About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Hope Like Wildflowers (My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge, #3) by Pepper Basham

Hope Like Wildflowers
ABOUT THE BOOK

An Appalachian Girl Seeks a Place to Belong

Return to the mountains of 1910s Appalachia with beloved author Pepper Basham to discover Kizzie McAdams's story.

Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.

Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose?


MY THOUGHTS.....

I couldn't love this book more! Hope Like Wildflowers is a beautifully written story of hope, perseverance, and learning to believe in oneself. I loved Kizzie McAdam's search for love and acceptance, and the ultimate love and acceptance she received when she asked for God's forgiveness. The amazing characters, the Appalachian setting, and the sweet romance kept me turning the pages, but the faith element is what I'll long remember! The author's personal faith jumped from the pages as she shared God's love and forgiveness through the lives of Kizzie and Noah Lewis. Kizzie finally believed that she was loved, worthy, and wonderful after finding the beauty in sweet redemption!

Pepper Basham has never been better, and this book has become one of my all-time favorite reads! I recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

You can connect with Pepper by visiting her websiteFacebookInstagramPinterest, or Twitter.



MY HEART BELONGS IN THE BLUE RIDGE

Laurel's Dream
Hope Like Wildflowers


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Thursday, December 5, 2024

CSB Grace Bible for Kids (Large Print, Dyslexia Friendly Bible) by 2K/DENMARK & Holman Bibles


ABOUT THE CSB GRACE BIBLE FOR KIDS

Dyslexia shouldn’t keep us from reading the Bible. And now, it doesn’t have to!

Designed to enhance readability for all levels and varieties of dyslexia and reading challenges, the new CSB Grace Bible for Kids and CSB Grace Bible, created in partnership with 2K/DENMARK and Cambridge University, feature an inclusive and tested typeface, layout, and design. Experience the truth of God’s Word with Bibles designed specifically for dyslexia and reading challenges!


Features
  • Inclusive Grace typeface, layout, and design
  • Enhances readability for all levels and varieties of dyslexia and other reading challenges
  • Unique, colored page overlays included to further enhance visual processing
  • Complete text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB)
  • Large, 11-point type size
  • Durable Smyth-sewn, lay-flat binding



MY THOUGHTS.....

Dyslexia shouldn’t keep kids from reading the Bible. And now, it doesn’t have to!

This is such a special Bible! The bright blue cover with a multi-colored cross instantly catches your eye and the soft imitation leather makes it easy for small hands to hold, but the text is the major attraction! This CSB Grace Bible for Kids uses a special font to make it easier to read, there are 10 colored overlays to help dyslexic readers process it better, and it even has specific instructions for using those overlays! And then, there's the content! It has an abundance of study aids that include colored maps, a dictionary, and cross-references of Old and New Testament quotes. This Bible is a fantastic tool for exploring God's Word and I found the section that features Jesus and His apostles especially enlightening!

This is a wonderful resource. It may target dyslexic children but the designers at Holman Bible Publishers have created a Bible that ALL young people can use for years to come!

Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of this product for this review. These opinions are 100% my own.

#GraceKidsBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork @christianstandardbible @bhpub



My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A Closer Look at the CSB Grace Bible for Kids








10 Different Color Overlays










Using the Color Overlays














A special two-page spread on The Life of Jesus makes the Bible come alive! Other pages include The Names of Jesus, The Miracles of Jesus, & The Apostles of Jesus.

There's also a colored map tracing Jesus's Birth and Early Childhood!





Want to learn more about the CSB Grace Bible for Kids? 
There's also a Grace Bible for Adults!
Follow this link for information about them both!







Looking for meaningful Christmas gifts. 

Shop for your entire family at holmangiftguide.com










GIVEAWAY



1 copy of CSB Grace Bible for Kids, 
Blue Leather Touch Edition


Want a chance to win a FREE copy of the CSB Grace Bible for Kids? Do you have a special child who can benefit from this Bible?

One person who answers the above questions will win this Bible! Please leave your comment below, along with your first name and email address in a non-spam format. 

Example: Your Name(AT)Domain(DOT)com.

An Email address MUST BE included with your comment so that I can contact you!

NOTE: This giveaway is limited to US winners who are 18 years or older. The giveaway closes at  11:59 PM on Wednesday, December 11, 2024


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