I Can written by Kathryn O’Brien and illustrated by Gillian Flint

About the book:  Plant God’s Word in Your Heart!  Nothing is too hard for me when God is on my side!  He will give me strength to do all the things I need to do every day.  Turn Scripture memory from duty into delight with the Sit for a Bit series.  Scripture is presented one powerful word at a time, along with charming art and applications to build meaningful connections between God’s Word and a child’s everyday live.  Memory-verse learning has never been so effortless, effective, and fun!

Review:  This is my first time reading a book from the Sit for a Bit series.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.   I Can is a wonderful book that teaches small children the popular Bible verse – Philippians 4:13.  The way the author has laid out one to two words per page and then given explanation/description on the next pages is great method to teach small children Bible verses.  This is definitely not a new method, but the author’s way “putting it on paper” is both simple and so enjoyable.  While this book may be for smaller children, no doubt you can use it to teach scripture to anyone.

The illustrations are lovely.  The watercolor effect is beautiful and each page has something that also catches the eye and can generate additional conversation about God’s creations.

In the front of the book, the author shares a gentle reminder to parents about our responsibility to not only to know and hide God’s Word in our hearts, but that it is also our responsibility to teach Scripture to our children.  It’s more than just a responsibility – it’s our opportunity to grow our children in the Lord.  This book – I Can – is one that I most definitely will be sharing with my grandchildren and probably will be gifting to my grown children for their children.  A wonderful book!! (rev. P.Howard)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the Tyndale Blog Network review program on behalf of the publisher and author.

Double Cross (FBI Houston Series Book 2) by DiAnn Mills

About the book:  FBI Agent Laurel Evertson's investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. That case has haunted her since, and though she's vowed to forget Wilmington--and what she sacrificed to put him away--he is now her best lead.Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer's next targets, and he'll do anything to protect his family--even force interagency cooperation. But he's quickly drawn to Laurel's empathy and zeal and agrees to follow her lead . . . even if it means teaming up with a felon.As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Together they must decide if they can trust Wilmington's claims of redemption, or if he's leading them straight into a double cross.

Review: Double Cross captures the reader's attention with the involved, fast faced suspense tale where the FBI and local police work together to solve a scam that turns deadly.

This story involves undercover work with felons, charity scammers duping vulnerable senior citizens, and heroes turned bad.The depth of deception is not revealed until the final pages. A good read where Christian faith is presented as a source of strength and in a felon character who found redemption while in prison. A sweet blossoming romance is part of the story as well.

Author DiAnn Mills Website Author Facebook

DiAnn Mills talks about working with the FBI to research the FBI: Houston Series

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by Tyndale Blog Network on behalf of the publisher Tyndale Fiction to facilitate this review. Opinions are those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

Forsaken City by C.E. Laureano

About the book: Conor and Aine have barely escaped Seare with their lives. Conor knows he must return to find the harp that could end the Red Druid’s reign of terror, but in the midst of their escape, he and Aine are torn apart once more. Surrounded by despair and thrown into as much danger as they left behind, Conor and Aine must cling to the whispers of Comdiu’s plans for them and the homeland that depends on their survival. But at what cost? Will they learn to depend on Comdiu completely? Or will they give up hope?

In books today, the Christian faith is commonly depicted in a real life setting. However, author C.E. Laureano uniquely depicts the Christian faith through the genre of fantasy. In Laureano’s book Beneath the Forsaken City, the heroes and brotherhood wholly devote their lives to the service of Comdiu, who represents the Lord of the Christian faith. In the story, Aine, the heroine, a nobleman’s daughter, and a newlywed, finds herself chased by a tyrant king and betrayed by a covetous aunt. Entirely alone, Aine asks, “Could Comdiu have allowed her isolation as a lesson in trust?” All her life, Aine trusted that Comdiu’s protection was provided through guards, friends, and a husband, which became her expectation. However, she is placed in a situation that challenges her to critically examine her faith and learn that the Lord’s provision is not according to her expectations. As a Christian, I have asked myself the same question. I believe God guides us through specific trials to teach us trust as well as to open our eyes to His expectations for our life. For Aine, her challenges help her to trust Comdui’s omnipotence, just like our trials as Christians help us trust God’s omnipotence.  (reviewed by S.Fowler)

A complimentary copy was provided to facilitate this review.

By Your Side is book 1 in The Crisis Team Series by Candace Calvert (Review & Giveaway)

ER nurse Macy Wynn learned essential, gritty lessons in the California foster care system: land on your feet and trust no one. She’s finally located the fellow foster child she loves like a sister, but the girl’s in deep trouble. Macy’s determined to help, no matter what it takes. Her motto is to “make it happen” in any situation life throws at her—even when she butts heads with an idealistic cop.

Deputy Fletcher Holt believes in a higher plan, the fair outcome—and his ability to handle that by himself if necessary. Now he’s been yanked from Houston, his mother is battling cancer, and he’s attracted to a strong-willed nurse who could be the target of a brutal sniper.

Review: When trained nurse turned successful novelist considers crisis situations, you have a series of books called Crisis Team emerge. Calvert creates realistic and heroic yet human characters out of ER nurses and physicians, chaplains, EMS personnel, and law enforcement personnel.

As this unjoined team works to heal and relieve the stresses of their professions and the cruelties of life and keep the community a safe place in which to live, a lone gunman stalks his prey. Lives are lost randomly and he can’t seemingly be found.

What happens when the healers both of physical and emotional  injuries need help themselves? Who is their helper? What happens when those trying to build a life have their dreams and hopes shattered.

Woven into the thread of the Crisis Team’s very lives is a gentle thread of romance. A blossoming and tender story that is sure to capture the interest of man or woman alike as they cruise the pages of By Your Side.

Who doesn’t love a bit of romance, touch of suspense, and medical or emergency crisis all mixed together. Candace Calvert has brought us another well-written story from her plethora of experience.

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DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

“Snuggle time Devotions that end with a hug” created by Stephen Elkins; illustrated by Mark Jones, Simon Taylor-Kielty, and Ruth Zeglin

About the book: Every devotional ends with a great big hug!  Little children love getting – and giving – hugs!  Hugs generate warmth, affection, and feeling of acceptance.  This book will get you and your child laughing, playing, and hugging – all while growing closer to God!

Features:  52 fun-filled, activity-based devotions that let children know they are loved and cherished by God; 52 treasured Bible stories kids will want to hear over and over again; 51 Bible verses kids can hide in their hearts forever; and 52 special “hug time” moments for you and your child to share!  

Review: A very nice devotional book for children and their parents, geared to older preschool age through early elementary.  Our daily lives are busy and often it’s challenging to find time to do devotions with our children.  This book is simple, straight forward, and easy to incorporate into our day.  Teaching our children to have one-on-one time with God is critical and an absolute must, and it most definitely should begin with the early years.  Each devotion is divided into four sections:  “my snuggle up story,” “my snuggle time takeaway,” “my Bible time activity,” and “hug time” and can take only 5-10 minutes of your time.  Depending on the child’s age, you may be able to extend your “snuggle time.”  Each devotion also has scripture references at the beginning.

My only complaint about this book, and it really is not a complaint, is that the title initially was misleading to me.  When I first saw the book, I thought it was for bedtime.  But this was my mistake. Once you look through the book, you will see that it is an “anytime” book.  Because with small children, that’s exactly what you have to look for – any time during the day! (reviewer P.Howard)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided to facilitate this review from the Tyndale Blog Network on behalf of the publisher and author. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

Easter Stories and Prayers (Little Blessings) by Kathleen Long Bostrom; illustrated by Elena Kucharik

About the book: Celebrate the real meaning of Easter with this special collection of four Little Blessings books.  Each title is written to help kids learn more about Jesus and the sacrifice that was made for us.  This volume also includes a special note from the author, Kathleen Long Bostrom, to help readers understand the meaning of Easter and the good news of Jesus’ resurrection.

Review: This is the first time I have read anything written by Kathleen Long Bostrom.  I did enjoy the stories collected in this one volume.  For me, the target reading age would be 3-yr old and up to early elementary.

Pros:  The illustrations are very nice and calming.  They have a little bit of an old-fashioned feel to them and for this Nana, that is sweet.  There are four books in this one book – easy to keep up with. The titles:  “Why is There a Cross?” – “Who Is Jesus?” – “What is Prayer?” – “What about Heaven?”  Each story is written in a very easy rhyming manner.  It makes reading the stories fun for adults and is engaging to children.

Cons:  The title is a little bit misleading.  Because I’ve never read anything written by Ms. Bostrom, I was expecting the “Easter Story” and while it does have some of the details, it doesn’t go as far as the title implies.  Also, there is no table of contents to list the different stories.  Again, because I wasn’t familiar with Ms. Bostrom’s writings, I thought that this was just “one” book.

Overall, I enjoyed the book.  I don’t know that we can ever stop teaching about our children about prayer and talking with God, even when their young adults.  To quote Ms. Bostrom….

“Talking to God is a great thing to do.  And God’s always ready to listen to you.” (pg 78) 

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by Tyndale Blog Network on behalf of the publisher and author to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely the reviewers. No compensation was received for this review.(reviewed P.Howard)