Firefly Island {Book Review}

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in return for a honest review. These are my true feelings regarding this book.

Here is the the summary of the book from Amazon.com

At thirty-four, congressional staffer Mallory Hale is about to embark on an adventure completely off the map. After a whirlwind romance, she is hopelessly in love with two men--fortunately, they're related. Daniel Everson and his little boy, Nick, are a package deal, and Mallory suddenly can't imagine her future without them.

Mallory couldn't be more shocked when Daniel asks her to marry him, move to Texas, and form a family with him and motherless Nick. The idea is both thrilling and terrifying.

Mallory takes a leap of faith and begins a sweet, mishap-filled journey into ranch living, Moses Lake society, and a marriage that at times reminds her of the mail-order-bride stories. But despite the wild adventure of her new life, she discovers secrets and questions beneath her rosy new life. Can she find answers on Firefly Island, a little chunk of property just off the lakeshore, where mysterious lights glisten at night?

I loved loved loved this book!! For two days straight I didn't put this book down. I was instantly sucked in by the end of the first chapter. Mallory felt like a genuine character that was both relate able and amazing. I feel like her journey could be any woman's journey. I know that I related to her because of her go getter attitude, her independence, and her romantic nature.

There definitely was a few parts that confused me mostly at the end in regards to the laws they were speaking about. Also, I would have preferred if the last chapter didn't tie everything up neatly but that we were able to get more in depth conclusions in the aftermath of them solving the mystery. 

I loved the suspenseful nature of this book, the honesty regarding being a step-mother {which I am}, and how Mallory came to writing a blog called The Frontier Woman. 

This book was an easy read and I would highly recommend this book! 

Has anyone else read this book? What did you think? 

 

I cannot believe it is already Sunday night!

Wow! This weekend really flew by with my getting very little accomplished. 

I did spend an amazing Friday night with my college girlfriends. We had a glass of wine (Pinot Grigio – my favorite!), snacked on some yummy treats, gobbled up slices of pizza, and chatted until the wee hours of the morning.

I don’t think I have laughed that hard in so very long! It is so nice to be able to discuss school, professors, pre-clinicals/student teaching, and students with those who truly get it.

On Saturday, I slept in.

Truth be told I like being awake before the boys get up but this didn’t happen on Saturday. So from the second I was awake I was being beckoned to get drinks and breakfast. Two cinnamon rolls and a glass of apple juice later I sat down in front of the TV.

And there I sat all day. I watched movie after movie until I felt I should get up and be some what productive. So I got up and made dinner for my  family.

Dan went out to run some errands. To be honest I think he needed some space from the giggly twins (Jacob and Christian). Those two can be such a handful sometimes.

But when he came back he had a present for me!! I love that man! I honestly couldn’t ask for more in a person.

One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Fabric Project; Look what you can make with one yard of fabric! By: Rebecca Yaker

I have had my eye on this book for quite some time now – well ever since I got a sewing machine from Freecycle.

This book contains 101 sewing project all using only one yard of fabric. I cannot wait to go to the store and get some fun and colorful fabrics so I can try them out.

I am pretty certain I am going to make a great big bag to hold my school books for my first project.

Today was yet another unproductive day. I woke up late again so the gigglers were already up and at ‘em. They prepared their own breakfast this morning so I settled in with a great big cup of coffee.

I didn’t go to church this morning and I already wish I had. Going to church starts my week off on the right foot and I haven’t been in a few weeks.

I did go to Johnsen & Taylor with my Mom today. I love looking around at all the wonderful Christian books, art, mugs, and trinkets. Although I am not really a trinket person. I saw so many things I would love to read and hang in my home. I did buy one book called The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner.

I cannot wait to begin reading it although with all my classwork I doubt I will be able to complete it any time soon.

While I was gone shopping Dan hung pictures up around the house. When I came home I was so happy to see things hanging from the otherwise bare walls.

As for right now, I am doing laundry and finishing up some school work. Hopefully, I will have time tomorrow afternoon to finish the rest of it.

So that was my super unproductive weekend.

What did you get done (or not) this weekend?

Can I become a better Christian by reading blogs?

Hi, my name is Mindy and I am a blog reading addict!

It started off really small I would just read Bring The Rain by Angie Smith.



I love reading what Angie has to say. She is such an amazing Christian woman. I look forward to any and all posts she writes. I pray for her and her family all the time.


Then as I was snooping around her blog I saw the button for MckMama and to pray for Stellan.



After I started reading about Stellan's story and the Many Small Children. I was hooked.


Then I started snooping around her blog and I was hooked on another blog and another blog and another blog.

Now I check on my blogs everyday. I feel like they are my best friends. I am inspired by the stay at home mothers. I am inspired by the authors. I am inspired by the decorators, the preachers wives, the preacher himself. I find myself longing to read about their lives. I relate to them when the discuss their weaknesses. I pray for them when they need to find inner strength. I laugh when funny things happen in their lives. I love all my blog friends. (Side note: Can they be your friends if all you do is stalk their blogs? I think YES!)

But the more and more I read the more I wonder ...


Is it possible to find yourself becoming a stronger Christian by reading these blogs?

Many of the blogs I read inform me of some amazing books they are reading or books that they have written.


I just ordered From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife by Marla Taviano. (Another sidenote: I know that I am not married yet but this book helps you when you become a wife and the proceeds of the book went to an orphanage in Cambodia)

I digress. My point is I now have a wish list of books that I want to read by reading these blogs. So here is my official wish list.


* Living Simply by Joanne Heim

*Misplacing God: (And Finding Him Again) by Joanne Heim

*She's Gonna Blow! Real Help for Mom's Dealing with Anger by Julie Ann Barnhill

Ok I know that this is a short list but it will get longer the more I read these blogs.

Does anyone have any good Christian book selections for me to add to my list?