Wednesday, March 30, 2016

God's Not Dead2 coming to theaters ......with giveaway

http://www.godsnotdeadthemovie.com/

  God’s Not Dead 2 

 the sequel to the highest-grossing independent faith film of 2014 God’s Not Dead.

God's Not Dead 2 is about taking a stand. It's about courage and faith. This movie will encourage us to reflect on our own lives and ask ourselves the question whether we have the courage and faith to fight for our God-given right to share and express our beliefs no matter the cost.

The film's central theme of religious liberty is a hot topic being addressed in our classrooms, courtrooms and national news today.

The film directed by Harold Cronk stars Melissa Joan Hart, Jesse Metcalfe, David A.R. White, Pat Boone, Hayley Orrantia, Benjamin Oyango, Paul Kwo, Ray Wise, Sadie Robertson, and Robin Givens. There are also cameo appearances by Gov. Mike Huckabee, leading Christian apologist Lee Strobel and The Newsboys.




Synopsis:
From the college classroom of GOD'S NOT DEAD to the public square in GOD'S NOT DEAD 2, the name of Jesus is welcomed less and less with each passing day. If Christians don't take a stand today, will we even have a choice tomorrow? The film takes you back to Hope Springs, home to the University, but also Martin Luther King Jr. High School, where beloved teacher Grace Wesley teaches her passion, history. Her love of teaching, her love for her students, and her love of life all come from the same place: her love of Christ. When a student asks a question regarding Jesus in class, Grace's answer causes her to face an epic court case, that could expel God from the classroom.

Gov. Mike Huckabee endorsement, "A riveting story, brilliantly told, and one that is absolutely plausible as if it were taken from today's headlines. A must see for every believer!"



The gift pack includes the following items:

Leave a comment letting me know if you watched the first movie:  God's Not Dead.  Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you are the winner.  I'll draw a winner for this prize pack on April 9th.  Please US residents only.

This giveaway has been made available to me through........
http://gracehillmedia.com/


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Monday, March 28, 2016

Lisa Marie Schinski's book blast with giveaway

BeachBoundBooks is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for two charming books by Lisa Marie Schinski, That'th what I thaid! & The Sore Prickly Bear. The blast will run March 28-30, 2016.
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About the Books
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Title: The Sore Prickly Bear
Author: Lisa Marie Schinski
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Number of Pages: 30
Summary: Fuzzy has a very bad day that keeps getting worse. He is faced with many challenges and doesn't understand why these things are happening to him. Everyone has had a bad day, week, month or even years. He will make you laugh because everyone can relate to Fuzzy in some way. Things always have a way of working out in the end and sometimes even better than it was before!

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble
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Title: That'th what I thaid!: R's and S's
Author: Lisa Marie Schinski
Illustrator: Lauren Panco
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Number of Pages: 32
Summary: Stitchie is a happy bunny that is having a hard time saying her R's and S's. She thinks her friends are making fun of her but they just laugh because they think it sounds funny. They love Stitchie, and in the end, Stitchie practices and meets the best teacher who helps her says her R's and S's perfectly. She runs into the woods to share with her friends how far she has come!!

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble
About the Author: Lisa Marie Schinski
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I was born and raised in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. I currently reside in King of Prussia. I wrote the story about the Sore Prickly Bear when I was 8 years old. My teacher, Mrs. Ulrich encouraged me to write and also gave me the young author's award. I found this book after my mom passed away last year. I had a great childhood but when I wrote this book, my parents got divorced, we moved and I changed schools. A lot of changes for an 8 year old. So I guess I felt like Fuzzy.

Around October 2015, I took the book into work to show my friends because this past year and a half has been very hard for me and my family. I knew when I showed my friends, they would laugh and cry because my life was again Fuzzy's. My friends, Denice, Dee, Candace, Rick, Gina, Tara, Nancy, Tamara and Gina encouraged me to publish this book. So here I am!

I am now 46 years old. I have a great job, great friends, and great family. But there are still days that feel very bad and very unfair.

My goal for publishing this book is to help children understand that bad things happen and bad days happen. But when we have friends and family in our life to help us laugh at ourselves, we can heal and move forward. Everyone has a bad day, week, month or even years. My dream is to share this story for children to know they are not alone and everyone has a bad day.
I am so grateful for my family and friends.

"That'th what I thaid" was published in February 2016. Lauren Panco inspired me to write this story. It is for children who have a hard time with their R's and S's. I think many of us have! I want children to know it's ok to sound different and with practice, it changes. Don't let anyone make fun of you. We are all perfect the way we are!
Website ~ Twitter ~ Etsy ~ LinkedIn

http://www.beachboundbooks.com/blogging-about-books/lisa-marie-schinski-25-book-blast-giveaway
click on above icon to go to giveaway

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Friday, March 25, 2016

7 Days of Awesome by Shawn Byous

This book is just what the title says:  AWESOME.  I really can't say I've read a children's creation book that has impressed me so as this one.  It is right on the button telling the Creation Story in rhyming meter. 7 Days of Awesome is a Dr. Seuss modern day book that is so charming and whimsical it is bound to capture kids of all ages.  It is a fun and delightful book to read that I'm sure kids will ask for to be read over and over again.  Beginning readers themselves will want to read it over and over again.  Children young and old alike will love this book. Colorful, Big, Bold and Pop are just a few words that describe the pictures throughout this book.  The humorous illustrations add to the fun and set the right mood for this book.  This book is going into our church library for sure without a doubt.  I give it two thumbs up and would give it more but I was created with only two.  Awesomeness is all I have to say about this book. 

I review for BookLook Bloggers

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Thursday, March 24, 2016

Something New in the Works....

http://sugarlanequilts.blogspot.com/




It's coming this Friday (like tomorrow. YICKS!).......get ready I can't wait to have sewing machine time.  WHOO HOO!   Don't know what it is all about check here. Then go here and sign up (it's FREE with a giveaway) and then join the fun. 

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Nourish Your Family's Spiritual Health this Easter

Spring-into-Faith-&-Fun

If your family is like most, breakfast is rushed to get everyone out the door. Lunch is spent at school or work. So where does that leave dinner? Nourish your family's spiritual health as you eat supper together. Adventures in Odyssey and Odyssey Adventure Club want to give you a free resource to help you begin your new dinner tradition of making the most of your family mealtime, beginning this Easter season. Simply head to this page and fill out the form to receive a free sample of Whit's End Mealtime Devotions.

90-Devotions-for-Kids-Quote-4 

Want new resources to continue to build your family's faith, even after Easter is over? Consider signing your family up for the Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC). It offers safe and free content for everyone in your family. Membership to the OAC costs just $9.99 a month — or even less if parents make a six-month or one-year commitment. Enrollment provides more than enough content to keep kids engaged throughout the year:
  • Access to exclusive content and first looks at books and select Radio Theatre dramas.
  • On-the-go access to the OAC app for both iOS and Android users.
  • 24/7 streaming access to nearly 800 AIO episodes.
  • A new, members-only AIO episode every month.
  • A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine, and more.
To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter. and Pinterest.


Join the Flock! LitFuse Publicity Group blogger


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Monday, March 21, 2016

author Sherrie Tidwell speaks....

http://abis-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-daffodils-still-grow-by-sherri.html

WHY THE DAFFODILS STILL GROW: A BOOK FOR GRIEVING DAUGHTERS IS A MUST-HAVE GIFT FOR EVERY LITTLE GIRL GRIEVING THE LOSS OF HER MOTHER
There are 158.6 million daughters in the U.S. and any of them could potentially lose their mothers at any time, even if they are still in childhood. 

“Mortality rates for adults in their 40s and 50s in the past two decades have risen dramatically, making it more likely that younger children will experience the death of a parent, or a classmate’s parent. ‘Kids are encountering death more often and at a younger age — It’s just inevitable,” said Gerald Koocher in an article in Wall Street Journal (GriefSpeaks.com).
Over 2 million school teachers (69% of teachers) have a child in their class who is dealing with the death of an immediate family member or close friend.

About 85% of parents who lost a spouse said that they wished there were more resources for their grieving children.

According to a survey by New York Life/NAGC: Forty-three percent of parents “worry daily about how their children are coping,” and nearly 6 of 10 say that it is “hard to know what (their) child needs from (them).”

http://www.amazon.com/Daffodils-Still-Grow-Sherri-Tidwell/dp/1631771892/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456175659&sr=8-1&keywords=the+daffodils+still+grow
What if they could just hear the words, see the images and feel the emotions straight from the heart of a child?

The Daffodils Still Grow: A Book for Grieving Daughters is an illustrated book that portrays life after a loved one dies as seen from the observations of a motherless child. It was adapted from real diary entries of a girl who had just lost her mother — me, Sherri Elizabeth Tidwell — nearly 20 years ago, when I was 14. Those feelings still ring true for millions of people today.

Why is this book important?
There are many reasons:
1. Young daughters who lose their mothers often have never experienced a loss with such a great impact before, and they don't know what to expect. Imagine how scary it is to not know what’s ahead of you, to not know how to put into words what you feel and to not even know if what you feel is normal or not. This book prepares young girls for the road ahead that they will encounter within the first year after the death of their mothers. It validates their feelings, and it gives them a real sense of hope to hang onto. 

2. For the millions of family members, friends, guidance counselors, therapists and teachers in the world who so desperately want to help these young girls who have lost their mothers, this book provides them with a window of insight into their lives and into their feelings. This allows them to help the girls in much more meaningful ways and to be more sensitive and aware of the struggles that they find so hard to put into words. 

3. This book also allows those same family members and friends to be the hero, in a sense. No one ever feels as helpless and powerless as they do when someone they care about has suffered the death of a family member. These people, themselves, need to be reassured that they have done something comforting and helpful. This book makes the perfect gift for a girl who has just lost her mom. It is beautiful in its illustrations. The front page allows you to personalize it with the child’s name, and it lets that child know that she is not alone. Little girls will remember everything about the day their mother died and about what happened right afterward. This book will be something that she keeps for the rest of her life. It is a beautiful reminder that her mother’s legacy is always carried on through her and that someone cared enough to know what she needed to hear and to let her know that she was not alone. 

4. Finally, since girls never stop grieving their mothers no matter how old they are, this book is the perfect gift for anyone who lost her mom, no matter how mature she is now. According to statistics, 69% of Americans who lost a parent growing up still think about their parent frequently. One woman, Ann Pollock from Fort Worth, Texas, responded to the book by saying, “I lost my mother… when I was 11. I'm now 70, and I cried like a baby reading this. Those feelings, so poignant, so real, came rushing back. Thank you for putting beautiful words to so many of the emotions that still come unbidden after almost 60 years.”
 
More reviews:
- “This touching book so beautifully illustrates the complexity of a young girl’s grief journey and how love leaves a legacy and hope. Our counseling team will share this book with their families to inspire and help them carry the legacy of their loved ones into the future.” – Kerry Menn, LPC-S, Director of Programs, Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas 

- “I need this book to help grieving children. God bless you.” – Jill Powell, Serenity Bereavement Resource Network

- “This is beautiful… important for any age!" - Katie Etzkorn Wedding of Wicki’s Wings: Gifts for Grieving Children

- “Inspirational!” – AfterTalk Grief Support

http://abis-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-daffodils-still-grow-by-sherri.html
When I lost my mother at 14 years old, I was a mess. One of the hardest things I remember was trying to make my dad understand how I felt, and it wasn't just hard on me. It was hard on him too. Death is so much different for a child than it is for an adult. If my dad would have had a book like this to read, it would have let him know that I was normal and that the feelings I felt were normal – and that it wasn't anything that he was doing wrong or that I was doing wrong. It’s just the process of grief. Sometimes, adults need to see that from the point of view of a child, and children need to hear it too, to know that they are understood. 

The Daffodils Still Grow: A Book for Grieving Daughters does exactly that for children, which is why it is a must-have gift for daughters grieving for their mothers. 




Visit the book spotlight here.
Enter a giveaway here.
Get a copy at Amazon.

a copy of this book was provided in exchange for hosting this tour....
Pump Up Your Book



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Thursday, March 17, 2016

Love+Blessed Boxes of Encouragement / giveaway

I received my Loved + Blessed box upon coming home from work on a rather stressful day.  Setting on my desk chair was my mail and there was this Pink Box with the words....love + blessed on the side.

Oh, what a pick-me-up that was.  I had forgotten all about agreeing to this tour and it arrived on a day when I needed it most.  It was a day when I got home from work and no one else was around so I could enjoy the love+blessed goodies all to myself.  What a beautiful thing to come home too!

As I opened it there was a Stay Encouraged message....on the lid.

One that was need for the events of the day.  A message about the words we speak and how they can damage.  If you had only known the events of my day on this particular day. 

Oh, boy what is under the tissue paper I couldn't wait to see......

All kinds of goodies for me to post around the house and help me to think before I speak.....
Sticker, memory cards, a poster.....

of encouragement for me to think on.....Helping encourage me that I'm loved, strong, blessed, beautiful and a whole lot more....
Then there was a beautiful journal for me to record my thoughts in....

I absolutely felt loved and blessed receiving this box.  I recommend the love+blessed boxes very highly.  I don't know about you, but I love, love, love, love to get surprise packages of hope and encouragement in the mail and that is what Love+Blessed Boxes are all about.  The boxes measure their value differently than other companies.

About Loved + Blessed Boxes:

Each month the box of encouragement™ includes:
  • a MINI POSTER for your home or office
  • a repositionable REMINDER STICKER perfect for your mirror, laptop or tablet
  • a SCRIPTURE CARD sized to fit in your pocket or purse
  • a removable KEEPSAKE THEME CARD
  • a special GIFT OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Our boxes are full of little gifts of surprise and delight that help remind you to walk in faith throughout your day.  Our gift of encouragement changes each month.  You'll receive gifts of jewelry, prayer accessories, stationary, journals, home decor and more! 
LINKS
Our Website – www.lovedandblessed.com

Now I have exciting news...You have the opportunity to brighten someones day once a month for a year.  Love+Blessed is offering a giveaway.  Winner to be chosen April 1st. Enter the contest here.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.




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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Easter Devotions and Activities for Your Whole Family

Easter-Download 

We're down to the final two weeks before we celebrate Easter and Jesus' resurrection. Do your children understand and grasp the full meaning of why we celebrate the holiday? Adventures in Odyssey and Odyssey Adventure Club want to provide your family with a week of meaningful, fun Easter activities to help make the holiday come alive this year. Simply head to this page and sign up to download your free PDF full of family devotions, egg wraps, recipes, crafts, and cards. Oh, and as a bonus, here's a free activity sheet from Focus on the Family!

90-Devotions-for-Kids-Quote-3 

If you're looking to dig into the Easter holiday more and want to build your kids' faith, consider signing your family up for the Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC). It offers safe and free content for everyone in your family. Membership to the OAC costs just $9.99 a month — or even less if parents make a six-month or one-year commitment. Enrollment provides more than enough content to keep kids engaged throughout the year:
  • Access to exclusive content and first looks at books and select Radio Theatre dramas.
  • On-the-go access to the OAC app for both iOS and Android users.
  • 24/7 streaming access to nearly 800 AIO episodes.
  • A new, members-only AIO episode every month.
  • A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine, and more.
To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter. and Pinterest.

Join the Flock! LitFuse Publicity Group blogger

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Monday, March 14, 2016

Glimmer Girls tour with giveaway


http://www.zondervan.com/a-london-art-chasehttp://www.zondervan.com/a-dolphin-wish



About Glimmer Girls
Readers will join twins Mia and Maddie, and their little sister, Lulu, as they travel the country finding adventure, mystery, and mischief along the way.  Together with their father, famous mother, singer Gloria Glimmer, and their slightly wacky nanny, Miss Julia, the smart and sassy sisters learn lessons about being good friends, telling the truth, and a whole lot more.

 
 I'm having to do a spotlight here cause this tour was to be posted before today; however, I didn't get the books to review until this past Friday.  I'm really sorry I don't have a review posted for this tour.  The books were supposedly mailed in Feb.  I guess mine got lost in the mail or came pony express OR somethingThe books were written with 9-12 year old girls in mind.  
 Both books get pretty good reviews.  Click here to get more information about the books. 
London Art Chase
A Dolphin Wish
 Any way I have a giveaway to doGiveaways are open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.  Please leave a comment telling me who you would share these books with.  I will draw a winner on March 26th


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”



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Friday, March 11, 2016

The Legand of the Easter Robin by with giveaway




About the book:
In the center of the nest lay one perfect egg, the color of a spring sky. The father robin sat on a branch nearby, guarding his family. Tressa spotted raccoon tracks below and a blue jay eyeing the nest. “Gran, how are we going to keep the egg safe?” “We’ll have to leave that one to the Creator,” Gran said. Robins have built a nest on the window ledge at Grandmother’s house! Tressa is thrilled―and concerned. What will happen to the sky-blue egg laid by the mother robin? As more eggs appear, Tressa witnesses the daily drama of the robins’ nest and learns how God cares for all creatures. Besides watching the birds, there are Easter eggs to color. And there is a very special story to hear―a tale of long ago about one small bird with a very big heart. How did the robin get its red breast? Tressa is about to find out as Gran tells her the story of the Easter robin. Brought to life with colorful, tender illustrations, The Legend of the Easter Robin will captivate and teach your child about compassion and faith.

Age Range: 4-8 years
Hardcover; 32 pages 
Publish Date: January 26, 2016

The Legend of the Easter Robin is a children's book.  Easter coming this would be a beautiful book to share with your children or grandchildren.   A little girl who learns a what compassion and faith is from her Grandma and a Robin.  The message is wonderful, but you must realize it is a legend story, therefore if you are a creationist this book might rub on a negative cord.  Read it with your child and point out the message of compassion and faith and don't dwell on how the Robin got his red breast.  Or you could use is for discussing the real way the robin got his red breast.  It does give us the real meaning of Easter through the Robin.  Yes, I would share it with children, but make it a discussion book. You have to keep in mind what a legend is.  It is a story passed down verbally by a group of people.  However, the message of love and faith is real and the illustrations are absolutely awesome, very detailed.  Children of all ages will love this message just in time for Spring.  With that said...I have another copy of the book for giveaway.


Leave a comment below telling me how you celebrate Easter in your house.  Be sure to leave a way of contact.  This giveaway is open to US residents only please. Drawing will be held on March 25th. 

I review for BookLook Bloggers

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