Buttermilk Sky by Jan Watson

Mazy is tired of everybody else making all of her decisions for her, so she decides to make some for herself.  She enrolls in Secretarial school and moves away from home.  Chanis Clay is sure that she will come back and marry him, but will Mazy meet someone new while she is away?

Mazy is a fun character.  She is a good girl who is trying to find out what she wants from life.  The story was sweet, but overly simplistic.  There were many themes that could have been explored more deeply. There were a lot of elements of the story that were just barely touched on.  Some things were mentioned so briefly that I wondered why they were included at all.  Other times things happened with absolutely no build up, or hinting, and they didn't seem to fit the characters involved.  Overall, it was a sweet story, but it could have used a lot of reworking.  I would give it 2.5/5 stars.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale.

Candy Aisle Crafts by Jodi Levine

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program.  This book is adorable!  It is amazing the cute things that can be made out of a couple of pieces of candy.  The book is well laid out.  There are sections on the different kinds of candy that you can use.  There are a lot of pictures to help you know what to do.  The instructions are nice and easy to follow.  I can't wait to show this book to my kids!  I would give it 5/5 stars.

Sweet: Our Best Cupcakes, Cookies, Candy and More by the Editors of Food Network Magazine

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program.  I love this cookbook!  Every single recipe has a picture.  The index even has all of the pictures in it.  Everything looks delicious.  The recipes are simple and well laid out.  When necessary they have pictures showing the steps.  They even have a whole section on Fake-Out Cakes.  My kids are already planning on what they want for their next birthday.  This is a great cookbook, and I am super excited to use it!  I would give it 5/5 stars.

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House.  I always enjoy Jen Turano's books.  She has strong characters that like to charge into situations.   Agatha Watson is no different.  Agatha has a penchant for getting herself into difficult circumstances.  She also is good at getting herself out of sticky situations.  Agatha is traveling the west looking for stories for the newspaper that she writes for.  One night she discovers that her old crush, Zayne Beckett is in the same hotel.  Agatha convinces Zayne that he needs to return to his family in New York, and she returns with him.  Unfortunately, whoever had been sending her death threats still wants her dead.  Craziness ensues.  The characters are fun, if not always believable.  I always feel like I need to suspend belief when I read Turanos books, but the ride is so fun that it is worth it.  I would give this book 4/5 stars.

Here is Where by Andrew Carroll

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program.  I really enjoyed this book!  The author has a very conversational tone, and he has some great stories to tell.  The stories are about forgotten things in America's history.  Many of the stories happened in places that I connected to, or they were extensions or other viewpoints of events that are more widely know.  I loved reading all of the stories.  I also loved the people that the author met along the way.  This book was a very easy read.  Lots of interesting information about history without being dry.  I would give this book 4.5/5 stars.

Out of the Depths by Edgar Harrell with David Harrell

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers.  Edgar Harrell was on the USS Indianapolis when it was sunk on July 30, 1945.  For four days nobody knew that the ship had sunk, and the survivors were adrift in the ocean.  Hundreds of men are in the water with only their life jackets to keep them afloat.  Sharks are their constant companions.

This is an amazing story.  I cannot imagine experiencing what these men did.  They suffered unimaginable deprivation, constant horror and worry.  It is a story that should be told and remembered.  These men should be honored.

I found the material amazing, but I did not enjoy the writing style.  The voice seemed almost detached.  There was almost too much detail, it detracted from the overall feeling of the book.  I would give this book 3/5 stars.

Mark of Distinction by Jessica Dotta

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale.  This is the second book in the Price of Privilege Trilogy.  Julia is now under the protection of her father, Lord Pierson.  Things are not working out like she had hoped.  She has lost complete control of her life.  Everything that she does is scripted for her.  How much longer can she withstand the charade?

I have mixed feelings about this book.  The writing is wonderful and I am completely drawn into the story as I read it.  I feel that some aspects of Julia's personality are conflicting.  I don't feel like the character is acting in the way that she should, based on how she was developed.  But this is far outweighed by the well told story line, and the interesting characters that are included.  I would give this book 4/5 stars.