Friday, February 26, 2010

Book Review - "Love Your Heart"

Tim McGraw and Tim Douglas return with another story about the little girl Katie made popluar in the book, "My Little Girl." Katie in "Love Your Heart" learns an important lesson about talents and what she is really good at. Katie is involved in a talent show and has difficulty determining what talent she should use. This book is a great story to teach children that sometimes your talent and what really matters is what is on the inside and how you can help another person. Katie feels so good about herself when she helps a friend be happy! Her daddy confirms this by saying, "but most of all, I love your heart."
I would recommend this book for children up to age 10. This book is a nice hardcover book with beautiful illustrations and easy words geared for children.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Book Review - "Abigail"

After reading Jill Eileen Smith's latest novel, "Abigail," I am so interested to dive into the Bible and study more about this remarkable and faithful woman! "Abigail" is the second book in "The Wives of King David" series. I am next going to read the first book in this series, "Michal." "Abigail" is fine to read as a stand alone novel, however I enjoyed it so much I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series!
Smith has created such a masterpiece in this novel! While reading this I felt as I were back in 1017 BC along with Abigail waiting for her betrothed, Nabal. Smith takes the reader on a journey along with Abigail as she marries Nabal, suffers heartache and pain and then later marries David, the future King. Abigail's emotions and struggles are so real and the reader will experience them right along with her. Throughout these years with Abigail she is faithful and always looking to the Lord for guidance and reassurance. Abigail is an example to the other wives and women in the tribe, often in the role as the peacemaker and one to maintain calmness during stressful times. Smith really describes well the heart of the beloved wife of King David, and the one wife who really shares his beliefs and is a role model for him to place his full trust in the Lord.
This has really opened my eyes into the culture and life of one of the women in the Old Testament. Smith's story seems to be well researched from the scriptures as well as history. I recommend this book to any historical romance fan!

“Available February 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Book Review - "A Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists"

Michelle LaRowe has complied a great amount of information for mom, old and new ones alike, in her book, "A Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists." I would not describe this book as a typical book you would read during pregnancy or for raising children, this is so much more than I expected! This covers what tests to expect having done during pregnancy doctor visits, what is needed when expecting multiples, top questions to ask daycare providers and a dosage chart for common medications that may be needed for your child. However, this goes even further and includes lists for top toys for your child's first year, a toddler library, tips for balancing home, work and family and even recipes.
Each section is clearly marked and organized, so you can easily find what you are looking for. This is handy reference book for moms expecting a new baby or those with toddlers already filled with practical information.

“Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Monday, February 15, 2010

Book Review - "Swinging on a Star"

What better way is there to spend a cold, snowy day than to curl up with a great book?! And with Valentine's Day being just yesterday, book 2 in Janice Thompson's Weddings By Bella series, "Swinging on a Star," would be a great choice! This series is one of my new favorite series!
I loved book 1 in the series, "Fools Rush In," and I was so happy when I started "Swinging on a Star," that it picked up right after the first book left off! Bella's family is still so crazy and so lovable, with the extended family being involved in each others' lives on a daily basis. If they weren't, this series would not be so enjoyable to read! Not only is Bella dealing with Uncle Laz's and Aunt Rosa's constant feuding, the parrot's singing and the pesky neighbor boy still snoopy around while trying to plan her first ever Renaissance-themed wedding, the best man turns out to be one of Hollywood's hottest actors! Suddenly, Bella needs to keep Brock's identity a secret, yet him staying in the Rossi household proves this task to be a difficult one. Bella's sister becomes star-struck and don't forget about Bella's boyfriend, D.J. - what is he going to think about the actor staying in the same house as Bella? The same lovable characters that are introduced in the first book in this series return, including the "three sisters" from D.J. home church along with the Neely brothers in some new and surprising roles!
Thompson's writing style is so easy to follow and get into, you will not want to put the book down once you start! I am looking forward to book 3 being released and hoping it picks up right where "Swinging on a Star" ends!

“Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Book Review - "Dreams That Won't Let Go"

I was drawn into this novel on the very first page! At first when I received this book, "Dreams That Won't Let Go" by Stacy Hawkins Adam, I was hesitant to start reading it as it is the third book in the "Jubilant Soul" series and I have not read the first two books in this series. However, once I started reading and got into the story I did not want to put it down! I am however going to find the first two books and read them just because I enjoyed this book, the Burns family and want to learn more of their story.
In this third book, Indigo is in the midst of planning her wedding and make life-changing decisions about her future. At the same time her prodigal brother Reuben returns to town, this would be fine except he is not explaining his long absence and all the attention is poured upon Reuben and his family while Indigo is feeling pushed to the side. Yasmin, their younger sister, is struggling with what she wants out of life as she turns 18 and ultimately breaks her family's heart and causes worry. With the support of a great friends(Max, Shelby and Pastor Taylor) along with extended family (Melba and Rachelle), the family is able to work through past issues and find some peace and repair relationships.
Adams' writing style is very easy to get into and follow, it just flows well. I felt as if I was in the novel with the characters. The characters and their relationships with each other are very well developed and realistic. This is a true extended family who is is involved in each others' lives, however still harbor bitter feelings and jealousy toward other family members. Adams does not create an unrealistic "everything is perfect" family by any means. The heartaches and feelings of hurt will draw you in and you will be empathizing with Indigo, Reuben, Peyton, Mama, Daddy and Max all throughout the book, as well as rejoicing when they have "breakthrough moments." Overall, a wonderful book that I would recommend to any fiction reader!

“Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Book Review - "Songs of Deliverance"

Heart-wrenching at times, full of joy at other times. This is how I would sum up Marilynn Griffith's lastest novel, "Songs of Deliverance." If you are looking to read a happy book, one that is happy from start to finish, this book is not for you; however this really is a book you do not want to miss out on!
Have you ever felt as if you cannot go on or what is the point of trying as no one has faith in you anyways? This perfectly describes the main characters in this novel. However, one lady had faith in these four individuals which made all the difference in the world and helped them grow as individuals and also their relationships with Jesus Christ and those around them.
Griffith's character growth is amazing and you will learn a lot as you journey through the book with them. Each chapter changes perspective either from Zeely, Brian, Ron or Grace's point of view. I loved this style and approach as I felt that it helped me to connect with each of the characters better and really understand where each was coming from. The relationships and ties among not only these four characters, but with the other characters in the book will keep you guessing until the end when all the ties are finally discovered and/or created.
I have never read anything by this author before,as I had received this book as a complimentary copy from Revell, so I did a search on her to see what else she has written. Griffith's novel, "Rhythms of Grace" appears to be a novel that introduces these characters and provides the "background" to this story. It is not necessary to read "Rhythms of Grace" before reading "Songs of Deliverance," however I am curious to know more of the characters' stories and what brought them to the point they are at in the beginning of the second novel.


“Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Book (Bible) Review - " Mom's Bible - God's Wisdom for Mothers"

When I received this Bible, I was not sure what to expect in terms of the type of the Bible that it is. "Mom's Bible" is a "typical" Bible, however it is filled with unique aspects geared for mothers. Being a relatively new mom, I am excited about this! This Bible is New Century Version, therefore it is a Bible that is easily read and understood. The notes are written by Bobbie Wolgemuth.
At the beginning of each book is an introduction to the book, this helps relate the role of a mother to the specific book. Also included in the Bible are little "Insight"blurbs and "Godly Character" passages to encourage and help lead moms at different stages of motherhood and life. One aspect that I really like is a section that is included at the back of the Bible and that is questions that kids ask. Sometimes kids ask questions and we struggle to use the right words to provide the answer and explain in a way they can understand, I think this section will be very helpful!