Fabulous Recipe

One fabulous, delicious recipe: four authors, add an Amish genre, one snow storm, and mix in four babies. Put in Christmas tin. Bake for 25 years. Garnish with mystery, intrigue and love. This recipe is accomplished in Amish Christmas at North Star by authors Amanda Flower, Katie Ganshert, Mindy Starns Clark and Cindy Woodsmall. So if you like these authors as stand alones, then you will want to read this book with the combined talent of each of them in their own novellas. The four authors focus on one of the four babies born in 1990 during a snow storm in North Star and where life has taken them in the 25 years since then. I found each story captivating, making one believe in the magic of Christmas and love. I received this book for free to review for Blogging for Books.

Dethroning Super Mom

Becky Kipitzke takes on the challenge of dethroning "Super Mom" in her book The Super Mom Myth: Conquering the dirty villains of motherhood. Moms in todays culture find themselves doing the comparison game- trying to live up to the Norman Rockwell picture perfect family. Kipitzke takes the reader on a journey, describing eight villians of motherhood and how to overcome them: housework, comparison, fear, anger, busyness, neglecting ourselves, neglecting our husbands, and exhaustion. The beginning of each chapter lists the villian, the related evil power of the said villian, and the "kryptonite" or Bible verses that empowers or shows us the real truth. She does all of this in an easy, conversational, and humorous read. My only wish was that this book had made its appearance several years ago when my children were much younger as I saw myself having fallen victim to many of these villians back in the day! I received this book for free to review from Barbour Publishing's Review Crew.

Running From the Past

Joline's Redemptionis the story of Joline Jensen who has made some rash desicions that have caused her much pain. The only joy to come of her pain is her son Jamie. As the story opens Joline must make another decision- to stay or run away from the bordello and return to her family. When it comes to making good decisions Joline does not do a good job even though she says she is putting others first. There is much pain in Joline's telling of her story but there are times it bogs down the storyline. In many ways I am reminded of the Bible story of Hosea particularly when Baron realiazes he has feelings for Joline and tries to put them in context with Joline's past history and her son. This book is the second in the series. Although I read it as a stand alone, I think reading the first book may help explain Joline's character more. I received this book free from Barbour Publishing to review and give an honest opinion.

Sleuth Finds More Than Expected

First time I have read a book by Nancy Mehl. Rising Darkness did not disappoint. I was captured by the main character's dialog and her desire to amount to something after having a terrible childhood. Sophie's goal is to become an investigative reporter so she begins by trying to solve an unsolved crime by following a lead that takes her to Sanctuary, Missouri. She takes an alias and creates a story as to why she is visiting so as not to arouse suspicion. Unexpectedly, she meets someone there from her past who eventually recognizes her. Not only that, this person offers to help her solve the mystery when Sophie begins getting threatening notes. Will she be able to solve the crime and further her career before she is hurt or someone else is hurt? And will she come to terms with God? A must read if I do say so. I received this book free from Bethany House Publishing to review and give an honest opinion.

Love Triumps as Trilogy Ends

When Love Returns is the third book in the Zimmerman Restoration trilogy by Kim Vogel Sawyer. The book we have all been waiting on to discover if Paul and Suzanne are able to move forward from their past and forge a new relationship. It also finds Alexa wanting to discover who her birth mother might be. With what little information Suzanne can tell her, she moves forward in her search by returning to Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Suzanne tries to run the bed-and-breakfast with help from Anna-Grace. She is torn between supporting Alexa on her search and fear she will lose her adopted daughter and never have a mother-daughter relationship with her real daughter, Anna-Grace. It was a great read but I felt it ended to quickly after spending so much time building up to this point. A few more chapters may have helped, although over all an enjoyable book. I received this book free from WaterBrook to review and give an honest opinion.

Family Secrets

Cindy Woodsmall has created another must read in the new series The Amish of Summer Grove. In book one, "Ties That Bind," the reader is introduced to Ariana Brenneman-a young Amish woman with the dream of opening her own cafe to help support her family. When she discovers Quill Schlabach, who left the Amish life, is back in town she begins to fear he is back to help someone else leave the faith. Ariana figures out it is someone in her family. Thinking it is her younger sister, Ariana enlists her sister to help work at the cafe but does she have the correct family member? And what about the strange way her parents have been acting? And will she ever earn enough money to purchase the cafe? Or even get her cafe opened? The author does a great job drawing you into the story so much so that it is hard to put down the book! I received this book free from Waterbrook Press to review.

Beauty Begats Wisdom

Angela Hunt writes an enthralling tale about David and Bathsheba in her latest book Bathsheba. The story is written from the perspective of Bathsheba and the prophet, Nathan. Hunt developes a storyline that is so believable and heart wrenching at the same time. It is so hard for us in today's American culture to fathom how this could happen. But if I put myself in that culture at that period of time, it makes one stop and think. Bathsheba is innocently taking a ritual cleansing bath in her courtyard. Remember no bathrooms during that time. David is on the rooftop of his palace surveying his kingdom when he happens to see Bathsheba. All within the kingdom belongs to the king, and David as king, acts accordingly and demands the woman be brought to him. It is only after the fact that David realizes what he did and tries to correct the error by bringing Bathsheba's husband back from the battlefield. But the plan back fires on him. To make matters worst Nathan calls on David giving him a message from God "I will generate evil against you out of your own household..." So begins the fulfilment of the prophecy with the death of the firstborn son

to Bathsheba and David. This book really brings the Biblical story alive. It truly provides a different perspective of a very familiar Old Testament story.

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Comparison Shopping

   

     I found myself nodding my head so many times in agreement with the author, Kay Wills Wyma, as she talks about contentment in "I'm Happy for You." Wyma uses humor, real life experiences, and a conversation style writing that is easy to follow as she talks about our culture's obsession with comparison. I had not thought of myself being apart of the comparison game, but after reading this book, I had to rethink that thought. Wyma writes "the longing to know we belong compels us to race after anything that offers to secure our feelings of importance and worth" (p. 2015, p. 32). I particularly liked the chapter on yardstick living: how do we measure up or how do we measure ourselves to others. This book offers a way back to living a simpler, more contentment filled life.  
     I received this book free to review from waterBrook Press.

Potter and Artist

        "The Potter's Lady" is the second book in the series Refined by Love by Judith Miller. Before I read the book I did read the first one in this series. Although this second book would stand on its own, it was nice to have the background going into it. With that said, Judith Miller does a great job building the characters and setting. Rose McKay is a strong female character who knows what she wants. After graduating from design school she travels back home to live with her brother, Ewan, and his family. Ewan has been displaced from his job and is looking to purchase a brickyard with financing from his mother-in-law. Ewan and Rose visit a pottery that is for sale in the same town as the brickyard. Rose convinces her brother and his family to purchase the pottery. But problems begin to pop up from the workers and to lack of contracts. On the other hand, Rose's beau, Joshua Harkness' pottery is doing a great job at landing contracts. Rose fears the pottery may not have been a good choice until a letter arrives from her former headmistress about an art contest. Ewan insists that Rose and Rylan Campbell work together to produce a winning entry.  Will they be able to put aside their differences and create a winning entry? Will they figure out why they cannot obtain more contracts to grow the pottery business?
     This is a historical fiction set in West Virginia. There is reference to several sites well known for their pottery. I happen to live near a few of these sites and so this novel intrigued me. If you like historical fiction with romance mingled in, then pick up "The Potter's Lady."
   I received this book free from Bethany House to review.

Fire and Brimstone

     Tracie Peterson's Refining Fire, the second book in her "Brides of Seattle," reads quickly due to her character, Abrianna Cunningham. Abrianna is a feisty, outspoken young lady with a real love for God, living with her aunts who run a school for young women learning the fine art of "keeping house" and to attract a husband. She decides to open a food kitchen as her calling from God obtaining help with her adventure from her friend, Militine, who is not so sure about her relationship with God or for men, and Thane Patton and Wade Ackerman. This story follows the adventurous Abrianna and her mishaps as she tries to live for God, accepts a courtship from a possible unsavory character and along the way discovers the possibility of love in a most unlikely person. Militine, wanting nothing to do with men and her fear of the past, discovers some truths, acceptance and love. So if you want a historical fiction with adventure and romance and a reminder of God's plan for each of us, then this is the book to read. I am looking forward to part three to see how Peterson wraps up the story for these characters and one or two other unsavory characters.
I received this free to review from Bethany House Publishers.

The Ties that Bind

   When I first started to read this new book from Katie Ganshert, I found myself trying to figure out what the relationship was between the two characters, Carmen Hart and Gracie Fisher, before the author revealed it. I didn't succeed, eventually losing myself into the world of both sisters. In The Art of Losing Yourself, Gracie is a teenager on the brink of self-destruction while Carmen is everyone's favorite meteorologist who has it all but on the inside she is falling a part. Ganshert creates two strong female characters who come together to rebuild a place that both have fond memories of- a run down motel owned by their elderly aunt. As they work to rebuild the motel as a surprise for their aunt, each sister is affected differently and in turn their relationship with each other, with their family and with God is affected.

Family Secrets

Kim Vogel Sawyer has written the second book in the
Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy entitled When Grace Sings.
This book picks up with Alexa Zimmerman hosting her first guest at her new bed-and-breakfast, a reporter from Chicago. Briley Forrester has come to Arborville to examine this Old Order Mennonite community, not for its charm and plain living, but to expose their dissatisfaction with living simple. To complicate matters, Alexa has agreed her cousin Anna-Grace can stay at the inn while helping her fiance, Steven, work on remodeling their future home. As the days pass Alexa feels all her insecurities surface about Anna-Grace and tries to hide them from the inquisitive Briley Forrester. Alexa is not the only one with a secret, Steven and Briley each have one.
Sawyer brings depth to her characters as she unfolds this tangled family story. I enjoyed it immensely finding it hard to stop reading. Now to patiently wait for the final book to see how this family and its secrets are resolved with the help of God and faith.
I received this book free from WaterBrook Press to review.

Old-fashioned Story-telling

This anthology, Easter Stories from Miriam LeBlanc is a collection of short stories from a wide variety of authors whose main topic is Easter. These stories provide an old-fashioned flavor packed with values that are timeless for the generations. Authors include Leo Tolstoy, C.S.Lewis, Oscar Wilde, and Jane Tyson Clement to name several. These classic Easter tales warm the heart and feed the soul. And since they are short stories, this means you can savor each story one at a time. Something to relish amidst our busy, on-the-go lifestyles. So take a few minutes to enjoy an Easter tale that will nourish your spirit.
I received this book free from Handlebar Publishing to review.

Baseball and Life

I do not play baseball nor am I follower of baseball. Yet for some reason I was prompted to read The Matheny Manifesto by Mike Matheny. I figured I might be bored but was pleasantly surprised as Matheny captured my attention holding it throughout the book. Yes, there were some stats and explanations about baseball I did not appreciate as some baseball fans, nevertheless,
so much of what he wrote held truth I could relate to as a parent. He talks about eight keys that lead to success: humility, leadership, confidence, character, faith, teamwork, class and toughness. This inspirational story can teach us "about winning on the field and in life." I think that is why I enjoyed it so much.