Christmas-themed activity book "I Spy Christmas" from Kregel children's books

🎄THINK AHEAD FOR CHRISTMAS GIVING🎄

ISBN: 9780825455605
Hardcover $13.99 USA
Ages 3-6

My thoughts:  Charming! Brightly illustrated "stories" each on a two-page spread. The story is a simple 4-line text that tells one portion of the traditional Christmas story about the birth of the Christ child. Each "story" has search and find activities that engage the child to find objects and to count. While not a "counting" book, it still involves counting. Attention to detail is enhanced by using books like I Spy Christmas to find the small, obscure details.

The book's story is true-to-Scripture and is progressive from the angel's visit to Mary to the Wise Men bringing their gifts to Baby Jesus. Simple. Direct. 

I highly recommend. 

About the book: Can you spot the doves? What about the angel's trumpet? Point to the girl holding a rug!

Children and parents alike will have hours of fun experiencing the Christmas story in these colorful and bustling illustrations. Samantha Meredith has created eleven bright and beautiful scenes kids will love. Each page not only follows the holy family on their journey, it also includes special pictures for kids to point out. Secret word: angel

It's an interactive book children will want to come back to again and again--all while learning the story of Jesus's birth!

🛐GIVEAWAY🛐

Begins October 28

Ends November 25 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

🎄Open to USA addresses only.🎄

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's book prize is provided and mailed directly to the winner by Kregel Children's Books or it's publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Unexpected Witness (Mountain Justice Book 1) by Penny Zeller [Giveaway]

My thoughts:  Author, Penny Zeller never disappoints with her stories are thoroughly fleshed out and always squeaky clean and uplifting. I've read her contemporary fiction but mostly her historical fiction, so I really wondered about her venturing into the genre of contemporary suspense. But again, Penny has not disappointed.

Set in a small mountain community, the story opens just as the local medical clinic is closing for the day and the nurse closes the clinic and walks to her parked car. She witnesses a ghastly murder and the story gets off to a fast paced start. Terrifying experiences leap from the pages as our witness, Mila, is repeatedly in dangerous, life threatening situations.

You'll love the characters from strong men who protect and serve to a sweet grandmother and an enchanting child that will warm your heart. The danger is there lurking in the shadows.

I thoroughly enjoy this story and am looking forward to the next in the series Unexpected Danger.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

About the book: If she can identify one person, she could bring down an entire crime network.

Nurse Mila Casey did not expect to witness a murder in the clinic’s parking lot. Nor did she imagine seeking protection from the at-large killer would land her on a secluded ranch owned by handsome, but standoffish, Roarke Brenneman.

Mila finds herself in the center of ever-growing danger as the police are unable to locate the suspect. When the protection of the ranch is compromised and Mila’s location is discovered, can she, with Roarke’s aid, stay one step ahead of a crazed murderer who intends to silence her forever?

**Please note: Unexpected Witness is a faith-filled Christian romantic suspense novel.** Secret word: justice

GIVEAWAY

Begins October 23

Ends November 22 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own, alone. Winner's prize copy is provided by author or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

"Thank You" by Jarvis from Candlewick Press [Review & Giveaway]

Learning Thankfulness

My thoughts: A delightfully cute and sweet book about a child finding joy in all that is around him - even the color green! While this isn't about expressing thankfulness to God for everything, it is about an attitude of thankfulness.

Reading this book reminds me of the "little boy who during his evening prayers said, 'Thank you God, for the doorknobs.'" We need to have an attitude of thankfulness and awareness of all the things about us that bring joy and make life a delight. This children's book is a good start at awareness of a multitude of things to be thankful for on a daily basis. 

I found the illustrations whimsical and pure delight. A good book.

About the book: With inviting collage illustrations, Jarvis brings his singular whimsy and sweetness to a musing on gratitude that spans the ages.

I thank my hat for stopping my thoughts from floating
up, up, and away.
I thank the cloud for the puddles.

The moon brings nighttime, and the sun the day. With no yellow and blue, we’d be a world without green lights, and without itches we’d never know the relief of a scratch. From oversized plants that offer hiding places to boots that somehow know the way, from siblings who bravely take the first plunge to yourself for being you, award-winning picture-book creator Jarvis spans the gamut from the silly to the sublime and opens the endless possibilities for giving thanks. Strikingly illustrated in bright, clear colors, this uplifting picture book is poised to make a thoughtful gift.

Author Bio: Secret word: Grateful - Jarvis is the author-illustrator of two chapter books about Bear and Bird as well as the picture books Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth; Tropical Terry; Follow Me, Flo!; and The Boy with Flowers in His Hair, among others. He is also the illustrator of Pick a Pine Tree, Pick a Pumpkin, and Pick a Perfect Egg, all by Patricia Toht. An animator who has worked as a record jacket designer and an animation director, he lives in Manchester, England.

GIVEAWAY

Begins October 22

Ends November 13 @ 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's book prize is provided and mailed directly to the winner by Candlewick Press or its publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Lost On A Mountain In Maine (movie releases November 1) [Review & Giveaway]

 

Synopsis: Lost On A Mountain In Maine

The Balboa Productions feature tells the inspiring true story of 12-year-old Donn Fendler, who’s story captured the nation after becoming separated from his family and surviving nine days lost in the remote wilderness of northern Maine.  Lost on a Mountain in Maine tells the inspiring true story of 12-year-old Donn Fendler, who becomes separated from his family by a fast-moving storm atop a treacherous mountain. For nine days Donn fights to stay alive as he attempts to survive the unforgiving wilderness of northern Maine without food, proper clothing, or the knowledge of how bad his situation really is. His disappearance sparks a massive search effort that captures national headlines and attracts hundreds of volunteers, including his own father who fears he may never see his son again.

More Information - click here
Don't miss this one!

My review: Powerful. Moving. Heart wrenching! A story of endurance beyond comprehension. This movie captures the family vibes of a hard working man and his wife, 3 boys, and daughter. The time is 1939 and people are still struggling after a decades long depression that followed The Crash of 1929. But the story is not about economics and family hardships. It's about a boy and his encounter with a mountain. An encounter of massive proportions and unbelievable hardships. Nine days alone on a wilderness mountain and trying to find his way down and back home.

I highly recommend this beautifully told story. Take the whole family. It's worth the time.

Buy tickets today to see Lost on a Mountain in Maine in theaters starting November 1st! Click Here

GIVEAWAY

$10 Amazon Gift Card

Secret word: Lost

Begins October 22

Ends November 2

Open to USA addresses only.

(Only US winners who haven't won via another bloggers' giveaway for this campaign)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: Many thanks to WIT PR! for providing a screener link to "Lost On A Mountain in Maine" for me to watch and review. Opinions are 100% my own. Winner's prize is provided by publicist and/or their affiliates and is emailed directly to the winner by publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Into the Sunset (A Western Light #3) by Mary Connealy [Giveaway]

A Historical Western Romance

Set in 1800's Cheyenne, Wyoming

ISBN-978-0764242670
Bethany House Pub.

Will the sun set on their chance at happiness before they can seize it?

To finally escape the clutches of her controlling husband and the threat of being recommitted to an asylum, Ginny Rutledge enlists the help of her friends, Maeve O'Toole and Dakota Harlan. Fleeing their own tumultuous pasts, the group embarks on a journey to prove Ginny's sanity. However, as they confront the shadows they wish they could forget, danger looms from unexpected places.

Maeve grapples with her mother's impending remarriage and seizes a rare chance to escape her homestead--but that means reuniting with Dakota, the man she holds responsible for her father's death, who is caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful family. As the two of them navigate their shared history and a dangerous mission, Dakota is forced to confront his deepest fears and fight for the woman who has unwittingly captured his heart. Secret word: mental

In this action-packed series finale, Mary Connealy delivers a riveting tale of danger, romance, and second chances on the Western frontier.

My review: As the conclusion to the "The Western Light" series, the author wrapped up the saga of societies' abuse of women, and how the new State of Wyoming valued women and didn't tolerate abuse of women. This played well into the story of the main character, Ginny, whose husband had her committed to an abusive insane asylum simply because she wouldn't turn over to him her daughter's inherited  money. 

While during that period of history, women's property typically became her husband's upon marriage, Ginny's daughter's inherited money from a grandparent could not be controlled by her father.

In previous books in the series, the two ladies travel West to escape the clutches of the father, and in the story Into the Sunset, they eventually and permanently escape his reach. 

Typical of the author's comedic style of writing romance and action, this book provided light reading, fun, and some good old fashioned "rooting for the underdog" escapism. Typical also, was the author's exposing the reader to historic truth about the settling of the Western United States. 

I thoroughly enjoyed peeks into the lives of previous series' characters and how they continue their lives and interact in the current story. I remember them, but new readers won't have a problem with their story-interaction.

I recommend this sweet romantic and light hearted Christian story.

GIVEAWAY

"Into the Sunset"

Begins October 18

Ends November 18 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and mailed directly to the winner by author or publisher. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Buster and the Christmas Parade by Dale Earnhardt Jr. from Tommy Nelson children's books [Review & Giveaway] 🎄

🎄Think ahead for Christmas giving🎄

My thoughts:   Boys and their trucks and cars! They never outgrow them! When little they make their own varoom!! sounds revving engines and zipping their cars and trucks - large and small - across the floor. Dads love race cars and watching the races; and often kiddies sit beside dad as he watches. Both revving their internal engines.

In Buster and the Christmas Parade kids will find a lot of racing or car terms..... popped the hood, oil running hot, slammed on his brakes, threw in reverse, tight turn. Plus, the story takes some exciting runs and turns. Its all about a team welcoming a newcomer and being friendly. About getting along with one another. Team play. And getting the job done.

Illustrated with delightfully cute and wacky cars in bright joyful colors, the reader will have a joyful Christmas experience at the Christmas parade being sure to get the Christmas tree where it should be.

While produced by a Christian children's publisher, there is nothing about true meaning of Christmas. Though various scenes of the town are shown, there is no nativity. So this is basically a secular story about a Christmas parade and cars and trucks. Cute story. Fun illustrations. Very nice book.

About the book: It's Christmastime and Buster's going to be in the big parade! NASCAR legend and New York Times bestselling author Dale Earnhardt Jr. introduces Buster and the Christmas Parade, the third book in the popular Buster the Race Car series. Secret word: ride

It may be chilly out, but rival race car Scuff's mean comments make Buster's oil run hotter than ever! When Coach Hog invites Scuff, who was alone at the holidays, to join Punchy Motorsports in the Christmas parade, Buster must navigate the difficult course of finding the true spirit of Christmas and traveling the festive parade route with his main competition.

This jacketed picture book:

• is ideal for kids, ages 4 to 8;
• shows kids the importance of kindness and forgiveness, an especially important message during the Christmas season; and
• is a perfect gift for Christmas and Advent.

Ride along with Buster and enjoy this heartwarming story that is a perfect read for children who love race cars and Christmas adventures.

Check out the other books in the Buster the Race Car series:

• Buster's Trip to Victory Lane
• Buster Gets Back on Track

GIVEAWAY

Begins October 17

Ends November 12 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Tommy Nelson Books to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize is provided and mailed directly to the winner by the publisher. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories of Resilience and Positive Thinking [Giveaway]

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories of Resilience & Positive Thinking (101 Devotions with Scripture, Real-Life Stories & Custom Prayers) 

🎄Think ahead for Christmas gifting

 

ISBN-13: 9781611591187

This beautiful hardcover edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories of Resilience & Positive Thinking makes a great gift for yourself or someone you love. Enjoy these 101 unique devotions, each with scripture, a true story, and a custom prayer. Secret word: positive

It’s often been said that life is a roller coaster, not a merry-go-round. These 101 daily Christian devotions will help you navigate the highs and lows of that beautiful, unpredictable, exciting journey. They will offer comfort, encouragement, and inspiration, and help you use the power of positive thinking and find the strength you need to overcome adversity and experience new joy.

Writers share their personal experiences -- stories of positive thinking and good days, and stories of pain and loss, resilience and fortitude for the bad days. They all illustrate the triumph of the human spirit with God's unconditional love and His wisdom. These 101 devotions are sure to leave you feeling more powerful, more positive and more purposeful. Enjoy the ride!
 

🎄PRE-ORDER AT $9.99 DISCOUNT CLICK HERE 🎄

GIVEAWAY

Begins October 15

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

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: This book spotlight and hosted giveaway is a courtesy posting. I may receive a copy of the book. Winner's copy is provided to the winner directly by the author. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.