Sit, Stay, Love

Take one abrasive professional athlete, a quirky out-of-work schoolteacher, and an overweight geriatric dog, and you’re ready for a lesson in love . . . Tippy style.

Pro baseball pitcher Cal Crawford is not a dog guy. When he inherits his deceased mother’s elderly dog, Tippy, he’s quick to call on a pet-sitting service.

Gina isn’t thrilled to be a dog sitter when her aspirations lie in the classroom. Furthermore, she can’t abide the unfriendly Cal, a man with all the charm of a wet towel. But with no other prospects and a deep love for all things canine, she takes the job caring for Tippy.

As Gina travels through Cal’s world with Tippy in tow, she begins to see Cal in a different light. Gina longs to show Cal the God-given blessings in his life that have nothing to do with baseball or fame. When her longing blooms into attraction, Gina does her best to suppress it. But Cal is falling in love with her too…

Discover the charming story of Tippy, the dog who brought a family together.

My thoughts: This is such a sweet story! I fell in love with the heroine and how she views life. The story has some great characters and themes through it. It was also fun to catch a glimpse of what it would be like to be a professional baseball player, something I haven't thought a lot about before, but can imagine it would be crazy. This is a great story for dog and baseball lovers alike!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Reluctant Duchess

Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she has never felt good enough—not for her father, not for the man she thought she’d marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she’s willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping Loch Morar and the men who have jeopardized her life.

Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has suddenly found himself in possession of a rare treasure his enemies are prepared to kill for. While Brice has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, the last thing he needs is the distraction of his neighbor, Lady Rowena, who finds herself in a desperate situation. But when the moody Earl of Lochabar tries to trap Brice into marrying Rowena, Brice finds he’s not as opposed to the idea as he expected to be.

Rowena wanted to escape the Highlands, but she’s reluctant to resort to marrying a notorious flirt just to gain his English home. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in some kind of questionable business with a stolen treasure, she ’fears she’s about to end up directly in the path of everything she was trying to avoid.

This gorgeous book was released today! The first book in the series was a lovely historical read, so I am eagerly anticipating reading Rowena's story.
If you are interested in the book, not only do most booksellers carry the title, but Goodreads has a giveaway running!

Pocket of Prayers

Bestselling author Max Lucado has teamed up with six authors to write the Pocket Prayers series for those in need of peace, renewal, rest, faith, hope, joy, direction, serenity, and courage.

Short, simple prayers are very effective, which is why each book in the series contains forty guided prayers and complementary scriptures for any situation, including for:

—Moms (written with daughter Andrea Lucado)
—Grads (written with daughter Andrea Lucado)
—Dads (written with Mark Mynheir)
—Military Life (written with Mark Mynheir)
—Teachers (written with blogger Jennifer Hale)
—Friends (written with Betsy St. Amant)

My thoughts: I love how these books spark ideas on how to pray more focused prayers! I would say that I gleaned the most from the one for moms, with the current stage I am in of raising littles, but I also enjoyed the other books and reading through the prayers. These books are great to place by one's bed or with your Bible. I love that they are so cute and make the perfect gift! I can think of quite a few people I will have to give copies too.;) I also think that they would be a great addition to a study group when talking about prayer.
I received these books from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

When we were sent these books, the publisher requested that we give them away and feature one of those recipients on our blog post. While it was fun to give them all away, I think I had the easiest time finding a home for the one for Moms. I wound up giving it to a friend who is a fairly new mother, since I thought that the prayers were so encouraging!

Would a Worm Go on a Walk?

This adorable picture book goes through several different animals, asking fun and silly questions about things they can't do, like with the worm going on a walk or penguins needing parachutes when they fly. With each question, the author explain why the animal doesn't do that particular thing and how God made them each special and unique. My daughter loves looking at the colorful illustrations and learning about the different animals, like possums who play dead or lions not liking water. This is a fun book to read with little ones about how God made both animals and people special, just the way they are.
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.

Catch a Star

When all she wanted was to fit in, Tamika Catchings stood out and felt left out, never knowing one day she'd stand out--as a basketball superstar and an inspiration. She faced being set apart by her hearing loss, separated from family, living up to high expectations, and the pain and discouragement of debilitating physical injury. Yet she reached for the stars with hard work, perseverance, and her faith in God. Through the silence, she found the way to shine.
"Catch a Star" tells Tamika's story of overcoming: of leading the Indiana Fever to its first championship, being named one of the WNBA's top fifteen players in history, earning three Olympic gold medals, and founding the Catch the Stars Foundation to help young people achieve their dreams. Her story will inspire readers to face their doubts and fears, encouraging them to reach for their own stars, no matter what challenges come their way.

My thoughts: What an inspiring story! I love that Tamika opens up with readers on the struggles she has faced and how they have lead to blessings. Her loss of hearing has prompted her to use her other senses to pick up on body language of other players, which has made her a unique basketball player.
I also appreciated how this book is not just a book about her life on the court, but about who she is as a person and how knowing God has encouraged her to become a mentor to young people.
This book is an excellent, inspiring read!
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Take five

This week, the topic is to come up with favorite book themed media accounts that are a must for other book lovers to follow. Since I am not very good at following blogs, and I don't have many bookish themed friends through my other social media accounts, I'm shooting for five this week.;) Ten might be too much of a challenge!

1. Silver Petticoat review
Particularly the post about "ten literary men that make me swoon". All but one of them (perhaps only because I haven't seen the movie/read the book) would totally be on my list!;)

2.Reading is My Superpower
We read a lot of the same books, so it is fun to see what she reviews!

3. Becky Thompson
I adored her book on motherhood and appreciate that she shares from the heart on her blog.

4. Rissi Writes
Another of the bloggers I have become acquainted with through participating in Top Ten Tuesday. I enjoy the blend of books, movies, and shows she showcases on her blog!

5. @halfdesertedstreets
A friend and one of the rare instagram book accounts I follow.;)

The 4x4 Diet

Discover the 4 key foods and the 4-minute workouts that will change the way readers look and feel in just 4 weeks. Celebrity trainer and former marine Erin Oprea's motto is "lean and clean." Her unique 4 x 4 diet shows readers how to get clean by reducing the 4 major hitches in most diets: sugar, starch, sodium, and alcohol. She also tells readers how to get lean, using her 4-minute tabata workouts: 8 repititions of 20 seconds of high-intensity moves, then 10 seconds of rest. Within 4 weeks, the average person will be able to reduce bloating and belly fat; gain increased muscle definition in the arms, legs, and stomach; improve cardiovascular endurance; and break sugar and sodium addictions. Complete with meal plans and recipes, the 4 x 4 diet is perfect for anyone looking to streamline their body and lifestyle.


My thoughts: I am so excited about this book! While I can't exactly diet at the moment, I plan to use this book this summer.;) I like that the foods it talks about being careful around are ones that you can still eat, you just have to watch that you are eating good carbs and watching your sugar intake, two things that I know I need to work on. I love the recipes and workouts in this book! It looks like an excellent plan to get one into great shape!
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.