10 Myths of Teen Dating

Few topics are more difficult for parents to discuss with their daughters than dating and relationships. Due to their lack of knowledge about the world their teens face coupled with the scant dating information they received as teens, many parents feel ill-equiped to guide their daughters through the minefield that is teen dating.

In The 10 Myths of Teen Dating, this father and daughter team combines the latest scientific research with poignant, personal stories to help parents engage their daughters in wise conversations. Weaving in solid biblical truths with practical application and discussion starters, Daniel and Jacquelyn seek to equip parents to teach their daughters how to date for today … and tomorrow.

My thoughts: If you have a young daughter, then this book is for you! I love that the myths were compiled by a father/daughter team, both of whom teach, so they have a front row seat to watching teen dating in the present time. Really though, a lot of these myths are great for girls of all ages who are in the dating scene.
I like that they not only approach it from a dad's point of view, but also offering insight for the single mother too.
This book is an excellent resource to help your daughter develop her interests and character outside of dating, so as to help her make smart decisions when dating and to realize that she is worth so much more than whether or not she has a boyfriend.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Sound of Diamonds

In Reformation-era England, a converted rogue wants to restore his honor at whatever cost. Running from a tortured past, Dirk Godfrey knows he has only one chance at redemption.
An independent Catholic maiden seeking refuge in the Low Countries finds herself at the center of the Iconoclastic Fury. Jaded by tragedy, Gwyneth's only hope of getting home is to trust the man she hates, and she soon discovers her poor vision is not the only thing that has been blinding her.
But the home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, will the saint and the sinner hold to hope...or be overcome?

My thoughts: This book is excellent! It starts off at a fast pace from the get go, with Gwyneth in the middle of the Iconoclastic Fury and in need of rescue. I didn't know a whole lot about this particular turbulent time in the history of Europe (during Queen Elizabeth I reign), but I feel like Rachelle does a fabulous job of helping the reader not get lost. This story is a perfect blend of historic events and personal growth. I love how Gwyneth has been raised Catholic but suddenly has questions about why there is such a struggle between Catholicism and the Protestants. While these questions and soul searching will be explored more in the following stories (I am sure), I like that some things are concluded in this story. I'm not a fan of series that leave you hanging after every book, so I appreciated this.
If you are looking for a well written, adventure filled historical read, then I highly recommend this one!
I received this book from the author as part of a blog tour. All thoughts are my own.

40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood

Nourishment for a mother’s soul through 40 days of devotion and . . . doodling!

Wouldn’t it be marvelous if mothering came with a concrete set of instructions—an easy recipe we could follow? Instead, motherhood challenges women to find their faith, their true selves, and their family through daily doses of trial and error. It is a brilliant and healing time of life that is full of joy, pain, and beauty with a small side of crisis (and humor). What mothers do not know, they learn. And through this lifelong process of learning, they nurture and care for the most precious gifts on earth: children. In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these 10 minute daily devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood:

—Self-acceptance
—Self-care
—Reconciling with grief, hope and expectations
—Generosity
—Presence
—Forgiveness

In addition to the devotions, these beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!

Learn more here

My thoughts: Part coloring book, part devotion, and a whole lot of fun, this book is an excellent resource for mothers! I loved the chance to stop and take time to read through the devotions. With a wide variety of topics, I found that most of them hit home. I needed this book, since I just had my second child this year and I am still learning to juggle everything that comes with a toddler and new baby.;) So, the reminder of taking care of myself as well as my family was timely.
I think that this book would make a wonderful shower present for a new mother!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Everything Beautiful

Open this coloring book and be reminded of splendor everywhere. Beauty abounds in the extraordinary and the ordinary…and even in the mundane. Whatever your circumstances, beauty is there, waiting to be noticed and cherished.

Allow yourself the time to stop and see the beauty our God has fashioned in creation, in one another, and in His grace.

Each perforated coloring page features an original design from one of nine different artists, beautifully illustrating an inspirational quote from hymns, Scripture, writers, preachers, and teachers.

So grab your colored pencils and your closest friends and take some time to relax and reflect on the beauty all around.

To help set the perfect mood for worship, contemplation, and creative expression, a link to the “Everything Beautiful” Spotify playlist is included.

#EverythingBeautiful

My thoughts: I have two other coloring books from WaterBrook, a patriotic one and then another one that is similar to this one. I love the combination of scriptures and quotes, along with the gorgeous coloring pages! This one has some of my favorite quotes, such as this one by Helen Keller: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.". If you are a collector of coloring books or just a newbie wondering where to start, I would highly recommend this one to you! It is wonderful for all ages. (My daughter tries to steal it!;))
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Ten character names I would use

Welcome to this week's Top Ten meme from The Broke and Bookish! The subject this week is to pick the top ten character names we would use to name a child, pet, car, etc. Since my husband is super picky about names for our children (which I suppose is good, since they will be stuck with their name for life unless they do something about it), I am sure that all my favorite literary names would be shot down in a heartbeat. So, here are the names I would use for pets. Or, the names I wish I could use for my children.;)

1. Atticus
Okay, so I have just read To Kill a Mockingbird, so this might change if I read Go Set a Watchman....

2. Hermoine
I love the character from the Harry Potter series, since I could totally relate to her when I was school age (though, I don't know that I ever left my nerdiness behind...). Not to mention, it is just a fun name.

3. Emma
I really wanted to use this name, since I love Jane Austen's character (even if people argue that she was a brat. We all have our bratty moments!) and it's a family name. It also seems to be quite popular in my circle of friends.


4. Knightley
I should name a dog this, since I can't imagine it as a first name for a son.;)

5. Elinor
As much as I love Sense and Sensibility, I can't say that I truly relate to either of the older Dashwood sisters. I do love the name Elinor though.

6. Amelia
I loved the Amelia Bedelia books when I was a kid!

7. Declan
This one isn't so much a book name as a movie name, since I just relate it to Leap Year. I love the name!

8. Shasta
From A Horse and His Boy

9. Lucy
I think this is such a sweet name, probably partially due to relating it to such a sweet character!

10. Peter

The Sound of Silver

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hello and welcome to The Sound of Silver birthday blog tour! I’m posting today about
Rachelle Rea Cobb’s second installment in the Steadfast Love series, an
inspirational historical romance set during the 16
th
century!
Rachelle is also the author of The Sound of Diamonds, the first book in the series,
and a newlywed! This summer, she married a man with the same first name as the
hero of the series! I’m joining in this blog tour to tell you a little more about Silver and
spread the news about the rocking giveaway Rachelle is hosting—make sure you
enter using the Rafflecopter form to win the lovely necklace pictured and your choice
of any of the Steadfast Love titles!
ABOUT The Steadfast Love SERIES
In 16th-century Europe, the Reformation rages between Protestants and Catholics.
Gwyneth, half-Dutch, flees from England to Holland to escape the man who
murdered her parents. When he follows her there and insists he came to rescue her,
will she trust this man called Dirk? When tragedy strikes, will their steadfast love
erode?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Times gone by snatch Rachelle Rea Cobb close, so she reads and writes about
years long ago--her passions include the Reformation, Revolutions, and romance.
Rachelle wrote the Steadfast Love series during college. Five months after she
graduated, she signed a three-book deal with her dream publisher, WhiteFire. She's
a homeschool grad, Oreo addict, and plots her novels while driving around her
dream car, a pick-up truck. In June 2016, she married a man with the same name as
her fictional hero, and they live happily ever after in Small Town, South.
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://RachelleReaCobb.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/RachelleReaCobb
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelleReaCobb
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/RachelleReaCobb/
Instagram: @RachelleReaCobb
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rachelle-Rea/e/B00RZHIL1Q
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8144149.Rachelle_Rea_Cobb
ABOUT The Sound of Silver
The stalwart saint and the redeemed rebel. One fights for faith, the other for honor…
After Dirk rescues Gwyneth from the Iconoclastic Fury, she discovers that faith is
sometimes fragile—and hope is not as easy as it may seem. Gwyneth continues her
quest to learn more about the love of God preached by Protestants she once
distrusted.
Giveaway Code*
*Required content.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please include this Rafflecopter code somewhere in your blog post where readers
can easily access it. I am including both the code, so you can simply plug in the
HTML, and the link, just in case you don’t like tinkering with HTML. Contact me with
any questions you have at rachelle@rachellereacobb.com. And do enter yourself!
Text for blog posts:
Enter using the Rafflecopter form below to win a beautiful necklace created by
Baubles, Beads, and Stuff and your choice of any one of Rachelle’s three books
(the series begins in Book One, of course, but in case you have one or two of her
books already, Rachelle will gladly send you the next one to read!).
International friends, the paperback & necklace giveaway is open to continental U.S.
addresses only (sorry!). But do still enter, because one international winner will
also be chosen to receive an e-book.
Link: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e8cfa9569/
SAMPLE INTRO TO The Sound of Silver BIRTHDAY BLOG TOUR
Feel free to tweak this text however you like!
Hello and welcome to The Sound of Silver birthday blog tour! I’m posting today about
Rachelle Rea Cobb’s second installment in the Steadfast Love series, an
inspirational historical romance set during the 16
th
century!
Rachelle is also the author of The Sound of Diamonds, the first book in the series,
and a newlywed! This summer, she married a man with the same first name as the
hero of the series! I’m joining in this blog tour to tell you a little more about Silver and
spread the news about the rocking giveaway Rachelle is hosting—make sure you
enter using the Rafflecopter form to win the lovely necklace pictured and your choice
of any of the Steadfast Love titles!
ABOUT The Steadfast Love SERIES
In 16th-century Europe, the Reformation rages between Protestants and Catholics.
Gwyneth, half-Dutch, flees from England to Holland to escape the man who
murdered her parents. When he follows her there and insists he came to rescue her,
will she trust this man called Dirk? When tragedy strikes, will their steadfast love
erode?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Times gone by snatch Rachelle Rea Cobb close, so she reads and writes about
years long ago--her passions include the Reformation, Revolutions, and romance.
Rachelle wrote the Steadfast Love series during college. Five months after she
graduated, she signed a three-book deal with her dream publisher, WhiteFire. She's
a homeschool grad, Oreo addict, and plots her novels while driving around her
dream car, a pick-up truck. In June 2016, she married a man with the same name as
her fictional hero, and they live happily ever after in Small Town, South.
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: http://RachelleReaCobb.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/RachelleReaCobb
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachelleReaCobb
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/RachelleReaCobb/
Instagram: @RachelleReaCobb
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rachelle-Rea/e/B00RZHIL1Q
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8144149.Rachelle_Rea_Cobb
ABOUT The Sound of Silver
The stalwart saint and the redeemed rebel. One fights for faith, the other for honor…
After Dirk rescues Gwyneth from the Iconoclastic Fury, she discovers that faith is
sometimes fragile—and hope is not as easy as it may seem. Gwyneth continues her
quest to learn more about the love of God preached by Protestants she once
distrusted.
Meanwhile, Dirk’s quest is to prevent his sullied name from staining hers. Will his
choice to protect her prove the undoing of her first faltering steps toward a Father
God? Once separated, will Dirk and Gwyneth’s searching hearts ever sing the same
song?
Find The Sound of Silver on…
Amazon Paperback: http://is.gd/1HwJoi
Kindle: http://is.gd/EZ7DJ1
Barnes & Noble: http://is.gd/qhoCTc
Books a Million: http://is.gd/M2y5P2
Goodreads: http://is.gd/iBE2lJ

>> And if you want to learn more ABOUT BOOK ONE, The Sound of Diamonds
Her only chance of getting home is trusting the man she hates.
With the protestant Elizabeth on the throne of England and her family in shambles,
Catholic maiden Gwyneth seeks refuge in the Low Countries of Holland, hoping to
soothe her aching soul. But when the Iconoclastic Fury descends and bloodshed
overtakes her haven, she has no choice but to trust the rogue who arrives, promising
to see her safely home to her uncle's castle. She doesn't dare to trust him...and yet
doesn't dare to refuse her one chance to preserve her own life and those of the nuns
she rescues from the burning convent.
Dirk Godfrey is determined to restore his honor at whatever cost. Running from a
tortured past, Dirk knows he has only one chance at redemption, and it lies with the
lovely Gwyneth, who hates him for the crimes she thinks he committed. He must see
her to safety, prove to the world that he is innocent, prove that her poor eyesight is
not the only thing that has blinded her, but what is he to do when those goals clash?
The home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a
twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, the saint and the
sinner must either dare to hold to hope...or be overcome.
Find The Sound of Diamonds on…
Amazon: http://is.gd/7z9vls
Kindle: http://is.gd/EZ7DJ1
Barnes & Noble: http://is.gd/qhoCTc
Books a Million: http://is.gd/M2y5P2
Goodreads: http://is.gd/F7HILk

The Sacrament is for Me

The sacrament is the most important part of the Sabbath day-and our week. Teach your little ones about the sacred sacrament and how they can apply it in their everyday lives, from the playground to piano lessons. Help your children start each week right and understand the reason behind the reverence of Jesus's eternal sacrifice, love, and example.

My thoughts: This is a great book to illustrate to young children about the meaning of the sacrament and how it applies to each of it. I like how it talks about the most important part of taking sacrament, that we do it to remember the sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus Christ. While this is written from an LDS viewpoint on the sacrament, I was still able to use it to talk to my daughter about why we take part in the bread and wine once a month. Even if you aren't LDS, this book is a great one to use with your children, since it would help bring up some of the differences in different churches and yet some of the commonalities too.
The illustrations are cute and the text is fun to read, since it is lyrical. Over all, this is a great book for kids to spark discussion!
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.