Her secret by Shelley Shepard Gray

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Her Secret (Avon Inspire, March 2017)

A suspenseful tale of a young Amish woman who is forced to move to a new town to escape a threatening stalker

After a stalker went too far, Hannah Hilty and her family had no choice but to leave the bustling Amish community where she grew up. Now she’s getting a fresh start in Hart County, Kentucky…if only she wasn’t too scared to take it. Hannah has become afraid to trust anyone—even Isaac, the friendly Amish man who lives next door. She wonders if she’ll ever return to the trusting, easy-going woman she once was.

For Isaac Troyer, the beautiful girl he teasingly called “The Recluse” confuses him like no other. When he learns of her past, he knows he’s misjudged her. However, he also understands the importance of being grateful for God’s gifts, and wonders if they will ever have anything in common. But as Hannah and Isaac slowly grow closer, they realize that there’s always more to someone than meets the eye.

Just as Hannah is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding a new love, more secrets are revealed and tragedy strikes. Now Hannah must decide if she should run again or dare to fight for the future she has found in Hart County

My opinion: Yet another outstanding book by Ms. Gray, I really enjoyed this suspenseful page turner that had me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I loved the perfect balance of suspense and romance, it made such a delightful read as it truly drew one in.
The characters were very engaging and I loved watching the romance between Issac and Hannah blossom.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Yellow owl workshop make it yours by Christine Scmidt

What a delightful book! Filled with amazing ideas for turning the mundane and average thing into a show stopping center piece for the home. I love how fresh and original the ideas are without costing an arm and a leg. This book is bursting with such amazing ideas it instantly made me want to start creating!
I had never heard of the author before but after getting this book I am hooked! This book will inspire the crafty side of anyone and leave your house extra special.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Unchained by Noel Heikkinen

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Unchained: If Jesus Has Set Us Free, Why Don’t We Feel Free? (David C. Cook, February 2017)

Christians are free in Christ, yet Christianity can feel like a prison.

Unchained helps Christians who don’t feel that grace has changed their lives.

Often when people follow Jesus, they feel more guilty instead of more free. A powerful book for the spiritually restless, Unchained shows readers how to have a robust faith that celebrates their freedom in Christ without compromising their holiness as God’s followers.

Unchained turns to the person and work of Jesus Christ as the source of freedom—not just his work 2,000 years ago but also what he is doing today. As readers dig into the meaning of the freedom that Jesus offers, they will understand, perhaps for the first time, what true freedom in Christ means.




My opinion: I thought this book was very thought provoking and insightful about living free in Christ and how so many of us truly don't know what it means to enjoy that freedom. I loved how down to earth and humble the author came across as, it felt like he was really trying to draw you in and explore the freedom that comes from Christ. Filled with scripture verses and keep insight this book was an excellent read that left the reader thinking about the concept and ideas long after the last page was turned.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Simplest way to change the world by Dustin Willis

This little book is such a gem of a book was packed full of insight and enough to keep one thinking long after the last page is turned. Too often I think we get trapped into thinking that going overseas to serve as missionaries or doing something bold is the only way to serve the Lord and while those are admirable and wonderful things, not all of us get the opportunity to do those things; however there is something we all can do: open our homes to those around us. The author did a wonderful job at sharing keen insight, scriptures and personal testimonies about opening their own homes and others who have done the same.
This book is an excellent reminder that we have such a large mission field in our own towns and neighborhoods and how some of the most extraordinary encounters are made when we open our homes to those around us.
This book challenged and encouraged me and I am eager to work on practicing some biblical hospitality!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller

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The Elusive Miss Ellison (Kregel, February 2017)

Handsome appearance counts for naught unless matched by good character and actions.

That’s the firm opinion of not-so-meek minister’s daughter Lavinia Ellison. So even though all the other villagers of St. Hampton Heath are swooning over the newly returned seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, she is not impressed. If a man won’t take his responsibilities seriously and help those who are supposed to be able to depend on him, he deserves no respect from her. In Lavinia’s pretty, gray eyes, Nicholas Stamford is just as arrogant and reckless as his brother–who stole the most important person in Livvie’s world.

Nicholas is weighed down by his own guilt and responsibility, by the pain his careless brother caused, and by the legacy of war he’s just left. This quick visit home to St. Hampton Heath will be just long enough to ease a small part of that burden. Asking him to bother with the lives of the villagers when there’s already a bailiff on the job is simply too much to expect.

That is, until the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. With her angelic voice in his head, he may even be beginning to care. But his isn’t the only heart that needs to change.

These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society’s opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.

Fans of Georgette Heyer, Lori Wick, and Julie Klassen will enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister’s daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God’s grace and the true strength of love.

My opinion: From its gorgeous cover I just knew this book was going to be a delicious treat and it did not disappoint! The lush cover and enchanting description was but a small glimpse into what a delightful read this proved to be! I absolutely loved the main characters and the chemistry that was between them, it was fun watching them go from controversy to love with everything in between.  Filled with a strong and opinionated heroine who one can instantly warm to and a strong, brooding hero this book is a wonderful Regency book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Super Genes by Deepak Chopra

With a fascinating premise this book was utterly engrossing and thought provoking. This book really challenges the long held idea that we are merely stuck with the genes we were given, this book instead explores how our genes respond to what we think, say and do.
Well written this book was certainly not a dry read but was instead very engaging and it really held ones interest until the very end. I felt like I learned a lot without it being totally overwhelming.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lord, have Mercy by Ellen Miller

I think being a Mom has got to be the hardest job ever, just when you think you are figuring things out and getting into some kind of groove, something happens to remind you that you indeed don't have everything under control. Written by a Mother of two grown children the author has written daily devotions that are short and sweet to encourage Mother's who are in throngs of Motherhood.
Overall I found the book to be encouraging, speaking on vital issues that Mother's are facing, but at times I didn't feel like I could relate to the author as much, maybe because she seemed very much like a type A personality (which I am not) and the fact that she is through raising kids so some of the things like wearing nice designer clothes is something I most certainly cannot relate to.
This was not the most memorable book on Motherhood, but it did have some good encouragement.
I received a copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest opinion.