Susie's Hope DVD Review & Giveaway

I received Susie's Hope DVD complimentary from Flyby Promotions in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions expressed are 100% my own.

About the movie: Run time 105 minutes

Based on the true story that successfully passed Susie’s Law in North Carolina, which seeks stricter punishment for animal abusers, Susie’s Hope brings to life the inspirational relationship between pit bull attack survivor Donna Lawrence and Susie, a pit bull-mix puppy found beaten, burned and left for dead. Recognizing reflect and abuse were to blame for the tragic attack that nearly claimed her life 10 months earlier, Donna resumes the battered animal and accepts her as family. Together, they learn to heal, love and forgive as they lead a historic effort to seek justice and protection, not only for Susie, but all animals. Starring Emmanuelle Vaguer (40 Days and 40 Nights), Burgess Jenkins (Remember The Titans) and Andrea Powell (Ender’s Game, The Twilight: Breaking Dawn Saga: Part 2), Susie’s Hope is an incredible story of love, loss and redemption.

About Susie:

Susie was found nearly dead in Greenfield Park in Greensboro, North Carolina on August 20, 2009. Just a puppy, Susie had licked the face of her owner’s newborn baby. Her owner became violent—she was beaten so severely her jaw was broken. That wasn’t enough, though. She was then set on fire and left for dead. Incredibly and against all odds Susie survived. Donna Lawrence adopted her two months later. Susie is now a trained therapy dog and event won the American Humane Association’s American Hero Dog this year!

Review:

Susie's Hope DVD is a little cheesy and the acting isn't amazing, but that didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the movie.  I love movies that are based on true stories and this one delivers a great message.  The message is one of hope, forgiveness, healing, compassion, and action.  I find it inspiring that Donna Lawrence was able to overcome her fear of dogs after being attacked by a neglected animal.  You will hear the amazing story of how she survived and helped an abused dog also survive.  A human attacked by a dog and a dog attacked by a human, who together help each other heal from experiences no human or animal should have to endure.  Susie and Donna's story is worth hearing.  

GIVEAWAY:

Flyby Promtions has generously provided a copy of Susie's Hope DVD for you to WIN!  Just use the easy peasy Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  Giveaway ends 12/15 at 12AM ET.  (US and CANADA Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): 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 the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Lumo Project- The Gospel of John available on Netflix now!

Beginning December 1, 2014 The Gospel of John from the Lumo Project will be available on Netflix!  I was given the opportunity to preview this amazing film project and I can say it is definitely worth checking out!  The other three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) are underway.

In the film, the whole book of John is narrated word by word from the Bible with stunning visuals.  There is just something about hearing the Word of God read out loud that is powerful.  Combine the scripture with actors portraying the events as they are read and you have something special.  It really was unlike anything that I have watched before. 

It's really fascinating to watch the Bible come to life.  Everything looks so beautiful and well done.  I love when they pan over the cities.  It's like getting a front row seat to the life of Jesus.  You can view The Gospel of John narrated in the NIV (New International Version), KJV (King James Version), or Spanish.     

About the film:

FOUR GOSPELS. FOUR FILMS. ONE JESUS STORY. FOR EVERYONE.

A ground breaking, multi-language biblical film resource transforming the way we discover, study and engage with the life of Jesus through the four New Testament Gospels.

The Lumo Project is a ground breaking, multi-language biblical film resource transforming the way we discover, study and engage with the life of Jesus through the four New Testament Gospels: redefining the standard of visual Biblical media. The Lumo Project presents four films – one for each Gospel account – that will revolutionise the way we all experience the story of Jesus and the world of First Century Palestine in which he lived.

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

The Gospel of John takes the story of Jesus from John’s gospel with its own unique characteristics. For John, Jesus is the Word of God made human. John is clear that that when encounter Jesus, we encounter God.  The gospel writer points to the miracles (the ‘Signs’) and teachings as evidence of Jesus’ special relationship as the divine Son of God.

This full-length feature film about the life of Jesus takes the actual Gospel text as its script, word for word, unedited. Five years in the making, this epic production has been critically acclaimed by leading religious scholars as a unique and highly authentic telling of the Jesus story. Narrated by leading British actor David Harewood (‘Homeland’, ‘Blood Diamond’, ‘Merchant of Venice’) it is based on the latest theological, historical and archaeological research. With specially constructed sets and the extraordinarily authentic villages and countryside of rural Morocco, it immerses the viewer in the world of first century Palestine. 

You can connect with the Lumo Project on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook!

Idina Menzel Holiday Wishes Review

I participated in the Idina Menzel Holiday Wishes album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.

The holidays are here!  I can't believe Thanksgiving is already over.  I know I'm going to blink and Christmas 2014 will have passed just as fast, but I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts!!!

I love playing a good Christmas album in the background while decorating the tree, baking cookies, and enjoying family.  Have you heard Elsa from Frozen made a holiday album?!?!  Ok...maybe not Elsa in cartoon form, but Idina Menzel who voices her in the movie.  Idina Menzel's Holiday Wishes album is the perfect addition to your holiday playlist.  The songs are classic and her voice is smooth and on point (As you would know from hearing Let It Go a million times...and yet it never gets old!).

Below is a little preview of the songs on YouTube.

One of my favorite songs on the album is Baby It's Cold Outside featuring Michael Bublé.  This song in general is one of mine and my hubsand's favorite holiday tunes (Plus, our First Dance song at our wedding was Everything by Michael Bublé).  I really enjoyed this version of the song and love the video below even more!  The video features two children dancing and lip-synching the song.  Too cute!!!

You can order Idina Menzel's Holiday Wishes from iTunes and Amazon!

ABOUT IDINA MENZEL AND HOLIDAY WISHES

Holiday Wishes, a Christmas album recorded by Tony Award-winning singer/actor Idina Menzel, is out now on Warner Bros. Records.

The album was produced by Grammy Award-winner Walter Afanasieff (Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey) and features such classic favorites as “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” as well as Joni Mitchell’s Christmas-themed “River,” one of Menzel’s favorites.

Another highlight is a duet with international superstar Michael Bublé on “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” An exclusive Target edition of Holiday Wishes features two bonus tracks, including “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”.

Idina’s career has traversed stage, film, television, and music. She was most recently heard as Elsa in Disney’s global box-office smash Frozen, in which she sings the film’s Oscar-winning song “Let It Go.” After her performance of the multi-platinum song at the 86th annual Academy Awards, she made history as the first person with both a Billboard Top 10 hit and a Tony Award for acting.

Idina currently stars as Elizabeth in the original Broadway production of If/Then.

Holiday Wishes Track Listing

1. Do You Hear What I Hear


2. The Christmas Song


3. Baby It’s Cold Outside (Duet with Michael Buble)


4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas


5. All I Want For Christmas


6. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?


7. December Prayer


8. When You Wish Upon A Star


9. Silent Night


10. River


11. Holly Jolly Christmas


12. White Christmas

Bonus Tracks on Target Exclusive

1. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow


2. Mothers Spiritual 

The Song: Awaken Love Couple's Devotional Review & Giveaway

I received The Song: Awaken Love Couple's Devotional complimentary from Flyby Promotions in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions expressed are 100% my own.

About the book:

The Song Couple’s Devotional is a 6-week book for couples that can help awaken love in their marriage. With daily relationship insights and prayer points drawn from the Song of Solomon, this devotional will help couples grow in their relationship with God and one another. 

Inspired by the Song of Solomon, The Song is both a full-length movie and resource for churches to explore God’s plan for relationships, love and marriage.

About the author:

Kyle Idleman is the Teaching Pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, the fourth-largest church in America. Author of the award-winning and bestselling book, not a fan., and presenter of eight of City on a Hill’s curriculum series, he regularly speaks at conferences and events around the world. Kyle and his wife DesiRae have four children.

Review: 

I was excited to get to do this book with my husband because we've never done a couple's devotional together.  It is a 6-week devotional, but only has 5 days in each week.  It's short, engaging, and centered around building a better relationship with God and your spouse.  

Each day starts out with a small passage from the Song of Solomon and then goes into the devotional written by Kyle and DesiRae Idleman.  It was very easy to read and kept my attention, filled with spots of humor and lots of real life application.  Sometimes the language in the Song of Solomon is a little hard for me to understand, so it was helpful for me to see a few verses explained in the devotional.

After the devotional is my favorite part....what they call "The Bridge".  This section contains a little assignment for you and your spouse.  There is usually a few discussion questions and something that you can pray about together.  In the first bridge, it has you take each letter in your partner's first name and come up with a character quality you find attractive in them with an example.  Some of "The Bridge" sections are pure fun and others dig a bit deeper.  

Each day ends with another short scripture passage that goes along with the devotional.  I think this devotional is a great way to connect with your spouse each day, work on your relationship, and keep the focus on God.

GIVEAWAY:

Flyby Promtions has generously provided a copy of The Song: Awaken Love Couple's Devotional for you to WIN!  Just use the easy peasy Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  Giveaway ends 12/09 at 12AM ET.  (US and CANADA Only)

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): 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 the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”