NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible

I really enjoy Bible journaling. If you haven't tried it yet, you should. It really enhances my Bible study time.

There are so many different journaling Bibles to choose from. So many, that if you are a beginner it can be overwhelming. So let me help you!  The NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible is a good one to start with. NIV is not my version of choice, I prefer Kjv, but regardless this is a great Bible for Journaling.

There are quite a few pages throughout the Bible that have printed images that are waiting for you to add your own personal touch through coloring. There are also a lot of blank areas for you to add your own special touch and add your own designs.

The pages are thick enough that I did not experience any bleeding. I used Micron non bleed pens, gelatos and cored pencils for the majority and was very pleased with the outcome.

The Bible is listed as large print, but I would not label it as that. It's not teeny tiny print, but definitely not large. The Bible itself though is a very nice size and it has a beautiful cloth cover. The Bible lays flat while you are reading and working on your pages.

I am very happy to have this Bible to work through and I would recommend it to others!

***Thanks to booklookbloggers.com for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Promise of Dawn - Book Review

I cannot adequately put into words how much I love Lauraine Snelling's new book, The Promise of Dawn. It is the first book in  her new series, Under Northern Skies.

I am just so excited about this series. I absolutely loved the books about the Bjorkland family set in Blessing, North Dakota. In the very first chapter of this book you'll learn there is a connection to the featured family and Ingeborg! I was so excited about this. Dare I hope that somewhere in this series we will revisit the beloved matriarch?

Either way, this series is one I'm looking forward to. I loved the character of Signe and her patience with Aunt Gerd...my, oh my, I don't know how she out up with her or uncle Einar. But, as the book progressed I have to say I even came to love these difficult family members.

One thing I really like about Lauraine Snelling's writing is that she describes the daily activities in such detail. This picks me up and transports me to a place in history and I can experience through words what life was like for these immigrants.

I can't recommend this book enough! Such an enjoyable read! I can't wait for book two!

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Beloved Hope - A Book Review

Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson is the second book in the Heart of the Frontier series.  I would definitely recommend reading the books in order as they are tied together.  I did not do this and I did struggle some.  After I got through the first few chapters it began to come together better for me and the story began to flow.  I am so intrigued with this story that I want to go back and get the first book and read it as well.  I'll also be following up with book three when it is released!

The series is about the Flanagan sisters:  Faith, Hope and Mercy and how they make a new home in Indian Territory.  The sisters parents were killed in a terrible massacre and this is their stories.  The first book featured faith and this book was centered on Hope.

Hope is now safe in Oregon city and enjoys caring for the family's flock of sheep.  her mind and soul is starting to heal from the horrible massacre, but everything is put to the test when she is asked to testify against the Cayuse responsible for the massacre.

Hope is not sure she can bear to relive the horrific events, but neither can she risk her attackers being released.  As Hope struggles to make her choice an Army lieutenant named Lance Kenner becomes and unexpected ray of light in her life.  Perhaps she is still capable of love after all.  But will Lance still want her if he learns the whole truth of what happened to her at the mission?  Or are the secrets that lie in his own past more troubling?

I would note that there is some mature content in this book dealing with murder and rape during the massacres so it may not be appropriate for all readers.

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Return - A Book Review

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an amazing author and her book, The Return, is a a perfect example of why I love her books.  I have to say though, that it was the beautiful cover that first drew me to this one!

I have always been a huge fan of historical fiction and this book is inspired by true events.  There is a section in the back of the book that includes what's true about the story.  I always love when and Author includes these details! Not only is this an enjoyable fiction read you will learn a lot while reading it.  

The story is set in Pennsylvania in the 1700's, pre-revolution.  Betsy Zook never questioned her family's rigid expectations nor those of devoted Hans-but then she never had to.  Not until the night she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid.  Facing brutality and hardship, Betsy finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the feeling she's developing for a native man who encourages her to see God in all circumstances.

Greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity, Hans turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort.  She responds eagerly, overlooking troubling signs of Han's hunger for revenge.  But if Betsy is ever restored to the Amish, will things between Hans and Tessa have gone too far?

Even though this is book three of this series it makes a great stand alone book.  You will not want to put it down.  It will grab you from the first page and keep you enthralled all the way to the end.  There is lots of adventure and a little suspense.  The romance is sweet and pure.  Such a fulfilling book!

***Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Gathering The Threads - A Book Review

When it comes to Amish fiction Cindy Woodsmall is my favorite author.  I have read all of her books and she never disappoints!  Her newest series,The Amish of Summer Grove, is my favorite yet. I have been patiently waiting for Gathering The Threads ever since I finished Fraying at the Edge.  I was so happy to finally get it and I was not disappointed.  This is the third and final book in the series and I was happy with the way the Author concluded the series.

First off, if you have not read the first two books I would definitely recommend starting from the beginning.  This is a series that needs to be read in order and Gathering The Threads is not meant to be a "stand alone" book.

The series starts out in an Amish birthing center where one women has just given birth and another is about to when a fire breaks out.  It's complete chaos.  The story then jumps forward 20 years.  The series is about Ariana and Skylar.

In the third book, Gathering The Threads, Ariana is back in the Old Order Amish world that she loves.  She had new perspectives and you'll have to read to see if they will draw her family closer or completely rip them apart.

Skylar has finally found her place among the Brenneman family, but when Ariana arrives, Sklyar feels that her new identity is being threatened as well as her sobriety.  Both girls must discover the true cords that bind a family and community together and grasp tight to the One who holds their identities close to His heart.

If you love Amish fiction I cannot recommend this series enough!  Actually all of Cindy Woodsmall's novels.  They are all great!

***Thanks to Blogging for Books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.