"A Light So Lovely" by Sarah Arthur

Madeleine L'Engle is a much beloved author. Most everyone has read, "A Wrinkle in Time." Add to that others in that trilogy and her other works, and you have someone whose life continues to shine after death. In this new book, Sarah Arthur takes readers inside the life of the woman whose strong faith and imagination worked together. Come, take a look inside her life and get to know Madeleine L'Engle.

Madeleine L'Engle was a woman who was beloved and unliked at the same time. She wrote from her heart and imagination making some think it was too spiritual and others not spiritual enough. Yet, she still entertains and challenges her readers today. Book groups continue to have lively discussions about what she meant about this or that. A movie was even made about "A Wrinkle In Time" that caused quite a stir in many places. Sarah Arthur has opened Madeleine's life to readers so that they can see the woman, the author, the icon.

I love Madeleine L'Engle's work, which is why I wanted to read this book. She found a balance in her life that few find or are able to continue with. The chapters are insightful and entertaining, the writing inviting and easy. Sarah Arthur will draw you in and leave you content but also wanting more. I recommend this book to readers everywhere. You won't regret picking it up!

Special thanks to Handlebar Publishing for my review copy. This review is mine.

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"If He Had Not Come" by David Nicholson

What if Jesus had not come to Earth? What if He had never been born? In this book by David Nicholson, youngsters, and adults, get to explore that question through the story. 

Jesus has made an incredible impact on this world. What would it be like without that impact, without His influence? This story has been around for many years and is a favorite of many as it lets people of all ages really reflect on what things would be like without Him. The opportunity for discussion occurs throughout the book, and there are discussion questions at the back to help facilitate the family/church group discussion. It will become a Christmas tradition for you if it hasn't already.

This is a great book and story for the family as well as Sunday School groups. Just thinking about what things would be like without Jesus can help unbelievers believe. It can help families grow closer around the Bible. I recommend this book to all. Thank you to the BookLookBlogger program for my review copy. The words and review are mine.

"Early Readers Bible - NKJV" - Tommy Nelson

Do you have a child who wants a Bible of his/her own? who wants to learn more about the Bible on their own? This new NKJV Early Readers Bible may just be the fit for them. This is a pink and glitter hardcover Bible for at girls ages 7 - 10.

A good Bible should have tools to let the reader see where things are happening and get extra help in understanding what they are reading. This Bible does just that. There are maps scattered throughout to point out specifics, there are helpful tables like the one on "Jewish Feasts," an illustrated Word List, an illustrated Bible history, a One-Year Reading Plan, and many other helpful things to get your youngster actively reading and understanding God's Word.

I really like this Bible because it has a good sized print and so many helps. I also like that the words of Jesus are in red. It will attract young girls because of the color and glitter. If you have a daughter, granddaughter, friend, etc., who needs a Bible, why not check this one out? I highly recommend it. Thank you to the BookLookBlogger program for my review copy. The words and review are mine.

"Willie Out West" by Rhonda Walker

Willie is a young walrus who is bored with his daily life. He longs for adventure even though he is young. What would it be like to live somewhere else? What would it be like to be a hero? As Willie waits for meal time, he starts to daydream....

This is a short story with a big message, well, messages. Willie is still young and things can be scary, but there are times to stand up and be counted. This comes into play when Willie dreams of being in the wild west with a bully of a whale. Can Willie overcome his own fears to help out the town folk? Can he learn to be content where he is? Young readers will enjoy figuring this one out!

I enjoyed this story and had the opportunity to read it to some children who also enjoyed it. They were caught up in the drama and were voicing their ideas of how things were to be handled. The illustrations were also a big hit. It you are looking for something fun and short to read out loud, or to have a young reader read to you, this book is a great choice. Thank you to the Book Look Bloggers Program for my review copy. The words and review are mine.

"Dinner for Dinos" by Tommy Nelson

It's time for dinner, and while most of the dinos were going for healthy options, Bronto didn't want anything to do with vegetables! What were they going to do? How could they all eat together and make something that everyone could enjoy? Children will learn the answer when they hear or read the story in this book. The book cover is hard but has a squishy component and the colors and illustrations are brilliant and fun. 

Shopping together, singing great songs, and talking about the benefits of eating good foods are three of the points readers will find in here. No, it's not an in your face type of book, but instead one with some fun. Parents could even sing and/or create different voices for the pages. Nothing gets kids more interested that making reading fun!

I like this book and so did the children I read it to. They liked the heavy duty pages, the bright colors, the pictures, and the voices I created for these characters. It is a short book with a great message and I encourage people who love children to add this to their shelves. Many thanks to the Book Look Bloggers program for my review copy. The review and words are totally mine.

"The Bones Will Speak" by Carrie Stuart Parks

So many things draw a reader into this book. A dog finding a skull, a serial killer on the loose, a cabin in the woods, a tortured victim, and a forensic scientist with a target on her back; all parts of this murder mystery by Carrie Stuart Parks. Gwen Macey is a forensic scientist and her dog is the one that found the skull. Drawn into this serial killer's mind and path, Gwen decides to try to find him/her, only putting herself in peril. 

Suspense is definitely the hallmark of this book. Whether following Gwen's leads and trails, or whether they are trying to catch this serial killer, readers are in for an emotional and suspenseful ride. Why is this person killing? Why is Gwen targeted? Come join Gwen as she endeavors to discover who is doing the killing and how they can be stopped. You won't regret picking up the book.

I really enjoyed this book because I couldn't put it down. I had to know the full story. I had to help follow the trail. I had to be sure that Gwen and others were ok. The writing is excellent. You will see and hear everything. If you enjoy books filled with suspense and mystery, you will love this book!

"When God Says 'Go'" by Elizabeth Laing Thompson

Our lives are so hectic that it sometimes seems that we don't have the strength or courage to do something new. We look at people from the Bible like Moses, Mary, Rebekah, and Jeremiah and wonder how they found the strength to follow God's leading. The world didn't want them to anymore than it wants us to, but there is strength found in God's direction. In this new book, Elizabeth L. Thompson provides direction in where to find God's direction and what to do when He says "Go."

Go is an action word that implies that we are to move forward. But, sometimes that moving creates fear in us, making us doubt that we can do it. Sometimes we may even doubt that God is telling us to go. How can we find the answers to our questions, to our fears? One proactive step is to search the Bible and study the many examples God has provided for us. God gives us examples of moving forward (like Joseph and Job), of accomplishing big tasks (like Moses and Mary), of using the talents He has given us (like David and Paul), etc. We just need to trust and Go!

I really enjoyed this book and will be sharing it with others. Too many times we think God only tells missionaries to "Go," but that isn't true. This book will help readers understand that and find ways to overcome fear, anxiety, and complacency. I recommend it to Christians who want to hear and do what God says.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.