paperbacks_n_frybread's reviews
392 reviews

If I could be completely honest, the fact that this book had anything to do with Scotland was one of the biggest selling points for me. And no. I've never seen nor read Outlander. I just simply have a love affair with all things Scottish (or Irish for that matter). It's on the top of my "to-visit- places.
This book isn't the easiest of reads, but its one that you'll be thankful you stuck it out for. You can tell right from the start that Michael Phillips really knows what he's writing about. The reader isn't thrown into an unknown world, but instead, is eased into it with rich writing and deep character building.

Full Review: Mama Bear Reads

After tearing up during this first paragraph, I knew this would be an amazing read-no doubts about that.

I'll be honest, I really wish this book would have been written a year ago.

Seriously.

Hope is something I continually struggle with, but last year (i.e. the year we experienced everything going upside down) I could have used Nika's story to cling to. It's a must-read for anyone going through hardship. Her story is one that'll prove how powerful hope truly is.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

Agatha Christie fans, come gather 'round. I have a story to share that I'm sure you'll drool over.

Let's take a trip back in time to a place where the wealthy have week-long costume parties, give up anything and everything that does not fit in with the party's chose era, schmooze each other endlessly, while also covering up a drug smuggling scheme, and of course murdering those who find out about said scheme.

This is just an average day in the life of Drew and Madeline Farthering. Newlyweds that were looking for just a fun time together with friends, end up getting much more than they bargained for.

In "Dressed for Death", you get all the elegance of a Jane Austen novel, with a dash of Murder She Wrote. This wasn't my favorite book of all time, but it definitely has its appeal.

The beginning was a bit slow, (I'm pretty sure it took 100 pages before someone actually died) and that bothered me quite a bit. For a "murder/mystery", I kinda expected for some action to happen a little earlier. Once it did, the pace was pretty good, but I'll be honest-most of the happenings were pretty predictable.

Then again, isn't that the beauty of these kinds of novels?

Not sure, but I do know that Mr. Drew Farthering has a pretty decent fan club. Julianna Deering has written a few previous books about him like, "Rules of Murder" and "Death by the Book". So maybe, I just don't have the emotional connection to him because I started in the middle of his story?

Nonetheless, I'll have to pass on reading the other books. I am finding that this isn't my favorite time period to read about, but that is not to say this isn't a good book for someone else.

I will also add, that these books do have a inspirational/faith element that is done extremely well. It's not all in your face-but seems very intentional and thought out. I did enjoy that aspect.

I give this 3 out of 5 stars.

*I received this book in exchange for my review*

5 stars!

First off-that cover is completely swoon-worthy. It's one of my favorites from this year! The colors, font, lanters-there isn't a single component I don't like! Well done!

The story has real value and it's so easy to connect and invest in the characters. The romance isn't cheesy and develops well.

If you're wanting a book that'll leave you better off than when you started-this is your pick!

*Full Review on Mama Bear Reads

Are you ready to begin living toward true personal wellness and world sustainability?

Health and wellness are my passions along with reading and writing. Mash all those things together and you have what makes me tick. That's why I am SO FLIPPIN' EXCITED to bring you K.Chayne's book,
"Thrive: An Environmentally Conscious Lifestyle Guide to Better Healthy and True Wealth".

This book is the book I wish I would have written! It touches on all of the topics that I get pumped about.

-Body Pollution
-Shop Mindfully
-Holistic Approach to Fitness
-Detoxing Your Home
-Sustainable Fashion
-Honoring Farmers


This is literally a guide to being a crunchy hippie and I LOVE IT!

Chayne has done some serious research and has cited every single bit of it. She has bullet-points, tables, and pictures! This is an extremely well-done resource for anyone trying to be more conscious of their everyday decisions, especially when it comes to their health. "Thrive", is one of my favorite books I've read this year!

Oh, and let's talk about the cover! *insert googly-eyed emoji here*
It's hands down my favorite for 2016, as it's just as gorgeous as K.Chayne herself! It will be facing out on my new bookshelf, no doubt about that.

I'll be giving this book as gifts to everyone I know! So many believe that living a green life is time consuming, difficult, or expensive. Well, K.Chayne shows how we can't afford not to live this way. She writes with conviction while showing you the proof.

It's time for all of us to make a change.

5 out of 5 stars for me!
(Although I'd give it 10 if I could!)

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

From her typical oh-so-gorgeous covers to the impeccable writing that is pure swoon worthy, this book does NOT disappoint!

This gave me the goosebumps and the butterflies like watching "Ever After" for the first time!

I've gotta get some of her other works!

Full review on Mama Bear Reads

When a loved one is diagnosed with such a complicated disease, it can be especially hard on the little ones who have no way of grasping what is going on. This is certainly so when it comes to the symptoms of diseases like Alzheimer's and Dementia.
In Kathryn Harrison's book, "Weeds in Nana's Garden" , she does an amazing job of illustrating the the effects of Alzheimer's on a loved one, in a way that anyone can truly understand.

Through vivid and colorful illustrations (seriously, there is NO white space in this book. It's absolutely breathtaking.), she tells the story of a granddaughter realizing that beloved Nana is going through some serious changes.

"Weeds in Nana's Garden" is a real story of hope in the midst of a heartbreaking trial.

I pray that you will never need such a resource, but if you're ever stuck trying to show or explain to your children why grandma doesn't recognize them, or why grandpa seems more forgetful than usual-this is a beautiful tool to use.

Full Review @Mama Bear Reads

The Seed is quite the interesting book. It's a fantastical read unlike anything I've read in the Christian genre. The first few pages make you think you're reading something along the lines of The Hunger Games, then it feels a little like The Maze Runner, then...well then it evolved into something else completely. If I HAD to compare it to something, it reminds of the fairy-tale-like story of the movie, Lady in the Water (which I love).

I thoroughly enjoyed this, and I can see myself reading this again and even reading it to my children once they get a bit older. It has a beautiful message, well flushed out characters, and the world building is complex (sometimes a little too complex, but still well done).

*I received this in exchange for my honest review*

I have one little girl, and each day I feel shame and guilt that I'm not raising her to love Jesus the way I should. I get angry because I honestly don't know how, most of the time.

My momma became a Christian when I was much older, so this is very new territory. Trish Donohue gets this.

She's created a gem of a book to help assist in this area. Her book is a literal transcript to go by! Each chapter is a "talk" for moms and daughters to have with one another. Moms have questions to ask, as well as daughters. It's beautifully written in a way to get to the deep stuff together.

I can't wait to do this with my little girl. She's only 7, but I still think this would be a good age to start this with. Ideally, it would be good to start once reading is no issue-but I still think we can make it work.

This goes beyond a devotion, this is book made to inspire deep intimacy between mom and her precious girl.

I needed this.

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*

If you're dealing with any kind of shame-this is the book you need to invest in. Heather does an amazing job at reminding us about our value in Christ. This book is filled with all the scripture one needs to speak over their life to be free from shame; that may be body image shame, past or current sin shame, or just the flat out lie kind of shame that the enemy uses.

Not only does this book address our own shame-but brings to light the our ability to pass on shame to others. Heather even tackles "shame-free parenting" which is a chapter that I'm planning on reviewing again...and probably again.

Over all-I feel blessed to have this. Unashamed is the guide to "...heal our brokenness and find freedom from shame."

*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*