The Painter's Daughter

The Painter’s Daughter by Julie Klassen was a wonderful book that kept me entertained for its’ entirety. Even thought it was over 400 pages, I read this relatively quickly since I didn’t want to put it down once I started reading the story of Sophie DuPont. Sophie works at her father’s art studio, and she finds herself in a love triangle between two brothers, the artist Wesley Overtree and Captain Stephen Overtree. When Sophie finds herself left behind by Wesley, she marries his brother and returns to their family home at Overtree Hall. Before she can even become too comfortable with her new husband, he is forced to leave her for his military position. When Wesley again enters the picture she is put in an extremely difficult position, as she is married to the brother of the man she first fell in love with.

 

As I said, I really enjoyed reading this book, and I would be interested in reading more books by Julie Klassen in the future. I liked how there was a mix of romance, military, and family interactions.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House. 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."

Lightning

Although I’m not the biggest fan of Science Fiction books, I thought Lightning, in the Sone Braide Chronicles by Bonnie Calhoun, would be a good book to read after I enjoyed the first book in the series. Selah, who was reunited with her father, is now looking for her step-father, mother, and brother who must now be rescued from the Mountain. The fast pace book follows Selah on this mission while she faces many challenges along the way!!

 

I think this book is best read in order with the other books in this series. It would be confusing to understand if you did not read the other books. Although I read the first book in this series, there are still questions that I’m looking to see resolved. Maybe they will be revealed in the 3^rd book in this series!

 

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

Keeping Christmas

I always enjoy reading new Christmas books as soon as the holiday season starts, and Dan Walsh’s new book, Keeping Christmas, was the perfect short book to read over the Thanksgiving Holiday. The cover is what really made me want to first read the book, and the story within the pages definitely did not disappoint.  Stan and Judith are the focus of Keeping Christmas, and they are empty nesters with their three children unable to spend the holidays with their parents. As so often happens, spending the holiday season alone causes Judith to become depressed, which her husband tries desparately to remedy.

 

This was a great, short book that can be read if you are going through an experience similar to Judith’s, or if you are just looking to remember the joy behind the Christmas season.

 

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

Every Girl Gets Confused

Every Girl Gets Confused, by Janice Thompson, is the second book in the Brides with Style series, and it is just as good a book as the first book. Although you don’t have to read the first book in the series to follow the story of Katie Fisher and Brady James, it does help you to better understand what is going on in the first few chapters. Katie is working at a successful bridal shop, she has a great boyfriend, and her grandmother is getting married. While all of this is going on in Katie’s life, she is facing some major obstacles in her life, like the reappearance of her ex-boyfriend. She is also planning the best Black Friday sale for Cosmopolitan Bridal. As you could imagine, all of these things combined cause Katie’s life to become “Confused”, as the title suggests.

 

I really enjoyed this book, and I thought the characters were very relatable. Any time you face changes in your life, you think “what if”, and that’s exactly what happened with Katie has to learn to let God have control over her life.

 

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

 

Called to Pray

Called to Pray, Astounding Stories of Answered Prayer by Linda Evans Shepherd is a great story for anyone who is looking to be uplifted or who feels like their prayers go unanswered. The book has different stories that are amazing!! They show how a person may feel the strong need to pray for someone at the exact time they are going through a crisis or difficult time in their life. One story that really stood out to me was how a pastor was flying his plane, just about to run out of gas and suffer a crash landing, when a member of his church felt the need to pray for him. Another story told about a woman who felt compelled to sit at a different place at church, and that led her to pray for a man she had never met before who had cancer. It’s worth reading to see stories like this, and what happened during and after the individuals prayed.

 

This is a very inspirational book, and it can be read in a few sittings, or one short story at a time. I will be recommending this book to some of my family members, as it’s a great testament to the power of prayer.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Revell. 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 Christmas Joy Ride

If you’re looking for a cute, short book to put you in the Christmas mood, look no further than The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson. When 85 year-old Joy decides to travel her RV across Route 66 to her new home in a retirement community, her neighbor Miranda can’t help but be nervous so she agrees to tag along and help with the trip. Joy has plans to stop at different locations and spread some Christmas cheer to those who need it most. Throughout the trip Miranda and Joy meet many different characters, and it’s nice to read about how their little bit of Christmas spirit helps others.   

 

This was a really cute book, as are all of the stories I’ve read in the past by Melody Carlson!!

 

This book was provided by Revell 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.”

Proverbs Prayers

Proverbs Prayers by John Mason covers a chapter of Proverbs for each chapter, and it can be read as a 31 day devotional. The first section of each day is the particular section of the Bible. The second component of each day is a prayer that relates to the Bible reading. This really helps you think about what your reading and better relate Proverbs to your daily lives. I really liked the format of this book, and the fact that Proverbs is a great book of the Bible to study.

This book was provided by Revell 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.”

Vendetta

 

Vendetta, a book in the Nikki Boyd Files, set Nikki Boyd on a dangerous journey to find a missing girl, while also trying to unravel why this kidnapping seems to have the same signs as the kidnapping of her sister 10 years ago. While Nikki works through the details of this case, many characters are introduced, and I couldn’t help but question each of their motives and intentions for becoming involved in the case. Since this investigation hits so close to home, it has Nikki questioning if her position on the Tennessee Missing Person Task Force is really where she belongs.

 

I liked reading the relationship between Nikki and her friend Tyler. I think that in future books their relationship will continue to grow as Tyler begins to recover from the grief and guilt he feels over the death of his wife. I enjoyed this book, and I’ll be looking forward to reading future books in the Nikki Boyd Files.

 

This book was provided by Revell 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.”

Why Not Me?

Mindy Kaling is one of my favorite actresses right now, so when I saw she came out with a new book, Why Not Me?, I knew I wanted to read it immediately! Mindy has such a great sense of humor, and you can really see that in the short essays she writes for her book. She covers topics like her dating life, how her life has changed since she became famous, and what a typical day in her life looks like. This book is written like she's talking to a friend, which makes it a very fast read. It's also nice that you would be able to just pick the book up every once and awhile to read one of her short essays in a very short sitting.

Although I liked both of her books, I would have to say I think the first book was more interesting and entertaining. If you are trying to decide between which of her books to purchase, I would definitely go with the first book she wrote.

This book was provided by Blogging for Books 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.”

Isle of Hope

Julie Lessman is one of my favorite authors, and I am always extremely excited when I get a chance to read her newest books. I recently had the opportunity to read her newest book, Isle of Hope, and it was a wonderful book with characters that leapt off the pages. The main theme of this book was forgiveness: forgiveness for long held secrets, past marriage indiscretions, abandonment, and childhood upbringings.


Lacey Carmichael and Jack O’Bryen were meant to be together. They were teenage sweethearts, who grew up as neighbors with parents as best friends. Their ordered life was thrown into disorder as Lacey started hanging out with a new crowd, and eventually she left Isle of Hope and her past relationship with Jack behind. Also, the family friendship quickly disintegrated after actions the Carmichaels and O’Bryens could never have imagined. Fast forward eight years, and Lacey is finally coming home to face her past. Lacey has a long list of people she left behind that she has to make amends with, but everyone in Isle of Hope is not how they were when she left. Some of their lives have been filled with anger and bitterness at the past. The book really looks in depth at forgiveness, specifically the forgiveness she is able to give and receive through her newfound relationship with Christ. Almost every character in Isle of Hope has a backstory that needs resolution, and it was interesting to read how the histories of these two families are so intertwined.


The characters in this book were so realistic, and I felt like they could be a next door neighbor or family members. I also liked the interaction between the siblings in this book. Although they were older, they seemed to have a very close relationship, and seemed to really care for each other, which is nice to see! The romance in this book was also a great relationship to read about. Although both characters were flawed, they were able to move forward with their lives through Christ’s forgiveness. Since I loved this book so much, I am hoping there will be future books in this series that might focus on Jack’s twin sisters or others in the community who were introduced in the book through the church or the hospital where Jack worked!!! 


This book was provided by the author 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.”

Murder at the Courthouse

Michael Keane never imagined that when he moved back to his hometown of Hidden Springs he would face anything close to what he saw as a police officer in the city of Columbus. Michael was completely wrong when mysterious murders begin happening in the book Murder at the Courthouse by A.H. Gabhart. The book begins with a stranger being discovered, shot on the front steps of the Courthouse. As Michael works through solving the mystery of who committed the murder, he must face his past and the death of his parents. There is a very small amount of romance involved in this book, and it was a secondary topic to the murder mystery.

 

I really liked this book, and I liked the fact that it wasn’t a difficult read. I was able to finish it in only 2 days, which was perfect for me because I wanted to find out who committed the murders in this small town! I’m looking forward to reading future books in this series, since the setting of the book, and the characters introduced in this book, were very entertaining.

 

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 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.”

The Memory Weaver

The Memory Weaver, by Jane Kirkpatrick tells the story of Eliza Spalding, who is the daughter Presbyterian missionaries with the Nez Perce in the Pacific Northwest. Although I wasn’t aware of this before reading the book, it is based on true events that happened in 1847. The book starts when Eliza is a young teenager. Her mother has passed away, and she is struggling with memories of her kidnapping that took place when she was 10 years old at a mission with another family, who worked closely with her parents. When Eliza was taken, she served as a translator of the other captives, since she was the only one fluent in the language. While there is a focus on Eliza’s past, the book also looks at her relationship with her husband and family as she elopes and leaves her father.

 

The format of the book was different than what I was expecting, as there was a lot of remembering the past and reliving it through diary entries of Eliza, the mother. I was also expecting more romance, but there wasn’t much focus on that. Rather the book focuses on Eliza, both her past and her present. I also think I had to focus while reading this book, which made it a little longer of a read than what I’m used to. Overall, I would recommend this book to people who are interested in history.   

 

 

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.”

Last Chance Hero

Last Chance Hero is the fourth book in the A Place to Call Home series by Cathleen Armstrong, and it returns us to the city of Last Chance, New Mexico. In this book, Dr. Jessica McLeod is starting a new doctor’s office in the community. Although all of the people agree that a doctor’s office is a great addition to Last Chance, they aren’t too open to changing their doctor and seeing her for doctor’s appointments. In addition to a new doctor in town, Andy Ryan has returned home to coach the Last Chance High School Football team. Andy played professional football and he’s returning to town a hero, but there is a lot of pressure on him to return the team to their former glory days. He also has some past memories from living in Last Chance that he has to work through.

 

Although these two characters don’t seem to have anything in common at first, it was nice reading about their relationship growing. I also liked that there were all of the same characters from the old books. You get to read how their lives have changed since the other books in the series, although there were a lot of different characters you had to remember from past books. I would not recommend reading this book if you haven’t read any of the other books in this series. I was interested in reading how the relationship would progress between Jessica and Andy, but I think there could have been a little more development of their relationship. Hopefully that is something that will be in the next book set in Last Chance. Overall, I enjoyed this book and will make sure to read future books in this series.

 

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 Chase

The Chase: Trusting God with Your Happily Ever After by Kyle and Kelsey Kupecky is a great book for teenagers who are questioning their relationships and the person they are going to spend the rest of the lives with. After a short introduction which explains how Kyle and Kelsey met, the book goes on to discuss different topics in each chapter. They include things like The List, Worth the Wait, The Climb, Call Me Maybe, etc. Each chapter has a section from Kyle's point of view, and another section from Kelsey's point of view. I think that was a nice part of the book so the reader can see two different perspectives. I also liked that there were many different personal stories in the book that made the book seem like you were just talking to a friend about different circumstances and situations they went through in their life.

This book can be read very quickly, or you can read just 1 chapter a day as more of a devotional. I can't wait to share this book with my younger sister, since I think this is the perfect book for someone in their young 20s or teenage years. It has very realistic examples of how positive a relationship can be when you place God first in your life, and also examples of what can happen when you are chasing someone else rather than chasing after God.

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.”

Legend

Some of my favorite books are those that deal with historical events, and I even enjoy the book more if it’s a true story! I think that’s why I really enjoyed reading Legend: A harrowing story from the Vietnam War of One Green Beret’s Heroic Mission to Rescue a Special Forces Team Caught Behind Enemy Lines by Eric Blehm. The book was written in a way that was easy to understand, and I wasn’t confused by different military terms like I’m sometimes concerned about when I read this type of book.  The book looks at Roy Benavidez, a Staff Sergeant with the Army’s Green Beret Special  Forces who jumped from a helicopter into Cambodia where his team was trapped. Out of these 12 men, 8 men survived the disaster.

 

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in books concerning military matters or biographies. It’s a very interesting read, and it will keep you entertained from beginning to end.

is book was provided by Blogging for Books, 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.”

Taming the To-Do List: How to Choose Your Best Work Every Day

We all have one of them…the dreaded To-Do List, and more often than not, I find myself pushing everything on my To-Do List off until the next day. The book Taming the To-Do List: How to Choose Your Best Work Every Day by Glynnis Whitwer was just the book I needed to read! She focuses on how we need to prioritize the things we do throughout the day, and not just continually do busy work which keeps us busy but doesn’t allow us to really complete the important tasks.

 

This book is a great read if you are really looking to re-focus yourself and complete those tasks which truly need to be priorities in your life while also reevaluating commitments.  

 

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.”

Girl Meets Change

Change in our lives is inevitable, and everyone reacts differently to situations like a new job, entering a new college, or leaving the only place you’re ever considered your home. Kristen Strong looks at situations like these in Girl Meets Change: Truths to Carry You Through Life’s Transitions. Her book focuses on the fact that we shouldn’t look on these changes with fear. Instead we should embrace them, and look for God’s grace in all of these changes in our life.

 

This book really resonated with me. I do not like change, and I think sometimes my fear of change has held me back from things like changing my career or moving to a new city. This book helped me understand that I don’t need to be so fearful of change. The Bible verses offer encouragement and Kristen’s writing gives examples of some of the changes she faced in her life and how she dealt with them.

 

I would recommend this book to everyone, whether you are struggling during a particular time in your life, or if you are just looking for a well-written book that will offer you encouragement and sound advice for your future!

 

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 Big Pig Stampede

The Big Pig Stampede, and a bunch more amazing miracles, written by Bob Hartman, is the perfect story for young children. The book is written in a way that young children will be able to understand Bible-times from the perspective of someone their own age in Palestine.  This is a great idea to interest children in Bible stories that may sometimes be too hard for them to understand. These stories were really cute and there were a lot of different characters that were brought into the stories that showed the relationships between Goat Boy (Gideon) and his friends. I think this book is perfect for someone around 10 years old.

 

This book was provided by Tyndale 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 Mistress of Tall Acre

The Mistress of Tall Acre, by Laura Frantz, is set after the Revolutionary War in Virginia. Sophie Menzies is left alone, waiting for her brother’s return from the military, after her father escapes the United States as a traitor, and her mother passes away. When her neighbor, Seamus, returns home she begins to form a relationship with his daughter, Lily Cate. Romance, mystery, and history are all intertwined in The Mistress of Tall Acre. I really enjoyed watching the relationships grow in this book, since they seemed realistic and nothing was forced. There were some mysteries in this book I did not see coming, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down once I started to read it.

As with all of her other books, Laura Frantz wrote a great story that provided some insights into the time after the Revolutionary War as well as showing the growing relationship between these two characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading historical romance books.

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.”

Hot Mama

Hot Mama: 12 Secrets to a Sizzling Hot Marriage by Kathi Lipp and Erin MacPherson was a book different than anything I’ve ever read in the past, but I can understand why the topic is an important one. In a time where everyone is so busy, all too often relationships between spouses seem to take a back seat. In this book, the authors look at ways to keep moms feeling confident about themselves and their relationship. I liked that this book wove in funny stories, questions and answers, and Bible Verses. I think this is a great read for moms who are looking to spark their relationships again.

 

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 Potter's Lady

The Potter’s Lady, by Judith Miller, is going to be added to my list of favorite books I read this summer! The second book in the Refined by Love series follows Rose McKay and her brother, Ewan, as they relocate their family and take on the adventure of running a pottery business together. Although they have every intention of turning their business into a success, it seems that they are constantly submitting below price bids, but yet they aren’t winning any bids. What could be the reason for this? Will the contest to win a contract with a large Pittsburgh hotel turn their new business around? As Rose works with her brother, she also begins to work with Rylan Campbell, who has been with the pottery since a very young age. I enjoyed reading about their time spent working together and reading about how their relationship grew from the beginning of the book to the end.

 

I really enjoyed learning more about how a pottery was run, and I liked the relationship between Rose and her brother, Ewan. I think that may be because my family is involved in a family business, so seeing their interaction really interested me. Although I didn’t read the first book in the series, I was able to follow this story easily. Now, I’m planning to go back and read the first book in the series since I enjoyed the second book so much!

 

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.”

Trial Run

Trail Run by Thomas Locke is a book in his Fault Lines series. Although this is a different type of book than I’m used to reading, it was nice to read something a little different from my normal historical romance type book I enjoy. This book was a little confusing because of all of the characters and the focus on physics and quantum mechanics. Within the story, there are 2 different groups working on time travel. The first person is Trent Major, a theoretical physics student, who has dreams where formulas come to him. After dreaming about Shane Schearer, a woman working on her MBA, Trent believes she can make his dreams become a reality. As the book progressed, these 2 different groups interconnected to create a sci-fi thriller that kept me entertained, even if I did have to really think about what I was reading.

 

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.”

Through Waters Deep

One of my favorite authors is Sarah Sundin, so I was so excited to read Through Waters Deep, her new book in the Waves of Freedom series. Mary Stirling is a perfect heroine in this book. She works at the Boston Navy Yard, where she serves as a secretary. After suspicious activities take place at the Navy Yard, she decides to use her secretarial skills to help the FBI catch whoever is causing many of the problems that are happening at the Navy Yard. While she is working at this job, she comes into contact with a person from her past: Jim Avery, a Naval Officer on the USS Atwood. While they were growing up, Jim had a crush on Mary’s best childhood friend. Does he continue to have feelings for Mary’s friend, can Mary discover who is sabotaging ships, and can Jim stop floating through life and find meaning in his work?

 

This book had the perfect amount of romance, suspense, and historical content to keep me interested from the first page to the last. I was actually disappointed to see the story end, although I was happy to see the mystery of who was sabotaging the Navy Yard resolved. I cannot wait to read more books in this series, especially since I think the next book is going to focus on Jim Avery’s younger sister who is moving to Boston for a new job. I’m sure her adventures will be just as interesting to read about as those in Through Waters Deep.

 

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.”

Wild in the Hollow

Wild in the Hollow: On Chasing Desire and Finding the Broken Way Home, by Amber Haines, immediately caught my attention with the artsy cover that made me want to pick up the book and start reading it right away. Although I think the book provided an interesting look into the life of Amber, and her struggles with relationships, drugs, and an abortion, it was written in a way that I just couldn’t connect with. If the book had been a short story, I would have enjoyed the poetic way it was written. I just couldn’t connect with a full length memoir when reading that type of writing. With that said, I think others who enjoy reading more of a prose style book would really like this book. It’s just not the type of writing that I’m drawn to.  

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.”

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Hope Harbor

I always really enjoy books written by Irene Hannon, and Hope Harbor was another that I enjoyed reading even though it was a lot different than her suspense books. In Hope Harbor, Tracy Campbell has returned home to the family cranberry farm in Oregon after the loss of her husband. Michael Hunter is a tourist in the community after the death of his wife. Although romance was the last thing they were looking for, they seem drawn to each other and the similar situations in their past.

 

This book has a great cast of characters, so you aren’t solely focused on Tracy and Michael. I also really liked how this book shows God has a plan for all of our lives and we need to trust Him. Also, there is a focus on forgiving oneself and letting go of the guilt that can so often become crippling. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books in the future by Irene Hannon.

 

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.”

Warrior Chicks

I recently read Warrior Chicks: Rising Strong When Life Wants to Take You Down by Holly Wagner, and I really enjoyed getting to read this book about some of the difficulties and battles we may face in our lives. I especially liked that this book was broken down into short sections so I was able to read a section each day as a devotional. I think everyone would enjoy reading this book, but it might be especially poignant for someone who is going through a difficult situation in their life, like a medical condition or a difficult marriage. The author of this book knows first-hand how important it is to be strong during difficulty since she battled cancer. Her story, along with the stories of others, really kept me interested throughout this book.

 

I cannot wait to share this book with my sisters to read, since I know they will enjoy it and get lots of advice and strength for any of the struggles they may face in their life.  

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Books as part of a blog tour. 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.”

Refining Fire

Although I didn’t read the first book in the Brides of Seattle series by Tracie Peterson, when I started reading the second book, Refining Fire, I was immediately hooked. Luckily I was on a beach vacation, so I basically read this book nonstop the whole time I was away. I liked all of the characters, and Abrianna was an especially endearing character.

 

Abrianna lives with her aunts at Madison Bridal School, and some of the residents of the school are her closest friends. She is the sort of character who always is putting together new skits or having great ideas and then recruiting all of her friends to help her. In Refining Fire, Abrianna is determined to serve those who are less fortunate than her by opening a food house with her friends Militine, Thane, and Wade. As you can imagine, there are many obstacles she has to overcome in order to make this undertaking a success.

 

Militine is a young woman who lives at the Madison Bridal School with no plans to get married. She had a difficult past, and she finds it hard to put her trust in a man after her experiences. Thane, who serves as an escort for the women of the school, also has a past filled with difficulties. From the first page of the story, it’s clear these two have a lot in common and have shared similar past experiences. I really liked seeing their relationship grow within the pages of this book.

 

Each of these characters was interesting to read about, and I liked learning more about their pasts and what brought them to this point in their life. I was especially interested in seeing the romance develop between the characters. There were some interesting aspects of this time period also addressed in the book. I liked the focus on the volunteer fire department at the time, as well as reading about the differences in how a church chose a new pastor in 1888. I cannot wait to read the final book in the series, and I’m planning to go back and read the first book as well!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Bethany House, a division of Baker Books as part of a blog tour. 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.”

To Capture Her Heart

Heather Flower is a princess in the Montauk Tribe, who is facing the murder of her husband and her own kidnapping in the book To Capture her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino. Heather’s ransom is paid, but she is left alone in the forest and is eventually saved by a Dutch Lieutenant, Dirk Van Buren. After her rescue, she decides to live with her aunt as opposed to going back to her tribe. She then faces the decision of choosing between a relationship with her childhood friend Ben Horton, or Dirk, who saved her life. In addition to the romance of the book, there is a focus on the history during this time as well as Heather’s reluctance to lose herself and her culture since she is no longer with her trible.

 

I really enjoyed this book, but I think it would be helpful to read the first book in the series so you are able to know all of the characters that are mentioned in this book. I’m looking forward to reading future books in this series.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Books as part of a blog tour. 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.”

Blessing

Blessing, by Lyn Cote, is a book about Blessing Brightman, a Quaker who left her community to marry a man who was not who she thought he was. After his death, she determines the rest of her life will be spent helping orphans, fighting for women’s rights, and supporting abolition. Soon, Gerard Ramsay enters her life, and nothing is the same.

 

Gerard is a young man determined to break free of his controlling father, who is trying to force him to marry a woman he doesn’t love. When arriving in Cincinnati, Gerard meets some unsavory characters, as well as Blessing Brightman. Throughout the book there is romance, mystery, and suspense. I found myself not wanting to put the book down, and I really enjoyed this story from start to finish.

 

I liked seeing Gerard change from someone who would do anything to spite his father into someone who grew up into a person who would do anything to keep Blessing, and those in her care, safe. This shows that anything is possible when you have faith and the right person in your life to help you grow. I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read more of the books in the Quaker Brides series!!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Tyndale as part of a blog tour. 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.”

Gone Without a Trace

Gone Without a Trace e is the newest book in the Logan Point series by Patricia Bradley. The book follows Livy Reynolds, a homicide detective whose cousin disappeared two years ago. Livy is also dealing with the fact that she cannot stop thinking about her actions during a work confrontation with a young man. Soon Livy comes into contact with Alex Jennings after she travels to Logan Point. Alex is an investigator who is trying to find a second missing girl from the community. As they look into these disappearances, they become closer to one another.

 

I really liked this book and the two main characters. Although they both had issues in their past, they were still very likable. The book had the perfect amount of suspense to keep my completely entertained and wanting to read more. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fast-paced read with the perfect amount of romance.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Books as part of a blog tour. 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.”

Give Yourself a Break

Give Yourself a Break: Turning Your Inner Critic into a Compassionate Friend by Kim Frederickson gives a Biblical approach to being less hard on one another, especially having self-compassion. The book would be in the self-help category, and although I have not read many self-help books in the past, I found this one to be interesting and to give some good, Biblically sound, pieces of advice when relating to having compassion for yourself. This is something I really struggle with, so the book was great for me to read and have some tips to put into practice in my daily life.

 

This book was a relatively quick read, and I read a few chapters every night. I think this would be a great book for counselors to read and for them to be able to share this book with some of their patients who may struggle with being too hard on themselves.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Revell. 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 Innocent

The Innocent, by Ann H. Gabhart, follows Carlyn Kearney as she enters into the Shaker Community after losing her husband in the war and her home when she was unable to pay the man she was purchasing the property from. When the Sheriff, Mitchell Brodie, arrived at her door, she was forced to find a new home for herself and her dog, Asher. The Shaker Community of Harmony Hill, only a few miles away from her home, seemed like the best choice. They would provide food and shelter for her while the Sheriff took care of her dog. While the Shakers attempted to live a “perfect” life, there were things going on in their community that made it a dangerous place to live.

 

I really liked reading about the relationship between Carlyn and Sheriff Brodie, and his willingness to wait for her to move past her sadness after the death of her husband. It was also interesting to read about the Shaker Community and the different beliefs they hold. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical romance books.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Revell. 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.”

Five Brides

Five Brides, by Eva Marie Everson, tells the story of five women who are roommates in Chicago in the early 1950s. They are all extremely busy trying to provide for themselves, and they rarely have a moment to spend together. One rare Saturday they decide to spend the afternoon in Chicago together, and during that trip they find a perfect wedding dress. Since none of them have enough money to purchase the dress on their own, they decide to split the cost of the dress and all wear it on their wedding days.

 

The concept of this book was really interesting, and it reminded me a little bit of one of my favorite childhood movies: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, where four best friends all fit into the same pair of jeans. I liked that this book really focused on the individual lives of each of the roommates. They all wanted different things out of their lives, and they really did all go in completely different directions. No matter where their lives ended up, it was nice to see them stay connected through letters and the wedding dress that originally connected them all.

 

Although this book was pretty long, I really did not want to see it end. I liked each of the characters, since they all had distinct characteristics that made me connect to them in their own way. Some were completely focused on their careers, while others just wanted to be married with a family or a husband. I will definitely be reading more books by Eva Marie Everson in the future after I enjoyed this book so much!

Laugh Out Loud Pocket Doodles for Girls

I just got back from a vacation with family friends, and I wish I had the Laugh Out Loud Pocket Doodles for Girls book, by Rob Elliott, before I left for the vacation. This book is pretty much identical to the boys book, except the cover is purple. I like that there is a version for boys and girls because it always seems that there are problems with toys and books being shared. This way, each child will know which book is theirs, and it shouldn’t cause problems. Also, there are different jokes, so they can ask each other the jokes.

Each page has a joke and an area on the page for a drawing. At the bottom of the page you are told what to draw on the pages. They don’t specifically tell you what you must draw, but they say things like “What is she carrying? Doodle It.”, “Finish the friends and their funny faces”, and “Doodle the Joke.”.

I’m excited to give this book as a gift before my next road trip with someone with young kids. I’m sure it will keep them entertained….at least for part of the trip!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Revell. 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.”

Laugh Out Loud Pocket Doodles for Boys

I just got back from a vacation with family friends, and I wish I had the Laugh Out Loud Pocket Doodles for Boys book, by Rob Elliott, before I left for the vacation. This is a very convenient, small doodle book. It would fit perfectly into a bookbag, or car “entertainment” bag when going on a road trip. Each page has a joke and a section of the page that you can fill in with a drawing. A section at the bottom of the page tells you what you should draw on each page, or it gives you an idea about what you can draw.

 

I’m excited to bring this book along with me on my next trip, so I can give it to the kids, and keep them entertained….at least for part of the trip!

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Revell. 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.”