Mama Bear Reviews

A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz is a new historical romance novel. I really loved this story. The author painted such a beautiful scene and the characters were authentic and heartfelt. The book is set in the mid 1700's and starts in Scotland. After a misunderstanding and some legal issues with the main characters become indentured servants and have to make their way across the Atlantic Ocean to fulfill their new roles. The author covers many of the issues of the time period such as slavery and trading. The characters Lark and Magnus both have many issue with breaking the law and the mistreatment of people. I love the way that both of these characters strive, no matter what their surrounding, to help make the lives of other better. I also found Lark to be especially intriguing with her role in creating natural remedies and medicines. This was truly a beautiful story and I cannot wait to find more books by Laura Frantz. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest

The New You: A Guide to Better Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Wellness by Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Dykes Henson is really inspirational. I have been in a slump lately and while I am getting ahead in certain areas of my life, I feel that other areas are starting to slide. Reading this book really helped me to think about my priorities and realize that I need to make some changes. As you can tell from the title of this book, the author's make some pretty big claims. This alone can seem overwhelming but I feel that each topic is put into easy to understand sections. For example with the physical section, the author's discuss the importance of drinking enough water and getting in 10,000 steps a day. Each section also has a part that ties the different areas to scripture. My favorite part is the small steps challenge at the end where the author's break down the book into small, attainable goals that can be reached over time. I feel that this book could be helpf

New Every Day: Navigating Alzheimer's with Grace and Compassion by Dave Meurer is about the complexities that are faced in caring for and dealing with an individual with Alzheimer's. I do not have hands on experience with this illness but have heard stories from friends that are dealing with family members that are affected. This is a heartbreaking illness that can be very difficult for the caregiver to manage. I loved that the author gave this book a conversational tone and did not organize this into different areas. There are stories that are personable, funny and sad. There are also tips for caregivers on the different issues that they may face such as dealing with stress of repeated questions or handling insurance issues. I think this book would be great for anyone that is dealing with a friend or family member that has Alzheimer's or anyone that would like to know more about this illness. I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest re

In Too Deep by Lynn H. Blackburn is the second book in the Dive Team Investigators series. This is a romantic suspense novel that supplies both elements throughout the story. Adam is part of the sheriffs office dive team and is called to the scene of an apparent suicide. When he arrives, he finds that he may have a probable connection to the death. Dr. Fleming is also called in on the case as she is the pro at pulling important tech information. The two work together on this case to help find the connection and solve the mystery. While doing so, a stronger connection is created between the two of them that is really sweet. There is a lot of action in this book. The characters are in constant forms of danger. Poor Dr. Fleming ends up in the hospital numerous times. I have to say that I loved this about this book because it kept the story moving and made me want to know more about what was really happening in this story. I felt the suspense element of this novel was very creative and

Wait For Me by Susan May Warren is the 6th book in her Montana Rescue series. This is however the first one that I have read. While I felt that this book could be read on its own, I would not recommend doing so. The couple that is the main focus of this novel, Pete and Jess, have had multiple story lines in the other books. There is quite a bit of recap that happens but I feel that it would be easier to follow along with if I had started with the beginning of the series. With that said, I really enjoyed this book. It was full of adventure and romance. The situations that these couples are put in is crazy but that meant that I didn't want to put it down. Jess was an EMT for a while but had to return to her original life as a socialite to take care of family business. Pete is a SAR incident commander and lives a life that puts him in persistent danger. When the couple are reunited for a second chance, or perhaps 4th chance, they have the opportunity to finally work things out. Howe

The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third book in her Nantucket Legacy series. I did not read the first book in the series but I did read the second when it came out earlier this year. While I enjoyed the continuation of characters, I feel that this could be a stand alone novel. When I read book two in the series, I found the language of the book to be a bit of a challenge. I will say that having already once been emerged in this world, I did not find that to be an issue with this book. The author does however include a handy list of definitions if some of the language is tricky. This book follows the twins Hitty and Henry who are now grown and receiving an inheritance from their grandmother that has a few stipulations attached. Along with the story of the characters growing and developing relationships, this book also covers important social issues of the time. This was a part of the book that I really enjoyed. I also liked the inclusion of the ancestors journal wh

Hidden Peril by Irene Hannon is the second book in the Code of Honor series. This is a lively romantic suspense and can be read as a stand alone novel. Kristin runs a store selling fair trade products from around the world. After a murder happens in her store, Kristin finds out that she is part of a terrorist scheme. Detective Luke is on the case and helps to solve the mystery surrounding the murder while dealing with a growing attraction to Kristin. This book had a good balance of suspense and romance. Though it was heavier on the suspense, I liked that there was enough action to keep me interested all the way through. I rooted for the characters to end up together and wanted to know more about what was going on with the candles. This was a fun, quick paced read that will pull the reader in. This was the first book that I have read by Irene Hannon and I look forward to finding more of her books. I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

I love books that are meant to be savored and enjoyed in little bits at a time. I like having something to look forward to and feel as though this can be helpful in creating daily reminders for myself. Switch on Your Brain Every Day: 365 Readings for Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health by Dr. Caroline Leaf fits this bill perfectly. This is a beautiful hardcover book that includes and ribbon bookmark and includes readings for every day of the year. Though I had to read through this book all at once rather than taking a year, I feel as though the amount written each day is the perfect amount to have a little reminder of mindful thinking. Each day includes a bit of scripture, a brainy tip which is a positive message and a note from the author with more information about these tips. All of the messages are positive and give the reader an idea of how to think in a more mindful and healthful way. I enjoyed this book and think that it would be a nice gift this Christmas season. I r

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson is a fun read. It is the perfect blend of romance and mystery. The main character Millie is trying to pay for her grandmother to receive the care that she needs. When her grandmother reveals a family secret, Millie goes on the hunt to find out if it is true. Along the way Millie meets Ben who helps her on her journey. One of my favorite elements of this book was the story telling through the great grandmother's journal. This added a fun element of the past along with a good dose of mystery. I also loved the bond that was formed between Millie and Ben. Both characters have hurdles in their lives that they are trying to overcome and through this journey for the hidden treasure, they are able to overcome those together. I really enjoyed this book and feel that it would be great for anyone that enjoys contemporary romance. I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

It's Okay Not To Be Ok: Moving Forward One Day at a Time by Sheila Walsh is a Christian self-help novel. The books mixes a combination of scripture and advice to help people that are going through a difficult time in their lives.  I like that the author is honest about the steps of this book when she lets the reader know that this process is not easy and that it may need to be repeated again and again. The hurdles that we face do not magically go away and there are many times in life where we will face difficulties.  I found this book to be very inspirational. One of my favorite quotes is:  "Only an internal transformation will truly change external behavior. Every battle begins in our minds, not with our behavior. We can behave a certain way and remain unchanged. If we want to change how we act, we have to change how we think."  I felt that this was very powerful. Change can be difficult but sometimes it is necessary to move on and find new opportunities

I enjoy reading books on parenting. I especially like when the books are not a how to novel on the exact right way that things should be done because as any parent knows, there is no one right way to raise children. Parenting with Heart: How Imperfect Parents Can Raise Resilient, Loving, and Wise-Hearted Kids by Stephen James and Chip Dodd is a wonderful guide. I enjoyed that the focus of this book is on how a person needs to heal themselves to be a good parent. If a person is going through struggles on their own that they have not yet healed from, this can make parenting very challenging. I also liked the focus on letting kids be their true selves. This is something that can be challenging as a parent. We may want our children to act one way and they insist on acting another. My youngest child will usually go out of his way to do the opposite of what we say or listen just enough that he can say he is following the rules. Giving him grace to be himself  can be a struggle but it is

Happily: 8 Commitments of Couples Who Laugh, Love & Last by Kevin A. Thompson is a marriage guide that offers a fresh and kind perspective. I have always taken an interest in relationship advice books and I found some good ideas in this book. As the title suggests, there are 8 sections or commitments. Within each of these different areas, the author discusses ways in which we may be hurting our marriage and what we can do to turn this around. My favorite part of each of these sections is a little paragraph titled, "practicing the commitment." In these parts, the author gives couples an idea on how they can apply the ideas that have been discussed within the section. Personally, I loved the part of the book where the author talks about the benefits of living in a small house so that  a couple can be close together and spend time with each other. I have found this to be so beneficial in my own relationship. Though a small home can see a bit crowded at times. I love spen

While I may be a little older than the demographic for Welcome to Adulting: Navigating Faith, Friendship, Finances, and the Future by Jonathan "JP" Pokluda, I feel that this would be a really helpful guide. I am in my thirties now but going through this book, I remembered many of the issues that the author discussed. One of the areas that I really resonated with was the section on interpersonal conflicts. The late teens and early twenties time period can make people very emotional. I know that I viewed things much differently than I do now and that my arguments with others were much more passionate and seemingly dire. This of course is all a part of growing up but this book discusses how to deal with others and I think this is a great guide for young adults. The author also discusses topics such as money management and dating. All of these things can be overwhelming and scary. This book walks the reader through different things that they may be experiencing in their lives

I find something sweet and wholesome about reading an Amish romance novel. The Sound of Distant Thunder by Jan Drexler was a really sweet coming of age story. This novel is set during the time of the civil war and is about a young Amish couple that are in love and ready to start their life together. I did find the beginning of this story to be a bit slow moving but I think that comes with this being a new story and all of the characters needing to be set up. As this is part of a series, the characters do not get a true end story for their romance. This is left open and I am hoping that this picks up with the next novel. I really enjoyed the time period of the civil war and reading it from a different perspective than one I had before. This had a lot of great ethical issues to think about surrounding the war. I enjoyed the character of Jonas and felt that he grew quite a bit throughout the story. I also like Katie but feel that she still has more growing to do before she will be abl

I have always been a dog lover and I am a big fan of adopting pets. When our 16 year old min pin passed away 2 years ago, we only making it a week before deciding that we needed another dog in our family. We went to the local animal shelter and came home with our dog Lily who had just been saved from being euthanized at another shelter. She has been a joy in our lives and has become a part of the family. The book Second-Chance Dogs: True Stories of the Dogs We Rescue and the Dogs Who Rescue Us by Callie Smith Grant is a compilation of true stories from people that have an inspiring story from their own lives about owning a dog. These stories were very sweet and I felt a connection with a lot of the stories. I always love to hear about the amazing role that pets can play in our lives. From meeting our emotional needs to helping to protect us physically, dogs play a big role. If you are an animal lover, you will love this collection of stories. I received a copy of this book fr

There are a lot of worries that come with being a parent. One of those tricky times to parent is when your child is having a difficult time or going through a rough patch. When Your Kid is Hurting: Helping Your Child through the Tough Days by Dr. Kevin Leman is non-fiction parenting book.  This book offers up ideas to handle a variety of issues that children may face such as the loss of a loved one, bullying, depression, eating disorders and acting out. Though the natural response may be to step in and try to make everything right for your child, this book offers up solutions to help them make it through these times and become a stronger individual as a result. My favorite section is at the back of the book where there is question and answer segment with the author. This area really helped me to better think about how the information from the book may be applied to my life.  I enjoyed reading through this book and feel that it would be a good one to pull out when my kids a

Summer is wrapping up. The weather will soon get cooler and Christmas will be here before we know. At Christmas time, I love to read the kind of books that play out as though they could be a Hallmark movie. This type of book a Christmas screams comfort for me and A Christmas by the Sear by Melody Carlson fits this bill. This story follows Wendy and her son who go to Maine right before Thanksgiving to fix up the cottage that she has inherited from her grandparents. Wendy is hoping to sell the cottage to make some money and return home. Her son is hoping that this will be the start of a new life for the two of them. Along the way, Wendy rediscovers a bit of her childhood and finds a new way of life among the people and hobbies that she discovers. This story was really sweet read and will be perfect for the Christmas season. Why not get an early start and jump into the warm holiday fuzzy wuzzy feeling now? I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest revi

I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel  is a non-fiction novel about reading and readers. As I write a blog about books and am constantly consuming new novels, I felt that this would be a great read for me. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from this little book when I first opened it but I found myself agreeing with the author over and over again. She mentions some of my favorite books and some of the experiences that she has had as a reader that I could also identify with. I started my reading life bringing home every book I could get my hands on at the library but lost touch with books until somewhere in my early twenties. I thank books for pulling me through many difficult situations in my life and for always being a friend. This author knows the amazing power of books and wants to share that with the world. This is really a love story  directed towards books and the experiences that they create. It truly is a lovely book

How Joyful People Think: 8 Ways of Thinking That Lead to a Better Life by Jamie Rasmussen is a book for spiritual growth. This book is written by a pastor that shares his insight of how joyful people think from his personal examples and from examples from the bible as well. One of the big takeaways from this book for me was that sometimes it is important to slow down and think things through before we respond or act. I know that I am not always giving the best version of myself to the people that matter most to me. There are many ways in which I could improve and this book gives some great examples of how to do so. I think anyone that would like to have more joy and spiritual peace in their life would enjoy this book. There are a lot of tips and examples on how to make personal change and this book is very easy to follow. I received a copy of this book from Baker Books in exchange for my honest review.

Not the Boss of Us: Putting Overwhelmed in its Place in a Do-All, Be-All World by Kay Wills Wyma was a much needed read for me. Anxiety is something that I have struggled with but it is only something that I have truly acknowledged and talked about in the last year or so. I believe that there is power is speaking about the truths of life. We should share how we really feel and truly try to help others. If everyone only presents the joys of life, such as what is often seen on social media, it can be easy to feel as though our own lives do not measure up.  Kay Will Wyma discusses with great honesty the struggles that she faces in her own life and the struggles that she sees within her children. She opens the book with a heart wrenching story about teenage suicide. I think this book is so important for anyone that is feeling their own struggles with depression and anxiety or that may be raising children that are dealing with these issues. This is not a topic that can be swept un

Think Learn Succeed : Understanding and Using Your Mind to Thrive at School, the Workplace, and in Life by Dr. Caroline Leaf was a very interesting and timely read for me. I am starting work on my graduate degree next week and thought that this book provided a lot of information and tips that will be helpful for me to implement in my studies. The first section of the book contains the mindset guide which is broken up into 16 easy to use and understand sections. My favorite part about these sections is the list of questions that is provided to better make use of the information. The second part of the book contains a quiz so that we can better understand the way in which we think. This part also has helpful ideas on how to increase different areas of the brain. For example, if you would like to increase your musical thinking then you could play classical music in the background. Most of these tips seem to be simple things that will be easy to implement. The third part of the book

Crack Yourself Up Jokes for Kids by Sandy Silverthorne is a silly joke book for kids ages 6-12. My children are 6 and 8 and they snatched this book up as soon as it arrived and started cracking each other up with different jokes. While some of the jokes in this book are familiar, what I really loved is that there is a lot of fresh material in this book and that is not an easy thing to do in this market. We really like goofy jokes in our house but my kids will be quick to point out if they have already heard a joke so they loved that they had a lot of new silliness to share with this book. Though the book is short at just 138 pages, it is the perfect size for kids in this age group and packed full of enough material to keep them entertained for hours. This book offers up wholesome humor that the whole family can enjoy. It was a hit in our household and I'm sure many kids would love being able to enjoy some new jokes. I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange f

A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano  is a book that kept me interested from beginning to end. Tressa and her mother are summoned home with urgent news. When they arrive, she finds that her father is presumed dead and that the debts are adding up around the estate. She also finds a handsome stranger that claims to be the new vineyard manager that was hired by her father prior to his death. Tressa struggles through most of the story trying to decide who she is able to trust. Those that she believed closest to her or those that have been kind to her may not have her best intentions in mind. She is surrounded by fortune hunters that are trying to find the treasure that her father has hidden and kept a secret from everyone, including Tressa. As Tressa, begins her investigation she becomes even more uncertain about who she is able to trust and wonders if father is the man that she has built him up to be inside her memory. I really enjoyed this story because Tressa was such a

High Impact Teams: Where Healthy Meets High Performance by Lance Witt is marketed as a church leadership book. Though this book does have overall scripture based advice, I feel that it could be applied to many team settings. The author suggests that all members of the team have a copy of the book and go through each of the sections together. I think that this is a great idea especially as the sections all end with questions that the team can discuss with each other. This would also help to work on the overall theme of team building. Though I probably do not fit the demographic that this book is marketed towards, I found it to be very inspirational. There were a few passages that I found myself going back over to read again. I found this especially true in the section regarding work/stewardship ethic. The work has to be put in on a daily basis and the small things that we ignore can really add up. I feel that this book would be really good for anyone that is looking for ways to stre

More Than Meets The Eye by Karen Witemeyer is a historical romance novel that focuses on a makeshift family. The books starts with the characters as children on the orphan train. I found this really interesting because this is the second book that I have read recently where the characters were sent out on the orphan train and I have always found this to be so fascinating. When an accident happens on the train, a promise is made that turns the remaining children into family. Evangeline is an interesting character because she has two differently colored eyes. Because of this, she has been ostracized for most of her life. Only her "brothers" really accept her for who she is, that is until Zach comes along. Unfortunately, Zach has arrived to settle a grudge against Evangeline's brother. This was a very sweet and touching story. It is about growth, friendship and the love of family even if that family is not formed by love. I enjoyed the time period in which this was set a

The Come Back Effect: How Hospitality Can Compel Your Church's Guests to Return by Jason Young and Jonathan Malm is a helpful guide. It not only will benefit those that are trying to be most hospitable in the church environment but those that are trying to increase customer service in any environment. I was really impressed by this book because the authors go above and beyond in identifying any problem areas that guests may find. They walk the reader through all aspects of the church going experience and problems that can be found at every step. For example, a mother with young children may have difficulty with getting inside the church by herself or a new member may feel overwhelmed by visiting. This book discusses different ways to get in the mindset of the guest so that problems are not only prevented but that the guest is treated so well that they are blown away by their experience. Though this book does focus on the church setting, this would be a good book for anyone in b

When I first started reading Minding The Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I wasn't sure that I was going to enjoy this story as I had a hard time adjusting to the language that is used. The book is set in Nantucket in the 1800's. Along with nautical language, there is also the difference in speech that is used by the characters of this time period. The author actually provides a glossary in the beginning to help explain some of the terms that are used. Despite the bit of transition that was needed, I found myself drawn into the story and found myself loving the characters and the community. This was the first book that I have read set in the whaling community and this was a great backdrop for a novel. It was so interesting to think about such a different way of life where messages are so hard to pass on and family members may not be seen for years. I also really enjoyed the strong female characters that were displayed in the book in the characters of Daphne, Jane and their ance

I read a lot of self-help/self-improvement books and often find myself disappointed when a book has the same message that I have read time and time again. Shift Your Thinking For Success: 77 Ways to Win at Work and in Life by Dean Del Sesto is a self-help book that stands out from the crowd . As the title implies, this book is split up into the 77 different tidbits of advice. These ideas range from healthy living to being successful in all parts of our life. What I love about this book is that the author gets personal with his message and is honest in the lessons that he has learned and how they have helped him. I found myself wanting to highlight multiple sections to check back on them when I am needing inspiration. One of the sections that really stood out to me was on the topic of integrity. In this section the author has a list of 25 different ways in which we can show integrity in our daily lives. Some of these ideas, such as showing respect to the clerk at the store, seem so

I finished The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham yesterday and I absolutely loved it! This is truly such a beautiful story. I found myself in tears at multiple parts of the story and it has stayed on my mind. I have the urge to pass this book on to everyone that I know and insist that they read this wonderful story. The Hope of Azure Springs is set in 1881 in Iowa. A young woman named Em is found injured and brought into the town of Azure Springs where she is taken in by a family. Em has had a difficult life since becoming an orphan 7 years prior and has many mental wounds to heal along with the bullet wound that she has suffered. Caleb is the local sheriff and is determined to find the person that has injured Em as well as learn more about the mystery of where she is from. Em forms relationships with the people that she encounters and starts to work towards her personal goals. This is a story about endurance and healing. It is also about finding love and seeing the true beau

If you are in need of an inspirational book to help get you out of a rut, Battle Ready: Train Your Mind To Conquer Challenges, Defeat Doubt, and Live Victoriously by Kelly Balarie may be the solution. As the title claims, this book is full of tips and scriptural direction to help change habits to create a more positive lifestyle. The thing about this book that made me look more closely at my own life is that the author talks about how much of our lives is controlled within our own minds. We can choose to have positive thoughts or we can choose to dwell on the negative. She has good tips for working towards changing the way in which we respond to situations and events. I know that I have had days where I feel like everything is miserable and that I can't help but dwell on everything bad that has happened. This only helps to increase my negative thinking. I look forward to embracing tips from this book on these types of days so that I can be reminded that I am only having a bad m

Justice Betrayed by Patricia Bradley is the third book in her Memphis Cold Case series. This is the first book that I have read from this series but believe that it worked well as a stand alone novel. I also believe that this is the first book that I have read that featured Elvis impersonators err tributes. Rachel Sloan leaves her career as a lawyer to become a police officer in hopes of being able to find out the truth about her mother's murder. While working as a homicide detective, Rachel is approached by an Elvis impersonator that would like her to look into a cold case that just may be connected to the murder of Rachel's mother. I really enjoyed this book. The mystery was interesting, the antagonist was completely crazy, there was a good dash of humor and there was also a good bit of love story included. All in all, there was a lot to keep me hooked from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more books from Patricia Bradley. I received a copy of this book fr

I have always been a fan of historical romance novels. A Rebel Heart by Beth White is set in the time 5 years after the Civil War has ended and I found this to be a really fascinating time period. The author, Beth White, does a wonderful job of covering the prejudices and emotions that were found at this time. The main character, Selah, is trying to save her family home and to do so, she needs the help of not only the other main character, Levi, but also the people that had worked as former slaves for her family. I loved that Selah was such a strong female role model. She was very forward thinking for her time and had the courage and strength needed to take care of her family and those that she loves. As I mentioned, this is historical romance but there is also a bit of mystery and suspense involved in this story as well. I was drawn into this book from the beginning as it is very action packed and the author does a good job of developing the characters early on in the book. A Re

Romance is one of my favorite genres and I am always a sucker for second chance love and a happily ever after. Falling for You by Becky Wade is a beautiful story about a model and football player that are given a chance to once again find love. Willow and Corbin were once in a relationship that did not end very well and left both with broken hearts. Years later, the two are living in the same area and are brought together by a request from Corbin's niece for help. The three work to solve a family mystery and Willow and Corbin become closer through events that throw them in each others paths. I enjoyed the mystery element of this book along with the romance. The characters work to solve a case that has been long ago pushed to the side. I really enjoyed the way that their investigation developed. I also really liked the relationships in this story. Willow has a strong connection with her sisters and this is actually part of the Bradford Sisters Romance series so I am really ex

I just finished reading The Return: Reflections of Loving God Back by Lacey Sturm. This book is a memoir and the author is a musician, writer and speaker. I wasn't familiar with the group that she was a part of which is Flyleaf and had to look up some videos on YouTube. She is no longer part of the group but still sings on her own and she has some beautiful music. I will admit that I struggled with this book a bit in the way in which it is organized. It took a while for me to get used to what felt at first like chaos but grows a bit more structured as the book goes on. The author shares bits about her life and her journey with being Christian as well as songs, poems, recipes, and journal entries. I enjoyed that the author was very open with her personal struggles with depression. She talks about dealing with this over time and how she has dealt with this and continues to deal with this issue. I also enjoyed how she covers the changes that happen in life over time. She went from

The Girls' Guide to Conquering Life: How to Ace an Interview, Change a Tire, Talk to a Guy & 97 Other Skills You Need to Thrive by Erica & Jonathan Catherman is a how to manual for girls on a variety of life skills. While some life skills may seem like simple things, they aren't unless we are first taught how to properly do them. I do remember learning some of these skills in school such as setting a table and checking the oil on a car but many of these items are not taught in basic curriculum. I think this would be a great guide for girls that are about to graduate high school and go out on their own. I know there are a few skills in this book that I needed to call my mom about after I had moved out. Now we live in an age of Google where is seems simple to look things up but I think this book touches on some basic manners that might otherwise be missed. Skills such as making introductions and how to behave if you are pulled over by the police are very important t

Generous Love: Discover the Joy of Living "Others First" by Becky Kopitzke is a book that I finished a couple of days ago but I haven't stopped thinking about. I honestly have felt so inspired by this book that it has changed my actions over the last few days. I have been looking for the different ways in which I could bless others or share kindness which is what this book is all about. Not only have I changed my own actions but I have also been finding myself whispering suggestions to my children of little things they can do for others and get to see them beam with pride every time that they go the extra mile to help. Beck Kopitzke uses a Christian perspective to share why and how we should put the needs of others before our own. My favorite parts in the book are the stories that she shares of times that people have been called to bless others. I especially loved the story of a family that made it their mission to sneak blessings onto others. I was discussing this with

The Theory of Happily Ever After by Kristin Billerbeck is the perfect read to kick of the summer. Ok, it might not quite be summer yet but I can pretend. The sun is out longer and the days are getting warmer so why not fantasize about taking a cruise? Maggie wrote a book on the topic of happiness and finds herself completely lacking in it herself after being left by her fiancé. While she is spending her days with gelato and romantic movies, her friends decide to pull her out of her rut by taking a cruise. As it turns out, she is blindsided when she finds that she is to be a speaker on the cruise. I found this story to be funny and real. We can't all be happy 100% of the time even if we believe that we are experts on the topic. There will always be setbacks that we find ourselves needing to recover from and sometimes the best way to do that is to get a change of scenery. Maggie is able to find her happiness by stepping out of her comfort zone and I really enjoyed taking the jour

There are some topics that are considered taboo to speak about even though many people are affected by them. One of these such topics is that of pregnancy loss and miscarriage. In her book, Grace Like Scarlett: Grieving With Hope After Miscarriage and Loss, Adriel Booker navigates this topic with openness and honesty. Adriel has experienced three of her own miscarriages and opens up her soul to reveal what she went through in the days, weeks and months following those events. This book is very really and honest. I love that it covers that everyone will grieve in different ways and that doing so is ok. Along with her person views, Adriel shares the perspective of other parents that have gone through loss and talk about the grief and guilt that they have experienced. She also includes journal prompts at the end of each section to help the reader make it through their own grief experience. Another thing that I found very helpful was that at the back of the book, there is information o

Before I write a review of First Impressions: A Contemporary Retelling of Pride & Prejudice by Debra White Smith, I should admit that while I own a copy of Pride & Prejudice, I have yet to read it. I understand the premise of the story and this book by Debra White Smith is supposed to be a modern version of the original story. This story takes place in a small town in Texas where the characters are going to be part of their own production of Pride & Prejudice. The main characters Eddi and Dave face many misunderstandings about each other as well as the other characters in the novel. All of these misunderstandings cause much confusion and hurt feelings between several relationships. Everything however comes together when the truth is revealed. While there are many aspects of this story that I really enjoyed, there are some that I struggled with as well. One of the problems with the story is that a lot of the ideas of the characters seemed a bit outdated. I understand wan

I have followed Kristen Welch and her work with Mercy House for some time now. I am always inspired to hear about the work that she is doing, so I was drawn to her newest book about helping to raise our children to be givers. In Raising World Changers in a Changing World: How One Family Discovered the Beauty of Sacrifice and the Joy of Giving by Kristen Welch, she discusses both the work that she and her family have done as well as how to have conversations with your own children. At the end of each section, she interviews her children about how they feel about different aspects of life and this is a section that I really like because these are questions that I would like to ask my own children. I also really like the ideas at the end of each section about how to create change locally. In the world that we live in, it can be easy for children to take everything that they have for granted. I have been wanting to find more ways to teach my children how to think more about other peop

I have always been intrigued with relationships and have read a lot of books on the topic of marriage. Fierce Marriage: Radically Pursuing Each Other in Light of Christ's Relentless Love by Ryan and Selena Frederick is a new release this month. One of the things that I really enjoy about this book is that it is written in a conversational tone. I also like that chapters go back and forth between the authors who are husband and wife. I think that having both the male and female perspective is important for a book on marriage. The authors touch on many of the key issues that arise in marriage such as communication, sex and money. At the end of each section are questions that can be used by the reader to reflect on their own marriage. I found these questions to tie in well with the information and to be a good way to use the information in the book. I think this is a good updated guide to marriage. It covers present issues that many couples face and a practical guide on how to get

I just finished reading Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times by Adam Hamilton. This self-help book is written by a pastor and offers spiritual guidance to help with overcoming emotions that many of us face. Throughout the book, I found myself agreeing with many areas. I have struggled with anxiety and I feel that the author was spot on with many of the issues that I have personally faced. While I do not think that this book offers advice that is all that different from other books on the market, I do feel that it is very current with the problems that we are currently facing. The author addresses issues such as politics and social media. I feel that this book could be a good comfort for anyone that is looking for a bit of reassurance in how to navigate through the crazy world in which we currently live. There are a lot of good reminders about how we can control some things in our lives and how we need to change our mindsets about the things that are out of our

I have read a lot of parenting books since my oldest son was born. While some offer good advice, others can make this parenting thing even more confusing with conflicting information. I found 936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting by Eryn Lynum to be very uplifting.  I had heard of the concept of having a jar of 936 pennies to signify the weeks that it takes to raise a child until they are 18 but this is a concept that I had not thought about in a long time. I don't know if I could go through the actual act of removing a penny from a jar each week but I like the idea of having a reminder that childhood is short. I think this would help remind me to more intentional in my own parenting. What I really loved about this book is that it is honest. Parenting is hard. Sometimes we make bad decisions but what is great is that this book has advice on how to slow down and try to be more intentional in our words and actions. I know that I have had many moments wher

Bountiful Blessings: A Creative Devotional Experience by Susie Larson is an adult coloring book filled with spiritual messages. This is a short book but it is filled with beautiful art to color by Carolyn Williams. On each two page section, one of the pages has a short bible verse followed by an inspirational bit of wisdom. On the opposite page is an image to color. The images all relate a bit to the verse and are full of fun images such as butterflies, nature and animals. I like that you can pick this book up at any time and go to the page or the scripture that you are drawn to and take a moment to reflect. The book is small enough to keep in a purse so it would be easy to carry around and pull out during any downtime. This is really a great little book. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Hot For Food Vegan Comfort Classics by Lauren Toyota is filled with wonderful recipes that even the non vegan will want to try. I have been a vegetarian for most of my life but have never quite been able to commit to vegan eating. This cookbook has inspired me to try out some new recipes. The cookbook is split into the normal sections of breakfast, soups, main meals, desserts, etc., but the great thing about this book is that the food looks amazing. I don't just mean that these recipes sound good for vegan recipes but that they sound incredible for anyone. I love that the author tackles one of main things that non meat eaters hear which is, "what about bacon?" Toyota offers up several different recipes for vegan bacon including using coconut and mushrooms. The author has managed to make all of the normal comfort foods into vegan recipes. I think everyone will love this cookbook. It has amazing pictures and recipes that sound delicious and manageable. I received

A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason is a historical fiction novel set in England in the late 1800's. The book centers around the love story of Nolan and Hannah. Nolan is a stable boy who is about to set off on his own by marrying his love and purchasing his own farm. He however receives news that he is actually the son of an Earl which means that he now has a new status. This becomes a problem as his new found father does not approve of Nolan marrying Hannah who is a maid. I really enjoyed the transformations of the characters throughout this story. Nolan had to grow in his new role while Hannah had to be willing to accept love. The characters were tested again and again and it all came together in the end. I really enjoyed this story. It was very uplifting and positive. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

A Refuge Assured is a new historical fiction novel from author Jocelyn Green. I really enjoyed this story for the historical aspect. I found myself looking up different parts and loved that the author stuck with so many historical tidbits in this novel. From beginning to end, this book covers a ten year time period of 1792-1802. The main character Vivienne Rivard is a lace maker in France but during the revolution this is a career that is very dangerous. After losing the only family that she has ever known, Vivienne leaves France and heads to America. Once she has arrived in Philadelphia, Vivienne works to establish herself in her new life. She ends up with some unexpected relationships and some of these bring about danger. I really loved this story from beginning to end. I enjoyed Vivienne's journey and loved where she ended up. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

The weather here was so warm today that it had me dreaming of spring. This means it was perfect timing to receive Martha's Flowers: A Practical Guide to Growing, Gathering, and Enjoying by Martha Stewart and Kevin Sharkey . This gorgeous book just came out today and it is perfect for planning flower gardens in the coming year. Not only is the book filled with beautiful pictures but it also offers advice on planting, growing, cutting and arranging. The book is split between spring, summer, early fall and arrangements. The section that I really loved is spring. After a long drab winter, I look forward to the pop of color provided by tulips and the wonderful smell that is delivered from lilacs. I am inspired by this book to plant some new varieties of plants this year and try my own cutting garden. I have been adding more flowers every year and I love the idea of being able to have fresh flowers in the house throughout spring and summer. I received this book from Blogging fo