Answering Your Kids' Toughest Questions

Another great book.. ;) 

Answering Your Kids' Toughest Questions 

by Elyse Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson

I just read the introduction and knew this book would be amazing, and I was NOT disappointed. 

This book tackles tough questions like "Why Do People Die?" "What is Sin?" and the even harder ones all parents dread explaining "Why and How do people sin sexually?" and Why do people get divorced?"

As a mother, I couldn't wait to see how they answered them so I would know how to explain these things to my children someday. And they were explained easily, concisely, biblically, and in an age-appropriate setting, for young or older kids. 

I would definitely recommend this book for any and every parent! It takes the mystery of "How DO I explain this to my child?" and turns it into a conversation you can easily have.

*Published as a review for Bethany House Publishers 

Full Steam Ahead

So, I know I am seriously behind, but hey.. life happens. :)

This month's book is "Full Steam Ahead" by Karen Witemeyer

The prologue snatched me.. and once I started I couldn't stop!

 I LOVED the characters, and how they interacted. The dialogue was hilarious, and the chemistry between the 2 was awesome! Plus the detail-rich scenes made reading it like a trip there!

I love the historical aspect with the steam engines, and although the ending was somewhat predictable, it did hold some surprises. I highly recommend this!



*Posted as a review for Bethany House Publishers

Undeniably Yours

And it's that time again! Book Review! :)

This month we have "Undeniably Yours" by Becky Wade.

 First off, it looks amazing! I mean wow! The cover is great! The back is even better, see what I mean?

When Meg Cole's father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted--more interested in art than in oil--she's forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father's empire.

The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father's thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo's determined to resent the woman who's decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them--her wealth, his unworthiness, her family's outrage--and earn the right to love her.

But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg's past. Can their love--and their belief that God can work through every circumstance--survive?


It was amazing! I loved Meg's character, her reality. suffering from panic attacks, and feeling stuck in a situation she can't avoid. And wow! I was immediately drawn to handsome Bo, even though, personally, I don;t like cowboys. Well, man, I'd go for Bo! :)

Their romance unfolded beautifully, and it had a twist ending that I loved. Plus the descriptions, setting and turn of phrase in the book made me laugh! I would LOVE to visit Holley, YX!

It was a GREAT read, and one I highly recommend!

Swept Away

My April book to review was "Swept Away" by Mary Connealy. 

I wasn't incredibly excited, as I'm not much of a western fan, but I do like to sit down with an occasional "rip-roarin romance" story. :) 

Here's the back of the book:

Laughter, Romance, and Action Abound in This New Series from Mary Connealy

Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.

Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn't make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can't just abandon Ruthy, so she'll have to come along.

His friends--a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers--take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that's rather rude--he's the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love.

I LOVED the first three chapters. They were great, the characters, the world, the plot, everything "swept" me in. Then, I read Chapter four, starting with "One month later" and started reading this confusing plot about characters I had never met before, and was like What?! I want more Luke and Ruthy!

In the end of course, it all made sense when they plot line picked up and all the characters merged, but the ending leaves you hanging for the next one, and maybe that's good, but me, I hate cliff hangers. :)

Overall, a great read, amazing characters and wonderful setting rich with history. she definitely did her research to make it come alive. And for a western, it wasn't half bad! 

The Tutor's Daughter

I LOVE Julie Klassen, and was SO excited to get to read this book!  

I LOVED the characters, and the family of  boys! :) It was neat to see them interact.. but I was kind of disappointed in the book, compared to her other books. It was great, just not up to snuff of her earlier ones. The mystery angle they play in the trailer was really good, but not typical of her previous writing. I confess it took a LONG time to reveal the answer in the book and that made it a harder book to read slowly! :) But the answer was amazing and worth it. ;)
 I also had a hard time following the climax.. it seemed to be pretty choppy. Maybe it was just me.

But the ending was happy, the plot line was good, and the characters were amazing! It just didn't seem to draw me into it as much as her other books did. 

But still, a 4 out of 5 stars. ;) 

And as a bonus.. she is a fellow Minnesotan! Klassen resides in St.Paul. I've always secretly wanted to meet her! :)  My absolute favorite book of hers is the "Silent Governess" SO good.

Change of Fortune

Book Review Time again! 

I have been so blessed to get such great books to read (for free!) from Bethany House.. I LOVE being a reviewer! 

The Book I read this week was "Change of Fortune" by Jen Turano. 

I LOVED the characters, but to be totally honest, that was really the only thing I liked about this book. It was hard to get into until about the third chapter, and even then I wasn't quite sure what was happening plot-wise. 

The plot was alright, sometimes not very believeable, but it was the characters that made me want to finish this book. The ending was great and I LOVED seeing how the characters changed. 

It wasn't such a bad read, just not one of my favorites. 

I'd give it 2 our of 5 stars. :) 

New Book Review!

Against the Tide, by Elizabeth Camden. This is one of the books I had hoped to get in the review pack from Bethany House Publishers, so when it came int he mail yesterday I was thrilled! :)

I started the book with hopeful anticipation. I got bogged down in the first few chapters, trying to determine the setting and characters, but after chapter 4, It really won me over. I couldn't put it down after that.

I loved the fresh, new take on a female heroine. Lydia, is a Greek/Turkish woman who is a linguist and a Navy Yard around the turn of the century. She is strong, self-sufficient and happy to be so, until a man named Alexander Banebridge walks in, with his handsome smile and devilishly charming ways. (Oh why can't there truly be people like that in real life? lol)

I loved the see the story progress, and it definitely wasn't too predictable, which I loved. I highly recommend this book, it was truly enjoyable and a great read! :)

Fall busyness

 Abigail's new favorite thing is watching "Daniel Tiger" (a new PBS Kids show) online. 

She LOVES it and will come to me and ask "Tig-her?" then "Cwackers?" :)

 My fall project is finally done! I have completed my canning and gardening for the year! 

I processed over 220 jars of food! SO blessed and thankful for a great year! 

 Grandma took us on a fall pumpkin patch trip with hayride! 

 SO pretty! 

 Picking their pumpkins!

 Fall cuties! 

 Exploring the farm, Leah found a friend! She LOVES ponies..

Abigail adored the baby cow.. so sweet! 

 Fall at Itasca.. my favorite time to see the park!

Leaf-pile!

Abigail LOVED it!

 Whee! The girls did too..

"Swimming" in the leaves

First Day of School!

 Wow! Another School Year here already! :) SO exciting! 

Leah is in 1st/2nd grade.. she is doing dual levels due to her advanced reading abilities.

Bekah is in preschool. After a long parent-teacher conference (lol) I decided to wait on starting her in Kindergarten until next year. She isn't quite ready for learning how to read yet! 

Abigail, is my needy, mommy's girl, trouble magnet! :) It will be challenging (but not impossible) to work in school around her! She likes to be the center of attention at all times!

 

It was a great first day! We are starting Math next week, which will "ease" us into school. 

We learned about the Pledge of Allegiance, the American Flag and worked on some review in other subjects.

 Leah's writing review

 

Having so much fun!

       Special Patriotic Snack today..

Red, White, Blue Yogurt & fruit! 

Brightstar Christian Academy

 Welcome to Brightstar Christian Academy!!!! :) 

I finally created the perfect name for my homeschool! I love it.. it is based off of Phil. 2:14-16, our school verse! 

Also this summer I converted an unused guest room into my dream schoolroom! I am so excited to have one room devoted to school and school stuff.. I am LOVING it! :) 

So, here's the grand tour..

 

 View from the hallway

 My nice big table and bench for book work

 The "Teacher" desk, as well as the computer for school use.

The couch and desk

 Leah demonstrating our comfy couch for reading

 Educational posters galore!

  My big quilted world map, a gift from my mom!

  Globe, Flags and learning area.

 Shelves built by my man.. ;)

 I labeled the boxes by subject, so it will be easy to find her books!

 Whiteboard/Chalkboard area

Book basket and Mr.Bones on the floor.. ;) 

This pretty much sums it up.. ;)

"Sound of Music" fun

Taking Leah on a special "big girl" date to see the play in Park Rapids

 Our tickets..

 Listening to Debbie Turner's presentation of what it was like to film the movie.. 

(she played "Marta" in the 1965 movie!)

 Getting to meet her and have her sign my book!

She was so sweet! 

Her inscription.. made me smile!

Leah and I LOVED the play.. :) It was rather long, and yet Leah did so well! She told me she liked it better than "Puss in Boots" (her favorite movie) so I guess that is a huge success! ;) 

My grandma, mom and aunt & uncle went too.. it was a great day with family! That's what I love about the "Sound of Music".. every generation LOVES it.. it is timeless. ;) 

(We had 4 generations seeing it together in our family!) 

Short Straw Bride..

A few months ago, I signed up to be a free Fiction reviewer for Bethany House Books, and was SO excited to get to read some great new Christian Fiction for free! But as the months went by, I was never selected. Then, out of the blue I was selected for this one, and was SOOOOOO thrilled!

I recieved it yesterday in the mail and started reading it right away. I finished it that evening, YES.. it was that good! I adored it! It is a story about 4 backwoods brothers and their adjustment to suddenly having "womenfolk" in their family!  It reminded me a LOT of one of my favorite movies, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers"... that might be why I liked it so much.

I LOVED Travis Archer's character.. SO easy to fall in love with him and Meri.. the emotion of their relationship was real and so poignant.  Lots of other great characters & drama throughout the book as well.

I truly hope the author will write a sequel.. I fell in love with the Archer brothers and want to see what will happen to each of them!


Soooo.. if you are looking for a good book to read, I encourage you to dive into this great book!