Falling for You by Becky Wade

From the publisher:

Famously beautiful model Willow Bradford is taking a temporary break from her hectic schedule to work as the innkeeper at her family's small-town bed-and-breakfast. She was enjoying the peace of her hometown, Merryweather, Washington, right up until she came face-to-face with Corbin Stewart, the man she loves to hate. A thoughtful rule-follower by nature, Willow threw caution to the wind four years ago when she entrusted her heart to Corbin--and suffered the consequences when it all fell apart.

Former NFL quarterback Corbin is forceful, charming, and accustomed to getting what he wants . . . except where Willow Bradford is concerned. Unable to forget her, he's never stopped regretting what happened between them. When their paths unexpectedly cross again, he's determined to make her give him a second chance.

When a decades-old missing persons case finds Corbin and Willow working together, they're forced to confront their past and who they've become--and whether they can risk falling for one another all over again.
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This is the second book in the Bradford Sisters Romance series. I am captivated by Willow and Corbin's story.  The first time around they did not have a perfect romance and the problems that lay before them are still there.  I love the tension, the choices they have had to make.  

There is a fun aspect to this book that makes it different from some other of Becky Wade books. In this book there is a mystery that brings Corbin and Willow together.  This will keep you on your seats as well as watching what is developing between the two.

Becky Wade is seriously a master at contemporary romance.  Each time I pick up one of her books I am drawn into the story and find myself looking for each opportunity to read.  I get hooked in her books.  

Even beyond the suspense and romance--I really love the relationship with the three sisters.  It's like Little Women for modern readers, in the sense that the relationships between the sisters is at least half of the story woven in between the lines.

I highly recommend this book (and the series) to others.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert

This book is for now.  This book is for you and me.  I wept reading much of this book and not only because I felt the emotional pull of Katie Ganshert's authentic writing.  I cried because these are the things happening now.  The ways we treat each other and brush it off. This book takes you into the lives of three different women who are all a part of the same school, the same world.  This is based on true events and was you read the stories of Camille Gray, Jen Covington, and Anaya Jones you will find yourself opening your eyes to how we sweep injustice under the rug.

This book will be hard to read. And it might make you angry and frustrated.  But let that be away to see all that is going on around you and what you can do to make a difference.  Katie Ganshert doesn't leave you with the end of the book. She offers resources to help you continue to open your heart and voice to help others. 

I am incredibly thankful for this hard book. I needed it to open my eyes and heart again and again to what I don't always see.  I want to be a voice for God for others. I believe this book will be a major impact in that for others as well.

I received a book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A Chance at Forever by Melissa Jagears

As part of the Teaville Moral Society series this book can stand-alone, yet there might be a few part of the story that would be more meaningful if the reader has read the other books in the series.  That being said, readers will enjoy this story of Aaron and Mercy.

I am glad that Melissa Jagears chose to write about a bully and one of those who was bullied by this person.  It is important to see bullying from both sides.  To see those hurt by the bully and how in many circumstances the bully is how they are because of their own hurts and trials.  This doesn't make the actions right but it does show that bullying needs to show care for both parties and both need help.

I love how the story includes a local orphanage.  While those are commonplace in other countries this can help show that the need was, and still is, out there to care and love orphans.

There are a lot of deep themes in this book but it is not a heavy read.  Enjoy this book and melt into the story of Aaron and Mercy.

I received this book from the publishers. All opinions are my own.

I Can Only Imagine: Picture Book by Bart Millard with Laura Neutzling; Illustrated by Sumiti Collina

This is a fun picture book.  It goes through a lot of the fun questions children have when thinking about heaven. If you have ever been around a child, and talked about heaven with them, they  have tons of questions about heaven and who God is and what we will do in heaven and what God does in heaven. 

What I really appreciated was the ending of this book.  Yes, there are fun and interesting questions about heaven and God, but the books ends with how we don't have to wait until heaven to spend time with God.  I felt that this enabled the children to not just be waiting for heaven to have a relationship with God but instead begin that close relationship here and now.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting by Eryn Lynum

From the publisher:
On the day of their baby dedication, Eryn and her husband were given a jar of 936 pennies. The jar contained a penny for every week they would raise their child until graduation, and they were instructed to remove one penny each Sunday as a reminder, placing it into another jar as an investment. 

At some point every parent realizes time is moving swiftly, and they ask themselves, How am I investing in my child? Through personal stories and biblical examples, 936 Pennies will help you discover how to capture time and use it to its fullest potential, replacing guilt and regrets with freedom. Meanwhile, your kids will see how simple choices, like putting the cell phone down and going on a family hike, will make all the difference. Together you will stretch time and make it richer. 

Craft a family legacy in tune with God's heartbeat as you capture a new vision for your children and learn the best ways to spend your pennies.
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There are many books on parenting.  What makes this on interesting is being able to think about our children's lives in terms of weeks.  Eryn Lynum takes the way we look at time and expands it.  She breaks down time into different categories and share personal stories on how she did this. Occassionally there are questions to reflect on at the end of a section. These allow the reader to go deeper into the concepts shared. 

What also sets this book apart is how she focuses on the joy we can have in intentional parenting. We aren't to be bogged down in this intentional parenting.  The stories shared allow them to be translated into something the reader can relate to and implement themselves.

I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

The Way of Abundance: A 60-Day Journey Into a Deeply Meaningful Life by Ann Voskamp

This is a precious book.  A beautiful devotional.  Each devotional is only a few pages long with a few questions for reflections. This is just right for a quiet time in the morning or evening while reading a hot drink.  Ann Voskamp writes in a lyrical and heart-felt way that will call and speak to the deep places of your heart.  Brokenness is in all of our lives and I love how Ann begins to share her journey, which can be ours, into the way of abundance.  This is not just a devotional to enjoy and walk away.  Instead this is a devotional that will change you and give light to the darkness you find yourself in.

I cannot wait to give this to loved ones!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Finding Gobi: For Little Ones by Dion Leonard Illustrated by Lisa Manuzak

This is a board book, and as the title states, is for little ones.  This true story come in many different lengths but this one is perfect for two or three year olds to enjoy.

The story of Gobi and Dion is told partially from Dion's point of view and partially from Gobi's.  This is an endearing way to share the story as young ones are very empathetic for animals. 

The illustrations will draw all ages in and tell the story in a way that will have you and your young ones wanting to read the story again and even in more detail in perhaps another book about Gobi and Dion.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.