An Amish Market by Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin, and Vannetta Chapman

I really enjoy reading these Amish fiction books that include some of my top authors in this genre. It's so wonderful to have four novellas written by each author included in the same book. Each author has a slightly different writing style and it brings such a variation to the book that I simply enjoy.

Love Birds by Amy Clipston is a beautiful love story between Ellie and Lloyd. It was sad to see Ellie and her mom have to struggle so much due to the loss of both Ellie's dad and brother. Now Ellie takes it upon herself to provide for her mother, especially since the man she has dreamed about doesn't seem interested in her.

A Bid for Love by Kathleen Fuller focuses on Hannah Lynne and Ezra. Ezra thinks he's too old and is set in his ways, although he can't deny that he has noticed Hannah and has even gone out of his way once a week to visit her for a tiny amount of time.

Sweeter Than Honey by Kelly Irvin introduces Isabella and Will Glick. I found this story interesting because the location is different from the other stories. It focuses on a southern state.... Texas! I will admit to laughing when Isabella broke a jar, but then I wasn't too fond of Will and his response afterwards. However, as the story continued, I understood more of why he gave that particular response.

Love in Store by Vannetta Chapman brings in Stella Schrock and David.Stoltzfus. This novella is different because David is a widower and is definitely not looking for love at all. In fact, that's the farthest thing from his mind. To be honest, Stella is more focused on the mill and figuring out why someone would want the mill closed and who it could possibly be. However, more is in store for these two who are focused on anything but each other.

Each of these novellas are obviously romance novellas. I wouldn't necessarily say there was a huge element of surprise because you ultimately know the main characters and who will probably end up together. However, I never felt that knowing where the plot was headed ever took away from the enjoyment I had in reading the stories. They have each been different, yet complemented each other in a way that does not leave the reader feeling like a completely different book is being written halfway through.

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

Word-Filled Women's Ministry by Gloria Furman and Kathleen B. Neilson, Editors

I have read the past few books by Gloria Furman on motherhood and the Gospel and have appreciated her encouragement and how she points mothers back to the Gospel and what truly matters. I also saw her at the Women's Gospel Coalition Conference and was so excited to see someone who has helped shape my view of motherhood. I also saw Kathleen Neilson at the conference, too, and heard her heart as she spoke. When I saw this book about Women's ministry, I was excited to read the thoughts of so many godly women who have walked closely with the Lord.

I appreciated the honesty in this book, as well as the encouragement. Each chapter is written by one or two other ladies. The Gospel is the central theme of this book and it clearly shows how big of a responsibility that women have in discipleship, as well as the role women play in the church.

I was challenged as I considered how my own church views Women's ministry and how so many Women's ministries are all about activities and other things besides investing in the lives of the women with the reminder that eternity is at stake for every person. Intentionality is missing in today's culture and in many of our churches. As I finished this book, a sense of urgency and longing filled my heart as I began to see what a privilege we women have in serving in our church. My favorite chapter was the chapter on the younger women and older women in a mentorship and being disciplined. They were beautiful letters included into hat chapter. I also enjoyed the personal stories of people who are living out the Gospel and fulfilling the role that God had place them in, and doing it joyfully and diligently.

Any woman in church, or any woman who is leading a Women's ministry, should definitely read this book. There is something for every woman within the pages of this book.

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



Where She Belongs by Johnnie Alexander

This is the first book that I have read by Johnnie Alexander and I am already anxiously awaiting her next book to come out in the Misty Willow Series. I was instantly hooked within the first few pages of the book and absolutely enjoyed every character in the story.

AJ was probably my favorite because he was that knight in shining armor. He had dealt with a lot, suffered many loses, and been punished but he had never lost his heart for doing the right thing. In fact, it was the right thing that could cost him the thing that he wanted most in this world.

Brett. I was surprised to find my heart turning a little towards him by the end. I was glad to see that the next book picks up on his story because he has so much to tell. He is that boy that can swing either way. He's been that wild boy that charms, but is learning that may not be what he truly wants. I'm excited to see what way he chooses next.

Brett's sister just frustrated me. I'm hoping more of her story will be picked up in later books, as well. All three of these characters have suffered loss and each have their own way of protecting their hearts so they don't get hurt again. She just comes across as very hurtful, even to her family.

Shelby and her girls are the sweetest. I would have liked to know more about her past marriage and have been intrigued by what her deceased husband was like and what their marriage was like. It hinted at the fact that there were some problems, but I would have liked to know more about that. Who knows.... maybe that will be revealed later in the series, too. Family is very important to me, so I loved that quality about Shelby. Her grandparents were very dear to her and their house wasn't just a house to her. It held so many memories and she wanted those memories for her children.

This was a beautiful story of making hard choices, forgiveness, and new beginnings. The characters also wrestle with what God has planned for them, whether it is in the U.S. or on the mission field.

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Where She Belongs by Johnnie Alexander Can love redeem a broken past? Shelby Kincaid is ready to move forward after the death of her husband left her devastated. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family's homestead, Misty Willow, so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she has her work cut out for her. AJ Sullivan never wanted Shelby's family homestead in the first place. His grandfather left it to him as punishment for not following his wishes, and he's let it fall into ruin. AJ's more than happy to unload it to this spitfire of a woman. But even after angry exchanges over the state of the house, he can't get her off his mind. With writing that evokes a strong sense of place and family history, Johnnie Alexander deftly explores the ties that bind us to home--and the irresistible forces that draw us to each other. ______________________________________________________ Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides. Johnnie is an accomplished essayist and poet whose work has appeared in the Guideposts anthology A Cup of Christmas Cheer. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and taking road trips. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee.

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

We Cannot Be Silent by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

In today's culture, it seems like the definition of marriage is getting defined and redefined and expanded constantly. Our culture does not have the same view of marriage as the Bible teaches and so anyone who holds to the biblical view is normally seen as unloving and intolerant and judgmental, among other things. I loved how this book help to lay a solid foundation of truth for anyone who is trying to gain some footing as to what they believe when it comes to marriage.

I was blown away in the first couple of chapters at the amount of in-depth research Albert Mohler has waded through and condensed for his readers. I had my eyes opened on a few things that I never knew happened and the church's response to it when it did, such as birth control pills. I was also very surprised at how clearly he connected the dots to show how the moral revolution happened. I've heard of these events separately but I never connected the dots until I read this book. There was a lot of information but it never felt like a heavy read to me.

With 10 chapters, Mohler lays out the revolution, what started it, how the homosexual movement happened, where the transgender revolution came from, how marriage has dissolved and then he goes back to the Bible. He shows his readers what the Bible really has to say about sex and then he discusses religious liberty and the right we have to be. Christian. And then he gets to the chapter that I think so many Christians have difficulty with: The Church and the Challenge of compassionately speaking out in truth. It has to be done in love, but it does have to be done. Lastly, he doesn't shy away from those hard questions that we wrestle with daily or that we get asked or accused of often.

This book is a wealth of information and it is one that I'll be keeping on my shelves as a great resource in these times that are changing so fast. I definitely want to read it again because I know I missed some things. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. Albert Mohler is the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He does not take this issue lightly and takes his readers back to the Bible as his ultimate authority.

 

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

Spark Joy by Marie Kondo

I had never heard of the KonMari Method until a few weeks go when I saw a video tutorial of her folding socks and other clothes to fit into a box. I couldn't stop watching because I was so amazed at how neat and tidy it all looked. And it didn't take up much room and looked like it would make things so much easier to find. So when I saw this book coming out, I was interested enough to grab it!

My first thought as I flipped through the book was "Wow!" I enjoyed seeing the illustrations on how to fold certain items. They were perfect instructions and not one step was left out. I was easily able to figure it out. Believe it or not, it was a lot of fun to do. Who knew that about tidying?!

The theme of the book is about sparking joy, as indicated on the title. Everything she says about cleaning up goes back to joy. She even hits on the sore spot for book lovers--decluttering books and how to choose which books to let go of and which ones to keep on your shelves. My heart may have skipped a few beats as I thought about going through my own shelves.

The book breaks the sections up into very specific parts, including your recreational things, seasonal things, kitchen items, photos, books, etc. If it takes up a spot in your house, you can pretty much guarantee there's a spot in the book that discusses it.

I've kept this book out on my kitchen counters so I am reminded to do just a little bit every day. It is a little time consuming in the beginning, but I am so looking forward to having everything neat and tidy in my house. Well, at least the places where my children aren't located. I went ahead and bought the first book because I wanted to know even more about this method and why so many people are talking about it.

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I received this book free from Ten Speed Press through the Blogging for Books Program in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

At Love's Bidding by Regina Jennings

I had completely forgotten how much I enjoy reading Regina Jennings. I had completely forgotten she had written of my top books, such as Sixty acres and a Bride, Love in the Balance, and A Most Inconvenient Marriage. I always find myself laughing throughout the book and she just knows how to make her readers enjoy her books.

The opening pages of this book had me engaged from the start. I couldn't go a few pages without laughing.. In fact, it was the parts of humor that made me flip to the back to remind myself of what books Regina had written. I love that laughter triggered that memory for me.

Miranda Wimplegate is just a fun character. She tries to restrain herself and stay "in her place" but she keeps finding herself in situations where she needs to intervene. No matter what she does, Cornelius continues to pursue her in marriage. If only Miranda felt the same way about him. She's resolved to the fact that he's probably who she will end up with, but her heart just isn't in it. To prove Cornelius wrong, and to right a wrong, she travels with her grandfather to find something that should have never been sold by their auction house.

Wyatt Ballantine just added more humor to the situation, I think. The poor man had to deal with two people who had no clue about livestock or how to make that business run. Miranda isn't afraid to speak her mind and her grandfather has been having more "episodes." Imagine trying to make something work with these three characters! Antiques and livestock don't really have a lot in common!

I cannot wait for Jennings to write more books. She can't write them fast enough, in my opinion. I got done and wished there was another book I could read by her already! In the midst of stressful days, her book was just what I needed to wind down with.

Read more reviews on this book at: http://litfusegroup.com/author/Rjennings.

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At Love’s Bidding (Bethany House, December 2015)
She sells priceless antiques. He sells livestock by the pound. Is he really the man to make a bid for her heart?
After helping her grandfather at their Boston auction house, Miranda Wimplegate discovers she’s accidentally sold a powerful family’s prized portrait to an anonymous bidder. Desperate to appease the people who could ruin them forever, they track it to the Missouri Ozarks and make an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house and all its holdings before the painting can move again.
Upon crossing the country, however, Miranda and her grandfather discover their new auction house doesn’t deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its frustratingly handsome manager, Wyatt Ballentine, is annoyed to discover his fussy new bosses don’t know a thing about the business he’s single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more heads of cattle than they can count–but no mysterious painting–Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and prevent a bad situation from getting worse.
Learn more and purchase a copy.

 

Regina Jennings

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She is the author of "A Most Inconvenient Marriage," "Sixty Acres and a Bride," and "Caught in the Middle," and contributed a novella to "A Match Made in Texas." Regina has worked at the Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with her husband and four children.

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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.

Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison

I first saw Trim Healthy Mama posts on Facebook and disregarded them, thinking it was another health fad that would come and go. If it wasn't that, I was pretty sure it would be either too difficult to do or would require me eating some pretty nasty, and unenjoyable foods. Come on, now. I know all of you are wondering just how tasty the food can possibly be.

After some research into Trim Healthy Mama, I decided to give it a try. While I waited for the cookbook to arrive, I went out to purchase the main book so I could have a better understanding about what Trim Healthy Mama was and how it worked. Okay... so I also planned on giving it a rather skeptical try with my busy life.

Once the cookbook came, I opened it up and perused it and loved it from the beginning. At least I loved the pictures and the layout and the foods didn't seem crazy. It all looked like things I would cook on a monthly basis or things that were similar to what I already cook. Convinced I should start small, I started with a Crockpot recipe. I decided to try the chicken recipe. Oh my goodness. It tasted just like the recipe I have for chicken wrapped in bacon that I'm pretty sure is a ton of calories... especially when you put it over rice. This recipe tasted the exact same. I put it over the rice (which is made from cauliflower) and it was a huge hit with my 7-year-old and my 5-year-old. Even my husband liked it and he doesn't normally like cauliflower. I was sold.

The cookbook easily lays out the recipes and gives you some other alternatives to try. I love that real butter is used and coconut oil. I'll admit... I'm still a little skeptical on the drink section, but I'm working up the nerve to give it a try. I just don't see how some of those ingredients can make for a tasty drink.

Needless to say, for Christmas I purchased the main book for my mom and then she went out to get the cookbook too. Here's to 2016 and becoming a Trim Healthy Mama.

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I received this book free from Harmony Publishers and the Blogging for Books program in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.