More Bears

More Bears

Kenn Nesbitt

The author is writing his bear-less book when he hears a voice "More Bears". He is reluctant to change his perfect little story, but the voice is insistent. Eventually he ends up with a story so full of bears that he can't keep track of them all.

The writer clearly has the gift for reaching children. My kids are in love with this book. But I'll admit that it's one of my favorites too. The story is hilarious, the names for the bears are funny, and the ending is perfect. The author and illustrator worked well together. The illustrations tell the story just as much as the words do. Definitely a book that has landed in our top favorites list for many reasons.

A December Bride

A December Bride

Denise Hunter

Layla desperately needs a date to her cousin and ex-fiance's wedding. But her ex-fiance's friend, Seth, isn't exactly who she had in mind. At the wedding some things are said and Seth and Layla find themselves accidentally engaged. When Layla realizes it will help her business she begs Seth to let the engagement stand for just a few days. But days can turn into weeks.

The author did a great job of making the story seem whole, even though it's a novella. The characters are fun and likeable. The story was charming and Christmasy. If you haven't read anything by this author, check out this little novella and get a taste for her sweet romantic stories. One thing that was left out of this story that is prevalent in the author's other books is the Christian element. I didn't really feel like I was reading a Christian fiction. Everything was clean, but their faith was left out of the story. Still a great story and when writing a romantic novella, only so much can be put in before the books becomes full length. 

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

Organizing Your Prayer Closet

Organizing Your Prayer Closet

A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray

Gina Duke

Prayer can be confusing at times. Some people keep journals, some people follow scripted prayers. But is there a correct way to pray? Is there a way to pray that truly connects us to God? The author has done an amazing job of simplifying the process of prayer journaling while showing the reader how to grow closer to God through prayer.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing is simplistic enough to be read by someone at any stage of life. But it has depths to it that were greatly appreciated. The actual book is only about 100 pages. The back of the book is filled with journal space in the format the author laid out. It is thoughtfully laid out and would be a benefit to anyone wanting to step up their prayer life.

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

Dear Mr. Knightley

Dear Mr. Knightley

Katherine Reay

Sam, a foster child, has been in the system for years. Before she entered the system, she lived with her abusive and dysfunctional family. As a result, she has retreated into the classics. She can't seem to figure out how to relate to the world, so she uses quotes from books to portray how she feels. Her strange and aloof behavior alienate any potential friends and eventuate the loss of her job. Her mentor at the foster home tells her about a grant to further her education. The only requirement is that she write anonymous letters to the benefactor. And this begins her journey into the real world.

The author used Daddy Long Legs as her muse for this book. Since I've read DLL, I knew what was going to happen. But somehow this didn't lessen my enjoyment. I've read all of the negative reviews for this book. And while I could probably agree with a lot of what they say, somehow that didn't matter with this book. I loved it. I loved the throw back to an old childhood favorite. I'm a huge Jane Austen fan so I loved the quotes thrown around throughout the book. I'm a runner, so that part resonated with me. The story has light, unbelievable parts and deep, heart wrenching bits. This is a book that will keep bouncing around in my head for quite some time. It's romantic, convicting, heartwarming, dramatic, and full of fantasy. It has everything and somehow it touched me. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.

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

Closer

Closer

52 Devotions to Draw Couples Together

Jim & Cathy Burns

This book was written with two thoughts in mind. Those that pray together stay together. But we don't always have time to spend an hour with our spouse every day. So the authors came up with a book that can be read every day if you are that couple. But for the rest of us with crazy busy lives can take this book one chapter a week. Every devotional starts out with a Bible verse and story that relates to the topic. It ends with two sections called "Faith Conversations" and "A Step Closer" that give suggestions and topics the couples can use to learn more about each other and be drawn closer to each other and God. Each chapter touches on things that are relevant to the things couples are facing today.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved it so much that my husband and I will be starting it this week. We have crazy busy lives and have often felt guilty for not spending any time spiritually together. This book takes the guilt out of that and provides an answer. The chapters are short enough that my husband won't balk at participating. The questions are probing and deep, but not too mushy for the guys. I, like the author, think this is a great starter devotional for those who are just starting that quiet time together or for those who are too busy to fit in a personal quiet time as well as a couple time.

The World Almanac and Book of Facts

The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2014

www.worldalmanac.com

Are you hungry for information, love crossword puzzles, enjoy learning about new things? Check out this book filled with everything you can possibly imagine. Some of the subjects include history, science, sports, and business. Color photographs are included along with the traditional black and white to make a book crammed full of knowledge.

I loved perusing through the book to see what interesting facts I could find. I'm going to let my son read this book since he's always asking questions. Those who would rather read than get on the computer or who do not have easy access to google will find this a treasure of facts and information. The book would make a wonderful present.

You can purchase the book here or at other book retail sites.

I received this book free of charge from The Rosen Group in exchange for my honest review.

A Marriage in Middlebury

A Marriage in Middlebury

Anita Higman

Charlotte turned down Sam's proposal years ago when he asked her to marry him. She thought they'd moved on. But when he walks into her tea shop years later she instantly realizes her feelings are still there. But being introduced to his fiance was not what she had envisioned. Now things are getting a little crazy around the town of Middlebury and her friends are partially to blame.

Slow moving, summer read is what came to mind when I finished the story. Most of the plot was predictable from the very beginning. But this didn't lessen the entertainment value or the life lessons the author presented. I enjoyed the story. It was a nice change from some of the high suspense I had just finished. In fact, the book reminded me a lot of the Mitford series by Jan Karon that I read several years ago. The author focused on forgiveness, second changes, and Christian love. I would definitely read another book by this author.

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

A Dog Named Tulip

A Dog Named Tulip

Maryn and Anna Joseph

Jessica loves giving her mother presents for Mother's Day. But this year she'd like to give her something extra special. While out picking tulips for her mother's bouquet she finds a little puppy. This puppy will make a perfect gift for Mother's Day.

Written by two sisters, this delightful little story will entertain young children. The child-like illustrations compliments the creative writing from these two young authors. My children enjoyed the book and have asked me to read it to them several times. We will definitely be keeping this book.

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

Home For Christmas

Home For Christmas (A Short Story)

Lia Fairchild

When a beautiful waitress catches Stephen's chair as he is about to fall, he can't seem to catch his breath. The first time he saw her he was torn between embarrassment and brain freeze. So he goes back to the bar to see if he can catch a glimpse of the beautiful Ali and this time make his tongue work enough to ask her out.

This is, like the title suggests, a short story. But it was a sweet and heartwarming little package, just perfect for Christmas. While I was disappointed that the story ended so quickly, it was such a fun little read that it was definitely worth it. The little plot twist at the end was good too. If you haven't already read books by this author, check out this little story to get a taste of her fun writing style. I've read most of her other books and really enjoy them.

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

Merry Ex-Mas

Merry Ex-Mas

Life in Icicle Falls

Sheila Roberts

Cass is looking forward to an engagement announcement from her daughter. But when it comes she's unprepared for the compromises she's forced to make so her daughter can have the wedding of her dreams. Her friends are not having the best Christmas either when it comes to relationships. Can these friends find a little Christmas cheer and goodwill or will this be a very miserable Christmas?

The story was entertaining and has some great Christmas messages about trust, friendship, and forgiveness. I enjoyed reading the story and the romantic parts were sweet. I have read one other book in this series and enjoyed it, if I remember correctly. But I kept getting lost with so many characters being thrown into the mix. I think, due to the large number of characters, that these books need to be read together. It will help the story stay more connected in the readers mind. But overall, I enjoyed the story and would read more by this author.

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

God's Little Princess Bedtime Devotional

God's Little Princess Bedtime Devotional

Sheila Walsh

A book filled with Bible verses, stories, and age appropriate talk is just perfect for one of God's little princesses. Each devotional has a Bible verse to tie into the topic that the author is presenting. After the devotion is a section called Good-Night Giggles and Grace. This section helps the little reader/listener to be able to apply the topic in a way that is relevant. It ends with a sweet prayer.

My five year old daughter loves this book. The bright pink glitter and jewel covered crown caught her eye. The charming illustrations fill every page. The devotionals were clearly written  with little girls in mind. My daughter was able to grasp each one I read to her and they provided an opening for more conversation. This book is definitely a keeper and I would highly recommend it for any little girl. 

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

My Grandparent

My Grandparent

A Life & Times Journal for Grandchildren of All Ages

Dick Edwards & Korinn S. Hawkins

If you still have your grandparents with you, then you have access to a piece of history. Grandparents were born in a time that is very different from ours. As grandchildren we are the keepers and preservers of history for our own grandchildren. Designed in a journal format, the book takes the grandparent and grandchild on a journey to learn more about their family history. Questions range from pets and hobbies to more serious questions about relationships and challenges.

Any family member can use this book to reconnect and learn more about their family. Thoughtful questions and journal style layout make it easy to use. I'll be getting a second book so my children can have one for each set of grandparents.

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

Sabrina's Man

Sabrina's Man

Western Justice Book 2

Gilbert Morris

Sabrina is a spoiled rotten rich girl with nothing to do but spend money and go to parties. But her life changes when her little sister is abducted. Sabrina must find her sister and return her home to her parents. She enlists the help of an ex-conman, Waco, who knows the country. Can she live with the consequences of her actions and be able to find her sister alive?

I'm a fan of this author, but was disappointed with the first book in the series. This book was slightly better than book 1, but still lacked the suspense and character depth that I recall from his earlier books. The plot jumps between the two main characters until they meet about half way through the book. With Sabrina it seems to be mostly filler trying to explain why she's a spoiled princess. Several things seemed a little off to me. 

1. The father let his eldest daughter go find her sister. No respectable man would allow his daughter to go unchaperoned out west. Why didn't he join her when she first left instead of almost at the end of the story? 

2. The main male character, Waco, seems very shallow in his love for Sabrina. The author portrays him as the grunt and not very smart in the beginning and all of the sudden he is smart enough to plan a capture. It just doesn't come together well. 

3. The ending seemed really, really rushed. I would have been very skeptical about everything if I was Sabrina. But she seemed totally ok with the sudden change in feelings. Just too rushed for me.

While it was enjoyable to quickly read through the book, I didn't feel the suspense or romance that I expected to get from this book. Maybe my expectations were too high due to my fond memories of reading the authors books as a child. But I have been disappointed with the series so far.

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

Who Goes There?

Who Goes There?

Karma Wilson

Lewis Mouse has a wonderful little home at the base of a tree. He has filled it with food and comfortable leaves for the winter. As the fall wind begins to blow, he settles down in his cozy home to enjoy the winter. He knows that he is prepared for winter, but something seems to be missing. He hears a scratching noise and goes to the door to investigate, but no one is there. He keeps hearing this noise, but can't seem to find who is making the scary sound. Finally he is able to find the source of the noise and make a friend to spend the winter with.

Parents and children alike will enjoy the rhyming words. The illustrations are reminiscent of the early fairy tales and add depth to the story. The tale adds suspense while still conveying the warmth of home and friendship. Children will love the courageous little mouse and entertaining story.

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

Take a Bath!

Take a Bath!

My Tips for Keeping Clean

Gina Bellisario

Caleb, and his dog Wyatt, are having fun playing mud monsters. But when his mom calls him to dinner he realizes that he cannot eat because he is too dirty. He must have a bath first. He learns all about how keeping clean keeps the germs away. He also learns about other ways to keep the germs away and his body healthy. Now he and his mom can live in a germ free zone.

Each page is filled with bright and colorful illustrations. The informative story teaches a lesson while also entertaining young readers. Children will learn all about germs and how to get rid of them. The extra information in the bubbles can be read with the story or at a later date for even more ideas and information about germs and keeping clean. The last two pages are filled with more ways to learn. One page has a fun project that will illustrate how germs can spread. The last page is a glossary of new or larger vocabulary that a child might encounter while reading the book.

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

The Gentle Parent

The Gentle Parent

L.R. Knost

There is a huge controversy going around among parents and parent educators. How should children be disciplined? Some are firm believers in letting children lead while others follow the old school methods of "sparing the rod, spoiling the child". The author pulls from her personal experience as a mom of six children to write a well written book on her views of parenting. She advocates using a gentle method that involves no spanking, time-outs, or lectures. Practical advice and suggestions are sprinkled throughout her book.

I finished the entire book and am still unsure how to rate it. I completely agreed with quite a few things she talked about. But I also strongly disagreed with a couple of things too. As a mom of only two children, I'm certainly  not an expert. And the author does mention getting to know your child, so that you know what works, since each child is different. But some of her methods or ideas just don't follow the parenting philosophy I've adopted as a mom. Her focus on the positive instead of the negative approach is what would sell me on the book. It inspired me to be more positive as a mom and for that reason alone I would probably recommend the book. Just remember that everyone is different and not everything will work with your children or for your family.

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

The Table Sets Itself

The Table Sets Itself

Ben Clanton

Izzy is finally allowed to set the table all by herself. She learns the proper place to put each of her friends. But after setting her friends in the same place every night for what seems like forever, she decides to change things a little bit. But Izzy's parents are not thrilled with the new places and make everyone move back into their proper places. Dish and Spoon decide that they will run away instead of going back to boring. The rest of the story centers around Izzy and her friends missing Dish and Spoon and anticipating the mail every day. But eventually everything returns to normal and everyone is happy. 

Children will love the story filled with jokes, colorful illustrations, and creative writing. The plot is told from a child's perspective and filled with whimsy and fun. The ending was a neat little twist that will have children laughing. Both of my children enjoyed the story and learned more about table settings in the process.

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

The Snowman Maker

The Snowman Maker

Barbara Ward

Ellie is very concerned about her husband Ben. He seems depressed and isn't talking to her. Since this is out of character for her husband, she begins to worry. She's also slightly concerned about her children and some of the decisions they are making about their future. Can Christmas bring the miracle they all seem to need?

The imagery of the story places the reader in a Christmas wonderland and brings the holiday alive. The story, while predictable and a bit cheesy in places, was so heartwarming and enjoyable. It's a great book to curl up beside a warm fire with. Without giving any details away, I also appreciated the author's ability to put a positive spin on the mother giving her child up for adoption. So often the birth mother is cast in a negative light. So I really enjoyed this plot with a loving mother and a difficult decision.

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

Stones for Bread

Stones for Bread

Christa Parrish

Liesl owns a bread shop in a small town in Vermont. She, along with her eclectic crew, make bread and soup every day for the restaurant. Liesl gets her passion for bread from her mother who passed away when she was a young girl. But before she died, she passed on her knowledge and a starter that had been passed down for generations. Liesl feels safe in her cozy little bakery kneading bread. But life butts in and rearranges everything she thought she knew. Liesl must put the pieces back together and decide if she has room for faith and love.

The story was such a mixed bag for me. The writing was wholesome and filling. But at the same time it was dry in sections. The author wove theology, bread history, and recipes amongst the story and it really felt disjointed to me. I enjoyed the romance and the life lessons woven throughout the story, but I never felt a connection to any of the characters. I really had to work hard to get through the story. It's a different style of writing that will definitely appeal to some readers. Unfortunately though, I wasn't one of them.

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

Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe

Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe

A Daily Guide to Scripture-Based Prayer

Sharon Jaynes

Our husbands are not only a major part of our life, they are a part of us. When God told the husband and wife to leave their family and become one, He intended a beautiful marriage of two lives becoming one for Him. This book takes every aspect of the husband's life and breaks it down into different areas to pray. The beginning chapters talk about the importance of marriage and prayer within that marriage. It also guides the reader on how to use the book. The next 30 sections are divided up into days with subjects to pray for your husband. The last few chapters cover more ways to prayer for your husband and a reflection chapter.

I really enjoyed reading through the book. The author uses a lot of scripture and also pulls from her experiences to write the book. It's a wonderful book for any wife to have, but more importantly to use.

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