Friday, February 25, 2022

Fun and Educational! 'Hues of You - by Lucretia Carter Berry, Phd

 


About the book:

Help children celebrate the incredible range of hues all around them with this activity book that provides an interactive, engaging, and age-appropriate way to navigate conversations around skin tone, race, and racism.

Every person's skin has a particular shade--or hue--that we can appreciate. Children naturally wonder: Why are there so many skin colors? Why do I look a lot like some people and different from others? Which words best describe my skin color?

But sometimes we feel uncomfortable talking about skin tone, ethnicity, and race. That's about to change! Inside these pages, kids will get to explore the ways each of us is uniquely designed and discover positive, creative ways to think and talk about the wonderful diversity of hues found in humanity.

Crafted by an experienced educator and advocate for antiracism, Hues of You is divided into four main sections: Hues of You, Hues of Your Family, Hues of Your Ancestors, and Hues of Your Friends. This activity book offers a smart and honest starting point to spark natural, effective, and meaningful conversations in our families, schools, and communities.

My review:

This was a fun, creative way for kids to learn about and celebrate one of the ways they're unique.  I liked all of the opportunities for drawing, coloring, answering questions and getting family and friends involved as kids look at the people they know and appreciate the beauty of each one.  I even learned some things and I'm quite a bit older than the target audience, seven to ten year olds!  I highly recommend this informative, positive book for kids of all hues!

I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.


Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Wonderful Devotional Journal! '52 Weeks of Resilience' - by Ink & Willow

 


About the book:

Infuse spirituality and peace into your daily life with this beautiful interactive journal that offers a simple way to lower stress and rediscover rest.

Don't worry. It's easy to say these words because we know worrying doesn't accomplish anything, but when we're faced with our own uncertainties, worry is usually our first response. Drawing from biblical promises and wisdom, 52 Weeks of Resilience offers tried-and-true ways to let go of anxiety and live in peace and freedom. As you meditate on Scripture, reflect through journaling, and apply simple challenges to your every day, you will learn to intentionally:

- Choose gratitude and joy over worry without waiting for perfect circumstances
- Create a habit of prayer so you may find peace in surrendering your fears and worries to God
- Practice a spirit of thoughtfulness as you shift your instinctual responses from fear and disappointment to resilience and confidence
- Follow simple, practical action steps as you strive to capture every thought and replace them with truth

On your journey toward resilience in the face of stress and life's trials, you will experience freedom, peace of mind, and true contentment. Because even in times of stress and worry, you can still take control. You don't have to let it rule your life. Instead, you can learn to thrive.

My review:

This was a wonderful book filled with a lot of great tips for letting go of anxiety and worry and instead praying and remembering God's promises.  There were a few overarching themes like being thankful or prayerful that a couple weeks or so would focus on with each week having a different short devotional and then plenty of room to journal.  It had a Bible verse, a question to reflect on and a small action step to take such as looking up a song or writing a thank you note.  The photographs were beautiful and I could see this being a devotional I would read again and again.  I highly recommend this book!

I received a pdf copy of this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Free Kindle Book!

 



Free for kindle!






Friday, February 11, 2022

Amazing Sequel! 'Never Leave Me' - Waters of Time 2 - by Jody Hedlund

 


About the book:

Facing death takes courage. Facing life takes even more.

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Though he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship due to his paralysis, Harrison cares deeply for Ellen and is desperately trying to save her life by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease--the same substance Ellen suspects is responsible for the deaths of her father and sister.

But Harrison is not the only one seeking the holy water. Dangerous criminals are mere steps behind, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to locate it for them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in this second breathtaking Waters of Time story.

My review:

This was a fascinating time travel story but also such a sweet love story about best friends who fall in love with each other.  It was so interesting how the plot unfolded since Ellen didn't trust the holy water and Harrison tried to make her see it would work and then the bad guys sent her back to a world she was totally unprepared for.  There was some suspense in the present but mostly in the past as women don't have much say in their lives and Ellen was quickly in over her head!  There was also some great action.  It was wonderful seeing how Marian was doing in the past and there were some twists to the story.  Jody Hedlund really knows how to write her romance and it is on the passionate side, though Harrison is very honorable and a pretty great guy.  While they were both wonderful characters, they did both struggle with letting someone too close as they thought their health issues would be too much to burden others with.  They both seem to have faith as they pray and Ellen, especially, likes to recite the Serenity Prayer.  I would highly recommend this book, especially if you like romance.

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

  1. Jody Hedlund
    © Sarah Davis Photography

    Jody Hedlund

    Jody Hedlund (www.jodyhedlund.com) is the bestselling author of over 30 historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband,...

    Continue reading about Jody Hedlund 


Thursday, February 10, 2022

Wonderful Alaskan Romance! 'Sunrise' - Sky King Ranch 1 - by Susan May Warren

 


About the book:

Coming home was never the plan

After a terrible family fight, pilot Dodge Kingston left home to join the Air Force. A decade later, he's headed back to the destiny that awaits him as heir to Sky King Ranch. But that's not all that's waiting for him at home.

Echo Yazzie is a true Alaskan woman--a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. After her childhood best friend and former flame, Dodge, fled Denali, she settled into life on the Alaskan range. She's made her peace with being left behind--by her mother and by Dodge. And she's strong enough to live without them.

When one of Echo's fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. What she doesn't know is that there are more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

As Dodge sets out to find Echo, he can't ignore the feelings he still has for her. But will he be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

My review:

This was another wonderful story by Susan May Warren, one of my favorite authors!  She just has a way of making characters real and the setting is described so well it brings the story to life so you feel like you're really living it with them.  Both Echo and Dodge have baggage from past hurts from their families and they've both turned away from their faith and feel that they can make it on their own.  There were some wonderful conversations where lies they believe are exposed and they're reminded of the truth of God's love and that He's trustworthy, no matter what they're going through.  There was also some wonderful romantic moments and some action.  A little bit of mystery was introduced and looks like it will be fleshed out more in the next book, along with the story of one of Dodge's brothers.  It's also fun when characters show up from her other books.  I highly recommend this well-written story! 

I received a free copy of this book from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

  1. Susan May Warren

    Susan May Warren

    Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 85 novels with more than 1 million books sold, including the Global Search and Rescue and the Montana Rescue series, as well as Sunrise and Sunburst....

    Continue reading about Susan May Warren 


Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Non-Stop Thriller! 'Life Flight - Extreme Measures 1 - by Lynette Eason

 


About the book:

EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high-stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient--and a serial killer on the loose--tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield's help. But she's not out of the woods yet.

In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer--before the killer catches one of them.

My review:

This book is Lynette Eason's best yet!  It had so much suspense, shocking twists and a lot of great action.  Penny was a great character, smart and brave and it was amazing she could keep her cool when it got really insane and creepy.  There was some romance and it was interesting learning about their pasts as they told each other their stories.  There was also a little side mystery involving Holt's sister, which turned out to be very strange.  Holt was wonderful, too, and had a strong faith he wasn't afraid to let people know about.  However, he was knew that just because he prayed for a certain outcome it didn't meant that's what would happen.  I can't wait for the next book!  I highly recommend this one if you like suspense!

I received a free copy of this book from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

  1. Lynette Eason
    © Mary Denman

    Lynette Eason

    Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Life Flight and the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award,...

    Continue reading about Lynette Eason