Reading, Writing & Pondering

  I have been wanting to read an Emma St. Clair book for some time since I have heard so many good things about this author. If All Else Sails is my first book by her. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed this grumpy-sunshine rom-com so much Josie's brother tricked her into thinking they were going to take their annual trip together. Instead, he sent her to Wyatt's house to be his nurse. Josie works as an elementary school nurse during the school year and has summers off. Jacob is a rep for hockey player Wyatt who injured his ankle and needs to recover for a new season. Up until now, he hasn't been taking care of himself like he needs to, which is why Jacob sends in Josie. The book gets off to a fun start when Wyatt sees Josie lurking around his summer cottage and calls the police on her thinking she is a stalker.  I enjoyed If All Else Sails from start to finish. I laughed a lot and I looked forward to seeing how everything was going to turn out. I liked the slow burn...

Do you ever feel alone in your struggles? Author and founder of Broken Crayons Still Color, in her new book, Don't Try This Alone,Toni Collier shows readers that it’s not only possible to heal from the things that have broken you but that you can build a strong, life-giving community to support you, be with you in the valleys, and speak love and truth into your life as God puts you back together again. There’s no avoiding pain in this world. Whether it’s in the form of betrayal, trauma, illness, grief, or abandonment, we’ve all experienced the kind of pain that completely consumes us and transforms how we show up in the world. Whatever pain is felt, we’re often left feeling alone, ashamed, and unsure where to turn for help. We’re not sure we can trust others again, we pull back from social engagement, and we feel as if our hearts may never recover. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In her new book, Toni Collier shares how we can have hope in the midst of our most di...

  Are you looking for a cookbook to use with the whole family of all ages? The Best Kids Cookbook by Danielle Kartes has over 60 recipes that are fun and appealing to various ages. The Best Kids Cookbook starts off with cooking hints and helps for those new to cooking. Then there are recipe chapters: Breakfast for Champions Lunch Box Dreams and Snick-ity Snack Time Dip, Drizzle, and Dunk Dear Dinnertime, We Love You Not-So-Boring Side Dishes Sweet Treats There is an index at the back of the book so you can easily find recipes you want to get back to. Some recipes that appeal to my family: Blueberry Overnight Oats, Cheese and Olive Pizza Pockets, Zippy French Dressing (homemade is best!), In A Flash Chicken Pot Pie, Big Time Berry Fruit Salad, and Pumpkin Muffins. The recipes are easy to read and to follow, especially if one person leading the children is an experienced cook. Even if they aren't, everything is well explained. There are also a lot of pictures, which I think always ad...

  Do you know anyone with a Christmas birthday? Holly Sinclair has hated Christmas for a long time. She has a Christmas birthday with a "Christmas" name, Holly. This year her brother, Ryan, has set her up with another Christmas Grinch, Nick Kinsley, for this year's family Christmas gathering. Holly and Nick Hate Christmas is a mainly fun ride with Holly and Nick. This has been a difficult year for Holly as she was downsized from her job and coming to the gathering as an unemployed person. To make matters worse, this year is also a milestone birthday year for Holly. Holly and Nick Hate Christmas is full of family members hiding secrets. Honestly, I am not usually a fan of books with communication issues where people need to just be honest. However, honesty WAS used in a few places and I liked that aspect. I also liked the characters for the most part. There was some humor, as you would expect, and I liked that too. I did enjoy much of the story. It is a cute tale and the...

      It Will Be God by Sophia Ruffin-Wilson is a recently released book written to remind you that God always cares for you and speaks goodness over you. I love that! Former-prodigal-turned-prophet reveals God’s divine plan to put you back on track toward your preordained destiny · discover the ancient word spoken over you · endure your current season to be ushered into your next · activate His presence and divine assistance · experience His unimaginable goodness no matter what you face Before time began, God spoke a destiny of unimaginable goodness over you. And no matter how far off-track you are, no matter how alone, anxious, hopeless, or exhausted you feel, his Word  will  bring about the future he formed for you at the foundations of the earth. Because his Word never fails. Showing how nothing in life is a coincidence, prodigal-turned-prophet Sophia Ruffin-Wilson renews your expectancy in God’s miraculous goodness–and his unwavering commitment to bri...

  Our Friendly Farmhouse by Melissa Fergusson is a tale of one family's dreams that came true. It is aimed at children ages four to eight.  I like that the author wrote this book alongside her children and gives them credit for helping write the book. Our Friendly Farmhouse is a book that is beautifully illustrated by Gretchen Ellen Powers. I love the pastel pictures that show all the fun things that could be going on at the farm. I also like that this book inspired families to either make their own hopes and dreams or reflect on hopes and dreams that came true. In the back of the book, the author shares photos and briefly tells how this is a real dream that came true for her family.    I received a copy of this book from Tommy Nelson. All opinions within this review are my own.