Hunt for the Devil's Dragon | Book Review

I have never had the opportunity to read any of The Imagination Station books until now when I read Hunt for the Devil’s Dragon by Marianne Hering and Wayne Thomas Batson.  This is book number 11 in the series and was a great book for a grade school child.

The story starts with Beth headed into Whit’s End to get some ice cream because she is thinking over an issue from the day.  Shortly behind her was Patrick who asked Beth what was wrong because she only ordered a “two-scoop root-beer float” when there was something bothering her.  Beth explained that there was a girl that ganged up on another girl in her class saying that she was a cheater and teasing her about it the whole recess.  Beth was upset because she didn’t do anything to stop what was going on because she was afraid that the group would turn on her.  Little did Beth know but, this story was going to launch her and Patrick on a wild adventure with dragons and a saber-toothed tiger.

After listening to the day’s events Whit send both Beth and Patrick into the imagination station sending them back to northern Africa and a time when “Christos” was hard to believe in.  Once they reach their destination they meet two children by the names of Sabra and Hazi who will be instrumental to their discovery, along with a Roman solider names Georgius.  These three people are going to help Beth learn the lesson she was sent there to learn. 

This is a story filled with betrayal, fear, and eventually courage to stand up for what you believe in.  There will be dragon and saber-toothed tiger attacks, Roman soldiers lying to get what they want and men standing up for what they believe in. 

The teachings of Jesus come through in this story loud and clear.  He always taught to fear the one that could condemn your soul, not the one that could kill your body.  This is something that I want my children to learn and to always know.  Also, to stand up for those whom you see are being wronged.  Jesus is a great example for children to learn from. 

The one thing I didn’t like about the book is that I was lost as to who the main characters were (no background on them) and never really found out what the Imagination Station is.  I know that since this is a book in a series it was probably explained in the first books but, this is one book where you will probably need to read the ones before to fully understand everything. 

It’s a wonderful story with great teachings in it but, I wish I knew they FULL background before reading this one.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of this review from Tyndale House.***

Revealing Jesus A 365 Day Devotional | Book Review

Darlene Zchech is well known for her beautiful voice and glory to God lyrics but, did you know that she was an amazing devotional writer also? Neither did I till I read her new devotional Revealing Jesus: A 365 Day Devotional.  I guess it would be expected considering her inspirational lyrics.

Darlene Zchech has a way of finding what lies deep within your heart and putting it into words on paper.  It’s amazing how each of the days were all relating to a part of my life.  It feels like she has writing this devotional with you in mind and that she was just the carrier of God’s great words, to help you see Him more.

We are all searching and wanting a way to see more of God’s presence in our lives and what better way than to spend a small fraction of your time daily reading this wonderful new devotional.  There is a devotion for every day of the year.  It’s absolutely wonderful. 

I was one of the few that was allowed to review the book along with the deluxe addition CD/DVD.  Can I just say that this was a gift from God…The DVD is an inspiring concert filled with worship like you never imagine.  It’s uplifting, heart-warming, and time spent glorifying God in all His glory.  The CD is just the DVD concert but, I love this about it.  You can take Darlene’s amazing concert with you everywhere.  Put the CD in your car and leave the DVD at home and you have an amazing experience glorifying God wherever you are.

What really got to me was when my kids started singing the lyrics to the songs.  I couldn’t have asked for anything so lovely.  My children singing their praises to God along with myself and the CD.  It was perfection!!!
***I was given a complimentary copy of this book and CD/DVD for the purpose of this review from Bethany House.***

Here is the video of one of the awe-inspiring songs from the CD/DVD.  Enjoy!!!

Shattered | Book Review

In Dani Pettrey’s second book Shattered she continues the family sage of the McKenna's from her previous book Submerged. 

After reading Submerged, I jumped on the chance to read the second book in the Alaskan Courage series by up and coming, new writer, Dani Pettrey.  Her second book did not disappoint.  The love story between Piper and Landon continues amid a murder mystery where Piper’s brother, Reef, is the main suspect.

While Piper is determined to prove that her brother is innocent, there is one, the sheriff up for reelection, that wants a quick conviction.  Landon wants to work the investigation to it’s fullest but, realized that Piper is conducting her own investigation and must keep her from hurting herself in the process of proving her brother’s innocence.

In most book series, you need to read the first book so that you know where this story is picking up and who the characters are.  I love that this series is different.  Yes, I highly suggest you read the first book before reading this one but, you don’t have to.  This book speaks for itself. 

Shattered is a wonderful sequel for Submerged and I cant wait till book three comes out.

***I was given a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of this review from Bethany House.***

Prayer Warrior Mom | Book Review

 I love praying for my kids.  With the help of Marla Alupoaicei, and her new book Prayer Warrior Mom, I have learned a few, new, ways to make my prayer life more intense than ever and better serving God.

I have always struggled with prayer. No matter how much I tried to pray and how hard I pray, I feel like it's not good enough for God.  He deserves better. The worst part is I desperately want to pray for my kids and be the praying parent that God always meant for me to be.  The great thing is, this book has helped with that TONS.  Alupoaicei makes understand how to pray and developing your prayer life to the life God has always wanted for you.

She talks about how we are supposed to “stand in the gap” for our kids.  We are supposed to be the one person that can fill that small, empty area between our kids and God.  It’s not always easy because we might be asking for something in prayer but, not meeting the conditions that God needs to see satisfied to give us a “yes” answer to our prayer.  Such conditions might be things like: having an attitude of submission, being faithful and not doubting, plus many more including my favorite of having a pure motive when we are coming to God with a prayer.

Meeting all the conditions of prayer help but, there might be times when you need to be persistent about what you are praying and keep it up.  God has a time when He will answer all prayers, it just might not be on your schedule.

You can also fast which will help you have a “spiritual breakthrough.”  While you don’t need to do a full fast for 40 days like Jesus, you can do a short fast for a day or two or you can fast from a certain food or drink.  It’s about sacrificing something we love or feel we need to have a new found realization. 

This book was made for the momma that wants to be a light in the dark of their child's life.  It’s an invaluable resource to the mother that truly wants a great life for their kids.  The life that God always meant for them to have.  Take the time and read this book.  If you love your kids as God loves them you will use this book to help develop your prayer life to the one that God wants for you to have.




Be a mom that stands in the gap for your kids.  Be the mom that God wants you to be.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of this review.*

Together: Growing Appetities For God | Book Review

I am so happy I stumbled across Together: Growing Appetites For God by Carrie Ward.  In Ward’s book she talks about giving our kids the “appetite” for God’s word.  Which, I know this is something that I want to instill in my children.  But, what do you do when you have trouble reading the Bible yourself or you are not as educated about it as you would like to be?  Well, that’s where this book comes in.

Carrie Ward helps us mothers that are wanting to show our children the path to a relationship with God, even when we, ourselves, are still taking those beginning steps on our paths.  I am in that place right now, where I am still learning all the greatness that God has placed in the Bible.  Her solution to this problem is, read the Bible with your children. 

Ward wanted to teach her kids about what wonderful stories were in the Bible and she discovered there was no better way to do this than to read the Bible itself.  She found it could be  a little overwhelming when she did the math trying to find out how long it would take her to get though the ENTIRE Bible in just 1 chapter a day.  Ward’s findings were…it would take 8 YEARS to do so.   Although overwhelmed at this finding she never let it discourage her and started a daily worship time during breakfast with her kids by reading 1 chapter a day.  5 years later they finished.  During that journey she discovered some wonderful things happening to her family.

There were some days when she though her children weren’t listening to her read but, after breakfast they would then depart from the table and act out what she has just read.  This gave her heart such joy to see that God’s word was making a difference in their lives.  She was also amazed at how God was helping her to learn all the while she was teaching her kids.  Sometimes reading the Bible aloud can help more than anything. 

I love how this book it written.  It’s straight forward, simple to understand, and a really quick read.  Which is great when you are the mother of young children.  You can get support and tips from Carrie Ward in a small potent package.  This is a wonderful book for helping any mother get started with reading the Bible with her children. 

So, what did Carrie Ward plan to do when she finished the Bible?  Well, she was going to read it again. 

I leave you now so that I may follow in Ward’s footsteps and start reading my way through the Bible with my children. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody Publishers for the purpose of this review. *