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Friday, April 26, 2019

A Question of Loyalty Blog Tour ~ Book Review

Today I'm participating in the release of Jesseca Wheaton's newest novel, A Question of Loyalty! It releases TODAY!!! This book is so amazing!


About the Book:


A Man. A Brother. A Traitor. 

The war has taken everything Micah Wilson has ever held dear, and with all his being he wishes he could do something to stop the heartache. But he often wonders if he'll ever be able to move on after the war, or forget the brother who left six years before. How can God still have a plan when it seems that the world around him is falling to pieces, to say nothing of his own heart?

Ann Sullivan has seen two brothers changed by the war. And she's resolved to do something to stop the pain she sees in their eyes from becoming a reality for so many others. The world is on the brink of Normandy when her nursing unit is shipped to England and, while there, an unexpected encounter promises to change her own life...forever. But it's only the beginning. As the war in Europe rages on, Ann is caught in the crossfires. And when the unthinkable happens, she comes face to face with the evil of the Third Reich. Is it possible that the reality of it all is more deadly than even her worst nightmares?

Erich Essler never questioned his duty to his country. All his life he's struggled to live up to his father's expectations, and bring honor to the Essler name. But when the man he thought of as his only friend turns out to be the enemy, he can no longer rid himself of the questions that continue to torment him. Is what he's doing really honorable? And does he owe his loyalty to his country...or a higher power?

Freedom for Europe dawns on the distant horizon. But in the midst of the fight, four lives will be forever changed, and their loyalty to God and Country brought into the question.

Amazon // Goodreads

Review


This book was so good. I have always been amazed at Jesseca's writing, and this book was no exception! The characters and the stories were so real. If you would like to read my reviews for books 1 & 2, click here and here!

First off, the characters. From Ann to Arnold, to Micah to Erich, they were all wonderful characters! Ann is an American nurse sent overseas to serve. I loved her compassion for others- especially the fact that she was willing to help anyone- Jew, Allied soldier, and German soldiers. Micah is a combat medic. His love and compassion for the hurting was beautiful. Arnold's story was heartbreaking, as was Erich's. I loved the bond those two shared, though! :) The teasing between characters was great! ;) There is some romance in this book, but not make-you-cringe-kind of romance. The little bit of romance was sweet, if not hilarious, with certain brothers trying to get their sister and friend together. ;)

This book is heartbreaking. Yet it shows how God can heal your broken heart. It shows that even though you feel like the world is crashing around you, God can bring good from it. This is a story of loyalty. It's a story of forgiveness. It's a story of leaning on God. Yes, it paints war for what it really is. War is horrible, devastating. However, this book doesn't leave it at that. It focuses on the fact that there is hope. Even when it feels like your whole world is crumbling around you, there is still hope. 

The way this book was written was incredible. This is a book about valuing all life. A Question of Loyalty was well researched. I loved the faith woven throughout the book! It wasn't forced or cliché, it was raw and real. I absolutely loved the sibling relationships! The plot twists were well done and fascinating! It kept me on my toes! It is a beautiful book, although it is really sad at times. Amazing, but sad.

Questions of War is an incredible series! My favorite, though, might just be A Question of Courage. However, that's a hard decision to make, since they are all wonderful books! :)

Favorite quotes:

"God, help me. The three words were all that was needed."

"Forgive, Micah. Forgive, or you'll become one of them."

"They were proof that God could bring beauty from the ashes. That He could mend what was broken."

"Maybe this was why England had lost the Revolutionary war. They couldn't even figure out what in the world the Americans were trying to say." -This part cracked me up! It was absolutely hilarious! ;)

About the Author:


Jesseca is a daughter, sister, and a child of God. Her days are spent reading, cooking, spending time with siblings, or playing the piano. And writing, of course! At an early age words fascinated her, and her love for the printed page has only grown. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in the sunny state of Kansas, and she's convinced there's no place like home. 


There's a giveaway!



1st Place: Signed paperback copy of A Question of Loyalty, Star of David keychain, & notebook! 

Second Place: Signed paperback copy of A Question of Honor! 


Tour Schedule:
Tuesday, April 23rd:
Laura Guenot - Review - Beautiful Things
Kaylee Harrison - Review - Kaylee's Kind of Writes

Wednesday, April 24th:
Soliel - Review - Reviews by Soliel
Abby G. - Review - Photos by Abby Rose
Libby May - Review - Geoturtle

Thursday, April 25th:
Faith P. - Book Spotlight + Review - Stories by Firefly
Victoria G. - Book Spotlight + Interview - Victoria's Book Nook

Friday, April 26th: (Release Day)
Molly Anne - Review - Set Apart for Him
Kaitlyn S. - Review - Maidens for Modesty

Saturday, April 27th:
Kellyn Roth - Review - Reveries
Angela Watts - Book Spotlight + Interview - The Peculiar Messenger
Ryana Lynn - Review - Life of Heritage Corner
Kaitlyn K. - Book Spotlight - Twin Thoughts

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

I've Been Tagged!

wondering why I started this post with a photo of bison?
read for more details! Hint: question 10 ;)

Exciting news, I've been tagged for the first time ever by my friend, Kassie, for the Awesome Blogger Award! Thanks so much, Kassie!!! <3

The rules:
Thank the person/blogger who nominated you

Tag your post with #awesome blogger award

Answer all the questions given to you

Nominate at least 5 bloggers and inform them of their nomination

Give them 10 new questions to answer

Here are the questions I have to answer: ;)

1. What song do you have stuck in your head right now?
Currently, "God Only Knows" by For King and Country. Although it will probably change in the next 10 minutes. ;)

2. Who is *one of* your favorite historical characters?
Ellie Warne, from Bodie and Brock Thoene's books, The Zion Chronicles. She's definitely a favorite character! :)

3. Would you rather have the person show up on your doorstep to spend the day OR be transported back in time to spend a day with them?
I would travel back in time to spend the day with them. :)

4. What is your favorite thing to do on long drives?
Think. My favorite thing to do on long drives is think. ;) I also enjoy talking and joking around with my siblings, and reading.

5. Breakfast for dinner OR dessert for breakfast?
Definitely dessert for breakfast! I've had chocolate cupcakes, chocolate cake, and pie for breakfast on special occasions before. ;)

6. Do you have a Bible passage you like so much that you memorized it by "accident" just by reading it so often?
Hmm... maybe Isaiah 41:13. It's just one verse, but I think I read it so many times that I memorized it without trying too. :)

7. Do you have a pet? If so, how did you choose its name?
I don't have any pets, sadly. Due to my allergies, and the fact that multiple of my other family members have allergies, we don't have any pets. I love animals, though! And I spend whatever chances I can get with them! :) I love riding horses; the one I'm riding right now is Little Fal. (I have no idea how he got that name, he's not very little.) ;) He's part Arabian.

8. Do you eat ice?
Umm... As in chew on the ice chunks in your water? I used to, but I don't drink water or anything else with ice in it a lot. ;)

9. What movie would you have liked to have been an extra in?
Indivisible. I would have loved to have been one of the "extra" soldiers in the background. :) It's an amazing movie!!!

10. What's the strangest dream you ever had?
Wow, hard questions, Kassie! ;) Uh, I've had a lot of strange dreams. One of the strangest, though, is when I had a herd of bison chasing me, and I was trying to run to get away from them, and I woke up sitting up in my bed. As if I knew sitting up would wake me up. Weird, I know. ;)

Thanks Kassie!

Now, for my questions. ;) Special thanks to my older brother who helped me come up with most of these! :)

I nominate: Hosanna EmilyBrooklyne, Gray MarieMallory, and Kaitlyn.

1. Do you like NASCAR? If so, who is your favorite driver?

2. Have you ever been pulled over? If so, why and did you get a ticket and who paid for the ticket? 

3. What is your least favorite musical instrument?

4. What is the silliest/most embarrassing thing you did when you were a kid?

5. What do you do when you're stressed?

6. What was the biggest/most expensive thing you bought that you regret buying?

7. How many houses have you lived in?

8. What is the item that you most regret getting rid of?

9. Who is your favorite author?

10. Do your siblings stalk your blog and discover who comments on it before you do? (mine do) ;)

Saturday, April 6, 2019

What is Worship?

Have you ever wondered what worshipping God really is? What is worship really supposed to mean? What is worship?
I think that many people have lost or forgotten the meaning of worship. Not all have lost it, but many have. It's always good to go back and discover it again. So, what is worship?

The definition of worship is the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for God. Reverence means deep respect for someone. 
We are to have complete adoration and reverence for God. Worship is for God. Worship is about God. It's not about us. It's about praising God for who He is, and talking to Him. 

It often seems that in many churches, worship has become singing songs about us or who we are in God. Those songs can be really good and can often minister to people. Having a song or two like that is not bad. However, if worship is praising God, then we should be worshipping Him. Although our music can minister to people, our main focus while leading worship should not be to minister to people. If our songs minister to someone, great! But that's not the main focus. Our main focus should be to worship God, and only Him. 

When we sing, lead worship, or play an instrument, that isn't anymore important than other people who are sitting and worshipping God in their heart. Everybody's worship is equally important. One of the most important things is this: where is our heart at when we worship? Is it centered around pleasing people and putting on a show? Or is it solely focused on God? Do we go to church to hear good music, or to hear from God? 

Worship is not about us. It's about Him. 

This has been something on my heart lately. I hope it helps us have a deeper understanding of what worship really is.