How to Be God's Little Princess

Growing up is not easy and there are many things a young lady should know.  This book provides help to girls and their parents in learning these things.  Topics covered include manners, fashion, etiquette, relationships, entertaining, and knowing God.  Scattered through the chapters are fun quizzes and craft activities.  Walsh speaks frankly to her audience, tells them they are a princess and makes it plain that certain things are required of them.  Her book helps girls to see what areas of their personal lives they need improvement in.  She helps to calm those that are nervous about growing up.


I still am not sure what audience this book is intended for.  The topics covered suggest the preteen/early teen market, but I am not sure many girls of that age find the princess genre appealing.  That said, I think that the content within is interesting enough that most girls would be able to overlook the presentation.  It does introduce them to the idea that they are daughters of the King, of royalty beyond this Earth.  I think the quizzes are fun and I am tempted to try some of the crafts with my oldest daughter (who is still a bit young for the content).  I think this book could be a lot of fun for a mother/daughter to read together.  It would provide many great conversation starters.  I received this book in electronic form, but think I will look into getting a hard copy to use with my girls when they get a bit older.  I give How to Be God's Little Princess 4 out of 5 pieces of bacon.

Sheila Walsh was born in Scotland and travelled around a bit before finding herself at home in America.  She has hosted shows on TV as well as writing both fiction and non fiction.  She has also toured as a speaker with Women of Faith.  She is currently working on her Master's Degree.  She lives in Texas with her husband and son.

How to Be God's Little Princess is written by Sheila Walsh and published by Thomas Nelson.

Look in the mirror!  Who is staring back? A princess.  And she is you!  You're growing up, life is changing and you're excited to see what's going to happen next.

Stories of Faith and Courage from the Civil War

Stories of Faith and Courage from the Civil War is another yearly devotional book, this time from the Civil War time period.  Each starts with a quote from someone living at that time; men, women, children, soldiers, slaves, politicians and more.  There is a Scripture as well as some commentary from Terry Tuley.  This book offers an insight into the time period as well as the Christian faith.


This devotional is as captivating as the first one I reported on, Stories of Faith and Courage from World War II.  It is very interesting to see the faith of our forefathers and how it impacted such a momentous time of our country's history.  This book is not just from the military standpoint as there are quotes from and information about women and children, slaves, and plain old regular people.  It helps to give a rounded view of the time.  The faith of American citizens in this time of war was amazing.  If you love history, this is a book you will enjoy for the historical twist as well as the faith enriching words from the past and of Tuley.  I award this book five out of five pieces of bacon.

Terry R. Tuley is the senior pastor of a church in Knoxville, Tennessee.  In addition to writing, he is a military historian who collect items from the Civil War period.  He is a lover of books and collects rare religious books.  This married father of three also enjoys hiking and fishing. 

Stories of Faith and Courage from the Civil War was written by Terry Tuley and published by God & Country Press, an imprint of AMG Publishers.

The Desert Gift

It's not quite that simple.  There's a disconnect because we're not who we were when we got married.  This is not the life I signed up for.  We've both changed too much.

Jillian Galloway  is a nationally syndicated host of her own radio show.  She is about to step into the world of book touring with her very first book.  Her subject of expertise?  Marriage.  Her work is based on listening to countless women talk about their marriages as well as her own experience of being married to Jack for twenty four years.  As their marriage is long lasting and secure, the book is full of stories and examples of their own life together.  Jack even created recipes for the book.  They'll do the book tour then have a well deserved vacation together.  Life couldn't be better.  As they depart their home, Jack tells Jillian that he isn't going and wants a separation.  Before she can catch her breath and respond, he puts her in a taxi and begins his new solitary life.  Jillian's world comes crashing down as everything she has believed in gets challenged, including her relationship with God.

Having recently read The Beach House by Sally John, I was excited to read another of her books.  She did not disappoint in her well developed characters and real to life plot.  She makes an excellent point through the book that marriage is not a one-size-fits-all venture, there is no formula to follow for the perfect marriage.  There are many books and "experts" which offer good advice, but they do not guarantee anything.  Without a formula to solve the problems, Jillian wonders if there is any way to repair her marriage and herself.  I like the way the story is unpredictable, moving forwards and backwards as each character makes decisions.  I enjoyed less the subplot of her son, saying more would spoil the tale.  I award Desert Gift four out of five pieces of bacon.   

Sally John writes across a broad spectrum.  She has written novels, computer software manuals, and magazine articles.  She is a speaker at conferences about writing and family issues.  She has worked independently and collaborated with others.  In the past she also taught.  Sally John is a mother, grandmother, and wife.

Desert Gift was written by Sally John, published by Tyndale House Publishing.

   

The Beach House

 What was it about the beach house?

Jo, Char, Mollie, and Andie grew up together, sharing the secrets of their lives.  Eventually, careers and marriages pulled them in different directions and they drifted apart.  Twelve years after they were last together, Jo invites them all for a week on the beach.  Each woman travels with more luggage than just her clothes.  As they begin to catch up with each other, their personal issues and struggles are revealed.  Will the ties of friendship hold?  Will faith in God come through?

This book was excellent!  The characters were well written, the setting was realistic, and the plot interesting.  It wasn't hard to find something of myself in each of the four main characters, thus feeling a personal connection with their storyline.  This is not a book where the characters get easy answers to their problems.  They have real issues and must work through them just as real people must.  Cliches are not solutions to real problems, nor are they offered as such in The Beach House.  I had a hard time putting this book down and would have read through if I had less responsibility.  I think I neglected things a bit as it was.  Life isn't always fun and pretty, but with the right people around us, it is better!  This book gets five out of five pieces of bacon!


Sally John writes across a broad spectrum.  She has written novels, computer software manuals, and magazine articles.  She is a speaker at conferences about writing and family issues.  She has worked independently and collaborated with others.  In the past she also taught.  Sally John is a mother, grandmother, and wife.

The Beach House was written by Sally John, published by Harvest House Publishers.

And right there, in the middle of the Chicken Pie Shop while ordering cherry pie a la mode, Jo made up for the dozen years she had not wept.

Plain Wisdom

Our hope and prayer are that these memories will encourage and strengthen you as you create memories within your friend and family circles.

It doesn't matter if you belong to the Old Order Amish or if you are "Englischer," some things are universal to the human condition.  Plain Wisdom explores these common links of birth, death, financial difficulties, laughter, and much more.  Cindy Woodsmall (the Englischer) and Miriam Flaud (Old Order Amish) each offer words of wisdom regarding each topic, set in its own chapter.  Along the way, the women share some recipes and traditions of their culture.

I was excited to read this book.  I expected to be drawn in by both the similarities and differences of these two women.  Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed.  The essays written by these women were so short that I couldn't really connect with the writing or writers.  It felt like this was only a partial work instead of a complete one.  I do think what they wrote was heartfelt and has much potential, I'd just like to see it be expanded and flow together more smoothly.  If you do pick this book up, I recommend you intend to read it in small doses instead of just sitting down with it.  I'm giving Plain Wisdom 2 out of 5 pieces of bacon.

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best selling author of several novels.  She is also a wife and mother.  Miriam Flaud is wife, mother, and grandmother.  She lives within an Old Amish Order community.

Plain Wisdom was written by Cindy Woodsmall and Miriam Flaud.  It was published by WaterBrook Press.