The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker

The Minimalist Home: A Room-by-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused Life is an excellent book for those wondering where to start in the decluttering process. I find myself so guilty of purchasing things I don't need and then holding on to much more than I need, and in the end having a house so full of stuff that has little use or causes more stress by having a mess around.

While the minimalist trend of the Marie Kondo's of the world is very popular right now, I found that I enjoyed Becker's book even more. I read it chapter by chapter, working through each room of my house (well, until I got to the end where he discussed storage areas...still working on that one!)

I felt like this book was thoughtful with a simple process to follow.  If you have any desire to declutter your life and your surroundings even just a little bit, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Buy it on Amazon.

The Life Giving Leader by Tyler Reagin

The Life Giving Leader by Tyler Reagan is a great introspective look on how to lead from a healthy, self-aware, humble and sacrificial life. To lead well, you have to be YOU, not someone else. I love how this book focuses on leading from your truest self...the person God created uniquely to fulfill His purpose.

Tyler Reagin has many years of leadership experience, and though this may be his first book, it won't be his last!

Highly recommend!  I'm looking forward to going back and re-reading with my highlighter!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Didn't See It Coming by Carey Nieuwhof

Didn't See It Coming: Overcoming the 7 Greatest Challenges that No One Expects and Everyone Experiences by Carey Nieuwhof is another book geared toward ministry leaders and others who are desiring to thrive in life.

Nieuwhof discusses overcoming the challenges of cynicism, compromise, disconnectedness, irrelevance, pride, burnout, and emptiness. All things we feel at some point in our lives.

I really wanted to like this book. I expected to like this book. But I didn't love this book. 

Sure, it had some practical tips. But it just wasn't anything different that I haven't read before. I am also not a huge fan of Carey's blogger style of writing (and this is coming from a blogger), but it just didn't flow well. It felt like he plopped a bunch of blog posts together. 

Was it good? Sure. Was it helpful? Somewhat. Do I highly recommend? No.

I will go back and give it a fresh read in the new year and if my opinion changes, I'll let you know.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

I read Redeeming Love when Francine Rivers released it back in 1997, and I let several people borrow my copy and it finally disappeared. I wanted to read it again, and recently Multnomah was offering this book for an honest review. I was THRILLED to get another copy and review it.

This powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea is a story of God's redeeming love. He never gives up on us. He loves us no matter what we have done.

Such is the story of Angel, who was sold into prostitution as a young child, and lives a difficult live of use and abuse. Until she meets a man named Michael Hosea who hears God calling him to marry Angel...no matter what she has done.

This proves to be difficult for Angel to understand as she feels wary, then unworthy. But Hosea never gives up on her and never stops loving her...though he has to let go and allow her to choose to be loved.

If you have never read this, do it. You won't be sorry.

The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Elizabeth Byler Younts is a college friend and gifted author. I have enjoyed all of her books (mostly Amish fiction), but The Solace of Water was a bit of a departure for Elizabeth's typical style. While I have enjoyed her other books, this one is stellar.

Though the themes of this book are grief, heartache and racial division, Younts masterfully tells this tale of two very different women who find commonality in pain and redemption and rise above the difficulties they face together. 

Highly recommend! 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Solace-Water-Elizabeth-Byler-Younts-ebook/dp/B077CS7NL6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdt_img_top?ie=UTF8

Waterbrook & Multnomah

I am thrilled to be a part of the WaterBrook and Multnomah book review team. If you follow along on my blog, you'll see reviews from some of their new fiction and nonfiction books.

Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett

This historical romance is set in the 1920s in Yosemite National Park.  Up and coming painter, Olivia Rutherford signs a contract to paint illustrations of the park...a place that holds one of the secrets from her childhood.

Upon arrival, she meets a handsome guide, Clark Johnson, who helps her discover the beauty of Yosemite and the love of Jesus. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The descriptions of the park were wonderful. I never heard of the nightly Firefall that happened at Yosemite, and wish it still happened today. What a sight that would be!

I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction, romance and a little bit of mystery. 

Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer releases from Waterbook on March 20, 2018.

If you like the historical/Christian/fiction genre, this one is for you!


When I read the first chapter, I thought that this was going to be a predictable book. While some of my predictions definitely came true, it was a great read with several unexpected twists and turns. Definitely discovered a new author worth reading!

Amazon preorder: http://amzn.to/2nM41Le

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert and published by Waterbook release April 3, 2018.

Wow. Really just wow.  What an excellent book that was inspired by real events. It is story about two school districts, one impoverished and one affluent, who are required to merge when accreditation is lost at the impoverished district.

This book tells the story of three families who are affected by this merging.

This book challenges our prejudice and encourages us to accept others for who they are.

I highly recommend this book. So grateful to have a chance to read it.

PreOrder now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073R2XC82/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky

Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky is a new historical fiction book from Multnomah. It releases February 20, 2018.

Set in England in 1909, on a lovely Edwardian estate, Isabella Grayson wanted more than to just get married and have a family. The daughter of a newspaper owner, she loved to write and dreamed of writing for her father's newspaper. 

As aviation was growing, there was a race to fly across the English Channel.  One of those aviators was James Drake, who crashed his airplane on the Grayson Estate.

With twists and turns and lots of unexpected turbulence, Across the Blue is sure to be a favorite of those who love historical romantic fiction.

Pre Order your copy on Amazon today!