Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson

Despite her spoiled upbringing, twenty-year-old Lenore Fulcher isn't pretentious. She simply believes a marriage should be built on true love. Her father, however, thinks she's wasted enough time searching for the perfect husband. He wants to marry her off to one of his business partners--who is seventeen years her senior--an idea that is out of the question for Lenore.

Kolbein Booth, a young lawyer from Chicago, arrives in Seattle looking for his headstrong sister, who he believes may have answered an advertisement for mail-order brides. Sick with worry, he storms into the Madison Bridal School, demanding to see his sister, only to learn she isn't there. But Lenore Fulcher is, and something about her captures his attention.

Is this the man Lenore has been searching for? She may not have long to find out...

I always enjoy Tracie Peterson's books and anxiously looked forward to this one. But I struggled to get interested in it. The main characters, per the synopsis, are Kolbein and Lenore but the book seemed to be more about Abrianna. But other than that, I just could not get involved with these characters. I can't put my finger on what I didn't care for but it just didn't pull me in.

Jody

My copy of this book was generously provided by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.

You Can, You Will by Joel Osteen

 


In this New York Times bestseller, Joel Osteen shares eight undeniable qualities of winners that can help you to reach your potential and achieve new levels of success in your life. You are created to be a winner. Get these eight principles deep down on the inside and boldly go in the direction of your destiny. 

Positive and inspirational - which pretty much sums up Joel Osteen himself - also sum up the tone of this book. With chapters like:

1. Keep Your Vision in Front of You - Dare to dream big dreams.
2. Run Your Race - Focus on your unique course and goals.
3. Expect Good Things - Anticipate great opportunities.
4. Have a Positive Mind-set - Take control of your thoughts and attitudes.
5. Commit to Excellence - Do your best and maintain high standards.
6. Keep Growing - Be proactive, be intentional, build on your gifts, and continually improve.
7. Serve Others - Invest yourself in others.
8. Stay Passionate - Light the fire within and approach life with enthusiasm.

 You can see the direction he takes in this book. Take your good qualities and build them up and use them to improve yourself and help others.

 Apply these principles to your life and see how you can grow and expand and reach the goals you are striving for.

Jody

My copy of this book was given to me free of charge in exchange for my honest review by Hatchette Book Group.  

Good Health, Good Life by Joyce Meyer

 

To do the work we are meant to do, our bodies need to stay in shape. In this compact read Joyce Meyer presents her twelve-key plan to address the "self esteem drought" which perpetuates the habits that cause poor health. As she explores each of the twelve keys for good health, she offers five methods for improving our physical and spiritual wellness.

This little book is divided into 12 sections making it perfect for a year long plan.

I decided to read through all the chapters - one a day and then go back and spend a month focusing on each individual chapter.

The topics include Get God's Help, Learn to Love Your Body, Exercise, Water Your Life, etc. All things geared toward helping you make changes that will enhance the body that God has given you.

Very helpful and enlightening.

Jody

My copy of this book was given to me free of charge in exchange for my honest review by Hatchette Book Group.

The 13th Gift by Joanne Huist Smith

     












After the unexpected death of her husband, Joanne Huist Smith had no idea how she would keep herself together and be strong for her three children--especially with the holiday season approaching. But 12 days before Christmas, presents begin appearing on her doorstep with notes from their "True Friends." As the Smiths came together to solve the mystery of who the gifts were from, they began to thaw out from their grief and come together again as a family. This true story about the power of random acts of kindness will warm the heart, a beautiful reminder of the miracles of Christmas and the gift of family during the holiday season.

I can't say enough what a touching, moving story this was.

It was, in a way, bittersweet for me. My kids and I were celebrating our first Christmas "without" their father, my husband. But he did not die - he just decided to leave. The parallels were similar - but not the same. How do you celebrate one of the biggest holidays - which isn't just a "holiday" but a "season" when this year is so different from all the ones before it?

Mrs. Smith and some members of her family just didn't want to celebrate. I took a different path and decided that we would keep some traditions that we didn't want to give up and make others based on where we felt our life was at that point. And, in the end, that's pretty much what the Smith family did.

The journey from the first gift to the last brought many different reactions - from the initial gift that Mrs. Smith wanted nothing to do with to the gifts that brought eager anticipation. The difference the gifts made in every member of the family, from Megan who was "in" from the first gift, to the boys who came along as the presents made more of an impact, there was a journey through the sadness to the acceptance that things, while they would never be the same, would be okay.

Fabulous reading - and it will be a holiday staple that I will read again and again.

Highly recommended.

Jody

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

A Most Inconvient Marriage by Regina Jennings

Abigail Stuart Thought She was Jeremiah Calhoun's Widow.
But Jeremiah Calhoun Is Very Handsome, Very Alive, and Very Perplexed.
Most Inconvenient Indeed.

With few options of her own, nurse Abigail Stuart agrees to marry her patient, a gravely wounded soldier calling himself Jeremiah Calhoun. They arrange a quick ceremony before he dies, giving Abigail the rights to his Ozark farm and giving Jeremiah the peace of knowing someone will care for his ailing sister after he's gone--a practical solution for both of them.
 
After the war, Abigail fulfills her side of the bargain--until the real Jeremiah Calhoun shows up, injured but definitely alive, and wastes no time in challenging Abigail's story. Abigail is flummoxed. After months of claiming to be his widow, how can she explain that she's never seen this Jeremiah Calhoun before? How can she convince him that she isn't trying to steal his farm? And will she find a way to stay, even though this practical arrangement has turned into a most inconvenient marriage?

 

 A great light hearted read - full of fun and twists and turns. Hard to put down and totally enjoyable.

 

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up and read it.

 

Jody

 

This book was provided by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review

The Barefoot Queen by Ildefonson Falcones

  

Spain, 1748. Caridad is a recently freed Cuban slave wandering the streets of Seville. Her master is dead and she has nowhere to go. When, by chance, she meets Milagros Carmona—a spellbinding, rebellious gypsy—the two women become inseparable. Caridad is swept into an exotic fringe society full of romance and art, passion and dancing.

But their way of life changes instantly when gypsies are declared outlaws by royal mandate and their world as a free people becomes perilous. The community is split up—some are imprisoned, some forced into hiding, all fearing for their lives. After a dangerous separation, Caridad and Milagros are reunited and join in the gypsies’ struggle for sovereignty against the widespread oppression. It’s a treacherous battle that cannot, and will not, be easily won.

From the bustle of Seville to the theatres of Madrid, The Barefoot Queen is an unforgettable historical fresco filled with characters that live, suffer, and fight for the lives of those they love, and for the freedom they can’t live without.

This is a very well researched, thought out and well written book - but there was too much violence against women for my liking.

Jody

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Jesus Daily by Aaron Tabor, MD

Based on the major themes found on the most active Facebook page in history, JESUS DAILY is a 365-day interactive devotional that goes beyond even the fan page to create a deeper experience and cultural movement that celebrates your redemption in Christ. JESUS DAILY presents a devotional thought but also challenges you to respond to each daily reflection using a variety of social media tools.

JESUS DAILY is a worldwide revolution in how you can connect, share, and worship the Father personally and with other believers.

Great little book with a Bible verse, short devotional and daily interaction designed to help you connect to others via social media for each day of the year. It's a quick read to give you some encouragement and set your feet on the path for the day.

The wonderful people at the Hatchette Book Group, who graciously supplied me with my copy of this book, are also giving a copy of the book and a great t-shirt to one lucky winner here on my blog. They will only be able to extend this offer to US readers. Please leave a comment and I'll pick a name next Monday, December 8th.

Jody