Becoming Bea

About the book:Beatrice Zook knows God wants her to learn patience toward others. When assisting a family overwhelmed by triplets proves surprisingly successful, her confidence in dealing with others, both young and old, grows. 

One person she'll never be able to find peace with though is Ben Rupp. They've known each other forever, and Ben understands precisely how to antagonize her. What neither she nor Ben will admit is that beneath all their bickering, attraction awaits. When friends decide to try and bring the couple together, will the pair be able to find true love? Or will they damage their relationship beyond repair?

My thoughts:
This is the first book I've read by this author.  It is the fourth in the Courtships of Lancaster County series by Leslie Gould.

In the beginning it was hard for me to get into this book. I think it was a different style of writing from other Amish authors.  For one thing, it is written in first person which I do like and is different from most other books I read.  Once I got into the book though I enjoyed it very much.  I found the title was very fitting for the main character, Bea.  She really changes a lot in this story as she matures and realizes things about herself.  I thought I saw some growth and changes in other characters too, such as Bea's sister Molly.  Ben and Bea have an interesting relationship and that also changes as the book moves along.  

If you are looking for an Amish author, try out this one.  

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book for my honest review.  

Have a day of blessings!
 

Choose Love

I have listened to an audio book called Choose Love by Stormie Omartian.  Let me tell you a little bit about this book.  I have read other books by this author such as Power of a Praying Wife so I looked forward to another by this author.

About the book:

Stormie Omartian’s bestselling books on the power of prayer have touched millions of lives. Recent books have taken a closer look at the leading of the Holy Spirit and the call to be a prayer warrior for God. Now Stormie takes a fresh look at another powerful aspect of knowing our Creator…His amazing and great love for us.

We reflect God most clearly when we are motivated by the power of love in all we say and do. But first we have to understand the depth of God's love for us and receive it. Then we must learn how to effectively express our love for Him.

“One of the many ways we can show our love to God is to deliberately choose to show love to others and in every situation,” says Stormie. “We can only accomplish this with the guidance and enablement of the Holy Spirit. When we do that, God blesses us and transforms our lives in ways we cannot even imagine. And we will have a sense of God's pleasure toward us that is far more valuable than anything else we may desire. This book is about making that sometimes difficult choice and the rewards that follow.”

Transform your heart, your relationships, and your future as you press into God’s love and let the power of His life and character move through you.

My thoughts:  
I found this to be an insightful book about the many aspects of choosing to love.  It really is a choice we can make. This involves loving God, loving others including enemies, and even loving ourselves.  The author has a lot of valuable insight about love and shares her own stories throughout to effectively illustrate her points.

I really liked the chapter near the end of the book that pointed out what a lack of love for others is like...using the things in I Corinthians 13 that love is not.  These made me stop and think if these are in my own life.

Each chapter ends with a "prayer of love" and "words of love."

The author reads this book so it makes it feel more personal as you listen.  She has a soothing voice that fits with this topic. 

This audio version of this book was provided to me by the christianaudio Reviewers program for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!
 

The River

I have finished reading Beverly Lewis' book called The River.

My thoughts:
Sisters Tilly and Ruth left the Amish world years ago.  They are notified by a brother of an upcoming anniversary party for their parents and invited to come.  The sisters debate going and having to face their past.  They eventually decide to return together for the celebration.  Their Dad is having heart trouble so they find it a good opportunity to see him again.

Tilly enjoys her life in the modern world with her husband and twins.  She has always had a strained relationship with her father.  She has always felt distant from him and that she never measures up. She fears returning and wonders if the tension in their relationship will always be present.

Ruth is also settled into her life in the modern world with her home, job, and church. She does miss her former beau though and wonders if she will see him when she returns home. This creates mixed emotions for her.

Both sisters are grieved over the loss of their younger sister Anna years before.  The grief over this loss hangs over the entire family and is central to the book.

I enjoyed this book overall.  It seemed slow in some parts, but I thought the story line was enjoyable. I felt sorry for Tilly and her relationship with her Dad.  I never was sure if he understood how much his treatment had hurt her through the years. I appreciated the close sister relationship of Tilly and Ruth, and it seemed they grew closer by returning home together.  They both had to face some hard issues of their pasts, and the trip seems to bring healing.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending me this book for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!
 

When I Fall in Love

I have (finally) finished When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren. It took me a while to finish because of everything going on lately. The book was a fabulous story that I recommend to you. I've read others by this author and enjoy her characters and writing style. This book is "a Christiansen family novel."

About the book: 

Come home to the Christiansens—where faith and family meet real life.
Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

Maxwell Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.

Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet. 

My thoughts:

Grace and Max grow close through their cooking classes. I liked both of these characters and wanted them both to make the "right" decision about their relationship. I could see them growing in this story. Grace was very fearful at the beginning and it was a stretch for her to even leave her hometown for this vacation. It was nice to see the changes she experienced throughout the book. 

Others of the Christiansen family are included in this book, and I am looking forward to see what happens with those characters and their problems in future books. I liked how these characters were weaves into Grace and Max' story. 

Another plus of this book was the setting. It was fun to read about the sights and foods of Hawaii. 

I hope you will check out this book and others by this author. I look forward to the next release in this series. 

Thank you to Tyndale Blog Network for sending this book to me for my review. 

Have a day of blessings!

Love Not the World

About the book:Having every one of us been in bondage to sin, we readily believe that sinful things are Satanic; but do we believe equally that the things of the world are Satanic? Many of us, I think, are still in two minds about this. Yet how clearly Scripture affirms that "the whole world lieth in the evil one" (1 John 5:19). Satan well knows that, generally speaking, to try to ensnare real Christians through things that are positively sinful is vain and futile. They will usually sense the danger and elude him. So he had contrived instead an enticing network, the mesh of which is so skillfully woven as to entrap the most innocent of men. We flee sinful lusts, and with good reason, but when it comes to such seemingly innocuous things as science and art and education, how readily do we lose our sense of values and fall a prey to his enticements!

My thoughts:
I listened to the majority of this book as we were traveling on our vacation.  At times I had trouble following along and paying attention...I do not know if that is due to the fact I was tired or what. 

I am not familiar with Wathchman Nee. I found interesting that this book was from speeches done many years back.  The thoughts he presents will make you stop and think.  One chapter I liked was about being lights and what this means. 

The book was narrated by George W. Sarris.  He did fine with the narration.

I did not enjoy listening to this book overall so I did not give it more stars.  Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it myself and could focus more on the text.
I received this audio book from the christianaudio Reviewers Program for my review. 

Have a day of blessings!

Child of Mine

I have finished Child of Mine by David and Beverly Lewis.  What a pretty cover to go with such a wonderful book!

About the book:
Flight instructor Jack Livingston has been raising his eight-year-old adopted niece, Natalie, since the accident that took her parents' lives. When he travels, Natalie is tenderly cared for by her Amish nanny, Laura Mast, who loves the little girl as her own.

Eight excruciating years ago, Kelly Maines's baby was kidnapped. Determined to find her child, Kelly has tirelessly pursued every lead to its bitter end. And now, with the clock ticking, one last clue from a private investigator ignites a tiny flame of hope: Just a few miles away lives a young girl who matches the profile.

Can this be, at long last, Kelly's beloved daughter?

My thoughts: 
I was excited to read this book written by Beverly Lewis with her husband David. It was different from other books by Beverly Lewis in that one of the characters was Amish but the other main chargers were not.

Laura is a shunned Amish woman who has been Natalie's nanny, and the two share a special bond. When Natalie's adoptive parents die, Laura continues to be her nanny while Jack (Natalie's uncle) takes guardianship. He adores Nattie and will do anything for her. (Sometimes it seems he takes this to an extreme.). Nattie desires to have a mother and even hints that Jack should marry Laura. Jack's sister San thinks Jack needs to begin dating and offers her suggestions as well.

Kelly Maines enters their lives with many secrets of her own. She quickly falls in love with little Nattie and Jack. She desires to have a family of her own. Can she have that with Jack and Nattie?

Where does this leave Laura?

This is a story if secrets, forgiveness, and healing. The characters are enjoyable. San and Jack have a strained sibling relationship at times. Jack wants to provide all he can for Nattie who has lost so much in her life. You can tell he really cares about her.

This story really had my interest, and I had a hard time putting it down!

Thank you to Bethany House for sending me this book for my review.

Have a day of blessings!

The Bridge Tender

I finished The Bridge Tender by Matybeth Whalen while we were driving to our vacation. I've enjoyed her other books and was glad to be able to review this one.

About the book: Emily must realize that her dreams didn’t have to die with her first love. When Emily Shaw, a young widow, learns that her late husband's last surprise for her involves returning to Sunset Beach, North Carolina, to realize an old dream of theirs, she reluctantly embarks on a summer of discovery in the midst of grief. There, in the oasis of the beach community, she meets a host of townspeople with their own broken dreams and unexpected situations. As the island citizens divide over the fate of a nostalgic bridge, Emily happens upon a man who just may be the one to restore her faith in dreams, hope, and possibly love.

My thoughts:
This is a story of loss and healing after a loss. After Emily Shaw's husband passes away, she is faced with a life very different than she ever imagined. Her best friend Marta stands by her side through her grief and also encourages her to live life and pursue the dreams she had.  Emily works to do that and get involved in her new community and even make new friends, even though it hurts and she constantly misses her husband.

A big part of this book is the bridge. I enjoyed the symbolism of the bridge that is tied into the whole story.

I enjoyed the characters and their story. It reminded me that even with the pain in our lives we can find a way to continue living life and also the importance of not building a wall and shutting out others when we hurt the most.  Usually others have pain in their past too and shutting out people does not help you heal while opening up can sometimes bring healing to both parties. 

This is a nice book to add to your summer reading list!  I hope you will check it out!

Have a day of blessings!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Full Steam Ahead

"God sees things in a scope so broad our narrow-focused minds can't even comprehend."

This quote really made me stop and think as I read Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer.  I have read the other books by this author and was looking forward to this new one. 

My thoughts:
Nicole Renard is on a mission to find an heir for her father that will be able to run the family company, Renard Shipping. The family has possession of a very special dagger. The competitors of the shipping business are doing what they can to get their hands on the dagger. Nicole is out to protect the dagger and find a husband for herself at the same time.

Nicole meets Darius Thorton when she is searching for employment.  She will work temporarily for him as his secretary to earn a little money on her way to find a husband. She appreciates that he accepts her mathematical abilities and the ideas she presents to help him in his experiments and research, but she doesn't understand the man's behavior. 

Both of these characters held my interest, and it was enjoyable to read their story.  One thing in particular I liked was the setting of this book was different from many of the historical fiction books I read.  The information about the shipping industry and the experiments with the boilers was all new to me.  I found this to be a nice change from the other historical fiction I've read.

This is a wonderful book from Bethany House Publishers.  They sent it to me for my honest review.  I hope you will check out this one and all the others by this author!

Have a day of blessings!

Purposeful Design

 

 



Have you ever paused to consider the vastness of this universe or the amazing design of the seasons we enjoy?  Has your mind ever pondered the instincts of salmon or the unique characteristics of the camel designed so perfectly for its habitat? 

In Purposeful Design Understanding the Creation by Jay Schabacker, you will catch a small glimpse of the amazing design of our Creator.  

This book goes through each day of creation and focuses on a different aspect of creation for each chapter.  The pictures are well done and fit so nicely with the text.  This is a coffee table size book in that it has large pages with detailed photos and some charts as well.

I read most of this book as I was sitting outside near a river on a cool day.  As I read I was aware of the beauty of my surroundings and the great care and design given by our Creator to this place we call our home.  I think sometimes we get busy and take for granted how things work, like the seasons and the location of the earth in comparison to the sun.  I was reminded of things I'd previously learned and gained new insight as well by reading this book.  I enjoyed reading this book and appreciate the reminder it has been to me of the beauty of the Creation around me and the way our Creator designed things so precisely and perfectly.   

Check out the website for the book at this link.

Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Have a day of blessings!

Here to Stay

This is the first book I read by Melissa Tagg, and I really enjoyed it. It has been a while since I have read contemporary fiction, and I was reminded how much I enjoyed these type of books. I had not read the previous book in the series, and I really didn't realize there was one before this one. Let me tell you a little bit about the book Here to Stay.  

About the book:
After playing nomad for five years, Blake Hunziker has finally had enough of adventure. Not sure what reception he'll get from everyone back in Whisper Shore, he's stunned at not only a warm welcome from his hometown but also a job offer. The job is his if he can successfully pull off the annual Christmas Festival. If only he knew the first thing about coordinating events...

If there's one thing Autumn Kingsley knows, it's Whisper Shore. For years, she's been stuck running her family's inn when all she wants is to see the world. Now she has a visit scheduled from a potential investor who could take over the inn, as well as a dream job offer in Paris. But with just two weeks to whip the inn into shape, her chance at escape is a long shot.

The Hunzikers and the Kingsleys may not get along, but Blake knows Autumn's the only one who can help him. She agrees to a trade--she'll help with the Festival and he'll help with inn repairs. But what was meant to be a simple deal quickly becomes much more than that when the guy who's done running away joins forces with the girl who can't wait to leave.



My thoughts:
This was such an enjoyable book for me and I read it rather quickly. The characters face inner struggles to which the readers can relate. There is a family relationship struggle between Autumn and her Mom and sister since her Dad died. This struggle is evident through the entire book. Blake is back in town and does not receive a welcome from some in the city; he carries with him guilt over his brother's death. Autumn dreams of living in Paris, and it looks like that dream is about to come true, causing mixed feelings for her as she prepares to leave Whisper Shore.  Blake and Autumn's families have had a disagreement for years and are known for not getting along.

Should Autumn continue with her dream to go to Paris or abandon her dreams for the sake of the Kingsley Inn?

I hope you will check out this author.  I look forward to her next book for sure.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for my review. Thanks!

Have a day of blessings!

Rhinestone Jesus

 

I was so excited to receive Rhinestone Jesus by Kristen Welch to review.  I have read the author's blog "We are THAT family" for years now and am thrilled to share her wonderful book with you today.  I read this so fast and really enjoyed all of it and was looking forward to writing my review! 


About the book:  ARE YOU SETTLING for a shiny, pinned-on, ornamental faith? Get ready for one that’s messy, bold, and courageous.

In high school, Kristen Welch wore a big, sparkly rhinestone “Jesus” pin every day and carried her Bible wherever she went. (Yes, she was that girl.) But she didn’t realize her faith, though sincere, was shallow; much like her artificial accessory, it would one day tarnish, no longer a true reflection of who she was.

Real life and motherhood catapulted Kristen into places and situations she’d never imagined. There came a day when she stood in the slums of Africa, poised on the brink of a risk bigger than any she’d ever taken. And she knew she didn’t stand a chance—unless she was ready to put aside the rhinestones and get branded by the real thing.

Rhinestone Jesus is the spiritual adventure story of one woman who went from living a safe, “good-girl” faith that didn’t cost much, to realizing that God was daring her to say yes to a deeper, more authentic way. This book throws the doors wide open for any woman who’s ever thought of herself as “just a mom.” Read it and be inspired. Be empowered. Say yes to God right where you are—and stand amazed at how your life will shine. Tyndale House Publishers

My thoughts: 
I felt I could relate to Kristen so much in this book and learn more about her and her family than I already knew from reading her blog.  She has lived a Christian life, even wearing a JESUS pin to school (I remember those pins and had one myself so seeing that on the cover made me want to know more about this book and read it myself!).  But things change for her as she is standing in the middle of an African slum on a trip with Compassion International.    Her whole life changes when she comes home and realizes there is more to following God than how she has lived so far. 

She shares so honestly and openly about her family, her marriage, and her struggles.  I appreciate that she doesn't paint some rosy picture of a perfect little life she lives before or after she said "yes" to God.  She is just a normal woman who trusted God with her life and family and said "yes" to being used for Him when she saw a need.   

Reading this book was very thought-provoking to me and really made me ponder my own life and what saying "yes" looks like for me.  I normally don't reread books but this is one I wouldn't mind rereading.   I liked the pictures that are included throughout the book as well, these make it more personal I thought.  

I hope you will read it too and be changed by it. 

About the Author:
Kristen Welch writes the parenting blog We are THAT Family (you know the ones). She is an (in)Courage writer, a Compassion International blogger, and a regular featured contributor to LifeWay's HomeLife and ParentLife magazines. In 2010, Kristen founded Mercy House, a nonprofit maternity home in Kenya, Africa, which rescues young pregnant girls from extreme poverty. Mercy House is almost entirely funded by readers of her blog. Read Kristen’s blog at www.wearethatfamily.com .

Author Q & A:
1. What is your hope for your book, Rhinestone Jesus?
My hope is that every person who picks it up will be inspired to say yes to God right where they are.

2. That’s an interesting title. Can you provide for us some context and meaning?
Rhinestone Jesus is a very personal title. As a teenager, I wore a rhinestone pin on my clothes that spelled J-e-s-u-s. I was introverted, so this was a way for me to "wear" my faith without having to say much about it. I was involved in Theatre Arts and each year they gave up made-up awards. I won The Rhinestone Jesus award from my peers.

3. What message do you hope will resonate with your readers?
That God can do anything through anyone. He asks us to do the impossible-not because we are capable, but because we need Him to accomplish it. Saying yes to God requires ultimate dependence in our inadequacy. And He does it so that He will be glorified.

4. What do you feel "just a mom" can do with bold faith and a God-inspired dream?
I think the beauty of my yes to God to start a maternity home in Kenya is that I am just a mom. It’s obvious to everyone who has witnessed this story, that I’m not the real author—God is. It’s proof that He can use anyone to do anything. When I initially said yes in the small daily stuff, I didn’t know it would lead to Mercy House. But I was called to obedience and that’s really what Rhinestone Jesus is about: saying yes to God right where you are and not waiting to have all the answers or a perfect life before you obey.

5. How did you feel God’s leading to step out in faith?
It was saying yes to a lot of small things that led my family to a greater yes. We were terrified and still are most days, but God is faithful and teaches us through the challenges and victories. Our yes to God isn’t really about success or failure. It’s about being obedient.

6. What prompted you to follow through with this particular dream or calling—founding Mercy House, the non-profit maternity home in Kenya, Africa to rescue young pregnant women from extreme poverty?
 Starting Mercy House was a response to what I saw in Kenya. I saw a need and couldn’t find anyone meeting it. I prayed that God would send someone. And He sent me (dangerous prayer, by the way!) I have always felt that God wanted me to encourage and connect mothers through writing. Mercy House in many ways has become an extension of that dream that started as seed many years ago.

7. How has this dream taken shape? Can you provide an update?
Mercy House runs two residential homes with pregnant and teen moms in Kenya. We have babies of all ages. It’s a lot like a (loud) home, where the girls live and learn, heal and grow. They stay with us until they are able to return home or until they can live on their own. We also reach out to single mothers in the slums surrounding the homes, with plans to expand this outreach in years to come.

8. How did you lead and mobilize a community to care deeply, and help build this dream?
When I returned from that first trip from Kenya, I was wrecked. I processed the emotions on my blog for months. Looking back, I can see that I was in labor, working hard to birth something. I believe other moms were too, and when I asked for help, they said yes with me.

9. Why is it important to you to affirm moms who wonder whether their work really matters?
Because many wonder if it does. I think it’s part of our make-up--we long to make a difference and we wonder if what we do does, in fact, matter. I am compelled to tell mothers YES. It matters so much more than you think. It doesn’t matter how small or big, saying yes to marriage, motherhood, and ministry--you name it, it matters.

10. What have you learned about listening to, and obeying God’s call?
Sometimes people call me brave. If they only knew… Not only am I not courageous, I live with the same fear and inadequacies as other God-sized dreamers. Without a doubt, I think the Church (with a capital C) lacks obedience. I did for so much of my Christian life. I think if we have faith to believe in Jesus, we also have to believe that when we do what He tells us, He won’t leave us alone. It’s been the hardest journey of my life, stretched me further than I thought possible, but I’ve never been alone, not for a second.

11. How have you, and those closest to you, been impacted by trusting God and saying yes to a deeper, richer, more authentic faith?
Simply put, it has changed every area of my life, in so many ways. I can honestly say I’m not the same person. When we step out and obey, God changes the world—our world. He changes us. My family said yes with me and God has used that to alter the legacy we will leave in the future.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me by the Tyndale Reviewers Program for my review.  Thank you! 

Have a day of blessings!

The Last Bride

I have read The Last Bride by Beverly Lewis which is the newest book of the Home to Hickory Hollow series.  I have read other books in this series and reviewed them for my blog as well.

Tessie is the main character of this book set in Hickory Hollow.   She is in love with Marcus King but her father is adamant that they not marry.  He will not tell Tessie why he feels this way though and it pains Tessie's heart.  She is sure Marcus is the right one for her and doesn't understand why her father won't approve of their marriage. 

Marcus and Tessie make a decision to secretly marry and decide to keep their secret from the rest of the Amish community.  A few weeks after their marriage a terrible tragedy happens.  Will Tessie be able to keep their secret while she grieves?  What will happen if her father finds out? 

Mandy is Tessie's sister.  She has a strained relationship with her husband and is hurting inside because she is yet to have any children of her own.  Mandy and Tessie have a strained relationship as well, not as close as they once had been which hurts both sisters. 

As in the other books in this series, the Wise Woman Ella Mae is included in this story to share her insight and wisdom with Tessie. 

This is a story of reconciliation and the comfort that can come from God during times of grief and uncertainty. 

I always enjoy reading books by Beverly Lewis and look forward to her next release.      

I received this book as part of the reviewer program for Bethany House Publishers.  Thank you for the book. 

Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: Hope Runs

I finished listening to an audiobook called Hope Runs.  It is by Claire Diaz-Ortiz and Sammy Ikua Gachagua.  The audio is read by Tavia Gilbert.

About the book:  Sammy Ikua Gachagua had lost his father to AIDS, his mother to abandonment, and his home to poverty. By age ten, he was living in a shack with seven other children and very little food. He entered Tumaini Children's Home seeing it as a miracle with three meals a day, a bed to sleep in, and clothes on his back.

When Claire Diaz-Ortiz arrived in Kenya at the end of an around-the-world journey, she decided to stay the night, climb Mt. Kenya, then head back home to Maine. She entered Tumaini Children's Home seeing it as little more than a free place to spend the night before her mountain trek.

God had other plans.

Hope Runs is the emotional story of an American tourist, a Kenyan orphan, and the day that would change the course of both of their lives forever. It's about what it means to live in the now when the world is falling down around you. It's about what it means to hope for the things you cannot see. Most of all, it's about how God can change your life in the blink of an eye.

My thoughts:

This was an enjoyable book. I thought it was well written and liked how it had the perspectives of both Sammy and Claire.  It made it enjoyable to me for the chapters to go back and forth between them to create their story.   What I got from this story was that one person can make a difference. Claire made a difference in the life of Sammy (and others at the children's home) who in turn has made a difference to many through his volunteer work.  Also, it is a reminder that God has plans for our lives that we can't always see or understand.  Sammy endured great hardship through his young life with the loss of his father and then being abandoned by his mother, yet he goes on to get an education and have a productive life. 

As the book ended I wondered what would be next for these two.     

The narrator, Tavia Gilbert, did a nice job. Her voice was pleasant and easy to listen to. Also, she made changes between the parts that were Sammy and Laura.  The audio ran smoothly.   

This book was provided to me for my review by christianaudio Reviewers Program. 

Wildwood Creek

I finally finished reading Wildwood Creek by Lisa Wingate. I've read several books by this author and have enjoyed her writing style and characters. I found for this one, though, that it took me a while to get into the book, and it seemed to move slowly for me.

I liked the idea of the story and thought the author took an interesting approach to telling two stories in this book.

The first story is set in present day when Allie Kirkland has a summer job on the production crew for a new tv series. She thinks this is a great opportunity in chasing her dream of following in her father's footsteps. Both she and her best friend Kim will be part of the cast/crew and spend the summer on the set of a pioneer community.

The other story is that of Bonnie Rose who was one of the characters being portrayed in the TV series. She has lived a hard life and comes to Wildwood Creek as a school teacher with her little sister. Strange things happen in Wildwood which leads to all sorts of legends about the disappearances and other mysterious events.

Allie feels a connection to the people of Wildwood Creek and feels it is important to honor them by figuring out the mystery of who they were and what happened to them. She feels her role is more important than just a summer job.

I found this book to have some unexpected turns. I must admit I felt confused during some of the book and didn't really like how it ended.  I guess I had questions about some of the characters and never had those resolved in the book.

I received this book as part of the author's influencer program. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Where Courage Calls

I remember years ago when my Meemaw would pass along to me books she had read. Some of those were in a series by Janette Oke. I enjoyed those books and was glad to read and review this new book by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan.

About the book:

Her courage and her heart will be tested in ways she never expected...
Beth Thatcher has spent her entire life in the safe, comfortable world of her family, her friends, and the social outings her father's wealth provides. But Beth is about to leave it all behind to accept a teaching position in the rugged foothills of western Canada. Inspired by her aunt Elizabeth, who went west to teach school several years ago, and gently encouraged by her father, Beth resolves to put her trust in God and bravely face any challenge that comes her way. 

But the conditions in Coal Valley are even worse than she'd feared. A recent mining accident has left the town grieving and at the mercy of the mining company. The children have had very little prior education, and many of the locals don't even speak English. There isn't even a proper schoolhouse. In addition, Beth's heart is torn between two young men--both Mounties, one a lifelong friend and the other a kind, quiet man who comes to her aid more than once.

Despite the many challenges, Beth is determined to make a difference in the rustic frontier town. But when her sister visits from the East, reminding her of all the luxuries she's had to give up, will Beth decide to return to her privileged life as soon as the school year is over?

A special companion story to Hallmark Channel's When Calls the Heart TV series.

My thoughts: 

I really enjoyed Beth's story. I admired her determination in leaving behind her family and her life where she basically wants for nothing to go to the unknown in the mining village of Coal Valley. She works had to form relationships with the people there and to make a difference for the children both educationally and spiritually.   She faces  many challenges along the way that might have scared away another teacher; however, Beth remains committed to her task which is very admirable. 

One character I liked besides Beth was Molly. She runs the place where Beth resides and really takes Beth under her wing as a motherly figure. This is something Beth needs and longs for as she is away from her own family. Molly offers advice to Beth on more than one occasion that I appreciated for my own life.

I thought the setting of this book was interesting as well. Living in the mining village is totally different from Beth's normal surroundings.  Also, I think the cover is such a serene image and makes me want to visit.

I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to you. 

This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishers for my review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!

Book: Schools in Crisis

Book information:
Millions of children are not fulfilling their God-given potential in many of our nation’s classrooms. Their potential and purpose is literally being left on the floor of classrooms in many low-income communities. What may God have called them to do? How will a substandard education possibly prohibit them from accomplishing that purpose? In what ways are Christians and churches accountable for that? How are we our brother and sister’s keeper with respect to a quality education?

Join Nicole Baker Fulgham, formerly on the national staff of Teach for America and the founder of The Expectations Project, as she explores what our role is in solving the nation’s crisis for public education. This Barna Frame explores a critical topic of our time – Schools in Crisis

My thoughts:We don't have to look very hard in the news to find stories about problems in schools across our country.  What are we doing to try to solve these problems?  Should Christians get involved?  What can we do to make a difference?  These are the types of questions addressed in this little book from the Barna Group called Schools in Crisis.
 
What I like about this book is that it is easy to read and understand.  It is short in length so it is manageable to read in short time in a world where many people are busy and don't have time to sit down and read a long book about this topic.  It took me about an hour to read through it.  I learned some things about the problems facing schools across the nation and the trouble this causes for students and in turn society.  There are multiple graphs with data from various surveys that make the information presented easy to understand.  You will read a "frame" by Nicole Baker Fulgham who shares a story about a classmate that exemplified to her the vast disparity between education received by students from different schools.  This led her to want to know why this gap is the case for many students. In "Re/Frame" by Kristine Sommers and Jeff Martin, you will read three principles that should be considered by a church group before they begin helping a school.    

Whose problem is this?  Should you get involved?  Read this book and get some ideas on why it matters for you to be involved, even if you do not have children of your own in school. 

This book was provided to me through the BookLook Bloggers reviewer program.  Thank you. 

Have a day of blessings!

Review: No More Perfect Kids

I was excited to be part of the launch team for a new book called No More Perfect Kids.  I've posted some excerpts from the book here on the blog and wanted to share my own review of the book with you today. 

I have loved and appreciated every book I have ever read by Jill Savage, and this one is another to add to that list. The basic idea of this book is to show parents that children are each unique beings with special talents. As parents we need to accept that reality and accept our children as they are, not as we dream them to be. If we do this, we are allowing our children to grow and develop the God given talents and gifts they have. Our children are not perfect and we should not expect them to be.  They are going to make mistakes and do things differently than we may desire.  This book helps you see your children as unique individuals created with a purpose by God. 

This books is a great encouragement with ideas for ways to improve as parents.  If you begin reading and see ways to improve, the book encourages you to do just that. Don't dwell on the mistakes of the past or feel guilty because of how you have handled certain situations.  I found many ideas to try in my own parenting...ways to rephrase questions, discussions to have as a family, and several others.

Another thing I want to mention is I feel this book is appropriate for both Dads and Moms. Personally I'd like to read it again with my husband and see what we get out of it together.  I believe teachers could also benefit from this book in how they deal with their students. There are also discussion questions at the end which would be ideal for a small group.

There is a special going on through the 23rd when you buy the book. I will post more about that tomorrow.  If you pick up the No More Perfect Kids book (e-book or hard copy from any brick and mortar store or online retailer) anytime between March 13 - 23, 2014, you will be eligible to receive over $100 in free resources! I hope you will take advantage of this offer and check out this wonderful resource.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!

The Antelope in the Living Room

About the book:  Marriage is simultaneously the biggest blessing and the greatest challenge two people can ever take on. It is the joy of knowing there is someone to share in your joys and sorrows, and the challenge of living with someone who thinks it’s a good idea to hang a giant antelope head on your living room wall

My thoughts:I previously listened to Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle (reviewed here) and was excited to be able to listen to The Antelope in the Living Room.  While that book is about motherhood, this book is about marriage. 

The author shares stories from her own marriage and how she and her husband have overcome challenges together.  The two are complete opposites in some ways, yet they are best friends and have a strong marriage based on what she shared in this book.  You will hear stories from their dating days on into their present marriage.  She shares both funny and serious stories and shows how it is all those little things built together that make for a meaningful marriage.

Any married person knows that marriage has its highs and lows. This book is a good reminder of the value of marriage in a world that has a throw away mentality about marriage.  It is a quick book to listen to because of the humor of the author and because the chapters are short and meaningful.  Melanie Shankle is the author of the Big Mama blog, and she writes this book with the same style as she writes her blog, including plenty of humor and sarcasm to make a point.    

This audio version was read by the author.  I was so glad to see she was narrating this one because it just makes a book of this type more personal. I did not have any problems with the quality of the audio and having the author read it made the book more enjoyable for me. 

A copy of this audio book was given to me as part of the christianaudio Reviewers program.  Thank you for providing this for my honest review. 

Have a day of blessings!

A Match Made in Texas

If you enjoy historical fiction, I have a fun book to share with you today. It is called A Match made In Texas, and it is a collection of four novellas.

First is "A Cowboy Unmatched" by Karen Witemeyer. Neill Archer is hired by someone whose identity remains a mystery to repair the roof of widow Clara Danvers.  (Neill is one of the Archer brothers that we meet in previous books by this author.)  Clara really doesn't want to accept the help, but with a baby on the way she realizes she does need it.

Next is "An Unforeseen Match" by Regina Jennings.  In this story Clayton Weber ends up at the front door of Grace O'Malley to do some work to earn some money to get to the land rush after his horse dies.  Grace has a home of her own and members of he community bring her meals since she is going blind. As Clayton works on her home, she finds out he has secrets of his own and works to find out the mystery behind this man.

The third novella is called "No Match For Love" by Carol Cox in which Lucy Benson becomes caretaker to the aunt of Andrew Simms. Andrew has concern for his aunt Martha to be alone after some strange things she has told him she has seen on the ranch. Lucy does not know how to care for a home yet Martha begins teaching her, and a friendship is formed. When Lucy sees strange things at the ranch, she realizes Martha isn't crazy and wants to prove that to Andrew.

The final novella of the collection is "Meeting Her Match" by Mary Connealy. Hannah Taylor,  the town teacher, has recently endured many losses. She has been a matchmaker for others through the years, but she has not found love for herself.  She wonders if she will be alone for the rest of her life. She cares for the son of the banker, Marcus Whitfield, but he never speaks to her so she does not think he is interested.

I enjoyed this book, and I found myself not wanting the stories to end!  I felt each one could continue with the storyline into another book. I like that they were set in the same town of Dry Gulch  and had some continuity of characters. The characters of the first three were mentioned in the fourth, and I felt it was a good ending.

This book was provided to me by Bethany House publishers for my honest review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: Prepared for a Purpose

I have finished to listening to the book Prepared for a Purpose by Antoinette Tuff.  What an interesting story! 
About the book:

True Story of Courage and Compassion in a School Under Siege

As 870 children waited in fear, their elementary school rushed into lockdown mode. As the nation faced yet another Sandy Hook story of tragedy, one woman rewrote the ending.

Yet the story doesn't start with those first steps Michael Hill took into that Atlanta elementary school. It starts with Antoinette Tuff, a woman who faced her own pain, hurt, and rejection, yet held onto grace, faith, and hope. A hope that anchored her in the most high stakes of moments, a grace that allowed her to empathize with a hurting young man, and a faith that gave her the courage to love him back from the brink.

This is more than just the amazing account of tragedy averted. It's the evidence of what we can do when we allow ourselves to be used by God. And it's a story of how God uses all of our life experiences--the good and the bad--to prepare us for our own moment of divine purpose.

My thoughts:
What would you do if you were caught in a room with an intruder carrying a gun and lots of ammunition?  How would you handle such a terrifying experience? 

In this book, we learn what happened on a day in August 2013 when an intruder came into a school in Atlanta.  Antoinette Tuff is the woman who is filling in at the front desk when the intruder enters the building.  This book tells her side of the story.  It covers her own life from the pains of her childhood and then on to her marriage and birth of children.  She had a very hard life with lots of painful things happening from the time she was a little girl.  When she is faced with an experience no one ever wants to face, she feels that she was prepared for this day because of her life events. 

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was very encouraging to me to be reminded that God has a purpose for the things that happen in our lives.  I appreciated the author's honesty in sharing the painful aspects of her past.  Also, this book shows the value of having a real relationship with God as she felt He gave her the words to say that day. 

This book was read by Robin Miles, and she did a great job reading it.  She was very pleasant to hear.

I received this audio book as part of the christianaudio Reviewers program for my honest opinion about the book.  Thank  you.

Have a day of blessings!