Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Book Review: Then Sings My Soul Book 3

This book tells the great history of worship, the first biblical hymns, biographical sketches of the most interesting composers, and almost 60 generations of hymn singing. The new book also includes a collection of the greatest hymns you've never heard, with lead-sheets included.

Great book. I loved it. My daughter can use this to play songs on her piano.

Product Description The long-awaited third installment! In 2003, Robert Morgan released what would become a future classic for over a million readers, a unique book entitled Then Sings My Soul. This collection of the world's greatest hymns and the stories behind them stirred an entire generation to better understand the heritage of our faith through song. Now, in the long-awaited third volume of this series, Morgan expands his material to include the great history of worship, the first biblical hymns, biographical sketches of the most interesting composers, and almost 60 generations of hymn singing. The new book also includes a collection of the greatest hymns you've never heard, with lead-sheets included. All of this is in addition to even more standard hymns and the stories of the composers behind them. Morgan's conclusion guides the reader into enjoying all of God's music, blending the old and the new into a symphony of praise that keeps the worship alive for a new generation.

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review Books for Blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255. Positive or negative, this is my honest opinion of the product.


Book Review: The Christmas Singing

This book is about a girl named Mattie. She once was in love and the guy broke her heart so she moved away to start a new life. She opened up a cake shop and started dating someone new. The dating was mostly out of convenience and companionship. But when fire destroys her shop she goes back home and finds out that she still has feelings for the guy that broke her heart. She finds out the truth why he broke off their engagement. They end up realizing that they are meant to be together. Love conquers all!


This is a really cute book. An absolutely adorable love story. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I read this book in a day because once I started reading it I had a hard time putting it down.

Book Description: Series: Ada's House Series | Publication Date: October 4, 2011 After Gideon coldly broke her heart, can the warmth of the season revive Mattie’s hopes? Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve. Three years later, will learning the truth behind his rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak? Spend Christmas with the Amish in this story of love, romance, heartache, and restoration.

About the Author: Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Her ability to authentically portray her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. Cindy lives in Georgia with her family. Visit her website at  CindyWoodsmall.com.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book by Waterbrook Multnomah Press, I was neither paid for this review nor was I commanded by Waterbrook Multnomah Press to write a positive review. This review is my own personal opinion. This disclaimer is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx03/16cfr25503.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Can I get a Do-Over?

This book is about getting another chance. It talks about our Heavenly Father and how he loves us so much and that he would give us a second chance even if we don't feel we deserve one. It is a really great book.

Book Description Series: Circle of Friends | Publication Date: April 1, 2012 Can I Get a Do-Over?. .  The Grace of Second Chances offers a fresh perspective on God’s matchless grace. Short, easy-to-read chapters—overflowing with humor and insightful Bible-based encouragement—will inspire a new outlook, as you begin to embrace the love and forgiveness of your heavenly Father.
Availability: This product will be released on 04/15/12.


Thursday, January 26, 2012

Book Review: Life is a Gift


Life is definitely a gift. This book made me cry and it made me laugh. It is about a mother that tells her life experience about having multiple miscarriages, having three little precious girls and about what she faces when all three little girls end up having the same genetic disorder. Jenny Miller is amazing for being able to share and write about it all. The happy and sad. She even writes about being upset with God. I can't even imagine how she felt and the pain she endured.

Book Description
Publication Date: September 1, 2011
Jenny counted her newborn's fingers and toes, amazed anew at God's tremendous gift of life-but the gift did not turn out as she hoped. Her precious baby girl, the fulfillment of her childhood dreams, had serious medical problems. As her dreams crumbled around her, Jenny wrestled with the God of her youth-a God she knew only as secure, faithful, and loving. Now her prayers rang hollow, and God seemed unpredictable, confusing, and distant. Didn't He see tears? In this tender and deeply personal story of dashed hopes and broken dreams, Jenny shares in vivid detail her struggle to accept the journey God chose for her journey of faith through which she reluctantly embraced the lessons God had set before her. Through brokenness, she gained peace, comfort, even joy and a far deeper understanding that life-all life-is a gift from God.

About the Author
Jenny Miller lives in a little log cabin in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, along with her husband their daughters. She is passionate about connecting with other women, writing from her heart, and finding beauty in the ordinary. She enjoys her role as wife and mommy, as well as cooking, decorating, and teaching Sunday school. More than anything, she longs for God to use the story of her life to shine hope into the lives of others.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Book Review: Stuck Wtih You


This book is about two lawyers (Ross and Paige) that were hurt when there was a blast. They were taken to the hospital in an ambulance and on their way they could have possibly been exposed to the "love bug" virus so they had to be quarantined. They had to be in one room together Paige did not like Ross because he was a divorce lawyer. But because of this "love bug virus" they are becoming attracted to each other and they think it is due to the virus but come to find out they never were infected and they find out that they were just really attracted to each other.
This book is absolutely hilarious. It made me laugh and I absolutely love this book. If you want to read an awesome book that is funny this is the book for you.

Book Description
Publication Date: January 2, 2012
"Trish Jensen is a one-woman laugh riot." -Sandra Hill, NY Times Bestselling Author

"Trish Jensen is the undisputed queen of comedic romance." -Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

Two feuding divorce lawyers.
One infectious "love bug" virus.
The symptoms are hard to resist . . .

Paige Hart is blessed and cursed with a large, loving and. . .colorful Southern family. As the only lawyer in the clan, she can't say no when her cousin needs her help in a messy, no-holds-barred divorce. Tax attorney Paige squares off with Ross "the Snake" Bennett-one of the slickest divorce lawyers in the county. The case is going as well as an acrimonious, zinger-filled, wrangle of epic proportions can go until exposure to an infectious bug with an unusual side effect lands both lawyers in quarantine together.

The doctor was blunt. "There's a slight chance that the two of you came into contact with infectious materials when you were transported in that ambulance."
"A virus?" Paige squealed.
"What virus?" Ross demanded.

"The CDC believes it's a new strain of Tibetan Concupiscence Virus. Or TCV. The symptoms appear to be-somewhat unusual. Elevated heart rate, a warmth radiating under the skin, and heightened sexual awareness."
"Oh . . . my . . . God," Paige said faintly.
Ross crossed his arms. "I've never actually considered heightened sexual awareness a problem."
"That's it!" Paige said, pointing at Ross accusingly.
"That's what?" he and the doctor asked at the same time.
"The reason I was-was-never mind," Paige said, feeling her cheeks heat up. Like she'd ever admit she'd been making silent, non-lawyerly observations about the snake. Hospital gowns weren't supposed to look that good. Or deliciously skimpy.

Trish Jensen is the bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. Visit her at www.TrishJensen.com.

Biography
Trish Jensen never meant to become an author. Never aspired to it, in fact it wasn't even in the top ten of jobs on her, "If you could do/be anything, what would it be?" list.

But after seven years in corporate America, she recognized climbing that particular ladder wasn't what she wanted, either. So while she figured out what truly felt right, she decided to go back to school for her MBA. After one semester of THAT, she recognized it would still be the same ladder, just made of better wood, a better view from her office, and yet still a desk job.

So she made a leap to another, really rickety ladder, taking English and creative writing classes just to clear her head and make her brain work in a completely new way. When she tackled the final for her creative writing class, the first chapter of a novel, a crazed writer was born.

She loves this ladder, although she realized rather quickly that it never really becomes less rickety, and along the way there are many rungs that crack or break, making climbing a wonderfully scary, uncertain but never boring proposition.

Yet sitting here in her office -- admittedly with a beautiful view of mountains and wildlife rather than high-rises -- a horrible thought occurs to her. It's a desk job.

Book Review: A Marriage Carol


I love this book. I read it in a couple hours. Once I started it I didn't want to put it down. It has the same plot as A Christmas Carol. It made me laugh and cry. This story is about a couple that are going to sign divorce papers on Christmas Eve. On their way they get in a wreck and ends up off the side of the road. It seems something was stopping them from making a mistake. This book shows that if you once loved your spouse you can love again. Just have to want to and make it work. This would be a great gift for Christmas! It is a cute little story and I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

Book Description
Publication Date: September 1, 2011
On Christmas Eve twenty years earlier, Marlee and Jacob were married in a snowstorm. This Christmas Eve, they are ready to quit, divorce is imminent. Their relationship is as icy as the road they're traveling and as blocked with troubles as the piling snow. They take a shortcut to get to the lawyer's office, on a slippery, no-fault path. She thinks they need to stay on the main road. He disagrees. They fight. Story of their lives and they slam into a bank of snow , spinning, drifting, falling, out of control. Just like their lives. Reluctantly, freezing cold, hungry, scared, she trudges up the hill. Jacob is nowhere to be found. Her ears frozen, fingers and hands red, she comes to a house on the hillside, built like a Bed and Breakfast, a green wreath on the red door and the door-knocker is in the shape of a wedding ring.The red door opens and the first thing she notices is the fire in the room, blazing hot, a warm, inviting, friendly place and the voice of an old man welcomes her in. There are three golden pots on the hearth, shining, glimmering things. The old man claims that they are used to restore marriages. She laughs¿and begins a journey through her past, present, and future that will test how she views her lifelong love. There are two futures available. Which will she choose'

About the Author
CHRIS FABRY is a graduate of W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and Moody bible Institute's Advanced Studies Program. Chris can be heard daily on Love Worth Finding, featuring the teaching of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. He received the 2008 "Talk Personality of the Year" Award from the National Religious Broadcasters. He has published more than 60 books since 1995, many of them fiction for younger readers. Chris collaborated with Jerry B. Jenkins and Dr. Tim LaHaye on the children's series Left Behind: The Kids. His two novels for adults, Dogwood and June Bug, are published by Tyndale House Publishers. Chris is married to his wife Andrea and they have five daughters and four sons.

GARY CHAPMAN, PhD, is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling The 5 Love Languages. With over 30 years of counseling experience, he has the uncanny ability to hold a mirror up to human behavior, showing readers not just where they go wrong, but also how to grow and move forward. Dr. Chapman holds BA and MA degrees in anthropology from Wheaton College and Wake Forest University, respectively, MRE and PhD degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has completed postgraduate work at the University of North Carolina and Duke University. For more information visit his website at www.5lovelanguages.com.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Book Review: Bittersweet Surrender


This book is one of the best books ever. Diann Hunt is an amazing author. I have read other books she has written. Nothing but amazing. This book is about a girl named Carly. It is about all the things she has gone through in life. Love, ups and downs, good and bad and she still keeps her spirits high with the help of God. It also about her friends and family and what they have gone through and what is happening in their lives as well. I love this book. I laughed and I cried. Great Book! I would suggest it to anyone!

Product Description
Carly spends her days at a spa (okay, so she owns the place), she’s dating a hunk, and she’s surrounded by chocolate. She’s living the dream . . . or is she?

The last few years have been tough, but now Carly Westlake’s life seems picture perfect. Business at her spa is up thanks to her famous chocolate facials. And Jake Mitchell—her dreamy, teenage crush—has moved back to Spring Creek, Vermont, with his daughter in tow. Carly’s nearly floored to learn that Jake has his sights set on winning her heart.

But when long-buried secrets threaten her business—and her friendship with her best friend and business-partner, Tom—Carly has to fight like crazy to keep her plans afloat. Can it be that her dream of marrying Jake Mitchell isn’t the plan God has for her life? What if God’s plan requires something totally unexpected . . . a bittersweet surrender that Carly must make before she can discover true love?

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review Books for Blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255. Positive or negative, this is my honest opinion of the product. 

Book Review: A No Fuss Christmas


This book is a cute book. I really liked it. Great for young kids and adults. It is during the depression. Sueker comes to understand that there is more to Christmas than Christmas trees and presents. The true meaning of Christmas. Good book with a great meaning. I got this book for free to download onto my Kindle Fire and a hard copy would be great to give to kids for Christmas.

Book Description
Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up
Christmas is coming, and Sueker wants a big, fragrant tree with red bows and lots of candy and presents. Most of all, she wants her brother Razz to come visit her at her foster parents' home. Sueker's foster parents tell her that nothing is too hard for God. But little food, no rain, and dusty, empty streets make it hard for Sueker and her family to believe.

Book Review: I used to Know That


This is a good book for my children and I. I home school my children and is nice to have a book to help me out when I am teaching. Helps to learn and memorize certain things quick. Great book. I got this book for free to download onto my Kindle Fire and I would really like to have a hard copy so my children can read through it when they want.

Book Description
Publication Date: March 5, 2009
This small but mighty collection will trigger your memory with fun facts you learned in school-from adverbs to the Pythagorean Theorem. Witty, engaging, entertaining-a book you'll pick up again and again.

Author Caroline Taggart discovered two things while researching this book and talking with other people: One, everybody had been to school. And two, they had all forgotten entirely different things. Contained in this handy little book are the facts that you learned in school, but may not remember completely or accurately. Covering a variety of subjects, this book features all the most important theories, equations, phrases, and rules we were all taught years ago.

Rediscover:
* History: The first president to occupy the White House was John Adams in 1800
* Religion: The seven deadly sins and the names of the twelve apostles
* Literature: In which Shakespearean play "The quality of mercy" speech appears
* Science: The periodic table of elements devised by a Russian chemist in 1889 includes the symbol for lead (Pb), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), and gold (Au)
* Nature: How photosynthesis works

The information-presented in easy-to-retain, bite-sized chunks-is accurate and up-to- date. It will touch a chord with anyone old enough to have forgotten half of what they learned at school. Here is a perfect gift for every perennial student.

About the Author
Caroline Taggart has been an editor of non-fiction books for nearly 30 years and has covered nearly every subject from natural history and business to gardening and astronomy. She has written several books and was the editor of Writer's Market UK 2009.

Book Review: I before E except after C for Kids


This book has lots of cool tricks to remember things. It is a great book for my kids. I home school my children and this book will help them out to remember some things easier. I got this book for free to download on my Kindle Fire but I would love to have a hard copy so my kids can go through the book themselves. There are a few tricks that I knew as a child and it was fun to see the old ones I knew and new ones that I have never seen.

Book Description
Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: I Wish I Knew That
Just like adults, kids need easy ways to recall stuff-especially now, when they don't even have to remember a phone number because their cell phones remember it for them. And just like the bestselling i before e (except after c) for adults, this book is jammed with easy-to-use tricks for remembering lots of stuff-especially stuff they need to know for school. Through entertaining (and often silly) examples, kids will learn to remember everything they need to know about:
The Earth-including fun facts about geography, geology, and the weather- and the sky -revolving around planets, stars, atmosphere, and so on
Reading and writing-covering everything from the smallest punctuation mark to the prickliest words to spell to the trickiest grammar to the grandest figure of speech
The mysteries of history-from Way Before You Were Born (ancient history) to the most recent American history facts every kid needs to memorize
Math and music-a surprising, but logical combination that examines cool ways to remember numbers, times tables, calculations, and musical notations

Kids will like learning fun ways to remember stuff and will love getting the good grades that follow.

About the Author
Susan Randol is the author and editor of many books, including Redbook Mom's Survival Guide. She lives outside of New York City with her family.

Book Review: Learn to Play the Ukulele


This book is a fun book. I got a free downloaded version to put on my Kindle Fire. My daughter has a Ukulele and she is trying to learn how to play it. I think the downloaded version is okay but I think it would be best to have a hard copy with the CD. I would love to get a hard copy so my daughter and I could learn to play.

Book Description:
This book will teach readers basic playing techniques for the ukulele. No prior musical experience is assumed. They will learn how to hold the instrument, position the hands, strumming techniques, basic chords and beyond. The enclosed CD guides the reader through a series of exercises, which are organized in a progressive fashion (practicing one strum and slowly building to more complicated rhythmic patterns). The CD also includes a variety of charming songs that readers will be able to strum along with (starting with one/two chords and progressing on to more complex). Encouraging tips are included as well as fun/interesting trivia and sidebars about the ukulele. Music theory is included, but the emphasis is on getting up to speed and on with the fun of playing quickly.

About the Author
Bill Plant is a woodworker from Australia where he has taught furniture design, joinery and general woodworking at a local college (Goulburn Ovens TAFE). He also teaches private classes. He has been published in Australian Wood Review, Australian Woodworker, Practical Woodworking (UK), Good Woodworking UK) and IO magazine. He has written brochures for Mitre 10 (an Australian hardware chain). He has a degree in fine arts including photography and has studied writing. He has taught over 300 people how to play the ukulele and has started several ukulele groups. When he is not surfing in South Australia or touring the desert, tropical rain forests, beaches and reefs---you’ll find him in his shop playing or making ukuleles.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Book Review: Billy Graham in Quotes


This book is great. I loved reading all the quotes. It has so many great quotes and it covers a ton of topics that we deal with in life including addiction, bible, anger, abortion and sin. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Book Description:
A stunning collection of quotes from a longtime warrior for Christ.

A note from Franklin Graham:
"My father, Billy Graham, is known for speaking out about the one and only thing that matters in this world: the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He remembers the call of God seven decades ago to preach the Word of God to all those who would listen about salvation that comes only through Christ. He took this high calling with seriousness and boldness in obedience to God and once said, 'I will travel anywhere in the world to preach if there are no strings on what I am to say.'
"My father has always prayed that his words would reflect God's standard of truth as the basis to claim, 'I have given them Your word' (John 17:14). In this book, I believe you will see that he has faithfully spoken God's Word that quenches the thirst of those seeking to draw from the wellsprings of Life. It is highly meaningful to see these statements now collected in one volume."

Drawn from an unparalleled collection of both personal and published works, Billy Graham provides input on more than one hundred topics, such as suffering, joy, money, addictions, peace, and many more.

Biography:
Billy Graham, the world-renowned author, preacher, and evangelist has delivered the gospel message to more people face-to-face than anyone in history and has ministered on every continent of the world. Millions have read his inspirational classics, including ANGELS, THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS, PEACE WITH GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, HOPE FOR THE TROUBLED HEART, and HOW TO BE BORN AGAIN.

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review Books for Blogging program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255. Positive or negative, this is my honest opinion of the product.