The Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer

After reading this book, I can easily see why Kathryn Springer is a USA Today Best-Selling Author. I'm a bit surprised that I haven't come across her books sooner, but I'm glad I have now. From the picture on the cover to the story inside, this book captivated my attention.

I must admit that I thought Genevieve (Gen) was one of my favorite characters. She didn't do motherhood perfectly, nor do I, but I loved her attitude. I like it when fiction characters make you think about yourself and she did that to me. I couldn't relate to her story personally, but her attitude made me want to have that, even if the circumstances are less than desirable. I couldn't help but laugh at her humor and sarcasm that so easily came out of her mouth, usually directed at Dan.

Dan was everything I figured he would be: stable, dependable, responsible, loving, and so much more. I would also have to include loyal in that list because he was so loyal to Cody and Evie. He did not take his responsibilities lightly and I would even say he was loyal to Max. Dan's entire family won me over from the first meeting after the football field event, which had me laughing, by the way.

Raine (and yes, I too, laughed at her full name)....Raine Lightly and Cody had to make some grown up decisions. I was impressed with the maturity and their response to the people who judged them within the church. I was reminded again and again of how all sin is equal and no sin is greater than another. We categorize them that way, but God doesn't.

Overall, this book was a hard one to put down. It was a beautiful story. I wouldn't say there were many surprises in it, but it was a story many can relate to easily. It's also a story that reminds us that God loves us no matter our past or our present circumstances. I hope that I respond to my daughter much the same way Genevieve did with hers. It was a great example to me of how to love even when mistakes have been made.

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{More about The Dandelion Field}

The Dandelion Field (Zondervan, January 2015)
This handsome firefighter makes a living coming to the rescue, but Gin doesn’t need a man to fight her battles.
After Raine’s dad walked out, Ginevieve Lightly never lived in one place too long, a rambling lifestyle that defined her daughter’s youth. When their car dies in Banister Falls, Wisconsin, Gin promises Raine they can stay until she finishes her senior year of high school. Gin will do anything to make sure her daughter has a bright future . . . a future that’s compromised when Raine reveals she’s pregnant.
Dan Moretti has only ever called Banister Falls home. After losing his best friend in a tragic accident, Dan devoted himself to responding to fires, rescuing the helpless, and guiding Cody Bennett, his best friend’s son, through life. With Cody being the epitome of the good kid, it was an easy job. Until he says four little words: “The baby is mine.”
Knowing gossip of Raine’s pregnancy will erupt sooner or later in the small town, Gin’s reflex is to grab the suitcase and escape to a new city, a new life. But with each passing day, Gin’s feet stay rooted in Banister Falls, and she falls a little more for this local firefighter who shows her not all men abandon women at the first sign of smoke.
As Gin and Dan do the best they can to guide the two teenagers through their early entry into adulthood, they discover together that romance can bloom in the rockiest of situations. And God can turn the pieces of a broken past into a beautiful new beginning.
Find out more and purchase a copy at Kathryn’s website. 

{More About Kathryn Springer}

Kathryn Springer is a USA Today bestselling author. She grew up in northern Wisconsin, where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child she spent many hours sitting at her mother’s typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of books – which eventually turned into a desire to tell stories of her own. Kathryn has written nineteen books with close to two million copies sold. She lives with her husband and three children in Marinette, Wisconsin.
Find out more about Kathryn at http://www.kathrynspringer.com.
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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden

 I have been so excited to read more by Elizabeth Camden ever since I read my first book authored by her. She packs so much into her stories and pulls the reader in from the very first page of the book. I enjoy the history that fills the pages and even the suspense that is a bit unexpected. To be honest, I didn't think there could be much suspense to a missing ship. Don't worry....I was wrong. There was a lot that could happen.

Beyond All Dreams was a wonderful story of a Anna O'Brien. Anna has been alone her whole life due to many circumstances. She has had to learn to stand up to bullies, prove people wrong, and to face her fears. Luke Callahan has a family that doesn't know how to handle anger or alcohol. In order to get out of that situation, he turns to politics. He quickly learns that it's hard to run from something engraved inside of you and it takes God to overcome such things as anger.

I'll admit that I went back and forth with Luke. One minute I'd like the guy and the next, I couldn't stand him. However, I was pleasantly surprised by him in the end and impressed with what he was willing to do for those he so clearly loved.

I am looking forward to seeing what's next in Elizabeth Camden's next novel. They just keep getting better and better!

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{More about Beyond All Dreams}

Beyond All Dreams (Bethany House, January 2015)
Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they’ve ever dreamed for their futures?
Anna O’Brien leads a predictable and quiet life as a map librarian at the illustrious Library of Congress until she stumbles across the baffling mystery of a ship disappeared at sea. Thwarted in her attempts to uncover information, her determination outweighs her shyness and she turns to a dashing congressman for help.
Luke Callahan was one of the nation’s most powerful congressmen before his promising career was shadowed in scandal. Eager to share in a new cause and intrigued by the winsome librarian, he joins forces with Anna to solve the mystery of the lost ship. Opposites in every way, Anna and Luke are unexpectedly drawn to each other despite the strict rules forbidding Anna from any romantic entanglements with members of Congress.
From the gilded halls of the Capitol where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation’s finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they’ve ever dreamed for their futures?
Learn more and purchase a copy at Elizabeth’s website.

{More About Elizabeth Camden}

Elizabeth Camden is the author of six books and a RITA and Christy Award winner. With a master’s in history and a master’s in library science, she is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. Elizabeth lives with her husband in Florida.
Find out more about Elizabeth at http://elizabethcamden.com.

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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.

More than Happy: The Wisdom of Amish Parenting by Serena B. Miller and Paul Stutzman

This is probably one of my favorite parenting books that I have read in a long time. I get the chance to read quite a few, but I just loved the ideas in this book.

I like learning about the Amish anyway and enjoy Amish fiction, so it was no question as to whether I would be reading this book. I wasn't certain what to expect about this book, though, considering some people think Amish parenting is bad and others thing it is good. I loved the approach that Serena B. Miller and Paul Stutzman took in this book. They focused on the things the Amish did in parenting that led to happy, content children. Of course, you may not agree with everything, but I had a hard time disagreeing on the topics they chose to discuss.

I was impressed with how they taught their children from such an early age about work ethic. I also liked how their children weren't expected to be praised for helping the family. It was an expectation to give back to the family by helping. I will definitely be using their ideas on hanging up coats; however, I will be using it with shoes! And I can already foresee cleaning becoming much more fun with the quarter idea.

I could relate to taking my children almost everywhere I go and making them learn appropriate behavior in each setting. They work some with me and have learned to be quiet and helpful. The part that I think made me stop and ponder the most was about technology. Our kids are just coming into the age where they like iPads and all. We do restrict television a lot, as in we don't use it much, but I appreciated their reasoning on why they don't allow iPads, iPhones, or things like that. I can see how it takes me away from my children at times. I appreciated the awareness that it brought to me on that subject. I have also become more aware on working more together as a family so we have more time to play and spend together later in the day. I also appreciated the honesty of the Amish in this book. There is no question that they raise some of the most respectful, hard-working, and obedient children. I want that for my children, too.

This book was full of so much information that I will have to read it and re-read it. It's a book that will stay in my possession for many years to come and I can see it already as a great gift for other moms.

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

The Berenstain Bears and the Biggest Brag by Mike Berenstein

Our family likes to read the Berenstain Bears. It reminds me of the days when I was their age and looked forward to reading them myself. They have also been wonderful books to help teach different character traits in a fun way.

The Biggest Brag was a good read for me and my kids. They could relate to Brother and Sister because they, too, have found themselves bragging and competing against each other at even a young age. We had already been talking about not bragging, so it was a wonderful way to continue our conversation.

After they heard the story, they could tell very quickly that Brother and Sister weren't being nice to each other. We used the questions at the end of the book to further our conversation about bragging and how we are to love.

The questions are very helpful to lead your child into a meaningful conversation about those character qualities that most parents feel are important for them to learn. It helps that this is your classic Berenstain Bears book that draws kids in and makes it easy for them to remember the lessons.

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

At Home in Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

I just can't help but love Last Chance. It's a quaint little town where everyone knows everyone and the town goes to bed by 8:00. Doesn't that sound marvelous?! The downside to Last Chance is that the town folk are so close to each other that it's hard for an outsider to come into the town. They have to decide to love it and become a part of the town or leave.

Kaitlyn doesn't necessarily love the town, but because of her choices that she's made, she has no choice but to stay at Last Chance. It takes her awhile to realize it, but she is being given a chance to put her past behind her and start new. The same thing happens for Steven. His reputation isn't necessarily one that his family is proud of, but no one's past is so bad that they can't change with a little help from God.

I couldn't help but like Steven... even when he was a little annoying at the beginning. There was something about his story that broke my heart. Really, it broke for both Kaitlin and Steven. I hated to see their past thrown up in their face or to have looks of disapproval. I couldn't stand Juanita at first, but then I came to like her a little more by the end.

It was wonderful to be updated about Chris and Sarah and Ray and Lainie. After reading the first two books, I liked having them all tied back into this book. I like it when authors do this in a series. With that said, though, you definitely wouldn't be lost in the series if you started with this one. It only adds to the book to have read the first two.\

I hope this isn't my last visit to Last Chance. Elisabeth still has more people she needs to help.... and I want to hear all about all three couples!

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

Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden

I have been so excited to read more by Elizabeth Camden ever since I read my first book authored by her. She packs so much into her stories and pulls the reader in from the very first page of the book. I enjoy the history that fills the pages and even the suspense that is a bit unexpected. To be honest, I didn't think there could be much suspense to a missing ship. Don't worry....I was wrong. There was a lot that could happen.

Beyond All Dreams was a wonderful story of a Anna O'Brien. Anna has been alone her whole life due to many circumstances. She has had to learn to stand up to bullies, prove people wrong, and to face her fears. Luke Callahan has a family that doesn't know how to handle anger or alcohol. In order to get out of that situation, he turns to politics. He quickly learns that it's hard to run from something engraved inside of you and it takes God to overcome such things as anger.

I'll admit that I went back and forth with Luke. One minute I'd like the guy and the next, I couldn't stand him. However, I was pleasantly surprised by him in the end and impressed with what he was willing to do for those he so clearly loved.

I am looking forward to seeing what's next in Elizabeth Camden's next novel. They just keep getting better and better!

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

A Donkey's Little Tale by R. Mitchell Scott

This is such a cute book full of stanzas that rhyme. The story flows perfectly because of that, I think. The story is the Christmas story, but its is from the perspective of the donkey that Mary rode. It wasn't a weird perspective at all because it simply told how the donkey saw Mary was about to be a mother and could see the tender way in which Joseph cared for Mary. Then he tells of the journey to the stable and the birth of Jesus.

The illustrations in this book are very cute. Apparently they based it off of clay creatures, which really made this story come alive visually. The colors are soft and they look like clay people and animals. I really enjoyed looking at the pictures, and so did my children.

Even though Christmas is over, this is a book that would be perfect to get and save for next year, or to read anytime to remember Jesus' birth.

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