Loving My Actual Christmas: An Experiment In Relishing the Season by Alexandra Kuykendall

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• ISBN-10: 080107536X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801075360
• Publisher: Baker Books (September 5, 2017)

Synopsis

The Christmas season is a particularly difficult time for women to slow down and relish what's right in front of them. An annual marker for many, it is a holiday that can often remind us how life is not going as we'd planned. Our family relationships remain strained, our finances stretched, and our schedules stuffed with too much to do in too little time.

Following the formula of her successful Loving My Actual Life, Alexandra Kuykendall shares with readers her own personal experiment to be completely present in her life as it is during the holiday season. Addressing the themes of Advent and Christmas, she reflects on hope, love, joy, peace, and relishing the season, with practical pullouts on common Christmas stressors, such as finances, schedules, and extended family. Kuykendall's signature candor helps women go easy on themselves, remember what truly matters, and find joy in their imperfect Christmases.

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Loving My Actual Christmas by Alexandra Kuykendall is well written and a refreshing, practical guide on how to experience and find joy in the Holiday Season no matter where you are in your life and what is going on in your life. 

It's a call to remember the "reason for the season" and how to avoid sabotaging  yourself and those around you during the Christmas season. 

Ms. Kuykendall's advise and steps of her "experiment" are clearly defined, practical and at times a bit unnerving as she asks you to do a bit of soul searching and stepping out on Faith. 

Overall, a book I will be reading and applying not only to the Christmas holiday season but to other areas of my life as well. I highly recommend this book!

4 Stars!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms.  Kuykendall as well as Bakers Books and Netgalley  for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson

• ISBN-10: 0800722701
• ISBN-13: 978-0800722708
• Publisher: Revell (September 5, 2017)

From the Publisher

When she receives the news in late 1944 that her baby's father was shot down in the South Pacific, Amelia Richards loses hope. Jobless and broke, she has nowhere to turn for help but her infant's paternal grandparents. The only problem is, they don't know that she--or their grandson--exists. When Amelia discovers that the family is wealthy and influential, dare she disclose the truth of her relationship with their son? Or could the celebration of the arrival of another unexpected baby nearly two thousand years ago be the answer to her dilemma? 

Beloved author Melody Carlson pens a story of love, hardship, and reconciliation that will leave readers filled with Christmas joy.

The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson is a delightful romance read for the holiday season! This moving story is well written, engaging and full of emotions. It's an easy read that will relax as well as sweep you away for that well deserved break we all need during the enjoyable but sometimes chaotic holiday season! 

I fully enjoyed The Christmas Blessing and the only drawback was that the ending happened a bit too quickly. I would like to have had the ending detailed a bit more. Still, this book is a feel good Christmas story and as such - definitely worth the reading.

4 Stars!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms.  Carlson as well as Revell Publishers and Netgalley  for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Home At Last by Deborah Raney

Click here to read my review.

Tricked by Jen Calonita

• Series: Fairy Tale Reform School (Book 3)
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
• ISBN-10: 1492637955
• ISBN-13: 978-1492637950
• Grade Level: 5 - 8

Release Date ~ March 7, 2017!

Click here to read my review.

The Bible and Me ~ Stories with a message to live by Retold by Lois Rock; Illustrated by Alida Massari

Age Range: 5 - 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Lion Hudson (August 1, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0745964958
ISBN-13: 978-0745964959

Synopsis

(from Amazon)

Thoughtfully retold, The Bible and Me begins with the faith stories of the Old Testament that tell of God’s unfailing love. The New Testament describes the coming of God’s son Jesus Christ, who by his life and teaching showed how all people could be reconciled to God.The stories of Jesus’ friends and followers are that of their faith, hope, and love. Each story ends with a prayer, psalm, or passage for reflection. 

 

The Bible and Me is a wonderful retelling of Biblical stories for children. The stories are well written and  engaging. The illustrations are beautifully drawn and quite captivating with their gorgeous array of colors.

This book would be a wonderful addition for read aloud bedtime stories, devotions, family time and/or self-reading time for older children!

5 Stars

Thank you to Kregel Publishing for the free gift of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

365 Family Dinners and Devotions Cookbook by Kathleen Y'Barbo

• Publisher: Barbour Books; Gld edition (August 1, 2016)
• ISBN-10: 1630586110
• ISBN-13: 978-1630586119
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Releases Today!

Synopsis:

This daily, family - faith and food-themed devotional is delightfully unique!  For every recipe (one for every day of the year), there is a family-friendly dinnertime devotional as well. Each reading is themed to appeal to your family--with topics like priorities, prayer, encouragement, love, and dozens more. 

Bonus material includes creative ideas and inspiration for getting the entire family around the dinner table each night of the week, plus a categorized recipe index will help you easily locate your family's favorite dishes. 

365 Family Dinners and Devotions Cookbook is truly a celebration of  family, faith and food! 

My first reaction upon reviewing the recipes in this book was, "Wow, there is something in here for everyone!"  The recipes range from appetizers to salads, main course dishes, side dishes and desserts. They are all simple, homey recipes that just invite you to sit down and enjoy them time and again. They are definitely recipes my family and I will enjoy!

The devotionals that accompany the recipes for each day of the year are well written, to the point and provide a wonderful opportunity for a family to share and explore God's love and plan for each of us. The devotional topics are family oriented and able to be discussed during dinner time. The initial reading of the daily devotional for all the family to hear takes less than five minutes. 

Another bonus are the family dinner time tips interlaced throughout this book. I found them to be practical, helpful and very informative!

This book is a wonderful resource for bringing faith, fun and meaning to the family dinner table. 365 Family Dinners and Devotions is wonderful gift for yourself and your family and would make a fantastic gift for others as well!

5 Stars

Thank you to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the gift of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

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Help for the Homemaker ~ Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 31 Days To A Clean House and Satisfied Soul by Sarah Mae

• ISBN-10: 1414372620
• ISBN-13: 978-1414372624
• Publisher: Tyndale Momentum (March 15, 2016)

Synopsis:

Get your home and your heart in order in just 31 days!

Sarah Mae wants to let you in on a little secret about being a good homemaker: It’s not about having a clean house. She’d never claim to be a natural, organized cleaner herself―yet, like you, she wants a beautiful space to call home, a place where people feel loved and at peace. Where people can really settle in with good food, comfy pillows, and wide-open hearts.

Is it possible to find a balance? To care for your heart―and your home―at the same time?

Journey with Sarah Mae on this easy, practical 31-day plan to get you moving and have your house looking and feeling fresh. But even more than that, you’ll gain a new vision for the home of your dreams, and how to make it a place of peace, comfort, and community. Originally published as the e-book 31 Days to Clean and now revised and expanded in print for the first time, Having a Martha Home the Mary Way will inspire you to find a happier, healthier . . . cleaner way to live.

"Home ... a place of peace, comfort and community."

quote from Having a Martha Home the Mary Way

I believe that we all long for a place to call home - a special place that supports us, nurtures and comforts us. Yet with today's busy lives, the demands of working full time, juggling a home, a family and everything else ... at times (for me) it's overwhelming and it feels like it's almost impossible to create the home I dream of and long for. 

So, it should be no big surprise that I was pretty excited when I found out I was picked to read and review Having a Martha Home the Mary Way by Sarah Mae! 

The chapters are short and to the point, the household tips excellent and the chats are enlightening and inspirational.  I so appreciated the tips on ways to tweak the program to my individual needs.  I also enjoyed the quotes and chats on creating a home unique to each one of us as well as support and direction through Bible scripture that encourages and helps us strengthen our personal relationship with God.  

This book is practical, wonderful and I give it ...

5 Stars!

Thank you to Tyndale Momentum and Edelweiss for a gift of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So Worth the Reading ~ The Made from Scratch Life by Melissa K. Norris!

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• ISBN-10: 0736965343
• ISBN-13: 978-0736965347
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (February 1, 2016)

Synopsis

• Do you long for simpler days? Do you wish you had the time to offer your family home-grown meals? Does your heart cry for a quiet place in this fast-paced world?
  Blogger and homesteader Melissa K. Norris inspires with practical and easy methods to help you cook from scratch, garden, preserve your own food, and see God's fingerprints in your everyday busy life. You'll learn how to
• plan, plant, and harvest for eating and preserving
• troubleshoot common gardening problems with natural solutions
• improve your family's health with natural cooking and cleaning methods
Whether you live in the middle of the asphalt jungle or on the side of a mountain, you can experience the pioneer lifestyle and start your own homesteading journey. Because when you surround yourself with things made from the hand of God, you can't help but see Him.

The Made from Scratch Life  is a heartwarming book that is informative, comforting and a wealth of knowledge on back to scratch homemaking and living. It's as if a good friend is sitting at your kitchen table sharing a wealth of experience and wisdom over a good cup of coffee! 

This book is full of warm life stories, great recipes, tips on gardening and cleaning the natural way. A really good go to book on how to get back to the basics and become self-sufficient. 

All in all... a wonderful go to book ~ I highly recommend it!

5 Stars!

Thank you to Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley for a gift of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Charmed ~ Fairy Tale Reform School

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• ISBN-10: 1492604046
• ISBN-13: 978-1492604044

• Series: Fairy Tale Reform School (Book 2)
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (March 1, 2016)
• Recommended ages: 9-13 

Synopsis: 

Sometimes it's good to be bad...

It takes a (mostly) reformed thief to catch a spy. Which is why Gilly Cobbler, Enchantasia's most notorious pickpocket, volunteers to stay locked up at Fairy Tale Reform School...indefinitely. Gilly and her friends may have defeated the Evil Queen and become reluctant heroes, but the battle for Enchantasia has just begun.

Alva, aka The Wicked One who cursed Sleeping Beauty, has declared war on the Princesses, and she wants the students of Fairy Tale Reform School to join her. As her criminal classmates give in to temptation, Gilly goes undercover as a Royal Lady in Waiting (don't laugh) to unmask a spy...before the mole can hand Alva the keys to the kingdom.

Her parents think Gilly the Hero is completely reformed, but sometimes you have to get your hands dirty. Sometimes it's good to be bad...

I've been enjoying reading some of the current releases in the newer genre of fairy tale re-tellings/ adaptations for both children and young adults. The most recent book I've read is Charmed ~ the second book in the Fairy Tale Reform School series.  

I found Charmed to be a delightful tale that was  well ... really quite charming.  (I know, bad pun ... I heard those groans out there!)  The story flowed well but at times was a bit predictable. Even so, I found the plot to be creative, the characters delightful and the story was filled with action, adventure and a bit of suspenseful drama. I also appreciated the underlying messages of team work, honor and friendship. 

The author's play on well known fairy tale characters and their subsequent roles in this story as well as some of their re-naming, I found to be quite humorous. The bantering between the characters was worthy of bringing a smile to my face as well. 

All in all, a delightful tale for children of all ages! I am looking forward to reading the first book in this series, Flunked. 

3.5 Stars! 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Jabberwocky and Netgalley for the gift of a this book in exchange for an honest review.

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The Tea Party in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi

  

• Recommended Age Range: 3 - 7 years
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• Publisher: Kids Can Press (August 1, 2015)
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• Language: English

• ISBN-10: 1771381078
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• ISBN-13: 978-1771381079

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Synopsis

When a young girl named Kikko realizes her father has forgotten the pie he was supposed to bring to Grandma's house, she offers to try and catch him as he makes his way through the woods. 

She hurriedly follows her father's footprints in the snow and happens upon a large house she has never seen before. Curious, Kikko peers through the window, when she is startled by a small lamb wearing a coat and carrying a purse. 

Even more surprising, the lamb speaks, asking her in a kind voice, "Are you here for the tea party?" Suddenly, Kikko realizes her trip through the woods has turned into something magical.

The Tea Party in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi is a delightful children's book. Though it is marketed  for ages 3-7 years of age, it's story will engage and bring a smile to those reading it as well the the children listening.  

The story is engaging and the open ending of the story will spur a child's creative side with whirlwind thoughts of what really did happen in this story!

The pictures are superbly done,   mostly black and white with intermittent red and yellow color. Children will be captivated by each page as you read them this story or for the older child, as they read it to themselves. 

All in all, this is a wonderful book and one I will be gifting to my friends who have young children or expecting an addition to their family!

5 Stars

Thank you to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for the gift of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

The Life Giving Home: Creating a place of belonging and becoming by Sally and Sarah Clarkson

• Publisher: Tyndale Momentum (February 2, 2016)
• ISBN-10: 1496403371
• ISBN-13: 978-1496403377

Synopsis: 

How to make home your family’s favorite place to be . . . all year long.

Does your home sometimes feel like just a place to eat, sleep, and change clothes on the way to the next activity? Do you long for “home” to mean more than a place where you stash your stuff? Wouldn’t you love it to become a haven of warmth, rest, and joy . . . the one place where you and your family can’t wait to be?

There is good news waiting for you in the pages of The Lifegiving Home. Every day of your family’s life can be as special and important to you as it already is to God. In this unique book designed to help your family enjoy and celebrate every month of the year together, you’ll discover the secrets of a life-giving home from a mother who created one and her daughter who was raised in it: popular authors Sally and Sarah Clarkson. 

Together they offer a rich treasure of wise advice, spiritual principles, and practical suggestions. You’ll embark on a new path to creating special memories for your children; establishing home-building and God-centered traditions; and cultivating an environment in which your family will flourish. 

The Life Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson is about creating a home for yourself, your family and friends through intention, creativity  as as well as through a strong relationship with God. 

A lifegiving home can be done on any budget as it's not about the things you buy, it's about the quality of life and home. Creating a space you enjoy and where you and others can feel loved, cherished and supported. 

I found this book to be inspirational and full of practical tips and guidance in helping me to work towards my goals of creating a home environment that I and my family want to live in. This book truly touched my heart! 

 I highly recommend this book (5 Stars!). I also want to to let you know that Sally and Sarah have co-written The Lifegiving Experience: a 12 Month Guided Journey as well as a wonderful website: The Lifegiving Resources.  They really great and so worth checking out!

Thank to Tyndale Publishing and Edelweiss for the gift of this book in exchange for an honest review.

M is for Manger ~ A Wonderful Children's Book for Christmas!

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 17, 2015)
• ISBN-10: 1496401956
• ISBN-13: 978-1496401953
• Authors: Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley
• Pictures by Claire Keay

For Ages 4 and Up

Synopsis:

Travel through the alphabet with this beautiful rhyming storybook that tells the story of Jesus’ birth. 

Begin with the angel who tells Mary that she is God’s chosen vessel and follow along until you reach the zillions of stars that paled in comparison to the star that announced the birthplace of the newborn King. 

Beautifully illustrated and written, this book will be a classic for parents to read to their children every Christmas season.

M is for Manger by Crystal Bowman, Teri McKinley and illustrated by Claire Keay is a delightful new Christmas book for children ages 4 and up. 

With each letter of the alphabet, the story of Christmas and Jesus' birth comes to life in  words along with beautifully drawn illustrations.  The story and pictures are enchanting! 

M is for Manger would be wonderful as a read aloud for younger children, a read along book for older ones as well as a wonderful way for the family to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.  

5 Stars!

Thank you to Tyndale Publishing for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.