Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women by Lindsay Franklin & published by Zondervan [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  These devotions are so beautifully written and point the young woman reader to a loving God who adores her. But let's start at the beginning - the cover. It is stunning in design, gold foil, and utter femininity. Love the dove which speaks of the Holy Spirit.

There is the encouragement to respect one's own body and treat it with honor in regard to behavior and dress. The consistency and steadfastness of God is brought to the reader's attention. The never failing love and guidance of God for the individual is tenderly brought forth. Truly a wide range of topics appropriate for the young woman.

The short scripture with each devotional is NIV and the text is gently addressed to the young woman (and it is appropriate for women of all ages) bringing her to the realization that she is God's beloved. God's adored.

I prefer the KJV Bible but realize that for many the NIV speaks to them. This devotional is one I can highly recommend and I can't wait to share it with my granddaughter.

About the book: In an ever-changing world, we can be certain of one thing: we are beloved by God. Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women tackles tough topics girls face, from bullying and social media to friendships and dating, all the while showing readers how infinitely precious they are in God’s sight.

Each day features an easy-to-read, relevant devotion paired with a scripture verse and journaling space to help readers reflect on the day’s message. With honest, poignant, and sometimes humorous text, every page will speak to the pressures and changes girls face, giving them real-world applications to find God in their hearts and in their lives. Perfect for everyday use, Adored will resonate with girls searching for truth and guidance. Gift givers will love this highly designed book featuring a beautiful, foiled cover, and two-color interior pages.

Find it here on Zondervan

GIVEAWAY

Begins October 31

Ends November 12 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Handlebar Publicity Group on behalf of  Zondervan Publishing to facilitate this review. Giveaway is hosted by Chat With Vera in cooperation with the publisher and Handlebar. Zondervan is graciously providing the winner's copy, but hosting and selection of winner is based on entries solely through the Chat With Vera contest.

Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women by Lindsay Franklin & published by Zondervan [Giveaway]

Watch for Chat With Vera's review November 8

About the book: In an ever-changing world, we can be certain of one thing: we are beloved by God. Adored: 365 Devotions for Young Women tackles tough topics girls face, from bullying and social media to friendships and dating, all the while showing readers how infinitely precious they are in God’s sight.

Each day features an easy-to-read, relevant devotion paired with a scripture verse and journaling space to help readers reflect on the day’s message. With honest, poignant, and sometimes humorous text, every page will speak to the pressures and changes girls face, giving them real-world applications to find God in their hearts and in their lives. Perfect for everyday use, Adored will resonate with girls searching for truth and guidance. Gift givers will love this highly designed book featuring a beautiful, foiled cover, and two-color interior pages.

Find it here on Zondervan

GIVEAWAY

Begins November 4

Ends November 14 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to Continental USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Handlebar Publicity Group on behalf of  Zondervan Publishing to facilitate this review. Giveaway is hosted by Chat With Vera in cooperation with the publisher and Handlebar. Zondervan is graciously providing the winner's copy, but hosting and selection of winner is based on entries solely through the Chat With Vera contest.

The Awakening of HK Derryberry: My Unlikely Friendship with the Boy Who Remembers Everything by Jim Bradford with Andy Hardin

My thoughts: This short non-fiction book recounts the story of a severely handicapped boy and a retired gentleman who met perchance because of the gentleman's desire for a cup of coffee. Seeing the boy seated all alone and obviously with multiple disabilities Mr. Bradford asked about him. Learning his story he struck up an acquaintance with the boy and his grandmother who worked at the restaurant.

Altruistic sympathy and simple human kindness enabled Jim Bradford to aid in the care and keeping of young HK providing stimulating company and cheering him on to achievements.  In the course of events, it was discovered that although handicapped, HK had a remarkable talent. He was capable of Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) which enabled HK to recall accurate and astonishing details of events and occasions back to age three.

I found learning about HSAM to be particularly fascinating. I also found Jim Bradford's continued care and support of HK particularly amazing. As time passed, HK was able to graduate high school and he and Mr. Bradford have had the opportunity to engage in motivational speaking opportunities. 

This little book provides a good opportunity to read about an amazing young man and his amazing sponsor and supporter. I encourage teens and adults to read.

About the book: The Awakening of HK Derryberry is the inspiring story of how one man was willing to step out of his upper middle-class world into the life of a young, disabled boy with a dismal future. Little did Jim Bradford know the transformational potential of that friendship-for HK and himself. HK Derryberry came into the world with the odds stacked heavily against him. Eventually it becomes apparent that buried beneath HK's severe disabilities is one spectacular ability. He is diagnosed with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), which involves superlative powers of recollection that enable him to remember everything that has happened to him since the age of three. Less than one hundred people have been diagnosed with HSAM, but none of them have the physical disabilities of HK Derryberry. 

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Handlebar Publicity Group to facilitate a review of my opinions. I was not compensated.

NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible, Hardcover, Full Color Interior from Zondervan Publishing

The NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible brings the Bible to life for children for ages 8-12 in four-color illustrated splendor. Each page also features important facts located near the relevant verse. Intriguing facts; colorful, engaging maps; photographs; and illustrations make this a Bible they'll want to explore. Beautiful cover featuring gloss Review Process

Age 8 to 12
Hardcover $32.99 USA
ISBN: 9780310758600

My thoughts:  My preference for versions of the Bible would be the King James or perhaps the New King James. However, I recognize that often the prefered version is the NIV. This new NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible will certainly provide many opportunities for the older child to learn deeper studying techniques of the Bible. Children are basically visual leaners and when illustrations, stand out infographics, maps, and photographs draw attention to specifics in the Bible, it stirs the interest and enhances the learning experience.

The layout with visuals spaced through the Bible and the feel is definitely not that of a picture book. This is a study Bible and these are study aids intended to enhance the educational experience of studying the Word of God.

I especially like how the side bars (every page) have a reference particular to that page and an explanation of something specific from that referenced verse. Example - see illustration that follows:



Study Bibles often have "footnotes" that are exlanatory and linked to specific passages. They also provide additional references to the same topic. In the Kid' Visual Study Bible the "footnotes" are essentially the notes in the sidebars.

At the beginning of the books, pertinent information relating to authorship, purpose of the book's being written, for whom it was written, and important teachings in the book (these are specifically referenced with book/chapter/verse).

Indexing is always essential in a study tool and the NIV Kids' Visual Study Bible has an Infographic Index and a Maps Index (small maps throughout the Bible). There is also a collection of maps at the back of the Bible and a Table of Weights and Measures.

About the Bible:  The NIV Kids’ Visual Study Bible, for ages 8–12, brings the Bible to life in four-color illustrated splendor. This study Bible includes a spectacular full-color interior featuring over 700 illustrations, photos, infographics, and maps on every page that visually represent key Bible information. Each page also features important facts located near the relevant verse. Intriguing facts; colorful, engaging maps; photographs; and illustrations make this a Bible they’ll want to explore.

Features:

• Over 700 four-color photographs, illustrations, infographics, and maps throughout
• Full-color design
• Book introductions, including important facts and an image to orient the reader
• One-column format with side bar study notes for ease of reading
• Presentation page
• The complete text of the New International Version (NIV) translation of the Bible
• Beautiful cover featuring gloss

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy on behalf of the publisher, Zondervan, to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

Hello Stars (A Faithgirlz story) by Alena Pitts & Wynter Pitts

ISBN: 978010760597
Paperback $8.99

My thoughts:  It seems that there is a continuing fascination for all things star-studded and by that, I mean entertainment stars - not solar system stars. The "FaithGirlz" publications are about empowering young girls to be what God has planned for them. You might want to check out the FaithGirls website (click here) for more about this program and their publications. I previously reviewed a couple of the FaithGirlz books for the 8-12 crowd and today I'm looking at "Hello Stars" another of the fiction books that tells the story of a young girl of faith and how she goes about life trying to live for God.

Written by mother and daughter who are both entertainers and about them as entertainers (fictional), we get into the star-studded life. How does being a young entertainer impact the life of a young girl? How "normal" a life can she live? In Hello Stars we learn that Lena struggles with obedience just as a "normal" girl does. Her mother guides her toward prayer about circumstances and decisions.

I found it refreshing that Hello Stars features a young African-American girl and her mother. This will be a good read for girls 8 to 12 of any race. It is about a Christian young girl and her mother so be sure to expect references to God, faith, Jesus, and prayer.

About the book: Hello Stars, a book co-written by a mother/daughter team, for girls 8-12 years old.This Faithgirlz series entitled Lena in the Spotlight, written by Alena Pitts, star of War Room and tween blogger of For Girls Like You, and co-written with her mother, editor and author, Wynter Pitts, is a reflection of Alena's own life experiences as she reaches for the stars and keeps her faith in balance.Quick Overview: Hello Stars, Alena Pitts' debut novel in her Faithgirlz series Lena in the Spotlight, introduces Lena Daniels. When Lena unexpectedly lands a movie role, is it too good to be true? This spirited 11-year-old must find a way to balance stardom with "real" life. Suddenly Lena wishes she had time for her three younger sisters and her friends.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Handlebar Publicity on behalf of the publisher and author to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

Love Letters from God; Bible Stories for a Girl's Heart by Glenys Nellist & illustrated by Rachel Clowes [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  I have often sat in worship service or at Bible study and heard the comment, "The Bible is God's love letter to you." And that is very true but we tend to relegate that choice phrase to the background of our memories and read the Bible without completely realizing that it is, in fact, God's love letter to us. To you. To me. To each and every man, woman, child.

The author has carried that thought to fruition in an absolutely lovely book for girls. She has taken the stories of 14 women or girls in the Bible and shown how God loves (loved) them. Then an application is make where the young girls reading the stories can see how God loves them and has show this love in His love letter to them.

In the very first story which is about the very first girl, the reader learns about Eve who sinned when she chose the forbidden fruit and ate thereof. But that is not the end of the story. No, God covers Eve, forgives her, allows her to live. The application - tucked away in the little "lift the flap" love letter to the reader - is that even though the reader might sin, God forgives and God covers that sin.

This concept of story, God's love, and application is repeated in each of the stories. A Bible verse appropriate to the lesson and story is included with each. The illustrations are charming, softly colored, and will engage the interest of the reader.

I highly recommend this book to first be used as a read-aloud devotional and discussion with young girls and parents. Then to be read, and re-read. This is a great opportunity to sprinkle in and elaborate on deeper theological ideas.

About the book: In this heart-warming picture book designed for girls, author Glenys Nellist tells the inspiring stories of incredible women in the Bible. With beautiful illustrations by Rachel Clowes and sweet lift-the-flap envelopes, each story delivers a special message for children to open as they read their own personal love letters from God. Full of warmth and love, this picture book will fill girls’ hearts with the wonder of the Lord. The stories of Eve, Miriam, Rahab, Mary, and many more will delight children and remind them of the bond they can share with God, just like the women of the Bible.

GIVEAWAY

Begins May 11

ENDS June 1 @ 12:01 a.m.

Open to USA addresses only.

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Handlebar Publicity on behalf of ZonderKidz and the author to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided by ZonderKidz via Handlebar Publicity directly to the winner.

Of Stillness and Storm by Michele Phoenix and published by Thomas Nelson [Review & Author Giveaway]

My thoughts: This is a very well written book though a hard-on-the-heart story to delve into.

The author takes us through the courtship and into the throes of a marriage giving the reader word pictures of the manipulation of the husband over the wife in things secular and spiritual. The husband feels and intensely believes he is called of God to serve in some vastly important way and a perchance meeting with a business acquaintance leads his heart to Nepal.

He begins to maneuver his life and that of his wife and young son in that direction against the desire of his wife and strong discouragement of the church elders. Being discouraged by the elders and seeing no support in that camp, they leave the church and the husband seeks support elsewhere.

They do go to Nepal. The wife and son are left for weeks in this strange land while the husband treks into the world he feels compelled to serve.

This story brings to bear the harshness of life for those serving in foreign fields. Fiction? Yes, but so revealing in its reality. Life is not easy or always benign for this missionary. This is the modern age, but even that does not ease the life of the families serving in countries other then their homeland - especially when it is forced on them by a husband unfeeling for the family needs.

A story such as this should compel husbands, wives, churches, mission boards, etc. to fully vet candidates who seek to minister afar. Not all are called. Not all are to serve afar. It behooves all to be diligent to determine the true call of God on their lives.

About the book: "I felt torn between two worlds. Each with its own mystery. One more captivating than the other, but the other more real and breathing."

It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream--reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal. But while Sam treks into the Himalayas for weeks at a time, finding passion and purpose in his work among the needy, Lauren and Ryan stay behind, their daily reality more taxing than inspiring. For them, what started as a calling begins to feel like the family's undoing. At the peak of her isolation and disillusion, a friend from Lauren's past enters her life again. But as her communication with Aidan intensifies, so does the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past. It's thirteen-year-old Ryan who most keenly bears the brunt of her distraction.Intimate and bold, Of Stillness and Storm weaves profound dilemmas into a tale of troubled love and honorable intentions gone awry.

 

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review of my honest opinion. I received no compensation for this review. Learn more & purchase a copy.

Prince Who Was Just Himself by Silke Schnee [Review & Giveaway]

About the book: The royal couple is looking forward to their third child. “He looks a little different,” muses the king at Prince Noah’s arrival. “He is not like the others,” agrees the queen. Soon they notice what a very special person he is, even though he can’t do everything his brothers can.

When the youngest prince disarms the cruel knight Scarface, the nation’s most dreaded enemy, with an act of compassion, everyone finally realizes how good it is that each person is unique.

This delightfully illustrated fairy tale for children three years and older instills appreciation for children with Down syndrome and other developmental challenges, making it a valuable aid for teaching tolerance in the home or classroom.

My thoughts: The author is the mother of a Down Syndrome child whose name is Noah. I believe the author's intention is to bring to children a story that will help them to accept those who are different from themselves. 

Told along the lines of a fairy tale, young Prince Noah while still a small child saves the day.

Illustrated in simplistic art form with bold colors, the detail still captures the essence of how Down Syndrome children appear. This is helpful because young children don't always understand why someone looks a bit different from themselves. Also, since the story is about a child that is "different" but who has special qualities, the reader or listening young child can better appreciate others who are in some way different from themselves.

The special quality of Prince Noah was a compassionate and loving nature. This wins the day. This loving nature is a characteristic of Down Syndrome children.

GIVEAWAY 

Begins September 1 & ENDS September 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. 

 Open to USA addresses only.
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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review from Handlebar Publicity Group on behalf of the publisher, Plough Publishing. Opinions are mine alone. No compensation was received for this review. Winner's copy is provided by Plough Publishing and will be shipped directly to the winner.

Woman of Courage by Wanda Brunstetter {Review & Giveaway}

About the book:  Jilted by her fiancé in 1837, Amanda Pearson gives up on romance and turns to her Quaker faith for reassurance. She becomes determined to follow the Rev. and Mrs. Spalding three thousand miles into the western wilderness to minister to the Nez Perce Indians. The trip is fraught with danger, and soon Amanda finds herself recovering from near death in a trapper's cabin. His Indian wife becomes Amanda's first convert, but the trapper and his intriguing half-Indian friend want nothing to do with Christians. Will they still help her reach the mission in the Lapwai Valley?

My thoughts:  Wanda Bruestetter brings the reader another story complete with well-drawn characters, good dialogue, descriptive scenes that capture one’s imagination, and strong faith. Beginning slow and  gentle, the scene soon moves from adventure to miss-adventure to tragedy upon tragedy. It coils around depth of emotions and rank despair to dependence upon and grace given by an Almighty God.

Amanda and her father, both Quakers, leave their established home and go West. They are heading into unknown Indian territory and their destination is the mission where they hope to minister the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Nez Perce Indians. A mission is already established, and their goal is to bring themselves as additional helpers in the mission’s goal.

At one point, Amanda’s father dies of a heart attack. Soon after, her only guide dies when a storm crashes a tree onto him. Now Amanda is wet, cold, alone, sick, and completely desperate. She relies upon God, her faith is strong, but sometimes her spirit wavers.

Well, the story does end well, but there are more mind-boggling happenings that take place. The West was a hard place. And they were in a hard place in the West. 

This story is about the 1837 period when the West was being settled. The Mission in Lapwai Valley, Oregon was a long way from their New York home and its comforts. There were no comforts along the way. The journey was mostly on horseback. They traveled every day – snow, rain, wind, sun. They slept on the ground. It was hard.

Amanda proved to be a woman of courage from the onset of the story – just simply to undertake the journey  took a huge measure of courage. But for her to endure, day after day, and not say, “Enough! Enough is Enough!” took a strength of courage that is beyond measure.

A good book to read and one I heartily recommend.

GIVEAWAY: The good folks at Handlebar Publishing on behalf of the Wanda Brunstetter and Shiloh Run Press are providing one of Chat With Vera's readers with a copy of Woman of Courage. Use the entry form below. Begins August 4 & ENDS August 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to US addresses only. 
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Of interest.... My regular Chat With Vera readers know that  sometimes when reading fiction, I decide to learn a little more about the historical period, the peoples, the location, etc. Well, here is some information on the Nez Perce Indians. I just love to look at the pictures and then revisit the story in my mind with these pictures to flesh out the story. IMAGES  General Information Nez Perce Mission in Lapwai Valley Information

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of Woman of Courage from Handlebar Publishing on behalf of the Wanda Brunstetter and Shiloh Run Press in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own & I was under no obligation to render a positive review. I received no compensation for this review.