Rhythms of Grace by Mike Cosper

I love this book!  That sums up my thoughts on this book, but I'll expand my thoughts for review purposes!  

Since I have read this book, I have approached worship differently.  Not that I didn't focus on God or anything, but I looked for ways in the worship that pointed the congregation to the gospel.  Many times you miss that in worship and I was glad to see that our church regularly did that.  I also liked how he addressed the differences in the music we sing to.  So many times we focus on the music as "worship" and forget that worship is the whole deal.  I also like how he talked about liturgy.  That for me was very interesting because I had been torn on that some.  Not because I didn't think it was meaningful, but I guess I thought you could easily say the words and not mean it.  But then I started to think that the same is true with singing and with church in general...you could be there, but not really paying attention to God and the stirrings in your heart.  

I really liked how Mike Cosper took a big concept and made it easy to understand, enjoyable to read, and challenging to the readers.  He didn't use a bunch of technical terms that would sound impressive, but you could really feel his heart in this book and know that he meant all he was saying and believed strongly in the power of worship, as we all should.

I wanted to read this book for 2 reasons.  The first was because I love any book dealing with worship, but I am very picky because I don't want it to be a book that focuses on "me."  Worship and our lives are about God.  Second, I wanted to read it because of the people he had review his book, like Albert Mohler and Matt Chandler.  Those are definitely 2 men that I respect their opinions and know that they put their focus on God in their books and not on prosperity gospel.  I also like the Gospel Coalition site, so that was another plus.  All of that to say that who you get to review your books can pull a lot of weight in a person's choice of a book.

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

The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall

I am a big Cindy Woodsmall fan and I think I have read and own all of her books.  She has such a way to capture her readers and to make every series feel as though it is "your favorite series of hers."  Yes, I think I say that about each series that she writes!

I have really liked the Amish Vines and Orchards series.  It is unlike most series that I have read lately, including many of her series.  Instead of focusing on different people throughout each book in the series, she takes a different angle with this series.  I see a continuation of not only the people, but the problem that ties the whole series together.  It does leave a lot of anticipation at the end and has me googling to find out when her next book comes out because each book ends with a continuation in a way.  You don't get the entire answers until what I am assuming is the last book.

I was so conflicted with Rhoda.  I liked her dearly and wanted her to be happy.  However, I just can't decide who would be best for her...Jacob or Samuel.  They have both experienced heart ache and I hate to see either one not be happy.  I don't know how I'm going to feel at the end of the series!  

And to answer my question....I only have to wait until September for the next book to come out!

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

When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti

I am a big reader and am very surprised that I have somehow missed this wonderful author!  I could not put this book down at all!  I honestly don't know how many books Cynthia Ruchti has written, but I am planning to hunt down more of her books.  

I really enjoyed how this book was written.  I liked how it went from third person to 1st person and it told the story of 3 separate people.  The thing that tied them all together was beautiful.  It's amazing to watch God redeem our mistakes, no matter how big or small the mistakes seem.  The time span of this book is from the 1890s to 2013 and includes they personal stories and struggles of Anna, Ivy, and  Becky, along with their families.  I was surprised at how I felt so connected to each of the 3 ladies and when the story would switch to another lady, I never felt like it didn't fit together.

I also liked the cover of this book.  I was curious what morning glories had to do with this book and you definitely find out very clearly how the title of the book fits perfectly as the theme.

I look forward to reading much more of Cynthia Ruchti and can't wait for her to release another book.  I wish I had discovered her sooner.

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About the author: Cynthia writes stories of hope that glows in the dark, merging her love for storytelling with inextinguishable hope for inexpressible hurts. Cynthia spends her days diving into words, worship, and wonder and celebrating 40 years of marriage, three grown children, and five outrageously adorable grandchildren. One of her greatest joys is helping other writers grow in their craft. To that end, she served as the assistant director and a faculty member of the Quad Cities Christian Writers Conference, has served as worship and devotions staff for the Write-to-Publish conference, and teaches at other conferences as opportunities arise. She speaks to women’s groups, at mother-daughter banquets, and for women’s refresher days and retreats. It is her delight to serve on her church’s worship team. Rather than “busy,” she likes the term “active.” For 33 years, Cynthia wrote and produced the radio broadcast The Heartbeat of the Home. The scripted radio drama/devotional broadcast aired on as many as 50 radio stations and two cable/digital television stations over the years. Cynthia was the editor of the ministry’s Backyard Friends magazine, a twenty-page, twice annual publication that reached 5,000 homes, churches, and parachurch outreaches.

About the book: For 33 years, Cynthia wrote and produced the radio broadcast The Heartbeat of the Home. The scripted radio drama/devotional broadcast aired on as many as 50 radio stations and two cable/digital television stations over the years. Cynthia was the editor of the ministry’s Backyard Friends magazine, a twenty-page, twice annual publication that reached 5,000 homes, churches, and parachurch outreaches.

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I received this book free from Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinon of this book.

A Home for Lydia by Vannetta Chapman

I am attracted to the cover of books.  I'll admit that flaw of mine!  I think that's why I like to comment on the covers when I find ones that I really think are beautiful and catch my attention.  This book was one of them.  I loved the picture of the girl on the cover.  She has the prettiest eyes and a sweet smile.  The pictures of the lake and house are just the right size.  The girl, though, captured my attention and made me want to see what story she had to tell.  It was a very relaxing cover to me, which I always like to see when I'm reading.

Now...onto the book.  This book is the second in the Pebble Creek Amish series.  I am new to not only Vannetta Chapman but to this series, but I did not feel lost or confused at all.  She did a great job making sure you felt like you knew what you needed to know, even if you started on the second book of the series.

I liked the way you can easily relate to her characters.  There were some that I grew to love more than others.  It was neat to watch them "grow up" and mature right before your eyes.  I liked Lydia's temper, even though I know I shouldn't.  It's more fun to read about someone else losing their temper than it is for me to actually do it, I guess!

I am very excited to see what happens in the next book and am definitely going to be reading the first book now!

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

Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman

I am a big Julie Lessman fan.  Her series with the O'Connors endeared me to her.  I liked not only her writing, but the fact that my maiden name is "O'Connor" and I share that Irish heritage.  I loved the spunk of the girl they wanted to adopt and the spirit of the whole family.  I was certain that I just couldn't like this book and series as much as I did with the other series. 

I like the personalities of the characters that she writes about.  She creates them to funny, warm, loving, yet still with struggles that we can relate to.  This book is no different and I think that's why I found myself enjoying this book just as much as her previous books, if not more.

Focused in the 1900s, this book has some romance, but it's not the predictable kind of romances.  It's not the sappy kind of romance where you feel like this could never happen.  It's a natural romance that you can easily imagine.  I also like that she is poorer and will actually be marrying "up" a step.  Many books I've read lately have the woman in the higher role and the man marries up, so it was a nice change for me.

I wonder how much longer I'll have to wait to read the next one in this series.  Perhaps not too long....

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

Tales of the Defended Ones by Beth Guckenberger

I am so excited to have another book to add to my bookshelf for when my children are older.  I really liked the perspective of this book and how Beth Guckenberger shows the readers that God hasn't stopped caring for those who can't care for themselves, such as children who are child laborers, adopted, living with a disability, etc.  What better person to write these mission-minded books than a person who is living in the midst of some of these issues.  Guckenberger lives in Mexico, and is dealing with many of these issues in what she sees daily.  I love the mission focus.

This is a very kid-friendly book.  It takes complex issues and puts those same issues on a child's level to make it easier for them to understand.  It has maps, pictures, illustrations of other children's drawings, and information about the countries they are talking about in that particular chapter.

She wrote another book before this one in the same kind of way.  It's called "Tales of the Not Forgotten."  I am definitely going to add that one to my shelf, too.

If you are looking for a resource to help broaden your child's world and help them to see what some children live like in other cultures, then this is a great book for you to read.  You can take this book further by being a part of their ministry, as well.

To read more opinions about this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/bguckenberger.

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About Tales of the Defended Ones: Ben and Joseph lose their mothers, but find a family looking just for them. Antonio is rescued from what seems like a hopeless situation. Caitlyn dares to trust that truth will set her free. Jorani is delivered from slavery into the arms of grace. 

Follow these real-life stories as they take you on a journey to foreign places and extreme struggles. Travel through their challenges and see the hand of the great Storyweaver - our Defender God shielding and defending the defenseless in the amazing ways only he can.These are the tales of the ones left wounded and weak-ones made whole and strong . . .

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/jJ8g6 

Meet Beth: Beth Guckenberger and her husband, Todd, are the founders of Back2Back Ministries which communicates a lifestyle of service by sharing the love of Christ and serving God through service to others. Guckenberger travels and speaks regularly at women's and missions conferences, as well as youth gatherings and church services. In addition to her children's releases in the Storyweaver series, Guckenberger has written two mission-minded books. She has also partnered with Standard Publishing on the mission content in its 2013 VBS program. The Guckenberger family lives and serves in Monterrey, Mexico. 

Find out more about Beth athttp://www.bethguckenberger.com/. 

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

Ephesians by Sue Edwards

I have done several Bible studies by Sue Edwards now and I have enjoyed each one of them.  I personally love the book of Ephesians and found this study to be very interesting and such a great reminder that my identity is in Christ and that alone should be enough.  At this stage in my life, many things are pressing on me and sometimes I struggle with my identity, which sometimes seems non-existent as a stay-at-home mom!  

I know I've mentioned it in my reviews for her other studies, but I truly like that you are expected to do the work.  Sometimes she throws in helpful thoughts or commentary after you've done the work, which I like.  I like being pressed to find answers for myself and not to have it relayed to me through someone else.  I am thankful that she doesn't fill her study pages with words.  When she does write something, it's intentional and it's meaningful because it's so rare in her studies.

It doesn't take too long to do the studies, but you can pick which route you would like to take.  You can spend as much time in this study as you want.  She has some work for those who can't spend an hour in the Word and then there is some for those who long to pour themselves over the pages of Scripture for an hour or more.  I like this option.  Sometimes it takes me 2 days to finish 1 days work, but it's totally worth it to learn so much more!

To read more opinions about this Bible study, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/sedwards.

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Book Info

About Ephesians: Women need Bible study to keep balanced, focused and Christ-centered in their busy worlds. However, many find it difficult to set aside the time and discipline needed for an in-depth study. The Discover Together studies offer tiered questions to allow readers to choose a depth of study that fits with their individual lifestyles or schedules, even if they vary by the week, month or season This insightful Bible study uses the example of Paul's church in Ephesus to show readers how they can be victorious Christians, living in God's Word, and free from sin. Part of the discovery series, the Ephesians edition includes tips for either individual or group use, inspirational sidebars and short, 3-5 minute teaching videos. Scan the video QR code in the book with a smart phone or visit the series website to watch Sue provide historical and cultural background, teach important truths found in each week's lesson, or ask thoughtful questions to encourage deeper discussion.

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

The Passionate Mom by Susan Merrill

I cannot possibly say enough good things about this book.  I have already recommended it to so many of my "mommy friends."  I have been so encouraged and so convicted by this book.  I had a hard time putting it up because I just wanted to soak in Susan Merrill's wisdom and ideas and all God had shown her.  

I really liked how she went through Nehemiah and used wisdom learned from Nehemiah to glean parenting encouragement and wisdom.  I had never looked at Nehemiah from that perspective before.  I also liked how she gave her personal stories in little pieces throughout the book.  I had many favorites, but I guess the top two would be the story of praying for God to drop children into her lap for her to adopt (and He did!) and the story of how she used her son's energy (that he used for trouble) and turned what was perceived a weakness into a strength.  

I had truly never stopped to think about how I need to ponder about my children and their needs and what I am and am not giving them.  It also encouraged me that the walls I build around them to protect them are not bad and other mothers do, in fact, have just as strict rules in order to protect their children.

This is a book that I will be recommending for many years and I know I will be reading and re-reading this book many times.  This would be a great encouragement for moms if you're looking for a  special Mother's Day gift!

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I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze program in exchange for my honest opinion about this book.

Hidden Mercies by Serena B. Miller

An unexpected romance blooms between two people who would typically be the most unlikely to be together.  I loved this angle for a story!  What better way to tell a story about redemption and forgiveness than to start with a tragedy and let something good blossom from it, much like God does in our lives in tragedy.

I really like Amish fiction, but I'm rather new to Serena B. Miller.  She writes beautifully and is able to tell her story in such a captive way that makes you just want to sit and read this book all day long.

The title of this book tells the story of this book.  It was a perfect title for it.  In order for Tom and Claire to even have a chance together, they have to find God's hidden mercies or they would never make it to the point where they could be together.  

There is apparently a book in this series that comes before it, but I have not read it.  However, I didn't feel lost or like I didn't know who the characters were.  She did a good job telling me what I needed to know for this book, but still made me want to go back and read the first book to see what I missed. I'm hoping that another book will be in this series since I'm now connected to so many of the characters!

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

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

I was instantly drawn to this book by the name of the author first and secondly, the cover of this book.  It is beautiful and simple.  The blue in the girls dress is just enough to draw your eye and for me, made me not able to wait to read this book.

I like Siri Mitchell a lot.  She is an excellent storyteller and that still holds true through this book.  She captured me from the start and left me wanting to read more of her stories.  I personally liked the humor that was thrown into this book through the way of both Lucy and Charlie's inner thoughts.  Lucy had me laughing at the things she did.

I would call this a romance novel just because there is romance, but it's not the typical "lovey-dovey" romance that you think of when you hear that word.  There's a lot more going on than just the romance.  I liked the "business" thrown into it and how they are competitors.

As usual, I'm left anxious to read her next novel!  To see more opinions about this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/join-the-flock/current-campaign-codes.  

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More about Unrivaled:  

Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe's best confections, she's sure she'll come up with a recipe that will save her father's struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager-a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy's skin.

Charlie Clarke's new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he's never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She's making his work life miserable...and making herself impossible for him to forget.

Link to buy the book:

http://ow.ly/jiUA3

Meet Siri:

Siri Mitchell is the author of nearly a dozen novels, among them the critically acclaimed Christy Award finalists "Chateau of Echoes" and "The Cubicle Next Door". A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in business, she has worked in many different levels of government. As military spouse, she has lived in places as varied as Tokyo and Paris. Siri currently lives in the DC-metro area. 

Visit www.sirimitchell.com 

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

Roses Have Thorns by Sandra Byrd

I am a new fan of Sandra Byrd and these Tudor books.  I don't know much about Elizabeth 1, but I am now intrigued to learn more about her.  I never knew the thoughts that swirled around about her not liking women and flirting a lot.  I really liked the interview page in the back of the book that shed more light on all of the research Byrd did on this book.  It was fascinating!

In a way, this reminded me some of Downton Abbey, only in the many layers in which this story is told.  You hear the truth coming out in her room, you hear the scandal involved in her new life she left Sweden for, and you get to see the jealousy and the plot of murder by family that seeks to destroy the queen.

I am definitely going to be purchasing the first 2 in this series.  I have found myself thinking about her and longing to have more to read about Elizabeth 1!  

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

The Gospel Centered Woman by Wendy Alsup

As a mom and wife, I have had many moments of where I felt like I wasn't good enough to accomplish all that God wants me to accomplish.  I know it's a lie that Satan wants me to believe and one that I think he knows women struggle with.  I liked this view of the Gospel centered woman.  She's not one who cares what people say or think about her other than God and His Word.  By His power, we can accomplish the many things that are on our plates each day.  We're not "good enough" to do it, but His power helps us do it.

The part that really stuck out to me was the Proverbs 31 wife.  We hear about her a lot and I know there are a lot of differing opinions about her as far as what we should be in comparison to her.  I personally liked how she said that we are to be good managers of our home, even if that means we need to hire someone to help us clean when we are financially capable to do so.  I have struggled so much with feeling like I need to do it all when it comes to the house, since it is my domain.  However, when she talked about managing it, that was so encouraging to me and was brought into a new light for me to think about.

I liked the Reflections page after each chapter.  I felt like there was so much in there that I needed that time to really think about what all I had just read.  

All women need to read this book and strive to be the Gospel Centered Woman.

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For more opinions on this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/walsup .

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About The Gospel-Center Woman: 

Understanding Biblical Womanhood through the Lens of the Gospel

Many Christian books written to women claim to present God's good instructions for their lives. Some expound on the value of marriage and children. Many extol the virtues of the Proverbs 31 wife. A good number teach the value of love, submission, and respect in Christian marriages. Though this book deals with these topics, The Gospel-Centered Womanaddresses women from an entirely different perspective. The most important part of the Bible's instructions to women center around the gospel. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection brought about a seismic shift in our understanding of Scripture. After His resurrection, His disciples understood words written thousands of years before with a clarity they never had previously. The good news of Christ illuminates all other Scripture, including instructions to women. 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/jgKJd           

Meet Wendy:  

  

Wendy Alsup is a wife, mom, and math teacher. She is the author of "Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes a Difference in Our Daily Lives" and "By His Wounds You are Healed: How the Message of Ephesians Transforms a Woman's Identity". 

Find out more about Wendy at 

www.theologyforwomen.org.

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

The Icecutter's Daughter by Tracie Peterson

I'm getting my Tracie Peterson fix!  I just finished a book by her recently and was glad to find out that I didn't have to say goodbye to her books for long. 

Part of the Land of Shining Water series, I got to learn about icecutting.  I can honestly say that I knew nothing about it and enjoyed learning about it.  I can only imagine how fascinating it was to research for this book.  I found myself anxiously awaiting evening when I could curl up and dive into this book for long periods at a time.

The parts that stuck out to me were how devoted both Rurik and Merrill were to their families.  You don't see that too often these days.  I think that helped me like this book even more because it's what I hope my family one day becomes!

When Rurik's ex-fiancé comes back on the scene, I couldn't help but cringe and hope that Merrill wouldn't believe anything she said.  I wanted Rurik and Merrill to be together and didn't want his ex to mess anything up with them. 

I think the next book comes out later in the fall, which I know I'll be reading.  I love the things I'm learning through these fiction books.  The historical settings and their occupations are all so interesting to me.
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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

I am already hooked on this new series by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley.  I am a big Dan Walsh fan and Gary Smalley seems to be one of my favorite co-authors.  I am looking forward to book 2 already!  This book reminded me some of Karen Kingsbury's series with the Baxters, which I loved!  I'm anxious to see if book 2 keeps the same characters or uses all new ones. I hope the same characters are used!  Each member of this family has a story to tell!

I really liked how this book didn't just hop into divorce and focused on separation.  Marilyn hasn't felt loved in her 27 years of marriage because all her husband, Jim, seems to think about is himself.  When Marilyn leaves, 2 of her children are not surprised and 1 of them is.  Apparently her children saw her loneliness when her husband never noticed.  

Jim is now tasked with earning his wife's love...if he can even manage to do that.  Marilyn loves Jim but Jim has to work through many things in order for reconciliation and restoration to be possible with Marilyn.  It's all about the dance.

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

Taylor's Gift by Todd and Tara Storch

Life seemed to be going great for the Storch family.  It was just another vacation that was supposed to be full of wonderful memories.  Instead, their life was turned upside down in an instant.  Those wonderful memories are still there, but it's also hidden by the nightmare that they lived through on that day in March of 2010.  At only 13 years old, Taylor had so much life yet to live.  However, a horrible ski accident left her family having to make choices that no parent wants to make for their child.  Taylor still lives on, though, because of the choices that her family made.

I cried while reading this book and was amazed with how they deal with the day-to-day.  As a mom, losing a child is truly something I fear.  I appreciated their honesty and how they aren't afraid to discuss the events of that day, even though I'm sure the thoughts still hold much sadness and their grief is still very much real.

I liked the aspect of this book.  It raises awareness about organ donation, something we often don't think about until our families are left to make the decision for us.  Taylor's life saved 5 other people's lives.  You can't help but feel the thankfulness and the joy of the recipients of her organs, all the while still grieving over the life of this young girl.  As much as this story is about death, it's also so much about hope and life and giving. 

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

Discovering the City of Sodom by Dr. Steven Collins and Dr. LaTayne C. Scott

This book was quite fascinating.  I have been studying Genesis since the beginning of the summer so when this book came up as available to review, I was quite excited.  I knew this book could go one of two ways....extremely fascinating or quite boring.  It did take me a few chapters to get into the book but was well worth the perseverance.  I think it took me a while to get used to reading the foreign-sounding places and some of the archaeological terms, which have extra help about these terms in the appendix section of the book.

The "Backstory" sections were interesting and I think it helped to remind the reader that it is a personal story, as well as a historical event/place that has been discovered.  I admire him for his use of Scripture and for basing his search off of Scripture.  If I remember right, he tells his students to "go to the text first" while they are figuring out an excavation.  I love that so much emphasis is put on God and that they long to prove to others that these events in Biblical history really did occur.

If you are at all interested in Sodom and Gomorrah, this book is a must read.  You will learn so much.  I think this book will take me several times of re-reading it to completely gather all of the information that is in it.

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

Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings

I really liked Molly and her beau Bailey.  Molly is easy to relate to and Bailey is a guy that I admire greatly because he is trying to be what God wants him to be, even if he doesn't always know how to be.  I never really questioned who Molly would end up with, but I was sad for her when it looked like she might choose someone different for a bit.  Bailey's love for her was deep and I just knew he had been crushed.  lt never stopped him or deterred him, though, from trying to win Molly's heart and to prove to her that he could make a life for her.

I am a big lover of historical books and you can't go wrong when you throw in a little bit of romance in with the history.  It was well-written and I didn't want to stop reading it.  I thought that the cover was perfect and really captured the story of the book.  I am very excited to read more of her books, as Regina Jennings is a new author to me and I think she is new to the whole book scene.  She has written another book, Sixty-Acres and a Bride, which is the first book in this series.

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For more reviews on this book and for more info on this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/rjennings.

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

The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

I am a huge fan of Beverly Lewis and have been anxiously awaiting this book in her Home to Hickory Hollow series.  This book took a totally different turn than I ever expected.  The first two books were great but I felt like I knew what had happened or was going to happen.  However, I was pleasantly surprised that was not the case in this book.  I didn't suspect the story to be more about 2 families than it was a girl.

I like how she brought two totally different women together all because of one little girl.  It was a beautiful story of setting aside differences and loving each other despite those differences.  We all go through grief and to see how they each dealt with it and how they came to terms with it was part of the larger story.  I think that's the part the readers can most relate to because we all face grief and hard problems.  We do have a choice in how we deal with the grief, as these two women demonstrated.

I am anxiously awaiting September so I can read the fourth book in this series!
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For more info:

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Guardian Bethany House Publishers (March 26, 2013) by Beverly Lewis

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Beverly's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."

ABOUT THE BOOK

When schoolteacher Jodi Winfield goes for a morning run, the last thing she expects is to find a disheveled little girl all alone on the side of the Pennsylvania road, clad only in her undergarments, her chubby cheeks streaked with tears. Jodi takes the preschooler home with her, intending to find out where she belongs. But Jodi is mystified when no one seems to know of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can't speak a word of English. It's as if the child appeared out of nowhere.

As the days pass, Jodi becomes increasingly attached to the mysterious girl, yet she is no closer to learning her identity. Then an unexpected opportunity brings Jodi to Hickory Hollow--and into the cloistered world of the Lancaster Old Order Amish. Might the answers lie there?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Guardian, go HERE.

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

Firefly Island by Lisa Wingate

I was hooked on this book from the first page.  There are many times when I have difficulty switching from one book to another and it takes me a few chapters to get into the book.  That wasn't the case with this book.  I found the storytelling in this book to be beautiful and captured the reader straight from the beginning.

There is an air of mystery surrounding Jack West, Mallory's husband's new boss.  Did he really kill his wife and child?  Where are they and why have they disappeared with no trace at all?  Why is everything so remote on Moses Lake?  Moses Lake, Texas sounds beautiful but the house seems to be lacking in feminine decor.  Something about stuffed animals on a wall watching over a shower is a bit weird!  

I liked how Mallory's romance bloomed with Daniel so fast and how the reader was able to watch their new marriage play out before their eyes.  You experienced the stress of a move and the newness of becoming a step-parent.  You saw the questions she had and the independence that she battled with.  I did laugh at her talking in her sleep and the things she talked about!  I also loved their honeymoon "suite" and how they tried to dress it up a bit.

I haven't read the other two books in this series, but now I plan to.  I can't wait to read more by Lisa Wingate.

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

Outrageous Courage by Kris Vallotton and Jason Vallotton

Radical obedience to God is something that isn't necessarily common these days.  I was so encouraged by this book...to hear of her radical obedience and the things that God has called Tracy Evans to be a part of.

When she was captured by guerrilla forces, I was amazed at her trust in God and her composure.  I was equally impressed with her quick thinking and her courage during her escape.  I'm not certain I would be able to think that clearly in a crisis.  You can see that her childhood helped prepare her for these instances in which she needed to listen and be quick on her feet to obey.

Tracy didn't have the ideal childhood and questioned God and didn't even come to Christ until later.  She wasn't afraid to ask hard questions and to be very honest.  I couldn't help but laugh at her natural instinct to hit someone, but I did like how God freed her of that. 

Too often, we diminish the impact of prayer and Tracy demonstrates the power of prayer in her life.  She has now given her life to help orphans and I love how she said that she's amazed that God has asked her, a single woman, to be a mother to so many children.  So beautiful.

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