Book review: "The Magic of Motherhood"

I really enjoy reading encouraging blogs that my friends have found or that others have shared with me. Many times they have reminded me that I'm not alone in the trenches of mothering a little one and that what I'm feeling is not crazy (well, except maybe when I am actually feeling a little crazy). There is a lot of truth in the CS Lewis quote:

Friendship arises out of mere Companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden). The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, "What? You too? I thought I was the only one." 

"The Magic of Motherhood" is exactly like this. It's a whole book full of "What? You too?" moments. Written by the moms behind the blog "Coffee + Crumbs", the 33 entries span the experiences of motherhood. There are stories both joyful and sorrowful, recollections of "mommy guilt" and of hard-fought battles won. It is a beautiful gift-style book with beautiful images to complement some of the memorable moments shared within its pages.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I opened this book. Sure, the subtitle was "The Good Stuff, the Hard Stuff, and Everything in Between" but I still didn't know if it would meet me where I was. However, it didn't take long for me to experience the "what? you too?" feeling as I delved into stories that resonated with me, especially concerning miscarriage or insecurity as a mom. I laughed and cried then laughed some more as I connected with truths about this crazy thing called motherhood and was reminded of the importance in sharing our stories. After all, you never know when someone needs to know they are not the only one. You might even make a new friend ;)

Rating: 5/5 stars!!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: "Love Unending"

I had the great privilege of reviewing Becky Thompson's first book "Hope Unfolding" last August. So when I found that her second book, "Love Unending", was also available for review, I jumped at the opportunity to read it! The subtitle for "Love Unending" is "Rediscovering Your Marriage in the Midst of Motherhood". Boy, is that right where I am in life at this moment!

The challenge? As Becky puts it: "How can I remember how to be a wife when it takes all I've got to be a momma?" The solution? "...by treating each day as though it were the first day we fell in love". Intentionality, that's the key. Finding what has been lost from putting my relationship in autopilot, by getting in a rut, in order to care for children. But I'll let you read the book itself to discover the nuts and bolts. ;)

Coming off of "Hope Unfolding", I was expecting "Love Unending" to be a similar setup with different chapters covering different aspects of hope/love respectively with a few lines at the end to personally process the information from that chapter and apply it to my life. I have been pleasantly surprised that that was not actually the case. "Love Unending" is instead set up as a 21-day challenge for wives, with each chapter being a task for that day. Some tasks are easier than others, some require positive action while others require more internal reflection. A good mix to inspire different women who are at different places in their lives and individual relationships.

One of the things I really appreciated about the book was how easy it was to pick it back up even if I had missed a day or two...or ten. While each day may build on the previous days, there were typically enough mentions of previous tasks that you could easily remember some of them and pick right back up where you left off.

Overall rating: 5/5, highly recommended for new moms and moms of littles.


I received this book for free from The Crown Publishing Group for this review.

Book Review: Hope Unfolding

Last year in my MOPS group, I met a new friend who had moved here from Colorado. She posted about this book that a blogger she loved had written. Then I found it was available for me to review through one of my programs so based on her glowing remarks about it, I immediately selected it to review. I'm really glad I made that choice.

"Hope Unfolding" by Becky Thompson, the blogger behind "Scissortail Silk", is a wonderful opportunity for moms of young children to have their hearts ministered to and be offered hope by a fellow mom alongside them in the trenches of motherhood. Each chapter is a chance for moms to receive another truth about God and hope in the midst of our mess, chaos, and hard moments.

Many of these chapters spoke directly to where I was at that very moment in life. For example, in Chapter 3 "A Fight for Joy", Becky discusses her first pregnancy, one that ended in miscarriage. We already knew at the time I read that chapter that we had lost our precious baby and 2 days later I would experience my own miscarriage. I cried reading that chapter but it was healing and hopeful. She talks about finding hope "after" and remembering to look for the familiar places in our lives where we know God has been, asking him to show us where he is even in the tough moments.

Each chapter contained moments like this where I could recall times in my life that needed the type of hope Becky was bringing to mind. If these moments hadn't immediately sprung to mind, there were sections at the end of each chapter for reflection and prompts on connecting with the Source of all hope. Her own story is woven seamlessly through the book, unafraid of serving as the example where needed.

Becky has a new book coming out in January titled "Love Unending: Rediscovering your Marriage in the Midst of Motherhood". It's already on my wish list and I can't wait to read that book as well! I really enjoyed how much this book ministered to me and can't wait to see what she has in store for "Love Unending"!

Overall Rating: 5 of 5 stars! :D

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

I received this book for free from The Crown Publishing Group for this review.

Book Review: "I Prayed for You" by Jean Fischer

"I Prayed for You" by Jean Fischer is a sweet children's book about all the prayers a mama bear says for her little cub starting before he was even born and as he grows each day. Every spread shares a different prayer, and moms will resonate with the eternally important messages conveyed in those prayers. Beautifully illustrated by Frank Endersby, this sweet book will quickly become a bedtime favorite.

I really enjoyed this book with my little guy. "I Prayed for You" gives mommas a chance to share with their little ones all the different ways they are prayed for as they grow up. My little guy enjoyed seeing Baby Bear do some of the same things that he does, such as playing, snuggling, and getting dressed. We especially like giggling along with Baby Bear when he meets a butterfly for the first time. I like how it gives me an opportunity to let my Munchkin know how much he has been and will be prayed for in his life. Sometimes I get teary reading the prayers for times yet to come in his life, knowing they will be the prayers of my heart as well.

Of note, it was a little different having the story part of the book not rhyme when the corresponding prayers on the opposite page did rhyme. Part of me might have preferred to have it all one way or the other. Otherwise, we really enjoyed this book and I look forward to many more bedtimes with it as our story for the night.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Diary of a Jackwagon

In "Diary of a Jackwagon", popular Christian comedian Tim Hawkins shares his hilarious perspective on life in the 21st century. This is a wide-ranging compilation of his comedy inspiration covering everything from family, culture, and music to church, parenting, and education.

I greatly enjoyed this book. I have been a fan of Tim Hawkins for awhile and it was fun to not only see new material unearthed from his comedy journal, but also to see familiar bits fleshed out and learn their origins. There were some good laughs and it was nice to read something light and enjoyable. It was like being able to attend one of his shows whenever I wanted!

One of the only things with the book is it feels very disjointed at times with each chapter being on a different topic. Considering the type of book though, it is almost to be expected. For those unfamiliar with Tim's comedy, this might not be the best introduction to his work. Might I recommend checking out his YouTube channel? :) You can find it here. Just be prepared for some laughter!

Overall, I give it 4 out of 5 stars!

Happy Reading! Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book review: Henry Hodges Needs a Friend by Andy Andrews

"Henry Hodges Needs a Friend" by Andy Andrews is a fun children's book that will entertain a wide variety of young children with its rhymes and illustrations, though its intended message may miss the mark a little. Henry is a lonely, little boy whose parents decide to help by finding him a pet. His imagination runs wild as he imagines what kind of "one-of-a-kind" pet his parents have in mind. A trip to the shelter later, we meet Hap and they live happily ever after.

The illustrations, imagination, and rhyming lilt of this book are all enjoyable and I had fun reading it to my son. However, the implications of the story never quite sat right with me. First, Henry really has no friends that are willing to make the drive down his long, dead-end street to see him? Just because friends don't live nearby doesn't mean you don't have friends. Also, it just seems wrong to me to imply that a pet can take the place of a human friend. I'm glad to see adopting pets from the shelter promoted but there's something to be said also of learning to overcome our loneliness and boredom and learn to be a friend and make friends.

Saying that Henry needed his "one-of-a-kind" friend just like the reader's friends need them makes me feel like I'm being compared to a dog. So while the composition and illustration of this book is bright and engaging, I think I'll be taking the opportunity to discuss the issues further when we read this book in the future.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: My Bedtime Story Bible

"My Bedtime Story Bible" is a darling children's bedtime story book filled with characters from the Bible as they settle down for a good night's sleep. It has tips for making the stories more personal for your little one along with "Tuck In" boxes that give suggestions on things to pray about at the end of every story. Each tale is very short, only 2 pages apiece, making them a good choice for a quick bedtime story. The focus on the character going to sleep also makes it a fun choice to help little ones identify with the characters as they get ready for bed.

Both my husband and I have enjoyed reading stories out of this book to our little boy. The illustrations are cute and brightly colored and the breadth of Biblical characters covered is impressive. However, there are a couple of drawbacks in our opinions. One, the stories seem way too short, especially when most of the board books you can read to little ones are longer than these stories. Two, sometimes the stories seem to lack content. We have found ourselves wishing that the story covered more of the actual Biblical story of the character being profiled instead of only vague references.

Overall a cute read with some fun little bedtime stories. Once Little Man can read, this will probably be a good pick to allow him to practice reading. :)

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Whatever You Grow Up to Be

"Whatever You Grow Up to Be" by Karen Kingsbury is a sweet story of a mother and her son as he grows and they explore all his interests and what he could become when he grows up. From prince to rock star, the possibilities seem endless as she watches him grow and move through life. Their story comes full circle in a very sweet ending.

This book was so sweet and colorful. I can't wait to read it to my little boy when he's born later this year. The sing-song verse and repetition are exactly what makes children's books so fun. The illustrations are wonderfully colorful and playful. Not to mention how the story tugs at your heart, especially the heart of a mama watching her little boy grow up and come into his own.

Overall, a very sweet book for moms of boys. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Blessed Child

I love Ted Dekker. So when the opportunity came up to review a book of his that I had not previously read, I jumped on it!

"Blessed Child" is one of Ted's earlier works and is a collaboration with the late Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade. The story revolves around the young boy, Caleb, who flees from Ethiopia with Jason and Leiah. But all is not as it seems...especially not when it comes to Caleb. The whirlwind of intrigue and mystery that begins to surround the trio attracts more attention than they bargained for...and could prove deadly.

I loved the pace of the novel as it pulled me in and didn't really slow down until near the end. The break is strategic as it gives the reader a breather before launching into the intense, roller coaster ending! While it is part of a set of two books (the sequel is "A Man Called Blessed"), I did feel like this worked as a standalone novel as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Redeeming Love

I know I'm a little behind the times on this one. I've heard from several friends about how much they liked this book and how I should read it. So when it came up for review, I jumped at the chance to see what I had been missing...

Why had it taken me so long to read this?!?!

"Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a new release of the book that includes a reader's guide. A modern take on the story of Gomer and Hosea set in the California Gold Rush, this story is one that can touch the heart of any women who has had trouble accepting the love of another unconditionally.

I loved this story and quickly soaked it up in just a few days. Francine Rivers weaves a compelling tale and believable characters. I found myself crying as I identified with so many of Angel's insecurities and worries that I have struggled with as well. I would, however, caution readers that there are several sensitive issues that may be inappropriate for younger readers, centering on prostitution, child abuse, nudity, and adultery. All of these are thematically relevant and not gratuitous but still something readers might want to be aware of.

You can read the complete Prologue HERE! :) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars! Happy Reading!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Book Review: Anomaly

When I get really into a book, I tend to devour it. I take it with me wherever I go and read it whenever I can. This usually means that I finish them pretty quickly once they've hooked me. And this one? Well...I finished it in about 24 hours.

Granted it is a "Young Adult" book, but that's how gripped I was by the story. I had to know what happened!

"Anomaly" is the story of the world post-nuclear destruction. The Scientists are the rulers of the State and they have engineered everything for humanity's survival...including removing citizens' feelings and programming people for complete obedience and submission to the State. But they cannot control everything...

Thalli has never seen the outside world except through the thick windows above her. All she knows is she is different from the rest of the citizens in her Pod...she feels, a fact she must hide if she wishes to survive...

But when she's found out? Well, that's when the real adventure begins! I kept turning pages, wanting to find out what would happen next, losing myself in the suspense, along with losing track of time. :) And in the end...I never saw it coming.

Highly recommended for fans of "The Hunger Games" and other dystopian fiction. However, be forewarned...this is the first in a trilogy, something I didn't realize until the end of the book. The second book "Luminary" won't be released until July 2014.

Is it 2014 yet???

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Baby's First Year

You may remember that my last book review was "The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby". Well, I liked it so much that I requested to review the next book in the series, "The Christian Mama's Guide to Baby's First Year". :)

"Baby's First Year" is chock full of the same wit and humor along with sage advice that made the first book so likable. Since there's not much you can do but pray before the baby arrives, the idea of a "Christian Mama's Guide" begins to fill out much more in this book. With the usual prayer breaks in each chapter, the author also writes about habits to start from the beginning, like talking to your baby about God, reading your Bible in front of him/her, and praying with and for your baby.

Along with the expected topics such as breastfeeding, solid foods, diapering, and baby gear, Erin also covers topics just for moms like Mommy Guilt, postpartum healing, giving your marriage the attention it still needs, and activities to do with your baby (for when you're tired of just watching them be cute). She provides plenty of links and places to look for further advice and information as well. I loved all the advice and ideas along with Erin's encouraging tone for moms, full of "been there, done that" knowing grace and comfort. It's a great high level overview (with some details) of baby's first year.

Probably my favorite line from the whole book came from the Epilogue, written as her youngest child had just turned one: "Yes, things were simpler before I became a mom. But not better. And certainly not happier."

If you would like to read more of Erin's work online, you can check out her website: http://www.christianmamasguide.com/. There are some great posts and additional content waiting for you!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Christian Mama's Guide

Disclaimer #1: I am not pregnant.

Disclaimer #2: I am NOT pregnant.

Okay, now that we've gotten that out of the way, let the review commence. :)

"The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby" is the first in Erin MacPherson's series of "Christian Mama's Guide" books. And since my husband and I are trying to get pregnant, I figured it might be a good idea to get a jump start on my reading. :)

Erin's book is a pleasant combination of humor and information. It was like sitting with a good girlfriend who will give it to you straight but make you laugh at the same time. Now granted, I have not and am not pregnant but this was definitely the kind of book I would want to read. I enjoyed the tone very much and it was full of useful information in my opinion. Granted, she is not a medical professional so don't go looking for detailed information in that respect, but she also consults several other people and doesn't pretend to know everything.

I also liked that she covered topics tangential to the actual pregnancy but baby-related, such as baby gear, discussing names, and having a support system. The mini devotionals also help to refocus the reader's attention from obsessing over all things pregnancy and baby to centering on God and his blessings and strength.

To summarize, this is a great general pregnancy book with a Christian flair and a good sense of humor, probably best for first time mamas (though my mom and husband got a kick out of parts of it as well).

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Sudden Glory

Have you ever longed for something more in your relationships with God? Maybe if you just did one more Bible study, volunteered in one more ministry, or baked just one more meal for a family in need you might feel you had attained something more? I know I have at times which is probably why Sharon Jaynes' book "A Sudden Glory" appealed to me. I was curious to hear what she had to say about what she called the "glory ache" and how to alleviate it.

This book really drew me into its message of living, moving, and having our being in Christ (see Acts 17:28) at all times, eradicating the supposed barrier between the sacred and everyday life. As I continued reading and delving into the various aspects of this idea, I found my eyes opening and seeing more of the glory moments around me. Not only that, but it's reinforced my desire to have boundaries when it comes to getting involved in activities and ministries. I don't want to give in to the tyranny of the "busy" and miss out on what God would say to me when I heed to call to "be still". Sometimes it's just realizing that the real question is not what does God want from me but what does He want for me and the difference that small distinction can make.

The book also includes a study guide with a section for each chapter that can be used individually or with a group. In addition, on her website, Sharon offers additional resources and a place to read and share glory moments that you have experienced. There's even an online Bible study centered on the book. Everything available enhances the experience started in "A Sudden Glory". 

You can read Chapter One of "A Sudden Glory" HERE and see for yourself.

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Book Review: Grace

It's not often a book can move me or make me think just by reading the description, but "Grace" by Max Lucado. You may think you understand or know grace but Lucado challenges the reader to dig deeper and gain a deeper understanding of God's true grace. Because God's grace is not simple nor surface-level, but is a force of nature unto itself that God wishes to lavish on each of us to strengthen and sustain us, change and embolden us.

I loved this book. Each chapter was short enough to not weigh me down but always had plenty to think about after reading it. At times I read several chapters before processing but occasionally there would be something that would grab me and I would only get through one chapter. I was challenged to deepen my understanding of what God's grace looks like and how He might want to use his grace in my life. It truly gave me a more vibrant picture of what grace could look like.

Now, I know that Max Lucado's story telling style is not for everyone. But I rather enjoyed some of the real life stories that permeated the book and helped to give flesh to some of the concepts on grace. I think this will definitely be one I will have to reread at some point again as I work to have a more grace-filled life.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: Share the Bounty

My latest book to review from BookSneeze.com was "Share the Bounty: Finding God's Grace through the Spirit of Hospitality". I love hosting people and hope to do it more frequently once we're settled in our new Nebraska home. There's just something about fellowshipping with friends and family in a warm home setting with some good food. So I wanted to see what this book might have to offer.

What it did offer was some yummy looking recipes and lots of inspiration for hosting others in our home. Looking at all the beautiful pictures and reading the chapter openings, it made me want to be a better hostess and start opening up my home again. This is a beautiful coffee-table book that doubles as a cookbook and a wealth of hosting encouragement. There were some interesting tidbits at the start of each section, though it is mostly meant to be inspiration for offering hospitality and not a how-to guide. The recipes were simply and clearly written and several will definitely be going on my "to try" list including such tasty morsels as coffee mousse, heirloom tomato soup, strawberry fluff, walnut cheese wafer, chocolate coffee pie, cheddar pecan scones, among others. :)

Overall, I was pleased with this gorgeous coffee table-style book. I wouldn't have minded a little more written content about being a hostess but that wasn't the goal of this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review: You Be Sweet

I was thrilled to see this cookbook come across the slate for BookSneeze choices this month. They've only recently started doing cookbooks and I always love having a chance to try new recipes. Unfortunately, I missed out on getting this in print, so I had to settle for the e-book version. Once I realized it was 422 pages though (on the Nook, 272 in print), I was glad for the version that weighed less. ;)

"You Be Sweet" is a collection of Southern style dessert and sweet recipes that will make your mouth water. It may also make you think you're gaining weight just by reading it based on the matching Southern style ingredients!

The book is broken into chapters based on anecdotal stories that center around certain events or occasions. Of course, this doesn't mean you can't use recipes from elsewhere in the book for those occasions but it's a cute idea for breaking up the recipes. The only problem is that you don't end up with much logic in how they're organized. It's a good thing then that there is a fabulous index in the back (in the e-book version, the index page numbers are hyperlinked to take you directly to the recipe).

So many of the desserts sound so enticing that I think I bookmarked more than 60 that I want to try! Everything from jams to teas to cakes and pies, even candies and soups! The pictures in the book looked fabulous even on my black-and-white little e-reader so I'm going to have to read the book on the computer to see them in all their colored glory. I only wish there had been more pictures! :)

Overall lovely cookbook with cute stories and beautiful pictures (though too few overall). Can't wait to start whipping up my own Southern style sweets!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

You Be Sweet!
Meghan



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Advanced Book Review: Full Disclosure

While I do most of my book reviews through the BookSneeze program, sometimes I get the opportunity to review them through other venues. This one is a case in point. Actually, an ad of Facebook led me to this one.

I've been a Dee Henderson fan for awhile and, like my mom, was always looking to see when she might have a new book coming out. So when I saw an ad on Facebook saying she had one coming out in October I jumped on it, hoping it wasn't a misleading ad. To my great surprise it wasn't! There really would be a new book, "Full Disclosure"! So I sent the page to friends and family that I knew liked her work.

Then I saw it...the link to request an advanced readers' copy of the book in return for a written review. Since I'm used to and comfortable with that arrangement I snatched up my copy pretty quickly. And then, less than 9 days after it arrived, I finished it. :)

"Full Disclosure" is pure Dee Henderson, both alike and different from her previous work. The book has definitely stuck with me even days after finishing it as I continue to digest it. From the fun and quirky moments to the quiet suspense, it definitely reminded me of some of the things I liked about Dee's writing. At the same time, it was vastly different from many of her others. The edge-of-your-seat action is almost nowhere to be seen after the first few chapters. There is almost never a sense that a main character is in mortal danger. The love story develops nicely, even if it feels a bit rushed in some points and slower at others.

I'm not sure how I felt about the fact that several characters were reused from her other books. It was also obvious how much of herself the author was inserting into one of the characters. It became a slight distraction from the world of the book, pulling me back to reality. I will say that my pattern-observing engineer husband must be rubbing off on me because my excitement about the twists and turns in the story wasn't for the twist itself but because I had figured it out earlier and was excited that it was confirmed.

On the whole, it was definitely a good and enjoyable read. If you're a tried and true fan of Dee Henderson or even if you're new to her writing, "Full Disclosure" was definitely a welcome return for the author. Now let's just hope she doesn't wait 5 years again!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Review: Covenant Child

Okay, so I know I only posted that I got this book on Wednesday last week but it sucked me in! I completed the book on Saturday, only 3 days after first downloading it to my Nook. For a 200+ page book, it felt like such a quick read!

First off, Terri Blackstock did a wonderful job of drawing the reader into an emotional tale and keeping you there. I was always wanting to see what happened next. Telling this tale from the first person point of view of one of the main characters (one of the twins) made it that much more gripping. The first person perspective caught me off guard at first since the description of the book was not in that form but that passed quickly. :) It was interesting to see the story unfold through her eyes.

It was a heart-wrenching tale of loss, redemption, and the fight to keep promises made. The unconditional love required, coupled with restraint in allowing free will and choice, was a wonderful example of God's love for us. The story used the parable of the Prodigal Son in a wonderful way to weave together that tale with the promises God has given us in covenant to provide a picture that we can understand. Yes, it's a little far-fetched, but what work of fiction isn't to some degree? I was totally immersed and couldn't believe when I finished it! For my first fiction piece to review, it was a wholehearted two thumbs up!


Happy Reading!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Simple Secrets to a Happy Life

I love Luci Swindoll. I love how down-to-earth she is, I love how she tells stories, and I love her straightforwardness. All of these are on prominent display in her new book "Simple Secrets to a Happy Life".

The book itself is broken down into 5 sections with 10 chapters each for a total of 50 "simple secrets". The chapters are short which made them a quick read and easy to devour multiple chapters at a time. The organization was great and I could really see how the secrets grouped together. Since each chapter is its own "secret" though sometimes it could feel a little disjointed reading too many back to back. But all the advice was eminently practical and useful.

Luci's charm and wit is on full display here. It's like sitting down to a cup of coffee with her as she passes her wisdom down. I also love that her tips span the generations. Some may be more relevant to a younger or older crowd but every secret has something to say to people of all ages.

So pick up a copy and have your own coffee date with Luci and find out some of her simple secrets to a happy life!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars!

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

Side note: The most annoying thing about this whole process of reviewing an ebook was the disclaimer that BookSneeze feels the need to put at the beginning of every chapter, making sure I know not to share the book since it was provided specifically for me for review. When chapters are this short, you get the picture after the first 10 times...having the disclaimer 50 times was a bit of overkill in my opinion. But that has nothing to do with the actual book, just with the ebook format from BookSneeze.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”