Join in the Praise at 160 Acre Woods and The Internet Cafe

**Photo captured by Heartlight.org

What is it about music? It can lift you up, make you cry, refresh your spirit and soul, make you proud, make you humble…something stirs deep inside you and makes you respond to the music.

I don’t think more so then beautiful words that praise my Lord and Saviour Jesus.

While Sing Along Sunday can and will showcase any of my favorites from Rock, Christian, 80’s or Country…my ultimate favorites are the ones that lift my hands in praise.

It’s been a while but once again I bring you a sensational Sing Along Sunday…ENJOY!

“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

A Girl Named Mister

Nikki Grimes

Bestselling author Nikki Grimes, author of Dark Sons, Barak Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope, and Voices of Christmas, presents the story of Mister, a teenage girl who honestly and poignantly tells her story of temptation and teenage pregnancy through free verse, and who finds support and forgiveness from God through a book of poetry presented from the virgin Mary’s perspective.

My boyfriend used to think it was cute, a girl named Mister. Used to think I was cute. Used to be my boyfriend what feels like a million years ago. Then again, I used to be a good Christian girl, the kind who would never, well… Just goes to show how little people know. Even I was surprised by me. Now, I close my eyes hoping to see exactly where I went wrong.

Mary Rudine, called Mister by almost everyone, has attended church and sung in the choir for as long as she can remember. But then she meets Trey. His long lashes and smooth words make her question what she knows is right, and one mistake leaves her hiding a growing secret.

Another Mary is preparing for her upcoming wedding and has done everything according to Jewish law. So when an angel appears one night and tells her that she—a virgin—will give birth, Mary can’t help but feel confused, and soon finds herself struggling with the greatest blessing the world will ever know.

Feeling abandoned, Mister is drawn to Mary’s story, and together both young women discover the depth of God’s love and the mysteries of his divine plan.

In theory I thought this would a very unique and delightful book to read but in reality I found it very difficult to be engaged with the story line or character.

I have read other Nikki Grimes titles and have enjoyed them so I was looking forward to reading A Girl Named Mister. After all, what an unusual title but what a sadly unusual situation the main character finds herself in. Mary Rudine (aka Mister) is a “good” Christian girl until she meets her boyfriend, Trey. He is very attentive and loving until his selfish desires are met. Then he doesn’t have much time, energy or interest in Mary unless it is to “play” around again.

Mary’s life turns upside down after one moment with Trey. She soon learns that some decisions will have a life time of consequences. Through it all Mary finds comfort in the life and story of another Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

The story line sounds enjoyable but you might be a bit lost or bored (as I was) when you realize that the entire story is written in poems. Each poem is a different chapter and is either a reflection of Mary (MR’s) life or life of Mary the mother of Jesus.

If you are a poetry lover or a Nikki Grimes uber fan then you may be able to be find yourself intrigued with this book but unfortunately I wasn’t.

I enjoy poetry but am not a die-hard fan and therefore found the lyrical pose of this book difficult to get lost in and therefore, difficult to find interest in the story line.

This book was provided for review by Zondervan
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.

Read my reviews at Amazon.com

“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

Rendezvous

Melody Carlson

Paige and Erin Forrester take their fashion-focused TV show to Paris, visiting renowned salons, designers, and international models. They meet up with designer Dylan Marceau, as well as with their new friends Taylor Mitchell and Eliza Wilton. When they take time to visit Eliza’s family estate in Provence, romance, jealousy, and some surprises threaten the stability of On the Runway.
Lost in translation?

Having learned some hard lessons about the costs of recklessness and fame, sisters Paige and Erin Forrester feel ready to take their fashion-focused TV show on location to Paris. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for many of their good intentions to get lost in translation. An unplanned week of filming at runway model Eliza Wilton’s family estate leads to romance, jealousy, and surprises. With cameras rolling, both girls have to be careful or the future of On the Runway could end up as wobbly as Paige’s stiletto heels.

I liked this book. I enjoyed the relationships between the two beautiful sisters, Paige and Erin. Described as Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn look-alikes it easy to understand how these two sisters have become “stars” of their fashion reality show.

While one sister is clearly the Fashionista and Diva of the two the other is more down to earth and quite mindful of the fact that she is the 2nd fiddle on the show.  Their are moments of temper tantrums and jealousy but overall you are clearly made aware that these two sister have each other’s back and that life is pretty sweet for these two young women.

Rendezvous is the 3rd book in the series and I wish I had read the first two. There are some flashbacks and references to “past” situations that I was a bit lost when they were mentioned. Not so much that I didn’t want to read the book but just enough lost to realize it would have been nice to have that tidbit of information.

Because I have twin girls and older sisters…it was easy for me to relate to the sibling rivalry between the main characters, the arguments, the apologies and overall feeling that we were reading about “real” sisters. It is an illustration of life that could happen between two women.

My only negative with the book and it played a very big impact on my rating was that the end was left rather undone. Literally the last paragraph seemed as if there was so much more to say that I turned the page expecting another chapter. Imagine my surprise when I realized that was it. The story had ended. I believe an audible “are you kidding?” was uttered from my lips.

Rendezvous is created for the Young Reader but it is a fun, light-hearted, enjoyable story that can be enjoyed by any age group.

Rendezvous – Available September 2010

This book was provided for review by Zondervan
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.

See my reviews at Amazon.com

Check out my review: http://www.theiemommy.com/2010/08/05/the-healers-apprentice-by-melanie-dickerson/ and then check out the video below…THEN mark your calendars to pick up your copy…You are going to love it!

If you haven’t had a chance to read my reivew on the Veggies Tales Newest tale, Sweetpea Beauty…then take a moment and do so right here: http://www.theiemommy.com/2010/07/31/sweetpea-beauty-by-veggie-tales-dvd-review/.

It is an amazingly fun and cute tale with a wonderful moral and story line.  I loved it so much that now I get to share it with you. This is your chance to win your own copy…so Good Luck!

(1) Readers will Win a Veggie Tales Sweetpea Beauty DVD

To Enter:

• Follow IE Mommy on Twitter and Tweet: “RT – I want to Win a Veggie Tales Sweetpea Beauty DVD @iemommy –http://www.theiemommy.com/2010/08/12/veggie-tales-sweetpea-beauty/ ” (One tweet per day)
• Subscribe to the IE Mommy
• Comment why you love Veggie Tales on the Veggie Tales Facebook page “and” let them know that you learned of their page from the IE Mommy.

Contest Ends: August 22nd

Giveaway  opportunity provided
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.

“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

The Healer’s Apprentice

Melanie Dickerson

In this book by author Melanie Dickerson, the story of Sleeping Beauty is retold through the life of Rose, the young daughter of a woodcutter, who has fallen in love with the perfect man for her, only to be kept away from him due to a curse.

Two Hearts. One Hope.

Rose has been appointed as a healer’s apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter’s daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.

When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she’s never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose’s life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

Loved this book! While this book is created for the younger reader…I could not put it down. It was written as a sweet and romantic love story. Loosely created from the tale of Sleeping Beauty…The Healer’s Apprentice is a wonderfully written tale of love, romance, intrigue, deception and loyalty.

From the moment I received this book…I was drawn to the beautiful cover and the interesting title. So intrigued was I…that I finished the book in one day!  Rose is a beautiful young girl who was not born into money or prestige. Unless she succeeds in becoming the town healer’s apprentice she is destined to be married to whomever her parents choose for her  .

Unbeknown to her…Rose’s life is not as simple as it seems. To further complicate Rose’s life…the beautiful, kind and charming, Duke Wilhelm becomes her friend. What a dreamboat! While he is betrothed to another (someone he has never met) he is enamored, enchanted and enthralled with Rose.  Try as they might…Duke Wilhelm and Rose are drawn together and towards each other. They compliment each other in everything they do. Yet, they are destined to be a part.  But are they really?

If I was not told that this story was based on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty I would have guessed it was a tad more similar to Cinderella…either way it is a sensational tale.

The characters are enchanting. The detail descriptions are perfectly placed. The story line moves along at a fairly fast pace so you are never bored with the story nor are you impatient for the next turn of events.  I loved the biblical references to scripture and the intense yet not scary mentions of demons and witchcraft.

Every nuance and twist led to a special love story that will remain in my memory and conscience for a long time. The Hearler’s Apprentice will remain on my bookshelf even longer.

The Healer’s Apprentice – Available September 2010

This book was provided for review by Zondervan
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.