Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science by Louie Giglio (Published by Thomas Nelson)

My thoughts:  What a grand opportunity to lead your child to discover the indescribable wonders of the universe made by our wonderful Creator. And this new devotional book for kids will enable families together to embark on this wonderful journey of discovery.

Every day's devotional is packed with wonderful scientific information and a brief scriptural reference that ties it together. The doors for discussion will swing wide open when families use this book for family devotions.

But it is not only a book that can be used in a family setting. Kids themselves will wonder at the awesome God that created our world as they read through these 100 devotions on their own. An opportunity to establish a habit of daily time with God.

Seriously, my husband and I (we're grandparents and great-grandparents) have enjoyed reading some of these devotionals together and are quite frankly simply amazed at the material. It is so well presented and not too "little-kiddie-themed."

I highly recommend this little book and know it will be a treasured addition to a child's or family's library.

About the book: Discover the Wonders of the Universe with the Creator

It’s impossible to out-imagine God. He orchestrates time, creates light, and speaks things into existence—from the largest stars to the smallest starfish. God is a powerful, purposeful, personal, unparalleled Creator.

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens tell the glory of God. And the skies announce what his hands have made.”

Indescribable displays the majesty of creation with scientific findings, photography, and original illustrations. These 100 devotions encourage awe at God’s creativity with an in-depth look at

• Space, Galaxies, Planets, and Stars
• Earth, Geology, Oceans, and Weather
• Animals—from Hummingbirds to Dinosaurs
• Our Minds, Bodies, and Imaginations

Each devotion features a “Be Amazed” section with fascinating facts, hands-on activities, and a closing prayer. Based on Louie Giglio’s popular messages “Indescribable” and “How Great Is Our God,” Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God & Science will help kids discover the incredible creation of our indescribable God.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the BookLook Review program on behalf of Thomas Nelson Publishers and the author to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Contemporary Fiction from WaterBook Press) [Giveaway]

About the book: Decades of loss, an unsolved mystery, and a rift spanning three generations

Hazel DeFord is a woman haunted by her past. While berry picking in a blackberry thicket in 1943, ten-year-old Hazel momentarily turns her back on her three-year-old sister Maggie and the young girl disappears.

Almost seventy years later, the mystery remains unsolved and the secret guilt Hazel carries has alienated her from her daughter Diane, who can't understand her mother's overprotectiveness and near paranoia. While Diane resents her mother's inexplicable eccentricities, her daughter Meghan---a cold case agent---cherishes her grandmother's lavish attention and affection.

When a traffic accident forces Meghan to take a six-week leave-of-absence to recover, all three generations of DeFord women find themselves unexpectedly under the same roof. Meghan knows she will have to act as a mediator between the two headstrong and contentious women. But when they uncover Hazel's painful secret, will Meghan also be able to use her investigative prowess to solve the family mystery and help both women recover all that's been lost?

About the author: Kim Vogel Sawyer is a highly acclaimed, best-selling author with more than one million books in print, in seven different languages. Her titles have earned numerous accolades including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in central Kansas with her retired military husband, Don, where she continues to write gentle stories of hope. She enjoys spending time with her three daughters and grandchildren. Learn more at kimvogelsawyer.com.

Learn more & purchase a copy

GIVEAWAY

Begins October 3

Ends October 19 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

Winner's copy is graciously provided via Litfuse Publicity Group, the author, and publisher.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Watch for Chat With Vera's review soon!

The Life and Times of Martin Luther by Meike Roth-Beck & illustrated by Klaus Ensikat [Review & Giveaway USA/CANADA]

ISBN: 9780802854957
Hardcover: 44 pg - Age 7-12
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

My thoughts:  Eerdmans Publishers has a knack for selecting children's or young readers' picture biographies that are interesting and reveal the individual's special characteristics, shortcomings, and achievements. In this picture biography of Martin Luther - The Life and Times of Martin Luther, the author and illustrator have both collaborated well to show the reader what the people, buildings, dress looked like. Also, the spiritual life of the 1500s is well addressed as Martin Luther is in pursuit of knowing what the Bible actually teaches and how it conflicted with that which was currently being taught by the Roman Catholic Church and its leaders.

Some of the 95 Theses which Luther nailed to the church door are discussed. This type of information is rare in a  book for ages 7 to 12. The text of the story about Luther and the times is a little heavy for a seven-year-old, but certainly not above that of a 6th grader. In fact, the book would be appealing to teens and adults and could perhaps be a pivot point that directs discussion and further research into the time of the Protestant Reformation. As the book points out, the period into which Luther was born was one when there was a thirst for knowledge. Universities were founded, technologies were invented, and the human body was studied. Luther was eight years old when Christopher Columbus sailed in 1492. Luther was privileged to receive an education and later became a monk. It was while a monk he began to think and question the use of paid indulgences for the forgiveness of sins, etc.

Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door October 31, 1517 so Reformation Day is celebrated on October 31 and this year, 2017, marks the 500th anniversary of this event.  Link to book on Eerdmans

God is merciful. 

No one has to earn God's love. 

It is a gift.

About the book: A fascinating look at the ideas that founded the Protestant Church

Wittenberg, Germany, 1517: Martin Luther publishes 95 theses criticizing the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. With that one defiant act, a conflict begins—a conflict that will spark the Protestant Reformation and ultimately lead to the division of the Christian church.

This sophisticated book commemorates the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation by examining the details of Martin Luther's life and his lasting legacy.

GIVEAWAY ~ 2 WINNERS

Begins October 2

Ends October 23 at 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA & CANADA addresses

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

Beauty in a Box from Good Earth Beauty Supports Breast Cancer Awareness & the National Breast Cancer Foundation

Good Earth Beauty is pleased to announce our premier collaboration in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Throughout the month of October, you will see our pink gift shop offering trendsetting pink organic and all natural beauty and skincare, Good Earth Beauty Gift Shop. 

With every sale of The Breast Cancer Awareness Beauty Box (click here) donation will be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Breast Cancer Awareness Beauty Box
A donation is made to the National Breast
Cancer Foundation for every one bought
October 1 - October 31
Price: $25.00 - free shipping USA
Buy it here!

Contents: Link to Breast Cancer Awareness Beauty Box

• Strawberry Margarita Body wash by Good Earth Beauty - 1 ounce sample
• Japanese Cherry Blossom shampoo and conditioner by Good Earth Beauty - one ounce sample bottles
• Perfume mini roller bottle by Good Earth Beauty/Mod Perfume - Rose Champagne
• Shower Whip Pink Lemonade by Good Earth Beauty - 1 ounce Jar
• Hand Cream rose by Good Earth Beauty - 1 oz sample jar
• AND a full sized Good Earth Beauty Rose Body Balm

Our family's story......

We have 5 wonderful grown children. Of course, we think of children as kiddies running around playing, swimming, going to school, taking piano lessons, etc. But they do grow up. They leave home. They marry. They have children. They have cancer. 

Oops! That's not suppose to happen. Not in our happy-ever-after world. But it does. And often, as with our sweet daughter, breast cancer struck unsuspectingly. She was not a candidate for the Big "C" because she didn't smoke, she lived clean, we had no family members with it. And on and on the list could go. 

But she was diagnosed with a very aggressive HER2 form. I don't know the specifics. Family helped her find a top doctor at Emory, and she had surgery and chemo followed by five years of other medications.  

And now? She is clear of cancer. Will it ever come back? We are hoping it doesn't. She is living a wonderful life teaching school to exceptional children and loving every minute of it. We are thankful for each and every day and pray that she has had all the pain and hurt that Big "C" can wrench out of her. She is a survivor. She is a strong woman. She fought and she had a wonderful team of family that cared and medical professionals who worked hard to help her reach this goal.

Watch for Good Earth Beauty's friends who are survivors or have friends and family members who are survivors, post about their own stories throughout the month on Instagram .

National Breast Cancer Foundation, uses donations like these from the purchase of the Beauty Box to provide help and inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services.

Join us in the celebration of those who have overcome breast cancer, to honor those who succumbed to it and to educate others. Shop our pink shop starting October 1st. Buy a Breast Cancer Awareness Beauty Box for that special woman in your life. Buy it here!

Good Earth Beauty only sells all natural products which are free of cancer causing toxic ingredients.

Celebrate a woman in your life and in doing so help others who may not be as fortunate. You can purchase the one time beauty box https://www.goodearthbeauty.com/beauty-box-breast-cancer-awareness-one-time

We're Going on a Bear Hunt: Snow Globe Edition by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury [Review & Giveaway US/CANADA]

ISBN: 9781536200294

Hardcover $16.99 US

On sale: Oct. 10, 2017

The beloved children's book, We're Going on a Bear Hunt has been published in various forms, big and little, since it's origin in 1989. That means a lot of children have enjoyed its catchy plot/story and have repeated the lines "We're not scared" or "What a beautiful day!" over and over.

Candlewick Press has brought forth a new little version with lovely and engaging pop-up pages for each section. This brings the excitement to the forefront and captures the loving attention of a new generation of children.

Also, this new version has a "snow globe" on the cover harking to the section where it is snowing on the day they go on a bear hunt. Just another delightful touch that the folks at Candlewick bring to children's books again and again.

About this edition: Bear lovers, rejoice! Shake up a snowstorm in this gorgeous gift edition of the award-winning classic by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. 

We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one. Will you come, too? For over a quarter of a century, readers have been swishy-swashying and splash-sploshing through this award-winning favorite. This new hardback gift edition includes a 3-D snow scene on the cover to add fun and festive flurries to your favorite family adventure story.

(From Wikipedia) We're Going on a Bear Hunt is a 1989 children's picture book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. It has won numerous awards and was the subject of a Guinness World Record 

Story Plot: Five children and their dog go out to hunt a bear. They travel through grass, a river, mud, a forest and a snowstorm before coming face to face with a bear in its cave. This meeting causes panic and the family run home, across all the obstacles, followed by the bear. Finally, the children lock the bear out of the house and all hide under the duvet saying "We're not going on a bear hunt again." 

We're going on a bear hunt.
We're going to catch a big one.
What a beautiful day!
We're not scared.

(and the refrain with river, forest, long grass....)
We can't go over it.
We can't go under it.
Oh no!
We've got to go through it!

This little book is great for little ones and would make a welcome gift by them and their parents. 

Click here to preorder

GIVEAWAY - 2 WINNERS

Open to USA & CANADA

Begins October 1

ENDS October 23 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

No P.O. Boxes accepted

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

Loving Luther (story of Katharina von Bora) by Allison Pittman from Tyndale House Publishers

My thoughts:  The year 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and specifically the year 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door taking his stand against teachings prevalent in the Catholic church.

In that same period a child was dropped at the door of a Catholic Nunnery. She was five years old. Her name was Katharina von Bora. While of a prestigious family (in name, at least), there was not fortune. So opens the story as told by Allison Pittman in Loving Luther. A young girl enters the shadowy and harsh life of the convent and eventually takes her vows to become a nun.

The author presents Katharina as a precocious and highly intelligent young girl who carried her thinking capabilities into her adult life enabling her to critique life in the convent, smuggled in bits of information relative to the ensuring reformation movement, and later piquing the interest and conversations of Martin Luther.

Through her years in the convent, she begins to doubt and question and then perchance comes upon smuggled scraps of parchment that contain verses from Scripture, that she has never been allowed to read, and snatches of the forbidden writings of  a defrocked monk, Martin Luther.

About midway the book, Katharina von Bora and a few other nuns are smuggled out of the convent and taken to safekeeping provided by Martin Luther who has searched out potential suitors to marry the nuns. This is in keeping with society of the 1500s when women were either married and under the protection of a husband, still in the keeping of a father, cloistered in a nunnery, or living as a woman of ill repute. Luther ensconced Katharina in the home of a wealthy nobleman where she received the attention of a potential husband, Jerome, though she did not marry him.

As we know from historical fact, Katharina did eventually marry Martin Luther. Her story is not complete in the telling by Allison Pittman but the author gives a good accounting of Katharina's life leading up to her marriage and the events and people who shaped her into the woman that loved Martin Luther.

About the book: Germany, 1505
In the dark of night, Katharina von Bora says the bravest good-bye a six-year-old can muster and walks away as the heavy convent gate closes behind her.

Though the cold walls offer no comfort, Katharina soon finds herself calling the convent her home. God, her father. This, her life. She takes her vows—a choice more practical than pious—but in time, a seed of discontent is planted by the smuggled writings of a rebellious excommunicated priest named Martin Luther. Their message? That Katharina is subject to God, and no one else. Could the Lord truly desire more for her than this life of servitude?

In her first true step of faith, Katharina leaves the only life she has ever known. But the freedom she has craved comes with a price, and she finds she has traded one life of isolation for another. Without the security of the convent walls or a family of her own, Katharina must trust in both the God who saved her and the man who paved a way for rescue. Luther’s friends are quick to offer shelter, but Katharina longs for all Luther has promised: a home, a husband, perhaps even the chance to fall in love.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the Tyndale Blog Network on behalf of the author and Tyndale House Publishers to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

A winning Southern dish...... Vera's Crustless Coconut Pie

Through my many years of marriage and raising five children, I've cooked a lot of meals and a lot of desserts. I've packed a lot of school lunches and swim-day picnics. But times change and kids grow up, we age, our health changes, our diets must undergo transformation that makes frequent cooking of goodies a thing of the past.

However.......

Sometimes we just get a hankering for one of our old favorites. And I  was thinking of perhaps a Southern favorite - coconut pie. We like both the Coconut Chess Pie and Coconut Pie. The chess pie is a bit denser and has little or no milk having the main ingredients as butter, sugar, eggs, and coconut. But the regular Coconut Pie is more of a custard pie.

One I discovered early in my marriage was the "crustless" pie or the pie that "makes its own crust" as it bakes. This is one of those Southern Easy-Peasy desserts we are so fond of. You see, all the ingredients are simply stirred together and baked. No making a crust (and hoping it will turn out flaky and tender), rolling it out, and then making the pie to go in the crust. No. This gem of a dessert is really simple and quick.

So let's take a look at ..................

Vera's Crustless Coconut Pie (makes its own crust as it bakes)

4 eggs
8 tablespoons butter (real butter, 1 stick)
1⁄2 cup flour
2 cups milk (I used 2% but skim, whole, or 2% may be used)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut (I used the small 7 oz. package)
1 cup sugar
pinch of salt
pinch of baking powder 

Oven: 350 degrees
10 inch pie plate
Whisk dry ingredients together. Break eggs one at a time in separate bowl and then place into the whisked dry ingredients. Whisk to thoroughly blend. Blend in the slightly cooled, melted butter. Mix until it is blended. Add vanilla. Blend well. Add milk and thoroughly blend with whisk. Add the coconut and blend for a few seconds or until it is all mixed.

Pour it into the pie plate and bake for 50-60 minutes.This is a large pie. May cook in two smaller pans, but I like the larger pie. (Note: some like to grease and flour pie pan but I don't.)