The NIV Kid’s Visual Study Bible is especially geared for kids from 8 to 12 years old. This hardcover study Bible has over 700 images inside. Each book of the Bible has a page that tells who wrote the book, why the book was written, what we learn about God in the book, who the key people are in the book, where it happened and what some of the stories are in the book.  Almost every page has verses along the side with an explanation about the verse. 

I think this Bible would be an excellent one for anyone that is looking for help studying the Bible.  I really like the set up, and I also showed it to some other adults that really liked it as well.  

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book review of Praying for Girls by Teri Lynne Underwood

Praying for Girls: Asking God for the Things They need Most by Teri Lynn Underwood is an excellent resource for praying for the girls in your life.  It covers key areas of every girl's life: her identity, her heart, her mind, her relationships and her purpose. 

This book is set up into parts with prayers for each of those key areas.  Each of the parts has chapters.  For example, Part 1 is Prayers for Her Identity and the chapters in Part 1 are Image-Bearer, Loved, Known and Accepted.  Each chapter has an anecdote from Underwood's own life along with lots of scripture and the following sections: Prayers, Just for Mom and Girl Talk (this is separated into three groups depending on the age of the girl you are talking with). 

I love the way the book is set up and have found it to be a very useful tool in praying of my daughter.  I highly recommend it!

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Dark Deception by Nancy Mehl

Dark Deception is the 2nd book in Nancy Mehl's Defenders of Justice series. 

In this book, Kate O'Brien is living in witness protection in a small town in Arkansas.  Four years earlier, she and her sister were attacked by a serial killer, and only Kate survived.  When new evidence suggests that the convicted man wasn't the killer, Kate is subpoenaed to testify in the new trial.  She only agrees if Deputy Marshal Tony DeLuca will escort her because he protected her during the original trial.  When Kate's safety is threatened again, Tony must do all he can to keep her alive and solve this case before anyone else gets killed.

This book was great!  I didn't want to put it down and finished it in two days.  I loved the characters and the storyline.  Definitely recommend for those who enjoy reading suspense.

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson

I have been really loving the legal suspense novels lately!  If you enjoy them, I highly recommend Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson. 

In this book, Ian Wells is a young lawyer struggling to keep his law practice afloat while caring for his mother with Alzheimer's.  A new case with the promise of a fee of two hundred thousand dollars seems to be the answer to Ian's stress and mounting bills.  All Ian has to do is judge if three men qualify for nine million dollars trust funds by determining whether they have been involved in any criminal activity.  Ian accepts the job, but he realizes too late that this "simple" job is out of control and threatens his career, future and his life.

This book kept me guessing along the way.  It kept engaged me from the very beginning.  I highly recommend it!

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan

Deadly Proof is the first book in Rachel Dylan's Atlanta Justice series.  

From the back cover:  

"Tapped as lead counsel in a corporate cover-up lawsuit against Mason Pharmaceutical, Kate Sullivan knows this case could make her career. What really drives her, though, is getting justice for the victims whose lives were ruined by the company's dangerous new drug. But when a whistleblower turns up dead, it paints a target on the back of everyone involved. 

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James steps in to handle security for Kate. He's still haunted by mistakes in his past and is determined never to let something like that happen again. But it soon appears someone is willing to do anything--even commit murder--to keep the case from going to trial. 

As danger closes in, Landon can't help but admire Kate's courage and resolve--but will her determination not to back down become too great of a risk?" 

This book is fast-paced, and I didn't want to put it down.  It has the perfect mixture of suspense, romance and God.  The characters are well developed and interesting.  I really enjoyed reading this and highly recommend it!

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Love Letters from God: Bible Stories for a Girl's Heart by Glenys Nellist

This book is a collection of Bible stories about women in the Bible for girls ages 4-8.  Each Bible story is on a two page spread.  Most of the stories have the story on one page and illustration on the next with a lift the flap 'Love Letter from God.'  My daughter's favorite part was lifting up the flap to read the love letter from God.  Each love letter has a spot to right your little girl's name to personalize the letters. Each story has a section titled 'God's Wonderful Words to You' with a Bible verse.  This is a great book that tells each story in the author's own words, but there is also a scripture reference where you could go in the Bible and read the story from there as well.  I highly recommend this book!

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.*

Book Review of Hello Stars by Alena Pitts with Wynter Pitts

Hello Stars is the first book in the Lena in the Spotlight series by Alena Pitts and Wynter Pitts. Eleven year old, Lena Daniels auditions for a movie part so that she can meet her favorite Christian singer, Mallory Winston.  She never dreams that she would get the part, but that is exactly what happens.  Now that she has gotten her wish, she realizes that being a part of the movie is much harder than she expected.  In order to start filming the movie, she has to leave before the last week of school, miss out on a trip with her best friends and spend her whole summer filming the movie instead of what she had planned.  She doesn't like being in the spotlight.  She learns that being in a movie and meeting Mallory isn't just glamour and fun, but a lot of hard work and responsibility.  

I thought this book was good.  The characters are well developed and the story kept a steady pace.  I loved that Lena talked to God when she had a problem.  There were lots of Christian values as well as scripture references throughout the book which I also liked.  I also liked that there was a lesson to be learned in the book.  I think that girls 8-12 would enjoy this book.

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.*

Book Review of True to You by Becky Wade

True to You is the first book in Becky Wade's Bradford Sisters Romance series.  Nora Bradford is genealogist and historical village owner who went through a devastating breakup three years earlier.  Since her breakup, she has buried herself in her work and tried to convince herself and her sisters that she is content with being single.  However, that changes when she meets John Lawson, a former Navy SEAL.  John hires Nora to help him search for his birth mother because he is looking for a medical history after being diagnosed with an inherited condition.  When Nora and John first meet, John has a girlfriend, but he and Nora become quick friends.  As they spend more time together, they both feel like they could be the perfect match.  Lots of surprises along the way, but I promise the ending is absolutely worth it!

I just finished the finished this book, and it was amazing!  Becky Wade is one of my favorite authors, but I have to say that this book surpassed my expectations, and I think I can say this is by far my favorite that I have read by her.  I loved the characters, I loved the story, I loved the lessons she taught through Nora and John.  I absolutely LOVED IT! I smiled, I laughed, I cried.  I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Long Time Gone

Long Time Gone is the second book in Mary Connealy's The Cimarron Legacy series.  This book picks up right where the first book ended.  Cole is on the mend after being shot with the help of the doctor and Angie Dupree's help.  The Bodens thought that the trouble had ended with the death of a dangerous enemy, but they may have uncovered the real plot to take their ranch.  Everything that has happened could be part of a bigger plot that goes back to a decades old secret.  While Cole and their father continue to heal, Justin and the rest of the family work to put the pieces together but there is danger along the way.

This book is full of suspense and romance.  I've become of a fan on Mary Connealy's writing.  I loved the twists and turns in this book.  The characters are interesting and well developed.  I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Angie and Justin develop in this book.  I would suggest reading the first book in the series to be able to follow the story completely.  I highly recommend this series.

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Quick Tips for Busy Families by Jay Payleitner

This is a description of the book, Quick Tips for Busy Families by Jay Payleitner on Amazon: 

"Parenting can be hard work, and our lives continue to get busier and busier. Is it possible to lighten the load but still raise great kids?

From his experiences as a dad as well as interacting with countless other parents, Jay Payleitner has gathered scores of secrets worth passing along--simple things veteran moms and dads have learned over the years. Things as simple as passing along truths during TV commercials. Or connecting with your children as you tuck them in at night. Or learning how to laugh over spilt milk.

Some of the ideas are old-school secrets that were passed from one generation to the next; others deal with issues that would have never crossed Grandma and Grandpa's minds. All of them are easy to implement. 

This book is designed for a quick, breezy reading experience, letting parents pick and choose those ideas that will make their lives easier, their kids happier, and their futures even brighter."

I liked the set up of this book.  Each tip is about a page long--a few are longer.  There are 144 topics.  You can look in the topical index for something you would like to read about it you don't want to read the book in its entirety.  I sort of expected the tips to be more spiritually based, and there are some there, but the majority are just basic tips which is fine.  We can all use some parenting tips and this is a book that would be good if you aren't interested in reading a super long book.

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Still Life by Dani Pettrey

Still Life is the second book in Dani Pettrey's Chesapeake Valor series.  Avery Tate attends a gallery opening of a photography exhibit and support her best friend, Skylar, who modeled for the show.  The only image displayed in the photography exhibit is a chilling one of Skylar posing as dead and the photographer insists it isn't the photo he took.  Skylar is missing.  As Avery works together with Parker and his friends to solve Skylar's disappearance, they find themselves face-to-face with a relentless and deadly threat.

Dani Pettrey is one of my favorite authors.  I'm so happy that I can say that I loved this book!  It was a little darker subject than her Alaskan Courage series (think Criminal Minds), but I still enjoyed it.  I loved the suspense and the relationship between Avery and Parker.

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of The Cottage by Michael Phillips

The Cottage is the second book in Michael Phillips Secrets on the Shetlands series.  

The back of the book says:
     "When Loni Ford is informed that she has inherited property in the Shetland Islands, she laughs. She wants nothing more than to sell it and be done with it. But when she arrives in the North Sea enclave, she is stunned to find that "the Cottage" is not at all what she expected, nor is David Tulloch, the man most of the islanders believe to be the rightful heir.

The locals could hardly be more surprised that the heir is a woman--and an American. Loni, in turn, finds the islanders quaint and a bit behind the times. Expecting David to be as provincial as the rest of his clan, she discovers that there is far more to the man than meets the eye. And there is something about the peaceful atmosphere of the place--and the character of its most prominent citizen--that soon gets under her skin. 


Beneath the peaceful surface, however, change is threatening the island of Whale's Reef. David's cousin Hardy Tulloch, whose claim to the inheritance now in Loni's hands was backed by oil investors, has not been deterred in his aim to control the island. But his co-conspirators have plans of their own, plans that put Loni's very life in danger."

When I first started the book, I found it to be slow, but once I got further along I didn't want to put it down.  I didn't realize that this book was part of a series, but after finishing this book, I'd like to read more.  The characters were interesting and well developed.  I really liked David and Loni's relationship.

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of Amish Weddings by Leslie Gould

Amish Weddings is the third book in Leslie Gould's Neighbors of Lancaster County series.  In this book, Zane and Lila prepare to marry, but before they do, Lila is seriously injured in a buggy accident.  Zane's army buddy, Trevor, comes to visit and Lila's sister is quite taken with Trevor despite the fact that she is courting Reuben.  While caring for Lila as she recovers from her injuries, Rose begins sneaking around with Trevor.  She thinks that since she never had a rumspringe it won't hurt to have some fun before she marries Reuben. She makes a foolish decision and hurts Reuben.  Can Reuben forgive her for what she has done?

I loved this book so much that I have purchased the previous two books.  This book can stand alone, but there is a lot of background information that may be confusing if you haven't read the first two books.  I have loved the first two books as well, and they answered a lot of questions I had about how some of the relationships came to be.  I highly recommend the entire series!

*I received the book Amish Weddings from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Book Review of You Carried Me: A Daughter's Memoir by Melissa Ohden

The book You Carried Me: A Daughter's Memoir is the story of Melissa Ohden's search for her biological parents. 

 The back of the book says: Melissa Ohden is fourteen when she learns she is the survivor of a botched abortion. In this intimate memoir she details for the first time her search for her biological parents, and her own journey from anger and shame to faith and empowerment.

After a decade-long search Melissa finally locates her birth father and writes to extend forgiveness, only to learn soon thereafter that he has died―without answering her burning questions. Then her birth mother’s parents say they are unable to pass along Melissa’s letter. Years later, when she finally hears from the woman who carried her and gave her life, she finds out why. But the shocking truth is more than she can bear.

Yet even the most startling family secrets are eclipsed by the triumphant moment when Melissa becomes a mother herself in the very hospital where she was aborted. And she reveals how―through the miscarriage of her only son, the birth of a second daughter with complex health issues, and her own birth mother’s story―she gained a deep empathy for every woman who has had an abortion.

Like none other, this intensely personal story of love and redemption cuts through the debates surrounding a divisive contemporary issue to touch our common humanity.

I thought this was a good book.  I think this is a story that needed to be told, and I think that Melissa did it beautifully. 

I received this in exchange for an honest review.