Review: Pembrick's Creaturepedia by Andrew Peterson

Pembrick's Creaturepedia by Andrew Peterson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

This detailed companion is essential to all who travel to the lands of Skree, and a must-have for all Wingfeather Saga fans. Now with all-new illustrations!

Sketcher, adventurer, disguiser, and sneaker Ollister B. Pembrick roamed all of Skree with a sketchbook and pen, searching behind every tree stump and under every stone, in every river and on every hill, to discover and document the endless living wonders of the Maker's world. He risked life and limb--quite literally--to compile sketches and details of the creatures of Skree, usually from the cover of a hollow log, a hedge, or a pile of leaves.

Refer to this carefully documented Creaturepedia before traversing through the Stony Mountains or harvesting fartichokes within a fortnight after a sandstorm. The drawings and field notes about squeeblins, toothy cows, oiples, and more will surely save any explorer's life and will definitely keep them--and their appendages--from being gobbled. Tread carefully, young adventurer. The creatures within are not to be trifled with. 

My Review: 

Pembrick's Creaturepedia is a great collection of over fifty various creatures. They are listed in alphabetical order. Each one lists the name, classification, weakness, taste, and demeanor. There is a creative and detailed sketch for every one of the creatures. I thought this was a fun and entertaining book to read. At the end, it includes pages for Field Notes, that readers can use for their own creature findings.

I am giving Pembrick's Creaturepedia a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for young readers who are between the ages of seven and thirteen and enjoy reading about monsters, fantasy and magical creatures. I thought it was great and plan on getting my son a hard copy as a gift for Christmas.

I received a digital copy of Pembrick's Creaturepedia from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.


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Review: From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer

 

From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

A lost ring brings together two wounded souls--a youth minister haunted by the past and a spunky church custodian--in this heartwarming romance from the bestselling author of The Librarian of Boone's Hollow.

Growing up in the foster care system, Jase Edgar always dreamed of one day starting his own family. But his fiance's untimely death shattered his plans. Moving to Kansas and serving as a youth minister should be a fresh start, but he can't seem to set aside his doubts about God's goodness long enough to embrace his new life.

Newly-appointed church custodian, Lori Fowler is battling her own challenges. Her strained relationship with her father and her struggles with overeating convince her she's not worthy enough for love. When an Amish weaver enlists their help locating the owner of a ring found among the donated clothing she uses as fabric, Jase and Lori find themselves drawn to each other. But will they be able to release the past and move forward from this moment into a joyful future?

My Review: 

Kim Vogel Sawyer has been on my top favorite author list for years now. I have read every single one of her books and have been eagerly waiting for her newest release, From This Moment. She knows how to touch the readers heart and feel the Grace of God, while crafting a beautiful story. This one is no different. I adored Jase and Lori and was interested in what would happen to them throughout. I had the whole book read in one sitting.

From This Moment would get one hundred stars from me if it were possible. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading faith filled Amish r0mance. It should not be missed.

I received an ebook copy of From This Moment from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

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Review: A Christmas Haven by Cindy Woodsmal and Erin Woodsmall

A Christmas Haven: An Amish Christmas Romance
by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

For fans of holiday romances and Amish life comes a new Christmas tale of surprising expectations and discovering miracles.

Old Order Amish Ivy Zook is wrestling with her need to shed her community's ways so she can grow the business of her dreams: planning parties. As long as she's stuck living without modernization, she can barely get her business on its feet. But if she leaves too soon, she'd cause trouble for her sister, Holly, who is planning her wedding to Joshua Smucker. All of their plans become twice as complicated when an old car crashes into the storefront of Greene's Pharmacy, carrying a Swartzentruber (ultra-conservative sect) Amish man, Arlan, and his very ill sister.
The Zooks take in Arlan and Madga, tending to the woman's illness and Arlan begins helping around the family farm. Ivy and Arlan are on different tracks, one wanting to leave her community and the other to return to his. But both young people are trying to discover what God has in store for their futures and what miracles might lie around the corner this Christmas season.



My Review: 

The writing duo, Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall, has crafted a beautiful story in their newest release, A Christmas Haven. It was fun catching up with the characters from their previous book, The Christmas Remedy. This is such a wonderful and heartwarming Christmas tale.

I am giving A Christmas Haven five plus stars. I highly recommend this sweet Amish Christmas Romance. It is a perfect book to get readers started on their holiday season reading.

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.



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Review: Dear Grandchild, This Is Me by Waterbrook

Dear Grandchild, This Is Me by Waterbrook

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

Preserving a family legacy can feel like a daunting task, but this new keepsake journal makes it easy for grandparents to capture memories, wisdom, and stories in one beautiful package.

Being a grandparent is an incredibly rewarding experience. Dear Grandchild, This Is Me--designed for any grandmother or grandfather to complete--will allow grandparents to collect these priceless memories in one heartfelt keepsake.

Special Features:
* Built-in envelopes to stash special, private letters for specific occasions in your grandchild's future.
* A sheet of adhesive photo corners to adhere photographs and special memories throughout.
* Off-the-record questions to prompt fun stories.
* A family tree to track your ancestry.
* Space to share your favorite recipes, or those passed through the generations.
* A world map to showcase your travels.
Within these pages you'll find a place to answer questions that speak to a grandchild of any age from the simple questions about favorite things to deeper questions about childhood memories, identity, and faith. This book will be a tangible way to keep a loved one close at all times.



My Review: 

I believe Dear Grandchild, This Is Me is a must have. I can not wait to give it to my mother so she can fill out and gift to my children. Within the first few pages, there is a section “My dearest grandchild” where the grandparent can write a letter to their grandchild. There are several sections in the book. Such as:
The grandparent tells about their early days, their family, and how they grew up.
The grandparent tells about their life after high school, getting married, and raising children.
The grandparent tells their joy of becoming a grandparent, their homes, routines, life experiences and more about themselves.
The grandparent tells about their faith, looking back on their life, their advice, and wisdom.
Each section includes inspirational message, Bible verse, pages to paste photos and a pocket to keep mementos

I highly recommend Dear Grandchild, This Is Me. I look forward to see what my mother writes in it for my children. Five plus stars.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.


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Review: The King's Mercy by Lori Benton

The King's Mercy by Lori Benton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

For readers of Sara Donati and Diana Gabaldon, this epic historical romance tells of fateful love between an indentured Scotsman and a daughter of the 18th century colonial south.

When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king's mercy--exile to the Colony of North Carolina--he's indentured to Englishman Edmund Carey as a blacksmith. Against his will Alex is drawn into the struggles of Carey's slaves--and those of his stepdaughter, Joanna Carey. A mistress with a servant's heart, Joanna is expected to wed her father's overseer, Phineas Reeves, but finds herself drawn instead to the new blacksmith. As their unlikely relationship deepens, successive tragedies strike the Careys. When blame falls unfairly upon Alex he flees to the distant mountains where he encounters Reverend Pauling, itinerate preacher and friend of the Careys, now a prisoner of the Cherokees. Haunted by his abandoning of Joanna, Alex tries to settle into life with the Cherokees, until circumstances thwart yet another attempt to forge his freedom and he's faced with the choice that's long hounded him: continue down his rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no man can steal. But the price of such mercy is total surrender, and perhaps Alex's very life.



My Review: 

My favorite genre is historical fiction, particularly the Colonial America era. Lori Benton does not disappoint with her newest release The King’s Mercy. She perfectly captures how I have envisioned my ancestors lived back in those times. I was swept away to a beautiful story of hope, faith and inspiration. 

I give My King’s Mercy a well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy well written early American historical fiction. 

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.


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Review: American Omens: The Coming Fight for Faith by Travis Thrasher

American Omens: The Coming Fight for Faith 

by Travis Thrasher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blurb: 

In this taut thriller that depicts a future where belief is dangerous, faith is deemed hatred, and a group of powerful elite keeps watch, the Reckoner has come to wake up America.
The year is 2038 and Cheyenne Burne is a brilliant young programmer working for Acatour, the world's top technology firm. Her father converts to Christianity, and he suddenly disappears without a trace. When a stranger hands Cheyenne a coded message that sends her on a collision course with a clandestine group of believers, she must put her life in the hands of those following a man known only as the Reckoner. He claims he wants to bring back true faith in Christ to America and also reveal the forces behind the disappearances of the many renowned people who publicly declared their Christian faith.

Operating in the shadows and living off the grid, this mysterious prophet assembles a ragtag team--including a former bookseller whose store was shut down for selling prohibited books--to help him take the battle for transparency to the top. With a ruthless FBI agent closing in, can Cheyenne and the others expose the truth and lead a return to God in America before it's too late?



My Review: 

American Omens: The Coming Fight for Faith is a fabulous book. This fictional story is what I fear will become reality in the years to come. That is the reason why I think why this book could be one of the scariest thrillers I have read in a long time. 

American Omens: The Coming Fight for Faith is getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. 

I highly recommend this book for all readers. 

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

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Review: Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Blurb:

The Old Testament book of Daniel comes to life in this novel for readers of Lynn Austin's Chronicles of the Kings series or Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series.

Survival. A Hebrew girl first tasted it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took their finest as captives. She thought she'd perfected in the many years amongst the Magoi and the idol worshippers, pretending with all the others in King Nebuchadnezzar's court. Now, as Daniel's wife and a septuagenarian matriarch, Belili thinks she's safe and she can live out her days in Babylon without fear--until the night Daniel is escorted to Belshazzar's palace to interpret mysterious handwriting on a wall. The Persian Army invades, and Bellili's tightly-wound secrets unfurl with the arrival of the conquering army. What will the reign of Darius mean for Daniel, a man who prays to Yahweh alone?
Ultimately, Yahweh's sovereign hand guides Jerusalem's captives, and the frightened Hebrew girl is transformed into a confident woman, who realizes her need of the God who conquers both fire and lions.



My Review: 

Of Fire and Lions is a fascinating retelling of Old Testament’s Daniel. I enjoyed reading how Mesu Andrews was able to bring him back to life. Her vision and details were extraordinary. I felt like I was taking back in time and was right there watching the events unfold. 

I am giving Of Fire and Lions four and a half stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy Biblical Fiction. It is most definitely not one to be missed. 

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.


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Review: This is Your Day by Tim Tebow

Blurb (from Amazon):

The New York Times best-selling sports star and media icon motivates readers to stop postponing dreams and start making them happen now because--this is the day.

Beyond Tim Tebow's exploits as a Heisman-winning football player, he is widely known and respected for his exemplary character and personal excellence, which have made him a role model for millions. When Tim interacts with the public, he often encounters people who feel "stuck"--unable to take action on matters ranging from daily life to pursuing lifelong dreams. In response, Tim often identifies a crippling fear or lack of courage, to which he advises: "now is the time to take some risks, to quiet the voices of defeat, to step forward and make a mark, because this is the day." In this inspiring, motivational book, readers will receive the advice and encouragement to daily move from "pause" to "play" in finding deeper meaning and success. Tim illustrates the book's themes with stories from his personal life that will delight all readers, including his an update on his dream pursuit of a baseball career.

My Review: 

I enjoyed This is Your Day: Reclaim Your Dream. Ignite Your Passion. Live Your Purpose. Tim Tebow is a great role model and inspiration for so many. And rightly so. His faith shines through in this book. I loved reading his various accounts with others he has encountered over the years and how he uses his message to inspire others. 

This is Your Day is one book that should not be missed. I loved it and give it five stars. I look forward to other books by Tim Tebow. 

I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.