BOOK REVIEW: A Man of His Word

I have not always been a "fan" of Amish novels; however, Kathleen Fuller really did her "homework" for her book, A Man of His Word. The story is set in Middlefield, Ohio and centers around the life of Moriah Byler Miller. Moriah has been married to Levi Miller for four short months when she discovers she's pregnant. Levi, however, leaves her and the Amish community before she has a chance to tell him. Gabriel, Levi's twin brother, has loved Moriah secretly for years and tries to step in and take care of Moriah.

This story flowed well and was a good read...taking you through the life of this young Amish wife preparing for the birth of her baby possibly by herself. Would she be able to do it? Would Levi return? Would she be alone with her child for the rest of her life? She can only depend on the Lord to guide her through this.
Unexpected twists come...both blessed and bad...in Moriah's life as well as other members in the Amish community in which she lives.

I HIGHLY recommend this book and am anticipating the second book in the series coming out in Spring, 2010.

I reviewed this book as a member of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger Program at http://brb.thomasnelson.com

DVD Review: Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure

I have just reviewed a DVD for Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program: http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

The DVD is Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure by Max Lucado.
If you have never watched a Hermie the Worm and Friends movie by Mr. Lucado, you REALLY need to get one. This is #12 in the series.

Here's some "product detail":
"Skeeter is a Mosquito who can't seem to do anything right. To make matter worse, he has a famous older brother who can't seem to do anything wrong! Skeeter's brother, the world famous adventurer Sir Sinclair M. Skeeto, shows up in the garden with a mysterious treasure map left by their father. When he arrives, the garden gang is awed by him and can't help but fawn all over him. Can Skeeter, with his crooked stinger, really help solve the mystery of the treasure's location?
Based on Psalm 139:13-14, kids will learn a lesson about each of us being designed especially by God. This episode introduces John O'Hurley as Sir Sinclair M. Skeeto, and also features the voice talents of Tim Conway and Melissa Disney. Running time: Approximately 60 minutes. Recommended for ages 4 to 10."

I have 3 children...ages 3, 11 and 13. All 3 of them enjoyed this movie (for varying reasons of course). Tim Conway and the other actors do such a wonderful job voicing the characters and Max Lucado does a fantastic job with the storyline.

Skeeter is a mosquito who loves his life in the garden but has always been self-councious of his crooked stinger. Through the help of his friends, and the Lord, Skeeter learns to accept his stinger as God's gift...God makes everyone an individual and wants us to use what HE has given US to further HIS will in our lives.

I highly recommend not only this particular DVD, but all in the series.

Book review: Love's Rescue by Tammy Barley

I have just finished a book that I really had a hard time putting down: Love's Rescue by Tammy Barley. This is book #1 in The Sierra Chronicles.

If you enjoy reading historical, Christian, romance, you're gonna LOVE following the story of Jessica Hale and Jake Bennett.

Mrs Barley is a very talented writer. She keeps you wanting more, trying to guess what will come next. She is very knowledgable of life in the 1860's...the War between the States, the Wild West, the struggles of ranchers, the lives of the White man and the native American. I can not brag on this book enough. There is no doubt in my mind that I will DEFINITELY be purchasing all future books in this series.

Jessica is a true heroine...going through every emotion a person can: love, hate, fear, anger.

Jake is the cowboy every little girl dreams will come to her rescue. He is a man of honor and loves the Lord.

This is from the back of the book:
"A Dividing Conflict
In 1863, the War Between the States is dividing more than a nation. To escape the conflict, Jessica Hale and her family flee their Kentucky home and head for Nevada Territory. Her brother, Ambrose, committed to the Confederates, rejoins the Kentucky militia and is disowned by his father. But the worst is yet to come.


A Heroic Kidnapper
When Unionists presume the family to be Confederate sympathizers, they set a devastating fire to their home. All alone and then “kidnapped” by cattleman Jake Bennett, Jessica is taken to a ranch deep in the Sierra Nevada wilderness. Can she overcome her resentment toward Jake for failing to save her family?


The Depths of Love
When Jake launches a plan to help Jessica’s brother escape from prison camp, she sees him for the honest, good-hearted Christian man that he is and now knows the depth of his love for her. Through the lingering smoke and smoldering ashes from her ruined home and murdered family, will Jessica see a future with Jake?"

Review: Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set

We received from Thomas Nelson a copy of "Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set".

This is an audio version of the New Testament on MP3 CDs with voices your pre-teen/teen will readily recognize. A few examples are as follows:

Corbin Bleu (High School Musical) as Peter

Emily Osment (Hannah Montana) as Mary, Mother of Jesus

Annasophia Robb (Bridge to Terabithia) as Mary Magdalene

These actors, along with many others, read from the ICB (International Children's Bible).

Although the CDs are of very high quality, some adults may find them boring (I mean, admit it, we are OLD and "unhip" sometimes). However, if you have a tween/teen in your home...boy or girl...they will appreciate these CDs.

You will receive 24 hours of audio drama on 3 mp3 CDs and a Behind-the-Scenes DVD which includes interviews with the actors. There is also a plan in which your child can listen to the ENTIRE New Testament in 40 days.

I would highly recommend this product to anyone involved in the lives of tweens/teens. Our children today are so high-tech, they have sometimes forgotten "how to" read...this, infortunately includes the Bible. They walk around with MP3 players or Ipods stuck in their ears...let's give them something that's REALLY "worht listening to".

Until Next I type...and YOU read...
love your family and friends...and love God!!

Not Me! Monday

I did NOT let my 3 yr old son sleep until 11:30 a few days last week b/c he stayed up WAY too late the night before and then complain b/c he wouldn't go to bed that night.

I did NOT chase aforementioned 3 yr old through Golden Corral b/c he had to pee. MY children KNOW better than to run in a crowded Restaurant.

I did NOT forget to turn the washing machine ON after loading it with clothes AND detergent SEVERAL times over the last couple of weeks. I mean...how smart do you have to be to remember to PUSH THE START BUTTON?!!

I did NOT procrastinate taking down the CHRISTmas decorations and am NOT still looking at them. GOOD GRIEF!! It's 2009...WHY would ANYONE still have up their decorations?!!

I did NOT wanna shake a lady at the park b/c her lil girl pooed on the playground equipment and she just LEFT IT THERE!!

I did NOT purchase the stationery and envelopes to do a New Year letter (since I did NOT not send out CHRISTmas cards) and STILL haven't typed the first word of said letter. I mean...WHAT would I be waiting on...CHRISTMAS?!!!

Okay...your turn. If you would like to participate in "Not Me! Monday", please click on the button at the top of this post and follow the directions listed there.

Until next I type and YOU read!
GOD BLESS!
Michelle

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