The Dance

Recently I read The Dance.  I have to admit before I knew what it was about I HAD to read it because Gary Smalley is one of the authors.  Our premarital counseling included some videos and books by Gary Smalley and they were GOOD.  And...  The Dance didn't disappoint!

The Dance is about a couple who has allowed their marriage to become stagnant.  The husband, Jim, is clueless and his wife Marilyn is miserable.  For Jim EVERYTHING is about show.  He picks what church he goes to, his role in the church, his car, home, and friends according to how it will benefit him and make him look.  Marilyn just wants to connect with her husband.

So as not to spoil the book I'll just say I was challenged in my marriage.  We got to know each other and fell in love while traveling around the US having amazing adventures.  And now?  Not so much.  What's our thing?  Should we take a dance class?  Would we enjoy it if we could do it?  I know our adventures doesn't have to include dancing, but it does need to be something we can experience together.

I loved the book and I'm happy to know it's book one of three.

This book was reviewed thanks to NetGalley.

Sisters of Mercy Flats

I finished Sisters of Mercy Flats by Lori Copeland and didn't want it to end.  We have an orphan, a thief and a shoe salesman all meshed together.  Abigail is on her way to jail when she finds herself being rescued by Hershall Digman.  Little did they know their lives would never be the same again.  Their lives are both wrapped in lies and disguises.  They're almost killed, thrown in jail, shot at, kidnapped, gravely ill, and dealing with fears like being scared of the dark, all the while a war is going on and men's lives hang in the balance.

I know I've said it before, but this one I most definitely want to read the next two books.  I have to know what happens to Abigail's sisters.

Princess Addison Gets Angry

Princess Addison Gets Angry by Molly Martin show's young girls how to deal with their anger.  It's a surprisingly short book, but it gives great advise on how to deal with your anger.  My daughter would love the bright graphics and the book is simple enough she could read it all herself.

I reviewed this book thanks to Net Galley.

The Silly Looking Thing

The Silly Looking Thing by Eva M. Sakmar-Sullivan is a great book for young readers and pre-readers.  The lesson it teachers on accepting people no matter their differences is excellent.  It also gives a quick lesson on how frogs go from an egg in the water to a leaping land creature.  The graphics are great, the font is big enough with just the right amount of words per page that my young reader won't get discouraged before she tries to read it.

I read this book to review it for Net Galley.

Change The World Before Bedtime

Change the World Before Bedtime by Mark Kimball Moulton, Josh Chalmers, and Karen Good is a cute book.  It's right up my six year olds alley of being a simple book that she would read (most of it).  I was disappointed in the size and style of font used.  It didn't mesh with the illustration.  However, the message was good.  After reading this my daughter would be ready to load up toys to give away, plant our own veggies, and to help people out who are in need.  The book also shows how even one person can make a difference.  Nice job.

The Chance

I recently read The Chance by Karen Kingsbury and must say, she hit the ball out of the park.  She has a knack for drawing you into her stories and this one doesn't disappoint.  The story is about a military family of three.  Dad is only home on the weekends, mom is lonely and Ellie spends most of her time with her best friend Nolan.  One night dad kicks mom out after learning she's pregnant with another man's child.  He then moves him and Ellie across the country.  The night  before leaving Ellie and Nolan write each other a letter and bury it in their favorite spot at a park with the plan to dig it up in 11 years.  Now fast-forward 11 years.  Life has been hard for both of them.  One has achieved their dreams while the other is far from it.

A few things we learn:

- The Bible is a tool, not a weapon.  I've seen It happen to many times, someone throws out scripture to get their way, justify their actions, or to condemn someone.  Unfortunately they completely miss their own sin.

- Two wrongs don't make a right.  We can't justify our bad choices because of the bad one someone else made.

- Love looks beyond your circumstances and bad choices.

It's a wonderful book that I'm so happy I had the chance to review.  It's definitely worth missing sleep to finish reading.

Kylie Jean Cupcake Queen

Kylie Jean Cupcake Queen by Marci Peschke is a cute story about a young girl ready to make her own money.  This chapter book is right up my six year olds alley.  Kylie Jean loves stuffed animals and her dog, Little Brother; that's two points in her favor with my daughter.  The story is written simply enough she can understand it plus it holds her interest.

It's a cute book I would recommend for girls 6-8 years old.

This book was given to me for my honest review, by Net Galley.

Ring of Secrets

I'm not a fan of posting on blogs while sick so please forgive me for being late in telling you about Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White.  This book really sucked me in!  If all history books were this captivating I would have aced history instead of getting a big fat...  Well, it wasn't my best subject.
 It was amazing to read how normal people put themselves into the position to save many American lives.  Their lives were on the line yet they kept passing on information. 
While the characters in the book are fictional the Culper Ring was a real group of people who shared information with Washington.  I found the book fascinating.  And I must admit, I didn't expect the twist in the end.  It's a great historical read.  The best part about finishing this book is knowing it's the first in a series.  Bring on book 2!

This book was giving to me for my honest opinion by Net Galley.

Mimi's Village

Recently we talked about our children's church kids sponsoring a child.  To keep them interested in the child's life we needed to tell them about the child's life, home, village, and so forth.  Well, Mimi's Village by Katie Smith Milway, is PERFECT to help get the message across.  It shares the story of one such child.  One that could possibly be adopted by Compassion International or World Vision.  It tells about her family traveling a great distance for medical care after her little sister drank bad water.  If our family should decide to sponsor a child I will be reading this book to my six year old daughter.  I really think it helps paint a picture for our children what it's really like for others.

This book was given to me to review by Net Galley.

Katie's Journey to Love

I recently read Katie's Journey to Love by Jerry Eicher.  It's about a girl who struggles to fit in.  The Amish youth treat her like the strange daughter of Emma Raber.  As a teenager Emma made a poor choice about a boy and never lived it down.  When she did finally marry it wasn't for love.  Shortly after she started falling in love with her husband he passed away.  She was left to raise Katie alone for the majority of her life.
Unfortunately Emma has a low opinion of herself and Katie because of her experience from her youth.  Katie finds herself hanging out with Mennonite you and for once in her life she's not only accepted, she has friends.

A few highlights:

~ The "apple of her eye" notices her and starts taking her to the Mennonite youth gatherings.
~ Her new step sister hates her and her mom.  She doesn't mince words on how the two of them make her feel.
~ Katie is given permission to travel with three friends to Scotland, provided she can come up with the money.  The plan is to learn the Mennonite and Amish history.

This book is a real page turner.  I woke up many times holding my Kindle while reading late into the night.  The only downfall is having to wait until the fall for more of the story.

This book was given to me to review by Net Galley.

Mountain Homecoming

A couple weeks ago I read Mountain Homecoming by Sandra Robbins.  It was a really good read. 

The story centers around Cades Cove.  It's a poor mountain community filled with people who love their land and care for each other.  As the children grow up and get married they find themselves facing the same financial dilemma's that plague everyone in the Cove; many leave so they can provide for their family.

The story begins with Rani telling another friend, this time her best friend, goodbye.  Josie, her husband and child have become the latest victims to leave the Cove in hopes of not just surviving, but thriving.  Little did Rani know her sad day was about to turn around when someone actually moves back to the Cove.

Matthew Jackson returns to the Cove after being gone for 20 years.  Even being outside the Cove life hasn't been easy for him.  He's the son of an abusive alcoholic.  His dad was gunned down in self defense after a night of drinking and gambling.  Matthew along with his mom and little brother moved from the Cove shortly after the murder when his mom found a job.  Much to soon both his mom and brother passed away.  After a long journey that left him broken and ashamed, Matthew was finally able to purchase his childhood home in the Cove.  For the most part he was greeted with open arms, but there were those who remember Luke Jackson, his abusive father.

Mountain Homecoming is a great book that will leave you with a better understanding of unconditional love and the foolishness of blame.

This book was given to me to read by NetGalley.

Unbreakable (Road to Kingdom series book 2)

Recently I read Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl. 

Unbreakable is a wonderful book of mystery, danger, and romance.  When the book begins we learn some people have been targeting churches and anyone who appears to be affiliated with a church.  Almost immediately Hope's life is threatened when a truck runs her buggy off the road then turns around to run her over.  If it wasn't for Jonathon, a Mennonite man in love with her, running the man in the truck off, Hope may have been killed or seriously injured.  Hope barely misses tragedy when another man from her village dies after a showdown with the same truck.  Through many twists and turns Hope's engagement ends, her church is burned down, shots are fired, a house is partially burned, someone is almost beat to death, and after many confusing emotions over two men, Hope chooses the man she will spend the rest of her life with.

I really enjoyed Unbreakable.  It kept me guessing and at times holding my breath.  I'm excited to read book 3 of the Road to Kingdom Series.

This book was given to me for review by NetGalley.

Goodbye to Yesterday

I just finished reading Goodbye to Yesterday by Wanda E. Brunstetter.  Oh Wanda you're so naughty!  I knew it was the first of six mini novels, but I missed the fact that they would end with cliffhangers!  I was so caught up in the novel I didn't check to see how much was left and then ((((BOOM)))) who shot JR?  Okay I know the who and no one was shot, but still!

Instead of the other Wanda E. Brunstetter novels I've read that are boy meets girl, they fall in love and wed, Goodbye to Yesterday begins 14 months after Meredith and Luke got married.  Luke is unemployed and Meredith is possibly pregnant.  Tensions are high and patients are short.  Luke catches a break when his uncle decides to get out of his engraving business and asks Luke to learn the trade.  He must leave Meredith behind for a couple weeks and travel in the dead of winter to get to his uncle's place, but if it gives him a steady income it's all worth it.

But the cliffhanger... what might it be?  Read the book when it comes out on February 5th and see for yourself.  Perhaps like me you will be in the middle of devouring the novel when it SUDDENLY ends.  Happy reading. =)

This honest review was given at the request of NetGalley.

Crochet Book

I get to review a crochet book and all I keep thinking is, "What do I make first?!!!"  I think I've settled on a vest and skirt for my daughter's 18" doll.  I know this isn't the same as reading a good novel, but I'm excited to try the pattern out.  I have to hold off telling you the name of the book because it won't be published for two more months.  Alright, I'm off to crochet!

Porcupette Finds a Family

I just read Porcupette Finds a Family by Vanita Oelschlager.  What intrigued me about the book was the mama bear fostering a porcupine.  Although it says it's aimed at adoption I think it's perfect for foster families with biological children.  I'm sure it would be just as wonderful for the foster children too.

In the book the little porcupine's mother leaves to find food, but doesn't return.  After searching for his mom and not finding her he stumbles upon a cave with a mama bear and her cubs.  He's hungry so he snuggles up next to the cubs and drinks Mama Bear's milk.  Mama excepts him and treats him as her own.  Sure he's smaller and looks different, but that doesn't matter.  While playing with his brother and sister bear he startled and shot them with his quills.  Mama Bear wasn't mad; she just pulled the quills out.  This happens a few times, but Mama still loves him.  He went back to his home and Mama found him and brought him back.  He learns that they will never leave him like his mommy did.  It doesn't matter how different they are they still want him to be apart of their family.

I will most definitely be reading this to my daughter before we get foster children in our home.  I'll also recommending this to a caseworker I know who collects foster/adopt books.

Reviewed for NetGalley.

Beyond The Valley

Exercise can't wait until Christmas vacation is over so yesterday I took my daughter to the gym with me.  I needed a good reason to dive into Beyond The Valley.  I actually started it the evening before, BUT IT WAS GOOD AND NEEDED FINISHING!!!!  Wow!!!  Just in the time hubby was in the shower two people died in unrelated incidences and he doesn't take long showers.  How could I go to bed after that?!!!!!!  Well I did and it was agony!

Have you ever had a professor who spends so much time telling you things you MUST take notes on that you have a hard time keeping up?  My human anatomy professor was that way.  I took notes feverishly and recorded the class so I could go back and write down everything I missed.  Beyond the Valley by Rita Gerlach is like that.  SO MUCH HAPPENS in such a short amount of time.  I remember breathing a little when the main character, Sara Carr, had a simi free time in her life.  Of course the book decided to skip two years at the "calm" point so we were off to the races once again.

We meet Sara Carr as she goes out looking for her husband.  There was a shipwreck that sent many men down to the shore hoping for some good loot to wash ashore.  Unfortunately for the pregnant Sara, her husband drowned in the mayhem.  Being poor she found herself at her sister-in-law's house and unwanted.  She ends up tricked into slavery and her world really turns upside-down.  I guess it was really never right side up seeing how she was abandoned at an orphanage as a baby and never adopted.

Once kidnapped into slavery it looks like Sara will never get a break.  At one point a man falls in love with her, but her masters won't sell her to him.  She does eventually get sold then kidnapped again.  She escapes her kidnappers and then we get to take a breath (inhale-exhale).  Don't worry the ride isn't over it's only about half done.

Beyond The Valley is a roller coaster that is WELL WORTH the read.  This is actually book 3 in the Daughters Of Potomac series; it said it could be read alone so I decided to put it to the test and it's true.

This book was reviewed for NetGalley.

The Poodle and the Pea

We just read The Poodle and the Pea by Charlotte Guillain.  Having read the original version I expected this one to be longer and was disappointed when it ended at 23 pages and most of those were pictures.  Then again I typically read novels so my six year old will have to give the true kid review.

Kj liked the pictures of the poodles.  This story had her when it featured dogs.  The only things better would have been horses.  She loved how the princess had to climb a ladder to get in her bed and when she woke up she was sooooo tired.  When I was done reading her the story she wanted to hear more.  Over all it was a winner with her.

This book was reviewed for NetGalley.

I'm posting my review now, but I'm a bit puzzled with the book's publishing date; NetGalley says February 1st and Amazon says April 13th.

Lovely Knits For Little Girls

I was given the chance to review Lovely Knits For Little Girls by Vibe Sondergaard for Net Galley.  I flipped through all the photos and there are some cute sweaters in there, but they are above my abilities.  There's one hat towards the back called Hat with Eyelets I'm going to give a try.  Everything else appears above my ability.

So far I would say this book isn't for amateurs.

Has anyone checked this book out?  I don't believe it's gym approved. =)

The Lesson: A Stoney Ridge Seasons Novel

I just finished reading the Stoney Ridge Seasons novels.  I'm reviewing The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher for NetGalley, but hadn't read The Keeper and The Haven so over the last week and a half I read them.

With all three books I quickly found myself caught up in the stories.  Suzanne does a great job of weaving people's lives together, throwing in some conflict and a little bit of romance.  You don't get a wedding story in any of the books; I was slightly surprised and disappointed by this.  I always want to know if they had kids, how many and so forth.  I spend a lot of time getting to know the characters and cheering them on so I like to be rewarded with a "happily ever after".  In The Haven we learn Julia and Rome got married and moved to Ohio, but nothing else is mentioned about them.  Did they have kids?  In The Lesson we learn during the seven year span between The Haven and The Lesson Amos and Fern got married as well as Sadie and Gid.  Sadie and Gid live local and have redheaded twins; a boy and a girl.  I felt more informed about Sadie then I did Julia, but we eventually learn that Julia has four boys.  We didn't hear anything about Joe-Jo until the end of the book. =(  I was really hoping to hear he lived close to Amos and Fern or at least know how he's doing.

In The Lesson we get to know Mary Kate (M.K.).  She's 19 and still acts like a kid.  She's VERY irresponsible.  How many 19 year olds do you know would ride a scooter down a hill with their eyes closed?  Well, her immaturity cost her big time when she runs her scooter into the Amish teacher and is forced to grow up and take her place.  At first she's lousy at it, but after hearing some of the kids opinions of her she decides she wants to be the best teacher she can.  She seeks out Erma Yutzy an almost 100 year old Amish woman who used to be a teacher.  Erma is a sweet old lady who surprisingly lives alone and does very well for herself.  Once M.K. takes her teaching serious she becomes really good addressing the needs of her students.

Back on the farm Amos needs help doing things that could make him sick like plowing the fields.  On the same day he asks for help Chris, a 20 year old raising his kid sister, started looking for work.  They just arrived in the town to claim their grandfather's house; it's their inheritance and will officially belong to Chris when he turns 21.  For now it's in their drug addict mother's name.  She's off at a rehab in Ohio.  Chris starts working for Amos and uses all his wages to fix up the house and to take care of his sister.  He avoids all personal conversations in fear someone will learn about his mother.  His scumbag mother has spent more of her children's lives in either rehab or jail.  Chris and Jenny are actually English, but were mostly raised by Old Deborah, an Amish healer, so when the time came Chris was baptized into the church.

Everything seems to be going well.  M.K. is becoming a great teacher; her students are actually learning.  Chris and Jenny's house is coming along.  And then Jenny starts writing her mom who is about to get out of rehab.  Somewhere at this point the roller coaster began.  Suddenly Jenny is missing, someone is gambling, dreams are crushed, a future business is lost, and the truth of M.K.'s mother's death is revealed. 

Although I was left with questions it's still a great book.