The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (August 8, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764217380
• ISBN-13: 978-0764217388

About the Book:

Heartwarming and Touching New Contemporary Romance from Victoria Bylin
After two broken engagements, nurse practitioner Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she only trusts herself and God, and she's focused on her eighteen-year-old sister, Lucy, and caring for patients. Just as she applies to work for an international aid organization, a phone call from Lucy, who's pregnant and running off to marry her twenty-one-year-old boyfriend, throws a wrench into all of Mia's plans.

Jake Tanner may have recovered from the physical injuries he sustained on the job as a police officer, but his heart has yet to heal from losing his former partner in the tragedy. He's poured himself into starting a camp for the sons of fallen officers and mentoring Sam, the adult son of his deceased partner, who's asked him to be his best man at his wedding. 

Mia is expecting a mess when she arrives to sort out the situation with Lucy, but she wasn't expecting Jake. And Jake, who can't help envying Sam and Lucy, doubts he'll ever experience their happiness for himself. But maybe Jake's courage and Mia's caring spirit are just what they need to bring them a lifetime of healing and a forever kind of love. . . .

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved this story!  Victoria Bylin has become one of my must read authors, and "The Two of Us" seals her spot forever!  Sam and Lucy are two crazy kids in love, while Mia and Jake are older and cynical about love.

Question is, which couple will exert the most influence?  Readers can probably guess the answer to that question, but the journey toward change is the most fun I've had reading a novel in a long, long time.  All I could ask for is a sequel, with Sam and Lucy as the main characters.  I'd love to see what ends up happening to those two.

Mia and Jake are so real, I found myself praying for them during the sticky parts of their story.  And when I pray for imaginary people, you know that it's a well written pair of characters.  You'll fall for Mia and Jake too, and you'll love "The Two of Us".  I just know it.

Of course, you'll have to wait until August 2017 for your copy.  I received an advance copy from my friends at Bethany House with no services or obligations promised in return.  "The Two of Us" get my "Oh, The Feels!" mark of approval.

Pre-order your copy today, and until next time...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

The Parables of Jesus Coloring Book Devotional by Laura James and Katara Washington Patton

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords; Clr Csm edition (January 3, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455596426
• ISBN-13: 978-1455596423

About the Book:

Worship with art as you color-in 46 stunning illustrations based on the parables of Jesus, each with a corresponding devotion and prompts for spiritual reflection and artistic exercise.

God's creativity is everywhere. It's mirrored by His creation--even evident in the illustrative teachings of His Son. This stunning book of 46 soulful, colorable pictures is based on the parables of Jesus. Color the parables, be immersed in their valuable lessons in a unique way, engaging your own creativity, and strengthen your faith.

Also included are 46 uplifting devotions, one related to each parable, and 46 thought-provoking prompts for meaningful reflection and artistic expression. These pages provide worshipful exercises to inspire the artist in you, with space for illustrated prayer and journaling.

My Thoughts:

Another complimentary copy of a coloring book for grown-ups from FaithWords in my treasure box, with no services or obligations offered in return.  "The Parables of Jesus" is a combination of a devotional and coloring book.  Each coloring design is preceded by a devotional from the Gospels, focusing on one of Jesus' parables.

I loved the devotionals for the most part.  However, Lazarus and the rich man isn't a parable.  This story is set apart because Jesus didn't refer to his teaching as a parable with His usual key word choices, and He also referred to the poorer of the two men as Lazarus--never done in any other parable.  So that bugged me--big time.

And as for the coloring pages, I'm picky.  I'm ultra-picky.  So I didn't care for these pages.  The faces were a bit creepy for me, and nearly every design included a drawing of an person--so I didn't find anything that made me want to bust out my pencils.

BUT, I'm ultra-ultra picky about my coloring books, so take a peek at some sample pages before you decide on "The Parables of Jesus" coloring book and devotional.  Until the next book...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

A Giving Heart, a Coloring Book Celebrating Motherhood by Stephanie Corfee

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords; Clr Csm edition (April 4, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1478947411
• ISBN-13: 978-1478947417

About the Book:

A beautiful artist-drawn coloring book with Scripture created to encourage, inspire, and delight Christian mothers.

This beautifully rendered adult coloring book will offer Christian moms a perfect way to enjoy moments of peaceful creativity as they color 46 gorgeously intricate pictures and meditate upon God's word. Filled with lovely botanical scenes, charming designs, and intricate patterns, the images and words of this book will remind mothers of their special place in the hearts of their loved ones and the wonderful purpose God created in them.

My Thoughts:

Yesterday I brought you a coloring book from my friends at FaithWords.  Today, I'm sharing another title with you, again with no obligation or services provided.  You already know my thoughts on the adult coloring book industry.  In face, I'm going to begin calling it coloring for grown-ups, because that other kind of makes me queasy.

The cover is gorgeous, and I love the fact that each page is one design.  You can color to your heart's content without worrying about bleed through on the back design.  BUT....and this has always been my one issue with coloring books for adults...

The designs, while amazing, are far too detailed for my taste.  THIS is the kind of book that stresses me out trying to complete a page...the kind of pages that I might dabble and doodle on, but never complete.  I prefer the wider open white spaces, less complex designs.

And I feel horrible saying all of this, but I have to be honest.  If you enjoy intricate and detailed work, then you'll love this gorgeous book.  It's just not for me.  So until the next book comes my way...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

Joyful Inspirations Coloring Book by Robin Mead

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords; Clr Csm edition (April 5, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455539341
• ISBN-13: 978-1455539345

About the Book:

Color uplifting depictions of God's creation--from blossoming gardens to smiling children--and vibrant cityscapes, with illustrated scripture and quotes to inspire and encourage.

Do you delight in spying cheerful birds outside your window? Are you awed by God's creativity as your eyes scan the fields alongside a road of quiet beauty? If your soul craves more moments like these, you'll experience endless joy through coloring the intricate pictures and illustrated scripture in this book. Excite your creativity by filling in creatively rendered cities, gardens, and seas. Reinvigorate your spirit through the uplifting messages of these pages. As you do, you'll feel happily reminded that God is ever-present and looking out for you, because His love touches everything and everyone. 

My Thoughts:

I've never been a person to jump on a new 'fad' (and I use that term for lack of a better one), so when the adult coloring books began popping up, I was skeptical.  To me, coloring was coloring, so I didn't get it. Eventually I dipped my creative toes in the water that was flooding the shelves of bookstores everywhere, trying to find out the fascination.

And those books sit dusty on my shelves.  For me, it wasn't relaxing, stress-free, and chill.  Instead, I was stressing out over all of the little tiny white spaces, trying to select the appropriate colors, and so I decided to pass.

Then my friends at FaithWords sent me a complimentary copy of "Joyful Inspirations Coloring Book" by Robin Mead, with no obligation or services promised in return.  Let me just state a fact that will illustrate my opinion:

I've completed four coloring pages, and yesterday I realized, for the first time in forever...I was so chill, so relaxed, and so content.  So, yeah, I get it now.  And I'm going to watching for more designs from Robin Mead!

My one quibble is the facial expressions on her characters---a bit too cheesy for me.  I've flipped past those pages in favor of the flowers, water scenes, and church buildings.  But that's it.  My only issue. So, I've got some coloring to do.  Until the next book pops up...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

Street Smarts from Proverbs by Mitch Kruse

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (June 27, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1478921390
• ISBN-13: 978-1478921394

About the Book:

STREET SMARTS FROM PROVERBS reveals Solomon's steps to divine wisdom while providing tools to navigate out of conflict into community.

Mitch Kruse learned the hard way that going to church three times a week while growing up did not answer the question:

Have you ever thought about changing the scorecard of your life from money to wisdom?

His pursuit to find the answer sparked a lifelong journey through the ultimate wisdom book, Proverbs, one that connects God's heart with street smarts.

STREET SMARTS FROM PROVERBS introduces Solomon's twelve words to the wise:

• righteousness, equity, and justice
• wise behavior, understanding, and wise communication
• prudence, discretion, and wise counsel
• discipline, knowledge, and learning

Each is paired with a real-life story of someone who experienced God's miraculous restoration after humbling their heart to Him. It explains, illustrates, and applies one of the twelve words, providing an easy-to-understand, yet life-transforming step-by-step process to assimilate each respective trait of wisdom.

STREET SMARTS FROM PROVERBS gives memorable prompts for the reader to recall every point with the purpose of applying it to conflict at work, with family, among friends, and in ministry. It provides tangible tools to be shrewd, yet harmless, in business dealings; to separate wisdom from foolishness through discretion; and to seek wise counsel for life's decisions.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely love this book!  Mitch Kruse writes with passion and it comes through loud and clear on every page.  Plus, he gives us a fresh look at Proverbs, one of the most quoted but least studied books in the Old Testament.

To begin, Kruse encourages readers to begin just reading through the Book of Proverbs, one chapter per day.  Today is June 5th, so we would be reading chapter five.  By the end of a month, you'll have read through the entire book (might have to cram in chapter 31 in those shorter months--like February and April).  Even better advice?  Do this every month for the entire year!

Then, in the introduction, he lists 12 words for us to focus on--righteousness, equity, justice, prudence, etc.  Words we don't normally think about when we're studying any book of God's Word.  In Part One Kruse defines the fool and gives the key to unlocking wisdom.

Part Two takes each of the 12 words and gives us passages, studies, and anecdotes to dive deeply into the study.  In "Rightneousness", Kruse discusses relationships, resilience, and resolve.  In "Equity", we read about integrity, and intimacy with God.

This quite possibly is the best book/Bible study I've encountered this year about God's book.  I'm planning on implementing the daily Proverbs for the year...and I'll report back on June 5, 2018 (unless I forget!).

I'm giving "Street Smarts" my 'for such a time as this', and urging you to purchase a copy for yourself and a friend--perfect gift for Father's Day!  Until the next book appears...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

Put the Disciple in Discipline by Erin MacPherson and Ellen Schuknecht

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords (June 20, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1478918098
• ISBN-13: 978-1478918097

About the Book:

PUT THE DISCIPLE INTO DISCIPLINE gives parents the tools they need to truly disciple their kids through their most trying discipline situations.

What do you say when your kid has really messed up?

How do you respond when your three-year-old is throwing pennies at other carts as you walk through the aisles at Target? Or when your eight-year-old daughter rolls her eyes in a dramatic fit of preteen angst? Or when your sixteen-year-old son is lying as he attempts to go somewhere that he never should be?

These are the tough moments in parenting.

But they are also the moments that will define your kids.

We want to give parents the tools they need to truly disciple their kids through their most trying discipline situations. With these tools, parents can guide their kids' hearts towards the God who loves them deeply, and survive those pull-out-your-hair parenting moments. We pray that PUT THE DISCIPLE INTO DISCIPLINE will help parents to connect with their kids in a heartfelt way so that their kids, in turn, can connect with the God who created them to be truly and imperfectly His.

My Thoughts:

My children are all grown now and almost out of the house, but I have five grandchildren, so I was curious about what Erin MacPherson and Ellen Schuknecht had to say about discipline.  I was pleasantly surprised and found their take on raising children refreshing and insightful.

The authors take turns writing alternate chapters.  The topics covered "The Hot Cheerleader Incident" is written by MacPherson.  Scuknecht discusses "Drifting Apart", as well as "A Friend in Need".  The entire book turns the concept of discipline upside down, placing the emphasis on the "disciple" in the "discipline".

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Put the Disciple in Discipline" very much, and highly recommend the book to young parents and even parents with teens.  I'm giving this book my "packs a punch" tag, and until the next book...

Mark Your Place,

Deena

Nifty Gifty: Jesus Loves Me! A Sing-Along Book, illustrations by Gynux

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 3
• Series: A Sing-Along Book
• Board book: 20 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz; Brdbk edition (May 2, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310758947

About the Book:

Read or sing along with your little one’s favorite song! Jesus Loves Me pairs sweet, snuggly illustrations with the text of the familiar children’s song. This newest board book in the beloved Sing-Along series also features a padded cover perfect for little hands, and is sure to delight children and parents alike.

My Thoughts:

I. Love. This. Book.

It would be so easy to leave it at that, but I'll add a little more.

Padded cover, thick pages, and gorgeous...GORGEOUS illustrations by Gynux. And the lyrics to the classic children's song are scattered throughout the book. So don't just read the book--SING the book with your little ones, as soon as you can, and allow the truth of God's love to soak into their young souls.

My thanks to my friends at Zonderkidz for this beautiful book, with no services or obligations promised in exchange.

Mark Your Place, 

Deena