The Plans I have for You by Amy Parker

Best scripture picture book!  This picture book is based on Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not harm you, to give you hope and a future."  Each page has cheerful, positive illustrations that pop out at the reader with joy.  Each passage tells of ways God plans for the child from birth through adulthood.  The pages reveal over and over the ways that God has provided plans for each child's personality and gifts that God bestows Himself.  The plans of God are shown to be exciting, fun-filled, full of variety and something to look forward to.  This is the perfect book to help little ones understand their unique value in God's eyes and His specific, detailed plan of love for each life.

I received this book free from BookLook for my honest review and was not required to write a positive review.

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

My first experience reading Sarah Sundin and I'll be back for more!  This book gave me something no other Christian romance has ever given me.  The author through the characters addressed some incorrect beliefs that Christians hold that can ruin their self-esteem and their relationships with others. Ms. Sundin skillfully crafts an intriguing story about a young women who don't understand that God wants us to shine not hide our talents under a bushel.  Through the false "spiritual" reprimands of her pious mother a young girl is made to feel that when she feels good about an accomplishment that God will punish her for her pride.  Throughout the story the reader is led to see the difference between being prideful in ways that hurt others and being thankful for the gifts and talents God has given to each one of us.

The story is filled with interesting historical facts about WWII especially in reference to the United States Navy and women working to help the government on the homefront.  I have read a lot of books about WWII but learned so many new facts in this book.

The love story was more than a romantic tale.  It actually teaches some good, sound advice on relationships and being open to grow closer to people.  But it's all done in such an entertaining way you don't feel like you're reading a "how to" manual but you're getting a fun, thought-provoking, interesting peek into the past that could actually help you right now with a relationship.

I received this book free from Revel and was not required to write a positive review.

Autumn Brides by Kathryn Springer, Katie, Ganshert and Beth K. Vogt

I recently have become a fan of novellas!  It's a fun way to read a snippet from new authors and see if that author touches a place in your heart.  And if an author featured is one of your favorites already like Katie Ganshert is for me, then you don't want to miss anything they write!

This book has three sweet, romantic tales of friendships that blossomed into love.  I really enjoyed the characters and what they stood for.  Spiritual truths and sound advice on relationships is given in each story but in a way that is entertaining and thought provoking not preachy.

There's variety in the stories too.  You'll read and learn about cooking schools, chefs, police work, veterinarians, and what a treaddesk is!  Each story has interesting plots and endearing characters that you can't help but fall in love with yourself.

I received this book free from BookLook for my honest review and was not required to write a positive review.

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Celeste Ng is a genius with complex human emotions and relationships.  This books deals with heart rending pain from the different angles of a family torn apart seemingly by the tragic death of a child.  However as the book delves into each family member's reaction to the death we see that this family was actually fractured long before the death occurred.  The real beauty of this book is that the raw, ragged pain leads to a deeper understanding and healthier love.  It also shows that love while real can also be wounding to another when misunderstood or misplaced in its emphasis on the wrong things.  I could not do justice to this book no matter how glowing of a review I write.  You just have to see for yourself.  One word of caution:  This is an extremely painful book to read and I could hardly bare to turn each page to read more as tears streamed down my face and yet at the same time I couldn't stop reading because I had to know more of WHY?  The whys and yes I do mean plural, grow more and more painful and yet the ending of this book is so beautiful that when I finished reading the book I thought, "Well done Ms Ng!" and wanted to give her a standing ovation as more tears streamed down my face.

Among the Fair Magnolias by Tamera Alexander, Shelley Gray, Dorothy Love and Elizabeth Musser

A perfect snippet of  romance Southern Belle style!  Also a wonderful way to find out if you enjoy an author by reading a book with four different authors each writing a novella.  And this book will not disappoint you.  Four great authors with four stories you won't want to miss.

Tamera Alexander has become one of my new favorite authors.  When you read her story "To Mend a Dream" you will know exactly what I mean.  She never fails to have a marvelous mixture of a gripping tale, spiritual encouragement and awe inspiring dialogue between characters.  I find myself writing bits and pieces of her character's conversations in my prayer journal to remind myself of spiritual truths she presents in story form.  She is such a wonderful author I have to give her this paragraph all to herself while reviewing Among Fair Magnolias.

I invite you to read this book and discover all four of these authors if you've never read them before and if they are already among your favorites well you know you just can't miss this book!

The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E. Ladd

A peek into the early 1800s this book describes the drastic differences between the lords and ladies and the working classes of England.  I found the description of a curiosity shop fascinating.  I had no idea such a thing existed way back in the 1800s.  The contrast with Camille's life experiences and those of the Gilchrist children was amazing.  I enjoyed the way the author portrayed Camille.  While she was a gentle, unassuming soul she did not lack courage, determination or intelligence.  The way she thought her way through the many complications that arose in this story was believable and interesting to read.  I was happy that Camille wasn't just another female who needed to be rescued but figured out a lot of things on her own.  I would recommend this book and this author to others.

I received this book free from BookLook for my honest review and was not required to write a positive review.

Her Brother’s Keeper by Beth Wiseman

Dealing with a very hard topic in a tender, beautifully spiritually comforting way – Ms Wiseman takes the reader through a journey in grief to consolation and recovery.

Charlotte decides that if no one else wants to explore the reasons for her brother’s death, she will be the one to find out once and for all what really happened.  She disguises herself as an Amish cousin and imbeds herself totally in the lifestyle and in the home of her brother’s fiancee’s family.  As she begins to uncover bits and pieces of the mystery of her brother’s life and love among the Amish community she also discovers things about herself that she’s kept shoved down inside.  Charlotte is surprised by what she learns about her brother but even more so by what she finds in the home of Hannah, the young woman who loved her brother. 

This book teaches a profound truth that even when we are not looking for God – He is always searching for us and wooing us to Him.  God understands our woundedness and true longings  and gives us the desires of our heart through our relationship with Him.