A Love That Multiplies by Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar

This is another great book from the Duggars!  I really enjoyed all the details and insights they shared about a variety of topics.  Their stories are rich with so many ideas that can be applied in everybody's life, especially those with children (whether you have one or four or seven or more).  Many of the concepts they talk about I would love to try to implement in my young family (I have a 2 1/2-year-old, an almost 10-month-old, and one due in November).  They are honest and forthright about their thoughts and beliefs on many topics, and I congratulate them on that.  Not everybody is willing to put themselves so much out in the public eye as they do and be truly who they are all the time.  I imagine it can be quite difficult at times.  I, myself, cannot imagine having 19 children, but that doesn't mean that I disagree with their beliefs on the topic or their reasoning behind the choices they've made.  Even if I did, it wouldn't matter because it is not my place to say if what they are doing is the right thing or not.  I enjoyed the recipes that were shared throughout the book and the many pictures of the family.  They seem to be a very rich family in the way that counts most.  I highly recommend this wonderful book from the Duggars.  Reading their own words and stories really sheds so much light not only on their lives but also on your own life.  A true treasure of a book!

Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate

Very enjoyable book!  Mandalay and Imagene are two wonderful characters who are easy to relate to.  Their stories are heartfelt and honest.  Daily, Texas, is a town I'd certainly like to visit so I could get to know some of the locals; they are very kind, helpful people.  This story is rich with great characters, emotions, humor, and so much more.  Mandalay is striving for something that she really doesn't want anymore if she ever truly did.  Imagene is still mourning the loss of her husband and living a secluded life.  Amber is trying to do the right thing despite all the bad press surrounding her.  Carter is starting on a new journey for good reasons.  These people are really, fun, happy, sad, etc.  And Daily is certainly a town full of wonderful people.  My one issue with the book is that the charcters' relationships with Christ are a little less than I'd like.  Overall, Talk of the Town was very hard to put down.  A great read and a wonderful choice for book clubs.  Get your cowboy hat on and head on down to Daily, Texas, for some great times with some genuine folks.

Disclaimer:
May have been provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers.

A Great Resource!

I will begin homeschooling my daughter this fall.  She will be in preschool.  I found out recently about this awesome sale that the wonderful people at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine are putting on.  If you're at all interested in having another great resource at your fingertips, click on the link below!

Check this out:

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Being the huge Jane Austen fan that I am, I have read and enjoyed all 6 of her complete novels (some on more than one occasion).  What a treat to be able to read and review this special edition of Sense and Sensibility from Bethany House!  I usually rank Sense and Sensibility in my top 4 favorite novels from Jane Austen.  I know there are only 6, which doesn't say much for my thoughts on 5 and 6.
In this timeless tale from Austen's hand, we find truths that still resonate with us today.  Struggles with money, love, truth, honesty, chivalry, etc.  The story of the Dashwood sisters is one that I cannot truly relate to since I only have a brother, but I find their love and care for each other to be genuine and true.  They each have their own defined personality and this can sometimes make for a lack of complete understanding between them.  Elinor, being the oldest of the sisters, certainly takes her role to heart in her choice of actions concerning Marianne and the rest of her family.  This story is full of rich characters: Colonel Brandon, Edward Ferrars, Willoughby, Sir John, John and Fanny Dashwood, etc.  Some characters will be dearly loved at the end of the book and some will leave you with a rather sour taste in your mouth.  But reading an Austen novel is always worth the time.  The language, history, ideas, and wit presented from Jane are rich and enjoyable.  I like the family in this story - Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret.  They are a wonderful example to us.  I really think that Jane Austen truly wanted to give us a treasure when she illustrated some of her characters so well, and that is especially true in her representation of this family.  Family, I believe, was very dear to Jane.  This story is one of love, betrayal, family, and much more.  I truly recommend it to one and all.
The fun thing about this particular copy of Sense and Sensibility is that the wonderful people at Bethany House added some fun trivia and other tidbits to the novel.  Reading the bits of history, opinions on characters, word definitions, and other remarks made the novel more enjoyable.  In a way, it also felt as if someone was reading along with me and sharing their thoughts with me.  Who doesn't enjoy talking about a good book with their friends?  I really found this addition of detail to make this edition of the book a much more fun one to read and enjoy!  Definitely a good copy to share with fellow Austen enthusiasts!

Disclaimer:
This book was provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers.

Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge

Wow!  I'm not even sure where to begin.  I read this book in 4 days time, which is pretty quick for me right now.  Overall, I really enjoyed the story.  Cheryl McKay's characters honed into book format with Rene Gutteridge's help made for an interesting and thought-provoking story on many levels.  In the story, we meet Jessie Stone and follow her through life's misadventures and human assumptions.  She is thirty-four, single, longing for the man of her dreams, wanting her love story to finally happen.  She has tried all the avenues that most of us (until recently maybe) wouldn't try.  She's going through life on her terms without considering what God might want for her.  She is the ultimate romantic (hopeless or otherwise) and everybody who knows her knows this about her.  What is a woman to do when a mysterious man shows up in her life; a man who says that he's God.  This presents many interesting situations for Jessie as she talks to someone that only she can see, etc.  The story has twists and turns as does life when we try to follow our format for it and not the format (path) picked out for us by our Creator.  Many good characters, fun scenarios, and great details.
I have a problem or two or more with this story.  Normally, I try very hard to be very positive when I write my reviews, but I struggle to do that with some parts of this book.  I guess my trouble comes from the fact that I want all Christian fiction to be entirely Christian.  Not to say that Christians don't have their stumbling blocks (myself included).  The issues for me from this book are Jessie's sister (who has lived with one guy after another for some time now), Jessie's decision to move in with someone, Jessie's need to get drunk, and even Blake's shallowness when it comes to women.  The other thing that bothers me is that Jessie hasn't had a relationship with God for years, if ever.  At one point, we find out that she hasn't set foot in a church in 14 years or so, yet God comes into her life to write her love story.  I guess for me the state of one's heart in terms of their relationship with Christ is more pressing, but maybe I'm missing the purpose of this story or overanalyzing it when that much analysis was never what the authors wanted.  I believe truly that God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.  He loves His children (His creation) and wants to be involved in us, but we have a tendency to limit His involvement.  Truly, I believe this saddens Him.  So, from that point of view, I can see where the authors want us to see that God truly is concerned for us, wants to guide us, counsel us, reprimand us, praise us, enjoy us, etc.  I find that there is so much more that I could say about this story, but I don't want to tear about what really was an entertaining, fun, unique story full of interesting characters with human aspects we can each certainly relate to.  I did find the book funny, intriguing, and hard to put down.  Check it out and tell me what you think.

Disclaimer: This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Press.

Changes to New Blog Tour Challenge

1. The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall
Reading Dates: June 25-July 6, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: July 6/7, 2011

2. A Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling
Reading Dates: July 4-12, 2011

3. Never the Bride by Cheryl McKay and Rene Gutteridge
Reading Dates: July 12-15, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: July 15, 2011

4. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Reading Dates: Jul 15-26, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Jul 26/27, 2011

5. Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate
Reading Dates: Jul 28-Aug 8, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Aug 8/9, 2011
Finished: August 11, 2011

6. Word Gets Around by Lisa Wingate
Reading Dates: Aug 10-21, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Aug 21/22, 2011

7. Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate
Reading Dates: Aug 23-Sep 3, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Sep 3/4, 2011

8. Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand
Reading Dates: Sep 5-16, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Sep 16/17, 2011

9. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson
Reading Dates: Sep 18-29, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Sep 29/30, 2011

10. The Lord's Prayer by R. T. Kendall
Reading Dates: Oct 1-12, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Oct 12/13, 2011

11. No More Christian Nice Girl by Paul Coughlin and Jennifer D. Degler, PhD
Reading Dates: Oct 14-25, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Oct 25/26, 2011

12. Love is a Flame Compiled by James Stuart Bell
Reading Dates: Oct 27-Nov 11, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Nov 11/12, 2011

13. A Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling (Originally #2)
Finish Reading Dates: Nov 13-15, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Nov 15/16, 2011

14. The Rose Legacy by Kristen Heitzmann
Reading Dates: Nov 17-28, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Nov 28/29, 2011

15. Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites...and Other Lies You've Been Told by Bradley R. E. Wright, PhD
Reading Dates: Nov 30-Dec 11, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Dec 11/12, 2011

15. The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris
Reading Dates: Dec 13-24, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Dec 24/25, 2011

16. From A Distance by Tamera Alexander
Reading Dates: Dec 26-Jan 6, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Jan 6/7, 2012

17. Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander
Reading Dates: Jan 8-19, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Jan 19/20, 2012

18. Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
Reading Dates: Jan 21-Feb 1, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Feb 1/2, 2012

19. A Rush of Wings by Kristen Heitzmann
Reading Dates: Feb 3-14, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Feb 14/15, 2012

20. Hatteras Girl by Alice J. Wisler
Reading Dates: Feb 16-27, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Feb 27/28, 2012

21. The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
Reading Dates: Feb 29-Mar 11, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Mar 11/12, 2012

22. To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer
Reading Dates: Mar 13-24, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Mar 24/25, 2012

23. Spiritual Warfare for Women by Leighann McCoy
Reading Dates: Mar 26-Apr 6, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Apr 6/7, 2012

Bonus Days: Apr 8-11, 2012

The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall

I found this book to be very enjoyable.  Once I got into the story and the characters, I had a really hard time putting the book down.  Lena has lived her whole life with a birthmark on her face and has struggled with the comments and remarks that have come with that.  She is a wonderful young woman who loves teaching her students and wants to help them in every way possible.  Her story is one of coming to an understanding of herself.  I enjoyed her story, Grey's story, and the many other stories in the book.  The details of Amish life are always so interesting to me, and Cindy Woodsmall does a great job capturing so many aspects of Amish life.  This book had some very intense moments, twists, and turns, which just added to the draw of the story.  I find the books in this series so interesting for several reasons: there's romance, there's suspense, there's faith, there's Amish life, and so much more.  I have so many thoughts swirling through my head about this book, but I can't seem to capture them well.  I really found it to be another great story from Cindy Woodsmall.  She really has a way of bringing Amish life to life for her reader.  I look forward to the next book in this series.  I'm hoping that some loose ends get tied up!  I so enjoy reading about each characters struggles and challenges and joys!  If you love Amish fiction, you will certainly enjoy this story!!

Disclaimer: This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Press.

New Blog Tour Challenge

I have worked out the details of the New Blog Tour Challenge. I have 21 books in my New Blog Tour Challenge. I have allotted a total of 281 days to read and review all 21 books, this translates to approximately 12.4 days to read each book. The Challenge will begin on June 25, 2011, and run through March 31, 2012. I have set up a reading schedule and blog tour dates for each book. The book titles, authors, and schedule follow:


1. The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall
Reading Dates: June 25-July 6, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: July 6/7, 2011

2. A Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling
Reading Dates: July 8-19, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: July 19/20, 2011

3. The Rose Legacy by Kristen Heitzmann
Reading Dates: July 21-Aug 1, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Aug 1/2, 2011

4. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Reading Dates: Aug 3-14, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Aug 14/15, 2011

5. Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate
Reading Dates: Aug 16-27, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Aug 27/28, 2011

6. Word Gets Around by Lisa Wingate
Reading Dates: Aug 29-Sep 9, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Sep 9/10, 2011

7. Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate
Reading Dates: Sep 11-22, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Sep 22/23, 2011

8. Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand
Reading Dates: Sep 24-Oct 5, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Oct 5/6, 2011

9. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson
Reading Dates: Oct 7-18, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Oct 18/19, 2011

10. The Lord's Prayer by R. T. Kendall
Reading Dates: Oct 20-Nov 4, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Nov 4/5, 2011

11. No More Christian Nice Girl by Paul Coughlin & Jennifer D. Degler, PhD
Reading Dates: Nov 6-17, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Nov 17/18, 2011

12. Love is a Flame Compiled by James Stuart Bell
Reading Dates: Nov 19-30, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Nov 30/Dec 1, 2011

13. Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites...and Other Lies You've Been Told by Bradley R. E. Wright, PhD
Reading Dates: Dec 2-13, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Dec 13/14, 2011

14. The Vigilante's Bride by Yvonne Harris
Reading Dates: Dec 15-26, 2011
Blog Tour Dates: Dec 26/27, 2011

15. From A Distance by Tamera Alexander
Reading Dates: Dec 28, 2011-Jan 8, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Jan 8/9, 2012

16. Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander
Reading Dates: Jan 10-21, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Jan 21/22, 2012

17. Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
Reading Dates: Jan 23-Feb 3, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Feb 3/4, 2012

18. A Rush of Wings by Kristen Heitzmann
Reading Dates: Feb 5-16, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Feb 16/17, 2012

19. Hatteras Girl by Alice J. Wisler
Reading Dates: Feb 18-29, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Feb 29/Mar 1, 2012

20. The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
Reading Dates: Mar 2-13, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Mar 13/14, 2012

21. To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer
Reading Dates: Mar 15-26, 2012
Blog Tour Dates: Mar 26/27, 2012

Bonus Days: Mar 28-31, 2012

If you would like to follow along and read with me, please do.  Also, I would certainly appreciate your comments on the titles after I have finished reading a title and posted a review of it.  This New Challenge is a personal one that I am setting out before myself so that I might finish reviewing the books that I am currently obliged to review, and I thought it might be kind of fun!!  The dates are a guide - if I finish a book early I will start on the next book early and if I finish a book late I'll start the next book late.  I don't want the New Challenge to be so rigid that I fail as soon as I start.  Also, I may add other books in along the way (if I commit to more).  Anyway, please check back over the next nine months and see how the New Challenge is going.  Thank you for your continued interest and support.  Also, I want to note that my baby is due on November 8, 2011, with a c-section scheduled for November 1st.  That right there may put an end to the New Blog Tour Challenge.  Please follow me on this interesting journey to new books!

The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen

I really enjoyed The Apothecary's Daughter.  A very interesting and enjoyable read.  The story of Lillian (Lilly) Haswell, daughter of apothecary Charles Haswell, is well-written with details and depth by Julie Klassen's hand.  I found Lilly's story full of fascinating details about apothecaries in the 1800s, as well as details about England at the time the story takes place.  Lilly is the daughter of an apothecary, a man with great knowledge and understanding of ailments and their treatment.  She has an amazing memory for details of the past and knowledge of herbs, mixtures, treatments, etc. herself.  However, Lilly longs for something more from her life than what she has in Bedsley Priors.  She wants to travel, to see the world, to go beyond her little village and experience more of life.  The opportunity arises for her to go to London and spend time in the care of her aunt and uncle of wealth.  There, Lilly learns the finer points of being a young lady of proper upbringing, but she also misses the life she came from.  Throughout the story many young men vie for Lilly's affection, and she goes through many trials.  Lilly is a woman with many good qualities and a knowledge that during her time in London she has wandered from her life of prayer.  She rediscovers the importance of this, I think, upon her return to Bedsley Priors.  This story is full of rich characters, a twist or two, and many interesting historical pieces.  I found it to be a fairly quick read and an enjoyable story that I would certainly recommend to others.  If you enjoy a good historical novel, check out The Apothecary's Daughter!  Enjoy!

Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr

Ellie's story is somewhat predictable, but it was one I really enjoyed.  Ellie is a spinster at 31-years-old and finds herself almost entirely alone in the world.  The only relatives she has left are two male cousins who are not really the nicest folks around.  She has been sent to keep house for free for a widower with two young sons as "punishment" for her actions.  Ellie makes the two-hour journey by foot hoping beyond hope that the man will give a recommendation so that she might find a position somewhere and no longer be dependent on her Cousin Mark.  As the tale unfolds, Ellie finds herself in a situation she's always dreamed of but never thought it would be the way that it is.  Along her journey she comes to care deeply for her young charges and their father as well as the island she now calls home.  Can God cause a miracle to happen?  Can a man truly love a woman as plain as Ellie?  Can circumstances so change that true love flows on both sides?  A story half full of sadness and half full of joy.  I enjoyed journeying through this tale with Ellie as she came to a place she truly felt God wanted her to be.  She is a woman of great character and depth and insight.  She has a heart for her Father.  I found the male lead in the story to be rough around the edges and moody and somewhat dense at times, but I think he had a lot of growing to do and heartache to work through.  A good historical read from Delia Parr set in Pennsylvania!  Enjoy!

Disclaimer:
This book was provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers.

Links to check out:
Hearts Awakening Book
Hearts Awakening Excerpt
Delia Parr's Website

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

I learned a lot about governesses from this book.  This was my first time reading a novel by Julie Klassen and I was drawn in quickly to the story, setting, etc.  I am, admittedly, a huge Jane Austen fan so that may have something to do with my quick interest in this particular book.  Ms. Klassen tells the story of Olivia Keene - a young woman who goes through several trials of sorts throughout the tale.  She is thrust into a situation beyond her control and finds herself in unexpected circumstances in the home of an earl.  During her time in that place she befriends many individuals and eventually becomes the governess.  Olivia's story is full of hurts, heartaches, assumptions, and so much more.  In the end, everything is as it should be.  God's plan is worked out.  The true heart of each of the characters comes to light by the end of the book, but I felt that this story was somewhat lacking in sharing faith openly.  There were not many obviously Christian characters.  There were many moral issues throughout the book, but then I suppose those even (if we were honest) occur in the life of a Christian on occasion.  Overall, I found this story of Olivia, Lord Bradley, Lord Brightwell, Mr. Croome, Andrew, Audrey, and so many others to be a delightful tale with some twists and turns.  I certainly, after reading this novel, want to find and read more of Ms. Klassen's books.  She seems to have a real taste for the era of Jane Austen and her contemporaries.  If you enjoy a good historical read, check out The Silent Governess.  It's a real delight and hopefully a quick read!

Disclaimer:
This book provided free for review by Bethany House Publishers.

Links to check out:
Julie Klassen's website
The Silent Governess book
The Silent Governess excerpt

Divine Appointments by Charlene Ann Baumbich

At first I had trouble getting into this story, mostly because of the main character's attitude and behavior.  I also thought this book would be like the first book in the series, but it really didn't have the same feel at all.  After reading more of the book, I discovered that the story is rich with great characters (even Josie - the main character).  Josie is an analyst experiencing hot flashes and dealing with ideas that have been drilled into her since her childhood with a military father.  She is a woman who knows how to get things done and does it with little emotion and feeling, but what she doesn't realize is that her life is about to change.  Not only does her life change, but the lives of others at the company where she is a consultant.  They are changed in ways only God can orchestrate as He does so well.  I enjoyed getting to know divorced Marsha and pleasant, friendly, encouraging Beth.  Quirky Frank.  Kind, charitable Lyle. And others as well.  The story is one of Divine Appointments - events only God can bring about for His purposes.  I found the book very enjoyable and one I'd highly recommend.  I'm also hoping that somehow there will be a third book in the series.  I still continue to enjoy Ms. Baumbich's writing, especially her Dearest Dorothy books.  She is a wonderful writer!  Hope you all get a chance to have your own Divine Appointments.

Disclaimer:
This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Links to check out:
Divine Appointments Book
Charlene Ann Baumbich's Page

Love At Last Sight by Kerry & Chris Shook

Awesome!  That's the first word that comes to mind about this great book.  I haven't read any other books by the Shooks, so this was my first experience with them.  I found the book to be just what I needed right now in my life.  I have dear relationships that are in all stages, and I want to do what I can to take them to the "Love At Last Sight" stage.  Over the course of reading through this book and answering the journaling questions and following through on their suggestions, you see that the Shooks deeply care for you and your relationships.  They sincerely want to help you grow in your relationships and strive to be the best kind of friend you can be.  I know that several of the points they mentioned struck a chord within me regarding my dearest relationships.  They are very insightful and honest about all aspects of relationships in this book.  What would it really be like to have a "Love At Last Sight" kind of relationship?  I truly believe that it would be the kind of relationship that Jesus had with his disciples.  I know that's what I would love to have with my husband, my children, my dearest friend, etc.  Relationships are so very crucial to our life, especially our life as a Christian.  This is a powerful, useful, genuine resource that I highly recommend for those who desire to take their relationships to a new level.  Whether you have a wonderful relationship already or you want to restore a relationship that is on its last legs, this book will guide you through steps to get you to the kind of relationships we all wish we had.  I think this is a resource that we all need to utilize at some point in our life.  Check it out!  It's worth the 30 days!!

Disclaimer:
This book was provided free for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

Links to check out:
Love At Last Sight Book
Love At Last Sight Chapter One
Last Sight Challenge Website