Mama's prayer

Every Christian mother prays for her child before he/she is born and along every milestone from birth to first steps to when they go to school and beyond.  We even pray and love when our children are disobedient.  What a beautiful way to share with your child and remind them of your prayers through the story of Baby Bear and Mama Bear.  Each page contains beautifully created illustrations by Frank Endersby to enhance the words written by Ms. Fischer as Mama tells Baby Bear how and what she prayed for before he was born and through his childhood and even when he is grown.

I love this book!  The heavy board book format is perfect for little hands to grasp and turn the pages.  The watercolor illustrations are precious.  I think it is perfect gift to give to any new arrival or expecting Mom.  Very reasonably price as well. It beautifully shares with a child how much they are loved and cared for, a reminder every child needs daily whether born naturally to his or her mother or adopted into the family.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.  Two thumbs up toe Ms. Fisher and Mr. Endersby!

Destined to be a classic Bible story book

In modern day, is there anyone who has lived who is wiser than Billy Graham?  Not in my opinion.  Who better to teacher our children and our children's children about God's love? 

God's Good News Bible Storybook contains over 70 Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments perfect for a family devotion for those with children older than toddlers.  Each story is beautifully illustrated by Scott Wakefield and is 1 to 3 pages in length but what really makes this volume special is that some/many of the stories contain a special message and reminder from Dr. Graham.  Having turned 97 I believe this week, Dr. Grahams words of wisdom aren't published every year anymore.  I think this volume is destined to become one that lasts through the ages. 

All of the old favorites are included but this book also has some of the less familiar Bible stories--The Tower of Babel, Gideon, Josiah, Saul, Lydia, and Paul's letters from prison.  Few volumes go past Jesus' resurrection so I give two thumbs up to Dr. Graham for going past the book of Acts in the New Testament stories.

If I had to say anything negative about the book, I think it might have to be just a few of the illustrations but that is searching hard.  It isn't that there is anything at all wrong with the portrayal, I simply think that some of them could limit the audience just a bit but they are perfect for pre-school and elementary age children.

The cover is quite sturdy and will last, with care, for generations to come. I certainly plan on it being around our family for that long.

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 Booklook Bloggers for publishing such wholesome materials and for the opportunity to review Billy Graham's latest work.

Rising Darkness

Typically, I hate going into a series without starting at the beginning. In fact, I would prefer  not to read series because you have to wait so long for the new one to be released.  However, this time I made an exception with Nancy Mehl's Rising Darkness, the third installation in the Finding Sanctuary Series.  Ms. Mehl's writings are new to me so I thought it a good opportunity to read a good mystery and I must admit wasn't disappointed.   Even though this is the third in the series, Ms. Mehl did a really nice job with a short prologue, filling the reader in on what was necessary to dive right in to Rising Darkness.

Sophie Wittenbauer is budding journalist trying to get her foot in the door as a crime reporter when she has the opportunity to help solve a murder/robbery case which took place years ago with the help of an inmate she knew years ago.  What she didn't expect was to be forced to face her past in a Mennonite community much like the one she grew up in with a face all too familiar which threatens to put her investigation at risk.  Can Sophie find the presumed dead suspect still alive before someone makes sure she doesn't?

I think I will have to go back and pick up books one and two from the series, Gathering Shadows and Deadly Echoes.  Ms.Mehl is excellent, weaving a story that makes you keep wanting more and creating characters you can easily relate to.  Two thumbs up!

I did receive this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Lessons from a treasured Christmas Carol

Is there anyone on earth who can't relate in some way to Ebenezer Scrooge in Dicken's Christmas Carol?  Each of us  have seen at least one of his blaring characteristics in ourselves whether it be his greed, his anger, or simply that life gets so all consuming that we forget what is truly important.  While I hope to never be visited by three ghosts, the story itself is a reminder of the preciousness of family and loved ones as well as taking time to enjoy life and give to others for the time here is short and the opportunity will be gone to do so.

Bob Welch in 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol has made it easy to see all the lessons one might take from the beloved story.  From a reminder that it isn't all about you to talking the talk is not enough to giving because you have been given to, this book provides excellent reminders at any time of year, not just the Christmas season.  I doubt Dickens himself even realized how powerful his words were and the many lessons we can take from the story.  Broken down into 52 short pieces makes it easy to read one a day.

I also own 52 Little Lessons from Les Miserables and I am surprised by how many hidden messages Mr. Welch has pulled from some of my favorites.  He pulls no punches and is straightforward in his words and has an uncanny knack of bringing the lessons home and touching my heart. For anyone who loves A Christmas Carol, I think this new addition to Welch's collection is a worthwhile gift.  My favorite man will be finding it in his stocking or perhaps the advent calendar leading up to Christmas?  From a teacher's standpoint, I would definitely use it to make my job easier in the classroom if teaching from Dicken's work. 

I did receive this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one. 

Pastry secrets of a NY baking legend

I suppose the title gives much of it away and should have clued me in that this book of recipes just might be over my head but I love baking so wanted to give it a try.  This volume is an education.  From baker's tools and secrets (very helpful and not all that well-known) to ingredient information and explanations to the history and preparation of the recipes, you will learn more about baking strudel, stollen, danishes, puff pastry, sweet breads and other delicious treats than you have ever known. 

The author(s) [whether it be Mr Greenstein or his children who published this volume in his memory) provides a number of variations you can mix and match with each basic dough for you to try and I very much enjoyed the personal touch he gave to each recipe, much of which was the family history.  Each recipe is clearly written and well explained and the only thing missing, in my opinion, are photos to tempt the baker.  The paper is just so-so for a cookbook.  It is very much a matte finish that will not take splatters or drops.   For the most part, ingredients are found in every basic pantry with a few exceptions so no need to run to the grocery and purchase an item that you may never use again.

I don't think this will be your every Saturday morning pastry book, at least not for me.  However, with the holidays approaching, the Cinnamon Buns, Cheese Strudel, Pastry Pillows with Berries 'n Cream, or Bear Claws would make a wonderful Thanksgiving or Christmas morning treat.  I think that they are all recipes that I, as an average baker, with some time and attention to the directions can easily master.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive one. 

Baked goodness

  Oh my!  Where is my kitchen and how quickly can I get there?  This book of delicious baked goods recipes exceeded my expectations.  So many cookbooks have recipes with ingredients that I simply don't keep in my pantry nor do I want to go out and purchase an item for a specific recipe that I may never make again nor have any other need for the leftover ingredient.  Such is not the case with this book.  Most items, but not all, can be found in my pantry 24/7 and they are all ingredients I am familiar with and can pronounce!  How refreshing!

Another thing that I like about this cookbook is that there are a number of "how to" hints such as melting chocolate, separating an egg, assembling and frosting a cake, making brown sugar at home, deal with sticky cookie dough, keep brown sugar soft......and the list goes on.  The only downfall I see in the how-to's is that there isn't a listing of them in the Table of Contents so it makes them more difficult to come back to but they are included in the index.  Lest you think from my list of how-to's that all the baked goods are desserts, think again.  Also included are breakfast baked good and savory baked good recipes along with the cookies, cakes, puddings, and fruit desserts.  Each recipe includes a photo of a goal for what your finished product should look like.  Also included in the back of the volume is a great listing of suggested recipes for occasions like when you want to ship the item, things that you can make ahead of time, items for the hot summer days, and suggestions for the fall when the weather is a bit crisp and you longs for things made with a fall harvest.

Like all recipe books, I wish this one was spiral bound so it would lay open on my kitchen counter when using it.  The pages are a matte finish as well so no wiping them off to look like new when you get something splattered on them.  Other than those two things, very little fault can be found with Food52 Baking:  60 Sensational Treats You Can Pull Off In a Snap.

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.

On This Foundation

As a small child, Nehemiah is present when a trusted acquaintance enters his home, killing his parents. Twenty-eight years later, he now serves as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes when Jerusalem's wall is destroyed, leaving the city and the temple unprotected, and he feels compelled to do something about it, making sure that they city and temple bore witness to the One true God.  When he left Susa, Nehemiah would never have dreamed of the challenges and opposition that awaited him.  Only through God's protection would he even live long enough to fulfill his mission, much less do so in only fifty-two days.  Will God answer his prayer and remember Nehemiah with favor?

If you have never read Lynn Austin, this series is an excellent place to start. I'm sorry that I have a bit of a hole in my reading of it, having read book one (Return to Me  and makes the  top of my sister's list of favorite books) and now book three but, while somewhat of a continuous story, I didn't feel that I was at a disadvantage having skipped book two (Keepers of the Covenant) in understanding the third.  However, finishing On This Foundation definitely makes me want to go back and pick up Keepers of the Covenant.

As always, Lynn Austin's writing is rich in history, well documented and does not stray from the Biblical account.  If you are looking for a quick, easy read, she probably isn't for you but there are few Christian fiction writers who write with so much "meat" and leave you with so much to think about.  I have never read any Lynn Austin novels that I didn't love and this one is no exception.  There probably is no better author of historical fiction.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to leave a positive one.