Archives for February 2014

The A-Z of C. S. Lewis book review and tour

Disclosure: I received this book to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

C. S. Lewis -- QUICK!! What do you think of?  savingsinseconds.com

When the name “C. S. Lewis” is dropped, what do you think of?  I’m sure that many people know him as the Narnia author.  While the wonderful magic of the Wardrobe is truly a classic, you might be surprised to learn of his widely varied works.  When I initially learned that Lewis was an atheist-turned-Christian, it surprised me very much. After all, he seemed to know God so intimately!  His writing seemed to be almost inspired!  Shows what I know, right?  That’s what I get for going with a stereotype.   When a college friend encouraged me to watch the movie Shadowlands, the true story about Lewis and his marriage to Joy Davidson, I sobbed for what seemed like hours afterwards.  Still, I had no idea how incredibly tangled the Lewis Web really was until I received The A-Z of C. S. Lewis to review.   [Read more…]

Distortion book review and tour

Distortion is on my bookshelf - savingsinseconds.com
Before I give you this book review, I want you to take everything you ever knew about Christian fiction and put it in a box.

Seal it tightly. I’ll wait.

Now, kick that box to the curb. Slam the door for good measure.

Sit back with a copy of Distortion and make sure you’ve got an extra-large drink by your side (maybe a pillow, too) because you won’t want to get up again until you’ve finished this book. [Read more…]

Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop featuring A Promise Kept

Disclosure: I received this book to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Disclosure: I received this book to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Welcome to the Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer and Co-hosted by Jinky is Reading. The giveaway runs from February 28th to March 7th — although I’m starting my giveaway a day early to give you early birds a chance to enter now! One lucky Savings in Seconds reader will win a paperback copy of A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher. [Read more…]

Help someone in mourning with a message from this Bible

Disclosure: I received this book to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Hope in the Mourning Bible -- featured on savingsinseconds.com

When my great-grandmother passed away, her nursing home gave the family a hardcover Bible in her memory.  The Bible was placed in a beautiful wooden box with her picture inside of it.  My grandmother gave it to me, knowing that I would treasure it and remember my great-grandmother each time I read it.  I miss her so much and it gives me such a sense of joy to read that Bible, knowing that she read those same words during her long lifetime.   Grief is such a heartrending experience. Facing death and one’s own mortality is just one facet of mourning; losing a dear loved one can often leave the survivors feeling the undertow of pain.  It’s never easy to find the words that might comfort someone going through such a loss.  Thanks to the Hope in the Mourning Bible, you don’t have to.  This NIV Bible from Zondervan places God’s word right on that wounded heart, offering peace and comfort in the wake of devastating grief.   [Read more…]

Prepare for the move to a big kid bed: How to make the transition easier for both of you

Note to readers: I received a book to review; this post contains affiliate links. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Transition to a Big Kid Bed - savingsinseconds.com

Childhood milestones might be fun for mom to mark, but it can sure be stressful for the little ones. When it’s time to move to a big kid bed you might encounter a bit of anxiety from either your kids or your sanity. I have friends who kept their children in the crib until the “baby” was 3 years old — or older. In the end, you have to do what you feel is right for your children. As for my husband and me, we felt that the crib mattress didn’t seem comfortable. We were excited for each of our kids when they were able to move to a big kid bed.  Our daughter started in a toddler bed (her crib was convertible) but we put our son directly in a regular bed when he was 2 years old.  Here’s what we did to prepare for the move to a big kid bed – I hope it makes your transition a bit easier, too. [Read more…]

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton — book review

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book; this post contains affiliate links. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Normally on Tricities Tuesday I share a fun restaurant or upcoming local event. Today I want to alert you to this awesome new book that features many places that will be familiar to those who live in the Tricities.  The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn takes place in the vicinity of the Overmountain Men, where the turning point of the Revolutionary War would be fought at King’s Mountain.  Having lived in this area for over 20 years, I have often heard about the bravery and sheer guts of the Overmountain Men.  The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn made the period come alive for me.  Each time I read of a familiar spot such as Sycamore Shoals, Jonesborough, or the blue hole I squealed, “I know where that is!!”  It was exciting and fun to read about such a pivotal moment of history through the eyes of author Lori Benton.  [Read more…]

Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Welcome to my tour stop for Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon.  This is an adult romantic comedy and  the tour runs February 24th- March 7th and will consist of reviews, guest posts, interviews and more. You can find the full schedule on the tour page.

Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon [Read more…]

Only a few days left in February to recognize Pet Dental Health Month

February is Pet Dental Health Month - savingsinseconds.com

Disclosure: I received product samples; the opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Today my students brought my attention the fact that I’d written the wrong date on the board. Instead of posting February 24 as today’s date, I wrote February 23.  Where did the month go, anyway?!   It seems we spent most of the month holed up in the house trying to avoid the snow-covered roads.  BestBullySticks.com had a fun way to celebrate Pet Dental Health Month.  If you haven’t checked on your pet’s teeth yet, read the infographic below to find out why it’s something you should do today!!

[Read more…]

Sweet Slumber on a Soft Pillow from Reverie

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Right where I wanna be... on my Reverie pillow reading a book -- savingsinseconds.com Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”  Luke 9:58

 I often think of this verse at night.  It always hurts my heart a bit to think of Jesus not having a soft pillow or bed to rest upon.  Laying down to rest is such a precious part of my day. It’s when I finally get to sigh in relief, take a moment to snuggle down, and drift off to sleep.  Sometimes I drag my pillow out to the couch and prop up with it while I read a good book.   Recently Reverie sent me a Sweet Slumber Pillow to sample and it has become the highlight of my bedtime routine to plump it up and get all comfy on it!   Last week I finished the book Seeing the Voice of God, which emphasized the importance of getting a good night’s rest.  The Reverie pillow is definitely making that possible!  [Read more…]

Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron

Disclosure: I received this book to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Scraps of Evidence is on my bookshelf. savingsinseconds.com

Scenario: You are in the airport with a 2 hour layover.  Or you are waiting in a doctor’s office for your appointment. What to do?
Answer:  Read Scraps of Evidence.

At only 222 pages, this book can be easily consumed within a couple of hours.  Barbara Cameron weaves a tale that sizzles in the Florida heat even until the very last few pages.  While I had my suspicions about the mystery enfolded in these pages, the way that the story unfolded caught me off guard.  I really liked the main character, Tess, and her determination to solve her best friend’s murder case.  Since Tess is a police office (well, a detective, really) I rather expected her to be a tough cookie.  She was able to hold her own, but her character was feminine enough to fit the romance mold for the book. Her new partner Logan has her number from day one, and that helped, although their romance seemed to really pick up speed.  Since her mom has passed away, Tess relies on her aunt Kathy for a mother figure.  I liked Kathy right away, too.  As the story progressed, I kept hoping that Kathy would become more of a central character.  Unfortunately my wish became reality in a sad way.  I really, super, extremely loved the diversion from the typical Amish romance novels I’ve been reading.  This was a great change and even suited the non-mystery fan in me. [Read more…]

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