Joseph Of Egypt by Martin K.M.

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 
The once-familiar stories of the Bible are not very well-known today. Martin tackles the story of a young man who persevered through trials and dangers. Imagine if you were your dad's favorite child and your siblings sold you as a slave. Or if you were imprisoned unjustly - and then became ruler of a nation.

It's an impossible story - except that it happened thousands of years ago in Egypt. Read this, complete with historical background and creative non-fiction, and you'll come to admire and respect a young man who stayed true to his convictions. His obedience made him the man of the hour and God's solution in a natural disaster.

Recommended either as an easy read or as a story to read to kids and teens.

Determined Dreamer by Deborah King

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 
Sometimes a little romance and family adventure are a nice change from serious books on theology, fun books on art, and other reading. This one's clean, interesting, and tells the story of people you'd like to meet.

Sometimes the heroes are extroverted and outgoing. This one's about someone who prefers people she knows. She's determined to make dreams come true for those around her. I'd be interested in reading more from the series, so that tells you something. A book of reconciliation and growth - you'll enjoy it.

Sometimes a little romance and family adventure are a nice change from serious books on theology, fun books on art, and other reading.

Hide and Seek: The Psychology of Self-Deception by Neel Burton

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. 
It is one thing to deceive others, but quite another to deceive oneself. In what ways can we do that? Whether we are repressing the truth, adapting ourselves to a new reality, or making up lies that agree with our hopes and inner realities, deceiving ourselves has serious consequences.

An unexamined life is not worth living, said Socrates. Indeed, knowing how we deceive and hide ourselves would be very useful. Combining ancient wisdom with psychological principles, this book explores what it means to know oneself. Each of us knows that that we lie. But knowing how and why we don't tell the truth empowers us to change our future trajectory.

Return to Me: God's Heart Cry by N.A. Newlan

★★★☐☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Newlan examines the prophets and their message of reconciliation with God. The author examines the desire of God to restore our hearts.

Tis book is both an extended sermon and an exhortation which explains the plan of salvation and means of discipleship. I've read better books, but this is simple and basic and will certainly explain the scriptures in detail to someone unfamiliar with the path to salvation.

The Art of Paint Pouring: Swipe, Swirl & Spin 50 by Amanda VanEver

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
If you like the casual spontaneous outcomes when making art, you'll love paint pouring. In addition to the basic techniques, you'll learn how to customize your artwork.

Though the techniques are simple, they can be refined with practice and become the foundation to create interesting and exciting color mixing and shapes. Recommended for beginners who want to explore this new technique.

The Complete Book of Textures for Artists by Denise J. Howard; Steven Pearce; Mia Tavonatti

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.

Art provides a wonderful means for retelling what we see and imagine. This book lets us explore what types of materials to us, and what kinds of textures can be created with them. 

Whether you prefer graphite, color pencils, or oils and acrylics, there's a quick explanation on using the materials. Then the textures are explained. You'll enjoy the notes and 4 illustrations per technique.   This book is recommended for beginners and intermediate illustrators.

Oil and Acrylic Flowers by Marcia Baldwin

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review. If you are a beginning painter and want clear directions and good illustrations, this book's for you. You'll get ideas on materials and mixing colors, how to make a sketch and paint from it. The book also shows how to create textures with 2-D paints, how to choose backgrounds, and ways to highlight your flowers.