Mama Bear Reviews

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.