The New Voice Bible by Thomas Nelson Publishers

A little while ago, I received The Voice New Testament Bible from Thomas Nelson Publishers and the E-book version from Booksneeze to review.  This Bible is a whole new translation not based on any other previous translation.   It was translated by Ecclesia Bible Society and included 27 Bible scholars, 51 writers, and 36 others contributors. The Voice is written in a dialogue form rather than just chapter and verses.  Each Book has an introduction and the following verses are written in story form having the name of the speaker before the verse so you know who is talking.  For example, Jesus is listed at the beginning of John 3:10 because He is the speaker for the next 11 verses.

Below is a sample of translation of John 3:16:
"For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life."

The introduction to this Bible has several lists for Readings to Celebrate Advent or Lent and Easter.  There is also a schedule for reading the New Testament in 24 weeks and 40 days of readings for personal growth.

I think that this translation is really unique in how it is written in story form.  I think the translation is well done and would be a benefit as a study companion Bible to be used with a literal translation Bible like NASB or ESV.  This Bible would lend itself well to dramatic presentational readings of Scripture since the speakers are well identified.  The Bible is well laid out in structure and content on the pages and it is easily read and understood since it is written in the language that we use in our current culture.  I would recommend this Bible as a good study companion to your literal translations.

***I received this free paperback Bible from Thomas Nelson publishers and the free e-book version from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Whole by Lisa Whittle

Lisa Whittle's book, Whole, is about the holes that we create in our lives when we turn to everything else to satisfy us instead of turning to God for that satisfaction.  Lisa writes, "Our comfortable religious traditions can make us feel spiritually productive, maybe even spiritually complete.  But in the process, they can obstruct our view of God.  The reality is that though we feel like we are making efforts toward loving Him, we may simply be in love with our religion." (pg. 25)  Lisa describes well how easy it is to get so busy being involved doing good things, yet not having a love for the One whom you are serving.

I appreciated her openness about the things she had learned in her life.  Lisa grew up as a PK (pastor's kid) and struggled with outward performance that didn't stem from an inward reality of love for Christ.  It is easy to get lost in trying to perform or do what is expected of you, yet miss what Christianity is really about--loving God first and foremost with all your heart.  There were parts where I kinda felt like that books was a little redundant, and sometimes didn't agree with  what she was saying about religion.  But overall it was a good read that made you think.

***I received this book free from Tyndale House in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Free Monthly E-book Downloads from Tyndale

Sign up for Tyndale's E-book Extra Newsletter and receive monthly free e-book downloads!!!  E-books up right now that are available for free are:

 

So, sign up and get some free books each month for your reader.  Remember that you don't need a reader to have e-books.  You can download a free kindle reader for your computer to get these books for free.

Simply Grilling by Jennifer Chandler

I was so excited when I saw that BookSneeze had a cookbook up to review!  Simply Grilling is written by Jennifer Chandler.  She has been featured on episodes of the Food Network's Dinner Impossible and Martha Stewart's Everyday Food XM/Sirius radio program.
The introduction to the book covers everything you need to know about grilling--both indoors and out.  The book is meant to make grilling easy with "quick-cooking items that you can dress up with a simple sauce or marinade." (pg. vii)  In her cookbook she covers 8 different categories--Starters, Poultry, Meat, seafood, Salads, Vegetables and Sides, and Sweet Endings.  Each recipe has a full page picture with it taken by photographer, Justin Fox Burks.

This book looks great!  The photography is outstanding and I love that each recipe has a picture.  I am partial to pictures and love to see a finished product of what I am making.  The recipes sound so delicious and I can't wait to get out the grill and try some of these amazing recipes.  Jennifer Chandler has done a great job putting together recipes that not only sound delicious but they look very appealing too.  Jennifer also has 2 other books called--Simply Suppers and Simple Salads.  You can take a look at this book on Amazon.com by clicking on this link.  You can also read more about Jennifer at her website and Facebook page. 

**I received this book for free from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

I recently received The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and had the pleasure of reading it. Below is an overview of the book and my review.  Make sure to read at the end of the post the details about the Facebook party, Kindle Fire Giveaway and Downtown Abbey gift pack!!!  You won't want to miss it!


About the book:

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

My Thoughts:
I loved this book!!!  I thought that Julie Klassen did an amazing job of putting together her storyline.  She kept me interested all the way to the end of her novel.  Her book truly is like watching a great PBS Jane Austen movie.  Many times I read a book and then think it was good but not one I want to keep in my library to loan out or read again.  This book is definitely a keeper and I will be looking for other Julie Klassen books to read in the future.

If you want to buy the book--paper back or kindle version, Click here.
You can read what others are saying about the book on the blog tour by clicking here.

About Julie:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com

Giveaway and Facebook Party Details:

Don't miss the perfect blend of Regency-era romance and mystery in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! Grab a copy and then be sure to enter Julie's Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVP for her Author Chat party on Facebook! Swoon.

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire
• A Julie Klassen Library (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/14/12. Winner will be announced at Julie's Fairbourne Hall Book Chat Party on 3/15. Julie will be hosting an evening of chat, trivia and a sneak peek of her next book - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books and a Downton Abbey Prize Pack (Seasons 1 and 2)!

So grab your copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and join Julie and friends on the evening of March 15th for a book chat party.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on March 15th!


**I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review.

Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble

This was another great book by Colleen Coble.  Blue Moon Promise is about a young girl named, Lucy, who has to make some pretty big choices following the death of her father.  Lucy's mother had died when Lucy was a small girl.  Her father had remarried and had 2 more children.  When her father passed away suddenly in an accident and her step-mother left them, Lucy had no choice but to take up a stranger's request to marry his son in order to keep her family together.

This book was fun to read and hard to put down.  I like the unsolved mystery aspect that Coble puts in her books.  She keeps you guessing who the real culprit is until the end.  Although, I was wondering how many times this young girl could have misfortune hit her while on the ranch in Texas.  It seemed as though she just kept running into trouble at every turn.  Other than that, I really liked the book, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series coming out January 2013.  I would highly recommend reading this book.

**I received this book free from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.
 
Don't forget to join the Facebook Party on March 13th.  Click on the link in the side bar to RSVP for the party where you will have a chance win some great goodies.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall Blog Tour, Giveaways and Facebook Party

I am so excited to be part of a blog tour for Julie Klassen's new book The Maid of Fairbourne Hall.  The date my review will be posted is March 13th so come back and see what I thought of this new book.

In the meantime, you can sign up for the Kindle Fire giveaway through this link.  The winner will be announced at the "Fairbourne Hall" Book Chat Party on Facebook on March 15th.  She will also be giving away a Downtown Abbey (seasons 1&2) prize package among gift certificates and books too.  So make sure to enter by March 14th and RSVP for the Facebook party on March 15th.