The Confession by Beverly Lewis DVD {Review}

BEVERLY LEWIS’ THE CONFESSION

The Heartwarming, Romantic and Inspirational Drama

From Director Michael Landon Jr.

Starring Katie Leclerc and Sherry Stringfield

Available on DVD June 11^th 

Synopsis:

Raised by an Amish family, Katie Lapp (Katie Leclerc, TV's "Switched at Birth") always felt the call of another life. Now, her quest to find her birth-mother, Laura Mayfield-Bennett (Sherry Stringfield, TV's "ER"), has drawn her into world of the "Englishers." Along the way, two very different men try to help her overcome a devious scheme to steal her rightful inheritance. Business-minded but kind-hearted Justin Wirth (Michael Rupnow) reaches out to discover Katie's hidden secrets, while her childhood companion Daniel Fisher (Cameron Deane Stewart) sacrifices his own happiness for her future. Katie's heart is divided between two worlds as love reveals the truth in the moving saga based on the hit novel from New York Times bestselling author Beverly Lewis.

Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite authors, so when I was given the opportunity to review the DVD version of one of her stories, I couldn't say no!  I have read her series that The Confession is part of, so I already knew the story, but still loved being able to watch it instead of just read it.  The Confession is another great, clean family movie.  I really appreciate having movies like this in my home, so I don't need to worry that my kiddos will see or hear something inappropriate.  I thought the actors did a great job with each role and it was a well made movie.  Although this movie can be enjoyed by itself, you might like it even better if you watch the first one in the series, The Shunning, before this one.  My only complaint is that the ending does leave you really wanting more, so I can't wait for more of the series to be made into DVDs!

BEVERLY LEWIS’ THE CONFESSION has a running time of approximately 88 minutes and is not rated.  It will be available on DVD June 11th.

I received this DVD for free for review from Edify Media, Inc. 

 Blessings,

Gone South {Review}

I recently read Gone South by Meg Moseley.  I enjoyed it and found the story interesting and different. 

From the back cover:

Leaving frosty Michigan for the Deep South was never a blip in the simple plans Tish McComb imagined for her life, dreams of marriage and family that were dashed five years earlier in a tragic accident. Now an opportunity to buy her great-great-great-grandparents’ Civil War era home beckons Tish to Noble, Alabama, a Southern town in every sense of the word. She wonders if God has given her a new dream— the old house filled with friends, her vintage percolator bubbling on the sideboard.

When Tish discovers that McCombs aren’t welcome in town, she feels like a Yankee behind enemy lines. Only local antiques dealer George Zorbas seems willing to give her a chance. What’s a lonely outcast to do but take in Noble’s resident prodigal, Melanie Hamilton, and hope that the two can find some much needed acceptance in each other.

Problem is, old habits die hard, and Mel is quite set in her destructive ways. With Melanie blocked from going home, Tish must try to manage her incorrigible houseguest as she attempts to prove her own worth in a town that seems to have forgotten that every sinner needs God-given mercy, love and forgiveness.

I thought it was a great story about forgiveness and giving second chances.  Meg Moseley does a very nice job writing about the characters and drawing you into their lives.  While I enjoyed reading it, I did find some of it a little unbelievable.  I'm not sure a whole town would hold a grudge against a family for a hundred years. Or that Tish would be turned down for jobs simply because of who she chose for a roommate. I also expected a little more at the end from Mel.  She never really seemed to change but in the end her brother suddenly had a change of heart about her and accepted her into his home. It just felt a little rushed and unresolved.  Overall, I enjoyed it, but it was not a stay-up-late-to-keep-reading kind of book.  Gone South will be available on 5/31/13.

I received this book for free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah.

Blessings,

Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in my Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up {Review and Giveaway!}

To be honest, I wasn't sure what to think about this book, Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in my Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up, when I first received it.  It seemed a little...I don't know...cheesy?  But after reading it, it turns out to be a cute kids story.  The kids enjoyed reading it with me too.  They thought it was funny and loved the bright, colorful illustrations.  It has some great lessons about trusting and obeying God, even when we don't want to.  In the back there is a "Parent Connection" page that adds scriptures and questions to really help your kids understand and apply this to their lives.

From the publisher:

Oh sure, we'll all heard the story of Jonah and the Whale a hundred times. But have we heard it from the perspective of the whale who experienced that history-making event?

Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in My Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up! imagines how that great sea creature from the incident might tell his side of the story, helping kids ages 4 to 8 discover a creative way of learning about that guy who was supposed to go to Ninevah.

The "Parent Connection" feature will help moms and dads take the story further with scripture references and tips on how to talk with their children about what really happened. There's even a free online app to make this bright retelling even more animated and interactive.

 

Hey God, I've Got Some Guy Named Jonah in my Stomach and I Think I'm Gonna Throw Up by Troy Schmidt will be available May 1, 2013 from B & H Publishing Group.  For more info, check out their Facebook page also.

Now for the giveaway!  Flyby Promotions has generously offered a copy to one of my readers!  To be entered, just leave me a comment below telling my your favorite Bible story.  Please also leave a way for me to contact you if you win!  This giveaway will end on May 13, 2013 at noon and I will pick a winner using random.org.

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.

Blessings,

Unrivaled {Review}

Unrivaled is the first of Siri Mitchell's books that I've read.  When I received it, I was really excited to read it, because the cover is beautiful!  And I did stay up a little too late a night or two because I couldn't stop reading!

From the back cover:

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.

I thought this was a really cute romance.  Although the romance aspect of the story was predicable, I thought Siri Mitchell created a very unique story to set it in. It was very interesting to learn about the candy industry in the early 1900s. One thing I had a hard time getting used to was that the story is written in first person, one chapter as Lucy and the next as Charlie, switching back and forth throughout.  But it wasn't hard enough to ruin the story for me.  One thing that could have made the story even better would have been some candy recipes!  If you are looking for a sweet and unique romance, I highly recommend Unrivaled!

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Blessings,

Shattered {Review}

When I was offered the chance to review Shattered by Dani Pettrey, I thought it sounded like a good book.  I noticed that it was the second book in a series, but I was hoping that it would still be good by itself.  It wasn't quite as good as if I had read the previous book first.  There were a few people and relationships that I couldn't figure out how they fit in, but they were pretty minor and didn't detract from the main story too much.  While I did really enjoy the story, I thought a few parts were a bit unrealistic. Like Piper, the main character, digging herself and an unconscious Landon out of an avalanche and dragging him to safety.  And that a group of people (only one being a police officer) would really be able to investigate and question so many people about a murder.  The romance aspect of the story was pretty predictable, but there were enough twists to the story that I didn't figure out the murderer until the end. While Shattered was a good read, it wasn't great.  If you like suspense and romance, I would recommend starting at the beginning of the series and then reading Shattered.

From the back cover:

When her prodigal brother Reef's return to Yancey, Alaska, is shattered by his arrest for murder, Piper McKenna is determined to protect him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. And he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth puts Landon's career in jeopardy.

When Piper launches her own investigation, Landon realizes he must protect her from herself--and whatever complications await as the two follow clues deep into Canada's rugged back country. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step. 

 I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Blessings,