EmpowerMoms

The Wonder of You (Christiansen Family #5) by Susan May Warren

BRAND NEW released in June!

This book follows the story of Amelia, the youngest and 5th child in the Christiansen Family.

She returns to her small town called Deep Haven after traveling Europe and getting her heart broken. She returns to the safety of her family and longtime high school boyfriend, but then wonders if Seth and Deep Haven are all that she wants in her life.

This book was funny, emotional, romantic, and kept me engaged the entire time! I didn’t want to put it down until I finished! I love Susan May Warren’s clean, christian writing style. All the books that I have read by her have been entertaining, but real-dealing with real life emotions and hardships.

I absolutely LOVE and recommend all 5 books in this series! I have read them in order so the character and family dynamics make more sense. The story lines and characters draw me in and make me feel like I’m a part of their family and town.

I figured this would be the last book in the series since there are 5 children in the family, so I was very excited to read a sneak peek of the series finale coming spring 2016 (You’re the one that I want)!!

I received a copy of this book complimentary from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media. All opinions are my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Mortified after her semester abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough for the adventures she’s dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness.

Heir to a European hotel dynasty, Roark St. John has trekked from one exotic locale to another, haunted by tragedy and the expectations that accompany his last name. Amelia is the first woman to give him a reason to stop running. He’ll do anything for a second chance―even contend with Amelia’s old flame, who is intent on sending Roark packing.

While one surprise after another leaves Amelia reeling, Roark’s continued presence only highlights the questions pursuing her. Like him, is she running from the life God has called her to? Could finding her new place mean leaving home behind?

YOU CAN BUY THE BOOK HERE:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Growing up in Minneapolis and attending the U of MN, I learned to love city life, although I’m a woodsy girl at heart. Or maybe I’m an adventurer — having lived and traveled all over the world, including Siberia Russia as a missionary for eight years. Probably that’s why my characters can’t sit still, and seem to get into one scrape after another — they’re too much like me! I love God, my family, my country, my church, and feel privileged every day to be able to write stories, that I hope inspire and entertain!
http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

“Untangled” starts off in chapter 1 with a letter that the author wrote her abuser after 43 years. That traumatic event is just the beginning of years of insecurity and doubts that Carey has about herself and her self worth. She shares personal stories throughout the book but doesn’t dwell on just her own stories and insecurities. She shares examples of other men and women’s hardships in the bible and uses scriptures and end of the chapter journaling questions for the reader to ponder.

Alot of the examples and stories I could relate to (Pinterest fails, mommy insecurities, body image, etc) but some examples I could not. (Why would I be jealous of other mom’s kids successes?) Thankfully I grew up in a home feeling loved and haven’t had anything tragic happen to me to question my self worth and self esteem. One of my biggest fears is for something to happen to my kids like what happened to author Carey Scott.

“Let God Loosen the Knots of Insecurity in Your Life” was a good reference book, especially those who struggle with self worth. As women and as moms we shouldn’t be so critical and comparing ourselves all the time to others. This book was a good reminder of that!

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

About the Book
All women want to feel is valued. But problems arise when we seek confirmation that we are enough using the world’s standards. Almost from birth, we are trained to find the approval and acceptance we crave in the eyes of family, friends, and even strangers. The result is that we cannot believe we are who God says we are–accepted, loved, beautiful, and treasured. We get tangled up in the world’s assessment and our own self-judgment.

With hope-filled writing and plenty of hard-won personal advice, Carey Scott shows women how to untangle their self-esteem from the world and anchor it in Jesus. She lovingly shows readers that God was intentional in how he made them and that he is well pleased with his work. Women will learn practical strategies to escape unattainable standards and the performance-based measuring stick of the world, and find comfort in the fact that they are not alone on the journey.

About the Author
Carey Scott is an author, speaker, and certified Bible life coach who challenges women to be real–not perfect–even when real is messy. She speaks to women’s groups and writes an online devotional designed to help women be who God created them to be. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their two children.

I haven’t posted my weekly exercise recaps in a while, so here’s my pictures from this past week.

I have a 60 day membership at a local gym with a personal trainer, so it was my first week and I really enjoyed it! I still love working out at home, but its fun to go to the gym for variety.

I also finally got another Polar Heart Rate monitor watch so I can start keeping track of my heart rate again!

I also tried something new-A biking yoga class!!

MONDAY
(30) mins of Body Shred (new Jillian Michaels program)

(30) mins workout with personal trainer at my new gym!

TUESDAY
(20) mins Leslie Sansone, (15) Jessica Smith, (5) mins trampoline

WEDNESDAY
(50) mins at the gym doing some weights, track and elliptical. (25) mins FIT advanced dvd at home.

THURSDAY
1.5 hours outside Biking and Yoga class with my local parks and rec.

My hubby and son went biking too!

FRIDAY
(65) mins at the gym doing the track and elliptical.

SATURDAY
(55) mins at the gym doing the track and elliptical with my parents and oldest son.

Saturday afternoon The kids and I went to a FREE local kids health and fitness activity at a park by Carilion .
They had little stations where they could do dancing, bike riding, obstacle course, running, learn about plants, nutrition, reading, money, etc. it was soooooo hot outside but a lot of fun!! My mom was there with the VA cooperative extension handing out fruit pizzas and little seed planters.
The kids got free prizes, brand new bike helmets (!!) fitted to them, and this big bag of produce!!

Love’s Rescue: A Novel (Keys of Promise book 1) by Christine Johnson

Pirates, ship wrecks, romance and mystery…. Love’s Rescue jumps right into a fast paced story line which kept my interest until the very last page.

The story takes place in the 1840s in Key West. Elizabeth Benjamin decides to go home after 4 years of being gone after a tragic family accident. She isn’t met with open arms and has a hard time adjusting to her family and house responsibilities. She wonders if the man who captured her heart many years ago, still views her as a little girl.

Elizabeth discovers family secrets that weren’t meant to be found, and finds herself wondering who to trust and who to love.

I haven’t read anything previously from this author, but since I really enjoyed this book, I will be looking up more books by her. **Clean, Christian romance.**

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

Book Description:
When her mother dies, Elizabeth Benjamin heads home to Key West, determined to transform herself into the perfect Southern belle her parents always wished her to be. But nothing goes according to plan. Her crippled brother resents her, the servants do not obey her, and Rourke O’Malley, the dashing man she vowed to forget, refuses to relinquish his hold on her heart. Worst of all, it becomes painfully obvious that her father is not the upright man he appears to be.

As family secrets come to light, Elizabeth is faced with a difficult choice: to do her duty and abandon her dreams, or to leave her life of privilege behind to chase the man her father sees as little better than a pirate.

From the first emotional page, author Christine Johnson throws readers into a world of impossible choices, hidden desires, and heart-melting romance in the steamy south. Readers will cheer for Elizabeth and Rourke as they battle the odds and the elements to secure their future.

About the Author
Christine Johnson is the author of several books for Steeple Hill and Love Inspired and has been twice named a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® award. When not writing, she loves to hike and explore God’s majestic creation. These days, she and her husband, a Great Lakes ship pilot, split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys.

You can buy a copy here:

“The Proposal at Siesta Key” is book 2 of the Amish Brides of Pinecraft series by Shelley Shepard Gray. These books take place in Florida and center around the Orange Blossom Inn. I read book 1 and although some of the characters are mentioned in book 2, I don’t feel they need to be read in order.

I enjoyed reading about Penny’s story with her new job at the Inn and taking care of her new friend Michael. I felt sad to hear about Penny’s childhood and the tragic events that happened to her and her family. I liked reading how courageous Penny was in making more life decisions and her friendships with others.

Michael was a famous Mennonite man who traveled with his family sharing his story about his faith and his accident that cost him his leg. He ends up in Pinecraft Florida where he meets Penny and others who touch his life.

This was a great heartwarming story that I really enjoyed reading! I would definitely recommend book 1 and book 2 of this series. If you purchase this book you can also read a sneak peek of book 3 at the end of the book.

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:
A young Amish woman, yearning for freedom, crosses paths with a handsome Mennonite celebrity in a deeply moving tale of friendship and self-discovery—the second installment in the unforgettable New York Times bestselling author’s new Amish Brides of Pinecraft series.

Penny Troyer rarely disobeys her parents. In the years since her sister’s tragic death, they’ve wanted nothing more than to keep her safe…even if it means never leaving the house.

But tonight, she’s bending the rules because Michael Knoxx, the most famous member of The Knoxx Family Singers, a traveling Mennonite Evangelical family —is scheduled to speak. Penny has heard of Michael—how he lost part of his leg in a terrible accident and uses the experience to inspire others—and knows she must meet him. So, for the first time ever, Penny stands up to her parents and goes out on her own.

Though he speaks about living life to the fullest, Michael knows he needs to take his own advice. Life on the road is grueling and Michael wants to slow down, to rest…to perhaps meet someone who sees him as a man, not just a celebrity. So when a twist of fate allows him the chance to stay a little longer in Pinecraft, Michael knows God is showing him a new path, especially when he discovers how much he and Penny Troyer have in common.

But new friendships can’t stop time. Soon, Michael’s time in Pinecraft will be over and he’ll be back on the road. Her time with Michael has brought her happiness, but will she be able to follow her heart? Or will she be faced with the one thing she’s sure she’ll never have the courage to do?

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.

You can buy book 2 here:

You can buy book 1 here:

Go here to WIN a copy of this book by the author!