Monday, April 30, 2018

Top Ten Books that I would slay a dragon to get early

Here is the list of the books I am most anticipating right now. If you would like to learn more, click on the picture of the book to go to Amazon. This post contains affiliate links.

1. Everywhere You Want to Be

The first book was ridiculously cute, so I look forward to the sequel and seeing where it goes! The first one was a Cinderella type story, but with some interesting twists, so I am not sure if this one is going to follow another fairy tale or go off on it's own. I am sure whatever it does will be adorable though!

2. Meet the Sky

I heartily enjoyed McCall's first book, so I am eagerly awaiting this one!

3. A Touch of Gold

I haven't read anything by this author, but it looks amazing with being about King Midas and his daughter!

4. An Hour Unspent

This series has been wonderful thus far! I love the idea of using a band of thieves to help with WWI assignments.

5. A Defense of Honor

So far, I have adored everything that I have read by this author, so I am eagerly awaiting this series!

6. The Bride of Ivy Cottage

This is another series that I have really enjoyed, since it has quite a few characters to follow and is just a sweet, Regency style story.

7. The next Enchanted Events mystery

I'm not sure this one even has a title yet, but I am ready to read the next one!

8. The final Bradford Sister story

This is an instance where having Netgalley is bad, since I read the second one before it was even out, and now it will feel like I have to wait even longer than everyone else to read the next one.;)

9. Kara Isaac's next book

I get her newsletter and she mentioned some of the elements that will be in her next story. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

10. Things Left Unsaid


Honorary mentions that I found while looking up my list.;)
Until I knew Myself


Mind Games


Tell Her No Lies

Friday, April 27, 2018

Presumption and Partiality Review and Giveaway!



About the Book:
Among the cotton fields and farmland of Gilbert, Arizona in the early years of the Great Depression, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey live a simple, but happy life with their five daughters on a cotton farm. When the wealthy Richard Buchanan moves to town, bringing his family, a friend, and a desire to learn about cotton, Matilda Bailey is convinced that he is the perfect candidate to marry her eldest daughter, Alice. Richard is cheerful, friendly, and likable. His friend Sidney Dennison doesn’t make such a good impression. Eloise Bailey decides he’s arrogant and self-conceited, but when Raymond Wolfe comes to town, accusing Sidney of dishonorable and treacherous conduct, Eloise is angered at the injustice of the situation. When the Buchanan household leaves town, Alice must turn to the Lord and face, perhaps, her most difficult test in trust, while Eloise takes a trip to visit her friend and may well discover a web of deceit that she doesn’t really want to believe exists.

My thoughts:
I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book, but it was a delightful surprise! I love how it was the familiar story and yet had a different twist and view to it. I liked being able to see the story from different points of view and that it was set in the Depression era. This is a fun story to read whether you are a fan of Jane Austen's stories or not! I look forward to reading the other books in the series, since they look equally delightful.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.



This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author:
Rebekah Jones is first and foremost a follower of the Living God. She started writing as a little girl, seeking to glorify her King with her books and stories. Her goal is to write Bible-Centered, Christian Literature; books rich with interesting characters, intricate story lines, and always with the Word of God at the center. Besides writing, she is an avid reader, songwriter, pianist, singer, artist, and history student. She also loves children. She lives with her family in the Southwestern desert.

Guest Post from the Author:
Why is he a Navajo?
I’ve had more than one person ask me why I chose to make Sidney Dennison, the “Mr. Darcy” of my novel Presumption and Partiality, a Navajo Indian.
When I commenced planning and research for placing a retelling of Pride and Prejudice in the 1930’s United States, I found myself drawn to the desert of Arizona rather early on. Specifically, the tiny farm town of Gilbert. I knew, however, that few rich people lived in that area; certainly not enough to create social rifts large enough to recreate the social differences of the original novel.
I experimented in my head with a few different ideas, but the idea of Sidney as a Native American came to me one day and just clicked. I knew that I couldn’t fully pull off a Navajo who lived on the reservations. As much as I researched, I couldn’t quite get the feel. Yet, a man whose ancestry included a white man as a grandfather, who lived outside the reservations, though with relatives who clung to some of the old traditions, I thought I could do.
I used to wish I were an Indian, in part because I wanted to have great tracking skills, live in a tee-pee, possess superb bow and arrow abilities, and I wanted to ride a horse. True, most of that did not enter a 1930’s novel, despite my Navajo cowboy, because the eras are different. Though, Sidney did get a horse. Or technically, several.
Further, something about the silent, good-looking Indian appealed to me, much as I tend to shy away from writing about handsome and beautiful people, since they feel so common in fiction. The minute I began imagining the man with his Navajo ancestry, he just felt perfect.
By the end, Sidney turned out to be one of my favorite characters. (I can’t ever pick just one in my novels.) I think I made a good choice and I hope my readers will agree!

Blog stop list

Giveaway!
Grand Prize: The complete set of the Vintage Jane Austen Collection

She Who Knows No Fear review and giveaway!



About the Book:
Cassie's dream is about to come true. She's marrying her best friend, the love of her life. She will never be alone again. But when Zack fails to return from surfing, Cassie's safe world comes crashing down around her and she begins her struggle anew. Haunted by her conviction that her late grandmother left her something that will help her, Cassie discovers hidden "treasures" in the house she inherited. With the help of her stepmother, Cassie unlocks the secrets of her grandmother's journey and along the way finds the ultimate answer for her own life.

My thoughts:
This is an excellent story that is so relatable! Even though it is set in the 1960's and is the second book in the series, I found that it was easy to relate to Cassie and her struggles with fear over being abandoned as her wedding day approaches. Even though her fears stemmed from her childhood, I felt like the story could be related to anyone who has struggled with fears over what will happen in the future. I also liked how she comes across mysteries from her family history. This is a great series to pick up! (I do recommend reading the first book before picking this one up)
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

Purchase a copy here:

This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author:
In 2015, Barbara Bras left her career to pursue her dream of serving God. She believed that her first step was to share the amazing story of God’s blessings in her life. Wrapped in God’s Grace, A Life Rediscovered does so through a trio of narratives. It begins with the story of her son’s miraculous adoption and the challenging years that followed, her grandparents’ remarkable survival in Armenia, and her own quest for purpose and love. Once written, Barbara realized her life’s new purpose. Captured by St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, she views her writing as a tribute to the God who comforts and strengthens us in hardships and trials, and as her mission to encourage others. Her first novel, She Who Knows, A Tale of the Heart, seeks to inspire and encourage. The sequel, She Who Knows No Fear: Another Tale of the Heart, released in December 2017. Solo Deo Gloria, To God Alone Be the Glory

Blog Stop list

Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Barbara is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card plus a signed copy of She Who Knows and She Who Knows No Fear!!

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Where the Fire Falls


Stunning Yosemite National Park sets the stage for this late 1920s historical romance with mystery, adventure, heart, and a sense of the place John Muir described as "pervaded with divine light."

Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford has shed her humble beginnings to fashion her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region's wealthy art-collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty.

After false accusations cost him everything, former minister Clark Johnson has found purpose as a backcountry guide in this natural cathedral of granite and trees. Now he's faced with the opportunity to become a National Parks Ranger, but is it his true calling?

As Clark opens Olivia's eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers the people are as vital to the park's story as its vistas--a revelation that may bring her charade to an end.

My thoughts: I love the journey this book takes readers on into Yosemite in the roaring 20's! I fell in love with the characters, their personal battles, and the setting of the story. It was interesting to read about an artist on the brink of fame and a early park ranger. The story made me want to go on a road trip to Yosemite! I highly recommend this one for a Spring/Summer read!
I received this book from Waterbrook in exchange for my honest review.

Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue review and giveaway


About the Book:
Every single one of us with a beating heart has spoken words “under the influence” of warped feelings and slurred thinking. And we soon wish we had the magical power to take those words back. We especially regret the hurtful words we have spoken to those we love the most and know the best. This book may just be the solution.
Carol McLeod reveals that before the words are spoken, they brew in our hearts and are formed in our minds. It’s our thoughts and emotions that determine what words come out of our mouths. Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue is an innovative blueprint that will enable you to take control of your thoughts and feelings in order to grace your tongue. You won’t find pat answers here, but rather powerful strategies based on the Word of God to reroute disordered thinking and cure rotten emotions so your words can be humbly grateful instead of grumbly hateful.


My thoughts:
This book is an excellent that came at the perfect time for me. I have been thinking more on how to encourage kindness in my children and I have come to the realization that it is something that I need to do a better job of modeling for them. So, I found the thoughts on "A Heart Transplant" especially insightful! The whole book is wonderful, with its grounding in scripture verses. I highly recommend it!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.


This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author:
Carol Burton McLeod is a popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats through her ministry, Just Joy!, and is the author of a number of books. Carol hosts a daily radio show, “Defiant Joy! Radio,” which is broadcast in major markets across America. Her blog, “Joy for the Journey” (formerly “A Cup of Tea with Carol”), has been named in the Top 50 Faith Blogs for Women, and her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart won a Telly Award for excellence in religious programming.

For the complete list of Blogstops, go here

Giveaway!
Grand Prize: A copy of Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue, “Grace” teapot from Christian Arts Gifts, Whitaker House/Anchor adult coloring book.

1st Place: A copy of Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue, Abba Jerusalem 6” Scented Pillar Candle

2nd Place: A copy of Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue, and Whitaker House/Anchor adult coloring book.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Begin Again


What happens when life begins to trip us up and failure starts creeping in? Many of us just keep on doing the same thing, hoping for different results. Some of us look for escape, to find a way out of the mess we feel that we've created. But neither enduring nor escaping is ultimately what we need.

The answer is to allow ourselves to begin again, every day, in every part of our lives. Through engaging, lyrical prose, Leeana Tankersley shows women how to forgive themselves, develop new and healthier patterns of living, and do away with resentment and regret. Her life-giving words will free women who are feeling stuck and allow them to clear out the debris to make room for what God wants to do in their lives. To begin again is to open the window, even a crack, to let the breeze of grace come in. It is a call to stop running from our fears. To take one small step toward becoming the brave women we were made to be.

My thoughts: This book was an interesting look into surrendering. I thought that Leeana had some wonderful thoughts on taking time to take of yourself and upkeep once you get rid of hurts. I also found she had some excellent thoughts on the things we use when we are in survival mode (I know I am guilty of that by picking up my phone and playing on it!). This is an excellent read that is easy to get through.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.


This post contains affiliate links.

Breaking the Fear Cycle



It seems there is more to fear now than ever, but fear and anxiety are nothing new to human beings--or to God. The Bible calls us to not be afraid on many occasions, and of course we all want to live without fear. But just how is that accomplished when every news item seems designed to get us wringing our hands?

Using her own story as a catalyst, Maria Furlough shows readers how to overcome fear for good. She calls readers to make a list of their fears, to choose to bring those fears to God rather than acting on them, and to trust God with the future. She shows how when we give God full control over our lives, choosing his sovereignty over our own ability, we can break the cycle of fear, grow through suffering, and trust God to fulfill his promises of protection and peace.

Anyone who is filled with anxiety over their personal circumstances, the state of the world today, or even their fear-clogged social media feeds will welcome this hands-on journey from fear to freedom.

My thoughts: This book is excellent! My family has recently been through several tough experiences that have caused me to face some of my fears head on. So, this book was exactly what I needed! Grounded firmly in scripture and seen through the lens of a woman who has had to face her greatest fears, this book is just incredible. The reminders to surrender fear to the Lord and fully live, since tomorrow is in His hands, were the reminders I needed to hear. I also really appreciated her thoughts on praying faith filled prayers and accepting the answer, even if it isn't the one we would of hoped for. I highly recommend this book!
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.


This post contains affiliate links.

101 questions you need to ask in your twenties


Adulting got you down?
Whether you just polished off your college graduation cake, are in your twenties or thirties struggling through a quarter-life crisis, you're simply trying to figure out how to become all grown up, or you're a parent looking for that perfect college graduation gift or Christmas gift for your twentysomething, 101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties is the book for you.
To find important life answers in your 20s, you need to start with good questions. Author, speaker, and blogger Paul Angone has dedicated the last 12 years to helping twentysomethings and in this book he culminates his work to give readers wisdom through major life questions like:
What’s the best way to know if you’re actually ready to get married?
Where’s the future of work headed and what does having a successful career look like today?
How do I make a choice when I don’t know what to choose?
How do I stop networking and start “relationshipping”?
Why do some people have great marriages while others have complete wrecks before they even make it to the highway?
Am I seeing the other side of people’s Instagram photos (you know, the side they’re not exactly posting pictures of)?
What are the Pivotal Plot Points of my story?
Do I have anyone on my "Dream Team"?
After his success with 101 Secrets for your Twenties and connecting with millions of twentysomethings around the world through speaking engagements and his blog AllGroanUp.com, Paul Angone captures the hilarious, freakishly-accurate assessment of life as a modern-day twentysomething (and thirtysomething) facing real Millennial problems, but now he’s digging even deeper.
If you’re drowning your anxieties in Netflix and ice cream, are afraid you’re failing, going crazy, or both, or are just longing for a little guidance to get past “just getting by,” grab this book and start thriving in the most "defining decade" of your life.

My thoughts: This was a fun book to look through! Now that I am a couple of years into my thirties, I thought that this would be an interesting read, which it was. I love the reminders to make your day meaningful, staying committed to your marriage (the myths on marriage were eye opening!), and being a well behaved parent. No matter what your walk is in life, there is something for you in this book. The questions about dreams and work are excellent!
I received this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review.


This post contains affiliate links.

Monday, April 23, 2018

Top ten words commonly found in classic literature

The first time I attempted to read a classic as a young teen, I kept a running list of words to look up and figure out the meaning of, since I was having a hard time following the story line.;) Here are a few words that are just fun to use that where more common in the classics.

1. Vex
-disturb, especially by minor irritations
"It would vex me, indeed, to see you again the dupe of Miss Bingley's pretended regard."

2. Rapture
-a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion (we don't usually use it in this context)
"Now, Kitty, you may cough as much as you choose," said Mr. Bennet; and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife.

3. Surmise
-infer from incomplete evidence
They attacked him in various ways--with barefaced questions, ingenious suppositions, and distant surmises; but he eluded the skill of them all, and they were at last obliged to accept the second-hand intelligence of their neighbour, Lady Lucas.

4. Supercilious
-having or showing arrogant superiority to
For, though elated by his rank, it did not render him supercilious; on the contrary, he was all attention to everybody.

5. Pedaantic
-marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning
Mary had neither genius nor taste; and though vanity had given her application, it had given her likewise a pedantic air and conceited manner, which would have injured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached.

6. Reverie
-an abstracted state of absorption
"I can guess the subject of your reverie."

7. Stricture
-severe criticism
What would I give to hear your strictures on them!"

8. Trifling
-not worth considering
People do not die of little trifling colds.

9. Solicitude
-a feeling of excessive concern
When breakfast was over they were joined by the sisters; and Elizabeth began to like them herself, when she saw how much affection and solicitude they showed for Jane.

10. Impute
-attribute or credit to
"I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday.
Impute
-

Sunday, April 22, 2018

936 Pennies


Make the Most of Your Time with Your Children

On the day of their baby dedication, Eryn and her husband were given a jar of 936 pennies. The jar contained a penny for every week they would raise their child until graduation, and they were instructed to remove one penny each Sunday as a reminder, placing it into another jar as an investment.

At some point every parent realizes time is moving swiftly, and they ask themselves, How am I investing in my child? Through personal stories and biblical examples, 936 Pennies will help you discover how to capture time and use it to its fullest potential, replacing guilt and regrets with freedom. Meanwhile, your kids will see how simple choices, like putting the cell phone down and going on a family hike, will make all the difference. Together you will stretch time and make it richer.

Craft a family legacy in tune with God's heartbeat as you capture a new vision for your children and learn the best ways to spend your pennies.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent way to look at parenting! I know it's so easy to get caught up in the day to day motions and forget that time is passing quickly, even when it seems like it is going slowly. I love Eryn's thoughts on finding peace with parenting and overcoming fears for the unknown. This is an great book to pick up and help parents become more intentional with the time they have with their children.
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.


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Thursday, April 19, 2018

Love, Amy review and giveaway


She came to China with a lesson plan. What she found was a new sense of purpose.

Amy Young traveled to China in the mid 1990s to teach English to educators. But she never expected the profound way they would enrich her soul. With the influence of the enchanting country and its extraordinary everyday people, Amy extended a two-year assignment to nearly two decades far away from home.


Starting shortly after her arrival, Amy shared her stories and her unique perspective through a series of letters. Her nine years of correspondence demonstrated a country going through growing pains: from political unrest to the SARS epidemic to budding prosperity. Amy battled language barriers, cultural faux pas, and invasive mice with nothing to lose. She even fought for her life with a potentially deadly illness, unsure if she’d survive to share her tale.


Throughout her journey, Amy drew strength from God and came to appreciate the beauty and power of an ordinary life lived well.Love, Amy: An Accidental Memoir Told in Newsletters from China is one woman’s deeply moving journey of self-transformation. If you like humorous anecdotes, immersions in Eastern culture, and honest stories that aren’t afraid to dig deep, then you’ll love Amy Young’s heartfelt tale.

My review: I wasn't sure what to expect when I first picked this book up, but I found it to be a delightful collection of newsy updates on one young woman's journey to a foreign country. I love traveling and would of enjoyed doing something like teaching English overseas, so I had fun reading Amy's insights on adapting to a country very different from her homeland. I loved seeing how she adjusted, seeing how much she did so when her parents came to visit and where surprised by different customs or every day life there.
Not only did I enjoy reading the experiences, but I also loved Amy's sense of humor. This is an excellent book about another culture.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.


This post contains affiliate links.

About the author:
Amy Young is a writer, speaker, and advocate for embracing the messy middle of your one glorious life. Author of Looming Transitions, Twenty Two Activities for Families in Transition, and The Looming Transitions Workbook, she also created the blog The Messy Middle (www.messmiddle.com), has been a part of Velvet Ashes, (an online community for missionaries) from the beginning, and contributes regularly to A Life Overseas. Amy enjoys nothing more than being with her people, wherever they are in the world. She also enjoys cheering on the Denver Broncos and Kansas Jayhawks. After nearly twenty years in China, she returned to Denver and much to her shock, discovered she enjoys gardening.

Guest Post from Amy:
The tug for a life that is “Anything but Boring”
When I was in college the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Sarah Plain and Tall changed my life. You’ve probably seen it and been moved too. Sarah, a spinster by the standard of her day, moves from Boston to the fields of Kansas to consider marrying a widower and help him raise his children and work his farm. Her brother could not understand why Sarah would move from so-called civilization to the middle of nowhere. But the longing she felt for her life to matter resonated deeply with me.
I was in the liminal space between adolescence and adulthood. Like Sarah, I knew I could stay where I was and live a good life, but I wanted more. And so I moved to China.
Our world is one that loves big, change-the-world stories. I love them too. I remember reading The End of the Spear, the story of Jim Elliott and his friends who were martyred for their faith. I also lost myself in the stories of Gladys Aylward, William Carey, Lottie Moon, and Amy Carmichael. I remember reading about a missionary that had some worm pulled out of his stomach that was the size of a large snake. Disgusting! Fascinating! All for the gospel! The life of faith was exciting and God was on the move all the time! While it is true, the life of faith is exciting and God is on the move, it is also ordinary, boring, disappointing, and confusing. When I started compiling the letters I wrote from my days in China, I was embarrassed by what “first year Amy” said. She was so clueless, so uninformed, so willing to display her lack of cultural knowledge. I wanted to put my hand over her mouth and ask her to please pipe down because she did not really believe what she was saying. But she did, “first year Amy” could not know what “fifteen year in China Amy” knew.
These change the world stories I love? Turns out they have been more sanitized than I realized without showing the cultural and ministry progression that must have taken place.
Even now, knowing what I know, part of me wishes my newsletters contained miracles and throngs coming to Christ because of my work. I thought throngs and miracles were what a “real” cross-cultural worker would do. I thought that would show that my life mattered, like Sarah’s when she moved to Kansas. Don’t we all want our lives to matter? I believed that mattering was measurable. By compiling and writing this book the lesson Love, Amy has taught me is that too often we confuse size with significance. I still hear the whisper that says, “Amy, really? You wrote about the cultural beliefs that influence standing in line and you think that is worth people giving of their prayer, money, and time?” Part of me is reluctant even now to publish these letters because they are common. In truth, I am happy with my life and the contributions I have made. Of course I have regrets and wish I’d handled certain situations differently. But if all we hear are the spectacular stories, we can miss the gift our beautifully ordinary lives can be.
Who made it into the Gospels? A widow and her two mites. A boy and his few fish. She is described as offering out of her poverty. His common lunch was used to feed more than he could have imagined. Jesus did not tend to elevate those in power or those who seemed impressive.
My first year, a fellow teacher in China told me, “You’re lucky you’re still in your first year. Wait until your second year and you have told all your stories. You’ll have nothing to say in your newsletters.” Isn’t that the heart of what we fear—that we will have nothing to say with our lives? The secret to combating this fear is not that secretive. Show up and be present. Taken individually, these letters don’t add up to much, but put them together and much to my surprise, month after month I wrote an accidental memoir.
As ordinary as it is, I do have to say, life in China was anything but boring! If you love memoirs and want to hear stories that will make you laugh or cringe (and sometimes both), join me on a college campus in China.

Blog Stop list here.


Giveaway!
Grand Prize: A letter writing basket that includes a $25 Amazon gift card. (follow this link: )

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

The Hidden Side


New York, 2016
Natalie Abbott offers answers for hurting listeners on her popular radio program. But she struggles to connect with her teenagers, with her daughter in an unhealthy relationship and her son uncommunicative and isolated. When one member of the family commits an unspeakable act, Natalie is forced to uncover who she truly is under the façade of her radio persona.

New York, 1776
Mercy Howard is shocked when her fiancé, Nathan Hale, is arrested and hanged as a spy. When she’s asked to join the revolutionary spy ring in Manhattan, she sees an opportunity to avenge Nathan’s death. But keeping her true loyalties hidden grows increasingly harder as the charming Major John Andre of the King’s Army becomes more to her than a target for intelligence.

Mercy’s journals comfort Natalie from across the centuries as both women struggle with their own secrets and shame, wondering how deep God’s mercy extends.

My thoughts: I was immediately drawn in to this story, though it was with a sense of foreboding, since I knew where it was going and that it would be a hard story to read. Heidi does a wonderful job of tying the past and present together through the stories of Mercy, Nathan Hale's grieving fiancé, Natalie, and Maelynn. I thought it was interesting to not only have the past and the present, but to also have the added story of the Abbott's teenage daughter as she navigates the halls of high school and the aftermath of a school shooting.
This book covers some difficult subjects, but Heidi handles them wonderfully. The story will have you thinking long after finishing the last page.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.


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Friday, April 13, 2018


Harry Houdini’s one-time apprentice holds fantastic secrets about the greatest illusionist in the world. But someone wants to claim them . . . or silence her before she can reveal them on her own.

Boston, 1926. Jenny “Wren” Lockhart is a bold eccentric—even for a female vaudevillian. As notorious for her inherited wealth and gentleman’s dress as she is for her unsavory upbringing in the back halls of a vaudeville theater, Wren lives in a world that challenges all manner of conventions.

In the months following Houdini’s death, Wren is drawn into a web of mystery surrounding a spiritualist by the name of Horace Stapleton, a man defamed by Houdini’s ardent debunking of fraudulent mystics in the years leading up to his death. But in a public illusion that goes terribly wrong, one man is dead and another stands charged with his murder. Though he’s known as one of her teacher’s greatest critics, Wren must decide to become the one thing she never wanted to be: Stapleton’s defender.

Forced to team up with the newly formed FBI, Wren races against time and an unknown enemy, all to prove the innocence of a hated man. In a world of illusion, of the vaudeville halls that showcase the flamboyant and the strange, Wren’s carefully constructed world threatens to collapse around her.

Layered with mystery, illusion, and the artistry of the Jazz Age’s bygone vaudeville era, The Illusionist’s Apprentice is a journey through love and loss and the underpinnings of faith on each life’s stage.

My thoughts: I loved the historical detail in this story! Houdini was a favorite of mine to read about when I was a kid, so it was fun to read a bit more about some of the elements I didn't know much about, like his distrust of spiritualist/mystics and how he got started as a kid. It makes me want to pick up another book about just him!
This story has so many layers, with the mystery in the 1920's of a man brought "back" from the dead to collapse and die on stage and then the mystery of why Wren wants to keep her real name a secret. I highly recommend this one!
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.



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Things I Never Told You


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It’s been ten years since Payton Thatcher’s twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine—as long as she manages to hold her memories and her family at arm’s length.

But with her middle sister Jillian’s engagement, Payton’s party-planning skills are called into action. Which means working alongside her opinionated oldest sister, Johanna, who always seems ready for a fight. They can only hope that a wedding might be just the occasion to heal the resentment and jealousy that divides them . . . until a frightening diagnosis threatens Jillian’s plans and her future. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart.

My thoughts: This book was so hard to put down! I love how the story is written from Payton and Jillian's point of views. Beth does an excellent job of dealing with some hard subjects, like how the family had dealt (or not dealt) with the death of Pepper 10 years prior and how they react to the news of Jillian's health scare. This book hit home for me.
I enjoyed getting to know the sisters and look forward to reading more about them in the next book!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

Who Do You Say that I AM?


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Do you know Jesus as He really is?
We can speak in abstracts all day long. We can ponder who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him. But he wants our confession. He wants to know, “Who do you say that I AM?”
How we answer defines our lives both now and forever. This study in the “I AM” statements of Jesus will help women move from knowing about Him to knowing Him personally. Guiding them through significant questions Jesus asks in the Gospels—and the answers He himself provides—it will help readers:
Realize the truth of who Jesus really is
Grow in their ability to trust God and rely on Him fully
Find the calm and peace promised in Scripture despite life circumstances
Becky Harling has years of experience as a Bible teacher and women’s ministry leader. She empathizes with women and knows how to make Scripture come alive. Who Do You Say that I AM? will draw women deep into the Word for a true encounter with Christ, helping them become more confident, calm, and courageous in the faith.

My thoughts: I love how this Bible study is set up, going 5 days a week for 8 weeks, and the topic. The subject of "I AM" in the Bible came up in a sermon a while back, and I loved the opportunity to dig in even deeper with this book. I love how Becky uses scripture verses and reflection time, along with music and even some artistic creativity to speak to readers from all walks of life. I highly recommend this study!
I received this book from Moody in exchange for my honest review.

Coach Wooden's Forgotten Teams


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Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden is known for his record-breaking run of NCAA championships and for working with some of the best players in the sport. His principles for success have been used by not only coaches and athletes, but also business leaders, entrepreneurs, and others. But his reach stretches even farther than most people know--into the hearts and lives of the people who learned the game of basketball on one of Coach Wooden's forgotten teams.

For nearly twenty years, John Wooden ran scores of summer youth basketball camps in California and other states, imparting wisdom and teaching skills to thousands of boys and girls between the ages of eight and fifteen. Most would not grow up to play professional or even college ball, but all of them found their lives changed by their interaction with the greatest coach who ever lived. In those camps, Coach Wooden also impacted hundreds of camp counselors and assistant coaches. This one-of-a-kind new book shares their inspiring stories and six fundamental lessons for a life of success and an unforgettable impact on others.

My thoughts: This book is a fun way to look at the wisdom of John Wooden and the influence that he had with younger generations through summer basketball camps. The book is easy to get through as it covers the six fundamentals, things like following instructions, being organized, and teaching wisdom.
Not only is this book a great one for basketball fans, but the insight is applicable for all walks of life.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.