A Warrior's Faith by Robert Vera {Review & Family Christian $25 Certificate Giveaway}

ISBN: 9781400206780
Hardcover $22.99

About the book: An exhilarating story of a young Navy SEAL whose relentless faith transformed his life and inspired everyone who knew his courageous story.

In "A Warrior's Faith," Ryan Job's close friend, Robert Vera, recounts hght, and fierce determination helped him survive after being shot in the face by an enemy sniper on a roof in Ramadi, Iraq.

Though blinded, the irrepressible Job recovered from his wounds and began facing a new set of obstacles with his characteristic humor and resolve. He married the girl of his dreams, hunted elk, climbed Mt. Rainier, graduated college with honors, influenced countless people around him, and was looking forward to being a father--before his life was tragically cut short by a hospital medical error.

Vera's raw, often funny, and heartfelt account of his friend's life offers readers a way to find hope in the middle of life's raging storms.

My thoughts: The author's account of SEAL Ryan in A Warrior's Faith is thoughtful, revealing, and inspiring. He describes the strength and ability of SEAL Ryan, his deployment and service, and his injury and rescue in a way that leaves no doubt that Ryan was a true hero and Warrior.

After Ryan's massive injury which left him blind, Robert Vera's introduction into the life and faith of Ryan reveals the strength and caliber of faith SEAL Ryan has in God who is his strength, sustainer, and supplier.

Written from the author's standpoint and association with Ryan, the story recounts Ryan's abounding determination to succeed in activities normally outside the scope of the blind and his assurance that God is on his side.

Just short of 200 pages, this is a good read and one that will inspire.

GIVEAWAY: A $25 Family Christian (in-store & online) Appreciation Certificate. Begins March 7 & ENDS March 1.7 @ 12;01 A.M. ET. Open to USA addresses only.
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DISCLOSURE: I received an advance reader copy from Family Christian to facilitate this review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received a $10 store coupon/certificate as a gift for posting this review.The giveaway store coupon/certificate is provided to the winner compliments of Family Christian.

Author Max Lucado launches new book for children, Treasury of Bedtime Prayers {Review & Giveaway)

About the book: This collection of classic prayers, as well as brand-new prayers by Max and Denalyn Lucado, will help parents who want to make prayer a daily part of their children’s lives.

Prayer is the foundation of a believer’s life. This collection of prayers from Max and Denalyn Lucado offers parents a resource to teach little ones how to talk to God. This prayer collection includes classic prayers that have been updated for today’s young readers, introductory stories for each section, as well as twenty new prayers for little ones written by Max and Denalyn.

Max and Denalyn open the book with an expanded introduction that instructs parents on teaching their children to pray. A helpful prayer builder taken from Max’s trade book Before Amen teaches kids that there are four different kinds of prayers: worship, trust, compassion, and gratitude. This collection of new and classic children’s prayers are divided into ten sections. Children will find it easier to learn to pray with examples showing that prayer is a dialogue with God for all times. Beautiful art by Lisa Alderson complements the keepsake style of the book.   

My thoughts: When my children were small, we taught them to pray. We used everyday language when we prayed and taught them that prayer was speaking to God. I also utilized the written prayers, primarily in rhyme format, to instill prayer thoughts. I firmly believe that children retain knowledge that is acquired through the written word and specifically through rhyming. While the adult does not typically use the rhyming children's graces and prayers they learned at their mother's knee, these very words impact their adult thoughts beneficially.

Max Lucado's beautifully designed book brings the family classic rhyming prayers as well as those by the Lucados. While I found them all to be wonderful in that they bring hearts close to God, I still prefer the classic rhyme for children's prayers.

Father God, Holy Spirit, and Jesus the Son

Father, You are on earth and in heaven today.
Jesus, You are truth; please show me Your way.
Holy Spirit, Comforter, You teach me each day
To say close to You so I'll know how to pray.
                                       --Max & Denalyn Lucado

Now the Day Is Over

Now the day is over,
Night is drawing night,
Shadows of the evening
Steal across the sky.
Now the darkness gathers,
Stars begin to peep,
Birds and beasts and flowers
Soon will be asleep...........................
                  --Sabine Barring-Gould, Aapted

I love the gentle and lovely illustrations. The book is hardcover which will give it durability for the long term. This is the type of book that is used and passed along to the next generation.

GIVEAWAY: The good folks at Family Christian are providing a $10 Appreciation Certificate for one of Chat With Vera's readers. Enter the giveaway below: Begins February 13 & ENDS February 25 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Family Christian Blogging Group on behalf of the publisher and author in exchange for a review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

THE ADVOCATE by Randy Singer {Review & Giveaway}

ISBN: 9781414348605 

About the book: Follow what law and legal representation was like in biblical times with Randy Singer's Christian historical fiction Advocate: He Defied an Empire & Inspired a Faith. 

At the trial of Christ, Theophilus, brilliant young "assessore" raised in the Roman aristocracy, stands behind Pontius Pilate and whispers, "Offer to release Barabbas." The strategy backfires, and Theophilus never forgets the sight of an innocent man unjustly suffering the worst of all possible deaths--Roman crucifixion.

Three decades later, Theophilus has proven himself in the legal ranks of the Roman Empire. He has survived the insane rule of Caligula and has weathered the cruel tyrant's quest to control the woman he loves. He has endured the mindless violence of the gladiator games and the backstabbing intrigue of the treason trials.

Now he must face another evil Caesar, defending the man Paul in Nero's deranged court. Can Theophilus mount a defense that will keep another innocent man from execution? The advocate's first trial altered the course of history. His last will change the fate of an empire.

My thoughts: I typically do not read fiction involving Biblical characters because I personally believe that the Bible reveals what God wants us to know of historical Biblical characters. I realize, too, that history reveals some information about these people that is not actually revealed in the Biblical record. 

When given the opportunity to review Randy Singer's newest novel, The Advocate, I declined with mixed emotions. 1) I thoroughly enjoy his style of writing and the fact that he writes good, clean fiction. 2) I respect Mr. Singer because he is a pastor, an attorney, an educator, and a gifted author. However, when a second opportunity came knocking at my door so I decided I would see just what Mr. Singer with his skills and background as pastor would do with this story of Theophilus.

This is a lengthy book of 470 pages. The story flows beautifully and Mr. Singer's style gives the reader a very enjoyable read. The history of Rome as one of the greatest empires ever is recounted accurately as far as I can determine, and Mr. Singer has done tremendous research to be able to bring Rome at the time of Christ alive to the reader. The unfathomable cruelty of the Caesars. The lust for blood. The corruption. The "religion" of the time and place bereft of Christ. All of this is thoroughly exposed in Mr. Singer's story. The story is not for the weak stomached. 

Theophilus witnessed much in the trial of Christ. He was edu cated at the feet of men of status and great oratorical skills. He himself experienced cruelty at the hands of his peers. So goes the story as presented by Mr. Singer.

Now I still feel as though I can easily forego reading novels about characters in the Bible even though I found The Advocate to be a good read. This was not my most enjoyable book by Mr. Singer, but I did enjoy how he wrote the book, his style, and his attention to historical detail. I won't recommend it and I won't disparage it. 

GIVEAWAY: A copy is reserved by Family Christian for one of Chat With Vera's readers. Enter below - Begins January 29 & ENDS February 10 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to USA addresses only.
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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Family Christian in exchange for my review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

The good Rat: Theo Tales of Little Overhill by Mike Joens & Illustrated by Len Simon {Review & Giveaway}

ISBN: 9789751312433

About the book: Theo's Tale of the Good Rat is the first book in the Tales of Little Overhill series. Inspired by the popular Theo animation series, The Good Rat retells The Parable of the Good Samaritan, with winsome storytelling and full-color illustrations that will both captivate and inspire young readers' imaginations.

My thoughts: Wonderful children's books of the past that have endured are those like Wind in the Willows and the Peter Rabbit books. The charm of story, language, and illustrations endears them to children of all ages. In the Theo books we see this charm brought to bear with a re-telling of the Biblical story of The Good Samaritan. You know how the story goes: a traveler was beset upon by robbers and hurt terribly and left by the side of the road. Some "do-gooders" passed him by but were too busy to stop and help. Finally, someone passed by and stopped to help - but he was not the one most would expect to render aid. The timeless story is told about a little Shrew who was "set upon" by the mean Weasels and left hurt by the side of the road.

Others came along but were too busy and engrossed in their own business to stop and help. But help did finally stop.

I recommend this delightfully charming book for families and libraries everywhere. Learn more about this series and DVDs of the stories here.


GIVEAWAY: Open to USA addresses only. Begins December 26 & ENDS January 13 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Prize for 1 of Chat With Vera's readers is a $10 Family Christian Appreciation Certificate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Family Christian in exchange for a review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review. The Family Christian certificate offered as a giveaway is provided directly to the winner by Family Christian.