HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JONAH!!

Generous  Thrifty  Honest  Sweet  Kind  Happy  Exuberant  Joyful  Seeking God  Loving of his family  Giver  Empathic  Sensitive  Caring  Athletic  Basketball  Bike riding  Skate boarding  Legos  Hank the Cowdog  Sugar Creek Gang  Transformers  Super Heroes  Artist  Adventurer  Sea creatures 

Angel Eyes is a heartwarming adventure of two cherubs, Kennedy and Tristan. They help children understand what the angels might have felt when Jesus came to Earth and was crucified. Dixie Phillips' inspirational story coupled with Kim Sponaugle's colorful illustrations make the story come alive and guarantees to leave Divine footprints in the hearts of children of all ages.

Stubby's Destiny is an inspirational story about a defeated donkey, Stubby, who feels he was born wrong. He was just about to give up when Divine destiny tapped him on the shoulder. He was chosen to carry the King of Kings upon his back. Stubby's Destiny will bring hope to hurting children who feel their situation is hopeless.

Dixie Phillips and her husband, Paul, have been married for thirty-one years and served the congregation of the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd, Iowa, for the past twenty-seven years. The Phillips have four grown children. Dixie hopes to capture the hearts of little ones for Prince Emmanuel with her heartwarming stories. Visit Dixie's writing ministry at www.floydslighthouse.com.

What can I say?  These books are PRECIOUS!  With their charming illustrations and their heartwarming storylines, these two books are sure to become favorites to many children.  Dixie Phillips has used some endearing characters (a donkey who's feeling down on his luck, and some child-like cherubs) to help tell the story of the  gospel in such a way that children can easily relate to it and understand it.  Kim Sponaugle is an extremely talented artist whose illustrations are colorful and fun to look at. 

I see a lot of children's  books and I really do enjoy reading them.  I'm an adult, though, so you don't want to take my word for it!  My 8 year old daughter read both of these books and she says that they were very good and she thinks that kids would really enjoy reading them.  So, there you have it!  If you're looking for a good Christmas gift for some of the little ones in your life, be sure to check out these two titles by Guardian Angel Publishing.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
White Christmas Pie
Barbour Publishing, Inc (September 1, 2008)
by
Wanda E. Brunstetter

Step into Amish country for this bittersweet holiday romance. Here you'll meet Will Henderson, a young man tortured by his past, and Karen Yoder, a young woman looking for answers. Add a desperate father searching for his son, and you have all the ingredients for a first-class romance that will inspire and enthrall.

Abandoned by his father, Will Henderson was raised by an Amish couple. Now he's about to marry Karen Yoder but is having second thoughts. Can Will overcome the bitterness of his past in order to secure his future? Karen cannot break through the barrier her fiance has suddenly constructed around his heart. When she seeks the advice of an old boyfriend, Will begins to see green. Has he already lost his chance for happiness?

When an accident threatens Will's life, the strength of blood ties is tested. Will a recipe for White Christmas pie contain the ingredients for a happily-ever-after?

If you would like to read the first chapter of White Christmas Pie, go HERE

Watch the book trailer:

Fascinated by the Amish people during the years of visiting her husband's family in Pennsylvania, WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER combined her interest with her writing and now has eleven novels about the Amish in print, along with numerous other stories and ministry booklets. She lives in Washington State, where her husband is a pastor, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish settlements throughout the states.

This year Wanda also published A Sister's Hope.

This was the first of Wanda's  books that I have read.  I have heard of her and have  been seeing her books in stores, etc. but I had never had opportunity to read one.  So, I was anxious for White Christmas Pie.  Living among the Amish, I tend to be much more critical of these books based on the Amish - and there seems to be an overabundance of them these days.  I have read most of Bevely Lewis' books and I find them to be quite  good.  However, if you've been reading my  blog for any length of time, you know I've read some Amish books by other authors that I have NOT enjoyed.

So, yes, I'm critical, I admit it.  Here's my thoughts on White Christmas Pie --- as far as the Amish, I was so glad that this book was set in Indiana, rather than PA.  Anything written about the Amish that I wasn't quite sure about (and there wasn't much), I was able to "chalk it up" as differences in various Amish sects - so that was GOOD!  However, I wasn't really impressed with the writing style of this book.  It seemed extremely simplistic to me, almost as if it were forced.  In other words, things were written into the storyline that, to me, would have been better off left  to the imagination.  I don't know if that makes any sense or not.  The more I read it, the more I liked it - I thought it started off somewhat slow and drawn out. 

I will pick up more of her books, though, as I'd be interested to see if they are all written in this same style.  We shall see.....

A grandfather’s song turns a diner into hallowed ground, like a church. A contrary girl with a gypsy heart feels the tug of home. A mother, far away, confronts impossible expectations. And a truck driver named Jedidiah keeps his foot on the gas to sweep you into an unforgettable story of belonging and grace.

Readers looking for a meaningful, powerful read on a winter’s evening or with the family will love the rich 1960s nostalgia captured in the Midwest of Jedidiah’s and Ellee’s story; the peace found when family strife boils over, and the gentle reminders of the influence and effect every life has on another.

My Mother’s Wish is an unforgettable, powerful tale that ends on a memorable Christmastime note, but will be cherished and reread year-round for its bold message of grand hopes, impossible expectations, and the gift of grace that comes in between. 

This  book was very different than what I expected after reading the summary.  However, I did enjoy it.  At this time of year, I enjoy the shorter novellas that are available, especially when they have a Christmas theme.  I think these little story books make great gifts for friends and loved ones.  My Mother's Wish is no exception.  Though the story wasn't what I expected, it was intriguing and fun to read, and I enjoyed the ending (which I wasn't expecting). 

I'd love to share a copy of this book.  If you'd be interested in receiving a copy of My Mother's Wish, please leave a comment to this post.  I'll draw a winner on Thursday (the 20th) and announce the winner at that time.

Special Offer from Trivium Pursuit and Christian Logic

Our readers have the opportunity to receive two free ebooks from Trivium Pursuit.

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