365 Pocket Morning Prayers

Each morning when you arise, take a moment to talk with God about the day ahead. Ask Him to prepare your heart so that you can be ready to face any challenge that comes your way. 365 Pocket Morning Prayers can guide this time of life-changing conversation and help you express your needs and concerns to God. Don’t worry about what the day will bring. Instead, release your troubles and concerns into God’s care by reading and meditating on the prayers featured in 365 Pocket Morning Prayers. Begin your day in joyful anticipation, trusting that God is in control of your life and wants only the best for you.

My thoughts: This book is the perfect way to get your mornings started right by focusing on a prayer for the day. I love the variety of topics that it covers, praying for church leaders, mentors, second chances, truth, etc. It is an excellent little book to have by one's bed, so it is easy to grab in the morning. I love that it is small and compact, so it would fit nicely in a purse, scripture bag, or backpack. It would also make an excellent gift!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

Gratitude

Gratitude: A Prayer and Praise Coloring Journal invites you to bring creative journaling and the calming act of coloring into your quiet time with God. This beautifully designed interactive prayer book helps guide your thoughts as you pray about concerns. Gratitude gives you a way to celebrate and give thanks to God for the many blessings he provides. Filled with over 100 designs to color, plenty of space for journaling and sketching, and 40 needs-based prayers, Gratitude helps you express your devotion to God with your whole heart! Special Features:

Lay-flat hardcover and thick paper
Hardcover with embossed cover design
Illustrated by Felicity French

My thoughts: When I saw this book, a combination of an adult coloring book and a prayer and praise journal, I just had to jump at the chance to review it! I have enjoyed journaling since I was a teen, and I love coloring books (my husband teases me that I pull out my daughter's coloring books more for me than her.;) I suppose it is only fair that she wants me to share this one!), so this is the perfect combination for me! I love the coloring pages and how the journal side of things gets one to think about specific things you are grateful for. I love focusing on the question for the set of pages while I color! This book would make the perfect gift for Christmas!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

Honor Redeemed

Two Men Vie for Her Affection--Survival Will Depend on Choosing the Right One
Two years ago, Prosperity Jones waved farewell to her beloved David as the army sent him to faraway Key West. Now with her parents gone, she has but one prospect for the future: make the dangerous journey from Nantucket to Key West to reunite with David and secure a happier life. Arriving penniless in the South, Prosperity is dismayed to find David married to someone else. Scrambling to survive and nursing a broken heart, she gains the friendship--and the affection--of a kind doctor. Could he be the answer to her loneliness? Or will her life be upended by circumstance yet again?
With a deft hand, Christine Johnson fills the reader's senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of Key West in this heartwarming story of honor lost, honor redeemed, and a love forged in adversity.

My thoughts: This book wound up surprising me, since it had a lot of twists and turns in the story that I didn't see coming. I loved the history embedded in the story! It's a wonderful, rich story with a lot going on. I especially appreciated the attention bringing all the characters to life.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Jesus Talked to Me Today

A Heartwarming Story Collection of Children's Encounters with God, Angels, and Miracles

Children have a special place in Jesus' heart. He said they are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and their angels continually see the face of God. Perhaps that's why children seem to be more receptive to supernatural experiences than adults.
This new collection reveals how God works in the lives of these precious little ones. It contains the touching true stories of children who have heard Jesus speak, encountered angels, and experienced miracles. We could all use more childlike faith, and these stories "from the mouths of babes" will encourage readers to be open to hear from the Lord in a fresh, sweet, and pure way.

My thoughts: This book is heartwarming, just like the synopsis says!:) I enjoyed reading the variety of miracles having to do with children, as well as the variety of encounters they have had with angels. Some of them are a wee bit heartbreaking, but it is amazing to read what God does with the faith of a little child.
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

A Heart Most Certain

A Fresh Voice in Historical Romance!
Lydia King knows what it's like to be in need, so when she joins the Teaville Moral Society, she genuinely hopes to help the town's poor. But with her father's debts increasing by the day and her mother growing sicker by the week, she wonders how long it will be until she ends up in the poor house herself. Her best chance at a financially secure future is to impress the politician courting her, and it certainly doesn't hurt that the moral society's president is her suitor's mother. Her first task as a moral society member—to obtain a donation from Nicholas Lowe, the wealthiest man in town—should be easy . . . except he flat-out refuses.
Despite appearances, Nicholas wants to help others but prefers to do it his own way, keeping his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, though Nicholas has a few surprises up his sleeve. Neither foresee the harrowing complications that will arise from working together. When town secrets are brought to light, this unlikely pair must decide where their beliefs—and hearts—truly align.

My thoughts: I was blown away by this story! I picked it up on a whim, since I don't know that I have really read Melissa's books. I am so glad that I did! The story was amazing, having some surprising depth and a lot going on. I loved the main characters, especially Lydia, since she reminds me of Emma from Jane Austen's story. While not what I would call spoiled, she learns to be a better person when she makes a bargain with Nicholas Lowe, a man who seems like a miser from the outside.
I love the issues that this story deals with and how the characters develop over the course of the story. This book is a new favorite!
I received this book from Bethany in exchange for my honest review.

An Unexplainable Life

If you’ve ever read the book of Acts, it probably didn’t take you long to notice: The early believers were on fire! They were full of the Holy Spirit, had wonder for God, and did great things in His name. And sadly, many of us seem nothing like them.

An Unexplainable Life is a call to reignite the mission and movement of the early church individually and collectively. This in-depth Bible study transports readers back to the early days of the Christian church, challenging our modern-day assumptions and inviting us to join Jesus in His work today.

Divided into 10 weeks, this study:


Guides participants verse-by-verse through Acts 1–12
Equip readers for transformation through challenging Scripture application
Teaches basic principles for personally studying the Scriptures
Brings Scripture to life with historical, cultural, and theological backgrounds
Provides a “going deeper” section for curious students
Ideal for groups, this study will help readers spur one another on toward adopting the qualities and passions of the early Christian church, providing built-in accountability.

The fervor of the early church isn’t restricted to the first century. Unlock the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and join His great work today.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent companion to the book Acts! I love how it is a call to be on fire for Jesus as the early Christians were. Erica does a fabulous job of tying in other New Testament writings and helping the reader (or group, since this would be fun to go through with a Bible Study!) to delve into the scriptures and think about the book of Acts in a different light. I've been doing this one on my own, but I would love to discuss the questions with a group.;)
I received this book from Moody in exchange for my honest review.

The Echoing

About the book:

Rylee has an unusual gift. It brings good luck to those who are kind to her and misfortune to those who are not–at least, that’s what the crazy woman in the woods tells her. But Rylee doesn’t believe it until strange coincidences start happening to her classmates and friends. Her gift may not be a matter of luck but of life and death.

My thoughts: This book was excellent! I enjoyed the story of Rylee, a young woman who has felt like she is destined for more, but doesn't realize what that is until she meets an old hermit who shows her the gift that she has. The journey Rylee goes on is a lovely, heartbreaking one that I enjoyed reading. I thought that the twists in the story were excellent and look forward to reading more by this author!
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Jessica Blackburn studied at Brigham Young University—Idaho and graduated from her local community college with an Associates of Arts Degree. She currently lives in the beautiful Columbia Gorge as a stay-at-home mom. When she’s not writing stories, she spends her spare time teaching Sunday School and blogging her lessons and personal thoughts at cozybugz.blogspot.com.