book recommendation

Book Giveaway: KJV Journal the Word Bible

November 14, 2016 Leave a Comment

When The Blog Spot over at The Blythe Daniel Agency offered a chance to review the KJV Journal the Word Bible, I thought, “Ooo, what fun!”

KJV Journal the Word Bible

Full disclosure: I received two copies of this book (one to keep, one to give away) for my honest review. My opinions are my own. I also use affiliate links in this post.

My intro thoughts

I’ve always been a journaler. I have quite a few journals to show for my years on this earth, but funny enough, I rarely have written in books.

It seems like desecration! And yet, over time, I’ve begun to really appreciate notes in the margins of books and scribbles of thoughts twining through the lines of printed words.

Once upon a time, I passed a copy of a favorite book around to a couple of friends to read in. And I told them, “Write in it. Please. It’ll be a gift to me when I go and reread.”

If that’s not romantic, I don’t know what is.

And the little that I understand about the Bible is that it’s meant to be God’s word to us. His love letter to us. Sometimes, it doesn’t feel very loving, but the purpose behind it definitely is.

My Thoughts On The KJV Journal the Word Bible

It’s been ages since I’ve read the KJV, and I’ve enjoyed pairing this “uptight” version of the Bible with The Message. Both versions require a lot of brain power to understand what I’m reading. And that’s good.

As winner of the Miss Sunday School pageant (kidding, I don’t think this exists), I know my Bible speak inside and out. So sometimes, the words don’t sink in like they used to.

Therefore, I’m reading The Message and the KJV Journal the Word Bible.

Pros

Large Print
Hardback with an elastic to shut it
Plenty of space for writing, coloring, or doodling
one column of text on each page (rather than two)

Cons

slippery paper (pencils don’t work well)

I really, really, really like having the extra writing space side by side the text. Not only does it feel uncrowded, but it’s easier to focus on the words on the page. I was a bit bummed to struggle to use color pencils (my medium of choice) for doodles because of the smoothness of the paper, but I’ll just adapt.

KJV Journal the Word Bible GIVEAWAY

I know that this is really what you’ve been waiting for! And I’m excited to share this giveaway with you. If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for a friend or family member or if you want to supplement your own Bible with a different version, you should enter!

Besides, on Amazon, the KJV Journal the Word Bible goes for over $30.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by and entering!

Five Books For Fall 2016

November 10, 2016 Leave a Comment

Reading is my favorite occupation. If I made money for reading books, I’d be happily settled in life. As it is, the reading itself must be my highest compensation.

Today I thought I’d share with you a few books that have occupied my reading pile this fall (some are still on the pile).

My Reading List:

5 Books for Fall

(I’m linking to Amazon and using affiliate links. If you buy through them, I’ll get a tiny percentage from Amazon. Thanks for your support!)

A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay

From the very first book of Katherine Reay, I have been caught in her writing. I’m rarely a loyal reader (that’s slowly changing), but Katherine Reay…I should probably never meet in real life because I would fangirl so hard that I might even faint.

She seems to be the most wonderful lady because when I wrote to her to tell her how I enjoyed her work she promised to send me an advanced reader’s copy. She even signed it.

I’m currently reading A Portrait of Emily Price, and I’ll compare it to food later on.

The Thorn Healer by Pepper D. Basham

The third book in the Penned in Time series swept me right of my feet with a tumble down a set of wooden stairs into the arms of gentle yet persistent August. Pepper has written a beautifully strong protagonist in the woman of Jessica Ross in this book. And I felt as though I were reading me in those pages.

As a fan and, dare I say, friend of Pepper’s, I think this book is my favorite of her Penned in Time series. Not many books cause me to cry, but this one certainly did. Twice.

You can read my Goodreads Review of The Thorn Healer!

Unwritten Melody by Tessa Emily Hall

Who doesn’t enjoy a Young Adult fiction book? Let’s be honest, there’s something truly wonderful about this coming-of-age group of people. If we’re not that age, we love to revisit it. I haven’t yet read Unwritten Melody, but it’s set to release soon and I plan on reading it.

I enjoyed Purple Moon by Tessa Emily Hall so I think I just might enjoy Unwritten Melody.

The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel

I won this book in a book giveaway, and it’s been sitting on my reading chair (by reading chair, I mean the chair where I stack my books) for longer than I care to admit. It’s my goal to get to it in the next few weeks.

Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ve read anything by Ann Howard Creel before so I’ll enjoy this foray. The book cover is pretty and mysterious enough to entice me.

438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea by Jonathan Franklin

My favorite thing is to recommend books to others, but my next favorite thing is to receive book recommendations. And a friend of a friend suggested this one to me. And oddly, sea survival stories truly intrigue me.

So I’m looking forward to delving into this book as well!

What Are You Reading This Fall? Do you have a book recommendation for me? Feel free to drop in the comments or on my Facebook page!

Book Recommendation: Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

October 17, 2016 1 Comment

Before we get started, I need to let you know that I received a free copy of Waves of Mercy from Bethany House to read and review honestly. I’ll also be using affiliate links. Now, keep reading!

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussel sprouts, Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin is a crock pot Parmesan garlic chicken and potatoes. It’s hardy. And the flavors are deep and well-blended.

I’ve been sitting on this book for a while here because I just don’t even know where to begin, and I mean that in a good way.

Book Recommendation:

Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

Waves of Mercy is set in Holland, Michigan, in the 1890s, but it does do a bit of time traveling (or reminiscing). Geesje (an old Dutch woman) writes her memoir of immigrating from the Netherlands to America while Anna (a young aristocrat) seeks refuge in Holland to sort out her life. Geesje and Anna are both faced with seemingly impossible decisions.

I haven’t read anything by Lynn Austin before although I have friends who love her. The reason I chose the book out of the Bethany House offerings was simply because I’ve been to Holland, Michigan, before.

I’m so glad that I picked this book.

Waves of Mercy struggles

Let’s start off with what I struggled with before we get to what I LOVED about this book (because please hear me: I think this book is rich stuff).

Waves of Mercy started slow for me. Perhaps it’s because I’d just finished reading a Young Adult page-turner and Waves of Mercy is an entirely different genre. But, I wanted to love the characters faster and earlier (but can we just admire the opening line in chapter 1).

So that’s my one struggle (but it quickly disappeared as the story grabbed me).

Waves of Mercy LOVE

Finally. Finallllly. Finally, a book that shows a bit about faith struggles.

Lynn Austin jumped right into the deep, murky, confusing end of heartache, confusion, and relationship difficulties with her character Geesje. This older woman has seen it all, and still, she’s chosen God.

I couldn’t get over a woman who was honest about her struggle to love God and to choose faithfulness. We all struggle. But, do we talk about it?

Waves of Mercy had a depth of richness that I’ve not seen in many. Lynn didn’t skate over the heartache, and she shared characters who had to make impossible decisions.

Sometimes it’s all up to you. And then, you have to live with the decisions you’ve made.

How refreshing!

Today, we’re all about finding our easy outs, quick excuses, or a scapegoat for a bad choice. But there are some tangles that you can’t untangle. And then, you have to learn to live with that permanent knot.

Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin is a book of depth and yet youthfulness. It sweeps through the history of the time, but more importantly, it shows the heart and faith journey of three characters. And the true treasure is that close-up look at faith.

So if you’re tired of books that are flippant with no real meat and bone to them, then grab yourself a copy of Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.