tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2039261787331335162026-05-03T14:54:00.124-05:00Subscribe to PinkStinxBook ReviewsSvrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.comBlogger603125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-65680507301817191932026-05-03T14:54:00.004-05:002026-05-03T14:54:00.119-05:00God Sets the Right Pace<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b> <span style="font-size: 11pt;">Ecclesiastes
3:1</span></b></i></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="margin-left: 41.25pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity
under the heavens: (NIV)<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="Standard"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;">Extra Hour</span></i></span></p>
<p class="Standard"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I really enjoyed having an extra
hour yesterday, especially on a Sunday.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It gave me extra time to prepare my heart to join other believers in
worship of our God.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But by the time 11
PM came, I wasn’t so delighted to have a day that was 25 hours rather than
24.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">When God designed the day into 24
hours, He knew the endurance of the fleshly body.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We may think we need extra time each day, but
God, in His wisdom, knows we would abuse the time by abusing our bodies even
more than we do now.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There is a time appointed
for everything we need to do.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Our
problem is we don’t consult God on how to use the time He provides for us and
what to do and when to do it.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We all
have the same amount of time in a day.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Some may think the days are too long and some may think the days are too
short.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Some of us vacillate between the
two thoughts depending on the day.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">To
start our day out talking to God and asking Him to order our day is the best
use of our time and, when we do this, we will find the time we have in that day
is just the exact right amount of time.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Let us let the Creator of the day, the Creator of time, guide us in the
best use of it.</span></i></span></p><p class="Standard"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Devotion by Ginger Chapman</i></span></span></p></blockquote><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p>Having more time is not always what I really need. Sometimes I think an extra hour would fix everything, but I would probably just fill it with more things to do. God designed time with purpose, and He knows what our bodies and minds can handle.</p><p>What helps most is starting the day by asking God to guide how I use my time. When I do that, the day feels less rushed and more balanced, even when it is full. Trusting the Creator of time to order my day makes what I have feel like enough.</p></div><p class="Standard"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-8626316908904871062026-05-01T08:39:00.000-05:002026-05-01T08:39:02.087-05:00The Big Oops (Best START) – by Julia Cook (Author), Dale Crawford (Illustrator) - A Review<div class="celwidget" data-cel-widget="titleblock_feature_div" data-csa-c-asin="B0GR6MBJ2Q" data-csa-c-content-id="titleblock" data-csa-c-id="wcifz1-w5v79a-2dv4oe-q661e4" data-csa-c-is-in-initial-active-row="false" data-csa-c-slot-id="titleblock_feature_div" data-csa-c-type="widget" data-feature-name="titleblock" id="titleblock_feature_div" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div class="a-section a-spacing-none" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px;"><h1 class="a-spacing-none a-text-normal" id="title" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 28px; font-weight: 400 !important; line-height: 36px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-block-end: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4n3PCqc" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/UVbenJE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></h1></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">The Big Oops! by Julia Cook was such a
sweet, genuinely helpful picture book about making mistakes—and not letting
perfectionism steal the fun. Scooter is trying so hard to paint a picture of
his best friend, Pudgy, but every “oops” feels like a disaster…until his
friends gently help him see that mistakes can lead to something even better
than the original plan.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">The illustrations are bright,
expressive, and a little silly in the best way, so the message never feels
heavy or preachy. I also really appreciated the caregiver guide in the back—it
gives practical, realistic ways to respond when a kid spirals over a “wrong”
line, a spill, or a ruined project.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">This is a great pick for ages
preschool–early elementary and would be especially useful for classrooms or any
kid who gets upset when things aren’t “perfect.” Overall, this is a really
solid, useful read for those moments when kids are learning that messing up is
part of life.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"> I received a complimentary
digital copy of this book through NetGalley this is an honest review.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">★★★★ Release Date: August 4, 2026<br /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4n3PCqc" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></div><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p>
</p>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-9817924806278526002026-05-01T08:02:00.001-05:002026-05-01T08:02:00.112-05:00Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle - A Review<p><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4myiqqq" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="209" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/B4B5Ex5.jpeg" width="209" /></a></div><div style="line-height: 20px;"><p>This book starts with a great what‑if. Daphne gets slips of paper telling her exactly how long every relationship will last, which honestly sounds kind of amazing if you’ve ever stayed way too long with the wrong person. No guessing, no overthinking, no awkward conversations. Just the truth.</p><p>At first, it feels freeing. She dates without anxiety because the ending is already decided. Then she meets someone with no expiration date at all, and suddenly the unknown feels terrifying. That shift is where the story really shines. It’s less about the magic and more about how fear, loss, and self protection shape the way we love.</p><p>It’s a quiet, slower read. Some parts are predictable, and the side characters don’t all feel fully fleshed out, but the emotional core works. This is one of those books that doesn’t knock you flat, but it lingers.</p><p>Thoughtful, a little sad, and very relatable if you’ve ever wondered whether knowing the ending would actually make love easier.</p></div></span><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p>★★★</p><p><a href="https://amzn.to/4myiqqq" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></p></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-78789513051807624472026-05-01T07:53:00.003-05:002026-05-01T07:53:33.851-05:00The May House by Jillian Cantor - A Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/427x0fq" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="989" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/Wd1sjAf.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">Three sisters, one beach house, one week every May. That’s the deal they made with their grandmother. It works until the oldest sister, Julia, doesn’t show up one year, and suddenly everything Nora and Emily thought they knew starts to unravel. I loved the premise right away, especially how the house itself holds so much history and emotion, quietly anchoring the story.</span><p></p><div style="line-height: 20px;"><div style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">The book manages to feel lighthearted while still touching on meaningful family issues, especially the secrets people keep to protect one another and the way those truths shape who you become. The sisters’ dedication to returning every May and honoring their promise to their grandmother was genuinely moving. Each character feels distinct and well developed, and Nate was by far my favorite, bringing a steady, grounding presence to the story.</span></div><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">My main struggle was with the writing style and the time hops. At times the flow felt a bit awkward for me, and the jumps between years sometimes made it harder to stay oriented in the timeline. I am not a fan of nonlinear narratives in general, and occasionally it pulled me out rather than adding depth. That said, the emotional core of the story and the relationships kept me engaged overall.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">This is a good choice for readers who enjoy complex family dynamics, everyday life drama, and stories focused on emotional growth. Even with some pacing and structure issues, it’s a thoughtful and heartfelt read that left me reflecting on family, memory, and the meanings we attach to places.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">★★★★</span></p><p><a href="https://amzn.to/427x0fq" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">Amazon Link small commission may apply</span></a></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. All opinions are my own.</span></span></p></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-18010274325812309032026-05-01T07:48:00.014-05:002026-05-01T07:48:00.119-05:00Sin and the Search for Satisfaction - Quote<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Atkinson Hyperlegible";">Sin is what you do when your heart
is not satisfied with God. - </span><span style="font-family: "Atkinson Hyperlegible";"><span color="windowtext" face=""Open Sans", sans-serif"><span>John
Piper</span></span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Atkinson Hyperlegible";">John Piper is reminding us that sin is not first about broken rules but about misplaced desire. When the heart is satisfied in God, obedience flows almost naturally. But when that satisfaction thins out, even subtly, we begin to look elsewhere for meaning, comfort, identity, or control. Sin then becomes a symptom, not the disease.</span></p><div style="line-height: 20px;"><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">This is both convicting and hopeful. Convicting because it asks us to look beneath our behavior and examine what we are really loving or trusting. Hopeful because it tells us the remedy is not merely stronger willpower, but deeper joy. God is not just demanding righteousness, He is offering Himself as enough.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">It also reframes repentance. Instead of only turning away from wrong actions, repentance becomes a turning back toward God. Restoring affection, not just correcting conduct.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">It’s a reminder that the Christian life is sustained less by fear of sin and more by a growing satisfaction in Christ. When the heart is full, lesser things lose their grip.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/YB0t9zz.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/YB0t9zz.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"><br /><br /></span><p></p></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-65082591316217856672026-04-30T07:38:00.008-05:002026-04-30T07:38:00.127-05:00Living What We Hear<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/H9tqNcI.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://i.imgur.com/H9tqNcI.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div style="line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">Hearing God’s Word is important, but the blessing comes in living it out daily. Obedience isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. One small yes at a time.</span></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-90493834508639926882026-04-30T00:02:00.000-05:002026-04-30T00:02:00.118-05:00Dead Certain by Adam Mitzner - A Review<p></p><br /><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4mcjjVC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="797" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/W7Q6mFR.png" width="192" /></a></div>If you’re looking for a legal thriller that swaps dry legal jargon for high-stakes tension,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span data-index-in-node="92" data-path-to-node="2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;">Dead Certain</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;">is a great pick. It’s the first in the Broden Legal series, and it hits the ground running.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;">We follow</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span data-index-in-node="10" data-path-to-node="5" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;">Ella Broden</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;">, a public defender by day and lounge singer by night. Her world gets flipped when her estranged sister disappears, leading to a murder case that drags her powerful attorney father—and plenty of family secrets—into the light.</span></span></p><div class="information_row" id="content-author-B01M8PI4IG" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: initial; cursor: default; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-bottom: 7px; text-wrap-mode: nowrap; word-break: break-word;"><h3 data-path-to-node="6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Mitzner is a criminal defense lawyer, so the courtroom scenes feel incredibly authentic. She’s messy and makes some questionable choices, which makes her feel like a real human rather than a perfect hero. It’s a classic "just one more chapter" kind of book.</span></h3><h3 data-path-to-node="9" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">It's a solid, gripping page-turner. Overall, it’s a strong 4-star read for fans of early John Grisham or psychological suspense.</span></h3><div><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4mcjjVC" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></span></div></div><br />Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-2844254838124804872026-04-29T12:13:00.000-05:002026-04-29T12:13:00.123-05:00Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson - A Review<div style="line-height: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4srbIUK" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="211" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/j1qTMwg.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><p></p><span style="color: #e300d4; font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">✨ <b>My favorite read of the year so far—and one I couldn’t not share again. ✨</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">I’m reposting <span style="color: #de8e0d;"><b>Bad Words</b> </span>by Rioghnach Robinson because I truly don’t want anyone to miss this extraordinary book. It’s one of those rare reads that asks you to clear your schedule and rewards you for doing so.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">⬇️ Full review below (reposting)</div><div><p data-path-to-node="0"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">This is officially one of my top favorite reads of all time!</span></p><div style="line-height: 20px;"><div style="line-height: 20px;"><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">I loved this book. Truly loved it. Clear‑the‑schedule, just‑one‑more‑chapter‑that‑turns‑into‑the‑last‑chapter loved it. An easy five stars and exactly the kind of read that pulls you straight out of a reading slump.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">The premise hooked me immediately. Parker Navarro is an author still stinging from a brutal review written years ago by Selina Chan, a high‑profile literary critic. When she’s assigned to review his next book, their long‑standing tension erupts publicly, goes viral, and suddenly benefits both his sales and her publication’s traffic. Messy. Complicated. Completely irresistible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">This book stands out because it’s more than banter and chemistry—though it delivers both in spades. It explores the publishing world, criticism culture, and online discourse in a way that feels sharp, current, and grounded. The push and pull between creating and critiquing, and how quickly conflict becomes spectacle, is handled with real insight and heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">Selina and Parker genuinely clash, and for reasons that make sense. No flimsy misunderstandings. No dragged‑out drama. Every shift in their dynamic feels earned, which makes the enemies‑to‑lovers arc deeply satisfying. The romance builds naturally and lands with intensity, tenderness, and true emotional payoff.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">The editing deserves special mention. The pacing is tight, the dialogue snaps, and the story flows so smoothly it’s effortless to stay immersed. It’s fast‑paced without rushing, smart without trying too hard, and emotional without losing the fun.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">By the final pages, I was fully invested and already thinking about who I needed to tell. Rioghnach Robinson is officially a new favorite author, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">If you love sharp dialogue, publishing‑world drama, and romance that actually earns its payoff, do not skip this one.</span></p></div></div><p data-path-to-node="6" style="font-size: 15.84px;"><i data-index-in-node="0" data-path-to-node="6"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!</span></i></p></div><div style="font-size: 15.84px;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">★★★★★</span></div><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: medium;">📅 <strong>Releasing October 6, 2026</strong> — <a href="https://amzn.to/4srbIUK" target="_blank">preorder your copy now</a></span></p></div><br />Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-9364122433973287692026-04-29T09:26:00.000-05:002026-04-29T09:26:00.113-05:00Love Dare for Parents by Stephen Kendrick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4dZDfcd" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/jbsddPw.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p>Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2018</p><p>I expected this book to be good, but it has exceeded every expectation. I am only halfway through the forty day journey and have already filled ten full pages of notes. The writing is clear, conversational, and deeply applicable to real life parenting in all forms.</p><p>What stands out most is how naturally Scripture is woven into practical guidance. There is no heavy handed preaching, only biblical truth placed exactly where it belongs, addressing the heart issues behind parenting rather than just outward behavior. It feels less like instruction and more like wise, loving counsel.</p><p>As a single mother of six children ranging from elementary age to grown adults, including military service, I can confidently say these principles apply at every stage. Whether you are parenting young children, teens, or adults, or serving as a single parent or grandparent, the message remains steady. This book emphasizes heart alignment, discipline rooted in love, and long term character building instead of short term peacekeeping.</p><p>Several of the authors’ words have already stayed with me:</p><p>“…we need to evaluate honestly the condition of our own hearts whenever we refuse to correct our children… If you don’t train your children to respect and take you seriously in today’s battle, you will lose a thousand other battles down the road.”</p><p>“Moodiness and impatience, laziness and irresponsibility, are only selfishness in disguise.”</p><p>“Determine to no longer let minor problems produce major reactions.”</p><p>“When we discipline our children, the end game is not only to obtain an admission of guilt and change of direction, but to look them in the eye with restorative love and assure them we forgive them.”</p><p>Even at just over fifty percent complete, I know this will be a long term reference for me. This is a book meant to be absorbed slowly, revisited often, and lived out, not rushed through.</p><p>★★★★★</p></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RLHXN4PIQK3TR/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8"><b></b></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="Wow. I expected this book to be good, but it has proven to be excellent. I am only about halfway through the forty day journey and have already taken ten full pages of notes. That alone speaks volumes. The writing is clear, conversational, and deeply applicable to real life parenting in all its forms. What I love most is how naturally the authors weave Scripture into practical instruction. There is no forcing or preaching, just truth placed exactly where it belongs. God’s Word is applied directly to the heart issues behind parenting, not just surface level behavior. Reading this feels less like being instructed and more like being lovingly guided. As a single mother of six children spanning adulthood, high school, middle school, and elementary years, I can say without hesitation that this book applies across every stage. Whether you are parenting young children, teenagers, grown adults, or stepping into the role of grandparent or single parent, the principles here hold steady. This is not about perfection, but about heart alignment, discipline rooted in love, and long term character building rather than short term peacekeeping. The book gently but firmly challenges parents to examine their own hearts, emotions, and reactions, especially in discipline. Some of the quotes have already stayed with me, particularly the reminders that avoiding discipline is often a matter of convenience rather than love, that irritability often springs from stress and selfishness, and that our worries for our children are invitations to deeper prayer and trust in God. The emphasis on restoring relationship after discipline, releasing lingering anger, and leading with forgiveness is powerful and convicting in the best way. Even at just over fifty percent complete, I know this will be a resource I return to again and again. I appreciate the journaling space, the daily structure, and the encouragement to slow down and reflect. This is a book that invites lasting change rather than quick fixes. Most definitely five stars. I am taking my time with the remainder because this is one I want to absorb fully, not rush through. ★★★★★" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Atkinson Hyperlegible";"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/4dZDfcd" style="font-family: "Atkinson Hyperlegible";" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-75062522320032215722026-04-28T11:51:00.000-05:002026-04-28T11:51:00.124-05:00Friendly Barnyard Visit<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Momma goat always shows up first, curious and ready for attention.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHYy4NlY7_hUmsbVJmcj06bl1_IhgTES4fKT_5WDCSJlB_krnOPATu1OozPTJtcFC2A5ZWJle9hGWZOf8JDo4_ia3ErU4A34rT7akefEl3TQlOfs3zLwibQJAgycsMP0-krrHWhbId8VGta3pY3S010MKqytaDx_t9-D0_Ke0E1PFL8VRY5pun32_2Slr/s464/post6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHYy4NlY7_hUmsbVJmcj06bl1_IhgTES4fKT_5WDCSJlB_krnOPATu1OozPTJtcFC2A5ZWJle9hGWZOf8JDo4_ia3ErU4A34rT7akefEl3TQlOfs3zLwibQJAgycsMP0-krrHWhbId8VGta3pY3S010MKqytaDx_t9-D0_Ke0E1PFL8VRY5pun32_2Slr/s16000/post6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjCHMp9Of9pMPy48ik3LSccs1d8UHwUgy25Poajg0b9fDGSkl5dsJeOvn1_dsbOVgK2rccYCDlmgOJnbTtga0v98VPp5v3_BZyx8Nc0MdPfS5p8KfBf8M3aqRlEe_rNTksjj67AeOVuMHKcrg1XKGEcUVZYp0jEZ39tqHFKZi6OcD4kCaI20d_nMJlh4W/s464/postgoats5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjCHMp9Of9pMPy48ik3LSccs1d8UHwUgy25Poajg0b9fDGSkl5dsJeOvn1_dsbOVgK2rccYCDlmgOJnbTtga0v98VPp5v3_BZyx8Nc0MdPfS5p8KfBf8M3aqRlEe_rNTksjj67AeOVuMHKcrg1XKGEcUVZYp0jEZ39tqHFKZi6OcD4kCaI20d_nMJlh4W/s16000/postgoats5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-12713493765538698032026-04-28T09:36:19.577-05:002026-04-28T09:47:49.351-05:00 Little Creatures of the National Parks by Fifty-Nine Parks<p><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.imgur.com/xpT8CtL.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/xpT8CtL.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">This is one of those children’s books that feels just as much for the adults as it is for the kids. On the surface it’s a simple alphabet book, but the illustrations are what really make it special. Each page is playful and thoughtfully designed, and I found myself lingering instead of flipping ahead, which is always a good sign.</span><p></p><div style="line-height: 20px;"><div style="line-height: 20px;"><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">Extra kudos to the Q, X, and Z pages, because alphabet books live or die by those letters and these absolutely delivered. They’re clever, creative, and didn’t feel like an afterthought, which is harder to pull off than it looks. It made the whole book feel intentional from A to Z, literally.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">I also loved how calm and inviting this book feels overall. It introduces animals found in national parks without being heavy handed or overly instructional. It’s the kind of book that sparks curiosity and conversation, whether you’re reading it aloud or letting a kid explore the pages on their own. The country map at the end with animal reference is a special bonus.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">This would be a great addition to any nature loving family’s shelf, and honestly, it’s pretty enough to leave out year round. Gentle, charming, and beautifully done.</span></p></div><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">★★★★1/2</span></p><p><a href="https://i.imgur.com/xpT8CtL.jpeg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.</span></p><br /><p style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;"><br /></p></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-39443660205268480362026-04-28T08:53:00.000-05:002026-04-28T08:54:00.413-05:00 Dukes in Spring by Various Authors - A Review<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Segoe UI"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4vNTQ9p" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/mcqmoQv.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; line-height: 20px;"><div style="line-height: 20px;"><p>Dukes in Spring is basically twelve historical romance novellas that all said, what if the love interest was a duke and everyone ended up happy. Honestly, that’s the dream. These are perfect little snack sized reads for bedtime, lunch breaks, or that awkward stretch of free time when you want romance without signing up for a full emotional marathon.</p><p>The writing is pretty solid across the board. There’s also a nice range when it comes to tone and heat, from spicy to sweet and closed door, which kept things from feeling repetitive and made it easy to pick stories based on whatever vibe I was in.</p><p>Anthologies are great for me because I get to revisit authors I already love while meeting new ones, all without accidentally reading until 2 a.m. That said, even I have limits. Twelve dukes is… a lot. I hit my personal duke saturation point after a few stories and will definitely pace myself better next time before the full Dukeness kicks in.</p><p>Overall, this is a fun, easy to dip into collection with a little something for everyone. Expect feuds, class differences, widows, age gaps, and yes, even a horse named Duke. Some of the stories go a little bold and unhinged in the best way. If you love historical romance and believe there’s no such thing as too many dukes, this one is worth grabbing.</p></div><p>★★★½</p></div></div><div style="line-height: 20px;"><p style="font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4vNTQ9p" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</span></a></p><div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</span></div></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-45199520881600483282026-04-28T08:09:00.003-05:002026-04-28T08:09:00.127-05:00The True Love Experiment by Christine Lauren - A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/49r0LMI" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="206" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/85VAPA6.jpeg" width="206" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><span face="-apple-system-body"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; white-space-collapse: break-spaces;"><div style="line-height: 20px; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><div style="text-align: left;">Fizzy is confident and outspoken, but underneath all that sparkle is someone who’s tired of not being chosen. Connor Prince is her opposite in the best way: steady, reserved, and quietly kind. Their chemistry grows through real conversations, not forced drama, and it’s refreshing to watch two adults navigate feelings with honesty and patience.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The reality TV angle adds humor and structure, but the heart of the story is about vulnerability, self-worth, and choosing love even when it’s scary. Christina Lauren does a great job mixing banter with emotional depth without overdoing it.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Overall, it’s a warm, easy read with substance, perfect if you like rom-coms that still have something real to say. (I skipped all the spicy stuff, and there was quite a bit.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />★★★</div></div></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://amzn.to/49r0LMI" target="_blank">Purchase on Amazon, a small commission may be earned</a></div><div><span face="-apple-system-body"><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: break-spaces;"></span></span></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-10589942702935619572026-04-27T13:30:00.001-05:002026-04-27T13:30:00.115-05:00 Fun to Find!: Toddlers On the Move Hannah Sun - A Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href=" https://amzn.to/4vVSkCi" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/PklAXjY.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p>This is such a well done toddler search and find. The pages are bright and clear without feeling busy or overwhelming, which is honestly harder to find than it should be in toddler activity books. I loved how everything is thoughtfully styled with an easy key, making it simple for little ones to understand what they are looking for without needing constant help.</p><p>As a mom of six, I really appreciated activities like this that hold attention while still feeling calm and approachable. It’s perfect for on the go, quiet time, or short independent play moments. This is an excellent, developmentally appropriate activity book that I would happily recommend.</p><p>★★★★★</p><p>Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions are my own.</p><p><a href=" https://amzn.to/4vVSkCi" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></p></div><br /><p><br /></p>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-12483450713749275312026-04-27T12:44:00.008-05:002026-04-27T12:44:00.115-05:00 Plant Myths & Misconceptions 40+ Amazing Plant Facts (Fact Checkers) by Kizzi Roberts, Carrie Rodell - A Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4cji17W" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos58esL5c3N4VRvCOeSn4XTcN2y2BS3tVs5DlfgXNPqGTk6LA81Ob-G2aLZpCjfCF-iajrky7flWsxgaboThH1Uz9ezGnBnz1dy7UJr61WPsi73Op4gHtF-gtqvb8EsZdguEtv80WD_-m_zOyj17_zh_kItVFn8eHhMjaOR-4LYr8fFLh62Uv4eBuOhjU/s320/post.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><p></p><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><div style="line-height: 20px;"><p>This book makes learning about plants fun and easy by taking common myths and explaining what is actually true. Each fact is short, clear, and interesting, which makes it great for readers who like quick bits of information. I even learned some new information. </p><p>The writing is friendly and simple, helping readers understand plant science without feeling overwhelmed. The facts encourage curiosity and help readers see plants as active, fascinating living things rather than just background scenery.</p><p>This is a great choice for upper elementary and middle grade readers, classrooms, or anyone who enjoys learning something new in small, engaging pieces.</p></div><p>★★★★☆</p><div style="line-height: 20px;">This book was provided through NetGalley this is an honest review.</div><p><a href="https://amzn.to/4cji17W" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></p></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-76354210993032956032026-04-27T09:00:00.000-05:002026-04-27T09:00:00.114-05:00Every Dime Every Day by Kevin Frisbie - A Review<p><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"><a href="https://amzn.to/45dVvcK" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="971" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7skj7E-O1wpdZ03pB_LzNOM_zJ2Lj4aS4ZxwoF1daUyb4h6MNiueaSkKD84xN29NJMZvX8UbWQq0ulFiyHh4aESVRQp3tbzSrZhPHtCubqU_CbVU1SoI5HbS8OvHjaLiboXTRF4paEit1qdr0gR43han0NqutDmaYX0qyK-t5e6FIfDcf3lTa-KHT4h4/s320/book.jpg" width="207" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p>Every Dime Every Day is a useful and practical resource, especially for first-time budgeters. I found myself wishing I had read this book back in college, before learning so many financial lessons the hard way.</p><p>One of the most helpful takeaways for me was the recommendation to keep a detailed expense log to track exactly where money is going. I have already put this into practice by purchasing a small folder with twelve pockets to organize receipts, along with a log to record daily expenses. I am genuinely looking forward to totaling everything at the end of the month. I expect it to be eye opening and empowering, especially as a single mom who wants clarity and confidence around money.</p><p>Another strategy that stood out was separating expenses by child. Implementing this has already helped me feel more organized and more in control of my finances. Small changes like this made the concepts in the book feel realistic and doable rather than overwhelming.</p><p>This book would be especially beneficial for young adults just starting out, as well as anyone who wants to gain a stronger sense of control and intention in their financial life. It is straightforward, encouraging, and focused on habits that actually stick.</p></div>
<p data-end="1109" data-start="1092"><strong data-end="1109" data-start="1092"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">★★★</span></strong></p><p data-end="1109" data-start="1092"><strong data-end="1109" data-start="1092"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">From my archives (2018)</span></strong></p><p data-end="1109" data-start="1092"><span data-end="1109" data-start="1092"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://amzn.to/45dVvcK" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></span></span></p>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-1545560536008247762026-04-26T14:46:00.000-05:002026-04-26T14:46:00.115-05:00 A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - A Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3QtIDur" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="170" height="218" src="https://i.imgur.com/tV4UruY.jpeg" width="170" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;">I remembered the sadness, but I forgot how quietly devastating it is. This story doesn’t rush your grief or try to soften it. It sits with the hardest truths and asks you to look at them straight on, even when you do not want to.</span><p></p><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p>What gets me every time is how honest it feels about anger, guilt, and the thoughts we are ashamed to admit when we are losing someone we love. Conor is not polished or brave in a pretty way. He is messy, exhausted, scared, and painfully real. The monster’s stories feel strange at first, but they slowly peel back layers you didn’t realize were there, until the emotional weight lands all at once.</p><p>It is not an easy book to read, even though it is short. It lingers in that heavy space where love and loss overlap, and it does not offer cheap comfort. Still, there is a strange kind of release in how directly it names grief instead of trying to fix it.</p><p>Heartbreaking, tender, and memorable. Four stars only because I have to be emotionally prepared to ever revisit it again.</p><p>★★★★</p><p><a href="https://amzn.to/3QtIDur" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a><br /><br /><br /></p><br /></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-20887310769211161842026-04-26T13:27:00.002-05:002026-04-26T13:27:00.124-05:00Grace Is the Starting Line<h2 style="break-before: page; page-break-before: always;"><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;"><i></i></span></h2><blockquote><h2 style="break-before: page; page-break-before: always;"><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Ephesians
2:8-10<o:p style="font-weight: normal;"></o:p></i></span></h2><p class="Standard" style="margin-left: 42pt;"><span face=""Aptos",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is
not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can
boast. (NIV)<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class="Standard"><i><span face=""Aptos",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;">God’s Grace</span></i></p><p class="Standard"><i><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">We can memorize the entire Bible
and not be saved for eternal life and forgiven for our sin.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">We can go to church every time the doors are
open, be a leader or pastor in church and still not be saved.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">We can do all manner of what is good and not
be saved.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">The only way to be saved is by
the grace of God.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">The way to receive
that grace is to ask God for forgiveness and accept His Son, Jesus, into our
hearts, minds and lives as the Lord, the ruler of our entire being.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">When we accept Him and choose to follow Jesus
in obedience to what is recorded in His written word, The Holy Bible, God gives
us His grace of forgiveness and adopts us as His children.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">He fills us with His love and His Holy Spirit
Who enables us to love God.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">When we love
someone, we want to please them.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">To
please God, we walk in obedience to His statutes.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">When we fall, we ask forgiveness and choose
to move on from that falling and walk on.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">
</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">We bear the consequences of our actions or inactions in our physical
bodies, but we also enjoy the forgiveness of God and the knowledge that nothing
can separate us from His love once we receive it through His Son, Jesus.</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">Let us praise and thank God today for the
gift of His grace the choose to show Him our love through obedience by allowing
His Holy Spirit to love and help others through us.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;"><i>Devotion by Ginger Chapman</i></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;"><i></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;">Personal Reflection</span></p><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p>Grace is not something I earn, prove, or maintain by being good enough. It is something God gives freely. That truth is both comforting and humbling. Comforting because it takes the pressure off trying to measure up. Humbling because it reminds me I bring nothing to the table except my need.</p><p>I think about how easy it is to confuse activity with faith. Doing good things, showing up, knowing the right words. All of that has value, but none of it saves me. Grace is not a reward for effort. It is a gift, plain and simple. And like every gift, it has to be received.</p><p>What really stands out is what happens after grace. Once I accept it, my life begins to change, not out of fear or duty, but out of love. When you know you are forgiven and fully loved, obedience starts to feel different. It becomes a response, not a requirement. I want to please God not because I am trying to keep His approval, but because I already have it.</p><p>I also appreciate the reminder that falling does not cancel grace. I may face consequences for my choices, but I never fall out of God’s love. Grace gives me freedom to get back up, ask forgiveness, and keep walking forward instead of staying stuck in guilt.</p><p>This reflection leaves me grateful. Grateful for a God who saves by grace, stays present when I stumble, and invites me to live out that grace by letting His Spirit love others through me.</p></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-85200497126610407012026-04-26T12:07:00.000-05:002026-04-26T12:07:00.111-05:00Pop It! Dinosaurs by Amanda Sobotka - A Review<p></p><br /><p></p><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href=" https://amzn.to/41JRydC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/3zoKsmM.jpeg" width="317" /></a></div><p>Pop It! Dinosaurs is a bright, engaging board book that combines dinosaur fun with an interactive sensory experience young readers love. Each page invites toddlers to press, pop, and explore while learning simple concepts, making this a playful and hands on addition to early learning and storytime routines. The sturdy construction and tactile elements encourage fine motor development and sustained engagement.</p><p>Note to the publisher: This is a strong concept that will appeal to dinosaur fans and sensory seeking toddlers and would be a great fit for play based learning collections.</p></div><p><a href=" https://amzn.to/41JRydC" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></p><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">★★★★</div><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I received a digital review copy of this book through NetGalley. This review reflects my honest opinion.</div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-67865159255448066732026-04-25T17:06:00.000-05:002026-04-25T17:06:00.127-05:00Total Health Makeover by Marilu Henner - A Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3POFkOf" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1191" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzVRVLZazZSNGAKuS76N-SS-TY7ivOtX1dG-NpuCUzgQ2BWcx0tBB4YB_XqJv9iM8JprF8tU_SGZ2imHWPLztJU_31OOaEPfuC_MVBTHcDD0G86BYcdo4hsQKkPnLpFTHOV7prRFDXEyQrca6YhlIlpiymjMTh3iKpsvocWz-vxeGFxC0TvJVN2YTFWGf/s320/post.jpg" width="254" /></span></a></div><p></p><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p>I first read Total Health Makeover years ago and, like many readers, followed Marilu’s suggestion to skip the dairy chapter if I was not ready to give up milk. Coming back to it now, I realize I passed over the most transformative part of her philosophy.</p><p>Marilu’s ten step approach is not a diet but a full lifestyle reset. Her principles on food combining removing the four whites and truly understanding digestion were well ahead of their time especially in light of what we now know about gut health and inflammation.</p><p>The tone of the book feels like an energetic and encouraging conversation with a friend. There is no pressure to change everything at once. The section on dairy however is where everything finally clicked. Her explanation of milk as a system blocker makes far more sense when you actually experience the boost in energy and clarity that comes from removing it.</p><p>If you skipped the dairy chapter the first time through this book go back and read it. It may be the missing piece you did not know you needed. This is a powerful read for anyone who wants to reclaim their energy and feel better in their body.</p><div style="line-height: 20px;">★★★★</div></div><div class="information_row" id="content-author-B003WJRDSI" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; box-sizing: initial; cursor: default; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-bottom: 7px; text-wrap-mode: nowrap; word-break: break-word;"><p data-path-to-node="6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto; white-space: normal;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3POFkOf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</span></a></p></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-63218300525338922842026-04-24T22:13:00.003-05:002026-04-24T22:13:00.201-05:00The Lighthouse at the Cove by Amy Clipston - A Review<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4dyo8q2" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXdJSOg-eA9G4JTLwp2wvWrU3sUkMcgEqwj4vU262znmi8JK-jw7sqICz60fB3PjG14Qts_j8bYFpHEaMrte4HMzMxj6wEkpN90vpp51o3OVBglsErEW4u8z_iTzWERIWO9Tal11Q10pVkRJWvaMatzF1dbtFT7cdWWOgLzt1aqlOxNk5QUKXH-lQ-aQM/s320/post.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p>Third person omniscient started driving me nuts after a while. That’s never really bothered me before, but this time it did. The book felt much longer than it needed to be, with a lot of repetitive thoughts and unnecessary descriptions and details. The plot itself is good, and the pacing isn’t bad in theory, but it honestly felt like the story was about twice as long as it needed to be.</p><p>I truly liked the storyline and the character development. The problem wasn’t the ideas, it was how often the same thoughts and emotional beats were repeated over and over again. It felt less like a writing issue and more like an editing one. With tighter editing, this could have been a really solid book, and it honestly would have made a terrific short story.</p><p>I kept thinking that if there had been stronger editorial feedback before publication, many of these issues could have been easily remedied. With better editing this really could have been a great book.</p><p>★★★</p></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4dyo8q2" style="font-family: "Atkinson Hyperlegible";" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Aptos",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
received a copy of this title from NetGalley and the publisher for review
purposes. This is my honest opinion.</span></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-37001740923213326922026-04-24T15:09:08.315-05:002026-04-24T15:09:08.315-05:00 How to Make a Koala Laugh by Chris Cate<p><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4ue3Hnr" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/JYgEaBj.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>I enjoyed this one as a read aloud just as much as the Red Panda book. The interactive format works really well, and kids have a lot of fun jumping in with ideas to try to make the very serious koala laugh. The pacing is playful, the humor is kid-friendly, and the facial expressions in the illustrations do a lot of the heavy lifting.<p></p><div style="line-height: 20px;"><p style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;">For me, this lands at four stars because the structure is familiar if you have read the other books in the series, but that is also part of the charm for kids. It is predictable in a comforting way and perfect for story time, classrooms, or anytime you want an energetic, participatory read.</p><p style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;">★★★★</p><p style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4ue3Hnr" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></p><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions are my own.</div></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-71230954550146475132026-04-24T14:57:13.606-05:002026-04-24T14:57:13.606-05:00How to Make a Red Panda Laugh Chris Cate - A Review<div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4twHNLV" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/3wkviwe.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="line-height: 20px;"><div style="line-height: 20px;"><p>I had fun reading this one aloud. The silly, interactive format really pulled kids in, and they loved shouting out ideas to try to make the very serious red panda laugh. The repetition works in a good way for young listeners, and the red panda’s expressions add a lot of humor.</p><p>While it can feel a little predictable for me after a few rereads, kids are clearly the target audience and will happily enjoy it again and again. A solid, lively story time pick.</p><p>★★★★</p></div></div></div><p><a href="https://amzn.to/4twHNLV" target="_blank"> Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></p><p><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px;">Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions are my own</span></p>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-85457223731766993492026-04-24T14:00:00.000-05:002026-04-24T14:08:44.286-05:00Phonics Makes Readers: Kindergarten Phonics Games<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4mQM7Ds" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1158" height="320" src="https://i.imgur.com/V4Vc0nM.jpeg" width="247" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Atkinson Hyperlegible";">This was a solid, kid-friendly
phonics workbook. Everything is bright, simple, and broken into bite-sized
activities—perfect for short attention spans and “just one more page” energy. I
love that it mixes things up (letter sounds, vowels, blends, word families,
rhyming, tracing, matching, etc.), so it doesn’t feel like the same worksheet repeatedly.</span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
What really worked for me is how easy it is to use as a parent/teacher: you can
open to any page and go, and there are enough activities here to stretch across
summer learning or to use as quick, low-prep practice during the school year.
It also feels approachable for kids who might get discouraged—lots of color and
clear directions, without cramming too much onto one page. </span><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
If you’re looking for a fun, structured phonics supplement for
preschool/kindergarten (or an emerging reader who needs extra practice), this
is a great pick. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">100 % recommended from a former 5th grade teacher!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks to Callisto Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are
my own.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://amzn.to/4mQM7Ds" target="_blank">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p><br /></p></div></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203926178733133516.post-76806345590640214302026-04-24T12:40:32.500-05:002026-04-24T12:40:32.500-05:00Ants Work Together by Mélina Mangal - A Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://amzn.to/4cJV0tP" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="255" height="255" src="https://i.imgur.com/LqU3poc.png" width="255" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><p>Kamali and Josiah’s everyday acts of helping in their community make the story makes an easy, kid-friendly connection to show how ants care for one another and take on different roles to keep the colony going.</p><p>The language is simple, the message about teamwork and purpose comes through clearly, and the soft, warm illustrations add a lot of charm. The kid-friendly ant facts and the simple activities at the end were highlights for me and do a great job inviting children to observe ants outdoors and stay curious.</p><p>It’s a cozy read-aloud that reinforces community, cooperation, and curiosity, and it’s an easy recommendation for classrooms and early elementary home libraries.</p></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">I received a free advance copy of this book through NetGalley and Free Spirit
Publishing in exchange for an honest review.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">★★★★</div><div style="font-family: "Segoe UI"; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></div><div><a href=" https://amzn.to/4cJV0tP" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Atkinson Hyperlegible;">Amazon Link, small commission may apply</span></a></div>Svrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13825324235725847699noreply@blogger.com1