Out of the Ruins | The Golden Gate Chronicles, Book 1, by Karen Barnett

About Book

Abby's shattered faith in both God and man is challenged when the terrible earthquake hits 1906 San Francisco.

While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn't expect, however, is for God's answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best.

As they work together toward a cure, Abby's feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xlcaD 

Landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/kbarnett

About Author 

Karen Barnett is the author of Mistaken and several articles that have been published by Guideposts and other national magazines. She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and three cats. 

Karen can be found at: website, Twitter,Facebook, Pinterest

Don’t miss the debut book, Out of the Ruins, in Karen Barnett‘s new series, The Golden Gate Chronicles. Set against the backdrop of early 20th century San Francisco, Out of the Ruins will remind readers that no matter who we are or what we’ve done, God is still as close to us as our next breath.

Karen is celebrating with a fun giveaway and Facebook author chat party.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 19th. Winner will be announced at the Out of the Ruins Facebook author chat party on June 19th. Connect with Karen for an evening of fun book chat, games, and prizes. Karen will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in The Golden Gate Chronicles series!

So grab your copy of Out of the Ruins and join Karen on the evening of June 19th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. TELL YOUR FRIENDS VIA FACEBOOK OR TWITTER AND INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 19TH!

My Thoughts

Abby has lost faith in God since a disease quickly consumes her sister. Her dying sister begs Abby to pray for a miracle.  To Abby's amazement it appears God is going to answer her prayer.  There is new research in the field of this disease being assigned to a handsome doctor, Dr. Robert King.  The problem is that her sister may not fit the requirements for this experimental program and moving her to San Francisco could be make things even worse.  

When her sister is approve for the treatment program she is moved to San Francisco. Things become even more complicated when a devastating earthquake hits San Francisco shutting the city  down and throwing everyone into turmoil.

I noticed how Abby was so overwhelmed when she heard about a possible cure for her sister and was determined to charge full steam ahead not listening or considering the downside of the the treatment and the move.  Love sometimes blinds and causes people to make rash decisions.  This  story was fast read for me since I did not want to put the book down.  I very much liked the historical side of the medical research and then the historical facts of the earthquake.  

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicty Group/ Abingdon Press for an honest review.

After The Snow Falls by Carey Jane Clark

About Book

In the middle of a soccer drill, in an awful, awkward moment, Celia Bennett’s eight-year-old son Caleb lands on his face and chest in the grass. The diagnosis blindsides her, bringing her face-to-face with every parent’s worst nightmare.

Desperate to save her son’s life, Celia pursues a cure through alternative medicine, but her quest ends in frustration and disappointment. As she faces despair, hope walks in on the most unlikely set of legs, when her father returns after a 30-year absence. Can she release pain to embrace hope? Will it make a difference, or is it too late?

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Hope Springs (November 22, 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0991688600
• ISBN-13: 978-0991688609

About Author

Carey Jane Clark writes to inspire courage, hope and conviction. She is a homeschool mother by day, writer by night. The writing bug afflicted her early in life. The first two stories she recalls writing were about kidnapped insects and dancing pumpkins. (It has been a few years since those stories were penned.) After the Snow Falls is her first novel.

She shares the adventure of her life with her husband and three children. She and her family are expatriates living in China. 

You can learn more at www.careyjaneclark.com


My Thoughts

As this soccer mom,Celia Bennett, rushes to get out the door and to the soccer field with her eight year old son, Caleb, she becomes overwhelmed with the responsibilities for so many of the activities she has volunteered for. One of the mom's is not answering her phone and Celia is depending on her to be there. When Celia gets to the field very stressed out,Caleb starts complaining of a headache. So her husband tries to help by getting something for his son's headache. Celia wanders around and finally she finds her friend. As Caleb takes off in a run on the soccer field, Celia is sitting in the stands trying to control the anger she feels toward her friend. Then the unexpected happens. As Caleb was running to make a shot he falls face down to the ground, unconscious. He is transported by ambulance to the hospital.

What they find is not good and Celia's whole life changes in a flash. Her only child has a brain tumor and her life becomes hospital stays, tests, chemo and a room at the Ronald McDonald's House with several families in similar situations.

She does not seem to be able to handle this as well as some of the other parents. Mainly because she does not have faith in God or the power of prayer. So she seeks out information about alternation treatments only available in Mexico. But Caleb does have faith in God and the ones he discusses this with are his grandparents. He wants to know if God can really heal him.

This story is an eye opener. We know these things happen but many people want to stick their heads in the sand and don't want see it or hear about IT. IT meaning cancer.

The author must have a very sensitive heart to write such a heartfelt novel.  I find it hard to express my feelings about this book.  It makes my heart ache!

Prayer can ease the sorrow and pain of loved ones. Especially when we have faith in God.

I highly recommend this book.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure

I was given a free copy of this book by the author for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

After The Snow Falls by Carey Clark

About Book

In the middle of a soccer drill, in an awful, awkward moment, Celia Bennett's eight-year-old son Caleb lands on his face and chest in the grass. The diagnosis blindsides her, bringing her face-to-face with every parent's worst nightmare.

Desperate to save her son’s life, Celia pursues a cure through alternative medicine, but her quest ends in frustration and disappointment. Facing despair, hope walks in on the most unlikely set of legs, when her father returns after a 30-year absence. Can she release pain to embrace hope? Will it make a difference, or is it too late?

Website: http://www.afterthesnowfalls.com/

Published December 9th 2011 by Trestle Press
ISBN13  9781452468570

Buy the Book Today

eBook only $4.99

About Carey

Carey Jane Clark writes to inspire courage, hope and conviction. She is a homeschool mother by day, writer by night. The writing bug afflicted her early in life. The first two stories she recalls writing were about kidnapped insects and dancing pumpkins. (It has been a few years since those stories were penned.) After the Snow Falls is her first novel.

She shares the adventure of her life with her husband and three children. She and her family are expatriates living in China. 



You can learn more at www.careyjaneclark.com


My Thoughts

As this soccer mom,Celia Bennett, rushes to get out the door and to the soccer field with her eight year old son, Caleb, she becomes overwhelmed with the responsibilities for so many of the activities she has volunteered for. One of the mom's is not answering her phone and Celia is depending on her to be there. When Celia gets to the field very stressed out,Caleb starts complaining of a headache. So her husband tries to help by getting something for his sons headache. Celia wanders around and finally she finds her friend. As Caleb takes off in a run on the soccer field, Celia is sitting in the stands trying to control the anger she feels toward her friend. Then the unexpected happens. As Caleb was running to make a shot he falls face down to the ground,unconscious. He is transported by ambulance to the hospital. What they find is not good and Celia's whole life changes in a flash. Her only child has a brain tumor and her life becomes hospital stays, tests, chemo and a room at the Ronald McDonald's House with several families in similar situations. She does not seem to be able to handle this as well as some of the other parents. Mainly because she does not have faith in God or the power of prayer. So she seeks out information about alternation treatments only available in Mexico. But Caleb does have faith in God and the ones he discusses this with are his grandparents. He wants to know if God can really heal him. 

This story is an eye opener. We know these things happen but many people want to stick their heads in the sand and don't want see it or hear about IT. IT meaning cancer.  

The author must have a very sensitive heart to write such a heartfelt novel.  I find it hard to express my feelings about this book.  It makes my heart ache!

Prayer can ease the sorrow and pain of loved ones. Especially when we have faith in God.

I highly recommend this book.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:
I was given a free copy of this book by the author for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

* * *

I wish share from a personal tragedy.

Tyler kissing his new baby brother!

AFTER THE SNOW FALLS was a little difficult for me to read. Let me tell you why.

 Several years ago my 15 month old grandson, Tyler stopped breathing while in his car seat in my car.  He stopped breathing due to a faulty shunt that came unplug in his head and filled his brain with fluid. He was on life support for three days. His parents agreed to donate organs and let our precious baby go home where he will never be in pain again. 

He had lived his first nine months of his short life in neonatal at the hospital. I hate he had to suffer. 

He was one of the happiest babies with the biggest smile God ever gave a child. At times he seemed to be looking up at something and would laugh with great excitement.   We liked to say he was being entertained by his guardian angels.  

Two weeks before he died his little brother was born.   I had to stay with my daughter and care for her and the new baby so her hubby could go back to work.  My daughter was like a zombie for weeks.  When it came time for her to take back her life it killed me to leave her because I knew she was still grieving.  

The new baby was a true blessing and the best cure for her broken heart. Tyler's little brother is  nine years old now and has a little sister that is six yrs old.   Recently Tyler's mommy  gave birth to another boy.  

That makes a total of 15 grandchildren given to us by God and our five daughters and their husbands.

I thank God for all my Blessings. 

                        ~ Patricia

Saving Bobby by Crystal Cattabriga

About Crystal 

I was born and raised in Massachusetts and moved to Georgia in 2004. I'm the mother of three beautiful children, Zackary 18, Blayke 13, and Ema 10. I've been married for 10 years to a wonderful man who always seems to keep me grounded. When I'm not writing novels, I enjoy reading, going to the movies with my children, walking through trails, and bowling. We have three dogs and several cats. Living my life as it is, I feel blessed, so I always remember to pay it forward to others. I've been a Partner's in Hope member of St. Jude's Hospital since 2006 and give to my local community, The Sharing and Caring Place in GA.


Website  http://www.crystalcattabriga.com
Twitter   http://twitter.com/c​cattabriga
Genre    Children's Books, Young Adult, Religion & Spirituality

About Book 


ISBN-13: 9781466306882
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publication date: 11/20/2011
Pages: 246

When Bobby's world came crashing down on his thirteenth birthday he knew his life would never be the same again. After losing most of his family before ever becoming a teenager. Bobby was determined not to lose the only person who had truly loved him and was always there for him; his mom. Struggling with the fear of losing his mother to cancer Bobby takes it upon himself running away in search for a way to save her. Along Bobby's journey, he meets Annie, a 'runaway.' Together, they embark on a road where they both find a friendship that will last forever and the true meaning of God. Will Bobby save his mother in time and will Annie go back to the life she had? Experience this journey with Bobby and Annie and feel the power of true determination, and what God can do if you just let him into your heart....

   

 My Thoughts

Thirteen year old Bobby is on a quest to find more time or a kidney donor for his mom.  She is in desperate need of a new kidney due to cancer. She is all he has left in this world.  He has no other relatives other than his uncle and they recently got notice from the military that his uncle is missing in action.  But he doesn't believe them, he feels in his gut that his uncle is alive.  

Bobby is staying with a family friend while his mom is in the hospital.  He decides to sneak out one night without telling anyone and hits the streets for answers that might help his mom. When he starts out on this quest he makes friends with a young girl, Annie and she joins him on his journey. It is very clear that Annie has a personal relationship with God.  Bobby doesn't know God or what He is capable of doing if he would just believe in Him.  Bobby watches Annie as she share her beliefs with strangers about the power of  prayer if only they would have faith in God.   Annie tries to tell Bobby who God is and about Jesus.  But he isn't sure he believes or trust what Annie says about God. 

Any mom reading this story will freak at the idea of this young boy out on the streets alone.  And why does so many people know this girl Annie and don't seem to be concerned about her?  Where is her parents? Why is she on the streets?  Why doesn't she want to go home?  I had so many questions running through my mind.  

This may be a Young Adult book but don't let that stop you from reading this book.  Also you better make sure you have a box of tissues at hand  because you will need them.  

I have had this book on my to read list for some time now.  I am so glad I was able to work it into my schedule.  I'm sure you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

I highly recommend this book!

I rate this book 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book from the author for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.