30 Days to Joy- Book Review

30 Days to Joy is great journal for writers and/or artists to express their thoughts and feelings on the topic of joy. The introduction speaks to the differences between joy and happiness and encourages readers to discover true joy. I like that the book states, "Take this book as seriously or as lightly as you need." Basically, just choose joy daily because we know that it is a choice.
 
Quotes or scripture verses about joy start each of the 30 days and then a journaling prompt or an opportunity for art is given. For example, one question is simply, "Who are the people who bring you joy and brighten your day?" Or another example, "Fill these two pages with words or images that make you smile or laugh."

I think that after a full month reflecting on joy, one can't help but have a positive change in outlook and intentional choosing of joy (regardless of circumstances). As the publisher says, "Whether you are sketching a picture of a favorite activity, jotting down words that make you laugh, or spending time meditating on a Bible verse, you will find renewed joy in these fun and thought-provoking pages." I love the concept of this book and think others will too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Gathering the Threads- Book Review

Gathering the Threads, the third and final book from The Amish of Summer Grove series has finally been released! This series tells a tale of two young women who were switched at birth. One had been raised in the world, the other in an Amish home. But what happens when each girl tries to live in the home of their birth parents? I have really enjoyed this series and couldn't wait to read the conclusion of the story! Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times and CBA bestselling author. She once again has provided an engaging story to follow.

Ariana is returning home after months away from her Amish family. How will she adjust after her time in the Englisch world and what will happen to Skylar once Ariana is back? As written on the back cover of Gathering the Threads:

After months away in the Englisch world, Ariana Brenneman is overjoyed to be in the Old Order Amish home where she was raised. Yet her excitement is mixed with an unexpected apprehension as she reconciles all she’s learned from her biological parents with the uncompromising teachings of her Plain community. Although her childhood friend, ex-Amish Quill Schlabach, hopes to help her navigate her new role amongst her people, Ariana’s Daed doesn’t understand why his sweet daughter is suddenly questioning his authority. What will happen if she sows seeds of unrest and rebellion in the entire family?  

 Meanwhile, Skylar Nash has finally found her place among the large Brenneman family, but Ariana’s arrival threatens to unravel Skylar’s new identity—and her sobriety. Both Ariana and Skylar must discover the true cords that bind a family and community together and grasp tight the One who holds their authentic identities close to His heart. 

Woodsmall was able to bring together the Amish and Englisch world in such an intriguing way. From one who reads a lot, I feel like Gathering the Threads (and the other books in this series) breaks the normal pattern of the Amish genre. This is a thought provoking series and I hope you will choose to read the books for yourself.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Fraying at the Edge- Book Review

I just finished reading Fraying at the Edge, by Cindy Woodsmall. This book kept my attention from front to back and was hard to put down! As with the first book in the Amish of Summer Grove series, Woodsmall leaves the reader in suspense at the conclusion. Unfortunately, book 3 hasn't been released yet but I will definitely be looking forward to reading it!

This series is about 2 girls who were accidentally switched at birth 20 years previously. Ariana Brenneman was raised Old Order Amish while the true daughter, Skylar Nash, grew up in the "Englischer World." When the discovery of the mistake became known, Ariana's biological father forces the girls to switch places for a year. As an atheist, he is appalled to learn his daughter has been raised in such a rigid, closed minded, religious society. The man creates a bucket list for his daughter in hopes of broadening her perspective of life. Skylar faces culture shock as well. Every modern convenience is stripped from Skylar and she must deal with her drug addiction and deep loneliness.

Fraying at the Edge deals with difficult subjects such as adultery, drug addiction, family expectations, blended families, and legalism verses love. Woodsmall is to be commended for her skillful handling of these topics while weaving a thought provoking story worth reading.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Saffire- Book Review

Saffire is a historic novel written by Sigmund Brouwer. The plot is set during the building of the Panama Canal. James Holt, the main character of the book, is requested to unravel a mystery and uncovers much more than he bargained for. Politics, intrigue, and even romance are themes woven throughout the story of Saffire.

 I previously did not have much knowledge about this time period so I enjoyed reading something with a fresh and unique feel. The story is a bit challenging to follow, but I am sure a second reading would bring more clarity. Overall, this was a pleasant read and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

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

Room For Hope

Room for Hope is a great new book written by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Set during the Great Depression, the main character must choose her outlook and response to difficult life circumstances. Forgiveness, compassion, and love are themes found throughout the book. I was immediately drawn into the story and read through this book quickly.

From the back cover:

In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?
 
Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.
 
When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”
 
Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?


Get your own copy of Room for Hope- you won't regret it!
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks Blogging for Books!

The Time Chamber- Review

I highly recommend The Time Chamber by Korean artist Daria Song. This is a very detailed coloring book that children and adults alike can enjoy. The story follows a red-haired fairy who enters the human world as the coo-coo clock strikes midnight. The story is very short, but the amount of coloring pages more than makes up for it.  It even has a gold-foil stamping on the cover and spine which lends an elegant appearance. The beautifully illustrated book would make a wonderful gift for a loved one. You won't regret this purchase! My only complaint is that the book does not lie flat. This makes it difficult to color the middle of the image that spans both pages. However, this is the most delightful coloring book I have every owned :)

Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review

Amish Christmas at North Star- Review

Amish Christmas at North Star is a book containing four short stories by different authors. The main characters each having been born on the same day by the same Amish midwife is what ties these stories together. I had expected to see their lives entwined throughout the stories but instead each book stands on it's own. Only through the prologue and epilogue do the stories come together.

Guiding Star is the first story and it is written by Katie Ganshert. She writes about a man trying to find where one of the four babies born in that Amish birthing center ended up.

Mourning Star is authored by Amanda Flower. A mysterious death of an Amish friend is investigated. Who would have murdered the man?

Cindy Woodsmall wrote In the Stars. Kore and his ex-girlfriend end up working together to care for some children in need. Will they be able to overcome whatever obstacle broke up their relationship a year prior?

And finally, Star of Grace was written by Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark. This is a story dealing with the power of forgiveness.

It's hard to get much depth when the story is short, and I find that characters are not always believable. However, for some light reading this was an enjoyable book.

Thank you Blogging for Books! I received this book from them for an honest review of the book.

When Love Returns- Review

When Love Returns is the concluding book in Kim Vogel Sawyer's The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy. The story line builds in each book so I recommend reading the books in order. This series is about a Mennonite family and the struggles they face in dealing with a sin from the past. Sawyer does a great job wrapping up all the loose ends in this third book.  The book deals with themes of teenage pregnancy, adoption, forgiveness, and grace. I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future!

Thank you Blogging for Books! I received this book from them for an honest review of the book.

Ties That Bind- Book Review

Ties That Bind is the first book in a new series by Cindy Woodsmall. She is a New York Times and CBA best-selling author of numerous works of fiction and one of nonfiction. Ties that Bind is a great book and I really enjoyed reading it! The beginning of the book is a little hard to follow. There are lots of characters and a span of 20 years from the first chapter to the second. However, hang in there because this is a good story!

Ties that Bind is about an Amish girl who cares deeply about her family and has a dream of opening a cafe someday. A close friend who had disappeared 5 years previously reappears in her life and she must decide if he is trustworthy. I won't give any more details because I don't want to ruin the suspense for those who haven't yet read the book yet!

I am a big fan of Amish fiction but enjoyed the mysterious spin found in this book. I recommend this series to others who enjoy the Amish genre. Unfortunately, the ending is a cliff hanger and the next book in the Amish of Summer Grove series is not out yet! I will definitely be waiting for the next two books to be published...

I received this book from Blogging for Books for an honest review (I didn't have to like it).

Review: Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood

     Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood is touted as "an eleven-week devotional Bible study." I have to admit that as a mother of 4 young children  (and a fifth on the way), this devotional has taken me longer than the allotted 11 weeks to complete! However, I  have enjoyed the journey into scripture as it applies to my life as a mom. This devotional offers practical topics and calls mothers into a deeper relationship with Christ. As author Melissa B. Kruger writes in her introduction, "The goal of this study is not necessarily to figure out specific parenting techniques or strategies but to walk with the Lord in the busy season of motherhood and let His presence infuse and shape our lives." The focus is on the mother's relationship with God and how that time spent with Christ will positively affect her marriage and family.
     The main ideas of the book are:
·         Understand and pursue your purpose as a mother
·         Live out your true priorities
·         Entrust your child to God
·         Bear the fruit of the Spirit in your everyday interactions
·         Recover from Perfect Mom Syndrome (PMS)

     I love that all the scripture verses are printed out within the pages of the book. This makes it easy to grab the book when I have a few minutes or to throw it in the diaper bag to read while out somewhere. The book includes blank spaces for reflection upon scripture or ideas presented in the book. The author writes in an easy to follow manner and instills the importance of making time for God in our daily lives.
     I have enjoyed this study and would recommend it to others.


I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Pizza Bible

I have been browsing through The Pizza Bible by Tony Gemignani. The author is an 11-time World Pizza Champ and he shares his recipes and tips for making great pizzas. This book covers 9 different regional styles of pizza. It is well laid out and has great photos. 

I enjoy making my own pizzas but have been wanting to find a good crust recipe. I was hoping this book would be my solution to finding a great recipe and for some tips about how to make an amazing pizza. Unfortunately, The Pizza Bible isn't exactly what I was looking for. The crust recipes call for ingredients that you can't get at your local grocery store. The author even tells you that some things will have to be shopped for online. Additionally, Gemignani says about his crust, "From today on, I want you to make pizza dough that rises in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours- preferably 48 hours." I don't plan that far ahead! To his credit, Gemignani also gives some ideas for freezing the dough. 

If you are good at planning ahead and don't mind spending a little extra money on ingredients and supplies, this may be a wonderful book for you. 

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Review: A Love Undone

I just finished reading A Love Undone by Cindy Woodsmall. Though she is a New York Times and CBA best selling author, this was my first time reading one of her books.

About This Book

A husband and son abandoned to forge a path alone.
A young woman who sacrificed her dreams.
How will the God of grace and hope help them find their way?
At nineteen years old, Old Order Amish Jolene Keim was on the brink of happily-ever-after when everything changed, stealing the future she expected and burdening her with an unbearable decision. For the next ten years, Jolene throws herself into family life—and then she meets Andy Fisher. The horse trainer and father to a sweet nine year-old challenges her and holds up a mirror to issues Jolene has been unwilling to face.

Andy is cautious about his deepening friendship with Jolene, but he believes she knows the truth about him – that he is a grass widower. As a man whose wife has abandoned him six years past, he is unable to divorce or remarry according to the Amish ways. Andy has wrestled with God concerning his reality, and he had found peace with the solitary future facing him…until he met Jolene.

As Andy and Jolene find themselves confronted by difficult choices, will they trust in God's guidance—or will the allure of their deepening friendship only lead to further temptation?

Review:

I read a lot of books set within the Amish life but this one had several unique elements. First, Andy (the main male character) is a grass widower. His wife left him and that makes him unable to remarry because of the high standards of the Amish community. Second, Jolene (main female character) makes the difficult and sacrificial decision to raise her siblings. And third, one of those children has some disabilities due to a childhood injury. These plot twists set this book apart from the many others I have read.

I enjoyed reading A Love Undone and look forward to reading more of Woodsmall's books in the future.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Book Review- God Gave Us Angels

     God Gave Us Angels is marketed for children ages 3-8. I was curious how the author, Lisa Tawn Bergren, would deal with the topic of angels in a kid friendly way. Little Cub is "Lookin' for angels," so Papa Bear gives his cub Biblical information about angels.

          -Angels are all around us, but invisible most of the time.
          -Angels serve God and do what He wants.
          -Angels are messengers .
          -Angels guard or fight for God's people.
          -Angels worship God, but are not to be worshiped or prayed            to.
          -Angels don't really wear halos.
          -Angels sometimes are in disguise (a test to see if we will                care for those in need).
          -Angels live in heaven and sing praise to God.
     This is a well written children's book. I enjoy the simple way Bergren handles a weighty topic and the colorful artwork by Laura J. Bryant. My only complaint is the use of "Imbisible" for Little Cub's version of "Invisible." I would prefer my kids read and hear the correct spelling and pronunciation of a word. However, this is definitely a book I will share with my children.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

In This House We Will Giggle

 I just finished reading a book called, In This House We Will Giggle by Courtney DeFeo. The book was not what I expected, but I absolutely loved it! I have already started recommending this book to friends and it would make a great Christmas gift.

The author lays out 12 virtues we would love to see more of in our home- joy, love, forgiveness, faith, patience, perseverance, respect, responsibility, service, humility, gratitude, and generosity. She recommends focusing on one virtue each month, giving examples, practical activity ideas, memory verses, and scripture to study for each virtue.

I love that with almost every virtue DeFeo reminds us of the bigger reason we attempt to instill godly virtues into our children and homes. She writes, "My passion is not to produce good little Christian kids but to help raise a generation of kids to light up the world for His glory."

I was also reminded over and over that attitude and behavior starts with ME! I am the example of joy, love, forgiveness, etc. for my children and I play a huge role in setting the tone in our home.

I feel both humbled and inspired after reading this book. Now I am excited to share these 12 lessons with my 4 kids and husband during the next year and hopefully in the years to come.