Mama Bear Reviews

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 opportun...

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...

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...