You're Wearing That to School?!

You’re Wearing That to School

Lynn Plourde

Illustrated by Sue Cornelison

Penelope is so excited about school starting tomorrow. But her best friend Tiny is more cautious and begins to give Penelope tips on how to blend in and be the same as all of her classmates, so that no one will make fun of her. Penelope decides not to take Tiny’s advice and goes to school in her flamboyant clothes. Tiny is so worried about her, but finds that being your own person is the perfect way to be. 

The story line would be a perfect fit to read to a child getting ready to enter school or a child suffering from shyness in the classroom. The illustrations are colorful and help tell the story. The messages in the story are about accepting people for who they are, learning how to make new friends, and being open to new adventures. The last page is a list of things that a child can do to feel more comfortable on their very first day of school.

I received this book free of charge from Children's Literature in exchange for my honest review.

Steps to Knowing God

Steps to Knowing, Doing and Experiencing the Will of God for Teens

Experiencing God at Home Series

Tom Blackaby, Mike Blackaby, Daniel Blackaby

 God wants you to know Him. He wants to have a very important part in your life. The Blackaby family has written another book in the series, this time directed towards teens. The book will guide teens toward a better understanding of how to bring God into their lives and experience His presence every day in their homes.

I'm not a teen, but I really enjoyed reading this book. It was interactive, refreshing, and insightful. The graphics are fun. The note section will be useful for anyone wanting to add their thoughts to the book. The practical and useful suggestions will resonate with teens wanting to do more than just listen while being preached at. I look forward to sharing this with my children when they get a little bit older.

I received this book free of charge from Shelton Interactive in exchange for my honest review.

A Melody for James

A Melody for James

Song of Suspense Book 1

Hallee Bridgeman

Years go Melody met a man, James, who saved her. But then tragedy struck and Melody's life took a completely different direction. Now years have gone by and she meets the man who she can't seem to forget. But she's lost her relationship with God and is leery of letting Him into her life again after what happened. James brings her back to him and to her Savior. But there is a madman intend of killing Melody and he seems connected to James somehow. Can their relationship and their lives survive him?

The story is romantic, suspenseful, Christian, and fun. Some of the details I expected and others were a complete surprise. But once I started reading, I didn't want to stop until I'd found out the very last detail. The author filled the story with subtle mentions of Christianity and the aspects of a relationship with Christ. It isn't preachy, but is definitely an element to the story. 

I received this book free of charge from bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.

Whispers of the Heart

Whispers of the Heart

Learning to Listen to God

Erica Stuck

The author has struggled through many difficulties, but each one has brought her closer to God. Each time she's learned, sometimes the hard way, to listen to God whispering words of comfort to her heart. Written in a conversational tone and filled with stories, the author shows how her walk with her Savior has strengthened her heart and taught her valuable life lessons. 

Chapters include heavy subjects such as forgiveness and worry, but also touch on lighter things like bugs and friendships. The stories are interesting and the author's thoughts add a touch of personal to the chapter. It was a quick, but thoughtful read that I enjoyed.

 I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

Give-Away

Give-Away for

To Sing Frogs*

John M. Simmons

This is an autographed copy that the author personally signed.

Check out my review here.

I will randomly draw a name on August 5. So please leave your name and email address in the comments if you would like to be entered into the drawing. No info means no book.

Also I will provide extra entries to anyone who shares this on Facebook. Just post another comment letting me know you've shared.

*ARC copy, so cover is slightly different.

Bork Reveals The Real Deal about the Facts of Life

Bork Reveals The Real Deal about the Facts of Life

(For Boys Only!)

Terri Shearer Trenchard

Sometimes it's a little awkward to talk to your parents about personal stuff. So the author takes the embarrassing and personal things you might need answers for and has Bork tell all in this fun little book for boys.

The layout was simple and easy to read. The book was small enough so as not to intimidate, but had all of the necessary information packed into it. I appreciated the author's approach of humor, straight up facts, and encouraging the reader to open up to a trusted adult. Since I have a son who will be needing this book in the future, I plan on keeping it. Would recommend it to any family with boys.

Check out the author's website for more info.

I received this book free of charge from Firefly Marketing in exchange for my honest review.

Give Away Announcement for Search & Rescue

Give Away Announcement for Search & Rescue

Give Away Announcement

Congratulations to the winner of the book -

Search & Rescue

Heather

I will be sending you an email with a request for a mailing address.

If there is no response after a week, another winner will be chosen.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Please check out the other give-a-ways going on this month.

Give-Away

Give-Away for

Firsthand

Ryan & Josh Shook

Check out my review here.

I will randomly draw a name on July 29. So please leave your name and email address in the comments if you would like to be entered into the drawing. No info means no book.

Also I will provide extra entries to anyone who shares this on Facebook. Just post another comment letting me know you've shared.

Secret Promise

Secret Promise (The Rescue Princesses #1)

Paula Harrison

                Princess Emily travels to the castle of Mistberg with her parents. She has finally reached the age of nine years old and is now allowed to attend the Mistberg Grand Ball. She is excited to meet the other princesses. The four princesses are soon good friends and work together as a team to rescue at little fawn. But someone evil is planting traps in the forest and none of the adults will believe the girls. The princesses must work together to solve the mystery and save the deer of Mistberg Forest. As the first book in the series, the plot sets the tone and introduces all of the princesses. It ends with the girls planning to keep in touch, which provides a sufficient opening for the next book in the series. The story flows well and showcases compassion for animals, team work, and trusting friends. The illustrations were lively and entertaining. Girls will be able to relate to the princesses and the story of helping others.

I received this book free of charge from Children's Lit in exchange for my honest review.

A Bride for All Seasons

A Bride for All Seasons

The Mail Order Bride Collection

Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton 

 Four different brides from four different places and walks in life all answer an ad in the newspaper to become a mail order bride. But the letters must be mailed to the newspaper and then sent on to the prospective groom. And an interfering newspaper editor decides to take love into his own hands and change just a few things. So each bride and groom meet each other with a calamity of misunderstanding and confusion. 

When dealing with novellas I take into consideration that the stories are short and thus don't have much time to create an engaging plot and wrap things up. That being said, I enjoyed this book. The stories were funny and sweet. While I could have cheerfully strangled the newspaper man, the stories all ended with love and there were some very amusing parts. While I definitely had my favorite among the four, I enjoyed all of them.

I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.

Sharkopedia by Discovery Channel (GMI)

Disney Channel Sharkopedia

The Complete Guide to Everything Shark

Discovery Channel

Everything you've ever wanted to know about sharks is in this book. Did you know that there are 498 different species of shark? This book has them all. With more than 400 photos it is packed with amazing visuals. The information covers a wide variety of areas, including feeding habits, habitats, research, and much more.

Immediately after opening the package I lost the book to my 7 year old son. He fell in love with it. I was impressed with the large, clear pictures. There is a wealth of information on each page, but it is written simply enough that my son could read and process it. But this is a great book for an adult shark enthusiast as well. The book delves very slightly into evolution, so those who do not believe in this should be aware. But over all, definitely worth the price.

I received this book free of charge from Goodman Media International in exchange for my honest review.

Summer Fit 2-3

Summer Fit

2-3

Kelly Terrill & Portia Marin

Studies have shown that students test lower at the end of summer than at the beginning. They lose quite a bit of what they've learned though out the school year. Students also gain a considerable amount of weight through out the summer due to inactivity and poor eating habits. So several teachers have come up with a book that transitions the students into the next grade with fun and educational activities. The book has the subjects of math, reading, writing, language arts, fitness, nutrition, and values. But in reading through the book I also noticed bits of history as well. The worksheets are colorful and can be accomplished quickly. I was really impressed with the concept, layout, and educational level. My son is working though the book and is really enjoying it. The activities appear to be grade appropriate. Definitely a book that I would recommend getting for your child to complete over the summer.

I received this book free of charge from Direct Contact in exchange for my honest review.

Bebe Gourmet by Jenny Carenco

Bebe Gourmet 
100 French-Inspired Baby Food Recipes for Raising an Adventurous Eater

Jenny Carenco

 Trying to figure out what to feed your little baby those first few months of "real" food can be daunting. Everyone is talking about health. Making your own baby food sounds intimidating and confusing. This is what inspired the author to write this book. After considerable research and trial and error, she wrote down her favorite recipes. Getting your child to eat more than mashed bananas and macaroni is a plus in our diverse culture.

I was really impressed with this book. The recipes begin with very basic and simple purees that can be made at home for the first few months. The recipes graduate up to regular table food. The author uses unusual foods that aren't typically thought of as baby food, but I read the entire book and all of them can be easily purchased at my local grocery store. The recipes are also very simple and easy to make. At the end of the book is a list of foods and their benefits and also some questions and answers from the author and a pediatric nutritionist. My one and only complaint was that the pictures inside the book were in black and white. I felt that the book would have really stood out if the pictures had been in color. But it certainly doesn't detract from the usefulness of the book, so don't let this deter you when considering a purchase. I wish I'd had this book when my son was born.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

*Update: I have noticed since posting this review, that I had an advanced reader copy. The actual book will have color pictures. So that removes my one and only complaint. Great book!

Give Away Announcement for Experiencing God

Give Away Announcements

Congratulations to the winners of the book -

Experiencing God at Home

Lynn Rathunde

&

Tamara Manning

I will be sending you an email with a request for a mailing address.

If there is no response after a week, another winner will be chosen.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Please check out the other give-a-ways going on this month.

Give-Away

Give-Away for

Rock Harbor Search & Rescue*

Colleen Coble & Robin Caroll

Check out my review here.

I will randomly draw a name on July 22. So please leave your name and email address in the comments if you would like to be entered into the drawing. No info means no book.
Also I will provide extra entries to anyone who shares this on Facebook. Just post another comment letting me know you've shared.

*ARC copy

Sapphire Ice/Greater Than Rubies Bundle

I posted a review for these books separately since this is how I initially found them on the retail websites. I received this book free from Book Fun in exchange for a review. After reading the instructions for the review I felt the author wanted the review to be about the bundle part of the book as well as for the individual stories. So here is an addendum to my reviews on the book.

While I enjoyed having them both together since they were a continuation of the same story, I would have bought two separate books if purchasing for myself.

Greater than Rubies

Greater than Rubies

Jewel Trilogy Book 1 1/2 

Hallee Bridgeman

Robin has accepted Tony's marriage proposal. Now comes the hard part - planning a wedding that is being considered Boston's largest wedding in years. Robin is suffering from nightmares from her past, doubts about being the new Mrs. Viscolli, and fear over her wedding night. She isn't sure she can go through with the marriage despite her love for Tony.

This is a novella that fits into the trilogy right after book 1. It continues the story of Robin, but gives a better glimpse of the two younger sisters as well. I enjoyed getting a closer look at the two characters and liked how it tied up several little ends to the story. Some parts felt a bit unrealistic such as the part about Robin's dad. But I'm also a sucker for happy ever after so the story ended well for me. All in all, a good story that has me looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.

 I received this book free of charge from Book Fun in exchange for my honest review.

Sapphire Ice

Sapphire Ice

Jewel Trilogy Book 1

Hallee Bridgeman

 Robin has had a horrific childhood. As the eldest she considers it her responsibility to take care of her two younger sisters. She's working two jobs when she meets Tony. Their second meeting convinces her that he is just like every other man out there. But slowly Tony inches his way into her life and changes her mind about him, about God, and about her future.

The story started out quickly and grabbed my attention immediately. Unlike most of the fiction I've read recently this is real and often times raw. But the characters were likeable despite (or maybe because of) their flaws. I enjoyed how the author presented the gospel and the message of salvation. Both characters had a story of redemption in their spiritual and physical lives. My only complaint would have to be Tony's behavior at the very beginning. I wasn't comfortable with him agreeing to have sex with Robin knowing as a Christian that he had no intention of following through. I felt he should have been honest with her. But that tiny detail aside, I really enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next books in the series.

I received this book free of charge from Book Fun in exchange for my honest review.

Dandelions on the Wind

Dandelions on the Wind

The Quilted Heart #1

Mona Hodgson

 Maren came to America to marry a young man. But when he realizes that she is going blind, he leaves her stranded. But a job helping Mrs. Brantenburg raise her granddaughter gives her a home and a family, until she can raise enough money to return home to Denmark. Mrs. Brantenburg's son-in-law returns home and throws everyone off balance. Can they all get past the hurt feelings, grief, and resentment to form a forever family?

This story had great potential. All of the elements were there for a great full length novel. So from the very beginning, I think the author did the story an injustice by shortening it to a novella. The character development was lacking, the plot was predictable from the very beginning. I had difficulty becoming invested in their lives or picturing the scenery. I've read other novellas that didn't have this problem, and I've read other books by this author that I really enjoyed. So I'm not sure where the disconnect was. Since I enjoyed previous books by Hodgson I will probably read the other full length books in this series. But I was very disappointed with this little novella.

I received this book free of charge from WaterBrook in exchange for my honest review.

A Healing Heart

A Healing Heart

Angela Breidenbach

Mara lost her husband to an avalanche. Now she's trying to cope with running their business, keeping three kids in line, and completing a quilt for her daughter before her graduation. She does not have time for a new business consultant with a bad history and penchant for butting in.

Small pieces of American Indian history as well as snippets about quilting were woven into the story to add depth and beauty. The two main characters were fun, if not a bit exasperating in their stubbornness. But my favorite parts were the interactions with the children and the dog. The author did a great job of weaving a bit of history into the story. Some of it was taken from the town she used for inspiration and some of it was from her family traditions.
I enjoyed the story. It was sweet, sad, and refreshing. There wasn't any major drama or mystery. It was just a simple story of love and healing.

I received this book free of charge from Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.

A Wedding for Julie

A Wedding for Julie

Vannetta Chapman

Julia has great plans for her future. At 36 years old she has no intention of getting married. She's going to open a cafe in her home and do what she loves best - cooking. But her mother's announcement shocks her. She will not inherit her home when her mother dies. She will be forced to move to another state and live with distant family she has never met.

Caleb arrives to deliver groceries and finds Julia crying. He thought his time for marriage and companionship had passed. He begins praying about possibly helping Julia by marriage. A marriage between them would save Julia's home and eliminate Caleb's loneliness.  

The story was filled with many different aspects. The different sides to the story gave it some depth and made it more than just an Amish romance.  I appreciated the small elements of history that were woven into the plot. The love of God and benefits of friendship were sprinkled liberally throughout the story. While not one of my all time favorites, it was definitely a nice story and I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

I've Got Your Back

I've Got Your Back

A Leadership Parable

Biblical Principles for Leading and Following Well

James C. Galvin

The author wrote a rough draft about leadership. But then he realized that people relate better to stories. Isn't that why Jesus told parables. So he ditched the draft and started over. This time he told a story about several young people looking for advice on leadership skills.

The story flows well and works perfectly to get the message of leadership skills across to the reader. I learned a lot from reading the book and loved the concept of learning following skills that would then mesh with leadership. The skills actually go hand in hand. At the end of the story, the author takes a few chapters to go over the information taught in the story and to round out the book. Filled with scriptures to back up his thoughts and a discussion guide at the back, this book is a must have for any Christian leader or follower. I'll definitely be keeping it for reference.

I received this book free of charge from Handlebar Marketing in exchange for my honest review.

Barefoot Summer

Barefoot Summer

Dennis Hunter

Years ago tragedy stuck the small town that Madison and Beckett lived in. Madison lost her twin brother and Beckett feels responsible.  Madison bottled up her feeling and it is now affecting her sleep and her job as a veterinarian. She hopes winning the sailing regatta, her brother's dream, will help her heal. But she needs Beckett, or she'll never reach her goal. Can Madison, with her grief, and Beckett, with his tainted past reach a compromise or is their relationship set up for failure?

The characters were fun and realistic. The author did a great job of making the situations heartwarming and sincere. While there were a couple of places that felt contrived, for the most part this was a enjoyable and romantic story. The drama was perfect for the plot and the romance was sweet. The Christian elements were written thoughtfully and were well placed. It didn't feel preachy or overdone. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the next book in the series.

I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.

Glimpses of Grace

Glimpses of Grace

Treasuring the gospel in your home

Gloria Furman

Every mom faces the challenge of balancing her home, work, and relationship with God. Sometimes God and His grace can appear to be lost in the shuffle of life. Where is God when we are waking up in the middle of the night with a child or facing loads of laundry? Where is God when the plumbing needs to be fixed or the refrigerator is completely empty? The author takes her life experiences and writes about how she found grace in her home to encourage and uplift the every day mom.

The author's style of writing is simple and straightforward. It feels like the reader is sitting at the author's kitchen table amidst the dirty dishes and leftover breakfast sharing a cup of coffee while discussing grace. The chapters include topics about friends, contentment, pain, and grace. Sprinkled throughout are stories or antidotes from the author's life to illustrate the points she is trying to make.
It's a good book for any mother struggling with the overwhelming parts of parenting and housework.

I received this book free of charge from Crossway in exchange for my honest review.

Give Away Announcements

Give Away Announcements 

Two people did not respond about winning their book, so the new winners are:

Ann Lee won Sammy Experiences God

and

Shai won One Thousand Gifts

I will be sending you an email with a request for a mailing address.

If there is no response after a week, another winner will be chosen.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Please check out the other give-a-ways going on this month.

Give-Away Announcement for Wishing on Willows

Give Away Announcements

Congratulations to the winner of the book -

Wishing on Willows

Wendy Apple

I will be sending you an email with a request for a mailing address.

If there is no response after a week, another winner will be chosen.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Please check out the other give-a-ways going on this month.

Give-Away

Give-Away for

Experiencing God at Home

Tom & Richard Blackaby

Check out my review here.

I will randomly draw a name on July 15. So please leave your name and email address in the comments if you would like to be entered into the drawing. No info means no book.
Also I will provide extra entries to anyone who shares this on Facebook. Just post another comment letting me know you've shared.

Once Upon A Prince

Once Upon A Prince

Rachel Hauck

When Susanna's fiance breaks up with her after years of dating and planning she realizes her plan for the future is not only going to fail, it doesn't even come close to reality. She meets Nate after a particularly bad day that includes a flat tire. She doesn't realize he's a prince, he doesn't realize he'll fall in love. It's the classic rich prince and poor girl next door story.

I was really looking forward to this story. The plot is a perfect set up for romantic story. But it somehow fell a tiny bit flat for me. I enjoyed it. What romance lover wouldn't. But I didn't love it. The main female character was a bit whiny and her lack of trust was frustrating. The male character was a defeatist. The ending was cheesy and predictable. But for some reason, perhaps it was the romantic aspects, I still enjoyed the story. I will check out some more books by this author in hopes that the story lines are more romantic and the characters more likeable.

I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.

Bible Word Search

Elie's Spriritual Treasures

Bible Word Search

Volume 1 - The Old Testament: Genesis

What fun! A Bible word search book with a twist. Want to read the entire book of Genesis, but find it too boring or intimidating? Check out this book. Each page is a passage in Genesis. Start at the beginning and look for words as you read the Bible. The author mixes up translations to give a different feel to each word search. I enjoyed doing several of the pages and liked the way it livens up some of the drier passages. Kids will love engaging with the Bible this way, as well. 

It would be perfect for car rides, rainy afternoons, and a new approach to family worship time.

The author intends to do each book of the Bible this way. So keep a look out for more fun word searches.

I received this book free of charge from Eclectic Media in exchange for my honest review.

Ever After

Ever After

life lesson learned in my castle of chaos

Vicki Courtney

As little girls we are told that someday our handsome prince will come and take us away to a castle. And we will live happily ever after.

But real life isn't really like that. If we believe the lies that society and our story books tell us, we are in for a very rude awakening when we reach our little castle.

The author takes the reader through different scenarios and tells the story of her prince and her castle. She's funny, realistic, and authentic. I really enjoyed the insights into the author's life. The life lessons spoke to what every wife and mother goes through as she passes each stage of life. The thoughts were well put together and will reach every woman regardless of what place she happens to be residing at. While definitely a book that I will be recommending to young wives and wives to be, it also hit home for this "old" married woman.

I received this book free of charge from Shelton Interactive in exchange for my honest review.

Give Away Announcement for Eating on the Wild Side

Give Away Announcements

Congratulations to the winner of the book -

Eating on the Wild Side

Beth-Anne

I will be sending you an email with a request for a mailing address.

If there is no response after a week, another winner will be chosen.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Please check out the other give-a-ways going on this month.