Are you looking for some new books to read? Here are the latest ones I’ve been reading!

Books, Books, and More Books!

The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

This novel was my first introduction to Lindsay Harrel, and I will definitely be reading more of her books in the future. I felt like this book spoke right into my soul. The book itself is the fictional story of two sisters. One sister grew up with a heart condition that nearly took her life. When she finally received a heart transplant, she didn’t know how to live without fear. Her sister, likewise, watched all this from a distance, wondering every day when she might lose her beloved sister.

After meeting her donor’s family and reading the bucket list that the donor was never able to complete, the sisters set out on a trip to check everything off the list. In the process, they learn a lot about each other, about fear, and about what it means to live life with joy.

Like I said, this book spoke to my heart in so many ways. If you’ve ever struggled with fear or with control, this Christian fiction book is a must-read. I highly, highly recommend it.

Raising World Changers in a Changing World by Kristen Welch

This book has challenged me in so many ways. Kristen Welch takes her readers on a journey through a life-changing decision her family made a few years back. You see, her family learned (and is still learning) how to daily sacrifice their own desires and how to give generously to others through their involvement in a ministry called Mercy House.

Kristen said at the beginning of the book, “We have a choice: we can let the world change us, or we can change the world.” 

This book will help transform your thinking so that you can be one of those families who changes the world!

One thing that’s really cool about this book is that there are special features at the end of each chapter: conversation starter questions for parents to discuss with their kids as well as practical suggestions of how to put the chapter’s principles into practice.

If you’re a parent wanting to raise world changers, this book is a great place to start!

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert: Finished a few months ago (still blown away by this book!)

I read this book a few months ago, and I can’t stop thinking about its message. You can read my thoughts on it here.  Or better yet, just pick up a copy. I have never been disappointed with a Katie Ganshert book.

Growing Kids with Character by Hettie Brittz

I’ve always been interested in different personality tests. My husband and I went through a Motive Matters Personality training a few years back and it helped us understand each other so much better. For that reason, when I saw what this book was about, I wanted to read it. It’s all about different personality types and how these personality types affect the way our kids function. In her book, Hettie uses trees as the personality types. For instance, a “boxwood” child is organized, competitive, and structured, whereas a “palm tree” child is funny, silly, and loves to be the life of the party. There are also chapters that talk about “hybrid” trees, i.e. those children that are a combination and don’t fit into a clear type easily.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, and it helped me understand both of my children better. My one complaint is that with the book purchase, readers are only given access to one free child personality test. The tests are online, and readers get a code to do one free test with their book purchase. Unfortunately, if you have more than one child, you have to purchase the results for your other child or children. You can take a parent test online and it’s free as well; however, if you want to get the full report, you have to pay for that too. I can certainly understand charging for these items. But, I feel that if someone purchases the book, they should be given full access to the items online that help them get the most use out of the book.

That being said, the book overall was helpful. It was very practical and has helped me parent my children better because I parent more from a place of understanding.

Things I Never Told You By Beth Vogt

Things I Never Told You by Beth Vogt is the story of 4 sisters: Payton, Pepper, Jillian, and Johanna. 10 years after Pepper was tragically killed in an accident, the sisters still haven’t figured out how to live successfully as a family without her. Pepper’s twin sister, Payton, keeps everyone at a distance and does just fine-as long as no one gets too close. Unfortunately, when Jillian announces her engagement, Payton is forced to spend more time with her family. Then, a cancer diagnosis threatens to take the life of yet another sister. The brokenness from Pepper’s death resurfaces, and the sisters have to decide if they will finally work through the pain together or allow the wedge between them to grow bigger.

This book was different than any of the other Vogt books I have read, but it was beautiful nonetheless. Vogt did a good job helping the reader understand each of the sisters. I think this book would be especially powerful for a group of sisters to read together…or for someone who has sisters. (I only have brothers). Things I Never Told You is a story of healing, forgiveness, grief, and love that can withstand even the worst of tragedies.

Together Forever by Jody Hedlund

Jody, like Beth and Katie, is one of my favorite Christian fiction authors. And this book did not disappoint. Together Forever is the second book in a series but you can read it as a stand alone too. (That’s one thing I love about many of Jody Hedlund’s books. You can read them alone or as part of a series.)

Together Forever is the story of a young woman named Marianne Neumann, who has taken a job as an agent for the Children’s Aid Society, trying to find homes for orphans. She, along with fellow agent Andrew Brady, rides on the orphan train to various railroad towns searching for suitable homes for the children. Taking care of the children is hard enough for Marianne. But when the body of a missing orphan is found and Brady is charged with the child’s murder, Marianne is caught between her growing love for Brady and for the children and her loyalty to her family and friends.

Together Forever is a wonderful book. I couldn’t put it down! Not only did it entertain me, but it also opened my eyes to what life was like in the 1800’s in America. After reading book 1 in this series, I was especially excited to learn more about Marianne, the sister I was first introduced to in the previous book. If you’re looking for a story that will grip you from the beginning, pick up a Jody Hedlund book. You won’t be disappointed!

Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter

Honeysuckle Dreams is another Denise Hunter book that DOES NOT disappoint! It’s the second book in a series (the blue ridge romance series, following book 1 called Blue Ridge Sunrise). This book follows the life of Brady Collins, a man who finds out after his ex-wife is killed that his nine-month-old son isn’t actually his. Regardless of what a paternity test shows, though, Brady loves his son and will do anything to keep custody of him….even if it means he has to get married to make the judge look favorably upon him.

Hope is Brady’s best friend. She has sworn off love because of what happened to her the last time she loved someone. But, that doesn’t mean she can’t help her friend, Brady. They don’t have to love each other to be married anyway, right? As conflicts arise, fears surface, and plans unravel, will the two realize they really do love each other? Or will their hoax marriage end in tragedy?

I LOVED this book, just as I have loved other Hunter books. You don’t have to read the 1st book in the series to understand this book, but I loved seeing the characters again. It added an extra special touch to this book that I already knew some of the characters. If you’re looking for a clean romance, this is a great one to pick up!

* I received a free copy of several of these books but I was not required to write reviews or recommendations.