Rasmus and the Vagabond

Rasmus and the Vagabond

Astrid Lindgren

 Rasmus wants parents more than anything else. But everyone knows that parents always want curly haired little girls. And Rasmus is a nine-year-old boy with straight hair. So fearing punishment for a prank, Rasmus runs away and finds himself in the company of Oscar, a vagabond. The adventures they encounter are scary and thrilling for the young boy as the two search for the perfect parents for young Rasmus.

Written in a classic style that will never get old, the author tells a story that readers both young and old will enjoy. I loved the story as much as my 8 yr old son. The descriptions and depth of the characters pull you into the plot and paint a vivid picture. The writing style is spirited and animated enough to capture even the youngest readers. The simple drawings spaced throughout the story only add to the book. I think everyone should have a copy of this classic. The book will definitely be added to my library.

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

Digital Nature Photography

John Shaw's Digital Nature Photography

John Shaw

John Shaw is a well known, amazing photographer. He's combined some of his amazing photography with in-depth and practical advice for photographing nature at its best. Each page is filled with stunning views of nature and each chapter discusses a different aspect of DSLR photography.

I was definitely impressed with this book from the very first glimpse. The photography is, naturally, outstanding. The information is informative and helpful, especially for the beginner in photography. The text is very small, but was still readable for me. The authors instructions were more like a class than a conversation, but in his own voice. This book is amazing and will definitely be added to my library. I would recommend this book to anyone who is getting into photography or needs the information to take that next step in their learning.

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

Petticoat Detective

Petticoat Detective

Undercover Ladies Book 1

Margaret Brownley

Amy, a female Pinkerton agent, is mistaken for a lady of the night when she arrives at the brothel to investigate the famous Gunnysack Bandit. Since this disguise works with her undercover assignment she plays along. But when Tom, a man in search of his brother's killer, keeps showing up she considers working with him to solve the case. But she can't allow the lines to blur between her attraction to Tom and her job. Especially since he thinks she actually works at the "hotel".

This was an entertaining and often amusing story. The two main characters worked well together and I liked the back story the author gave each of them. The secondary characters were a great addition to the plot as well and I hope to see some of them in the next book. The author did a great job of portraying how ostracized, hopeless and shamed the women felt. The message of forgiveness and salvation was subtle, but woven throughout the story. I enjoyed this book, as I have all of the author's other books and look forward to the next book in this series.

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

The Homestead Brides Collection

The Homestead Brides Collection

Nine Pioneering Couples Risk All for Love and Land

Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Carla Olson Gade, Ruth Logan Herne, Pam Hillman, DiAnn Mills, Erica Vetsch, Becca Whitham, Kathleen Y'Barbo

Nine different women found love on the prairie as they dealt with the struggles of a harsh and unforgiving land. Each story is tied together only by the themes of love and location. But all nine stories showcase the writing style and talents of the authors who penned them. Each story has faith, family, resilience, and hope.

I enjoyed all of these stories and felt that each one gave a good idea of what the author's other books would be like. Since I was only familiar with the first one, this was a nice way to enjoy new authors. Each of the stories was well done and entertaining. I learned a lot about the time period as well as enjoyed the romantic and faith filled plots. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian romance or historical fiction.

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

God Made You Special

The Berenstain Bears God Made You Special

Mike Berenstain

The Berenstain Bears get to meet a new friend when the Bruin family brings their cousin to the cookout. Tommy seems a little different that them and Sister Bear starts asking questions. Mama Bear and Mrs. Bruin explain that Tommy might be a little different than she is, but that God made each of us special in our own way.

Children are told a story with familiar characters while the concept of being special is introduced. The reason for Tommy being special is left vague. This allows children to recognize their own friends or family in Tommy. The adults in the story explained the concept in a simple and easy to understand way. The questions at the end of the story are perfect for opening conversations and stressing to the young reader that each person is special, no matter what their strengths or talents are. This book is another classic and will be added to our collection.

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

The Banana Bunch and The Birthday Party

The Banana Bunch and The Birthday Party

Harriet Ziefert

Six children and a dog make up the group called The Banana Bunch. It is Scruffy, the dog's, birthday and the children have planned a surprise birthday party for him. The reader is invited to join the bunch as they plan a special party for Scruffy. Each child adds his or her special touch to the party to make it fun for their favorite furry friend. The book begins with a picture of each person so the reader can identify them throughout the story. The chapters are short and the vocabulary fits for the intended age group. Colorful drawing type illustrations are on every page helping to tell the story. The book ends with some activities for the reader to help make some one's birthday special or that tie in with the story.  The book is part of a series about The Banana Bunch and would work well with readers just getting into chapter books. My children enjoyed the fun elements of the story and loved the illustrations.

I received this book free of charge from Children's Lit in exchange for my honest review.

The Song

The Song

Event the Wisest of Men Was a Fool for Love

Chris Fabry

Jed adores his father, a famous musician and the one who taught him to play the guitar. His father passes away and Jed falls in love with a beautiful woman, Rose. Later, he writes a song that catapults him into stardom. But he is not able to handle all the stress and nuances of fame and begins to fall. His fall and the story of his redemption are chronicled in this book.

I haven't read anything by this author and haven't seen the movie. I was very impressed with the writing style. The author was able to draw out intense emotions and show rather than tell the story. The reader is shown the direction the story is going from the very beginning which is a different style than the typical book where you don't know the outcome. But since the story is based loosely on Solomon then the reader will also know that there is a happy ending. I would not recommend this book for the younger audience, since it does contain references to sex, adultery, drugs, and alcohol. The author brought out insights into marriage and dealing with the stress of this world that makes the reader think about more than just the story. The first few pages of "The Song Couples Devotion" were included in the back. I think the book would be a great compliment to this book.

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

Textastrophe

Textastrophe

A Collection of Hilariously Catastrophic Text Pranks

Matt Andrews

Combine boredom and a huge supply of random cell numbers and you have this hilarious book. The author was working at a boring cell phone kiosk when he started his cell phone pranks. What resulted was a book that will make you laugh, a lot.

Each prank begins with the ad or flyer that inspired it. The format is as if the reader is seeing the actual phone. Pranks such as trading two sub sandwiches for a motorcycle and offering up a parents garage for boat storage are just a few of the pranks the author pulled on unsuspecting cell phone owners. If you enjoy reading about pranks or cell phone mishaps than pick up this book for several hours of hilarity.

I received this book free of charge from St. Martin's Press in exchange for my honest review.

Sand in My Sandwich

Sand in My Sandwich

And Other Motherhood Messes I'm Learning to Love

Sarah Parshall Perry

Sarah was an uptight, clean freak lawyer who somehow fell in love with a laid back country boy. She thought she could change him, but she was wrong. When the kids came along, she not only learned to let go, but to love in the chaos. The book chronicles the story of the author as she not only deals with three children, but two of whom are on the autism spectrum.

The author tells her story with tongue in cheek humor that every mom will appreciate. I was unable to relate to parts of the book, because I do not have an autistic child. But even if some of the circumstances have changed, we are both still mothers facing the same anxieties, stress, and fears. The author related those with stories and lessons she learned on the same journey of motherhood that I'm on. I would recommend this book for every mother to read, but especially for those who have a child with disabilities.

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

Christmas in the Spring Give-Away

I haven't had a give-away in a long time. There were several Christmas books that I'd intended to give away at Christmas time and somehow were misplaced. I found them much later and decided to have a Christmas in the Spring give-away.

The rules:

1. Go through the list of books and pick ALL of the titles you like.

2. Follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter.

3. Make sure your contact information is either in the comments or I can get to it by following your Goggle account.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dirty Chick

Antonia Murphy

 

Review here.  

The Happy Christian

David Murray

Review here.

The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding

Victoria Alexander

Review here.

Rival Hearts

Tara Randel

Review here.

The 13th Gift

Joanne Smith

Review here.

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm

Suzanne Woods Fisher

Review here.

The Art of Losing Yourself

The Art of Losing Yourself

Katie Ganshert

Carmen - married with a messed up family, she is trying to deal with the struggles of adoption after miscarriage. Her husband Ben is a wonderful guy, but just can't seem to help her.

Gracie - raised by an alcoholic mother and absentee father, she heads off on her own. She arrives at the place she thought would be a safe haven, only to find it abandoned. The woman she thought would help her needs help herself.

The book is written from the point of view of the two women. The seamless transition between the two allows the story to flow smoothly, while learning different aspects of the narrative. As always, the author has taken a story and made it come alive. The characters are written in such a way that the reader feels a connection with them. The voices and emotions are authentic. The descriptions put me into the small coastal town as I lived the story with the characters. But this isn't just a beautifully written story; it has an artfully woven message of salvation, forgiveness, and hope. Once again the author has hit this out of the park. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

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

I don't usually include links, but this book is a must buy.
So here is where to purchase the book on Amazon.

Here is Katie's website so you can check out her other cool books.
Katie Ganshert

Fribbet The Frog and the Tadpoles

Fribbet The Frog and the Tadpoles

A Captain No Beard Story

Carole P. Roman

When Fribbet goes missing the crew finds him crying. Captain No Beard and his crew must find out why Fribbet is so upset and help him solve the problem. They work together to help their friend.

My children enjoyed this story. The illustrations are funny and colorful. The story is sweet and shows how working together can be helpful. The author also talks about accepting people and loving them for who they are. Since the story showcased siblings, my children enjoyed sharing their experiences too. It's a cute book that children will treasure.

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

From the Start

From the Start

Walker Family Book 1

Melissa Tagg

 Kate writes screenplays for romantic made-for-TV movies. But she's lost her zest and passion for romance. When a tornado hits her hometown she decides to head home and help with clean up. Maybe this will help her get out of her career slump and find purpose in her life. While there, she sees Colton, her brother's friend. Colton has received an injury that permanently takes him out of professional football. His agent wants him to lay low and find a ghost writer for his book. The two hook up to write Colton's book before Kate heads out to do some grant writing.

I've read all of the previous books by this author and enjoyed them. But I think this was her best one yet. The characters had depth and chemistry. The book had some hilarious portions, but there was also some real soul searching and introspection for the couple. The plot was fun, romantic, and filled with that small town feel. The author really captured the essence of small town living. I loved how she brought in the issues of foster care and how the case worker was portrayed. The secondary characters were rich and added to the story. I can see quite a few of them becoming the focus of the next book. I will definitely be continuing this series and can't wait for the next book to come out.

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

Three Little Words

Three Little Words

Walker Family Book .5

Melissa Tagg

Ava and Seth were sort of friends in college. They argued together for the school paper. But at a reunion they find that they also have a lot in common. Since they live in separate states they begin an email friendship. Now a year later they are finally in the same town, still as just friends. But anything can happen when you've spent a year sharing your soul with another person through email.

I loved this little novella. Ava was a secondary character from the author's previous novel and this was a neat way to tie in to the new series coming out while giving a glimpse into someone the reader had already met. The characters were well fleshed out for such a short novel and the romance was sweet. The author portrayed the characters as flawed, but very likable. The author weaves a message of faith and trust in God without coming across as preachy or dry. I really enjoyed the sneak peak into the Walker family.

Blessing for the Morning

Blessing for the Morning

Prayerful Encouragement to begin Your Day

Susie Larson

Start each day with a blessing from God's word. Each page is set with a beautiful photograph and then encouraging words are watermarked on top. The left side of the page has a scripture that ties in with the devotional on the right side. Each devotional is designed for encouragement, peace, and inspiration.

This is a gorgeous book, from front to back. The photographs are beautiful and peaceful. Each devotion is thought provoking and powerful. I looked forward to reading one each morning. This book would make an excellent gift. The devotions touch on so many different subjects that women deal with every day. There are also a few that are for specific occasions such as Christmas.

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

Life Unstuck

Life Unstuck

Finding Peace with Your Past, Purpose in Your Present, Passion in Your Future

Pat Layton

 Women tend to be stuck. Stuck in their routines and stuck in their spiritual lives. There are a lot of factors that can cause us to be stuck. So the author has taken an in-depth look at some of these factors and written how to un-stick our lives so we can live life to its fullest potential. If we can become unstuck  in life we will behave, think, and react to life differently.

I love this cover. It captures the essence of the book while grabbing my attention. The author starts out with a hilarious story about herself and quickly draws the reader in. She then proceeds to get right to the heart of the matter and lays out exactly what being stuck is all about. I loved her writing style, presentation, and personal stories. The book felt like it was written just for me. But I think most women will feel this way as well. It was helpful, insightful, and inspiring. I will definitely be sharing this book with my small group.

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

Serving Up a Sweetheart

Serving Up a Sweetheart

A February Wedding Story

Cheryl Wyatt

Meadow is having a very, very bad day. She's getting ready for a super busy time with her catering business when her partner gets sick and her roof caves in. Unfortunately she works from her kitchen with only some high school students to help the two of them. If she doesn't get help quickly she can kiss her business good bye. Enter Colin, the one man she doesn't ever want to see again. He bullied her in high school and Meadow doesn't trust that he's changed.

This was a sweet story. It progressed very quickly, but still had the elements of a good novella. The characters were endearing and entertaining. The author subtly brought in faith and forgiveness. These wedding novellas are a great little story to enjoy when you only have a brief amount of time to read. They are also a great way to try out a new author. Pick up this story if you want a quick, romantic story that will warm your heart.

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

Sweet Surprise Romance Collection

Sweet Surprise Romance Collection

9 Contemporary Romances Served with Delightful Desserts

Wanda Brunstetter, Kristin Billerbeck, Kristy Dykes, Aisha Ford, Birdie Etchison, Pamela Griffin, Joyce Livingston, Tamela Murray, Gail Sattler

Nine authors have come together to write deliciously sweet romance stories. Each story ties into the theme about sweets and ends with a recipe from the story. Most of the stories also have a tie-in to one of the first stories about an online cooking class. The stories are faith based and romantic, but also have elements of family and drama.

Another book that had pros and cons for me.

Pros:

I loved the cover. It perfectly describes the sweet theme. All of the stories are short so the book isn't overwhelming, but can be read little bits at a time. A couple of the stories were touching and had just the right touches of romance without being rushed or overly cheesy. I loved the recipes at the end of each story.

Cons:

Most of the stories were too rushed, too awkward, or not interesting. I had to make myself finish the book so I could write the review. Based on the book as a whole, I couldn't recommend buying the book for the two stories I did enjoy.

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

Lighten Up, Y'all

Lighten Up, Y'all

Classic Southern Recipes made Healthy & Wholesome

Virginia Willis

Most classic southern recipes are full of fat and fully delicious. So the author has taken a lot of the classics and recreated them to make them healthy and less fattening. So the food we enjoy can now be enjoyed guilt-free. The author uses a lot of fresh garden ingredients, fat-free substitutes, and baking instead of frying. The book has plenty of colorful photographs and nutritional information with every recipe.

Each recipe was well thought out. Looking at some of the titles I was skeptical, but Willis pulled it off. The recipes lean more towards vegetables than desserts, but this is in keeping with the healthy line. Each recipe also has a note or story to go with it to either explain how the author made it more healthy or the story behind how the recipe became a classic. It adds some interest to the cookbook. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves southern cooking, but is looking for healthy alternatives.

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

Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter

Celebrating a Christ-Centered Easter

Seven Traditions To Lead Us Closer To Jesus Christ

Emily Belle Freeman

Come spend some time with Jesus as you read about the beautiful sacrifice He made at Calvary. The story of Easter is told in short chapters that are thought provoking and inspiring. Each chapter begins with a Bible verse and has a short devotional type thought. It ends with a section called Tradition. This section contains a hymn, Bible verses that tell the story, and the tradition that will help solidify this tradition into your minds and hearts.

I really enjoyed this little book. The chapters are short enough to use in family devotions. The tradition section is deep enough for adults, but will work for young children as well. The cover is beautiful and sets the tone for the whole book. This book would make a wonderful addition to any home or would make a great gift for Easter.

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

You're Loved No Matter What

You're Loved No Matter What

Freeing Your Heart from the Need to Be Perfect

Holley Gerth

Women tend to feel the need to be perfect. It starts when we are young and are competing for the perfect clothes to fit in and continues when we strive to be the perfect wife, mom, employee, etc. What would happen if we all stopped trying to be perfect and became the person that God wants us to be? The author delves into this concept and uses her own life as an example to show how we can be wonderfully, imperfectly human and still have a happy, Christ-centered life.

First, I loved the cover. Second, I loved the inside. The author was able to take a concept with the potential to be boring and make it interesting and doable. She talked from the heart and it showed. Her concepts were right on target. I liked how she presented the material in a way that made it easy to understand and implement. Each chapter ends with questions that further cement the concepts. This would also make the book work well for small group study. I loved this book and intend to share it with my friends.

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

Brentwood's Ward

Brentwood's Ward

Michelle Griep

Nicholas desperately needs money so he can send his sister into the country to get well. When the opportunity to take a lucrative job comes up he asks very few questions. His job is to take care of the daughter of a wealthy merchant while the merchant is on a business trip to America. But the daughter, Emily, proves to be more difficult to care for than he anticipated. Add silly women intend on marriage, someone trying to kill them, and a pregnant maid and Nicholas has a serious problem.

I haven't read anything by this author before so this was a pleasant surprise. The descriptions and suspense were well done and added to the story. The plot line, while unbelievable at times, was fun to read. The characters were likable, although the female protagonist leaned towards the annoying side.  The Christian elements were subtle, but well written and gave you a sense of faith instead of being blasted with it. Overall, I liked the story and will definitely pick up another book by this author.

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

The Preacher's Bride Collection

The Preacher's Bride Collection

Six Old-Fashioned Romances Built on Faith and Love

DiAnn Mills, Colleen Reece, Kimberley Comeaux, Kristy Dykes, Darlene Franklin, Sally Laity

Six separate authors tell historical romance stories about young women who meet preachers that might some day become their husband. Each story is tied together with the theme, but otherwise stands alone. Novellas are a great way of checking out new authors to see what their writing style is like.

I enjoyed these stories. As with every collection I enjoyed some more than others, but all of them were sweet, romantic, and faith based. Some of them even had a little bit of drama. Each story fit well with the theme. The spiritual lessons that the authors brought out in the stories added depth. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read, but doesn't have a lot of time, or to someone searching for a new author to fall in love with.

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

Betting On Hope

Betting On Hope

Four of Hearts Ranch Romance Book 1

Debra Clopton

Maggie Hope is a clumsy city girl from Houston with a past. Tru is a struggling rancher that Maggie is trying to interview. But Maggie's more of a behind the scenes kind of girl and she's nervous. What starts out as Tru trying to make her more comfortable turns into a bet that is viewed by millions. Now Maggie and Tru have to spend months together while Tru teaches Maggie how to cut cattle on a horse.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were flawed, authentic, and likable. The plot had humor, faith, romance, and some interesting sub-plot lines. It isn't a grip your seats kind of book, more of a sweet romance that deals with trust and small town values. The secondary characters alone would have made it worth the read. They were hilarious. This was my first time reading a full length novel by this author. I will definitely be checking out more of her books in the future.

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

Hope Under Mistletoe

Hope Under Mistletoe

Jessica R. Patch

Eden was a pastor's wife. She lost her husband and is now struggling to find a place for her and her son. She's helping the new pastor find his feet before she moves on with her life when devestation rips through their church once again. Their church has burned and will take some time to rebuild. So Eden asks her husband's old friend Knox if they can borrow the back room at his bar. He agrees as long as they don't try to convert his customers. It would be bad for business.

The story was short, but the author was able to pack quite a bit in. It would probably be considered edgy Christian fiction considering some of the topics the author covered. But I thought she did a good job of conveying them tastefully, while bringing in a message of faith and forgiveness. It was a fun little story to read and I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.

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

The Happy Christian

The Happy Christian

Ten Ways to Be a Joyful Believer in a Gloomy World

David Murray

People tend to lean towards being negative. And often Christians are viewed as the gloomiest of all. So the author has taken his knowledge of theology and pulled from psychology and modern science to write a book about how Christians can be happy despite the negativity that surrounds us.

The book is written with a heavy slant towards psychology and brings out some great points about addressing the issues that keep us from being positive and joyful. The author is honest and authentic, which is refreshing. The book is written in a more text book feel which leans away from the study guide style that is so popular right now. My favorite part was the chapter on gratitude and the part it plays in our joy.

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

When I Grow Up

When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Nurse!

Amber's Accidental Journey

Wigu Publishing

Amber doesn't really want to play soccer. She's afraid she'll get hurt. But her friends and mom convince her that it will be fun. When she breaks her arm during a soccer match she learns to overcome her fears and also learns all about nurses in the process. 

Colorful photographs are the backdrop for the cartoon like illustrations that help tell the story of Amber's journey. Inserts and pictures tell more about nurses and their background. The story is fun, but also has a deeper layer that will help children learn more about nurses while enjoying the book. My six year old enjoyed the story and the book opened up a conversation about all of the different aspects of the medical field. This book would be good for schools or anyone wanting to teach their child more about the nursing field. 

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

Adventures of a Lifetime

Adventures of a Lifetime

Travel Tales from Around the World

Edited by Janna Graber

 Different authors tell about their adventures to different countries in a colorful and entertaining look at travel around the world. Each author brings a different voice of experience to their story, providing a unique look into each country. The stories range from reverent to hilarious. There is truly a story for everyone.

I really enjoyed this anthology. It was well edited and diverse. It not only entertained, but it inspired me to be more adventuresome. It made me want to travel more. This book would be a great gift for the traveler in your life or for someone longing for adventure. It isn't a huge book and because each story is different, can be read in short segments.

 

I received this book free of charge from Red Compass Communications in exchange for honest review.

Spring Break

Spring Break

A Year of Weddings Novella Collection

Rachel Hauck, Lenora Worth, Meg Moseley

 Every month a new wedding novella comes out from a different author. This book is a collection from the spring collection.

March Bride

Susanna has fallen in love with prince charming - literally. She's only a few weeks away from marrying a true prince. But she's just a small town girl from America. Now she's being asked to give up everything she feels is her true self to become a citizen of Brighton and a princess. 

This story is a sequel to a full length novel. I enjoyed getting chance to revisit this couple. But since I read the previous story I can't say that this book would work well as a stand-alone. It picks up where the other book left off and fits right before the next book in that series. But those who enjoy this author will really like this story, as I did.

April Bride

Stella hasn't seen her fiance, Marshall, in almost a year. He's returning from Afghanistan after an IED almost killed him. He's alive, but something is wrong. And with their wedding only weeks away the two must find a way to work through Marshall's PTSD and brain trauma or the wedding will be called off.

I enjoyed this novella a lot. It had all of the right elements for a short story. There was drama with elements of faith and trust through out. The story line was a bit fairy tale, but it was super sweet and romantic. So for a short story, I enjoyed it and it made me want to read more by this author.

May Bride

Ellie has moved to Atlanta to get away from her controlling mother and the rural town she grew up in. When she meets Gray she falls quickly in love. But both of them must deal with her ultraconservative mother and her unbending ideas.

The romance between the couple was sweet and while it had a rushed feeling was nice. But the parts dealing with Ellie's mother were over the top and didn't seem to match with the rest of the story. I just couldn't fit those two pieces together. Overall the story wasn't my style, but the whirlwind romance will appeal to some romantics.

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

Anna's Crossing

Anna's Crossing

An Amish Beginnings Novel

Suzanne Woods Fisher

Anna begins the journey to America with several fellow Amish. But she doesn't want to go. She's required to go because she is the only one who speaks English and must act as an interpreter. But she's leaving behind her only family, her grandparents. She hopes to find a way to return to them when her duties are finished. But delays, complications, and a carpenter named Bairn seem to get in the way of her dream.

I'll be honest and admit that I'm not a huge fan of bonnet fiction. But I have read this author before and enjoyed her. So I thought I'd give this book a chance. I'm very glad that I did. It definitely isn't typical for the genre. The characters had depth and were real. The details painted a picture instead of just telling the story. There was drama, intrigue, and faith. It was an interesting twist on bonnet fiction that I actually enjoyed reading. If you enjoy reading about history or about some of the immigrants to America, you'll enjoy this book.

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

All Dressed Up in Love

All Dressed Up in Love

A Year of Weddings Novella Book 4

Ruth Logan Herne

Greg, a lawyer, has inherited his mother's bridal shop upon her death. All of his employees are out for various reasons and he's desperate. So when Tara, a law student, responds to an ad he placed, he hires her to work in his shop. The two are immediately attracted to each other, but both have plans to move on. 

The romance moved quickly, but I expected that with a novella. The plot was fun and was filled with a lot of details for such a short story. I enjoyed the characters and it was nice to see the secondary characters had as much depth as the main ones. I liked how the author was able to pull faith into the story without making it seem preachy or an after thought. In summery, it was a sweet story that made me want to check out more by this author.

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

Sister Eve, Private Eye

Sister Eve, Private Eye

A Divine Private Detective Agency Mystery Book 1

Lynne Hinton

Sister Eve Divine has been living in a monastery for twenty years. But when her father lands in the hospital her sister decides it's time for Eve to come and do her duty. Their father is a retired police officer turned detective. The missing person case he's working on at the time of his illness turns into a murder case. So Sister Eve steps up and helps her father solve the crime.

I love a good mystery and a faith based mystery with a nun sounded fun. The story started out slow and never picked up for me. There wasn't any humor, the story seemed to center more around family drama than the mystery, and I couldn't relate to the story. The main character had some characteristics that didn't fit with the persona the author was trying to portray. She waffled between immaturity in her emotions and faith, and being a responsible woman who'd been a nun for twenty years. It was a little bit confusing. But I think with a good editing and some extra mystery thrown in this could be a really good series. It just isn't quite there yet.

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

After a Fashion

After a Fashion

A Class of Their Own Book 1

Jen Turano

Harriet Peabody has dreams of opening a dress shop. But this dress shop is special. She'll be creating original gowns from the cast offs of the rich so that the poor can have something beautiful as well. But she's currently working as a hat maker in the back of a shop. When a job goes wrong and she's fired, she is rescued by the man who was involved in the whole fiasco. Harriet only accepts Oliver's deal because she wants to the money to open her shop. She never dreams of the adventures she and her roommates will encounter because she agreed to pose as Oliver's girlfriend for a few weeks.

This was a fun book to read. I finished it quickly, because the plot moved swiftly and didn't stall with descriptions or needless additions. The author made the characters flawed, amusing, and multifaceted. I enjoyed all of the twists and turns that the story took. The secondary characters were engaging as well and I can definitely see them reappearing in the series. I'm not sure if the plot was feasible for that time period, but the story was so fun to read that I didn't really care. Based on this book I will be checking out the other books in the series as they come out.

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

Worry Less

Worry Less So You Can Live More

Surprising, Simple Ways to Feel More Peace, Joy, and Energy

Jane Rubietta

Worries bother a lot of people. So the author has taken this part of her life and broken down how she overcame her worry and became more at peace with herself and God. She gives ideas and tools for banishing the worry and replacing it with more positive thoughts. 

I tend to be a worrier. So I was really looking forward to this book. The cover is gorgeous and the concept is so needed in today's world. But the execution just wasn't there for me. The author gave some very detailed stories and references to showcase worry. But a lot of them tended to border neurosis (the author's words). She talked a lot about bringing out the inner child that is being smothered by the outer adult so that you can let go of your worries. There weren't as many scripture references to back everything up as I'd expected. So much of it just didn't apply to my situations in life. While it was an entertaining read, I just couldn't find anything that was helpful.

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

The Adventures of Pajama Girl

The Adventures of Pajama Girl and the Coronation of the Cupcake Queen

Sandra Hagee Parker

 

Something special and wonderful happens to Ellie every night when she goes to sleep. When she puts on her pajamas she finds that her dreams match the print on her pajamas. So Ellie, otherwise known as Pajama Girl, helps rescue the princess parade in Cupcake Kingdom when she puts on her cupcake pajamas.

Bright, colorful illustrations fill each page as the author weaves a magical story about two little sisters and the amazing dreams they have when pajamas are put on each night. Life lessons about stealing, jealousy, and friendship are woven into a sweet story about sisters who help each other and other people. My daughter loved the story and the illustrations.

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