I've been a fan of VeggieTales for over 15 years (wow, that makes me sound old, ha ha)!  Needless to say, I immediately applied for the chance to review this Veggie-themed kids devotional.  Read on for my review and a chance to win your own copy!

© 2016 Worthy Publishing Group

Title: Every Day with God: 365 Daily Devos for Boys
Author: Big Idea Entertainment, LLC.
Published: 2016 by Worthy Publishing Group

About the Book: 

Every Day with God is the latest 365-day devotional (one for boys and another for girls) from VeggieTales. The updated content and art offer the perfect opportunity for parent and child to share time together each day. Each entry includes a Bible verse, short devotion, Thought of the Day, and prayer.
 
The content will help children learn more about God and develop a daily practice to keep Him close in their lives. The book is perfect for bedtime reading, family devotion time, or as a fresh way to start each day!

The Artist Librarian's Review: 
 Aimed at early elementary school-age children, this devotional book from VeggieTales is a great way to introduce children to the practice of spending "quiet time" with God and in His Word.  Featuring familiar Veggie faces, these simply written devotionals range from 2-3 paragraphs and are appropriate for 1st-2nd graders to read independently* (as long as they know how to read on their own).  However, parents could easily read these devotions to younger children.  It was interesting to observe there's a whopping 16 different Bible translations used in this devotional book: everything from the traditional King James Version to translations I've barely heard of such as the New Life Version, along with more common New International Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation, etc.

Eight different double page spreads feature sixteen unique images of your favorite VeggieTale characters at the bottom corners of the devo pages.  The art uses the redesigned character style as seen in the VeggieTales in the House Netflix series.  Though I grew up with the original designs, there is something charming about the "new" character designs, but I admit, I'm still getting used to seeing Bob the Tomato with blue eyes!  From what I can tell, the "girl" version of this book features more of the female VeggieTales characters (e.g. Laura the Carrot, Petunia Rhubarb, Madame Blueberry, etc.).  However I'm unsure if the actual content is any different.  In the "boy" version I read, there wasn't anything really gender-specific: concepts like being a good friend, being uniquely created by God, serving others, etc. apply to all of us.  The only thing I found was at the end of the book, where there are 6 Bible verses in a "Know it By Heart" section.  Here, parents are prompted to "... help your son memorize this verse and talk to him about what it means."

Finally, there is a dedication page at the front of the book, where you can personalize the "to," "from," and "date" section, making this devotion perfect for gift-giving.

*An estmate after consulting with my sister, who is an elementary school teacher.

Any other VeggieTales fans out there?  What's your favorite episode and why?  

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via FlyBy Promotions to facilitate this review.]

I'm happy to host a chance for you to win a copy Every Day with God (your choice of the "boys" or "girls" version)! Open to residents of the continental USA and Canada only, 18 years and older. The winner will be notified on October 17, 2016 through the email they submitted on Rafflecopter and will have 24 hours to respond. If there is no response by then, I will draw another winner via Rafflecopter. Please be sure to read the complete terms and conditions in the Rafflecopter widget (just click on an entry option to read them)!

Note: Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a copy of the book to facilitate this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

The first book of Lynette Eason's latest series, Always Watching (reviewed here), launched the Elite Guardians Agency in an explosive start.  Mrs. Bookworm returns to The Artist Librarian blog to review the latest novel in the series ...

© 2016 by Revell

Title: Without Warning [Elite Guardians #2] 
Author: Lynette Eason
Published: 2016 by Revell

About the Book:

Katie Singleton, a partner with the Elite Guardians Protection Agency, stumbles upon her next assignment quite by accident. Spotting blue lights at a familiar restaurant, she stops to investigate, only to discover that owner Daniel Matthews has become the target of someone who will go to any lengths to put him out of business. Daniel might be concerned, but he's not convinced that a bodyguard--and a female one at that--is necessary. A new attack and his niece's urgings are enough to make him reconsider. He and Katie must figure out who's behind the intimidation and threats--before a would-be killer strikes again.

Mrs. Bookworm's Review:
I loved the first novel in this series, Always Watching, and Lynette Eason doesn't disappoint us with another intriguing story full of twists and turns to keep you enticed. Warning: I wasn't able to put Without Warning down until the very end where an unexpected villain was revealed!  I would never have guessed it ...

The Elite Guardians series has a slight reversal of stereotypical gender roles with Katie, our protagonist, being the protector and restaurant owner Daniel the "protectee."  The main characters must work together to figure out who is targeting Daniel and his restaurant.  I enjoyed the fast pace of this romantic suspense novel, but there is enough building and moments between Katie and Daniel to make their relationship progress convincingly. 

I eagerly await Maddy and Quinn's story, Moving Target, due to release in 2017 and look forward to more of Lynette Eason's books in the future!

[Disclosure: A complimentary copy of this book was received from the publisher for review purposes.]

About the Author:

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, and the Hidden Identity series, as well as Always Watching in the Elite Guardians series. She is a winner of an ACFW Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. She lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

 Do you have a favorite story featuring bodyguards?

I feel like every post I start off by apologizing for not blogging recently!  I just finished a week of nearly 100 elementary school students visiting our library branch, so it was a busy month prepping and arranging class visits.  I have a giveaway in celebration of Labor Day weekend, so be sure to check it out below!

Title: Night Night, Farm
Author: Amy Parker
Illustrator: Virginia Allyn
Published: 2016 by Tommy Nelson

© 2016 Tommy Nelson

About the Book:

Moo moo, cows! Baa baa, sheep!

When the sun sinks low down on the farm, the animals are all tuckered out from the day’s adventures. Join these adorable farm animals in pajamas as they say night night to the farm, to their mommies and daddies, and to God. Your little ones will sleep until the rooster crows knowing that the God who made them loves them too.

Night night, farm!

The Artist Librarian's Review:
This is a sweet and simple story perfect for modeling bedtime routines (or becoming part of one) for a young child.  Night Night, Farm features a slightly puffed cover and stiff, glossy pages that should easily wipe clean if need be.  At eight inches square, it's also a good size for read-alouds:  It's not small like many board books are. 

The text uses rhyming and a repetitive format to frame each double page spread that features different types of animals getting ready for bed.  Each farm animal and their corresponding sound is featured (pigs, cows, horses, cats, sheep, chickens, owls, mice, etc.)  The illustrations are charming and appealing.  My best guess is that they're digitally rendered paintings or at the very least, they were cleaned up digitally.  However, there is a softness that mimics pastel or watercolors, especially in the shading and highlights.

To me, the only thing that sets this book apart from general market board books are the final lines "Oh, the animals God has made! / And, hey, He made me too! / Night night, God."  I'll leave that to the reader to decide if that is a positive or negative point.  But overall, I think this book is worth a look for anyone with young children in their lives.  

Did you have a favorite childhood board book (or a title that a child in your life enjoys)?  Let me know in the comments!

[Disclosure: I received a copy of this book via FlyBy Promotions for review purposes.]

About the Author:

Amy Parker’s children’s books have sold more than 800,000 copies including two Christian Retailing’s Best award-winning books and the bestselling A Night Night Prayer. She lives outside Nashville with her husband and two children.

I'm happy to host a chance for you to win a copy of Night Night, Farm for yourself!  Open to residents of the USA and Canada only, 18 years and older. The winner will be notified on September 8, 2016 through the email they submitted on Rafflecopter and will have 24 hours to respond.  If there is no response by then, I will draw another winner via Rafflecopter.  Please be sure to read the complete terms and conditions in the Rafflecopter widget (just click on an entry option to read them)!

Note: Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

With just the right mix of action, romance, and a plausible historical setting, Sleiman brings the Crusades to life in her latest historical novel, Courageous!

© 2016 Bethany House

Title: Courageous [Valiant Hearts #3]
Author: Dina L. Sleiman
Published: 2016 by Bethany House

About the Book:

Will they trust God's call even when it leads to unexpected places?

Inspired by the vision of the Young Lady Sapphira, Rosalind of Ipsworth joins a group of men, women, and children as a defender of the cross, seeking to free captives from prisons near Tripoli. She gladly gives herself to the cause, as she's haunted by a tragic mistake and no longer deserves such joys as marriage and family might bring.

Sir Randel Penigree was reared to serve in the church, but dreams of protecting the innocent as a knight. Joining a crusade to escape humiliation at home, he finds himself drawn to Rosalind as they partner to train and protect a group of young adolescents. When they face political machinations, danger, and an unknown enemy bent on their destruction, they are forced to reconsider their priorities and the very nature of the God they serve.

The Artist Librarian's Reivew:
Dina Sleiman's latest historical, Courageous, is set in the often overlooked medieval Crusades and is solid, satisfying ending to her debut YA trilogy.  With just the right mix of action, romance, and a plausible historical setting, Sleiman brings the Crusades to life!

While Sleiman's previous novels, Dauntless and Chivalrous, were based on Robin Hood and Arthurian legends respectively, the protagonists in Courageous do not seem to have the same "legendary" connections, though I can see shades of Joan of Arc in thirteen year-old Sapphira.  Regardless, I enjoyed getting to know Rosalind and Randal (both first introduced in Chivalrous), along with their motley band of young charges.

I admit, I wasn't initially enthusiastic to hear that this novel was set during the Crusades --what some would argue to be a low or dark point in Christianity.  However, Sleiman's even-handed approach and obvious research won me over.  The "Christians" had many reasons for going on crusades --some with religious sincerity, some for financial or political profit, etc.  Likewise the different Muslim sects and attitudes towards the European Crusaders are carefully and respectfully portrayed.  By no means is either exhaustive or perfect, but I appreciated that Sleiman tried not to fall into stereotyping the Christian crusaders or Muslim people, but sought to give readers a peek into the complexities and challenges cultural differences can make.  I was so impressed with this handling that it makes me want to check out Sleiman's 2013 contemporary novel, Dance from Deep Within, which centers around three college classmates (one secular, one Christian, and one Muslim).

I've really enjoyed Sleiman's Valiant Hearts series and am eagerly looking forward to her next projects!  Sleiman would definitely be one of my top recommendations for teens and adults alike looking for Christian YA historicals.

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the author for review purposes.]

The Artist Librarian's review of Dauntless
The Artist Librarian's review of Chivalrous

Is there a book that you initially weren't too excited about, but changed your mind once you started reading it?  Let me know in the comments!

About the Author:

Dina Sleiman writes stories of passion and grace. Most of the time you will find this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. Check out her novels Dance from Deep Within, Dance of the Dandelion, and Love in Three-Quarter Time. Also look for her Valiant Hearts adventure/romance books, Dauntless and Chivalrous, with Bethany House Publishers. For more info visit her at http://dinasleiman.com/

The MedStar duology written by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry is one of my favorite Star Wars Prequel Era tales.  It's like M*A*S*H meets Star Wars!  ^_^

© 2004 Del Rey

Title: Star Wars: MedStar I: Battle Surgeons [Star Wars: MedStar Duology #1] 
Authors: Michael Reeves & Steve Perry
Published: 2004 by Del Rey

About the Book:

As civil war between the Republic and the Separatists rages across the galaxy, nowhere is the fighting more fierce than on the swamp world of Drongar, where a beleaguered mobile hospital unit wages a never-ending war of its own…

A surgeon who covers his despair with wisecracks; another who faces death and misery head-on, venting his emotions through beautiful music … A nurse with her heart in her work and her eye on a doctor … A Jedi Padawan on a healing mission without her Master … These are the core members of a tiny med unit serving the jungle world of Drongar, where battle is waged over the control of a priceless native plant, and an endless line of medlifters brings in the wounded and dying—mostly clone troopers, but also soldiers of all species.

While the healers work desperately to save lives, others plot secretly to profit from the war—either by dealing on the black market or by manipulating the events of the war itself. In the end, though, all will face individual tests, and only those of compassionate hearts and staunch spirits can hope to survive to fight another day.

The Artist Librarian's Reflection Review: 
I'm more of an "Original Trilogy and after" fan.  The things I liked most about the Prequel Trilogy and Clone Wars were the costumes, battle choreography, and special effects.  However, there were a few Star Wars characters I loved from this era and one of them was Bariss Offee (as depicted in novels like this, not the CGI Clone Wars series).  Despite this book now being branded as part of the "Star Wars Legends" continuity and no longer part of the official timeline since Disney acquired the franchise, I still look back on Battle Surgeons fondly.

If Michael A. Stackpole & Aaron Allston's X-Wing series is Top Gun meets Star Wars, Michael Reaves & Steve Perry's MedStar Duology is surely M*A*S*H meets Star Wars.  Like the X-Wing series that mostly followed original characters not seen in the films, Battle Surgeons follows the day to day life of these doctors, nurses, and staff that operate on the front lines of the Clone Wars.  I was surprised how quickly I grew attached to these characters.  There's scenes reminiscent of a medical drama, there's espionage, mystery, action, romance, humor --all with a Star Wars flair.  I won't spoil the ending except to say, I hope you have the second book, Jedi Healer, close at hand after you finish --believe me, you'll be glad you did!  This duology is easily one of my favorite Prequel era tales.

About the Authors:

Michael Reaves is an Emmy Award-winning television writer and screenwriter who has written, story edited, or produced nearly four hundred teleplays for various series, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Twilight Zone, Sliders, and Monsters. He has published many books, including the New York Times bestseller Star Wars: Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter. He's also written short fiction, comic books, and the dialogue for a Megadeth video. He lives in California.

Steve Perry has sold dozens of stories to magazines and anthologies and has also written a considerable number of novels, animated teleplays, nonfiction articles, reviews, and essays, along with a couple of unproduced movie scripts. He wrote for the television show Batman: The Animated Series and was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing, and his novel Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire spent ten weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. He also wrote the bestselling novelization of the blockbuster movie Men in Black, and all of his collaborative novels for Tom Clancy s Net Force series have made the New York Times bestseller list. He is a recipient of the Willamette Writers Lifetime Achievement Award.

Have you read any Star Wars novels?  Were they "Legends" (published before April 2014) or part of the current timeline?

Award-winning romantic suspense author Dee Henderson continues to draw in new (and old) readers with her latest novel, Traces of Guilt!  Read on for the full review from my mom, *Mrs. Bookworm.*

© 2016 Bethany House

Title: Traces of Guilt [Evie Blackwell Cold Case #1]
Author: Dee Henderson
Published: 2016 by Bethany House

About the Book:

Evie Blackwell loves her life as an Illinois State Police detective . . . mostly. She's very skilled at investigations and has steadily moved up through the ranks. She would like to find Mr. Right, but she has a hard time imagining how marriage could work, considering the demands of her job.

Gabriel Thane is a lifetime resident of Carin County and now its sheriff, a job he loves. Gabe is committed to upholding the law and cares deeply for the residents he's sworn to protect. He too would like to find a lifetime companion, a marriage like his parents have.

When Evie arrives in Carin, Illinois, it's to help launch a new task force dedicated to reexamining unsolved crimes across the state. Spearheading this trial run, Evie will work with the sheriff's department on a couple of its most troubling missing-persons cases. As she reexamines old evidence to pull out a few tenuous new leads, she unearths a surprising connection . . . possibly to a third cold case. Evie's determined to solve the cases before she leaves Carin County, and Sheriff Thane, along with his family, will be key to those answers.

Mrs. Bookworm's Review:
I couldn't put this book down!  Award-winning romantic suspense author Dee Henderson continues to draw in new (and old) readers with her latest novel, Traces of Guilt.  While her last few novels have been stand alones, I'm eager to see what this continuing series will bring!

As always, Henderson does a great job describing her characters and expressing their thoughts and emotions in a way that makes it easy for me to connect to them.  I was especially excited to see the return of characters from some of her previous novels in supporting roles, such as Paul and Ann Falcon from Full Disclosure and Rachel O'Malley from the O'Malley Series.  It was like visiting with old friends!

I love how Evie solves the cold cases.  She works them like puzzles and is tenacious: like a dog with an old bone --constantly "chewing" on it.  Since Traces of Guilt is the first in this new Evie Blackwell series, I'm hoping that some of the secondary characters (like the Thane brothers) and their stories might be expanded on future books in the series.  Regardless, I'm looking forward to Dee Henderson's next novel!

[Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.]

About the Author:

Dee Henderson is the author of numerous novels, including Taken, Undetected, Unspoken, Full Disclosure, and the acclaimed O'Malley and Uncommon Heroes series. Her books have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. Dee is a lifelong resident of Illinois. Learn more at www.deehenderson.com.

The Kinsman Chronicles is off to a world-shattering start with the release of The End of All Things, completing book one of Jill Williamson's epic fantasy novel, King's Folly. 

© 2016 by Bethany House

Title: The End of All Things (The Kinsman Chronicles #1, King's Folly: Part III)
Author: Jill Williamson
Published: 2016 by Bethany House Publishers

About the Book:

Part 3 of Jill Williamson's Epic Fantasy Series The Kinsman Chronicles.

With the Five Realms on the brink of total destruction, everyone faces a final mad scramble to find a safe haven. The realm is divided on what should be done. Wilek and Trevn join those who are preparing the realm for a seaward evacuation, but the king stands in their way. Wilek must battle against his own father to try and save the people of Armania.

The End of All Things is collected together with parts 1 and 2 in King's Folly.

Previous Reviews: Darkness Reigns (King's Folly: Part I) & The Heir War (King's Folly: Part II)

The Artist Librarian Review:
The Kinsman Chronicles is off to a world-shattering start with the release of The End of All Things, completing book one, King's Folly (which is available now in print).  If you've been following the digital releases like me, note that the three e-book titles refer to the three sections King's Folly is separated into, so you don't have to buy King's Folly unless you want a physical copy or all three parts in one book.

In this final portion, Jill Williamson finishes setting the stage for what is sure to be an incredible series.  Between convincing King Echad of the eminent danger their people face from natural disasters signaling the end of their world, uncovering sinister secret societies, and evacuating Armania to find refuge on the sea, Wilek, Trevn, and their allies definitely have their hands full!

Though confusing at times for me to keep straight, I enjoyed reading about this large cast of characters.  The only POV character I don't really care for is Charlon (especially with what happened with my favorite female character at the end). However I have the feeling that like Harley Quinn or Catwoman in the Batman universe, Charlon might have some sort of antihero or sympathetic villain role, though she's more misguided than evil, or she could even be redeemed by the end of the series.  Also, a few side characters jumped into the limelight with wonderful moments that I won't disclose so as not to spoil, but wow!  I hope some of them might get POV chapters in the next book.

Even without the loose connection to Williamson's previous fantasy series, I'm now hooked regardless. Looking forward to reading King's Blood (or the three part ebooks: Kingdom at Sea, Maelstrom, and Voices of Blood) --especially with the title of part III!

[Disclosure: I received a digital ARC from the author for review purposes.]


About the Author:

Jill Williamson writes fantasy and science fiction for teens and adults. Jill grew up in Alaska, staying up and reading by the summer daylight that wouldn't go away. This led to a love of books and writing, and her debut novel, By Darkness Hid, won several awards and was named a Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novel of 2009 by VOYA magazine. She loves giving writing workshops and blogs for teen writers at www.GoTeenWriters.com. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two children, and a whole lot of deer. Visit her online at www.jillwilliamson.com.

Have you read any of Jill Williamson's books before?  What is your favorite type of speculative, fantasy, or sci-fi fiction?

I'm very excited to be part of Nadine Brandes' cover reveal for the final book in her dystopian Out of Time series!  It will be released on October 14th, making it one of my highest anticipated fall releases.  Keep reading for the full cover image and a couple of cool giveaways! (And yeah, this is also a late "Waiting on Wednesday" -- a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where you feature a yet-to-be-released title you're anticipating!)

© 2016 Enclave Publishing

About the Book: (Highlight text to read only if you've finished books 1 & 2 - HUGE SPOILERS!)

What more can you sacrifice than your life? 

Parvin Blackwater is dead. At least…that’s what the Council—and the world—thinks. But her sacrifice tore down part of the Wall long enough to stir up hope and rebellion in the people. Now she will rise again. Strong, free, and fearless. 

Parvin and Solomon must uncover the mysterious clues that Jude left behind in order to destroy the projected Wall once and for all. Meanwhile, the Council schemes to new levels of technology in its attempts to keep the people contained. Can a one-handed Radical and a scarred ex-Enforcer really bring shalom to the world?

Why I'm "WoW" about A Time to Rise:
Basically, *that cliffhanger* at the end of book 2, A Time to Speak. ;-) *wink* Despite my initial hesitance, I've come to love this series --IMHO, easily one of the top Christian Dystopians published thus far.  See my reviews for the previous novels, A Time to Die, A Time to Speak, and my interview with author Nadine Brandes for more.

From the sneak peak glimpses, I thought that there would be more yellow/gold tones to the book cover, but it's growing on me.  The trilogy covers will look beautiful as a set ... can't wait to see the physical copies all together! Kirk DouPonce (DogEaredDesign) did an awesome job with all of them!

I guess Parvin's pink top and brown fur and leather skirt is official to cosplay now too, LOL.  Really eager to see how this book opens up --October can't come soon enough! 

What are some of your favorite trilogy/series book covers as a whole?  What do you like about them? Nadine Brandes fans, what do you think about A Time to Rise's cover? Any speculations (spoilers to a minimum please)?


About the Author:

 "Nadine learned to write her alphabet with a fountain pen. In Kindergarten. Cool, huh? Maybe that's what started her love for writing. She started journaling at age nine and thus began her habit of communicating via pen and paper more than spoken words. She never decided to become a writer. Her brain simply classified it as a necessity to life. Nadine is a stay-at-home author and writes stories about authentic faith, bold living, and worlds soaked in imagination. She lives in Idaho with her husband and works as a freelance editor. When she's not writing, editing, or taste-testing a new chai, she is out pursuing adventures. Visit Nadine at www.nadinebrandes.com, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter."

While there aren't any giveaways for A Time to Rise (I'd totally enter that if there were), there is a GoodReads giveaway for book 2, A Time to Speak.

Nadine also has a little giveaway for an adorable set of bookmarks shaped like characters from the series which you can enter below! (Left to right: Parvin, Hawke, Skelly, Jude, Reid, Elm, and Willow).


(Disclaimer: The giveaways above are run by Nadine Brandes, not The Artist Librarian.)

Hey everyone!

The adult coloring book craze has totally exploded.  You can get coloring books on almost any subject.  *Mrs. Bookworm* has tried out and reviewed her first adult coloring book, the inspirational-themed, Live Free. 

A sample of Mrs. Bookworm's coloring pages from Live Free.

© 2016 Bethany House Publishers

Title: Live Free: An Adult Coloring Book
Author: Margaret Feinberg
Published: 2016 by Bethany House Publishers

About the Book:

Create and Relax While Meditating on the Freedom God Brings.

Coloring is more than just child's play--it's a creatively fulfilling way to slow yourself down in order to refresh your mind and soul. And in Live Free, it can also help you connect with the loving God who unburdens you to be all you were meant to be. Highlighting verses from the Bible that focus on the freedom that comes with knowing who you are in Christ, this beautiful book presents an uplifting message in a fun and creative format. Drink deeply from Scripture as you color the intricate artwork and meditate on the freedom God wants you to experience in your life. Space is included for reflections, prayers, or even doodles.

Creativity and freedom go hand in hand, and as you experience Christ's freedom you'll be inspired to create like never before. And when you do, you can even share your art with others by posting photos on social media or by cutting out the pages to save for yourself. Gather your crayons, markers, or any other favorite coloring supplies and start creating!

Mrs. Bookworm's Review:
Unlike my daughters, who love the intricately detailed illustrations of many adult coloring books, I felt too intimidated by the complex designs.  Live Free contains some simpler picture designs that coordinate with selected verses of scripture from the Bible (which I love).  I also enjoyed the journal area (a place to record prayer, reflections, journal, doodle, etc.).

The time spent coloring the designs give me a lot of time to pray, meditate on scripture, and really immerse myself into God's Word.  It also gives me a chance to explore my creative side --expressing myself through coloring the designs.

I'm looking forward to getting Margaret Feinberg's Live Loved and Live Fearless coloring books soon!

[Disclosure: The Artist Librarian received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.]

I'm glad you enjoyed the coloring book, Mom!  I really need to pick up one of these adult coloring books ... I saw some Star Wars and other fandom-themed ones that caught my eye too!  Do you have any suggestions on  titles to get?  Comment below! =)

About the Author:

A self-described "hot mess," Margaret Feinberg is a popular Bible teacher and speaker at churches and leading conferences such as Catalyst, Thrive, and Women of Joy. (www.margaretfeinberg.com). Her books, including The Organic God, The Sacred Echo, Scouting the Divine, Wonderstruck, and Fight Back With Joy and their corresponding Bible studies, have sold nearly one million copies and received critical acclaim and extensive national media coverage from CNN, the Associated Press, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and more.

She was recently named one of 50 women most shaping culture and the church today by Christianity Today, one of the 30 voices who will help lead the church in the next decade by Charisma Magazine,and one of the 40 who will shape Christian publishing by Christian Retailing magazine. Margaret and her husband, Leif, have an adorable superpup named Hershey. She believes some of the best days are spent in jammies, laughing, and being silly.

[Disclaimer: Full cover displayed below that features an artistic nude rendering for figure drawing.] Classic Human Anatomy in Motion is a wonderful resource for artists who want to learn more about human anatomy and the body in motion.

© 2015 Watson-Guptill

Title: Classic Human Anatomy in Motion 
Author: Valerie L. Winslow
Published: 2015 by Watson-Guptill Publications

About the Book:

This essential companion book to the bestselling Classic Human Anatomy provides artists and art students with a deeper understanding of human anatomy and different types of motion, inspiring more realistic and energetic figurative art.

Fine-art instruction books do not usually focus on anatomy as it relates to movement, despite its great artistic significance. Written by a long-time expert on drawing and painting human anatomy, Classic Human Anatomy in Motion offers artists everything they need to realistically draw the human figure as it is affected by movement. Written in a friendly style, the book is illustrated with hundreds of life drawing studies (both quick poses and long studies), along with charts and diagrams showing the various anatomical and structural components.

This comprehensive manual features 5 distinct sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the human figure: bones and joint movement, muscle groups, surface form and soft tissue characteristics, structure, and movement. Each chapter builds an artistic understanding of how motion transforms the human figure and can create a sense of expressive vibrancy in one’s art.

The Artist Librarian's Review:
As a studio art major initially focused on drawing and painting, human anatomy and figure drawing was an important component to my studies: In fact, I took a course focused on life drawing for an entire semester!  Classic Human Anatomy in Motion is a wonderful resource for artists who want to learn more about human anatomy and the body in motion.

The obvious question is, how would you convey or depict the human body in motion from static images and words?  Well, Valerie L. Winslow has created a book that I would describe as a resource rather than instructional or step-by-step art book.  While there aren't projects to follow along with, Winslow gives an overview of different sections and areas of the body and describes how they move as parts and in conjunction with other body parts.  Topics covered include bones, joints, muscles/tendons characteristics, facial muscles and expressions, muscles of specific parts of the body (e.g. neck, arms, legs, torso, etc.), body types and tissue.

The second part of the book covers eight methods of gesture (or action) drawing, how to capture movement, and an overview of body movements.  It's almost like a textbook for a figure drawing course: What you read and learn about in this book, you can put into practice in live model drawing sessions or in your observations.  Because human figures are so familiar to us --we see them every day-- sometimes it's easy to think that you know how to draw them.  However, books like this encourage you to truly study and observe the human form.  Things that I read about in this book will help me in my future work and practice.

It also is very approachable for artists and artists-to-be.  As a practicing artist and instructor herself, while using the correct names/anatomical terminology of things such as muscles and bones, Winslow's text is accessible for non-medical students (such as artists or other laymen).  While I know that artists often will borrow pure anatomy books written for the medical field for more depth, I felt this book was sufficient for my artistic needs.  Drawings and detailed renderings are found on nearly every page to illustrate points from the text.  A short bibliography of further reading and an index complete this book.  I'd definitely recommend Classic Human Anatomy in Motion to anyone interested in drawing the human form, though high school students to adults would probably be able to make the most use of it.

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Blogging for Books program for review purposes.]

Do you have a favorite drawing or art book for rendering human figures?  Share in the comments!

Content note:  Just in case you couldn't tell from the cover, this book does contain drawings of human nudes for artistic research. =) If you are looking for human life drawing books with minimal renderings of nude figures, I suggest searching with the term "clothed figure."

About the Author:

Valerie L. Winslow is a professional fine artist who has exhibited her paintings and drawings in museums and galleries nationwide since 1977. Works by her are in many private collections, and she has won numerous awards, including Best of Show at the Palm Springs Desert Art Museum and the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art.

For more than thirty years she has taught figurative art and artistic anatomy at well-known institutions including the Art Center College of Design, in Pasadena, California, and the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). She has also taught animators at Pixar Animation Studios. Currently, Valerie is n the faculty of San Francisco’ s Academy of Art University, School of Fine Arts, where she serves as Anatomy Coordinator.

My mom, *Mrs. Bookworm* reviews Lynette Eason's new series, Elite Guardians!  Romantic suspense veteran Lynette Eason gives us a fast paced, exciting plot that flips the typical bodyguard/protector trope upside-down.

© 2016 by Revell

Title: Always Watching [Elite Guardians #1]
Author: Lynette Eason
Published: 2016 by Revell

About the Book:

Intensity. Skill. Tenacity.
The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.

When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians to protect his son. But when Wade's bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap. Olivia's skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade's stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him--including Olivia. But in her mind, even more dangerous than the threats to her life is the hold her handsome client has on her heart.

Mrs. Bookworm's Review:
Wow! I couldn't put this book down ... Romantic suspense veteran Lynette Eason gives us a fast paced, exciting plot that flips the typical bodyguard/protector trope upside-down.

It was a neat twist that Olivia is the "protector" instead of the usual romantic suspense plots of the man having to protect the heroine.  However, that didn't make Wade any less masculine or a less attractive love interest.  They have great chemistry.

The main characters were likeable, honest, hardworking people.  I easily connected to them like they were my friends.  I felt anxious and fearful for both Olivia and Wade as the mysterious stalker escalates from leaving Wade things to harming others. Several times I thought I knew who the stalker was, but with unforeseen twists, I discovered I was wrong.  It'll keep you guessing until the end!

Lynette Eason's Elite Guardians series is off to an amazing start!  I look forward to reading Without Warning, featuring Olivia's co-worker, Katie Singleton, releasing later this summer.

Thanks Mom, it's great to have you back at The Artist Librarian!  I totally have to read this series myself --Revell's graphic design team totally aced the book covers for Elite Guardians.  It's sleek, modern, and totally attractive!

Want to talk romantic suspense? Who are some of your favorite authors?  What is the last book you picked up because of its amazing cover?

[Disclosure: Complimentary copy of this book was received from the publisher for review purposes.]

About the Author:

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice, the Deadly Reunions, and the Hidden Identity series. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.