Book Review: Blind Hope

I received Blind Hope by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher for review from Blogging for Books. This book is the true story of Laurie's experience of adopting an unwanted, stinky, ugly dog. The bond, love, and healing she experiences through the relationship with this dog is very much like the experience we have with God.

I wasn't that big of a fan of the writing style, but the concepts of the book great! The experiences Laurie had definitely do a great job illustrating how our heavenly father feels for us! I would recommend this book to any Christian who is struggling with their walk with God. I'm not a big animal person, but this book makes me want to adopt a dog so that I may experience the beautiful relationship portrayed in the book! :)

Book Review: Simply Grilling

I received Simply Grilling by Jennifer Chandler for review from booksneeze.com. I live in Hawaii, so having a cookbook that I can use ALL year round is fantastic!

There are 3 things I like best about the book:

1.) It's hard cover! Classy looking cookbook. Great gift idea.
2.) The pictures of all the dishes make the meals look so appetizing! I like to see what my food is supposed to look like when it's done.
3.) SUPER EASY and DELICIOUS recipes! Most of the recipes use ingredients most of us have in our kitchens. It's amazing what desserts (my favorite part of meal) can be made using the grill!

This is a great gift for the grillers out there! Enjoy and happy eating! You'll like the book, but you'll love the food even better! :)

Book Review: The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

I received the book The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall from Water Brook Publishing for review. Cindy Woodsmall does it again! Another fantastic, charming, and heart warming book! This book actually follows The Christmas Singing. I didn't realize it until a few chapters into the book. Annie, an Old Order Mennonite, visits Apple Ridge to stay with her grandfather after her mother kicks her out of the house. Annie falls in love with Aden, the son of the owner of Zook's Diner. This book goes into the background story about the Zooks family. Roman, Aden's crippled brother, also overcomes self-doubt and frustration with God's will for him.

I just love all the characters in the book! The forbidden love between the Annie the Mennonite and Aden the Amish is so romantic! I love it! This is such a cute book! I recommend this book to all hopeless romantics out there! Enjoy - but definitely recommend reading The Christmas Singing first if you haven't already!!!!

Book Review: A Sound Among the Trees

I received A Sound Among the Trees by Susan Meissner for review from Blogging For Books (Water Brook Publishing). Marielle, a woman from the desserts of Phoenix, marries a man from Fredericksburg, VA. She moves into his previous wife's family's house, a mansion from the Civil War era, with his 2 kids and his former wife's grandmother.

The book is broken down into multiple sections, each being a part of the house. The events all occur in that portion of the house. The book is not a Christian novel but I still enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed the interesting family dynamic. I think many blended families, especially the mom figures can appreciate this book. It's an easy read. This book definitely makes me want to brush up on my history of the Civil War!!

Book Review: Moments of Truth

I received the year long devotional book Moments of Truth by John MacArthur for review from booksneeze.com. This book is broken down by month, covering various topics that many Christians struggle with day-to-day. From love to marriage, parenting to work, and many other very important topics. This is a daily devotional, broken down by day, even includes February 29th! Each day has a verse, a message from the author and a question to think about. One thing I really like about the message is the fact that MacArthur includes many scriptural references. He doesn't want you to just take his word, but be able to see where the information he is sharing is coming from. Some people may struggle with the first week of devotionals. MacArthur defines what "truth" is. I think this is a good devotional for all Christians to read through. It will help you ask yourself, what do I truly believe? A question we should all ask ourselves!

Book Review: Life Promises for Couples

I received the book Life Promises for couples: God's Promises for you and your spouse by Gary Chapman for review from Tyndale Publishing. This is absolutely the cuttest little devotional book! It has lots of purple to appeal to all the ladies! Each devotional has a list of "Life Promises", three scriptural references, and a message from the author. Gary Chapman is the author of The Five Love Languages. He uses many of the concepts of the 5 love languages in the messages in this book. He points how we can better love our spouses by showing us scripture that teaches us HOW to love. I love this little devotional because he shares real life examples! Everyone will be able to relate to the scenarios Gary discusses. The best part is, he gives honest, helpful, doable tips in learning to love and communicate better with our spouses! I highly recommend this book for ALL married couples (along with his other book The Five Love Languages).

Book Review: When the Soul Mends

I received the book When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall for review from Water Brook Publishing. This is actually the third book in the Sisters of the Quilt series. I really wish I had read the first two books prior to reading this. Even though it back tracks enough to know what is going on in the book, I think I would have enjoyed the book more having had the character development in the first two books! So much happened in the first two books that I felt I missed out by not having read them first. I love Hannah's character - her compassion and love for her sister. Even though Hannah is former Old Order Amish, her tragic rape and the healing that has to occur is something that any woman who has been violated in that way will be able to relate to. She deals with so many real life issues throughout the book that so many women in our society are having to face daily, including trying to help her mentally unstable sister, dealing with her own hurtful past, tension with her father, and mending relationships with old loves. I would recommend that readers start with book one! :) As always, Cindy Woodsmall does a great job sharing the live style of the Amish. I would rate this book a 3/5 stars.