Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering & Paul McCusker

This book was just a pleasure to read! As a homeschooling Mom, it is definitely something I would love for my child to read.  It had everything that a good book should have.  A good story, a bit of mystery, a good, moral lesson, and pointing to God as the most important thing of all.  The fact that it even had a bit of history to it, was a great bonus!

This story is part of the Adventures in Odyssey and The Imagination Station stories that are put out by Focus on the Family.  Personally, I love anything put out by Focus on the Family because I know I can trust them to produce a wholesome program or book that I wouldn’t be afraid to  let my child read.  This book does not disappoint!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story! It really held my attention and if it held my attention, I know it would definitely hold the attention of a child 7 years and up, which is who this book is recommended to.  It’s not a difficult book, but would be a great reader for your child when they are stepping up from the easier picture-type books.  The great thing about this book, too, is that is has wonderful illustrations, so it’s great for that reader who is working their way up from more of a picture book.  However, because the story is so good, it would definitely be good for any child of any age or grade level.  I highly recommend this book!

This book was provided to me for review by Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review.

God bless you – Julie

Hope, Help & Healing for Eating Disorders
by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD.

If you have an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive over-eating) this book will definitely help you.  What I love about this book is it doesn’t just talk about the physical or mental issues, but the whole picture, including spiritual issues.  I have read several books on eating disorders and this book is far above and beyond any other book I’ve read.  Just a warning, though – have a big box of tissues handy for wiping those tears and blowing your nose.

This book has questions that you go through and answer.  Mind you, these are not questions that you can possibly answer in a few minutes.  I have a notebook that I have devoted to using for these questions.  You will go back to your childhood and the past to figure out where this obsession with food first began and why.  It’s not easy but it makes total sense to dig up the past to figure out how this whole situation started.

In the beginning of the book, the author warns you that you’re going to want to throw this book across the room about half way through.  He wasn’t kidding, but don’t do it.  It will be so worth it to get to the bottom of this whole horrible life-style and learn to live without obsessing about food. I love that this book also focuses on relying on God to help us with this issue.  I knew without a doubt that this book had been brought into my life when I read my life verse in the first chapter: “but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope.” Romans 5:3-4  The author referred to this Scripture in regards to the pain that we would feel as we dredge up our past pains and hurts.   

This book is not easy to read – having to dredge up your past pain and anger is never easy – but it is so worth it. I’m already realizing so much about myself that I had buried for 40 plus years.  I’ve heard so many times how “food is my drug of choice”.  It’s true. Controlling our food, whether by not eating or eating too much, is like a drug to soothe our feelings of pain.  It’s time to give up this horrible merry-go-round and get help.  This book is a huge step in that direction.  I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with an eating disorder!!

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This book was provided to me by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers for my honest review.

God bless you – Julie

Hope, Help & Healing for Eating Disorders
by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD.

If you have an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive over-eating) this book will definitely help you.  What I love about this book is it doesn’t just talk about the physical or mental issues, but the whole picture, including spiritual issues.  I have read several books on eating disorders and this book is far above and beyond any other book I’ve read.  Just a warning, though – have a big box of tissues handy for wiping those tears and blowing your nose.

This book has questions that you go through and answer.  Mind you, these are not questions that you can possibly answer in a few minutes.  I have a notebook that I have devoted to using for these questions.  You will go back to your childhood and the past to figure out where this obsession with food first began and why.  It’s not easy but it makes total sense to dig up the past to figure out how this whole situation started.

In the beginning of the book, the author warns you that you’re going to want to throw this book across the room about half way through.  He wasn’t kidding, but don’t do it.  It will be so worth it to get to the bottom of this whole horrible life-style and learn to live without obsessing about food. I love that this book also focuses on relying on God to help us with this issue.  I knew without a doubt that this book had been brought into my life when I read my life verse in the first chapter: “but we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope.” Romans 5:3-4  The author referred to this Scripture in regards to the pain that we would feel as we dredge up our past pains and hurts.   

This book is not easy to read – having to dredge up your past pain and anger is never easy – but it is so worth it. I’m already realizing so much about myself that I had buried for 40 plus years.  I’ve heard so many times how “food is my drug of choice”.  It’s true. Controlling our food, whether by not eating or eating too much, is like a drug to soothe our feelings of pain.  It’s time to give up this horrible merry-go-round and get help.  This book is a huge step in that direction.  I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with an eating disorder!!

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This book was provided to me by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers for my honest review.

God bless you – Julie

This book is wonderful.  Honestly.  I started reading it and it was like eating potato chips…I couldn’t stop at one page.  Each story was more inspiring than the next and they really touched my heart. 

I loved seeing God’s hand in so many of these missionaries lives! I also loved that each page started with a Scripture and then ended with a prayer.  Each prayer focuses on praying for the missionaries, their families or the countries that they serve.  The prayers help to remind us that there are people serving Christ in hostile countries!

Even though I finished the book, I am now committed to reading one devotional a day (each page is dated) and praying for those that are serving our Lord.  In America we don’t always realize what these people have to endure or that sometimes they aren’t even safe; just because of their faith in Jesus! Our prayers make such a difference to each and every one of them.  When you read the stories, you see how sometimes people were praying just when these missionaries needed it most.  God is amazing that way. 

You may not feel called to be a missionary (I don’t feel called this way nor could I physically do it), but we can support our missionaries in the field by our prayers! Prayer really does change things. 

I highly recommend you read this book and make it a part of your daily devotional and prayer life.  It will make you feel so blessed that you can worship Jesus in America and it will compel you to pray for those who are on the front lines for the Lord.

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This book was provided to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers for my honest review

God bless you – Julie

This is a wonderful devotional full of thoughtful insights about God’s Word.  Each day was an inspiration and drew me closer to God in so many ways. 

Charles Stanley always focuses on the Bible each day and gives a Scripture reading for the day and then focuses on a Key Scripture.  Each daily devotional thought talks about these Scriptures and gives deep, meaningful insight into these Scriptures. 

I most enjoyed that the daily devotionals of this book were not fluff in any way. Charles Stanley is a trusted man of God and his thoughtful devotions always point the way to the only true way of Jesus.  The devotions made my heart long for more of the Lord and I was inspired to dig deeper into my Bible through these devotions.

It’s a wonderful book and I highly recommend it for yourself and as a great Christmas gift for others. 

God bless you – Julie

The Twelfth Imam by Joel Rosenberg

I liked this book from the first page. I wasn’t sure I was really going to get into this book, but I had nothing to worry about. It was excellent from the first page to the last.

The protagonist, David Shirazi, is a CIA agent who is called into an undercover operation in Iran. His parents were born in Iran and were given asylum after the 1979 uprising. David knows and understands the Iranian people like no other CIA operative.

As David starts to infiltrate himself into the government of Iran, he starts to hear talk of a Twelfth Imam. He has heard of the Twelfth Imam because he was raised a Muslim by his Iranian parents. However, he’s amazed at how the top government officials are really focused on ushering in this Twelfth Imam. As part of this, they are developing a Nuclear program to rid the world of Israel and the United States. David’s dilemma is how to convince the US government that Iran’s belief in the Twelfth Imam is of vital importance to figuring out how to deal with Iran.

David’s personal life is just as complicated as his work with the CIA. He thinks about a woman from his past and is interested in a woman in his current life. No one in his private life knows about his work with the CIA so it’s a juggling act to keep everything balanced.

This is an excellent book that I found hard to put down. There was only one thing about it I didn’t like; it ends on a cliff-hanger so I will have to wait for the next book to find out what happens next. I hope Mr. Rosenberg doesn’t wait too long to write the next book so I can read it!

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This book was provided to me by Tyndale House Publishers for review

God bless you – Julie

The Twelfth Imam by Joel Rosenberg

I liked this book from the first page. I wasn’t sure I was really going to get into this book, but I had nothing to worry about. It was excellent from the first page to the last.

The protagonist, David Shirazi, is a CIA agent who is called into an undercover operation in Iran. His parents were born in Iran and were given asylum after the 1979 uprising. David knows and understands the Iranian people like no other CIA operative.

As David starts to infiltrate himself into the government of Iran, he starts to hear talk of a Twelfth Imam. He has heard of the Twelfth Imam because he was raised a Muslim by his Iranian parents. However, he’s amazed at how the top government officials are really focused on ushering in this Twelfth Imam. As part of this, they are developing a Nuclear program to rid the world of Israel and the United States. David’s dilemma is how to convince the US government that Iran’s belief in the Twelfth Imam is of vital importance to figuring out how to deal with Iran.

David’s personal life is just as complicated as his work with the CIA. He thinks about a woman from his past and is interested in a woman in his current life. No one in his private life knows about his work with the CIA so it’s a juggling act to keep everything balanced.

This is an excellent book that I found hard to put down. There was only one thing about it I didn’t like; it ends on a cliff-hanger so I will have to wait for the next book to find out what happens next. I hope Mr. Rosenberg doesn’t wait too long to write the next book so I can read it!

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This book was provided to me by Tyndale House Publishers for review

God bless you – Julie

Here Burns My Candle
By Liz Curtis Higgs

OVERVIEW:
Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a keeper of secrets. A Highlander by birth and a Lowlander by marriage, she honors the auld ways, even as doubts and fears stir deep within her. Her husband, Lord Donald, has secrets of his own, well hidden from the household, yet whispered among the town gossips. His mother, the dowager Lady Marjory, hides gold beneath her floor and guilt inside her heart. Though her two abiding passions are maintaining her place in society and coddling her grown sons, Marjory’s many regrets, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, continue to plague her.

One by one, the Kerr family secrets begin to surface, even as bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh in September 1745, intent on capturing the crown. A timeless story of love and betrayal, loss and redemption, flichering against the vivid backdrop of eighteenth-century Scotland, “Here Burns My Candle” illumines the dark side of human nature, even as hope, the brightest of tapers, lights the way home.

MY REVIEW:
I have read a lot of Liz Curtis Higgs’ books and am always anxiously awaiting a new one. This one doesn’t disappoint! The tale is rich with wonderful characters that you care about and, of course, it’s set in Scotland. I, being Scottish myself, love all things Scottish and so this just adds more interest for me. Liz always researches well for her books and you feel lke you are right there with the characters living their lives with them.

Each turn of the page brings more delight and intrigue and you wonder what will happen next to these wonderful characters. Some are more likeable than others, but you still want to turn that next page to see what happens. The story was really excellent and I highly recommend it.

You can purchase the books here.

This book was provided to me for review by WaterBrook Multnomah
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Okay, here’s the exciting part. I have ONE copy to give away to someone!! Here’s what you need to do to win it.

First, write a comment at the end of this post. This will get you one entry.

Become a follower of my blog to get a second entry for a chance at winning the book. Be sure and leave me another entry telling me that you’re a follower.

For a third entry, mention this giveaway on your blog and come back and write a comment with the link to your blog post.

This book is SO good, you’re gonna want to win it!!

I will pick a winner on Monday, March 29. It’s vital that you have an email or a way for me to contact you if you win, so be sure and leave that information in your comment.

God bless you – Julie

Here Burns My Candle
By Liz Curtis Higgs

OVERVIEW:
Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a keeper of secrets. A Highlander by birth and a Lowlander by marriage, she honors the auld ways, even as doubts and fears stir deep within her. Her husband, Lord Donald, has secrets of his own, well hidden from the household, yet whispered among the town gossips. His mother, the dowager Lady Marjory, hides gold beneath her floor and guilt inside her heart. Though her two abiding passions are maintaining her place in society and coddling her grown sons, Marjory’s many regrets, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, continue to plague her.

One by one, the Kerr family secrets begin to surface, even as bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh in September 1745, intent on capturing the crown. A timeless story of love and betrayal, loss and redemption, flichering against the vivid backdrop of eighteenth-century Scotland, “Here Burns My Candle” illumines the dark side of human nature, even as hope, the brightest of tapers, lights the way home.

MY REVIEW:
I have read a lot of Liz Curtis Higgs’ books and am always anxiously awaiting a new one. This one doesn’t disappoint! The tale is rich with wonderful characters that you care about and, of course, it’s set in Scotland. I, being Scottish myself, love all things Scottish and so this just adds more interest for me. Liz always researches well for her books and you feel lke you are right there with the characters living their lives with them.

Each turn of the page brings more delight and intrigue and you wonder what will happen next to these wonderful characters. Some are more likeable than others, but you still want to turn that next page to see what happens. The story was really excellent and I highly recommend it.

You can purchase the books here.

This book was provided to me for review by WaterBrook Multnomah
**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**+**

Okay, here’s the exciting part. I have ONE copy to give away to someone!! Here’s what you need to do to win it.

First, write a comment at the end of this post. This will get you one entry.

Become a follower of my blog to get a second entry for a chance at winning the book. Be sure and leave me another entry telling me that you’re a follower.

For a third entry, mention this giveaway on your blog and come back and write a comment with the link to your blog post.

This book is SO good, you’re gonna want to win it!!

I will pick a winner on Monday, March 29. It’s vital that you have an email or a way for me to contact you if you win, so be sure and leave that information in your comment.

God bless you – Julie