Control Girl (Review)

This review is for the book "Control Girl" by Shannon Popkin. This book was such an eye-opener for me! At first I thought I would just skim this book since I have no control issues whatsoever. Well, imagine my surprise when it turns out that I am a total control freak! This book ended up helping me so much and showing me things about myself that I was just totally blind to. Yes, there are times when it is important for me to be controlling (i.e. decisions regarding my kids, etc.) but sometimes I just want to play devil's advocate. I've realized since reading this book how many times I try to be in control just for the sake of being in control, and I don't want to continue like that. I don't want to feel like I have to be in control in relationships with my friends and family! This book helped me so much with looking at ladies in the Bible and relating that to my life now. I am definitely placing this book on my bookshelf and I will refer back to it as necessary. I am really thankful I read this book and I definitely recommend it for all you control freaks, or those of you who don't think you're control freaks! You might be surprised what you learn about yourself!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Home At Last (Review)

This review is for the book "Home at Last" by Deborah Raney. This is part of her Chicory Inn series, of which I am a huge fan. I think I have read all of the other books in this series, so I know the characters and back stories really well, but you definitely don't have to read all of them to understand what is happening in this particular novel. This book is about Link Whitman, who is the last bachelor in his family. He hasn't really considered settling down until he meets someone who seems to fit every requirement he is looking for in a partner - Shayla. The problem is, Shayla feels like she is bringing a lot of baggage to a relationship. She feels like people will be prejudiced against them because she is African American and Link's family is white, she is taking care of her niece, her brother is in jail, and her dad is pretty terrifying to potential suitors! Link and Shayla may have a lot of things to overcome, but they just have to decide if their relationship is worth it in the end.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of this book.

Home to Paradise (Review)

This review is for the book "Home to Paradise" by Barbara Cameron. This is the final book in her Coming Home series, but you can definitely read this book as a standalone novel if you cannot find the other books in the series for some reason. In this book, Rose Anna Zook has watched her two older sisters marry two Stoltzfus men, and always thought she would marry John, the third. But John is in the midst of his Rumschpringe, and doesn't seem to be missing the Amish ways at all. This bothers Rose because she is ready to settle down with John, and she certainly doesn't want to leave the church. She doesn't want to push him because that seems to make him angry, and more resistant to listening to the possibility of returning home. Throughout the book, Rose has to make sure that John not only knows her feelings for him, but her loyalty to the Amish church, and let him find his own way back. I loved this book and the characters in it. There are several sub-plots that add a lot to the story. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Tightropes and Teeter-Totters (Review)

This review is for the book "Tightropes and Teeter-Totters" by Lisa Pennington. In this book, the author understands that we are all on this "see-saw" of life, trying to balance everything between work, family, being the perfect spouse, being the perfect parent, feeling guilt over what we do, feeling guilt over what we don't do,etc. etc. She talks about balance and how it looks different for everyone. She uses an acronym for balance that will help you go through situations and: begin, assess, learn, account, notify, change, and endure. As the reader goes through the book, Pennington will help the reader apply all of these things to personal growth, spiritual growth, marriage, parenting, maintaining the household, finances, mood swings, friendships - basically every single tenet in life that we probably feel we're out of balance in and failing at!

This book is an easy read but it is great for self-reflection! I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to all my mom friends in particular.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Amish Weddings (Review)

This review is for the book "Amish Weddings" by Leslie Gould. This is book three in the Neighbors of Lancaster County series, but you could easily read this as a standalone novel. It was really good. It was actually pretty unexpectedly juicy for an Amish romance novel! In this book, we meet Rose Lehman, who is set to marry the bishop's son, Reuben Byler. Then Rose meets an Army buddy of her sister's beau, and she can't help but be attracted to him. He seems so much more attractive than her boyfriend, and he seems to like her. It's hard to say no when he wants to spend time with her. Then Rose's sister Lila is in an awful accident, and Rose has a bit more freedom than usual. She has to decide how to use that freedom and make some difficult decisions.

This book was great. The plot was really unusual for an Amish novel, but it was also a situation that probably isn't very unusual in real life. I love that there is redemption found in this novel. I enjoyed the characters a lot as well. I would definitely recommend this book and I would like to read the rest of the series as well.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

Elusive Miss Ellison (Review)

This review is for the book "The Elusive Miss Ellison" by Carolyn Miller. This is part of the Regency Brides series. In this book, we meet Lavinia Ellison, as well as a new Earl of Hawkesbury. The new Earl has everyone just going gaga - except for Lavinia, who is less than impressed. She has a background with the Earl that brings up awful memories for her, and a situation that he was involved in for which she cannot seem to forgive him. The Earl himself is weighted down with guilt over the situation, and when he has feelings for Miss Ellison, there is a wedge driven between them because of the past.

This book will be a good read for those who enjoy historical romances. The characters are wonderful, the plot is unique and will hold your interest, and is a "feel-good" read.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Regency romance fans have another must-read novel to add to their lists: Carolyn Miller's The Elusive Miss Ellison. Enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister's daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God's grace and the true strength of love. These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society's opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.

Settle in for a cozy night of reading with a cuppa and a Kindle from Carolyn!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of The Elusive Miss Ellison
• A Kindle Fire
• Two William Morris mugs (winner's choice)
• A box of tea

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on March 22. The winner will be announced March 23 on the Litfuse blog.

Treasures in Dark Places (Review)

This review is for the book "Treasures in Dark Places" by Leanna Cinquanta. In this book, Leanna describes in great detail the experiences of being a missionary. I really love stories like this, but for some reason, this book was really hard for me to read. In that, I mean that it was hard for me to follow. I didn't feel like it was written in a manner that flowed smoothly. I think the story itself is beautiful, but the book to me felt too wordy and flowery, which took away from my enjoyment of reading the story. There is no doubt in my mind that what Leanna is doing is amazing and wonderful work, and I love that she is able to share her story so that more people know about the inner workings of being a missionary in India.

Thank you to Cross Focused Reviews for a copy of the book.