Tried & True

Tried & True

Wild at Heart Book 1

Mary Connealy

Kylie and her two sisters fought in the war and then used their service towards getting a homestead. But the wrinkle in their plans? They are doing all of this disguised as men. It might have worked in the war when they were posing as young boys. But now that they are grown women, it's getting harder and harder to accomplish. So when the local land agent, Aaron, finds out that Kylie is a girl, they know they've got a fight on their hands.

I had mixed feelings about this book. I enjoy the author's writing style. It's entertaining and humorous. Her characters interact well and I loved the relationship between the sisters. But the romance was a little weak, I felt like the author couldn't decide whether to make one of the ranchers a good guy or bad guy, and the ending was completely off from the rest of the story. It just didn't fit.

So while this wouldn't be my favorite of her books, I still like her style and will definitely be reading the next book in the series.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Big Book of Quizzes

Big Book of Quizzes:

Fun,Quirky Questions For You and Your Friends

From the Editors of Faithgirlz!

Teen and pre-teen girls love taking quizzes. At least I know my friends and I did. The editors of Faithgirlz! have come up with an entire book full of quizzes that make learning about oneself fun and entertaining. Bright, colorful, and fun all describe the layout of the book. The quizzes are designed to help a girl get to know herself better. The quizzes typically have 3-4 possibilities. So the end has 3-4 summeries based on the points you received. Each little summery is positive and affirming, but has pointers on how to change if the outcome is not satisfactory, such as not being good with money. Subjects such as faith, work ethics, family, school, and boyfriends are covered with skill and a Christian perspective.

I was really impressed with the look and feel of the book. The illustrations and bright colors will make the book fun, while guiding the girls towards a deeper understanding of how important faith and family are in a person's life. While the quizzes remind me a lot of what is going around Facebook right now, they also had quite a bit of depth. This is definitely something I want to share with my daughter a couple of years from now. I've been very impressed with every Faithgirlz! book I've read and this one was no exception. 

I received this book free of charge from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days

What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days:

52 Encouraging Truths to Hold On To

Halley Gerth

Some days a girl just needs a spiritual pick-me-up. The author has taken thoughts from the Psalms and written quick, encouraging thoughts to brighten any woman's day. Each devotional starts with a verse from Psalms. The author then shares a relating thought. It ends with a prayer that can be added to, some space for writing, and some more verses from Psalms for further reading.

I loved the look and feel of this small book. It's perfect for a quick moment with God. The devotionals are thought provoking, but encouraging. I liked how each one could be tailored to the time I have with the further reading in Psalms. This would make a perfect gift or stocking stuffer.

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Kitchen Confidence

Kitchen Confidence:

Essential Recipes & Tips That Will Help You Cook Anything

Kelsey Nixon

 I'm one of those people who loves the idea of cooking, but isn't really that great or confident about it. So this cookbook intrigued me. The book begins with an essential pantry list and tips for organizing your kitchen. It also has tips for the correct equipment and technique. The recipes that follow are all across the board as far as variety. But each one has a basic list of ingredients that are simple and easy to find in almost any grocery store. The recipe has a small section where the author comments about the recipe or gives tips for preparation. 

The instructions are straight forward and easy to follow. The variety is wonderful, especially for someone with a limited number of go-to recipes that I can put on my menu. I'm vegetarian, but there is still a huge option to choose from. Also some of the meat recipes can be easily adapted to fit my diet. Bright colorful photographs and colored print make this cookbook a fun book to just look through. But I will also be enjoying these recipes for quite some time. This book is definitely a keeper in my book.

I received this book free of charge from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

Joanna Weaver

If you've ever found yourself drowning in lists and projects, if you've ever felt frustrated with everything you are doing, or if you somehow feel that your crazy, busy life is getting in the way of a personal relationship with Jesus, than this book is a must-have. Each chapter focuses on different aspects of the stories. The book has study guides in the back that go with each chapter.

I've read this book twice now and both times have been incredibly impressed. The author clearly identifies with the subject. Her writing is straight forward, but not abrasive. She uses the different passages in the Bible and creates a feeling of comradery between the reader and the two sisters. There are parts of both of them that we can relate to and the author points out, using Christ as our example, how we can take the best of both sisters and become more like Him. I can't recommend this book enough.

A Bride in Store

 A Bride In Store
Unexpected Brides Book 2

Melissa Jagears

Eliza is not having a good day. She is a mail-order bride and had decided to meet her future husband early. But the train she is on is robbed and she loses all of her inheritance. It’s the money that she was going to use to invest in her husband’s store. She receives a nice gash to the face as well and inadvertently meets her new associate when he stitches up her face. Her husband, on the other hand, is nowhere to be found.

I’ve enjoyed every one of Melissa Jagears books and this one was no exception. I enjoyed the interaction between the couple. The message of grace that is woven throughout the story is prominent without being pushy or preachy. The full of life characters definitely add to the plot. There is heartbreak and sacrifice, but the overall theme is redeeming. If taken to heart, this book can help you grow in your Christian walk as well as entertain you. I can’t wait to read her next book.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

The Couple's Retirement Puzzle

 The Couple's Retirement Puzzle:
10 Must -Have Conversations for Creating an Amazing New Life Together
Dorian Mintzer & Roberta K. Taylor

Retirement is something couples look forward to long before it arrives. But often after retirement arrives the couples find themselves in situations that they didn’t anticipate. Retirement isn’t just about quitting your job. It is about a complete lifestyle change. This book will take couples looking at retirement through 10 questions that will start conversations and help prepare the couples for what is ahead.

I was impressed with the depth and thought put into the questions and presentation of this book. The questions are all across the board and are about topics such as financial, health, family, new hobbies, and downsizing. Each chapter begins with a story that illustrates the question that will be discussed. The chapter is then filled with stories, advice, and thoughts surrounding the question. Each chapter ends with a special section designed to make the chapter more personal. It starts with “talking it out”, has several exercises, and ends with a puzzle piece and fun work. While I am quite a few years from retirement, I enjoyed reading the book and learned a lot. I will be keeping this book for the future and think everyone nearing retirement should read it.

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