Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Here is the book summary:

Decades of Loss, an Unsolved Mystery, 
and a Rift Spanning Three Generations

Hazel DeFord is a woman haunted by her past. While berry picking in a blackberry thicket in 1943, ten-year old Hazel momentarily turns her back on her three-year old sister Maggie and the young girl disappears.

Almost seventy years later, the mystery remains unsolved and the secret guilt Hazel carries has alienated her from her daughter Diane, who can’t understand her mother’s overprotectiveness and near paranoia. While Diane resents her mother’s inexplicable eccentricities, her daughter Meghan—a cold case agent—cherishes her grandmother’s lavish attention and affection.
 
When a traffic accident forces Meghan to take a six-week leave-of-absence to recover, all three generations of DeFord women find themselves unexpectedly under the same roof. Meghan knows she will have to act as a mediator between the two headstrong and contentious women. But when they uncover Hazel’s painful secret, will Meghan also be able to use her investigative prowess to solve the family mystery and help both women recover all that’s been lost?

And now, my review:

Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer is an amazing, can’t put down until you’re finished book about love, loss and God’s grace.  A most horrific event turned around realistically.  I felt that this author did a great job of painting an authentic, lifelike story that touches the heart.  There were times that this story had me cringing and other times where I wanted to pray for the lost in the story.  When victories came around it had me jumping for joy as tears streamed down my face.  If you’re looking for a book that has hard issues, mystery, and a very honest presentation, I recommend this one.

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

https://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Maggie-Home-Vogel-Sawyer-ebook/dp/B01MYYPY15/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1516933898&sr=1-1&keywords=bringing+maggie+home+by+kim+vogel+sawyer

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bringing-maggie-home-kim-vogel-sawyer/1125387095?ean=9780735290037#/

https://www.christianbook.com/bringing-maggie-home-kim-sawyer/9780735290037/pd/290037?product_redirect=1&Ntt=290037&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

The Long Ride Home by Susan R. Lawrence

Here is the book summary:

The Long Ride Home recounts the journey of two young children from New York to the farmlands of Iowa. Families are willing to adopt young orphans like Emma, but Bert might have to find work on a farm. He has a lot to learn about farm life. Each day brings new lessons, from milking cows to being kind, and new fears. More than a place to live, he needs a family to love. Will he find a home in Iowa with his sister? Or will he take the long train ride back to New York?

And now, my review:

The Long Ride Home by Susan Lawrence is a great read aloud!  Our family really enjoyed the ups and downs of this story and the author has a way of making you experience many emotions while you’re reading.  My daughter says that it sucks you right in.  The historical aspect was really sobering in the area of thinking of the challenges that little ones faced back in the day if they found themselves orphans.  The story really tugged at our hearts and we are really blessed to have read it.  I’m sure that we will be reading it again in the future. 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Long-Ride-Home-Susan-Lawrence-ebook/dp/B077GLKMJ9/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1516932809&sr=8-9&keywords=The+long+ride+home

https://www.christianbook.com/the-long-ride-home/susan-lawrence/9781628564457/pd/564458?event=ESRCG#write_review

An Asian Harvest by Paul Hattaway

Here is the book summary:

An autobiography by Paul Hattaway, a high school dropout from New Zealand whose love for God and commitment to the peoples of Asia has led him to provide 10 million Bibles to China alone, and to sponsor more than 1500 Asian missionaries through the ministry Asia Harvest. Paul is a gifted speaker, but in obedience to God he has focused for many years on his writing, notably telling the story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun in his book The Heavenly Man, which has sold over one million copies and been translated into nearly 50 languages.

And now, my review:

An Asian Harvest by Paul Hattaway is an incredible book about surrender to God and walking in the will of God.  We read it out loud as a family to each other and we were all blessed!  God doesn’t call the equipped but He equips those He calls.  This is a great example of that truth.  I felt that the author was authentic and vulnerable to share with his readers some tough things.  This book blessed me, challenged me, kept me reading, and I found myself right along with him in his heartbrokenness for the adversity that he has faced but it’s not surprising to anyone who is in His Word.  Pick up your copy today.

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

https://www.amazon.com/Asian-Harvest-Autobiography-Paul-Hattaway-ebook/dp/B075GWCD1P/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1516931610&sr=1-1&keywords=an+Asian+harvest

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-asian-harvest-paul-hattaway/1126240968?ean=9780857218483

https://www.christianbook.com/an-asian-harvest-autobiography/paul-hattaway/9780857218483/pd/218482?event=ESRCG

Godspeed by David Teems

Here is the book summary:

For the Protestant reformer, times were treacherous. The reformer lived, moved, and exercised his or her faith within the shadow of a powerful church that dominated Western culture. Many of these men and women paid the ultimate price for their faith. 

Celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, Godspeed is a 365-day devotional that features the words of prominent reformers, including Martin Luther, William Tyndale, John Calvin, and others, thoughtfully illuminated by best-selling author David Teems with both historical precision and charm. 

Godspeed: Voices of the Reformation possesses a startling relevance for today’s reader, offering a word of hope and comfort. The reformer’s voice is clear and bright and comes to us with the authority of heaven.

And now, my review:

Godspeed is a devotional book based on the reformation and having just passed 500 years of celebrating it, I found a great interest in reading this book.  It also just so happens that at the same time of reading this book it fit so nicely with the historical studies that were going on in our classroom at school.  I found that the author adds bits and pieces of so many voices over the time of the Reformation.  They are written in such a way that really makes you think and ponder and read them more than once to get the concept at times of what he’s saying.  Personally, to me, I thought there were great devotional writings scattered throughout. 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Godspeed-Voices-Reformation-David-Teems/dp/B01N7ZCSIL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516840127&sr=8-1&keywords=godspeed

https://www.christianbook.com/godspeed-voices-of-the-reformation-ebook/david-teems/9781501847165/pd/90774EB?event=ESRCG

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/godspeed-david-teems/1125597080?ean=9781501847165

Get Strong For Women by Alex Silver-Fagan

Here is the book summary:

A streamlined exercise program uniting diet advice and step-by-step exercises for women who want to train hard and lift heavy to look and feel strong.

Women who lift know that training with weights is the best way to firm your glutes, tone your abs, and sculpt a powerful, healthy body. Forget the waif-like model: girls with muscle prove that strong is beautiful, so it's time to brave the pain for the gain to get the body you want. This fitness manifesto provides clear, step-by-step exercise instruction as well as easy-to-follow workout programs so you can enter the weight room with confidence and become your strongest self. Using strength-training, cardio, and weight-lifting exercises, Get Strong for Women gives you the tools you need to build muscle, burn fat, and get a strong, fit body.

And now, my review:

This is a great reference book for targeting those areas that you want to work on and keep working on.  It involves your core, upper and lower body, and building strength.  It includes workout programs to take the stress off and get you started.  I really enjoyed that each step is laid out really well and I could read and follow along with everything that was said.  So pick up the book, gather your equipment, read up on the nutrition part, and get started on a stronger you. 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Get-Strong-Women-Heavy-Results-ebook/dp/B077N6NK1Z/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1516226987&sr=1-1&keywords=get+strong+for+women

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/get-strong-for-women-alex-silver-fagan/1126006746?ean=9781465464897#/

Where We Belong By Lynn Austin

Here is the book summary:

The Adventure of a Lifetime for Two Indomitable Socialite Sisters 

In the city of Chicago in 1892, the rules for Victorian women are strict, their roles limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies. Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents has brought them to the Sinai Desert--and into a sandstorm. 

Accompanied by Soren Petersen, their somber young butler, and Kate Rafferty, a street urchin who is learning to be their ladies' maid, the two women are on a quest to find an important biblical manuscript. As the journey becomes more dangerous and uncertain, the four travelers sift through memories of their past, recalling the events that shaped them and the circumstances that brought them to this time and place.

And now, my review:

Historical Christian Fiction at its best!! Wow, Lynn Austin paints an incredible story of these 2 sisters who really lived in history. Although this is a fictional story of the sisters, it just makes you want to know them. The impact for the Kingdom of God is amazing! Somethings I loved: their motto to rest and not fear because God knows the number of our days and their travels to exotic places with amazing discoveries and very realistic sea journeys. You'll feel all sorts of emotions with this one, and be thankful for each one. I highly recommend this book!

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

https://www.amazon.com/Where-We-Belong-Lynn-Austin-ebook/dp/B07117VNMC/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1516225208&sr=1-3&keywords=where+we+belong

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-we-belong-lynn-austin/1125516145?ean=9780764217623#/

https://www.christianbook.com/where-we-belong-lynn-austin/9780764217623/pd/217623?product_redirect=1&Ntt=217623&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Too Far Down by Mary Connealy

Here is the book summary:

Cowboys, Action, Humor, and History Collide in Connealy's Latest

When an explosion kills men and damages the CR Mining Company, the Bodens realize their troubles are not behind them as they thought. Shadowy forces are still working against them. 

Cole Boden finds himself caught between missing his time back East and all that New Mexico offers. Sure he fights with his siblings now and then, but he does care for them. He enjoys running the mine and, when he's honest, he admits that Melanie Blake captures his interest in a way no other woman ever has.

Melanie has been a friend to the Bodens forever. A cowgirl who is more comfortable with horses and lassoes than people, she never expected to find herself falling for someone. Particularly for refined Cole Boden, a Harvard graduate who may not stay long at the ranch. She's determined, however, to help the Bodens finally put an end to the danger that's threatened all of them. But will putting herself in harm's way be more dangerous than anyone expected?

And now, my review:

This is book three in the series and I thought an excellent conclusion.  It can stand alone but is also nice if you have read the other 2, which by the way I recommend.  There is love, suspense, and I find that Mary has a way of painting her characters that make them seem legit.  This book involves a family legacy at stake.  There are snakes around trying to move in and kill off the offspring to take over the valuable land.  The parts about the gold mines really make you feel and smell and experience the mines in a believable way.  The family togetherness was tender and what everyone longs for their family to be like, there for each other and fighting the battle shoulder to shoulder. 

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

https://www.amazon.com/Too-Down-Cimarron-Legacy-Book-ebook/dp/B0727S3Y1C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1516223358&sr=8-1&keywords=too+far+down+mary+connealy

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/too-far-down-mary-connealy/1125516144?ean=9780764211836#/

https://www.christianbook.com/too-far-down-3/mary-connealy/9780764211836/pd/211831?event=ESRCG