Side by Side

In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia’s life collides with that of another young woman. A young Christian American mother, Mia finds more than one dark secret on the streets of Khartoum. She finds Halimah, a young, upper-class Arab student with a bright future in her family’s business whose risky and secretive decision has put her life in danger. What happens when the path of young mother intersects with that of a spunky Sudanese student? God transforms them both . . .forever.
Part of New Hope® Publishers’ contemporary missional fiction line, Side by Side opens the reader’s eyes to the life of Muslims in Sudan as well as some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as pray for the salvation of those who persecute.
In the dusty, Islamic country of Sudan, Mia’s life collides with that of another young woman. A young Christian American mother, Mia finds more than one dark secret on the streets of Khartoum. She finds Halimah, a young, upper-class Arab student with a bright future in her family’s business whose risky and secretive decision has put her life in danger. What happens when the path of young mother intersects with that of a spunky Sudanese student? God transforms them both . . .forever.
Part of New Hope® Publishers’ contemporary missional fiction line, Side by Side opens the reader’s eyes to the life of Muslims in Sudan as well as some of the struggles that Christians face when living under Islamic law. The reader will be inspired to pray for those who are persecuted for their faith as well as pray for the salvation of those who persecute.

My thoughts: I was blown away by this book! I can imagine that it made it all the more realistic that it is based on real life events, since the author has been a missionary to several different countries on several continents. Her characters come alive with their struggles against the culture in present day Sudan. This book is a must read!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Take ten

1. As Love Blooms
Nothing like jumping into the middle of the series!;)

2. Called to be Amish
Did you know that less than 100 people have converted to the Amish way of life since 1950?

3. The Art of Losing Yourself
Hurray! I loved her last book to pieces, so I am thrilled to get this one to review!

4. The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest
I'm so excited to read this fairy tale!

5. Who's the New Kid?
This one looks interesting.

6.The Proposal at Siesta Key
I'm not as sure about this one.

7. Shadow of the Mountain
I'm looking forward to this Old Testament based story.

8. Liam Darcy, I Loathe You
Re-telling of Jane Austen? Yes please!

9. Ian Quicksilver
Another fun looking story, that looks more fantasy style.

10. The Tulip Resistance
I love the history of the Dutch Resistance during WWII, so this one should be good.

As you can see by my list, I wasn't really feeling like doing the Broke and Bookish choice for the week. It worked out that I just so happened to get 10 books in the mail today, so I figured I would put those on my list instead! What did you decide to do for the week? Did you have a hard time with the subject?

When Grace Sings

When trouble roars into quiet Arborville, Alexa and Anna-Grace find themselves the target for discord and exposed secrets. Can they continue to seek the God of all grace amidst the fog of confusion?

Alexa Zimmerman wonders if the Old Order Mennonite community in Arborville, Kansas will ever fully accept her. Her family roots here aren’t what anyone thought when she first arrived, but she is hopeful that her culinary and hospitality skills will win the skeptics over. The bed-and-breakfast she’s operating needs to succeed so Alexa agrees to allow Briley Forrester, the hotshot reporter from Chicago, to stay as a long-term boarder not knowing his real motives for being amongst the Plain folk.

But when Alexa agrees to host her cousin Anna-Grace Braun, the presence of extended family brings out Alexa’s insecurities and sets Briley on the trail to uncovering a web of hidden truths.

Plans for a secure future and the sweetness of young romance hang in the balance when Alexa and Anna-Grace have to face that their secrets are interconnected, binding the two in ways they could not have imagined. They must trust in a loving, heavenly Father and His plan for their futures.

My thoughts: Picking up where the first book in the series left off, the second starts with Alexa making a go of her Bed and Breakfast, which means opening it to a journalist who is in the Old Order Mennonite community under false pretenses. As she seeks to fit into her new family, Alexa also seeks to keep some secrets from coming to light, which only becomes harder when her cousin moves into the B&B as well.
I thought that the characters are well written, since I enjoyed their journey and also could see where they were coming from with their fears and how they interacted with one another. I also like the journey of faith that is in the story! The only thing I was disappointed about is that, while some things have a conclusion, a fair bit of the story will have to wait to find some resolution and answers in the next book. I suppose that is how life is though.;) We don't always get the story wrapped up in a "happily ever after". That said, this book is a delightful story and best read in order of the series.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Magical Slow Cooker

Delicious home-cooked meals your family will love with almost no prep time—it's positively magical!

Grab your wand (or ladle) and get ready to whip up the healthiest, easiest-to-make food you'll ever eat. Full of wholesome ingredients and flavors you have to taste to believe, these meals are faster than the drive-thru and much cheaper too! You won't be able to resist

Raisin Bread French Toast Casserole
Country Scalloped Potatoes
Pork Carnitas
Pot Roast Dips with Horseradish Cream Sauce
Pumpkin Flan
Dozens of fantastic recipes for breakfasts, dinners, appetizers, and dessert, this cookbook is perfect for busy families.

Experience the magic of your slow cooker every day of the week!

My thoughts: I keep meaning to do more recipes in my crock pot, since it would be nice to just come home from a busy day and have dinner ready! So, I was thrilled to receive this book from Cedar Fort to review, since I was finally being motivated to get out the slow cooker and plan ahead!
While I have done some stews and soups in the crock pot, I haven't made a wide variety of things in it because I have just been kind of scared about trying to cook noodles and the like. This cookbook has a fun variety of recipes for busy women and picky eaters! I love that there are recipes for party food, breakfast, and desserts, all things I haven't tried to make in a slow cooker, but look forward to attempting.
The book is filled with fantastic recipes (my family has enjoyed several already!) that have easy to follow instructions, use basic ingredients, and taste great. Two thumbs up!
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

Take Ten

This week's Top Ten subject is top ten favorite authors. This one is really not fair, since it is so hard to narrow down the list! I shall do my best.

1. C.S. Lewis
I find it ironic that he has jumped to the top of my list, since I remember being sent the Chronicles of Narnia series over a period of birthdays and Christmases (by my dear uncle who didn't know what to send his preteen niece. Books are always a good option!) and complaining on how wordy his stories were. That was when I was only a few books in.;) I believe it was around the time that I read Voyage of the Dawn Treader that I decided Lewis was more than alright. lol. Narnia is one of the few series I have re-read!

2. Jane Austen
I tried to read Sense and Sensibility after hearing an older friend talk about how amazing the story was. I think I was an ambitious 11 year old at the time, and wound up putting the book aside for a few years, since I had to make long lists of words I didn't know (like fortnight) to look up in the dictionary and it was slow going.;) I'm glad I made it back to the story, years later, though Persuasion and Emma are probably my favorites.

3. Laura Ingalls Wilder
I received the complete series for Christmas before I could even read (I think my mom found it on sale;)), which kind of worked out, since there were pictures and I would sit and look at them for hours, imagining what the stories were about. This is the first series I ever read. I think having the set was a great motivator to learn how to read so I could figure out the stories behind the picturs.;)

4. Louisa May Alcott
Granted, it has been years since I last read one of her books, but I keep meaning to re-read her stories, since they were just so enjoyable as a young teen! I think re-reading them would remind me of the days when life was simpler, both in history and in my own life.;) (not that I would go back for anything! lol)

5. Elizabeth Camden
I don't always appreciate her perfectly handsome hero's, but her attention to historical detail is worth putting up with annoyingly handsome characters.;) (I prefer mine more boy next door-ish)

6. Julie Klassen
While I haven't loved every single book she has written, her last 3-4 have been quite enjoyable! They have been a wonderful mix of Austen and Gothic.

7. Lisa Wingate
Another author who I won't pretend to like every book she has ever penned, since I read one of her first books and didn't care for it. Other than that one, I have enjoyed her stories quite well! I love how her recent ones have a story going on in the past and then one in present day.

8. Nancy Mehl
Mennonite mysteries? Such a weird combination, or so I thought at first! Nancy makes them work, and work well. She writes such likeable characters, and always gives the reader a moral issue to think on.

9. Melanie Dobson
Okay, so I haven't read as many of her books as I would like to, but I have adored what I've taken the time to read! I really need to get my hands on some of her early books, since I have heard such great things about them.

10. Kristy Cambron
It seems like her books make it onto a lot of my lists. Perhaps because she does so well at bringing WWII to life. I can't recommend her books enough!

So, there is my list. I could go on, but I figured it would be best to stop at ten.;) Who made it onto your list?

The Perfect Fool

“I told the queen I would let you live, but I didn’t say in what condition. I’m very sorry, Farrago.” Kazim pulled a rope that I hadn’t noticed from his shoulder. It was attached to a clay jar I recognized. “I must break you.”

Plucked from the streets to become a court jester, Farrago’s life is simple and carefree. No one demands much of him, and that’s exactly how he likes it. But everything changes when Farrago begins flirting with a scullery maid named Thea. And when Farrago learns the truth about Thea’s identity, he must decide just how far he’s willing to go for the chance to follow his heart.

This quirky medieval tale is a fun and romantic read. With a charming balance of humor and suspense, it has a plot that’s full of twists and guaranteed to keep you guessing.

My thoughts: What a fun story! This book is a fun one that does keep you guessing till the very end. I very much enjoyed the characters and their story, which is a lovely medieval tale about a young orphan who grows into the court jester and goes on an impossible journey for the lady he loves. The humor is spot on and kept me laughing, but there is also some suspense as I tried to figure out how things could possibly turn out alright for Farrago. Two thumbs up!
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

God, Me, and Sweet Ice Tea

Life is full of challenges that keep us from spending time with God, and hinder us from discovering his presence in our day-to-day activities. But He is always there, ready to pour out His blessings. If you desire to experience the reality of God in the everyday moments of life, this devotional journey is for you. God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea will help you find the strength you need to weather every storm and experience new mercies every day.

My thoughts: This short devotional is just the thing for a busy mom! Set up as 52 devotionals that are just 1-2 pages, this book is a wonderful, personal book where Rose Chandler Johnson shares thoughts and insight. I love her honesty, which makes it feel like one is sitting down with a good friend, talking about faith over some sweet tea.;) If you are looking for a devotional that will fit into a busy schedule and yet give you some food for thought, then this is the perfect one for you!
I received this devotional from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.