NKJV Woman's Study Bible

I love Bibles, and I can say I do have quite a few, but what makes a Bible truly unique for you? For me there are features that I am always looking for in any Bible I consider to use for my Bible Study or just daily readings. I love study Bibles because they contain so much back story information about any particular passage you are reading. It's like getting a commentary and a Bible all in one. So what makes Thomas Nelson's New King James Version of the Woman's Study Bible so special?

First of all, I love the New Kings James Version. It is what most pastors teach from in reading from the Bible because it is accurate in its translation from the King James Version which was found in the Dead Sea Scrolls and makes them a reliable source to reference in any of your Bible Studies. Just the box alone makes this Bible appealing. It pertains to women in each section you read. If there is some reference to a godly woman quality such as Commitment, found in the Book of Ruth. It highlights why that is so important for women that it is the very bedrock of any relationship along with other references on where you can find more notes on commitment like Matthew 16.

Just the comparisons of Ruth and the Virtuous Woman are highlighted in Ruth and cross compared to those specific traits in Proverbs 31. Her family commitment is noted by others, she provides sustenance for her household, her selfless lifestyle drew praise from others, and she committed herself to Yahweh as God. It even takes special consideration to note Orpah, the daughter in law with a wavering faith, as well as Naomi the wise mother-in-law. There is a section on Ruth the faithful Moabitess and what made her truly unique that an entire chapter was devoted to her actions while Orpah was never heard from again.

There is even a illustration of the family tree of Ruth and why it was so important in the line of David's descendants and later in Jesus Christ. We even get a description of grandparenthood when we dive further into Naomis' life as a live-in grandma and what impact that has in not only her life but in the life of Ruth and Boaz and how if that is your situation, how you can benefit from that in your own life exemplifying for your grandchildren, that forgiveness is the highest form of giving, right and wrong are defined by God's Word, and that great joy can be experienced in each day, rather than dwelling on the past or future.

I received the NKJV Woman's Study Bible by Thomas Nelson compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Litfuse Publicity. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. I especially love the Large Print 11-point font format and the fact that this Bible is so wonderful to hold. It is a soft leather cover with embossed flowers on it and the best part is that it lies flat! Full color illustrations are found throughout the Bible as well as maps that highlight each chapter and show you exactly where that took place in the world. There are over 100 biblical profiles of women in the Bible as well as insightful essays by women who are experts in the fields of theology, biblical studies, archaeology and philosophy. Also included are topical index, concordance, quotes from Godly women throughout history, book introductions and outlines. This is such a beautiful Bible that would make the perfect gift to any woman in your life and would be perfect for Mother's day or Easter! I give this Bible a 5 out of 5 stars and now is my new morning devotional Bible of choice!

For more information about NKJV Woman's Study Bible or where to pick up a copy of this Bible today, please click on the links below:

NKJV Woman's Study Bible by Thomas Nelson Publishers

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You're invited to receive God's truth for balance, hope, and transformation in the fully revised and redesigned The NKJV Woman's Study Bible. The new edition features a beautiful, full-color redesign and poignantly reveals the Word of God with Scripture insights and the contributions of more than eighty women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds. Special features designed to speak to a woman's heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman's identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the Kingdom.

This spring, cultivate your heart's spiritual roots and enter to win the Grow in the Word Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of The NKJV Woman's Study Bible (winner's choice of design)
• A decorative plaque
• A rose gold Tree of Life necklace

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on April 27. The winner will be announced April 28 on the Litfuse blog.

To The Farthest Shores

I love a great historical novel based around facts because after you read them not only do you feel like you have personally time traveled to said location, but you also have learned something about history along the journey. In Elizabeth Camden's latest novel, To The Farthest Shores, Jenny Bennett is making preparations as a nurse to say goodbye to the love of her life, Lieutenant Ryan Gallagher who is about to be shipped out since President McKinley declared war against Spain and the base has been mobilizing for conflict. Troops from across the nation streamed into the Presidio, preparing to sail for the Spanish colonies in the Far East. He promises to come back and without a ring to seal his intentions to marry her when he returns, he gives her his father's pocket watch which he intends to swap out with a ring.

So now Jenny spends her time caring for the men at the hospital located in the Presidio, those who are amputee's struggle to come to terms with how to make it now that they are home again. The men love her ability to care for them as if they are the only ones there and many marriage offers accompany their heart-felt thanks, but Jenny is waiting on Ryan. However when the war ended and no letter or notice from Ryan, she got worried and checked the lists for wounded, killed or missing service men, but no sign of Ryan. She even took it upon herself to contact anyone she knew in attempts to locate him, but it would take a year and a half for the letter to come. The only letter she would receive from Ryan, notifying her that he had a change of heart and was no longer coming home. He was going to stay in the Navy.

Left with a broken heart, she tried to find ways to stay busy and the last thing she expected to see was Ryan walking in the park with a little girl named Lily who claims that Ryan is her father. When she tries to confront Ryan, all he does is allude all her questions and has hoped she has moved on with her life. Rumors begin to circulate around the base that Ryan skipped out on serving his time in the Navy or that he became a war profitteer and eluded his time to serve his country. Without any explanation, Jenny has to assume that some of those rumors must be true. She is determined to find out the truth if she ever hopes to move on in her own life, if only she still didn't have feelings for Ryan.

I received To The Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden compliments of Baker Publising Group and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. This is such a wonderful novel about not only the war, but also about the creation of cultured pearls and oyster farming. In the Historical note section, readers learn about the Military Information Division or MID that was established in 1885 as a branch of the U.S. Army and was one of several organizations charged with gathering intelligence about foreign nations. These unit were not integrated until the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency in 1947. Now as well I have an understanding not only of how pearls are created but the differences between cultured and natural pearls. I easily give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. This novel does contain Reader Discussion Guide Questions, which makes this perfect for a book club.

For more information about To The Fartherst Shores, Elizabeth Camden or where you can pick up a copy of the novel, please click on the links below:

To The Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden

You can find Elizabeth Camden on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on To The Farthest Shore, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

A Trail of Crumbs

"He got that bread and broke it all to bits. As he and Gretel followed behind their father into the dark woods, he dropped pieces of it behind them, leaving a trail of crumbs so they could find their way back home." "They never went home," Beanie said. "Once you go, you can't never get back." (pg12).

Pearl Spence has had a tough life up to this point in her life. Having survived the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, she wonders if there is such a place in the world that offers anything green anywhere. However when another unexpected dust storm rolls into the town of Red River, this one will devastate the Spence family in ways they couldn't see coming. This time it would claim the life of her sister Beanie whose only goal in life was to be a part of Pearl's world and she stood back and watch as the dust storm consumed her without being able to do anything to stop it.

It was at that moment that the Spence family knew they had to leave while they could. Most of the town was filled with the places people used to live in before and now there were only a handful of families that remained, most of them unable to leave because they couldn't afford it or had no where to go. Pearl's family takes her Uncle Gus and Aunt Carrie up on the offer to move to Michigan at the height of the depression, but for her family it feels like a dream come true to see greenery in a land again and to raise your own food in gardens. However it was a complete change for Pearl's mama who seemed to have physically left Oklahoma but not mentally.

Pearl struggles to fit in where society has already laid claim to who fits in and who doesn't. She watches as her friend Ray makes friends while she is almost considered an outcast. She tries to act tough despite all she has been through, but it's not enough to make friends. She even finds more in common with the boys than with those her own age and her Momma is bound and determined to ensure Pearl acts like a lady, even if she doesn't want to.

I received A Trail of Crumbs by Susie Finkbeiner compliments of Kregel Publications.In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise.  This novel follows on the heels of her first novel A Cup of Dust where we first meet Pearl and her family. It picks up exactly where the other one left off and we still see the struggles Pearl has to face with dealing with a kidnapping by a crazy man who dragged her off into the cellar. Now she is trying to find a sense of normal in a world that is anything but. When her sister dies, Pearl has only her Momma to connect with, but it seems even she is disconnected from trying to find a new start for the family which again leaves Pearl to fend for herself with only her dad and Ray as crumbs that lead her home. I give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion and would have liked to have seen more about the Great Depression written into this book, much like the Dust Bowl still makes an impression in not only the first novel but also in this one. For me, it was kinda misleading since the cover states it is a novel of the Great Depression, but you don't really felt like anyone was dealing with it in the novel.

For more information about A Trail of Crumbs, Susie Finkbeiner or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Trail of Crumbs by Susie Finkbeiner

You can find Susie Finkbeiner on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Trail of Crumbs, please visit Kregel Publications website.

The Mouth-Body Connection

"Inflammation is the final common pathway in a host of diseases, often starting in the mouth with gum disease. Untreated, major diseases in all organ systems can and do result. Dr. Curatola delivers an excellent, easy-to-follow program to combat inflammation while maintaining the critical balance of our oral microbiome, the unique ecosystem of the mouth. Solidly scientific, informative and engaging."

Who would have ever thought that simply by looking in to the mouth, gums and tongue of someone would you be able to tell the state of their health? I remember distinctively visiting a Chinese herbalist in Los Angeles, who asked to look at both my tongue and mouth and new what what going on with my body. Did you know that your mouth can be an indicator for things like cancer, diabetes, anemia, liver disease, Hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, stress, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, HIV, Leukemia and others? Your mouth, gums and tongue can give up oral symptoms of these diseases often times before other signs begin to show up in your body.

Dr. Curatola provides the details in how we can ensure that we live a more healthier and happy life simply by what we take into our mouth and how our bodies react to it. He instructs readers on how to restore the microbiome balance in our mouths and reduce health-destroying inflammation by means of diet, supplements, exercise and stress reduction. This book even includes 4 weeks of meal plans and recipes that will convince you that eating for balance can be a treat!

I received The Mouth-Body Connection by Dr. Gerry Curatola compliments of Center Street Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Groups.In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. I absolutely believe that everything that is plaguing our bodies is based on what we are eating and drinking. We are seeing more evidence of diabetes, obesity and disease on the rise with nothing to stop it. Our lifestyles are too busy to allow us the time to educate ourselves that we are virtually eating our way to early death and disease when we don't have to. I absolutely LOVE this book and the insights it offers on how to get healthy and even more importantly how to have more energy and vitality to live our lives better than we thought possible and eliminate drugs to get us back on a healthy way of living. I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The Mouth-Body Connection, Dr. Gerry Curatola or where to pick up your copy of this book today, please click on the links today.

The Mouth-Body Connection by Dr. Gerry Curatola

You can find Dr. Gerry Curatola on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest information about health and wellness.

You can read more reviews on The Mouth-Body Connection by visiting Hachette Book Groups website. 

Treasured Grace

It is often hard in these days of comfort and technology to remember a time when life wasn't so filled with the luxuries we take for granted every single day. Take life for those who wanted a fresh start by heading west via the Oregon Trail. Not only did they face the hardships of packing what little they could in a wagon and selling everything else, but they had to hope that what they did bring would help them make the journey to their new homes despite the odds clearly stacked against them. From the environmental challenges and unpredictability of the weather, you had issues when your wagon broke down and repairs might not be able to made, or when your ox or horse was injured and you were stuck. Even worse was when you came down with illness, you had to make do with what you had or what skills someone else might possess.

I absolutely LOVE Tracie Peterson's novels because they are written with such attention to detail and you find yourself getting a bit of a history lesson in the process. In her latest Heart of the Frontier series, Treasured Grace takes readers into the heart of Grace Martindale, who married the Right Reverend T. S. Martindale in an effort so they could both move west on the Oregon Trail. They agreed to keep the marriage as one of convenience over one filled with love. Along with that he agreed to bring along Grace's younger sisters, Hope and Mercy. They just didn't expect the Reverend to die along the way and leave Grace a widow. Now with no money to really begin a life, all she has is her talents as a natural healer and in a hostile world faced with increasing Indian threat at the Whitman Mission, the place where Martindale girl's are slated to stay for now. .

Unfortunately the local doctor who runs the mission doesn't take kindle to Grace's herbal remedies despite how well they might work. He isn't about to have anyone question his authority and he is about to ensure that she understands where a woman's place truly is and that is not working with anyone who has medical needs. She just doesn't plan on running into Alexander Armistead, a local trapper and hunter who will do all he can to ensure Grace's survival and greatly respects her ability to heal people through herbs and natural remedies. He isn't ready for marriage or love based on a past he isn't sure he can ever reconcile. As hostilities begin to rise between the Cayuse Indians and the people living at the Mission, they believe that the doctor is out to poison them when an outbreak of measles hit them all hard and it seems more Indians are dying than the white people are. Perhaps it might be time to even the odds in the Cayuse Indian's favor.

I received Treasured Grace by Tracie Peterson compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. In a note to the reader, Tracie Peterson shares that "the Whitman Mission massacre is a well-known piece of history that forever changed the western frontier." I would agree. It is difficult not to find hatred for a race of people that violent killed so many innocent people without due cause and creates a historical reference for racial tensions that went back into the 1800's as the white man insisted on taking whatever land they wanted despite how the Indian tribes felt. It truly was a difficult life to face and how many people lost their lives in the process or those that survived were forever changed by what they witnessed. I give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for more from Tracie Peterson in this wonderful series of novels she has started.

For more information about Treasured Grace, Tracie Peterson, or where to pick up a copy of this novel, please click on the links below:

Treasured Grace by Tracie Peterson

You can find Tracie Peterson on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

You can read more reviews of Treasured Grace by visiting Baker Publishing Group's website. 

A Stranger at Fellsworth

I love it when you find an absolutely charming and heart-warming series of novels that you can follow from beginning to end. A Treasure of Surrey series from Sarah E. Ladd is perfect of fans of Christian Historical Romance genres and in A Stranger at Fellsworth is the third book in series. Annabelle Thorley is at the end of her rope when she learns that her brother Thomas intends to marry her off to Mr. Bartwell in order to pay off his debts and keep the estate at which she has been living from being sold out from underneath them. In a world where women retain little and have no rights to inheritances, her only hope is to marry into a suitable family, but she isn't the slightest bit interested in Mr. Bartwell. Her brother will do whatever it takes to ensure the marriage takes place. With no other suitable options remaining Annabelle decides that leaving is the best option.

She meets Owen Locke, a gamekeeper in town when her reticule is almost stolen on the streets by a former friend who has fallen on hard times herself and in the situation, Annabelle sees a mirror image of what will happen to her if she doesn't leave home or even worse if she doesn't marry Mr. Bartwell. She makes arrangements with Owen to secure her safe coach passage to her Aunt and Uncle's home at Fellsworth, Owen's employer and puts all her hope that they will allow her to stay despite spending only a fair amount of her childhood with them. She makes a deal with her lady's maid to accompany her to Fellsworth and once there, she can start a new life for herself as well since she won't have the funds to continue to keep her.

Owen wasn't hoping to catch Annabelle in his sights when he arrived in town, but if he can make restitution through assisting her to Fellsworth and away from her brother and Mr. Bartwell, perhaps he can feel better about his own failed efforts to save his wife from being murdered. He doesn't want the same outcome for her and even goes to great lengths to ensure her safety without compromising her reputation. Her Aunt and Uncle are thrilled to have her move home, but it won't be anything close to her former life. While remaining on the Fellsworth property, she will live in the school quarters and take a job as a Junior teacher for the students that they support. Is this life worth living home for or is there something more in her future?

I received A Stranger at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd compliments of Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Publishers.In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise.  I love this conclusion to the Treasures of Surrey because each of the novels can stand alone. I love the strength and courage it took Annabelle to walk away from her life of comfort without knowing what her future held. In a time in history where women had few rights, it took fortitude to put her faith on the line and hope that her former family ties might just be the future she needed. The romance between Owen and Annabelle is wonderful because it happens slowly over the time they spend with one another and the relationship Annebelle builds with Hannah, his daughter teaching her to paint. I easily give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about A Stranger at Fellsworth, Sarah E. Ladd or where you can pre-order a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Stranger at Fellsworth by Sarah E. Ladd

You can find Sarah E. Ladd on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Stranger at Fellsworth, please visit Thomas Nelson Publisher's website. 

Royally Roma

I have to open this review up with the following disclosure that based on my own reviewer criteria and looking for great wholesome books that readers won't have to be shocked to read when it contains material that wouldn't ordinarily read in their selection of novels. That could be sexual content, profanity or anything you wish you could be advised of before picking up a novel and reading or purchasing it based on the premise on the back.

With Royally Roma by Teri Wilson, the premise of a private tour guide, Julia Costa, who unknowingly picks up Niccolo La Torre, Crown Price of Lazaretto for the day. It isn't until she presents him with her bill, that he attempts to sneak out of the hotel until she catches him and vows that until she gets paid, she isn't leaving his side. Sounds like something the Hallmark Channel might produce, until you read the novel. I was so hoping for just that, a wholesome novel about this quirky premise that lends some humor along with romance. The setting is perfect as well as the whole idea until you actually beginning reading the book.

What shocked me was that Teri Wilson's other novel Unleashing Mr. Darcy IS a Hallmark Original movie and she is in development for two other films. So where did this novel go wrong? The idea that one man's escapes about being with an entire women's swimming team is now front page news in London and the opening chapter of the book, has Julia waking up with a naked prince in her bed. All he thinks about is his next romance with an attractive female and when Julia shows up mistaking him as her private tour, he finds the idea intriguing of removing himself from all the royal scheduling that has been planned for him. Most of the story line is geared to what each of them think of the other in terms of more than just physical attraction and that is where I lost interest in this. You have Niccolo who loves to drink while entertaining his thoughts about Julia. It is all that he thinks about and that gets downright irritating.

I felt that its fine to let the reader know that both characters are initially attracted to one another, but it is as if every single paragraph alludes to the sexual attraction towards one another.There are some sex scenes that I can't believe Hallmark would include if this were to be made into a film. That is beyond tiresome to read over and over again. In fact one such comment from the press release states that this novel "is an enchanting retelling of the classic Audrey Hepburn film Roman Holiday." Yet this novel comes far from accomplishing that. I would have preferred to have a more classic version I guess with far less content dealing with each characters fascination with the other when it comes to romance. For me this one just fell flat with a 3.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. I received Royally Roma by Teri Wilson compliments of Pocket Star books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise.

For more information about Royally Roma, Teri Wilson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Royally Roma by Teri Wilson

You can find Teri Wilson on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Royally Roma, please visit Simon and Schuster's website.