*Review written in 2014*
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Age Appropriate For: 13 and up for mild romance, reading level
Best for Ages: 13 and up
Description: Her first six months of "motherhood" included an ant infestation, a major move, house renovation, and lessons in how to be a mom to eight lively children. Now that the house is nearly complete, her children are headed back to school, and she has a few tantrums under her hymn-singing belt, Aggie is certain life will settle down. Poor Aggie... William makes his intentions known, Luke and his mother are always there for her, and between a new kitten, a box full of puppies, and chicken pox, Aggie's home begins to resemble the local zoo! Her children keep testing the waters, the unrealistic budgets she makes refuse to balance, and she learns that life with children means that nothing stays done and perfect for long. Add Geraldine and her histrionics to the mix and it's no wonder she's ready to run away from home. When a surprise letter arrives, everything could turn upside down. Relief is in sight, but can she bring herself to jump to plan B? Has this just been a practice game, or is she playing for keeps? Will her household shrink drastically, or will it expand?

It took me long enough to read the second book in the Aggie’s Inheritance series, but I am so glad I finally made the time for it. It was even better than the  first book.

Watching as Aggie deals with school and chicken pox, as well as her own romantic life, was so enjoyable. Yes, at times the story can seem a bit slow or Aggie’s whining becomes a bit much, but it was still wonderful.

As the romance develops, I especially enjoyed seeing how Aggie explains things to Vannie and how she makes the right decisions. I also love the part in this story where Aggie explains the difference between doing something (such as wearing skirts, or saving your first kiss for your wedding day) can be a wonderful standard to have, or a legalistic tool to make you look more spiritual.

One of the things I loved best about these books is that each of the kids is different, and it really shows in the book. Sometimes, when writing about large families, the kids all come out sounding the same. Havig did a great job of making them each sound different.

I highly recommend this book for those who enjoyed the first book, love god-honoring romance, and stories about ordinary people.

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Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: 15 and up
Description: Written in a beautiful and engaging style, Seven Men addresses what it means (or should mean) to be a man today, at a time when media and popular culture present images of masculinity that are not the picture presented in Scripture and historic civil life. What does it take to be a true exemplar as a father, brother, husband, leader, coach, counselor, change agent, and wise man? What does it mean to stand for honesty, courage, and charity, especially at times when the culture and the world run counter to those values?
Each of the seven biographies represents the life of a man who experienced the struggles and challenges to be strong in the face of forces and circumstances that would have destroyed the resolve of lesser men. Each of the seven men profiled—George Washington, William Wilberforce, Eric Liddell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Jackie Robinson, John Paul II, and Charles Colson—call the reader to a more elevated walk and lifestyle, one that embodies the gospel in the world around us.

Alicia Willis recommended this book to me a while back, and I have wanted to read it ever since. She and I share a passion for our faith and history, and she knew this book was something I would love.

Metaxas picked some well-known and some not well known people in this book, but each of them were chosen for their faith. While I have read books on George Washington, William Wilberforce, Eric Liddell and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, others - Jackie Robinson, John Paul II, and Charles Colson - were only names to me before this book. My admiration for all these men grew as I read the pages.
If you are intimidated by those thick books about historical characters, this book is for you. It isn’t very long, and each chapter can be read in half-an-hour or less, giving a quick overview of the life and faith of the person.

Metaxas style is engaging and not dull in the least. This never feels like a list of historical facts, but stories about people who really live and why they are relevant. We need more books like this and more people reading them. Being reminded of those that have gone before is always a great way of inspiring both the young and the old.

I highly recommend this book for those who love history or those that want to learn about heroes of the faith.

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Age Appropriate For: 15 and up (some marital themes and matter best for older readers)
Best for Ages: 15 and up
Description: “In order to learn what it means to be a woman, we must start with the One who made her.” Working from Scripture, well-known speaker and author Elisabeth Elliot shares her observations and experiences in a number of essays on what it means to be a Christian woman, whether single, married, or widowed.

Elisabeth Elliot is an incredible woman whom I have looked up to for years. Though I might not always agree with everything she says, I know whatever she says comes from a heart that is devoted to God and is seeking him. As this year I am spending a lot of time reading about Biblical Womanhood, this was high on my list.

One of the things I loved about this book is that it was from a mother’s heart to her daughter. So much of the advice felt not like so many of the books on the market, but like I was sitting at her beach home listening to her talk. I felt as if I was peering over Elisabeth’s shoulder reading these letters, unfiltered, no nonsense, but with deep beauty.

The advice was so steeped in Scripture without any of the softening that so many books try to do. I loved the way she made fun of feminism and did not shy away from saying things that are politically incorrect with no apology. So many books on womanhood for Christian women (I am finding) almost sound as if they are apologizing for the politically incorrect way God wants women to live. Elisabeth Elliot does not apologize; she shows what a wonderful thing is.

This book really got me to thinking in such a good way. I saw so many areas that I need to allow God to work on me. There is nothing as empowering as seeing a reflection of what you are supposed to be, and I found it in this book.

Elliott does talk about sex in this book. After all, it is a part of life, womanhood, and her daughter was about to be married.  I found this chapter one of the more encouraging ones, oddly enough. I think because she talks about it very matter-of-factly but also doesn’t become crude about it. All her advice and encouragement is steeped in biblical principles and personal experience. I didn’t find it awkward, but rather much like a good mother-daughter talk.

I highly recommend this book to women who are trying to live their life aligned with God and the Bible, not the world.