3 hours ago
I'm on Tommy Nelson and FaithGateway today, talking about how to make your child's first Bible meaningful - and including my own story of how my parents and grandparents made my first Bible meaningful.
"My children are pre-school aged. They can’t even read simple books yet, so it will be a little while before they will be able to read the Bible by themselves. Nevertheless, I have been thinking about the day that they are ready to pick out their first Bibles, and how I want to go about it.
When I think of my first Bible growing up, the one that always comes to mind is a thick, leather-bound book, with my name embossed on the front and childlike letters written inside the front cover. When I was about nine years old, my grandma gave a challenge to all her grandkids – memorize Psalm 91 – and she would buy us our own Bibles with our names on the front, and take us to a fancy Japanese restaurant for dinner…"
Head on over to Tommy Nelson to continue reading!
When did you get your first Bible? Did your parents (if they gave it to you) do anything to make it special?
This afternoon treat idea and recipe is brought to you as part of a compensated opportunity by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KreateMyHappy #CollectiveBias
Naptime. As a mom of young children, I know that whether I use the time to check things off my to-do list, or relax and enjoy a fun snack, it is the one time of day when I can do something (anything) uninterrupted.
Don't get me wrong, I love hanging out with my kiddos! They are ask much fun to be around, and I love watching them play or learn new things. I can't even get too annoyed when they are wanting my attention, because I love that they do want my attention - I love that as a parent I am the most important person in their lives, the person they can count on, the one they want to share all their precious little news with first. I love being that person. I love being their mom.
But it is also nice to have a little time in the afternoons to just regather my energy for the rest of the day. My mom once told me that she wanted to cry when I told her I was done with nap time, and now I understand why! I am pretty lucky that my kids all nap at the same time (I'm pretty sure my luck will run out by the time Baby #4 gets here), but even when Wyatt doesn't nap, I have instituted "quiet time", which is a time for him to play in his room - quietly! Because sometimes moms still need a little chance to re-couperate in the afternoon.
I used to try to squeeze everything possible into my limited nap time window, but with the fatigue that comes with being pregnant, lately I've been mostly using nap time to just rest, and maybe enjoy a snack. So today, I want to share one of my most recent snack creations!
I am calling these Smothered Rice Krispies Treats. I recommend buying the packaged Rice Krispies treats, because they make this recipe a lot quicker and easier! I found mine at King Soopers.
Smothered Rice Krispies Treats
2 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats squares
1/4 c. Milk Chocolate M&M's
1/4 c. Peanut Butter M&M's
1/2 c. Jet Puffed miniature marshmallows
1 tbsp. peanut butter
1 tbsp. Strawberry preserves
1/4 c. chocolate chips
Servings: 2
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Farhenheit.
2. Unwrap the Rice Krispies Treats, and place them onto an oven-safe plate.
3. Spread either peanut butter or strawberry preserves over the top of your Rice Krispies Treats. Add a layer of M&M's on top of each Rice Krispies Treat. I used Peanut Butter M&M's for the Treat with peanut butter, and Milk Chocolate M&M's for the Treat with strawberry preserves.
4. Add a layer of marshmallows over the top of the M&M's. Put Rice Krispies Treats into the oven for 5 minutes, or until the marshmallows start looking toasted.
5. In the meantime, put the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the chocolate chips in the microwave for 20 seconds, stir, and repeating the 20 seconds until they are completely melted.
6. Once the marshmallows on top of your Rice Krispies Treats look toasted, remove them from the oven, and immediately drizzle the melted chocolate chips over the top of the Treats. Enjoy your Smothered Rice Krispies Treats while they are still warm!
One of the reasons I liked this invention was because they are so easy and quick to make, but they taste decadent! The peanut butter chocolate version is so gooey and good, and the one with preserves tastes like a chocolate covered strawberry. I let Derek have a taste after I made one for myself, and he asked me to make one for him later too! They are perfect for nap time because of how little time they take to prepare - and because if you have them during naptime, you don't have to share!
You can also visit Kellogg's website for more Rice Krispies Treat ideas - you can also vote for your favorite recipe as part of a contest they are hosting - and there is a chance for you to win prizes - just by tweeting, pinning, or Instagramming your vote with the hashtag #RKTreatSweeps and sending a link to RKTreatSweeps@Kellogg.com. Check out the website for more details!
What do you like to do during your kids' naptime?
Naptime. As a mom of young children, I know that whether I use the time to check things off my to-do list, or relax and enjoy a fun snack, it is the one time of day when I can do something (anything) uninterrupted.
Don't get me wrong, I love hanging out with my kiddos! They are ask much fun to be around, and I love watching them play or learn new things. I can't even get too annoyed when they are wanting my attention, because I love that they do want my attention - I love that as a parent I am the most important person in their lives, the person they can count on, the one they want to share all their precious little news with first. I love being that person. I love being their mom.
But it is also nice to have a little time in the afternoons to just regather my energy for the rest of the day. My mom once told me that she wanted to cry when I told her I was done with nap time, and now I understand why! I am pretty lucky that my kids all nap at the same time (I'm pretty sure my luck will run out by the time Baby #4 gets here), but even when Wyatt doesn't nap, I have instituted "quiet time", which is a time for him to play in his room - quietly! Because sometimes moms still need a little chance to re-couperate in the afternoon.
I used to try to squeeze everything possible into my limited nap time window, but with the fatigue that comes with being pregnant, lately I've been mostly using nap time to just rest, and maybe enjoy a snack. So today, I want to share one of my most recent snack creations!
I am calling these Smothered Rice Krispies Treats. I recommend buying the packaged Rice Krispies treats, because they make this recipe a lot quicker and easier! I found mine at King Soopers.
Smothered Rice Krispies Treats
2 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats squares
1/4 c. Milk Chocolate M&M's
1/4 c. Peanut Butter M&M's
1/2 c. Jet Puffed miniature marshmallows
1 tbsp. peanut butter
1 tbsp. Strawberry preserves
1/4 c. chocolate chips
Servings: 2
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Farhenheit.
2. Unwrap the Rice Krispies Treats, and place them onto an oven-safe plate.
3. Spread either peanut butter or strawberry preserves over the top of your Rice Krispies Treats. Add a layer of M&M's on top of each Rice Krispies Treat. I used Peanut Butter M&M's for the Treat with peanut butter, and Milk Chocolate M&M's for the Treat with strawberry preserves.
4. Add a layer of marshmallows over the top of the M&M's. Put Rice Krispies Treats into the oven for 5 minutes, or until the marshmallows start looking toasted.
5. In the meantime, put the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the chocolate chips in the microwave for 20 seconds, stir, and repeating the 20 seconds until they are completely melted.
6. Once the marshmallows on top of your Rice Krispies Treats look toasted, remove them from the oven, and immediately drizzle the melted chocolate chips over the top of the Treats. Enjoy your Smothered Rice Krispies Treats while they are still warm!
One of the reasons I liked this invention was because they are so easy and quick to make, but they taste decadent! The peanut butter chocolate version is so gooey and good, and the one with preserves tastes like a chocolate covered strawberry. I let Derek have a taste after I made one for myself, and he asked me to make one for him later too! They are perfect for nap time because of how little time they take to prepare - and because if you have them during naptime, you don't have to share!
You can also visit Kellogg's website for more Rice Krispies Treat ideas - you can also vote for your favorite recipe as part of a contest they are hosting - and there is a chance for you to win prizes - just by tweeting, pinning, or Instagramming your vote with the hashtag #RKTreatSweeps and sending a link to RKTreatSweeps@Kellogg.com. Check out the website for more details!
What do you like to do during your kids' naptime?
Note: Excuse all the words interrupted by dots in this post - I just don't want certain search terms linked to my blog.
I think I first heard of "Fifty Shades Of Grey" two and a half years ago, when a fellow blogger mentioned that it was on her to-read list. I really had no idea what it was, but I quickly learned enough to decide it wasn't a good thing and avoid it. Only later did I realize just what exactly is in this book, and the damaging effects this type of "literature" is having on women and the culture.
I have not read "Fifty Shades Of Grey", and I will not see the movie. I don't think I have to read it to have an intelligent conversation about it. But I know enough to be deeply concerned. From what I can tell, this book (and/or movie) is full of abuse, even ra.pe, and it is somehow wrapped up in a romantic package. I don't care if there is some sort of "redemption" at the end, romanticizing and promoting abusive se.xual relationships is not okay.
I like to be informed on cultural issues. I don't think Christians should bury their heads in the sand about anything, we should be able to address issues and defend the biblical perspective. For that reason I picked up a copy "Pulling Back The Shades: Erotica, Intimacy, And The Longings Of A Woman's Heart" by Dannah Gresh and Dr. Juli Slattery (who used to be a co-host of the Focus On The Family Radio broadcast). In this book, Gresh and Slattery address this genre of literature, why it is appealing to women, why it is ultimately harmful to women, and how we can and should address this issue as Christian women.
I got so much out of this book, even though I have never read ero.tica. This book challenges you to look at your own heart and s.ex life to see if there is anything that is preventing you from reaching true intimacy, and I appreciated a lot of what it had to say. I have always felt a little wary about even some Christian romance novels when I feel they are getting a bit too descriptive, or TV shows that focus too much on s.ex - because I know the effect that can have on me, and I know it's slippery slope. This book challenged me to keep a vigilant eye on what kind of things I allow into my mind, and it was encouraging to realize that I am not being a prude by limiting what I watch and read. I just want my se.xual excitement to come from my husband alone - that is God's plan and ultimately it will make our s.ex life healthier!
This book also gave a lot of talking points and food for thought on why ero.tica is harmful, and I think it was really good information for me to have, even though I've never read it. I think it would be that much more helpful to someone who is currently struggling with an interest (or addiction) to ero.tica.
And I just want to say, lest anyone think this book was a big list of "don't's", that ultimately this book had themes of hope and freedom. Hope to overcome se.xual addictions, and a hopeful message of the kind of freedom and pleasure that is available when women are brave and strong enough to stick to God's plan. Whether or not you have read "Fifty Shades", "Pulling Back The Shades" is worth a read.
Note: I received copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for this review. This is my honest opinion.
I think I first heard of "Fifty Shades Of Grey" two and a half years ago, when a fellow blogger mentioned that it was on her to-read list. I really had no idea what it was, but I quickly learned enough to decide it wasn't a good thing and avoid it. Only later did I realize just what exactly is in this book, and the damaging effects this type of "literature" is having on women and the culture.
I have not read "Fifty Shades Of Grey", and I will not see the movie. I don't think I have to read it to have an intelligent conversation about it. But I know enough to be deeply concerned. From what I can tell, this book (and/or movie) is full of abuse, even ra.pe, and it is somehow wrapped up in a romantic package. I don't care if there is some sort of "redemption" at the end, romanticizing and promoting abusive se.xual relationships is not okay.
I like to be informed on cultural issues. I don't think Christians should bury their heads in the sand about anything, we should be able to address issues and defend the biblical perspective. For that reason I picked up a copy "Pulling Back The Shades: Erotica, Intimacy, And The Longings Of A Woman's Heart" by Dannah Gresh and Dr. Juli Slattery (who used to be a co-host of the Focus On The Family Radio broadcast). In this book, Gresh and Slattery address this genre of literature, why it is appealing to women, why it is ultimately harmful to women, and how we can and should address this issue as Christian women.
I got so much out of this book, even though I have never read ero.tica. This book challenges you to look at your own heart and s.ex life to see if there is anything that is preventing you from reaching true intimacy, and I appreciated a lot of what it had to say. I have always felt a little wary about even some Christian romance novels when I feel they are getting a bit too descriptive, or TV shows that focus too much on s.ex - because I know the effect that can have on me, and I know it's slippery slope. This book challenged me to keep a vigilant eye on what kind of things I allow into my mind, and it was encouraging to realize that I am not being a prude by limiting what I watch and read. I just want my se.xual excitement to come from my husband alone - that is God's plan and ultimately it will make our s.ex life healthier!
This book also gave a lot of talking points and food for thought on why ero.tica is harmful, and I think it was really good information for me to have, even though I've never read it. I think it would be that much more helpful to someone who is currently struggling with an interest (or addiction) to ero.tica.
And I just want to say, lest anyone think this book was a big list of "don't's", that ultimately this book had themes of hope and freedom. Hope to overcome se.xual addictions, and a hopeful message of the kind of freedom and pleasure that is available when women are brave and strong enough to stick to God's plan. Whether or not you have read "Fifty Shades", "Pulling Back The Shades" is worth a read.
Note: I received copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for this review. This is my honest opinion.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Colgate-Palmolive. All opinions are mine alone. #OpticSmiles #CollectiveBias.
As a dental hygienist, I am asked quite often about whitening. And that is totally understandable - who doesn't want whiter teeth? There are a lot of professional-grade treatments that are available, but the truth is, there is no such thing as a one-time whitening treatment. Most likely you are going to have to repeat any whitening treatment within 6-12 months, and treatments have the potential to be quite expensive.
I think a lot of times my patients are wondering if there are any easier things they can do to keep their teeth looking whiter. And I have good news - there are a few daily habits you can create to maintain whiter teeth and a more beautiful smile! Here are my tips.
1. Brush and floss. And I'm not just mentioning this because I am a hygienist and it is hard for me to talk about anything dental-related without recommending more brushing and flossing! Cleaning your teeth properly helps prevent staining. If you want a more beautiful smile, brushing and flossing daily is the foundation. Even super-white teeth aren't pretty if they are surrounded by puffy, red, bleeding gums. And whitening won't do you much good if periodontal disease (inflammation of the tissues surrounding your teeth) puts you at a higher risk for losing your teeth. It's important to keep your teeth's foundation healthy first, and that means regular and proper brushing and flossing.
2. Avoid staining foods and drinks. Some foods are going to cause staining and yellowing of your teeth more than others. A few of the big ones are coffee, tea, red wine, and blueberries. If you want to keep your teeth whiter, you might limit how much of these staining foods and drinks you take in.
3. Rinse after staining foods and drinks. Even though avoiding foods and drinks that stain your teeth is your best bet, let's be realistic here - you can't avoid these foods completely. As a young mom, I know that personally I can't live without my coffee! So what do you do if you do consume something that might stain your teeth? If it's a drink, see if you can use a straw to avoid contact with your front teeth - then after eating or drinking a staining food, rinse your mouth out with water or a fluoride rinse.
4. Use an electric toothbrush. As a personal observation, I notice my teeth look whiter when I am using my electric toothbrush (as opposed to when I am just using a manual toothbrush). Not only that, but electric toothbrushes are also great for your gum tissue, so it is definitely something to check out.
5. Use Colgate® Optic White® Express White toothpaste. This toothpaste has twice the amount of whitening ingredient (vs. Optic White Sparkling Min toothpaste), and can even give you results in three days*! Just with brushing. That sounded like a winner to me!
I went on a hunt at Walmart for the toothpaste, and the box looks really similar to the seven day version - so make sure it says "Express White", and "Results in three days*".
I'm excited to keep using Colgate® Optic White® Express White to see what kind of difference it makes in the whiteness of my teeth! Derek recently stole it from me to give it a try too. It's nice because I haven't had the extra cash or time to use any sort of professional whitening treatment in a while, and this is a great option for maintaining and hopefully improving the color of my teeth.
If you are interested, I know that there is going to be a store demo in Walmarts, and representatives will be handing out coupons, so that might be something to check out! You can see this store list to see if there is going to be a demo near you.
What do you guys think? Have you ever whitened your teeth? What do you do on a day-to-day basis to keep your teeth whiter?
*For best results, use as directed for 4 weeks.
As a dental hygienist, I am asked quite often about whitening. And that is totally understandable - who doesn't want whiter teeth? There are a lot of professional-grade treatments that are available, but the truth is, there is no such thing as a one-time whitening treatment. Most likely you are going to have to repeat any whitening treatment within 6-12 months, and treatments have the potential to be quite expensive.
I think a lot of times my patients are wondering if there are any easier things they can do to keep their teeth looking whiter. And I have good news - there are a few daily habits you can create to maintain whiter teeth and a more beautiful smile! Here are my tips.
1. Brush and floss. And I'm not just mentioning this because I am a hygienist and it is hard for me to talk about anything dental-related without recommending more brushing and flossing! Cleaning your teeth properly helps prevent staining. If you want a more beautiful smile, brushing and flossing daily is the foundation. Even super-white teeth aren't pretty if they are surrounded by puffy, red, bleeding gums. And whitening won't do you much good if periodontal disease (inflammation of the tissues surrounding your teeth) puts you at a higher risk for losing your teeth. It's important to keep your teeth's foundation healthy first, and that means regular and proper brushing and flossing.
2. Avoid staining foods and drinks. Some foods are going to cause staining and yellowing of your teeth more than others. A few of the big ones are coffee, tea, red wine, and blueberries. If you want to keep your teeth whiter, you might limit how much of these staining foods and drinks you take in.
3. Rinse after staining foods and drinks. Even though avoiding foods and drinks that stain your teeth is your best bet, let's be realistic here - you can't avoid these foods completely. As a young mom, I know that personally I can't live without my coffee! So what do you do if you do consume something that might stain your teeth? If it's a drink, see if you can use a straw to avoid contact with your front teeth - then after eating or drinking a staining food, rinse your mouth out with water or a fluoride rinse.
4. Use an electric toothbrush. As a personal observation, I notice my teeth look whiter when I am using my electric toothbrush (as opposed to when I am just using a manual toothbrush). Not only that, but electric toothbrushes are also great for your gum tissue, so it is definitely something to check out.
5. Use Colgate® Optic White® Express White toothpaste. This toothpaste has twice the amount of whitening ingredient (vs. Optic White Sparkling Min toothpaste), and can even give you results in three days*! Just with brushing. That sounded like a winner to me!
I went on a hunt at Walmart for the toothpaste, and the box looks really similar to the seven day version - so make sure it says "Express White", and "Results in three days*".
I'm excited to keep using Colgate® Optic White® Express White to see what kind of difference it makes in the whiteness of my teeth! Derek recently stole it from me to give it a try too. It's nice because I haven't had the extra cash or time to use any sort of professional whitening treatment in a while, and this is a great option for maintaining and hopefully improving the color of my teeth.
If you are interested, I know that there is going to be a store demo in Walmarts, and representatives will be handing out coupons, so that might be something to check out! You can see this store list to see if there is going to be a demo near you.
What do you guys think? Have you ever whitened your teeth? What do you do on a day-to-day basis to keep your teeth whiter?
*For best results, use as directed for 4 weeks.
"How To Catch A Prince" by Rachel Hauck introduces us to Corina Del Rey, struggling to come out of mourning over her brother who died five years ago in war, and the subsequent dissolution of her marriage to Brighton's Prince Stephen. But when Stephen finds out their marriage was never properly annulled, he shows up in Corina's life again and awakens old feelings. Stephen never wanted to leave Corina, but felt he had no other choice because of the secret of how her brother died. But then Corina travels back to Cathedral City, and they must face their past as their secrets come to light.
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, how can I not appreciate a good princess story? The story was interesting, and progressed nicely through the book. I thought the character growth was good, and the author has a way of transporting you into the places she describes. The scenery in this book was beautiful, the gowns were gorgeously described, and there were many romantic moments. The girl in me enjoyed it.
On the other hand, there were several things about the book that I didn't like.
When in Cathedral City, Corina ends up staying at "The Manor", an old inn that no one else seems to be able to see. The proprietors know things about her that they couldn't possibly know, and Corina just chalks it all up to God guiding her. If I were her, I would have been more suspicious.
The proprietor of the inn (who I am assuming is supposed to be some sort of angel?), makes a comment about how Jesus prays for Corina. That just doesn't make sense, biblically. Jesus did pray in John 17 for all future believers while he was here on earth, and He intercedes for us in Heaven now (Hebrews 7:25), but Jesus "praying" for us now? To whom would He be praying? Jesus is God, and the author even says that in the book, so I just didn't get that. Maybe she interprets "interceding" as "praying", but it's not the same thing. I didn't like the choice of words.
There was a reference to God interacting with Corina by "brushing her skin" or "tapping" her forehead, and I found that all very odd.
There were references to "auras", and I thought the characters' "encounters" with God were too mystical. In one scene God's presence is described as a "heavy, oily presence". I didn't like that. All of this adds up to a New-Age-y, mystical version of Christianity that I don't agree with.
In the discussion questions, the author says that to her, the proprietors of the inn symbolize God's interaction in our lives. I don't think that is sound. While there are some situations where I do believe God sends His angels to earth (there is that verse about entertaining angels in Hebrews 13:2), I don't think semi-creepy people who know way too much about our personal lives, who live in houses that no one can see and that suddenly disappear, are the way God interacts in our lives. Nor do I believe that we should be looking for God to guide us through brushes or taps that we feel on our skin. And though sometimes we might hear His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12), the primary way He interacts with us now is much more simple, and perhaps less "romantic". He interacts with us through His written Word. He has told us everything we need to know to follow Him through the Bible, and that was one thing (that is generally rather important to Christians) that was never mentioned in this book.
And on a more frivolous note, I also thought Stephen's reasons for wanting to call the marriage off were selfish. He didn't want to be around Corina because she brought back painful memories, and while I can feel bad for the character's pain, that is not a good enough reason to break up a marriage. I don't feel like he really thought about Corina's feelings much throughout the book, except to assume she would feel the same way as he did if she knew the truth. He never even acknowledges the pain he put her through. He only really thought about his own pain. I don't think that is very princely.
Overall, even though the author might have been just trying to make the story a little more "magical", and even though I thought the plot by itself was interesting, I couldn't get past all the mystical nonsense. I don't really recommend this book.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for this review. This is my honest opinion.
I don't know about you, but it is easy for me to fall into a prayer rut - where I find myself using the same 'ole words, to pray the same 'ole things, from day to day. I do this when I am praying by myself, but also when I am praying for my kids at night.
I don't like getting into my prayer ruts when I pray with the kids at night, because I don't want them to get bored hearing me pray in the same way every night - and I don't like it when my own prayers start to feel stale, because then it is so much easier for my mind to wander.
I think the reason I do that is because there are a few core things that I want to pray for each night when we say our bedtime prayers, and it's hard to think of new ways to say it! To me, it's a constant battle to keep my personal prayer time, and prayers with the kids, interesting and fresh (I hope I'm not the only one who has trouble with this).
I think this is something that is worth paying attention to, because being able to come near to God in prayer is a huge privilege - and we can come boldly because of what Christ did for us on the cross! Something like that should never become boring, and it's something I want to work on.
I listened to a Focus On The Family broadcast the other day, and the speaker recommended trying to put theology into our daily, habitual prayers. I try to do that when I pray with the kids, but I realized that I could do a better job of it. I have been challenged lately to try to re-word things, and sneak more theology into my prayers with the kids.
So instead of "Please protect us while we sleep", it could be "Thank you, Lord, that you are so powerful, and in control of everything, and that You are always with us - thank you that you are able to protect us while we sleep, and we pray that You would." Or instead of "Bless this food to our bodies", it could be "God, we know that you have made everything, including out food, and we thank you that you have provided this meal for us. Thank you for the way you have wonderfully made our bodies to use this food for energy, and please protect us from any germs we might not know about."
Something like that. Those are kind of long examples, but you get the idea.
Another fun resource for ideas on changing up day-today prayers is Max Lucado's "Treasury of Bedtime Prayers". Don't let the title fool you, because there are prayers for every time of day in this book! As I was reading through it I was gathering ideas for changing up some of my wording when I pray with the kids.
The kids have also really enjoyed sitting and listening to the poems, Bible verses, and prayers in this book. Gwen has especially liked it - this book is just her speed, I think. I think she likes the rhythm of some of the poems, and the pictures are adorable - lots of cute woodland creatures and outdoor scenes. I think the illustrations are what make this book special to me - these are the kind of pictures I loved to look at in books when I was a girl!
We haven't read through all the prayers yet, because this book has a lot of them, but I have loved every one I have read so far! I think it is a great tool to focus the kids (and myself) on God's goodness right before bed.
I love the idea of focusing on theology and who God is during prayer, for a couple reasons - first it's a good way to sneak biblical truths into the kids brains without lecturing. And second, when you remember how great is the God to whom we pray, it is hard to stay bored! It is amazing that such an incredible God takes the time to listen to us. It reminds me of Psalms 144:3 - what are we that God pays attention to us? Prayer is something special, and I don't want to forget that.
Am I the only one who gets stuck in "prayer ruts"? What do you do to keep your prayer time fresh?
---
Note: I received a copy of :Treasury Of Bedtime Prayers" for free from Tommy Nelson in exchange for this review. This is my honest opinion.
"Betting On Hope" by Debra Clopton is a novel about Maggie Hope, and advice columnist who finds herself roped into interviewing a famous cowboy, Tru Manahan. After an accidental bet is made on whether Tru can teach Maggie to ride a horse, the two find themselves thrown together as Maggie moves to Wishing Springs to write about her journey to learning to ride.
This book was a cute romance novel. The characters had some obstacles to finding true love, but nothing too deep or dark. I find it frustrating when characters let their secrets keep them apart in some Christian romance novels, because it often seems like the difficulties are ridiculously exaggerated. I am happy to report that this was not the case with "Betting On Hope". The characters themselves didn't overreact to the drama of it all, and their internal struggles seemed appropriately proportionate to the obstacles they faced, which I appreciated.
I loved the secondary characters in this book. All the typical small-town nosiness was present in the story, and I loved it. It made the story more fun and charming. I actually wish the author had intertwined some of the secondary characters who were a part of the town into more of the book, but I liked the side-plot with Jenna, a pregnant teenager who finds herself at a home for teen mothers in Wishing Springs.
While I appreciated that the drama in this book wasn't over-played, I did feel like too much of the book was focused on the two main characters internal reactions and feelings - I would have liked more light-hearted banter, or town events, or something to break up all the self-reflections.
The main characters were likable though, and I thought the ending was fun. If you want a light Christian romance read, this was an enjoyable one.
Note: I received a copy of this book for free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for this review. This is my honest opinion.
You can also enter to win a Kindle Fire to celebrate the book's release by clicking here!
This book was a cute romance novel. The characters had some obstacles to finding true love, but nothing too deep or dark. I find it frustrating when characters let their secrets keep them apart in some Christian romance novels, because it often seems like the difficulties are ridiculously exaggerated. I am happy to report that this was not the case with "Betting On Hope". The characters themselves didn't overreact to the drama of it all, and their internal struggles seemed appropriately proportionate to the obstacles they faced, which I appreciated.
I loved the secondary characters in this book. All the typical small-town nosiness was present in the story, and I loved it. It made the story more fun and charming. I actually wish the author had intertwined some of the secondary characters who were a part of the town into more of the book, but I liked the side-plot with Jenna, a pregnant teenager who finds herself at a home for teen mothers in Wishing Springs.
While I appreciated that the drama in this book wasn't over-played, I did feel like too much of the book was focused on the two main characters internal reactions and feelings - I would have liked more light-hearted banter, or town events, or something to break up all the self-reflections.
The main characters were likable though, and I thought the ending was fun. If you want a light Christian romance read, this was an enjoyable one.
Note: I received a copy of this book for free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for this review. This is my honest opinion.
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