Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

Those who know me best know that I love to read. I have read a lot of Biblical/Historical fiction books in my life, and Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews is now one of my new favorites.

I must confess I have never heard of this author before, and I was a little skeptical whether or not I would enjoy yet another Biblical fiction book. Too often, this genre comes across as cheesy or not well studied. I will tell you that is not the case with this book.

The depth of this story and the historical accuracy assures the reader that Andrews has indeed studied the subject matter and studied well. To be able to share a fictional background of two of the most-told Bible stories and to make the fictional account very believable is a feat in itself. Though the book tops out over 380 pages, I read it in just three sittings. It was one of those books that I couldn't wait to finish reading.

Andrews masterful storytelling is reminiscent of the Lineage of Grace and Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, but go much more in depth than the short novellas of Francine Rivers.

This is a book that I will keep on my shelf and read over and over again.

My only negative comment is that I didn't love how the author went forward and backward in time to tell the story. At times it was a little confusing.

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

Buy Of Fire and Lions on Amazon - releasing 3/5/2019. 

American Omens by Travis Thrasher

I am never one to pick up a futuristic fiction book. I just generally don't like them. However, I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading American Omens by Travis Thrasher. 

This novel is set in the year 2038...less than 20 years from the present in America where technology rules the world and Christians begin disappearing without a trace. Cheyenne, a computer programmer in Chicago who works for the largest technology firm, gets a message from her father who disappeared setting her out on a journey to not only find her father, but to discover truth about the company she works for and the Truth of Jesus Christ. 

A man called the Reckoner is working through a group of individuals who are all on the same journey toward Truth, to bring about awareness of truth faith in Christ, even though it has long been outlawed. 

Thrasher does an excellent job describing the dangers of technology and sharing too much information. I could easily see our world heading in that direction. However, what I appreciated most is how keenly he made me aware of how easy my life is and how easy it is to become lackadaisical in telling others about Christ. Not only did I read a great story, but I was also challenged to be a better Christian (and not in a cheesy way, as some books do). 

I received two complimentary copies of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Relational Reset by Dr. Laurel Shaler

Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits that Hold You Back by Christian counselor Dr. Laurel Shaler is an excellent tool to help anyone who desires to make their relationships better...whether it be a relationship with family, friends, coworkers, or acquaintances.

Dr. Shaler's book has 12 chapters dealing with different problem areas in our relationship including insecurity, dealing with disappointments, forgetting fears, dispelling the past and more. Her conversational approach and real life examples make you feel like you are spending time with a friend who is taking time to pour truth into your life. (Of course, I must confess that Dr. Shaler is a real-life friend of mine).

Each chapter concludes with a few thought-provoking questions, which help dig deeper into the subject matter. I especially appreciate how Dr. Shaler ends each chapter with a prayer, helping solidify what we have just learned by committing it to the Lord in prayer.

I read this book over a few days, but I highly suggest maybe reading one chapter a day or even one chapter a week in order to spend time really establishing those habits.  I will definitely read this book again at a slower pace.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Though Dr. Shaler is a friend of mine, I recommend this book on its own merits for anyone looking to improve their relationships with others.

Relational Reset is available on Amazon (along with several other stores and distributors).

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!

An awesome gift for a traveling friend...

If you are like me, you love to give those perfect gifts...and you are always searching for a great one. Well, look no farther than the Push Pin Travel Maps! They make an excellent gift for the traveler in your family. 

Check out all the maps available at their website www.PushPinTravelMaps.com  I'm a big fan of the earth tone travel map...just in case you were wondering. :)  Check it out!

And, they have a $5 off coupon on their website.

It's Friday...

Love the end of a workweek, how about you? There's something satisfying about accomplishing a week's worth of tasks, and then getting to forget about them over the weekend. :)

I don't know about you mama's out there, but this time of year is so busy, and calendar management is so important.  But sometimes, we are so busy, we just need to put our foot down and say "no" to a lot of good things so that we have time to be together and invest in our family (the "great" thing).  What are your thoughts?  How do you decide what to say "yes" to and what to say "no" to?

Hope you have a happy Friday and don't forget to enter the giveaway over at The Evolution of Mom.

Dusting Off the Ol' Blog

Well, it has been absolutely forever since I last blogged.  Two and a half years.  A lot has happened in that time!  J is now as tall as I am and has braces.  Tim's been to the west coast and back for an amazing mission trip...and me, well, not much has changed in my world...

However, I've had a couple requests from folks (you know who you are!) to start posting, but the final encouragement is a giveaway I've entered with The Evolution of Mom blog (seriously, check it out!). They are doing a black Friday giveaway for an iPad, and BOY, could I use one.

I had some $ saved up from a side job to buy one, and then poof, my hubby's car needs a new engine. Bye, bye $.  So, I am going to cross my fingers and hope I win.  So I am dusting off the ol' blog so I can get another entry.  :)

So Blessed!

I am truly a blessed woman!  I have so much to be grateful for...I could go on and on and on...

This past week, my son came down with the flu, and lucky me...I got it as well.  Thankfully, I have an employer who gives us sick days (as well as the ability to work from home).  What a blessing!

Then, I have wonderful friends who sent e-mails offering help and prayers.  Friends who stopped by and left warm bowls of soup at my door.

And then there is my hubby who has been relegated to the couch this week.  Poor guy!  He's stopped and picked up prescriptions, ginger ale, etc...  What a champ!

J went to school today and I slept the day away until I had to pick him up. I finally feel like I have returned to the land of the living.

But in the midst of it all, I again realize...

I am blessed.  So very blessed!

Rainy days and Mondays...

Well, yesterday was gorgeous here; today, not so much. Overcast, rainy with tornado watches...not exactly my kind of weather.

J wasn't feeling too hot last night, and this AM, he woke with a temp of 102.5 and a terrible cough.  Needless to say, I gave him a little medicine and sent him back to bed.  So, lucky for me, I was able to work from home today.  But alas, now I have a fever of 100, and I have a feeling things aren't going to be too pretty around here tonight.

So since everything is so drab, I thought I would post a happy thought.  I made some extra $ doing odd jobs plus our tax return, and this month alone, we were able to pay off $4,045 of student loans and credit card debt.  We only have one CC left to attack, but it is at 0% interest for the life of the balance, so we are focusing on the student loans for the moment.  I don't think next month will be near as exciting, but I am really praying and hoping to get these balances down as quickly as possible.

Needs vs. Wants

So, I have been spending a lot of time lately pondering contentment, and I have really been trying to only purchase things that are truly needs, not wants.

My mind goes to my son, who thinks a need is the newest Wii game.  Nevermind that he already owns NBA2K10, he NEEDS to buy NBA2K11.  Nevermind that is loses 3/4 of its value within the year.

Oh, and he NEEDS a new basketball.  Nevermind the 8 basketballs he already owns.

I have been trying to instill in him what a need is versus a want.  Not that he cannot get a new game, but I want him to save up his money and work for it so he can learn the value of something, as well as the value of depreciation! :)  But he really needs to understand what a true need is...and in this household, we think so much is often a need when it is truly a want.

So what is a need?  Water, food, clothing...yep, that is about it.  Well, a need is also something that is necessary for survival or for doing what I am responsible to do.  (If my child needs a ruler for school in order to learn, I consider that a need). What's a want?  Pretty much everything else.

Anyway, back to contentment.  If you are reading this, you (like me) are overly blessed.  To have a computer and the simple blessing of the electricity to make it run is more than a lot of people in our world. Clean water is such a gift.  Not to mention multiple changes of clothes and shoes.  If you are like me, you have boxes of stuff stored away for someday...

We live in such an age of "Buy Now" or your have to try this newest version of the iToaster. ;)  Why can we not be content with what we have?  Why do we always have to chase after the newest and best.  I remember my mother and grandmother stitching up socks with holes in them.  Me?  I just toss them out or give them to Goodwill.  It's not worth my time to fix them, I say.  Shirt got a small stain on it?  Out to Salvation Army it goes.

Our society is one of replacements instead of being content with what we have and fixing things.  Case in point, new cars.  Oh, my transmission is going, I think I will go buy a new car.  Ever said that?

Now if you know me at all, you know that I am definitely not a spender.  Not that I don't enjoy shopping or buying things or especially going out to eat, but I am definitely one who thinks about the consequences of purchasing new things.  Because of that, I tend to be a hermit sometimes.  I don't like to walk around the mall, grocery store or supercenter.  I don't want to even be tempted to purchase something.  (The word "clearance" has a pavlovian effect on me!)

Anyway, so now I am working on contentment.  Being truly grateful for what I have.  Not saying, "But I don't have anything to wear today" when I have a closet full of clothing.  Not wishing to have the newest technology, but rather be grateful for the ability to even utilize what I do have.

I am asking God to help my heart be filled with Him and a love for others so that there is no room left for desiring things rather than desiring Him.  I am looking out for ways to help someone who is less fortunate.

I am also pricing things for a consignment sale.  Hey, I don't need it anyway. :)

What about you?  Do you struggle with being content?  What do you do to overcome that struggle?

I'm back

It's difficult to believe that it has been almost a year since I last posted here.  I stepped away because my life has too much going on to take the time to blog.  But I am back for now, basically because I figured the writing could be somewhat therapeutic.

Much has happened, of course, but I won't take the time to fill you in on the last several months.  There have been a lot of ups and downs, though the downs seems to be more than the ups, but I am surviving.  I am grateful that my hope is in God who cares about every thing that happens in my life.

As for a good dose of chocolate, I think I just drooled on my keyboard when I popped over to my friend Jocelyn's blog.  Seriously, you need to visit and see these amazing looking Brookie Bites.  You need to check out her website, make some Brookie Bites, then send me some, okay?  :)

Happy Monday!