A Sweet Misfortune

Rachel Matthews isn't one to rely on others to take care of her. Destitute and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money--even if she's forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel's brother sends a friend--the widely admired cattle baron John McIntyre--to rescue her, then sets off to earn enough money to buy back the family ranch. But when months pass without her brother's return, Rachel isn't sure she can take one more day in John McIntyre's home--especially once she discovers that he's the one who holds the deed to her family's ranch.

Sparks fly between this spunky, independent heroine and the ruggedly handsome hero as they navigate the snarled terrain of pride, greed, faith, and love in Maggie Brendan's delightful series set in the Old West.

My thoughts: While I felt like the characters could of been developed a bit more at the beginning, this sweet story eventually won me over. It was interesting to read about the opportunities that were available for a single woman in the untamed West back in the 1800's. I like how the story had a fair bit going on and, as I mentioned it part, the historical aspects of the story.
A fun, historical read!
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

And it was beautiful

“I was here. I saw beauty. I embraced it.”
—Kara Tippetts

How do you live out extravagant love in the everyday moments? How do you celebrate grace when your life turns out differently than the one you dreamed?

Kara Tippetts discovered how to find joy in the small moments of life. She learned how to hold tight to hope even while battling intense physical and emotional pain. And she lived out the truth that God can redeem any story.

In her final book, Kara offers gentle reflections on living and dying well. She invites us to cultivate soft hearts even when we face great disappointment. Her ideas for living are hard-won, wrestled with in the crucible of family, illness, and faith. And her constant reminder is that whether we are in the midst of dark days or mundane moments Jesus is always there, life is surprisingly beautiful, and God is forever good.

My thoughts: Kara's journey with cancer has hit me hard since I read her first book around the time that we found out that my MIL had breast cancer as well. While their journey's (and where they were at in life) were different, it was still hard to read about what she went through. I appreciate Kara's openness and willingness to share about the struggles she faces to take up her cross and love well. I cried reading this book and how she challenged me to take each day as the blessing it is. I appreciated some of what she shared on parenting, and especially love the idea of doing a ten year trip with each child.
This is a beautiful reminder to live well.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Berenstain Bears' Easter Blessing

An engaging lesson from the iconic Bear family about the true blessing of Easter-the Resurrection of Jesus. Stan and Jan Berenstain launched the Berenstain Bears books in 1962 with The Big Honey Hunt. Since that time, more than 365 Berenstain Bears books have been published, making it one of the best-selling children's series ever. Today, more than fifty years later, Mike Berenstain continues his parents' tradition of creating warm and engaging stories featuring the lovable Bear family--Papa, Mama, Brother, Sister, and Honey--now in a board book format. In The Berenstain Bears' Easter Blessings, the cubs learn about the many blessings in their lives, and especially the greatest blessing of all-the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter. The short, simple story and well-loved characters provide toddlers with a perfect introduction to this very important Christian holiday. Ages 2 to 5.

My thoughts: I loved the Berenstain Bears' when I was a young child! So, I am thrilled to see some new titles coming out to share with my own children. This board book is a great way to talk about Easter blessings with one's children, especially the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ. My little girl has enjoyed my reading this book to her countless times already! I think it would make a wonderful gift for Easter Sunday.
I received this book from First Look in exchange for my honest review.

Life changing magic journal

This gratitude journal from lifestyle guru Marie Kondo provides a space for you to notice and record the things that spark joy in your life each day. By asking yourself "Does this spark joy?" about not only the objects in your home but also the activities and relationships in your life, you can mindfully zero in on your ideal life. Peppered with inspirational quotes from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, this 365-day, 3-year record is the perfect way to spark joy, one day at a time.

My thoughts: We are all busy and sometimes fail to take the time to smell the roses. With this journal, I think that those who use it have the rare opportunity to just take a couple of minutes a day to jot down the things that spark joy for the day. I love the idea of looking for those bits of magic that are there, even when you have had a crummy day, there is usually something that sparked joy.
The journal is set up to write in over the course of three years, and I love that there are quotes sprinkled through (like "Things that are cherished shine" and "everyone needs a sanctuary")!
While this is a great companion to Marie Kondo's books, I think that it could be used outside of her other books as well.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

The Red Door Inn

Marie Carrington is running from a host of bad memories. Broke and desperate, she's hoping to find safety and sanctuary on Prince Edward Island, where she reluctantly agrees to help decorate a renovated bed-and-breakfast before it opens for prime tourist season.

Seth Sloane didn't move three thousand miles to work on his uncle's B&B so he could babysit a woman with a taste for expensive antiques and a bewildering habit of jumping every time he brushes past her. He came to help restore the old Victorian--and to forget about the fiancée who broke his heart.
The only thing Marie and Seth agree on is that getting the Red Door Inn ready to open in just three months will take everything they've got. Can these two wounded souls find hope, healing, and perhaps a bit of romance on this beautiful island?

Step into the Red Door Inn, a lovely home away from home tucked along the north shore of fabled Prince Edward Island. It's a place where the wounded come to heal, the broken find forgiveness, and the lonely find a family. Won't you stay for the season?

My thoughts: I was blown away by this story! It is an excellent, well written one about two hurting people who have to learn to look past their hurts and stop seeing others through them in order to find what they have been looking for all along. I love that the story is told through the eyes of several characters, giving readers a fun glimpse into the minds of each person. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, since this one was wonderful!
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Take Ten: Books to read if you are in the mood for a sweet romance

1. The Hearts We Mend

While I adored the first book in this series, I think this one was even better! It is a beautiful story of two people who find love despite the odds.

2. Change of Heart

Another great romance that I've recently found myself in love with.

3. The Red Door Inn

I loved that this one is set on Prince Edward Island!

4. Edenbrooke

I need to go back and re-read this one, since I really loved it the first time around.;)

5. Through Waters Deep

The way the romance in this story develops over time makes it the perfect 1940's era read.

6. At Love's Bidding

This one has such cute and quirky characters with the fun backdrop of an old fashioned auction house.

7. Blackmoore

I wish that Julianne would write more stories, since I have loved the ones that I have read up to this point!

8. A Noble Masquerade

This one took me by surprise at just how good it was! The premise of the story was just so much fun.

9. The Hesitant Heiress

The attraction of the couple in this story is hard to miss from the get go!

10. Lie A Flower in Bloom

I loved the unconventional heroine in this one.

What other books should I have included?

Roots and Sky

When Christie Purifoy arrived at Maplehurst that September, she was heavily pregnant with both her fourth child and her dreams of creating a sanctuary that would be a fixed point in her busily spinning world. The sprawling Victorian farmhouse sitting atop a Pennsylvania hill held within its walls the possibility of a place where her family could grow, where friends could gather, and where Christie could finally grasp and hold the thing we all long for--home.
In lyrical, contemplative prose, Christie slowly unveils the small trials and triumphs of that first year at Maplehurst--from summer's intense heat and autumn's glorious canopy through winter's still whispers and spring's gentle mercies. Through stories of planting and preserving, of opening the gates wide to neighbors, and of learning to speak the language of a place, Christie invites readers into the joy of small beginnings and the knowledge that the kingdom of God is with us here and now.
Anyone who has felt the longing for home, who yearns to reconnect with the beauty of nature, and who values the special blessing of deep relationships with family and friends will love finding themselves in this story of earthly beauty and soaring hope.

My thoughts: Christie does a wonderful job of writing such beautiful chapters about gardening, moving to their lovely home, and family. I appreciated her lovely style of writing, which reminded me to see the beautiful in the every day. Almost poetic without being too flowery, I enjoyed the insight she gives readers into her life.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.