The Path of a Peacemaker by P. Brian Noble

This is a great read for anyone who struggles to keep the peace when conflicts and disagreements arise. I think everyone can find helpful advice in this book. The Bible tells us to try our best to be at peace with everyone and it is often a challenge to do that when things don't go our way. 

The author of this book uses his real life stories and Biblical wisdom to provide an excellent guidebook for seeking peace throughout everyday life and relationships. I felt inspired by reading this and I learned a lot of healthy ways to resolve conflicts. I feel like this is a book I should definitely come back to and read again and again as a refresher course on peacemaking. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the chance to read and review this book!

Best Reads of 2020!

2020 is finally coming to a close! It has been a year that I will never forget. I feel a sense of loss when reminiscing about this year, but I also feel a sense of gratitude. I learned to adapt to the many changes that took place this year and for that I am thankful. I am also thankful that God's timing is perfect and his blessings are all around me. I thank him for the true treasures in my life...my family. I am grateful that we are healthy and together and while we missed out on a lot of things this year, we also gained unforgettable precious memories.

2020 also gave us extra time to slow down and READ! And I read a lot of books this year...83 to be exact! So what better way to end the year than with a countdown of my favorite books! I hope you see some of your own favorites on my list and feel free to share some other favorites in the comments!(Not all books were published in 2020)

 Here we go with book #10...

10. Live in Love by Lauren Akins

Who doesn't love Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins' love story!? This is a beautiful book about their lives together and the miraculous story of how they were blessed with three precious daughters.

9. Love You, Truly by Susan L. Tuttle

I stumbled upon this book when it was offered as a free e-book on Amazon and I'm so glad I did! It was such a refreshing surprise from a new-to-me author and it has stuck with me all year as one of my favorite reads of 2020.

8. On a Coastal Breeze by Suzanne Woods Fisher

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of all of Suzanne Woods Fisher's work. It amazes me that she can write books in many different time periods and she excels at all of them. This book is a part of the modern day Three Sisters Island series and it definitely does not disappoint.

7. Praying Women by Sheila Walsh

I absolutely loved this book! It is such a refreshing and inspirational book about prayer and one that you can read over and over again. Definitely a favorite for 2020!

6. Someone Like You by Karen Kingsbury

A favorites list is not complete without Karen Kingsbury! There's a reason why her books are called "life-changing fiction." Her books absolutely change lives.

5. Truly, Madly, Deeply by Karen Kingsbury

One more from my favorite author! This is Karen's newest release and one that is so relevant to our world today.

4. Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette

Connilyn Cossette is another one of my favorite authors. She has a special talent for really capturing the attention of her readers within the first few pages. This is an epic conclusion to her Cities of Refuge series.

3. It's Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst

This book stayed at the top of my favorites list for a good portion of 2020! It's such a good read to help with life's struggles and disappointments. 

2. A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham

If I could use one word to describe this book it would be this: special. This was the first book I have read by Rachel Fordham but it will not be my last. She has an extraordinary talent for telling a story that touches the heart.

And now it's time for the top honor!!! Drum roll please! My favorite read of 2020 is...

1. The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren

I can't even accurately describe how much I love Susan May Warren's books. The characters, the settings, the suspense, the romance...she always gives me all the feels! I also love that her books are full of inspiration and she shares God's Word in a way that everyone can relate to. (Fun Fact: Susan also received my top read honor last year for her amazing book, The Way of the Brave)

Thanks so much to all of these authors and their publishers for providing readers with clean, inspirational books to read and changing so many lives in the process! I was taught to love reading at a young age by my mother and I am so thankful. I am passing on this love to my children and I'm grateful that they love to read as much as I do! I hope you saw some of your favorites on this top 10 list! Let me know some of your other favorites in the comments! 

I hope everyone has a very blessed 2021 and as always, HAPPY READING!

A Rebel Heart by Beth White

A Rebel Heart by Beth White is the first book in the Daughtry House series. This book is instantly gripping as it opens in the war-torn times of the 1860s. The young Daughtry sisters have lost almost everything due to horrible violence and they must bond together like never before and try to pick up the pieces. When Selah Daughtry's path crosses with the one of handsome Levi Riggins, she is unprepared for what blessings he will bring to her life. However, she must first learn to trust him, especially when she finds out that they have a shocking connection that she never could have expected.

This is a great start to the Daughtry House series. I really loved the Daughtry sisters' characters and thought they were really interesting to read about. Levi and Selah's relationship was also very promising and refreshing. I think this will be a great series to follow and I look forward to reading more books by this author. Thank you so much to Revell for the chance to read and review this book!

All the Colors of Christmas by Matthew Paul Turner

Find your Christmas spirit in this delightful new holiday rhyme from Matthew Paul Turner! 

If you could pick one color for Christmas, which one would it be? Would it be red or green or maybe blue? It's all of these and more! Christmas can be found in all the beautiful colors of the season. 

Turner once again showcases his writing talent in a unique way as he brings out all the Christmas feels. This colorful children's book is very appealing to the senses and very inviting to young readers,as well as adults. In all of his other books, Turner has a way of making children feel special and this book is no exception. Little hands will be reaching for this book throughout this holiday season and all of the Christmases to come.

Well, Girl by Jami Amerine

Jami Amerine has written this book to let women know that they are loved by God just the way they are. She calls this book a wellness book but it's not a typical "get healthy" read. She shares her struggles and how it always comes back to the fact that God loves her no matter what. Jami is very candid with her writing and you can tell that she is a very spirited and open person. I did feel like the book was not very structured and I had a hard time following it at times. Jami's writing is very personal and reads like a journal entry so her thoughts sometimes seemed scattered. While I couldn't fully relate to the style of this book, I'm sure other readers will enjoy it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Talking with Your Kids About Jesus by Natasha Crain

As children grow into adults, they often start to question the beliefs that they have been taught throughout their lives. They may go to their parents with their uncertainties and parents should be prepared to help them and guide them. This book is an excellent tool when situations like that arise. It contains 30 different conversations that offer explanations for difficult and sometimes controversial parts of the Bible. I learned a lot from this book and can see myself pulling it from the shelf often as I guide my children into adulthood. It is also a great resource for conversations with non-believers and skeptics. Each chapter also contains a conversation guide that is flexible for children and young adults of all ages. This book would be a great addition to any household with children or even church youth ministry groups. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the chance to read and review this book!

Isaiah's Daughter by Mesu Andrews

This Biblical fiction book by Mesu Andrews tells the story of Hezekiah's journey to becoming king through the eyes of his wife, Hephzibah. Hephzibah and Hezekiah's childhood friendship grew into love, but their relationship did not come without dangerous life-altering challenges. Hezekiah fights to be a good king and place God first where he belongs in his life and the lives of his subjects.

This book started off really good, but I started to lose interest about halfway through. It just seemed to be more about stating facts and details at times without actually diving into the story. While it is Biblically based, a lot of the supporting details are taken from the author's imagination so it is a bit confusing and hard to separate fact from fiction at times. Also, the characters were not very relatable to me and I just couldn't completely get lost in the story. Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the chance to read and review this book.