Book Review: The Last Bride

I've heard it said that all of Beverly Lewis's books sound the same.... and this thought does kindof come to mind because, on the outside, they all look very similar and they DO have similar settings. But never judge a book by it's cover! :) The Last Bride was a very hard one for me to put down!! (It took longer for me to get around to writing a review than it did to read it!) :)

Tessie is in love with a man, and her father refuses his approval and doesn't tell her why. Impulsively, she and her fiance, Marcus, elope; sneaking off to a Justice of the Peace. Afterwards, they continue to live their lives separately, sure that given enough time, her parents will come around and bless their marriage. Tragically, before they can divulge their secret, Marcus dies in an accident.  Tessie must grieve alone. She must tell her people eventually, but will they believe her?

I don't want to give away the ending. Beverly Lewis is a bestselling author for a reason. She truly is a master storyteller and knows her setting well. I certainly don't regret reading yet "another" Beverly Lewis book. :)

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This book was given to me by Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: Echoes of Mercy (Plus a bit of news!)

In Echoes of Mercy, Caroline Lang goes working in a candy factory to discover the truth of allegations surrounding child labor. She is also seeking to discover the mystery surrounding the death of the previous undercover worker. What she doesn't know is that the heir to the factory is also working undercover to understand how the factory operates. Together they find out what is really going on with the factory management and how to better help all the worker and help provide what the children need.

I really enjoy reading Kim Vogel Sawyer's books. You can always tell the amount of research that she has put into each novel to ensure historical accuracy. (The historian in me loves that!) I enjoyed reading the book - and the candy factory setting just "sweetened" the deal! (Sorry... hard to resist that one!) ;)


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Thank you to Blogging for Books for the review copy. My opinions are my own.


PS... I have a "Finished Object!!" YAY!! SOOOOO I will try to get a FOF post ready for this Friday! I wanted to give a bit of time in case anyone else wants to share! Yep, I kinda fell off the bandwagon on this. Having a baby does take away time from any big craft projects, but it sure is fun to fit one in every now and then! :)

Book Review: The Rhyme Bible

For some strange reason, I have even more interest than before in reviewing childrens' books! ;) This Rhyme Bible is a fun little board book. Don't know that I would consider it a "story book" as it is more just a book of short rhymes - although the stories of Jesus are longer. The pictures are bright, colorful and fun, and the rhymes are enjoyable. I'm sure that our little one will enjoy it in the future! It will be a book that she can play with on her own from a young age (versus worrying about her tearing up paper pages.) :)

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Book provided in exchange for review from BookLook (previously Booksneeze). My opinions are my own. Thank you. ;)

Book Review: Where Courage Calls

As a teen, I read all the Janette Oke books that I could, some I have read over and over (and over.) They have become my "comfort" books with friends and places I can visit again and again. It has been a while since I have read a new Oke book and I enjoyed this one! Elizabeth Thatcher is a school teacher headed from her Eastern life of luxury to a Western Canadian mining town to teach the children there, many of whom have recently lost fathers or brothers in a mining accident. It is quite an adjustment to this way of life, but Beth quickly comes to love the people of the town and several become like family in her year of teaching there.

This book is dubbed by the publisher a "companion story" to the Hallmark channel television series. I haven't seen the series, only the first one. Funny what comes to my mind is that "this isn't quite like the movie!"  (A note on the movie: A really appreciate the producers holding true to the original "When Calls the Heart" story for the most part and making this series based on a whole new character. This "Beth" is a niece of the original "Beth" and the niece is reading the diary of her aunt providing flash backs to her aunts story. The "Love Comes Softly" series took such a turn from the books, I am very glad they are leaving this series [one of my very favorites] alone!) 

Reading an Oke book once again reminds me why I like her books. Some books I read (and even post about here) I feel the need to specify that it is better to be read by someone married because of content. But reading the last chapters of this book I was thinking how I would be glad for my daughter to read this book even as a teen. (Tiny spoiler alert...) Beth does end up with a love interest at the end, but what I love the most is how honorable he is in waiting for her and how her decision to "court" is in God's hands. They both want God's best for their life and his interest in her is based on the reality of who she is and what he observes about her passion for her students. Is it deep scholarly reading? no. But it IS an enjoyable, interesting read that has a great message for all readers. I hope you enjoy! :)

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Thank you to Bethany House for providing this copy for review. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: The Beauty of Broken

The tag line to this book says "There is no such thing as a perfect family." So very true. We live in a broken fallen world, so many families are broken in one way or another. This book chronicles the family life of Elisa Morgan, former CEO of MOPS International for several years. In each chapter, Elisa shares a bit more of her story and how she tried to fix the brokenness in her family, but how God has taken that brokenness and made something beautiful from it.

I don't know even where to start telling you about all the things I have marked to remember in this book. One of the things that stood out to me the most is that Elisa is an adoptive parent. One thing she said really hit home to me: "I heard God's gentle prodding, Elisa by the time you receive your child, he or she will already have experienced the greatest wound of his or her life." This may be hard for some to understand if they don't understand adoption. Adoption comes out of brokenness.

But what I love the most is the hope she gives for brokenness and broken families: "God loves you and your family, and He will re-form you and your family through brokenness." She points out how God will use the broken - how so much in Scripture was broken to be used: Gideon's pitchers, a broken roof for healing the cripple lowered by his friends, broken loaves to feed 5,000, and a broken body pierced for our sins. I'm so glad that the broken can be redeemed and used!


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Thank you to BookSneeze for the review copy. My opinions are my own. 

Book Review: Sherlock Holms and the Needle's Eye

Yep, another book review... Now that our house is sold (less upkeep - especially keeping it "show ready") and we are put in our temporary location, I have a bit more time to read and catch up. (I don't even have a whole house to care for! Just doing my share in cooking and cleaning here at my parent's home.) :) Most of my reading has been minimal and usually just fun and relaxing with all the craziness that is life right now... :) Sooo... you get another reveiw!

Growing up I read a lot of mysteries. Inhaled them, really! I also listened to a lot of stories - including some Sherlock Holmes (I can't remember if they were old time radio, audio drama or just an audio book - I think I got them at our local library.) Anyway. I cultivated a love for Sherlock Holmes - his deductions and humor. In Sherlock Holmes and the Needle's Eye, Holmes has acquired an invention created by Moriarty that allows him to travel back in time. Holmes, usually accompanied by Dr. Watson, travels back into Bible times and with each trip finds a question to be answered about the story. 

This book was so neat in that it combined the iconic "Holmes" with researching the mysteries of Scripture. Each chapter was dedicated to a different "mystery" in Scripture. Some of them were familiar to me (the question along with the solution.) Then some of them completely blew me away - I had never made that connection! Several times I found myself laughing out loud. Definitely a fun and thought provoking read!

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Thanks to Booksneeze for the review copy. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: Into the Whirlwind (Plus a small life update!)

Yes, I have thought several times that the title of this books is quite appropriate for this season of our lives! It does feel as though we are living in a whirlwind, but we are hanging in there!! We closed on our home and are living temporarily with my parents until our apartment is ready for us in just a few more weeks. :) We are so happy for answered prayer in selling our house. It does seem very strange not to be living there, but we do sense God's leadership and working through the process. Below is a picture collage I made up that chronicles our move.

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Note: Per Bethany House Book Reviewer guidelines, the book review can be found in it's own post here.

Book Review: Into The Whirlwind

Mollie Knox has inherited her family's watch crafting business. She has a brain for business and for managing the company. Life turns chaotic when the Chicago fire destroys her home and her business. The 57th Illinois Watch Company isn't just a family business, it also provides jobs to many veterans who served with her father in the Civil War. Zack Kazmarek is an attorney for the main purchaser of her watches but has fallen in love with the beautiful business woman. Mollie has to figure out if it is all business with him or if he really has her best interest at heart. 

Not very often do I go out on a "limb" and try a new author. I tend to review books I know I will enjoy! I am very glad to have tried this author!!! I will be reading more of her books! (And am always excited to find an author who puts so much research and time into historical fiction as well as being a page-turning read!)

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Thank you to Bethany House for providing this copy for review. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: The Guardian

Yes, I'm combining two book reviews into one post.... but since they are both for Bethany House, I don't think they'll mind.  ;) (ETA: Per Bethany House review guidelines, I have split this post so each book has it's own post... the review for "A Most Peculiar Circumstance" can be found here.)  One thing about the books I review here, before I even request them, I am pretty sure I am going to enjoy reading them! (I'm a fairly picky reviewer...) I have a pretty good idea of what is available in Christian books these days. AND I do love books!!! I've been enjoying some fun books this summer! I'd love to hear what you have been reading as well!

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I enjoyed Beverly Lewis's third installment in the Home to Hickory Hollow series. Just about the time that I think I probably won't enjoy another of her books, she comes up with another good one with a totally different story line! Such a neat plot premise in this one. The story begins with a little Amish girl falling out of her family's buggy and being found by a young "English" lady who is going through her own life crisis. Bonds are formed when Jodi returns little Sarah to her family. Such a sweet story of healing and reconciliation with God.

I'm not sure what else to say about this book. I certainly don't want to give anything away. Beverly's writing certainly speaks for itself! Amish fiction has become "the thing" and really is becoming a little overdone. However, Beverly is the queen of this genre. It's her excellent writing that has brought this about, as well as the fact that she writes these stories from the heart and from her family history. This is a enjoyable read of English world meets Amish world.


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This book has been provided free in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Bethany House!

Book Review: Intentional Parenting

Intentional Parenting... wow. where do I start? This book has soo much good in it. A friend (mother of a one year old) asked me recently if it was too early to read a book I recommended. I told her I had already read it and I don't even have a daughter yet! So is it too early for me to read parenting books? Well... I look at it this way, the more I read now, the more I will have in "reserve" for when I need it. And I'll have more resources that I already know about that I can pull from when the time comes! :)

This book had me at "Intentional." That's been a word that has meant a lot to me. I want to live intentionally, especially when it comes to parenting. I want to be intentional - maybe a good word would be proactive - to learn what I need to learn and be the best I can be. I don't underline much in books, but this book really asked for it - so many good things I wanted to remember! The purpose of the book is to help parents become more proactive - and not to parent out of fear.

The authors are part of a a counseling program for parents and kids and have counseled many families which gives them a broad perspective on many families. They talk about being a consistent, patient parent. About giving kids a chance to "try again." I like that idea - it reinforces good behavior. (And goes along with what I have been learning from this DVD series that I have been watching.) I loved what this quote: "Discipline should never be about harming or shaming our children." They enforce that discipline should be done out of love and not out of anger. It seems that I observe so often parents responding to their children out of frustration (And I know, what room have I to talk when I don't have kids yet) but many times what I have observed seems so extreme. I don't think the parents realize that they are doing more harm then good when they humiliate their children. (ok... off the soapbox now...) ;)

Well, I could go on and on! I have more than just one quote underlined!! I love how they talk about the importance of playing with your children, but also balancing that play with the fact that the parent is to be the parent and not primarily just a "buddy." Intentional Parenting is an excellent resource to add to your parenting library! :)


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Thanks to Book Sneeze for providing a copy for me to review - my opinions are my own.

Rainy Day

Enjoying the pitter patter of raindrops and a good book. It doesn't get much better! ;)

Book Review: Unglued Devotional

The Unglued Devotional is the companion book to Lysa TerKeurst's book Unglued. However, I did things backwards and read the devotional first and am now reading the book. :) The devotional is written in 60 short focused daily readings with Scripture, a thought for the day and an ending prayer.

I must say that at only halfway through the regular Unglued book, I feel like I got more out of the devotional. I think maybe the reason could be that while Unglued is a great self help book - seeing yourself and your reactions as they truly are and how to deal with them - the devotional is more "nourishing." So they do both work well together. I loved the short chapters, and actually read at least two per day. Lysa has written so many tidbits that stand out to me (in fact, I started following her on Facebook for this very reason). The following is one of my favorite quotes from this devotional: "While brokenness is universal, with God redemption is also universal. No matter what cracks and crevices cover our hearts, if we seek the truth of God above all else, He will work all things for good."


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A big thank you to Book Sneeze for this review copy - my opinions are my own. :)

Book Review: A Home in Drayton Valley

In this book, A Home in Drayton Valley, Tarsie and Joss are thrown into a "partnership" (as the back cover calls it) for the sake of the children of recently widower Joss. However, Tarsie, already in love with children Emmy and Nathaniel, finds herself in love with Joss as well. And Joss has his own issues and addictions to overcome. They travel from New York to the small Kansas settlement in Drayton Valley. The story climaxes with a bit of mystery and of course has a happy ending.

I really enjoy Kim Vogel Sawer's books and the premise of this one grabbed my interest especially. However, I chose to read this one at a particular time a couple of weeks ago, because I assumed it wouldn't draw me in too much and I would be able to put it down at night. Oops. Mistake on my part. This did draw me in. :) She does a good job representing the children - it frustrates me when authors present children as mini adults. The story also deals with how people of different races were treated at the time as well as adult illiteracy. I enjoyed reading it, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good historical romance.

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Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy. My opinions are my own. :)

Feeding a bookworm: A Book list for tweens

As some of you know, I work part time at a local church library. I love recommending books to people, especially when they come back raving about how much they loved a book! :) I know it is just one week until Christmas (REALLY?? How did that happen!?) and some of you may be needing some last minute ideas for gifts. Might I recommend a good book? ;)

Several years ago, I did a blog post listing many of my favorite children's books. However, after looking back at the list, I really don't have a lot of options listed. I've had different people ask about some good books for their kids that they can't keep supplied with books! The kids just read way too fast! A few weeks ago, my sister asked if I could recommend some books for a friend of ours... so Nancy, this list was started with you in mind, but I have expanded it from there. (Hopefully many of these books will be available in your city library, since it sounds like keeping your reader supplied could be a budget breaker!) :) 

There are so many books coming out all the time - in the Christian publishing industry as well as mainstream market. But there are so many good "classics" that aren’t necessarily “mainstream” at the moment. Although I started this list with a preteen girl in mind, many of these books would be just as fun for boys.

I'll start with the ones that I feel would appeal to boys and girls.

Homer Price

• Caddie Woodlawn – Carol Ryrie Brink (Magical Melons is the sequel) 
• The Railway Children – E. Nesbit 
• Pippi Longstocking – Astrid Lingren 
• The Peterkin Papers – Lucrecia Hale 
• Homer Price – Robert McCloskey (and Centerburg Tales) Hilarious Books!! 
• The Bronze Bow – Elizabeth George Spear 
• Strawberry Girl - Lois Lenski (She wrote many books about girls from different regions, unfortunately, they have become hard to find. This one is fairly common.) 

 A few books that would more likely appeal to girls:

Betsy, Tacy and Tib

• Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace. (The series starts when the girls are 5 and go through the first year of Betsy’s marriage. I've read several of them many times over.) 
• The Pollyanna books – Eleanor Porter (There are several in the series.) Eleanor Porter has written several books, I remember enjoying some of her others, but I don’t remember what age they are geared to. 
• Pippi Longstocking – Astrid Lingren 
• What Katy Did – Susan Coolidge (I haven't actually read these yet, but they are favorites of several people.) :) 

Some more "boyish" books:

• The Kingdom Series and the Knights of Arrethtrae Series by Chuck Black. You may remember that I reviewed one of his books a while back and I was very impressed! His books the whole family would enjoy! 
• Rifles for Waite – Harold Keith 
• Johnny Tremain - Esther Forbes

 I will say, on all of these books, the enjoyment of them depends on the reading level of the child. And while I feel all these books are excellent, it has been a while since I read some of them. So don't just take my word on them, if you have any questions be sure and check them out yourself before giving them to your child. :)


Also, a couple of words of caution that I give to many mothers of preteen girls: First off, while I loved the American Girls series when I was young (my favorite was Samantha!), be careful when you get outside the main historical series - such as "Meet _____." In some of their other series, I have run into language issues (as in words we don't feel comfortable using), some PG rated content, and even tarot cards. I have written to the company personally to voice my concerns so I have no reservations sharing my concerns with you here.
Also, there is an author in the Christian fiction genre - she writes for children, teens as well as adults - that I have had some major concerns about. In fact, at one point we removed all of her teen books as well as an adult series from our library. It just shows that even in with "Christian" publisher one must use caution, as I'm sure many of you moms already know.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my little list. Maybe it's been an inspiration anyway. :) OR maybe you have some favorites I forgot to add?

Book Review: When Hope Blossoms

First off... I promise this hasn't become solely a book review blog. However, I do love good books!!! :) And I am soooo happy for the privilege of reading them in exchange for a copy. If you are a blogger and love books, I recommend getting involved in some of the great review programs available. I do reviews for Bethany House, Thomas Nelson and Waterbrook. Ok.... on to the review!

Amy Knackstedt is a young Mennonite widow who is doing her best to get a new start for her family in the town of Weaverly, Kansas. She has three children, and is doing her best to earn a living with her quilting business. Her next door neighbor, Tim Roper, a former Mennonite, who has also lost his spouse. Tim runs an apple orchard and is still grieving the untimely death of his wife and son.

When I finished this story I thought, "This is the Kim Vogel Sawyer I know!" Such a great story line! (An improvement, in my humble opinion :) over her last novel.) This is a contemporary novel, instead of historical like many of her books. I really liked the development of the characters, especially the children. Some authors have a hard time representing children accurately, but these children, at very different ages, all seem very real and accurate to stages they would be going through. The book kept my attention, and was very believable. I really like how she dealt with raising a child with special needs. Very enjoyable read!

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Thank you to Bethany House for this review copy... my opinions are my own!

Book Review: The MoneySmart Family System

The MoneySmart Family System by Steve and Annette Economides is an in depth resource book as well as instruction "manual" in helping your family learn how to manage money. I choose to review this book, mainly because I knew it was something my husband would be interested in. (He is the official money manager in our home.) There is sooo much jam packed into this book. I'm not even sure where to start.

First off, it is an enjoyable read. Books like this could easily read as text books, but the Economides do a great job in keeping the book interesting. They use many stories of their own family as well as families they know to illustrate their points.

This book could also be classified as simply a parenting book. They have a lot of practical advice for how to keep your family on the right track. Being over committed is a common problem in today's society, and the authors have very practical advice on how to keep families from falling into that trap as well as building family unity.

Most chapters have a section at the end showing how to relate the information to children at different ages. Through the whole book they are building the groundwork for raising independent, confident adults. It is much easier for lessons to be earned at a young ages. As they say, "The cost of an unlearned lesson will always escalate with time." Better to learn a lesson the hard way, when the most lost is $5 or $10 rather than $10,000!

Honestly... there isn't enough room for me to write everything about this book! If you are a parent, or plan to be, then this book is for you! Also you can check out their website: http://www.americascheapestfamily.com


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Thanks to Thomas Nelson (Book Sneeze) for this review copy... my opinions are my own.

Book Review - Almost Amish

In the book, Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman, two families find out what it would be like to live as Amish in today's society. Julie and her two children, along with Julie's sister-in-law Susan and her daughter, go to live in an old farm house and experience the simple life. It's all done for reality television, but what the two families learn is what is truly important and what is real. Julie also learns a lot about who she is as a person and what she really wants to be.

The premise of this book really interested me when I first got the opportunity to read it. So many times in my review book choices, I stick with authors and genres that I know I will enjoy. And very rarely am I disappointed. (Thus so many positive reviews!) :) This book was a little different for me. It really sums up the big interest in Amish fiction in the Christian fiction market. (I do enjoy a little of that myself!) I think so many of us yearn for a simpler life, but the important thing is to really figure out what is really REAL and the most important. Both the women in this book learned some of those things and made it a point to stand up for what they believed was right and best for their families. An great book that grabbed me from the start.

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Thank you to Bethany House for providing this review copy. My opinions are my own. :)

Thrifty finds!

Yes, once again... Mom and I went to our favorite thrift sale!! LOVE that place!! We actually went twice... the first day we went, our favorite building wasn't open yet. So... of course, we had to go back the next day! (And I'm glad we did... we had a lot more time to browse, and I got a chance to have a quick chat with bloggy friend, Shelly, and other good friends - the "J" family!)

First, a couple of finds from the first day... I collect Boyd's Bears Yesterday's Child figurines. Mark's mom is always finding them for great prices, but I rarely run across them! (It's great to have a mother-in-law with an eye for bargains!) I did find this one, and I love it! It's more fallish - I'm wanting to collect more seasonal figurines so I can rotate them. (I'm not into a whole lot of knick-knacks, these are the only ones I collect and there aren't many more I really like... love the vintageness of these pieces!)

So sweet! This one is "Waiting for Grandma." It reminds me of myself... when I was young. About this time every fall, my grandparents in Idaho were getting ready to make their annual trip down to Texas for a month long visit. They usually brought a truck full of apples from their farm to sell. Happy memories!

I also was thrilled to find me some real cowgirl boots!

Just a few scuffs, but almost brand new looking and for just a fraction of the cost!

Now on to Friday's shopping and our favorite building!!! We always find really good "treasures" in this building! I found a few books.... (Sigh.. me and books. I'm afraid it's hopeless... if there's anything I have more of than shoes, it's books!)

And how about those vintage covers on a couple of children's classics?!


A glass globe:

Can you have too many? So fun to put cute things under!

Some various and sundry things:


Aren't those vintage games great? I've been on the lookout for some classic games for a while. Not exactly sure what I'm going to do with them yet, maybe hang them in the family room - fun, non-breakable wall art! The puzzle is an annual holiday tradition with Mark's family, and we don't always have a "Christmasy" one to do. The set in the bottom left of the picture is a Scripture memorization curriculum as best I could tell... I haven't looked into it a whole lot, but for 25 cents, who could go wrong? :)

I found a few more games... some for me (maybe):


And some for our kiddos at church. We have a prize box that they earn points for (by being good, helping, and listening in "big" church, among other things...) Some of the kids said they didn't have games at home to play and wondered if we could put some in the box. Soo... I found a few for a fraction of the price new. I'm sure they will be excited to see them appear in the box! (Except for the "Bendaroos" that's for a fun, open-ended craft some night!)  :)

 

Seriously, Mom and I get the "itch" to shop this sale a few weeks before it opens yet again (They hold it in the spring and fall.) Love me some good thrifty finds! Anyone else found any good deals recently? :)

Book Review - Song in My Heart

I recently finished "Song in My Heart" by Kim Vogel Sawyer. In the story, the heroine, Sadie, comes from a very loving family. Her family isn't wealthy and because of an accident making her father unable to work, she answers an advertisement to help in a western mercantile and possibly sing in an opera house. When she arrives, the opera house isn't quite what she expected. Meanwhile, Thad arrives in town to investigate rumors of bootlegging.

I do enjoy historical fiction, and I have been a fan of Kim Vogel Sawyer's books. I believe that I have read everything she has published. This is a fun story, with a little bit of western action. However, in my opinion, it isn't one of her better stories. The story seemed a little far fetched to me. I don't want to give any spoilers, but it just didn't seem like quite a plausible story. But it was a fun clean little romance, and an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to someone looking for a light summer read.

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Thanks to Bethany House for providing this copy for review. My opinions are my own. ;)

Book Review: Where Lilacs Still Bloom

There are authors that are fun to read… then there are authors that are just so good that you read one of their books and you just have to “chew” on it for a while. I have known, without even reading her, that Jane Kirkpatrick falls into the latter category. (Sometimes you just know…) Where Lilacs Still Bloom is a fictionalized biography of Hulda Klager. Hulda was an amazing woman – German immigrant with a passion to minister to others through her garden. She developed many different varieties of lilacs in her lifetime as well as raising a family.

It took me a little while to get into this story. Even when I didn’t think I was quite “into” it, I found my mind going back to her story and being drawn back in. (in other words, it wasn’t one of those “Can’t put it down” books for me, but I still couldn’t quite get away from it.) The storyline was a little hard to follow initially. There are several different characters that seem unrelated at first, but by the end of the book, they all are very much impacted by Hulda and her work.

 I love the fact that Jane Kirkpatrick puts so much research into her work. Her goal is to tell the stories of women in history and she does a good job. Her books are certainly something with “meat” in them. I loved learning about her characters and by the end of this book, I had a new appreciation for lilacs and plant propagation.


 (Thanks to Waterbrook Press and Blogging for Books for my free review copy. All opinions are my own.)