A Prairie Girl's Faith The Spiritual Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder - Stephen W. Hines

Pages: 224
Publisher: Waterbrook
Publication Date: February 6, 2018

About the book (from Amazon):

A Prairie Girl's Faith provides the first extended, in depth discussion of the Christian faith of one of America's most beloved pioneer women--Laura Ingalls Wilder. Although the faith of the Ingalls' family pervades books in the Little House series, the more specific details of Laura's faith have never been fully explored. It took extraordinary pluck for anyone to survive the harshness of frontier life--from the heartbreak of sudden crop losses to murderous storms to unrelenting loneliness. This book reveals how in surviving, the brave Laura drew not just on her character, but found encouragement, strength, and hope in her relationship with God.

My thoughts:

Anything related to Laura Ingalls Wilder or Little House on the Prairie is definitely bound to grab my attention.  From the moment I caught my first glimpse of the television show as a child, I longed to be Laura; running free through the prairie fields spending time with Ma and Pa, and even Mary.  I was so excited to see this book become available for review!

While I'll admit I have never fully researched the life of the real Laura Ingalls Wilder, I do know that some of the details from the show were not historically accurate.  I did find this book easy to read and the words flowed flawlessly across the pages.  I'm not here to debate facts, I'm here to tell you if you're looking for an interesting faith-filled read, you'll want to make sure to pick this one up.  Oh...and the cover...I LOVE the design and the layout, it's absolutely beautiful (in my opinion)!

I give this book 4 stars.

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange of my honest opinion.

The Mountain Between Us - Charles Martin

So I'm not a big male author fan, I normally try to steer clear of those books.  I lead a book club at the library where I work, and most of the members are huge Charles Martin fans.  So I thought, why not check this book out since the movie would be releasing soon.  And I have to admit...I enjoyed the story-line.  There was just enough romance and adventure to keep the pages turning most of the time.  There were some lulls throughout, but overall I would give this book 4 stars and recommend reading it.

Bringing Maggie Home - Kim Vogel Sawyer

Pages: 352

Publisher: Waterbrook

Pub Date: September 5, 2017

About the book (from Amazon):

Decades of Loss, an Unsolved Mystery, 
and a Rift Spanning Three Generations

Hazel DeFord is a woman haunted by her past. While berry picking in a blackberry thicket in 1943, ten-year old Hazel momentarily turns her back on her three-year old sister Maggie and the young girl disappears.

Almost seventy years later, the mystery remains unsolved and the secret guilt Hazel carries has alienated her from her daughter Diane, who can’t understand her mother’s overprotectiveness and near paranoia. While Diane resents her mother’s inexplicable eccentricities, her daughter Meghan—a cold case agent—cherishes her grandmother’s lavish attention and affection.
 
When a traffic accident forces Meghan to take a six-week leave-of-absence to recover, all three generations of DeFord women find themselves unexpectedly under the same roof. Meghan knows she will have to act as a mediator between the two headstrong and contentious women. But when they uncover Hazel’s painful secret, will Meghan also be able to use her investigative prowess to solve the family mystery and help both women recover all that’s been lost?

My thoughts...

Oh my goodness...I LOVED this book!  I'm not a follower of Kim Vogel Sawyer, so it was by chance I picked up this novel to review.  Anyone that knows me knows how much I adore covers, and choosing to read a book by it's cover is often how I roll (shh....I know you're not supposed to do that, but I just can't help it).  I fell in love with this cover the moment I saw it, and actually the title also (I've always loved the name Margaret, it was my grandmother's, and I wanted to name one of our twins that with the shortened nickname of Maggie.  But alas my husband didn't agree.  But that's a story for another time).  

I love the characters in this story.  Besides being likable and intriguing, they are very well developed and have a depth to them that not all authors take the time to create.  Hazel, Diane, and Meghan have unique family dynamics that are not uncommon in the real world today.  And while Meghan's co-workers are rarely mentioned, Sean does play an integral part in the story. 

The disappearance of young Maggie, in 1943, reminded me of Lisa Wingate's recently released novel, "Before We Were Yours" (which I reviewed for Library Journal).  Sawyer does not mention that her story is based on actual events (as Wingate's was), but it's easy to imagine that something like that did indeed take place.  

The pacing of the story is spot on, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.  I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend adding it to your reading pile.  In fact, I'd love to give away my copy to someone located in the continental US.  Enter my rafflecopter giveaway to win this book...stop by each day during the contest to enter! 

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"He Calls You Beautiful: Hearing the Voice of Jesus in the Song of Songs" by Dee Brestin

Publisher: Multnomah
Pages: 240
Pub Date: July 11, 2017

About the book (Amazon):

I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine...
-from the Song of Songs

Did you know that God loves you with a passion - and He wrote a love song to help you experience that love in a personal way?

Tucked away in the pages of Scripture is o e of the most fascinating and most misunderstood books of the Bible: the Song of Songs.  Although the Song of Songs details a passionate, earthly love story, it is intended to illuminate the best love story, the intense love God has for us, His beloved.

In He Calls You Beautiful, Bible teacher Dee Brestin explores this love song from God to reveal transformative truths for each of us, whether married, single, or widowed.  With rich contemporary illustrations and insight from biblical scholars, Dee shows how God uses poetry and exquisite images to illuminate the intimacy that Jesus longs to have with you.

God calls you to know His love not only in your head but also in your heart.  He sings over you a song of love, a song of salvation, a song of hope.  A Song of songs.

My thoughts:

I love the setup of this book.  The stories that precede the study in each chapter are great attention getters and relevant in today's world.  While this could be read and studied on your own, I think a group setting (no matter how small) would be an excellent way to work through this.  After looking it over and reading a few pages, I decided that was exactly what I wanted to do.  So I contacted some friends and a study was born!  They even include notes for leaders and hints for group facilitators in the book!

**I received this book in exchange of my honest review, and give it a 4 Star rating**

When God Made You - Matthew Paul Turner

Publisher:  Waterbrook
Publication Date:  February 28, 2017
Pages:  48 pages

About the book (from the back cover)...

You, you...God thinks about you.  God was thinking of you long before your debut. 

From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in.  The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe will encourage them to spread their wings and fly.

through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God's divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.

'Cause when God made YOU, somehow God knew 
That the world needed someone exactly like you!

My thoughts...

It's an okay book.  The illustrations are vivid, a tad wild and bright, and there is a lot going on that could capture a child's attention.  Or distract them from the story.  I'm not a big fan of the way the people are drawn in the book either.  Some have pointy chins, no chins, or oddly shaped heads.  It's not the worst illustrated book I've seen, but it's not the best either.

The story part of the book left a little to be desired also.  I like the meaning or the moral of the story, and was looking forward to reading it.  I had high hopes that this would make great baby or toddler gifts.  But sadly I think I'll have to pass.  According to Amazon, this book is geared toward preschool - 2 years of age.  I think the vocabulary is a little much for that age span.  While it rhymes and flows nicely like a song, I don't know that children will entirely enjoy it.

But don't take my word for it...check it out for yourself.  Amazon has some of the inside pages displayed on their page, and it currently has a 5 star rating.  Some great endorsements by popular Christian celebrities are also listed on the page (Amy Grant and Ann Voskamp).

*I was given a copy of this book for my honest review, and give it a 4 star rating.*

Everything Beautiful

Publisher:  Waterbrook
Publication Date:  Oct. 4, 2015
Pages:  96

About the book from Amazon:

Rediscover the beauty around you.

Open this coloring book and be reminded of splendor everywhere. Beauty abounds in the extraordinary and the ordinary…and even in the mundane. Whatever your circumstances, beauty is there, waiting to be noticed and cherished.

Allow yourself the time to stop and see the beauty our God has fashioned in creation, in one another, and in His grace.

Each perforated coloring page features an original design from one of nine different artists, beautifully illustrating an inspirational quote from hymns, Scripture, writers, preachers, and teachers.

So grab your colored pencils and your closest friends and take some time to relax and reflect on the beauty all around you.

To help set the perfect mood for worship, contemplation, and creative expression, a link to the “Everything Beautiful” Spotify playlist is included.

My thoughts...

I LOVE coloring!  My children are at an age (12, 12, 15) where they no longer sit and color in a coloring book.  With busy schedules we always seem to be on the go.  But there are still those rare times, usually Sunday afternoons, when I can grab my tween daughters and entice them to color with me.  "Everything Beautiful" is the perfect book for us to use!

Our girls are at the age where they have so much negativity coming at them that I love to be able to share some light with them.  The pages/pictures in this book are beautifully made, with scripture that jumps off the pages.  Not only are they getting a chance to relieve some stress, but they are quietly getting scripture breathed in to them.  And I don't know about you, but we LOVE listening to worship music while we color.  This book even comes with a link to a Spotify playlist!  If that seems to techie for you, feel free to just pop in your own worship cd, turn on the radio, or sing to your heart's content.

We give this book 4 stars and highly recommend it to others!

*I was given a copy of this item in exchange for my honest opinion.

Room for Hope - Kim Vogel Sawyer

Publisher:  WaterBrook
Pages:  352
Pub Date:  February 16, 2016

From Amazon:

In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?
 
Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.
 
When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”
 
Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?

My Thoughts:

I cannot even imagine what Neva goes through after her husband passes away!  To think you know someone so well, only to find out later that they were living a double life would be devastating.

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a well-known christian author and many readers always eagerly anticipate her next book.  In this case, Room for Hope did not disappoint!  Strong writing, well developed characters, everything you have come to know and expect from Sawyer.  This book would make a great gift item; pick up a copy, along with a box of tea, and surprise gift a friend with this super fast read!

I give this book 4 stars and highly recommend it.

About the Author,  Kim Vogel Sawyer:

Award-winning, bestselling author Kim Vogel Sawyer wears many hats. As a wife, mother, grandmother, song-singer, cat-petter, and active participant in her church’s music and women’s ministries, her life is happily full. But her passion lies in penning stories that share the hope we can all possess when we place our lives in God’s capable hands. She and her retired military hubby live on the beautiful plains of Kansas, the setting for many of Kim’s books. In her free time, she enjoys quilting, traveling with “The Hubs,” and spoiling her quiverful of granddarlings.

**I was given a copy of this book in exchange of my honest review**

Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook

Publisher: Harmony
Pages: 512
Publication Date: September 1, 2015

In their debut cookbook, the Trim Healthy Mama’s share hundreds of delicious, healthy recipes to help readers successfully slim down while eating well.  This companion cookbook to the bestselling Trim Healthy Mama Plan is just what readers have been waiting for. It features simple, mouthwatering, recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner—including slow cooker and one-pot meals, hearty soups and salads, omelets and waffles, pizzas, breads and many indulgent sweet treats. With  pantry-stocking advice, time-saving tips & info on how to cook for the entire family, the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook offers a delicious and nutritious way to make trim and healthy meals!  You can purchase their book from Amazon 

My thoughts...

We have all the Trim Healthy Mama books at the library where I work, and they check out all the time!  It was for that very reason I decided I needed to take a look at this new cookbook that came out.  I mean really, what could all the hype be about?  The book is amazing...read on!

Besides having a pleasing cover (I'm a cover fanatic for those that may not know), I love the tips and pointers that are placed throughout this book, along with the many different pictures.  The recipes are divided up in to different categories, and my favorite are the Crockpot ones!  Just in case you didn't know, the Crockpot is one of my most absolute favorite kitchen inventions.  Well, that and the coffee maker! 

Now I will admit...I am some what of a cookbook junkie.  Just ask my husband.  He'd be glad to confirm it.  However, the thing that sets this apart from a lot of other similar books is that I have to keep reminding myself that these recipes are healthy, they are good for my family.  The list of ingredients and names of the recipes are delicious sounding, and the pictures of the food items look amazing!  Like seriously...there are not enough meals in the day to try them all!

I would suggest going to your library and checking this book out, but really, cut to the chase and buy a copy of it for yourself.  And a friend, they'll thank you for the gift.  Then sit down with your children and let them help you plan the meals by picking out some recipes they would like to try.  It's okay, you can be sneaky about it, you don't have to tell them the recipes are healthy.  In the end it's a win-win situation!

And just in case you couldn't tell, I give this cookbook 5 stars!

**I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.

Whatever is Lovely

From Amazon...

Color your way to peace and worship.

We live in such a busy, hectic world—but what waits for you inside this cover is a way to quiet the noise, express creativity, and spend some sweet time with God. Each page features an original design from one of a dozen different artists, beautifully illustrating a contemplative quote from an inspirational writer, a beloved hymn, or Scripture. 
 
When we create, we echo the heart of our Creative God who designed everything and gave us the capacity to recognize beauty. 
 
So go ahead! You have permission to pick up your colored pencil and be reminded of truth in a fresh way. 

My thoughts...

I love this coloring book.  I mean honestly...all those years I spent coloring in my children's books when I could have had one of my own!  The pages are fun and challenging, but not too difficult for after a long days work.  The scripture and quotes are beautiful, just what you need for relaxing and de-stressing.

I've tried to keep this book hidden from my daughters (twin 11 year olds), I was so excited to finally have something that was all mine.  :)  But, as luck would have it, one of them stayed home from school sick yesterday and evidently found it.  She called me on the phone to ask if she could color a page...and the selfish Mom that I am, said no, I haven't even colored in it yet!  She was quiet for the longest time (I knew this meant she had already done the deed).  I asked her if she already colored a page in it, and she said yes.  But, she said, it's really beautiful, I think you'll like it.  I let her know we would discuss the matter when I got home from work.  Once I arrived home, and checked out her artwork, she was right, it was beautiful.  She said she completed the 2nd page in the book so I would always see it when flipping through...now who could get upset with that reasoning?  It may not have been the colors I would have picked, but it's a beautiful page with scripture to remind me it's the little things in life that matter most.  

I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it as a gift giving idea.   And while you're at it, make sure you order extra if you have daughters at home!

**I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion**

A Nice Little Place on the North Side - George Will

A Nice Little Place on the North Side by George F. Will
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs, Nonfiction
Published by Three Rivers Press
Pages: 224




From Amazon:

In A Nice Little Place on the North Side, leading columnist George Will returns to baseball with a deeply personal look at his hapless Chicago Cubs and their often beatified home, Wrigley Field, as it turns one hundred years old. Baseball, Will argues, is full of metaphors for life, religion, and happiness, and Wrigley is considered one of its sacred spaces. But what is its true, hyperbole-free history?
 
Winding beautifully like Wrigley’s iconic ivy, Will’s meditation on “The Friendly Confines” examines both the unforgettable stories that forged the field’s legend and the larger-than-life characters—from Wrigley and Ruth to Veeck, Durocher, and Banks—who brought it glory, heartbreak, and scandal. Drawing upon his trademark knowledge and inimitable sense of humor, Will also explores his childhood connections to the team, the Cubs’ future, and what keeps long-suffering fans rooting for the home team after so many years of futility. 

In the end, A Nice Little Place on the North Side is more than just the history of a ballpark. It is the story of Chicago, of baseball, and of America itself.

My Thoughts:

This book is an excellent gift idea for the Cubs fan in your life!  Full of rich history, whether you are a new fan, or a die-hard old one, there is something for everyone in this book.  It's important to note that this is a reprinted edition; the cover of this book is such an improvement over the original (in my opinion), and given the two choices, I think this one would come out on top!  The inside is easy to read with many images and extras added in, this could easily be an item one sits down with on a Saturday afternoon when no sports can be found on the television (is there ever such a time?).  I give this item 5 stars, and highly recommend it for a stocking or a gift for the one that has everything!

**I received this item in exchange for my honest review**  

The Soup Club Cookbook -

I am IN LOVE with this book!  The tile and cover (love those jars) caught my attention, but the inside "guts" stole my heart!  I'm a lover of all cookbooks, just ask my husband and my overflowing bookshelves...yes, bookshelves, as in plural.  As in, you can never have too many cookbooks! 

Anyway...This book is a great excuse to get together with friends (like you need one), and start planning your very own soup club!  It's full of delicious recipes and also has some great ideas in it!  You'll want to make sure to get your own copy today, and suggest your friends buy their own, you won't want to be without yours for very long! 

I give this book 5 souper stars! 

From Amazon: 

Food-sharing is the hot new thing in the "getting dinner on the table" conversation, and in The Soup Club Cookbook, four friends share not only their formula for starting a soup club--which gives you at least three meals every month when you don't have to worry about dinner--but also 150 fantastic recipes for soups and sides and storing tips for stretching those meals across the week.
 
The Soup Club began when four friends (who, between them, have four husbands and ten hungry kids and several jobs) realized that they didn't actually have to cook at home every night to take pleasure in a home-cooked meal. They simply had to join forces and share meals, even if they weren't actually eating them together. Caroline, Courtney, Julie, and Tina happen to be neighbors, but a soup club is for anyone: colleagues, a group of workout buddies, a book club. All you need are a few people who simply want to have more home-cooked food in their lives.

In a soup club each person takes a turn making soup--and sometimes other dishes for sides or for when everyone needs a break from soup, so if a club has four people, in a month each person will have dinner delivered three times--a dish that can start as a full meal and stretch into more dinners or lunches or even morph into a sauce. Soup is forgiving, versatile, and perfect for sharing; it can be spiced to taste, topped elaborately or not at all, and dressed up or down. It travels well and reheats beautifully.  The Soup Club Cookbook also has dozens of tips for cooking in quantity and for tailoring soup to individual tastes and needs. Here, too, are simple guidelines for starting your own soup club, anecdotes, and a few cautionary tales  that will inspire anyone to share food and eat well. 
 
Recipes include quick and easies, classics, twist on favorites, and dozens of flavor-rich new crowd pleasers:  

   * Carrot Coconut and Chicken Chili, 
   * Senegalese Peanut Soup 
   * Faux Ramen 
   * Red Lentil Curry Soup 
   * Potato Cheddar Soup 
   * Sun Dried Tomato Soup 
   * Jeweled Rice Salad 
   * Cheddar Cornbread, 
   * Summer Corn Hash 
   * Soy Simmered Chicken Wings

**I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion**

One Pot - From the Kitchens of Martha Stewart Living

ISBN:  0307954412

• Publisher: Clarkson Potter (September 23, 2014)

Purchase from Amazon.

About the book (From the back cover):  Using just one pan, you can stew, steam, sauté, simmer, braise, or roast your way to a fuss-free meal—and minimal cleanup to boot.

 
At the end of a busy day, you want to serve a delicious home-cooked dinner, a complete, all-in-one meal that can be prepared with little effort and few pans to wash. The editors of Martha Stewart Living present a brand-new collection of 120 recipes—organized by vessel—to help you do just that, all while adding savory new dishes to your weekly rotation.
 
One Pot is an exciting new way to approach everyday cooking: Imagine perfect pasta dishes for which everything goes in the pot at once (yes, that’s pasta, tomato, garlic, basil, and water all cooked together), dinner-party ready roasts with tender vegetables, and down-home casseroles, along with wholesome fish, chicken, and vegetarian dishes. You’ll get incredible flavor payoff from dishes such as comforting Chicken and Dumplings, easy Baked Risotto with Carrots and Squash, healthy Broiled Striped Bass with Tomatoes, hearty Pork Chops with Bacon and Cabbage, and the delectable Skillet Chocolate-Chip Cookie—each of which takes less than an hour from start to finish. Here, too, are a dozen outstanding recipes for surprising and simple desserts that can be ready when you are.
 
With chapters devoted to your essential cooking vessels—stockpot, skillet, slow cooker, and more—this book is sure to streamline your meals and to satisfy the people you share them with. Recipes include:
 
DUTCH OVEN: Beef Stew with Noodles, Chicken and Dumplings, Baked Risotto, Texas Red Chili, Cajun Stew
 
SLOW COOKER: Pulled Pork, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Classic Pot Roast, Lamb Shanks and Potatoes, Garlic Chicken with Barley
 
SKILLET & SAUTÉ PAN: Spinach Pie, Poached Cod with Tomatoes, Three-Cheese Lasagna, Macaroni and Cheese, Stir-Fried Chicken with Bok Choy
 
ROASTING PAN & BAKING DISH: Rib-Eye with Root Vegetables, Roast Chicken with Herb Butter, Salmon with Kale, Roast Beef with Acorn Squash, Tuscan Pork Roast
 
PRESSURE COOKER: Short Ribs with Potato-Carrot Mash, Kale and White Bean Soup, Chicken Cacciatore; Easy Chickpea Curry, Beef Stroganoff
 
STOCKPOT: Classic Chicken Soup, Split Pea Soup, Gemelli with Pesto and Potatoes, Corn and Shrimp Chowder, Pasta with Farm-Stand Vegetables
 
DESSERTS: Peach Crumble, Skillet Chocolate-Chip Cookie, Baked Blackberry Custard, Raspberry Sorbet, Molten Chocolate Cupcakes

My Thoughts...

I was first introduced to this book at the library where I work.  I loved the concept of the book, and it had a great cover photo (I'll admit, I'm a cover junkie!).  After checking it out several times, I finally decided this was just a book I had to get for myself!  

I love the different recipes that are offered throughout, easy to follow instructions, and there is something for everyone in it!  This would make a great gift...especially a wedding gift paired with an awesome stockpot, slow cooker, etc.

I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it!  

**I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion**

Knockout Knits

From Amazon:

An abundance of knitted luxuries--summery lace shawls, warm and wooly hats, a trio of cool knitted bracelets, and stunning beaded gloves--designed to grow your skills.

Who doesn't love to knit accessories? They're fast, often require only a skein or two of yarn, and make amazingly versatile gifts for friends and family. Small knits are also the perfect way to try something new--an unusual stitch pattern, wild multi-colored yarn, or even a touch of sparkle. Laura Nelkin is well-known for designing these fun-to-knit little projects introducing her students and fans to advanced techniques with her signature "You can do it!" enthusiasm. In her first book, she shares her 3 favorite types of knitting using wrapped stitches, lacework, and beads. Each chapter begins with a quick knitted cuff to lay the foundations, then gradually ramps up to more complicated designs. The result is an all-new collection of wearable, feminine knits with a slightly rustic aesthetic. Give them as gifts, stockpile for a chilly day, or dress up a casual outfit--these are knockout projects to enjoy knitting again and again.

My thoughts:

I loved this book!  Cute and easy ideas to make as gifts or to keep for yourself.  With the holidays right around the corner, you'll want to make sure to pick up a copy soon!  Full of beautiful pictures and easy instructions, this could quickly become one of my new favorite knitting books.  I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it!

**I was provided a copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange of my hones review**

Modern Pioneering

About the book (from the publisher):

A cookbook and backyard gardening and homesteading guide for women who want to grow food efficiently, cook seasonal recipes, or even try foraging, camping, and living off the land.

Self-sufficiency is the ultimate girl power 

Georgia Pellegrini, outdoor adventurer and chef, helps you roll up your sleeves and tap into your pioneer spirit. Grow a small-space garden and preserve a little deliciousness for the cold months; assemble the makings of a self-sufficient pantry; learn to navigate without a compass for your next camping trip; or even forage for plants that give you energy.

Whether you’re a full-time homesteader, a weekend farmer’s market devoté, or anyone looking to do more by hand, this overflowing resource will help you hone new skills in the kitchen, garden, and great outdoors. It includes:

• More than 100 recipes for garden-to-table dishes, preserves, and cured foods
• Small-space gardening advice on building a raised bed, choosing what to grow, and saving seeds
• DIY projects, such as Mason jar lanterns and homemade notecards
• Superwoman skills like assembling a 48- hour survival toolkit in an Altoids tin

Packed with beautiful photographs and illustrations, Modern Pioneering proves that becoming more self-sufficient not only means being empowered, but also having a lot more fun. 

My thoughts:  

I was so excited and waiting in anticipation for this book to arrive!  Boy was I relieved, this book did not disappoint me...it has everything from changing a tire, to cooking, to building your own raised boxes for gardening.  

An Iced Coffee cold brewed recipe?  Yes please!  Pink Pickled Eggs?  Eeek....my children would LOVE me (their all time favorite snack)!!  Learn how to make beeswax candles, and even turn a tree stump into a table!  The biggest drawback to having this book?  Finding the time to work my way through it.

I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends, after all, there are more than 150 recipes, projects, and skills to browse through!  Even if you're not a self-sufficient, do it yourself type of girl, there are several projects in here that would be excellent for entertaining purposes!  

Just in case you're wondering, I give this book 5 stars!  ;)

**I was given this book in exchange for my honest review**

A Broken Kind of Beautiful - Katie Ganshert

About the Book (Provided by Publisher):

Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.

If only her tenuous future didn't rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the facade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?

My thoughts:

Katie Ganshert is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!  The writing is wonderful in this novel, as it is in her past ones.  The subject matter is a very realistic one in our world today...too often the world judges someone based on their outer appearance, rather than looking at their true character on the inside.    If you're looking for a novel that will powerfully stir your inner emotions, then this is the one for you!  I give this book 4 stars and highly recommend it!

**I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion.**

Emma of Aurora - Jane Kirkpatrick

About the book:

A Clearing in the Wild
When Emma’s outspoken ways and growing skepticism lead to a clash with the 1850s Bethel, Missouri colony’s beloved leader, she finds new opportunities to pursue her dreams of independence. But as she clears a pathway West to her truest and deepest self, she discovers something she never expected: a yearning for the warm embrace of community.
 
A Tendering in the Storm
Determined to raise her children on her own terms, Emma suddenly finds herself alone and pregnant with her third child, struggling to keep her family secure in the remote coastal forest of the Washington Territory. As clouds of despair close in, she must decide whether to continue in her own waning strength or to humble herself and accept help from the very people she once so eagerly left behind.
 
A Mending at the Edge
As a mother, daughter, sister, and estranged wife, Emma struggles to find her place inside—and outside—the confines of her religious community. Emma reaches out to others on the fringe, searching for healing and purpose. By blending her unique talents with service to others, she creates renewed hope as she weaves together the threads of family, friends, and faith.

My thoughts:

Wow...I have to admit, when I received this book in the mail, I was a little surprised by the size of it! 1168 pages, but then I realized it was a 3-in-1!  I also have to admit...I don't think I've ever read a Jane Kirkpatrick book, but I was so taken with the blurbs on the back of the book that I decided to give them a try!

Working in a library, I've always heard what a great author Kirkpatrick is, her books tend to check out regularly.  With that said, I was not disappointed with these stories!  Super fast reads (despite the length), the stories flowed nicely and I didn't stumble through any of the reading.  I loved the time period when they took place, I always like to think I could have survived and thrived back then!

If you're looking for a great gift book, this may be the perfect choice.  If your plan to fly or travel while reading this, I would opt for the digital format!  I give this book 4 stars and think readers of historical fiction would really enjoy this!

**I received this book in exchange for my honest review**