Never Let You Go

Never Let You Go
Author: Erin Healy
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Paperback: 344pp
Christian Suspense



"Never Let You Go" by Erin Healy is a great read. I usually don't read this type of book but when I read the summary it sounded so interesting that I had to give it a try. It's a story about a Mother raising her 9 year old daughter. Lexi is a Mom that will do anything to protect her daughter Molly even if it means testifying for the man who killed her sister. Lexi is also faced with the return of her ex-husband Grant who left seven years earlier and now has returned with intentions of re-entering their daughters life but Lexi is skeptical of his motives and decides that she can't let him near Molly. This is only the beginning of more hard and difficult times for Lexi and those around her. In addition to the return of her husband she is faced with supernatural events. I found this book to be riveting and so interesting that I couldn't put it down. This is the first book by Erin Healy that I have read but I don't think it will be the last. I found the story and plot easy to follow and the characters were interesting although at times I felt they were a little unbelievable or not very realistic. I think most people who enjoy mysteries and religious undertones will find this book a good read. I look forward to reading more from this author.

NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible

NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Hardcover pp. 624
Religion

Greatest Stories of the Bible is a fantastic collection of 250 of the most well known stories of the bible.  Hardbound and designed as a treasury.  This is not a bible but a heirloom edition which uses portions of scripture taken from the New King James Version.  Stories include: In the Beginning...The Creation of the World, Adam and Eve Challenge God, Noah Saves His Family, Joseph's Coat of Many Colors, The Ten Commandments, Jesus' Birth and many many more.

I loved reading this edition of bible stories.  My favorite version of the bible is the King James Version but I'll be honest at times it's a little hard to get the full meaning.  This beautiful heirloom edition takes the NKJV and puts the stories into easy to understand language without taking anything away from the translation.  You still get scripture and the feel of reading a bible.  This is a great book to have and lends itself to reading out loud to your children or anyone.  I love having this book in my collection.  There are no photos in the book and I admit I would have loved to see some but the stories are told in a way that the imagination creates its own photos.  I would recommend this book to anyone young or old.  It's a great addition to anyone's library and will be treasured for years to come. 

What Difference Do It Make?

What Difference Do It Make?
Author: Ron Hall, Denver Moore and Lynn Vincent
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Hardcover: 201pp
Christian Inspirational

What Difference Do It Make? by Ron Hall, Denver Moore and Lynn Vincent follows the hugely successful and New York Times best seller "Same Kind of Difference as Me". It's the continuing story of an unlikely friendship between two vastly different men - Ron Hall a successful art dealer and Denver Moore a homeless African American man from the streets of Fort Worth Texas.

I loved reading this book. It was honest and inspiring. What Difference Do It Make? continues the story of Ron and Deborah Hall and Denver Moore. It recounts numerous stories of people like you and me who were inspired by Ron and Deborah's story and who have gone on to make a difference in their worlds. This was an amazing and thought provoking read. It is truly a book worth reading again and one that should be shared with those around you. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Happy reading,

Fearless

Fearless
Imagine Your Life Without Fear
Author: Max Lucado
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Hardcover: 224pp
Spiritual Growth & Christian Thought


"Don't be afraid" Jesus said this one statement more than any other. Why? Jesus didn't mean for us to live our lives in fear but in peace and in faith. No one is immune to fear. We are faced with it every day. We fear we will lose our jobs or family. We worry about the economy and world affairs. Imagine living a life without fear. We can if we accept Jesus' invitation to courage. Fear can be a thing of the past if we only have faith and trust in Jesus. Through personal stories and scripture Mr. Lucado shows us how a life without fear is within our reach. How? Listen to Jesus and "Don't be afraid."

Fearless living! What a concept. I personally can relate to living a life in fear. I've been scared just about my whole life, or at least as long as I can remember. So when I was given this opportunity to review a book on living a life without fear I jumped at it. It all seems so simple. Just listen to Jesus and "Don't be afraid."

I found this book to be very insightful, encouraging and even humorous at times. I liked that Mr. Lucado addressed everyday common fears that most of us experience or think about such as loss of job, family, the economy, our health, world affairs and disappointing God. Although I read my bible, I honestly didn't realize that a life without fear was possible. I really enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be a quick easy read and one that I wish was a little longer.

Some of the chapters included are:
Why Are We Afraid?
God's Ticked Off at Me (Fear of Disappointing God)
My Child Is in Danger (Fear of Not Protecting my Kids)
I'm Sinking Fast (Fear of Overwhelming Challenges)
Make-Believe Money (Fear of the Coming Winter)
Scared to Death (Fear of Life's Final Moments)
Plus more

Also included is a discussion guide for those wishing to gain a better grasp of the ideas and principles presented in this book. Each lesson is divided into three parts: Examining Fear, Exposing Fear and Battling Fear.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to live a life free from fear. I'm pleased to be adding Fearless to my library.

Resources for Fearless

www.ThomasNelson.com/Fearless

www.TheFearlessBook.com

Q&A with Max Lucado

60 second commercial


Happy reading,

The Jesus Book

The Jesus Book
Author: Stephen Elkins
Illustrator: Claudine Gevry
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Hardcover: 96pp, 30 Song CD
Ages: 4-7
Religious


The Jesus Book by Stephen Elkins is the ultimate Who, What, When, Where, Why book for children ages 4-7. The book explains "Who Jesus Is", "What Jesus did", "What Jesus Taught", When it happened", "Where it happened", "Why it happened" and "How it happened'. The Jesus Book helps teach children about the life of Christ and how to enter a life-long relationship with him. The book includes a 30 song compact disc with songs such as "Jesus Loves Me", "Deep and Wide", "Blessed Assurance" and "Amazing Grace".

I loved this book. I thought it was beautifully written in clear and easy to understand language. The illustrations were beautiful, colorful and fun. I felt that each story was well thought out, complete and most important accurate and historical. I didn't feel like I was left hanging. Quotes from the bible were simply worded yet maintained their true meaning. I believe children will enjoy having this book read to them and then reading it themselves when they are older. It's a great tool for teaching children about Jesus and his life as well as how to have a long-lasting relationship with him. Included with the book is a 30 song compact disc. Some of the songs included are "Fairest Lord Jesus", "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" and one of my favorites "At The Cross". I really enjoyed reading this book and listening to the CD. I would highly recommend it to any parent or child interested in learning about Jesus. This is an excellent book. I'm happy to be adding it to my library.

Happy reading,

Read and Share Toddler Bible

Read and Share Toddler Bible
Author: Gwen Ellis
Illustrator: Steve Smallman
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Hardcover: 192pp, DVD
Religious


The Read and Share Toddler Bible is a collection of forty bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments. Each retelling is short and simple. Some of the stories included are the creation, Noah's Ark, Joseph, Abraham and Sarah, Daniel, David and Goliath, Jesus Birth, Jesus' Death and the resurrection. Each story is accompanied by colorful illustrations and followed by an interactive learning suggestion. The book includes a one hour DVD which includes a selection of stories from the book. Each story is approximately three minutes in length.

I liked the selection of stories and the illustrations were colorful and fun. I felt like some of the stories were incomplete, while others ended nicely. Some of the stories were told in a way that left me thinking about how a child might interpret the story. For example, the story of David and Goliath. In the retelling Goliath was said to be a mean man, that he wanted to hurt God's people, that he liked to scare people, yell, shake his fists, make mean faces and that he was a bully. I thought the author should have given a little more information on why David and Goliath fought in the first place. I felt that a child may get the impression that it's okay to hit people just because they make mean faces, yell and shake their fists. I also had a problem with part of the interactive suggestion. It suggests that parents act out the motions described and to dance around the room with your child while singing, "David won! God won! We win!" I felt like this was saying it's okay to rejoice in someones misfortune or pain (or in this case death). Another story I had a problem with was Adam and Eve. This story depicts Adam and Eve being asked by God to leave the Garden because they sinned. This is like saying to a child if you do something wrong you'll be asked to leave. These were two stories that I felt could have been better explained. I thought some of the interactive suggestions were silly and a waste of time while others seemed well thought out. I understand that stories were cut short to probably help keep the child's attention but stories can be continued at a later time. Overall I did not like the book. This is a learning tool to help teach children about God and the bible. Each story should be simple and easy to understand (which it is) but as factual as possible without leaving out too much of the real story. I would not recommend this book.

Happy reading,

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
Author: Sarah Young
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Hardcover: 400pp
Christian Devotional/Gift Book


Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young is a book of daily devotionals. One devotional for each day of the year. After many years of writing her own words in her prayer journal, Ms. Young decided to be more attentive to the Saviors voice and began listening to what he was saying. Each day she would spend time alone with the Savior and as He spoke to her she would write down His words. Jesus Calling is the result of her encounters with the Savior. These powerful pages conveyed messages of hope, comfort and reassurance and made her constantly aware of Jesus’ presence and allowed her to experience His peace. Each devotional message is worded as if Jesus were speaking to you. Ms. Young has a degree in philosophy from Wellesley College, she holds graduate degrees in psychology and counseling from Tufts, Georgia State and Covenant Seminary. She has traveled extensively with her missionary husband counseling and planting churches in Japan and Australia. She and her husband have two children. Ms. Young currently ministers to the Japanese people living in Perth Australia.

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young is a wonderful devotional filled with inspirational, encouraging and spiritual messages for each day of the year. Each message contains words of reassurance, hope and inspiration. They are a delight to read and evoke feelings of warmth, love and companionship with our Savior Jesus Christ. I found the messages to be thought-provoking and overflowing with promise that I too can have a more personal relationship with Jesus. Sarah Young states that themes of thankfulness and trust recurred often during her listening times. I found the recurrence of themes to be advantageous and encouraging. I enjoyed reading this small devotional. Its compact size is perfect for carrying with you anywhere you go. Read each day as they come or read multiple days at a time. You won’t be disappointed. The wording is simple, the messages are clear and the devotions are written as if Jesus is speaking to you personally. I highly recommend this devotional to anyone seeking a more personal relationship with Jesus.

Happy reading,

The I Believe Bunny

The I Believe Bunny
Author: Tish Rabe
Illustrator: Frank Endersby
Publisher: Thomas Neslon
Hardcover: 32pp
Children's Fiction
Ages: 4-8

The I Believe Bunny is a story about the power of prayer. Bunny lives in a flower-filled glen with his friends Squirrel, Raccoon and Skunk. On a rainy spring day Bunny isn't feeling too great. He's got wet whiskers and his ears have lost their fluff. But then he hears a cry for help and sees a mouse has been swept into the river. Bunny knows he must try and save Little Mouse, but when fear and doubt take over Bunny turns to prayer and asks God for help.

The I Believe Bunny is beautifully written rhyme. It's inspirational in its message and filled with prose as fresh as a rainy spring day. Children and adults will find the illustrations to be beautiful, bright, lively and whimsical. The message of the story is clear, honest and straightforward. I can do everything through him who gives me strength, Philippians 4:13. The I Believe Bunny would be perfect for children 4-8 years of age, but I would recommend this book to any parent or child, young or old. This book was delightful and fresh. The I Believe bunny is beautifully presented and would make a great addition to any library. I love children's books. I have a small collection and enjoy taking one out now and then and reading it. I am happy to be adding this book to my collection.

Happy reading,

Book Review Bloggers at Thomas Nelson Publishers

Hi, welcome to Book Reviews by Cindy. I have decided to participate in Thomas Nelsons Book Review Bloggers program. I'm looking forward to receiving my first book titled "The I Believe Bunny". I hope that I can write a review that will be both helpful and that will encourage you to read the book yourself.

Until next time,