Thank you Thomas Nelson Publishers via BookLook Bloggers for providing me with an ARC of this book!


*Quick disclaimer – after taking notes in the margins, highlighting quotes, and tabbing pages in the first 4-5 chapters, it became clear to me that there would be no way I’d get my review done in a timely manner so I started just reading the content. I plan to go back and start from the beginning again so I can go through the journaling and tasks that Allen lines out for her readers – I think that will make the book even better for me!

Ah, restless. I’ve been restless for what seems like my entire life – always wondering what I should really be doing and if all of the things I was already doing were coming from my own agenda, or if I was following God’s plan for my life. Struggle after struggle – this has got to be my largest and my most intense one. When I saw this book on the “Available For Review” page, I’m pretty sure I jumped out of my chair in excitement.

Well, Jennie Allen didn’t disappoint and she did so much for me in this book. I think Restless: Because You Were Made for More will do something for everyone who reads it.

Allen used personal experiences as well as several stories from other women and families to show readers that having purpose doesn’t just come from the “big” things like travelling to Africa or leading a church or running some lucratively successful start-up business. Instead it comes from all the pieces and stories of our lives. It is there in the pouring of cereal for the 4-year-old, it is there in the smiling greeting provided to each customer that comes in the door, it is there even in pain and struggle.

This book can be read by anyone, but Allen does focus much of her attention on women – calling them to dream, to find their worth in all the moments of their lives, and encouraging them to dream outside the box – don’t feel boxed in by societal norms or what they think equals purpose in a “standard” world. She makes it clear that we’re all as different as can be and those differences offer exactly what God wants offered and exactly when and where He would have it offered. Additionally, there is a small section written by her husband (geared towards other men who are blessed to be able to support the women in their lives). In his section, Allen’s husband talks of a time when he wasn’t supportive of his wife’s dreams and the conversion he had to make both within himself and with Allen to resolve those issues and feelings.

As you’ll see above, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. Around the middle, the book becomes very evangelical in the sense that all the scenarios and examples and other content seemed to lead readers to the assumption that the only way to have purpose is to lead some church group or other spiritually based and guided group, class, etc. This part lost me because that isn’t my nature. I am more of the type that wants to find a purpose, make a difference in lives, and let the Godly part shine through that. I’m not very evangelical so I started to get disappointed that maybe this book wasn’t as wide-thinking as I thought. However, that line of content didn’t last and Allen again brought things around to the point that everyone has purpose, those purposes all look very different and sound very different, even feel very different, but if we’re partnering with God, they are all for His plan even if we’re not sitting in front of people talking about God and converting them on the spot. That is the only reason I rated down one star.

If you’re still waffling on your purpose, feel like you might need a new purpose, or just want to reaffirm the one(s) you’re currently pursuing, give this book a try. It is uplifting, reassuring, and quite moving. Readers will get a new feel for the minutiae of their days, and also a new vigor for dreaming and following those dreams even if they seem way too large for the here and now.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am not compensated for any of my reviews. 

Terri Blackstock is one of my favorite Christian Suspense authors. Her skills are beyond magnificent and each book is uniquely created. Everytime I sit down to read one of her books, I always expect to end up on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, turning the pages. The need to know what happens next is always powerful.

This book, while second in her Moonlighter series, is fast pace and intense, and easily read as a stand alone. From the start with Juliet and Bob, Ms. Blackstock kept me hanging on to every word, every page turn like the story was about me. That’s amazing skills and something I look for with each suspense novel I read. The intensity of the ride with the lies, the realization of what was behind those lies, all of it took me on a ride I won’t soon forget!

As with all Ms. Blackstock’s books, I highly recommend this one with 4.5 stars! She’s a whirlwind author who knows what to toss readers that keep them begging for more. The ending of this book has me doing just that…….begging for more in this series! I can’t wait to find out what’s up next!

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**Disclaimer:This book has been provided to Reviews By Molly free of charge by Booklook in exchange for an honest review of this title. No money has been exchanged for this review. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any other RBM reviewer or this blog’s owner, editor or administrator.

Reflection. That's what I want to do after reading this novel. I need to reflect. I need to breath and work my way through what happened, what I felt, and how I feel now. Seriously. This is an incredible novel. I've read Ms. Healy's work before, but, by far, this is absolutely the most amazing book of hers to date. Holy cow. I'm still in awe of it. 

Child molesting. Falsely accused people. Human Trafficking. Tragedy. So many moving, emotionally traumatic circumstances and beautifully chiseled characters. Those are the things that make up this novel that follows Serena Diaz, the Fire Followers and a teenager set to seek revenge. 

From start to finish this novel had me captivated. I was emotionally moved in so many ways, sometimes brought to tears, sometimes brought to anger, but always brought close to these amazing characters in a way that I won't soon forget. This author has mad skills, for sure! 

I highly recommend this novel to those who love dramatic reads. Books filled with characters that come to life, real life issues woven into a fictional novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat. This 5 star read kept me turning page after page, white knuckling the book, until the last page was turned. Well done, Ms. Healy! 
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**Disclaimer: This book has been provided to Reviews By Molly free of charge by Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review of this title. No money has been exchanged for this review. This review reflects the opinion of the individual reviewer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any other RBM reviewer or this blog’s owner, editor or administrator.

Find this review and much more at Read, Run, Ramble 

Thank you Thomas Nelson via Booksneeze for providing me with a copy of this book!

Martin was a normal, active boy until age 12 when he became ill. His parents took him to see many doctors and they had many test run, but no answers were to be found for his increasingly worse condition. Eventually he was without use of his body or mind. By the time he was 14, it seemed his death was inevitable. Yet Martin’s mind came back – he was finally aware again. His body remained still though and thus begins Martin’s journey as the self-dubbed, “Ghost Boy”. He could see, hear and comprehend all that was happening around him, but he was completely unable to communicate it.

This book is the story of those years as Martin’s mind awakened, but his body did not. In his own words, haunting, yet uplifting, he shows readers what it was like living in a body that refused to help him. He speaks of days in care centers where unimaginable things happened, of days with his parents when he longed to comfort them, but couldn't, of nights when his demons revisited him and left him sleepless.

Martin also shares his triumph. Of finally meeting someone who really saw him and knew he was more than just a shell of a body – knew he could understand what was happening all around him. Through that care worker his hopes were lifted and he worked long and hard to overcome the undiagnosed illness that had left him without speech, without movement, without a life – at first.

Martin is a faithful Christian and he does speak of God and how He is the only one who heard him for so long. However, the story and Martin’s miraculous life is mostly left to speak on its own. His strong, calm, and resolute faith are clear, but not overly stated or gratuitously gushed. I found it struck a nice balance. As a reader, I don’t question that Martin is a faithful Christian, but I also never felt preached at or like anyone was trying too hard to make me connect Martin’s story to God and His works.

I think what I take most from this is don’t take for granted that those who don’t seem to understand, cannot. I was touched most by all the times Martin tried so hard and in vein to somehow reach the people in his world. How he hoped he could make it seen in his face or how he’d will his arms to move in order to get someone’s attention. My heart broke when he needed to tell someone his food was too hot, but could not. How he was subjected to cruel abuse and had no means to escape or even to tell someone. Simple things we take for granted every single day.

This was a nice, uplifting book to start my year. There’s something for everyone to learn in stories like Martin’s, and there are heartaches in the story, but there are also smiles. Read this book for both.

I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am not compensated for any of my reviews.


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Find this review and much more at Read, Run, Ramble 

Thank you Thomas Nelson Publishers via BookSneeze for providing me with an early copy of this book!

In this third and final installment of the Angel Eyes Trilogy, Brielle and Jake are still battling with Damien, Lucifer, and a whole gang of nasty demons, and Brielle’s faith is put to the test.

Book two left Brielle without Jake, and she’s feeling the loss quite significantly. When Canaan’s chest offers her clues to where Damien has taken him, she immediately heads off to save him, but she knows she could be causing worse trouble because darkness knows all weaknesses. She fears The Prince (Lucifer) will use her and Jake against the other – she just doesn't know for what.

Her meeting with Lucifer produces yes anger and disgust with him, but his manipulative ways put her in a difficult position, one she fears will impact how Jake feels about her – is she the reason the engagement ring disappeared from Canaan’s chest?

From here the battle begins – the Sabres are still in Stratus attempting to tear the veil that keeps the Celestial hidden from humans, and Brielle, Jake, Liv, Marco, and Kaylee have much to figure out. As they delve into dreams, journals, and pasts, the unravel a connecting thread that brings them all together in the same story, and Brielle’s mother (who passed when she was only a toddler) is right in the center.

Brielle’s need for answers about her mother’s death, her best friend’s life before her murder, and her boyfriend’s past along with her aching desire to not see the Celestial anymore will push her towards a decision she knows isn't the right one – one she knows could change her life and Jake’s forever.

Dittemore’s writing is creative, well-crafted, and inspirational. The Celestial world she has built gives readers a glimpse at the unknown and unseen. Her characters are deep and developed, yet easily read. I liked this take on the supernatural – demons and angels in our everyday world, yet we can’t see them. This novel is based on biblical themes and Christian beliefs. I found it refreshing and not forced. Regardless of a reader’s beliefs, this is an intriguing series to read. The novel shows us those who believe and those who don’t. Some who struggle with faith and some who come to it naturally. Many themes are represented to explore, but aside from it all, Dark Halo (and the entire Angel Eyes series) is a fun, uplifting, and exciting story.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I am not compensated for any of my reviews.