Tyndale Rewards

Just a quick reminder that Tyndale House Publishers is still accepting new signups for their Rewards program! Earn easy points by reviewing Tyndale media, taking surveys, and sharing the site with friends. Points can easily be redeemed for any of a variety of titles, or Bibles. This would be a great way to earn new titles that you might be interested in! To sign up, click HERE

Live Second

"Live Second" by Doug Bender is a 365-day devotional intended to challenge the reader to live a life that puts God first. The book is broken up into 12 sessions, covering topics such as: leading, growing, and commitment, among others. Each day offers a one page reading and devotional, so there is really no reason that anyone couldn't fit this book into their daily routine - before bed, at breakfast, or on their lunch. The daily reading offers a personal story, or a short message to read. In some cases, there are scan codes that can be scanned with a smartphone, that link to video messages in place of an actual written message. 

Each week, the Day #1 devotional offers a "What It Says" and "What It Means" section, that essentially offers up discussion questions that can be answered independently or in a small group setting.  It also offers a "Practice It" section that helps you put into practice some of the information gained from that day's message. Every day's devotional offers a "Live It" and "Tell It" sections that asks you how you will live more Second that day, and how you will share what you have learned. These challenge the reader to implement the knowledge gained, and share it with others on a daily basis. Each day starts with a verse or verses from Scripture, and the message and personal questions that follow are all related to that verse. Days #2 through #7 also offer a "Talk With God" section that offers a suggested prayer for the day, tied into the overall message of the day. 


What I really appreciated about this book is that the daily readings are short, and easy to fit into the day. Even though they are relatively short, there is really a lot of information in each day's message. Between the Bible verses, message, and reflections, as well as the prayer, you really do feel like you are learning how to live second, and put Christ first in daily life. I also like that each day offers a reminder of how the reader can share that day's message with others. 

I thought this book was a really different kind of devotional, and I really liked it! I would highly recommend this book to anyone - it is the perfect book for fitting into a daily routine, and I love the message of living a life of being second. I would rate this book a 5/5. 

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com, through their books for bloggers program in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

Would You Read Me To Sleep?

"Would You... Read Me To Sleep" by George Edenfield is a cute story of a little girl and her father and their special time together each day when the father reads to her. The story follows Leia as a young girl, and the "great treasure" that her father tells her about, and the stories he reads to her from the "big storybook". Leia's father tells her about the "Great Treasure of Golden Destiny" and the "Seven Golden Keys" that she would have to discover in order to unlock the treasure. Throughout their storytime, Leia's father tells her the great stories of the Bible. As Leia gets older, the story continues, following her as she tells the same stories to her own children.

The story comes full circle as Leia's father is dying, and she reads to him from the "big storybook". While this story is a touching one, I didn't feel is was appropriate for young children. I would definitely recommend this one for ages 7 and up, as the story is longer than most for younger children, and the vocabulary choices make it harder for young children to fully understand the meaning of the story itself. The illustrations in this book are beautiful, and resemble paintings that take up large portions of the pages.

I thought this book was well-written, and touching as the story comes full circle as Leia reads to her father. The ending is a little sad, as Leia's father is clearly dying, and that might be a hard concept for younger children, as well. The binding of this book is hardback, which makes it great for gifting. The book itself is around 15 pages of actual text, and 15 pages of illustrations.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookCrash.com's Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

Andy the Alien Visits the Outer Planets

"Andy the Alien Visits the Outer Planets" is an adorable children's book written by Jeffrey Scott Chase. The book itself is a paperback book, but large (around the size of a sheet of notebook paper) which is perfect for young hands. The story itself follows our friend Andy the Alien as he explores outer space. What I thought was great about this book was that it is entertaining but also full of fun facts about space and the planets that children will remember (for example, did you know that Saturn has 31 moons? Your child will!).

The illustrations in "Andy the Alien Visits the Outer Planets" are bright, and attractive. There are several pictures of planets and moons that appear to be photographed, which makes it much more realistic for the child. There are a lot of pictures on every page, and there isn't a lot of tough vocabulary, which makes it great for young children who still are interested in outer space. Jeffrey Scott Chase clearly kept himself aware of his audience when he was writing because the entire book is perfectly worded for the younger crowd.

I would recommend this book for children ages 4 and up - My 4 year old daughter thought it was so cool! Easy to read, great illustrations, and some fun facts to learn all combine to make a great bedtime (or anytime!) story for the space lover in your home.

FTC DISCLOSURE:  I received a complimentary copy of "Andy the Alien Visits the Outer Planets" as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team.  Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

The Purpose Driven Life (Expanded Ed.)

"The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren is a book that is about finding our purpose in life - not our purpose at our job, or our purpose in the home, but our God-given purpose. I think that nearly everyone at some point in their life has wondered, "What is the purpose of my life?" It is this question that Rick Warren attempts to help us answer about each of our own lives.

"The Purpose Driven Life" offers daily devotionals to help us grasp our purpose, and further our understanding of what God's purpose for our life might look like. So many people pin their success or failure on their career, or family life, but there is a much bigger picture, and that is what Rick Warren tries to help us understand in this book.

This version of the book is an expanded edition, and it has been updated to be more friendly to a generation of "on the go" types, with interactive codes that can be scanned from a smartphone, and link to video feed of chapter summaries and more information about each chapter.

The book is essentially a book of daily devotions that are aimed at equipping us to change our mindset and start to understand what God's purpose is, and how we can fulfill that purpose. Each day ends with a point to ponder, a verse to remember, a question to consider, and a message to hear. The book is designed to be read over a 40 day period, and I have to admit that I thought there is a lot of life changing information in this book.

This book challenges you to change your mindset, shift your focus, and allow God to take the reins. I thought this book was awesome, and would highly recommend it!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

This review is also posted on Amazon.com at: http://www.amazon.com/review/R28X53D3XP0911/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=031032906X&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=

You Can't Make Me

"You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded) by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias is a book devoted to helping us bring out the best in our strong-willed children. I have to admit I was very intrigued by this book because I have a very independent, strong four year old. I don't believe this to be a bad thing, but it does seem to create some conflict, so I was open to any suggestions as to how to nurture her independence rather than try and change it.

One of the most helpful pieces of advice that I took away from this book was changing the way that I reacted to conflict with my daughter. Rather than issue an ultimatum, giving her a "do this or else" attitude, Tobias suggests using a positive reinforcement to achieve peace. I found this to be particularly useful with my own strong-willed child. I also really liked that Tobias took the time to explain the mentality of a strong-willed child, based on age, from toddler years through young adults, giving a simple, but thorough explanation of their mentality and mindset at each age. It really does help to understand what your child is thinking and helps you craft a better response when conflict arises.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a strong-willed child in their life. I think it was so important to understand that independent and strong-willed children aren't "difficult", but they just have a different approach to their way of thinking, and we have to adjust how we approach them when it comes to discipline and rules.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BloggingforBooks.org in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Fearless Daughters of the Bible

"Fearless Daughters of the Bible" by J. Lee Grady is an awesome book for women. This book profiles 22 women of the Bible, and tells their story of faith, hope, and strength. What I really loved about this book was that not only does J. Lee Grady pick the most popular women of the Bible, such as Ruth, Esther, and Mary, mother of Jesus, he also picks out more obscure female figures, such as Achsah, Jehosheba, and Priscilla.

This book takes the time to tell the whole story of each of these women, detailing their life and times. I thought that each story really takes you back into the life of each woman, really helping you understand their struggles, and their faith. Each chapter follows the story of a different woman of the Bible, and highlights the reality of their own personal situation. For example, in the story of Esther, we learn that King Xerxes was a despot, who had many concubines at his disposal, and constantly used the threat of execution to maintain order.

I really thought that this book gives us a rare glance into the lives of some of the Bible's heroines, and really gives an awesome perspective of these women and their life and experiences. I would highly recommend this book to any women looking to learn more about our heroic ancestors!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Reminder: Tyndale Rewards

Just a reminder that Tyndale Publishers are now offering a rewards program that anyone can sign up to participate in. Tyndale is one of my favorite Christian media companies, offering Bibles and books. Rewards are easy to earn when you review one of their products, share the rewards program with friends, or take surveys. You can redeem your points for awesome Christian material. Hurry and sign up today!

www.tyndalerewards.com/signup/?pc=t5dk-e4l0-2nmy-d0nk

Our Daily Bread Devotional Bible

Our Daily Bread Devotional Bible is a hardcover NLT version of the Bible with daily devotionals built in. This Bible Is unique in that each book of the Bible is broken up into smaller sections and those sections are prefaced by a page long devotional that helps integrate the chapters of that book that follow.

What I really liked about this Bible is that it essentially merges two books into one. The devotionals are easy to understand and relate to. They were placed perfectly and the smaller sections each devotional accompanies is not too long. Length-wise, it is easy to make time to read one each day.

The only thing I didn't like was that the devotionals are dated, so January 1 is the first few chapters of Genesis and so on. I would have rather the just dated the devotionals "day 1" and so on so that no matter when you start this Bible, you can start at the beginning.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

The Anger Workbook

"The Anger Workbook" is a workbook devoted to helping us begin to acknowledge and limit anger and the effect that it has on our lives. Les Carter, PhD and Frank Minirth, MD have based this interactive guide on 13 steps that help build an effective anger management mentality. This is a workbook, which I think works so well for a topic like this, because it poses questions and gives you plenty of space to write in your own answer. It is really a great tool for an honest assessment of your anger, and it offers solid guidance for controlling/limiting/managing anger in your everyday life. This book isn't just for people who have serious anger management issues - this would be perfect for the stressed out mom, busy working father, or moody teenager! I thought that "The Anger Workbook" really helped me be honest with myself about situations I can look at differently, and attitudes I can change in order to have a healthier mentality. I would recommend this to anyone - it is a very useful book!

FTC DISCLOSURE:  I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com's blogger program in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. The views and opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

6 Verses

Joe Barnett's book, "6 Verses That Can Change Your Life", focuses on six attributes that are deemed to be essential - attributes such as joy, assurance, peace, and trust. Each attribute has its own section of the book, and each section is broken down into smaller chapters that offer personal stories, historical and Biblical references, and explanations from Barnett. The last page of each section is essentially a meditation of what you can resolve to do in order to implement the principles from that section.

I liked the premise of this book. When you truly break down the faith of a Christian to its most basic foundation, you will find those six principles. This book offers wisdom and guidance in developing and expanding our own personal understanding and implementation of these ideals. The historical and Biblical references are useful and relevant to the message, and the book flows well.

I also liked the fact that Barnett included a group discussion guide for each chapter, as well as what he calls, "Individual Action Steps", which are recommendations to further your understanding of the message through Scripture, self evaluation, and actions you can take to reinforce the message of the chapter.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone - I think it would be especially useful for those experiencing a hard time in their life, or those struggling in their own faith. Wonderfully written, and truly resourceful!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book from BookCrash.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. All opinions expressed herein are entirely my own. I did not receive any financial compensation for this review.

Tyndale Rewards Program

Tyndale Publishers has just launched their new rewards program, and it looks like an awesome way to earn free books and Bibles! Earn points for signing up, filling out your profile, and reviewing Tyndale media! You can sign up through my referral link to receive 25 points for signing up here: http://www.tyndalerewards.com/signup/?pc=t5dk-e4l0-2nmy-d0nk

The Gaither Homecoming Bible

"The Gaither Homecoming Bible" is a New King James Version bible translation assembled by Bill and Gloria Gaither. The Bible itself is a traditional translation, but the Gaither family added a lot of extras into it - the major theme is tying in songs, poems, and quotes from others into the text. This Bible offers a little more color in the pages than a traditional Bible, which I really liked - Colorful text boxes with quotes or important Bible verses, as well as a splash of color in the top margins of the pages. Articles and personal stories are inserted into appropriate places in the text to help the reader make a more personal connection with the Bible, which is a nice addition. I also really enjoyed the tie ins to music - featured articles such as "The Power of Music to Heal" as well as the stories behind popular hymns were really interesting.

The only thing that this Bible is missing is an index, which I use quite frequently in my other Bibles for looking up specific topics and subjects. Other than that, this Bible has everything you could ask for, and a little more. The Gaithers did a wonderful job in assembling this beautiful Bible.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com's Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

Men Of Sunday

"Men of Sunday" by Curtis Eichelberger is a compilation of stories of faith from what I would have thought would be a most unlikely source - some of the NFL's elite players. This book was really interesting in the way it was put together. "Men of Sunday" is broken up into nine chapters, each one having a theme, such as "temptation", "what it means to lead", and "family sacrifices". Throughout the pages of this book the reader is told stories of faith, God, and struggle from some of the most famous names in football. "Men of Sunday" features prominent athletes like Mike Singletary, Trent Dilfer, Justin Tuck, LaDainian Tomlinson, Oshiomogho Atogwe, and Jay Feely. These personal stories from these men are interwoven with Biblical stories to make a very inspirational, very interesting book. I really enjoyed reading this book, and would highly recommend it to the football fan in your life.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

God of All Creation

"God of All Creation : Life Lessons from Pets and Wildlife" by James Robison is  the perfect book for animal lovers. James Robison shares stories of his experiences and observations of animal life, and his interpretation of how those observations are similiar to our relationship with Christ. Robison shares many stories about his own pet, Princess the dog. The stories that he shares in this book are both entertaining and educational. I thought that many of the comparisons that Robison draws between our relationship with pets and wildlife and our relationship with Christ were really insightful. I would definitely recommend this book to animal lovers, as it does share some really heartwarming stories, and the comparisons that Robison draws are so thoughtful and true. I would give this book a 5/5 - highly recommend it!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Water Brook Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

The Open Bible

"The Open Bible" is a New King James Version Bible that has so many little extra features, you will absolutely love it! This Bible has a large index to help you find whatever topics you might be looking for, which is wonderful for those of us who like to read Scripture that is related to what is going on in our lives at the time. The Open Bible also offers several colorful maps the help the reader understand the geography of the times. There is also a Visual Survey of the Bible that appears between the Old and New Testament, which helps give a visual overview of the Bible, its writers and key figures.

What I really loved most about this Bible is the introduction pages of each chapter. The Open Bible begins each chapter with a few pages designed to give you an overview of the chapter, such as who wrote the chapter, what the date rage of the chapter is, key verses, as well as an actual outline of each chapter, broken down. This is such a helpful tool in really understanding each chapter, because it gives you some context as to what was going on at the time, who was writing it, and what themes are in the chapter.

I thought this Bible was absolutely wonderful. I am so excited to have it to use as a companion with another version. I would highly recommend this book to people who desire a traditional translation of the Bible, but enjoy the more in-depth details that this Bible offers.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Book of Life Recovery

"The Book of Life Recovery" by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop is a companion to the traditional twelve step recovery program. This book is divided into twelve chapters - one for each of the twelve steps. Each chapter starts off with the actual step (i.e., Step One - "We admitted we were powerless over our problems and that our lives had become unmanageable"), followed by a Biblical quote that ties in to the step. Each chapter profiles a story of recovery, through the eyes of a recovering addict. Each chapter also contains four Bible studies that related to that particular step, to help the recovering addict find strength and hope within the Bible. By using Biblical stories, such as Zacchaeus, Arterburn and Stoop reinforce Biblical values and supports recovery.

What I enjoyed most about this book were the Bible studies - I thought that they were so profound, and easy to relate to. I thought that the way the short questions after each study were worded were also very insightful, and allows the reader to really do an honest evaluation of their situation, and spiritual standing.

I think this book would be very helpful for those who are trying to recover from an addiction, or for the family members of addicts. I believe that either group of people would truly benefit from this book, and gaining a better understanding of recovery, and supporting those loved ones who are struggling.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

How to Be A Child of God

"How to Be A Child of God" is a short book written by David Howell. What I liked about this book is that it is the perfect introduction to what it is to be a Christian. This book is written is a series of pictures and short explanations, almost like you are reading a comic book. The illustrations are wonderful, and Howell keeps the narrative simple, and easy to understand. This book centers on God's sacrifice to send his son to die for our sins, but also discusses Christian fundamentals, like eternal life, the first sin of Adam and Eve, and what is means to be reborn. This would be a wonderful gift for a new Christian, or someone who wants to know more about being a Christian. I think this would also be appropriate for middle school aged children, as a way to explain to them what it means to be a child of God. Wonderful resource - highly recommend this.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from the BookCrash.com Blogging program, in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

KJV Bride's Bible

The KJV Bride's Bible would make a wonderful wedding or bridal shower gift for the bride to be. This Bible is a small KJV Bible, the perfect size for keeping in a purse or bag. This Bible does use the red lettering to distinguish direct quotes from Christ. This Bible also has a few pages at the beginning to record important details about your wedding day, which would make it a wonderful gift - wedding party information, wedding day information, and a couple of pages to which you could tape/glue photos from the big day. The back of the Bible offers maps, including: the World of the Patriarchs, The Exodus from Egypt, The Conquest of Canaan, The Twelve Tribes, David and Solomon's Jerusalem, Jerusalem in New Testament Times, The Holy Land in the Time of Jesus, Paul's First Missionary Journey and his Journey to Rome, and Paul's Second and Third missionary Journeys.This Bible also offers a 50 page index so that you can easily look up specific topics that you want to read more about. 

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

The Girl's Still God It

"The Girl's Still Got It" by Liz Curtiz Higgs is an awesome book that essentially dissects the Biblical book of Ruth. Liz goes verse by verse, through the book of Ruth, painting the picture of the story. Liz adds her own insights, details, and interesting facts to really draw the reader into the story of Ruth and Naomi. I found this book to be truly fascinating. The dynamic of Ruth and Naomi is one of the most interesting stories to me, and the way that Liz slows the story down, adds information, and Biblical wisdom to it makes this book ideal for any woman of faith. I would highly recommend this book. It also offers a study guide to help the reader follow even more closely. This would make a great gift for a girlfriend, mother, sister, etc. Great job, Liz!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BloggingforBooks.org, in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. All opinions contained in this review are my own.  

Tough Guys and Drama Queens

"Tough Guys and Drama Queens" by Mark Gregston is a book devoted to helping parents navigate the difficult teen years with their children. The book is divided up into three parts - one that discusses today's culture, on that discusses detrimental parenting practices, and parenting practices that really work. Each part has several chapters, that elaborate on the topics. What I liked about this book was the relevance to today's culture and society. I liked the book's focus on connections, trust, and independence and how to build those characteristics in our teens. I think that it is so important to raise young adults who are confident, and have good morals, and this book definitely gives a lot of helpful information in avoiding potential landmines in the teen years. I would recommend this book to anyone who has children headed to their teen years. I would give it a 5/5.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

John Locke : Philosopher of American Liberty

"John Locke: Philosopher of American Liberty" by Mary-Elaine Swanson is a biographical look at famed theologian, philosopher, and educator, John Locke. What I found to be really interesting about this book is the sheer amount of impact that John Locke had on the founding principles of the United States of America. You hear so much about founding fathers, but to see one of the figures that really molded their ideals was really fascinating. This book is a biography of John Locke, from birth onward. This book is quite long, nearly 400 pages of reading, but it is genuinely interesting. I would say that this book is a wonderful addition to the bookshelf of history lovers. I would give this book a 5/5 - well written, interesting, and historically accurate. Great read!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookCrash.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Jackson

Paul Vickery's "Jackson: The Iron-Willed Commander" is one book in the series of "The Generals". After reading the book on General Grant, I had really high expectations for "Jackson", and this book did not disappoint. I wasn't sure that the "Jackson" book would have the same type of whole life story as "Grant", but as soon as I opened up the book, I knew I was in for a treat. This book traces the entire life story of Andrew Jackson, from childhood in South Carolina, through his Presidency of the United States, and the legacy he left behind. What is interesting is that even though each of the books in this series have different authors, they all tell an interesting and thoughtful story of the life and career of each person they profile. "Jackson" includes so many interesting facts about the man who is known as a great military leader, and President, like that he chose to begin studying law at age 17! I loved this book, and will definitely recommend it to anyone who loves history. Great read!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Implosion

"Implosion: Can America Recover from its Economis & Spiritual Challenges in Time?" is the latest book by Joel C. Rosenberg (author of "Epicenter"), that attempts to answer the question of whether American can recover from the economic and spiritual downward spiral it currently faces. What I liked about this book is that it not only draws on historic references, but it uses those references and connects them to Biblical reference and prophecy to draw the whole picture of what has happened in America, and how the future could play out if things do not change drastically in the near future. The book discusses topics like whether there could be a Third Great Awakening on the horizon in America, and whether or not American could once again be the city on a hill. This book also discusses the possibility of the Biblical Rapture as a possible ending to the economic and spiritual turmoil that has overtaken our land. I thought this book was very thought provoking, and I really liked that it was so well researched - the historical facts check out, and Rosenberg uses direct quotes from Scripture in his Biblical references. I think this book is a great read for anyone who is concerned about the direction that America is headed. I would highly recommend this book - I would give it a 5/5!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

To Heaven and Back

"To Heaven and Back" by Mary C. Neal is an absolutely fascinating book about life, death, and eternal life. Mary Neal wrote this book as a sort of autobiography of her amazing experience when she died in a tragic kayaking accident. After she technically died, she describes her interaction with angels and in Heaven before she is returned to her Earthly home. I thought that this book was written beautifully - Mary tells the honest story of her life, the accident, her experiences as her spirit left her body, and her life after she was sent back to her life. What I found most interesting was her descriptions of Heaven, and her memories of that experience. She describes the great hall she saw with such beauty and energy, and then she felt such great sadness at having to be returned to her body because her time on Earth was not yet over. I thought this book was interesting, and I really enjoyed it, from cover to cover. It is very well written, and I would recommend this to anyone - man, woman, student, Christian, non-Christian.. I believe that anyone could benefit from Mary's story. I would give this book a 5/5!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Water Brook Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Grant

"Grant" by Mitchell Yockelson is one of the books in "The Generals" series. This particular book follows the life of Ulysses S. Grant, and it absolutely fascinating. This book begins with his early years, showing us what a young Ulysses would have looked like. The book follows Grant through his training at West Point, as well as the earlier years of his career. The book chronicles Grant's battles of the Civil War in a way that makes you feel as if you are watching it happen. From Belmont to Shiloh, to Vicksburg we see Ulysses S. Grant forge ahead in battle. What I really loved about this book was that it gives insight into the life of one of the most famous generals, and this book really gives him more of a human element, rather than thinking of him solely as a soldier. I thought this book was very interesting, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in history - great writing coupled with a very interesting man.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

The Book of Common Sense for a Successful Life

"The Book of Common Sense for a Successful Life" by D.L. Dennis is a book that focuses on ways to live a successful life. Many of the points that are raised in this book are more common sense than anything, like having six months worth of salary saved, be debt free, and know your net worth. This book primarily focuses on being financially successful, but does briefly touch on some social and spiritual angles as well. While the book was thoughtfully written, I felt like I really didn't get much out of it. As I mentioned, most of the advice and guidelines that Mr. Dennis presents in this book is common sense principles. There really wasn't any new earth shattering advice in "The Book of Common Sense for a Successful Life". I would give this book a 3/5 - well written, but mostly recycled information that I've heard many times in other places.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookCrash.com in exchange for an honest review.

Holiday Inn Express - Greenfield, IN

Over the weekend, my family and I rented a room at the brand new Holiday Inn Express in Greenfield, Indiana, and I thought I would post a quick review, to help any other weary travelers!

First off, the hotel is new, and I mean it's brand new - it even still smells new. We had a King Suite, and were very happy with the accommodations. The King Suite had a small bar area, with coffee maker, sink, mini fridge, and microwave, as well as a few small cabinets (upper and lower) for those staying for a few days, or traveling with children and snacks! The king bed had a firm mattress, and was very comfortable! Blankets and sheets were soft, and very comparable to the ones I have seen at Hampton Inn hotels. The King Suite also featured a couch that pulls out into a bed, which worked well for our four year old. Also, the room had a small table and two chairs, in addition to the desk and chair. Overall, plenty of space for a family - much more than what I actually expected!

The indoor heated pool is a figure "8" shape, and the room also features a small jacuzzi. Pool hours were from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., so plenty of time to enjoy it! The one thing I did notice was that the entry way into the pool was tiled, and got VERY slippery from people going in and out, so a little dangerous if, like me, you have little ones. The area around the actual pool is concrete, and much safer. It would have been much better if the whole thing was concrete!

The hotel offers free wi-fi to guests, but we had a very hard time accessing the internet, and only had one little line of signal on it. They mention in their guest book in the room and you can request an ethernet cord from the front desk, and plug into the internet, but when we asked for one, we were told they didn't have any. So I would recommend bringing along an ethernet cord if you plan on using it!

The hotel offers free breakfast to guests as well, and I have to say, it was delicious! Featuring a wide variety of breakfast items, there is something for everyone. Omelettes, sausage links, biscuits and gravy, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, apples, muffins, bagels were all available! And it was all delicious - if you stay here, definitely make a trip down to the breakfast area!

Overall, the hotel is really beautiful and gives a classy vibe. Rooms are modern, and roomy - perfect for the family traveling through the area or wanting to stay outside of the craziness of the downtown area. There are plenty off food and shopping options nearby, as well.

Overall, I would give this hotel a 7/10. There were only a few things I didn't like, which I mentioned. I think that most of the problems will probably be resolved as time goes on, and the hotel gets feedback from guests and staff. I would absolutely stay here again. We visit the area often, and usually stay at the Hampton Inn next door, but I think we will definitely be opting for the Holiday Inn Express from now on.

Fearless

Eric Blehm's newest book, "Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown" is essentially the story of Adam Brown's life. The title made me believe that perhaps the story would begin as Adam entered the military, or even after his advancement to SEAT Team SIX, but this story begins exactly where it should - at the very beginning of Adam's life. This man lead such an amazing life that it would have been a disservice to him to start anywhere else for this book. From his early days through his last mission as a SEAL, Adam showed through his actions the man that he was. Deeply devoted, loving, kind, and charitable are just a few of the words that describe this American hero. Adam Brown was real, with baggage, like a past addiction, and through his love for his family, love for God, he overcame, and became exactly what he was destined to be. This book is a tribute to Adam's life, and I think it was written perfectly.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book from Water Brook Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review of this book.

The Coming Revolution

"The Coming Revolution" by Dr. Richard G. Lee (author of "In God We Still Trust") is a book that makes the case that America is on the verge of a second revolution, and how following our faith can help bring about this revolution. "The Coming Revolution" begins with a crash course in early American history, detailing the events leading up to the American Revolution, and what our founding fathers believed in when they began building the foundation of the United States. The book draws comparison between the current atmosphere and disposition of citizens of our country and those of our ancestors. Drawing on topics such as faith and the American spirit, Dr. Lee makes the case for the need of a complete overhaul of the government of the United States, factually, and insightfully. Dr. Lee uses Biblical references and principles to show how items such as the dignity of human life, traditional monogamy, national work ethic, God-centered education, and our personal accountability to God have driven our country to the brink - away from God, and this creates the need for a "rebirth" in a sense.

I found this book to be very interesting, and while it does contain a lot of historical context, it wasn't overly complicated. It was easy to read, and easy to understand, which is why I would recommend this book to anyone who truly loves America, and wants to see our country change for the better. I would give this book a 5/5.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com's blogging for books program in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Asher of Bethlehem

"Asher of Bethlehem" by Howard Rodney Jones (illustrated by Paul C. Spoor) is a children's book that tells the story of the birth of Jesus through the personal account of Asher the orphan, and his best friend Medad, whose father owns the only inn in Bethlehem. Through Asher's eyes, we see the story of the nativity unfold. Asher, through a chance encouter, meets Joseph and his pregnant wife, and tries to help them find a place to stay in Bethlehem. The story continues through the birth of Jesus, visitation of the magi, and their departure for their homeland, rather than report to King Herod. Asher is the central figure of this story, and his story is woven so perfectly into the story of Jesus' birth, that it reads flawlessly. The story is engaging, with characters that are easy to fall in love with, and it truly makes you want to keep reading to find out what will happen to Asher next. This would be the perfect book for children ages 7 and up. It is a chapter book, and much longer than most younger children can manage.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookCrash.com's blogging for books program in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Your Heart's Desire

"Your Heart's Desire" by Sheri Rose Shepherd is an awesome book for women - single, married, widowed, or divorced. "Your Heart's Desire" is all about faith, love, and following the truth for any woman. So many times we feel disappointed in our current situation, and this book is truly an inspirational study in finding the love we so desire from our Heavenly Father. This book teaches us that rather than sulking in our current problem, we need to understand what it is that our hearts are desiring. Sheri Rose Shepherd discusses our desires, chapter by chapter, through topics such as "Desiring to leave a legacy for my loved ones", and "Desiring a happily ever after". Sheri Rose hits the nail on the head with her approach to the desires that a woman has, and she does a wonderful job of inspiring and educating on how these desires can be completely fulfilled if we continue to look to God for the answers, and for the help that we need to fulfill them. I thought this book was very insightful, and would highly recommend it.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Tyndale Publisher's blogging for books program in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

The Necessity of an Enemy

"The Necessity of an Enemy" by Ron Carpenter Jr. is a book devoted to discussing why we, as Christians, are tempted, attacked, and used by the enemy. In this book, Carpenter discusses how these enemies and obstacles can be used to fulfill our own calling and purpose for God. Carpenter makes the point that we need to understand why an enemy is necessary so that we can also recognize those situations and prepare ourselves to take on our enemy. 



The chapters are relatively short, so this could be a daily read in place of a devotional. It discusses such topics as weakness, the battle within, your potential, intimacy, and the weapons in our own arsenal. Carpenter uses a lot of Biblical reference in conjunction with personal stories to illustrate each chapter. He also includes on thought or principle in bold print that sums up the chapter and helps you to remember the basic points long after you have read them. 


What I enjoyed most about this book was that it was an honest book about something that many of us struggle with - why we are tempted, weak, attacked, etc. I think that this book offers up a lot of insight on how we can prepare ourselves, and protect our spirit from the enemy. I think it also shows us how God can use us in the midst of an unbearable situation for His purpose. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone - it is a book that can easily fit into any busy schedule, and can offer up so much wonderful insight for our daily lives. I loved it! 



FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Water Brook Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

All-Pro Dad

"All-Pro Dad" by Mark Merrill is the perfect book for dads. This book has 8 chapters, each one based on a different fundamental concept of being a man and a father. Each chapter title is written in the form of a question, and includes concepts such as: What Should I Model to My Children? How Can I Better Love My Family? What's My Purpose? 

"All-Pro Dad" is full of insightful wisdoms for men - turning the societal ideal of manhood on its ear. Mark Merrill uses a compilation of stories, insights, and observations in building the groundwork for being a successful father to your children. Each chapter has a short series of steps that help illustrate the values and how to implement them into a daily life. Also, each chapter ends with a "Huddle Up and Ask Your Child" section, that encourages you to find out how your children see you through a series of questions. This also allows you to interact with your children and understand their perceptions. 


This book would be a wonderful tool for any father - and would make an awesome Father's Day gift! I think that there is so much great wisdom and insight in these 200 pages - it is almost certain that it will really make you see fatherhood in a completely different light. I would give this book a 5/5, without a doubt. Wonderfully written, concise, and so insightful. Perfect!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

Snuggles' Japanese Alps Adventures

"Snuggles' Japanese Alps Adventures" by Tim Ostermeyer is a children's book about an adorable little Japanese snow monkey named Snuggles. The book uses amazing pictures the chronicle the life of Snuggles, from a newborn through his family's journey to the hot springs for his first winter. 

What I liked about this book is that the photos were absolutely stunning. The crisp, vivid photographs of Snuggles and his family are captivating, and draw a child into the story. The storyline of this book is also fun for children, following Snuggles as he and his family travel up mountains and through the river to reach the hot springs. Ostermeyer frequently pairs relative bible verses with the action in the story to reinforce Biblical wisdoms in a fun way. 

What I didn't like so much about this book was that some parts were slightly complicated for a young child. Toward the end of the book Snuggles asks his mom is man came from monkeys, and the brief discussion of the various evolution theories and their flawed arguments are much more complicated than a young child can understand and process easily.  

I also liked that this book briefly discussed the PITCH method of praying, but I do wish that there had been a little more explanation of it for younger children, as well. An explanation of each part of the PITCH method, with more details, would have been great, so that young children can really grasp the concept. 

Overall I would give this book a 3.5 / 5; The photography and story of the Japanese snow monkeys is great, but when it changes gears to more complicated issues, they could have been broken down further to be more age appropriate.



FTC DISCLOSURES: I received this book for free from BookCrash.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

A Garden of Love

"A Garden of Love" by Thomas B. Clarke is part picture book, part plant and flower description, and part Bible verse. At first, you wouldn't expect these three parts to form a coherent book, but somehow it works for this book. In these pages, Clarke ties in beautiful pictures of flowers, and connects each with a different Biblical principle. He gives us a description of the flowers that makes you feel like you are standing in a meadow, looking at them firsthand. He connects the flowers with principles such as obedience, love, joy, patience, and kindness. This is also connected with specific Bible verses to reinforce that particular principle. I found this to be such a unique way to present Biblical wisdom, and really enjoyed it. The book is larger than a typical paperback, and each flower has about two pages dedicated to it, which would make this easy to read as a devotional, as well. This would make a wonderful Mother's Day gift, in my opinion. I really enjoyed it, and would recommend it.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookCrash.com, in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Being Kind & Caring (DVD)

"Being Kind & Caring" is one of many in the Paws & Tales series of animated stories for children. "Being Kind & Caring" has two separate stories - "The Hullabaloo at Hunker Hill" and “The Great Go-Kart Race". What I really appreciated about this particular DVD is that each story offers up important Biblical truths, such as kindness, caring, and forgiveness. The characters are adorable, and inviting, and my daughter easily got into the story. There is also upbeat, fun music that goes along with the story, which my daughter really enjoyed. As a bonus, the DVD can also be inserted into the computer, and contains bonus material you can print for your children. I like that this is something my child can enjoy, but I love the wisdom and truth that it is teaching her as she has fun watching it. This is a great DVD, and I would highly recommend it to parents who want more out of children's programs.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of this DVD for free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

God Gave Us You

"God Gave Us You' by Lisa Tawn Bergren is an adorable children's story about a polar bear family - Mama, Papa, and Baby. In this book, Mama answers the question of where baby polar bear came from. This is a cute book, because it explains how children are a gift from God, when kids inevitably ask, "Where did I come from?" Mama polar bear talks about how baby polar bear grew inside of her, and how happy both Mama and Papa were, how Mama visited the doctor so they could check up on their baby, and finally how they raced to the hospital when baby polar bear was ready to be born. Mama reinforces how special baby polar bear is on nearly every page, by telling him that "God gave us you". Adorable book - my three year old loves it! I would highly recommend it to anyone with young children. I also really liked that it was a board book, so safe for very young children to have. The illustrations are vivid, and beautiful, as well. All around I would give this book a 5/5! Loved it!


FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Water Brook Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

The Beauty Book

"The Beauty Book" by Nancy Rue is a wonderful resource for young girls. The book itself is jam packed with beauty tips like polishing nails, caring for hair, makeup tricks, and skin care, which is great for a teenage (or tween) girl. What I really liked about this book is that each chapter discusses a different topic of "beauty", and starts out with a Bible verse about beauty from God's view. This book gently reinforces Biblical views, such as treating our bodies like a temple, not getting tattoos, and understanding that every single girl is beautiful in their own special way. This book acts as a confidence builder, helping girls to feel comfortable in their own skin through an understanding of their beauty to God. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a young girl in their home. It's so important for young girls to understand their value, and for us as adults to help them feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. This is truly a great addition to the bookshelf of any teenager (or tweenager).

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Tommy Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

Man Alive

"Man Alive" by Patrick Morley is a book primarily for men, that discusses the 7 primal needs of men, and how those needs can drive you to have a stronger and more powerful spiritual life. This book is broken up into relatively short, easy to read chapters, with each chapter discussing one of seven primal needs that men face. Each chapter has Bible stories as well as personal stories that illustrate the main theme of the chapter. Morely also includes a summation and explanation of how to make those needs bring you closer in your Spiritual walk. Included at the end of each chapter is a set of questions meant to reinforce the chapter's reading, relevant to your own life and personal situation. I thought this book was great, as it was geared for men. I would definitely buy this for the special man in your life - it would make a great Father's Day gift!
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of this book for free from Water Brook Publishing in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

As One Devil To Another

"As One Devil To Another" by Richard Platt is one of the most interesting books I have read recently. This book tells the story of two devils - Scardagger, who is a new Cadet, and his mentor and uncle, Slashreap. The book is written in a series of letters from Scardagger to Slashreap, directing him in the ways to corrupt and manipulate people. We only see the letters to Slashreap, but can easily infer what Slashreap's letters said based on the responses that Scardagger gives in his. "As One Devil To Another" is interesting as it discusses the ways in which these devils work at separating us from God. It's almost a playbook for the ways that these devils work. This book is written in the same style as classical literature, which does make it slightly harder to read if you aren't used to that particular style, but I really loved it. I think this book was clever, insightful, and original.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

All Things Are Ready

"All Things Are Ready: A Bride's Complete Christian Wedding Planner" by Amy Hayes is a great tool to help Christian couples in the planning of their wedding. This planner comes in a large binder with full size pages, organized with tabs to separate the various chapters. I liked that the book came in this format because it makes it easy to move pages around. I also liked that there were many pages where I could fill in my own information, such as the wedding party information, and master list. I liked that these were easy to remove from the planner in order to make copies of the information for the wedding party. This planner goes through every phase of the wedding preparation, from engagement through honeymoon, and I also enjoyed that there were tidbits of information scattered throughout this planner. This would make a great tool in organizing and planning any wedding. I absolutely love it, and would highly recommend it to any couple who are planning their own ceremony.

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookCrash.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

He Chose The Nails

"He Chose the Nails" is yet another home run by Max Lucado. What I absolutely love about Lucado is his ability to intertwine his own personal stories with absolute Biblical truth to make it feel so much more relevant. The stories of the Bible aren't just old, out of date stories - the way that Lucado ties together the principles of Bible stories to circumstances we can easily relate to add to every book that he pens. "He Chose the Nails" is no exception, written wonderfully, detailing God's sacrifice, love, and redemption, and God's promises. This book is well-written, relevant, easy to read, and Biblically referenced. "He Chose the Nails" is a great book, and details the events of the cross with the understanding that God sacrificed in order to win our hearts. I loved this book, and I am sure that you will too!

FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. The above is solely my opinion.

Simply Grilling by Jennifer Chandler

"Simply Grilling" is a great cookbook, filled with a wide variety of recipes that you can make on the grill. This book has the usual grilling favorites, like steak, chicken, pork, and lamb. It also boasts tons of yummy recipes that you wouldn't think can be made on the grill - desserts, salads, and appetizers! What I really loved about this cookbook is that each dish featured in the book has a photograph, so you can see what you are making. And I have to say that every single photograph of the various dishes look absolutely delicious. This is the perfect cookbook for the summer, entertaining guests, and barbecuing. I am so excited to add it to my collection! I'm sure I will be using it quite a bit! I would highly recommend this book!
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Farm Fresh Southern Cooking

"Farm Fresh Southern Cooking" by Tammy Algood is a awesome cookbook with tons of practical, fresh recipes for everyday cooking. All of the recipes in this cookbook are all based on southern cooking styles, featuring dishes such as tomatoes with cornbread stuffing, paprika cornbread, and dilled crawfish salad. All of the recipes in this book look and sound delicious. All of these recipes are relatively simple, using classic farm fresh ingredients. I am so excited to try some of these recipes! The book has appetizers, soups, salads, side dishes, entrees, desserts, and breakfast/brunch. The directions are easy to follow in the recipes, and it utilizes fresh foods. Yum!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from BookSneeze.com in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Spirit Wars

"Spirit Wars" by Kris Vallotton is the personal story of a pastor who had become a target for demonic torture, and his story of deliverance. Vallotton was essentially living his very own ghost story type of fear and torment from the spiritual realm, which severely impacted his ability to function in his daily life. He battled anxiety and fear on a day to day basis until God helped deliver him. Vallotton offers up some advice on how to be prepared for the spiritual battles, and understanding how these demonic forces attack us in our own lives. I thought this book was interesting, and I did like the premise of the book. I believe that there are dark forces at work in our lives, trying to pull us away from God and into the darkenss. Vallotton's story itself was so extreme that it was hard to process - it literally was like something you might see on television. But his story of deliverance is touching and he offers up some great personal advice for winning the spiritual battle. I would give this book a 3/5.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. The above opinions are entirely my own.

Angels Are For Real

"Angels Are For Real" by Judith MacNutt is a book all about angels. Judith uses Biblical text combined with personal accounts from a variety of people to make the case that angels really do exist, and come to us in a time of need. Not only is this book interesting, it is also educational - giving Bible based answers to some of the most common questions about angels. Judith discusses the different classifications of angels, how angels appear, and how they take an active role in our everyday lives. I loved the personal stories of others who have encountered angels in their lives, and really enjoyed this book. I also appreciated that Judith used Scriptural referenced to angels as a basis for this book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about angels. 



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. The above review is entirely my own opinion.

King Of Glory

"King of Glory" by PD Bramsen is a simplified and illustrated retelling of some of our most beloved Bible stories. The book is a mix of both Old and New Testament Bible stories, told in simple, easy to understand language suitable for most children or even young adults. I found this to be a great book! The stories range from God's creation of the world, through Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden, to Moses, Noah, Abraham, and into Jesus' ministry on Earth, and his ultimate death and resurrection. This book is true to Biblical scripture, and would be a great tool for children who are not yet ready for a real Bible, or as a partner resource with a Bible. I have a young child, and am thrilled to be able to add this book to her bookshelf. I think it will make a great tool for her for many years to come. The illustrations are beautiful, and relative to the story - and each story is only one page long, which makes it easy to turn this book into a devotional type of book, reading one story every night before bed. I absolutely love this book, and would absolutely recommend it to anyone with children.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free through BookCrash.com's blogging for books program, in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. The preceeding review is my opinion.

Eye Of The Storm

"Eye of the Storm" by Alexander Kumpf is a book about how to handle the disappointments of life. There are a lot of books out there right now that deal with this same topic, but "Eye of the Storm" is one of my favorites. Kumpf uses stories from his own life, references to Biblical truths, and Scripture to walk us through how we should handle the storms of our lives. From preparing for the storms, to faithfully waiting on God, to the power of God's word, Kumpf writes clearly and plainly about managing our own pain and hurt in our life. I really thought that this book offered something that anyone could benefit from. I would highly recommend this book to anyone - everyone has been through hard times, and it would be easy for anyone to relate to.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

1000 Days

"1000 Days" by Jonathan Falwell is a book that follows Jesus in the last three years of his life, through his ministry. Falwell takes Biblical text and allows us a more in depth examination of some of the most important days of Jesus' ministry on Earth. Falwell adds his own commentary and opinions, some of which were great additions to the text, and some of which weren't quite so useful. One of the most interesting parts of the book for me was the discussion about the Biblical text of Jesus' temptation by Satan, during his 40 days of fasting. I thought that this book was well written, and Falwell makes some great points and observations about important Biblical events. There were a few topics that were thrown into the book that I didn't feel like they really went with the theme, such as the idea of temporary Heaven and Hell. Overall, a good read, though, and I would give it a 3/5.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their BookSneeze program in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

The Creation (Children's)

"The Creation" by Janice D. Green is a simplistic, kid-friendly retelling of the Biblical story of the Creation. The book goes through the seven days of the story of Creation, in simple words, explaining how God created the world, and everything in it, and how He rested on the seventh day. The book also tells the story of Adam and Eve, and their exile from the Garden of Eden. Each page of this book has prompts for parents, with questions such as, "Why do you think God made so many animals?" or "What happens when you plant a seed?" to help open up a conversation about the stories. The illustrations are simplistic, but correlate well with the message of each day of Creation. I would highly recommend this book to parents (or grandparents) of young children, ages one through six. This book is an easy read for parents, and easy to understand for children. I loved it, and so did my three year old daughter!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free through BookCrash.com's blogging program, in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review of this book.

When The Hurt Runs Deep

"When the Hurt Runs Deep" by Kay Arthur is a book about managing the disappointments of life. I was actually really looking forward to reading this book, as I have previously enjoyed her book, "As Silver Refined". Kay has such a way of relating to the reader, and giving such great Biblical advice. "When the Hurt Runs Deep" focuses on getting through the hard times in life, even as we wonder why God is putting us through this, or if God even cares. It is so important to have faith that God is there, even in these hard times, and Kay gives great personal stories as well as Biblical events that show that just because we are hurting or suffering, God has not betrayed us. I think that this book is wonderful. I love that Kay has such a gift for understanding the pain of others, and wanting to encourage them. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with painful situations in their life - this book is enlightening, inspiring, and encouraging. Wonderfully written!

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Water Brook Publishing through their Blogging for Books program, in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Great Day Every Day

"Great Day Every Day" by Max Lucado is the perfect antidote for those days when you feel like you should have stayed in bed. We all have days where it feels like the world, and sometimes even God, is against us. Max Lucado gives inspiration in the midst of those days in his book, "Great Day Every Day". The main premise for this book is learning to rejoice in the midst of our toughest days, with an understanding of God's grace and presence. Whether we are bitter, angry, afraid, exhausted, or grieving, Lucado compiles sound Biblical widsom to inspire. I really liked this book - it is the perfect book to remind us that in our daily lives, from the mundane to the miraculous God's presence is still with us. As Lucado points out, yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not here yet. All we have is today, and with God we can rejoice in the day, no matter what personal obstacles we face. Great book, would highly recommend it to anyone who can use a pick me up. 



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze program in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

God Loves Broken People

"God Loves Broken People" by Sheila Walsh is a book that focuses on how we can turn our own brokenness into a closer walk with God. I liked the premise of the book, after all, nearly everyone has felt some sort of heartache. The topic of the book was easy to relate to - hurt, disappointment, anger.. We have all felt those things. However, I felt like Walsh's chapters in this book dragged on and on, without offering up much in the way of useful Bible based advice. I felt like this book was mostly a book of personal stories, rather than an inspirational and encouraging read. I would give this book a 2/5, as it just did not live up to the expectations that I had when I opened it up. 


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

"The Scent of Cherry Blossoms" is a novel by Cindy Woodsmall that centers around a forbidden love. A Mennonite girl, Annie, and an Amish man, Aden, whose vows to their respective churches prohibit them from being together, must decide if their love is worth breaking the rules. Woodsmall weaves some of the beliefs of the Amish into this story, which make it a little bit easier to understand the church and their ways. I thought this story was well written, but just had a hard time really getting into the story itself. Things seemed to fall into place just a little too easily, and it seemed a little bit unrealistic, honestly. I liked Woodsmall's style of writing, though, and would definitely try another book by her in the future. I would give this book a 3/5. 


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Water Brook Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Our Favorite Sins

Todd D. Hunter's book, "Our Favorite Sins" is a book that can truly speak to anyone who picks it up. Hunter tackles the topic of temptation and sin with an honest tone, and practical, Bible based solutions to dealing with them. Hunter recognizes that not everyone sins in the same way - we all struggle with different temptations, from lust to anger, to selfishness. The main struggle is our will versus our desire, and Hunter offers real advice on how to face our temptation and walk away victorious. Hunter pursues such practices are pursuing good, practicing seeking the kingdom of God, and aligning ourselves with God. I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in a closer walk with God through aligning themselves with God's will. 





FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to give a positive review. 

The Founders' Key

"The Founders' Key' by Larry P. Arnin is a book about the two most important documents in American history - the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Arnin makes the case for that these two documents have been "divorced" over the years, with Americans, historians, and even politicians picking and choosing which values are relevant and discarding those that they believed to be outdated or out of line with their own personal mantra. This book gives a short crash course on both the Declaration and the Constitution, which makes it easy to follow and understand even if you aren't a history buff. Arnin makes a good argument for uniting these two documents as one whole document, thereby ensuring entire freedoms for all. I thought this book was good, and made some very valid points. I would recommend this to anyone who has any interest in history or politics. I would give it a 4/5.

FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the BookSneeze program from Thomas Nelson publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

From Blah to Awe

"From Blah to Awe" is a book designed for teenage girls in an attempt to help them seek out a stronger relationship with God. I would say that this book would be appropriate for high school aged girls, or older, because there are brief mentions of women who had turned to prostitution etc. In this book, Jenna Lucado Bishop, intertwines stories of young women of faith, bible verses, and commentary to help young women discover their own faith. I thought some of the stories of other young women in this book were inspirational, but I really didn't like the overall layout of the book. This could have been broken down into small devotionals or smaller chapters. To me, the book just felt a little choppy, and some things felt out of place. The bible verses were a wonderful addition as a tie in the Scripture for young women. Some of the commentary was a little bit redundant and long, as well. I would give this 3/5. 



FTC DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze program. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

Alienation

Gadgets, gizmos, and aliens - oh my! Alienation by Jon S. Lewis is the next book in the CHAOS series, and we follow Colt McAlister as he starts out on his journey through the CHAOS Academy. Through this book, we really see Colt's character be defined by the choices he makes, and actions he takes. I think that this book was a great science fiction style book - would be a great addition to any teenager's bedside table. This book packed action, adventure, and a little mystery into the mere 274 pages! I think that Lewis did a wonderful job of really developing the storyline for Colt and the CHAOS Academy in this book, and we really start to get a sense of really knowing the characters so well. There are a lot of new gadgets and gizmos introduced in this book, enough to make the techie in your life entirely content. I would give this book 5/5, as it was very well written, and completely captivating. Once you start reading, you won't want to put it down until the last page!

FTC DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze program. I was not obligated to write a positive review.