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!

Saturday, November 29, 2025

The Wonders of the First Christmas: Explore the Birth of Jesus through History, Archaeology, and Art by Andy McGuire


ABOUT THE BOOK

Experience the Christmas story and witness the goodness of God. Through historical details and Biblical truths, The Wonders of the First Christmas is an inspirational and educational picture book that tells the story of Jesus’s birth from a new perspective, helping families deepen their understanding of God and his word.

The Christmas story is so familiar that we often take the details for granted. But did Mary and Joseph really ride on a donkey to Bethlehem? What was a manger and why did they use one for Jesus’s bed? And where were the wise men actually from? By approaching the story with historical insight and a child’s sense of wonder, Andy McGuire crafts a tale that feels fresh and insightful, using well-researched material and beautiful original artwork.

The Wonders of the First Christmas:

Combines the gospel text of the nativity story with historical, biological, and geographic facts about ancient Israel and the life and times of Jesus.Gives children a solid foundation for their faith with beautiful art and additional content.Is the perfect Advent or Christmas book to share with children ages 4 and upIncludes an easy-to-read main story as well as callouts with easy-to-understand facts 

Emphasizes God’s love for his children and his plan for our salvation.

After reading this book, we are reminded that God placed a new star in the nighttime sky to tell that a powerful King had been born in Israel. Wise men followed that star to find him.


The Wonders of the First Christmas

  • Beautifully written and illustrated by bestselling author Andy McGuire

  • Incorporates fascinating facts about the history and geography of the birth of Jesus

  • Retells the nativity story from both a Scriptural as well as historical perspective

  • Is the perfect Advent or Christmas book for 4-8 year-olds

Purchase link: http://bit.ly/47YCJrO


MY THOUGHTS.....

This is a must-have book for anyone with children in their life! Beautiful illustrations, a story that faithfully shares the birth of Christ that's told in scripture, and fascinating information about the culture of that time are packed into this gorgeous hardback book! Author Andy McGuire uses text that's easy for children to understand, but the facts revealed are equally captivating to me!

If you long for your children and grandchildren to know the 'reason for the season', grab this book! If you want them to learn more about Creation, the world as it was during biblical times, and the history surrounding this special birth, make this one of their Christmas gifts! Children ages 4-8 are the target group for this Nativity story, but it's perfect for all ages. I will proudly share The Wonders of the First Christmas with my granddaughter and the children in my church because I want to help them uncover the amazing, real story of Christmas!

I received a review copy through FrontGate Media. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


#Christmas #Nativity #FirstChristmas #ChildrensBook #Bethlehem #ChristmasBook #christmastime #christmaspresents #ad 


SOME HIGHLIGHTS!



Bethlehem: where the Nativity story began! I was surprised that describing him as a carpenter didn't necessarily mean that Joseph worked with wood. The word carpenter means "the builder",  and most buildings in Bethlehem were made of stone. Joseph and Jesus were both called carpenters but they probably worked with stone!



Did you know that a manger was a large stone with the center hollowed out so that food for the animals could be placed inside?  God's Son was likely placed in that hole!









I love this picture of Mary and baby Jesus! Luke 2:12 tells us that Jesus "was wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger".  Mothers still swaddle their babies today!









God placed a new star in the nighttime sky to tell that a powerful King had been born in Israel. Wise men followed that star to find the baby but it was probably two years before they found a toddler named Jesus!







Finally...Mary, Joseph, & Jesus mase it back home to Bethlehem

I love that a map is included! 












This would be a wonderful Christmas gift! 
Purchase link: http://bit.ly/47YCJrO




Sunday, November 23, 2025

Trail of Mountain Secrets (National Park Protectors, 2) by Darlene L. Turner

Trail of Mountain Secrets (National Park Protectors, 2)
ABOUT THE BOOK

A case of mistaken identity.
A K-9 to the rescue.

Park archaeologist Violet Hoyt’s wilderness search for a missing family’s remains takes a deadly turn when a gunman mistakes her for someone else. The discovery of a grave of skulls reopens a cold case, and someone is determined to keep the truth hidden. With the help of K-9 handler Maverick Shaw and his human-remains-detector dog, Wolf, Violet must find the final family member—and evade the masked man who has targeted her. Soon Violet learns a shocking She has a presumed dead twin sister who may still be alive, and now they’re both in danger. Can Violet and Maverick expose a conspiracy before this Christmas becomes their last?




MY THOUGHTS.....

What a story! It didn't take long to realize that a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase was beginning, but it took much longer to understand why! Violet Hoyt's search for the remains of a family in the snowy Canadian wilderness spiraled into a race for truth that was marked by twists, turns, and multiple secrets. Maverick Shaw soon became her protector, along with his specially trained dog Wolf, but what would shield Violet's heart when the secrets were revealed?

Darlene L. Turner has never been better as she takes readers along the Trail of Mountain Secrets! She fuels the adventure with constant danger, continuous suspense, and ominous villains, and the sweet and slow-burning romance makes it even more volatile. I recommend it to fans of romantic suspense, but be prepared for a reading marathon. I found it hard to put down!

I received a digital ARC from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Darlene L. Turner’s love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. 

Darlene won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense twice and an ACFW Genesis award. She’s represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. Her debut book, Border Breach, released in April, 2020 with Love Inspired Suspense.


Darlene met her husband Jeff at the turtle races in Ontario, Canada. She loves flavored coffee and plaid shirts. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders


Darlene’s social media:


Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Woy8dK

Twitter: https://bit.ly/2Qso27O

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/2UhbelT

BookBub: https://bit.ly/2QrdkhP

Pinterest: https://bit.ly/2x2Batz

Instagram: darlenel.turner

  

National Park Protectors

Book 1: Danger in the Wilderness
Book 2: Trail of Mountain Secrets

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