December 12, 2016
The Woman at the Well Spotlight
Get ready for a rigorous spiritual bootcamp in The Woman at the Well.
About The Woman at the Well
Are you ready for a rigorous spiritual bootcamp? This 4-week intensive Bible Study is about a journey of self discovery. One that will incite and ignite something amazing and wonderful in you. This is the story of how one person’s transformation can create a massive wave of change for Jesus Christ in the world.
You can purchase a copy of the Bible Study on Amazon and Leader Guide on Amazon.
About the Author
Rachel was born in Dayton Ohio to a already large family of 5. She was the baby of the family, and literally about killed her Mother on her entrance into the world. Rachel was the 5th child to a school teacher and truck driver and soon found herself as a child of a single Mom of 5 who was forced to work 3 jobs to support her children. So Rachel is no stranger to seeing and living what it means to be a virtuous woman, as she watched her Mother do it, and continue to do it. Rachel is a devoted wife, Mother of 4 and Founder of Women at the Well Ministries. She is an author and currently writing her first in-depth Bible Study. She has been the keynote speaker at Mother’s of Israel conference, and several of her local church’s women’s events.
Her passion is studying scripture and then teaching those lessons to others, with the goal that they will then turn around and pay it forward. Her #each one #teach one philosophy is her mission. She is passionate about helping women by giving them tools to help them break strong holds so they can pursue whatever the Lord has for them. So, training them up for the call! That is what spurred her ministry.
She knows that God didn’t create women to just sit around and get pedicures and swap recipes and tackle the dust bunnies everyday, but to be side by side with the men in fighting the war against evil and taking as many people to heaven with them as possible. She now does life with her best friend, her husband Curt and will tell you, her children are the best kids on the earth. They love to do Bible studies together and love traveling with their family.
If she isn’t at home with her family, you will find her checking something off her bucket list! Her biggest so far would be competing in figure competitions, competing at the Arnold class in fitness, being in a beauty pageant representing her county as Mrs. Miami County in the Mrs. Ohio America pageant, and authoring a 30 day bible study devotional. And, she is only getting started.
She loves to weave her own personal stories in with her message, because she believes she is living her calling day by day, and sometimes it gets pretty funny!
Book Trailer
The Giveaway
Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 10, 2016
The Egg and I Book Review
Title: The Egg and I
Author: Betty MacDonald
Narrator: Heather Henderson
Length: 9 hours
Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press⎮2015
Genre: Humor, Memoir
When Betty MacDonald married a marine and moved to a small chicken farm on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, she was largely unprepared for the rigors of life in the wild. With no running water, no electricity, a house in need of constant repair, and days that ran from four in the morning to nine at night, the MacDonalds had barely a moment to put their feet up and relax. And then came the children. Yet through every trial and pitfall – through chaos and catastrophe – this indomitable family somehow, mercifully, never lost its sense of humor.
A beloved literary treasure for more than half a century, Betty MacDonald’s The Egg and I is a heartwarming and uproarious account of adventure and survival on the American frontier.
Buy on Audible⎮Amazon
Betty Bard MacDonald (1907–1958), the best-selling author of The Egg and I and the classic Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle children’s books, burst onto the literary scene shortly after the end of World War II. Readers embraced her memoir of her years as a young bride operating a chicken ranch on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, andThe Egg and I sold its first million copies in less than a year. The public was drawn to MacDonald’s vivacity, her offbeat humor, and her irreverent take on life. In 1947, the book was made into a movie starring Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert, and spawned a series of films featuring MacDonald’s Ma and Pa Kettle characters.
MacDonald followed up the success of The Egg and I with the creation of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, a magical woman who cures children of their bad habits, and with three additional memoirs: The Plague and I (chronicling her time in a tuberculosis sanitarium just outside Seattle), Anybody Can Do Anything (recounting her madcap attempts to find work during the Great Depression), and Onions in the Stew (about her life raising two teenage daughters on Vashon Island).
Author Paula Becker was granted full access to Betty MacDonald’s archives, including materials never before seen by any researcher. Looking for Betty MacDonald, the first official biography of this endearing Northwest storyteller, reveals the story behind the memoirs and the difference between the real Betty MacDonald and her literary persona.
Heather Henderson is a voice actress and audiobook narrator with a 20-year career in literary and performing arts. Her narrations include the NYT bestseller (now also a feature film) Brain on Fire; and Sharon Creech’s The Boy on the Porch, which won her an Earphones award and was named one of the Best Children’s Audiobooks for 2013 by Audiofile Magazine. She earned her Doctor of Fine Arts degree at the Yale School of Drama, and is co-curator of AudioEloquence.com, a pronunciation research site for the audiobook industry. In 2015, Heather was a finalist for a Voice Arts Award (Outstanding Narration, Audiobook Classics), for her narration of Betty MacDonald’s The Egg and I.
The Egg and I was an interesting look at life in the 1940s on a chicken farm. This was my first time hearing the story (or anything related to the story!) and I enjoyed listening to her story that was infused with humour. She has a great skill in story telling and you feel as though it is a conversation with her versus a biography of her life. I had to look up more information and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was translated into twenty languages and the Kettles were even featured in a movie. We have an Egg and I restaurant located near us and while it wasn’t associated with the story, I did find several in the US that were inspired by her novel. Pretty cool right?
Betty’s life was not easy – I can’t even begin to imagine how she must have felt moving to a chicken farm (I definitely know I would not be suited for that type of life at all). But both her family and herself made it through it and I think her humour and outlook helped them through it. I found myself literally laughing out loud several times throughout the novel (especially her comments about some of the women she met and the ‘boonies’). My family could hear me giggling from the bathroom as I listened to her novel (I loved that I could listen to the story and do other things like cook or bath while listening to the story – Audible books have quickly become one of my favourite methods to finish a novel). She is a very skilled author and has a great way of story telling that draws you into the story. You can hear, taste and smell everything she is describing. She has an amazing outlook on life, that is inspiring and uplifting, reminding us to embrace all that life throws at us and smile back. Something that I fear too many of us no longer do!
I do have to caution you that some of the references to Native Americans are inappropriate and very stereotypical of this time. Some are offensive but you have to bear in mind the time period this was written in as you are listening to the story. I am sure if she were to re-tell this in present time, it would not have the same tone and wording. It is encouraging to see how far we have come in realizing the inappropriateness of racial discrimination.
The narration was very well done, her voice definitely suited the tone of the story. Her voice and the story matched perfectly – it sounded just like Betty was reading you the story herself!
Rating: 4/5
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Dec. 10: Jorie Loves A Story (Review)
Working Mommy Journal (Review & Giveaway)
December 8, 2016
Of Stillness and Storm Book Review
“I felt torn between two worlds. Each with its own mystery. One more captivating than the other, but the other more real and breathing.”
About Of Stillness and Storm
It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream—reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal. But while Sam treks into the Himalayas for weeks at a time, finding passion and purpose in his work among the needy, Lauren and Ryan stay behind, their daily reality more taxing than inspiring. For them, what started as a calling begins to feel like the family’s undoing.
At the peak of her isolation and disillusion, a friend from Lauren’s past enters her life again. But as her communication with Aidan intensifies, so does the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past. It’s thirteen-year-old Ryan who most keenly bears the brunt of her distraction.
Intimate and bold, Of Stillness and Storm weaves profound dilemmas into a tale of troubled love and honorable intentions gone awry.
My Thoughts
Of Stillness and Storm is a powerful and intimate look into the lives of a family that gave up all the modern comforts to travel to Nepal to share the word of God. Lauren made this change to her life with some concerns but Sam pushed through with his dream and dragged his wife and young son across the world. That is when the world they knew began to be torn apart.
Ryan becomes withdrawn and angry. Lauren feels isolated and alone while Sam heads off full of life into the isolated parts of Nepal to bring supplies and the word of God. You literally watch their family be torn apart and find yourself getting angry at times with Sam, who seems oblivious to what is going on with his son and wife. Ryan’s pain broke my heart both as a Mother and a person. He needed so much help but he did not know how to ask for help and no one knew quite what he needed. His Father felt he should just get used to the change – which many of us know is not the solution to mental health. He was taken from everything he loved and knew, without any say and entered a world he could not understand. This took such a great toll on his emotional and mental health. We see this unravel slowly throughout the novel.
Lauren is amazing and kind woman but my heart broke for her. She never truly spoke her mind to her husband and let him walk all over her with his decisions. It was satisfying to watch her change when an old friend enters her life online. She gains back some of her passion and take charge of her own needs and wants.
The ending was devastating and hopeful at the same time but is perfect for this novel. Of Stillness and Storm is powerful and moving. It gives us an intimate look into the lives of those who gave up everything to help others – the good, the bad and the ugly. We also see the effects these decisions have upon the most innocent individuals – the children of these families. A definite must read.
You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of this book here.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Born in France to a Canadian father and an American mother, Michèle Phoenix is a consultant, writer and speaker with a heart for Third Culture Kids. She taught for 20 years at Black Forest Academy (Germany) before launching her own advocacy venture under Global Outreach Mission. Michèle travels globally to consult and teach on topics related to this unique people group. She loves good conversations, mischievous students, Marvel movies and paths to healing.
December 8, 2016
Michèle Phoenix’s ‘Of Stillness and Storm’ Bookworm On-the-Go Prize Pack
A tale of troubled love and honorable intentions gone awry—don’t miss Michèle Phoenix’s new intimate and bold release, Of Stillness and Storm. It took Lauren and her husband ten years to achieve their dream—reaching primitive tribes in remote regions of Nepal. When a friend from Lauren’s past enters her life again, the tension of coping with the present while reengaging with the past might be too much. Will it be the family’s undoing?
Take Michèle’s new book with you on your winter vacation and enter to win her Bookworm On-the-Go Prize Pack (because you can’t take a stack of books with you when you travel).
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of Of Stillness and Storm
- A Kindle Fire tablet
- A Kindle Fire map cover
- A passport holder
Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on December 31. The winner will be announced January 3 on Michèle’s blog.
December 6, 2016
ScriptureDoodle A Six Week Devotional Experience
In these two colouring books, we find inspiring exercises and prompts, this unique interactive guide introduces readers to a creative connection between Bible study, artistic expression, and worship.
About ScriptureDoodle
The first ScriptureDoodle: A Six Week devotional Experience focuses on that often in the busyness of life, Christians forget that God created them to enjoy creativity. With guided instruction and completed examples, this beautiful book invites readers to draw closer to God through their own art.More than a coloring book, ScriptureDoodle is a combination of Bible study, creative expression, and artistic community with artwork shared online at #scripturedoodle. Exploring topics such as being generous, finding rest, and facing grief, ScriptureDoodle gives the heart the creative space it needs. This book stimulates the reader’s imagination and helps integrate God’s Word into everyday life.
In ScriptureDoodle God’s Promises: A Six Week Devotional Experience we are exposed to sScriptureDoodle God’s Promises refreshes believers who are feeling burned out or stuck in a rut in their relationship with God. Each of the creative worship prompts in this interactive guide includes biblical encouragement and ideas for worship through art. Artist April Knight includes creative lettering tips, color ideas, and completed examples to inspire readers to respond to promises in Scripture related to trust, faith, and the power of God’s Word in all circumstances.ome of the most incredible stories in the Bible are of God’s promises and faithfulness to His children.
My Thoughts
I fell in love with April’s introduction into her books. She had found she was losing her way and working on her art for business versus pleasure. I find so many times in life that I am pulled away from what I love and my relationship with God to focus on earning an income. I love my art and when I was young I decided not to mix my love of art with work, whether that was a selfish mistake is yet to show but I do know that I miss the magic and feel of sitting down and just creating the first thing that comes to mind.
These six week devotionals help you go through day by day exploring scripture and translating it in your own way through doodles. April gives many helpful tips on doodling, items you will need, lettering and bordering but one of her best tips? There is no wrong way – the only wrong way is to not doodle. Art is personal and a reflection of you. There is no wrong art and no bad art. So listen to the scriptures and let your heart pour out in your doodles. The scriptures are well chosen and really help guide you through the six weeks of reflection and understanding.
These two books are great for young adults and adults a like. You will love the easy to follow writing, doodle suggestions and creative freedom.
You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here for ScriptureDoodle and here for ScriptureDoodle God’s Promises.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
April Knight is a worship artist based in Asheville, North Carolina. Knight’s work includes live worship painting and leading ScriptureDoodle workshops online and at conferences and retreats around the country and internationally. Her family of four is her greatest joy, along with serving alongside her husband at their local church.
Disclosure: I received a copy of these books in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.