The Shock of Night by Patrick Carr

I was utterly delighted to hear Patrick Carr was starting a new series as I loved his previous works and this book certainly did not disappoint, if nothing else I might of liked this series even better. He truly is a gifted author, weaving fantasy, intriguing plot, fascinating characters and page turning action. Very few authors are of the same caliber as Mr. Carr and I am very happy with every book by him I have written.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck

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The Wedding Chapel(Zondervan, November 2015)

For sixty years, a wedding chapel sat silent, waiting for love. But times have changed and the hour has come when it just might be too late.

Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love—the wedding chapel he built for Collette Greer, the woman he fell for back in ‘49. But now an offer has come to turn the chapel into what it was meant to be—a place for love—and Jimmy sees no reason to hang onto his dream any longer.

Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s abysmal marriage rate. But love surprises her when she falls head-over-heels for Jack Forester, a top ad man. Their whirlwind romance results in an elopement, and a mountain of doubt. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to overcome his own demons to find the words of his heart.

When Taylor takes an assignment in Heart’s Bend, the job does more than send her back to her hometown, but into a world of family secrets buried beneath the sands of time.

When Taylor’s journey intersects with Coach’s, they rediscover the heartbeat of their dreams and that the love they long to hold is right in front of them. And worth every waiting moment.

My opinion: What a beautiful story about lost love, the uncertainties of love and how love overcomes. This book was a delightful read filled with romance. excellent characters and an engrossing storyline. I loved how it wove two stories into one, it made it all the more interesting and I really cared about what happened to all of the characters. I loved all of the twist and turns the stories took and really enjoyed this book. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Under our skin by Benjamin Watson

What a insightful and though provoking book/. I was a bit apprehensive as to how much I would enjoy this book, but it was very interesting and really addressed some huge issues that our society is facing in instances like Ferguson, etc. I think Mr. Watson has a good grasp on the subject and can see and address issues on both sides. I had never heard of Benjamin Watson before but he hits the nail on the head in several instances.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Hot Bread Kitchen Cookbook: Artisanal Baking from Around the World by Jessamyn Waldman Rodriguez, Julia Turshen

What an utterly delightful cookbook and an even more delightful concept! This bakery is very unique in that it employees immigrant women and helps them towards a better life all the while incorporating different breads from the countries that these women came from. I love the concept and am loving this cookbook, there are so many delicious recipes that I am so eager to try. The variety of recipes is amazing and I feel like this is a one of a kind cookbook. Now I am eager to visit the actual bakery!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Like Father like Don by Pete Alwinson

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Like Father, Like Son: How Knowing God as Father Changes Men (New Growth Press, November 2015)

Beyond trying to be a “real” man

What do men need in the twenty-first century? There are so many opinions–some think the answer is a masculine to-do list. Others give detailed directions on how to become a “real” man. Those things can be helpful, but do they get to the core of the identity issues that men are facing today? You can’t know who you are and who you are meant to be without knowing the love of your Father–that is, your Father in heaven. Without knowing the Father’s love and acceptance, men are adrift looking for identity in imperfect relationships or cultural norms about manhood. But knowing God’s fatherly love changes everything. A man who is forgiven and accepted by his heavenly Father is free to become like him. Living out of the love of God the Father changes everything for his sons.

Instead of telling men how to recover and reclaim their masculinity, Pete Alwinson invites men to recover and reclaim an intimate, growing relationship with their heavenly Father and live out of that identity in their particular calling as sons, fathers, brothers, friends. Using personal stories and anecdotes from his many years of men’s ministry, Pete shows men that the way forward in life and relationships is through their growing relationship with their heavenly Father.

My opinion: Even though I am not a Father myself, I really appreciated this book and how it gentle encourages and challenges men to draw closer to the Lord and how that in turn will make them the best Father's they can be. You can really tell that the author had spent years ministering to men and knows the unique struggles they face in this day in age. I love how he invites men to look towards God for their example of a wonderful Father and try to emulate him and not whatever standard the world has for a Father.  This book would make a fabulous gift for any of the men in your lives,such a treasure! I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A thousand shall fall by Andrea Boeshaar

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A Thousand Shall Fall: A Civil War Novel (Kregel, November 2015)

A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off–only to find she’s fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they’re all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally–and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar’s extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events.

My opinion: This was an engrossing historical fiction read. I am always interested in Civil War era books as it is one of my favorite time periods and this book certainly did not disappoint! It had everything a good historical novel should have, rich in historical detail, engaging characters and a page turner! I am super eager for the next book in the series and cannot wait for it to be published. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The knot outdoor weddings

Where was this book when I was getting married? For anyone who is even entertaining the idea of having an outdoor wedding this is a must. I think this would win pretty much anyone over to the idea of an outdoor wedding! Filled to the brim with lush photograph that is just oozing with elegance and beauty. I think the cover is just a wonderful teaser of what is inside. This book would make a wonderful gift for a bride to be or to have on hand just in case.:)
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Raising Grateful kids in an entitled world by Kristen Welch

What a wonderful book addressing something I know is a challenge many parents face today, I know with my 6 month I am already contemplating this issue as I already shower her with gifts! 

Author Kristen Welch really tackles the issues and doesn't shy away from anything. I know her chapter on Wants vs, Needs can be applied to myself as well and her chapter on technology is something  parents today really need to consider as technology is such a major issue and is so much more accessible than it was even 10 years ago.  I think the author really hits the nail on the head when talking about how often we get our kids the things we want for them.

This really is an outstanding book and I highly recommend it! I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.