December 1941

December 1941: 31 Days that Chnaged America and Saved the World is written by Craig Shirley and looks at America During WWII. The book is 544 pages long and takes an in-depth look at how Americans were feeling during these difficult times in our history. The book focused on every aspect of American life, and not just the events of the war. Since I am extremely interested in history, I found this book to be very interesting. I have always enjoyed learning more about WWII, and I loved the background this book gave for me. Rather than just giving facts, the book used newspapers from throughout the United States during that time. This gave the book the feel of showing what every portion of the US was feeling and not just the major cities.

I will definitely be recommending this book for anyone who likes history, but I don’t know if others would be as interested in reading about this time-period.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements

It Is Dangerous to be Right when the Government is Wrong: The Case for Personal Freedom

Since I’m interested in any type of political book, I was really excited to see It Is Dangerous to be Right when the Government is Wrong: The Case for Personal Freedom, by Judge Andrew Napolitano available through Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze bloggers program. I am familiar with Judge Napolitano from his commentary on Fox News Channel, so I was really interested to read what his thoughts were on freedom within the United States of America.

The book is divided into 15 chapters and is a little under 300 pages. Although it took me a pretty long time to read this book, and I don’t agree with all of the Judge’s viewpoints, I did enjoy the overall focus on constitutional rights. There were various facts included within this book, which makes it resonate much more with me than just if he were to fill the entirety of the book with his opinions. Some of the rights discussed in the book are self-defense, travel, speech, privacy, fairness from the Government, money, and other topics. Overall, as I said before, the main focus is that of natural rights and how government is infringing on these rights. I think only those who are interested in politics will truly be interested in this book. I could not imagine my family members, who are no involved in the political process, wanting to read this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements

A Necessary Deception

A Necessary Deception, written by Laurie Alice Eakes, is a book in The Daughters of Bainbridge House Series. The book tells the story of Lydia Gale, who is a widow after only a short marriage. She lives in the city of London in the year 1812, when coming outs were the most important things in a young girls life. This Historical Romance begins with Lydia helping a French prisoner, and the mystery begins from there. Blackmail, deceit, romance, and spying are all components of the book which kept me interested from the first page until the last. Throughout the main focus of the mystery being solved, we also see the secondary characters of Cassandra and Honore, Lydia’s sisters, and all of the hijacks they get into.

Although I read historical romances frequently, I don’t read books set in the early 1800s too often. I loved the time-period and learning about the British and French issues during this time. The books dealing with spies and mysterious characters definitely kept me interested in Lydia’s life. I also liked the character of Lydia as she was not afraid to follow her instincts, and I could not put the book down. I continually was asking myself “what is going to happen next.” I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys historical romance and also someone who likes reading mysteries. They will not be disappointed and will definitely want to read more books in this series.

Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

I received this book free from BAKER REVELL* as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Measure of Katie Calloway

The Measure of Katie Calloway, written by Serena Miller, tells the story of Katie Calloway. Katie is a minister’s daughter from Pennsylvania who lives in Georgia following the Civil War. Katie left her home in Pennsylvania after marrying a southern man who ends up abusing her. She finds the courage to flee her home along with her young brother and travel to Michigan. She then finds herself as a cook at a logging camp which is run by Robert Foster. Although they are very different from one another, Robert becomes Katie’s protector as Katie tries to stay away from any relationships due to her past with her abusive husband.

I enjoyed reading about the relationship between Katie and Robert, but my favorite part of the book was the character of Katie. I like that she was a strong and independent character. She was brave enough to get out of an abusive situation, when so many others are not able to do that. I think the author wrote her in a way that all readers can learn from Katie’s experience and how she dealt with her husband. Robert is also a very endearing character. I found myself rooting from him and Katie to begin a relationship. I also liked the setting about the book, and the characters who become a part of Katie’s life. They seemed very down-to-earth and were all helpful in having Katie overcome and grow from her past experiences.

“Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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."

Deeply Devoted

Deeply Devoted, a book in The Blue Willow Brides Series, written by Maggie Brendan, tells the story of Catharine Olsen. Catharine is a mail order bride who leaves her home country to Holland and travels to the state of Wyoming with her two young sisters in order to marry a man she had been in contact with through letters. Throughout the book, the relationship between Catharine and Peter Andersen develops, and as their relationship grows secrets about Catharine’s past begin to be revealed. As their relationship is tested, they must determine if they want to continue their relationship.

The characters of Catharine and Peter were very realistic, and I liked seeing their relationship develop. They truly had feelings for one another which developed originally through their correspondence and then as they began to spend time together. Also, I liked Catharine’s devotion to her young sisters, who were under her care after the death of their parents. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I liked that it was a fast read, and also the topic of mail-order brides. Although it was the first book I have ever read dealing with this topic, I really enjoyed it and am interested in reading more books in the Blue Willow Brides series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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."

The Crossing

I recently read The Crossing by Serita Jakes which tells the story of an unsolved murder which occurred on a school bus after a local football game. The effects of that shooting are felt by many, and the book looks at what has happened to them. This includes a football player who attempted to stop the shooting, a cheerleader who witnessed the murder of her coach, and the husband of the cheerleader who reopens the case since there was never any resolution to who guilty of the murder.

This book was a great mystery, which is not the type of book I normally read, but I really enjoyed it. The mystery was just the right amount, and I liked how the book focused on how the tragic event changed the lives of three different people. These characters were all relatable, and I found myself sympathizing with the problems they were facing due to the tragedy they saw. I would highly recommend this book to my friends and family, but I would probably recommend that it be read by an older audience.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Waterbrook Press 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."

There You'll Find Me

I’m going to admit iy…even though I’m a few years out of high school, actually 7, I still enjoy reading the same types of books I enjoyed when I was in school. That’s why, when I saw the book There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones, I couldn’t wait to read about Finley Sinclair. Finley is the daughter of a well-known hotel owner, and she went through a difficult time after the death of her brother. Finley decides to travel to Ireland to travel the steps her brother took as he grew in his relationship with God.

When Finley travels to Ireland she faces many obstacles, including her relationship with Beckett Rush, a famous actor, her school project which pairs her with an elderly woman who has a secret of her own, her issues with food, and her stress over composing an original song to perform at her college audition. I really liked how the book came together and although there were various topics discussed in the book, they all seemed as if they were something any regular teenager could be going through. I also liked that Finley was brave enough to face going to a foreign country in an attempt to find herself and also reconnect with God. Although she didn’t necessarily find everything she was looking for in Ireland, I really liked reading about her bravery and also the struggles she was facing in her relationship with God. I think it’s a good thing for teenage girls to read about and understand that they are not the only ones struggling.

I am definitely going to be loaning this book to my teenage sister and cousin, since from just looking at the cover they already expressed their interest in reading the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze 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."

A Heart Revealed

A Heart Revealed, from the Winds of Change Series, written by Julie Lessman, looks at the life of Emma Malloy. Emma had to escape her home and travel to Boston after being abused by her husband for 8 long years. As she finds herself working with her lifetime friend, Sean O’Connor, trouble ensues. Sean O’Connor was sure he would spend his life as a bachelor, but he finds himself falling in love with Emma.

While this book is relatively long, I enjoyed every moment of it. I really enjoy the time period the book is based in, as Sean O’Connor is struggling with problems facing his family during the depression. I have read a few other books in this series, and that made it easier for me to keep the numerous characters from causing me to become confused. Also, I liked the faith that the O’Connor family displays and also Emma.

I cannot wait to read more books in this series, and I would recommend this book to people who are interested in romances that have historical situations portrayed in them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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."

A Lancaster County Christmas

Suzanne Woods Fisher’s newest book, A Lancaster County Christmas, looks at the intersecting lives of two families. Mattie Riehl, an Amish mother, finds herself unable to have any more children, and she is questioning God’s will for her life. Jaime, an “Englisher” is questioning her career and her relationship with her husband C.J. When Jaime and her husband find themselves trapped at the Riehl farm after a winter blizzard, they being to face their issues as they face difficulty during the blizzard.

I really enjoyed this book, and I was able to finish it in the span of a day. The book looked at issues that all people are able to relate to: children, jobs, parents, and even spouses. I found myself relating to the character of Jaime in that she was questioning the next move in her life. She wasn’t sure what job she was meant to do, and she would not make a place for Jesus in her life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick, inspirational read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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."

Hermie: A Common Caterpillar

Hermie: A Common Caterpillar, written by Max Lucado is a cute book that tells the story to young children that God’s no finished with us yet. The book looked at a caterpillar and a butterfly and their friendship. The drawings were also something that young children will like to look at as they learn to read better through this book.

I’m excited to give this book to my young cousins, and I look forward to purchasing the other books in the series for my cousins also. From other reviewers comments, there is a DVD which also goes along with this book that I think would be a good tie-in for this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze 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."

Cherished

Cherished by Kim Cash Tate tells the story of Kelli London and Heather Anderson and the situations they are currently going through in their lives. Kelli once had dreams of becoming a songwriter, but her life has not turned out how she once imagined and she finds herself moving back home to be near her family. Heather Anderson is looking for love and she has an affair and follows after men she should not have a relationship with. Kelli and Heather form a friendship and are able to work through their issues and search for forgiveness.

I liked this book and the overall concept of forgiveness, as I sometimes find myself struggling to forgive others, and this book showed how God’s forgiveness can be displayed in the characters lives. Although I enjoyed this book, I did feel as if it was a little slow-moving. This can be because of the fact that I typically read historical fiction instead of chick-lit type books. I would read another book by Kim Cash Tate, and, overall, I enjoyed this book.

I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Wedding

So today's my friends wedding that I'm in...didn't lose the weight I wanted to but it will be fun anyway. It's been a crazy past few months with job interviews and wedding stuff-then lost power for a few days with the hurricane!! Luckily it came back on the other day so we only had to go about 4 Days without power. After everything calms down I am going to completely focus on eating healthy and working out!! By next summer hopefully I'll be down to the smallest size I've ever been :-)

Blue Skies Tomorrow

Blue Skies Tomorrow is the third book in the Wings of Glory series written by Sarah Sundin, and it looks at the life of the eldest Novak brother, Lieutenant Raymond Novak. Ray is a fighter pilot teacher throughout WWII, but as requirements change, and teaching becomes a reward for those returning from the front lines of battle, Ray finds himself relegated to an air depot near his hometown. It’s during a weekend home that he runs into Helen Carlisle, a recently widowed mother, who he knew as a young girl. As his and Helen’s relationship develops, Ray begins to question his reasons for not fighting on the front lines as do his brothers.

I really enjoyed this book, and I especially liked the way Helen was described as always having to put on an act: the grieving widow, the devoted mother, the perfect volunteer, and, in the past, a devoted and loving wife. It’s interesting to see how her “acting the part” caused tension and strain in her life and how she was able to overcome this feeling that she needs to act a certain way. I think this is very relevant for many people today, as acting a certain way seems to be the norm of how society expects people to be. This act was also displayed with Ray, as he had to act tough and brave when facing battle. They both felt as if they had to act a certain way to please others.

Both of the characters were easy to relate to, and I also enjoyed the historical aspects of the book. World War II is one of my favorite times to read about, and the book did not disappoint. Although I have read the second book in the series, I think it would still be easily understandable for people to read this book as a stand-alone. I cannot wait to read more books by Sarah Sundin and learn more lessons from the characters she chooses to write about!

“Available August 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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."

The Colonel's Lady

Romance. Mystery. Spies. War. Family Feuds. The Colonel’s Lady by Laura Frantz contains all of these issues within its’ 400 pages, and I loved every moment of this book. The book begins with Roxanna Rowan traveling to a fort in Kentucky to be reunited with her father, but upon her arrival she learns that her father was killed. As she waits out the winter in order to travel back home to Virginia she begins to learn more about Colonel Cassius McLinn as she replaces her father’s position as the Colonel’s scrivener. During this time, she begins to bond with many of the people in the Kentucky fort, including a young, motherless girl, the cook, and Colonel McLinn himself. Throughout the book, we see a mystery solved, battles being fought, and the relationship between Roxanna and Cassius facing many ups and downs.

I really enjoyed this book, and although it was long, it did not drag at all throughout any section of the book. I liked seeing the way Colonel McLinn dealt with everyday situations at the fort, as he was strong and tough with those under his command, but he also saw the importance of rewarding his soldiers for jobs well done. Roxanna’s strong faith was her best characteristic, and it was nice to see how her faith was able to revive Cassius’ faltering faith. I cannot wait to read more books by Laura Frantz, and I would recommend The Colonel’s Lady to anyone looking for an excellent historical romance.

Available August 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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."

Stumbling Into Grace

Stumbling Into Grace: Confessions of a Sometimes Spiritually Clumsy Woman, written by Lisa Harper is a book that is written as a memior type devotional, which looks at the daily experiences in her life which are stumbling blocks to faith. The book’s format made it easily readable, as there are 15 different chapters that can be read alone as a devotional or in conjuncture with each other. Each chapter begins with a personal story which introduces you to the topic of the chapter. I found myself being unable to put the book down, and I finished it in only a few sittings.
What initially drew me to the book was the cute cover, and the content within the pages did not disappoint. The author’s comments and chapters focused on topics that every woman goes through, and I think that is what made this book so insightful. I am excited to share this book with friends...and keep a copy on my shelf for future re-reading!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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.

Journey to Riverbend

Although journey to Riverbend written by Henry McAlughlin took me some time to read, I enjoyed the book and reading about the main character Michael Archer. I did not necessarily enjoy the graphic writing about battles, but I liked how the main concept of the book was Michael’s attempt to repair a father and son’s relationship. Michael is a jail chaplain who is given the job of delivering a message to the father of a prisoner who is being hung, although he is innocent. While delivering the message, Michael begins a relationship with Rachel Stone, a young girl who is living in the pastor’s home in Riverbend.

Overall, I really liked this book, as I typically read historical fiction. I felt myself relating to the characters, and I felt as if they were all very genuine. I would recommend this book for an older audience, as I mentioned some of the descriptive elements which are contained within the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale 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

Rumors of God

Rumors of God: Experience The Kind of Faith You’ve Only Heard About, written by Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson, looks at how we should live our Christian lives and what Christianity should look like. The book is broken down into the things that many people today dismiss as rumors: Rumors of Abundant Life, Rumors of Another Dream, Rumors of Generosity, Rumors of Love, Rumors of Grace, Rumors of Freedom, Rumors of Commitment, Rumors of Community, Rumors of Justice, and Rumors of Hope.

I enjoyed reading this book and learning some of the facts that were included in the book. Although it was not the easiest read, I really enjoyed the readers guide at the end. I would most likely recommend this book for small groups who can study it in depth and who have the ability to discuss the topics with one another.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Thomas Nelson 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."

The Final Hour

Action, suspense, fighting terrorists, prison escapes are just commonplace for Charlie West…and all while he’s still in High School. In the final book of the Homelander Series, The Final Hour, by Andrew Klavan, we finally see a conclusion to the hidden terror plot that Charlie has been desperately attempting to foil.

I really enjoyed this book, and I’m glad I was able to read all of the books in this series. I am very interested in Action and Suspense movies, but I have to admit, I typically don’t find myself reading these types of books. Even though this is a different book than I typically read, I was super interested in the life of Charlie West, and I found myself unable to put the book down. I loved the dedication of Charlie to doing what is right and fighting to keep his country safe. I was especially rooting for Charlie since he wasn’t attempting to save the world for attention and prestige. Rather, he had to look as if he committed a crime, and no one within his community really knew the crimes he was accused of were actually set-ups. Although I’m disappointed this series is over, I look forward to reading future books by Andrew Klavan.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Thomas Nelson 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."

Life in Spite of Me

Life in Spite of Me tells the true story of Kristen Jane Anderson, and the deep depression she found herself facing. After witnessing deaths, being the victim of suicide, and finding her grades and relationship with her family slipping, she decided her life would be better off if it was over. One night, as a train was passing the playground she was sitting in, she decided to end her life by laying on the tracks. Little did she know that the accident that took her legs was actually the beginning of her new life; a life focused on God.

Although I have never struggled with depression, I felt empathy for Kristen throughout the book. Everyone has felt lost at some point in their lives, and this feeling was something she didn’t know how to deal with. She made the most of her situation, and through her struggles and difficulties she founded a ministry that helps people who may be going through similar situations. Her strength and ability to grow in her faith after her suicide attempt are an important story for people to read. It shows that through God, and through bringing all of your struggles to him, even the most difficult circumstances can be overcome.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Waterbrook Multnomah 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."

The Blessed

The Blessed, written by Ann Gabhart, looks at the lives of Lacey and Isaac in Kentucky in the year 1844. When Lacey’s mother dies, she moves in with Preacher Palmer’s family and eventually marries the Preacher after his wife’s untimely death. When Lacey meets Isaac, a young man who is forced into hiding in the Shaker community, they immediately form a bond although the community they both find themselves in is extremely restrictive.

This was the first book I have ever read about a Shaker Village, and I really enjoyed learning about their different beliefs and the way they seemed to be cut off from the outside world. Although this is the fourth book in the Shaker Series, I was able to read it as a stand-alone and follow the story without any difficulties. Overall, I loved the character of Lacey. She faced many hardships in her life, such as an abusive stepmother, being basically kicked out of her home, and facing the death of Miss Mona, the Preacher’s wife who took her in as if she were here own daughter. Throughout all these hardships, she maintained and grew in her faith.

"Available July 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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."

Creation

I just got back from my first time camping ever at the Creation Festival Northeast. It was a great time, and some of the performers were Skillet, Toby Mac, Hawk Nelson, Christ August, Chris Tomlin, Family Force 5, and others. It was a great week...and I'm super excited that I made it through my first time camping :-) I would definitely recommend that people go to Creation if they have a chance, since it was an amazing time.

Be The People

Be The People: A Call to Reclaim America’s Faith & Promise was written by Carol M. Swain, PhD, and it looks at current topics being discussed in politics which include race, aith, religion, immigration, and national sovereignty. The focus on the book was how we can go about reclaiming the faith that American was originally founded upon.

Since I am interested in politics, this book was the perfect read to learn the author’s perspective on the previously mentioned topics. I liked that the book was not difficult to understand, and I felt that people who are not even interested in politics would be able to appreciate the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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."

Martha

Martha, written by Diana Wallis Taylor, tells the Bible story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Although their lives are intertwined as they are siblings, the main focus of this book is Martha and the responsibilities she has as the oldest sibling. Most people are familiar with Martha, the hard-working oldest sister who chastises her young sister, Mary, when she chooses to remain at Jesus’ side listening to his preaching rather than helping her sister prepare the meal. The book Martha looks at this story, along with Lazarus’ death and being brought back to life by Jesus, and the death and resurrection of Jesus.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I liked learning more about the sacrifices Martha made in raising her family. I liked how the book was written in a very understandable way, and I felt as if Martha and her community was a friend of mine. Although I knew of their lives, I never thought of them as everyday people, and this is how they were conveyed in the book. The book also showed the hope that although she was seen as too old for love, there is the right person out there for everyone and if you are patient and trusting in God to provide, you will see the plans He has for your life. I will definitely be recommending this book to others!
Available June 2011 from Revell.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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."

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y'Barbo looks at Charlotte Beck, and her goals of gaining a career in the 1880s. Although most women of her age are beginning to look for husbands, Charlotte yearns to attend college. Forging an unlikely agreement, Charlotte decides to marry Alex, an Englishman who she finds to be very frustrating, in return for him allowing her to attend college and him to obtain her family’s money to keep his family from falling into ruin.

This was a very cute book that was fairly predictable, but that’s what I look for in romantic, Christian fiction books. In addition to its predictability, I liked that Charlotte was a strong character that didn’t let the traditions of the time dictate what she did with her life. In that way, she sets a good example for the young girls who may decide to read this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Waterbrook Multnomah 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."

Double Take

I was so excited to read Double Take, and I couldn’t wait for my review copy to come in the mail. Within one day, I finished the book, and I enjoyed it extremely. The book tells the story of a rich, New York girl named Madison who feels like everyone in her life wants to tell her what to do. Her best friends wants her to spend spring break in Florida, her mother wants her to vacation in Italy, her father wants her to visit an Ivy League college he wants her to attend, while her boyfriends wants to spend a weekend alone with her in Nantucket. On the other hand, Anna is a young Amish girl being sent away to care for an aunt who is soon to have another child. The main reason for Anna’s parents wishing to have her visit her relatives is that she cannot seem to get over her boyfriend, Jacob leaving the Amish community. A chance encounter causes these two girls, who look remarkably alike, to switch places. As they learn about the lives of each others they, in turn, learn about the kind of person they want to be.

I really enjoyed this book. I have been looking at the book at various online sites over the past few weeks just waiting for the chance to buy the book. I really like topics dealing with switching places, and I think it might have something to do with my childhood desire to have a twin who I could switch places with so I didn’t have to sit through some boring class or do some chore around the house I didn’t want to have to do…it could also be from watching movies like The Parent Trap, which I loved!  I also liked that the book mentioned some areas I am familiar with, as I live in the Allentown area. I don’t know why, but I always seem to enjoy books that I feel like I personally know where the characters travelled. Also, although Madison was supposed to be someone who had everything she wanted in life, I liked that her character didn’t become a typical spoiled, rich girl. She seemed like someone I could have seen myself being friends with in High School. I think the same can be said of Anna; she was friendly and compassionate toward others. Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to give it to my younger cousins to read.

Available June 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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."

Summer!

So it's officially summer!!! I have a few vacations coming up, and I started running again today, so hopefully I can get more fit within the next few weeks :-) Have a great summer everyone!!

A Vision of Lucy

Lucy Fairbanks always seems to be surrounded by trouble; fires, robberies, stampedes, and an accidental shooting are just a few of the misadventures she finds herself involved in when she tries to capture events in the town through her photography in hopes of working for the local newspaper. Throughout A Vision of Lucy by Margaret Brownley, it is apparent that Lucy always has the best intentions in mind, but she can’t seem to overcome being accident-prone. As Lucy attempts to overcome some of the problems she was a part of creating in the town of Rocky Creek, she meets David Wolf and embarks on an opportunity to help him resolve a mystery from his past. Along the way, they find themselves falling in love with one another, even though his ancestry has caused him to be an outcast.

I really enjoyed this book, and I related to the character of Lucy, as it always seems that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong for me. She faces that same problem, but it is apparent through the book that she always has the best intentions. I also liked how the other townspeople were included in the book, and I found myself caring for the characters that live in the town of Rocky Creek.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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."

Too Rich for A Bride

Too Rich for a Bride was written by Mona Hodgson and is the second book in The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series. The book follows Ida Sinclair who decides to move closer to her sisters, Nell and Kat. Ida moves to Colorado in the hopes of becoming a successful businesswoman by working for Mollie O’Bryan. Her focus is singularly on business, not forging relationships with the men who seem to be focused upon her.

Although this was the first book in the series, I could easily read it as a stand-alone book and understand what was going on in the life of Ida. As someone who is very focused on my career, I liked learning how Ida dealt with this same issue in relationship to dealing with forging a romantic connection. I really enjoyed this book, and I cannot wait to read the other books in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Waterbrook Multnomah 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."

So I have been slacking lately in my blogging...the nice summer weather has kept me outside :-) Summer vacation at Creation is coming up soon :-) This is going to be my first year going and my first time ever camping so it will be a new, and hopefully fun, experience. I'm especially excited to see Francesca Battistelli (sorry if I spelled that wrong). I'll try to post some updates when I'm there or after I get back since I hear there's no cell service :-/ It should be a great experience and I am super excited to see all of the artists at the concert.

Praying for Your Future Husband

I could not wait for the opportunity to read Praying for Your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer, and I was extremely excited when I received this book to review for WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers. The book looks at something most girls think about in their lives: who their future husband will be. Rather than what some typical dating books focus on, such as how to get a boyfriend, this book looks at how you can pray for your future husband. The chapters focused on 13 things you should pray for your future husband including: his heart, that he will be a good leader, trust, strength, intimacy, contentment, and understanding. The chapters were set up with personal stories, Bible verses, and discussion questions which made this an ideal book for a devotional or Bible Study.
I really enjoyed this book, and I will be giving it to my younger sister to read and recommending it to others. Even though I am in my mid-twenties, I found this book to be extremely relevant. I also liked the background and experiences both of the authors gave to the book, and also the experiences of those whose stories were contained in the book. I will definitely be keeping this book on my bookshelf for future reference.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the WaterBrook Multnamah Publishing Group 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."

A Reluctant Queen

I was extremely excited when I had the opportunity to read A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther by Joan Wolf. Ever since first hearing her story as a young girl, I was impressed with her bravery and her fighting to save her people. This book lays out the story that most people know, but it does add some different aspects. Esther, although a Jew, becomes married to King Ahasuerus. When Haman, one of the Kings advisors, puts the life of the Jews in danger, Queen Esther goes against tradition and meets the King to save the other Jewish people.

I really loved this book, and I could not put it down throughout the reading. I liked the character of Esther and also her uncle Mordecai who raised her as his own daughter after the death of her parents. I liked learning about the time and seeing the difference between the people with a Jewish background and those from the Persian heritage. I will be recommending this book to others, as I really enjoyed the story and learning more about Esther.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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

When Sparrows Fall

When Sparrows Fall written by Meg Moseley tells the story of Miranda Hanford. Miranda lives her life in Georgia in a controlling church with six young children to raise, as her husband died a few years previous to the timeframe of the book. When the church’s pastor decides it’s time to move to North Carolina to have a fresh start, Miranda sees it as her opportunity to release herself and her family from the church. When an accident causes Miranda to find herself in the hospital, the legal guardian of her children, Jack Hanford, Miranda’s brother-in-law enters into their life to help watch after the young children.

I really enjoyed this book, and liked the characters of both Miranda and Jack. I think it’s apparent that they both want what is best for the children they are caring for…in Jack’s case his nieces and nephews and in Miranda’s case her children. I think Miranda definitely faced hardship in her life, as being married at a young age and entering into a cult-like church entirely shaped the kind of person she was. I think her bravery in trying to always do what was best for her children really stood out to me in this book. I will definitely be recommending this book to others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the WaterBrook Multnamah Publishing Group 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."

A Great Catch

A Great Catch by Lorna Seilstad is the second book in the Lake Manawa Summers series of books, and I was extremely excited to read this book as I loved the first book in this series. A Great Catch tells the story of Emily Graham. She is an extremely motivated woman who is working in the early 1900s to ensure women are given the same rights as men, and thus the ability to vote. Emily is entirely focused upon achieving her goal, and, in turn, she feels as if she doesn’t have time for relationships with both her friends and God. Throughout the summer, Emily plans a special event to draw attention to the cause which connects her to Carter Stockton, a pitcher for the local baseball team. Although Emily doesn’t think she has time to foster this relationship, her thoughts change as the summer progresses and so do their feelings for one another.

As I said, I was extremely excited to read this book since I liked the characters in the first book in this series. Some of the same characters again reappear in this book, but it is done in a way that A Great Catch can easily be read as a stand-alone book. I liked the focus of having a personal relationship with Jesus in this book, and the fact that Carter shows Emily that although her cause was important it could not be all consuming in her life. The setting of the book was also nice to read about, as I liked hearing how the area changed since the first book, Making Waves. Overall, I loved this book! I will recommend it to my friends, and I can’t wait to read about another summer in Lake Manawa.

“Available May 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Revell 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."

Beyond All Measure

Beyond All Measure, A Hickory Ridge Romance, written by Dorothy Love tells the story of Ada Wentowrth as she travels from Boston to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee. In this particular instance, Ada thinks her new job is to care for Lillian, but rather than just being a caretaker, she is expected to run the household. In addition to the difficulties in her job, she is faced with concern by some of the people living in Hickory Ridge due to the fact that she is a Northerner.

I really enjoyed this book, since I am interested in historical romance book. I also liked the time period in which the book took place. Following the Civil War, there are many difficulties occurring in the south which Ada and the other characters must work their way through. I also liked the relationship between Wyatt and Ada, and I enjoyed seeing the relationship progress as I read about their lives in the Tennessee town.

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

A Heart Divided

A Heart Divided by Kathleen Morgan is the first book in the Heart of the Rockies series, and it looks at the lives and feud between the Caldwell and the Wainwright families. Although the feuding began before either Cord or Sarah were born, the home which was won in a game of cards by the Wainwright continues to cause strains between their two families. What started as a robbery attempt, soon escalated into a further relationship between Sarah Caldwell and the Wainwright brothers. Sarah and Cord are both forced to make difficult decisions throughout the book. Should they continue to harbor ill feelings toward each other or can their growing relationship overcome their past?

I enjoyed this book immensely, and I am hopeful there will be more books in this series. I think the Wainwright and Caldwell families are characters I would really like to learn more about. Nick Caldwell was a very strong character in the story. Although he faced hardship in his life, through an accidental shooting which caused him to be paralyzed, he was a character with a strong faith and ability to forgive. I also liked the setting of the story; the family ranch created an interesting backdrop for a story as it automatically creates tension in the day-to-day operation of the ranch. Monetary troubles and relationship troubles are also discussed in the book, and they are issues all people can relate to. I would recommend this book to my friends if they are looking for an uplifting summer read!

“Available May 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

NYC

NYC for the day....going to see Chicago with Christie Brinkley--hopefully the rain holds off!!

Fashioned by Faith

Fashioned by Faith is a book written by Rachel Lee Carter, an international model, who discusses how to dress modestly in order to portray the right image to others. Rachel Carter modeled for many famous designers, and she took a stand early in her career that she would not model certain things, such as liengere, alcohol, cigarettes, and clothing she feels are inmodest. In the book, each chapter begins with a short section entitled “he says” which gives a boy’s point of view about modesty. Then, the chapter details such topics as Fashioned… by Freedom, by Forgiveness, by Favor, by Faithfulnesses, to be Feminine, for a Frame, to Bear Fruit, to Follow Through, and Forever. At the conclusion of each chapter there are Bible Verses and questions to answer.

I really liked this book, even though it’s more intended for teens and tweens. I enjoyed the personal examples of how Rachel responded to situations when modeling. She also brought up topics and things about clothing that I had never considered before. I think this would be a great book for a middle school or youth group to read as a Bible Study.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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."

The Dawn of a Dream

The Dawn of a Dream is the third book in the At Home in Beldon Grove series of books written by Ann Shorey. The book begins with Luellen O’Connell being abandoned by her husband, who she married after knowing only a short time. Facing the prospect of moving back in with her parents to the house she grew up in, she decides to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Throughout her education, she is faced with many different obstacles: love, illness, friendship, family relationships, prejudice, and money troubles.

Although this was the third book in the Beldon Grove series, it is possible to read it as a stand-alone. The characters were very realistic, and the character of Luellen is someone I could relate to and felt I would be friends with if she was a real person. These realistic characters spread throughout Luellen’s entire family and also those she had friendships with. The setting of the book also added to my interest, as I haven’t really read many books about people living in Illinois. I think what I really liked about this book was that Luellen wasn’t looking for a husband to solve all of her problems, rather she wanted to get her teaching certificate in order to make a life for herself. I think this is an important theme to show people; you don’t have to look another person to solve your problems, rather through faith and hard work, everything you want will eventually come to you.

“Available April 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

April 27

so I haven't posted in awhile because of Easter and just being busy with work stuff, but I stopped doing Tracy Anderson :-/ I don't really know why, I just felt like I couldn't go to them gym when I'm doing her workout, and I couldn't make myself wake up early to do the workouts before work. I think I am going to try and focus on some 10 minute trainer by Tony Horton. I am all over the place with my working out :-) But, for good news, I've been back on my healthy eating the past few days :-) If I keep it up for the next 2 months, I'm sure I'll be ready for my friends wedding and my trip to the beach. And I'm really excited because I bought some cute shorts and a hat to wear to the beach :-) Any excuse to go shopping!!! Now my next thing to work on is stopping spending so much money!! Gas and groceries are killing me!!! I'll work in phases...exercise, then eat healthy, and once I do both of those 2 things all the time, I'll work on saving more money!!

Max on Life

In Max on Life, Max Lucado delves into some Answers and Insights to Your Most Important Questions. The book is set up like an advice column, where a question is asked and Max gives an answer to the tough question. The book is broken up into Hope, Hurt, Help, Him/Her, Home, Haves/Have-Nots, and Hereafter. Each of these chapters contained pertinent questions such as What is God? How should I react to poverty? How can I select the right mate? And Does Hell last forever?

I really liked the straightforward way in which Max Lucado answered some very tough questions, and the questions he chose to respond to. For the most part, they were questions any person can have in their everyday lives, and I think this made the book especially poignant. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family, and I think it would make a great gift for a High School or College Graduate.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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."

Tomorrow's Garden

Tomorrow’s Garden is the third book in the Texas Dreams series and was written by Amanda Cabot. The book tells the story of Harriet Kirk and her newly acquired job of a schoolteacher in the town of Ladreville, Texas in the year 1857. Her younger siblings, who she is responsible for after the death of her parents in a fire, move with her to the new town where she begins to move forward from her past. In the new town, Harriet finds herself falling in love with Lawrence, the sheriff of the small town who is eagerly awaiting the end of his employment in Ladreville.

Although this was the first book I read in the series, I was able to follow the story, and I really enjoyed learning of the life of Harriet. I especially enjoyed the relationship that grew between Harriet and Lawrence. They are both looking to move forward from their past experience, and they are able to face their future together. Although the book wasn’t the most fast paced, there were moments within the book that had some tension which kept me wanting to learn what would happen next. I also think I enjoyed this book because it reminded me of instances in the past where I have read book or watched movies about an older sibling having responsibility for those other children in her family. I like this focus on family and seeing an older child have a strong sense of responsibility and love for her family.

I will definitely be reading the first two books in this series, and I am looking forward to reading other books written by Amanda Cabot in the future.

"Available April 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Metamorphosis Day 11

So today was my measurement day...I lost 2 inches, but that could just be me measuring wrong although I had about 3 people tell me I look like I lost weight :-) I said this every day I've posted, but I need to work on my eating and I think the exercising will work soooo much better. I'm going to try to eat healthy for the next week and see how many inches I can lose!

The Final Summit

Andy Andrews newest book, The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle that Will Save Humanity, continues looking at the life of David Ponder, which began in The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success. From what I understand of the first book, since I did not read it, David Ponder travels back in time, and meets important historical figures. These individuals, each themselves travelers who went into the past during their lifetime, each give him a piece of advice which helps David Ponder have the keys to becoming successful. The Final Summit picks up near the end of David’s life. His wife is no longer living, and he questions what role he has left in life. He is then informed he will be leading all of the other travelers to answer a question, with only five attempts at answering correctly.

I really love reading, but I found this book to be not as exciting as I hoped. I have read other books by Andy Andrews and was really impressed, but I’m sad to say I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as I thought I would upon reading the back cover. I liked the concept of the historical figures, and I really enjoyed learning about some important people in history that I never heard about before. Other than the historical aspect, I didn’t really connect with this book. I didn’t find the historical figures particularly interesting, and I found many of them to seem arrogant. I guess this might be how they really were in their lives, but I always imagined King David as kind and Gabriel, the archangel, as powerful and personable. Rather, his character came off as condescending and unloving toward the individuals he spoke to. Overall, I found this book to be a very slow read, and I don’t think it will make my “must read” recommendation list, but I would tell someone interested in self-help and history to read this book if they have some spare time.

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

The Deepest Waters

I recently finished reading The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh, and it was one of the best books I have read in a long time! I finished it in a short amount of time, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down once I started reading it.

The Deepest Waters tells the story of newlyweds, John and Laura Foster, and their honeymoon journey to visit and meet John’s family in New York City. Unfortunately, there is a Hurricane along their course, and they are separated as Laura gets rescued and John is left at sea. The book tells of the journey for Laura to get to New York City and connect with her new family, and it looks at the struggle of John as he attempts to survive while stranded in the Ocean. This book reminded me a lot of the 1990s movie, Titanic, only with a better outcome!

I think my main reason for enjoying this book so much was the plain way in which it was written. It made it extremely easy to follow, and it felt as if I was being told the story from a friend who had firsthand experience of the event. There were not too many difficult sailing terms, and I liked the picture at the beginning of the book which laid out the names of the important parts of the boat. I also liked how all of the characters placed their faith in Jesus, but there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of references to how they came about having a relationship with Jesus. Rather, it seemed as if they grew up with faith, and the obstacles they were facing brought them closer to Christ.

In addition to the danger that was faced, there was also a romance aspect to the book. I liked reading about the deep love John and Laura had for one another and how they found each other at the time when Laura had all but given up on her chances of finding love. Although this was a romance book, it was done in a very tasteful manner which is really important to me when reading any type of romances. There was so much more than romance in the book also; it focused on family, slavery, faithfulness, and many other themes that stood out throughout my reading. I cannot wait to read more books by Dan Walsh!!

“Available April 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Metamorphosis day 6

Finished my first week of Metamorphosis and tomorrow is my rest day. I'm sooo excited that I made it through! :-) I've been going to the gym on my lunch break the past few days too, so I'm starting to get really serious about the whole losing weight thing...I guess I have my motivation back :-) I have a few things going on this weekend (trip to NYC, my sisters HS play) so it might be tougher to find time to work out, but my goal is to not miss a day of the metamorphosis until my vacation in June.

The Lightkeeper's Ball

The Lightkeepers Ball, written by Colleen Coble, is the third book in the Mercy Falls Series, and tells the story of Olivia Stewart. Olivia is the daughter of a wealthy New Yorker in the early 1900s, but her life is about to become very complicated. Her sister is betrothed to be wed to a man named Harrison who she was introduced to through their parents’ plans for an arranged marriage. After Olivia’s sister is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Olivia becomes determined to find her sister’s murderer, and travels to Mercy Falls, California to investigate under the guise of being Lady Devonworth, since she fears for her own life.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, as I could tell I would from the cover. I liked the historical aspect of the book, as anything dealing with history always interests me. Add in the mystery and action components, and it was the perfect book! Although this is the third book in the series, and there were some characters who seemed to have been introduced in other books, it was not confusing to read the book as a stand-alone.

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

Heart of Ice

Heart of Ice is the third book in the Triple Threat Novel, and it is written by Lis Wiehl and April Henry. The book looks into the life of Allison Pierce, a federal prosecutor, Nicole Hedges, a FBI agent, and Cassidy Shaw, a television crime news reporter. When these three friends reconnected ten years after high school, they christened themselves the Triple Threat Club and have since been interconnected in their solving of crimes in the Portland, Oregon area.

Heart of Ice is a murder mystery that shows readers that looks can be extremely deceiving. Elizabeth quickly befriends Cassidy Shaw after teaching her in a local gym class. Little does Cassidy know, Elizabeth’s past and current schemes are the very focus of her news story and the strange events, including murders and arsons, that have been occurring in their town. Together, Allison, Nicole, and Cassidy must untangle the web of lies Elizabeth has been weaving, in addition to dealing with personal matters in their lives.

I was really excited to read this book, since I another book in the series, and I have watched Lis Wiehl on the Fox News Channel. I liked how this book focused on not only the work, but also the personal lives of the characters. This creates individuals who are more easy to connect with, and as they are facing struggles, I felt a personal connection to them. I also like reading about strong women, who are in powerful positions in their careers. In addition, I like the relationship Allison shares with God, and the fact that she is able to provide a good example to her friends who are not as secure in this relationship. I cannot wait to read the additional books in this series!

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

Metamorphosis Day 3

I did day 3 of the Metamorphosis workout this morning, and I'm soooooo excited that I made it through the workout!! I finished the whole cardio workout, and I feel like I am getting better at the dance moves and am learning more of the steps. I also did pretty good at eating healthy...I did cheat a little by having a spoonful of ice cream, but during the week I will do much better at not cheating! I think the hardest part is going to be making sure I get up early enough to do the hour exercise before work each morning. I have to keep reminding myself I can do anything for 90 days :-)

Metamorphosis Day 2

So I made it through 2 days of the workout, but I haven't been eating the greatest. I think it's because all the jumping around is making ms super hungry!! The cardio section is very confusing since I'm the least coordinated person in the world, but I have just been trying to keep moving, even if I can't figure out what the moves are supposed to be :-) Hopefully within a weenie two, I'll have it all figured out. I haven't weighed or taken measurements, so I think I'll do all of that tomorrow before I start my workout.

I'm also planning on cutting out carbs for the next few weeks to see if that gives me good results, since the diet that comes with the workouts is waaaayyyy too restrictive. There are foods I have never even heard of!! I'll update tomorrow about how day 3 goes :-)

No He Can't: How Barack Obama Is Dismantling Hope and Change

No He Can't: How Barack Obama Is Dismantling Hope and Change written by Kevin McCullough is a book I was extremely excited to read, as I studied Political Science in college and have seen Kevin McCullough on Fox News in the past. I think this book also interested me since I read everything I can from authors like Michelle Malkin, Sarah Palin, Bill O’Reilly, and Ann Coulter. I put this book in the same vein as these authors, and I was not disappointed as I read this book relatively quickly.
McChuulough, as an analyst, has been correct with his previous views that then Senator Obama would become President Obama. As he predicted this presidential win, I feel he is also qualified to speak on what he sees as some of the downfalls of this current administration.

The four main components of the book are Economics, National Insecurity, Erosion of Rights and Accountability to Caesar. Within the book, McCullough looked at the missteps that President Obama took in his Presidency so far and made some recommendations on how President Obama can again gain the support he once had.

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

Workout

So day 1 back to working out and eating healthy. I ate 1,450 calories and did 2 hours of exercise...30 min bike (my favorite thing to do since I get to read while I'm on the bicycle :-) ), 30 min elliptical, 10 min pilates, 50 minutes of an older Tracy Anderson workout I had. I prob. Won't update every day...maybe I'll go for once a week instead...I'm super exhausted. Hopefully after a week or two exercising will become a habit again and working out won't make me so tired!!

Just Bought Metamorphosis :-)

So I know I posted last week that I was going to start being more serious about working out, but this past week I did terrible. But the good news is, I just ordered the Tracy Anderson DVD I had been talking about buying. Until I get it (about 1 week), I'm going to get serious at the gym, eat healthy, and do a few of the DVDs I have at home. My plan is to try and post on the blog at the end of every day and list what workout I did and if I ate healthy. Hopefully this will help me get into better shape for all of the things I have coming up this summer: being in a friends wedding, wedding shower, bachelorette party, vacation to a 3-day concert, and a beach vacation!

Love Amid the Ashes

Love Amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews tells the story of Job and Dinah and all of the difficulties that they experienced in their lives. After Dinah faced the murder of her first husband, who her family did not recognize, she was hidden away with little hope of finding love. After becoming betrothed to Job’s son, her life, and that of Job’s, was completely altered. Although Job faithfully served God his whole life, he begins to find everything he worked hardest for taken from him. His servants and animals are killed in an attack, his children are killed when their home collapses, his health declines, and his home is destroyed. Job must choose whether to continue to rely on God or blame Him for all of his difficulties. Throughout these issues, Dinah stays by Job’s side and nurses him back to health while their feelings for one another begin to grow.

I enjoyed this book, because I honestly don’t remember hearing any Bible stories about Dinah, the sister of Joseph. I also liked how the book began each chapter with a Bible verse; the format helped me understand what was written in the Bible Verses. The only problem I had with the book, was that I had some difficulty following some of the names in the book. I think this wouldn’t have been as troublesome if I had been more familiar with the story of Job and Dinah. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and liked the overarching theme of praising and trusting in God even in your most difficult circumstances. If Job, who lost everything he held most dear, was able to remain faithful and continue to rely upon God, everyone should be able to keep their faith despite whatever difficulties they may face.

Available March 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Convenient Groom

The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter is in A Nantucket Love Story Series, and I really enjoyed this romance based in Nantucket. Kate Lawrence is a wide-known marriage counselor who is about to be thrust in the national spotlight with the publishing of her book on marriage. The release of her book is to coincide with her wedding, but only hours before her wedding her fiancée informs her he is in love with another woman. At this time Lucas Wright comes up with a plan to save her book sales by marrying her. Little does she know, their relationship may change from a business arrangement to something more.

I liked this book and the overall concept of it. I have read other books in the past where individuals get married for reasons of saving jobs or putting on good appearances for others, but I liked that, in this book, Lucas Wright had feelings for Kate prior to their wedding arrangement. Also, there weren’t any real reasons for either of these individuals to dislike one another, as they learned after being married for a short period of time. I think the other books in this series will be fun reads since I liked the setting of the book and also the author’s writing. It was not “preachy” but it was clear throughout the book the strong faith of Kate and Lucas.

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

Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis

The other day I went for my first outdoor run of the year after running on the treadmill at the gym all winter, and it made me realize I really need to start working out more!! Within three minutes of running uphill I had to stop! I think I ran about 20 minutes total...Pretty bad considering I can run a few miles on a treadmill. So, I decided I'm going to get the new Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis Workout. It's a 90 day exercise and eating plan that is supposed to work wonders. You can get a different plan based on your body-type, and every ten days the exercises you do are different. We'll see how it goes. I'll update my progress on here, and hopefully by the time I'm in my friends' wedding (in 6 months) my bridesmaid dress will have to be taken in :-)

Bathsheba

Bathsheba, the final book in The Wives of King David series written by Jill Eileen Smith, is the ultimate example of God’s forgiveness. Most people know the story of David and Goliath, but how many actually delve into his life as King? I can honestly say I didn’t think much about David’s life after the defining moment in battle against Goliath, although I did hear Bible stories about his adultery and following misdeeds to relieve the guilt he felt about his sins.

Throughout the book, we first come to learn of the relationship between Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah, who was one of the 30 counselors to King David. It seemed like their relationship was ideal, although they had difficulties as does any relationship. Uriah was often gone at battle and he forced strict adherence to the laws. As Uriah was away at battle for a long length of time, King David decided he wanted to have a relationship with Bathsheba. She did not deny him, and she soon learned she was pregnant with his child. Upon hearing the news, David attempted to have Uriah come back home and incorrectly believe he was the father of the child. When Uriah would not return to his home, David instead sent him to the front lines where his death was inevitable. Upon Uriah’s funeral, David took Bathsheba as one of his numerous wives.

The remainder of the book focuses on David and Bathsheba attempting to find forgiveness from God, as well as learning to forgive themselves. Many battles ensue, where David’s own sons attempt to usurp his throne, but, in the end, God’s will is carried out and the heir God deemed to be King is placed upon the throne.

I really enjoyed this book, and it was the first one I have read by Jill Eileen Smith. I cannot wait to read more of her books in the future, especially the first two books in The Wives of King David series which look at his earlier wives, Michal and Abigail. The format of the book was easy to understand; although I often find stories that are based on Biblical occurrences to be confusing, that was not the case with this book. The characters were well-developed, as I felt for Bathsheba even though I did not agree with her actions.

“Available March 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Morning Glory Movie

So....in addition to my reading all the time, I recently watched Morning Glory about a girl who is the Producer of a television show in New Jersey. When she is fired from the show, she moves to New York City and begins producing another morning television show. She needs to find a way to make the new show a success in order to keep all of her new friends employed. I thought this was a really great movie because it made me want to go after any dream and not be afraid of failure. She showed that through hard work you can make even the most difficult situation turn into a success.

A Conversation with God for Women

I recently read A Conversation with God for Women: If You Could Ask God Any Question, What Would It Be? written by Marcia Ford. The book focuses on some of the questions most people ponder including: Is there a purpose to life, How can the Bible still be relevant, Did you physically rise from the dead, Must we obey everything in the Bible, Why should we trust you, How can we have deeper friendships, Are all sins the same to you, Can prayer really make a difference, and How can anybody find good in tragedy. I can honestly say these are all things I have, at one point in my life, questioned, and I really enjoyed reading answers for these types of questions.

In addition to the content of the book, I really liked the overall format of the book. The chapters were broken down into God, Jesus, The Bible, Life, Prayer, Relationships, and Good and Evil. This provides a convenient format where, if questioned, I can refer to the correct area of the book and find an answer for others to some of these difficult questions. Each question is given a response from both God and Jesus, and these answers use stories from the Bible. There are also certain questions which are answered with responses from women of the Bible such as Elizabeth, Naomi, Mary, and Mary Magdalene.

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

The Promises She Keeps

I recently read The Promises She Keeps by Erin Healy which tells the story of Promise. Promise is attending college and is looking to become a famous singer in spite of health problems that ensure she will not live to old age. Promise still attempts to become well-known through her modeling and posing for art classes. There are some close encounters with death that Promise experiences which a local sorceress, Porta Cerreto, attempts to explain as the key to immortality.

Although the book was a little different, I enjoyed the characters of Chase, who is an artist who has Autism, Zack, a photographer who attends the local college, and Porta, who owns an art gallery and is, as I mentioned, trying to connect Promise to the idea of immortality. It took me a little bit of time to “get into” the book, as it was science-fiction/fantasy which is not typically the type of books I read, but, in the end, I enjoyed the book.

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

Angel Sister

Angel Sister, written by Ann Gabhart, tells the story of a family during the time of the Great Depression in a small town in Kentucky. The characters are ones that seem to come alive on the pages, as we learn about the Merritt family. Victor struggles with Alcoholism after his time spent fighting in WWI and Nadine attempts to keep her family together as she tries to deal with the various familial relationships in her life. Their oldest and youngest daughters seem to be insulated from the problems their family is experiencing while Kate, their middle daughter, tries to help keep her family together.

In addition to Kate taking care of her family, she becomes the protector of Lorena Birdsong, a young girls who is abandoned by her family because they do not have the means to care for her. As Lorena’s place in the small community is being questioned, Kate and her parents must face past relationships with their families. Nadine’s father, a pastor in the community, does not feel as if Lorena should be raised by the Merritt family so he designs a plan to have her placed within another home. Victor’s father, Preston Merritt, has never forgiven himself for the death of his other son, and he places that anger upon Victor.

Through the Merritt’s attempts to return Lorena to their home, they begin to face what went wrong in their pasts and how they can rectify those situations. It’s clear through the pages that the Merritt’s have a strong relationship with God, and this relationship is what allows them to get through the difficult times in their lives and begin to forgive one another for past mistakes.

Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Lady in the Mist

Lady in the Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes tells the story of Tabitha Eckles, a young midwife who has resigned herself to the fact that she will never have a child of her own, as she is 24 years old and has no marriage prospects after her fiancé left her before their wedding. Through the chance encounter with a British indentured servant, Dominick Cherrett, Tabitha must face the realities of the tense relations between America and England.

I really enjoyed this book and liked the historical aspect which showed the tense relationship between America and England during the 1800s. British navy vessels were taking American citizens off the coast of Virginia during this time to serve in their military, with no hope of returning to their families in America. During the book, Dominick is on a mission to determine who is turning the Americans over to the British navy, and through this mission he finds himself falling in love with Tabitha. Throughout the story, there is not only the romance between the two characters but also a mystery as Dominick attempts to determine who is a traitor to their own country. Tabitha must use the knowledge she has gained when delivering babies to piece the puzzle together as to who would commit theses atrocious actions.

I was very interested in hearing about the historical background of Midwives in the first of The Midwives series of books, and I can’t wait to read more books by Laurie Alice Eakes to learn more about this historical background of midwives. I also enjoyed how both Dominick and Tabitha struggled with their relationship with God. Dominick felt as if he must prove himself to God, by doing something good, to atone for past sings. On the other hand, Tabitha has ended her relationship with Jesus because she felt he took everyone of importance from her, so he must not care about her. Although they were both struggling with their faith, together they were able to overcome these obstacles.

Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Same Story, New Life

Same Story, New Life by Jan Silvious uses the stories of some of the most memorable women in the Bible, including Naomi, Leah, Rahab, Deborah, Hannah, Anna, Jehosheba, Abigail, Naaman's servant, Elizabeth, and present-day women. She uses their experiences to show women that through all situations, we can face different aspects of our life and follow God through our biggest struggles.

The chapters include: Realize it’s time, Don’t be held hostage by the past, Ask yourself good questions, Change your “I Can’t” to “I Can”. Delete the drama of the day, Forget the “What might have beens”, Discover the power of wisdom and courage, get past the resistance of fear, choose to bounce back, and the last chapter has not been written yet. There are stories told by both women in the Bible and women in the present who are facing these obstacles.

I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a very quick read. I read about two chapters each night as a devotional, and I loved hearing about these womens’ stories. I have always been interested in trying to learn more about Women in the Bible, but until this time, I hadn’t been able to find a book that captured my attention.

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

The Truth About Dating, Love, & Just Being Friends

I recently read the Truth About Dating, Love, & Just Being Friends…and how NOT to be miserable as a teenager because life is short and seriously, things don’t magically get better after high school and lots of other important stuff, but we’ll get to that later…written by Chad Eastham. I really enjoyed the book, and I liked the overall format of the book which contained quotes, letters, pictures, and places for notes. The author takes the serious issue of dating for teenagers and addresses it in a way that is both humorous and sincere.

I really enjoyed how the book detailed the history of dating, the biggest dating mistakes, how to determine if what you are feeling is a healthy love, and the emotional feelings of teenagers. The author seemed to speak in a very honest and straightforward way, as if speaking to a personal friend. I am looking forward to sharing this book with my younger cousins, and I think the information contained in the book will help them in their future relationships.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Search

The Search is a book in the Lancaster County Secrets series, and, as with The Waiting, the other book I read in the series, I was not disappointed by the content of the book written by Suzanne Woods Fisher. The book focused on two seemingly different women, Lainey O’Toole and Bess Reihl. Lainey is a young “English” woman who is planning on spending her summer working to save money to attend culinary school. When her car breaks down in Soney Ridge, the town where she grew up, she must face her past as she earns money to repair her car. Bess is a young Amish girl who is spending the summer with her grandmother at Rose Hill Farm, very close to the apartment where Lainey took up residence for the summer. Unbeknownst to both Lainey and Bess, they have a bond that will come to light due to during a summer spent in Stoney Ridge.

I have read very many books about Amish people in the past, and along with The Waiting, I think this was one of my favorites. I liked that the focus was not entirely on a single Amish family, rather it also looked at the life of an “English” girl who was struggling with her past and also deciding the plan God has for her future. This book contains the right amount of romance, suspense, and some mystery thrown in through the attempts of Bess and her friend to discover what is occurring to the wildlife at a local pond. Another good aspect of the book was that it mentions characters from the first book in the series, but it’s not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy the second book in the series. I cannot wait until I learn more about the residents of Stoney Ridge in the upcoming Lancaster County Secrets books.

“Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

The Waiting

The Waiting is the second book in the Lancaster County Secrets Series written by Margaret Brownley, which looks at the life of Jorie King during the Vietnam War. The fact that Jorie and all of her friends and family are Amish did not keep her fiancée Ben from being drafted into the Army and traveling to Vietnam as a contentious objector who was still near, if not in, battles. As Jorie waited for Ben to return home, she began teaching school and helping the young children in her community with their task of passing their 8th grade exams. During this time, Jorie learns that Ben will not be returning home, as he was killed in Vietnam. An unlikely relationship begins to grow between Jorie and Ben’s brother, Caleb. Their relationship faces some turmoil, and they must decide if they belong together.

Although I’ve read numerous books about people who are Amish, I can honestly say this was the only one of its kind. I felt as if Jorie and all of the others in her community were “real” people, not just “perfect” people. The book shows that no matter who you are, or how you were raised, there is no one above making mistakes and having difficult relationships with others. For this reason, I think the book especially resonated with me.

I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series and find out more about the others in the community and how God will shape their futures.

“Available October 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

A Billion Reasons Why

A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerbeck looks at the life of Katie McKenna and the relationships she is facing in her life. Katie must choose between her current fiancée, who has everything on the checklist of what a perfect husband should be. When she least expects it she is brought into contact the first love of her life, Luc DeForges. Katie must choose if she would rather marry the dependable man or the one who she has a strong connection with.

I really enjoyed this book, as I have the other books I read by Kristin Billerbeck. It is a perfect weekend read when you are looking for Christian Chick-Lit. I also liked how Katie must rely on determining what plan God has for her life, not relying on only herself.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Still House Pond

Still House Pond by Jan Watson, which continues the Troublesome Creek Series, follows the lives of Lilly, Manda, and Copper. Lilly is the young daughter of Copper, the town midwife, and she is striving to have her independence and not always be given the responsibility of looking after her younger siblings. She looks forward to a trip to visit her aunt, and her parents are faced with facing the possibility that she did not make it to her destination, as a train accident occurs. The book also focuses on Copper’s midwife practice and the young girl who was hired to watch her children while she is working.

Although I liked the book after I read it, as I read the book I found it difficult to stay focused on the contents of the book. I liked the historical nature of the book, but I think I may have not been as interested in the book as other reviewers since I did not have the opportunity to read the other books in the series. Also, I felt the main plot of the book, which was the train accident, could have occurred earlier in the book and that would have made the book more appealing to me, as I would have been interested in the lives of the characters from an earlier point in the book.

I Received this book from Tyndale for review.

Softly and Tenderly

Softly and Tenderly, the second book in the Songbird Trilogy, was written by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck, and it is the sequel to The Sweet By and By. I read the Sweet By and By nearly a year ago, and I was extremely excited to see the new book released this year. The book continues to follow the life of Jade who is struggling with issues such as anxiety, addiction, marital problems, and most of all infidelity. Her husband Max fathered a son who he wants to raise with Jade. This, along with other issues, causes Jade to question everything she has believed in her life, and I enjoyed seeing how she handled all of these issues which many people struggle with on a daily basis—although they typically only face one or two of the issues rather than such a large amount of issues at one time.

The book was an easy read, and I didn’t want to put it down as I read it over Christmas Break from work. I did feel the book was a little “soap opera-ey” as other reviewers have suggested, but that’s what I was expecting and anticipating when I began to read the book. I really enjoyed reading this book by country singer Sara Evans

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."