The Velveteen Bible Review-A Gift of Gods Word for Years to Come!

When I saw that this Bible was available for review, I was so excited to get it. My daughter Madison is 5 years old and I have been planning on buying her a new bible for church but haven't found one that I wanted to get yet. This beautiful Bible is well suited for her first Bible. I love the keepsake treasure box that she can store it in. She loves the pictures with the bible verses that are geared towards children, they are easy enough for her to remember and she can read most of them. This bible is in the NKJV. I prefer the KJV, but with her learning to read, it helps that the words are a bit easier for her to understand. This is one of my favorite reviews that I have done because not only did it brighten my daughters day, but it is going to be providing God's word to her for years to come! 

About The Velveteen Bible:

Inspired by Baby's First Bible with the adorable fuzzy duck cover, this new bible for little ones, The Velveteen Bible features soft fur and a fuzzy tail! Inside, the New King James Version scripture is accompanied by whimsical images of bunnies and other baby animals, colorful borders, and lovely sentiments from the scriptures. The Bible is packaged in a keepsake treasure box.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul

What a wonderful book to read during the holidays! Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul was a nice mixture of romance, mystery, and magic. I loved this book and couldn't put it down until I was finished reading it!

Cora Crowder is out looking for the perfect Christmas gift when she runs into her co-worker Simon Derrick at an odd little bookstore. They both buy books and that is when the magic starts. In the books that they bought from the store, there are invitations to a Christmas Ball. When Simon discovers his ticket, his sister who has Down syndrome, wants to go to the ball with him and live out a fairy tale. Cora tries to throw her ticket away but the ticket keeps mysteriously reappearing. There is no information available on how to purchase another ticket so Cora decides that she is not going to go. Simon attempts to go back to the bookshop to buy another ticket but somehow he can’t find the street, it’s as if the street disappeared.

While discussing the findings, Cora offers to give her ticket to Simon so that he can take his sister. He gets Cora to go with him and his sister to go to the mysterious little street to buy attire for the ball. It is then that the matchmakers learn of Cora not having her ticket…the ticket was meant for Cora, not the sister. So they arrange for Cora to get another ticket. Many things keep interfering with Cora’s plans yet everything keeps leading her back to Simon Derrick. This was a wonderful book that I would highly recommend. It is set at Christmas time but this book would be a pleasure to read at anytime.

This book was provided to me free of charge from Waterbrook Press for review purposes. The opinions in this review are my own and were not influenced.

Still House Pond by Jan Watson Book Review

Still House Pond

Still House Pond is about the life of a young girl, Lilly Gray Corbett, her mother, Copper, and their hired girl, Manda. The book preview tells of Lilly being invited to go visit her Aunt Alice in the city. The train crashes on the way and Copper goes to the scene in search of her daughter. This scene does happen in the book but the preview leads you to believe that this is what the book is about and I didn’t find that to be the case. I did enjoy the book but felt a little bit mislead by the preview.

Copper is a busy woman who helps with the births of babies in the community. Lilly is an eleven year old girl that helps take care of the younger children of the family. Lilly’s birth father died when she was younger and her mother is now remarried with other children. Lilly has an aunt in the city that requests that she come to visit and sends the train ticket for her to come. Copper does not want to let her child venture out on her own but realizes that she is growing up and agrees to let her go.
Manda is the hired girl that helps take care of the house chores. Manda is still a young girl that is trying to figure out her place in life and with love. She is just as much as a main character as Lilly. We go with Manda as she learns some valuable life lessons and that the effects of her actions ultimately affect others around her, something that took the endangerment of Lilly for her to learn.

News of the train crashing sets everything into motion. The characters evaluate their actions and learn from their mistakes while trying to find Lilly. The unexpected twist was a nice surprise, only proving more that the things that we choose to do, whether good or bad, have an effect on other lives.

This was the fifth novel by Jan Watson. She did a great job of showing her readers the lives of these women and the consequences of their choices. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it as a good read.

Still House Pond was provided to me by Tyndale Publishers free of charge for review purposes only. The opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced.

Outlive Your Life Book Review

Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference

I was provided this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way. 

Have you ever just wondered why you are here? Why did God put you on this earth? I am just a normal person and I'm sure that you are. With this book, Max Lucado explains ways that common folk just like us can make a difference in the world. God used common people in the bible and he is still the same God, therefore he still uses common people now. God changes the world with people like us.

This book is a great read and really made me think about what I am doing to make a difference in others lives. What can I do to make someone's day a little brighter, to let them know that someone cares for them. I especially liked the end of the book that was for discussion and action guide. Max provides us ways to take action to help make a difference. This book would be great as a gift or one to keep in your personal library, it's definitely going to be in mine.

The Boy Who Changed the World Book Review

Have you heard of the Butterfly Effect? Everytime that a butterfly flaps its wings, it moves tiny pieces of air, causing something else to happen such as the wind blowing on the other side of the world. Its amazing how one little decision can affect others for years to come.

I was recently given the opportunity to review the book The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews. This book is for children and is based on the popular book The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews. This book was provided to me free of charge for review purposes from Thomas Nelson Publishers. All opinions are my own.

This is an amazing story of how the actions of one little boy can affect the lives of others for years to come. The author spreads the word to children with the saying, "Every choice you make, good or bad, can make a difference." This book takes you through the lives of four boys that eventually all have a common connection and make a difference in the world. The decisions that you make today can truly change the world. My children have loved hearing me read this book to them. The illustations by Philip Hurst are so beautiful and lifelike, giving the book more meaning. I have enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it for all parents to share with their little ones.

Free Book: The Glory of Heaven

Grace to You is offering a free book: The Glory of Heaven (Soft Cover) to anyone who requests this offer.

From the Site:

It could be next year. Next month. Perhaps tomorrow. Sooner or later, you'll endure a day so dark, you won't be able to see past it.

Just then, your heart longs for home. A secure place. An eternal place. A place that knows nothing of sin and its effects. A place to live in the very presence of God, untouched by sorrow, pain, loneliness, or fear. You're longing for heaven.

This volume critically examines modern claims and misconceptions about heaven, and in response, displays an accurate, biblically defensible portrait of life in eternity—our glorious future home.

Free Book: Cultivating a Godly Child

Grace to You is offering a free book: Cultivating a Godly Child (Hard Cover) to anyone who requests it.

From the site:

Cultivating godly children in an increasingly evil world sometimes seems like an impossible responsibility. At least that's what you might conclude if you listen to some experts.

Many parents and parents-to-be have been intimidated into thinking they can't possibly lead, love, and nurture their children in a way that pleases God—at least not without lengthy training seminars, strict methods, and complex programs.

While the world may have changed, God's Word hasn't. Effective, godly parenting is not only possible, it's well within reach of anyone willing to understand and apply what God says on the subject. In Cultivating a Godly Child, John MacArthur takes a look at some of the Bible's most basic and timely principles for cultivating godliness in your children.

Upcoming Book Reviews!

I just wanted to give everyone an update on my upcoming book reviews. I have got some great books lined up that I can't wait to read and review. If you are interested in purchasing one of these books, you can click on the links to go to Amazon for a great low price and then we can compare notes! If you are not a fan of my book blog, check it out and follow me: http://abooktoblogabout.blogspot.com/.

Below are upcoming book reviews:

Resurrection in May

By Lisa Samson

May Seymour graduated from college with the world at her feet and no idea what to do with it. A mission trip to Rwanda brought her a sense of purpose in loving others. So when the genocide began she chose to remain in the village, which was subsequently slaughtered. Only May survived.

So, May journeyed to heal on the farm of Claudius Borne, a sweet, innocent old man who understood plants and animals far better than people.

Years later, having not stepped a foot off Claudius' farm, May learns an old college flame, now a death-row inmate, is refusing to appeal his sentence. Can she convince him to grab hold of life once again? Their surprising friendship turns the tables, for the prisoner, Eli Campbell, has a deeper faith from which to draw than she. Eli slowly begins to pull May from her cloistered existence. With the help of Eli, their tiny town, and ultimately a renewal of faith, May comes to life once again.
This book was provided to me free for review by Booksneeze.com


The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life beyond This World

In 2004, Kevin Malarkey and his six-year-old son, Alex, suffered an horrific car accident. The impact from the crash paralyzed Alex—and medically speaking, it was unlikely that he could survive. “I think Alex has gone to be with Jesus,” a friend told the stricken dad. But two months later, Alex awoke from a coma with an incredible story to share. Of events at the accident scene and in the hospital while he was unconscious. Of the angels that took him through the gates of heaven itself. Of the unearthly music that sounded just terrible to a six-year-old. And, most amazing of all . . . Of meeting and talking to Jesus. The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven is the true story of an ordinary boy’s most extraordinary journey. As you see heaven and earth through Alex’s eyes, you’ll come away with new insights on miracles, life beyond this world, and the power of a father’s love.
Check out the website for this book: http://www.theboywhocamebackfromheaven.com/
where you can also see the heart wrenching book trailer.
This book was provided to me free from Tyndale Media Center

The Prophecy Answer Book

By Dr. David Jeremiah

 

For anyone curious about prophecy and the signs of the end times, this book links the pieces of the prophecy puzzle in plain, simple language. There are 1,000 prophecies in the Bible so it’s natural to wonder, have any prophecies been fulfilled? Do they really explain the future? Can we really know what will happen at the end of time? In succinct and clear answers to most frequently asked questions, Dr. Jeremiah decodes and clarifies prophecy for the average person. He explains in simple lay terms what could otherwise be mysterious and even frightening, allowing readers to gain a balanced and assuring perspective of the significance of prophetic events to their personal lives as believers in Christ. He also helps readers understand how prophecy is directly related to world events today.

This book was provided to me free for review by Booksneeze.com

No More Christian Nice Girl Book Review

No More Christian Nice Girl: When Just Being Nice--Instead of Good--Hurts You, Your Family, and Your Friends by Paul Coughlin & Jennifer D. Degler, PhD

Be the Strong, Confident, and Caring Woman You Were Meant to Be

I have to admit, it took me a while to get into this book. I'm not sure if it was that I was offended at first because of the way the authors described Jesus in the first chapters or what it was. Once I got further into the book, I realized that the authors were right about Jesus, he was nice yet firm in his works. He was Good. He did not worry about offending others by his actions. He knew who he was and what he stood for. And as a Christian, we are suppose to lead our lives in the way that Jesus lead his, Good-not Nice!

There were plenty of reference's to the Bible that have verse's to back up what the authors are saying in the book. They list the ones that apply to what they are describing. There is a great Appendix in the back of the book that list passages where we can find a more forceful Jesus.

The focus of this book is towards Christian women that feel they have to please everyone. As a Christian woman, I can relate to this book very well. I sometimes feel that I have to say yes to someone asking for me to help when I actually have something else planned to do. The older that I have got, however, I have learned to say No. Having a family of three children and a husband keeps me on my toes and I have very little time to satisfy the needs of others. At first I felt bad for this, but as described in the book, you can still be Good without actually being Nice. The need to be nice takes over all other area's of your life if you let it control you. This book gives great examples of how to be good instead of nice in areas such as marriage, sex, work, dating, and friendships. Study questions are available at the end of each chapter that challenge you to think about your life and whether you should make some changes or not. All of this comes from the fact that Jesus did not aim to please everyone and neither should you. You should still be good, but you have to be in control of your life and not worry about what others need or think of you.

I would have to give this book a 4 out of 5 score, with 5 being a very good read. I was very intrigued and interested in what the authors had to say once I got past the first chapter and my own bias opinion. The book was very informative. They did reference the "Nice Girl" tendencies quite frequently which sometimes made it seem as if I had already read that part of the book. This book does have a great message to give, women need to be more assertive and firm instead of being passive in life. I would recommend this book to any Christian woman that needs references in the Bible to help gain control of her life.

I was provided this book for free from Bethany House Book Publishers in return for a review based upon my honest opinion of the book. If you are interested in reviewing for Bethany House, please visit: www.bethanyhouse.com/bookreviewers

Currently Reading...

I am now reading: No More Christian Nice Girl: When Just Being Nice--Instead of Good--Hurts You, Your Family, and Your Friends

A description of the book is as follows:

Tired of doing all you can for others while your relationships remain stuck in neutral--or headed in reverse? Paul Coughlin and psychologist Jennifer Degler show how being nice can harm you and drain the life out of your relationships. They explore the keys to fulfillment at home, work, church, and even in the bedroom. You'll discover that emulating the real Jesus is the key to transforming from a Christian Nice Girl into an authentic, powerful woman of loving faith.

I was provided this book for free from Bethany House. If you are interested in doing reviews for Bethany House and getting free books, click here to sign up.

Read It Forward « Crown Publishing - Read It Forward

Enter to Win Great Books!

Sneak peeks at great reads, behind-the-scenes insights from authors, lively & provocative reader's guides & Fabulous Free Books! Read It Forward is offering three books for the month of July to enter to win! I won back in May! Click here to enter now!!!

Review: Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James

Love on a Dime is set in 1899 in Newport, Rhode Island. This was a time when a woman of high society was to take care of the house and socialize, one would not dare work. Lilly Westbrook is part of the elite and has started writing dime novels under the pen name "Fannie Cole". Not only does a very popular town scoundrel try to find, blackmail, and expose her, but her publisher needs her to announce whom she really is also for financial reasons. It takes you back to a time when people really cared about how they were viewed by society, much unlike the ways of the world today. This was nice in a way but also made me appreciate my independence.

The book provides love and mystery with a mixture of Christianity also. Lilly finds herself in the middle of having to make many decisions and wants God to help her in making the right choices. Choosing between her current love and a love from the past, whom just happened to have bought the publishing company that she writes for, proves to be a difficult decision for this character. Choosing whether or not to come public with her identity is the hardest decision of all. She has to decide if she wants to put her family in the hands of public scrutiny because of her choices or to remain anonymous and risk being exposed.

I did thoroughly enjoy this book. It caught my attention from the start and had me intrigued throughout to the end. This was a debut book by Cara Lynn James, I do look forward to reading more of her work and would recommend this book as a good read!

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Free Book: Tortured for Christ

Click here: Free Book: Tortured for Christ

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Click here for more information and book reviews on Tortured for Christ.