Family Prayer

Family Prayer Made Easy

A Practical Guide For Praying Together

Teresa J. Herbic

 Parents and children are so busy, rushing from one activity to another. Rarely do they pause to spend time together in prayer. The authors have written a book to help those who need a little guidance and encouragement in the area of family prayer. The book begins with a contract for the family to sign that says they will be committed to prayer. Each chapter is written as a devotional and covers a different topic that the family can focus on during prayer. The end of the chapter has questions and thoughts for discussion followed by some prayers that can be used. It ends with some scriptures and activities that can put the prayers in action. 

I love the concept of this book. The importance of prayer within families is huge. The thoughts and stories that the author shared in the devotionals were entertaining and fit well with the theme. I especially liked the activities and thoughts to put those prayers into action. I've been praying for a long time, so the written out prayers weren't helpful for me. But I can see them being useful for a new Christian or someone who isn't comfortable with family prayer.

I received this book from Book Club Network. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.

Tea Shop Folly

Tea Shop Folly

Carrie Fancett Pagels

Lily has inherited her great-aunts home. Her aunt was a bit obsessed with tea cups. So Lily is sorting through them when a young man, Theo arrives at her door. He has mistaken her for a local tea shop. Lily isn't sure how to explain so she sells him one of the tea cups for his mother. Neither of them realize the situations they will be placed in because of that first misunderstanding.

This is a novella, so isn't very long in length. As is often the case with short stories, there was a lot left out or left to the reader's imagination. The story is cute and would be enjoyed by  fans of clean romance, historical fiction, and short stories. The main characters are entertaining, as are the several of the secondary characters. The romance ignites quickly, but is clean and would be appropriate for the younger readers.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

Created with Purpose

Created with Purpose

Johannah Clark Leach and Victoria West Henady

The two authors have pulled from their personal experiences to try to show the reader how to gain confidence and courage to pursue the purpose of their life and the desires of their heart. Each chapter begins with a subject, the author writing that chapter, and a Bible verse. Subjects such as Finding Your Value, Living With Grace, and Redefining Joy are a glimpse into the type of book the authors wrote.

The writing style was easy to read and since there were so many personal experiences and stories it made the book go quickly. There wasn't anything that I didn't already know, but the book would be good for someone who is feeling lost or lacks a sense of direction. My only issue with the book was one of the authors mentioned some things that I felt uncomfortable with spiritually. But this is a personal thing and not a negative about the book as others will probably be fine with her concepts.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

Christmas Comes to Little Hickman Creek

Christmas Comes to Little Hickman Creek

Sharlene MacLaren

 

Sadie lost her husband at Christmas time two years ago. He was tragically killed in an accident and she hasn't recovered. She finds herself cut off from friends and suffering from depression. But friends and family won't let her slip away. There is also someone else who wants to see her smile again. Reed, a relatively new business owner in town has noticed Sadie and hopes that she won't hold on to her grief forever.

While the cover looks very YA to me, the writing was not at all. This is a sweet, Christian novella set during Christmas time about a young couple who fall in love. Because it's a novella there isn't a lot of back story or depth into the secondary characters. But the author did a great job of portraying the romance between the couple and weaving in the faith elements. While it wasn't a gripping story or filled with drama, it was nice to curl up with during the Christmas break and step back in time for a moment of sweet romance. It's a clean novella so it would also be suitable for the younger reader.

I received this book free of charge from BookClub Network in exchange for my honest review.

A Dash of Daring

A Dash of Daring
Taste of Romance Book 3

Elizabeth Maddrey

Amy works at an inner city school where she was raised and now lives. She's admired Zachary for quite some time, but has pushed off his advances to be more than friends. She just can't see their relationship working since they are different races. But Zachary doesn't see the problem and pursues Amy. When she finally gives in, she learns to not jump to conclusions without all of the facts and also about trust and faith in God.

The cover seemed very YA to me, so I wasn't surprised to have the story and style of writing to confirm this. The emotions and reactions were on target with high school or college age kids. The author wove her faith into the story and used the conflicts and drama to bring these elements into play. I wasn't aware when I chose this book that it was the last book in the series. But the book could definitely work as a stand-alone. Overall it is a sweet story that would be great for a reader who enjoys YA and Christian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from BookClub Network in exchange for my honest review.

Knights of the Empire

Knights of the Empire

The Young Heroics Book 1

Cousin Summer

Two young boys from different families find an old survival guide. They hatch a plan of adventure, but need Grandpa to help them execute it. The adventure turns out to be much more than they anticipated and they'll come away from their experience having learned about loyalty, courage, family, and danger. 

I wanted this book because my 9 year old is a voracious reader and I can't keep up with his need for books. But I thought I'd read it first to make sure it was something he'd enjoy. I started but then had to wait for him to finish since he wouldn't let me touch the book. I'm not sure who enjoyed the book more. I don't usually enjoy the books he reads (not really my style),but this was an exception. It has all the elements that a pre-teen or early teen boy will enjoy. It's also very well written and entertaining.

I received this book free of charge from BookClub Network in exchange for my honest review.

Monday Morning Joy

Monday Morning Joy

Tia McCollors

Rae has vowed to never date a celebrity or person involved in sports. So she's not exactly thrilled with her assignment to interview local sports hero Malachi. Malachi is home recovering from an injury that has put his baseball career on hold. In the mean time he's going to refocus and spend time with his charity. 

The story has a very light-hearted chick-lit or young adult feel. There isn't anything deep or dramatic about the plot. The two main characters are lightly fleshed out and the plot is predicable.  There were a couple of secondary characters that I enjoyed, but I couldn't relate to the two main characters. This is a story that will appeal to someone looking for a light, fluffy story with lots of slang, infrequent references to Christianity, and a feel of family.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my review.

The Caterpillar Cowboy

The Caterpillar Cowboy

Russ Lanier

Little caterpillar lives in an apple tree. And every day he watches the cowboys ride by with their cattle. He really, really wants to be a cowboy. So he asks owl how to become a cowboy. Owl explains how someday caterpillar will be able to soar just as if he was riding a horse. But when caterpillar gets the experience to be a cowboy, he changes his mind and decides that he is perfectly content being a caterpillar.

Children will love the bright colorful illustrations that fill every page. The story is told from the caterpillar's point of view and hints at what he will become. The lesson of accepting who you are and being content in situations is told in the plot. The use of the Bible verse gives this book a Christian feel, but will appeal to all audiences.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

Rhapsody in Red

Rhapsody in Red

Donn Taylor

Preston Barclay has become a bit of a hermit since his wife passed away. He's a professor who lives for his teaching, but doesn't really have any other life outside of the university. So when a fellow professor, Mara, comes to him for help in mediating a problem with another co-worker, he's reluctant to get involved. Turns out he should have listened to his reluctance. Now he and Mara are neck deep in a murder mystery. With a killer on the loose, an police officer with revenge on his mind, and a inept boss, they need to come together to share clues before they both end up dead.

I've read another book by this author and enjoyed it. But this one was even better. The characters were well defined and fit with the genre. The author adds their backstories without overwhelming the plot. This is labeled as a Christian mystery, but the elements of faith were subtle and flowed well with the story. The mystery was wrapped up in the end, but the author left a couple of things open to lead the way for the next book.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

Guardians of the Heart

Guardians of the Heart

Secrets of Sterling Street Book 1

Loree Lough

Nell needed a job and found one working for Asa at the inn he had inherited. But both of them are running from their past. Disaster sends Nell back to her family mine and Asa into despair. He doesn't feel like he can be the man that Nell needs in her life because of his past.

The story flowed well and it was a quick read. The characters were entertaining and relatable. The two main characters were distinct and fit well together. I enjoyed several of the secondary characters as well. This is the second book in the series, but can definitely be read as a stand alone. The author took a sweet romance and mixed drama, faith, and history into it.

I received this book free of charge from BookClub Network in exchange for my review.

Deadly Additive

Deadly Additive

Donn Taylor

Jeb was a soldier for hire. But he's ready to retire. He returns to his apartment to relax and plan his next move. But when one last job offer comes through he finds himself forced to take it. He must rescue a spoiled rich girl and her friend, a reporter. Her father will stop at nothing to get her back. But nothing is like what he's been told and now he's just hoping to make it out alive.

This was a good suspense novel with plenty of action. There was a touch of romance, but it wasn't over the top or mushy. The author used one of the secondary characters to bring in an element of faith that while at times subtle, got the message of salvation across very well. The two main characters were well written and their characteristics fit well with the plot. I also enjoyed quite a few of the secondary characters. This was a book that I enjoyed, but I'm sure my husband will enjoy reading as well. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

The Post Card

The Post Card

The Amish of Jamesport Book 2

Laura V. Hilton

Rachel writes letters to the people she reads about in the Amish paper. Rarely do they respond, but it gives her something to do. But an accident victim writes back and the two form a friendship. David was in a buggy accident that almost killed him. So when he's healed he makes the decision to move to Rachel's community where closed buggies are used. The bonus is that he gets to finally meet his best friend in person. He believes himself in love with Rachel. But Rachel is engaged to another man. The two need to work through their feelings about each other and about the other issues that surround them.

The book started out slow for me. The plot is emotionally driven rather than character or plot driven. This means the main drama or conflict in the story is all about the character's feelings. This is book two in the series and I didn't realize this when I grabbed the book. While there are references to the first book, I do believe it can be read as a stand-alone. The chemistry and touching between the two main characters seemed completely out of character for the Amish way of life, but then I only know what I've read, so perhaps I'm wrong. Overall, it was a nice story that dealt with forgiveness and healing.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my review.

Surrender to Love

Surrender to Love

Maryann Diorio

Dr. Teresa lost her husband years ago and is still reeling from the loss. When her husband passed away, she moved in with her mom to help her cope with the changes. As a life coach, she should be taking her own advice and moving on. But for some reason she's stuck in the past and can't seem to get over it. So when the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico comes up, Teresa's mom urges her to go. Teresa will be counseling a young girl who lost her mother and is dealing with her own grief.

The story was short, more of a novella length. The plot was emotional and dealt with the subject of grief and some of the effects it can have on an individual. There was a bit of romance thrown into the story, but it was more about the thoughts and emotions of the characters than a plot driven story. The story felt very surface and light despite the subject matter.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my review.

Nickerbacher

Nickerbacher The Funniest Dragon

Terry John Barto

Nickerbacher is a young dragon guarding a castle. His father gave him the assignment, but he really wants to be a comedian. He confides his wishes to the young princess that he is currently guarding. She encourages him to follow his heart and talk to his father.

Bright, colorful artwork fills each page and help tell the story. The message of taking chances, being true to oneself, and acceptance is prominent throughout the story. Children will enjoy the humorous illustrations. Parents will appreciate the opening provided by the story for further discussion.
My children, especially my daughter, really enjoyed the story and wanted me to read it to them again. So it was a hit with our family.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

House on Fire

House on Fire

Revival Begins in the Home

Antonio and Christelle Baldovinos

If you want to see change in the world, you must begin at home with your own family. Only by changing the family can the world be changed. The authors have a lot of experience in the ministry, but also in their family. They have a healthy marriage and five children, so drew from their personal experiences to write a book about reviving the heart at home. They touch on quite a few aspects of the home life - such as parenting, marriage, dating, and the different aspects of the mother and father.

The writing is simplistic in style, without flowery words or verbose chapters. The authors use practical, useful illustrations and ideas to bring across their message. It's a refreshing and on-point look at how we can make a difference for God in our own home. I enjoyed the more personal approach and the suggestions were helpful. I appreciated the frequent use of scripture to back up their points. I think this would be a great book for a young family starting out, but it will be just as useful to those of us with more "experience" in life.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

A Flying Affair

A Flying Affair

Carla Stewart

Mittie is in love with two things - horses and flying. But flying is her passion. She's currently helping her father at the farm while he recovers from some health problems. But what she's really like to do is buy her own airplane and fly. So when two men enter her life that have a love of flying, Mittie is in heaven. But she must trust her faith and her instincts to make the right decision when it comes to choosing the man who will have her heart.

The story is rich with the history of flying and brings the era to life. Since the main character lives on a horse farm there is also parts about horse races and the life style that includes. The author did a great job of creating the main character and having her be likable and relatable. Since my husband is a pilot, I enjoyed reading more about flying in its infancy. The story is more about the main character and her path into flying than romance. But she does have two love interests and the romance is woven into the plot. Her romantic story was a little bit confusing for me. I was unable to feel the connection she had with either man and couldn't see how she chose the one for her so quickly in the end. But overall, it was an enjoyable read that I know fans of flying and history will enjoy.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my review.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Beth K. Vogt

Vanessa and Logan were high school sweethearts. But two years after their rushed wedding they called it quits. Hurt feelings and regret kept them from keeping in contact afterwards. Fast forward eight years and Vanessa is engaged. Her fiance wants to combine a medical conference with their wedding in Destin, Florida. Vanessa never expects to run into Logan. He left years ago with the storm chaser company that he started while they were married. But a hurricane and mutual friends keep throwing them together unexpectedly. Now they must decide whether to let things go or find out what when wrong.

The story starts slowly and the ending is known from the beginning. The author brought the beach scenery alive. She used flashbacks to tell the relationship between the couple. The story is character driven and deals with emotions and mixed signals. It wraps up quickly with the main three characters resolving their relationships.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my review.

Real Food for Rookies

Real Food for Rookies

Kelly Moeggenborg

The author changed her family's diet and wrote this book to show the reader the simple steps to implementing a healthy in their lives. She begins by talking about how to take it one step at a time and what to start with first. She then builds on each chapter with additional information. 

This book is for the beginner in healthy cooking. The steps are simple and easy to understand and implement. There are a few black and white pictures and six recipes included in one of the chapters. With the exception of the soda pop recipe, all of the recipes are simple and easy to make. This book would be great for someone who is completely lost when it comes to implementing a healthy diet and needs a starting point and some general ideas.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my review.

In Good Company

In Good Company

A Class of Their Own Book 2

Jen Turano

 

Millie doesn't mean to get fired - again and again. Her employers just don't understand her nanny methods. But despite her lack of work she refuses to work for Everett Mulberry. He hurt her feelings when he refused her a job earlier and now she won't have anything to do with him. Everett is in desperate need of another nanny after yet another one walked out on him. He is a bachelor that suddenly became the guardian for wild three children and is now willing to beg Millie to work for him. If the two can survive it just might be the best thing that ever happened to them. 

I started laughing during the first chapter and laughed my way through this entire book. Millie was a hilarious character. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and this one was even better. The plot was well laid out and set the scene for the two main characters. But the children played a huge part in the book as well and were fun to read about. The author also did a great job of setting up the character for the next book in the series that will come out some time next year. I am eagerly waiting to read that one. On a side note - the author had Millie love new words and sprinkled them throughout the book. I love unusual words, so this was a fun little addition for me.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network and Bethany house in exchange for my honest review.

Gollywood Here I Come

Gollywood Here I Come

Terry John Barto

Little Anamazie, the turkey, dreams of being a big star. So when she comes in second at the local talent show she's devastated. But she and her mother are thrilled when a talent scout approaches them and offers Anamazie a chance to try out for a new movie. Anamazie auditions for the part and gets it. Soon she's on her way to Gollywood and the life of a star. Her mother is right when she says "You can do anything if you work hard and never give up.

The illustrations make this book. They are bright, colorful, and fill each page. The little bird character with her long lashes is precious. My daughter's favorite part of the book was the pictures. The story was cute. It didn't focus on the message of "hard work" very much and glamorized acting. My daughter enjoyed the story, but wanted to know what the movie was about. 

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.