A Chance at Forever by Melissa Jagears

As part of the Teaville Moral Society series this book can stand-alone, yet there might be a few part of the story that would be more meaningful if the reader has read the other books in the series.  That being said, readers will enjoy this story of Aaron and Mercy.

I am glad that Melissa Jagears chose to write about a bully and one of those who was bullied by this person.  It is important to see bullying from both sides.  To see those hurt by the bully and how in many circumstances the bully is how they are because of their own hurts and trials.  This doesn't make the actions right but it does show that bullying needs to show care for both parties and both need help.

I love how the story includes a local orphanage.  While those are commonplace in other countries this can help show that the need was, and still is, out there to care and love orphans.

There are a lot of deep themes in this book but it is not a heavy read.  Enjoy this book and melt into the story of Aaron and Mercy.

I received this book from the publishers. All opinions are my own.

I Can Only Imagine: Picture Book by Bart Millard with Laura Neutzling; Illustrated by Sumiti Collina

This is a fun picture book.  It goes through a lot of the fun questions children have when thinking about heaven. If you have ever been around a child, and talked about heaven with them, they  have tons of questions about heaven and who God is and what we will do in heaven and what God does in heaven. 

What I really appreciated was the ending of this book.  Yes, there are fun and interesting questions about heaven and God, but the books ends with how we don't have to wait until heaven to spend time with God.  I felt that this enabled the children to not just be waiting for heaven to have a relationship with God but instead begin that close relationship here and now.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting by Eryn Lynum

From the publisher:
On the day of their baby dedication, Eryn and her husband were given a jar of 936 pennies. The jar contained a penny for every week they would raise their child until graduation, and they were instructed to remove one penny each Sunday as a reminder, placing it into another jar as an investment. 

At some point every parent realizes time is moving swiftly, and they ask themselves, How am I investing in my child? Through personal stories and biblical examples, 936 Pennies will help you discover how to capture time and use it to its fullest potential, replacing guilt and regrets with freedom. Meanwhile, your kids will see how simple choices, like putting the cell phone down and going on a family hike, will make all the difference. Together you will stretch time and make it richer. 

Craft a family legacy in tune with God's heartbeat as you capture a new vision for your children and learn the best ways to spend your pennies.
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There are many books on parenting.  What makes this on interesting is being able to think about our children's lives in terms of weeks.  Eryn Lynum takes the way we look at time and expands it.  She breaks down time into different categories and share personal stories on how she did this. Occassionally there are questions to reflect on at the end of a section. These allow the reader to go deeper into the concepts shared. 

What also sets this book apart is how she focuses on the joy we can have in intentional parenting. We aren't to be bogged down in this intentional parenting.  The stories shared allow them to be translated into something the reader can relate to and implement themselves.

I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own. 

The Way of Abundance: A 60-Day Journey Into a Deeply Meaningful Life by Ann Voskamp

This is a precious book.  A beautiful devotional.  Each devotional is only a few pages long with a few questions for reflections. This is just right for a quiet time in the morning or evening while reading a hot drink.  Ann Voskamp writes in a lyrical and heart-felt way that will call and speak to the deep places of your heart.  Brokenness is in all of our lives and I love how Ann begins to share her journey, which can be ours, into the way of abundance.  This is not just a devotional to enjoy and walk away.  Instead this is a devotional that will change you and give light to the darkness you find yourself in.

I cannot wait to give this to loved ones!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Finding Gobi: For Little Ones by Dion Leonard Illustrated by Lisa Manuzak

This is a board book, and as the title states, is for little ones.  This true story come in many different lengths but this one is perfect for two or three year olds to enjoy.

The story of Gobi and Dion is told partially from Dion's point of view and partially from Gobi's.  This is an endearing way to share the story as young ones are very empathetic for animals. 

The illustrations will draw all ages in and tell the story in a way that will have you and your young ones wanting to read the story again and even in more detail in perhaps another book about Gobi and Dion.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Woman's Study Bible NIV

This is a beautiful Bible.  It is wonderful for personal use or to give as a gift to others.  You can feel that this was made for women.

Here are some of the way information is packed into this Bible:
There are tables and charts throughout the pages organizing information, or expounding upon it.  I loved the table that shared about the flowers in the Bible.  These tables and charts share information that makes the stories you are reading clearer, and also richer and deeper.

At the bottom of every page are notes that help the reader further understand what is being shared as well as some cross references.

Before each book of the Bible there are notes about the author, date, background, themes, and an outline of what is to come.  This is helpful as you begin to go through and study yourself.

There is an index, concordance, and maps at the back of the Bible.

Beyond this the Bible is very ascetically appealing. The Bible is full of soft colors and floral prints that are soft and not bold.  I like to linger in the pages and enjoy not only the Words of Scripture but the layout, font, quotes, and other pieces that make this Bible so appealing.

I highly recommend this Bible for yourself or as a gift.

I received this Bible from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Vegan Comfort Classics by Lauren Toyota

This is the type of cookbook I like! I love that each recipe has pictures. This makes each recipe more appealing and helps me picture what I am going to cook.

The ingredients are directions are laid out clearly.

Lauren Toyota's idea behind the book is fantastic. Some people think that they can't have any "comfort food" if they become vegan.  This book puts that idea to rest with 101 recipes of delicious foods we know and love--yet they are vegan.

I can't wait to try out these recipes.

I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Prayer Bible ICB

Having been studying prayer myself, as an adult, I was thrilled to read through this Bible.  We often teach our children how to converse with God yet praying God's Word is what really gives life to our prayers.  When teaching this to children it can be very daunting and overwhelming.  This Prayer Bible gives a way to teach it and cover topics of prayer. 

Inserted through out the Bible are questions about prayer and answers.  These questions cover a variety of topics and are great to begin conversations with children about prayer.

Through out the Bible certain promises are highlighted.  This is also a perfect way to begin praying the promises of the Bible.  I love this concept and am so glad it has been done for children.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

When God Made Light by by Matthew Paul Turner Illustrated by David Catrow

I loved this book.  With its delightful illustrations by David Catrow you are guided along the truths of this book through two precious girls as they discover God making light, not only in the world, but in them.

This book is thought provoking and clever.  Matthew Paul Turner starts with an idea that Christians, and non-Christians, are familiar with. God made light.  It is the beginning of creation.  But that is not the focus of the book, instead Turner develops the idea of light beyond just the physical light we see to the light we carry inside. God makes the light inside of us when He made us. 

This is a beautiful book in illustrations and message. I highly recommend it to others.

I received this book from the publishers. All opinions are my own.

The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin

From the publisher:
In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to prepare for the Allied invasion of France. He works closely with Dorothy Fairfax, a "Wren" in the Women's Royal Naval Service. Dorothy pieces together reconnaissance photographs with thousands of holiday snapshots of France--including those of her own family's summer home--in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that Wyatt will turn into naval bombardment plans.

As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn to love. Dorothy must resist its pull. Her bereaved father depends on her, and her heart already belongs to another man. Wyatt too has much to lose. The closer he gets to Dorothy, the more he fears his efforts to win the war will destroy everything she has ever loved.

The tense days leading up to the monumental D-Day landing blaze to life under Sarah Sundin's practiced pen with this powerful new series.

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With each book by Sarah Sundin I feel I am more well educated on the time periods she writes about.  This is the first book in her new series and what an amazing start!

I love the details of the Wrens and their jobs as the Allies prepared for D-Day. I had never known all the work that went behind D-Day.  It is fascinating to learn those details. And what makes the details interesting is the way they are woven into a story.  

The story of Dorothy and Wyatt is interesting not just because of the time they are in, but because of their relationship as friends grows into more and as they both need to trust and realize what is important.

I love the added family dynamics from both Dorothy and Wyatt.  I can't wait to read more about Wyatt's brothers.

I received this book from the publishers. All opinions are my own.