Author Spotlight: Bettie Boswell

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Bettie Bowell! Everyone, say hello to Bettie! Without further ado, let's get to know Bettie and her book On Cue.

Author Bio:
Bettie Boswell has always loved to write. During her career as a teacher she has written everything from worksheets to musicals to articles in educational journals. Recently she stepped out of her classroom and into the world of publishing. She dipped her toe into the profession by contributing to several teacher education books and eventually wrote a leveled reader, "Side-tracked," relating the adventure of two boys as they work for the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad. Those train tracks still run from Toledo, through Sylvania, (where Bettie teaches,) and into Michigan. As an active member of Ohio's SCBWI and ACFW, she is involved in critique/support groups from both organizations. She became aware of submission information for a short story collection through the Ohio ACFW group and contributed "Fred's Gift" (inspired by the memory of her father) to a collection of tales called "From the Lake to the River."

Her debut Christian Romance novel, "On Cue," will be released on November 1, 2020. Inspired by Northern Ohio history, her experience as a teacher, and her involvement as co-author of a local musical called "Just Around the Bend," (first produced in 2000) Bettie has penned a novel about a teacher, Ginny, who dreams of creating a musical to save a local historical museum. When her dreams begin to take shape she clashes with handsome drama professor, Scott. Sparks will fly as a cast of humorous characters and a couple of crazy pets keep them on their toes, while they deal with misunderstandings and seek forgiveness from their pasts.

Bettie is a graduate of the late Cincinnati Bible College (RIP) and holds a Master's degree in education from East Tennessee State University. As a teacher she has taken enough hours beyond those degrees to probably qualify for another couple of degrees, but that is the life of a teacher. She has taught both music and classroom for kindergarten through 8th grade students. She even spent a few years teaching at the University of Toledo as an adjunct instructor for the music and art departments. During most of her teaching career she taught music and wrote musicals for her school children to perform. For her last year of teaching she has ventured into the virtual world as a yearlong online 2nd grade teacher.

She is a minister's wife and she and her husband have served with the Village View Church of Christ in Bowling Green, Ohio since 1993. Before that she lived many places including Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Alabama, and Virginia. She plays the piano and is the volunteer music director for the church. Each year, until Covid-19, she wrote two original musicals for her church choir.

When she isn't busy writing, composing, or keeping up with school or church, she writes, reads, watches a Hallmark movie here and there, takes pictures of flowers on her walks to post on Facebook, entertains grandchildren, posts drawings on Twitter, attempts gardening, visits relatives in the south, attends ACFW/SCBWI/Highlights Foundation workshops, falls asleep on the couch, and takes care of her tuxedo kitty. (In case you were wondering, she doesn't clean house very often...too busy or too tired or just doesn't like to clean or all of the above.) Before she was a cat person, she had several basset hounds and Chihuahuas who were the inspiration for some of the antics of the dogs in "On Cue." One of her dogs ate up a pair of leather sandals and a Bible and sat down in berries, gaining colorful spots.

Here's Bettie sharing interesting tidbits about On Cue!

It was inspired by my participation in the creation and production of a musical for Sylvania, Ohio--The town in the book is called Forest Glen. The word Sylvania actually means trees or forest.

Many of the basset hound antics of Jezebel in the story were taken from real experiences with our two bassets.

The Lathrop House in Sylvania, Ohio inspired the historical house mentioned in the book. That house was part of the Underground Railroad system. The Sylvania Heritage Museum and its former curator also played a big role in the inspiration of the story.

The book is a product of many years of work. I first wrote it having no idea what I was doing other than being an avid reader of Heartsong (RIP) and later Love Inspired books. After I crashed and burned at my first ACFW conference, I began taking workshops about 5 years ago. I think my brain finally figured out what was missing and I spent the last year revising and improving it before sending it to Mt. Zion Ridge Press where it was accepted. It still had to go through the revision process. Each revision made it a better story, which I hope people will enjoy reading.


On Cue Blurb

When a college sweetheart used Ginny Cline's dreams for his own glory, he stole her joy of composing music and her trust in men. Years later, encouraged by prayer and a chance to help the local historical museum, she dares to share her talents again. Forced to present her musical proposal in front of groups for financial support helps Ginny's self-confidence grow. As a teacher she knows how to deal with unruly fourth graders, but influential adults are another matter, until she finds herself seeking financial backing for the musical. Unfortunately an important financial backer forces her to place her music and trust into the hands of another man.

Theater professor Scott Hallmark's summer camp benefactor, Edmund Bradley coerces him into becoming the director of Ginny's musical. The last thing he needs is another woman who uses him to get what they want on the stage, especially an amateur who has no idea what they are doing. He has dealt with too many want-to-be divas during his experience in the world of theater. Adding to his pressure is the need to make a good impression as he seeks to ensure his tenure track position at a faith based college. Though he feels attracted to Ginny, he worries about securing his future.

After a few chance meetings Ginny and Scott begin reluctantly working together on the musical. They grow closer as they bumble through discovering their often conflicting roles of reluctant director and mistrusting author/composer. Gradually their interest in each other grows but Ginny resists as she hears more and more about a special woman in Scott's life named Honey. Not only is she a real sweetheart of a woman, she also wants to arrange Ginny's precious music.

Scott's interest deepens for the appealing woman, but he can't understand why Ginny seems to run hot and cold in their relationship. As he works with the praise band on arrangements, Honey encourages him to bring Ginny to church for the presentation of one of her faith inspired songs. Perhaps that might help him unravel the mystery.

Complications arise when auditions produce Ginny's worst nightmare from the past. The man who stole her dreams now wants to be part of her production. He promises that he is a changed man, but can Ginny forgive and trust the man? Not only is he Scott's acquaintance, he seems to be the only possibility for a leading man, unless Scott wants to take the part in addition to directing.

Scott wants to be Ginny's leading man in more than one way but knows they both need to work through their issues of trust. The show must go on and be the best it can be for the sake of the museum, his secure future, and Ginny's growing confidence.

Woven into the mix are a couple of dogs and some quirky cast members who provide fun and frustration for the couple as they work together to discover that forgiveness and trust produce perfect harmony in God's eyes.

Purchase Link:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cue-Bettie-Boswell-ebook/dp/B08GL3JQDK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=on+cue+bettie+boswell&qid=1604286566&sr=8-1

Connect with Bettie:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BboswellB
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/bettieboswellauthorillustrator/home?authuser=0


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Bettie Boswell and On Cue.



Thank you so much for joining us, Bettie!


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
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Uncommon Ground by Joy Ohagwu

Another great story by Joy Ohagwu! Stella Heart sees firsthand how God can move even when you're going through something and you don't know why or see no way out. God is already there.

Michael Huddleston doesn't understand God's ways, but knows He sees and watches out for us in spite of ourselves.

Putting God first, they see God move in unexpected ways. Uncommon Ground is a suspenseful Christian romance that will keep your finger on the edge of the page, turning to see what happens next.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

http://www.amazon.com/Uncommon-Ground-Christian-Romantic-Suspense-ebook/dp/B01A1WX2ZG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461088428&sr=8-2&keywords=uncommon+ground

After Joy Ohagwu

When you've lost everything, that's when you trust God fully. What happens after you say yes to Jesus?

JB Patrickson was doing well for himself until the housing market collapse in 2008. Later, his grandma asks him to come take over her farm, in Maryland, because she is going to a senior care facility. He hadn't been there in 15 years for his 18th birthday. He sees the video of Candace Rodriguez' downfall and feels God urging him to pray for her. Why would God ask him to do that? He doesn't know her, has never met her.

I loved this story by Joy Ohagwu. God's love and peace are interwoven throughout this story of living your life for God. Step out in faith and follow God today. See where it will lead.

I received a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Rori's Healing by Dora Hiers

I loved this story by Dora Hiers. Each one gets better and better. The characters pulled me into their story; their struggles kept me turning the pages. I identified with the heroine and her fear of social situations. And what better hero for her than one that makes her stretch her comfort zone?

Rori Harmon's father committed suicide due to excessive media coverage of his high-profiled life. Rori doesn't trust anyone, and especially God, since he didn't answer her prayers. Rori is learning to pray again, and trusting God to heal her heart and help her overcome her fear. Can Rori trust Graham not to put her in the same situation?

Graham Decker is a race car driver. He lives in the spotlight. Graham is used to women chasing after him for his money, prestige, getting whatever they can out of him. What will he think of Rori who won't have anything to do with him because of his career choice? Can he prove to Rori he's the guy for her? He makes a point of being there when Rori needs him, but his career takes him on the road each week.

Rori's fear holds her hostage. Graham's past makes it hard for him to trust women. Take comfort and get inspiration from their journey learning, "There's no room for fear in our lives when we experience God's perfect love."

If you love Christian romance, reading a story that encourages and uplifts you, and one that helps you in your walk with God, this is the story for you. Fear blocks us from doing what God wants us to do. Take that first step out of your comfort zone. You'll find God there.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Around the Bend Sandy Cove Series Book 4 By: Rosemary Hines

I loved this book by Rosemary Hines! You do not need to read the other books in the series to keep up with what is going on. This book can be read as a stand alone, or you can read the other books to get the earlier stories of the characters. If you have read the other books, you are not bogged down with details that you already know. The cover for the book is a great choice!

Michelle Baron’s adopted son Caleb is reunited with his birth mother. How will that affect his relationship with the woman who has been raising him for six years? Grandpa Phil receives some bad news. How will he deal with it? Can the rest of the family see God at work in his life? Michelle’s mom Joan moves back to Sandy Cove after her husband dies. Can she move forward in her life as it is now?

Rosemary Hines does an excellent job in this story dealing with Alzheimer’s, growing older, and giving up a life of independence. Each one learns that change is hard and it takes God to recover from your past mistakes. Caleb’s birth mother Amber must come to terms with giving Caleb up, but can she do that now that she’s older and more able to care for him on her own? Can Joan learn how to move forward without her husband?

God offers His love, grace, and forgiveness, but we must accept it, which is hard to do at times. How do you forgive someone for driving when they knew they shouldn’t and they kill someone? How can you have peace when God calls a loved one home? How can you make up for the mistakes you’ve made in the past and move forward with the future God wants you to have? All this and more is brought to light in this book. Pick up this book today for an insightful, encouraging read into God’s love for us and how He brings all things to good. Can’t wait to read more by this author!

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Formula for Danger By: Camy Tang

If you like romance and suspense you will love this book by Camy Tang! Someone is trying to steal Rachel Grant’s scar-reducing cream formula and they will go to any length to get it, even killing people who get in the way. What can Rachel do to prevent them from getting it? Who can she trust? Edward Villa has agreed to watch out for her, but can Rachel trust him? Will she allow him to become a target? Rachel is working to gain the approval of her father. He is harder on her than her sisters; he expects more out of her and is never satisfied. As she’s trying to live up to his expectations, or her perception of them, will she push Edward away? He used to be a good friend, but then he started distancing himself. If her own father treats her this way, how can she expect God to be satisfied with her? Edward’s father worked all the time, canceling family events at a moment’s notice. Now that Rachel is doing the same thing, he can’t trust her with his heart, so he backs away. Edward tells her she thinks more about what her father thinks of her than what God thinks of her. Can she be secure in her confidence in Christ’s love before it is too late? Formula for Danger has many twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. The romance, suspense, and the truth of God’s love are interwoven throughout the pages. Pick up this book today for a great suspenseful and encouraging read!

Swept Away By Mary Connealy

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for a review. What do you do when the family you are in beats you? See what happens when a group of friends band together to seek justice in the Old West. Ruthy MacNeil’s parents died and Ma and Pa Reinhardt take her in to do all their chores and marry their son Virgil. They are headed west in a wagon train when they try to cross a river and are swept away. Only Ruthy survives. Luke Stone’s father was killed and Flint Greer has taken over his ranch while he was gone. Now that Luke is back, he is after justice and getting his ranch back. But how can he do that with all the gunfighters Greer has hired watching who comes and goes? Luke’s friends Jonas Cahill the parson, Vince Yates the lawyer, Dare Rikerthe doctor, and Big John are willing to help Luke, but will the whole town be destroyed in the process? And what should Luke do with Ruthy now that he has saved her from the Reinhardts and the river? She’s the workingest woman he’s ever seen, but is she the woman for Luke? Greer took over Mr. Stone’s ranch and then decided to find a wife. He marries Glynna but soon starts beating her and scaring her kids. How can Glynna escape with her life and keep her kids safe? Dare has been called to the ranch twice to tend to Glynna’s injuries. He finally realizes she isn’t clumsy but is being beaten. Can he help her and the kids escape as he helps Luke get his ranch back? If you enjoy a great Christian romance set in the old West this is the story for you! I can’t wait to read the rest of the stories in this series. Mary Connealy blends humor, faith, romance, and friendship into this series. By the time you finish this first book, you will have found new friends!

A Noble Groom By: Jody Hedlund

Another amazing story by Jody Hedlund! A Noble Groom will hook you from the first page. Annalisa Werner was married to a man who stole from her, gambled, and then found dead. What’s she to do? As a German immigrant, her father says a husband has to be found for her. While waiting for her husband-to-be to arrive, Carl Richards needs a safe place to stay. But, if they find out who he is, they will kill him. Can he find the peace and security he needs here with Annalisa and her child? Can Annalisa learn to trust and love again, to move past Carl’s secret? Annalisa needs to get her fields plowed and the seed planted in order to pay off her loan, or she will lose her farm. Ward Harris is determined to own her land instead so he can build a successful sawmill on the land. How can she protect herself against him? Can she open her heart to Carl, or will she settle for a marriage with a groom from the Old Country? Annalisa and Carl find out that when you trust God, all things are possible. As they fight drought, fire, and typhoid fever, they realize faith in God and love for each other is all they need.

Wishing on Willows By: Katie Ganshert

What do you do when you have suffered so much loss and pain you don’t know how to move? Robin knows how that feels, and when Jed Johnson shows up in her café after his wife has died, Robin wants to treat him to a hot egg soufflé. But, her oven won’t work. The Willow Tree café was started by Robin and her husband. When he died, it was just her and their son Caleb. Now, Ian McKay wants to tear down her business and build condos. Will she let him? Not a chance. What she doesn’t know is that he is just as stubborn and determined to pull this deal off so his family will be proud of him again as she is to hold on to her cafe. Robin is told by many people that things will work out, God will provide, but how is that possible if she loses her café? She will hold on to the end and fight everybody that stands in her way. Will she discover what God’s way is before it is too late? Can Ian talk her into selling since he has so much more at stake? Katie Ganshert does a wonderful job in Wishing on Willows, drawing you in and creating characters that you can’t wait to read more about. If you haven’t read Wildflowers from Winter you don’t have to read it first. Wishing on Willows teaches how to let go and let God. You can’t control outcomes, cancer, deaths, or developers. Even though you are overcome with loss, there is still hope. Hope in God, faith, love. Ian’s mother says that if that pain brings us to the throne of God, if it brings us to our knees before the King of Kings, there is amazing grace in that. Reading Robin’s story has given me hope that even though things don’t work out as I expected, God still loves me and is still in control. God has perfect timing, even though we may not be able to see it at first. Enjoy Katie Ganshert’s latest novel and see how Robin discovers God’s will for her life in the midst of her sorrow and confusion and how God equips Robin and Ian to move past their pain and loss to find the hope, peace, and love that God has for them.

Home for Good Jessica Keller

What an amazing book! I laughed, cried, hoped, and cheered with the wonderful characters in this debut novel by Jessica Keller. Home for Good is about Jericho Freed who left his home, his wife, and an unborn child because he was a drunk. Eight years later he approaches Ali Silver, his wife, and she takes off running, literally. Is it too late for Jericho to ask for forgiveness? Forgiveness means you grant pardon for what happened. Can Ali forgive Jericho and let him be a father to Chance and a husband to her? She’s afraid she will get hurt again if he leaves a second time, and she has Chance to think about. How will it affect him if his daddy takes off again? Ali must learn to forgive and to trust. You experience freedom in forgiveness. You’re not bitter, resentful, or angry anymore. Can Ali let all that go to have the life God wants for her? Do you need a fresh start like Ali does? You’re identity is not the makeup of past mistakes. You now have a clean slate to change your world and start over. Ali is having issues of her own out of her nonprofit business Big Sky Dreams for handicapped children. Money is missing, things are tampered with, cattle are set free and lost or killed, tires are slashed, and horses are turned loose. Who is responsible for these events? Who can Ali trust? This all started happening when Jericho came back to town. Are the events related, or is someone else behind the mayhem? Can Ali put her trust back in God, even though she feels He left her? Will she realize God has always been there, it was she who walked away from God? He’s always been right there waiting for her to turn back to Him. You will not believe the twists and turns in this story, and the perfect ending. When you let God have control, anything can happen! Come join Ali and Jericho and the other wonderful characters in this sweet, engaging story by Jessica Keller. I look forward to reading more by this author. If you love Christian Romance that portrays a deeper understanding of love, forgiveness, trust, and hope, this book is for you!

Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman

Claiming Mariah by Pam Hillman is a wonderful story! I started it and couldn't put it down. The day Mariah Malone met Slade, he was there to tell her the ranch her father bought was bought with stolen money and didn't belong to her, but to him, since his father was dead. He died because her father had shot him. Mariah's father is also dead, so how can she get to the bottom and find the truth? This story is filled with acts of forgiveness and exercising faith. Can Mariah and Slade put aside their differences and find the love waiting for them? Mariah agrees to leave because she says as much as leaving hurt, confessing her father's sins hurt more. Her grandmother tells her that we've got to do right in God's sight, and the rest will fall into place. Mariah's grandmother is full of humor and wisdom. Mariah's friend Sally is the preacher's wife and a wonderful character. Once you pick up this book, you will have found friends you won't want to leave when the book ends. If you love western romances with God-experiencing lessons, you will love this book. Sometimes we have to learn to forgive ourselves and have faith in what God wants for us. Enjoy this lovely story of Slade and Mariah! I can't wait to read more by this author!

The Bride Wore Blue by Mona Hodgson

The Bride Wore Blue By Mona Hodgson I will keep this book to read over and over! The Bride Wore Blue is a book about guilt, forgiveness, and trust. This is book 3 in the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series. You do not need to read the first 2 books to read this one, but once you finish this book, you’ll want to go back and read the others to read about the other sisters. In this book, the other sisters have returned to Cripple Creek and are married. Now the baby of the family has come home. Vivian Sinclair has a past she is hiding from. She doesn’t want anyone to know what she has endured. No one can possibly love her for the things she has done. One lie leads to another and pretty soon, no one knows the real Vivian. Carter Alwyn is the sheriff’s deputy of Cripple Creek. Can he convince Vivian to trust him with her secrets? Will Vivian’s past release its hold on her so she can have a future basking in God’s love and Carter’s arms? Can Vivian learn to forgive herself? This book is for anyone who enjoys a great Christian western with romance, humor, and characters who learn from their mistakes and embrace God’s grace and mercy in their lives. The sisters and the inhabitants of the town become people you care about. Once you read this book, you will want to read others by Mona Hodgson!

A Hero for Dry Creek By Janet Tronstad I loved this story by Janet Tronstad. Ever wonder if a fairy tale could come true? Just ask Nicki Redfern! She wakes up one morning and thinks she sees Prince Charming outside her window. Prince Charming, aka Garrett Hamilton, is acting as a chauffeur for someone close to Nicki. This person will bring back hurtful memories for Nicki. Can she come to peace with her past and give up her independence? Can Garrett give up Big Blue and his “on the road” lifestyle? Read this story and see how God can use a fairy tale, a truck driver, and the past to forge a loving, happy-ever-after, God-led future when you trust God. Nicki’s mother left when she was young. She never knew why. Now is her chance to find out what happened since her mother has come back. Can she understand why her mother did what she did? Can she find forgiveness in her heart? Will she find true love with Garrett? Everyone will enjoy reading this book. A touch of western, inspirational, lots of humor and romance, you won’t want to put this book down once you start it!

A Rich Man for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad

A Rich Man for Dry Creek By Janet Tronstad Another great book by Janet Tronstad! Robert Buckwalter III is a wealthy playboy carrying out a rich man’s lifestyle. Jenny Black is a working girl employed by Robert’s mother. She is in Dry Creek as a personal chef for the youths staying at Garth’s ranch. Can Robert convince her he is really interested in her and it doesn’t matter that she’s part of the working class? Can she overlook his money and fall in love with him for who he is? Or, is he only interested in her because her sister works for the editors who compile the bachelor list? Janet Tronstad uses humor, suspense, and God’s love to weave her tales. You are drawn in from page one and won’t be able to stop reading until the last page. “He (Robert) had met the woman the Bob inside him wanted to marry and she was looking at him this very minute like he was some hair ball a very unwelcome stray cat had coughed up.” Humor is used all through the book. You will laugh and cry with the inhabitants of Dry Creek. They become your neighbors and your friends. Each book features different community members and continues their stories. You can read the books out of order and not get lost figuring out who is who. I enjoy reading them in order and following their stories.

Montana Rose by Mary Connealy

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for a review. I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Mary Connealy. This book is no exception! It is a definite must read for anybody who loves Inspirational romance, the West, and humorous situations. God can fill that emptiness. This is the message in Mary Connealy’s book Montana Rose. Griff had taken everything out of Cass. All that was left was a shell of a person when he died and Red Dawson marries her. She doesn’t even know who she is. Griff had been so controlling and beat her to get the perfect wife. Red is patient, loving, and kind toward Cass trying to teach her what she needs to know. Griff had called her stupid; Red says she just hadn’t been trained. She had no faith in God and no courage. Red is also the town minister and teaches Cass about God. Wade Sawyer is mad because he wanted to be the one to marry Cass. She threatens to kidnap her and give her everything she wants. He doesn’t understand everything Cass wants is right there with Red. Wade doesn’t see that he is empty and needs to be filled with God’s love. He comes to take Cass away and she says whom shall I fear? She and Red invite him into their home and tell him about God’s love. Belle and Anthony are married. She has been married many times to no-account husbands. Once this one dies, she is going to move on. She doesn’t understand why she keeps attracting the same type of men. Why can’t she find one like Red? I was drawn into her story. Her situation seems hopeless, but with God all things are possible. Will Wade listen and be filled with God’s love? Is Cass ready to forget about Griff and live her life with Red? How will Belle deal with her lazy husband? God can take any situation and turn it to His good. Enjoy this book and read the other books in the series!

A Gentleman for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad

This is the second book in the Dry Creek series. You do not need to read these in order to figure out what is going on or who is who, but I thought it would be fun to review them in order. At the end of An Angel for Dry Creek, we meet Garth Elkton and Sylvia Bannister. She comes to Dry Creek and ends up in a ditch. Garth rescues her. At the end, she goes back to Seattle. A Gentleman for Dry Creek picks up Garth’s and Sylvia’s stories. Sylvia works with troubled teens in her church-sponsored youth center. A sponsor, Mrs. Buckwalter, steps forward to provide a summer camp for the teens to get them out of the city and teach them manners. Garth has a ranch that they can use. Mrs. Buckwalter, Sylvia, and the teens move to Garth’s ranch for the summer. Garth has doubts and fears that he needs to turn over to God. Can he learn to do that? He was brought up that anything he received had to be earned. He believes salvation works the same way. Since he’d learned early in life that nothing came free, mercy couldn’t be free either. Garth says that he doubts God would even want to look on his own scars, let alone heal them. He is told it was no good patching up his own life. Only God could do it. Little does he know, that is exactly what God wants to do, if Garth would just give Him a chance! How many times do we try to do God’s work for Him? Sylvia is dealing with her own trust issues. In a previous relationship, she had been beaten. Can Garth find a way into her heart and teach her to trust again? Can Sylvia help Garth find the way to salvation and peace? Will the teens learn there is more than gangs and violence? Follow their stories and be encouraged in your own walk. Janet Tronstad uses suspense, humor, and truthfulness to bring about this story. From page one you will be drawn into these characters’ lives and you won’t be able to put the book down until everything is resolved. Happy reading!

Joy Restored by Jude Urbanski book review

Joy Restored
By: Jude Urbanski

Joy Restored is a definite must read! Once I started this book, I could not put it down. Jude Urbanski draws you in and won’t let you go. Seth and Katarina become real people as you learn about them and their problems. Seth’s wife and child died and he is afraid to love again. Katarina’s husband was killed and she has lost her faith and trust in God. While reading their story, your own faith and trust in God will be challenged and tested.

What do you do when you have lost everything and don’t know where to turn? Seth learned he had to acknowledge God was in charge of his life and he had to accept what he couldn’t change. Focusing on what he had instead of what he’d lost was a big step. What do we tend to do? Do we think about what we no longer have, harbor bitterness toward God over what He has “taken away,” or turn away from God altogether? God has promised peace when we believe and trust Him. He walks the way with us. When we listen long enough, there comes a peace. Faith is God’s gift to us, and we’ve only to accept. Faith involves belief and trust. Happiness might be connected with circumstances, but joy was different. Reading this book enlightens the difference! I took to heart these passages in Joy Restored and feel closer to God than when I started this book. Joy Restored will draw you closer as well and increase your faith and trust in God and His faithfulness.

You will enjoy getting to know Seth, Katarina, her children, and Seth’s parents. Follow along on their journey to the peace God brings when they fully trust in Him. My faith, love, trust, and peace have grown just from reading this book and testing where I stand with God. Yours will be, too. This book is the first in the series. I can’t wait to read the next one! Joy Restored is for anyone who loves romances with a strong Christian background. You won’t be disappointed!

The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Colleen Coble

The Lightkeeper’s Daughter

Colleen Coble

This story is about a woman who grew up thinking she knew who she was. Addie Sullivan lives in a lighthouse with her mother and father. Her father dies and it is just her and her mother. Then a stranger comes along who tells her she is not who she thinks she is and she begins a journey to find out who she really is. Along the way, she realizes the strength of her faith and her love.
The Lightkeeper’s Daughter held me from the first page. I didn’t want to put the book down. The struggles this woman faced, like having a complete stranger tell her she wasn’t who she thought she was, really brought home the fact that each one of us must learn who we are and what we believe in. Your parents can tell you, your friends can tell you, but only as you live and learn about yourself, can you truly appreciate who you are and what you stand for. What we endure in life and how we react to it, defines what kind of person we are. As Addie discovers the life she would have had, she discovers the person she is. This book has romance, intrigue and inspiration. See for yourself what a great book this is!