How To Be God’s Little Princess has a lot going on for it.  Not only does it have a smash-up design (pink, sparkly cover, pink interior pages with playful drawings of modern-day princesses etc.) but it also contains content that every tween-age daughter-of-the-King will find enthralling.

My newly turned eight-year-old absolutely loves her copy that we received to review.  She pores over it and has even made herself a ‘princess notebook’ to do further research with and to take notes in.  Filled with many fun features, this book includes instruction on manners, character, poise etc., quizzes, ‘What’s Wrong With This Picture’ drawings, and more.

There are also fashion tips, home management tips (my daughter came up to me and said she needs to go through her clothes twice a year to do wardrobe management), fun ideas for hands-on activities and crafts, and even a scripture memorization system to help little princesses hide the word of their Father in their hearts.

This is a fun instructional/activity book for 8 – 12 year olds.  My daughter can’t recommend it enough.  As a parent I like the content, advice, and character emphasis.  Some of the girls in the drawings wear their skirts and dresses much shorter than we are comfortable with our daughter’s wearing, but other than that, this is a sweet and cute book.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW AT CHRISTIANBOOK.COM OR AMAZON.COM!

This week I am hosting a blog tour stop for Sheila Walsh’s How to Be God’s Little Princess.  You can look for my review tomorrow, but until then I wanted to share some of the contests and events that are taking place around the release of this exciting new book for tweens.

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Sheila Walsh is celebrating the release of How to Be God’s Little Princess with a KINDLE giveaway and Facebook Princess Tea Party! “In How to Be God’s Little Princess, it’s my prayer that young girls will learn important life skills and discover for themselves how to navigate the do’s and don’ts of life. I want them to see that making wise decisions about clothes, friends, family, make-up, and more can be FUN! – Sheila Walsh Read what people are saying here. Sheila has put together a Princess prize package worth over $200!

One lucky winner will receive: * A brand new KINDLE with Wi-Fi & New Pearl Screen * How to Be God’s Little Princess (autographed copy) * A Princess Tea Kit (includes princess backpack, tiara, book, jewelry making kit, & mug) To enter click on entry ports below, then tell your friends! Hurry, giveaway ends 4/30! But wait! There’s more … On May 4th join Sheila at her Author Page on Facebook for the Princess Tea Party! She will announce the winner of the KINDLE, connect with readers and give away a ton of fun products from the Gigi and God’s Little Princess line! Tweens invited! Don’t miss the fun! She is looking forward to connecting and learning more about you – so be sure to stop by on May 4th at 5:00 PM PST (6 PM MST, 7 PM CST, & 8 PM EST).

With the cliffhanger ending in To Darkness Fled I couldn’t wait to read the third and final installment in the Blood of Kings series – From Darkness Won. As always, it is difficult to review sequels and ending novels in trilogies without giving away important plot details to readers who may only be beginning their journey with the series.  Can I just say that author Jill Williamson didn’t disappoint me?  I have to say that some rollicking series seem to wind down, get muddled, or lose steam in the final book, but that wasn’t the case here!

Vrell and Achan continue to struggle forward in their quest to bring the Light back to the land of Er’Rets as darkness continues to spread.  The tone and pacing of From Darkness Won is a bit different than book 2.  Vrell and Achan spend most of this book separated from each other, each maturing in Arman, facing down character flaws, temptations, and of course – the enemy.  There is also a heightening intensity lent to the importance of various battles as Achan and his army press towards their ultimate goal of taking Armonguard, the seat of the Hadar Kings since the settlement of Er’Rets.

This finale is also slanted somewhat towards Achan’s perceptions than Vrell’s.  Book 2 was a bit heavy towards the more romantic thread, book 3 is much more war-focused.  Though I’m a woman, I do find that Williamson has depicted Achan very realistically as a young man.  Having been married for ten years this fall I had to laugh a few times at just how male Achan is!

Readers who have felt that Esek was somewhat a weak villain, a bit too stereotypical perhaps, will now find that there HAS been a darker, deeper force behind he and his father’s manipulations for the throne.  In fact, Williamson has surprises in store for you dear readers, but I won’t let you know what they are!

Of course there is a gloriously epic conclusion to this sweeping saga, in ways similar to, yet disparate from most classic fantasy.  In both a subtle and striking departure from the familiar story-saga ending of a lone hero triumphing over all evil, Williamson’s conclusion is instead much truer to the underlying threads of the tapestry she has woven in this fantasy world.

When all is said and done I can certainly affirm that Williamson is one of Christian fantasy’s most captivating authors.  The world and characters she has created are sure to sweep you into the world of her imagination and have you flipping pages as quickly as you can turn them, devouring each word.

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW AT AMAZON.COM!

There has been so much research done on stress and its affects on health in the past several years that there is no doubt that stress not only happens, but it can lead to or aggravate certain health conditions.  As a mom I know a little about stress (at least the ongoing day-to-day type), but I know that it can nowhere compare to the levels of stress that lead to conditions like PTSD (you can read more about how vets can often suffer from this condition that results from extraordinary stress levels at The Stress Project).

Because of the many stress-induced health concerns that can occur (some of which are unavoidable), people may find themselves in need of Medicare Supplemental Insurance or medigap plans. Thankfully our family is fairly healthy (though I’ve been struggling with an inflamed thyroid lately – not uncommon for women with anew baby) so our Alberta health care coverage is plenty for us.

I hope that you and your families are all keeping well!

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

and the book:

That’s When I Talk to God

David C. Cook (April 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist, The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

Dan and Ali Morrow are parents of two wonderful daughters. When they’re not writing children’s books, they like to go on adventures around their Colorado home. They are the authors of That’s Where God Is (2010), their first children’s release.

Visit the authors’ website.

Cory Godbey illustrates, animates, and writes for Portland Studios, a creative firm dedicated to telling great stories and pursuing excellence in art.

He has contributed to projects such as Zune Arts, Flight graphic novel anthologies, and has worked with many major publishers.

Recently, Cory was accepted in the acclaimed Society of Illustrators Annual.

Cory seeks to tell stories with his work.

He also likes drawing monsters.

Visit the illustrator’swebsite.

Targeted to children four to eight, That’s When I Talk to God mirrors the day of the typical child, creating an opportunity for readers to put the practices in the story to use in their own lives. Through beautiful illustrations and an engaging, familiar character, readers can relate to That’s When I Talk to God. Children will learn to go to God with their fears, their joys, their questions, and their desires. They will also learn the hows, whens, and whys of praying to the Lord in a way they can easily apply to their own experiences. And adults will be reminded to communicate the benefit, simplicity, and beauty of prayer.

Product Details:

List Price: $12.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook (April 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1434700186
ISBN-13: 978-1434700186

AND NOW…THE FIRST FEW PAGES (Click on the pictures to enlarge them!):

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW AT CHRISTIANBOOK.COM OR AMAZON.COM!

Kaiser Permanente Helps Customers Modify or Change Existing Coverage Plans
Guest Post by: Sophie T.

Kaiser Permanente allows individuals to change their insurance plans to reflect their current situation. This generally takes place at the contract’s renewal date.

When it comes to health insurance coverage, Kaiser Permanente provides a number of affordable options for employers, families and individuals to choose from. These health insurance plans allow Kaiser Permanente’s customers to feel secure, knowing that their finances will be safe from excessive medical expenses.

As these plans are chosen according to a client’s specific needs, a client might want to modify or change their coverage to reflect their changing circumstances. Fortunately, Kaiser Permanente allows its customers to do just that, ensuring that their coverage always reflects their current situation.

If one wants to change their coverage, they can do this when they renew their plan, which happens once every year. The one exception to this policy is a plan downgrade, which can be requested at any given time, as long as it is not within the four month period prior to a contract’s renewal.

At the renewal date, one can add additional coverage to their plan, such as dental and chiropractic. Additionally, one can switch to a multiple plan offering, provided that they have a group of at least three subscribers.

If one no longer is receiving coverage through their employer, it is possible to get group continuation coverage at any time, which will allow them to continue their plan without a lapse.

After a medical review, it is even possible to lower one’s premiums through a HSA Qualified Deductible Plan.

Indeed, Kaiser Permanente makes it easy to modify or change one’s coverage plan.

Congratulations to Beth Shepherd!  You are the winner of our contest for a copy of The Crossmaker DVD! This is truly an EXCELLENT DVD!  Enjoy!  I have just emailed you.  Please get in touch within 72 hours so we can have this sent out for you in time for Easter!

Please be on the lookout for our next contest faithful readers!

Even though my oldest daughter often calls her clothing for the day a ‘uniform’ or ‘costume’, they really, really aren’t!  They are wildly eclectic, and I’m glad we homeschool so she can develop her own sense of style without peer pressure or institutional demands. While the Pros and cons of School uniforms continue to be debated, I’m glad we don’t have to worry about the issue here in our homeschool.

I was reading on one of the Tapestry of Grace yahoo groups that Caroline – a homeschooling mother of six – is organizing a Bible memorization effort to encourage others to not only read, but to memorize the entire book of Philippians over the course of this next year.

She has set up a blog and will be making a reading schedule, 3×5 memory cards, etc. available there, as well as providing a place of fellowship and support.

I plan to join her!  Are you interested in memorizing Philippians?  The effort starts this Easter weekend, so make sure you check out the blog here!

Our family doesn’t celebrate the big costume day (Halloween), but my little girls still love costumes!  They are very incorporated into our daily lives as a family, because we have a bunch of them stuffed into our dress-up-tub. Children’s Costumes are always a big hit, and we have spent gift money for the girls stocking our tub. Their favorites? Princess costumes! We also have a huge colletion of playsilks that they can transform into just about any costume like like, but it is still mostly princesses, and slaves, and pirates, and anyone from our current family read aloud!

Even (if like us) you don’t do the big H-day, Halloween Adventures has a lot of costumes that aren’t in any way Halloween related, but make fun dress ups for children.  With over 10,000 items they have a huge selection.  If you are looking for Costume Stores | Children’s Costumes | Plus Size Costumes you might want to check them out, some of it is trashy (like any costume store), but they do have some adorable things for children there.