Veggie Tales: The Little House That Stood

Our family has been a fan of Veggie Tales since its inception in the early 90s. Back then we had toddlers and loved the Biblical values that the show provided.

Not much has changed since then except that the toddlers are now teenagers who still love a visit with Bob and Larry on occasion.

This latest release, The Little House That Stood, brought back a rush of memories from the opening song (though shortened) to the ending tag line:
 "God made you special and He loves you very much."

This DVD has two stories and a Silly Song. The first story is about the wise man who builds his house on the rock and the second story is about helping your neighbors. Both have the charm and humor that appeals to children and adults. Some of the one-liners made me laugh out loud.

A welcome addition to the Veggie Tales line. This is one not to be missed.

This was provided for review by Flyby Promotions and Propeller Marketing.
 You can learn more about this new story here. 
Visit the Veggies on Facebook.  

They are also having a giveaway, leave a comment telling me what your favorite Silly Song is for a chance to win a copy of this new release!

Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert

Robin Price is a widow and mother of a preschooler. All she has is wrapped up in her Willow Tree Cafe in the small town of Peaks, Iowa. It is everything to her, the dream she shared with her now deceased husband. A developer is coming to town and wants to tear down her cafe and build a condo community. 

That is the general overview of this book. I found it predictable and boring. Not the heartfelt tearjerker I'd been hoping for. Robin is a wishy-washy character and quite honestly, got on my nerves. If you're looking for a light, easy read then this book may suit you just fine. I was hoping for more depth.

From the back cover:
A three-year-old son, a struggling cafe, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Cafe in small town Peaks, Iowa, she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her cafe and a vital town ministry are located, she isn't about to let go without a fight.
As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won't give up easily. His family's business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin's gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own. 
With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal, and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of second chances.

This book was provided for review by Blogging for Books at Waterbrook/Multnomah.     

Wings of Glass by Gina Holmes

Wings of Glass by Gina Holmes is a novel written in a memoir style. It's gripping and heartbreaking, and at times angered me. It's about Penny, a young woman married to an abusive husband, and how she deals with it. From what I've heard from abused women, it's all too real.
It angered me that Penny had help right in front of her but she refused to accept it. She made excuses for her louse of a husband and argued to the point of losing those she loved in favor of that man.
I had the chance recently to speak to several women who've dealt with this same thing and this story is all too real.
If you are living in an abusive situation YOU NEED TO GET OUT. God does not condone that, nor does He want it for you. No matter what you've been told. It is wrong. 
This book will, prayerfully, open some eyes. It's my hope that it will help women get the assistance that they need.
Kudos to Gina Holmes for attacking this subject. Well done.

From the back cover:
On the cusp of adulthood, seventeen year old Penny Carson thought she'd found her Prince Charming in farmhand Trent Taylor. With flashy promises and a handsome face to back them up, Trent was her escape from an overbearing father and her one-stop-sign town. But Penny's happily ever after lasts no longer than their breakneck courtship.
Out of options, she resigns herself to the fate of a woman controlled by a man with no control...until a welding accident at work forces Trent to finally allow Penny to take a job cleaning houses. Here she meets two women from very different worlds who open up her life to endless possibilities, teach her to live and laugh again--and lend her their backbones just long enough for her to find her own.

This book was provided for review by Tyndale.