Hiding God's Word in your heart

God's promises from Scripture is about all you have to hold onto some days and it is never too early to begin building that toolbox of precious words to pull from.  100 Favorite Bible Verse for Children is an excellent tool to use with your children as soon as they are old enough to have any understanding.  Personally, I would begin using this resource by age one and continue through age seven or eight.  Each page contains a devotional perfectly themed for issues and concerns every single child faces such as temptation, a good attitude, contentment, and faith to name a few.  Also included with each devotional is a one or two sentence prayer you can say with or for your child.  The authors also included each verse in what I will assume the easiest to understand version so there are five different Bible versions represented throughout the book.

Probably my favorite part of the book are the whimsical illustrations.  It seems that just about every animal on the ark is represented throughout the book and each of them have such sweet faces, even some of the more frightening such as the alligator and leopard.  I do believe this book to be a welcome addition to any child's library and will be a favorite to have read to them right before bed.  What better way to end your child's day than to read and memorize a brief scripture together that will keep them throughout the night and be a reminder of God's love and faithfulness when they wake?

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one.  It will make an excellent baby shower or first birthday gift.
God's

Took awhile

Three characters are quickly introduced in Elizabeth Camden's new novel, A Dangerous Legacy.  Lucy Drake is an operator at the Associated Press and her brother, Nick, has a soft place in his heart for the poor of New York who aren't able to have access to running water so installs equipment to allow that access.  That doesn't seem to be a problem except for the fact that a lawsuit has been hanging over them most of their lives connected that equipment. 


England born and bred, Colin Beckwith works in the same building as Lucy only with a competitor, Reuters.  When Lucy learns of an "secret" that could potentially ruin Colin, the two begin to work together to help and protect each other.  Unknown to each is the problems that arise could prove more dangerous than either bargained for.


I must admit this title was a bit harder for me to get into.  I don't know if it was the time period of the early 1900s or how I felt that I had to quickly dive into the characters.   They were all well developed but I almost felt as if I had been dropped in the middle of a series and should already know them without having the benefit of reading the prequel.   However, that wasn't the case as it looks to be the first as a novel centering around Nick is next on the list of releases for Camden.

I enjoyed expanding my historical fiction reading into the 20th century.  Camden is a new author for me but one I will be keeping my eye out for with her upcoming novels.  I enjoyed her writing style and her attention to historic detail.   This particular novel had some romance, suspense, humor, and ended up being more of a page turner than I expected when I first began.  Thank you Bethany House for the opportunity to review A Dangerous Legacy.  I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one. 

Journal through the years

I have never been one to keep much of a journal but this one I feel could be a success story because the journaling each day would take only about three or four minutes.  Each day of the year is given a page with a short question/prompt and lines to fill.  What is unique about this particular journal is that each year only receives about 4 lines to fill and who can't do that?    For example, every year for the next five,  on Christmas you will answer "what happened today that you want to remember?" Respond to questions such as "What has someone said to you that inspired you?" or "How have you experienced God's providence?" or "What is something you are thankful for that you take for granted?"  I love how you can look back over the years and either see how your responses remain very similar or change over time.  What better way to see God's provision and presence in your life?

I like how the volume is hard bound and has a ribbon bookmark to allow the one journaling to easily find their place and it is sturdy enough to last through the years.  Whether you are a person who already journals or someone, like me, who probably would benefit by getting in the habit, I highly recommend Waterbrook's new publication The Daily Question: My 5-year Spiritual Journal containing 365 questions, 5 years, and 1825 answers---well, almost.  Comically, there are five spaces for February 29 and my calendar only has that date every four years.

I did receive this book free form the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one.  This small 4x6 book would make a great stocking stuffer this Christmas.

Heartwarming Christmas story

Just south of Nashville, in Franklin, TN, just after the Battle of Chickamauga, two people have lost so much that hope may be the next thing they lose.  Aletta Prescott is recently widowed, has a young son and is pregnant.  The bank is threatening foreclosure and finding a job to support her small family proves difficult in these times.  Jake Winston was wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga and the wound has affected his eyesight so returning to battle isn't really an option.  When the two of them cross paths at Carnton Plantation, life takes a bit of a turn for them both.

While considered a Novella even at 240+ pages, Christmas at Carnton is the first installment of a three part series of books set in Franklin with the Carnton Plantation playing a backdrop.  Looking at the list of books written by Tamera Alexander, it would appear she focuses much of her writing in that area having a series set at Belmont and another at Belle Meade.  However, I was unfamiliar with any of them.

I originally chose this book because I love Christmas and historical fiction and I live less than three hours from the setting of the story.  I am not sorry that I did.  Alexander is easy to read yet grabs the reader in the first chapter.  Your heart can't help but go out to Aletta Prescott. I loved Alexander's wording, her characters have depth, and while somewhat predictable, there was enough twist in the story that I didn't want to put it down. I am also thinking Canton will be on my list to visit next time I am in the Nashville area.

Christmas at Carnton  is a beautiful story of faith, perseverance, and love.  Highly recommended for anyone who loves historical fiction set in the 19th c.  I did receive this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one.  Two thumbs up for Tamera Alexander's latest and I am making a request at the library to locate her other series.

Becoming the Proverbs 31 woman

Whenever given the opportunity to review a Liz Curtis Higgs book, I am in.  I first picked up a fiction title of hers years ago simply because she lives in Louisville, KY and had heard she had a good sense of humor.  While I didn't necessarily find the first book a one of humor (nor was it intended to be), Higgs' ability to engage me as a reader made her an author for me to remember.

How many of us have read Proverbs 31 and wondered how in the world any human woman could be all those things?  It was quite comforting when someone pointed out to me that she didn't display all those attributes in one day and most likely it would take a lifetime to allow God to mold me into anything close to a Proverbs 31 woman.  However, I was in for the journey and still feel so far from the finish line.

While Proverbs 31 is typically the part of the book we women look to for wisdom in becoming the wives God intends us to be,  Higgs has taken all of Proverbs and plucked nuggets of truth from the entire book.  Perfect for a devotional for a month as it is set up in thirty-one four to six pages chapters.  Each begins with a scripture verse followed by narrative from the author that doesn't fail to touch a chord.  Higgs closes each chapter with a suggested prayer to offer up to God related to the scripture and, something I love, a short practical application and encouragement.    While she intentionally published this book to be a one month study, I believe, for me, it will span months as I reread and commit those Proverbs to heart.

Liz Curtis Higgs has never disappointed and this volume is no exception.  Topics in 31 Proverbs to Light Your Path range from wisdom to contentment to submitting to God's will and ways just to name a few.  I am so looking forward to rereading this book in its entirety on a daily basis, allowing God to use His words through scripture and Higgs' words of wisdom she has gained from Him to transform this woman more to His likeness.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one.  Thank you Liz Curtis Higgs for allowing God to use you to minister through your writing and speaking.