"Kingdom Authority"

(Taking Dominion Over The Powers of Darkness)

by Kynan Bridges

Description

Ever since Kynan Bridges was a young boy, he understood that he was not alone in this world. He sensed the presence of God, but when he rededicated his life to Jesus in 1996, he encountered the dark side of the spiritual realm firsthand. For several months, he was tormented by nightmares, demonic attacks, and the spirit of fear. Little did he know that such demonic attacks on the mind and body were not unique to him. Many people in the church battle with the realm of darkness, yet they remain silent and therefore stuck in its throes, with no knowledge of how to achieve victory. One night, feeling suffocated in his sleep, Kynan called on the only name he knew to call upon, the name of Jesus. Instantly, he was set free from the tyrannical grip of the devil. In that moment, he realized that he had authority over the enemy because the name of Jesus is more than a word used casually in Sunday school, it is the embodiment of the sovereign power of the kingdom of God. Kingdom Authority provides deep biblical insight into the authority that you posses as a child of God. You will discover how to invoke God's Word and the name of Jesus to gain victory over the enemy and take dominion over the powers of darkness and their torments, finding freedom from fear, depression, lust, sickness, poverty, and bondage of all types.

Purchase this book at the following locations:

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.christianbook.com/

http://www.deepershopping.com/

Biography

Pastor Kynan T. Bridges through his profound revelation of the Word of God and dynamic teaching ministry has revolutionized the lives of many in the body of Christ. Through his practical approach to applying the deep biblical truths of the Word of God, Pastor Kynan reveals the authority and identity of the New Covenant believer. He is the Senior Pastor of Grace & Peace Global Fellowship in Tampa, Florida where he lives with his wife Gloria, and their three children. God has placed on Pastor Kynan a peculiar anointing for understanding and teaching the Scriptures along with the gift of prophecy and healing. Pastor Kynan and his wife Gloria, through an Apostolic Anointing, are committed to equipping the body of Christ to live in the supernatural everyday and fulfill the Great Commission. 
www.facebook.com/PastorKynanBridges

My Thoughts ~

Through Kingdom Authority Pastor Bridges reveals and describes ways in which Satan takes control of our lives, causing numerous afflictions, emotional and physical. By learning to discern Satan's lies we discover how to utilize the power of God as we control the darkness of the world and find true inner peace. I discovered some excellent tools for denouncing Satan, including helpful prayers at the end of each chapter. This would be great in a Bible study group, for discussion and sharing.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"A Christmas Stamp"

(O' Little Town of Christmas Collection)

by Cynthia Hickey

5 stars!

Description

Lilly Tipton has her first job as a telephonist in the picturesque town of Noel, Missouri. When she is injured riding her bicycle home from her job, she finds herself thrust into judging a contest to find a postmark that represents her little town. Not a difficult task other than the fact she must work with the very man who almost ran her over...the handsome mail carrier, Calvin. Monroe. 

After the death of his father and brother, and an injury obtained during his short time as a college football player, Calvin has no other plans than to work at his job and care for his mourning mother. When he literally runs into the lovely new telephonist, he knows all his future plans are changed. What he thought important turns out not to be. 

As the town prepares for notoriety with its postmark contest, Lilly and Calvin must set aside their plans and let God take the reins of their future.

Purchase at the following location:

http://www.amazon.com/

Biography

Cynthia Hickey has been making up stories since she was a child. How fortunate that she finally found an outlet for her, uh, fictional tellings. 

Multi-published and Amazon Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries and two novellas published through Barbour Publishing. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series, all of which stay in the top 50 of Amazon's ebooks for their genre. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013, 2014, 2015 through Harlequin's Heartsong Presents, and has sold more than 300,000 copies of her works. Cynthia is a board member for CAN (Christian Authors Network). She is active on FB, twitter, and Goodreads, and is a contributor to Cozy Mystery Magazine blog and Suspense Sisters blog. She is a featured speaker/teacher at ACFW national. She and her husband run the small press, Forget Me Not Romances, which includes some of the CBA's well-known authors. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs and two cats. She has five grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that "Nana is a writer." 

Visit her website at www.cynthiahickey.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cynthia-Hickey/151333448227549

My Thoughts ~

"A Christmas Stamp" is based in the early 1930s in Noel, Missouri where a former Christmas stamp was the catalyst for this sweet down home story of hope and teamwork. I loved the characters in this story, believable, honest, hardworking and whimsical!

Lilly and Calvin are destined to "run into one another," literally! Their story is sweet, and the gossipy characters in their local town are amusing and portray what "party lines" represented. I remember those party lines where local residents had to share the same phone line, and people could listen in on others' conversations!

This is a delightful holiday read, but one to read at any time of the year. I thoroughly enjoyed the antics and subtle hints of romance throughout this sweet novella!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novella from the author in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"Brian's Choice"

(Prequel to the Plain & Simple Miracle Series)

by Vannetta Chapman

5 stars!

Description

Brian’s Choice is an e-only novella prequel to the brand-new Plain and Simple Miracles collection from popular author Vannetta Chapman (A Promise for Miriam). These stories of love and family and Amish community in Oklahoma tell of the miracles that can happen when lives are lived in service to God and to one another.

Brian Walker has it all—a trust fund, the job of his dreams, and a beautiful woman at his side. But all of that changes in one tragic moment. Six months later he finds himself in the small town of Cody’s Creek, Oklahoma, and eventually becomes a member of the Amish community located there.

Brian feels God’s hand directing his path, and he begins to hope that perhaps his past is behind him for good. However, nothing prepares him for the day his bishop asks him a question.

Brian’s choice changes everything.

A story about the miracle of faith, the solace of love, and our ability to forgive and be forgiven.


Purchase at the following locations:
http://www.amazon.com/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
http://www.christianbook.com/

Biography

Vannetta Chapman writes fiction full of GRACE. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather's birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her first novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, quickly became a bestseller. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband. 

For more information, visit her at 
webpage -- www.VannettaChapman.com 
blog -- http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com
facebook -- www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks, and 
pinterest -- http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman


My Thoughts ~

Brian's Choice is a poignant introduction to Vannetta Chapman's Plain & Simple Miracle series. Through this novella we are introduced to Brian Walker as he leaves a life of luxury and deep emotional pain behind to begin the life of an Amish man. The painful memories of his past life have brought him to his knees in this encouraging and heartwarming novella. 


The characters in this beautifully written introductory novella are well portrayed and the spiritual messages are strong. Hope, forgiveness and the anticipation of a better future are themes that will touch your heart. This taste of the series to come touched my heart, and I can hardly wait to discover Brian's future and future relationships in Cody's Creek, Oklahoma. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"Ryan's Father"

by June Foster

Description

A Young Man at War with Himself

The rippling influence of Ryan Reid's less than moral mother and absent father left a mark on his soul. Yet everything changed when the young teacher gave his life to the Lord...almost everything.

An earthquake hurls the beautiful Sandy Arrington into his life, tossing his world upside down. But when God calls him to build an annex for needy teens at his church, he finds himself battling an attraction toward his male partner in the project. His own struggles and Sandy's growing feelings for him force Ryan to face the issue he's long buried.

Can he dig his way out from under his secret to find Sandy's love?

This book can be purchased at the following locations:

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.christianbook.com/

http://www.deepershopping.com/

Biography

I am a retired school teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in Counseling. We live and travel in our RV, so my resourceful husband took the couch out and set up a writing desk with two filing cabinets for me. I had never written fiction until the Lord put a story in my heart. When I told it to my daughter one day, she suggested I write it. That was the spark I needed. I love to write stories in which Christian men and women find victory in their lives through the power of God. I've written two other novels before the Bellewood Series Desert Breeze is publishing. Besides writing, I scrapbook, make cards, and enjoy my sixteen grandchildren.

My Thoughts ~

Ryan's story is filled with anguish and ongoing struggles. His past has paved the way for who he has become, and his attraction toward his male friend is about to ruin him. Ryan and Sandy become acquainted as the earth literally quakes, and Ryan protects Sandy from not only injury, but her overwhelming fear. She finds him very attractive, but he can only see her as a friend. 

Ryan's Father deals with numerous social issues, including illegitimacy, alcohol abuse, abandon and homosexuality. Told with honesty and sensitivity Ryan's life is one of accomplishments and grave disappointments. The author employs a heavy Christian inspirational influence throughout this story of disappointment, heartache and remorse. Hope and faith are very strong points, and forgiveness is significant. Christian faith is the thread that Ryan clings to as life becomes more and more difficult.

Ryan's Father is a strong inspirational example of how an individual may respond when his world has been turned upside down in so many ways. Facing his homosexuality is significant to Ryan's story, with his church family and strong faith that literally bring him peace when waters are rough. If you enjoy Christian fiction with a very strong inspirational message throughout, this is definitely the book for you. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"Balm of Gilead"

(A Healing Grace Novel #3)

by Adina Senft

Description

“Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” —Jeremiah 8:22, KJV

The third installment in the Healing Grace series finds young Amish widow Sarah Yoder facing her greatest challenge—herself.

Sarah Yoder hasn’t seen Henry Byler since he became engaged to an Englisch woman, which is best for her peace of mind. Since Henry never joined the Amish church, any relationship but a neighborly one is impossible. So she stays busy with her family, welcoming her son back from the ranch he’s been working on in Colorado, doing a little matchmaking for her sister-in-law, and making the teas and tinctures that heal the members of her church.

Then Henry seeks her out, desperate for a balm for his sensitive hands before his success as a potter is jeopardized, and Sarah must call on every ounce of strength to deny the cry of her heart. Yet there is Someone who just might have a special cure in mind—a healing balm with the power to change everything. But with Henry’s wedding only weeks away, is it already too late?

Author’s Note

In the ancient world, a tree known as Balm of Gilead, or the Mecca balsam, provided healing balsamic oils. In the new world, a species of poplar tree possesses similar properties and is also known as Balm of Gilead. Its fragrant, sticky buds are harvested and infused with oil to make a salve for the treatment of skin conditions. In plant lore, poplars are considered to be protective trees, which may be why the Amish and Englisch alike plant them as windbreaks in fields and along roads.

There is also a belief among ancient peoples that in the whisper of the poplar tree’s leaves, you can hear the still, small voice of God.

Purchase this book at the following locations:

FaithWords

(July 21, 2015)

320 pages

$14.99

ISBN: 9781455548675

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

IndieBound

Books-A-Million

Kobo

iBooks

Biography

Adina Senft grew up in a plain house church, where she was often asked by outsiders if she was Amish (the answer was no), she made her own clothes, and she perfected the art of the French braid. She holds an M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches as adjunct faculty.

Writing as Shelley Bates, she was the winner of RWA’s RITA Award for Best Inspirational Novel in 2005, a finalist for that award in 2006, and, writing as Shelley Adina, was a Christy Award finalist in 2009. Three of her books have shortlisted for the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award for book of the year. Of her fiction, publisher and industry blogger W. Terry Whalin has said, “Readers will be lost in the vivid world that [she] paints with incredible detail and masterful storytelling.”

A transplanted Canadian, Adina returns there annually to have her accent calibrated. Between books, she enjoys traveling with her husband, playing the piano and Celtic harp, and spoiling her flock of rescued chickens. These days, she makes period costumes and only puts up her hair for historical events and fun.

Website: http://adinasenft.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adina-Senft/140668956029677


Enjoy a chapter from Balm of Gilead!

https://www.scribd.com/doc/271781025/Balm-of-Gilead-by-Adina-Senft


My Thoughts ~

Sarah's practice as a Dokterfraa (female healer) keeps her occupied growing and harvesting herbs planted in a beautiful quilt design. She is still learning about various herbal treatments and remedies, and is kept busy helping her friends and neighbors with their health needs. 

Sarah's neighbor, Henry, is a non-Amish potter. Sarah is forbidden to spend time with him, but her attraction to the handsome man is hard to ignore. When Henry's hands suffer from his craft, with cracking skin and sores on his hands he seeks a healing balm through Sarah's medicinal herbs.

I loved both Sarah and Henry throughout this poignant story of challenges and unexpected intrusions in Henry's life. Sarah is portrayed as a gentle and compassionate person, a balm to the soul like her herbal balms are to the body. Adina Senft has obviously researched her topics well. Her knowledge of the Amish community is commendable, and the information regarding herbal medicines reveals much research. Minor characters are realistic and support the roles of the main characters, and the story unfolds with grace and feeling. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Balm of Gilead, and highly recommend it! This Amish fiction contains both depth and sensitivity. Don't miss the other books in this series. I have read Herb of Grace, but have not had the pleasure of reading Keys of Heaven yet. I will be adding that book to my collection. These books are meant to be read as a series, but I had no trouble following along without having read the second book in the series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"Love Unfeigned"

A Novella

by Nadine C. Keels

5 stars!

Description

Love to the chords of a classic jazz band…

Lorraine: plucky and competitive.

Isaiah: impish, with a smile that gleams in more ways than one.

From the time the two first square off for a fierce wall ball battle as children, Lorraine and Isaiah can’t help knowing each other, but neither can they avoid passions and misfortunes lining their path to young adulthood. When the breakup of Isaiah’s family disrupts the haven he’s shared with Lorraine, their natural relationship is eventually threatened by jealousy, abandonment, and a life-altering trauma too grave to…forget. As one year follows another, and another, what might it take to reunite this divided man and woman in love: love undeniably real and unbounded by time?

“Everything didn’t have to turn out perfect. I just wanted you there.”

Love Unfeigned is available in print at the following eStore and your Amazon store (in print and for Kindle), at Barnes & Noble (in print and for Nook), Apple, Kobo, Inktera, and Smashwords.

Biography

Nadine. A French name, meaning, “hope.”

With her lifelong passion for life-enriching fiction,

Nadine C. Keels enjoys reading and writing everything from short stories to novels. Her fiction works include Love Unfeigned and The Movement of Crowns Series, and select pieces of her lyrical poetry can be found on her spoken word album, Hope. Lyricized. As the founder of Prismatic Prospects, her communication company, Nadine has served as editor for a number of titles, and through her writing, from her books to her blog posts, she aims to help spark hope, inspiration, and genius in as many as she is privileged to reach.

The author can be reached at her website: https://prismaticprospects.wordpress.com/ & Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/nadine.keels?fref=ts

My Thoughts ~

A coming of age story, Love Unfeigned is an honest rendering of a little girl and her brother's best friend. Their relationship as youngsters is playful, innocent and sweet. As their relationship evolves into one of challenges and despair, hope for a future relationship becomes questionable. An innocent and touching relationship of young love evokes a multitude of emotions and anguish. My heart broke for these youngsters as the high school years were were filled with misunderstanding and heartbreak. 

The author penned this novella with warmth, creativity, tenderness, inspiration and a depth of feeling. Poetic and musical, with crescendos of intensity and depths of disappointment and melancholy, poor choices and innocent perceptions create disparity and heartbreak. A hope-filled and exquisite story of young love, I highly recommend this sensitive and engaging story of young love, consequences and questions regarding the future. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"The Greenfield Legacy"

Four Women, One Story

by Meredith Resce,

Paula Vince,

Amanda Deed 

& Rose Dee

Description

Mattie was in love with Billy, but she was too young to wed. When Billy was conscripted to fight in Vietnam, they made a decision that affected their lives and their future. But so much pain resulted that Mattie never really healed. Every turn Mattie made affected her daughter and her granddaughter in ways she didn’t even realize. But forty-six years later, is it time for things to be set right? Navy is a young woman who suddenly finds out about her family. But what could be a wonderful opportunity is met with jealousy and apprehension from her cousin, Brooke and her aunt Connie, especially with handsome Aidan around. Each must look past their struggles and find forgiveness and trust, and perhaps even love.

Purchase at these locations:

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.deepershopping.com/

About the authors

South Australian Author, Meredith Resce, has been writing since 1991, and has had books in the Australian market since 1997. Following the Australian success of her "Heart of Green Valley" series, an English Publisher has taken the first three books in this series, and has released them to the British and American Christian Fiction markets. She recently released her 15th project, 'The Greenfield Legacy'. Apart from writing, Meredith also takes the opportunity to speak to groups on issues relevant to relationships and emotional and spiritual growth. Meredith has also been co-writer and co-producer in the 2007 Australian feature film production, "Twin Rivers".
With her husband, Nick, Meredith has worked in Christian ministry since 1983.
Meredith and Nick have three adult children, one daughter and two sons.
Visit Meredith's website www.meredithresce.com

Award-winning author, Paula Vince loves to evoke tears and laughter through writing fiction. She stirs her stories with mystery, romance, drama and suspense to create something delectably special. A wife and homeschooling mother of three children, she resides in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia, a beautiful spot for inspiration with its breath-taking scenery and four distinct seasons. For over ten years, Paula's aim has been to provide quality faith-inspired fiction set in Australia. Her quest started way back when, as a Uni student, she discovered the writing of American Christian fiction authors. Her passion is to provide the same enjoyable reads highlighting her own country. "I've come to see that a story has its own awesome power to touch readers' hearts in ways other genres do not. A story in which we grow to care for the hero has the potential to remain in our hearts for a long time. I love the challenge of making people laugh, cry and cheer."

After years of plodding on with minimal return, as Australian-based Christian fiction was regarded as something of an oddity, Paula's efforts are beginning to bear fruit, at last.

Her novel, "Picking up the Pieces" won the religious fiction section of the 2011 International Book Awards.
Her novel, "Best Forgotten" was the winner of the 2011 CALEB Award in the fiction category, and also recognized as the best overall entry for the year, chosen over memoirs, devotionals and general fiction.

Her most recent novel, "Imogen's Chance" is an April 2014 release.

Amanda Deed grew up in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in a Christian home and found faith at an early age. Her faith has been a basis for activities in music and literature since her teen years. She has had many experiences as she toured Australia with worship bands, travelling into remote and beautiful areas of Australia. These experiences served to deepen her love of all things Australian. The culmination of her passion for her country, romance and her faith, resulted in the first of her novels in the historical romance genre, The Game.

Now married, with three children, Amanda enjoys the variety of being a mother, administrator/book-keeper, musician and fiction writer.

Amanda's debut novel, The Game, was awarded the 2010 CALEB Prize for fiction.

Rose Dee was born in Ingham, North Queensland, Australia. Her childhood experiences growing up in a small beach community would later provide inspiration for her first novel. Rose, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, decided to try her hand at writing two years ago. The result of that attempt is her first novel, 'Back to Resolution'. Her novels are inspired by the love of her coastal home and desire to produce exciting and contemporary stories of faith for women.

'Beyond Resolution', and 'A New Resolution' are the second and third books in the 'Resolution' series.

Rose resides in Mackay, North Queensland with her husband, young son, and mischievous pup, Noodle.

My Thoughts ~

A complex plot of four generations, The Greenfield Legacy is poignant and profound. From the oldest generation to the youngest, relationships are stress filled and disconnected. The plot is praiseworthy, and characters are authentic. I could relate to some of the difficult issues broached in this complicated story.

I had a very difficult time following the multiplicity of characters and the different time frames as the story moved from one character to another and one time frame to another  It was about three-quarters of the way through the book that I finally felt I could keep characters and relationships straight. I did enjoy the story at large, but there was much confusion in my mind, and I had to continue to backtrack which affected my enjoyment of the book. Additional editing would be very helpful, as there were numerous typos and missed errors. 

This is a book that you need to take some time reading. As stated above, the plot is praiseworthy, but it isn't a book to take to the beach for an easy read. I did enjoy the Greenfield's life stories and the relationships as they progressed.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Book Fun in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.