David and I had the opportunity to watch a new movie “I’m Just Like You – Children With Psoriasis” tonight, and it was wonderful!

If you can’t see the preview above, click here to go to Youtube.

The film follows the lives of five families dealing with Psoriasis, an auto-immune disease that affects more than seven million Americans. We appreciated hearing the stories of young people struggling with psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis just like David. Some of the children had parents with the disease. It was great hearing their perspectives. One family has tried naturopathy, like us. It was nice to hear about all the different treatments, and to hear from some of their doctors as well. At just under an hour, the movie would be a great tool for raising awareness. If you have a child who has been diagnosed, it might be a way to help educate their friends.

We can’t wait to share our copy of the movie with some family members who also have psoriasis. “I’m Just Like You – Children With Psoriasis” is an encouraging film. Chronic illness can be so isolating. It helps knowing we’re not alone. If you’d like to purchase a copy, go to www.sparklestone.org

Disclosure: I received a copy of this movie in exchange for writing a review.

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Haven’t written a blog post in a week? Can’t get past chapter 3 in the novel you’re writing? Here’s what to do when you have writer’s block.

1. Read your favorite book or blog. Perhaps you could analyze the writing style a bit.

2. Read a book by an author who’s work is unfamiliar to you. Bonus: pick a book in a genre you don’t normally read.

3. Vacuum, knit or exercise. These always work for me. Activities like these make me feel like I’m accomplishing something, but my mind is free to wander.

4. Create an inspiration book. I bought a big sketch pad at a craft store.

Now, when I see something that inspires me, a decorating tip in a magazine, a quote in a church bulletin or even an ad for shoes I like, I paste it in my inspiration book. Flipping through it reveals that even though I decorate with a lot of red, I really like blue and white and neutral colors. It also gets my creative juices flowing.

5. Go back and reread some of your favorite pieces of your work.

6. Create a soundtrack for your writing. I have songs for a lot of the chapters and characters in the novel I’m working on. I don’t have any songs for writing about Psoriatic Arthritis, though. Hmm…

7. This is an exercise my English 1301 professor had us do, and I love it. Write continuously for ten minutes. Do not stop writing or typing at all. Go fast and furious. Write whatever comes into your head. At the end, you might just have one brilliant sentence.

8. Try a writing routine or ritual. Some writers must always write when they’re home alone while drinking a Diet Coke. Some people can only write at night. Figure out what helps you get in your groove.

9. Write something else. Write a thank you note or a short story about a funny incident from your past. Sometimes it helps if you can keep writing something.

10. Drive. I had so many ideas for my novel come to me when we drove from New Jersey to Texas last summer. At rest stops (or when David was driving) I was typing notes to myself on my iPhone since much of the drive involved areas with no coverage. I couldn’t wait to get back to writing!

What’s your best tip for beating writer’s block?

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Jenny B. Jones has a great sense of humor. Every chapter of her book, Save the Date, had me laughing out loud.

It tells the story of Lucy and Alex. Lucy is a klutzy blonde who runs a group home for young women who have aged out of the foster care system. She grew up poor, and disdains people like Alex Sinclair, a wealthy former professional football player who is running for congress. He proposes they fake an engagement to help him win the election. In exchange, he promises funding for her group home.

I enjoyed the story and its hilarious one-liners. It was entertaining to read about Lucy blundering her way through the political scene in South Carolina. There were some surprising twists in Save the Date, too. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction or chick-lit.

That being said, I did not like the pastor’s feel good preaching in the book. Also, at one point, two Christian men were discussing “things that really matter” and family seemed to be the only thing that mattered. There was no mention of honoring God, obeying God, the great commission or the fruit of the spirit. I did appreciate the author making it clear that Alex and Lucy’s lies were wrong, no matter how good their intentions were.

Save the Date is a cute, romantic read.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Book Sneeze in exchange for writing a review.

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An Amish Love is some of the best Amish fiction I’ve ever read. The book is composed of three novellas, and includes questions for reading groups and Amish recipes. In “A Marriage of the Heart” by Kelly Long, Abby Kaufman tricks Joseph Lambert into marrying her so that she can get away from her father, but Joseph ends up moving in with them. “What the Heart Sees” by Kathleen Fuller tells the story of how Christopher Miller returns to his community after leaving to escape the death of his girlfriend in an accident that also blinded Ellie Chupp. And in “Healing Hearts” by Beth Wiseman, empty nesters must try to learn to live together again after almost a year apart.

All three stories were good, Christian romances. “What the Heart Sees” had a wonderful message of forgiveness. I liked how “Healing Hearts” featured a middle aged married couple, instead of the same old young man meets young woman story, and how it emphasized the sovereignty of God. “A Marriage of the Heart” was full of delightful twists and playful banter. The unusual start to the couple’s marriage was quite entertaining. A restaurant called “Yoder’s Pantry” is featured in all three novellas, and all the descriptions of the good food made me hungry!

I would definitely recommend An Amish Love to people who like Christian romances or Amish fiction.

Disclosure: Thomas Nelson provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Booksneeze.

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Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan tells the stories behind 150 popular Christian hymns. Mr. Morgan writes about the songwriters, sharing the hardships they faced and how they came to faith in Christ. Reading the stories also gives the reader a lesson in church history, with some hymns dating back to eighth century, A.D. Each story is accompanied by the music and lyrics to its corresponding hymn.

This is one of the best books I’ve read in quite some time. Reading the heartbreaking story behind Now Thank We All Our God so close to Thanksgiving was very timely, and makes me feel ashamed for not giving thanks more often. Another hymn of Thanksgiving, We Gather Together, had a surprising story behind it. It was written in 1597 to celebrate Holland’s freedom from Spain. There were so many hymns written during times of religious persecution. It was truly inspiring to read of the faith of Christian brothers and sisters.

My favorite hymn, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing was written in 1758 in England, by Robert Robinson for his sermon on Pentecost Sunday. Just as I am was written by a woman with a chronic illness. I think you get more out of songs when you know a little bit of history like that.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone. It would make an excellent Christmas gift for pastors, music ministers, musicians and Christians in general.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Faithful, by Kim Cash Tate, is a about three Christian women who are best friends. Cydney or “Cyd” has remained pure, patiently waiting for God to send her a husband. She spends her 40th birthday as her baby sister’s maid of honor. Dana discovers her husband is having an affair. Phyllis grows discouraged that her husband has not become a Christian.

The book obviously has some adult content. It was a really great story, and I appreciated that the author makes it clear we have to be faithful with our hearts and minds, not just our bodies.

Unfortunately, about halfway through the book, I started having issues with the story. First, the church the women attend has a topical sermon series on intimacy. That means that families can’t worship together. Of course I believe the Bible should be preached, but children should be able to sit through sermons.

Next, the church starts intimacy discussion groups. Nothing wrong with that, except that these discussion groups include men and women. How can men or women be honest and hold each other accountable in a group like that? Also, I don’t think it’s right for a single, Christian woman to “mentor” a single man.

The story was compelling and the characters felt very real to me. The message that God is always faithful is a good one. However, some of the things the characters did make this a book I cannot in good conscience recommend.

Disclosure: Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Booksneeze.

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Anne Bradstreet by D.B. Kellogg is one of several biographies in the Christian Encounters series from Thomas Nelson Publishers. Anne Bradstreet came from England to Massachusetts with her family in 1630 when she was 18. She was a devout Christian and Puritan. Although she was a busy wife and mother of eight in the New World, she found time to write poetry. A volume of her poems, The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America, was published in 1650. It was very well received, and is still celebrated today.

This was a fascinating look at Puritan and New England history. When the Puritans left England for the New World, they were very different from other groups of European immigrants. The Puritans were not criminals. They were well off and educated. The Puritans were not nearly as strict as many people think. They even drank beer! It was interesting to read about the Puritans religious beliefs and see where they differed from my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was quite enlightening to read about Anne’s father serving as governor and deputy governor multiple times, and learning about how the Massachusetts government was originally established. Anne was a relatable person to me because she suffered from poor health most of her life. I’d recommend this book to history buffs, fans of poetry and people with chronic illness.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers and Book Sneeze in exchange for writing a review.

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Venom and Song is about seven young teenagers who were living on Earth, but they were really Royal Elves. They’ve been brought back to their true home world, Allyra, through a portal. Now they must learn to use their powers so they can save their people from the Spider King. It’s a fantasy allegory for young readers.

It’s very difficult for me to give an honest review of this book, the second in The Berinfell Propheicies series. I have not read the first book, and so this one was difficult especially in the beginning. I tried to borrow a copy from my county library, but unfortunately they didn’t have a copy. This book has a very large cast for a children’s book. To make things more confusing, the seven teenagers have human and elf names.

I guess I’d say don’t read it unless you’ve read the first, but I can’t recommend the first one because I haven’t read it. The cover itself is probably very appealing to young people. It has three dimensional images that really jump out at you. As far as scary stuff, I’d say if a child can handle Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, Venom and Song won’t scare them.

The teens’ powers and how they must work together to use them makes for an interesting story. The battles are good. But does every fantasy story have to have a race of odd people who talk funny? (Thinking of Jar-Jar Binks me am. And Gollum, Hobbitses. Mustn’t forget him.) The authors do a good job of making the middle schoolers talk like real thirteen year olds, which is annoying. Without giving anything away, I really liked the ending. Overall, it was an okay story, when I wasn’t frustrated by not understanding something due to never having read the first story.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers and Book Sneeze in exchange for writing this review.

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Acts 2:44-45 And all that believed were together, and had all things in common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

I Am Hutterite: The Fascinating True Story of a Young Woman’s Journey to Reclaim Her Heritage by Mary-Ann Kirkby is an intriguing story of Ms. Kirkby’s life growing up in a Canadian Hutterite colony, and her parents difficult decision to leave their way of life, taking their seven children with them.

Hutterites are somewhat similar to the Amish, with strict rules about dress and modern things such as television and radio, but they are different in that they share everything. Members do not earn money for themselves. They live together as members of the early Christian church did.

Ms. Kirkby fondly recalls her childhood memories of living in the Hutterite colony, and most of them made me hungry. I would love to sit down to some of the Hutterite meals she described! She tells about her family history and a brief bit of the Hutterite history, helping readers understand why her parents would leave their whole social structure behind and start over in the “English” world with no money and so many children to provide for.

Her descriptions of trying to acclimate to her new culture and the teasing she endured at school make you wince. She talks about salvaging brown paper sacks and leftover Saran Wrap so that she and her siblings could take their lunches to school in the same way her school mates did. The story of she and her siblings taking on the whole school in a baseball game had me laughing out loud.

The book is sprinkled with old black and white family photos, and there is even a recipe in the back for a Hutterite pie. The book was simply delightful. I read it in a single day. Women who enjoy reading prairie romances or the Amish books by Beverly Lewis would especially like this book.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers and Book Sneeze in exchange for writing this review.

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or I Have An Overactive Imagination.

I love end of the world movies. The Day After Tomorrow for example. When I was little, I pretended my Barbies were a family fleeing the Nazis just like the the Trapp family from The Sound of Music. Jericho is one of my all time favorite television shows.

Should the United States sustain a nuclear attack (and a series of EMPs) as portrayed in the TV series Jericho, I had a plan.

Without electricity or a working car, David and I would have nothing of value to trade for food and supplies. With my handgun and limited ammunition to protect us from the looters, we would walk from our home to my parents’ home twenty miles away.

There, my father has a collection of guns, knives and ammo that we could trade for food, and of course use to defend ourselves from the neighboring townspeople and mercenaries. (That last part probably doesn’t make sense if you’ve never seen Jericho) Also, my parents have a swimming and filtration equipment, so if the plumbing stopped working, we’d have adequate water.

This plan is now foiled by the fact that we can’t walk from New Jersey to Dallas.

For further proof of my overactive imagination, let me relay a real life scenario that actually occurred.

I was taking a shower, and our dog Henry started barking and wouldn’t stop. I yelled for David asking him what was wrong with Henry. There was no response, and Henry started barking louder. I yelled for Henry to come to me. I yelled for David. All I could hear was Henry barking. I decided that David must have fallen and become unconscious. Henry was barking trying to tell me something was wrong.

Turns out, they were just playing. David couldn’t hear me yelling.

Sometimes on secret agent movies you’ll hear a guy say he has a plan to kill everyone he meets. I have a plan to survive every possible disaster and accident. I’m not sure if that makes me crazy or just prepared.

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