Pea of Sweetness

New 1GN CD – Unite is Upbeat with a Great Message

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Do you remember a couple of years ago when I shared a 1 Girl Nation review? My daughter and I absolutely loved it and continue to listen to and enjoy it! Needless to say, when I heard 1GN, formerly 1 Girl Nation, was releasing their sophomore album, Unite, on April 15 with Reunion Records, I was so excited to check out this new 1GN CD!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary download of the CD to facilitate my review. Regardless, I only recommend products I feel would be good for my readers. All opinions are my own and those of my family.

1GN CD – Unite

1GN Unite Review
What I appreciate about 1GN is their passion to bring fans music with a meaningful message, and that is certainly true of their newest album, Unite. The album centers around the song “Guard Your Heart,” which is based on Proverbs 4:23-27. “Above all else, guard your heart.” Their message is, once again, relative to young women and girls encouraging them to guard their hearts in a world where it’s so easy to get caught up in things we shouldn’t through social media and things online.
As a mom of a girl, and actually, just in general, I have a passion to encourage her and other young girls to do just that – guard their hearts. There really is so much around us now that can be negative influences. That’s why I love that 1GN has released a second album because now our daughter can listen to more great music that is upbeat and fun for her, and is getting a great message at the same time! Unite has a fun and energetic pop style that you just have to dance to! Or, at least my daughter and I both have been!

More About 1GN

1GN Artists
(From left to right) Kayli Robinson, Carmen Hadley and Lauryn Taylor Bach

1GN, comprised of Lauryn Taylor Bach, Kayli Robinson and Carmen Hadley, blends upbeat, relevant pop music, with lyrics that are focused on one united message of overcoming hate with love, and living boldly for Christ, even while having fun. Their self-titled debut album 1 Girl Nation was released in August 2013, which reached No. 2 on Billboard‘s Heatseeker Albums chart and No. 9 on Billboard‘s Top Christian Albums chart. 1GN has played on more than 80 “Secret Keeper Girl Tour” concert dates, co-headlined the “While We’re Young” Tour with OBB and performed at Disney’s Night of Joy. The group earned a “New Artist of the Year” nomination for the 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards.

Since their debut in 2013, 1GN has released A Very 1 Girl Nation Christmas EP (2014), which included “Let It Go” from Disney’s classic film Frozen. In 2015, they released their own 40-day devotional book published by Lifeway Christian Resources titled No Filter. The devotional shares their stories of how their relationship with Christ teaches them to live a life of faith and authenticity. I am definitely going to be checking out both of these!

Get Connected with 1GN:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
 

*Giveaway!!!*

Would you like to win a physical copy of the 1GN CD Unite? Two winners will each receive a physical CD! This giveaway is open to US residents ages 18+. This giveaway runs through 6/4/16 at 11:59pm Eastern Time.

Enter the Giveaway Now!!

 

The Unmaking ( Nichole Nordeman's New CD Review )

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Wow! Have I been blessed with some amazing music lately! Nichole Nordeman is another one of my favorite Christian artists, and I was so excited for the opportunity to review Nichole Nordeman’s new CD – The Unmaking. In fact, I was excited to see one song features Plum whose CD I reviewed this past Spring.
Nichole Nordeman The Unmaking CD
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.
About Nichole Nordeman:

Nichole Nordeman is a recording artist and songwriter for Sparrow/EMI CMG, with numerous number-one and top ten singles to her credit and cumulative CD sales of over one million. A two-time Gospel Music Association winner for Female Vocalist of the Year, she has won a total of nine Dove Awards, including the best-selling album, Music Inspired by The Story. Her best-known songs include “Holy”, “Legacy”, “Brave”, “This Mystery”, “Why”, and “What If”. She lives with her family in Tulsa, OK.

For my review I received the new CD The Unmaking. The Unmaking has six amazing songs. This album really moved me. Sometimes I still feel down about things and need to hear songs like those in The Unmaking. It is a beautiful mix of worship and encouragement. It’s the type of music that helps you remember how precious you are to God and moves you to tears (well, it did for me anyway!) and proclaim God’s love.
I particularly love the song “Name,” because it’s a great reminder that we can get lost in the world and reminds us who we are to God. I think particularly when we feel down about things we need that reminder on who God is and how He feels about us.
Overall, I am so glad I had this opportunity to review this amazing album! The songs are so touching and moving, and I encourage everyone to give it a listen!

For More Information:

Visit the Nichole Nordeman Website
Connect with Nichole Nordeman on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vivo
 

*Giveaway!!!* {Ended 9/13/15}

Nichole Nordeman The Unmaking CD Giveaway
Would you like to win the newest album from Nichole Nordeman? One winner will receive The Unmaking CD. This giveaway will run through 9/13/15 at 11pm Eastern Time and is open to US and Canada ages 18+. Winner is subject to eligibility verification and will have 48 hours to confirm before a new winner will be drawn. For any questions/concerns please email emilee.roberts (at) peaofsweetness (dot) com (consider adding this email to your “Safe List” as winning email notification will be sent from this email).
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. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

 
Pea of Sweetness is not responsible for prize fulfillment.
 

This is Not a Test (TobyMac's New CD – Review)

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I am a huge fan of TobyMac – not only his music but the positive messages he shares on social media regularly as well. “Speak Life” is not only a song that resonates with so many readers, but it’s a message to live by. When I had the opportunity to review TobyMac’s new CD I was so excited!
TobyMac This is Not a Test - Review and 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.
About TOBYMAC:

Toby McKeehan (known professionally as TobyMac) is a husband, father, performer, songwriter, producer, and businessman. Growing up in the northern Virginia suburbs adjacent to Washington D.C. helped instill his love for rap music. While attending Liberty University during the mid 80s, Toby met Michael Tait and Kevin Max Smith and these three friends formed the Grammy winning, platinum selling group dc Talk. Toby began his solo career in 1999 with his first solo album, Momentum, releasing in 2001. Momentum has been followed by four additional studio albums, Welcome to Diverse City (2004), Portable Sounds (2007), Tonight(2010), and Eye On It (2012), along with his first live album, Alive and Transported (2008). This Is Not A Test is his 6th studio album to be released. Starting with dc Talk, and then going solo when the group disbanded, Toby still clings to such rootsy notions as hard work, persistence, patience, and – perhaps most relevant of all – the power of music, which he insists is still what keeps him going. “It’s the truth,” he says. “I still believe that a song can penetrate a heart. I believe God can use a song to open someone’s mind and heart.”

For my review I received the mp3 download of the This is Not a Test Album. I think one of my favorite things about TobyMac’s music is that his songs are always so upbeat and always have powerful messages. I absolutely agree with him about the power of music. I’ve been having a few hard days lately due to my health issues, and playing this album not only helped cheer me up, but I truly feel like it helps me bring my attitude to the place it needs to be and focus back on God rather than my problems.
I am definitely loving the This is Not a Test album. I just love that it is so positive and upbeat, and it makes for great working or workout music. Positive music always helps inspire me when I’m doing housework and when I’m working out as well. It helps me to remember why I do things that may be challenging for me. It is overall a great CD with positive messages and upbeat songs.

For More Information:

Visit the TobyMac Website
Connect with TobyMac on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Vevo
Purchase This is Not a Test on iTunes
Also, be sure to enter the #FeelIt Giveaway for your chance to win a #FEELIT tank, items from the videos, and a TobyMac hat! Enter the #FeelIt Giveaway!
 

*Giveaway!!!* {Ended 8/17/15}

TobyMac This is Not a Test CD Giveaway
Would you like to win the newest album from TobyMac? One winner will receive a physical copy of the This is Not a Test CD. This giveaway will run through 8/17/15 at 11pm Eastern Time and is open to US and Canada ages 18+. Winner is subject to eligibility verification and will have 48 hours to confirm before a new winner will be drawn. For any questions/concerns please email emilee.roberts (at) peaofsweetness (dot) com (consider adding this email to your “Safe List” as winning email notification will be sent from this email).
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. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

 
 

The Identical Soundtrack

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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 a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Opinions are my own and those of my family and NOT inspired by monetary compensation.”
The Identical Giveaway
I was blessed with the opportunity to see an advance screening of The Identical. It was released in theaters today, and is a great faith-based movies that really reaches that deep question many of us ask – what is my purpose? What is my calling? It is a movie that will stir so many emotions! I laughed, I cried, and I tapped my foot. If I had been at home, I surely would have been singing and dancing, too! 😉
Here is more information:

THE IDENTICAL tells the compelling story of twin brothers unknowingly separated at birth during the Great Depression. DREXEL HEMSLEY becomes an iconic 50’s rock ‘n’ roll star, while RYAN WADE (Blake Rayne) struggles to balance his love for music and pleasing his father. The Reverend Wade (Ray Liotta) and his wife (Ashley Judd) are sure their adopted son has been gifted and called by God to be a preacher. But Ryan challenges his parent’s vision for his life, and unflinchingly chooses to launch his own music career with his best friend (Seth Green). Encouraged by his wife (Erin Cottrell) and employer (Joe Pantoliano), Ryan embarks on an unpredictable, provocative path – performing the legendary music of Drexel Hemsley in sold out venues all across the country.
As the brothers destinies tragically collide, Ryan discovers that Drexel is his identical twin which leads him to question everything he’s ever believed about God, family and his own identity.

In addition to a positive message, it has some amazing music! Like I said, I would have been dancing and singing right there in the theater if I wouldn’t have felt embarrassed! So to receive The Identical Soundtrack Sampler was so amazing! Plus, I got a signed copy! Exciting, right? Now I can sing and dance to it all I want – and share it with our family as well! You can check out samples of the music online!
The Identical is a great movie, and the music is amazing! It’s out in theaters now, so be sure to check it out! If you have a group in mind, group tickets are available as well!

For More Information:

Visit The Identical Movie Website
Connect with The Identical on Facebook and Twitter

*Giveaway!!*

Would you like to win The Identical Soundtrack Sampler? This giveaway will run through 9/20/14 and is open to US and Canada ages 18+. Enter the giveaway now!