Book Review: 40 Days to Complete God Confidence

This book is a 40 day devotional which is based on 1 John 5:13-15. When we are faced with challenges it is sometimes hard to turn to God but this is what God wants us to do. This book helps us to see that all we need is "Complete God Confidence." This book shows, through the devotions encouragement, to each of us how our faith in God will grow as we turn more and more over to Him.

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

Book Review: Romancing Your Better Half

Romance means different things to different people, but Rick Johnson is able to show the reader how to make changes that will help build romance with your other. Whether a new or a well-established marriage, the author helps to keep things fresh while exploring new avenues.

My husband and I read this book together so we could discuss the ideas with each other, which is always great for connecting with conversation. The chapters include topics such as communication, love, romance and intimacy, sexuality, woundedness, his needs and her needs.

I see this as a book to share to help build a deep, special relationship with your loved one.

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

Book Review: Dating, Dining and Desperation

Melody Carlson has such a gift and I am so glad that she shares it with us. In this second book in a series she picks up where she left off in Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel. Daphne is living in her Aunt Dee's house, after her aunt passed. Unfortunately she must marry before her next birthday in order to keep her inheritance. She continues on with life and this includes writing her aunt's advice column. She soon acquires a new neighbor, Sabrina, who is just vibrant with energy and is always dressed to the 9's. These two make quite a pair to deal with.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as I have with most of this authors books. She writes with such humor and she is able to make the reader feel like they are part of the characters' lives. I also like the way that love is not an automatic thing in her books. I loved this book and would recommend this and any other of Melody Carlson's books to anyone that is looking for a book to pick you up.

I was given this book by B&H books and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Sorry, I'm Not Sorry

This book, Sorry, I'm Not Sorry is written by Nancy Rue as the third book in a trilogy. When I saw the description of the book I thought it would go along with some research I was doing on being bullied. Instead it is from the bully's point of view. The writing is very good. Rue does do a good job portraying the bullying issue with middle/high school students. The series also includes one book, So Not OK, written from a bystander's viewpoint and You Can't Sit with Us from the victim.

I believe that the author does a good job expressing what is going on and I would recommend the series to middle age to young adult readers.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Tom Nelson's Children in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Spring 2015 Debut Fiction Sampler

These sampler collections are great. I love to read the selections and then see which books I will look for. This book has fresh voices and a great variety of genre.

Included in this collection are:
The Silver Swan by Elena Delbanco
The Ghost Network by Catie Disabato
House of Echoes by Brendan Duffy
Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum
Muse by Jonathan Galassi
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins
The Star Side of Bird Hill by Naomi Jackson
Bradstreet Gate by Robin Kirman

Wonderful collection which will appeal to many readers out there.
I was given this collection by NetGalley and Penguin Random House Library Marketing.

Cookbook Review: Cook For Your Life

What a wonderful resource for anyone who cooks. This book has sensible, nutritious, easy-to-follow recipes that anyone can cook. The recipes that are included help the consumer to become or stay healthy.

I believe this book is an excellence resource for anyone that is interested in cooking and good health.

This book was given to me by NetGalley and Penguin Books - Avery in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Bee-Friendly Garden

My husband and son began raising bees as a 4-H project, years ago. Then when we discovered that using honey from close to home, allergy symptoms could be lessened, my hubby began again. Unfortunately, even though we live in the country, our bees are in need of more sources of food. So this book, The Bee-Friendly Garden, came into my life just in time for preparing my spring and summer gardens.

In this book, the authors talk about other reasons for having a garden that bees would like to visit, how a person can have one of any size and even how to make a vegetable/fruit garden that bees will love.

In addition the authors help a person design their garden along with a list of plants that can be found in various parts of the country.

This book is a wealth of knowledge that will be useful to anyone that enjoys gardening and the honey that bees provide.

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

Book review: Unstuffed

My house is filled with stuff. Yarn, books dvds and clutter. Ruth Soukup has written a book that is going to help me get a firmer hand on decluttering.

This action involves more than the house though, it also includes getting rid of the extra things in my mind and my soul. The author shares her story, truths from the Bibles and plans to be put in place to help each reader get rid of the litter in our lives.

Within this book are ways to make instant changes that help to meet the reader's vision for their homes, ways to deal with things that come with kids, facing those things that seem to sabotage our plans and so much more.

For anyone that want to make a difference in the home, mind or soul they call their own, I would highly recommend this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Zondervan non-fiction in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: A Place to Call Home: Toby's Tale

This is a story, for middle age readers, about the life of Toby, from Toby's point of view.

Toby is a German Shepherd puppy and, as with most puppies, his life is filled with adventures including tear-forming times and times of friendship. Toby has had a nice home from the time he was a puppy. However, his breeder does not want his reputation as a pure-bred German Shepherd breeder to come under question by the white coats of Toby and his sister. So he is not adverse to cruelty. This led to some further events which saw Toby end up in another home far from this place. He is not sure who to trust however.

This is not a happy, tail-wagging tale as can be seen by my synopsis, however I feel it is a good book for older middle school children. It is well-written but the sensitivity of some children need to be considered before allowing just any child to read it. Perhaps it would be a better book to discuss with a child as it is being read by parent and child.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Outskirts Press in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Unlikely Rebel: A Church Girl's Journey out of Shoulds and Shame

Kelli Gotthardt is a pastor's wife who did not know how to say no. This basically meant she was burning out. This is a common difficulty with many women who love their church and helping. Soon it becomes impossible to say no and then you feel like you are trapped. Kelli shares her trek with the reader. This tells how she went to feeling like she needed to do everything to the path of God's love and expectations for us.

This is a great book to include in a women's Bible study group or to read by an individual.

I was given this book by bookfun.org and by Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review.