New And Different

The S Factor Diet by Lowri Turner

I really like the concept of this book.  Everybody is just a little bit different so it makes sense that every body needs something a bit different than the next person’s to keep it working properly.  The S Factor diet works to fix “the top cause of overeating and cravings (hormonal imbalances), not just the effect (the dreaded muffin top).”  Most people who diet can lose the weight but fall back into old habits after a while—this diet helps you avoid that by teaching you which foods work with your body to keep your hormones balanced and which to avoid so your brain and body don’t get out of whack.

Once you take the quiz to see which hormone group you fall into you can begin to use the menu plans created specifically for your hormone.  This is very helpful, but the recipes call for ingredients that might not fit into on most people’s budgets.  That being said, if a person wants to change their life for the better without having to take medication they will find a way to get the foods mentioned. 

For more information about this book and S Factor Products--click here--or the title above!

I received this book free of charge from Watkins Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

 

Evweefing!!

Little Blessings AreAngels Real?  By Kathleen Long Bostrom

That was the answer of my four-year old when I asked him what he liked about this book.  He might be a little partial—his favorite book as a baby was Little Blessings GodMakes Nighttime Too.  We read it every night for a long time.  Plus, he looks just like one of the children in the book.

The Little Blessing series of books should really be a standard set in any home with small children.  Are Angels Real follows the same pattern as the other Little Blessing books.  The beginning has several questions asking about angels in a cute rhyming tone.  The second half answers those questions from a Biblical perspective in the same enchanting way.  The end of the book has each question followed by the written out Scriptures that support the answers given.  And of course, the illustrations by Elena Kucharik are the icing on the cake!  These are all around wonderful books for children, and they might teach their parents something too.

For a preview of this book--click here--or the title above!

I received this book free of charge from the Tyndale Blogging Network in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

I’m a Saver/Security-Seeker, He’s a Spender/Flyer. AHHH!!!

The 5 MoneyPersonalities by  Scott & BethanyPalmer

So what does that even mean?  That means the two people who live in my house and deal with money have polar opposite views on how to deal with money.  Now, I want you to know that it hasn’t caused too much friction or much in the way of fighting in my home, thankfully.  But I do know that it can be frustrating to deal with and is down-right miserable for some folks.

I received this book at the perfect time.  I ordered it before I knew that I would be taking a budgeting class at church.  I thought this would all be redundant.  But the Palmers state clearly in the beginning of the book that this is not about finance, budgeting, saving for retirement, or anything else.  This is strictly to understand your own and your spouse’s money personalities: the how and why of what you do with money.

I did the personality test and was not surprised by the results.  I was pretty sure of what my husband’s results would be also,  but I was a good girl and had him take the test himself.  I think when you go over the quick explanation of each personality you will have a good feel for what fits you best.  If that is all you do then you have missed the point of the book.  The best part is when you understand why you are the way you are and why your spouse is the way he is.  When mutual understanding happens then there is peace and harmony—and that’s a beautiful thing.

I am glad I got this book before beginning the budgeting class.  It has helped me to see financial issues from my husband’s perspective and not just my own.  I would recommend The 5 Money Personalities to anyone trying to get their finances in order.  It’s going to make your chances of success so much better than without it!

For more information on this book --click here--or the title above!

Visit The Money Couple website or follow them on Facebook.

I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.


 

Melodrama At It’s Finest

 

 

The Forgiven Duke by  Jamie Carie

For the life of me, I am enjoying this series.  And when I say it’s melodrama at its finest, well part of me feels like I’m sneaking in some daytime soap watching while I read these books.  There is just something about the storyline that is impossibly over-the-top and yet so fascinating that you can’t wait to see what happens next!

Book two of the Forgotten Castles series starts moments from where the first ended.  Alex is on her next stop in her quest to find her missing parents.  The Duke has just missed her and is devastated to find that she boarded a ship as the wife of Lord Lemon.  Alex keeps going as if she is doing God’s will, much as she did in the first installment, however there comes a point when she starts to grow up and realizes that she is doing exactly as she wants and hoping God will bless her in her disobedience.

The Forgotten Castles series must be read from the beginning as it is one continuous story.  You cannot pick it up in the middle and have it make much sense.  I am looking forward to finishing the story with The Duke’s Promise.

For more information and to read an excerpt from this book--click here--!  To visit Jamie Carie's website--click here--or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

 

I received this book free of charge from B&H Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Whom Can She Trust?

 

The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen

There are no new students waiting to attend the Smallwood Academy.  Finances are low and Mr. Smallwood does not have much interest in anything since the death of his wife. Hoping to raise her depressed father’s spirits, Emma Smallwood encourages her father to take a temporary tutoring position in the home of two former students.  Unfortunately, the tutor and his daughter are not as welcome in the home as they were led to believe.   And although Emma looks forward to the possibility of renewing the acquaintance of her school girl crush, she loathes the idea spending time in the same house as his pestering older brother. 

This is an entirely enjoyable story that runs along the gothic story telling lines; complete with plenty of mystery, romance, and danger.  The visual descriptions are stunning. It is totally worth the time to read it!

To read the first two chapters of this novel--click here--or on the title above!  To visit Julie Klassen's website--click here--or visit her Facebook page!

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All She Wants Is A Better Life

 

Against The Tide by Elizabeth Camden

Having been chased out of their Mediterranean seaside home, Lydia Pallas’ family wanders the oceans until they reach Boston Harbor.  There they hope to settle a bit and get Lydia into school.  Tragedy strikes the family’s fishing boat and leaves Lydia an orphan in a strange land.

Lydia grows up and leaves behind the orphanage she loathes.  Determined not to live in poverty any longer she uses her skills with languages to translate documents for the Navy.  She knows she is lucky to have such a great job working with men who are fatherly and brotherly towards her.  She is comfortable and happy making her own way in the world and does not want anything to change.  Enter Alexander Bainbridge—a one man crusade against the opium trade.

Lydia as spent her young life relying on herself to get what she wants.  She does not like change and everything needs to be perfectly in order.  Bane is trying to honor God and make up for a young life lived in crime as an opium trader.  He inadvertently gets Lydia into an extremely dangerous situation with his nemesis.

This is the first of Elizabeth Camden’s novels I have read.  The story is a unique and absorbing to read.  It’s not always a happy read but it is well worth the effort.  I am looking forward to more of the author’s work.

For more information about this book--click here--or on the title above!  Visit Elizabeth Camden's website here!

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Impulsive!

At Every Turn by Anne Mateer

Impulsive and full of zeal is exactly what young Alyce Benson is.  When she sees the tiny faces of children in need in Africa she pledges three thousand dollars to help the mission work over there.  Unfortunately, Alyce pledges her father’s money, money he is not willing to part with.  Now she has to come up with the money or look like a fool in front of the entire church congregation.  Good thing Alyce likes to drive—really fast.

I don’t think I have ever read a story set in this time about women racers, or even women drivers for that matter.  It seems that just driving around town was frowned upon by society.  Alyce manages to conceal her identity and enter several races to earn her money, but has to deceive her family along the way.  She has a heart of gold that gets her in trouble when mixed with her impulsiveness. It’s a fun story where we get to watch as our heroine does a lot of growing up.

For more information about this book--click here--or the title above!

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for and honest review.