Posted Friday, 28 August, 2015 by jorielov (Illustrator) Rebecca J. Greenwood, Cedar Fort Inc, CFI (imprint) Cedar Fort Inc, Rebecca J. Greenwood, Scripture Princesses 0 Comments
From the moment I originally learnt of this illustrated book, I knew I wanted to dig a bit deeper behind the collection of stories based on our Biblical past and get inside the head of the writer who illustrated it! Originally, I misunderstood this to be a picture book rather than a chapter book – the beauty of it being the latter is that it’s a starting point for children to become engaged with reading a fuller length novel whilst discovering a bit about their religious heritage and the women who lived through the strength of their faith.
The problems they faced are counter-point and relatable to their contemporary peers, and the way in which Ms Greenwood has approached the stories as a whole is right in line with younger readers who are growing through their curiosities to reach into literature to seek not only more knowledge on what implores them to read but to seek a way to understand more of history through the craft of stories.
Stories have such an enriched way of illuminating what we cannot yet fathom to imagine, and in this particular case, the illustrations and the context of the short stories walk hand in hand to beautifully bring the Biblical past to vibrant life! Thus, it was my happy delight to converse with Ms Greenwood about what inspired her towards creating this collection of shorts and the process in which she gave the project!
Be faithful, like Sarah
Be prayerful, like Hannah
Be brave, like Esther
This easy-to-read chapter book shares beautifully illustrated stories, including those of:
Eve,
Rebekah,
Ruth and Naomi,
Sariah,
Abish and the Queen,
Mary Magdalene,
Lucy Mack Smith,
and Emma Hale Smith
Full of examples of integrity and courage, this book is the perfect way to reinforce lessons learned in Primary and share scripture stories that will become a gospel foundation to last a lifetime.
How did you put the idea of ‘Scripture Princesses’ together to create an illustrated novel for children and young adults who are seeking more information about the strong women of the Biblical past? It’s such an impressive display of artistry and biographical sketching to inspire young minds to seek more information after they read this edition.
Greenwood responds: Thank you! I work for publisher Cedar Fort as a graphic designer, and Cedar Fort is very supportive of their employees creating books and products. I had been thinking about what type of book I could create for Cedar Fort that would combine my interests and artistic skills with their market strengths for several years, when this one jelled in my mind. I created a one chapter book proposal, and Cedar Fort accepted it.
I wanted to create a book for girls that explores women in the scriptures, because when you are a girl reading the scriptures, it can sometimes feel like there are lots of men doing things, and not very many women. I wanted to show girls that there ARE women in the scriptures, and that those women had lives we can be inspired by. Read More
Posted Friday, 28 August, 2015 by jorielov in #JorieLovesIndies, After the Canon, Ancient Civilisation, Anthology Collection of Stories, Balance of Faith whilst Living, Biblical Fiction, Biblical History, Biographical Fiction & Non-Fiction, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blog Tour Host, Cedar Fort Publishing & Media, Children's Literature, Christianity, Compassion & Acceptance of Differences, Equality In Literature, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Illustration for Books & Publishing, Illustrations for Stories, Indie Art, Indie Author, Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Inspired by Stories, Judiasm, Lessons from Scripture, Re-Told Tales, Reader Submitted Q&A, Religious History, Short Stories or Essays, Spirituality & Metaphysics, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Posted Thursday, 27 August, 2015 by jorielov (Illustrator) Rebecca J. Greenwood, Cedar Fort Inc, CFI (imprint) Cedar Fort Inc, Rebecca J. Greenwood, Scripture Princesses 0 Comments
Acquired Book By: I am a regular tour hostess for blog tours via Cedar Fort whereupon I am thankful to have such a diverse amount of novels and non-fiction titles to choose amongst to host. I received a complimentary copy of “Scripture Princesses” direct from the publisher CFI (imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc) in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Why I believe we need more Early Reader | Chapter Books such as this:
I have held an appreciation and curiosity about the women of the Bible for the full of my life; mostly because the women of Biblical times were not regularly spoken about from a biographical approach. Most of the stories shared when I was growing up in Sunday School were a bit on the boring side of the ledger to be honest – my teachers had limited knowledge, lacked curiosity of their own, and did not visually bring the women of the Bible to life for me.
I was a seeker of stories from a very young age – and the incredible thing for me growing up was how the stories of who lived during Biblical times was not as represented as the facts. Sunday School and regular education outlets held one commonality that frustrated me: the preference of knowledge and learning was about fact remembering rather than developing a knowledge of history through the perspectives of those who lived and held within their lives a well of stories waiting to be told.
I have found as I grew older, there are certain Biblical fiction authors who either take a Contemporary or Historical point-of-view to help guide us as lay readers to better understand the women (and yes, the men too!) who walked before us. They re-envision their stories through the grace of living through a character’s shoes as told through novels, allowing the breadth of their lives to be explored. The reason this particular release tipped my curiosity to engage with it directly right now, is because I was oft-times curious if there were authors of today penning stories for younger readers who like me were struggling to find quality stories about the women nearly forgotten by time.
Ms Greenwood is an encouraging presence for parents who are seeking illustrated stories who illuminate the women who are strong role models for young girls inasmuch as for young men who are wanting to have a proper balance of knowing who came before us all and how their lives are relevant to today’s world. This is a good start to getting a footing on the Biblical fiction which is happily becoming a more popular genre within the world of INSPY for readers seeking stories about the men and women we barely get to know through their entries in the Bible.
A way to seek out a story behind the scriptures, if you will!
Scripture Princesses
Subtitle: Stories of Righteous Daughters of God
by Rebecca J. Greenwood
Illustrator/Cover Designer: Rebecca J. Greenwood
Source: Direct from Publisher
Be faithful, like Sarah
Be prayerful, like Hannah
Be brave, like Esther
This easy-to-read chapter book shares beautifully illustrated stories, including those of:
Eve,
Rebekah,
Ruth and Naomi,
Sariah,
Abish and the Queen,
Mary Magdalene,
Lucy Mack Smith,
and Emma Hale Smith
Full of examples of integrity and courage, this book is the perfect way to reinforce lessons learned in Primary and share scripture stories that will become a gospel foundation to last a lifetime.
Genres: Children's Literature, Artistic Adaptations &/or Picture Books Places to find the book:
Add to LibraryThing
Also by this author: Author Q&A with Rebecca J. Greenwood, The Darkest Summer
Published by CFI (imprint) Cedar Fort Inc
on 11th August, 2015
Pages: 144
Published By: CFI (imprint) of Cedar Fort Inc (@CedarFortBooks),
an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc (@CedarFortBooks)
Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook, and compliment Colouring Book
Converse via: #illustratednovel, #KidsLit, #EarlyReader OR #ChapterBooks + #WomenOfTheBible
Also: #INSPY (for Inspirational Fiction readers) + #LDSFiction + #LDSKids
About Rebecca J. Greenwood
Rebecca J. Greenwood studied visual art with a music minor at Brigham Young University. She is a multimedia artist, illustrator, comic creator, and designer with a love of stories. She has worked in publishing for the last six years. Rebecca lives in Utah with her husband, where she listens to audiobooks, cooks experimentally, has an interest in alternative health, and constantly has a new project in mind.
Website | Twitter | Pinterest
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Posted Thursday, 27 August, 2015 by jorielov in #JorieLovesIndies, After the Canon, Ancient Civilisation, Anthology Collection of Stories, Balance of Faith whilst Living, Biblical Fiction, Biblical History, Biographical Fiction & Non-Fiction, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blog Tour Host, Cedar Fort Publishing & Media, Children's Literature, Christianity, Compassion & Acceptance of Differences, Equality In Literature, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Illustration for Books & Publishing, Illustrations for Stories, Indie Art, Indie Author, Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Inspired by Stories, Judiasm, Lessons from Scripture, Re-Told Tales, Religious History, Short Stories or Essays, Spirituality & Metaphysics, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Posted Monday, 17 August, 2015 by jorielov (Illustrator) Corey Egbert, Catherine Christensen, Cedar Fort Inc, CFI (imprint) Cedar Fort Inc, I Can Pray Everyday 0 Comments
Acquired Book By: I am a regular tour hostess for blog tours via Cedar Fort whereupon I am thankful to have such a diverse amount of novels and non-fiction titles to choose amongst to host. I received a complimentary copy of “I Can Pray Everyday” direct from the publisher CFI (imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc) in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Why I loved the premise of this picture book:
Previously, when I reviewed The Little Girl and Her Shadow I spoke about why I love picture books and illustrated stories. I believe sometimes the best way to start a conversation with your children is to find a picture book or another illustrated story which can help introduce a subject or a topic for discussion, as the story itself will provide the ice breaker. Books such as these help parents as much as they help children, as sometimes broaching a conversation isn’t as easy as it would appear. Some children are more introverted and shy about sharing their thoughts and internal feelings with their parents, which would lead me to believe that a book which celebrates the topic a Mum or Da wants to speak about might in effect help unite the family towards a conversation where everyone can speak openly and freely.
I Can Pray Everyday
by Catherine Christensen
Illustrator/Cover Designer: Corey Egbert
Source: Direct from Publisher
"Heavenly Father hears my prayers. I know He listens and He cares."
This adorable picture book teaches little ones when and where to pray. With simple scenes that children will recognise from their own lives, it's a sweet reminder that Heavenly Father always hears our prayers.
Enjoy the colourful illustrations, rhyming text, and beautiful reminders of eternal truths. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, this book is bound to become a favourite in your home.
Genres: Children's Literature, Artistic Adaptations &/or Picture Books Places to find the book:
Also by this author: Blessing the Nephite Children
Published by CFI (imprint) Cedar Fort Inc
on 11th August, 2015
Format: Hardcover Edition
Pages: 32
Published By: CFI (imprint) of Cedar Fort Inc (@CedarFortBooks),
an imprint of Cedar Fort, Inc (@CedarFortBooks)
Available Formats: Hardback, Ebook
Converse via: #picturebook, #KidsLit
About Catherine Christensen
Catherine loves books. She reads books, writes books, edits books, collects books, and even shelved books at the library for her first job. She also loves to travel and explore the world with her husband, Jon, and her daughter, Juliette. Catherine earned her BA from Brigham Young University. She grew up in England and now lives in Springville, Utah.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | LibraryThing
About Corey Egbert
Corey Egbert has illustrated over ten books for children and numerous other publications. He has also exhibited his work in galleries and won awards for his handmade prints and digital illustrations. He lives in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his wife, his son, and their orange tabby.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
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Posted Monday, 17 August, 2015 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Cedar Fort Publishing & Media, Children's Literature, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Illustrations for Stories, Indie Author, Picture Book
Posted Saturday, 1 August, 2015 by jorielov ChocLitUK, Middledip series, Starting Over, Sue Moorcroft 2 Comments
Acquired Book By:
I am a ChocLit reviewer who receives books of my choice in exchange for honest reviews! I received a complimentary copy of “Starting Over” from ChocLit in exchange for an honest review! I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
On wanting to read Moorcroft’s trilogy:
I joined Twitter in November of 2013, and one of the very first ChocLit authors who tweeted me a reply was Ms Moorcroft! It was always my intention to pick up her serial stories involving the small towne of Middledip, as you can see from this brief exchange back then how curious I was about one of the cars featured in the book trailer!
Time grew away from me, and if you fast forward to July 2015, Ms Moorcroft dropped in on #ChocLitSaturday much to my delight! I have been attempting to soak inside this RomCom since the book arrived by Post a few months ago; between then and now, my health was affected and mother nature decided to vex me something fierce with a battery of lightning storms which all but crippled my electronics and ability to blog! July blinked out of sight before I even knew how many hours I had lost watching the severe storms roll in and roll back out again!
I knew when I first read the premise of Starting Over I might enjoy a lovely reprieve inside a romantic comedy, as too oft I find myself picking up dramas; nothing wrong with that, except that I do miss a book that reminds me of the lighter sides of life and romance. It’s quite a good thing to remember to find stories that make you laugh and make you think about their characters in a way that is a pure uplift of spirit. I used to read more lighter faire in Romance but somewhere along the way, the historicals and the dramas (esp war dramas) swept me up into their epic narratives and haven’t quite let me go!
Starting Over
by Sue Moorcroft
Source: Direct from Publisher
New home, new friends, new love. Can starting over be that simple?
Tess Riddell reckons her beloved Freelander is more reliable than any man – especially her ex-fiancé, Olly Gray. She’s moving on from her old life and into the perfect cottage in the country.
Miles Rattenbury’s passions? Old cars and new women! Romance? He’s into fun rather than commitment.
When Tess crashes the Freelander into his breakdown truck, they find that they’re nearly neighbours – yet worlds apart. Despite her overprotective parents and a suddenly attentive Olly, she discovers the joys of village life and even forms an unlikely friendship with Miles. Then, just as their relationship develops into something deeper, an old flame comes looking for him…
Is their love strong enough to overcome the past? Or will it take more than either of them is prepared to give?
Places to find the book:
Borrow from a Public Library
Add to LibraryThing
Published by ChocLitUK
on 1st November 2009
Format: Paperback Edition
Pages: 336
Published by: ChocLitUK (@ChocLitUK)
Formats Available: Paperback, Audiobook, Large Print, & Ebook
Lovely interview with Ms Moorcroft | catherinegaskin.com
Read the full history on behalf of this series about Middledip!
{ the Middledip series }
No.1 Starting Over (this review!)
No.2 All That Mullarkey (Book Synopsis)
No.3 Love & Freedom (Book Synopsis)
No.4 Dream a Little Dream (Book Synopsis)
No.5 Is this Love? (Book Synopsis)
Converse via: #ChocLit, #SueMoorcroft & #Middledip
To follow her Street Team key in #teamsuemoorcroft!
About Sue Moorcroft
Sue Moorcroft is an accomplished writer of novels and short stories, as well as a creative writing tutor. She’s also the fiction judge at Writers Forum and a regular guest on Sue Dougan’s Chat Room at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
Sue’s Choc Lit novels include: Starting Over, All That Mullarkey, Want to Know a Secret?, Love & Freedom, Dream a Little Dream, Is This Love? and Darcie’s Dilemma (ebook).Love & Freedom won the Festival of Romance Best Romantic Read Award 2011 and Dream a Little Dream was shortlisted for the 2013 Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Posted Saturday, 1 August, 2015 by jorielov in 21st Century, Blog Tour Host, Book Trailer, Bookish Films, ChocLitSaturdays, ChocLitUK, Contemporary Romance, Debilitating Diagnosis & Illness, England, Flashbacks & Recollective Memories, Indie Author, Life Shift, Loss of an unbourne child, Modern Day, Romance Fiction, Romantic Comedy, Second Chance Love, Singletons & Commitment, Small Towne Fiction, Trauma | Abuse & Recovery, Unexpected Pregnancy, Vulgarity in Literature, Women's Health, Women's Rights
Posted Friday, 31 July, 2015 by jorielov James Eric Richey, JER Books, Two Hearts: When I Said I Do I Meant Forever 0 Comments
Acquired Book By: I was selected to be a part of the blog tour for “Two Hearts” hosted by iRead Book Tours. I received a complimentary copy of the book direct from the author James Eric Richey in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Suspense-filled Love Stories turn quite Epic:
Are a bit hard to find but are treasured once they are discovered; the type of love story where despite the adversities and the entangled woes of life itself, the two dearly beloved souls find a way to make it against the odds stacked ontop of them. I like finding romance rooted in realism and a conviction of experiences where both sides have to make marked steps towards keeping their relationships healthy. Marriage isn’t for the weak of heart nor the faint of circumstances because life has a way of endearing us with tides of uncertainty and unknown disasters.
Finding characters who are writ to such a strong degree as Jax and Annie is a rare gift indeed; partially why I love seeking out ChocLit novels as I have come to treasure the strength and beauty of the authors’ conjoined focus on ‘relationship-based romances’ whilst painted against a back-drop of real-life situations that will test their wills for a strength to endure at all costs. I am finding there are other authors out there of whom are a bit harder to find; their novels are released by either Small Trade, Hybrid, or Indie publishers not yet known for their titles; Richey falls under this category, and it was a joy to be able to read his story on this blog tour, if only to help readers find the quality and the depth of his novel.
This is one reason I celebrate Indie Authors – because the routes they take to reach their reading audience differ from one another, but their strength of the craft of story-telling remains acute and self-aware in knowing which types of stories we readily want to consume. Those who hunger for Romance novels like the ones I appreciate myself, enjoy the relationship bits and the in-between moments where characters show their flaws as much as their keen ability to champion adversity blighted against their path. To seek out characters who live as wholly true to contemporary composites will always be a joy for me, but to find an ‘epic love story’ out of the blue is golden!
Two Hearts:
Subtitle: When I Said I Do, I Meant Forever
by James Eric Richey
Source: Author via iRead Book Tours
Jaxon Tagget is a cattle-rancher's son, born and raised on the Double T, just outside of Dillon, Montana. In love with his high-school sweetheart, Annie, Jaxon proposes on graduation night, presenting her with a wedding ring made from gold he mined himself. Annie accepts immediately, to the horror of her bitter, man-hating mother.
Jaxon's a wonderful husband, but the warnings of Annie's mother linger in the young bride's ears. And it doesn't help that women continue to fall all over the markedly handsome Jaxon.
Unaware of his wife's persistent doubts, Jaxon is struggling with his own troubles when he finds out his dad is sorely in need of money to save the ranch. But hope glimmers gold when he rediscovers the old mine on the Double T.
While Jaxon travels to verify the mine's productivity, Annie grows increasingly suspicious. Is Jaxon's absence what it seems, or does he have another, less faithful reason for his travels? When Annie sees a picture of the beautiful laboratory owner whom Jaxon is visiting, she's sure the only gold he's interested in is long, blond hair. Is Annie right, or will it be her doubts that forever sever their Two Hearts?
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Western Fiction Places to find the book:
Add to LibraryThing
Also by this author:
Published by JER Books
on 15th December, 2014
Format: Paperback Edition
Pages: 426
Published By: JER Books (@JERBooks)
Available Formats: Paperback and Ebook
About James Eric Richey
James Eric Richey was born and raised in California. He attended Brigham Young University, studying English with an emphasis in Literature. After graduating from BYU he returned home to California to further his education by attending law school. After passing the bar, James practiced in California for several years, but he quickly learned that he did not have a passion for the law.
In 1998 James obtained his real estate appraiser license, which has given him a flexible work schedule and allowed him to pursue his true passion, writing books. Besides his writing, he also enjoys reading, running, and sailing. James currently lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with his wife, Heather, and their two daughters.
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2015 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
Posted Friday, 31 July, 2015 by jorielov in #JorieLovesIndies, 21st Century, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blog Tour Host, Bookish Discussions, Cliffhanger Ending, Contemporary Romance, Creative Arts, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Divorce & Martial Strife, Farm and Ranching on the Frontier, Father-Daughter Relationships, Historical Fiction, Indie Author, iRead Book Tours, Life Shift, Modern Day, Montana, Mother-Daughter Relationships, Passionate Researcher, Romance Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Single Mothers, Small Towne Fiction, Small Towne USA, South America, Western Fiction, Western Romance, Women's Fiction
