Movie Review: This Is Our Time + Giveaway

About the Movie:

The movie tells the interwoven stories of Luke (T.J. Dalrymple) and Alé (Erin Bethea), who marry right after school and move to India to serve as missionaries for Embrace A Village, a ministry that cares for those afflicted with leprosy and their families; aspiring financier Catherine (Kate Cobb), who joins a prestigious financial institution determined to make an impact on corporate America; Ryder (Matthew Florida), who lands an impressive job in social media and can’t wait to use the powerful medium for a greater good; and Ethan (Shawn-Caulin Young,) seemingly the odd man out, who struggles to find his God-given-purpose and feels sidelined by God.

“What they all come to learn is that it never really was their time,” Arnold said. “It always was, always is, God’s time.”

My Review:

What a powerful message this movie has! I think it is something many of forget and struggle with from time to time. I am not sure there is anyone that hasn't struggled with trying to find out what our purpose is. Most people will find they fit in with one of the characters whether its the they know what they are suppose to do and are doing it, can't wait to be able to do it or just not sure. I love the message of how it is always our time to being doing God's will and that his plan for us is in the right now.

I found this movie to be enjoyable to watch but like many Christian films is does have the weak acting and filming, but the great thing is the message is so strong that it doesn't matter. I would recommend this movie to many people. This is a great movie for graduates (high school or college) as they are going out and beginning their lives.

Giveaway Info:

Ends Wednesday April 24 at Noon EST

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"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."

Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer

About the Book:

A Story of Hope and Love Set Against the Backdrop of World War II

Lydia Eldredge longs to provide sanctuary for her young son, Nicky. But a constant threat comes from Nicky’s drug-addicted father, who wants the boy and seems willing to do whatever it takes to get him.

Dr. Micah Hatcher faithfully serves the immigrant population of Queens, New York. But under cover of darkness, he has a secret mission that challenges everything he thought he wanted out of life.

When Lydia and Micah’s paths cross, they are suddenly wrapped up in each other’s callings. Together, they seek a refuge of safety–for Nicky, for themselves, and for the needy people God puts into their lives. Amid turmoil and discord, can hope and love prevail?

My Review:

5 Stars

One of Kim Vogel Sawyer's best books yet! Over the years I have read many of Kim's books and while I enjoyed most of them only a couple have stood out to me as favorites, well this one has easily become a favorite for me. With the WWII backdrop, sweet heroine, great hero and adorable little boy how could things go wrong.

I found this book to be a quick read since Kim pulled me in from the very first page all the way to the end. I found myself easily finishing this book in an afternoon while my baby girl was snoozing away. As much as I loved finding out how things would all work out I was quite sad when the last page was read. I loved both Lydia and Micah and enjoyed following their story and seeing their romance blossom.

I highly recommend this book to fans of historical romance and Kim Vogel Sawyer. You really can't go wrong with this book!

* I received this book through Litfuse for the purpose of this review.

To celebrate the release of  Sweet Sanctuary Kim Vogel Sawyer is giving away a Cupcake Club membership (monthly cupcake delivery!) from the amazing Magnolia Bakery in New York and hosting a Facebook Author Chat party {4/30}!

One "sweet" winner will receive:

• Cupcakes from NYC’s Magnolia Bakery delivered to your door every month. (Eat them all yourself or share!)
• Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer for you and four of your friends. (Start a book group — cupcakes and a "sweet" read!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 29th. Winner will be announced at the "Sweet Sanctuary" Author Chat Party on 4/30. Connect with Kim, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be fun giveaways - gift certificates, books, and more!

So grab your copy of Sweet Sanctuary and join Kim on the evening of April 30th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 30th!

Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

About the Book:

Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe’s best confections, she’s sure she’ll come up with a recipe that will save her father’s struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager–a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy’s skin.

Charlie Clarke’s new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he’s never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She’s making his work life miserable…and making herself impossible for him to forget.

My Review:

Oh how fun to read about candy! Who just doesn't love it? Of course I never expected to find so much competition in the candy making world and wow can they be mean. I found the setting to be fun and loved the candy making plot because it was different and something I had not read yet.

At the beginning I really like Lucy but as the story played out I found I did not like her as much and found all her scheming to be a tad too much. I didn't think she really grow or change during the story. In my opinion she made the romance side of the story hard to love.

The big downside I found was the book just was so slow paced and I think it could have been a lot shorter. I will say I loved the fact that it was written in the first person. This was my first Siri Mitchell book so I have no idea how it compares to her others, but I would assume many will love this book.

*I received this book through Litfuse for the purpose of this review.

Celebrate Unrivaled with Siri Mitchell by entering to win a Kindle Fire and joining her on April 18th for a Facebook Author Chat Party!

 
One "swooning" winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Vintage Candy Kit
• Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell (one for you and one for a friend!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 17th. Winner will be announced at the "Unrivaled" Author Chat Facebook Party on 4/18. Connect with Siri, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books, vintage candy kits, and more!

So grab your copy of Unrivaled and join Siri on the evening of the April 18th for a chance to connect with Siri and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

Jesus Calling Bible Storybook by Sarah Young

About the Book:

Nothing in heaven or on earth can stop Me from loving you.

Jesus is calling out to our hearts, and you can hear His voice in every story in the Bible. These carefully selected stories are paired with new children’s devotions from Sarah Young and will help young hearts understand God’s grand plan to send His Son, Jesus, to save His children and prepare a place for us in heaven.

Bestselling author Sarah Young has touched millions of lives through her devotionals based on Scripture and written as though Jesus is speaking directly to the reader. This book will lead God’s children, young and old, to talk to Jesus through prayer and to listen to His voice speaking love to their hearts.

My Review:

5 Stars

What a beautiful Bible storybook for kids of all ages. From the minute I picked this book up I just knew I was going to love it. The pages are illustrated beautifully and are made of a nice thick paper that will hold to years of use.  The pictures really help bring the story to life! The Bible stories in this book are great and cover all the main stories you expect to read and many more that some books leaves out. I like how each story is short which makes a great bedtime story, or great to pair with another book too. I enjoy the little devotions at the end of each story and they are great to help relate to the story to everyday life plus their is verse with each one.

I highly recommend this to anyone with kids of all ages. Its a great book that kids can grow up with and with over 200 pages and well over 30 stories spanning both the New and Old Testament it will take quite some time to finish it just once.

* I received this book from Tommy Nelson through Radiant Lit. Thank you!

The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

About the Book:

Love’s recovery starts with a single step . . .

After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn Anderson is tired of playing the role of perfect wife. Her husband Jim is a successful businessman who gives her everything she needs-a beautiful home in an upscale neighborhood, the financial freedom to be a stay-at-home mom, an enviable collection of stuff. Everything, that is, except what really matters: love.

After years of trying to connect with Jim, Marilyn has had enough. She longs to experience some measure of happiness before she’s too old to enjoy it. Needing some time to herself to sort things out, Marilyn leaves to start a new job and take dancing lessons-something she has wanted to do for as long as she can remember.

Shocked to find his wife gone, Jim Anderson must sort through the past to save his marriage. With a little help from an unexpected ally, he begins a campaign to win Marilyn back. What he doesn’t anticipate is how his actions will affect everyone around him-starting with himself.

My Review

Not really sure where to start. I will say though I have loved all the books I have read by Dan Walsh but this one just didn't do much for me. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact I really couldn't relate to the characters since I am not in a struggling marriage of any kind. I think this book would be great for those who minister to married couples as I find fiction often can be used as a way to understand something. I will say Dan Walsh's brilliant storytelling does shine through it was just more the story line of this book that was hard for me to thoroughly enjoy. I think I missed his Nicholas Sparks like romance stories that I have come to love and this was just so different. While I am not sure if I will read more of this series, I know I can't wait  for more books from Dan Walsh in the future. 

* I received this book from Revell for the purpose of this review. Thank you!

Taylor's Gift by Todd and Tara Storch + Giveaway

About the Book:

In March 2010, thirteen-year-old Taylor Storch's life was tragically cut short by a skiing accident. With only a few minutes to consider their options, her grieving family made the life-changing decision to donate her organs. Knowing Taylor's caring spirit, they were sure this was what she would have wanted. Over the course of the next two years, Tara and Todd Storch connected with four of the five people who now live because of Taylor's gift. And through these encounters, the Storches have discovered unexpected blessings that are changing countless lives.

Now Tara and Todd share their inspiring story, shining a light at the end of the tunnel for those enduring the suffering of losing a loved one. Through the stories of the donor recipients, readers will discover hope in the midst of pain. Honest with their struggles, the Storches show readers that life is a gift and our response to grief is a choice. They also speak with a clear voice about the importance and the blessing of being an organ donor, telling the inspiring story of the creation of Taylor's Gift Foundation and its goals to raise awareness of the need for organ donation, to re-gift life, renew health, and restore families. They are changing the conversation around the globe that organ donation is not about death--it's about life! Foreword by Max Lucado.

My Review:

Taylor's Gift is a powerful story of what happens when a family says YES to organ donation and the lives of four people are changed forever. In the midst of tragedy the Storches are able to see hope, a plan and a purpose for what they went through. It didn't make it easier, they still grieved and are forever changed but the wanted something good to come from it. They realized that there are many people waiting for organs and not nearly enough people signed up to be organ donors. They saw this and are fighting to change that and make people aware of the need and the gift that it is.

Overall I really enjoyed the story. At times I felt the story was a little long and would have liked to hear more of the stories of the four people that received the organs. In conclusion this is a great story that everyone should read. Organ donation is a life changing choice that needs more awareness.

* I received this book from Revell fo