Listen Up: 10-Minute Family Devotions on the Parables by Marty Machowski

Is your family looking for a new devotional to bring you all together around the Word of God? Marty Machowski has a new devotional out called Listen Up: 10-Minute Family Devotions on the Parables.

From the Back Cover:
Children love stories and the parables provide a wonderful opportunity to engage their imaginations and help them understand and live out the good news of the kingdom of God. This thirteen-week family devotional is designed to help families explore the parables that Jesus taught through reading selected parables, activities, discussion questions, songs, and fun facts.

My Thoughts:
 This book was so encouraging. I really liked how the author put together the material for the weeks of study. Parents are to read the Get Ready and Get Set section on a Sunday which gives an overview for the parable the family will be studying. He then has 5 days that include a section of Scripture to read, a think about it section in which he presents ideas to get the family thinking through the passage. Then he has a talk about it section where parents ask the given questions to promote discussion. The answers are given in the book for the parents too. The day concludes with a pray about it section and also a going deeper section that is for kids who are older. The activities were well thought out and would definitely help connect the kids to the parable. And the truths taught are theologically sound. This really is a great resource for families and I would highly recommend it!

If you'd like to read more about this book click here.

My Rating: ★★★★★

***I received this complimentary book from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo (The Daughters of the Mayflower series, book 2)

The second book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series is out! The Pirate Bride is by Kathleen Y'Barbo and is quite a fun read, and one you will want to check out!

From the Back Cover:
The last time New Orleans attorney Jean-Luc Valmont saw Maribel Cordoba, a Spanish nobleman's daughter, she was an eleven-year-old orphan perched in the riggings of his privateering vessel proving herself as the best lookout on his crew. Until the day his infamy caught up with them all and innocent lives were lost.
Unsure why he survived but vowing to make amends, Jean-Luc has buried his past life so deep that no one will find it--until a very much alive and very grown up Maribel Cordoba arrives on his doorstep and threatens all he now holds dear.
Twelve years after Maribel was pulled from the sea and deposited in an orphange, hazy memories and vaguely recollected stories all collide in the presence of a man she never really forgot.
But falling in love with Maribel could cost Jean-Luc everything.

My Thoughts:
I thought this book was full of adventure complete with privateers raiding ships seeking treasure, a ship known as the Ghost Ship, and a man seeking revenge for the murder of his family. This story takes off from the beginning and doesn't stop until you've turned the last page. The only thing that I didn't really like was the age difference between Maribel and Jean-Luc. I know that relationships of this age difference are possible my own grandfather was 12 years older than my grandmother. But it would of been nice if the age gap was a little closer for the story. Other than that, this was such a fun story to read. The Pirate Bride can be read as a stand alone novel as the ties to the first book in the series are minimal. If you're looking for a fun new story to read, pick up The Pirate Bride and take your imagination on an adventure.

My Rating: ★★★★

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Prayer Map for Women: A Creative Journal

Have you been struggling with having a consistent prayer time in your daily routine? Barbour Books has released a new resource called, The Prayer Map for Women: A Creative Journal. Each page gives prompts for you to write down things you wish to pray about giving you a prayer map for your prayer time. This way distraction would be less of  a problem, and it is also a record you can look back on to see how God has answered prayer. The prompts listed for each two page spread is listed below.

* Dear Heavenly Father....
* Thank you for...
* People I am praying for today...
* I am worried about...
* Here’s what’s happening in my life...
* I need...
* Other things on my heart that I need to share with you, God...
These prompts are followed by a verse on prayer which is different for each 2 page spread. There are enough pages in this book to last you for almost 3 months of writing prayers every day. You can checkout a sample page in the picture below.

So if you are looking for a resource to help begin to build a consistent habit of prayer time n your life, pick up The Prayer Map for Women from Barbour Books and add his little notebook to your Bible study time.








*** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own. 

Review of: A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason and a Giveaway!

I really enjoyed Susan Anne Mason's Courage to Dream series and was excited to see she had a new book out called, A Most Noble Heir.  This book was a fun read and the author did a great job with writing her first historical fiction book. Find out below about the book and make sure to enter the giveaway!

From the Back Cover:
When stable hand Nolan Price learns from his dying mother that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsby, his plans for a future with kitchen maid Hannah Burnham are shattered. Once he is officially acknowledged as the earl's heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry beneath his station.
Unwilling to give up the girl he loves, he devises a plan to elope--believing once their marriage is sanctioned by God that Lord Stainsby will be forced to accept their union. However, as Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy, he finds himself caught between his dreams for tomorrow and his father's demanding expectations.
Forces work to keep the couple apart at every turn, and a solution to remain together seems farther and farther away. With Nolan's new life pulling him irrevocably away from Hannah, it seems only a miracle will bring them back together.

My Thoughts:
I love how this story evolved from the author's own family history. The aristocracy is always interesting since it is such a different way of life from what we know today. The author does a great job showing the distinctions between the classes, and the problems that could arise for those who are poor. I also liked how the characters each worked through their own issues. It was encouraging to see how each of them made changes that affected not only themselves but other characters around them. Of course, there is quite the romance story in this book, and the author was tasteful in her portrayal of the newlyweds. Overall, this story was well-thought out, and kept me interested from start to finish. If you're looking for a new book to read, pick up this Susan Anne Mason's book and be whisked away to a land of nobility and romance.

About the Author:

Susan Anne Mason’s debut historical novel, Irish Meadows, won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. Also a member of ACFW, Susan lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children. She can be found online at www.susanannemason.com.

 


My Rating: ★★★★







Giveaway Information:

If you’d like to enter for a chance to win Susan Anne Mason’s Courage to Dream series, plus A Most Noble Heir, here’s your chance! There's only 3 more days to enter so make sure to click the graphic below!

***I received this complimentary book from Litfuse Publicity group. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green

Jocelyn Green’s novels are always a delight to read and can transport you to another time and place with her writing. Her newest release, A Refuge Assured, is no exception.

From the Back Cover:
Fleeing one revolution to the aftermath of another, she seeks and dreams of peace.

Lacemaker Vivienne Rivard nevertheless imagined her craft could threaten her life. Yet in revolutionary France, it is a death sentence when the nobility, and those associated with them, are forced to the guillotine. Vivienne flees to Philadelphia, but danger lurks in the French Quarter, as revolutionary sympathizers begin to suspect a young boy left in her care might be the Dauphin. Can the French settlement Asylum offer permanent refuge?

Militiaman Liam Delaney proudly served in the American Revolution, but now that the new government has imposed an oppressive tax that impact his family, he barely recognizes the democracy he fought for. He wants only to cultivate his hard-won farm near Asylum, but he soon finds himself drawn into the escalating tension of the Whiskey Rebellion. When he meets a beautiful young Frenchwoman recently arrived from Paris, they are drawn together in surprising ways to fight for the peace and safety for which they long.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book! The history presented in this book was amazing, and I learned so much that I did not know about. Did you know that the French had a settlement in Pennsylvania that was prepared for Marie Antoinette and her children to escape to when the Reign of Terror happened in France? I think the author did a great job portraying the attitudes and feelings that would of been running high during this unstable time in world history. The characters were written well and grew so much through the story. I can’t say enough good about this story. This book is truly one everyone should have in their libraries!

My Rating: ★★★★★

***I received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Imagine: The Ten Plagues by Matt Koceich

Matt Koceich has written a new series called Imagine. These books take kids on an adventure as they imagine what it would of been like to live during different familiar stories from the Bible. This first book is The Ten Plagues.

From the Back Cover:

The last thing fourth-grader Kai Wells remembers (before the world as she knew it disappeared) is being surrounded by bullies on her walk home from school. What happens next can’t be explained as Kai finds herself on the run for her life in ancient Egypt! 

Join Kai and experience the excitement... the wonder... the adventure... as the epic story of Egypt’s exodus comes to life. 

My Thoughts:

I like the idea of this story and going back in time to re-live Biblical events. My daughter has enjoyed reading the I Survived books and The Magic Tree House books so I thought these would be interesting for her. The book is pretty easy reading and didn’t take her long to finish. She is 9 years old and in 4th grade. She said that she enjoyed the story. I also read the book, and thought that it was pretty interesting. The beginning of the story is a bit fast and doesn’t give very much background information before you find yourself in Egypt. I wish there would of been a little more to the story  at the beginning. I liked how the author addresses bullying and that the young 11 year old girl sticks up for little kids who are being bullied. And that she doesn't retaliate with fighting.

One thing I didn’t like was on page 68 where Kai says, “I’ve been scared too, but the longer I’m in your world, the more confidence I find to believe in myself.” I was disappointed that the author didn’t point her confidence to be in Christ or God instead of in herself. On the other hand, the girl does pray asking God for wisdom often as she makes different choices. Overall, the book is descent reading, but not spectacular.
The second book in this series, Imagine: The Great Flood was released in March 2018.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Hettie Brittz's 'Growing Kids with Character' Blog Tour, Facebook Live, and Giveaway

 Sometimes, you just need some direction in how to help your kids! Hettie Brittz's new book, Growing Kids with Character: Nurturing Your Child's Potential, Purpose, and Passion is a book that will help you understand more about your kids and how to best parent them.

 

About the Book:

Growing Kids with Character: Nurturing Your Child's Potential, Purpose, and Passion (David C. Cook, March 2018)

Through Hettie Brittz's famous tree metaphors, parents will discover how to let their kids excel at being who they naturally are as they grow in their unique purpose in the world.

Author and speaker Hettie Brittz helps readers identify their kids' natural bent and understand how that affects the parenting journey. Parents will learn how to:

-Cultivate each of their kids' unique way of encountering, following, and worshiping God
-Disciple and discipline based on each child's blueprint
-Help their children celebrate God's individualized design for others

Brittz offers tools to parents for recognizing their kids' God-given personalities, guiding them on their spiritual journeys, and establishing their identity and purpose in Christ.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

My Thoughts:

I thought this book was very informational and a great resource that will help me as I look to help my children grow in their walk with God and others. At times I am at a loss of what to do as my kids get older. The Tall Trees Profiles were so helpful in understanding my 3 kids. Each one is so different and I need to use different ways to reach each of their hearts. What may work for one child, may turn the other away. As my husband and I read through the profiles together, we were laughing quite a bit as our children were described quite accurately. We especially found the profile for the Palm Tree and their being hard of hearing quite comical as we have one of those Palm Trees living under our roof. If you are looking for a book that can help you understand your child better and give you ideas to help with instruction and discipline, then pick up this book by Hettie Brittz. It's such a great resource for parents!

Head over to the Blog Tour by clicking here to find out what others are saying about Hettie Brittz's new book!  And don't forget to enter the contest below and attend the Facebook Live Event tomorrow night!

My Rating: ★★★★★

{MORE ABOUT HETTIE BRITTZ}

Hettie Brittz is a South African-born author, international speaker, and a foremost voice in parenting advice and personality styles. She is the author of "(un)Natural Mom," the developer of the Evergreen Parenting Course, and the codeveloper of Tall Trees Profiles. She heads up Tall Trees Consulting (USA).

Find out more about Hettie at http://hettiebrittz.com.

 

Giveaway Information:
Have you ever wished your kids came with an instruction manual? Hettie Brittz's new book, Growing Kids with Character, provides a resource to understand a child's natural bents not only to excel in life but also to firmly establish their identity and purpose in Christ better. Through Hettie Brittz's famous tree metaphors, parents will discover how to let their kids excel at being who they naturally are as they grow in their unique purpose in the world.

Join Hettie and other parents to learn how to grow kids with character at her Facebook Live event, plus enter to win a family fun prize pack!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of Growing Kids with Character
• A $50 pizza restaurant gift card to take your family for a night out
• A grow-your-own herb and vegetable garden kit to make your own pizzas at home as a family

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 3. The winner will be announced at Hettie's Facebook Live Party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Hettie and other parents, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word-tell your friends about the giveaway and Facebook Live party via social media and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 3rd!

 ***I received this complimentary book from Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Winning Miss Winthrop by Carolyn Miller (Book 1, Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series)

Carolyn Miller has begun a new Regency Brides series called A Promise of Hope.  This series includes familiar characters from her Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace series.
This first book is called Winning Miss Winthrop.

About the Book:
Miss Winthrop is trying to recover from her heartbreak 2 years ago when a man she thought she loved rejected her. But when he father suddenly passes away, Miss Catherine Winthrop and her mother find themselves in a precarious position since an heir must be sought for outside of their immediate family. When the very man she thought she'd never have to see again is said to be the rightful heir of the Winthrop estate, Catherine is at a loss of how to accept her new Mr. Carlew as the rightful Lord Winthrop. Will her heart ever heal after being broken?

My Thoughts: 
Miss Winthrop's story was intriguing to read. I can't imagine having to move out of my house and watch it being given over to strangers just because there was not a male in my immediate family to pass the house too. It truly is quite hard for our modern minds to understand this way of thinking. I thought the author did a great job with the story. It showed how gossip and lack of communication can destroy relationships in a blink of an eye.  I thought the story moved along at a good pace and kept my interest from start to finish. It is definitely a book I'd recommend.  I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series as it comes out later this year. Book 2--Miss Serena's Secret will release on July 24, 2018, and Book 3--The Making of Mrs. Hale will released on November 27, 2018.

My Rating: ★★★★

***I received this e-book from Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.