Dear Mr. Knightly: A Review

This is the debut novel by Katherine Reay.  If you loved Jane Austin novels you will thoroughly enjoy this read. The main character is Samantha Moore.  She is a young woman who spent the majority of her childhood in the foster care system.  The coping mechanism that Samantha uses is to quote her favorite characters from the classics or imitate their attitudes/ actions.  She is so detached from other people she has a very hard time relating to others. Ms. Moore is given a scholarship to get her degree in journalism from an anonymous benefactor.  The only condition is that she write letters to this mysterious Mr. Knightly keeping him updated on her progress.  The first part of this book is mainly letters to Mr. Knightly.  We get to see the main character through her letters.  The book then progresses into Samantha's story.  She is so lovable & flawed at the same time.

My only criticism of this book is the lack of God.  The main character is not seeking God at the start of this book & not much changes by the end.  I hope in her next book Ms. Reay gives her character the chance to have a life-changing relationship with God.  I will be looking for this author's work in the future.  A sweet & original love-story.  Curl up with a warm drink & enjoy!  You can find this book here http://www.christianbook.com/dear-mr-knightley-katherine-reay/9781401689681/pd/689680?item_code=WW&netp_id=1134814&event=ESRCG&view=details#curr.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Unspoken: A Review

Dee Henderson has long been one of my favorite christian suspense authors.  She didn't write anything for several years.  This book is her second since returning to the world of fiction.  Her first book since the break was called Full Disclosure.  I did not like this book.  I just didn't enjoy the characters & plot twists she took.  I was a little hesitant to try another Dee Henderson book, but I'm glad I did.  This book is classic Dee Henderson at its best.  If you have read either of her 2 series you will enjoy her return to great plots & deep characters.

Charlotte Graham was at the center of one of Chicago's most notorious child kidnapping cases.  Over the years she has been trying to rebuild her life.  She struggles with a question alot of people ask which is "why does God let bad things happen to good people?".

Bryce Bishop is a coin dealer who is happy with his life but a little bored.  A mysterious coin supplier enters the picture & his life will never be the same.

Ms. Henderson introduces us to the world of coin collecting,  staggering inheritances & kidnapping in a story that is very well developed.  If you want a great read for a cold winter day pick up this book!  You can find a copy of it here at christainbook.com.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.  All thoughts are my own.

Great Fall Reads

I have read two books recently that were really well written. 

The first book is Stranded by Dani Pettrey.  This author is a new favorite.  Her writing style reminds me alot of Dee Henderson.  This book is a romantic suspense.  This story is set on a cruise ship in Alaska.  This book starts with a frantic chase & person overboard.  The character of Darcy St. James was introduced in a previous book but we finally get to her story.  This talented reporter goes undercover to help a friend and gets in deeper than she can handle.

Gage McKenna is leading guided kayak tours for the cruise line.  He has a past that makes trust hard to earn & easy to lose.  When he reunites with Darcy on the boat sparks fly & faith is tested in many ways.  I have loved being a part of the McKenna family in all three books of this series.

Ms. Pettrey' s latest book is by far her best work yet.  I can't wait to see where she takes us next...

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  You can find this book at http://www.christianbook.com/stranded-alaskan-courage-dani-pettrey/9780764209840/pd/209841

 The second book is A bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears.  Ever have a book where just reading the summary reels you in?  This book was that way for me.  Everett Cline is a hardworking bachelor trying to make a struggling farm prosper in Kansas.  He has been jilted so many times that the other bachelors in town all line up to see the latest mail-order bride step off the train for Everrett.  Rejection will make anyone gun-shy but three times?  That is just plain sad. 

Julia Lockwood has grown up in Massachusetts and never been to the country.  Her looks have caused more trouble & heartache than she can stand.  She accepts Mr. Cline's proposal to be a mail-order bride.  The hitch is Everett hasn't been writing the letters;  his friend Rachel is trying to help this lonely bachelor find the helper that God has planned for him.  Two people have never been more completely different...

Melissa Jagears has an amazing talent.  Be looking for this author's books & you won't be disappointed!

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  You can find this book at  http://www.christianbook.com/a-bride-for-keeps-unexpected-brides/9780764211683/pd/211683

Couponing for the Rest of Us: A Review

Who hasn't seen an episode of Extreme Couponing and secretly wondered if they could be saving alot more?  I think the majority of the people on those shows should also be on the show Hoarders.  I read this book by Kasey Trenum and learned alot.  This author not only explains the couponing terms but shows how a coupon works.  I really liked the way Ms. Trenum walked the reader through the process.

This book isn't going to make you fill every nook & cranny with stuff you don't really need.  In Extreme Couponing for the Rest of Us the author encourages a healthy surplus and also giving the extra to those in need.  If you want to learn about couponing I recommend this book.  There is also a couponing blog (timetosaveworkshops.com) by Ms. Trenum.

I have learned alot and look forward to saving on the things that my family needs/ uses.  I used the strategy outlined in this book and spent $100 at Target and saved $50.  My kids have got really into the whole couponing thing.  My 5 year-old loves cutting out coupons and my 9  year-old wants to find coupons for his favorite toys... well he can dream.

You can find this book here (http://www.christianbook.com/couponing-not-so-extreme-guide-saving/kasey-trenum/9780800722067/pd/722067)

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Fired Up: A Review

I love Mary Connealy's books.  She is one of my top christian authors.  This being said this book left me a little disappointed.  I love the character of Dare Riker.  This strong compassionate self-proclaimed doctor was a great hero to cheer for.   I also liked Glynna.  She was rescued in the last book from an abusive husband.  Now widowed with 2 children she must learn to provide for her family.  Glynna opens up a diner in town which proves to be very popular.  There is one catch she can't cook.  The men in town keep coming twice daily for the inedible fare and a chance to see Glynna.  Dare is getting more business from the charred food in the way of patients.

*Spoiler Alert*
There were several action scenes that I thought dragged on to long and went over the top.  The avalanche  that kept going... stopped and then more stuff came flying at them.  The other part that irritated me was when Dare was stabbed in the back and found in a pool of his own blood.  He some how revives enough to propose and sweep Glynna in his arms and have quite a dialogue with his lady love.  These two parts of the book let me down a little.

I still look forward to the next book in this series with the hope that Ms. Connealy will return to writing quality christian fiction and leave the action sequneces to the movies....

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own...

You can find this book at http://www.christianbook.com/fired-up-trouble-in-texas-ebook/mary-connealy/9781441262776/pd/40309EB?item_code=WW&netp_id=1142758&event=ESRCG&view=details

99 Mommy Approved reads for Kids

Going to the library with my kiddos should be a relaxing and fun time but alot of times it isn't.  As soon as you get inside they start pulling books from the shelves.  Their criteria... pretty covers...mine quality content.
I feel like I'm playing a real life game of Minesweep.  Remember that one.  Check the box.. safe... check the box safe... check the box BOOM!  I asked several people who share the same passion for good children's books from a broad spectrum.  Here are the recommendations.  

 
Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

Rubia and the Three Osos by Susan Elya

If  You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

Click Clack Moo Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin

The new Adventures of Curious George collections

Will God's Might Warrior by Sheila Walsh

The Grandma's Attic books by Arleta Richardson

Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard & Florence Atwater

My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Gannett

How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell

If you decide to go to the moon by Faith McNulty

Zack’s Aligator by Shirley Mozelle

Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff

A Chair for Baby Bear by Kaye Umansky

Norman the Doorman by Don Freeman

The Black Lagoon series by Mike Thaler

Goofy’s Big Race – A Walt Disney Beginning Reader book (old)

The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Tale of the Three Trees by Angela Hunt & Tim Jonke

Reader's Digest's The World's best Fairy Tales

Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Magic by Betty Macdonald

Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis

The Adventures in Odyssey Imagination Station Books

The All of A Kind Family by Sidney Taylor

The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Banks

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Mongomery

The Sugar Creek Gang series by Paul Hutchens

Little Britches by Ralf Moody

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald Sobol

The Biggest Shadow in the Zoo by Jack Kent

A Porcupine Named Fluffy by Helen Lester

Are You My Mother by P.D. Eastman

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum

Robert McCloskey books including picture books and chapter books

Elsie Dinsmore books by Martha Finley

 Horse books by Mageurite Henry

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Five children and It by E. Nesbit

Missionary story books by Dave and Neta Jackson

Native American series by Kenneth Thomasa

Pilgrims progress by John Bunyan

Gail Carson Levine books (ella enchanted)

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

Night of the moonjellies(picture) by Mark Shasha

Down, Down the Mountain  by Ellis Credle

Scrambled Eggs Super by Dr Seuss

Everyday graces by Karen Santorum

William Bennets book of America/virtues

The Velveteen Rabbit By Margery Williams

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack

A Pair of Red Clogs by Masako Matsuno

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Owl moon By Jane Yolen

Shoes by Elizabeth Winthrop

When Dinosaurs Came with Everything by Elise Broach

Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner

Kevin Henkes books (lily ones) 

Frances books by Russell Hoban

Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne (not disney versions)

Beatrix potter books

Follow My Leader by James Garfield

Little Pear by Eleanor Lattimore

Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary

Stone Fox by John Gardiner

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Chicka Chicka 123 by Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson & Lois Ehlert

Hank the Cow Dog by John Erickson

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth Speare

The Read A-Loud Handbook by Jim Trelease

Dinosaurs for Kids by Ken Ham

The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop

Dad’s Dinosaur Day by Diane Hearn

There’s No Such Thing as a Dragon by Jack Kent

Adventures of Young Buffalo Bill by E. Cody Kimmel

How Doofus the Dragon Lost His Head by Bill Peet

Goodnight Goodnight Sleepyhead by Ruth Krauss (board book)

The American Boys Handy Book by Daniel Beard

The Little Fish that Got Away by Bernadine Cook

Big Red barn by Margaret Wise Brown (board book)

Fifteen Animals! By Sandra Boynton (board book)

The Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood (board book)

Meghan Rose books by Lori Scott

Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John (not the revised version)

The Adventures of Harold & the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Frog & Toad by Arnold Lobel

Magic Treehouse Books by Mary Pope Osborne

Cowgirl and Cocoa by Erica Silverman

Incredible Journey – Shiela Burnford

Boom Chicka Rock by John Archambault

Cul-De-Sac Kids Books by Beverly Lewis

Mandy Books by Lois Gladys Leppard

The Usborne Children’s Encylopedia

Head to the library and enjoy :)

The Joy of the Giver

My kids love to bring me things.  It ranges from wildflowers to a rock they thought looked neat.  As a mother of three I kind of got used to the "gifts".

We went to the ocean a couple of weeks ago.  At the campground there were blackberry bushes growing by the path to the beach.  My 7 year-old thought it was great to stop and pick the berries to give to his aunt. It was so cute to listen to him talk about how much my sister was going to like his gift.  (She does love blackberries.)   You could almost feel the joyful anticipation of handing her his special find.  He couldn't wait to give her this rare treat.  (In Montana we don't have wild blackberry patches everywhere.)    Part of me wanted to hurry along this detour on the way back to our campsite and the other part wanted to stand back and watch as he tried to get every ripe berry he could see.  The simple gift got me thinking....

How many times do I really stop my busy list-of-must-do's and savor the small flower being put in my hand? Someday they will grow-up and the wildflowers will stay in my yard.  Sometimes in life we just need to stop.. even for a moment and treasure these things in our hearts as mothers.

I also was convicted that I place too much on the cost of the gift.  Would I give a friend something of little or no monetary value just because they might like it?  I'm not saying I'm gonna start bringing you pretty rocks from my driveway... The joy in the giver is knowing the recipient well enough to know they will like it.  Can I send a friend a note just to say "Hi"?  Yes!  Does it have to come with a gift? Not necessarily.  Who wouldn't love to get a quick note from a friend?  Take the time.

Once Upon a Prince : A Review

What is it with Cinderella?  No matter how many ways the story is repackaged I can't wait to settle in and watch the fairy tale unfold.  The latest book is a perfect read if you are in the mood for a royal romance.  The book starts with Susanna receiving the most humiliating non-proposal in history.  Being told I have the right ring/ wrong girl on a secluded beach was not in her plans.  So many times we think we know the plans that God has for us.  His are always better.  It was great to watch this character grow and become who she was meant to be.  I loved watching her start her new life and job after the breakup.

After this rough start we meet Nathaniel.  He is on holiday from a country in Europe.  St. Simon's Island is a great place to get away from it all.  Nathaniel is drawn into Susanna's world.  He helps by working at her family's restaurant.  When Nathaniel commissions her to do landscape design at his family's house circumstances change and deadlines loom close...  If you want to get wrapped up in a wonderful story of love & sacrifice pick up this great read.  I look forward to more stories in the Royal Wedding Series!
You can find this book here at christianbook.com.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Undeniably Yours: A Review

I have read other books by Becky Wade and this latest book is great!  Meg is the only daughter of a big oil executive.  This timid and yet courageous lady is such a great character to cheer for.  She has wanted her own identity apart from the wealthy family.  Meg is thrown into a position of CEO of a big oil company in Texas.  She knows nothing about oil and even less about a Thoroughbred farm she inherits. A terrifying experience as a child has left her afraid of horseback riding. What would she want with a horse farm?  She fires the horse farm manager & closes the farm.  Well tries to...

Bo has spent the last 4 years managing the horse farm.  His first meeting with Meg is when she tries to fire him.  Bo hears God speak to his heart that this lady needs a friend.  A friendship that starts from a firing?  Stranger things have happened.

This book really shows the power of God's grace & forgiveness.  Meg struggles with trusting anyone.  Her heart has been bruised before by people who only want her for her money.   When the evidence is in who can she trust with her heart?   I like how the author wove a story that has a struggling, single mother, wealthy oil lady, former soldier, computer geek and a stoic gardener with a good heart into a heartwarming love story.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

You can buy this book at Christainbook.com by following this link :
(http://www.christianbook.com/undeniably-yours-porter-family/becky-wade/9780764209758/pd/209758?item_code=WW&netp_id=1045474&event=ESRCG&view=details)

Secretly Smitten: A Review

I have previously read the first book in the Smitten series.  This is the second book in the Smitten Series.  These books are written by some of my favorite christian authors. What happens when you get Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt & Denise Hunter to work together to weave a story of love, loss & redemption?  This is a  sweet book that showcases each authors strength & diversity.

A pair of dog tags is found in the attic that belonged to a lost love.  We meet the Thomas woman in this book. The owner of the dog tags and these women have a past & a future that is fun to discover. These ladies get together every Sunday afternoon for a potluck.  The menu is a bit unusual but so is this family.  The grandma's name is Rose and her sisters are named Violet & Petunia.  The settings of these stories range from a yarn store to a dating service to a plant nursery to a ice cream company. & a  bookstore.

My only complaint would be that the stories were short but that is a novella.  I can't wait for the next installment to see how this former logging town turned romance capital changes hearts... visit the town of smitten if you need a sweet dose of romance.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

You can find this book at christianbook.com by the following link (http://www.christianbook.com/secretly-smitten-colleen-coble/9781401687137/pd/687137?item_code=WW&netp_id=997602&event=ESRCG&view=details)

Bread & Wine: A Review

The complete title of this book is Bread & Wine: Finding Community & Life Around the Table.  I was very excited to read this book because I am kind of a wanna-be foodie.  I love trying new recipes but sometimes I can't even tell you how to pronounce the ingredient I am using.  This book is a combination of short stories and recipes.  This author talks about the power of food.  In a society that attempts to tell us that being in the kitchen is a form of oppression this book is a fresh perspective.  Ms. Niequist shows how gathering around the dinner table can be a wonderful balm to a frazzled life.  The recipes range from salad dressing to chicken enchiladas and flour less chocolate brownies to risotto.

This book really shows the need for us to revive the tradition of having people over for dinner on Sunday (or any day of the week).  My mom is such a wonderful example of a person who invites people over to her house for a meal continually.  Growing up I can remember many holiday meals at her house where people who didn't have family close by would gather at her table.  At the time I didn't understand how special it is to both the one cooking and the one at the table.  I moved 1200 miles from my family 4 years ago.  I can attest to how wonderful it is to be included by other families during a holiday meal.  The fellowship at the table is unforgettable and priceless.


I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to cook.  I'll be buying several copies of this book to give to friends & family.  I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own.

You can purchase this book at christianbook.com with this link http://www.christianbook.com/bread-finding-community-life-around-table/shauna-niequist/9780310328179/pd/328179?item_code=WW&netp_id=1021919&event=ESRCG&view=details

Stealing the Preacher : A Review

I have read several Karen Witemeyer books and this is my new favorite.  This author brings together characters who are both strong and weak at the same time.  I like that God's changing power is weaved throughout this story.   If you like christian romance fiction you will love this book.

Crockett Archer is on a train on his way to preach at a church and hopefully become their pastor when he is kidnapped.  Most train robbers steal possessions but this group of aging outlaws is looking for a preacher.
This character is such a contradiction to the stereotypical preacher; he can work a ranch, shoot with the best and touch the heart of God's people in the pulpit.  We met Crockett in the Short-Straw Bride book.  I hope that this author lets us meet the remaining boys of this family in future books.

Joanna Robbins loves her father more than anything.  Her mother's dying wish was that her daughter see Silas Robbins surrender his life to God. When Silas asks what Joanna wants for her birthday she flippantly says a preacher.  She is longing for someone to join the battle to lead her outlaw father to the Savior.  The small community that Joanna lives in lost their pastor to a bigger town and the church sits empty.Who knew that stealing the preacher would touch so many lives...

I won't tell anymore of the plot.  I would hate to ruin it for you.  Just know that if you need a fun read set in the wild west look no further.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

You can buy this book here at christianbook.com.

5 Days to a Clutter-Free House : A Review

Spring is in the air!  Clutter beware.  

I have to admit the title of this book caught my attention and made me mutter "yeah right".  A clutter free-house in 5 days sounds amazing and impossible.  This book has a very unique method to dividing and conquering the clutter in your home.  I love how the authors added real life stories throughout the book as examples of people who have succeeded.  This approach works best with a team of friends/volunteers and some boxes.  I like how the process described in this book will quickly organize and declutter.  One of the main problems with clutter is that it is so easy to get bogged down and distracted by it.   The authors don't just tell you to throw it all out but show you how to distinguish between a treasure and something that is just taking up space.  They also show the reader how to maintain the house after the radical transformation.  

These ladies have alot of experience with helping others get organized.  Ms. Felton is the founder of Messies Anonymous and the author of several books.  You can find her website at messies.com.   Ms. Sims is the founder of Sort-It-Out Inc., a professional organizing firm in Florida.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

You can buy this book here at Christianbook.com.

A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year: A Review

Every now and then I come across a book that not only challenges me it begs for action.  This book by Diane Stortz is such a book.  I have been a christian since I was five ( it was a while ago).  I have gone to christian school for all 12 years of elementary school and yet never read the Bible all the way through...

This is not something I am proud to admit.  What message is this sending my kids?  That only part of God's Word is important and useful?  The God of the universe wrote me a love letter and I haven't read all of it.  Yikes!  I have started out to conquer this huge goal before and always quit when it got hard about Leviticus.

I was given a chance to review a book called A Woman's Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year -  a life-changing journey into the heart of God.  The title was very well written.  The book is written in a way that Ms. Stortz comes to you to share a wonderful gift.  She has done a group study of reading through the Bible in a year for 10 years!  The author lays out a plan to read through the Bible and give you checkpoints and questions for each week.  

I am going to do this book.  I want to start a group of woman on this journey with me.  I am still trying to figure out the logistics of having a group at my house.  How often will we meet?  Who should I invite?  This is not going to be a group that meets to gossip about others but a group of women committed to drawing closer to their Savior.  Holding each other up as we read this marathon together.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own.  I will be buying more copies of this book.  You can find this book at christianbook.com.http://www.christianbook.com/womans-reading-bible-changing-journey-heart/diane-stortz/9780764210730/pd/210730?item_code=WW&netp_id=1021495&event=ESRCG&view=details

Cleaning House : A Review

This book by Kay Wyma is one of my top 10 parenting books.  This book was easy to read but the subject will stay with me forever.  Why is it so hard as a mom to train your children to be self-reliant?  I jump in and do things for them instead of letting them try the task for themselves.   Not only am I not giving them the life-skills they will need but I am sending the silent message that they can't do the task.  This book was a 12 month experiment by a mother of four children to mold and shape her brood to be more independent and see the needs of others before their own.  The monthly tasks range from clutter control to home repair to community service.  At the end of each chapter the author tells us what she learned that month and what her kids learned.

The last 3 sentences of this book say:
" Culture doesn't determine who people become.  People determine what the culture will be.  Might our equipped, empowered, unentitled kids be the ones who set the course for the future."

I love this book.  Please read this book if you have children.  It will challenge and encourage you.  You can find this book here at christianbook.com.  You can go here to read the first chapter for free.

I received this book for free fromWaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
All opinions are my own.

Swept Away : A Review

Ruthie MacNeil is trapped.  Her family dies and she is taken in by the most awful people.  Trapped in her circumstances Ruthie is traveling west in a wagon train when the flood comes.

Luke Stone is on his way home to reclaim his family ranch when he comes across a soggy woman.  They sparks fly and neither one will ever be the same.  (We have already met Luke's sister Callie in the book called Over the Edge.)

Luke is meeting up with the men that he suffered through Andersonville prison with during the war.  We meet a doctor who never went to medical school, a lawyer that never went to law school and a pastor with a past.  I love the way Ms. Connealy weaves stories.  Her stories are fresh and the characters are quirky and genuine.

This is the first book in the Trouble in Texas series.  I loved it and anxiously await the next installment!
I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions are my own.

You can find this book at christianbook.com or other retailers.

Vanished : A review

Just like the cover suggests the story starts on a dark rainy night in the middle of nowhere.  The main character Miora is trying to get home when she glances down look for her glasses.  She looks up in time to see a lone figure in the road right before she hits the person.  When the police show up they can't find a body or the good Samaritan who stopped to help.  Did Miora really see what she thought?

I have read several books by Irene Hannon.  She is one of my top 10 christian fiction authors.  The stories are always fast-paced and unique.  We are introduced to a private investigation company called Phoenix Inc. which is owned by 3 guys with various law-enforcement backgrounds.  One of the owners is Cal Burke, a former homicide detective who is struggling with loss and living in the past. 

I won't tell you anymore of the story because I don't want to ruin it.  I highly recommend this latest book by Irene Hannon and can't wait for the next book in the series. 

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  The opinion is my own :)

Shattered : A Review

This is the second book by author Dani Pettrey.  I liked her first book but this book was much better.  She really developed the characters and plot to a greater extent.  I love the quirky, adventurous McKenna family.  The bickering protectiveness of the siblings and the "all for one" mentality just make you want to join their family.

The book starts with a bang... well a murder... not a bang.  I like how Ms. Pettrey hits the ground running and we are immediately caught up in a "who done it" scenario.  We travel Alaska, Canada, Oregon and California looking for the killer.  I don't want to say to much about the story.  (I hate it when the book review basically tells the whole story.)

The characters struggle with trust... both learning to trust God and discerning which people to trust.  The author did a good job of resolving these issues without sounding too preachy.

Shattered is the story of Piper and Landon.  It had a great blend of adventure, romance and faith.  This author is going to be one to watch for.  I can't wait for her next book.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.   All thoughts are my own.

Pock Your Dollars : A Review

This book was very encouraging.  The author shared her inspiring story from being trapped in almost $60,000 in debt to climbing out of the hole and never returning.  This book showed how attitude and how you are raised will effect your view of money.

One thing that Ms. Rocha pointed out was how we interact with our children when it comes to money.  When you are at the store and your child begs for a certain toy what do you say?  If you say we can't afford that and then get it for their birthday a few months later what message did you just send?  Either you can get what you can't afford or this gift is hurting the family's finances.

This book was great at addressing some attitudes such as "I deserve this" and living outside your means as well as "I can't afford this".  I went into this book curious and wary that it would be dry and boring.  I finished the book encouraged, uplifted and ready to tackle our finances...

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts regarding this book are mine alone...

The Bartered Bride Collection : A Review

This book was a light, fun and relaxing read.  The stories are written by some of my favorite authors such as Cathy Hake and Kelly Hake as well as some new-to-me authors.

This book is a collection of 9 short stories that will make you smile.  The stories range from the bayou to the wagon train to Wyoming.  Some are connected to other stories in the book and some are stand-alone.  The characters are lovable and fun.  I would love to meet them if only they were real...

I love how each of the authors skillfully brought the message of God's grace and guidance to life.  These stories had a great blend of romance, faith and plain fun.

I was given this book by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own :)

You can find this book on Christianbook.com or Amazon.com.

Undaunted : a Review

I just finished a great book.  The author is Christine Caine.   It is a combination of a biography and christian living book.  The author explains how she became burdened about human trafficking and what she has done about it.

Ms. Caine shows you her heart in this book.  She challenges the business of life that causes us to interact with people without really seeing them.  She uses many scriptures to encourage the reader to get out of their comfort zone and live fully for God.

The author shows us who we are in Christ and challenges us to boldly follow God and rest in His promises.   I recommend this book wholeheartedly... may we never be the same.

Kiddos and books

Every night at bed time we have a routine.  We brush teeth, read the Bible and another book.  I have such a hard time finding good books that my 4, 6, and 8 year-old will all enjoy.  I like to reading to them.   Most of the books that are currently being produced for children encourage bad behaviors, show parents as stupid or weak and just aren't creative.  I look for books that both my sons and daughter will enjoy and something fun to wind down the day.

Here are a few of the books we have been enjoying lately:
Chocolate Fever
Little House on the Prairie
Encyclopedia Brown
The Indian in the Cupboard

Winter is a great time to snuggle up with your kiddos and enjoy an adventure...