmother to her many grandchildren. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband.

You can learn more about the author and her books and order your own copy of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?  at http://www.caroleproman.com/

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~Rocket-Bye

Rocket-Bye is a sweet new book written by Carole P. Roman and illustrated by Mateya Arkova. It is thirty-two pages, with only one sentence on each page, making it perfect for an early reader to read on their own, or a great bedtime story to share.  The illustrations are whimsical, with beautiful, soft colors.

Rocket-Bye appealed to my four-year-old grandson immediately, with its rocket ship on the cover! He enjoyed the cute rhyming story, and loved the pictures of the planets, constellations, and stars. This book is frequently requested for his bedtime story.

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is a former teacher turned businesswoman. She has successfully run a family business with her husband. Her most favorite job is being grandmother to her many grandchildren. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband.

 To purchase your own copy of Rocket-Bye and learn more about the author and her books, visit her website.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.