Young Women of Faith Bible (NIV)

I recently had the opportunity to receive the Young Women of Faith Bible for review.  The first thing I have to say is that I wish this Bible were in the New Living Translation (NLT) instead of NIV.  With that said, that is the only "negative" I could find about this Bible. 

First of all, I love the fun, colorful cover that makes you want to open up this Bible and find out what's inside.  Next, there are the pink butterflies, flowers, and hearts that really appeal to young ladies.  Each book begins with an easy-to-read synopsis, and there are a lot of great side notes to help explain some of the more difficult areas.  On top of that, there are "Memory Challenges" that encourage memorizing God's Word.

Some may find all of the girly things about this Bible to be unnecessary... and it may just well be.  But if the "girliness" of this Bible causes just one girl to fall in love with reading it, I'd say it was worth far more than the price paid.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Get Your Teenager Talking by Jonathan McKee

"Get Your Teenager Talking" by Jonathan McKee is a great book to have...  and use... no matter what your relationship with your teen.

When I first received this book from Bethany House Publishers, my daughter, whom we homeschool, saw this book and began to laugh!  Her immediate thoughts were, "Like that's a huge problem... not!"  But after I read a couple of the "springboard" questions to her, we were both hooked.  Even though we have a great relationship and talk to each other a lot, there are ideas for conversations that my hubby and I may not have thought of without this book as a resource. Some of the topics are fun and just a way to get to know each other better, some gritty.

I would recommend this book to any parent.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Blood Moons Rising by Mark Hitchcock

"Blood Moons Rising" by Mark Hitchcock is an interesting look at the meaning of the four "blood moons" occurring in 2014-15 and the historical significance of those events happening during major Jewish holidays.  The author believes that these events are significant and point to the end times.

This was an intriguing book.  I appreciated that the author is clear that he is not making a claim about when he believes the end times will take place, but believes that God uses planets and stars to signal the coming of important events.  He also retells how these astrological events paralleled significant historical incidents.

I would recommend this book for anyone interested in current events, history, or the study of the end times. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Table by the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge

Heirloom recipes, family secrets…and a chance for love.  How could this book go wrong?

It didn't.

It has been such a long time since I picked up a fictional book that I couldn't put down.  If you love to cook and love to read, my guess is you will enjoy the story of Juliette, her large and opinionated Italian/French family, Neil, and the interesting little side-story of Juliette's Grand-mere.  

Set in Portland, Oregon, Juliette continues her family's restaurant legacy by opening a new restaurant with her brother Nico.  While planning the new eatery, Juliette meets Neil from Tennessee via an online dating service.  The drama of a long-distance relationship threatens to split up this perfect pair, but a trip to France to visit her great aunt makes Juliette realize what her dreams truly are.

Loved how each chapter started with a "food" quote and recipe.  Can't wait to try them!

• Author's Website
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• Author Bio

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Multnomah Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Between Heaven & Earth by Steve Berger

Sometimes it is hard to remember that as followers of Jesus, earth is not our home and we wonder what heaven will be like.  Steve Berger answers many of those questions about our heavenly home in his new book, "Between Heaven and Earth".

Pastor Berger's teenage son was killed in a one-car accident.  That incident made the author question what heaven was really all about and what his son was experiencing there.

This book reminds us that heaven is a glorious place... perfect... filled with joy.  There is no sadness, want, or even boredom there.  But the book also warns that heaven isn't inevitable for everyone, and that each of us must believe and accept Jesus as our Savior.  We can't get there because we are a "good" person and have done a bunch of good stuff during our lives.  (Bunny trail: I heard Chuck Swindoll once say that if you believe that you earn heaven by your deeds, when will you know that you've done enough?)

I appreciated that Pastor Berger even wrote a little about pets in heaven.  He has a perspective different from what I was taught and I hope he's right.

I for one am looking forward to finding out for myself.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a free copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.