Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

About the book:

Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can't work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent--though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.

McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit. 

After he earns enough money doing sheriff work, he wants to use it to pay for his training to become a minister.

Thad is immediately attracted to the beautiful singer who performs in Asa Baxter's unusual opera house, but when he hears her practicing bawdy tunes, he begins to wonder if she's far less innocent than she seems. And when Sadie appears to be part of the very crimes he's come to investigate, is there any hope the love blossoming between them will survive?

Here's Kim!

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of nineteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and six grandchildren. 

She invites you to visit her Web site at www.kimvogelsawyer.com

Click here to buy the book: http://ow.ly/9uLOD

MY REVIEW:

Song of My Heart, set in the late 1800's, is a warm, heartfelt story that immediately drew me in to Sadie Wagner's life. In her desire to help her family she moves to another state, takes a clerking job in Goldtree, Kansas, and has the opportunity to sing in an opera house. 

Choices and decisions lead to all types of repercussions and consequences and Sadie made choices that will lead to some hard consequences. 

I could see where trouble would begin for her, unfortunately she didn't see it. She just wanted to make enough money to send back home. Because of that desire to help her family, she gets caught in the worst of all traps. Then she tries to balance what she is doing by what she is trying to do, take care of her family.

Kim Vogel Sawyer kept me turning the pages so I could find out if Sadie would be able to get out of the mess she found herself in.

I couldn't help but fall in love with Sawyer's characters, including Mr. Asa Baxter. The innocence of Sadie, her misguided cousin, Sid, the twins, Miss Shelva and Melva and the sheriff, Thad McKane are all strong and colorful characters that make Song of My Heart a story well worth reading over and over again.

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE! http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13461539/kimvogelsawyer

This book was provided freely from Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House for the purpose of review. I am under no obligation to present a positive review.

Know Thine Enemy by Dr. David Ukiwe

About the book:

The Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul tells us not to be ignorant of the devices of satan. The word “Ignore” is the root word from which we get the word “Ignorant”. However, people have been taught incorrectly or misapplied the teachings they heard about dealing with the kingdom of darkness. Some people think they have to ignore satan and go on with their lives because he has been defeated and wouldn’t bother them. The other extreme is those who are kind of paranoid, are too conscious of satanic activity and focus excessively on fighting him as if they were trying to win the war. But the victory has already been won by Jesus, all we are doing is enforcing the victory and maintaining law and order.

In this book, Dr David Ukiwe takes you on a journey in scriptures to unravel and expose the tricks of the enemy. He uses bible stories and contemporary illustrations to explain how the kingdom of darkness operates and how to successfully wage spiritual warfare. He shares step by step how The System works, and encourages you to believe that you can overcome the challenges of life. You will learn about:

•    The mission of the kingdom of darkness.
•    The enemy’s weapons of warfare.
•    How the enemy influences your choices and decisions.
•    The benefits of controlling your thoughts and emotions.
•    How to use “spiritual Intelligence”.
•    How to overcome discouragement.
•    Satan’s inferiority complex.
•    And much more.

This handbook which includes a bible study guide for personal and group study is guaranteed to help you live an overcoming and victorious Christian life if you apply the principles therein.

About the Author:

Dr. David Ukiwe is a medical doctor, bible teacher and author. He has been involved in teaching ministry for over a decade. He has a unique gift of sharing bible principles in a down to earth, easy to understand and practical manner. He is passionate about the deliverance of the oppressed and to help people fulfill their God-given destinies.

His previous books include: "Above Only" and "Goodbye Failure."

He lives in the Bay of Plenty area of New Zealand where he practices his profession.

Here is my review:

Practical, biblical, straight-forward and much needed in our walk with God, Know Thine Enemy: Satan's Tricks Exposed is a must read Bible study for every Christian.  

I have been a Christian for a long time, I have read many books on Spiritual warfare, yet, this is one book that is worth the time to read, study and definitely apply to my life and for all other Christians to read and study. 

Using practical, Biblical application, Dr. Ukiwe reveals the tactics of the enemy of our soul and shows us how to apply Biblical truth to stand stronger in our faith in the One who has already overcome the world. 

Written in easy to understand language without all of the twenty-five dollars words some theologians like to use, Know Thine Enemy is a tool for Christians to use and expose how the enemy would try to bring them down. 

At the end of each chapter, Dr. Ukiwe reinforces what was read with a question and answer section to be filled out. He also includes a small section called "Pause and Ponder" that allows for some truthful self-examination on how we may have allowed the enemy to have control. 

This book is subtitled Volume 1, and that excites me because I know Dr. Ukiwe is working on another volume for all of us to read, study and be armed against the tactics of the enemy of our soul.

Know Thine Enemy is one I recommend for all believers of Jesus Christ. This book was graciously provided by Dr. Ukiwe for the purpose of review. Thank you Dr. Ukiwe. This is one book I will read and study again and again.

 

 

When I Fall Please Grab My Hand by Christine Z. DeWitte

This is a review long over due, but, I hope you won't be disappointed. When I Fall Please Grab My Hand is a book that was written for me. At least I think so. After you read it, you may think it was written just for you!

Eighty-nine days of a simple, child-like look at the word of God and His love, this book moved my heart and spirit, filling me with the joy of His love and grace. 

I was more than appreciative of the way Christine presented each day with her heart open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. At the end of each day she leaves a place on the page where I could write down the one thing I could commit to the Lord. Just one thing. Sometimes we get so caught up with trying to commit so much to Him that we become lost in all we see wrong with ourselves and the world around us. Many times I have called out to my Savior to grab my hand when I fall down.

Christine reminds us that Jesus will do the work in us in a simple, unhurried fashion. Just as we live our lives one day at a time, if we commit one thing to Him one day at a time, He will finish the work in us that He has begun.

Through her own trials, Christine pours her heart into the Lord and those around her, being light and salt, dispelling the darkness and causing others to thirst for the relationship she has with her Savior.

In using humor, personal examples and baring her heart, Christine has written a book filled with lessons that lead, prod, and pull each reader closer to a child-like faith and walk with the Living Lord.

I would most definitely recommend this book to every one I know. I was able to review this book through the generosity of Christine DeWitte who provided the book for the purpose of review.

About Christine DeWitte:

Chrissy DeWitte has been married for 20 years, and has two grown children and two grandchildren. Although Chrissy accepted Christ when she was 24, it was not until 17 years ago that she began to attend a Bible believing church. To view her webpage go to: http://whenifallpleasegrabmyhand.com/.
Chrissy's pastor likes to joke that he had no idea how God would use this lady with big hair and a big laugh when she came to their church!

Over these past 17 years, learning and applying the Bible to everyday situations has transformed her life! She has learned through life's imperfections, divorces, deaths, challenges, mistakes and victories, that the Lords joy can always be present when we seek His will.

She has served in the USAF and went on to be a financial counselor at Consumer Credit Counseling and then as a civil servant for the military. She now works full time for her husband and also does bookkeeping for contractors. Chrissy teaches a weekly ladies Bible Study and is very involved in serving the Lord at her church.

Win a Nook Tablet and RSVP for FaceBook Party!

Win a Nook Tablet from Kim Vogel Sawyer and RSVP for her "Song of My Heart" Facebook Party {3/29}! Celebrate with Kim by entering to win a Nook Tablet and connecting with her at the Book Chat Party on 3/29!

One "songbird" winner will receive:

• A Nook Tablet
• Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/28/12. Winner will be announced at Kim's Book Chat Facebook Party on 3/29. Kim will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and much more!

So grab your copy of Song of My Heart and join Kim and friends on the evening of March 29th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen and Kindle Fire Giveaway

A Little About The Book, THE MAID OF FAIRBOURNE HALL:

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

Here is some information about the author, Julie Klassen:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com

Want to buy the book? Click here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0764207091/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=sprightly-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=0764207091&adid=1TCYV1DRSTV23NKEQ170


My Review:

This is the first time I have ever read one of Julie Klassen's books, so I was pleased with The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. 

Julie's characters are strong without being overwhelming. Her plot was solid and I was easily caught up in the story. Using just the right amount of details and historical background, I could "see" Margaret and her fellow servants in Fairbourne Hall. 

I enjoyed how at the beginning of each chapter and throughout the book, Julie used various quotes from Jane Austin (one of my favorite authors) and various sources that were apropos to the time of the story. One of my favorite quotes she used was:

"A good character is valuable to everyone, but especially to servants. For it is their bread and butter and without it they cannot be admitted into a creditable family, and happy it is that the best of characters is in everyone's power to deserve."    [pg 86]

In following the story, I watched a spoiled girl in a bad situation change into someone who was deserving of a good character. I found myself cheering Margaret on when she was faced with difficult situations in her new position as a maid. 

Filled with danger and romance, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, opened to doors to the belowstairs world of a 19th century English manor. Julie wrote a wonderful book that kept me intrigued and hopeful and rooting for Margaret. 

Julie Klassen is a fine writer and I will be looking forward to more of her work. If you are looking for a book similar to Jane Austin's style, then you definitely won't be disappointed in Julie Klassen and her work.

This book was provided free to me for the purpose of review through Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House.  

CONTEST INFORMATION!

Don't miss the perfect blend of Regency-era romance and mystery in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! Grab a copy and then be sure to enter Julie's Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVP for her Author Chat party on Facebook! Swoon.

One fortunate winner will receive:

*A brand new Kindle Fire

*A Julie Klassen Library (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/14. Winner will be announced at Julie's "Fairbourne Hall" Facebook Party on 3/15 . Julie will be hosting an evening of chat, trivia and a sneak peek at her next book - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a Downton Abbey Prize Pack!

So grab your copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and join Julie and friends on the evening of March 15th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 15th!

Blog Tour Schedule:  http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13456522/julieklassen