Falling for the Highlander

Falling for the Highlander

Lynsay Sands

Lady Murine knows that her half brother is seriously in debt and not a good person. But even she is astonished when she overhears him trying to sell her in exchange for some horses. So she plans her escape alone so that none of the servants are punished. But when the Scottish men who were offered her come upon her riding a cow, things began to change for the better. The men vow to protect her at all costs. Dougall, one of the Scottish men, was horrified at a lady being offered for sale. He refuses to do business with the man. But he doesn't plan on finding the lady alone on a country road or plan on falling in love with her.

This plot begin with loads of suspense and drama and it continued through the entire book. The characters were well defined and easy to differentiate, something that is often the case when telling a story with such a large number of characters. The plot was well done and kept me entertained through the entire book. The romance was sweet, but had some definite heated moments. The story was well written and ended with me wanted to read more by this author.

I received a copy of this book from Goodreads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

A Temporary Family

A Temporary Family

Sherri Shackelford

Tilly is taking her three nieces to their new home, while her widowed sister stays to sell the family home and wrap up loose ends. When she is stranded at a stage coach station with Nolan she doesn't expect to be pretend married and worried about her life. Nolan is a loner who has no intention of ever having a relationship. So when he's forced to pretend to be married to Tilly to protect her from outlaws, he shocked to discover he likes the idea.

This was a novel plot idea and I thought it was very fun. The characters were unique and the suspense and drama kept me guessing. The author did a great job of portraying the two main characters and their relationship so it felt authentic and real. They were flawed, but likeable. The secondary characters added depth to the story as well. The scenery came alive with the descriptions and I loved the light elements of faith that were woven into the plot. I've enjoyed this author before and definitely look forward to reading more of her books.

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

If You Were Me and Lived In. . .

If You Were Me and Lived In. . .

The Mayan Empire

Carole P. Roman

Children can learn about what it would be like if they were a child living during ancient times of the Mayan Empire. Colorful illustrations and photography show various aspects of life in a Mayan city. The book is told in story form and covers geography, history, food, games, home life, and holidays. All of the unfamiliar words have a pronunciation guide directly after the word as well as included in the glossary at the back of the book. There is also couple of pages listing some of the famous names from the culture and how they were significant.

My children loved the book and it opened up the conversation for more discussion and research about the Mayan culture and what it's like to live there. The author does a great job of getting information across without being too detailed or overwhelming. The book would be a good resource for schools or home school parents to add to the curriculum. 

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

No More Headaches

No More Headaches

Enjoying Sex & Intimacy in Marriage

Dr. Juli Slattery

The author is a speaker and psychologist and drew from her experiences to write about how wives can avoid the headaches and frustrations in the area of intimacy. She uses a little bit of scripture, a lot of her education, and resource material to answer the questions that so many woman have asked her. The book is all about how to shed your inhibitions, baggage, stress, etc. to enjoy being intimate with your husband. 

This was an interesting book for me. While I do not have the issues that she addresses, it never hurts to be more informed and to grow your relationship. I've been married for over 20 years and I could see this book being a help to my younger self. But it still have some things that I could take away from it. I read portions to my husband and he said it helped him see things from my perspective. It is definitely written with a Christian perspective so it might not appeal to non-Christians, but I definitely appreciated that aspect. I would recommend this book to anyone who is newly married, engaged, or has problems with intimacy.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Tranquility

Tranquility

A Prayer and Reflection Coloring Journal

Amie Carlson

This book is part journal, part devotional, part coloring book. Each page is slightly different, but all of them have places to write, reflect, and color. There are very short devotionals accompanied by scripture, places to write with suggestions, and lots of coloring and doodling space. Each devotional and suggestion is based on the topic of calm and tranquility. The book is designed to show God's love through peacefulness and quiet. 

I liked the concept and layout of this book. The book is on the smaller side, so won't allow for extensive journaling, but would work well for a supplemental book. I loved the color pages and the hard cover that made coloring easier. The pages are very thick so there is little or no bleed through when using markers. There is an introduction page for those unfamiliar with this type of book. My only complaint would be that some of the color pages are already colored in. While this adds visual appeal, I would have preferred to do the coloring myself.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Devotions from the Kitchen Table

Devotions from the Kitchen Table

Stacy Edwards

The simple things in life can often have spiritual meaning. Gather around the kitchen table as the author pulls from the scenes and objects from the kitchen to share simple truths and amazing blessings from God's word.

I really enjoyed this book. The cover is attractive and appealing. The simple, but beautiful photography is spread throughout the book. Each devotion begins with a scripture. Then the author ties it in with some thoughts from around the kitchen table. Topics such as recipes, dishes, and family. Each devotional was personal and fit with the theme. This would be an excellent gift. But I would purchase a copy for yourself. I loved the concept and they were very well written and spoke to me.

I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Parenting with Grace and Truth

Parenting with Grace and Truth

Dan Seaborn

As Christian parents we strive to show Christ to our children. The author has taken scripture, the life of Christ, and his experience to write how parents can raise their children with with the delicate balance of truth and love. Each chapter ends with discussion questions.

I'll admit that based on the cover, I was expecting something dry. But I was pleasantly surprised. The author blended his thoughts with stories and antidotes that helped bring the points home. The message is easy to understand and put into practice. The questions  at the end would make this a great book for group discussion, but would definitely be good for parents to use themselves. 

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

Apart from the Crowd #1

Jen Turano

Permilia is a well known wallflower, easily blending into the crowd. She uses her invisibility to share details with her boss at the newspaper. The lower class enjoy hearing all about what the wealthy wear and eat at their social occasions. When she hears of a contract taken out on an acquaintance, she tries to inform him. But he thinks it's a joke. So Permilia takes it upon herself to follow Mr. Asher. 

Ms. Turano writes with humor and lots of quirky characters. This book was no exception. She blended faith, plot twits, high jinks, and romance to create an entertaining story. I enjoyed the many characters and the amusing antics. While some of the things that happened were not likely, it did add humor to the story. Overall I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys amusing stories that have a clean romance and elements of faith.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Words of Grace

Words of Grace

Jacqui Grace and Dee Arrand

Be amazed by God's grace. Thoughtful devotionals pull comforting thoughts of God's grace from scripture to create a beautiful, calming book that will be a sure favorite. The book is divided into four weeks. Each day begins with a scripture and then the thoughts from the author. The accompanying page has a coloring page that is designed to tie in with the devotional thought. 

The book is small, but is the perfect fit for a purse or small satchel. The devotionals were well thought out and were comforting and thought provoking. I loved the color pages. There was a place for notes at the end of the book and each week ended with discussion questions so this could even be used for groups. This would make an excellent gift or that something extra when you are needing the calming assurance of God's grace.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House. All thoughts expressed are my own.

My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas

My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas

Priscilla's Reveille

Erica Vetsch

Priscilla, a fashion artist, hates the military for taking her father and ruining her mother. So she's not exactly pleased when her brother joins the army. She hasn't seen him in years when she receives notification that he and his wife have passed away. She heads to Fort Bliss to get the niece and nephew that she's never met. But she meets resistance from their uncle, her late sister-in-law's brother. He's the local physician and loves the children dearly. He has no intention of letting them leave with a woman they've never met. Sparks fly as they both insist on being their guardian.

I really enjoyed this story. The characters were well defined and likable. The two little children were precious. The author did a great job of creating drama without setting the reader's mind against the two main characters. The scenery jumped off the page and helped the story come alive. The faith, importance of family, and sweet romances that were entwined in the plot made the whole thing come together beautifully. This is an author that is quickly becoming a favorite with every book of hers that I read. I would recommend this book if you enjoy clean romance, historical fiction, or a fun plot.

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Author Spotlight: Danny and Wanda Pelfrey

Danny and Wanda Pelfrey are longtime writers of non-fiction books in the educational and inspiration markets. They have for most of their lives been avid readers of mystery/suspense. AS A SHIELD and a previous mystery title are the result of a desire to entertain themselves and others as well as drive home important spiritual messages. Their passion is now “mysteries with a message.”

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AS A SHIELD is one of four planned Davis Morgan mysteries set in a small North Georgia town. Davis, a pastor for almost twenty-five years, returns to his hometown after the death of his wife, to operate a rare and used bookstore. He is promptly appointed chaplain of the small police department and recruited by city officials to write a history of his home town. Mystery and romance seem always to be lurking around the corner for the popular bookseller.The reoccurring characters such as Charley Nelson, young police officer; Amy Morgan, Davis’s young daughter who is an English teacher; her roommate Deidre, who Davis is more and more drawn to as time passes; Miss Helen, the local historian and a host of others add to the fun and excitement.

 A visit to little Adairsville, Georgia will surely be a memorable event for anyone who chooses to drop-in. In AS A SHIELD, Davis, through his encounters with two strange villains, comes to experience for himself the truth of Psalm 5:12, “For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

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About the Authors: Danny and Wanda Pelfrey are a husband/wife team who in the past were active writers of non-fiction material, having, between them, cranked out several books. They are both graduates of Point University and Danny has a Masters from Kentucky Christian University. Danny has spent most of his adult life as a pastor and Wanda as a teacher.Their interest at present lies in the creation of mysteries with a message.

Danny and Wanda are the proud parents of two daughters and five grandchildren. They reside in a little Cape Cod style cottage in the small town in North Georgia that is the setting for their mysteries.

About the Book: Davis Morgan, having left the ministry after the death of his wife, returns to Adairsville, Georgia, his hometown. There he operates a used and rare bookstore while being appointed chaplain of the police department. He and Charley, a young policeman, after discovering the body of a tattooed man find themselves in a serious battle to bring justice to two strange villains who are threating the safety of Davis's daughter. While all this is going on, Davis is struggling with interpreting his relationship with a young history teacher who happens to be his daughter's roommate. __._,_.___ Posted by: Clash of the Titles

Long Time Gone

Long Time Gone

The Cimarron Legacy #2

Mary Connealy

 The plot to uncover who wants their ranch continues with the Boden family. They had thought that with a powerful enemy gone they could go back to life as normal. But he may have just been one piece to the puzzle. Because trouble is still following them everywhere.

Another excellent book by this author. I really enjoy her writing style. She's able to convey the correct emotions, bring depth to the characters, and draw the reader in to the story and the lives of the characters. I've read the first book in the series so I would definitely say that this isn't a stand-alone. You need to read the first book so that you can grasp what has happened before. The story begins right where the first one left off with the assumption that the reader knows what just happened.

This plot has adventure, strong family elements, trust, faith, suspense, and romance. And it's all woven together to create a wonderful story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Can't wait for the next book.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Ellie Camps Under the Stars

Ellie Camps Under the Stars

The Amazing Adventures of Ellie the Elephant

Marci and Elle Fair

Ellie, the elephant, and Pudgy, the penguin, love spending time together in nature. So they plan a camping trip under the stars. It took some effort, but they planned a great camping trip. Once on the trip they learned about stars, nature, and friendships.

My daughter loved this book. We enjoy camping as a family so this was a great book to read before one of our trips that she could relate to. The pictures are adorable and help tell the story of the two little animals. The little questions throughout the story engage the young reader as well as the additional activities at the back of the book. This book is all about learning and adventure. Your young adventurer will love the entertaining story, but will also enjoy the way the book brings camping and nature alive in a fun and informative way.

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Vera Bradley

Vera Bradley Paisley Patterns Coloring Book

I'm a huge fan of adult coloring books and grew up with Vera Bradley products, so was super excited to get this book. The attention to detail and quality of the book are exceptional. The book begins with some informational pages about coloring techniques, various coloring devises, and more. My favorite was a sample of all of the patterns used in this book. It also included the name of the pattern and what year it came out. The pages are thick and didn't bleed through. The back of the book included some note cards and gift tags that were super fun to use.

Overall, this was a wonderful book that is worth every penny. The intricate designs call for concentration and promote relaxation. The beautiful patterns inspired creativity and were nice enough to display. The extras in the back were enough to sell this book for me. This would make an excellent gift or as a relaxing tool for you when stressed out and needed some relaxing time.

I received a copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Maybe It's You

Maybe It's You

Crisis Team #3

Candace Calvert

 Sloane has left her past behind when she moved to Los Angeles. She even went so far as to change her last name. But in trying to help a young girl, she is noticed by the PR Manager for the hospital. He's looking for a face for Hope Hospital and thinks that Sloane would be the perfect candidate. But Sloane is doing everything to avoid the spotlight. Her conception of Micah didn't get off to a great start, but maybe learning that he's also a volunteer crisis responder will change her mind.

While this book is in a series, I do think it could be read as a stand-alone. I somehow missed book #2 and was still able to jump right in to this story without feeling like I was missing a piece. I enjoy the laid back writing style and the character depth that the plot had. The author gave enough background and information to make the main characters intriguing. There was a bit of mystery and intrigue combined with the romance of the story. I always enjoy medical drama and was a tiny bit disappointed that there wasn't more medical jargon, but appreciate the author thinking of the non-medical readers. Overall, this was a fun story that I read quickly and enjoyed.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale. All thoughts expressed are my own.

If You Were Me and Lived in. . .

If You Were Me and Lived in. . .

Germany

Carole P. Roman

Two German children take the young reader on a tour of their beautiful country. Children will learn about games, food, and family. Bright, colorful illustrations help tell the story and bring life to the page. Each book in the series follows the same pattern and helps children learn more about the country while enjoying the information in story form. At the back of the book is a glossary for any words that might be unfamiliar.

The author has done a great job of presenting the facts in a fun and enjoyable format. My children love these books and look forward to reading each one as they come out. The book would make the perfect edition to a school library or as an addition to a home school curriculum. I would definitely recommend this book or any other in the series.

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Friendship Coloring Book

Friendship Coloring Book

Suzy Toronto

 

The artist who designed this book is a self-proclaimed “wacky” person and revels in her uniqueness.  This book is all about friendships, but you can definitely see the author’s quirkiness coming through in the coloring pages. The book begins with some thoughts from the author, a few of the pages she’s colored herself, and some instructions on how to make each page your own. She shares full color pages of how she colored each page. The coloring pages begin with the left side almost completely blank. There is a quote in light print and a few small lines should you want to write something. The right side is the color page.

I love the uniqueness of this book. It’s not like most of the adult coloring books out there and that is a good thing. I also really liked the quotes on every page and the space for writing should the mood strike. This book would make an excellent gift, but be sure to get yourself a copy as well.

I received a copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Sandpiper Cove

Sandpiper Cove

Hope Harbor #3

Irene Hannon

 Lexie returned home after the death of her husband. She manages to hold the job of police chief and raise her son as a single mom. She's not remotely interested in dating again. Right now all she wants is to catch the person or persons responsible for the vandalism that has been happening in her small town. When Adam, a man with a criminal past, becomes one of the victims of vandalism, Lexie enlists his help to catch the people. She doesn't expect a friendship to grow.

I've always been a fan of the suspense novels by this author. But I'm really, really enjoying this series by her. The stories have heart. They can definitely be read as stand-alone, but I have enjoyed each book and recommend starting at the beginning. The characters are quirky, funny, authentic, and heartwarming. The author does a wonderful job of giving them depth and making them come alive. Her writing style makes me feel like I'm in the small town and I know the residences. The elements of faith, the importance of family, the sweetness of romance all come together to create a beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

An Afffair in Winter

An Afffair in Winter

Season #1

Jess Michaels

 

Rosa Wilde is on the way to meet up with her sister when weather stands her at a local inn. There she spends the night in the company of a man that she knows only as Mr. Gray. Imagine her surprise to arrive at the estate where her sister is about to get married and find that he's the brother of her sister's fiance. And he doesn't want the two to get married. 

This book was a mixed bag for me. I liked the two main characters and quite a few of the secondary characters. I think the author did a great job of grabbing my interest with them. The story was a quick read that I was able to enjoy in one afternoon. There were some sweet and heartfelt moments throughout the book and I liked the way the author showcased the closeness in some families. I wasn't as fond of the plot, it was very obvious what the outcome would be from the very beginning. The element of mystery wasn't really there for me. And I felt like the bedroom scenes were a distraction rather than a plus in the story. I skipped over most of them to get to the interesting sections. The chemistry between the characters just wasn't there. I liked them individually, just not together. This was my first book by this author and since I enjoy the genre so much, I'm definitely willing to give her another shot.

I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Vera Bradley

Vera Bradley Floral Patterns Coloring Book

Unless you are living under a rock, you've noticed the adult coloring books rise in popularity. With so many of them out there, it's hard to know which one to pick. I enjoy coloring in these books, so I've been reviewing all different kinds to find the best ones.

This is one of those "best ones". The binding and cover are thick, yet bendable so the book can be opened to color. The pages are of thick cardstock style paper that makes bleed through impossible. I didn't even have any ghosting when I used markers. The first few pages consist of an introduction, suggestions, information on the various markers or pens to use, coloring techniques, and more. The coloring pages are of the various flower patterns that Vera Bradley has used. About half of the pages have flower quotes on them, in addition to the colors. At the back of the book are some note cards and gift tags that can be colored as well. In the beginning of the book are a few suggestions on how to use these. Overall this was a beautiful book that I've really enjoyed using. While this would make an excellent gift, I recommend getting two. You won't want to part with it.

I received a copy of this book from Fox Chapel Publishing. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Dinner

Dinner: Changing the Game

Melissa Clark

Each recipe is designed to make dinner a wonderful celebration of food and is intended to become a family classic. Each recipe is for dinner and can be a stand alone dish with perhaps a salad or some bread added. The author wanted to change the game and make meals easy and fun again. More than 200 recipes fill this large cookbook. Full page photographs add appeal as well. 

The recipes are well laid out and easy to read. All of the ingredients are easily obtainable. The average recipe contains 4-5 steps of instructions. The author also included some of her thoughts on the recipe at the beginning of each one. This adds an authentic and personal feel that I enjoyed. The book is very large, but lays flat on my counter for easy use. This is a cookbook that I will be keeping and adding to my shelf. But it would also make an excellent gift for the cook in your family.

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books. All thoughts expressed are my own.