The Imposter

Katrina Stoltzfus learns that your life doesn’t always turn out the way you imagined in Suzanne Woods Fisher’s newest book, The Imposter. Katrina had plans to marry her boyfriend John, but when her family moves from Ohio to Pennsylvania after the death of her mother, her plans for their life together change drastically. As she starts her new life in Stoney Ridge without John, she begins working as an assistant to Thelma Beiler, who just so happens to have a young man named Andy Miller working for her. Just getting over a broken heart, Katrina decides she will not form a relationship with Andy so she can keep from getting hurt again.

 

In addition to the story of Katrina and Andy, there is a focus on Katrina’s father David, her siblings, and some of the characters from other books Suzanna Woods Fisher wrote based in Stoney Ridge. I really liked that these characters were brought into the new story, but it was not in a way that would be confusing if you didn’t read any of her other books. The focus on more characters than just Katrina was a great way to get the reader interested in their lives, which I’m hopeful will be the focus of future books in this series! I would definitely recommend this book to others who are a fan of the Amish genre.    

 

This book was provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. 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.”

You Can't Text a Tough Conversation

In an age where everyone relies on digital ways to communicate with each other, it’s important to remember the importance of having a face-to-face conversation. In You Can't Text a Tough Conversation by Mike Bechtle, he looks at the difficulties of having some conversations and how we can have these important conversations when our culture has moved away from the ways we traditionally communicated in the past.

 

The book is split into four sections, the process of conversation, tools for a healthy conversation, skills for healthy conversation, and growing into connection. I was really interested in this book and thought it was a great topic to address, especially since I also find myself relying on texting as opposed to speaking directly to people. I think this is a great book for anyone who feels like they are struggling in getting their words heard in a friendship or a relationship with a spouse or significant other. Mike Bechtle offers many things for the reader to think about as they look into his book.

 

This book was provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. 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 Reason to Stay

In the third Texas Gold Novel, A Reason to Stay, Faith Marin seems to have it all together as an investigative reporter. Through her job, she meets a pro fisherman, Geary, who soon becomes her husband. Their relationship isn’t exactly what was imagined when going into the marriage, as Faith and Geary have polar opposites in terms of their families. Faith came from a dysfunctional childhood and many things in her past she would rather hide. Geary, on the other hand, is an open book with a large family that is very connected. When Faith makes the decision to put her career before her marriage, she would never imagine a traumatic injury would cause her to reevaluate and come to terms with her past.

 

I enjoyed this book, and I think I connected with Geary because his large family reminded me of my own. The book was fast paced, and it kept me interested throughout the entire reading. Also, although this is the third book in the series, it is fine for it to be read as a stand-alone story.

 

This book was provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. 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 Horse of my Heart

The Horse of my Heart by Callie Smith Grant is a cute book with short stories about different individuals and their relationship with horses. While I don’t necessarily have an above average bond with horses, I do think they are beautiful to look at when driving past a farm or home that has horses in a pasture. This book was entertaining, and it was interesting how the authors’ relationships with horses affected different aspects of their lives.

 

Although I did enjoy this book, I think someone would get more out of it if they are a fan or horses. I liked that it was written in a way that it could be read in its entirety or slowly as more of a “coffee table” book that you pick up every once and awhile when you’re looking for a good, short story.  

 

This book was provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. 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.”

Love Everlasting

Love Everlasting is the 3^rd book in the Brides of Seattle series by Tracie Peterson, and I was so excited to read about the relationship between Wade Ackerman and Abrianna Cunningham. Abrianna was raised by her “aunts” after her mother passed away and her father was falsely imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit. In this book Abrianna and her father were able to grow their relationship that started in the second book in the series. Also, Abrianna and Wade set out to plan the rest of their lives together. But, as with anything involving Abrianna, problems ensue as Priam Welby has a plan to spend the rest of his life with Abrianna. Who will she end up with? Her best friend Wade, or Priam, who has made his sole pursuit to shame his father and have Abrianna on his arm.  

 

I really enjoyed this book, and I was looking forward to its’ release since I finished the 2^nd book in the series. As usual, Tracie Peterson wrote a series that kept me entertained from the first page to the last. The characters were ones I felt like I could relate to, and I was really rooting for them and their relationships. I also liked that this book kept in the characters we grew to know in the first 2 books in the series.

 

This book was provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. 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.”

10 Things Great Dads Do

10 Things Great Dads Do: Strategies for Raising Great Kids was a really interesting book I recently read by Rick Johnson. I think this book would be most enjoyed by a new father who is looking for some tips about raising their child and how they can become involved in their lives. The book looks at different topics like ways to boost a child’s self-esteem, childhood friendships, traditions, and moral code. It’s especially nice that this book was a quick, easy read. You can just skim through it during spare moments, and gain a few different pieces of advice you can use in your own family. I also think it would be a great topic of discussion for a men’s Bible study.

 

This book was provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. 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.”