"The Shadow of Your Smile" One of my Favorite Books in a Long Time! #Free

Susan May Warren is my favorite contemporary fiction writer.  I usually go for the historical fiction, but Miss Warren always weaves sweet stories with wonderful characters who seem so very real.  Last month, I requested The Shadow of Your Smile free from Tyndale Rewards.  It was so good! One of the very best books I have read in a long time, and they still have more free copies!  Go get yours!! 

Here's a story synopsis:

A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage. After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle’s memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember? Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future? 

You can read the first chapter here or you can get it free by heading to Tyndale Rewards and heading to the "Earn Points" tab and then the "Browse" tab--click on Fiction and you'll see it there.  Let me know if you read it and like it!

Pulling Back the Shades: Erotica, Intimacy, and the Longing of a Woman's Heart #Giveaway

 Once upon a time (back in high school) I got really hooked on my step mom's historical fiction romances.  These were not, by any means, Christian romances.  No way, josé.  They were the kind of books Russia's Vladimir Putin seems to wish to be on the cover of.  They were pretty erotic, and they created in me a desire to always want the kind of fire and excitement that comes along with lust.  Even after becoming a Christian, I struggled with that for a long time.  And no one ever preached about that--about women struggling with lust--until very recently.  There are a couple of authors who have decided to open their lives and write pages and pages of honesty and life-changing hope, and to speak truth where the Christian world has been so silent for so long. 

Pulling Back the Shades is one of those books.  It's very well-written, and it's a quick read.  Honest, thought-provoking, and the perfect book for anyone who has ever struggled with impure thoughts or discontent in her sex-life or marriage.
 
Christian women don't have to choose between being sexual and spiritual. They have legitimate longings so many Christians have been afraid to talk about, and books like Fifty Shades of Grey exploit. Whether you are single or married, sexually dead or just looking to revive your sex life, Pulling Back the Shades will address your desire to be both sexual AND spiritual. With solid Biblical teaching and transparent stories, trusted authors Dannah Gresh and Dr. Juli Slattery offer an unflinching look at the most personal questions women ask.

The book offers practical advice for women to address five core longings:

• to be cherished by a man
• to be protected by a strong man
• to rescue a man
• to be sexually alive
• to escape reality

God designed women with these longings and has a plan to satisfy them. It's time for women to identify their intimate longings and God-honoring ways to fulfill them.

I love the way these women write because they are so real and honest: honest about their own failings and temptations, and they're not writing of something they know nothing about.  They write with a heart for their reader, whether you're into this "Fifty Shades of Gray" thing or not.  One of them has read "Fifty Shades", one of them hasn't.

If you are into "Fifty Shades", if you're just wondering what all this sexual fantasy is about, if you've struggled with inappropriate fantasy in the past, or if you long for more fulfilling sex in your marriage, please read "Pulling Back the Shades"! It's something I believe God put on these women's hearts in His always-perfect timing.   ♥

Giveaway

One of my readers will win her own copy of Pulling Back the Shades.  Enter below by Dec 2nd at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning via Random.org. 

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This book was provided to me by the awesome people at Family Christian in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review!

 

Action Bible Giveaway! Genesis, Comic Book Style

My little guy loves this comic book style bible--The Action Bible: The Battle Begins, The Story of Creation!  It's very cool.  The pictures are awesome--very vivid artwork, quite realistic, and the story is great.... of course!  This is a really ingenious way to get kids who aren't into reading into the bible, and I like it because as you can see, my little guy loves comics!  And so do so many other kiddos.  Superheroes are awesome, and Jesus is the most amazing superhero of all--He rose from the dead, He walked through walls, He teleported, He's eternal--He's amazing!  He should definitely have His own comic book series!  You can get this book and the others at Family Christian Stores all around the country, or on-line. 

Even as God walked through the beauty of His new creation, and breathed life into Adam, His masterpiece ... a warrior-angel gives into his pride—and commits the ultimate betrayal. Witness Adam and Eve falling into Lucifer's trap, as the battle for eternity begins in this brilliantly presented retelling of Creation, the Fall, and God's promise of redemption.

Giveaway

One of my readers will win a $10 gift certificate to spend on The Identical Soundtrack CD or anything else of your choice at Family Christian Stores.  Enter below by Dec 9th at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning via Random.org. 

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Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Family Christian Stores for providing this prize for the giveaway.
 

Little Princess Hardcover Girls Bible #Giveaway: Love this one!

I love this bible!  It's absolutely gorgeous and my little princesses love it.  It's written in the New King James Version and is the first truly themed princess bible inside and out for girls ages 6 to 10!

Princesses everywhere will enjoy having their first full Bible from Sheila Walsh’s popular God’s Little Princess brand, which has sold over 1.3 million copies. The accurate and reliable New King James Version text is highlighted with 288 pages of articles that help a princess grow into the young woman God created her to be! Featured Articles included in God's Little Princess Bible from Genesis to Revelation are: Bible Basics (Bible Jewels), Regal Relationships, Royal Heroes, Kingdom Living, Kingdom Highlights, Going Deeper, A Princess Heart Study, and a 13 week Bible study that features key topics of the Bible and what they mean for your little girl's “Princess Life.”

My daughters were 8 when they started reading the actual bible.  Have you ever invited your kids to read from a full-length Bible and not a storybook Bible?

 

Giveaway ends 12/9/14. 

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Tommy Mommy for providing me with this opportunity!
 

"It Will Be Okay" Children's Picture Book #Giveaway

In the end, it will be okay because God is always with us.

Truth be told, I need these kinds of reminders, too!  Life has thrown some crazy challenges my way of late.  And, whether we like it or not, growing up brings change for our kids. For many children, this conjures fears that are sometimes real and sometimes imagined. How can kids learn that even when they face new and unfamiliar situations, they don’t have to be afraid? Little Seed and Little Fox are facing changes and brand new circumstances—and they don’t like it one bit! Through this unlikely friendship, children will discover that no matter how new or fearful their circumstances, God is always with them. The whimsical art by Natalia Moore will put a smile on kids’ faces and put their minds at ease. Just as Little Seed and Little Fox learn to trust that the Farmer is good and kind, children will also learn to trust God. A charming and heartwarming story!

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Tommy Mommies for providing us with this opportunity!

The Legend of Saint Nicholas: A Picture Book with Gorgeous Artwork and a Wonderful Story about the Real St. Nick!

The Legend of St. Nicholas is filled with beautiful artwork and tells the story of a young man named Nicholas, who was moved by the plight of the poor and needy. I've taught my children who Santa Claus really was since they were tiny.  Whether your kiddos believe in Santa or not, this is a wonderful, magical story about the real Nicholas who spent his life secretly helping the poor all over the world, giving gifts on Christmas Eve to remind people of the greatest Gift of all, Jesus Christ.

I love this book!  It's by one of our favorite authors, Dandi Daley Mackall (check out her books on Amazon! She has so many great reads for kiddos from birth to middle school ages).  But back to the book at hand!  The Legend of St. Nicholas make a wonderful pre-Christmas or even Christmas gift.  It would also be the perfect addition to a church preschool.  I'll be donating ours to that cause.  This gentle Christmas book introduces the original St. Nicholas and offers inspiration for readers to become cheerful givers themselves. The final pages in the book include fun Father Christmas traditions in other lands.

Special thanks to the wonderful people at BookLook for providing us with this book to review!

Revolutionary War, Adventures in Odyssey Style!

Just like the other Imagination Station books, Surprise at Yorktown is filled with history and a great storyline, not to mention adventure and surprise! This is the 3rd in a sub-series revolving around the Revolutionary War. We read this book as part of a homeschool unit study on the American Revolution. Like the other Imagination Station books, this had all of my kids (ages 6, 9, and 10) on the edge of their seats--I read this series aloud to my 6 year old while my 9 and 10 year olds read them silently (mainly b/c they can't wait to see what happens next!) My oldest daughter devoured this book in one day and she can't wait to read the next one!  Every time one of these books come in the mail, it's cause for celebration at our house!

More about this book:
Travel two centuries back in time to the final battle of the American Revolution at Yorktown, Virginia. Cousins Patrick and Beth sneak through trenches and race across battlefields to warn General George Washington about a dangerous spy. The spy is stealing his secret plans and giving them to the British. Cannons roar and the ground shakes as the struggle reaches a climax. Washington’s ragtag soldiers are up against the most powerful army in the world. Will Patrick and Beth witness the American Revolution come to an end? Or will they be caught in a dangerous trap they can’t escape?

Special thanks to the people at Tyndale for providing us with this book to review!