tick tock.

Don't forget to enter my eShakti giveaway before 11:59 pm tomorrow (May 31)

Dude, I have a tumblr.

And you should definitely check it out.
http://findingwins.tumblr.com/

Book Review: The Messenger by Siri Mitchell.

During the Revolutionary war, everyone was forced to take sides, even those who wished to remain neutral.  The Quakers wished to remain neutral, but it was at the risk of their lives to do so.  Hannah Sunderland decides to visit her brother in jail, even though she knew she could be disowned. Jeremiah Jones lives with his regrets, as well as with only one arm. If only he would have been saved first. Through an unusual series of events, Hannah and Jeremiah plant the seeds of a beautiful , albeit odd friendship.  Can it possibly last through the terrors of war, or will it be crushed before it has time to blossom?

I liked:

The first-person narrative. It really added to the story.

The way you could read the character’s thoughts. Again, thanks to the first person.

The “thee” and “thou.” It was definitely fun to read.

The sacrificial act. No spoilers here, but let us just say it was impressive.

The suspense.

The era. Definitely not a “cliché” book.

I disliked:

A few mentions of the evils that went on between innocent women and vile soldiers.

How short the resolution was. Although, that it simply my personal preference to have a long happy conclusion.

Overall:

This was a great book, I started it yesterday evening and finished it at 1:30 am. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good historical read!

Libbi H.

 

Bethany House Publishers gave me this book for free to review honestly.

Book Review: Code of Silence by Tim Shoemaker

Living a lie comes with a price.

Cooper, Hiro, and Gordy witness a nearly fatal robbery. When they run from the crime scene, one of the burglars takes Cooper’s house key, promising to kill his entire family if Cooper spoke a word of what had happened. Through the next several days, the clan tries to not tell anyone, but it is growing more dangerous to live a lie than it would be to tell the truth. Time is running out, and Cooper needs to decide if telling the truth wil set him free, or if it will fatally bind him.

I liked:

• Tim Shoemaker. I actually went to a writer’s conference where Tim spoke, and I thought he was one of the kindest people I had met. I was so excited to get his book!
• The emphasis on truth. It was radically awesome.
• The humor. I love me a good laugh.
• The importance of spending time with God. I loved that.
• The lack of romance. While romance has its place in books, it is nice to  have a romance-free book every once in a while!

I disliked:

• Nothing.

Overall, I thought this book was a great read for ages 12+. I would definitely recommend this to a lot of my friends.

I was given this book for free from Zondervan to honestly review.

Book Review: #hooked by Gregory L. Jantz

Imagine waking up in a world without any media. No internet. No texting. No iPods, iPads, or iPhones. Not one television show. No media whatsoever.  Although a world where we had no media could possibly be a more peaceable and beneficial world, most of us would start freaking out if we couldn’t check our Facebook. I know I would. In this alternately angled book, Gregory shows the pitfalls of media today, and how we as a culture are more reliant on faux communication than real, live, face to face conversation. He show how we can use media to our advantage, while simultaneously living in a real reality, not a virtual one.

I liked:

• The mind blowing facts. Did you know that a drunk driver is actually safer than a texting driver? I sure didn’t.
• The non-judgmental outlook. I loved that he understood how addicting technology is, and  he wasn’t condemning about it.  He simply showed how much better it could be used.
• The hope. He made it seem semi-doable to do a media fast. It was awesome.

I didn’t love:

• The lack of Christianity in it. Not that it was bad, but I usually expect Christian books to mention God in more than one chapter.

Overall:

I enjoyed this book, and although I was slightly afraid it could be boring,  it was not. It was a great book, and I would definitely recommend it to you!

Libbi H.

Thanks to Charisma House publishers for giving me this book in exchange for this honest review.

Book Review: Spirit Wars by Kris Valloton.

We are not alone on this earth. There are forces at work. Spiritual forces, both good and evil. Ones that fight for ours safety, ones that fight for our annihilation. Unseen  powers and principalities  fight for their right over our lives. So many Christians walk in bondage; living in fear and anxiety, when they simply need to pray against the enemy.  Sharing his personal testimony of God’s deliverance, Kris Vallotton explains how we, as God’s children, can take a hold of the  peace filled life He has planned for us.

I Loved:

• His many different testimonies. I never have seen fear put as a sin, although it is. Right on Kris!
• The down-to-earth perspective. Kris wrote as I expect he talks, because it seems that you are having coffee with someone even though you are reading.
• How the entire book was pieced together. It was written in such a way that you could understand each separate topic, while still getting the entire them woven through.
• The cover. It was fantastically done, and while not being creepy, it did have supernatural qualities to it.

I disliked:

• I honestly cannot think of anything.

Overall:

I loved this book, it really set me free of some fear I had been hanging on to. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has ever struggled with fear, depression, or anxiety.

Libbi H.

P.S. Sorry, this is so late in coming, I lost the book after I was about halfway through it, and just found it a little while ago. (I think it had something to do with my 6 year old sister ;)

P.P.S. This book was given to me to review by Bethany House publishers. This review is my own, and my honest thoughts. 

Eshakti Giveaway!

Earlier this week, eShakti.com contacted me asking if I would host a giveaway of one of their products! I was super excited. So, eShakti is giving away one item from their online store, and, it can be personalized to fit you! (if you haven't heard of the awesomeness of what eShakti is, you can see my review here) I wish I was in your shoes! I love eShaktis clothes, they are so cute, and I love that they make them long enough for me to wear! I am pretty tall, and it is really hard to find clothing that is long enough, but eShakti is her to save the day! Here are some of my top picks from their website!

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(I want this one the most. via )

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They also have a beautiful variety of blouses, skirts, and accessories!

Mandatory to enter:

1. You must go to the eShakti website and come back with a link to your favorite item. (leave a comment with the url) 
2. Yo must like them on Facebook and follow them on Pinterest. (leave a comment with your name)

Extra entries: (Entry=comment. 2 entries=2 comments)

• Share this giveaway on Twitter (2 entries)
• Share this giveaway on Facebook (3 entries) 
• Share this entry in a blog post (4 entries)
• Write a blog post about your favorite eShakti items (10 entries)

You must live in either the US or Canada to win.
This giveaway will end on May 31st, and the winner will be announced on the 1st of June!
On your marks, get set, GO!

Be Happy- Senior Pictures

Here are my Senior Pictures!

Hope you like them!