Book Review~AIO 90 Devotions for Kids

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing Adventures in Odyssey's 90 Devotions for Kids.  Since this devotional is made by Focus on the Family, I knew it would be a good quality, wholesome product for my family.  90 Devotions for Kids is a devotional that your older children could do on their own or your family could do together, and you can do it daily or at your own pace. It is divided up into 13 themes, covering topics like Salvation and Going to Church.  Each theme has Daily Challenge Ideas, puzzles, lessons, memory verse, fun activities and more. 

90 Devotions for Kids is a great devotional for not just kids but the entire family.  The lessons are written in easy to understand words for a wide range of ages, and I liked the conversational tone throughout the book.  It is full of  scripture, and I especially liked the daily challenges. This is a well-written and well laid-out devotional that is easy to incorporate into your daily routine. 

*Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from Tyndale Media House in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Book Review~Beyond the Storm

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Beyond the Storm Abingdon Press (October 2012) by Carolyn Zane

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author of 35 books, wife, mother and yes…hot (flasher) lives with her fabulous husband, Matt and their 5 children and 3 dogs in the scenic Willamette Valley in Oregon. When asked to describe her family, Carolyn likens her crowd to the Brangelia Bunch saying modestly, “Only we’re better looking.” Right now,Carolyn is back in the saddle with her new title: Beyond The Storm, coming out in October 2012! In the mean time, be sure to catch her on the critically acclaimed TOOHOTMAMAS Blog where Carolyn and Wendy tackle Marriage, motherhood and menopause: How to do all three and stay out of prison! They are hilarious! You'll wet yourself, guaranteed! Visit them at: www.toohotmamas.wordpress.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After a tornado rips through her town, store owner Abigail comes across a piece of fabric from a wedding dress among the devastation. Abigail is moved to start collecting other swatches of fabric she finds – her neighbor’s kitchen curtains, a man’s necktie, a dog’s bed – which she stashes in shopping bags. As she pursues her seemingly absurd quest, horrible realities spark the question, “What kind of a God would allow such tragedy?”

As she struggles to reconcile her right to happiness amidst the destruction, Abigail begins piecing together a patchwork quilt from the salvaged fabric in hopes it will bring some peace. But a new relationship with Justin, a contractor, may require too much of her fragile heart. Will her pain and questions of faith give way to the courage to love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Beyond the Storm, go HERE.

Schoolhouse Crew Review~Samson's Classroom

Samson's Classroom is an online learning website for grades K-5, focusing on sight words, spelling, and reading.  With Dyslexia, Chad struggles in these areas and we have found that online games definitely help him progress. 

Sight Words with Samson is proven to help early readers master the 224 most commonly used words in the English language. Spelling with Samson is the most comprehensive spelling product on the market with over 5,000 words available.  Reading with Samson helps students learn how to comprehend and analyze what they are reading. 

The games are so much fun! This treasure chest game pictured above is Chad's absolute favorite Sight Word game from Samson's Classroom.  He enjoys all the games, and will actually keep going back until he gets every single answer correct!  There is a demo video you can watch to learn more about the program. 

Samson's Classroom is affordable at only $30 for a one-year membership for one student, or $50 for one year for up to four students.  There are also school memberships available.  Pricing information is available here. 

Our experience with Samson's Classroom was a positive one.  All of the games were a hit, and he is really learning a lot while playing them.  The Reading section was more advanced for Chad, and he could not do it himself.  I would help him read the passages, and then he would answer the questions himself.  There are lots of resources, including lesson plans and worksheets, on the website.  As a parent, you can always check what your child has been doing and how successful they are.  Kids also see for themselves what they have mastered, which is very motivating for my child.  You can try Samson's Classroom out for yourself by playing demo versions of the games!  For more Crew reviews, click the banner below:




*Disclosure: I received a free membership to Samson's Classroom in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Book Review~Accidentally Amish

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Accidentally Amish Barbour Books (October 1, 2012) by Olivia Newport

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word From The Author:

I’m imagining you. You walk past as I water my front flowerbeds and we wave. You check the time as we both stand in a long line at the grocery store. You sit in front of me in church. I’m at my table in the coffee shop and you’re at yours.

We may smile politely and move on with our separate lives. Or one of us may speak, a simple invitation to conversation, and the words flow between us.

Here the adventure begins. When we meet someone new, we never know where it might lead.

I’ve been married for over thirty years and have two twenty-something kids. We live in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where the day lilies in my back yard grow as tall as I am. (No short jokes, please.)

Not every piece of my life is pretty, though. Some days I want to throw out whole chunks. But I am living each day looking for the grace of God to me, in me, and through me. Having your companionship along the way will help uncover a lot of great stories.

Thanks for stopping by my site, where conversations and adventures begin with a click. I hope we’ll run into each other often.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Escape the helter-skelter of the modern culture and join software creator Annie Friesen, hiding at the home of an Amishman. With her high-tech career in jeopardy, Annie runs from fast-paced Colorado Springs—and straight into the hospitality of San Luis Valley’s Amish community. There she meets cabinetmaker Rufus Beiler, and the more time she spends with him, the more attracted she becomes. When Annie finds she shares a common ancestor with Rufus, she feels both cultures colliding within her. But is her love for Rufus strong enough for her to give up the only life she’s ever known?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Accidentally Amish, go HERE.

Wordless Wednesday~Buddies!

Book Review & Author Contest~A Merry Little Christmas

Book Description: "Fall in love with this cozy story about two people from different worlds.


Franny Martin is an Oklahoma farm girl who’s preparing to spend the holidays alone…again. Then Charlie Landau shows up one day, all wealth and polish, and offers to buy Franny’s farm. Franny has no money to speak of, but she is clever and spirited, and she’s more than happy to sell the farm and move to the city.

As Sinatra croons from the radio and Christmas descends upon her charming farm, Franny teaches Charlie the curious and sometimes comical ways of country life. In the process, they unearth some discoveries of the heart—that sometimes love comes when you’re least ready for it. Will the holidays bring their most impossible dreams within reach?"

My Thoughts: A Merry Little Christmas  by Anita Higman is a sweet, enjoyable story.  It's not an edge of your seat, can't put it down type of book, but just right for when you want an interesting, warm story.  That doesn't mean there aren't serious issues addressed in the book- racism in the 1960s is part of the story.  I enjoyed reading about farm life, and about two people from completely different types of lives coming together for a common goal, and discovering their feelings for each other. 

Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She’s been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

Purchase a copy here.

To go to the A Merry Little Christmas Blog Tour Landing page, with even more information and reviews, click here.

Author Anita Higman invites readers to kick off the season with a spirited holiday tale. Anita is spreading the Christmas cheer by giving away FIFTEEN COPIES of the book. To enter to win A Merry Little Christmas, just head over to THE CONTEST PAGE at Anita's website and fill out the short form. Be sure to put BLOG CONTEST in the Subject Line. That's it. Winners will be announced on the Litfuse blog (and notified by email) on 11/9.

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