The Family Project by Glenn Stanton

Yet another excellent resource from Focus on the Family! I was so delighted to receive a copy of this book as my husband and I prepare to start a family of our own. I love most anything put out by Focus on the Family and this book was no exception. The book talks about how there are so many problems plaguing families and this book offers practical solutions and great ideas for how to build stronger families.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Snack girl to the rescue! by Lisa Cain

This book is a great resource for those of us who enjoy snacking, but are tired of making unhealthy choices when indulging our snacking habits.I was so excited to receive this book and I certainly was not disappointed as it had some excellent recipes that I cannot wait to try out!
I liked how not all of the recipes were just snacks, but there were also meal recipes and some great resources on healthy eating and healthy habits that most people can benefit from.
The only thing I was not really crazy about was that there were not any pictures in the book which was a bit of a turn off,however I still find this book very good and the recipes look great.

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Penny Wise by Dave and Neta Jackson

{MORE ABOUT PENNY WISE}

Penny Wise | A Windy City Neighbors book

Michelle Jasper doesn’t have much time to hang out with her neighbors—not with thirteen-year-old twins, another teen with hoop dreams, a full-time job as a caseworker, volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center, and heading up the women’s ministry at Northside Baptist. Her husband’s constantly changing shifts as an air traffic controller at the world’s busiest airport—Chicago’s O’Hare International—and responsibilities as a trusted deacon at Northside only add to the juggling act at the Jasper household.

Her new neighbors, Harry and Estelle Bentley, mean well with their friendly efforts to bring people together, but how can she deal with neighborhood concerns—like Greg Singer, who lost his job and is now trying to recruit sales reps from the neighborhood for his new venture—when she’s confronted with tragic family situations daily in her job? Like little Candy and her baby brother Pookey, victims of neglect . . .

With the “tyranny of the urgent” crowding out the important, Michelle is blindsided by danger involving her own kids—and a personal crisis that calls into question the very values she holds dear. How could this happen? Does God even care?

As her life unravels, a missing penny—and a “penny from heaven”—give her a shred of hope. But will God just laugh at her penny test?

Learn more and purchase a copy here.

{MORE ABOUT DAVE AND NETA JACKSON}

Dave and Neta Jackson are award-winning authors living in the Chicago area where their parallel novels from the Yada Yada House of Hope and Harry Bentley series are set.
As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books.

My thoughts:I have always enjoyed books by husband and wife writing team Dave and Neta Jackson and this book was no exception. I enjoyed how the dynamic duo took an ordinary story with ordinary people that you could easily find in a city.I love how thought provoking their books are and how they really draw you in.Highly recommend this book!

Roadfood by Jane and Michael Stern

What an utterly delightful book! In its 9th edition this book is essential for anyone who likes enjoys eating good while traveling.I am totally intrigued by the book and look forward to trying more of the places in the there.I have tried a few of the places in Kansas City, but haven't tried any other places so I think this book will be coming with me on my next road trip.
This book would make a welcome addition to any foodies library or anyone who likes going on road trips as it certainly gives one good options for places to eat.

I got a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Four weddings and a Kiss

{MORE ABOUT FOUR WEDDINGS AND A KISS}

Four Weddings and a Kiss

Spitfire Sweetheart by Mary Connealy

Maisy MacGregor’s reckless ways injured rancher Rylan Carstens, endangering his livelihood. So she signs on as his caregiver – but just until he’s well enough to run his ranch. Maisy’s tender care soon has Ryan falling hard and fast. Can these two willfull souls give up their solitary ways to embrace love?

A Love Letter to the Editor by Robin Lee Hatcher

Molly Everton writes the most popular features in her town’s newspaper. When newcomer Jack Ludgrove is named the new editor, Molly is flabbergasted. She wants the position for herself and will do what it takes to get it. But Jack is not easily intimidated. He’s determined to change Molly’s mind about him – and win her heart too.

A Cowboy for Katie by Debra Clopton

Katie Pearl must rebuild her ranch after the tornado, but she can’t do it on her own. Treb Rayburn is a cowboy with a serious case of wanderlust. He signs on to help Katie so he can afford a new horse. But once Treb gets to know Katie, will his desire to stay drown out the call of the open road?

Courting Trouble by Margaret Brownley

Grace Davenport is a young widow in a heap of trouble. When her son asks attorney Brock Daniels to take on her case, Brock wants to say no, but then he meets the lovely Grace. As Brock and the boy work to free Grace, Brock discovers that her arrest may be the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

My opinion: I am not usually a huge fan of short stories and this book proved to be no exception. While the short stories can be charming,it is really hard to develop much of a story and give that story much depth in less than 100 pages. Several of the authors are ones that I enjoy,but overall this book wasn't one that I found outstanding. If you enjoy this sort of thing though I am sure it would be enjoyable. 

Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble

Seagrass Pier

In a secluded corner of Hope Beach, one woman must decipher a stranger’s memories . . . before they cost her everything.

Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit.

But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks—and vivid dreams of being strangled—she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor’s murder.

Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked—by a man she’s only met in her nightmares.

The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent is eager to help her: Agent Marc Everton, the father of Elin’s daughter.

Of course, he doesn’t know about that. Yet.

Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart. And there’s no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her—before she remembers too much.

My opinion: I was rather skeptical of this book as I haven't really gotten into Colleen Coble's other books,but this one was better than I expected.The mystery was intriguing enough and kept me guessing until the very end.The main characters were interesting enough.Overall this book wasn't outstanding, but it was a good read and was overall enjoyable.

She calls me Daddy by Robert Wolgemuth

I was very thrilled to get a copy of this book as it has been around for quite some time and I was thrilled to get my own copy to give to my husband to prepare him for the day when we have little girls of our own.
This book certainly did not disappoint and I felt that it was many of thing that my own Father did for my sister and I that helped make him such a great Dad.I do believe that this was a book that my Father owned and read,which makes sense.:)
I highly recommend this book and think it would make an awesome gift to any new Father or even seasoned Fathers who have little girls.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Big-Flavor Grill by Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby

My husband is quite the grill master so I was beyond excited to get this book and attempt some of the recipes out of it.One of the biggest draws to this book was that they were not marinade as I am not very good at doing those ahead of time. The recipes in here are splendid looking and I cannot wait to try many of them. I like how the book breaks things down and doesn't just assume that one is a grill master,so really this book could be used by anyone who has the desire to grill. I really appreciate the pictures and all of the recipes look so good!

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rival Hearts by Tara Randel

New from Quilts of Love | Rival Hearts

They both want the promotion. But will they find out that it is worth the cost?

Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have been rival magazine writers for the same publishing group for years. When both come up for the same promotion, they find themselves in an unexpected competition to win the spot. Molly, editor of Quilter’s Heart, and Ben, editor of Outdoor Adventures, must switch roles, each working for the other for one month, then submit an article at the end of their quests. Can girly‑girl Molly survive the outdoor adventures that Ben has planned? Can Ben navigate the perils of the social dynamics of quilting events without destroying a valuable quilt in one short month? More importantly, in this he‑said, she‑said situation, will Molly and Ben give in to their attraction and fall in love, no matter who wins?

My opinion: As with all of the previous Quilt of Love books I have read I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a quick,enjoyable and easy read. It is a predictable story line,but somehow the author still made it an enjoyable read that keep interested until the very last page.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.