Deadly Proof

Riveting New Series Offers Legal Suspense with a Romantic Twist

In the biggest case of her career, attorney Kate Sullivan is tapped as lead counsel to take on Mason Pharmaceutical because of a corporate cover-up related to its newest drug. After a whistleblower dies, Kate knows the stakes are much higher than her other lawsuits.

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James is still haunted by mistakes made while serving overseas. Trying to forget the past, he is hired by Kate to look into the whistleblower's allegation and soon suspects that the company may be engaging in a dangerous game for profit. He also soon finds himself falling for this passionate and earnest young lawyer.

Determined not to make the same mistakes, he's intent on keeping Kate safe, but as the case deepens, it appears someone is willing to risk everything--even murder--to keep the case from going to trial.

My thoughts: This is the first of Rachel's books I have read, though I have eyed some of her previous series! This one lost me a bit at times, with all the legalities of the story, though she does a good job of not letting the story get too carried away with details. It is an interesting mystery that involves big pharma and several different view points. I love that the reader gets to see both legal sides of the case! I look forward to reading more by this talented author!
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

All She Left Behind

Jennie Pickett is a natural healer, but her dreams to become a doctor in 1870s Oregon put her at odds with the world around her. As she struggles to keep her dream alive, she finds that the road to fulfillment winds past love, heartache, and plenty of surprises along the way.

My thoughts: I love that this book is based on a true story, that of a woman who lived in Oregon in the late 1800's who dreamed of being a doctor, even when the world was against a woman, especially a single mother, dreaming that sort of a dream. The historical aspect of this story is rich and I enjoyed getting to know the different people in the story. A tad on the dry side, this book is worth reading, since it shows what it was like to be a female professional in the late 1800's.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

I Can Love Like Jesus

Help your little ones live and love like Jesus did with this adorable picture book. The simple text and beautiful illustrations show children exactly how Jesus loved others and how to emulate Him with small acts of kindness, like sharing, forgiving, and comforting. Invite the Savior into your home and feel His peace each time you read this book together.

My thoughts: This book is a wonderful addition to any child's library! It is a fun reminder of how Jesus taught us to love by example. I love how each set of pages is a picture of modern day children acting out God's love, with a hidden picture of how Jesus did it in the scriptures. This book is a great conversation starter!
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

About the author:

Heidi Poelman is the author of A is for Abinadi: An Alphabet Book of Scripture Heroes, A Mother’s Greatest Gift, The Two-Minute Marriage Project: Simple Secrets for Staying in Love, and the upcoming books I Can Love Like Jesus and A Is for Adam: An Alphabet Book of Scripture Heroes. Heidi received her degrees in communication from Brigham Young University (BA) and Wake Forest University (MA). When she’s not writing, cooking, cleaning, or carpooling, Heidi loves playing in the outdoors with her family, going out for date night, and reading bedtime stories. She lives in Utah with her husband and four children.

God Loves the World

This touching board book teaches little ones that God’s children are very diverse, and very, very loved. Regardless of age, occupation, race, health, wealth, or location—God cares for and loves each of his wonderfully unique children. Gary Bower’s cheerful verse tackles a potentially challenging topic with ease. Parents and little ones will love the book’s lush illustrations and inclusive message: “God loves all so very much!”


In this energetic board book, author Gary Bower takes children on a tour of God’s colorful creation. Each spread groups objects by color, such as yellow dandelions, a shining sun, and chirping finches; and brown squirrels, trees, and crunchy nuts. Color-soaked illustrations and bubbly, playful text will make the book a read-aloud favorite. Parents will love this educational board book that teaches little ones about colors and the God who created them.

My thoughts: Both of these books are charming! I love how the first one, "God Loves the World", shows how God loves people of all shapes and sizes. In "God Paints the World", the book goes through several different colors and where we can find those colors in nature. I love how both books have lyrical text that is fun to read, and the illustrations are just darling! We are enjoying them immensely!
I received these books from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

Retail links

God Paints the World: http://amzn.to/2fJcKNe

God Loves the World: http://amzn.to/2wbHaxO



Book Specs

Publication Date: September 5, 2017

Author/Illustrator: Gary Bower/Tracy Cottingham

ISBN: 9780824916626 (Paints); 9780824916619 (Loves)

Price: $6.99

Format: Board book

Page Count: 20

Ages: 2–5



Author Bio

Gary Bower fell in love with picture books at an early age, while sitting in his mother’s lap. As a youngster he entertained himself for hours by writing his own stories, jokes, poems, and skits. As an adult, his years of professional and volunteer experience ministering to children and teens, combined with thousands of story nights with his twelve children, have helped him polish his storytelling skills.



Illustrator Bio

Tracy Cottingham is happiest when creating pictures and patterns. After finishing her art degree, she began to sell her art for greeting cards and textiles, but creating illustrations for books is her ultimate joy. She can usually be found working at her desk, sipping coffee, and chewing on gummy candy. Tracy lives and works in London.

Start Where You Are note cards

Self-exploration is not a solitary journey--often, it's the interactions we have with others that teach us the most about ourselves. These notecards, filled with inspirational quotes and Meera Lee Patel's resonant illustrations, are the consumate expression of the interpersonal side of introspection, the perfect token to send a friend or person in your life who you want to thank, who is going through a rough time, or whom you want to encourage. These note cards come in our standard format, a keepsake box housing 12 cards--each with a different quote illustrated by Meera--and 12 envelopes.

My thoughts: I have always had a soft spot for lovely stationery, so I was thrilled to get these in the mail today! I love that each of the cards has a different watercolor and quote on them. Quotes are another favorite of mine, so these cards are the perfect combination for me! I love the encouraging messages on the cards, from "Courage, dear heart"- C.S. Lewis to "Fears are paper tigers"- Amelia Earhart. This is a delightful set of note cards to encourage those you know.
I received this set of cards from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Becoming Mom Strong

Have you ever looked into the faces of the people who call you "mom" and wondered what in the world you got yourself into?
If you're like many Christian moms today, you've been reading the headlines and watching the rapid-fire changes in our culture with frustration and fear. Let's face it: Moms today are facing questions that previous generations didn't even see coming, and even our right to determine what is best for our own children is under fire. Popular speaker and blogger Heidi St. John (The Busy Mom) believes that today's mothers need a special kind of strength. We need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We dare not rely on human strength for the battles we're facing right now. In Becoming MomStrong, Heidi has a powerful message just for you--the mom in the midst of it all. Through encouragement, practical prayer points, and authentic "me-too" moments, Heidi equips you for a job that only you can do: to train your children to hear God's voice and to walk in truth no matter where our culture is heading. God wants to use this generation of mothers to do something extraordinary:
To be strong in the Lord
To know who you are in Christ, and
To impart that strength to your kids.
In other words, He wants you to be MomStrong! So if you're feeling tired or inadequate today, get ready to find new strength as you join Heidi St. John in Becoming MomStrong.

My thoughts: I was just talking to my sister about the different pressures we face in this day and age, with social media and the times dictating more to us about how a parent should be, so this book came at an excellent time! I love the honesty that Heidi writes with to share her experiences as a mother. This book is incredibly encouraging, which is exactly what I needed right now! This is an excellent book from Moms in all stages, whether you have real young children, mostly grown kids, or somewhere in between! I look forward to checking out the study group guide that goes along with this book.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

Right Next to Me

The only thing Sydney doesn’t love about her new college life is the fact that her amazing boyfriend, Gavin, is all the way across the country at Yale. When she returns home for break, Sydney quickly discovers there’s more to her relationship with her best friend, James, than she thought. Now she’s faced with an impossible choice: her perfect boyfriend or the perfectly flawed boy who has loved her all along.

My thoughts: I didn't expect to like this book near as much as I did! It's a sweet story of one girl who has gone through most of high school with her boyfriend and best friend, only to graduate and have things change as they go off to college. I loved how the story would go back and forth between the present and the past, showing how likeable both Gavin and James are. I would of liked a bit more to the ending, but overall I found this story totally adorable!
I received a copy on this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.