As the Tide Comes In by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall

This book has it all: humor, love, sadness, and most of all, inspiration. Tara has struggled through life as a foster child and she finally finds her place in the world as she takes over as guardian for her younger brothers. When tragedy strikes, Tara's world is turned upside down and she questions God's plan. Tara finds refuge in an Island town in Georgia and in a unique group of women named the Glynn Girls. The Glynn Girls and their kind-hearted son Gavin make it their mission to help Tara find answers about her past and deal with the grief that is taking over her life.

The flow of this book was great as the story completely comes full circle by the last pages. Readers will experience an array of emotions as they peruse the pages. The comic relief of the Glynn Girls really lightens up the tragic part of this book and provides an excellent variation to the story. This is an inspiring read for those who are experiencing loss or grief in their lives. There are many helpful tidbits and attempts to answer questions for people who may be struggling to come to terms with bad things that happen in a broken world. I enjoyed this book and am thankful to have received an advance copy as a member of Cindy Woodsmall's launch team.

The Healthy Living Handbook by Laura Harris Smith

The Healthy Living Handbook was not at all what I expected. I was expecting a diet book with tips for healthy eating, but it actually contained a lot more than that. This book is divided into three sections: healthy living for the spirit, mind, and body. Each section has ten chapters with tips for better health in these particular areas. There is also a section for reflection and prayer at the end of each chapter.

I am on the fence about this book. I didn't agree with all of the information I read and I honestly felt like the author was very extreme in some situations and I received a judgmental vibe while reading some of this material. I am very conservative so when it comes to speaking in tongues and changing the way I pray, I'm not too comfortable with all that. However, I did like the overall reason the book was written which is to promote a healthier lifestyle. I also liked the sections that gave practical advice for choosing healthier foods, staying hydrated, and getting more rest. The author is obviously very driven and motivated and has a unique lifestyle.

Thank you very much to Chosen for the chance to review this book!

The Road Home by Beverly Lewis

When you pick up a book by Beverly Lewis you just know it will be good. She is such a dependable author who never disappoints. I also had the pleasure of meeting her at a book signing so I am always excited when she has a new release.

In The Road Home, Lena Rose and her nine siblings live with their parents in an Amish community in Michigan. Tragedy suddenly strikes and the children are left as orphans. Sadly, there is no way for the siblings to stay in their home without their parents to provide for them, so they have to be split up into the homes of family and friends. Lena Rose ends up over 500 miles away from her beloved family and she struggles as she grieves her parents and misses her siblings immensely. Lena Rose is a bright light and a helper to those in need so she flourishes in her new life, but that doesn't take away her desire to be reunited with her siblings.

This book is such a nice, cozy read. There are so many inspiring parts to this story and many examples of true love. I absolutely loved Lena Rose's character and the other characters are also very engaging. I would love to read more about Lena Rose and her siblings in the future. Thank you to Bethany House for the chance to review this book and thank you to Beverly Lewis for another great read! Make sure to put this on your summer reading list!