Airship Genesis

Working with the children’s choir I was looking for a kids bible that I could use when we have a little extra time on our hands, and maybe that I could give as gifts. I have to say if you’re looking for a good study Bible for kids this is one I would recommend.

 

 

Seeing David Jeremiah on the front of the cover helped draw my attention, since both my sister and Sunday school teacher both like his work. Getting in the mail shortly after I was excited to see what it was like. I can tell you now I was not disappointed. The study notes are helpful to kids that will follow them into adult years. The print is in a decent size, and the full color pictures give something for kids to imagine.

 

I was well pleased with this Study Bible, and will be using it when I can in children’s choir. If you are looking for something that will last beyond the kid years I recommend getting this Bible for your kids.

 

Well folks that’s all for now. Until next time folks, I hope you have a blessed week!

 

 

I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

 

The Silent Songbird

I had originally thought this book was based off Han's Christian Anderson's fairytale "the Nightengale", but to my delighted surprise it was based off another of Han's fairytales, "The little Mermaid"

Blessed with a voice that nearly enchants all who hear it Evangeline feels a prisoner within her own home. Never allowed out of the castle without a full armed escort for fear of kidnapping she has seen very little of the outside world. When rumor spreads that her cousin, King Richard II, is planning to marry her one of his advisor's Evangeline fears she will never be free. When she meets her betrothed Evangeline fears for her very life.

I have always been a huge fan of fairytales, especially from Han's Christian Anderson, so when I saw the similarities between not only the little mermaid, but to me also of The Nightengale, I was love with the book even more. This is part of a series, but you don't have to read the others to understand what is going on. Though if you want to read the stories of some of the characters in this book read A Merchant's Daughter, it is Melanie Dickerson's take on Beauty and the Beast, and the best way to start this series if you are interested!

I finished off this book within the same day of getting it in the mail. That's just how good it is. With clean content for young adult, yet still captivating while keeping it realistic. Any age group will enjoy this, and any, of Melanie's books. I am heart broken that her next one will not be coming out until May of 2017. I guess that just gives me time to read the previous books again!

That's all I have for now folks. Until next time, I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my Honest review, which I have given.

Jesus Always

I have been a fan of Sarah Young's inspiring devotional's since my best friend's mother gave me a copy of Jesus Today as a gift when she saw me going through a rough time. I have fallen for each book, but I thought none could surpass my all time favorite Jesus Today.

I just might have been wrong.

     

Finding joy in the midst of trouble has been a major problem for me this past year, and the day this book came to me in the mail I was nearly pulling my hair out over some minor problem.

So when the theme of joy, peace, and love came flowing out of this book just within the small page of the first day I was nearing tears and each day it has been close to the same reaction. I didn't know I could cry this much! Still, the book is a great encouragement and one I think Sarah Young has done some of her best work on.  

A 365 day devotional I am for sure going to be reading every day. If you are having a rough time finding joy in the every day struggles of life, or you know someone who is, then get them this book.

That's all I have for today folks, until next time. I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Twilight at Blueberry barrens

Colleen Coble always has provided a good mystery and a good setting for romance to bloom even amidst strife. She takes it up a notch in the last book of this new trilogy.

I can rarely give enough praise to Colleen Coble’s work, but this has to be one of her best books and for sure the best one out of the Sunset Cove trilogy.

Kate Mason has heartache come from every direction in her life; an unloving family, failing health, and the inability to have children. Yet through it all God has pulled her through all the messes of life.

Now a new challenge awaits her. With her blueberry fields not producing this year Kate has to find another avenue of work, one that she just might enjoy. When Drake Newman and his two nieces land at her doorstep looking for a place to stay for the summer it seems like God has answered her prayers, but Drake is looking for more then just a place to rent out and that brings its own set of troubles.

So often I have seen books that sound good, like this one, turn into duds. I was a little afraid Twilight at Blueberry barrens would not hold up to predecessors, but I was mistaken. Twilight at Blueberry Barrens not only beat the other two out of the water, but gave readers a main character much more relatable then the last two.

I love the last two books, but with having to struggle with my own health failing in the past and living with the after effects of it, then Kate’s lake of confidence in her own abilities to do something new. I have felt that before, to see my own feelings reflected and then to have hope shone onto them was pretty amazing. Colleen Coble is adding a new sense of life to her books, if you liked her work before I am sure you will love in now.

I have been a fan of Colleen Coble’s work since I read my first book by her over four years ago, yet Twilight in Blueberry Barrens will now hold a special place in my heart thanks to the character Kate. I hope anyone else who reads this book can benefit from it as much as I have.

That is all I have for now folks. Until next time I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Uninvited

Uninvited is my first book by Lysa TerKeurst, and without knowing the author's renown for penning some amazing books. I've looked forward to reading this one for a few months and I can very happily say I was not disappointed.

Uninvited deals with the enemy's way of trying to make you feel like you're the only one who feels left out, how he tries to isolate you in your own head. In delves deeper into the roots of our self doubt, insecurities, and so much more. Giving scripture to show how to handle these feelings and to show that you're not alone in this. God is prepared for all of it.

We've all faced rejection sometime in our life, and it's not an easy thing to handle. I know I've had to face a lot of it. Reading this book helped me unearth a lot of past hurts, and to move on from them. Lysa mixes in a nice blend of humor and isn't afraid to share her own experiences with these feelings. Reading through this book will be like talking to a new friend, one who isn't afraid to share the pain of the past to help you. 

Rejection, loneliness, depression, all of these are hard for anyone, especially young women, to handle. If you are going through anything like this then please pick up this book. It's not easy to face these things alone, make the choice to not be alone anymore.

I would really suggest reading this with a friend or in a group. It will help all within the group unearth an honest and openness they may not have had before. Living loved when the world makes you feel lonely....that is the whole point of this book, and I have to say Lysa did a perfect job with it.

I can't give this book more praise, and if I could I would rate it 10 stars. 

Well folks that's all for now. I hope y'all have a great day.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

A Tapestry of Secrets

The next and maybe the final book in the Appalachian Blessings series is here. If you haven't been looking forward to this book as much as I have then you haven't read the last two books by this amazing author!

We return to the town of Wise to see Perla now in her eighties and surrounded by loving family. Only one dark cloud remains over her life; the secret of Sadie's biological father. But a stroke has left Perla silenced. Will she ever be able to tell her beloved family the truth about that night so long ago?

I have been looking forward to this book since I was told that it was coming out and the story would be more focused on Sadie, a character I felt was far too often was put to the sidelines. Sadie was seen more in this book, but I still feel like there needs to be a book focused on her. I thought to a degree that is what this would be, if you thought the same thing you will be disappointed. Perhaps there will be a book four that will be all about Sadie, as I hoped for this one.

The main characters of this story are Perla (As in the other two books) and her granddaughter Ella. Now Ella is an interesting character. I found her relatable, probably because she is close to my age, and the way she handles change is pretty close to how I use to handle it.

This book deals well with the uncertainty of the future, and I think many young adults would benefit from reading this book and hearing things from the mind of Ella. Also be prepared for tears, laughter, and mystery. Keep a tissue box near by at all times.

If this is the last book in the series it ended well. Though my hope for a return to Sadie still remains the ending to this book was able to satisfy my need to know what happened to all the other characters. It is a book you will enjoy for generations to come.

That's all I have for now folks. Until the next time I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given

Honor Redeemed

Once something is done it cannot be undone. Once honor is lost can it ever be recovered? David is unsure, but he will do as honor demands. Even if it costs him the love of his life.

Book 2 in the key west series focuses on the story of Prosperity of Nantucket. After losing her mother, and with no relatives willing to take her in, she must make a hard decision. Rely on the charity of others or risk going across the sea to the little island of Key West to marry her fiance?

I came into this book series unsure. Book 1, Love's Rescue, was a good book, but not one of my favorites. If you have ever started on a book series and had this same experience I highly suggest holding on until you read book two to make your final judgement.

 Honor Redeemed fixed everything that the first book lacked.  The dialog and detail were even with each other, giving readers a picture of their surroundings without cutting out the much needed interaction between the characters that helps the story move along.

Another point I held in high regard when writing this review is the author, Christine Johnson, brought into life with the perfect words all throughout the book the struggle to forgive, the hurt a person feels when there is no answer to the pain inside their hearts. I felt a deep connection to Prosperity during these times in the book. 

For historical fiction you will find many relatable characters and scenes within the pages of Honor Redeemed. It would be a good selection for a group of friends to read together.

Well folks that's all for now. Until next time I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

SeaRose Lane

SeaRose lane far surpasses it's predecessor, Hope Harbor. With a slightly lighter tone, but still full of the realistic hardship that caught my attention in the first book, SeaRose Lane gets deep into the lives of two of Hope Harbor's residences Eric and BJ.

Our story returns to the peaceful town of Hope Harbor. A young man, Eric Nash, returns home after he is laid off his job as an attorney. Having been so close to the position of Partner Eric is feeling down and thrown into the waves of uncertainty. Somewhere he did not want to be. Then she runs into BJ Stevens, quite literally, creating feelings he's never had before.

BJ came to Hope Harbor trying to find peace, and she did until handsome young man ran into the back of her truck, who happens to also be her client's son. Romance is the last thing BJ is looking for, but she can't ignore the feelings that are growing inside her.

Both are looking for new beginnings, but on the shores of Hope Harbor they might just find more.

I wasn't sure if this book was going to be good, or if it would have the same issues of plot progression and too much detail, like the first book. I was happy to find myself wrong! 

The author had fixed whatever kinks I had with the first book when she wrote this one. 

The point of views switched around often enough that you didn't get bored with one of the characters, but not so often that you'd get annoyed and speed read just to get to the character you wanted. Many real life issues were addressed in here with raw emotion and accuracy. I couldn't stop myself from crying during some points. And the topic of putting God first in your life was a more dominate factor in this book, which helped me to enjoy and relate to it more.

If you're looking for a realistic contemporary romance I highly suggest picking up SeaRose Lane, you won't be disappointed.  And the next book is coming out in early 2017, so you'll have more to look forward to like I do!

That's all for today folks. I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Every Bride has her Day....But will She?

Katie Fisher is ecstatic. Pro basketball star Brady James has proposed, and she can't wait to start planning their life together. She's confident she'll make it down the aisle this time--but a high-society Houston bride has Katie and the Cosmopolitan Bridal team scrambling to get the perfect dress done in time for her spectacular wedding. Meanwhile, Katie finds herself bombarded with everyone's competing visions regarding her own special day--and she's beginning to worry that her own ideas will get lost in the crossfire. 

Wit and humor collide at their best when chaos comes into the life of Katie as she tries to finish her own wedding while dealing with the hustle and bustle of business life. Sounds like a normal day for everyone else, doesn't it? trying to balance the wishes of family, the happiness of your significant other, while trying to find your own way and listen to what God wants you to do.

The wonderful end to this new series. I still love the first book best, but the end was satisfying and for a new fan of Janice Tompson's books I am very happy with this ending. I'm sad to hear that Revell won't be publishing her books, but I am sure someone will pick up on the talent of this wonderful author!

I would put more into this review, but it would surely spoil the book, and this series is too good. 

So while I look into more Jenice Tompson books I hope y'all have a fun book filled day that's full of blessing!

Until next time!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

Land of silence

This fictionalized book is the biblical account of "the woman with the issue of blood" found in the gospels.In the usual Tessa Afshar fashion.

This is the story of Elianna, who is better known as the woman who simply touched Jesus garment and was healed of a 12 year issue of blood. I am never really sure what to make of Biblical fiction that tries to tell the story of people who were actually mentioned in the bible, like with Karen Kingsbury's book Family of Jesus.

The writing in this book is superb. Just within the first chapter I was enthralled by the detail shown, without the book suffering from a lag in moving the plot forward.

The story goes along the lines of this

"Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt.

After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father’s textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left."

You will be in tears reading the sorrow and guilt in Elianna's life, I know I was. Still we are left with the hope Christ gave us in this story. It's a good story and very well written.

If you are interested in Biblical fiction you would surely enjoy this book.

I will probably now search the library or bookstore for more of this author's work. If you chose to read this one I think you'll do the same.

That's all for today folks. Until next time, hope you have a blessed day!

Precious Moments: a Happy Harvest

Precious moments has been a part of my childhood, and my love for the sweet little characters and stories they share still lives. So when I saw this book I could not resist getting it!

Precious moments today is still a classic and should be in any home. The theme for this sweet little book is Thankfulness and the wonderful work of God’s creation. As thanksgiving and autumn come around this would be a perfect story book for parents or grandparents to read to their children or grandchildren.

The artwork is amazing! the bible verses and sweet little rhymes will help your children remember the lesson of being thankful for what you have been blessed with. The sturdy board-book will ensure years of good use. I can’t wait to share this with my future children!

That’s all for now folks. I hope y’all have an amazing autumn season!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review which I have given.

Find your Brave

I became a fan of Holly Wagner’s work when I read her book Warrior Chicks, but Find your Brave completely blows her previous book out of the water in my standards.

I came into this book expecting Holly’s sense of humor, and you get that for sure, but you get a slightly more serious side to this author as you delve into the verses found in Acts 27.  In Find Your Brave she examines the dramatic shipwreck faced by the apostle Paul in Acts 27. There she uncovers profound truths that will guide you safely through life’s most difficult moments.

I felt like I was having a personal bible study with a dear friend as I continued to read this book. It’s length and lack of day by day required reading (though I tell you now you will have a hard time putting it down) give readers freedom to read this book at their own pace. Holly offers sound advice backed up by The Word of God. I laughed, I cried, and learned a lot from this book. It is one I will for sure be buying for my friends this year.

I suggest getting this book. It will help you weather the storms of life the why Christ would want you to.

That’s all for now folks. I hope y’all have a great day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given

No Other will Do

Karen Witemyer has become one of the best authors out there in the terms of Historical Romance, and her books are a personal favorite of mine. After her last book “A Worthy Pursuit” I really thought Karen had reached her peak. Boy, was I wrong.

The only bad thing I have really seen said about Karen Witemyer’s books is that some things are a bit unbelievable, but I do not see how anyone could say that about this one.

The setting is what you’d expect of a Karen Witemyer book. A young woman has set up a colony just for women, no men allowed. Then someone begins threatening them. It’s harmless at first, but this terrorizer soon escalates his threats. Making things very dangerous for all the women.

Options are running thin so our heroine has to use the last card she has up her sleeve; call on the only man she has ever trusted to come help neutralize this threat to her women.

In character development Emma and Malachi, the two main characters, were very well done. As were all the supporting characters. Honestly this book kept me reading day and night just to keep up with the characters. And the side characters didn’t fall to the background like so many other book do, and I loved each and every one of them.

I can’t tell much more without running the risk of spoiling this book for future readers, but trust me if you are looking for a book you’ll enjoy more then what’s playing on your TV then you really, really, really need to pick up this books in your local bookstore or buy the E-book (If you’re into that)

I hope you folks enjoy the book

Until next time I hope y’all have a blessed day!

To Love a Stranger

Colleen Coble returns with one of her older works and again leaves me wanting more.

I have been looking forward to this new set of books for months, and “To Love a Stranger” was no disappointment! Though I am reading book 2 instead of book 1, but I don’t care, that’s how good this book is.

Bessie is a boston girl, and little too late she learns that her younger sister has not only been pretending to be her but she has also signed her name onto a proxy marriage. Bessie has no idea what this stranger is like, but to save her sister from prison and to salvage her integrity Bessie chooses to honor the vows.

Jasper is expecting a dark haired beauty who craves adventure, but what he meets at the stagecoach is nothing like what was in the letters he exchanged or the picture he received. Instead he is saddled with a plain and frail looking woman. After having the situation explained to him Jasper feels duped. Who can blame him? He doesn’t believe Bessie’s claims to having no idea about her sister’s deception. Making a very rocky start to the relationship.

Bessie is determined to prove herself to Jasper, that she can make a better wife then her sister Lenore. I really related to the character Bessie. When you have siblings there is always the shadow of doubt lingering over you “Do they like you better then me?” “Will I ever be loved for me, or will it always choose my sister?”

I have to say that this really is my favorite Colleen Coble book, and I don’t think any other will take it’s place. I relate to Bessie very well, and Jasper too honestly. And seeing old characters warmed my heart.

That’s all for now folks, I’m gonna go read this book again, so until next time I hope you have a blessed day!

Saving my Assasin

This is the true story of one woman’s journey to find the truth. Be warned you will need a box of tissues and a lot of “Amens” will be leaving your lips throughout this book, so be prepared!

Virgina Prodan had by no means an easy childhood. Her mother seemed to hate her, and her father wasn’t really around much, and in her childhood in Romania it was very common for children to work long hours. Not in factories or stores, but out in the common square trying to get the attention of tourists and offer them a room for the night.

With a family void of real love and in a country where lies and secrecy was the only means of survival for many people, but Vigina wanted more, she wanted the truth.

Reading about Virgina Prodan’s life in romania, how she became an attorney, how she was saved was amazing, but her life after she accepted Jesus as her savior was more than amazing; it was inspiring.

I’m usually not one to underline things in my books, but I couldn’t stop myself from doing it in this book. Vigina has me looking not only at my relationship with Christ, but my prayer life, and how we as christians don’t put enough importance on loving our enemies.

During the time I was reading this I was having some, okay a lot of trouble, with loving my enemies and just even praying blessing for them. It hurt to do for so long because they had hurt me so deeply. Reading Virgina’s testimony of loving her enemies, even as they were harming her and threating her family boldly, she still chose to show love openly to them and to pray for each and every one of them. And trust me Virgina made a lot of enemies in Romania because of her faith.

I can’t really put into full words the impact this book will make on you if you decide to read this book, I know God has seriously touched my life through the words of Vigina Prodan and I hope it will help so many others out there too.

Until next time folks I hope you have a blessed day.

A Treasure Concealed

Tracie Peterson has become one of the most popular Christian fiction authors out there, and for good reason.  Now we have another wonderful series to look forward to The Sapphire Brides.

I love Tracie Peterson books, and I have borrowed quite a few from the library, and while A Treasure Concealed has a great story plot and plenty of new elements in the story it felt like I had read it before.

Emily Carver longs to have a home of her own, but instead she endures a transient existence in the gold mining camps of Montana, where her father's hopes for riches lie endlessly buried. Promises of wealth from this wild land have brought only hardship and disappointment, causing Emily to wonder if her own modest dreams will ever see the light of day.

Caeden Thibault, a young geologist working for the government, is a man trying to escape the pain of his past, and the idyllic mountains of Montana serve his purposes well. In the course of his work, he has seen more than his share of starry-eyed gold seekers. So when Emily Carver catches his attention, he is intrigued by the fact that she isn't pinning her hopes on striking it rich.

One unexpected surprise was how fast the two actually took notice of each other. I am use to Tracie Peterson’s book taking a very long time or one of the main characters to notice the other’s feelings, or it becomes a friendship into something more. This one both easily struck up a friendship and connection, making romantic feelings not all that far fetched. Unlike most books where they just see how they look and “BOOM!” They’re in love. I enjoyed that Tracie did not take this route with her characters.

The book is filled with what we would expect from Tracie Peterson, mystery, romance, and a good storyline with lovable characters and devious villains. Though it is not my favorite book by her it is still a book worth investing your time in.

Well folks that’s all for today. Until next time, I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

the Beautiful Pretender

Melanie Dickerson has become my favorite author of fairy-tales and medieval fiction. The Beautiful Pretender is by no means an exception to this.

I was able to borrow “The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest” from the library before I got this book in, and I will say it helps keep some of the characters straight, but you don’t have to read the first one to enjoy this book.

How would you feel if you only had two weeks to find a wife, and you had a list of only ten girls you were allowed to choose from? The mangrave of Thornbeck faces this problem and his only option is to invite the women from the King’s list and decide which young lady will be his bride.

Avelina is a maid-servent from a neighboring area. When her mistress runs away the blame is laid at Avelina’s feet. To save her family from banishment Avelina must go in place of her mistress, making sure that the mangrave does not pick her at all costs.

The story takes some elements from the princess and the pea, which is one of my favorite fairy tales, and a story to mix into this series of fairytales. A good amount of historical detail is also put into this book, just like most of Melanie’s books, and to me it just makes her books all the more enjoyable.

Something that has made this book more dear to my heart is how marriage is viewed by Avelina, and what she wants from it. So many marriages, both back then and now, turned sour and left children with a horrible idea of what marriage is or what it will be like for them. Avelina explains that a woman wants to be loved for who she is. Not for her money, her family name, or for her looks, but for the person they are. I screaming “YES!!! AT LAST SOMEONE GETS IT!!!” all throughout this scene.

The Beautiful Pretender is by far the best book Melanie Dickerson has published yet. I am very much looking forward to her next book “Silent Songbird”.

So if you are looking for a good fairytale or wanting to know if this one is any good then I hope you have found the answers!

Well folks that’s all for today. Until next time folks, I hope you have a blessed day!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.