The Talk

As the mom to a young teenager, I appreciate this book SO MUCH. I know the awkwardness of having to sit your child down for "the talk" and have often struggled and stumbled through it on different levels! Having the tools that Jonathan McKee provided made that situation so much easier! Also His book addressed topics that I didn't even think about discussing with my child, (topics that should be brought up, but just never occurred to me!).
As my child grows older and our "talks" grow to new topics, I believe this will be my go to book on how to address, and what to address, during these times.
I appreciate this book a lot, and while it was at times an uncomfortable read (along with uncomfortable talks, lol) it is an important topic that parents seem to just avoid quite often. I feel better having these tools at my disposal, and for knowing that my child will be well informed and prepared for adulthood is a huge relief.
If you are a parent of any child who has hit or has yet to hit the teenage years I'd highly recommend this book!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Dauntless

I loved this book, any book that sets out to have their main female character portrayed as a strong female right away earns my attention! And this book did more than just that, I found myself engrossed in the story right from beginning to end, it was very hard to put down (I finished it in two sittings, with two very late nights, lol).
Lady Merry Ellison is running from the monarch of her area in an attempt to preserve her life, along with a group of orphans from her village. Together they form their own small group that depends upon thievery as a way to survive.
One thing I immediately appreciated about this book was that every character within the book was portrayed as having value to their group, and every member was taken care of to the best of everyones abilities. I think its such a great message in this book that they value everyone so much! Aside from that, the book is fast paced and full of action, there are plenty of twists to keep our attention, plus the faith of those in the books is clearly made known. The book gives a great message and provides a really enjoyable read!!
I highly recommend "Dauntless" for any kind of reader, the story covers so many genre's that its bound to fit into one you'll enjoy!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Anna's Crossing

This is the kind of book that is straight up my alley! One of my favorite genres is Amish, and I love anything that give a historical context to the story. So this one filled every check on my list for a great book! (Plus I've read a great deal of Suzanne Woods Fisher's books, and adore them!)
With this book we meet Anna, who is crossing the ocean with many others from her small Amish congregation that are seeking to avoid persecution and instead find a peaceful place to practice their faith. Anna isn't keen to leave, but being the only one who can speak english in her group she is compelled to travel with the others to offer her help. While she's there she meets Bairn, a young man who works for the ship she is travelling on and who takes a sudden interest (and kindness) towards Anna and her group.
All in all, this story was fantastic, it was a relaxing and pleasant read, it kept my attention till the very end of the book and is one I plan on reading many times before passing it on!
I would highly recommend it!!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

You're loved no matter what

I love books like these, there seems to be so much in the "church/religious culture" that focuses solely on what is wrong in everyone's life, or in our churches, or in our world. I love that it is becoming so much more frequent to see books such as "You're Loved no matter what" coming out. I love the positive message of the Gospel and appreciate when people reach out with love instead of condemnation.
I really enjoyed reading this, it was an easy yet insightful read that challenged me while still allowing the reader to understand easily what the message was. I truly appreciate the message of Holley Gerth in this book, that perfection isn't attainable, and that grace is constantly available. I found myself very encouraged and free'd in a way from the expectations of others and myself have placed upon me. I very eagerly recommend this book to any woman looking for encouragement!!


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

The Brickmaker's Bride

I have read a whole lot of Judith Miller's books, and have always found them to be very enjoyable, and time well spent! So I was pretty excited to see that one of her books was up for review!
Without hesitation I have to say this is one of my favorites of hers, I loved the vast differences in her characters, their lifestyles and maturity. And I love that while some were written in with  less than appealing dispositions, that she was able to find redemptive situations for some of them. Plus I really appreciated that she gave us small glimpses into the previous lives of some of the less desirable characters, that gave you a bit of an understanding of why their attitudes developed as they did. It made the story really come to life for me, and gave me a greater appreciation for the story!
Laura is the previous owners daughter with a sentimental interest in seeing the brick yard succeed, so when Hugh and his nephew Ewan purchase the brickyard, she does all she can to help them make it a success.
I really enjoyed this book, it was so well written (Which all of Miller's books are!) and kept me with my nose in the book till the very last page!

Stolen

I have to say, I really do love reading of people who overcome horrific situations within their lives, the strength it takes to move past, and to even speak out about it is inspiring!
We read so much about sex trafficking in other less "developed" countries, but never stop to consider how much of it is happening on our grounds. It really opened my eyes to see how much truly happens that we either don't notice, or continue to turn a blind eye to.
Katariina's story really inspired and impressed me, especially seeing how she kept moving forward after her escape, and to see how she didn't let that stand in the way of developing the life and education she did that contributes to the work she does now with freeing others from the same trap.
I think a book like this should be required reading in our schools and highly recommended in our churches. People need to have their eyes opened and become informed about what is happening in our communities and how we can play a roll to prevent it.
I highly recommend this book!

The Woman Code

I'm not sure fully how I feel about this book, on one hand I fully agree with everything that the book spoke on, however, I think it needs to be viewed as more of a "People" code rather than just for women. I think a lot out there male/female should be reading this book and feel like with it focusing on solely women, that half the audience it could and should reach is being left out.
with that said, I know personally it made a lot of difference to me in  my general day to day life. I specifically liked where Sophia Nelson spoke about lifting other women up as you climb. I think one of the greatest hindrances to true equality between genders is our own desires to put our sisters down, or try holding them back. I could see myself in some of the things she discussed in regards to it, and now make a conscious effort to withhold from falling back into that pattern.
In all, I think this book was fantastic, its a powerful book that really empowers women to stand fully in who they were created to be.
I highly recommend it!

The Patmos Deception

I really enjoyed this book, it was fairly fast paced and really held my attention throughout the entire story. Plus I love that Davis Bunn gave the backgrounds of all the characters, that you got to meet them all before their interaction together happened. It really made the characters seem more real!
Each of the Characters, Nicolas, Carey, and Demitri all were very likable characters, and were kept realistic, which I really appreciated! There's nothing that gets me to dislike a character more than when an author tries to write them in as unrealistically perfect/good. Each of the characters have flaws, failures, and trials that they are facing (Even before the story gets really exciting!) that really make the characters feel more real! I really appreciated that!
In all I think this was a fantastic book, the flow was great and kept me with my nose in the book long past when I should have been putting it down! The story was very well written and well developed,
in all, I would highly recommend this book!

The reason

I first heard of lacey Sturm when watching Billy Graham's "My hope for America" special, and immediately fell in love with her music! It was so heart felt and emotionally filled! So when I saw that I would be reviewing a book by this musician I was pretty stoked!
Lacey writes like she sings, with emotion and passion, holding nothing back even when its something that would leave her vulnerable. I love that she put out a book that showed such vulnerbility and gave her journey in a realistic way, bumps, ugliness and everything. She didn't try to put out a book that made her look good, but instead gave us a book that made us look to the one who is truly good.
I love this book, and I think it'll be one that will be well read in our household!


*Please copy and paste the following notice for all of the books (in it's entirety and without modifying the wording) at the bottom of your review:
 
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc." 

Playing by heart

This book was one of my favorites, I love that Anne Mateer put together such a strong independant  female character, who wasn't simply simpering away for some guy to sweep her off her feet!
I love that the main character (Lulu) was sure of her self in the way of knowing that she had a place in that time in spite of the views against her gender.
Mateer did a fantastic job of writing a Lulu as a strong character while still keeping her personable and likeable! I also loved that Lulu was written with her flaws showing! I always hate it (and tend to dislike main characters) that are written unrealistically perfect. Mateer wrote her characters with realistic attitudes and lifestyles, the book was very well written and I struggled a lot to put it down!!
I'm already a fan of historic fiction, but I think this book will be well loved by many people regardless of their genre preferences!!

*Please copy and paste the following notice for all of the books (in it's entirety and without modifying the wording) at the bottom of your review:
 
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc." 

Your life still counts

This was a great month for great books! Man did I ever love this book too!! I love that in this day and age, the Christian community is finally starting to focus on love and grace, and that past failures do not predict or control our futures!!
Tracie Miles wrote a fantastic book, and one well worth picking up and taking the time to read. I love that her book seemed to have a fantastic formula to it, of healing first of those past failures/mistakes, peace for our present, and the significance of our futures! I think its just fantastic that Tracie Miles didn't just leave things at the healing and peace, but made sure to make sure her readers know that their futures are significant and that their pasts don't have to hinder them!
Again, this will be one book I'll be recommending to our church library and my friends and family.
Its a wonderful, heart felt book that really encompasses the love and grace of God.


*Please copy and paste the following notice for all of the books (in it's entirety and without modifying the wording) at the bottom of your review:
 
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc." 

At Bluebonnet Lake

To be perfectly honest, I'm not generally a huge fan of romances, they just don't suit my personality. However with that said, I've over the years found some books that in spite of their romance genre, are actually quite good! This book, "At Bluebonnet Lake" was one of those books, while I didn't think I'd enjoy it much, I was quite surprised to have really enjoyed and engrossed myself in this novel!
Kate (the main character) gets pulled into a trip by her grandmother to visit a place meaningful to her and her late husband. As she (kate) spends time with her grandmother she starts running across Greg, the handyman of the park, and is surprised to find herself attracted to him.
This was a good book, a cute story and a welcome break in the day. If you're into romances, I imagine you'll really love this book. Even the non romance lovers would find this book enjoyable!!

*Please copy and paste the following notice for all of the books (in it's entirety and without modifying the wording) at the bottom of your review:
 
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc." 

Breathing room

I highly recommend this book especially if you're in ministry, or the spouse of a minister! I think there's so many of us out there that feel like what we do isn't good enough, that are stuck on our failures, and full of self-condemnation, and this book address that head on, and provides some much needed help and insight!!
Leeana Tankersley appropriately named her book, it was like a breath of fresh air, and just gave (me personally at least) some space to breathe in the midst of it all. But she doesn't leave you there, Tankersley provides some great tools to continually walk in the grace that is so freely given to us by God.
Honestly, I think everyone needs this book, not just ministers and their families, too many people out there are walking in condemnation when they don't have to.  I'll be recommending it for our church library and to anyone I come across. Its an awesome book, and one you won't regret buying!!

*Please copy and paste the following notice for all of the books (in it's entirety and without modifying the wording) at the bottom of your review:
 
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc." 

Have a Happy Family by Friday

I read Dr. Kevin Leman's book "Have a new Kid by Friday" and found it had some pretty good insights, so while I'm not normally into these kinds of book (Self-help-ish) I was fairly certain I was going to enjoy and benefit from this one anyway!
I love that the book starts off by pointing out the importance of each family member and their role in the family. Its sometimes disappointing to read these types of books and have them almost brush aside the importance of everyone but the "head" of the household.
I felt that Dr. Leman gave many practical tools to every member within a household, that allowed them to be heard and to hear from others.
I love that Dr. Leman also included his own personal experiences and insights into what helps to communicate to family members, and how to maintain a good attitude and behaviors no matter the situation.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would have issues with their families, or anyone who's in a family at all

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

A light in the wilderness

This was, by far, one of my favorite books I have read. It was such an insightful look into what life must have been like for the women of this time, especially women of such diverse cultural backgrounds.
My heart broke for Letitia and the struggles she faced constantly because of the color of her skin, but her inner strength and faith in the Lord was admirable and wonderful to read about! This story had me on edge so many times as all three women in this story faced such difficult obstacles. Letitia facing racism and injustice at the hands of others, Nancy facing her greatest fear/pain, and Betsy trying to pass on the knowledge of her ancestors before it was too late. Each had their own individual struggle that was so different, but each also found a so much in common between them that strong friendships were formed.
This is one of the books that will be retaining its place on my bookshelves for a long time to come! I imagine in the next while, it will get re-read many times!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

What Your heart Needs for the hard days

First off, I have to say I loved the book from first glance, Its adorable! So immediately I was already hoping I would love what was written inside too! (I did!!) I've been really into reading through the Psalms lately, so I was pretty excited to see that there was a devotional book based on them!
I really loved this book, the devotions are short and sweet, but still full of truths! They're long enough to enjoy for a few quiet moments during the day, but are packed with such insights and truths that I really found myself challenged! I love the "What my heart is saying to You/hearing from You parts of the book, found at the end of each devotional. I found they helped me really apply what I was reading in each devotional!
This will be a book that I will be recommending to many of my church friends!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

The River

I love Beverly Lewis' Amish books, I'm such a fan of them and I love the simplistic and kind way that Lewis writes her characters in. They're easy to get to know, and to understand. While there is some suspense and secrets in their lives, you still are able to get to know the heart of the character while reading!
In her book "the River" we meet Tilly and Ruth, who had left the Amish community for a life among the English. They're modern life is interrupted when they receive a call from one of their brothers inviting them to come to a birthday party for their father. With reservations about being back in the Amish community, the ladies head home again when they hear about the condition of their father's health. Tilly carries a guilt with her that makes being home again very difficult, and again is faced with her past regrets and pain. While Ruth faces memories of her past heartaches, and has a situation that could easily break her heart again.
Both characters were written so well, that I felt like I knew them. It was easy to get into this book and I found it a huge struggle to put down!
I would give this book my highest recommendation, as I would for any book by Beverly Lewis!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group"

Colliding with Destiny

I had the chance not too long ago to review another of Sarah Jakes books and enjoyed it immensely, I found her writing to be quite  honest and thought provoking! So When I saw this in my review group I was pretty excited to give it a read!
I love that she gave us a deper look into the story of Ruth, I usually feel like the story of Ruth gets such a quick pass over, that people just look at it as a story of a woman's obedience in order to land a husband. I'm so glad that Sarah Jakes took it to such a deeper level. That her obedience was first and formost to God, and that she set forth a legacy for other heroes of the faith as well!
I also appreciate how Jakes takes every aspect of the story she's written about and spells it out in such a way to make those lessons applicable easily to our own lives.
I really enjoyed this book, I found it was so in depth and intuitive! I highly recommend this book!!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group"

Tried & True

I did enjoy this book, it was very cleverly written, and I generally do enjoy reading books by Mary Connealy. I do have to say however while I appreciated the strong female characters, I was really frustrated with the men in the story and their view of women as weak.  That however would literally be the only complaint I have about this book. I enjoyed the rest of the story immensely, and always do look forward to reading books by Connealy!
In this series, we meet the Wilde family, three girls who are all pretending to be men in order to claim ownership of their ranches in a shorter time frame.  The story focuses a lot more around Kylie Wilde, and the claim she has on her own little piece of land.  Having gained (quite by accident) a prime piece of land that is valuable to some local ranchers, Kylie finds herself at the center of a fight to run her off her land. When the land agent Aaron learns of her true identity, he becomes torn between trying to protect her while remaining honest and loyal to his job.
All in all, I would recommend the book, the complaints I had about it were pretty minor compared to the rest of the story!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group"

Surviving Henry

This was a hilarious and adorable book! I don't usually like or read animal books, they aren't generally the genre that I enjoy. However I thought this book was fantastic. The stories that Erin Young shared were quite funny and very enjoyable! There were plenty of moments during the book where I would read portions to my son. He loves animal books and really enjoyed the parts I read to him! Plus I loved that there were lessons within this book that the author made it easy to pick up on. I love that even through all the disasters we can see the unconditional love within this puppy and this family.
I think this is a fantastic lesson that many of us can learn, and fortunately we can learn that through this book rather than experience our own boxer puppy disasters!!
I would highly recommend this book, its an excellent family read, and I think would be enjoyed by many different ages!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".