Women in Science by Rachel Ignotofsky

What an utterly charming book. This book is filled to the brim with 50 awe inspiring women who have made such huge impacts on the world of Science in the relatively short time they have be allowed access to the prestigious world of Science.
I love how this book incorporated 50 women from the world of science, you have the very famous and the not so famous. I know I learned a lot from this book and it was very easy and enjoyable to read. I look forward to my daughter reading it when she gets older, to get a glimpse at these amazing women who blazed the way so she can be anything she wants to be.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Like a river from its course by Kelli Stuart

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Like a River from Its Course(Kregel, June 2016)

An epic novel exposing the ugliness of war and the beauty of hope

The city of Kiev was bombed in Hitler’s blitzkrieg across the Soviet Union, but the constant siege was only the beginning for her citizens. In this sweeping historical saga, Kelli Stuart takes the reader on a captivating journey into the little—known history of Ukraine’s tragedies through the eyes of four compelling characters who experience the same story from different perspectives.

Maria Ivanovna is only fourteen when the bombing begins and not much older when she is forced into work at a German labor camp. She must fight to survive and to make her way back to her beloved Ukraine.

Ivan Kyrilovich is falsely mistaken for a Jew and lined up with 34,000 other men, women, and children who are to be shot at the edge of Babi Yar, the “killing ditch.” He survives, but not without devastating consequences.

Luda is sixteen when German soldiers rape her. Now pregnant with the child of the enemy, she is abandoned by her father, alone, and in pain. She must learn to trust family and friends again and find her own strength in order to discover the redemption that awaits.

Frederick Hermann is sure in his knowledge that the Führer’s plans for domination are right and just. He is driven to succeed by a desire to please a demanding father and by his own blind faith in the ideals of Nazism. Based on true stories gathered from fifteen years of research and interviews with Ukrainian World War II survivors, Like a River from Its Course is a story of love, war, heartache, forgiveness, and redemption.

My opinion: I enjoy books about World War 2, but since having a little one  they tend to make me very sad because of the tragedies and mass killings, this book certainly does not shy away from the very brutal aspects of war and yet there is hope in this book and there is some good that comes at the end which made this book not so depressing after all. I loved the various narrators as it gave a good variety to how different people were affected by the war. You could tell this book was meticulously researched, it was filled with intriguing characters, a very solid story line and interesting dialogue, what more could one ask for? This was hands down one of the best WW2 fictions I have read in quite some time. A great book for old and young alike,
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Don't go to bed angry by Deb and Ron DeArmond

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Don’t Go to Bed Angry: Stay Up and Fight (Abingdon Press, June 2016)

A practical handbook on how to fight better—together—for your marriage.

In every marriage, there is conflict. And with every conflict, there is a choice for resolution. Will you ignore the issue until it seemingly goes away? Or will you work together to find peace?

In Don’t Go to Bed Angry, Deb and Ron DeArmond give you permission to fight. Conflict isn’t the problem, after all; the real issue is how we deal with the conflict. Deb and Ron demonstrate how communication through conflict can safeguard—and even strengthen—your relationship. Immensely practical features including worksheets and discussion questions make this a definitive go-to resource to help you start fighting—together—for your marriage.

My opinion: I have read a lot of marriage books and wasn't sure that this one would be much different from the books I have read, but I was absolutely delighted with it and loved how down to earth and practical it is. This book focuses on how to resolve conflict in ones marriage as conflict is bound to happen and one need to proper tool to combat it. I really liked the discussion questions and worksheets, I felt they really helped stimulate discussion and made one ponder some major issues in marriage.
 Filled with practical advice, stories that are so easy to relate to and humor this book is fabulous. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

People of the Second Chance by Mike Foster

This book really brings the message home that our God truly is  God of second chances and that He uses people despite our past and imperfections. Too often we let our past and our own insecurities to hold us back and this book addresses way to no longer let those have a hold on us. I love how it talks about living a life so much fuller than we allow ourselves to and ways to break free from the negativity that so often hold us back.
This book is a great and gentle (and at times not so gentle reminder) that God has so much in store for us and that we need to trust and embrace Him.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Murder Mezzo Forte by Donn Taylor

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Murder Mezzo Forte(Lamplighter Mysteries, June 2016)

He is a reclusive history professor with musical hallucinations. . . .

She a headstrong professor of religion, a converted Wiccan. Earlier, they solved a campus murder, but now police say they formed two-thirds of an illicit love triangle with a newly-murdered female colleague and they’re probably guilty of her murder. A leak of the alleged scandal to the college administration threatens their jobs.

Their desperate attempt to prove themselves innocent of the triangle and the murder plunges them into a tangle of unsavory corporate relationships among college trustees. And it puts their lives in danger from a mysterious criminal organization that seems to have tentacles everywhere.

Can this ill-matched pair’s stumbling efforts succeed against the entrenched forces of the police, the college’s incompetent administration, and that powerful but unseen criminal organization? If not, they may end up unemployed, in prison, or suffering a fate much worse.

My opinion: This book was a delicious mixture of mystery, intrigue and romance. This book is written in an engaging, well paced manner that makes it a real page turner and keeps one guessing until the very end.   i love how the author was able to keep one guessing until the very end, it certain kept me on my toes. The characters are fascinating and solid, very enjoyable to read their witty dialogue. Having read the previous book in the series I was very eager to read this one!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I can be kind by Amie Carlson

I was so eager to receive this book as I thought it would be an excellent resource to have on hand for my little one who I am very concerned with teaching proper manners to. This book is just as amazing as I was hoping for and is perfect for little ones as it is very clear and concise in talking about manners . I love the lift the flaps in the book too, I feel that makes the book all the more engaging and interesting to a little one. The content was wonderful and simple and the illustrations are adorable. All in all a first rate children's book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Happiness Dare by Jennifer Dukes Lee

I have been in kind of a funk recently so I was eager to check this book out, I am always a sucker for a book that talks about that elusive happiness and how to achieve it. This book drew heavily on personal experience which I could more often than not relate to and was very encouraging and engaging. I really liked how the author broke down the 5 happiness styles which is very insightful and then broke down the 4 biggest obstacles that stand in the way of happiness, which were all too true in my own life.
I felt inspired and encouraged after reading this book, such a great reminder of what steals our happiness and ways to inspire happiness in ones own life,
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Better Together by Jill Savage

This book was like a balm for this Mommy's soul. It was some much needed encouragement and sage advice, good for newbies and veteran Mom's alike. I loved every single chapter of this book, I loved how it focused on standing together as Mom's and not tearing each other apart which is so common  in this day and age. I have began to realize in my own life how vitally important friends are and this book solidified that.
Filled with wonderful illustrations, sage advice and biblical examples this book is excellent.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lessons in Classical Painting by Juliette Aristides

This book was an excellent, easy to approach guide to classical painting. It was filled with so many good techniques and ideas that I really came away from reading it very inspired and eager to try some of the ideas out!
You can really tell that the author has a lot of experience and knows her stuff and yet she presents the information in such an easy to understand manner that it is quite easy to follow and it feels like it is very doable,
A wonderful book with excellent content, well executed and utterly gorgeous, this book is a must for any aspiring artist.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dwelling Places by Lucinda McDowell

Dwelling Places: Words to Live in Every Season (Abingdon, June 2016)

Do you long for serenity and refuge, peace and hope? Are you seeking a deeper spiritual life through a closer relationship with God?

If you’re tired of dwelling in busyness and noise, then perhaps one word a day can change your life. Award-winning author Lucinda Secrest McDowell knows that if you spend time each day turning to God’s Word for wisdom and guidance, your faith can flourish and grow.

Through short and inspiring readings, McDowell unpacks a single word—such as mercy, beauty, gratitude, or grace—to reveal a biblical blessing or challenge relevant to where you are. Full of stories and illustrations to empower you to live the word you have just read, each devotional ends with a benediction, written as if God were speaking directly to you.

These “dwelling places” that offer the joy of God’s promise and presence cover four seasons: fall, Advent, Lent, and summer. Whether in the midst of busy holiday schedules, holy days, ordinary moments, or changing seasons, a deeper faith can be as simple as a single word.

My opinion: This book is like a balm for the soul, a soothing, gentle book that is a wonderful. Filled with gentle encouragement that is short and sweet  and to the point this book is an excellent devotion book one of the best I have come across. I loved how the author bought together scriptures, ideas and inspiration into such a neat little package. This book would make a great gift or is one that you can go over and over again. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Home Sewn by Cassandra Ellis

From the moment I clapped my eyes upon the lush front cover I just knew that this book was going to be amazing and upon further investigation I certainly was not disappointed!
This book is filled with distinctly beautiful projects to make ones home all the more homey with some absolutely clever and gorgeous sewing projects. I was utterly amazed at the ingenuity behind some of the ideas, so many were so unique and absolute show stoppers and yet they do not look that difficult to make.
I love how the styles can fit a wide variety of homes, overall it seems like it should be more modern and yet my style is French country and I found a wide variety of things that I would love to make for my house!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.