How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You?

You’ve probably said these things to your kids, but have you listened to what you’re saying?

“I remember the day you were born.”

“Turn down the music!”

“This is going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you.”

“Hold my hand.”

Your heavenly Father wants to tell you many of these same things. Rachael Carman knows how noisy it can be when you’re raising children—she has seven! But this lovely devotional book will help you to hear God’s still, small voice amid the chaos of carpools, cut fingers, and carpet crawlers. You’ll learn how to recognize God’s instructions for you, even as you seek to follow His example as a parent.

My thoughts :Even though I only have one child, at this point, and she is pretty young,  I found that this book had a lot of wonderful information about parenting and the relationships we have with those around us and with God. Sharing her own lessons she has learned through parenting 7 children, Rachael opens up her heart, sharing stories and scripture verses that have touched her life. The great thing about this book is that a lot of the subjects can be applied to not just our relationship with our children, but also our relationships with friends and other loved ones. This really helped me to pay attention to the things God has laud on my heart about the areas I need to work on. I appreciate the author's honesty, since I might not of payed attention as well if she presented her book like she has sll thr answers. ;) This book is a wonderful resource for those longing to deepen their relationships. Two thumbs up!
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

How to Catch a Prince

American heiress Corina Del Rey’s life was devastated by war. Every thing she loved was lost. But after five years of grief, she’s shed her grave clothes and started over in the sunshine along the Florida coast.

But some things are not so easily forgotten. When a secret from her past confronts her face to face, she realizes she must follow her heart. Even if it cost her everything.

Prince Stephen of Brighton Kingdom is a former Royal Air Command lieutenant turned star rugby player, trying to make sense of his life after the devastation of war.

When his brother, King Nathaniel, discovers Stephen’s pre war secret, he must deal with an aspect of his life he longed to forget. But how can he do so without exposing the truth and breaching national security?

Yet, true love has a destiny all it’s own. As the cathedral bells peal through Cathedral City, Corina and Stephen must chose to answer the call of love on their hearts.

Or let it be lost forever?

My thoughts: I've been a fan of Rachel Shuck's for some time now, having read a lot of her books. I think this one is my favorite so far! Probably because most of us, as young girls, dreamed of being a princess and living in a castle. I know I still like my "happily ever after" endings!
While their is loss and grief in this story, it also has a strong message of God's love and guidance in our lives. The characters are solid and I enjoyed getting to know them. This is a story you won't want to miss!
I received this story from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review

Take Ten

We have been reading a ton of books from the library, so I figured that this week, I will do top ten books for young children.
1. LMNO Peas

I love this one! I am a huge fan of text that rhymes when reading books to my daughter. This one is just fun to read!

2. Barnyard Dance

This is another one that is fun to read! (and, another one that I may have memorized...;))

3. Blue Hat, Green Hat

This one is a fun book to teach kids colors.

4. 1-2-3 Peas

This one is a bit different, since the counting starts to skip, and goes up to 100! Not to mention, I just have fun with all the little green peas.;)

5. I Had a Favorite Dress

I love how ingenious the mom is in this story!

6. The Monster at the end of this book

This one is just fun to read.;)

7. Happy Hippo, Angry Duck

I like this one for teaching children about different moods.;)

8. Little Green Peas

I promise that is the last Keith Baker I will post! Mostly because it is the last one by him about the little green peas.;)

9. Flippy Floppy Jungle Animals

I love how you lift each flap to reveal an animal, and then the set turns into an animal as well!

10. Lift the Flap Picture Atlas

The Promise of Palm Grove

A young Amish woman finds herself torn between the man she's pledged to wed and the man her heart desires in this heartwarming story of chance, duty, and choice in the face of love—the first volume in beloved New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray's new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series

Amish bride-to-be Leona is thrilled to be in Florida, on a mini vacation in the pretty town of Pinecraft. Her girlfriends think she's happy because she's away from the stress of wedding planning. They have no idea that Leona's real joy is in being away from her fiancé.

Edmund is a good man and will make a decent husband . . . just not for Leona. The more time she spends with him and his overbearing ways, the less she wants to be his wife. Her cousins are sure Edmund is the right man for her—and their certainty makes Leona begin to doubt herself. But when a chance encounter with a wayward cat brings her face-to-face with a handsome, fun-loving Amish man named Zachary Kaufmann, Leona's faced with two vastly different futures.

Leona must decide: Should she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her?

My thoughts: This is a sweet story that has more going on then first meets the eye. Leona is a lovely character who wins readers over from the get go! Life for her has been pretty predictable up to this point. But, now she is having second thoughts about the man she agreed to marry. Will a chance encounter with a young man in Florida be just the thing to encourage her to break things off with Edmund?
I like that Shelley Shepard Gray often tells a story from several different view points. She writes well and does a fabulous job of pulling readers in right off the bat. I enjoyed getting to know the people of Palm Grove, and look forward to the next book in the series (though, it looks like it will deal with some tougher topics).
I received this book from litfuse.com in exchange for my honest review.

Finger Foods

Taste your way to deliciousness, one little bite at a time. These scrumptious and sensational finger foods are the perfect way to impress your guests for parties, receptions, and more. Try the Coconut Butterflied Shrimp, Orange and Honey Meatballs, and Lemon Tassies. Packed with recipes and tips from an expert caterer, this book is sure to make your next party a giant hit from the first little bite.

I love how the author has taken a lot of common (and uncommon) dishes in this recipe and made them into finger foods! If you do much entertaining, then this is a book that you need to have in your kitchen. Guests will be wowed with the appetizers that come out of your kitchen, from the everyday to elegant. The book is well laid out and has easy to follow instructions, so that even those of us who aren't superb cooks can throw a party with tasty treats.
I received this book from Cedar fort in exchange for my honest review.

Rise of the Fallen

A six thousand year war rages and now the demonic Fallen are coming for him—the one man shrouded in mystery. Only Validus stands in their way.

Validus is the last and least of God’s angels, but he’s seen much across the millennia since his creation. Empires have risen and fallen as angelic and demonic forces battle in a raging war that will determine humanity's fate – and the fate of his defeated brothers.


Eventually called to be an earth-bound warrior, Validus rises to a position of power and respect, commanding legions of angels through impossible battles and overwhelming odds. But when orders arrive from the Creator's most elite Messenger, he finds himself suddenly demoted to a task of apparent insignificance considering the fierce war they are waging against the demonic Fallen – the covert protection of one unbelieving man.


Validus soon finds himself on a mission that will push him beyond his abilities as he battles to protect Drew Carter, for the Fallen are coming for him. Legions of them.

As Validus races against time to discover why Drew is so important to humanity's survival, can he stand between Drew and all who would destroy him?

My thoughts: In some ways, I was kind of surprised by this story, since it didn't pick right up where the first book left off. It starts out telling Validus' story, so readers can catch a few on the history behind this Spiritual battle that wrecks havoc all around us. While I was anxious to get back to Drew's story, it is fun to read more about the authors view on Spiritual warfare. I love that each chapter has scripture verses to back them up, giving the reader a lot to ponder. This book is fiction at it's best, since it gets the reader to think and motivates Christians out of their apathetic stupor. While I don't know that I agree 100% with the authors views, it has encouraged me to do some research of my own. It has also reminded me that we do not wrestle against flesh and bones, but against principalities and rulers of darkness who want to consign humanity to endless torment with them.
I highly recommend this book!
I received "Rise of the Fallen" from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Take Ten

This week's Top Ten subject is the top ten best books I have read in the last 3 years, which was surprisingly easy, since I have discovered a lot of amazing authors in the last few years!
1. Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer

I know I have mentioned this one before, but it is one of the best books I have read this year!
2. Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh

This is the orher incredible book I read this year. It's such a cute story, and I totally related to the main character.
3. Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

Such a beautiful, flawed heroine. I loved her!
4. Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

This one is an incredible, gothic style novel
5. Cast of Stones by Patrick Carr

I almost didn't stick with this one, since Errol is, well.... a drunk. But, it gets better! The series is an amazing fantasy style journey!
6. Prophet by R. J Larson

Another amazing, fantasy style series. I thoughtvthe creatures quite imaginative.;)
7.In Between by Jenny B Jones

I obviously like stories about orphans. I think it stems from childhood snd thinking I was adopted. lol.
8. Right Where I Belong by Krista McGee

Krista McGee writes such heartwarming young adult fiction!
9. The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

This is my favorite of the Regency stories I havevread!
10 The Safe Lands series
My list is rather eclectic, since I am ending with a dystopian series.;) I hope you all will find some new books on here to add to your TBR list.;) What are your top favorites?