Friday, November 25, 2022

Love on the Border, McKinnie Mail Order Brides by Ciara Knight

Who doesn't love a man who takes in orphans that no one else wants? Eli does but it's a struggle. He sent for a mail order bride and met her while robbing the stagecoach she's on. Love, redemption, forgiveness forming a tight bond. Struggling the whole time. Excellent read.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#LoveOnTheBorder #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #RegencyRomance #CiaraKnight

My Reviews

Thursday, November 24, 2022

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

Set in Maine around 1942, Christian Historical Fiction. Told from the point of view of four different characters, each with their own back story and interesting personality. It's during the war in a small coastal town. They decide to get together for a book club at the library to take people's minds off the war. They soon become a close-knit group of friends. It's told in a neat format of individual characters and then again when they gather for the club. They take minutes of the meetings, the format of which I've never seen before, completely informal and personal as to the character whose turn it was to take them. Very clever. Each has their own issues, but realizes how much better life is when you let friends in. Not a dull moment! Easy to get attached to.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheBlackoutBookClub #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My reviews
Goodreads

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

The Call of the Wrens by Jenni L Walsh

Marion's story spanned both WW1 and WW2. Evelyn's story was in WW2. Both served as motorcycle dispatch riders for the British Women’s Royal Naval Service or Wrens. Their stories go deep for each. Marion wants to fit in, Evelyn wants to prove herself. Each is handicapped in their own way. Marion grew up in orphanages, Evelyn was brought up in a wealthy family and sheltered. They each had wonderful men in their lives. It's easy to get attached to these characters and find yourself rooting for them, holding your breath and at the edge of your seat at times for each. I found it interesting that lives of real Wrens had influenced the writing, real life situations during war. The excellent writing kept me engaged to the very end. Inspirational.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheCalloftheWrens #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #JenniLWalsh #WW2 #WW1

My reviews

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

5000 Blankets film trailer

This looks really good. Great inspiration!

Inspired by a remarkable true story, 5000 BLANKETS is filled with hope and highlights the power of family and faith. When her husband has a mental breakdown and goes missing, a woman and her young son set out to find him on the streets, sparking a movement of compassion towards those in need and inspiring a city.

Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nd42fLZpG0

#5000BlanketsMIN #Momentum #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Monday, November 21, 2022

The Abide Bible

"Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path. Psalm 119:105"

Thomas Nelson, New English Translation. This bible is absolutely GORGEOUS! The leathersoft cover with the subtle design is quite elegant. The feel of it is also wonderful; it's supple. The pages are gold edged and there are two beautiful ribbons for marking your place and maps in the back. Overall, it is a very beautiful bible and would make a wonderful gift.

The only objection I have is that there is a page near the front of the book called Explanatory Notes. Here they note differences in the text from different translations. Personally, I think they should be included as footnotes on the page with the text. The way it is, there is just a small mark that you have to pick up on as you read. You need to read the pages with the explanations and study them out.

If you're a fan of "coaching", this bible is for you. It excels in that area. Each double-page has things to contemplate, journal, things to imagine or picture and praying scripture and includes beautiful engage-through-art sections. These are in the margin areas of every page throughout the book. It encourages engagement as you read.

I was given a sample bible by Thomas Nelson. I was not required to give a positive review. These thoughts are my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

#AbideBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #Christian #Bible

From the publisher:

Check out The Abide Experience: 21 Days in John, a FREE Video Devotion featuring Dr. Phil Collins, general editor of the Abide Bible, a Bible designed around five methods of Scripture Engagement that will change the way you read Scripture. The 21 Days in John FREE Video Devotion also provides a free download of the book of John from the Abide Bible.

Experience Abide - Thomas Nelson Bibles

• The Abide Experience is FREE and includes 21 Video devotions delivered by email and a full download of the book of John from The Abide Bible!
• Transform your personal Bible devotions into intimate, ongoing conversations with God with various Scripture engagement approaches that keep Bible reading fresh and new. “Abide in Me.” John 15:4

Do you yearn for life-giving, intimate communion with God? The Abide Bible is designed to help you experience the peace, hope, and growth that comes from encountering the voice and presence of God in Scripture. Every feature in Abide is designed to teach and develop Scripture-engagement habits that help you know the power and spiritual nourishment of abiding in Christ.

Created in partnership with Bible Gateway and the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, The Abide Bible’s features include articles, book introductions, and practical Scripture engagement prompts based on five ways of engaging deeply with the Bible:

• Praying Scripture: Pattern your prayers after biblical texts, personalizing the
prayer and gaining language for the thoughts and emotions you want to express.
• Picture It: Place yourself in a biblical narrative as a bystander or participant in
important events.

• Journaling: Focus and reflect on Scripture and its meaning for your life, opening yourself to God’s voice as you ponder.
• Engage Through Art: Consider a classic piece of art—photograph, sculpture,
painting—and let it deepen your meditations on scriptural truths.
• Contemplate: Follow the church’s longstanding practice of reading, meditating
on, praying, and contemplating a passage of Scripture in order to experience
God’s presence through the words of the Bible

.
Features include:
• Bible book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read
• 365 Day Bible Reading Plan guiding you through the entire Bible in a year
• Line-matched, single-column Scripture text for improved readability
• Smyth-sewn binding lays flat in your hand or on your desk
• Two satin ribbon markers allow you to easily navigate and keep track of where you were reading
• Easy-to-read 9-point NET Comfort Print

Giveaway: 1 copy of the Abide Bible (NET)
(Note: This is limited to US winners only. Winner chosen at random from comments below. If you're a winner, I will need your full name and email address by 12/2)

My reviews:

Bible Review Blog (comments)

Abide Bible Review You Tube (Comments)

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Friday, November 18, 2022

An Elegant Façade by Kristi Ann Hunter

A more in-depth story about Georgina from the previous book in the series, extra interesting as it overlaps the previous book to do so. It explains why an ice queen is the way she is. It's her debut season and she has a secret to hide, so she has prepared for years to be so outstanding that she'll land the uppermost eligible man available as quickly as possible before anyone finds out.

Colin is a successful businessman with top social connections, but Georgina is out of his league in social circle. Little by little her facade slips, and by the time he learns her secret he's hooked and does everything he can to help her. Meltable scenes, sweet love, Christian messages. Great story to get lost in. Expect to cheer!

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#AnElegantFacade #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #RegencyRomance #KristiAnnHunter

My Reviews

ChristianBook

Monday, November 14, 2022

It's Christmas Again

If you take Scrooge from A Christmas Carol and update as a modern dance musical, this is it. I was not a big fan of the modern dance length at the beginning of the movie, but I tend to be more old fashioned. Overall, this is a great movie. Fabulous message that is very well told. Some awesome music, with some really great voices. We need more family friendly movies, and this one scores well.

I was given a screening video for review. I am not required to give a positive review.

Watch trailer here: https://itschristmasagainmovie.com/?mc_cid=f02b179476&mc_eid=8178308bbe

Learn More: https://itschristmasagainmovie.com/

Buy Tickets: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/It's-Christmas-Again

Storyline

Follows Jake Young, a young boy who experiences a life-changing effect when he transports back to Bethlehem on the night of Jesus' birth after a skateboarding accident right before Christmas.

#ItsChristmasAgainMIN #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #FamilyFriendlyMovie #Christian

A Fallen Sparrow by Lynne Basham Tagawa - Celebrate Lit Blog Tour

About the Book

Book: A Fallen Sparrow

Author: Lynne Basham Tagawa

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: August 13, 2022

Ruth Haynes uses the pen name Honorius when she writes for her father’s newspaper. Boston has changed beyond recognition, and her Loyalist views soon get her in trouble. With war looming, what will their family do?

Jonathan Russell hides a guilty secret. The Battle of Bunker’s Hill sweeps him and his Shenandoah Valley family into the war. The unthinkable happens, and he’s forced to deal with both his grief—and his guilt.

Lieutenant Robert Shirley is summoned by his godmother and introduced to the Earl of Dartmouth, who charges him to gather intelligence in Boston. He is horrified but must obey.

Gritty, realistic, and rich with scriptural truth, this story features Dr. Joseph Warren, Major John André, Henry Knox, and Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lynne Tagawa is an educator and author with four sons and five grandchildren. She is the author of a narrative Texas History curriculum, Sam Houston’s Republic, and enjoys writing historical fiction. She lives with her husband in South Texas.

More from Lynne

When writing my books, I study all sorts of things: soapmaking, rifles and muskets, and horses. What breeds come to mind when you think of horses?

Here in Texas today, quarter horses are quite common, although you will find a plethora of other types: Arabians, Tennessee Walking horses, Morgans, even Friesens! Interestingly, in the 18^th century, the quarter horse did not exist. Thoroughbreds (“hunters”) were fairly common as well as carriage / early draft horses: Cleveland Bays and Canadians. Narragansett pacers were popular as riding horses; George Washington was partial to pacers, and their descendants include the Tennessee Walker. Ponies and mules thrived in the backcountry.

Exotic breeds were imported as well. I included a Friesen stallion in A Fallen Sparrow because—well, because I could. Friesens were part of the ancestry of one of the very first American breeds: the Morgan.

In my stories, the horses all have names and personalities. I hope you enjoy these characters as well as my human ones!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 8

Texas Book-aholic, November 9

Holly’s Book Corner, November 9

Inklings and notions, November 10

deb’s Book Review, November 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 12

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 13

Connie’s History Classroom, November 14

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 14

Betti Mace, November 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 16

For Him and My Family, November 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 18

Pause for Tales, November 19

Cover Lover Book Review, November 20

Labor Not in Vain, November 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lynne is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of the book, and handcrafted soap based on the soap a character makes!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/22674/a-fallen-sparrow-celebration-tour-giveaway

Link to purchase book: https://amzn.to/3M5tXLM

What I thought:

This takes place in 1770 at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The people living in Boston, Virginia and the rest of the country originally had come from England and had been loyal to their king. Then things changed. When they rebelled against unfair laws, the Brits attacked them and their homes. Very real characters with time taken to develop them in the story. You can really feel how they felt, their struggles with their changed world. Ruth had stayed loyal to the King but as they fled his men, she was looking at sewing a flag for the patriots, embedded as her family was in the movement. A couple of romances here too, crossing the patriotic line for a time, adding to the tension/trust relationships. Excellent read! Part of a series but reads fine as a stand-alone.

I received this book free from Celebrate Lit and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#CelebrateLit #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #LynneBashamTagawa #HistoricalFiction @celebrate_lit

My reviews:

Monday, November 7, 2022

A Bride For Harley by Heidi Gray McGill

Always be yourself.

1867-68. Christian Historical Romance standalone novella with depth. Loretta is 17 and chafes against her sister managing their lives since they became orphans. She also doesn't know that their finances have run out. Her sister contracted a marriage by proxy and wed a man in Montana, a friend of their father's. Leaving everything they had, unwillingly, she begrudges every step as they travel. Then reality steps in. Very well told, you can deeply feel every thought she has. Harley and his family are not what she expected, and she learns more about her sister than she expected. Great story, right to the end. Beautiful Christian messages, lessons. Heartbreaking, heart wrenching as Loretta's becoming herself unfolds, delight in how she grows and who she is.

I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#HeidiGrayMcGill #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalRomance #ABrideForHarley

My reviews