Fire & Smoke: Book Review

This cookbook was a fine cookbook, it included some fun items and like drinks and appetizers. There is a variety of recipes available so there should be something that pleases everyone. It gave good instruction and has nice images. We will probably try a couple of recipes from it, but I don't think it'll be one we reference often or would actually buy (I was given a copy to review). There was nothing extraordinary about - not that it was bad. It didn't make us want to quickly get outside and grill and we've grilled several times since getting it without glancing at it. Not inspirational, but if as I said there were a few recipes we'd like to try and if we were trying to figure out what to grill or how to grill something, we'd reference it for sure. Enjoyable, but not 5 stars :o)

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review

I Quit Sugar: Book Review

I was quite interested to read "I Quit Sugar" as less sugar is one of my food goals for the year. She explains her journey to wanting to quit sugar and how she was surprised at where sugar was hidden, then provides what she calls a "flexible and very doable 8-week plan" to quit sugar, followed by a lot of recipes.
There were several points she made that made sense to me/I agreed with but then there were a few items that I disagree with the main being fruit. She says since fruit contains sugar it should be part of the quitting and only a small amount added into your regular diet after quitting, if you really need/want to. I don't agree with that in the slightest - fruit is a whole food, highly nutritious, and although they do contain natural sugars I do not agree that makes it bad for you.
Not many of the recipes appealed to me, mostly because almost all of them contain nuts or nut flours (I'm allergic) so that section was pretty useless to me.
Now, her plan to quit is actually pretty good. She takes two weeks of doing less and then on week three you dive into cutting it all out. She claims that by the end of the 8th week you are no longer craving sugar, you can reintroduce small amounts every now and then into your life, and you will feel great. I'm considering doing so sort of version of this, but I won't cut out the staple of fruit.
Overall it was an interesting read, she includes a lot of science and research which is helpful to read. If you're able to eat nuts some of the recipes sounded nice. The organization and layout is nice and the pictures are lovely.


I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Big-Flavor Grill: Book Review

The Big-Flavor Grill

Summer has started and so Ryan has been grilling and I was given the opportunity to get this book to review. I'm looking forward to trying out a couple of things from it. The book is broken down into sections based on protein - steak, lamb, pork, chicken, and shrimp & fish. There is also two bonus sections of vegetables and drinks. All the recipes are presented in a 3 "step" process of prep, grill, and toss - their idea is to spice up, grill, and then toss with other vibrant flavors to add to the taste. It certainly seems like a no-hassle way grill (as they claim right there on the cover). Some of the recipes aren't really us, but there are a few that we should enjoy. The authors prefer not to use a gas grill, but they say all recipes will work fine with a gas grill, and at the beginning of the book they provide tips, tool suggestions, etc. They have recipes that include grilling a few things that I didn't know you could, like avocado. The pictures are nice and there are a good amount. We'll have to try some of the recipes before I could say if I recommend it or not, but I'm looking forward to giving it a go!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Modern Pioneering: A Book Review

 Modern Pioneering

The excitement I had getting this book was not let down once it was in my hands, I thoroughly enjoyed it. From the gorgeous pictures, to step-by-step instructions, recipes, interesting & fun facts, all of it was so great. There were several things I'll never make use of - but I'm sure other people will - but almost all of it was something I can specifically use now or hopefully, in the near future. I learned many things I didn't know, had questions answered, and was guided on how to do so many things. I've gardened, I'm an avid cook, I hope to do more of both and so many parts of this book will help to do so. There are several DIY projects that are fun and cute and may soon be tried out. The layout is intelligent, fun, and easy to navigate. The recipes look delicious and most have at least a picture if not a step-by-step guide. My husband, too, thought this was a great book and we are looking forward to trying out several things from - not just the recipes, but the how-tos, a few tips, and skills. It really is helpful whether you live in the city, country, or in between.


"I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

The Chasm Book Review

This book is a condensed version of Edge of Eternity (which I've read and enjoyed). The Chasm is quite short, just over 100 pages, and easy to read. It's the story of Nick Seagraves' journey to Charis. It addresses our biggest problem of separation from God (the chasm) and how Christ solves that problem. It is similar to Pilgrim's Progress as he is to go down a road and he mets people and make decisions along the way like Christian. The focus of this book though is the chasm and how the woodsman dying bridged the gap more than the journey to get there.
I love Randy Alcorn books and was excited to see a new one come out. I am slightly disappointed that this isn't a new book, but just a condensed version of his previous book. It was enjoyable too, but I would recommend reading Edge of Eternity to get the whole story instead.


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I did not have to provide a positive review to get this book, the opinion here is entirely my own.

Book Review

The Goodness of God: Assurance of Purpose in the Midst of Suffering by Randy Alcorn

This book, like all Randy Alcorn's books, is easy to read but he still addresses common questions about good vs. evil in the world, has solid biblical responses, and as always the gospel is clear throughout. This book is a different version of his book If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil... it addresses non-Christians and covers just the basics. The other book would need to be read to dig deeper.

He makes sure the reader understands about sin and evil in this world, but also how good God is and the sacrifice Jesus made. He incorporates stories to help illustrate his point and scripture is prevalent, as with all his books. This book addresses our thoughts about God when trails occur and helps to show God's faithfulness and sovereignty. Finally, the entire book has an air of evangelism - he seems to be directing it to explain to non-Christians the true of what Christ did, how he can relate to suffering, and why he did it... this builds up to the final chapter ("A Final Word") in which he clearly states the gospel and encourages us towards God and his free gift of salvation.


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I did not have to provide a positive review to get this book, the opinion here is entirely my own.

Book Review

God Loves Me More Than That by Dandi Daley Mackall

This book is cute, asking how much God loves us.... how high, wide, and deep is His love and the answers are things that children would be able to grasp. The questions and answers are on a page each with the beautiful pictures. The answers are all relateable for kids - kittens, cowboys, etc. and the illustrations are great. The pictures are colorful and bright, detailed and they jump off the page at you. Some of the questions, though, I didn't really care for (how soft and how loud is His love). I can see how the author was trying to make it kid-friendly but I think it's more confusing than not with those couple of questions. All in all though, it's a cute book with beautiful pictures that might help a young child understand a little better just how much God loves us.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I did not have to provide a positive review to get this book, the opinion here is entirely my own.