More For Girls Only! Devotions by Carolyn Larsen

Do you have a daughter or granddaughter who is in the pre-teen years? This devotional would be a wonderful tool in their spiritual development! This devotion book, More For Girls Only! Devotions written by Carolyn Larsen is spot on for this age group. It is printed with pink ink (!) and is more than just a story for the day illustrating good behavior. It is very Scripturally oriented. The day's reading begins with a Bible verse (or verses) and then a story illustrating either a desirable characteristic or an undesirable one. The story ends with some thought-provoking (and discussion-starting!) questions about the topic.

Following the story is "checkup time" which is a 1-5 scale (1=never, 5=always to answer how you feel you fall on certain questions (such as
I pray for missionaries
I know that others are affected by my choices
I feel God's love throughout the day
I know I need God's forgiveness every day
I'm good at waiting until I'm certain God has given me guidance

and so forth.

Following this is a "key" which gives you an interpretation, such as:
mostly 1's: we get it, you like to do things your way. But God's way is actually better for you. Ask him to help you believe that.
mostly 2's: Could it be that you don't trust God to guide you? . . .
mostly 3's:

etc. You get the pictures. Like those "quizzes" in magazines.

The next section is "Things to do" and gives several action items to check off and try to do that will increase your growth in that characteristic.

Following that is "Things to remember" which is a listing of verses that relate to the topic which can be used for Bible memory as well as some quotes by Christian writers on the topics.

I really like the format as well as the topics of this devotional. I have already used book one with my 11 year old daughter and it has opened up wonderful times of discussion and prayer for us. It doesn't take a huge amount of time, but I believe it is a great help in her life.

I definitely recommend this book. The age group it's written for is 8-12; it could probably be used with older girls, but I'd say it's best within this age range.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Rising Darkness by Nancy Mehl

This book, Rising Darkness, by Nancy Mehl is a book kind of suspenseful Mennonite-based book with a little romance as well. The concept of the book is that a girl who was raised in an abusive neglectful Mennonite home has left the faith and is on her way to becoming a great reporter. She has a lead that she hopes will catapult her into "great reporter" status. She has gotten a lead regarding an old robbery-turned-murder that has remained unsolved for many years and hopes to discover the criminal and expose him through her story.

The trail takes her into a Mennonite community, which falls into conflict with her upbringing and her turn away from the faith. She pretends she is someone who she is not and begins her investigation.

Throughout the story she meets some interesting characters and does some searching of her own. I will not tell you more, in case you decide to read the book :)

I thought it was an okay book, a bit predictable, and a bit unbelievable. I honestly didn't really like the main character Sophie at all. She wasn't really likeable, and I wish her character had been a bit more developed, or maybe a bit more like a real person. In the end there is a change of heart as well as some surprise entanglements. . . all in all I thought it was okay. Maybe a book you'd get out of the library and read, but maybe not buy. It was a good clean story, but not a favorite.

I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Amish Christmas at North Star by Cindy Woodsmall, Mindy Starns Clark, Amanda Flower, Katie Ganshert

This book, Amish Christmas at North Star is a collection of four stories about Amish families or connections that occur in or related to the town of North Star. The stories are written by different authors: Cindy Woodsmall, Mindy Starns Clark (and Emily Clark), Amanda Flower, and Katie Ganshert. I have read books by several of those authors before this book, so I was excited to get into this book. I generally like to read stories that are all related, which added to the appeal.

When I received the book, I dove right into it, enjoying the first story (by Katie Ganshert) a lot. The second one, though, for some reason, didn't "click" with me -- I actually put the book down for several days before picking it up to read more. The third was okay, not really compelling either. I did like the fourth one (by Mindy Starns Clark/Emily Clark.

The stories follow a bit in the lives of four individuals who were born the same night, at an Amish birthing center, assisted by the same midwife. They are all stories with a bit of romance, of course, and are good, clean stories, and interesting enough, though 2 are much more interesting than the other two. Though they are all about the same town, the stories didn't intertwine at all.

I guess I'd say that they are a good read, however, two of the four books were just kind of blah. I wouldn't recommend NOT reading the book, but just wanted to say that I was surprised that two of them were not quite pageturners for me.

I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Streams of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling

Streams of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling is book #3 in the "Song of Blessing" series. The book centers on mainly one family in the picture perfect town of Blessing. Most of the residents are of Norwegian descent and they all seem to work together in a seamless fashion. There are bits of trouble and sorrow, but they are worked through as family. Two of the women of this family are the founders and administrators of the hospital in the town, as well as being the doctors for the town (it's a teaching hospital filled with nurses and various other characters).

I have read the other two books that precede this book and I liked this one just as much as the others. It is a book that makes you wish you lived in a community like Blessing. It's a historical fiction book, a Christian book. . . A good part of this book focuses on Anji Moen and her children who returned to Blessing after the death of Mr. Moen. Anji finds her place in the town amongst family and then begins a relationship with Father Devlin; Father Devlin faces some tough choices in his life and Anji plays a part. . .I don't want to say more.

There's also a circus train filled with disease which devastates the town and its families. . .

And a mute mystery girl who is anonymously dropped off at the hospital pregnant. . .

I'd say it's a good book. I enjoyed it very much, as a quick read for entertainment. It reminds me of Amish fiction a bit (the community aspect) so I'd venture to say that if you enjoy Amish fiction you will probably enjoy this book! It is preceeded by two other books in the series, and although it is not necessary to have read them to enjoy this one, it certainly will help you sort out the characters :)

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

My post-college, pre-children life was as an environmental educator -- working at camps, nature centers, and such. The kinds of people I worked with were kind of stereotypical for that field :) and many of them had a life goal of hiking the "AT". Myself, I had no such aspirations -- I knew that if I were to attempt something like that (besides the incredible cost of time and money) I would be too focused on the hiking itself, going going going -- and not able to enjoy the actual experience. In those days hiking the AT was a topic of many discussions and conversations.

Now, many years later, reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, I am reminded of those days and wonder if any of those coworkers with lofty goals ever succeeded.

The book A Walk in the Woods is the author's recounting of his walking of the Appalachian Trail. His attempt, that is. Or attempts? At any rate, he's a regular guy, hiking along with another regular guy (not as in shape as himself) with the goal of completing the hike from Georgia to Maine. He talks about equipment, the hiking itself, the people, his new experiences, the weather, etc.

The book is very well written -- interesting to say the least (laugh-out-loud funny at many times!!) and is enjoyable to read. The first half of the book/first half of the hike -- was exciting and interesting. The second half (****spoiler****** he does in day segments and a last push, but does not complete the trail) is not quite so compelling a read. But at that point you're into the book and want to finish it anyhow. It's filled with political and historical commentary and even though some may disagree with some of his points or stands on topics, it's still an interesting read.

SO -- would I recommend the book? Yes, certainly. There is a bit of swearing (overlook that maybe?) which will keep me from recommending it to my kids, but it is a very interesting read.

I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Cheap Chic by Caterine Mack and Carol Troy

Let me preface this review by saying that I am not the intended audience for this book. In the foreword by Tim Gunn quotes the authors saying, "We figure that anyone who's sharp enough to buy this book isn't sitting around spending huge amounts of time 'saving money' with homey handiworks when they could be out making the money to save them the time." Honestly, had I read this before requesting this book for review I would have passed it by. So for me, a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, raising kids and animals. . .doing what we can to live frugally. . .yup, this book is not for me.

Okay, well I requested it and promised a review, so here goes! This is as reprint of a book that is very fashion-y. It is a historical guide through fashions up to and including the '70's. It showcases famous and random individuals' own styles and highlights how to have a style like those. It also gives styles in different countries/industries/hobbies that can inspire day-to-day fashion.

The cover is bright and colorful, the interior pages are filled with black and white photos and line drawings.

All in all, it's not a book for me. If you are a fashion lover you may find it interesting and maybe inspiring, but for me, give me my blue jeans and white t-shirt and I'm all set.

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman

Looking for a fun easy read? Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman will fit the bill! This book was a really nice vacation read for me -- entertaining story with a happy ending :)

The book focuses on two strands of a story that come together eventually. Someone is buying street children from Chicago, shipping (literally in boxes) them to a town to work as free labor (or else get killed) in a sweatshop setting. Another character in the book is a rehabilitated ex-pickpocket from Chicago who has become a follower of Christ through the influence of an older Christian woman with whom she now lives (in a city far away from Chicago) and runs an orphanage.

A boxload of orphans become freed from their crate and begin roaming the streets, living by whatever means they can; also they are trying to free the other kids who are enslaved. Livy (the ex-pickpocket) begins trying to help them though they are suspicious of her.

Add into all of this a sheriff deputy who has recently lost his father in a mine collapse and who is falling in love with Livy (without knowing her past).

SO -- yes, it's kind of predictable, and that is a good thing I think :) It's a happy ending, a little adventure, a little human interest, and a little romance. It is written as a Christian romance, so it refers to the life-changing walk with Christ.

I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it as a fun read!

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.