All Right Here (The Darlings)

I absolutely loved this book. This book made me laugh, made me cry, & made me ask myself what I would do in the same situation. I don't know if I could have dealt with it like she did. Her husband was awful to her. But in the end it all worked out for the best. Once again great book. I would recommend it to anyone.

 Ivy Darling can’t have children of her own, and her husband Nick’s resentment is forcing them apart. And while Ivy has the support and love of her large, close-knit family, Nick’s family has never welcomed her into the fold. When the three children next door are abandoned by their mother, Ivy and Nick take them in for the night. One night becomes several, and suddenly Ivy and Nick find themselves foster parents to the only African-American kids in the town of Copper Cove, Maine. As Ivy grows more attached to the children, Nick refuses to accept their eclectic household as a permanent family. Just as Ivy begins to question whether or not she wants to save her emotionally barren marriage, Nick begins to discover how much Ivy and the children mean to him. But is his change of heart too little, too late?

 About the Author: Biography Carre writes from the big small town of Portland, Maine, where she's the mom of 3 teenagers and 2 dogs she would rather not own. (Only the dogs, not the teenagers.) From 2007 to 2010, she and her family lived in Russia, studying the language and doing humanitarian work. Like most writers, Carre grew up with her nose in a book. The heroines who most informed her were smart, creative, independent thinkers like Anne Shirley, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Nancy Drew, and Cherry Ames. Nancy proved that being a girl detective might just be the coolest career ever, but Cherry taught her that nursing was more practical. Carre compromised by becoming a nurse and marrying a sleuth. Nearly every flat surface in Carre's home has books on it. The stories she loves most are those about the ordinary lives of ordinary people; she thinks of every life as a fascinating drama. Isn't each one of us the hero of our own story? She'd love for you to drop her a line and tell her yours!

 Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or ARC.

When We Were on Fire: A Memoir of Consuming Faith, Tangled Love, and Starting Over

I am not going to lie. When I first started this book I wasn't very interested. It took me a bit to get into it. After Part 1 then I started to get into it. It really ended up being a great book. I would recommend it to anyone that has been hurt by people that claim to be very religious or anyone that would just like to read a good book.

 In the strange, us-versus-them Christian subculture of the 1990s, a person’s faith was measured by how many WWJD bracelets she wore and whether he had kissed dating goodbye. Evangelical poster child Addie Zierman wore three bracelets asking what Jesus would do. She also led two Bible studies and listened exclusively to Christian music. She was on fire for God and unaware that the flame was dwindling—until it burned out. Addie chronicles her journey through church culture and first love, and her entrance—unprepared and angry—into marriage. When she drops out of church and very nearly her marriage as well, it is on a sea of tequila and depression. She isn’t sure if she’ll ever go back. When We Were on Fire is a funny, heartbreaking story of untangling oneself from what is expected to arrive at faith that is not bound by tradition or current church fashion. Addie looks for what lasts when nothing else seems worth keeping. It’s a story for doubters, cynics, and anyone who has felt alone in church.

 About the Author: Biography Addie Zierman is a writer, blogger and fledgling speaker. She has an MFA from Hamline University and is the author of When We Were On Fire: A Memoir of Consuming Faith, Tangled Love and Starting Over, due out through Convergent Books on October 15, 2013. She blogs at addiezierman.com, where she's doing the hard work of redefining faith in a world that is significantly less black and white than she once believed it to be. Addie is a Diet Coke enthusiast with terrible taste in TV and an endless pile of Books-To-Read. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, Andrew, and her two young sons (Dane and Liam). If you see her out, please don't say anything about the streak of snot on her shirt or All The Yelling. It will only embarrass her. 

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book by Waterbrook Multnomah Press, I was neither paid for this review nor was I commanded by Waterbrook Multnomah Press to write a positive review. This review is my own personal opinion. This disclaimer is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255[...] "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Just 18 Summers

What an amazing book! When I first started it I didn't think I was going to like it, but after I read the first page I couldn't put the book down. Absolutely loved it. I will read it again. I recommend it to anyone that loves to read. My daughter is going to read it too.

Book Description Publication Date: March 21, 2014

After the tragic death of Butch Browning’s wife, Jenny, four families begin to realize how precious—and fleeting—their time together is. Each is at a different stage in life: Butch is facing single parenthood. The O’Reillys are expecting their first child. The Andersons are approaching an empty nest, and the Buckleys are so focused on providing their children with everything that they’ve forgotten what they truly need. With just eighteen summers before their children are grown, how do they make the most of that time when life so often gets in the way?

As summer flies by, each of these parents must learn about guilt and grace . . . and when to hold on to their kids and when to let go.


Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or ARC.

The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages

This is a cute book. Has lots of stories about what really goes on in marriages. Some good tips. As well as statistics. Would recommend this book to people that are married, as well as people that are planning to get married.

Book Description Publication Date: December 31, 2013

“Where does ‘highly happy’ come from—and can we have some too?!”

Have you ever looked at a blissfully married couple and thought, I wish I could know their secret? Now you can. After years of investigative research, Shaunti reveals twelve powerful habits that the happiest marriages have in common.

 Best news of all? Anyone can learn the secrets of a highly happy marriage!

In The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages, Shaunti Feldhahn shares her findings about little, very unexpected, often overlooked actions that make a huge difference. You’re about to discover that highly happy couples:
• Go to bed mad
• Keep score (just not in the way you think)
• Boss their feelings around
• Have factual fantasies
• Get in over their heads
• Don’t tell it like it is
• Don’t look to marriage to make them happy…

Packed with eye-opening research and practical helps, this book delivers relationship insights that will take your marriage from “just fine” to “just the marriage we’ve always wanted.”

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book by Waterbrook Multnomah Press, I was neither paid for this review nor was I commanded by Waterbrook Multnomah Press to write a positive review. This review is my own personal opinion. This disclaimer is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255[...] “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Forever Friday by Timothy Lewis

What a truly amazing book about true love. I would recommend this to anyone. Great read!

Every Friday, a postcard.
Every Friday, a love poem.
Every Friday for sixty years.
Adam Colby is just doing his job, sorting through the unsold Alexander belongings after the estate sale. He is unprepared for what he finds in an old photo album, overlooked by the bargain hounds and treasure hunters—six decades of postcards and poems from Gabe Alexander to his wife, Pearl. The mystery of the Alexanders’ love entices Adam, a man unhinged by divorce and puzzled by the depth of commitment that he finds in the unabashedly romantic cards.

Forever Friday invites you to travel back in time to the early twentieth century Texas Coastal Bend where a young couple—Gabe and Pearl Alexander—are swept up in a miraculous love. As the heartwarming, pulse-quickening story of their relationship develops through Gabe’s poems, the Alexanders reveal a new way to consider what it means to be truly devoted to each other. Could the secrets of their love affair, laid to rest twenty years ago, hold the key to one man’s future?

About the Author

TIMOTHY LEWIS is an author and playwright. He has authored more than twenty plays/musicals. In addition, he teaches a beginning novel writing class at West Texas A&M University and co-directs a summer writing academy. Timothy is also a professional speaker, cowboy poet, actor, and songwriter. He drew inspiration for Forever Friday from the postcards sent between his great-aunt and great-uncle over a period of sixty years. He lives with his wife near Amarillo, Texas.
 
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book by Waterbrook Multnomah Press, I was neither paid for this review nor was I commanded by Waterbrook Multnomah Press to write a positive review. This review is my own personal opinion. This disclaimer is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx03/16cfr25503.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Bedtime Prayers that end with a Hug!

I love reading this book to my kids before they go to bed & they look forward to me reading it to them. I would recommend this to anyone that has children. Super cute book! My kids like to read it too!


Turn your child’s bedtime into a calm and soothing time with God. Little children love getting—and giving—hugs. Hugs generate warmth, affection, and a feeling of acceptance. Bedtime Prayers That End with a Hug! offers a fun and heartwarming way to end your child’s day. This padded hardcover book features 52 easy-to-understand Snuggle Time moment based on Bible themes, along with sweet illustrations, simple lessons to help children apply the Bible to daily life, memory verses from the NLT, and heartwarming bedtime stories. Each story wraps up with an opportunity for parent and child to share a great big hug!

From the Back Cover

Every prayer ends with a great big hug!
Little children love getting—and giving—hugs! Hugs generate warmth, affection, and a feeling of acceptance. Turn your child’s bedtime into a calm and soothing special time you can share together!
Features:

• 52 sweet and practical prayers—including prayers about showing kindness to others; not being afraid of the dark or going to the doctor; caring for family, friends, and pets; praying for self-control; and more
• 52 simple bedtime Bible moments, each with a “snuggle time” application
• Bible verses kids will want to hide in their hearts
• A special “hug time” tied to each story when you and your child can share a great big hug!

Share a Hug with Someone You Love!

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or ARC. 

Take Flight

What an amazing devotional. I read it in a day. Once I started I had a hard time putting it down. I loved all the stories, quotes, & bible versus. They talk about God's Grace. They also give you a lot of great ideas & things to do to help out friends. They also talked about Hospitality. The quote I liked on that subject was "Do Not Forget To Entertain Strangers, For By So Doing Some People Have Entertained Angels Without Knowing It." Wow! There are places you can write "A Peep or Two from You!" Everything that they talk about they give you bible versus to look up. I would recommend this book to anyone. This book is a great uplifting book. Very happy that I read it.

Dig In, Soar Up! Spread your wings and really go places with Take Flight , the first devotional/ponder/prayer/make-it-what-you-need book in the Sisterchicks in the Word series! Robin Jones Gunn and her Sisterchick, Cindy Hannan, offer a collection of fresh, insightful devotions that will rejuvenate the quiet time gone dry. Along with key Scripture verses, they kick in travel tips, wisdom (such as, when a woman knows she’s loved, she can do anything ), Sisterchick locators (find me the best scone in the world!), and more. Complete with ideas for Sisterchickin’ (slang for Sisterchicking; activities for Sisterchicks to do together, as in, “Don’t bother us now; we’re Sisterchickin’!” Not to be confused with Sisterchicken). New. Deep. Different. Fun! Open the Door and Soar! SISTERCHICK® n.: a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you’re being a brat. Ready to spread your wings and really go places? No more flitting. No more dawdling. It’s time to dig deep into God’s boundless grace and take flight! Maybe you’re stuck in a quiet time gone dry. Or perhaps you’re an early bird, eager to get the worm. For every Sisterchick seeking a fresh time with God, this devotional/ponder/prayer/excuse-to-gather-together book will send you soaring. Straight from Robin’s nest and Cindy’s perch, you’ll find a collection of insightful devotions, key Scripture verses, and wit ’n whimsy wisdom for the journey, along with Sisterchickin’ suggestions, space to pen a peep or two from you, and more! Grace...it bids me fly and gives me wings.

About the Author Robin Jones Gunn Robin Jones Gunn is a God-lover who has been telling stories all her life and writing them down for publication the past twenty years. A world traveler and mom of a grown son and daughter, Robin confesses she’s still crazy about her husband after twenty-nine years of doing life together. Cindy Hannan Cindy Hannan is Robin’s fellow Sisterchick and prayer partner for more than ten years. Cindy and her husband, Matt, have been married thirty-one years and have two grown children. Biography You are warmly invited to visit Robin's website at www.robingunn.com. Be sure to sign up for the Robin's Nest Newsletter and have a browse in the Online Shop. Over the past 25 years Robin has written over 80 books with over 5 million copies sold. She and her husband live in Hawaii. Her best-selling, award winning novels include the Christy Miller series for teens as well as the Sierra Jensen and Katie Weldon series. The popular Glenbrooke series features eight gentle love stories and her Sisterchicks(R)novels are a favorite among midlife readers who enjoy the emphasis on travel and friendship in the series. Robin's standalone novels include "Gardenias for Breakfast", "Under a Maui Moon", "Canary Island Song" and "Cottage by the Sea". Her newest release, "Victim of Grace" offers a personal glimpse into her life as a wife, mother and writer.


Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book by Waterbrook Multnomah Press, I was neither paid for this review nor was I commanded by Waterbrook Multnomah Press to write a positive review. This review is my own personal opinion. This disclaimer is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx03/16cfr25503.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”