A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren

Here is the book summary:

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson has left the limelight behind after the death of one of his fans. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, he's remade his life as a ski patrol in Montana's rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team. But he can't seem to find his footing--or forget the woman he loved, who betrayed him.

Senator and former attorney Ella Blair spends much of her time in the limelight as the second-youngest senator in the country. But she has a secret--one that cost Gage his career. More than anything, she wants to atone for her betrayal of him in the courtroom and find a way to help him put his career back on track.

When Ella's brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park's most dangerous peaks, Gage and his team are called in for the rescue. But Gage isn't so sure he wants to help the woman who destroyed his life. More, when she insists on joining the search, he'll have to keep her safe while finding her reckless brother, a recipe for disaster when a snowstorm hits the mountain.

But old sparks relight as they search for the missing snowboarder--and suddenly, they are faced with emotions neither can deny. But when Ella's secret is revealed, can they learn to trust each other--even when disaster happens again?

And now, my review:

Mountains, snow, skiing, friendships, helping others, and love… what a great mix of things this book has to offer to the reader.   I found that the author pulled me in to the world of skiing and the beauty of it along with the danger.  It makes you want to schedule a journey to the mountains of Montana for some intense skiing.  This book is well named because there are trust issues all over the place.  Made for a great read and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Matter-Trust-Montana-Rescue-Book-ebook/dp/B01MYR22CG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506087492&sr=8-1&keywords=a+matter+of+trust

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-matter-of-trust-susan-may-warren/1124824712?ean=9780800727451#/

https://www.christianbook.com/a-matter-of-trust-montana-rescue/susan-warren/9780800727451/pd/727457?event=ESRCG

Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew Foundation

Here is th book summary:

Is It Ripe?

Even the most experienced homegrowers get a little apprehensive when harvest time comes around. You’ve spent so much time and energy and money to grow beautiful produce and now the moment of reckoning is at hand. Savvy shoppers looking for the best produce have similar concerns as they peruse the aisles. It is ripe and ready to be picked or bought. Or is it? Maybe that tomato will be bigger or sweeter on Tuesday than it was on Sunday. Or maybe it will soften too much or fall off the vine or split, or wrinkle up in the produce bin. You know that once you make the decision to pluck your fruit from the vine or buy there is no going back. So you want to make sure you are doing it at the right time.

Square Foot Gardening: Growing Perfect Vegetables helps you prepare for those moments of decision-making in your garden and at the market. Inside, you will find hundreds of beautiful photos that show you what your cherished produce should look like when it is ready for picking and buying, along with tips and clues to help you interpret what your plants are trying to tell you. Whether you garden in a Square Foot box, plant a conventional garden, or stick to the grocery-store produce section, ripe is ripe. This visual guide is your tool for picking and buying produce with confidence.

And now, my review:

What a great gardening book.  It is so practical and such a blessing.  It shows you so many things that are helpful to know.  I really enjoyed the companion planting that helps things to flourish well.  It tells you when things are not yet ripe, ripe and over ripe with full color pictures.  This is helpful when you’re in the produce section of the store shopping as well as in your own garden.  As fall is upon us and the garden is coming to an end for this year, this book is full of encouragement for me as I make plans for next summer.  Happy gardening J

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

https://www.amazon.com/Square-Foot-Gardening-Vegetables-Harvesting-ebook/dp/B06XFNSB9Z/ref=sr_1_8?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1506090317&sr=1-8&keywords=square+foot+gardening

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/square-foot-gardening-mel-bartholomew-foundation/1125827993?ean=9781591866831#/

Just For Fun: Drawing by Lise Herzog

Here is the book Summary:

Learning to draw in pencil has never been so easy!

With Just for Fun: Drawing, aspiring artists and art enthusiasts who have never before picked up a pencil can follow incredibly simple step-by-step instructions and discover how to draw everyday subjects. Each featured subject starts with basic lines and shapes, and slowly progresses with each new step to a fully rendered, completed drawing. Saving the nitty-gritty technical aspects of drawing for the more advanced student, Just for Fun: Drawing simply touches upon key drawing concepts and fundamentals, including perspective, proportion, volume, shading, and composition, among others, that are relevant to a beginner's core understanding of the craft. With its abundance of approachable and contemporary drawings, as well as loads of tips, instruction, and inspiration, Just for Fun: Drawing will have even the most artistically challenged individuals mastering the art of pencil drawing in no time.

And now, my review:

This is a great drawing book.  It starts with the basics of supplies needed and gives you step by step instructions that lead you to your own masterpiece.  It is so freeing to have some direction and guidance and then make it your own by adding things here and there.  I think nature is my favorite but with the nature I can add some wildlife that she also teaches and maybe a person or building off in the distance.  The skies the limit and it’s all up to you! 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Just-Fun-step-step-projects/dp/1633222810/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505669882&sr=8-1&keywords=just+for+fun+drawing

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-for-fun-lise-herzog/1125586492?ean=9781633222816#/

Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook by Sara Quessenberry and Kate Merker

Here is the book summary:
Let Instant Pot® handle the dinner pressure so you don’t have to!

If you have an Instant Pot® and need a one-stop-shop cookbook for quick and easy meals for beginners, then look no further. The Instant Pot® Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook--an authorized Instant Pot® cookbook--will help you feel comfortable using all the convenient features of your Instant Pot®, from cooking fluffy rice and pressure cooking root vegetables, to making homemade yogurt and slow cooking meats, and features more than 75 delicious, family-friendly recipes, including:

Spinach and Herb Lasagna

• Balsamic Beef Short Ribs
• Pulled Pork Sandwiches
• Vegetable Green Thai Curry
• Spice-Rubbed Cauliflower Steaks
• Bone Broth with Fresh Ginger
• Crème Brûlée
• Double Chocolate Cheesecake

From healthy breakfasts and sides to scrumptious mains and decadent desserts, these low-maintenance recipes will help you get a meal on the table in a fraction of the time of conventional cooking methods. With easy-to-follow instructions and full-color photos throughout, discover all that your Instant Pot® can achieve with this go-to pressure cooking cookbook.

And now, my review:

Mouthwatering goodness in this cookbook, from breakfast, lunch, snacks, deserts and many options for main meals, this cookbook delivers some creative food ideas for your Instant Pot.  The Instant Pot is such a great invention and having a quick go to for meal planning is great.  Cookbooks are not complete to me without full color photos of the food ideas.  Well, this book does not disappoint in the delectable looking food options.  Anyone can follow these instructions and be on their way to amazing food in just minutes.  You’ll want to pick up your copy and get cooking! 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Electric-Pressure-Cookbook-Authorized-ebook/dp/B01NAH8U2R/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1505665859&sr=8-2&keywords=instant+pot+electric+pressure+cooker+cookbook

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-instant-pot-electric-pressure-cooker-cookbook-sara-quessenberry/1124825172?ean=9781631063336#/

Baking Class by Deanna F Cook

Here’s the book summary:

Following the best-selling Cooking Class comes this delightful baking companion for kids ages 8–12, featuring 50 easy-to-follow recipes. Lively step-by-step photos teach bakers-in-training how to knead dough, make biscuits, decorate cookies, and produce a perfect pie, along with essential skills like following directions and accurately measuring ingredients. They’ll learn to make both sweet and savory treats and will use fresh fruits and vegetables in recipes such as Bursting with Blueberry Muffins, Zombie Zucchini Bread, and Peachy Keen Crumble. Bonus goodie bag stickers, pop-out gift tags, and bake sale signs encourage kids to share their homemade delights with pride.

And now, my review:

A great book we can use for our baking class as we homeschool.  I really liked that this book sets the student up well with letting them know the items they will need to have in their kitchen for success in baking.  The recipes that the author chose to share are really delicious looking and it’s actually really hard to pick just one a day.  But there’s always tomorrow for another baking moment.  Some of our favorites are scones and crunchy Tortilla chips.  My girls are so excited to have this book and cook together.  The full-color photos and instructions throughout make this a great cookbook!  So I see on the horizon the love of cooking made possible with this books help.  Thank you to the author and I hope she make more of them with the baking class format in mind. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Baking-Class-Recipes-Kids-Will-ebook/dp/B06XPQX1ZC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505413040&sr=8-1&keywords=baking+class

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baking-class-deanna-f-cook/1126026292?ean=9781612128566#/

The Hidden Village by Bonnie Rose Hudson

Here is the book summary:

The Hidden Village tells the story of Manju, a young boy from West Bengal, India, who acts out the story of Zacchaeus. From the top of the tallest mangrove tree, he finds a hidden village deep in the forest. He wants to do everything he can to help the hungry people in the little village. But what can he do when the people in his village won’t believe his story, and even wild animals and the weather seem determined to stop him from helping?

And now, my review:

This book is written in a great way for a school reader yet at the same time is full of great descriptions.  We laughed, cried, and our hearts were tugged.  I loved how the author used the learning of Zacchaeus in the Bible and climbing a tree to then discover a people he didn’t know existed before.  This author has a way with words and beautifully shares the Gospel and the importance of sharing it with others.  This book shows how God can use us if we are yielding to Him and that others sometimes don’t take us seriously or believe us or understand at all and that needs to be okay. Makes you want to look around beyond yourself and see other places and people who need to hear of the HOPE of Jesus.  To pray and seek the Lord’s leading for you personally to impact the world for the Kingdom and His glory.  A great read!! 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Village-Bonnie-Rose-Hudson-ebook/dp/B071X99XWW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1505400859&sr=8-3&keywords=the+hidden+village

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-hidden-village-bonnie-rose-hudson/1126856817?ean=9781628563115

https://www.christianbook.com/the-hidden-village-bonnie-hudson/9781628563115/pd/563116?event=ESRCG

With You Always by Jody Hedlund

Here is the book summary:

When a financial crisis in 1850s New York leaves three orphaned sisters nearly destitute, the oldest, Elise Neumann, knows she must take action. She's had experience as a seamstress, and the New York Children's Aid Society has established a special service: placing out seamstresses and trade girls. Even though Elise doesn't want to leave her sisters for a job in Illinois, she realizes this may be their last chance.

The son of one of New York City's wealthiest entrepreneurs, Thornton Quincy faces a dilemma. His father is dying, and in order to decide which of his sons will inherit everything, he is requiring them to do two things in six months: build a sustainable town along the Illinois Central Railroad, and get married. Thornton is tired of standing in his twin brother's shadow and is determined to win his father's challenge. He doesn't plan on meeting a feisty young woman on his way west, though.

And now, my review:

The orphan train is moving west and the main character is on it.  WOW… this author paints such a picture of New York City, the devastation of the financial economic panic of the times in the 1850s, and the perseverance that women needed to have to success in the world with the ups and downs and creeps and men of integrity.  The struggle for the jobs that are honorable and families dividing to feed everyone is very real.  Being sent off across the country to a job unseen in hopes of sending money back for loved ones and one day having them come and join them.  The romance in this one was superb, believable, and irresistible.  Loved it!  If you haven’t read from this author before, you are missing out, I know I sure was.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
https://www.amazon.com/You-Always-Orphan-Train-Book-ebook/dp/B01N9YG7MB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505007321&sr=8-1&keywords=with+you+always

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/with-you-always-jody-hedlund/1124824751?ean=9780764218040#/

https://www.christianbook.com/with-you-always-orphan-train/jody-hedlund/9780764218040/pd/218040?event=ESRCG

High As The Heavens by Kate Breslin

Here is the book summary:

In 1917, Evelyn Marche is just one of many women who has been widowed by the war. A British nurse trapped in German-occupied Brussels, she spends her days working at a hospital and her nights as a waitress in her aunt and uncle's café. Eve also has a carefully guarded secret keeping her in constant danger: She's a spy working for a Belgian resistance group in league with the British Secret Service.

When a British plane crashes in Brussels Park, Eve is the first to reach the downed plane and is shocked to discover she recognizes the badly injured pilot. British RFC Captain Simon Forrester is now a prisoner of war, and Eve knows he could be shot as a spy at any time. She risks her own life to hide him from the Germans, but as the danger mounts and the secrets between them grow, their chance of survival looks grim. And even if they do make it out alive, the truth of what lies between them may be more than any love can overcome.

And now, my review:

I don’t normally read “war” books, but what an amazing World War II Christian Fiction and it has made me want to pursue reading others in the future!  This one kept me reading page after page after page.  With all the situations that the characters were facing with war coming, it being all around them and everything, it was really intense and exciting to follow.  To see a glimpse in a fictional way of what those days looked like for the people living through it….  WOW.  The author, Kate, does an amazing job at painting this historical fiction in such a way that it will bring you anticipation, fear and relief with other feelings along the way.  Pick up your copy at the links below.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/High-as-Heavens-Kate-Breslin-ebook/dp/B01N6XUJDT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504828252&sr=8-1&keywords=high+as+the+heavens

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/high-as-the-heavens-kate-breslin/1124824740?ean=9780764217814#/

https://www.christianbook.com/high-as-the-heavens/kate-breslin/9780764217814/pd/217814?event=ESRCG

Journey into Grace by Darlene Sala, Bonnie Sala, Luisa Reyes-Ampil

Here is the book summary:

Life is a journey of joyful moments and painful moments, including twists and turns that threaten to undo us. But if we allow God to work through the joy and the pain, that journey can lead to the life-sustaining richness of His Grace and an intimate relationship with Him.  That truth is the core of international speaker and teacher Darlene Sala’s new women’s devotional, Journey into Grace. With Darlene’s heartfelt voice alongside two coauthors, including her daughter, Bonnie, the 150 readings explore themes such as fear, forgiveness, learning, loving, prayer, and relationships.  This book offers women quiet moments with God as they bring their real life challenges to His feet.

And now, my review:

What a great little devotional.  If you are looking for a thought provoking, easy to read devotional that draws you in quickly and make you think, this may just be the book for you.  I have really enjoyed reading through these.  One of them is about a trapeze artist and his need for 3 things that I need in my life as well.  They are Trust, Timing, and Holding my Position.  I just loved that one.  If I were to pick a favorite I would pick one called “Make a Left”.  This one challenged to not look to the right or left but look to Jesus!  If you’re looking for an encouraging, thought provoking, simply yet amazing devotional you’ll want to pick this one up. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

https://www.amazon.com/Journey-into-Grace-Encouraging-Devotions-ebook/dp/B071RNQC85/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1504825637&sr=8-2&keywords=Journey+into+Grace

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/journey-into-grace-darlene-sala/1125461105?ean=9781683222859#/

https://www.christianbook.com/journey-grace-encouraging-devotions-women-ebook/darlene-sala/9781683225119/pd/92337EB?event=ESRCG

Dumpling Cats by Sarah Sloyer

Here is the book summary:

Waffles is a relaxed feline who loves to read, and Cheeks just can't get enough to eat. These fun-loving characters are just two of the 25 dumpling-shaped crochet cats in this whimsical collection. The cuddly crochet critters were inspired by the Pokémon™-like craze Neko Atsume, a game that enables you to attract cats to your backyard and "collect" them. Each little dumpling has a name and personality points that add up to big fun!

You don't have to be an expert to crochet and collect these adorable kitties — the patterns are suitable for crocheters of all skill levels. Easy-to-follow instructions are accompanied by full-color photos and simple drawings. The directions explain every stage, from ears to tail, and some of the patterns include accessories and costume items. Plus, there are bonus patterns for a cat bed, food bowls, and more!

And now, my review:

What a cute crochet craft book for those who love cats.  These things are the perfect size for quick work and the feeling of accomplishment, which I love when crafting.  With this book, you look through, pick the one you’re interested in crafting and have a great time creating it.  I found the patterns very creative and nicely laid out with colored pictures throughout to help visualize where you are going with it.  There are so many that I like but my favorite is “Cheeks”.  I would recommend this to fellow crochet crafters. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

https://www.amazon.com/Dumpling-Cats-Crochet-Collect-Them/dp/0486813436/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504802912&sr=8-1&keywords=dumpling+cats

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dumpling-cats-sarah-sloyer/1124688939?ean=9780486813431#/

Finding Love in Friday Harbor by Annette M. Irby

Here’s the book review:

Will keeping his promise to win back his first love lead to another broken heart? Professor Mikaela Rhoades devises a way to benefit her students’ education while helping a family friend on San Juan Island. Launching a new marine biology program involving Cahill Touring—a local whale tour operation in gorgeous Friday Harbor—takes her back to her first love. Now she must face her past and get through the summer and on to her next assignment. Captain Hunter Cahill took over the family business after his father’s death. He’s grieving and hoping this stodgy professor Mom has lined up will help resurrect the failing business. He’s not prepared for Mikaela, his former fiancée, to drop back into his life. Years ago, he promised his father he’d pursue her if she ever returned to the island unattached. The more time they spend together, the easier it is to keep that promise. But, she’s still destined to leave. How much will it cost him to spend the summer romancing Mikaela?

And now, my review:

Love is in the air in this one!  Come escape to the picturesque, quaint island in the Pacific Northwest and see what’s happening with the main couple in this one!  It’s exciting, it’s exhilarating and it’s sure to be a page turner.  I felt the author did a great job of developing her characters and I found myself feeling their feelings throughout.  Having been to Friday Harbor myself, I felt that the scenery was well penned and made me feel like I was right there, even to the point of wanting to be there again. 

I can relate to this quote in the book: “There were three reactions to fearful things – fight, flight, or freeze.”  And I loved the wording of this quote: “Denial was the ferry from the ache of reality to the island of functionality.  Heaven help her if she ever stopped crossing that channel.”

This is an absolute MUST READ that I highly recommend!

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a review, and the opinions are my own.

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Friday-Harbor-Washington-Romance-ebook/dp/B07483K51K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1504311018&sr=8-1&keywords=finding+love+in+friday+harbor