Hiking Through by Paul Stutzman

I'll be honest with you.  I fully expected to hate this book.  In fact, I was fairly certain that I would open the pages of this book and find it so extremely boring that I wouldn't even be able to finish it.  I was actually hesitant in reviewing this book, but then decided to do it because you never know what books you will end up liking.  Then when I got it, I was not enthused about reading it and kind of dreading it.  Now, are you ready for the shocker?!  I loved it!  This book was not a book of facts.  It was not a bunch of random stories about the AT thrown into a book.  It was not a book about some deep philosophical thing learned on the AT. 

First off, I love anything about the Amish/Mennonites, so you  can imagine how enthused I was after reading the chapter on his family and how he grew up Amish and then left to go to a Mennonite church.  When I flipped the book open to start what I through would be endless ramblings causing my eyes to cross, I actually found myself hooked from page 1 and so curious about his hike that I stayed up 2 hours past my bedtime each night to finish it.  I couldn't believe that reading someone else's story about the AT would be so wonderful.

My heart hurt for him as he walks through the death of his wife.  I can't imagine the pain and loneliness he must have felt some nights on the trail.  I laughed so hard in the chapter about how miserable and rainy it was.  I thought it was hilarious that someone from a church group had made a bowl of chili, so as people were going to sleep, endless noises were making him stay awake thanks to the snoring and well...other things.

Paul was honest about how he just needed to hear from God during this time of solitude.  He went from Georgia to Maine on the AT and completed his dream of hiking through the AT. 

Even if you aren't normally into reading books on hiking or nature, I think you'll find yourself as shocked as I was that you actually like this book.  Give it a try, even if it's not what you normally read.  Paul writes in such a way that  you journey along with him through the highs and lows of the AT and of life.

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



The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

I loved everything about this book, from the cover to the pages within.  I think the cover is absolutely beautiful and captures Lucy Banning quite well and gives you a picture of Lucy and her culture to better relate to her in the book.

Now, onto the story!  I had a hard time tearing myself away from the story.  It captivated me from the beginning and I found myself whisked away to 1893, Chicago, and the World's Fair.  I found it very interesting to read about Mr. Ferris, who invented the Ferris wheel and imagining all of the speculation that people would have about this wheel that goes around and around.  I could see that it would possibly be considered to be unsafe by some and actually quite impossible to carry out!  I loved the story ending, although I did feel bad for Daniel and all that he went through.  I really hope the next book talks about Charlotte.  I'm anxious to know if she gets her baby back.  I can't imagine the pain that she has gone through of boarding her baby.  I'm also curious about her past.  I know it talked about it a little in this book, but I want more information!  So, please continue with these same characters and tell us more!

It was interesting how Lucy was a girl, going to college, but had to keep it a secret because at that time, it wasn't a becoming thing to do.  Who would have thought that so many years later it would be a becoming thing for most women to go to college.  I loved how she stood up for herself, befriended those less fortunate than her, but never really acted the role of a wealthy person.  In fact, she wanted to be someone where the expectations were less. 

If you like historical fiction, grab this book.  It was a wonderful book to read and I think you will absolutely enjoy reading about the World's Fair and all the preparations they had to do for it.  Lots of history, but a wonderful romance story weaved within so you hardly notice that you're learning something along the way!

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

Mom Connection by Tracey Bianchi

Relationships.  Motherhood.  Connection with others.  All of these things go together.  However, in the midst of certain seasons in motherhood (namely those tender little years), what gets left out the most?  Relationships with others.  I have been known to say to myself, "I really need to call so-and-so, but I have so much to tell them so I have to wait until I have more time."  That's wonderful and all, but I don't know when I will ever think that I will have MORE time!  So far, that hasn't happened.  In fact, in those cases where my kids go to stay at grandma's, I swear I have LESS time because I'm making up for all that I don't get done with the kids home and then some more.  Who knew I owned scrapbooking supplies!

This book was both an encouragement to me, but also convicted me a little.  It made me realize just how much I neglect certain relationships.  I don't mean to.  In fact, I long to be the friend that's always there for everyone.  And that's my problem.  Tracey writes to pick a few friends to pour yourself into, but start slow and let the friendship grow.  She also helped me realize that I'm not alone in how I feel alone sometimes and at how awkward I am when it comes to approaching a potentially new friend.  I could relate to her in her example of moving and just wanting to talk to a friend because when I moved after marriage, I longed to have a local friend to confide in and talk to and do things with.  My husband agrees that was the worst year for us, simply because I had to rely on him much more when he would have rather I'd talk to a girl.  I think his ears wore out!  All of this was an encouragement--to know that I'm not alone and that making friends, even at this stage of the game, isn't easy for many people. 

After having just moved to our new house, this book came at the perfect time for me because I was focused on unpacking boxes.  This week, as I was reading this, I realized that I need to stop being so focused on that and make sure I'm connecting with my children.  So we'd walk to the duck pond, play outside, go run and bike and just make memories with those little kiddos who are growing so fast.  "This too will pass."

Moms everywhere will enjoy and relate to this book.  If you are looking for a perfect Mother's Day gift or are a mom and just needs a little bit of encouragement that how you feel is normal and you haven't fallen off the deep end, PLEASE get this book!  I don't recommend mommy books often because many are about "finding yourself" or "taking lots of breaks from kids", etc.  But this one reminds us of our purpose here, the seasons we're in depend on how much we take on, and even saying "no" to things that don't fit into the rhythm of our families. 

The book layout is nice.  It has "thumbs up, thumbs down" page that is filled with application to what you just read about.  Then there is a resources page with each chapter so you can read/learn more about what you just read, if you so desire.  I really liked this layout because it would be perfect for mom's groups, if you're looking for an encouragement discussion.

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

Sierra Jenson Collection, Volume 1 by Robin Jones Gunn

I remember reading my first book that included Christy and Todd on a ski trip.  I read it as a teen and loved it!  It had romance, but it wasn't anything inappropriate or anything that made me uncomfortable.  If anything, I remembered it focused a lot on friendships, which was encouraging.

You can imagine my delight when I started reading and found that Christy and Todd find each other again (even though the story focuses more on Sierra)!  It was like a glance into my past and I was shocked at how much I must have connected with those 2 characters in the previous books. 

Sierra is 16 and doesn't have a boyfriend.  In fact, she's part of a single's club and is proud of it.  That's not to say that she's 100% okay with it because she does struggle with being single as she watches her friends (who are older) find guys and start dating.  When Paul comes on the scene, Sierra has to figure out which direction God is calling them both.  Is it for them to really be together or would they be better apart?

This book is three books in one.  This makes this book a steal at this price!  If you have a teen girl who likes romance but needs to find more age-appropriate romance and friendship books, pick this book up for them.  Anything by Robin Jones Gunn is sure to be a delight, regardless of your age.  She writes for teens and then her Sisterchicks books are for adults.

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I received this ebook free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Trauma Plan by Candace Calvert

I love books set in the medical scene.  I love medical shows.  For some reason, it fascinates me.  However, I hate it when people write books set in a medical scene and either write with lots of medical jargon that many people don't understand or they write with no clue about how the medical field works.  I had never read anything by Candace Calvert but I was a little hesitant in checking out this book purely because I thought it would be a disaster due to past experiences.  I'm so excited to say that this book exceeded my expectations and I fell in love with Candace's writing and with the characters in this book.  I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.  I really hope that some of the main characters are carried out throughout the entire series.  I found myself incredibly sad, yet happy at the ending.  Candace is a former ER nurse and has tons of knowledge.  However, she does a great job at not including a lot of medical jargon without explaining it and doesn't create unrealistic problems and incidents within the hospital setting.  She writes from experience with the main character, as well, which I think enhances the character, Riley.

Riley had an incident that has caused her to stop working in the ER as a nurse.  However, that doesn't stop her heart from longing to be back in the ER and she works hard to obtain her goal.  Jack is running from some things in his past and has to find a way to clean up his clinic's name from some bad events happening on his property and in the well-to-do neighborhood located next to his clinic.  When Jack meets Riley and finds out her last name and her connection to a foundation, he realizes this is just the key.  So he offers Riley a chance to work at his clinic, which she jumps on because it's a chance for her to practice her skills.  With each other using each other to obtain their goals, romance is bound to happen.  However, when Jack's past is dug up, will Riley be able to put her past aside and accept Jack?  Or will she really believe that he's done what he's accused of doing?  Will anyone be able to help clear Jack's name?

I've already downloaded the first book in one of her other series so I'm excited to start that series now!  I'm so glad that I found a writer who feeds my desire to read anything medical and keeps it clean!  Thanks Candace!

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

Redemption: A Rebellious Spirit, a Praying Mother, and the Unlikely Path to Olympic Gold by Bryan Clay

I love reading books about Olympic athletes.  Their dedication to the sport amazes me and usually their stories are quite inspiring.  Many have overcome problems, addictions, and doubts to become some of the top leaders in their sport.  Another reason I like these type of books so much is because I get to know the athlete before the Olympics start.  Once I see them on tv, I feel like I know them and their story and want them to win even more!

Redemption was such a wonderful story of Bryan Clay who is an Olympic champion decathlete.  Bryan didn't live an easy life as he was growing up.  He grew up as way too many people have, experiencing things that little kids shouldn't have to experience.  These circumstances led him to behaviors that classified him as an at-risk teen who stayed in trouble and was known for rebelling.

Only one thing could possibly keep Bryan out of trouble and that was track and field.  He worked hard at it and it became a way for him to seek God and God was able to teach him many lessons.  His mother got to see her prayers answered when he surrendered it all to Christ and began living for Him.

This book is honest and Bryan doesn't shy away from the things that he has seen or been a part of while growing up.  I'm glad he doesn't.  I'm glad he's honest because I think that so many people need to hear his story.  It's definitely one I'm planning to share with my at-risk youth that I work with.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”