A Lasting Impression: A Book Review

About The Book:

From Christy and RITA Award-winning author Tamera Alexander comes a novel about the difference between knowing who you are--and knowing who you want to become.

Claire Laurent's greatest aspiration is to paint something that will bring her acclaim. Yet her father insists she work as a copyist. A forger. When she's forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville only a year after the War Between the States has ended, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe. She considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But after he later refuses to come to her aid, Claire fears she's sorely misjudged the man. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville's society, Claire believes her dream to create a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach--but only if her fraudulent past remains hidden.

The Federal Army has destroyed Sutton's home and confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family's honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him and to right a grievous wrong reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined--as well as the woman he loves.

Set at Nashville's historic Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, A Lasting Impression is a sweeping love story about a nation mending after war, the redemption of those wounded, and the courage of a man and woman to see themselves--and each other--for who they really are.

About The Author:

Tamera Alexander is a bestselling novelist whose works have been awarded or nominated for numerous honors, including the Christy Award, the RITA Award, and the Carol Award. After seventeen years in Colorado, Tamera and her husband have returned to their native South and live in Tennessee, where they enjoy spending time with their two grown children.

Tamera invites you visit her Web site, herblog, on Twitter, or Facebook

My Review:

Are you a fan of Christian historical fiction?


Are you looking for a great read to finish off your Christmas holidays?


Then you have to read A Lasting Impression!


Not only does it have a fantastic storyline, which amazing characters that you can totally relate to in their life experiences, but it is absolutely evident that the author has done some extensive research to make the book so real to us readers. The book also has a great amount of Biblical truths taught throughout without being overly preachy. Redemption and forgiveness are two of the predominant themes throughout the book, and approached in honest and worthy manners. One other theme I got as I read through A Lasting Impression was just how much we impact people, even when we don't realize! A life of integrity is one to be replicated, especially when God is at the center of it, as was seen in this book!


A delightful read that I highly recommend and give a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase A Lasting Impression at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc., for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Valley of Dreams: A Book Review

About The Book:

WILD WEST WIND

Exciting New Series from Bestselling Author Lauraine Snelling

When Cassie Lockwood's mother died, Cassie began travelling with her father's Wild West Show. Along the way, she became an amazingly skillful trick rider and sharpshooter, likened by some to the famous Annie Oakley. When her father passed away, she continued to work with the show, having nowhere else to go.

Now Cassie has discovered that "Uncle" Jason, the show's manager, has driven the show into debt, and he's absconded with what little money was left. Devastated, Cassie decides to try to find the hidden valley in the Black Hills of South Dakota where her father had dreamed of setting down roots. She has only one clue. She needs to find three huge stones that look like fingers on a giant hand. With Chief, a Sioux Indian who's been with the act for twenty years, and Micah, the head wrangler, she leaves the show and a bundle of heartache behind and begins a wild and daring adventure.

Will they find the valley before winter closes in on them?

Valley of Dreams

About The Author:

Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning author of fifty-plus books with sales of over 2 million copies, also writes for a wide range of magazines and teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California. Visitwww.laurainesnelling.com

My Review:

Historical fiction is one of my favorite literature genres to read, and Lauraine Snelling is one of my favorite authors of this genre. Therefore, I was totally on board when the opportunity arose to review her most recent release, Valley Of Dreams! And it did not disappoint! 

Full of amazing descriptions of lifestyle, geography and more of the time of the Wild West, you will be drawn into the life of Cassie from the very first pages of the book. The characters are all fantastic and well-developed, each with their own experiences and journeys to take. The writing style flows nicely with a wonderful storyline, that will keep your interest through the reading of this book. I am definitely excited to see how book 2 of this series will be like!

I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase Valley Of Dreams at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc., for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

The Gospel Story Bible: A Book Review

About The Book:

 Marty Machowski’s new offering for families transforms hearts one story at a time

Sometimes it’s easy to forget Jesus in the midst of frantic schedules, family squabbles and conflicting priorities. For many Christians, God often becomes little more than an afterthought after days absorbed and depleted by the busyness of life. But the truth is that he is the hero of every story—including the mundane, ordinary ones we experience on a regular basis. That is why Marty Machowski beckons families to take time out from the daily grind to be transformed by the message of the Good News in his latest release, The Gospel Story Bible: Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments (New Growth Press, November 2011).

Based on the ESV Bible, this uniquely illustrated Bible storybook uses 156 stories to present God’s plan of salvation in Christ from its opening narrative in Genesis to its finale in Revelation. This easy-to-read storybook written for children from preschool to high school introduces readers to many captivating people, places and events from the Bible’s Old and New Testaments. At the same time, Machowski skillfully connects the individual stories to the overall gospel narrative of how God redeemed a broken world through sending his son Jesus to save his people. Each story ends by connecting to Jesus and his gospel of grace. By sharing these Bible stories with each other, young and old will learn together the life-changing habit of recognizing the presence and workings of Christ in every moment of their day.

“The gospel is deep enough to keep the oldest and wisest parents learning and growing all their lives, yet simple enough to change the heart of the first grader who has just begun to read,” says Machowski. “That’s what makes The Gospel Story Bible ideal as a storybook for a preschooler, a devotional for a grade school student, a refresher for the adult believer or an introduction for the new one. Parents and children will learn together to read the whole Bible as one story, with one hero—Jesus Christ.”

Vibrant illustrations by A. E. Macha, child-friendly discussion questions and Scripture references accompany each story to help lead families in exploring the Bible. Parents and teachers will be delighted to discover how easily even a young child can understand the original text of a story that he or she has already come to love. A companion to the family devotional Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God and the soon-to-be-released Gospel Story Sunday school curriculum (February 2012), The Gospel Story Bible is also a great resource for churches, Sunday school classes, home-schoolers and Christian schools who want to teach their children to apply the gospel to every situation and make Jesus the most important part of their everyday lives.

About The Author:

Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church, a Sovereign Grace Ministries church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for twenty-three years. Marty leads Promise Kingdom, the children’s ministry of Covenant Fellowship. He is also the author of Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God and the forthcoming Gospel Story Sunday school curriculum. He and his wife Lois and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

My Review:

The Gospel Story Bible is a vibrantly illustrated Bible for children that is sure to be in the personal libraries of families all around the world in 2012. Covering 158 stories from the Bible, your child will have a delightful time not only reading the The Gospel Story Bible, but also interacting with you through the discussion questions that accompany each story (called, "Let's Talk About It"). I also love that there is a whole curriculum coming out to supplement the children's Bible in early 2012. Perfect for Sunday School, Children's Ministry, Home School Families, ultimately perfect for all families who are teaching the Bible in their home! My favorite point of the book is how each story turns to the fact that Jesus came to redeem the world. A wonderful hardcover presentation means it will last a long time, and will make a perfect gift for any young person in your life.

I highly recommend this book, and give it a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase The Gospel Story Bible at your favorite bookseller from New Growth Press

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of The B and B Media Group and |New Growth Press, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Longing: A Book Review and GIVEAWAY!

About The Book:

 Longing, book three in the Bailey Flanigan Series, picks up where Learning ended. After a long and lonely silence from Cody Coleman, Bailey Flanigan becomes closer to her one-time Hollywood co-star, Brandon Paul. Nights on the town in New York City and long talks on the balcony of Brandon's Malibu Beach home make Bailey dizzy with new feelings and cause her to wonder if her days with Cody are over forever.


 Longing, book three in the Bailey Flanigan Series, picks up where Learning ended. After a long and lonely silence from Cody Coleman, Bailey Flanigan becomes closer to her one-time Hollywood co-star, Brandon Paul. Nights on the town in New York City and long talks on the balcony of Brandon's Malibu Beach home make Bailey dizzy with new feelings and cause her to wonder if her days with Cody are over forever. Meanwhile, Cody's work coaching a small-town football team has brought him and his players national attention. In the midst of the celebration and success, Cody finds himself much closer to a woman who seems to better understand him and his new life. Even so, never does much time go by without Bailey and Cody experiencing deep feelings of longing for each other, longing both for the past and for answers before they can move forward. Will an unexpected loss be the turning point for Cody? Will Cody and Bailey find a way back together again for the first time in more than a year? And if they do, will their brief time together be enough to help them remember all they've been longing for?

You can read an excerpt of Longing here, in PDF format.

About The Author:

New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America’s favorite inspirational novelist, with nearly 20 million books in print. Her Life-Changing Fiction™ has produced multiple bestsellers, including Unlocked, Leaving, Take One, Between Sundays, Even Now, One Tuesday Morning, Beyond Tuesday Morning, and Ever After, which was named the 2007 Christian Book of the Year. An award-winning author and newly published songwriter, Karen has several movies optioned for production, and her novel Like Dandelion Dust was made into a major motion picture, now available on DVD. Karen is also a nationally known speaker with several women’s groups including Women of Faith. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, Don, their daughter and five sons, three of whom are adopted from Haiti.

My Review:

I have been a fan of Karen Kingsbury for many years now, and have read almost all of her books since the very first one. I always enjoy how real-to-life the characters and their life experiences are. She never stays away from tough topics (like death, infidelity, adoption, etc) and always leads the characters (and ultimately the reader) to remember their strength is found in Christ.

I have enjoyed this last series from Kingsbury, and did really like Longing. The writing style is classic Karen Kingsbury and the experiences are all ones that we could all easily find ourselves in. You will laugh, cry and otherwise feel like you are right in the pages of the book with each word you read.

However, I did find the book (and the series) a little more suited for young adults versus those of us who have lived more, and thus experienced more. Maybe that is what the author was going for, not sure. That said, I did really enjoy the storylines of Bailey and Brandon/Cody but honestly felt that there were too many other storylines going on. I believe that part of my frustration was that the book seemed to move at a slower pace than it seems other Kingsbury books do. While this is not a huge issue, it was definitely not typical of this author.  I will definitely read book four, and will continue to read Karen Kingsbury's work, but was a little disappointed with Longing.

Despite this, I still really do love Kingsbury's work and will continue to recommend her to all my family, friends and blog readers. I give Longing a 4/5 and a thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase Longing by Karen Kingsbury at your favorite bookseller from Zondervan

WIN IT: 

Three (3) readers 

will win 

a copy

of 

Longing

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me one other Zondervan book you would love to read


EXTRA ENTRIES: (mandatory entry must be complete for extra entries to count; please leave a separate comment for each entry type)


1. Follow A Mom After God's Own Heart via GFC


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GIVEAWAY OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY

GIVEAWAY ENDS JANUARY 11, 2012

***I received a complimentary copy of the above book, courtesy of Zondervan Blogger Club, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Love-Powered Parenting: A Book Review and GIVEAWAY

About The Book:

While there are many helpful tips that can help you sustain the role of mom and dad, it is in Jesus’ teaching about love that we find the foundation, encouragement, and lasting power that we all need as parents. Love-Powered Parenting focuses on how six of Jesus’ greatest teachings can guide and encourage you on your journey through life with your children.

Love-Powered Parenting is written out of a love for parenting and a deep desire to encourage parents. Yes, there are experiences in parenting that can cause deep hurt. Yes, there are realities in parenting that certainly will cause you to feel inept. Yet at the core of it all there is a deep gratefulness for the gift that God gives in the opportunity to love a child. This book is a biblical guide to parenting. And by “biblical guide” we mean these pages are intended to take you on a journey through what the truth of God’s Word has to say about parenting. The main goal is not to uncover psychological truths about your child—there are many good resources on psychological theory; nor does it include practical tips for everyday circumstances such as how to get your kids to eat their green beans. Here, we will explore the simple and profound principles of God’s Word to distinguish psychological truth from error, educational reality from untested theory, and we’ll be looking at these tips within the broader context of God’s principles for parenting.

You can read an excerpt of this book, here in PDF format.

About The Authors:

Tom and Chaundel Holladay have three children and two grandchildren and have served together at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, for over twenty years.

Tom, in addition to his pastoral leadership and weekend teaching ministries, is a part of Saddleback’s ministry of training church leaders around the world and produces a weekly podcast through the Bible at drivetimedevotions.com He is author of The Relationship Principles of Jesusand, with Kay Warren, Foundations: 11 Core Truths to Build Your Life On.

My Review:

As a mom of two young children, ages five and three years, I am always on the hunt for books and resources that will allow me to be the best mom and parent that I can be. As a Christian mom, of course my number one parenting tool is God's Word, but I also love it when I find an author or product that gives me great advice. I have had the opportunity to review a number of parenting books this year, by some fantastic authors, with one being Love-Powered Parenting by Tom and Chaundel Holladay.

The book takes the six principles that Holladay introduces in his book, The Relationship Principles of Jesus, and adapts them to the world of parenting. He then takes each principle and applies a daily reading for it, setting you up for an in-depth 30 day study. These are the six principles of which the 30 days are based on:

1. Believe Nothing Is More Important - The Power of Your Priorities (5 days)

2. Love With New Power - The Power of Your Love (5 days)

3. Communicate From The Heart - The Power of Your Words (5 days)

4. Show and Teach Mercy - The Power of Your Discipline and Compassion (5 days)

5. Serve Your Children Well - The Power of Your Serving (5 days)

6. Live The Golden Rule - The Power of Your Unselfishness (5 days)

Each day has a three or four page teaching and includes a great feature, called "Response from the Heart of a Mom" (a short writing from Chaundel). I loved that both male and female observations are made throughout the book. Also, I love that each chapter has a scripture verse to memorize, an action to take, and a look at the next week. 

One thing that was said in the very beginning of the book is fantastic: "...that this is book is intended to be a biblical guide to parenting...by Biblical guide we mean these pages are intended to take all of us on a journey through what God's word has to say about parenting."(p. 12-13)

The main goal of the book is not a how-to but rather encouragement and inspiration from Him along our journey as parents. Yes, there are tips, but they are attached with the "broader context of God's principles for parenting". Overall, an excellent read, very easy to read and one that I highly encourage all parents and family ministry workers to read and apply to their life.

BUY IT: You can purchase Love-Powered Parenting at your favorite bookseller from Zondervan

WIN IT:

Three (3) readers

will win 

a copy 

of 

Love-Powered Parenting

MANDATORY ENTRY: Tell me why you would like to win this book

EXTRA ENTRIES: (mandatory entry must be completed for extra entries to count; please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Follow me on Twitter and RT daily 

2. Like A Mom After God's Own Heart on Facebook

3. Subscribe to A Mom After God's Own Heart via email

4. Follow A Mom After God's Own Heart on GFC

GIVEAWAY OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY

GIVEAWAY ENDS JANUARY 10, 2012

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

***I received a complimentary copy of the above book, courtesy of Zondervan Blogger Club, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

I Am In Here: A Book Review

About The Book:

Me

I sometimes fear

That people cannot understand

That I hear.

And I know

That they don't believe I go

To every extreme

To try to express

My need to talk.

If only they could walk

In my shoes

They would share my news:

I am in here.

And trying to speak every day

In some kind of way.

Though she cannot speak, Elizabeth Bonker writes poetry that shines a light on the hidden inner world of autism and the world around us.I Am in Here is the spiritual journey of a mother and daughter who refuse to give up hope, who celebrate their victories, and who keep moving forward despite the obstacles. Elizabeth's poetry and her mother's stirring storytelling combine in this inspirational book to proclaim that there is always a reason to take the next step--with hope.

You can read an excerpt of I Am In Here, online here, in PDF format

About The Authors:

Elizabeth M. Bonker is a thirteen-year-old young lady with autism who cannot yet speak, but who writes deeply revealing poetry, which was featured on PBS's Religion & Ethics Newsweekly. She excels in mainstream public school with an educational aide.

Virginia G. Breen is the mother of three beautiful children, two of whom are profoundly affected by autism. Besides working to heal her children, Virginia is a venture capitalist investing in high-tech companies, and she sits on both corporate and nonprofit boards. Previously she studied computer science at Harvard, business at Columbia, and eastern philosophies in Singapore. She now studies relentlessly at the School of Autism.


My Review:


During 2011 I have read a number of inspiring books, but none have impacted me as much as reading I Am In Here! As you read this book, be prepared to feel all kinds of emotions. You will laugh, cry and be inspired as you read Elizabeth's journey. One emotion I did not expect to experience was anger. Not at Elizabeth of course but at society and how it, in general has no concept of the Autism Spectrum Disorder and how to relate to those who live with Autism on a daily basis. I have had the experience of working with children who have Autism. They are beautiful children, who, yes, have unpredictable behaviors at times, but so does everyone else. We just need to look at the life of Elizabeth to see how inspiring life can be. 


Her poetry is heart-felt and stunning, without anger or self-pity evident. Very simple but so deep with truth, amazing for such a young person! A great insight to the hearts of those who live with Autism.


You can see it clearly that her mom is her biggest advocate and that is so important for children with any special needs! If we don't fight for our kids (regardless of ability) who will! I Am In Here is an incredibly thought-provoking, inspiring book that NEEDS to be read by everyone. Especially those parent of children with Autism and other special needs, education staff and administrators, basically everyone! You will not be disappointed. 


I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!


BUY IT: You can purchase I Am In Here at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group


***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc., for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

My Favorite Bible: A Review

About The Bible:

The most treasured stories of the Bible come alive in My Favorite Bible.

Start your little ones on a life-long love of God's word!

This colorful and dynamic gospel-centered Bible storybook guides children through the foundational truths of Scripture. Each story is fully and vividly illustrated and includes a simple narrative with things children ages 4—8 love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, an activity page, and discussion questions.

Adults and children will cherish time together as they grow closer to God.

About The Editors:

Rondi DeBoer sold her first series at age fifteen and now has more than 430,000 copies of her books in print. After graduating from WSU in Elementary Education and studying at Multnomah Biblical Seminary, she went on to become a classical Christian teacher. Now she spends her time homeschooling her three daughters and eagerly awaits the arrival of a fourth daughter from China. She and her husband, Brian, live in Washington with their family.

Christine Tangvald has been writing for children for more than 25 years, with nearly 100 titles to her name and almost 3.5 million books in print. After earning her Elementary Education degree, she worked with children for more than 20 years. Her passion is to personalize God and make him real and alive to small children. She lives in Washington with her husband Roald


My Review:


I will be the first to admit I have a slight addiction to children's Bibles. I love reading my girls the Bible Stories that I grew up with, and love the many variations of them that are on the market. That said, I am also very picky about which Children's Bibles. I like ones that not only attract my childrens' attention (with bright colors and not wordy) but that are also theologically sound (that is teaching young children correct theology, not just making the Bible a story). My Favorite Bible is all this and more. Each Bible story is between 8-12 pages and I love the rhyming nature of each one, but most importantly I LOVE what ends each story! Family Talk and Family Fun help your family have a fun yet sincere Bible teaching time. These are perfect for family devotions, and give you a lot of ideas for teaching Biblical truths to your children. Also great for Bible teaching times for home school families as well.


 The translation, God's Word Translation, is one I am unfamiliar with, however, it is very easy to read, and perfect for young readers who are starting out reading the Bible, perfect for transitioning from a picture book Bible to a older child's Bible.


My Favorite Bible is the perfect new-baby gift or birthday gift for the any little one in your life.


I highly recommend My Favorite Bible and give it a huge thumbs up.


BUY IT: You can purchase My Favorite Bible at your favorite bookseller, from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group


***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc., for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Leapfrog Learn To Read: A Review

About Leapfrog:

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is a leading developer of innovative, technology-based educational products and content dedicated to making learning effective and engaging.

The LeapFrog Promise:

Is to create fresh, engaging, effective learning experiences that inspire and delight kids—over and over again. At LeapFrog our teams understand how to emotionally and intellectually captivate the minds and imaginations of children. At LeapFrog, everyone puts learning first—every teacher and technician, every engineer and artist. At LeapFrog, our teams know how to put those crucial, creative elements together to make learning feel like magic.

The LeapFrog way is a simple equation:

•Rigorous, proven learning methodologies
•Compelling, multi-layered content
•Intuitive, invisible technology
___________________________________= Learn Something New Every Day™

Putting Learning First:The Essence of Learning - LeapFrog's Scope and Sequence. All LeapFrog content and curriculum is based on a proprietary scope and sequence methodology, created by our educational experts, that identifies not only WHAT children learn, but WHEN and HOW they learn it—at each age and stage of development. What's more, our grade-based curriculum is aligned with educational standards, often mirroring what is learned in the classroom.

How it Works:See it. Hear it. Say it. Touch it. Learn it.
At LeapFrog, we surround the child with multiple ways of learning by tapping into their senses. Interactive learning experiences are further reinforced with immediate, and positive, corrective feedback. This multi-sensory approach has been consistently proven effective by third-party efficacy studies and research.

Technical Wonders:Who pushes realms of reality? We do, every day!

Our Technology Team: The Architects of Tomorrow.LeapFrog products are powered by technology that dazzles, to keep kids discovering. But we don't simply accept the technology that exists today—this team is dedicated to the constant search for new innovations and technological advancements, to create the most engaging and effective learning experience possible. And most importantly, we are producing it ALL in-house. To create our patented, proprietary software, we brought together over 70 technology experts who are led by a core team that has worked together since 1985.

About The Tag Learn To Read System:

 The Tag Learn to Read Series combines fun stories with rich audio to help children identify letter sounds and hear how they come together to form words. This six-book set explores short vowels.

• Teaches short vowels, phonics skills, sight words and rhyming.
• The short vowels romp through a series of fun stories.
• Use your Tag™ Reader to make phonics skills spring to life.
• Parents can follow their child’s play and learning progress on the LeapFrog® Learning Path.
• Play in LeapWorld™, a safe, online learning world with more games and rewards to expand the fun.

My Review:

We are a huge fan of Leapfrog products in our home, and especially are enjoying the Tag Reader System. Recently my daughters had the opportunity to review the Tag Learn To Read with Phonics Short Vowels set. Just as is done with the regular Tag and Tag Jr. books, your child will learn letter sounds, phonics, memorization, concepts through fun games, and listening skills. The Tag Reader Learn To Read system is a fantastic way to introduce literacy to even the youngest of readers. A fantastic way to reinforce learning from school curriculum and doing so in a fun and easy manner. Not only are children learning to recognize some of the primer sight words (I, as, it, etc) but they are also learning the sounds of letters, and having fun at the same time. I am planning to purchase the other books in the Learn to Read system as my daughter, 5 years of age, is ready to learn to read and loving this program to help her! I love that the Learn to Read system is a fantastic addition to the rest of the Tag System and is a fantastic addition to all early learning classrooms and homeschooling curriculum. Another fantastic product from Leapfrog for this Leapfrog loving family!

I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase the Tag Reader Learn To Read with Phonics Short Vowels at your favorite toy retailer from Leapfrog

***I received a complimentary set of the above books, courtesy of Leapfrog and Harbinger Ideas, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

The Names Of God Bible: A Review

About The Bible:

Open the door to a more intimate relationship with God

Discover the Hebrew names of God within the biblical text

Encounter God through prayers, promises, and devotional readings 

Experience God's character more deeply by studying his names

One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know his names and titles as revealed in Scripture. Now the bestselling author of Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus uncovers the richness of God's character and love found in his names right within the Bible text.

The Names of God Bible restores more than 10,000 occurrences of specific names of God--like Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay--to help readers connect with the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith and experience a deeper understanding of God's character. Perfect for personal study, prayer, and reflection, The Names of God Bible includes these special features:

More than 10,000 names and titles of God restored to their Hebrew equivalent and printed in brown ink to stand out within the biblical text
Names of God reading paths lead readers to the next reference of the name so they can pray and study the names of God throughout Scripture
Name Pages feature

• background information associated with the most important names and titles of God
• key Scripture passages in which the name is revealed
• devotional readings for each of the featured names
• specific Bible promises connected to each of the featured names

Calling God by Name sidebars shed light on the relationship between biblical people and the specific names they called God

About The Editor:


 Ann Spangler is an award-winning writer whose fascination with the Bible has resulted in books that have opened the Bible to a wide range of readers. She is the author or coauthor of several bestselling books, including Praying the Names of God, Praying the Names of Jesus, Women of the Bible, and Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus. Together, her books have sold nearly 3 million copies. She has held senior positions at two Christian publishing houses and lives with her two daughters in Michigan.


My Review:


The Names Of God Bible has been a wonderful addition to my Bible collection. It is full of beautiful readings about the different names of God, and is a perfect way to increase your knowledge about the various names used to identify God. 


The Names of God Bible is not one to just read through quickly. It is the perfect Bible to supplement a great study Bible (I use the ESV Study Bible, NASB Study Bible and NIV Study Bible to dig deeper in studying) and really learn about the various names of God.


 One of the features that I absolutely love about this Bible is that with each book introduction there is a list of the Key Names of God (for example, in Isaiah, you will find the names Yahweh, Qedosh Yisrael, El, Elohim, Adonay, Melek, Sar Shalom, Ruach, Shadday, Elyon, Shopet, Elohim Chay, El Olam, Go'el, Ish Makoboth, and Ab). I had no idea there were so many names for God! Truly enlightening to be sure. Then throughout the book, you will find these names with scripture references as well as at least one "devotional study" of a Name of God (in Isaiah, there is one for Sar Shalom - Prince of Peace).


Also included in this beautiful, hard covered Bible is a Topical Prayer Guide for the names of God, Table of the Names of God (includes the number of times it is found in the Bible), A Name Index, Names of God Reading Plan and Two Fast Track Reading Plans. I do not know much about the God's Word Translation, however, I do find it very easy to read and comprehend. Again, the Names of God Bible is a great supplement for deeper study, and does contain some great footnotes and other study resources, but I would suggest using an actual study Bible for deeper, more academic study, if you desire.


I highly recommend the Names of God Bible and give it a huge thumbs up!


BUY IT: You can purchase The Names of God Bible at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group


***I received a complimentary copy of the above book, courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc., for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Christmas Time Fun!

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Day 2011 

Hamburger Cookies - a family tradition, thanks to my grandmother!

My oldest daughter at her school concert

Live Reflectively: A Fresh Life Bible Study Series Review

About The Book:
Twenty minutes a day to a deeper understanding of God's presence in your life
He was saved from death on the Nile and raised as an Egyptian prince. He met his wife at a Midianite well, witnessed the birth of a nation as the Red Sea parted, and watched water gush from a rock with one touch of his rod. He died overlooking the Jordan River. In fact, Moses's entire life can be viewed through the water that redirected him.
In this engaging study, Bible teacher Lenya Heitzig encourages you to consider the "watershed" moments in your own spiritual journey. Each day's lesson is structured in five parts: Lift up (prayer), Look at (God's Word) , Learn about (new insights), Live out (application), Listen to (quotes from other believers)

The Fresh Life series was created by women, for women-women who crave a profound experience of God's Word without an overwhelming commitment of time. With each lesson, you will come to a deeper understanding of the truths of the Bible and develop a deeper intimacy with God.

About The Author:

Lenya Heitzig is an ECPA Gold Medallion Winner author and popular Bible teacher. After beginning her ministry as a single women's counselor with Youth With a Mission, Lenya married Skip and together they started Calvary of Albuquerque, one of the fast-growing churches in the country. The author of Holy Moments and coauthor of Pathways to God's Treasures, Lenya currently serves as Director of Women at Calvary, overseeing weekly Bible studies and yearly retreats. Lenya and Skip live in Albuquerque, New Mexico

My Review:

I don't know about you, but I often find it much more enjoyable and impacting to study the principles and lives found in the New Testament over those in the Old Testament. I do not know exactly why, but one reason I know is that often I find the New Testament much more relavent. That is until I recently reviewed a study on the life of Moses, in Live Reflectively: Lessons from the Watershed Moments of Moses.

The person and life lessons in Moses are amazing, and there are so many. I absolutely have loved how Lenya Heitzig has brought his life to us in a relevant and easy to comprehend and use Bible Study. Each lesson allows us to see Moses as God did, as a tool to bring others to God. His grace is seen through each step of Moses' life, and can be in ours too, if we let Him. I have only gone through the first two lessons of Live Reflectively, but have found it to be the perfect Bible Study to carry me into 2012, and I cannot wait to see how God is going to use my life, as He did Moses, in this new year.

If you are looking for a great Bible Study idea for your Winter Small Group/Bible Study Series, I cannot recommend the Fresh Life Bible Series enough. It is perfect for young adult and up, and a very easy one to use and implement, with only a Bible as your supplement (and a study book for each participant of course).

I give this Bible Study a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase Live Reflectively: Lessons from the Watershed Moments of Moses at your favorite bookseller from David C. Cook

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of The B and B Media Group and David C. Cook, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Merry Christmas - A Few Day's Late!

My Christmas post just did not happen this year. Yikes, I do not know where time went, but by the time I realized I had not done a Christmas post, it was this morning. My apologies.

My family and I had a fantastic Christmas weekend, prepping for family to celebrate with us on Sunday. Between reading The Christmas Story as a family, to watching my children act out the manger scene and sing carols, we also build a Gingerbread House, watching several Christmas movies (Veggie Tales, The Nativity Story, The Grinch, White Christmas, and more), we also enjoyed a fantastic turkey dinner with some of my husband's family on Christmas Day!

This year was a new adventure, as my girls, ages five and three, are so into all the sights and sounds but I did not want them to lose out on the true meaning of Christmas, our Savior's birth. So as part of our celebrating, we made a birthday cake for Jesus...a definite highlight for my oldest daughter.

Anyway, as we head into a new year, I would like to say a belated Merry Christmas to you my readers, and it is my prayer that 2012 will be your best year yet!

Live Abundantly: A Bible Study Review

About The Book:
Twenty minutes a day to discover the abundance of God's riches
In Live Abundantly, Bible teachers Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose challenge you to dig deep into the book of Ephesians to find the spiritual treasure God has for you. Covering topics such as living in God's will and receiving peace no matter the circumstances, the book of Ephesians reveals the magnitude of every Christian's inheritance, a gift "exceedingly abundantly above" what you could ever ask for.

Unearth the greatest treasure of life in this rich study. Each day's lesson is structured in five parts: Lift up (prayer), Look at (God's Word), Learn about (new insights), Live out (application), Listen to (quotes from other believers).

The Fresh Life series was created by women, for women-women who crave a profound experience of God's Word without an overwhelming commitment of time. With each lesson, you will come to a deeper understanding of the truths of the Bible and develop a deeper intimacy with God.

About The Author:

Lenya Heitzig is an ECPA Gold Medallion Winner author and popular Bible teacher. After beginning her ministry as a single women's counselor with Youth With a Mission, Lenya married Skip and together they started Calvary of Albuquerque, one of the fast-growing churches in the country. The author of Holy Moments and coauthor of Pathways to God's Treasures, Lenya currently serves as Director of Women at Calvary, overseeing weekly Bible studies and yearly retreats. Lenya and Skip live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Penny Pierce Rose is the author of A Garden of Friends and the coauthor of several Bible studies, including the Gold Medallion Winner, Pathway to God. A graduate of Texas Tech, Penny has served on the board of directors for the Southwest Women's Festival and develops Bible study curriculum for the women's programs at Calvary of Albuquerque. Penny and her family make their home in New Mexico.

My Review:

Ephesians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Over the years I have read this book a handful of times, and yet each time I gleam a new teaching from it to apply to my life. It is one of the books of the Bible that impacts people at all the different life stages that they find themselves: as a child, parent, spouse, or single. Amazing truths are found in Ephesians, and I was very excited to have the opportunity to review Live Abundantly: A Study in the book of Ephesians.

This Bible study is set up in a very user-friendly manner, with each lesson being split up into five sections: Lift Up, Look At, Learn About, Live Out and Listen To. With five days to study each of the 12 lessons, you will be immersed in Ephesians and find many new lessons to apply to your life. Live Abundantly can be used for both individual and group study, and my favorite feature is the abundance of reflection/discussion questions that are included each day.

Live Abundantly is part of the Fresh Life Bible Study Series from David C. Cook and would be a fantastic addition to all church Bible Study/Small Group Ministries.

I highly recommend this book and give them a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase Live Abundantly at your favorite bookseller from David C. Cook

***I received a complimentary copy of this book, courtesy of The B and B Media Group and David C. Cook, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Daddy's Little Goalie: A Book Review

About The Book:

The National Federation of High School Associations estimates that approximately 3.1 million girls participate in high school sports. Daddy's Little Goalie, written by professional sports writer Robert Strauss, is about a new generation of fathers who are nurturing their daughters as girl jocks throughout their years of schooling.

In Daddy's Little Goalie, Strauss shares an invitingly poignant and humorous collection of anecdotes about the father/daughter sporting dynamic based on his own experiences with his daughters, Ella and Sylvia. Proud dads, been-there moms, and sporting daughters alike will recognize themselves in Strauss's stories. From the pride inspired by a daughter's first left-handed layup to the shin-kicking action on the soccer field, Daddy's Little Goalie is not a primer on how to raise the next Venus or Serena Williams, but about the normal run of girl jockdom and the important role of the father/daughter relationship in sports—and life.

About The Author:

Robert Strauss is the proud father of two daughters who play sports. He has been a staffer at Sports Illustrated and has written extensively for the New York Times. He is an adjunct professor of writing in the English department at the University of Pennsylvania; he also managed to play, just barely, Division III freshman basketball and rugby at Carleton College. He lives with his wife, Susan, and daughters, Ella and Sylvia, in Haddonfield, New Jersey

My Review:

With Christmas only days away, Daddy's Little Goalie is the PERFECT gift idea for the person in your life with kids in sports. The book is very well-written, easy to read and you will both laugh and cry as you follow the author through the world of parenting children through competitive sports! I really did enjoy this book, and one day know that it will be my husband and I going through the same situations. It was a wonderful reminder of how important it is to support our children in the sports (or anything really) endeavors. Not only will dads relate, but Mom's will too!

I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase Daddy's Little Goalie at your favorite bookseller from Andrews McMeel Publishing

***I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book, courtesy of NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***

Who Is My Shelter: A Book Review

About The Book:

Gabby knows God is the God of second chances.

But can she give one to the man who betrayed her?

When she was thrown out of the penthouse she shared with her husband and their sons, Gabby didn’t know if she’d ever find a soft place to land. But after seeking refuge at the shelter where she works, extraordinary things happen as she is reintroduced to God.

From the ashes of her marriage comes the House of Hope—a safe haven for homeless moms and their children.

But now those ashes of her destroyed marriage are being stirred again. When her long-gone husband’s life hits rock bottom, he reappears and asks for one more chance. And Gabby faces what feels like an impossible choice. Take him back. Or keep moving forward without him. Toward someone new who hasn’t betrayed her.

Is God redeeming what Gabby thought was gone forever? Or is He leading her down a different path and giving her something—and someone—new?

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About The Author:

Neta Jackson's award-winning Yada books have sold more than 400,000 copies and are spawning prayer groups across the country. She and her husband, Dave, are also an award-winning writing team, best known for the Trailblazer Books--a 40-volume series of historical fiction about great Christian heroes with 1.5 million in sales--and Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes (vols 1-4). They live in the Chicago metropolitan area, where the Yada stories are set.

My Review:

I have been a fan of Neta Jackson for many years, so was very excited to read the final book in the House of Hope Series, Who Is My Shelter. Once again, Jackson did not disappoint with a fun, fast-paced book with characters that all readers will relate to. The book is very well written, organized and easy to read. Perfect for young adult aged readers and up!

I think the characters and their life experiences are what initially drew me to the books, and to this one in particular. Who Is My Shelter is a fantastic story of forgiveness and what happens when we give God all our life and allow His Grace to come over our life. It is probably my favorite book in the series and I look forward to reading more of Neta Jackson in the near future, and I love that she plans to release more Yada books in the future.

I highly recommend this book and give it a huge thumbs up!

BUY IT: You can purchase Who Is My Shelter at your favorite bookseller from Thomas Nelson

***I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book, courtesy of NetGalley and Thomas Nelson, for the purpose of review on this blog. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner***