Now and Always by Lori Copeland

Lori Copeland has written an interesting book with Now and Always, but I must admit it was not my favorite among her works. I usually find her books very enjoyable and recommend them to my reading friends. This book was one that I suggested for my book club, and it was voted for as one of our monthly reads. I thought the characters were intriguing and mostly well-written, but I had trouble with the storyline and Warren Tate in particular.
Kate Addison has a big heart, a very sad past, and a pile of bills. Where does that leave her when it comes to her shelter for abused women? Who will help her? Guide her? Will she be misled or led correctly? And most important of all, what does God want for Kate to do? Read this story of love, strength, and struggle to find out what’s true Now and Always.
Other great books by Lori Copeland include: Monday Morning Faith, Simple Gifts, the Brides of the West Series, and the Morning Shade Mystery Series.

Today’s Stack Includes…From January 29, 2009

So today when I look at the stack of books waiting for me, I see a variety of titles lined up. At the top of the stack is The Power of Praying Together by Stormie Omartian with Jack Hayford. I am actually almost done with this book. It has been a very handy read, especially since I recently started a small ladies prayer group. I also enjoyed reading The Power of a Praying Wife (which I must reread – I’m not sure if I ever finished it). My stack also contains Now and Always by Lori Copeland (for February’s Book Delights meeting), Love as a Way of Life by Gary Chapman (author of The Five Love Languages), several books on writing and getting published, at least two books on baby sign language, and a book by none other than Dave Ramsey (I can thank my friend, Kimberly, for that). As you can see, I have a lot of good reading ahead of me. This stack doesn’t even include my own books that I’ve been wanting to read. I have owned several books for several years that I have yet to read. I’m sure there is a word for that, but it escapes me at the moment. I guess you will have to be content with the fact that I easily own over 200 books, and I have only read a fraction of them. It really is a sad thing, but I continue to find new books to add to my collection anyway. New or used, that is. Can anyone relate to this need to buy books that intrigue you, even if they remain untouched and unopened for many years to follow? I suppose some may say that this is some sort of problem I have, but I would tend to disagree with those people. How can owning a lot of books ever be considered a problem? Just remember that if I didn’t read all of the books that I do this blog wouldn’t be full of great reviews. You see what I’m saying? That’s it for today’s stack. I’ll give you an update one day, and then you’ll see how different my stacks can be.

Monday Morning Faith by Lori Copeland

Is your life all that it should be? Is it full to the brim with the things you are meant to do? Are you serving God in the capacity for which He made you? If you answered no to any of the above questions, then you can relate to Johanna Holland of Saginaw, Michigan. She works as a librarian, takes care of her parents, has never been married, has only flown once, and is forty years old. At this point, a nice male surgeon named Sam Littleton enters her life. He is a great man with a heart for missions—foreign missions. These two people with different callings on their lives start spending time together and are drawn closer to each other. What is in store for a librarian and surgeon with a heart for a remote village in Papua New Guinea. It’s sure to be only something God can plan and work out to perfection. Go on an adventure as only Lori can take you on, as you learn about the people of Papua New Guinea and the missionaries who care deeply for them. Follow Johanna on her journey to God’s way rather than her way. Along the path there will be some rough spots, and you may even trip and fall on your face. Only God truly knows where He wants each of us and what our purpose is when we get there, but if we close ourselves off, we’ll never experience those things. Read as Johanna changes from a self-centered, materialistic woman to the woman God has made and called her to be. This is a work of fiction that opens eyes. Cut up some fresh pineapple, find a spot in the heat (away from the ants), and experience Monday Morning Faith.

The Peacemaker by Lori Copeland

All Wynne wants to do is kill him. A simple thing really – track him down and kill him for what he’d done to her. God has other plans for Wynne though. The Peacemaker is a great start to what should prove to be another fun, enjoyable series from Lori Copeland. She brings us to the 1860s with flair and wit. A girl from Savannah sets out with revenge in her broken, hurt heart, but she ends up finding Cole Claxton. Cole is a man with little inclination toward matrimony because he doesn’t believe that the woman for him exists. Little does Mr. Claxton know that right in front of him stands the woman that may be the very one. Yes, she has a gun pointed at him, but he shouldn’t be scared by such trifling matters. It’s all out battle of the sexes against each other and maybe even against God. But God has it all planned out long before Miss Wynne and Mr. Cole Claxton figure out what’s hit them. Enjoy the first book in what should prove to be another winning series for Lori Copeland. If you want some 1860s fun and laughs, find that perfect chair and get comfy with The Peacemaker because Mr. Cole Claxton certainly knows how to sit in his saddle!

Mother of Prevention by Lori Copeland

Meet Kate Madison. Her husband died on-the-job. She has two little girls. Her world has shattered. How will she cope? Kate Madison will tell you herself that she’s a fraidy cat and a worrier. So how does Kate cope when her husband of almost nine years dies, leaving her with their two small daughters? At first, she doesn’t. She curls up in herself and refuses to face things. But God is by her side the whole time, even when Kate is angry or sad or withdrawn. This is Kate’s story. This is how she lives through the months following her husband’s death. She fails and falls down, but she also grows and learns and, most importantly, lives. If you’ve ever found yourself “alone” in this world, then you will relate to Kate’s story. You may have been blessed with a Mazi as Kate was, but even if you weren’t you’ll find God’s love and provision in this story. Lori Copeland has given us a treasure of God’s perfect plan in this story!