The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal Your Body bySarah Ballantyne

Packed with tons of informational tips, guides, and a thorough explaining of how different things impact your health/autoimmune system/gut. For those into the scientific explanation, those details are included. Written for those not into the scientific explanations either. Easy to understand and very helpful!

I have the Cookbook for Paleo Autoimmune by Ballantyne too (The Paleo Approach Cookbook) and it has some of this great info in it as well as recipes and shopping guides/meal plans. I can also recommend The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook by Mickey Trescott.

For those of you looking to improve your health naturally, check these out!

Married 'til Monday (A Chapel Springs Romance Book 4) by Denise Hunter

 

Married 'til Monday is the final book in Hunter's Chapel Springs Romance Series, of which I have thoroughly enjoyed! One thing I love about Hunter's novels is her ability to write real life circumstances and believable characters. She draws you into their lives and along the way gives you some truths to chew on. This is book is like that.

While Abby is not my favorite leading lady, she is that way for a reason. Her character is very guarded and there are reasons why. You will pull for her and you will especially be pulling for Ryan, who is absolutely wonderful! Sure they both have their flaws but that is reality and that is all part of the bigger story. Seeing people who love each other, but have let things drive them apart, find their way to healing and forgiveness... and more is what this book is all about! 

I really enjoyed this novel and found it hard to put down. In fact, I zipped through it in one day. A feat for a mom of three little ones, one being less than 2 months old. So, all in all if you are looking for a story with heart, one that triumphs through realistic troubles, then look no further. 

I am looking forward to Hunter's next series, Summer Harbor! Book 1, Falling Like Snowflakes is due out this September! The main characters and setting were tied into this book, so it will be interesting to see this place and people become more fully developed! Can't wait!

The Wonder of You (Christiansen Family, #5) by Susan May Warren

Book Description:

Mortified after her semester abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough for the adventures she’s dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness.

Heir to a European hotel dynasty, Roark St. John has trekked from one exotic locale to another, haunted by tragedy and the expectations that accompany his last name. Amelia is the first woman to give him a reason to stop running. He’ll do anything for a second chance—even contend with Amelia’s old flame, who is intent on sending Roark packing.

While one surprise after another leaves Amelia reeling, Roark’s continued presence only highlights the questions pursuing her. Like him, is she running from the life God has called her to? Could finding her new place mean leaving home behind?

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I have absolutely loved this series! And The Wonder of You does not disappoint! Warren per her usual style, types up a story you want to dive into and stay immersed in. I only wish I could have read it in one setting, but being the mom of three little kids, and one being a newborn, that was not possible. Still I devoured it as I could over 2 days.

Amelia, Roark and the Christiansen clan, all make for an engrossing tale. With depth of characters & relationships, struggles, insecurities, hurts and yes, pride... they like the rest of us struggle through circumstances, doubts, hopes, dreams and fears. Warren again inserts several biblical lessons that ring true and are done in a touching and heartfelt way. I love that about her novels. And this was definitely one that pulls at your heartstrings!

Seeing Amelia navigate the waters of her fears and feelings, amongst her family and even more in her choice of who is best for her between her two suitors was well worth the read. And you can't help but root for 007! Truly a hero that can win your heart.

As a bonus, you get a secondary story tied in with Max and Grace and of course more from the whole clan! I cannot wait for Your the One That I Want (the series finale, due next Spring)!

Unspoken by Dee Henderson

Book Description:

Charlotte Graham is at the center of the most famous kidnapping in Chicago history. 

The task force of FBI and local cops found her two abductors, killed them, rescued her, but it took four very long years. The fact she was found less than three miles from her home, had been there the entire time, haunts them. She's changed her identity, found a profession she loves, and rebuilt her life. 

She's never said a word--to the cops, to her doctors, to family--about those four years. 
A family legacy has brought her back to Chicago where a reporter is writing a book about the kidnapping. The cops who worked the case are cooperating with him. Her options are limited: Hope the reporter doesn't find the full truth, or break her silence about what happened. And her silence is what has protected her family for years. 

Bryce Bishop doesn't know her past, he only knows she has coins to sell from her grandfather's estate--and that the FBI director for the Chicago office made the introduction. The more he gets to know Charlotte, the more interested he becomes, an interest encouraged by those closest to her. But nothing else is working in his favor--she's decided she is single for life, she struggles with her faith, and she's willing to forego a huge inheritance to keep her privacy. She's not giving him much of an opening to work with.

Charlotte wants to trust him. She needs to tell him what happened. Because a crime cops thought was solved, has only opened another chapter...

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This story was not what I expected, but I really enjoyed it. While this was not an intense, fast paced read, it was interesting and the steady pace perfect for my current mood. The story is mostly told from Bryce's perspective, which I think gives it more of an edge/mystery. I believe if we saw the story more through Charlotte's eyes and heard her thoughts it would actually take away from what holds your interest. Which is in part seeing how the story will unfold not only between her and Bryce, but also how she progresses throughout the story and what she chooses to reveal.

I not only enjoyed the unfolding relationship and the main characters, I also enjoyed characters from Henderson's previous novel being a part of this one (Full Disclosure). All in all, it just hit the spot for me. The pace, characters, relationship building, faith elements and so on, were very well done.

For those worried about graphic details, you do not need to. This was a clean read all the way around. Those looking for a hard hitting, action, fast paced and intense read, this is not it. Rather, it is a story well told!

Falcon (The Quiet Professionals, Book 3) by Ronie Kendig

Book Description:
Special Forces operator Salvatore “Falcon” Russo vowed to never again speak to or trust Lieutenant Cassandra Walker after a tragedy four years ago. But as Raptor closes in on the cyber terrorists responsible for killing two of their own, Sal must put his life—and the lives of his teammates—in her hands. Despite his anger, Cassie is ill-prepared for his resistance and the fallout when she must protect the one asset who can end the attacks. As allies become enemies and hostiles become unlikely partners, Raptor fights for its very existence.

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I have a confession to make, although I have really enjoyed this series; Falcon, or as Cassie refers to him, "Sal" has not been one of my favorite characters. However, I was intrigued to find out the past history of Sal and Cassie, and to finish up the series. In continuing with my earlier confession, Sal was still not a fave of mine in Book 3 either. He did however, become more likable later in the book. I liked Cassie and really enjoyed getting back into the plot of the series and revisiting with the lives of the other characters.

So, while the first part of the book I completely enjoyed, it was the last part of the book that really hooked me in and left me not only completely pleased with its conclusion but also that of the series. It was a fantastic wrap up! Hooah!

Looking forward to Kendig's foray into fantasy (Embers/Book 1), kicking off this fall!

A Love Like Ours (A Porter Family Novel, Book #3) by Becky Wade

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Becky Wade has once again crafted a fantastic novel, on so many levels! I loved this one! Her characters are real and seem to come to life right off the page. Their hopes, dreams, struggles are all fleshed out and easy to believe. The relationship dynamics, not only between our main characters, but also that of the secondary characters, are real and heartfelt. I found not only Jake (Mr. Tall, Dark and Brooding) and Lyndie's story to be absolutely wonderful but also enjoyed the added bonus of Amber and Will's story too!

A Love Like Ours, will lure you in and hook you. I so enjoyed the moments within its' pages and really was not ready to bid it farewell. Be prepared to step into a story filled with heart, hope, sweetness, love, hurt, struggles and faith. I chuckled some, I cried some, I was swept away and I came away from this novel not only with a romantic sigh but with a happy satisfaction of a story well done!

Wade has a gift, one I look forward to enjoying again (I hope) in the not too distant future! Fantastic!

Bridge Of Faith by Catherine West

Book Description:
Two lives taken down different roads - one enduring love - one shot at starting over.
If only they believed in second chances. 
Julia Connelly is finally free from twelve long years in an abusive relationship. Now able to live the life she’s longed for, Julia takes her two children back home to Vermont, hoping for peace and healing. The last person she expects to see is the man she eloped with at eighteen—who then abandoned her two months into their marriage, with little explanation. 

When an assignment in the Middle East ends in tragedy, popular news correspondent, Reid Wallace, returns to his hometown seeking answers and peace of mind. 

Confronting his past was not in the plan. 

Now he’s asking different questions. Like why the only woman he’s ever really loved still mesmerizes him. Why the haunted expression she wears reaches right into his soul. 

And why her twelve year-old son looks just like him. 

They say you can’t go home again. Sometimes you don’t have a choice. 

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This is the first novel I have read by Catherine West, but I am sure it will not be the last. West not only captured my attention but my heart, as she wove together a story filled with depth, hope, heart, forgiveness and so much more! Her characters were well developed and the interaction between them kept the pages turning.

Well thought out, richly textured and heartwarming! Loved it!