Beginner's Guide to Colorwork Knitting by Ella Austin

Here is the book summary:

If you long to knit stunning fair isle jumpers and brightly colored blankets for your home this is the perfect book. Learn all the techniques for how to start knitting with color and create really desirable projects as you learn. Choose from brightly colored stripy socks and work your way up to a patterned beanie hat and even a stunning sweater with a colorwork yoke. Even if you can only knit and purl--with this book you'll be making gorgeous colorwork accessories before you know it!

And now, my review:

I find Beginner’s Guide to Colorwork Knitting to be easy to read and very insightful.  It shows you how to do the different stitches, along with abbreviations, as well as giving you patterns to work on in both projects and learning a certain pattern to make your own creation with.  It gives you tricks to cutting your work without hurting your work.  It gives you different textures to work with.  The colors are creative and exciting to play with.  As a knitter, I enjoy this one.

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

https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Colorwork-Knitting-Techniques/dp/1446307417/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2QZ3OQUQ7E5BS&dchild=1&keywords=beginner%27s+guide+to+colorwork+knitting&qid=1593195149&sprefix=beginner%27s+guide+to+colo%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-2

Learn to Draw Star Wars Droids and Vehicles

Here is the book summary:

Learn to Draw Star Wars: Villains will teach you to draw your favorite villains from the Star Wars galaxy—from the lowly stormtrooper and the notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett to the infamous crime lord Jabba the Hutt and the terrifying Sith Lord Darth Vader.

In this 128-page drawing guide, Lucasfilm collaborator and professional artist Russell Walks shows artists of all skill levels how to render their favorite Star Wars villains as detailed pencil portraits. After a brief introduction to drawing tools and materials, basic pencil techniques, shading techniques, and how to depict different textures, the book dives right into step-by-step drawing projects. See how each drawing lesson begins with basic shapes, with each new step building upon the last, eventually progressing to a finished fine art piece. Experience this legendary series from a whole new perspective as you develop your drawing skills with the easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, insightful character notes, and drawing tips.

Included in Learn to Draw Star Wars: Villains are drawing projects for Darth Maul, General Grievous, Count Dooku, Emperor Palpatine (Darth Sidious), Darth Vader, Bib Fortuna, Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett, Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, and Supreme Leader Snoke. Russell Walks also shows how to best depict a villainous character, four ways to draw lightsabers, a comparison of Darth Vader and Kylo Ren’s masks, the differences between Jango Fett and his clone Boba, how to draw different types of stormtrooper helmets, and more.

So grab your drawing pencils, and use the Force—or join the Dark Side—on your artistic journey through the Star Wars galaxy!

And now, my review:

Learn to Draw Star Wars Droids and Vehicles was a fun drawing book.  Quite complicated for beginners because they jump quite a bit for every step.  This would be a challenge because of the bolts, wires, and different shadings.  They start with Clone Wars and went to Episode IV.  I wish there were more pages to this book. 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Draw-Star-Wars-including/dp/1633226859/ref=sr_1_23?dchild=1&keywords=learn+to+draw+star+wars+droids+and+vehicles&qid=1593193187&sr=8-23

Learn to Draw Star Wars Villains

Here is the book summary:

Learn to Draw Star Wars: Villains will teach you to draw your favorite villains from the Star Wars galaxy—from the lowly stormtrooper and the notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett to the infamous crime lord Jabba the Hutt and the terrifying Sith Lord Darth Vader.

In this 128-page drawing guide, Lucasfilm collaborator and professional artist Russell Walks shows artists of all skill levels how to render their favorite Star Wars villains as detailed pencil portraits. After a brief introduction to drawing tools and materials, basic pencil techniques, shading techniques, and how to depict different textures, the book dives right into step-by-step drawing projects. See how each drawing lesson begins with basic shapes, with each new step building upon the last, eventually progressing to a finished fine art piece. Experience this legendary series from a whole new perspective as you develop your drawing skills with the easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, insightful character notes, and drawing tips.

Included in Learn to Draw Star Wars: Villains are drawing projects for Darth Maul, General Grievous, Count Dooku, Emperor Palpatine (Darth Sidious), Darth Vader, Bib Fortuna, Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett, Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, and Supreme Leader Snoke. Russell Walks also shows how to best depict a villainous character, four ways to draw lightsabers, a comparison of Darth Vader and Kylo Ren’s masks, the differences between Jango Fett and his clone Boba, how to draw different types of stormtrooper helmets, and more.

So grab your drawing pencils, and use the Force—or join the Dark Side—on your artistic journey through the Star Wars galaxy!

And now, my review:

Learn to Draw Star Wars Villains was a book full of the different Villains all the way from Rogue One to the Last Jedi.  Quite complicated for beginners because they jump quite a bit for every step.  This would be a challenge for the more experienced drawer but doable.  They show the shading in the different steps so you know what pencil to use for each part. 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Draw-Star-Wars-including/dp/1633226840/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=learn+to+draw+star+wars+villains&qid=1593189959&sr=8-2#customerReviews

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin

Here is the book summary:

In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the US Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers' betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for--fulfilling the recurring dream of his death.

Leah Jones works as a librarian at Camp Forrest, longing to rise above her orphanage upbringing and belong to the community, even as she uses her spare time to search for her real family--the baby sisters she was separated from so long ago.

After Clay saves Leah's life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay's recurring dream comes true?

And now, my review:

I found The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin to be a long read.  It was wrapped around the war in the 1940s.  As a historical fiction, this author paints the times before, during, and after the war really well.  It’s disturbing and heart wrenching some things that took place.  In this story, there is a special thread of redemption and hope running through it.  That was my favorite part.  If you like war historical fictions, you’ll want to check this one out.

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

https://www.amazon.com/Land-Beneath-Sunrise-Normandy-Book-ebook/dp/B07VQNFG57/ref=sr_1_1?crid=16RXBU5OUGB3B&dchild=1&keywords=the+land+beneath+us+sarah+sundin&qid=1593182359&sprefix=the+Land+beneath%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/new-3-the-land-beneath-us/sarah-sundin/9780800727994/pd/727997?product_redirect=1&search_term=The%20Land%20beneath%20Us&Ntt=727997&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-land-beneath-us-sarah-sundin/1131928587?ean=9780800727994

Being Known by Robin Jones Gunn

Here is the book summary:

From the bestselling author of Becoming Us comes a novel that asks: What does it mean to be truly known? In a marriage, in a friendship, or by a loving God?
 
After her mom passed away, Jennalyn was in the midst of moving, adjusting to life with a new baby, and helping her husband, Joel, work toward his dream job. At the time, she thought she’d processed her mother’s death, but only now that Jennalyn has two small children, a lovely new home, and a husband who is always working does she feel the full impact of what she has lost.
 
Even among her sweet circle of friends, the Haven Makers, grief silently overwhelms Jennalyn, until an unexpected encounter allows her to express herself in ways she hasn’t fully been able to with her husband. Even though Christy, Sierra, Emily, and Tess provide a soft place to land in times of tension, Jennalyn remains guarded, especially when Tess reveals she is tangled emotionally in a relationship that was thorny from the start.
 
Will the two women open up and remain honest with the others in their Haven Makers group? Or will their hesitation to truly be known, faults and all, keep them from holding on to the friendships that have been the sweetest gift during this season of life?

And now, my review:

I found Being Known by Robin Jones Gunn to be another well written story by this author.  I just love how she invites you into her characters lives to the point of pulling on your heart strings and making you want to be in their amazing friendship group.  Everyone at some point in life is struggling with something and it’s so much better to walk the struggle with friends.  Love, loss, poor decisions, and wise decisions.   All wrapped up in this one.  I loved it and I’m sure you will too.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

https://www.amazon.com/Being-Known-Novel-Haven-Makers/dp/0735290776/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593126698&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/being-known-2-robin-gunn/9780735290778/pd/290778?product_redirect=1&search_term=being%20known&Ntt=290778&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/being-known-robin-jones-gunn/1132911994?ean=9780735290778

Remember Me by Sharon Garlough Brown

Here is the book summary:

"'It is finished,' Jesus says. It's a bold declaration for us to make too. What does it mean to say 'It is finished' when so much is unfinished? It means we are people who live hope in two directions, both backward and forward. We long for the kingdom to come in fullness, even as it has already come. And we trust that the One who has begun the good work in us and for us will indeed complete it." In this sequel to Shades of Light, Katherine Rhodes, the beloved director of the New Hope Retreat Center, finds her own grief tapped by Wren Crawford's struggles with depression and loss. Through a series of letters to Wren, Katherine reflects on the meaning of Christ's suffering and shares her own story of finding hope. How does one begin to live again under the crushing weight of grief? And how can healing come when there's so much left unresolved? With Katherine as a companion in sorrow, Wren moves forward in her commitment to paint the stations of the cross for a prayer journey at New Hope, discovering along the way a deeper communion with the Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief. Readers are invited into a similar journey of reflection through Katherine's words and Wren's paintings. At the back of the book, a devotional guide with Scripture readings, prayer prompts, and full-color art provides the opportunity to ponder the depths of God's love by meditating on Jesus' journey to the cross.

And now, my review:

I have read most of this author’s work before and this book was like picking up right where I left off.  It ties in the characters from other books and brings a bit more life to them.  This book is a sequel to Shades of Light but can stand alone and does not have to be read with the others in order to follow it.  It sure is a nice addition.  My favorite parts are the Spiritual Direction/Retreat sections.

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

https://www.amazon.com/Sharon-Garlough-Brown/dp/0830846700/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1590681402&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/remember-novella-about-finding-the-cross/sharon-brown/9780830846702/pd/846706?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/remember-me-sharon-garlough-brown/1132030054?ean=9780830846702

The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear

Here is the book summary:

Can Love Form Amidst Tensions of War?

During the clash between Union and Confederacy, quiet Tennessean Pearl MacFarlane is compelled to nurse both Rebel and Yankee wounded who seek refuge at her family’s farm. She is determined to remain unmoved by the Yankee cause—until she faces the silent struggle of Union soldier Joshua Wheeler, a recent amputee. The MacFarlane family fits no stereotype Joshua believed in; still he is desperate to regain his footing—as a soldier, as a man, as a Christian—in the aftermath of his debilitating injury. He will use his time behind enemy lines to gather useful intelligence for the Union—if the courageous Rebel woman will stay out of the line of danger.

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear.

More in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)​
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)
The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1836 Texas (February 2019)
The Golden Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1849 San Francisco (April 2019)
The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1860 Utah (July 2019)

And now, my review:

I found The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear to be a wonderfully romantic war-based read.  The war between the North and South in the United States was wondrously depicted by this author.  The pull of what was going on with both sides.  The mandated help called upon and the internal tug-of-war to truly want to make well.  I enjoyed that she penned the coming together of a person of the North with a person of the South.   She also includes another marriage of sorts that was tough stuff back in the day.  I couldn’t put this one down until I reached the last page.  I highly recommend this romantic read.

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

https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Bride-Daughters-Mayflower/dp/164352240X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1589919855&sr=8-1

https://www.christianbook.com/the-rebel-bride-10/shannon-mcnear/9781643522401/pd/522402?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rebel-bride-shannon-mcnear/1131015160?ean=9781643522401