Mailbox Monday - April 15

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Welcome to Monday! It is tax return day, so the post office will be busy. I am dropping off ours and the in-laws' returns. I don't relish it, but it must be done. The Lil' Diva and I are also wrapping up the college tours today. We think she has already decided, but we want to check out the last one on her accepted list.

This was a nice weekend. I started my barre workout program. They are 10 minute workouts, so I should be able to fit those in. I also planted the early spring vegetables this Saturday. The hubby and I joined his father at the veterans appreciation dinner that night as well. It was Palm Sunday today, so we went to the new church (still not sure if it will be our permanent place) and the pastor gave a wonderful message on how Christ's death and resurrection means the devil is defeated, but he just can't accept it. Spiritual warfare is one of my favorite topics.

I'm not reading as much lately. Partially because work has been busy, but also because I'm tired all the time. I've got an appointment with the pulmonary department now that they have discovered I have mild sleep apnea.

Here is what my mailbox held last week.

I also bought this book with an Amazon credit. 

That's it from my neck of the woods. Hope you'll share what was in your mailbox. Enjoy your week.

Book Review: Belle of the Glades by Cheryl Abney

Eleven-year-old Isabelle Lacey feels abandoned and alone. After the death of her parents, she is cared for by her aunt while they travel to her Uncle Arden’s place in Okeechobee, Florida. The dangers of living in such a place are new to the former city girl, and she must learn to adapt to a perilous environment.

A map-inscribed shell rock drops Belle and her friends into the middle of a dangerous adventure filled with Everglades creatures and outlaws. Through it all, Belle must depend on her faith to help her adjust to her new life and keep her safe.

Belle of the Glades is a lovely faith-filled middle grade novel girls will enjoy. Readers will be drawn in by its plucky main character. Abney has created a girl whose sense of loss and abandonment makes her sympathetic, while her tenacity in coping with challenges inspires and empowers.

Abney paints a beautiful picture of the Florida Everglades in 1918 with rich details and descriptions of the world which Belle now calls home. The mystery of the shell rock propels the action forward to a superb conclusion.

Lovers of historical novels and adventure stories will want to read Belle of the Glades by Cheryl Abney.


Publisher iUniverse (March 15, 2013)
Language English
ISBN-10 1475975406
ISBN-13 978-1475975406


I received this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

This review first appeared at Christian Children's Authors.

Free for All Friday: Super Luke Faces His Bully by Dr. Jackie Cogswell

Bullying is an issue that is grabbing attention nationwide. With high-profile suicide cases making the news, schools, churches and parents are getting involved in helping to tackle this issue that hurts families everywhere.

This week's giveaway for Free for All Friday is Super Luke Faces His Bully by Dr. Jackie C. Cogswell. A family physician and former school teacher, Cogswell took the initiative to write a book about teaching children and families to tackle bullying from a Biblical perspective after her own son became a victim.

Super Luke Faces His Bully is a fun loving adventure spoken straight from the heart of a super-sweet eight-year-old bully victim, Luke Giggleheart. The Word of God is used as a lens to examine some of the issues that can make a person act like either a bully or a victim. During this adventure, Luke, our tender-hearted bully victim, learns about fear, being courageous and getting adults to help, while praying for his enemies.

Read an excerpt!

Getting back to growing pains, my most humongous pain was when Bulldog Jones, the fifth grade bully, decided to be my bully. His real name is Harry, but because he is so mean, kids just call him Bulldog. For some reason, Bulldog didn’t like me. I’m not really sure why. My best friend, Mario Martinez, told me that Bulldog doesn’t need a reason to be mean, his hobby is being MEAN!


Mario once got so scared of Bulldog that he developed a red, itchy rash on his face and arms! Bulldog was so mean that he laughed as Mario scratched his arms over and over like a dog with a fresh case of fleas!


Read the reviews!

"I cannot recommend this book highly enough."
--My Devotional Thoughts

"This is the neatest children's book I've seen on the subject of bullying."
--4 the Love of Books

"Bullying is certainly a very real problem that many kids have to face today, so it’s great to see a book written from a Biblical perspective that’s intended to assist those who are dealing with the toxic effects of bullying."
--Home School Book Review

"This book is just plain good! The author uses God’s word to teach principles to your children of all ages how do deal with others doing things to them."
--This Little Book of Mine


"This is a great book with a wonderful message, teaching on repentance and grace, connecting with God's heart, and having joy."
--LadyD Books

Dr. Jackie Chirco Cogswell is a family physician, wife, mother, former school teacher, and now author of a series of Christian children’s novels, the GIGGLEHEART ADVENTURE SERIES. Writing Christian books and reading the Bible has become her passion. In recent years, Dr. Jackie has been led to teach children of all ages how to prevent and stop bullying. As a Christian mother, the issue of bullying became very personal to her when her child was bullied in elementary school. Through the many struggles her son had with bullies, Dr. Jackie learned from firsthand experience how to tackle bullying from a Christian perspective. SUPER LUKE FACES HIS BULLY was inspired by her son’s personal struggle and the good Lord, “Who equips us for every battle and gives us strength.”


Visit Dr. Jackie only at www.giggleheart.com 

Enter for your chance to win a copy of Super Luke Faces His Bully using the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Video Trailer for Little Shepherd

In case you hadn't heard, my first children's book, Little Shepherd is now available at the publisher's website and Amazon.com! Autographed copies can be ordered directly through me for a cost of $9.95 plus shipping. Please find a link to my email in my profile and provide me with the following:

* Name
* Mailing address
* Quantity
* How you would like the book(s) autographed

Payment can be made by PayPal or by bank check or money order.

Here's a video trailer I created today to share some of the lovely illustrations Eugene Ruble created for the book.



Thanks for your support. I hope you enjoy the trailer!

Keoni's Big Question by Patti B. Ogden--Book Review

Keoni's Big Question is a delightful and touching story of one boy's journey to understand God's presence in everyday life.

Keoni and Old Fisherman travel along the Ohio River in a small green dingy. Keoni admires the wildlife and loves nature, but today the Old Fisherman senses something is bothering him.

Suddenly, a storm rolls in and the two are forced to seek refuge under a thicket of pine trees. Soon, Keoni asks the Old Fisherman the question that has been on his mind--a question that he has hoped many would answer, but none have. As the Old Fisherman explains, Keoni finds his question answered in more ways than he ever dreamed possible.

Based upon story and sermon excerpts from William Marrion Branham, Keoni's Big Question will help children understand the presence of God in their lives in a simple and delightful way.

The unending curiosity of childhood and the beauty of nature is eloquently captured within this book's pages. Illustrator Mary Manning has excelled at bringing Keoni's story to life in pictures that perfectly compliment the text.

If you are searching for an enjoyable and meaningful way to share a Christian message with your child, then pick up Keoni's Big Question today.


Title: Keoni's Big Question
Author: Patti B. Ogden
Publisher: Capstone Productions
ISBN-10: 098167836X
ISBN-13: 978-0981678368
SRP: $12.00