The Bible Explorer's Guide Review!

I love getting the opportunity to read and review children's books, and this one looked especially exciting! "The Bible Explorer's Guide: 1,000 Amazing Facts and Photos" is a new book published by Zondervan!

It features full color photos, illustrations, and maps, and showcases people, places objects and buildings in Bible times. With over 1,000 interesting facts, it's sure to keep your little one captivated! It is recommended for ages 8 and up or grades 3rd through 6th.

This book is jam packed with tons of fun information on the Bible! It would work wonderful as an addition to a children's Bible study or homeschool supplement! It would even be excellent as a resource to gather research from for school projects. I would definitely recommend!

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

Hello Stars by Alena and Wynter Pitts

I love finding wholesome yet adorable books for my daughters to read and that's exactly what I found here with "Hello Stars"written by mother and daughter duo, Alena and Wynter Pitts!

Lena is just your average 10 year old who suddenly gets the opportunity of a lifetime! When her favorite Christian artist runs a contest for a chance to meet her, Lena jumps at the chance and sends in a video entry. Only after she won did she realize that by winning, she would also be starring in a major motion picture! Lena will have to move to Los Angeles for the summer and work everyday. Being a big movie star is hard work. Lena doesn't know if she can do it.

There are so many positive elements in this story that I'm not sure where to begin! Lena's parents are strong, godly role models who pray with their four daughters every day. Her father reads scripture with the family everyday before the girls go to school. Nearly all of the chapters end with Lena writing a note in her journal addressed to the stars, or to God. I was a little confused by the star part until later in the book when it made more sense.

Another reason I loved this book was because of the strong moral values throughout the story. Lena's parents were encouraging throughout Lena's journey to stardom, yet mindful of her responsibilities, making sure Lena took this job seriously. 

This book is aimed at girls between the ages of 8-12 years. My oldest is 10 and has already devoured it since I gave it to her! We are very much looking forward to the second book set to release in September 2017!

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

I Am No One by Patrick Flanery

"I Am No One" is the newest thriller from award winning author, Patrick Flannery.

Jeremy O'Keefe has returned to his life in New York after spending the last ten years in England as a Professor. A bit lonely at times, he's still getting used to life back home when strange things begin to happen. It appears someone is watching him after he receives strange packages in the mail. Not only that, but he believes someone is following him, and his elderly mother is being harassed on Jeremy's behalf.

Perhaps most troubling to Jeremy, is that if someone really is following him, why do they want him to know about it? Has he unknowingly committed a crime? Is he imagining things or is he truly in danger?

This was a book I had a very difficult time getting into. The story seemed a bit too wordy at times and it just didn't keep my interest like most thrillers I have read. Also, the big reveal at the end was a bit disappointing. I probably would not recommend.

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

Stop, Drop, and Roll by Angela M. Reynolds

This week I had the privilege of reading "Stop, Drop, and Roll: The Essential Oil Guide for Roller-Bottle Blends" by Angela M. Reynolds! This book is especially great for people who are new to essential oils!

In this book, Angela will address many of the questions you might have about Essential oils. She explains what carrier oils are, the different grades of essential oils, how to properly use oils, and how to make your own blends! She lists what supplies you'll need for each project, and great ideas on how to share the oils with others.

This is the kind of book every new essential oil user should have in their hands! A lot of times, we know the oils are good for us, but we just don't know how to use them properly. This book will help with that! It has a ton of valuable information packed inside the short 35 pages.

I rate this book as 5 stars!

The Woman's Study Bible, NKJV

This Bible is seriously the most beautiful book I've had the privilege to review! "The Woman's Study Bible, NKJV: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope and Transformation" features colorful pages and short devotions! Even the headings on the pages are written in a beautifully lovely font!

This Bible has a nice fabric hardcover, and is one of the larger Bibles I have used, although this is partly because it is a large print Bible. I love this about the Bible! Even though I have relatively good eyesight, the larger print is definitely easier to read. It also features a bookmark to keep track of readings, and a place in the first few pages to keep track of special events.

The beginning of each chapter gives information on the title, author, date, background, themes, and outline. Devotions are interspersed throughout the chapters. Also included throughout the chapters are maps, diagrams, timelines, prayers, character sketches, and so much more!

I love love love this Bible! I love things that are beautiful and pleasing to the eye and this definitely hits the mark! I have no complaints whatsoever with this Bible. I rate it as 5 stars.

I received this Bible for free in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

The Lucky Few by Heather Avis

Imagine struggling with infertility for years, watching friends and family grow their families, while your own belly is empty. Motherhood was the one thing Heather Avis really wanted in life. Finally, when the doctors confirmed what she'd been dreading, Heather and her husband, Josh took the leap and decided on adoption!

They had so many hopes and dreams for their future child, and of course wanted him or her to be healthy. So when they got the phone call that there was a child with down syndrome in need of a home, they were hesitant to say yes. It was then that Josh and Heather brought it to God, and asked Him what His will was. What if the harder road is the one that will lead to God's blessing? What if God wants us to do the hard things so we can grow closer to Him?

I cannot say enough amazing things about this book! It really is a life changer, especially if God has given you a desire to adopt. Although none of my kids have down syndrome or any other severe developmental delays, I found that I could relate to Heather on many different levels! I know the agony of sitting in waiting rooms and not so patiently waiting for doctor's calls for a diagnosis for my child.

I would definitely recommend this book to all mommas! I think Heather and I could be good friends!

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

Everything You Always Wanted to Know about God (but were too afraid to ask) by Eric Metaxas

I have always heard great things about Eric Metaxas' books so I was eager add this one to my "To be read" pile!

This book is basically a book of questions and answers. It features questions on the existence of God, Science versus God, God's views on morality and purity, women and God's plan for women, and so much more! Most of the answers are formed as somewhat of a corny joke. It was really interesting and good, but you would have to appreciate that type of humor to enjoy the book.

The questions are also somewhat basic in nature, meaning that they're great for brand new Christians or perhaps even teenagers or young adults. It features 240 pages with extensive questions on all different subjects about God.

I found this book to be very interesting and could see it potentially benefiting a wide range of readers. I plan to pass along my copy to someone who has a lot of questions about God and Christianity. I rate this book as 5 stars.

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

Thank You, God, for Grandma by Amy Parker

This week I was able to read and review this adorable book called "Thank You, God, for Grandma" by Amy Parker and illustrated by Rosalinda Kightley!

At 20 pages long, with a few sentences on each page, it's the perfect size book for 2-5 year olds! Even my 8 month old enjoyed looking at all of the colorful pictures!

The book goes through many of the different things that Grandma's typically do with their grandchildren: Baking, singing, dressing up, and many other fun activities! The beginning and ending of the book reiterates how we should be thankful to God for our Grandparents. The pages are fairly sturdy, with rhyming text on each page.

Upon receiving this book in the mail, my children promptly brought the book to their grandma to show her! They were so excited to read through it and they love looking at all of the pictures. It truly is an adorable book. I would definitely recommend it to parents of toddlers and preschoolers!

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

Seven-Mile Miracle by Steven Furtick

In the latest book by Steven Furtick, he encourages readers on a journey to study the last words spoken by Jesus and what implications they have on our lives now.

There are "7 Mile Markers" which define Jesus' last sentences. Those 7 are:

1. Forgiveness
2. Salvation
3. Relationship
4. Abandonment
5. Distress
6. Triumph
7. Reunion

The author had some amazing points and subjects to think about. Things that will really make you take a closer look at the God we serve. One of those coming from just the first mile marker. Jesus' words here were a plea to God to forgive these people because they don't know what they're doing (paraphrased). At this point, Jesus had been ridiculed, harassed, abandoned by friends, betrayed, beaten and tortured, and so much more. I seriously doubt my first inclination would have been forgiveness. But it's what Jesus was thinking. What an amazing testament to how loving and forgiving our Creator is!

You will love the way that Steven Furtick writes! He uses a lot of stories and analogies from present day and from Biblical times. The book itself is not very long but it packs a punch. You will get a lot out of "Seven-Mile Miracle!"I would recommend reading it in preparing our hearts and minds for Easter! I rate this book as 5 stars.

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

Angels in the Bible Review!

"Angels in the Bible for Little Ones" by Allia Zobel Nolan is an adorable 32 page board book perfect for preschoolers, toddlers and babies!

It includes stories about Abraham and Sarah, Elijah, Daniel in the Lion's Den, Mary (Jesus' mother), Joseph and Mary, and Jesus. Each story is approximately 4 pages long, with an average of 2-3 sentences on each page. I found this to be the perfect amount to hold my five year old's attention! My 2.5 year old was also very interested, but she was not able to sit still as long.

The angels are depicted much like most books describe them. They are wearing long, white gowns with sparkling translucent wings.

The stories were written very well, which made it extremely easy for my children to understand and follow along. I love how durable the book was! The front and back covers are thickly padded, and the pages are super durable board pages. It's also the perfect size for tiny hands to carry around!

I thought this book was adorable. I'm sure it will remain a favorite in our house for years to come! I rate this book as 5 stars.

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