Fiction Review: Sweet on You (A Bradford Sisters Romance Book #3) by Becky Wade

Book Description:

Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long.

Independent and adventurous Britt channels her talent into creating chocolates at her hometown shop. Zander is a bestselling author who's spent the past 18 months traveling the world. He's achieved a great deal but still lacks the only thing that ever truly mattered to him--Britt's heart.When Zander's uncle dies of mysterious causes, he returns to Merryweather, Washington, to investigate, and Britt is immediately there to help. Although this throws them into close proximity, both understand that an attempt at romance could jeopardize their once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But while 

Britt is determined to resist any change in their relationship, Zander finds it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings hidden.

As they work together to uncover his uncle's tangled past, will the truth of what lies between them also, finally, come to light?

My Review:
I love Zander. In True to You, book 1 in the series, Zander is a sweet boy, who has grown up, after travels overseas, to be a kind-hearted man. Britt made me a little crazy, in a good way. She's a dare-devil who pushes the limit. But the two, with a solid friendship have much to figure out. Then there is the mystery that folds into the lives of Zander and Britt. Well done, Becky Wade. This is a great addition to the series. I loved Britt's chocolate shop, where I wanted to taste the peppermint truffles and revisiting the Merryweather Historical Village where much of the story takes place. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I Spy the Colors of Spring

I love the color that brightens the earth this time of year, especially the blooming trees and bushes. After the white and grey of winter, the array of purple, pink, yellow and green spray beauty everywhere.

First the forsythia bring sunshine with their bright yellow blossoms. Redbuds pop with color against the pale green of the budding trees. Then the dogwood brighten the woods with brilliant white and passion pink. And I love the lavender of the lilac bushes.

When I was a girl, a lavender bush stood in our yard. Taller than me and wider than a tree, I played hide and seek around the bush with my cousin. We breathed in the fragrant smell of the gorgeous blooms. Mom cut the branches and graced our table with the gorgeous color and fragrant smell. For the last few years, we had a bush growing by our garage. I didn't know what the bush was, although I should have, until the lavender clusters popped out. What a delightful surprise.

Driving down the road with my grandson and granddaughter, we played a game spying all the different colors of trees. Ella Cates favorite color is pink and sure enough she found the pink dogwood and the redbud. Eli discovered the white dogwood and the shades of green on the new spring leaves. What fun to share my love of nature with my grands.

Take the time to notice the beauty of God's creation.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;    let your glory be over all the earth.Psalm 57:11

The Heart of the Matter

1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I rummaged through my closet trying to find the best outfit to wear to the Mercy Me concert. Everything I pulled out either looked like work clothes or casual Saturday (different from casual Friday, much more relaxed—maybe even sloppy.) Frustrated, I tried again. I'd decided jeans would be good, but felt discouraged with my choice in shirts. My good friend Bev and I had planned this evening for months, and I wanted to look nice. I finally narrowed it down to two possibilities, then went on with my day.

Coffee in hand, I opened my Bible to the daily reading. As I perused the verses, my foray through my closet seemed pathetic. Here I was preparing what to wear to the concert. When what I should have been doing was preparing my heart to worship and praise God.

As Samuel searched for a future king to replace himself, God reminded him not to look at the outward appearance, instead look at the man's heart. David, who Samuel would later choose to follow him as king, was a man of small stature. Even though he was considered handsome, God wanted to know what was inside, not outside. God looks at the heart, the organ that pumps life into our souls. After I bowed my head and had a heart-to-heart with God, I knew I was ready to receive his blessing and give him glory at the concert. I pray that my heart is ready to worship the Lord every day.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

Fiction Book Review: Driftwood Bay by Irene Hannon (Hope Harbor Novel)

Book Description:

After tragedy upends her world, Jeannette Mason retreats to the tiny Oregon seaside town of Hope Harbor to create a new life. Vowing to avoid emotional attachments, she focuses on running her lavender farm and tea-room--until a new neighbor with a destructive dog and a forlorn little girl invades her turf. But she needn't worry. Dr. Logan West is too busy coping with an unexpected family, a radical lifestyle change, and an unruly pup to have any interest in his aloof and disagreeable neighbor.

Yet when both Jeanette and Logan find themselves pulled into the life of a tattered Christian family fleeing persecution in war-torn Syria, might they discover that love sometimes comes calling when it's least expected?

My Review:

The Hope Harbor series is one of my favorites. I love traveling back to this beautiful seaside town to visit with the folks who pop up in each book; particularly the taco stand owner, Charley. I love his wisdom and his two seagull friends—Floyd and Gladys. Jeannette's lavender farm and tea room invited me to relax as I read her story. Molly, little girl in Logan's life, is a sweetheart. The story of the Syrian family broke my heart, but I loved the hope they found in new friends and God. Driftwood Bay is a beautiful story filled with love and joy, sorrow and hope. Irene Hannon writes from the heart. This is a great summer read or curl up with a blanket while the spring rains fall. Visit hope Harbor—relax, read, enjoy.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Excited!

Acts 5:30-32

"The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Can I say I'm excited? Seriously, EXCITED! Our mighty God in his miraculous way, breathed life back into his son. Jesus died, then rose again. That's amazing, and unfathomable. My earthly mind doesn't understand. For the logical side of my brain, it makes no sense. But guess what, the resurrection happened.

I'd love to talk to Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, the women who saw Jesus alive after they watched him be crucified. Confusion must have filled their brains, at first. But just imagine the joy that flowed from their hearts once they understood. Their Lord and Savior lives.

Did I say I'm excited! I am. My Jesus lives. He's not in a tomb, rotting away. He's not dead. He's alive. Because he lives, I have hope for a future in heaven. I have the Holy Spirit to guide me. I have peace amid the strife of this earth. Jesus gave his life for me and for you. He died and rose again so that the people who follow him will have life after death. So we can have joy, love, peace and hope.

Easter is more than the bunny. Easter is a celebration of life. Rejoice with me that Jesus lives!

Non-fiction Review: Reforesting Faith: What Trees Teach Us About the Nature of God and his Love for Us

Description:
The Bible talks about trees more than any living creation other than people. Perhaps you've missed the forest...and the trees.

In this groundbreaking walk through Scripture, former physician and carpenter Dr. Matthew Sleeth makes the convincing case why trees are essential to every Christian's understanding of God. 

Yet we've mostly missed how God has chosen to tell His story--and ours--through the lens of trees. There's a tree on the first page of Genesis and the last page of Revelation. The Bible refers to its wisdom as a Tree of Life (Proverbs 3:18). Every major Biblical character has a tree associated with them. Jesus himself says he is the true vine (John 15:1). A tree was used to kill Jesus--and a tree is the only thing the Messiah ever harmed.

This is no accident. When we subtract trees from Scripture, we miss lessons of faith necessary for our growth.

This is the rare book that connects those who love the Creator with creation, and those who love creation with the Creator. It offers inspirational yet practical ways to express our love for God--and our neighbors--by planting spiritual trees and physical trees in the world.

Join Dr. Sleeth as he navigates the Bible's trail of trees to explore the wonders of life, death, and rebirth. You'll be amazed at how science is just beginning to catch up to the truths described in Scripture thousands of years ago. Once you discover the hidden language of trees, your walk through the woods--and through Scripture--will never be the same.

My Review:
When I saw this book available for review, I knew I needed to read it. I've yet to read a book so focused on the trees God created and why they are so important to life on earth. Matthew Sleeth, MD, an atheist before he found his way to Jesus, has done a great deal of research within the scripture to discover how trees thread their way through the Bible. I enjoyed his perspective and excitement for taking care of God's creation. Sleeth has many great ideas of how to keep trees on earth.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Final Dash

2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Lined up in their own lanes, the runners leaned in to race. The starting gun popped. The students darted off in a flurry. As they pushed themselves around the track, some hustled ahead of the pack—others kept a steady pace. As they rounded the bend, a few of the middle runners fired into a sprint—to make the final dash to the finish line. The beauty of the race, every runner finished. No matter where they placed, they pushed through and completed what they set out to do.

Paul penned a letter to Timothy, the young evangelist, and let him know his race would soon end. Paul spent years teaching others about Jesus. He'd been in prison, traveled across water, and walked miles to speak the truth from his heart. Paul loved the Lord and cared about his young friend, Timothy. What I love about Paul's confession—he could say with confidence, he'd completed the journey God called him to. He ran the race, kept the pace, and sprinted to the end for the ultimate prize; life-after-death in heaven with his Father.

Paul understood what awaited him at the end of his race. He knew Jesus waited for him, as he dashed to the finish line.