I Choose You Today

Married for nearly 38 years, author Deborah DeArmond and her husband have made the spoken declaration, “I choose you today” a regular part of their communication. It’s when we least feel like saying it that we need to remind ourselves that love is a choice, not a feeling. I Choose You Today features 31 scriptural principles that support marriage and help couples develop healthy biblically based behavior.

Built on an introductory anecdotal story, each chapter has an inspirational takeaway of not only what to do, but how to begin applying the principles immediately. Thought provoking questions create talking points for couples to explore their own choices and experiences in each area serve to generate open dialogue of discovery. I Choose You Today is not a book of “shoulds,” but one of clearly identified choices that each individual can make to grow their marriage and align it with the word of God. Every saying ends with a conventional wisdom quote.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this book and the ideas it presents for couples on the different things they choose to do to show their love (or increase it) to a spouse. I like that each chapter is short and concise. Deb does a wonderful job of weaving together her concepts with personal stories, scripture, and thoughts for how to implement things. I love that the book works well for going through as a couple or for working alone. This book is a wonderful gift for those who have been married for a bit and want to strengthen their marriage, though I can see that it would also be a good resource for a newly married couple, since it would encourage them to set up healthy patterns early one.
Two thumbs up!
I received this book from litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Becoming a Spitirually Healthy Family

We all want to guide our children into the abundant life that Jesus offers. But when we pursue the more and better that the world offers above our pursuit of Jesus, we fall into dangerous parenting habits. In Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family, Michelle Anthony unpacks six common dysfunctional parenting styles that we fall into out of habit, lack of attention, or just oversight due to busyness. If you long to show your children Jesus but don’t know how to do it, you’ll find hope in this practical guide to creating a relentlessly grace-filled home that is focused on God as first in charge.

Includes Scripture guides, reflection questions, ideas for family rites of passage, and other real life family examples.

My thoughts: I had never thought about things that could be termed as dysfunctional parenting styles, but found that I agree with a lot of what this book has to say! I especially enjoyed the last few chapters on how to change those dysfunctions and make your family spiritually healthy. I loved how the book flows between Scripture verses, quotes from excellent sources, and personal stories. I especially thought that the concept of Raising Pagan Kids in a Christian Home. Wow, I had never thought of it like that!
Even though I know there are other dysfunctions out there, this is a great book for parents to use, one that helps you step back and really look at how your parenting style measures up to Christ. Two thumbs up!
I received this book from litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Colorful Cooking by Jacque Wick

Young children usually are curious about what their parent is doing in the kitchen. With this cookbook, an adult can help turn the kitchen into a fun classroom where kids can learn about nutritious food and how colorful it can be. I love how the recipes are so easy for kids to put together! It's also nice that they center around healthy combinations of fruits and vegetables, though there are plenty of ideas for creative desserts too! I think my favorite recipes would be the sweet potato fries and colorful waffle quesadilla, though the apple crisp cups are fun also. Another thing I love is the introduction, with tips on kitchen safety.
Two thumbs up!
I received a copy of this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

Supermarket Healthy

Everyone wants to feel good about what they are eating, serving guests, and feeding their families, but most of us don't do our weekly shopping at pricey specialty stores-- we do it at the local supermarket and we don't want it to break the bank. In her second book, Melissa demystifies the task of preparing nutritious and delicious food by showing exactly how you can make your grocery store work for you. She offers helpful strategies for shopping, cooking, and entertaining, as well as meal blueprints and nutritional information throughout. This book will make you confident about the food you're buying, preparing, and eating. Delicious recipes like Almond Waffles with Raspberry-Basil Sauce, Kale and White Bean Caesar Salad in a Jar, Slow-Roasted Tomato Spaghettini, Flatiron Steaks with Quick Cauliflower Kimchi, and Flourless Fudgy Dream Cookies have something for every type of eater at every meal of the day. No matter your favorite flavors or dietary needs, cooking on a budget is empowering-- and now you can learn how to make every bite count. If cooking at home is the key to healthy living, Supermarket Healthy is the only tool you'll need.

My thoughts: I love that this cook book is geared towards eating healthy on a budget. I live in a small town where the nearest health food store is a good hour or so drive, so (more often then not) I am limited to buying produce from Sam's or Wal-Mart. So, I am thrilled to start putting this cookbook to good use! I think my favorite recipes in this book are probably going to be the salad and vegetable dishes, though I do like her breakfast recipes too (cinnamon popovers, anyone?). I love that she uses a lot of basic ingredients, but also has recipes that will help me get out of my rut by playing with some new spices and blends. This cookbook is a perfect jump start for eating healthier!
I received this book from blogging for books in exchange for my honest review.

Take Ten

Top Ten Christian Fiction books I can't believe I haven't read

1.Heartless

I have heard a lot of great things about this author, and yet haven't made it to reading one of her books through, since something always comes up! I must remedy this.;)

2. The New Recruit

I love her Safe Lands series, so I need to try some of her other books!

3. On the Loose

I blame the library for not finishing this series. They don't have the rest of it.:P

4. The Big Picture


5. Exiles

This one is on my list of TBR sometime soon.

6. Bridge to Haven


7. In the Field of Grace

This one is even on my Kindle. I need to remedy this.;)

8.Larkspur Cove

How did I start in the middle of this series?

9.Blue Moon Bay


10. The Giftsnatcher

This is another one on my Kindle that I need to read as soon as the stack of books to review goes down. It looks incredible!

Return to Exile

How far would you go to save the ones you love?

Six years ago, impossible circumstances forced Dr. Lisbeth Hastings to leave behind the love of her life, not just in another country, but in another time. Her work as a top-notch epidemiologist and parenting her little girl helps alleviate the pain, but at night when her exhausted head hits the pillow, images of her beloved Cyprian haunt her sleep.

Cyprian Thascius returns from political exile a broken man. He’s lost his faith, the love of his life, and his purpose. He attempts to move on, to face the danger that is looming over Carthage, but when Cyprian’s true love suddenly reappears, his heart becomes as imperiled as the fledgling church he seeks to save.

Have the years that kept Lisbeth and Cyprian apart created too wide a chasm to bridge? In the midst of a new epidemic and rising oppression, will their love be the most costly fatality? Filled with gripping action and raw emotion, this spell-binding adventure of star-crossed lovers captivates with every turn of the page in this electric continuation of The Carthage Chronicles.

My thoughts: Lynn Gentry does a fabulous job at continuing the story of Lisbeth Hastings in this story! Some time has passed since she was last in Carthage, she came home and gave birth, finished her schooling to become a medical doctor, and tried to put the past behind her. But, when new information about those in the 3rd century comes into her hands, she decides that she must take another leap back in time and do all she can to change things for the better.
I was a bit shocked at some of the turns in the story, so much so that I was tempted to put it down! I am glad that I kept with it, since the story is unique and interesting. I didn't care for how one of the situations was dealt with, since it seemed a bit cliche, but I still enjoyed the story greatly. I like that the author's style is different and that she doesn't try to hid the harshness of life in Roman times. This is a wonderful addition to the Carthage Chronicles! I can't wait for the final book to come out!
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

In the Kitchen

Savor your favorite family memories—ones that start right in your kitchen. Popular TV personality Allison Waggoner brings her family’s recipes to your table in this beautiful collection of meals. With recipes for brunch, dinner, dessert, and drinks, this cookbook invites you to create your own family memories, full of delicious food, fun with friends, and love that lasts a lifetime.
My thoughts: This book is a wonderful addition to one's kitchen! I love the recipes, since they are both unique and easy to navigate. I like how the recipes are set up, with the list of ingredients in a box to the side of the instructions. It makes meal planning and shopping for the ingredients go a lot easier.
I also like the mix of recipes in this cookbook. There are some that are easy to whip up, since I keep a lot of the ingredients on hand, and then there is a nice group of recipes to use for entertaining, recipes that will impress and yet are still relatively easy to make.
Some of the recipes we have enjoyed the most are: Tarragon Chicken Salad: a fun way to mix up a dish that can become boring; Gruyere Chive Popovers: this one is listed as a breakfast idea, but I think it would also be good as a side with a steak and salad; and Strawberry Almond Scones: we have a lot of strawberries from our garden, so I can see using this recipe a lot too!
Check out the author's blog here
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.