Lost and Found

The “right” homeschooling philosophy. The “right” brand of theology. The “right” meal-planning, home-managing, keep-it-all-together parenting. Kendra Fletcher, homeschooling mom of eight, had it all “right,” until it all fell apart. In the course of eighteen months, Kendra found her baby in a coma, ran over her five-year-old, and nearly lost her eight-year-old to a septic ruptured appendix. Lost and Found is the story of how God used those events to transform her family’s self-righteous religion into freedom in Christ.

Fletcher’s debut book is the gripping true story of how God used suffering to save her family from empty religion. As wave after wave of crisis hit, the Fletchers discovered that getting religion “right” wasn’t a good substitute for a living relationship with a loving God. Through their suffering, they learned about misplaced identities and false hope, and they threw themselves wholly into the arms of Jesus—where they found the grace they needed.
Fletcher, a well-known writer and conference speaker in Christian homeschooling circles, addresses the quiet legalism that so easily infiltrates Christian communities and exposes the dangers of focusing our hopes on the “right” ways of worship, work, and family life. More than a memoir, Lost and Found invites all of us to give up the things that hold us in bondage and find our value, worth, significance, hope, and identity in Christ alone.

My thoughts: Wow! It was so interesting to read about the Fletchers and their journey through trials to a deeper relationship with the Lord. I can't believe just how much they went through in and 18 month period. As a mother, it confronted some of my worst fears, and yet I was so blessed by this book to see how God blessed them through the hard times and how their heartbreak was used for good. Having been homeschooled, I found the patriarchal group they were a part of interesting, since some of my friends were in groups like that growing up.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Take Ten: favorites from a specific genre

I figured I would feature my very favorite Christian historical fiction, since I seem to read a fair bit of it.;)

1. A Haven on Orchard Lane


2. An Elegant Facade


4. Chivalrous


5. Harvest of Rubies


6. Anchor in the Storm


7. The Reluctant Duchess


8. A Refuge at Highland Hall


9. The Sea Keeper's Daughter


10. Maggie Bright

Better Together: Because You're not meant to Mom alone

Being a mom is hard, but it doesn’t have to be lonely.

Are you trying to do this mothering thing alone? So focused on the kids that you’re hungry for friendships of your own? Have great friendships that you want to make even better?

Jill Savage, mother of five, knows those challenges well, and she’s here to help. Presenting a compelling vision of motherhood as a group effort among friends, Better Together shows how you can:

Combat isolation and enjoy a supportive mothering community
Increase your social confidence and stop the comparison game
Deepen your friendships as you share life with others
Strengthen trust and build friendships without fear
Increase your joy and thrive as a mom

All these things are possible. Dive into this storehouse of creative ideas for how to make mothering easier, richer, and more fun than you ever imagined!

My thoughts: No one warned me that mothering would be one of the hardest, most rewarding, yet loneliest jobs that I would ever have. Even with a supportive husband (who I thank God for), it was still a bit of a rough transition. So, I was thrilled to get a hold of this book and read the wisdom that these two ladies brought to the table. They do a wonderful job of sharing from the perspective of an almost empty nester and a mother of little ones. The balance is excellent! I love the personal stories that they shared and how they sprinkle in the stories of others. I highly recommend this book as a gift for new mothers!
I received this book from Moody in exchange for my honest review.

Mind of Her Own

Who knew making dinner could change your life? Louisa Copeland certainly didn’t. But when the George Foreman grill fell out of the pantry onto her head, resulting in a bump and a mighty case of amnesia, Louisa’s life takes a turn for the unexpected. Who was this Collin fellow, claiming she was his wife? And whose kids are those? Her name couldn’t be Louisa. Why, she was the renowned romance writer Jazz Sweet, not a Midwestern mom of three. Struggling to put the pieces together of the life she’s told she had, Louisa/Jazz may realize that some memories are better left alone.

My thoughts: What would happen if you lost all your memories, which in turn, lead to your secrets being exposed? When Louisa Copeland hits her head, she wakes up convinced that she is the author Jazz Sweet. Or, is she Jazz Sweet? As she tries to figure out who she really is and what to do about the people surrounding her who are suppose to be her family, Louisa/Jazz's secrets start coming out.
I loved this story! It is a fun, interesting one that makes readers think. I love that Collin finds his wife's journals, which leads him to discover a whole new side to his wife that he never knew. The romance is sweet and I enjoyed the character development. Two thumbs up!
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

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.

The Wood's Edge

At the wood’s edge cultures collide. Can two families survive the impact?

The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.

On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife. When Reginald comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white, one brown, he makes a choice that will haunt the lives of all involved. He steals the white baby and leaves his own child behind. Reginald’s wife and foundling daughter, Anna, never suspect the truth about the boy they call William, but Reginald is wracked by regret that only intensifies with time, as his secret spreads its devastating ripples.

When the long buried truth comes to light, can an unlikely friendship forged at the wood’s edge provide a way forward? For a father tormented by fear of judgment, another by lust for vengeance. For a mother still grieving her lost child. For a brother who feels his twin’s absence, another unaware of his twin’s existence. And for Anna, who loves them both—Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she meets in secret, and William, her brother. As paths long divided collide, how will God direct the feet of those who follow Him?

My thoughts: I have enjoyed Lori Benton's first two novels, since they are rich in history and she does a wonderful job of not sugar coating history (while also not making her stories unnecessarily gritty). She does a wonderful job of walking that fine line, which I appreciate in a Christian author who writes historical novels.
So, I was thrilled to review this story from Blogging for Books, since the other two were so fabulous. It didn't disappoint! Her characters are well written, and the story gives you tons of new facts on what it was like to live back then. I like that she writes about a period in history that I haven't read a whole lot on!
If you are looking for an engaging historical novel, then I highly recommend this story! Even if you aren't into history, her stories are hard to put down.
I received this book in exchange for my review from Blogging for Books.

How to Catch a Prince

American heiress Corina Del Rey’s life was devastated by war. Every thing she loved was lost. But after five years of grief, she’s shed her grave clothes and started over in the sunshine along the Florida coast.

But some things are not so easily forgotten. When a secret from her past confronts her face to face, she realizes she must follow her heart. Even if it cost her everything.

Prince Stephen of Brighton Kingdom is a former Royal Air Command lieutenant turned star rugby player, trying to make sense of his life after the devastation of war.

When his brother, King Nathaniel, discovers Stephen’s pre war secret, he must deal with an aspect of his life he longed to forget. But how can he do so without exposing the truth and breaching national security?

Yet, true love has a destiny all it’s own. As the cathedral bells peal through Cathedral City, Corina and Stephen must chose to answer the call of love on their hearts.

Or let it be lost forever?

My thoughts: I've been a fan of Rachel Shuck's for some time now, having read a lot of her books. I think this one is my favorite so far! Probably because most of us, as young girls, dreamed of being a princess and living in a castle. I know I still like my "happily ever after" endings!
While their is loss and grief in this story, it also has a strong message of God's love and guidance in our lives. The characters are solid and I enjoyed getting to know them. This is a story you won't want to miss!
I received this story from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review