Book Review: Hope Under the Mistletoe by Jessica R. Patch

I am glad to have pulled this gem from my TBR shelf. I fully enjoyed this faith based Christmas story.

Hope Under Mistletoe (Seasons of Hope Book 1)
by Jessica R. Patch

File Size: 339 KB
Print Length: 94 pages
Publisher: Bales Publishing (February 24, 2015)
ASIN: B00U0IQRO0
Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

A rowdy bar owner. A widowed pastor’s wife. And Christmas hope that brings them together.

After widow Eden Snow’s church almost burns to the ground, she’s compelled to find a temporary place to hold services and Christmas cantata practices.

Has-been hockey player, Knox Everhart, has a reputation for being fast on the ice and with women. Except Eden. She’s always been a fascinating mystery to him, which is why he agrees to let her use the back room of his bar—with one rule: No converting his customers.

But when Eden brings the church to the bar, it offers something the bottle can’t. Hope. And he finds himself falling in love with a woman and a Savior he feels unworthy to pursue.

Review:
Eden Snow is still suffering the loss of her pastor husband, Nathan, who was killed in a car accident by a teenage drunken driver. Now there has been a terrible fire at the church. The church family needs a place to meet so Eden asks her husband’s best friend, Knox, if they can use a back room of his bar for song practices and services.

Knox is a former hockey player who has a well-known reputation for skating by with women. He never let anyone know of his feelings for his Nathan's wife, Eden. He has always admired her but knows that he could never be worthy of her. Now she is getting too close by spending time in his bar, aptly named The Penalty Box. Knox becomes ever more confused as he watches Eden and the new pastor share acceptance, love and hope with all those they come in contact with.

I really liked the primary characters. The author created a good contrast with Knox’s rough, ‘bad boy’ nature countered by Eden’s innocent and ‘good’ nature. They both struggle with their growing attraction. Knox doesn’t feel worthy and he is holding back a secret that could cause Eden to hate him. Eden has to resist her growing interest in Knox because she, even though she sees he is a good guy at heart, she knows 'good' isn't enough. She can't allow herself to get involved with a man who doesn’t share her faith and acceptance of Christ.

Ms. Patch develops a strong relationship with good dialogue and a believable sequence of steps. The faith message is clearly shared in a fitting way without being ‘in your face’. The writing is crisp and the short story reads easily. I would like to read more by this author. I recommend this to readers who like a nice romance that includes messages of hope, forgiveness and redemption.

This is a gem pulled from my TBR shelf - 2015! It qualifies for Mount TBR and #hohohorat.

Sunday Post November 26, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 27, 2017

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

We traveled south and had a wonderful Thanksgiving and visits. I only got to work on three of the files in my briefcase. Two days were without internet. I tried not to stress. :-( My 2nd gen Kindle seems to be dying as the battery only holds for half an hour. This has slowed my ereading. I am eyeing a Kindle in Cyber Monday deals.
I'm expecting a special night out on, or maybe in, on the 30th as hubby and I celebrate our 32nd anniversary!

My reading/listening was good though. I finished 4 books for the week: three audios and one ebook. I posted three reviews plus I posted my usual memes.

I only visited 24 blogs early in the week.
Shout out this week to Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws who has book promos too.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post November 19, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 20, 2017.

• LBCPrint- Book Review and Giveaway: Patched Together: A Story of My Story by Brennan Manning; Christian, Inspirational, Religion; my rating 5.0. Two Print US and Canadian; Giveaway ends 12/2.

• Happy Thanksgiving!

• MBS Giveaway for 7th Annual Black Friday Giveaway Book Bonanza Hop. Open Worldwide; ends 11/27.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway November 24, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 11/30/2017.

• A-Author- Audio Book Review: Virus: Earth's Last Battle by Ray Jay Perreault; Military, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

• e-Author- Book Review: The Letterbox by Layton Green; Mystery, Supernatural, Thriller; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #330 Comment Giveaway November 25, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/2/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 26, 2017.

I am continuing titles for #RRSciFiMonth.


Finished Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Welcome to Outcast Station
by Jeanne Adams,‎ Nancy Northcott
I enjoyed the characters and stories in this "duo".
Received from NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

We Are Legion (We Are Bob)  
Bobiverse, Book 1  
By: Dennis E. Taylor Narrated by: Ray Porter
This is great entertainment from my Audible Library. I will pick up book two.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Terms of Enlistment
Frontlines, Book 1  
By: Marko Kloos
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
Series: Frontlines, Book 1
This is a solid military sci fi title from my TBR Audible Library.
Click on book title for full description.

4. Audible/MP3

Cloak of the Light
Wars of the Realm, Book 1
By: Chuck Black
Narrated by: Michael Orenstein, Katie Leigh
I have book two through NetGalley 
so I decided to listen to book one.
I really enjoyed it and 
will be looking forward to book two!
Publisher's Summary
Drew is caught in a world of light - just inches away from the dark.
What if...there was a world beyond our vision, a world just fingertips beyond our reach? What if...our world wasn't beyond their influence?
Tragedy and heartache seem to be waiting for Drew Carter at every turn, but college offers Drew a chance to start over - until an accident during a physics experiment leaves him blind and his genius friend, Benjamin Berg, missing.
As his sight miraculously returns, Drew discovers that the accident has heightened his neuron activity, giving him skills and sight beyond the normal man. When he begins to observe fierce invaders that no one else can see, he questions his own sanity, and so do others. But is he insane or do the invaders truly exist?
With help from Sydney Carlyle, a mysterious and elusive girl who offers encouragement through her faith, Drew searches for his missing friend, Ben, who seems to hold the key to unlocking this mystery. As the dark invaders close in, will he find the truth in time?
©2016 eChristian (P)2016 eChristian

Currently Reading:
1. eBook/Kindle (Author)

Kristian's War (The Searcher Series Book 1)  
by Peter Wisan
This is an allegorical post-apocalyptic.
Received from the author.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Defining Diana
By: Hayden Trenholm
Narrated by: Art Carlson
Series: Steele Chronicles, Book 1
I hunted out another Sci Fi from my TBR shelf.
This was from 9/2012.
Publisher's Summary
"Found naked and alone in a locked room. The beautiful woman was in perfect health - except she was dead... It's 2043 and much has changed: nuclear war, biotechnology and all-powerful corporations have ruled the world....
Now science is taking DNA manipulation to new, unrestricted levels. Superintendent Frank Steele is an old-fashioned cop. He commands a small, elite police unit that is handed all of the bizarre and baffling cases no one else can solve. He knows the money, the murders, missing persons and gruesome body shops are all connected. He knows it starts with the girl....
©2008 Hayden Trenholm (P)2011 Iambik Audio Inc

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Gift From The Stars
by James Gunn
This is another sci fi from my NetGalley stack.
The age-old question about alien existence and human contact is explored in a new way in this collection of six novellas, previously anthologized in ANOLOG magazine. When disillusioned aerospace engineer Adrian Mast buys a book at a remainder sale, the last things he expects to find in its appendix are alien spacecraft designs. With the help of the bookstore owner, Adrian tracks down the author—only to find him in a mental institution anguishing over the intentions of the aliens who sent the designs to him. By bluffing a bureaucrat intent on thwarting their progress, the two friends continue their quest for the stars and go ahead with the spacecraft designs. Having successfully launched their ship 15 years later, the questions that remain are: What were the intentions of the aliens? and Is mankind ready to face what's out there?

4. Audible/MP3 (TBR)
I think there will be time for one more Sci Fi before I jump into Christmas books.
I just haven't chosen yet.

November 26, 2017 - I am two days behind in the One Year Bible reading. I have been reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed 4 books and posted 3 reviews. That still leaves me 6 reviews pending. 
My reviews as written are current at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 9; 7 for this year and 2 for 2018. I still have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie.

We're working on two more fiction books soon to add to eTreasure's NetGalley page.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I received no new review titles last week.
I bought resisted the Audible daily deals but picked up four Audibles on sale.
I resisted buying Kindle titles until today when I picked up two.
As usual, I picked up more free kindle titles as usual. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

Audible titles purchased on Sale 11/26/17:
This one for $3.95
The Dragonet Prophecy
By: Tui T. Sutherland
Narrator: Shannon McManus
Duration: 8 hrs and 32 mins


The next three for $4.95 each
The Tea Rose
By: Jennifer Donnelly
Narrator: Jill Tanner
Duration: 28 hrs and 35 mins



Sword of Destiny
By: Andrzej Sapkowski
Narrator: Peter Kenny
Duration: 12 hrs and 47 mins



Unblemished
By: Sara Ella
Narrator: Hayley Cresswell
Duration: 11 hrs and 50 mins



I picked up two Kindle titles for $.99 each.

Christmas in Duke Street
Grace Burrowes, Shana Galen, Miranda Neville, Carolyn Jewel

The Cat of Christmas Present

(Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 10)

Kathi Daley

Free

Here are some of the free Kindle titles I added to my library. Hopefully the images link to the pages at Amazon.



I added 61 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 26, 2017

We had our Preacher brother from Haiti in to visit at Sunday School. It was wonderful to see him and to hear his message sharing the importance of teaching and making disciples.

Our Pastor and family are away to celebrate Thanksgiving with family. The Illuminate Series continued with our assistant/youth Pastor in Galatians 5:1-12.

It is important to remember that the Christian life is more than a judgment message or trying to follow commands. The important element is the love message. The gospel is the good news.
Life to the fullest is in a loving relationship with God.

Some people have been raised with a scary view; raised in fear trying to stay on a narrow path above a floor of lava. The gospel is an Important message for eternity, but it must be based on love. Is your faith expressing itself in love?

Paul confronts difficult issues head on. He tells the people don't get tied back into law or works. No manner of dress, prayer, or fasting will make you more approved. It is better to live in grace than in the law.

There are 613 laws set out in the old testament. It is impossible to follow them all. You don't get to pick and chose which you must follow if you are trying to live under the law. Christ’s salvation is a gift that frees us from living under the law. We can't keep promises. We are fortunate that God’s love is based acceptance by faith, not by works. We are accepted in faith before being transformed to whom He wants us to be; before growing through the process.

The Point: What is important is faith expressing itself in love. Galatians 5:6.

The situation you are living in may not change, but how you live through it can change. People see how we live outside the church walls. We mustn’t live within the church like we are special. We each go to church because we are not perfect. We are always learning, growing. We need God and need to love the lost. If we love God, then we love people.

It's love that changes people. The love and acceptance of God and who we are is the key. It changes everything. The role we play is not to correct the lost but it's to love the lost.

1 Corinthians 13:13 says the greatest gift is love. Then that gift should be the most used. Allow God to reveal himself to you. Accept His free gift of love; acknowledge who you are and then share the love He has shown you.

I had this song in my list and I think it fits today.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 5:4-6 NIV
4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Lord, I pray that you help me to show Your love in the way that I live each day.

Sharing Beyond Books #330 Comment Giveaway November 25, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week. I enjoyed the quotes that were shared and hope others will read them too.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #329 comments is: #5 Alina who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #330

(One Question.)

bn100 asks: How do you feel about authors/publishers running contests where the only way to enter is to buy the book (which is different than the no purchase necessary contests)??

I am not in favor of giveaways where you have to buy the book. It usually requires that you send in the receipt which is an extra (annoying) step... assuming I would want to buy the book in the first place.
On top of that - it is an illegal violation of FTC rules. :-)

Image found at Rafflecopter.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.
Comments in November were from Elizabeth, Alina, Becky and bn100. Random.org chose 4 so bn100 gets to pick an book.

Your turn to share. bn100 asks: How do you feel about authors/publishers running contests where the only way to enter is to buy the book (which is different than the no purchase necessary contests)??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday December 2, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: The Letterbox by Layton Green

This ghostly thriller brings some soul searching.
The Letterbox
by Layton Green

File Size: 2336 KB
Print Length: 368 pages
Publication Date: September 2, 2016
ASIN: B01LHMCTSA
Genre: Mystery, Supernatural, Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

What if you had the chance to uncover tangible evidence of the divine? How far would you go, what dangers would you brave, in pursuit of the greatest mystery of all?
Four companions of varying beliefs, on a journey to the forgotten corners of Europe, are about to find out.
On a desolate English moor, a team of scientists unearths a two-thousand-year-old wooden box, preserved in silver and inlaid with a map of patterned gemstones. A set of runes inscribed on the box claims the map is a pathway to God.
In an attempt to decipher the map, a wealthy New Orleans collector assembles an unlikely team: a specialist in cultural antiquities who dabbles in the occult; a jaded attorney searching for meaning; a brilliant linguist who loathes organized religion; and a Catholic historian with a reputation for acquiring pieces no one else can or will.
Shackled by secrets and hidden motives, pursued by a sinister religious order, driven by an insatiable desire for answers, the four companions trek across Europe as they search for a connection among the ancient sites revealed by the map. As the hunt for truth takes them deeper into the unknown, their lives and perhaps their souls in peril, they must determine whether the letterbox is part of an elaborate, centuries-old deception—or the answer to mankind’s ultimate questions.
From critically acclaimed and bestselling author Layton Green, The Letterbox is a thrilling new mystery that weaves danger, exotic locales, breathless suspense, romance, and ancient secrets into the tapestry of an unforgettable novel.

Review:
A unique artifact is found on a desolate English moor. A wealthy New Orleans collector, Lucius, is hired to retrieve the letterbox and investigate its origins and purpose. The collector calls in a brilliant linguist, Lou, an atheist, who drags along his best friend, Aidan, an attorney who is disgusted with his work and seeking some greater meaning to life. Lou determines that runes on the box may be interpreted as the “God path”. Not all the writing and mosaic work on the box matches the described or expected setting and historic time which adds to the puzzle. Lucius’ assistant, Asha, who dabbles in the occult, joins the team and they head off to Dubrovnik to pick up the team guide, Jake, a Catholic historian skilled in collecting, and protecting, rare pieces.

The four are quickly drawn in and committed to the search by individual drives and secret motives. Even as strange visions, ghostly apparitions, threatening druids and dangers stalk them across Europe, they cannot let go of the quest. Will the map lead them to a hidden treasure, druid secrets concealed centuries ago, or an encounter with God? It is a quest that may steal their lives if not their souls.

This is a fascinating mystery guided by a puzzle that might have readers thinking of The Da Vinci Code while the quest is reminiscent of a modern day Indiana Jones adventure traveling to spiritually rich sites. The history, action and danger of the quest are engaging, but I was anxious to discover the end result. I found the four varied reactions to the revealed ending to be consistent with their beliefs and preset attitudes, which provides an interesting psychological argument.

The writing is strong with unique and well researched settings. The story is told from Aidan's view which worked well since he is the one seeking meaning without a preset belief system. I recommend this as engaging reading to those who like a puzzling thriller with a touch of soul searching.

I received this from the author for an honest review.