Sylvia Fisher is an Old Order Amish young lady who is much more interested in taking care of the herd at the family dairy than getting married and tending house. She is devastated by a betrayal and feels she must leave home. She goes to a farm to help an older couple that is in debt and cannot run their dairy as needed.
Things are going well, then the couple's son, Aaron, returns from rehab and wants nothing more than to sell the farm and move his parents to town. He hopes for an easier life for his parents, and has the best intentions, but they have renewed hope in the farm because Sylvia has created a more positive outlook and has actually increased earnings.
Sylvia and Aaron must learn to compromise and to work together. It is very difficult to do this when your goals are so opposite, and your parents think the new girl is amazing and you are a reprobate!
This book is #3 in the "Ada's House" series.
This was an enjoyable read as all of Woodsmalls books tend to be. The Amish culture is clearly defined and beautifully portrayed. The characters are rich and full of life. This book will be a great read for anyone that enjoys reading Amish ficiton.
This book was a complimentary review copy received from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Great for God:Missionaries Who Changed the World by David Shibley
This is a wonderful collection of 23 of the world's most influential missionaries. Their stories and legacys are told in a very concise manner. Each chapter begins with vital statistics such as birthdate, date of death, their legacy and a quote by the missionary being featured. This is a book about people whose lives impacted millions for God. This is such an encouraging book! These brief glimpses into the lives of the greatest missionaries will enlighten you and motivate you to live a life that pleases God, and also a life that is made great for God. Bill Bright, Jim Elliot, Amy Charmichael, and David Livingstone are some of the people highlighted.
This is a must have book for every library! These people were not called to be ordinary...they were called to be extraordinary! What are you called to be? This book challenges each of us to answer that question.
This book was given as a promotional consideration by the publisher.
This is a must have book for every library! These people were not called to be ordinary...they were called to be extraordinary! What are you called to be? This book challenges each of us to answer that question.
This book was given as a promotional consideration by the publisher.
Mondays With My Old Pastor by Jose Luis Navajo
If you have ever had doubts, if you have ever felt disillusioned with your faith, if you have ever felt just exhausted or are struggling in your faith...this book is definitely for you! Through anecdotes, stories and fables, we are brought to the foot of the cross. Writer and Pastor Jose Luis Navajo felt this way. He was so tired and was actually considering leaving the ministry. In his discouragement, his wife Mary suggested he visit with his old pastor, who had retired a few months prior.
As he visits each Monday, he begins to become renewed. You will as well after reading this book. There are 15 principles covered that will delight your soul and motivate you to continue the race. I highly recommed this book!
The following quote is just one of the many passages that had a huge impact on me. I am sure I will read this book again and again...
""Love the cross that God brings into your life,"my old pastor told me, "whatever it is. At times the cross takes the shape of a sickness...(sic) incredible lonliness, or economic hardship. Carrying your cross implies paying a price, but I assure you, it's worth it. It won't be long before you discover that cross turning into a ladder that will lift you up...""
You will probably want to have a pencil and highlighter ready as you study the principles. They are truely a breath of fresh air...
This book was provided as a promotional consideration by the publisher through Booksneeze.
As he visits each Monday, he begins to become renewed. You will as well after reading this book. There are 15 principles covered that will delight your soul and motivate you to continue the race. I highly recommed this book!
The following quote is just one of the many passages that had a huge impact on me. I am sure I will read this book again and again...
""Love the cross that God brings into your life,"my old pastor told me, "whatever it is. At times the cross takes the shape of a sickness...(sic) incredible lonliness, or economic hardship. Carrying your cross implies paying a price, but I assure you, it's worth it. It won't be long before you discover that cross turning into a ladder that will lift you up...""
You will probably want to have a pencil and highlighter ready as you study the principles. They are truely a breath of fresh air...
This book was provided as a promotional consideration by the publisher through Booksneeze.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
American History High School Level
American History High School Level (10th grade) by James P. Stobaugh (Student and Teacher Manuals)
The covers on these books are fabulous! Scenes from history are shown as a film clip on the right while the main picture is of a young boy selling newspapers with the headline "War Declared". The images evoke emotional responses from the beginning.
Student manual: The chapters are short and to the point, and contain useful and necessary information. My high schoolers thought it was easy to work with and the material was relevant, and easy to understand.
The images inside the book are very nice and relate well to the information presented. It would be nice if they were in color, but even for black and white they are well done.
There are 34 chapters corresponding to 34 weeks of study. Each chapter contains 5 lessons that take about 30 minutes to complete. There is a short reading section followed by critical thinking questions. The questions will either require a specific answer, or they may be open-ended allowing the student to form their own answers. Assignments are due daily or weekly depending on the desires of the parent/teacher.
Overall, the textbook seems very informative, but average. Any student wanting more will need to have other source materials as this text appears to be very basic. I like the format used and like the Biblical world view presented. I would definitely use this in my home, but I would make other resources available as well.
I would amp this up with additional resources such as colorful maps, outside reading assignments, and colorful pictures.
Teachers manual: There are 34 chapters included designed for 34 weeks of study. Each chapter has 5 lessons and takes about 30 minutes to complete. There is a weekly exam at the end, and students do this without using their book (unless otherwise noted). Assignments can be graded daily or weekly depending on the desires of the parent. This course is geared for independent learning and allows the parent to step back and let their student work alone.
The teachers copy includes these features: Narrative Background, Critical Thinking Questions, Concepts/Generalizations, History Makers, Historical Debate, World View Formation, and History and World View Overview.
Chapter tests are in the back of the book or can be downloaded from the site given. All review questions are included from the student copy and answers are included.
This is a very brief teachers copy with basically just the answers included. It would be nice to have the text included as well since it is very distracting and time consuming to have to refer to another book while grading. I like the way the discussion answers are presented, and the other features are nice. Overall, well done but needs the student text added.
I received these texts from New Leaf Publishing Group/ Masters Books as complimentary copies for review purposes. I was not asked to give a positive review in exchange, and the review above is my honest opinion of the books presented.
The covers on these books are fabulous! Scenes from history are shown as a film clip on the right while the main picture is of a young boy selling newspapers with the headline "War Declared". The images evoke emotional responses from the beginning.
Student manual: The chapters are short and to the point, and contain useful and necessary information. My high schoolers thought it was easy to work with and the material was relevant, and easy to understand.
The images inside the book are very nice and relate well to the information presented. It would be nice if they were in color, but even for black and white they are well done.
There are 34 chapters corresponding to 34 weeks of study. Each chapter contains 5 lessons that take about 30 minutes to complete. There is a short reading section followed by critical thinking questions. The questions will either require a specific answer, or they may be open-ended allowing the student to form their own answers. Assignments are due daily or weekly depending on the desires of the parent/teacher.
Overall, the textbook seems very informative, but average. Any student wanting more will need to have other source materials as this text appears to be very basic. I like the format used and like the Biblical world view presented. I would definitely use this in my home, but I would make other resources available as well.
I would amp this up with additional resources such as colorful maps, outside reading assignments, and colorful pictures.
Teachers manual: There are 34 chapters included designed for 34 weeks of study. Each chapter has 5 lessons and takes about 30 minutes to complete. There is a weekly exam at the end, and students do this without using their book (unless otherwise noted). Assignments can be graded daily or weekly depending on the desires of the parent. This course is geared for independent learning and allows the parent to step back and let their student work alone.
The teachers copy includes these features: Narrative Background, Critical Thinking Questions, Concepts/Generalizations, History Makers, Historical Debate, World View Formation, and History and World View Overview.
Chapter tests are in the back of the book or can be downloaded from the site given. All review questions are included from the student copy and answers are included.
This is a very brief teachers copy with basically just the answers included. It would be nice to have the text included as well since it is very distracting and time consuming to have to refer to another book while grading. I like the way the discussion answers are presented, and the other features are nice. Overall, well done but needs the student text added.
I received these texts from New Leaf Publishing Group/ Masters Books as complimentary copies for review purposes. I was not asked to give a positive review in exchange, and the review above is my honest opinion of the books presented.
Firestorm by Lisa Tawn Bergren
This was a fairly good romantic novel. Usually I go for action/mystery more than romance, but this was entertaining.This is Book 6 in the series and follows the story of Reyne Oldre who was introduced in an earlier book. Reyne is a smoke jumper, and had led a team of firefighters into an inferno that claimed lives, and her confidence as well. Now, disabled by her lack of confidence and total fear, she conducts research for other firefighters, and stays away from the blazes. But then she meets smoke jumper Logan McCabe, and suddenly she is back into the heat of things...with Logan, that is! As things heat up between them, Reyne must face the emotional trauma of her past and confront the fear that has driven her confidence into the ashes. In doing so, she must also come to terms with the fierce attraction brewing between her and Logan.
This was a good read, easy going but filled with enough mystery to keep me interested. I was disappointed in the speed of the relationship development because it did not seem very realistic. Other than that, the book was good. This would be a great book to take on a plane or vacation. It is interesting enough to keep you entertained, but pleasant enough to leave you feeling good at the end. Plus, it is a fast read.
I was pleasantly surprised at the end to find another short book included called "Sandcastles". It was similar to Firestorm but followed another character. Another fast, easy flowing read. This author has a great writing style.
Overall, if you like romance books, you will enjoy this!
This book was a complimentary review copy received from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
This was a good read, easy going but filled with enough mystery to keep me interested. I was disappointed in the speed of the relationship development because it did not seem very realistic. Other than that, the book was good. This would be a great book to take on a plane or vacation. It is interesting enough to keep you entertained, but pleasant enough to leave you feeling good at the end. Plus, it is a fast read.
I was pleasantly surprised at the end to find another short book included called "Sandcastles". It was similar to Firestorm but followed another character. Another fast, easy flowing read. This author has a great writing style.
Overall, if you like romance books, you will enjoy this!
This book was a complimentary review copy received from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore
Brielle is an older teen returning from the big city of Portland after the horrific murder of her best friend. She is coming home to a small town in Oregon. She is severely traumatized, and is having trouble coping.
Jake is the new guy at school. He has an unbelievable gift, and for some reason, his hands are always very hot!
Jake and Brielle are brought together by events bigger than the both of them. Supernatural forces are gathering in this small town and the two high schoolers play a pivotal role in the coming events. They are guarded by two angels and evil has entered the town. A demon has arrived and is bringing trouble for these young people and the town.
Jake and Brielle are called to join the battle...amazingly in the spiritual realm.
This was a good book. I liked the story line and the characters were well developed and believable. I really liked the way the author describes the visualization of fear in the supernatural realm. The angels can literally see the fear clinging to humans, oozing off of them, and "...like a heat-seeking missle, it runs...seeking someone, anyone to attach itself to." If only we, as humans, could see what fear actually looks like...we could perhaps understand better how it is the weapon of choice for the enemy, paralyzing us and holding us hostage...(paraphrased).
I am looking forward to Dittemores next book in this series. Although the book is appropriate for the teen market, I feel that adults can enjoy it as well.
This book was a complimentary copy from the publisher through Booksneeze. This review reflects my honest appraisal of this book.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Survival Tactics for Office Workers by Rolf McEwen
This is a book that all office workers should own! It is a comical foray into the life of office workers everywhere. McEwen uses tongue in cheek comedy to impart advice and yes, bits of wisdom as well! There are 107 exercises to relieve the boredom suffered by office workers. Each exercise will leave you laughing and yet, you will want to actually try these! There are many ways suggested to relax as well.
This is a very uplifting book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and imagining these tactics! I am an ex-office worker and I can assure you that I probably would have lasted longer if I had these tidbits of comedic wisdom at my disposal.
Whether you fancy the sedentary "paper clip jewelery" exercise, or the more active "parking lot cigarette butt pick-up" exercise, you will definitely find something to suit your tastes. And the wisdom found in these exercises will make you think on a deeper level, thereby increasing your ability to stay focused at work! For example: "It takes courage to be a little crazy. It requires courage to get in touch with your true self, and to express who and what you really are. Have you got a little courage?" Have you ever considered that?
This is a survival manual for everyone, no matter where you work. It can be adapted to fit your environment and will provide you with limitless entertainment value and water cooler topics for quite a while! And as an added bonus you will receive nuggets of wisdom embedded in the exercises.
I received this book as a gift from the author. It was not given to solicit a favorable review. The review is my honest opinion of this authors work.
This is a very uplifting book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and imagining these tactics! I am an ex-office worker and I can assure you that I probably would have lasted longer if I had these tidbits of comedic wisdom at my disposal.
Whether you fancy the sedentary "paper clip jewelery" exercise, or the more active "parking lot cigarette butt pick-up" exercise, you will definitely find something to suit your tastes. And the wisdom found in these exercises will make you think on a deeper level, thereby increasing your ability to stay focused at work! For example: "It takes courage to be a little crazy. It requires courage to get in touch with your true self, and to express who and what you really are. Have you got a little courage?" Have you ever considered that?
This is a survival manual for everyone, no matter where you work. It can be adapted to fit your environment and will provide you with limitless entertainment value and water cooler topics for quite a while! And as an added bonus you will receive nuggets of wisdom embedded in the exercises.
I received this book as a gift from the author. It was not given to solicit a favorable review. The review is my honest opinion of this authors work.
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