My First Hands-On Bible - Tyndale Publishing

Explore the wonders of Creation and Jesus' life with your preschooler in a new and exciting way.

The fact that there is true scripture in this "kid's" Bible is one of my favorite aspects of this book. The Word of God is important and our children should be included in that. The verses are abridged, but not revised. Not all of the Bible is portrayed, however there are many key stories from both the Old and New Testament.

My First Hands-On Bible is a wonderful first Bible for preschool aged children. My son is 3 years old and really enjoys the stories and activities. The stories are short enough that he doesn't loose interest before we are done and the activities throughout help to keep him engaged. Throughout the day and for days afterwards, he is still repeating the lessons he has learned. I really feel that the

Hearts Made Whole (Beacons of Hope - Book 2) - Jody Hedlund

With sorrow and uncertainty all around, Caroline will do anything to keep her family safe and protected.

Caroline Taylor's family has had their fair share of suffering. With their father having recently passed, their beloved home is now being threatened. But in 1865, because Caroline is a woman, the inspector sees fit to replace her with a man, Civil War veteran Ryan Chambers. Ryan is haunted by the pain of the past. All he wants to do is drown his sorrows any way that he can. Will they try to find their own solutions to their problems? Or will they turn to the only One who can heal their hearts and make them whole again?

"God is good all the time, no matter what bad things come into their lives." - Hearts Made Whole

There is something about Jody Hedlund's books that grip my heart. My laundry has sat forsaken the last few days and I have burned the midnight oil finishing Hearts

On Shifting Sand - Allison Pittman

Dust, sand, grit everywhere. When there is a door to a different form of life's satisfaction will Nola take it?

Nola has married Russ Merrill to escape the harsh hand of her father. But now she feels trapped and is withering away. When an unexpected guest comes to stay, she blossoms. But will this lead her down a path that she shouldn't go?

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish this book. Allison Pittman did a wonderful job capturing the feel of the Dust Bowl life. I loved the style of writing that she used. Very elegant and easy to read. However, I had a hard time with the story line. There few things in life that I cannot stand more than infidelity. If I had read the book description more closely, I would have realized that this is the basis for this story. And from the very beginning you know what is going to happen, which made me dread picking up the book. It is a good book. Well written and very captivating. However, I was unable to complete it due to my own standards in life.

I received a free copy of On Shifting Sand from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Buy On Shifting Sand - Barnes & Noble

The World of Downton Abbey - Jessica Fellowes

I admit that I have a slight obsession with Downton Abbey. It sucked me in from the start. And now my curiosity as piqued as to what life was really like in the early 1900s. Therefore, I am branching out a bit in the books that I am reading.

The World of Downton Abbey is a companion guide to the second season of the beloved BBC Masterpiece show Downton Abbey. Not only does it outline the lives of the Crawley family during the first World War, but also gives us a peek at the lives of the real aristocracy of England. Family life, style, life in service, romance and war are a few of the topics covered in Jessica Fellowes book. 

I greatly enjoyed reading and learning more about British culture. It helps me to understand the characters in the show better, as well as characters in the books I read. There is a lot of history to be found in period dramas and I do love learning about it. I was happy to learn that the show has a historical advisor Alastair Bruce (known as The Oracle) that does not hide in the shadows. He makes certain that everything is proper and accurate. Any Downton enthusiast would enjoy this book, but it is also a great read for learning more about the era.

Buy The World ofDownton Abbey – Barnes & Noble

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Love Unexpected (Beacons of Hope - Book 1) - Jody Hedlund

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

All she's ever wanted was a home. But stranded at Presque Isle port after their steamboat sank, Emma Chambers and her brother, Ryan, couldn't be farther away from security. While Ryan at least can find work, Emma can't even find a place to stay. An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper, who recently lost his wife and is struggling to raise his young son, arrives in town. A traveling preacher believes they might be the answer to each others' problems, and after a hasty marriage, Emma is headed back to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger.

But nothing in her wandering life has prepared her for suddenly being asked to raise a child and keep a house. Struggling at every turn, Emma also suspects Patrick may be keeping something hidden from her. In town she hears whispers about strange circumstances surrounding his previous wife's death, and it seems as though Emma's answered prayer for a home and family may actually be something much more dangerous. 

My Thoughts

My life has never been the same since reading Jody's books. I have laughed, cried, yelled, cried some more...And always ALWAYS finish with the overwhelming presence of God surrounding me. Jody writes books that not only satisfy the heart, but the spirit as well. If you haven't read any of Jody's books before, I urge you to pick one up and dive in. Although, I will caution you, make sure you are caught up on housework and you have dinner in the crock pot first! Original review published October 2014 on Bookworm Mama.

Lighthouses are a thing of beauty. Yet they are also to be feared and respected. The dangers of being a lightkeeper are known all too well to Patrick Garraty.

Emma Chambers has longed for nothing more than to settle down and have a home and a family. When her and her brother Ryan are stranded in Burnham's Landing, a little fishing village on Lake Huron, her dream becomes reality. Patrick Garraty, the head keeper at the Presque Isle Lighthouse, has recently lost his wife and is need of someone to help run the lighthouse as well as raise his son Josiah. Circumstances couldn't have worked out better, except when Patrick's past literally comes knocking at the door. Will his past crimes and sins destroy all that Emma has come to love? Will she be able to forgive him for his mistakes? Will they ever be able to cherish the unexpected love that has come into their lives?

Jody Hedlund has done it again! She sucked me into this story until all I could think about was what was going to happen next? I have to admit I was quite anxious the whole time I was reading Love Unexpected. Not only because I was constantly hoping that Emma and Patrick would be able to work things out, but because of the realness of the past coming back to haunt us. I believe that a lot of people have things in their past that they would prefer to be left forgotten. But as Jody touched on so accurately, when we ask the Lord's forgiveness he forgives, and forgets. Tossing our sins into the swirling waves of grace where they are dissolved and never brought back up. The only thing left for us to do is forgive ourselves and walk forward. Trusting in Him and letting Him lead our steps. Then, if our past does try to resurface, we can rest in God. Knowing that that is no longer who we are or what we do. We have been forgiven, cleansed and are His holy children. I look forward to the release of the second book in Beacons of Hope series Hearts Made Whole.

I received a complimentary copy of Love Unexpected from Bethany House Publishers through Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Winner of the 2016 Christian Book Award and Christy Award, best-selling author Jody Hedlund writes inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

Facebook // Goodreads // Pinterest // Twitter // Website

More books by Jody Hedlund on Bookworm Mama can be found HERE.

Many thanks to Canva for providing an AMAZING program for me to design all these beautiful graphics. Book covers, publisher/tour logos, and author pictures not owned by me. All other graphics created by Bookworm Mama with public domain photos on Canva unless stated otherwise. 

Out of the Storm (Beacons of Hope - A Novella) - Jody Hedlund

Out of the Storm is a wonderful novella written by Jody Hedlund. This is the prequel to her new series, Beacons of Hope, that is releasing later this year.

Isabelle Thornton is faced with a tragic future and her father only wants to protect her. But will his protecting hand cause her to miss out on a full life, filled with love and happiness? It is 1854 and Isabelle and her father, Captain Thornton, are the keepers at the Presque Isle Lighthouse in Michigan. When Henry Cole, a wealthy business man, washes up on their shore the unexpected happens. Will she choose a life of loneliness to protect Henry? Or will she allow herself to be happy?

I do not want to give away too much of this short story. But I enjoyed reading this novella. The romance was tasteful, if slightly unbelievable. I couldn't put it down till I knew what was going to happen next. I thought I knew how this was going to end, but was very surprised (and pleased) when I finished. I have already started the first book of the series Love Unexpected. Looking forward to continuing this series.

Out of the Storm is free:
Barnes & Noble
Amazon


Bethany House Publishers