Unfading Beauty: Becoming Woman Of Biblical Beauty Book Review

 Today we have the great pleasure of sharing with you a wonderful devotional from Kristen Newman over at Unfading Beauty Ministries.

This book is small but mighty and a powerful treasure, prepare to be inspired and uplifted as she delves into what unfading beauty is and how to live it in our crazy busy lives. It will change the way you look at yourself. Join her and be blessed as she takes you on her personal journey to find the biblical truths behind modesty, interacting with others and being the woman He created you to be. 

This book is available over at Unfading Beauty Ministries for free.

Received this book from the author for our honest review.

Soul H2O Review

Hello, friends! Today I'm sharing with you an awesome devotional, Soul H2O by Sherry Stahl. I LOVE this book! It truly has been a wonderful way to start my mornings. If you're like me you love starting your day spending time with God, but sometimes it can be hard to fit in long devotionals.



This is perfect because there small but meaty chunks to encourage you through your busy day. It also has a prayer to pray (one of my favorite parts! Why don't more devotionals do this?) and bible verses to help you to "draw from the well" by actually getting into the word of God.

I have it sitting next to my laptop so I can read it before I get online and interact the big beautiful world outside my door. Trust me you need this in your life! And no I'm not just saying that because I'm on the launch team everyone needs a little #SoulH2O!

You can pick up a copy at the following retailers:
Amazon, Barnes And Noble, Chapters.Indigo.com, & Christian Books.com

I received this book free from the publisher/author but all opinions are my own.

You can find Sherry on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin, Youtube, Instagram Indigo & her website.

When The Smoke Clears Book Review

Christian dashed down the sidewalk dodging puddles and clinging to the umbrella shielding her from the deluge. The weathered coffee shop sign creaked its greeting as she reached for the door and pulled it open. Quickly removing her rain coat and hanging it on one of the pegs by the door she made her way to the front counter. Lizzy's bright smile seemed to chase away the dampness of the day. 

"What can I get you?" 

"A cup of tea and a blueberry muffin would be great," she said as she picked up a book lying on a cart. "Have you read this one?" She asked as Lizzy turned around with her teacup. 

"Of course! It's wonderful!" 

"That's what you always say," She smiled over her shoulder as she placed a blueberry muffin on an old china plate. It was one of the many things Christian loved about this place. The smell of books mingled with fresh baked delights and tantalizing coffee. She slid the book under one arm before collecting her tea cup and plate and settling into a cozy oversized chair to one side of the empty fireplace. 

"Mind if I join you?" Lizzy asked dropping into the opposite chair and opening a book that was half finished. 

"Not at all," Christian smiled back. 

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When 'The Smoke Clears' is an amazing about a North Cascades Smokejumper, Alexa Allen and was written by the author Lynette Eason. It is truly a wonderful read! This is the first book in her Deadly Reunions Series.  I have been reading Ms. Eason's work for awhile now and have loved them all and this one is not a letdown!
Trust me, you will lose sleep over this one, this book is loaded with suspense and peril. The characters are believable, the action realistic, and the plot is terrific!   Hold on to your seat and get ready for a wild ride.

Methuselah Project Review

It was a hot afternoon as he strolled leisurely up the sidewalk. The trees whispered overhead in the cool breeze that made the day pleasant. The sign over the shop creaked its welcome as he pulled open the door and stepped inside.

“Hello! What can I get you?” Liz smiled from behind the counter.

“Lemonade and…” he studies the display case of goodies. “A cranberry orange muffin,”

“Coming right up!” She quickly began putting together his order.  He turned and studied the shelves of books that lined one side of the shop.

“Anything you recommend?” He asked hitching a thumb over his shoulder at the books, she glanced back at him and her eyes sparkled. She sat a plate in front of him with his muffin on it and stared at him for a moment as if to appraise him.

“Isle three,” she wriggled her fingers as if mentally counting. “Shelf 3, book number 12. I think you’ll like it,” He followed her directions and after a moment pulled the book from the shelf Methuselah Project. He smiled, how had she known? He took his order and found a comfy chair in the corner and opened the book.

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Methuselah Project, by author Rick Barry is one of my all-time favorite books! I couldn't put it down, finished it in two days. If you like WWII Historical fiction and Captain America, look no further. Strap into your seat in the cockpit and prepare for a wild ride!

Barry does an amazing job with this great tale.  The characters are realistic and believable and Barry weaves the character's faith into the story in such a natural way that does not seem false of forced. It left me longing for more. It was one of those reads that people have to snatch it from your hands and hide it from you so that you can carry on with life! Yeah, go ahead and try it! I dare ya!


rickcbarry.com

Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop - Friends and Enemies

It was an abnormally chilly day for may, but the sunshine was bright and the flowers graced the pots and flowerbeds in front of the shops. She smiled as a blue bird swooped overhead, the weathered sign creaked out its welcome.

She opened the door and stepped into the shop and closed the door behind her.

"Ahh, just in time! Just pulled out a fresh batch of double chocolate chip cookies," Elizabeth smiled as she came through the door to the kitchen.

"Just want I wanted!" She said as she plated a large cookie.

"Coffee or tea?"

"Tea," she called from browsing the books lining the shelves. A title called her name and she pulled it off the shelf- "Friends And Enemies"

"It's a good one!" Elizabeth called over as she poured a steaming hot cup of tea. "Where do you want to be?"

"You say that about everyone," she smiles as she motions to a large chair by the window.

"Its true," Elizabeth called over her shoulder as she deposited the goodies on a small table.

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Really enjoyed Friends and Enemies by Terri Wangard. I have never read a book from the perspective of someone living in Nazi Germany during the war. The characters were believable, as you read the story you find yourself feeling trapped with them, holding your breath as they are almost found out or cheering when they make it through another day trusting Him to protect them as they follow His will for their lives. 

Received this book free for my honest review. This post contains an affiliate link.

Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop - Warzone: Alex Holst files

A soft breeze rustles through the leaves, beautiful flowers line the beds outside the shop. Spring had arrived in full force. Birds sang overhead, as people meandered by in the Saturday morning sunshine, stopping to look at window displays along the way. Patrons of a small bakery and bookstore sat at small tables, with mouth watering goodies. The good old weathered sign declaring the establishment Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop a second smaller sign added and bookstore. She smiled, as she caught the scent of something baking as a man exited the door. He held it for and she thanked him as she stepped through.

"Good morning Anna! What will it be today- Elderberry muffins or Cobblestones?" Anna groaned slightly.

"Do I have to pick?" Lizzy laughed as the bell rang behind me announcing another visitor.

"You decide while I get this lady. Hello, welcome to Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop and Book Store! What can I get you?" While she packaged the woman's order Anna weighed her options. Cobblestone, elderberry muffin. Elderberry muffin, cobblestone.

"Alright have you made your mind up,"

"Yes, I'll take an Elderberry muffin- no cobblestone." Lizzy chuckled

"Are you sure?"

"Yes... I think," This brought more laughter from Lizzy.

"Do you want something to drink?"

"Coffee please,"

"Coming right up!" She passed Anna the saucer with the cobblestone on top and began pouring a steaming cup of coffee. Anna began to study the shelves of books the occupied one side of the room.

"Looking for anything in particular?" Lizzy asked as she passed her the cup of joe.

"Any suggestions on a good mystery?" Her eyes danced.

"Classic or new?"

"Mmm... In between," Lizzy stepped out from behind the counter and led her to one of the isles.

"How about this one?" She asked pulling a book from the shelf. "I just finished it- couldn't put it down,"

"Warzone: Alex Holst Files #1. This will be perfect!" Anna led the way to an out of the way table and deposited her treasures on it.

"I'll leave you to it, let me know if you need anything with that she went back to the counter. Anna sipped her coffee and opened the first page of a new adventure...
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Today's book is a terrific read by Amryn Cross. I finished this book in just under 12 hours... enough said right? I couldn't put it down! It's a modern retelling of Sherlock Holmes. It is such a great read. If you love mysteries you will love this book! I can't wait for the next one to come out!

Not your style? Already read this one? Check out God's and Kings!

20 Books Every Teen Girl Should Read

 

Passion & Purity by Elliot
One Girl Can Change The World by Mitchell & Goad
Made To Make A Difference by Lucado
It's Not About Me Teen Addition by Lucado
Courageous Teens by Catt & Parker
Case For Creation by Strobel
Case For A Creator by Strobel
Case For Faith by Strobel
Walking His Trail by Saint
Jesus Freaks by DC Talk & Voice Of The Martyrs
Not A Fan by Idleman
God's At War by Idleman
Christ Commission by Mandino
Cost Of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer
God Smuggler by Brother Andrew
Kisses From Katie by Davis
Sister Freaks by James
Beautiful Battle by DeMuth
Re-Creatable by Scott
100 Ways To Reach Your Community by Sjogren

Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop - The Healers Apprentice

Sunshine made the snow covered sidewalk glow in the late afternoon light. She pulled her thick coat tighter. It was cold, but it was still a beautiful day.

"Good morning Lizzy" She called as she stepped through the door and began unwrapping her scarf and removing her coat to hang on the rack by the door. Lizzy poked her head out of the back room and smiled.

"Good morning! A Beautiful day isn't it? What can I get you?" Lizzy ordered. She ordered a chocolate chip cookie and a peppermint tea before scanning the rows of books for the perfect treasure- ahh there! "The Healers Apprentice" snuggling down into a chair by the fire she opened the book and flipped to the first page as she nibbled off the end of her cookie. Outside snow began to fall again...

The Healer's Apprentice written by Melanie Dickerson. This beautiful telling of a Christian fairy-tale loosely based on Sleeping Beauty is one that kept me enthralled until the last page. I love a good fairy-tale and this one was no exception. Of the books I've read by this author this is my favorite (but I could be just a tad prejudiced because I LOVE Sleeping Beauty). I love how believable the characters are. 

Open the cover and dive head first into Rose's world. The daughter of a Woodcutter turned the apprentice of the town's healer and make new friends along the way. But beware not everyone is who they seem to be... 

Click picture to visit Amazon

Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop - Gods And Kings

Snow flurries gently floated toward the ground where they turned the pavement white. The door opened and she couldn't help but smile as she stepped through into the small coffee shop.  Lizzy smiled "ahh your back. What can I get you?" She ordered, peppermint tea and a scone. Then turned and studied the shelves of books... A white spine with gold lettering on the forth shelf three from the end caught her eye. She pulled it from the shelf, settled into the chair by the fire and cracked it open to the first page...

Today's book is God's and Kings. An amazing book by Lynn Austin. It is book one in her Chronicles Of The Kings series. It follows the life of King Hezekiah (or Hezzy as we have nick named him... Hey its cute!) The story starts with Hezekiah as a young child being dragged from his bed and jerked into the world of adults as he witnesses his father sacrificing his older brother to "Moloch" [Molock] the "god of fire". It continues as her learns the love from his grandfather of the One True God, and fights for his life. I don't want to give away the story so I'll stop there. If you enjoy a great biblical story, this is definitely a series to read!

Click on the picture to buy it on Amazon. 

Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop - Pride and Prejudice

Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop... The words hung above the door on an weathered wooden sign. It creaks slightly on its hinges as the cold winter wind push it back and forth. The wind nipped at her face, turning her cheeks a light pink color and tugging at her thick brown sweater. A small pile of snow rested beneath the large window. Pressing her hands like a small child against the panes she looked inside the small brick building. A fire flickered in the large fire place, in front two large chairs called to her. Shelves of books lined the brick walls. A customer stepped out of the door thanking Lizzy for the Coffee, the smell of fresh brewed coffee and sweets floated out on to the cold sidewalk. Something about this shop called her name, like an old friend. Her hand reaches for the door-knob and closes around it stepping into the small brick shop on a cold puff of wind. "Hello, what can I get you?" A smiling young Lady asked from behind the counter. The name tag on her apron read "Lizzy". She stepped up to the polished wood counter and order a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll. "Help yourself to an adventure" Lizzy said as she handed her a plate with one the big cinnamon rolls on it.  Then settled back into one of the big chairs by the fire. Slipping her feet out of her shoes and curled her stocking clad toes beneath her, and began to nibble at the cinnamon roll.

A book on the shelf caught her eye... Carefully she sat the plate on the small table beside her and went to retrieve the book. Pride and Prejudice. She sat back down as Lizzy delivered her cup of steaming hot coffee to the table beside her cinnamon roll. "Ahh one of my favorite..." she nodded to the book "Enjoy." Lizzy called over her shoulder. The book's cover looked ancient... the pages beginning to yellow with age. The coffee shop seemed to fade as she flipped to the first page...

Pride and Prejudice, one of my all time favorite books (and movies for that matter). A classic story of family... It follows the world of Elizabeth Bennet and her four sisters Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia as a wealthy young gentlemen named Charles Bingley rents a manor house near their village. Mrs. Bennet's greatest wish is for her daughters to marry well, and much to her delight Jane catches the eye of Mr. Bingley at a local dance. Life takes a dramatic twist as Elizabeth finds herself falling in love with Mr. Bingley's friend Mr. Darcy a man she can't seem to help arguing with... This is definitely a book worth reading!  It will keep you enthralled in this romantic story until the last page... and maybe for a long time after. So order a cup of something hot and maybe something sweet and snuggle into a comfy chair in front of Mrs. Darcy's fire place and enjoy an adventure.

Click on the picture to visit this book on Amazon