Proverbs Prayers – John Mason

Posted on September 26, 2012 by laura

Proverb Prayers is wonderful daily devotional that provides a detailed review of the book of Proverbs. For each day of the month, a chapter of the book of Proverbs is presented and then is followed up with a prayer which focuses on integrating the teaching of the chapter into one’s daily life. This book would make a lovely gift for yourself or for a friend.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity Group, no other compensation was given. All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

All Pro Dad – Mark Merrill

Posted on August 29, 2012 by laura

This one is a winner! All Pro Dad focuses on having a game plan as a father in order to effectively impact and influence your children. Using a sports driven format, this book provides many quotes and stories from influential business leaders and sports heroes that serve as great reminders and a source of encouragement. I particularly liked the “huddle up” questions at the end of each chapter. They are great conversation starters to use with children.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers, no other compensation was given. All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Live to Give – Austin Gutwein

Posted on August 15, 2012 by laura

Using the Bible story of the loaves and the fishes as a framework, Austin shares how each and every one of us is special and has something to share that will ultimately have a positive impact. This book was specifically written to encourage and empower teenagers, but I think the message is very well presented and would be an encouraging read for adults as well. I particularly liked the questions at the end of each chapter. They were a great starting point
for further reflection as well as discussion about the text.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity Group, no other compensation was given. All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Bringing Up Girls – Dr. James Dobson

Posted on July 25, 2012 by laura

Bringing Up Girls is a guide book that provides information and insights about parenting girls using Dobson’s signature conversational style. He begins with exploring the physiological and psychological differences between boy and girls, and he then explores cultural influences, and the impact and influence of a daughter’s relationship with her mother and her father. Ultimately, this book did not provide a great deal of “new” information for me, but I do think the book is a good parenting resource. The detailed discussion of the impact of a father’s relationship with his daughter was of particular note.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Tyndale House Publishers, no other compensation was given. All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Passages: How Reading the Bible in a Year Will Change Everything for You

Posted on July 16, 2012 by laura

Brian Hardin, the founder of the Daily Audio Bible, presents a very well written volume which provides the reader direction and insight in how to read the Bible in a year. Hardin focuses on how to read the Bible not simply as a task to check off a list of important jobs to complete but as a way of truly knowing God more intimately and ultimately impacting our lives. The tone of the book is extremely conversational, and Brian does an excellent job sharing insights and personal stories throughout the book. Passages: Reading the Bible in a Year Will Change Everything for You is well written and very inspirational.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Litfuse Publicity Group, no other compensation was given. All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Read the other reviews on the blog tour here.

More about Passages

How Reading the Bible in a Year will Change Everything For You
Many Christians feel guilty when they think of reading the Bible. Though they want to love reading Scripture, they rarely have time for more than a few verses on the run. But the Bible is not meant to be a burden. It is the story of God’s passionate love for His children. It is also not a book of mystical incantations. It is a best friend offering counsel and companionship. And it is not a distant relic, but something very near. Near enough, in fact, to be every reader’s story.

So how do Christians delight in this story rather than see it as a source of failure?
The founder of the immensely popular Daily Audio Bible, Brian Hardin shows readers how reading through the Bible in a year will change their life and the lives of others. Passages shows readers how to read the Bible and offers practical ideas for immersing themselves in God’s life-giving words. Here readers will discover that reading the Bible can be a breathtaking adventure.

More about the Daily Audio Bible

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Vision Statement:Our ultimate goal is to provide the spoken Word of God to as many people as will listen in every region of the world that God will allow using whatever means God will allow for as long as God will allow. To be people of the Scriptures, fervent in prayer and having a daily and intimate walk with God. To build stable and Christ honoring community as we take our place in the global advancement of the Kingdom of God.

Mission Statement: The Daily Audio Bible is committed to guiding Christian’s worldwide into an intimate and daily friendship with the Bible. This is accomplished by providing the spoken Word of God freely in multiple languages and by the creation and establishment of communities that have no geographical limitations. Our efforts are devoted to exposing the rich texture and heritage of the Bible’s life changing power by educating the Believer on how to engage in and interact with the ancient Scriptures in a future world.

More about Brian Hardin
Brian Hardin is a speaker, photographer, record producer and an ordained minister. In 2006, he created the Daily Audio Bible, an online podcast that now delivers 1.5 million downloads a month. He has produced over 150 albums and works with artists and the arts extensively. He is married to Christian musician Jill Parr.

Find out more about Brian at: www.dailyaudiobible.com.

Crazy Dangerous – Andrew Klavan

Posted on May 18, 2012 by laura

Crazy Dangerous is very different than the books that I usually read. It is a young adult novel that is in the “thriller” genre. Although a bit slow to start, the book is a quick read that is hard to put down once you are past the first few chapters. The story is told by a sixteen year old boy and captures his sense of humor. Additionally, the plot is well developed and effectively explores good and evil.

Enter Today – 5/8-5/28!

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Litfuse Publicity Group, no other compensation was given. All remarks are my personal and honest opinions. For more LitFuse reviews of this book ~ http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13492426

Turning Guilt Trips into Joy Rides – Kim Messinger, Janine Boyer and Shirley Brosius

Posted on May 10, 2012 by laura

Turning Guild Trips into Joy Rides is a book of daily readings. The focus is on identifying situations one cannot control and seeing the bigger picture. Each entry uses a scriptural foundation and addresses a guilt trip to avoid and then a joy ride to take instead. Although the daily readings are brief they do a good job providing encouragement in developing a more positive, big picture perspective.

While this complimentary book was provided for review by Litfuse Publicity Group, no other compensation was given. All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

M.O.M. (Mom Operating Manual) – Doreen Cronin

Posted on May 9, 2012 by laura

As Mother’s Day approaches, M.O.M. (Mom Operating Manual) seemed like a logical choice to feature. This books highlights care instructions for Moms in order to attain peak performance. The idea is cute, and the illustrations are darling. Although this book could be enjoyed to a degree by young children, it was written more for grown ups. Many of the situations described are laugh out loud funny for Moms but just don’t deliver for a young reader.

Dinosaurs Before Dark ~ The Magic Treehouse Series – Mary Pope Osborne

Posted on April 16, 2012 by laura

A few months ago our daughter started slowing reading the Magic Tree House Series. As she grew more comfortable and confident reading beginning chapter books like Cowgirl Kate and Mercy Watson, we started to partner read The Magic Treehouse Series books together. The series centers around Jack and Annie who discover a magical treehouse that takes them on adventures based upon the books they select.

Dinosaurs Before Dawn, the first book of the series, was our daughter’s first introduction to the element of suspense, and it has been a delight to watch her response to it. I often find her reading speed increasing as excitement builds within the story, and she often continues reading well beyond “her turn” in order to satisfy her eagerness to know what happens next.

The Magic Treehouse Series is a wonderful imagination based reading series for young readers. We are now checking out two and three books at a time at the library in order to keep up with our daughter’s desire to know what happens next.

Simple Secrets to a Happy Life – Luci Swindoll

Posted on April 11, 2012 by laura

Simple Secrets to a Happy Life is filled with great reminders of how to keep your priorities straight and your life on track. The text is enhanced by Luci Swindoll’s conversational style which is a delight to read. You truly feel like you are getting advice from a friend.