Westward Journey, a review

I am pleased to introduce you to another first time author, Anastasia Tarkington.  Her book, Westward Journey: The Trail is a Dangerous Place, is about young Colleen Northam and how she takes on the responsibility of leading the cattle to market when her father is injured.

To do so, she must disguise herself as a young man to those she has hired to help her on the trail.  There is danger along the way, the need for perseverance, and even a promise of romance.  I found the story believable.

Westward Journey combines a faith based story with a heroine teenagers especially would enjoy.  I appreciate how, within the story, we see character traits shown that are important for young people to know and understand.

I highly recommend this book, not only for teens but for any reader wanting a good story that does not take a long time to read.

Westward Journey was provided by the author for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

More information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

A Wonderful New Christmas Book!

When my friend, Heather LeFebvre, told me she was writing a Christmas book, I knew it would be good.  When I found out the illustrator was her mother, artist Laura Winslow, I couldn't wait to read it.  I follow Laura on Instagram (Heather, too, of course).

This is a jewel of a book, one to bring out every Holiday season.  There is so much history about Christmas that I didn't know plus she provides discussion questions and a project (or a list of projects) that corresponds with each chapter.  This visually beautiful book would make a fun study leading up to Christmas or just an enjoyable read aloud for the family.

Some of the chapters include:

• An Ordinary Day in Bethlehem (Christ's Birth)
• A Date for Christ's Nativity (Early Church)
• St. Francis and the Live Nativity (Early Church)
• Luther's Protestant Christmas (Reformers and Puritans)
• Christmas and America (Reformers and Puritans)
• Christmas Reinvented (Victorians to Modern Day)
• From St. Nicholas to Santa Claus (Victorians to Modern Day)
• ... and many more!

I enjoyed reading all of the book but especially "Christmas and America", since I have a special place in my heart for Colonial Williamsburg.  The suggested projects at the end of this chapter include "24 Ways to Celebrate a Williamsburg Christmas". 

Written from a faith perspective, beautifully put together and illustrated, this is a book to enjoy and give as a gift this Christmas.

I was provided a copy of The History of Christmas, 2000 Years of Faith, Fable, and Festivity to review but the opinions are my own.

Further information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

A Lovely First Time Novel!

The author, Rose Ellen Taylor, contacted me asking if I would be interested in reviewing her novel.  I said yes because 1) I love to help promote new authors, and 2) I have a soft spot in my heart for self published books.

It took a couple weeks for me to be able to read the book but once I was able to actually sit down and read awhile, I finished it in two days.  It is such an inspiring story of a young woman who had been raised by her grandparents in a small town by the ocean and now was going to live with her wealthy uncle's family in the city.

Her faith is tested more by living in luxury than it ever was in the small house of her grandparent's.  We meet many characters along the way and wonder if the main character will make the right decision or not.  I could not wait to see what happened next.

This is an unapologetic old fashioned and Christ centered story.  Along the lines of Grace Livingston Hill and Karen Andreola's novels.   It is one of those stories where what the characters are thinking is given a lot of print.  Some people don't like this in a novel but I believe it brings us into their world.

I highly recommend this first novel to anyone who is longing for and old fashioned Christ centered story.

Rose Ellen has given me permission to share her email address if  you are interested in further details.  I think many readers would enjoy it.  For teenagers to grandmothers!

Rose Ellen can be contacted at:  Roset@reagan.com for further information.

Added Note:  You can now purchase the book on ebay, too.

Summer Reading - Kindle books

These days I am reading a lot more on my Kindle, whether on my Kindle Fire with the Kindle App or my Kindle Paperwhite.  The ability to increase the font is a game changer when the vision in one eye is still... fuzzy.

I have an embarrassing number of Kindle books, most of them purchased through the years on sale for .99 cents or $1.99.  The Kindle is also a way to enjoy books that have been out of print and hardback copies are too expensive, like many D. E. Stevenson and Elizabeth Goudge books.  (Although more and more of these books are becoming available in paperback.)

My choices for Kindle summer reads are a combination of newer books and a couple that have been waiting for their place in the sun for awhile.  Except for what I am reading as a "quiet time" book, they are chosen for whatever mood I am in at that time.  Something all readers understand.

Current "Quiet Time" Book

In His Image by Jen Wilkin
I had seen Jen Wilkin give a talk a couple of times when women's conferences were televised on the NRB Channel so I knew her books would probably be something I would enjoy.

When In His Image was offered on sale, I bought it right away and have enjoyed going through it slowly.  She writes beautifully and is sound in doctrine.  I found out my daughter is studying this book (in paperback) with a group of ladies this summer.  That would be fun.

More info... here.

Just Finished Reading

The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge
I enjoy reading along with IG's @elizabethgoudgebookclub, although I most often only read the discussion comments since I'm usually behind what the others are reading (especially with a heavy review schedule).  NOTE:  I had misspelled the IG address.  It is now corrected. 

We just finished Elizabeth Goudge's The Scent of Water and it is just as lovely as I remembered reading it a few years ago.  It is a good introduction to Goudge (although I think the best introduction is Pilgrim's Inn!).

More info... here.

Reading on the Paperwhite Kindle

Sweet Mountain Music by Suzie Johnson
I like to have a book already started on the Paperwhite for those times I slip it into my purse when I know there will be a wait at the doctor's office.  Usually I keep a nonfiction book going.  Recently I have been reading a novel called Sweet Mountain Music, a Kindle book that was recommended to me a few years ago by a friend who knows my fascination with Bigfoot.

It is actually a story of faith and how a journalist and a Sasquatch researcher learn to trust each other and... I'm sure there will be a happy ending there.  ;)  This is the kind of novel I love to read in Summer.  I plan to make it my priority now so I can (finally) see what happens.

More info... here.

Planned Kindle Reads through mid-Summer

Amberwell by D. E. Stevenson 
This is the first of the two Ayrton Family books.  I love her books that take place in Scotland around WWII.  There is more specific information on the Kindle page.

More info... here.

Summerhills by D. E. Stevenson
This is the second of the two Ayrton Family books.  It follows the story of the family after WWII.  Again, more specific information is on the Kindle page.

More info... here.

If you didn't know already, there are many D. E. Stevenson novels for the Kindle now at excellent prices.  I used credit to purchase four of them earlier in the year to have ready for Summer reading.  This will be the first two I plan to read.

Planning to at least skim through this Summer

Signature in the Cell by Stephen Meyer
I have seen Stephen Meyer interviewed numerous times and I have enjoyed listening to him.  Signature in the Cell is his well known book about the beauty of DNA and how he believes it had to be created by an "Intelligent Designer".

I hope to read this book through but this is the kind of book I would have preferred to read in paperback or hardback.  However, we do what we have to do even if it is not perfect and I am thankful for how easy it is to increase the font on the Kindle!!!

I will at least give it a good perusal.

More info is... here.

My favorite Kindle (it was a gift!)
The Kindle Paperwhite... here.  This is the one I have and it has recently come down in price.  There are more expensive Paperwhite devices but I find this works great.  I also have a cover to protect it when I leave home.  The newer covers make it easy for them to stay on all the time.  My old 2nd Generation Kindle had a cover that I had to remove to read easily.

The Kindle App... is free to download for most smart phones and tablets.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.  You do not have to purchase the item in the link or on the widget to enter your Amazon shopping.  Thank you for those who come to the blog first and enter Amazon through a link or the widget here.  Every little bit adds up and it is such a blessing to me to receive credit each month.

Summer Reading - Hold in your hand books

I'm limiting my review list a lot this summer so I can finally read some of the books I've had on my "To Be Read Soon" list.  These three are the non-Kindle books I'm going to read first this Summer.

It still takes me longer than it once did to read since I have to stop when my right eye becomes strained.  But it is still do-able.  I find reading on the Kindle a little easier.  Next week I will share my top Kindle reads I have planned for the summer.

Taste and See: Discovering God Among Butchers, Bakers, & Fresh Food Makers by Margaret Feinberg.

I have read and enjoyed other books by Margaret Feinberg. This is called a "culinary and spiritual adventure".

All of her books make for delightful summer reading and I'm looking forward to reading this one!  It is written in such a way that one can read just one chapter at a time here and there or read the book through in one short vacation.

More information can be found... here.

The Persian Gamble by Joel Rosenberg

This is the second book of a new series whose main character is Marcus Ryker.  It takes up where the first book left off with Marcus and a Russian (unintended) double agent escaping from Russian Special Forces.

The first book in the series, The Kremlin Conspiracy, was about Russia and the U.S.  This book deals with the possibility of North Korea selling nukes to Iran.

Joel Rosenberg is one of my very favorite novelists.  No one writes better geo-political stories and they are from a Christian perspective.  I bought this book for my husband's birthday in April and since he hasn't read it, yet... it goes on my Summer reading list.

More information on The Persian Gamble... here.
More information on the first book, The Kremlin Conspiracy... here.

Top Gun by Dan Pedersen

I saw an interview with Dan Pedersen on TV and ordered this book that day. The price is less than half what it was originally.

In the interview, Pedersen (the founder of the Top Gun program) talked about how the U. S. was losing one airplane for ever two it shot down in Vietnam.  It became obvious that the young fighter pilots did not have the dog fighting skills of WWII pilots.

Pedersen was given the task of training their best pilots in the art of dog fighting (aerial combat) and this is the story of how Top Gun begun and its' history.  What makes this story even more interesting to me is that he is a man of faith as well as fighter pilot skills.  I'm looking forward to this book, too.

More information can be found... here.


Next week I will share the Kindle books on my Summer reading list.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.  Thank you for taking the time to enter Amazon shopping through a link or widget!

Image:  From Instagram.  I had to use a lamp since it is raining today.  Thus... the glare!

Restoration House, a review

The subtitle of this book by Kennesha Buycks is Creating a Home That Gives Life and Connection to All Who Enter.  Which should have been my first clue that this is not just a book about the decorating of homes.

Instead, while the author shares her love of making a home lovely with the readers, she also reminds us that it is our relationship with the Lord that is the basis of everything we do.  We will not be satisfied with our houses if we have not found our peace in Him.

I found as I read through Restoration House, a sense of peace one rarely finds in reading a book about interior design.  For it is about much more than that.  In this book, you will find ways to restore yourself as well as the home in which you live.  It is the kind of book you will leave on the coffee table to enjoy over and over.

Another nice surprise was that the author is African American.  It is good to see more diversity of skin color in interior design books.  We know that we will share Heaven with people of every tribe and color that God created.

Restoration House was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Find more information... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

How I Choose the Books I Review

There was a comment about the number of Bibles I have been reviewing because people only need one Bible.  So I thought I'd again share how I go about accepting review books.

On the subject of Bibles, there seems to be a couple times a year when publishers bring out new study Bibles.  That is one reason you will see quite a few reviews in a short amount of time.  Then there may be months before another Bible review.

Also, I know personally there are many denominations (as well as Catholics) represented in the readership of this blog.  Many people have their favorite Bible translation and if one were to notice, most of the Bibles recently reviewed were of different translations including the NIV, NKJV, KJV, and most recently the ESV version.  I believe that was the first ESV Bible I have been offered to review in many years.

The uniqueness of various study Bibles would also appeal to different people and denominations.  I have accepted study Bibles that are completely different from each other this past year, hoping readers have access to information on various types of specialties.

I rarely have actually reviewed many fiction books and when I do, they have tended to be the Amish novels that have four short stories in them.  Once in awhile a fiction offer sounds too good to pass up. My own preference has been reading D. E. Stevenson, Goudge, and classic authors I have enjoyed for decades but the Amish short stories are perfect for a mental vacation.

I accept Christian nonfiction books that either I have an interest in or I think readers will have an interest.  I am currently reading a book about decorating that will be reviewed next week.  It has been a long time since such a book was offered and this one was from a Christian publisher.

When I first began reviewing, there were multiple publishers offering review opportunities to bloggers.  Many of these programs no longer exist, especially the secular nonfiction programs.  That is why you rarely see reviews of cookbooks and design books these days.

I review less quantity of books these days to protect the time I need for reading just for enjoyment.  Especially dealing with less ability to read for longer hours with the right eye still healing.

I hope that helps people understand the whys and wherefores of what I review! Right now I can only handle one review book a week and still have time for my old favorites. 

Image:  Time for Reading by Judy Gibson (yes, an often used favorite image!)

ESV Prayer Bible, a review

The ESV (English Standard Version) version of the Bible is a favorite among many of my friends and family members.  It is easy to read while being trustworthy in its' translation.

This Bible is unique in that it includes prayers from many well known Christians from history embedded within the text in appropriate places.  It also contains a short Introductory essay about Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney, an Author Index featuring short bios of the people whose prayers are featured, and an index of prayers and reference to prayers in the Bible.

While all of the above makes this a Bible worth owning, what I absolutely loved about this edition is the size of the hardback version I received and how easy it is to read through the one column text.  If you are looking for a good reading Bible, the kind you can pick up just to read and enjoy, this is such a Bible.  It can function as your primary Bible to use for study as well.

While the size is compact, the font is large enough that anyone not needing a large print Bible should be able to easily read it, although the embedded prayers are in a smaller (but not tiny) font.  I highly recommend the ESV Prayer Bible.

The ESV Prayer Bible was provided by Crossway for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

More information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links

Image:  The above photo of the hardback version of the Bible shows it as it is sold, the small white paper slip cover providing information comes off easily and the cover is one solid color.

The Making of Us, a review

The timing that I came across this book was perfect.  For it is about Sheridan Voysey and his friend's pilgrimage to walk in the steps of the Celtic Saint Cuthbert.  I had only recently watched a documentary about the Celtic Saint  Aidan and was fascinated by the men who brought Christianity to Northern England from Ireland.

Now, don't let the fact they have "Saint" in front of their name draw you away from the story if you are of a less orthodox faith. The places the two men walk in this pilgrimage will interest everyone, as will the conversation.  For as the subtitle suggests, this is not only the story of a pilgrimage but it asks the questions of "Who we can become when life doesn't go as planned". 

Sheridan Voysey is not a person you would think to be central in the story of such a pilgrimage but that is exactly what made it interesting to read.  He is at a juncture in his life when he has had to deal with loss and giving up a dream.  His insights and the conversations between Voysey and his friend, DJ, point us to God and to that fact that rarely does any life go as we planned.

I enjoyed this book very much.  It may not be for everyone but if you are searching for answers and need to know you are not alone, you will enjoy this book.  If you have an interest in the history of the Church, I think you will also find this book appealing. 

The Making of Us was provided for review but the opinions are my own.

More information can be found.... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Always Near: 10 Ways to Delight in the Closeness of God, a review

There is something about Robert J. Morgan's writing that speaks to me.  I have his book, The Strength You Need, sitting with a few favorite faith building books on my desk at all times.  So I was very interested in reading and reviewing this book.

Always Near could be described as a gift book as it is small, hardback, and the beautiful colors are on each page.  But unlike so many gift books, I found each chapter to be full of stories, Scripture, and reflections that 1) caused me to think, and 2) drew me closer to the Lord.

The Chapters are:

• Delight in Jesus
• Delight in Listening to God
• Delight in Speaking to God
• Delight in the Splendor of Worship
• Delight in Special Times
• Delight in Special People
• Delight in Special Places
• Delight in Challenging Moments
• Delight in Unseen Realities
• Delight in Doing the Next Thing

I would recommend this book to read during a daily quiet time, whether reading through one chapter a day or one a week, to enjoy sound teaching and as the chapters suggest... finding delight in God's ways.  It would also make a very good gift to give a friend needing encouragement.

Always Near was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

More information about Always Near can be found... here.
Also mentioned in this review, The Strength You Need can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

NIV Starting Place Study Bible, a review

I can't tell you how many times I reviewed a study Bible only to be disappointed.  This Bible is just the opposite, it provided even more information than I hoped for.  If you are going to have one study Bible for a reference, this should do it!

I am reviewing the hard cover edition and in the flyleaf, it explains that parts of six other previously published study Bible's have been provided in this one Bible.  They are: The Essential Study Bible Companion, NIV Quest Study Bible, NIV Foundation Study Bible, NIV Archaeological Study Bible, NIV Student Bible, and the NIV Rock Solid Faith Study Bible.

This Bible is full of notes, information inserts, Q & A inserts, archaeological photos and information, black and white photos, Bible character information, and a lot more material to provide plenty of Bible study for both the beginner and one who has studied the Bible for decades.

I highly recommend this Bible as a resource.  The font is easy to read in both the notes as well as the NIV text, even for someone like me whose regular Bible is large print.

NIV Starting Place Study Bible hardback edition was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

More information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

The Book of Comforts: Genuine Encouragement for Hard Times, a review

I wasn't certain what this book would cover but the concept sounded like the kind of book we need.  I not only wasn't disappointed, I soon realized it really was the kind of book to have on hand to give people who are going through trials.

Written by four friends... each individual writing provides a personal story, a Bible story, or a Bible verse... and sometimes all three... about those times in our life when comfort is needed.  Each individual "story" is well written and covers a variety of times in life when each person needed God's help to get through a trial, whether a death of a person or the death of a dream.

I recommend The Book of Comforts for those people who need this message, easy to read but with deep meaning.  It does not provide easy answers but leads you to the One who comforts when there may seem to be no answers.

This book was provided for the sake of review by the publisher but the opinions are my own.

Further information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

The NIV Maxwell Leadership Bible, a review

I enjoyed studying what makes a good leader from my years of working in Organization Development to the time I was on staff for a church.  John Maxwell's books and materials were well respected by both secular and church leadership.

I was very interested in seeing what information was in this Bible.  While not a Study Bible as one thinks, it will be a welcome addition to anyone wanting to learn more about all aspects of being a good leader from a Biblical standpoint.

Where a normal Study Bible would concentrate on theology, this Bible provides John Maxwell's teaching about leadership regarding individual Scripture verses as well as the various people we read about in the Word.

Included are The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, Over 100 biographical profiles, Introductions to the books of the Bible, hundreds of short articles and read-as-you-go notes on mentoring and influence, and a topical index to Scripture and articles.

I was sent the Burgundy Bonded Leather Bible, which is one of the best actual Bibles to read I have enjoyed in a Study Bible.  It is a good size Bible, with comfort print font that is large enough for anyone who does not need a large print Bible, and the NIV version makes it very easy to read.  (This Bible is also available in the NKJV.)

I recommend The Maxwell Leadership Bible to anyone who desires to learn more about becoming an excellent leader from a Biblical perspective, as well as great secular teaching. I probably would not use it as my primary Bible as I need more theological information, however, it would make an excellent resource in addition to such a Bible.

The Maxwell Leadership Bible was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

More information about this NIV Bible can be found... here.
More information about this NIV Bible in hardcover can be found... here.
More information about the NKJV of this Bible can be found.. here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Memory Making Mom, a review

I tend to stay away from books by younger bloggers, having been disappointed in their content more than once.  They all seemed to be written by the same person!  However, the title drew me in to read this book... or I should say the subtitle.

The subtitle of Memory Making Mom is "Building Traditions that Breathe Life Into Your Home".  The making of traditions was important to me when my children were growing up, to leave them with good memories of family life.  I am happy to say that this book did not disappoint me at all.  It is a very enjoyable book to read through regardless of where one is in the raising of families.

In the book, Jessica Smartt shares the stories of how building traditions became important to her, what these traditions are, and a book full of practical ideas for ways the reader can incorporate traditions in their own homes.

However, if it was just another book about traditions, then I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did.  For it is also a book about discovering the importance of beauty in everyday life.  The author had me the first time she quoted Edith Schaeffer.

I  highly recommend Memory Making Mom for all families.  In particular for the younger mom who needs to understand the desire for beauty is within all of God's creation.  It is a book to read through at least once and then return to over and over for practical suggestions for making your own traditions.

Memory Making Mom was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

More information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

You're My Little Sweet Pea, a review

I have always appreciated board books for babies and toddlers.  My own children literally teethed on books at that age.  This book sounded lovely and I'm glad to say it didn't disappoint when I saw it in person.

You're My Little Sweet Pea shows a different animal and their baby on each page with the cutest little poem.  For instance, on the first page (which is inside the padded cardboard cover) is a deer and fawn with the words "Little Sweet Pea, I love you, from Button nose to baby coo.". 

Some board books have just a few "pages" but this rather larger than usual board book has quite a number of pages.  The illustrations are lovely and will hold the attention of small children.  As mentioned, the small poem on each page is enjoyable to read and actually goes along with the illustrations.

As you can tell, I highly recommend this book for babies and toddlers.  I think even early readers will enjoy it, too.

You're My Little Sweet Pea was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

More information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Placemaker by Christie Purifoy; a review

I have been looking forward to this book ever since I heard Christie was writing it.  I loved her book called Roots & Sky, a book to read over and over.  As expected, Placemaker didn't let me down for it is written in the same beautiful style as her previous book.

In Placemaker, there are multiple layers of story telling.  The most obvious is the story of the places Christie and her husband have lived, the apartments and houses they made their own.  Including their home they live in currently, made famous in her original book. 

The second layer is a story of trees and gardens.  I so enjoyed the research she has done over the years about trees. The pages where she described the battle of keeping the forest from growing again in her yard made me laugh.  For anyone who lives in a forest knows what it is like to find baby trees growing throughout your lawn and garden, most likely planted by squirrels.

I would say the third layer of this book are the stories of the people they have met in the various places they lived and the people in her family... and how people are all part of the places we have known.

Christie also reminds us that we are all makers of places.  Wherever we have lived and will live, we put our unique mark on each place.  This book inspires us of our God given need of place and our equally God given need to make each place better because we were there.

I highly recommend Placemaker, you will enjoy the process of reading it immediately and return to its' pages over and over in the years ahead.

Placemaker was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Further information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Grateful American, a review

I've been a fan of Gary Sinise's acting for many years, especially his work in CSI:New York.  Within the past couple of years, I've have appreciated his work with military veterans.  This book contains his story, how he came to be raised in the South side of Chicago as a young child to become a well known actor, and personal stories of his family and career.

As the wife of a veteran who still suffers from the affects of the Vietnam War, I was especially touched by the section where he shares how he first came to realize the importance of being an advocate for all veterans but especially the Vietnam vets who were treated badly when they arrived home.

If you enjoy Gary Sinise's television and movie shows, you will enjoy reading the book.  If you are a military veteran or have one in your family, you will enjoy this book.  As a Christian, I appreciate how becoming a part of the Catholic faith helped strengthen his family after his wife's alcoholism almost tore the family apart.  Enabling her to have the strength to stay away from alcohol for decades now.

I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it.

Grateful American was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Further information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

What If It's True? A Storyteller's Journey with Jesus - a review

It isn't often that I know I'm going to love a book just by reading the Introduction.  That is what happened with this book as Charles Martin explains how he came to write A Storyteller's Journey with Jesus.

I normally don't like books that contain fictional accounts of Biblical stories but the author's beautiful style of writing gave me chills.  Especially in his writing of Jesus at leaving the Throne of God to enter this planet as a baby.  You will never look at the Christmas story the same way again.

He fleshes out the bones of favorite stories in the Bible and then talks with the reader about these sections of Scripture.  Martin is one of those rare authors who is just as good at teaching the Bible as he is a novelist.

Some of the Chapter titles are:

• The Word Becomes Flesh - and Dwells Among Us
• The Chorus of The Unashamed
• What Are You Taking to the Grave?
• What's That You're Carrying?
• The Toughest Thing You and I Will Ever Do
• Choose This Day
• The Deepest Wound of the Human Soul
• ... and others

I highly recommend this book, it will delight the soul that needs uplifted and may open the eyes of the one for whom the Bible is a book of empty words.

What If It's True? was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

Further information can be found... here.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

Karen Andreola's new book, Mother Culture

I cannot recall the last time I asked an author if I could review their book when it was ready but that is exactly what happened with Mother Culture.  As soon as Karen said the book was almost finished, I messaged her and asked to review it when it was published.  Thankfully, she said yes.

Karen's book, A Charlotte Mason Companion was one of my go-to homeschooling books.  One that I kept in a stack nearby to reread often.  As soon as I started reading Mother Culture, I knew this was the same kind of book.  It a book that people can enjoy reading all the way through and then come back to favorite sections for inspiration.

If you have read Karen's previous books, you will have heard her use the term Mother Culture before.  On her website, she describes it as:

Mother Culture® is the skillful art of how a mother looks after the ways of her household. With a “thinking love” she creates a culture in the home all her own.

A mother does a lot of taking care, so she needs to take care of herself too. As a mother is feeding and cultivating the souls of her children, she is nourishing her own soul with ideas, while taking a little time for her own play and creativity. Nourished and refreshed, she keeps growing closer to God and into the Christian woman God is designing her to be.

I always think of Karen as a Christian homeschooling version of Tasha Tudor.  Her writing provides good information for the 21st century mom (or 20th century as it was when I was homeschooling) mixed with the genteelness of a 19th century teacher.

While critics might find her ideas a little old fashioned, that was exactly what drew back to them so often.  I gained not only knowledge but rest as I read her words.

Some of the sections of Mother Culture are:

• Homemaking is a Divine Opportunity
• A Walk Will Do You Good
• Be Brave Five Minutes Longer
• True Courtesy
• Free to Imagine
• Pleasant Words
• How to Safeguard the Love of Learning
• Where is the Older Woman in the Lord
• Safe in My Garden
• ... and many more

Unlike A Charlotte Mason Companion, I think this book can be appreciated by women who do not homeschool officially.  For we all educate children at home, even if they are sent to public schools!

While I have your attention, I also recommend the two lovely books of fiction Karen has written which incorporate the Charlotte Mason philosophy.  I will give links to those below but they are Lessons at Blackberry Inn: Adventures in the Gentle Art of Learning and Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study With the Gentle Art of Learning.

I highly recommend this and all of Karen Andreola's books!

Mentioned in this Review
Mother Culture is only available right now on Karen's website.  It can be ordered directly from her (which is always a good thing for the author) but I will add it to the Amazon widget when it is available on Amazon.  Her website is... here.

The other books mentioned are available on her website and at Amazon (those links are below).

A Charlotte Mason Companion... here.

Lessons at Blackberry Inn... here. (Fiction)

Pocketful of Pinecones... here. (Fiction)

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.

The Wiersbe NKJV Study Bible, a review

I was really excited to peruse and review this Bible because Warren Wiersbe is a favorite Bible teacher.  I particularly enjoyed his "BE" series of studies.  You may have listened to him on the radio series, Back to the Bible, too.

This is a true study Bible with thousands of line-by-line notes at the bottom of pages, an Introduction to each Book of the Bible, a "Be Transformed" section under that Introduction, a good Concordance, an Index of Preaching Outlines, maps, etc.

I usually don't include the publishers notes but I think in this case, they will cover anything I forgot.

 Features include:

• Thousands of verse-by-verse notes by Dr. Wiersbe
• Hundreds of Catalyst notes which more deeply reveal important biblical themes and character issues to motivate transformation by the Holy Spirit through the Word
• Book introductions featuring Dr. Wiersbe’s historical background, themes, and practical lessons for each book of the Bible
• “Be transformed” section in each book introduction specifically pointing to the life-changing impact of that particular part of Scripture
• Thousands of cross references, showing the connections throughout the Bible
• Concordance with key words for deeper word study
• Full-color maps
• Clear and readable 10.5-point NKJV Comfort Print^®

I was sent the black Leathersoft edition but it is available in many styles, including hardback.  The font is the ComfortPrint font, which is large enough for anyone except those requiring extra large fonts.

I highly recommend this study Bible for anyone who appreciates Wiersbe's teaching.  This Bible was provided by the publisher for the sake of review but the opinions are my own.

-Further info for the black Leathersoft edition... here.
-Further info for the hardback edition... here.
Other covers can be found by scrolling down on the pages.

Disclaimer:  Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links