Thursday, December 14, 2017

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: Ruth by H.B. Moore


ABOUT THE BOOK

Master storyteller and best-selling author H. B. Moore brings to life the biblical account of Ruth as never before in this vivid retelling of her courageous and faithful life.

Following the death of Ruth's husband, she finds herself at a crossroads. Rather than return to her family and hometown, they young widow makes a remarkable decision: she will remain with her mother-in-law, Naomi, as her caretaker and companion.

Together, the two widows boldly leave behind the lives they knew in the land of Moab and make their way to Bethlehem, arriving downtrodden and destitute. Though Ruth works day and night to provide for Naomi, it is ultimately through the kindness and generosity of Boaz that the two women find respite from their trials. As Ruth comes to know Boaz, she fins that her broken heart is beginning to heal in ways she could never have imagined. But when a question of inheritance threatens any hope of a life with Boaz, Ruth may have to give up the last piece o her heart in order to secure her future.

REVIEW

Sigh.  The last couple of weeks have been so busy that I just haven't had time to read this.  But I'm very much looking forward to it.  Ruth is one of my favorite scripture stories and Moore always does a fabulous job.

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*Dec. 15th: https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com


 

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

CHRISTMAS PICTURE BOOKS: The Little Match Girl/Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas Children's Edition


ABOUT THE BOOK

It is Christmas Eve, but for one little girl, there will be no stockings hung lovingly above the fireplace or shiny presents wrapped under the tree. The best that the little match girl can hope for is a warm, dry corner of the street to protect her against the freezing snow that has been falling for hours.

Helpless and cold, the child seeks a bit of comfort from the only source she has—the bundle of matches in her apron pocket. She had struggled all day to sell even one, but the crowds of people had only hurried past her with hardly a glance as they finished up their holiday shopping and rushed home to begin their feasts. Alas, at least she has the matches now, each one holding the promise of a few short seconds of warmth and light.

But as she strikes each match, she discovers a truth that sets her heart soaring—all along, even in times when she has felt most alone, she has been lovingly watched over by those who have gone before her and have anxiously awaited a joyous reunion. She learns she is not forgotten, and in the learning shares a poignant message of love and service. The tender tale of the little match girl reminds each of us to take notice of the least of those among us and to do our part to extend a kindly hand—at Christmastime and always.

REVIEW

This story has always broken my heart.  A young child alone and cast out in the streets to survive as best she can.  And yet the story is not intended to be one of sadness alone, but of joy as the little girl uses the few matches she has to imagine the most magnificent Christmas possible.  And while the early world had forgotten her, the heavenly one had not as she is joyfully welcomed home.  And while the focus of the story is on the faith and hope the child maintained despite her desperate circumstances, I can't help but ponder how her life would have been different if someone had stepped in to help. To me that is one of the important things that Christmas reminds us of, the need to be kind and loving towards one another as He, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings was.

This magnificent version of a classic tale was first told at the 2016 Christmas Concert of the Mormon Tabernacle choir.  The book includes the story along with some gorgeous illustrations and the words to the song the choir sang with the book.  A video of the storytelling and choir performance can be found at www.motab.org/littlematchgirl.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Discover how each figure of the Nativity can lead your family closer to Christ this Christmas season. This children's edition of Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas will guide you through seven meaningful traditions inspired by the Nativity setting. These simple experiences are not meant to add more to an already crowded holiday season but to offer something different. They will give your family an opportunity to escape from the frantic bustle of the Christmas season and spend time reflecting on the baby Jesus and the miracle of His birth.

This interactive book invites children to watch each figure approach the waiting manger and encourages them to ask what they might have done if they had been there on the night Jesus was born. Seven beautiful ornaments have been created to accompany the lesson each figure teaches. Displaying the ornaments throughout the Christmas holiday will remind your children of the lessons they are learning about the baby Jesus.

REVIEW

The Christmas season always seems to be so busy and chaotic that the real meaning of Christmas gets left behind.  Emily Freeman & David Butler have created this book to help parents lead their children toward a more spiritual, joy-filled Christmas experience.  The book is intended to be used over a seven day period.  Each day focuses on one person(s) or part of the Christmas story.  For example, the first night focuses on the innkeeper providing the stable for Joseph and Mary to stay in, the second night focuses on Joseph's kind treatment of Mary, etc.  Each section begins with a scripture passage from the Christmas story told in the Bible, followed by a brief explanation of what what happening.  The question, Could you? follows each explanation.  A question related to the topic then follows such as: How could you make room for the baby Jesus as part of your Christmas celebration this year?  There is a set of Christmas ornaments and nativity scene that can be purchased to go along with the traditions and questions suggested.  For those who are looking for a new tradition to help children celebrate Christmas in a Christ-Centered way, this book is a great resource.


Thursday, December 7, 2017

BLOG TOUR w/ GIVEAWAY: The Gentleman's Deception by Karen Tuft


ABOUT THE BOOK

Renowned actress Ruby Chadwick, the Darling of Drury Lane, has long planned and prepared for her final performance. With exceptional beauty comes the unwanted attention of men, and after years of fending off odious suitors, Ruby is ready to leave it all behind in a favor of a quiet life. The first step is to reclaim a piece of her past: her true identity as Lavinia Fernley. But leaving town unnoticed proves impossible, and in one desperate moment, Lavinia embarks on the greatest act of her life when she throws herself into the arms of a stranger to avoid recognition.

Lucas Jennings is shocked to find the stunning redhead in his arms, but something moves him to play along with her ruse when she calls him her husband. This charade marks the start of an unpredictable journey as he escorts the lovely Lavinia and her traveling companions to Primrose Farm, far from the glaring lights of London. Soon, the tables are turned when Lucas introduces Lavinia to his family—as his fiancee. Before long, their mutual deception begins to feel all too real. But when the truth of her past is revealed, will Lavinia's dream of a happy ending slip through her fingers?

REVIEW

Having read Tuft's The Earl's Betrothal and loving it, I was eager to get my hands on this new book of her's.  And it turns out this one is related to that one.  Lucas was a friend of the main character in the other book.  I found it delightful to return to a character already known.  And like the other book, this one also has a rather unusual story line.

Lucas Jennings has bid adieu to his friend the Earl of Halford and is reluctantly making his way home.  Reluctantly, because he must face the woman he loved who married his brother, and the rest of his family without anything to show for the last seven years.  He does not at all expect a strange woman to throw herself into his arms and claim him as her husband.  Yet that is exactly what happens.  As he comes to know the beautiful Lavinia, he wonders if he's found his path after all.  At the very least, he's found a way to postpone going home.  But Lavinia is on the run from her past as a famous actress and isn't really prepared for what she finds at Primrose Farm, the property she has inherited. 

The witty banter between Lavinia and her friends added much to the book as Lavinia has to relearn how to be herself and how to trust.  Lucas makes for an honorable hero that I couldn't help but cheer for in his efforts to help Lavinia open up about her past.  Tuft has written another engaging, enjoyable regency romance.

GIVEAWAY

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TOUR SCHEDULE

*Dec. 8th: https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://www.kindleandme.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/