Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz

I just finished this book a few days ago and really felt that I needed to review it quickly to capture the feeling that I have about this book.  This book was written in first person so it took me a few chapters to get used to reading in that way because all of the previous books I had read were your typical third person views.  Once I got into the character, I was hooked.  The book was kind of predictable but they storyline wasn't, as far as the circumstances within the story weren't.  When I came to the last page and closed the book, I had the weirdest feeling that was truly indescribable.  The book was wonderful and I think it made me reflect on it long after the book had ended.  It was a beautiful story of reflection.  Perhaps the best way for me to sum it up.

Ally is an ex-flight attendant who loves to travel to get away from the one man in this world that she can't have.  Vesey Washington lives on the other side of the creek and is the man that has stolen Ally's heart.  What reasons could possibly keep these two apart?  And how does a girl from Nepal who is escaping for slavery happen to have in common with Ally?

This book is one that anyone will enjoy.  When you read it, let me know your thoughts!  I'd like to know if it leaves anyone else with such an odd feeling that makes it hard to describe this book because it's so good and so unique.

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To read more reviews on this book, visit this site:  http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13454766

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

1 Peter-Lesson 5 (Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study)

Submission.  What thoughts do you have when you hear that word mentioned?  Is it that of someone with no backbone or who has no will?  Perhaps it's someone who is weak and gets run over by others.  Is submission something that you desire or something that repulses you?

For me and my marriage, submission is not something that I run away from or hate.  It's something that I love and that I embrace.  I like submission.  Is it easy?  No.  Is it called of me to do by God?  Yes.  I'm thankful that my husband also knows and understands the word submission and he always takes my opinions and thoughts into consideration, prays over it or seeks counsel, and then comes to a final decision.  I know that the final decision was made with lots of thoughts and prayer.

John Piper says it best in his book The Momentary Marriage when he says what submission is not:

• It is not agreeing with everything my husband says.
• It does not mean leaving my brain or will at the wedding altar.
• It does not mean every effort to avoid changing my husband.
• It does not mean putting the will of my husband above the will of Christ.
• It does not mean that I get my personal/spiritual strength primarily through my husband.
• It does not mean that I act out of fear.

What Piper says submission is: "Submission is the divine calling of a wife to love and affirm her husband's leadership and help carry it through according to her gifts."  This is the submission I embrace in my walk with Christ and in my walk with my husband.

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I received this Bible Study for free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my participation in the study and my review of the study.

The Sneezy Wheezy Day by Sharon Cramer

This is my first introduction to the Cougar Cub Tales.  Since it is in black and white on my Kindle, I couldn't get a fair assessment of the pictures, although based on the cover it is bound to be beautiful illustrations.  The drawings that are in black and white look good, but not near as good as the full book version.

I read this book to the kids and they enjoyed the book.  I think they would have enjoyed it more in the book form since they like turning pages, but I did hand them my Kindle and let them "turn" the pages on that.  My oldest was fascinated with the animals in the book and the huge variety of animals mentioned.

I liked how the story ended because I thought it was a great lesson for my children.  The book goes through how the boy cougar gets sick and the girl cougar stayed with him and went with him to different people to try to figure out a cure for him to feel better.  At the end, he wakes up the next day and feels a lot better.  He realizes that he feels so much better simply because his SIS was there with him every step of the way and never left his side.  Since my kids are brother and sister, I love books that show a wonderful sibling relationship that is full of love and not fighting.

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

1 Peter-Lesson 4 (Sue Edwards Inductive Bible Study)

This week we studied about how to live for Christ in a hostile society.  The verses that it focused on was 1 Peter 2:11-25.  When I think about our society versus the society in which Peter was writing about, I automatically think about slavery and persecution.  These believers were suffering for Christ.  They needed encouragement to continue in the Christian walk as they were persecuted in horrid ways.

When I think about the culture we live in here in America, persecution hasn't come to us physically, yet, in most cases.  I believe it's probably not far off, but so far we have only endured the verbal persecutions, etc.  For some reason that I will never understand, people of other religions are tolerated more so than Christians.  I know it's that there is power in the cross which can make people quite uncomfortable, but sometimes it's just mind blowing that Christians are treated as if they are crazy or are the scum.  I know Jesus promised it would be that way, but that doesn't mean that I'll ever understand the thinking of some people!

I love the verse in 1 Peter 2:21 that says "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.  He is your example and you must follow in His footsteps."  Then the following verses proceed to tell you that He never sinned, He never deceived anyone, He did not retaliate, He did not threaten revenge when He suffered, He left His case in the hands of God, He carried our sins to the cross, we're healed by His wounds, and lastly we were once like sheep but have found our Shepherd, the Guardian of our souls.  How incredible would my life look like if it mirrored that of Christ...the traits I mentioned above?  That should be what we strive for in the midst of a hostile society.  That should give us strength to stand up and speak our mind when everyone else is speaking the opposite message louder than we are.  However, it still needs to be out of love, not condoning and critical, and they should be able to see that what we say comes from our heart.  Stand up, fellow sisters, and endure these trials with patience.

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I received this Bible Study for free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my participation in the study and my review of the study.

Married Mom, Solo Parenting by Carla Anne Coroy

In a generation where men aren't fulfilling their roles within the marriage and more men are leaving their wives to raise the children, this book is a great resource for those women who find themselves in this situation.  However, that's not all who this book is written for.  This book is for those who are military wives, those who  have husbands who work long hours or addicted to their jobs, perhaps those women who have husbands that like their hobbies more than their family, etc.  Many moms find themselves in this role unexpectedly. 

I found that this book was a great book that had tips for every mom to be able to be a bit more productive.  Not only was it full of parenting tips, but it had a lot of ideas on things for the children to do to help out around the house.  I was so glad that I read it, as well, because I feel like now I can know how to help those of my friends who are in this situation.  I now know how to better minister to them and that was such a wonderful thing for me to know.  I think every woman should read this book, whether you are in this situation or not.  Sadly, more women are in this situation than we realize.  What a great opportunity for those of us who are not in this situation to be able to ease the load of those who are doing all of the work.

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

The Incovenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y'Barbo

This book is apparently a part of a series, in which I hadn't read the first books.  That said, there was the typical introduction of characters that I wasn't for sure what their story was since I had not read the earlier books.  That didn't deter me from this book.  Instead it made me want to read the books before this since I was more intrigued about the characters.  I would recommend that this series be read in order so that you can have a complete picture of what is going on and who is involved.

This book did have me laughing at a few points, like when they were "proposing" their marriage.  Their proposal wasn't your typical one.  In fact, it was one that was a deal....between Alex and Charlotte's father.  Or maybe Charlotte's father saw something that neither of them could.  Charlotte has a very strong personality and ends up in things that a typical woman wouldn't encounter.  And there's only one man who stands his ground and doesn't get afraid when he has to deal with Charlotte. 

Charlotte and Alex decide to go along with the plan, but they've devised a plan of their own.  Once they are married, they will both work quickly to have their marriage annulled.  That's their plan.  Their father's plan is for them to stay married.  Which plan happens and what situations will they have to endure during this crazy engagement and marriage?!

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

Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

Abigail Harding is preparing to be making plans to a man in Vermont who is a fellow colleague in the school she teaches at.  That's why she's not afraid to go visit her sister when she suspects that something is wrong with her sister.  Why would Woodrow, the man she intends to marry, be afraid that she might find someone else when she was intended to be his?

Upon arriving in For Laramie, Wyoming, she finds that a stagecoach may not be the safest way to travel.  Not only that, but once she arrives at her sister's, she almost doesn't recognize her.  What could have possibly cause this poor condition in her sister?  Convinced that she was in the center of God's will in coming to Fort Laramie, she's a little surprised to find that her future may not arrive in Vermont.  How can a soldier who is determined not to love able to persuade her to stay?  Or will he?  On top of that, who is the cause of the stagecoach robberies that are becoming more frequent and what is the common tie?

I've never read any books by Amanda Cabot but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It's a little longer than most at 404 pages, but it's such a great book that you hardly notice the length of the book.  In fact, if she shortened it any, you would miss so much of the story.  I think I've found a new author to follow, as  well!  Can't wait for the rest of the books in the Westward Winds series.

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This book was provided free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest opinion.  You can purchase this book at any retail store.