The Tallest Watchtower

I found that this is a good (but very short) book to read, it only took me about 10 minutes to finish it, it is a great read. I adored the first story, and the second one was enlightening.

I have to say though i liked the stories, i think that maybe there could've been a few more stories in this book to help it be complete, but otherwise it was ok, so out of 5 stars I am rating it as a 4 cause i did like it but it was short.



Some info on the books from my words...

There is 2 short stories. The first is titles, Lucy. It is about a couple who can not have children of their own. They decide they want to adopt a young boy. They arrive and actually pick a 3 year girl (for a very special reason, that i won't spoil in here). The ending is slightly sad but kind of happy in a way too.

The second short story tells of the 9-11 disaster. It talks of a man, who was getting ignored by pretty much everyone. It also tells of how more than 3,000 people died, (that is all i will say there cause any more could spoil the ending and everything)





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.




Book Description

The human heart is taken over by these very impressive short stories. The Tallest Watchtower is a wakeup call for our sleeping sense of empathy and charity and a reminder not to forget those who are not among us but between us and our God. Their memory is always respected. Containing stories of first loves, new loves, and the horrific events of September 11, 2011, this collection is sure to bring a reaction.

The Wedding Dress

By Rachel Hauck
Published by Thomas Nelson


Charlotte is an owner of her own bridal shop, and loves helping brides find their perfect dress, is getting married herself (to a man named Tim). She has yet to buy her dress, as she just can't seem to find the "right" dress, and doesn't feel compelled to do so real quick. She is questioning whether this marriage is something she wants to do or not. She gets in a predicament at the beginning where she gets stuck at an auction. She feels compelled to buy an old antique trunk.

This is a great book, it ties in 3 others stories about this wedding dress that was used by these girls (Emily, Mary Grace, and Hillary). If you like stories about love, then you will love this book.










Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.






Book Description

Four brides. One dress.

A tale of faith, redemption, and timeless love.

Charlotte owns a chic Birmingham bridal boutique. Dressing brides for their big day is her gift—and her passion. But with her own wedding day approaching, why can’t she find the perfect dress—or feel certain she should marry Tim?

Then Charlotte purchases a vintage dress in a battered trunk at an estate sale. It looks brand-new, shimmering with pearls and satin, hand-stitched and timeless in its design. But where did it come from? Who wore it? Who welded the lock shut and tucked the dog tags in that little sachet? Who left it in the basement for a ten-year-old girl? And what about the mysterious man in the purple vest who insists the dress had been “redeemed”?

Charlotte’s search for the gown’s history—and its new bride—begins as a distraction from her sputtering love life. But it takes on a life of its own as she comes to know the women who have worn the dress. Emily from 1912. Mary Grace from 1939. Hillary from 1968. Each with her own story of promise, pain, and destiny. And each with something unique to share. For woven within the threads of the beautiful hundred-year-old gown is the truth about Charlotte’s heritage, the power of courage and faith, and the beauty of finding true love.

Behemoth

By Jonathan C. Leicht
Published by WestBow Press

This is a great book to read. It is about two different groups (who don't know each other and don't know that the other group is doing the same thing) who are going out to prove that dinosaurs are still living.

I am going to call them into 2 different groups since they are indeed that.

The first group is about Stephan Gregory and others, who has lost his job and his reputation due to the fact that he shows slides about how dinosaur tracks and human tracks are intertwined into a fossil. Many do not wanna believe that humans and dinosaurs lived in the same era. He is summoned by John Maxwell (who likes scientific artifacts) who gave him a free airplane ticket to get him to his estate. He asks if he will help lead an expedition. They head into Congo (Likouala Swamp region), though they also thought of heading to Cameroon.


The second group has a few main people in it. Jim and Ben keep finding dead animals on their Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya. There is 3 dead elephants and 1 Cape Buffalo Bull, they were gored to death, by one really long horn/weapon, and with the tusks of the elephants intact they know it can't be poachers. Ben speaks Swahili but Jim doesn't. They find weird foot prints in the mud around where the bull was killed. They takes some casts of them. Jim send one of them to a friend, Dan. Who is excited by the fact that they found a great fossil of a Ceratopid (in which there are 4 possibilities, one being the Triceratops). They come across a tribe who's chief told them of an animal he seen as a boy. He had made a sculpture of it and showed them. It is a Centrosaurus.


This is a great read, and in fact, i thought it could be very believable. I hope that this review is enjoyable to all who read it and inspires them to go out and buy the book to read for themselves.






Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.



Book Description

Author Jonathan C. Leicht, who travels the country teaching creation seminars, bypassed his busy teaching schedule long enough to pen this adventure-filled novel that will have readers at the edge of their seats. At the center of Behemoth is Jim Thompson, chief game warden of the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya. Jim has a major problem. Three of his prized elephants have been gored to death in the past month. The only clues are mysterious tracks reportedly belonging to a creature long thought extinct. Thompson suddenly finds himself on a tumultuous adventure across the African continent, hoping to convince himself and the world that he is on the verge of an incredible discovery. He is not alone. On the other side of the world, Professor Stephen Gregory is embarking on an adventure of his own. Forced to resign over his unpopular scientific beliefs, this once-distinguished professor gets the chance of a lifetime when he is offered an expedition into the heart of Africa in search of a creature that could prove his theories true once and for all.

The Beauty Book

This is a great read for all ages. It helps show you that God loves us no matter what we look like, or what the "IN" look is. It gives great quotes from the bible proving their points in this book.

My daughter wants to re-read this already and I thought it was a good read.

It tells of many different aspects that everyone should think about.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.



Book Description

Learn with Lily and her friends just what it means to be beautiful in God’s eyes—inside and out!

In a society so focused on the idea that external beauty reigns supreme, it can be difficult for young girls to figure out what “true” beauty is all about. This unique and creative book for girls ages 7–11 answers the common questions girls ask during this often confusing and overwhelming stage in their lives in an inviting and conversational manner.

Filled with fun quizzes, imaginative activities, and cool illustrations, The Beauty Book offers cool, relevant information about everything from great hair styles to tattoos, from skin care to clothes, and much more. Above all, the message that God-confidence is beautiful is highlighted on each and every page.

Brush of Angel's Wings

I finished the book a while ago, but couldn't get near the computer for a bit, till today. I kept my notes on the book in my cell, so i wouldn't forget what to write
about from within the novel.

So the book has a Dutch glossary in the beginning which really helps out with certain words, though most are pretty straight foward just spelled differently, there are a few which if it didn't have this you would have to try and guess at their meanings.

Rachel is a 20 year old woman and has never been courted after as of yet. She is going to ask guidance from god about becoming a teacher (who is an unmarried woman that teaches the kids). She races her buggy into a ditch.

Jordon doesn't really believe in god. Him and Rachel get into a buggy race in the beginning. The horses got spooked by a semi and you find out that they both have the same guardian angel (named Nathaniel) and an envy angel (named Tangus)

Rachel has 3 Sisters (Sadie, Fanny, and Iva) and had 1 brother (James). Jordon gets a job with Rachel's father and she thinks that he is filling her brothers place in his heart, and her place on the farm.

Sadie has a beautiful little girl named Ella Sue but when a disaster happens, RAchel feels she must take over looking after the baby. But soon realizes why that shouldn't happen.

Hope this is enough info to get you interested in reading this book. It is a great Amish book to read. I really enjoyed reading it and hope others will too.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.




Book Description

Rachel and Jordan's feelings for each other are hostile at first, but angelic intervention helps the two discover peace . . . and perhaps love.

The youngest and last unmarried of four sisters, Rachel Hartlzer spends most of her time helping with barn chores. Her role abruptly changes when her father hires Jordan Engles, the son he always wanted.

As Jordan takes on brotherly roles around the house, like escorting Rachel to the youth singing, the enmity between the two grows. Besides, Jordan has one foot in the Englisch world and is determined not to get involved with an Amish girl.

Neither realizes that God has sent an angel, Nathaniel, to help mend their hearts. The angel’s intervention helps them find peace and healing in accepting God's will for their lives.

Need You Now

Great book about a family who moved from the city into the home of (the mom's, Darlene) late grandparents. She meets up with her next door neighbor, Layla, (who helps her kill a snake in her bedroom) and is a formal movie star with some problems of her own and who doesn't believe in god. The mom has a need for independence and wants to get a job. She gets one at a school for special kids. At the school she does afternoon one on one sessions with a special girl named Cara. Cara's dad is named Dave and starts to slightly fall for Darlene. Darlene loves her husband Brad and her children, Chad (male), Grace (female) and Ansley (female).


This book is a great book. Has great details but doesn't go overboard with it. Had many religious parts in it. It tells of real life type family problems and how this family deals with them. All in all I loved reading this book.






Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.



Book Description

When big-city life threatens the safety of one of their children, Brad and Darlene Henderson move with their three teenagers from Houston to the tiny town of Round Top, Texas.

Adjusting to small-town life is difficult for the kids, especially fifteen-year-old Grace who is coping in a dangerous way.

Married life hasn’t always been bliss, but their strong faith has carried Brad and Darlene through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.

While working with special needs children at her new job, the widowed father of one of the students starts paying more attention to Darlene than is appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening to her for the first time in a long time.

If Darlene ever needed God . . . it’s now.

Experience a family’s triumph over lies, betrayal, and loss while still clinging to the One who matters most.

Here's Lily

Lily has a best friend named Reni. Lily is always polite even when people are making fun of her looks. In her head she is always saying how Reni is so cute. She complains in her head about her looks, like her frizzy red hair and how she bites her nails. That is in part due to the other kids saying mean things to her.

The girls all go to the library for beauty tips, The woman named Kathleen is the one talking about it. She picks a volunteer, who turns out to be Lily. She shows the girls how you don't want to use a lot of makeup and how you want to just try and enhance your already beautiful features. She explains how they should stand and walk easier.

Lily has a nine-year-old brother named Joe and their older brother named Art. Who also make fun of her. She get into a modeling class run by Kathleen (who invited her). I hope everyone enjoys reading this, i know me and my daughter did.





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.




Book Description

Grow with the spirited, sometimes awkward, but always charming Lily as she learns what real beauty is.

In this fun, entertaining story, readers meet awkward sixth grader Lily Robbins who, after receiving a compliment about her looks from a woman in the modeling business, becomes obsessed with her appearance and with becoming a model. As she sets her sights on winning the model search fashion show, she exchanges her rock and feather collection for lip gloss, fashion magazines, and a private “club” with her closest friends. But when the unthinkable happens the night before the fashion show, Lily learns a valuable lesson about real beauty.

This best-selling, Biblically based fiction series for girls—with a fresh new look and updated content—addresses social issues and coming-of-age topics, all with the spunk and humor of Lily Robbins as she fumbles her way through unfamiliar territory. As readers come to love Lily and her stories, they’ll also benefit from the companion nonfiction books that will help them through their own growing pains.

Covenant Child

This is a very touching story to read. it is about 2 children who lost their mom at a real early age (so they'd never remember her). Their father remarries and they call her (Amanda) mom, they then lose their dad, and get wrenched away from Amanda to live with their other grandparents (on their moms side), who only wants their money. Amanda is continually trying to get the kids back to her loving arms, but it seems it may never happen. The children's grandparents bad mouth Amanda and so the kids learn to hate a woman they haven't seen (or at least don't remember seeing).

I loved reading this book




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.



Book Description

Amanda’s heart broke as she watched them drive her beloved twins away. She resolved to hope . . . and to fight for them to her last breath.

Kara and Lizzie are heiresses to one of the largest fortunes in the country. But when their father dies suddenly, the toddlers are ripped from the arms of Amanda, their loving stepmother, and given to their maternal grandparents, who only want the children’s fortune for themselves.

While even the stipend their guardians get for supporting them is squandered, the children are left to raise themselves. Kara and Lizzie grow up believing they are worthless . . . until the day when they learn the truth.

Garden of Madness

Garden of Madness
By Tracy L. Higley
Published by Thomas Nelson

Average Blogger Rating: 4.64 Stars

I found this book was very interesting to read. It took me a bit to kind of get into the plot but once it did, i loved to continue to read it. I would recommend this book for a nice little read to anyone.

Tia at a young age, had to do a treaty marriage,m and she went through with it for her father. Her father is "ill". Her husband lives for 7 years and then passes. Her mother is now saying she is to be wed again for a different treaty, which isn't something she wants.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.





Book Description

The Untold Story of King Nebuchadnezzar’s Daughter.

For seven years the Babylonian princess Tiamat has waited for the mad king Nebuchadnezzar to return to his family and to his kingdom. Driven from his throne to live as a beast, he prowls his luxurious Hanging Gardens, secreted away from the world.

Since her treaty marriage at a young age, Tia has lived an indulgent palace life. But when her husband dies and a nobleman is found murdered in the palace, Tia must discover who is responsible for the macabre death, even if her own newfound freedom is threatened.

As the queen plans to wed Tia to yet another prince, the powerful mage Shadir plots to expose the family’s secret and set his own man on the throne. Tia enlists the help of a reluctant Jewish captive, her late husband’s brother Pedaiah, who challenges her notions of the gods even as he opens her heart to both truth and love.

In a time when few gave their hearts to Yahweh, one woman must decide if she is willing to risk everything—her possessions, her gods, and her very life—for the Israelite’s one God. Madness, sorcery and sinister plots mingle like an alchemist’s deadly potion, and Tia must dare to risk all – to save the kingdom, and to save herself.