God is Always Good: Another Special Children's Book #Giveaway

A remarkable tool for parents to use for everything from the death of a goldfish to a national tragedy...

A friend who doesn’t keep a promise. A scary storm. A soldier who goes off to war. Saying goodbye to a pet—or a loved one. Every day, children come in contact with scary or sad situations where they can feel helpless and alone. Filled with scriptures, soft illustrations, and sweet, reassuring text, this book will broadly address scary situations and remind children that God is always in control and that He will bring good out of bad things. God Is Always Good features sweet illustrations filled with animal characters who show how God never leaves His children alone, and we can see Him through the helping hands of others, a hug, a warm blanket, or even a smile. Each spread features a scripture, giving children biblical assurance that God keeps His promises. A wonderful book!

My daughter has a special bunny she sleeps with when she's sick.  What object do your kids (big & little!) hold close to their hearts to comfort them during hard times?

Giveaway ends 9/30/14. 

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

"Good Night, Little Pumpkin": A Cute Halloween Children's Book #Giveaway

 

Sleepy little Milo, in his oversized pumpkin costume, is making the rounds at the harvest party with his friends. It’s time to go home, but he wants to enjoy every game at the fall fair before the night is over! Crunching leaves, crisp breezes, mountains of sweets—celebrate the abundance of the harvest season through this bedtime book for children. Charming illustrations and a sweet story are perfect for young hearts.

"Goodnight Little Pumpkin" is such a great alernative to spooky Halloween books or movies!  It's a board book meant for kiddos from 1-4 with fun glitter embellishment on the cover.  It's got adorable art and a fun, wholesome story to engage children as they wind down for bedtime.  It's about $7 on Amazon.  It would be a super cute thing to send as a gift to someone for Halloween... maybe along with some candy!  ;)

  

This adorable book evokes some favorites sights and sounds of fall. What are your favorite sights, sounds, or smells of fall?

Giveaway ends 9/30/14.

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

Get to Know Mary... another great kid's biography

Mary was more than the mother of Jesus.  She was a hero of the bible.  She said "Yes!" to God.

 

 

I've found a great new series to use as part of our homeschool curriculum this year.  The second book in the Get to Know Series from Zondervan is a unique biography about Mary, Jesus' mother. 

Get to Know Mary really shows the reader what life was really like for Mary.  It's a little over 100 pages, the perfect length for my 4th graders.  It focuses on  Mary's life and character using color photographs, maps, and other visual resources to tell the whole story.  I like that it's such a history book--but an easy-to-read one.  Featuring a bibliography and scriptural references throughout, this is sure to become a favorite for young readers and for first book reports.  I am so eager to get our hands on the rest of the series! 

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

Get to Know Jesus... a great biography for kids!

I've found a great new series to use as part of our homeschool curriculum this year.  The first book in the Get to Know Series from Zondervan is a unique biography about Jesus, the son of God. My 8 year old daughter reads her bible (we have the New International Readers Version which I highly recommend!) but has been asking how to know Jesus better, so I jumped at the chance to review this book.  Get to Know Jesus really shows the reader what life was like for Jesus.  It's a little over 100 pages, the perfect length for my 4th graders.  It focuses on  Jesus' life and character using color photographs, maps, and other visual resources to tell the whole story, young biography fans will come to learn more about this man of the God and the role he plays in history. Featuring a bibliography and scriptural references throughout, this is sure to become a favorite for young readers and for first book reports.  I am so eager to get our hands on the rest of the series! 

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

"My Princesses" Learning to Share and Be Brave: Adorable and Inspiring!

My daughter loves the new My Princessess books!  And so do I.  They're absolutely adorable, the illustrations are charming, and the story is inspiring.  It encourages my daughter to understand that she is a princess because she is God's child, a daughter of the King.  Both books feature little girls named Hope and Grace who are learning how to live as "princesses" by learning new bible stories and finding out how they relate to their lives.  I've always taught my littles that they are princesses because Jesus is the King, and I was excited to see a new book series that would go along with that--especially one with such beautiful illustrations.  These books would make wonderful gifts for the little royalty in your life!

Little girls love princesses—complete with tiaras, gowns, and all things sparkly. This new, affordable picture book series captures the love of princesses and adds a biblical lesson, teaching girls they are daughters of the King and encouraging them to live as God would have them live.

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

#Free Bibles At Tyndale Rewards

If you could use a new bible and haven't signed up for Tyndale Rewards yet, this is the perfect time. They've got a ton of new bibles posted.  Shipping is even free!  Head on over and let me know if you pick something out. :)  Be blessed!

A Triple Knot: Intriguing Historical Fiction of the Lovely Joan of Kent

Fascinating... Emma Campion brings Plantagenet history to life and pulls the reader into the loves and losses, tragedies and triumphs of a dynamic woman, Joan, the Fair Maid of Kent.

-Karen Harper, NY Times

 

Yes, A Triple Knot will pull at your heart and inspire as the Fair Maid of Kent's life unfolds, I believe, as true to life as historical fiction could have done.  Joan of Kent's life was terribly interesting, but it was also part-times terribly heartbreaking and terribly inspiring. This was a strong woman, a woman who amazed me--even as a young girl.  A Triple Knot spans a 23 year period and sweeps the reader along as if she is truly in fourteenth century England.  Miss Campion is such a gifted author!  May I write as well as her someday!  In the meantime, I'm eagerly awaiting her next novel.  And now I must mention--the cover.  My hubby asked when he saw it, "What are you reading?!"  It looks quite suggestive and it isn't Christian historical fiction (many of my reads are).  However, the cover is misleading and I hoped it would be after I read the book synopsis--this is no "romance novel" in the racy sense of the term.  It's a clean read (cleaner than some "Christian fiction" I've read!) and I highly recommend it.  Wonderful, captivating, historical fiction that will whet your appetite for more Plantagenet history!

Emma Campion brings another fascinating woman from history to life in an enthralling story of political intrigue, personal tragedy, and illicit love.
Joan of Kent, renowned beauty and cousin to King Edward III, is destined for a politically strategic marriage. As the king begins a long dynastic struggle to claim the crown of France, plunging England into the Hundred Years’ War, he negotiates her betrothal to a potential ally and heir of a powerful lordship.

But Joan, haunted by nightmares of her father’s execution at the hands of her treacherous royal kin, fears the king’s selection and is not resigned to her fate. She secretly pledges herself to one of the king’s own knights, one who has become a trusted friend and protector. Now she must defend her vow as the king—furious at Joan’s defiance—prepares to marry her off to another man.

In A Triple Knot, Emma Campion brings Joan, the “Fair Maid of Kent” to glorious life, deftly weaving details of King Edward III’s extravagant court into a rich and emotionally resonant tale of intrigue, love, and betrayal.

Read the first chapter on Amazon.

Special thanks to the publisher for providing me with this book to review!

Little Critters Books #Giveaway

Two new books featuring the famous Little Critter!  In board book or soft cover.

I was so excited to see that The Little Critters books are back!  My brother and I loved these books as kids and now my kiddos love them, too. These 2 books have faith-inspired messages that show kids the importance of thankfulness and forgiveness. They're recommended for ages 3-7, but my 9 year old loves reading them to her little brother just as much as he likes hearing the stories. You can get these as soft covers for $3.59 on Amazon or as board books for $8.99. There are Kindle editions of each of these, too, for $1.99. So cute and great messages! Enter to win your own copy of these cute books.  Fill out the form below by  August 19th at 11 pm anyone's time.  And be sure to enter all of the other giveaways at our blog by clicking on the tabs above.  :) 

What were your favorite books to read when you were little?

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

Creativity, Art, and Beauty in Auschwitz

Alma Rose, Jewish Violinist and Conductor
of the Women's Orchestra at Auschwitz

"We found ourselves hushed by delicate floating butterflies and cheery watercolor flowers that had no place within the camp's barbed wire walls.  We were moved by the coexistence of evil and sheer beauty, seemingly both allowed to flourish in the same place."

~Kristy Cambron, The Butterfly and the Violin

If you're like I was, you don't realize that after World War II ended, hundreds upon hundreds of Jewish prisoner artwork was found hidden throughout Auschwitz.  There were more than 200 artists of all nationalities as prisoners in Auschwitz, as well as in other concentration camps. 

If you're like I was, you also don't realize there was a women's prisoner orchestra.  Alma Rosé was a beautiful Jewish violinist who was forced to conduct the women's orchestra in the Auschwitz concentration camp.  This women's orchestra played upbeat music as women left to work throughout the camps each day.  Later, they were forced to play as new arrivals, women and children, walked unsuspecting to their deaths.  How could they do that?  How could they play their beautiful music as their fellow Jewish sisters walked to their deaths?  The story of The Butterfly and the Violin grapples that question.  This is a book that touched my heart, and taught me history I had no inkling of before.  I love books that do that!  And this one couldn't be released during a more perfect time!  If you follow the news at all, you know that anti-Semitism isn't dead. It's heartbreakingly alive and real.  It's what made the horrors of WWII possible.  And it's not something we should be ignoring.  God is certainly not ignoring it, and God's people should not take it lightly.

More than anything, this book, fiction though it may be, magnified  the steadfastness of the human spirit and the truth that God will make beauty from ashes.  Even in ashes.  When Jews found themselves in Auschwitz, they actually saw the horror of ashes floating on the breeze.  They endured things no human being should ever have to endure.  And yet, they found and even created beauty there.  My favorite Jewish prisoner artwork is by Mieczyslaw Koscielniak, painted in 1944 and 1945 during his imprisonment at Auschwitz:

 

To view more Jewish art of the Holocaust, visit Last Expressions.  To read the fictional account of the women's prisoner orchestra, read The Butterfly and the Violin.  Also, be sure and enter the giveaway and visit the author chat party.  You can sign up to win and to RSVP by clicking the pic below.  Have a blessed day, and pray for Israel!  And if you live near me and want to borrow this book, please let me know!

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

AIO Adventures: #Free Adventures in Odyssey Episode & Exciting Books!

 

My children and I love the kids Historical fiction series The Imagination Station!  This is the 2nd book in the series.  My 3rd graders zoom through these books, and my 1st grader loves listening to them as a night time read-aloud.

I love History as much as I love books, and my kids love History, too.  I credit a lot of that to the great fiction we read that gives them an exciting taste and hunger for history.  I've been reading them great historical non-fiction (try David Adler's picture book series if you've got younger kids) since they were tiny.  No dry Ferris Bueller-style History lessons for us!

Join cousins Patrick and Beth in the Imagination Station and travel through history as they sail with Viking explorers! (for ages 7 and up)

"Voyage with the Vikings" is actually the first book in the Imagination Station series by Marianne Herring and Paul McKuster. This book is about real-life vikings Eric the Red and Leif Eriksson. The cover itself gives an accurate description of the book: 2 kids, Beth and Patrick, end up going back to around AD1,000 and getting mixed up in a viking adventure. "Voyage with the Vikings" delves into the history of Iceland, Leif Eriksson's conversion to Christianity and the strife that caused between he and his father, and so much more... but you'll have to read it to find out the "more"! The Imagination Station is great, exciting fiction that's sure to peak your kids' interest in History, too.  It's very similar to the popular Magic Treehouse Series but better because it's got great spiritual values, too. 

This book is part of Tyndale's Summer Reading program.  Earn it free! 

And have you heard about the new Adventures in Odyssey Adventure Club?!
For a limited time, you can listen to a new episode of Adventures in Odyssey for FREE!
 

 

Album 58, The Ties that Bind, will be available this fall for digital download and CD purchase, but if you join the Odyssey Adventures Club, you can listen to the full album now! Guess what? The $5 special held last month was extended through the end of July, too, so you can join in the fun for only $5! Here's what part one is about (which you can listen to for free HERE):

It’s a time of surprises as Wooton becomes the celebrity guest at Comic-Connellsville and Whit finds himself in conflict over the upcoming “Let’s Get Together Festival” in Odyssey. Plus, hear an interview with writer-director Paul McCusker about the entire 14-part series.

Album 58 was inspired by Focus on the Family’s The Family Project, a 12-session small group experience that explores the theological, philosophical, and cultural underpinnings of the traditional family, and combines that information with inspiring stories and practical tools to help 21st-century families thrive. One way families can carry out God's design for families is by serving their community—right where God has planted them, being His hands and feet together. Want to serve your community with your family, maybe make a day of out it? Here are some fantastic ideas from some Adventures in Odyssey bloggers and club members:

• Make scarves through the year and deliver them to your local homeless shelter at the start of winter, or regularly donate food to your local food bank. —Shirley 
• Our family likes to help with Meals on Wheels. We also do reenactments of the Civil War and WWII to help educate people on history. I like to show my kids that we should be servers and givers by taking meals to people who need them (i.e. baby just born, someone died, someone had surgery, etc.). —Erin 
• We have been visiting a nursing home with friends once a month. The kids just sing and then we fellowship, but the ladies love it! —Lisa 
• We make lap blankets for nursing home residents and take the time to visit with them. We also collect food for the local food pantry. —Donna 
• We make blessing bags to give to the homeless when we encounter them. We also donate clothes and food to a local shelter. —Amy 
• Our MOPs (Mothers of Prechoolers) group supports our local Pregnancy Support Services with donations, gifts, and notes. We also supports the Durham Rescue Mission, which helps people break free from addictions and restore families. —Melissa 
• We live in a very rural area. Our church serves two of the poorest zip codes in the state, and about a decade ago, they started operating a food pantry out of a closet. It has expanded since then, so we now use the closet for storage, but the pantry is basically a classroom. The kids and I serve over there a lot. My 17-year-old and I go to Care & Share (50 miles away) to get food to bring back to the pantry. All of us help unload and stock shelves. On pantry days, everyone can get involved with helping people go through the line, playing with the kids, carrying boxes out to cars, etc. There are so many hungry folks, especially in the summer when school breakfasts and lunches aren't available, and helping a bit to put food on some tables is such a blessing for us all. —Debra 
• We pack food bags each month for the homeless and needy through a thrift store that offers an outreach to the community. We also help clean our church and our Sunday school. —Michele 
• We work through our AHG troop to do several service activities a year. My girls just recently made bracelets they are selling, which 100% of the profits goes to Hope House in Africa to help young girls. —Sarah 
• Our church works with a homeless shelter in downtown Atlanta. We cook food ahead of time, and when our schedules allow we ride down with the group to serve the food. My son always reminds me when we haven't been for awhile, so it's something he looks forward to. —Maria 
• We do lots of random acts of kindnesses within our community: pay for others' meals, leave change at a vending machine, hand out Gatorade/granola bars to people on the side of the road asking for food. We also love to support Mobile Loaves and Fishes. —Kathryn

Did that provide some ideas to give your family service activity the kick-start it needs? What other ideas do you have for serving your community? Share in the comments!

"Dear Mr. Knightley": Charming Fiction by Katherine Reay

 

Like Samantha in Katherine Reay's debut novel Dear Mr. Knightley, I am madly in love with Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare--the classics.  I can't quote them as well as Sam, by any means, but I found it to be very charming when she did... though her best friend found it annoying.  Out of the blue, Sam meets a man who can do the same (well-known and super cute writer Alex Powell).  Honestly, I doubt there's a straight man in this world who could quote classic novelists... but it made for a cute story, nonetheless. 

Samantha is a foster kid who has been passed from family to family and finally ends up with a mysterious benefactor who calls himself Mr. Knightley.  If you're a Jane Austen fan, you'll know that Mr. Knightley is one of the most attractive and swoon-worthy of Austen's heroes.  Also like me, Samantha loves writing.  Her "Mr. Knightley" offers to put her through college to major in journalism if she'll write letters to her mysterious donor, detailing her progress.

Because of Mr. Knightley's anonymity, Sam’s letters become more like diary entries.  One of the "rules" is that he won't write her back.  She feels safe, almost as if he isn't really an actual person.  She sometimes wonders if he even reads the letters.  Sam ends up confessing things to him that she has never told anyone.  In real life, Alex draws Sam into a world of warmth and literature that feels like it’s straight out of a book, and old secrets are drawn to light. As Sam learns to love and trust Alex and herself, she learns once again how quickly trust can be broken.

The premise of this book is the importance of discovering who you are... embracing who you were meant to be.  I really enjoyed Dear Mr. Knightley and definitely recommend you put it on your summer reading list!

 

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

Dream Treaders, Exciting Preteen/Teen Fiction #Giveaway

I was so hooked on fantasy as a preteen and teen and, I have to say, I still really like it a lot!  Especially when it's got a biblical twist to it.  People are fascinated by dreams, and the Bible has a lot to say about them. From Jacob’s dream of the heavenly stairway in Genesis 28 to angels visiting Joseph during dreams in Matthew 1 to the Apostle John’s “waking dream” from which he obtained the book of Revelation—dreams have been powerful ingredients of God’s plan as revealed through Scripture.  Dreamtreaders is sure to hook your kiddo!

Fourteen-year-old Archer Keaton discovers he has the ability to enter and explore his dreams. He is a dreamtreader, one of three selected from each generation. Their mission: to protect the waking world from the Nightmare Lord, who wreaks chaos in the Dream World. But as Archer’s dreams become more dangerous and threatening, so too does his waking life.

Rigby Thames, the new kid from England, builds a suspicious rock star-like following at Dresden High School a little too quickly. Even Archer’s best friend and confidant, Kara Windchil, seems taken in by the cool guy with the wild blond hair, which definitely rubs Archer the wrong way. Archer must face two foes in two worlds, but he cannot succeed alone. Archer sets off to find other dreamtreaders in a desperate attempt to defeat the enemy terrorizing his friends and family.

GIVEAWAY
Enter below by July 21st at 11 pm anyone's time. I'll choose a winner the next morning. Good luck!
 
Special thanks to the wonderful people at Tommy Nelson for this review and giveaway opportunity!
 

"Bridge to Haven" New, Incredible 1950s Historical Fiction from Francine Rivers

"Bridge to Haven" tells the story of Abra, lovely but wounded.  As a baby, she is abandoned under a bridge where the local preacher finds her.  He and his wife adopt her, even though he has misgivings--his wife's health isn't good and he doesn't think she can handle the demands of a baby... then a toddler... then the high-spirited little girl Abra becomes.  Her adopted mother dies and her daddy gives her away to some family friends.  My heart broke for Abra.  After some time, the only daddy she ever knew doesn't even seem to want to see her anymore!  Later, as the story unfolded, I was on the edge of my seat as I turned every page.  I was gripped with Abra's life as she searched for love and approval from everyone.  She put herself on a pedestal, she sought perfection, she tried to please those closest to her to earn their love. 

As a teenager and later as a young woman, Abra doesn't feel at all like she belongs in her small town of Haven.  She ends up in Hollywood, pursuing stardom, living a life giving into any temptation she feels like giving into, essentially trying to fill her heart with something... anything... anyone... who might be able to fill it.  After she ends up burning every bridge back to Haven, she realizes she wants to go back but it seems impossible.  The story is riveting and, in the end, it has such a message of hope!  In my own life, I recently made quite a mess of a certain something but God has been filling my heart with hope just as He showed Abra in this story--hope that He can somehow turn the mess she made into some part of His beautiful plan, and the truth that He can replace "sorrow and shame" with "everlasting joy" (Isaiah 61:7).  Abra seemed real, I loved her, she felt more like a "friend" than most book characters I've met, and reading her story was a blessing to my heart.

I enjoyed this book so much!  Read it!!

"Annies Stories" A New and Charming Ellis Island Novel

Annie's Stories picks up where Grace's Pictures left off.  Both are charming reads that take place on Ellis Island during the early 1900s.  It's interesting to suddenly be pulled into the world of immigrants in New York over 100 years ago and, while admittedly it took me a few chapters to really get into the story, I had to know what was going to happen.  Annie is an Irish lass who is a sweet girl.  She has recently lost her father, a wonderful man who had the heart of a storyteller. and who left her only his wonderful stories--written down, unpublished, and hidden away in the secret compartment of a desk.  A bit mysterious, yes? 

During the time Annie's Stories takes place, the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has just been published and is taking New York City by storm.  I love the way the author weaves what's going on in Annie's life into the Oz story.  Like me, the books she reads (even the fiction ones) influence Annie's life and she relates them to things going on around her in the real world.  There is a bit of mystery here, too, as Annie's father actually hid the stories he wrote before his death--hid them away even as he didn't hide away the little money he had saved.  Annie's adorable love interest thinks the stories hold a grand secret... but do they really?

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.

This book is also part of Tyndale's Summer Reading Program.  You can earn it free!  Check it out.

The Best Summer Reading Programs of 2014... for Kids AND Adults!

Backyard Horses Series, Tyndale Summer Reading

Tyndale's Summer Reading Program: This one is for both children and adults.  For every 5 books you read and review, you get to choose a new book from their list as a prize.  This is in addition to Tyndale Rewards, which is another way to earn free books this summer.  Their summer reading program runs through August 31st.

Historical Fiction, Tyndale Summer Reading

Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading:  This one requires kids to read eight books an then make a short recommendation on each one.   They can then turn in their completed Summer Reading form at a store and choose a free book from that store's selection.  This program runs through September 2nd.  We've participated for the last 4 years and love it! 

1st and 2nd Grade Prizes for Barnes and Noble's Summer Reading Program 2013

Chuck E Cheese:  Your child can keep track of their reading through one of the rewards calendars.  Once they've completed two weeks of reading he or she can submit the completed Chuck E Cheese calendar for 10 free tokens!

Bob Jones University: Children ages 4 – 17 can participate in this fun program.  You determine the goal which can be to read for a select number of minutes or number of pages on a daily basis.  Once they've completed their goal, you submit the completion form online by August 19th.  Prizes are awarded for completing the program while supplies last.

Your child will also be entered to win one of nine Summer Reading Tote bags filled with JourneyForth Books (3 for each age group).  They might also win the grand prize – a Kindle Fire!

If you know of another summer reading program I've missed, let me know!  Happy Reading!

You are His treasure: A Book of Letters from Your King

How you feel about yourself will never change God’s unconditional love for you . . . you are His Treasure.

 

 

On the days when it feels like a struggle to connect my heart to God's, I turn to His Treasure—a beautiful collection of letters from my King, a pattern of precious gems reflecting His love.  I love this book so much!  My ideal time with God is to read a bit of His word, along with a letter from this book, and then go outside and talk to Him either with the sunrise or under the stars at night.

When other people fall short, which they always will because no one is perfect but God--no friend, no man, no one--He reminds me that my worth is in Him and, no matter what, He treasures me and loves me.  He's been using this book to show me that again and again.

 

If you have ever struggled to find a way to connect your heart to your heavenly Father, His Treasure is the book for you.  I've tried quite a few devotionals but this one is my favorite.  Besides that it's written in such a way that God will touch your heart, it's an absolutely beautiful book, both inside and out.  It would also make a wonderful gift.  I've already got a few people in mind I want to give a copy to.  You can find His Treasure on Amazon as a hardcopy for about $9 or as an e-book for $6.  Enjoy and be blessed!

 

 

This book was read as part of Tyndale's Summer Rewards Program. Join here and earn free books!  

All for a Story: A Great Roaring 20s Historical Fiction Read!

 

Allison Pittman is one of my very favorite authors!  She writes intriguing stories that I jump at the chance to read.  Her characters seem real; flawed but likeable, people I'd like to be friends with.  All for a Story is actually the third in a series of books that take place during the flapper days after World War II.   ("Lilies in Moonlight" is the first in the series but they don't need to be read in order--they feature only the same time period; not the same main characters or even the same setting.) I've been reading good historical Christian fiction for about the last 7 years but had never read anything that took place during the 1920s before discovering this series... and it was such an exciting and interesting time period in our nation's history! 
 

The heroine of our story is Monica Bisbaine, who loves being a modern girl in the Roaring Twenties. She's feisty, classy, and clever with a zest for life.  She loves to party and seems to thrive around people.  I could totally relate to her--Monica before Christianity was a lot like me before I was living for God, and Monica after Christianity is a lot like I am now.  We would've been friends.  There's some mystery in the story, which is always an added bonus for me.  Chapter 1 ends with the owner of the newspaper which Monica works for passing away.  The newspaper is passed down to Max Moore, a guy with values who ends up becoming Monica's love interest and her boss.  She ends up researching and writing from a much different angle!  There's a battle for her--does she want to give up her exciting party girl life?  Or doesn't she? 

Another important character in the book is real-life Amy Semple McPherson who began the Four Square Church in the 1920s.  She's a very interesting person, quite a phenomena, and I was intrigued to know more about her.  She certainly did great things in her lifetime, though much of her life was quite colorful, to say the least.

 

The author definitely weaves a wonderful story that grips the reader from the first chapter.  I was hooked immediately, as I always am with this author's books!  I enjoyed this read very much but my favorite is still Lilies in Moonlight which you can get from Amazon for 1 cent plus shipping!

 

Princess Stories: Real Bible Stories of God's Princesses

Princess Stories is my daughters (and my!) favorite bible story book and, believe me, we've got a lot of them! The book is expecially beautiful.  It's got shimmery flowers on the outside (which you can't see in the stock photo) and has lovely illustrations on every single page.
 
Princess Stories is appropriate for girls ages 4 to 8.  It's a collection of stories about 29 women in the Bible—and the 30th story is about the reader, who is God's princess too.  All of the stories are told through the bible princess's eyes.

In each four-page story, the reader gets a rhyming verse about the princess that begins "Mirror, mirror on the wall", a first-person story of the featured Bible woman and the special quality her life reflects, a Bible verse from another passage of Scripture that summarizes/relates to the character trait, and Princess Ponderings—questions that help girls and their parents discuss the stories and relate the lessons to life.

Through this book, girls learn in-depth stories of women of the Bible and how to apply Scripture to their own lives.  My daughters love their stories!

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

An Echoes of Mercy Review and #Win a Box of Christian Romance Books

Echoes of Mercy was the first book I've read by popular historical Christian fiction author Kim Vogel Sawyer, and I was hooked from the first page.  I absolutely loved this book, devoured it in a few days, and can't wait to read more from this wonderful author!  Admittedly, there are many books I'm not able to get into, but this was not one of them.  I like a strong lead female in the books I read, someone with passion for life, real personality, and just enough flaws to seem real.  Caroline, the lady in this book, is the kind of girl I'd like to be friends with.  I really liked her, enjoyed "spending time" with her, and got into her story.  The man in her life was equally likeable and was a very round character--not afraid to admit when he was wrong, and willing to become the kind of man God created him to be.  And the bad guy! The bad guy was such a villain--a very dastardly sort of fellow.  The book had such a wide variety of very different types of characters that it made the read very interesting.

In the book, Caroline is an undercover agent during the 1900's.  She's got a questionable past and it's interesting learning her story throughout the pages of the book.  The story isn't too predictable, and has enough twists and turns to keep the reader wondering how exactly some of the problems in the story are going to be resolved.   Here's a short synopsis:

When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees—the child workers. Caroline’s fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.

Oliver Dinsmore, heir to the Dinsmore candy dynasty, has his own investigation to conduct. Posing as a common worker known as “Ollie Moore,” he aims to find out all he can about the family business before he takes over for his father. Caroline and Oliver become fast friends, but tension mounts when the two find themselves at odds about the roles of child workers. Hiding their identities becomes even more difficult when fate brings them together over three children in desperate need. When all is revealed, will the truth destroy the love starting to grow between them?

Like I said, I totally loved this read and can't wait for more from Miss Sawyer!

You can find Echoes of Mercy on Amazon and can read the first chapter here.

And now for the...
GIVEAWAY!
Enter below by June 9th to win a box of women's Christian romance books!  I'll choose a winner the next morning and will have your books sent ASAP. 

Fiction books can be amazing!  What is one fiction book you think everyone should read? 

Special thanks to the wonderful people at Blogging for Books for providing me with Echoes of Mercy to review.

Battle for Cannibal Island: Great Historical Kids Fiction... and an Adventures in Odyssey Announcement!

We've been reading the most recent 2 books in the Imagination Station series, Battle for Cannibal Island (yes, CANNIBAL Island, which is the story of an incredibly brave Christian missionary who cared more about seeing cannibals in Fiji saved than about his own life) and Escape to the Hiding Place which is the amazing story of Corrie Ten Boom. Receiving this last book in the mail was incredibly timely--the day before we'd just finished listening to the audio book "The Hiding Place" on the way back from a roadtrip. (By the way, if you've never read about Corrie Ten Boom, get your hands on the movie "The Hiding Place". It's an amazing, inspiring true story filled with miracles and God's grace.)

Each book in this series features two kids, Beth and Patrick, as the main characters who end up on historical adventures where they meet knights in shining armor, pilgrims, Egyptians, you name it. The books have mystery, real faith, and adventure. These books are are written at a 2nd grade reading level, but even I was captured with the stories! Definitely page turners--each one. And each one makes you want to research the true history deeper. My kids love history! And these books are part of the reason why.

As a homeschooling mom, I use these as part of my history curriculum. Yes, historical fiction may be a bit unorthodox, but it grabs my children's interest, real-life characters are featured in these books, and the authors stick as close to possible to real life events as can be expected with 2nd graders historical fiction. This is my favorite series for this age level and I couldn't recommend it more highly! Kind of like Magic Treehouse but MUCH better!

GIVEAWAY COMING UP!
Stay tuned--I've been selected as an Odyssey Adventure Club Blogger by Litfuse Publicity and will be giving you some exciting info in the next couple weeks!  So stay tuned and be sure you follow Our Bookshelf via e-mail so you don't miss out.

Born of Persuasion: Captivating Historical Fiction!

Oh.My.Goodness!! I loved this book! It had me hooked from the first page and I could hardly put it down. It was filled with mystery and wit--the perfect blend of Jane Austen's style with Charlotte Bronte's--and the storyline kept me guessing. I can't wait to read the next book in the series: Mark of Distinction. Highly recommend! However, I do believe it's worth mentioning that there are a few parts of the book that do get a quite steamy for a Christian book. Nothing at all like a worldly romance novel by any means, but there is definitely a lot of chemistry within this interesting love triangle.  If you're extremely sensitive to things like that, you may want to at least prepare yourself to skim over those few scenes or you may want to choose a different, lighter read.

A Short Synopsis:
The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

Check out the first chapter here!

I'm posting this review for Tyndale's Summer Reading Program. Sign up and earn some free books!  Or sign up for Tyndale Rewards if you're not already a member to earn free books by clicking the icon on the right of my blog. Have fun reading while it's too hot to play outside!  ;)

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn: Captivating Historical Fiction!

Frontier dangers cannot hold a candle to the risks one woman takes by falling in love...

The last four nights, Bronchitis has kept me up until 3 a.m.--everytime I laid down to sleep, I coughed and couldn't end up falling to sleep until positive exhaustion.  But... since I couldn't sleep, I devoured the newest paperback to hit my doorstep--The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn--and it was one of the most finely written pieces of literature I've read in some time!  The story was woven masterfully, the picture was painted beautifully--the landscape was Tennessee, which is my favorite place in the world, and the author has a very enchanting way with words.  The story was intriguing, keeping me on the edge of my seat so that I couldn't wait to see what would happen.  And the story was not predictable, which is a rare find in fiction.  Most of all, I loved the characters.  Tamsen was just the right combination of charming and feisty, the kind of woman I would want to be friends with.  And her hero was the kind of man you'd want to marry.  The characters seemed very real and I cared about them.  I can't wait to read Lori Benton's other book, Burning Sky! 

You can read the first 2 chapters of the book by clicking the picture above, and can find it here for purchase at Amazon.  Enjoy!

Book Synopsis:
In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance.

Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?

Must Have Marvin: A Wonderful Kids Picture Book With a Great Message! #Giveaway

First of all, I can't say enough good things about "Must Have Marvin"!  This is my son's favorite book in a long time.  This is actually a new book in the same series from Shine Bright Kids. "Can't Wait Willow" is the first book in the series, and my daughters love that one!  I'm happy they now they offer picture books for both boys and girls--and we can't wait for more!  Must Have Marvin is a great book.  And Willow is even in it.  My daughters were so excited!  The story is wonderful, the reader can't wait to see what happens next, the ending is fabulous, and the message is encouraging and inspiring. 

More About "Must Have Marvin" 

Marvin loves new things -- he especially loves finding the latest, greatest, most awesome new things! Soon Marvin finds himself focusing on a new toy that he wants, to the exclusion of his friends. He lets them down when they need his help and nearly loses their friendship. Through a chat with a wise neighbor and a second chance to help, Marvin learns the important life lesson that people are more important than things. For ages 4-8.   

Giveaway  

Enter below by April 11th at 11 pm anyone's time.  I'll choose a winner the next morning.  (US or Canada)  

  You Can Find Shine Bright Kids On:

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      Shine Bright Kids Newsletter

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.