Sharing new authors, books, movies, and products with you is such a joy! If you are looking for homeschooling reviews from a transparent relaxed learning eclectic lifestyle with two active middle school boys - - you may enjoy my main blog - http://pebblekeeper.wordpress.com .

Monday, January 30, 2012

When the Soul Mends, Cindy Woodsmall

From the Publisher:

Returning to the home she fled in disgrace, will Hannah find healing for the wounds of the past?
After receiving a desperate and confusing call from her sister, Hannah Lapp reluctantly returns to the Old Order Amish community of her Pennsylvania childhood.
Having fled in disgrace more than two years earlier, she finally has settled into a satisfying role in theEnglischer world. She also has found love and a new family with the wealthy Martin Palmer and the children she is helping him raise. But almost immediately after her arrival in Owl’s Perch, the disapproval of those who ostracized her, including her headstrong father, reopens old wounds.
As Hannah is thrown together with former fiancé Paul Waddell to work for her sister Sarah’s mental health, hidden truths surface about events during Hannah’s absence, and she faces an agonizing decision. Will she choose the Englischer world and the man who restored her hope, or will she heed the call to return to the Plain Life–and perhaps to her first love?
When the Soul Mends is the third and final book in the Sisters of the Quilt series.

Would you like to read an Excerpt from Chapter 1?

I have enjoyed all three books from the Sisters of the Quilt series.  This book is from 2008 – it is not a new installment in the series.  I enjoy series that have a wonderful wrap up – a sense of closure.  I do so enjoy when you  follow a character that made decisions based on their perception of what happened, but then they get to see that they had the facts out of order.  Cindy Woodsmall is one of my top favorite authors, and I am truly enjoy an afternoon wrapped in a quilt while being transported into the lives that she creates. 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

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Daily Gifts of Grace–A Review

Women of Faith speakers share insight, advice, laughter, and maybe even a few tears in this daily devotional. Voices from fiction, recognizable names from Christian conferences, and well-known Christian writers also are included.

Daily Gifts of Grace is a daily devotional designed specifically for women, with a beautiful hardbound case and a magnetic closure. Readers will be pleased to open it for a devotion that will help them face the day or for an inspirational devotion to close the day.

Contributors include Joni Eareckson Tada, Lisa Whelchel, Jenna Lucado, Sheila Walsh, Kim Cash Tate, Patsy Clairmont, Natalie Grant, Lisa Harper, and others.

What the photo doesn’t show, is that the curved mark on the cover, is actually a magnetized flap. This is a hard bound beautifully artistic book with a ribbon bookmark in pale yellow. The inside book cover paper is a beautiful pale green. The pages are not quite glossy, but not flat, and easy to read.

From one who has enjoyed the Women of Faith events, it feels like opening a gift, and sitting down to tea in a more personal way with my favorite encouragers. I keep a notebook next to my bible and write down thoughts as I study the word. It feels like Women of Faith asked these gals to submit a few of those private entries for us to enjoy.

I enjoy my mornings in the Word, digging deep in study – although these start out with a Bible verse for direction – this is more like the Daily Bread entries for ladies, and I really enjoy the little Daily Bread quarterlies.

This would make a beautiful gift for a Sunday School Teacher, Friend, someone in the Hospital, anyone needing encouragement, a new mom with little time for the Word, or, just a pick me up for yourself!

I received a free physical copy of this book from BookSneeze, in exchange for using the book and writing a review on my blog.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

I Love Your Presence–Vineyard Music–A Review

I Love Your Presence - Live from Phoenix, Vineyard Worship

 

 

This weekend our Worship Team is at a retreat in Cannon Beach – a Vineyard Worship Retreat.  I am so excited for them.  Also this week – I received ‘I Love Your Presence’ to review.  I kept it on my two iPods and laptop, and listened as I had time.  Today, I had a block of alone time, so I just turned it up and let it rip as I quietly went through my tasks in my home.  Compared to the last album, ‘Furious’ this one has a completely different flavor.  Slower. Quieter. I might call it a Lingering.  There are more female led songs – which I enjoyed, sometimes the octaves following the boys is hard for me. This gathering of worship songs seemed so personal.  I think it is why it was easier to listen to when I was alone. I could picture these songs on a Wednesday  night – one after the other – for over an hour, as we indulge our selves by stopping our pace, seeking his faith – being thankful to the King.  I highly recommend it!

I was given a copy of this to give away  - and I am taking a departure from the contest – and in honor of the retreat this week – I am gifting it to a member of our Vineyard Worship Team.

About 'I Love Your Presence':

LOVE OF GOD was recorded live at the Burn Bright: Worship and The Kingdom Of God conference, hosted by Vineyard Worship. Several hundred worship leaders and worshippers gathered in the Arizona desert to explore the nature of God’s kingdom through music and teaching with some of the Vineyard’s most gifted communicators and musicians. This inspiring collection of songs recorded live at the The Vineyard Church North Phoenix will immerse listeners in the powerful worship that was the highlight of the event. LOVE OF GOD reminds us to not just think of worship as singing songs, but also laying down our lives for Him. 

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I  only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255:"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Thursday, January 12, 2012

A Mile in His Shoes–Movie Review–and Giveaway

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From the director of "Angels In the Outfield" comes an inspiring story about a special boy with an amazing gift, and the coach who believed. Dean Cain and Luke Schroder star in the gmc movie based on the book "The Legend of Mickey Tussler".

Synopsis

"A Mile in His Shoes" is the story of Mickey Tussler, a young man with Asperger's Syndrome--a type of autism--who is recruited by a passionate coach to pitch for his minor league team. The story centers on Arthur Murphy, who coaches a semi-pro baseball team out of a small country town in Ohio. The team he is coaching is starting another losing season, and Murphy is getting pressure from the owner for the team to improve or suffer the consequences. So Murphy is sent on a scouting trip to bring talent to the team. By chance, on his way to scout, his car breaks down and Murphy meets a young autistic country boy named Mickey Tussler. Murphy sees Mickey throwing some apples, and spies Mickey's arm as talent. So, Murphy persuades Mickey's overly protective father to let Mickey come to Clayton Ohio and have a tryout. Once in Clayton, Mickey proves his talent, and becomes well liked. However, Lefty, another pitcher on the team dislikes him; jealousy. In the end there is a final showdown between the two rivals and beforehand Murphy persuades Clarence to let his son play again.

From Petra School:

I am quite pleased to introduce you to the film – A Walk in His Shoes.  I sat at the edge of my seat watching this young man’s life change – watching a sheltered boy use the strengths he had to become a man. My heart would clinch as the young man would be exposed to life with his team mates. I think the film was well done. It held the attention of my boys. It is a good family film, that I think any of my readers would enjoy. 

I have been given the opportunity to give one copy away – comment on the blog, and we will pick one winner to receive their own copy of the DVD.

 

 

 

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”