Stumbling on Open Ground: Love, God, Cancer, and Rock ‘n’ Roll

I recently had the chance to read Stumbling on Open Ground: Love, God, Cancer, and Rock ‘n’ Roll by Ken Mansfield. I really enjoyed this book and was at first interested in it since I really enjoy music and his story seemed like it would be one of encouragement and surviving through illness. Ken Mansfield wrote this book by Connie where they talk about the very trying times in their lives when they had to deal with the terrible occurrence of cancer. Ken talks about the struggles he faced and how this impacted his relationship with Christ. The book also looks at Connie and how she dealt with caring for her ill husband.

 

I really liked this book, and I felt it was very inspirational how they grew stronger in their faith in light of their cancer. I could only hope I would have this same type of attitude if I were to be faced with any type of difficulty in my life. I think this is a great book for anyone to read, whether they are dealing with illness or just looking for an interesting read.  

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of their BookSneeze Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 

 

Chocolate-Covered Baloney: Confessions of April Grace

Chocolate-Covered Baloney: Confessions of April Grace is the third book in the series by KD McCrite. In this book. April is facing many changes in her life including a new baby brother in the family and being a student in Middle School. There are many topics in this book that April must go through that any middle-school aged person could be going through in their own lives, and she shows that it is possible to make it through some of the most difficult obstacles.

 

I really enjoyed this book, even though I am a few years over the target age for readers of this book. I am sure my younger cousin will enjoy this book, and I can’t wait to share it with her since April Grace is a great example of how to go through difficulties in your life and still remain strong and true to your faith.

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of their BookSneeze Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

 

Heaven Changes Everything

Since I read the book Heaven is for Real by Colton Burpo, I have seen many books with the same title throughout bookstores. The original book tells the story of Colton dying and going to heaven before he is resuscitated. As time goes on, his family beings to hear things from him that he couldn’t possibly know, things like the looks of his grandfather he never knew, a sibling in heaven his parents never told him about, and what his parents were doing while he was in the hospital room. This book is written by Cloton’s parents, Todd and Sonjo Burpo, in the format of a short devotional. The book is broken into 42 chapters, and each contain an excerpt from the original book followed by a devotional concept by Todd or Sonja Burpo. The chapters include Is Your Light On?, Asking for and Giving Help, No Secrets, Forgiveness Is for Real, and many others.

 

I liked the format of this book, and I liked the fact that the chapters were short enough to be read pretty quickly, since I am normally running late in the morning and find if devotionals are too long I’m not as likely to spend time really thinking about them but I rather skim over them and don’t really think about what I’m reading.     

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Faithful to Laura

Faithful to Laura is the second book in the Middlefield Family Series written by Kathleen Fuller. Laura Stutzman is a young Amish woman living in Ohio after following her fiancée, who lied to her and stole her family’s money, to the town of Middlefield. After deciding to earn the money back and then find her ex-fiancee to seek revenge, she begins working for a local woodworker and his son, Sawyer Thompson. Sawyer was adopted by an Amish family during his teenage years since he had no living relatives, and he has yet to decide if he wants to live his life as Amish or English. As Sawyer and Laura begin to form a friendship and relationship, Sawyer gets a surprise visit from a grandmother he didn’t know existed which creates some added tension to Sawyers relationships. This book kept me interested from the first page to the last!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Through Rushing Waters

Through Rushing Waters, written by Catherine Richmond, tells the story of Sophia Makinoff in 1876. Sophia is originally from Russia, and she finds herself teaching French in New York City, ready to marry a US Congressman. When she learns that the Congressman has proposed to her roommate, she takes the first opportunity to leave the city and become a missionary teacher. She is soon working at the Ponca Indian Agency in Dakota Territory where she learns that the children in the community need food, shelter, and clothing as much as they need to learn about history, science, and math. While teaching at the school, she meets many new people, including Will, the agency carpenter. Will has an attachment to the Ponco people, and he has learned their language and takes every opportunity to teach them carpentry as well as show them that Americans can provide assistance to the tribe.

I loved the character of Sophia, as she was tough and she did not get scared by those who threatened to harm her. She also grew in her faith during the time she spent in Dakota Territory. She was a great teacher, and was very dedicated to teaching the people. She also showed initiative by reaching out to others in her home community asking them to send supplies to all of the needy Ponco people. Sophia also learns about her relationship with Christ. When she first came to the agency, she didn’t even seem able to pray without the help of her prayer book. As time progresses, Sophia is able to pray on her own and she actually does it at many opportunities. Will was also a great character; he was always trying to do his best for the Ponco people. In addition, he really cared about Sophia. He always put her protection before his own and spent his time to make her life as comfortable as possible while in the Dakota Territory.

This was a great book, and a quick read. I would definitely recommend it to others.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Stress Point

Although I’m not quite in my 20s yet, both of my sisters are in their mid-twenties, so I was excited to read Stress Point: Thriving Through Your Twenties in a Decade of Drama by Sarah Francis Martin. This book was set up like a devotional and looked at the topics of money, love and dating, body image, jobs, career, bank accounts, and many more issues that are especially important to someone starting a new phase in their life. The book gave readers the opportunity to write in a journal-like format after reading a particular topic.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I will be giving it to my older sister to also read. I think this book will be helpful to me in the future as I start a life away from home, and continue to rely on God for all of the difficulties and struggles I may face.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Beauty Book

I have to admit, the cover of The Lily Series book, The Beauty Book, was what made me really want to read this book and then pass it on to my younger cousin. I have red hair and my family members all have red hair, so I thought this book would be the perfect gift for my middle-school aged cousin. I am so happy I selected the book by Nancy Rue for review. The book is formatted as a Question and Answer, and it asks questions about skincare, shaving, clothing, braces, nail polish, and many other topics that are of interested to tween-aged girls. There are also quizzes, the Lily pad where you can fill in certain questions, and the “talking to God about it” section.

I think this book will be great for girls in Middle School, as it talks about topics all girls worry about, and it does it in a Godly manner. There are also cute little drawings, and as I mentioned before, I love the cover art. J I think the tips contained in this book will help with things from clothing selection to steps on how to do a manicure and pedicure.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."