7: an experimental mutiny against excess by Jen Hatmaker

I just finished reading 7.  Wow!  This book is full of non-conventional thoughts (even for most Christians), but it held my attention and got my thought-wheels turning.  I highly recommend this book to everyone!  You will be challenged to rethink many things in your life.  You will open places that have been collecting dust and haven't "bothered" you for years.  You will find that the truth is not what you thought.  "Those" places have been bothering you, but you have found yourself sweeping them under the rug without realizing it.  Spending has caught you in its clutches, food has taunted you into eating more and more, possessions have filled and overflowed your closets and drawers.  You can't seem to understand why you are constantly spent, feeling as though you've been chasing your tail for weeks, months, or maybe years, yet you know that your stress level is through the roof from busyness.  Your kids play two sports each, you are involved in a Bible study on Tuesdays, an exercise class on Thursdays, and host a dinner party twice a month, your husband goes bowling every Friday night, and all of you have one to two activities every Saturday.  Why?  What's the reason?  The point?  Is there something you're running from or to?  Maybe you need a breather, a quiet space to rethink your life and all its many trappings.  If you're feeling like too much is really just too much, then you need to read 7.  In Jen Hatmaker's book, you will find a real person who really did an "experiment" sharing her real life with you.  She is upfront, honest, and open with her follies, mistakes, and victories.  If you don't want your current life situation challenged, your views questioned, your ideals stretched, then DO NOT read 7.  I don't believe you'd enjoy any part of Jen's story if you're happy with the status quo of your life.  If, however, you're curious about what all the fuss is about, then read this book with an open mind.  You never know how God may use the words within 7 to get you thinking, pondering, and considering the normal everyday of your life.  For more on how this book has impacted me and what I plan to do because of it, please visit lifeasapeculiartreasure.blogspot.com.  Sometimes we all need to be stretched, molded, and remade with God's best for us in mind.  Enjoy, friends!

The Jesus Story by Dr. William H. Marty

I found this book very easy to read. Combining the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in an easy-to-read, non-overlapping book is a great idea. Chronology in the New Testament can be confusing. Different accounts of the same event provide us with varying details, which has a definite purpose when reading through God's Word. However, this can cause the reader to wonder about which account to really pay attention to. I found The Jesus Story to be very concise, but I felt that I was missing out on some vital details as well. More detail in the stories would have been great! I found myself thinking, "Didn't it happen this way?" And other times my thoughts were, "Did it really happen that way? Was that detail actually in that passage?" With that being said, I enjoyed this book, but I still prefer to read my Bible and get my facts there. If you know someone who wants everything stated simply and to-the-point, then this might be just the book for them to get their feet wet in The Jesus Story. Take a look!

More info:
http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/dr-william-h-marty/1590

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

Praying for Boys: Asking God for the Things They Need Most

I have two boys - a three-year-old and a six-month-old.  They are a delight to me!  My three-year-old has been changing lately, becoming more boy if that's possible.  He is still sweet, but now I hear growling and roaring noises more often.  Occasionally, I will find him jumping off the arm of the couch onto a nice stack of pillows built up on the cushions.  Then there are the times I hear him mention putting someone in a dungeon or using the word kill and pointing a child-size broom at someone.  Oh my!  When did he cross that line from ever-sweet boy to boy-boy with a side of sweet?  I have been struggling a bit with the changes in him.  They certainly are not bad changes, but they have me questioning God and wondering how to tame the boy without taking the "man" out of him. 

A difficult thing for a mom to puzzle out with her oldest son.

When the opportunity to review Praying for Boys came along, it was a great choice for me with my growing questions concerning how to parent my boy.  What I didn't realize, when I clicked that decisive button saying I wanted to review Praying for Boys, was that the book wasn't quite what I thought it was.  Praying for Boys by Brooke McGlothlin is a great book for those moms (like me) that just aren't sure what to do but know that praying is really the best place to start.  Brooke encourages moms of boys to get down on their knees and pray for their sons.  It's not just about praying but about what to pray - God's word.  With twenty-one chapters covering twenty-one things that boys need in their lives to help them be men of God, this book should have a place on every mom's shelf (prayer warrior or not).  Brooke talks about not wanting to take the things away from her sons that make them boys but to pray for the things that will make them men of God (men with character).  What mom doesn't want her son to have good character?  This is not a parenting book, although some of Brooke's parenting strategies do pop up in her stories.  I found her strategies intriguing and thought-provoking.  The crucial concept to be found within the pages of Praying for Boys is getting down on your knees every day (if possible) to pray for our sons' hearts.  Asking God to turn them to hearts of flesh.  Boys will be boys may be an excuse for bad behavior, but God has a plan for each of our sons and a blueprint for them to follow.  Instead of standing in the path of our sons trying to take away the parts of them that make them boys, we should thank God for those things and pray for His honing hand in their lives, their character, their beliefs.

Another neat feature of Brooke's book is the 21-day prayer guide for small groups in the back.  If you feel compelled to do so, you can use the provided guide to lead a small group in praying for their sons using the prayers in Praying for Boys.  A great and quick read!  The scriptures featured in Brooke's book also make a great jumping off point for finding other verses to pray over your sons (or daughters).  Moms, get on your knees for your children (I know I need to more than I do)!

Some helpful links:
Praying for Boys
Brooke McGlothlin
MOB Society
The Seed Company

Note: I received this book free for review from Bethany House.

Desperate Households: How to restore order and harmony to your life and home By Kathy Peel

Kathy Peel is the Family Manager extraordinaire.  In Desperate Households, she covers 10 areas that can cause stress to Family Managers.  These areas include: dinnertime, clutter, finances, priorities, self-development, and others.  With real-life examples and great tips/ideas that can be easily implemented, this book is a must read for any Family Manager in need of some de-stress tactics.  Is your morning routine causing issues within your family, or do school days send you into a whirlwind of lost shoes?  Then I highly recommend this easy read!  You can even skip right to the chapter that really speaks to your current need!  I suggest tackling one area at a time rather than trying to hit all 10 at once.  That would cause you more stress!  Great hints from her own experience and that of other women will set you on the road to order and easy-breathing.  Don't be "desperate" anymore - read Desperate Households!

Friendship for Grown-Ups by Lisa Whelchel

I moved back to my home state over a year ago and have since struggled to develop friendships.  The struggle has taken a toll on me, but I know that God has a plan for me and for my friends.  God is good!
I was in the library looking for books and found Friendship for Grown-Ups by Lisa Whelchel on the shelf and decided to check it out.  What a great book!  As I was reading, I kept thinking "I've been there; I know what she's saying."  Books where I connect with the author that way are so powerful to me.  I want to internalize her words, follow her suggestions, learn from her mistakes/fumbles.  Lisa goes through her journey on the road to friendship in this book.  She tells the reader the low points, the high points, and the in-between.  I am both hopeful and a little scared about stepping into the real world of friendship.  The road to deep, meaningful friendship is not always going to be easy or free from potholes.  Why?  We're human!  This book is ideal for a discussion group or just some self-evaluation.  In the back of the book, Lisa includes useful helps in growing your friendship and great starter questions to ask your friends or your friends-to-be.
I wish I could tell you the emotions I went through as I read her words about women who may only have a thimbleful to give and those who have even more.  Or the feelings I had when I read about addressing bricks before a wall is built.  So many helpful tools!  If you want to learn more about friendship, real, deep, abiding friendship, check this powerful book out.  And, if anyone wants to do a study of it with me, let me know!!!

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson is a fun, quick read.  The story has comedy and romance!  I enjoyed reading Bella's story.  She is unsure of herself in some areas of her life, but through the tale in this book she comes to understand her abilities, giftings, and beauty from the words spoken by those around her.  Bella is part of a large Italian family that mostly resides under the same roof making for some interesting encounters and great family moments.  Throw in a parrot with a dirty mouth and your story is almost complete.  All that's left to add is a special Texan cowboy.  Wonderful first book in the Weddings by Bella series!  I'm looking forward to reading the next one very soon!  :)

Finally & Forever by Robin Jones Gunn

For those of you who don't know this about me, I've been a huge Robin Jones Gunn fan since Christy Miller.  If you're a fan too, you know what I mean.  So, of course, I've been trying for years to follow the journeys of all my dear friends.  They have been such a part of my life now for nearly 2 decades.  How could I not continue on their journey with them?
I finally picked up Finally & Forever the other day and proceeded to read it in less than 48 hours.  I can honestly say that I never guessed that Katie would end up in Africa.  She has always been an important character in Robin's line up.  A great supporting role for her best friend Christy, but I never pictured her falling for an unknown like Eli and ending up in Kenya.  All of this being said, I am glad that Katie ended up where she was truly supposed to be.  I found myself turning page after page wanting to know where the story would go next.  Katie flew to Africa with Eli to see what was there for them.  She arrived in a new culture and soon fell in love with her surroundings.  Along the journey in Africa, Katie and Eli have bumps in their relationship.  Are they truly supposed to be together?  Do their desires for ministry mesh?  What is God's plan?  Heart searching happens and soul searching and the answer comes.  The realization comes that they can mesh their ministry desires and become one in marriage.  The end of the book is grand - what a creative way to do it!
Go get your copy of Finally & Forever, and see the amazing sights of Kenya.  There may even be a miracle in their somewhere too and a chance to see what God's plan for your own life might be.  Thank you, Robin Jones Gunn, for a great book!  Could you write about the wedding now and bring the whole gang back together one last time??

A Wedding Inivitation by Alice J. Wisler

It has taken me a really long time to finish this book, which isn't to say that I didn't enjoy it.  Alice Wisler's writing style is a little different that what I normally read.  It's gritty, heart searching, and sometimes feels very real emotionally.  She takes you into the lives of her characters and has you try on their emotions, their feelings, and their past. I enjoyed reading Samantha Bravencourt's story of teaching in a refugee camp in the Philippines and her life experience years after that has been saturated by her year abroad.  Her story has heartache, doubt, faith, and renewal.  This book has some Southern flair mixed in with the dirty streets of the refugee camp.  Two very different worlds collide in this book as we learn Samantha's history and her present.  A deep-reaching book with a lot of light thrown in.  Great book club read for a group, and there are discussion questions in the back!

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

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