A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham

This book is special. This is the book that dethroned my current 2020 favorite book! I have had the same book at the top of my list for most of the year until this little gem from Rachel Fordham came along. It's an instant favorite! I haven't read any of Rachel's work before so I didn't know what to expect. But now I immediately added her other books to my TBR list!

This book takes place in the 1800s in the small town of Penance. Aggie has been the beloved schoolteacher in Penance for 6 years...ever since she literally ran for the hills and away from the love of her life in Buffalo. Aggie learned a shocking secret that changed her life forever and she felt she had no other choice but to completely start her life afresh in a new place. While trying to protect her fiance, James, she inadvertently caused him tremendous pain as well as herself.

When a handsome new doctor comes to Penance, Aggie is completely surprised to find out that he is none other than her beloved James. As their paths cross again, Aggie and James try to decipher the mysteries of their past and move forward with a future together.

This book made me smile...it made me cry...it made me feel. It's an unforgettable book and one that will inspire everyone who reads it. The characters feel like old, wise friends and the author's talent inspires me to write the stories that are on my heart. Rachel Fordham has a gift and it's an honor to read her work. Thank you so much to Revell and Rachel Fordham for the chance to read and review this book!

Don't Keep Silent by Elizabeth Goddard

Don't Keep Silent is the action packed conclusion to the Uncommon Justice series by Elizabeth Goddard. In this installment of the thrilling series, a young woman who is living a double life is missing. Zoey has left behind her husband and daughter, but did she willingly leave or was she kidnapped? Zoey's sister-in-law, Rae, is determined to find out. Rae can't solve the mystery without the help of Liam, who has a history in law enforcement and a history of stealing Rae's heart. Rae and Liam have to race against time to save Zoey and save themselves from getting swept away by their feelings for each other.

This book was very exciting and thrilling to read. I loved reading the action packed scenes and trying to solve the mystery myself before the characters did. However, I felt the conclusion was a bit rushed and confusing with too many details and "bad guys" involved. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed reading this exciting book. I would definitely recommend that readers start with the first book in the series because this is not a standalone book. Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the chance to read and review this book!

Finding the Love of Jesus by Elyse Fitzpatrick

This is a really interesting read about finding examples of the love of Jesus from the beginning pages of Genesis all the way to the end of Revelation. Throughout the Bible, we can find Jesus' love represented in many different ways. Elyse Fitzpatrick has written this book to reveal these findings within different sections of the Bible. This book is short, sweet, and informative. There are reflection questions at the end of each chapter which provide an interactive reading experience. The highlight of this book for me is the fact that we may think the Law of the Bible is boring and outdated, but without the Law, there is no Gospel. The message is clear. Jesus' love is real, unending, and evident from cover to cover in the pages of God's Word. Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the chance to read and review this book!

Daring to Live by Sheri Hunter

This candid read is a behind the scenes look into the life of Sheri Hunter, her family, and her special friend group, the Dare Divas. When Sheri's husband suddenly passes away, she is absolutely heartbroken. She doesn't know how to continue on without her true love. While she instinctively turns to bad habits to cope, she quickly learned that wasn't the way to move on in her life in a positive way. Through it all, Sheri's friends were there for her. This group of friends is no ordinary group of ladies. Nicknamed the Dare Divas, they plan epic outings together such as whitewater rafting, ziplining, and race car driving. There is never a dull moment when the Dare Divas are together and their friendship is definitely a special and unique one.

This book was a really interesting read. I really appreciated how Sheri Hunter was open about her problems in life. It was also really inspiring to see how she faces her fears head on. Everyone could learn something from reading about Sheri's outlook on life. Thanks so much to Sheri and Baker Books for the chance to read and review this book!

Peace in the Storms of Life by Julie Rayburn

This devotional book is perfect for those days when you need a little extra hope and peace. This gift-worthy gem is beautifully bound with a ribbon bookmark and floral pages throughout. Each devotion is short and sweet at two pages long. The devotions begin with a scripture and end with questions for reflection. There are 125 devotions in this book and they all provide encouragement for those situations in life that are not so easy to handle on your own. This is a great complement to daily Bible study and will inspire you throughout life's hardships. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

What Momma Left Behind by Cindy K. Sproles

There are books and there are books that you don't forget. This is a book that you don't forget.  It's the heart wrenching yet hopeful story of seventeen-year-old Worie Dressar. When her mother commits suicide, she doesn't know where to turn next. She's sadly and suddenly an orphan. Worie cannot fathom why her mother would leave her and her troubled brothers in this way. Worie soon learns more about her mother in her death than she ever knew in her years of living. The most surprising thing Worie discovers is that her mother had been feeding countless orphans and now the responsibility falls on Worie. Worie picks right up where her mother left off and tries to support all these orphans while coming to terms with the fact that she's now an orphan herself.

This book is gripping and memorable. The book is written from the point of view of Worie's mountain living dialogue. I am not always a fan of writing like this, but I enjoyed it in this book. It helped me to gain a better understanding of Worie and her life. While everything didn't go as I expected in this book, I still really enjoyed it. I thought it was very well written and the characters were very interesting and easy to relate to. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the chance to read and review this book!

The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren

The Heart of a Hero is the second book in Susan May Warren's Global Search and Rescue series. This book picks back up on Jake and Aria's relationship as well as adding in some new characters and plot twists. Every page is action packed as Jake and Aria find themselves trapped in the path of a Category 5 hurricane. They both have to use their life-saving skills in order to save themselves as well as a handful of troubled strangers.

I am loving this series! It's the perfect mix of romance and suspense. This is a great vacation read and just a great way to experience a little excitement in your life. This book played like a movie in my mind and once I started it, I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the next book in the series! Thank you to the publisher, netgalley, and Susan May Warren for the chance to read and review this book!