Abandoned Faith

Abandoned Faith

Alex McFarland and Jason Jimenez

 The lack of millennials in the church and the abandoned faith that parents are witnessing in their children is alarming. The authors write with the parents of millennials in mind. They talks about why they are leaving their faith, how to strengthen or rebuild a relationship with them, and how to engage and bring them back to the faith. Lots of research and advice from other experts in the field are included in the book. 

I do not have children who are millennials. However, I have noticed them missing from our church. It seems the kids graduate high school and college and disappear. We've discussed this in our small group multiple times. So I was interested to see what the authors had to say. While not the intended audience, I was able to glean quite a few gems from the book and it gave me a lot of things to ponder. There were a few points theologically that I didn't agree with. But the overall message is sound and I think would be extremely helpful to anyone who is involved in their church, has an absent millennial, or wants to prevent their children from abandoning their faith thin the future.

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

A Convenient Bride

A Convenient Bride for the Soldier

Christine Merrill

Georgiana is horrified when her father and step-mother give her the ultimatum. She must marry her step-mother's cousin. It's time she wed and they don't see why she's rejecting him. But Georgiana has heard horrible things about him and decides to enter a pleasure house to catch him in the act. Little does she know that he wants her for her dowry just as much as he wants her for other, more horrifying things. But her plans go awry and Captain Challenger rushes to the rescue. The outcome is not what either wanted. But they must make the best of it and move forward.

I love regency fiction so picked this book hoping it was all about romance and intrigue. It was, but there seemed to be missing the usual element from the typical regency romance that I enjoy. That isn't to say it wasn't a fun book, it just didn't really fit my style. The author did a great job of creating tension and angst. But the chemistry between the two was slightly off to me. The majority of the book was focused on their relationship, or lack of it, and Mr. Challenger's business issues. I would have preferred less angst and fighting and more connections. So overall, this was a nice story to read, but it didn't really fit with what I was hoping it would be.

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

Don't Open til Christmas

Don't Open til Christmas

Evergreen Lane #3

Sierra Donovan

Brett is chomping to get his teeth into some real journalism and be challenged in his job. So when his boss is relocated to another paper for a few months, Brett jumps at the chance to take his job. Right before he leaves, his boss hires one of the free lance writers to fill Brett's place. Chloe supplements her writing with working at the local diner. So she's thrilled to land the opportunity for a full time writing job at the paper. But Brett is not the easiest boss to work for. He embodies Scrooge and Chloe loves Christmas. It's not looking like the two of them will ever work out their differences to create a nice working environment, let alone be friends.

This was a good story. It had lots of feels, tension between the two main characters, family, and a tiny bit of drama. It was your typical contemporary romance that has an assured ending. But I think the author did a great job of creating chemistry between the characters. The secondary characters played well with the plot and were authentic. There were several little side stories or characters that led me to believe this might be in a series, but the book worked well as a stand-alone. I enjoyed reading this and will be interested to see what else the author has written.

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

Sex That Works

Sex That Works

Wendy Strgar

Sexual dysfunction in a marriage is very common. The author, coming from just such a situation, wrote this book in hopes of helping others to have wonderful sex lives. She has been married for many years and works as a sex therapist. She draws from her personal and professional experience to share stories and antidotes that help bring the message of sexual and mental healing.

I was not expecting this book to be so New Age. It definitely isn't Christian based. And while I'm normally okay with that, this was a little too much for me. There were some really good points about looking for the good in your spouse, loving unselfishly, etc. But the writing was so verbose that I often had to go back and re-read some portions. I shared a couple of paragraphs with a friend and they were able to sum it up in a couple of sentences. While the writing is eloquent and flows well, I think it might turn off some readers who are searching for help and don't want to wade into the deep end of examining their mental health. Overall, might be what someone is looking for, but didn't work for me.

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

Courting Danger with Mr. Dyer

Courting Danger with Mr. Dyer

Georgie Lee

Mr. Dyer is working as a spy for the government. He needs to get into the home of a certain high ranking woman. And the only person is the woman who jilted him years ago. Moira is now a widow and can respectably get him the information he needs. But it will put her life at risk. He's already gambled and lost her once.

This was a unique plot. I was expecting more balls and romance. And while it did have some of that, it also had intrigue, suspense, and drama. I'd read another book by Ms. Lee and really enjoyed it. And while this one was set in the same time period, it was completely different. So it was nice to see another side of the writer's style. This book would interest anyone who enjoys a good historical suspense with a little romance thrown in. There are a few more risque scenes, but it wasn't a bodice ripper at all. Overall, fun story that I enjoyed and I look forward to reading more by this author.

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

Bygone Christmas Brides

Bygone Christmas Brides

Pamela Griffin, Jill Stengl, Gina Welborn, 

Ginny Aiken, Tamela Murray, Carla Gade

Six stories, told by six different authors give the reader a peak into the past. Each story is about a bride who falls in love and marries at Christmas time. Set in a historical setting, the six stories are tied together by the theme. Each writing brings their personal writing style and thoughts on love, romance, and faith to tell a story that is both sweet and entertaining. 

I enjoyed each story in the book. But it was nice to be introduced to several authors I'd hadn't read before. These books are great because they let me read a story quickly without losing the thought if I'm pressed for time. They get the reader in the mood for Christmas and are so sweet and faith filled. This is a great way to find new authors and revisit old ones. This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for the reader in your family who loves historical stories. 

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

Mail-Order Marriage Promise

Mail-Order Marriage Promise

Regina Scott

John is stunned when he learns that the beautiful woman sitting at the table with his sister is a mail-order bride for him. His sister corresponded with Dottie and led Dottie to believe that John was wanting a bride. Now Dottie is stuck in the small town of Seattle with no husband and no home to return to. To add to the complications, she has a tiny son that she failed to mention to anyone. John is willing to help her find employment or another husband, because he has no intention of every getting married.

This was a sweet story with a slightly different angle from most of the typical mail-order bride stories. The book was obviously part of a series since it mentioned other couples. But I didn't feel lost or confused. There was just enough information to help the story flow and peak my interest in going back to read the other books. The romance between the two main characters was sweet, clean, and romantic. The outcome is inevitable, but the author took a unique route getting there. She also infused faith and family throughout the book to creating a rich story with plenty of history about the small towns. This would be a good book for anyone who enjoys historical Christian fiction.

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

All This Time

All This Time

Walker Family #4

Melissa Tagg

 Bear is doing what he thinks is his calling, working where God wants him to work. But when his past comes into the present and begins creating problems on the mission field, he's sent home to deal with the problems that have haunted him for years. Now he's back in Maple Valley with two children in tow and plenty of friends who want to help. One of those friends, Raegan, has given up on being more than friends. She'll settle for helping Bear with his current troubles. But if there was a glimmer of hope in the romance department, she isn't opposed to it.

What can I say? Melissa Tagg knows how to write a good story. I've loved all of her books, but she just keeps getting better and better. Bear is such a broken, but lovable character. These characters played a part in the previous three books and it was wonderful for them to finally have their own story. While this is the fourth book and I highly recommend reading the first books, I think this book could stand on its own. It was sad to know that this was the ending of the series. The author really captured the essence of small town living and the meaning of family. The reader becomes a part of the story and family members become theirs. This is a Christian fiction with emphasis on faith and salvation. The romance is clean, the characters are authentic, and the plot is well written. I would highly recommend this book or any other book by this author.

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

Under a Summer Sky

Under a Summer Sky

Melody Carlson

Nicole, a high school art teacher, is a bit exasperated when her mother agrees to a summer job for her. Nicole will be house sitting for her mother's friend, and managing her art gallery. But the quiet summer job that Nicole is anticipating is anything, but calm. Restless teenagers, disgruntled employees, and two childhood friends make for an adventure that Nicole didn't see coming.

This was a fun book. It was light and had very little deep sustenance. But since I was reading it while traveling and had to put the book down multiple times, it was perfect. The two main characters were sweet and seemed to fit well together. Their communication wasn't great, but they worked it out in the end. This was a interesting story that was light on depth, lacked some tied up endings, and was a tad unrealistic. But since I anticipated this type of story, it was fine. I would classify it was a clean read, but not necessarily Christian. Overall, nice beach/rainy day read that served the purpose of what I was looking for while traveling.

I'll Push You

I'll Push You: 

A Journey of 500 Miles, Two Best Friends, and One Wheelchair

Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck

Justin and Patrick have been friends for their whole lives. Even when living in separate states, they've made the effort to stay in touch and visit often. Justin has a disease that is slowly robbing him of the use of his arms and legs. He's wheelchair bound, but still loves a good adventure. One day as Justin is watching tv he is struck with the desire to "walk" Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile trek through Spain. He knows there is no way that he can do it alone, so he enlists his best friend to help him. With the help of friends from all over, and even strangers, the two best friends complete the 500 mile journey. The trip not only re-solidifies their friendship, but they both come away with a deeper understanding of what life is all about.

I'm not usually a fan of memoirs. But this book was inspirational. The authors did a great job of describing what the experience was life so that the readers were swept into the experience with them. But there weren't too many details. The story moved swiftly, while still giving a sense of the difficulties and triumphs along the way. It was inspiring and heartwarming. I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy stories of friendship, overcoming trials, or need a fresh look at the goodness of humanity.

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

The Christmas Blessing

The Christmas Blessing

Melody Carlson

Amelia receives the news that her fiance was killed in action. She's pregnant and has no where to go. It was a whirlwind romance and now she's left alone with a small baby. She makes the difficult decision to go find her son's grandparents. They don't know that their son, James, fathered a child, but maybe they can accept Amelia and her baby.

This is a longer novella that is perfect for reading around the Christmas season. I was surprised several times at how the author twisted and wove the story. It was sweet, heartbreaking, and inspiring. The doctor and Amelia were great characters. I was not fond of the doctors wife and felt that she wasn't ever portrayed in a good light, although the author tried to make her "good" in the end. The story between Amelia and James was told in memories and I wanted a bit more to that so I could understand what prompted Amelia to make the decisions she did. But overall, it was a sweet story that fits perfectly with the season. I think anyone who enjoys an inspirational story that centers around the birth of Jesus and what the season is really all about, will love this book. It would also make an excellent Christmas gift.

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

First Line Friday

The Christmas Blessing

Melody Carlson

"Amelia Richards blinked back tears of hopelessness as she pressed the lid of her over-packed suitcase closed."

My review is here.

Now it’s your turn!

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line and then head over to see what First Lines these friends are sharing today:

Radiant Light / Reading is my Super Power / Robin's Nest / Singing Librarian Books / With a Joyful Noise / Kathleen Denly / A Baker's Perspective / Joy of Reading / Moments Dipped in Ink / C Jane Read / Molly's Cafinated-Reads / Romances of the Cross / It's Storytime With Van Daniker / Iola Goulton / Christian Fiction Girl Reviews /  Bibliophile Reviews / Bookworm Mama / Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen /  Faithfully Bookish /  Fiction Aficionado / A Brighter Destiny / All The Book Blog Names Are Taken

 

If you would like to host First Line Fridays on your blog, contact
Carrie at Reading is my SuperPower, Rachel @ BookwormMama, Beth @ FaithfullyBookish, or Sydney @SingingLibrarianBooks. 

The Writing Desk

The Writing Desk

Rachel Hauck

Tenley wrote an amazing best seller. Her father and grandfather were also best selling authors. So with the deadline for her next book looming, Tenley must make up her mind, go to Florida to help her estranged mother or go to Paris with her boyfriend. She needs inspiration to remove her roadblock. What she finds is nothing like she expected. An old desk with a stuck drawer, a local carpenter who wants the desk, and renewed relationships help change Tenley in ways she never imagined.

I loved this book. The cover is beautiful and the story captivating. The writer was able to convey the feelings of the main characters and write descriptive scenery that made me feel as if I was living the story with Tenley. The emotions were authentic and sometimes raw, but added depth to the plot. The characters were flawed, but the reader comes away from the book with a sense of understanding, conviction, and thoughtfulness. I felt some elements of faith woven throughout the book, but they were subtle. The author did a great job of weaving two stories, set in different times together. It flowed well and felt seamless. I think anyone who enjoys thought provoking, real stories will enjoy the story of this young author as she deals with family, writer's block, and conviction. Overall, a book that captivated me and I couldn't put down. Can't wait for her next book.

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

An Inconvenient Beauty

An Inconvenient Beauty

Hawthorne House #4

Kristi Ann Hunter

Griffith is a logical, orderly duke. He's taken care of his family and runs his estate with care and levelheadedness. So this is his approach to marriage. He has decided to logically chose a wife who will suit him and isn't too pretty. Pretty women tend to cause trouble and chase attention. Griffith is not interested in a beauty. So he's rather disturbed when the woman he has chosen has a gorgeous cousin he can't get out of his mind. Isabella is a beauty. And she's using this to her advantage. She needs to do her uncle's bidding so that he will consent to help her family. She has no intention of actually finding a man to marry. So what happens when two people who are right for each other fall in love?

I'm a fan of this author so I was excited to get my hands on this book. The author has once again written a book that captured my attention and kept me until the very last page. I'll admit that it wasn't my favorite, but it was still good. The plot was unexpected and that is a refreshing change. The author writes clean romance with a bit of drama and intrigue thrown in. There is a very small element of faith, but it isn't obvious and doesn't really play into the story much until the end. I really liked some of the characters - the cousin, the duke, his family. I wasn't crazy about the uncle or Isabella. I felt that they weren't fitting with what the author was trying to say. And Isabella was a bit dense when it came to working out her situation. Did I enjoy this book? Absolutely! Was it my favorite? No. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! I wanted more romance and faith elements. Could have done without a lot of the drama with the uncle and the duke. Overall, this was a very entertaining and sweet story that lovers of romance and historical fiction will enjoy.

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

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes: Roasted, Loaded, Fried, and Made Into Pie

Mary-Frances Heck

Sweet potatoes are a versatile food. They can be cooked as a savory dish or made into a dessert. The author has created a colorful and tasteful cookbook that will delight any cook, even those who aren't fond of sweet potatoes. The book begins with an introduction to sweet potatoes. It talks about how to store and prepare them, the different sizes and varieties and the seasonings that work best. The next section is all about ways to cook them "in the rough". This section goes over the instructions on how to roast, fry, bake, and puree a sweet potato. The rest of the book is divided into the different sections of recipes. The end is my favorite - the desserts. Filled with easy to follow recipes and lots of colorful pictures, this book would make an excellent gift and will delight any cook.

I loved this book. My family isn't a huge fan of sweet potatoes, but they've loved all of the recipes I've tried so far. Our favorites were the sweet potato fries, gnocchi, and waffles. Although the cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls were amazing too. Can't wait to try more of the recipes.

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

An Amish Christmas Love

An Amish Christmas Love

Beth Wiseman, Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid, Kelly Irvin

Four authors came together to write sweet, romantic stories that were set during the Christmas holidays and featured Amish characters. Each story is separate and is tied with the others by the theme. The novellas will give new readers a taste of the author's writing style and a glimpse into what Amish fiction is like. Readers who have already enjoyed these authors will love the short, but good stories that are written by authors they love.

There were three stories that I really enjoyed and one that was just okay. I'll admit, I'm not a fan of full length bonnet fiction. But I can take it in small doses and I LOVE novellas, which is why I wanted to try this book out. Three of the stories felt well done for the short amount of space a novella gives. The other one needed a bit more fleshing out. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and am glad that I chose to read it. These stories are clean, sweet, romantic, and heartwarming. The authors did a great job of including the various aspects of faith and the Amish traditions.

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

Wedded for the Baby

Wedded for the Baby
Stand-In Brides #2

Dorothy Clark

Katherine is on the way to visit her sister when she helps a sick mother on the train. The mother makes Katherine promise to take care of her son before she passes away. Now Katherine is stuck, on her way to meet the mother's fiance. When Trace, an ex-doctor, asks her to marry him to secure his home and help with the baby, she agrees. But both agree that it's only a marriage of convenience that will only last until Trace can find another wife. Neither of them are willing to share the secrets that are keeping them from their full potential. But maybe the little boy will mend their hearts.

The premise of this book was definitely a twist on the mail-order bride type. I enjoyed the descriptions of the town and the characters. Some of the characters stood out a little more than others for me. While I didn't really connect with either of the two main characters or really feel any of their chemistry, I did enjoy reading the story. The book is listed as Christian fiction, but while there were some references to faith, it wasn't the main focus of the book. The romance of the plot, while not strong, is clean. The book is the second in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

I received this book from NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.

First Line Friday

Beyond A Doubt

A Rock Harbour Mystery #2

Colleen Coble

"Bitterness tore at Quentin Siller with the same ferocity as the cold wind that ripped at his jacket."

 

My review is here.

Now it’s your turn!

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line and then head over to see what First Lines these friends are sharing today:

Radiant Light / Reading is my Super Power / Robin's Nest / Singing Librarian Books / With a Joyful Noise / Kathleen Denly / A Baker's Perspective / Joy of Reading / Moments Dipped in Ink / C Jane Read / Molly's Cafinated-Reads / Romances of the Cross / It's Storytime With Van Daniker / Iola Goulton / Christian Fiction Girl Reviews /  Bibliophile Reviews / Bookworm Mama / Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen /  Faithfully Bookish /  Fiction Aficionado / A Brighter Destiny / All The Book Blog Names Are Taken

 

If you would like to host First Line Fridays on your blog, contact
Carrie at Reading is my SuperPower, Rachel @ BookwormMama, Beth @ FaithfullyBookish, or Sydney @SingingLibrarianBooks. 

Daring to Hope

Daring to Hope: 

Finding God's Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful

Katie Davis Major

Katie Davis moved to Uganda, decided to stay, adopted a house full of girls, and learned more about herself and her faith than she ever dreamed possible. Despite tragedy, loss, messes, and inconvenience, she learned the beauty of opening ones heart to what God has in store. Life doesn't always go as we'd planned or hoped. But there is beauty in the broken, life in the dying.

I'd read Katie's previous book and absolutely loved it. So I was really excited to get my hands on this one. It didn't disappoint. Her writing style alone would have me devouring every book she writes. She fills her book with honesty about her fails and short comings, truth about how God leads, and beauty when she describes the wonderful chaos that is her family. I couldn't put the book down. While there is definitely strong faith elements, this book is perfect for anyone who wants to open their heart to adoption or the love of those around us. This book inspired, convicted, and warmed me. Her voice reminds me of Ann Voskamp, another favorite author. It's a book that I'll keep reading over and over to glean more from her insights. It definitely goes into the top 100 books list for me.

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

If You Were Me

If You Were Me and Lived in Cuba

Carole P. Roman

Two young Cuban 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.

Beyond a Doubt

Beyond a Doubt

A Rock Harbor Mystery #2

Colleen Coble

 Bree is known for being able to find missing people. Her search-and-rescue dog, Samson, is just as famous. When she decides to remodel the basement in the lighthouse she owns, a body is discovered. This starts a train of events that will change the lives of everyone who lives in Rock Harbor and shed light on some lies people have believed for years. 

I'm a fan of Ms. Coble so it was no surprise that I enjoyed this story. She mixes mystery, suspense, romance, faith, and family so that they are seamless. The characters stand out and are distinguishable. I definitely enjoyed reading this book and raced through it. There were a few sticking points for me though, that made it not quite up to the five star quality. The romance was weak for me. Just didn't get the chemistry between the two main characters. The book is definitely NOT a stand alone and ends, for the most part, on a cliff hanger for most of the characters. I felt very lost for portions of the book because I could tell I was missing something. There is another Rock Harbor series that is more geared towards children and I wondered how many of those characters were in the book since it felt like I was missing way more elements than just the previous book. But I still enjoyed it and think that if I'd read everything previous to this book, it wouldn't have been an issue.

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

The Sweet Smell of Magnolias

The Sweet Smell of Magnolias and Memories

Celeste Fletcher McHale

Jacey and Colin are caught in a storm with epic flooding. They spend several days stuck on a roof together, along with a mother of four little boys. As they are rescued, Jacey and Colin become separated. Now Jacey is missing pieces of her memory due to a horrible accident. But she's never stopped remembering Colin and those intense moments they shared while on that roof a year ago. She just doesn't expect to find him standing in for the minister at her friend's wedding. 

This was an unusual plot. It had some twists that I wasn't expecting and yet ended a lot like what I expected. As the title implies, this is a sweet, romantic southern story that meanders through like a hot and humid afternoon spend under the trees sipping lemonade. The author did a good job of creating drama and tension, while still supplying romance between the couple. The best friend was hilarious and the other secondary characters were well fleshed out and added depth to the story. I definitely wouldn't classify this as Christian or even Inspirational fiction based on content. I've read "non-Christian" books with more emphasis on God and faith. But it was, for the most part, clean with only a few references or things implied. I prefer a little more depth to my romance and am not a fan of so much angst. But readers who enjoy slow, southern style reads with lots of drama and angst will really enjoy this book. While not my typical genre, I did enjoy reading it and am willing to try another book by this author.

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

First Line Friday

The Sweet Smell of Magnolias and Memories
Celeste Fletcher McHale

He kissed her again. "Don't lose that number, Jacey," he said, the rain beating down on both of them, stinging and biting their bodies. He quickly shoved the card into her pocket.

Review to come this week!

Now it’s your turn!

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line and then head over to see what First Lines these friends are sharing today:

Radiant Light / Reading is my Super Power / Robin's Nest / Singing Librarian Books / With a Joyful Noise / Kathleen Denly / A Baker's Perspective / Joy of Reading / Moments Dipped in Ink / C Jane Read / Molly's Cafinated-Reads / Romances of the Cross / It's Storytime With Van Daniker / Iola Goulton / Christian Fiction Girl Reviews /  Bibliophile Reviews / Bookworm Mama / Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen /  Faithfully Bookish /  Fiction Aficionado / A Brighter Destiny / All The Book Blog Names Are Taken

 

If you would like to host First Line Fridays on your blog, contact
Carrie at Reading is my SuperPower, Rachel @ BookwormMama, Beth @ FaithfullyBookish, or Sydney @SingingLibrarianBooks.