"Long Trail Home" by Vickie McDonough: Book Review (A Morgan Family Series - Texas Trails)

Third in  a series of Texas Trails stories of the early days in the State of Texas, "Long Trail Home" is the story of Riley Morgan returning from the War Between the States to his home only to find it devastated by an Indian raid and his family all dead and buried.  Enter the scene a lovely blind young lady working in a home for blind children.

The story-line deals with the desperation of a young destitute and abandoned girl  who finds what she needs in the home of a kind lady who schools and tends to the needs of a house full of blind children.  The story-line also deals with the bitterness of a young man who has gone through the horrors of war only to come home to complete loss - family, home, and fiance. 

The redemption of souls is always a beautiful story and in this book it takes on the beauty of redeeming grace and the grace of forgiveness.

Series connectivity:  In Long Trail Home, book 3,  Riley Morgan is a nephew of Jud Morgan and Billie Morgan from books 1 and 2 of the Texas Trails Series.  Each of these books has a different author and  yet the flow of the story or stories and styles merge so it would seem as though one author was writing. Character development is great in each of the books. Three more books in this series are on the horizon for 2012 release.

Author: Vickie McDonough - ISBN: 978-0-8024-0585-2 

Publisher:  Moody Publishers -  Publish date: October, 2011

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes by RiverNorthFiction, Moody Publishers.  I was under no obligation to render a positive review and all comments are my own opinion.

Princess Stories: Real Bible Stories of God's Princesses: Book Review

I received a complimentary copy of Princess Stories this morning from Tyndale Publishers.  I had hoped to receive this in time to review it for those looking for quality books as gifts for a daughter, granddaughter, niece,  or other young girl on your gift list.  However, it is Christmas Eve and much too late in the day for a Christmas gift in 2011.

You may want to consider, however,  if your child receives a gift of money taking them to a book store and letting them purchase their own copy of  Princess Stories with their gift.  Now, let's talk about Princess Stories.

"Princess Stories" would be  appropriate for girls ages 4 to 8.  The book contains stories about 29 women in the Bible.  It wraps up with the 30th story about the reader, who is God's princess too. Each story has a rhyme about the featured Bible princess followed by a narrative about the woman. There is a Bible verse from a passage of Scripture different from the actual Bible story that relates to that Princess' character trait.  There is a teaching moment opportunity presented via the Princess Ponderings which are questions to guide discussion at the end of each story.

This little book is a delightful way to begin introducing young girls to women in the Bible with more detail than your typical "story book."  Girls are inundated with Princesses in fairy tale literature and other venues of entertainment and play, it is time we introduce them to God's princesses and let them learn the real meaning of being a princess.

This hardcover book is printed in lovely feminine colors and designs on durable paper.  The illustrations are nice and appropriate for the storyline.

Author: Carolyn Larsen  Illustrator: Sergey Eliseev
Publisher: Tyndale Kids
ISBN: 1414348118
ISBN-13: 9781414348117

I received a complimentary copy of Princess Stories from Tyndale Publishers and was not required to give a positive review.  All comments and ideas expressed are my own.

God's Wisdom for Little Boys illustrated by Judy Luenebrink

Meet Judy Luenebrink and her art as pictured in "God's Wisdom for Little Boys" written by Jim & Elizabeth George and illustrated by Judy Luenebrink: (Judy describes her Art this way:)

"Uplifting watercolors that would bless others with the beauty and charm depicted in God's creation. Creating in my paintings and through my artwork a place people can walk into and feel the pleasure and peace of God's creation."

Illustrations/paintings are detailed, sweet and whimsical. They create a fun and inviting place for children to enter . . . to step into . . . and stay awhile.

Her paintings come from her heart, a heart filled with a love for God, His creation, and memories of both childhood and mothering .

While excelling with her art, Judy always remains aware that any talent, skill or ability has been given to her by the Lord and is to be used for His purposes and glory.  (copied from http://www.judyluenebrink.com/bio.htm)

I have already reviewed "God's Wisdom for Little Boys" in a previous post here on ChatWith Vera.  However, my husband has read and perused this gem of a book and shared some insight into the clever and wonderful follow-through and connectivity of illustrator  Judy Luenebrink and authors Jim & Elizabeth George.

For example:  The little boy's face is never fully seen; and you can thereby picture "your little boy" picturing himself as the one in the book.  Also, his constant companions - his faithful dog and lingering frog - are involved in each and every enterprise this delightful little boy approaches and enacts. 

Of particular note is the page illustrating Proverbs 17:17 (see picture to right).  "A friend loves you all the time..."  The picture shows two little boys seated on the edge of a porch watching it rain.  They have their ball, bat, and gloves and are wearing their team jerseys and caps.  But what is so innovative and intriguing is that one little boy's numbered jersey is a "1" and the other's is a "7."  They are sitting close to one another and together their shirts read, "17."  You see, they are friendly and they are living out Proverbs 17:17. Also, the dog has a kerchief around his neck and he is numbered "17" as well.  It is raining, but there is the hope of the rainbow that they can see in the upper corner of the sky.

The art is absolutely beautiful - touchingly beautiful.  A mother's, father's, grandparent's heart would melt viewing these illustrations that so truly depict the nuances of a little boy.

Need-less-to-say, I recommend this book and will be purchasing more works by The George's and by artist Judy Luenebrink.

I was provided this book for review purposes by Harvest House Publishers and was not required to render a positive review.  All comments are entirely my own.

Mary Did You Know

How can we comprehend that God condesended to come to Earth as a babe......

Special book for little boys: "God's Wisdom for Little Boys"

God's Wisdom for Little Boys is an absolute treasure for grandparents and parents alike to read to their little boys.  The ideas expressed in tender rhyme are all Biblical from Proverbs.

The book is beautifully designed and laid out, and the illustrations and paintings by Judy Luenebrink are fabulous. The authors, Jim and Elizabeth George, introduce little boys to character building through fun and rhyme. Example:

"Friendly"

God's little boy makes friends with others;

Those friends include his sisters and brothers.

True friends are always a gift from above;

Make it your goal to give brotherly love.

"A friend loves you all the time. 
A brother is always there to help you." Proverbs 17:17

I would highly recommend this book for anyone with a little boy on their heart that they wish to make a gift of God's wisdom in a beautifully enticing way.

I was given a copy of this book to review by Harvest House Publishers and was not required to give a positive review.

"Never Far From Home" by Mary Ellis: Book Review

In Never Far From Home, Emma Miler is a 15 year old Old Order Amish young lady who has finished school and who has begun her own wool business by raising sheep, shearing them, dying the wool and weaving it, and then selling it.  She is beginning to think of the "courting" she might do and her "running around" time.

We have to remember that the Amish children do not typically attend school as long as non-Amish do.  They assume adult responsibilities much younger as well.

Mary Ellis weaves this story around a maturing Emma and a young Englisher sheep farmer from a nearby farm and township.

This is a tale of personal, family, and spiritual conflicts on many levels.  If you enjoy reading stories of the Amish and the struggles they face in a modern world, you will enjoy this book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book to review and to pass on to the Alamance Christian School library by author Mary Ellis.

Lot's of hype over "Ugly Christmas Sweaters"

Recently, I shared a contest here on Chat With Vera at Chat With Vera: Ugly Christmas Sweater  where you could submit your uglist Christmas sweater to see if you have a winner.  Now I see that TV's today show has a segment on ugly Christmas sweaters.  Lots of us like a little glitz and bling in our lives and "theme" sweaters for holidays - whether it is Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or whatever  - seem to have been "in" for a number of years.  Seems as though the "theme" sweaters simply get you in the mood a bit.  There are, however, some that really should be stashed away in the never-to-be-worn-again-by-anyone pile.  Let's see what NBC has to say on the subject.

Click Here: Anchors don ugly Christmas sweaters:
Whose was the worst?