CSB Ultra Thin Reference Bible

The CSB Ultrathin Reference Bible features the highly reliable, highly readable text of the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), which stays as literal as possible to the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity. The CSB’s optimal blend of accuracy and readability makes Scripture more moving, more memorable, and more motivating to read and share with others.

Features include: Smyth-sewn binding, Presentation page, Two-column text, Center-column cross references, Topical subheadings, Words of Christ in red, 8.5-point type, Concordance, Full-color maps, and more.

The CSB Ultrathin Reference Bible is easy-to-carry and easy-to-read, featuring a robust center-column, cross-reference system, 8.5-point type, and an ultrathin design which slips easily into a purse, briefcase, or backpack. As America’s oldest Bible Publisher, Holman is a pioneer in the development of Ultrathin Bibles, giving careful attention to breakthroughs in typography and paper manufacturing to produce a Bible that combines readability, portability, and durability.

This Bible has it all, it is compact and easy to carry.  At first, I thought being ultra thin the type would be too small to read, but it's not.  

I also enjoy the center column with the cross-references; not only is it good to have them there to refer to, but it also gives me some note taking space.

The attractive sturdy leather touch cover will stand up to much reading and will last a long time.   The pages are of good quality and the maps and concordance are perfect.

 I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

A Trail of Crumbs

Pearl Spence has been through more in her lifetime than most people will ever experience.  In this sequel to "Cup of Dust" , we return to Red River Oklahoma to the Spence family.     The story begins with yet another dust storm, which takes the life of "Bennie", Pearl's older mentally challenged sister.   Pearl ends up in the hospital with dust pneumonia and the family is forced into a decision to move to Michigan to start life over and Pearl can heal.

This story and writer really makes the reader understand what life was like during the "dust bowl" and what the families had to endure.   This is the story of family struggles, love and trusting in God.

This book is another good read from an author that takes you right into the story line and lets you identify with the characters.


I received this book free from the publisher. http://www.kregel.com I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Elusive Miss Ellison

The handsome new Earl of Hawkesbury has arrived and has the whole village aflutter, but t hat's the firm opinion of not-so-meek minister's daughter Lavinia Ellison. So even though all the other villagers of St. Hampton Heath are swooning over the newly returned seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, she is not impressed. If a man won't take his responsibilities seriously and help those who are supposed to be able to depend on him, he deserves no respect from her. In Lavinia's pretty, gray eyes, Nicholas Stamford is just as arrogant and reckless as his brother--who stole the most important person in Livvie's world.

Nicholas is weighed down by his own guilt and responsibility, by the pain his careless brother caused, and by the legacy of war he's just left. This quick visit home to St. Hampton Heath will be just long enough to ease a small part of that burden. Asking him to bother with the lives of the villagers when there's already a bailiff on the job is simply too much to expect.

That is, until the  clever, witty  and very outspoken Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. With her angelic voice in his head, he may even be beginning to care. But his isn't the only heart that needs to change.

These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society's opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.

A novel for those who enjoy literature of Jane Austen, and historical novels.   This is a fun, witty, yet serious novel.

The author keeps the reader entertained and looking for more.   The story plot was very interesting and had the reader glued to the book.

 I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Lighthouse Faith

We live in a world of hurting, one that sees violence in the news almost every day and this is a book that helps people look to the light, the one true light that will help give us our joy, comfort and relieve our fears.

Lighthouse Faith: God as a Living Reality in a World Immersed in Fog by Lauren Green published by W Publishing an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Green is a household name, known for her hard-hitting journalism for Fox News as well as her committed truthfulness.

This book is Green’s  journey of faith as she travels  seeing the proof of God’s creation   that takes evidence  in ways and in places she did not expect.

The book is a composition  of thoughts and reflections on life and spirituality that hopefully will encourage those who may be struggling with their faith, those who question where God is in this world right now.  

This book is a wonderful evangelistic tool,  I  was enthusiastic  to read this book, as I  love lighthouses, knowing that they not only represent keeping people safe in a worldly sense, but God is our light and our strong tower.  

I truly think that Ms. Green did a good job with explaining who God is and what He can do for us in this world of fog.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Daniel Code

From The back of the book:

We live in dangerous times. Not only does violence stalk us in the form of terrorism and crime, but our culture itself is crumbling. Our society tolerates and even praises what would once have been barely spoken of. If we stand up we are branded as intolerant, the term today’s culture considers the inexcusable offense.  If we don’t speak up, people won’t know biblical truth.  How is a Christian to respond?

Inspired by the story of Daniel in the Old Testament, bestselling author O.S. Hawkins shows how we can engage our broken culture with integrity. Daniel was a young man who “wrote the book” on how to survive in a pagan, permissive, and perverse culture.  His value system was challenged at every turn.

Daniel steps off the pages of scripture and into our modern culture today to reveal some timeless principles—a sort of “Daniel Code”—that enable you to not simply exist in our culture but to engage it and survive it as well. You will discover that the same God that ensured Daniel’s victories is here for you .

Many of us can find the book of Daniel confusing, or unable to relate it to our lives.   Author O.S. Hawkins, a very fine writer has done an excellent job in clarifying the book of Daniel for us.    

I can appreciate the way he relates Daniel to our lives today, living under pressure for our faith, living amongst those who don't believe the way we do.. and so on.  

I think one of my favorite ones is  lessons from then.. for now, it explains how we can benefit from what Daniel had to experience.

This book is for everyone.   It is for those who want to learn more about the Bible, for teachers of the Bible and for those looking at how the Bible relates to our lives today.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Newcomer

The  newcomer is a novel based on the history of the Amish and Mennonite groups coming to the new land that was given by William Penn to settle  and  start a new life. 

In this story we meet  a  group that have just arrived from their long journey.  It's the year 1737, Anna Koning  and her fellow church members have  just stepped off  a small wooden ship after 10 weeks of traveling, very eager to start her new life in America; the  exciting but untamed Pennsylvania frontier   While aboard the ship sAnna has met Bairn, and a romance has begun, but when they arrive and Bairn meets his parents for the first time in many long years.  We find out that Bairn was travelling with his father to the new land in previous years with his father Jacob.  Jacob was told that Bairn had died.

. On the docks of Port Philadelphia waits bishop Jacob Bauer, founder of the settlement and father to ship carpenter Bairn. It's a time of new beginnings for the reunited Bauer family, and for Anna and Bairn's shipboard romance to blossom.

But this picture-perfect moment cannot last. As Bairn grasps the reality of what it means to be Amish in the New World--isolated, unbending with expectations, under the thumb of his domineering father--his eagerness vanishes. When a sea captain offers the chance to cross the ocean one more time, Bairn grabs it. Just one more crossing, he promises Anna. But will she wait for him?

Then we meet Henrik Newman whho  joins the church just as it makes its way to the frontier, Anna is uncertain.    Henrik shows intrest in Anna, and  he seems to be everything Bairn is not--bold, devoted, and delighted to compete for her heart.  Henrik  is here; Bairn is not.

Far from the frontier, an unexpected turn of events weaves together the lives of Bairn, Anna, and Henrik. When a secret is revealed, which true love will emerge?

This was a fast and easy book to read.  For those who love the Amish fiction, this is definitely a book for you to read.   

This novel is well researched and well written.  It is full of romance, adventure and keeps you wanting more.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Jesus Club

From the back of the book:

In this riveting true story, Brian Barcelona recounts how, just a few months after graduation, he responded to God's directive and returned to his high school campus to preach the gospel to the students.  He had no training, no resources and no experience.  Just raw passion and obedience.

This is the true story of how a former atheist turned the world upside down for many high schools.  I found the book to be very interesting and useful.  This is the generation that we need to get into our churches, to make them into our future leaders in the church.  

If one man can turn his obedience to God into a success like this why can't we all?


I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.