Stepping on Cherrios by Betsy Snyder

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Stepping on Cheerios: Finding God in the Chaos and Clutter of Life(Abingdon Press, April 2017)

Family life is beautiful and motherhood is a privilege, but it ain’t no picnic!

Being a mother isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s hard to experience a personal connection with God and community when you are caught up in the chaos of just “doing family”.

Independent and self-sufficient, author Betsy Singleton Snyder lived a full and busy life as a pastor, missionary, and wife to a husband who served in the U.S. House of Representatives. She had her first child at age 44, then at 47, she found out she was carrying triplets. Suddenly finding herself overwhelmed is an understatement.

Stepping on Cheerios is a collection of funny, warm, and charming tales from the frontlines of parenthood, written for women who are juggling to accomplish everyday feats of work, motherhood, marriage, church, and more. It’s a comical story of one woman’s realization that her crazy life is a gift and how she found the grace in it.

My opinion: This book was certainly different than your run of the mill Mother book as the author comes from a completely different background being an older Mom who married an even older man who has pretty much done everything, on top of that the author had triplets which made her path to Motherhood all the more unique.
This book was an easy and refreshing read, sometimes the writing and humor fell a bit flat but overall it was a very down to earth approach to the chaos that comes with being a Mother summed up pretty darn well!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Foundation of Drawing by Al Gury

This book is an amazing book that really helps one get the fundamentals down for drawing that is an amazing all in one resource book that really tries to be as comprehensive and informative as possible. Filled with such amazing techniques and detailed instruction this book is a must have for an art enthusiast who would like a book that covers so much and helps a budding artist reach their full potential.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow! The Good News in Four Words by Dandi Daley Mackall

This little book is a little gem that I thoroughly enjoyed reading to my little girl who absolutely loved the vivid pictures and did great a great job about breaking down some of the most fundamental elements of the gospel. I loved  how this book had just enough information to be meaty and very informative but not too wordy to lose kids interest and attention, even my 2 year old daughter was able to keep focused through the whole book.
Winsome and gorgeously illustrated this book is a great addition to anyone's library,
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lord. change my attitude before it is too late by James MacDonald

This was an amazing book! Filled with so much wisdom and insight this book was an outstanding read and was such an excellent reminder  that our attitude makes such a huge difference in our life.
Drawing heavily from the story of the Israelite and their lousy attitude while wandering in the wilderness. This book draws some strong parallels between  the Israelite and our own attitude this is very though provoking and sticks with you long after then final pages.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Colored pencil painting portraits by Alyona Nickelsen

The cover alone of this book is enough to make you want to buy this book and try your hand at Colored pencil painting portraits! The cover drawing is so amazing it looks like a photograph! So many of the other paintings in the books are equally amazing.
I love how the author takes something like colored pencils which you really associate with amateur drawings and takes it to a whole different level.
Packed full with great techniques and ways to improve ones skills this book had so many great tips and suggestions that can at least improve ones colored pencil skills although I have serious doubts I could ever get so skilled to do excellent portraits.
Great book for the serious art person who is looking to improve.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race by Mike Mizrahi

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The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race (Redemption Press, April 2017)

Chattanooga society is turned upside down as a young woman has the audacity to ride a bicycle–in bloomers!

It’s 1895. Anna Gaines, 19, struggles to conquer her insecurities after a horrible fall years ago from her beloved horse, Longstreet. On a visit with her aunt in Brooklyn, she’s drawn to the new pastime of bicycling. But back at home, cycling is a scandalous sport for a proper lady. Southern women did not engage in activities meant for men.

Anna has her eye on Peter Sawyer, president of the Cycling Club. As community outrage grows, an unexpected turn of events pits Anna against Peter in a race between the sexes.

Will Anna prove that women deserve the same right as men to ride “the wheel?” Will she choose to live a quiet, traditional life of a housewife and mother? Or will she pursue college and become one of the “new women” emerging into the twentieth century on the seat of a bicycle? What will become of the spark between Anna and Peter?

Faith, patience, and courage help Anna to become the person she was meant to be.

My opinion: What a fun read! This book was well researched and very engaging. It was a reminder of what those woman had to do to pave the way for the freedoms we are enjoying today. I love the story line and how history was really brought to life in such a manner that was so enjoyable and interesting. You can tell a lot of thought and research was put into this book and it really shows! This book is a must read if you like historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Every job a parable by John Van Sloten

I was absolutely thrilled to get a chance to read this book as I loved the concept of finding ways to serve God no matter what your vocation is. Too often we only think as certain vocations as ones that you can serve God in, like the medical field, teaching, being a missionary,etc  but this book shows that any job can be used to glorify God and provides an opportunity to serve Him!
This book tells stories of those who have served in such capacities like Judges who are able to serve God and those who work as Wal-Mart greeters who are able to glorify God with their position.
I love how this book helps show that it is not so much the job that holds us back from sharing with others but it is really our attitude because if we are ready and willing servants God will provide to opportunities!
Filled with biblical wisdom and practical insight this book is an excellent read!
I received a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Design your day by Claire Diaz-Ortiz

This book isn't revolutionary by an means, the idea behind being more productive and living more  purposefully  is obviously a very popular theme (check any self help section), but what I felt this book does and does well is really break down the absolute basics and zero in on the best ways to not only  improve ones life but go from survival mode to thriving.
I absolutely loved how to the point and succinct the whole book was, you can easily sit down and read it in an evening, although I don't necessarily advocate that as it would be best to slowly savor it and actually think about what is being said so change will have more of a chance of occurring.
Filled with witty acronyms this book is a great read,
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Positive Discipline tools for teachers by Jane Nelsen and Kelly Gfroerer

I will start this out by saying I am not a teacher, but I felt that the principles in here could easily work in dealing with ones child and with dealing with issues that might arise as a youth leader. Really this book doesn't just apply to teachers by any stretch of the imagination,. but if you are a teacher than this book would be invaluable!
\This book was insightful and had some good ideas that are easily implemented and would make a classroom run so much smoother! Such a great resource to have for any teacher or parent even!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Driver confessional by David Winters

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Driver Confessional (May 2017)

Ride share driver Antonio cruises the streets of Washington, D.C. looking for his next fare.

He has an unusual gift for relaxing his customers and stimulating their desire to reveal more than they planned. By the completion of their ride, many feel so comfortable that they confess their sins great and small. Antonio’s faith guides his discussions and points him in new directions. Suddenly, his peaceful world is turned upside down by a mysterious business woman. As she heads to a midnight rendezvous, she confesses more than Antonio can handle. Her story sends him into a world of espionage, international terrorism and danger.

My opinion: What a thrilling read! I didn't know what to expect with this book but it exceeded my expectations! This book is well written with a fascinating plot and great characters. Loved how it kept me on the edge of my seat until the end! I would definitely look for more books by this author in the future, it is always so exciting finding new authors with spell binding reads.

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