Whatever is Lovely

I've reviewed numerous coloring books over the past few months, but this one has most definitely been my favorite! "Whatever is Lovely" is a book by Waterbrook Press, and it includes Bible verses and quotes by some amazing Christian speakers. The pictures are absolutely beautiful, the wording on the page looks like calligraphy, and there are quotes from some of my favorite authors/bloggers such as Lisa Jo Baker, Becky Thompson, and Rachel Held Evans! 

This is the kind of book that will get my day started out right! It's a mini devotional with relaxing pictures to color. My girls even loved this one, so I imagine we will be coloring and framing many of these! The pages are not perforated so I am not sure how difficult it will be to tear the pages out, but I suppose they can always be cut out. 

There are 47 pages to color included. Scenes include animals, nature, trees, flowers, foliage, outer space, fish, and some are just beautifully written words. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys coloring. These would also be fun to color and to give as gifts. They are really something! I rate this book as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books inexchange for my honest unbiased opinion. 

Every Little Thing

"Every Little Thing" Coloring book by Payton Cosell Turner is the perfect coloring book for 80's kids everywhere! Most of the pages included are mirror images with fuzzy bears, pineapples, elephants, typewriters, dated cell phones, and all of your favorite junk food.

The book includes a dust jacket, which is very nice when giving a gift, but I usually just throw them away if I'm keeping it. It was kind of cool that you could actually color the dust jacket if you wish.

My kids and I had a lot of fun coloring these pictures. Amazon says it's aimed at kids ages 10 and up, but even my younger two children enjoyed it. The only thing I found to be disappointing was that the pictures weren't drawn realistically. I am not much of an artist, so I can't be too harsh, but this is probably not a book I would purchase. If you like a lot of kitschy artwork, then you will probably enjoy this very much. It just wasn't for me.

I rate this book as 3 stars. I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

Like Father Like Son by Pete Alwinson

What do men need in the twenty-first century? There are so many opinions–some think the answer is a masculine to-do list. Others give detailed directions on how to become a “real” man. Those things can be helpful, but do they get to the core of the identity issues that men are facing today? You can’t know who you are and who you are meant to be without knowing the love of your Father–that is, your Father in heaven. Without knowing the Father’s love and acceptance, men are adrift looking for identity in imperfect relationships or cultural norms about manhood. But knowing God’s fatherly love changes everything. A man who is forgiven and accepted by his heavenly Father is free to become like him. Living out of the love of God the Father changes everything for his sons.

Instead of telling men how to recover and reclaim their masculinity, Pete Alwinson invites men to recover and reclaim an intimate, growing relationship with their heavenly Father and live out of that identity in their particular calling as sons, fathers, brothers, friends. Using personal stories and anecdotes from his many years of men’s ministry, Pete shows men that the way forward in life and relationships is through their growing relationship with their heavenly Father.

My Review:
"Like Father, Like Son" by Pete Alwinson dives into the extraordinary importance of a father's role in his child's life. In one chapter, Pete uses the story of a young boy would was born from an affair and whose father wanted nothing to do with him. Fathers leave a profound impact on their children whether they want to or not. It's terribly important for fathers to be a positive influence because it will shape who our sons become. 

The author also explains how God becomes our Father and how we need to find our identity in Christ. I think Pete Alwinson does an amazing job of explaining the subject at hand. He thoroughly did his research in this one. 

I also think it's worth noting that this book is not terribly long. It can easily be read in a matter of a few nights, and would even work as an excellent Bible Study. 

I would definitely recommend it to fathers of boys. I rate this book as 5 stars. I received this book for free from Litfuse, in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion. 

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

I love a good fairy tale with beautiful princesses and dashing dukes! In "The Golden Braid" by Melanie Dickerson, readers get to experience an untold story of Rapunzel. Mother (Gothel) has always protected Rapunzel from the things she thought could hurt her daughter. Including becoming suspicious of any man who shows any interest in Rapunzel. When a young man shows Gothel his intentions of marrying her daughter, she decides to return to Hagenheim to start a new life together to protect Rapunzel. 

Along the journey, the two women end up meeting Sir Garek, a noble duke. After saving each other's lives, Sir Garek agrees to teach Rapunzel to read. She knows her mother would never allow it, and despite the fact that Sir Garek is rather arrogant, she desperately wants to learn. She devises a plan to sneak out of Mother's house everyday in order to meet Sir Garek. Along the way, Rapunzel learns a secret that turns her entire world upside down. She will need to be rescued from the person she has trusted the most. 

I must admit, I was rather giddy to get this book in the mail. I may or may not have done a little happy dance when I opened the package. :) This is the fourth book I have read by Melanie Dickerson and I was NOT disappointed! I love the way she brings the characters to life. The story is a bit different from most fairy tales you will hear, but I think that is what makes it so much fun to read! Also, I love the way the story and characters tie in from her previous books. 

This is one of those books that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end! It is a beautiful love story, with a little bit of mystery all rolled up into one amazing book! I would highly recommend it, especially if you love a good fairy tale! I rate this book as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion. To purchase a copy, please visit  http://bit.ly/1NZuPiD

About the Author: 

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer's Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader's Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a Bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama. 

Doodletopia Cartoons by Christopher Hart

"Doodletopia Cartoons: Draw, Design, and Color Your Own Super-Fun Cartoon Creations" by Christopher Hart is one of the most fun and exciting drawing books I've seen yet! Readers learn to draw a wide range of types of cartoon people and animals, varying in difficulty levels. This doodling book is perfect for someone just beginning to draw or someone who is just looking for something different. I liked that this book was so versatile, in that it could be used for children and adult alike.

This book introduces readers to proportion and creating lines in your art projects. The examples are adorable and the instructions are simple to follow. There are drawing examples on almost every single one of the 160 pages.

There are 10 chapters, each with a different drawing quality to learn. Chapters include Warm Up, Fill in the Silhouette, Draw the Other Half, Select Different Expressions, Choose and Design the Animals, Dress up Your Cartoons, Finish the Funny Couples, Write in Cartoon Calligraphy, Draw Ridiculous Inventions, and Complete the Cartoons.

The ideas seem to be fresh and innovative and I thought the book was fun to look through and to attempt the projects! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys drawing.

I rate this book as 5 stars. I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

The Word of Promise New Testament

The Word of Promise New Testament Audio NKJV Bible is a 20 cd collection that features the voices of many popular actresses and actors including Richard Dreyfuss, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, John Schneider, Luke Perry, Terence Stamp, and many more.  It features 20 hours of audio and more than 120 actors/actresses.

I think this audio Bible is very nicely done! Presented in dramatic Audio Theatre, this audio Bible truly comes alive.I also enjoyed the background music included. It's nice and lilting and doesn't take away from the Bible at all.

I only have one complaint on this whole set. The packaging is very large and cumbersome and the cd's don't stay well inside the case. They easily pop out on their own. A lot of the discs just seem to be stacked on top of each other inside. I think I will be purchasing a nice case to keep them in.

All in all, I would highly recommend this product.I have always wanted an audio Bible and our family will enjoy listening to this together! I rate this audio Bible as 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Trim Healthy Mama Plan by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison

A few weeks ago, I reviewed The Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook, which was released the same time as this book. While I think the cookbook can easily stand on it's own, this book definitely answers some questions about the whole idea of the Trim Healthy Mama Plan. The authors really go into depth on why they don't eat much gluten. They explain the physical reasons why so much carbs are not good for anybody, and how carbs are not just the breads and pastas but they're actually in many fruits and vegetables. This is why it's so important that we eat the right kinds of carbs, and get the right kinds of nutrients in our meals.

I love their philosophy on eating. The authors are super easy going and don't exclude much from their diet. The beginning of the book explores all the different kinds of eaters and dieters from Drive through Sue to Farm Fresh Tess. Each with their own philosophy on food. I found myself resonating with a few different eaters, so it's nice that they are able to address all of the different kinds.

This diet also can work for women who are breastfeeding or pregnant by simply adding extra nutrients and calories into the diet. At first I was a little confused by all of the "S" and "E" meals but I quickly caught on. It's not difficult once you find out why things are categorized! I think this book is worth a second look for anyone who is interested in just eating healthier. This is not only a plan to lose weight, but you can also use it to maintain your weight or even gain weight.

I would highly recommend this book! I rate it as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison

I have been hearing about the Trim Healthy Mama food plan for a couple of years now, but I didn't really know anything about it until I read this book.

Sisters, Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison don't believe healthy, waist-slimming food has to be bland. They also know the importance of eating food that will nourish our bodies and keep us from getting sick. That's why they have created recipes with an excellent source of Protein and nutrients. Recipes are not divided into breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert categories because their meal plan is set up so that you are not restricted from eating anything. You can even eat the sweet recipes for breakfast if you want!

First of all, I just want to say that it's not very often that I find a cookbook that I can actually use. I have a lot of food allergies and when I do find a cookbook I like, I generally have to substitute ingredients. With the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook, I don't have that problem! Some of the recipes do have a lot of ingredients, but most of them are whole foods, such as vegetables and fruits.

I also want to emphasize the size of this cookbook. It's huge! There are over 350 delicious recipes packed into this book. Recipes that are healthy and that my kiddos will eat! There are a few specialty items in the ingredients list, but most of them can be substituted if you desire.

I really enjoyed this cookbook and I can't wait to try out the recipes! I rate this book as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

A Chameleon, A Boy, and A Quest by J. A. Myhre

Mu is a 10 year old boy living in Africa. Orphaned as a child, he now lives with his unloving Uncle, where he acts as a servant. Mu has very little happiness and no hope for change in his life. One day, when he is drawing water from the creek, Mu is greeted by a chameleon who knows his name! He tells Mu that they will embark on a quest together and it turns out to be quite the adventure. He faces much danger and makes new friends, and learns quite a bit about himself in the process.

I can't say enough positive things about this book! I wish more children's books were like this one! It is a fantasy book, but unlike most fantasy books I have read. I think that is because much of what Mu goes through is real life experiences. Readers get a true taste of what life is like for an African child, or any child from a poverty stricken country.

While this book doesn't openly talk about God, the message is underlying throughout most of the book. There are a lot of large words in the story, which I find to be a positive element. It gives us as parents a good chance to broaden our child's word bank and discuss new words and meanings! This is an excellent book to read aloud as family. I read it aloud with my 9 year old present, and she was glued to it, wanting to know what happened next. On amazon, it is recommended for children ages 8-12, and I think that is pretty accurate. What I think is most interesting about this book, is that the author wrote it while living in Africa. So you know she really knew about the culture and the people there.

I would definitely recommend this book to others looking for a good tween book or read aloud book! I rate it as 5 stars.

To learn more about the author and this book, please visit: http://litfusegroup.com/author/jamyhre

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

The Ology by Marty Machowski

"The Ology: Ancient Truths Ever New" by Marty Machowski and illustrated by Andy McGuire truly is an amazing children's book! I have never read anything quite so detailed and easy to understand for young children.

It is aimed at early elementary students ages 6-9, and upper elementary students ages 10-12, but can also be used as a supplement for teens and adults. The amazing thing about this book, is that you can kind of customize it to meet your child's needs by focusing on different subjects in the book.

The book starts out with Timothy and Carla as they explore an old church and find a trap door leading down to a basement. Inside, they find an old book wrapped in paper, with a note attached. It explains that the book they are holding is a rare piece of history. Early church pastors taught us how to understand the message of the Bible. Because they studied God, they were called Theologians. Those who were helped wanted to write a book to pass down to their children, so they did and they called it "The Ology." The Ology teaches us what the Bible says about God, people, sin and God's plan of salvation through Jesus. Children loved it. But after many years, The Ology was forgotten. Parents and children began to think that the truths of The Ology were old fashioned and out of date, so one by one, these books vanished. The book you are holding may be the very last book in existence.

The Ology has 5 different sections including: The Ology of God, The Ology of People, The Ology of Sin, The Ology of the Promise and the Law, and the Ology of Christ. The author does a beautiful job of describing theology to children in ways that they can understand. As parents, our children sometimes ask difficult theology questions. I think that this book will help answer most questions a child might ask about God. I would highly recommend this book. I rate it as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion. To find out more about the author, please visit: http://litfusegroup.com/author/MMachowski

"Pass it on" book review!

It can be a little intimidating to know that most of what your child learns about God comes primarily from his mother and father, Parents can't rely on the churches or Christian schools to teach our children who God is. We must do it. In "Pass It On" by Jim Burns and Jeremy Lee, they have created Rites of Passages that we can celebrate with our children each year until they are grown. Special milestones to teach them who God is and what His plan is for our children.

The beginning of the book explains how we can leave a legacy of faith for our children. The remaining chapters are spent giving different ideas of Rites of Passage to try. Each milestone is meant to point your child towards God. If you are just now picking up this book and you already have a child in middle school, you can easily just pick up at that stage and perhaps even backtrack a couple milestones until you reach the correct milestone.

I found this book to be a really interesting read! The first time I sat down to read it, I read through almost half of the book in just that sitting. These two guys know their stuff and I felt like I was sitting down with a youth pastor just chatting about my kids. I think the ideas they have listed here are truly neat. It's one of those things where you can kind of pick and choose which things you will want to do with your family. You can customize it to fit you and your kids.

This is an excellent read that I would highly recommend. I rate it as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

More for Girls Only! Devotions

This week I was able to review More for Girls only! Devotions by Carolyn Larsen! It features 60 tween appropriate devotions that are about 4 pages long each. Each devotion includes a Check Up, Things To Do and a Things to Remember section.

The devotions are real life situations based on principles from the Bible. The author does a fantastic job of relating to young girls and speaking to their hearts. I think this devotional stands out from other books aimed at similar audiences because if the way the author adds the fun "tween" elements and the adorable flower and swirl illustrations. My daughter especially enjoyed the quiz section.

The author addresses so many different subjects for pre-teen girls: love, jealousy, secrets, and beauty just to name a few!

About the Author: 
Carolyn Larsen has written more than 40 books for children and adults. She is best known as the author of The Little Girls Bible Storybook line of products, which have collectively sold more than one million units. In addition, Carolyn is a speaker who has taught and spoken extensively in the United States and overseas.

I received this book for free from Tyndale in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

The Time Chamber by Daria Song

The Time Chamber by Daria Song is a beautifully illustrated coloring book which appeals to children and adults alike.

Similar to The Time Garden which I previously reviewed, The Time Chamber is about a little red-haired fairy who lived inside a cuckoo clock. One day she dreamed about what was on the outside so one day while out in her rowboat, she began to daydream. She visits the little girl's room outside the clock, and finds that whatever she touches, it turns into something beautiful. When the little girl is awoken by the chime of the cuckoo clock, the little red-haired fairy sneaks back into her clock.

I think this is an absolutely beautiful coloring book. I have not seen very many that both my girls and I are both interested in. What makes it the most fun is that it feels like you are helping to create the story by coloring the pictures. The story is woven throughout the entire book, but there's not an enormous amount of words. It's actually a fairly short story. I would highly recommend it and I look forward to many more books by Daria Song.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

The Carols of Christmas by Andrew Gant

This week I had the privilege of reading and reviewing "The Carols of Christmas: A Celebration of the Surprising Stories Behind Your Favorite Holiday Songs" by Andrew Gant. It's a 224 page hardcover book explaining the traditions and histories of many famous Christmas carols we know and love!

There are 21 Christmas carols in this book including O Holy Night, O Tannenbaum, Good King Wenceslas, and so many more. Each chapter features the history of one song, the lyrics, and the sheet music.

As someone who has been involved in music for over 19 years, I truly enjoyed learning about the histories of these songs! This book is actually quite technical, getting into the history and origins of the songs and even the theory and composition of each. It was an enlightening  to learn new things about old songs and traditions, such as the song, "O Tannenbaum." After much research on the author's part, it was learned that "Oh Christmas Tree" used to be "O Tannenbaum." Tannenbaum is another word for an evergreen tree and the song actually had nothing to do with Christmas at all. Many of the Christmas carols we know and love don't actually have anything to do with Christmas. I was fairly surprised about this since I have grown up singing many of these songs.

I think this is an excellent book for anyone interested in or involved in music. It will be fun to go through these histories with my girls during the next couple of weeks and months leading up to Christmas. We love music and history so it will go hand in hand for us. I rate this book as 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Food 52- Baking Version by the Editors of Food52

This is definitely not your average baking cookbook! There are 60 amazing recipes included in this collection. Everything from Breakfast Goods, Cookies & Bars, Fruit Desserts, Custardy Cakes & Puddings, Everyday Cakes, Special Occasion Cakes, and Savory Baked Goods.

Each recipe includes a full color photo, an ingredient list, a number of how many people it serves, and extensive directions.

What I liked best about this book is that it includes numerous styles and techniques that are not traditionally used. For example, the recipe for Raspberry Clafoutis includes a how-to on making your own scented sugar. Some of my other favorite features include the Baking Basics section. This includes everything from learning how to make your own buttermilk, to learning how to cut in butter or how to assemble and frost a cake.

I think this book would be excellent for someone just learning to bake, or even a seasoned chef! Not only does it have basic recipes like cream cheese cookies, but it also includes many somewhat adventurous recipes such as Balsamic Macaroons with Chocolate Chips! I am not much of an adventurous baker, but I found many recipes in here that I can't wait to try! My girls and I will have a great time creating Magic Espresso Brownies and Blueberry Schlumpf!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone in search of a good baking recipe book! I rate this book as 5 stars. I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

The Time Garden by Daria Song

When I requested to review "The Time Garden" by Daria Song I was just expecting an ordinary adult coloring book which seems to be all the rage these days. Instead, I received a beautifully illustrated, absolutely stunning book of art!

"The Time Garden" is actually a short story with beautiful pictures to color. It's about a little girl who has a very vivid imagination. She finds herself captivated by the antique grandfather clock her father brought home from Germany. The little girl is amazed to find that there is a tiny fairy living inside. Suddenly the little girl's house is transformed into something that looks like the grandfather clock! She soon gets lost in a world of fantasy and dreams.

The book itself is 80 pages long, with something to color on every page. Even the book jacket is a picture to color! This is a book I could sit and color with my girls. The pictures are fun and whimsical and include both fun and difficult patterns. I think the author had a wonderful idea creating this book. It feels like a story book that you get to help create. It's a great conversation starter with children as well. I like to go through the pictures with my girls and ask questions about what they are seeing.

This is my favorite coloring book I have seen yet. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys artsy activities! I rate it as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

About the Author:
Daria Song is an author and artist from Seoul, Korea. Winner of the Kyung Hyang Arts Contest, Song has a master's degree in fiber arts and has exhibited at numerous galleries and museums in Korea, Singapore, Turkey and Hong Kong. She spent five years of her childhood in San Francisco, California, before returning to Korea.

Intersect by Rob Peabody and Cris Rogers

"Intersect: Where your Story and God's story converge" made by Rob Peabody and Cris Rogers is a 5 week study on starting spiritual conversations and sharing the Gospel with others. Sharing our faith can sometimes be a daunting and intimidating task.

Rob Peabody has designed this study in 5 sections. Each week focuses on a different topic, along with a personal story of someone who has dealt with the same problem. Topics are: Expectations, Rest, Disappointment, Trust and Control. The Dvd also includes a small 19 page booklet with handily fits right inside the dvd case. It has conversation prompts and discussions for your small group.

This study does not talk too heavily of Scripture or dive very deep into the Bible. I think the producer's main focus was not a Bible study per say, but a way to just get people talking and even examining their own lives and thought processes.

I wouldn't say that this is an incredibly deep study, but I do think it has a lot of positive food for thought. It might be a good study for teens, or perhaps new Christians just learning about their faith. I rate this dvd study as 4 stars.

I received this dvd for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

The Methuselah Project by Rick Barry

Roger Greene is a fighter pilot in World War II when his plane gets shot down. He ends up in the hands of his enemies as a POW, and finds himself the subject of experiments put on by the Germans. When Allied bombs destroy the prison, Roger miraculously survives and his wounds heal instantly. Roger finds that the Methuselah Project has worked.

Seventy years later, Roger has not aged a day, but has almost gone insane with what he has lived through. He soon finds out that the Bible and His faith are the only thing that will get him through this. Can he convince his new-found friend, Katherine Mueller the truth about himself?

I thought The Methuselah Project by Rick Barry was an interesting read. In some ways, this story reminded me of a superhero/Captain America kind of movie since it shared certain similarities. But  I do think this author put a pretty creative spin on it. It's super suspenseful which I absolutely loved! The best books are the kind that keep you on the edge of your seat trying to guess what will happen next, and I feel like this author accomplished that. I rate this book as 4 stars.

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

Michael Symon's 5 in 5 for every Season

Michael Symon is probably best known for his role on ABC's popular culinary show, The Chew! His most recent book, "5 in 5 For every Season" is a collection of some of his best and most simple recipes!

As the name implies, each dish contains 5 fresh ingredients and 5 minutes of heat! Most of the recipes include 3 or 4 other ingredients which are generally pantry staples. The contents section narrows down the recipes for each season and also Holiday favorites. Spring recipes take advantage of fresh Grilled Salmon and Chicken and Couscous, whereas Fall enjoys the flavors of Apples, and Pan-Seared Scallops!

What I liked best about this book is that it contained quite a bit of diversity. There were a wide range of flavors, techniques and seasonal favorites used throughout the book. Interspersed throughout the recipes, Michael shares a little bit about himself to his readers.

I think this recipe book is a great one for anyone who enjoys cooking. I would say that it's probably geared more towards the more adventurous cook, but I think a lot of people could benefit from it. I rate this book as 4 stars.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

A Flag for the Flying Dragon by Carole P. Roman

Captain No Beard loves being a pirate, and wants to do everything he can to make sure his ship is sailing smoothly. It was just a normal day on the Flying Dragon when Mongo the Monkey started creating a commotion! Zachary and Mongo were fighting over who got to watch for storms.

Captain No Beard decides it's time to give Zach a special job, so he takes him around to help the crew with their jobs. First they found Cayla stuffing the ship's holes and thought that might be a good fit for Zach but Cayla didn't want to share. Then they thought Zach could help break open the coconuts, but he just smashed them instead, letting all the milk leak out.

Captain No Beard didn't want to hurt anyone else's feelings but he needed his crew to get along. Zach was ruining everyone's fun! Captain No Beard had no idea being a captain could be this hard! Can the captain devise a plan for his crew members to stop fighting?

I thought "A Flag for the Flying Dragon: A Captain No Beard Story" by Carole P. Roman was super adorable! The illustrations were bright and cheery and there wasn't a huge amount of words on each page, making it easy for little ones to sit still through! I would probably recommend this book for children between the ages of 2 to 6. My 16 month old even enjoys looking at it and can sit still for quite a few pages. There are quite a few books in this series, which I will be reviewing later on this week! They teach values throughout their stories...just like this book discusses the importance of learning to get along with others! I rate this book as 5 stars!

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion!

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of the Captain No Beard series. Both Captain No Beard-An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life and Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis have received the Kirkus Star of Exceptional Merit. The first book in the series was named to Kirkus Reviews Best 2012. Each of the books has received numerous awards, namely; NABE Pinnacle Awards, the ERIK Award for 2013, ForeWord Review Five Star, Rebecca Reads and Reader's Views Children's Book of the Year 2013. She has also just added the Marble Book Awards for Best Illustration in a series for Bonnie Lemaire's stunning illustrations.

Roman lives on the Flying Dragon with her hearty bunch of mates! To find out more about this extraordinary author, please visit her website: http://www.caroleproman.com/

Girl Meets Change by Kristen Strong

Change is inevitable. Whether it's a new baby, empty nest, a new medical diagnosis or a divorce- life keeps moving. A lot of times we look at change as a bad thing. We like things the way they are. We're comfortable with the same old, same old. Some changes are more easily welcomed than others, such as when we bring a new baby home. It's a change that we look forward to.

In Kristen Strong's new book "Girl Meets Change", she explains that change is a good thing, and absolutely vital to our lives as Christians. Kristen has learned that change is not something to be feared. but to be received as a blessing from God, because more often than not, God will use this change to work in our hearts.

Kristen encourages women to see change as a blessing from God, to use this experience to mold us into the person God intended for us to be. She also offers practical advice for coping with change.

I absolutely loved this book. Like so many other people, I have gone through changes which were very unpleasant at the time. I went through a divorce and much heartache from that. But God has a way of turning something beautiful out of something that's falling apart. At that time, I never could have dreamed how richly He would bless me. God really does have our best interests at heart. I could not have imagined the much better life He had in store for me or my daughter. I wish I had this book back then though!

I think women of all ages can relate to this book. I would highly recommend it. I rate this book as 5 stars. I received this book for free from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

Kristen Strong is a popular blogger at Chasing Blue Skies and DaySpring's (in)courage, as well as a writer whose work has appeared in MOMSense and Family Fun Magazines. She and her husband, David have three children. Together this military family has zig-zagged across the country (and one ocean!) several times, and they currently live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

God made all of Me by Justin S. Holcomb

Talking to little ones about their bodies can be an incredibly daunting task for parents. Most parents have no idea where to begin, what terminology to use, or at what age to even begin discussing it. Unfortunately, to keep our children safe from sexual predators, it is absolutely necessary to do the uncomfortable thing, and talk to children about it at their level. Justin S. Holcomb has made this uncomfortable talk so much easier with his brand new book, "God made all of Me: A book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies."

The beginning of the book starts with an introduction to parents, explaining why he decided to write this book. Did you know that one in four women and one in six men have been or will be assaulted at some point in their lives? 15% of those are under the age of 12, and 29% are between the ages of 12 and 17. Girls between the ages of 16 and 19 are FOUR times more likely than the general population to be victims of general assault.

Education is the best defense in protecting little ones from sexual predators! How will a child know what is appropriate or inappropriate if we as their parents, fail to speak with them about it?

The first page in the story is Genesis 1:31 in bright bold colors... "God saw everything He had made. And it was very good." The next page is a picture of a mom and dad sitting in the living room with their two children talking about how God is the One who created each of them. The story proceeds as Dad asks the children other questions such as "What else did God make?" and then they discuss the different body parts God created and that there are certain parts that are not for sharing. We can share a hug if we want, but we do not HAVE to if we don't want to. And that is okay. We don't even have to offer a high five if we don't want to, because our bodies are our own and no one else's.

Mom goes on to explain that if someone doesn't listen when you tell them no, you must go tell someone right away. You can tell your parents, a doctor, a teacher or anyone else who can help you. She then explains that private parts are the parts covered up by our underwear or bathing suits. (They use the proper names for body parts here.) Mom explains that sometimes kids need help in the tub, or a doctor needs to check your parts at a doctor visit, and that's just parents and doctors trying to keep kids healthy. There is also a special side note here that tells children that if they aren't sure what is a safe and healthy touch they can always ask, because touches are never secret! The rest of the book pretty much reiterates these important truths and it concludes with 9 ways to help protect your child from a sexual predator.

I loved this book! It seems to be geared towards children between the ages of 3 and 8, which seems like the perfect age to broach this subject. I know some parents may scoff at the idea of teaching their children the proper names of body parts, but I think it's important to remember that it may be difficult for a child to come to an adult regarding inappropriate touch if they do not not the proper names.

The illustrations were bright and colorful and didn't show any pictures that might be embarrassing to a child. Everything is covered up by an undershirt or underpants. This book is very tastefully done! I would HIGHLY recommend it to all parents. I rate it as 5 stars!

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

About the Author:

Justin Holcomb, PhD, is an Episcopal priest and professor of theology and Christian thought at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. He is the author ofOn the Grace of God, Know the Heretics, and Know the Creeds and Councils, as well as the coauthor of Is It My Fault? and Rid of My Disgrace. He also serves on the boards for REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade) and GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments).Lindsey Holcomb, MPH, counsels victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and is the cofounder of REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade). Lindsey has provided crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence and conducted a variety of training seminars to service providers. She is also the coauthor of Is It My Fault? and Rid of My Disgrace.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1j72kTN

Blessed, Blessed...Blessed by Missy Robertson

This week I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing "Blessed, Blessed...Blessed" by Missy Robertson with Beth Clark! One thing is for sure- I loved, loved, LOVED it!

Missy shares her blessing and trials throughout motherhood with her readers. The pregnancy difficulties and deliveries with her first two children, Reed and Cole, and the unexpected news that Mia was going to have some difficulties in her life. Upon inspection of the ultrasound, they knew that Mia would have a cleft lip, but did not realize just how severe her condition was. The day of Mia's birth, she was born via c-section and that's when they realized just how severe her cleft was. She ended up having both a cleft lip and cleft palate, which makes it extremely difficult to suck or eat.

Back then Jase and Missy were on a tight budget. Jase worked with Phil but Duck Commander was not popular yet and they had no intentions of ever being on tv. Despite this, they still wanted Mia to have the very best chance at life even if that meant they were paying off medical bills until they were old and grey.Through much research and talking to other families who had children with similar challenges as Mia, they decided to set up a consultation with some of the world's best doctors at a children's hospital in Dallas called ICI. They packed Mia up to go on her very first visit when she was only 17 days old.

Mia had many surgeries and difficulties ahead of her at such a young age but she never let that stop her. She ended up being an inspiration to her family and everyone else around her with her sunny disposition on life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a child with a cleft lip or palate. Missy is so down to earth with her writing...I feel like I am just sitting down with a good friend while I'm reading. The thing I love most about the Robertson's is that they are honest about their faith and they don't pretend they are these perfect people, because they know that is just not possible! God is using Mia's situation for His good and they are now able to help so many other families with similar difficulties from the platform that Duck Dynasty has given them. They even have a fund called Mia Moo which Jase and Missy set up to help other families! They are truly an inspiration to me.

I rate this book as 5 stars, but if I could, I'd give it 100! I received this book for free from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

To read more about Mia's story, please consider purchasing this book or visiting her website www.blessedblessedblessed.com

Let''s Learn about the Lord's Prayer by Catherine DeVries

Meet Emma! She is teaching her stuffed bear all about the Lord's prayer! Emma goes throughout the entire day explaining different parts of the Lord's prayer and what it means.

There are a lot of questions throughout the book, making it a terrific conversation starter for little ones! I think it's a fun way to keep children involved and attentive.

"Let's Learn about the Lord's prayer" by Catherine DeVries actually includes the entire Lord's prayer, making it memorable with cute illustrations!

Overall, this book was pretty cute. It is recommended for children between the ages of 2-4 years, which I think is probably accurate. I do think that it might be written a bit too baby-ish for certain 4 year olds, so parents will want to take that into consideration. It would be perfect for younger toddlers and a Mini Church Sunday School Class for toddlers.

The illustrations were also very well done. My kids loved looking through the bright pictures. I rate this book as 4 stars.

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion. To purchase a copy, please visit:  http://bit.ly/1QGilLA

Israel's Mission: A DVD Study

"Israel's Mission: A DVD study- 5 Lessons on Becoming a Kingdom of Priests in a Prodigal World" by Ray Vander Laan is volume 13 in the "That the World May Know" series.

What is our mission? God gave His people instructions to find the lost sheep thousands of years ago, and that still rings true for us as believers today. There are 5 sessions included in this book and DVD study: Abraham and Sarah and Three Strangers, Israel at Sinai: The First Great Commission, Jesus Renews the Mission: Seeking the Lost, The Lost Son: In a Far Country, and The Seeking Father: The Lost Son Returns.

This study also goes in-depth into the geographical, historical, and cultural contexts of people and events of the Bible. The author notes that once we know the who, what, and where of a Bible story, we will be able to understand the why. Each session includes a short story from the Bible, "Opening Thoughts," which is a Bible verse to reflect on, and a "Think about it"- some ideas to apply the Bible story to our own lives right now. Next is the dvd study which runs approximately 30 minutes for each lesson. Throughout the rest of the chapters is quite a bit of information including dvd study questions, historical photos, small group discussion questions, "Points to ponder", "Did you know?" and closing information. The remaining pages in each chapter are to follow up with each day for the rest of the week as a daily study. I would say that each of the daily readings take approximately 30-60 minutes to complete.

The dvd portion of this study was filmed in several different locations in Israel and Jordan, which I thought was pretty cool! I really enjoyed this book and dvd together. I feel like this study could definitely benefit old and new Christians alike. It easily kept my interest with all of the historical information provided. I love reading up on the backgrounds and histories of what I am learning about, so that was definitely a plus for me. There was a LOT of information packed into this book. It is a study that you will have to devote a lot of time into, but overall I feel like it is worth the effort! Ray Vander Laan shared a lot of information that I am eager to go back over again! I rate it as 5 stars!

I received this book and dvd study for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.


Our task as Christians is to bring “lost sheep” back into the love and safety of His kingdom. How are you doing at welcoming the strangers and prodigals the Lord longs to embrace? Learn how to work on your task with Ray Vander Laan's Israel's Mission, volume thirteen in the That the World May Know® DVD series. Discover the mission that can give your life—and the lives of those around you—greater meaning than you ever imagined. Filmed on location in the Middle East and elsewhere, the series will transform your understanding of God and challenge you to be a true follower of Jesus.

Celebrate the release of Israel's Mission by entering to win the entire That the World May Know® series—perfect for working through with your family, Bible study, or Sunday school class!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• All 13 DVDs in the That the World May Know® series

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 18th. Winner will be announced September 21st on the Litfuse blog.

God gave us Sleep by Lisa Tawn Bergren

"God gave us Sleep" by Lisa Tawn Bergren is an adorable bedtime book aimed at children 3-7 years of age. The story is centered around Little Cub and how she doesn't enjoy going to bed! There's so many more interesting things to do, like build an igloo! She doesn't want to go to sleep!

After a restless night of barely any sleep, and a day of short tempers and a case of the grumpies, Little Cub learns just how important bedtime is. She learns that God has made certain times for play, and certain times for rest, and that we need both to be happy and healthy.

"God gave us Sleep" is the perfect bedtime companion for little ones! I read it with my two youngest children tonight (they are 3 and 1) and they absolutely loved it! They happily sat throughout the entire story waiting to hear the ending when Little Cub had pleasant dreams and a good night's sleep. I also loved how Mama Bear and Papa Bear prayed with Little Cub every night before bed. I think that is such an important tradition to do with our children, and I think that is awesome that this author made a point to share that.

The illustrations in this book were absolutely adorable and the pages had just the right amount of words on each page. This is a book we will be reading together as a family for years to come! I rate it as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren by Lynda Freeman

This week I had the opportunity of reading and reviewing "It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren: and Other Important Facts for Grandparents and Parents, too!" by Lynda Freeman.

Throughout her book, Lynda shares about one of her greatest joys in life: her grandchildren. But she realizes what an enormous responsibility we have as parents and grandparents, to instruct our little ones in the way of the Lord. God has put us in charge of these little blessings, and it is our job to train them to be followers of Jesus.

This may seem like a daunting task, but thankfully God has provided us with "instructions" in His Word. They are the blueprints for parenting a child.

I thought this book was absolutely adorable! Readers can't help but fall in love with Lynda's three grandsons as we read about the precious things they have said and done. This book is definitely heart warming and is sure to tug on your heart strings!

I rate this book as 5 stars and would highly recommend it to parents and grandparents alike! I received a copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

Lynda has provided me with an additional e-book version to give away! Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter! Winner will be announced on Wednesday, September 16! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stunning Braids by Monae Everett

"Stunning Braids: Gorgeous Hairstyles for Any Occasion from Work to Weddings" by Monae Everett is a braid how-to book with a wide variety of braids and difficulties!

The beginning of the book features different tools to be used throughout the how-to's. Numerous types of hair pins, brushes, combs, & hair sprays and gels are all featured. The very first how-to is a tutorial on how to do a simple braid. Each tutorial grows in difficulty until readers learn how to make a Knotted Updo, or my personal favorite: The Triple Mermaid Updo! I loved that the author took time to explain how to do certain methods such as backcombing or making flatiron curls.

The hairstyles are both graceful and functional. I could see myself using these for a day at the beach or an evening wedding! I plan to go through this book with my 9 year old daughter who LOVES styling hair. She has already mastered the basic braid and a few of the others,

but I think this is a book she would definitely benefit from. The instructions are easy to follow, and the illustrations are clear and concise and show what needs to be done. Some of the tutorials have as many as 26 steps, but I think that is a good thing because it shows exactly each step in detail.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys styling hair, or for someone who is just looking for a new hairstyle! I rate this book as 5 stars!

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

Gather Around the Amish Table by Lucy Leid

"Gather Around the Amish Table: Treasured Recipes and Stories from Plain Communities" by Lucy Leid is not your ordinary cookbook! If you're looking for complex, and new recipes, this book is not for you. But if you enjoy a good old fashioned homestyle meal, this is probably right up your alley!

The recipes in this book are a collection of recipes from Amish communities surrounding the author. She went on a quest to find the best of the best, and what she ended up with was a fantastic collection. There are main dishes, side dishes, desserts, drinks, and so much more offered in this book! It even includes a recipe for how to feed a crowd of men for a barn raising, which I think is pretty cool!

My favorite thing about this book was that I have most of these ingredients already in my freezer or pantry! Lucy Leid shows delicious ways to make ordinary into a new family favorite.

I also love the family stories throughout the book. Sometimes a story explaining how the recipe came to be, or how it was passed down through multiple generations of a family. It kept me intrigued, to say the least! I feel like this is a book I could sit down and use with my girls! Something they could follow along with and cook right alongside me!

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion. I rate this book as 5 stars. Incorporate Amish cooking traditions this fall in your kitchen with Lucy Leid's Gather Around the Amish Table. Straight from Amish kitchens to yours, this cookbook offers favorite family recipes and charming stories from Amish and Mennonite cooks. Gather your family around the table to sample the nourishing fare and trademark charm of the plain people. In the words of one cookbook contributor: “Bake someone happy!”

Get your fall baking underway with an Amish baking basket giveaway from Lucy and MennoMedia!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Gather Around the Amish Table
• An Amish baking basket full of goodies

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 29th. The winner will be announced September 30th on the Litfuse blog.

Treat by Stephanie Banyas

"Treat" by Stephanie Banyas is a fun recipe book with over 50 No-Bake recipes!

These recipes are not like your average rice krispie treats! Choose from Salted Caramel, Dulce De Leche, Berry Cobbler, Strawberry Lemonade, Cookies and Cream and so much more. Perhaps the recipe that caught my attention first was the recipe for homemade marshmallows! There are recipes for original flavor, strawberry (and other fruit flavors) chocolate and cream cheese.

Each recipe tells how many it makes, what ingredients to use, and simplified instructions that even older kids will be able to understand.

This book is broken down into six contents to find the recipe you are looking for: Marshmallows, Updated Classics, Candy-Store Favorites, Fruity Sweets, Chocolate Delights, and Holiday and Celebration Treats. At first glance, I was surprised by the size of this book. I expected it to be somewhat bigger although I think this size works just fine too. It's approximately 7 x 7 inches.

The recipes are easy to follow and understand, and I think this book was just put together very nicely altogether. The pictures are pleasing to the eye and look delicious! I love that there is a picture for each recipe. I rate this book as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Glory Days by Max Lucado

The Israelites spent forty years wandering the desert. They were free from Pharaoh but not free from fear. Saved, but not yet to their promised land.

Maybe that's exactly where you're at. Yes, you're a Christian but you're fighting the same battles you did when you became saved. You feel stuck and it's hard to see the Joy that Jesus gives us. You feel stricken with grief and excessive guilt.

The good news is that you don't have to live like this. Just like the Israelites, you can get out of the wilderness and into the promised land. This is exactly what God wants for us. He doesn't want us in a place where we can't receive the gifts He's given us.

Our family has always loved Max Lucado. Even my oldest who is now 9, always had a special place in her heart for his "Hermie" videos and they messages they portrayed. Once again, I am impressed with Max Lucado's ability to help believers like myself  apply Biblical truths to our lives. He presents the Bible in easy to understand analogies. I think it would be appropriate for new and old believers alike, and I will probably come back to this book just because the truths are so valuable to me. I would highly recommend this book.

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.


Are you stuck in the wilderness known as midlife misery? Can you name the day you became a Christian but can’t remember the last time you defeated a temptation or experienced an answered prayer? Find encouragement in Max Lucado's new book, Glory Days. With God’s help you can close the gap between the person you are and the person you want to be. Like Joshua and the Israelites, you can move from a wilderness existence into a promised inheritance.

Now through August 31, 2015, pre-order Glory Days and receive free gifts!

 

There are two pre-order options:

Option 1:

Pre-order one copy of Glory Days (any format), and receive a free digital download of the abridged audio version of In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado.

After you've pre-ordered, please claim your free gift by submitting your email and proof of purchase at GloryDaysBook.com.

Option 2:

Pre-order one copy of Glory Days (any format) AND one copy of God is With You Every Day (Max's brand-new, 365-day devotional—any format), and receive both the abridged audio version of In the Grip of Grace and a paperback copy of Traveling Light by Max Lucado (U.S. addresses only). 

After you’ve preordered, please claim your free gift by submitting your email and proof of purchase at GloryDaysBook.com.

Pre-order today and get your free gift by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the offer ends on August 31, 2015.

Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason

Brianna is an ambitious young lady who wants more than just a husband in her future. Her father, James O'Leery, is an Irish immigrant who has made a name for himself at Irish Meadows, thinks only of his financial gains by marrying off his two eldest daughters, Colleen and Brianna.

With college in mind, Brianna must find a way to convince her father that college would be the best option for herself. But she finds the matter to be a little harder than she anticipated when her father makes some decisions for her. Then Gilbert Whelan returns home and turns her entire world upside down.

Meanwhile, James puts an end to Colleen's childish ways but assigning her to work with their distant cousin, Rylan Montgomery at the orphanage in town. Colleen ends up falling in love with the one man she never imagined possible. Will the two O'Leary women follow their hearts or follow their father's wishes?

Irish Meadows is a historical fiction novel that kept me interested right from the very beginning. The writing was flawless, the characters were well-developed, and I think the story had just the right amount of suspense and intrigue. I rate this book as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

Will Brianna and Colleen have the courage to stand up to their father's schemes to save their horse farm and instead pursue true love? Don't miss Irish Meadows, the newest book by Susan Anne Mason! As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, their father grows more desperate. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father’s machinations and instead follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

Join Susan in celebrating the release of Irish Meadows by entering to win her Kindle Fire giveaway and RSVPing to her September 1st author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD 6
• One copy of Irish Meadows

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 9/1. The winner will be announced at the Irish Meadows Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Susan and other readers, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 1st!