Book: Reagandoodle and Little Buddy

About the book:

The moment Reagandoodle first set eyes on Little Buddy, he knew his world was about to change. What he didn't know, was that they'd brighten hearts all over the world.

Told with warmth and a touch of humor by Reagan himself, fans of Reagandoodle and Little Buddy hear the true story of how one adopted dog and an eleven-month-old foster child develop an unforgettable friendship.

To all the fans of @Reagandoodle and Little Buddy . . . the book is finally here!

An uplifting tail of friendship, foster care, adoption, and hope.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to help support foster care families.

My thoughts:
What a fun book to read!  I was not familiar with Reagandoodle on Instagram.  This book was about his life and adventures with Little Buddy.  The pictures are great featuring these two friends who you can tell have a special bond.  Some of the poses and ways they are dressed alike are so creative.  My little guy liked looking at them too. 

I like and appreciate that this book spreads awareness and information about foster care and adoption.  This book is well done and is an enjoyable read. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.  Thank you.
Have a day of blessings!
    Bethany

Book: Sacred Ground Sticky Floors

About the book:

Jami Amerine believes the essence of parenting is less a laundry list of “how-to’s” or “three guarantees to raise perfect, God-fearing children,” and more a step by step trusting of a God who calls us daughters. Maybe you’re the mom, like Amerine, who sent her child to military school or watched a child walk away from the faith you worked so hard to instill. Or, maybe you’ve somehow bought into the parenting lie that it’s your fault when your kids make poor choices, do things you’ve never dreamed of, or choose to live with values far from your own. In Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors, Amerine takes mothers of all ages inside the joyful chaos of motherhood, sharing her adventures and mishaps and encouraging moms to let go of “perfect” parenting and find rest in the perfect Parent.

About Jami Amerine:

 Jami Amerine is the author of the popular blog Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors, where she posts about Jesus, parenting, marriage, and the general chaos of life. Her first book, Stolen Jesus (Harvest House), released in October 2017. She’s been featured on numerous occasions on foreverymom.com and several other syndicated sites including Scary Mommy and Mamalode. She’s also been featured on Fox News, Today Parenting, and Huffington Post. She is a Christian who tends to get snarky and is anti-Jesus fish bumper stickers because she is a lousy driver.

My thoughts:
This book sounded interesting and I enjoyed it. I was encouraged by this fellow Mom who shares her stories in mothering her children.  What I learned from this book is that our children need to know they are loved by God no matter what. Another important message of this book is that we are all broken....both us and our children. God is with us as we raise our children....as Moms we need this reminder.   I really appreciated her honesty and how she doesn't know it all as a Mom.  

I received a copy of this book for my review from Harvest House Publishers.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings! 
   Bethany

Book: Prayers for the Battlefield

About the book:Moms today have a lot to handle! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising a family, especially in a culture that’s spiraling away from Christianity at an alarming speed. Yet our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The battle belongs to him, and his strength shines bright when we bring our weaknesses to Him and simply say, “Here. I can’t, but You can.”

Prayers for the Battlefield is a collection of prayers and reflections to help you stay strong through the daily challenges of motherhood. Whether you’re a new mom or a soon-to-be empty nester, Heidi St. John writes Scripture-filled and Spirit-infused prayers for every season of motherhood, helping you raise God-fearing children who will live out their love for Christ and make a difference in our world.

Let God determine the outcome of the battles you’re facing today―because the ultimate victory belongs to him.

My thoughts:
I was not familiar with this author when I saw this book available for review; however, as a Mom I was interested due to the description.  Moms need to remember we are in a battle and our children need to be covered with our prayers.  

I really appreciate this book because of the short personal stories shared by the author and the written prayers.  I feel it has been beneficial for me to read and pray these prayers.

This is a great resource to have as you are raising your children.  You will be encouraged as you lift up your children to our Father.

The hardback book is nicely designed. I liked the small design that makes it convenient to take along with you.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale blogger review program for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Book: 100 days of thanks

About the book:

Focus on the things that bring you joy with 100 Days of Thanks. Short inspirational readings, space to record your thoughts, and brief Scripture references in a high-designed four-color gift book will help you find a peaceful, happier life.

The rush of a busy schedule, a barrage of disheartening news stories, and the wear and tear of everyday life can be enough to drag anyone down. Simply pausing to recognize and express thanks for the good gifts that surround you has proven to make a major difference in happiness, peace, and contentment.

100 Days of Thanks, a beautifully designed inspirational book of short readings, Scripture verses, and journaling space is the perfect tool to promote Christian mindfulness and gratitude. Whether you are looking for a thoughtful gift to encourage a loved one or a simple tool to create a habit of thankfulness, this lovely little book is a wonderful place to start.

Take a few moments out of your day to be grateful and feel your burdens get a little lighter, starting today.

My thoughts:
This book has been just wonderful to read each day.  I have really enjoyed the short devotional thoughts and questions asked to get you thinking how to apply the thought to your own life. 

This little book is beautifully done. The first thing I liked was its size.  The photos throughout really add to the beauty of the book in my opinion. It has a bookmark to keep your place as you read each day.  I found the devotionals gave me a new perspective and caused me to think about being grateful for many new things in my life. (And purple being my favorite color added to my enjoyment of the book!)

I recommend this book.  It would make a nice gift for a friend.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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.”

Have a day of blessings! 
Bethany

Book: The Audacious Molly Bruno

About the book:
Meet Molly Bruno, the real-life prayer warrior who inspired the character Miss Clara; in the film War Room. Learn from Molly how to pray boldly, with audacity, believing that nothing is impossible for God. THE AUDACIOUS MOLLY BRUNO, written by her daughter MARIE ARMENIA, is a holy and hilarious mentoring resource for women who desperately long for wisdom from a Godly mother-someone who is a living example of practical experience and steadfast faith. It is also a wakeup call for older women of faith, encouraging them to embrace the calling of Titus 2:3-5 to mentor younger women about what's truly important in life.When I think of my mother's prayers, author Marie writes,I remember the prayer she prayed every morning without fail, 'Lord, please send someone my way today that I can tell about you.' Everyone (and I mean everyone) who met Molly Bruno fell in love with her. This includes the Kendrick Brothers, who wrote and directed the film War Room. During filming of the movie, they met Molly, calling her the modern-day Ms. Clara of War Room. She inspired them, just like she inspired everyone around her. When she prayed, she got answers. Molly lived a lifetime of believing she could boldly approach the very throne of God 'with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.' My mother didn't teach me how to pray any more than she taught me how to breathe. I saw her pray REAL prayers, using REAL words addressed to a REAL God. I learned by observing my mother's prayer life that the last thing on earth that should be edited is a prayer. Shameless audacity. Those words remind me of my mother's approach to prayer. She had no fear of God's displeasure or that He might scold her for asking for impossible things. She had no need to edit her heart to the One she loved. She knew He knew her heart. Having settled this between herself and God, she asked. And asked again. And got incredible answers time and time again.THE AUDACIOUS MOLLY BRUNO will teach you how to pray with fervent hope, deep joy and abiding faith.

My thoughts:
I finished this book a few weeks ago and needed to get my review posted. I had never heard of this book when I was asked if I wanted a copy for review.  It took me a while to read it but it was a blessing in my life.  What an amazing woman Mrs. Bruno was!  I'm glad her daughter shared her mother with us through this book. She was a godly woman of prayer.  I enjoyed the stories of her life and how God answered her prayers time and time again.  Her example is a wonderful example and reminder that we serve a powerful God who listens to our prayers. 

I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.


Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Book: Choosing Marriage

I am so excited to share this wonderful book on the topic of marriage with you today.

About the book:

Many couples say "I do" with a combination of high hopes and fairy tale fantasies—but there's a difference between the expectations of marriage and the reality of what marriage holds. Whether you're married, single, or dating, now is the time to ask yourself: What steps can I take today to build an incredible marriage for tomorrow?

With compassion and clarity, licensed counselor and relationship expert Debra Fileta shows that when we can work through the struggles of marriage, we get to experience the joys! Learn about eight powerful choices that will encourage and equip you to take your marriage from average to exceptional and find astonishing survey results from thousands of singles and couples on topics like love and attraction, sex, conflict, and communication.

A beautiful exchange occurs when you learn what it means to choose we before me. Discover practical steps that will give you confidence and courage on the adventure of Choosing Marriage.

About the author:

Debra Fileta is a woman in love with Jesus. That love has been the driving motivator propelling her forward in her pursuits as a wife, a mother, a licensed professional counselor, speaker, and author. Debra specializes in dating, marriage, and relationship issues along with a spectrum of mental health disorders and issues. She is a regular contributor at Relevant Magazine and Crosswalk.com and has also had her work featured in numerous other Web sites and publications. She has worked with The 700 Club, Focus on the Family, and Saddleback church. The majority of her work is featured at her blog, TrueLoveDates.com, where she reaches millions of readers each year. Debra and her husband, John, have three children and live in Pennsylvania.

My thoughts:
Wow what a wonderful book!  I noticed I had read quite a few parenting books recently but not as many marriage ones.  When I received the email about the opportunity to review this book, I thought it sounded like a good one.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I was not familiar with the author prior to reading this book, but  I enjoyed her writing style.  This book is well done with personal stories, research, and insight of the author.

I believe this book would be a helpful read for any couple, whether they are engaged or have been married for many years.  I found much practical wisdom and help for my own marriage. One chapter that was particularly helpful to me is called "Walls Will Fall....From Vulnerability to Intimacy."  In this chapter she talks about the walls we put in place to protect ourselves and how we need to identify those walls so we don't have barriers around our hearts.

This would be an excellent gift choice for a couple who will be married soon.  It is also very practical for singles. Because of how it is written, it will benefit singles as well in their relationships.

I found the audio version from our library actually and my husband is listening to it now.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
    Bethany

Book: Everyday Holy: Finding a Big God in the Little Moments

About the book:It seems to be a rite of passage for every woman: one day you wake up and think, “Wait. This is the life I signed up for?!?”
We’ve all been there. Melanie Shankle is just brave enough to say it out loud. And Everyday Holy is your invitation to reexamine your life and find the little pieces that create a beautiful picture of a big God.

On any given day, you may be asking yourself:

Is Instagram making me crazy, or am I actually supposed to have a perfectly curated cup 
of coffee on my artfully rumpled throw blanket every morning?
Doubts about my faith are normal, right?
Is eating cookie dough straight from the fridge fine as long as it’s organic?
Could it be that loving my family well is my spiritual gift?

It’s a common theme: Am I okay? Is my life significant? And how do we measure significance, anyway? Melanie’s hilarious and poignant insight offers you the deep breath of relief that God is working in all the moments, no matter how big or how small. In 100 devotions, Everyday Holy: Finding a Big God in the Little Moments invites you to see your life as God intended: rich with opportunity, significance, and beauty, even on days that feel overwhelmingly ordinary.

If you’re looking for the line that connects the dots, Everyday Holy is for you. If you wonder where God is in this mess or how exactly He’s working behind the scenes, this book is for you. Whether you feel overwhelmed or disillusioned or frustrated by how your life feels, there’s room for you at this table. And here’s the best news: We’re all in this together.

My thoughts:
I have been a follower of Melanie Shankle's blog for many years and have read her other books.  I was happy to have the opportunity to review this one. 

Each devotional is about a page and a half in length and includes a topic verse.  I found so many of these devotionals to be very applicable to my own life.  She uses real life experiences that I'm sure many readers will find applicable and relevant. 

This book will be a nice way to start or end your day.... or even for a bit of encouragement in the middle!  You will be blessed!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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.”

Have a day of blessings! 
  Bethany

Book: More Than Meets The Eye

One of my favorite authors of historical fiction, Karen Witemeyer, has a new book in a new series.  It is More Than Meets the Eye in the Patchwork Family series.  Let me tell you about it today! 

About the book:
Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes--one bright blue, the other dark brown--Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Eva has two--Seth and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers. 

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. When Zach's sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

My thoughts:
I have enjoyed the other books by Karen Witemeyer and was excited to start a new series.  Wow I loved this one!  I had read such good reviews of this one before I read it, and it did not disappoint.  Each time I read one of her books I think it may be her best one yet! 

I liked the background of this story and how Eva came to be with her brothers Seth and Zach.  Their bond is very special which I appreciated seeing throughout this story. Another thing I thought was a fun touch to the story is that Eva has a pet pig. 

One thing I would mention is that suicide is referenced in this book.  Logan's father took his own life years prior, and Logan shares about this and how it affects him and his mother.  I thought this might be important to know that it may be a trigger for someone who is dealing with a suicide in their own life. 

If you enjoy historical fiction be sure to check this one out!  I look forward to the next book in this series.  Visit the author's website here.

I received a copy of this book from the Bethany House reviewers program for my honest review.  Thank you. 


Have a day of blessings! 

Bethany

Book: Parents Rising

About the book:
Raising kids in today’s society can be daunting. Wrong is called right, smartphones replace human interaction, families are fractured, and children aren’t maturing as quickly as they used to. In our ever-changing culture, parenting can sometimes feel like a losing battle.

“We want our much-loved children to grow up into a life of godliness and morality,” says Arlene Pellicane, author of Parents Rising: 8 Strategies for Raising Kids Who Love God, Respect Authority, and Value What’s Right (Moody Publishers/April 2018). “But our children won’t drift into a life of godliness and morality by accident. Because of the morally bankrupt world we live in, it takes a great deal of intentional parenting to provide structure and spiritual handrails to guide our children towards lives submitted to God.”

Pellicane, an author, speaker, popular media personality, blogger, wife, and mother of three, believes there’s too much at stake in eternity to sit on the sidelines or get sidetracked on a smartphone when it comes to parenting.

“The greater culture hangs on what happens in the microcosm of our homes,” says Pellicane. “We need to not be afraid to step up and lead our children. Our decisions won’t always be popular with our kids. But I think someday, our kids will thank us for being parents.”

“Parents, we must rise!” says Pellicane. “There is no better time than now. With every birthday, we get another year to influence our children to love the Lord and shine. Let us not waste our moments.”

About the author:

Arlene Pellicane is a speaker, author, media personality, and blogger. She has written seveRaising kids in today’s society can be daunting. Wrong is called right, smartphones replace human interaction, families are fractured, and children aren’t maturing as quickly as they used to. In our ever-changing culture, parenting can sometimes feel like a losing battle.

“We want our much-loved children to grow up into a life of godliness and morality,” says Arlene Pellicane, author of Parents Rising: 8 Strategies for Raising Kids Who Love God, Respect Authority, and Value What’s Right (Moody Publishers/April 2018). “But our children won’t drift into a life of godliness and morality by accident. Because of the morally bankrupt world we live in, it takes a great deal of intentional parenting to provide structure and spiritual handrails to guide our children towards lives submitted to God.”

Pellicane, an author, speaker, popular media personality, blogger, wife, and mother of three, believes there’s too much at stake in eternity to sit on the sidelines or get sidetracked on a smartphone when it comes to parenting.

“The greater culture hangs on what happens in the microcosm of our homes,” says Pellicane. “We need to not be afraid to step up and lead our children. Our decisions won’t always be popular with our kids. But I think someday, our kids will thank us for being parents.”

In Parents Rising, Pellicane guides readers through eight cultural trends parents faceoliuytrewqn books:  31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife, 31 Days to a Happy Husband, 31 Days to a Becoming a Happy Mom, Growing Up Social (with Gary Chapman), 31 Days to a Younger You, Calm, Cool, and Connected, and her latest, Parents Rising (Moody). Arlene has appeared in major media outlets including the Today Show, Focus on the Family, Fox & Friends, Family Life Today, The 700 Club, The Better Show, The Hour of Power, Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah, and Home Made Simple on TLC, been interviewed on numerous radio programs, and written for several national magazines. She and her husband have three children.

My thoughts:

Wow what a book!  Parents need to read this message AND apply it.  There are tons of parenting books out there but this one is worth your time.

Each chapter of the book is about a different strategy.  The 8 strategies are not hard to implement, and they are all very practical.  As I read I thought that they all seem to be parenting strategies that were once popular and  you saw used by many parents.  Now they are rare it seems.

I like that the author shares some facts but doesn't overshare facts and statistics like I've found in some books. One thing that made me sad (and I read aloud to my family) is how much reading books aloud  to children has decreased since the introduction of screens.  We read a lot of books at our house so this made me sad to read these statistics.

I recommend this book to all parents.  I have a teenager and a toddler, and the information in this book is helpful to me as a parent of both of these ages.

I read another book (Calm, Cool and Connected) I enjoyed by this author and reviewed it here.

I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Moody Publishers.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
Bethany

Book: A Letter for Every Mother

About the book:

Kara Lawler and Regan Long invite readers to join their tribe of mothers and be encouraged, uplifted and inspired on their parenting journey. A LETTER FOR EVERY MOTHER is the perfect gift for every mother.

In A LETTER FOR EVERY MOTHER, authors Kara Lawler and Regan Long have written a heartwarming compilation of letters addressed to mothers from all walks of life, meant to celebrate, inspire and commiserate with all stages of the parenting journey. This book will encourage, inspire and uplift mothers from all walks of life.

Kara and Regan invite readers to join their tribe of mothers, to learn from one another and band together to face one of the hardest jobs in the world: becoming and being someone's mother. Their mission is to inspire and to create a community through this book to remind mothers that we're all in this together-an especially welcome message in the current atmosphere of competition and anxiety of parenting.

A LETTER FOR EVERY MOTHER is warm, inviting, inclusive-and the tone is inspirational or irreverent, depending on the letter or subject you happen to turn to. After all, motherhood is an oxymoronic experience; it is both exhilarating and exhausting, uplifting and demeaning, wonderful but terrible, too.

My thoughts:
I was excited when I read the description of this book and really liked it when I first got it.  I even hurried to finish reading another book so I could start this one and focus on it.  However, by the middle I did not like it.  I rarely post negative reviews, but I just can't give a recommendation for this book. Here are my reasons:

1. I do not like when books use 4 letter words....that was the case in this book a few times. It felt like they were thrown in for no reason and that really bothers me.  Also it uses the Lord's name in vain.  This is not how I talk and I don't like to read it either. I get it that people use these words in real life. I hear them in my life but I don't like to read them.

2.  The authors (one more than the other) seem so negative about motherhood.  I know she is trying to say how as moms we all struggle with issues with our kids and being busy and such.  But it got old reading how tired she is as a mom and how much chaos she has in home and how she has to go to work every day and how she had to go back to work when her children were so little.  She did not paint motherhood in a very positive light.  She said good things about her children and how much it means to be a mom but she was just so negative that it got annoying to read it in letter after letter.

3.  I was expecting letters for some mothers that were not in this book....mothers who have faced miscarriages, mothers dealing with infertility, mothers who have lost a child, mothers who are "empty nesters," or mothers who stay at home to name a few. None of these were addressed....I'm assuming because the authors have no experience with any of these.  This made me think the title doesn't fit this book.

After I read a while it felt like I was reading the same letter over and over.  It would be fine to read one of these occasionally, but it got annoying to read them in a book with the same complaints about motherhood.  It seemed like a whole lot of whining...."my life is so hard because I'm a Mom."

As I said I rarely ever post negative reviews.  I was excited to read this book, but I just can't recommend it to you. 

I received this book for my honest review from Hachette book group. Thank you. 

Have a day of blessings! 
   Bethany

Book: Gratitude in Motion

About the book:
It was a beautiful fall day in Connecticut when Colleen Kelly Alexander, a lifelong athlete, rode her bike home from work. She had survived both a diagnosis of lupus and brain surgery, had a fulfilling career, and was married at last to the love of her life. Everything was good as she coasted along, meeting the eyes of a truck driver as he approached the stop sign beside her.

He didn't stop. The truck hit Colleen, running over her lower body with front and back tires and dragging her across the pavement. As she bled out in the street, nearby strangers surrounded her and the driver attempted to get away. An EMT herself, Colleen knew she had to stay awake. "I've just been reconnected with my soulmate," she told the medic. "We want to have a baby. I can't die now. Please don't let me die."

Five weeks in a coma and twenty-nine surgeries later, Colleen survived. Rather than let the trauma and PTSD control her life, she became determined to find a way to make something positive from her pain. She decided she'd run again and dedicate her race medals to the everyday heroes around us, including the medical staff and blood donors who saved her life. Since then Colleen has run fifty races and completed forty triathlons, including four half-Ironman events. Now a spokesperson for the Red Cross, Colleen shares her incredible inspirational story to encourage others to take that first step forward.

My thoughts:
Gratitude is such an important part of my life so I was intrigued by the title.  Then when I read the description of what this lady had been through I wanted to read it.  Colleen does a good job sharing her story.  I cannot even imagine the pain both physically and emotionally that she has endured.  What a remarkable story of perseverance!   Colleen has many amazing heroes who have played a role in her story.   Now Colleen shares her story and encourages others to be heroes, like through donating blood.  It is clear how easy it would be to be depressed if you were in this situation so it is inspiring to see her attitude and positive outlook.  This doesn't mean she doesn't have hard days and ask questions.  But her perspective has changed and she looks for the positive and ways to help others.   

It will change your perspective when you read this book!  

I received a copy of this book from Hachette book group for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
  Bethany

Book: Hearts Entwined

About the book:Four top historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer stories of love and romance with a twist of humor.

In Karen Witemeyer's "The Love Knot," Claire Nevin gets the surprise of her life awaiting her sister's arrival by train. 

Mary Connealy's "The Tangled Ties That Bind" offers the story of two former best friends who are reunited while escaping a stampede. 

Regina Jennings offers "Bound and Determined," where a most unusual trip across barren Oklahoma plains is filled with adventure, romance, and . . . camels? 

And Melissa Jagears' "Tied and True" entertains with a tale of two hearts from different social classes who become entwined at a cotton thread factory. 

Each tale is a fun blend of history and romance that will delight readers.

My thoughts:
It was fun to read this collection.  Let me share my thoughts on each of these.  Maybe you will find a new author you enjoy. 

"The Love Knot" was a great story.  I believe I have read all of Karen Witemeyer's other books so I was familiar with this setting of Harper's Station and characters.  The main character of this story is Claire.  She has a delivery arrive by train from her sister that surprises her, makes her deal with her past, and changes her life.

"The Tangled Ties That Bind" is by another author with whom I am familiar...Mary Connealy.  I have read several of her books, but it has been a while.  The characters in this book were vaguely familiar to me from those books I'd read. 

"Bound and Determined" was the hardest for me to get into as I was reading this collection.  I don't know if I've read others by Regina Jennings or not.  The camels made it odd at first.  But once I got going it was a cute story.  I really appreciated the lessons learned by the characters in this story as they journeyed together.

"Tied and True" is a great ending to this collection. Marianne and Calvin come from different social classes.  They are in love but one feels they can never be together because of their different social standings.  Can they overcome this?   

I like how these books fit together so well yet are so very different from each other.  The publisher did a great job choosing authors for this novella.  You should read this book if you enjoy historical fiction. 

I received this book from the publisher for my honest review.  Thank you.
Have a day of blessings!
  Bethany

Book: I Could Use a Nap and a Million Dollars

About the book:
Too often, women wonder if the abundant life Jesus promised is buried somewhere beneath the piles of dirty laundry or the layers of crumbs and abandoned toys on the floor of the minivan. Overwhelming to-do lists--pay the bills, go to work, parent the children, volunteer at church, bake four dozen cupcakes before bed--can feel like weights around their necks.

Jessie Clemence knows the struggles of women everywhere who are just trying to get through the million stresses--small and large--that come with living day to day. This funny, warm, and honest book speaks directly to them, and offers real hope.

With hilarity and wit sure to make every mom chuckle in recognition, Jessie discusses what the Bible says about reactions to daily frustrations and God's expectations for Christians' lives. For any overwhelmed woman wanting a new way of handling life's crazy moments, God is waiting to offer abundant life, peace, and joy--all found through seeking Him.

I Could Use a Nap and a Million Dollars will give readers a respite, time to laugh out loud, and a new focus on the God who can turn their stresses into blessings.

My thoughts:When I read the book description, I thought this sounded like a good book to review.  I have enjoyed reading it.  The book is divided into three sections....

• The Relentless, Endless Muck of Adulthood
• Other People and Their Chaos Stress Me Out
• Sometimes I Stress Myself Out 

She has a lot of funny stories which the readers will be able to relate to.  I appreciate the biblical perspective she adds to these too. 

Topics covered in the chapters of this book include procrastination, finances, housework, misunderstandings, and entitlement to name a few.

As I read I kept a list of quotes that really stood out to me.  Here are a couple of those:

"The Bible never once tells us our value is based on how clean our tubs are or how tidily our linens are folded.  But it does tell us to carefully guard the important things in our hearts and to focus on what's really important."

"Our eternal security and citizenship rest in what Christ has done for us, not in how many religious memes we post on Facebook.  We've lost our focus, and we desperately need to get it back."  

I think you will be encouraged by this book.  Sometimes we just get all bent out of shape over things that don't ever matter. It's good to take a step back and recheck our priorities. There were a lot of things that made me stop and think, which I always appreciate as I read.

While I didn't agree with everything the author said, I did enjoy this book overall and found it to be a good read and encouraging to me.

Check out more about this book here.

I received a copy of this book for my review for being part of the Kregel Blog Tour.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Book: The Celebration

Today I'm sharing a book with you called The Celebration.  This is the 3rd book in the Amish Cooking Class series by Wanda E. Brunstetter.  I reviewed the first book The Seekers and the second book called The Blessing.  I enjoyed the other two books and was glad to read this third book.

About the book:
Lyle and Heidi Troyer have taken in a brother and sister, who were orphaned when their parents were killed in a car accident. Hoping to help the children adapt and make friends, Heidi decides to hold a series of cooking classes for kids. But kids are always accompanied by an adult—and that is where the trouble arises.

Miranda Cooper is living the life of a single mom to her two kids while separated from her husband, but Trent is trying to worm his way back into her heart.

Denise McGuire’s life as a wife, mom, and real estate broker is full and spilling over.

Darren Keller, single dad and firefighter, and Ellen Blackburn, single mom and nurse, find a few things in common.

Will hearts be healed over plates of Amish food?

My thoughts:
I liked the change of this book in having the cooking class for children instead of adults as was the case in the other two books in the series. It was interesting to read the interactions of the children in the class as well as how the parents interacted with one another.

Heidi is a wonderful main character who is easy to like.  She has lots of wisdom to share with her students and their parents and is never rude or pushy.  I appreciate that she includes a Bible verse with her recipes for her students to take home and to read how the verses bless the families.

Another thing I liked about this book is that the recipes are included at the end.

It is somewhat predictable I thought as I read but is a good story and my favorite in this series.

This book will be coming out soon at the beginning of February.

Watch this short trailer about the book too.

Visit the author's website here.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for my review.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany