the Review Source
Calendars/journals and books make perfect gifts! Daily thought calendars and journals are a great gift exchange items and books encourage reading, learning, relaxing and are enjoyable - making great gifts!
Calendars
DaySpring
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DayBrighteners |
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God
Is Closer by John Ortberg |
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Come Thirsty by Max Lucado |
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Daily
Splashes by Barbara Johnson |
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If
you want you
better sleep |
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Favorite Features -
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spiral bound with a built-in easel so it can stand on your desk
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365, dated pages with a daily thought to "brighten" your day, make you think, challenge and encourage
Excellent item for an add on gift, gift exchange or think about keeping several on hand to give to people you know throughout the year when something happens and they are in need of encouragement and need to be reminded someone cares! Tremendously well done, DaySpring!
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| Journals |  |
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| Women of Faith Journal |
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| Hope and a Future Journal |
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God of Hope Journal |
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Favorites -
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Scripture verses included
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presentation/date pages
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generous amount of journal pages - lots of room to write
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spiral binding - will lie flat
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attractive designs
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Combine any of these journals with any of the pens in this year's review for a gift anyone will love to receive! Quality journals with Scripture, designs and sentiment to fit the people on your gift list! Tremendously well done, DaySpring!
Cookbooks
Meredith Books
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Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Author - Sandra Lee |
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Favorite Features -
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includes safety info, terms, clean-up helps, healthy food info and more
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includes 100 recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, deserts, drinks and more
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each recipe includes info on the tools you need, foods/supplies needed, directions, time to prepare and serving size
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encourages reading and math skills
Fun, healthy, simple recipes to get kids cooking! Extremely well done, Sandra and Meredith Books!
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Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Author - Sandra Lee |
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Favorite Features -
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helpful information - time saving gadgets, quick clean-up and more
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recipes for pasta, meat, poultry, desserts, fish and snacks
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recipes include time to prepare, serving size, serving ideas, ingredients and directions
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photos throughout
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helpful index
This is the perfect gift for the working person on your list who still has to prepare meals! Extremely well done, Sandra and Meredith Books!
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food network Favorites: Recipes From Our All-Star Chefs |
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| Authors - food network and Alton
Brown, Bobby Flay, Dave Lieberman, Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray, Giada deLaurentiis, Mario Batali, Michael Chiarello, Paula Deen, Tyler Florence and Wolfgang Puck |
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Favorite Features -
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some of the profits from this book go to each chef's favorite charity
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also includes Q & A with food network kitchens as well as some of their favorite recipes
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"note from the kitchen" in the margins are helpful and interesting
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recipes include ingredients list, yield, tips, equipment needed, directions and pictures
This is a fun cookbook for the person on your list who particularly enjoys the food network's chefs - and for anyone who loves to cook! Extremely well done, food network and Meredith Books!
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New Better Homes and Garden's Cookbook Special Edition Author - Better Homes and Garden's kitchen |
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Favorite Features -
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1200+ recipes
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equivalents and emergency substitution charts
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information from Komen Foundation on how to help someone with cancer
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cancer helps include -
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stories for life/cancer survivor stories
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miracle foods
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eating for life recipes
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book includes recipes for appetizers/snacks, beans/rice & grains, beverages, breads, cake, grilling, candy , cookies, crockery cooking, desserts, eggs/cheese, fish, meat, pasta, pies/tarts, poultry, salad/dressing, sauces/relishes, vegetables/fruit
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info on cooking basics
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recipes include prep time, bake time, temperature, yield, ingredient list, directions, varieties, nutrition facts, daily values/exchanges
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no fat/low fat recipes marked
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tips throughout
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helpful index
This cookbook has been a standard in kitchens for generations - this new, updated 12th edition with the special features and cancer helps is one which will benefit every family. My reviewers found the recipes easy to follow, interesting and tasty, but they would have liked if the binding for this book had more room so turning pages wasn't so difficult. Regardless, this is a cookbook anyone would love to receive! Tremendously well done, Meredith Books!
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The Busy Mom's Author - Jyl Steinback |
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Favorite Features -
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includes more than 320 low-cal/low fat dishes
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helpful slow-cooking information
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healthy eating guide with terms and definitions
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recipes include, beef entrees, pork dinners, chicken/turkey, soups/casseroles, meatless meals, side dishes, bonus recipes
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recipes include difficulty level, yield, ingredients list, directions, nutrition info, exchanges, carb choices, tips and shopping list
This book is filled with easy to prepare, delicious slow-cooked meals - the everyday type of real recipes people would actually use! Our reviewers said this is a cookbook they would actually use, not just look at! Tremendously well done, Jyl and Meredith Books!
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The Deen Brothers Cookbook Authors - Jamie & Bobby Deen and Melissa Clark |
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Favorite Features -
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Recipes motivated by visits to cooks from across our country
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this book is a mini vacation with "stops" at local, hometown favorite diners!
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unique cookbook "introduces" reader to cooks from all over our country
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recipes include comment/description by the Deens, ingredients, directions, servings
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index and contact info for the cooks you meet in this book
Simple down-home cooking from homes all over the country and the inspiring accounts of how these cooks took their cooking and created their own businesses. Recipes are an enjoyable bonus on this "trip in a book"! Extremely well done, Jamie, Bobby, Melissa and Meredith Books!
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Random House Publishing
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Rachael Ray Author - Rachael Ray |
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Favorite Features -
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30 minute meals - quick and easy - for any number of people
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each meal includes sedule/game plan, recipes, ingredients, directions and comments from Rachael
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some photos - would have liked to see more
Another fun cookbook from the "queen" of quick cooking fun! Rachael does her normal, excellent job of showing cooking can be fun and nutritious and this time shows us how this applies for any size group - small or large! Extremely well done, Rachael and Random House!
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Everyday Food Author - Martha Stewart & staff |
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Favorite Features -
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250 recipes divided by seasons
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recipes include prep time, serving size, nutrition info, ingredients list, directions, comment from Martha and photos
This is clearly the most beautiful cookbook I've ever seen! Photos throughout - for each meal with easy to make, complete recipes! The only thing better than looking at this cookbook is cooking ad eating the food these recipes show you how to cook! Absolutely give this book to the cooks on your list! Tremendously well done, Martha, staff and Random House!
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Rodale Publishing
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Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book |
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Favorite Features -
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photos throughout showing step-by-step "how-to's"
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recipes for, appetizers, beverages, bread, cake, frosting, cookies, desserts, eggs, meat, pie, salad, sauces, soups, supper dishes, veggies and shortcuts
This book is straight from my mother's childhood and the book I remember learning from at school in my home-ec classes - a long time ago! Originally published in 1950, this is an exact re-release of the original! Easy to follow recipes are still enjoyable for families today - you may want to update a few of these recipes to reflect what we know about healthy eating, but this book is an interesting and fun choice for the cook on your gift list! Extremely well done, Rodale!
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Books
Houghton Mifflin
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The History of the Lord of the Rings: The History of Middle Earth |
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| History of the Lord of the Rings; The History of Middle Earth |
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Lost Tales #1; the History of Middle Earth |
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Lost Tales #2; the History of Middle Earth |
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| Authors - J.R.R. Tolkien & Christopher Tolkien | ||
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Favorite Features -
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The History of the Lord of the Rings set includes four books - The Return of the Shadow, The Treason of Isengard, The War of the Ring and The End of the Third Age
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all books have drafts, notes, outlines, maps and more make this set the must-have collection for any devotee of Tolkien and his books
No Tolkien collection would be complete without these books to give a fuller, deeper more complete look into the world of Tolkien and Middle Earth. The development of the story and characters as presented in these books gives depth and better understanding of the masterpiece known as, The Lord of the Rings! Any work by Toklien is a classic and well worth the time to read! Tremendously well done, J.R.R., Christopher and Houghton Mifflin!
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Kregel Publishing
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And You Visited Me Author Penny Wheat |
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Favorite Features -
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true life accounts of author's contact with prisoners on death row around the world
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challenge to care about and pray for others
While this author is anti-death penalty, she does an excellent job of challenging people to get involved in caring about others - which is something all of us need to do. Very nicely done, Penny and Kregel Publishing!
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Broadman Holman
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Parenting From Your Strengths Authors - John Trent, Rodney Cox and Eric Tooker |
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Favorite Features -
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challenges parents to have a parenting plan - God's Word is the standard, understand your strengths and understand your child's strengths
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explains personality types and how to tell if you are a lion, otter, golden retriever or beaver
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outlines how to parent effectively based on your and your child's type of personality
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info on how to help your child feel valued
Quick and easy read packed with valuable and do-able information. Give this book to every parent or parent-to-be on your gift list! Extremely well done, John, Rodney, Eric and Broadman Holman!
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The 2 degree difference Author - John Trent |
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Favorite Features -
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outlines how to make small changes for a real, big difference in our lives
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"story" told alongside "teaching" shows how this 2 degree difference works out in every day living
Give this book to everyone on your list and see what a 2 degree difference makes in your lives during 2008. Tremendously well done, John!
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Howard Publishing
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The Divine Appointment Author - Jerome Teel |
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Favorite Features -
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political intrigue, mystery, murder, cover-up - all the features of a great novel
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characters are well developed so readers believe and care about them
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clear explanation of salvation fits believably and well with the story
Gripping, page-turning, this is a novel you will not want to put down! I really appreciate the twists and turns - not a predictable storyline. Tremendously well done, Jerome and Howard Publishing! I look forward to more novels from this author!
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Baker/Revell
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Organic Community Author - Joseph Myers |
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Favorite Features -
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looks at how to make church communities real
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stories throughout to illustrate the point
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challenges to get away from building infrastructure and instead to focus on building lives
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encourages you to focus on the journey and not the destination
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explains how small groups are not the only way to belong
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challenges to create an environment to encourage patterns of belonging and allow people to connect in natural ways
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encourages allowing people to participate as individuals
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challenges you to replace a master plan with cross-training
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better questions for church - "What can church do to assimilate itself into people's lives?" not what can people do to assimilate themselves into church?
Focus of this book is on learning to help people naturally connect - not on manufacturing community. From my own experiences with church, I have serious questions as to if this is really possible. People would need to really care about others for this to be real and I'm not convinced people really care about others. However, IF the steps outlined in this book actually would work, it could be possible for church to be "real" and "relevant". I would like to think these things are possible, but I'm truly skeptical. I'll give this book my "top pick ribbon" because I'd like people to read it and follow it and it is tremendously well written. Give this book to your pastor, church leaders and all Christians on your gift list. Tremendously well done, Joseph and Baker Books!
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A Life that Says Welcome Author - Karen Ehman |
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Favorite Features -
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practical ideas for being welcoming, keeping your family first, cleaning, decorating, showing hospitality
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each chapter includes what the Bible says and how to live it
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ends with "Welcome Ideas"
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recipes throughout
An excellent, useful and unexpected gift idea for any engaged ladies on your list, new brides or even bride-want-to-bes! Most any lady on your list would enjoy this book! Extremely well done, Karen and Revell!
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The Potluck Club Takes the Cake Authors - Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson |
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Favorite Features -
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strong salvation message
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excellent character development - unique format moves from one character to the next
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strong messages about marriage, faithfulness, forgiveness and choices
Much better than I thought it would be, this is a book those who enjoy a good novel will recommend to others! Nice blend of life, humor and challenges! Extremely well done, Linda, Eva & Revell!
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All the Tea in China Author - Jane Orcutt |
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Favorite Features -
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interesting characters - mostly believable
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slow start, but story-line picks up and while the outcome is somewhat predictable - as most "romance" novels are, there are pleasant "twists and turns" to keep you going!
I enjoyed this book - it is an easy, relaxing read complete with interesting characters, unique setting and even though there was a somewhat predictable storyline, it was presented in a way to capture your attention . . . consider it for the lady on your gift list who enjoys relaxing with a good novel! Extremely well done, Jane and Revell!
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Disconnected Authors - Chap Clark & Dee Clark |
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Favorite Features -
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explains how times have changed - enjoyed the "Mindset List" from Beloit College in Wisconsin
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real-life stories throughout make book interesting and real
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walks through how to parent your child from childhood through late adolescence
Full of practical, real, do-able information, this book is a must-have for all parents, especially for parents of older elementary and teen age children. Extremely well done, Chap, Dee and Revell!
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Justice in the Burbs Authors - Will & Lisa Samson |
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Favorite Features -
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each chapter begins with an on-going story to illustrate concepts being taught
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each chapter ends with a meditation from Brian McLaren, Luci Shaw, Leonard Sweet, and others
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focuses on caring about your family, neighborhood, community and world and shows some simple, practical real ways to accomplish this
Again, this book presupposes people care enough to be concerned about "Justice in the Burbs", but regardless of if people care or not, this book will give readers much to think and talk about. Extremely well done, Will, Lisa and Revell!
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Giver of Gifts Author - Jerry Camery-Hoggatt |
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Favorite Features -
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three Christmas short stories in one book - When Mother Was Eleven-foot-four; Joseph's Son; Through a Glass Darkly
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quick read - consider reading a story a weekend as a family the three weekends before Christmas
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three looks at Grace
As you read this book with your family, talk about the important messages of love, forgiveness and grace! Extremely well done, Jerry and Revell!
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Till Morning is Nigh Author - Leisha Kelly |
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Favorite Features -
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short, easy, quick read "Christmas" novel
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believable characters, setting and story
Set in the depression, this story combines difficult times and family struggles with the message of hope found, "Away in a Manger"! Extremely well done, Leisha and Revell!
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An Irish Christmas Author - Melody Carlson |
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Favorite Features -
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short, easy, quick read "Christmas" story
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strong messages of love, trust, honesty, forgiveness and faith
While certain points of this story are somewhat predictable, this is a well-written, enjoyable story. This would be the perfect book to give someone you know who has a fight at Christmas time - excellent book to read on a plane as they will likely be able to finish it on their flight! Extremely well done, Melody and Revell!
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Group Publishing
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Outflow Authors - Steve Sjogren & Dave Ping |
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Favorite Features -
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book provides five weeks of readings - five days a week, 25 total daily readings
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daily and weekly "getting your feet wet" "the deep end" activities
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space throughout to journal prayers and thoughts
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real life accounts throughout
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group discussion questions at the end of each week's readings
This book clearly explains how to know God and let His love flow out of your life into the lives of others. I like the book, but again, my experience shows clearly, people do not really want their lives to "outflow" into other's lives. If they did, this book has a lot to say about what this involves and how to do it. I'd recommend this book for everyone on your list - who knows??? Maybe people would read it and want to make it "real". Overall, this is an extremely well written book and it will make you think. Tremendously well done, Steve, Dave and Group Publishing!
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Regal
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I Could Sing of Your Love Forever Authors - Delirious?, Martin Smith & Stu G |
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Favorite Features -
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20 short chapters with the backstore for 20 Delirious? worship songs
Interesting and inspiring! Extremely well done Regal! Combine with a CD for a gift to encourage worship!
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Eyes Wide Open Author - Brienne Murk |
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Favorite Features -
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walks teens and young adults through how and why they should guard their hearts in relationships with the opposite sex
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explains emotional purity
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explains feelings and emotions
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explains how to set healthy boundaries
I always gave books to my children on their Birthdays and Christmas. This book is a great option for parents to consider for their teen age children! Extremely well done, Brienne and Regal Books!
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A Stand-up Comic Author - Rich Praytor |
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Favorite Features -
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42 short devotionals to make you think and laugh
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humor! humor! humor! throughout!
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each daily humor account includes Scripture, applicational thought and prayer!
Give this book to every adult on your list! I have never laughed this hard from things I simply read! Rich is right, humor is an excellent way to communicate truth! Tremendously well done, Rich and Regal Books! Please write another book - soon!
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Thomas Nelson
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3:16 Author - Max Lucado |
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Favorite Features -
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powerful chapters will grip you - you could read through this book in one setting, or read a chapter a day for 12 days to really think about the truth in these pages
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40 days with the Son at the end of the book - excellent ending/beginning! - challenging, encouraging
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love the chapters - "When you get booted out" and "What makes Heaven Heavenly"
Readable, enjoyable book combines real life examples, humor and truth to communicate the powerful and much needed truth of God's love and Grace while inviting us on a journey to more than just understand the words of "3:16", but to allow them to truly touch our hearts and believe them! Tremendously well done, Max and Thomas Nelson! Give this book to everyone you know, read it with your family, talk about it with your friends and most importantly, allow this book to turn you to The Book and receive God's love, the offer He gave and then believe and really live!
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Blink of an Eye Author - Ted Dekker |
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Favorite Features -
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from the first page, this story, the characters in it, capture your attention and keep it throughout
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some expected elements to the story, but enough unexpected turns to keep you turning those pages!
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characters are believable - you care about them from the start
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fictional novel tied in many respects to situations from our evening news reports - or situations that could happen
Gripping, fast-moving story - you will not want to put the book down until you finish reading it - it took me three and a half hours to read as when I picked it up - as a skeptical reader - after the first few pages I knew I would not be putting it down until I finished the book! Believable characters in a world setting many of us find frightening and yet know so little about. I found the book challenged me to consider my views of Muslims and challenged me to live the greatest commandments - love God and love others. Give this book to every teen and adult on your gift list! Tremendously well done, Ted and Thomas Nelson!
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Rodale Publishing
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The Immune Advantage Authors
- Ellen Mazo, |
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Favorite Features -
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explains and walks the reader through the Immune system and related diseases as well as how to treat these diseases
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shows how to strengthen your immune system
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outlines which foods and hazards to avoid
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steps to take to boost your immunity
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50 immune boosting recipes
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foods to boost your immunity as well as foods to avoid
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additional sources for help and information
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Cholesterol Cures Authors - Editors of Prevention Health Books and William Castelli |
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Favorite Features -
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information on how to lower cholesterol naturally
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walks alphabetically through foods, herbs and more explaining how they lower cholesterol
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heart healthy indulgences throughout
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great ideas on how to add these healthy items to your diet
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breakthrough menu plan to lower your cholesterol count 30 points in 30 days
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food fat and cholesterol counter
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recipes throughout
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The Doctor's Book of Authors
- Selene Yeager |
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Favorite Features -
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150 recipes to fight and reverse specific health issues
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alphabetical walk through food, herbs and more and how they help us live healthier lives
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practical, real information
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Food Cures Author - Joy Bauer & Carol Svec |
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Favorite Features -
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four step plan to help us live healthier lives in the areas of -
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weight loss
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healthy skin, hair, teeth
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heart disease
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arthritis
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type 2 diabetes
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osteoporosis
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cataracts and macular degeneration
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memory
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mood
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migraines
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PMS
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insomnia
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irritable bowel syndrome
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celiac disease
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each specific section includes -
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facts and information about condition
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questions and answers
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how food affects these conditions
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foods to choose/avoid
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information on supplements
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bonus ideas for healthy living
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four steps - begin with the basics, pick the right foods, go above and beyond and meal plans
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includes recipes
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These books from Rodale are practical and filled with real, valuable and do-able information. These authors make healthy choices something we really can understand and do! Definitely give at least one of these books to the people on your gift list this year! Tremendously well done, Ellen, Keith, William, Selene, Joy, Carol, Editors and Rodale!
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The Review Source
Copyright © Lynda Freeman
Last Updated Nov. 1, 2007
Web Page by Lynda Freeman
Send an e-mail to Lynda at Lynda@thereviewsource.net
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