Most Wonderful Time (Review)

This review is for the book "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Ace Collins. I really enjoyed this book because it contained really short, interesting readings that will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit! The book is laid out in such a way that you can easily do one reading a day. Each chapter contains a scripture and then a short reading, a background of a Christmas song (such as "What Child is This?" or "Good Christian Men, Rejoice"), and then a recipe either for food or a homemade craft that you could use as a gift.

I absolutely loved this book because I was able to learn something from the devotionals and the sections on the Christmas songs, but then I was also able to find recipes and crafts that I will be able to use on friends and family for a long time in the future! I highly recommend this book as a Christmas gift!

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

Christian's Hope (Review)

This review is for the book "Christian's Hope" by Ervin R. Stutzman. This is actually the third book is Stutzman's Return to Northkill series. In the first book of the series, we meet Jacob Hochstetler, an Amish settler whose peace-loving Amish family is attacked by Indians. Jacob is captured, along with two of his sons, while other members of his family are killed. In this book, readers follow the story of one of the sons, Christian. He spent seven years in captivity with the Indians, but came to love them and their way of life. Getting back into the ways of the Amish is not what Christian wants, and it's a particularly hard transition because of hard feelings between the Amish and Indians. In the end, he is able to find a few family members and members of the community who understand what he is dealing with, and they are able to help guide him in his journey to finding what "home" looks like to him.

This was even more interesting to me when I finished the book and realized it was based on a true story! This story is captivating and intriguing. It's like no other Amish novel I've read.

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

Fatal Frost (Review)

This review is for the book "Fatal Frost" by Nancy Mehl. This is the first book in the Defenders of Justice series. In this book, we meet U.S. Marshal Mercy Brennan who was just shot in the line of duty. She is still undergoing therapy and psychological evaluations from that when she is suddenly put on a special assignment. The assignment entails her being sent off with her friend and coworker Tally, and another U.S. Marshal who just happens to be her ex-boyfriend Mark.

Hardly before the assignment even gets started, Mercy realizes the assignment is actually set up to keep her in a safe place. Unfortunately, with a traitor in the office, the enemy knows exactly where she is... and is coming for her. She has a lot of questions about why they are coming after her and how they are going to stay safe. Throughout all of this she has to learn to trust Mark again, as well as come to terms with what she feels in regards to God.

This is a great book with lots of danger and suspense! Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

Cold Case Christianity (Review)

This review is for the book "Cold-Case Christianity for Kids" by J. Warner Wallace and Susie Wallace. This is the type of book that I absolutely love to have on hand for my kids to read. This book is written by someone who is actually a detective of cold cases, but he has tailored this book to fit the learning styles and knowledge of kids. The illustrations are awesome and will definitely capture the attention of the kids reading this book. The book moves along slowly enough to build momentum and keep the attention of kids who are reading it, but quickly enough so that they don't lose interest. This is a great book for young readers to read so they can grasp the foundations of the Christian faith from a "logical" perspective. It is important to have some facts under your belt along with your "blind faith" so you can be strong in the truths you learn. As the kids in the book learn how to investigate the mystery of the skateboard, they are also learning how to investigate God's truths for themselves. I love the parallel throughout the book. I think this book will make a lot of sense to kids who are reading it. I read it with my kids the first time but I would like them to read it on their own over and over again because I think it will only make more sense each time they read it through. I think this is a book that all households should have on their shelf!

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

Life Creative (Review)

This review is for the book "Life Creative" by Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart. I was just recently introduced to Kelli Stuart as an author, so I was excited to read something of hers that was nonfiction. This book is a calling out to moms all over, that they will not lose their spark and creativity in the midst of the mundane that tends to take over our lives.

This book absolutely gripped me from the second chapter. As soon as the authors spoke on the feeling of longing for bedtime instead of longing for ministry and creativity and inspiring the world, I started nodding in agreement. The authors acknowledge that while we love our "captors", we're under house arrest. Yes, yes, and yes! My days go back and forth between knowing my mission field lives with me and feeling that urge that I need to be doing more. I know I'm not alone! Throughout the rest of the book we learn how to rest, how to listen closely to God, and how to find our creativity in the busyness of our lives.

I absolutely loved this book, and needed this book. I recommend it to all mothers, especially ones with young children!

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

Book of Sayings (Review)

This review is for the book "The Illustrated Book of Sayings" by Ella Frances Sanders. I really enjoyed this book. It is different from any other book I have read and I love unique books. This book will introduce you to the most incredible, or the strangest, sayings that people have throughout the world. A lot of them are sayings that I as an American could relate to. For example, the French say "to pedal in the sauerkraut" which doesn't make much sense to us, but it is comparable to our saying "wheels are spinning". Yet some are totally unique and I could not think of anything in English to compare it to, such as the Latvian phrase "to blow little ducks" which means they know you are lying. What is really interesting is that with each phrase there is a story behind the phrase so you know where it came from. And the illustrations are just perfect. What a great book! This would be the perfect gift for the linguist in your life.

Thank you to Ten Speed Press for a copy of the book.

Union With Christ (Review)

This review is for the book "Union With Christ". What an amazing topic to be explored. I loved this book from the very beginning, because it reminded me right away that I was saved by God to do things for Him and to be in union with Him. Somehow along our journeys we often forget that. The author discusses how we struggle with our inner voices and the choices we make. We are supposed to be set apart from others in the world, but often that isn't what Christians are known for. Wilbourne discusses other theologians' perspective on unity and his thoughts on their perspectives, which was really interesting. Then he begins discussing what comes next after we have unity in Christ - our identity, where we are headed, our purpose, and our hope. Lastly we have to choose Christ daily - sometimes every minute of the day. We have to make the decision to abide with Christ in unity throughout our day-to-day lives. I really enjoyed this book. It took a tough topic and simplified it to where it is easily understood and I definitely recommend it.

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

Love Our Vets (Review)

This review is for the book "Love Our Vets" by Welby O'Brien. I absolutely loved this book. It is so unfortunate that PTSD is often a silent struggle, or misunderstood. There are so many vets that struggle with PTSD, and without proper counseling, it is extremely hard for families and vets to cope with a diagnosis. Actually, many times, vets are not properly diagnosed, which is even worse. This book is incredible because it goes through three different aspects of living with someone who has PTSD - "reaffirm" which is a section of discussion questions, "replenish" which talks about how to take care of yourself, and "reflect" which tells real-life wisdom that has been taken from people actually in these scenarios. All three of these parts are so important. I think the "reaffirm" section is incredibly important because it answers so many tough questions that have to do with the disconnect of emotions that PTSD can cause, how to pray for your vet, and how to deal with nightmares. There are so many details in this section that you are probably dealing with for the first time ever, whether you are the parent, child, or significant other of a vet with PTSD. I believe this book should be read by everyone who has a loved one in the service, because you never know when you will need to put this wisdom to use in real life.

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

40 Days (Review)

This review is for the book "40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood". This book is a combination of devotions as well as coloring pages specifically created for moms. I absolutely loved this book. I have been wanting to try out one of these for a while. The devotions are short and to the point, so they are easily completed in less than 10 minutes, but you will still get the benefit of slowing down and having a quiet time. The coloring pages are beautiful designs and many of them have scripture or short biblical phrases incorporated. I would definitely recommend this book for any mom friends, especially ones who are feeling hurried or wiped out. It would make a great birthday gift or Christmas gift!

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

Total Family Makeover (Review)

This review is for the book "Total Family Makeover" by Melissa Spoelstra. I really enjoyed this book. It has eight practical steps to making disciples at home, which is some very important and necessary information in the world we live in! The author goes through some very important aspects of the Christian faith, such as praying, reading the Bible, serving, resting, giving, and other foundational things that the children should be educated on at home. She has an approach to each of these things that is practical and easily applied to your real life. There are lots of discussion questions included with each topic that will help you dig deeper in God's word about each topic, and there are lots of questions you can use to start a discussion with your children. I loved this book. It was easy to read and down to earth and I can definitely apply so much of this to my everyday life!

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