Book Review~Mercy's Rain

Mercy's Rain, by author Cindy K. Sproles, is a heartbreaking story set in the nineteenth century Appalachian mountains.  Mercy Roller has had a horrific childhood under the authority of her abusive father, whom she and everyone else calls 'The Pastor'.  The Pastor rules the community with sinful actions that he calls righteous, leaving everyone in fear. 

Mercy was married and widowed at only 13 years old, and had also had and lost a child by 15 years old.  Eventually kicked out of her home, she travels to the other side of the mountains, where she meets a preacher and family who teach her what true love and righteousness is.  She has a long path ahead of her, though, on the journey from bitterness to forgiveness. 

My Thoughts: First, let me just say that Mercy's Rain is a very emotional, heavy read.  Author Cindy K. Sproles is incredibly talented-I don't think I've ever read a book that made me feel every emotion possible!  It is full of love, hate, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and more.  The story of Mercy's Rain will stay with me forever. 

I was impressed with the book from cover to cover, and one thing that really impressed me was the author's use of the character's uneducated mountain speech throughout the story.  Also I was taken by the use of the main character's name, Mercy, which meant so much throughout the story, and also haunted Mercy herself.  The characters in Mercy's Rain were so real, and some were very endearing while others were downright evil.  When you read Mercy's Rain, be prepared to be taken from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other!

*I received a copy of this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review~The Bachelor

The Bachelor, by Stephanie Reed, is the second book in the Plain City Peace series.  I read the first book in the series, The Bargain, and really enjoyed it.  In this story, Betsie Troyer is back at home, away from the Englisch world she was working in.  She continues to be distraught over her parents leaving the Amish church.  Now its just Betsie and her sister living in the house, barely making ends meet. 

Betsie's boyfriend Charley has told her he wants to spend his life with her, and she is counting on that promise.  But when the Englisch family she worked for comes to her door needing her help, she can't turn them down.  Because she helps them, most importantly a little girl who needs love, she is in trouble with the Amish community.  She also has a deep friendship with Michael, the English family's son, which is threatening her relationship with Charley.  Betsie doesn't know which direction to go with her life. 

What I Thought: Another great story in the Plain City Peace series!  The Bachelor was easy to get caught up in and quick to read.  I really like the character Betsie-she seems real and down to earth.  I felt for her-she feels abandoned by her parents.  She also can't turn down someone who needs help, even if her Amish community does not agree.  Betsie is torn in many different directions-between two men and two communities. 

Right now The Bachelor Kindle edition is only $1.99 on Amazon.

*Disclosure: I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

Children's Book Review~Look Inside the Time of Jesus

Look Inside The Time of Jesus is a sturdy hardcover board book with lift-the-flaps inside on every page.  The text is by Lois Rock, with illustrations by Lorenzo Orlandi.  It is geared toward the 5-7 age range, but my 3 year old grandson and 12 year old son both really enjoyed reading it and lifting the flaps. 

The Time of Jesus covers Jesus' birth to his resurrection, and places he went in between.  A few of the topics are 'By the Shores of Galilee', 'The Temple in Jerusalem', and 'A Roman Trial.'  Each page has several flaps of varying sizes that are easy to locate and open.  I really thought the text on each page was appropriate length for this age group-just enough to teach them but not lose their interest.  The illustrations are bright and entertaining. 

Lift the flap books are a great way to engage and teach children.  Look Inside The Time of Jesus accomplishes this, and is very well made, making it able to last through multiple children.  It is published by Lion Children's Books. 

*Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Children's Book Review~Guess Who Noah's Boat

Guess Who Noah's Boat is written by Matt Mitter and published by Kregel Publications.  It is a very sturdy board book for ages 2-4.  The pages are glossy and colorful, with rhyming clues for the child to guess which animal going onto Noah's boat is hidden under the flap.  This would be an easy book to wipe off  clean after toddlers have their hands on it. 

Here is my grandson Daniel, age 3, enjoying Guess Who Noah's Boat.  He loves the rhyming verses, and of course the lift up flaps are his favorite!  Little ones always love lift-the-flap books.  This one is sturdy enough to weather the use of toddlers over time.  While Guess Who Noah's Boat doesn't tell the story of Noah, it is a great book for this age range.  The illustrations are cheerful and very well done. 

Guess Who Noah's Boat is available for purchase at Kregel Publications.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review~The Miting

The Miting, by author Dee Yoder, is a fascinating look at an extremely strict Old-Order Amish community.  Leah is 17 years old and questioning her Amish beliefs.  When her best friend reveals she is being continually abused by her stepbrother, and the leaders in their community are not helping her, Leah begins to question even more. 

After hearing about a Bible Study that many ex-Amish attend, she is curious and attends.  Her heart is opened to learning about salvation, and she begins studying an English bible.  Her parents and church leaders see this as rebellion, and order her to stop.  Leah is stuck between two different worlds-does she push down her new beliefs so that she can stay with her family and boyfriend Jacob?  Or does she leave all she's ever known to begin a new life where she can learn and worship as she chooses?

The Miting was a great story.  It was different from many Amish books I've read in the past, as some of the rules of the Amish were so much more strict.  It was also interesting to read a book where the young person considering leaving the Amish was doing so for religious freedom, rather than to live an English lifestyle.  It was easy to read The Miting quickly, as it held my attention throughout the story. 

Through the end of May, Kregel is offering The Miting e-book for only $1.99!  Click here for more information. 

Disclosure: I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Children's Book Review~99 Stories From the Bible

 

Teaching my kids (and grandkids) about the Bible is important to me. I was thrilled when I received 99 Stories from the Bible, written by Juliet David and illustrated by Elina Ellis.  It is a beautifully illustrated 196 page hardback.  There are adorable color illustrations on every page that immediately attracted my son and grandson.  The 99 stories included in the book each span two pages, and there are stories from both the Old and New Testaments.  The type size and wording is perfect for younger readers too.

My grandson Daniel (2) is in love with 99 Stories from the Bible!  You can tell in the picture above, even though he can't read yet, the beautifully detailed illustrations have him captivated.  I look forward to reading this book to Daniel and future grandkids over the years.  This would also make a wonderful gift, with a presentation page in the front. 

Click here for more information and to purchase 99 Stories from the Bible.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my review.  All opinions are my own.

Review~Bible Stories Painting Book 2

When I was young, I loved those Paint with Water books my Mom used to get me.  Usually they were fairy tale themes.  My Mom loved that it wasn't messy, which I can sure understand as a Mom myself now. 

I was happy to review Bible Stories Paining Book 2, published by Candle Books, an imprint of Lion Hudson publishers.  The text is by Juliet  David and the illustrations by Simon Abbott.  The book has sixteen scenes to paint from the Bible, with a simple line of text explaining the picture.  There are paint palettes behind the front and back covers of the book, which are sturdy and full of colors.  All you have to do is dip your own paintbrush in water (we used little Dixie cups), and paint away!

This is what one of the paint palettes looked like before we used it. I was interested how it would stand up to use each time, and was pleasantly surprised.  Here is a picture of it after use:

There is obviously still a lot of color left!  Chad (10) enjoyed painting.  Here is one of his masterpieces:

For some reason, he likes leaving the people unpainted.  I was surprised when I discovered that the pictures are printed on both sides, so I was sure that the paint would leak through.  But it didn't!  The paper is thick and we didn't get any moisture leak through to the other side. 

Bible Stories Painting Book 2 is a great craft/activity during these hot summer months.  Chad liked using it, and it was minimal mess for Mom too!  The only thing that I can see some people might prefer is having only one-sided pictures so the child could hang the picture up on the fridge, etc. without wasting the picture on the other side.  All-in-all, this is a fun, quality product that kids (and parents!) will enjoy!

You can purchase Bible Stories Painting Book 2 for only $7.99 at Kregel Publications.  While you are there at the website, check out Bible Stories Painting Book 1 and all the other kids and adult products available.

*Disclosure: I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review~David Sticker Book

The David Sticker Book (ISBN 9781859859315) is a fun new book by Karen Williamson, illustrated by Amanda Enright, and published by Candle Books, a part of Lion Hudson. This is a summarized story of David and Goliath for kids, with bright illustrations and FOUR pages full of reusable stickers!  Each page in the story has places for stickers.

 Chad is ten years old, and I wasn't sure if he would think a sticker book like this is too babyish.  Then it arrived, and oh boy did he get excited!  He set right to work applying the stickers (in his jammies, as you can see in the picture below).  He had so much fun, and has continued to pull it out and enjoy it.  Of course, for him the stickers were the important part, but to Mom the story was the important part.  I thought the story of David was written well for children, and kept him interested throughout.

David Sticker Book would make a great little gift, and is available at www.lionhudson.com



I received this book free from the publisher through the Kregel Publications book review program, which requires an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review~Bible Detective by Peter Martin

The Bible Detective is a new puzzle search book by Peter Martin, illustrated by Peter Kent.  It is published by Lion Hudson, and I received a copy to review from Kregel Publications.  It is a hard cover book with beautiful colors throughout.  There are 17 two-page search and find puzzles, along with detailed solutions at the back of the book.  Some examples of the puzzle topics are:
*Noah, the good herdsman (Genesis 6-9)
*A Schoolboy in Nazareth (Luke 2)
*Peter preaches about Jesus (Acts 1-5, 10-11)

The pictures in the puzzles are cute cartoonish drawings, and each puzzle has a detailed description  and facts about that particular bible story.  The puzzles are not too difficult, but just hard enough to be a challenge.  My 10-year-old had so much fun going through each puzzle, and has gone back through the book several times.  I enjoyed going through it as well!  The Bible Detective would make a great children's gift, and is a fun way to learn about and reinforce several main stories of the bible.

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of The Bible Detective in exchange for my honest review.