More Than A Bucket List

More Than A Bucket List by Toni Birdsong is a cute book that covers topics like Live with Strength, Watch Less TV, Rediscover what’s important, Live your dreams, Ignore your Critics, Live with Strength, Ask God First, and Be a Hero. Each section is a page or two, and it gives ideas of how to do the topic of the chapter. This book would be a great gift for people at any stage in their life, and I enjoyed reading the book. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

His Love Endures Forever

Danielle thought she had found the love of her life in Beth Wiseman’s newest book, His Love Endures Forever (A Land of Canaan Novel). 18 year old Danielle Kane was in a relationship with a young Amish man named Matthew who spoke about leaving his world behind. She thought his reason behind leaving the Amish community was to create a family with her, but she soon learns his real plan is to leave his family and her behind. After becoming pregnant, and telling Matthew, she finds herself alone as Matthew moves to Colorado. When Levi, another Amish man who is her best friend, learns the news, he proposes to Danielle so she does not have to raise her young child on her own. Levi always imagined he would spend his life in the Amish community, but he feels led by God to marry Danielle, and he decides to leave his Amish lifestyle behind. I really enjoyed this book! I read Amish fiction often, but this book was original in that it focused on both the Amish and a young “English” girl. Although I haven’t read the other books in this series, I didn’t find it hard at all follow the story. The characters were very likeable, and I was definitely rooting for both Danielle and Levi. Material Connection: I received this book free from Booksneeze Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Cruel Harvest

Cruel Harvest has to be one of the saddest books I have ever read. This Memoir is written by Fran Elizabeth Grubb and it looks at the difficult life she experienced as well as her attempts to reconnect with her siblings and deal with her past. Fran’s father abused his children at every opportunity. They never had enough to eat, were forced to work in cotton fields, and experienced sexual, physical, and verbal abuse. As soon as the children and his wife would escape his abuse, he would find a way to reconnect with the children and convince others he only had their best interest in mind. I found it very difficult to read this book, since I could not imagine someone living a life like Fran. I was rooting for her to get away from her father, and I liked reading about her in her later phase of life as she reconnected with her siblings. It was amazing to hear she was not a bitter person, rather she seemed to move on with her life and forgive those who hurt her. This shows a great example that no matter what we go through, forgiveness is an important part of moving forward. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Booksneeze Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Hope Springs

Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate tells the story of 3 cousins in the Saunders family who travel to their grandmother’s home to spend Christmas together but end up staying longer and learning about themselves and solving some of their problems. Janelle Evans’ husband died a few years earlier, and she finds it hard to go back to the pace they spent so much time together. Stephanie London lives in St. Louis with her husband and is nominated by her father as the one to represent the family at this holiday. Libby seems to be searching for something in her life, and she is unable to commit to a relationship. When these cousins reunite and learn their Grandmother Geri is sick, they decide to move in with her to help take care of the home and take her to doctor appointments. This book looked at more than just family secrets. It also looked at the racial divide that still may exist in some areas. I liked the overall idea of the book and the focus on the importance of family. I also liked how each of these characters were so different from one another. Even though they were cousins, and were raised in similar families, they ended up completely different from one another. I liked this book, but I felt like I was very confused with all of the characters. There were cousins, aunts and uncles, neighbors, random family friends, and grandchildren. I was unable to remember all of the characters connections to one another until I was basically finished the book. I think some of the characters could have been removed and the book would still have relayed the same meaning. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Swipe

Swipe, written by Evan Angler, follows the life of Logan as he nears his 13th birthday at some point in the future. Upon reaching the age of 13, each child is given a mark which enables them to take part in society. They can get a job, buy food, ride a hoverstick, and anything else you can think of. Although Logan is excited to get his mark, he is also nervous due to the children who have not had good results after their mark surgery. Although it will be denied by the government, there are those people who never return after their surgery. Add to the fear of the surgery, the fact that Logan feels as if he is being followed and someone is spying on him. As he begins to investigate those who are watching his every move, he meets a new friend Erin whose father has access to top-secret materials and facts which Erin shares with Logan. I really liked this book, and I read it while thinking about the book of Revelation and the Mark of the Beast which will be required as per Revelation. I think this would be best for middle-school age kids who are interested in reading sci-fi type books, and it may also help them become interested in learning more about the end times. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Accidental Bride

The Accidental Bride is a book written by Denise Hunter in the Big Sky Romance Series. I have read some books by Denise Hunter in the past, and I was very excited to have the opportunity to read the most recent of her books. Shay Brandenberger and Travis McCoy, high school sweethearts, have agreed to take part in their Founders’ Day wedding reenactment in the town of Moose Creek, Montana. Little do they know, their good deeds end up changing their lives as the acting is, in actuality, a real marriage. In order to keep their lives running smoothly, they agree to stay married for six months in exchange for Travis helping her in running her ranch. As one could imagine, romance and troubles ensue.

I enjoyed this book as I do all those written by Denise Hunter. I really found myself caring about her characters, and I was rooting for both Shay and Travis. Although the accidental marriage seemed a little far-fetched, it was still a cute idea to see what can happen when two people find themselves in a situation they could have never imagined. The romance was fun to read about, and I really felt like there was real chemistry between Shay and Travis. I liked this romantic, quick-read, and I will be recommending it to my friends and family.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks (The Confessions of April Grace)

Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks (The Confessions of April Grace) is a book by KD McCrite which I recently had the opportunity to read through the Thomas Nelson Booksneeze Blog Program. Although I am older than the reading demographic for this book, I still found myself enjoying the book set in 1984. I found myself understanding the 80s references0, but I don’t know if teenagers who are reading this book will understand these same references.

The setting is just a minor point of the book, as it did look at the universal problems young teens go through, no matter the generation. School, friends, and family are all the topics looked at in this book. Throughout the story, the main character April Grace Reilly remains true to herself, and I found her to be a great role model for those who read this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.