Praying for Girls: Asking God for the Things They Need Most by Teri Lynne Underwood (

Praying for Girls: Asking God for the Things They Need Most

by Teri Lynne Underwood 

About:

Scripture-Based Prayers for Your Daughter's Specific Needs
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by concerns for your daughter, enjoy the peace that comes when you pray targeted prayers for her straight from the Bible. No matter your girl's age, pray confidently about struggles she may be facing now and in the years to come. 
Covering five vital areas of a girl's life--her identity, heart, mind, relationships, and purpose--this easy-to-use book is ideal for anyone who feels intimidated or uncertain about what to pray for the girl they love. Rounding out the book are conversation starters and fun activities to help you guide your daughter into becoming a godly woman.

My Thoughts:

"Praying for Girls" isn't just for your little girl or your teenage girl, but this book can be used for anyone. I love the prayers in this book. I have notes written in this book and prayers highlighted. This book is marked all over the place of prayers that I have been praying for, especially women. I love that this book starts with praying for our daughters, but it can be modified to pray for any special woman in our life. (Sisters, neighbors, co-workers, nieces, etc)  However, the main focus of the book is 5 areas that we can pray for our daughters such as identity, their heart, mind, relationships and purpose. I also love that she uses over 200 + verses and comes at this thing from such a biblical perspective, which is so often missed in Christian books today. I think this book would be perfect to spend time with your daughter to have great discussions and fellowship with, especially before bed time to build a lasting relationship that stands on Godly principles. I love this book and am holding on to this. I give this book 5/5 stars. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me a complimentary copy for a review. A favorable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

About the Author:

A few years ago, a friend described me as an idea slinger — I love that! And it’s an apt description for this “love to start, get bored in the middle, sometimes I never finish” girl. :) I’m a wife, a momma, a Bible teacher, a speaker, a writer, a laundry-doer, a dishwasher, and, well, you get the idea.

I’ve been teaching the Bible to women for about 20 years and writing online in some form or fashion since the long-forgotten days of MySpace. In 2015, I founded Prayers for Girls, an incredible community of girl moms built around praying Scripture every day for our daughters. Those prayer calendars led to a book (Bethany House, 2017).

If I could only tell you one thing, this is what it would be—you can have a full life even if you have a full calendar!

Somehow busy has become a four-letter word and I’m just not so sure that’s a good thing. I’ve found my busy-ness doesn’t keep me from engaging in Kingdom business. I write a lot about this way of thinking … I call it Lopsided Living.

In my spare time, I'm usually drinking coffee and trying to figure out if there's a way to do laundry without my actually having to DO the laundry.

IMAGINE... The Great Flood by Matt Koceich

IMAGINE... The Great Flood

by Matt Koceich

IMAGINE...
The ocean swirled around the boy and pulled him down with unrelenting power. Heavy water churned and tugged at his flailing body like unseen hands yanking him into the watery depths. The fight was finally over. Even though he’d tried to stand up to the enemy, the waves were about to swallow him whole.
 
The last thing ten-year-old Corey remembers (before the world as he knew it disappeared) was the searing pain in his head after falling while chasing his dog Molly into the woods. What happens next can't be explained as Corey wakes up and finds himself face-to-face with not one but two lions! 
 
Join Corey and experience the excitement. . .the wonder. . . the adventure. . .as the epic story of Noah’s ark comes to life.
 
Imagine. . .The Great Flood is the first release in an exciting, brand-new epic adventure series for kids ages 8 to 12 written by schoolteacher and missionary, Matt Koceich. The Imagine series brings the Bible to life for today's kids as they ponder what it would be like to live through a monumental biblical event.

Watch for Imagine...The Ten Plagues in March 2018!

My Thoughts:

"Imagine The Great Flood" by author Matt Koceich is a juvenile fiction book. With only 110 pages this is a short adult read to children book. It is powerful and I can see how this would be the perfect bed-time story read as the Bible comes to life for children of all ages as they wonder what it would be like to live through the time of Noah and his family. This book is descriptive, actions packed and the way the story unfolds will captive the hearts of children as they think they are going to look for Millie, Max's dog, but they end up in a adventure of a story. I love how the author took creative liberties in writing this book, but didn't take or add anything to the Biblical story, which is important to me. I cannot wait for more stories for the Imagine series. This is one that I will be collecting for my future children. Thank you to the publishers for providing a complementary review and I was under no obligation to post a review. I give this book 5/5 stars. I cannot wait to read more! 

Moxie Of Mess and Moxie Of Mess and Moxie Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life By Jen Hatmaker

Of Mess and Moxie Wrangling Delight Out of This Wild and Glorious Life

By Jen Hatmaker 

About:

New York Times bestselling author Jen Hatmaker, with playful hilarity, shameless honesty, and refreshing insight, assures readers they have all the pluck they need for vibrant, courageous, grace-filled lives.

Jen Hatmaker believes backbone is the birthright of every woman. Women have been demonstrating resiliency and resolve since forever. They have incredibly strong shoulders to bear loss, hope, grief, and vision. She laughs at the days to come is how the ancient wisdom writings put it.

But somehow women have gotten the message that pain and failure mean they must be doing things wrong, that they messed up the rules or tricks for a seamless life. As it turns out, every last woman faces confusion and loss, missteps and catastrophic malfunctions, no matter how much she is doing “right.” Struggle doesn’t mean they’re weak; it means they’re alive.

Jen Hatmaker, beloved author, Big Sister Emeritus, and Chief BFF, offers another round of hilarious tales, frank honesty, and hope for the woman who has forgotten her moxie. Whether discussing the grapple with change (“Everyone, be into this thing I’m into! Except when I’m not. Then everyone be cool.”) or the time she drove to the wrong city for a fourth-grade field trip (“Why are we in San Antonio?”), Jen parlays her own triumphs and tragedies into a sigh of relief for all normal, fierce women everywhere who, like her, sometimes hide in the car eating crackers but also want to get back up and get back out, to live undaunted “in the moment” no matter what the moments hold.

My Thoughts:

I have read all of Jen Hatmakers books, so I naturally wanted to read this one too. I know she has received a lot of opinions and sceptism from the Christian community about her beliefs, but my personal belief is that whether I agree or disagree with a person, we can all learn something from one another.. In her latest book Moxie of Mess and Moxie of Wrangling Delight, I did just that, I learned something. Jen talks a lot about women being and not making excuses for who they were created to be. In fact, she talks about giving permission for being the way I was created, which is refreshing. It was a breath of fresh air. In a society where everyone is trying to compete with each other, or we need to be like the other person to fit it, why can't we all be like the person we were created to be? While I loved the message that Jen gave in this book, I felt that their were moments where it was "me" driven and not Jesus driven. If that makes sense? We live in a "me" culture and not a servant culture. For that, I give this book a 4/5 stars. I think the point of this book was to cheerlead women on to be the women that God has called them to be, but in doing so, I don't want this to always be about me. Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me a complimentary copy for review. A favorable review was not required.

About the Author :

Jen Hatmaker is the author of the New York Times bestseller For the Love and happy hostess of a tightly knit online community where she reaches millions of people each week. She and her husband, Brandon, founded the Legacy Collective, a giving community that granted more than a million dollars in its first year. They also starred in the popular series My Big Family Renovation on HGTV. Jen is a mom to five, a sought-after speaker, and a delighted resident of Austin, Texas, where she and her family are helping keep Austin weird. For more information, visit jenhatmaker.com. 

The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies

The Tea Planter's Wife

by Dinah Jefferies

About:

#1 International bestselling novel set in 1920s Ceylon, about a young Englishwoman who marries a charming tea plantation owner and widower, only to discover he's keeping terrible secrets about his past, including what happened to his first wife, that lead to devastating consequences

Nineteen-year-old Gwendolyn Hooper is newly married to a rich and charming widower, eager to join him on his tea plantation, determined to be the perfect wife and mother. But life in Ceylon is not what Gwen expected.

The plantation workers are resentful, the neighbours treacherous, and there are clues to the past - a dusty trunk of dresses, an overgrown gravestone in the grounds - that her husband refuses to discuss.

Just as Gwen finds her feet, disaster strikes. She faces a terrible choice, hiding the truth from almost everyone, but a secret this big can't stay buried forever...

My Thoughts:

"The Tea Planters Wife" wasn't my cup of tea. The historical fiction side of things was very interesting in this book. I was fascinated by the history and research of this book was very interesting. However, this book didn't wow me. The secrets in this book were what made me get through this book. And the sister, she is a royal pain. This book did solidify my love for tea and that is why I was interested in the book to begin with. Again, if you like books that are set in the 1900s with historical fiction, I think you might enjoy this book, but it wasn't my cup of tea. I give this book 3/5 stars. Thank you to the publisher for providing me a complimentary copy. A favorable review was not required. 

A Fierce Love One Woman’s Courageous Journey to Save Her Marriage By Shauna Shanks

A Fierce Love One Woman’s Courageous Journey to Save Her Marriage

By Shauna Shanks 

About:

Wrecked with news of her husband’s affair and his request for a divorce, Shauna Shanks faced an urgent decision: give up and give in to the divorce her husband was demanding, or fight for her marriage.

When she took God at his word in 1 Corinthians 13, Shanks realized just how illogical God’s love is. A Fierce Love encourages readers with the hope that if God’s instructions seem so audacious, we might just expect the same kind of results. Through her heart-wrenching journey, Shanks not only found herself falling in love with her husband again, but also falling in love with Jesus – and that changed everything.

This book was written in the midst of the author’s deepest trauma, and she purposefully did not air-brush her mistakes and failures during that season. This book will resonate with women who do not feel like picture-perfect Christians with fairytale marriages. A Fierce Love is the story of reaching out to God not in the calm but in the chaos, and, surprisingly, finding hope for the future.

My Thoughts:

Wow! This book is one of those books where you find yourself sitting down and reading something that is so raw and transparent that your face has tears pouring down your cheeks. Other moments you are smiling and rejoicing for the victory and the boldness that Shanks has displayed because of her courageous spirit in front of her children when her husband decides to walk away from her family. The mix of emotions, the tenderness of heart, you can't help but feel everything from this woman. The attempts she makes to save her marriage, her family, the way she tries to honor her husband by not creating a division or gossiping about his affair. This book is one that is so uniquely different and more than a book, this is the life of someone. Someone who is deeply is love with Jesus who wants to model a life just like him despite the hand dealt with. If that weren't enough, Shanks helps her husband through his childhood abuse. Y'all this marriage is the real deal on a piece of paper for everyone to read. I can't say enough good things about this book and these wonderful people. Marriage isn't for the faint of heart and Shanks shows that in "A Fierce Love." Grab your copy today. Thank you to Zondervan for providing a complimentary copy. A favorable copy was not required. I give this book 5/5 stars. 

About the Author:

Shauna Shanks is a wife, mother, and entrepreneur. She started Smallfolk, a health food café, out of her passion for health and fitness and unchecked desire to make fancy pop tarts. She graduated from Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, with a focus on world missions. Shauna and her husband, Micah, who is a police officer, have been married for more than a decade, and they are building a house out of shipping containers with their three boys on an Ohio farm.

31 Surprising Reasons to Believe in God: How Superheroes, Art, Environmentalism, and Science Point Toward Faith by Rick Stedman

31 Surprising Reasons to Believe in God: How Superheroes, Art, Environmentalism, and Science Point Toward Faith

by Rick Stedman

About:

"In the style of C.S. Lewis, Rick has given us a gift by pointing out the evidence for God's existence that can be found all around us if we know where to look."
Dr. Mark W. Baker

Could Our Lives Be Surrounded by
Surprising Clues to God's Existence?

We've all had doubts about God's existence—or we know people who have. What if we could uncover evidence of the reality of God that would bolster our faith or plant seeds of belief in the hearts of skeptics? 

This 31-day intellectual journey reveals hints of the divine all around us—in what we believe, what we love, what we have, and what we know. Discover how sports, superheroes, science, and dozens of other topics point to unexpected clues of God's existence. 

This carefully reasoned yet whimsical approach to a perplexing topic paves the way for meaningful dialogue between those who believe in God and those who are skeptical.

My Thoughts:

This book is great for an unbeliever or for those who are trying to understand God from a scientific lens. This isn't a book that you would give to someone who is already firm in their faith, but someone who is seeking. I am definitely bringing this one to my job to give to someone in ministry. This book answers a lot of questions in a practical way that someone will have questions on. The thing that I would caution on while it is a good book full of great ideas and oponions, I felt that it was missing Biblical truth from the word of God, which is what the Christian faith stand on. I do feel that the book has some great opinions and thoughts, but I really believe that this book would be much better having scripture references to back up the statements it makes. I give this book 4/5 stars. Thank you to Wynn Wynn media for providing a copy. A favorable review was not required.

Healing Love by Jennifer Slattery

Healing Love

by Jennifer Slattery

About:

A news anchor intern has it all planned out, and love isn't on the agenda.

Brooke Endress is on the cusp of her lifelong dream when her younger sister persuades her to chaperone a mission trip to El Salvador. Packing enough hand sanitizer and bug spray to single-handedly wipe out malaria, she embarks on what she hopes will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But Brooke is blindsided by the desperation for hope and love she sees in the orphans’ eyes. And no less by the connection she feels with her handsome translator. As newfound passion blooms, Brooke wrestles with its implications for her career dreams.

Ubaldo Chavez, teacher and translator, knows the struggle that comes with generational poverty. But he found the way out – education – and is determined to help his students rise above.

When he agrees to translate for a mission team from the United States he expects to encounter a bunch of "missional tourists" full of empty promises. Yet an American news anchor defies his expectations, and he finds himself falling in love. But what does he have to offer someone with everything?

My Thoughts:

At the beginning of this book, I honestly wasn't sure what to think. The opening line of the story grabbed me, but then I had a hard time keeping the story lines straight as the characters weaved in and out. Once I was able to connect the dots, this book was emotionally gripping, the pages were turning and "Healing Love" was fantastic. The best way to describe the writing is a story that is beautifully told by an author who has a heart for Kingdom business, which shines through in her writing. Slattery tells a story of a woman, Brooke who isn't sure the plans that God has for her life, but learns to lean in and follow his calling, which may lead her to Guatemala or it may lead her back to the United States for her career in the Television industry. Regardless of how the story ends, which there are no spoilers here, you will find emotion, love and wrestle with some of the very same questions yourself as the reader.  This book was very enjoyable and if you have never read a book by Jennifer Slattery, I highly recommend that you do! I give this book 5/5 stars. A favorable review was not required and the author provided a copy.

About Jennifer Slattery

Jennifer Slattery writes missional romance novels for New Hope Publishers. Her debut, "Beyond I Do", releases in August. She also writes Christian Living articles for Crosswalk.com and devotions for her personal blog, JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud; Internet Cafe Devotions; and Takin' it to the Streets', a ministry serving Omaha Metro's working poor and homeless. 

When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, hanging out at the mall with her teenage daughter, enjoying her real-life hero husband, or serving in her church or community.

 

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring (My Heart Belongs) by Carrie Fancett Pagels

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring (My Heart Belongs)

by Carrie Fancett Pagels 

About:

Moor your heart on Mackinac Island along with resident sweetheart Maude Welling, an heiress trying to prove her worth by working incognito as a maid at the Grand Hotel. Meet Ben Steffans, a journalist posing as a wealthy industrialist who has come to the island to uncover a story about impoverished men pursuing heiresses at the famed hotel. Will a growing love between Maude and Ben be scuttled when truths are revealed in this Gilded Age romance? 

My Thoughts:

"My Heart Belongs on Mackinaw Island" is a lovely book. I loved that this book takes place on Mackinaw Island because I am particularly fond of the Island myself. I have visited many times, especially in the summer, so this book brought back both memories as a young child and an adult. I love the premise of this book, the historical aspect of this book and I love Maude! And the Prince and the Pauper is sure not to be missed in this book. Oh, and did I mention there is mystery, hidden secrets and love? This book has it all. What a great summer read and one that will take you to a quaint Island where you will sit back, relax and not worry about your problems for a little while. Grab a great seat and enjoy thisy. A favorable review was not required. I give this book 5/5 stars. 

About the Author:

Carrie Fancett Pagels is an ECPA bestselling and award-winning author of Christian historical romance. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn't "cure" her overactive imagination! She resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia, which is perfect for her love of history. Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time!

Get Out of That Pit by Beth Moore

Book Description

From her first breath of fresh air beyond the pit, it has never been enough for Beth Moore to be free.

This best-selling author and Bible teacher who has opened the riches of Scripture to millions longs for you to be free as well—to know the Love and Presence that are better than life and the power of God’s Word that defies all darkness.

Beth’s journey out of the pit has been heart-rending. But from this and the poetic expressions of Psalm 40 has come the reward: a new song for her soul, given by her Saviour and offered to you in Get Out of That Pit—friend to friend. This is Beth’s most stirring message yet of the sheer hope, utter deliverance, and complete and glorious freedom of God.

My Thoughts:

Have you ever been in a pit and you didn't know how you got there? We all have been in a pit. Whether it was our own sin that caused it or someone else accidentally caused us to slip. Pits happen in our life everyday, but the good news is there is a way out. In "Get out of that Pit" you will discover the ways the enemy sneaks in and tries to keep you trapped, but Jesus doesn't want you stuck there. In fact, He has an awesome plan for your life and wants you to take authority to get out of the pit. You don't have to stay trapped any longer, nor do you need to give the enemy the power anymore. You can give back the The Lord! I loved this book and it has been a game changer in my walk with the Lord. I can get out of pits and I know when the enemy is trying to throw me in to one. I give this book 5/5 stars.  Thank you   To the publishers for providing me a free copy. A favorable review was not required. 

HIDING FROM THE KIDS IN MY PRAYER CLOSET BY JESSICA KASTNER

HIDING FROM THE KIDS IN MY PRAYER CLOSET BY JESSICA KASTNER

Author: Jessica Kastner

When motherhood gets real and overwhelming, what do you do? Read Jessica Kastner’s story of being an “un-mom” in her debut book, Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet. What is an “unmom”? She’s a mom who loves her kids more than she loves the daily experience of mothering. Kastner helps readers laugh at the ridiculous, delight in the unpredictable, and enjoy being the mothers God made them to be.

Join Jessica’s Facebook group page called #UnMom, where you can connect with fellow moms who share their mom stories, photos, and thoughts.

###

{MORE ABOUT HIDING FROM THE KIDS IN MY PRAYER CLOSET}

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.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

My Thoughts:

Instantly I GRAVATED towards this book! Jessica hadn't always dreamed of babies and infants, which is something I can totally relate too! I always read books where women have dreamed it their entire life and I haven't always had that dream. It was refreshing to read that I am not alone, that other women have felt the same way as I have.  I am a "un-per" mom as she would say. Having no children, I found this book to be humorous, truthful and to to be very deep. I liked how the book was divided into 7 sections. They each have a purpose and place. I think you will find a great laugh out of this book and also stories you can relate too. I give this book 4.5/ 5 stars. Thank you to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy for review. 

{MORE ABOUT JESSICA KASTNER}

Jessica Kastner is an award-winning journalist and a contributor for the Christian Broadcasting Network’s CBN.com, Beliefnet.com, and the Huffington Post’s Christianity blog. As Connecticut’s coordinator for Straight Ahead Ministries, she shares God’s message of hope by leading Bible studies in juvenile detention centers. When she’s not on the trampoline with her three boys in Connecticut, Jessica shares her unapologetically “real” commentary on the Christian life at www.JessicaKastner.com.

Find out more about Jessica at http://jessicakastner.com.

The Memory of You by Catherine West Blog

Title:  The Memory of You

Author: Catherine West
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson

Release Date:  March 28, 2017
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Fiction

About:

Thirteen years ago, Natalie lost a part of herself when her twin sister died. Will traveling back to the family winery finally put the memory to rest, or will it completely destroy her?


When Natalie Mitchell learns her beloved grandfather has had a heart attack, she’s forced to return to their family-owned winery in Sonoma, something she never intended to do. She’s avoided her grandparents’ sprawling home and all its memories since the summer her sister died—the awful summer Natalie’s nightmares began. But the winery is failing, and Natalie’s father wants her to shut it down. As the majority shareholder, she has the power to do so.

And Natalie never says no to her father.

Tanner Collins, the vintner on Maoilios, is trying to salvage a bad season and put the Mitchell family’s winery back in business. When Natalie Mitchell shows up, Tanner sees his future about to be crushed. Natalie intends to close the gates, unless he can convince her otherwise. But the Natalie he remembers from childhood is long gone, and he’s not so sure he likes the woman she’s become. Still, the haunted look she wears hints at secrets he wants to unearth. He soon discovers that on the night her sister died, the real Natalie died too. And Tanner must do whatever it takes to resurrect her.

But finding freedom from the past means facing it

My Thoughts:

If you have never read a book by Catherine West, I highly recommend you do! I loved her first book and "The Memory of You is no different. This book is a remarkable story. You'll fall in love with the characters of Natalie and Tanner. Of course the backdrop of vineyard is a wonderful scenery to set the stage and most of all you'll love the overall theme of the story as you flip the pages fast to find out what happens next. This book is one that you can't put down from the first page. You experience the emotions with the characters and you'll be thinking of them long after the book has ended. I found the theme of forgiveness to be strong in this book, but a wonderful novel to read at the beach or lake house and finish in a day. I promise you won't be able to put it down. Side bar, grab the tissues this book does get a little emotional or I did anyways. Thank you to Just Commonly for hosting this awesome book tour and the Author for providing copies. A favorable review was not required. I give this book 5/5 stars. Go purchase a copy today. You will be so thankful you did! Also, enter the raffle copper for your chance to win! 





Purchase a Copy at one of these awesome retailers:

Amazon, ChristianBook,  ITunes

Enter to Win a copy Here:


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About the Author:

Catherine West is an award-winning author who writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. Her first novel, Yesterday’s Tomorrow, released in 2011 and won the INSPY for Romance, a Silver Medal in the Reader’s Favorite Awards, and was a finalist in the Grace Awards. Catherine’s second novel, Hidden in the Heart, released in September 2012, was long listed in the 2012 INSPY’s and was a finalist in the 2013 Grace Awards.

When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. She and her husband have two grown children. Catherine is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America, and is represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary. Catherine loves to connect with her readers and can be reached at Catherine@catherinejwest.com 

CONNECT WITH CATHERINE:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Love Story (The Baxter Family #1) by Karen Kingsbury

Love Story (The Baxter Family #1) by Karen Kingsbury 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes a new book featuring everyone’s favorite family—the Baxters.

From the day they met, John and Elizabeth were destined to fall in love. Their whirlwind romance started when they were young college students and lasted nearly thirty years—until Elizabeth died of cancer.

So when John Baxter is asked to relive his long-ago love story with Elizabeth for his grandson Cole’s heritage project, he’s not sure he can do it. The sadness might simply be too great. But he agrees and allows his heart and soul to go places they haven’t gone in decades. Back to the breathless first moments, but also to the secret heartbreak that brought John and Elizabeth together.

At the same time, Baxter family friend Cody Coleman is working through the breakup of his complicated relationship with Andi Ellison. He is determined to move on when a chance sighting changes his plans—and heart. Can Cody convince Andi to give their love another try, or is it time for them to say goodbye, for good?

As school comes to an end, Cole presents his report on the love story between his grandparents John and Elizabeth Baxter. It is a tale that touches the hearts of the entire family, and one that causes Cole to better understand his own beginning.

Whether you’re meeting the Baxter family for the first time or finding them all over again, Love Story will stir your heart and remind you of the generational impact of love and the eternal bond of family.

My Thoughts:

"Love Story" is first book in the Family Baxter series. While Karen Kingsbury has written about the Baxter family in several other books and series, this is the first "Family Series Book." If you love the Baxter family, you'll love love this book and you'll be thankful to have read it. This book can be read as a stand alone, so you don't need to read the entire series, but it sure does give some much details to the Baxter family that we've been longing for!  Fans of Kingbury will be turning the pages and will have this book read from start to finish in one evening. Karen has this way of taking the past and weaving a beautiful story with the  future. You'll be moved from tears as you read the story of John and Elizabeth. You'll rejoice with Andi and Cody, despite their complications, the journey and the frustration the two go through! You'll be cheering for Andi and Cody the entire time and even some swoon worthy moments. This book is full of emotions, depth, the present, the past and the famous Baxter family! Order this prequel !! You will love this new angle to the family story! I give this book 5/5 stars. I read this book in one sitting and the pages were flying! Thank you to publisher for providing me a complimentary copy for review purposes. A favorable review was not required. 

I look forward to Karen's next book that is coming out, which is entitled "In This Moment." Make sure you pre-order another amazing book! I hope to have a review to you soon! 

About the Author:

Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. In addition, it was recently announced that Roma Downey and MGM Studios are developing a TV series out of Karen's popular Baxter Family books. Karen is also a visiting professor at Liberty University. 

Karen lives in Tennessee with her husband, Don, and their five sons, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. Their actress daughter, Kelsey, lives nearby and is married to Christian recording artist Kyle Kupecky. The couple recently welcomed their first child, Hudson, making Karen and Don grandparents for the first time. 

A Matter of Trust (Montana Rescue #3) by Susan May Warren

A Matter of Trust (Montana Rescue #3)

by Susan May Warren 

About:

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson has left the limelight behind after the death of one of his fans. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, he's remade his life as a ski patrol in Montana's rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team. But he can't seem to find his footing--or forget the woman he loved, who betrayed him. 

Senator and former attorney Ella Blair spends much of her time in the limelight as the second-youngest senator in the country. But she has a secret--one that cost Gage his career. More than anything, she wants to atone for her betrayal of him in the courtroom and find a way to help him put his career back on track. 

When Ella's brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park's most dangerous peaks, Gage and his team are called in for the rescue. But Gage isn't so sure he wants to help the woman who destroyed his life. More, when she insists on joining the search, he'll have to keep her safe while finding her reckless brother, a recipe for disaster when a snowstorm hits the mountain. 

But old sparks relight as they search for the missing snowboarder--and suddenly, they are faced with emotions neither can deny. But when Ella's secret is revealed, can they learn to trust each other--even when disaster happens again?

My Thoughts:

Get ready to go be engrossed for a few hours as you go on such a wonderful adventure! This book is so, so good! Oh, I loved it! My adrenaline was pumping the entire time as I was turning the pages during moments that were so fast pace! This book will leave you breathless in the snowy mountains of Montana. Get ready to fall in love with Gage. Oh, and who wouldn't love Ella, but of course the reader understands the back story. There is more than meets the eye to a story of romance here.. Forgiveness, grace redemption... And if this isn't amazing enough, Susan isn't done writing these books.. I hear that she is writing six books in this series, which is AWESOME!I love all the characters and can't want to see what happens with Jess and Pete. Just pick up this series. I promise you'll love them. The adventure is awesome. I give this book 5/5 stars. Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy. A favorable review was not required. You'll be so sad to see this book end, but don't worry more are coming! 

About the Author

Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.