All That We Carried

All That We Carried by Erin Bartels released on January 5, 2021. This story is about two estranged sisters as they reunite on a hike in Michigan. I really enjoyed the setting of their hike as a backdrop to this story filled with hard topics like grief and forgiveness. Erin Bartels is a talented author and her books have characters with depth. Thank you to Revell for this review copy and I look forward to reading her next book. I really enjoyed her previous book:

About the Author: Erin Bartels is the award-winning author of We Hope for Better Things, a 2020 Michigan Notable Book and a finalist for the 2019 Christy Award and the 2020 Star Award from the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA), and The Words between Us, a finalist for the 2015 Rising Star Award from WFWA. Her short story, “This Elegant Ruin,” was a finalist in the Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest in 2014, and her poetry has been published by The Lyric. A publishing professional for 18 years, she is the director of WFWA’s annual writers retreat in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She lives in Lansing, Michigan, with her husband, Zachary, and their son. Find her online at http://www.erinbartels.com.

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Find Me In Havana

Find Me in Havana: A Novel by Serena Burdick releases on January 12, 2021. This historical fiction book is based on the true story of Estelita Rodriguez. The book is written from dual perspectives of Estelita and her daughter, Nina. I enjoyed this book more once I realized it was based on a true story. It is a fascinating time period of a Cuban actress in old Hollywood. Thanks to Park Row Books via Netgalley for this review copy.

About the Author:

Serena Burdick Graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in California before moving to New York City to pursue a degree in English Literature at Brooklyn College. Author of GIRL IN THE AFTERNOON, she lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.

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Home Made Lovely

Home Made Lovely: Creating the Home You’ve Always Wanted by Shannon Acheson is a new non-fiction book about interior decorating. This was an inspirational book that makes me want to redecorate some rooms in my house. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of home care such as decluttering, hospitality, and decorating. There are some practical tips and pictures to help the reader. There are tips for all stages of life. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for this review copy.

About the Author: Shannon Acheson is a mostly self-taught designer, decorator, writer, and stylist. Although she has completed her interior design training, she’d much rather teach you how to decorate your own home than do it for you. She is the editor and designer behind the design and lifestyle company and blog HomeMadeLovely.com. Her happy place is in the suburbs of Toronto, where she is a Homebody with a capital H, a Jesus girl, a happy wife to Dean, and a homeschooling mom of three teenagers. Learn more at http://www.homemadelovely.com.

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Engaging Your Teen’s World

Engaging Your Teen’s World by David Eaton  and Jeremiah Callihan is a non-fiction book for parents. This book is divided by topics relevant to raising teenagers today. This book discusses technology, drugs, sex, and many other subjects. Parenting is a hard job and this is a good guidebook for our technology focused population. I will be using this book as a reference over the next few years as my kids enter their teenage years. Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for this review copy.

About the Authors: David Eaton and Jeremiah Callihan are the cofounders of Axis, a nonprofit that helps more than 200,000 parents and teenagers a month communicate and understand each other at the intersection of tech, pop culture, and the Gospel. Find out more at http://www.axis.org.

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The Last To See Her

The Last to See Her: A Novel by Courtney Evan Tate releases on December 15, 2020. This mystery begins when a woman goes missing in New York City and her sister is the last person to see her. It was a well told mystery and thriller. I really enjoyed the way the book was set up with multiple perspectives and dual timelines. The ending fell a little short for me, but for the mystery factor it was an enjoyable read. Thanks to MIRA via Netgalley for this review copy.

About the Author: Courtney Evan Tate is the nom de plume (and darker side) of New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Courtney Cole. She spend her days dreaming up new characters and storylines and surprising plot twists and writing them beneath Florida’s rustling palm trees. Visit her at www.courtneycolewrites.com.

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Reach Out, Gather In

Reach Out, Gather In: 40 Days to Opening Your Heart and Home by Karen Ehman is a new non-fiction book. This book offers practical ideas to be someone that opens their house to serve others. There are also other ways to help people outside your home which is very practical for 2020. Each chapter has a section for you to answer a few questions to go deeper into the topic. There are a few recipes included in this book. I tried and enjoyed the recipe for Wild Rice Chicken. I would highly recommend this book as an encouragement to be more giving to others. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for this review copy.

About the Author: Karen Ehman is a New York Times bestselling author with Proverbs 31 Ministries as well as a writer for Encouragement for Today,an online devotional that reaches more than four million women daily. She has authored fifteen books, including Keep It Shut and Settle My Soul. You can connect with Karen at http://www.karenehman.com, where she helps women live their priorities and love their lives.

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The Lost Love Song

The Lost Love Song: A Novel by Minnie Darke releases on October 13, 2020. This is a book that I saw getting great early reviews and was intrigued by the story. This story was told over multiple perspectives all centered around when they heard a love song. It was a heartwarming story full of heartbreak and romance. Thank you to Ballantine Books via Netgalley for this review copy.

About the Author: Minnie Darke is the internationally acclaimed author of Star-Crossed, which was published in more than 30 countries. She lives in Tasmania with her family, and there is always music.

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Awaking Wonder

“A child fashioned by a wonder-filled life will cultivate inner strength, a confidence in his own ability
to think, evaluate, and know. But those who influence children must fight to protect time for the imagination
to have space to work, to have time to engage.”
― Sally Clarkson, Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child’s Heart to the Beauty of Learning

Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child’s Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson is a new book for parents. I have read most of Sally Clarkson’s books and enjoy her podcast. This book was well written and the author shared from her own experiences as a mother. This book says it is for any parent, but felt more like a book for parents that homeschool. As a previous homeschool parent, I would have enjoyed this book a lot more a few years ago when our family was homeschooling. I did find it encouraging and as a resource for promoting a love of learning into my household. I would highly recommend this book for parents and especially those that homeschool. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for this review copy. Please visit readingthemes on Instagram for a giveaway of this book.

About the Author:

Sally Clarkson is the beloved author of multiple bestselling books, including Own Your Life, The Lifegiving Home with her daughter Sarah, Desperate with Sarah Mae, and Different with her son Nathan. As a mother of four, she has inspired thousands of women through Whole Heart Ministries and Mom Heart conferences. Sally also encourages many through her website, http://www.sallyclarkson.com, and on her popular podcast, At Home With Sally.

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Confessions On The 7:45

Confessions on the 7:45: A Novel by Lisa Unger releases on October 6, 2020. This thriller was very twisty and was an enjoyable book. The story is told from several perspectives to tell a story that all connects so well by the end. Two women meet on a train and share their secrets which is just the beginning of their lives changing and finding out the truth about their lives. I would highly recommend this book to those that enjoy a good thriller. Thanks to Park Row via Netgalley for this review copy.

About the Author:

Lisa Unger is the NYT bestselling author of 18 novels. Her books are published in 26 languages, with millions of readers worldwide. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations, an honor held by only a few writers including Agatha Christie. Her work has been voted “Best of the Year” or top picks by Today, People, GMA, EW, Amazon, IndieBound and many others. She has written for the NYT, WSJ, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. She lives in Florida with her family.

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Slaying the Giant of Fear

Slaying the Giant of Fear by Krissy Nelson is a Christian non-fiction book. The story of David and Goliath is prevalent throughout this book to show how to face our fears. There is a lot of scripture used to support her ideas of how to fight fear. The author shares from her own experiences and the lessons she has learned to overcome fear. This book was an easy read and one that I read as a chapter a day. Thanks to Chosen Books for this review copy.

About the Author:

Krissy Nelson carries a passion to release life and hope into your heart so you can walk in all that you were created for. A published author and TV show host, Krissy and her husband, Donovan, and their two children live on the beautiful Gulf Coast of the United States. Her ministry is located in Pensacola, Florida. Learn more at http://www.krissynelson.com.

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