Giant Print Holy Bible, NIrV Hardcover by Zondervan

Book Description:  The Giant Print Holy Bible, NIrV combines ease of reading a single-column text with a simple typeface, making it perfect for comfortable Bible reading and for bringing the Word of God into focus.

Features include:

• Complete text of the Bible in the NIrV, the stepping stone to the NIV
• Giant-print 14-point type for easy reading
• Single-column layout

My Thoughts:  I've been looking for a Bible that has giant print font because large print font is still rather small.  I like a Bible that I can read and actually see the words.  

This is quite an affordable Bible.  It's a nice size and doesn't have a lot of those unnecessary notes and things that just take up room....this is a Bible for those who just want to read God's Word.  It is also in the NIrV...I had to look up this abbreviation....it means it's the New International Reader's Version.  Simply put this is an easy to read Bible.  Some people have a hard time with different versions of the Bible but I have found out that children read the Bible better when it easier for them to understand.  This is one of those Bibles.  It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles but it is functional and to the point.

I also like the layout of the Bible even though the margins are narrow, not much room for note taking.  

I like the color of the Bible too.  this would make a nice gift for someone  who is just beginning to read God's Word.

*This Bible was provided for review by BookLook*

• Age Range: 8 and up 
• Hardcover: 2368 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 6, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310751209
• ISBN-13: 978-0310751205

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Our favorite cookie.  

{Blog Tour-Thomas Nelson Fiction Guild} Whispers in the Reading Room (The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Book Description:  Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.

Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks—the man so many people fear—is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

My Thoughts: It's been quite awhile since I've read a book by Shelley Shepard Gray.  So, I was excited to see this book, Whispers in the Reading Room, in the mail.  

I love the cover.  It brings to mind midnight trysts, undercover work and books!

Lydia loves her job at the library.  And one day she notices a mysterious, dark-haired stranger at the library.  Oddly enough he never speaks to one person but he seems to have a great love for books.

One day Lydia goes to the Hartman Hotel and after curious mishap the dark haired stranger rescues her.  She then learns that his name is Sebastian Marks and he lives at the top of the grand hotel.

Lydia and Sebastian form a "loose" friendship.  And then to her great dismay Lydia learns that Sebastian is not only greatly wealthy but he owns the infamous saloon and gambling club.  Lydia is in shock!

Lydia is not always wise and decides to visit the gambling house one night...and becomes a suspect in a murder!

Sebastian Marks is man that many fear!  But whom can Lydia trust?  

A great mystery and a wonderful plot!

Probably the best book, by far, that Shelley Shepard Gray has penned!  Loved this read!!

*This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Fiction Guild*

• Series: The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 10, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310338492
• ISBN-13: 978-0310338499

Silent Night, Deadly Night by Richard Mabry, M.D.

Book Description:  The colored lights on the snow gave it a holiday appearance, but the dead woman’s body in the yard added a grisly touch. How did Ina Bell Patrick die? 

Who killed her? And why? 

The dead woman had no direct heirs, so two nephews and a niece stood to inherit. Dr. Laura Morris was left to make all the arrangements, attorney Roger Morris could certainly use the money, and Zack Morris had disappeared two years earlier. Then there was neighbor and “best friend” Fay Autrey, who was certain the woman intended to leave her some money—a great deal of money. 

The police were still looking for the killer who left the frozen body in the snow when it became apparent someone was trying to pick off the heirs, one by one. Who would win the race—the police or the killer? 

My Thoughts: A few years ago I just happened to be looking for something "different" to read and picked a copy of Dr. Mabry's novel.  I've never been interested in medical thrillers but after reading that first book by Dr. Mabry I was hooked!

This book, Silent Night, Deadly Night may look short but it is a WOW read!  There is quite a story packed into this novella!

I truly thought I had the mystery solved, I thought I was on the right track; however, I was thrown for a loop when the shooting began and the lost brother showed up.

I must say, I'm a fairly good armchair detective, but this story took a few roller coaster turns I didn't see coming!  
And the ending is so sweet!  

I loved, loved this read!  

This book would make a wonderful gift or even a stocking stuffer for your favorite armchair detective!

* A special Thank You to Dr. Mabry for kindly giving me a copy of his book to review *

This book is FREE right now for Kindle Unlimited . . . GO HERE!
OR
Buy Book HERE!

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 13, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1518641091
• ISBN-13: 978-1518641091

The Time Chamber: A Magical Story and Coloring Book (Time Series) by Daria Song

Book Description:  Korean artist Daria Song’s sequel to The Time Garden takes readers on a visual journey into a magical nighttime world seen through the eyes of a fairy.

This second book in the bestselling Time coloring series features the voyage of a fairy who, when the cuckoo clock chimes midnight, enters the human world. To the tiny fairy, everything seems enormous and magical, from the curtains to the chandelier to a mystical rowboat that takes her further into an inky adventure. With her she packs her favorite items, which colorers can find throughout the book’s pages: an owl-feathered pen, a star-scented spray, a time tape measure…even the key to the time chamber itself!

Filled with the imaginative, intricately detailed illustrations Song’s readers have come to love, The Time Chamber presents a view of our world made new—and ready for coloring.

My Thoughts:  Not too long ago I posted about the book, Sketch.  Well, guess what?  That didn't go so well.  Then I heard about these adult coloring books.  Even though this coloring book is labeled adult, kids 5 and up could color in it.  There are small details....great for outlining.

I decided that since drawing was out of the picture (no pun intended!) I would simply go to coloring.  But I didn't want to color in a "baby" coloring book...you know the kind...the ones with big pictures and plenty of room for coloring.  When I saw this coloring book, well, it was so enticing because the characters are smallish and just right for an adult to color or outline.  So, it's kind of like drawing.  

But best of all it's therapeutic!  And now that it's getting colder and I'll have more inside time at night, this is just the right thing for me.

This book is a nice "large" size.  And the pictures are so cute... as story without words. This book would make a fabulous gift for that not so into drawing person on your Christmas list or that person who just loves to color!

*This book was provided by Waterbrook Publishing for review* 

A Preview of the pages inside the book {from Amazon.com}:

• Age Range: 10 and up 
• Grade Level: 5 and up
• Series: Time Series
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; Clr edition (October 13, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1607749610

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WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Now that Thanksgiving is over...we're gearing up for Christmas!  

These make wonderful, cute gifts.  

And they're so easy!

Go HERE for wrapper print out and directions.

Have fun!

Just Like Jesus Devotional: A Thirty-Day Walk with the Savior by Max Lucado

Book Description: God wants to give you a heart just like Jesus.

Jesus felt no guilt; God wants you to feel no guilt.

Jesus had no bad habits; God wants to do away with yours.

Jesus had no fears; God wants the same for you.

Jesus had no anxiety about death; you needn't either.

God's desire, his plan, his ultimate goal is to make you into the image of Christ.

This is your invitation to spend thirty intimate days with the Savior learning how to become more like Jesus. Can you think of a better offer?

My Thoughts:  Max Lucado is a favorite author who gently and lovingly tells us about the love of the Father.  When I saw this devotional, Just Like Jesus Devotional:  A Thirty Day Walk with the Savior is a  great devotional for this advent season.  The whole purpose of this devotional is not to draw the reader to anything or anyone but to walk with the Savior.

I love the way Max Lucado brings Jesus and the Word to life.  Max Lucado  bring she heart of Jesus, with no fears and no guilt and brings only His love.

As I began reading this devotional I realized that I read it as a "love letter."  The heart of Jesus to the heart of the reader.  Okay, I read it as a book, it is that good!  And I intend to reread it again.  I want to read it one day at a time for thirty days right before Easter.  

If you want to grow closer to the Savior then this is the devotional for you!  This is a great gift book for Valentine's Day.  What better "love gift" than to learn to walk in His love!

This book brings that "OH, to have a heart like His!" type of read! 

*This book was provided by BookLook*

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849948509
• ISBN-13: 978-0849948503