Book Review: Vendetta

From The Back:

"Filled with red herrings and heart-pounding danger, Vendetta will leave readers anxiously awaiting Nikki Boyd's next adventure."--Irene Hannon, bestselling author of the Private Justice series
No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force. The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years, is the driving force in her work. When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene, Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past. The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels this case has become personal, and she is not the hunter . . . but the hunted.

With this explosive first book in The Nikki Boyd Files, award-winning author Lisa Harris takes you on a fast-paced pursuit of justice that will have you holding your breath until the heart-stopping finish.

My Reflections:

I always enjoy Lisa Harris's books and this was no exception. 

Her newest novel, "Vendetta" had me racing through the pages and on the edge of my set the whole way through the book. It was pretty silly that I started the book on a stormy night while I was all alone, it made the creep factor just that much more intense! 

This is the first novel in Harris's new series called the "Nikki Boyd Files" I am eager to read on, I absolutely love sequels, the story lives on!

Nikki Boyd is a agent with the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force. She gets called out to a case of a missing teen who is abducted from a remote cabin, near the location where she is spending a afternoon rock climbing with her friend, Tyler. 

Nikki mus try and separate her painful past from the reality of the case if she ever hopes to find the missing girl. This becomes impossible when a Polaroid photo of the missing girl is found....eerily similar to the one found when her own sister was abducted years prior. 

This novel will certainly cause you to hold you loved ones close, and lock all your doors! Frighteningly plausible scenarios, non stop action and suspense will keep you guessing as to who the bad guy is. There is a smidgen of romantic tension, but nothing much to speak of really, perhaps in future books? A must read if you are a Lisa Harris fan.

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications. Thank you Graf-Martin!

THE AUTHOR

1. 

   Lisa Harris

   Lisa Harris is a bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from Romantic Times. She has sold over thirty novels and novella collections. Along with her husband, she and her three...

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Book Review: Worship Changes Everything

From the Back:

An Invitation to Praise and Honor God in Every Area of Life
It can be easy to have a heart filled with worship on a Sunday morning as the church band is playing your favorite song. But then comes Monday morning's commute and Tuesday afternoon's pile of laundry. How do we maintain a heart of worship in the daily grind?

Darlene Zschech has spent her life thinking and teaching about worship. With wisdom and contagious joy, she shares her thoughts on what worship truly is and how it should invade every facet of our being. Everything we do can be an act of worship to the Lord, transforming our work, our friendships, our churches, our families. It's all about living in His presence--being aware of the Lord by our side and at work in our lives.

Learn to live a life of worship. You will be amazed by the purpose and freedom it will bring.

My Reflections:

Darlene Zschech brings us a refreshing look at the heart of worship in her new book, Worship Changes Everything.

Darlene is no stranger to this subject as she has lead worship for many years and produced songs we all know and love like "Shout to the Lord" and "For all you have done" to name just a few.

Darlene explores what worship looks like when we move past ordinary to extraordinary. Thing is she uses ordinary to exemplify the very heart of the matter. We can worship in our everyday lives, in the commute to work, during life crises, while doing the dished and as we raise our families. Worship is a act of faith and a walk in love, a way to give back to the one who gave us everything.

I enjoyed reading this book, It was a refreshing reminder of how we can live our lives. I always say attitude changes everything, but now I will also include worship changes everything, because without worship attitude is pointless. When we turn our eyes up we will see what we are meant to see, live the way God intended us to live.

I recommend this book as a great supplement to your regular daily devotionals, or as a gift this Christmas season. 

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications. Thank you Graf-Martin!

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THE AUTHOR

1. 

   Darlene Zschech

   Darlene Zschech and her husband, Mark, are pastors of Hope Unlimited Church (www.hopeuc.com), which meets in various campuses across the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Acclaimed worldwide as a singer, songwriter, worship leader, author, and...

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Book Review: Making it Home

From the back:

Growing up in the murky space between Gloria Steinem and Martha Stewart has left a whole generation of women struggling to define and embrace the meaning of home. There is constant pressure to do things a certain way and often intense criticism from those who think you're doing it wrong. But what if home isn't really about whether or not you homeschool or have a career or make your own artisan bread?

What if home is more about who you are than what you do?

My Reflections:

This book by Emily T Wierenga is a raw and candid memoir. I was not quite sure what I was requesting when I ordered this book. What struck me was the synopsis on the back jacket "What if home is more about who you are than what you do?"
It spoke to me, I mean what if. It would be great news!
Wierenga's writing reminds me of Ann Voskamp except not quite...

I can't say that I enjoyed this book. I actually disliked the way the book flowed. It was choppy and felt forced switching between diary/ memoir past tense and present, it just didn't speak to me in the place I am today. 
Perhaps If I read this book twenty years ago I may have felt more of a connection to what the author was trying to convey. 
I feel pretty bad giving this book such a negative review, since the author is so open and candid with her life experiences. Quite frankly this is such a brave and honest way to help others with similar life experiences. It just was not what I was hoping for or expecting. When reviewing this type of book it feels downright disrespectful to give such an honest opinion about a book, the book is so connected to the author herself. This is not my intention. It is an awkward situation indeed, but I feel I must be forthright in my reviews.

Don't let my review sway your thoughts on this subject pick up the book and find out for yourself if Mrs. Wierenga's life experiences and words of wisdom speak to your soul.

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf Martin Communications. Thank you Graf Martin!

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THE AUTHOR

1. 

   © Justina Gibson

   Emily T. Wierenga

   Emily T. Wierenga is an award-winning journalist, columnist, artist, author, and blogger at www.emilywierenga.com. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Relevant,Charisma, Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, A...

   
   

   Continue reading about Emily T. Wierenga

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Book Review: My Name Is River

From The Back:

It’s 1983, and twelve-year-old River Starling’s life is anything but normal. She was adopted on a whim and came without a birth certificate. Her adoptive parents gave her up to her grandmother when she was only two, but River is certain her parents will come back. River’s hopes fall apart when Gram uproots them from their farmhouse and decides to move to Birdsong, West Virginia, the most miserable town River has ever seen. There she makes an unlikely friendship with an unusual boy and learns about acceptance, hard work, forgiveness, and the love of Jesus. Discover the unforgettable story of one girl’s search for a place to call home. - See more at: https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/books/my-name-is-river#sthash.YG3IfNz8.dpuf

My Reflections:

The story River written by Wendy Dunham is a sweet, moving drama that will speak to the pre-teens and teens alike. It is the perfect springboard to deep discussions about your child's life and thoughts. 

There are some big issues raised in this book. Some of them include being abandoned, having a disability, Preconceived notions about people and our reactions to those beliefs. Lots of fodder for you to get into some great late night chats, and really connect with your young lady. I read this book first then gave it to my 13 year old to read. We had some great talks and I was able to gain an understanding of where she was at on some of these topics. 

Twelve year old River has not only been abandoned by her birth parents but also by her adoptive parents. Raised by her adoptive parents grandmother River must come to terms that she is loved and cared about, even without traditional parents. River faces being uprooted from her home and moves with her grandmother to Birdsong West Virginia. There she meets William Wippoorwill and the duo learn quite a bit about life and acceptance. Their adventures lead them into some dangerous situations, a friendship is bound and new experiences grow River in ways she never imagined.

A very touching story, I would have no hesitations in recommending this book to pre-teens and teens alike. 

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Harvest House Publishers. Thank you Harvest house!


About the Author:

Wendy Dunham

Wendy Dunham is the author of My Name Is River and a registered therapist who works with children with special needs. Her desire is to honor her Creator with whatever it is she's writing about. Whether it's a poem, an article, a devotional, or a novel, her goal is to share hope, encouragement, and unconditional...

Read More > - See more at: https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/books/my-name-is-river#sthash.YG3IfNz8.dpuf

DIY Goo ....It's not a solid it's not a liquid

A late fall day, a grumpy messy mass of children, that was my day. What to do when your homeschooling journey is off the track, my answer....make Goo!

It is easy, most people have everything that you would need right in their own cupboard. It is non toxic, gluten free and most importantly fun!!

I'm sure you could even squeeze out some of those PLO's in science, so what are you waiting for?

The recipe is so simple: three little ingredients:

-Corn starch

-Water

-food colouring (Optional)

Mix cornstarch with water and food colouring with your hands, slowly add the water just until it flows nicely not too watery. This is a messy experiment so bear that in mind it does however clean up easily.

Things to try:

-Smack it, if you hit it really hard it can look as though it is breaking.

-Pour it from one hand to the other...slowly, it flows like water.

-Roll it if you keep up the motion it will stay in a ball shape, but once you stop it will turn into a puddle.

-Bounce it, if you get just the right consistency you will be able to bounce a little ball around, once you stop however it melts into a puddle.

Explanation:

So now you need to explain what is happening in order to tick off your science for the day.

The cornstarch is made up of long chains of atoms, a polymer. Pour fast and these atom chains roll over each other. If you apply force and pressure these Atom chains react by holding firmly like a solid. Not an extremely technical explanation but hey I am teaching grade three science!


That's it! Hours of fun and wide eyed wonder, so go ahead wow your kids and get a much needed tea break!

Book Review: Holy Bible (Frost)

Book Description

Beautiful 'Frost' design in a Bible kids can read and understand.

What little girl who has seen the incredibly popular animated wintery movie doesn't want to be transported to a fabulous crystal ice palace? The beauty of shimmering snowflake scenes is captured in our newest Bible design for little girls (and big girls too!). The cover is a sparkling blue hardcover frosted with holographic foil and beautiful frosty design elements. The interior is the full International Children's Bible®, the first translation created especially for kids. Inside are 24 pages of full-color Bible study helps that encourage girls to be loving, strong, caring, forgiving, helpful, adventurous, loyal, faithful, and most of all, beautiful young girls growing in God's shimmering light!

My Reflections:

I originally ordered this book to review because of the "frost" design, all the little girls I know are enamored with the movie "Frozen" and this Bible cover reminded me of that movie theme.
I am certain that this Bible will be a hit with any young girl you know, and getting them invested in the Bible is the first step to developing a life long love for reading God's word.

This Bible is packed with beautiful colours, pretty patterns and font, making it a joy to read, not to mention just plain fun!
The Frost Bible has exceptionally well laid out devotional sections sprinkled throughout the Bible. Some of the topics covered are:

-How can I Let God's Light Shine Through me?
-How Do I study the Bible?
-How do I Forgive?

Important topics like these are crucial to a growing faith and learning who God is. I am thrilled with this Bible and all of the wonderful sections it includes. I particularly enjoyed "Memory Verses for Life" As a homeschooling mama I am always looking for ways to encourage my children to hide the word in their hearts.

In my opinion this Bible is perfect for my daughter who just turned 8. It is just the right size not too small and not to hefty, and I think the International Children's Bible version will be very understandable and appropriate at her developmental stage. The Frost Bible even includes a sweet little carry bag, which displays the beauty of this Bible through the see through front, there is room enough for a small snack or coloured pens for a morning of church.
All in all I would not hesitate to give this Bible to any little girl on my Christmas List. It is a joy to read and a blessing to give!

I received this Bible free of charge in return for my honest review from Book Look Bloggers. Thank you so much Book Look!