The View From Rainshadow Bay by Colleen Coble

Here is the book summary:

Enter in to a brand new series from bestselling author Colleen Coble!

“…The View From Rainshadow Bay, opens with a heart-pounding, run-for-your-life chase. This book will stay with you for a long time, long after you flip to the last page.” - 4 STARS, RT Book Reviews

"Prepare to stay up all night with Colleen Coble. Coble's beautiful, emotional prose coupled with her keen sense of pacing, escalating danger, and very real characters place her firmly at the top of the suspense genre. I could not put this book down." --Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author of Shattered

After her husband, Jack, dies in a climbing incident, Shauna has only her five-year-old son and her helicopter charter business to live for. Every day is a struggle to make ends meet and she lives in constant fear of losing even more than she already has.

When her business partner is murdered, his final words convince Shauna that she’s in danger too. But where can she turn? Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and is the person she blames for his death. She’s barely spoken to him since. But right now he seems her only hope for protecting her son.

Zach is only too happy to assuage his guilt over Jack’s death by helping Shauna any way he can. But there are secrets involved dating back to Shauna’s childhood that more than one person would prefer to stay hidden.

In The View from Rainshadow Bay, suspense, danger, and a longing to love again ignite amid the gorgeous lavender fields of Washington State.

And now, my review:
This story is about a woman who is married with a 5-year-old son and her husband dies in a recreational activity.  His best friend, who was with her husband at the time, plays such a great role in this book.  This book is nailbiting at times and quite intense, which is just the way Colleen writes.  I really enjoyed the preciousness of her son and her relationship with him.  The grandmother and others surround him well and take great care of him.  If you like mysterious, extreme reads, you’ll like this one.

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

Power Plates by Gena Hamshaw

Here is the book summary:

Focused on the art of crafting complete, balanced meals that deliver sustained energy and nourishment, this book features 100 compelling and delicious recipes that just happen to be vegan.

These 100 recipes for wholesome and nourishing vegan food from blogger, nutritionist, and Food52 author Gena Hamshaw help you make delicious vegan meals that deliver balanced and sustained energy. Every recipe contains the key macronutrients of healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and proteins, which together make for a complete meal--things like Smoky Red Lentil Stew with Chard, and Falafel Bowls with Freekah and Cauliflower. Photographs accompany each recipe, showing how Gena's simple techniques and fresh ingredients yield delicious meals. Additional tips and tricks for taking food on the go, and for cooking ahead on the weekend for quick weekday lunches and dinners, round out the collection.

And now, my review:

From Breakfast to Salad to Soup to Main Dishes it’s all there in 100 recipes in this one.  This is the type of cookbook that puts ideas into motion.  Even if you are not a full Vegan like me you’ll enjoy this one full of whole food and plant-based recipes.  It gave me such great ideas to get the staying power in my food and enjoy the flavors all at once. 

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

The Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook by Barbara Schieving

Here is the book summary:

The Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook is your resource to learning all the shortcuts on how to make a delicious dinner in a fraction of the time.

In The Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook, the world’s leading blogger on pressure cooking, Barbara Schieving (of PressureCookingToday.com), has created over 200 new family-friendly recipes that are big on flavor, imaginative in their variety, and easy to make, featuring fresh, natural, and nutritious ingredients.

The Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook features loads of tips and tricks that help you get the most from your pressure cooker, no matter what brand you own. If you're a busy parent or can't find time to make dinners after work, then you will love the “Shortcut Dinners” and “30-Minute Meals,” section. You'll adore the terrific weeknight meals on the fly, and “Sunday Suppers,” is perfect for special weekend gatherings. 

You'll find recipes for every taste and diet, from robust meat and chicken dishes, to vegetarian mains and sides, plus healthy breakfasts, tasty sandwiches and tacos, soothing soups and stews, and a big chapter full of quick and easy desserts.

And now, my review:

Great, user-friendly recipes that will make your mouth water as you search for your weekly menu ideas.  You could plan to use them at the next potluck that you are attending and impress the many or for coffee/tea time with a friend.  The options are endless and the recipes are plenty.  Take a look at your own copy today. 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Pressure-Cooker-Cookbook-ebook/dp/B077417QCV/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1526427022&sr=1-1&keywords=the+electric+pressure+cooker+cookbook+by+barbara+schieving#customerReviews

Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations by Jimmy Scroggins & Steve Wright & Leslee Bennett

Here is the book summary:

We live in a broken world.

And the gospel is how God puts broken people back together again. Once we repent and believe in Jesus, God’s Spirit helps us recover and pursue His design. God is the one who created the world and every human being in it.

Authors Jimmy Scroggins and Steve Wright outline a reproducible method of sharing the gospel that has been tested in the real world. Turning Everyday Conversations Into Gospel Conversations is a simple strategy to train new and seasoned believers to join God in His reconciliation work.

Turning Everyday Conversations Into Gospel Conversations equips believers to use the innovative "3 Circles," a user-friendly evangelistic tool for a new generation. Scroggins and Wright train readers to incorporate the biblical metanarrative, as well as our own personal stories, to tell the good news that Jesus has made a way out of the broken places we find ourselves.

Churches around the world are training people to share the gospel using this method. It has proven appeal across generations and cultures. They've heard stories about an 8-year-old boy leading his 26-year-old cousin to repent and believe in Jesus and a 70-plus-year-old church member, who had never before shared his faith, leading his Spanish-speaking neighbor to Christ. It’s been used to train the Mixtec in Mexico, Maasai Warriors in Kenya, and prisoners in America. It’s been presented on napkins, in concrete, in the sand, and using tortillas. The 3 Circles work, and this book will train you and your church members to use it.

It doesn’t matter if you have been a Christian for decades or days, you can learn to do what God asks us to do—to make His appeal to others through us (2 Cor. 5:20). This short training manual will empower and inspire millions of Christians to turn hundreds of millions of everyday conversations into gospel conversations.

And now, my review:

Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations is an insightful read that equips believers to share the gospel as the Holy Spirit leads throughout the day as you go about your day.  It puts the intimidation of not knowing how to share your faith to rest and gives you a 3 circle drawing that takes you through truth with others.  I’m praying for the Lord to lead with it and I’m excited to have a basis to start with.  I'm very blessed by having read this book and I know that you will be too. 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Turning-Everyday-Conversations-into-Gospel-ebook/dp/B076XV85NQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526425840&sr=8-1&keywords=turning+everyday+conversations+into+gospel+conversations

Stick Sketch School: An Animal Adventure by Billy Attinger

Here is the book summary:

Learn to draw stylized stick figure animals in this art-venture! In Stick Sketch School: An Animal Artventure you'll draw animals from the jungle, Arctic, and even extinct & fantasy creatures!

Since Billy Attinger founded his company, Stick World, pop culture has exploded with stick figure art! Social media feeds and other online resources are the perfect home for this brand of simple, pithy, and often wickedly funny art. The best part about stick figures is that anyone can draw them!

Billy Attinger showed how to draw stylized stick figures in his popular Stick Sketch School, and now he's back to show the world stick-figure animals. Take an "adventure" around the world: learn to draw stick animals in the jungle, the Arctic, the rainforest, the Outback, underwater, and more! You'll even learn how to draw extinct animals and fantasy animals in stick form.

This guide to drawing is perfect for the visual learner. Each spread features a grid on how to draw the lines, how to add movement, as well as expression. You will also get tips and tricks from stick artist Billy Attinger himself on how to make your stick animals personal, recognizable, and unique!

And now, my review:

This book is great for all ages.  If you're like me you’ll feel like joining with your family and sitting down with your drawing pencils with this book.  I thought the author was helpful in the way he set up the instructions and it was great that he gave so many animal ideas.  You would think, what’s the big deal about stick drawing but this book takes it to a fun new level! 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Stick-Sketch-School-Artventure-Mastering/dp/1631063057/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526420483&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=stick+sketch+school+an+animal+adventure

Faith Journaling for the Inspired Artist by Stephanie Ackerman

Here is the book summary:

Faith Journaling for the Inspired Artist shows you how to combine your love of art with your faith! Engaging prompts, exercises, and lettering techniques will ignite the imagination.

When faith and art intersect, pure magic happens. Faith Journaling for the Inspired Artist is a dynamic and inspiring resource for learning art journaling in Bibles, prayer journals, daily devotionals, and creative life planners. This beautifully designed guide features dozens of easy-to-follow drawing, doodling, and lettering techniques which demonstrate to you how to develop beautiful uplifting artwork.

A wide range of creative exercises deliver the encouragement needed to explore faith through the creative process. Whether working with colored pencils, markers, watercolor, or stamps, when it comes to faith journaling, there are no rules! In Faith Journaling for the Inspired Artist, you'll not only learn how to expand your artistic horizons, but also discover how to give yourself permission to create personal artistic expressions of your faith.

And now, my review:

Faith Journaling for the Inspired Artist is a stirring book that prompts inspiration in creating journaling art.  If you’re a journal girl like me, this will be a valued addition to your art shelf.  Also, if you study inductively then this may be inspiring with that as well.  Enjoy!

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

https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Journaling-Inspired-Artist-journaling/dp/1633223655/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526418471&sr=8-1&keywords=faith+journaling+for+the+inspired+artist#customerReviews

Finding Love on Bainbridge Island by Annette M. Irby

Here is the book summary:

Neither of them is ready for a relationship, but love may not give them an out. 

Jenna-Shea Brown considers herself a broken therapist. Years ago, she witnessed something that caused PTSD. She can’t let her boss or her patients know about her battle. Who would want to trust her to help them, when she can’t help herself? She’s finally able to find a fresh start in her family’s beach cabin, but the renovations aren’t complete. Her parents have hired her ex-boyfriend to finalize them, but his negligence led to her being in the wrong place at the wrong time all those years ago. 

Liam Barrett is trying to prove he’s nothing like his deadbeat dad. He’s working hard, yet still failing. Adrenaline and adventure offer him a diversion, but maybe he can’t escape his genes. He’d like to make things right with Shea, but he’s unsure if she’ll forgive him. Meanwhile, he’s challenged to forgive his father. He’s also worried about Shea and all these episodes she won’t explain. Now that they’re back in close proximity, he’s falling for her again. But can anything heal the past? 

And now, my review:

This book had me hooked from the dedication to the authors closing thoughts. I found this book to be a beautifully painted romance with the settling of the gorgeous Pacific Northwest.  I loved the "zany" aunt and I think we all should go with whatever accent befits our situation/day. There are several real situations and need for God's restoration in the relationships of family and friends. Forgiveness is quite a theme. You'll definitely want to check out this great summer read and take a trip to the beautiful waters of Washington State with an amazing author. 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Bainbridge-Island-Washington-Romance-ebook/dp/B07B9HZHZ7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525311450&sr=8-1&keywords=finding+love+on+bainbridge+island+irby#customerReviews

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-love-on-bainbridge-island-washington-annette-m-irby/1128564818?ean=9781943959440#reviews