On Magnolia Lane by Denise Hunter

From the publisher:

After two years of counseling sessions with Daisy Pendleton, Pastor Jack McReady has earned a permanent spot in her life as a spiritual leader—and nothing more. Jack would never risk losing her trust by exposing the depths of his heart, but he’s hopelessly in love with her.

Daisy loves her southern small-town life and her job at her family-run flower shop, but she doesn’t have the thing she longs for most: someone to share it with. Her recent foray into online dating has been a disaster—until she meets TJ.

Jack could kill his friend Noah for using his initials and some indistinct photos to set up a profile on the dating app Daisy is using. But when he’s finally afforded the opportunity to show her a different side of himself, he’s sucked into the plan before he has time for second thoughts.

Online, Daisy shares some of her greatest fears with TJ, but in person, Jack and Daisy are spending more time together. When a devastating family secret surfaces, Daisy knows that only her trusted friend and counselor can bring her comfort. Jack wants nothing more than to be both men for Daisy, but revealing his secret will prove to be the ultimate test of Daisy’s grace.

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This is the 3rd book in the Blue Ridge Romance series.  I definitely recommend reading the other two books before this one, as it will help you know the characters and town better.  

These books are fun and engaging to read.  I liked having the story between Daisy and Jack develop over two "timelines" so to speak as they get to know each other in different way.  If you enjoyed old classics like The Shop Around the Corner this will be a good book for you.  Characters falling in love without realizing it.

There are lessons to be learned by each character, forgiveness to give, and that is something that any reader can relate to.

As always, Denise Hunter is a fun read!

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

The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin

I heard about Shannan Martin when I listened to a podcast that she was interviewed on. Her story, her ministry grabbed a hold of my heart. So I was excited to get this book. 

Shannan Martin makes ministry attainable.  We often think we have to go far away or be "extraordinary" to do ministry.  But Shannan writes to open our eyes to what is right around us.  How to love and ministry in what is our ordinary lives.  Are you ready to have meaning in your life?  I am.  Are you already full and busy in your life?  Me too.  But in this book you will be challenged to see the areas of ministry right at your doorstep. 

This book is full of personal stories and ways that will touch and change your heart and lives. 

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

I AM: The Names of God for Little Ones by Diane Stortz Illustrated by Diane Le Feyer

I love this book and the way it introduces children (and adults) to the different names of God.  Each name of God is rooted in a story.  Each two-page spread it beautifully illustrated.  My two year old daughter loves to have me read this to her over and over.  I think what engages her are the simple words.  There aren't too many words on each page, yet each spread is enough to tell a story.  She is intrigued by the pictures and I love that they are teaching her names about God.

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

A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson

From the publisher:
When Wendy Harper inherits her family's beachside cottage in Seaside, Maine, she sees it as a way to finally pay off the debts that have mounted since her husband died. But before it can be sold, the neglected property must be renovated. She and her 12-year-old son Jackson move in--temporarily, she reminds him--in order to do the work themselves, even though Christmas is coming. The charming town, along with local craftsman Caleb Colton, pulls on both Wendy and Jackson, who even registers himself for school in a bid to get his mom to move them there permanently. Wendy knows that the most responsible thing to do is to sell the cottage and return to Ohio, but the lure of the sea is hard to resist.

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Having read Melody Carlson before I was excited to read this sweet Christmas story.  The characters in the story are enjoyable.  The town too, was enchanting and made one want to go visit.  As a shorter book there wasn't as much time to develop the characters and their relationships.  That is always a bit difficult for me as a reader because I want to see the characters really work through things, and with a shorter book that just isn't always possible.  The ending seemed a bit quick but it was still a sweet read.

I received this book. All opinions are my own.

I Call You Mine: Embracing God's Gift of Adoption (A Six-Week Study) by Kim de Blecourt

From the publisher:
I Call You Mine is a six-week study focused on revealing the incredible spiritual insights available to those who embrace God's heart of adoption. Just as Jesus used stories to engage and teach, the Scripture passages and personal stories in this study uncover greater truths about adoption as God s children. Caring for the unwanted is a privilege, and the perspective gained when working with God in this way is humbling. Realize anew what it means to be chosen and redeemed.

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I was so excited when I heard about this six week study.  As an adoptive parent I have read books deciding to adopt, books on connections, and brain development.  But I have not read a book like this.  I love that it takes an adoptive parent (or anyone interested in adoption) through different weeks that really can open up the readers eyes to think about adoption differently as well as how we see God.  

There is a lot of beauty in adoption, and Kim shares about that. There is also a lot of hard and broken, and Kim also shares about that.  But the whole time each study has Bible verses to study and see what God and His Word says about these situations.  

I can see this book as a gift for those thinking about adoption, beginning adoption, or home with their child.  No matter where you are this study will open your eyes to what God says about caring for the vulnerable.  I love the last week where Kim delves into the ministry of caring for orphans.  Such a powerful study on how we are all called to do something.  

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

Not the Boss of Us by Kay Wills Wyma

I have felt recently that I am overwhelmed by life. Yet, here in this book Kay Wyma shares about Truth that we can share with ourselves and others so that we can fight back from being overwhelmed. 

I love how the title and content of each chapter shares with the reader one way they could be overwhelmed and how instead to focus their thoughts.  This is so important. As one who struggles in this area, I want help to know how to focus my thoughts, and this book does just that.  The end of each chapter has "Water Stations" where you are given practical tips with stories to help the reader to get another view of what the author is trying to share.

I recommend this book to other readers.

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

Crack Yourself Up: Jokes for Kids by Sandy Silverthorne

This is book for kiddos who love jokes.  The book is for ages 6-12 and definitely is for that age range.  There are a variety of jokes to make you laugh.  Question and answer ones. Knock, knock jokes.  Stories.  It is a fun way for kids to laugh and joke with each other. 

The only note I have is that a few times the jokes said "dummy" or references to being stupid.  That's definitely not something I would want my kids sharing or talking about. 

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