Book Review: At Bluebonnet Lake by Amanda Cabot

Kate Sherwood lives a very busy life. When her grandmother calls her and asks her to spend some time at Rainbow's End with her she isn't very excited.  She will do anything for her grandmother, so she does it.  When they arrive, it's not really the type of place that her grandmother remembers.  As time goes on Kate has met Greg, who she thinks is a handyman, but things aren't always what we think.  I enjoyed how the author takes us on a little journey through the story. 

I received this book for free for my honest review.

Book Review: Prescription for Life by Richard Furman, MD, FACS

This book started off a little dry for me.  The more I read the more information I got. One thing I do find hard is that it seems so many different people have different ideas.  The words on the cover sound so easy " Three simple strategies to live younger longer." It's not always so easy though to put those "easy" strategies into play.  I feel like there is quite a bit I could do that I learned in this book, but I couldn't follow everything. I did learn some interesting little bits of information that I wouldn't have known if I hadn't read this book. I think it's an interesting read for all. 


** I received a copy of this book for my honest review.

Book Review: Deceived by Irene Hannon

I really enjoyed reading this book.  It's the third one in the Private Justice series.  I feel like the author does a great job of developing the characters.  Kate Marshall thought she lost her husband and child in a boating accident four years earlier.  One day she's spots a child that she knows is her child. 
She ends up meeting with Connor Sullivan to help her find out the truth.  I love how the characters interact and work together through the story.  This series and this author is one that I could continue to read over and over again.

Book Review: The Desire by Dan Walsh & Gary Smalley

This book was a very touching book for me.  The couple in this book, Allan and Michele, have been wanting children, but so far haven't been successful.  Allan seem more focused on his missionary work in Africa whereas all that Michele can think about is having a baby.  It takes a special type of person to do and do the work that Allan is doing and throughout this book Michele learns more about her husband through his work.  God works in some mysterious ways for this family and it's an amazing story to read.


** I received this book free for my honest review.

Book Review: Nowhere to Turn by Lynette Eason

This is the second book in the series Hidden Identity and I am really enjoying this series.  The main character, Danielle, is in an abusive relationship and decides to leave.  Her husband dies the same day and there are people after her now because of something her husband previously did.  She goes to the Operation Refuge for help.  Everyone there seems to have a specialty and this time she gets put together with Adam.  I really like how the author brings all the characters alive.  I feel like she brings each person that is a part of Operation Refuge alive and makes them truly active in the story. She doesn't just write it as if it was an organization that Danielle goes to for help. I really feel like she develops her plot well and I'm really loving this series.  I can't wait to read more!!

I received this book free for my honest opinion.

Book Review: In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin

This is one of those books that I had a really slow start with. I started this book, put it down and started it again.  I had a hard time getting into the book, but eventually when I did I really enjoyed the book.  I had a little bit of a hard time following the character Kay, but once I paid a little more attention as I was reading I got to understand her a little more.  I think I actually enjoyed the other main character, Roger Cooper, a bit more.  They both had lots of depth in their character, but I seemed to understand and connect with him a bit more.  I would say I enjoyed the last 1/2 of this book the most. It seemed that the action and the depth of the characters reached me much more in this part of the book.



** I received this book for free for my honest review.

Book Review A Light In The Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick

All I can say is that I was hooked on this book from the very beginning!! This was one of those books for me that I couldn't put down.  I didn't want to go to bed at night because I just wanted to read until I finished this book.  I had not read anything by Jane Kirkpatrick before, but I've already requested something else from my library because I so loved this book.  I just felt that the characters were so well developed.  I felt like I knew Letitia, like she was a true friend of mine.  The things that she did I was feeling like I was right there doing them with her. Those are the types of books that I truly enjoy and the authors that I truly enjoy reading. To me those books are true experiences and not just a book to read. I would recommend this book to everyone and honestly I'm probably going to read it again shortly just because I enjoyed it so much!

Here is a little video:)

http://youtu.be/8Ixka881BNY


** I received a copy of this book free for my honest review.

Book Review: Debt-Proof Living by Mary Hunt

I've read quite a few books on getting rid of debt and making your financial situation better.  I've read a few that came highly recommended, but they just didn't seem to fit for my personality, my family, etc.  From the very beginning of this book I felt like this book seemed more practical than others.  I think is was the way Mary Hunt tells you that these are things you need to do, but doesn't seem to pressure you to do them the way others do.  She didn't seem to make me feel guilty if I couldn't start out with a certain amount, even $1 a week is something. I just seemed to feel less stress and pressure as I was reading her book. Let's face it, if you are dealing with money issues you are already stressed and feeling the pressure (LOL) Reading books that make you feel more of that aren't helpful. I really felt that she was saying most of the same things that other books said, but it was just the way her words came across to ME.  I think it's a great book, something to hang onto and go back to read again and again for those little tidbits that you didn't quite pick up on the first time.


* I was given this book free for my honest review.

Book Review: i need some help here! by Kathi Lipp

When I first read the title I wasn't sure this book would be much different from other parenting books that I've read.  When I started reading it I realized what I liked about it, it's got it all. It has practical advice, scripture and the everyday issues that we deal with.  This book is one to keep on the shelves that you can go back to time and time again.  I think it's also great because it doesn't seem to be geared to a particular age. The advice that is in the book could work with any age child.  It looks like this author has some other great books that are worth checking into.


* I was given this book free for my honest opinion.

Free Vet Pretend Play Activities

My youngest loves to pretend play.  Before Christmas he had decided that he wanted to be a doctor.  For one of his gifts we decided to put together a doctor's kit that would work better for him compared to one that you would buy in the store.  We found him scrubs at the thrift and added various other items we thought would go well with it. Shortly after I found some great printables to go along with it, prescription pad, doctor's forms, etc.  Tonight I ran across these vet papers and thought he'd love those as well. Then he can play vet with his animals and still use some of the same items from his doctors kit.  Here's the site I found them at:  Free Vet Play

Book Review: A Bouquet of Love by Janice Thompson

I love, loved, loved this book! I really can't think of anything that I didn't like.  I really loved the characters in this book. Another thing I really liked was the way the author really made real the experiences that were going on in the book. I think we all think we could relate to being in a Greek or Italian family, but this book really brings to life what it could be like.  There is lots of fun, laughter and joy in this book.  I think this is a great book for everyone.



I received this book free for my honest review.

Book Review: Death Takes a Ride by Lorena McCourtney

I have not read any books by this author before, so I wasn't sure how I'd like the book.  It was an easy read and I enjoyed the book.  Cate Kinkaid seems to me to be a very quirky character (LOL) I don't think she'd be employed by everyone, but certainly by a different sort of person. She seems to find herself in the unusual situations right from the beginning of the book.  One of my favorite characters in the book is Clancy.  He's a great add to the mix and I just don't think that the story would have been the same without him.  If your looking for an easy read with a few good laughs this is a great book for you.




I received this book for free for an honest review.

Book Review: 90 Minutes in Heaved Anniversary Edition by Don Piper

This is not the type of book I'd probably pick up unless a close friend had read it and highly recommended it to me.  After reading for just a short time I was totally hooked into this book.  I can't even imagine what Mr. Piper went through on this journey. I can't imagine how his family felt as they watched him healing, especially in those early days.  Sometimes the things I've heard about Heaven sound forced, like those people that talk about it are trying to say what they think they should say about it.  I didn't get that feel from the author at all. I felt that he was trying more to get his story out there about his journey through this all, what he learned and what he gained from it. He showed us what others taught him and it felt to me that he was trying to show us through the story just how much we can learn from other.  This was an amazing book and I would recommend it to everyone.




I received this book for an honest review.

Book Review: The Revealing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

I pretty much love any book about the Amish! I've read quite a few books by Suzanne Woods Fisher and I've enjoyed them all.  One thing that I really think she does well is to develop the characters in her books.  As I read this book one of my favorite characters was Naomi.  I felt she really developed as a character from the beginning to the end.  There are also several different plots happening at the same time, but it's not done in a way that the reader gets confused and can't keep track while reading.  Another thing that I think this author does well is the way she ends her books.  Often I've read books where when I've finished I'm left hanging or I know there isn't going to be another book to continue the series.  She ends her books in a way that is gentle.  The reader is still wanting to know more about these characters, but if there weren't another book you wouldn't feel let down about the way the story ended.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves books about the Amish.




I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

Book Review: Surviving Henry by Erin Taylor Young

When I first saw the title of this book I wasn't too sure that it was going to be interesting. Once I read the first few pages I realized how wrong I was.  I don't know when I have laughed so much reading a book. The writer has such a way describing the situations that she and her family have with Henry. You can really picture yourself standing there actually seeing it all take place. We have a dog that has done a few interesting things, but Henry goes above and beyond anything I have seen.  This is a great book to read when you need a few laughs and just want an easy book to relax and enjoy the night.


** I received a copy of this book for my honest review

Book Review: A Place in His Heart by Rebecca DeMarino

I absolutely loved this book! This is another new author to be and I really enjoyed her writing style.  I really enjoy that there were scriptures included in the book. Another thing that I truly enjoy is that the entire story wasn't always happy. Life isn't happy 100% of the time and I often don't care for the books that seem to portray it as such. This book showed the ups and downs, but showed how God was involved in the lives of these people during it all.  I can't think of anything that I didn't like about the story and I will be reading more by this author.



** I was given this book to read in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Atlas Girl by Emily Wierenga

I had a little bit of a hard time with this book I have to say. Some parts I was very into and others I kind of drifted away a little. It's a very powerful book as a whole. The author has an amazing story from her anorexia struggles, her travels, her relationship with her parents, etc.  I think we often are spending our entire lives searching for something to make life "perfect" and usually it's right in front of our faces.  I enjoyed how Emily Wierenga really shows her heart and soul through this book.






** I received as copy of this book for an honest review.

Book Review: Love Comes Home by Ann H. Gabhart

I really enjoy reading books that are from times long ago.  The Merritt sisters are all interesting characters in their own ways.  Each of the sisters have someone involved in the war and it's interesting how they are all dealing with it.  I enjoy reading about the family dynamics and how different life was then compared to now.  I haven't read anything by Ann Gabhart before, but I really enjoyed how alive she made the characters for me, so I will be checking into her other books in the future.

Book Review: One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon

I really loved this story.  It's the kind of story that touches your heart because you could really see a little girl writing a letter like happened here.  I thought the characters were well developed and I really felt like I could understand and know them. I also really got involved in the story and wanted to keep reading it to know what happened next. That is the kind of story that I like because I feel so engaged in it.



** I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Fatal Exchange by Lisa Harris

I usually tend to like more romantic types of books, but I really enjoyed this. I really liked how the main characters got along.  Mason isn't Emily's favorite person, but they end of working together.  It's a crazy story and an even crazier relationship that develops between the two of them.  I will be looking more books up by Lisa Harris because she has a way of developing the characters and plot that I really enjoyed.



** I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: One More Last Chance by Cathleen Armstron

I really enjoyed this book.  I thought the characters were very well developed and the story was well thought out.  Both Sarah and Chris were on new paths in their lives and the story was very interesting as they meet and intermingle throughout the story.  I think this is a great book and you can enjoy it even if you haven't read the first book in the series.




** I received a copy of the book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Finding Spiritual Whitespace by Bonnie Gray

We constantly think of needing to find space around our house for the items that we have.  This book is a great guide on helping us to find the whitespace that we need for our spiritual lives.  I often think that many years ago when there was less technology people often had more rest and better lives.  Now we don't seem to focus on the important things in life and we don't tend to take the time to rest when we need too.  In her book, Bonnie Gray, show us how we need to make that time in our lives for our spiritual growth by having that rest.  She shows us how to find that whitespace and how to make sure that it is an important part of our daily life.  I'm thankful that I got to review this book because I know that I need to find more rest in my daily life.

Book Review: A Dad's Prayers for his Daughter.

This book really touched my heart. I really loved the way it was set up with the different sections.  I felt like it pretty much covered about everything that you could want to pray for your daughter about. Aside from that you could easily take this same book and a mother could use it to pray for her daughter or son and a father for his son. Very little changes would need to be made.  It's a very well put together book that could be taken from the original concept and used in a little different way very easily.  I just think that any father that used this book the way it's intended would be giving an amazing gift to his daughters to be praying for all these items during their life.  I would highly recommend this book to everyone with children, whether they are boys or girls.

** I received this book free for an honest review from Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher

I have to admit that I love an book about the Amish.  In this book Bethany's life is taking an interesting turn.  She is spending her days with five eldery Amish sisters trying to help them declutter their house. It's quite humerous because they tend to make her work harder than she needs to because of their need to keep their items.  Jimmy Fisher has been in Bethany's life forever, but it seems that maybe their relationship is changing in a different way now.

** I was sent this book by Baker Publishing to review.

Book Review: The Long Awakening

I can't even begin to think of waking up and having lost a large chunk of time.  Worse yet, having had a new baby and not having been able to bond or spend that quality time in the beginning.  The Long Awakening is an amazing story about one women's journey back to her new life.  One moment she's going to the hospital to have her new baby and the next she's waking up to a totally different life.  Her family didn't know if she would wake up and when she did life wasn't the same.  Her journey back is an amazing story. One full of tears, faith, joy and love.







**I was sent this book from Baker Publisher to read and give an honest review.

Book Review: Dare to Love Again

This was another book that I was lucky enough to receive from Baker Publishing Group to read and review.  For me this book was a little bit of a slow read at first until I had my first laugh.  After that I was hooked.  At the beginning the main character Allison McClare is starting her life over.  She's starting a new school for the local area children, but it's not in the best area.  She has a little bit of a scuffle with a detective and that starts an entirely new relationship than she's used to.  The detective lives with a wonderful lady, Miss. Penny, who is full of wisdom and character. These characters keep you thinking, laughing and constantly wondering what is going to happen in their lives next.

Book Review: With Autumn's Return

I was recently sent some books from Baker Publishing Company to read and review.  I was pretty excited because who doesn't love a new book to read? One of the books that I chose was With Autumn's Return by Amanda Cabot.  I wasn't sure if I had read any books by this author before or not, but it sounded like the type of book that I enjoy reading.  The main character, Elizabeth Harding, arrives in Cheyenne to start a new medical practice.  To most people that wouldn't sound like it would be that hard, but this was back in the day when people didn't accept females as doctors.  She had family that lived in the town and that was the reason she chose the area.  We actually get the feeling that she thought this was a pretty progressive town, but when she arrived she definitely didn't feel welcome.  As the book continues she goes through the waiting and wondering if she did the right thing until she gets a client. Only this client is not the type of client that most people might think is the "right type" of client you would want.  I really feel like as the book goes on we get to know this character deeply as well as her neighbor Jason Nordling and her dear friend Gwen.  I am definitely going to check out some other books by this author.