The one true love of Alice-Ann by Eva Marie Everson

What a delightful read! From the moment I saw this book I have been looking forward to reading it and I am so thrilled it didn't disappoint! The lush cover and beautiful description were nothing compare to the actual story! I devoured this book in one evening, it was that good!

This beautiful coming to age story about a young woman during World War 2 is a sweet whisper of a bygone age. Alice-Ann is a memorable heroine who is feisty and strong. One of the things I really appreciated about this character is how the author didn't go on and on about how beautiful she was on the outside, but instead focused on her inward beauty which is a rare thing to find in Christian fiction and is one of my biggest pet peeves.

I loved the character of Cartlon. such a strong, wonderful hero. I loved watching their story grow and develop. It was a sweet subtle love story with more going on which made it much better.

Well written with excellent characters, this book is everything a historical fiction should be! I think the author did a good job at trying to capture the feel of the times which I really appreciated.

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

Tightropes and Teeter-totters by Lisa Pennington

Moms, do you wonder if you will ever stop falling over every time the unexpected comes along, or you get your feelings hurt, or you mess up? Lisa Pennington’s new book, Tightropes and Teeter-Totters, is tailor-made for you. Lisa Pennington knows how to get up after losing her balance, even with a full house, a not-so-full bank account, and never enough energy. For every woman who wonders if her satisfaction in life will ever match her dreams, Pennington has real-life answers full of hope and humor.

###

{MORE ABOUT TIGHTROPES AND TEETER-TOTTERS}

Tightropes and Teeter-Totters: Finding Balance in the Ups and Downs of Life (David C. Cook, February 2017)

Do you wonder if you will ever find balance?

Lisa Pennington knows how to get up after losing her balance, even with a full house, a not-so-full bank account, and never enough energy. In her latest book, she offers readers:

—Strategies for finding balance in marriage, motherhood, and bad moods
—Playful yet biblically based tips for turning hard days around
—Inspiration for shaping obstacles into opportunities
—Ways to respond to irritations with gratitude
—Enthusiastic encouragement for living out God’s purpose.

For every woman who wonders if her satisfaction in life will ever match her dreams, Pennington has real-life answers full of hope and humor.

My opinion: I loved this book that really speaks to the Mommy's soul from one who has experienced a lot (having 9 kids would do that to you!). This book helps one navigate the ups and downs of being a Mom and ways to center your days so you can face whatever comes your way. This book really strengthened and encouraged me,helping reminding me that I am not alone in this delightfully exhausting journey called Motherhood.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

United state of Jihad by Peter Bergen

This book was utterly fascinating as it explored how young people who grew up in the USA are joining fanatical Islam and the journey that takes them there. Written in an engaging and exciting manner this book really sucks you in and gets you involved in the story. It certainly gives incite into some of the reasons kids from America would possibly be interested in radical Islam.
This book was an excellent read and was very though provoking, heartbreaking and insightful. It was a must read!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Home to paradise by Barbara Cameron

{MORE ABOUT HOME TO PARADISE}

Home to Paradise (Abingdon, February 2017)

Highly anticipated final book in The Coming Home Series from best-selling Amish author Barbara Cameron.

Rose Anna Zook has watched her two older sisters marry two Stoltzfus men and has always thought she and John, the third Stoltzfus brother, would marry, make a home together, and have children. But John has other ideas. He’s enjoying his Rumschpringe in the Englisch world a little too much and isn’t interested in returning to the Amish community—especially to marry.

Rose Anna is determined to bring her man back into the Amish fold. John is equally determined to live his life free and unencumbered. Who will win this battle of wills? Will love prevail?

My opinion: This book was such a wonderful ending to a very cute and enjoyable series. Rose Zook is such an enjoyable character, she has a set idea for how her life is going to go and is in great distress when John doesn't seem to be going with the program. I enjoyed watching John grow and develop as a character because at first I really didn't like him that much but he got better. This book was a sweet easy little read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Why God calls us to dangerous places by Kate McCord

What an amazing book.This book was so thought provoking and well written, it resonated with me long after the final page was read. This book talks about the pain and brokenness that can come from following God into dangerous and unknown circumstances, written someone who has truly lived it. The author has had many close encounters with death and has seen many heartbreaking things in her walk with the Lord that has taken her to Afghanistan. She has lost people she has loved through brutal circumstance, people who have given all to follow the Lord. This book doesn't sugar coat things, but it shows the closeness and beauty that has come through these hard circumstance. This book really made me think of my nice,safe life and how those who have embraced the Lord's calling to dangerous places have left this kind of life behind, while it certainly hasn't been easy there is a closeness to the Lord that I personally have not experienced.
Well written and utterly thought provoking this book is a must read!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

When God made you by Matthew Paul Turner

What a delightful kids book! I was so happy to receive this book to review in exchange for my honest opinion as good Christian kids books are not as common to get and I am always on the look out for a good one. This one was a wonderful brightly colored book with a cute message that was engaging and well written. This book held my 22 month old daughters attention despite it really  being for a little older kids.
This book is a great book reminding kids how special they are how much God truly loves them.

Door to Freedom by Jana Kelley

{MORE ABOUT DOOR TO FREEDOM}

Door to Freedom (New Hope, February 2017)

It’s rough and it’s smooth. It’s dark and it’s light. It’s a masterpiece. It’s us. Here in Sudan. We are scared of it and drawn to it. There is an open door, and there is much opposition.

In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia, who is raising her family in a Muslim country, has learned to boldly share her faith. Rania, the daughter of a wealthy Sudanese Arab, seeks to find the reason for her sister’s sudden disappearance. Mia holds some of the answers, but both women quickly discover they must each walk through their own doors to freedom, the freedom that only comes when you trust God’s sovereignty more than manmade security.

Part of New Hope Publishers’ line of contemporary missional fiction, Door to Freedom, the sequel to Side by Side, opens the reader’s eyes to modern-day persecution and the life of Muslims in Sudan. Based on real-life events, Door to Freedom also reveals some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as for the salvation of the persecutors.

My opinion: This book was such a wonderful read, I utterly devoured the two books in the series in a matter of days which is saying something! This book takes Mia and her family through another test of their faith as things in Sudan become harder and harder and threats are all around them, do they have the faith to stand up in the time of great danger even when there appears to be someone reporting them? We also get to know Rania who is upset and distraught over her sisters disappearance when she became a Christian, is Rania going to find that peace her sister found and is she willing to sacrifice everything to embrace it? Thought provoking and well written this book really brings to light what it must be like for those who are willing to give it all for the gospel.
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.