All is Bright ~ Review

All is Bright
A devotional journey to color your
             way to Christmas
Written by Nancy Guthrie
Illustrations by Lizzie Preston

Coloring has become the new activity of choice, but whether you are a new colorer or one who has never given up a favorite childhood activity All is Bright is the perfect addition to this year's holiday celebrations.

All is Bright can become a part of your Christmas family devotion time or a perfect way to celebrate the season on your own. All is Bright will take you from December 1 through the 31. There is a devotional study with the facing page one that can be colored and it corresponds to the day's devotion.

After the the 31 daily devotions there are 12 conversation starters with a Bible selection to read with questions to discuss the verse and a prayer. There are additional coloring pages that follow.

The pages are 9-3/4" x 9-3/4" and paper is a heavier weight and should take most coloring mediums with no fear of bleeding.  I'm personally a fan of coloring pencils and pastels and these work well with these books. Perfect for almost any age, this would make an excellent gift.

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary review copy of this book with no expectations of a positive review ~ all opinions expressed are my own.

This is a sample of what can be found within these pages

~ colors were added using paint.net ~

·         Tyndale’s Inspire Creativity board on Pinterest has downloadable samplers and shareable coloring pages from their coloring and Bible journaling line, the Living Expressions Collection!

·         Check out www.livingexpressionscollection.com for the latest news and information on Tyndale's  coloring and journaling products.

About the Book:
The perfect gift for the creatives and coloring-book lovers in your life! Includes bonus activities and kid-friendly coloring pages for the whole family!This Christmas season, celebrate the birth of our Savior through beautiful design and devotion. Grab your colored pencils, cozy up with your favorite blanket and a cup of tea, and settle in for a night of peace and wonder with All Is Bright. For lovers of the Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest coloring books, All Is Bright is the perfect way to transform the Advent and Christmas seasons for your whole family, re-centering the holidays on the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Combining 31 days of rich content by the beloved and inspirational Nancy Guthrie with intricate designs that will reconnect you with the heart of Christ, this coloring book devotional journey reminds us all of what the season really calls us to: worship.

Guest Post by Marie Benedict author of The Other Einstein

Guest Post by Marie Benedict author of The Other Einstein

*The rarity of a woman pursuing this field of study at this time in history

The lure of writing about Mileva Maric, the first wife of Albert Einstein and a physicist herself, was not simply the notion of sharing a fresh perspective on the life of the famous scientist. The deeper I got into the research surrounding Mileva the more I realized I wanted to tell the astonishing story of a young Serbian woman who ascended from the remote regions of the Austro-Hungarian empire where it was illegal for her to attend high school to the physics classrooms of a competitive European university. Mileva’s narrative was all too rare in fin-de-siecle Europe, making Mileva’s climb all the more spectacular.

What were the odds that a young woman like Mileva could become a physics student at a European university? Disregarding the hurdle that girls in Mileva’s region could not even attend high school, prior to the middle of the nineteenth century, European universities were almost entirely closed to women, particularly in Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Switzerland, France, and Central Europe. The rare exceptions of women studying at a higher education institution in Europe during this time involved the receipt of special permission from the administration, and even then, women were typically allowed only to audit classes, not receive degrees. Mileva herself experienced this treatment when she spent a semester at Heidelberg University in Germany, and she attended physics classes but received no credit for them. In the late 1880s and early 1900s, certain European

universities began admitting more women — Switzerland began to admit female students in 1867, for example — and women’s colleges were formed. Still, access to coursework in the sciences was especially formidable, and, without a university degree, it was almost impossible for women to enter any profession, particularly the very specialized professions involving the sciences.

When placed in this context, the story of Mileva Maric’s climb — the foundation upon which THE OTHER EINSTEIN sits — is breathtaking. The odds against her sitting beside Albert Einstein in a physics class at the Swiss Federal Polytechnical University were staggeringly high. Consequently, the tale of her descent from this hard-won height makes THE OTHER EINSTEIN all the more tragic — and all the more important.

Check-out my review of The Other Einstein

The Other Einstein will be on sale on November 20, 2016 on Bookbub
and on Goodreads between November 20 - 26, 2016.

The Other Einstein ~ Review

The Other Einstein
By Marie Benedict

Mileva Marić was determined to master both physics and mathematics. In 1896 the Swiss Federal Polytechnic university in Zürich, Switzerland was one of the few places that allowed women to enter its doors of higher education and earn a degree. In a world that frowned upon women pursuing education Mileva had another strike against her - her Serbian heritage.

She was resigned to the life of an academic but then she met Albert Einstein and her life and history were forever altered. As a fellow student at Polytechnic Albert Einstein forced, through persistence, his way into Mileva's life. But academia and romance were not an option for a woman intent on pursuing the higher sciences and science was the passion that Mileva's heart desired.

But when Albert pulled her into the world of intellectual discussion with her fellow students a new world of thought and collaboration opened before her. And for the first time in her life Mileva considered the possibility of a life that held the promise of both science and marriage.

When Albert promises her a life as his equal Mileva allows herself to be swayed be his unique and disheveled charms. But loving a genius is no easy task as Mileva soon discovers. And the sacrifices she makes for her role in the collaboration of Ein Stein as her husband references them will have a marked effect on her life.

The Other Einstein is a look at a marriage that is at times beautiful and at other times troubling.  It would be interesting to see how different Mileva's life would have been had she been born in a different time or if she had crossed paths with Albert Einstein only as a fellow student. His was an overpowering and oppressive personality that Mileva too late recognized. He was too busy blaming others for his problems when it likely could be laid at his own lack of personal drive and ego.

The Other Einstein focuses on Mileva and her thoughts and feelings but it is obvious that the man who promised to treat her as an equal resented her role in his success and was determined to keep her and contributions hidden away in the shadows. But Mileva was a woman who overcame obstacles throughout her life and Albert's unexpected change was the latest to overcome.

This is a book that adds a hidden facet to the life of Albert Einstein and world that he called his own. Historical fiction can be a tricky subject to tackle and Marie Benedict manages to not only conquer it but make it fascinating as one leaves one century behind for another.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinions.


About the Book: 
A vivid and mesmerizing novel about the extraordinary woman who married and worked with one of the greatest scientists in history.

What secrets may have lurked in the shadows of Albert Einstein’s fame? His first wife, Mileva “Mitza” Marić, was more than the devoted mother of their three children—she was also a brilliant physicist in her own right, and her contributions to the special theory of relativity have been hotly debated for more than a century.

In 1896, the extraordinarily gifted Mileva is the only woman studying physics at an elite school in Zürich. There, she falls for charismatic fellow student Albert Einstein, who promises to treat her as an equal in both love and science. But as Albert’s fame grows, so too does Mileva’s worry that her light will be lost in her husband’s shadow forever.

A literary historical in the tradition of The Paris Wife and Mrs. Poe, The Other Einstein reveals a complicated partnership that is as fascinating as it is troubling.

About the Author:
Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years’ experience

as a litigator at two of the country’s premier law firms and for 

Fortune 500 companies. She is a magna cum laude graduate of 

Boston College with a focus in history and art history and a 

cum laude graduate of the Boston University School of Law. 

She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

Check out the Guest Post by Marie Benedict here

The Other Einstein will be on sale on November 20, 2016 on Bookbub

and on Goodreads between November 20 - 26, 2016.

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens ~ Review

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens

A Sunset Cove Novel #3
By Colleen Coble

Kate Mason is struggling to make it to another blueberry season and renting out the cottage on her property seems like the perfect solution. And when Drake Newham and his two young nieces show up looking for a place to stay for the summer Kate feels her immediate concerns for her financial situation may be answered, especially as Drake is looking to hire a nanny for the summer.

But danger is lurking amid the lovely charms of Sunset Cove, Maine, and peace of mind and lives are at risk. Drake has left his life in Boston behind searching for answers about the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law. With evidence of a stalker roaming the island and reports that Kate's uncle has escaped prison intent on making Claire pay for her role in his arrest Folly Shoals doesn't feel quite as safe.

Will twilight fall on the blueberry barrens? Or will there be a promise of a new sunrise to look forward to? 

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens is an emotional journey as life is experienced in all its stages - beginnings and endings with unexpected detours and stops along the way. When faced with betrayal just how far will it push you before you succumb to its pressure?  The answer to this question may allow them to understand just what is going before it is too late...

Romance, mystery, and life all come together in Sunset at Blueberry Barrens in a book that will keep you turning the pages. This is the third book in the series and it is best if you read the previous books before reading this one just so you'll grasp the dynamics between the characters better. I have to admit Colleen Coble is able to bring to life characters one absolutely loves and some that can make one shudder. Get ready for some late night reading! Can you figure out who is behind it all or will you too be taken unaware as were the characters who grace the pages? 

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild with no expectation of a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

“I need you to keep these girls safe . . .”

Kate Mason has devoted herself to caring for her family’s blueberry barrens. But after her fields stop producing fruit, she’s forced to come up with alternative ways to make a living.

Renting out the small cottage on her property seems an obvious choice, but it won’t be enough. When entrepreneur Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it’s almost too good to be true. And maybe it is—because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family. The more time Kate spends with Drake and the girls, the more difficult it becomes to hide her attraction to him. But a family crisis isn’t exactly the ideal time to pursue a romance.

Meanwhile, Kate learns that her uncle—in prison for murder—has escaped. Add to that a local stalker who won’t leave her alone, and Kate is looking over her shoulder at every turn. With threats swirling from multiple directions, she wonders if her blueberry fields will ever flourish again . . . or if this twilight is her last.

Set on the beautiful coast of Maine, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens brings together suspense, romance, and the hope that one day new life will come again. 

Jesus Rode a Donkey ~ Review

Jesus Rode a Donkey
Why Millions of Christians Are Democrats
By Linda Seger, Th.D.

Politics is something that can divide people and even the Church can be split when it comes to political allegiance.  But with Jesus Rode a Donkey Linda Seger looks beyond the party platforms and looks at the heart of the issue.

When voting one needs to look at how an individual candidate has portrayed their beliefs in their life and action not just in their official platform.  The election process is one fraught with decisions that weigh upon the soul. How do I vote? Should I focus on the party platform? The individual's spoken stand? Or the candidate's life as a whole?

Looking at the two major parties, the greatest difference is seemingly the role of religion in America. But looking at the founding of our nation one has to acknowledge that the foundations were liberal in nature - the very idea of freedom was an unheard of concept. A monarchy free government, freedom to worship without a state endorsed religion, and the promise of equality were ideas of change.

But equality's promise has not been enjoyed by all throughout America's history. And this is where our focus should be - WWJD (what would Jesus do?). Jesus came to those society looked down upon. He associated with the poor, the outcast, the ill. He showed neighborly love to all and didn't allow the dictates of society to determine whom should be His neighbor. How can we do any less?

Whether one agrees with the views of the author this is an interesting look at politics, Christianity, and America. Jesus rode a donkey when He entered Jerusalem and a donkey was symbolic with the lowly life He lived starting with His birth in a stable.

I was provided a copy of this book by the author through TBCN/BookFun with no expectation of a positive review and all opinions are my own.


About the Book:
If Jesus were alive today, would he: feed the poor - or give tax breaks to the super rich? Comfort the old and infirm - or cut Social Security? Build bridges that unite - or build walls that divide? Make peace - or make war?

In this ground breaking book, noted author and theologian Linda Seger, Th.D., explores what it means to be a Christian and a Democrat - and shows how the two are not mutually exclusive but rather inclusive. She reveals the close relationship between Democratic policy and Jesus' teachings and the many ways in which the values Jesus espouses in the Bible correspond to the values Democrats call their own. The idea that America's real Christians vote strictly Republican crumbles when one studies the platforms of both parties.

Jesus Rode a Donkey reminds the reader that Jesus and the prophets had a radical, progressive message that calls individuals and nations to feed the hungry, help the poor, heal the sick, care for the earth, free the oppressed, and love our enemies.

The book won the Silver Medal Christian Living Illumination Book Award given for exemplary Christian writing.

About the Author:
Dr. Linda Seger has a background in both drama and theology. She has focused her career as an international script consultant, seminar leader in the area of screenwriting, and author of 9 books on screenwriting. In the last eight years, she has also been writing books on spirituality. Dr. Seger has built her business based on the spiritual principles in her books. She is dedicated to helping her clients express their spirituality through their writing and to deepening the themes and values found in films. She has long been interested in the relationship of spirituality and creativity. As a result of her broad religious background, she is able to nurture the spiritual values of others through her books and her public speaking.

Jesus Invites Me ~ Review

Jesus Invites Me
Knowing My God series: A Learn book
By Callie Grant
     Art by Missi Jay

Instilling an early knowledge of Jesus that will grow with your child and family is what is so lovely about these books. Jesus Invites Me focuses on the verses from Matthew 11:28-30 in which we are invited by God (Jesus) to bring the burdens in our lives and share them with Him.

This is a promise that all can take to heart from the youngest child to the oldest adult. How often do we have an offer to help us carry the stresses of the day and all we have to do is share our need with God?

Every other page shares a portion of the Scripture while expounding on what this passage means. The facing page has an illustration which conveys this passage as well.

The book includes, in the final portion, guidance for parents on how to engage their children for their age (baby, toddler, and child).

A delight that is perfect for family devotions and would make the perfect gift for new or expecting parents.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the author through TBCN/BookFun with the understanding that a positive review would not be an expectation and that all opinions expressed would be my own.

About the Book (18 pages):
Children engage with Jesus’ words for them in Matthew 11:28-30. From the Knowing My God series, this book offers three levels of exploration: a quoted Bible passage, beautiful real-world photographs, and supportive text to relate the passage’s meaning to a child’s life. A parent guide gives tips for involving a baby, toddler, and child. In the Graham Blanchard book collection, Jesus Invites Me is a Learn book, which makes personal Bible study accessible to young children who, alongside adults, build a foundation for faith and a lifelong friendship with Jesus. Find out more about our Learn, Absorb and Praise books for children at GrahamBlanchard.com.

Download free grownup tips for each book and find out more about Graham Blanchard's Learn, Absorb and Praise™ board books for children at www.grahamblanchard.com.

The Devoted ~ Review

The Devoted
The Bishop's  Family #3
By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Ruthie Stoltfus is at a crossroads in her life and she's determined to have something more than what she's always known. It's just a question of what. And then there is Luke Schrock who is still charming but heading down a path Ruthie doesn't want to follow - one that is sure to lead to destruction.

As Ruthie ponders her future her father David ponders the future that Stoney Ridge seems be embracing. Can he steer the community he has come to love back to its roots or has the damage from the world beyond done too much damage?

When a young man makes his way to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish life he has limited time to achieve his goal. Can Patrick Kelly open Ruthie's eyes to the life she has become too familiar with? Or will her Penn Dutch tutoring be one of her last Amish acts? Only time will tell...

This is the third book in The Bishop's Family series that focuses on the Stoltzfus family. The family has grown up over the series and David as bishop is always a main character with his son Jesse and daughter Ruthie taking staring roles this time as they figure out what comes next in their lives. The change in Jesse from his first introduction to now is one that has been interesting to follow.  The glimpse into Luke's life has been interesting and I'm seeing if he gets his life straightened out. This book can be read without the previous books having been read first.  But the reader will have a better understanding of the characters with reading the previous books in the series and Suzanne Woods Fisher's previous series which are set in Stoney Ridge.

I was provided a reviewer copy of this book by the publisher the no expectations of a positive review, all opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:
The Amish life is all she's ever known--but will it satisfy her soul?

Restless and adventurous, Ruthie Stoltzfus is right on the cusp of leaving her Amish home. Secretly, she's earned her GED, saved her money--but she can't quite set her journey into motion. Just as everything falls into place, along comes Patrick Kelly. 

Patrick is a young man on a journey of his own. He's come to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish and has given himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and adapt to "everything Plain." Time is of the essence and every moment is to be cherished--especially the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor.

Ruthie's next-door neighbor and cunning ex-boyfriend, Luke Schrock, is drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Rebellious, headstrong, defiant, Luke will do anything to win Ruthie back--and Patrick Kelly is in his way.

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a story of dreams deferred--and the promise of hopes fulfilled.