Whirlwind by Cathy Marie Hake

Cathy Marie Hake has done it again!  She has written another great story for her readers to dive into.  The story of Millie and her journey from England to America and what happens is definitely a page-turner.  I so enjoyed all the wonderful characteristics that Millie has - she's caring, loyal, intelligent, creative, generous, sweet, kind, and so much more.  A grand leading lady for this story of sadness and joy and ups and downs.  She definitely fits in with the rest of the Gooding ladies.  I really feel like I'm a part of the story when I read a Hake book.  She spins such marvelous tales.  I question her choosing to do certain things with some of her characters, but I know she has her reasons and so that's usually enough for me to be "okay" with her choices.  A quality, enjoyable tale from an author who has definitely made a name for herself in this business.  If you enjoy a good historical fiction novel, then you must read the entire Only in Gooding! Series.  This is book number three in the series.  Begin your journey with Fancy Pants, I know you'll be glad that you did!!

Blog Tour Challenge Update

I wanted to report in on how things are going with my challenge.  I am officially one day behind because it took me 11 days to read Words Unspoken instead of 10.  Today I will begin reading Whirlwind by Cathy Marie Hake.  I will not give up even though I am one day off.  Please continue to check in for updates!

Words Unspoken by Elizabeth Musser

This book was powerful emotionally.  That is my first thought.  The story of Lissa and so many other characters was a steady stream of emotions, learning, growing, gaining understanding, and so much more.  Follow Lissa as she deals with the emotions of grief and loss due to the death of her mother.  Follow her as she comes back from the brink of blackness.  Follow the story of Ted Draker as he learns that the way to caring for your family can only be paved with stones of truth and honesty.  Follow Silvano Rossi as he learns that the best way to help his family is to do it legitimately and without hurting others and stepping on them to climb the "ladder."  Follow Katy Lynn as she finds forgiveness for others and a new way to live life even through dramatic changes.  Follow Janelle as she journeys through grief so real it still hurts after 2 years.  These characters are dealing with real heart issues and life issues and through it all we start to piece together how they are all ultimately connected to each other.  It's a powerful story of the words we listen to and choose to follow in our lives - good or bad.  I am typically not a fan of this kind of story, but I found it quite good and definitely worth the time.  Hope you enjoy as well!


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

Catching Katie by Robin Lee Hatcher

Join Katie as she sets out to change the way the things are done and the way people believe.  Katie is a woman with a mission - a mission to help every woman in the United States have the right to vote.  She has spunk, spark, and a heart to do as God has called her to do.  What she doesn't realize is that sometimes things don't always go according to plan.  Hearing from God and actually listening to what He's really saying can sometimes mean two different scenarios.  Read along as Katie discovers that there is a plan for her life that will allow her to change the world and to have more than what she'd ever expected.  You will enjoy her story of coming home and finding what is truly meant for her life.  She has a faith beyond what she sees in her world in 1916 - a faith for what the future could hold.  I really enjoyed this story - it made me want to learn more about the suffrage movement.  I hope you will find it as enjoyable as I did!

Blog Tour Challenge Update

I'm done with the non-fiction titles in the challenge and now I can move on to the fiction titles.  Continue to stay tuned for more reviews and updates.  I'm excited; are you?

Love is a Verb: Stories of What Happens When Love Comes Alive by Gary Chapman

This book was not what I first expected, but as I read I really found it enjoyable.  Love is a Verb is a compilation of several short stories written by several different people about their encounters with love.  The stories range from uplifting to bittersweet and all touch on different kinds and aspects of love.  Stories include love for a spouse, child, parent, neighbor, stranger, etc.  They are powerful stories with eye-opening insights and thought-provoking concepts.  I cried and maybe even laughed a little while reading this collection of tidbits right from people's real lives.  Love is something so precious, a true gift we can give to others and receive from others.  God is the ultimate example of what love is and can be and that also shines through in this heartfelt book.  I recommend this treasure of a book for those who are interested in gaining new insights into love through the true-to-life words of people who have come face-to-face with the many facets of what love can be.

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

Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy by Jonni McCoy

This book was really interesting for those who are interested in saving money in their budget, especially on groceries and other expenses.  Jonni's writing is easy to understand, clear, and full of details many of us may not have realized or understood before.  She covers many topics with helpful tips and information, and she lists many websites and books as useful resources.  She understands the importance of spending your money wisely, without being wasteful.  There are recipes included for meals, cleaning products, and also great ideas for making your holidays enjoyable without going crazy on spending.  I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in finding a few ways to cut back on some spending in their family budget.

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