The Sound of Silver by Rachelle Rea

Very rarely does a historical fiction leave me breathless and eagerly anticipating the next book, but this book did just that! This engaging and amazing series written by an up and coming author who is quite a master storyteller is everything that historical fiction should be, but often isn't . Filled with rich historical detail that one can tell was maliciously researched, I loved the characters development, there were so many real and meaningful conversations and interactions that made these characters totally come to life! I also loved the romance, I am a sucker for a good romance and this one was perfect, with just enough to keep it interesting without it being too much and it developed nicely.
This book really was an excellent read and I highly recommend it!

10 Myths of Teen Dating by Daniel Anderson

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The 10 Myths of Teen Dating: Truths Your Daughter Needs to Know to Date Smart, Avoid Disaster, and Protect Her Future (David C Cook, September 2016)

There’s no greater moment of panic in a parent’s life than when their daughter begins to date.

Due to their lack of knowledge about the world their teens face coupled with the scant dating information they received as teens, many parents feel ill-equipped to guide their daughters through the minefield that is teen dating.

And by the same token, teenage girls crave information about dating and relationships. And left to their own devices, many will develop their own assumptions about dating by talking to their friends or watching the latest TV shows and movies. But that will only lead them down a path toward heartbreak.

So how do you engage your daughter in discussions about dating, relationships, and her future happiness? Expert educator Daniel Anderson and his twenty something daughter, Jacquelyn, help you navigate the biggest dating myths, including: the myth that a boyfriend will make your daughter happy, that she should trust her feelings, or that sex will enhance her relationship. Combining the latest scientific research with poignant personal stories, as well as proven truths and practical application, The 10 Myths of Teen Datingwill equip you to teach your daughter how to date smart for today . . . and tomorrow.

My opinion: This is a great book about a subject we parents don't really like thinking about, our kids dating! I know I don't like thinking about my sweet baby girl dating someday but I know it will come sooner than I want and I want to be adequately prepared for it when it does happen and that is exactly what this book aims to do. Filled  with sage advice and backed with research this book is exactly what parents need and I feel like it addressed so many of the concerns and things that need to be addressed. Instead of just ignoring the inevitable this book faces it head on and helps equip both the parents and the child to navigate this scary and exciting time.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Life Creative by Wendy Speake

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Life Creative: Inspiration for Today’s Renaissance Mom(Kregel, September 2016)

What was God thinking when He created you creative and then gave you children?

Creative moms often feel as though they must lay their passions down. But God had something special in mind for the creative woman during this intense season of mothering.

In this Pinterest age of handcrafted children’s parties, Instagram photos of beautifully decorated homes, and blogs filled with poetry and prose, it is clear that we are in the midst of a brand new artistic renaissance. Not one born in Italian cathedrals or Harlem jazz clubs, but rather in kitchens, nurseries, and living rooms around the world. Mothers, working in the cracks and crevices of each hectic day, are adorning the world with their gifts, and they’re showing all of us the beauty of this Life Creative.

In this book, you’ll learn:

—Why the world needs your art
—How this Life Creative begins at home
—When art can turn a profit
—Your part in this modern day Renaissance

Life Creative paints the stories of moms, just like you, who are fitting their inspired lives into the everyday, ordinary places of motherhood. Women like home decorator Melissa Michaels and jewelry designer Lisa Leonard, author Angie Smith, recording artist Ellie Holcomb, and many more.

My opinion: this book is just the inspirational book one needs to nourish the soul and revive the heart. Being a Mom is tough and it is easy to get discouraged and down especially when you are creative and feel like that gets lost in the busyness of being a Mom. This book gently reminds you that you can still live a creative life and was to fully embrace that.
I like how encouraging and edifying this book is, encouraging one to be all that God has called them to be.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Far Afield by Shane Mitchell

This book is enough to satisfy the wanderlust in all of us along with filling ones belly! Filled with not only delicious recipes from all over the world but tales from afar too this book is not only a great cookbook but a wonderful read.
This book is really so much more than a just a cookbook, although the 40 recipes in here look fabulous, but this book tells a story of people in far lands and makes one feel like you took a little trip to some pretty remote places.  Filled with lush photography and mouth watering recipes this book is a wonderful feast for the eyes and belly.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Things I wish I'd known before we became Parents by Gary Chapman

This book is such a awesome resource for new parents as it goes over so many of the issues that new parents face and ways to deal with them and not only deal with but thrive and enjoy being a new parent. I know I tried to prepare for being a parent but it is so hard to be prepared for the wide array of emotions and craziness that comes with being a parent, this book would have been so handy to have before having our little one. I think this book would make an awesome and unique baby shower gift! Filled with sage insight and very to the point this book is wonderful!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Union With Christ by Rankin Wilborune

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Union with Christ: The Way to Know and Enjoy God (David C. Cook, July 2016)

Nothing is more basic or central to knowing and enjoying God than Union with Christ.

Have you ever had difficulty connecting what you know to be true about God with how you feel or how you live each day? Have you ever longed to change but just felt stuck?

The Bible makes a stunning claim: God has provided a way for your life to be united to Christ’s. What does that mean? Is it really possible for me, now? What would it look like?

In Union with Christ, Rankin Wilbourne makes union with Christ accessible and beautiful, for you. Union with Christ is not an abstract idea. It is a powerful reality. And recovering a sense of your union with Christ can change everything for you, like finally putting on a pair of desperately-needed glasses.

Discover how coming to see your life through the lens of union with Christ can help bridge that gap between your head and your heart, between your belief and your experience. Union with Christ is what we most need in order to know and enjoy God.

My opinion: This book was so encouraging and insightful. It really focuses  on ones relationship with the Lord. I know I have been struggling with my relationship with the Lord so this book is just what I needed.  Sometimes a good relationship with the Lord seems unobtainable but this book shows that it truly is not and shows how a wonderful with the Lord really is.  After reading this book I felt so uplifted and encouraged. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Experiencing God through His names by Sheryl Giesbrecht

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Experiencing God Through His Names (Bold Vision Books, June 2016)

What’s in a name?

Names are more than groups of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A person’s character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. God’s attributes and personality support His unique and distinct names. If we comprehend the meanings of His titles, we can know God more intimately. InExperiencing God Through His Names, Sheryl Giesbrecht walks with you on an exciting journey to discover and absorb the truth about God’s character. In the next 31 days, God wants you to get to know Him. Are you ready?

My opinion: This was an intriguing book that would make a great devotional for anyone who is feeling in a funk and is needing to draw closer to the Lord.  So often we get hung up on certain aspects of the Lord's nature and often overlook how majestic and wonderful he really is.  This book is a great way to recenter and refocus one and I really appreciated that. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Love Our Vets" Restoring Hope for Families of Veterans with PTSD

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Love Our Vets: Restoring Hope for Families of Veterans with PTSD (Deep River Books, April 2015)

Chances are that if your loved one has seen war, he or she has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder at some level, and you who love your veteran will also be deeply and profoundly affected.

Finally, the cries and needs of the loved ones have been addressed in this comprehensive, practical book, now newly updated in its second edition!

Love Our Vets answers more than 60 heartfelt questions, providing down-to-earth wisdom and much-needed tips for taking care of yourself. Sharing as a counselor and from her personal experience of living with a 100% disabled veteran with PTSD, Welby O’Brien gives hope, encouragement, and practical help for families and loved ones who are caught in the wake of the trauma. This book addresses a broad spectrum of issues and concerns and offers realistic wisdom from a wide variety of individuals who share from real hearts and lives.

Now newly revised and updated with additional material, the second edition of Love Our Vets continues to be enthusiastically welcomed by VA and other counselors. This is not just another book about PTSD; rather, it is a tremendous resource for families and loved ones who struggle heroically along with their vets to face the day-to-day challenges.

My opinion: What an eye opening book! This is such a humbling and hard to read book, but such an awesome resource at the same time. This book speaks from the authors own experience with dealing with PTSD in her husband and with her background in counseling this book is a great resource for the loved ones of those dealing with PTSD. It really stresses how patience is the key and it is so insightful with how to lovingly deal with the many issues that come with a loved one struggling with PTSD.  This book is yet another reminder for me of the many sacrifices that our veterans have made for us and makes me prayerfully support them and their families.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Food52 A new Way to Dinner

I had never heard of the Food52 books but apparently they have quite a large following and there are quite a few books in the series. This book is excellent in that the recipes don't take a ton of time and prep work which makes it ideal for the busy individual. While I am not a working Mom, I still don't have a ton of time to spend in the kitchen in between chasing an active 16 month old and everything else I have to do.
These books are delicious, healthy and oh, so easy.  This book really encourages you to step outside your comfort zone and not to compromise delicious food for when you don't think you have time to fix it.
Filled with gorgeous photography, sage advice and tips and delicious looking recipes this is a great cookbook.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cuba by Dan Goldberg

What a fun cookbook! The cover alone was enough to suck on in with its gorgeous, vibrant colors that are so alluring and the inside certainly did not disappoint! Filled with lush photography that really showcased the Cuban food this book is something else.
I was not very familiar with Cuban food so this book was a good introduction with absolutely delicious looking recipes and I loved the stories that were written in the book as well, it made the book seem like so much more than a cookbook which was really nice.
Unfortunately Cuban food is horribly underrated and not very well known, but this book made it seem approachable and delicious, I look forward to trying all of the recipes out!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Total Family Makeover

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Total Family Makeover: 8 Practical Steps to Making Disciples at Home(Abingdon, September 2016)

Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it. —Proverbs 22:6

God calls us as parents to be key disciple-makers in our children’s lives, but if we’re honest, some days it’s a battle just to get them dressed and ready for school on time. How can you mold their hearts when sometimes you can’t even find their shoes?

In Total Family Makeover, author Melissa Spoelstra gives parents a way—a sort of spiritual track to run on—when it comes to building family discipleship. She focuses on eight key habits of growth:

—Spending Time in Prayer
—Reading God’s Word
—Growing Through a Mentoring Relationship
—Finding Community in the Church
—Serving Others
—Taking Time to Rest
—Giving Back to God
—Sharing Your Faith

Disciples are made, not born. Whether your children are babes in arms or teenagers getting ready to leave the nest, making disciples at home starts with you! Give your family a makeover with this practical approach to helping your children learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

My opinion: What a wonderful book, I am quickly finding out what a challenge being a parent really is and I am not very far into it, this book really addresses ways to really touch your children's spiritual lives and not let it get lost in the shuffle of day to day activities. It is so easy to get caught up in everything one has to do and to forget to invest in ones kids spiritual lives but this book is such a great resource and is so encouraging and practical. Filled with such practical and easy ways to make time and serve God this book is awesome.  I really liked the 8 areas she focused on and felt they were very helpful, I have been thinking a lot about showing ones kids how to serve others and am glad this book talked about that, Such a great resource for parents of any kids, regardless of the age! I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jesus and the beanstalk by Lori Stanley Roeleveld

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Jesus and the Beanstalk: Overcoming Your Giants and Living a Fruitful Life(Abingdon Press, September 2016)

What if a fairy tale and ten Bible verses could free you to live an effective, fruitful life in Christ?

We live in unsettling, challenging times. Everywhere we look, we see giant problems: giant obstacles to sharing faith, giant barriers to peaceful lives, giant strongholds of fear. But what if you knew eight small secrets to unlocking a strength big enough to overcome whatever obstacle life may bring?

Using allegory and a bit of humor, Jesus and the Beanstalk explores a passage in 2 Peter 1 to uncover eight truths that will help you unleash a larger-than-life faith:

—Faith
—Goodness
—Knowledge
—Self-control
—Perseverance
—Godliness
—Affection for others
—Love

In this creative, refreshing perspective on spiritual growth, you will discover an unyielding strength when you tap the power of a God who is stronger than any beanstalk and bigger than your biggest giants.

My opinion: What a fascinating book! This book had an utterly unique concept and made me think about the story of  Jack and the beanstalk in a totally different light, i don't think I will every think of it lightly again! This book is such a fitting book for the day and age we live in and is very encouraging and mindful about faces the giants in ones own life and ways to overcome them no matter how large they seem to be. It was a perfect blend of humor. allegory and thoughtfulness and I loved it!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The London Cookbook by Aleksandra Crapanzano

British food is not usually a cuisine one get excited about and thinks of as some of the best in the world because of it bad reputation from the past, but London especially is emerging as a vibrant city with delicious cuisine and is really putting England on the map in the food department.
Taking the best recipes from some of the best restaurants in the city, from well known places to little hole in the walls you can really tell the author did his research. I also love how approachable some of the recipes were with stuff you readily have on hand while others were  so sophisticated and would be quite a feat to make. Filled with delightful classics and ones I have never heard of this book is an utter delight and will help cement the idea that London really is a wonderful place for food.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.