Courtney's Chitter Chatter: FIRST Wild Card Tour

Showing posts with label FIRST Wild Card Tour. Show all posts

Thursday, April 5, 2012

First Wild Card Tour: NIV Boys Bible

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card is:

NIV Boys Bible

Zonderkidz; Special edition (March 6, 2012)

***Special thanks to Rick Roberson of The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Getting into a routine of reading the Bible can be challenging for anyone, but trying to keep the attention of pre-teen boys is especially difficult. So now there is a Bible especially developed for them. The NIV Boys Bible is designed with boys ages 9 to 12 in mind. Fun in-text features help boys dig deep into the Word and learn about amazing people, facts and stories of the Bible. The NIV Boys Bible will help boys grow into the young men God wants them to be. It will appeal to boys and cause them to desire to spend time in the Word with its unique features such as:

* Introductions to each book of the Bible

* Hundreds of highlighted verses worth memorizing

* What's the Big Deal?-Need-to-know biblical stories and people

* Check It Out-Interesting and fun facts about Bible times and characters

* Grossology-Gross and gory stuff they never knew was in the Bible

* Makin' It Real-Help for applying Bible stories to their everyday lives

This Bible includes the full text of the New International Version, the most popular Bible translation in the world, and 12 color tip-in pages introducing content that shows boys how they can grow to be like Jesus. Each book of the Bible has activities that make God's Word more relevant than ever. It is jam-packed with customized content and artwork that really makes the Bible stand out.

Product Details:

List Price: $27.99

Reading level: Ages 9 and up

Hardcover: 1504 pages

Publisher: Zonderkidz; Special edition (March 6, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310723086

ISBN-13: 978-0310723080:

My Review:
5 STARS

I love this bible!! I received this bible at the same time I received the girl version; Faithgirlz NIV. My son is not quite as old as my daughter and I probably would have a waited a few years before I got him this one but I am still loving it. My son is 5 and is just beginning to read so he likes a bit more but I know he will love this more in a year or two. He does use it all the time when looking up verses for Awana because it is the same version (NIV) that they use in the Awana clubs. Not only is the version great but I love all the added tidbits. There are explanations of each book in the beginning that explain what that book is about. There is also sections where they can relate themselves to the characters in the stories. I really liked the sections that answer commonly asked questions too. Another thing I really love is the look. The cover is cool and stylish for a young man and the colors throughout the bible are super fun, which make it that much more fun to read!! Perfect for young guys, probably 6-11 yrs old.

AND NOW...A SAMPLE. PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO VIEW THEM LARGER:

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

FIRST Wild Card Tour: NIV Faithgirlz! Bible

Today's Wild Card contributor is:

Nancy Rue

and the book:

NIV Faithgirlz! Bible (Revised Edition)

Zonderkidz; Rev Spl edition (March 6, 2012)

***Special thanks to Rick Roberson of The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR:

Nancy Rue has worked as a public school teacher, church youth director, theater workshop developer and camp director. She has written more than eighty books for young people, including the beloved Faithgirlz! Sophie series, The Skin You're In and Everybody Tells Me to Be Myself but I Don't Know Who I Am. Nancy lives with her husband and two dogs in Lebanon, TN.

About Faithgirlz!: Faithgirlz! is a collection of books, Bibles and resources designed to provide transformational Christian experiences for tween girls. Faithgirlz! encourages honest tween-girl empowerment by providing engaging, relevant, high-quality offerings, helping tween girls understand their world, learn biblical teachings, become closer to God and grow into godly teenagers. Faithgirlz! offers excellent content and contributions from leading Christian tween writers and spokespeople including Nancy Rue, Melody Carlson, Kristi Holl, Naomi Kinsman and more. Faithgirlz! is also supported with a website (www.Faithgirlz.com), Facebook page and mother and daughter live events across the country.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Every girl wants to know she’s totally unique and special, and contributor Nancy Rue helps them do just that in the revised edition of the NIV Faithgirlz! Bible. As a leading tween expert, Rue teaches girls that the Bible is real and relevant and, best of all, that the story of God and His people is also their story. Girls can now grow closer to God as they discover the journey of a lifetime, in their language, for their world.

The new Faithgirlz! Bible was developed especially for girls ages 9 to 12. Everything in it is written with a tween girl’s experience in mind, and it features the most popular Bible translation in the world, the New International Version. The features explain hard-to-understand things in the Bible and guide girls to put the Scripture to work in their own lives. The Faithgirlz! Bible focuses on sharing faith with friends and gives real ways for girls to do that.

Each book of the Bible has activities that make God’s Word more relevant than ever. And, of course, because it was developed for Faithgirlz! readers, they can expect to find it jam-packed with customized content and artwork that really makes the Bible stand out. Girls will love the cool design, the interactive features and the feeling of knowing that God’s Word is there for them whenever they need it. Some of the features included are:

· Book Introductions—Girls will read the who, when, where and what of each book of the Bible.

· Dream Girl—Girls will use their imaginations to put themselves in the story.

· Is There a Little (Eve, Ruth, Isaiah) in You?—Girls will see for themselves what they have in common with women of the Bible.

· Words to Live By—Girls will discover great Bible verses for memorizing.

· Oh, I Get It!—Girls will find answers to Bible questions they’ve wondered about.

Nancy Rue says, “I hope the Faithgirlz! Bible will help girls grow a friendship with the Bible, their own relationship. It asks questions, asks them to think and challenges them to apply what they’re learning. That’s how they’ll find a deep, personal relationship with God, rather than just by following rules or saying what they’ve been told without really thinking about it. Rules are important, of course, but they only make sense when they really believe the message of the Scriptures. That’s what this Bible is about.” The Faithgirlz! Bible is the perfect Bible to support girls in their journey into the “beauty of believing.”

The main edition of the Faithgirlz! Bible is hardcover, but it is also available in two Italian Duo-Tone designs. For better portability, there is also an NIV Faithgirlz! Backpack Bible. This compact edition does not include the in-text features that the full-size edition has, but it does have twelve full-color pages of Faithgirlz! fun, the words of Christ in red and a ribbon marker. An ebook version is also planned for electronic use.

Product Details:

List Price: $27.99

Reading level: Ages 9 and up

Hardcover: 1504 pages

Publisher: Zonderkidz; Rev Spl edition (March 6, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310722365

ISBN-13: 978-0310722366

My Review:
5 STARS

I love this bible!! When my toddler wanted her own bible we bought her a small Children Standard Version that worked just perfectly for her age at the time but now she is 9 and she wanted a more "normal" bible. When this showed up at the door she instantly grabbed it and began reading!! She just loves it!! It is in NIV version which is great because it works well with her Awana verse memorization. Not only is the version great but I love all the added tidbits. There are explanations of each book in the beginning that explains what that book is about. There is also sections where the girls can relate themselves to the characters in the stories. There is also sections that answer commonly asked questions. Another thing I really love (and my daughter also) is the colors. The cover is beautiful and the colors throughout the bible are super fun, which make it that much more fun to read!!

AND NOW...A SAMPLE. PLEASE CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO VIEW THEM LARGER:

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

FIRST Wild Card Tour: When the Rain Falls by Tyora Moody

Today's Wild Card author is:

Tyora Moody

and the book:

When Rain Falls

Urban Christian; Original edition (February 28, 2012)

***Special thanks to Tyora Moody for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tyora Moody's debut novel, When Rain Falls, is the first book in the Victory Gospel series. She owns and operates Tywebbin.com, a design and marketing company. Her company’s niche is assisting authors with branding and developing an online presence. As an avid bookworm, she manages two book blogs, WrittenVoicesBlog.com and ChristianBookwormReviews.com. Tyora has also served as a judge for the Christy Awards. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

“Why does God keep taking away the people I love?” This is the lamentation of widow CANDACE JOHNSON when her best friend is brutally murdered. Ensnared by a deep-rooted bitterness, seeping her faith day by day, Candace is determined to seek justice.

Detective Darnell Jackson is in need of clues fast. The police captain is coming down hard on him and his partner to find out who murdered Pamela Coleman, the daughter of a high profile judge.

Darnell confers with Candace to get the inside track on events leading up to the murder. As the investigation heats up, his growing attraction for Candace plays havoc on Darnell’s judgment.

Little does she know, Candace’s quest to find the truth has led her straight to the killer. She’s already lost loved ones. Now Candace must choose to completely trust God with her own life.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.95

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Urban Christian; Original edition (February 28, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1601628226

ISBN-13: 978-1601628220

My Review:
4 STARS

How will you handle grief and tragedy? Will you hide away in your house refusing to get close to anyone again for fear of losing another loved one or will you lean on God for your strength to move forward? When the Rain Falls deals with tragedy right from the start as Candace loses another loved one after losing her husband not that long before that. Her husband and friend have both been murdered and she is determined to find out who is behind the killings and getting justice.

Detective Darnell Jackson is new on the force and actually is the replacement for Candace's husband Frank in the department. He is now working the case on Candace's friend and quickly finds out that this investigation has more twists that meets the eye. He also finds that he can't stop Candace from butting in to the case whenever she wants, but he is determined to earn her trust and help her believe that detectives can bring her justice!

This was a very hard book for me to read in the beginning because the emotional aspect of losing your husband and best friend just hit very close to home. The day after I started reading this book a tragedy hit my life and I found myself in tears trying to read this book. Moody really does have a gift with connecting the reader to the story as you can tell from my emotions. After a few days of healing for myself I picked up the book again and was excited to be encouraged and given hope as When the Rain Falls progressed!

The spiritual aspect of the story is surreal and subtle. As Candace struggles with her anger towards God she begins to heal and recognize that God will provide her strength and peace! When the Rain Falls is a great Christian mystery with a touch of romance that you'll just love! Looking forward to more by Tyora Moody.

I received this book free from the publishers through FIRST Wild Card Tours in exchange for my personal and honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Excerpt from
WHEN RAIN FALLS
by Tyora Moody

RELEASE DATE: March 2012

ISBN-10: 1601628226

ISBN-13: 978-1601628220)

PROLOGUE

Bronx, New York, 1981

Twisting her torso around, the girl strained against the seat belt to peek through the police car’s back window. Lights burned from several nearby houses, creating an eerie glow against the damp night sky. A number of sleepy-eyed neighbors lined the street, their attention focused toward a small white house, now decorated with yellow tape around the yard.

The front door opened, spilling bright lights onto the tiny porch. Two police officers walked out with a man between them. The cops were tall, but not nearly as tall as the handcuffed man, whose arms were muscular and huge. The girl tensed, her eyes drawn toward the man’s white tank top, which revealed more than his furry chest. Bright and dark reds merged into a strange starburst pattern around his middle.

He turned his head in her direction, his narrowed eyes hunting for her. The flashing blue lights danced across his face, highlighting his light brown eyes. His lips parted, showing off perfect white teeth. He’d found her. Like always, his smile stopped at the curves of his mouth, never reaching his eyes. She never knew if he liked or hated her. Sucking back air, she ducked below the window. A whimper escaped between her ragged breaths. She didn’t want him near her. Not ever again.

A wave of warmth, then cold, rippled through her body, causing her to tremble. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, feeling tiny bumps on her skin through the thin pajama top. The cheeseburger and fries she’d eaten hours before gurgled in her stomach, threatening to be released. Without warning, one of the back doors opened. She screeched and pressed into the corner of the seat, believing her worst nightmare had broken free.

Instead, a cop leaned into the car and asked, “Hey. Are you all right in here?”

No, I’m not all right. Can’t you see I’m freaking out? But her mouth wouldn’t cooperate with her brain.

The cop poked his head back out of the car. “Hey, where’s the social worker?”

A man with a rough voice yelled back something, but she couldn’t understand what he said. Staring at the cop, she pulled her legs up to her chest, resting her chin on her bony knees. Wait, something didn’t feel right on her face. Lifting her right hand, she touched the side of her face. The skin felt ragged and sore. When she pulled her hand away, she saw dark stains on her fingers. Was that her blood or . . . ? She dug her nails into her palm, hiding her hand behind her back.

Outside the police car, someone walked up behind the cop and handed him a plastic grocery bag. He didn’t pull out food. Instead, he pulled something gray and furry from the bag and extended it to her. The cop frowned. “Looks like you have an injury there. We’ll get someone to take a look at it. Right now, I think you could use a little buddy. I have a daughter. Got a room full of these things.”

Man, I’m not a baby. She’d always been too small or too short, and the cop must have thought she was a lot younger than her twelve years. She took the stuffed animal, anyway, not really sure what to do with it. The cop shut the back door and then jumped in the front seat. As the car engine cranked to life, she examined the fuzzy stuffed animal. With its round ears, it could’ve been a bear or a mouse. She didn’t really care.

Slowly, she opened her fist, almost expecting the stains to be gone. They weren’t. Her face grew warmer as she wondered what would happen now. Turning to risk another look at the house, she sniffled. Two men walked inside, rolling a stretcher between them. Tears clouded her vision.

The cop said something from the front seat, but she wasn’t listening. Using the back of her sleeve, she wiped away the wetness crawling down her cheeks. She wanted to scream. Again. Bringing the stuffed bear or mouse closer to her face, she squeezed with both arms and hid her face in the soft fur. As the car pulled away from the house, her head throbbed. She could still hear the screaming and shouting.

I’m sorry, Mama. I’m so sorry.

CHAPTER ONE

Charlotte, North Carolina, 2008

“What’s going on?” Candace Johnson sat up in the bed and waited. Either the cellular company had dropped the call or her friend was on the line, probably twirling a lock of hair, her mind elsewhere. She fired off, “Pamela, are you still there?”

“I’m here,” Pamela shot back. Her friend let out a deep sigh. “There’s a lot I’m trying to process right now. It’s late. Let’s talk tomorrow.”

Tomorrow. “You’re kidding me, right?” Nothing rattled Pamela Coleman, but only a few minutes ago Pamela had called with a shaky voice, saying, “We have to talk.” There was no way Pamela could leave the conversation hanging until the morning.

“I’m tired, Candace. To be quite honest, I may not be thinking straight.”

Candace pulled the covers up closer to her body. It wasn’t unusual for them to talk until the wee hours of the morning, but she knew not to push her friend. “Where are you, anyway? Are you still at the art gallery reception this late?”

“No, I’m on my way home.”

“All right, girlfriend. I hope you get a good night’s sleep. There will be no excuses tomorrow. I expect you to spill everything.”

“I hope I can. You get some sleep, too.”

The dial tone buzzed in her ear for a few seconds before she hung up the cordless phone. Sleep. That’s a joke.

Out of habit, Candace slipped out of the bed and walked over to the window. She lifted one of the blind slats to peer out onto the street. It had been over a year and a half since the police department had provided protection for her family during the night. Now it seemed the police no longer cared. Other cases took priority, she guessed. Maybe it was all her imagination, overcome by grief and loss.

Rain pelted the roof and windows. The kind of rain that could coax a person into a deep, restful sleep. Candace wished. A full night’s sleep had become a lost luxury, but she would try to close her eyes. As she climbed under her favorite quilt, uneasiness settled over her mind. Again. Another long night awaited her.

She could blame her sleeplessness on the late-night pizza session with the kids, but she knew better. Even Pamela’s ominous call didn’t help matters. It was the past that kept her staring at the ceiling, walking beside her like a maddening visitor, just hanging around, with no signs of departure.

Stealing her sleep, her peace.

She gripped the quilt, hugging it close to her body. Her aunt always said, “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Candace didn’t care about being strong. She wanted answers.

She stared into the darkness, beyond the clock, to where the glow illuminated a man’s features. The photo was barely visible, but Candace had it memorized. In her mind, she could see

Detective Frank Johnson dressed in his uniform. Though his smile was serious, his deep dimples still made an appearance.

Almost seventeen years of marriage. Her protector.

Seemed like everyone these days told her the same thing. “Frank would’ve wanted you to move on.” How could she? Her Frank believed in justice. In the end, her husband received none. That haunted her.

She did need to get herself together. Her children had been through enough. She didn’t need Rachel and Daniel worrying about their mother. More than anything she wanted them to enjoy their youth. She didn’t want them to experience the pain she struggled through at their age from losing a parent.

So Candace meditated on the rain, willing her eyes to grow heavy.

Mama!

Her eyes flew open, and then she smacked the pillow. Even as she resolved to put the familiar memory out of her mind, questions lingered. Why now?

Almost thirty years had passed since that night. It seemed like every now and then Mama decided to visit her in a dream. Images of the beautiful, troubled woman who birthed her often were like a bittersweet reunion. But sometimes he would show up, too.

Candace was no longer afraid of him. She’d made sure to track down his whereabouts after Frank’s death just to be sure her childhood bogeyman had not returned. She knew he wasn’t a threat to her anymore.

Still, she knew sleep would not come tonight. She refused to close her eyes. Like that night long ago, it felt like God had stopped by to shake her around like one of those snow globes. Where would the pieces of her life fall like those flakes? Candace wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

Candace focused her thoughts on the earlier phone call. Pamela, what do you have to tell me tomorrow?

I will never leave you or forsake you.

He made sure to park the car a distance away. Then he walked, being careful to avoid the streetlights, closer to the house. He was in a crime-watch zone. No need to make neighbors suspicious. The night’s events had put him on edge. All he wanted to do was bury the past and move on. But no, she had dug it all back up again, practically accusing him. He would deal with the situation soon enough.

For now, it was time to visit an old friend.

With the stealth that he’d used many times to break into homes, he crept forward until he reached the oak tree located parallel to the house. He peered around the trunk and looked up toward the window.

The house was dark, but he knew. She’s awake. Thinking about me.

He smiled.

Friday, February 24, 2012

FIRST Wild Card Tour: Creative Slow-cooker meals by Cheryl Moeller

Today's Wild Card author is:

Cheryl Moeller

and the book:

Creative Slow-Cooker Meals:
Use Two Slow Cookers for
Tasty and Easy Dinners [Spiral-Bound]

Harvest House Publishers; Spi edition (February 1, 2012)

***Special thanks to Karri James, Marketing Assistant, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cheryl Moeller is a seasoned mother and a standup comic. She is also a syndicated columnist with her own blog (www.momlaughs.blogspot.com) and contributes monthly to several online parent websites. Cheryl has coauthored two books on marriage with her husband and has written for www.mops.org and Marriage Partnership. Cheryl does comedy for parenting classes, MOPS groups, wedding or baby showers, church retreats, women’s conferences, and those in line at the grocery store.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

From the celebrated coauthor of The Marriage Miracle comes a new kind of cookbook and a new attitude toward planning meals. With an eye toward the whole menu, not just part of it, columnist Cheryl Moeller teaches cooks to use two crockpots to easily create healthy, homemade dinners.

Don’t worry about your dinner being reduced to a mushy stew. Each of the more than 200 recipes has been taste-tested at Cheryl’s table. Join the Moeller family as you dig into:

Harvest-time Halibut Chowder
Salmon and Gingered Carrots
Mediterranean Rice Pilaf
Indian Chicken Curry
Apricot-Pistachio Bread
Shrimp Creole
Rhubarb Crisp

... and many more! Perfect for the frazzled mom who never has enough time in the day, Creative Slow-Cooker Meals gives readers more time around the table with delicious, healthy, frugal, and easy meals!

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99

Spiral-bound: 272 pages

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers; Spi edition (February 1, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0736944915

ISBN-13: 978-0736944915

My Review:
3.5 STARS

I was very excited when I got the chance to review this book for one big reason; I don't have many ideas on what to cook in a crock pot.

There was lots of things I liked about this book and a few things I didn't like about it. Let's start with the pros. Love the spiral bound cover, makes reading easy! Love the variety of recipes like breakfast, desert, vegetarian, vegan, dairy free and gluten free!! I would have never thought of making breakfast or desert in my crock-pot so those ideas were extra fun!! Using two crockpots was a new idea also that was pretty creative.

Now on to the cons. I didn't like the categories. It was a bit hard to find a specific recipe you liked because the categories weren't listed like "chicken, pasta, beef, soups, etc". They were more like "Simple meals, etc". I also didn't like the quantities weren't specific. I wasn't sure if this recipe would feed my family of 4 or more or less.

Now an example. One of the recipes that I tried and really liked was sweet and sour chicken. It was really easy to follow to the recipe, ingredients were easy to find. It cooked just like they said it would and it tasted delicious! When I do the recipe again however, I will alter it a bit to fit my preferences better but overall it was really great.

In summary, this cookbook opened my eyes to different ways you can use a crock-pot, or two crockpots and I am happy to have this addition to my kitchen.

I received this book free from the publishers through FIRST Wild Card Tours in exchange for my personal and honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

AND NOW...THE FIFTH CHAPTER (click on pages to enlarge):