Paige Turned by Erynn Mangum

I can easily relate to Paige. She's a girl who wants to do it all, tried to do it all, really wants to serve, but in the meantime, her family and friends suffer. She over-crowds her schedule and can't say "no".  Who can't relate to Paige?!  I think that's why this series is fun to read.  Through the pages, I sadly see myself.

Paige's boyfriend, Tyler, gets the short end of the stick when it comes to their relationship.  It's not that Paige doesn't' love Tyler.  It's more that life has crept in and people know she can't say "no".  With two weddings needing to be planned and no time to plan them, guilt starts to pile on.

On top of all of this, Paige has to sort out her feelings and try to explain to Tyler what really has happened with her ex.  Then she has to wonder what Tyler is hiding.

Honestly, the one thing I kept thinking about is how glad I am to be done with that stage.  I always hated that part of the beginning of relationships!

I liked the humor in this book.  It was a fun chick-lit book.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A few things about her:

So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Despite her valiant efforts, Paige Alder seems stuck in chaos. Her new job as youth intern keeps her hopping from coffee shop to coffee shop all summer long, but at least she’s loving the one-on-one time she gets to spend with the girls. The unfortunate side-effect is that now, four weeks of laundry fills her apartment. Plus, she barely has time to help her sister and best friend with their weddings! And even worse? Something is definitely wrong between her and Tyler. She apologized for what he thought he saw happen with Luke. Can’t they move past it? Or could there be something he’s not telling her—something that could change everything?

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Paige Turned, go HERE.

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

A Promise in Pieces by Emily T. Wierenga

I really enjoyed this beautiful story by Emily T. Wierenga and the way that she brought this quilt to life.  This series is fun to read since I like to make quilts. I understand how each quilt has a story and lots of time of the quilter is spent pouring into the quilts.  I really enjoyed this story as the quilt tells a beautiful story that doesn't get brought up often, but just the right amount.

I liked Clara's courage but I could only imagine how her parents must have felt when they woke up and realized her choice.  I admired that she did what she believed to be right and wanted to truly help people.

I liked how the story shows how God redeems people, like Clara.  Clara makes a vow, but God has different plans.  He brings Clara to a place where she sees that love has risks, but it is worth it.

I like history, so I really enjoy the time frame that was chosen for this book. It's rich in history, yet not boring. It captures emotions of the time and perspectives from then. 

I also liked the style of writing that Emily T. Wierenga uses.  I can't place my finger on what is so different.  I just know that it's refreshing and different from what I have read lately.

Read more opinions by going to http://litfusegroup.com/author/EWierenga.

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Book Info

About Quilts of Love: Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women's fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories. About the book: A baby quilt touches many hearts as it travels from family-to-family and through generations. After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women's Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier's last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share. Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she's not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier's baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made. Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child's name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie---and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt---years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed. Learn more about this book and the series at the Quilts of Love website. About the Author: Emily Wierenga is a former editor, ghostwriter, freelance writer and staff journalist, a monthly columnist for The Christian Courier, and the author of Save My Children (Castle Quay Books, 2008), Chasing Silhouettes (Ampelon Publishing, 2012) and Mom in the Mirror (Rowman & Littlefield, 2013). Emily resides in Alberta, Canada. This is her first novel. Learn more about Emily at: http://www.emilywierenga.com

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

Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma

I have been very impressed with this entire series by Liz Tolsma.  The covers of these books have matched the story inside.  The dark colors match the dark time in history that these deal with.  The time was 1945 and is based off of real accounts of two women who shared their story of how they managed to survive WWII and the showdown of Prussia and Germany.

I really enjoy all of the history that is filled in this book. It's hard to read only because this was a hard time in history that no one ever wants to re-live. As expected from this time time in history, there is a lot of action.

The whole time I was reading, I kept thinking of how courageous Gisela is.  I couldn't help but wonder what I would have down with 2 small children.  At times, I wanted to cry when I stopped and remembered the truth behind these stories.  Then I couldn't stop thinking about how many had left America for Germany in hopes that Hitler was turning thing around, when in truth, it was headed for disaster.

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

A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

What immediately caught my attention about this book is the cover.  After observing so many covers, I've come to really like the ones that have something that sets it apart from others. In this case, it's the beautiful contrasting colors and the slants on the title.  It's very appealing.

I really like Tracie Peterson.  I think I've read most of her books, so I'd say that she is one of my favorites!   She does a good job in capturing my attention right away.  I had a hard time putting this book in her new series, Lone Star Brides, down.

This book has it all, from romance to suspense.  The romance was along the lines that I felt would happen.  It doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy it, though!  Marty has answered the call to be a bride for a man she's never met.  It really doesn't matter to her, though.  She just wants to escape her past.  Jacob will be an honorable man towards Marty and take good care of her.  However, the one thing he's not looking for is love.  Of course, love is what they both discover.  That part is the expected.  The unexpected is what drives them together.

The end of the story doesn't resolve with an answer to the mystery surrounding the bank and the crime being committed.  I'm wondering if the mystery will continue to evolve throughout the series or if it will conclude in the next book. 

 

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

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About the Book

A Lone Star Brides book.
Marty Dandridge Olson is ready to leave behind the pain of the past.
Answering an advertisement for a “Lone Star bride,” she leaves her Texas ranch and heads to Denver to marry a man she doesn’t know.
Jake Wythe is the man waiting for her.
Burned by love, he marries now simply to satisfy the board of Morgan Bank, which believes a man of his standing in society should be wed. Together Jake and Marty agree they are done with romance and love and will make this nothing more than a marriage of convenience.
When missing money and a collapsing economy threaten his job, Jake’s yearning to return to ranching grows ever stronger, much to Marty’s dismay. But a fondness has grown between them, as well, further complicating matters.
What will happen when their relationship shifts in unexpected ways… and dreams and secrets collide?
Purchase a copy and learn more at Tracie’s website.

Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana, and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit Tracie's Web site at www.traciepeterson.com

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

Give Them Grace by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson

I've learned that when it comes to parenting books and good Christian gospel-oriented nonfiction books, I can trust Crossway books. I have yet to be disappointed by any parenting book I've read from them yet!

I really liked this book.  It is gospel-oriented and really hits a part of parenting that I know I am weak at most times.  Grace.  It's a word that many church people and religious people throw around, but may or may not really know what it means.  I always want to, and pray to show more grace, but in the moment I fail more often than I like.  I was thankful for the encouragement that filled the pages.  Not only that, but I loved that I was constantly being pointed to the Gospel.

I did struggle a little bit with a few opinions in the book.  I do have my children seek forgiveness, whether it's truly heartfelt or not.  However, we do discuss it and my prayer is for a repentant heart.  I understand their reasoning, but I'm not so certain that I believe the same thing. 

There were a few other of their opinions that I didn't really agree with, but overall I liked the book.  I find that grace is one of those things that can be a bit difficult to balance.  Discipline is still needed, obedience is still expected, but grace must be given. Their take on obeying the first time struck me, too. I disagreed a bit on that, as well.

Amongst my disagreeing of certain things, I found this book to be encouraging and thought-provoking. 

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

The Amish Groom by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner

I am hooked on this new series by Mindy Starnes Clark and Susan Meissner.  I like how this series focuses on the Men of Lancaster County.  I didn't realize how refreshing it was to read an Amish book from the perspective of a man!  Many of the books I've read are dealing with the woman's perspective.

The cover of this book is beautiful to me.  I like both the front and the back.  Inside, I found the pages to be interesting, too.  I liked the gray that was over the top of the pages to highlight the authors and page numbers.  Or some reason, it was enough of a difference that it was very appealing.

Tyler was an easy guy to like.  The story was very well-developed within the first part of the story and I felt an instant connection with him, despite never going through what he had been through.  My heart hurt for him and his relationship with his father and what all had happened in his life. I liked how his grandmother and grandfather and uncles and aunts raised him and loved on him.  His brother, Jake, was an easy-to-like guy. 

Rachel is a sweet Amish girl that I really wanted to see happy.  I wanted Tyler's life to be figured out and to see Rachel happy again.

I am looking forward to reading the next book, The Amish Blacksmith. It looks like it will be focused on Jake, which I'm glad!  I read it comes out in August....I hope that's true!

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Mindy Starns Clark Mindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of the inspirational Million Dollar Mysteries, the Smart Chick Mysteries, and three standalone mysteries, as well as the nonfiction books The House That Cleans Itself and A Pocket Guide to Amish Life. Her novels include A Penny for Your Thoughts, Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels, A Dime a Dozen, A Quarter for a Kiss, The Buck Stops Here, The Trouble with Tulip, Blind Dates Can Be Murder, Elementary, My Dear Watkins, Whispers of the Bayou, Shadows of Lancaster County, and Under the Cajun Moon, plus other books!

Mindy is also the author of numerous plays and musicals which have been performed all over the United States. She has written textbooks, articles, short stories, and more than 75 computer software manuals. A former singer and stand-up comedian, Mindy lives with her husband and two teenage daughters near Valley Forge, PA. She enjoys speaking to churches, civic groups, and libraries across the country. Her unique blend of humor and insight make her an audience favorite.

Susan Meissner is a multi-published author, speaker, and writing workshop leader with a background in community journalism. Her novels include The Shape of Mercy, named by Publishers Weekly as one of the 100 Best Novels of 2008 and a Carol Award winner. She is a pastor’s wife and the mother of four young adults. When she's not writing, Susan writes small group curriculum for her San Diego church. Visit Susan at her website: www.susanmeissner.com, on Twitter at @SusanMeissner, or at www.facebook.com/susan.meissner.

ABOUT THE BOOK

New from bestselling authors Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner, The Amish Groom (Book 1 in The Men of Lancaster County series) explores the men of an Amish community in Lancaster County, how their Amish beliefs play out in their unique roles, and the women who change their lives.

Born to an ex-Amish mother and an Englisch father, 23-year-old Tyler Anderson was raised as a military kid until the age of 6, when his mom passed away. His dad, shipping off to yet another overseas post, placed Tyler in the care of his Amish grandparents, an arrangement that was supposed to be temporary. It lasted a lifetime.

Rachel Hoeck is the young woman waiting for Tyler’s proposal. She senses that though he loves her and wishes to make a commitment to her and his Amish beliefs, part of him still wonders whether an Amish lifestyle is truly for him. When an opportunity to connect with his father unexpectedly arises, a visit to California causes Tyler to question everything, including a future with Rachel. Will the new girl in his life, Lark, cause him to remain in the Englisch world? Or will he choose to be an Amish groom after all?

A poignant novel of hoping for romance and searching for identity, set in a beloved Amish community.


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

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

A Promise in Pieces by Emily T. Wierenga

I really enjoyed this beautiful story by Emily T. Wierenga and the way that she brought this quilt to life.  This series is fun to read since I like to make quilts. I understand how each quilt has a story and lots of time of the quilter is spent pouring into the quilts.  I really enjoyed this story as the quilt tells a beautiful story that doesn't get brought up often, but just the right amount.

I liked Clara's courage but I could only imagine how her parents must have felt when they woke up and realized her choice.  I admired that she did what she believed to be right and wanted to truly help people.

I liked how the story shows how God redeems people, like Clara.  Clara makes a vow, but God has different plans.  He brings Clara to a place where she sees that love has risks, but it is worth it.

I like history, so I really enjoy the time frame that was chosen for this book. It's rich in history, yet not boring. It captures emotions of the time and perspectives from then. 

I also liked the style of writing that Emily T. Wierenga uses.  I can't place my finger on what is so different.  I just know that it's refreshing and different from what I have read lately.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from the Author:

I’m Emily, and I’m honored and humbled to meet you, friend. We’re all stumbling along on this journey and you can approach me about anything okay? I’m an open book, with dog-eared pages and a worn cover.

I’m mama to two boys, ages two and four, and married to a farm-boy-turned-math-teacher. We live in a small Dutch hamlet with three churches, one Co-Op and no stop lights. There are a lot of fields out here, there’s a lot of space and sky for breathing and running and writing.

We foster two boys in addition to our own two, and before I had kids, I took care of my Mum who had brain cancer. She fought back and has recovered, all glory to God, and my pastor-father still holds her hand while they go for daily walks.

I battled anorexia nervosa as a child, and then again as a newly married woman, and I write a lot about body image now and have a passion for women to learn to love themselves.

My husband and I have battled infertility and are currently trying to adopt our third child through the local Alberta government.

I hurt for the church, and believe in it, and pray for it, as I’ve grown up inside its walls and have heard its groanings.

I have a heart for Africa, particularly Uganda, and went there in January on a bloggers’ trip with World Help.

My favorite things to do are read literary novels, play guitar, snowboard, paint with oil and acrylics and hug my babies.

I am the author of two books on eating disorders, a novel releasing this spring, and a memoir coming out this summer.

I hope you’ll connect with me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/emilytwierenga, or if you prefer, Twitter: @emily_wierenga. I’d love to have a virtual glass of wine, or cup of coffee, with you.

Peace to you friends,

e.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After the end of World War II, Clara Kirkpatrick returns from the Women’s Army Corp to deliver a dying soldier’s last wishes: convey his love to his young widow, Mattie, with apologies for the missed life they had planned to share.

Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she’s not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier’s baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made.

Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child’s name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie—and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt—years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Promise in Pieces, go HERE.

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