Read and Share: The Jesus Series, Life and Miracles~ A DVD Review~

My Review:
This DVD was delightful. Full of color, 3D animation, and fast paced action.
Any child would love to watch this 30-minute story of Jesus calling the disciples, healing the sick, teachings about God, and Passover. I found it to be quite truthful and followed along with the Bible, but with simple animation and the stories don't always go into much detail. So very young children can watch this and follow along. My teenagers watched this DVD and it held their interest, so you know this has to be good.
This DVD also includes 13 trailers of other neat children’s DVD’s you can buy. Like Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends, God’s Little Princess gigi, Bibleman, and others. Also an interview with the writer/director Wayne Zeitner. Which was very interesting and informative. You can even find some coloring pages to print for your child. So I really think if you have small children or if you know of a family with small children this would be perfect for your library. I don’t have small children anymore, but have one super, wonderful grandson that will be getting this DVD.


About the DVD:

Take a wonder-filled journey with Jesus and His disciples.

Animated straight from the pages of the popular Read and Share® Bible, The Jesus Series introduces children to the life of Christ. Unlike the 3-minute, bite-size story format of the Read and Share® DVD Bible Volumes 1-4, this DVD is an uninterrupted half-hour presentation of Jesus' ministry along the shores of Lake Galilee and the villages near Nazareth. Children will see Jesus call His disciples, feed 5,000 people, heal the sick, teach about God’s kingdom and introduce the Lord’s Supper.

This DVD completes The Jesus Series by presenting the life of Christ in a way that little ones can understand and build a solid foundation on.

Order from Thomas Nelson


http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1400314690&title=The_Jesus_Series:_Life_and_Miracles&author=Gwen_Ellis


Order from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Life-Miracles-Share-Bible/dp/1400314690/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1274449721&sr=1-1

Disclosure of Material Connection: I receive books free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program/BookSneeze. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express are my own. This is true of any book I review for any publisher or author; I will not review books where a positive review is required and I will always express my own opinions of each book received and read.

Creede of Old Montana by Stephen Bly~a review~

No one knew how Avery John Creede got the scar on his face.

From the back cover:
Creede of Old Montana follows the exploits and heartbreaks of Avery John Creede, an ex-cavalry soldier, as he tramps along the upper Missouri River in search of four Army pals who didn’t show up for a scheduled reunion.

In Fort Benton, Avery Creede inadvertently stops a bank robbery. With that action, all hope of sitting on the sidelines and watching the world go by fades away. Suddenly, he finds himself in the middle of one conflict after another. And through it all, he makes some discoveries about himself.

Throughout Creede’s confrontations and adventures, three things remain constant: his courage, his rock-solid faith, and his wounded heart. He knows the first two will never change. And at forty-two, he’s not sure the third ever will either.

About the author:
Author of over 100 books, 37 of them Westerns. and winner of the prestigious Christy Award, Stephen Bly has a worldwide fanbase. Creede of Old Montana is a novel with humor and heart, action and intrigue, doubt and faith-and Creede is a singular character who is sure to live on for the ages.

http://www.blybooks.com/
stephen@blybooks.com
blybooks.blogspot.com
twitter.com/BlyBooks
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stephen_JanetBlyFans



My Review:
I have never read a book written by Stephen Bly that I didn’t love and “Creede of Old Montana” is the best one ever. This book will have you laughing, crying, holding your breath and just having a great time. As soon as Avery John Creede comes into the story there is one conflict after another. He stops a bank robbery, a beautiful girl Sunny tries to
kill him. Then he finds out his nephew has grown up and is now 16. Avery Creede’s love of his life Carla shows up. Also the Rinkman gang is after him and Sunny. All of this happens while John is trying to find his 4 Army buddies. Creede has a strong faith and tries to do the will of the Lord. He is a person who lives his faith and also is willing to share it with any one he comes across.
One scene in the book made tears come to my eyes and that doesn’t happen often. It was so touching and full of emotion. Sad, but very beautiful.
“Creede of Old Montana” is funny, inspiring, full of love, has many battles and fights, but also has sad, touching moments. So if you love Westerns this is a book you must have. Even if you don’t like them you will love this book. I HIGHLY recommend “Creede of Old Montana.”

Hardcover: 520 pages
Publisher: Center Point Pub; Lrg edition (October 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602855757
ISBN-13: 978-1602855755
Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches

Order book from Bly Books here
Order from Amazon

I received this book from the author for review purposes.

[Revell Blog Tour&Review] This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson

A Privileged Young Woman Takes a Risk on Love
in the Deep South

About the Book:
This Fine Life is a stand-alone novel by popular author Eva Marie Everson that transports readers to small-town Georgia in 1959: Mariette Puttnam has just graduated from boarding school during the summer of 1959. When she returns to her privileged life at home, she isn't sure where life will take her. More schooling? A job? Marriage? Nothing feels right. How could she know that the answer is waiting for her within the narrow stairwell of her father's apparel factory, exactly between the third and
fourth floors?
In this unique and tender story of an unlikely romance, Everson takes readers on a journey through the heart of a young woman bound for the unknown. Readers will experience the joys of new love, the perseverance of true friendship, and the gift of forgiveness that comes from a truly fine life.

About the Author:

Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker, a popular radio personality, and the award-winning author of Things Left Unspoken. She is coauthor of The Potluck Club series and The Potluck Catering Club series. She lives in Florida.
http://www.evamarieeverson.com/page5.aspx

My Review
Mariette grew up in a very wealthy home; Thayne was a college drop out, mail clerk. Two very unlikely people who meet and fall in love.
Mariette has attended church all her life; she lacks a personal relationship with God. Thayne talks to Him everywhere and decides to go into ministry. I think both people in a marriage should decide to go into ministry together and not have one feeling left out. Mariette always feels she's "on the outside looking in" and doesn't really belong. She's felt that in school, family life and now her marriage, even though they love each other greatly. Thayne asked Mariette where she stands with God she can't answer, but she's supposed to be a preacher's wife. So that causes some friction.
They endure the loss of her firstborn, which is hard to handle at any time. There is one part in the book at Christmas time after the loss of their baby that is a real tearjerker. Very sweet!
When Thayne gets his first church it is a very small one in a town with a population of 200. So you know how their first parsonage will be. The town is so tiny it doesn't even have a library. In this town Mariette makes a young friend, has her ups and downs and just makes the best out of her circumstances. A lovely book that I really enjoyed and know you would also. Another great book for your bookshelf.

Order from Amazon:

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

“Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

Operation Worship Holy Bible Homefront Edition~Review~

Binding:Softcover
Release:March 2010
Publisher: Tyndale House
Trim Size: 4 x 6 1/16
ISBN:978-1-4143-3645-9
List Price:5.99

Give the gift that matters most in the place it’s needed most. Last year CBA stores took up the challenge of sending 500,000 Bibles to our men and women in uniform. Now available for the general trade in pink camo, a special edition for the women that are supporting our American military around the world.


My Review
I really love this little Bible. It is just the right size to use and take anywhere. This Bible is called Operation Worship Holy Bible Homefront Edition. It is for wives, mothers, sisters or friends who have someone they love in the military. Really a neat idea. I really like the pink camo cover. This special Bible is in the New Living Translation. In the front you will find several pages to write notes on and also a very precious prayer for those who are away from each other. In the back is a page that tells you about a 30 day devotional you can get for those who have someone in the military. The New Living Translation has many textual footnotes. They help with the difficult words or units of measurements etc… I highly recommond you buy this for yourself or for someone you know who has a loved one in the military. This precious Bible is so neat, only thing that I would like better is for the print to be larger. I have a nephew in the Army so I’m probably going to give his sweet wife of about a year this Bible as a gift.

Order from Tyndale House

Order from Amazon

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

[Revell Blog Tour&Review] It Had to Be You [Weddings by Bella book 3] by Janice Thompson

A modern love story that will have readers laughing out loud!
The final installment in the Weddings by Bella series



· Paperback: 330 pages
· Publisher: Revell; Original edition (May 1, 2010)
· Language: English
· ISBN-10: 0800733444
· ISBN-13: 978-0800733445
· Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches





Full of the laugh-out-loud humor, Italian passion and Texas gumption that has made the previous books in the series a success, It Had to Be You is the final book in author Janice Thompson’s beloved Weddings by Bella series.

In It Had to Be You, Bella couldn't be happier that her long-feuding Aunt Rosa and Uncle Lazarro have finally admitted their love for one another and are getting married. Their forties-style wedding is sure to be a night to remember. But when the Rossi house begins to fill up with family from Italy—and an old mobster from New Jersey—life starts to get complicated. Will Lazarro's friend from the past drive the happy couple apart once more? And will Bella ever have time to think of her own rapidly-approaching wedding amidst the chaos?

About the Author

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and native Texan. An experienced wedding coordinator herself, Thompson brings alive in her books the everyday drama and humor of getting married. She is the author of Fools Rush In and Swinging on a Star. She lives in Texas.
http://www.janiceathompson.com/about.html







My Review
I didn’t read the first two books in the Weddings by Bella series, but it was easy to understand and follow along with this book. It is a good stand-alone book, but would probably be better if you read the others first. There are many things I like about this book. The Christian values, the close-knit family ties, friendship, joy and happiness. This book tells us that we are important and worthwhile even when we ourselves don’t think so. We don’t need to try and prove we are a great person. Just do the Lord’s will and He will bless us. It’s a lighthearted romance that has it share of problems and good solutions. If you like this kind of book you would love It Had to Be You. I like a book that has more depth to it and a stronger story line. This is a well-written book, but not my cup of tea. So if you like the more light hearted, happy kind of romances you will love this book. One thing I love about this book as I said before is the Christian values. It is very important to the characters in this book. They let us know that you will be happier and life will be better if you do the Lord’s will.



It Had to Be You by Janice Thompson
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3344-5
Available May 2010; $14.99

Order from Amazon

Order from Revell

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

“Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

~Winner~ Too Close To Home by Lynette Eason

I went to Random.org and they picked the number 12 and that number is Linda Kish / lkish77123. So I will be sending her an email in a few minutes and she has a week to send me her mailing address. If I don't hear from her I will choose another winner.

Congratulations Linda!