Thoughts To Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones ~ Children's Book and Audio CDs Review



Sally Lloyd-Jones
Illustrated by Jago
Audio Narration by Davis Suchet
Juvenile Nonfiction

From Jago and Sally Lloyd-Jones, the creators of the bestselling Jesus Storybook Bible, comes this gorgeous and innovative collection of 101 simple-yet-profound thoughts on faith. Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing Deluxe Edition shares profound spiritual truths from the Bible told in a conversational tone—drawing insights from creation, history, science, the writings of great thinkers and preachers and writers, and more—to turn the reader’s eyes toward the God who loves them with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love. The deluxe edition also includes audio from award-winning actor David Suchet, allowing read-along opportunities or inspiration wherever you go.

Perfect for family devotions, bedtime, story time, or even as a companion to The Jesus Storybook Bible, this accessible yet theologically rich book reveals biblical truth in word and image, all working together and designed to do one thing: to make the reader’s heart sing.




My Thoughts

Sally Lloyd-Jones wrote Thoughts To Make Your Heart Sing with the intention of it being used to guide children into a daily devotional time. Her words combined with the artistic talent of Jago and the life-giving Word of God make for the perfect tool to help your little one begin that life-long habit. 

In the Deluxe Edition the daily thoughts have been recorded on two cds by the distinguished British actor David Suchet. I can think of so many wonderful ways to use this valuable set. I know the objective is for a daily reading, but it would be a perfect companion on a long car trip. When my kids were little it was popular to do read-along books with tapes. This book and cd set would work well in that same manner. Your child could follow along in the book while the narration was being played. It would not only help increase their reading skills but they would also be soaking in valuable principles from God's Word.

I do have a small confession to make . . . as an adult I love this for myself. Listening to the cds is like having a blessing being spoken over you by a beloved grandfather. For the past several days I have popped one of the cds in as I've gone about my business around the house. It has been a beautiful time of worshiping and communing with my Savior. As that soothing British voice speaks, I find myself pausing just to soak in the truth that is being put forth. We are loved with an everlasting love by an all encompassing Savior. Hallelujah!

I encourage you to get this for your little ones, but also to take the time to bask in it yourself. Let the Word and truth spread over you and cover you with an assurance of love like no other. 

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A Promise To Protect by Patricia Bradley ~ A Romantic Suspense Review



Logan Point, Book 2
Patricia Bradley
Romantic Suspense

IN A STEAMY SMALL TOWN RIDDLED WITH 
BROKEN PROMISES, ONE WOMAN'S SECRET 
COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING.

Acting Sheriff Ben Logan hasn't heard from Leigh Somerall in a very long time, but it doesn't mean he can get her--or their whirlwind romance of ten years ago--out of his head. When she calls out of the blue, it is with a strange request to protect her brother, Tony. But all too soon, Ben is charged with a different task--protecting Leigh from the people after her brother. With Leigh doing everything in her power to avoid Ben, it's no easy task. And the secret she is keeping just may change their lives forever.

READ AN EXCERPT
My Thoughts 

Patricia Bradley is quickly becoming one of my favorite romantic suspense writers. In A Promise To Protect she takes us back to the little Southern town of Logan Point. Ben Logan has been appointed acting sheriff while his father, the elected sheriff recovers from a shooting. Logan Point is usually a sleepy little town but an uptick of crimes seems to have coincided with the return of Dr. Leigh Somerall.

Leigh grew up in Logan Point but was from a not so upstanding family and earned a bad reputation through some of her antics. She was interested in Ben but he didn't take notice of her until college. Their romance seemed to be a match made in heaven until one fateful encounter changed everything. She's now a respected physician and decided to return to Logan Point to be close to her only brother Tony. Leigh has a very big secret to hide but the longer she's in town the trickier it is becoming. 

From the opening scenes of the book there is a murder and it looks like Leigh may be the next target. But as with every good suspense book, everything isn't as it appears. Could Ben really be the target? If so, who's behind the attacks and why?

This fast-paced novel will keep you guessing up until the very end. Layer by layer the story begins to emerge of  secrets, scandals and outright lies. I think you will enjoy uncovering the mysteries surrounding Ben, Leigh and the other residents of Logan Point.

A Promise To Protect  is book two in the Logan Point series. Book one is Shadows of the Past. Each book can easily be read as a stand-alone title, but of course I think you'd enjoy reading them both. 

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Photo Credit: © Cheryl Meints

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Love Letters From God by Glenys Nellist ~ Children's Book Review



Glenys Nellist
Illustrated by Sophie Allsopp
Juvenile Nonfiction

"I had so much fun making the world! 
But do you know the very best thing I made? 
It was you!"

What child doesn't love to receive mail? In this heartwarming lift-the-flap picture book, children can open and read their own personal mail from God as they experience some of the best-loved stories of the Bible. As each captivating story unfolds, children will eagerly await the opportunity to open the envelope and read God's message of love written especially for them. They will also delight in the final envelope that encourages them to write their own personal letter to God.



My Thoughts

My granddaughters and I love to write letters back and forth to each other. I enjoy doing this because it is an easy way for me to tell them one more time that I love them. It allows me to be a part of their lives even when we are miles apart. 

While it is important to me that they know I love them, it is even more important to me that they know God loves them. In fact He has given them beautiful love letters to assure them of that very fact. Those love letters are found in the Bible. 

In her book Love Letters from God, Glynys Nellist highlights some of the best Bible stories that convey the love of God. Each story is told in a very engaging way that will appeal to young listeners. Along with each story there is a short Bible verse that would be an easy memory verse to help your child remember the truth of God's love. At the end of each story there is a lift-the-flap letter that can be personally addressed to your child and is written to them from God. 

When I was reading this book aloud to a couple of my grandkids their faces just lit up when I read the letters to them. The idea that God would love them so personally that He would pen a letter to them made them feel so special. 

If you have children in your life this would be a great book to purchase for them. The importance of knowing God loves you cannot be overstated. The knowledge of God's love is the best gift that you can give to those special people in your life.

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The Covered Deep by Brandy Vallance ~ Historical Romance Review



Brandy Vallance
Historical Romance

SOME DREAMS
ARE WORTH 
SEARCHING FOR

Bianca Marshal is looking for a man who can quote both Jesus and Shakespeare. Not surprisingly, that man is hard to find in the small Appalachian town where she lives. Her mother insists that Bianca lower her standards. On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, even Bianca wonders if her mother is right.

Still set on experiencing love, or at least a little adventure, Bianca wins an essay contest that propels her into a whirlwind search for the perfect romantic hero. Via the opulence of London and the mysteries of Palestine, Bianca's true love will be revealed--but not without a price that might be too heavy to pay.




My Thoughts

The Covered Deep is a debut novel but it does not read like one. Brandy Vallance has created a tale that reads like a work of fiction written in the Austen era. There is an indulgent father and an overbearing mother. The daughter, Bianca, is an incurable romantic. All she needs to do is find her perfect man. She's thought this through and has come up with a list of qualifications that she is refusing to compromise on, much to her mother's dismay.

Bianca is quickly approaching the dreaded label of spinster. Her father stumbles upon a solution in the form of a contest that will allow her to travel to the Holy Land. She enters and is declared one of four winners. That is when the Austenesque novel begins to veer towards the Bronte sisters style taking on a more sinister tone. 

From the first encounters with Sir Adrain and the other three contestants you know that something other than what is apparent is going on. The sense of danger seems to increase with each stop on their journey. Paul Emerson is the epitome of all that Bianca has longed for in a husband, but there is something that she can't quite put her finger on that holds her back from wholeheartedly giving herself to him. Her other two traveling companions, Madeline and Mr. Tabor, also have an aura of mystery about them that leads to unsettling feelings. 

The way that Brandy has woven the gospel through this intriguing story is very moving. The overall theme is that of forgiveness and redemption. The paths that are taken towards that end are both inspirational and heartrending. I look forward to reading more from this talented new author.

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I Love You More ~ 5 Simple Ways To Show It {Giveaway}

by Fitzysmom



We have a silly little game that we play around here called ‘I Love You More’. It started innocently enough with me telling my grandboy that I loved him. He answered back with, “No, I love you!” Of course my response was, “I love you more!” His response was, “No, I love you more!” After a few more rounds of those words we then added, “I love you more than ice cream.” Or whatever other ridiculous thing we could think up. This little back and forth goes on and on with total abandon until we are both lost in a fit of giggles.

Love is such a gift that we can give our kiddos. It provides security to them in the darkest of days. It really doesn’t take much time, money or effort to instill this valuable resource in our children. Over on the Tommy Nelson blog this month we have an article entitled, 5 Ways To Show Your Kids Love Today. The points of that article are as follows:

1. Use Your Words. Open up your mouth and simply tell your child that they are loved. Let them know that they are loved simply because they are your child. Stick a note in their lunch box. Put a post-it on their mirror. If they are older and driving, put a note in their car or just send them a text. There is nothing more heartbreaking than hearing an adult say that they never heard their parent tell them they loved them. Don’t be that parent. Say it to them over and over until it is so ingrained that as teenagers they roll their eyes and say, “I know, I know, you love me.” Trust me, deep down they crave it.

2. Do Something For Them. We all have dreaded chores that must be done. Whatever that task may be for your child go help them do it, just because. It is perfect because they are held captive with the duty so you can use that time to communicate to them that they are valued and loved. Even if it is just joining them in making their bed and picking up their room, you are still showing them that you desire to be in their presence and that what they are doing matters.

3. Give Them Something. Gifts don’t have to be expensive or big. What if you picked up a cute new pair of earrings for your daughter while you were buying groceries at the supercenter? For my boys an inexpensive pocket sized car will light up their faces. Just knowing that your parent thought of you while they were away conveys a sense of love and security.

4. Do Something With Them. Spending one on one time with each of your kids is priceless. For little ones, an ice cream cone at McDonald’s is magical. As they get older try a weeknight dinner and movie or maybe a window shopping trip to the mall. Just having your undivided attention lets your child know that you love them and are willing to set aside time just for them.

5. Give Them A Hug. This isn’t so hard when they are little, although I did have one that just was not a cuddler but I still pulled him in my lap and held him and told him he was loved. Physically hugging your teenager is just as important as hugging your toddler. If they are typical they will shrink away from it, but don’t let that stop you! A good backrub or back scratch, a squeeze of the hand, a ruffle of the hair, it all goes a long way in conveying your love and affection towards your child.

While it is important that our kids grow up knowing we love them, knowing that God loves them is even more important. In fact our love for them only matters during their physical lifetime, but the love of God has an eternal impact.

One of the biggest blessings in life is introducing your child to the Father. It is such an important duty of ours as parents that the Bible says in Deuteronomy 11:18-19,
“Impress these words of Mine on your hearts and souls, . . . Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Are you doing that? We encourage you today to in some way not only tell your children that you love them but that the Father loves them. Love is a powerful thing . . . pass it on!

We’ve come across an adorable little bedtime prayer book from Tommy Nelson that was written by Amanda Lamb. It is called I Love You To God And Back. We loved this sweet little book so much that we want to give a copy of it to one of our readers. Our prayer is that it will be a blessing to you as you teach your children that not only do you love them, but God loves them.

The Giveaway



We have partnered with Tommy Nelson to offer one of our readers a copy of I Love You To God And Back. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Friday, November 7, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.



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Every Bitter Thing is Sweet by Sara Hagerty ~ Taste the Goodness of God in All Things {Book Review}



Sara Hagerty
Christian Life

TASTE THE GOODNESS
OF GOD IN ALL THINGS

Sara Hagerty found Him when life stopped working for her. She found Him when she was a young adult mired in spiritual busyness and when she was a newlywed bride with doubts about whether her fledgling marriage would survive. she found Him alone in the night as she cradled her longing for babies who did not come. She found Him as she kissed the faces of children on another continent who had lived years without a mommy's touch.

In Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet, Hagerty weaves fabric from the narrative of her life into the mosaic of a Creator who mends broken stories. Here you will see a God who is present in every changing circumstance. Most significantly, you see a God who is present in every unchanging circumstance as well.

Whatever lost expectations you are facing--in family, career, singleness, or marriage--Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet will bring you closer to a God who longs for you to know Him more.

Going beyond the narrative to offer timeless insight, Hagerty brings you back to hope, back to healing, back to a place that God is holding for you alone--a place where the unseen is more real than what the eye can perceive. A place where every bitter thing is sweet.



My Thoughts

After reading the first chapter of this book I was hesitant to continue. Not that it wasn't good, in fact it was very well written and quite touching. It just didn't seem to pertain to my life. In that first chapter Sara opens up with her heart-wrenching story of infertility. As a woman I feel sorrow for her plight, but I've never struggled with that area so I almost gave the book a pass.

Yes this book is about Sara's battle with infertility, but it contains so much more. If you've ever had an unmet expectation you'll be able to relate to this book. If you've ever had a dream that you found dashed you'll relate to this book. This book is really about being a woman in this fallen world. We all have hopes and dreams and ambitions that sometimes materialize but often don't.

We've all tasted the bitterness of rejection. Whether it is from a friend or foe it doesn't seem to matter, it all tastes awful! But what if you could find a way to turn that bitter taste into something deliciously sweet? Sara takes you on a journey through her life experiences that shows you the secret of doing just that. The key to it all is to find a longing so desperate of God's desire that even the bitterest of circumstances seem sweet because God Himself is in it.

After reading the whole thing I now know why so many people are recommending it. It is a beautiful story of the redemption of God in a seemingly ruined life. I think you'll come away from it uplifted and encouraged.

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Fall Harvest Celebration With Tommy Nelson {Giveaway}



As we head into the last weeks of October there is a crispness about the air and a beautiful multi-colored tapestry is unfolding in the trees around the Ozarks. Our drinks have turned to hot apple cider and pumpkin spice coffee. There are corn mazes to navigate and pumpkins to be picked. Fall is here in full force and Fall Harvest Festivals are everywhere!

One of our favorite things to do this time of year is cuddle up with our little ones and read some great books that celebrate the season. We'd like to invite you to do the same! Tommy Nelson has some fabulous children's books on sale right now that highlight every wonderful aspect of the fall harvest season. If you are looking to add to your collection head on over to the FaithGateway Online Store and check out their specially priced books.  

Another one of our favorite things to do around here is share with you our friends and readers. So, in honor of the season we're going to have our own online Fall Harvest Celebration by doing a giveaway with Tommy Nelson. We've put together three of our absolute favorite fall harvest children's books that we are going to give to one of our readers. Here's a little bit about each one of them:


The Pumpkin Patch Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs is an all-time favorite of ours. It is of course told in parable form and illustrates how a loving farmer can turn a simple pumpkin into a simply glorious sight. In the same way, God's transforming love can fill each of our hearts with joy and light. Liz Curtis Higgs created this parable as a way to share the Good News with her own precious children each harvest season . . . and now with children everywhere.


A Pumpkin Prayer by Amy Parker and beautifully illustrated by Kirsten Richards is a sturdy board book perfect for chubby little hands! Little ones will delight in the wonders of this special time of year and learn to be thankful to God for His blessings. Colorful pumpkins, crunching leaves, crisp breezes—celebrate the abundance of the harvest season through charming illustrations and sweet rhymes that are perfect for young hearts.


Good Night, Little Pumpkin is adorably illustrated by Claire Keay. Sleepy little Milo, in his oversized pumpkin costume, is making the rounds at the harvest party with his friends. It’s time to go home, but he wants to enjoy every game at the fall fair before the night is over! Crunching leaves, crisp breezes, mountains of sweets—celebrate the abundance of the harvest season through this bedtime book for children. Charming illustrations and a sweet story are perfect for young hearts. It is a great alternative to scary books, this fun harvest-themed book is sure to be a perennial favorite.

The Giveaway

We have partnered with Tommy Nelson to offer one of our readers a copy of The Pumpkin Patch Parable, A Pumpkin Prayer, and Good Night, Little Pumpkin. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Friday, October 24, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.


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All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant ~ Contemporary Romance Review & Giveaway



Contemporary Romance


Kat inspected rows of the same old cupcakes. 
They seemed to blink back at her, as if they knew 
she was capable of so much more.

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself—her—is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.



My Thoughts

Kat Varland is a small town girl with big city dreams. She loves her Aunt Maggie and doesn't mind working for her at Sweetie Pies, but her desire to branch out is strong. Her family doesn't seem to understand this and tends to stifle her at every turn.

The one person in her life that encourages her love of all things cupcake is Lucas Brannen. Kat and Lucas have been good friends forever. But recently they both are beginning to want just a little bit more. How in the world are they going to communicate that without risking what they currently have? Without Kat's knowledge Lucas enters her in a reality TV show called Cupcake Wars. Surely that will communicate to Kat how much Lucas loves her. But making it to the final episode is anything but sweet.

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes is an endearing tale of friendship turning to love. Both Kat and Lucas want a deeper relationship but are too scared to risk letting the other know. It is a story of sacrificially giving of yourself in order to better the lives of those you love. The story is at times funny and also heartbreaking. 

I enjoyed an afternoon of reading this lighthearted story of love and friendship. It includes a delicious recipe for Kat's specialty cupcake and a Reading Group Guide. If you are involved in a book club and looking for something on the lighter side this would be perfect.

The Giveaway

We have partnered with Family Christian Stores to offer one of our readers a copy of All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Saturday, November 1, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.

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Promise to Cherish by Elizabeth Byler Younts ~ Historical Amish Fiction Review



Promise of Sunrise Series, Book 2
Elizabeth Byler Younts
Historical Amish Fiction

It's 1945, and Christine Freeman is a nurse at Hudson River State Hospital, where she works alongside members of a Civilian Public Service unit. Eli is one of the conscies--conscientious objectors to the war--and he is doing his best to become a man of character instead of the immature heart-breaker he used to be back home in his Amish community.

Christine and Eli are friendly, but when an old acquaintance, jack, returns home from the war, Christine's world is violently turned upside down. Eli, heartbroken  to see his friend so hurt, offers her an escape within his Amish community. Despite her misgivings, Christine is fully embraced by Eli's community. She slowly begins to feel valued and loved as she learns the Amish way of life.

Christine finds herself falling for Eli. But soon, the abusive Jack discovers Christine in her Amish hideaway and starts causing trouble for the quiet community. Christine can't see herself becoming Amish, and she knows that if Eli leaves the church to be with her, he will be shunned. Will she escape Jack and possibly have to give up the one thing she holds most dear, or will she follow her heart and promise to cherish the Amish man who loves her?

My Thoughts

I enjoy reading Amish fiction. I really enjoy reading Amish fiction that is unique in presenting an aspect of that lifestyle that I am unfamiliar with. 

Elizabeth Byler Younts first introduced me to what was happening in Amish settlements during World War II in Promise to Return, the first book in the Promise of Sunrise series. I knew that the Amish were conscientious objectors but had no idea about the Civilian Public Service. 

While that first book introduced the Civilian Public Service, Promise to Cherish  takes us inside one of those camps. Through the story of Eli we are allowed to see what it was like to be drafted and then sent to a CPS settlement. It would seem that no one was thrilled to have him there. His fellow Amish (especially his family) are irritated that he is leaving his responsibilities as first-born behind to spend such a long time away from home. The local community where the CPS camp is located resent the conscientious objectors and look at them as cowards. The only place where he finds a small amount of welcome is the Hudson River State Hospital.

At first Eli would rather be anywhere but at the hospital. It is understaffed and lacks some of the basic necessities for its patients. Most of the patients are mentally ill and are left at the hospital by their families. The irony is that in this most dire of places, Eli begins to see his life differently.

While serving at the hospital Eli meets Christine who is a nurse on the ward where he is assigned to work. She has lost two brothers in the war and is rather cold towards Eli. But as often happens in life, the very person she dislikes is the one that winds up being her salvation.

This story has great depth and delves into several subjects that are somewhat uncommon in Amish fiction. There is a date rape that results in an unexpected pregnancy. I found it refreshing to read what felt like true reactions from the Amish community to this situation. There was true conflict and strife but in the end there was also a great amount of faith and trust in God's divine plan.

If you enjoy Historical Fiction, especially surrounding the WWII time-frame, I think you will be intrigued with this fascinating look at a very pivotal time in our country's history. 

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It Will Be Okay by Lysa TerKeurst ~ Trusting God Through Fear and Change {Review & Giveaway}




Lysa TerKeurst
Illustrated by Natalia Moore
Juvenile Fiction

It really will be Okay

Growing up brings change (whether we like it or not). Change can trigger fears that are sometimes real and sometimes imagined. How do kids learn early on that in the midst of these uncomfortable times, they don't have to be afraid?

Little Seed and Little Fox are facing fears, changes, and brand-new things. And they don't like it one bit!

Through this unlikely friendship, children can identify with the main characters and will:
  • Discover that God is always with them as they overcome new or scary circumstances
  • Replace doubtful thoughts about God's plan as they learn to trust Him through change
  • Build their relationship with God by introducing them to the scripturally based characteristics of who God is
It Will Be Okay will show your child that in the end, it really will be okay because we have a God who is good and kind and always watching over us!




My Thoughts

If you are a sappy sentimental momma like me, I would suggest having a box of tissue handy when first reading this book. The story centers around Little Fox, Little Seed, and the Farmer. Little Seed is very content to live in his comfy seed packet in the warm and dry shed. He knows his environment and what to expect day after day. Kind of like you and I in our comfy houses.

Little Fox has a nice and cozy den that he lives in but it can be scary when the storms come. On one such stormy day Little Fox seeks out the shed for shelter and meets Little Seed. Before you know it they become the very best of friends.

All is well until one day the Farmer, who by the way is " always good and always kind" decides it is time to plant the seed. Suddenly Little Seed finds himself in a place he's never been and he's scared. The farmer assures him that he knows what's best and to trust him. Trust is easy in a nice and safe environment, but when the place you find yourself is unknown it can be terrifying.

Little Fox doesn't know what has happened to his new friend. Kind of like how we mommas feel when our little one is out of our sight. Is everything okay? Will my little one be safe? But for those of us that trust in the Father, we have the assurance that He is always watching even when we don't realize it. The same can be said about the Farmer in the story.

Before long Little Seed began to flourish in his new environment. In fact he eventually grows into a beautiful tree that provides great pleasure for his friend Little Fox. By trusting the Farmer, Little Seed grew to be what he was designed to be.

I love the message that this book helps us instill in our kids. When the Father is looking out after you, there is absolutely nothing that escapes His attention. We can trust Him because He is always good and kind and He is watching over us even in the dark and scary places.

Coloring Sheets

Tommy Nelson has some absolutely adorable coloring sheets that go along with the book. You can download them here.












The Giveaway

We have partnered with Tommy Nelson to offer one of our readers a copy of It Will Be Okay. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and will run through midnight on Thursday, October 30, 2014. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and will have forty-eight hours to claim the prize. If unclaimed, a new winner will be drawn. The winners’ entries will be verified. Please enter the contest using the Rafflecopter form below. All entries are optional.

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Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun ~ YA Dystopian Romance Review



Stone Braide Chronicles, Book 1
Bonnie S. Calhoun
YA Dystopian Romance

The Time of Sorrows is long past.
The future of Selah and her people is shrouded in mystery.
And the clock is ticking.

Hidden in the tall grasses along a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city, a hunter crouches. It is the eve of her eighteenth Birth Remembrance and high time she proves to herself and her brothers that she can stand on her own two feet. Selah Rishon Chavez waits not for game but for one of the small boats that occasionally crash against the desolate shoreline. Because inside one of these boats she will find her quarry--a Lander.

These people from an unknown land across the ocean are highly prized by the Company and bring a good price--especially if they keep the markings they arrive with.

Everything falls to pieces when the Lander whom Selah catches is stolen by her brothers, and Selah wakes the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bodhi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell in the Mountain.

With evocative descriptions of a strange new world that combines elements of disturbing scientific advances, devious political conspiracy, and survival in a hostile wilderness, Bonnie S. Calhoun weaves a captivating tale of a society more like our own than we may want to admit. From the tension-laced first scene to the captivating last page, Thunder is an epic journey into the heart of humankind that explores how far we are willing to go when we're pushed to the limit.



My Thoughts

Young Adult fiction is not something that I'm usually drawn to. Young Adult Dystopian Romance is nothing that I would have ever guessed that I would read. But let me tell you that I am so glad I did.

Bonnie Calhoun has put together a fast-paced thriller that changed my opinion of this genre entirely. The story is based in a post-apocalyptic America, the east coast to be specific. It has been 150 years since the great Sorrows struck and much of the surrounding area lays in ruins. 

There is a mysterious group known as the Landers that is being hunted for the bounty that is upon their heads. Bodhi Locke is one of those Landers and he finds himself imprisoned and heading to an unknown fate.

Shortly after Selah Chavez's eighteenth Birth Remembrance everything that Selah thought she knew about her life comes unraveled. To save her life she must run away from home and everyone she holds dear. The one person that can help her is Bodhi, but to gain his help she must first free him.

The reader is taken on a fascinating journey that flashes between locations and different groups of people. The story has a science fiction tone to it that adds to the mystery of what is going on. While this is definitely a romance, there is so much more to the story than the relationship between Selah and Bodhi. 

This would make a great read for teens. The primary character, Selah, is eighteen so some of the scenes are geared towards that age group. I don't think that I would recommend it for a tween, but I only say that because of the overall themes. There is nothing unsavory that goes on in this book. The characters are not promiscuous or racy. But there is definitely attraction and heart thumping romance going on between Selah and Bodhi. 

If you just aren't sure if you would like this book and series you're in luck. Bonnie has written a prequel novella entitled Tremors that is currently a free download for your favorite ereader. It is a great way to get a taste of the flavor of the novel. It gives background on the characters and how they got where they are and it also includes a portion of Thunder to really whet your appetite.



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