Small Groups Made Easy by Ryan Lokkesmoe - A Book Review

   

As one might expect Small Groups Made Easy deals with organizational and pragmatic concerns in leading a small group. Lokkesmoe takes a very realistic approach to dealing with matters such as logistics, the role of a group leader, and preparing for group meetings. The author is focused not only on the success of small groups, but also on helping leaders to set realistic expectations. The second part of this book includes twelve plans for small group sessions which revolve around essential questions such as 'What is God Like?' and 'Where is God When I Suffer?'. Each session includes a personal question, an open-ended spiritual question, and a lead-in question. The sessions are organized to include a social section, a study section, and a prayer section. One of the best features of this book is that it includes information on how to pass the baton of leadership onto others, a way of fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples. I am grateful to have received a copy of Small Groups Made Easy: Practical and Biblical Starting points to Lead Your Gathering from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received on monetary compensation.

A Christmas Haven by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall - A Book Review

   

Let me begin by saying to please not let this title mislead you. While it has the word Christmas in the title, the story does not center around Christmas time, and will be a great read any time of year. The theme of the book does center around grace and how God's grace helps believers to find their identity in Him. Ivy whose family belongs to an Old Amish Order community, and Arlan whose family belongs to an even stricter and more conservative Swartzentruber community both struggle with coming to terms with practicing their Amish faith. Read to find out how their growing understanding of God's grace brings peace to their lives. Cindy and Erin Woodsmall have crafted a delightful story with great wisdom. I am grateful to have received a copy of A Christmas Haven from WaterBrook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Insulin Resistance Diet for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Reverse Insulin Resistance & Manage Weight by Marlee Coldwell, RD – A Book Review

       

Author Marlee Coldwell is a registered dietitian, and her book is based on current science; no fad diets here! In the first chapter of Insulin Resistance Diet for Beginners, she clearly explains the connection between insulin and metabolism and the role of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and the place for each in our diet. (I love her about comment about selecting carbohydrates that are “closer to the farm.) She explains how insulin resistance develops in a way that is easy to understand. The second chapter is a chapter of encouragement, “Five Steps to Overcome Insulin Resistance.” Coldwell speaks to possibilities for improvement and treating oneself with kindness, not beating oneself over the head. A two-week meal plan and recipes are provided to assist the household meal planner in getting off to a good start, followed by more recipes to continue healthy habits. The recipes use a minimal number of ingredients and have very reasonable prep and cooking time for a busy lifestyle. I am grateful to have received a copy of this wonderful book from Rockridge Press in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

The 5-Ingredient Fresh & Easy Cookbook: 90+ Recipes for Busy People Who Love to Eat Well by Shelia Thigpen – A Book Review

   

Sheila Thigpen has provided both new and experienced cooks with over ninety wholesome recipes. The recipes are not specifically low-carb, but do not include many processed or sugary items (well,expect for some of the desserts). Recipes are labeled to let those planning a meal quickly know which are nut-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc. The table of contents is labeled by breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, snacks and desserts followed by valuable resource material, but what I really found helpful was that two indices are provided, one organized by recipe type such as dairy-free, one-pot, and no-cook, and the other by main ingredient. Most prep times are under twenty minutes. I found this cookbook to be very helpful in planning for and preparing healthy meals on busy days. I am grateful to have received a copy from Rockridge Press in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.  

Sewing for Kids: 30 Fun Projects to Hand and Machine Sew by Alexa Ward - A Book Review

   

I am so excited to have received a copy of Sewing for Kids: 30 Fun Projects to Hand and Machine Sew from Rockridge Press in exchange for my honest opinion. While I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, it is my pleasure and privilege to do so. My oldest two granddaughters recently asked me to schedule regular times to work with them to teach them how to sew. This book is just the resource I needed to make the most of these times together. Alexa Ward who runs her own sewing school called Brooklyn Sewcial, and generously shares 30 of the projects she has had success working on with her students. One of my favorite attributes is that the projects start off easy and get a little more complex as they go. Skills are introduced then practiced on future projects as new skills are introduced. The projects are fun, and often useful rather than just decorative. The first section includes hand sewing projects, and the second machine sewing projects. Basic information on both types of sewing is clearly explained and accompanied by photographs. I feel much more equipped to teach the girls to sew having this book in hand. I highly recommend it to others who are blessed to have young girls to teach in this special art. 

The Weekend Quilter edited by Rosemary Wilkinson - A Book Review

   

I received some very good tips about fabric selection in the book The Weekend Quilter. I was unfamiliar with the effect fabric with geometric designs has on the way one's eyes travel over the surface of a quilt, or the impact monochromatic prints have compared with solids in the overall look of a quilt. The author gave, what I am sure are very clear instructions regarding some quilting basics like creating a straight edge before cutting from a new piece of fabric;cutting strips, squares, triangles and rectangles; and hand quilting among other topics. For me the directions were difficult to visualize, but I typically need to watch someone perform tasks of this type rather than just hear words directing motions. (I have made 10 to 15 baby and lap quilts, and am not a total novice, but still had difficulty visualizing from these instructions.) The illustrations were not helpful to me, but would likely be so for most. I browsed through the twenty-six patterns included in this book, and saw two or three I might like to make. I did like that more than one color scheme was given for many of the quilt patterns.

I am grateful to Landauer Publishing for providing me with a copy of The Weekend Quilter in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Echoes Among the Stones by Jamie Jo Wright - A Book Review

    

I am a couple of days past this book's release date with my review, but this book just could not be rushed. Jaime Jo Wright is definitely one of my most favorite authors. This book, like her others, has a haunting quality to it that is difficult to describe. Her writing has a way of wrapping itself around your soul allowing you to live within its borders. Deep themes, this time pertaining to grief, are essential elements to Wright's works. No lighthearted beach reads here. These books are best read curled up in your cozy spot with a warm drink nearby and time to immerse yourself in reading and pondering undisturbed.

Echoes Among the Stones tells the tale of Imogene Grayson's efforts to solve the mystery of her sister's violent murder in 1946. It also tells the tale of Aggie Dunkirk's efforts to solve the cold case of that same murder in the present day. Someone is manipulating Aggie to pick up the case while at the same time thwarting her efforts. With the help of of archaeologist Collin O'Shaughnessy, Aggie perseveres as she feels that solving this case will also help explain things she has never understood about her persnickety grandmother. Serendipitously, it may also help her to come to grips with consuming life circumstances that would seem totally unrelated.

I am very grateful to have received this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen

    

One would think there would not be many suspects to be found on a small privately owned island related to a murder committed in London. Ah, but one would be wrong because there are suspects in abundance. It is up to attorney Benjamin Booker to work through them all in order to prove the innocence of Isabelle Wilder, owner and prisoner of Belle Island. Intrigued? I hope so because I believe you will find this mystery and Klassen's characters compelling. Klassen's theme of trust and confidence over worry and doubt is carefully woven into the story, and is viewed through the lens of personal failure and circumstances that steal one's hope. I highly recommend this book and am grateful to have received a copy from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman - A Book Review

    

Seconds to Live is an intense suspense novel involving the security of witnesses in the witness protection program when the WITSEC database is hacked. The FBI's RED team, headed by Sean Nichols, and WITSEC deputy Taylor Mills work together to locate the infamous hacker known as Phantom who is selling witnesses' data on the dark web. Sleeman's research into WITSEC procedures and the technology included in this story is evident.

The suspense drives this novel, and that is a good thing because the romance is over the top cheesy. While reading I asked my husband if he'd ever wanted to climb into a book and Gibb's smack a character, and he just looked at me like I was a bit nuts, but Sean and Taylor would both benefit from an encounter with Gibbs. (If that doesn't make sense to you, you have never watched NCIS.) The author interwove these characters' faith and trust in one another with their faith and trust in God. All of that said, I would still recommend this book because the suspense is so good.

I am grateful to have received a copy of Seconds to Live from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Modern Rug Hooking: 25 Punch Needle Projects for Crafting a Beautiful Home by Rose Pearlman - A Book Review

   

Pearlman's look into the history of rug making and her own experiences with the craft are very motivating to the beginning hooker. Her description of the variety of media that may be used is inspirational. I found that her explanation of the difference between traditional rug hooking and punch needling to be very helpful. Pearlman clearly explains the basic equipment and vocabulary of the craft. I love that the use of repurposed materials is common. As the author moves on to preparing for and completing projects, her step by step explanations are clear and are supported by photographs. While my wish list of projects to do and the number of my unfinished projects are both growing, I am very excited about breaking my new punch needle out of the package. I am grateful to Roost Books for providing me with a copy of Modern Rug Hooking in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear - A Book Review

    

As The Daughters of the Mayflower series continues to take us down the path of American History, we now reach the Civil War. This story largely takes place at the home of Pearl MacFarlane, her brother and father. The MacFarlanes are imposed upon by Pearl's cousin, Sergeant Travis Bledsoe of the Confederacy, to care for wounded Union soldiers, among them Sergeant Joshua Wheeler. While initially resentful of this intrusion, Pearl's devotion to God, her father's timely use of Scripture, and her growing affection for Sgt. Wheeler, Pearl began to embrace her new and difficult responsibilities.

Shannon McNear provides lengthy front and back material to explain the difficulties she experienced in writing this story as well as pertinent historical information. I enjoyed this story, but at times felt as trapped within the walls of the MacFarlane home as did Pearl, longing to move to new scenery and an interesting side story. I would recommend this book to historical fiction fans, and I continue to love this series. I am grateful to Barbour Publishing for providing me a copy of The Rebel Bride via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.