Laura Jackson's Blog, page 15

Critical Pursuit: A Review

 
Brinna's life mission is to rescue kidnapped girls just like she was rescued. Jack is just trying to survive until the sentencing of his wife's killer. When the two are thrown together on patrol for two weeks, they have to learn to work together in order to confront the past and its secrets.

I've read Cantore's other books, and while I liked them, I loved this book. Brinna and Jack are real---full of flaws and failures, which is why I liked them so much. I also liked the fact that their relationship was more about figuring out who they were than romance although I wouldn't be sad or surprised if something develops.

The action is fast. There were several serious events that happened in a short time. They could have been more meaningful if one or two were kept for a later book. However, the suspense kept me reading and left me waiting for book two!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for me review, and my thoughts are my own.
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Another HopeSprings Giveaway!

  We HopeSprings authors are continuing our Advent Celebration.Join Sydney Avey on her blog for a chance to win the audio copy of her newly released novel. http://sydneyavey.com/2013/12/12/less-perfect-christmas/ You'll also be able to enter to win the grand prize, which is a Kindle (or Amazon gift card). '

A Place to Belong: A Review

Engaged to Lucas, Cassie should feel settled into her new home. She's found a family, she's able to compete again, and she finally has a home. Yet, she's still longing for more. Will she find that when her fiancé starts looking at another girl?

A Place to Belong offers a satisfying conclusion to the Wild West Wind series. Ransom, who has been my favorite character, finally finds a balance of working hard to support the family and enjoying the life he has. I also liked that Cassie finally had to face the guy who ripped off her dad with the Wild West show, leaving Cassie destitute and desperate. The character growth for both Cassie and Ransom were my favorite parts of the book.

I enjoyed the glimpse of history as well....how life was in the early 1900s from saving calves in a snowstorm to gardening with a little shooting in between.

While I enjoyed the book, I had kinda been hoping Mavis would find a happily-ever-after as well. And what about the son Jesse who was away at college to become a doctor? There are more stories for this family, and I hope the author shares them.

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.
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Waiting

    There were 400 years between the Old Testament and the New.  400 years of silence. 400 years of waiting for the promised Messiah, the One who would set the captives free.  How they longed for Him to come. I imagine each generation talked about His coming. Who would be the chosen mother? How would they know it was Him? How would He rescue them? I also imagine many gave up looking for Him. After centuries of hearing nothing from God, perhaps the prophets had been wrong. Perhaps the prophets had made up the coming Messiah.    And then He came. In a manager, unknown and uncelebrated except by a few. After 400 years of silence, there He was!  The Savior had finally come, the wait was over, but they rejected Him. Surely a baby born in a manger, a man who was silent when accused, a man who rejected the spiritual leaders of the day wasn't the answer!  But He was. And He still is. Are you in a season of silence, of expecting waiting, of nearly giving up hope that God will do what He promised to do?  How often we reject Him because He doesn't answer the way we want Him to! If you're in a season waiting, allow this verse to encourage you as it has me.  Psalm 27:14 (ESV)Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Instead of waiting for a child, a spouse, a promotion, a new job, a new car, friends, let's wait on the Lord.  Waiting on people and circumstances will cause us to grow weary. Waiting on the Lord will give us strength.  *I love my King James Version Touch Bible App. I can click a word, and it tells me the definition. Here in this verse, one of the meanings for the Hebrew word (Kaw-Vaw) means to bind together, perhaps by twisting.  This season, bind closer to Jesus, for He is always Worth the Wait.  I'm giving away a prize today! Leave a comment telling me about something in your life that was worth the wait to win a copy of my February release Worth the Wait. (You'll have to wait till then to get it.) To make the wait a little shorter, I'll send you this:   I'll pick a winner next Monday. Be sure to leave your email address. (I can only ship to the US.)  Finally, enter to win a Kindle donated by the authors of HopeSprings:a Rafflecopter giveaway     '

Whispers in the Wind: A Review

  

I haven't read a Lauraine Snelling book in a few years, and after reading this book, I had to ask myself why it had been so long. Although I didn't read the first book in the series, I quickly caught up with Cassie's story. When her father died and his partner in their Wild West Show went bankrupt, Cassie decided to return to the place her father had loved--a ranch in South Dakota, where the Engstrom family has lived since her father left. Will the two families be able work together as joint owners? I loved the characters. Cassie is fun, Mavis is stable, and Ransom is mysterious. Cassie comes to town with a ragtag family of Chief, Runs Like a Deer and Micah, who I wish would have had a bigger part of the story. (Perhaps that was covered in the first book, which I didn't read.) The characters' relationships are the main focus of the book, but the historical elements add to the story. I loved the aspects of how Native Americans were treated, the horse/shooting shows Cassie enjoys, and even how the justice system worked. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this series about a girl who's looking for a place to belong. I certainly won't wait as long to read another book by Lauraine Snelling.    '

Another Chance to Win!

    Check out my friend Mary's blog for a chance to win a prize and enter to win a Kindle.http://www.maryhamiltonbooks.com/dreaming-of-a-white-christmas/ Good luck! '

First Chance to Win a Kindle

    Check out Elizabeth Maddrey's blog today for a chance to win a prize and enter to win a kindle. Good luck!http://www.elizabethmaddrey.com/a-story-and-a-giveaway/'

Paige Rewritten: A Review

 

When we last saw Paige, her ex-boyfriend and long-lost sister had both suddenly popped back into her life. In this second book in the series, Paige is dealing with broken relationships, juggling her responsibilities, and debating a job change.

While nothing huge happens in the book, Mangum does a fantastic job of telling a fun, witty story with drops of spiritual truth. I love the characters, and the minor characters are just as great as the main ones.

As with her other series, Mangum gives hints of who Paige will end up with but also creates to guys worth rooting for!

I can't wait until the third one comes out....why did this one have to end on a cliffhanger?

Fans of Christian fiction about girls in the 20s figuring out adulthood will enjoy this book.

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Interview

 Am I as boring as I think I am? Probably so. :)Check out a little interview with me at Russell Sherrard's blog.http://www.sherrardsebookresellers.com/WordPress/author-interview-10-questions-with-laura-jackson/   '

Lonely During the Holidays? Me too.

The holidays are a time for celebrating. Jesus. Life. Love. Family. Friends.
Yet, they are some of the loneliest times of the year.
Maybe you're missing that family member who used to sit next to you at the family table.Maybe you're mourning the loss of a loved one.Maybe you're longing to get pregnant.Maybe you're waiting on adoption papers to come through.Maybe you're praying for that family member in jail.Maybe you're forgotten by those you love.Maybe you're like me, single and waiting for the one God has for you.

Whatever reason you're lonely, the feelings are the same. They are overwhelming floods and burning flames.
Many times, we fill that loneliness with busyness. Or food. Or shopping. Or fake smiles. (Or maybe those are just mine.)
But, I'm going to try something new this year. I'm going to walk through it. Pretending my feelings aren't there is exhausting. Hiding them is frustrating.
But, wallowing in my feelings is just as futile. 
So, I'm going to surround myself in the truth of the Word until my feelings fade and only the truth remains.
I don't normally post about my feelings. Heck, I don't even talk about them with my closest friends. But, I'm putting them out here just in case there's someone who needs to hear he/she is not alone. You never have been, and you never will be. Here are the verses I've been reading a lot lately as I have felt those feelings of loneliness creep in (and get worse with each Kay Jewelers commercial I see).
Isaiah 43:2 ESVWhen you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.Isaiah 49:16 ESVBehold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.Philippians 4:11 ESV
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
So, if you're lonely this holiday season, please know there's a gal in Houston who feels the same way you do. If there's something I can pray for you about, leave me a comment or shoot me an email at laurajacksonwrites at gmail dot com. 

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