The Chosen By: Alexandra and Joyce Swann

The Chosen, by Alexandra and Joyce Swann, is the sequel to The Planner. This is an eerie conclusion to what can happen when the government has complete control. The Electronic Communications Agency, ECA, is formed by the government and it redefines anti-American speech to be anything the administration deems it to be. What happens when a handful has complete control over everyone’s thoughts and actions? People are kidnapped and imprisoned as terrorists without trial and without proof. They can be held indefinitely or killed. Don’t agree with what the government is doing? You can be arrested. Kris and Kyle Mitchell must fight against this government that has taken complete control. They must fight for the God-given rights that were bestowed on this nation by our Creator. Fight for Freedom. Fight for the Constitution. Fight for the laws of our country. Many people are disappearing and being held or killed. Kris’ husband and brother in law are arrested and she has no idea where they are being held or what has happened to them. In order to fight back, Kris hires Julian Cicchetti to defend her case that this action by the government is unconstitutional. Will he be willing to go on record as being against the government and the Supreme Court who has upheld the government’s stance? Will the Supreme Court be willing to hear this case? They had previously sided with the government and closed down. Once the Supreme Court is out of the way, the Senate and the House of Representatives will be targeted next. Then the only branch of government will be the President and he will have ultimate control. Will anyone be willing to stand up for their rights and put a stop to this out of control government? If you won’t stand up for your rights, who will? Be ready to hold onto your seat as you read this suspenseful tale of a controlling government and the few who dare to stand up for what they believe in. The eerie part is what happens in this book could realistically happen. Will there be anyone strong enough who will stand up for their rights? The conclusion to this story is the best I’ve seen. Now that’s a great book! I can’t wait to read more books by Alexandra and Joyce Swann. If you like suspenseful tales that won’t turn you loose from page one, you will love this book!

The Planner By Alexandra Swann

Kris Mitchell had everything, until the bottom fell out. She had a great job, a big house, a great boyfriend, but then the real estate market went south, and all she has left of her old life is her Cadillac. Now Kris has a new job as a Level I Planner to sell Smart Seniors Communities to the retired community. Could you turn over all your assets to the government in exchange for room and board for life? Social security will be ended in 90 days. If you don’t move here, you will not have money to live on. But it’s only by invitation that you can live in one of these communities. Why is that? Each community is filled with like-minded people, the officials make certain that the seniors in each community are in similar age groups and come from similar religious and social backgrounds. They have prescreened friends, a fully staffed clinic, a dining hall that provides three meals a day, a gym, and laundry service. All they have to do is transfer ownership of their home and their assets to the Federal Municipal Planning Division in exchange for a guaranteed life –lease. Sound too good to be true? Kris’ father is a fun character. While she is explaining to him and her mother about her new job as a Level 1 Planner for FMPD, he keeps interjecting his opinion. Kris’ mother is hoping Kris will find her way back to God. The long, stressful nightmare that Kris had called her life for the past four years has finally ended with her new job. The future is going to be great. But Kris soon realizes things are not as they appear. The truth is more sinister than Kris can even imagine. Why are only certain people invited into the communities, can the government really control every aspect of your life, and what happens if you don’t want to do as you’re told? The Planner is another exciting novel by Alexandra Swann. Once you start this book, you will not be able to put it down. This book is a definite must read for anyone who loves suspense. How much control should we give to our government? This book reveals what could happen if we give them too much control. Is security worth our freedom? Are we better off giving everything we own to the government in exchange for life-long security and care? I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.

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!

Search and Rescue By Marianne Evans

I received this novel free from the author in exchange for a review. Search and Rescue is a wonderful book in so many ways! Jenny Foster and Ryan Douglas have similar challenges to face. They each faced them alone, not knowing God was drawing them together to be a help to each other. Blessings verses burdens. How do you perceive the trials you are going through? Do you vent in anger, whine, or get depressed, or do you thank God for what you are going through because it makes you the person that He wants you to be? Jenny and Ryan both have parents that are challenged. Jenny’s mom is bipolar and Ryan’s dad is paralyzed. All question if there is a purpose to the events in their lives. Jenny is afraid to let Ryan in her life for fear he will walk right back out. Is the risk worth the reward? Can God open her heart to the one He has for her? Sometimes you need someone with you and God knows who that person should be. Believe in God, trust in Him, and He will provide. Sometimes all it takes is a different perspective. Look at what you have, and not what you don’t have. Accept your worth, see how wonderful God has made you. Your life is a beautiful tapestry, each piece put lovingly put together by God for His child, you. Find faith, hold on to it, and draw from it to see the life you’ve been given through God’s eyes. These are lessons that Jenny must learn as she struggles daily with her faith and learns how to trust God again, Once you start this book you will not be able to put it down. The characters come to life with their real life issues and insecurities. As you read their story, you will find pieces of truth to hold onto to help you in your own life. Your faith will be kindled and your trust restored in a loving God who looks out for you. I look forward to reading much more by this author!

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!

Getting It Together by Kayse Pratt

I just read Getting It Together and had to post a review. Kayse Pratt does an excellent job of explaining how to get all your important information in one place, in a Home Management System notebook that you create yourself, and makes it fun to do so. Do you have at your fingertips your children's medical records, the phone number to the local pizza place, your financial goals for this year, and when Aunt Martha's birthday is? Now you do! Pratt puts everything in a logical order with her examples for making the notebook something you want to do and keep up with and even has free printables to get you started. In your Home Management System notebook, you can use her printables the way they are, or use hers as an example and create your own. Right away I printed the spending tracker, the perpetual calendar for birthdays, anniversaries, auto maintenance log, and the account tracker. Now, instead of rewriting things from one calendar to the next year's calendar, it is all in one place and doesn't have to be rewritten each year! You will be glad you read this and you will want to get it all together! Great job, Kayse Pratt! I would enjoy reading other books by this author. She has awesome ideas that are very helpful and a straightforward, humorous manner to get you interested and keep you reading!