The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen (Review)

While not your run-of-the-mill, cheery Christmas tale, The Fir Tree, written in 1845 by Hans Christian Andersen, will (hopefully) make the reader stop, think, and enjoy the life they have, not the life they dreamed of. This edition, illustrated by Sanna Annukka, is absolutely exquisite! I love the vintage look and feel of the cover, and the illustrations are rich and beautiful. This is a book that I don't want to hide away on a shelf! I look forward to reading it to my children during this holiday season. 

One of the amazing illustrations.

Back cover.

From the Book Description:

Gorgeously packaged with intricate illustrations from Finnish illustrator, Sanna Annukka, this new edition of Hans Christian Andersen's well-loved fairy tale, The Fir Tree, is the perfect holiday gift for adults and children alike.

Hans Christian Andersen's tragic tale of naive greed and dissatisfaction is retold through the striking and contemporary illustrations of Finnish illustrator Sanna Annukka. Cloth-bound in rich forest green, with gold foil embellishments, The Fir Tree is elevated from a children's book to a unique work of art and makes an ideal gift for people of all ages.

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Amy Grant ~ Tennessee Christmas (CD Review and Giveaway)

I jumped at the chance to review this CD! I adore Christmas music and always enjoy finding new favorites! Honestly, I'm not a fan of country music, so I wasn't sure if this certain CD would become a favorite or not. So far a few of the songs, including "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm", "Christmas Don't Be Late" and "White Christmas" are promising, but others are easily skipped. I prefer Christmas songs to be, well, Christmas-y, and some of these weren't. But that's just me! I'm sure others would think differently. "Tennessee Christmas", even though it's country, is one I've always loved. (Amy Grant's voice hasn't changed a bit!) The insert includes song lyrics and photos of Amy and her family. 

Songs on this album:

  1. Tennessee Christmas

  2. To Be Together

  3. Christmas For You and Me

  4. Melancholy Christmas

  5. December

  6. White Christmas

  7. Joy to the World

  8. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

  9. Baby It's Cold Outside

10. Christmas Don't Be Late

11. Still Can't Sleep

12. Another Merry Christmas

13. O Come, All Ye Faithful

You can listen to a sample here, and purchase Tennessee Christmas here.

You can win one a copy of Tennessee Christmas for yourself! To enter, simply comment below with the name of your favorite Christmas song. That's it! The giveaway will end Tuesday, Dec. 6th, at 9:00 pm. Good luck!

The giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Vonnie Warden! 

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Today's Moment of Truth by Lee Strobel

If ever there was a time when Christians need to have answers to hard-hitting questions about faith, it's now. Lee Strobel, a former atheist, has a unique perspective and the ability to tackle those questions from both sides and offer clear, intelligent answers. I have been blessed and strengthened other books that he has written, and the same is true with this book, Today's Moment of Truth. I love that this book is in a daily devotional format, with easy to read and perfectly-sized portions of questions and answers, along with corresponding verses, to chew on throughout my day. Strobel's theology is sound, and his apologetics ministry is helping to fill in a huge gap in our Christian community. I highly recommend his books, and especially this one! (It's also a great introduction into his writings if you haven't read any before.)

From the back of the book:

Why do you believe what you believe? How can you know your faith is credible?

Many Christians today struggle to answer these questions. Though you may know what you believe, the why and how behind the thought can be complex, confusing, and even mysterious.

In Today’s Moment of Truth, bestselling author Lee Strobel articulates in 180 easy-to-read devotions the reasons why Christians believe what they believe. Combining his expertise in apologetics with his journalistic approach to parsing out the details, this devotionalwill leave you deeply encouraged and well-informed. Topics range from scientific discoveries to theological explanations, and each devotion is followed by a brief reflection and prayer for meditation.

The time has come to walk confidently in your faith. Today’s Moment of Truth will be an invaluable tool as you grow in your understanding of and faith in Christ.

5 out of 5 starts

I received my copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest review from BookLook Bloggers. 

31 Verses to Write on Your Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs

I need help with Bible memorization (I can barely remember my own name) and I enjoy trying out a new devotional book. This one fits the bill! 31 Verses to Write on Your Heart includes short, daily readings that help explain selected verses from Scripture as well as a place to write out the verse from your favorite version of the Bible, and helpful memorization tips. For a busy mom who doesn't have a lot of quiet time, this is perfect! 

From the book description:
Here are the words of hope you’re looking for when your faith needs a boost or a friend needs encouragement. Chosen by more than a thousand women as their favorite verses in the Bible, each one is worth learning, worth sharing, worth remembering,

You’ll find verses you already know and love: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Others may be less familiar but are no less powerful: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25). All of them capture the truth of God’s goodness, mercy, and love for His own.

Best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs invites you to experience—

A deeper, richer understanding of thirty-one treasured verses. 
A fresh look at how these timeless truths can impact your life. 
A new passion for memorizing Scripture, verse by verse. 
Thirty-one creative ways to keep them in your heart forever. 

With a study guide included, 31 Verses to Write on Your Heart is a daily devotional and a small-group Bible study, wrapped in a lovely gift book overflowing with joy!


4 out of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

You're Saying it Wrong (by Ross Petras and Kathryn Petras)

I've heard people (and I'm sure you have, too) use big words to sound smarter and be impressive, and I've cringed when they've mispronounce those words. Of course, I've mispronounced a lot of words myself! And so have you. ;) We all could use a little help in that area. 

Enter: You're Saying it Wrong: A Pronunciation Guide to the 150 Most Commonly Mispronounced Words--and Their Tangled Histories of Misuse. This little guide is seriously helpful! If you're thinking that it's another dry reference book, think again. Besides the "shibboleth" words and their history and usage guide, there are other helpful lists such as: "How to Sound Like You're From Across the Pond" and "How to Sound like a Patron of the Arts." So, plenty of great info with a wonderful smattering of humor. (Oh, and if you don't know what "shibboleth" means, get the book! ;) )

I love that this little volume looks and feels a bit antique. 5 starts for design and content! 

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. 

Me (A Compendium)

Me, a fill-in journal for kids, is one of the cutest books I've seen! The colors, the artwork, the clever ideas, it's all wonderfully done! My son is 8 years old and I thought it might be a bit young for him, but he loves it and probably would have filled it all out today if I'd let him.

The first thing that grabbed me was, of course, the jacket artwork. When I opened the book and read the inside flap, I saw more "genius": it tells the child to remove the jacket and fill in the cover on their own. Inside, the child is directed to fill in the pictures on each page, such as: where'd I'd love to visit, if I had a band it would be called____, my family, my favorite shoes, etc.

Me is the perfect way to spark a child's imagination and love for books, and I highly recommend it!

5 out of 5.

Find out more about the book, here.



I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. 

Live on Forever (The Afters)

This giveaway is now closed. The winner is..... Charissa Rice! Congrats, Charissa! 

Christian Pop Rock isn't my favorite kind of music, but I did like some of the songs on this CD. My son loves it, and has been singing along with it, and dancing, which is adorable. 

What I liked:

1. Some of the lyrics are great. My favorite is "Battles", and I've included an excerpt at the end of this review. 
2. Some of the tunes were pretty catchy. 
3. Artwork is great!

What I didn't like:

1. Like so much of the music in this genre, a lot of the songs start to sound the same after awhile. 
2. I can't figure out why the song When You're With Me is on this album. As a love song, it seems out of place. 

Here's the thing: one of you will get a copy of the CD! If you'd like to enter the giveaway, just comment on this blog post or on the Facebook post and let me know. That's it! Giveaway ends Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 9pm, EST.

Find out more about the CD and the group on their website here. 

"Battles"

This current is trying to wreck me
Like castles of sand, castles of sand.
My fear, like an enemy army
Is marching again, but I'm making a stand.

You surround me on every side
Your love is my armor I fear no evil.
Darkness runs from your light
So I won't be afraid, I won't be afraid.

You're going before me
And oceans are parting
You're fighting my battles.
When my feet are failing
And my heart is shaking
You're fighting my battles.

Fighting my battles.
Fighting my battles.
Fighting my battles.

Time after time you're my refuge,
You heal every scar you're guarding my heart.
Your promise, the hope that I cling to,
My rescue, my friend you come rushing in.

And surround me on every side
Your love is my armor I fear no evil.
Darkness runs from your light
So I won't be afraid, I won't be afraid

You're going before me
And oceans are parting
You're fighting my battles.
When my feet are failing
And my heart is shaking
You're fighting my battles.

Fighting my battles.
Fighting my battles.
Fighting my battles.

Uninvited, by Lysa TerKeurst

If ever a book became available for review at a perfect time, this is it. Feelings of rejection have plagued me my entire life, and I've allowed it (and the fear of it) to taint every opportunity, relationship...everything. Lately it's been a huge battle for me, as I also battle depression and anxiety, and anything that might be seen as rejection is blown entirely out of proportion and crushes me.

This author clearly knows what it's like to deal with rejection. In Uninvited, she relates her own battle to fit in, find acceptance and fill the empty places in her life, and how she ultimately has found it all by "living loved". Mixed with both raw pain and humor, she leads the reader on a journey to discover this solution as well.

"Live from the abundant place that you are loved, and you won't find yourself begging others for scraps of love." p. 106, Uninvited

I definitely recommend this book. It's must read for those who have dealt with rejection in any form, or anyone going through a difficult time.

5 out of 5 stars.


Read more about the book here.
Read more about the author here.

Women in Science by Rachel Ignotofsky

To a lot of kids, science is booooooooring. It's something they do because they have to, and definitely not something that's enjoyable or inspiring. I hated science in school. I mean, some of it fascinated me, but it all seemed hard and undoable and nothing I ever really wanted to invest time in. Besides, girls weren't exactly encouraged to pursue anything related to science.

Fast-forward to now: I have a daughter who loves science. She really does! She'll be doing her science for the day and get excited about something she just read and start telling me about it. I'm thrilled that she loves it, and I want to encourage her, but I can't help it: the technical terms and facts make me glaze over. But I try. I really do! I want my other kids to love science, too. Science, after all, is a subject that causes an awareness of the awesomeness of God like no other!

For that reason, and because I'm a homeschool mom, nonfiction books, especially those that look interesting, grab my attention.

This book didn't disappoint! The cover art and colorful, quirky illustrations on every page made this book a joy to read. It's beautiful! The info presented is done so in a matter that holds interest. It doesn't drag. There is a timeline, list of lab tools, graphs, glossary of terms, and links to provide further info on the amazing women who "star" in this book and their work. I had never heard of most of the women, and I was absolutely amazed at what they accomplished, especially considering the hardships and discrimination they faced.

I highly recommend this book! It might just inspire your girl to get more interested in science!

5 out of 5 stars.

Read more about Women in Science, 50 Fearless Pioneers who Changed the World" here.

The Long Journey to Jake Palmer by James L. Rubart

Some books merely entertain; some leave a deep impression. This is one of the latter. The Long Journey to Jake Palmer touched on some painful areas for me, but applied a balm afterward. This story is packed with feeling that goes right to the heart of the reader! Humor was present as well, and it wasn't cheesy or forced. There were suspenseful moments and surprising twists, and the characters were developed well. (Don't we all know a Camille!? Yeesh!) The story, while told rather slowly, wasn't dull. This is a book you can curl up and escape into. I look forward to reading other books by this author!

It's so easy to read others' labels while entirely missing what our own label says. It's easy to hide in our bottles and never be our true selves...never find the freedom that Christ offers. But it's time to change that. It's never too late.

4 out of 5 stars from me.

Read more about the book here. 
Read more about the author here. 

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

When Death Draws Near, by Carrie Stuart Parks

When I read the blurb about When Death Draws Near and saw that it was about "snake-handling churches", I was intrigued. I am scared to death of snakes, but I'm a little fascinated by them. I've wondered what those churches are really like, and what they teach. I'm also fascinated by forensics, so choosing this book to review was easy. 

I had never read anything by Carrie Stuart Parks, so I was anxious to see if her style was similar to Terri Blackstock's (my favorite suspense author). In a lot of ways, it was. Here are the things I enjoyed:

• The book was definitely a page-turner.
• There were few slow spots. 
• I was kept guessing about the culprit until the end of the book.
• Gwen has struggled with cancer, and I found out later that the author herself is a cancer survivor. This thread, though not a main theme in the book, was especially well written. 
• This is the third book in the Gwen Marcey series, but there were only a couple of times when I felt a little confused because I hadn't read the first two. It really wasn't a problem. 

The things I didn't like are these: 

• The humor seemed forced and out of place at times.
• I never fully "connected" with the main character. Gwenflip-flops all over the place. One minute, she's calm, cool, collected, and all business, suspecting a certain person of being the serial rapist, and the next, she's fawning and helpless, a damsel in distress, blushing every time he looks at her. Speaking of him, He goes from being incredibly rude to thoughtful and romantic...and back again. He is impossible to figure out. 
• During one tense, pivotal moment in the book, a character says something that is ridiculously out of place for what was happening. 
• At one point, the members of the church are introducing Gwen to everyone, and not long afterward, they're saying that they never use names because it's too dangerous. 

All in all, I enjoyed the book and will probably read more of this author's books. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Book Description: 

Gwen Marcey takes death in stride. Until she’s faced with her own mortality.

Forensic artist Gwen Marcey is between jobs when she accepts temporary work in Pikeville, Kentucky—a small town facing big-city crime. But before Gwen can finish her first drawing of the serial rapist who is on the loose, the latest witness vanishes. Just like all the others.

Gwen suspects a connection between the rapist and the “accidental” deaths that are happening around town, but the local sheriff has little interest in her theories. When her digitally-obsessed teenage daughter joins her, Gwen turns her attention to a second assignment: going undercover in a serpent-handling church. She could get a handsome reward for uncovering illegal activity—a reward she desperately needs, as it seems her breast cancer has returned. But snakes aren’t the only ones ready to kill. Can Gwen uncover the truth—and convince anyone to believe her—before she becomes a victim herself?

In a thrilling race against time, When Death Draws Near plunges us into cold-case murders, shady politics, and a den of venomous suspects.

Read more info about the author here.

I received this this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The Spiritual Warfare Answer Book by Dr. David Jeremiah

This little book packs a punch! The cover is beautiful, and though small enough to stick into a purse or backpack, the volume feels satisfyingly weighty in your hands. Split into categories like "Terms of Engagement", "Behind Enemy Lines", and "God's Armory", topics such as being called into battle, being a courageous warrior, Satan's origin and strategies, and prayer are covered in a brief, easy-to-read manner. The Spiritual Warfare Answer Book is simple enough for my older children to read, but deep enough to cause me to think more about topics I might have brushed over in the past. I appreciate what I've learned from the book. It was a truly enjoyable read and I highly recommend it! 

Read more about the book here.  Read more bout Dr. David Jeremiah here.

I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

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How May We Hate You? Notes from the Concierge Desk, by Anna Drezen and Todd Dakotah Briscoe

I thought I'd try something different this time when choosing which book to review, and...I messed up. I knew this was tongue in cheek comedy, but I wasn't expecting so much language and crudeness. I didn't even finish it, but I will share some info.

 The book is beautifully bound, with a surprising, humorous twist. Parts of the book are definitely funny, but the snark was a bit much, and the crudeness and bad language wasn't funny. If you have to be crude and offensive to make people laugh, you may be hanging out with middle schoolers. It really isn't necessary. Also, making fun of someone's faith is distasteful, to say the least. 

There are some genuinely helpful tips if you are a world traveler, and I suppose that this book will appeal mainly to people of that group anyway. 

So, all in all, How May We Hate You was a disappointment. I don't recommend it. 

1 out 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. 

Unashamed (Review & Giveaway)

I was recently hospitalized due to severe depression and anxiety. It was the first time I had ever gone to the hospital for that reason, and I was scared to death. I was also ashamed. I kept a journal during my stay and, over and over, I found myself writing, "I'm ashamed. So ashamed." I was afraid for anyone to know because of how they might think of me, and I was terrified of causing my family embarrassment.  I shouldn't have worried! When my husband let people know and asked them to pray for us, we were covered by love and understanding, and many people opened up and shared that they, too, suffered with depression. And you know what? I bet they've felt shame, too. That should be the very last thing we should have to deal with. I even interpreted it as guilt; I felt like I had done something wrong. Honestly, I'm not sure I could differentiate between guilt and shame. 

In Unashamed, Healing our Brokenness and Finding Freedom from Shame, Heather Davis Nelson defines the difference between guilt and shame, and explains how Satan uses shame to crush and defeat us. With a warmth and candor that is so needed when dealing with this sensitive subject, Heather opens up about her own experiences and offers hope and advice on how to break free from shame's bondage. Topics such as body shame, social shame, and shame in marriage and parenting are covered, and there are even extra resources for those who suffer from abuse. 

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Insecurity leads to people-pleasing, which is often motivated by fear of intimacy, which is motivated by fear of rejection."

"What if you chose to share what's closer to real life than the airbrushed life stories our social media accounts usually portray? If you are really daring, ask a friend who knows you well in real life how similar your online presence is to who you are. And if you're feeling especially courageous, write a post about how you are really doing."

"To engage in our work and calling with all we are, and to continue without stalling out or freezing up requires silencing the critic within (because too often it is our own voice that speaks the oldest words of condemnation)."

I highly recommend this book! 

And...one of you will win a copy! To enter, simply leave a comment letting me know that you wish to be entered into the giveaway. That's it! :) Oh, and please share this with your friends! This giveaway will be open until Friday, July 8th, at 10 pm. 

I received this book in exchange for my honest review. Giveaways are open to residents of the US and Canada. Winners are chosen via random.org. If you have won in the last six months, another winner will be chosen.

Subversive Jesus, by Craig Greenfield

Recently, I've been more stirred (bothered, challenged, what have you...) by the realization of how little we actually do to help the poor and needy. We read the Bible, we profess to love Jesus and strive to be like Him, but we fail in this vital area. In Subversive Jesus, an Adventure in Justice, Mercy, & Faithfulness in a Broken World, Craig Greenfield relates how he and his family and friends made drastic changes in their lives in order to better minister to this neglected group of people. 

While the stories in this book were touching, convicting, and sometimes humorous, I was a bit turned off by the author's attitude. (Or, the attitude he seemed to me to have.) He thumbed his nose at earnest people who work with ministries that offer food and gifts to the homeless and those in poor neighborhoods, even going so far as to say that he is embarrassed by them. While handing out scarves and gloves to the homeless might not have the same affect as living among them, it is still a ministry, and those who take part shouldn't be made fun of. 

While I didn't entirely agree with the author's views, I do admire what he and his friends are doing, and I am convicted to study into what he wrote. 

This is from the back copy of Subversive Jesus:

A broken world demands a response. 
 
Subversive Jesus is the story of one family's experiment in putting the most counter-cultural teachings of Christ into practice. When Jesus says invite the poor for a meal, Craig and his family welcome homeless friends, local crack addicts, and women from the street corner over for dinner. When Jesus proclaims freedom for the captive, they organize Pirates of Justice flash mobs to protest cruise ship exploitation. When Jesus teaches love for enemies, they make homemade cookies and lemonade for the local drug dealers, and none of them show up! This adventure takes Craig's family from the slums of Cambodia to inner city Canada and back again. 

You might think that Jesus' most subversive teachings should be systematically laid out in a theological textbook. With plenty of dull footnotes. But Jesus knows well that we are people of story and grit. We need to see theological ideas in messy human form so they can spark something real in our imagination. We need to see other people screw up so we can laugh or weep and then imagine that we might dare to risk failure too.

Allow their journey to inspire your own. Allow Jesus to subvert what you think you already know. And you'll find that this book becomes an invitation to say yes to this subversive Jesus and do something courageous with your life - for the sake of justice, mercy, and faithfulness in a broken world. 

About the Author: 

Craig is the founder and director of Alongsiders International (alongsiders.org) - a fast-growing movement mobilizing and equipping thousands of young Christians in the developing world to walk alongside those who walk alone - orphans and vulnerable children in their own communities. 

During more than 15 years living and ministering in slums and inner cities in Asia and North America, Craig has established a number of initiatives to care for vulnerable kids and orphans, as well as formed Christian communities for those marginalized by society. 

For 8 years, Craig served as the International Coordinator of Servants, a ministry within the slums of Asia. His postgraduate research in International Development led to the publication of his first book, The Urban Halo: a story of hope for orphans of the poor. Craig's second book, Subversive Jesus, will be published by Zondervan in 2016.

For more info visit Craig's website: craiggreenfield.com

This book gets 3 out of 5 stars from me. 

I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. 

The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts

The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts by Maja Säfström was a big hit. Not only is it beautiful and a little antique-y (yes, I just made up that word) on the outside, but inside, it's whimsical, black and white illustrations are brilliantly done! The text is fun, engaging, and informative. I learned right along with my kiddos! My son, who is an animal lover, especially enjoyed it. 

The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts is a fun addition to our homeschool, as well. I highly recommend this book! 

(Oh, and who can resist that title!? ;) )

5 out of 5 stars. 


The book can be purchased here.
Author info here.









 I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The League and The Lantern, by Brian Wells (Review and Giveaway)

This Giveaway has ended. Congrats to: Vonnie Warden! 

Youth fiction that is interesting, attention-keeping, and enjoyable to read but still free of violence and "muck" is hard to find. I was excited about the chance for my teen to be able to review The League and The Lantern! She devoured it, and I heard her laugh more than once while reading it. Here's a big plus: she loves history, and history played a big part in this book! Here is what my daughter had to say:

"I really loved this book! It had humor and suspense. It also contained a lot of history about my favorite president, Abe Lincoln. It's a little hard to understand at first, but as you keep reading things start to piece together. I really enjoyed this book and think it would make a great movie." 

More about the book: 

AFTER A DISASTROUS SIXTH GRADE, Jake Herndon is anxiously awaiting his Big Do-Over, starting with his new school's notorious seventh grade sleepover. Awkward team-building games and forced fun quickly become the least of his problems, however, when a dangerous organization invades and the night takes a shocking turn. Jake and two new classmates, Lucy and TJ, barely escape, only to find themselves in a fight for survival on the streets of Chicago. Over the next 48 hours they unravel a mystery dating back to the Civil War and an incredible secret about Jake s family. 

Full of unforgettable characters and unexpected twists, The League and the Lantern is a jaw-dropping ride of mind-bending revelations and laugh-out-loud humor. If Jake and his new friends can make it through this weekend, they just might have a shot at seventh grade. 

In this debut novel, family television executive producer and dad Brian Wells has created an epic, rip-roaring comedy adventure that s also about courage, family and friendship. The result is an engaging mix of great characters, crackling wit and unexpected twists that 9- to 14-year-olds, entertainment executives and family groups are applauding. 

Wells works from the belief that great entertainment is driven by memorable characters and imaginative writing, and it shows. The League and The Lantern delivers all of this and more without objectionable language or inappropriate themes. Throw in a plot that traces back to real historical figures and you ve got what some are calling Percy Jackson meets National Treasure. 

As an extra bonus, the book also invisibly weaves in 140 of the top vocabulary words for middle school success. A free downloadable study guide is available on the book's website.

Author: Brian Wells

• A concerned dad who couldn’t find quality entertainment for his kids. He has worked and produced 15 TV movies for the major networks, and this is his book debut. 

Synopsis:

The League and the Lantern is the first book in a new adventure series for middle-school readers. It all starts when a dangerous organization invades Jake Herndon’s seventh-grade sleepover. He escapes along with two new classmates, Lucy and TJ, only to face a 48-hour fight for survival on the streets of Chicago. The kids unravel a mystery dating back to the Civil War, and an incredible secret about Jake’s family. Along the way they learn unexpected lessons about courage, family and friendship.

Talking Points: 

• Inspires reading - Adventure series your kids will want to read.
• Educational Value - 140 key vocabulary words hidden throughout the story, historic sites are part of the setting.
• Moral Value - Lessons in family, friendship, mercy and compassion. Lead characters are friends who are different races. 
• Help Kids - Operates on a buy one - give one campaign to get books into the hands of kids who cannot afford their own copies. 

Official Website: 

• LeagueAndLantern.com

Here's the great part: 

One of YOU will win a copy of The League and The Lantern! 

Simply comment below this post or on my Facebook page letting me know that you would like to be entered into the drawing. Don't forget to share the giveaway! :)  The giveaway will close on Tuesday, May 24, at midnight. 

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”