Stranded by Dani Pettrey

Travel back to Alaska with Dani Pettrey’s new book, and third in the Alaskan Courage series, Stranded.

The book focuses on Gage McKenna this time, along with Darcy St. James.  Darcy is returning to Alaska to join a journalist friend but by the time she gets there and on the cruise ship, her friend is missing.  Darcy is the one person Gage never expects to see on the cruise, but here she is and what is she up to?

While he struggles with his past there is some reason that God brought them back together again.  The only problem is that this ride is going to take some twists and turns along the way.

I the true fashion of her first two books in this series, Pettrey has created another romantic suspense that will keep you wanting more.  The only issue that I had with the book is that it seems to focus more on Darcy than Gage and I was thinking that the McKenna’s were the main focus of her Alaskan Courage series.  Other than that, it was a great addition to the trilogy.

I would suggest that you read the first two books in the series to familiarize yourself with the characters.  This book can stand on its own, but it would help.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.)

Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

Made to Last is a new fiction book by Melissa Tagg. 

Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that's how it looks when she's starring in her homebuilding television show, "From the Ground Up." So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she'll do anything to boost ratings and save her show--even if it means pretending to be married to a man who's definitely not the fiance who ran out on her three years ago.
When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda's every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth--and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she's built come crashing down just as she's found a love to last?

(summary from booksamillion.com)

No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get into this book.  I would put it down and come back to try to re-read it, but each time I would just get bored with it.  There was a promise of humor and I didn’t find it funny at all.  I usually love reading books like this and was disappointed at the fact that it did not hold my interest.

If you like romantic comedies, give this book a try.  Who knows…this could become your favorite book.  But, as for me…I just didn’t like it. 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.)

A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman

A Million Little Ways by Emily Freeman challenges each of us to find our inner artist.  She is not wanting us to find the one thing we were meant to do, but to be an artist and show God’s true glory in a million ways. 

She talks you along a walk that will awaken the artist inside of you.  We are all artist, we just need to find what our “niche” is.  She said that art happens when we find out who we truly are.  Once you find that out there’s no turning back.  Though the different chapters of this book she addresses certain aspect of our lives that might be holding you back or that help lead you to who you really are.  There will be a time when you address your fears and desires and another time when you take a step back and look at your childhood to see what really drives you. 

What I love about this book is it is really well written.  It’s like you are sitting with a cup of coffee talking to a friend.  Your friends would be who you would go to when searching for yourself so this makes this a very approachable book, and the ideas within easy to implement.

This book came along at a great time for myself.  I have been searching and hoping that I could find what God wants me to be doing and now I KNOW there is something out there for me to find.  Who I really am and what my art is!  

Available November 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. *

The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs

Liz Curtis Higgs has a wonderful new book out called The Women of Christmas about the women that are a part of the Christmas story.  There is one woman that we mainly associate with Christmas, Mary, but there are two others that have their play their own part of this amazing story. 

Take a journey and follow the steps Mary, Elizabeth and Anna along their walk as they wait and prepare for the coming of their messiah.  Each one has their own story to tell, but they all combine to make the most beautiful stories ever told, the coming of Jesus. 

What I love about this book, aside from the stories themselves, was the fact that Liz broke them down verse by verse and explained and went more in-depth into the story.  It helped me to understand Christmas even more and to treasure this time of year in a way that I never have.  These women possessed qualities that I know I need to work on such as faithfulness and patience.  They had so little back in biblical time, but had so much more than what we have today.

Included at the end of the book is a study guide corresponding to each chapter with reflection questions.  These would be great to lead a small group study with or just taking some time out during this hectic season to reflect on the true meaning and reason for Christmas. 

This is a majestic time of year celebrating an amazing miracle.  Take a few minutes from, stop rushing around, and find the true spirit of Christmas.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.*

Adventure Bible Storybook Deluxe Edition

Seeing as I am always on the lookout for new ways to teach my preschooler about the bible and the stories within I was so excited to get the Adventure Bible Storybook Deluxe Edition, from Zondervan, to review.  It’s the perfect set for any preschooler and even elementary age kids to learn about all the wonderful stories the bible has inside.

The Adventure Bible Storybook has amazing full color graphics, spilling over every page of this hardcover book, illustrating some of the greatest stories ever recorded.  You start at the beginning of the book with the story of creation and follow along, through all the stories you were taught as a kid in Sunday school, until you get to the end where the promise of Jesus’ return is fortold. 

Through the book, as you read the stories, there are little tidbits of information and verses to remember in the Adventure Discovery and Words to Treasure parts of this book.  Every story has these sections to help reinforce the teachings of the story that was just read. 

Now, the best part about the Deluxe Edition is the 2 CD (1 for the old testament and 1 for the new) set that comes with it.  It reads the ENTIRE book, from beginning to end, for your children.  This way, if your child is still a to little to read or they are working on their reading skills, the Cds can help them along the way.  There is even realistic background noises so your child will feel like they are right in the middle of the story. 

This would make a wonderful gift for children during Christmas time.  What better gift to give than the stories of the bible in a beautifully illustrated book along with Cds to make them feel like they are a part of history. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.*