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Blessings (and I hope to see some of my readers there!)  :o)

When I was in school I had absolutely no luck with history teachers.  All the way through I think my teachers thought history more boring than even their students did.  I didn’t understand history… I mean, I was the kind of kid who spent hours listening to my grandparents tell tales of their youth, and of stories of their parents’ lifetimes.  I knew somewhere in the back of my brain that the stories went back further and that those people must have lived lives similar in challenge and feelings as my wonderful grandparents did.  Unfortunately it was all locked up in dry textbooks that gave no insight into the passions and motivations of these Ancient Peoples.  It was lists of dates and battles and declarations.  There was no teaching about WHY.  And of course anyone who has ever spent time with a child knows that the only question that Really Matters is WHY?

I wish Susan Wise Bauer was not a peer of mine.  I wish she’d lived at least two generations before me, so that her work might have made it into my radar as a child, and that burning question could have been transformed into a solid understanding of History - especially the “Middle Ages”.  What young girl doesn’t dream of being a princess with ladies in waiting?  What young man’s heart does not beat a little faster at the very idea of duals and knight’s quests?  Ms. Bauer has created a place to kindle these dreams and interests.

As with all her work, this is a very thorough book - and is no way limited to the history of the European world.  The material is challenging enough for an adult but presented in a way as to inspire continued reading.  I am currently using the Story of the World and it’s activity guides with my Littles and having great success and recently started these higher level books with my Bigs.  Over the summer I read through The History of the Ancient World and learned a great deal.  The same holds true for my review reading of The History of the Medieval World.  I found my eyes opened to many things I never learned in school.  I remember having just one passionate history teacher in all my years of schooling, and that man was teaching Canadian History in the tenth grade (a little too late, imho).  So all the details of World History was lost to me.  That’s not to say I wasn’t interested, I was!  Since leaving highschool, I have done abundant reading of historical fiction, biographies and autobiographies - but each book became a big investment both mentally and financially (I love to own the books I read, but I’m learning to use the library as much as it pains me to send my “friends” back at the end of our time together *grin*).  Susan’s “History Of” books afford me the chance to see the world as it was, to see the connections between the Peoples of Old… and to be able to afford to keep these friends with me for future “visits”.

The writing in each “story” is engaging and clear.  It connects you to the stories with maps and even original text quotes.  For anyone who has never spent time reading how the early (as it was happening) historians recorded the events of their day, I really encourage you to spend time reading some… people then were just like people today.  They all saw the world as “worse in this generation than ever before” (sound familiar?).  When we see these people as “people” and not as “historical figures beyond our grasp of understanding” - we really get to know History.  Susan Wise Bauer has provided such an opportunity, and anyone who reads her “The History Of” books is sure to be changed in their view of by-gone times.

I have no idea if anything like a “Guide for High School Students” (with essay questions and answer keys) will ever become available for the homeschooling community - but using the Well-Educated Mind as a guide, I’m leading my Bigs and myself through this series with great success.  I look forward to seeing the next installment - and thank the generous people at Peace Hill Press for the opportunity to honestly review this book for free. 

Blessings!

P.S.  Here are some links to some of the other products by Susan Wise Bauer.

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

Now… off you go… head on over to Currclick’s FREEBIE pages and enjoy! :o)

The Hidden Flame takes us back to the very foundations of the Christian Church.  Back to the time of the Apostles… and their helpers.  As with all churches, there is much work done by the “invisible people” (no offence, and I do not believe these people’s works go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father).  Abigail is one of those “invisible people”… a behind the scenes kinda girl.  Orphaned with her younger brother, she serves the people following The Way dutifully, even though she is in great pain both physically and emotionally.  And now along come two suitors, both unbidden, looking to have her as their wife.  With a cast which includes Stephen, Martha, Peter and many other familiar figures of the Early Church, this is truly an incredible book by author team Davis Bunn & Janette Oke.   Abigail’s journey of faith, of learning to rely fully on God and trusting in His good plans for our lives, is not only a good read.. it’s good encouragement for those of us facing challenging circumstances which we feel we can not control.  Bunn & Oke remind us gently throughout the novel - sometimes in the words of people we know and love like Martha - that God is in control… and that He loves us.

The writing style was enjoyable to read, and the historical insights captured my imagination and had me often forgetting I was reading a romance novel.  There is another book by this author team called The Centurion’s Wife which I’m looking forward to buying soon to enjoy more of this style of historical fiction.

** a little side note… and I didn’t realise this till right now, but did you know that Janette Oke (pronounced Oak) is from Canada?  I know… silly thing not to have known, but she is.. Yay for Canada! :o)

Available 2010 at your favourite bookseller.

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

The story is pretty much like any other romance novel, with all it’s unpoken feelings and love triangles… but this novel has a comforting godly twist… Carrie Weaver is not looking for love, she’s already found it in the heart of one of her community’s “black sheep” who has plans to run away with her to join a local baseball team.  But life doesn’t always go the way we planned… and just as they are preparing to “escape”, the Lord calls her father home to Him, the love of her life leaves without her, and she finds herself accepting a marriage proposal with a man who is almost a stranger to her.  Carrie’s life is very typical in that often we have seasons of trials that feel like they last forever.  When one thing after another goes wrong in her life, Carrie finds herself struggling with her faith, her community restrictions, and her Choice. 

The highlights in this book are the colourful characters (”Steelhead” comes to mind) who, although seems rough around the edges, have a fervent love of the Lord.  I also learned a lot of little tips (like how to hang laundry!) which I’ll remember probably for the rest of my life.   The simpleness of the Amish lifestyle appeals to me, even if I couldn’t imagine giving up my front loading washing maching, and so I found the “little things” in the book most interesting.  The writing style is enjoyable to read.  I was surprised to find that overall I enjoyed the book, and would definately recommend it to any of my friends over the typical romance novel out there. 

Available January 2010 at your favourite bookseller.

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

I’m not generally a novel reader, to be honest, but I do love a good Christmas story.  I was blessed enough to be given the opportunity to review The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson and The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh.  My thanks to the publishers for such a lovely pre-holiday gift!

The Christmas Dog tells the tale of a grandmother living in a “going downhill” town.  As Christmas approaches she debates the merit of staying in the home that she and her late husband shared so many memories or selling it and moving closer to her grown children.  The arrival of a secretive, undesireable neighbour has brought a grey cloud to the once community-centered neighbourhood.  Add in an unexpected visit from her wayward grand daughter and an unwelcome mud-covered pooch and well, you’ve got the makings of a wonderfully heartwarming tale of forgiveness and charity.  So many people today walk through their lives without seeing the many little miracles and blessings all around them.  Betty was becoming one of those people till some strange circumstances get a hold of her.

This books is a wonderful holiday treat, reminding us of the true spirit of Christmas… the spirit of giving of ourselves as a offering to He who was born in a stable so long ago.  Forgiving those who have harmed us, opening the door to those we may not want, and believing in those who need our encouragement.  The Christmas Dog looks past the pretty decorated windows and holiday store music and looks into the heart of the true meaning of Christmas. 

The Unfinished Gift is the first novel of the Senior Pastor of Grace Church in Dayton Beach, Florida.  This is by far one of the best Christmas books I have ever read!  The only thing crotchety old Ian Collins wants is to be left alone.  Estranged from his son, a WW2 fighter pilot, Mr. Collins suddenly finds himself the sole guardian of his 7 year old grandson, Patrick.  The only thing Patrick wants this Christmas is his daddy home from the war… and a forbidden treasure he found gathering dust in his grandfather’s attic. 

I don’t want to spoil all the exciting twists and turns this incredible page-turner has to offer, but in the end there are mended hearts, new friends, tearful reunions and the gift of God’s forgiveness and abundant blessing everywhere.  And some thing special for a very special little boy.  Although this book does not come with tissues, I would advise that a box be wrapped along with it… to wipe the tears of sorrow AND joy this book will trigger.  I will be watching this new author for another installment of his talented writing skills!

I would HIGHLY recommend both of these books for the book-lover on your Christmas List. 

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

 I just got the latest issue of The Old Schoolhouse magazine, and if you look on page 92, under the One Year Novel… they quoted my incredible son, Everett!!!  ALSO.. on page 107, Daniel from Salem Ridge Press quoted ME in his advertisement!!!! (psst.. I’m Shannon R in case you didn’t know… *wink*)

 I know, silly… but I didn’t expect to see it, so it was a little giggly surprise around here.  Just thought I’d share.

 I’m planning on posting more regularly come the new school year… I have lots of ideas, and I’ve already started writing.. so expect to see some great reviews coming soon! :o)

OH!  And check out this year’s  Homeschool Review Crew at the Homeschool Crew Blog.

Blessings!

Since I’m pressed for time - there is a little girl at my elbow begging Mama to go start a “marshmallow fire” (you know, a cookout fire so she can cook marshmallows) - I thought I’d just share the banner I got notifying me of the sale and I’ll leave it for you to go check out all the goodies.  But please leave me SOMETHING… okay?  I’ll be heading over there later when the Littles are in bed! *grin*

Blessings!

The ebook is packed with theme based learning activities and lots of just for fun stuff.  Inspiring chef testimonials share the culinary passion with your children.  Included also is a well written chapter with a clear plan for becoming a chef themselves… including stressing the important of always pursuing higher education.  There are beautiful copywork pages, some facinating science experiments, colouring pages (for the younger set), and fun games like crossword puzzles and a “fill in the story” type review sheet. 

If you have a budding chef if your home, this might be the perfect mini introduction into what a life behind the scenes might be like if they decide to pursue that non-conventional career path.  It’d also be a great “unit study” break from regularly schedule programming - because after all, there really is a little budding chef in every child. LOL!

Blessings!

As a review blogger,  I am provided a free copy of the book, curriculum or product to test and use in order to write an honest review. I receive no other compensation and the opinions I share are my own and not influenced by the company in question.

SOMETHING has to be done.  After some prayer and talk, we concluded that putting the kids in school just wasn’t an option.  Not only would it probably NOT decrease our debt load, but it would most surely add a great deal of stress to the family.  So, what to do?

I brought it up with a friend of mine, my wingless angel, my encourager… my best friend, Steph.  After promising to pray, she encouraged me to look into ways to use my talents at home to make a supplemental income.  Now, okay, I know the verse in First Thessalonians 4 v. 11 that tells me that my ambition should be to live a quiet life, mind my own business and to work with my hands.. but I’m afraid if God intended me to be one of those little Suzie Homemaker types, He forgot to put the creative gene in me to go with it.  I am the least crafty person I know… and I really mean that!  So she asked me, “what CAN you do?”.  Hmm… blog.  Read and blog.  That’s about it… oh, I can make a nice webpage if needed, but that just doesn’t bring in the money I’d like it too, and I find myself more often than not, working for free for this charitable organization or that friend.  Noble as that may be.. it’s definately not a money maker! *grin*

Anyhow, to make this very long story short, she asked me what I knew about PLR.  I said, “huh” (wow, intelligent response, eh? LOL).  Well, she laughed and sent me some links for more information… and the best part? It was all free!  Now I’m getting set up and I hope to keep everyone posted with fantastic updates… but for those of you still wondering what a PLR is… (which I’m just learning about now) here is some information:

How PLR content works is simple. You are given access by the original author to the source files for articles, ebooks, special reports, mini-courses, site graphics… and they are then yours to change, add to or use as is. You can put your name on them and sell them as your own or even give them away to build your list - a list you can use later on to share about your latest products available for sale.

Within a couple of hours you can put together your own info product and have it ready for sale. There is no easier way to create a steady stream of products. Think how quickly you can have an entire product line ready to go!  You can also use the PLR content to add more to your website, blog or newsletter. It’s instant content that you don’t have to spend hours writing - or hundreds of dollars outsourcing (paying someone else to do your writing for you).

Why not join me?  I’d love to have some other debt-free minded friends come on this journey alongside me… we could be an encouragement and a support to each other as we work towards living free and clear of the bondage of debt.  And if course make some extra money for books! LOL!  (C’mon, admit it, if you are reading my blog, chances are your a book-a-holic like me! LOL!)

Here are two links I’d like to share, both with an abundance of free information:

PLR Wholesalers

Minisite Profits Exposed!

Blessings!