Home on the Range

Ruth Logan Herne's book Home on the Range is the second novel in her Double S Ranch Trilogy, where we find the captivating story of Nick Stafford and his two daughters. It has been three years since his wife walked out on them without so much as a goodbye. Nick is trying to raise his two daughters alone. His parenting methods are not focused on the children's best interest, but are focused on doing a better job than his Dad did with him and his brothers. When he realizes that both his girls are dealing with emotional issues, he finds that he needs to rethink his priorities. Putting his personal frustrations with his Dad aside, Nick takes the advice of friends and family to seek professional help.

Dr. Elsa Andreas is a family therapist who has experienced a traumatic event. Her way of coping with the situation was fleeing to live in a "hobbit hole" deep in the woods of Grey's Glen to recover. It's been four years since the trauma and now it's time to move on. Helping Nick and his girls seems to be the perfect way to get back on track.

Will Nick and Elsa be able to have faith and look to God for help? Will they be able to set fear aside and trust the One who understands?

Home on the Range is an exceptional novel that will keep you fascinated. It is a relatable book with its family conflict, humor, love, and faith. Definitely one to keep on your shelf.

I received this book from Multnomah in exchange for my honest review

No Way Up

In Mary Connealy's new novel No Way Up The Bodens are in danger and they need to find out who's threatening them before it's too late.

     One ride to survey the ranch and Chase Boden is taken down in a spontaneous avalanche, with his extensive injuries there is no time to get him to a doctor with enough time to save his leg. Heath Kincaid takes charge to patch him up as best he can. After, Chase decides to implement his will straight-away. The will states that all three of the Boden children, Justin, Sadie, and Cole, must live under the same roof for one year or the ranch will be given to their detested cousin.

     With further investigation Heath discovers that the avalanche wasn't an accident and that Chase isn't the only one in danger. Having continuously growing feelings toward Sadie, Heath will do anything to keep her and her family safe.

I am a big fan of Mary Connealy's work but I feel that this one wasn't as interesting to me. It was a good story with funny characters it just didn't have enough to it to keep me captivated like her other books have.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review

Punderdome

    If you love puns this is the game for you. Punderdome is a card game where you create your own cheesy puns. It comes in a small box with two decks of subject cards, green and white. On the back of every card is a catchy pun to be read by the "Prompter" before the subject cards are revealed. After revealed a 90 second timer is set and the "pun" begins! When the time runs out the prompter takes the created puns, reads them, and choose his/her favorite. The owner of the selected puns keeps both subject cards and the first to reach a decided number of cards wins. This is a fun game to play with family and friends, things can get pretty ridiculous so be prepared to laugh until your sides hurt.

Anchor in the Storm

In Sarah Sundin's novel Anchor in the Storm we meet Lillian Avery who is the new pharmacist at Dixon's Drugs in Boston. With her prosthetic leg she finds that working with her crabby boss proves to be more difficult than she first anticipated. Because of her handicap he doesn't think she is qualified for the job. After receiving prescriptions requesting large quantities of phenobarbital, a habit-forming sleeping drug she becomes suspicious and starts investigating.

Arch Vandenberg is an officer on the Ettinger, a Navy destroyer. After having trouble with drowsy sailors he begins to investigate what's going on. He and Lillian join forces to figure out who is involved with this dangerous drug ring. 

The more they find out the more dangerous it becomes. Can they solve the case before anyone gets hurt? And will they be able to trust each other enough to share their darkest secrets?

This is an amazing book, I loved every second of it. Anchor in the Storm has it all romance, humor, suspense, and action. It hooked me from the beginning and I ended up almost pulling an all-nighter reading, it was so great. I've never read any of Sarah Sundin's books before but after reading this one I will definitely read more. She took a real life condition and put it into a captivating story that will make you laugh and cry right along with the characters. I sincerely  recommend this book.

I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Doodletopia: Manga

Doodletopia: Manga is a great choice for those who are starting out and want easy steps to drawing fun and cute chibis. I was excited to receive this book, I love to draw but I needed a little help. This book helped with its simple step by step pictures and fun expressions. I really recommend this book to beginners.

No Other Will Do

In Karen Witemeyer's newest novel No Other Will Do you will find Emma Chandler, a bright, spunky young banker laden with the responsibility of leading a women's colony she has founded herself. She loves what she does and hopes to continue for the remainder of her life but when a mysterious individual starts leaving threatening notes around town Emma doesn't know what to do except contact the one man she knows and trusts.
Malachi Shaw spent most of his childhood being told he was worthless trash, now he has the respect he has always wanted working as an explosives expert for the railroad. Mal loves the thrill of his job and the unique young men he gets to lead, but just a single telegram from his "angel" asking for help has him packing and on the first train out.
Can Emma and Mal get everything sorted out before things get too dangerous? Will they trust in the Lord to help them find the courage and knowledge to make some difficult choices? Things could possibly result in losing the trust of some longtime friends and maybe getting their hearts broken. If you read No Other Will Do you will find out how their story ends.

I love all of Karen Witemeyer's books and this one is no different. It has romance, humor, a little suspense, engaging characters, and a story that will make you not want to put the book down.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review

Brain Freeze Journal

The Brain Freeze Journal  is an adorable little journal made to look like a Neapolitan ice cream sandwich. This cute little book presents an exposed spine and a soft cover with the words "Brain Freeze" printed on the front. Continuing the Neapolitan theme, the page lines on the inside are the strawberry and chocolate colors of the outside edges. With its 4" by 6" size it is an ideal fit for your purse or your pocket (that is if you have a large pocket). If you are searching for a gift to offer a friend or family member the Brain Freeze Journal would be an excellent choice.

A Dream of Miracles

A Dream of  Miracles by Ruth Reid is an engaging novel where two severed paths merge and heal conjoined together.

After losing her beloved husband eighteen months earlier, Mattie Diener is struggling to raise her two children alone. When her son is hospitalized with suspicious symptoms, Bo Lambright from CPS (Child Protective Services) is sent to investigate the call regarding possible child abuse. Mattie tries everything in her power to convince them that she had nothing to do with her son's illness and Bo, believing that Mattie is innocent, works on getting the charges dropped. With all the known evidence pointing towards her being guilty it is proving to be harder than they first anticipated. At the same time Bo is trying to sort out his past from the life he lives now. Mattie and Bo embark on a complex journey that helps them learn to trust completely in the Lord and His plans for their lives. On the way they will come to learn that things aren't always what they seem.

A Dream of Miracles is a compelling story and reading it made me feel a variety of emotions. I thought it took a while to wrap-up but all-in-all it was a good read.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review

Back in the Saddle

   

I've never read any of Ruth Logan Herne's books but Back in the Saddle hooked me from the beginning.

In Back in the Saddle Colt Stafford

returns home after having his fortune on Wall Street crumble only to find a young, beautiful new housekeeper pointing a gun at his heart and his father in a hospital bed. After so many years of having bitter feelings toward his father for pretty much ignoring him throughout his childhood, Colt is wary of what his father will think of his homecoming. He quickly realizes that things have drastically changed from what they were when he left, all due to the new addition to the house, Angelina Morales. Angelina has spread her love of Christ to his father, who now wants to make everything right with his family, the town, and everyone else he's antagonized. Seeing what a change she has made Colt finds himself interested and falling fast. Also he sees that she has something to hide and he means to find out what? Can Colt find a way to make things work between Angelina, the mysterious, headstrong housekeeper with a background, and himself? Can he learn to trust his father's sudden change of heart? But most importantly can he learn to put his trust in the One who can help him get through the hardships he's endured?

     Back in the Saddle is a great western romance novel that will keep you laughing with its humor, make you cry with its heartbreak, and it will make your heart smile with its happy ending.

I received this book from Multonomah in exchange for my honest review