I just started reading The Deliverer by Linda Rios Brook two days ago and I must stay it is different!  A good different.  I am only half way through the book but I am really enjoying it.  The Deliverer is actually book two in the Reluctant Demon Diaries and I am now on the look out for the first book of the series, Lucifer’s Flood.  I would love to read it as well.

About The Deliverer:

Ancient language expert Samantha Yale returns to translate a new batch of scrolls written by the fallen angel from Lucifer’s Flood.

Samantha Yale has taken on a daunting translation project. A set of scrolls, delivered by a man she knows nothing about, tells a fascinating and frightening tale of what went on behind the scenes of biblical history. What is even more incredible is who is telling the tale–a fallen angel who immediately regretted his decision to side with Lucifer.

With The Deliverer, Linda Rios Brook brings new depth of imagery into the spirit world. It is a story about rebellion and consequences. It is about demonic strategy to disrupt and destroy the people of God. But ultimately, it is a story about the unrelenting love, grace, mercy, and determination of a sovereign God in pursuit of His children.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Deliverer, go HERE

alongcameyou1Along Came You by Karona Drummond is a sweet book about the changes in life that happen after a woman has a child - of course all for the better.  I found myself laughing through the book I experienced almost every situation illustration. It was a fun book to read with my daughter.

About the book:

What happens when the pleasures of a tidy, carefully decorated home are traded for the excitement of high chairs and noisy toys? When quiet evenings and carefully planned schedules are traded for busy days and crazy nights? What happens when the desire to experience joy is replaced with the desire that another would experience joy? Karona Drummond weaves images of life before kids with life after kids. Illustrations by Estelle Corke, “Along Came You” (Zonderkidz, April 2009, 978-0-310-71508-5, $15.99, Hardcover) is a sweet reminder of the sacrifice parents make for their children and teaches children about the joyful changes they bring, transforming a simple life into an abundant life.

Hunter soccer

For more Wordless Wednesday visit the Wordless Wednesday hub and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Take A Leap of Faith

May 23, 2009

I recently had the opportunity to review the a new faith based membership program called Faith Leaps.  Faith Leaps is all about taking that leap of faith and doing what God called you to do.  While the program focusing mainly on Christian writing, speaking, and ministry, the lessons taught can really be applied to any situation.

Faith Leaps is written by Alyssa Avant who blogs at Life From My Laptop and also has a ministry for young girls at Beauty By Design.  I met Alyssa online a while ago and she has since become a great online friend.  She is a fellow Christian who has actually taken that leap of faith and left her job to follow God’s will.

Faith Leaps is a 3 month program that costs $9.97 per month or you can add in some one-on-one coaching for $49.97.  Each month you are sent a lesson in PDF format along with a worksheet, an audio seminar, and a transcript of the audio seminar.  Throughout the program you will receive bonus audio interviews from experts who have also taken that leap of faith.

Alyssa graciously allowed me to review the first lesson in Faith Leaps which is the introduction to the course and explores finding your passion, natural talents, and spiritual gifts.  The lesson is rooted in the Word of God.  Alyssa goes a great job of explaining the process and the differences between natural talents and spiritual gifts.  The lesson is well written and Alyssa really makes you feel like you can make that leap of faith.

Faith Leaps is a  breath of fresh air in a time when being a Christian and sticking to your faith is getting harder and harder to do.  The world is out to get us and Faith Leaps can help get started in a Godly ministry.

Mamapedia

May 21, 2009

Have you ever wanted a place where you could get advice from other moms?  If so, then Mamapedia is a site you should check out.  I first learned about Mamapedia from Mom Central and have been searching and reading all the advice given almost daily.  I haven’t actually posted a question yet, but am really enjoying reading all the other questions.

I’m amazed at all the wide range of questions being asked, everything from choice of diapers to prom date to vacation venues.  And the answers from other moms have overall been very helpful and actually answer the question asked.  I have been reading the weight loss questions, since I recently joined Weight Watchers, and there are some great tips and advice from other moms.

I know there a lot of other communites and forums where you can post questions, but I really like the format of Mamapedia.  It has a simple layout, is easy to read, and doesn’t hurt my eyes.

Have you used Mamapedia yet?  Did you like it?  I would love to hear your opinions on it.

I’m really looking forward to reading Deceptive Promises.  I have read the other two books in this series, Quills & Promises and Promises, Promises, both of which I enjoyed.  I can’t wait to read what Amber Miller came up with for Deceptive Promises.  I’m sure it is full of romance and a little bit of angst.

About the book:

MARGRET WANTS TO BELIEVE SAMUEL’S PROMISES.

Is deception fair in wartime Margret Scott must deal with this question as she finds herself attracte to the enigmatic Samuel Lowe. As the tensions grow between the colonists and the British soldiers and loyalists, Margret cannot always tell where Samuel’s loyalties lie.



“If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.” -Job 31:5-6



Samuel’s duties have him working for both sides of this war, and he often finds himself torn between what is right and what is wrong. He promises Margret she can trust him, and Margret promises him she does. But can promises born in deception be trusted? Can a relationship built in uncertainty survive?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Deceptive Promises, go HERE.

Crocodaddy!

May 12, 2009

crocodaddy400I know last Sunday was Mother’s Day but Father’s Day is just around the corner and this book would be a terrific gift for any little boy to give his dad.

Crocodaddy by Kim Norman is a book that shows us just how much fun dads can be!

About the book:

“Celebrate the imagination—and the love between father and son—with a fun, rhyming, and totally original picture book. On a hot summer’s day, a young boy playfully sets out on a “crocodaddy hunt” in the lake. Following the creature’s shadow, dark and wet, he’s soon taking a wild ride on the grinning croc’s back. And when they leave the water, something wonderful happens: Crocodaddy transforms into…just DADDY.”

Crocodaddy is such a fun book! After reading the book for the first time with my son he immediately want to go on a “crocodaddy” hunt.  Unfortunately daddy was at work so he had to hunt for “crocomommy” instead!  It was still a lot of fun. After our impromptu “crocomommy” hunt we had to have a “dinomommy” hunt too.  This book does such a great job at encouraging imagination!

You can read more about Crocodaddy at:
A Christian Worldview of Fiction, A Patchwork of Books, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Booking Mama,Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Fireside Musings, KidzBookBuzz.com, Looking Glass Reviews, Maw Books Blog, Never Jam Today, Olive Tree, Our Big Earth, Reading is My Superpower, SMS Book Reviews, The 160 Acrewoods, Through a Child’s Eyes

Fun Crocodile Crafts

May 11, 2009

1054677_42740508My son and I have been reading the book Crocodaddy a lot lately and his new favorite animal is now, of course, a crocodile.  Like any good mom, I wanted to encourage his enthusiasm for learning about new things and set out to find books and crafts on crocodiles.

Here are some fun crocodile crafts I found online:

By the way, if you haven’t heard of the book Crocodaddy yet, I have encourage you to check it out!  It is such a great book and is a lot of fun to read with your children.

Ragu goes Old World

April 25, 2009

raguMy son’s favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs.  Every time I ask him what he would like to eat his answer is always “spaghetti and meatballs please!”  Of course he doesn’t care what type of sauce I use as long as it tastes good.

I’m participating the Ragu blog tour with Mom Central and they were kind enough to send me two coupons to try out the new Ragu Old Word sauces in Sweet Tomato Basil and Margherita flavors.  My kids had no idea I used a different sauce but I could tell.  While both flavors tasted fine, I like the Sweet Tomato Basil flavor the best.

Have you tried the new Old World flavors of sauce from Ragu?  What did you think?

Horrid Henry!

April 23, 2009

image003My son loves Horrid Henry!  The Horrid Henry books are actually written for children ages 7-10 but my 4 year old loves them.  We just read a little each night instead of the entire book at once.

There are number of books in the series including Horrid Henry and the Mega-Mean Time Machine, Horrid Henry Tricks the Tooth Fairy, and Horrid Henry’s Stinkbomb.  I must admit little Henry is quite the mischievous little boy and I think that is way my son likes him so much.

The Horrid Henry series by Francesca Simon has been translated into 25 languages and has sold over 12 millions in the UK.  This month Sourcebooks Jabberwocky launched the Horrid Henry books in North America!

If you have sons I’m sure they will love the Horrid Henry books too.