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Remembering Christmas – A Revell Blog Tour

Posted by html404 on November 19, 2011
in Books, Holidays

It is hard to believe we are nearly through the month of November. We have had a beautiful fall here in Chicagoland. Now the holidays are upon us. First Thanksgiving next week and then Christmas within a month. Our family loves the Christmas season and Christmas stories. Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh is one of those books that is all about family and what it means to be a part of one. It is a book to be read over and over again as a reminder of being a devoted son or daughter.

Remembering Christmas is not your typical, predictable romance. It does contain a few well placed twists and turns. What I liked about it is that a wealthy, successful, yet selfish son, Rick, comes back to his hometown during his mother’s time of need. He begrudgingly puts all his needs and wants on the back burner to be there for her. I admire his devotion to his mother.

I also liked that Rick’s trip home forced him to face his old hurts and repair broken relationships that should never have been broken in the first place. It is through the healing process he finds unexpected love and devotion of another kind.

This is a lovely story about relationships. Everyone could learn something from this book. It gets a two thumbs up from me!

“Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Christmas ~ Children’s Book Review

Posted by Professor on November 15, 2011
in Books, Family Stuff, Holidays, Seasonal Stuff

Click to see a larger image of The Berenstain Bears Get Ready for Christmas by Jan & Mike Berenstain

Mike and Jan Berenstain enlighten and inspire the holiday spirit in children with a fun Lift-the-Flap Cook from the Berenstain Bears Living Lights series that teaches readers the story of Christmas!

In this new book the Berenstain Bears arrive just in time for the holidays! The family finds fun and adventure as the bears attempt to assemble the family nativity scene.

The book is from Zonderkidz; a division of Zondervan…this publishing company inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. They are a leader in Christian children’s communications that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family to educators.

OUR REVIEW:

When I initially opened the package I thought…oh another Berenstain Bears book! We have so many of the beloved Berenstain Bears books that I thought it would be nice to add another to our library. I opened the book and found it was a Christmas book…but to my surprise it was not just any commercial Christmas book but a CHRISTIAN Christmas book…complete with nativity scene bile and the mention of Jesus. This was a treat because so many books have been commercialized to remove the true sprit of Christmas and are only about presents and Santa Clause. I was very happy to share this warm book with my children and inspire the true meaning of the holiday!

My children LOVED this book! My children are 7, 5, and 3 and they ALL were very excited about the book! The Lift-the-Flap feature was a hit with all of them…they all wanted to lift the flap as we read the story! My older daughter was even able to read the book to the younger ones … this was a plus! The children understood the themes in the book, which were important…they especially liked the bears putting out the nativity scene, as this is ne of our family traditions!

To find out more about the Berenstain Bears Christmas or other Zonderkids products please visit:

www.zonderkidz.com

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Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North “Poll”

Posted by Brande on November 14, 2011
in Baby Products, Books, Coupons, Education, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Kids Toys, SALES, Saving Money, Shopping

Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North “Poll!” You’ll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!

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The Christmas Shoppe – A Revell Blog Tour

Posted by html404 on November 12, 2011
in Books

Our family loves the Christmas season, which will be upon us in just a couple of weeks. Melody Carlson has written a timely novel, The Christmas Shoppe.

The bookworms on your gift list will enjoy this refreshing, heartwarming story with a sprinkle of romance. It is a light, easy read. Definitely a book to read to “get away from it all” if a vacation is not on the horizon.

If you believe in Christmas angels then this book is for you! Matilda is a character in The Christmas Shoppe. She is an eccentric woman with some very unselfish goals as she sowed seeds of love, healing and happiness out over the people living in the town of Parrish.

I loved the story’s message, which from my perspective seems three-fold:

1. Remember the true meaning of Christmas.
2. Don’t allow old wounds to ruin your present and future life.
3. Allow love to conquer all.

The Christmas Shoppe receives two thumbs up for me! I am even letting my daughters read this one! 🙂 Oh and I did not shed one tear…..amazing, I know!

“Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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The DMZ Book Review

Posted by html404 on September 30, 2011
in Books

DMZ is a suspenseful novel packed with action and romance. Julie Baker is a reporter whose parents had been missionaries in Colombia. Old hurts and terrors surge as she revisits the place of her birth… and her parents death. When Julie is abducted by guerrillas, there is no escape! Will anyone help her or will she end up dead like her parents? In the end she is left with more questions than answers.

This book is packed with surprises at every turn and the ending is amazing! I loved how the author wrote such a spell binding book! I couldn’t put it down! I really liked the entire plot and story. Even though this book was romantic and a tear jerker, it was still full of adventure. A really good book to say the least! 😉

This book get’s two thumbs up from me! You can find it on Amazon here.

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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Deeply Devoted – A Revell Blog Tour

Posted by html404 on September 29, 2011
in Books

Deeply Devoted by Maggie Brendan will resonate with those who have trust issues. I bawled my eyes out (no news there, I know!) in places as I felt the pain of Catharine’s past and her inability to fully trust in the present.

This book is set in the west during the era of mail order brides. I have always admired the strength and courage these women must have had to present themselves as brides to complete strangers. Catharine was no different.

I also admired the trust that Catharine and Peter had in God, as farmers, He was in control over whether their crops failed or made a profit for their livelihood. Farming is hard work as it is without considering the weather factor.

Maggie Brendan’s first book in her Blue Willow Brides series was a very enjoyable read for relaxation. It had all the good read qualities since it made me laugh, cry and feel the pain and hurt of the characters.

Two thumbs up from me!

“Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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A Lancaster County Christmas – Revell Blog Tour

Posted by html404 on September 24, 2011
in Books

As most of you know, the Amish lifestyle and community intrigue me. There is much to learn from them, imho (in my humble opinion). I love Suzanne Woods Fisher’s books. Not only are they entertaining but they appeal to the heart and A Lancaster County Christmas is no different.

Two young couples providentially meet just before Christmas. Outwardly their lives are world apart, but inwardly they have more in common than they would care to admit. During a “chance” snowstorm, these two couples have the opportunity to learn from each other – abandonment, grief, anger, bitterness, lack of trust and unhappiness rage through some troubled souls deep in Lancaster County.

I loved how Suzanne revealed the perception (or misconception) between the Amish and English. I loved the tenderness between the couples as they sorted through their difficult circumstances. What I enjoyed most was the portrayal of God’s love and adoption of us into HIS family in the relationship between Zach and the Riehls. What amazing love He has for us!

The anger Mattie and Jaime experienced in their relationship with God was something I could relate to as I, too, have faced difficult circumstances that made me blame God, rather than accepting them as a “gift” (or bump in the road of life). God’s love for us is all encompassing though and He never leaves us through those situations which test our faith. The friendship that blossomed between these two very different women was very endearing.

Misunderstandings and lack of trust are often hard to work through and this book shows us how two couples do just that during one of the most festive seasons of the year.

As usual, I cried in this book too. It was another heart warming story from Suzanne Woods Fisher!

Giveaway!

Enter 9/7-9/26!

Click the button above to go to the site hosting Suzanne’s giveaway. This giveaway ends on Monday, September 26, so enter now before it’s too late!

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Blue Skies Tomorrow

Posted by html404 on September 24, 2011
in Books

Since finishing at Mrs. A’s farm I have had to catch up on some reading….pretty quickly I might add!

Sarah Sundin has a way of making her “historical romance” novels more than just an ordinary romance. Blue Skies Tomorrow was a story of intrigue – I love the fighter pilot adventures! This book was not only about adventure and intrigue, it contained a message of hope, deliverance and healing as well.

Anyone in a”dating” relationship should read this story as it deals with the all important reminder of getting to know the person you are interested in really well before you head to the alter. Amid the reminder is the poignant struggle of how we can grow to show grace beyond our humanness…with God’s help, of course.

Blue Skies Tomorrow was an enjoyable break from the every day happenings of life, like watching a movie is for some people. Now, I need to get back to real life and all the other work waiting for me!

Thanks Sarah for sharing a novel that show not only the battle between nations but those of the human spirit as well.

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The Colonel’s Lady – A Revell Blog Tour

Posted by html404 on August 30, 2011
in Books

This summer I have not had much time for reading other than what I can do online, so it was a treat to participate in Revell’s Blog Tour of The Colonel’s Lady, even though I read the book quickly, I forgot to post my review! (The admission of a very worn out mama, who is juggling many balls right now…)

The Colonel’s Lady is a historical romance written by Laura Franz. It is set during the 1700’s on the Kentucky Frontier. Franz writes from a little different perspective than what most might consider normal in a “Christian” historical romance book.

I liked the perspective that she presented even though it meant revisiting some sad memories from my childhood. As much as alcohol is a part of our culture and society, I will never, ever consider it a part of my life. Thankfully, my husband is of the same mind.

Too many hurting people turn to alcohol to help them through hard times and this is the spin that Franz shares in The Colonel’s Lady. The soldiers during that time were dealing with many difficult situations, especially the higher ranking officers, therefore, some would turn to “the drink.”

Franz also delved where most Christian writers might dance around and that is the loneliness the soldiers experienced; and just how that loneliness was curbed – with loose women (or what would have been considered loose back then).

Let’s just say that when I read about the hardships of others, even those in a fictional work, it strikes a cord within me and makes me grateful that God spared me from such a life.

I really liked this book. It was entertaining and tickled all the right emotions, as a good book should. I liked the suspense, I liked the surprise element of discovering who was leaking information to the opposition.

Overall, I recommend this book. Great reading for this fall and winter!

Available August 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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Beneath the Night Tree

Posted by html404 on June 15, 2011
in Books

Ok, my last book review for the week, maybe even the summer….but that’s unlikely as I have some farming books to complete too.

Beneath the Night Tree was highly emotional, funny and poignant story of a single mother. If you know a teen who has had a child out of wedlock then you will sympathize with Julia DeSmit as she travels the road as a single parent. You will be gripped to your seat as her life is upset by the reappearance of her child’s dead beat dad.

Each of the characters in Beneath the Night Tree endeared themselves to me, all except one. I loved the mother-love Julia had for her two “boys”. The strength of Julia’s character is amazing with all the events she had to overcome. I loved the relationship she shared with her grandmother. She was a devoted granddaughter.

Julia was fortunate enough to finally find love with a man who not only accepted and loved her, but loved her two “boys” as his very own. I think it takes a special individual to welcome a child that is not their own into their hearts and to love that child as if he was his flesh and blood. Not everyone can do it and I admire those who can and do. Since I have a tender spot for teen moms, I was in tears during many parts of this book as Julia went through her soul searching adventure.

Two of my younger sisters were teen mothers, but only one of them stayed with the father of her children. The other is blessed to have found a man who is a true father to my nephew, who is going on 17 this year. His “dad” has been a father to him since he was at least 2 years old.

I highly recommend Beneath the Night Tree. It is an endearing story of one woman’s ability to overcome the past and move on with the future. I have already begun to read it over again and that is not something I do very often!

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product, compliments from Tyndale House Publishers, in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

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