A Valentine's Read: A Billion Reasons Why by Kristen Billerbeck

Book Description:  There are a billion reasons Kate should marry her current boyfriend.

Will she trade them all to be madly in love?

Katie McKenna leads a perfect life. Or so she thinks. She has a fulfilling job, a cute apartment, and a wedding to plan with her soon-to-be fiance, Dexter.

She can think of a billion reasons why she should marry Dexter…but nowhere on that list is love.

And then in walks Luc DeForges, her bold, breathtaking ex-boyfriend. Only now he's a millionaire. And he wants her to go home to New Orleans to sing for her childhood friend's wedding. As his date.

But Katie made up her mind about Luc eight years ago, when she fled their hometown after a very public breakup. Yet there's a magnetism between them she can't deny.

Katie thought her predictable relationship with Dexter would be the bedrock of a lasting, Christian marriage. But what if there's more? What if God's desire for her is a heart full of life? And what if that's what Luc has offered all along?

My Review:  Sometimes our past just won't stay in the past.  The past has a way of coming up and slapping us upside the head and we, then, must face those memories, mistakes and emotions that wove their way into our life.

This pretty much sums up Katie's life.  She is "practically" engaged to Dexter but then her ex-boyfriend, Luc, literally sweeps her off her feet and Katie must face her past.  A past filled some fairly painful memories.  Memories that she would have rather left untouched.

The story centers around the beautiful, antique engagement ring that Katie's dad left for Katie.  Of course, Luc has said ring but Katie doesn't know this small fact and is intent to go back to her hometown to retrieve the ring.

Now that Luc is a millionaire, Katie thinks Luc has been caught up un a world of money.  A world that Katie feels is too filled with stuff and self.  

Luc is a steady guy and not too full of himself he has a kind heart and seems to really love people more than money.  His energy is contagious and the good guy in him just pops off the book.

Katie is, Oh.So.Sassy!  A little too mouthy!  Why can't she just be gracious and accept a gift without looking a gift horse in the mouth.  She seems to be of two minds-love Dexter or love Luc.  Listen to Eileen or listen to her own heart.  Learn from the past or plunge into the future.  Decisions! Decisions!

Katie's roommate, Eileen, is quite bossy.  She seems to want to control Katie from the health foods she cooks to her advise concerning men and marriage.  This aspect of the read really portrayed how people can be as roommates.  Quite realistic.

I was disappointed that more of God and the Word wasn't in this book.  

A fun, clean, and sweet read just more "on the edge" than I usually like to read.  A nice 4 star chick lit read!

*This book was provided for review by Audra at The B&B Media Group *

About the Author:  Kristin Billerbeck is a successful novelist from northern California. She has authored more than 30 novels, including the Ashley Stockingdale series and the Spa Girls series. She is a leader in the Chick Lit movement, a Christy Award finalist, and a two-time winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award. She has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times.

CSN STORE REVIEW

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A great selection of kitchen items to wonderful home office desks .

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Check back in a couple of weeks and see what I chose.

31 Days of Power by Ruth Myers with Warren Myers

Book Description: Your power in spiritual warfare

is as close as a whisper, 

as near as a prayer.

 As a follower of Jesus, you are engaged in a battle against a treacherous enemy. But the mighty power of God is yours through Christ’s victory on the cross of Calvary.

The daily readings in this uplifting devotional are steeped in Scripture and blended with praise to bring foundational truths to life—to help you wield the power of God that’s available in all our afflictions, in every trial and temptation. 

  The truths in these pages will equip you to resist the forces of evil, to stand firm in a day of deepening darkness, and to know firsthand the truth of Romans 8:37:

 “In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer 

through Him who loved us.”

My Review:  This is a devotional book that encourages the reader to draw closer to God through prayer.  There are 31 prayers for one whole month.  The prayers are prayers that encourage and if one reads the prayer for the day aloud it makes the thought much more clear.  It also gives strength to start your day with the Lord.  Ending your day by reading the scripture aloud also helps one to feel the presence of the Lord.  

A scripture reference is given and then the reader can look up the verses on his own time.  At the end of each chapter (a chapter being two, three or four pages) is space for the reader to write his own thoughts from the prayer.

Each day a prayer is given as a guide not as a form of a chanting worship.  These prayers are given so that the reader may have a "start" to form his own prayer.  

This book was written to encourage and strengthen the reader in his faith.  It is a guide for becoming closer to God.

As an example, "Day 22, Breastplate of Righteousness, 'Thank you Lord for calling us to lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.' I'm so glad that our armor isn't some stiff metal covering, but something as beautiful and bright and weightless and flexible as light itself!"  The corresponding verse is Romans 13:12.

I love what the back of the book reads, "Your Power in spiritual warfare is as close as a whisper, as near as a prayer."  Isn't that what we need in this day and age?  To gather armor through prayer for the spiritual warfare that besets us?!?!

This is a fantastic 5 star book for that person in your circle of acquaintances who longs and loves spending time with the Father!

*I reviewed this book for Readers Favorites.com*

Buy Book HERE!

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Caramel Pecan Praline Bars

Caramel Pecan Praline Bars

A reader sent this delicious looking recipe to me.  Looks like a great Valentine's recipe to share.

Crust

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup Butter, softened

1 cup pecan halves

Caramel Layer

2/3 cup Butter

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup white chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350°F.

*Combine all crust ingredients except pecans in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until mixture resembles fine crumbs.

*Press onto bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch baking pan.

*Place pecans evenly over unbaked crust.

*Combine 2/3 cup butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar in 1-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until entire surface of mixture begins to boil. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.

*Pour evenly over pecans and crust.

*Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until entire caramel layer is bubbly. (DO NOT OVERBAKE.) *Remove from oven.

*Immediately sprinkle with chips; allow to melt slightly (2 to 3 minutes).

*Swirl chips leaving some whole for a marbled effect.

*Cool completely; cut into bars.

TIP: Store at room temperature in loosely covered container.

{Tyndale Book Tour and Giveaway} The Brotherhood by Jerry B. Jenkins

Book Description:  Boone Drake has it made. He’s a young cop rising rapidly through the ranks of the Chicago Police Department. He has a beautiful wife and a young son, a nice starter house, a great partner, and a career plan that should land him in the Organized Crime Division within five years. Everything is going right. Until everything goes horribly, terribly wrong. His personal life destroyed and his career and future in jeopardy, Boone buries himself in guilt and bitterness as his life spirals out of control. But when he comes face-to-face with the most vicious gang leader Chicago has seen in decades, he begins to realize that God is a God of second chances and can change the hardest heart . . . and forgive the worst of crimes. A thought-provoking police thriller from New York Timesbest-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins.

My Review:  Wow!  A new series by Jerry B. Jenkins.  In the first chapter we are introduced to Boone Drake and his family.  A beautiful wife, a sweet son, and rising in the ranks as a policeman.  Boone and his wife find the home they've always dreamed of.  Life is good!  

But as life goes . . . sometimes things are beyond our control especially when we've been the ones in control and not God.  A life lesson that will either make or break one.   Boone must choose.  A choice that will bring him closer to the Father but could very well jeopardize his job.  The job he fought for and worked hard for may all be for naught now.  And then tragedy beyond his wildest dreams takes place.  His whole world is turned.upside.down!  Feeling the lowest of the low Boone realizes that following God isn't just an option . . . it's his life's blood.  The picture of Boone coming to Christ is a sweet picture of saved by grace and not of works!

Now Boone is confronted by one of Chicago's toughest gang leaders to help "get" one of the largest crime rings in the country.  Can Boone do the job even though it will take all he can give and then some?!?  You'll find yourself holding your breath as you root for and urge Boone on.

This incredible story though fiction made me realize how true.to.life this story could actually be.  Friends who are in the police force have an amazing ability to touch others lives that I may not ever see. So, after reading this story I came to realize the importance of praying for my brothers and sisters in the police field.  Thankful for reads like this that not only encourage our faith but make us to see how to pray and encourage those in the line of duty.

This compelling 5 star read is not to be missed!  The Brotherhood is definitely a chair side crime detective's novel. This is christian mystery/thriller at its best!  

*I reviewed this book for Tyndale*

GIVEAWAY:  (3 Possible entires!)

1.  Leave a comment with your email address.

For Extra Entries:

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Giveaway ends February 27 . . . Winner will be notified on Febraury 28!

*Please note winner will receive a certificate for a free book.*

About the Author:

Dr. Jerry B. Jenkins, former vice president for publishing and currently writer-at-large for the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, is the author of more than 160 books, including the 63,000,000-selling Left Behind series.

  

 

Also the former editor of Moody Magazine, Dr. Jenkins's writing has appeared in Time, Reader's Digest, Parade, Guideposts, and dozens of Christian periodicals. Jerry and Dr. Tim LaHaye were profiled in a May 24, 2004 cover story in Newsweek magazine entitled "The New Prophets of Revelation."

Jerry's non-fiction books include as-told-to biographies with Hank Aaron, Orel Hershiser, Walter Payton, Nolan Ryan, and many others.

Jenkins also assisted Dr. Billy Graham with his memoirs, Just As I Am, also a New York Times bestseller.

Jerry owns Jenkins Entertainment, a filmmaking company in Los Angeles, and also the Christian Writers Guild, which aims to train tomorrow's professional Christian writers and has nearly 2,000 members worldwide.

www.JerryJenkins.com

www.Jenkins-Entertainment.com

www.ChristianWritersGuild.com