Tried & True by Mary Connealy

Kylie Wilde likes being feminine, wearing dresses, sporting long hair, and enjoying the finer things in life, much to the chagrin of her older sisters. They've fought in the Civil War posing as men and now have claimed land with their soldier exemptions posing as men too. Except Kylie is tired of wearing britches.

Land agent, Aaron Masterson, checks to make sure that claim owners are obeying the requirements of the law. He refuses to look the other way when he learns of Kylie's deception. He's tempted to turn her in but feels the need to protect her when someone is trying to force her off her land.

Mary Connealy has a knack of bringing together a strong hero and heroine with plenty of struggles and laughter in between their clashes. I look forward to reading the story of each of the Wilde sisters.

This book was provided for review by Bethany House Publishers, 2014.

About the book: Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters! Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister---and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It's a risk---they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as "boys"---but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East. Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future? Purchase a copy:  http://ow.ly/AS8Js About the author: Mary Connealy writes fun and lively "romantic comedy with cowboys" for the inspirational market. She is the author of the successful Kincaid Brides, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's Daughters series, and she has been a finalist for a Rita and Christy Award and a two time winner of the Carol Award. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband, Ivan, and has four grown daughters. Find Mary online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Glorious Day

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Death will no longer exist;
grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer,
because the previous things have passed away.

Revelation 21:4 

I've been thinking today about heaven. I love the promise this scripture brings, giving us hope for the future when we belong to Him.

No more tears.

No more death.

No more sorrow.

No more crying.

No more pain.

My focus today is on having no more pain. I've been experiencing a lot of pain in my hand joints the past month. So I'm holding onto that promise of no more pain.

What a glorious day that will be when the previous things have passed away, and we are reunited with Jesus in heaven.

What things are you looking forward to? 

To Walk on Water... You First Need to Get Out of the Boat

Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.  

 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.”

“Come!” He said.

And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 

Matthew 14:25-29

We had a guest speaker at our church this past Sunday. Actually it was given by the man who will be our new preacher. I was incredibly challenged by his message. He used this passage in Matthew that talks about when Jesus and Peter walked on the water. 

Peter trusted Jesus and took that step of faith. He got out of the boat. Peter was able to do something miraculous.... until he took his eyes off Jesus and gave in to the doubts and fears around him. He listened to those voices in his head that told him it was impossible for him to be doing what he was doing.

I think of how many times I follow God in something He has called me to do... but then those fears and doubts hit me like a huge wave and I flounder as much as Peter did.

I know the key is in looking to Jesus. I will only be able to do miraculous things... because of Him. I don't know about you, but I'd rather be walking on water than sitting safe and secure on the boat.

Where are you... on the boat... on the water walking... or sinking?

The great thing is that God can meet us no matter where we are.


 

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

Reporter Agatha Watson's life is in danger. She's angered too many people with her articles for the New York Tribune. Her editor agrees for her to take a trip west as long as her bodyguard is along to keep her safe while they try to find the person trying to kill her. She isn't happy being away from her life in New York but is determined to find ideas for stories along the way.

Zayne Beckett's life hasn't turned out the way he planned, but he has no desire to return to New York, and definitely not with Agatha Watson. He has no desire to be a 'project' for Agatha to fix. He knows from years of experience dealing with her, that she has a propensity for finding trouble.

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano is a fun novel that will have you laughing and eager to turn the page to read more.

This book was provided free for review by the author and Bethany House Publishers, 2014.