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."