Wild Montana Skies

Bestselling Author's New Series Delivers Romance and Adventure as an SAR Team Searches for Others--and Finds Themselves
Search and rescue pilot Kacey Fairing is home on leave in Mercy Falls, Montana, twelve years after she joined the military to escape the mistakes of her past. With a job waiting for her as the new lead pilot of Peak Rescue in Glacier National Park, Kacey hopes to reconnect with the now-teenage daughter she sees only between deployments. What she doesn't realize is that someone else is also back in town.
Ben King has been building his country music career since the day Kacey shut him out of her life. Now all of that's on hold when his injured father calls him home to help run Peak Rescue until he's fully recovered. It doesn't take long, though, to discover his father's ulterior motives as Kacey Fairing walks into the house and back into his heart.
With Mercy Falls in a state of emergency due to flash floods, Kacey and Ben are forced to work together to save lives. But when floodwaters turn personal, can they put aside the past to save their future?

My thoughts: I was super excited to see that one of my favorite authors had a new series coming out! Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my hopes for it, though that is probably due to the fact that I just really enjoyed her last series and that this one just needs to grow on me. While I liked the main characters in this story, I felt like their story was just a bit stagnant in the middle. That said, I love the over all message in this book! I also really liked the side characters that will play a major part in the next book! So, I will be sticking with the series to see where it goes.
I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Discipline that connects with your child's heart

A Powerful Approach to Bringing God's Grace to Kids
Did you know that the way we deal (or don't deal) with our kids' misbehavior shapes their beliefs about themselves, the world, and God? Therefore it's vital to connect with their hearts--not just their minds--amid the daily behavior battles.
With warmth and grace, Jim and Lynne Jackson, founders of Connected Families, offer four tried-and-true keys to handling any behavioral issues with love, truth, and authority. You will learn practical ways to communicate messages of grace and truth, how to discipline in a way that motivates your child, and how to keep your relationship strong, not antagonistic. Discipline is more than just a short-term attempt to modify your child's actions--it's a long-term investment to help them build faith, wisdom, and character for life. When you discover a better path to discipline, you'll find a more well-behaved--and well-believed--kid

My thoughts: This book is an excellent one for busy parents to pick up, since it is chocked full of wonderful advise paired with real life stories to show how the advise is applicable. The four main principles of the book are to give your children a foundation that says they are safe with you, connect so they know they are loved no matter what, coach because they are called and capable, and correct by showing them they are responsible for their actions. While this book doesn't have all the answers, I learned a lot from it. I especially appreciated the chapters that dealt with showing your child unconditional love and understanding why a child misbehaves. This is an excellent book for parents of children from birth on up!
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Sticker Girl

Sticker Girl is an adorable story about Martina Rivera who has a secret, he sticker collection comes to life! This book is imaginative as Martina's sticker collection helps her overcome her shyness and tackle public speaking. There is a sheet of stickers that is included in the book (which, my toddler was happy to take command of and put them in the book!), just like the sheet of stickers that comes to life in the story. This is a great book for elementary age kids! I love how Martina has to overcome something in the story. This one is a cute one!

Janet Tashjian is a middle-grade and young adult novelist who’s been writing books for children for fifteen years. Her first novel Tru Confessions was made into a critically acclaimed Disney TV movie starring Clara Bryant and Shia LaBeouf. The Gospel According to Larry is a cult favorite and Fault Line is taught in many middle and high schools. Her novels My Life As a Book, My Life As a Stuntboy, and My Life As a Cartoonist are all illustrated by her teenage son, Jake. Their collaboration continues with Einstein the Class Hamster coming in August.

Janet lives with her family in Los Angeles, enjoying her respite from the long Boston winters. When she isn’t writing, she’s rewriting.

Janet has been doing school visits for fifteen years; you can email her at spatulaproductions@mac.com for details.

Download your free how to guide for bring your Bible to school day

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are preparing for Hurricane Matthew to hit. For students in hurricane-affected states who are facing school closures but still want to participate in Bring Your Bible to School Day, the alternate date is Thursday, October 20.




This brings about a good point: Any day can be a day you organize your friends to bring your Bibles to school together!




By signing up during the month of October for Bring Your Bible to School Day (even if you missed the official celebration), you can download a free how-to guide for teens, parents, pastors, and elementary students. It's full of helpful information that will help you organize a day to take a stand for religious freedom and bring your Bible to school with your fellow classmates.




(Sign-ups must be received by midnight (MT), Oct. 7, in order to be automatically entered into the Newsboys giveaway.)

Plus Bring Your Bible to School Comes to Adventures in Odyssey

 

Getting used to a new school isn’t easy, especially for someone as paranoid as Buddy Norman. In “A Predicament of Biblical Proportions” he envisions wacky worst-case encounters with townsfolk who seem like mobsters, snoops and fairy-tale tyrants—until he gets to know them. He’s also a little confused about Bring Your Bible to School Day. What’s it about? Should he participate? See Odyssey through Buddy’s eyes in this witty celebration of religious freedom.




Listen to this story through a two-week trial only on the Odyssey Adventure Club.

Take ten: books I have read due to recommendations

1. The Hunger Games
I remember not knowing anything about the series when I picked it up. Just that the librarian raved that it was one of the most popular books at the moment. I loved it so much, I had to pre-order the last one, something I rarely do.

2. Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
This has to be one of my favorite fairy tale-ish books!

3. The Princess in the Opal Mask by Jenny Lundquist
This one was going around on several lists for a while, so I gave it a go and loved it!

4. The Opal Crown
The sequel to #3.

5. The Wonder of you by Susan May Warren
I missed this one when reading the series and figured I would just skip it. When I read some reviews on it, I figured I should read it after all. It wound up being a favorite!

6. Wild Montana Skies by Susan May Warren
There was is a lot of hype about this book, so I picked up a arc copy and read it recently. While it has a great message, I didn't really fall in love with the main couple. That said, I like the couples in the next book that we're introduced in this one, so I will probably stick with the series.

7. I'll be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
Okay, so I haven't procured a copy, but it's one I really want to read, as I love the author and have heard good things!

8. The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall
This one is wonderful! No wonder why I kept hearing about it. I need to get back to the series..

9. The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Biscof
Another one I have yet to read, but have on my list due to the buzz it's created!

10. Ladies of the Manor series by Roseanne White
My sister told me this series is a must. She's right!
What books are on your list? What should I add to mine?

2 Chairs and a giveaway!

In this world you will have trouble. Count on it!
It might be something small or something big, but you know you don’t have an answer. You’ve come to a realization there is a limit to what you can do alone. For such times as these, 2 Chairs asks three vital questions:
-Does God know your situation?
-Is it too hard for Him to handle?
-Does He have a good plan for you?
Following these questions, Bob Beaudine offers seven practical steps to walk courageously, faithfully, and cheerfully through your trouble whether it is a minor issue or a major crisis.

My thoughts: I love the heart of this message, which is that God knows your situation, that He has it under control, and that He has a plan! It's easy to get caught up in the day to day grind, but this book reminds the reader of the importance of taking time out of the busyness and focusing on God and where He is leading one. Not just when things are rough, but all the time. I enjoyed the concept of this book, as well as how easy it was to read through. I enjoyed all the stories, both from Bob's life and those around him. This book is a wonderful reminder!
I received this book from Worthy publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway : Worthy publisher has graciously offered to do a giveaway for this book! Two copies are up for grabs. Just leave a comment about why this book sounds interesting! Be sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you win. I will be drawing names in a week!

Cuba!

Cuba continues to captivate visitors with its vibrant culture, colorful cities, and incredible cuisine. Cuba! explores the magic of this country through recipes and stories that will set taste buds on fire and delight even the most well-seasoned traveler.

Brazen, bold, and colorful, Cuba is a country that pulses with life. Fascinated by its people and their endlessly delicious home-cooked cuisine, friends Dan Goldberg and Andrea Kuhn have been visiting this magnetic country, capturing its passion and vibrancy, for the past five years. Dan, an award-winning photographer and Andrea, an acclaimed prop stylist and art director, along with renowned food writer Jody Eddy, bring the best of Cuban food to home kitchens with more than 75 meticulously tested recipes. From Cuban-Style Fried Chicken and Tostones Stuffed with Lobster and Conch, to Squid-ink Empanadas and Mojito Cake with Rum-Infused Whipped Cream, this book offers a unique opportunity to bring a little slice of Cuba into your home and onto your plate.

My thoughts: I love how colorful this book is! While I haven't been to Cuba, it looks like this book gives a wonderful sampling of the culture and recipes that make up part of the country. The recipe of fried plantain (along with some of the other ones) remind me of my trip to Belize and what I have heard about some of the other South American countries. This is a fun book to experiment with and add some spice to your cooking and life! I think it is an excellent book for newbies or pros.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.