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.”

The Prayer Box

I think this is a great book! Started off a little slow, but definitely worth reading! I think a Prayer Box is really a great idea.

When Iola Anne Poole, an old-timer on Hatteras Island, passes away in her bed at ninety-one, the struggling young mother in her rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, finds herself charged with the task of cleaning out Iola's rambling Victorian house. Running from a messy, dangerous past, Tandi never expects to find more than a temporary hiding place within Iola's walls, but everything changes with the discovery of eighty-one carefully decorated prayer boxes, one for each year, spanning from Iola's youth to her last days. Hidden in the boxes is the story of a lifetime, written on random bits of paper--the hopes and wishes, fears and thoughts of an unassuming but complex woman passing through the seasons of an extraordinary, unsung life filled with journeys of faith, observations on love, and one final lesson that could change everything.

 Biography Selected among BOOKLIST'S Top 10 of 2012, Lisa Wingate skillfully weaves lyrical writing and unforgettable Southern settings with elements of women's fiction, history, and mystery to create stories that Publisher's Weekly calls "Masterful" and Library Journal refers to as "A good option for fans of Nicholas Sparks and Mary Alice Monroe." Debbie Macomber says, "I am in awe of Lisa Wingate's talent. The Prayer Box is a masterpiece of storytelling and skill." THE OFFICIAL BIO: Lisa Wingate is a former journalist, inspirational speaker, and the author of twenty mainstream fiction novels, including the national bestseller, Tending Roses, now in its nineteenth printing. She is a seven-time ACFW Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, and a two-time Carol Award winner. Her novel, Blue Moon Bay, was a Booklist Top Ten of 2012 pick. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. More information about Lisa's novels can be found at www.Lisawingate.com or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/LisaWingateAuthorPage?fref=ts IN THE WRITER'S OWN WORDS: A special first grade teacher, Mrs. Krackhardt, made a writer out of me. That may sound unlikely, but it's true. It's possible to find a calling when you're still in pigtails and Mary Jane shoes, and to know it's your calling. I was halfway through the first grade when I landed in Mrs. Krackhardt's classroom. I was fairly convinced there wasn't anything all that special about me... and then, Mrs. Krackhardt stood over my desk and read a story I was writing. She said things like, "This is a great story! I wonder what happens next?" It isn't every day a shy new kid gets that kind of attention. I rushed to finish the story, and when I wrote the last word, the teacher took the pages, straightened them on the desk, looked at me over the top, and said, "You are a wonderful writer!" A dream was born. Over the years, other dreams bloomed and died tragic, untimely deaths. I planned to become an Olympic gymnast or win the National Finals Rodeo, but there was this matter of back flips on the balance beam and these parents who stubbornly refused to buy me a pony. Yet the writer dream remained. I always believed I could do it because... well... my first grade teacher told me so, and first grade teachers don't lie. So, that is my story, and if you are a teacher, or know a teacher, or ever loved a special teacher, I salute you from afar and wish you days be filled with stories worth telling and stories worth reading.

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

Redeeming Love

Redeeming Love By: Francine Rivers

I really like this book, even though it had me in tears. This is a book that is hard to put down once you start reading. It is a romance novel & I would definitely recommend this book. Once my girls get a little older I would like them to read it.  A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love.


A Story of Love That Won't Let Go - No Matter What! California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea, a man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything. Michael obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw. But with her unexpected softening comes overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does…the One who will never let her go. A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of God’s unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love.

Biography "New York Times" best-selling author Francine Rivers began her literary career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English and journalism. From 1976 to 1985, she had a successful writing career in the general market, and her books were highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers. Although raised in a religious home, Francine did not truly encounter Christ until later in life, when she was already a wife, a mother of three, and an established romance novelist. Shortly after becoming a born-again Christian in 1986, Francine wrote "Redeeming Love" as her statement of faith. First published by Bantam Books and then rereleased by Multnomah Publishers in the mid-1990s, this retelling of the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea, set during the time of the California Gold Rush, is now considered by many to be a classic work of Christian fiction. Redeeming Love continues to be one of the CBA's top-selling titles, and it has held a spot on the Christian best-seller list for nearly a decade. Since "Redeeming Love," Francine has published numerous novels with Christian themes--all best sellers--and she has continued to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her Christian novels have been awarded or nominated for numerous honors, including the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Gold Medallion, and the Holt Medallion in Honor of Outstanding Literary Talent. In 1997, after winning her third RITA Award for inspirational fiction, Francine was inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame. Francine's novels have been translated into over 20 different languages, and she enjoys best-seller status in many foreign countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Francine and her husband, Rick, live in northern California and enjoy time spent with their three grown children and taking every opportunity to spoil their grandchildren. Francine uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and she desires that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.


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.” 

The Blessed Woman

As women, the demands and expectations of others, and those we place on ourselves, can be overwhelming. While trying to navigate this thing called "life," have you ever longed for a close friend, confidant, or mentor to walk alongside you and encourage you?

 Life can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes when you don't have a close friend or a mentor having a book like The Blessed Woman can help you see things in a different perspective. I am an Air Force Wife, Stay @ Home Mom, & I Home School my Three Kiddos. So, with all the moving & leaving good friends/mentors behind having a book can make a difference. Debbie Morris covers overcoming insecurity, finding purpose, establishing priorities, letting go & waiting. The Blessed Woman reminds us how God longs for every woman to experience His tenderness-and know the true meaning of being blessed!

 Book Description Release date: March 19, 2013 Discover the True Meaning of Being Blessed It’s not easy being a woman. The demands and expectations of us, and those we place on ourselves, can be overwhelming. While trying to navigate this thing called “life,” have you ever longed for a close friend, confidant, or mentor to walk alongside you and encourage you in Biblical womanhood? Debbie Morris did. And yet even as a young minister’s wife, she found herself without someone to fill this all-important role. So she turned to the Bible. Biblical women such as Eve, Sarah, and Miriam had always fascinated her. But now they also became her friends, sisters, and teachers. Through their stories, the Holy Spirit revealed how their lives—both joys and struggles weren't that much different from ours today and how they can teach women today to be a grace-filled, life-giving woman of God. In The Blessed Woman, Debbie invites you to learn from these women as well. As she shares her own stories and the stories of discerning women in the Bible, she addresses topics such as overcoming insecurity, finding purpose, establishing priorities, letting go, and waiting. The Blessed Woman reminds us how God longs for every woman to experience His tenderness—and to know the true meaning of being blessed.

 About the Author Debbie Morris is the executive pastor of women’s ministry at Gateway Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Since it began in 2000, the church has grown to more than 24,000 active members. Debbie has been married for more than thirty years to Gateway’s founding senior pastor, Robert Morris, and they have three grown children.

 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.”

Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter

I read this book, it was a wonderful well written honest book. I have two daughters and they mean the world to me. There were somethings that she mentioned in this book that I had not really thought about. I would suggest this book to anyone that has daughters. I am very glad I read it, and one day when my girls get older I would like them to read it. Great book! I read someones review and they mentioned this book she be handed out to new mom's when they are leaving the hospital & I definitely agree. My sister has a little girl and I am going to tell her about this book. Vicki has also written one about Five conversations you must have with your son, and I am reading that one next.

Vicki Courtney has written a wonderful resource for mothers. 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter is full of encouraging advice about how to approach the tough topics with your daughter at each stage of her growing up years. Topics like: * Your are more than the sum of your body parts. * Don't be in such a hurry to grow up. * Sex is great and worth the wait. * It's OK to dream about marriage and motherhood. * Girls' gone wild are a dime a dozen - dare to be virtuous. Book Description Publication Date: November 1, 2008 "For mothers with girls ages zero to eighteen, Five Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter is indeed a must-have book. In it, bestselling author and youth culture expert Vicki Courtney helps moms pinpoint and prepare the discussions that need to be ongoing from cradle to college so their daughters will know the truth about life before they believe the culture’s lies. To fully address the dynamic issues and influencers at hand, several chapters are written for each of the conversations, which are: 1. You are more than the sum of your parts 2. Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up 3. Sex is great . . . and worth the wait 4. It’s OK to dream about marriage and motherhood 5. Girls gone wild are a dime a dozen—dare to be virtuous The book also includes invaluable tips on having each conversation across the various stages of development: five and under, six to eleven, twelve and up."

About the Author Vicki Courtney is a speaker and the best-selling author of many books and Bible studies. Among her popular writings are the ECPA Christian Book Award winners TeenVirtue and TeenVirtue Confidential. Vicki and her husband have three grown children, a son-in-love, a daughter-in-love, and a grandchild. They live in Austin, Texas where they are blessed to have all of their children living nearby. More information can be found at VickiCourtney.com.

Biography Vicki Courtney is an author and speaker with a ministry that reaches over 150,000 girls and mothers a year through speaking, books, and online resources. A mother herself to three children (one teen and two grown), she seeks to provide both teens and their parents with the tools necessary to navigate today's promiscuous culture. She has done hundreds of radio and newspaper interviews and appeared on CNN, Fox News, and CNN Headline News to discuss issues impacting teens. She is the creator of VirtuousReality.com, an online magazine for teen girls, which has attracted visitors from all 50 states and over 30 countries. She is a national speaker to women of all ages and the best-selling author of numerous books including, "5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter,"(winner of a Mom's Choice award); "Your Girl;" "Your Boy;" and the best-selling "TeenVirtue" magabook series for teen girls and the "Between" magabook series for tween girls. "TeenVirtue" and "TeenVirtue Confidential" are ECPA Christian Book Award recipients in the Children and Youth category.

Secretly Smitten

I love this book! I read Smitten & I just knew I had to read this book! I am definitely a Romantic.... This book is sweet, cute, & funny. I would read this book more than once. Once I started reading I had a hard time putting it down. If you want a sweet romantic book, this book is definitely for you! This book has four stories by the four authors & the stories flow really well. #1 LOVE BETWEEN THE LINES, #2 MAKE ME A MATCH, #3 KNIT ONE, LOVE TWO #4 LOVE BLOOMS.
 I can't wait for the next book!

 Book Description Publication Date: January 8, 2013 Summer, fall, winter, spring—Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery! There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic? The mystery intrigues Rose’s three granddaughters—Tess, Clare, and Zoe—and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women? Join popular romance novelists—and real-life BFFs—Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for four delightful intertwined tales of mystery and sweet intrigue.

About the Author RITA-finalist Colleen Coble is the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels, including Tidewater Inn and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series. Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award, Kristin Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. Her books include A Billion Reasons Why and What a Girl Wants. Denise Hunter is the award-winning and best-selling author of several novels, including A Cowboy's Touch and Sweetwater Gap. She and her husband are raising three boys in Indiana. Diann Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, her dog, and, well, chocolate.

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review Books for Blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255. Positive or negative, this is my honest opinion of the product.

You Can't Make Me, But.......

 I read this book, and it has a lot of great tips and ideas on how to deal with a Strong Willed Children(even husbands). Cynthia Ulrich Tobias writes a great book, well written and easy to read. This book helps you to learn to talk to your children and how to persuade them. I have three children and all three are very strong willed. I don't think being strong willed is necessarily a bad thing. Strong willed children are not easily persuaded and that can be good for when they get older. I definitely would rather have my child be the boss of themselves then have someone else be telling them what to do, but I'm the mom so they do have to listen to me.... This book is a really good book and I recommend it to all parents.


From the Inside Flap It's easy to recognize a strong-willed child. Difficult to discipline, at times impossible to motivate, strong-willed children present unique, frustrating, and often exhausting challenges to those who care for them. But now, the miracle parents long for can happen. Offering new hope, achievable goals, and a breath of fresh air to families and teachers, Cynthia Tobias explains how the mind of a strong-willed child works - and how to use that information to the child's best advantage.

About the Author Cynthia Ulrich Tobias is the founder, manager, and CEO of Apple St. L.L.C. (Applied Learning Styles) and president of Learning Styles Unlimited, Inc. She coordinates the Apple St. education and commerce programs and administers various learning styles projects throughout North America and internationally. Cynthia is a popular speaker at workshops, classes, and seminars for businesses, government agencies, churches, and school districts. And she's the best-selling author of The Way They Learn, They Way We Work, Every Child Can Succeed, Bringing Out the Best in Your Child, and Do You Know What I Like About You? Cynthia, her husband, and their twin boys live in the Seattle, Washington area.

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.”

Everything Romance - A Celebration of Love for Couples

Book Description:
Romance is always in season when you’re in love. Ready to create romantic memories? If you’re looking for new and unique ways to celebrate love, captivate the heart of your true love, or simply enjoy each other’s company, Everything Romance offers all of this and much more. Inside you’ll find… Ways to engage your loved one with conversation starters for couples; Fun and creative date and gift ideas for any budget; Heartwarming love stories and poems; Love busters and love boosters to add fun, zing, and zest; Trivia about the history of love and romance; Recipes to fan the heartflames. Why wait for a special occasion to share the joy of being in love? Opening Everything Romance is like opening a door to romantic adventure—any day, any time! Any moment is the perfect time for you as a couple to celebrate the beauty and wonder of love, especially when you’re equipped with a treasure trove of creative ways to do so. With a rich array of romantic gems, Everything Romance abounds with all you need to show your adoration, revel in your relationship, and create a legacy of romance to last a lifetime.

About the Author:
Todd Hafer is an award-winning writer with more than 30 books to his credit. Among them are his young adult novel Bad Idea and its sequel, From Bad to Worse, named one of the top 10 books of the year by Christian Fiction Review. Others include the bestselling Battlefield of the Mind for Teens, which he co-wrote with Joyce Meyer, and a collaboration with Don Miller on Jazz Notes: Improvisations on Blue Like Jazz. Visit Todd’s website at www.haferbros.com. David Bordon and Tom Winters are partners in Bordon-Winters, LLC, a book concept and packaging company that produces successful books and gift products. Among their previous titles are the popular “101 Things You Should Do” series. This volume joins another one of their beautiful gift books, Everything Christmas.

This is a really cute book. It definitely has a lot of cute little ideas for you and your spouse. It has poems, date ideas, trivia, gift ideas, stories, recipes, scriptures and advise. One fact in this book is if you make to 100 years of marriage, you should be purchasing a 10 karat diamond. How cute is that? I would recommend this book to all married couples, and it is a great gift idea for newlyweds!

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.”

Our Move!

Since my last post a lot has happened. We packed up and moved to our new duty station and now we are in the process of having a home built. I didn't realize how stressful it would be to build a home, but I am sure it will be worth it in the end. We have been living in our RV(fifth wheel), I call it "Our home on wheels". We are liking our new duty station, it's warm and sunny practically everyday. I've had the kids doing some school work over the summer and we will be starting our new year soon. I really don't know which curriculum to use, there are so many to choose from. I would have attended a homeschooling convention but due to our way of life(moving) it didn't work out. I would prefer to try different curriculum's for math and language arts to get a feel before I make a purchase.

Book Review: Healing Your Church Hurt

This book is about being hurt by people in your church. There are stories about what people have gone through when they have been hurt by people in their church. It is a good book. I am one of those people that have been hurt by people in the church and it has taken me a long time to get over it. What to do when you still love God but have been wounded by his people? This book can help.

Book Description
Publication Date: February 17, 2012
If you’ve been part of a church, you have probably suffered a “church hurt”—or know someone who has. Maybe the pastor had an affair or the congregation fought over money or the leaders were disguising gossip as “prayer.” Stephen Mansfield knows how it feels. Though he is now a New York Times bestselling author, he was a pastor for more than 20 years, and he loved it—until he learned how much a church can hurt. Yet he also learned how to dig out of that hurt, break through the bitterness and anger, stop making excuses, and get back to where he ought to be with God and his people. If you’re ready to choose the tough path to healing, Mansfield will walk you through it with brotherly love, showing you how you can be better than ever on the other side of this mess—if you’re willing to start Healing Your Church Hurt. Previously published as ReChurch.

From the Back Cover “After everything that happened, I could never go back.” Is that how you feel? Or have you heard it from others? The stories are all too familiar: The church we once loved broke up or our favorite pastor was fired or people left when the worship style changed. The former pastor had an affair or our kids didn’t fit in at youth group or we had a major life crisis and no one from the church showed up to help. And so it goes. Stephen Mansfield has been there. Though he is now a New York Times bestselling author, a popular speaker, and a consultant who advises leaders around the world, Stephen was also a pastor for twenty years. And he loved it for most of those two decades . . . until he learned how much a church can hurt. But then he also learned how to dig out of that hurt, break through the bitterness and anger, stop making excuses, and get back to where he needed to be with God and his people. If you’re ready to take the tough path to healing, Mansfield will walk you through it with love and understanding, showing you that something good is waiting on the other side of even the deepest church hurts.

Biography
Stephen Mansfield is the New York Times bestselling author of The Faith of George W. Bush, The Faith of the American Soldier, Benedict XVI: His Life and Mission, and Never Give In: The Extraordinary Character of Winston Churchill, among other works of history, biography and contemporary culture. His interest in First Amendment religion issues arises from his decades of work among American churches and his efforts on behalf of religious liberty in the Middle East. Stephen lives in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Beverly. For more information, log onto www.mansfieldgroup.com.

  Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or ARC. *I am going to be giving a free copy of this book away. To win leave me a comment with your contact information. Good Luck!

Book Review: No He Can't

This is a book about Obama and the mistakes he had made & how he is dismantling hope and change.

Book Description
Publication Date: April 19, 2011
Nationally syndicated radio talk show host and columnist Kevin McCullough tackles the thorny issue of why the audacity of hope is not found in the current path that President Barack Obama has laid. As the first pundit in the world to predict that President Barack Obama would become president of the United States (verified on-air by Rush Limbaugh), Kevin McCullough was not surprised when Mr. Obama was elected to that office. Yet even McCullough admits he's surprised by President Obama's actions since the election. Surprised by the overt falsehoods already carried out by this administration. Surprised by our country's sudden deficit of clarity and common sense. Surprised by a blatant lack of accountability. In No He Can't, McCullough stands as the loyal but outraged loyal opposition to the current state of affairs.


    

Book Review: The Circle Maker

This book is great. Drawing circles around our prayers and dreams I think is a great way to deal with everything in our lives. My favorite quotes from the book was: "The only way you can fail is if you stop praying." & "Each prayer is a time capsule. You never know when or where or how God is going to answer it, but He will answer it." This book was very uplifting and made me look at life in a different perspective. 

Book Description
Publication Date: December 13, 2011
According to Pastor Mark Batterson in his book, The Circle Maker, 'Drawing prayer circles around our dreams isn't just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for God. It's a mechanism whereby God accomplishes great things in us.' Do you ever sense that there's far more to prayer, and to God's vision for your life, than what you're experiencing? It's time you learned from the legend of Honi the Circle Maker---a man bold enough to draw a circle in the sand and not budge from inside it until God answered his prayers for his people. What impossibly big dream is God calling you to draw a prayer circle around? Sharing inspiring stories from his own experiences as a circle maker, Mark Batterson will help you uncover your heart's deepest desires and God-given dreams and unleash them through the kind of audacious prayer that God delights to answer.

About the Author
Mark Batterson serves as the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D. C. Recognized as 'one of America's 25 most innovative churches,' NCC is one church with seven locations. Mark's blog (www.markbatterson.com) and webcast (www.theaterchurch.com) also reach a virtual congregation around the world. Mark is the author of several bestselling books, including In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. He and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children.andnbsp; You can follow Mark on Twitter: @markbatterson andnbsp; SPANISH BIO: Mark Batterson sirve como pastor principal en la Iglesia National Community en Washington, D.C. Reconocida como 'una de las 25 iglesias mas innovadoras de America', la INC es una iglesia con siete localidades. El blog de Mark (www.markbatterson.com) y la fundicion en la red (www.theaterchurch.com) tambien alcanzan una congregacion virtual alrededor del mundo. Mark es autor de varios libros exito de ventas, incluyendo En la fosa con el leon en un dia de nieve. el y su esposa Lora residen en Capitolio con sus tres hijos. Puede seguir a Mark en Twitter:@markbatterson

Biography
Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church (www.theaterchurch.com) in Washington DC . Targeting emerging generations, 73 percent of NCCers are single twentysomethings that live or work on Capitol Hill. Currently one church with three locations, the vision of NCC is to meet in movie theaters @ metro stops throughout the DC area. The theaterchurch.com podcast is one of the fastest-growing church podcasts in America . Mark is also a daily blogger @ www.markbatterson.com . Mark lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and three children.


    

Book Review: Christmas Is Not Your Birthday

This book is about the true meaning of Christmas. I really like this book because it is a great reminder why we should celebrate Christmas. It is Jesus's Birthday not yours and it isn't all about the presents. I know with all the hype from the stores for Christmas we get distracted with all the stuff you can buy and what a great deal it is but that is not what Christmas is about. This book was a wake up call for me. I definitely will do Christmas differently this year....... Thank you Mike Slaughter for a great book!

Book Description
Publication Date: August 2011
Every year, we say we’re going to cut back, simplify, and have a family Christmas that focuses on the real reason for the season—Jesus. But every year, advertisements beckon, the children plead, and it seems easier just to indulge our wants and whims. Overspending, overeating, materialism, and busyness rob us of our peace and joy and rob Jesus of his rightful role as the center of our celebration. This Christmas, cut through the hype that leaves you exhausted and broke at the end of the year. Instead, experience the peace of knowing that God is truly with us, the joy of giving sacrificially, and the love of a Savior who gave everything he had for us. In five short, engaging chapters, Pastor Mike Slaughter inspires readers to approach Christmas differently, and be transformed in the process.

About the Author
Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church, is the three-decade dreamer of Ginghamsburg Church and spiritual entrepreneur of ministry marketplace innovations. His life-long passion to reach the lost and set the oppressed free has made him a tireless and leading advocate for the displaced children, womenand men of Darfur, Sudan, named by the U.N. as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. Under Mike’s leadership, Ginghamsburg Church has become known as an early innovator of small group ministry, the Church “media reformation” and cyberministry, with the Ginghamsburg website averaging 50,000 visits monthly from around the world. Since initiating The Sudan Project in January 2005, Ginghamsburg has invested over $5 million into humanitarian relief in Darfur. The resultant agricultural project, child development program and safe water initiative are expanding to reach a quarter of a million Sudanese refugees and villagers. As a mentor, Mike travels globally to speak and use his “gift of irritation” to equip ministry leaders to minimize brick and maximize mission so that they may fully deploy the mission of Jesus into the world. Mike is the author of multiple books for church leaders including Change the World, Spiritual Entrepreneurs, Real Followers, Momentum for Life, UnLearning Church, and Upside Living in a Downside Economy. For more information about Mike, visit www.mikeslaughter.com

Biography
About Mike Slaughter Mike Slaughter is Lead Pastor and Chief Dreamer of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Located in the struggling "rust belt," Ginghamsburg strives to be the hands and feet of Jesus, serving those in need from Dayton to Darfur. Under Mike's leadership, the church has grown from 90 worshipers a week to over 5,000. Mike's books include "Christmas Is Not Your Birthday," "Change the World," "Spiritual Entrepreneurs," "Real Followers," "Momentum for Life," "UnLearning Church," and "Upside Living in a Downside Economy." Learn more about Mike Slaughter at
http://mikeslaughter.com/ 

Book Review: Then Sings My Soul Book 3

This book tells the great history of worship, the first biblical hymns, biographical sketches of the most interesting composers, and almost 60 generations of hymn singing. The new book also includes a collection of the greatest hymns you've never heard, with lead-sheets included.

Great book. I loved it. My daughter can use this to play songs on her piano.

Product Description The long-awaited third installment! In 2003, Robert Morgan released what would become a future classic for over a million readers, a unique book entitled Then Sings My Soul. This collection of the world's greatest hymns and the stories behind them stirred an entire generation to better understand the heritage of our faith through song. Now, in the long-awaited third volume of this series, Morgan expands his material to include the great history of worship, the first biblical hymns, biographical sketches of the most interesting composers, and almost 60 generations of hymn singing. The new book also includes a collection of the greatest hymns you've never heard, with lead-sheets included. All of this is in addition to even more standard hymns and the stories of the composers behind them. Morgan's conclusion guides the reader into enjoying all of God's music, blending the old and the new into a symphony of praise that keeps the worship alive for a new generation.

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review Books for Blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255. Positive or negative, this is my honest opinion of the product.