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!

The Black Midnight by Kathleen y'Barbo

The Black Midnight is a captivating story of historical fiction.  The Black Midnight starts off in Austin Texas with a string of murders.  Annie is sent to help solve the murders and works with fellow detective, Isaiah.  They are trying to solve the murders and gather information, however, despite their best efforts, emotion takes over and they are finding themselves under the mistletoe! Who is Annie really? Will Isaiah (called Ike at times) ever know her for who she really is?

The book does starts off at one time period and then goes back in time, which was a little confusing, but it worked itself out in the end. I did enjoy this book as I have enjoyed other books in this series! The history mixed with the fiction is fascinating.  The story is enjoyable and fun.  I was given a free electronic copy of the book for my honest review.  I would recommend this book. 

Is God Speaking to Me?: How to Discern His Voice and Direction by Lysa TerKeurst

Is God Speaking to Me?: How to Discern His Voice and Direction Lysa TerKeurst

This "pocket guide" is a great resource of encouragement. Lysa shares a story of God prompting her to give her Bible to a stranger on a plane. She then completes the story full circle of how God used that Bible to bring others to Him.  This book has been revised and updated, which I appreciated.  Lysa refers to not only what she has experienced years ago, but also references experiences that are more recent.  

Lysa, in her usual way, shares from the heart and from the Bible how God can and will speak to others.  Readers will enjoy the personal stories and the encouragement shared throughout the book.  

I was given a free electronic copy to read for my honest review. I was happy to do so.  

These Nameless Things by Shawn Smucker

These Nameless Things by Shawn Smucker is a book that takes you into an intriguing world and keeps you thinking.  This is a style I am not as comfortable with, but for those who enjoy this type of fiction, I have a feeling they will become huge fans. It is definitely more allegorical.  For those how enjoy it, you will not be able to put it down and will be drawn in to the story!

In These Nameless Things, Shawn keeps you thinking and guessing about about Dan, Miho and other characters.  Dan has left the mountain and must help those who have left the mountain. It is a heavy task.  

For those who love this type of genre I think you will be hooked. For those not necessarily a fan of this type of fiction you may want to move on.  Shawn tends to have many fans, so it may be work a read just to check it out.

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

Modern Parents Vintage Values

Wow! This revised version of Modern Parents Vintage Values by Sissy Goff and Melissa Trevathan is a gift!  Modern Parents Vintage Values helps explores some of the issues facing children and teens today, addressing practical ways for parents to begin to address them, offers sound advice for trying to prevent them, and explores insight into children and teens of the world today.

Sissy and Melissa use their vast wisdom from helping children and teens over the years to offer valuable insight for parenting children and teens today.  I often have to decide is this is a pen worthy book? Meaning will I underline in it or not? It took just the introduction for me to realize it was pen worthy!  

Modern Parents Vintage Values offers statistics and insight but also the “Sunday Drive” section that provides activities that you can do with your child to help instill character in them today.  I would recommend this book for parents of children ages five to seventeen.  This book offers such practical how to for parents today.  

I was given a free copy of this book from the publisher. I am thrilled to recommend this book.  

What Momma Left Behind by Cindy K. Sproles

What Momma Left Behind by Cindy K. Sproles is a fiction story set in the Appalachian Mountains in 1877.  Momma leavers her daughter, Worie, to care for orphans she had previously cared for. But why would Momma leave Worie? Worie’s two brothers are nothing but trouble.  Which leaves Worie an orphan and with no siblings to help her.  This gives Worie a unique compassion for those around her.

What Momma Left Behind is an enjoyable historical fiction.  There are unexpected twists and turns along the way.  It does seemingly take on the time period of the Appalachian mountains in the late 1800’s.  This book is a great read, especially if you like historical fiction.  

I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review. I was happy to do that as well a recommend this book.  

Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner

Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner is a Christian fiction book set in the 1960’s.  It addresses such themes as death, race, mental health and several others.  Betty Sweet has just lost her husband. She is devastated but must pick up the pieces of her life and move on.  There are family ties that are both good and not so good that Betty encounters.  

I must admit I haven’t read a book set in the 1960’s before! It was very interesting given the time period. I also enjoyed the themes explored. This is an enjoyable novel.  I think those who lived in the 60’s might enjoy it even more than I did.  The story was good and the book was interesting to read. 

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

Love Riot by Sara Barratt

Love Riot: A Teenage Call to Live with Reckless Abandon for Christ by Sara Barratt is not just for teens! As a 40 something mom of teens, I enjoyed this book, but will also be encouraging my teens to read it!

Sara shares many keen insights in her book, Love Riot.  She shares what she has learned in her twenty years of life, much more than some have learned in so many more years of life. One would say Sara is "wise beyond her years".

I found myself being inspired and learning new lessons through Sara's book.  Sara shares four uncomfortable things that Christians will face: countercultural = counter comfortable, standing apart, choosing integrity, and reaching out.  Sara also writes about the practical. She not only shares the hardships, but offers solutions.  Sara writes about three ways to overcome the uncomfortable: pray, read and quote scripture and step out in faith.  Sara also writes that, "through the Bible we learn God's heart. Through prayer we pour out our own."

Parents, I'd encourage you to read this book to simply understand more of teen culture. Teens (guys and girls), I'd encourage you to read this book as a challenge to your generation.

I was given a free copy of Love Riot from the publisher for my honest review.

The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma

The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma is a part of the True Colors Historical Stories of American Crime series.  I have read some other books from this series and The Green Dress does not disappoint.

Harriet lives in Boston. The Robinson family has taken her in after she fled a horrible engagement arranged by her father.  She occasionally misses her family, but the pain is eased by her sweet best friend, Lizzie. Suddenly Lizzie is ill. Harriet leaves her millinery shop to tend to Lizzie.  Lizzie passes a horrible death. This has been yet another death in the Robinson household. So many in so few years. What is going on? Lizzie encounters the town doctor and confides in him for help and to help find the cause of all the deaths. Who will tend to the others in the Robinson household? Is Harriet willing to give everything she has worked for to those who took her in when she was weakest?

This book is enthralling and will hold your attention. It has all the elements - history, mystery, romance and drama. It is also based on a true historical event.  I throughly enjoyed The Green Dress and would recommend it.

I  received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Edge of Everywhen ~ Guest Review!

The Edge of Everywhen is a novel by A. S. Mackey. This is her first book for tweens/teens. For this review I allowed my eleven year old to read & review the book. 

The Edge to Everywhen is about a 13 year-old girl named Piper and her autistic brother, Phoenix. Piper and Phoenix are sent to live with their aunt after their mother dies and their father is sent overseas to do construction work. 

Piper explores this new place and finds a book, Novus Fabula. Read this book to find out what happens!!! I felt like I was with the characters in the story. The book really drew me in. I definitely think you should read this book. I give it five stars. 

I will say my eleven year-old was hooked and could not put the book down. She continually told me how much she enjoyed this book! A great fantasy read. Kids will delight in reading this book. Great for summer reading!!! 

I recommend this book. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review.