Stand All the Way Up Burn It All Down by Sophie Hudson

 Stand All the Way Up: Stories of Staying In It When You Want to Burn It All Down by Sophie Hudson is a great collection of stories written by famous author, better known as BooMama.  Although I had never read anything by BooMama, I did enjoy this book.  Sophie shares stories and humor and tends to "tell it like it is"!

Each chapter features a different topic of encouragement shared by Sophie. She tackles such ideas as friendships, racism, parenting, working and many other aspects of life.  Sophie also takes a hard look at racism and much that is going on in the world today. Sophie tends to share in a relatable and enjoyable way. 

I did enjoy this book and would recommend it. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do!

Big and Little Activity Devotional by Rachel Swanson

The Big and Little Activity Devotional by Rachel Swanson is a super fabulous activity book for children ages 5-12.  It offers many pages filled with countless activities.  Not only are the activities rich with content, but there are also a variety of pages.

If you hold the book and open it one direction, you will see pages for younger children. Then if you flip the book over you will see pages for older children! How clever!  Pages range from word puzzles, mazes, trace and color, how to draw, word searches, coloring pages and so much more.

This is a great resource for families of children that span ages, or can be used with a younger child and then used again when they are older.

The listed scripture passage and short devotional can be used with both the younger and older children.  This book offers great fun for children to pass the time and still learn a valuable

lesson at the same time!

I was given a free copy of Big and Little Activity Devotional by Rachel Swanson from the publisher for my honest review!

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson is a delightful fiction story, an enjoyable book! This is actually the first book I read by the award winning author!

Dillion has quite the life. Well, maybe. She has a decent job, a boyfriend and an ok life with her roommates. When her boyfriend is late to dinner again, and continually takes her for granted she knows its time for a change. Then her boss implores her to come in to work on a Saturday, again.  This is the last straw. Dillion does it! She packs up and heads to her beloved Grandpa's farm. However, surprise, her mother is there. Sadly, she has never gotten along well with her free spirited mother.  And her mother starts telling Dillion how to run her life and always takes Dillion for granted!

However, there is this gentleman who works at the hardware store.  And enter a beloved vintage camper gifted to Dillion.

The Happy Camper is a sweet story.  It is fun, delightful and engaging. A cheerful read!  You will enjoy the story of 34 year old Dillion and her transplanted life back to simpler times on the family farm.

I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, which I was happy to do!

The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear

Wow! I had the opportunity to read The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear! What a thrilling tale!

Rachel is excited and jealous as her best friend, Sally, marries her new beau.  However, something isn't quite right at the wedding ceremony.  Rachel is happy to stand as a witness with her childhood friend, Hugh, but he is clearly off soon to be with his new interest, Liz.  Time moves on. Is Sally safe? What is going on with her new husband? And what has become of Hugh? What about his friend, a potential suitor for Rachel, who he mentioned in passing?

The Blue Cloak will captivate you!  This compelling novel will draw you in and carry you along the frontier on a journey set in the late 1790's.  The Blue Cloak is part of the  Historical Stories of American Crime Series.  It is truly a spellbinding story.  In fact, I couldn't put it down!  The author does start off with a "warning" that this book does share some (real) graphic details. That made me nervous at first - as I've read some other author disclaimers - but honestly I'd give it a PG or PG13 rating.  Not appropriate for children and likely historically accurate.

I did enjoy The Blue Cloak and would highly recommend this book. I  received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Grey Chamber ~ by Grace Hitchcock

I read the Grey Chamber by Grace Hitchcock in record time, BECAUSE I could not put it down!!!!!!

The Grey Chamber is a story set in 1887 which mixes fiction with non-fiction, and Grace Hitchcock weaves it in a fabulous story! Edyth is a free spirit who lost her parents and inherited a fortune. Her uncle oversees her estate and all Edyth wants is his fatherly approval and love. When she turns 25 in a few months, she will have control over her estate.  However, her uncle's new wife finds a loophole in the will of Edyth's parents that just might allow her uncle (and his wife) to have all of the inheritance.  The loophole involves Blackwell Island's insane asylum!

As I said, I could not put this book down!  The characters were amazing and the story was enthralling. I am going to be looking for more books by Grace Hitchcock. I love that she mixes nonfiction with fiction. The historical setting just adds to the story as well!
The plot will keep you reading!  Make sure you have time when you start this to finish it - you will want to keep reading on!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. However, I was happy to do just that and I highly recommend this book!!!!

Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Freeby Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth is a book that every woman needs to read. Even if you think you don’t!

In Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free, Nancy goes through 45 lies that Satan tells women. Nancy also explains the truth about each lie and exposes each one. She gives you practical advice and scripture to combat each lie. Practical advice, wisdom from those who have “been there”and so much more.

Honestly I thought I didn’t need this book but after reading it I think every woman needs to read it. We also started doing it at a small group and it has been excellent. I highly recommend Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free.  This is a classic that has been updated that women need to read and share. 

This book is a treasure. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review. I am happy to do just that and highly recommend this book.

The Complicated Heart by Sara Mae

I loved this book! The story Sarah shares in The Complicated Heart, will grip your heart! I have to be honest, I read it in less than 24 hours! It was a combination of "I couldn't put it down" and for me, it was a quick read.

Sarah Mae shares the journey of her childhood, filled with many tragic circumstances, mainly looking for love and a place to fit in. Sarah can see how her family history affects her mother's love, which Sarah desperately longs for. Her mother's addiction to alcohol gets in the way of having a loving mother.  Throughout Sarah's life, however, God has His hand on her and plants seeds of drawing Sarah to Him.

Sarah shares her honest story and starts off letting the reader know that this book is not suited for all readers. There is some graphic content, but it is real. Sarah shares her story of God's redemption to both her and her mother.  The book is filled with Sarah's personal journal entries/throughts/feelings, as well as those of her mother's.

You will be challenged to think, look at yourself and those around you as you read The Complicated Heart by Sarah Mae.

I highly recommend this book! I am thankful I was given a free copy by the publisher for my honest review. It was definitely worth reading!

Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham

I LOVED Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham! (In other words, I couldn't put it down and read it in 3 days!!!!! This is excellent historical fiction!

Penny works in the dead letter office.  This is the office where letters that cannot be delivered end up. It is up to those in the dead letter office to either find the intended recipient, or dispose of the letter. One day Penny reads a touching letter from Thomas to his love, Clara. She knows she must find Clara and even attempts to deliver the letter in person.  However...

No spoilers here.

I throughly enjoyed Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham  It is the first book I read by Rachel Fordham, but I will be on the lookout for more!  It is an enjoyable historical fiction that captures the readers attention!

I would HIGHLY recommend Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham!!!  Beach reading, weekend reading, waiting for appointments reading, etc!

I was given a free copy by the publisher for my honest review. I am more than trilled to do just that!

A Mamma of Girls MUST READ!!!

I make it no secret that I am a fan of Dannah Gresh and her work! I did have a chance to review Lies Girls Believe by Dannah Gresh. Honestly, I thought A Moms Guides to Lies Girls Believe & the Truth That Sets Them Free would just be a simple recap of the book for girls.

Boy (pun intended), was I wrong.

This book is a GIFT. A TREASURE. A handbook for MOMS!

In A Moms Guides to Lies Girls Believe & the Truth That Sets Them Free Dannah looks at lies girls are told. It does contain the entire workbook for girls, AND it also contains insight, research, data, advice and wisdom for Moms.  If you know Dannah's work, Dannah does not "beat around the bush" she is straightforward in calling moms to do their job and to educate their daughters.

I throughly enjoyed Dannah's insight, and was quite honestly challenged.

I would recommend this book for mothers of daughters ages 6+! Yes, that's right age 6! Dannah addresses hard issues that it would be ideal to "get ahead of" while your children are young! This book is a practical how to for mammas!

I was given a free copy of A Moms Guides to Lies Girls Believe & the Truth That Sets Them Free  from the publisher for my honest review which I was happy to do!

Mammas - grab this book as a resource for yourself!

living lives book review

I had the chance to read Living Lies by Natalie Walters. It was the first book I read by her. I throughly enjoyed it!

Living Lies by Natalie Walters is the story of Lane and her past. She stumbles upon a young body in a small town where murder is unheard of. But what is going on?  What in keeping her from facing her past and what exactly did happen?  Who is this new young (handsome) deputy?

I loved what was written on the back cover of Living Lies by Natalie Walters. It reads: "A nail-biter that will make you play hooky from your day job, feed your children cereal for supper, and not stop reading until the last page. (by Jaime Jo Wright).  Although, I wasn't THAT hooked, I did throughly enjoy that book! I did enjoy how Natalie tied in her military experience.

Living Lies by Natalie Walters was a great read and would make an excellent summertime book, especially for beach reading!  I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review. I was happy to do just that!

Empowered ~ Stories for Girls About Heroes!

Empowered How God Shaped 11 Women’s Lives (And Can Shape Yours Too) is a great resource and excellent book for tween girls!!!! I throughly enjoyed reading this book about various heroes. 

In her book, Catherine Parks looks at eleven different women and the impact they have had. Catherine also relates these stories to girls today and how they can impact those around them. I would highly recommend this book for girls ages 9 and up. I love the discussion questions at the end of each chapter and thoughts to make the stories relevant. 

Kids today need heroes to look up to. In her book Catherine shares the lives of Corrie ten Boom, Eather Ahn Kim, Sophie School, Betsie ten Boom, Pandita Ramabai, Elisabeth Elliot, Phillis Wheatley, Joni Eareckson Tada, Fanny Crosby, Charlotte Forten Grimke and Annie Armstrong.  

This book is written in a way that tweens can easily read it and relate. I was given a free copy of Empowered my the publisher for my honest review. I am happy to recommend this book!