EmpowerMoms

Beloved bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray returns with the third book in her Amish Brides of Pinecraft series—a story of second chances for two young single parents…and the wedding that brings them together.

A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn: Amish Brides of Pinecraft, Book Three by Shelley Shepard Gray

I enjoyed this story just as much as the previous Brides of Pinecraft books. Sometimes I have a hard time reading Amish books because I can’t relate to their lifestyle or remember their language; but I like this series because the characters and stories are easy to follow, lighthearted, and enjoyable.

Although this is book 3 and previous characters are mentioned, this can be read as a stand alone book.

Emma and Jay’s stories are both unique and it’s sweet how they meet and start to slowing blend their families together. I was surprised with the opposition and lack of support they received from family members when they started to date since they are both widowed. Emma’s dog adds a funny but frustrating element to the story. I loved the family togetherness and dynamics.

These books are fun to read and heartwarming. Clean, christian fiction.

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

About the Book:
Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband Sanford passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. In the years since, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty—a widower with three young sons of his own—Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s also handsome and kind. Still, Emma is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship—and the idea of it ever becoming anything more. She honors her husband’s memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?

Jay knows that few people his age understand what it’s like to lose a spouse, and Emma’s gentleness with his boys stirs something in his heart that’s been quiet for far too long. But when Jay’s oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son’s joy, Jay wonders if it’s time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.

Jay wants to court Emma in earnest, but Emma’s relatives remain troubled by the prospect of her moving on. Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?

You can purchase a copy of the book here:

About the Author:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.

A Christmas Bride in Pinecraft releases on October 13.

30 days of FREE Workouts, Recipes, Motivation & Prize Giveaways for the entire month of October!

SIGN UP HERE:
http://supersisterfitness.com/lean-halloween/

It’s time for the FREE annual “Living & Active” challenge with Clare Smith. Her blog name use to be under Peak313 but was changed to http://www.claresmith.me/ earlier this year.

I’ve taken part in her other challenges and have really enjoyed them, so I wanted to share all the details so my readers don’t miss out on this fun challenge!

The program starts this coming MONDAY October 5th and goes for 5 weeks. You have to sign up using her link so you get the weekly emails with the assignments and free printables! The printables are awesome and I’m even more excited that she created a training manual to go along with the challenge for a small cost on Amazon for those who want it. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BUY THE SUPPLEMENT MANUAL to be a part of this challenge. She provides everything for free in the weekly emails. But if you’re interested in ordering the manual (I ordered it and will be getting it on Wednesday) the details are below.

Make sure to use these hashtags when you post pictures on social media so she can find your posts.

#livingandactive
#claresmith

FULL BLOG POST ABOUT THE CHALLENGE HERE:
http://www.claresmith.me/the-4th-annual-living-active-challenge-something-new/

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE CHALLENGE:
http://www.claresmith.me/subscribe/

(from her blog post)
This is a TOTALLY FREE challenge! I will have all the basic info you need to do it as we’ve done for the past 3 years, next week, but, for those of you who want to take it up a notch, I’ve got a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! My first ever book! OK, so maybe not a full book, but I’m calling it a “training guide” and it’s what I’ve been working on over the past 6 weeks! IMPORTANT: This guide is NOT MANDATORY to do this challenge!

YOU CAN BUY THE OPTIONAL GUIDEBOOK HERE:

The “Living + Active” challenge is here to help you focus in on two specific disciplines: exercise and scripture memorization, for 5 weeks. This guidebook is not mandatory to do the 5-week challenge, but will be a useful tool as it leads you each week and provides extra workouts, recipes, and tips! Check out www.claresmith.me for more information about the Living + Active challenge and more free tips, exercises, recipes, and inspiration to help you in your journey to a healthier life from the inside out!

Included in this 44 page training guide is:

weekly scripture memory
weekly devotional
weekly journal/non-scale victory spot
weekly tip (a recipe, playlist, or tip!)
2 BONUS workouts
weekly calendar check-off to keep progress of your workouts and scripture

Thursday, 9/24:
It’s #totalbodythursday. Show us your favorite total body balance move!

Bonus: Give us a #tbt of a time when you really challenged your balance (feel free to get creative!)

A couple of years ago I ran a 4 mile trail run in the dark. It definitely challenged my balance because of the narrow pathways and inclines!

Join BOSU and Sweat Pink for 4 strong weeks of BOSU fitness fun, starting on 9/14 and ending on 10/9!
DETAILS HERE:
http://empowermoms.net/2015/09/week-2-its-all-about-that-balance-bosustrong-challenge.html

“Not by Sight” is set in England after WWI.

Grace Mabry wants to follow thru with her feminist suffragette responsibilities with fellow friend Agnes, but is sent to the countryside to work after embarrassing her father at a large social party. While at the party Grace sees Jack Benningham, heir to the Earl of Stonebrooke, who annoys and unnerves her in every way. She is determined to “call him out” because of his lack pf patriotism, but then realizes later things aren’t always as they seem. But the damage has been done and now they both are in danger.

I felt like the story started off a little show but then by the last chapter of the book I didn’t want it to end. This story is almost 400 pages so its not a quick read but I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!

I loved the main characters Grace and Jack! I loved their interactions with each other and Grace’s love for descriptive writing. I loved reading about Grace’s mishaps while trying to work on the farm with the womens group. Grace is such a loyal, kind, and loving character. Jack reminded me of a handsome, mysterious “James Bond”.

This dramatic story has spies, romance, mystery and treason. This clean fiction book has some religious references in it and no sexual references or bad language.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

Amazon Book Description:
With Britain caught up in WWI, Jack Benningham, heir to the Earl of Stonebrooke, has declared himself a conscientious objector. Instead, he secretly works for the Crown by tracking down German spies on British soil, his wild reputation and society status serving as a foolproof cover.

Blinded by patriotism and concern for her brother on the front lines, wealthy suffragette Grace Mabry will do whatever it takes to assist her country’s cause. When she sneaks into a posh London masquerade ball to hand out white feathers of cowardice, she never imagines the chain of events she’ll set off when she hands a feather to Jack.

And neither of them could anticipate the extent of the danger and betrayal that follows them–or the faith they’ll need to maintain hope.

Biography
A Florida girl and former bookseller, Kate Breslin migrated to the Pacific Northwest where she lives with her guitarist husband and a persnickety cat. Author of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate received Christian Retailing’s 2015 Best Award for first time author, and her debut novel, For Such A Time, is a Christy award, RITA award, and Carol award finalist. Kate’s second novel, Not By Sight, releases August, 2015. When she’s not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington’s beautiful woodlands. She also likes traveling to new places, both within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Greece, Rome, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas. Please visit her at www.katebreslin.com.

You can purchase a copy of this book here: