Balanced by Tricia Goyer

Disclosure: I received a complimentary free copy of the book for the purpose of writing a review. I was not entitled to give a positive response, but my own thoughts and opinion of the book.

My Review of Balanced:

Tricia Goyer’s new book, Balanced, is a useful book in terms of having someone who faced her share of struggles in the matters of balancing out time.  Her writing reminds me of that a conversation from one woman to another.  She is down to earth and approachable two things that make her book smooth easy reading.

One of my favorite gleanings from her book:

“Balance is not possible—at least not in the form of a perfect schedule or a perfect routine.  Even if we find balance one day, it most likely will slip between our fingers the next.”

This impacted me for too often I feel the need to reach a perfect schedule where things fall in step to the beat of the clock.  Too often I feel the frustration and stress of keeping that "balance" that is not even possible as Goyer stated.  And is it not so true that many times we hold ourselves to a state of perfection that cannot be attained?  

These are one of the many tips that I have gleaned from this book.  I tell you that I found Balanced an encouraging read.  

A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher {Review}

Disclosure: I did receive a complimentary review copy of this book for the purpose of writing a review.  This did not affect my positive or negative thoughts on the book.

My Review:

I rather like this style of Robin Lee Hatcher.  I have read her “Autumn’s Angel” in A Bride for all Seasons, and I have to say this more contemporary A Promise Kept is a very welcome change.  Hatcher does a great job in drawing me in.  The backstories created are in depth yet not lengthy that I lose focus.  It is a perfect blend of parallel past and the present.  The book itself reads smoothly and not choppy.  As the story develops I find myself drawn into the world and into the lives of the characters. 

The presence of God, faith, and growth in the characters are believable, relatable, and quite authentic feeling.  I never felt myself rubbed a different way when Hatcher includes God or a prayer.  The way Hatcher displays her own personal faith and beliefs throughout her book is so natural.  The different relationships the main characters had were well thought out with each character serving a purpose in maturing the two women in this book, Allison and Emma.  I have no negative things to say or reserve about this book.  This is a book I would recommend heartily for someone looking for encouragement in how God is faithful to keep His promises.

About the book: 

Information from the Blog Tour (not my writing):

God was going to save her marriage, Allison was sure of it. But neither her husband nor her marriage had been saved.

What had become of His promise?

Tony Kavanagh had been Allison's dream-come-true. They were in love within days, engaged within weeks, married and pregnant within a year. Her cup bubbled over with joy . . . but years later, that joy had been extinguished by unexpected trials.

The day Allison issued her husband an ultimatum, she thought it might save him. She never expected he would actually leave. She was certain God had promised to heal; it was clear that she'd misunderstood.

Now, living in the quiet mountain cabin she inherited from her single, self-reliant Great Aunt Emma, Allison must come to terms with her grief and figure out how to adapt to small town life. But when she finds a wedding dress and a collection of journals in Emma's attic, a portrait of her aunt emerges that takes Allison completely by surprise: a portrait of a heartbroken woman surprisingly like herself.

As Allison reads the incredible story of Emma's life in the 1920s and 1930s, she is forced to ask a difficult question: Does she really surrender every piece of her life to the Lord?
Drawing from her own heart-wrenching story of redemption,A Promise Kept is Robin Lee Hatcher's emotionally charged thanksgiving to a God who answers prayers---in His own time and His own ways.

Meet the author:

Robin is the author of 65+ novels and novellas. Her home is in Idaho, where she spends her time writing stories of faith, courage, and love; pondering the things of God; and loving her family and friends.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/sK3Ti 

Learn more about Robin at:http://www.robinleehatcher.com

Blog Tour/More Reviews: http://litfusegroup.com/author/rhatcher

The Secrets of Happy Families {Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway}

In The Secrets of Happy Families, New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler has drawn up a blueprint for modern families — a new approach to family dynamics, inspired by cutting-edge techniques gathered from experts in the disciplines of science, business, sports, and the military. Written in a charming, accessible style, The Secrets of Happy Families is smart, funny, and fresh, and will forever change how your family lives every day.

Bruce is celebrating the release of his book with a family fun "Happy Family" Kindle HDX giveaway.

  One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX
• The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 15th. Winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by the Litfuse blog on the 17th to see if you won.

The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher {Blog Tour Giveaway!}

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher is celebrating her newest book, The Calling, by giving away TWO iPads, TWO Kindles, and TWO Nooks!
 

Two grand prize winners will receive:

• An iPad
• The Letters and The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Four second place winners will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX or a Nook HD—winner's choice!
• The Letters and The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 8th. All winners will be announced February 10th at Suzanne's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Suzanne's blog on the 10th to see if you won one of the great prizes! (Or better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

Shadowed by Grace by Cara Putman {Blog Tour Giveaway}

Cara Putman is celebrating her latest historical suspense novel, Shadowed by Grace with a fun "Past & Present" giveaway! 

One winner will receive:

• A Polaroid Instant Camera
• A beautiful antique AFGRA camera (learn more here)
• Movie passes to see The Monuments Men movie (with George Clooney and Matt Damon)
• Shadowed By Grace by Cara Putman

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 8th. Winner will be announced February 10th on Cara's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Cara's blog on the 10th to see if you won.

A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher Kindle Fire HDX Giveaway

Don't miss Robin Lee Hatcher's stunning new novel, A Promise Kept. Robin is celebrating with a fun giveaway and an encouraging Facebook Author Chat Party.

 One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 6th. Winner will be announced at the "A Promise Kept" Facebook Author Chat Party on the 6th. Connect with Robin and friends for an evening of encouraging book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Robin's next book!

So grab your copy of A Promise Kept and join Robin on the evening of February 6th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on 2/6!

Aloha Rose by Lisa Carter

Disclosure: I received a free complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a review.  This however did not affect my positive or negative opinion about the book.

Aloha Rose.  The story of adoption was beautiful.  I loved how Laney who was adopted was reunited with her family in Hawaii.  Though a bit skeptical, unsure of herself or her feelings, she warms up as the story of her birth mother unfolds through the beautiful dancing of her grandmother.  The quilt in which she was wrapped as a baby are dear to her birth family and a matter of tradition and love.  As Laney opens up her heart one can be moved by her emotions and can relate to the shock of meeting a family one never knew to love.  The descriptions of Hawaii were beautiful and was easily pictured in my mind.

On a secondary note I had thought the story moved a bit too fast to develop the characters and the relationship between each other.  The love between Laney and Kai I felt was rushed.  Though I did enjoy the comical moments between Laney and Kai, I felt that their relationship was still shallow. I would have loved to have more of a developed story between Laney's Hawaiian family for I feel the characters are delightful and have so much more to offer.  There was a lot going on in the book that could have been either left out. Not one of my favorites in the Quilts of Love Series.  

Purchase a copy here.

Learn more at the Quilts of Love website.

The Christmas Quilt by Chapman (Book Review)

Disclosure: I received a free complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a review.  This however did not affect my positive or negative opinion about the book.

Book Review:

The Christmas Quilt was truly moving.  As two friends work on a quilt a story develops focusing on the Fruits of the Spirit.  To distract and ease the nervousness of giving birth to twins, Leah asks her friend, Annie, to tell her stories since she is good about telling stories.  Most quilts have a story behind it, and the stories told unfold will move one’s heart as each demonstrates the Love of God behind each fruit of the Spirit.  A number of characters tell a story throughout the book, and from each story told, I find myself either in tears or held captive.  I love the beauty of God’s work and plan as he works through the lives of the Amish people to bless Leah. 

Though not  usually a fan of Amish fiction, this one truly was a delight to read, and would love more types of books like this from Chapman.  

Purchase a copy here.

Learn more at the Quilts of Love website.