Happy to be Alive, Because

At first glance, this seems like a weird title for a book. But, then you get into the story...
When Avery loses her mom to cancer at 17, she embarks on a final adventure with her best friend-one that takes her to the beach town her mother grew up in. As Avery follows the plans her mom had for her on the trip, she makes friends and slowly learns to love live again. But, one of her new friends is keeping a secret. One that can change their friendship.
I love the concept of this book! Avery is armed with a journal to record why she is happy to be alive. I think it's a great idea! This book will leave you with a lot to think about. I know I came away realizing that each day is a gift and that we need to remind ourselves daily of those reasons that we are happy to be alive for.
So, why are you happy to be alive?:D

Out of the Ruins

As Abby Fischer's sister seems to be fading due to leukemia, Abby prays for a miracle to save her. When her mother's cousin and his colleague come to the rescue with an experimental treatment of using x-rays to treat cancer, it seems like God has answered all her prayers. But, the treatment has taken the Fischer family to San Francisco 1906. When disaster strikes, Abby feels her fragile faith shatter, only to see it change into something beautiful.
I love that Karen Barnett's books are seeped in history! I enjoyed her first novel, Mistaken, immensely. So, I was thrilled to read this one! Not only are there a lot of details about the earthquake, but I found the medical side of the story interesting. I look forward to the next book in the series!

A Stitch and a Prayer

"After her fiancé returns from the Klondike gold rush in 1897, Florence Harms sets about building a new life in her new marriage — even though the lingering effects of illness have left her weak and vulnerable. She and her young husband, Will, work tirelessly to clear the land around their Northwest cabin, content with their modest life. But then a stranger comes knocking and Florence suddenly senses a restlessness in Will’s spirit that she had never seen before. When he leaves her with only a note that tells her he will return before their baby’s birth, she is devastated, and the illness that stiffened her joints returns.
Counting the days until Will walks back through her door, Florence busies herself with a Tree of Life quilt displaying a map of the farm they call home. Doubts claw at her heart as Florence struggles to believe Will’s promise to return to her. Will her labor of love—and faith in God—sustain her as she waits to see her beloved once again?"
This book is a unique story of love and adventure around the time of the Klondike gold rush. I hadn't read a whole lot about this time in history, so I thought that this book was fascinating! 

Meant to be Mine

Celia Park has been in love with Ty Porter since the day they met in high school ceramics class. It seemed like all her dreams have come true when they met in Las Vegas and decide to spontaneously marry. Until Ty wakes up the next morning and realizes that he isn't ready to be a husband to Celia.
Fast forward five and a half years, and Ty has dropped back into Celia's life, thinking to find closure. Instead, he finds a daughter he never knew about and a woman he might want to spend the rest of his life with. Is it to late to make things work?
I thought that this book was well written! I didn't like Ty at first, since he was rather annoying.;) He didn't win me over with his charm, but rather, with his vulnerability. Celia, on the other hand, was awesome! I enjoyed her humor and witty comebacks. This book is definitely one to put on the summer reading list!

Top Ten Tuesday

This week, Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie, so I figured I would post ten sites that I recommend book lovers check out. Especially if you are a blogger.:) I have been thinking about doing this for some time, since there are so many sites out there that get you free books! The downside is, a lot of them work best if you have a Kindle or Nook.

1. https://www.netgalley.com/index.php?module=reviewer This site only works if you have a reading device. I love all the titles it has! The only down side is that there are all kinds of books, so you may want to stick to just looking at the categories you are interested in...

2. http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/join
This one used to have just Multnomah Publishing, but (I would assume) they were bought up or something, since now there are all sorts of books. I particularly like the cook books up for grabs. This one offers both electronic books and paper ones.

3.http://www.tyndaleblognetwork.com/
I love the selection on here! Again, they offer both electronic and print books for bloggers to review.

4.http://booklookbloggers.com/
This one can be hard to get into, since they are picky. They do have books from three different publishers and offer the books in electronic format or print.

5.http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/bethanyhouse/bookreviewers
I have just been able to get a few paper books from them, but they were well worth it! Again, these copies are for bloggers to review.

6. http://www.gutenberg.org/ 
Strictly for reading on electronics, but a good way to get a hold of old books!

7. Your local library.

8. http://litfusegroup.com/
Another site that offers books for bloggers to review. This is another one that is super picky (I don't actually belong to it, but my sister does, so I see the fabulous choices they send out!), but well worth applying for. 

9.http://www.amazon.com/
General, I know, but I have been able to score a ton of free books from their daily deals!

10.http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/bethanyhouse/ebook-specials-from-bethany-house
If you have an e-reader, this is a site to bookmark, since they offer free and discounted books for your electronic device. A lot of them are quite new books too!

Free for Kindle

Treasures of the North by Tracie Peterson is free for Kindle users! This deal is suppose to be good through June 30th, but if you are interested, I would grab it now!

Kombucha Revolution

My husband and I have been making Kombucha, off and on, for several years now. Sticking to the traditional process and taste, but interested in trying new recipes to make flavored brews. So, when the opportunity came up on blogging for books to review this title, I jumped on it.
While I would of been happy for the whole book to be recipes for flavored Kombucha, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book includes recipes for dressings and dishes to make with your Kombucha. We have thought about tryinga Kombucha vinegar, and that is one of the recipes! I`m also curious to try their dessert recipes.
So, if you are a beginner or a pro at making Kombucha, this book will be one you want on your shelf!