The Homeschool Mom's Bible

I was so excited to stumble across the new Homeschool Mom's Bible from Zondervan!  It includes 365 devotions especially for homeschooling moms.  It comes in both King James Version and NIV.

The devotions are heartfelt and encouraging, practical readings that cover topics like avoiding burnout, staying focused and committed, navigating the needs of toddlers, setting boundaries, and, most importantly, maintaining proper soul care while juggling educational and household responsibilities.  I love that they're so short but so encouraging!  They're a wonderful way to begin my day.

The Homeschool Bible includes:

• 365 daily meditations with prayers written by Janet Tatman, a veteran homeschooling mother with more than 25 years of experience homeschooling
• Foreword from Vickie Farris, author, homeschool mom, and wife of Michael Farris, founder of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association
• And a topical index

I love this bible and highly recommend it to any homeschool mom who could use that extra bit of encouragement as she starts her day!  It's really been a blessing to me.  It's a nice hardcover edition and costs about $24 on Amazon.

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Booksneeze for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Redeeming Love, a Captivating and Inspiring Historical Romance

The prince of darkness is a gentleman. So begins Francine Rivers' best-selling book Redeeming Love.  Like all of her books that have come before, I was instantly immersed in this one. The author paints a real-life picture of what life might have been like for women in 1850s California Gold Country. The story is a retelling of an Old Testament story of a prophet who was told by God to marry a harlot who runs away from her husband to go back to her old life.  In the bible, Hosea buys her back.  I won't say what happens in this version, though, because I want you to read it!

Redeeming Love was often heart-breaking but it was also very poignant and touching.  It was a very captivating read with a wonderful ending. This story helps the reader to see how God is using our circumstances and even our worst mistakes to turn them around for good and to weave them into a beautiful tapestry.  It's the story of God's unconditional, redemptive, and all-consuming love.

California’s gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. 

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. 

Then she meets Michael Hosea, a man who seeks his Father’s heart in everything. Michael obeys God’s call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel’s every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw. 

But with her unexpected softening comes overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband’s pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does…the One who will never let her go. 

You can read the first chapter of Redeeming Love here.

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Blogging for Books for providing me with a copy of this book for review.

Grace's Pictures, An Ellis Island Novel

Grace's Pictures is a charming read that takes place on Ellis Island during the early 1900s.  Admittedly, it took me a few chapters to really get into the story but when I did, I had to know what was going to happen.  Grace is an Irish lass who has quite a lot of trust issues and who seems very lost in New York.  She is a very timid person, and I am quite the opposite so her personality and past aren't exactly something I can relate to.  Still, her character is sweet and likeable, anyway, and she definitely changes by the end of the book.  If you had a rough childhood or are a very shy person, you would probably be able to relate to her and get more out of this book than I did.  A plus for me was learning a bit about early photography and the Kodak Brownie camera.  History stuff makes me happy.  

If you're looking for an easy, cozy read this summer, I think you'll like this one.  You can read the first chapter here on Amazon.
From the back cover: 
A casual stroll through a beautiful New York City park turns into a hostile run-in with local gangsters, who are convinced Grace's camera holds the first and only photos of their elusive leader. A policeman with a personal commitment to help those less fortunate finds Grace attractive and longs to help her, but Grace believes such men cannot be trusted. Spread thin between her quest to rescue her mother, do well in a new nanny job, and avoid the gang intent on intimidating her, Grace must put her faith in unlikely sources to learn the true meaning of courage and forgiveness.

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Tyndale for providing me with this book to review.

Anomaly, an AMAZING book much like Hunger Games but with a Christian twist!

I just finished one of the most captivating books I've read in a very long time!  After forgetting I had it (I blame Tolstoy), I picked it up today while my kiddos were doing the last of their homework and I was glued to it until the last page.  I'm afraid to admit that I didn't even stop to go to the bathroom or get a drink, though I did take a short break to put my littles to bed and pray for them.

Decades before Thalli’s birth, the world was decimated by a nuclear war. But life continued deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. There they created genetically engineered human beings who are free of emotions in the hope that war won’t threaten the world again.

This book is simply amazing!  The writing style and the dystopian feel is very similar to the Hunger Games trilogy, and it seems this book will actually be the first in its own trilogy.  I am terribly impatient knowing I'll have to wait until July 2014 to read the 2nd part!  The characters are so real, the plot has twists and turns the reader does not expect, and the ending is both hopeful and a cliffhanger. 

You can read an excerpt and purchase Anomaly from Amazon here.  If you don't read any other book this year, read this one!

From the back cover:

Thalli is an anomaly, born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far by hiding her differences. But then her secret is discovered when she’s overwhelmed by the emotion of an ancient piece of music.

The Ten quickly schedule her annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk - a scientist being groomed by The Ten - convinces them to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the Scientists’ Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance.

As her life ticks a way, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer - someone even more powerful than The Ten. What’s more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she’s been looking for all along.

Thalli must sort out what to believe and who to trust, before her time runs out.

Special thanks to the people at Litfuse for providing me with this review opportunity!

Horse Dreams, Great Fiction for Elementary School Girls

Backyard Horses was exactly the series I was looking for for my daughters who love Jesus, love horses, and are in 3rd grade. The author also wrote a series for older readers called "Winnie the Horse Gentler" and I tried that first but I'd recommend it for middle school students and up. Besides being harder to read, those books sometimes deal with harder issues (like abortion). Backyard Horses, however, is written at around a 2nd/3rd grade reading level. Love, love, love this series!

My daughters love Ellie, the heroine of the story! There are so far 4 books in the series and we started with book 1 (this one) in order to read them, well, in order. The heroine of Horse Dreams, Ellie, is a sweet, oftentimes feisty, day-dreaming 4th grader. In this book, she often day-dreams about her own horse. She decides to do a "science" experiment... she'll "beg, cry, and pray" for a horse of her own and find out what way works best for getting horses. I don't think it's spoiling anything to say that God will answer her prayer... but in a different way than she imagined.

I highly recommend this book to elementary school children. It's filled with a good story, important lessons, and a little girl who puts her hope in God. I also highly recommend Cowboy Colt, Chasing Dream, and Nightmare, the others in the series. By the way, you can earn this book for free by participating in Tyndale's Summer Reading Program through the end of August!

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Needle's Eye: Studying the Bible with the Greatest Detective of All Time!

I have been very remiss in book reviewing lately!  My excuse is that War and Peace is my current read and it's taken me longer to read its 1,300 pages than I expected.  It's an incredible book by my favorite author ever but with 500 characters, it's not exactly easy reading!  Once in awhile, I take a short break for a fast read and then come back to it again. 

So earlier this week, I picked up Sherlock Holmes and the Needle's Eye: The World's Greatest Detective Tackles the Bible Ultimate Mysteries.  I love Sherlock Holmes, whether in print, on BBC, or on old black and white films.  He's an incredibly interesting character, and Len Bailey has captured him well in this book.  Like I said, I'm not doing much pleasure reading these days, but this book fits in perfect with my life at the moment because it is a collection of 10 different mysteries each of which is about 20 pages long.  You can read one and do the corresponding bible study, and then take a break for days, weeks, or even months at a time before picking it back up for more. 

Under close scrutiny ten bible mysteries give up their hidden clues, their long kept secrets. Like a jewel newly polished, they sparkle and shine with a fresh, introspective light.

In each mystery, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson venture back in time to a particular Old or New Testament setting and solve the mystery.  Perhaps it does sound a bit cheesey, but the author does it well and I really enjoy each mystery!  Definitely a unique approach to bible study, and I love it!  I hope it sells well and encourages the author to write a sequel!  And besides, when we're talking about Sherlock Holmes, there always just has to be a sequel. 

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Booksneeze for providing me with this book to review!

Fortress of Mist, Teen Fantasy Fiction that's Great for Adults, too!

The throne is redeemed, but the battle is just beginning.          
I've always loved fantasy, mystery, and historical fiction best.  This book has the feel of all of those combined.  Merlin's Immortals is the second book in the Fortress of Mist series.  It can stand on its own, but I do recommend reading book one first.  I didn't but wish I'd had the chance.

The Fortress of Mist series is especially written for teens and I highly recommend it to anyone with teenagers!  Fantasy stuff is so trendy right now and this series is an awesome option if your kids are interested in fantasy.  The story is well-written and exciting, and the book has a message that's actually good for the soul.   Believe it or not, what you read plays a part in who you become even when it's fiction, so don't take that lightly.  Pick up something that's both good entertainment and spiritually invigorating.
In the dark corners of an ancient land, evil lurks in the shadows. Powerful druids haunt the spaces of their lost territory. Double-minded noblemen fight for domain and influence. Invaders from the north threaten the kingdom of Magnus. This land of promise and redemption is mired in deceit and corruption.

The Orphan King, once victorious in conquest, appears to be losing his grip on his seat of power. Thomas rules Magnus, but does not know whom he can trust. His enemies anticipate his every move, thwarting him at each turn. Something is not right.

Under attack, both in the supernatural and natural worlds, Thomas must reach back into the secret layers of his past to find the strength and wisdom to fight his battles. When the mist clears, who will stand with him?

Special thanks to the awesome people at Blogging for Books for providing me with this review opportunity!

Chasing Dream: Wonderful Fiction for Young Horse Lovers

Backyard Horses was exactly the series I was looking for for my daughters, who love Jesus, love horses, and are in 2nd grade.  Miss Mackall also wrote a series for older readers called "Winnie the Horse Gentler" and I tried that first but I'd recommend it for middle school students and up.  Besides being harder to read, those books sometimes deal with harder issues that wouldn't be understandable by anyone younger than pre-teen.  Backyard Horses, however, is a fairly new series and is written at around a 2nd/3rd grade reading level.  Love, love, love this series!

My daughters love Ellie, the heroine of the story!  Ellie is a sweet, oftentimes feisty, day-dreaming 4th grader.  In the first book, she often day-dreamed about her own horse.  She did an "science" experiment... begged, cried, and prayed for a horse of her own.  God answered that prayer and brought her a palomino horse she named Dream, hence her new horse's name and this books title "Chasing Dream".  Because it's a continuing story, I recommend reading the first and second books but you definitely don't have to do that in order to enjoy Chasing Dream.  In this book...

Feisty fourth-grader Ellie feels the need to prove to the world that her Backyard Horse (Dream) is worthy of attention. Ellie arranges a race to show off her dream. But her world is shaken when her horse gets sick and she is forced to realize that she could very well lose her Dream.

I highly recommend this book to elementary school children.  It's filled with a good story, important lessons, and a little girl who puts her hope in God.  I highly recommend Chasing Dream as well as Horse Dreams, Cowboy Colt, and Nightmare, the others in the series.  By the way, you can earn this book for free by participating in Tyndale's Summer Reading Program through the end of August!

Mommy Time, A Refreshingly Honest and Entertaining Devotional

Wonderfully honest, real, entertaining... not at all your average overly-fluffy devotional!

For example, check out this excerpt from the Mommy Time Devotional, Day 2: Total Strangers: 

When my son is handed to me for the first time, I feel the sudden dissonance of greeting a stranger I thought I knew before.  It's like a blind date with someone you've only read about online.  Nothing about his features is familiar, but then he'll make a move and I think, "Ahaha! That's just like him.  That's the kick he used to give to my liver.

In the middle of the author's honesty and overwhelmedness, God is there.  If you've read any of my devotionals, you know I find the most fulfillment in writing just that way.  This author is a woman after my own heart.  She's written a very encouraging, not to mention entertaining, read.  I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of devotionals. They usually end up seeming contrived, too brief for substance, and quite dull. This one is the total opposite of my low expectations.  I look forward to reading more from Sarah Arthur!  

If you're a new mommy, a mom of young children, or will be soon, I highly recommend this book!  I also recommend it as the perfect baby shower gift. 

"All in Good Time": Gilded Legacy Historical Fiction

All in Good Time is the newly released 2nd book in Maureen Lang's "Gilded Legacy" series.  I really enjoyed Bees in the Butterfly Garden and couldn't wait to read this one!

The main character, Dessa, is incredibly stubborn and has an exceptionally hard time being patient.  Flaws and all, she's incredibly sweet and likeable.  She's got a dream and though she doesn't wait for God to step in and help her out, He does so anyway.  All in Good Time is a wonderful picture of the way God redeems our failures when we screw things up royally.  It's a quick read with a fast-flowing storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat, wanting to find out exactly how all the pieces are going to fit together in the end.
  
Dessa Caldwell has a dream: to open Pierson House, a refuge for former prostitutes in Denver’s roughest neighborhood. But after exhausting all charitable donations, Dessa still needs a loan, and nearly every bank in town has turned her down. Her last hope hinges on the owner of Hawkins National Bank.

Henry Hawkins has a secret: though he owns the most successful bank in town, his initial capital came from three successful raids on Wells Fargo coaches. Now he’s the most eligible bachelor in Denver, but to protect his criminal past, he’s built a fortress around his heart. Not even the boldest matchmaking mother can tempt him... until the day Dessa Caldwell ventures into his bank requesting a loan.

Though he’s certain her proposal is a bad investment, Henry is drawn to Dessa’s passion. But that same passion drives her to make rash decisions about Pierson House... and about whom she can trust. One man might hold the key to the future of her mission—but he also threatens to bring Henry’s darkest secrets to light. As the walls around their hearts begin to crumble, Henry and Dessa must choose between their plans and God’s, between safety and love.

GET IT FREE!
You can earn this book free by participating in Tyndale's Summer Reading Program.  Check it out here!  The program goes through August 31st.

Band of Sisters, Ellis Island, and Human Trafficking

I discovered my new favorite author last month and her newest book didn't disappoint. The reader is swept away from the first page.  Cathy weaves a gripping story with very real characters.  You'll smile and you'll definitely cry as you read their touching story. 

The theme of Band of Sisters is living out what Jesus would have us do in every aspect of our lives.  The author refers often to a classic 1890's book called In His Steps which is now next on my to-read list.  Cathy spins a thought-provoking story, and woven through it all is Jesus, the author of our lives who weaves everything perfectly together to create a masterpiece.




Between the pages of Band of Sisters, the lives of women from very different backgrounds entwine...

Maureen O’Reilly and her younger sister flee Ireland in hope of claiming the life promised to their father over twenty years before. After surviving the rigors of Ellis Island, Maureen learns that their benefactor, Colonel Wakefield, has died. His family, refusing to own his Civil War debt, casts her out. Alone, impoverished, and in danger of deportation, Maureen connives to obtain employment in a prominent department store. But she soon discovers that the elegant facade hides a secret that threatens every vulnerable woman in the city.

Despite her family’s disapproval, Olivia Wakefield determines to honor her father’s debt but can’t find Maureen. Unexpected help comes from a local businessman, whom Olivia begins to see as more than an ally, even as she fears the secrets he’s hiding. As women begin disappearing from the store, Olivia rallies influential ladies in her circle to help Maureen take a stand against injustice and fight for the lives of their growing band of sisters. But can either woman open her heart to divine leading or the love it might bring?

You may have guessed that the secret hiding behind the elegant facade of the department store is human trafficking.  Just a few days before I began to read this book, I watched the movie Taken with my husband.  On a side note, if you haven't seen that movie, you should.  That movie also deals with human trafficking, so this is something that's been on my mind the last few weeks.  I can't stress enough how worth reading Cathy's recent article Human Trafficking Then-and-Now is. Please take a moment to read it, and to find out if there's some way that Jesus can use you, even if it's simply to pray.

"The question is not what we can accomplish, 

but what Christ can accomplish through us." 

~Charles Sheldon, In His Steps

If you've been looking for something that will not only entertain you but will also inspire and challenge you, I definitely recommend both Band of Sisters and Promise Me This!   Also check out Cathy Gohlke's page where you can join her mailing list and find out what else may be in store. 

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Tyndale House for providing me with this book to review!

After the Leaves Fall

Julia can’t wait for her life to begin. After her mother leaves when Julia is nine years old, she’s raised by an unassuming, gentle father and a saintly, matriarchal grandmother until her father dies just as Julia is becoming a young adult.

After the leaves fall... it's not over--everything is just waiting for spring.

On the cusp of womanhood, Julia feels jaded by her circumstances and longs for a new identity. College seems like the perfect place to start over. But when Julia makes a mistake that will change her life forever, she returns to her grandmother’s farm, defeated and convinced of her own worthlessness. Only through the gentle prodding of her loving grandmother does Julia begin to accept the imprint her childhood has left on her life and look for hope in a loving God who longs to make all things new.

Beautifully written... This book will touch your heart. -Angela Hunt, best-selling author 

Chronicles of Narnia Audio Drama: The Last Battle

My children and I love this audio CD set so I'd like to send one to one of my readers, too.  We listen to audiobooks often while taking long drives up to the mountain or on road trips... or sometimes when we're simply taking a short drive to the grocery store.  This audio CD is a drama with more than 100 actors, cinema-quality sound design, & music.

 
Upon entering an enchanted world called Narnia, four ordinary children learn extraordinary lessons in courage, self-sacrifice, friendship, and honor.

About The Last Battle: 
A powerful script and stellar cast mark thisacclaimed Radio Theatre adaptation of C. S. Lewis’s most famous work. What begins as a self-serving scheme by an evil ape quickly turns deadly, as the fierce Calormenes invade Narnia and claim that their god, Tash, and the Great Lion Aslan are one and the same. Young King Tirian and his comrades must fight for the survival of Narnia. The Last Battle, though the conclusion of the series, is also a beginning—with a timeless message that listeners will treasure.

You don't need to have read the other Narnia books to enjoy this audio CD, but I do recommend them.  They're an incredible series and you can always find them at used bookstores or on Paperbackswap for free or cheap (check out the sidebar to the right if you're interested in Paperbackswap--I love it!)

RPM: A Cool Boy's Racecar Series!

  
Currently at Tyndale Rewards, you can get 2 books from the boy's RPM race car series: Checkered Flag and Overdrive.   This race car series sounds really awesome for boys (and possibly girls, if they've got an interest in race cars--there is a girl main character).  My kiddos and I haven't read the books in this series yet b/c they're recommended for ages 10 and up.  However, they're published by one of my very favorite book publishers and I've been wanting to have a giveaway geared towards my readers sons and grandsons.  So here you have it! 

About "Checkered Flag"
Tim Carhardt is drifting through life with one goal: survival. Jamie Maxwell believes she can become—no, will become—the first female winner of the Cup. But life isn’t always as easy as it seems. What happens when dreams and faith hit the wall? You don’t want to miss a second of the action. In the trademark page-turner style used by Chris Fabry in the Left Behind: The Kids series, these fast-paced books will keep even reluctant readers on the edge of their seats. Go behind the scenes of America’s most-watched sport to see what it’s like inside a 200-mph racecar as engines rev and lives collide.

About "Overdrive"
Tim Carhardt is drifting through life with one goal: survival. Jamie Maxwell believes she can become—no, will become—the first female winner of the Cup. But life isn’t always as easy as it seems. What happens when dreams and faith hit the wall? You don’t want to miss a second of the action. In the trademark page-turner style used by Chris Fabry in the Left Behind: The Kids series, these fast-paced books will keep even reluctant readers on the edge of their seats. Go behind the scenes of America’s most-watched sport to see what it’s like inside a 200-mph racecar as engines rev and lives collide.

Get it free from Tyndale!

God Gave Us Easter

I love all of Lisa Tawn Bergren's picture books and so do my kiddos.  We started with God Gave Us You and God Gave Us Love.and were so excited to read God Gave Us Easter.  These books are very sweet and special, the perfect way to introduce the wonderfulness of Jesus to children. 

"God loved us so much he wanted us to always be with him too. That's why God knew he'd need to give us Easter."

Because of the sweet, eternal message the book has, reading God Gave Us Easter to my little ones bonded us even closer together.  The illustrations are beautiful.  The story itself is something special along the lines of Margaret Wise Brown's The Runaway Bunny (which is a classic in children's literature you should definitely read if you haven't already!)  I have to admit, I like this story even better than the famous Miss Brown's because of the inspirational message within its pages.

I highly recommend this book and am so glad I had the opportunity to review it!  Check out the cute video about it and you'll probably fall in love with the series, too.

The wonderful people at Waterbrook Multnomah provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for the purposes of this review.  All views presented are my own.

A Kingsbury Collection

Early last year, a friend let me borrow her book A Moment of Weakness.  With that story, I was introduced to Karen Kingsbury.  What especially captured and impressed me was the way Kingsbury looks at today's issues in such a real, genuine way.  She tackles things that many other Christian women seem to be afraid to discuss: things like abortion, politics, sex before marriage, and depression, and even when it seems to the characters that God is nowhere to be found, we see that He's working out both their bad and wise choices and turning them around for good.  It's the same for us.  We don't always see His plan or understand His ways, but He's there just the same, weaving our lives into a beautiful story... and Karen Kingsbury's stories reflect that truth.  

A Kingsbury Collection is a good starting point if you've never read Kingsbury before because you get 3 novels in one, especially b/c the price is very good for 3 new books.  It's a thick book, though (almost 800 pages) and didn't make for the coziest book reading experience.  I would encourage you to buy her books separately if that might bother you. 

Here are the books included in A Kingsbury Collection:

Where Yesterday Lives

Ellen Barrett is a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist with an uncertain marriage, a forgotten faith, and haunting memories of her picturesque hometown and the love she left behind. The eldest of five siblings, she longs for the time, long ago, when they were a happy family. Now Ellen’s beloved father is dead, and she returns to her childhood home to make peace–with the people who still live there, with the losses and changes that time has wrought, and with the future God has set before her.

When Joy Came to Stay

Maggie Stovall is one of the golden people. She has it all together...at least on the surface. Ben Stovall is a godly husband and successful attorney. He has no idea of the darkness about to overtake his life. Amanda Joy is a child of society–abused, broken, thrown away. But her trust in God is still alive. When Joy Came to Stay is the heart-wrenching story of one woman’s descent into the shadows of depression, her husband’s search for understanding, and a precious child’s unwavering faith.

On Every Side

Faith Evans is an up-and-coming newscaster, a woman of honor and integrity who must take a stand against the one man she never imagined would be her enemy. A beloved, hundred-year-old statue of Jesus stands in a small-town park–but some say it’s a clear violation of separation of church and state that must come down. Jordan Riley is a powerful attorney fighting for human rights and against God, but still reckoning with bitter boyhood losses. Amid political intrigue, social injustice, and personal conflicts, will love be enough when the battle rages on every side? 

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Multnomah for providing me with this book to review!

An Angel By Her Side: A Heaven on Earth Novel

I so loved this book!  It was a very different take on Amish fiction.  It included endearing Amish life along with angelic intervention.  Angels seem to be a theme for me lately seeing that I recently blogged about an angel picture book for children.  You can still win a copy of that book here.

This book features our heroine, Katie Bender, whose fiance died in a tragic accident along with her hope of ever again finding love.  She has a gift of teaching so she embraces that with all her heart.  Things seem to be going along for her, nice though monotonous, until one day when there is a tornado in her little town of Hope Falls.  A handsome stranger comes to her rescue and then the real story begins....

I very highly recommend An Angel by Her Side, along with the Heaven on Earth Novels by Ruth Reid.  It was an enchanting, feel-good read, and I really liked the deeper spiritual meaning behind the characters choices.

You can pick it up at Amazon for about $10--the cost of a movie but much longer entertainment value.  ;)  And you can read an excerpt of the book here.

Thanks to the awesome people at Booksneeze for providing me with this book to review!

Isle of Shadows and an Ancient Wonder

Colossus of Rhodes

Living Under the Shadow of Colossus, Ancient Wonder of the World

It is 226 BC.  Tessa, a slave who is as beautiful as she is clever, lives in Rhodes where numerous gods, including Colossus, are worshiped.  Before she becomes a Christian, Tessa feels that her entire life is wrapped around the magnificent statue of Colossus.  His shadow hovered over her as her mother sold her into slavery at a young age.  His shadow seems to call to her in her darkest moment when she decides to take her life.  She runs to his statue even as a Christian who grasps for not only spiritual freedom, but bodily freedom as well.

I love historical fiction and thought there was much promise in Isle of Shadows.  The good characters were likeable, the evil characters were detestable.  Tessa herself was very interesting.  She was a courtesan to Rome's political leaders (the highest bidder seemed to own her; when the book begins she is owned by a very powerful man, Glaucus) Interestingly, Tessa actually advised on political affairs.  Reading about a woman like her made me want to find out if any women slaves truly did have such a voice.  The book seems to ask the question: Is Glaucus powerful only because of Tessa?  Or is he truly wise via his own merits?

The entire book leads up to the historical Rhodes earthquake, which stood for 56 years until 226 BC, when the earthquake hit and significant damage was done to large portions of the city, including the harbor and commercial buildings, which were destroyed. The statue, which was actually at the harbor, snapped at the knees and fell over on to the land.  In the book, Tessa was there when it happened. Afterward, the Rhodians were afraid that they had offended Helios, and they declined to rebuild it. All of these events worked in Tessa's favor.

This book was a quick read but it definitely whetted my appetite for more Roman history.  You can read the first chapter on Amazon here.

If ancient Rome interests you like it does me, I also recommend Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series.  It's amazing!  But unlike this one, it's not a quick read.  More like deep and thought-provoking.  If I were you, I'd read them all.  ;)

Special thanks to the awesome people at Tommy Nelson for providing me with this book for review!

The Memory Jar

A memory jar is a bit like a journal except that, instead of words, it houses tiny treasures that will bring back your favorite memories. Reading Tricia Goyer's new book The Memory Jar inspired me to start my first one. I've always written a journal to keep my memories fresh and remind me of where God has brought me from and through, but I'd never heard of a memory jar before. Like Sarah from between the pages of the book, I plan to start a new memory jar each year.

Like the memories she carries in a jar along with the small items connected to them, Sarah carries around her emotions instead of allowing them to penetrate deep into her heart. One of the most touching stories I've read in a very long time, I often cried both tears of joy and tears of sadness for Sarah.



The Memory Jar was such a powerful and touching read! Heartwarming, inspiring, romantic, sweet, and unpredictable, it had pretty much everything a good book should have. I've just discovered Tricia Goyer this year but each of her books has touched my heart. Unlike many authors, her stories seem to always be something fresh and new. Her books move at the perfect pace--never boring, captivating my interest, and not tempting me to read the last page.

If you like Amish fiction you'll love this or, gosh, if you've never tried it, let this be your first!  


Special thanks to the wonderful people at Litfuse for providing me with this book to review.

Life With Lily: Amish Fiction for Kids!

I was so excited to see that there's now Amish fiction for children!  I had the opportunity to review Life With Lily, the first book in a new series.  The author, Suzanne Woods Fisher, grew up Amish and based the books off of her own childhood.  I thought this would be the perfect way to help my children to understand the Amish. I've been reading it to my children at bedtime.  Since it say for ages 8 and up and Lily is only 6 years old, I was a bit surprised that the book is so long (almost 300 pages) and it's not really something most early elementary children would read.  Since Lily is in first grade, I expected these books to be more like the shorter Imagination Stations series we've been reading and perhaps with more and larger pictures inside (there a few small illustrations).

Perhaps in the future, Miss Fisher will write something that a younger audience can read themselves.  We are enjoying it, though, in our own way.  :)

Lily is six in this story, just starting first grade in a one-room schoolhouse in upstate New York. Her parents are busy building a farm, and soon animals join the family—Jenny the cow and Chubby the miniature horse. A baby brother arrives, too, which Lily has mixed feelings about. (She wanted a sister!) Aside from a mischievous friend like Mandy Mast, Lily is happy at school and even happier at home. 

Trouble is brewing at the schoolhouse and change is on the horizon for Lily and her family.



 
Special thanks to the wonderful people at Litfuse for providing me with this book for review! 

At The Feet of Jesus

I was drawn to the devotional book At the Feet of Jesus because it called out to us Mary's in a Martha world.  As moms, wives, and Christians we get so caught up in the busyness of life. Even when we want to make time for God, we get distracted.  God has called us for more than just serving Him as Martha did, but He wants to know us, too, as Mary did.  That's what this devotional is all about.


You were made for more than serving God; you were made to know Him.

Next Thursday, Nov. 8th, the author is having a Facebook Party to celebrate her release of At the Feet of Jesus. It will be an evening of encouragement, laughter and a Q&A with the author. There will also be gift certificates and books given away to participants. You can enter and RSVP by clicking the pic below.  The winner will be announced at the party on 11/8. 

One blessed winner will receive:

• An iPad
• The Year in Bethany Trilogy (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit and Lazarus Awakening 
• At the Feet of Jesus for YOU and Five of your friends.

If you win, stop by here and let me know so that I can be happy for you! 

The Fantasy Fallacy & 50 Shades

Once upon a time (oh, about four years or so ago) I began looking for a book that would challenge and inspire me as a woman who loves to have fun, has (I'll confess) been considered a flirt in the past, has always been more comfortable with guys than girls, who likes to be real, and who has had a hard time trying to find the balance between being "myself" and being who I'm supposed to be as a woman of God.  Obviously, God made me who I am... but sometimes it's kind of hard knowing exactly who that is after growing up in a culture that tells you certain things are right when they're wrong, and certain things are wrong when they're right.  I tried a certain book (the title of which shall remain nameless) two years in a row and ended up trashing it both times.  I decided I'd just stick with the bible until God gave me something in addition to it.

And then last year I stumbled upon Shannon Ethridge's book "Every Woman's Battle", a book that had me excited from the first chapter--it was just what I'd been looking for for three years!  Shannon addresses topics most authors and Christian woman speakers seem to be afraid to address--how to wisely navigate male/female relationships outside of marriage, how to to have a richly rewarding sex life the right way, and now she addresses fantasy in light of the recent "Fifty Shades of Gray" craze with her new book "The Fantasy Fallacy".  

She begins by pointing out common misconceptions that people have about sex and builds off of them throughout the book.  All of the below are false:

• The Sexual Revolution of the past forty-plus years is all about sex.
• The church does an adequate job of teaching Christians how to appropriately assess and discuss the topic of sexual fantasy.
• All fantasy is inappropriate, unhealthy, and sinful. 
• Sexual fantasy and lust are always the same thing.
• Christians control their sexual thoughts and actions better than others.
• Sexual fantasies provide a road map to the sexual fulfillment we crave.
• Sexual fantasies are better left unspoken and unexplored.
• Sexual fantasy is really just the brain's way of driving us to do evil things.
• Anxiety, confusion, or fear over sexual fantasies is not a common issue.
• Interpreting sexual fantasies isn't going to solve any of the world's problems.

Shannon doesn't, like some speakers I've heard, believe that all fantasy is sinful.  God was incredibly creative and we're made in His image, after all.  He can use fantasy for His glory: "The Chronicles of Narnia", for instance, but in our sex lives, too.
 
I love the way Shannon writes because she's real, she's honest about her own failings and temptations, and she is not writing about something she knows nothing about.  She writes with a heart for her reader, whether you're into this "Fifty Shades of Gray" thing or not.

Consider that...

• to fantasize about where to go to college and what to study means we are intelligent.
• to fantasize about getting more out of our careers means that we are ambitious.
• to fantasize about getting physically fit means that we are health conscious.
• to fantasize about getting more out of our sex lives, well, that means we must be lustful, perverted, sick, and twisted.

Of course, that last statement is simply not true.  It is normal and healthy to want the most out of our sex lives, and sometimes fantasy is the best way to achieve that goal--to envision what you might find pleasurable and especially to envision what kind of pleasurable acts you would enjoy offering to your spouse.  -S.E.

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'd like more fulfilling sex in your marriage, please read "The Fantasy Fallacy"! It's something I believe God put on this woman's heart in His always-perfect timing.  You can read an excerpt by clicking any of the hyperlinks in this post.  ♥


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

Bride's Pocket Bible ♥

As you can see, I needed a new pocket bible sooo badly!  My old Air Force one was quite falling apart... but I love having a bible that will fit into my purse, so I jumped at the chance to review Thomas Nelson's new KJV Bride's Bible. Of course, I haven't been a new bride for 11 years but once a bride, always a bride, right?  I think so.  It's pretty with a lacy cover and silver edged pages.  My daugthers ooed and ahhed over it asking, "Mommy, when can we have a beautiful bible like that?"

This is the perfect bible.  I absolutely love it.  It's thin and lightweight, thin enough to tuck into your purse, briefcase, backpack, or glove compartment, yet large enough for easy readability. It's the perfect gift for a soon-to-be bride or for (ahem) yourself. It includes a few features, too, like:

*A Presentation Page
*Self-pronouncing Text
*Special Photograph Pages
*Words of Jesus in Red
*Concordance
*Full-color Maps

The cover is soft imitation leather and it seems to be a bible that will hold up very well for years, even with everyday use.  ♥  If you get it, you'll love it!

 Special thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing this book for review!

Be Still My Soul: Sweet, Mountain Historical Fiction

 
Be Still My Soul is a sweet love story of Lonnie, who lives in a small Appalachian Mountain town. She reminded me much of Cinderella--her family life was terrible, her father very cruel, but she loved God in spite of her surroundings, and she sought to do the right thing no matter the cost.  Hers was a character I could admire: she was the perfect example of meekness.  And no, meekness doesn't mean "weakness."  It means "power under control."  Lonnie exemplified that to a t. 

Forced to marry a man who was nothing less than a womanizer and a selfish jerk (Gideon's super cute but that's about all he's got going for him), Lonnie is forced on a journey by foot far away from her home.  Gideon won't even give her a bite of breakfast at one point.  I wanted to reach through the pages and... well... But God was with this imaginary character through every page, overshining Lonnie and her husband's seemingly-hopeless circumstances.  The way all ends were tied up was perfect.  I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a heart-warming read!



Thanks to the wonderful people at Waterbrook Press for providing me with this book to review!