Finding Jesus

Everyone is at the lake, where is Jesus? Will he be walking on the water, or has he found a more conventional way to get around? Now you are back at the campsite, where is Jesus? Could he be playing volleyball, or eating a sandwich with the loch ness? Time to head up for a hike. Where is Jesus now? Will he be hiding in a cave, knitting with a squirrel or maybe looking for a good cup of tea? Follow Jesus around as he adventures with his modern day friends in this colorful book of fun! If you are looking for a silly new twist on Where's Waldo, you will find it here. This book is irreverently fun. The illustrators style even keeps up with the Waldo books. I like the small compact feel of it, easier to carry around than the bigger books of this type. And The scenes are really fun. I'd say the themes overall are aimed more at an adult demographic, but nothing overly mature for older kids. Overall, it's funny and entertaining, and would make for a great gift. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Refinery29 Style Stalking

If you've  got style, street style, a style like no other  then you'll swoon over these images and helpful hints!  You can learn the basics, see the best ways to layer, find out how to wear a piece three ways, and finally be the fashion rule breaker you've always warned to be. 
Sift through hint after hint of inspiring advice, get super savvy advice from the hippest fashion icons and learn to shop like a seasoned pro. Look your best in what your closet already has to offer, and the fabulous finds you are sure to find after training your eye with these expert tips.
Never has standing out been so fun!

This is a very interesting book, to say the least!   I'm a pretty creative dresser, but this takes having your own style to a whole new level. And while In my opinion a good portion of these looks say "rich homeless" to me, and look very unflattering, I know this is what the creative hipster type are wearing now. There were lots of good tips, such as where a skinny jean should stop on your ankle, or buying the right height bootie, but sometimes I saw their advice contradicted in the photos. I think the photography is great, very colorful and inspiring. And there are a lot of great pieces used in the creation of these outfits. I can't say I'd wear half of it, as it's very unpractical and unflattering ..but there were some really pretty looks that I'd love to recreate. I would have liked there to be a bibliography of sorts with the designer name of a lot of the pieces. I know a lot were thrift finds, but knowing who made the garments would have made for a fun internet search or something to look for when I am thrifting. 
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Never has studying the bible been any easier! Dig deep with more than 500 beautiful photos, a comprehensive cross reference system, charts, maps, tables and helpful outlines. The pages are a full color and even stay open to your spot for ease of use. You will find bible history, in depth descriptions and much more! A great tool you won't want to leave out of your collection. This is a really great bible dictionary. It's very easy to use and very aesthetically appealing. I love the largeness of it, though it is rather heavy. (Which is just fine if you study at home). It's very easy to use and is packed with loads of information. I am not a bible scholar nor a seminary major, so I cannot speak for the super serious bible examiners. I am just one who loves the bible and sometimes need a new book to re inspire my bible studies, and right now this will do the trick! Highly recommend! I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Adventure Time Crafts- flippin' adorable stuff to make from the land of OOO

Bring your favorite 'Adventure Time' characters to life with these simple,adorable and fun crafts! Decorate your babies room with a Lumpy Space Princess Pom-Pom mobile, get old fashioned with embroidery loops making Jake's Bacon Pancakes Wall Art, or get ready to hug a reversible Jake/Cake plush. You will even find a way to add these lovable characters to your wardrobe with items like a Hot Like Pizza Supper Skirt, a warm and fuzzy Fionna and Finn hat, a Wildberry Princess Fascinator to adorn your hair or add some fashion to your wrists with a Candy Kingdom Friendship Bracelet. And the excitement doesn't stop there! There are dozens of creative projects for express you love for all things Adventure Time. All with easy instructions, material lists and pages of templates you can print and use. So get creative and let the fun begin! I have to admit, I have never seen this cartoon series, but I thought I would like these crafts just because they looked fun for my kids and I to do. And i was right! I think for the person who watches this show, they will adore this book. But I think even for the person who has never seen one episode will find this book to be really fun and useful. You can use the patterns as is, or recreate them to suit your needs. There are so many cute projects in this book. The instructions are really easy to follow and the templates in the back are an added bonus. I will definitely be doing a lot of these projects! I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

365 Pocket Prayers for Mothers

For the mom needing all the encouragement she can get just to get through the day, she will find it here! A prayer a day for the entire year. Covering every subject from dealing with depression, trying to find worth, pushing through fatigue and wanting to be a better mother. Following each personal prayer is a corresponding bible verse to gain further comfort from our Father. All compact in an easy to tote around pocket book, you won't want to leave home without this one! This is a cute book. I can definitely relate to a lot of what is said in the book. I do think the book is encouraging, and its worth a read. But I can't say I'll use it in my daily prayer life, as it seems un-personal to pray a prayer that wasn't from my own heart. The binding is cute, and I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy reading these prayers. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.

The River

Sisters Tilly and Ruth have lived apart from their Amish roots for years now. Both having left a past they'd rather not revisit, they really have no desire to return home. So when they get a call from their brother, asking them to come home for their parents anniversary party, they have a serious decision to make. Tilly, who has been in the Englisher world longer than her sister, immediately digs her heels in. But when Ruth gets wind that their father may be ailing she talks her sister into making the trip home. Their welcome home is a mixed reception. While some of the family is happy to see them, its clear others are not, especially for Tilly. So they are glad it will be a short trip. But when their fathers health takes a turn for the worse, the girls find themselves volunteering to stay longer. Even while their pasts are being dredged up and forcing them to face them. Now its up to them to return the way they came, or allow hope and healing to follow them home. I really enjoyed this book. I thought the story line was intriguing. I zipped right through this book with her ease of writing. I think anyone who enjoys amish or christian fiction would really enjoy this book. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Rare Bird

No mother is ever prepared to lose her child. Especially in a freak accident, and certainly not when they are barely 12 years of age. Anna Whiston-Donaldson is no exception. When a rare and violent storm takes the life of Anna's only son, she is left befreft and bewildered. How did this happen to my child? Could I have done more and saved him? Were all the signs leading up to this supposed to prevent this from happening? Grief stricken Anna has a hard time doing anything that would be deemed as normal. And her relationships take a strain and she fights to keep her head above water so her daughter at least can have the mom she needs. During the following months and years Anna journeys down a path no mom should ever have to walk. Will she ever be able to find happiness again? Will her family stand the test of time? And where is God in all of this? This was a heart wrenching story! As a mom it was impossible not to be moved to tears as I poured over the pages in this book. The author is a great writer in my opinion. I zipped right through this book with the ease of her writing style. But even more as i journeyed with her on her tough journey and how she responded to grief t its worst. I would recommend this book to anyone dealing with loss or grief. Or to the person who wants to be more sympathetic towards those around them dealing with the pain of losing someone. i received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Healing Quilt

Join Amish couple Lamar and Emma Yoder Miller in their newest quilt circle. You know them from the previous quilting classes, and here they are again with a new set of eclectic characters. There is Erika, the discontented teen in a wheel chair, Kim, a clumsy server at the local diner, BJ, the man with a secret, Noreen the sassy widower, Jennifer the soon to be mom and Mike, the husband who is attending classes in his wife's place. Not to mention a few characters from past classes who join the new crew, adding to an already colorful cast of characters. There will be new love, attitudes changed, secrets unveiled and lots of healing. All over some colorful quilt squares and home made desserts. Come along for the ride! I have to say, while this was a very quick and simple read... I really didn't enjoy it. It was my first in the 'half stitched quilting club' series, so I was not familiar with some of the previous characters. But I think this book read well as a stand alone book. I just had a hard time with the writing. At times it was just way too cheesy for me to believe it was real. When I read, I like to temporarily be transported into the story, and I had a hard time doing that. I also felt that while she did a great job developing all kinds of characters from all walks of life, I would have been more liekly to hop on board if each individual story was developed more at length. And having the whole story overall be over a longer span of time, making the events more believable and less predictable. For the person that just likes really lighthearted reads, and prefers short quick reads, this may be a good book for you!

Kirin Rise-The Cast Of Shadows

What started as a young girl finding a stray outdated flyer, turns into a young girl discovering her passion, and quickly blossoms into a girl meeting her destiny and giving hope to a starved nation. Young Kirin Rise doesn't know what to expect when she steps into her first Wing Chun class. Being the only girl, and by far the youngest student, things don't seem in her favor. But as she perfects her art she begins to demand respect from the others in class, finally being welcomed into the fold. Flash forward, 8 years later. in a time when a nation is starved for anything real, they choose to cling to the superficial, the immediate gratifications of life. Which is why they are all packed around the ring, bets placed, waiting for the next hopeful bloodbath against an unbeaten favorite of the crowds. This is where Kirin makes her debut. And what a debut. Knocking out the opponent in one strike. The crowd goes wild, and her future is now changed forever. Not only has she caused a ripple in the audience, but the whole country is now looking to Kirin either for hope,which they desperately need, or to take her out, make sure she doesn't knock down the mighty power house that has built itself through dishonesty and distrust. When she is offered a spot, fighting in the famous UFMF, she takes it. Hoping to prove a point, and take down more than opponents, but the nations oppressor as well. But as she meets success, things begin to heat up outside the ring. Mobsters take revenge and she is forced to make some big decisions. Will she let those around her determine her fate, or will she "Rise " to the occasion? I have to say, I have never actually read an manga or manga-esque type book. SoI was a little skeptical, and very curious. And I can say I was pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed the story line, and was always looking forward to what would happen next. There were a few times I felt there was unnecessary dialogue or awkward wording. But over all I would definitely read a sequel, and reccomend it to others who like to read this genre.

Fiddler on the Roof

Sit down and revisit an old classic! Follow Tevye, the Jewish father of five girls, three of whom are determined to change old tradition through marriage. Tzeitel starts the chain reaction by refusing an arranged marriage to Lazar the butcher, saying she wants to marry for love. Her sister Hodel then follows by marrying her true love, a pauper and a man leaving the country before they even get the chance to marry. Chava is last, declaring she needs no permission, just her father's blessing, which he is unwilling to give when he decides to marry a man not of Jewish faith . I'm the end, not only is Tevye's world shaken by his daughter's forward ways, but by the world itself, and the wars it's destined to start. Strangely I've never seen this play/musical. But I usually like to read a book before watching it in motion anywAy, so I am happy to have read this .. It was a very quick but delightful read. I always enjoy reading the traditions of other cultures. This is a classic everyone should indulge in. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review .

The Legend of St. Nicholas--A story of Christmas giving

Nick sets out to buy his siblings a present, holding back just a little for himself, just in case. But as he begins his shopping, he is captivated by a story the store Santa Claus is telling a group of children. The story of St. Nicholas. When he is done with his story, Nick has a changed point of view. Setting off once again to shop, he feels he has discovered the true meaning of Christmas. This book is beautifully illustrated. The pictures are vibrant and cheery. Very well done in that aspect. The story however was lacking a little in my opinion. I think even for the age it is aimed at, it could have gone into more detail and depth of the real St. Nicholas character. Overall, i know my kids will like this book, merely because its a holiday book, but its nothing to write home about unfortunately. i received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.