january - february 2018

note from me:

hello & happy 2018, dear reading friend!!!

where has all the time gone?!? i started writing before midnight but by the time i'm ready to post this blog, it will officially be march 1! i started subbing regularly at my son's school since the beginning of the school year and boy, has my life ever changed! some of the children have definitely stolen my heart while others have stolen... my sanity! life will never be the same again!!! i will say that trying to keep up with regular life stuff has been more challenging but thank God for his faithfulness and mercies---they are new every morning (lamentations 3:22-23).

how are things with you? i can't wait for you to check out my five star reviews today and i hope you will find some things to read that really resonate with you!!! as always, thank you for sharing this resource with the women in your life!!! let me know how i can pray for you, okay? you can always email me with your prayer requests or comments at thereadingmom@gmail.com.

as you go about your day, remember that God created you for a purpose. you are loved and you are enough.

blessings & happy reading!!!

susan, your reading mom
jer. 29:11




fiction:

inspirational regency romance author carolyn miller has done it again. you'll love her latest, the dishonorable miss delancey: a legacy of grace, book 3 in her regency brides series where the story begins on a dark and stormy night! it's 1815 and captain benjamin richmond kemsley is intrigued by the mystery lady he encountered at the edge of the clifftop. he's recovering from a heroic act while at sea and his lovely family is protective of him during his stay. meanwhile, the honorable miss clara delancey is trying to redeem herself from the scandal that caused her to flee london. her mother desperately wants her to marry for money and endlessly searches for opportunities to showcase her talent. clara never expected to fall for a man after enduring the scandal in london but her father rejects him on account of his lack of title and funds. so very jane austen, right?!? to find out more about carolyn miller's next regency romance, visit her at carolynmillerauthor.com and her love for regency romance!

reading the passion story through the eyes of marcus longinus, the centurion posted in jerusalem to keep order during the passover is both enthralling and riveting. this day to day account of the days leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection is worth reading aloud with your family. in the soldier who killed a king: a true retelling of the passion, author david kitz takes us on a journey to the most life-changing day in history. experience the story of passion week through fresh eyes and a new perspective with your family. kitz is a Bible dramatist and outreach minister. you can learn more about his ministry at http://www.davidkitz.ca.

last march/april, i reviewed a trail of crumbs and today, i'm happy to share the latest one in the pearl spence novels, a song of home: a novel of the swing era by susie finkbeiner! as you may remember, so much has happened in pearl's life. she's still surviving the loss of her dear sister beanie, meemaw, her home and the loss of her mother when she left the family. pearl's life is finally settling down and another year has passed. she's gotten into a routine of her "new" normal when her world is turned upside down again. i love the way finkbeiner takes you inside the head of pearl as she grows up and processes the world around her in her own way! if you haven't read the first two pearl spence novels, i highly recommend that you do! while you're online, be sure to check out susie's blog at susiefinkbeiner.com.

it was a series of events that caused ruby handley freeman to make the decision to finally pursue forgiveness and face a secret she's kept hidden for over seventy years. in under a cloudless sky by chris fabry, you'll find a charming southern story set in the thriving mining town of beulah mountain, west virginia. total opposites and best friends ruby handley freeman and beatrice "bean" dingess met in 1933 and did everything together. well almost everything. they were like sisters and loved each other fiercely but the events of what became known as the "beulah mountain massacre" really took the love they had for each other to the highest level possible. look for this unforgettable story in a bookstore near you!!! i'm a huge fan of chris so if you want to know more about him, check out chrisfabry.com.

the bodies of young girls are found and it's up to special agent garrett addison and special agent jordan lambert to figure out the clues that are left behind. it's like a game of chess and the team must determine every strategic move of the notorious angel abductor. in this fast-paced thriller, vanishing point by lisa harris will have you on the edge of your seat. this one reads like an episode in tv shows like criminal minds or ncis only better because there's always hope and faith involved with the lead characters... and possibly a little romance along with a cliff hanger ending! to find out more about lisa harris, go to lisaharriswrites.com.

samantha winters never expected to see nick chastain again. he was a risk taker and she lived her life avoiding risks. but opposites attract, right?!? the last time they were together, they both exchanged heated words which resulted in the end of their relationship. since then, samantha has wanted to make amends but nick never responded to her emails or call. nick has regrets, too, and he's carrying a life-changing secret that is hard for him to talk about. in you're going to love me by robin lee hatcher, you'll find a beautiful story of reconciliation and second chances.  i've been a huge robin lee hatcher fan and have always enjoyed our interviews! i know you'll enjoy learning more about her and her books at robinleehatcher.com so visit her website!

non-fiction:

devotions for the hungry heart: chasing Jesus six days from sunday by shellie rushing tomlinson (the "belle of all things southern") is a beautiful book that's full of bite sized devotionals and Scripture along with warm-hearted stories, pictures and yummy recipes!!! oh my stars, you're going to love this devotional!!! tomlinson shares stories with warm-hearted humor and reading her writing is like having a conversation with her. check out her website at belleofallthingssouthern.com.

messiah in the passover is a passover reference book edited by darrell l. bock and mitch glaser (president of chosen people ministries). this book is for anyone interested in the jewish roots of the christian faith. you'll find jewish and church history, passover references from the torah to the Lord's supper. i really like chapter 13 "the gospel in the passover seder" where the significance of the passover ceremony is carefully explained in detail.  you can learn how to celebrate the passover in your home (chap 16) and even find recipes for passover foods (chap 19)! the last thing i love about this resource is that it will help equip you if you're trying to share Jesus with your jewish friends.  you can find additional resources and instructional videos at messiahinthepassover.com.

the read-aloud family: making meaningful and lasting connections with your kids by sarah mackenzie is a resource that is going to be your best friend in this age of technology where moms and dads are losing their children to smart phones, ipads, tablets and more! mackenzie shares her story and shares expert advise from top shelf educators about the importance of growing creative thinkers and problem solvers and more. Some more benefits of reading include nurturing empathy and compassion, the ability to make connections, increasing vocabulary and more through reading together, etc. stories expand our horizon and as a lover of words, i can vouch that sharing my love for reading has touched both of my children immensely! if you're worried you don't have time to read an entire book yourself, then check this resource out for age appropriate reading lists for your children (from "infancy through adolescence" by mackenzie). encourage the family to lay off their devices and read aloud while doing laundry, drawing or something else! it's worth it!!! check out mackenzie's blog at readaloudrevival.com/blog/.

family-friendly:

the perfect gift book for your little one is here!!! with love from me to you is written by award-winning author and one of america's "top parenting pros" mary manz simon. this adorable board book with rhyming text and sweet age appropriate illustrations (i love all the animals!!!) teaches children about showing love and kindness by their actions and not just with their words. i love the message that love is more than flowers and candy---a message all grownups can be reminded about, too! dr. mary manz simon weaves the message of God's love inside us lets us love others when we show kindness, extend forgiveness and more. this message isn't just for our little ones so feel free to gift this book to any friend big or small!!! to learn more about award-winning author mary, manz simon and her other resources, visit her at marymanzsimon.com.