Live Free is a life and attitude changing book! When we are slapped with painful and unexpected experiences, we have all fallen into the trap of asking ourselves the questions, “what if” and “if only”.

Ms. Smiley does a beautiful job of gently showing us that these two phrases take away our peace, joy, and contentment from the present, and cause us to focus on the past. A past we can do nothing to alter or erase. We waste the beautiful opportunities and blessings of the present.

The bottom line is that we are not putting our full trust and faith in God. Instead, we are refusing to believe He loves us so much that He would only choose what is the very best for us.

The book is divided into the positive attitudes we should choose in response to difficult challenges we handle it with God’s Word and the mind of Christ. Each chapter shares unbelievable trials a woman has faced and her incredible choice respond with courage and confidence in God. These women were just like us, with families, plans, and bright futures, never expecting the storm that was about to turn their lives upside down. Being able to relate to these women really helped me apply what I learned.

The author shows how each lady decided to focus on Christ and Scripture exclusively rather than their problem. They all could have just as easily given into hopelessness, despair, and fear. Throughout the book are beautiful thought provoking quotes and scriptures that give insight and encouragement into HOW they accomplished this. I looked at them as the stepping stones these ladies used to walk with Christ through such deep valleys.

It was so helpful the way Ms. Smiley showed in detail how each woman used the scriptures to find strength and peace in such horrible circumstances. These women were not perfect and each openly revealed where they faltered and stumbled. They illustrate how instead of laying down where they fell; they turned to the Lord for strength and continued on. I liked all the scriptural references that anchored them to God in their storms. Ones that will help me too.

At the end of each chapter there is a “Choose to Reflect” section with a scripture and a closing thought. Excellent study questions are included that help you apply what you have learned to your life and circumstances.

This book is a keeper, one to read over again and share with friends. Mine is filled with highlights and personal notes! I found this book to be inspiring, encouraging, and comforting. Thank you Ms. Smiley for not only putting my trials into perspective but showing me how to find the “Light” in the darkest hours!

I received this book free from Moody Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Wedded To War
by Jocelyn Green
I especially like historical Christian novels. I am transported back in time through the author and her characters to experience the emotional and physical challenges of that period. Ms. Green’s research into this era and her attention to details made this an amazing book!
Wedded to War did an excellent job of allowing me to understand and learn about the struggles of women desiring to serve as nurses during the Civil War and also the suffering and sacrifices of those who fought.
Charlotte Waverly was born with a silver spoon in her mouth you might say. She had wealth, beauty and education far beyond young women of her day. She wasn’t caught up in all the frivolous, useless activities of high society in the 1860’s. Her desire and purpose was to serve others and make a difference, not just exist. It was surprising how restricting the social structure was for the wealthy during this era. The “have alls” weren’t free to “do all”.
This brave young woman overcame many obstacles to accomplish her dream of becoming a nurse to the wounded soldiers. Not only did she have to overstep society’s boundaries, and her mother’s objections to her pursuing such a career, but also not meeting the qualifications of the U.S. Sanitary Commission. None of this stopped her and she continued until she was accepted in a training program for Union nurses. She knew this was God’s calling on her life and persisted with faith and determination.
The detail and even graphic accounts of the duties and experiences of Civil War nurses gave me a totally different view of the war. Their day to day work was horrific without the disrespect and ill treatment of doctors who felt they had no place in medicine. I was also shocked at the suffering of the wounded and sick men. Not only from the lack of available medical care but also how was primitive medicine at its best.
The story unfolds as her loyalty and commitment are tested in increasingly difficult ways, not only in the war but likewise in her personal life. Through her faithfulness to God and unselfishness, I saw God protecting and rewarding her as she could never have imagined. This was a reminder that God does the same for us when we trust and follow Him. This was a powerful book!
I received this book free from Moody publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I have to say I have never read a Christian fiction like this and I loved it!!! There was humor, romance, drama and surprisingly some real romp’n stomp’n action! I read it in 2 days and most of that time was when I was supposed to be sleeping! I couldn’t put it down!
When Meredith was ten years old it was a known fact you never step foot on Archer land or you would be shot on sight. On a school yard dare she stepped on the land and found herself caught in an animal trap. Young Travis Archer found her, rescued her and carried her home. That one meeting and act of kindness spurned a school girl crush that lasted into her young adulthood.
The Archer brothers weren’t bad, just fearful. Having lost both of their parents when they were very young, Travis, the oldest, took on the role of protector and father to his brothers. He had taken that role very seriously. The four brothers had been living as bachelor/hermits their whole lives. Their childhood terror of having someone take their land from them had grown into an all-out war toward those on the outside. The last thing on their minds was a woman.
The Archer land was prime land for the railroad and Meredith over hears a plot to attack them and take their land. With her love for Travis and wanting to repay his good deed 12 years ago, she risks all and goes onto their land at night.
As you can imagine they aren’t overly happy to see her, even with the important news she brings, but most of all the very presence of a woman sends their lives into a tail spin! Through some ill-fated incidents, Meredith ends up staying on the ranch for several days. Being noble men, the brothers are determined to save her reputation. The only plan they can come up with to see who the groom will be is to draw straws. Travis draws the short straw and becomes her husband. Both have a strong relationship with God and desire to please Him in all they do. Will this be the common bond in a relationship that has nothing in common?
This book with all its humor and fun has some very strong lessons in turning our preconceived plans and ideas over to God. Travis and Meredith show how we can be too focused what “we” think we should be doing, and listening to God and letting Him guide.
I would absolutely love to see future books on the lives of each of the brothers. This book is a must read!
I received this book free from Bethany House Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

All I can say is WOW! As far as cookbooks are concerned, this is a Rolls Royce! Without even opening it this cookbook is impressive! It is 889 pages of recipes. That’s 1,485 recipes at your fingertips, all in one book! Just glancing through the book I see so many recipes I want to try.
I find it a real treasure because Taste of Home has put together the very best recipes they have received over the past 20 years. I love the fact that it is a hardback, as in my experience large paperbacks don’t hold up for the long run. This is a cookbook that can be used and enjoyed for years to come! It also has something most cookbooks don’t: A pretty satin ribbon to mark your place!
While it has the usual cookbook categories (appetizers, breads, cakes, etc.) 16 in all, it has some uncommon ones. These include Breakfast and Brunch, Celebrations and Holidays, Condiments and Sauces, Cooking for One and Two, Grand Prize Winners, Mealtime Express, Mom Made it Best, Our Contributors Meals, Potluck Picks, and Sandwiches and Pizzas. You can only imagine the varieties of new recipes available in these special categories! Two categories I was especially excited about was Cooking for One and Two as we are empty-nesters, and Mealtime Express, recipes for quick meals is something we all can use! I look forward to using the Potluck section because I am always looking for new recipes for our church dinners.
The recipes were easy to read. The title is I an eye-catching blue. The ingredients are in a bold black print, making it easy to see what you need in a glance. The recipe instructions have the steps numbered for easy following. Recipes that were in the top 100 are marked with a medallion stating this. I liked the fact that each recipe has a personal story that made it memorable for the person submitting it. All color photos are beautiful, high definition, giving them a definite yummy factor. Throughout the book are helpful tips pertaining to the recipe or certain ingredients.
I believe this cookbook could easily become a family heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation. But if your kids want one “Before you’re done dust’n it”, as my mother says (which means before you pass on), it would make a fantastic gift for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, and weddings!
This cookbook is a MUST HAVE for your collection!
That from now until September 13th Best Loved Recipes is only available through the Taste of Home website:
http://www.tasteofhome.com/best-loved-recipes/cookbook?Keycode=BLC71VH04M
When you order from the Taste of Home website you’ll get an exclusive Taste of Home Baking Guide Free and free shipping.
Come September 13th it will be released to the trade and will be available on Amazon , Barnes and Noble and where books are sold.
I received this book free from FBS Associates. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

This book reminded me of how God equips and sends very exceptional people such as Ms. Weishample to care for children with special needs.
Darrell story is heart breaking. Premature, abused at birth, and facing countless physical and mental challenges, this precious child fought even as an infant to survive. God lovingly placed foster parents with huge hearts and mountain of commitment to care for him in his first few years.
The author was a single mom and had already adopted a child but was willing to open her heart and home to an infant with serious physical and medical needs. There is only one explanation and that is the one she shared: God had called her to do so.
This book is not only the heart wrenching story of Darrell’s difficult life. It is most of all testimony for our Heavenly Father’s love and care that surmounts all obstacles and paves the way for one who was totally helpless.
I hurt for Ms. Weishampel as she faced the maze of doctors, therapists, social workers, and agencies to get Darrell the very best of care. I was awed by her perseverance in the face of caring for mentally and physically handicapped child, with little sleep and in the addition to her other children. Her focus was on Darrell and the children, putting their needs before hers.
Her story is an amazing testimony of pure sacrifice. Her hope was focused on the Lord and her strength came from Him only, and she gives Him the glory for everything she did.
I was inspired by her faith, determination and incredible gift of putting others before herself no matter what the cost. This book is a must read!
I received this book free from Hannibal books . I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Deeply grieving the loss of her soldier husband, Jarrod, Corrie Saunders moves back to his home town in the Ozarks. He has been gone 6 months but her grief is still raw. She settles into his 150 year old family home that she inherited from him. Corrie hopes going back to where Jarrod grew up will somehow ease her pain of losing him and she will feel his presence. This makes her a vulnerable to family’s belief that the house is haunted, especially his elderly Aunt Trudy who proclaims to be a medium.
Eli, Jarrod’s cousin, is there to help her make repairs to the home and support her. He is a preacher and a godly young man with high standards. Both are surprised at how quickly they are attracted to each other, yet are besieged with guilt about their feelings. Despite their misgivings, their friend ship grows into romance with both trying desperately to crush increasing affections.
The family believes the house has been haunted as long as they can remember. Corrie, not wanting to accept her husband is dead, chooses to believe it is Jarrod trying to contact her. Even though she was raised in church, she abandoned her faith in her teens. Eli on the other hand is very strong in his faith and knows what the Bible says about witchcraft. He tries to protect and warn Corrie but her desire to have her husband in some way is too strong.
When I started reading this book and it began to venture into the occult I thought, “Oh no, what have I gotten myself into.” I do not believe spirits can inhabit homes and inanimate objects, therefore I didn’t feel comfortable about this part of the book. Ms. Bateman handled it well and didn’t go overboard, and I appreciate that.
The rest of the book was delightful. There was a sweetness and innocence about Corrie and Eli’s romance. While the author made it very clear the intensity of Eli’s love for Corrie, his self-control and respect for her but for the Lord was wonderful. I loved their conversations with each other. They were real and not artificial like many novels, and I found them quiet humorous.
The book was well written and I was impressed with the important spiritual lessons woven throughout the book.
I received this book free from Waterbrook Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

This is my second book to read by Ms. Moore and I must say I am just as impressed as I was by the first one! Her wholesome writing exemplifies godly character for young people to follow. Once again she is right on track with getting to the heart of the many challenges young people face and feelings that go with them.
Summer is here and like most young boys, Alec has plans to goof off and sleep in but things don’t quite turn out as he’d like. His spirits soar when he finds out his Mom will be able to get away from her out of town job and visit. The family goes all out and prepares for a big party. Last minute problems prevent her from coming and Alex is devastated. Instead of being upset he decides to spend a lot of time at the new pool with his friends. Wanting his sons to do something constructive with their time, their Dad enrolls them in a baseball camp! Not only can Alex not play baseball but he hates it! To make matters worse, Tyrod, the school bully is there and becomes buddies with his brother Antoine!
Things seem to make a turn for the better when his mom flies him and Antoine to California to spend time with her. She enrolls them in an acting camp and the door opens for Alec to start a career in television! His Mom puts a stop to it and he doesn’t understand why.
Young people have a problem with getting upset when things don’t go their way. This book has a powerful biblical lesson not only in how God wants them handle these situations but also how to apply this truth to their lives.
As with all Ms. Moore’s books there are word searches after each chapter and fun educational activities.
I highly highly recommend these books for young boys or girls, not only for quality reading but instilling strong moral values and godly standards!
I received this book free from Moody Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Amelia and Michael lives could come from more differing lives and backgrounds, yet the both are facing the same problem. They have dreams and passions they feel strongly led to follow, but their parents are equally as strong and controlling in the path they feel their children should take. Their paths would have never crossed if it wasn’t for a stormy night and a flat tire.
Amelia is an extremely talented violinist whose parents have been grooming her to be a famous concert musician since she was 3. She is on the verge of stepping into her parents dream. Amelia finds great joy in fiddling, something her parents find a waste of her gift of music. Her father’s poor health and her intense love for her parents keep her from making the choice.
Michael is a young Amish man who has a great desire for an education and a career as an architect. He knows he would have to leave his Amish faith and deeply hurt his family. His desires have caused conflict in his family and he has fled to an isolated cabin after one of many fights with his parents. This is where Amelia ends up on that stormy night.
Though worlds apart they immediately bond, sharing their struggle of following their hearts or breaking their family’s hearts. Amelia spends some time in the Amish community to clear her head. She finds herself falling in love with these gentle people, their simple ways, and Michael. Michael has the same feelings for her but neither expresses them because they know their two lives could never mix. Now they are not only trapped by their parent’s expectations but also their growing affection for each other.
Ms. Lewis did an excellent job of making the reader a part of the character’s inward conflicts in making such life changing decisions. I also appreciated how both characters remained sensitive and respectful to their parents even though they were both old enough to make their down choices. Her vivid details drew me into the story and made me experience Amelia and Michael’s feelings confusion and uncertainty. I was reminded of how complicated the crossroads in life can be, and that we must not rush into anything no matter how intense our desire to resolve our conflict. We must first seek God’s guidance and wait on his clear direction.
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

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This is a powerful novel about the impact of war on the lives of soldiers and their families. Jane and Seth were childhood sweethearts with beautiful plans for marriage and a “happily ever after” life together. Jane was excitedly preparing for their wedding and awaiting Seth’s return from serving in Iraq.
Their lives were turned upside down when he returns paralyzed. He is no longer the man she knew, physically or emotionally. Seth struggles with depression and a myriad of emotions at being robbed of his vibrant life and future. Jane still deeply loves him but battles between her loyalty to the man she fell in love with and questioning her ability to commit to a lifetime of caring for a paraplegic.
The author did an amazing job of drawing the reader into the painful challenges each one faces. While I found this very intense, it gave me a greater understanding of the realities military couples encounter when a loved one returns injured.
Jane finds strong support in two people she meets while Seth is in the V.A. hospital. One is Truman, an elderly retired doctor who has overcome a very painful past. The other is John Paul, a young attorney facing an overwhelming daily challenge. In spite of these hardships, both men have learned to live their live with purpose and joy.
While I cannot begin to imagine the suffering and difficulties those who serve our country face, this story gave me a small idea of what it is like to walk in their shoes. I have always had compassion toward those that pay such a high price for our freedom, but Travelers Rest gave me an even greater understanding and empathy.
I was inspired by each of the characters and their ability to surmount very different problems with courage and perseverance. It made me ashamed for whining at the small frustrations I face. There are some pleasant surprises along the way and an unexpected ending!
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Going on a diet can be overwhelming not to mention intimidating! I was impressed by this book because it included so many things to help you succeed. I liked the fact that it recognized that our bodies need fat and that no-fat diets are not healthy. It explains the difference between good fats and bad fats. The couple of chapters discuss what causes us to gain weight, and the things that help us release fat. All the information was easy to read and understand.
A 21 day plan is provided with tips to help you be successful above and beyond just the diet. I liked the lists of fat releaser foods to help in choosing the best foods. All 3 phases have excellent menus for each one and included is breakfast, lunch, dinner and 2 snacks. The final phase can be used for weight maintenance once you reach your goal. The menus were not quirky or super unusual to me. While they were varied and tasty, I found them all to be food for “regular” people like me. They supplied many recipes for meals included in the menus. Colorful pictures of the finished product were important to me, as I like to see what the final product looks like. It also motivates me more to try it.
There was an exercise guide. It included walking and exercises. Nothing over the top here either. Just a few simple exercises that the majority of people can easily do.
One chapter guides you after your 21 days are up on how to lose more weight or maintain the weight you have reached. I found this very helpful. I especially like pages throughout the book that shared the successes and information of real people that had used the diet. Pictures included!
I was pleased with this book and how complete it is in every way to help you lose weight. If you are already at your perfect weight but want to just eat healthier, this would be a great book. Either way The Digest Diet gives you the tools, support and information where you will find yourself saying, “I can do this!’
I received this book free from Fbs associates . I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255