Mostly What God Does Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere by Savannah Guthrie with Savannah Guthrie (Narrator)

Rating:  5 star rating

Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere by Savannah Guthrie is a faith-filled book that that makes you want to sit down and relax and meditate on what  Savannah talks about.  

You might recognize Savannah from her work on television, but in this book, she writes simply as a fellow believer opening up her heart. She does not try to teach with complicated theology or fancy words.  Instead, she organizes her thoughts into 31 short readings based on six simple truths: love, presence, praise, grace, hope, and purpose.  It is all about learning to see God’s goodness in our normal, everyday lives, even when things feel a bit messy.  

Since this is a book of personal reflections, the people she writes about are her own loved ones. Savannah speaks fondly of her mother, Nancy, who did a wonderful job raising her in a faithful Christian home.  She also shares the deep heartache of losing her father, Charles, who passed away suddenly from a heart attack when she was just a teenager.  She is very honest about how that loss made her wrestle with grief and unanswered prayers.  We also get to see her heart as a wife to her husband, Michael, and as a mother to her two children, Vale and Charley.  

She even shares  moments about how faith sustains people through hard times, including a story about a grieving mother who lost her child at Sandy Hook.  All of these stories remind us that our families and our trials are often the exact places where God shapes our faith.  

Listening to the audio version is a truly special experience because Savannah reads it herself, and it sounds like a person sharing a personal testimony.  A wonderful detail she included in the audio is a full thirty seconds of quiet silence at the end of every single chapter, which gives you a peaceful moment to just sit, pray, and let the message sink into your heart. Hearing the raw emotion and honesty in her voice makes the book leave you with an even deeper, comforting reminder that God loves us unconditionally, right where we are. 

This is a great and relaxing listen to audiobook, you should get this audiobook. 

Thank you, NetGalley, HCCP & HCF Audio, and author and narrator Savannah Guthrie, for providing me with a copy of this ebook review consideration.  All review opinions are my own.

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This is a review of the audiobook.

Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

Rating: 4 star rating

I just finished reading Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett, and I am still trying to figure out how I truly feel about it. On one hand, the book has a very nice plot, and the snowy alpine setting feels magical, cozy, and imaginative. I also enjoy reading about the main characters and their interesting and crazy escapades.

The story follows Emily, a socially awkward professor, as she goes on an expedition to the Austrian Alps with her colleague Wendell, her niece Ariadne, and a professor named Dr. Rose to find a hidden faerie door.

On the other hand, there were times when the story felt a bit tedious to get through. It goes into a large amount of detail about fairy history, and there are constantly new characters coming and leaving, which made it hard to keep up with the main characters.  

While it is a well written story, the slow pacing and heavy world-building held it back for me. Even after turning the final page, I am still not entirely sure if this is the right book for me, but it is worth a look if you are interested in fantasy lore.

Thank you, NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Del Rey, and author Heather Fawcett for this ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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Unbreakable Courage Strong Faith in an Age of Anxiety, Chaos, and Exhaustion by Max Lucado

Rating: 5 star rating

I enjoyed Unbreakable Courage by Max Lucado. He uses the story of Elijah to talk about fear, anxiety, exhaustion, and what it means to keep trusting God when life feels like too much.

I liked that Lucado didn’t make Elijah seem perfect. Elijah was a strong man of faith, but he also became tired, afraid, and discouraged. King Ahab and Jezebel were against him, and Elijah often felt like he was standing alone. I think that is something a lot of us can relate to.

Lucado reminds us that we don't have to be strong all the time. God is there when we are tired, scared, or don't know what to do next. He talks about prayer, resting, listening to God, and having faith when things around us are confusing and chaotic.

This was an easy book to understand, and I liked how Lucado connected Elijah’s story to problems we face today. The main thing I took away from it is that real courage doesn't mean you never get afraid. It means trusting God even when you are afraid. I found the book encouraging and would recommend it to anyone who feels worn out or worried about what is going on in the world.

Thank you, NetGalley, Nelson Books | Thomas Nelson, and author Max Lucado, for providing me with a copy of this ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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My Kentucky Moonlight School by Kim Michele Richardson, author Chloe M. Giroux, illustrator

Rating: 5 star rating

I just finished reading My Kentucky Moonlight School by Kim Michele Richardson, and it is a sweet and moving story. It is a picture book about a little eight year old girl named Jewel who helps her grandparents learn how to read and write. Her grandmother Mamaw is studying hard for a community spelling match, and her grandfather Papaw wants to learn so he can finally read Jewel a bedtime story.

There are also other adult students from the town, like a proud coal miner and a lady named Widow Morrison, who walk through the dark mountain woods at night just to get an education at the local one room schoolhouse.

The book is also a tribute to Cora Wilson Stewart, the real historical educator who started the whole Moonlight School movement in Kentucky back in 1911 to help adults learn how to read. I loved how this book showed that it is never too late to learn. It really makes you realize how life changing it is to know how to read, whether it is a worker making sure they get fair pay or a mom writing letters to her kids.

The illustrations by Chloe M. Giroux are beautiful and really make the Kentucky mountains feel alive. This is definitely a great historical and family oriented book to read to the family, and I highly recommend getting this book.

Overall, this is just a really clean, inspiring, and beautiful tribute to family and history that anyone would enjoy reading.

Thank you, NetGalley, W. W. Norton & Company, author Kim Michele Richardson, and Chloe M. Giroux, illustrator, for providing me with a copy of this ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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Praying the Alphabet Connecting with God from A-to-Z by John Kramp

Rating:  5 star rating

Have you ever prayed and realized you were just saying the exact same things over and over? If so, you will love this book. Praying the Alphabet by John Kramp is a simple workbook to help you find the right words when you feel stuck. 

The idea is based on Psalm 119 in the Bible. Kramp takes you through the alphabet from A to Z, giving you fresh words to focus on and sample prayers so you don't have to overthink it.  By the time you finish, you will have a built in daily prayer habit. 

The book gives you a clear strategy to stop repeating yourself so you can finally feel connected when you talk to God. It is a quick and easy read that is perfect for creating your prayer life.

Thank you, NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Gift, and the author John Kramp, for the book review consideration.  All opinions are my own.

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Amigurumi Fairies 50 Patterns for Customizable Dolls and Magical Friends by Amber Beaulieu

Rating: 5 star rating

I thought "Amigurumi Fairies" by Amber Beaulieu was such a fun crochet book. Amber is a well-known amigurumi designer who has spent years creating cute crochet dolls and characters, and her experience really shows in these patterns. The book is filled with fairy dolls and magical friends that can be customized in all kinds of ways. There are seasonal fairies, celestial fairies, a unicorn, little toads, fireflies, and lots of accessories that let you create your own unique characters.

What I liked most was how easy it is to mix and match different hairstyles, wings, outfits, and colors. Even when using the same basic doll pattern, each fairy can end up looking completely different. The instructions are clear, the photos are helpful, and the patterns feel thoughtfully designed.

The projects are charming and full of personality. I could see these fairies being wonderful gifts for children, grandchildren, teachers, or anyone who enjoys handmade toys. Many of the finished dolls are also small enough to include in Christmas shoebox charity gifts, adding a personal handmade touch that a child would treasure.

If you enjoy crocheting amigurumi and love fantasy-themed projects, I think you'll have a lot of fun with this book. It offers plenty of variety and inspiration, and it left me wanting to make several of the fairies and their magical friends.

Thank you, NetGalley, Fox Chapel Publishing, and the author AmberBeaulieu for the book review consideration. All opinions are my own.

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Death at a Scottish Halloween A Scottish Isle Mystery by Lucy Connelly

Rating: 5 star rating

This book: Death at a Scottish Halloween by Lucy Connelly is a great, cozy mystery. It is the fifth book in the Scottish Isle Mystery series, and you dont have to read the earlier books to be able to read this one. 

The story starts off during Halloween week on the fictional Sea Isle. The autumn, small-town Scottish vibes are just perfect. The whole town is celebrating when the main character, Dr. Emilia McRoy, an American doctor who moved to Scotland, finds a real dead body inside a local haunted house attraction. The body was found in the room, just across the hallway from her and Abigails attraction! Because she is also the island's temporary coroner, she gets dragged right into the middle of the mess.

Emilia teams up with her awesome clinic assistant, Abigail, and the very handsome local cop, Ewan Campbell. 

It turns out the victim was someone they knew named Duncan. He was killed because someone was hunting for a hidden treasure on the island, and the killer would do anything to find it.

Emilia uses her smart medical skills and clues from the investigation to trap the killer right as the Halloween festival ends. The mystery is totally solved, the island is safe again, and there are no annoying cliffhangers.

If you like easy to read mysteries with great characters, beautiful settings, and a happy ending, definitely pick this one up!

Thank you, NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Lucy Connelly for this book review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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To Fly on Broken Wings by Fayla Ott

Rating: 5 star rating

I just finished reading To Fly on Broken Wings by Fayla Ott and it completely broke my heart.

Set in a small town called Belhaven in the Mississippi Delta right around World War II, the book follows a quiet girl named Lila. She has had a really tough time growingup, but everything changes when she meets Graham, a wealthy crop duster pilot.

Even though they come from totally different social circles, they fall in love and get married. But right after their wedding, Graham enlists to fight in the war, leaving Lila behind. Before long, Lila receives the devastating news that Graham's plane went down and he is presumed dead.

The author does an great job showing Lila's painful journey as her heart is broken, leaving her to figure out how to rebuild her life when her entire world completely falls apart.

Because this is a Christian historical fiction book, there is a focus on faith and trying to trust God through the worst and most heartbreaking choices a person could ever face. 

The author builds up the tension so well, and you will find yourself hurting for the characters as they try to navigate impossible circumstances. The ending is incredibly emotional and tears your heart out, leaving you crying for the characters because of a heart breaking choice that has to be made. 

I am seriously hoping the author writes a sequel so the other guy can get his own happy ending. If you love emotional wartime dramas or a deep romance that completely tests the heart, it is a fantastic, fast-paced read that will definitely make you cry.

Thank you, NetGalley, Heritage House Publishing, and author Fayla Ott for this ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

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Becoming Who God Says I Am With Unshakable Moxie by Lina AbuJamra

Rating:  5 star rating

Dr. Lina AbuJamra’s book, Becoming Who God Says I Am: With Unshakable Moxie, is a great guide for anyone who feels stuck or defined by past mistakes. Lina used to be a pediatric ER doctor, so she writes in a direct, honest way that gets straight to the point. Instead of giving vague advice, this six part study helps you find real confidence in Jesus.  Even though this is a Bible study it feels alive because of the real people who share their personal stories. 

The video parts are hosted by Moriah Smallbone and Toni Collier, who make everything feel safe and welcoming. Throughout the book, you learn from real women like Aarti Sequeira, Tori Hope Petersen, Diane Cohen, Kathy Troccoli, Stephanie Ike Okafor, and Roma Downey.  Each woman opens up about true struggles with rejection, bad childhoods, deep sadness, and life changes, showing you are not alone. 

The setup is easy to read by yourself or with a small group. Every chapter has short sections with Bible verses, questions, and prayers. The best part about the ebook version is the built in QR codes linking directly to thirty minute video lessons.  You just scan the code with your phone or tablet camera to instantly stream a high quality video.  

Watching the speakers chat like  friends around a table brings the chapters to life and makes you feel like you are right there in the room.   

Overall, this is an excellent, practical book that avoids cheesy phrases.  It gives you the actual tools you need to stay strong when life gets tough.  It is perfect for anyone who wants to stop letting emotions run their faith and start living with real, godly confidence.  This book is a wonderful read that will change how you see yourself and your relationship with God.

Thank you, NetGalley, Our Daily Bread Publishing, and author Lina AbuJamra, for providing me with a copy of this ebook review consideration.  All review opinions are my own.

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What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck, 2nd Edition A Kid's Guide to Overcoming OCD by Dawn Huebner, PhD

Rating:  4 star rating

This is a great book for parents who have a kid dealing with OCD. The author explains how loop thoughts get stuck in a child's head using regular words and fun examples that actually make sense to a kid.  It shows them how to stand up to their worries and stop doing the same habits over and over again. 

The author, Dawn Huebner, PhD, is a real clinical psychologist who specializes in childhood anxiety.  She is famous for making therapy ideas simple, and she has written several bestselling workbooks for kids, including "What to Do When You Worry Too Much".  She knows how to talk to children on their level without making them feel bad.  

I highly recommend reading this together with your child.  It uses real therapy ideas but keeps things  simple.  There are plenty of fun drawing pages and activities so kids do not get bored or stressed out while reading it.  It gives you a great way to talk about anxiety as a family and gives kids easy steps to feel like they are in control of their own brain again.

Thank you, NetGalley, American Psychological Association, and author Dawn Huebner, PhD, for providing me with a copy of this ebook review consideration.  All review opinions are my own.

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