Jonathan Edwards by Simonetta Carr (Book Review)

Jonathan Edwards

part of Christian Biographies for Young Readers

By Simonetta Carr

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Biography & Autobiography / Religious / Children

Published by- Reformation Heritage Books

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 64

Age Group- Children (ages 7-12)

Description of Book- hardback, ISBN 978-1-60178-354-7, $18.00

Simonetta Carr discusses all of Jonathan Edwards’s life in her book, Jonathan Edwards.  Edwards lived during the early 1700’s in colonial America.  He was a pastor, missionary, writer, college president, and he was even interested in science.

This book contains:

• six chapter discussing Edwards’s life.
• a timeline of his life.
• “Did You Know?” (section which discusses relevant information about his life and the time period).
• a letter from him to his daughter, Mary.

Book Sample.

About the Author- Simonetta Carr was born in Italy and currently lives with her family in San Diego.  She is a former elementary school teacher and has homeschooled her eight children.  She has written for various newspapers and magazines.

About the Illustrator- Matt Abraxas currently lives in Colorado with his wife and children.  He has studied many different approaches to art and exhibits his work at the SmithKlein Gallery.

My thoughts- I thought Jonathan Edwards, by Simonetta Carr, was very well written.  I really enjoyed the layout and learning more information about Edwards.  I had studied a little bit about him with my children last year (we homeschool), but this book was perfect to learn more.  I realize that the target age range is seven to twelve, but I believe this book would work well for adults too.  This book had just the right amount information to satisfy young readers, but encourage older readers to want to learn more.

I learned a lot about Edwards when I read the chapters about him, but my favorite part of the book was the section, “Did you know?”  I enjoyed learning different trivia about the family and America at that time.  I also enjoyed the illustrations and photos.  They helped the book come alive.

I would recommend this book to all young readers, homeschooling families, and anyone else who would be interested in learning about Jonathan Edwards. 

Renee of France

Anselm of Canterbury (part of Christian Biographies for Young Readers)

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Jonathan Edwards, by Simonetta Carr, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Live Handbook and DVD by Rebecca Manley Pippert (Bible Study Review)

Live: Your Life With Christ

By Rebecca Manley Pippert

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion /Christian / Nonfiction / Bible Study

Published by- The Good Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 64

Age Group- Adult

Description of Book- paperback, ISBN 978-1-90991-976-1, $7.99

Description of DVD- Physical Copy, ISBN 978-1-90991-977-8

Live, by Rebecca Manley Pippert, contains five sessions to help Christians learn why and how to be good disciples of Christ.

In each of the sessions you will have different areas to complete-

• “Introduction”
• “Historical Context”
• “Bible Study”
• “Live What You Learn”
• “Life Stories”
• “Following Jesus”
• “Praying Together”
• “Going Deeper”

Sample from the Live Handbook.

Introduction the Live DVD and series.

About the Author- Rebecca Manley Pippert is married and has four children and one grandchild.  As well as being an author she is a speaker and the founder of Salt Shaker Ministries.

My thoughts- I thought the Live Bible study written by Rebecca Manley Pippert was an excellent study for those who are new to God or who or are struggling.

I thought all aspects of the Bible study were very interesting, but I really enjoyed the “Life Stories” on the DVD.  I liked them so much, because it put to words what I had thought or been thinking over the past years.  My favorite stories came from the last session when they discussed their new lives in Christ. 

The handbook was written to work perfectly with the DVD.  I liked the session titles and the different parts of the that each session had.  My favorite part of each session was “Going Deeper.”  I liked this part, because I was able to dig deeper into the word and learn even more about each session’s subject.  My other favorite part was about living what I learned about.  It is always helpful to me when I have guidance on how to put what I have learned into my daily life.

Both the handbook and the DVD were very helpful to me.  I am really looking forward to taking a look at Grow and Know when they are available.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Live, by Rebecca Manley Pippert, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Rebels by Jill Williamson (Book Review)

Rebels (The Safe Lands, Book 3)

by Jill Williamson

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Teen Fiction / General

Publisher- Blink (Zondervan)

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of Pages- 393

Age Group- Young Adult and Adult 

Description of Book- paperback, $9.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-73577-9

Rebels, by Jill Williamson, is the final book is The Safe Lands series.  Omar and Mason have been publically sentence to Liberation.  Levi is the newest leader of the group from Glenrock and he is still trying to save them from the Safe Lands.  His new wife, Jemma, is the Safe Lands Queen.  He needs to rescue her, keep his people safe, and find out what happened to Omar and Mason. 

Are Omar and Mason still alive?  Will Levi be able to be the leader he needs to be to save the people of Glenrock and Jack’s Peak?

About the Author- Jill Williamson currently lives in Oregon with her husband and children.  She enjoys working with teenagers and gives writing workshops.

My Thoughts: It is always sad when a series comes to an end.  Rebels, by Jill Williamson, is the third book in The Safe Lands series.  It was just as exciting and mysterious as the other two book, Captives and Outcasts. 

My favorite character was Omar.  I especially liked him because he grew into a man in the three books.  He especially grew in character depth during the third book after he was sentenced to Liberation.  While he was Liberated he overdosed and was detoxed while he was in the hospital.  After he was detoxed he did everything he could do to save the people of Glenrock and Jack’s Peak.

I always thought Levi, since he currently leads the people from Glenrock, would be the strongest person mentally and morally.  He was not.  It was the people who were the weakest like Omar and Shaylinn who grew in their walk with God.  I guess Levi was too set in his ways to really grow.  He would probably have a better live when he was able to live what is a normal life for them.  He did try new things though, like becoming the Owl after Omar was liberated and taking his wife, Jemma, with him on a rescue mission.

I really thought this was an excellent conclusion to the series.  There are many more things that happen to everyone, but I am not going to give out any spoilers.  You will need to find a copy and read the book yourself.

Informational and Purchasing Links-

Rebels -  http://www.amazon.com/Rebels-Safe-Lands-Jill-Williamson/dp/0310735777/

Author Website - http://www.jillwilliamson.com/

Links to my reviews of the other two books:

• Captives- http://christsbridge.blogspot.com/2013/04/captives-by-jill-williamson-review.html
• Outcasts- http://christsbridge.blogspot.com/2014/01/outcasts-by-jill-williamson-review.html

Participants’ links:

• Julie Bihn
• Thomas Fletcher Booher
• Beckie Burnham
• Jeff Chapman
• Vicky DealSharingAunt
• April Erwin
• Carol Gehringer
• Victor Gentile
• Rebekah Gyger
• Jeremy Harder
• Jason Joyner
• Carol Keen
• Shannon McDermott
• Meagan @ Blooming with Books
• Melanie @ Christian Bookshelf Reviews
• Rebecca LuElla Miller
• Joan Nienhuis
• Nissa
• Audrey Sauble
• Chawna Schroeder
• Jojo Sutis
• Elizabeth Williams

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received a free copy of Rebels, by Jill Williamson, to review from Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour and Blink (Zondervan).  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.  I am part of CSFF Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.