Andrea Carter's Tales from the Circle C Ranch- Delightful Stories for your Family!

My Thoughts:

This was my first experience reading the delightful adventures of Andi Carter. She's a spunky young lady in the late 1800's that's sure to capture your family's heart. The stories reminded me a bit of Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables as they are wholesome, heartwarming and engaging- funny, too! This book includes short stories from different time periods. My favorite stories were The Best Gift of All and White Christmas. The Best Gift of All is about Andrea's Mother's birthday and how she (Andi) has only 12 cents to purchase a present. She wants desperately for the gift to be from her with no help from her brothers or sister. It's a bit of a tearjerker- just precious. In White Christmas, Andi travels with her older brothers- for the first time- into the mountains to find the perfect Christmas tree. She's so excited to go along but then something unexpected happens and the fun adventure becomes a lesson in survival. Oh, and I have to mention the story of Aunt Rebecca and the Hat! Oh my goodness, I couldn't stop laughing! Aunt Rebecca is a lot like Aunt March in Little Women- crabby and full of rules. You know the type!

Andrea Carter's Tales from the Circle C Ranch are absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend enjoying them with your family. They are sweet stories with a heart.

The independent tomboy Andrea Carter and her beloved horse, Taffy, were first introduced in Andrea Carter and the Long Ride Home in 2005. Since then, popular author Susan Marlow has penned five more books in the Circle C Adventures series, filled in Andi's early years with the Circle C Beginnings series, and started a chronicle of Andrea's teen years in Circle C Milestones.

Published to celebrate the tenth anniversary of this positive role model for girls, Andrea Carter's Tales from the Circle C Ranch is a collection of short stories inspired by fan questions that fills in many of the gaps between Circle C Beginnings and Circle C Adventures. Taking place between 1873 and 1880, each story is prefaced by an explanatory note that pinpoints the action of the story in relation to events in the existing Andrea Carter books.


Wholesome fun, and with a clear Christian message throughout, Andrea Carter's Tales from the Circle C Ranch is a must-read for fans of the series and a fun introduction for those who haven't yet discovered these historical gems. - See more at: http://www.kregel.com/susan-k-marlow/andrea-carters-tales-from-the-circle-c-ranch-3160/#sthash.reuAVKOi.dpuf

*I was given a copy of this book from Kregel in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*

A.D. The Bible Continues The Book of Acts by Dr. David Jeremiah

My Thoughts:

I was quite anxious to review this book as the pastor of my church is currently preaching about Acts and touching on the compelling television series as well. A.D. The Bible Continues: The Book of Acts provides an easy to read guide through this thrilling part of the Bible. It really brought the disciples to life for me! If the Bible is a bit intimidating to you as it often is to me I highly recommend getting your hands on this book. Dr. David Jeremiah clearly explains the time just prior to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection all the way through to Paul's arrival in Rome. Triumphs, tragedies, and trials are all part of the disciple's journey to spread the message of Jesus. 

In addition, Dr. Jeremiah features the key players and themes in the book of Acts. Individual pages highlight Strengths and Accomplishments, Lessons from their Life, Vital Statistics and more. Stephen, Mary Magdalene, Peter, Paul, Timothy, Luke, Cornelius, Herod Agrippa I and many more are mentioned. 

The book ends with a discussion of the Second Coming of Jesus (Are you ready for his return? Are you saved?), A Call to Action ("go and make disciples of all nations. teach these new disciples to obey all my commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28: 19-20) as well as an Appendix of Maps and Favorite Verses.

This book was such a blessing to my heart. I truly enjoyed reading about the book of Acts and how God worked miracles through his disciples. Each man was hand selected by God to fulfill a daunting task. Teaching about Jesus, sharing His love, and venturing to places where they knew their lives were in danger. I loved reading this book with my family!

Before I end this review, I have to ask you. Are you saved? Do you know the Lord as your Savior? I'd love to hear from you if you have questions. (toosillysisters@cox.net) It just takes a simple prayer to the Lord. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart. God loves you and is waiting to hear from you! "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6

A.D. The Bible Continues: The Book of Acts is a perfect gift for those who want to explore the true story behind the riveting NBC television series A.D. The Bible Continues.

Popular author and Bible teacher Dr. David Jeremiah will be your guide to the book of Acts, which tells the true story of how the first band of followers of Jesus quickly grew into an international movement after his death and resurrection. Discover what motivated and inspired this small group and how the message of Jesus set the world on fire.

It’s the beginning of a whole new era, and you can have a front-row seat with A.D. The Bible Continues: The Book of Acts.

David Jeremiah

Dr. David Jeremiah serves as senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. He is the founder and host of Turning Point, a ministry committed to providing Christians with sound Bible teaching relevant to today's changing times through radio and television, the Internet, live events, and resource materials and books. A bestselling author, Dr. Jeremiah has written more than forty books, including Captured by Grace, Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World, What in the World Is Going On?, The Coming Economic Armageddon, God Loves You: He Always Has—He Always Will, and What Are You Afraid Of?.
Dr. Jeremiah's commitment to teaching the complete Word of God continues to make him a sought-after speaker and writer. His passion for reaching the lost and encouraging believers in their faith is demonstrated through his faithful communication of biblical truths.
A dedicated family man, Dr. Jeremiah and his wife, Donna, have four grown children and twelve grandchildren. 

- See more at: http://www.tyndale.com/10_Authors/author_bio.php?authorID=996#sthash.uJL6ajL6.dpuf

*I was given a copy of this book by Tyndale in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*

The Inn at Ocean's Edge- The Beach Mystery You've Been Looking For!

My Thoughts:

I'm super excited to tell you about Colleen Coble's newest romantic suspense- The Inn at Ocean's Edge! The story takes place on the island of Folly Shoals, Maine and involves the mysterious disappearance of a little girl on her fourth birthday. Claire Delaware shows up a year later with a note pinned to her dress. No other clues and no answers to where she has been or what happened to her. Fast forward to present day and Claire has no memory of that missing year of her life. In fact, she has no idea that she was ever lost.

This book was deliciously suspenseful from the first page. A flashback involving a terrifying act of violence, confusion and then complete darkness sets the tone for the of the story. Claire is a confident, attractive, wealthy young lady who is suddenly overtaken by a panic attack upon her arrival at Hotel Tourmaline. Something about all the pine trees... She escapes to the beach to clear her head and meets  the dashing Luke Rocco assisting a baby whale whose lost it's pod. It turns out he lost someone dear to him the same night that Claire went missing all those years ago. Hmmm... The plot thickens!

The cast of characters was superb. It was often difficult to decipher who was a villain and who was a friend. It keeps the pages flying! Secrets were discovered along the way, so many intriguing secrets! Did I mention that Luke Rocco will rock your socks off? In the words of his sister Megan, "he's a chick magnet, but doesn't know it. ;)  The smolder between Claire and Luke is quite intense. Oh, yeah... But back to business. Where did Claire disappear for a year? What happened to Luke's mother? Who is Kate Mason? Who is trying to kill Claire? Is it the man in her dreams?

You know the mystery you've been searching for to take the beach/pool/cruise? THIS is it. Be sure there's a lifeguard watching your kiddos because The Inn at Ocean's Edge will have your full attention. You won't be able to put it down until the last page. Enjoy.

Someone—maybe everyone—is hiding something from Claire Dellamare, and it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light. Colleen Coble's new book, The Inn at Ocean's Edge, is a must-read for mystery and suspense readers. As Claire and Luke put together the pieces of a decades-old mystery, they discover that some family secrets refuse to stay buried. And some passions are worth killing for.



Celebrate the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge by entering to win a Kindle Fire and RSVPing to her May 5th author chat party!










One grand prize winner will receive:


Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 7th. Winner will be announced May 8th on Colleen's website. Plus be sure to clear your calendar on the evening of May 5th because Colleen is hosting an author chat party on Facebook to celebrate her A Journey of the Heart series and the release of The Inn at Ocean's Edge! RSVP here!











RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on May 5th!

• A Kindle Fire


• A copy of A Heart's Disguise


• A copy of A Heart's Obsession


• A copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge

About the book:
The Inn at Ocean's Edge (Thomas Nelson, April 2015)

A vacation to Sunset Cove was her way of celebrating and thanking her parents. After all, Claire Dellamore's childhood was like a fairytale. But with the help of Luke Elwell, Claire discovers that fairytale was really an elaborate lie . . .

The minute she steps inside the grand Inn at Ocean's Edge, Claire Dellamare knows something terrible happened there. She feels it in her bones. Her ensuing panic attack causes a scene, upsetting her parents. Claire attempts to quiet her nerves with a walk on the beach, to no avail. She's at too great a distance to make out details, but she believes she witnesses a murder on a nearby cliff. When local police find no evidence of foul play, they quickly write off the "nervous" woman's testimony as less than credible.

But Luke Elwell, home on leave from the Coast Guard, has reason to believe Claire. Years ago when his mother went missing, Luke's father suspected she'd been murdered. He died never having convinced the police to investigate. So when an employee of the grand hotel doesn't show up for work, Luke steps in to help Claire track down the missing woman.

As Claire and Luke put together the pieces of a decades-old mystery, they discover that some family secrets refuse to stay buried. And some passions are worth killing for.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1PDMkED

About the author:

Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide. Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

Find Colleen online: website, Facebook, Twitter

*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received. *

God, Me and Sweet Iced Tea- The Perfect Way to Begin Your Day!

My Thoughts:

Rose Chandler Johnson has done a lovely job of joining sweet sentiments and personal insight that help her readers experience tender and thoughtful moments with God. Each devotional can be completed in 5-10 minutes but can easily be extended with journaling ideas, Bible reading prompts, personal reflection and prayer. I enjoyed the personal stories that the author shared and the way that she ended each entry with a prayer focus and encouragement. It's a bit like sharing a glass of sweet tea while chatting with a dear friend! God, Me and Sweet Iced Tea is the perfect way to begin or end your day- with the Lord.

About the book:
God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, July 2013)

In the South, nothing is more refreshing than a glass of sweet iced tea. Nothing, that is, except experiencing God in those small, everyday moments.

God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea is a deeply personal collection of spiritual treasures designed to help readers experience new mercies each morning. Seasoned with insight and grace, this tender devotional points to the divine presence of God in everyday moments. God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea will help readers develop a daily habit of turning to God in those quiet moments of reflection.

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1Do6Hzd

About the author:

Rose Chandler Johnson's devotions, poems, and articles have appeared in numerous Christian publications. She enjoys writing for her popular blog, Write Moments with God, and engaging with her readers. Rose is from a tiny Georgia town, and has lived near Augusta, Georgia, for the last twenty-eight years. For the last twenty years, Rose has been a French and English teacher. She's also worked as a counselor, librarian, and ESOL teacher. Rose enjoys baking, gardening, and spending time with her six children and their families.

Find Rose online: website

*I was given this book by Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*

10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know- A Must Read for Moms and Teen Daughters!

10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know is an easy to read book filled with real life stories, advice, and loving reassurance to help guide your tween/teen daughter's choices as well as guard her heart. I read it with my daughters (ages 12 and 17) and my only regret was that I couldn't have read it when I was their age. (Big sigh) It could have saved me from a lot of heartache and misguided choices.

The 10 Ultimate Truths are spot on and the author, Kari Kampakis, beautifully details them with a focus on the Lord and realistic, engaging stories that every girl can relate to.

Truth #10- KINDNESS is more important than POPULARITY. (Dreaded cliques. Remember the movie Mean Girls?)
Truth #9- You were born to fly. (Be yourself. Smile.)
Truth #8- Todays's choices set the stage for your reputation. "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'" 1 Corinthians 15:33
Truth #7- Chasing boys doesn't make you cool. It makes you a nuisance. (Enough said)
Truth #6- You weren't made to worship yourself. (Joy: Jesus, Others, Yourself)
Truth #5- People peak at different times in life. Trust God's plan for you. "And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation." Romans 5:4
Truth #4- Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Otherwise you'll never stick to your guns. (Peer pressure!)
Truth #3- Boys are visual creatures. The clothing choices you make affect the way they see you. (Body image and modesty.)
Truth #2- Pretty girls are a dime a dozen. Outer beauty attracts attention, but inner beauty is what holds it. (The beauty of loving the blessings God has given you.)
Truth #1- the source of all peace and happiness lives inside you. Learn to listen to the whispers of God over the megaphone of public opinion. (Reminds me so much of the movie "A Walk to Remember". What God wants from us is obedience.)

I really enjoyed this book because it was real, encouraging, and written by a lady that remembers how it feels to be young. It's not easy! So many temptations and the world's view is very different than God's view. Please read this book with your tween/teen daughter. It will be a blessing to you both and a rich time of reflection, dreams and discussion.

These ten simple truths can build one big change in your daughter's life.

When Kari Kampakis wrote a blog post in July 2013 titled "10 Truths Young Girls Should Know," the post went viral and was shared more than 65,000 times on Facebook. Obviously her message strikes a chord with moms and dads across the country. This nonfiction book for teen girls expands on these ten truths and can reach the hearts of both moms and daughters.

Teen girls deal daily with cliques, bullying, rejection, and social media nightmares. Kari Kampakis wants girls to know that they don't have to compromise their integrity and future to find love, acceptance, and security. Her ten truths include:

• Kindness is more important than popularity.
• People peak at different times of life. Trust God's plan for you.
• Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Otherwise, you'll never stick to your guns.
• Today's choices set the stage for your reputation.
• You were born to fly.

Fans of Kari's blog and newspaper column will not want to miss her first book. Filled with practical advice, loving support, and insightful discussion questions, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know is a timely and approachable list of guidelines that will help young girls navigate a broken world and become the young women God made them to be.

About the Author

Kari Kampakis is a newspaper columnist, blogger, and former children’s photographer from Birmingham, Alabama. Her writing has been featured on HuffPost Parents and reflects her passion for family and God. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Kari holds an MBA and public relations degree. She and her husband, Harry, live in blessed chaos with their four daughters and a dog named Lola.

*I was given this book by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe by Max Lucado- Encore!!

My Thoughts:

Coffee, Angels and the God Blog. Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe is a treasure! I'll admit that when I first heard of this book it sounded a bit... hokey. I wasn't interested and didn't sign up to review it. But as time passed and I read the raving reviews, I was intrigued. Luckily, another opportunity presented itself and I didn't waste a second! My daughters (12 and 17) and I all vouch for the charm of this story. We read it together in the car over a few weeks and they each asked me to not read without them present! They didn't want to miss a page- and neither did I. :)

Chelsea Chambers is our leading lady. Recently separated from her NFL star husband (he cheated on her) and anxious to begin a new life with her 2 children. A charming coffee shop has been in her family since her grandmother opened it many years ago and it's now all hers. Sounds lovely, but chain coffee shops abound, Chelsea is low on money, her children need her and her one employee ditches her after her grand reopening is way beyond grand. Business is looking pretty bleak...

Then, out of nowhere, appears the clumsy, eager, endearing, oddly dressed Manny. He's not what he appears to be and we all fell in love with him immediately! (Mr. Lucado- Please consider making this book the first in a series. We'd love to see Manny again!) He's just what Chelsea needs- a friend to lift her spirits, a hard worker, and a talented barista. Now if he could just figure out how to walk through the swinging doors...

Business really begins to boom when a router is installed that directs all customers to a blog. A very special blog that allows everyone to ask one question. It appears that God himself answers the questions- whether they are in English, Spanish, Chinese, etc. Is it real? The answers are compelling and seem legitimate...

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe is utterly delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it with my daughters. It made us laugh! And it made me cry, too. We do have a few questions, though. Will Manny every get to see the last movie in the Star Wars trilogy? Is  Mr. Darling really allergic to raspberries? Will Bo remarry? Did Chelsea really like riding the roller coasters? Needless to say, we'd love to read a sequel. :)

What if you could ask God anything? What would you ask? And how would he answer?

Chelsea Chambers is on her own. After a public split from her NFL superstar husband, Chelsea takes a bold step out of the limelight and behind the counter of the Higher Grounds Café, an old-fashioned coffee shop in dire need of reinvention. But when her courage, expert planning, and out-of-this-world cupcakes fail to pay the bills, this newly single mom finds herself desperate for help. Better yet, a miracle.

Then a curious stranger lands at Chelsea's door, and with him, an even curiouser string of events. Soon, customers are flocking to the Higher Grounds Café, and not just for the cupcakes and cappuccino. They've come for the internet connection to the divine. Now the café has become the go-to place for people in search of answers to life's biggest questions.

When a catastrophe strikes and her ex comes calling, Chelsea begins to wonder if the whole universe is conspiring against her quest to make it on her own. After a shocking discovery opens her eyes to the unseen world around her, Chelsea finds the courage to ask, and heaven answers in a most unexpected way.

About the Author

More than 120 million readers have found comfort in the writings of Max Lucado. He ministers at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and a sweet but misbehaving mutt, Andy.

*I was given a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*