Book Review: A Fairy's Guide to Disaster

Matilda Whipplethorn has been asked to take on a big challenge...babysit Gerald, the fairy nobody likes. As she tries to talk her way out of it, her mother shows her a list of everything that could go wrong and how to handle it. Unfortunately, the list does not include people coming into Whipplethorn Manor and taking her home with her, Gerald and her sister Iris included. The mantel that is taken has been her home for as long as she can remember, now these humans are taking it to an antique mall. Here it is purchased and sent to a new home. Matilda is not sure what to do as one disaster follows another.

This is a fun and very well-written book with good character development. I have always enjoyed books about fairies and I now have a new one that will stay with me for a while. I enjoyed watching how Matilda became more brave throughout the book and the children were able to realize that each one had redeeming qualities which helped them overlook the other, less-likable traits. I truly enjoyed this book.

Book Review: Shards of Murder

I love this type of book. I've seen them referred to as cozy mysteries and I feel that describes them exactly.

In Shards of Murder, Savannah Webb comes across a murder at a glass-making competition. She runs her late-father's shop, Webb's Glass Shop and she has been asked to be a judge at the Spinnaker Arts Festival. She chose the winner but the winner didn't claim her prize, $25,000. Her body is soon discovered by Savannah and then the adventure begins.

I enjoyed the characters. Cheryl Hollon made them fun yet believable. The story itself was well-developed and kept me wanting to read. She also included a little on the processing of glass. Overall, I found this book a nice one to pick up when I wanted to settle in and read for a little while.

I was given this book by Kensington Books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Chapel Car Bride

I loved this book from the first page to the end.

Hope Irvine is an optimist always seeing the good in people, no matter where they are. Her father becomes an on-the-rail missionary where he goes from place to place in a chapel car. Hope wants to use this opportunity to share her gifts in music with others.

Luke Hughes also enjoys music. He is a miner who does not see a future between the two of them. However, he does feel some jealousy when Hope begins visiting people in other counties with the mine manager. Soon Luke begins to questions the mine manager's true purpose for the trips. Luke decides to speak up so he can keep Hope safe.

I loved the way the author, Judith Miller, is able to blend fiction with history, plus she is able to reflect the morals of a Christian throughout the book. I had never heard about chapel car ministries before but I can see how they served their purpose. Very fascinating.

The characters are fully developed and intriguing. I highly recommend this book to all readers.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Make it Yours

I was not sure what to make of this book from the cover when I requested this book. However, Make it Yours is just the book for those who like to be crafty. The variety of craftiness includes: Abstract & Geometric Patterns; Everyday Patters; Custom Motifs; Occasions and Celebrations; Flora and Fauna; Travel-Inspired Patterns.

Some of the media used are washi paper, cork, cloth, furniture and so much more.

Each design includes and estimated time for the project, a difficulty level (from 1-4), techniques to learn through the project, how to remix the technique, materials needed, a full-color picture of the item and step-by-step instructions.

When I opened this book, I fell in love with it. The different techniques I could see myself learning and using and then sharing with my grandchildren is amazing.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who sees themselves as crafty, or would like to be.

I was given this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Hope for the Same-Sex Attracted: Biblical Direction for Friends, Family Members, and Those Struggling With Homosexuality

This was an interesting book to read. The author is a pastor who has had times where he was faced with this attraction. He is currently married to Amy.

In this book he states that the Bible is opposed to relationships which are same-sexed. Here he looks at strategies for those with this battle.

I have had some difficulties in understanding the theology behind some of his writing, but since this is not an issue in my life, that could be the cause.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Very Like a Queen

I love books about royalty, so this book had my heart at the title.

Alice Petherton is the main character in this book. And she knows how to survive in King Henry VIII's court. She is his favorite however, she knows that this does not always mean she is safe, after seeing what happened to three of his wives. She decides that she will be his mistress but not marry him. Thomas Cromwell becomes her protector. That is until she fall for another and then Cromwell is executed.

This is the first book that I have read by Martin Lake and I truly loved it. I will now be looking for more works by Lake. In Very Like a Queen. I felt he was able to transport me to court life. I felt the thrill and the danger that his main character felt. The connections that I felt to Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell was also remarkable.

I highly recommend this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Can be found HERE!

Book Review: Smart Girl

Well, I did it again. I picked a book from a series that I have not read. However, that did not keep me from enjoying this light-hearted, fun romance.

Miko Jin seems to like falling in love, however, the men are from books. Then she sees and falls for Liam Ashton. Liam could not be farther from Miko, in every way. Patience is the key for Miko, so she turns to her books and friends to find the way to get Liam to fall for her

Brilliant designer Miko Jin is a hopeless romantic. She’s spent most of her life falling in love over and over again…with the men she finds in the pages of her favorite novels.

For a fun, easy book to read, I recommend this, even if you haven't read the others in the series!

I received this book from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: Good At Games

Jill Mansell is such a gifted writer. Good at Games is a good example of her work.

This book is filled fun characters, and situations. I had a hard time putting it down once I started.

Suzy married young and then that marriage fell apart, however the two remained friends. She loves chocolate but, not working off the calories. She is not the neatest person. She is a real estate agent who works for her older brother, who cannot get enough of work.

The story does do a lot of jumping from one characters viewpoint to another, but I had a smile on my face throughout, regardless.

I highly recommend this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark in exchange for my honest review.

The book may be purchased HERE!

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Book Review: A Joy-Filled Life

A wonderful book which helps faith, passion, and commitment grow. In A Joy-Filled Life, Mo Anderson tells her journey to where she is today, a leader over many. It also shows how a joy-filled life does not mean you have to be a leader in the board room. She began as a teacher who encouraged the children she taught to stive for more.

I recommend this book for those that are looking for this kind of life.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group in exchange for my honest review.

This book can be found HERE!

Book Review: Word Writers: Ephesians

This is a very good Bible Study for teens. It is a small book but the wording throughout brings Ephesians to life. Having said that, I was impressed with how much I learned through this book. I feel that it is written in a way that is relevant to today's living.

It is an excellent study to help kids get into the Bible.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Harvest House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: the 20 Hardest Questions Every Mom Faces

I wish that I had this book when my children were younger. I don't know how many times I would wonder if the choices my husband and I made were the best from the Lord's view or if we were just set in our ways.

All of the author's advice in the 20 hardest questions every mom faces is steeped in biblical knowledge. I highly recommend this book to every mother. Such a blessed source.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be purchased HERE.

Book Review: Harvest

This book, Harvest, is a beautiful book to look at and a wonderful resource book for uses of garden plants. Most of the ideas, plans and recipes given in this book were new to me. I had never thought about pickling rhubarb, or using blueberries for dyeing. These are in here plus lemongrass salt scrub, pineapple guava simple syrup and many, many more. Each entry has large colorful pictures along with an introduction about the plant, where and if you can grow it in your garden, when to harvest, a recipe, or directions and then a picture of the finished item.

I loved this hardback books with print which is easy to red and instructions that are plain and easy to follow. I found this book beautiful and full of useful information.

I was given this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Gifts from Heaven

Gifts from Heaven, is just what the title says it is. From the first story about God's intrusion, to the very end, I felt like each story touched my heart. 

The collection of stories are from Christians who had faith in prayer. Some of them were answered as expected while some were surprised.

Included are stories of people who were blessed by seeing Jesus, dreams, hearing God and so much more. I enjoyed this, because it demonstrated trust in God, even in hard times, even when He answers differently than expected.  

I feel like those that open this book will feel encouragement and an uplifting of their faith.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: With Love, Wherever you Are

With Love, Wherever You Are, written by Dandi Daley Mackall, is a historical romance set in WWII. The story is based off love letters written by her parents.

 Helen Eberhart joined the Army as a nurse after Pearl Harbor. She is given the assignment of caring for severly wounded soldiers.

Frank Daley joined so he could finish medical school. He was hoping that he would not have to face battle. However, he ends up going to bootcamp and then to Europe to serve in a battlefield hospital. While serving the two met. The couple encountered love, faith and sacrifices as they had a whirlwind courtship and wedding. Then while serving the two had to cling to the thread of their love as they faced the dangers and struggle of taking care of their patients.

The author was able to make this couple come alive as she took the letters and was able to show the love this couple had as they faced uncertainty from the beginning. You can tell the love Dandi has for these two as she creates strong, yet loving characterizations of Frank and Helen. This is a well-written romance that touches the heart of the reader.

I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Waking Up Slowly

What wonderful places to turn to for Spiritual lessons....dogs, children, critters and the unexpected. I love when this happens and so does Dave Burchett.

In Waking Up Slowly the author shows us how much more we can connect to God by turning away from our technology, which we seemed always hooked up to, and look around for these moments from God.

His down-to-earth writing style helped this connect with me from page one. It is filled with stories that move and moments of grace. I think this would make a good book to have on everyone's shelves and it would be a great book to give to others.

I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review. And I am so thankful.