Book Review: The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby

I received The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby by Erin MacPherson for review from Thomas Nelson Publishing. I picked this book even though I am not pregnant at this time, and I have never been pregnant. I thought it would be a fun book to read in prep for what to expect with my first pregnancy. Even though one of the other reviews for this book didn't like the sarcasm, I thought the voice of the author was hilarious! I really enjoyed her sense of humor and her honesty. A reader may not agree with all the things she has to say, but I definitely liked to getting her insight. Like advice from any girlfriend, you need to take it with a grain of salt. MacPherson's writing style made the book an easy and fun read. I like how she puts things in lists of tips, things to do, things not to do, how to prevent this and that. Obviously, for every woman, pregnancy will be different but doesn't hurt to read up prior!

Book Review: Christmas in Apple Ridge

I received Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall for review from Waterbrook Publishing. This is actually a compilation of 3 books, The Sound of Sleigh Bells, The Christmas Singing, and The Dawn of Christmas. I previously review The Christmas Signing, but this was the other two books. My favorite part of Cindy Woodsmall books are the characters, you just fall in love with them! The Sound of Sleigh Bells is about Jonah, sculpture and carpenter. He had seriously been injured during a sleighing accident. Beth is a business woman in the Amish community, selling Amish made goods to the English. Beth meets Jonah during a business trip where she is captivated by Jonah's work. With a miscommunication/set up by Beth's aunt, Jonah and Beth come to know each other through letters.

The Dawn of Christmas is the story of Sadie and Levi. Levi's former sister-in-law left his brother and nephew. His focus is on helping his brother raise his nephew, his job of toy making and training horses. Sadie, heart broken from the deception of her ex-fiance, she focuses on making soaps and raising money for mission trips. When Sadie saves Levi after being thrown from a horse, they decide to pretend to court to stop the pressuring from their family. As Sadie's ex-fiance ends up being Levi's business partner, trouble stirs. 

I absolutely loved all 3 of these books. They are just lovely. I recommend these books for women of all ages who love hopeless romantic books!

Book Review: Twice a Bride

I received the book Twice a Bride by Mona Hodgson for review from Waterbrook Publishing. This is book 4 of the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek. Willow Peterson is a widow living in Cripple Creek and working as an artist. I did not find this book or the characters very interesting. It may have been due to the fact that the since this was book 4, the characters weren't developed very well in this book. I would recommend other users to start with book 1.

Book Review: Taming the Wind

I received the book Taking the Wind by Tracie Petterson from Bethany House Publishing for review. This is book three of the Land of the Lone Star series. Even though I hadn't read the previous two book, the story was easy to follow and the characters were well developed. Carissa is a widow living with her sister and brother-in-law in North Texas in 1868 with her daughter. Carissa falls for Tyler Atherton, a rancher working for family friends. His father was killed during war and he needed to heal and learn to forgive. This book focuses on God's power in our lives to help us to heal, forgive, and learning to love again. It was a great romantic story. I would recommend this book for any hopeless romantic.

Book Review: Share the Bounty

I received the book Share the Bounty by Benita Long for review from Thomas Nelson Publishing. This is one of the most beautifully put together cook books I have ever seen. This is a fairly large book and would be great on the coffee table book. This would be a great gift for a hospitable woman who shares her home and meals with those around her.

This book includes 5 categories of recipes: luncheons, festive occasions, convivial dinners, for the very young, and international. Each recipe includes a picture, an easy to read recipe, and inspirational quotes/scripture. I love pictures in my cook books, and I just love how this book incorporates not just meal ideas, but also home decor ideas as well. I would recommend this as a host gift.

Book Reivew: The Southern Foodie

I received the book The Southern Foodie by Chris Chamberlain for review from booksneeze.com. I am a self proclaimed foodie and thought this was a great road map for a food tour from Virginia to Texas! I wish I had this handbook of the best places to eat through out the south during the past few years during long road trips back and forth throughout the south! Each southern state has 6-10 featured restaurants. Each restaurant features includes their famous recipes. I like how the author writes about what makes the restaurants special and makes you want to visit, not only because of the food, but because of its uniqueness.

The recipes are for fairly easy to follow, but this would not recommend anyone trying to lose weight or have high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. The recipes are very heavy. Even so, this is a very fun book to look through with lots of pictures of the recipes to make. I definitely will be checking out the restaurants listed in the book when I am in the neighborhoods!

Book Review: Perfect Lies

I received Perfect Lies by Jennifer Crow from Tyndale Publishing for review. Jennifer Crow talks about 9 commonly believed lies that we believe which can cause us to suffer spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. The first part of the book covers Jennifer's own story. She is very candid about her own breakdown, physically and mentally, and the steps she took to come out of that state. She uses scripture to back up her beliefs.

In the second part of the book, each chapter covers a lie. She includes ways we can detect the lies, the antidote to the lies, her picture prayer experience, an exercise for the reader in picture praying, statements for the reader to ponder, and scriptures for the reader to ponder.

The 9 Lies covered:
1. I am Unloveable
2. I am Worthless
3. I am Unacceptable
4. I am Unable
5. I am a Target
6. I am not Angry
7. I am Bad
8. I am in Danger
9. I am Deprived

If you can relate to the statements above, then I would recommend this book, or if you are feeling depressed, completely hopeless, or suffering from low self-esteem. I could not relate to the lies, and had a difficulty keeping my interest.