tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66715362390329273372024-03-18T07:06:19.597-05:00Christian Bookshelf ReviewsMelaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.comBlogger2195110tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6671536239032927337.post-14009367819783864602024-03-14T00:00:00.001-05:002024-03-14T00:00:00.353-05:00Review: Rocky Road by Becky Wade<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhrOqG5kxYEr-ig_oQv5SSaNN2f0JXY5f6L6BMRveZ03IXM11NxatNL0Sn5oRdjl2a6d87x738-LWh_RtlShAkiYtpRP_-vHN9aTDOqMQ2Ly5fk6fDB1Y4TSM-rgSWR-FmfORlMj_c__IOvQvNxG67olsL7xDV8nEPFp_OUamd94wHygrqcXKEX8uwGY/s2560/198335268.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhrOqG5kxYEr-ig_oQv5SSaNN2f0JXY5f6L6BMRveZ03IXM11NxatNL0Sn5oRdjl2a6d87x738-LWh_RtlShAkiYtpRP_-vHN9aTDOqMQ2Ly5fk6fDB1Y4TSM-rgSWR-FmfORlMj_c__IOvQvNxG67olsL7xDV8nEPFp_OUamd94wHygrqcXKEX8uwGY/s320/198335268.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the book:</span></b></div><div style="background-color: silver; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><b>Christy Award Hall of Fame Author</b></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">FBI Agent Jude Camden handles every aspect of his job with by-the-book professionalism. There's no reason why his latest assignment—which calls for him to pose as the boyfriend of perfumer Gemma Clare—should be any different.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">Except Gemma is different. She's creative, bold, and feisty. And as soon as she meets Jude, she wants to loosen him up, wrinkle his perfect shirts, and test every ounce of his towering self-control.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">The FBI has an iron-clad rule against romances between those working together on operations. Jude's never met a rule he didn't respect. But adhering to this one is going to be tough because, as time goes by, he finds Gemma more and more irresistible.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">Buckle up! It's going to be a rocky road.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><b>Escape to Maine for this swoon-worthy "fake romance"! Banter, humor, perfume, and a mystery from the past intertwine in this sweet Sons of Scandal love story.</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">My rating:</span></b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">4 stars</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/book-rating.html">(View my rating system)</a></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">My thoughts:</span></b><br /><div><div><div><i>Rocky Road</i> is the second book in the Sons of Scandal series and such a good read! I enjoyed the first book, but this one was even better! I liked how we got a hint of this storyline in the first book (Jude going undercover as Gemma's boyfriend).</div><div><br /></div><div>I read this book mostly by listening to the audio while reading the print copy. The audiobook was read so well that it made the read even more enjoyable.</div><div><br /></div><div>I liked how this story's romance wasn't too heated and that there was a good element of faith. I thought the ending was intense and yet so good. I also loved the side story about Gemma's grandmother, Gracie. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, <i>Rocky Road</i> was a great read and I recommend it to fans of contemporary romance. I can hardly wait for the next one, which is about Max.</div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><i style="font-size: small;">*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*</i></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><b>Find the book on:</b></span><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/41ZV6I2">Amazon </a>(aff link), <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/198335268-rocky-road">Goodreads</a><br /><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6671536239032927337.post-23393277917119254082024-03-13T15:36:00.001-05:002024-03-13T15:36:50.495-05:00Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’m Worried I Might Not Love as Much the Second Time Around (March 12) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="500" height="161" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBG6BlOCsm8/WpTSOUhFxsI/AAAAAAAAD-M/PjOubjKheHE2z5UnW4MU5s-7s7NRexl6ACLcBGAs/s400/TTT.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><hr /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>March 12:</b> Books I’m Worried I Might Not Love as Much the Second Time Around</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Posting a day late)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I love this topic. I am currently someone who loves to reread books and my <b>favorite</b> books I've reread multiple times...still, there are </span><i>some</i> books that I am a little nervous to and probably won't reread, as I might not enjoy them as much this time. My reading tastes have changed and I've changed in the years since I first read them, but in a couple cases it is because of how the rest of the series unfolded.</div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">(in no particular order)<br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJiSOkzWd0yjsyj7zKgU007LDF3pHSmzXGW-RGRx1pMDOoiLNvMLM8P5g4BNxKGQO07eOExWE0GcqVuVvopZG9jLxTi6Cjl8SR7Bbt8DPx1ZzVjzpwnbnblqJ7eRuizaMEgvbBKAryNLejWcqkpCZjFX4G1SSEOBNRLDvf37wFBKv0QLRugcBbY4HBS4/s1200/ttt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJiSOkzWd0yjsyj7zKgU007LDF3pHSmzXGW-RGRx1pMDOoiLNvMLM8P5g4BNxKGQO07eOExWE0GcqVuVvopZG9jLxTi6Cjl8SR7Bbt8DPx1ZzVjzpwnbnblqJ7eRuizaMEgvbBKAryNLejWcqkpCZjFX4G1SSEOBNRLDvf37wFBKv0QLRugcBbY4HBS4/w640-h480/ttt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><ol><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3TwLB0a">Anomaly by Krista McGee</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3v8B81M">Divergent by Veronica Roth</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3wKOyRR">Comes a Horseman by Robert Liparulo</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/43iUMoh">Monday Night Jihad by Jason Elam & Steve Yohn </a><br /></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/49OcoL7">The Chair by James L. Rubart</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/49UaSHE">A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/43dvjg5">Redemption by Karen Kingsbury & Gary Smalley</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/4cbjLOr">Beckon by Tom Pawlik</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/4cdYBz4">Black by Ted Dekker</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/4cdzZGQ">Forbidden by Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee</a></li></ol></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post contains “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i></div></div></span></div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chrisbooksrev-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B0B6PZC2DV" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6671536239032927337.post-16491857416721251132024-03-11T16:54:00.002-05:002024-03-11T16:54:59.480-05:00Review: All My Secrets by Lynn Austin<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-sD9Cn9RYQlHWugQXcMqz2FflxFvV-IYFCgSUMZIZJwrGLF4p5jZibijSHo9xdecVcCL29mICvlGbF9mAUYtjTUvFiiMEb_WPzZDZMQn6p1iPaT8kaAztagAZ5HMGfW-sYAZti7WHEUuS5YiPO3YS2AjC2taN-PYi5dgH6GNFTrSvrIcjWp4BfYnVgI/s400/178836133.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-sD9Cn9RYQlHWugQXcMqz2FflxFvV-IYFCgSUMZIZJwrGLF4p5jZibijSHo9xdecVcCL29mICvlGbF9mAUYtjTUvFiiMEb_WPzZDZMQn6p1iPaT8kaAztagAZ5HMGfW-sYAZti7WHEUuS5YiPO3YS2AjC2taN-PYi5dgH6GNFTrSvrIcjWp4BfYnVgI/s320/178836133.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the book:</span></b></div><div style="background-color: silver; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">Bestselling author Lynn Austin returns with a luminous work of historical fiction set amid the opulence of Gilded Age New York, where three generations of women in one family must reckon with the choices they have made and their hopes for the future.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">New York, 1898. The only thing more shocking than Arthur Stanhope III’s unexpected death is the revelation that his will bestows his company―and most of the vast fortune that goes with it―to the nearest male heir, leaving his mother, wife, and daughter nearly impoverished. His widow, Sylvia, quickly realizes she must set aside her grief to ensure their daughter, Adelaide, is launched into society as soon as the appropriate mourning period passes. If Sylvia can find a wealthy husband for Addy before anyone realizes they’re practically destitute, there will be little disruption to the lifestyle they’re accustomed to.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">Sylvia’s mother-in-law, Junietta, believes their life could use a little disruption. She has watched Sylvia play her role as a society wife, as Junietta once did, despite what it cost them both. Junietta vows to give her granddaughter the power to choose a path beyond what society expects.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">But for Addy to have that chance, both mother and grandmother must first confront painful truths about their own choices. Only in bringing their secrets to light can they hope to reshape their family inheritance into a legacy more fulfilling than they ever dared dream.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">My rating:</span></b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">4 stars</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/book-rating.html">(View my rating system)</a></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">My thoughts:</span></b><br /><div><div><div><i>All My Secrets</i> was a wonderful read. The characters were well written and I found myself easily immersed in their story. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was crazy all the different layers there were in this book. I loved the slips back in time when Junietta or Sylvia were telling parts of their story. The current day was probably my favorite, as I really liked Adelaide and her love story. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>All My Secrets </i>is a book that I think any historical romance reader will enjoy. It is written very well and moves quickly. The narrator of the audio format was great and it was easy to listen to. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, <i>All My Secrets</i> was a very good read and I recommend it. I look forward forward reading more of Lynn Austin's books as I'm able. </div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><i style="font-size: small;">*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*</i></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><b>Find the book on:</b></span><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3SjnEZO">Amazon </a>(aff link), <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/178836133-all-my-secrets">Goodreads</a><br /><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6671536239032927337.post-30337282423143748982024-01-16T20:54:00.003-06:002024-01-16T20:54:34.901-06:00Top Ten Tuesday | Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/top-ten-tuesday/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="500" height="161" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBG6BlOCsm8/WpTSOUhFxsI/AAAAAAAAD-M/PjOubjKheHE2z5UnW4MU5s-7s7NRexl6ACLcBGAs/s400/TTT.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><hr /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>January 9: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2024</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>~ ~</b></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: center;">I'm doing this topic a week late, but it is one I love to do...hope you enjoy seeing my list. :) Let me know if you see any books that you are looking forward to reading. </div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><div>(in no particular order)</div><div><br style="font-weight: 400;" /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjbtF8zdsMljFD5qpmKrnA4WCpI2uaLnoh_ucLblO8aaW8IC2-0ZrNgEOZ6xNvOPu8QVc8DxHEk_yeSMXwuBqeFwhedsR0LoE7Fm5R5ZcbCv9f-UrFQzo-PuXgEg7af6Sj89oOTW1Q-p6zyLX5nGH2G1mOWi98uNzEhfLb0LE-isszBxMTYu9D0fVuhQ/s1500/182093563.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjbtF8zdsMljFD5qpmKrnA4WCpI2uaLnoh_ucLblO8aaW8IC2-0ZrNgEOZ6xNvOPu8QVc8DxHEk_yeSMXwuBqeFwhedsR0LoE7Fm5R5ZcbCv9f-UrFQzo-PuXgEg7af6Sj89oOTW1Q-p6zyLX5nGH2G1mOWi98uNzEhfLb0LE-isszBxMTYu9D0fVuhQ/s320/182093563.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div><i><a href="https://amzn.to/3TTwP4f">The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz</a></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I've already read this one, but it gets a mention because it is one of the books I was eagerly anticipating.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/41JVz0V" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEQo81hBiShM3-YAAQviKJ5HqVn8rH6EVo96t3ap2qgbWBAnNhKhjnuzyvUPUFCmmV0bE-LXlU_jG-2ihrlnUgT-X_rusUwL57I4VVGGP3Rsy05hfE8D8GX1uIPXU2fvkKtcWHkZPEtZKR67mMhoXXN7_Y4Z8AMZG1k4UqVzERdwLY3yQ8VhZzhqhzSw/s320/178836192.jpg" width="214" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3HlxQup">Fatal Domain by Steven James</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you've been around my blog for a while, you probably know that Steven James is one of the favorite authors and I loved the first book (<a href="https://amzn.to/3SkyFKl">Broker of Lies</a>) in his new series. I can hardly wait to start this one and see what happens next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-sD9Cn9RYQlHWugQXcMqz2FflxFvV-IYFCgSUMZIZJwrGLF4p5jZibijSHo9xdecVcCL29mICvlGbF9mAUYtjTUvFiiMEb_WPzZDZMQn6p1iPaT8kaAztagAZ5HMGfW-sYAZti7WHEUuS5YiPO3YS2AjC2taN-PYi5dgH6GNFTrSvrIcjWp4BfYnVgI/s400/178836133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-sD9Cn9RYQlHWugQXcMqz2FflxFvV-IYFCgSUMZIZJwrGLF4p5jZibijSHo9xdecVcCL29mICvlGbF9mAUYtjTUvFiiMEb_WPzZDZMQn6p1iPaT8kaAztagAZ5HMGfW-sYAZti7WHEUuS5YiPO3YS2AjC2taN-PYi5dgH6GNFTrSvrIcjWp4BfYnVgI/s320/178836133.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3SjnEZO">All My Secrets by Lynn Austin</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've really enjoyed Lynn's other books that I've read, so I am eager to dive into this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5iOaNDHplXnnYFFYPewsJdWIU9nGIIsuObnD3j_HqxLfg1AtZua8xBVrUBunjitYwsM-C9kNyur9-_VDmqjEsgPHE4WNOz_enNuGuTJBkxoNsBBLW48c_qZ1OYQhF9D2acwZHj5czITubgP4hyExhvV-mteDTjlvTK4pXURhUs6bftxwVsQWaR0BYpk/s445/180352000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5iOaNDHplXnnYFFYPewsJdWIU9nGIIsuObnD3j_HqxLfg1AtZua8xBVrUBunjitYwsM-C9kNyur9-_VDmqjEsgPHE4WNOz_enNuGuTJBkxoNsBBLW48c_qZ1OYQhF9D2acwZHj5czITubgP4hyExhvV-mteDTjlvTK4pXURhUs6bftxwVsQWaR0BYpk/s320/180352000.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3tSe7j1">Love, Unscripted by Denise Hunter</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hunter's books are usually easy, light reads and I am anticipating this one to be a good one. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94YuHeS2V-fFKkSN6cB2FN4eWUsQ6Sk28WGK1bPmc0BT-voMpTih1GgLe3BOFA44OauWj4AHIGEy4t6GDQDySs3eLbkulfaQLNz321ZBcoyulpvEvGvlOv9iz46lrYMELbFEd971gFQ3zVDTkHXKnWYeaFYTCmy7dJcsSd2bn96kYKmmc7VC9wYa8rXg/s385/182092868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="249" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94YuHeS2V-fFKkSN6cB2FN4eWUsQ6Sk28WGK1bPmc0BT-voMpTih1GgLe3BOFA44OauWj4AHIGEy4t6GDQDySs3eLbkulfaQLNz321ZBcoyulpvEvGvlOv9iz46lrYMELbFEd971gFQ3zVDTkHXKnWYeaFYTCmy7dJcsSd2bn96kYKmmc7VC9wYa8rXg/s320/182092868.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3TZ9xKt">One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love Pettrey's suspense stories. So excited about this new one!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1lL8K2YObEJ8wx7TPp-PO2uJqdLJ3IKR_bTicG-oWgOvnMHan8oa8OpiIHaEwRdssez9aDVuoczWFacgQEoKoBA6ABayWt3t8pv8aql6OBfdc4mD0KkJM4ZEByZdiRRaPwWohIZjQbDrJHmpycH9XpIAsFeCR8oSDZ9AjRJca784GbHjAJs4pTs3Z_g/s1024/182093333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="663" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1lL8K2YObEJ8wx7TPp-PO2uJqdLJ3IKR_bTicG-oWgOvnMHan8oa8OpiIHaEwRdssez9aDVuoczWFacgQEoKoBA6ABayWt3t8pv8aql6OBfdc4mD0KkJM4ZEByZdiRRaPwWohIZjQbDrJHmpycH9XpIAsFeCR8oSDZ9AjRJca784GbHjAJs4pTs3Z_g/s320/182093333.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/41YwAa9">Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic;"><i style="text-align: left;"><br /></i></div>Sarah Sundin is a favorite historical author of mine and I hope this one will be another winner.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7bNaMRxGFmFkuKcRDW_Btgny90de0k27RjVYOT8rSShdmTUnI-4FLwDHJYEr60NbWFJEz0Gc-xxm-LaEpk9ejyAX__W-8yiFOY-RpMQsgxsVUviqJ2o87LII6vBLpIY_xftOehZsEMiO7cy7I646Z6kX9z0vjzgaCQlRWUkqXLof_Gw_dLRuk2ep8yc/s613/182094112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7bNaMRxGFmFkuKcRDW_Btgny90de0k27RjVYOT8rSShdmTUnI-4FLwDHJYEr60NbWFJEz0Gc-xxm-LaEpk9ejyAX__W-8yiFOY-RpMQsgxsVUviqJ2o87LII6vBLpIY_xftOehZsEMiO7cy7I646Z6kX9z0vjzgaCQlRWUkqXLof_Gw_dLRuk2ep8yc/s320/182094112.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3U2kQl6">A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M. White</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have loved pretty much all of the books I've read by White and I can hardly wait to read this one...the first book was SO good!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SxBmXbgfIzg5VrvLOLfnD_yeHZipxekJiOfSeu0CEMJ0C0kEt-tqnPuGrBbFgEVOd-3dRUAoF6laXQy27Qq58ThCbpnRIcShFvkJx2Mzl7zXojP_SdxWMLOmOqIVDri2Bj2H_qx-oP3qcoaagAJ2Opqp-vzloTsoR1dmlsoho4G1E1G0VfLPXxCzxck/s2000/182094184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SxBmXbgfIzg5VrvLOLfnD_yeHZipxekJiOfSeu0CEMJ0C0kEt-tqnPuGrBbFgEVOd-3dRUAoF6laXQy27Qq58ThCbpnRIcShFvkJx2Mzl7zXojP_SdxWMLOmOqIVDri2Bj2H_qx-oP3qcoaagAJ2Opqp-vzloTsoR1dmlsoho4G1E1G0VfLPXxCzxck/s320/182094184.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3Shl6v7">If the Book Fits by Karen Witemeyer</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been anticipating this one since reading the first book...I hope it is just as amazing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhrOqG5kxYEr-ig_oQv5SSaNN2f0JXY5f6L6BMRveZ03IXM11NxatNL0Sn5oRdjl2a6d87x738-LWh_RtlShAkiYtpRP_-vHN9aTDOqMQ2Ly5fk6fDB1Y4TSM-rgSWR-FmfORlMj_c__IOvQvNxG67olsL7xDV8nEPFp_OUamd94wHygrqcXKEX8uwGY/s2560/198335268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhrOqG5kxYEr-ig_oQv5SSaNN2f0JXY5f6L6BMRveZ03IXM11NxatNL0Sn5oRdjl2a6d87x738-LWh_RtlShAkiYtpRP_-vHN9aTDOqMQ2Ly5fk6fDB1Y4TSM-rgSWR-FmfORlMj_c__IOvQvNxG67olsL7xDV8nEPFp_OUamd94wHygrqcXKEX8uwGY/s320/198335268.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/41ZV6I2">Rocky Road by Becky Wade</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been a huge fan of Wade's contemporary romance novels. This one sounds super cute and I can't wait to read it.</div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post contains “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i></div></div></span></div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chrisbooksrev-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B0B6PZC2DV" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6671536239032927337.post-41524270643793123312024-01-08T00:00:00.020-06:002024-01-08T23:16:09.019-06:00Review: The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjbtF8zdsMljFD5qpmKrnA4WCpI2uaLnoh_ucLblO8aaW8IC2-0ZrNgEOZ6xNvOPu8QVc8DxHEk_yeSMXwuBqeFwhedsR0LoE7Fm5R5ZcbCv9f-UrFQzo-PuXgEg7af6Sj89oOTW1Q-p6zyLX5nGH2G1mOWi98uNzEhfLb0LE-isszBxMTYu9D0fVuhQ/s1500/182093563.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjbtF8zdsMljFD5qpmKrnA4WCpI2uaLnoh_ucLblO8aaW8IC2-0ZrNgEOZ6xNvOPu8QVc8DxHEk_yeSMXwuBqeFwhedsR0LoE7Fm5R5ZcbCv9f-UrFQzo-PuXgEg7af6Sj89oOTW1Q-p6zyLX5nGH2G1mOWi98uNzEhfLb0LE-isszBxMTYu9D0fVuhQ/s320/182093563.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the book:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: silver; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada's Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family--French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral--are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America's borderlands.</div><div style="background-color: silver; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: silver; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William's, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.</div></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My rating:</span></b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">5 stars</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/book-rating.html">(View my rating system)</a></span></span>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My thoughts:</span></b><br />
<div><div><br /></div><div>The Seamstress of Acadie was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and it did not disappoint! The story pulled me in right away and, while it was a slower read for me in the beginning, I really enjoyed it.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The characters were great. I really liked Bleu (her brother) and Will. Both were favorite characters. 😊 The romance between Will and Sylvie was good and I liked that it took its time to progress. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, The Seamstress of Acadie was a very good read. It had some sad moments, but it felt realistic and I loved the book. I am eagerly looking forward to Laura Frantz's next story.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i style="font-size: small;">*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*</i></div></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><b>Find the book on:</b></span><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3TTwP4f">Amazon </a>(aff link), <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/182093563-the-seamstress-of-acadie">Goodreads</a><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i>
Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6671536239032927337.post-73856627208723022252024-01-05T22:21:00.001-06:002024-01-05T22:22:02.360-06:00Weekend Wrap-Up (January 5th, 2024)<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3t5cW6BaFU4/WeDsclgwYPI/AAAAAAAAD5A/mPSjo0kIHIwNm_pO30kflerhJRk__ltWwCLcBGAs/s1600/8fad00d2-d34f-4b36-a8aa-2fbdac3337cf_zps7a7587f9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3t5cW6BaFU4/WeDsclgwYPI/AAAAAAAAD5A/mPSjo0kIHIwNm_pO30kflerhJRk__ltWwCLcBGAs/s1600/8fad00d2-d34f-4b36-a8aa-2fbdac3337cf_zps7a7587f9.JPG"></a></div><br><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chrisbooksrev-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B0769V6W3B" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Weekend Wrap-up</i> is where I share what I read this past week, am currently reading, and my reading plans for the coming week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feel free to join along and post your own <i>Weekend Wrap-up</i> on your blog/site <span style="font-size: x-small;">(if you do, please leave the link in a comment so I can stop by)</span> or, in a comment, share what you've read this past week. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa452/Love-Being-Vegan/Christian%20Bookshelf%20Reviews/Books/13422020_zpsnpkn8ozw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace; font-size: medium;"><b><i>~</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><span></span></div></div><a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/2024/01/weekend-wrap-up-january-5th-2024.html#more">Read more »</a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6671536239032927337.post-37868441138030531362023-11-06T00:00:00.004-06:002023-11-06T00:00:00.132-06:00Q & A with Angela Hunt | Author of What a Wave Must Be<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i>
<div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 17px;">Q & A with Angela Hunt</span></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 17px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span>Author of What a Wave Must Be</span></i></div></span></i><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Angela Hunt has authored more than 165 works and sold nearly six million copies of her books worldwide. Her books have won awards such as the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards for Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword’s Book of the Year Award. Angela holds a doctorate in biblical studies and a ThD. She and her husband live in Florida. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>1. What inspired this story? </b></span>
<b><br /></b><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">Focus on the Family wanted to do novels about contemporary social issues. Jerry Jenkins contacted writers and edited the three books, and I’m thrilled to be associated with Chris Fairy and Tamera Alexander in this endeavor. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>2. Describe the audience that you envisioned while writing this book. Who do you think will enjoy this book? </b></span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">I wrote the book as a parent and grandparent, and I think people in those roles will discover a lot to ponder and take away from the story. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>3. What messages or themes do you focus on in this story? </b></span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">One of the themes is hope, because people who take their lives have utterly lost hope. We have hope in Jesus, but many times our problems loom larger than our faith. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>4. Who was your favorite character to write? </b></span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">The grandmother, naturally—I am a grandmother who loves her grandchildren, and my heart aches when they are unhappy. In a very real sense, I am Nana. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>5. How does faith play a role in this story? </b></span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">The adult characters, including the man who takes his life, are believers. Maddie, the teenager, is not. So the adults have to deal with their own grief as they try to model Christian hope and faith for their granddaughter. Not always easy to do. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>6. What do you hope readers take away from Maddie’s journey? </b></span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">I hope parents of teenagers will understand how large problems loom for teens. Life seems so immediate when you’re young—it can seem like it will take forever before you get a driver’s license—so they don’t always understand that momentary actions can have eternal consequences. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>7. What do you hope to communicate about the issue of suicide and the impact left in its wake? </b></span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">I don’t want to give away the story’s plot points, but I can say this: People who commit suicide because they think they’re doing their loved ones a favor are absolutely wrong. Suicide causes far more grief and raises more questions than any alternative. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>8. What advice would you offer young writers? </b></span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">I would encourage young writers to start writing small things before attempting a novel. I wrote nonfiction pieces for five years before I even thought about writing a book. It’s a process, not something that you can learn overnight. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>9. Do you have any other writing projects in the pipeline? </b></span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 17px;">I am currently working on the last book of a series set in ancient Rome. I recently completed a series set in the intertestamental period; then I did four books set during the time of Jesus’ ministry; and now I’m moving on to the people whom Paul led to Christ. I’ve really enjoyed writing these series in chronological order. It’s almost like living through the Bible</span><br />
<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 17px;"><i>What a Wave Must Be</i></b><span style="font-size: 17px;"> by Angela Hunt</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-Wave-Must-Angela-Hunt-ebook/dp/B0BWZXBX42?crid=2IRK5TLEIURWH&keywords=Angela+hunt&qid=1691685219&sprefix=angela+hun%2Caps%2C1007&sr=8-32&linkCode=li3&tag=chrisbooksrev-20&linkId=9675c2d849660cbf4f09c2d4bd278318&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0BWZXBX42&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chrisbooksrev-20&language=en_US" /></a> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Find on <a href="https://amzn.to/3rA14BA">Amazon </a>(aff link) | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123186335-what-a-wave-must-be?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_34">Goodreads</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Softcover: $15.99 | ISBN 978-1-64607-045-9</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Hardcover: $29.99 | ISBN 978-1-64607-149-4</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 17px;"><div style="text-align: center;">November 2023</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">FocusOnTheFamily.com</span></div>
<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_230810_113046_148.sdocx--></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6671536239032927337.post-52511696566586108042023-10-03T00:00:00.053-05:002023-10-03T00:00:00.141-05:00(Guest Post) Life in Appalachia: Then vs Now by Michelle Shocklee | Author of Appalachian Song<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i>
<div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: georgia;">I'm excited to share this guest post by Michelle Shocklee, author of <i>Appalachian Song. </i>Hope you enjoy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK4IiTxAIid7iZBZSvAuFGWwnOkCqpfvPnTF5MSTfnpCGOL9nwiQX-_Yw_wfkrirajCAl40SDKf6y2VVcyxH75YL8akZO7sqAAgmCdXxtaVIAzCiXvfTlIfNDxY8nS6JWB9jUyPZ4taYH-S1gucxQ_C_hUxatmUQAzIubI4Qu2XFsPn3duA5HxjMIBv8/s553/image001.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK4IiTxAIid7iZBZSvAuFGWwnOkCqpfvPnTF5MSTfnpCGOL9nwiQX-_Yw_wfkrirajCAl40SDKf6y2VVcyxH75YL8akZO7sqAAgmCdXxtaVIAzCiXvfTlIfNDxY8nS6JWB9jUyPZ4taYH-S1gucxQ_C_hUxatmUQAzIubI4Qu2XFsPn3duA5HxjMIBv8/s320/image001.jpg" width="243" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><hr /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Life in Appalachia: Then vs Now </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>By Michelle Shocklee</b></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-fb0279a8-7fff-d38f-1183-1781b23e116c"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Appalachian Mountains stretch from Canada to Georgia, covering 14 states, and the people of Appalachia are as unique as the mountains themselves. Because there are different regions throughout the Appalachians, sometimes within the same state, residents have their own customs, lifestyles, and even their own way to pronounce the name of their beloved mountain range. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I first laid eyes on the Great Smoky Mountains of Appalachia in the fall of 2018. As a Rocky Mountain girl, born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I wasn’t sure what to expect when we planned a trip to Gatlinburg after moving to Tennessee the previous year. To me, there is nothing more beautiful than a rugged mountain covered in the autumn gold of turning aspen trees. The Smokies, I found, are very different from the craggy, snow-topped Rockies, so I was a little surprised at how quickly I fell in love with them. Rolling layers of breathtaking beauty is the simplest way to describe them. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The name Smoky Mountains is a little deceiving. The “smoke” is actually a mist, or fog,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> caused by dense vegetation emitting chemicals into the atmosphere. These chemicals form vapors at normal temperatures, which is why the mountains look smoky year round. Native Americans called the region home for generations before European settlers arrived in the mid-eighteenth century. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">By the 1800s, this part of Appalachia—pronounced “apple-at-cha”—was home to thousands of pioneering families like the Walkers, who inspired the fictional Jenkins family in my new book </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Appalachian Song</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. The Walkers were proud mountain people, living by “ax, gun, and plow.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">During the Civil War, John Walker fought for the Union Army, as did most East Tennesseans, and was even captured and held prisoner. After the war ended, John married his sweetheart, Margaret Jane King, whose family came from Little Greenbrier, an area near present-day Gatlinburg. He purchased property from Margaret's father, including a single-room cabin, the original section built in the 1840s. Margaret gave birth to eleven children—seven girls and four boys—and all eleven survived into adulthood, a feat not many mountain families could boast back in those days. Poverty and lack of education were two of the biggest issues mountain people faced then and continue to deal with now. But many families, like the Walkers, did their best to overcome them. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Like most mountain people, the Walkers did without modern conveniences, such as electricity, indoor plumbing, and heavy farm equipment. They grew corn, raised sheep, cattle, chickens, and hogs, had a vast orchard, and tended a huge garden, canning produce that added to their simple diet throughout the year. They sheared sheep, carded, and spun the wool, turning it into clothing for the entire family. They even made their own shoes. One of the Walker sisters is famously quoted as saying, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Our land produces everything we need except sugar, soda, coffee, and salt.”</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> T</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">rips into town were few and far between. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Margaret Walker’s mother was a midwife, and she trained her daughter in midwifery. Bertie Jenkins, one of the main characters in </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Appalachian Song</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, is also a midwife. Midwives were a vital part of every mountain community. Not only did they attend births, but they were also knowledgeable of herbal remedies, able to set bones, and perform dental services. With city doctors and hospitals too far away for most mountain people to travel to—and untrustworthy to many residents—the local midwife was often called upon in an emergency. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Life in Appalachia remained unchanged for decades. For the Walkers and their mountain neighbors, however, their world was turned upside down when the government decided to create a national park. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The states of Tennessee and North Carolina were given permission by Congress to purchase nearly a half million acres for the park, most of which was privately owned. Land acquired from families and timber companies alike were bargained and haggled over, with many people forced to sell property that had been in their families for generations. Residents of communities like Cades Cove were threatened with annexation if they didn’t comply, leaving them without legal recourse. Refusing to hand over their 122-acre mountain home, the Walkers held out until 1940. Once the park was officially dedicated, they struck a deal with the government: they would receive $4,750 for their farm, with the stipulation the remaining five sisters could live out their days in their home. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yet because they now resided within the borders of a national park, they were unable to farm, raise livestock, or hunt. The old way of life that had been passed down from their father and from his father before, was gone. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Today, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, with over 14 million visitors annually. The weathered, two-room cabin the Walker family lived in until 1966 is one of the few remaining homesteads. The corncrib and springhouse John Walker built in the 1870s are also there, but the forest has forever changed the landscape into a wooded hideaway that more than likely resembles what the Walker ancestors encountered when they first beheld the land. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As I researched life in Appalachia, I was pleased to learn that many modern-day residents stubbornly (or perhaps, wisely) cling to the old ways. Should you venture off the beaten path, you may discover a home without electricity and indoor plumbing, where people continue to work on the land, much like the Walkers did all those years ago. Poverty and unemployment remain constant problems for some families throughout Appalachia, but faith and family values are as strong as ever in most communities. Although </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Appalachian Song</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is not based on the lives of the Walker family, I hope I captured the essence of the fascinating life they lived on their mountain homestead. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">While I’m still a Rocky Mountain girl at heart, I can now hear the Appalachians calling too. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I think it’s time to answer.</span></p><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Appalachian-Song-Michelle-Shocklee-ebook/dp/B0BX14RV95?crid=3TU36IL9IKEDW&keywords=appalachian+song+by+michelle+shocklee&qid=1696106710&sprefix=appalacian+song%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-1&linkCode=li3&tag=chrisbooksrev-20&linkId=38992902f69996c85d93cedc29e6dbe2&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0BX14RV95&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chrisbooksrev-20&language=en_US" /></a></div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chrisbooksrev-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B0BX14RV95" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><div style="text-align: center;">Tyndale House Publishers (October 3, 2023)</div><div style="text-align: center;">ISBN-13 : 978-1496472441</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the book:</span></b></div><div style="background-color: silver; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="background-color: silver; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><b><i>Forever within the memories of my heart.</i></b></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><b><i>Always remember, you are perfectly loved.</i></b></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">Bertie Jenkins has spent forty years serving as a midwife for her community in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Out of all the mothers she’s tended, none affects her more than the young teenager who shows up on her doorstep, injured, afraid, and expecting, one warm June day in 1943. As Bertie and her four sisters tenderly nurture Songbird back to health, the bond between the childless midwife and the motherless teen grows strong. But soon Songbird is forced to make a heartbreaking decision that will tear this little family apart.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">Thirty years later, the day after his father’s funeral, Walker Wylie is stunned to learn he was adopted as an infant. The famous country singer enlists the help of adoption advocate Reese Chandler in the hopes of learning why he was abandoned by his birth parents. With the only clue he has in hand, Walker and Reese head deep into the Appalachian Mountains to track down Bertie Jenkins, the midwife who holds the secrets to Walker’s past.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">For fans of historical and Southern fiction comes a poignant story of love and sacrifice set in the heart of Appalachia, from award-winning author Michelle Shocklee.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><ul><li>Full-length Christian historical fiction</li><li>Standalone novel</li><li>Book length: approximately 94,000 words</li><li>Includes discussion questions for book groups</li></ul></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><b>Find the book on:</b></span><br /><a href="https://amzn.to/3PVYK18">Amazon </a>(aff link), <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123185835-appalachian-song?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=y3TcjgOGRb&rank=1">Goodreads</a></div>
Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6671536239032927337.post-69429606851624736592023-10-01T00:00:00.035-05:002023-10-01T09:27:57.152-05:00Review + Gift Card Giveaway! Old Testament Handbook<div class="separator"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i></div><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chrisbooksrev-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=078524056X" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr53wE2Bfq_md3loyrFSyeh74xzSqHfdA9fRw-t3eTtCIgQ_nHkMLCt157v_SHa3rAGlbYB-IRxvBcKtuQ1LxW7OzGYxtV_e24s0GX8_bc2D4vxjjQhWqBPkEgNS4JNCmSfp2WTZREjOFQm4d2v0hTchtMR-ncmaqm0BY287B61RgLNrK81UEIXIP4uqg/s2874/OT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2874" data-original-width="2291" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr53wE2Bfq_md3loyrFSyeh74xzSqHfdA9fRw-t3eTtCIgQ_nHkMLCt157v_SHa3rAGlbYB-IRxvBcKtuQ1LxW7OzGYxtV_e24s0GX8_bc2D4vxjjQhWqBPkEgNS4JNCmSfp2WTZREjOFQm4d2v0hTchtMR-ncmaqm0BY287B61RgLNrK81UEIXIP4uqg/s320/OT.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">About the book:</span></b></div></div>
<div style="background-color: silver; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">Immerse yourself in the <i>Old Testament Handbook</i>, an elegant, full-color Bible handbook that includes robust summary content, charts, maps, word studies, illustrations, and more for every Old Testament book of the Bible. Constructed with high-quality cloth cover materials and a sewn binding, the <i>Old Testament Handbook</i> is designed to last a lifetime as a valuable companion resource for Bible study, teaching, and ongoing discipleship.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">FEATURES </div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;"><ul><li>High-quality, foil-stamped cloth cover materials and Smyth-sewn binding meant to last a lifetime</li><li>Elegant full-color interior design, including maps, charts, illustrations, and other visual helps for every book of the Old Testament </li><li>More than 75 in-depth word studies of key words found in each Old Testament book </li><li>Ribbon marker for easy referencing between pages during study, teaching, or sharing </li></ul></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px; padding: 8px;">The<i> Old Testament Handbook</i> features the highly readable, highly reliable text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB). The CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others. </div></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My rating:</span></b><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">5 stars</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/book-rating.html">(View my rating system)</a></span></span>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">My thoughts:</span></b><br />
<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A7Z7eE_Y2KIp-uDGmxZ83DdJjyTbXv77xYmijRemnkyBtwIkIY3en2Jea8ua656z86R-an-bfjtHrLJ2-2y6QE3w61XIHm2iXL11eW97EYXHdPN11z06f1unzAlnTj24g1sGZ10PvF3SG1zQYC31Jq0pHH0B9DvhuskveatmSx0iIoyLzpPklnWBcc4/s2707/OT2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="2707" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A7Z7eE_Y2KIp-uDGmxZ83DdJjyTbXv77xYmijRemnkyBtwIkIY3en2Jea8ua656z86R-an-bfjtHrLJ2-2y6QE3w61XIHm2iXL11eW97EYXHdPN11z06f1unzAlnTj24g1sGZ10PvF3SG1zQYC31Jq0pHH0B9DvhuskveatmSx0iIoyLzpPklnWBcc4/w200-h166/OT2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The Old Testament Handbook seems like a great book to help study the Old Testament. I've only been able to flip through most of it and slowly read the section/chapter on Isaiah (I'm currently reading that book, so thought it was a good place to start with this handbook). It's been really enjoyable and I can see myself using this handbook for the rest of the OT.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There are so many cool features to this handbook and I want to highlight some of them: </div><div><b>~Introductions </b>for the books of the OT - which contain information on the author, background, message and purpose, summary, and structure.</div><div><b>~Outlines </b>for the books, which I find helpful to give you a quick look at what happens in each book.</div><div><b>~Timelines and Charts</b>, which I find helpful for me to visualize things better and keep things in order.</div><div><b>~Word Study</b> - I love this section of each book. It goes in-depth on a few Hebrew words from the book. It is interesting to learn the meaning to certain words. I think this might be one of my favorite sections of the handbook.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMrGFLR9V9Tfa-KiCV2XVzWrvgXimT_nTqpRGLxe_kcywZYNkx4eYUUsgqiJYwRu7rrgq6apISv_uZUEc9nSYiZDPlEyyUKewnnSPzJHHEaHjNbpdsh8qkUFXaYeD2Ed9d3Z1V6fF4yrSnkdjEv8CB_BBdxycfulI6PjO5VzefA_W3Ir4qFO7ZPlC7tE/s2942/OT3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2089" data-original-width="2942" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMrGFLR9V9Tfa-KiCV2XVzWrvgXimT_nTqpRGLxe_kcywZYNkx4eYUUsgqiJYwRu7rrgq6apISv_uZUEc9nSYiZDPlEyyUKewnnSPzJHHEaHjNbpdsh8qkUFXaYeD2Ed9d3Z1V6fF4yrSnkdjEv8CB_BBdxycfulI6PjO5VzefA_W3Ir4qFO7ZPlC7tE/w200-h142/OT3.jpg" width="200" /></a>It seems to be well made with a foil-stamped cloth cover. It lays flat and has a ribbon which makes it easy to keep your spot.</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, I'm really enjoying this handbook so far. I'm excited about the New Testament Handbook, which looks like it will be available Spring 2024. I recommend this if you are looking for an easy to read/follow handbook to help with studying the Old Testament. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>*Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.*</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i style="font-size: small;">*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*</i></div></div></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><b>Find the book on:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Testament-Cloth-Over-Board-Full-color-Commentary-Timelines/dp/1087787246?crid=2YWUXTE5WPEF6&keywords=old+testament+handbook+csb&qid=1696105287&sprefix=old+testame%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1&linkCode=li3&tag=chrisbooksrev-20&linkId=f839ff9328f5e245532fe2ba2002c863&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1087787246&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chrisbooksrev-20&language=en_US" /></a><span style="font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span><a href="https://amzn.to/3EZtqbC">Amazon </a>(aff link), <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/98181064-old-testament-handbook-charcoal-cloth-over-board-full-color-design-co">Goodreads</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/holman-handbook-series/">Website</a><br />
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<div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>GIVEAWAY!</u></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Giveaway: Enter for the chance to win a $10 Amazon giftcard (Note: This is limited to US winners only). Please enter by filling out the Giveaway Tools form below. Ends 10/9/23.</div><div><br /></div><div>*If you win this giveaway from a different blog for the Old Testament Handbook promo, you are ineligible to win again. Winner's name/email will be sent to Momentum along with a backup/alternative winner, should the first winner be ineligible. You will be notified by them if you are the winner. I am not responsible for giveaway/prize.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="pgtContainpgt" id="pgt49477686734pgt"><a href="//giveawaytools2.com/giveaway.php?sk=49477686734" rel="nofollow" target="_BLANK2">Entry</a><script src="//giveawaytools.com/wid/embed.php?sk=49477686734" type="text/javascript"></script><a href="//giveawaytools.com/giveaway.php?sk=49477686734" rel="nofollow" target="_BLANK2">-Form</a></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6671536239032927337.post-42135915530362394092023-09-27T00:00:00.019-05:002023-09-27T00:00:00.146-05:00I Can't Wait for... Into the Fire by Irene Hannon (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. <a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/p/the-majority-of-books-reviewed-here-are.html">See my disclosure page here.</a></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmmCcsCtaTI/WnlR7V9P5yI/AAAAAAAAD80/VQiMKhPuIXM3BXk2izbcyNYGDF1nV3YIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Can%2527t%2BWait%2BWednesday.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmmCcsCtaTI/WnlR7V9P5yI/AAAAAAAAD80/VQiMKhPuIXM3BXk2izbcyNYGDF1nV3YIwCLcBGAs/s320/Can%2527t%2BWait%2BWednesday.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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<b>Can't-Wait Wednesday </b>is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.wishfulendings.com/">Wishful Endings</a>, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chrisbooksrev-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=0800726642" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1">
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BW1373WJ?caller=Goodreads&linkCode=li3&tag=chrisbooksrev-20&linkId=7f1a241ba74aac2663647af6352515a0&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0BW1373WJ&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=chrisbooksrev-20&language=en_US"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><b>About the book:</b></u></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>Instinct only takes you so far. After that, you need proof.</b></div><div><b>But cunning killers hide their tracks.</b></div><div><br></div><div>As a former smokejumper, arson investigator Bri Tucker knows her way around fires. But after a mysterious blaze takes the life of a former colleague, Bri inherits a curious puzzle from him that raises questions about several fiery deaths. Someone, however, doesn't want her picking up where he left off in search of answers.</div><div><br></div><div>When she teams up with ATF Special Agent Marc Davis to solve the puzzle, the case heats up--as does the attraction between them. Sparks fly as the danger escalates, but will they manage to track down the person behind the mysterious deaths before their budding romance--and maybe even their lives--go up in flames?</div><div><br></div><div>In this pulse-pounding new series from the bestselling and award-winning queen of romantic suspense, you'll be swept up in a whirlwind of danger, mystery, and romance. Get ready to burn through the pages as Bri and Marc race to solve the puzzle and uncover the truth.</div></div><br><div style="text-align: start;">
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<b>Pages: 400</b><br>
<b>Publisher: Revell</b><br>
<b>Release Date: </b><span style="text-align: left;"><b>October 3, 2023</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>ISBN-13 : 978-0800741884</b><br>
<b>Find the book on Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/3qouPEI">https://amzn.to/3qouPEI</a> </b><u><b>(aff link)</b></u><br>
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</div><a href="http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/2023/09/i-cant-wait-for-into-fire-by-irene.html#more">Read more »</a>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16540794842265255236noreply@blogger.com0