Inkspirations: Fruit of the Spirit - illustrated by Lorrie Bennett - Review AND Giveaway

Do you colour? I loved to colour as a child. I was somewhat sceptical when adult colouring books became a 'thing'. But then I tried it - and discovered that I still enjoyed it very much. And yes, I found it relaxing!

Inkspirations Fruit of the Spirit: Coloring Designs to Nourish You with Love, Joy, Faith, Peace and More with illustrations by Lorrie Bennett is my latest colouring book.

Spirit is a faith based colouring book, with each line drawing accompanied by a quote from the scriptures. Words to ponder as you colour. Words everyone can take to heart and live by. Bennett's illustrations perfectly complement the quotes.

When I was young, I was a 'don't go out of the lines' colourer (is that even a word?). I wanted my finished product to be perfect. And I would colour the pages in order. Well, I'm way beyond that now - if I slip a bit, it doesn't bother me. Now, I just jump in, picking a page and colours that appeal to me. My effort is on the right here.

For those of you who would like a little direction, the first few pages discuss colouring tips and tools, how to choose colours, colours that harmonize and picking your palette. The binding allows the pages to lay flat, but the pages are also perforated, allowing for easy tear-out.

Spirit is just one in a line of colouring books from HCI Books. Check out the entire line of colouring books as well as their greeting cards.  HCI  Books also has a private labeling program for an Inkspirations coloring book designed personally for your organization. You can find Inkspirations on their website and follow them on Facebook and share your work on their Instagram.

"Lorrie Bennett is blessed to live her life as an artist, crafter, teacher, graphic designer, and best of all, a mother. She is passionate about the divine inspiration that is the source of her creativity, and the happiness and beauty that it can bring to others."

See what others on the TLC book tour thought - full schedule can be found here. And if you'd like a copy of Inkspirations: Fruit of the Spirit for yourself, enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only. Ends October 1/16.

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Film on Friday # 49 - A Sunday Horse - Mongrel Media

Summary: "After a near-fatal accident, on a horse the experts thought was nothing special, a determined rider from the wrong side of the tracks defies all the odds to pursue her dreams of winning a national jumping championship."

A Sunday Horse is the true story of Debi Walden Connor, played by Nicki Reed. The supporting cast includes veteran actors William Shatner, Ving Rhames and Linda Hamilton amongst others.

I have a bit of a quibble with ' the wrong side of tracks' description. I think limited financial resources would have better described Debi and her family. The tracks description seems over sensationalized.

Reed was at her best playing Debi after the accident. I think her acting was somewhat overplayed in the 'before' scenes - notably when she is playing the 'bad girl' with a temper, smoking pot and a few others. I thought her interactions with the horses were very believable. (The horse scenes were very well done and fun to watch) I really enjoyed Hamilton's performance as the long suffering Mrs Walden, whose quiet demeanor hides depths of strength and faith.

A Sunday Horse could absolutely be watched as a family film. There are many topics for discussion throughout the movie - financial and class snobbery, (there is no mistaking the rich folks in this movie) drug use (however I did find this scene somewhat unbelievable - smoking in a barn does not seem like something horse lover Debi would do - and she's in dire financial straits), racism,  family dynamics and of course faith. Faith in yourself, your family and of course, in God.

I love movies based on real life. The old adage truth is stranger than fiction is often true. Coming back from such a horrific injury, persevering and triumphing seems near impossible. But Debi had faith and determination. And you know - God does work in mysterious ways. Who's to say her story isn't one of them?

A Sunday Horse will leave you feeling hopeful and uplifted. And perhaps you will find inspiration in Debi's faith and determination to discover your own strength and faith.


"Movie has been provided courtesy of Mongrel Canada and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Film on Friday #43 - Woodlawn

Woodlawn releases in theaters everywhere today. (October 16/15) I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek - and it's definitely a movie worth seeing.

"Woodlawn is  based on the true story of how love and unity overcame hate and division in early 1970s Birmingham, Ala. Tony Nathan (newcomer Caleb Castille) lands in a powder keg of anger and violence when he joins fellow African-American students at Woodlawn High School after its government-mandated desegregation in 1973. The Woodlawn Colonels football team is a microcosm of the problems at the school and in the city, which erupts in cross burnings and riots. Coach Tandy Gerelds (Nic Bishop) is at a loss to solve these unprecedented challenges with his disciplinarian ways.

It’s only when Hank (Sean Astin), an outsider who has been radically affected by the message of hope and love he experienced at a Christian revival meeting, convinces Coach Gerelds to let him speak to the team that something truly remarkable begins to happen. More than 40 players, nearly the entire team, black and white, give their lives over to the “better way” Hank tells them is possible through following Jesus, and the change is so profound in them it affects their coach, their school and their community in ways no one could have imagined." Also starring Academy Award winner Jon Voight.

Wow. The opening scenes of Woodlawn are gut-wrenching. Historical news footage of 1973 Birmingham, the desegregation of schools and the violence surrounding this time only served to underline and emphasize the setting and time frame of the movie. This isn't an imagined story - this is real. And not so very long ago. Birmingham? It was the most thoroughly segregated city in the US. And had the sad nickname of Bombingham, due to the over 50 racial bombings that occurred in the city beginning in 1947. In 1963, then governor George Wallace declared that schools would never be desegregated.

Unbelievable right? But this is the part that is even more unbelievable - that a racially charged sports team and school accepted Hank's message of faith  - and that message spread.

Every actor did a phenomenal job, but props go out to newcomer Caleb Castille - I thought he was really good. I was glued to my screen the entire film, caught up in this recreation of actual events. Just incredibly well done from the actors, to the set, recreating time and place, the football games - and the inclusion of historical footage.

And as I watched, I was outraged, I cried, but I also laughed and I felt a sense of hope. If this could happen in that time and place.....just maybe it can happen again - and again and again.

This is a fantastic film with an uplifting, powerful message of belief, faith, hope and of change. Check out the trailer below. And don't forget to enter to win a Woodlawn prizepack here.

From Director Andy Erwin: "Woodlawn is a special movie with a perspective that America – believer and nonbeliever alike – needs to hear today. “I’m passionate about the truth that the only way to overcome hate is by a greater law – and that’s love and forgiveness. And Jesus is the ultimate way to receive and give both love and forgiveness."

Giveaway - WOODLAWN - prize pack

I love movies - but the ones I enjoy the most are those based on true stories.

Woodlawn is one of those true stories - and it's an amazing one. The movie releases in theaters everywhere on Friday, October 16/15. To celebrate, I have a Woodlawn prize pack to giveaway to one lucky reader!

But let me tell you why Woodlawn is such an amazing film.... Here's the synopsis:

"From Pure Flix (God's Not Dead, Do You Believe?), Roma Downey and Mark Burnett (The Bible, Son of God) and the Erwin Brothers (Mom's Night Out, October Baby) comes Woodlawn, an exhilarating high school football drama and remarkable true story of how love and unity overcame racism and hate in early 1970s Birmingham, Alabama. Starring Academy Award winner Jon Voight, Sean Astin, Nic Bishop and newcomer Caleb Castille, Woodlawn depicts the spiritual awakening that captured the hearts of a team and unified an entire city."

"A gifted high school football player must learn to boldly embrace his talent and his faith as he battles racial tensions on and off the field in Woodlawn, a moving and inspirational new film based on the true story of how love and unity overcame hate and division in early 1970s Birmingham, Ala. Tony Nathan (newcomer Caleb Castille) lands in a powder keg of anger and violence when he joins fellow African-American students at Woodlawn High School after its government-mandated desegregation in 1973. The Woodlawn Colonels football team is a microcosm of the problems at the school and in the city, which erupts in cross burnings and riots, and Coach Tandy Gerelds (Nic Bishop) is at a loss to solve these unprecedented challenges with his disciplinarian ways.

It’s only when Hank (Sean Astin), an outsider who has been radically affected by the message of hope and love he experienced at a Christian revival meeting, convinces Coach Gerelds to let him speak to the team that something truly remarkable begins to happen. More than 40 players, nearly the entire team, black and white, give their lives over to the “better way” Hank tells them is possible through following Jesus, and the change is so profound in them it affects their coach, their school and their community in ways no one could have imagined."

Get a sneak peek - watch the trailer below. I'll be watching - look for my review.....

The prize pack includes: 

• A Woodlawn football tee-shirt
• Woodlawn by Todd Geralds, on which the movie is based:
• Touchdown Tony, by Tony Nathan, the autobiography of the superstar player on whose life the film is based
• When God Shows Up, by Robert Noland, a 40-day devotional tied to the themes of the film

Enter to win, using the Rafflecopter form below. US only. Ends Oct 24/15.

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Film on Friday #42 - Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream

Do you ever have a bad day and all you want to do when you get up is cuddle up and watch a good movie - one that will chase away that bad day?

Yes, chocolate will do the trick, but for me it's Hallmark movies. My latest favourite series is Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

The latest - Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream premieres Sunday October 4 9/8c on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.

In today's world of electronic communication, it's becoming increasingly rare to receive letters. But the four characters of this series have a dedication to the written letter. They're US postal employees who work in the Dead Letter Office. Think of them as postal detectives (POstables), dedicated to "tracking down intended recipients of deliverable mail. Their missions take them out of the office and into an unpredictable world where redirected letters and packages can save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures by arriving late but somehow always on time."

The Impossible Dream picks right up where the last movie (Truth Be Told) left off. The Postables 'work against the clock decoding a letter to rescue a soldier in Afghanistan and reunite her with her family'. There's a huge sense of urgency as the window to rescue the soldier is very small. But along with the serious tone, there's some fun as well. Rita is competing for the title of National Miss Special Delivery.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered stars Eric Mabius (Oliver), Kristin Booth (Shane), Crystal Lowe (Rita) and Geoff Gustafson (Norman). The four have great chemistry between them. But, there's an added bit of chemistry between two pairs. I thoroughly enjoy watching their genuinely caring relationships evolve. Shane's past plays a large part in The Impossible Dream. And Rita and Norman's relationship moves forward.

The Impossible Dream is a family friendly movie that explores family, faith, hope, love and patriotism in a wholesome, inspirational manner that can't help but lift your spirits.

The Impossible Dream was the perfect antidote for my not so great day. Get a sneak peek - watch the trailer below.

You can keep up with the cast on Twitter: @HallmarkMovie, @Eric_Mabius, @kristintbooth, @RealCrystalLowe, @geoffgustafson,  #POstables

Film on Friday #41 - Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told (and a giveaway!)

Nothing warms you up like a feel good movie on a rainy day. And Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told is guaranteed to warm your heart.

I had a chance to have a sneak peek, but don't worry, you haven't missed it - it premieres on Sunday, September 13th at 9pm E/PT /8C on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries.

In today's world of electronic communication, it's becoming increasingly rare to receive letters. But the four characters of this series have a dedication to the written letter. They're US postal employees who work in the Dead Letter Office. Think of them as postal detectives (POstables), dedicated to "tracking down intended recipients of deliverable mail. Their missions take them out of the office and into an unpredictable world where redirected letters and packages can save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures by arriving late but somehow always on time."

This time it's a partially burned letter with only fragments left to piece together and some grains of sand. The team manage to find the recipient, but take things a bit further when they're asked to find the sender. As Norman says "Some letters deserve special attention."

Signed, Sealed, Delivered stars Eric Mabius (Oliver), Kristin Booth (Shane), Crystal Lowe (Rita) and Geoff Gustafson (Norman). The four have great chemistry between them. But, there's an added bit of chemistry between two pairs. I thoroughly enjoy watching the budding, genuinely caring relationships evolving. The personal lives of the characters often have tie-ins to the letters. This time, it's Oliver's life - his father returns after a fifteen year estrangement. Family, fatherhood and faith - and unconditional love are all explored in this timely, inspiring, uplifting movie.

I love the Dead Letter office set itself - I think I'd love working there, piecing together clues and making those connections happen.

Hallmark movies just make me wish the world could be like this - especially today, September 11th. If you're looking for a family friendly movie with lots wholesome, inspirational themes and values - this series is for you.

You can keep up with the cast on Twitter: @HallmarkMovie, @Eric_Mabius, @kristintbooth, @RealCrystalLowe, @geoffgustafson, @TheRealGregoryH, @MarthaMoonWater, #POstables

This series will remind you of Touched By An Angel. And that's because Martha Williamson is the executive producer of both series! And thanks to Martha, I have some swag from Touched By An Angel to giveaway to a fan. *A small silver picture frame that was given as a gift by Martha to the Touched By An Angel crew during the series’ production *A vintage novel based on the series *Classic Touched By An Angel themed greeting cards that include a CD single of a song from the show *A Touched By An Angel logo pen. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

Watch a preview of Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told below. And watch for the next movie with the POstables - Signed Sealed Delivered: The Impossible Dream will air on Sunday, October 4 at 9pm ET/PT, 8C on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. (I'll be watching!)

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