Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn

As I have just closed the pages of this book a few minutes ago, all I can say is "wow."  This is a book that I normally would not have picked up in a bookstore because it is action.  That is typically not may favorite genre but this one left me wanting more.  It was action packed but it wasn't scary in any way.  It was full of suspense, gripping me and dragging me from page to page from start to finish.  If this is how Davis Bunn always writes, then I'm a huge fan.  I'm going to definitely have to check out the rest of his books because this one was great.  I've already told several people about this book and how they need to read it because it's that good.  I am anxiously awaiting Book #2 in this series.

So what's the book about that makes it so great?  It's the plot.  When I was telling my husband about this book, he joked that they needed to make a movie about it.  I agreed because it would be an incredible movie.  Just picture this plot in your head, although you'll have to read the book to get the full picture.

Alex Baird, a CIA agent, is in Baghdad and has gone missing along with 3 other people--a female nurse, a female aid worker, and a wealthy young Iraqi.  Are all of these people being held in the same place by the same people or are they each a separate case?  What could they all possibly have in common?

Marc is an ex-State Department agent involved in covert operations who left the field after his wife got sick.  However, he's the best in the business and is called back on the mission to specifically bring Alex home. 

Sameh is a lawyer that also works to bring children home to their families after they have been abducted.  When Sameh tries to find help on a case, he ends up working with Marc.  Neither is sure whether they can trust the either but after a series of incidents, they realize that they are both trustworthy people.

How will Sameh and Marc bring home the hostages?  Will they get there in time or will something unexpected occur?  You've got to check out this book to find out!  You won't be sorry.

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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

1 Peter-Lesson 3 (A Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study)

I love the words written in 1 Peter 2:9.  The words that describe us are incredible when you stop to really think about it and ponder it.  We are told that we are:

1) a chosen people.  How good does it feel to be chosen by someone?  I think it feels pretty incredible.  If you think back to how it felt in elementary school to be the last one chosen for a kick ball game, it was pretty humiliating.  That's not how we are described here.  We are not chosen in a certain order.  We are simply chosen.  And if you choose something out of a list of things, you tend to be pretty fond of it and love it.  The same applies to this passage.  It's mind blowing to think that we are described in these words.

2) a royal priesthood.  I don't usually think of myself as a priest.  I tend to reserve that title for those who are in certain denominations or who have more knowledge than me.  However, there is not a definition that says we are only priesthood if we have been to study theology or have been to a seminary.  We are priests to the King right now, right here, in whatever state we're in. 

3) a holy nation.  When I think of our nation, the word that comes to mind is anything but holy.  I don't think that the "nation" in general is being spoken about here.  I think it is nation as the group of people...the Christians.  We are holy.  We are to be holy.  We are to encourage the pursuit of holiness and holy behaviors in others so that Christ is seen by our holiness.  Not that we have that "holier than thou" attitude.  We have an attitude that stands firm in what the Bible says and people can see the Bible being played out in our lives.  Will we mess up?  Certainly.  But we never stop pursuing holiness to bring honor and glory and praise to God.

4) people belonging to God.  I belong to my parents.  I belong to my husband.  I belong to my children.  I belong to my family.  "Belonging" says that I'm with them through the good times and the bad times.  We stick together.  I'm protected and loved and cared for.  I am secure in God.  That's what we have when we know that we belong to God and live out the holiness that we are called to live as.

Sweet Sanctuary by Sheila Walsh and Cindy Martinusen-Coloma

Life hasn't been easy at all for Wren.  What was supposed to be a life full of family has turned into a life of being a single mom to a child, Charlie, who is 10-years-old who is gifted musically.  After being accepted to a prestigious school in Boston to study violin, Wren isn't for sure what to do.  Accepting this invitation would mean a lot of financial problems and moving. 

Thrown into all of this mess, Wren finds out that her ex-husband has been having contact with Charlie.  How is she supposed to handle him wanting to be a part of their lives again?  What happens when another man shows an interest in Wren and wants to pursue a relationship with them?

I enjoyed reading this book and hearing all about the story from the point of view from Wren.  It was a sweet story on forgiveness.  It was a storyline that was very believable and that I think many have the same story.
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I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bloodlines by John Piper

I tend to forget how much race is an issue these days.  I naturally assume that since I don't pay attention to the color of someone's skin, that everyone else does the same.  However, this book reminded me that not everyone can see past the color of a person's skin.  In fact, I think many don't.  John Piper challenges you to look deeper.  We all share the same bloodline so there should be no division.  That's even more true in the Church.  Race should never matter.

We can't overcome racial divisions by ourselves.  We need Christ to help us overcome these divisions.  The Gospel is very clear on what Jesus thinks of racial divides and persecution of others.  Racism is a sin and needs to be dealt with just like all of the other sins.  In the Church, there's not specific divisions.  There's only descendants of Abraham.

I think this book is very applicable to this generation.  We all need to be constantly reminded that God doesn't see race.  He sees the person.  With that said, we all have to work together for the Kingdom of God.

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I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Every Body Matters by Gary Thomas

Why is it that so many Christians decide that physical strength doesn't matter and doesn't affect their heart, soul, and mind?  Why is it that we make so many excuses for our lack of discipline when it comes to the physical things but we think that we are so disciplined in other areas?  How can we be a disciplined person when this one area is the one that we decide to overlook?

When I was first asked to review this book, I was pretty hesitant.  It took several days for me to think about it because I figured it would be another book on health full of information we all know but many choose not to apply.  However, after realizing that Gary Thomas wrote it and the fact that I love Sacred Marriage and Sacred Parenting by him, I decided to go for it.  I'm so thankful I did!  I highly recommend this book so that one can begin recognizing the connection between the sin of letting our bodies go so that we are of no further use to the Kingdom of God.  Gary doesn't talk about the fact that obesity is a sin.  Instead, he talks about the addiction of food and how we don't lump it in the same category as other sins of addiction, like alcohol, drugs, etc.  Some say that the Bible doesn't talk about being overweight so it's okay.  I would argue that gluttony is in the Bible and is considered a sin.

Gary brings out some interesting points about how the men of faith, like Paul for example, was pelted with stones, dragged outside the city, and left for dead.  Gary writes "If his persecutors thought he was dead, Paul must have been pretty beat-up.  Yet we're also told that after they left him, Paul 'got up and went back into the city, and the next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.'  The next day!  For the record, Derbe was over sixty miles from Lystra.  A physically weak man could never have recovered like that."  I loved this comparison because we usually think of these men as someone who is strong spiritually and forget that they also had the physical endurance to press on for God.  I think that is why faith is often likened to a race.  They knew perseverance.  But do we?  Do we know perseverance and endurance not just spiritually but also physically?

This book is a great resource and reminder that our bodies need to be in shape.  It's not so that we do the "cultural thing" or so we look more appealing.  It's so our bodies are ready to carry out the work of God.  If we're out of shape, how can we possibly serve to the best of our ability when it comes to the physical things that people in the Church and community need help from Christians to do?

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I received this book free from Zondervan in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

1 Peter-Lesson 2 (Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study)

If I had to pick out a theme for this week, I think it would be holiness and obedience which are tied together very tightly.  Holiness leads to obedience. 

1 Peter 1:15-16

"But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am holy.'"

When we read this verse, it's too often just read and then moved past.  We automatically think that holiness is something hard to obtain or that we don't even want it.  Why would people not want to even attempt to be holy?  Simple.  It's weird.  It causes people to think we're a nut that has taken this Jesus thing just a bit too far.  It sets us apart.  It makes it quite obvious as to who we believe in and in who we put our trust in.

When I think of holiness, I think of taking on the mind and character qualities of Christ.  Impossible thing to do?  Not with the Holy Spirit.  Hard?  Extremely.  Why?  Because Satan is there every step of the way trying to sidetrack us from the reason we are asked to be holy---to reflect the mind of Christ so that He will get the glory.

If you are looking for a verse to memorize and meditate on this week, try the one above.  It's packed with a message from God.  Meditate on holiness and obedience.  Going back to chapter 1, because we obey, we are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.

Where Wildflowers Bloom by Ann Shorey

Faith Lindberg and her grandfather are trying to move on from the memories of the Civil War and all that the war took from her family--her father and brother.  Convinced that going on the Oregon Trail is the only way to start a new life, she prepares for her and her grandfather to go.  There's only one thing that stands in her way, which would be selling the mercantile.  It has been in the family for so long and somehow she has to figure out a way to convince her grandfather to let it go.

When a new brother and sister move into town, she becomes fast friends with Rosemary.  She isn't quite for sure how to read her brother Curt but finds that she turns to him every time that she's in need or finds herself in a problem. 

Before the war, Royal Baxter had caught the attention of Faith and Faith was sure that when he returned from the war that they would get married.  The war came and went and there were no word of Royal.  One day, Royal comes riding into town and he becomes smitten with Faith.  However, when he does decide to propose to her, there's something in his proposal that doesn't sit just right.

Will Faith figure out Royal and his true intentions before she uproots her roots and heads to Oregon?  What does her grandfather hope for her?  Which man will finally say the words to her that she needs to hear?

I haven't ever read any books by Ann Shorey but I was pleasantly surprised that I was interested in this book from the first sentence.  I read this book fast and enjoyed every bit of it.  It was a little predictable and I had a feeling how the ending would turn out but I didn't predict the events that would lead to the ending.   I definitely want to read more of her books since I enjoyed her writing style so much.

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If you're interested, there is a contest that Ann Shorey is offering that you can take part in.  To enter, go to http://www.annshorey.com/contest.html.

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Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

After 25 years of marriage, Eli and Nicole have suddenly found that their marriage is on a downhill slope.  Of course, that can be expected after going through a death...especially the death of your teenage daughter due to a violent shooting at a store.  As many parents do when they've lost a child, both are trying to cope with it in different ways.  Nicole feels like she's just going through the motions and Eli busies himself.  Both are not bad, but neither lead to connection with the opposite spouse.

Nicole and Eli suddenly find themselves in almost the exact same scenario a little while later, except it's Nicole who has been involved in the store shooting.  Now Eli has to not only deal with the death of his daughter but now faces the possibility of losing his wife.  When Nicole wakes up, she appears to be fine...except she's lost her memory.  The past 25 years of marriage have been completely erased. 

Back to square one, Eli has to get to know his "new" wife again and figure out how they can make this marriage work even better.  Since Nicole has no recollection of the past years, she's also trying to figure out Eli and her other children.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish.  It had me turning pages and I deeply wanted their marriage to be fixed.  I will warn you to not be surprised if you feel tears coming down your cheeks!  I haven't read any of Susan May Warren's other books, but now I want to read the rest of the Deep Haven novels.  From what I've heard, she connects the characters through some of these books and they tell their stories.  I'll have to let you know once I read them!

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Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder ofwww.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)

A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:www.susanmaywarren.com.

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

For more reviews on this book, go here: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13448479

Chasing Mona Lisa by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey

It's August of 1944 and Paris is on the verge of being liberated from the Nazi's.  They have been under their control for about 4 years and have endured torture and bribery.  Everyone thinks that once the war ends, France will be united once again.  However, with the liberation of France comes who is going to be in power.  There is a group of communist who would love to take control, but how can they convince the French to begin thinking like them? 

As the Germans see the end of the war approaching, they quickly take priceless pieces of art.  However, the Mona Lisa has been moved to a safe place so it wouldn't fall into the hands of the Germans.  Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring knows the end of the Third Reich is near and feels that he needs a bargaining chip to secure his fortune and life once the war is over.  He's determined to get his hands on the Mona Lisa and will stop at nothing, to get it.  Not even a little girl would be spared if he and his helpers had their way. 

Gabi and Eric are Swiss OSS agents and have arrived in France as Paris was being liberated.  They are given a new task once they reach Paris: secure the Mona Lisa before the Germans can get to it.  A variety of circumstances hold them up as they are driving to the Swiss chateau.  Will they make it in time to save the Mona Lisa?  Who must give up their lives in order for the Mona Lisa to be saved?  Will it ever return to her home at the Louvre?

This book was so action packed that I had difficulty putting it down.  I stayed up way too late to finish this book!  I don't think that I would have normally picked up this book to read on my own but I'm so thankful that I did.  It's packed with history and facts that I never knew about the Mona Lisa and France.  This is a book that will definitely be recommended to people over the next few months.  It is the most exciting book I've read in a while!  I actually had no clue how the end would turn out because there were so many twists and turns that I did not expect to occur.  I'm going to have to check out their first book that they wrote together now.

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Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

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I received this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Bittersweet Surrender by Diann Hunt

Carly Westlake has gone through breast cancer and has lost a husband who ran out on her while she was going through the treatment to save her life.  The owner of the Mocha Day Spa, Carly is trying to put the pieces of her life back together to move on.  She longs to have reconstructive surgery done, but it's quite expensive and to be honest, she doesn't really know where she will manage to find the money for it.  Needless to say, with all of this pain, Carly turns to chocolate as a comfort food.  How will Carly's life possibly turn aroudn for the better?  Who will be there to walk through this new stage of life with her?  Will there be anyone there to comfort her other than chocolate?

I liked this book, but it was a little predictable.  However, it was a great book to just sit back and read on a cold and rainy day and provided me a little escape to Spring Creek.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

1 Peter - Lesson 1 (Sue Edwards Inductive Study)

I've joined a graduated study on 1 Peter by Sue Edwards.  The fact that it was an inductive study made me want to do it because I knew I wouldn't be getting someone's opinion.  Instead, I would be studying the Word and letting Scripture interpret Scripture. 

This study has 3 different levels so you can choose how deep into 1 Peter you would like to go.  I chose to do all of the parts, so I'm doing the level 3.  It was in depth, but it honestly didn't take a ton of time.

During Lesson 1, the message that most stood out to me was the Word itself.  It was the reminder in 1:3-5 that Jesus Christ has given us a new birth into a living hope THROUGH the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  Not only that, but it doesn't stop there.  We have an inheritance that is kept in heaven for us beyond the reach of change and decay.  How amazing!  When our focus is on Christ and our inheritance, we won't be swept away by the challenges of today that we face.  We will keep our trials and suffering in perspective and we won't lose hope.

Even if you don't do this study, I challenge you to study through 1 Peter with me over the next 9 weeks. However, I'd love for you to join me doing this particular study, as well.

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I received this Bible Study free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion of this study over the next 9 weeks.

Small Space Organizing by Kathryn Bechen

I absolutely love the cover of this book.  Just looking at this cover made me want to clean out my entire house!  I has a peaceful look about it that I want for my house.  It all looks so clean and neat, and well, organized.

This book is a great tool for someone who is downsizing their home, are moving to college and trying to figure out how to pack up things, or anyone else who is living in a small area.  It didn't really apply much to me (I don't live in a big house, by any means.  I just also don't live in a condo or some small  studio.)  Despite the differences I have in my living arrangements in which this book targets, I did find helpful tips to use in my own house. 

Kathryn goes room-to-room with tips of how to organize each area of your house and how to declutter.  I loved how she described her closet spaces because our closets are quite small.  I plan to now hang up our mop and broom to get it off the floor to provide more floor space.  I also intend to put our sweaters in tubs and stack them so everything looks organized from floor to ceiling.  I also liked her tips for decorating the outside and making it friendly and inviting.  It doesn't matter how small it is on the inside as long as it's warm and cozy and inviting. 

This book came at a time when I had already decided I was going to start decluttering because I'm convinced that I have a lot of things in my house that I really don't need or use.  I'm going to keep this book handy for the different ideas as I go throughout my rooms so I can make our house more functional and yes, organized!

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Taken from an interview with Kathryn:

Q:  What does "rightsized" living mean?

A:   I think "rightsized" is a relative term, personalized to you and your family.   A home that seems small to one family might seem big to another.  A home that seems small to you at one phase of your life might seem large at another time in your life.  When I personally think of small space living, I think of about 400-1200 SF, but some people might think my 1200 SF apartment is big.  I've heard people say they're downsizing to a "small 2700 SF house."  To me, 2700 SF is big!    Again, I'd like to inspire people to make very conscious choices as to the size of home space they live in, so they're happy, because I believe when you're happy at home, it radiates out in a positive way to others in the world.  Kind of like when you find the perfect jeans that fit just right!   And likewise, I'll be bold enough to declare here that when your home space doesn't feel appropriate and supportive to you, you sadly radiate that crankiness out into the world too! 

Q:  What are your two best small space organizing tips?

A:  1. Keep your gadgets and appliances simple by buying only what you'll truly use.

2.  Use all-white dishes and clear glassware to cut down on how many dish sets you buy.  If a dish breaks, you can easily find a new similar white piece and not have to get a whole new set.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

First Date by Krista McGee

The President's son and a girl from a Christian school in Tampa, Florida, who wouldn't normally be in the same social circles, find themselves on a game in which a prom date is up for the winning. 

Addy doesn't like attention.  She has goals in life and none of those goals include going on a reality television show where the President's son gets to choose his prom date.  However, her school was chosen to send someone and so Addy was the one appointed to go.  She tries to resist, but figures there must have been some reason God wants her there so she goes.  None of the girls like her, except for one, Kara.  They all think that she is trying to get all of the votes and will do anything to win the attention of Jonathan.  She is far from that, though.  She really is the opposite of what everyone is making her out to be.  She's a girl who is struggling to let Christ shine through her discomfort and has to find a way to stand for Christ in a place where Christ is not popular.

Jonathan likes Addy from the beginning and would love to go on a date with her but Hank stands in his way.  Hank hates Addy and will do anything for Addy to be off the show.  How far will Hank go to get rid of Addy?  Who will Jonathan choose?  Or will his choice even really be his choice?  Will Jonathan and Addy be together or will it be Jonathan and someone else?  All these questions but one thing is clear: Addy wants to make it known that she will obey Jesus when her heart is scared.

This is a cute book that I enjoyed reading.  I'm not sure what category it would fall under because it was almost a chick lit book but would make a great read for a teen.  Some of the ideas were far fetched, but honestly, I never mind that when I'm reading a book.  I think that a book is a place for me to escape to anyway, so anything can happen within the pages of a book.  Some people don't like that though, so that would be my only caution about the book.  Like I said, though, I liked that and it didn't deter me from enjoying this book.  If you have a teen daughter who likes to read, this would be a great book for her.

I should also say that this book is a modern retelling of Esther and Mordecai.  That in itself requires some scenes that are hard to believe.  So do keep that in mind when you are reading this book.  You may even want

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I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

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The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Julia, Sadie, Mary Kate (M.K.), and Menno Lapp are pulling together to do as much work as they possibly can since their father, Amos, is sick with a bad heart and probably won't be alive much longer.  Their mom passed away a few years earlier, which meant that Sadie took over the kitchen duties while Julia helped hold the household together with the outside chores.  Menno is a special child who needs direction.  No one really knows what is wrong with him, but it is suspected that something happened to him at birth.  M.K. is a highly enthusiastic girl that goes full speed into everything she does and has some tricks up her sleeves.  Uncle Hank lives on the Windmill Farm with the Lapps but he is a different breed, or so everyone thinks.  He makes life interesting, but has a hard time focusing on doing the things that need to get done.  Uncle Hank writes for The Budget, which Fern happens to read.  She heard about how the family was needing lots of help around the farm, so she offered to come stay and help.  Fern was a  blessing in disguise, despite the objections the Lapps had to her coming. 

Once spring came, the Bee Man, Roman Troyer (Rome) showed up and decided that the farm needed lots of help and so did Amos.  After having roamed for 6 years, Fern opens up a small house for him to stay in.  Rome and Fern have a connection from Ohio that Rome is trying to stay away from facing.  Rome did Julia's to-do list and then some while he was living on the farm, all without Julia ever acting like she noticed his good looks.  Oh, did I mention that Roman played a part in Julia's postponement of a wedding to Paul?  Twice.  Each time when the Bee Man came into town.  Julia is downright mad at Roman for the breaking of her engagement.  However, through a series of events, they are able to at least become friends.  Or will they become more than that?  Will Amos decide to have a heart transplant to save his life?  Will Roman stay or will he continue on with his roamin' ways?  How did Fern and Roman meet?  Why is Roman always wondering?  And you think I'm going to tell you?! 

This book had me laughing, smiling, and crying.  I never predicted the ending.  Some may have, but I found myself crying at the ending because I was in shock.  Suzanne had me tied to her book for 2 straight days.  Any spare moment that I had, I had her book in my hand.  It is Amish fiction, but it's also a love story and a story of hope and all entwined into one.

Being the first book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons book, I can't wait to read the second.  I do hope she mentions what happens to Julia and Rome in her next book!
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Join the giveaways:

The iPad giveaway: http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/183799 Running now until January 17th

The Facebook Party: http://www.facebook.com/events/209723589116292 Party is on January 17^th, and the winner of the prize package will be announced there.

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Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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I received this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

The third book in the Ada's House series, this book brings the trilogy to a nice conclusion.  I'm sad to say goodbye to the characters in this series.  I'd love to find out what happened to them all later in life, but I guess that's where I can use my own imagination!  It's just hard to end a series when you love the characters.

This book picks up where Aaron Blank has been to rehab and has gotten out.  He desires to make things right with his family so he goes back to the farm to attempt reconciliation and to hopefully have his parents realize that they need to see the farm and move in with him to help run a store.  His desire for farming has long left him and he is seeking a new start to life.  While Aaron was in rehab, he didn't realize that his dad had hired a farm hand, Sylvia Fisher, to help run his farm. 

Sylvia is not your typical Amish woman.  She doesn't want to just stay home and raise babies.  She loves her family's dairy farm, but a betrayal by her boyfriend and sister have caused her to run away from the farm to avoid reconciliation and to hid from the guilt.  Her father meets Michael Blank and the two agree that Sylvia could work at the Blank farm.  With Sylvia's love for the dairy farm and Aaron's strong intent on selling the farm, how will these two ever work together?  What will end up happening to the farm?  What will happen when Sylvia must come face to face with her guilt and how can it ever be reconciled?

That is the main story throughout the book, but you also have the story of Cara learning to forgive her father who abandoned her, Ephraim and Cara finding out how long they must wait to get married, Grey and Lena finding out if they will be able to have children without disabilities once they are married, Deborah and Jonathan taking steps toward marriage and Ada and Israel finally figuring out what they want in their relationship. 

If you've read the first two, you must read this book.  If you haven't read the first two, then do it and then get this one.  Cindy writes in a way that makes you keep turning pages and makes you feel as though you are living your life among the Amish, even if it is just for the time that you are escaping to inside of the book.

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I received this book free from Waterbrook Press through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

7 Money Rules for Life by Mary Hunt

This was another book that I was a bit hesitant on.  I had honestly only heard Dave Ramsey's financial advice and had taken his class so I just usually don't really read anyone else's stuff on money.  Not because I think they're bad, but just because I live Dave.  However, after consideration, I figured that I wouldn't be a bad idea to read what Mary Hunt had to say.  I'm so glad I did!  And honestly, so is my husband!

I'm a very visual person so the diagrams that she uses and her thought processes made a lot of sense to me.  She broke it down into terms I could understand but she didn't make it on a level that was insulting either.  She has 7 rules for money that all families should abide by.  Her rules are:

1) Spend less than you earn
2) Save for the future
3) Give some away
4) Anticipate your irregular expenses
5) Tell your money where to go
6) Manage your credit
7) Borrow only what you know you can repay

After I finished reading this book, I was inspired to do our budget myself.  That never interested me before but I actually had a lot of fun with it.  My husband was glad to let me try the budget this month.  He usually does the budget but was willing to let me apply what I learned to see if this budget worked out better.  I'm excited to see how much we'll start saving and to battle that whole materialistic mindset that creeps into our lives and makes us want more, more, more.

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Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

That's My Girl by Rick Johnson

When this book came up for review, I  debated it and skipped it the first time I saw it.  It wasn't until the last possible day that I had to get it did I decide I would review it.  I was very hesitant 1) because it was tailored for fathers and 2) I figured it was just another typical book by someone who was going to write the same things as everyone else.  With that said, you can imagine my suprise when I found myself turning page after page and actually enjoying this book!  After finishing it, I told my husband that he needed to read this book and I'm keeping it on the bookshelf for when our daughter gets a little older and we hit some of these issues that we need to address.

This book hit more on adolescent girls and preteenagers.  However, as a mom of 1-year-old girl, I'm glad I wrote it.  I had honestly forgotten all of the things that I went through as a teen and the feelings I had.  It already has me thinking of what I need to start preparing our conversations to be and what things can be addressed while she's little. 

I love that this book introduces the father to his major role in the life of a daughter.  God intended for the man to be a heavy influence in the home and I believe that is why he is held accountable for the things that happen inside him home.  Rick Johnson doesn't shy away from the major role given to him by God.  He holds fathers accountable for what they need to know and talk about with their daughters and how to have that close relationship that girls so need.  Dads are responsible for their daughters!

He uses some examples of him and his daughter throughout the book, as well as letters written from other women.  He begins by walking the dad through what happens at puberty (and acknowledges that these things are things that dads would rather not know about), the importance of knowing these things, what happens when a father isn't a major part of a daughter's life, what happens when a father is a major part of a daughter's life, and the life-long implications of a present father that loves, cares for, and nurtures his "sweet baby girl."

After reading different paragraphs to my husband, we both agreed that he has a tall order in front of him.  If you really think about all the work that will go into building that relationship with your daughter, it's a lot.  But it's well worth it. 

Reading though the book, I saw my own father.  I saw the love, nurture, and stability that I had and could easily compare it with how I am different because of my loving father.  I know that's not the norm these days, but I'm so thankful that God gave me a father that took his job seriously, just like Rick has taken his job as a father seriously.  Every father of girls needs to read this book.  I, myself, am going to be buying his book on mothers/sons, called That's My Son.

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Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

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I received this book free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.