ESV ILLUMINATED BIBLE Review

ESV ILLUMINATED BIBLE REVIEW

I was very excited to get the opportunity to review the Illuminated Bible. I have many friends that have used similar bibles in the past and I was very curious about them.

The ESV Illuminated Bible places the full ESV text alongside over 500 elegantly hand-lettered gold ink illustrations by renowned artist Dana Tanamachi. Printed on thick cream-colored paper, the Bible's single-column text setting and wide margins provide generous space for additional notes, prayers, and designs—inviting readers to creatively engage with and reflect on the beauty of God's Word.

• 9-point, Lexicon

• Black letter text

• 2-color printing

• 64 full-page, custom book opener illustrations

• 50 full-page verse illustrations

• 250+ hand-lettered margin verses

• 100+ other illustrations throughout

• Illustrated by Dana Tanamachi, whose work has been featured by Google, The Wall Street Journal, Random House, USPS, and Target

• Thick, cream-colored paper

• Wide margins

• Single-column, paragraph format

• Smyth-sewn binding

• Packaging: Permanent Slipcase

• Dana Tanamachi is an American lettering artist, graphic designer, and illustrator whose exquisite typographic murals ignited the worldwide chalk-lettering trend. She has been commissioned by clients such as Instagram, Target, Google, Time Magazine, Nike, and West Elm. Learn more at tanamachistudio.com.

This bible is absolutely beautiful. It comes in a beautiful box-like case that is similar to the cover with gold flowers and navy background. I was a little disappointed that it was hardbound. I'm not entirely sure what I expect the cover to be, I just didn't expected it to be hard bound.  I think a softer cover would be more easily transportable for daily use.

Each book has its own beautiful gold page announcing its title. That and the other gold touches with verses here through out the bible are a nice touch.

Overall, it is a gorgeous bible with lots of room to take notes, journal or draw and doodle as much as you'd like. I think it will be very good for sitting down and studying or meditating on God's Word. My only real criticism is it is fairly large and heavy and not a great size to transport and carry with you, even to church in my opinion. 

Get yours below.

Amazon

IlluminatedBible.org

I was given a copy through flybypromotions.com in exchange for my honest review.

Every Day with God Veggie Tales Devotional Review

About the Book:

​Every Day with God is the latest 365-day devotional (one for boys and another for girls) from VeggieTales. The updated content and art offer the perfect opportunity for parent and child to share time together each day. Each entry includes a Bible verse, short devotion, Thought of the Day, and prayer. The content will help children learn more about God and develop a daily practice to keep Him close in their lives. The book is perfect for bedtime reading, family devotion time, or as a fresh way to start each day!

We really liked this book. I have a four year old boy and a three year old boy who adore everything VeggieTales so I was very excited to get the opportunity to review this book. We were not disappointed. I loved that we could use favorite characters along with bible verses to help them begin to learn the Bible and how to make studying it part of their daily lives. One a day wasn't even enough for them!! They wanted to keep reading, so we read several every time. We recommend this book for 4-7 year old kids. They'll love it!!

You can get your own copy of the Every Day with God devotional for boys here and the girls one here

#EveryDayWithGod

#FlyBy

The Restaurant Critic's Wife Book Review

     The Restaurant Critic's Wife by Elizabeth LaBan is about Sam and Lila Soto who have just moved to Philadelphia for Sam to begin his dream job of working as a restaurant critic for a newspaper. Sam is very insistent on keeping his identity a secret so that no one in the restaurant industry will know it is him when he dines at their restaurants. As the story begins, Lila, a former crisis manager for Addison Hotels, is pregnant with their second child and knows almost no one in their new town.

     For the most part, I liked the book. I, however, didn't really care for either of the main characters. Sam is obsessive, self centered and selfish. Lila is insecure, selfish and self centered. They don't communicate with each other at all and act very immature and childish too. It was hard for me as a mother of five to read about a woman that is so insecure in her parenting but doesn't actually parent. I felt like she spent the entire book just distracting her kids so that she could do what she wanted. 

     I don't want to come down too hard on the book because there were several things I enjoyed. The different restaurants and menus was very interesting and fun. I liked how real the author was with a lot of parenting issues, with children throwing fits and fighting and dealing with other moms. But, unfortunately, the main character of Lila was very hard for me to read. She was very insecure and immature and selfish in my opinion. Overall, I liked the authors writing style and the way she described the scenes. I felt as if I was actually there. I just didn't care for Sam and Lila Soto.

I was given a free advanced copy of The Restaurant Critic's Wife from Netgalley.com in exchange for my honest review.

Surprised by the Healer Book Review + GIVEAWAY!!

From surprisedbythehealer.com :

"The Healer is inviting you…

God’s word declares that there is healing for your deepest pains, hope for your biggest disappointments, and victory over your addictions, past hurts, and past failures. His name is Jehovah Rapha, the God Who Heals, and He can redeem your broken story.

In these pages, you will meet nine courageous women who have agreed to tell their stories, to share with you how they moved from hopelessness and brokenness to hope and healing. Whether from sexual abuse, betrayal in marriage, or other harrowing experiences, the Healer invited them on a unique journey of redemption in the midst of deep pain. He is inviting you, too.

Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery, cofounders of Authentic Intimacy, have been writing and ministering to women in the church and clinical context for several decades. Their wisdom and experience overflow in this work to give you a trusted resource in journeying toward healing.

Includes a study guide for each chapter in the back of the book."

The stories featured in this book are incredible, heart breaking and awe-inspiring. Our God is amazing. These women have bravely shared their stories and how God has healed them. I think its time for a giveaway so a few of you can read this book for yourself!

I'm giving away TWO COPIES OF SURPRISED BY THE HEALER!!

for US residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FREE Surprised by the Healer Webinar TONIGHT!!! 9PM ET/6PM PT

Please don't forget to check out the FREE Surprised by the Healer Webinar tonight at 9PM ET/6PM PT.

The authors Dr Juli Slattery and Linda Dillow will be discussing their book, Surprised by the Healer. 

Do you have brokenness in your past? Do you feel like God can't forgive you for the things you've done? We all have things in our past we wish weren't there. But the good news of the gospel is there isn't anything too broken for God to heal. God’s word declares that there is healing for your deepest pains, hope for your biggest disappointments, and victory over your addictions, past hurts, and past failures. His name is Jehovah Rapha, the God Who Heals, and He can redeem. Learn more about how Jesus wants to heal your broken story during this webinar. 

Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery, cofounders of Authentic Intimacy, have been writing and ministering to women in the church and clinical context for several decades. Their wisdom and experience overflow in their new book, Surprised By the Healer, to give you a trusted resource in journeying toward healing.

Monday January 25th- 9pm EST / 8pm CT / 7pm MT / 6pm PT

I'm on the Surprised by the Healer Launch Team!! #surprisedbythehealer

I am privileged and immensely blessed to be on the Surprised by the Healer Book Launch Team!! This is my second time on a launch team for Authentic Intimacy a ministry all about having true, authentic intimacy with our husbands and with our God.

As it states on surprisedbythehealer.com, 

"The Healer is inviting you…

God’s word declares that there is healing for your deepest pains, hope for your biggest disappointments, and victory over your addictions, past hurts, and past failures. His name is Jehovah Rapha, the God Who Heals, and He can redeem your broken story.

In these pages, you will meet nine courageous women who have agreed to tell their stories, to share with you how they moved from hopelessness and brokenness to hope and healing. Whether from sexual abuse, betrayal in marriage, or other harrowing experiences, the Healer invited them on a unique journey of redemption in the midst of deep pain. He is inviting you, too.

Linda Dillow and Dr. Juli Slattery, cofounders of Authentic Intimacy, have been writing and ministering to women in the church and clinical context for several decades. Their wisdom and experience overflow in this work to give you a trusted resource in journeying toward healing."

I am almost finished reading the book and will post a review and possibly a giveaway when I finish.

There will also be a FREE Surprised by the Healer Webinar on Monday January 25. Click on the picture above to register today!

My Brother's Crown Review

Goodreads description says,"From Christy award-winning authors Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould comes a brand-new sweeping family saga. Close-knit cousins are individually led on a redemptive journey as they follow the threads of their family's mysterious past and discover how it impacts the future.

Renee Talbot, a director in her family's 350-year-old paper company, is facing a huge problem: how to stay afloat in an increasingly paperless world. When her grandmother asks for her help in finding answers to some unsettling family-related questions, Renee's search for truth takes her to Europe, where she learns the story of Catherine Gillette, an ancestor who lived in seventeenth-century France. Headstrong and independent, young Catherine's brave actions saved the original paper company--and various members of the family--during a time when the French Huguenots were being persecuted by Louis XIV.

As Renee tries to save the company and her family's legacy, she draws courage and wisdom from an ancestor who stood strong and faithful when life was at its most perilous and God seemed to expect more from her than she ever thought she could deliver. "

I enjoyed this book from the start. The authors take us back and forth between Catherine Gilette in 17th century France and Renee Talbot in present day Virginia.  The characters are relatives as Renee is an descendant of Catherine. I enjoyed the use of historical facts interwoven throughout this book. Louis XIV's France was very interesting to read about, as well as the plight of the Huguenots. I hadn't heard of them before reading this book actually.

I felt Renee was a very real, strong character, a mature, modern and intelligent woman which greatly contrasted to the young, immature Catherine. Sometimes I found myself rolling my eyes at Catherine's impulsiveness. I had to remind myself that she was a very sheltered and, in a sense, spoiled young woman of her day. But that didn't deter me from enjoying the book and being eager to read the next installment of the series.

BELOW CONTAINS A FEW SPOILERS

My only real criticism was the fact that the major traumatic incident that surrounded Renee wasn't completely concluded in my opinion. She finally faced her fears and went back to look for evidence and you never found out what actually happened. I guess you could say that they kind of concluded it because they went back and everyone finally believed them and the police had a plan to investigate, but it still felt like a loose end to me. There is always the possibility that they will continue that in other books in the series since this is the first book in the series.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more about them in the following books.

I was given an advanced copy of My Brother's Crown by NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest review.

The Swans of Fifth Avenue

The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin is a work of historical fiction about Truman Capote and his New York society lady friends that he dubbed his "Swans." It spans several decades starting in the 1950s and incorporates many of his well-known works such as, "In Cold Blood" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's." His relationship with "swan" Babe Paley makes up the bulk of the story as well as her relationship with her husband.

I found this a fascinating and wonderful read. As I am usually a nonfiction reader, this book kept me reading until well into the late-night/early-morning hours. The point of view changes from each person in the story seamlessly and makes the story that much richer and full of detail. The timeline strays back and forth around Capote's "social death" after his publishing a thinly-veiled story about New York socialites.

The author was able to use real life events intertwined with her own fiction to make up a very interesting story of two people and those around them who are always seeking love and attention in a world based mainly on outward appearance. The characters are deep and complex and well written. I was very very pleasantly surprised by this book. I highly recommend reading it when it comes out later this month.

I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of The Swans of Fifth Avenue given to me by NetGalley.com in exchange for my honest review.

Centralia Book Review

From the back cover of the book:
"Peter Ryan wakes up on a typical morning only to find his house empty, his wife and daughter nowhere to be found. His world is shattered after a phone call to a friend confirms the impossible: his wife and daughter died in a car accident he does not remember.
Haunted by faint memories and flashes of details, Peter becomes convinced that something isn't right and begins to question reality. When he discovers a note in his daughter's handwriting, strange memories surface that cause him to second guess nearly everything he once believed. Suddenly armed men show up at Peter's home, turning the mysterious puzzle of his past into a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
On the run and unsure whom to trust, Peter has to discover what's read and what isn't....before he loses everything."

I wasn't sure what to expect when this book arrived. Then I read the back of the book and my interest was piqued. As I began reading, I was quickly drawn into the mystery of who Peter Ryan really is. Are his wife and daughter really dead? The author has done a fantastic job of keeping you guessing while slowly and subtly moving the plot along. There is never a dull moment and I found myself nodding off while reading the book because I just didn't want to stop reading it!! I highly recommend reading this book!!!

I was given a free copy of this book from the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review.

7 Women and the secret of their greatness

"In his eagerly anticipated follow-up to the enormously successful Seven Men, New York Times best-selling author Eric Metaxas gives us seven captivating portraits of some of history's greatest women, each of whom changed the course of history by following God's call upon their lives-as women.
Each of the world-changing figures who stride across these pages-Joan of Arc, Susanna Wesley, Hannah More, Maria Skobtsova, Corrie ten Boom, Mother Teresa, and Rosa Parks-is an exemplary model of true womanhood. Teenaged Joan of Arc followed God's call and liberated her country, dying a heroic martyr's death. Susanna Wesley had nineteen children and gave the world its most significant evangelist and its greatest hymn-writer, her sons John and Charles. Corrie ten Boom, arrested for hiding Dutch Jews from the Nazis, survived the horrors of a concentration camp to astonish the world by forgiving her tormentors. And Rosa Parks' deep sense of justice and unshakeable dignity and faith helped launch the twentieth-century's greatest social movement.
Writing in his trademark conversational and engaging style, Eric Metaxas reveals how the other extraordinary women in this book achieved their greatness, inspiring readers to lives shaped by the truth of the gospel."

I began reading this book and the introduction alone sucked me in. I quote from Eric Metaxas as to how he came about choosing the women to highlight in this book after getting a lot of suggestions as to whom to include: "What struck me as wrong about these suggestions was that they presumed women should somehow be compared to men. But it seemed wrong to view great women in that way. The great men in Seven Men were not measured against women, so why should the women in Seven Women be measured against men? I wondered what was behind this way of seeing things, that women should be defined against men? Or that men and women should even be compared to each other?"

The seven great women highlighted in this book were full of life and wisdom and femininity. They don't need to be compared to men nor do men need to be compared to them. They all individually had great stories that were shared and show how God used them to further His Kingdom. I recommend reading this book.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from BookLookBloggers.com

I am on the 25 Questions book launch team! + GIVEAWAY COMING SOON!

I am so very excited to announce that I was one of the lucky ladies chosen to the on the #25QuestionsBook Launch Team.

Authentic Intimacy is a ministry that I have been following since it was founded by Dr. Juli Slattery and Linda Dillow. Their aim is to help women learn how to have a fulfilling, Christ-Centered, Biblical Sex Life.

The new book is a selection of 25 of the most frequently asked questions they receive. No longer will women be afraid to ask their questions about sex. I will be giving away two of the books on my blog. The giveaway will start tomorrow. Please keep an eye out for the giveaway post. I hope you win!

More questions about Authentic Intimacy's new book? Check out their website:  tinyurl.com/buy25bk

The Good, the Bad, and the Grace of God Book Review

 


"Jep Robertson, the youngest son of Duck Commander Phil Robertson, and his wife, Jessica, open up about their personal trials, their early years together, and the challenges that might have destroyed them both had the grace of God not intervened. Jep describes being molested as a child and his reluctance to tell anyone until only a few years ago, his downward spiral into drug and alcohol abuse, and the eventual intervention of his family. Jessica shares about the difficult failure of her first marriage while still a teenager and the hurt that came along with it, much of it from the church. Her insecurities spun out of control as she wondered whether she would ever be good enough or pretty enough. This book is their love story but, more importantly, their love story for God."


I really enjoyed reading this book. In my opinion, Jep isn't as well known as his other brothers, so it was really nice to hear his story. The book shifted back and forth from his perspective to his wife's perspective. Their individual stories flowed well together and kept the reader consist throughout the book.


Jep begins with his early life following around his older brothers and spending lots of time with his paternal grandmother, Merritt. It was insightful to see the perspective of the one Robertson child who was born after Phil's conversion to Christianity. Jep openly discusses his trials, including addiction and health issues. His openness and willingness to be completely forthcoming with everything and use it to witness for God's amazing grace and love is really refreshing. I highly recommend reading this book!!

Living Well Spending Less

From the publisher's website: "
Ruth Soukup knows what it is like to want what you can’t afford. And she knows the downward spiral of out-of-control spending and how it can consume your life, eat up your time, and destroy your relationships. When she finally hit bottom with her finances and her marriage was on the brink of divorce, she had to learn a totally different way to think about money...and discovered true happiness along the way.

In Living Well, Spending Less Ruth shares her secrets with warmth, total honesty, and practical help in every chapter. Following her wildly successful blog of the same name, Ruth gives her readers even more of what they love: lots of creative, helpful ideas and advice for families on a budget along with stories from her own journey to discovering what the good life is really all about.

With personal and creative challenges in each chapter, Living Well, Spending Less is perfect for small group study or discussion. As readers change the desires of their hearts and shift their priorities toward treasures that last, they will find a life rich in faith, family, friends, and creativity—and a budget that balances."

First of all, I really really enjoyed reading this book. Ruth does an amazing job of explaining these 12 secrets of the good life that she has implemented in her own life. The book is set up in two parts, Living Well and Spending Less. One of my favorite aspects of this book, is that she starts with your heart and mindset first. She talks about being content first. How important it is to be happy where you are. Yes change the things that need to change, but be happy where you are and with what you have.

She goes on to discuss using your time wisely and setting goals before going on to the more practical items of saving money at the grocery store, decluttering and cleaning routines. I enjoyed reading her personal stories and examples and encouraging words to help others make needed changes in their lives. I highly recommend reading this book. It is truly one of the best books of its kind that I have read in a long time.

Beside Bethesda

From the publisher's website: "A 31-day devotional from bestselling author and speaker Joni Eareckson Tada that takes readers on a month-long journey toward the deepest healing God offers. The entire book is framed against Joni’s visit to the healing pool of Bethesda to seek healing where Jesus healed.

As Joni relates aspects of her own journey in dealing with the most painful “unanswered prayer” of her life, readers will learn to see beyond potential quick fixes to the deepest and greatest solutions God has for them. As the journey continues, readers deal with topics such as contentment, patience, unanswered prayer, transformation through suffering, wrestling with God, and hoping in God."

This was a nice devotional. I think it could really help someone who is need of deep healing find support and realize that they are not alone. I didn't like that each devotional basically had a story of hers and then a verse or two from whichever translation fit what she said. I felt like she should have used more scripture in the devotional. I did really like the concept of the man being healed by Jesus at the pool in Bethesda and how we can be healed too.

NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women Review

This is a lovely compact Bible. The cover is beautiful and attractive with its two tone coloring. I enjoyed the ease of reading it. It actually helped me to be more accountable with my Bible reading. I could easily carry it to church, Bible study or just with me throughout the day. It has an attached bookmark to keep your last reading place well at hand.


Another feature that I really liked was that the devotionals are throughout the Bible near to the scripture verses that they reference. That made it simple to find the verse as well as to have an added extra when reading one of the books of the Bible. Lysa TerKeurst  wrote the forward of this Bible as well as a few of the devotionals inside. Her sense of humor and humbleness help the scripture be easily applied to our everyday lives.


I highly recommend having this Bible as a easy to read version. It does not contain any study notes or the like and that can be difficult for an in-depth study but to regularly read and have everyday devotions.

Get to know Paul Book Review

Get to Know Apostle Paul by Nancy I. Sanders is a full color biography of Apostle Paul just for kids. It details Paul's conversion and ministry to the Christian faith. This book is easy to read and very informative of events told in the Bible as well as a few from other historians. It has facts and vocabulary words to help explain the story further.

I enjoyed reading this book. There are many colorful photos to help show the area and even some of the ruins of the places that Paul walked. Maps help show Paul's journeys and how the cities were laid out in Paul's day. While it does reference a few scriptures, it doesn't reference them as much as I'd like.

I was given this book at no cost in exchange for my honest review by Booksneeze.

Challenge on the Hill of Fire Book Review

Challenge on the Hill of Fire is the 10th book in the Imagination Station Series. Patrick and Beth go to Whit's End to get a green milkshake for St. Patrick's Day. Whit asks if Patrick is named after St. Patrick and thus begins there latest adventure in the world of St. Patrick. The Druids' religion dominates in Ireland during this time and the Bishop is trying to bring word of The One True God and free the people of Ireland from the Druids tyrannical reign.

This is so far my favorite Imagination Station book. I felt like I really got a lot of the feel of the time period and how the people lived. Patrick and Beth are tested in their faith as well and are tasked with really standing up for what they believe in. There is several instances of dying for what they believe in as a real possibility. A good read.

Problems in Plymouth Book Review

Problems in Plymouth is the 6th book in the Imagination Station series. Patrick and Beth find themselves searching for Hugh in the year 1621 near Plymouth Rock. They encounter Indians (Native Americans) as well as the infamous Squanto. The even get to experience the First Thanksgiving.

Another fun walk through history with small details about life in 1621. The children experience time in a teepee, muskets, Indians' bows and arrows, and the real story of what life was like for the Pilgrims when they first came to America. I enjoyed the little details and tidbits woven into this fictional story. A fun read for any age.

Showdown with the Shepherd Book Review

Showdown with the Shepherd is the 5th book in the Imagination Station Series. Patrick and Beth have to find Hugh after he took Mr. Whitaker's ring and vanished. They follow him to The Holy Land and Meet King David as a boy and witness his victory over Goliath.

Another fun story with lots of history woven into it. Very suspenseful and full of adventure, as well. A good read.

Revenge of the Red Knight Book Review

Revenge of the Red Knight is the 4th book in the Imagination Station Series. Patrick and Beth have been helping retrieve "lost" treasure from different time periods. They find themselves in a dark cave with the Imagination Station nowhere to be found. Turns out they are in Medieval England and may soon discover why they've been searching for the treasures.

This was a neat look at the time period. They learned about jousting and how revolts occurred and governments were overthrown. My kids enjoyed reading this book as well. I enjoy how the smallest details also help teach about the time period, namely the clothing that they had to wear. Another fun, kids book. I recommend reading it.