A Beautiful Expository Study Bible! --"Alexander Maclaren Study Bible"--Review and Giveaway

 

Alexander Maclaren Study Bible

Uplifting, Clear, and Christ-Centered Insights from the “Prince of Expositors”

Few preachers in the nineteenth century rivaled Alexander Maclaren. Called the “Prince of Expositors,” Maclaren was considered one of the best preachers of his era, acclaimed for offering remarkable biblical insights in a poetic style.

The Alexander Maclaren Study Bible invites you to learn from his powerful insights as you explore the Scriptures. Study notes drawn from his more than 1,500 published sermons illuminate every chapter of the Bible. Passage outlines based on his sermons guide you in systematic study of key texts. Short notes encourage you to apply the Bible to your life and see Christ’s relevance to all Scripture.

Features include:

• Book introductions exploring each book’s background and key themes with insights from Maclaren’s work
• 1,400 study notes that cover every chapter of the Bible
• 380 Christ Connection notes showing the relevance of Christ to all Scripture
• 380 Life Application notes to help you live out the Bible’s principles
• 209 Passage Outlines based on Maclaren’s sermon outlines
• 8 essays addressing major doctrines of Scripture, personal devotion to Christ, and how to properly apply the Bible to your life
• Comprehensive concordance and index of features
• Bottom of page study notes
• Center-column cross-references

Who was Alexander Maclaren?

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on February 11, 1826, Alexander Maclaren was the pastor of Union Chapel in Manchester England from 1858–1903. Heralded as the “Prince of Expositors,” he is considered by many to be one of the best preachers of the nineteenth century, The popularity of Maclaren’s published sermons rivaled that of Charles Spurgeon, helping him develop global acclaim for remarkable biblical insights delivered in a poetic style. Maclaren’s works continue to be read and studied due to their timeless relevance, verbal beauty, and profound freshness.

My Review: I am so excited to talk about the most important book of all with you today—the Bible. I am sharing about this gorgeous Expository Study Bible. It is an Alexander Maclaren Study Bible and has a beautiful leather cover. Alexander Maclaren is heralded as the “Prince of Expositors” and was one of the best preachers of the nineteenth century (a contemporary of Spurgeon) who provides Biblical insights in a poetic style. Being a former student of a Bible college with a degree in Biblical studies, it is important to me to have a good, theologically sound study Bible when studying and reading Scripture. This is such a great tool for someone who just wants to read their Bible for devotions or someone looking for more theological insights to lead a class or Bible study. It is a New King James Version and there is an introduction to each book of the Bible by Maclaren, talking about the author, key verse, time, and themes. I appreciate that throughout this edition there are mini “Christ Connections,” which show the relevance of Christ to all Scripture, and “Life Applications,” which help apply the words of Scripture to our daily life. In every chapter of each book are study notes from Maclaren’s sermons which helped me dig deeper and learn more about my faith. I found that the study notes are a great companion to Scripture reading during my prayer and quiet time. In the back are a helpful index, concordance, and maps. There are several more features that are listed above. I highly recommend this uplifting, clear, and Christ-centered Bible to any Christian!

Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Purchase your copy of the Alexander Maclaren Study Bible today on Amazon!

Link to purchase: here

Thomas Nelson Page: here

GIVEAWAY: Enter the giveaway on my Instagram post here

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A Fun Young Adult Retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk"--"Lady of Disguise" by Melanie Dickerson--Review

 

"Lady of Disguise" by Melanie Dickerson is the sixth book in the "Dericott Tales” series but can easily be read as a standalone.  It is a sweet, young adult “Jack and the Beanstalk” retelling. It’s set during the medieval period and takes place in England and Scotland.  I loved getting to journey back to this time period and especially to visit Scotland with our main character, Louisa. Louisa is trying to find a fabled treasure to save her and her sister from marrying men they don’t love.  She is kind and brave.  She meets our chivalrous and equally kind hero, Sir Charles, along the way.  Dickerson writes wholesome characters that readers can look up to.  I love the disability representation of two different characters that Louisa and Charles befriend, showing how we can be kind to others who are different than ourselves.  It was fascinating to see how people with disabilities were treated in that time period and how superstition played a role in things people couldn’t explain or saw as different from themselves.  Dickerson has a good grasp on the medieval time period and I appreciate her attention to detail, making the reader feel they are there.  I love how the main character prays and sees God’s provision throughout her journey.  Some of the wonderful themes in this story are those of chivalry, kindness, not judging others, and being kind to those who are different from ourselves.  I feel this series of Dickerson’s may appeal to late middle grade to early young adult readers.  The plot seems to be written with the complexity of a late middle grade reader in mind.  There is also romance and kissing, which is why I also mention the early young adult readers.  I think many older readers will enjoy this story as well!

Content: I give this story a mostly PG rating.  The thing that would make me lean a little more towards PG-13 is the references of the attempted sexual assault (which is not described and does not happen on page).  Some examples of the content are:  a mention of breasts; a brief mention that a man tried to force himself on a woman and was drunk, does not describe the incident; a woman is described as “well-proportioned;” a man mentions the possibility of beating a woman if she is found; the word “fornication” is used; there’s talk of being with child without being married; a man slaps a woman.

I want to thank Melanie Dickerson and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own.

An Amazing Book on Marriage and Communication--"With These Words" by Rob Flood—Review

My Review

“With These Words: Five Communication Tools for Marriage and Life” by Rob Flood is a great resource not only for marriages but for any relationship.  I often find marriage books redundant, but this one is great because it talks about one of the most important (in my opinion) aspects of marriage—communication.  Now that I am a mom of a teenager as well as a wife, I am always eager to improve my communication in my different relationships.  There are a lot of relatable stories that the author shares.  I love that he uses Scripture to back up his points.  There are some great takeaways and practical ways to implement his knowledge.  At the end of each chapter, there’s a “Bottom Line” and “Discussion/Reflection Questions.”  The questions are great if you want to do this with a spouse, small group, or just reflect on it by yourself. 

One chapter I especially like is called “The Tool of Prayer.”  It talks about how to practically make prayer a regular part of your marriage and how important prayer is in our relationships.  I’m excited to implement some of these wonderful truths!

Content:  This is a clean read.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars.


I want to thank Rob Flood, New Growth Press and Read with Audra for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author 

Rob Flood, MAR serves as a Community and Care Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA. Prior to pastoral ministry, Rob served as a writer for FamilyLife, a division of Cru. He is the author of With These Words: Five Communication Tools for Marriage and Life. He and his wife, Gina, have six children and live in West Chester, PA.

To purchase the book click here

To visit the author's website click here

An Inspiring, Encouraging and Fun Book for Teen Girls--"Be Loved" by Emma Mae Jenkins—Review

My Review

I LOVE this book!!  "Be Loved" by Emma Mae Jenkins is a beautiful hardback book written in a format made to look like a scrapbook or journal.  There are little snippets of encouragement from Emma with lots of doodles, photos, Scripture and prayers.  Emma Mae is such a joyful person; one can’t help but feel encouraged and inspired after reading the book.  You can just feel her love for the Lord.  Emma Mae and her book are vibrant, relatable, genuine, encouraging and vulnerable.  Her story will especially resonate with those who have grown up in a Christian setting and those who have struggled with perfectionism, but I believe it will still be an encouragement for girls from all walks of life.  I think girls in Middle School and High School will discover and embrace their uniqueness and be challenged to live out their faith with boldness.  I myself am no longer a teenager, but I LOVED this book and found it to be still applicable to my life.  I’m excited to give this book out as a gift and to check out more of Emma Mae’s content.

Content:  This is a clean read.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars.


I want to thank Emma Mae Jenkins, New Growth Press and Read with Audra for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author 

Debut author Emma Mae Jenkins is a social media influencer, writer, speaker, and YouTuber with the sole purpose of leading others into a relationship with Jesus, sharing this chain-breaking freedom, and being a vessel of God's Word. Emma Mae chronicled her journey through high school on social media and has inspired thousands of young people to live their faith freely and with courage.

To purchase the book click here

To visit the author's website click here

"Once Upon a Farm: Lessons on Growing Love, Life, and Hope on a New Frontier" by Rory Feek--Review

 

 

My Review:

 

“Once Upon a Farm”, an autobiographical book by Rory Feek, is a story about lessons learned and life lived.  Feek is living his life for God and shares little snippets of that life with the reader.  Feek is a well-known songwriter and musician who used to be one half of the country music duo “Joey and Rory”; the other half being his wife Joey who passed away in 2016.

I have seen a lot about Joey and Rory on social media, especially Joey’s battle with cancer.  I thought this book would be about how Rory is dealing with her death and moving on.  Instead, it’s more of a compilation of essays written by Rory about random topics involving his life and lessons he’s learned.  It’s not in chronological order either.  The book is interesting because I did learn more about his life.  It did make me realize that life is short and I should live in the moment.  I should not always wish for a better life but love the one I’m living.  Rory Feek is a good writer and there are some great lessons in this book.  I would recommend it to anyone who loves hearing the personal stories of famous individuals, or who loves country music and living, or is even just a fan of the couple!

 

Content:  I give this book a PG-13 rating due to some issues discussed and some content.  Some examples of the content are:  Rory talks about his past life drinking and chasing women; there is some content that may be controversial in the Christian community; the word “hell” is used; references to sex; the Lord’s name is taken in vain.

 

Rating:  I give this book 3 stars.

 

Genre: Christian non-fiction

I want to thank Rory Feek, BookLook Bloggers and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255. 

 

 

 

About the Author:

Rory Feek is a true renaissance man, known as one of Nashville’s premiere songwriters, entrepreneurs, and out-of-the-box thinkers. He is a world-class storyteller, crossing all creative mediums, from music and film to books and the Internet, and is the New York Times bestselling author of This Life I Live.

As a blogger, Rory shares his heart and story with the world through thislifeilive.com and has more than two million Facebook followers. As a songwriter, Rory has written multiple number-one songs. As an artist, he is half of the Grammy-winning county music duo Joey + Rory. He and his wife, Joey Martin, toured the world and sold hundreds of thousands of records. As a filmmaker, Rory wrote and filmed the touching documentary To Joey, With Love and directed the upcoming feature-length film Josephine, an epic love story set during the declining months of the Civil War.

Rory and his youngest daughter, Indiana, live an hour south of Nashville in an 1870s farmhouse near their family-owned diner, Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse.

To read a sample click here

To find out more and purchase the book, click here for the product page

Christian Satire at its Best—"How to Be a Perfect Christian" by The Babylon Bee—Review

I've been following The Babylon Bee on Facebook for a couple of years and was interested in what their book would be like.  They are a group that puts out satirical articles poking fun at cultural Christianity.  For "How to Be a Perfect Christian: Your Comprehensive Guide to Flawless Spiritual Living," some authors got together, and now they have a whole book that does basically the same thing in a how-to type format.  The whole book is meant to be read as satire.  It pokes fun at all of the ways our culture has made Christianity into a hip, me-centered universe that does and says all the right things to fit in.  Heaven forbid we actually make it all about the Gospel and stop judging someone on what version of the Bible they read.  Which, in the end, is their whole point—that no one can be a perfect Christian and that's why we need Christ. 

This book was at times super relatable, so much so that it was scary.  I found myself laughing out loud, nodding my head because something was all too true, and cringing.  I think this book is geared towards my generation, as I appreciated the DC Talk, fish bumper sticker references.  I also related a lot because I went to a Bible college with a lot of rules.  Many of the rules we had to follow were in this book, down to what Bible we had to use.  I think those who do not enjoy satire or don't have this kind of sense of humor might get offended.  But it is clear that The Babylon Bee does it all in love and I found it to be a quick, fun read!

 Content: This is a clean read.

 Rating: I give this book 4 stars

 Genre: Christian Non-fiction

I want to thank WaterBrook and Multnomah Launch Team, Multnomah and The Babylon Bee for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

 

 

 

To learn more about the book click here

To purchase the book click here

"The Heart of An Agent" by Tracey Lyons Blog Tour (Review) & GIVEAWAY!

About the Book:

Name of book: The Heart of an Agent

Author: Tracey J. Lyons

Genre: Inspirational historical romance

Release Date: November 7, 2017

 

Tracey J. Lyons, the author of A Changed Agent, returns to the Adirondack Mountains of the 1890s in a novel of love, faith, and secrets…
 

Former Pinkerton spy Lily Handland has always dreamed of a quiet, safe life, free from chasing criminals and putting herself at risk. So when the opportunity to invest in a failing Great Camp in the Adirondacks comes to her attention, she quickly jumps at the chance.
 

Filled with grief, widower Owen Murphy wants to run away from it all. Though he’s worked hard to forge a future for himself, his guilt has kept him mired in the past. But all that changes when a headstrong, mysterious woman shows up at Owen’s door. Together, as Lily and Owen restore the beauty of the Great Camp, he begins to finally see a future. But will learning about Lily’s past destroy it all?
 

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Review:


“The Heart of an Agent” by Tracey J. Lyons is the second book in “Adirondack Pinkertons” series, but can easily be read as a standalone.  I have not read the first book, “A Changed Agent”, but I am now interested in it after reading this book.

Ms. Lyons excels in the way she describes her settings.   This book contains such vivid and beautiful descriptions of the Adirondacks.  Ms. Lyons writes the setting so well that I could picture everything in my mind.  I am not even much of a mountain or wilderness person, but the descriptions won me over so much so that I want to visit the Adirondacks and to go outside more to experience God’s creation.  Ms. Lyons also takes the reader back to a slower paced way of life consisting of small towns and Great Camps.  I enjoyed learning a lot about the Great Camps and the Adirondacks in the 1890s. 

I really love the characters in this story.  I somewhat felt a Beauty and the Beast vibe throughout (I’m not sure if the author intended that or not).  Ms. Lyons shows a very realistic portrayal of grief through her main character, Owen Murphy.  I love our other main character too, Lily Handland, who is a former Pinkerton spy.  Both characters have a faith that grows throughout the story.  I like how the characters pray and quote Scripture.  This book also has a slow building romance, as opposed to insta-love which can feel unnatural.  Because there is so much descriptive language and a love story that builds up over time, it is a slower paced read overall.  When I saw it was about a former Pinkerton agent, I expected there to be more action and more about the Pinkerton Detective Agency in general, but it sounds like that was more in the first book of the series.

“The Heart of an Agent” by Tracey J. Lyons is a book with a sweet romance and a breathtaking setting! 

Content: This is a clean read.  Lily was a salon girl as a part of her job in the past, but she didn’t do anything more than serve drinks.  There is mention of a low neckline on a gown.  There is a brief scene with a drunken man who tries to accost Lily.

Rating:  I give this book 3 ½ stars. 

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction; Romance

I want to thank Tracey J. Lyons, Waterfall Press and Celebrate Lit Publishing for the complimentary copy of this book for review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author:

An Amazon Top Ten bestselling historical romance author of the Adirondack Pinkertons and the Women of Surprise series, Tracey was a 2017 National Excellence Romance Fiction Award finalist. She sold her first book on 9/9/99! Her books have been translated into several languages and are available in print, digital and audio formats. A true upstate New Yorker, Tracey believes you should write what you know. Her historical romances are all set in the New York State area. Tracey considers herself a small town gal who writes small town romances. You can learn more about Tracey and her books by visiting her website at www.traceylyons.com.

Guest Post from Tracey Lyons

My family and I spent a lot of time in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. When I came up with the idea for the Pinkerton series, I knew the books had to be set in a place that I loved. The Heart of An Agent, book 2 in The Adirondack Pinkertons series takes place at an Adirondack great camp. Imagine a time when people would travel from faraway places to hike the many trails or lounge on a porch in one of the famed Adirondack chairs. These intricate, grand structures, built during the latter part of the nineteenth century are part of the unique landscape and history that makes up the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. I enjoyed creating the fictional Murphy camp, the setting for Lily Handland and Owen Murphy’s story.

Blog Stops

 

Just the Write Escape, November 30

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, November 30

Texas Book-aholic, December 1

Locks, Hooks and books, December 1

A Greater Yes, December 2

Faery Tales Are Real, December 2

Multifarious, December 3

To Everything a Season, December 3

Reader’s cozy corner, December 4

Janice’s book reviews, December 5

Carpe Diem, December 6

Bibliophile Reviews, December 7

Pause for Tales, December 8

Have A Wonderful Day, December 8

With a Joyful Noise, December 9

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, December 10

Daysong Reflections, December 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 11

Mary Hake, December 11

My Writer’s Life, December 12

Books n Baubles, December 12

Jeanette’s Thoughts, December 13
 

Giveaway

 

 

To celebrate her tour, Tracey is giving away a Grand Prize Package of a tea-time themed gift box (Valued at over $75) and a $25 Visa Gift Card!!

 

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c1f6

 

 

 

 

A New Favorite Non-Fiction Book--"Daring to Hope" by Katie Davis Majors Review

Wow!  That is the only word I could think as I slowly closed the last page of this book, sitting in a reverent silence.  This book touched me in such a profound way.  I don't feel a review will do it justice--you need to read it for yourself.  I see why it has become a bestseller on so many lists!

"Daring to Hope: Finding God's Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful" by Katie Davis Majors is at first glance just another biography.  But it is so much more.  The words are so beautiful, the messages and spiritual truths so profound and the stories Katie shares so moving.  Katie wrote her first bestseller, "Kisses from Katie", in 2011.  I did not read that book, but had heard so much about Katie and her story; how when she was eighteen years old she moved to Uganda, adopted 13 girls and founded a ministry.  "Daring to Hope" is the continuation of that story. 

Katie herself is an amazing writer.  Her style is poetic and lyrical.  She is very honest and shares deep truths.  In “Daring to Hope”, she tells her story of finding God in brokenness and suffering.  She goes through some really hard times where she questions God.  God doesn't always give her the answers or what she asks for, but He gives her Himself, which is the best and most satisfying gift. 

This is a message that we as Americans especially need to hear.  We often believe that the "American Dream" is a sign of God's blessing, but Katie points out so many instances of faithful believers in Uganda who are starving, dying or can't afford basic medical care.  This does not mean they aren't blessed or aren't faithful. 

I highlighted huge portions of this book.  I came away with so many truths to help me, especially as I have been coming out of a hard season of my own life.  I have had many of the same questions Katie has had, and the answers she provides and how she points one to God have been such a comfort to my heart.  My faith has grown thanks to reading this book.  I recommend this book to anyone who has been through suffering and wondered where God was, to anyone who is wrestling with God or even wondering if that is okay.  If you want to be inspired or encouraged in your walk with God, this book is for you. 

Content:  I would give this book a PG rating, due to some content related to Katie's ministry.  Katie's ministry is to people who go through some very hard things.  As she describes her ministry, there is some more "graphic" content, like birth and treating wounds.  There are alcoholics, addicts, murder and poisoning. 

Rating:  I give this book a solid 5 stars!  It's a new favorite!

Genre:  Christian non-fiction; Biography

I want to thank Katie Davis Majors, Multnomah Publishing and Blogging for Books for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.


About the Author:

Katie Davis Majors moved to Uganda over a decade ago with no idea that this would be the place that God chose to build her home and her family. Today, she is a wife to Benji and mama to her fourteen favorite people. Katie and her family invest their lives in empowering the people of Uganda with education, medical care, and spiritual discipleship. She is also the founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that cares for vulnerable children and families in Uganda and the author of the New York Times bestseller Kisses from Katie.

To visit the authors website click here and learn more about Katie click here

To purchase the book, find out more information and read an excerpt click here

A Lovely and Inspiring Devotional--"The One Year Experiencing God's Love Devotional" by Sandra Byrd Review

"The One Year Experiencing God's Love Devotional" by Sandra Byrd is a lovely and inspiring devotional book!  Sandra Byrd is one of my favorite authors, so when I saw she was coming out with a new book I jumped on the chance to review it.  I haven't read any of her non-fiction books before, but I can now say that I am just as pleased with this book as I am with her fiction books!  My husband and I are currently reading through Tyndale's "The One Year Devotions for Couples: 365 Inspirational Readings" by David and Teresa Ferguson, so I am familiar with Tyndale's "One Year" line of devotions. 

Ms. Byrd breaks her book up into months and has a devotion written for each day of the year.  Each month loosely follows a theme that goes along with that season and/or month.  Some of her devotions go along with the season or day (for example, there are ones that are Christmas themed).  I also think you can read the devotions any day of the year, no matter what month or season you are in and still get a lot out of it. 

For each day, the devotion has a short section to read and a correlating verse.  At the end of each month, there is a benediction.  In the devotions, Ms. Byrd uses stories from her own life, quotes, parts of hymns and recipes to make each one unique and interesting.  Sometimes there are application questions to help tie in what you have read and apply it to your life.  The devotions are filled with Scripture and are Biblically based and accurate.  They are also Gospel focused.  I have many of the devotions and pages marked as I love them so much and I want to go back to them to remember the truths and encouragement shared.  Some examples of my favorites are her devotions on hard seasons, having joy during hard times, Surviving and Thriving, and “The Best of Times” (which has a Dicken theme).  This book convicted me and encouraged me in my walk with the Lord.  I highly recommend this book!

Content: This is a clean read.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars.

Genre:  Christian non-fiction; Self-help; Devotional

 

 

I want to thank Sandra Byrd and Tyndale House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

 About the Author: 

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published more than fifty books.

Sandra’s series of historically sound Gothic romances launched with the best-selling Mist of Midnight, which earned a coveted Editor’s Choice award from the Historical Novel Society. The second book, Bride of a Distant Isle, has been selected by Romantic Times as a Top Pick. The third in the series, A Lady in Disguise, published in 2017. Sandra is excited to continue writing Gothic romance and will be adding books to that genre beginning in October 2018 with Tyndale House Publishers.

Check out her contemporary adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, which was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2011, and The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr was named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2012.

Sandra has published dozens of books for kids, tweens, and teens, including the bestselling The One Year Be-Tween You and God Devotions for Girls. She continued her work as a devotionalist, this time for women, with The One Year Home and Garden Devotions. Her latest book, The One Year Experiencing God’s Love Devotional, will be published in October 2017.

Sandra is passionate about helping new writers develop their talents and their work for traditional publishing or self-publication. She has mentored and coached hundreds of new writers and continues to guide developing authors toward success each year via novelcoaching.com.

Please visit http://www.sandrabyrd.com/ to learn more or to invite Sandra to your book club via Skype.

To purchase the book click here

"The Legacy" by Michael Phillips Review-- A Heartfelt Story of Faith and Family in the Shetlands

"The Legacy" is a heartfelt story of faith and family.  I love anything to do with Scotland, so I was eager to pick this book up.  I've also read some of Michael Phillips's other books and have enjoyed them immensely, especially the classic "Stonewycke" series.  I'm very glad I did read "The Legacy", even though I haven't yet read the first two books in this series! 

"The Legacy" by Michael Phillips is the third book in the "Secrets of the Shetlands" series.  The beginning of the book summarizes the plot from the first two books well.  The narrative does of course refer to events in the other books of the series as it is the continuation of Loni and David's story (the characters living in present day), but instead of focusing on Loni and David, "The Legacy" also tells the story of their ancestors.  We also get to see the conclusion of Loni and David's story, and while it's this portion of the book that had me wishing I had read the prior books, it isn't too confusing to read on its own.    

The physical book itself is beautiful and has a map of the island in the Shetlands where much of the story takes place, as well as a family tree.  Even though it is a longer book, it's written in short chapters, which makes for a fast-paced read.  The story shifts between 2006 and 1924 and is told from multiple characters’ points of view.  Some of the characters in the book are of the Quaker faith, which I found interesting to read and learn more about. 


Picture of the Shetlands

There is a theme of family heritage woven throughout the whole story.  The setting in the Shetland Islands is breathtaking and evocative.  The descriptions are so well written that I felt like I was transported to these islands.  The reader is introduced to a slower paced life and the story is also told in a slower way, making the reader slow down and think.  You really settle in and immerse yourself in the island and that culture.  There is also a deep spiritual and theological element.  I know Michael Phillips loves George MacDonald and draws a lot of inspiration from this writer (MacDonald is even mentioned in the book). 

My only critiques are that this book isn't really a stand-alone, although I was still able to understand and enjoy the story.  It is also told at a slower pace (I did enjoy that, but some may find it slower than they would like).  There are also many characters and several concurrent plots, which can get confusing. 

Overall I really enjoyed this story and would especially recommend it to fans of Michael Phillips or George MacDonald and those who love Scotland. 

Content, Rating and Genre: This is a clean read.  I give this book 4.5 stars.  This is Christian Fiction (with a dual timeline—historical and contemporary).

I want to thank Michael Phillips and Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

Click here to purchase the book
Click here to visit the author's website

Other books in the series:

 

"His Steadfast Love" by Julie Lessman Book Tour with Singing Librarian Books & GIVEAWAY!

 

Series: Isle of Hope
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Christian
Publisher: Indie
Publication date: August 1. 2017

She’s bent on fun.
He’s bent on faith.
Till true love bridges the gap.

Cat O’Bryen is the prodigal daughter unhappy with God. First, the father with whom she reconciled dies of cancer and now her twin sister and best friend marries, leaving Cat at home with a newlywed mother, her new husband, and a little brother. But when Cat moves in with a roommate of questionable morals, her family is worried, certain she’s on a path that could damage her faith forever. 

Reluctant to get involved with a woman like the one who destroyed his life, ex-Navy SEAL Pastor Chase Griffin steers clear of the attraction he feels for Cat O’Bryen. Until her family begs him to take her under his wing, hoping he can draw her back into the fold. But when the draw she has on him proves too strong to resist, he must rely on the strength of God to offer a friendship as steady and strong as the God whose love is wooing her home. ​

GOODREADS | AMAZON

 

 

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys writing close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.

Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart of San Francisco series, Julie was named American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered 18 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie was also named on Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction list.

Julie’s most recent novel, Isle of Hope was voted on Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2015, and Surprised by Love appeared on Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2014. Her independent novel A Light in the Window is an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers' Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner. Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets. You can contact Julie through her website and read excerpts from each of her books at www.julielessman.com.

 

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​NEWSLETTER | THE SEEKERS | JOURNAL JOTS

Top 10 Favorite Pieces of Literature

​1.) Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
2.) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
3.) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4.) Sins of the Father by Susan Howatch
5.) Cashelmara by Susan Howatch
6.) Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt
7.) Bride of Pendorric by Victoria Holt
8.) Lowlands of Scotland series by Liz Curtis Higgs
9.) Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers
10.) Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz

 

 

 

 

Enter the giveaway HERE.

 

 

July 23--Singing Librarian Books
July 24--Faithfully Bookish
July 25--Remembrancy | Reading Is My SuperPower
July 26--Paulette's Papers | Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
July 27--Flowers of Quiet Happiness | Faery Tales Are Real
July 28--The Green Mockingbird 
July 29--Radiant Light | Cafinated Reads

 

Review of "The Sacred Scarred: A Modern-Day Christian Twist on Beauty and the Beast" by Joanna Alonzo

"The Sacred Scarred: A Modern-Day Christian Twist on Beauty and the Beast" by Joanna Alonzo is a great fairy tale retelling with a beautiful Gospel message!  I love the parallels in the story between this book and the original Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, not just the Disney version.  Ms. Alonzo also puts her own unique spin on the tale with a very strong faith element.  The first half of the story is more like a modern young adult novel, whereas in the second half, the writing seems to change and the story takes on more of a fantasy aspect (which I personally enjoy more).  Aside from the fact that the first and the second halves of the book feel slightly disjointed in their style, I think this first novel of Ms. Alonzo’s is very well written.  The end is so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. 

The characters are one of my favorite parts of the story, especially the change that takes place in our main characters.  The heroine, Calysta, is not beautiful or perfect in the beginning of the story, but is very broken, as is Brendan, our beast character.  The characters strive to make Christ first in their lives as the story progresses, even before pursuing a romantic relationship.  This story also has some very well done side characters.  The characters’ relationships with God inspired me in my walk with Christ to be more passionate for Him. 

This book has an amazing message of God making the broken beautiful and bringing beauty from the ashes!

Content and Rating:  I give this book four stars.  It is definitely more on the edgy side, as far as being a clean read.  There is a lot of this edgy content in the beginning to show how messed up our main characters’ lives are before they transform and find Christ (e.g. making out, talk about cutting oneself--with detailed description). 

I want to thank Joanna Alonzo and Almond Tree Publications for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

The link to purchase the book is here

Click here for Joanna Alonzo's website

About the Author:

Joanna Alonzo is a walking paradox. She is a beautiful, albeit messy, mixture of thought and emotion, expressed in the form of hopefully readable – and relatable – stories. She is a kingdom kid, who looks forward to being a writer and storyteller even when she reaches heaven. She is passionate about the unreached, about those who have yet to know the Love she found in the arms of the Almighty. She is intrigued by the world and its people, who day by day, continue to convince her that God is the greatest Storyteller of all.

"You Can Do This: Seizing the Confidence God Offers" by Tricia Lott Williford Review--A Truly Inspiring Book for Every Woman!

"You Can Do This: Seizing the Confidence God Offers" by Tricia Lott Williford is an encouraging read for any woman in any stage of life, facing any type of struggle.  It is a non-fiction Christian book that is a mix of self-help, memoir, and Christian encouragement.  Ms. Williford tells her story to the reader in a way that feels like you are having a conversation with her over a cup of coffee (or tea).  She inserts many helpful and encouraging nuggets of truth for those who are going through hard times or need a confidence boost.  Some examples of topics that she covers are negative thoughts, boundaries, and how we define ourselves.  She puts practical ways to implement these truths at the end of each chapter. 

I love this book!  I feel like Ms. Williford was reading my mind at times and the way she writes is like she is speaking directly to one’s soul.  Her words and stories brought smiles to my face and tears to my eyes.  I love how encouraging and practical this book is.  I especially love Ms. Williford's section on replacing negative thoughts and feelings with Scripture and positive affirmations.  She even lists out relevant Scripture to use for different circumstances.  I personally have been through some rough seasons and have wrestled with my confidence and not feeling like I could do some hard things (like my recent battle with chronic pain and chronic illness).  Ms. Williford's words are balm to my weary soul.  I highly recommend this book to any woman, because we all need to hear these words at one point or another in our lives.

 Content and Rating: I give this book 5 stars.  It is a clean read.  Ms. Williford is very open and honest about some of the struggles she has gone through (for example, sexual abuse and PTSD).  She doesn't go into detail about her abuse. 

I want to thank Tricia Lott Williford and Tyndale House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

 

 Click here to visit Tricia Lott Williford's website

 Click here to purchase the book

Tricia Lott Williford's bio as found on her website:

I am a writer, teacher, reader, and thinker.

I am a remarried widow.

I collect words, quotes, books, and bracelets.

I take my caffeine hot or cold:

I believe diet Pepsi is best with a lime,

and coffee is largely about the feel of the mug in my hand.

Sometimes I snort when I laugh,

talk in my sleep,

and cry without warning.