Amanda's Pile of Books: June 2019

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Cross My Heart (Book 2, Legacy of Faith series) by Robin Lee Hatcher

Robin Lee Hatcher's newest book in the Legacy of Faith series has just released. Cross My Heart (book 2) continues the legacy of the Henning Family by telling the story of Ben Henning.

From the Back Cover:
Can two broken paths lead toward God’s redemption?
When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on his great-great grandfather’s farm—and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.
They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible—but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?
Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning—reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.

My Review:
Cross My Heart is a beautiful story about second chances. A story that isn't fast-paced or a thrilling adventure, but one that has the sense of coming home. A story that leads the reader down a road through bad choices, regret and a change of heart. I thought that the characters had such great personalities. They seemed like everyday people that you would encounter in your life. Robin did a great job weaving in the hope of Jesus into her story, and how following Him can bring the lasting change people are wanting. Also, I loved how there are two stories being told in this novel. On one hand you have the current story of Ben and Ashley, but on the other hand, the author also tells the story of Ben's Great-Grandfather, Andrew Henning from the 1940's. Adding in Andrew Henning's story adds so much depth to the background information about Ben's generational heritage. This is a story that you'll want to pick up and add to your reading pile!

You can read this book as a stand alone novel or you can pick up the first book in this series, Who I Am With You. So make sure to check out this series for some great summer reading!

My Rating: ★★★★

About the Author:

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of 80 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, the Carol Award, the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. Robin is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat. Visit her website by clicking here and check out the other books she has written.

***I received this complimentary book from Robin Lee Hatcher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Monday, June 17, 2019

The Intimate Connection: Secrets to a Lifelong Romance by Dr. Kevin Leman

Marriage is a relationship in life that requires daily work. And when this relationship starts to slide, it's good to address the problems right away. Like anything else, the longer the issues are unaddressed, the more work it'll take to get things back in order. Dr. Kevin Leman's book The Intimate Connection: Secrets to a Lifelong Romance seeks to address many of the common issues that have the potential to derail a marriage.

From the Back Cover:

Get the marriage you dream of
Creating a happy, lifelong marriage is about much more than physical compatibility. It's about a lifestyle of 24-7 intimacy that bonds couples in a mutually satisfying relationship. In The Intimate Connection, New York Times bestselling marriage expert Dr. Kevin Leman explores key secrets to the love life couples crave. He helps you

· understand each other's needs, backgrounds, and personalities (and how those factors influence every marital interaction)
· talk so your spouse really listens
· turn negative game-playing into positive behaviors that help you grow closer
· create deep, long-lasting intimacy that's divorce-proof

Whether you are new to marriage or have been married a long time, Dr. Leman's time-tested strategies will create the kind of exciting intimacy, mutual respect, and fulfilling communication that will keep you in each other's arms for a lifetime.

My Review:

I think that Dr. Kevin Leman's book is a great resource for couples that helps to identify the root of potential problems and also gives advice to improve their relationship. He gives 13 different secrets to help improve your marriage. They are:

1. Acts of Love Create an Unbreakable Bond
2. Outside Forces Have Shaped Your Relationship (without your permission)
3. Preconceived Notions Matter
4. There's No Reason to Settle for Blah, Less-Than, or a Battlefield
5. Yup, Men and Women are Different
6. Sex Is Important... but Not for the Reasons You Might Think
7. To Love Your Spouse, You Have to Know Who You Married
8. Clashes Feel Less Personal When You Understand Your Partner's Personality
9. To Truly Know Your Partner, You Have to Understand Their Life Mantra
10. Feelings Pull You Together; Judgements Push You Apart
11. Marriage Isn't a One-on-One Competition; It's a Team Sport
12. For Your Spouse to Truly Hear You, You Have to Talk in a Way That Encourages Them to Listen
13. You Can Have the Marriage You Deserve

I thought Dr. Leman's advice was good food for thought and made me question some of my reasoning behind the way I respond to certain situations. I found the birth order (secret #7), personality (secret #8) and life mantra (secret #9) sections very interesting. These aspects of a person do explain our propensity to respond the way we do. The author also includes 3 bonus sections that give some practical ways to implement the ideas he is sharing. This book is more about the psychology behind why we act the way we do and less about implementing biblical principles into your relationship. One other note is this book was previously published under the title Sex Begins in the Kitchen.
Overall, I think this book is a good resource for couples and provides good thoughts to help aid in strengthening the marriage relationship.

My Rating: ★★★★

***I received this complimentary book from Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Dr. Kevin Leman is an internationally known psychologist, radio and television personality, and speaker. He has made house calls through hundreds of radio and television programs, such as Fox & Friends, The View, Fox's The Morning Show, Today, Hallmark Channel's Home and Family, The 700 Club, CBS's The Early Show, CNN, and Focus on the Family, and has served as a contributing family psychologist to Good Morning America. A New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Dr. Leman has written more than 50 books, including The Birth Order Book, Sheet Music, and Have a New Kid by Friday. He and his wife, Sande, live in Tucson, Arizona. They have five children and four grandchildren.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman

Do you have trouble making decisions in life? Sometimes it's hard to know if the choice you're making is the right one. Indecision has unfortunately been "my friend" too many times in life. So, when Revell had this Emily P. Freeman's new book, The Next Right Thing: A simple, soulful practice for making life decisions, up for review, I thought it would be a great one to check out.

From the Back Cover:

When we have a decision to make, what we want more than anything is peace, clarity, and a nudge in the right direction.
If you have trouble making decisions because of either chronic hesitation or decision fatigue, Emily P. Freeman offers a fresh way of practicing familiar but often forgotten advice: simply do the next right thing. This simple, soulful practice will help you

* Clear the decision-making chaos
* Quiet the fear of choosing wrong
* Find the courage to finally decide without regret or second-guessing

Whether you're in the midst of a major life transition or are weary of the low-grade anxiety that daily life can bring, Emily helps create space for your soul to breathe so you can live life with God at a gentle pace and discern your next right thing in love.

My Review:
The format of the book is fairly simple. Each chapter of the book is about 9 pages, ends with a prayer and then has a practice suggestion to help you put this advice into your life. The author uses her own life situation to show how she lived by the advice: Do the Next Right Thing. Sometimes we can't see the whole picture, but we can do what we know is right at this moment of our lives. She does mention some Scripture and says that all advice and practices that she gives should be drawing you closer to God. And for the most part her Scriptural advice is good; although, there was one instance that I did not agree with her. Overall, I think her story is encouraging and shows that God is at work in the doors that close in your life. Don't stress over having to get every decision perfect, and walk closely with God so that you can do what is the Next Right Thing in the life you've been given.

The author also has a podcast that talks about many of the ideas that are presented in this book. You can find her podcast by clicking here.

My Rating: ★★★

***I received this complimentary book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Adults make over 35,000 decisions every day.
Many are second nature. I’m here for the ones that aren’t. I’m an author, a podcast host, and a curious listener dedicated to helping you create space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing in love. I’ve made it my job to put into words the thoughts you don’t have time to think. If you’re feeling stuck over a certain decision right now, you’ve weighed the options but just can’t see things clearly yet, I’ve written a book I know will help. It’s called The Next Right Thing and in it you’ll find a simple, soulful practice for making life decisions. Grab a copy wherever books are sold.
Connect with her on the following social media platforms:

Sunday, June 9, 2019

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

Roseanna M. White's newest release is out! The Number of Love is the first book in her new series, The Codebreakers. If you're ready for a thrilling ride through mysteries, espionage and love, this is a book you won't want to miss!

From the Back Cover:

The Toughest Puzzle She'll Have to Solve Might Be the Wishes of Her Own Heart

Three years into the Great War, England's greatest asset is their intelligence network--field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack German telegrams for hints of the enemy's plans. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, she discovers for the first time in her life that numbers aren't enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy who just won't give up. He's smitten quickly by the quick and brainy Margot, but soon the dangers of the war draw ever closer. Margot and Drake will have to team up to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.

My Review:

I was so excited to read Margot's story! The reader is first introduced to Margot in the book, A Song Unheard, which is the second book in another series called Shadows Over England. I would definitely suggest reading that series prior to this one to fill in Margot's back story. Margot is such a fun, unusual character. Her quick wit, humor, spunk and fire made me smile. I love how she thinks in numbers about everything, and I enjoyed watching her character grow throughout the story. The historical aspects of this book were great. It was fun to read about Room 40 and to imagine what it would of been like to work there, especially for a woman. This story is filled with suspense and mystery as they try to solve the puzzle and decode the German messages in time.
I think the book was a great read and would definitely recommend it!

My Rating: ★★★★★

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into books...to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. You can learn more about her and her stories at https://roseannamwhite.com.

Author Links: