About the Book

Book Title: The Hope Jar (The Prayer Jars, Book 1)

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter

Genre: Amish Fiction

Release date: August 7, 2018

A Brand-New Series from New York Times Best Selling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter.

What happens when making an elderly Amish couple very happy means going along with a lie that gets bigger by the day?

Michelle Taylor is not who her new family in Lancaster County believes her to be. The Lapps were looking for their long-lost granddaughter when they met Michelle and she assumed the identity of Sara Murray. Once homeless and hopeless, Michelle has come to love her new Amish friends and even considers the idea of romance among them.

Finding an old blue jar in the barn that is filled with slips of paper containing thoughts, quotes, and prayers by an unknown author becomes a boost to Michelle’s budding faith— but also convicting. How can she tell the truth without hurting the ones she has truly come to love?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Make your own Prayer Jar!

Want to make your own prayer jar to pass along to future generations? CLICK HERE to download a printable template you can use to write your sentiments on. Simply cut out each strip of paper when you’re finished and put them in the jar of your choice.

Blog Stops

Blog Stops
Janices book reviews, August 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Wanda is giving away a grand prize that includes a $25 Amazon Gift Card, jar-shaped notepad, and a copy of The Hope Jar (with an autographed book plate inside).

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d40a/the-hope-jar-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review:

Like all of Wanda Brunstetter’s books, The Hope Jar was another hit! The inspiration for the story is an actual jar kept by Wanda’s husband through the years which she shares about on her website. This simple jar made for a beautiful story of love and redemption.

Sara Murray’s family has passed away and she wishes to see the family that she’s never known. So she heads out to find them, only her car breaks down on the path and she is unable to make it to the bus. Later Sara gets the chance to visit her loved ones but in the meantime, fate intervenes.

Michelle Taylor has had a tough life and has no idea how to really escape it and find a better one. Fate comes in when Michelle steps off a bus and is immediately welcomed as the Granddaughter of the Lapps. Michelle knows it’s wrong not to speak up but right now she just needs to escape her life, the abuse she’s been through and find herself while she’s away. She knows she’ll have to return to it soon enough.

Michelle makes good friends in the Amish community as she learns their ways. She finds two jars hidden in the shadows of the home which bring her faith and hope that she’s never experienced before. The Hope Jars are enough to keep her going and finding her path again.

You’ll love the story this book shares as it truly speaks to your heart. The love Michelle finds as the truth becomes clear and revealed is as beautiful as the scene set around her story. This is one you do not want to miss!

I’m over here today like I don’t have a deadline, taking my time to write out this review because honestly it’s been a long week. Yesterday, I took a Benadryl for allergies and let me say, I should never ever take Benadryl. I still feel like my head is in a fog! So without further ado, let me introduce our review product for today: God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn by Julie Polanco.

I’ve sat and I’ve thought about this a lot in my life. How did God intend for us to learn, to educate, to share His World and creations with our family, our children, our selves? What did He intend our learning process to be? Surely, it was not what we do now with students placed into desks for hours upon end in front of books, never even seeing the beauty of nature in the world outside that surrounds them. Surely, it was not to be sent away to someone else who does not know them or the goals and the path that He has set forth for their lives. I, personally, cannot see that as being true for us as Humans.

When I had children, I never thought we’d be on this path of Homeschooling. I was a sheeple who followed what others did and believed. I didn’t want my family or my children to be different. But then came time for my son to go off to school and it felt so wrong to me. So I began to research how to be able to keep him home and I found homeschooling. It was like a light from Heaven was turned on for our family. This was it… this felt right for us… so it is what we did. Over the years, I’ve noticed that so many people also have this feeling but they ignore it and they suffer, as well as their children.

Julie Polanco is a Christian mother of four. She has a vivid imagination and a deep love of the Gospel. Her life is a beacon of light to others and she embraces sharing her knowledge with others who are open to learning more.

God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn comes from Julie’s heart. It’s approximately 163 pages long. It contains 9 chapters, Concluding Remarks, an About the Author and a Bibliography in the back.

Each chapter holds a different focus from finding Biblical support in learning naturally, to teaching children of various ages and stages, to record-keeping and creating structure in your home and schooling. This book covers a lot in a few pages, all pointing to Biblical points of truth to keep you on your steady path of learning. Study questions are included at the end of each chapter to help you gather a deeper understanding of the discussion as your read through.

Through reading this book, I found that Julie and I weren’t so different. Her educational methods changed and developed over time as she found what felt right for her children and her family. Her discipline methods also changed, much as mine has over time as well. She discovered the uniqueness in her children, in their learning, and in their lives together. Through this book, she gives insight and guidance to help you achieve these things as well.

Through this book, Julie helps you to let go of the idea of the standards that are set by today’s government for learning and learn to see what God’s standards for education are instead. She helps you learn to overcome the depression that not meeting up to other’s expectations cause for us. She helps you learn to let go of all you’ve been told and taught and find a different path to travel, one that truly feeds your soul and gives your children a chance to survive at the life they were given. And she relates every single thing she teaches right back to the Word itself, using Biblical insight, verses and more to confirm her beliefs and lessons.

You will love reading this book and it may help you change your thoughts on education. I know it has definitely opened up my mind and given me answers to questions I did not have answers for before reading it. I was already on a path for a better understanding of education and this book helped me so deeply with gaining a better understanding on that.

You can read a free chapter of God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn at Julie Polanco Books. This book is available in Paperback for $16.99 or eBook for $9.99.

You can find Julie Polanco online at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliepolancobooks/ @juliepolancobooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jpolancobooks/

Read More Reviews:

Disclaimer:

Don has forever been a Metalhead – lover of all things heavy metal and rock. He went to his first concert when he was just a kid. His Mom was pretty awesome like that.

He’s seen Metallica, Ozzy, White Zombie, and a bunch more in his oat sowing years but since leaving Connecticut several years ago, he hasn’t been to a concert. He was really missing it. City life is a lot different than our little country life.

So Friday night, we loaded up and drove 4 hours to see Slayer, Lamb of God, Testament and Anthrax put on a show in Atlanta. Then on Tuesday, we loaded up again for another 4 hour (one way) drive back to Atlanta to see Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. It was an epic weekend spent with some really great friends that I dearly love.

Never in a million years did I think I would ever attend any concert like these! I’m not a Slayer fan or a Manson fan myself but my friends and my dear sweet husband are. I can however headbang like you’ve never seen before and my husband really loved that! I mean it was my once-in-a-lifetime chance to headbang to these epic bands, and my last chance ever to headbang to Slayer. I donned my biker gear and enjoyed every minute of wearing my red lipstick, black and skulls with red roses.

My husband was in awe. He never thought he’d attend any event in Atlanta, being from way up North. He’d heard it was a great area but never made it there. Being in the city gave him a little piece of home feeling and filled some holes leaving the city left in his heart. He also never thought he’d get to see these great bands playing in concert again but thanks to my brother from another, we were able to make that happen. Friendships are special y’all and I’m thankful for these two!

We even got stopped on the way home Friday night for our tag light being out and the cop was super cool rock fan himself! Can’t beat that! He checked Don’s license and sent us on our merry way after sharing his own epic concert tales with us!

It was one awesome rockin’ few days and we are excited to make it happen again as soon as we find another great concert to attend. Metallica and Pink are at the top of my list! Ozzy would be another I’d love to see with my hubbie!

Here’s some pics from the two days of events:

Ready for Slayer

Don and I at the Slayer concert

Epic Times with Epic Friends

~Momma’s got Wings~

Dinner with my love – he’s the BEST!

Manson’s on that stage – never in my life did I think I’d be there!

Red Duck Lips – real women wear red!

I so do! I win the BEST WIFE EVER prize!

Until next time…
Love y’all…
Dana

If you know me well, then you know I’m a huge fan of anything bear related. I tend to favor that Silly Old Bear that is yellow, wears a red shirt and has a pretty intense love of Honey, but I’m fond of the story of Paddington Bear as well. I mean Bears just rock! So I was really excited to find this study on offered on our review list from Branch Out World this year. Branch Out World Paddington Bear is part of their Picture Book Explorers series and is an amazing study on this Classic book.

Branch Out World is a really cool company that enjoys creating materials for use in Home Education. They’re from West Yorkshire, England – a place I have never been but have always thought intriguing. They create wonderful, literature-based unit studies that are easily adaptable to your students at home. These studies can be used for children in a group and family setting or individually as you prefer. Another very cool aspect is that most of the books share some aspect of being from the United Kingdom either through their setting, their author or illustrator. I found that part unique and neat.

For this review, we used Paddington Bear from the Picture Book Explorers series. This study does require that you purchase a copy of the book to go along with the guide for it’s use. We had a copy of Paddington Bear already that worked well for us (as I said, Paddington is already a family favorite).

This study costs 9 British pounds which is approx $11.50 in American cash. Not a bad price for the study itself. It’s a PDF download so it’s immediately usable once you pay and you purchase the book or borrow it from your library. This study calls for Paddington by Micheal Bond with ISBN: 978-0-00-723633-6. This is the revised 2007 or 2014 edition of the book.

A little about Paddington for those who haven’t heard of him before. Paddington is a bear from Peru that Mr. and Mrs. Brown find in the Paddington Station after he stowed away on a ship. I’m sure you can guess where he gets his name. He’s an adventurous soul, who gets in mischief all while sharing great life lessons through his story. Paddington is a child with fur and such a lovable bear!

Branch Out World Paddington Bear study is 69 pages long. You can easily print the study for use. The intended age range is from 5-9 years but it can be adapted for younger or older students as needed. Permission is given for family use or one classroom use but not for a full schoolhouse.

The study provides a full table of contents for you to use. There is also a short list of materials you should gather before starting, including a map of the British Isles for viewing as you follow along. Travel brochures about England and places nearby are recommended as well. You could get around this requirement by printing articles from papers from online or pictures from tourist websites for the area as well.

Because the company is a British company, you will notice that they use proper English from the British Isles which is a bit different from our American style of English. Some words are spelled differently (in their original English spellings) and some different phrases may be used throughout the study, or unique names to the area. This doesn’t not make the study any less usable or create a challenge for using the study but it may confuse some until they realize the reason behind it’s differences.

It is a good idea to read ahead through the study before it’s use and to read each day’s lesson ahead as well just to be prepared for the wording, and the projects that are to be completed that day. There are around 45 pages of printables with over 30 available activities that you can complete by working through this study. The study covers a wide variety of things in the lessons such as grammar, geography, animal species which falls under science, reading, art, and so much more. There are additional book and video suggestions shared throughout as well.

There are 5 different sections covered for the lessons, thoroughly exploring each aspect of the book to learn more. Each section has different activities to complete. The study begins with geography in finding Peru and how far Paddington has traveled to England where Mr. and Mrs. Brown live. You can also learn more about Peru and England then learn about the author and why he chose to write this story. A mini time-line is included as well.

On day two, your student begins to learn about the meaning of the story and the words used for writing it. This section discusses the theme and narration used in the book. Vocabulary and the author’s inspiration is also shared here.

Day Three begins with studying the pictures in the book and the illustrator, where he is from and how he came about to creating art for books like this. Architecture is covered in this section as well. You’re student will learn important terms for architecture through this part of the study. There are also principles of design provided for you to learn more.

Day four covers Science. Here you learn about Paddington, his type of bear, their habitat, and more. There are a few experiments shared here as well and sensory activities for your child. These are not edible experiments but they are a ton of fun!

Day five of this study covers Math and Crafts. There’s a ton of fun things in this section for your child to complete. One activity is packing, like Paddington packed his suitcase for his stow-away trip. It was a lot of fun to try this one. The Tablas de Sarhua is pretty fun too if you have room for it. It’s a family project, creating a lucky keepsake board with things you love and care about painted on in various scenes.

There are a bunch of recipes to create as well like Strawberry Tarts, Marmalade and snacks from Peru. You can have a Tea Party and celebrate the end of the study as well.

The last pages of the study contains the printables for the study and the facts sheets for the lessons. There’s a ton of fun things to do throughout the study, both for the students and together as well. It’s a great course for you to work through with your kids that we really enjoyed!

You can find Branch Out World online at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BranchOutWorld @BranchOutWorld
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/belzibow @belzibow
Instagram: www.instagram.com/belzibow @belzibow
Twitter: www.twitter.com/belzibow @belzibow

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Disclaimer:

About the Book

Book Title: A Promise Forged

Author: Cara Putman

Genre: World War 2 Romance

Release date: Originally released in 2010, Re-released in 2017

Kat transformed in front of him. Her chin came up, her fingers stopped twitching with the fabric of her gown, and a real sparkle bubbled in her eyes. It was like watching Snow White come to life when the prince kissed her.

A heartwarming WWII historical from award-winning author Cara Putman:

Kat Miller has dreamed of playing baseball her entire life. When she earns a spot on a team in the All-American Girls Professional Softball League, she finds that things aren’t as glamorous as she imagined. She struggles with long road trips, grueling practices, and older teammates who are jealous of her success. And to top it all off, an irritating reporter is constantly getting under Kat’s skin.

Events in Jack Raymond’s career have left him cynical and distanced from God. He never wanted to write at a small paper, and he certainly didn’t want to be assigned to something as inconsequential as a women’s softball team. Then Kat walks into his life. The fiery, young softball player somehow climbs the walls around his heart and makes him want to hope again.

When lies fly and the league appears to fail, will Kat and Jack’s new love survive?

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Since the time she could read Nancy Drew, Cara has wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, was history. There she met a fellow Indiana writer Colleen Coble. With prompting from her husband, Cara shared her dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, Cara’s been writing award-winning books. She is currently working on book 30 and 31.

Cara Putman is an active member of ACFW, and currently serves on its Executive Board. She has also been the Indiana ACFW chapter president and served as the Area Coordinator for Indiana.

Cara is also an attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women’s ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is. She graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!) and George Mason Law School, and Krannert School of Management. You can learn more about Cara at www.caraputman.com <http://www.caraputman.com/>.

Guest Post from Cara

Each of my books starts with a hook that engages my interest, and then as I play with it, I think it will engage readers. A Promise Forged was no different. For this book I was writing a series of three World War II novels for Barbour. I already had two historical hooks that fascinated me: children evacuated from London to Ohio, a top secret project to break Engima in Dayton, but I needed one more. I knew the lead characters were going to be siblings, but I wasn’t sure what to do with the kid sister. Then I remembered the All-American Girls Professional Softball/Baseball League.

And I started thinking.

What would it have been like to desperately want a chance to play a sport you loved professionally?

And to be part of the nascent league when no one was sure whether it was a good or bad idea?

I decided that was the perfect place for Kat. She was the kid sister with fire and passion. She wanted a chance to prove herself, and this would be the perfect place. Then she needed a hero worthy of her. One who could go toe-to-toe with her and still see who she could be.

He came in the form of Jack, a cynical reporter who is disappointed to be assigned to cover girls’ baseball. But then he gets to know Kat and some of the others. And he sees something in her that she doesn’t see in herself. It’s the beginning of fireworks that he doesn’t think can go anywhere because she has to go home to her senior year of high school.

As I began researching the history of the league, I learned that the AAGPS/BL archives were kept at a small museum in South Bend, a couple hours from where I live. I spent a day there talking with the curator and exploring all the records. Because the league wasn’t expected to last there weren’t many records from the first year. That meant I had to guess about some things like schedules based on what happened in the years after.

A Promise Forged became a book I loved writing. Kat was feisty, Jack was cynical, and baseball provided a great setting. I can’t believe this football loving woman can admit that!

Blog Stops

Blog Stops
History, Mystery & Faith, August 4

For the Love of Books, August 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cara is giving away a grand prize that includes the movie League of Their Own, a box of cracker jacks, M&Ms and a $20 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d2ac/a-promise-forged-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review:
In the 1940’s Baseball was America’s Favorite past time and there was no joy like seeing the greats hit that ball to the outer fields. But Women weren’t allowed in Baseball until the War started and the Men had to join the military and leave to fight. Baseball was so important in America that the All-American Girls Softball League began and some of the greatest female players were offered spots on the team from all over America. Playing Wrigley Field went from being a dream to a reality. Kat Miller was one of those players.

Kat couldn’t believe it when she arrived to join the others at Wrigley Field. It was beyond all she could imagine, being able to play ball on this field. Being PAID to play was unimaginable at this time period in life but here she was, excited beyond belief.

Jack Raymond thought that Philip Wrigley, owner of the Chicago Cubs had lost his mind creating a team full of female players. And he was being asked to follow them around, covering their story to share in the newspapers. He was outraged that he even had to be a part of this spectacle. But wait, maybe these girls would change his mind and in the end he would come to see how special this event was to history. After all, a lady like Kat couldn’t be as bad as it seemed.

Jack and Kat share a love of a game that leads to a love made to last through time. Overcoming the obstacles they face in the game of life, as well as in their careers is a challenge that both willingly face if it means sharing a love like no other.