"Unrivaled" by Siri Mitchell {Book Review}

Reading a good book is like a mini vacation for me. It gives me a chance to disappear for a few hours, without having to worry about kids or bills or work or the house that needs to be cleaned. I am always thankful for authors like Siri Mitchell, who allow me that bit of escape. 

About Unrivaled:
Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe’s best confections, she’s sure she’ll come up with a recipe that will save her father’s struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager–a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy’s skin.

Charlie Clarke’s new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he’s never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She’s making his work life miserable…and making herself impossible for him to forget.

My thoughts: 
Details, details, details... Siri Mitchell is the queen of detail! From the clothing to the candy in Unrivaled, she has done an outstanding job of bringing her characters and story to life. From the moment I laid eyes on the beautiful cover, to the very last page, I was taken on a incredible journey into the lives of Charlie and Lucy. 

Lucy is trying to save everything her father has worked for, only to have Charlie block her at every turn and Charlie, trying to leave his old life behind, doesn't expect Lucy to be the one standing in his way of happiness and approval from his father. Will they learn to work together and how does Standard seem to know every move Lucy make? The answers will keep you on the edge of your seat! 

I really enjoyed Unrivaled. It is a wonderful story of finding who you really meant to be, instead of trying to win approval from man. Wonderful settings, real-to-life characters and the amazing talent of Siri Mitchell make this the perfect book to disappear with for a few hours. I also recommend having a box of candy near by, you will be needing it after the first few chapters! 

About the author:
Siri Mitchell is the author of nearly a dozen novels, among them the critically acclaimed Christy Award finalists Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door. A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in business, she has worked in many different levels of government. As military spouse, she has lived in places as varied as Tokyo and Paris. Siri currently lives in the DC-metro area.
Visit www.sirimitchell.com

The extras:
Read an excerpt of Unrivaled here.
See what others are saying about the book!
Check out the other great books by Siri Mitchell available for Kindle on Amazon.

The fine print:
I was given a promotional copy of this book for review purposes. All of the opinions expressed are mine and I was not required to give a positive review.

"Love in the Balance" Book Review

*Our Crazy Life currently has two giveaways going on. Enter now to win a copy of The Carnelian Legacy and The Husband Project.*

About Love in the Balance: 

Handsome Cowboy or Debonair Tycoon. How’s a Girl to Choose? 

Molly Lovelace dreams of a life without cares in Lockhart, Texas. She also dreams of handsome wrangler Bailey Garner, her ardent but inconsistent beau. The problem is, with Bailey’s poor prospects, she just can’t fit the two dreams together.

Then mysterious stranger Edward Pierrepont sweeps into town–and her life–and for the first time Molly wonders if she’s met the man who can give her everything. But he won’t be in Lockhart long and while it certainly seems like he talks about their glorious future together, she can’t quite get Bailey out of her mind.

What’s a girl to do with all these decisions when love is in the balance?

My thoughts:

Love in the Balance was a sweet read and Regina Jennings is a very talented writer. I enjoyed every  minute of it, even if half the time I was talking out loud to a character in a book, telling her not to do something! I appreciate that Regina doesn't just write sappy, super happy books. Her characters are written as real people, who make real mistakes and struggle with real things.

I was surprised by the twists in the story (and maybe a little frustrated, hence my talking to a fictional character!). It definitely kept me guessing as to who Molly would choose and how it would end. 

I enjoyed that Love in the Balance picked up where her last book, Sixty Acres and a Bride, left off. Each book can stand alone, but I appreciated 'seeing' Rosa and Weston and the others show up in this one. 

Love in the Balance is a wonderful story about how God can use even the bad things in our life, to bring us closer to him. Something that sometimes we all need to be reminded of. 

About the author: 

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.

The Extras:
Find out more about Regina at http://www.reginajennings.com/.

Read an excerpt of Love in the Balance here. 

Don't miss my review of Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings.

The Fine Print:
I was given a promotional copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review and the opinions expressed are all mine.

The Husband Project Book Review {Giveaway}

*Don't miss my other giveaway going on. Enter for your chance to win a copy of The Carnelian Legacy!*

Is your marriage stuck in a rut? Or maybe just want to find new ways to show your husband how much he means to you? You need this book...

About the book:
Do you feel like your marriage has gone from "I do" to "What did I do?" Recapture the romance that made you and your husband fall in love in the first place. 

The Husband Project provides 21 days of fun activities to show love and honor to your husband. 

Kathi Lipp will help you discover:

• Proven ways to return fun and flirting to your marriage.
• Inner assurance to meet your husband’s unspoken emotional needs.
• Increased confidence when it comes to meeting your husbands sexual needs.
• New levels of warmth and tenderness in your relationship.
• A deeper sense of security with your husband.
• A greater ability to boost your husband's belief in himself.

My thoughts:
I love, love, love Kathi Lipp! She is a super fun, extremely talented woman and I am so thankful for her advice and encouragement in so many areas. I have been blessed to hear Kathi speak in person and so when I read her books, her voice is always in my head. It's a great way to read a book :)

The Husband Project is one of her many genius ideas. She takes you through a 21 day guide "of loving your man, on purpose and with a plan" - so easy and step by step. Your husband won't know what hit him!

Each chapter is short, easy to read and outlined with your project, a prayer for the day, getting creative, project reports from other readers and a place to record your plan and your results. This book becomes your personal journal on how to make your husband feel loved. Amazing idea, right? 

From daily projects such as E-flirt.com (texting your husband some sweet nothings) to Kathi's bonus projects, you will find fun, easy and inexpensive ways to bless your husband. 

Not only will you spend 21 days making your husband feel special, you will have spent 21 days praying for him and doing something that will draw you closer together. This book is a must have for any married woman!  

About the Author:
Kathi Lipp is a busy conference and retreat speaker and the of The Husband Project: 21 Days to Loving Your Man—on Purpose and with a Plan, The Marriage Project: 21 Daysto More Love and Laughter, and The Me Project: 21 Days to Living the Life You’ve Always Wanted and The “What’s for Dinner?” Solution. She is a frequent guest on Focus on the Family and dozens of other radio programs.

Church leaders and women’s ministry directors rely on Kathi to help women move from living out of obligation to enjoying godly passion. She speaks to thousands of women across the US and Canada every year. 

Kathi and her husband, Roger, are the parents of four young adults and live in San Jose, California. Find out more about Kathi at www.kathilipp.com

The extras:
Don't miss my reviews of Kathi's other great books: The Get Yourself Organized Project and Praying God's Word for Your Husband.  
Check out Kathi's website for lots more, including a Leader's Kit, so you can encourage your bible study or small group through The Husband Project. 

The fineprint:
I was given a promotional copy of this book for review purposes. All of the opinions expressed are mine and I was not required to give a positive review.

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