Why Motherhood Matters by September McCarthy

Why Motherhood Matters is a book that encouraged this mother's heart. I felt like I was sitting across the table from September and listening to her encouragement on weary days. One of the most encouraging, truthful things she said was at the beginning of her book. She said "Your overwhelmed is God's opportunity to amaze you." I needed that reminder right away. Another reminder I needed was, "Your calling will never be the woman's next door. It will never look the same."

There are four parts in this book. The first part is Why You are Not Alone. It really focuses on moms and addresses the many ways and reasons women feel alone. She reminds the readers that we are not alone, that we don't have to be it all, and we need others.

The second part is Why We Cannot Live Motherhood by the Seat of Our Pants. I thought of this part as the relationships that moms have and disciplining out of love. I found this to be such a grace-filled section, touching on topics that every mom deals with on a daily basis.

Part three is Why You Will Lead Them in the Way They Should Go.  I felt like this was about passing our faith down to the next genenration and some tips on how to do that. It also addresses why it is important and the influence of a mother.

Part four is Why Giving Your Children a Reason to Change Makes All the Difference. This part focuses on the heart and not the behavior (although we do deal with the behavior. But ultimately, we want a heart change otherwise it's behavior modification. It's encouraging moms that it's okay to say no, to have those hard conversations, to let their children think, to encourage responsibility, and to continue to work on our relationships with our children.

These chapters are very short so it's one of those books that you can read a chapter right before bed or in the middle of a chaotic day when you need a little encouragment from someone who has gone before you.

If you're looking for a book to encourage a mother, this book would make a great gift!

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

A Time to Stand by Robert Whitlow

I'm a huge Robert Whitlow fan. I normally shy away from this genre of books, but I have absolutely loved every single book that I've read by him. My mom likes John Grisham and when I told her to read this book, she said he wrote very similar. I've converted a new reader!

A Time to Stand did a fantastic job balancing a topic that has become of conversation (and should) in our society. In A Time to Stand, a policeman of character find himself in a situation that he never dreamed. An African-American boy is in a coma after being shot by a white policeman. It's a small town so news of a "racist cop" shooting an African-American is the headliner in most conversations. Suddenely, the police officer finds himself in the line of fire and his family and his own life is threatened by the very same people he has spent his life trying to protect.

He's almost certain he heard a shot ring out before he shot, but maybe he really didn't. Maybe his mind played a trick on him....if only he could remember each moment clearly.

Adisa Johnson is a lawyer who lost her job and has come back to the small town in Georgia to help take care of her grandmother who raised her. Initially, she hears about this case and sides against the policeman. However, after some time, she begins to feel like she is supposed to help the police officer. This doesn't sit well in the small town that is full of racial tension.  Her community can't understand why she would help this white police officer. She can't explain it either, except she feels deep down that it's what she's supposed to do.

The truth eventually comes out, thanks to Adisa. A Time to Stand focuses on this small community and how things can look when we set aside our differences and love each other for who they are....no matter or race, language, etc. Let us all be people who stand for our friends of different races and fight for unity amongst each other.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Buried Secrets by Barbara Cameron

It would be impossible not to like Luke Miller. He's a man who has fallen in love and wants to take on the role of being the husband of Rose and the father of Daniel. It wasn't what he had initially planned, but after working for Rose and getting to know her, he knew where he wanted to spend the rest of his life. However, before he met her, he was interested in her farm. So naturally, Rose is curious. Does Luke want her because he truly loves her or does he want her because the farm comes with her? 

Rose, who is a widow, can't bear to have her heart broken again. Trust isn't something that comes easily for her so she's having to really relearn trust. After all, Sam was the man she met, fell in love with, and married so quickly. She had plans of spending her life with him until the leukemia took over his body and he passed away. Now she finds herself returning back to her farm to be near her sister. Of course, that means that she has a farm and she needs help fixing it up and running it. Her sister has found Luke, whom she thinks would be a great help to Rose. Of course, she may have other  intentions, too. However, she feels that the secret she holds close to her heart is too much for anyone else to know, besides her sister. She has to learn to trust someone other than herself and her family.

Buried Secrets is the second book in the Harvest of Hope series. It could read as a stand alone novel, but as in all books of a series, it really does make more sense if you read Seeds of Hope first. However, you won't feel like you've missed a thing if you choose not to.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and I grew to really like the characters. The only thing that I felt was missing was a little bit more of a "mystery" about the book. I knew the ending, and it had a couple of surprises, but even those I had figured out before it was told to the reader. It was an enjoyable book to read on the beach though!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gilead Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. 

The Prayer Map for Women: A Creative Journal

I love the idea of a prayer journal, but I have had trouble finding one that I really love. I wanted one that gave me space to journal, but still be creative. I wanted one that would prompt me in several ways, not just pointing me towards one general direction. I wanted one that was like a journal in my thoughts but also let me keep my lists separate. Alas, my journal became what I turned to because I couldn't find any other option.

But then!

I ran across this journal: The Prayer Map for Women! I love it! It's simple, yet allows me to journal out my prayers. It has a section on the page for giving thanks. I have the ability to to keep a list of people I am praying for and why, too.  Then it also has a section to write things I'm worried about, what's happening in my life, things I need, and even other things on my heart that I need to share with God. It's perfect!

My only wish for this journal is that it was bigger and included more pages. I feel like I will be buying a new one each month. I'd much rather it fit several months into a book....or even a year.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Growing Kids with Character by Hettie Brittz

I am always looking for books on parenting and helping to grow my children's character. When I saw this book, I couldn't resist picking it up. Growing Kids with Character was a fantastic title to catch the eyes of parents as they are perusing the bookstore.

I enjoyed the book, but I do wish the test was included in the back with a paper form of some sort. I had a hard time deciding which child I wanted to do the test for when in reality, I wanted results for both. I could have paid for an extra test, but I didn't. Instead, I enjoyed reading all the descriptions in the book and figuring out on my own which one each of my children were.

Hettie Brittz uses the categories of palm tree, rose bush, boxwood tree, and pine tree to figure out which sapling your child is. As a visual learner, I liked being able to picture these in my head because I could see some similarities. It also helped me to look at a tree and be reminded of my children.

Overall, I found this to be a helpful parenting book, but there were parts of it that I had trouble relating to. Two of my kids are in the elementary years and I felt this book was geared more towards preschool age or younger children.

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

Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin

Sarah Sundin makes my list as one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I have really enjoyed reading about the wars through fictional characters. She does an excellent job at making the historical time period come alive while including fictional characters to tell the story. I learn something new in each of her books, which is one reason I like her. She does her research, but writes it in such a way that the book never feels too heavy with history. She blends her fiction work quiet nicely.

Book #2 focuses on World War 2. I had to pause at several sections of the book because it is so hard for me to still wrap my mind around the pain and worry that almost everyone felt since each person was greatly affected by the war. Sarah Sundin even states that this book is set "during the darkest days of the war." I appreciate that her story tells the story of those dark days and that she takes the reader into the hurt and pain so many experienced.

Arch and Lillian are not new characters to the series, but they are now the main characters in this book. However, if you haven't read it then you will not be missing any huge details. (Of course, you should still definitely read the first book in this series! It was great, too!) 

One of the bigger surprises for me was the suspenseful part of the story. I knew it would be full of suspense with the war playing out. However, I didn't not expect there to be a whole other reason for the suspense. She did a good job at not dragging it out too long but gave the reader just enough to make them say "just one more chapter."

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

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ANCHOR IN THE STORM BY SARAH SUNDIN | BLOG TOUR AND GIVEAWAY

Author: Sarah Sundin

In a time of sacrifice, what price can one put on true love? Pharmacist Lillian Avery and Ensign Archer Vandenberg are about to find out in Sarah Sundin’s new book, Anchor in the Storm. During the darkest days of the war, Arch’s destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves—and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions Lillian has been filling? As the danger rises on both land and sea, the two must work together to answer that question. But can Arch ever earn Lillian’s trust and affection?

Celebrate the release of Sarah’s Anchor in the Storm by entering to win her All Hands on Deck Prize Pack!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A signed copy of Anchor in the Storm
• Nautical tote bag lined with anchor fabric
• Anchor necklace made from copper reclaimed from the USS Constitution in Boston during restoration
• 365 Devotions for Hope by Karen Whiting
• Shine: Nautical Inspirational Adult Coloring Book
• “Hope Anchors the Soul” journal
• Set of two nautical tea towels

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on June 8th. The winner will be announced June 9th on Sarah’s blog.

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Anchor in the Storm (Revell, May 2016)

One plucky female pharmacist + one high-society naval officer = romance—and danger

For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg’s attentions only annoy–even if he is her brother’s best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch’s destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves–and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian’s trust and affection?

Sarah Sundin brings World War II to life, offering readers an intense experience they won’t soon forget.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Sarah Sundin is the author of eight historical novels, including "Anchor in the Storm." Her novel "Through Waters Deep" was named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years,” and her novella “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in "Where Treetops Glisten" was a finalist for the 2015 Carol Award. A mother of three, Sarah lives in California, works on-call as a hospital pharmacist, and teaches Sunday school.

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

Minecrafters Bible

• This Bible has not left my son's side all day. I knew it would be difficult to track this Bible down once he got a hold of it!

I was very hesitant at first to request to review this Bible because I'm not one to mix hobbies with the Bible. I'm not sure why I don't particularly like it, but it's just not something I typically do. So when I saw Minecraft on a Bible, I wasn't certain whether to go for it or not. However, knowing my son's love of Minecraft, I decided to get it to see if it was something I'd let him have.

I'll be honest. I had my review written in my head a few days ago. My mind was pretty much made up and I had even told my husband what I intended to write in my review. However, once I got the Bible, held it in my hands, and looked at it, my review completely changed. The reason I was so certain my review wouldn't be glorious is because it had said it came with gaming pages inside. I wasn't all for that. In my head, I guess I was picturing gaming pages of things that had nothing to do with the Bible. Oh, did they have a surprise for me!

Having read this particular version before, I didn't spend too much time going over the Scripture because I knew I'd obviously approve of that part of it. I searched out the gaming sections first. I mean I really flipped through each one and I got more and more excited to give this to my 7-year-old. I knew he'd be so excited.

The gaming instructions are beautifully done in a way that leaves the boys (and girls) wanting to hop on Minecraft and build the tabernacle, or the Garden from Genesis. I loved how they brought these stories to life in a way where they can read it, build it, and it sticks with them. This is another way that I can get involved in discipling them. I'm not much of a Minecraft person, but I can definitely talk about the Bible with them as they create the scenes from here. 

So from a sceptic, well-done. I should get bonus points for sneaking this out of his room after he fell asleep just so I could write this review. In fact, I've never had a review written as quickly as this one!

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