Book Review: When I Grow Up I Want to Be...

When I Grow Up I Want to Be...in the U.S. Navy!
By Wigu Publishing
Wigu Publishing, 2014
English, 58 pgs

Amazon Product Description:
Noah is excited for the chance to tour a real aircraft carrier with his Grandpa Ed, a proud Navy veteran. He is not excited that his little sister, Marina, is tagging along. Still, Noah tries to be patient. Readers chuckle and follow along as the siblings learn that each deck, each crew member, and each piece of equipment adds another chapter to the history of the U.S. Navy and its mission to protect our country. Noah and Marina's curiosity helps introduce readers to the complex and exciting work of an aircraft carrier and how each crew member plays a vital role in its functioning.

"A thoroughly enjoyable, readable adventure aboard a Navy flattop for any boy or girl. A fitting tribute to the U.S. Navy and to the men and women dedicated to serving our country." - Captain A. Stewart (USN Pacific Fleet, Ret.)

 

This highly acclaimed book series by Wigu Publishing introduces juvenile readers to the people in their communities who serve others through their vocations. With 12 titles in the works, the When I Grow Up I Want to Be...series promises to both enlighten and inspire young readers.

 

Upcoming books in this series include...a Good Person!, a Nurse!, a Veterinarian!, a Race Car Driver!, and Green!.

 

About the Author:

Wigu Publishing is a collaboration among talented and creative individuals working together to publish informative and fun books for children. Their books help children to visualize the abundant opportunities that exist for them to be successful and to make a positive difference.

For more information about these books, check out their website.

Review:

This is the second book of the series that I have had the opportunity to read and review with my children. We were really excited about this one because their grandfathers were both in the Navy and one of their uncles currently serves in the Navy. 

The book does not disappoint. The only negative I have to say about it is that the cartoon characters look a little strange in a few of the pictures. Other than that, this is a top notch book that has inspired my youngest to learn more about the Navy and whether or not he'll enlist after high school. He has a long way to go, but when he learned that he can be a fire fighter and be in the Navy he got really excited. 

The book begins with The Sailor's Creed. There is a little bit of humor in the story of Noah and his sister, but mainly I'm impressed with the amount of information about the carrier. There is historical information about the formation of the Navy as well. The boys were greatly impressed with the information about the flight deck and how the planes are raised and lowered on an elevator. 

I really like this series of books and will look into the other titles when they're released. I like that my boys are seeing different options for their futures and understanding that they don't have to decide anything until they've seen more options.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: Meant to Be Mine

Meant to Be Mine
By Becky Wade
Bethany House, 2014
English, 384 pgs

From the Back Cover:
Ty Porter has always been irresistible to Celia Park. All through high school--irresistible. When their paths cross again after college--still irresistible. This time, though, Ty seems to feel exactly the same way about Celia. Their whirlwind romance deposits them at a street-corner Las Vegas wedding chapel.

The next morning they wake to a marriage certificate and a dose of cold reality. Celia's ready to be Ty's wife, but Ty's not ready to be her husband. He's a professional bull rider, he lives on the road, and he's long planned to settle down with the hometown girl he's known since childhood.

Five and a half years pass. Celia's buried her dreams so that she can afford to raise her daughter. Ty's achieved all of his goals. Or thought he had, until he looks again into the eyes of the woman he couldn't forget and into the face of the child he never knew he had.

How much will Ty sacrifice to win back Celia's trust and prove to her that their spontaneous marriage can still become the love of a lifetime?

Review:
I haven't read the first book in the series of the Porter boys (Undeniably Yours) but I don't think that I missed anything. Of course, since the major characters from that book are in this one and doing well, I probably won't pick that one up.

Anyway, you do not have to have read the first book to enjoy this one. It was a little hard for me to get into at first, but it picks up a bit and ends up being a sweet story.

There is a large portion devoted to a Christian message in the story. That is exactly to be expected since it's a Bethany House book.

Anyway... Ty and Celia have known each other since high school. They have each gone their own ways, but ended up getting married in Las Vegas on a whim. Then he realizes what he's done and splits. Celia ends up pregnant from their wedding night and hides the child from Ty. Not a lot is devoted to their backstory as we pick up when the child is 5 years old. Long story short, dad and daughter bond instantly. Dad has to continue on his career, to honor obligations to which he has agreed. Dad makes every effort to know daughter, to the dismay of the mother. Dad gets hurt. Mom and daughter agree to move to Dad's hometown to help out. Dad realizes he loves Mom. Mom realizes she loves Dad but doesn't want to admit it.

I received a free copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a review on my blog. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: Hope Rising

Hope Rising: How Christians Can End Extreme Poverty in this Generation
By Scott C Todd
Thomas Nelson, 2014
English, 224 pgs

Description:
Extreme poverty does not have to exist. When Christians accept that fact and start living accordingly, we will find the solution is already within our reach.

Worldwide, 19,000 children die from preventable deaths every day. If that statistic leaves you feeling powerless, you are not alone-but you are wrong. If a false sense of powerlessness has lulled you into apathy, it's time to shake off the grogginess of low expectations and get to work. We can make this world a place where kids do not die from easily preventable diseases.

In Hope Rising, Scott Todd of Compassion International pens a galvanizing, comprehensive vision of the movement that will eradicate extreme global poverty through transformative Christian generosity-and do it within our lifetime. Todd provides riveting evidence to show that we are much closer to that goal than you might think.

According to Todd, we live in an historic moment, and chances are you are already part of it. The gospel is already reshaping lives from thoughtless consumption to informed concern. Twenty-first-century Christians are generating multi-continent grassroots movements through communications and travel. Public and private sectors are working together. It's a whole new era of philanthropy, compassion, and justice aimed at eradicating the pandemic of extreme global poverty.

This is a future we have the God-given power to create. This is the history we hope to write.
As Todd envisions, "The twenty-first-century Christians embraced the entirety of their gospel-the truths it proclaims and the muscles it demands-with a new integrity. They did not deteriorate into humanist liberalism, as some had feared. Nor did they pile works on top of Grace…They simply determined that their world did not need to have children dying of preventable causes such as dirty water."

Review:
I cannot say enough good about this book. I currently sponsor two children through Compassion so I fully support their work and their mission. I was happy to see this book, written by a Senior Vice President in the organization, is realistic. It's full of data, research and scripture to support the theory that extreme poverty (living on less than $1.25 per day) can be ended. In this lifetime.

The first section, The Death and Resurrection of Expectations, is about why the book was written and what we (all people, not just the Church) can do to change our thinking about ending poverty. When we have low expectations we don't have anything to expect and work towards. The states that "sentiment alone is insufficient", we have to be "wise stewards of the resources God has entrusted to [us]" and we need to see the difference between a "statement of faith and a demonstration of faith". He also calls for a "True Fast" in which we seek justice, share resources and pour ourselves out for the hungry.

The second section, Poverty is not an Unconquerable Mystery, he gives examples and statistics about how much has been done in recent years to work toward ending poverty. It also talks about what is going to be necessary in the immediate and ongoing future. "We tend to credit humans with inventions like rebar and vaccines, but they're acts of God too." The section discusses the culture of poverty and how it is entrenched in hopelessness, therefore very hard to climb out of for anyone. There is an amazing chapter that discusses Jesus's words that "the poor you will always have with you" and how that has been misinterpreted for centuries as an excuse not to work against poverty.

The third section, What Kind of People Will End Extreme Poverty?, explains that you don't have to be one of the super-rich to make a difference. Simple, hardworking, hard-loving people can make a difference. It talks about the Biblical legacy we have regarding providing for the poor and what a threat that is to the powers that struggle against God. There are several examples of ordinary people with extraordinary vision and impact, as well as a call to recognize who we are in Christ and what power that gives us.

The fourth section, The Primary Colors of Social Change, talks about the different aspects of society (government, business and church) can work together for change. I really like that the author states that it's a joint effort. We can raise and support leaders who want to make aid a bigger part of state and national budgets. We can support businesses that create products to give back or support jobs in impoverished societies. We can expect our churches to give a tithe as well as accepting our tithes. Expanding giving isn't hard, it just has to be consistent.

The final section, Catalysts and Strategy, is just what it sounds like. It's examples of what we can do and where we can start to make differences.

 I received a copy of the book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Author Spotlight: Carole P. Roman

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born."Captain No Beard- An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life" has not only been named to Kirkus Best of 2012, it received the Star of Remarkable Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award for 2012. "Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience" Book 2 in the series, received 5 Stars from The ForeWord Review The Clarion Review. Strangers on the High Seas has won second place in the Rebecca's Reads Choice Awards 2013. It has followed with six more books to the series.

Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be.

Her new non fiction series, "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us. The debut book in the series, "If You Were Me and Lived in...Mexico" has won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children's Non Fiction 2012. France, South Korea, and Norway. Rebecca's Reads has given If You Were Me and Lived in...Norway an honorable mention in the 2013 Choice Awards. If You Were Me and lived in ...France won second place. ForeWord Review has nominated If You Were Me and Lived in...France for best in children's non fiction literature 2013. They will be followed with Kenya, Turkey, India, and Australia. She plans to do Portugal, Greece, and Argentina next year.

Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.

Book Reviews:

I Want to do Yoga Too

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This is a very short, cute book. The pictures are simple and cute. The story is about a little girl who goes to yoga with her mom and wants to go into the lesson with her, not the playroom. While in the playroom, she is led through poses by the teacher, without her realizing what she’s doing. We had fun trying to do the poses as we were reading. My boys enjoyed it even though it was a girl in the story and have tried creating their own poses.

Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life

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I’m very much a fan of Captain No Beard! The story is about a little boy, his cousin and his stuffed animals who are pirates on their magical bed/boat. In this book, they learn pirate phrases and have a fun first adventure. The pictures are really kid friendly and we ended up having to put together a pirate costume for the youngest and have to call him No Beard when he’s in costume.

Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience: A Captain No Beard Story (Volume 2)

 

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The crew welcomes a new member, Pepper the Parrot. The Captain starts running drills and it becomes evident that Pepper doesn’t know her right from left. After getting very frustrated, Pepper learns to settle down and work through a problem instead of getting upset. We actually used the lesson of learning right from left for our youngest and he’s getting it correct, most of the time.

Stuck in the Doldrums: A Lesson in Sharing- A Captain No Beard Story Paperback

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The lesson to the book is about sharing. The crew is stuck on an island and have to share their “toys” Then the Captain starts getting bossy and makes playtime not as much fun. I think this is a subtle side-lesson to the book. It is about sharing, but it’s also about being fair and playing well together. He learns that he needs his friends and that he needs to control himself better.  The other pirates also learn about forgiving someone who hurts them a bit.

The Treasure of Snake Island: A Captain No Beard Story Volume 5

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This is a book about the crew of the Flying Dragon. They’re sailing when they spot a storm. After the storm, they head to Snake Island to look for buried treasure. I thought it was cute how Polly the Parrot kept telling the crew about things she had read and how exciting books are. They work together and find their treasure.

 

If You Were Me and Lived in...India: A Child's Introduction to Cultures Around the World (Volume 7)

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This is a great beginner book about India. It starts out with a geography lesson, telling about how populated the country is and about the capital city, transportation and languages. It talks about names and family titles, money and entertainment. There are, of course, pages about the Taj Mahal, food, sports and religion. As with all the books in this series, there is a pronunciation guide in the back, which we really used a lot!

If You Were Me and Lived in... Turkey: A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World, Volume 4

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This is a beginner book about Turkey for kids. It starts out with a geography lesson, and about the capital city and it’s history and culture. It talks about names and family titles, money and the Hagia Sophia. There are, of course, pages about the food, sports and household items are mentioned as well. There is a page about the holiday, Children’s Day, which my son has decided we have to celebrate with them. As with all the books in this series, there is a pronunciation guide in the back.

If you were me and lived in... Mexico: A Child's Introduction to Cultures Around the World

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This is a great beginner book about Mexico for kids. It starts out with a geography lesson, and about the capital city and it’s history. It talks about names and family titles, money and the Mayan history and heritage. There are, of course, pages about the food, sports and household items are mentioned as well. As with all the books in this series, there is a pronunciation guide in the back.

The other countries available in the If You Were Me and Lived In...series are Kenya, Norway, Australia, France and South Korea. I have been using the series along with our Little Passports and homeschool curriculum to further my sons studies of geography and culture. My boys have really enjoyed every book we have read in this series as well as the Captain No Beard series. There is also an additional No Beard book titled Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas. All these books are available on Amazon.com as paperback and Kindle editions as well as at BarnesandNoble.com as paperback editions.

I received a free copy of the books for the purpose of a review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

 

 

Book Review: Schools in Crisis

Schools In Crisis
By Nicole Baker Fulgham
Zondervan, 2014
English, 96 pgs

Description:
IT'S A SOCIAL PROBLEM THAT CAN BE SOLVED. Schools in Crisis is for parents, mentors, and friends who want kids to succeed. Five simple numbers to determine your future. In many ways, America's children are at the mercy of their zip code. They are either raised in a zip code zoned for a public school with quality education or a public school with poor education. This education will set the trajectory for their future---for better or for worse. Educational inequity is one of the biggest social problems of our time. But it can be fixed within our lifetime. And each of us, whether we have school-aged children or not, has a role to play. Schools in Crisis is part of the FRAMES series - short yet meaningful reads on the top issues facing us in today's complex culture. A new kind of book brought to you by Barna Group, to help you read less, and know more.

Millions of children are not fulfilling their God-given potential in many of our nation’s classrooms. Their potential and purpose is literally being left on the floor of classrooms in many low-income communities. What may God have called them to do? How will a substandard education possibly prohibit them from accomplishing that purpose? In what ways are Christians and churches accountable for that? How are we our brother and sister’s keeper with respect to a quality education?

Join Nicole Baker Fulgham, formerly on the national staff of Teach for America and the founder of The Expectations Project, as she explores what our role is in solving the nation’s crisis for public education. This Barna Frame explores a critical topic of our time – Schools in Crisis

Review:
This is a very concise and clearly written compilation of results from the Barna Group's research on public schools. There are easy to read graphics throughout the book. The author is writing from a Christian perspective, yet it encourages readers of all faiths to get involved in the school system. It's obviously in need of attention. And not just from parents with kids enrolled. It tackles a sticky topic of "armchair educators", meaning those who look at it and think they know what it best but aren't willing (or able) to do anything about it. It basically tells you to get up and do something about it if you think you know what it needs. A little harsh, but pretty accurate.

I have a 1st grader in a public school and as good as our school seems to be, he just isn't happy. He isn't being allowed to learn at his own pace. The perception I have is that the kids all need to be "the same" and being "smarter" or "a better learner" isn't allowed. Why can't kids achieve? There's nothing wrong with it and making them adhere to the common core standards and the state testing standards doesn't allow learning "beyond the test".

I received a copy of the book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: A Sensible Arrangement

A Sensible Arrangement
By Tracie Peterson
Bethany House, 2014
English, 336 pgs

Description:

Marty Dandridge Olson is ready to leave behind the pain of the past.
Answering an advertisement for a "Lone Star bride," she leaves her Texas ranch and heads to Denver to marry a man she doesn't know.

Jake Wythe is the man waiting for her.
Burned by love, he marries now simply to satisfy the board of Morgan Bank, which believes a man of his standing in society should be wed. Together Jake and Marty agree they are done with romance and love and will make this nothing more than a marriage of convenience.

When missing money and a collapsing economy threaten his job, Jake's yearning to return to ranching grows ever stronger, much to Marty's dismay. But a fondness has grown between them, as well, further complicating matters.

What will happen when their relationship shifts in unexpected ways...and dreams and secrets collide?

 

Review:

This is the first book in the Lone Star Brides series from Peterson. It's also her 100th novel. I have read many of her books and I mostly liked this one. I thought it took a little while to get going with the story line. I didn't really like that Marty is lying to her family and then Jake. I understand that she's "mad" at God regarding her first husband but that doesn't mean you lie to everyone. I liked the main characters and even though they had their faults, they're still well developed and their characters progresses through the book in a satisfactory manner.

I liked the secondary characters in the book as much as the primary. Alice is a sweet character who guides Marty, even though she's much younger, back into a relationship with God. The housekeeper and butler were a hoot! I guess I've watched too much Downton though because I saw Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson in my mind as I was reading it.

I felt like parts of it were left hanging. The problems at the bank and the mystery surrounding Alice, for example. The ranch. I don't know if these are plot lines for upcoming books or what, but it was kinda disappointing to feel like I read half of the story.

My biggest problem with the book is that there really isn't much interaction with Marty and Jake. Obviously we know what the end result is going to be, but I wanted more of the "how did they fall in love" to the story. Did she even like the flowers he was taking her? Did they go out to dinners? Did they talk beyond the breakfast table or in the study?

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House for a review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review and Blog Tour: Betting the Rainbow

Betting the Rainbow
By Jodi Thomas
Berkley, 2014
English, 304 pgs

Amazon Product Description:
Sisters Abby and Dusti Delaney have spent their entire lives on Rainbow Lane, but they dream of something bigger. So when a poker tournament comes to town, Dusti is determined to win enough money to leave. Enlisting expert Kieran O’Toole to teach her the game, sparks begin to fly as they play their hands. But Kieran refuses to stand in the way of her dream, even if it means losing her forever...

After a year of traveling, Ronny Logan is settling into a home on Rainbow Lane, but that’s all the settling she’ll be doing. Ronny refuses to fall for anyone, regardless of the chemistry she has with her neighbor Austin Hawk. Yet something undeniable begins to grow between the two loners—if only they can let their barriers fall and open their hearts...

Author Biography:
New York Times and USA Today's bestselling author Jodi Thomas has published over 30 books in both the historical romance and contemporary genres, the majority of which are set in her home state of Texas. Publishers Weekly calls her novels "Distinctive...Memorable," and that in her stories "[tension] rides high, mixed with humor and kisses more passionate than most full-on love scenes." In 2006, Romance Writers of America (RITA) inducted Thomas into the RWA Hall of Fame for winning her third RITA for THE TEXAN'S REWARD. She also received the National Readers' Choice Award in 2009 for TWISTED CREEK (2008) and TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN (2008). While continuing to work as a novelist, Thomas also functions as Writer in Residence at the West Texas A&M University campus, where she inspires students and alumni in their own writing pursuits.

Publishers Weekly Review of Betting the Rainbow
Jodi Thomas. Berkley, $7.99 mass market (304p) ISBN 978-0-425-26840-7
Thomas knocks it out of the park again with her seventh contemporary set in Harmony, Tex. (after Can’t Stop Believing). Ronny Logan and Austin Hawk are looking for peace out by Rainbow Lane. They both have reasons to crave solitude—he’s recovering from injury, she from grief and a year’s travel—so they’re surprised to enjoy each others company. Ronny also becomes friends with neighbors Dusti and Abby Delaney, sisters who are counting on a poker tournament to make their dreams come true. As Dusti gets poker lessons from flirtatious Kieran O’Toole, tournament organizer Reagan Truman waits for rodeo rider Noah McAllen, her longtime love interest, to “grow up and man up.” Thomas is a master at creating damaged yet appealing characters, and their expressions of love—as siblings, as friends, as partners—are intense and beautiful. Their paths to happiness are interwoven in an intricate tapestry with the tournament as backdrop, combining in an epic tale of the kind of love that lasts forever. (Apr.)
 

Betting the Rainbow (Harmony) by Jodi Thomas 
Review by Vickie Denney at Reader To Reader

Ronny Logan has returned to Harmony after traveling the world for a year. This was one of the things that her late friend, Marty Winslow, wanted her to do with some of the money he bequeathed her. Ronny will always love Marty, but must start a new life; however, she doesn’t know what to do since she has enough money to last her for forever. Marty’s butler and friend, Mr. Carleon, has stayed in Harmony to help Ronny with any and every thing. While she was away, he leased a cottage for her on Rainbow Lane and it sits on a small lake. There are only three houses in that area. Across the lake the Delaney sisters, Abby and Dusti, have a small farm and raise chickens. Hawk House is on Ronny’s side of the lake and currently is housing Austin Hawk.

Abby had to quit nursing school with only a year to go due to finances after parent’s illnesses. Dusti has entered a local fund raising poker game that sends the winner to Las Vegas to play for a million dollar jack pot. Dusti asks Kiernan O’Toole to teach her the finer points of the game. She hopes to win locally and then win enough in Los Vegas to send Abby back to school. Kiernan will help her but warns her he is also a competitor and he will be hard to beat. The Irishman has loved Dusti forever, it seems, and she is totally unaware…but not for long.

Austin Hawk is also back in Harmony rehabbing from burns and injuries suffered during a fire. He just wants to be left alone, but Fate has other plans for him. The first night that Austin and Ronny meet had this reviewer hee-hawing. A connection is made between these two lost, wounded, and very sad souls, which evolves into a magnificent relationship.

Reagan Truman gives Noah McAllen an ultimatum – her or the rodeo. Noah can’t always run from his responsibilities.

Betting The Rainbow visits so many of the core characters and updates their status. Jodi Thomas has truly outdone herself with this fine, fine story. I know, personally, each and every character in Harmony, Texas and hope to meet many more. They are wonderful, kind, generous, real people with real problems. Be warned that having a box of tissues close by will come in handy. Beautiful stories like Betting The Rainbow don’t come around too often, and reading this tale is like finding a pot of gold.

My Review:
This is far and away my favorite Harmony book. I love the stories in it and I am always happy to return to Harmony.  Ronny has been a favorite character for several books now so I was really happy to see her get a story line in this one as well. A lot of our favorites are back: Martha Q, Reagan and Noah and of course the Biggs brothers. I feel like this one wraps a lot of loose threads from the former books.

The story is centered around two couples, Ronny and Austin and Dusti and Kieran. It takes place outside of the town, so we don't see a lot of the regulars and the usual places (the diner, the funeral home, etc). However, throughout the story, we get to see short snippets of the couples we've visited before.

There is a lot of teasing about the romances and it's really fun to watch Ronny develop as a character. The couples are electric together and totally dysfunctional at the same time! I ran a wide range of emotions as I read it. (And I read it in 3 evenings, did NOT want to put it down!)

There is a preview of the next Harmony book in the back, but it takes place in the past so I'm wondering (and guessing and hoping...) if we're going to go back and see how Harmony came to be in the first place.

I received a copy of the book from the author for the purpose of my review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review. Many thanks to Ms. Thomas for continuing to include me on her blog tours.

Book Review: Raised?

Raised? Finding Jesus by Doubting the Resurrection
By Jonathan K Dodson and Brad Watson
Zondervan, 2014
English, 112 pgs

Description:
A unique twist on understanding the resurrection-doubt it first! Pastors Jonathan Dodson and Brad Watson write for religious skeptics and clearly explain the fantastic importance of the resurrection of Jesus, even while welcoming doubt as an inroad to faith.

To the modern mind, the notion of someone rising from the dead is utterly implausible. While many people believe in the historical Jesus, most find it incredibly difficult to believe in a resurrected Jesus. They are filled with doubt.

Raised? grapples with the believability of the resurrection and with the questions that accompany it. Was it a mass delusion? If it's true, does it make sense of our world? If it is plausible and appealing, how should we respond? What do sin, faith, and Christ really mean? Finally, what difference does the resurrection make?

Written for skeptics, doubters, and those who want to better articulate their faith, Raised? doesn't shy away from the hard questions or settle for easy answers. Ultimately, Jonathan Dodson and Brad Watson present a compelling case that claims Jesus came to show us a God who compassionately dives deep into our doubts and has the power to raise the dead.

Review:
I fully believe in the power of doubt. If you never doubt, you never seek. When you seek, you find answers. Therefore, doubt leads you to finding answers. For that reason, I was very intrigued by the title alone on this book.

As I began reading it I thought it read a lot like someone's Masters thesis. It's very well researched, well documented and filled with scripture. However, it gets a bit studious and can potentially be off-putting to someone who isn't looking for an academic read.

Another however...it is fantastic. It is not hard to grasp the passion with which the authors write about the subject of the resurrection of Jesus. I love that they take historical and present day objections and logically dismantle them. I learned a lot about the Greek and Hebrew culture and ideas in Biblical times. I learned about WHY their belief in the resurrection was so radical at the time.

I am thinking again about Thomas, the Disciple. I am thinking more about the subject of the resurrection in whole, not just because it's coming up to Easter time, but it's just something that I've always believed but have never been able to logically explain why I believe it. This is helping me form that response. I don't meet a lot of people who doubt and are skeptical about Jesus, but I feel better informed as a result of reading this book.

If I could come up with a criticism of the book it's that it focuses a lot on what we "get" as a result of the resurrection. It focuses a lot on what will happen (theoretically) in the new Heaven and earth, after Jesus returns. Honestly, it's not about whether or not there will be art and culture on the new earth. I get Jesus. I get a new heart and grace and forgiveness and mercy and love and acceptance and I could go on....We get Jesus. We get restored to a relationship with God. We get to escape the horrors of eternal separation from God in Hell.

I received a copy of the book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: Lean Body, Fat Wallet

Lean Body, Fat Wallet
By Ellie Kay & Danna Demetre
Thomas Nelson, 2013
English, 240 pgs

Description:

What’s good for the wallet is good for the body—an innovative approach to improving both your wealth and your health.
What would you do if you finally lost that weight and had energy to burn? How different would your life be if you were completely out of debt and in control of your finances? And what if you could do both at the same time with just a few simple, sustainable lifestyle changes? It can happen for you—without drastic dieting or austerity budgets, and even if you’ve tried and failed in the past.
Ellie Kay and Danna Demetre are life experts in two seemingly different fields—finance and fitness. Working together, they realized the principles and habits that help you balance your budget are the same ones that help you lose weight and keep it off. The result is an innovative “two for one” approach that can literally transform your life. Here’s just a sampling of what you’ll find in Lean Body, Fat Wallet:

• Four essential habits for satisfying, sustainable change—and how to make them part of your life
• Ten “failure factors” that trip us up—and how to steer clear of them
• The single key that makes it all work: “renewing the mind”
• Proven strategies to overcome emotional eating and spending
• An all-purpose investment principle to keep you moving forward in hope
• A wealth of stress busters that don’t rely on food or money
• A game plan for raising fit and frugal kids
• Why giving is an essential part of achieving physical and financial health

Review:
I'm a little disappointed in this book. I was expecting to see something new in it, but I think that I've maybe been couponing, budgeting and dieting on my own enough that I've already figured this out.

Now, if you're new to coupons and diets this will be a good book for you. It's not based on anything ground breaking. Basically if you can change your thinking you can change your habits.

I did like the chapter about kids since we've been implementing an allowance and I was able to find a few tips in that chapter. I also appreciated that there was emphasis on giving.

I received a copy of the book from BookLook in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Book Review: When I Grow Up I Want to be a Firefighter!

When I Grow Up I Want to be a Firefighter!
By Wigu Publishing
Wigu Publishing, 2014
English, 60 pgs

Description:
Will was excited to go on his class field trip, until he learned they would be touring the local firehouse. Now, he is dreading the trip. For as long as he can remember, Will has been afraid of fire and, worse than that, firefighters! Though he knows firefighters are heroes who do dangerous work, to him they are giants in heavy coats and masks. As he journeys with his class through the fire station, Will and readers alike are introduced to the exciting world of firefighting. Can Will overcome his fears and maybe even learn something surprising about himself?

Review:
My 4 year old loves firefighters and fire trucks. Ever since we started asking "What do you want to be when you grow up?" the answer is always "A Fireman!" I was so very excited to get to read and review this book for that very purpose!

The story line is well described above so I won't rehash that. The book starts out with a poem "Ode to our Firemen" from 1878! How cool it is to have that included. I love that the pictures in the book are real photos with cartoon people over them. I feel like it gives the book a real, yet "it could be me" feeling. There are pages throughout that are not directly part of the story, but show more information. For example, there are pages on different types of fire crews, a map of a firehouse, a picture of a fire suit with descriptions and different types of fire trucks and vehicles.

At the back is a checklist for family fire safety as well as a plan for making an evacuation route.

My favorite part of the book, however is that the fireman tells Will that his is afraid of fire, but more afraid of people being hurt by fire. Love that!

My son will only read it when he has his full firefighter costume on! He loves the book and asks for it a lot!

There are other books in the series, including US Army, Teacher, Race Car Driver, Nurse and Police Officer. I foresee us reading a lot of them!

I received a copy of the book in exchange for a review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review. Many thanks to Kim at Wigu for including me in the book review.