Book Review: Jesus Calling for Little Ones

If you haven't heard of the devotional, Jesus Calling, it is one of my absolute favorites. Based on Scripture, it is often exactly what I need for the day. I was excited to see this little Jesus Calling for Little Ones! It is very sweet, encouraging, and comforting for little ones. Like the adult version, each page and the encouragement comes directly from the Bible and the verses are printed there as well. 

It is a cardboard book, which is perfect for my little one right now. She loves to look at the pages, especially the one with the little girl praying. She loves to say prayers and play with her doll. :) I can see us reading this even more in the future when the words have even more meaning for her. 

Thank you to BookLook blogger program for this review copy. My opinions are my own. 

Book Review: Where Trust Lies

Where Trust Lies is the second book in the Return to The Canadian West series. While this series is meant as a companion to the popular television series produced by Hallmark, I feel the book is excellent on it's own. (And for me, reading the book doesn't pose the disturbing issue of having to watch the characters in a historic setting sporting modern day hairstyles... does this not bother anyone else but me?? ahem. back to the book...)  In this story, Beth is headed back home to her family and on to a steamship cruise of the east coast. They make some friends on the trip but also meet some people of questionable character, leading one of their party into danger! (Ok... no more spoilers here... read it!) :)

Janette Oke, yes she's been writing a while. Yes, some people feel that her stories are a bit formulaic. BUT, I'm really not of that opinion. While she does tend to stick in the same genre, historical fiction, that also happens to be one of my favorite genres and I feel she does a great job! Some of my favorite, re-read/comfort books are Janette Oke. :) This book is a quick fun read and I love the cover art - it can really make or break a book in today's competitive market! :)

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This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review by Bethany House Publishers. Just an aside... I love their review program. It is very personal and they are quick to answer any questions! I also love the quality books put out by Bethany House... some publishers I've had issues with content, but not Bethany. Kudos to a publisher for upholding high standards!

A bit of news and a book review!!

I'll start out with the news... our family is sooo excited! We have a contract on a house! It is a beautiful house with lots of room for our family, for us to (once again... finally) be able to entertain guests, and with a backyard for our little girl to have room to run!! I'm eager for that closing date to get here, but I've been keeping very busy with packing! Can you believe it's been almost two years since we sold our last home? I'm sooo ready to be in a home again!! And we are thrilled to be able to move into the neighborhood that we have dreamed about for years! (it just feels like home!) :) Prayers are very much appreciated though... that all will go well and that the transition will be smooth. :) In the mean time, I have a cute little helper!!! :)

A second item of news, my friends Brittany and Jenny have started a great new blog: Chapel Cottage Chicks!!! I love they're vintage cottage style, and I am working on getting them to make a "house call" after we get settled a bit!! ;)

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And now for the book review: I saw this book and thought, what a fun book to review for the 4th! So what better time to (finally) get this review posted! ;) I grew up with the Berenstain Bears as I'm sure many of you did as well. Both Stan and Jan Berenstain have passed away, but their son Mike continues to write and illustrate new books. These new books, under the Living Light series, are based on Christian principles! (you can read a bit more in this article.) So now, these favorite bears aren't just cute stories, but they are helping kids learn about God!

God Bless Our Country is a very fun book that has a brief overview of our country's history. I love that the illustrations are in part bear versions of famous paintings from America's history (including Washington crossing the Delaware and the signers of the Declaration of Independence.) Is it a history book? no... but it is a fun introduction to our nation's beginning appropriate for young children.

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Thanks to BookLook for the review copy... my opinions are my own. :)

NOT a book review

Goodness... I just looked at my blog and realized like every post for the past almost six months has been a book review...  I really DO more than just read, but who has the time for blogging nowadays? Some do, I know! Just not me, evidently... But I shall try. If there's anyone out there that still reads this. :)

What have I been up to? my #1 job is this little (but growing fast) girl!

She's sooo much fun and learning so much! She loves her books, music, play phones and Baby Signing time. She loves people! So much fun to go to the store because she loves to say "HI!" to everyone we meet... several times! ;) How is it even possible that 17 months has passed already? She is an amazing girl! But yes.... she does keep me quite busy. If she is awake, she is moving. ;)

My second (naptime) job is my business! I love my work as a Lilla Rose Independent Consultant! Mostly I do what I can during naptimes (or occasionally after kiddo is in bed.) I don't have huge requirements to keep my consultant status and if I have a very busy time, my job will be right where I left it. And it's such an amazing product that it sells itself! I did my first vendor event last week with my mom and a young friend (she was our hair model!). We had a lot of fun and got to introduce Lilla Rose to our community. :)

A third thing that is happening is, quite frankly, something that ISN'T. We are still. in. our. apartment. sigh... We ARE very blessed! We live in an older, but VERY well maintained complex with an excellent staff! (Our little one loves going to the office to say hi! And they have known her since she was born!) ;) But apartment living is just that. Apartment living. We have neighbors above us with pets - very sweet neighbors - but it is still close quarters. We're not so much "looking" for a house as we are "waiting" for a house. We are ready in every way to buy our long term home, but our home has yet to open up. I know God is working things out in His perfect timing, but sometimes it's hard to wait - especially when you don't see anything happening... But we keep trusting and praying for His will for our little family.

Ah... what else? VBS planning, helping mom with her recital last week, gearing up to plan my sister's wedding... EEEK!!! my baby sister is engaged!!! So happy for her! ;) And many, other things that just keep happening. I reckon you'd just call it life! :) So yes... I do something besides read books...

Book Review: $10 Great Dates

Hubby and I are saving up for a house (and waiting for the right one to open..) ;) And with a little one, dates don't happen as frequently as they probably should, but when they do happen, they certainly aren't anything fancy. :) So $10 Great Dates by Mr. and Mrs. Larson and Mr. and Mrs. Arp really got my attention. The book is divided into sections by types of dates such as outdoor dates, adventure dates, and even seasonal dates. I love the imagination that the authors put into each date - they are things I wouldn't think of doing - lots of fun ideas! :) The have different sections for each date including tips for prep before hand, questions for during or after the date and a thought to focus on after the date. A fun resource for couples at any stage in life who want to light a fresh spark in their marriage.

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Thank you to Bethany House for the review copy. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: Words To Dream On

Somehow I have a renewed interest in children's Bible story books! :) When I saw the opportunity to review this one, it certainly sounded interesting! I have not been disappointed! I love the structure of the book. Each story has a Scripture verse as well as a bedtime prayer and a blessing. What a wonderful way to end the day with our little girl! The art work is beautiful, very colorful and pictures that a child will enjoy looking at.  I also love that it includes so many stories from the Bible. The last story is taken from 1 Thessalonians and mostly Revelation and talks about looking forward to Jesus's return and Heaven. Such an important part of God's book - the ending! :)


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I got this book in exchange for my honest review from the
BookLook review program. My opinions are my own. 

Book Review: The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers

What a fun little story Bible. We gave this to our little one for Valentine's Day. She liked it. The illustrations are very bright and colorful. Fun to look at! The stories are short, lots of detail left out. That bothered me a bit at first, but it IS a book for toddlers, so a lot of detail isn't necessary, and I know we will be getting more into detail as she grows older. I do love that in it's brevity, the book does have the story of Jesus's birth, death and resurrection - the main focus of the Bible. I also like that it is a board book, one I can let my 14 month old play with on her own.

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Book provided in exchange for review by BookLook. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: A Bride in Store

In "A Bride in Store," Eliza goes west to become a mail order bride. Her new life quickly off to a bad start when the train she is traveling on is robbed, she is injured and her dowry stolen. When she arrives in town, her groom isn't anywhere to be found. His business partner is, and allows her to work in their store. Eliza has a good mind for business and merchandising and quickly gets to work putting the store to rights. Unfortunately, when her groom finally shows up, he isn't the man she expected him to be.

This was a fun read, but didn't really grab me like some books do. The plot line did have some interesting twists and turns though. Would I recommend it? Of course! A fun read, interesting story and nothing objectionable. It's the author's second novel, it will be interesting to see what else she comes out with.

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Book provided in exchange for review by Bethany House publishers. My opinions are my own.

Book Review: The Secret of Pembrooke Park

After losing their wealth through poor investments, Abigail Foster's family is given the oppurtunity to live in at stately manor, the home of a distant relative. A home that was abandoned suddenly eighteen years before. Mystery surrounds the home and she isn't the only one searching for answers.

Intrigued? I was too! I love Julie Klassen's books. They do all need to come with a warning though... they are not easily put down! Unless, you're like me and you don't like reading suspenseful stuff at night, so you are worried about reading when you are the only one left awake... However, I needn't have worried. The suspense level is perfect. And like all her other books, once you start it, the story is stuck in your head... even when you're not reading.

I loved the characters in this novel! They aren't straightforward and expected. You might think you have someone figured out, but the character ends up being more complex or perhaps not as "evil" as you originally thought. The house itself is a "character" of sorts and well thought out. You'll feel like you've been there.

I loved the theme of friendship running through the book - enduring friendships past and the hope of future friendships. There is also the theme of righting the wrongs of the past, and the hope that we have in God to restore what has been broken by sin.

A couple of fun things to add to this review:
First my favorite quote that I put into a fun picture:

and a fun tour of the home that inspired the house in the story, done by the author, Julie Klassen.

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A big thank you to Bethany House Publishers for giving me this copy to review... my opinions are my own.

Book Review: Where Treetops Glisten

Wow! So I guess it's a little late for a Christmas book review, but I guess you can look forward to reading this book next year! :) I love having Christmas books to read at Christmastime. It seems very strange to me to read "normal" books at such a special season. A lot of times, I just find quick books to read, very light and fluffy. This year, I was very excited to have "Where Treetops Glisten" especially since one of the contributors is one of my favorite authors, Sarah Sundin!

The book is composed of three novellas each about a sibling in one family and spans most of World War II. This is such a spectacular period in our nations history and I love books set in this period, especially since my grandparents were teens/young adults in this time. My grandpa served in the Pacific in the Army Air Corps. The stories follow Abigail, Peter, and Meredith Turner as they do their part in helping the war effort. Abigail has no interest in romance after losing her boyfriend at Pearl Harbor. Pete is home from the war but suffering from the mental anguish caused by hard fighting. Merry is a nurse hoping to go to the warm Pacific, but ends up in cold Europe. Each of these siblings finds love in unexpected places.

I really enjoyed reading this book! I love the descriptions of the town (especially Glatz candy shop where Abigail worked!) I also loved that each of the stories are connected. The authors are established in their writing and know how to compose excellent stories. I really enjoyed reading this book through the Christmas season!

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This book was provided by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.