Tag Archives: faith

April 15, 2024 · 7:00 am

The Stories of the Bible: An Inspiring Christian Storybook for Kids by Durand Loy (Book Review)

Step into the timeless tales from both the Old and New Testaments in a way that captivates young hearts and minds. This enchanting children’s storybook is meticulously crafted to engage with little ones, making it the perfect tool for parents to introduce the richness of the Bible and the love of Jesus Christ to their family.

Within these pages, cherished narratives unfold with vibrant illustrations and accessible language, inviting children on a journey of faith and discovery. From the bravery of David facing Goliath to the miracles of Jesus calming the stormy seas, each story is presented with care and reverence, ensuring that young readers not only learn but also feel the profound messages of hope, courage, and love woven throughout the scriptures.

As parents turn the pages of The Stories of the Bible with their children, they’ll find themselves immersed in an experience that transcends generations, fostering a deep connection to the teachings of Christianity. Whether shared during bedtime, family gatherings, or quiet moments of reflection, this beautifully illustrated storybook is destined to become a cherished treasure—a timeless gift that ignites the spark of faith in young hearts and minds.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

The Stories of the Bible: An Inspiring Christian Storybook for Kids by Durand Loy revisits some of the Bible’s most memorable stories. Like the Bible, it starts with creating animals, land, sea, and light. Readers met our world’s first humans, Adam and Eve, in the notorious Garden of Eden. Depending on your reader’s age, they might be familiar with some of the mini-stories such as “Noah’s Ark,” “The Birth of Jesus,” “The Three Wise Men,” and “David and Goliath.” There might be several new stories that kids are less familiar with: “Deborah the Prophet” and “The Mustard Seed.”

The Stories of the Bible: An Inspiring Christian Storybook for Kids is a beautifully illustrated book tailored for children but can reach and be loved by readers young and old. If you feel the Bible is too confusing or has too much to digest but still want to learn about biblical figures, I recommend you read the illustrated version first. It breaks down key moments in the oversized book into one-paragraph stories and offers the biblical location for further exploration. For example, “The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus” can be found in Mark 10:46-52.

Each story summarizes key events like “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” and “The Ten Commandments” pretty well. The passages do not go in-depth but leave room for open discussion. For instance, kids might ask what happened to Joseph after his brothers “sold him.” What was God’s plan for him? Depending on the audience’s age, they might inquire about the other commandments not listed in this book. A child might wonder if a whale can ingest a person, as portrayed in “Jonah and the Whale.” Due to a whale’s narrowness of their esophagus, many scientists say no. But ask your children or class their opinion on this matter. 

The Stories of the Bible: An Inspiring Christian Storybook for Kids is a great first Bible for young readers. Its vibrant illustrations brought the stories to life. Every reader will have their favorite scene; mine features the whale spitting out Jonah. The sea animal appears to be wearing a toothy smile as if he enjoyed spitting the man out of its large mouth. 

The Stories of the Bible: An Inspiring Christian Storybook for Kids would be an excellent addition to any Christian-based school or home. It would also benefit VBS (Vacation Bible School) and Sunday school classrooms. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score:  ❤❤❤❤

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Meet the Author

Durand Loy is committed to crafting literary experiences for children of all ages. He draws inspiration from his Southern roots and as a devoted husband and father of two young boys. With a passion for instilling strong values in children, he specializes in creating faith-based children’s books.

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September 1, 2023 · 7:00 am

God’s Promises: Wildlife Gray-Scale Adult Coloring Book & Journal by Stella Fanbosi (Book Review)

Enhance your spiritual growth and be inspired through meditation on Bible verses that feed the hungry soul, while adding color to illustrations of God’s beautiful creations. 20 amazing illustrations of wildlife nature in realistic, hand-drawn, gray-scale images, will capture your imagination and enlighten your spirit.

While coloring your favorite pages, meditate on inspirational Bible verses of God’s promises to His human family. Framed scriptural verses are located on the opposite page of the illustration for your convenience.

Use paint markers, gel pens, or colored pencils to bring the images to life with subjects such as animals, flowers, mountains, and waterfalls, all in gray-scale format and framed for a realistic finished masterpiece. Display your amazing finished works as home decor on your walls or on social media to show your skills to friends and family.

In addition to the adult coloring book features, journal pages are added for you to jot down your own thoughts, memoirs, or even drawings that leave a legacy to share for years to come. All journal pages are dotted for even spacing and guidance.

“God’s Promises: Wildlife in Gray-Scale Adult Coloring Book & Journal” includes the following:

◆ 20 breathtaking illustrations in gray-scale format for realistic imagery

◆ Single-sided pages to avoid bleeding into another image

◆ 20 timeless scriptural verses in a decorative font to uplift your spirit

◆ Increase your knowledge, faith, and wisdom through God’s infallible Word

◆ dotted journal pages for adding your own memoirs, thoughts, or drawings

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Coloring books are not just for children anymore. More and more adults are unwinding with coloring books. I see them all over the market, but none match the artistry level of Adeela Zahid (credited on the copyright page). Their realistic, hand-drawn, gray-scale images will amaze you, impress you, and you’ll almost hesitate to mark them with any color. That said, I’d be cautious when applying any color to the page. The artist creates textured images but, in the process, makes it difficult for the average person to “color” the pictures without certain focal points turning into a big blob. Mainly, I am speaking about the trees, stems, leaves, fields, and water. 

When I first glanced at the stunning drawings, I envisioned how to style these portraits. I’m not an artist, but I noticed enough white open areas allowing an amateur artist to add a pop of color to every picture—for instance, the bunny chewing on the leaves of a batch of wildflowers. Using a colored pencil, I could make the petals come to life. Same for the frog sitting on the lily pad. Depending on your skill level, you can shade in some or all of the coloring sheets. 

God’s Promises: Wildlife in Gray-Scale Adult Coloring Book & Journal also includes uplifting bible scriptures and dotted pages to journal your thoughts and feelings. People of faith will love reading the bible verses. They’ll warm a reader’s heart as much as the lovely drawings. In addition to the above-mentioned components, Stella Fanbosi (author) breaks down “How to Become a Citizen of God’s Kingdom,” citing the bible in multiple locations. Customers will also learn a sinner’s prayer. Since no one is without sin, this prayer is worth reading and reciting daily. 

No matter your skill level, grab a colored pencil, gel pen, or paint marker and bring the wildlife images to life. “Display your amazing finished works as home decor on your walls or on social media to show your skills to friends and family.” 

God’s Promises: Wildlife in Gray-Scale Adult Coloring Book & Journal would make an exceptional gift for any Christian. 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

My love for art and spirituality began early in childhood. I remember my mother saying that if I wanted to live happily ever after, I should regard the Bible as sacred and learn from it. Here I share a simplified version of art & spirituality without the confines of religion or dogma. 

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September 30, 2022 · 7:00 am

Of All Faiths & None by Andrew Tweeddale (Book Spotlight)

In the autumn of 1910 the famous architect, Edwin Lutyens, receives a letter from Sir Julius Drewe for the commission of a castle on Dartmoor – Castle Drogo. The design for the castle focusses on both the past and the present and reflects Britain, which at that moment is in a state of flux. Lutyens’ daughter, Celia, becomes enamoured with the project dreaming of chivalry and heroism. The following year Lutyens and his family are invited to a stone laying ceremony at Castle Drogo. Celia meets Sir Julius’ children: Adrian, Christian and Basil. Adrian has an unbending sense of duty and honour and is seen as a hero by Celia when he rescues a farmer from a fire.

The novel moves to 1914, and the start of the Great War. Christian Drewe returns from Austria where he has been working as an artist. He has reservations about joining up, unconvinced that the war was either necessary or right. He meets a nurse, Rose Braithwaite, when he is stuck at a railway station by fog. They subsequently meet again when Rose invites Christian to a party she is having for her birthday. Despite them being of different classes, there is a mutual attraction and during the evening they kiss. However, Rose is engaged and a fight breaks out between Rose’s fiancé, who arrives much later, and Christian. Both Rose and Christian decide never to see each other again. Christian’s moral conflict about enlisting comes to a head when he is handed a white feather – the sign of a coward. Eighteen months later, during the war, Christian is injured and is treated by Rose at a hospital on the front line. Both realise their mistake of following their heads rather than their hearts. Christian is sent back to a rehabilitation hospital in England where Celia is now working.

Adrian, when on leave, visits Christian and again meets Celia. The relationship is now one of equals. Celia, a headstrong young woman, decides that she must try and develop the relationship or risk losing Adrian. Adrian is torn between his desire for Celia and his need to protect his family, who are now having financial problems. The story moves from the battlefields of Flanders to Castle Drogo, where the characters are reunited for brief periods. Faith and love are stretched to their limits as each character is affected by the relentless brutality of the war. Of All Faiths & None is the story of a lost generation. It is a novel that focuses on the relationships of the characters until those relationships are shattered. It is a coming-of-age tale and a social commentary on the tragedy of a needless war.

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Chapters1 to 3 (click on the Imprint Body link below for sample chapters)

Imprint Body

 

 

From the author… “Of All Faiths & None” 

1. Has received a 4 star review from Reedsy:
 Reviewed by Jacquelynn Kennedy

2. Has been entered for the Best Indie Book Award.

3. Has been nominated for the Outstanding Creator Awards – Category: Books.

4. Has been entered in the Paris Book Festival

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Writer, lawyer and chef. Andrew has written books on law and engineering contracts. In 2004 he started writing his debut novel Of All Faiths & None, which took eighteen years to complete. It is the first book in a series about the Drewe and Lutyens families throughout the 20th century.

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September 2, 2022 · 7:00 am

Hope . . . and the Hedgehog: Life? Death? And then what? Our personal quest… by Tom Vaughan (Book Review)


Hope…. And The Hedgehog is a ‘pocketbook philosophy for the present age’, a digestible exploration of the meaning of life which aims to unpick the big questions most of us spend our lives avoiding: how did life begin, how does it end, and what happens to us after we die?

Is there life after death? Is there a higher power? Or, is life one big cosmic accident; a clash of particles and atoms and one big bang? Tom looks instead at the power of faith and spirituality which he separates from religion. While he does not attempt to present any definitive argument, he looks at all sides, gathering thoughts from history’s most influential philosophers and scientists.

He makes the proposition that, between only two possible explanations for the existence of life, there is a greater likelihood of the one over the other. He believes in the importance of opening up our minds and finding more of a sense of purpose and direction in life – a view that, as we look towards a post-lockdown future, will resonate with many people.

“I chose the book’s title Hope … and the Hedgehog because hope is one of the principal drivers we resort to as human beings when confronted with a challenge to which there is no obvious solution. In the case of this book, that challenge is a very prickly issue: how we came into existence. It is an issue that we are all drawn to, but at the same time we do not want to handle or investigate too closely. Like the proverbial elephant in the room, we know that little hedgehog is there, we just prefer to leave it be – even if, in the end, there is no avoiding it.”  – Tom Vaughan, May 2022. 

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble
 
 
 
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
 

If you read the book’s summary, you’ll recall the author states this is not a religious book. That’s the truth. They do not support one religion over another. However, they don’t push religion under the rug either. Tom Vaughan states, “…we cannot ignore that religion of every creed is embedded in human society that it forms an integral part of our lives.” Also, another truth. Even our government seems to be run by faith, which goes against the Constitution. The first amendment to the US Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” 

Tom Vaughan also informs readers they have “no scientific, philosophical, or theological training of any kind.” That made this book more personal – less like I was getting schooled on a subject. 

Tom Vaughan gave insight into many areas and posed questions to his audience. “Why are we born?” “Why are we here?” “Purpose of life?” “What happens after I die?” These questions have been on the minds of many scholars and non-scholars for many, many years.

Tom Vaughan made one remark that is 100% true: “Rich or poor, we all carry the same chronic illness.” Money might change your type of dwelling, but at the end of the day, we all get sick. We all die. Your cash and acquisitions will hole zero value to you when your body gives out. Speaking of wealthy people, I had no idea how much a person would pay to have their head frozen ($80,000) or their entire body put on “ice” ($200,000). Seriously, that money would be put to better use elsewhere. Instead of freezing all or parts of oneself, how about leaving your money to a charity? 

You can’t discuss life and death without throwing in some science. Don’t worry, it’s not super complex information—just cool facts. You might find the answer to a clue on Jeopardy. 

I could go on and on with my thoughts on Hope . . . and the Hedgehog: Life? Death? And then what? Our personal quest… by Tom Vaughan, but I think you can sense I liked it. I wasn’t expecting the colorful images scattered throughout the book. The drawings fit perfectly with the surrounding text/thoughts. Nice work. 

 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:
Author Tom Vaughan

 
Tom’s life has come full circle from his first career as co-founder of the successful chain of Juliana’s discotheques, which he started in the 60’s and grew to be the world’s largest entertainment group of its type at the time, with offices in London, New York, Singapore and Sidney. With no scientific, philosophical or theological training and few school qualifications but armed with heaps of life experience as an entrepreneur, Tom switches gear with his latest work Hope…And The Hedgehog to take on the role of ‘everyman philosopher’, creating a new book that makes people stop and think. 

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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February 22, 2022 · 7:00 am

The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy by Kellyn Roth (Book Series Spotlight)

Book 1

 

Claire will stop at nothing to provide for her daughters. An unwed mother, she does everything possible to raise them whilst avoiding her scandalous past. Some secrets are best kept, even between mother and daughter.

Alice longs for a father, especially if that means her mother will be happy. She takes matters into her own hands—but she never expected what she finds.

​Despite her efforts to shelter her daughters, Claire’s ghosts rise up to haunt her, and any semblance of control over her life vanishes. If her secrets are uncovered, what will become of her family?

 
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Book 2
Picture

 

Ivy Knight lives her life in a blur of confusion as the world passes her by in a tumultuous melody. She isn’t the perfect daughter or student, but as long as she can be with her family, she doesn’t mind watching rather than living.

Mrs. Chattoway treasures both of her granddaughters now that they’re reunited. When Ivy’s parents enroll her in a Scottish school for unique children, she’s happy to chaperone.

​In a new place with a new guardian, Ivy discovers a special talent that helps her see the blurred world in a new way. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and Ivy becomes determined to find it—and help others do the same.

 
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Book 3

At Her Fingertips by Kellyn Roth

 

Debutante Alice Knight is ready for her first social season in London. She’s determined to impress society and her mother with an affluent match, at last escaping her past and embracing a future of her own making.

Peter Strauss, an American reporter visiting England, isn’t exactly what Alice had in mind. However, his friendship proves invaluable as Alice faces the challenges of her debut. Almost immediately, she attracts the attention of a well-born gentleman—perfect save for the simple fact that he’s not a Christian.

​The life she longs for is finally at her fingertips, but between her own heart and the convictions of her faith, she isn’t sure she ought to grasp it.

 
 
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Book 4

BEYOND HER CALLING (The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy) by Kellyn Roth
 
 
​Ivy Knight feels that her life may never start. Though her loving family assures her that her place in the world is close to home, she still feels a push to move out of her comfort zone. Hoping against hope, she travels to her old friends at McCale House, seeking a purpose.

Jordy McAllen has just returned to Scotland after his education in London. He fears that what everyone has always said about him may be true: he can’t be a good doctor, let alone a good man. Determined to prove himself, Jordy snatches up the opportunity to become the doctor in the village of Keefmore near his parents’ farm.

​When an old friend decides to travel to Keefmore and visit a relative, Ivy follows. She soon finds herself drawn to Jordy, but as their attraction grows, they both face doubts. A relationship between the two of them feels improbable—and might just require a step of impossible faith.

 
 
Buy the Book:
Amazon
 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:
Author Kellyn Roth
 
 
Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women’s fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and the Kees & Colliers series, which follows a broken family in the tumultuous years of the first half of the 20th century.

Kellyn is a student of the Author Conservatory, a virtual assistant, and a writing coach. When not building her author career, she is likely getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, watching period dramas and facetious comedies, or spending time with her husband.

 

connect with the author:
 website ~ twitter ~ facebook  ~ pinterest ~ instagram

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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