Bridge of Gold by Kimberley Woodhouse

Bridge of Gold is an exciting read that is part of the Doors to the Past series. The interesting thing about the books in this series is that there are multiple stories involved from multiple time periods. This book travels back and forth between the 1930s and the present day. However, the characters from these time periods are connected in a mysterious way. There is a reason I labeled this book as "unputdownable" on my social media page. It's well-written, well-researched, and well-received by me as a reader. Books that go back and forth between time periods and different characters' point of view can be tricky, but Kimberley Woodhouse handled it well. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a great summer read. The elements of surprise, romance, and inspiration will be appreciated by all who read it. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter

"Loving you is the best rush of all." 😍 Grab a blanket and find a cozy spot to read this sweet book! Sophie is a girl with a dream of opening her own beach book store. She has been through a lot in her life, including a break-up with daredevil Aiden. When Aiden comes back into her life unexpectedly, the sparks between them are unmistakable, and they decide to take another shot at love. This was such an enjoyable read! I am always up for a book that takes place in a bookstore because what reader doesn't love that!?! This is just a really sweet and inspirational love story that is the perfect summer read. I loved Sophie's character and how caring and selfless she was with her family. And my favorite part of the book was when Sophie realized that her mom encouraged the bookstore idea so that Sophie would have something to give her hope and joy while dealing with her mother's passing. Just beautiful ❤️ Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the chance to read and review this book!

Growing Up Social by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane

"Now is the time to equip your child to live with screen time, not for screen time." Technology can be a great tool, but it can also be an unwelcome distraction in the life of you and your family. This book teaches you how to show your children that screen time is not a necessity and it should be limited and supervised. The authors of this book give great tips for reducing screen time and increasing togetherness time. One of the methods used in this book focuses on skills known as A+ skills. These skills include affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention. Learning to improve these skills can make all the difference in your journey of parenting. The authors also talk a lot about just how much screen time can affect your children in a negative way. Parenting is a challenge and in the long run, too much screen time can make parenting even more challenging. This book also explains how parents should set the tone for positive results by being cautious of their own screen time. Parents must practice what they preach in order to gain positive results. I especially enjoyed reading the tips for parents because I have definitely been guilty of having too much screen time. I hope to use this book as a resource for my family and I know I will see improvements if I work towards using these tips in daily life. I would highly recommend this book to any parent. Thank you so much to the authors and publisher for the chance to read and review this book!

Live in Love by Lauren Akins

I loved this book! It was so interesting to read about Lauren and Thomas Rhett's life. It was refreshing to know that they may look like the perfect couple on the outside, but they still have problems just like the rest of us. Lauren was very brave to open up and be vulnerable in order to help others that may be going through similar situations. I also expected this to be mostly about Lauren and Thomas Rhett's marriage and children, but it is also about their childhood together so I really enjoyed hearing about that part of their lives as well. The pictures are also great. They really add such a personal touch to the book. I was in tears while reading this book, and I found myself being thankful for my own family and the fact that I have my own Thomas Rhett in my life. Lauren and Thomas Rhett's love story is not perfect, but it is God ordained and so very special. Thank you to Lauren for being so open in this memoir and for trusting God every step of the way. This book is headed for the top of the bestseller list!

The Anne of Green Gables Devotional by Rachel Dodge

The Anne of Green Gables Devotional is the perfect companion to the classic book by L. M. Montgomery. If you are an Anne fan, you will love this book. The author has written devotionals to go along with each chapter of Anne's story. If it's been awhile since you've read the original book, you will revisit wonderful memories. Or if it's your first time visiting Anne's world, you will be delighted and refreshed. This can be read alone as well, but for the full experience, I would recommend reading the devotional together with the classic. This is also such a beautiful book and would be a perfect gift idea. I hope to read more devotionals by this author that go along with the other books in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Moonlight School is based on the real-life story of Cora Wilson Stewart. Cora worked to promote literacy in 1900s Kentucky. Her Moonlight School was established to teach illiterate adults how to read in the evenings after their daily chores were done. The supporting characters in this book are fictional, but Cora's impact on literacy is true and evident. 

Lucy is one of those fictional characters in this book. She has traveled to work with her cousin, Cora, in the fight to improve literacy. Lucy is in for a culture shock as she has to learn the dialect and unique ways of the inhabitants of the mountains of Kentucky. Lucy has no idea what is in store for her and just how life-changing this trip will be.

Once again, Suzanne Woods Fisher has written an unforgettable read. This journey to the past is both educational and inspiring. I learned a lot about what it was like for people dealing with illiteracy. I also saw the lengths that Cora Wilson Stewart and others went to in order to make sure everyone had an education. A person is never too old to learn.

I know I say this in every review about Suzanne Woods Fisher's books, but she is one of the best and I will continue to read everything she writes. Thank you so much for the chance to read and review this wonderful book!

A Distant Shore by Karen Kingsbury

Karen Kingsbury's newest book is quite different from some of her others, but it's as compelling and powerful as ever. Karen deals with the scary subject of trafficking that is unfortunately, very relevant in our world today. Eliza is one of the main characters in this book and she is a victim of trafficking. Thanks to an undercover agent named Jack, Eliza finally has a chance at escape and a somewhat normal life. What Eliza and Jack don't know is that they have an unbelievable connection that could only be orchestrated by God.

This book is some of Karen's best work. While this subject is one that is hard to read about, Karen handles it well. This book has more suspense then some of her other novels and I really enjoyed that aspect. Karen weaves a beautiful tale that captivates and inspires. This is why her books are always at the top of my list. Thanks so much to the publisher, netgalley, and Karen Kingsbury for the chance to read and review this book!