Raising a Princess

Raising a Princess

8 Essential Virtues to Teach Your Daughter

John Croyle

We often talk about the virtues of a Proverbs 31 woman. But how does that woman become so virtuous? The author draws from his experience as a parent and founder of a home for girls to bring 8 essential virtues that we can teach our daughters so they grow up to become the Proverbs 31 woman.

I wasn't aware that this book was geared towards fathers until I started reading the book. But despite that fact, I still learned from it. The layout of the book is easy to read and the author brings stories and experiences into the writing to make his points more relevant. His writing style is simple, yet profound. He is able to bring a point across without sounding preachy. I also liked the fact that 100% of his proceeds will go back to the Big Oak Ranch to help more girls.
 

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

Searching for Perfect

Searching for Perfect

The Searching For Series Book 2

Jennifer Probst

 Ned Dunkle can't seem to get a girlfriend, yet alone the wife he is so desperately wanting. Between his nerdy personality and his womanizing brother's advice, he is a lost cause. But a chance encounter with one of the owners of the matchmaking agency Kinnections might be just the ticket he needs to find the woman of his dreams. Kennedy looks at Ned as a challenge. But her pet project just might become more than she can handle.

Once again, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading a book by Probst. Her stories are infused with romance, humor, and drama. The nerd turned boyfriend is a well worn plot, but the author pulled out all of the stops to make it seem new and entertaining. While not as prominent, the book of love spells and characters from the first series are in this story as well. It adds a fun element that ties all of her books together. Really looking forward to her next book in this series.

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

About the author:

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

 

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

 

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Quilt-opedia

Quilt-opedia

The only quilting reference you'll ever need

Laura Jane Taylor

Bright colors, clear photographs, easy to understand instructions, and beautiful spiral bound pages are just a few of the things to like about this how-to book on quilting. The book begins with a brief history lesson on quilting and then jumps right into the basics of quilting. Very thorough and detailed, but easy enough for the novice to understand. The last half of the book is filled with projects to practice your newly learned information. They range from simple to difficult, but the instructions are very clear with each project.

I loved the look of this book. And even though I'm not a quilter (yet), I didn't feel out of my element or confused when reading everything. The book inspired me to start a project instead of feeling overwhelmed like some of the more complicated books I've looked at.

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

The Bible Promise Book

The Bible Promise Book

Only God Edition

Barbour Publishing

When God makes a promise, you can trust that He'll follow through. This book is filled with those promises. At the beginning of each topic is an excerpt from the book Only God by Dwight Mason. The verses are taken from multiple versions of the Bible and are divided up into fourteen different topics.

The size of the book is perfect for slipping into a person or backpack. The bright color of the cover will attract people and make them want to pick up the book. The verses and text fit well together. This book would be great for a gift or for the new christian in your life. My only negative was that it might seem a bit repetitive to those who are more familiar with the Bible. Why get the book when you can just open the ultimate Book? But all-in-all, it's a cute and will be great for gifts.

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

Love Comes Calling

Love Comes Calling

Siri Mitchell

Ellis is failing her classes at Radcliffe. Her childhood best friend Griffin is in love with her and there are rumors that he wants to pin her. But Ellis knows that with his future career in politics he can go far. And she would only drag him down. She is a disappointment to everyone. Everything she sets out to do turns into a failure. But the chance to rescue a look-alike friend turns into a bigger adventure than she imagined.

The author wrote the story in Ellis' voice. Ellis has ADHD and her thoughts are disjointed and scattered. I'm not sure if it's my personality or what, but this book drove me crazy. It was all I could do to finish it. The author brought out some very thought provoking topics and handled them really well. I loved the Griffin character. The plot was great and the history was fascinating. But all of this was so overshadowed by the scattered thoughts and actions of the main character that I just couldn't concentrate on the book itself. I've read The Messenger by Mitchell and loved it. So I'm guessing this isn't her typical writing style. So while I won't be keeping or re-reading this book, I'll still check out her other books.

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

No Red Pen

No Red Pen

Writers, Writing Groups & Critique

Victoria A. Hudson

If you are a writer, critique and criticism are inevitable.  Hudson takes a few chapters to outline how to find a writer's group that will help you critique your work so the criticism is less. The simple, easy to follow steps will guide you through where to find the group, what you might encounter, and dealing with the fears of criticism. But most importantly she covers the steps for critiquing someone's work.

The book was small at only 57 pages. But I felt that the author got the points across. The writing was clear and easy to follow. She mentions that this isn't a how-to for a writer's group. But I think that every writer's group should read this book. It will definitely help make the process easier and less difficult if these simple instructions were followed more often.

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

God hearts me

God Hearts Me

Daily Prayers for a Girl's Heart

Barbour
 

God loves his children. A beautiful prayer book just for girls has 365 different prayers with scripture that young girls can use to draw closer to God. These little devotional style prayers are designed to show you that God loves you more than you can imagine. It can be paired with the God Hearts Me devotional to make a wonderful gift for your daughter or the young girl in your life.

The cover is pretty and will appeal to the ages (10-14) that the book is designed for. Each prayer is paired with a scripture and is a dealing with a topic relevant to what a girl this age might be dealing with. I'm an adult, but enjoyed reading through the prayers and can definitely see this appealing to my daughter when she's a bit older.

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

Shred It!

Shred It!

Thomas Kingsley Troupe

 

Every little boy will love reading a book about shredding and tearing things up. Bright colorful photographs show how the items begin as old used tires and bottles and end up as tiny pieces recycled into other useful things. The author has written in simple words so the early reader can read the book for himself. But the text is also informative as it explains how the workers shred the discarded items. There is a glossary at the back of the book to explain any words that the reader might not have known before starting the book. There is a list of books that will compliment this book. There is also a list of internet websites that children can check out, with the help of their parents, to learn more about recycling and the publishing company. Parents and teachers will love the book because it encourages young readers to enjoy books while providing something that they can have fun reading about.

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

Knock It Down!

Knock It Down!

Thoams Kingsley Troupe

Every little boy will love reading a book about how a wrecking ball works. Bright colorful photographs show how the process works from beginning to end. The author has written in simple words so the early reader can read the book for himself. But the text is also informative as it explains how the workers use the wrecking ball to knock buildings down. There is a glossary at the back of the book to explain any words that the reader might not have known before starting the book. There is a list of books that will compliment this book. There is also a list of internet websites that children can check out, with the help of their parents, to learn more about wrecking balls and about the publishing company. Parents and teachers will love the book because it encourages young readers to enjoy books while providing something that they can have fun reading about.

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

Crush It!

Crush It!

Thoams Kingsley Troupe

 

Every little boy will love reading a book about how cars and trucks are crushed and smashed. Bright colorful photographs show how the process works from beginning to end. The author has written in simple words so the early reader can read the book for himself. But the text is also informative as it explains how the workers get the car ready to be crushed. There is a glossary at the back of the book to explain any words that the reader might not have known before starting the book. There is a list of books that will compliment this book. There is also a list of internet websites that children can check out, with the help of their parents, to learn more about car crushing and about the publishing company. Parents and teachers will love the book because it encourages young readers to enjoy books while providing something that they can have fun reading about.

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

Blow It Up!

Blow It Up!

Thomas Kingsley Troupe

 

Every little boy will love reading a book about explosions and blowing things up. Bright colorful photographs show how the building, bridge, or structure looks as it's being demolished. The author has written in simple words so the early reader can read the book for himself. But the text is also informative as it explains how the workers get the building to blow up and what happens after the explosion. There is a glossary at the back of the book to explain any words that the reader might not have known before starting the book. There is a list of books that will compliment this book. There is also a list of internet websites that children can check out, with the help of their parents, to learn more about demolition and the publishing company. Parents and teachers will love the book because it encourages young readers to enjoy books while providing something that they can have fun reading about.

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

Meant to Be Mine

Meant to Be Mine

A Porter Family Novel Book 2

Becky Wade

Years ago Celia and Ty got married. It was crazy and impulsive and they've both regretted it. They've both moved on. But now Ty is back to convince Celia to move to Texas. He's not even sure why he wants her back in his life, but he does. Celia is fighting him every step of the way. Complicating matters is their precious daughter, the result of that very short honeymoon.

I'm a huge fan of Becky Wade, so I knew I'd love this book. This author just gets romance. But she is also able to weave salvation and forgiveness into the story, creating more than just a sweet romance. The characters are complex and realistic. The plot is entertaining and heartwarming. The story and its characters will make you fall in love with the entire Porter family. The secondary characters are just as fun and entertaining as the main ones, which makes this book truly delightful. And while it doesn't affect the story, I'm in love with the cover. That alone would have made me pick up the book. If you love Christian fiction or romance then definitely check out this author.

I received this book free of charge from the author and Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Duck to the Rescue

Duck to the Rescue

John Himmelman

Ernie the duck wants to help the farmer with his work. But every time that duck comes to the rescue someone ends up helping duck instead. Poor little Ernie begins to feel sad that he can't help or rescue anyone. So lamb helps Ernie feel special again by helping him come to lamb's rescue.

Children and adults alike will delight in the beautifully illustrated book about duck's adventures. The illustrations are bright and colorful and tell half of the story. The words fit well with the illustrations and are simple enough for a beginning reader to read. The pattern to the story allows children to get involved and help tell story. Children will love the humor. Parents will enjoy the subtle way the author weaves in lessons about friendship and to keep trying despite your failures. The large picture book is the perfect size to sit on a lap and read.

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

Caught in the Middle

Caught in the Middle

Ladies of Caldwell County Book 3

Regina Jennings

Anne is a buffalo hunter. Not your typical occupation for a single girl in the 1880s, but it's what she feels most comfortable as. She hates skirts, society's rules, and doesn't trust people.

But while on a train, she meets Nick again. She was friends with his sister, but doesn't really want to see Nick again. But when their train is held up she rescues Nick from the train robbers and life seems to spiral out of her control. Now saddled with responsibilities she didn't see coming she turns to Nick for the help he promised.

This book started incredibly slow for me. I didn't connect with the characters and the part about Anne not wanting to wear a dress seemed a bit forced. The story picked up in the middle and had some interesting plot lines. But then in the end it fell apart for me again. I was incredibly frustrated with the MFC and the clique ending didn't ring true to the rest of the book. I won't spoil the ending, but it just seemed cheesy to me. Now that I'm looking back I can say that I didn't dislike the book, I enjoyed reading it for the most part. But there were several things that bothered me enough to make this only a so-so book for me. Since I did enjoy it for the most part, I'll be checking out the other books by this author in hopes that it was only this character that annoyed me and not the writing in general.

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

Craving Grace

Craving Grace

Experience the Richness of the Gospel

Ruthie Delk

Have you ever felt like you understand the concept of the gospel, but are unsure how to apply it to your life? The author was struggling with some of these same feelings and has gone on to share a piece of her heart with the readers, as she takes us on a journey into how she learned to crave grace.

The book deals with different aspects of our lives that could be hindering us from a full relationship with Christ. The simple, yet profound thoughts are easy to grasp and put into practice. It is very clear from the writing that this is a personal journey the author is sharing with us. Each chapter ends with a section called Digging Deeper that shows the reader more in depth ways to crave grace.

I not only enjoyed reading this book, I was also blessed. The book is small, but has an impact. The author knows her stuff and has the talent to share an easy to grasp, yet gripping manner.

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

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas

James Patterson

Katie has finally found the perfect boyfriend. So when he abruptly dumps her one night, she's devastated. She can't understand what prompted his abrupt departure, until she finds a diary on her doorstep one day. The diary explains everything.

I've really enjoyed reading the James Patterson crime fighting books. So I thought I'd take a peek at what his "womens fiction" looked like. I was especially curious because his perception of how women think in the Women's Murder Club was a bit off. Entertaining, but still slightly wrong.

I enjoyed the book. It felt a bit staged and overly fake at times. But I still enjoyed reading the story. I didn't ever connect with Katie because too much time was spent on Suzanne. So I ended up liking her (Suzanne) so much better than Katie, and I'm not sure this was the authors intention. The idea of the mother writing a journal to her baby was precious, the things she put into that journal - not so much. The medical aspects of the book seemed a bit off. But I personally know medical doctors who are horrible patients, so maybe this was the intent. Overall it was a nice book, but not a re-read.

The Bible Promise Book

The Bible Promise Book

Too Blessed to be Stressed

Debora M. Coty

This tiny little book is packed with Bible promises arranged by topics. Each chapter begins with a small thought from the author who wrote the book Too Blessed to be Stressed. The Bible Promises edition can be used with that book or be used alone. It is filled with scripture that covers topics such as courage, faith, and peace.

The cover art is delightful, the size is perfect for slipping into a purse, and the layout is well thought out. I enjoyed flipping through the book and will be keeping the book to reference often. This book would make a perfect gift for moms for mother's day or to any woman on your list. 

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

Runaway Saint

Runaway Saint

Lisa Samson

Sara and her husband Finn are artists who run a printing company. Sara's aunt ran away years ago to become a missionary. And now she's returning. No one knows why she has come back or why she ran away in the first place. If they do, they certainly aren't telling Sara. So what will happen when Aunt Bel moves in with Sara and Finn? There are so many secrets and issues that Sara isn't sure she can cope with all of them.

 I'm rather torn when I think about this book. One paper it's a really great story. But it began slowly for me and never really picked up. The characters were nice, but didn't compel me to love them. The emotions were real and sometimes raw, but I wasn't drawn in enough to make them my own. It was a well crafted story that just didn't grab me like it seems to have grabbed so many others. I really liked the way the author portrayed the marriage between the two main characters. But that was really the only thing that drew me into the book. I know that this type of story will really appeal to some people, sadly I wasn't one of them. Perhaps I need more drama, suspense, or romance in a book and this one felt more like a glimpse into a real life couple without my being able to make a connection with any of them.

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

Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries

Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries

Finding Peace in all Kinds of Weather

Kathy Collard Miller

If you are a worrier, someone who fears the unknown, or just get the occasional trail, check out this book. The author has taken something that overcomes each of us from time to time and written the steps to not only overcoming, but also finding peace in Christ.

Written as if conversing with a friend, the author has chosen to bring you into some of the painful portions of her life to show how healing the power of God is. Her writing is filled with Biblical references, personal experiences, and practical solutions. Since I tend to worry a bit more than I should, I found the book to be very helpful in pinpointing some of the triggers for my worries. Even if you don't consider yourself a worrier, check out the book. It can be a blessing to anyone.

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

Simple Faith

Simple Faith

The Peacemakers Book 2

Anna Schmidt

Anja lost her husband and daughter when the Nazis came to rid Germany of the Jews. But instead of letting the grief swallow her, she starts an underground rescue to get fallen soldiers out from behind enemy lines. One evening her young son finds an American airman who has been shot down and is wounded. It takes everything she has to rescue this man, but in the process she might find love.

The author has taken drama, suspense, history, and romance and woven them together so expertly that I felt I was living the story. The characters were relatable and had depth. The storyline was not only believable, but gripping. So often stories written about WWII are dark and depressing. While there were some darker moments, the author was able to pull through the redeeming parts of faith and saving grace. It was beautifully written and I'm looking forward to checking out the other books by this author.

This book is part of a series, but I was unaware of it until after I'd finished the book. At no time did I feel lost or confused. It works perfectly well as a stand-alone book. But I will definitely be checking out the first book.

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

Treasuring Christ

Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full

Gospel Meditations for Busy Moms

Gloria Furman

Moms are very busy. It doesn't really matter whether you have a full time job outside the home, homeschool your kids, or just brought your first child home from the hospital - you are incredibly busy. And often we tend to put aside things so make room for those wiggly little bodies. But one of the most important things we put aside is our relationship with Christ. The author has written this book in hopes that we'll find moments in our day to treasure Christ.

The book reads more like a prayer journal with some diary entries thrown in, instead of the devotional I was expecting. If you are super busy, one chapter can't be read all at once. But that one tiny thing aside, this was a wonderful book. The author clearly has children and so therefore can relate to the things I'm experiencing right now. Each of her thoughts and stories points me back to Christ and developing a relationship with Him. I really enjoyed reading the book, but was also touched and convicted by several things she wrote. This book will make an excellent gift for a mother at any point in her life.

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

Free Books - You Won!!!

The contest ended on the 4th. So my apologies for just now getting you the results. If you did not leave an email or way to contact me in the comments please comment on here or email me at timamurrell@ymail.com to claim your books. Books not claimed by the end of this week go to the next person in line.

Thank you!

Alicia won:

Christmas Bliss

Love Me Slender

Blessing the Hands that Feed Us

Enna won:

Footprints in the Sand

Beth-Anne won:

Be Still My Soul

Kimily won:

What Once Was Lost

Thank you for participating and be sure to contact me if you didn't leave an email address in the comments.

Blood Diaries

Blood Diaries

Tales of a 6th-Grade Vampire

Marissa Moss

Edgar isn't the coolest kid in 6th grade. But being a secret vampire might have something to do with it. It's the rule that vampires are not allowed to tell or show humans their secret. But Edgar gets mad one day when he's being bullied and the secret is out. If he can convince his school that he isn't a vampire then he might be able to finally have some peace.

What a fun little story. Granted I'm reading this as an adult, but it was so fun. Written as a journal and told from Edgar's point of view gives the story a personal feel and makes it entertaining. Kids will love the illustrations sprinkled through out the book.Quite a few will be able to relate to being different or not being cool enough. So while the story is entertaining, it also teaches acceptance, following the rules, and about making friends. 

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

Minnie & Moo

Minnie & Moo

Hooves of Fire

Denys Cazet

Minnie and Moo have planned a talent show to raise money for their farmer, who needs a new tractor. But Minnie is worried. The fox, wolves, and hyenas are planning something devious. The farmer might return too soon, and Elvis the rooster is taking too much stage time. But Moo thinks Minnie is worrying needlessly.

My kids really enjoyed this book. The words are perfect for a young reader just getting into chapter books. The illustrations are hilarious and fit perfectly with the story. The little bit of drama and mayhem throw into the story will delight young readers and keep their attention. Both of my children want me to get more Minnie & Moo books.

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

Cock-a-Doodle Oops!

Cock-a-Doodle Oops!

Lori Degman

Rooster is feeling the need for a vacation. But he's the only one who can wake the farmer up. So he devises a plan for each of the barn yard animals to take a turn at waking up the farmer. He returns to a disaster.

Bright colorful illustrations paired with a funny story will delight the children and amuse the parents. The funny little twist at the end had my son laughing. The vocabulary is simple enough that my 2nd grader could read it to himself, but the 5 yr old enjoyed listening to me read the story. A fun little book that will be finding a place on our library shelves.

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

Prepared for a Purpose

Prepared for a Purpose

The Inspiring True Story of How One Woman Saved an Atlanta School Under Siege

Antoinette Tuff

Antoinette didn't know when she had her devotions and ate her breakfast, that her day would be the worst one she'd ever had. She'd had some really bad days before. Her husband left her for another woman, her son almost died, her finances were a wreck, so she'd definitely seen some bad days. But when a young man named Michael walked into her office with an gun, her day became horrible.

What happened in that office is not typical of what normally happens in school shootings. And that story is what prompted Antoinette to write about her life and what led up to that day.

The story switches back and forth to tell the story of the day the gunman arrived at the school and also Antoinette's life story. The switch is smooth and gives a glimpse into what guided her during those terror filled hours in her office. Her story is inspiring and humbling. The point that God has prepared us for a purpose and can use even the broken people is driven home with a gripping story and heartfelt sharing. I really enjoyed reading this story and finished quickly.

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

Plots and Pans

Plots and Pans

Kelly Eileen Hake

Jessalyn's father sent her away from their Texas ranch because of the danger. So for years she's been bouncing from school to school in England. All she wants is to return to her beloved ranch. When her father dies she books passage on the first boat home. She arrives to find that the young greenhorn Tucker is now part owner of her ranch and everything is different.

What a fun story! The characters were well developed, the romance was sweet, and the plot was enjoyable. The author also brought several heavy topics such as racial tension, women's rights, and death into the story. But she handled each subject with care and grace. I was entertained, but also blessed by reading this book. I'll definitely be adding it to my library.

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

Don't Turn the Page!

Don't Turn the Page!

Rachelle Burk

Sami does not want to go to bed. So when Mama suggests a story, Sami won't let her turn the pages. She wants to put off going to bed as long as possible. But curiosity is a very hard thing to ignore. Soon Mama finds herself reading a fun little story about a sleepy bear.

The illustrations are beautiful and my 5 yr old loved looking at each page. They matched perfectly with the story and were full of details. The story within a story is delightful and will amuse even the most sleepy children. This book didn't make my daughter tired. In fact, I had to read it several times. The author did a great job of capturing the attention with humor and a flowing rhythmic story. This book is definitely a keeper.

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