The Calling {Rachelle Dekker}

Remko Brant had never been so sure of anything as escaping the Authority City with Carrington Hale. But bravado comes easy when you have nothing to lose. Now a husband, father, and the tactical leader of the Seers, Remko has never had so much at risk. As he and his team execute increasingly dangerous rescue missions inside the city, they face growing peril from a new enemy. Recently appointed Authority President Damien Gold claims to be guiding a city shaken by rebellion into a peaceful, harmonious future. But appearances can be deceiving. In order to achieve his dangerous ambitions, Gold knows he must do more than catch the rebels--he must destroy the hope their message represents . . . from the inside out. With dissension in his own camp--and the CityWatch soldiers closing in--Remko feels control slipping through his fingers. To protect those he loves, he must conquer his fears and defeat Gold . . . before one of them becomes his undoing.

My Thoughts:

I hate giving bad reviews, but this book did nothing for me. It is the second book in a series, and reading the first book is apparently necessary. There is also a book following this one, so the story lines were all left unresolved in this book.

Other than being completely lost about the storyline and what was going on, I felt this book was trying too hard. I am a big fan of the Hunger Games, and I felt this book was trying to ride on the coattails of that series. Everything about the setting, the characters and the classes of citizens screamed Hunger Games to me. I could even picture scenes from the books where I felt some of this book was taking place. That is not a good thing for me.

I am not going to say not to read this one, but definitely, start with book one.

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The oldest daughter of "New York Times" bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through storytelling. She graduated with a degree in communications and spent several years in marketing and corporate recruiting before making the transition to write full time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat Blair. Visit her online at www.rachelledekker.com.

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Wee Read Wednesday: The Legend of the Easter Robin

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. 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.

In the center of the nest lay one perfect egg, the color of a spring sky. The father robin sat on a branch nearby, guarding his family. Tressa spotted raccoon tracks below and a blue jay eyeing the nest. “Gran, how are we going to keep the egg safe?” “We’ll have to leave that one to the Creator,” Gran said. Robins have built a nest on the window ledge at Grandmother’s house! Tressa is thrilled―and concerned. What will happen to the sky-blue egg laid by the mother robin? As more eggs appear, Tressa witnesses the daily drama of the robins’ nest and learns how God cares for all creatures. Besides watching the birds, there are Easter eggs to color. And there is a very special story to hear―a tale of long ago about one small bird with a very big heart. How did the robin get its red breast? Tressa is about to find out as Gran tells her the story of the Easter robin. Brought to life with colorful, tender illustrations, The Legend of the Easter Robin will captivate and teach your child about compassion and faith.

My Thoughts:

What a sweet story! My kids and I sat down for story time with this book and immediately both kids were completely engrossed in the story.

This book starts out with young Tressa watching over the robins in her grandmother’s yard. Tressa is upset because she feels the robins are getting their nest ready to early and the baby birds will not be able to survive. Grandmother is always there, though, reminding her God is in control and He will determine the path of the robin eggs.

Then the legend of the robin is told. The legend is a very touching story of Jesus’ path to the cross, and the part a robin played in those events. The legend explains why the robin has the red breast. Although it is simply a legend, it is a very moving story and one I will hold in my heart forever. I believe my kids also enjoyed the legend of the red breast, and will think of Jesus and the price He paid for us, each time they see a robin.

This story has some amazing graphics and was perfect for both my kids’ ages. It is one book we will continue to read year after year as the Easter season approaches.

Thanks to the folks at FlyBy Promotions, one of you gets a copy of this book as well! Just use the widget below to enter. I will close the giveaway Sunday, February 28^th at 9 pm CST, and will email the winner. Good luck!

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Cold Shot {Dani Pettrey}

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet--until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern--a young social justice lawyer missing since spring--and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he--and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.

My Thoughts:

This was my first read from Pettrey. It will not be my last.

The first few chapters of this one started a little slow for me. There are several characters involved in this series and the introduction of all of them seemed to take more chapters than usual. However, once the story really got going, I was glad for the in-depth character introductions. This is going to be an amazing series and I am happy to have a little background on everyone.

The book opens straight forward. Griffin discovers a recently buried body, and everyone else comes in to form the team that will figure out who the body belongs to, and how it got there. There is obvious tension between Griffin, Parker and Declan, but it is also apparent they were very close in the past. As the story progresses and each character is developed, we learn the demons that haunt each of the men. We see them struggle with the mistakes and guilt of their past, and we also see them turn to God for his strength and guidance in their lives. The men in this book are all strong upstanding characters, and I enjoyed getting to know each of them.

The women in this book are equally exciting. My first impression of Finley was a non-nonsense woman who only had one goal in life – succeed. These traits made it difficult for me to like her at first. As her relationship with Griffin and the group began to grown, her barriers began to come down and we saw the real woman she is. Finley ended up being a character I loved. She also has a very difficult past haunting her at every turn. When she finally reveals all the details of her nightmare, I felt such a connection to her.

As the group of friends work together to figure out whom the discovered body belongs to, they quickly realize a sniper is hunting them. This aspect of the story was so exciting to me, and really made this book a suspense I could not put down. I kept turning the pages well into the wee hours of the morning trying to figure out who the sniper was, and who was going to survive to the end of the book.

I thought the ending of this book was perfect for this case, and a wonderful transition into the next book in the series. I am not sure when the next book will be released, but I can assure you it will be on my reading list. These are characters I want to spend more time with for sure.

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Dani Pettrey is a wife, mom, grandma, and the author of Cold Shot, the first book in the Chesapeake Valor series, and the Alaskan Courage romantic suspense series, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered,Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. Her books have been honored with the Daphne du Maurier award, two HOLT Medallions, a Christy Award nomination, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award, among others.

She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves—the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their two daughters, a son-in-law, and a super adorable grandson.

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The Gift of Friendship {Dawn Camp}

Whether next door or in the next time zone, our friends provide some of our most important relationships. We cherish time spent with them, bemoan time spent apart, and look forward to the next time we can have coffee or rush to greet them as they walk toward our door. And nothing warms our hearts like stories of true friendship. 

Collecting over fifty true stories from some of today best writers, Dawn Camp offers readers a chance to sit back and experience the gift of friendship. With its beautiful photographs and poignant prose, this collection is a great gift for a dear friend and the perfect pick-me-up any time you need a boost. Contributors include Crystal Paine, Liz Curtis Higgs, Tsh Oxenreider, Myquillyn Smith, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Lisa-Jo Baker, Jessica Turner, Lysa TerKeurst, Bonnie Gray, Holley Gerth, Renee Swope, and many more. 

My Thoughts:

I think everyone has friends while they are growing up. Those friends tend to change from time to time, depending on the season of your life, but the friends are always there.

As you grow into an adult, some of those friends stay with you, but it is easy to lose track of those connections as you move into the beginnings of your life as adults, wife and mom. In the past few years, I have been fortunate to make some new connections – adult friends trekking along in the same season of life I find myself. Those friendships are a treasure.

The friendship I have found with my little tribe is something so special. That is what friendship is. In The Gift of Friendship, Dawn has collected essays from some of the most amazing and influential women across the nation. This collection of friendship stories so accurately portrayed the true meaning of adult friendship. It really hit home to my current season of life, and the women I am fortunate enough to call my friends.

I loved this book so much, and look forward to sharing it with those women I call my friends.

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Wee Read Wednesday: I Will Follow Jesus Bible Storybook

In this beautiful book, bestselling author Judah Smith and his wife, Chelsea, have shared the gospel message simply and in a way that children can fully understand—so they can grow and develop their faith now and be inspired to follow Jesus for the rest of their lives.

Kids will learn about God and about Jesus’ life and purpose on earth through Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments. The Bible stories are also accompanied by personal stories from Judah and Chelsea that will help children see who Jesus is in their life today, right where they are—and how very much Jesus loves them and wants them to follow Him.

There are no sweeter words than hearing your child say, “I want to follow Jesus!”

My Thoughts:

My son loves this book, and I do too!

This book takes some of the most well known and most important stories in the Bible and tells in a simplified manner. Each story is one or two pages long and has some fun illustrations to hold the kids’ attention.

My son is almost four, and this book is perfect for his age group. As I read the stories to him, he is able to understand them and tell them back to me. It is such a great way to teach him the Bible in a way he can begin to understand.

Our kid bookshelves are full of amazing books from Tommy Nelson, and this is another addition we will enjoy for years to come.

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Keeper of the Stars {Robin Lee Hatcher}

Because it's not always love at first sight!

When her mother died from pneumonia, Penny Cartwright was heartbroken. But now, after burying her younger brother just 12 years later, she is devastated. Anger, guilt, and sorrow cloud Penny's mind, and the last thing she wants is to be reminded of her pain---but that's exactly what happens when a stranger comes to town.

Trevor Reynolds has been chasing fame for more than a dozen years, but his musical career can't get off the ground. While on the road, an accident kills his young drummer, Brad Cartwright. Trevor wasn't behind the wheel, but he still blames himself . . . and so does Brad's sister, Penny. Now Trevor finds himself in Kings Meadow, determined to follow through on his final promise to his friend.

Still feeling the pain of Brad's death, Penny and Trevor must learn that forgiveness is the only thing that can heal their hearts. And if they do forgive, something beautiful may rise from the ashes of heartbreak.

My Thoughts:

This book is a winner! This story and these characters had my attention with the first few paragraphs, and this story simply got better as the book progressed.

Penny is living at home and taking care of her dad. Her mom died several years ago, and her brother recently died in a car wreck. Penny hit home for me. My brother died in a car wreck several years ago, but I still remember the anger that sometimes took over the memories after his death. It is so easy to get angry and try to find someone to blame, and that is exactly what Penny did following her brother’s death.

Unfortunately, the one person Penny decided to be angry at following the wreck was the same person her brother had sent her way as he was dying. Trevor arrived in town unsure of why he was there, but knowing his friend was insistent he go and spend time with Penny and the family. As soon as Trevor arrived in town, it was obvious his life was going to change. As the book progressed, the anticipation grew for just how much Trevor was going to allow his life to be altered by the people of Kings Meadow.

I do not want to give away too much about where these characters end up, but I was so happy with the transformation of both Penny and Trevor as they dealt with the changes God was making in their lives. Letting go and trusting God became such a focal point of this book, and the message that He is going to take care of His children rang through loud and clear. Seeing the results in Penny and Trevor’s lives was proof that God always knows what He is doing.

This book is the conclusion of a series. I have not read any of the previous books in the series, but this book is easily a stand-alone read.

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Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heart-warming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, two RT Career Achievement Awards, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over sixty novels.

Connect with Robin: website, Twitter, Facebook

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Strong and Kind: And Other Important Character Traits Your Child Needs to Succeed {Korie Robertson}

What Legacy Will You Pass Down To The Next Generation?

“After being a parent for twenty years, I have come to believe that the most important thing for parents to decide—more important than bottle or breastfeeding, more important than co-sleeping or sleep training, and even more important than whether to put your child in day care or become a stay-at-home parent—is what values are important to your family and how you will go about instilling those values in your children.”

In Strong and Kind Korie Robertson—with the help of her mom, Chrys Howard, and with insights and stories from her husband, Willie—introduces nine character traits that children need in order to lead a successful life. And though there are no perfect parents or perfect children, Korie shares principles—based on biblical wisdom and time-tested practices—that will help you parent your own one-of-a-kind child.

My Thoughts:

Anyone who has spent any time with me, or on the blog, knows I am a huge fan of the Robertson family. I am in awe of their ability to hold fast to their family values while living in the high-profile life they have. I have read every book the family has published, and have actually molded some of my parenting styles from things I read in their books.

This one, however, just did not do it for me. I was excited to start this one, but quickly got bored with the information being presented. Much of the book felt like I was reading a textbook with a few stories thrown in. There were references to research studies, professor lectures and psychology reports. I almost felt this book was trying too hard to be a teacher rather than a resource.

I do hate that I did not like this one. I really had high hopes for it, and wanted it to be another great book to add to my parenting library. I was very disappointed that it did not turn out to be all that I hoped for it.

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Korie Robertson is a New York Times bestselling author, the wife of Duck Commander® CEO Willie Robertson and star of A&E's Duck Dynasty. A mother of five, Korie balances family life and her role at Duck Commander with several ventures of her own, including her retail store Duck & Dressing, overseeing licensing for the family's brands and philanthropic work with a children's home in the Dominican Republic, Help One Now and adoption and foster care advocacy in Louisiana. Her writing credits include Duck Commander Devotions for Kids, The Women of Duck Commander: Surprising Insights from the Women Behind the Beards About What Makes This Family Work, Faith Commander: Living Five Values from the Parables of Jesus and The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family, and Ducks Built a Dynasty. Follow online @bosshogswife or www.duckcommander.com.

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A Son's Vow {Shelley Shepard Gray}

Three months ago, everything changed for Darla Kurtz and her family.

Darla's father was responsible for a terrible fire at Charm's lumber mill which killed five Amish men. And though he, too, lost his life, the town of Charm hasn't looked at her family the same since. Even Lukas Kinsinger---with whom Darla used to have a close friendship.

Now her brother's anger at the town is spilling over onto Darla, and she has the bruises to prove it. The accident already cost five lives, but if something doesn't change soon, Darla fears it will cost her---and her family---even more.

Lukas Kinsinger wants to mourn the loss of his father, but he can hardly find the time to breathe. Suddenly the head of his father's lumber mill and responsible for taking care of his three siblings, he's feeling the pressure. He has also never felt more alone---especially with the new tension between he and Darla. But when he learns of her troubles at home, Lukas knows he can't simply stand by and watch. Someone has to help her before another tragedy occurs.

As Lukas and Darla attempt to repair their families, they discover something deeper than friendship growing between them. But will Lukas and Darla's love be accepted after so much loss? Or will the pain of the past overcome any chance of future happiness?

Shelley Shepard Gray's first book in her Charmed Amish Life series is set in the quaint Amish village of Charm, Ohio, and tells the stories of the Kinsinger siblings who are each struggling to find both forgiveness and love in the face of tragedy. 

My Thoughts:

While this book had a good story with some unexpected twists, I never really felt I connected with the characters. That lack of connection made it difficult for me to really get into the book and the story being told.

The town of Charm is 100 days removed from a mill fire that killed five men in the community. While some of the survivors have begun the process of moving on, some are still stuck in the tragedy and the actions that caused the fire. It is those that are still stuck in the past that cause drama and turmoil for the rest of the town.

Darla is the daughter of the man accused of starting the fire. Although his name has been cleared, those that blame him seem to blame him very publicly and without question. This has caused Darla and her siblings to be outcasts in town, and they are struggling to simply survive. Darla works to keep them going, and endures intense abuse from her brother.

Through the abuse that Darla suffers, a bond is rekindled between Darla and Lukas. Although there were flashbacks and memory scenes, I felt we missed a lot of the background story between Darla and Lukas. Therefore, their story felt very rushed an impulsive to me. Although I appreciated his willingness to protect her, I felt Lukas moved much too fast for the situation Darla was in.

A side character in this book is Hannah. Hannah lost her boyfriend in the fire, and has moved on by working for an English family. I actually enjoyed her story more than the one of Darla and Lukas. I am hopeful the following books in this series will have a focus on Hannah and the life she is creating for herself.

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Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Connect with Sherri: website, Twitter, Facebook,Pinterest

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Book Giveaways

I've got two book giveaways to share with you today. Both of these books will make an appearance here on the blog in coming weeks. Just click the graphics to visit the giveaways.

Green Smoothies: Juices, smoothies, Nut Milks, and Tonics

Kickstart your metabolism, fire up your mind, and promote whole-body health.

Discover the health-boosting benefits of smoothies, juices, tonics, and nut milks. Find the perfect juice to help detoxify your body, enhance your digestion, or invigorate your metabolism. Energize your day with 66 easy-to-follow, quick, and tasty recipes. Learn simple ways to incorporate more greens into your diet every day.

I do not eat fruits and veggies. Never have, and do not intend to start any time soon. But I know I need the nutrients from the fruits and veggies in my diet – especially as the birthdays continue to roll by. I have considered trying smoothies, but have never known where to start.

I was excited when Green Smoothies arrived at my house. Finally a source for knowing what to do to get started with healthy smoothies and our house.

I like how the beginning of this book gives information on the difference between juices and smoothies, tips for getting started, and even a sample plan to start with a detox should you want to do that. For us, we just jumped right in.

We do not have a juicer, so we have been sticking with the smoothies but have found a couple we like. I am excited to incorporate smoothies into my diet and maybe slowly introduce them to my kids as well. I see this as a great way to get my kids some extra nutrients in their diet.

This book will be a great resource for our family.

Beyond the Silence {Tracie Peterson, Kimberley Woodhouse}

Lillian Porter has always wanted to fulfill her mother's dream of going west, so when she hears about a nanny position in Angels Camp, California, she defies her grandfather and takes a chance on a new future. But she quickly wonders if she made the right choice. There are rumors in town that her new employer, Woodward Colton, caused the death of his wife. This accusation doesn't match the man Lillian comes to know--and Mrs. Goodman, Woody's long-time housekeeper, is decisively on Woody's side--but many in town stay far away from Lillian because of her association with the Colton family.

Lillian's six-year-old charge, Jimmy, was there when his mother died, and he hasn't spoken a word since. Gently, Lillian tries to coax him out of his shell, hoping he'll one day feel safe enough to tell her the truth about what happened. But the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. Will Mrs. Goodman and Jimmy be able to speak what they know in time to save Lillian from tragedy?

My Thoughts:

This book truly had it all. I found myself laughing and crying. Grieving through tragedy and rejoicing through triumphs. Worrying over some characters while wishing evil on others. A book full of all the emotions.

This book had me from the very beginning. It was obvious from the moment we met Lillian she was a women capable of standing up for herself. She threw away a lavish lifestyle and the only family she had just to follow her dreams. Her determination had me cheering for her from the very beginning.

As she arrived in Angels Camp, I was immediately annoyed with the towns people. They took it upon themselves to trash a man’s reputation to a newcomer. I had little hope for everyone in town, but I was so glad to see most of them redeemed by the end of the book.

Little Jimmy won my heart immediately. The tiny child witnessed his mother’s murder and became silent. It warmed my heart how quickly he accepted Lillian and was willing to allow her to fill the motherly void in his life. It was apparent he developed a deep love for Lillian, and I wanted nothing more than to see the two of them happy at the end of this book.

As this book moved along, tragedy continued to take place. We witnessed one of the most evil characters I have seen in a long time, and my heart felt very cold for this man. It was refreshing to see Lillian turn to God on such frequent occasion and use her relationship with the Lord to get past the evil from the man.

In the end, we get to witness God’s amazing love and support for his people. He does not always work in our time, but when God is ready, He does some miraculous things. He is able to heal a family, and an entire town. He is able to replace grief with love, and bring happy endings to all those who trust Him. It was beautiful to see these truths become so obvious in this book.

Put this one on your reading list for sure.

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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.

Kim Woodhouse is a devoted wife and mother, and a third generation Liszt student. She has passed down her love of the arts to hundreds of students over the years, recorded three albums, and appeared at over 700 venues.

Her quick wit, enthusiasm, and positive outlook through difficult circumstances have gained her audiences at conferences, retreats, churches, military functions, and seminars all over the country.

The Woodhouse family’s story has been on the front page of newspapers, in magazines, articles, medical journals, and most recently featured on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They were also asked to share their story on The Montel Williams Show and Discovery Health Channel’s Mystery ER.

Kim has been writing seriously for fifteen years. Songs, plays, short stories, novels, picture books, articles, newsletters – you name it – she’s written it. It wasn’t until a dear friend challenged her to “do something with it”, that she pursued publication. She now has multiple books to her credit, with more on the way.

Kim lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and their two children in a truly “Extreme” home.

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Wee Read Wednesday: Good Night, Little Love

“Good night, little love!” As Baby Bunny gets ready for bed, Mommy shares all the reasons she loves him. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day, this die-cut book is embellished with foil and glitter.

Growing up I was never a fan of Valentine’s Day. I hated the pressure of making the perfectly romantic day. As a wife, I never liked it any better. But as a parent, it is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate. I love being able to do a little extra something to let my kids know they are on my mind.

Good Night, Little Love is a wonderful book for Valentine’s Day. It is a board book, so you know it is sturdy enough to survive the world that is the preschooler bookshelf.

The book walks through the bedtime routine of a young rabbit (aka Little Love) and their parent. From putting on their fuzzy red pajamas to talking about all the fun things they will do the following day. The parent wishes Little Love sweet dreams, and expresses their full love for the young rabbit.

“Good night, Little Love,

Our hearts intertwine.

I'll always be yours;

You’ll always be mine.”

The book is written in a singsong rhyme, and fun illustrations for the young child. It has already been read a few hundred times at our house, and I know it is one my kids will continue to bring me long after Valentine’s Day has passed.

The book is available from Thomas Nelson, or wherever preschool books are sold.

Always Watching {Lynette Eason}

The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have more than just skill and prowess in common--they're also all women. When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians in order to protect his son.

But when Wade's bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap. Olivia's skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade's stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him. Olivia has the feeling that she's next on the list. And to complicate things even further, she realizes that her heart may be in as much danger as her client.

My Thoughts:

Although I am sure it is common, I have never thought about women being bodyguards. This book not only brought an awareness of the profession, but gained my respect for the work they do.

When we first meet the Elite Guardians we realize these are not women to be messed with. They are fully aware of their surroundings, command the attention of everyone in the room, and take their job very seriously. The thought of someone getting hurt on their watch is worst case scenario for them.

We get to see Olivia come in and really take over the situation when Wade’s bodyguard is attacked. I instantly liked Olivia and her ability to take charge of a situation, but still appear vulnerable enough to consider Wade something more than a client. It showed that Olivia is amazing at what she does, but she is also very human. Seeing the human side of Olivia really made her a likable character.

My feelings for Wade seemed to shift as the book moved along. At some times I liked him, but others times I wanted to grab him and shake him. He seemed like he was open to having the guards, but then other times he did whatever he wanted with no regard to what the professionals were advising him. It was his disregard that almost cost him his life.

As this book progressed it left me on the edge of my seat as I turned each page. The suspense really turned up the heat in the last few chapters and left me speechless as identities were revealed.

This turned out to be a great book and deserves a place on your reading list.

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Lynette Eason grew up in Greenville, SC. She graduated from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and then obtained her masters in education from Converse College. Author of twenty inspirational romantic suspense books, she is also a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In 1996, Lynette married "the boy next door" and now she and her husband and their two children make their home in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

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