Asian Dumplings by Andrea Nguyen

From the publisher:

Is there anything more satisfying than a well-made Asian dumpling? 

Plump pot stickers, spicy samosas, and tender bāo (stuffed buns) are enjoyed by the million every day in dim sum restaurants, streetside stands, and private homes worldwide. Wrapped, rolled, or filled; steamed, fried, or baked–Asian dumplings are also surprisingly easy to prepare, as Andrea Nguyen demonstrates in Asian Dumplings. 

Nguyen is a celebrated food writer and teacher with a unique ability to interpret authentic Asian cooking styles for a Western audience.
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This is an incredible book that is filled--more than 75 recipes--with Asian dumplings.  There is such a variety here that you are bound to find something you enjoy.  While most of the recipes are meat-a vegetarian could substitute the meat with meat alternatives. 

In the beginning Andrea Nguyen share what to have in your pantry so you can be prepared to make Asian dumplings.  This is great so that the cook can have these stock pilled.  

The book not only has beautiful pictures of finished dumplings but it also has black and white instructions with how to fold each new kind of dumpling.  This is greatly helpful when you don't know how to fold the dumpling.

There are sweet and savory recipes here, and honestly one of my favorite sections is where the recipes for the sauces are listed.  The sauces can make a big difference in how things taste in the end, and there is a whole section for this.

But my favorite part of this book was where the author gave short cuts for busy parents.  I can totally relate to this because as a busy mom I don't have time for all these details but by having this note in the book I can feel able to do these recipes.

I received this book free from Blogging for Book in exchange for my honest review.

Where She Belongs by Johnnie Alexander

From the publisher:
Shelby Kincaid is ready to move on from her grief. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family's ancestral homestead so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she'll have her work cut out for her.

AJ Sullivan never wanted the homestead. Inherited as a punishment from his grandfather, it has sat empty for fifteen years and fallen into ruin. He's glad to finally unload it. But a clean break isn't possible when he can't get the young widow Shelby off his mind.
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This book is engaging from the beginning until the end.  I was surprised at the different layers in the story.  If you read this, keep in mind that this is book one in a series and so not all the lose ends will be tied up with this book.  But that only means that you get to look forward to another book to enjoy!

That being said, there are a lot of characters so at first I found it hard to keep track of how each of them played into the story, especially with the grandparents and their names and all those happenings  AJ and Shelby were enjoyable characters to read and Misty Willow house made me want to visit it and maybe live there.

This story is more than just romance, there is suspense and foreshadowing as well.  It will be interesting to see what the author does in the future with this series.

I received this book free from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Top Ten Books for 2015

This year was particularly painful for me to choose my top ten.  I read some great books this year.  I am going to have a top ten adult books, runners up, and amazing children's books--which really means you should go and buy/read all of the ones I mentioned. (Also, this is my way of semi-cheating and listing more books than I should with a top ten.)

Total books read: 83 (not including the ba-zillion children's books I read)

Total pages read: 22,828

Top Ten Books for 2015
(Here we go!)

Non-fiction:


I read this book in January of last year and knew right away this would be in the top ten. This book is one of the books that I will treasure for it's lasting spiritual influence in my life.



Donald Miller is a writer that I have enjoyed before but this was his best book yet. This book talks about the importance of relationships in a way you probably have never read before.

I was given this book as a gift by one of my best friends. This book challenged me spiritually and called me to step out into what God is calling me to, and to pray, "Anything Lord."

Leslie Ludy has always been a favorite author of mine and with her latest book I was again challenged and blessed. Though this is a "girl" book it is not a weak spiritual book. Leslie challenges you to a deep and real walk that will affect all areas of your life. 



This is the best parenting book I have read. This is more than just a "how-to" this is raising your child for a life bigger than themselves.

Fiction:

Tracy Groot. She is a new favorite author. This book highlighted a time that is a dark time for American but is written so well. The only reason her other book, "Maggie Bright" is in runners up is because I was trying to just have one book per author.

Another new favorite author. Same note about the second book as above. This book combined historical and Biblical fiction. Two of my favorites.

Masterful. That is one word to describe Kristy Cambron's writing. This and the sequel were breathtaking (see runners up). Achingly beautiful story and writing. 

This was the last book I read this year. So good. I have a lot of WWII books this year but this one shared a part of history I had never read before that was almost painful for me to read but very good.



I am putting this series as one unit because once you pick it up you will have to read the rest. A lot of trilogies put the best book first and then the last book is disappointing. Not the case at all here. The first book is a terrifying and thrilling ride and the books just get richer and deeper. The last book was brilliant. The whole series was brilliant. I loved them. And I bought this set for three people for Christmas.

Runners Up: (These are really in my top ten, except I can't put them as top ten because I'd be over ten.)

Becky Wade is a favorite author of mine. The Porter series is great. Becky Wade is addicting to read. Once you have read her, you will want to read everything she's written.

Sequel to "The Butterfly and the Violin." Masterful.  Again.

A classic I had never read before. It was convicting to read. 

I wanted to put this in the top ten but I also wanted to put the Gifting series, but this book was so good. I loved the ending. Loved it. Not because it tied up perfectly but because of the hope it gave in the midst of things being hard and not perfect. The spiritual depth of Katie Ganshert's writing blows me away every time. 

This just made me happy. Denise Hunter's books are wonderful. 

I really also wanted this to be in the top ten. Powerful and moving.

Another great WWII novel but from a different perspective.

This book on parenting is amazing.  This book goes to the foundation of good parenting and lays it out. This is not a "how-to" book, but it lays our guidelines that can be very helpful.

Amazing Children's Books:

This is an Advent book and we read it with our son.  But it moved on my heart.



This book is also my son's, but just so beautiful as it brings the gospel through in every story-- Old and New Testament.



This is a book parents need to buy.  It is a book to help children protect their bodies but done in the best way I've yet read.  It doesn't shame the body but instead values it as it should be and guards in.  

Waiting for you by Louie Giglio

From the publisher:

Waiting Here For You takes us through the advent – the season of waiting. In it we see the story of the coming of Jesus. It teaches us that waiting is the means God often uses to carry his plans in our lives. And it brings us back to the truth that our waiting is never wasted when we are waiting on God.

Join pastor and author Louie Giglio and take hold of the chance to uncover the vast hope offered through the journey of Advent. Find peace and encouragement for your soul as anticipation leads toward celebration!

Waiting is not wasted when it is waiting with the Lord.

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This is a small book that would be a great light read for someone during the Advent season. 

Each day has a short message and lyrics. People will enjoy reading this as a light read. It isn't anything in depth or lengthy but it can be thought provoking.

I wished that there has been a bit more to each day, whether longer, or discussion/journaling questions at the end. However, it did have things I enjoyed and underlined. 

I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.

Whatever Is Lovely Coloring Book

From the publisher:

We live in such a busy, hectic world—but what waits for you inside this cover is a way to quiet the noise, express creativity, and spend some sweet time with God. Each page features an original design from one of a dozen different artists, beautifully illustrating a contemplative quote from an inspirational writer, a beloved hymn, or Scripture

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This coloring book is so beautiful. Each page has a beautiful scripture or quote that will draw you to God's heart. The pictures to color are detailed and inviting. 

Each picture can be removed and frames too, and the back is blank with another quote. 

I already have people in mind that I want to give this too. I can't wait to color in it myself and can see how this book is not only a relaxing but is also another way to draw near to God.

I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.

Safe House by Joshua Straub, PhD.

From the publisher:

You don’t need to do all the “right” things as a parent. Both science and the Bible show us that the most important thing we can provide for our kids is a place of emotional safety. In other words, the posture from which we parent matters infinitely more than the techniques of parenting.

Emotional safety—more than any other factor—is scientifically linked to raising kids who live, love, and lead well. Learn how to use emotional safety as a foundation from which you parent—and make a cultural impact that could change the world!
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I think this is a book that all parents need to read.  There are so many books about how to parent, techniques and strategies (and they aren't bad, believe me, I've read some to help my sanity!) but what matters is the foundation of the family.  In this book I believe that this was the emphasis.  Emotional safety for your children is what matters most.  If they are emotionally safe, then you can figure out all the other things that come.

But don't be deceived, this doesn't mean the children get whatever they want.  There is a balance (the four walls of the safe house) between grace and truth, and exploration and protection.  The four walls, as the author says, need to be balanced. 

I am glad that I read this, and would recommend it to any other parent.  I think the younger the kids are when you read this, the better.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Ten Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar

From the publisher:
Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off--only to find she's fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they're all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally--and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

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I was eager to read this book as the setting is very familiar to me.  I loved to read all the historical details that Andrea Boeshaar put into this book.  The conversations of the characters were rich which historical information.  Yet, Boeshaar doesn't bog you down with the details and instead just makes it a part of the conversation so that the story ebbs and flows. I already want to read her sequel to this novel, not only to find out more about the characters but also the war history.  She also did not glorify the war but let its horror show.  However, this was not in a gory way, but still it allowed you to feel the pain of war.

Some of the book was a little frustrating because of the interactions between Carrie Ann and Peyton.  They declare that they love each other but their actions did seem to show it up until they said it.  Also, there were tragic events about Carrie Ann's family that she seemed to just brush off in certain circumstances, and then in others it effected how she responded to others.  In general the characters seemed to say things instead of showing them in their actions.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.