EmpowerMoms

I don’t think I have read anything by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect with her writing style and mood of this book. To be honest, I did not like most of the book and had a hard time getting through it for review. I found it too emotionally draining and depressing.

However, I stuck with it and by the last couple of chapters the story finally took a positive turn. The story was very realistic with what could happen to anyone in real life, but I like to read more uplifting, happy books.

I did like that the story was mostly written in the view of the husband Josiah and that readers got to experience his battle towards forgiveness, hope, understanding, and love.

It was a very well written, beautiful, Christian story but just not something I personally would read again.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book
Josiah Chamberlain’s life’s work revolves around repairing other people’s marriages. When his own is threatened by his wife’s unexplained distance, and then threatened further when she’s unexpectedly plunged into an unending fog, Josiah finds his expertise, quick wit and clever quips are no match for a relationship that is clearly broken.

Feeling betrayed, confused, and ill-equipped for a crisis this crippling, he reexamines everything he knows about the fragility of hope and the strength of his faith and love. Love seems to have failed him. Will what’s left of his faith fail him, too? Or will it be the one thing that holds him together and sears through the impenetrable wall that separates them?

You can purchase a copy here:

About the Author
Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope. She’s the award-winning author of 16 books and a frequent speaker for women’s ministry events. She serves as the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, where she helps retailers, libraries, and book clubs connect with the authors and books they love. She lives with her husband in Central Wisconsin. Visit her online at CynthiaRuchti.com.

When your life’s work revolves around repairing other people’s marriages, what happens when your own marriage begins to fall apart? Find out what happens to Josiah Chamberlain in Cynthia Ruchti’s new book, A Fragile Hope. Feeling betrayed, confused, and ill-equipped for a crisis this crippling, he reexamines everything he knows about the fragility of hope and the strength of his faith and love. Love seems to have failed him. Will what’s left of his faith fail him, too? Or will it be the one thing that holds him together and sears through the impenetrable wall that separates them?

Celebrate the release of A Fragile Hope by entering to win Cynthia’s Sign of Hope Giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of A Fragile Hope
• A metal wall scripture hanging

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on May 3. The winner will be announced May 4 on the Litfuse blog.

Redeeming Grace (Daughters of the Promised Land Book #3): Ruth’s Story by Jill Eileen Smith

I absolutely loved reading about Ruth’s story in this book! The book was divided up into 3 sections: Part 1 (1297 BC), Part 2 starts in chapter 21 (1283 BC), and Part 3 begins in chapter 35.

This story didn’t just tell the traditional Ruth and Boaz story from the bible. It started off telling Ruth’s story before she even married Naomi’s son, her life with them, his death, and then her journey with Naomi back to her homeland Bethlehem.

I loved reading about Ruth’s faith, her courage, questioning idols and wanting to know more about Naomi’s God. This story was very well written and the cover of the book is beautiful! I love biblical ficton and this book and entire series is amazing!

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the Book
When famine visits Bethlehem, Boaz holds out hope for rain while his relative Elimelech moves his wife Naomi and their sons to Moab. For a while, it appears the Lord is blessing Elimelech’s family, and his sons marry two lovely Moabite women. But calamities strike, one after another, leaving Naomi alone in a foreign land with only her childless daughters-in-law for comfort. When news reaches Naomi that the famine in Bethlehem has lifted, only Ruth will hazard the journey to her mother-in-law’s homeland. Destitute and downhearted, Naomi resigns herself to a life of bitter poverty, but Ruth holds out hope for a better future. And Boaz may be the one God has chosen to provide it.

Combining meticulous research with her endless imagination, Jill Eileen Smith gorgeously renders one of the most beautiful stories in Scripture. Readers will adore this third installment of the inspiring Daughters of the Promised Land series.

Purchase your copy here

About the Author
Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling author of The Crimson Cord, The Prophetess, The Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs series, and the ebook novellas The Desert Princess, The Shepherdess, and Daughter of the Nile. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at www.jilleileensmith.com.

Although my son isn’t a toddler (hes 6 years old) I got these books so he could practice his reading. He loved looking at the pictures and being able to read the words himself. We love reading bible stories at home so these were perfect to read before bed and at church. He has practiced reading them to us several times already.

Both books are thick board boards and are 15 pages with nice bright colors and easy words. Both books also include number counting. There were 2 little details that I didn’t agree with in both books, but overall they were well written and we enjoyed them a lot!

I received a copy of these books complimentary for blog and social media review from Worthy Kids. All opinions are my own.

A fresh take on a classic Bible story that’s perfect for very young children
With its bold, modern art and simple text of about 100 words, this fresh new take on the story of Creation is just right for babies and toddlers. Children will learn that in the beginning, everything was dark. Then God said, Let there be light. He created the seas and the land, the sun and the moon, all the creatures on the earth . . . and us! And then God rested. This charming depiction of God’s Creation makes a perfect gift for little ones.

Purchase your copy here:

A fresh take on a classic Bible story that s perfect for very young children
With its bold, modern art and simple text of about 100 words, this fresh new take on the story of Noah and his ark is just right for babies and toddlers. Children will learn that God asked Noah to build a big boat; that it rained and rained for days; and that God saved Noah and the animals, then He placed a rainbow in the sky. They will learn to count the animals two by two and will discover the colors of the rainbow as well. This charming crowd of elephants, giraffes, monkeys, and more makes a perfect gift for little ones.

Purchase your copy here:

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“Chance For Home” by Traci Hunter Abramson

I’ve read some other books by this author but I haven’t read the book called “Chances Are” that precedes this story. It would have helped with the character development if I had read the other book, but I still really enjoyed this sweet, romantic story and enjoyed getting to know the characters.

I liked how Kari wasn’t afraid to stand up to her beliefs and feelings but was still respectful and kind to others. I don’t know anything about baseball but I liked how passionate and supportive Kari was to her brother and new boyfriend and their careers. I also like reading about Ryan, Ben and her other friends and how close knit they were.

“Chance for Home” has a good steady story line, sweet (clean!) romance and fun characters that people can relate to.

I received a copy of this book complimentary for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the book:
Beautiful pre-med student Kari Evans believes she’s found the man of her dreams—right up until the moment she discovers he’s a two-timing cheat. Desperately gathering the pieces of her broken heart, she realizes that what she needs most is space to reconsider her future. A summer in Washington, DC, with her professional baseball player brother, Ben, sounds like just the change of scene she’s after. But if complicated romantic entanglements are what she’s trying to escape, she’s out of luck.
Ryan Strobel has had it with spotlight-seeking women. As third baseman for the Washington Nationals, he’s dealt with more than his fair share of opportunistic admirers—but his ex-fiancée, Brandi, may be the worst. When the woman refuses to take no for an answer, Ryan’s teammate Ben offers a crazy solution: Ben’s sister will pose as Ryan’s new girlfriend. Though an unlikely pair, Ryan and Kari find themselves getting surprisingly comfortable with the charade. Soon, the line between fact and fiction is blurred, and the very real feelings that develop between the couple are undeniable. But when faced with the interference of conniving exes, family objections, and the reality of their very different lives, are Ryan and Kari destined to strike out in the game of love?

Purchase your copy here:


Biography:
Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas for suspense novels as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She has gone on to write a number of bestselling suspense novels that have consistently been nominated as Whitney Award finalists. She considers shoes an optional accessory which became evident when she won her first three Whitney Awards in 2013 (Code Word), 2014 (Deep Cover), and 2016 (Failsafe.) She currently lives in Virginia with her family where she enjoys sports, travel, writing, and coaching high school swimming.

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“Chasing Red” by Lauren Winder Farnsworth

I found this story very intriguing and fun to read. Ryder is in her 20s and moves to NYC from her little Utah town for a big job opportunity. She immediately makes some friends and enemies at her job. She also catches the eye of a very handsome stranger who keeps appearing at her job and church.

I liked reading about Ryder’s job, her quirky friends, and her close family relationships. I really liked her personality and how she treated others.

This story takes place over a couple years spam but the story is a very quick read and well written. I liked the surprise twist at the end of the book. Fun, romantic, clean story line.

I received a copy of this e-book complimentary for a blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

About the book
Ryder Redmond can’t wait to begin her new life in New York City, with her first real job after college. But the big city gets a little more complicated once she meets the charming and mysterious Damian Wolfe. On the surface he seems perfect, but her friend Hunter is suspicious of his all-too-straight smile and his motives towards Ryder. With her heart on the line, Ryder will have to decide just how much she trusts the handsome city slicker.

Purchase your copy here

About the Author
Lauren Winder Farnsworth was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Utah, went to work as a financial statement auditor. Lauren currently lives in South Jordan, Utah works as a CPA.

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