God's Crime Scene for Kids by J. Warner Wallace

God’s Crime Scene for Kids: Investigate Creation with a Real Detective (David C Cook, September 2017)

Hone your reasoning skills as you investigate evidence in the universe to determine the most reasonable cause for everything we see in creation.

In this companion to Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, Jason uncovers a mystery in his grandmother’s attic. He and his friends, Hannah, Daniel and Jasmine, enlist the help of Detective Jeffries at the Jr. Detective’s Academy. Along the way, they develop the skills needed to investigate the mystery and the evidence of God’s existence. The cadets learn logical-thinking skills as they examine the contents of a mysterious box and the vast universe.

In God’s Crime Scene for Kids, real-life detective J. Warner Wallace shows kids ages 8 to 12 what skills are needed to solve Jason’s mystery, and at the same time looks at evidence in the universe that demonstrates God is the creator. Ultimately, kids will learn how to make their own case for God’s existence.

My opinion: I loved this excellent resource for kids! There really are not enough good resources for kids to dive deeper into studying the Bible and evidences that God is real. I loved how this book helped teach kids to think logically and see that there is indeed evidence that God is real. There will be so many people out there trying to convince them that God doesn't exist so this book will help them down the path of apologetic and being able to repute those claims. Well written and thoroughly engaging this book is sure to appeal to young and old alike. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Peppers of the Americas by Maricel Presilla

For lovers of peppers this book will be amazing! Not only are the photographs vibrant and tantalizing but the information provided in this book is outstanding as well. This book not only tells one how to cook with peppers but how to grow them and more about the history of peppers all around. This book is just a great resource on peppers all the way around!
I loved how this book was so much more than a cookbook,such a great resource!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rewordable

What an absolutely enthralling game for anyone who is a lover of words. Not only is this game so much fun but it can really help expand and enhance ones vocabulary as well! Easy to get the grasp of this game really only takes a very short time to get engaged in and then you are obsessed! I love how this game is for the young all the way up! This is a great party game and I look forward to playing it again at my next get together.
I received a copy of this game in exchange for my honest opinion.

The return by Suzanne Woods Fisher

This book was a really good ready until the very end where I feel it fell flat.I am hopeful there will be a sequel to resolve some of the lose ends that seemed to make up the ending of this book. 
I loved the characters and how the book was told from different people's perspective but was disappointed that some were not heard from as much as others. I felt like a few of the stories weren't resolved as much as I would have liked.
I didn't know much about the history of this time and it was saddening to find that many of the events mentioned really happened and how peaceful Native Americans were slaughtered. 
Overall a good read but I wish it had more at the end. I will be looking for the next book in the series for sure!

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

A Name Unknown by Roseanna White

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A Name Unknown (Bethany House, July 2017)

She’s out to steal his name. Will he steal her heart instead?

Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins that helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they are no longer pickpockets—now they focus on high value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. Rosemary’s challenge of a lifetime comes when she’s assigned to determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany. How does one steal a family’s history, their very name?

Rumors swirl around Peter Holstein. Awkward and solitary, but with access to the king, many fear his influence. But Peter can’t help his German last name and wants to prove his loyalty to the crown—so he can go back to anonymously writing a series of popular adventure novels. When Rosemary arrives on his doorstop pretending to be a well- credentialed historian, Peter believes she’s the right person to help him dig through his family’s past.

Anger and danger continue to mount, though, and both realize they’re in a race against time to discover the truth—about Peter’s past and about the undeniable attraction kindling between them.

My opinion: When it comes to Christian historical fiction Roseanna White is one of the best out there and this book did not disappoint! The cover alone is enough to draw one in but the content is even better! I love the painstaking research that is put into this book, it was a fascinating time during England's history and this book brings it all vividly to life.
I loved the character of Rosemary, feisty and spunky she sparkles with life and it is wonderful watching her character grow and develop. I loved Peter's character, he is so loving and amazing, the perfect gentleman!
This book is a great read and keeps you engaged until the very end!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Many Sparrows by Lori Benton

Just when you think one of your favorite historical authors cannot get any better she goes and surprises you by really outdoing herself!
As always this book is filled with rich, vivid research, outstanding, deep characters with so many different layers and a exquisite writing. all of this coming together into one glorious book that is hard to put down!
At times heart breaking this book really brings to life the rough times in the frontier and the hear breaking circumstances many people found themselves in. The characters of Clare and Jeremiah are amazing and make your heart bleed for them when bad things happen and rejoice when something good happens.
If you are into historical fiction make sure to check Lori Benton out, you won't be disappointed.

So close to amazing by Karianne Wood

What a great, encouraging book. It is so easy to look at other peoples lives and think that they have everything together, especially when that person is a successful DIY blogger who has won many awards and is hugely popular. I love how KariAnne is so down to earth and honest that her life is far from perfect and that she has had many DIY attempts go wrong. Filled with warm insight and laugh out loud humor this book was such an engaging this book feels more like a good conversation with a good friend.  Not only is it an engaging read but there are also some pretty amazing DIY tips and projects at the end of each chapter that look amazing and totally doable (and I am by no means the Queen of DIY).
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Is Justice Possible? by J. Paul Nyquist

In a very thought provoking book this is  very engaging read really gets one to think . Written in an engaging manner that gets one thinking and heavily drawing on the scriptures to support his points. Broken into 4 parts this book is long enough to give you enough to really think about but not too much to be too overwhelming. At times the book is a bit depressing because Justice is something we don't see as often as we would like in our society but this book does give hope at the end of the book that we will see true justice when Christ returns.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Dream Centered life by Luke Barnett

For anyone who has wanted to find what drives them and what makes them feel the most alive, this book is for you. I was eager to read this book and it certainly did not disappoint. Filled with inspiring stories, real world scripture application and keen insight this book really helps one think outside of the box and begin to dream of ways to enhance ones own life.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Hiding from the kids in my prayer closet by Jessica Kastner

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Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet (David C Cook, July 2017)

Finding grace and laughter when motherhood gets real

Soon after Jessica Kastner became a mother, she wondered if she was the only mom who found pretend play more boring than watching playdough harden and who dreaded yet another friend’s Instagram post of homemade deliciousness.

In Hiding from My Kids in the Prayer Closet, Kastner shares her experience as an “unmom”—a mom who loves her kids more than she loves the daily experience of mothering. She helps readers laugh at the ridiculous, delight in the unpredictable, and enjoy being the mothers God made them to be.

My opinion: For any Mom who feels overwhelmed by all of the responsibilities that come with being Mom this book is encouraging and laugh out loud funny at times. I love how candid and open the author is, it makes me feel like I am not alone in my crazy moments.  Being a Mom is definitely the hardest job one can ever have and yet this book helps makes you feel like you are not alone and that one can find grace and laughter in the disasters that can happen.
Written in a warm, witty manner this book is a great read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Secrets by Jonathan Daugherty

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Secrets: A True Story of Addiction, Infidelity, and Second Chances (New Growth Press, June 2017)

Everyone has a secret or two, a part of their life they would rather not share with the rest of the world.

But for Jonathan Daugherty, his secret was so life-altering and relationship-ending that he fought to keep it hidden at all costs. And it did cost him. His secret kept him from contentment, peace, and the possibility of being known and loved for who he truly is. That’s what any secret addiction can do—but in particular a sex addiction.

After his wife finally discovered his secret, their marriage appeared to be over. In Secrets, Jonathan honestly and courageously shares his story of addiction to pornography and how he lost everything to it.

But that’s not how the story ends. While Jonathan struggled, someone else was at work—his heavenly Father. At the lowest possible moment of his life, God stepped in and brought him hope and healing. This is a story of both loss and redemption that gives hope to anyone who has ever experienced the power and struggle of addiction and its life-destroying effects.

Addiction doesn’t have the final say over Jonathan’s life or in his marriage. The God who finds the lost, heals the sick, and brings life from death has the last, victorious word.

—A courageous, honest and open account of life as a sex addict and how sex addiction destroys marriages.
—A life-affirming and personal story of recovery and redemption that will inspire readers.
—Offers hope to all who struggle with pornography and sex addiction.
—Each chapter includes a “Living in the Light” section designed to equip and help readers find freedom from addiction.
—Suitable as a study for support groups of addicts and those who care about them.

My opinion: This is a great book about the struggles of keeping a secret and the terrible cost it comes to ones personal and spiritual life. I enjoyed this candid read as the author is very open about his struggles and how they almost destroyed his marriage and his ministry. This is about about making mistakes and finding redemption.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

On Love's Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson

I have really enjoyed this engaging series that is so down to earth and lovely characters. I loved this book that is about lost and found love. Natalie is an engaging heroine who has to come to terms with her past and face her future even though it is filled with uncertainty especially when she runs into a childhood friend who stirs up more feelings than she knew was possible. This book is a gentle love story with a lot of person growth and lots of feeling.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

My daughter's legacy by Mindy Clark and Leslie Gould

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My Daughter’s Legacy(Harvest House, July 2017)

A thrilling tale of two women longing to follow God’s leading, make the most of second chances, and find true love at last

Virginia, 1864

Therese Jennings cannot abide the thought of owning slaves. When her widowed mother inherits a plantation, Therese flees to Civil War Richmond, where she works as a governess by day and tends to wounded soldiers at night. But when trouble befalls her family, can she reconcile her obligations with her beliefs? And will love—whether with an old beau or a handsome new suitor—ever fit in her broken world?

Virginia, present day

Nicole Talbot’s life is back on track after years of substance abuse. Home from college for the summer, she’s finally ready to share a shocking secret, one that raises new questions about a traumatic childhood experience. But when facts she uncovers cast doubt on her family’s legacy, she must risk all that she’s gained—her fresh start, her family’s trust, and her growing relationship with a new man—to unlock the secrets of the past.

My opinion: I have enjoyed this series thoroughly and this book was no exceptions. I love how this book goes back and forth between past and present and I liked how Nicole Talbot finally gets her own time to shine as we have gotten to know her in the previous books. Therese was an enjoyable character and I liked watching her love story grow and develop. Well written and researched meticulously. I loved how this series has a bit of mystery and intrigue as well.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.