Book Review - "An Amish Christmas, expanded edition"

I really enjoyed reading "An Amish Christmas" last year, so I was very excited when Thomas Nelson offered the expanded edition! This is a book that should be read every year at this time as it puts you into the spirit of Christmas as you are immersed in a simpler way of life focusing on the true meaning of Christmas and highlighting family time during this special season.
The original edition of this book included 3 novellas. The first novella being "A Choice to Forgive" by Beth Wiseman. Lydia is offered a chance with her first love after many years, but has too much time passed and can she ever forgive him?
The second novella is "A Miracle for Miriam" by Kathleen Fuller. Miriam was teased and had her feelings hurt as a young girl, but people can change...or is the hurt too strong to forgive and forget?
The third novella by Barbara Cameron is "One Child." Sarah and David are childless and the pain that results from this is so strong. So, why on this snowy Christmas night is a couple brought to their door needing a place to stay and also ready to birth their first child?
The expanded edition includes "Christmas Cradles" written by Kelly Long. It is worth getting the expanded edition to have this extra, fourth novella. Anna travels a couple of hours to fill in for the local midwife so she can spend time with the family. Soon after falling asleep Anna is woken to travel to a home to help with the delivery of a baby. This is only the beginning of births for this late evening and early morning on Second Christmas for Anna and her faithful driver Asa. Anna also has a love for quilts and little does she know starting out how a quilt will assist her in each of the deliveries on this snowy night and how her heart and life will be forever changed.
This is a wonderful book to add to your Christmas collection. Each of these women author such beautiful stories. Being novellas, each story does not take long to read and yet each story feels complete and you will be left smiling and ready for Christmas (and snow!).

Book Review - "God Loves Single Moms"

Raising kids can be joyous and difficult at the same time. Teresa Whitehurst has complied what she knows and has learned first-hand about being a single mom in "God Loves Single Moms" in order to help other single moms like herself.
This is a very practical book that is also interactive for moms. It is filled with advice, tips, and help with the goal of helping the single mom to be more confident and hopeful in this challenging yet fulfilling role. Although, you may not have an earthly partner to help raise your children, God is always leading and is right by your side each and every moment. This is a great resource for single moms as it is jam-packed with words from one who is in the same role and is a great reminder of God's guidance and love.

“Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Book Review - "Amy Inspired"

"Amy Inspired" is Bethany Pierce's newest release from Bethany House. Amy is an aspiring writer, however instead of being published she is collecting rejection letters. If that is not bad enough, Amy's roommate Zoe is getting her work published. Amy works at the local university and spends hours upon hours grading papers. Restless with being stuck in a rut both with her job and writing, Amy is not feeling very inspired these days. Then Eli enters the picture and Amy finds herself struggling between friendship and stronger feelings for Eli and also needing to decide whether to play it safe or follow her dreams in all areas of her life.
The book is well-written and the style fits with the characters (creative writers and the language and style that the novel is written in). However, it is a different style from what I am used to and am a fan of.

*Bethany House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review.

Book Review - "Coming Back Stronger"

Drew Brees with Chris Fabry has released a memoir, "Coming Back Stronger - unleashing the hidden power of adversity." This is a must-read for all Brees fans and also for those who are not but would like to be inspired that anything can be overcome. Brees has faced several challenges in his life and yet he has pushed on and become a truly great NFL player, in the city of New Orleans that has also overcome adversity in the form of a hurricane. Brees relied on God to help him through his struggles and this is evident in this book.
This is a nice hardcover book complete with color photos. Great read!

*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Book Review - "Hatteras Girl"

"Hatteras Girl" is Alice J. Wisler's latest novel and fans of Wisler will not be disappointed! The book did not end how I initially thought it would. There were unexpected twists and turns along the journey throughout this book.
Jackie has held fast to her dream of owning a bed and breakfast since she was a little girl, and not just any bed and breakfast, but the Bailey House. Jackie is working as a journalist and living with her best friend and best friend's son. However, her main goal is to find out who owns the Bailey House and how she can obtain this property. The goal of Jackie's relatives is to find her a husband, and much to Jackie's chagrin, many blind dates are arranged for her. Suddenly Jackie has a date with a man that goes well and this is not arranged by her relatives and then she discovers that this man holds the key to not only her heart, but the Bailey House as well. Jackie is so caught up in her dream and her feelings toward Davis that she does not heed warnings from Buck, her brother's best friend. Join Jackie on her journey to fulfilling her dream!
I enjoyed reading this book! The setting was vividly described and transported me to summer in the Outerbanks. I wish that Minnie's story would have been developed more and that there could have been a possible relationship for her as well, and also her working through her grief more completely. I did enjoy the variety of characters in this novel and Wisler's descriptions of them and their roles. There are the loving, but sometimes overbearing relatives, the unexpected loyal boss and friends who are always there for you. I would recommend this book!

*I was provided with a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for a honest review.

Book Review - "Christmas at Harrington's"

Be ready to be put in the Christmas spirit with Melody Carlson's latest novel, "Christmas at Harrington's." This is a sweet, quick Christmas read with a lovely cover, so the outside of the book is just as nice as the inside!
Lena is just being released from jail, for a crime she is innocent of, and is ready to start her life over in a new town. A new town because why would she want to return to her former one as no one believed her story. Besides Lena's parents have passed away during the eight years Lena spent incarcerated and her minister husband had an affair with a church parishioner. Lena really has no one until she meets Moira on the bus. Moira asks for Lena's story and thinking it will scare her away and Lena will get the empty seat back beside her, Lena shares only to have Moira offer to share her food. Lena continues to have contact with Moira and begins working as Mrs. Santa at a local department store, Harrington's. Everything is going great until a women from her past brings her child to Harrington's to meet Mrs. Santa and recognizes Lena and causes problems. However, losing her job turns out to be the best thing for Lena!
I was not ready for this story to end as there is still so much that could have been told. However, upon finishing the book I was smiling as it appears that Lena is getting the fresh start she deserves and will have a happy life as well as happy endings for the other characters as well! You will want to add this book to Christmas book list!

Book Review - "More Glimpses of Heaven"

Trudy Harris, RN has released a follow-up to her book "Glimpses of Heaven," titled "More Glimpses of Heaven." This is a book filled with "Inspiring True Stories of Hope and Peace at the End of Life's Journey." You will not be able to read this book and remained untouched by the stories. Each short story is an account that is shared of someone or several people in the final stages of one's life here on Earth. You will cry and reflect on your own life as you read about others' journeys through life and their final moments before meeting their Creator. This is a touching book that will make you appreciate the life you have and to not take a single moment for granted.

“Available November 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Book Review - "First Things First"

Known to many as a NFL star and most recently a star on the reality show, "Dancing With the Stars," Kurt Warner is more concerned with his faith in God, and his family. Kurt and Brenda Warner have co-written "First Things First," an intimate look into their lives. This book is unique in that it is written by this couple, so it alternates between husband and wife giving the reader each perspective. Kurt and Brenda are very candid and share things about their relationship with each other, with their children and what they have learned in life in general. Even if you are not a Kurt Warner fan, you will enjoy this book!


*Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

Book Review - "Then Sings My Soul"

"Then Sings My Soul - Special Edition" by Robert J. Morgan is a timely release as it contains several Christmas carols/hymns in it. This book could be used as a devotional book or just as a book to read. There are 150 hymns included in this book along with a story about each one. Just a few of the hymns included are: "The First Noel," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," "Because He Lives," and "God of Our Fathers." It is fascinating to learn the backgrounds of the hymns and also something about the hymn's author. This is a great book for anyone who loves music and/or history! It is a beautiful softcover book with deckle-edged pages as well!