"Love's Complete: A Russian Adoption Story" by Hull/Tarkovski

Adoption can be complicated for little ones to understand and this book helps. Inside the covers readers find a story of love written in poetry that children and adults will enjoy. The rhyme scheme and drawings are fun and poignant, and draw readers into the adoption journey. This journey is specifically designed to tell the story of parents adopting Russian children . From the decision to adopt, through the application process, and the waiting, readers will feel the love that accompanies adding someone to the family. They will also see that adoption is complicated, especially international adoption, and will want to support families who are waiting. Little ones will wait in anticipation of a future brother or sister joining their home.

I really enjoyed this little book. It felt especially special to me because I have friends who adopted two Down's Syndrome girls from Russia. The love and support that they shower on their daughters is amazing, and they are always talking about how thankful they are for the support they have been given every step of the way. I recommend this book to families everywhere to promote understanding of the entire process. Thank you, BookLook Bloggers for my review copy. The review is all mine.

"Precious Moments Little Book of Grandma's Love" by Jean Fischer

Are you a grandmother or looking forward to being one? This book is for you. In her new book, Jean Fischer combines Precious Moments drawings with Scripture, songs, short stories/thoughts, and the like to not only share with grandchildren, but to uplift grandparents. The book is a board book so the pages are easy for little fingers to turn. The drawings light up the pages with precious moments characters that children love. It is a wonderful book that belongs in every grandmother's library.

I love being a grandmother and love this book. It is fun to read the poems, songs, verses, etc. out loud and see the interest in my grandson's face. He loves being read to and the pictures engage him as well. This book will make a great gift for any grandmother or grandmother to be. I know I am giving some away! Thank you to Book Look Bloggers for my review copy. The review is totally mine.

"The King's Mercy" by Lori Benton

What do you get when you combine a Scottish rebel, an Englishman with slaves, and a woman with a tender heart? You get the newest book by Lori Benton, a historical romance that will sweep you into the world of Alex, Edmund, Joanna, Phineas and so many others. What is the King's Mercy and why was it bestowed on Alex? What is the South like in the 18th century? Lori Benton tells her readers within the pages of this wonderful new book.

The 18th century was filled with many harsh conditions and hardships. Lori Benton describes many of these, such as indentured servants, slaves, etc., drawing her reader into the compelling story. Her masterful story telling pulls you into the lives of the characters and places in this book. You will feel for and with the characters. You will want to help them. Come into the world of "The King's Mercy," and find yourself immersed in another place and time.

I loved this book and my review can't really portray how much. If you like historical novels, you will love this book. If you like reading, you will love this book. I recommend it to everyone and look forward to reading more by Ms. Benton. Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah for my galley. I enjoyed reading and writing the review for this book.

"The Inn at Hidden Run" by Olivia Newport

In her new book, "The Inn at Hidden Run," Olivia Newport uses two places in time to tell her story. Readers meet Jillian, her father, Nia, and Meri in a contemporary timeframe; and Eliza in the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878. Each timeframe is compelling and draws the reader in. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a journey that delves into a family tree that pulls so much together.  Be sure to pay attention to the time change so you don't get confused. 

Wouldn't it be great to study geneology and uncover secrets and truths of the past? Take the time to meet Eliza, a woman who worked tirelessly in Memphis to help those afflicted with Yellow Fever, and remember, the time was 1878. Find out why it is so difficult for Meri after she flunks out of medical school and why it is important for the others to help her. Take the time to unravel the story and find the answers.

I really enjoyed this book because of the complexity of time presented.  Genealogy fascinates me, and following the threads here was really fun. Thank you to Barbour Publishing for my review copy. I enjoyed reading the book and writing my review. 

"Imagine: The Giant's Fall" by Matt Koceich

Imagine losing your mother to cancer and your home to a fire, and you're only in fourth grade. Imagine writing a book to help other children deal with cancer. Then, imagine finding yourself questioning what it is all for. Why is God allowing this? Would you get an answer?

Wren is in this situation. She and her friend Beth were writing a book to help other children and now everything was gone. And then the scene changed and she was in a totally different place watching someone rescue a lamb from two wild animals. Then she gets pulled into a battle between giants and the Israelites. What was happening to her? Could God be trying to show her that He does have a plan and that things do work out eventually? In his new book, Matt Koceich takes his readers into the world of David and Goliath; a world where the impossible became possible. Are you ready to IMAGINE...?

I love these books! Matt Koceich has a great way of taking his readers, young and old alike, into the Biblical world he is portraying. I have read the others and this one is right there with them. I recommend these books to anyone with young readers. They will also make good books to read together because the principles and discussions will be great. I plan to get an entire set of the books for my grandchildren, adding as they come out. Thank you, Matt Koceich! Thank you, Barbour Publishing for my review copy. I loved reading and reviewing this book.

"Taste and See" by Margaret Feinberg

Taste and See, a new devotional by Margaret Feinberg, combines the love of food with the love of the Bible. How does God feel about food? What does the Bible say about food? Come explore in "Taste and See."

The Bible is rich in references to different types of foods and their preparation. In this study, Ms. Feinberg explores many. Each lesson starts with a practical lesson from the kitchen and it is all woven into a beautiful Biblical application. Olives, bread, salt, and more deliciousness for the table are explored through actual "field trips" and recipes. Then readers go more in depth in the Bible. Ms. Feinberg causes readers to "taste" then "see" making the information really stick. Readers will not be disappointed in this study.

I love this study! It is fun and so thought provoking. I love actually thinking about what God wants me to pull from a specific passage about food. The recipes are wonderful and help me to remember the verses and applications I have learned. If you are looking for a new study, come on and "Taste and See!"

"Convergence" by Ginny L. Yttrup

Dr. Denilyn Rossi is a Psychology professor who tells her students that our present and future depend upon how we deal with their past. What choices they make will either help or hurt them, and many students truly believe her and want to live embracing the past and moving forward. What happens when the choice is not so clear cut?

Dr. Rossi enjoys teaching but doesn't totally apply all of the teaching to herself. One such teaching is that dealing with the past will determine how you deal with your today and tomorrow. Adelia took the teaching to heart, desiring to make her life better moving forward, not living in the past. But, neither woman bargained for someone wanting to destroy their peace. Neither thought their future would be entwined with the other. Neither bargained on a stalker.

This book is full of thrilling and suspenseful twists and turns. While the book didn't grab me right away (too many descriptive words), it did grab me eventually. If you like a good, suspenseful mystery, this may be the book for you. Give it a chance to grab you and I think you will find it worth it. Thank you to Barbour Publishing for my review copy. The review is honest and mine.