Free e-book! Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

Free today at Amazon: Made to Last by Melissa Tagg! I gave this one 4 stars- read my review here.

Review: Balanced: Finding Center as a Work-at-Home Mom by Tricia Goyer

My rating: 5 stars

Synopsis

How can a work-at-home mom raise kids, juggle a career and take care of family responsibilities with only 24-hour days? Working at home while raising kids and juggling a career and family responsibilities is no easy feat. Author and homeschooling mom Tricia Goyer shares her tips for finding balance among all your many hats as a mom. Balancing is a process and a journey, one that Tricia herself has yet to perfect. But between writing more than forty books, raising and homeschooling six kids, being a wife, and being active in her community, she has amassed valuable tips she shares in “Balanced.”

The book includes tips on:
—how to create focus themes for your family
—how to prioritize your schedule
—how to utilize your job so it also benefits your kids
—how to keep yourself out of the comparison game
—how to make working at home work for you
—and much more!

My Review

This was a book I really needed to read! I've been feeling frustrated that even though I work at home, I never seem to be able to stay on top of things. I participated in the eleven-day Balanced Challenge the author led on her blog, and it helped me implement the advice I read in her book (instead of just reading it and thinking, "hey, that's a good idea," but then forgetting to actually try it out). The perspective, advice, and spiritual guidance she shares is invaluable, and can apply to women and mothers working in most any industry from their homes that find themselves in need of becoming a little (or a lot) more balanced.

(ARC provided via Litfuse Publicity for unbiased review)

The Inspiration Behind A Beauty So Rare

Here's another fun behind the scenes look at the book I'm currently reading, A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander. I'm enjoying the story so far, and I'm about 1/3 of the way through!

Check out my earlier post to view the book trailer and read an excerpt from the novel!

Review: A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman

My rating: 3 stars (I liked it)

Synopsis from goodreads.com

What happens when the matchmaker finds a match for herself? Charlotte Rose Hill has been serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky but beloved customers for more than 10 years. But for her, marriage seems like an elusive butterfly, always out of reach. At 18, Charlotte fell in love with a young man, Sam Wilder, but his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. Now, more than a decade later, Charlotte finds that she still has feelings for her first love. Initially thrilled to learn that Sam has come home to Middlebury, Texas, Charlotte is devastated to learn that he’s brought someone with him: his fiancée. But all is not lost when the townsfolk decide to get involved. Will Charlotte and Sam find their way back to each other?

My Review

I would describe this book as pleasant. There is an ensemble of quirky townspeople, and the author occasionally switches to their points-of view to further the storytelling. At first I thought this would be a love triangle story, but once the character of Justin is introduced and makes a connection with Audrey, the fiancée, you can see who everyone is supposed to end up with. Then it was just a matter of waiting for everyone to decide to communicate. I became somewhat impatient for the characters to get on with it, and there are several sub-plots that slow things down, but eventually it all ties together and everyone gets their happy ending.

(ARC provided via Netgalley for unbiased review)