The Daily Question for Your Child

With the busyness of life, it's so easy to forget to write down your favorite memories and stories of your children. That's where this book comes in. Our family has had a lot of fun asking these questions and recording the answers down in this 3-year book. So we bought one for each child so that they can each have a keepsake of some of their answers. They may not enjoy looking back on these, but it has been a some intentional conversation starters between us and our children.

The front cover can hold your favorite photo of your child. It slips in and out, so it's easy to update if you desire.

Some examples of the questions are: "If you coould start today over, would you?" "What is your favorite song?" "What do you miss" or "What is something that confuses you?"

I look forward to seeing how their personality and answers change over a 3-year period. While sad that they are growing up, at least I will have some meaningful conversations and time well spent with them, as well as a record of their responses!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne

I am always thrilled when I find a new author that I thoroughly enjoy. It has been a while since I've read a new author and I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book. My 7-year-old son wanted to hold this book because of the cover. He wanted to read it because he was convinced it was a cowboy book. I had to convince him it was not a book about cowboys!

The setting of this book was absolutely beautiful to imagine. I could easily see it in my head. Angelina was one of my favorites. She is always speaking her mind and isn't afraid to live wholeheartedly. She had me laughing in certain parts. Colt is just a sweetheart. He gives up a lot to come home to his roots when his father needs him most. Even though he takes his duty to his father seriously, things aren't all perfect at home. He still has some issues that need to be worked out with his father. He still has hurt feelings and can't keep sweeping it under the rug.

This story focuses on Colt, but his two other brothers are primed and ready for a story all of their own. I really hope the other books in the series will focus on the other brothers. However, I hope that they will continue to update readers on Colt and Angelina.

And the best news for readers of this series? You don't have to wait long for the next book!

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

Ties that Bind by Cindy Woodsmall

Every time I read a new release by Cindy Woodsmall,  I'm convinced it's the best book I've read of hers. That holds true with this book, too. I don't know that I could pick a favorite book of mine that she has written because I enjoy them all and they have a permanent space on my bookshelf!

From the front cover to the back, this book is well done. The cover of the book is beautiful, along with the fonts used for the title. I try not to judge a book by its cover, but I do.

Ties that Bind is the first book her latest series, The Amish of Summer Grove. Quill and Ariana have a past and honestly, based on the synopsis of the book, I was prepared to not like Quill. I was pretty convinced that I wouldn't like him. However, it's awfully hard not to like someone who wants to protect someone from something that they know will devastate them. The lengths he goes to and the compassion he shows has made me change my mind. I cannot imagine what Ariana must feel, though, with the new knowledge she has just learned about her life.

If you're looking for a book in a series that ties the story up and puts a bow on it, don't grab this book! It leaves some things unanswered, and leaves the reader waiting anxiously for the next release.

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

Reservations for Two by Hillary Manton Lodge

I actually recognized the author's previous book based on not only the title, but also the cover of the book. It was different from the first one but it was just enough alike to remind me that I liked the previous book and had wanted to read her next book. There are times where I have to google the author to be sure I remember her books, so it's always a pleasant surprise when I remember what a book was about without having to do a little reminder session!

This book picks up where the first one left off. Juliette has her plate full. She is trying to balance family life, love life, and work life. I'm pretty sure this is something we all can relate to! As if that isn't enough, a bombshell is dropped on her and her family is suddenly walking a dark long hard journey through cancer that so many people can relate to.

In my opinion, you definitely need to read A Table by the Window first. The books flow together that a lot would definitely be lost if you were missing some of the information in the first book. The characters flow from one book to the next, so this is definitely a series that needs to be read in order.

Hillary Manton Lodge does an excellent job in hooking her reader and making them have that attachment to the characters from the starting page. By the end, she has me wanting to read the last book that isn't out yet! Oh, the anticipation!

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

When Grace Sings by Kim Vogel Sawyer

This is such a beautiful cover. I don't know if it's because it uses my favorite colors or what exactly, but it screams relaxation to me just by looking at it. Well done on the cover!

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a staple on my bookshelf. I'm pretty certain I've read most of her books and have always enjoyed them. This is the second book in her series Zimmerman Restoration Series.

I always enjoy books that build off a previous one. I feel a deeper connection with the story because the reader grows to know the characters more. This book could be read alone, but has so much more meaning if you have read the first one in the series. However, if you're one of those people who doesn't mind starting in the middle of the series, then by all means, go for it! I think that you'll be able to quickly decipher what all is happening easily enough.

Another thing I appreciate about this book is it's unique writing style. I read a lot so I enjoy when I come across a book written just a little bit differently. This book is written from the point of view of four different people. I like getting each character's perspective on the different situation. It flowed beautiful with the perfect transitions and I never felt like I had been lost in the book.

Now I have to stay tuned to book 3 in this series because I need to have this story resolved. I'll warn you that there's not a definitely resolution yet.... you must hang out until book 3 is released!

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

When Mercy Rains by Kim Vogel Sawyer

This book is the first book in Kim Vogel Sawyer's new series, the Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy. I have always enjoyed Sawyer's books and have yet to read one by her that I have disliked. This book was such a wonderful start to this new series. I'm excited to see where she goes with the next two books!

My heart broke in several places in this book. The relationship between Suzanne and her mother was tense, to say the least. I can understand why because of some of the decisions Suzanne made, but the unforgiveness was sad. I can understand the disappointment from her mother, but I longed to see that relationship restored. Even after all of the pain that Suzanne experienced, I couldn't help but want her to have a happy ending.

The story landed itself to irony when Suzanne's brother contacts her. Who would have ever thought!However because of this, her life just may go in a different direction that she ever intended. Or maybe she dreamed of it long, long ago.

 I am looking forward to getting my hands on the next book in the series. It'll be a great book to take to the beach with me, I think!

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

The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert

When I thought about how to sum up this book, two words came to my mind: raw and honest. I know this is a fiction book, but it felt so much like reading someone's autobiography. The story is written in first person from the perspective of both Carmen and Gracie.

Carmen and Gracie share the same mother, who has chosen alcohol over raising her children. Carmen is less affected by it because she's married and moved out. However, Gracie has felt the weight of her mother's choice. To cope, she has made some decisions that aren't the best. She's made them, of course, in order to survive emotionally and in some ways, physically.

Carmen is the one who went to one end of the spectrum in order to hide her flawed family. She tried to be perfect in every way. The fact that things aren't perfect in her life now leads to her feeling exposed. For Gracie, she went the opposite way in dealing with her dysfunctional family. She wasn't afraid to deal out the pain so others could hurt along with her. To say she built walls around her heart is putting it lightly. She's built a fortress.

I love the honesty in this book. It doesn't sugar coat the very real reality that teens face while growing up in a family that has chosen alcohol over their children. This is a very real reality for many people and I think so many can easily relate to this. Not everyone has a sister they can learn to love and depend on, though. Gracie and Carmen find one thing that brings them closer together and reminds them of so many memories.

Katie Ganshert is a new author to me, but I absolutely enjoyed her writing style. I am looking forward to her next book already.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author, Katie Ganshert, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her family. When she’s not busy penning novels or spending time with her people, she enjoys drinking coffee with friends, reading great literature, and eating copious amounts of dark chocolate.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Just like in my dream, I was drowning and nobody even noticed.

Every morning, Carmen Hart pastes on her made-for-TV smile and broadcasts the weather. She’s the Florida panhandle’s favorite meteorologist, married to everyone’s favorite high school football coach. They’re the perfect-looking couple, live in a nice house, and attend church on Sundays. From the outside, she’s a woman who has it all together.  But on the inside, Carmen Hart struggles with doubt. She wonders if she made a mistake when she married her husband. She wonders if God is as powerful as she once believed. Sometimes she wonders if He exists at all. After years of secret losses and empty arms, she’s not so sure anymore.

Until Carmen’s sister—seventeen year old runaway, Gracie Fisher—steps in and changes everything. Gracie is caught squatting at a boarded-up motel that belongs to Carmen’s aunt, and their mother is off on another one of her benders, which means Carmen has no other option but to take Gracie in. Is it possible for God to use a broken teenager and an abandoned motel to bring a woman’s faith and marriage back to life? Can two half-sisters make each other whole?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Art of Losing Yourself, go HERE.
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I received this book free from CFBA and WaterBrook Press in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, & Sarah Sundin

As soon as I saw these three authors together in the same book, I knew this was going to be an enjoyable book. These are some of my top authors and they did not disappoint me at all. Each author titled the name of their section by a name of a well-known Christmas carol. Of course, that had me singing those songs for while!

This is a Christmas book, but it's thoroughly enjoyable any time of the year. There are three stories that focus on Christmas during World War II. The Turner family has seen a lot of tragedy, but thanks to their grandma, she insists on doing what she can to still celebrate Christmas.

Each author focuses their story on a different member of the Turner family. Cara Putman tells Abigail's story of letting loss go and moving forward with life. Fear of having her heart broken again sends fear throughout her life and she has to make the decision to face her fear.

Sarah Sundin focuses on Pete. Pete hasn't always made the best choices. He has learned that despite a changed life, his sin still has consequences. He has to prove to people that he's not the same man he once was. As a side note, his relationship with sweet, little Linnie and his patience with her "handful" personality is so sweet. I wanted him to be Linnie's new dad!

Tricia Goyer wraps up the story of the Turner family by following Meredith, better known as "Merry." She's a nurse and has been placed in the frontline of the war. She will see and experience much sadness, but God prepares her to help her go forward in life. It isn't easy, but you get to see the beautiful story of God's redemption played out.

In the busyness of the holiday season, grab this book and settle up on the couch for some quiet moments spent with a wonderful book!

Read more opinions on this book by going to http://litfusegroup.com/author/glisten.

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About the book: 

The crunch of newly fallen snow, the weight of wartime

Siblings forging new paths and finding love in three stories, filled with the wonder of Christmas

Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America's involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.

In Cara Putman's White Christmas, Abigail Turner is holding down the Home Front as a college student and a part-time employee at a one-of-a-kind candy shop. Loss of a beau to the war has Abigail skittish about romantic entanglements---until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.

Abigail's brother Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned from the European Theater in Sarah Sundin's I'll Be Home for Christmas, trying to recapture the hope and peace his time at war has eroded. But when he encounters a precocious little girl in need of Pete's friendship, can he convince her widowed mother that he's no longer the bully she once knew?

In Tricia Goyer's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Meredith Turner, "Merry" to those who know her best, is using her skills as a combat nurse on the frontline in the Netherlands. Halfway around the world from home, Merry never expects to face her deepest betrayal head on, but that's precisely what God has in mind to redeem her broken heart.

The Turner family believes in God's providence during such a tumultuous time. Can they absorb the miracle of Christ's birth and His plan for a future?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/BwVP9

 

About the authors: 

TRICIA GOYER is a prolific author of nearly forty books, including Chasing Mona Lisa, and a speaker and blogger. 

Website, Facebook, Twitter

CARA PUTMAN is the author of twenty books including Shadowed by Grace. She is the winner of the 2008 Carol Award for historical fiction. 

Website, Facebook, Twitter

SARAH SUNDIN is the critically-acclaimed author of the Wings of the Nightingale series, the Wings of Glory series, and the forthcoming Waves of Freedom novels.

Website, Facebook, Twitter

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

I have somehow missed the first book of this series. I haven't read anything by Carrie Turansky and was so surprised that I had not seen her books. Now that I've read this book, though, I doubt I'll be missing her books anymore. In fact, I think I have some catching up to do!

I like reading books in this era because life was so drastically different then from what it is today. Not that I'd like to live in it, though, because of all the societal pressures. This is exactly what Katharine Ramsey is feeling. She doesn't particularly want to join the high society, but she has no other choice.

Kate's aunt drove me nuts. She was absolutely horrible to Kate in the way she spoke to her. I was glad Jon was there to help soften some of the after effects of her aunt's words. I know he wasn't in her class, but I really wanted them to forge ahead with a relationship.

Kate's attitude made me laugh. Her entire presentation before the king, queen, and princess made me laugh because I felt like I could have totally done those same things myself! I wanted her to follow her heart and not all of the rules.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series that comes out in October 2015. Wait.... that a whole year away!!

For more reviews on this book, go to http://litfusegroup.com/author/cturansky.

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About the Book

                       The Daughter of Highland Hall || Book 2, Edwardian Brides (Waterbrook Multnomah, October 2014)
What if the title, the estate, the life of security and splendor… what if it isn’t enough?
Strong-willed and beautiful, debutante Katherine Ramsey feels ready to take the London social season by storm, and she must. Her family estate, Highland Hall, has been passed to older male cousin Sir William Ramsey, and her only means of securing her future is to make a strong debut and find a proper husband. With her all-knowing and meddling aunt as a guide, Katherine is certain to attract suitors at the lavish gatherings, sparkling with Great Britain’s elite.
When a shocking family scandal sidelines Katherine, forcing her out of the social spotlight, she keeps a low profile, volunteering with the poor in London’s East End. Here Katherine feels free from her predictable future, and even more so as a friendship with medical student Jonathan Foster deepens and her faith in God grows. But when Katherine is courted anew by a man of wealth and position, dreams of the life she always thought she wanted surface again. Torn between tradition and the stirrings in her heart for a different path, she must decide whom she can trust and love—and if she will choose a life serving others over one where she is served.
Learn more, read an excerpt, and purchase a copy at Carrie’s website.

Carrie Turansky

Carrie Turansky is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has written contemporary and historical romances, women's fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott, and they have five adult children and four grandchildren.

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

A Love Undone by Cindy Woodsmall

I know this book isn't part of a series, but it does keep with some familiar people like Levi and Sadie. The book opens on a heavy note. It's heart-wrenching and the timing couldn't be worse. It's amazing how I came to like a couple so much in just one short chapter.

Cindy Woodsmall has written another beautiful story. The characters are very well-developed and the tension is caused by what they want but can't have. Not only that, there's a rumor that threatens to destroy their reputations. After all the Jolene has given up for her family, I wanted it to be her time to find love.

Jolene had to overcome fears, and understandably so. She doesn't do her job begrudgingly or have regrets, but she does need to express herself. When Andy comes along, she has no problem speaking her mind and sharing her fears. There's only one problem. He's married.... but his wife has left him and his son. Despite their desire to be together, they can't.

Andy was a sweet man, although I wanted to bop him in the head at first to get him to understand why in the world Jolene was reading a book in the middle of working with horses. Glen was one of those characters that I liked at some times and disliked at others. I was glad for him by the ending, though.

I am looking forward to seeing more books from Cindy Woodsmall.

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

A Table by the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge

This was a book that intrigued me from the start because of the cover.  I absolutely love the black and white cover with the red letters.  It set it apart from every book on my shelf just by that alone.

I had to watch when I read this book because it could be dangerous late at night. Thanks to the recipes and all the talk of food, I would start thinking about either cooking the recipe or eating something similar to what was being talked about! I can't wait to try out all of the recipes mentioned, though.

There are times when words from other languages distract me in books and I have a hard time getting past that. However, that wasn't the case with this book. There were French words used, but the flow remained. I never felt like it was out of place or distracting. In fact, I think it added more to the character of the story.

After the summer I've had, I could understand Juliette.  Things are piling up on her and trying to emotionally and physically handle each issue is hard. (Like I said, this was me!) It was a bit overwhelming to think about if she had to write it out! Then throw a long-distance romance in there and that's the cherry on the top of this whole story.

I am very much looking forward to what's next by Hillary Manton Lodge. I'm sure it will be just as beautifully done as this book was.

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

A Stillness of Chimes by Meg Moseley

I am new to Meg Moseley but I was intrigued by the book because of the cover. I'm not certain why I was drawn to it so much, but it kept standing out to me, so I went with it.  Most books are predictable in the sense that you kind of have an idea as to how they are going to end.  Every time I thought I knew, it turned out that I was wrong.  I liked the unexpected ending and the revelations in between.

I appreciated that Meg took a hard issues of trauma from the war and incorporated it into her book.  I haven't read very many fiction books that do that, but I appreciate it.  It's a real problem that gets overlooked a lot.  I felt bad for Laura's family and their search.  I kept trying to imagine how I would feel with so many unexplained answers.  I'm not certain I could just give up if I had any hope that my Dad was okay. 

This isn't a fast paced book.  It is a book that if you are patient, you will get to the end and look back and say that it's a very well-written story. They mystery surrounding Laura's dad is what makes you keep turning the pages.... and of course there's romance.

 

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

Echoes of Mercy by Kim Vogel Sawyer

I was reminded of the show "Undercover Boss" as I read this book.  I like that show and how it shows bosses who are willing to lower their status a bit in order to get a more realistic view of the employees and all they have to endure during a typical workday.  I like how it opens the boss's eyes and reminds them that the people who work for them are humans, too.

I saw this same thing in this book, except it's at a chocolate factory.  Ollie wants an inside look at how his future company runs. However, he knows that in order to gain a true understanding of the inner workings of the company, he has to go undercover as a janitor.  I liked how he could humble himself to do work that pride can sometimes be a hindrance in.

In doing this job, he becomes friends with Carrie.  Carrie is educated and I like to think that she helps to push Ollie in his future job.  She definitely didn't shy away from giving him plenty to think about when it came to how she thinks a company should be run!

I liked Carrie's passion for children in need and her strong desire for them to have more and be more.  She wanted them to have a chance at education and I thought she never lost that focus.

The book really highlighted how much we take education for granted today. To imagine my children working in a factory, even at their young age, is sad.  I can't imagine throwing them out into that kind of setting so young.  I was grateful that she reminded me again of just how far we have come in the realm of education.

 

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

What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Even though we face storms in the places where we feel like God has called us to work and serve, doesn't mean that we're outside of His will and purpose for us.  That's all I could think about while reading this book.

Christina has been in one big storm that keeps sending wave after wave on top of her.  She is fighting to continue in what she knows she is called to do, but quite honestly the situation looks hopeless.

I love Christina's fighter spirit because I could see some of myself in her.  I liked how she didn't give up on her mission, and kept hoping.  In this light, this is a message that resonates with every reader.

 I also enjoyed how Levi and Christina were forced to work together, despite their different beliefs.  The boy who is blind reveals much on the character of people.

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a rather new author to me.  I have really enjoyed all of her books since the first one I read.  She makes historical fiction fun to read and brings me back to time periods in which I don't know much about.  I'm definitely excited to read her next book in this series.

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

The Dawn of Christmas by Cindy Woodsmall

Welcome to an Amish Christmas and romance!  Sadie was so sweet and my heart broke for her when her no one would believe her when her relationship ended with Daniel.  I really liked Levi, though, and am so glad that Daniel got what he deserved!

Cindy Woodsmall writes wonderful Amish fiction that is such a joy to read.  This book is a sweet Christmas book that really follows several different couples.  Sadie and Levi are the main characters. They each have a past that has to be dealt with and some past hurt that needs to be acknowledged.

Jonah and Beth's journey into parenthood was another side story.  It was so sweet to watch them enter this new stage in life when the possibilities seemed so slim.  It was so good to meet up with some familiar characters again.

I can't wait to read more from Cindy Woodsmall!  I'm already ready for her next book.

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

The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser

The first thing I need to say that I like about this book is the cover.  I love the rustic look of it and how the back is just as beautiful as the front.  I know covers don't define the inside story, but it sure makes the reader more excited to read a book when the cover is attractive!

This is part of the American Tapestries series.  Lots of research has gone into this book and it's quite obvious that she did her homework.  Nancy Moser makes her story flow seamlessly from chapter to chapter and from character to character.  She gives an air of mystery around one of her characters, Lewis, which makes the story have a bit of suspense to it as we wait to discover Lewis' true identity and how Josephine will respond to him.

I must say that I did feel a little bit sorry for Lewis, since he was so alone.  I didn't like his relationship with Josephine, but I hated his poor circumstances.  Hudson was very easy to like and I appreciated that he was trying to take care of his family and had a sense of duty about him.  Josephine's mom drove me crazy at times, but I can imagine that a mom's sense of mourning really doesn't go away ever and the desire for others to mourn with them must be strong.  When I forgot her reason for mourning, I found myself getting tired of her.  I had to keep reminding myself that she had lost a son and that would put me back into perspective with her.  Her dad was very easy to like and I liked him from the very beginning. 

I am definitely looking forward to reading more by Nancy Moser.  I felt like I had climbed back in time and truly enjoyed the period of the Transcontinental Railroad.

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

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About the book: When a socialite from the nation's capital embarks on a journey to the Wild West, her life is changed forever.

A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general's daughter. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose . . . and true love.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pq47s

Meet Nancy: Nancy Moser is the best-selling author of more than twenty novels. She is a winner and two-time nominee of the Christy Award, and her latest novel was named to Booklist's "Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011." Nancy and her husband have three grown children and three grandchildren, and they live in the Midwest.

Learn more at Nancy at: http://nancymoser.com/.


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

For Every Season by Cindy Woodsmall

Cindy Woodsmall is one of my top Amish fiction authors to read.  She has never disappointed me and I don't expect that she ever will.  The Amish Vines and Orchards Series have been fabulous and are written well.  Cindy Woodsmall paints beautiful pictures with her words and leaves me feeling like I'm on the Amish farms right in the midst of these characters.  I'm glad that another book is coming out in this series because I'm not ready to say goodbye to the Byler family yet.  I don't suspect that I'll ever be glad for this series to end!

This is the third book in the Amish Vines and Orchards series.  It picks up with the family moved to Maine and trying to start their orchard there.  Rhoda is left feeling lonely and feeling as though she must go home to be free of the tension between Samuel and Jacob King.  Rhoda just can't seem to let go of the orchard, though.  It's her passion and what she was born to do.  

Jacob is hiding some things from his past that if he would only share with Rhoda, then she could understand why he goes missing for days at a time.  He was who she was supposed to marry, but without him explaining his leave of absences, it's left her wondering if she knows him at all.  Since Jacob's brother, Samuel, is left picking up the pieces while Jacob is away, he begins to form a relationship with Rhoda.  So the next book will probably reveal who she chooses, or at least I hope it does!

I liked both of the guys so I'm having a really hard time deciding who she would be happier with.  I liked Jacob because he was first but I just wanted him to tell her where he's been!  I admired Samuel for being there to comfort Rhoda when she felt unloved and I liked watching his love for her come as a surprise.  

The most helpful part of this book is the very first pages, which offer a review of what happened in the first and second books so far.  I think every book in a series needs to have this.  It's so hard to keep track of what happened when so much time passes between a book in the series.  Usually, I have to hunt down the first book and peruse the pages to jog my memory.  I liked that I didn't have to search my shelves and it was right there for me to read.  Please do this in every book for every author! 

Now...to wait until April 2014.  

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

Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh

The cover of this book is funny.  I think it depicts the book perfectly and I could tell this book would include some humorous moments.  I like covers that depict humor when it's a light-hearted and fun book to read.

Maizy Grace has perfected the art of 'faking" being a Christian.  She wants a job with the Christian magazine so she's got to make sure she's spotless.  She knows all the phrases and the words to fit in with those in church and to make people not suspect the true her.

This book is full with lots of people, lots of different personalities, and well...some romance.  I think it's a fun look at the church because I could just imagine many in the church acting out in all these different ways.  It made me also wonder how many are Faking Grace. 

Tamara Leigh is great at taking some serious topics and making them fun to read.  She's not afraid to step on toes, but she does it in a way that is through fiction and making you think.  I hope she writes more books for us to read soon!

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I received this book free from Waterbrook Publishers and their Blogging for Books program.

Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh

I saved this book to read on the beach and I'm glad I did.  It was the perfect, light, funny book that just screams the beach!  I loved picturing all of the changes Harriet was implementing.

 

I also like the topic of this book.  There are definitely many nonfiction books that deal with church conflict, but there aren't many fiction books that deal with that topic.  I liked how this book hit on this topic.  It made it easier to relate to since it was fiction.

 

Harriet is easy to relate to as well.  She's rebelled and then changed, but has to prove herself to others that she has changed.  Maddox was quite easy to like.  Their relationship was predictable, but it still made a good story.  In all honesty, not many romance books are unpredictable because a relationship has to form out of a budding relationship anyway.

 

Now I've got to read the next book of Tamara Leigh's!

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

 

Perfecting Kate by Tamara Leigh

To be perfectly honest, I almost didn't want to read this book.  The cover of the book did not really appeal to me at all.  The colors were eye-catching, but it just lacked the visual appeal for me.  That said, I'm glad that I didn't judge the book by its cover.  

I liked Kate in this book, once I was able to set aside the fact that she didn't really like how she looked.  I know that often I struggle with my appearance (I'm not for sure what girl doesn't), so I had to remind myself that Kate was in her daily struggle.  It didn't help at all that the cosmetic surgeon could immediately tell the things that he could fix on her.  That would make me a bit self-conscious, too.

I liked the humor in this book.  I found myself laughing and just visualizing some of the encounters became quite hilarious in my head!    I really like chick-lit and I think this book falls under that category.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her books.  I hope they are as funny as this one!

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