Good & Angry (Review)

This review is for the book "Good & Angry" by David Powlison. I really enjoyed this book and I think that it is a book that a lot of people would probably get a lot out of reading. In this book, Powlison talks about the universal problem of anger and he compares it to God's righteous anger. In the first section of the book, the author talks about your own personal experience with anger and what tends to set you off. Each chapter contains discussion questions that you can answer on your own and more deeply explore your emotions. In the second part of the book, Powlison discusses the things that trigger our anger, where our anger comes from, and he really discusses the anger of God in this section. The next section talks about how to change and how to handle our trigger situations. Then the last section talks about the really hard cases. This would be extreme provocations to anger, everyday irritants (like traffic), anger at yourself (usually for past decisions) and anger at God. I really enjoyed this book because I think it is a topic that so many people struggle with and need to focus on. It is easy to read but you will learn a lot about yourself in reading this book. I definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Cross Focused Reviews for a copy of the book.

Getaway With God (Review)

This review is for the book "Getaway With God" by Letitia Suk. This book was so good! I have not read any other book like this - and that's saying a lot! In this book, Letitia Suk approaches the subject of getting away from it all and taking a personal retreat to focus on you and your relationship with God. As a stay-at-home mom, I feel like this is something that most moms could use, but we often can't find the time or money to do something like this. Letitia talks about those things and she is really encouraging in the different types of retreats that she suggests.

At one time, she was able to do a 5-day retreat, and she was willing to share her outline and schedule of those five days in this book. She even laid out sample schedules for other retreats, such as just one day or just overnight. She laid out why a retreat is so important for us, and she shared her own experiences.

I loved this book. Although I have had similar experiences going on retreats with friends or family, I have never done a retreat by myself, and I can see how enriching it would be. I think this is a book that all ladies should read and try to incorporate into their lives somehow!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

12 Blessings (Review)

This review is for the book "Receiving the 12 Blessings of Israel" by Paul Thangiah. In this book, Thangiah goes through each blessing that Jacob gave to his 12 sons and he parallels them with the blessings that Moses gave the 12 tribes. He then shows how we can apply that to our lives today. Thangiah is a pastor in India and throughout the book he describes many miracles, blessings, and answered prayers that have come his way. It was really inspirational to read some of the things that had happened to him because of his faithfulness.

I really enjoyed this book and learning more about these blessings and the scriptural parallels. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Chosen Publishers for a copy of the book.

Miscarried Joy (Review)

This review is for the book "Miscarried Joy" by Tanika Fitzgerald. This book is an absolutely beautiful tale of Tanika's journey of losing three babies due to miscarriage. In her mind, marriage came first, then healthy babies, and the thought of losing a baby didn't really enter her mind - same as most of us ladies. Unfortunately, that isn't how things have gone for her so far. But she has this incredible hope in God and how he is going to fulfill her and her husband, no matter what.

In this book, Tanika is really open about her own struggles and triumphs, but she also brings up stories of biblical women who struggled with infertility or another type of pain. Women like Hannah, Elizabeth, and Naomi, among others, who got through their pain and saw that God had a greater purpose for them.

As I read this book, I had so many women cross my mind who I know would benefit by reading this book. I'm passing it on to one of them, whose hurt is most recent. If you know someone who needs this book, I definitely recommend it as a healing tool.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Of Stillness and Storm (Review)

This review is for the book "Of Stillness and Storm" by Michele Phoenix. In this book, Lauren and her husband Sam's story is told. We find that when they first meet, the attraction is there, but Sam is concerned that they are not on the same level spiritually. Lauren assures him that she is just as serious about her faith as he is. After marriage and a child, Sam feels the call from God to go to Nepal to serve as a missionary. Unfortunately, Lauren and their son do not feel the same call. In the end, they go to Nepal, and it doesn't take long for a huge wedge to be thrown into their relationships. Sam is gone for weeks at a time, and Lauren and their son Ryan have this sense of abandonment.

When Lauren's friend urges her to join Facebook in an attempt to connect with the outside world, she suddenly finds a person from her past wanting to communicate with her. From the very beginning, readers will get the vibe that she's going down a dangerous path by communicating with him. In the end, the whole family has a lot of choices to make in regards to their faith and family.

This book was so sad to me. It was really troubling to see this family being twisted and pulled based on the calling that the father felt he had. It was sad to see Lauren feel like she had to lean on a friend she hadn't spoken to in 20 years rather than her husband. It was torture to see the loneliness and hopelessness in the son that no one else seemed to notice. I think the book was really well written, and it was probably quite realistic, and maybe that's what bothered me so much about it.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

You're Saying It Wrong (Review)

This review is for the book "You're Saying It Wrong" by Ross Petras and Kathryn Petras. When I saw this book I just knew I had to get it. This book is a guide to pronouncing the top 150 most commonly mispronounced words. It even gives a background on the words. I am such a word geek, so this book is one that I am keeping for myself but also buying for my word geek friends for Christmas!

The book is alphabetical and contains words that I didn't even know I was mispronouncing, such as "bruschetta" and "spit and image" (I always say "spitting image")!! As you can see, it also includes phrases. The book even contains some names, such as "Thames" and "Beijing". Also, sprinkled throughout the pages are lists such as British names, names of authors, and names of wines.

I absolutely love this book. Any writers, readers, and word lovers out there NEED this book in their lives! I highly recommend it!

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book.

Pray A to Z (Review)

This review is for the book "Pray A to Z" by Amelia Rhodes. This book is such a great premise. It is a practical guide to praying for your community. Each letter of the alphabet has five topics associated with it - such as bullying, infertility, and trafficking which are things we either struggle with or our community or nation is struggling with, or topics such as graciousness, light, and redeemer, which are attributes of God that we need to be thankful for and reminded of.

Each topic is short and to the point. There is a scripture associated with each topic, a short paragraph on what specifically could be prayed for regarding that topic, and then a sample prayer for each topic. It's really incredible how specific this prayer guide is. I have never seen another one that included topics such as eating disorders or people who lack medical care.I absolutely loved it because it brought up so many things that I forget to pray for so many times.

I definitely recommend this book. It would make a great Christmas present for the prayer warrior in your life!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Pursuing Gold (Review)

This review is for the book "Pursuing Gold" by Cynthia Simmons. This is a novel of the Civil War era, and if you enjoy historical fiction, you will definitely like this novel which is full of suspense, mystery and romance. Although it is suspenseful it isn't gruesome or anything that will make you cringe.

In this book, Peter Chandler has inherited the leadership of a bank. His partner's daughter, Mary Beth, who is an old family friend, is taking over some duties as well since her father is in poor health. Unfortunately, right now is not a good time for the banking business because the Civil War is raging around Chattanooga. There is a lot of political pressure, and then Mary Beth discovers counterfeit money which puts the bank in grave danger of closing. While the two journey together to stop the counterfeiter, save the bank, find investments in Gold, and come to terms with their parents' death and failing health, they also learn to lean on one another and are able to find love.

I found this book very enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

The Remnant (Review)

This review is for the book "The Remnant" by Monte Wolverton. This book is a post-Apocalypse novel. The Apolcalypse happened in 2069 but Jesus didn't show up. Instead, war, natural disasters, and pandemics destroyed most of the earth's population. There is a government controlling everything now from Tunisia. Workers in a camp decide to embark on a dangerous journey to escape and see if they can find "true" Christians. They don't know what is out there, outside of the camp, but they are willing to take their chances. They go on a dangerous adventure, coming across many different groups of Christians who seem to be self-serving, misinterpreting scripture, and sometimes just seem to be operating on plain lunacy. Throughout it all the group gains some spiritual fortitude and begins to figure out what exactly they believe.

I will say this wasn't the most riveting book I have ever read. I just couldn't get into it. I think the premise of the book is good, but I never connected with the characters and there were several parts I ended up just skimming.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Photographs from the Edge (Review)

This review is for the book "Photographs from the Edge" by Art Wolfe. I am not a photographer (except of my children) but I definitely have an appreciation for photography. This book is a collection of Art Wolfe's photography, and Rob Sheppard has compiled it all, while getting the background story on these fascinating pictures. The book begins with pictures from the 1980's and continues into the modern photographs he has taken. The photographs are of things and situations unlike any that a typical person has ever seen in person. From the Milky Way in Madagascar to hyenas in Botswana, these pictures will astound you and make you realize how huge and magnificent our world is! Wolfe has amazing stories to tell over his decades of experience and any photographer or lover of nature, adventure and photography will enjoy this book.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book.

Trust My Heart (Review)

This review is for the book "Trust My Heart" by Carol J. Post. In this book, we meet Jami Carlisle, a reporter who lives in small town Murphy, North Carolina. One day, Grant McAllister arrives in town. Grant is from a big city, he's a high-power lawyer, and he is only in town to sell some property he has inherited from grandparents he never even knew. He doesn't trust women and he doesn't trust reporters, so Jami has to do a lot of work to befriend him. She wants the background story of his family, but the more she gets to know him, she starts to really like him.

Grant and Jami go on a journey of distrust and learning more about themselves. Both of them have some baggage, and they have to come to terms with it before they can really trust each other and grow into a relationship.

I loved this book. It's an easy, feel-good read. I love books about small town romance and I really liked the characters in this novel!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Most Wonderful Time (Review)

This review is for the book "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Ace Collins. I really enjoyed this book because it contained really short, interesting readings that will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit! The book is laid out in such a way that you can easily do one reading a day. Each chapter contains a scripture and then a short reading, a background of a Christmas song (such as "What Child is This?" or "Good Christian Men, Rejoice"), and then a recipe either for food or a homemade craft that you could use as a gift.

I absolutely loved this book because I was able to learn something from the devotionals and the sections on the Christmas songs, but then I was also able to find recipes and crafts that I will be able to use on friends and family for a long time in the future! I highly recommend this book as a Christmas gift!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Christian's Hope (Review)

This review is for the book "Christian's Hope" by Ervin R. Stutzman. This is actually the third book is Stutzman's Return to Northkill series. In the first book of the series, we meet Jacob Hochstetler, an Amish settler whose peace-loving Amish family is attacked by Indians. Jacob is captured, along with two of his sons, while other members of his family are killed. In this book, readers follow the story of one of the sons, Christian. He spent seven years in captivity with the Indians, but came to love them and their way of life. Getting back into the ways of the Amish is not what Christian wants, and it's a particularly hard transition because of hard feelings between the Amish and Indians. In the end, he is able to find a few family members and members of the community who understand what he is dealing with, and they are able to help guide him in his journey to finding what "home" looks like to him.

This was even more interesting to me when I finished the book and realized it was based on a true story! This story is captivating and intriguing. It's like no other Amish novel I've read.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a free copy of the book.

Fatal Frost (Review)

This review is for the book "Fatal Frost" by Nancy Mehl. This is the first book in the Defenders of Justice series. In this book, we meet U.S. Marshal Mercy Brennan who was just shot in the line of duty. She is still undergoing therapy and psychological evaluations from that when she is suddenly put on a special assignment. The assignment entails her being sent off with her friend and coworker Tally, and another U.S. Marshal who just happens to be her ex-boyfriend Mark.

Hardly before the assignment even gets started, Mercy realizes the assignment is actually set up to keep her in a safe place. Unfortunately, with a traitor in the office, the enemy knows exactly where she is... and is coming for her. She has a lot of questions about why they are coming after her and how they are going to stay safe. Throughout all of this she has to learn to trust Mark again, as well as come to terms with what she feels in regards to God.

This is a great book with lots of danger and suspense! Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

Cold Case Christianity (Review)

This review is for the book "Cold-Case Christianity for Kids" by J. Warner Wallace and Susie Wallace. This is the type of book that I absolutely love to have on hand for my kids to read. This book is written by someone who is actually a detective of cold cases, but he has tailored this book to fit the learning styles and knowledge of kids. The illustrations are awesome and will definitely capture the attention of the kids reading this book. The book moves along slowly enough to build momentum and keep the attention of kids who are reading it, but quickly enough so that they don't lose interest. This is a great book for young readers to read so they can grasp the foundations of the Christian faith from a "logical" perspective. It is important to have some facts under your belt along with your "blind faith" so you can be strong in the truths you learn. As the kids in the book learn how to investigate the mystery of the skateboard, they are also learning how to investigate God's truths for themselves. I love the parallel throughout the book. I think this book will make a lot of sense to kids who are reading it. I read it with my kids the first time but I would like them to read it on their own over and over again because I think it will only make more sense each time they read it through. I think this is a book that all households should have on their shelf!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Life Creative (Review)

This review is for the book "Life Creative" by Wendy Speake and Kelli Stuart. I was just recently introduced to Kelli Stuart as an author, so I was excited to read something of hers that was nonfiction. This book is a calling out to moms all over, that they will not lose their spark and creativity in the midst of the mundane that tends to take over our lives.

This book absolutely gripped me from the second chapter. As soon as the authors spoke on the feeling of longing for bedtime instead of longing for ministry and creativity and inspiring the world, I started nodding in agreement. The authors acknowledge that while we love our "captors", we're under house arrest. Yes, yes, and yes! My days go back and forth between knowing my mission field lives with me and feeling that urge that I need to be doing more. I know I'm not alone! Throughout the rest of the book we learn how to rest, how to listen closely to God, and how to find our creativity in the busyness of our lives.

I absolutely loved this book, and needed this book. I recommend it to all mothers, especially ones with young children!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Book of Sayings (Review)

This review is for the book "The Illustrated Book of Sayings" by Ella Frances Sanders. I really enjoyed this book. It is different from any other book I have read and I love unique books. This book will introduce you to the most incredible, or the strangest, sayings that people have throughout the world. A lot of them are sayings that I as an American could relate to. For example, the French say "to pedal in the sauerkraut" which doesn't make much sense to us, but it is comparable to our saying "wheels are spinning". Yet some are totally unique and I could not think of anything in English to compare it to, such as the Latvian phrase "to blow little ducks" which means they know you are lying. What is really interesting is that with each phrase there is a story behind the phrase so you know where it came from. And the illustrations are just perfect. What a great book! This would be the perfect gift for the linguist in your life.

Thank you to Ten Speed Press for a copy of the book.

Union With Christ (Review)

This review is for the book "Union With Christ". What an amazing topic to be explored. I loved this book from the very beginning, because it reminded me right away that I was saved by God to do things for Him and to be in union with Him. Somehow along our journeys we often forget that. The author discusses how we struggle with our inner voices and the choices we make. We are supposed to be set apart from others in the world, but often that isn't what Christians are known for. Wilbourne discusses other theologians' perspective on unity and his thoughts on their perspectives, which was really interesting. Then he begins discussing what comes next after we have unity in Christ - our identity, where we are headed, our purpose, and our hope. Lastly we have to choose Christ daily - sometimes every minute of the day. We have to make the decision to abide with Christ in unity throughout our day-to-day lives. I really enjoyed this book. It took a tough topic and simplified it to where it is easily understood and I definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Love Our Vets (Review)

This review is for the book "Love Our Vets" by Welby O'Brien. I absolutely loved this book. It is so unfortunate that PTSD is often a silent struggle, or misunderstood. There are so many vets that struggle with PTSD, and without proper counseling, it is extremely hard for families and vets to cope with a diagnosis. Actually, many times, vets are not properly diagnosed, which is even worse. This book is incredible because it goes through three different aspects of living with someone who has PTSD - "reaffirm" which is a section of discussion questions, "replenish" which talks about how to take care of yourself, and "reflect" which tells real-life wisdom that has been taken from people actually in these scenarios. All three of these parts are so important. I think the "reaffirm" section is incredibly important because it answers so many tough questions that have to do with the disconnect of emotions that PTSD can cause, how to pray for your vet, and how to deal with nightmares. There are so many details in this section that you are probably dealing with for the first time ever, whether you are the parent, child, or significant other of a vet with PTSD. I believe this book should be read by everyone who has a loved one in the service, because you never know when you will need to put this wisdom to use in real life.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

40 Days (Review)

This review is for the book "40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood". This book is a combination of devotions as well as coloring pages specifically created for moms. I absolutely loved this book. I have been wanting to try out one of these for a while. The devotions are short and to the point, so they are easily completed in less than 10 minutes, but you will still get the benefit of slowing down and having a quiet time. The coloring pages are beautiful designs and many of them have scripture or short biblical phrases incorporated. I would definitely recommend this book for any mom friends, especially ones who are feeling hurried or wiped out. It would make a great birthday gift or Christmas gift!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Total Family Makeover (Review)

This review is for the book "Total Family Makeover" by Melissa Spoelstra. I really enjoyed this book. It has eight practical steps to making disciples at home, which is some very important and necessary information in the world we live in! The author goes through some very important aspects of the Christian faith, such as praying, reading the Bible, serving, resting, giving, and other foundational things that the children should be educated on at home. She has an approach to each of these things that is practical and easily applied to your real life. There are lots of discussion questions included with each topic that will help you dig deeper in God's word about each topic, and there are lots of questions you can use to start a discussion with your children. I loved this book. It was easy to read and down to earth and I can definitely apply so much of this to my everyday life!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of this book.

10 Myths of Teen Dating (Review)

This review is for the book "The 10 Myths of Teen Dating" by Daniel Anderson and Jacquelyn Anderson. This is a really cool book because it is written by a father and daughter. It is so interesting to see their different perspectives on the teen dating world. I think this book is a must-have. These dating myths are so accurate and so many teen girls fall for them, such as "I'm in love", "Love and sex are the same", and "If I had a boyfriend I would be happy". I think a lot of us ladies would look back at our teen years and cringe about something in our past. Let's use that when talking to our daughters or girls in our community! Each chapter touches on a different myth, and then some discussion questions as well as experiences from the perspective of the father and daughter authors. It is such a great book and it just really rings true. I highly recommend this book if you have a daughter who is about to hit puberty or is in her teen years already.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

From the Pen of Pastor Paul (Review)

This review is for the book "From the Pen of Pastor Paul" by Daniel R. Hyde. This book is a detailed, in-dept study on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. I absolutely love Paul's letters in the Bible, and I love reading commentaries to get another perspective on the scripture. This book really broke the two books down verse by verse. I would love to read more books by Hyde in the future. I love it when I can tell that an author does his homework and studies diligently. It is also important that the book is written in a way that I can understand it and gain knowledge from it, and that is definitely true about this book. It is a great resource to have in your library.

Thank you to Cross Focused Reviews for a copy of the book.

A Bird, A Girl, and a Rescue (Review)

This review is for the book "A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue" by J.A. Myhre. Almost exactly a year ago, I was reading the first book by the fabulous J.A. Myhre. I remember reading it in just a few hours because I couldn't put it down, and I walked around for weeks hailing it as one of the best young adult fiction books I had ever read. I recommended it to everyone who would listen. So obviously I was stoked to read her latest novel! In this story we meet Kiisa, an 11-year old who doesn't even realize she is about to be sent on the mission of her life. She is sent to boarding school, and while she is there she meets a fantastic bird named Njili who is about to be her closest companion. The story contains adventure, danger, and bravery like none other. It is captivating and I can almost guarantee that not only will you love it, but so will your sons and daughters. This is a book that will stay on my shelf so my kids and I can read it over and over - and that doesn't happen very often.

Thank you to Cross Focused Reviews for a copy of the book.

Sister's Wish and Amish Family Christmas

I recently read two of Shelley Shepard Gray's Amish fiction novels. I have read several books written by her and I am never disappointed. This particular books follow her series "Charmed Amish Life" about the city of Charm, Ohio. If you have read any of the other books in this series, the characters will be very familiar to you. If you have not read any of the other books, it will not be difficult to figure out who is who and the relations. Gray does a great job of putting in background information while keeping the story fresh.

In "A Sister's Wish", readers follow the same characters from other Charm novels. We are looking at the story of Amelia Kinsinger and Simon Hochstetler in this book. Simon is originally from Charm, but ran away from home to get away from his abusive Amish parents. He ended up surrounded by bad people who introduced him to drugs and alcohol, and he ended up in prison. He has been the subject of many rumors since coming back to Charm and repenting and joining the church. Amelia doesn't really care about his past. His tattoos and prison stories don't startle her or make her feel judgmental. The hardest part is convincing her family that Simon is deserving of her!

In the Amish Family Christmas book, Levi Kinsinger is feeling lost since his father died in a tragic accident. Julia, his widowed neighbor, asks for help with a Christmas project, and he is excited to finally have a purpose. It doesn't take long before he is starting to develop feelings for Julia as well as her sweet daughter. But for some reason he just isn't sure about her past. He is going to have to figure out how to trust her and she is going to have to figure out how to trust him as well. What happens is a great story of two people coming together to lean on one another and find love.

I received these books from Litfuse Publicity.

https://promosimple.com/ps/a725

 

The Wish (Review)

This review is for the book "The Wish" by Beverly Lewis. I have read dozens of her books and I have never been disappointed with one of them. This is one of her standalone novels. In this story, we meet Leona Speicher and Gloria Gingerich. They are two Amish girls who come together and soon become like sisters. Leona even dreams of leaving her family and becoming part of Gloria's seemingly perfect family. But soon, something happens, and overnight the entire Gingerich family moves away unexpectedly. Gloria doesn't contact Leona for several long years. When she does, the family has left their Amish roots far behind. Leona desperately wants to pull her friend back into the Amish community. Her fiance is worried that she is biting off more than she can chew, though.

I loved this book. I loved the characters and the friendship. I loved how Leona encouraged Gloria and supported her even when she had obviously left her Amish traditions in the past. This is a great story of friendship and finding your way home.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers.

Habit Changers (Review)

This review is for the book "Habit Changers" by M.J. Ryan. This book is filled with 81 game-changing mantras to mindfully realize your goal. Each mantra is short and sweet and easy to remember, such as "Presume goodwill" or "Mind the gap". After the mantra is given, a short essay is written to help you understand the mantra and explain how to put it into play in your life. There are a lot of real-life examples to help you also. This book is awesome for business owners, entrepreneurs, and people at high levels in their companies. I had several really good takeaways from reading this book that I plan on putting into practice!

Thank you to Waterbrook Multonah for a copy of the book.

Experiencing God Through His Names (Review)

This review is for the book "Experiencing God Through His Names" by Sheryl Giesbrechet. I have always been interested in the names of God and where they are found in the Bible. I was really looking forward to reading this book and being able to study the names of God. I liked the layout of this book a lot. Each chapter focuses on one name of God that is found in scripture. Giesbrecht talks about something in real life that applies to the name, and she shows scripture throughout the Bible where the name is found and used when referring to God. This book is really easy to read and I suggest reading it with a notebook beside you. I took a lot of notes because this is stuff I do not want to forget. Giesbrecht also includes a prayer at the end of each chapter that you could pray after you let the words of the chapter resonate with you. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Marry Wisely (Review)

This is the review for the book "Marry Wisely, Marry Well" by Ernie Baker. This is a truly awesome book for all couples, whether you are just now engaged, or have been married for 30 years. Obviously I would probably be more likely to recommend it to people who are thinking of marriage, because some of the books speaks on how to choose the right mate. If you have been married for decades, it's a little late to change your mate!

In this book, Baker starts at the foundation of marriage. He talks about the wisdom that God will give, and His design for marriage. There is a lot of scripture to back up what Baker says, and he ends each chapter with some really good, thought-provoking discussion questions. These are great questions to ask yourself to learn more about yourself, but there are questions for a potential spouse as well, which is so important. Honestly, it is so important to ask these questions of a potential spouse - even if just in your own head. Such as: "Is this person committed to God's purposes for marriage", "What amount of school loans and other debt does this person have?", and "How would you rate his or her communication and conflict resolution skills?" This book is so detailed and intimate, I would highly recommend it for premarital couples. It is easy to read and stands on the Bible.

I was given a copy of this book from Cross Focused Reviews.

Download Your Free How-To Guide for Bring Your Bible to School Day


 

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are preparing for Hurricane Matthew to hit. For students in hurricane-affected states who are facing school closures but still want to participate in Bring Your Bible to School Day, the alternate date is Thursday, October 20.




This brings about a good point: Any day can be a day you organize your friends to bring your Bibles to school together!




By signing up during the month of October for Bring Your Bible to School Day (even if you missed the official celebration), you can download a free how-to guide for teens, parents, pastors, and elementary students. It's full of helpful information that will help you organize a day to take a stand for religious freedom and bring your Bible to school with your fellow classmates.




(Sign-ups must be received by midnight (MT), Oct. 7, in order to be automatically entered into the Newsboys giveaway.)

Plus Bring Your Bible to School Comes to Adventures in Odyssey

 

Getting used to a new school isn’t easy, especially for someone as paranoid as Buddy Norman. In “A Predicament of Biblical Proportions” he envisions wacky worst-case encounters with townsfolk who seem like mobsters, snoops and fairy-tale tyrants—until he gets to know them. He’s also a little confused about Bring Your Bible to School Day. What’s it about? Should he participate? See Odyssey through Buddy’s eyes in this witty celebration of religious freedom.




Listen to this story through a two-week trial only on the Odyssey Adventure Club.

Punderdome (Review)

I recently was able to check out this really cool game called Punderdome. I love card games, I love board games, I love games that make you think, and I love family games. This one game has ALL of those things! Apparently it is based on a live game show, but I have never heard of the game show before. This game is for three or more players who are age 12 and up. You grab two prompts and then race to make bad puns that connect those two prompts. There is a judge who will decide which one is the best (worst?) pun to win the round. I guarantee this game will bring loads of laughs to your next family game night!! I received this game free of charge from Penguin Random House LLC.

See the Newsboys in Concert with Adventures in Odyssey


 

Want to be entered for a chance to win a free trip for four to hear the Newsboys, the award-winning Christian music band, in Dallas? Sign up to be a part of the movement to protect religious freedom for future generations: Bring Your Bible to School Day! Students from kindergarten to college will be bringing their Bibles to school and sharing God with their friends on October 6.




By completing the information on this page, you're automatically entered to win the chance to see the Newsboys with Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey. Don't miss out on the chance to see a fantastic band with your family!

Plus Sign Up for a Free Two-Week Trial of Odyssey Adventure Club

 

Getting used to a new school isn’t easy, especially for someone as paranoid as Buddy Norman. In “A Predicament of Biblical Proportions” he envisions wacky worst-case encounters with townsfolk who seem like mobsters, snoops and fairy-tale tyrants—until he gets to know them. He’s also a little confused about Bring Your Bible to School Day. What’s it about? Should he participate? See Odyssey through Buddy’s eyes in this witty celebration of religious freedom.




Listen to this story through a two-week trial only on the Odyssey Adventure Club.

Nestle Splash (Review)

I recently got some fun stuff to review from Influenster. I received a box that included a bottle of lemon-flavored Nestle Splash water, a straw, some cool yellow sunshades, and a nifty beach ball! I felt ready for summer even though the weather was starting to cool off some!

I immediately donned my sunglasses, stuck my straw into my Nestle Splash, and started to enjoy. I did share the drink with my kids because they love trying new drinks. I am trying to drink more water throughout the day, and I always have to flavor my water to make it more bearable! I loved the chance to try a water that already had flavor included. I will say, honestly, that lemon wasn't my favorite flavor. It was a bit too much flavor for me. But I can't wait to try one of the other flavors next! I typically enjoy berry-flavored drinks, so that will be next on my list. But definitely, this helped me guzzle my bottle of water much faster than if it were just plain water!

Like I said, I did receive this product at a discount for my honest review, but this is my honest opinion of the drink.

Commit to Bring Your Bible to School October 6

Celebrate religious freedom with other students across the U.S. on October 6—Bring Your Bible to School Day! Students from kindergarten to college will be bringing their Bibles to school and sharing God with their friends in just a few short weeks. Sign up to be a part of the movement to protect religious freedom for future generations.







By signing up, you’ll receive a free guide with tips, downloadable posters, sticker and T-shirt designs, information on your legal rights, and other fun, interactive activities.




You’ll also be automatically entered for a chance to win a free trip for four to hear the Newsboys, an award-winning Christian music band, in Dallas!





Plus Bring Your Bible to School Comes to Adventures in Odyssey

 

Getting used to a new school isn’t easy, especially for someone as paranoid as Buddy Norman. In “A Predicament of Biblical Proportions” he envisions wacky worst-case encounters with townsfolk who seem like mobsters, snoops and fairy-tale tyrants—until he gets to know them. He’s also a little confused about Bring Your Bible to School Day. What’s it about? Should he participate? See Odyssey through Buddy’s eyes in this witty celebration of religious freedom.




Listen to this story through a two-week trial only on the Odyssey Adventure Club.

Delilah (Review)

This review is for the book "Delilah: Treacherous Beauty" by Angela Hunt. This is one of Hunt's "Dangerous Beauty" novels. The other two are "Esther" and "Bathsheba". I have to say that I have never read either of those books, but after reading this one, I have got to get my hands on the other books in this series!

In this novel, Angela Hunt takes the story of Samson and Delilah and she adds a bit of background to the story. She uses the small portion of the story that we know from scripture, and she adds a bit of historical fiction to make the story come together. I have to say that this story was brilliant. I love how she was able to string scriptural and historical references into the story to make it seem like it really could have happened. She added a bit of perspective from Samson that included his weakness for women, and the perspective of Delilah who was mistreated and abused, and brought them together in a way that you just won't be able to put this book down.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more by Angela Hunt in the future.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

God Gave Us Thankful Hearts (Review)

This review is for the book "God Gave Us Thankful Hearts" by Lisa Tawn Bergren. I will be honest. We have almost every book in this series that Lisa Tawn Bergren has created ("God Gave Us...") and our family absolutely loves them. I am never disappointed with the books.

In this book, Little Pup, a fox, is bummed because he knows that winter is coming and that means hibernation time is close. His mother encourages him to think of things to be thankful for in every season. When Little Pup complains about poison ivy, his mother tells him to be thankful he knows how to avoid it. She teaches him to focus on the things that make us happy, rather than the things that don't.

This is the cutest book as Little Pup's mother and father take him through the things that seem to be disappointments and help him turn them into blessings. It's really a great lesson for all of us! I highly recommend not just this book, but any of the books in this series. They are fun to read and they teach great lessons in a really simple way.

Thank you to Waterbrook Multonah for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

No Way Out (Review)

This review is for the book "No Way Up" by Mary Connealy. I have read several of her books in the past and always enjoyed her stories and characters, so I was looking forward to this book. This is the first book in her Cimarron Legacy series, so she really set a foundation of who the characters are and set up future storylines in this book. In this book, Chance Boden, the owner of Cimarron Ranch, is trapped in a rock avalanche at the very beginning of the story. His outcome is not too grim, but he makes sure to bring his three children together to discuss his will in case anything happens to him at the hospital. His will states that they all have to come home and live on the ranch for a year. The siblings aren't too happy about this, as they all have lives of their own to attend to.

They do honor their father's wishes, but then one of the ranch workers, Heath, discovers that the avalanche may not have been an accident after all. Thus begins an adventure of the siblings and Heath working together to figure out the truth about the avalanche. Throughout this journey, Heath begins to fall in love with Sadie, one of the siblings. He knows a future may not happen because he is a lowly ranch hand, but as we all know, feelings weigh more than societal rules!

This book is full of adventure, romance, and mystery. You aren't sure who to trust throughout the book. Connealy does a great job of making the story interesting, the characters interesting, and like I said, setting up future storylines. We have to find out what's going to happen to the other two siblings in the future! I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Service Tails (Review)

This review is for the book "Service Tails" by Ace Collins. In this book, Ace Collins puts together story after story of canine heroes. The dogs in this story are so inspiring and so smart and so dedicated! I cannot believe some of the things that dogs did in these stories.

There are stories of people who are blind, whose lives are changed after a service dog enters their life. There is a story of a lady with Alzheimer's whose life changed drastically after bringing home a service dog. Stories of dogs who sense when their owner is about to fall. Stories of dogs who sense when their owner is about to faint. Even a story about a dog whose owner fell and the dog brought him the telephone to call 911!

After reading these stories I have a much higher regard for service dogs. I had no idea the things that they have the ability to do and learn. If you have ever been a reader of James Herriot, you will thoroughly enjoy these stories. I am going to read them with my children so they will also have an appreciation and understanding of what these dogs are capable of.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Dreams & Visions (Review)

This is a review for the book "Dreams & Visions" by Jane Hamon. I will admit that I usually read these type of books with a bit of skepticism. But I really enjoyed this book about dreams and visions.

In this book, Jane Hamon does a great job of discussing dreams and visions as they occurred in the scripture. Then she goes over the three different types of dreams as she sees it: spiritual dreams which are inspired by God, natural dreams which are simply produced by the natural processes of a person's mind, and false dreams which are demon inspired. She spends a great deal of time going over each of these different types of dreams and how you can know which category your dream falls into. She also discusses praying about interpreting dreams so you can truly understand them. For example, having a dream where you feel urgent about someone in your life may mean you need to pray as an intercessor for them. Having a dream where you are drowning may mean that you are putting too many burdens on yourself and you need to re-prioritize. Dreaming about loved ones who have passed away may mean you haven't dealt fully with your grief.

Hamon admits that she can't just lay out a list of dream interpretations, since a dog in my dream could mean a companion; a protector, but a dog in your dream could be frightening and on the attack. She gives a general idea of what certain things usually mean in dreams, based on what they mean in the scriptures. For example, a fountain or a door may mean Christ. A thief might symbolize Satan.

I really enjoyed this book. It definitely made me more aware of my dreams and I will be paying closer attention, as I have always been someone with very vivid dreams.

Thank you to Chosen Publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Starving Hearts (Review)

This review is for the book "Starving Hearts" by Janine Mendenhall. This book is part of the Triangular Trade trilogy. This is actually the first book in the series, so the timing is perfect to start this series. In this novel, there is a wide range in regards to the cast of characters. The plot really revolves around Annette Chetwynd and Peter Adsley, but both of their families are a huge part of the story, and so is a seedy character, who readers first meet as Steven Likebridge. Likebridge also has a following of characters that are important to the story. All of the characters are unknowingly intertwined throughout this novel. It seems that Annette and Peter are meant for each other but are destined to keep crossing paths - and not in a good way. Things just are not working out for them to be together. Unfortunately, because of the times, there are so many rules to follow and proper ways of doing things, that it just isn't happening for them.

This story has so many twists and turns, times when you think there is no way for the "good guy" to make it through, deceptions and romance, and everything you could want in a classic historical romance novel. I highly recommend it for fans of the genre because it will keep your attention and you will definitely enjoy it. I look forward to reading more by Mendenhall in the future!

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

When Death Draws Near (Review)

This review is for the book "When Death Draws Near" by Carrie Stuart Parks. This is one of her books involving the character Gwen Marcey. I had not read any other books by Parks before reading this one and I had no trouble following along or learning the characters. She did a great job with that.

In this novel, Gwen, a forensic artist, is asked to come to a small town in Kentucky to help solve a job of finding a serial rapist. While she is there she gains a second employment opportunity, going undercover in a local serpent-handling church. What follows is a spiderweb of figuring out the local politics, not knowing who to trust, and being threatened every way that Gwen turns.

By the last third of this book, I had a white-knuckle grip on the book and I couldn't have put it down if I tried. I was cringing. I was sweating. I was anxious. It was crazy! I haven't had a similar response to a mystery novel in so long I can't remember! I have GOT to read more by Parks in the future, especially her Gwen Marcey novels. I definitely recommend this book if you like a lot of suspense and details that will make you squirm.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Fetching Sweetness (Review)

This review is for the book "Fetching Sweetness" by Dana Mentink. In this novel, we meet Stephanie Pink who is on a very simple mission - meet up with author Agnes Wharton, get her new manuscript, and earn a promotion.

Not happening. When Stephanie does meet Agnes, it is not under idea circumstances. Agnes's dog, Sweetness, makes a break for it right when Stephanie is coming to get the manuscript from Agnes. Agnes is a bit eccentric, so she tells Stephanie she can't have the manuscript until Stephanie captures Sweetness and brings her home to Agnes. What follows is a silly, topsy turvy tale of Stephanie (not a dog lover, by the way) and the man she runs into along the way, Rhett Hastings. The novel is the adventure of Stephanie, Rhett, and Sweetness on their way back to the home of Agnes, and the self-realizing journey that Stephanie and Rhett both take along the way.

I enjoyed this book. It is fun and a light-hearted read. I liked the characters and it was different from other books I have read.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.