Book Review-The Blizzard Bride

The Blizzard Bride was written by Susanne Dietze, and is book eleven in The Daughters of the Mayflower series.
Summary: Abigail Bracey is alone. Her parents are dead, and her childhood sweetheart abandoned her. All she has left is a determination to find her father’s killer.
When the chance arises to help bring the murderer to justice, Abigail agrees to work undercover as a schoolteacher in Wells, Nebraska.
Little did she know that part of the deal would require her to work closely with Agent Dashiell Lassiter-the man who abandoned her so many years ago.
Will it be worth it to work side by side with the man she now despises in order to get justice for her father? And what will happen when a freak storm threatens to blow everything to pieces?
My Thoughts: I liked this book. The plot was interesting, and there were so many memorable characters which made this book fun to read. I really like books with small towns where you get to know everybody and all their secrets, eccentricities, etc. and this book did a great job in that respect.
I also appreciated the strong message of forgiveness present in this book, and how the characters coped with the past mistakes they had made.
Overall, it was a fun read, and fits in well with this series.
I would like to thank Barbour Publishing, Inc. for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you.

Book Review-The Fifth Avenue Story Society

The Fifth Avenue Story Society is a modern-day novel written by Rachel Hauck.
Summary: Five people receive a summons to attend the first meeting of the Fifth Avenue Story Society.
Each of them is dealing with loneliness, struggles, and heartaches, and none want a room full of strangers poking into the secrets hidden in their hearts.
But as the weeks pass, the members find that opening up-just a little-might be just what they, and the other group members really need to move on with their lives.
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed the premise of this book, and how the author wove each of the characters’ lives together to create a very interesting read. I wanted to know what each character’s secrets were, and I rooted for the group as they helped each other solve those problems by sharing a little of their own lives.
It was very easy to get invested in the characters, and that made for a good read.
I did think the ending was tied up a little too neatly, and the revelation of the source of the mysterious invitations was a bit on the cheesy side for my tastes.
Overall though, I enjoyed the book quite a bit, and it is worth reading-especially if you like heart-warming/relationship type stories.
It is reminiscent of Max Lucado’s Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe. If you liked that one, this one will also be up your alley.
I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

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Crafty Haul Post-Part Four!

This is my final crafty haul post out of four, and I have a few miscellaneous things I picked up.

Tree Background Die:

Gift Card Dies:

Lawn Fawn Canned Pumpkin Card Stock:

Ranger Letter It Celebration Stamps:

Paige Evans Horizon 6×8 Paper Pad:

Arteza Watercolor Pad Pack:

My Favorite Things Yay for You Stamps:

My Favorite Things From Me to You Stamps:

My Favorite Things Thanks Die:

My Favorite Things Cool Christmas Stamps:

Martha Stewart Holiday Washi Tape:

Everything here was either on clearance, an Amazon lightning deal, or just a dollar or two (the two dies were less than $2 each), so even though it looks like a lot, it ended up being under $40 for all of this, which is pretty amazing.

Well, that’s the last of my haul posts. Now, I have to start digging in to everything! 🙂

Book Review-Home Learning Year by Year

Home Learning Year by Year is a homeschool book written by Rebecca Rupp. The book is designed to comprehensively guide homeschool parents through each year of schooling-recommending not only the topics to be learned, but also resources for those topics. This edition is an updated and revised addition to the 2000 guide.
My Thoughts: Years ago when I started researching homeschooling, I checked out a very large stack of books from the library-searching for any books that would aid me on this new homeschooling journey.
Home Learning Year by Year was one of those books. I recognized it for the true gem that it was-so much helpful information contained in a single book!
I bought myself a copy, and every year when approaching a new grade level with my children, I have pulled out this book and taken copious notes-making it a part of my lesson planning for the year.
When someone on Facebook or at the library asks me for homeschooling book recommendations, this is one of two I always recommend (the other being Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie.) These two books combined make a powerful force for any beginning homeschool teacher, and are great resources to come back to again and again.
I was very excited to see a new and updated version of this book on the market, and knowing that I already loved it, I eagerly requested to review it.
I am so happy! I love that so many newer books, resources, and websites are listed (including Sarah Mackenzie, which doesn’t hurt one bit!)
I feel I have a new treasure trove of books and information to glean from, and am glad I still have one young enough that I can go back through the information for younger students, and feel like I didn’t miss out. 🙂
This book provides good reminders all in one place for me too-to remember that yes, I loved that book with an older child, and need to remember it for a younger, etc.
If you can’t tell yet, this is one of my favorite homeschool books, and one I consider to be a staple for homeschooling families. An update only makes it all the better!
If you are planning on starting a homeschool journey, or would just like a little boost in your planning-start with Home Learning Year by Year. It’s a keeper!
I would like to thank Crown Publishing and Broadway Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Although, I must admit, I will probably be buying myself a paper copy of this one so that I can start marking it up-and pass my older copy on to a new homeschooling family.

Book Review-The Way of the Brave

The Way of the Brave was written by Susan May Warren, and is book one in the Global Search and Rescue series.
Summary: Jenny Calhoun needs a win. She struggles every day with guilt over a military mission gone wrong, and the lives that were destroyed as a result.
The only thing that truly makes her feel free from her past mistakes is climbing mountains. But when her girls’ trip to Denali goes wrong, she might have finally made a decision she can’t live with.
Orion Starr is through with rescuing people. He did his duty as a military pararescue jumper, and now he just wants to hunker down in his Alaskan home, climb mountains, and keep to himself.
But, when he hears three women are lost on the mountain with little chance of survival, he knows he has to step in and help.
Will he and his team get there in time?
My Thoughts: I really liked this book. It is actually more like three books in one with the military backstory, the attempted rescue, and the ensuing results. The action is non-stop, with some romance thrown in-which is one of my favorite types of books.
There are very interesting characters, and a great sub-plot about learning how to rely on God when dealing with your past.
I also like how this story has tons of potential for additional story lines with each of the individual characters.
I am definitely looking forward to reading more in this series.
This is a great beginning to a fun new action/adventure/military series, and is definitely worth the read-I recommend it.
I would like to thank Revell for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

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