Two Sisters, Two Styles OR Can They Work Together?!

Mary and Martha, have you met them? Have you wondered what life was really like for them? Were you annoyed or at peace with their story?!!  

From Luke 10:38-42

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I've read this Bible story before, perhaps you have too, of these two sisters that Jesus visited.  They stand out to me as a homemaker because I have longed to be the "Mary" the one sitting around doing nothing (ok, that's not really what she's doing, but tell me that's not the impression you get at first!) Yet, I've found myself for years only being the "Martha" running from thing to thing, making sure everything got done, and so distracted over the process that I've sometimes forgotten the people.  I don't want to miss out on the people though!

Is it possible to be a combination of both?

Sarah Mae in her new book Having a Martha Home the Mary Way takes a look at that age old question and discovers an amazing truth.  IT IS POSSIBLE! 

First, I know that we can all feel overwhelmed and the thought of reading a book to help you feel less overwhelmed may make you stop and ask "do you think I have time for that?!" The truth is, YOU DO!  One of the things I love about this book is that it is broken down into doable chapters. The introduction, with some background information on Sarah Mae is a little longer, but then there are 31 chapters, one for each day. Each chapter has a short reading/reflection on life, usually giving us a peek into Sarah Mae's life, then a Mary Challenge which is a few minutes reflecting on God's Word, and then a Martha Challenge which is a few minutes doing something to make your home a cleaner more organized space. Still feel like you won't have time for reading and the activities? Save the Martha challenges for a weekend, and get the family involved! 

"I need clarity and peace and space to think, both physically and mentally. When there is a mess swirling around me on the outside, I internalize it. For me chaos outside equals chaos inside." (Sarah Mae, pg 25) Yes, yes and yes!!!! This is me.  I can't think with a mess. So I've had to learn little tricks to keep the mess under control in order for me to find inner peace. This book has a wealth of tips for finding that inner peace. Again, all the tips and ideas are in doable amounts. 

You don't have to be a "Martha" doing it all and never having time to stop, but you also don't need to be a "Mary" only ever stopping.  You can be  combination of the two, and have inner peace and a peaceful, restful home.  Will you take the time to find out how?

 Join the challenge, and find the calm!  The book is available now visit http://sarahmae.com for more information about this fantastic book and to order your copy! Don't miss out, it's simple, it's direct and it will make a difference!

Books 14-15 Clockwise and Clockwiser

Book 14 Is a time traveling tale that is an absolute page turner.  You can't help but wonder through out the book how things will turn out. Casey is a High School sophomore, dealing with the awkwardness of being a teenager, the drama of High School and of course the dream of being noticed by the perfect guy, without his popular, annoying girlfriend ruining her life. The only problem is Casey has a big secret, one that makes her wonder if she can ever have any of the things she wants in life, she time travels.  Her traveling seems to be picking up speed lately too, with all the stress from falling for Nate, she can't seem to stop it.  Her girlfriend, Lucinda, trying to help Casey live a normal teenage life, may just be the reason she's now in bigger trouble as now she has to help Nate return from an unexpected trip that he takes by asking Casey to dance on a dare.  Will they become friends or enemies as they learn to live with each other in both the 1860's and the 2000's?  This book had twists and turns like no other.  I found myself unable to put the book down, wanting to find out what could possibly happen next to the characters.  

Great story, clean and entertaining. Five stars for this book!

Book 15, is book 2 in the series.  I read it in one day!  It again was a complete page turner, this time involving not only Casey, Nate and Lucinda, but also getting Casey's younger brother Tim involved. His troubled life has cause more than it's share of trouble in the 2000's.  What will happen when it crosses into the 1860s?  Unfortunately, for him, stressing his sister out, is going to cause him to discover her secret, and what life was like in times past.  The only problem is, he's continuing to get in trouble in both realities. Can Casey save him from himself?  Will she let her friends help her, or try to do it on her own.  A great story, and a fairly quick read.  

I'd give this book 5 stars as well!

So, what's next for me as a reader, trying to get to my 60 books by the end of the year?!?  First of all, A LOT MORE READING!  Seems it's going slow this year. Secondly, Book 3 and let's be honest, Book 4 in the Clockwise Series. 

Followed by

Need to start thinking of Spring! and also want to finish the book 

Happy Reading!

Book 12-13 Double Major and In the Zone

Book 12 This was a novella wrapping up some lose ends from the previous several books in the series.  It centers around the double wedding of 2 of the Portland Storm players.  While at the wedding several of the characters begin to learn important lessons on what really matters in their lives.  This book follows those players, and encourages you to read the following books to find out more, as their stories aren't finished in this book.  A good trick by the author to hook you into more of her stories.

I'd give the book 4 stars.  Again with the language issue, but otherwise a good read.

 Book 13 In book 12 these two characters are introduced to each other. Yet, you wonder if they will ever meet again.  Causing you to pick up book 13 to find out more. Keith and Brianna meet in a mysterious, fake name, no strings night. Now they are running into each other in truth and not sure what to do with that. Both are struggling to deal with their past and learn to live in the present. Can they help each other do that?  Will they be able to teach each other how to live with who they are now despite the past? Of course the only real way to truly find that out would be to read the book.  

An enjoyable tale, filled with people being less than perfect, and I really enjoyed that the main female character was not a size 2.  Real people do live real lives and they are not always the perfect "model" the world thinks they need to be.  Good job on making a non typical Hollywood sized person beautiful in your book. As true beauty is not about weight, but heart.

I'd give the book 4 stars.

Book 11 Delay of Game

 A Hockey romance, which unlike the cover was not quite as steamy as the cover makes it seem.  Which is a good thing, as I really don't want to be ready steamy love stories.  The story over all was good. Cam, is a player on Sara's father's team.  A man she would never be allowed to date, because of that.  Just the same she's been attracted to him forever, and now when she's in trouble, he seems to be the one stepping in to bail her out.  Will her father believe the story he's created and accept his daughter dating one of his players.  Or, will this newest news push him over the edge of his already problematic health.  Sara's desire is to continue to be in charge of her life, but she's learning that sometimes letting go, and letting someone else lead has it's benefits.  Will they survive the power struggle, or will Cam end up sidelined.

A good romance book.  Still wishing the author didn't think that swearing is needed to make the book seem legitimate to the NHL.  I'm sure there are plenty of players who don't talk they way she seems to think all the players talk.  Still, the book held my interest enough, that I also downloaded the next one in the series.

I'd give the book 3.5 stars, due to language and some unneeded scenes as well!

Book 10 Living Well Spending Less

When I read non-fiction, I try to determine if I learned something along the way.  In this book I think the most important thing I learned is to look at my motives for spending money.  If I'm spending money to try to be happier, it will never happen.  We are blessed to have financial stability, something that is not easy for many people, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to work on that stability daily.  In order to do that we need to make choices on what really matters, and make sure we are following through on those choices.  It's easy to get your focus on just buying and worrying about the consequences later, whether you have money or not.  This book gives some great tips on budgeting, living within your means, finding your motivation and finding your direction.  I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has never considered budgeting, or who just simply loves to shop too much!  Our houses should not be filled with stuff, they should be filled with love and what is important.  In this year of decluttering, my mini theme for the year, this was a perfect reminder of where my focus needs to be.

I'd give this book 5 stars!

Book 9 Where She Went

Book 9 Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Started this book last night before bed and read 50 pages, today, thanks to a day off of school because of extremely cold wind chills I finished the book!  It was a quick read, and a fairly good story.
Three years have past since the accident that changed Mia's life forever.  She however wasn't the only one whose life had been changed forever.  Adam too was effected by the events that took place those three long years ago. His path, that had been clear was suddenly far from where he wanted it to be, but he had no idea how to make it right again. Would finding Mia, make the difference?

I spent most of the book really debating on which of the two main characters I was mad at.  Then in the end it all made sense. Sometimes life throws curve balls and this book was full of things that continued to happen after the tragedy of book one. Will Mia and Adam end up forgiving each other and moving on with their own lives.  Only a quiet afternoon of reading will give you that answer.

I'd give this book 5 stars.

Book 8 If I Stay

Book 8 is If I Stay by Gayle Forman

My daughter's best friend lent her this book for me to preview.  I read it in about 3 hours.  It's a thought provoking book on trying to determine if the main character should stay alive, or give up the fight and join her family in death.  Mia watches her life as she is being treated, and taken care of after a horrific accident.  She's torn between knowing which path to choose and the people around her, without even knowing, guide her in her decision.  It was an interesting story concept and more original then some of the themes I've read lately.  In terms of teen fiction, I liked the fact that while implied that the main character may have had a physical relationship with her boyfriend, it was not written out for the world to read.  Was not crazy about some of the language, after all my job as Mom is to try and protect my children as long as I can from influences that aren't the best for them.  The idea of being in control of that final decision is an interesting concept.  I firmly believe, and know that my children do to, that after life is heaven when you have accepted Christ as your savior.  Having that knowledge is what gives me peace over what may happen at the end of my life.  It also gives me the ability to allow my child to read a book where that knowledge isn't taught or present, as I know she is secure in what she believes.  The story was captivating, and hard to put down as you are caught wondering until the last sentence of the book, if she will choose to stay or go.

I'd give the book 5 stars.

Next up, the sequel

Thank goodness for snow days and a chance to keep reading!!

I'm also still working on the non-fiction book Living Well, Spending Less.  About 50% done with that, but fiction is just quicker to read!

Books 5-7 The Portland Storm Series, books 2, 2.5 and 3

The cold weather has hit and with it, somehow, I've found time to read again. It doesn't hurt when you are reading fictional stories that pull you in with the characters and setting.  Books 5-7 were the next in the Portland Storm Series by Catherine Gayle.

 The first book in this series was good, other than some of the content that could have been left out, such as language and scenes that didn't need to be in the book to capture the love story.  Still I liked the story and the concept of the story enough to actual pay for the next 3 books in the series.

Book 2 (for me book 5) was On the Fly

This is the story of Rachel, a woman trying to get her life back together after leaving her native home of Texas and a tragic past.  In the midst of pulling herself out of the past she meets Soupy.  She doesn't trust men, and doesn't want to trust him especially, but watching parts of the past melt away causes her to rethink her ability to trust. Now she's trying to handle a new job working for the Portland Storm, when she knows nothing about hockey, and learning that she also knows very little about the real love people are capable of. A good story, about healing, despite obstacles in the way.

I'd give the book 4 stars

Book 2.5 (my book 6) was Taking a Shot

For 3 years Katie has been falling in love with Babs, but he has been continually told by her father that even looking at her could get him pummeled. Now she is facing a fight that he can't stand to watch, and she seems to be losing.  His new roommate Kally suggests that sometimes you have to take a shot at what you want even if the risks are too great.  While doing just that Babs manages to give the desire to fight back to Katie, so maybe facing her father won't be as bad as he thinks.

I'd give the book 4 stars, short and sweet.  Hoping these characters are revisited throughout the series.

Book3 Light the Lamp (my book 7)

This book was the most far fetched so far in the series.  Kally lost everything  2 years ago when his wife died on the side of a road, now he finds himself rescuing Noelle from a similar fate.  Did fate really bring them together?  He's a professional athlete, she's a  homeless woman trying to get by.  Will they both teach each other how to survive despite the losses in their lives, or run away from each other.  This was my least favorite of the books so far, it just didn't seem plausible in many ways.  I probably will continue reading the series at some point, but not planning on buying any more of the books right now.

I'd give this book 3 stars.

Book 4 Breakaway (sometimes hockey just needs to be in your life )

Breakaway by Catherine Gayle was book 4 of this new year.  It's cover caught my attention, having been a hockey mom for 9 years and a hockey wife for the past 4.  While we don't follow hockey as much as we used to, once it becomes the sport you'd most like to watch, it's hard to completely be done with it.  

While the cover caught me, the story itself was good too!  The plot revolves around Dana, a young woman who is fighting to recover who she was after being attacked in her early 20s.  She thinks she is headed towards the final steps of recovery, but in order to get there she has to ask her brother's best friend, and her life long friend, Eric for something she isn't sure she should ask him for.  She also isn't sure that he will be willing to help her, despite all the years of him telling her he'd do anything for her. 

All of those years of telling her he would be there for her could never prepare  him for what she needs  now.  Yet, turning her away could bring further pain for all of them.  On top of it his team is making a playoff run, and this is not the best time for making further commitments.  

The story will leave you intrigued as far as what will end up happening, and wanting to know more about the peripheral characters as well. While I got this book for free, I did just break down and download the next 3 books in the series on Amazon.  I'm looking forward to reading more by Catherine Gayle.  There is a bit of language that I could do without, and some scenes that could have been omitted, but overall a good romance, and filled with hockey, so that's good too!

I'd give the book 4 1/2 stars.

Up next, I'm still reading Living Well, Spending Less, I hope to finish it before the end of the week.  

My next fiction selection is

the next book in the series by Catherine Gayle

Although, at the request of my daughter I did just read the first chapter of City Of Bones.  I found it pretty disturbing, lots of talk of demons and with the word Sexy on the cover itself made me think my 12 year old doesn't need to be reading this yet.  Like I said, I did read a chapter, as well as some reviews. I want to be fair to books that are out there, but I still need to protect my children from ungodly influences as well.

An Honest Confession, plus reviews for books 2 and 3 of 2015

I dislike not finishing something when I start it, but I also am finding the older I get the more I want to invest in worth while things and not waste my time, money, life on pursuits that aren't worth it.  So, I tried, I really did.  I started reading Welcome to Fred, by Brad Whittington, but I just couldn't keep going. The story was interesting to a point.  It started with a young man going through his father's things upon his death and then beginning to reflect on his own life.  I'm sure from the reviews I read that some found it a riveting book.  I just didn't.  I was taking forever to read it, which for me is an indication that it just wasn't something I was interested in.  So, I finally decided to give myself permission to delete the book.  I had gotten it for free at some point on my kindle, so it wasn't costing me anything to get rid of it.  Except perhaps my pride for not finishing something I started, but really?!  Pride over reading something I wasn't enjoying, that's just silliness. I also deleted the sequel that I had also downloaded.  Finally, found the freedom in doing that and moving on.  If you do decide to read the books let me know what you think, I just could not get into them, and don't plan on trying again.

That being said I scrolled through my kindle and discovered the book
Confessions of a Prayer Slacker  by Diane Moody

I started this book and quickly got found myself looking for opportunities to read it.  The book focuses on the thing as Christians we often push aside and miss, true time with the Father, and why it is so important.  We think of it as something so formal, a time to make requests, but truly it is a time to get to know the Father, as a person, as a friend.  We, often as Christians, turn prayer into a ritual, something it shouldn't be or become and then we just bring it into our lives in quick little bursts instead of making it a part of who we are.  Diane admits struggling with this area of her life, and how she learned to turn prayer into spending time, in a sense over coffee, with her true friend.  This book is a great reminder to us all, to make our prayer life a priority. If it was a physical relationship with the person we loved we'd find a way to take the time. How can we continue to put it off? Diane offers suggestions for getting started, and truth about how it isn't an easy road at times to take. We allow the busyness of life to get in our way.  An honest reflection and worth the read for someone interested in growing their relationship with the Lord.

5 stars for this book

Next, I decided to read the book Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay, given to me by my friend Staci.

This book was incredibly hard to put down, and yet I wanted to push it aside, to not think of the horror the one character in the book had to live with.  She was just a child, but was living in 1942, a time when as a Jew she would face issues that no one should have to ever deal with.  This book traces her life, through those autrecities, and then follows the life of a journalist that has just discovered the story.  The journalist discovers a link between this child of the past and her family, that she can't believe.  She must then decide if she can walk away from the connection or if she needs to pursue it and find out the truth.  A riveting mystery, disturbing due to the horrible things that were done to the Jews, and yet causing you to keep turning pages to see the love and care that some did offer during this time. 

5 stars for this book as well, just be prepared to walk away reflecting on life.

What's next then?  I think continuing with my theme of non-fiction then fiction, I'm going to start a book that was recommended by several friends on Facebook. http://www.livingwellspendingless.com is the link for the book 

 This book goes along with my theme for the year of decluttering and getting rid of all the extras that we really don't need in our lives.  While we live within our means as a family, we like so many, spend more I'm sure then we should, and often take money for granted.  I'm looking forward to going through the book, and the corresponding workbook, which I was able to download for free when purchasing the book.

Happy Reading!!

Six Ways to Keep the "Little" in Your Girl: Book 1 for 2015

Book 1

Six Ways to Keep the "Little" in Your Girl

by Dannah Gresh

We are living in a time period where we are allowing our children to grow up quickly.  It is a scary time, because things we didn't have to deal with as children our kids now deal with earlier. They are constantly bombarded with social media, and television programs that talk about boyfriend/girlfriend relationship at a young age, given clothing choices that aren't suitable for them, and ability to contact people without us as parents even knowing they are doing it.  While the title might suggest that we should make our daughters act or behave as though they are truly still "little" kids when they are in their tweens and beyond, is not the case at all for the book.

The book is about helping them grow and develop in a way that allows them to still have their childhood.  To learn how to play, for instance, instead of being forced into an adult role early.  To experience role playing, with dolls and kitchens and other things that allow them to mimic jobs they might have later in life.  To be active and to enjoy doing things that don't have a screen.  This isn't easy, even when you have screen limitations.  The biggest problem in the screen limitations is that we don't give ourselves any when we are trying to get our kids to respect them.  When was the last time you turned your phone off, or decided not to look at Facebook or Twitter or Instagram when you could be looking at, talking to or spending time with your child?  We need to lead by example. We need to play with our kids, we need to show our kids that media is not going to run our lives.  Setting limits and sticking with them for the whole family is a great idea.  Recently, our pediatrician asked, when our daughter mentioned having trouble sleeping, if she is watching anything in her room or texting anyone at bedtime.  For the most part the answer is no, although sometimes she feels she needs to wind down by looking at Pinterest.  The problem is, he said, looking at screens the last 60 minutes before you are trying to sleep actually causes your brain to have more trouble settling down.  So, we need to adjust. While our kids have their phones in their room on docks charging and listening to music we need to adjust the rule to no screen time for about an hour before bed. We also need to follow through on that, by checking on them.  In addition, we need to practice what we preach and do the same for our health.

It's not just about screens though. The clothing industry and the toy industry are trying to get us to raise a generation of girls that show off more of their bodies to the world then they should. Clothing is tight, short and low cut. Dolls wear the same thing and society finds it acceptable.  As parents we must make choices in guiding our daughters in modesty, and sexual purity. We can do this by helping them to make choices in what they wear and what we are willing to buy.  They can still be fashionable, but we need to work hard to stay on top of what they have access to. We ourselves need to be checking our clothing as well, what are we demonstrating? I'm so glad that I've started this early with my daughter. She understands that yoga pants and leggings are not pants to wear without something covering your butt.  When she picks out outfits we discuss her needing to get final approval from Dad on whether things are to low, tight or short, and to realize that as she grows we may tell her no, and she will be expected to change from time to time to something more appropriate. Since we started this early, she seems to have a good understanding of what is right and wrong. While she puts pins of dresses for future dances on Pinterest (a site I can monitor her access on), she's already paying attention to if they are too short or too low cut.  If they are, she doesn't choose them. She will comment privately to me when people she sees are wearing things that aren't suitable and then we have the ability to openly discuss the topic again.

The book suggests that you should also talk to your children about sexual activity as they mature. Starting off with just enough information and growing in what they know,  so that they are aware of the truth and your values and beliefs before they are presented with what the world feels is acceptable.  This can be a scary topic, but the author gives suggestions on how to natural speak on such things.

There are other items covered in the book as well. Topics and thoughts that will help you learn to be more involved in your daughter's life and to guide and direct her on the path to growing into the young woman God has designed her to be.  Dannah makes no excuse for her book using Biblical quotes and connotations. She is a Christian and stands by what she believes. Her thoughts are sound, and very often even supported by those who'd find her religious beliefs not to their liking.  Are we willing to protect our daughters and raise them into beautiful young women?

I found many of the ideas in the book helpful, and also was able to be thankful that many of them I had already done with my daughter as she was younger.  This book ideally should be read prior to the tween years, and in my opinion would be the most helpful to a mother of an 8-10 year old.  It is one I plan on passing along to a friend with a daughter in that age range and I do highly recommend it.

Up next:

Books and a New Year!

For the past several years I've challenged myself to keep reading. It's something I love to do, but have found I don't always take the time to do.  Reading grows your mind in so many ways and in an edge where we're plugged in way to often it's a way to escape and find some peace and direction.  It can take you places you never imagined, and show you how to live life to the fullest where you are at.  Last year my goal was to read more than the previous year's 74 books. Which is at least the number I remembered to blog! I didn't quite make it, coming in at 63 books. This year, I don't have a total in mind yet. I always like to aim for more than the year before, but being realistic I don't want to go from plugging into devices to being so lost in a book that I can't take part in the lives of my family and friends.  I have several books I've found on my shelf while straightening up a shelf in my bedroom, so I would like to get through those this year for sure, but what else I read has yet to be determined!  I did find an interesting Reading Challenge that I have decided to try though.  Feel free to join me as I read in 2015. Who knows, it just might change your life!

My First book of the new year is:

In a generation of kids being forced to grow up too soon, I want to protect my daughter from growing up too fast. 

I plan on reviewing the books I read as I go, so stop back for more info on what I've read, and what I will be reading.  Feel free to let me know what you are reading too?  We could discover books we never dreamed of finding!

Happy Reading, and Happy New Year!

2014 Books 51-63

Finished off the year with quite a bit of reading, but no time to blog the books I'd read. Before I start my 2015 book reviews, and reading challenge I figured I should at least get this past year's books posted.

Book 51
Running on Empty is a book about two people torn apart by circumstances.  Ones that they could not speak of for over 8 years, but when her sick mother brings her back to the small town she left, she is finally forced to deal with the past.  Will dealing with it, restore it?  Only time will tell.

Could not put this book down, stayed up all night reading it! I'd give the book 5 stars.

Book 52

The Wedding List

Two different people from two different walks of life.  Yet, connected from the past and now forced to connect again in the present.  Will they figure out a way to make it work this time, despite what they feel society is telling them about being together? 

Fun read, not my favorite book of the year, but for a free book was good. I'd give this book 3 stars.

Book 53

Chop, Chop

One girl can change your life. Especially if it's one who is sold out on helping others. Yet, what do you do when you have a new best friend who likes her too?  This book had great underlying meaning, but a really sad twist.  There is a sequel to it, but I'm afraid it would be sad too. I'd give the book 3 stars.

Book 54

The Proposal

His life has been filled with trying to care for his son and forget the past. He has no desire to be in love ever again.  Her life has been filled with tragedy and she doesn't think she could ever love again. Both need to move on, so what if they fake being married so that he can have a Mom for his son, and she can get away from the past?  Strange plan, but even stranger is whether or not it will work out.

I'd give the book 3 stars.

Book 55

Simple book, with easy tips for the beginning organizer.

I'd give the book 5 stars, for someone new to the topic. I didn't get much out of it personally, but then I'm addicted to organization books!

Book 56

Great tips, and moves to get you started into building muscle and losing more weight!

I'd give the book 5 stars.

Book 57

Another good organizing book for the beginner with some good tips.

5 stars

Book 58

I really like Gary Chapman's ideas and suggestions. Having an amazing marriage as it is, and I'm not just saying that because someone might read this post, the book was not helpful to me. If you are struggling in any area, or wanting to make things better in the future, this book is a good read though. 

5 stars

Book 59

Funny, and interesting. Good plot, great characters.  It's one of those books where saying even a little might give to much away. Want a fun, quick and inspirational book. This one is for you.

5 stars.

Book 60

Amish life is tough, but in this book the decision has to be made as to which life is tougher.  Sometimes it seems the English have it so easy, but do they?  A fun look into the life of one who needs to decide before it's to late.

4 stars.

Book 61

Yes, addicted to organization books and challenges.  This book is once again a great tip book, more geared towards the beginner!

5 stars

Book 62

She left once and didn't plan on coming back, but when the library she loves, left to her by the woman she adored is about to be closed she finds fighting for it is the only thing she can do.  Will the man she used to love stand by her and help her to see she needs to stay in Liberty, or will he figure the past is in the past?

5 stars

Book 63

One of those books that could change your life.  Are you willing to Love, Skip and Jump into your faith and do what you are being called to do?  Great book about choosing to see God's plan for your life!  Worth the time it took to read it.

5 stars!

Book 50 Noble Pursuits

Book 50: Noble Pursuits by Chautona Havig

I've read several books by this author and all have been enjoyable. In this book Nolan Burke has everything anyone could ever want, except he's alone.  He has lots of women throwing themselves at him, but he isn't interested in finding anyone that doesn't fit is wish list for God.  He finally decides that moving from his current location, to a neighboring town might be just what he needs to finally find the one  he is suppose to be with. He is not prepared for what he finds in this town though, especially when he meets his new neighbor Grace.
She is a force to be reckoned with, but for all the right reasons.  She isn't the model type that usually tries to latch onto him, instead she is beautiful first on the inside, and by seeing that beauty he begins to see her outward beauty as well.  Will their budding friendship turn into more, or will her over protective brother squash any future plans they may have.
Worth the read to find out.

I'd give this star 4 stars.

Books 45-49 The Dicarlo Bride Series Books 2-6

 

In one week I read all 5 of these books!  Yes, that's a lot of reading, but I did it in little bits here and there as I got lots of other things done around the house, so it only sounds bad.  Why did I read all 5 in one week...because they were good!  These 5 books finish off the story started in book one about the DiCarlo sisters.  Not all of them go by the same last name as they didn't even realize until the start of book one that they were sisters.  They discovered this family secret when their father George DiCarlo passed away. At the reading of his will they discover that they each have sisters they know nothing about and, to make matters worse if they want any part of the rather large inheritance they must give up their current job and help get their late father's newest resort up and running. Each has a specialty that they can bring to this newest project, but it does mean sacrificing what they have been doing for years. The alternative though is to lose the inheritance and have the money they would have earned given to a charity that they could not possibly support on their own.

In book one the main focus is on the oldest, Cami and how she is taking the news and on her budding relationship with Vince the grounds keeper, and local landscape architect.  In that book you soon discover that not only did George orchestrate their vocations he also made attempts to orchestrate their love lives by talking to several men that he thought would be perfect for his daughters.

In these other books each of the sisters are highlighted.  You are taken on a journey of them learning to trust each other, and open up about things from their past.  They of course all end up falling in love, and since the title of the series is the DiCarlo Brides, in can be determined that they all end up getting married too, or at least engaged.  On top of the romantic element that is present in each of the books there are also lots of twists, turns and complications.  Mysterious events are taking place and usually it's not who you think would be the people behind it that are causing these events to happen.

All of the books were well written. I especially appreciated that, while being romance novels, they were not filled with explicit content.  I look forward to reading more by Heather Tullis in the future.

I'd give this series 5 stars!

 

Books 43 and 44: Crossed and Reached

Book 2 in the Matched Series by Ally Condie. This was probably my favorite of the 3 books in this series.  In this book Cassia is in search of Ky who has been taken away from Society. In the process she begins to discover the truth about society and about herself and Ky as well as who Xander, her match really is as well.  The fast pace of them searching for each other in the Outer Provinces and the situation that is effecting society caused the book to be one that was hard to put down. 

I'd give this book 5 stars.

The final book in the series This was probably my least favorite of the series.  The book seemed to drag on with Xander searching for a cure and trying to help people fighting the plague, and Cassia trying to figure out who she could trust.  As the book moved on I could almost predict what was going to happen, and it did happen in almost that exact way.  I love character development so I would have really enjoyed the book more if after the story itself ended there had been a 5 or 10 years later chapter or two really wrapping up the lives of the characters.

Overall, when compared to Hunger Games and Divergent in terms of acceptability for teens this one wins out.  The story was intriguing, and for the most part the characters were well developed and their was a good deal of suspense involved.  The main reason it wins out is that there was implied violence, but the actual violence was not written out for you to read.  It also did not contain suggested sexual activity as the Divergent series did. 

I'd give this book 3 stars, but the series itself 5 stars.

Book 42: The & Day Prayer Warrior Experience

I try to read some books that will grow my faith every month on top of the fictional books I read.  Although I do try to stick with Christian Fiction as much as I can due to the fact that other books often have themes that even as an adult I don't need to fill my mind with.

This book was a short but powerful devotion that I read last week.  It breaks down the verses in Ephesians 6 where Paul talks about putting on the whole armor of God.  It goes through each item and describes why a Roman soldier would have worn that piece of clothing, and spiritually why we should as well.  Spiritual warfare is real.  The devil doesn't want us to be effective as Christians, he wants to render us useless.  To quote the book "God doesn't want us carrying anything that is unnecessary because it will weigh us down and hinder what He has called us to do". He wants us to be prepared for battle, and He knows it will come.  How we prepare is by being in His Word and spending time talking to Him through prayer.  These two steps will help to guard our hearts and our minds and keep us focused on the important things in our lives. 

Life won't always be easy, but if we spend time dressing as a soldier would for battle, daily then we will be ready when battle comes.

Great devotional book! 5 stars!

Book 41: Matched

by Ally Condie

Yes, once again I find myself with a teen who wants to read a book that is currently popular and I know nothing really about it. I went to one of my sources who is an avid reader and currently a collage student and she told me she was 3/4 of the way through it and was not discovering any inappropriate content.  Wish I didn't have to ask around to see if books for teens are overly sexual, but in today's society you have to work to keep kids minds pure. Having found all 3 of the books in the series for a total of $9 I decided to go ahead and read the book myself.

This book follows the theme of so many of the books our teens are reading these days, the idea of society controlling civilization. That part is a bit scary, in terms of why are so many authors writing the same theme over and over again and why as society are we scrambling to read those same theme of books over and over again.  In many ways you could pick up this book and not be sure whether you were reading the Hunger Games, or Divergent, aside from the characters names and in this case, at least through book 1, a lack of violence that the other books all contained.

In this book Cassia is going through her life as directed by society. On her 17th birthday she attends her Match ceremony where she is shown the person who she will marry when she turns 21. The problem is, she knows him.  That in itself is very rare.  On top of it, there is another problem with the microcard she is given to view details about him.  This problem launches her into meetings with the person she begins to call Her Official. An officer who is there to make sure she follows a certain path, the path of society.  This event and the death of her Grandfather is causing Cassia to being to wonder.  Wonder is what her Grandfather says even her late Grandmother would have wanted her to do.  Wonder, is this life right, is there more out there. 

As the book continues Cassia begins the journey of trying to figure that out with help from someone she never gave much thought to before.  Ky is that person, he's an outsider in many ways, but now Cassia is realizing that he has been there all along.  Will they discover truth, and be willing to take the chances needed to realize what is really going on in the world they live in.

Too much can be given away in a book review or on a cover of the book.  I don't wan to do that here, so you'll just need to read it yourself. I've moved on to book 2, and hope to finish the series before giving a final ok to my 12 year old to read the books, but so far I feel she could read book 1 for sure.

I'd give the book 5 stars.  So far it's a great series and less violent than Hunger Games or Divergent, even with the similar content.