Smitten

Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt is a different kind of story than I have ever read. The book looks at a time in the life of four best friends who are trying to save their town of Smitten after the closing of a local mill. The book is different in the aspect that each character in the book is written by a different author. Each author writes as an individual best friend trying to save their town and manage their relationships. The relationship aspect was also good, as each character remained true to their faith and focused on their faith as they brought life back into their small town.

I already gave this book to my cousin to borrow, as I think anyone my age will be extremely interested to read this relatively quick read. Since each character was so different, anyone can read this and related to at least one character.    

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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  

His Steadfast Love

His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons looks at the time of the 1861s during the Civil War, and the choices families were forced to make when one person they loved decided to fight for the North while another member fought for the South. Along with the daily difficulties that came from running a plantation, Amanda also had to continually worry about the whereabouts and health of bother her brother and the man she planned to marry. Throughout the book, Amanda faces many difficulties, and, at times, she finds herself thinking that God chose not to care about her family or answer her prayers anymore. Although she went through times of doubt, she continually returns to her faith throughout the work.

I really enjoyed this book. For the first few chapters, I did not think I would enjoy the book, as I didn’t really know where the story was going. I feel like the book really began to pick up after the first 40 or so pages, and I became really invested in the character of Amanda. For those who have seen Gone With the Wind, she sort of reminded me of the Scarlett character…except she didn’t seem to be at all spoiled. She was the one left to hold her family’s home together after tragedy struck. Throughout the book, she remained strong in her resolve to look after her siblings and ensure they had a roof over their heads.

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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.   

Treasuring Emma

Treasuring Emma: A Middlefield Family Novel, looks at the life of Emma, and the difficulties she has been facing. Emma’s mother recently died, and she is now responsible for her home she resides at along with her grandfather. Although she was once in love with a man named Adam, he left the Amish faith and Emma found herself without her best friend. When Adam returns to town, the difficulties in Emma’s life escalate as a stranger attempts to manipulate her and those in her family.

I really enjoyed this book since it wasn’t a typical Amish book. It had suspense, mystery, romance, and, most of all, faith. I liked learning about the relationship between Emma and her sister, Clara. I understand what it is like to not always get along the best with your siblings, but I appreciate how these two sisters work through their problems.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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."

A Place Called Blessing

I recently read A Place Called Blessing, Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins which was written by John Trent and Annette Smith. This book was an emotional read which looks at brothers who are placed in foster homes and separated from one another after their parents die in a drunk-driving accident. The book specifically focuses on Josh when his two older brothers are adopted, but he does not have the same experience. Josh struggles throughout his life, but he eventually has people come into his life who change his future.

This book was a very short read, and I enjoyed it a lot. I was able to read the book in the span of a weekend, and the book seemed so realistic and extremely believable. Although this is the first book I have read by John Trent, I will definitely be looking for more of his books in the future.  

    

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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 Waiting Place

In Eileen Button’s work The Waiting Place: Learning to Appreciate Life’s Little Delays, she talks about all of the different ways in life people wait. They wait for funerals, signs, miracles, the mail, acceptance, breakthroughs, and growing up. These are just a few of the twenty-two topics which are looked at within the book.

I thought this book had a cute concept, in that each chapter is a self-contained short story which looks at the above mentioned issues that most people, at some point in their lives, find themselves waiting for. The book was an easy, entertaining read, and I would recommend it to others who need to slow down and be content in the waiting place they are currently at in their lives.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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."

Spring for Susannah

Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond tells the story of Susannah, who finds herself moving from Chicago to the Dakota territory in order to marry her pastor’s brother after the death of her parents. After only corresponding for a few letters, Susannah agrees to be uprooted from her home to marry Jesse. Throughout the book, we watch the characters of Jesse and Susannah deal with the difficulties faced by all newlyweds, along with additional problems due to the fact that the newlyweds are basically strangers. As they learn to love one another, they also find their faith growing as well as their faith being tested by difficulties on their farm.

I really enjoyed this book, and I liked seeing Susannah grow as she finally starts to open up to Jesse and others in the community. She also is finally able to face her past and the problems she faced at her home. I also liked that Jesse wasn’t what I would expect from someone who basically had a mail-order bride. He was kind, caring, and sensitive to what Susannah was going though. From the moment he first met her, he seemed to fall in love with her and want to share his life with her. I also liked how they put all of their trust in God and grew in their faith with their neighbors in the Dakota territory.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze 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 Elemental Journal

Since I really enjoy any books dealing with crafts, scrapbooking, and decorating, I knew I would enjoy The Elemental Journal by Tammy Kushnir. The craft book looks at different elements that can be found around your house, outside, or at any location. These items range from wood and paper to plastic and fabric. Each chapter has 4 different types of journals to make, and contains a list of materials and tools necessary to make the particular journal. Then, step by step pictures, which are illustrated, lay out how the particular project is made.

If for nothing more than the photos, I loved this book. Sometimes I find myself drawn to artsy books, but unable to recreate the crafts within the book. This is not the case with The Elemental Journal. The items required to make the journals can be found anywhere, and the instructions clearly lay out how the project is made.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze 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."

Please Stop Laughing at Me

Please Stop Laughing at Me…One Woman’s Inspirational Story tells of the childhood and teenage year of the book’s author, Jodee Blanco. Although I was never bullied in school, and I was never a student who did bullying, I was interested in reading this book. Jodee tells of her experiences in school and how she would fit in for a short amount of time by denying who she really was, and then when she began to stand up for what she believed to be right, she was in turn ridiculed and was the one becoming bullied.

I have to admit, at a few points throughout the book, I thought “that can’t really be what happened” because I, myself, never saw anything like this at my school. I am a high school student, and as I think to high school and elementary school experiences, I don’t think I can pinpoint a single time where I witnessed bullying. I never saw anyone throw someone’s books to the ground, spit or hit a student, or even call anyone else mean names. In the book, Jodee mentions how those who were physically and mentally handicapped were made fun of and taunted. This was exactly the opposite in my school, as everyone embraced those students in support classes, and it was the cool thing to do to volunteer in the Gateway Classroom.

Although I found the actions of the bullys hard to imagine, I believed what Jodee was saying because what would she gain from lying about her experiences? It made me concerned to think that this type of thing may be going on in schools around the country, and I would definitely recommend my high-school aged friends read this book to understand what some students may be facing. With that in mind, I understand why some people only gave this book 1 star…it’s hard to believe she was on the receiving end of such cruel pranks and taunting, but I tend to be very believing of what others say was their experience in life, even though it may be different than what happened to me so far in high school.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the booksneeze 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."

A Cowboy's Touch

A Cowboy’s Touch is the first story in A Big Sky Romance written by Denise Hunter. The story is set in the town of Moose Creek, Montana, and follows the story of Abigail Jones. Abigail is an investigative reporter, but when her editor (who also happens to be her mother) forces her to take a leave of absence to look after her aging great-aunt, she finds so much more than she ever imagined. In Montana she finds love, faces loss, and is able to remember past childhood relationships that have affected her life in a more profound way than she even knew. Overall, this was a great romance that looked at the ways individuals deceive one another, all the while making excuses for their actions, justifying what they are doing in order to appease their own guilty conscience.

I really enjoyed this book, and think it is a great summer read. The characters were all relatable, as Abigail, her love interest and employer Wade, and Wade’s young daughter Maddy all faced the loss of a loved one in their lives. Abigail lost her father at the age of 15, while Wade’s wife (also Maddy’s mother) died about 7 years before the story took place. The book shows the struggles they face many years later and their attempts to move on from the loss in their lives. There is also a strong element of faith in the book. Many times Abigail finds herself quoting verses her father taught her, even though she had not attended church in a relatively long time. This shows that how one is raised affects their future, and that even those words said to a young child can be remembered. Abigail also causes Wade to readjust his stance on dating, as she questions him if he has been seeking God’s will in his decision to no longer date. I really enjoyed this book, and the writing style of Denise Hunter. I will definitely add her other books to my reading list.   

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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 Band that Played On

Although I was a late-comer to the whole Titanic obsession, since I was only 3 when the movie came out with Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, my older sisters wasted no time in immersing me in everything Titanic as soon as I was old enough. Because of that, when I saw the book The Band That Played On by Steve Turner, I jumped at the chance to read it.

By the authors own admission the book does not focus on specific reasons he thinks the ocean liner sunk, rather he looks at the bravery of the eight musicians who played until the final moments aboard the Titanic in order to calm the passengers and have a sense of peace in their final moments. Although many things are disputed about the final moments of this brave band, along with the final moments of the Titanic, one fact remained throughout all of the firsthand accounts; the band members were immensely brave in their final moments.

I enjoyed the content of this book, both learning about the musicians and also hearing about some of the firsthand news accounts and seeing pictures and news headlines from after the Titanic disaster.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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."   

What the Heart Sees

What the Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller is a compilation of three separate short stories. These include A Miracle for Miriam, A Place of His Own, and What the Heart Sees. I enjoyed reading about these different Amish people and looking at the difficulties they face.

A Miracle for Miriam from An Amish Christmas focuses on Miriam and the difficulties she faced when she was younger which causes her to have little self confidence. Seth, on the other hand, moved away from his Amish upbringing and lived among the “Englisch” people. He returns home and a romance ensues between him and Miriam.

A Place of His Own from An Amish Gathering follows Josiah and his leaving the Amish community of Paradise because of the death of his mother earlier in life. When Josiah was wisked away by his father, he didn’t even have the opportunity to say goodbye to his best friend Mandy. When Josiah returns Mandy and Josiah begin to rekindle their friendship.  

What the Heart Sees from An Amish Love looks at the life of Ellie Chupp and the difficulties she faces in her life after becoming blind. Christopher Miller, who left the Amish community, returns and begins to find forgiveness for his past.

I really enjoyed this book, and liked the format of having three different short stories with different characters who were all facing difficulties in their lives. I will definitely read more books by Kathleen Fuller in the future!

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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."

Curiosities of the Civil War

I really enjoy History, and for that reason, I was excited to read Curiosities of the Civil War; Strange Stories, Infamous Characters, and Bizarre Events by Webb Garrison. The book tells of different events that happened during the Civil War and unknown stories about some of the most famous people of the time.

Although this is not a book you can read straight through…it is more of a “coffee table” book…I really enjoyed it. The book was broken down into sections detailing Memorable Players in the Nations’ Greatest Drama, Supporting Members of the Cast, No Two Military Events were Identiacal, Eye of the Beholder, The Unusual and Bizarre, Things Change, Notorious and Nonesuch, and The Money Trail.

My favorite Chapter within the book told about the acts women during the time of the Civil War and was entitled Many Wives Did More Than Knit Socks. I liked learning of the bravery of the women during this time, as they were even found following their husbands into battle and crossing enemy lines when they were unable to determine the fate of their husbands after battle.

Overall, as a fan of historical events, I really enjoyed this book. The facts were a nice length, as they did not take chapters to read about just one individual, rather each chapter contained numerous examples of facts that were unknown to me before reading this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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

Stories About Jesus

Stories About Jesus written by Gwen Ellis is the perfect book to give as a gift to any young child, as it takes Bible stories and teaches them to children in an easy-to-understand manner. Each page has a specific topic, with a Bible verse, story of what happened in that Bible verse with a picture young children will like, and also questions that a parent can ask a young child. I like that the book can be a first time devotional for young children.

Some of the stories are God’s Baby Son Grows Up, Jesus Heals a Sick Boy, Jesus Walks on the Water, A Blind Man Sees Again, One Lost Sheep, One Man Says Thank You, and Jesus Goes to Heaven. Each topic is told in a manner that is easy for young children to understand, and I cannot wait to give this book to my younger relatives to enjoy.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Left at the Altar: My Story of Hope and Healing for Every Woman Who Has Felt the Heartbreak of Rejection

Left at the Altar: My Story of Hope and Healing for Every Woman Who Has Felt the Heartbreak of Rejection by Kimberley Kennedy was the most recent book I read. Although I am not married or engaged, I thought it might be an interesting read for the mere fact that at some point in life, everyone has felt some type of rejection, be it from a relationship, friends, or even family. I can honestly say I enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to others, married or not.

Kimberley Kennedy is a media personality who works in the Atlanta area and is set to marry her fiancee Lew. As they are preparing for their wedding at the rehearsal, Lew shared that he could not marry Kimberley. Kimberley tells her story of rejection, and the anger she felt toward God after her relationship fell apart. She uses Bible verses as a way to show women how a relationship with Christ should be the central matter in their lives. I really enjoyed how honest and real she was in the telling of her story, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down.      

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”