This little gem has 90 family devotions. Each little
devotion has a prayer, an “appetizer” a “main course” and a healthy dose of
vitamins and minerals. So clever. How fun to do over the course of a meal or at
snack time.
What we loved: Anyone familiar with anything produced by
Adventures in Odyssey knows that these people always put out quality Bible
based products. This one was another solid win for AIO. Also, I loved the fact
that they were simple enough to do with my boy who’s developmental age is 5,
but had enough meat and potatoes for my 11 year old to chew on. And they were
quick, each one took our family about 5 minutes.
And you know why I love these people the most? Because they’re
so quick with the freebies. I've got a weeks worth of devotions from this book to share with you. Because I like you. Check it out here.
Please Note: We received this book for review purposes. As always, our opinions are 100% our own
Hey all!
A bit late on this announcement this time round, but surely you'll extend this weary mama a bit 'o grace? M'kay, thanks.
Anyway, here are our winners for this go around, so happy for you ladies!
Who was: Amber Beery
Who was: Lrmom
Who was: Julie Palazini
Thanks to everyone who entered! Wish I had one to give to everyone, but for those of you, here's the amazon link to Clifton Chase so you can put it on your wish list!
We're so excited to see another book launched out into the stratosphere of bookdom. What's even better than getting the scoop on the newest books on the scene is having an exclusive interview with the author of one of these books.
I had a sit down recently with Jaime Engle, author of Clifton Chase and the Arrow of Light, here are her thoughts from her latest project...
Hello! Welcome to my humble little bloggity blog, I'm so glad you're here!
I'm thrilled to be here, and so grateful that you are allowing me to connect with your followers and friends!
Where did you come up with the idea to write your book?
I
had an image of a boy in his bedroom and a strange arrow leaning out
from his closet. He left in a rush, and as soon as he did, the nose of
a dwarf poked out of the darkness of the boy's closet. He was looking
for the arrow, but the boy had found it first. This scene sent me to
the internet to research some possibilities of what this arrow could
mean. When I stumbled upon an oil painting of the Battle of Bosworth
Field by Philip James de Loutherbourg, and learned about the two
forgotten princes, I had found my story.
What was the most challenging part of writing this book?
The
most challenging part is keeping the voice true throughout the entire
book. Usually, when I start writing, I don't have a firm grasp on the
storyline or the characters. Once I get going, those solidify, so
making sure the characters sound the same from page one to 'the end' is
very important to me. It's a vital part of keeping the reader connected
to the story.
How does your book contribute to making this world a better place?
What
an awesome question! I think the universal principal in the book is
that we are all apart of something greater than ourselves. In the world
we live in, there is a tendency to focus on ourselves first and
foremost, and this mentality is encouraged in our civilization. I mean,
we have I phones, I tunes, and I pads. Not hiding the agenda...it's all
about the individual. My hope is that some child reading this book will
begin to consider the possibility that they are on this Earth for a
specific purpose and that it is far greater than just for themselves.
Where can we find more from you?
Just about everything you could want to know is on my blog, http://www.jaimiengle.com/. However, you can also follow Clifton Chase (the main character) at his facebook page: facebook.com/CliftonChaseAdventure where he blogs about being a twelve year old boy. There is a pretty awesome book trailer on youtube at http://youtu.be/phZclUViIBQ
which depicts the first chapter of the book. I even co-wrote the music
for it, which was super fun. There's some behind the scenes pics on my
blog, along with the first 6 chapters (for free) and downloadable
coloring pages, crossword puzzles, and word searches (for free). OH,
and you can also link to amazon to buy the book right from my blog!
How's THAT for convenient!!
Thank you again for this interview! Do you have any final parting words to share with us?
Thank
you so much for having me and helping to spread the word about my book.
As a mom and wife, I would encourage anyone reading this interview to
follow their dreams. You can achieve anything you desire if you are
willing to sacrifice and put in the hard work. I'd be happy to help
anyone interested in writing a book. Just contact me at jaimiengle@cfl.rr.com!
And we have a great giveaway going on this week, 3 copies of Jaime's latest book, 1 paper copy and 2 digital ebook copies. If you want to hear what we had to say on this one you can read our reviews here.
Young Clifton Chase has no idea what a treasure he's found in his new arrow, nor does he realize the adventure and responsibility that comes with it. Be prepared for a twisting, spinning and all together wild ride through time, mermaid infested waters and medieval England. Clifton is tasked not only with wielding
his new found weapon with honor, but also saving two princes from the grip of their cruel uncle.
This was a fun, easy going book. I found it unpredictable and playful. I appreciated the way she crafted her war scenes to be quick moving but without unappetizing violence. This mom has no use for gore.You can find more information and reviews here.
And what's better?
I have three copies for you. One regular paper copy and two digital ebooks. Go ahead and leave me a comment (here or on the facebook page - the comment tool is finicky). Which would you prefer, paper or ebook?
We received this book for review purposes, as always, our opinions are %100 our own.
Alright guys,
I'm happy to say that more people entered to win this book than any other giveaway I've ever had. Which is exciting for me, but not so exciting for all those people who are eager to get their hands on this book.
Sorry bout that.
Anyway. Here are my winners! So happy for you ladies! Be sure to email me at photosformax (at) yahoo.com with your contact info so I can pass it on to the publishers who will get your book out to you.
Which according to my master list is Angela Holland
Which is Mary Gronzo
Which is Becky Marie
Yea!! So happy for you ladies!! And for everyone else. Here's the link to find it on amazon Housewife Theologian
Hey there friends! I'm so excited to share this little post with you. Today we have an exclusive interview with Aimee Byrd (which makes me feel so fancy I can barely stand to be me.)
Anyway.
Here are some words from Ms. Byrd that you wont find anywhere else on the web. (Wee!!)
EP: Hello!
Welcome to my humble little bloggity blog. I'm so glad you're here!
AB: Thank
you for the opportunity to share a little bit about my book with your readers.
EP:Where
did you come up with the idea to write your book?
AB: The
idea for my book came from a need that I perceived in my own community. When my
kids started attending school, I realized that although many families attended
church, their faith was based more on good, Christian morals than actual
theological knowledge about who God is. In my friendships, I was discovering
that all us women struggle with many of the same issues, but we needed a tool
to help us encourage one another in the gospel. I wrote my book to raise
awareness of how our theology shapes our everyday living.
EP: What
was the most challenging part of writing this book?
AB: It
took me five years from when I started to write the book to holding the
beautiful, published product it in my hands. When I began, my son was still a
toddler, so I had very little time to write. There would be large blocks of
time where I just didn’t write all because I didn’t want to miss out on time
with my little guy, and I was just as tired as he was at the end of the day!
When he started school, I plugged away to finish the book. But then came the
challenge of finding a publisher, and going through that whole process.
It
was also difficult and lonely because I didn’t know one other writer. I told
very few people that I was writing a book, because to them it sounded the same
as if I said I wanted to try out for American Idol. As you might imagine, there
was a lot of prayer involved.
EP: Got
any advice for struggling sinners like me?
AB: The
more we learn from God’s Word, the more we can hold fast to our confession of
hope, because we really do see that he who promised is faithful (Hebrew 10:23).
And our confession is that even though we are sinners, God sent his Son Jesus
Christ, who lived a perfect life on our behalf and bore the curse for our sin
on the cross. He died the death we deserved. Three days later he rose from the
dead, and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding on behalf
of all those who trust in him for salvation. He will return for his bride, the
church, and we will be given new, incorruptible bodies to rule with him on the
new heavens and the new earth. Even now, he is sovereignly ruling to carry out
his plan. Everything is working for his glory and our good, which is to be
transformed into his likeness.
EP: How
does your book contribute to making this world a better place?
AB: Well
that is a tall order! I believe that my book, Housewife Theologian, glorifies God by helping women to better
understand their vocations, roles, sexuality, influence in the world, growth in
grace, unity and identity in Christ, membership in his church, and service in
discipleship. When read and studied together, my book
will facilitate growth in mentoring and discipleship, and an opportunity to
share with one another both your successes and failures as you discover how the
gospel interrupts the ordinary.
EP: Where
can we find more from you?
AB: Well,
I have a blog, www.housewifetheologian.com, that I update about
three days a week. I also contribute to The Council for Biblical Manhood and
Womanhood’s website (http://cbmw.org). I will be a guest host on the Alliance
of Confessing Evangelical’s podcast, Mortification of Spin, http://info.alliancenet.org/mos/podcast/saved-grace-theologian-default, on a semi-regular
basis. I’m also working on another book, Theological
Fitness, published by P&R.
EP: Thank
you again for this interview! Do you have any parting words to share with us?
AB: I’m grateful to be featured on your blog today,
thanks to your readers for taking the time to learn a little bit about my book.
Really, the main premise that I want to get across is that every married woman
is a housewife, and every person is a theologian. Whether we work outside of
the home or not, women share in their responsibility to the culture in their
homes. We should help one another in encouragement. That is why it is
beneficial to include even singles, divorced, and widowed women in this group
as well. And we are all theologians. In John 17:3, Jesus prays, “And this is
eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you
have sent.” Knowing God is an eternal matter. The question is not whether we
are theologians, but whether we are good ones or bad ones. I would like to help
us be good ones!
And I do have 3 copies to of this book to giveaway! Leave me a comment (here or on my facebook page if the comment tool isn't working) here to enter!
So its the best day of the week! It's giveaway day! I'm super psyched that my publishing friends gave me a whopping 3 books! It does not get much better than that.
So without much more mindless blathering I'll just get to it.
Winner 1:Shannon Amador
(who entered via facebook!)
Winner 2: Carrie Sholes
Winner 3: Lynette
Yea!
I need your addresses friends! Facebook it to me or email them to me at photosformax (at) yahoo.com
What happens when you
appear to be outward obedient while sinning wildly within?
Why are so many people
are willing to discuss what big sinners they were before they were saved, but
few invite you into their hearts to see what huge sinners they still are?
What if god chooses to
glorify himself as much in our sinful failure, by bearing with us patiently, as
he does by demonstrating his power to change us and strengthen us for
obedience?
What if sin continues to
have victory over our best intentions many times each day?
Is it possible for us to
have profound joy even when we find ourselves sinning a great deal?
What is it that marks
out our growth as Christians?
These are the questions
Barbara R. Duguid sets forth in her new book Extravagant Grace. To help us
answer those questions, Ms Duguid turns to the writings of John Newton as she
helps us see that there is a divine purpose behind our failures with sin.
The author bares her
soul and puts all her sins on the line in order for us to see our own sins for
what they are, an opportunity to rediscover the extravagant grace that helps us
remember how beautiful the gospel truly is.
I found a great deal of
comfort in the pages of this book. A whole lot of weight was lifted from my
shoulders as I realized I didn't have to be so annoyed with my own sins. That
in reality, my junk was just a part of the plan. Whew.
We received this book for review purposes, as always, our opinions are %100 our own.
