tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-171138892024-03-05T12:23:38.526-05:00Reviews by DonnaDonna J. Shepherd, Children's and Inspirational Writer reviews books, eBooks, music, and more.Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-1608598891093531042018-11-19T14:19:00.004-05:002018-11-19T14:27:20.383-05:00Beloved: 365 Devotions for Young Women
The book may be marketed for young women, but this woman found the devotions to be very interesting, informative, and inspiring – no matter what your age. Each devotion highlights a woman in the Bible, sharing her history and motivation, helping the reader to understand her place in biblical history.
For instance, 1 Samuel 1:2 tells us about Hannah's sad situation. The Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-20655853690038491912017-05-28T08:53:00.001-04:002017-05-28T08:53:51.673-04:00DEFIANCE: A Post-Apocalyptic YA Tale of Survival by L.R. Burkard
Gripping. Heart-stopping. I read a couple of chapters of Defiance one night before bedtime and couldn't sleep. I even dreamed of an EMP. Burkard's characters jump off the page and she writes with such realism that I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if I were put in the same situations as the people in the book. Excellent story-telling and highly recommended.
Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-83254730718313144512017-05-19T23:48:00.001-04:002017-05-19T23:52:08.567-04:00Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist, Illustrated by Rachel Clowes
Love Letters from God is a lovely book, beautifully illustrated, and full of love from beginning to end. A different ‘girl’ examined in each chapter feels God’s love in a very real way through her experiences.
A word of caution: The stories stick to the Biblical accounts rather loosely. That may not be a bad thing if the reader has a Bible close by and decides to do more reading. Having Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-323323800967450132015-01-09T13:03:00.003-05:002015-01-09T13:10:06.941-05:00The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers - Diane Storz; illustrations by Sheila Bailey
“The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers” is a 32-page board book in which Diane Storz has written a very quick and light overview of the entire Bible with eight stories – four from the Old Testament and four from the New Testament. Each story is short – only a few pages, and geared to children who may not understand the deeper concepts of each story, although reading the book to children a bitDonna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-90408334711985791092014-11-26T10:00:00.003-05:002014-11-26T11:12:58.693-05:00“Get to Know Apostle Paul” by Nancy I. Sanders
I
love this book. As a visual learner, this book hit all the right notes. It
focuses on the life of Apostle Paul and uses photos, maps and many visuals to
help children - or any reader, understand the story of Paul’s life. I have
taught Bible classes for many years and Get to Know Apostle Paul includes
information that was new to me. Instead of simply relaying facts, Nancy I.
Sanders packed Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-70816670901313388382014-10-17T08:44:00.001-04:002014-10-17T08:44:39.946-04:00Cook'n Recipe Management System
In February 2012, I posted a review of Cook'n, a Recipe Management System. My original review can be found here: http://reviewsbydonnashepherd.blogspot.com/2012/02/review-of-cookn-recipe-organizer.html
Cook'n has been the #1 recipe software program for more than 20 years, and the best way to organize your recipes. I liked the program very much, but now - a new version has been released Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-26842276676033424952014-09-15T14:57:00.000-04:002014-09-17T11:14:53.815-04:00NIV New Spirit-Filled Life Bible
This is fast becoming my go-to Bible. I reviewed the Kindle
version because this is now my favorite way to read my Bible. I can mark my
progress, highlight passages, and make notes. Each Bible has a different format
and way to navigate. After a few sessions, I found the “New Spirit-Filled Life Bible” easy to navigate.
One of my favorite features of many is the “Word Wealth.” For
instance,Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-90314309147302954782014-07-03T14:06:00.000-04:002014-07-03T14:06:52.754-04:00Writer's Nudge by by Mary C. Busha and Robert W. Busha
The Bushas have a long history in publishing. Now they are making their years of expertise available to writers eager to make their mark as writers. Covering subjects like proposals, self-publishing, agents, and more, Writer's Nudge is a valuable resource to get you started on your road to being an author.
Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-7448925096736978792014-07-02T20:45:00.000-04:002014-07-02T20:47:13.971-04:00Twirl by Patsy Clairmont
In the blurb for “Twirl,” the author, Patsy Clairmont, says she hopes to help her readers make choices that lead to renewal and peace. I figured the twirling had to do with the breakneck pace of our current culture. When I first received “Twirl” for review, I was puzzled by the image of a pinwheel on the front. I wanted a book on how to stop the dizziness of a too-busy life. Then I saw the Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-78192179728416443722014-04-29T10:40:00.001-04:002014-04-29T10:44:28.481-04:00First Blush by Rebeca Seitz
There are a lot of people who can immerse themselves into a hefty novel. I'm not one of them. I like short and sweet. And that's exactly what I got with a novella by Rebeca Seitz. In First Blush, the characters are fun and sassy. The setting is sunny Florida. Reading about sunshine and beach time lifted my spirits. And the storyline is light, but interesting enough to keep me reading clear toDonna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-38399038260672556722014-04-14T12:57:00.001-04:002014-04-14T13:02:52.320-04:00The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life by Rick Warren, Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Mark Hyman
The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life is based on five essentials: faith, food, fitness, focus, and friends. Any book that starts out with an “Aha!” moment in the author’s life that brought humility and conviction gets my attention. Rick Warren had such a moment while baptizing people in his congregation and that single illuminating revelation prompted him to gather together a Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-67121711555478959872014-03-19T23:45:00.000-04:002014-03-19T23:58:36.928-04:00The Big Picture Interactive Bible for Kids, Hardcover: Connecting Christ Throughout God's Story (The Gospel Project)
I am always excited about new ways to share God’s Word with anyone – and especially children. The “Big Picture Interactive Bible” represents one of the newer methods. Not only does the Bible have many extras like Bible verses to remember, a dictionary, and detailed introductions to each book of the Bible, but also includes a unique feature called “augmented reality.” What? I had no idea whatDonna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-91398534735933864852014-02-07T13:16:00.001-05:002014-02-07T13:17:20.474-05:00My Brother Is My Best Friend by Nicole Weaver, art by Clara Batton Smith
"My Brother Is My Best Friend" by Nicole Weaver is a tri-lingual book with English, Spanish, and French. In the book, the text is in three different colors which make it much easier to differentiate the languages. In any language, this book is fun! It's energetic - just like the twin boys, and educational. Activities and a word search puzzle in the back of the book make it even more fun. TheDonna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-83969182481123527142014-01-28T01:01:00.001-05:002014-01-28T01:05:06.150-05:00NIV Ragamuffin Bible: Meditations for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Brokenhearted (Brennan Manning)
The NIV Ragamuffin Bible is a New International Version Bible containing 104 devotions, 250 reflections, and 150 quotes from Brennan Manning (1934-2013), a public speaker, priest, and author of The Ragamuffin Gospel. While the extra material scattered throughout the text is at times thought provoking and inspiring, in some cases, I felt that it did not relate to the scriptures into which it Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-21005605240955029392013-11-02T22:16:00.000-04:002013-11-02T22:26:13.219-04:00The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado
When I received “The Christmas Candle” by Max Lucado for review, I was surprised to find that it was a novella. I’ve read many nonfiction books by Rev. Lucado. I didn’t know he had ever written fiction. I consider the novella to be a gift book – something short and sweet, the perfect read when you don’t have a lot of time to devote to a full length novel. But don’t assume that because it’s a Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-75114725623181954142013-10-16T09:36:00.001-04:002013-10-16T09:36:51.506-04:00Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong
Just finished reading "Welcome to Last Chance" by Cathleen Armstrong. I loved the small town feel and the diverse characters, and the way that Christian values were presented in a gentle, non-confrontational way.
The story of the two main characters, Lainie and Ray, kept me guessing as there had to more to the story than was presented in the beginning, but I have to say that the warm, sweet, Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-25535734977496661482013-10-01T11:20:00.001-04:002013-10-01T11:20:18.161-04:00Billy Graham in Quotes
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Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-25995021801169790512013-08-13T22:57:00.001-04:002013-08-13T23:04:30.186-04:00Runaway Emotions by Jeff Schreve
The smoke alarm on the cover of “Runaway Emotions” by Jeff
Schreve is symbolic of negative emotions like anger and frustration. They alert
us to danger. Just as we wouldn’t hide a fire, the alarms set off by these
runaway, negative emotions alert us to the need to manage them, and find out
what God is trying to say to us. Schreve uses scriptures liberally in his
explanation of how the Bible Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-89138859822161686632013-06-19T22:32:00.000-04:002013-06-20T18:06:48.942-04:00Secretly Smitten [Kindle Edition]
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Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-11428626164583510992013-02-06T13:51:00.001-05:002013-02-06T13:51:15.846-05:005 Days to a Clutter-Free House: Quick, Easy Ways to Clear Up Your Space by Sandra Felton, Marsha Sims
In my never-ending pursuit of being an organized person, I asked to review this book. When it came time to read and review, I couldn't find it. Boy, do I need this book!
The first section of the book focuses on cleaning and organizing your home using a team approach. While I think that would be a great way to tackle a big job, most of my friends and family are every bit as busy as I amDonna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-36806201269596110622013-01-11T19:05:00.002-05:002013-01-11T19:10:49.679-05:00Beyond Talent by John C. Maxwell
I LOVE this book. I received this book several months ago, and am normally very quick to read and write reviews when my schedule allows. I have gotten so caught up with the stories, the advice, and the practical tips in this book that I actually forgot I had received it for review. My copy is bookmarked, starred, highlighted, and dog-eared. At the end of each chapter are Application ExercisesDonna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-44214140313421457332012-09-01T23:06:00.002-04:002012-09-01T23:17:36.933-04:00The Power of the Prophetic Blessing by John Hagee
At the beginning of "The Power of the Prophetic Blessing," Pastor John Hagee confidently asserts, "You don't need to search any further for the answers to the challenges of your life; you just need to believe that you have the potential to lead a blessed life...because you were born to be blessed!"
Hagee starts by defining the prophetic and priestly blessings. The second section talks Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-1915970469758257332012-05-26T14:04:00.001-04:002012-05-26T14:05:32.901-04:00Lipton Tea and Honey PacketsSource: liptontea.com via Donna on Pinterest
I received Lipton Tea & Honey Packets through Klout.com. At first, I thought I might not like them because of the honey, and the taste might be too overpowering, but I have to say - they are quite delightful. Very refreshing and the Mango-Pineapple is wonderful. For a quick, fresh drink on the go, I'd highly recommend these packets.
Disclosure: Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-21674438170781737572012-05-08T21:00:00.003-04:002012-05-08T21:02:48.345-04:00The Exceptional Life, The: 8 Powerful Steps to Experiencing God's Best for You by Stephen ArterburnI've listened to New Life Live, a nationally syndicated radio and TV show, for years and know that Steven Arterburn, founder of New Life, an author, speaker, and one of the longtime hosts, has a knack for taking what could be very complicated problems and providing steps to simple solutions. The fly in the ointment is that many people do not want to give up anything to gain something better – a "Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17113889.post-60928475346102853912012-05-08T10:15:00.002-04:002013-10-16T09:42:47.787-04:00SNUG Camisoles
The slogan for SNUG Camisoles is "No more sneak peeks…we've got you covered!" That is one great pitch for this product.
When I received my camisole for review, the label said 'One size fits most' and the camisole fit in a tiny plastic bag. My first thought was, "That will never fit." I was happy to be mistaken. When I pulled the cami over my head, it transformed into a body-hugging wrap – Donna J. Shepherdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.com