EmpowerMoms

It’s a new month! Can you believe it? This summer has flown by and it’s almost time for the kids to go back to school.

and it’s time for a new month of GOALS!

Every month I like to plan out my daily workout schedule and set some health & fitness goals for the month.

August Health & Fitness 2016:

If the Shoe Fits: A Contemporary Fairy Tale by Sandra D. Bricker

This story is the modern tale of Cinderella.

The main character Julianne is so determined to meet her “prince charming” that she doesn’t open her eyes to the possibility of her friend Will, being more than a friend.

This story had a good pace with lots of laughs! Some of the things that happened were ridiculous, but it was still funny and good light reading. I have read several books by this author and really enjoy her writing style and stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the book
Meet Julianne Bartlett, a brilliant young attorney ready to start her own law firm with her best friend—and virtually constant companion—Will Hanes. Julianne has been waiting her whole life for her Prince Charming to gallop in on his white steed. Will rode up on his 10-speed bike while they were still in grade school—but who meets the perfect guy right in the middle of a cul-de-sac?

On the way to her new office, Julianne screeches to a halt after a mysterious Prince Charming loses his toolbox and work boot in a busy intersection. He’s gorgeous . . . and he’s a caring dog-rescuer, too! How far she will go to grab the attention of the prince who begins to look less and less charming all the time?

Shriek with laughter—and embarrassment—as your new best friend, Julianne, goes on a collision course with God’s impeccable plan!

Rise and Shine: A Contemporary Fairy Tale by Sandra B. Bricker

This story is the modern tale of Sleeping Beauty.

After being in a coma for 10 years, Shannon wakes up to discover she’s 30 years old and that her husband recently died. As Shannon tries to get use to the “real world” again, she can’t help feel dependent on her doctor, Daniel, who has taken a personal interest in her medical case. Shannon tries to rebuild her friendships and learn about love and the world around her.

Good steady pace-lots of laughs and “feel good” christian romance story! I have read several books by this author and really enjoy her writing style and stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the book
Shannon Malone wakes from a coma ten years after a diving accident to find that nothing in her previous life is the same. Waking up to the news that she’s thirty years old would have been daunting enough . . . but she also learns that her young groom, Edmund Ridgeway, recently lost his battle with cancer.

Shannon’s elderly aunts flit through her life, trying to save her from Millicent, Edmund’s evil sister, as she tries to bar Shannon from any claim on the Ridgeway fortune. Shannon’s gorgeous doctor, Daniel Petros, becomes Shannon’s tour guide into a whole new world of madness, where reality television has taken over the planet and everyone’s life appears to revolve around a tiny screen on their cellphones!

Can Shannon navigate to a happy ending, even when her heart keeps asking, “Why, God?”

A Beauty Refined (Sapphire Brides) by Tracie Peterson

This book was released this month and is book 2 of the Sapphire Brides series. I did not read book 1, so I don’t know if it would make a difference with the character development or if they are stand alone books.

Phoebe visits America with her father from Germany. While in Montana, she meets a local merchant named Ian and some of his friends. As Phoebe stays longer in America, she discovers that the people she thought she knew and loved, may not be who they seem. And perfect strangers may be able to fill her with the love and hope that she has been longing for.

I really enjoyed this book! It had a steady pace with interesting characters with some romance and drama.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the book
Phoebe Von Bergen is excited to accompany her father when he travels from Germany to purchase sapphires in Montana. Little does she know that her father’s plans–for the gemstones and his daughter–are not what they seem.

Ian Harper, a lapidary working in Helena, finds the young woman staying at the Broadwater Hotel more than a little intriguing. Yet the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that her family story is based on a lie–a lie she has no knowledge of. And Ian believes he knows the only path that will lead her to freedom.

Meeting Ian has changed everything. Phoebe is determined to stay in America, regardless of her father’s plans. But she may not be prepared for the unexpected danger as the deception begins to unravel.

Biography
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than one hundred books. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Visit Tracie’s web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com

The Berenstain Bears’ Caring and Sharing Treasury (5 books in 1) by Jan and Mike Berenstain

This collection is called the “Caring and Sharing Treasury” collection of 5 stories. It’s a great price for $10.99 (or lower right now on Amazon) when each story typically retails for $3.99 each. This collection is part of the “Living Lights” Berenstain Bear books which help children learn how God wants them to live every day. Suggested age for this collection is ages 4-8.

My 6 year old has been reading Berenstain Bear books for at least a year or two and loves them! He really liked this collection of 5 books.

“Jobs around Town”-Brother and Sister Bear go all around town learning about the different jobs people do around town. Like Firebear Bob, Beartown Bus drivers… I liked the last page that said these are many things to do and be and it can be hard to choose, so there’s no need to worry.

“Get Involved”-Brother and Sister Bear as part of the Cub Club go around all of Bear Country helping those in need especially after a bid rain storm.

“Love Their Neighbors”-Mother Bear and Papa Bear talk about their neighbors and how good they are, except for the disgraceful Boog brothers. But when their car breaks down, someone unexpected comes to help them. Similar to the good Samaritan bible story.

“Gossip Gang”-“-The family gets involved in gossip and then learns its not very nice when people turn around and gossip about you! Especially sister bear.

“The Biggest Brag”-Brother and Sister Bear start to brag too much about their talents and to each other, so Gramps teaches them about pride and what the bible stays.

He liked Gossip Gang and Get Involved the best.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLookBloggers in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

Book Description
Time after time the Living Lights, Berenstain Bears series has attracted young readers through creative and engaging stories that not only entertain but teach values and life lessons. Now, five of the series’ most loved books are available in a comprehensive bind-up. This Living Lights collection Back to School is sure to be a popular choice for Berenstain Bears readers who have enjoyed the series in the past.

This collection includes:

Jobs Around Town

The Biggest Brag

About the Author
Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear books in 1962. Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents work together to write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Though Stan died in 2005, and Jan in 2012, Mike continues to create the delightful Bear adventures from the family home and studio in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks much like the sunny dirt road deep in Bear Country.