Wishing On Willows - Review

I talked about Wishing on Willows Here too.

Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?
 
A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.
                                      
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight.
 
As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.
 
With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances.

*Blurb taken from the website.*

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I loved this book. 

Wishing on Willows paints a beautiful picture of a small town.  Katie's words draw you in and make you want to read more and more.  I was worried very close to the end of the book that I was going to be left wanting more.  That was not the case. Katie finished the book perfectly and I was able to close the book feeling like Robin and Ian were a small part of who I am.  Don't you love books like that?

If you want a copy of this book you can pre-order it right now and get a gift!  Find more details on the website HERE and place your order.

Want to preview the book before you buy?  Guess what! YOU CAN!  Find the preview of Wishing on Willows HERE  (at the bottom of the page).

Don't forget to sign up for your welcome packet while you are on the website.

I was given an advanced copy of Wishing on Willows to review and promote.  The opinions expressed are my own.  A positive review was not required.

Draw the Circle: 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson

Draw the Circle: 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson is a follow up book to The Circle Maker.  The 40 days come from when Jesus set off into the wilderness to pray when he was being tempted by satan. I must admit that this is the first book by Mark Batterson that I have read.

I was drawn to the title because I am constantly struggling with prayer.  I struggle with when and how long and sometimes with even what I should pray about.  I have found that this book is a great tool for people like me.  Mark lays out exactly how we should pray, when we should pray (not a set schedule), and who we should pray for.  He shows great examples of his faith throughout the book in his own stories and stories that others have sent to him.  He parallels each of the days lessons, if you will, with a Bible verse.

Through this book I have found a new way of journaling my prayers and feel as though my prayers are more personal and more in tune with how God would like me to pray.  Thanks to his prompting of me to journal I am also able to keep up with prayer requests of people that I come in contact with throughout the day.  I just write it down and pray over them during my prayers.  I am able to go back and see how God has answered my prayers.  I look forward to going through this book time and time again to reveal new truths each time I read it.

If you are struggling with prayer or want to draw closer to God in how you pray I do recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”