A Big Year for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher

I think that these books are just getting better and better!  The first book was good, but it seemed much more geared for a child.  It had simpler sentences and while it was fun to read to my daughter, I didn't quite feel as engaged in the story as my daughter did.  The second book was better and progressed more, but I think that this book seems as though both writers have fallen into a rhythm.  The story is captivating not just to my daughter, but also to me.  I found myself looking forward to seeing what Lily did next.  The story felt as though it wasn't written just for younger girls.  The sentences included more detail, but was still easy for kids to follow.  The chapters are short, which is great for reading aloud and for attention span.

I think the cover of these books in this series are so pretty.  The girls are absolutely adorable and the colors are so eye-catching.

The back of the book says that this series is geared for girls age 8-12, but both my son and daughter like this book and they are 3 and 4 (almost 5).  We read it right before bed and some in the afternoon.  I get tired of reading little kid books all the time and want to read stories that have more to them!  They liked Lily and Hannah.  Aaron Yoder has become a favorite of mine.  Perhaps they will one day court....

I felt so bad for Lily having to write "Thou shalt not steal" and "Thou shalt not covet" because of being falsly accused.  My mommy side of me wanted the girl who was actually responsible to get punished!   I mean, she missed recess!  Poor girl!

You can go to AdventuresofLilyLapp.com to check out these books, play games, and meet the authors.  I'm looking forward to reading book 4 in this series soon!

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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group and Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.  You can also go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/sfisher to read more reviews of this book.

Glimpses of Grace by Gloria Furman

This book came at the perfect time for me.  It was hard for me to wait to read this book because the cover is absolutely beautiful.  I love the cover and it was relaxing and inspiring to just look at the cover!

Glimpses of Grace helped put my homemaking into perspective.  I struggle at times with seeing God as part of my full day in midst of the mundane chores.  I know He's there and active, but I loose sight of Him when I'm doing things like dishes and the laundry.  I focus on myself and forget to focus on other and have been guilty of wondering "when's my turn."

This book is very biblical and encouraging, yet doesn't water down the gospel and say that it's okay to continue on the path that we are on, whether it's getting angry over the little things or making idols out of our houses.  I really like John Piper and Tim Keller, so I was won over when their quotes were used in this book, too!

I have already recommended this book to several mothers that I know who are really struggling through the mundane with little children.  It was such an encouragement to me and I knew it would be for them, as well.  This would be the perfect gift to give a young mom who feels like she's struggling.

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

Bible Stories Painting Book 2

My children could hardly wait to open this book up.  My son saw it first so he thought that it was all his.  Needless to say, he was disapointed he couldn't do it all!

I like the paint palette that is included.  It's not messy at all.  I grabbed some paint brushes we had and let them get started.  You do have to remember to keep the book open to let the paint palette dry, but I didn't mind.  It dried really fast and so did the paint pages.

I liked that they were painting Bible stories.  We were able to talk about the stories while they were painting.  That was a fun conversation starter that was great for us.

If you have multiple children, I highly recommend you getting one book for each child.  Otherwise, you will hear fighting!

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

Water Baby Learns to Ski by Barbara Collins

This book is written for younger children, I think.  I would think that a child from baby to 2 would like this book.  It has simple sentences with only 1-2 sentences on each page.  The illustrations are cute and do catch the eyes of the children.  My daughter really liked looking at the pictures.

As for the story, I think I expected more.  From what I gather, the story is written in honor of her son who she considers her "water baby."  The water and boat was important to Mrs. Collins, as her dedication mentions that her family spent a lot of time in the boat.  That was important to read so you can have a better understanding of the story.

The story is of a young child that is learning to ski.  To start, he is skiing on grass and in the bath.  Then it's time for him to start in trainer skis, then one ski, no skis, and a wake board.  It looks like fun and is a cute story, but I didn't really get a message from the book other than skiing is fun.  The review in the front of the book talks about learning character, but the only thing that touches on character is the last page telling children to be a champion and do your best in all you do.  I felt like there could have been more that talked about this if character training was really what she wanted to focus on in the book.  I didn't see that message.  For me, the theme was a water baby can ski with different skis.

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

The Scotties Learn About Respect by Stephanie Robinson

This has become one of my favorite children's books that I have recently read and reviewed.  To start, I like the illustrations.  I think they were done perfectly in this book and my children really liked looking at this book.  In fact, I had to search their rooms several times because they kept taking it from my pile to review!

The message of the book is such a great one for children.  I have talked a lot to my children about 

respect and it gave them some concrete understandings of what respect is.  Since reading the book, 

we have been able to remind our children that obedience is a way to show us respect.  Thanks to those scotties, our children have a good example.

Archie, Flea, and Bonnie are Scottish Terriors.  Archie sometimes forget what his mom has told him to do and that leads to trouble.  Flea has to have a talk with Archie when he messes up his mom's garden.  Then Archie must repent and make things right with his mom.

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

A Bride for All Seasons by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy, and Robin Lee Hatcher

I really enjoyed reading the love connections that Melvin Hitchcock took it upon himself to orchestrate.  As owner of the Hitching Post Mail-Order Bride Catalogue, Melvin received letters from both men and women who were looking for a spouse.  Some had kids, some were heartbroken as soon as they arrived and saw their spouse, some thought they were dying, and others wanted a woman who had no interest in God.

 

Each novella takes on a different season and different characters for their stories.  But they all have one thing in common....Mr. Hitchcock.  He tends to leave some of the most important information out of his letters that he writes to those intended for each other.  However, in each case, he turns out to be right about the match that he had made by only reading letters.

 

Each author flowed seamlessly from one story to the next.  As I read the 4 stories, I never felt like I was reading 4 completely different authors.  I was quite impressed!  Instead, I felt like I was reading one continuous story that had major sections in the book.  That's quite a feat to pull off when you're talking about 4 different authors, each with their own writing style.  I liked each mail-order bride and particularly liked the mules in the story.  I laughed at Prudy and all of the scenes that she was in.  And then I liked Old Blue and imaging Megan trying to ride him. 

 

I hope all 4 authors can come together and write more stories together.  Their interview in the back of the book was fun to read, too.  I felt like I was listening in on their conversations! 

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

 

Grounded by Neta and Dave Jackson

Neta Jackson has been one of my favorite authors that I have read every book by Neta Jackson since her Yada Yada Prayer Group series.  I had a hard time saying goodbye to those characters in that series.  I've been so glad to see familiar names pop up in each of her different series that she has written since then.  In this case, it's the Bentley's.

 

The style of this book is written almost in the same style of the Yada Yada books, which is why I think I like it so much.  It has a lot of characters and the story tells you all about them in different points of view.  It was a book that I put off reading some because I knew that when I did, I would want to read the next book right away.  I couldn't, of course, because it's not out but I am definitely anxious to get my hands on it now!  I just have to wait until the parallel novel, Derailed, comes out in the fall.

 

Grace is a contemporary Christian music artist who also has a past.  She's had some tough times and I afraid of speaking about them.  This is where the Bentley's come in...as neighbors to Grace.  They love Grace and guide her and cover her with their prayers.  Ah...the Bentley's.  They are like the familiar face in a crowd.  I instantly reconnected with this family as they are now investing themselves in new lives.  They help Grace comes to terms with her past and not just stop there, but to continue on living without fear.  I want a neighbor like them!

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I received this book free from CFBA and Worthy Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Quarryman's Bride by Tracie Peterson

I have really enjoyed this series, Land of Shining Water, by Tracie Peterson.  I like how Tracie Peterson can take those tough and difficult circumstances and still show that God is worthy of being trusted.  The opening pages don't sugarcoat the circumstances that Emmalyne Knox finds herself in.  It was a little uncomfortable to read because your heart goes out to Emmalyne, but I'm glad that abuse was covered in this book.

 

Tavin and Emmalyne want to marry and plan to until God's plans intervene.  Years go by and they meet each other again.  Their love blooms, but before they can join in marriage, issues need to be discussed.  Both of them have had some traumatic experiences and different responsibilities that mean that they have to put their happiness on hold to please others.

 

Tracie Peterson has always been one of my top authors to read.  She is able to tell weave different stories together to show readers that God has a plan for each person and that He is still in control, even if we can never understand.  I'm looking forward to reading book 3 in September.

 

To read more reviews on this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/tpeterson.

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

Healing Hearts by Hisashi Nikaidoh, MD

I have found a book that I can now give to those who have experienced the loss of a child.  I know that at just the time the person is ready, they will come to love this book as it walks them through grief.

 

I didn't realize that Dr. Nikaidoh had lost a child.  I didn't read the summary of the book because I was interested from the cover.  That makes this book even better because it's a personal journey, but it also involves many other mothers.  It tugged at my heart because it talks of the mothers who have lost their children and how they helped guide Dr. Nikaidoh through grief. 

 

I found myself with tears in my eyes as I read some personal accounts of those who contributed to the book.  I know that losing a child is a mother's worst nightmare.  As a mom, I can't even fathom my child being taken from me, although I know it can happen at any minute.

 

It was also neat to get an inside look into the life of a pediatric heart surgeon and all that he does to prepare for a surgery and how it affects him, too.

 

This book is staying on my bookshelf, but copies of it will definitely be passed out and recommended. 

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I received this book from Ambassador International in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

 

 

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Who seriously can't enjoy a good novel that is set in the west?!  I'm a sucker for those settings for some reason.  I love going back in time to see how they roughed it and learned to live with outlaws and so much more.

Karen Witemeyer is an author that I will be reading every single book by from now on.  They are light-hearted books and in some ways, they remind me of Janette Oke's Wild West series.  Those don't have as much humor, but they still left me with the feeling that I wanted to read them over and over again.  She adds so much reality to her stories through her characters.  Even the situations are very real.  I appreciated one situation, which I won't spoil it for you, but that I think many people end up finding themselves in.  I liked how she showed the temptations and the solutions.

Another thing that I like about Karen is all of the intricate characters she puts in her books.  I learn so much about even the minor characters.  I feel like I have a connection with whoever has come across the pages, which helps me connect the dots later when I see that name come up. 

I'm a huge Karen Witemeyer fan and can't wait to see what's next.  I know I'll be sure to get it!
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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Love Stays True by Martha Rogers

I think it's neat how three different authors that I have read back to back have all hit on the same time period and they have all been from completely different publishers.  I have really enjoyed reading the books about this time frame because I really haven't read much about it, except what you learn in school.  Martha Rogers is no exception to the other two authors in the previous posts.  She has done her research and has done an excellent job of telling the story between the North and the South.

With technology today, it's hard to imagine that time when you couldn't pick up a phone and let someone know that you were safe or coming home.  I would be a wreck if I had to watch every day for my spouse, just wondering if he was coming home or not.  I hadn't spent a lot of time thinking about that, but I have now that I've finished this book.  That's what keeps coming back to me!  Sallie is waiting to see if the love of her life is going to return or not.  Manfred just got released and is making his way back to Sallie to proclaim his love and see if she feels the same way.  However, it's a long journey.  (Another thing I hadn't stopped to think about until now.)

Rogers writes a beautiful story of forgiveness, hope, and true love.  It's not an over the top romance book, but she pulls the reader in and it feels like your heart is the one watching for your loved one to return.  There were some times where I felt like perhaps the war might have really caused more damage to people than what Rogers wrote about, but that is just my opinion.  Needless to say, I'm quite thankful I didn't have to live during that time!

The cover of the book isn't necessarily eye-catching to me.  It was a bit to crowded.  The picture of the house at the top was beautiful, though.  Perhaps it just needed to have that on the cover and not a bunch of other things.

I have read several books by Rogers and each book gets better. I'm excited to read more by her in her second book in this series, Homeward Journey.

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I received this book free from Realm Publishers and Booketeria in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Widow of Gettysburg by Jocelyn Green

I was hooked on this book from the very beginning. I was pulled in and couldn't stop reading this book despite the many things I had on my to-do list today.  I was quite shocked by that because I honestly did not expect this book to be one that was hard to put down.  Sometimes the historical fiction books can be boring, but not this one!

I can't quite pin point what I liked about this book exactly.  I think part of it is that it was inspired by first-person accounts.  I can't imagine the amount of time and research this book took, but what a wonderful idea for a fiction book.  I learned so much about the town of Gettysburg, which I knew nothing about except for the war.  It was fun for me to learn some new facts, but also to get a glimpse through the eyes of the women left behind.  I'm not so sure I would have been as brave as Liberty and Bella.  I am almost positive that I would have packed up and moved on somewhere.  I liked the relationship between Liberty and Bella because it crossed racial divides and brought two women from different classes together.

 I immediately liked Liberty.  Silas puzzled me at first because I wasn't for sure how he knew Liberty.  (I'm not going to tell you because that's part of the fun of this book!) 

I haven't read anything by Jocelyn Green, but was impressed by her writing and her book ideas. Knowing that this is the second book in her Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War series, I now want to read the first book in this series and I'm anxious for her to come out with her next book in the series.  I love books that surprise me!

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I received this book free from River North Publishers, a part of Moody Publishers, and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.