Book Review: The Ride of Her Life, by Lorna Seilstad

It's summer again at Lake Manawa, and this year, Lilly Hart is working hard to take care of herself and her son. She bravely stood up to her in-laws after her husband passed away, but now must fight to prove that she can take care of her family. But working as a cook does not meet her in-law's standards of what is proper for their only reminder of their son. When Nick Perrin comes to town to build a new roller coaster for the resort, he really wants to help Lilly and her son, but Lilly struggles to trust after her great loss. But he gradually starts to wear down her walls and take her on the ride of her life :-)

I was excited to see this book come up for review after reading the first two books in the series already. I think Seilstad does a great job of mixing history of the area, romance and usually a little twist or two. She also usually provides a spiritual lesson that the character is learning and I enjoy following their journey of faith. Once again, I think the cover is a little corny and if I wear to judge if I would read it based on the cover, I probably would have passed, but I'm glad I didn't because these books make great summe reads. Though I think this would be ok to read as a stand alone book, I think it would be worth your while to start at the beginning and follow all three girls through the books together.

Available May 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thank you to Revell Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Book Review: The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

Lucy Banning is set up for life - a comfortable home, loving family, and wealthy finance who has been waiting since childhood for Lucy's hand. But it's not enough for big hearted Lucy. Between her work with the orphans, the women's movement, and her secret university classes, she is not content with a dull life of leisure. But all the sneaking around can't last forever, and when she meets Will, she may have finally met someone who she doesn't have to hide from.
I really enjoyed this story. It reminded me a bit of Downton Abbey (on PBS), with it showing both the lives of the wealthy and the people who serve them. I also loved seeing a little bit into the history of the World Fair. It had some nice twists and kept me involved in the storyline right up to the end!

Thank you so much to Revell Publishing for a free copy of this book to review. 

Available May 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Heaven is for Real for Kids by Todd and Sonja Burpo

Heaven is for Real tells the story of Colton Burpo who during a surgery when he was three, died, went to Heaven, and then was sent back in answer to his father's prayer. It is complete with illustrations, drawn by Wilson Ong but guided by Colton. Included are verses from Scripture to compare with the things that Colton said that he saw while in Heaven.
I have to be honest and say that I am a little skeptical about this story. I have a three year old myself and know how easily it is to encourage him to tell a story. While I don't doubt that it is possible that Jesus gave Colton a lovely dream or that he did see angels (which has happened a lot throughout history and the Bible does say that they especially guard over children), especially looking at the drawings, it strikes me that it is very similar to pictures that you would see in a Sunday School curriculum, drawn by people who have never been to Heaven. Odd that they had it so close :-) (For example, kids having wings and halos).  His picture of Jesus looks exactly like people have been drawing him - white with blue eyes,which is probably not accurate since he was from the middle east. He also is wearing a robe with purple sash just like in Sunday School picture with a very child-like crown...
Anyway - it is a cute book and while I wouldn't judge anyone for letting their children read it, I probably will not be reading it to my children.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Book Review: In Too Deep by Mary Connealy

The second book in "The Kincaid Brides" series, In Too Deep follows the second Kincaid brother, Ethan. Always smiling Ethan seems to have a very apathetic approach to life - he never lets himself care too much about anything. That is until he agrees to marry Audra as a convenient way to keep her safe after her swindling husband dies. "Why not?" he says when the idea to marry Audra is suggested. But Ethan soon learns that it is very hard to have a care-free attitude when it comes to Audra and her two baby girls. He soon finds himself caring - a lot, and will have to face his fear of caring when all the people he has been trying so hard not to care about are suddenly in very real danger!
 I would have liked to have read the first book in their series before this one, but Connealy fills in the gaps so I knew everything I needed to so I would not be lost in the story line.

The first chapter was so tense from the very beginning - it's not often I won't let anyone talk to me when I am just reading the first few pages of a book but I was very drawn from the get-go! I thought the boys' background story was very moving and was a great way to get to know them on a deeper level. My only issues with this book were that sometimes Ethan seems like a bit of a simpleton in the way that Connealy describes his thoughts - it gets better towards the end of the book, which may have been on purpose, but at the beginning he seems like a bit of a country bumpkin. Also, there were a LOT of intimate scenes and thoughts about it since the two couples were newlyweds, but it got a bit old. The storyline was good enough without the need to fill in every chapter with someone in the bedroom or thinking about it (I am exaggerating, but it did seem like a lot). It was a good read though, and I look forward to following Seth's story in the next book! Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Molly's New Trick

Molly turned 7 months old on Sunday. Her personality is out in full force now and it is so great! She loves to laugh and Eóin and Aidan and is such a smiley, happy baby. She is curious about everything now - especially what her brothers and playing. She rolls and scoots every direction but forward, but that doesn't stop her getting what she wants! She LOVES food! Pretty much every flavor - except maybe peas (like her daddy). She loves to feed herself teething crackers and she is always eyeing our food. She won't be long in eating table food I can tell! She also loves to sing and dance. She will bop up and down while we sing "singing" along - it's really just shouting, but she stops and starts when we do - so cute! Aidan says, "Molly is my favorite baby" and I think I agree with him :-)

Oh I forgot to post last month, so her stats from her 6 month checkup were 50% weight (15lbs 4oz), 60% height (26 inches) and 80% head :-)

Here is a video of her latest trick - clapping!