NASB Note-Taker's Bible Published by Zondervan

Are you a note-taker?  I know that if I'm not taking notes while listening at church, chances are I'm not going to remember as much.  I love to take notes!  When I saw this new Bible published by Zondervan, I made sure to sign up to try it out.

From the Back Cover:

No more cramped writing in tiny margins—the NASB Note-Taker’s Bible makes it easy to stay organized and neat. Readers will be able to personalize the text of God’s Word to their lives like never before and will treasure it as a record of their spiritual journey.

Features:

• Deluxe wide margins for note takers
• Complete NASB text
• Double column text for easy reading
• Words of Christ in red letter

My Review:
 As a note-taker, I'm looking forward to using this at church and for my personal Bible study.  It will be quite an asset to have my notes right on hand while my Bible is open.  Usually, I have piles of notes I've taken and don't know what to do with them all!  The margins are definitely wide enough to add a good amount of writing and the print is still large enough to read comfortably.  Even though it is a hardcover Bible, it stays open easily and lays flat. This Bible also includes several sections in the back: a Concordance, Promises from the Bible, Perspectives from the Bible, Ministry of Jesus, Teachings of Jesus, Miracles of Jesus and Parables of Jesus.  Overall, it is a great Bible that will encourage note-taking which will foster learning.

***I received this Bible free from BookLook Blogger in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen's newest book has released, The Secret of Pembrooke Park.   Are you looking for a fun, mysterious, historical novel?  Then make sure to read below and find out about this great new fun read. 

From the Back Cover:
Abigail Foster is the practical daughter. She fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry, and the one man she thought might marry her seems to have fallen for her younger, prettier sister.

Facing financial ruin, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play...

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor's past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers drawn by rumors that Pembrooke Park contains a secret room filled with treasure.

This catches Abigail's attention. Hoping to restore her family's finances--and her dowry--Abigail looks for this supposed treasure. But eerie sounds at night and footprints in the dust reveal she isn't the only one secretly searching the house.

Then Abigail begins receiving anonymous letters, containing clues about the hidden room and startling discoveries about the past.

As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?

My Review:
 Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors.  Her books have always been a delight to read and this one was no different! I absolutely loved it from cover to cover.  The mysterious plot was filled with unsolved murders, forgotten history, and whispers about a hidden treasure.  Julie's portrayal of the characters really made the story come to life.  Their thoughts and emotions were well communicated. This period in history is also fascinating, and I love to learn more about the history of the Regency era.  If you're looking for a fun new book to pick up to read, make sure to pick up this novel by Klassen.  You won't be disappointed!

***I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Fire Up the Romance this Holiday with @RobinLeeHatcher’s “Love Without End” Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Robin Lee Hatcher has come out with another book set in Kings Meadow called Love Without End.  What is it about Kings Meadow that helps people heal from their past hurts?  Read below to find out about the book, my review and about the author.

About the book: Love Without End || A King's Meadow Romance (Thomas Nelson, November 2014) Chet and Kimberly have both failed when it comes to love. Will they risk their hearts to love again? Chet Leonard's life was forever changed when his 17-year-old son died and then, soon after, his wife walked out on their family. Over two years later, all he wants to do is hold onto his horse ranch and raise his remaining sons to be honorable men. Kimberly Welch, widowed mother of Tara, a rebellious 15-year-old, has reached the end of her finances and nearly the end of her rope. She and Tara come to King's Meadow to try to piece their lives back together again. Kimberly has no intention of becoming involved with the residents of this remote mountain community and certainly not with any man. When octogenarian Anna McKenna returns to King's Meadow and to the Leonard ranch, she becomes an agent of change and healing for the two hurting families. With her help, Kimberly and Chet may discover that true love has no end. My Review: This story was an interesting read since I had already read A Promise Kept which was also set in Kings Meadow.  You can read my review of that book by clicking here.  This book actually tells not only the story of Kimberly Welch, but also has flashbacks to Anna McKenna's story too.  I'm glad that Robin decided to continue the King Meadow's story and give Chet his own book.  He was definitely let down hard in A Promise Kept by Allison and needed a story of his own.  Robin did a great job drawing the reader into the story and the lives of the characters.  Their stories were written realistically, full of raw emotion and vulnerability. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this new series--Whenever You Come Around. Make sure to head over and read what others had to say about this book on the blog tour by clicking HERE. Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/EjjGc  About the author: Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heart-warming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, two RT Career Achievement Awards, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over sixty novels. Find Robin online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Fire up the romance this holiday with Robin Lee Hatcher's latest offering in the King's Meadow Romance series, Love Without End. For two single parents with bruised hearts, it’ll take more than a little courage to get back on the horse when it comes to love.

Giveaway Info:

Celebrate love rising from the ashes of tragedy with Robin by entering her Kindle Fire giveaway.

 One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Love Without End and the rest of the King's Meadow Romance series from Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 14th. Winner will be announced December 15th on Robin's blog.
{NOT ON FACEBOOK? ENTER HERE.}
***I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary

 Are you looking for a Bible dictionary that will aid in your personal Bible study or help with Bible study class preparations?  Thomas Nelson has published a new and enhanced Bible dictionary.  Below you can read a product description and my personal review.

 

From the Back Cover:

Now with a fresh new look and full-color Fan-Tab Thumb-Index Reference System, Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, New and Enhanced Edition puts a wealth of up-to-date and reliable information at your fingertips.

Designed, written, and edited with the needs of general readers in mind, this comprehensive Bible dictionary contains over 7,000 individual entries on the people, places, things, and doctrines of the Bible.  Christians who want to make their Bible study more rewarding, Sunday school teacher and Bible class leaders looking for help in making their lessons more effective, and anyone who wants to understand the Word of God and Bible backgrounds more fully will find what they need here.

Packed with information and special features:

     *  More than 500 updated or enhanced full-color photographs to illustrate and clarify important  

         Bible subjects

     *  An extensive cross-reference system for use with the most popular English translations of the

         Bible

     *  Helpful outlines of the books of the Bible designed to aid effective study and teaching

     *  A map index and full-color maps for understanding major periods of biblical history

     *  Articles that address special topics, such as studying the Bible, comparing Bible translations, 

         and recent discoveries in archaeology

     *  Charts, maps, tables, and The Visual Survey of the Bible for understanding Bible history at a 

         glance

     *  Large type and a new full-color page design

My Review:

What a great new dictionary!  I love several things about this new enhanced version.  First, in the opening pages, 5 steps are given to instruct readers how to use this Bible dictionary in your regular Bible reading to enhance your learning of Scripture.  Second, the Visual Survey of the Bible is great!  I love being able to see the history of Scripture put on one comprehensive  timeline.  It gives a great overview of Scripture.  Third, the pictures and maps used throughout the dictionary are wonderful.  They had another great layer of interest!  Now, I must say as with all literature, you must compare men's words with Scripture.  Men aren't always correct in their interpretation of Scripture and so must be thoroughly cross examined with what God's Word says.    There may be other theories represented in these pages that you will not agree with... such as the six days of creation not being a literal 24 hour period (pg. 278).  In spite of some difference like these,  I'm excited to be able to use this new dictionary to enhance my own personal Bible study.  This will be a great new edition to our library.

***I received this book free from BookLook bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.