Friday, December 19, 2014

$50 Book Giveaway!

A City Full of SantasA City Full of Santas Ranked as #1 BestSeller on Amazon India This Christmas is special; really special for Santa. Read this lovely Christmas tale that would re-define the meaning of Christmas. A must read for everyone. Just like Pooja's other books, this book brings love, warmth, and a special message. A story that parents would love to read to their children.
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PoojaAuthor Pooja Sardana Pooja Sardana, is a mother, a teacher, an illustrator, an author, a visionary and the co-founder of PictureBookTree. Her books and her initiative - PictureBookTree have been widely covered in Indian media and abroad. Titled as one of the Unsung Hero in 'Saga of the Unsung Heroes of India" , she continues to touch lives of many through her books and her work. Her picture books for children can be availed free of cost by NGOs or individuals working with Under-privileged children. If you work with under-privileged children, you can drop an email at Picturebooktree (AT) GMAIL (DOT) COM to receive your free copy.
50_Amazon_PaypalPraise for the Book "Such a lovely story that brings back the meaning of Christmas, one that many will want to read." "Parents/teachers will enjoy reading this story to their children. The children will be full of questions and want to discuss Santa's surprise." "Artwork "pops" off the pages pleasantly and storyline has a great message. A fine addition to any Christmas collection and it is a children's book that I would recommend!"      

Book Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/4/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Homemade Decadence

Homemade Decadence
Irresistibly Sweet, Salty, Gooey, Sticky, Fluffy, Creamy, Crunchy Treats
Joy Wilson
 Food blogger Joy Wilson has taken some of her most irresistible treats and brought them to us in a beautifully designed and photographed cookbook. Each recipe comes with a gorgeous photograph and a little personal note from the author about the recipe.

I was pleasantly surprised to see such a wide variety of recipes when I opened the book. There is a recipe for every meal, including breakfast. Quite a few of the recipes were added to my list to try. But some of the recipes are a bit much for my non-adventuresome family, since they included ingredients  or combinations that aren't typically thought of. 
She included several pages of advice about baking and I also liked the recipes that could be used with several other recipes, such as the pie crusts. The photograph was beautiful and really added to the appeal of the book. This would make a wonderful present for the baker in your life.

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

Monday, December 15, 2014

To Everything a Season



To Everything a Season
Song of Blessing Book 1
Lauraine Snelling
The town of Blessing is growing faster than the houses can be built. As the towns people deal with the various issues that come with a rapidly growing town, a prominent family is also growing. Trygve is working on a well drilling crew. But when he feels God calling him to stay home in Blessing he returns to help his family and find his place in the town. He also meets a young woman that captures his heart.

This is the first book in this series. Since I haven't read anything by this author I wanted to make sure I started at the beginning. But somehow I still picked up in the middle of a long story. The book begins with a massive family tree for the Bjorklund family. I also read that this is the 3rd Blessing series. So while this is the first book in this series, it isn't the first story about the family or town.

While I was completely lost with all of the unfamiliar names and circumstances, I did enjoy the flow of the story. The author weaves a plot with lots of sub plots and extra details to keep the reader engaged. The book brought out several thought provoking issues surrounding Christianity that still pertain to today. The story didn't end, leaving it open for the next book in the series. Someone who enjoys family sagas will love this small town story. Just be sure to start at the very beginning so nothing is missed.

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

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Jonah and the Bear

 Jonah and the Bear
The Bible Amigos
Frank Fraser
 
Three friends named Wall, Donk, and Edge go where ever their flying bible takes them trying to rescue other animals while spreading the news about God's love. Each book in the series is based on a Biblical story and helps the young reader grasp the meaning behind the stories. The book begins with the young friends playing in the fall leaves.  But when the flying Bible appears they jump on to rescue someone. The Bible story helps them know how to help the little animal in trouble. The story ends with several Bible verses.

My children loved the illustrations which helped to tell the story. The Bible story is woven into the modern story very seamlessly. The lesson on sharing is something that every child should hear. The way the story is told will open up opportunities to discuss why the bear was having problems. The Bible verses at the end add dimension and help tie everything together. Because of the fun interpretation children will better remember the lessons they learned while reading. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with young children.

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

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Five Loves,Two Fish, And One Big Hat

Five Loves,Two Fish, And One Big Hat
The Bible Amigos
Frank Fraser
Three friends named Wall, Donk, and Edge go where ever their flying bible takes them trying to rescue other animals while spreading the news about God's love. Each book in the series is based on a Biblical story and helps the young reader grasp the meaning behind the stories. The book begins with the young friends getting ready to eat some pizza. But when the flying Bible appears they jump on to rescue someone. The Bible story helps them know how to help the little animal in trouble. The story ends with several Bible verses.

My children loved the illustrations which helped to tell the story. The Bible story is woven into the modern story very seamlessly. The Bible verses at the end add dimension and help tie everything together. Because of the fun interpretation children will better remember the lessons they learned while reading.

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

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

If You Were Me. . .

If You Were Me And Lived In. . . Greece
A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World
Carole P. Roman
 
Children have a wonderful curiosity for the world around them. Spark this by showing them how little children around the world live. This little book is packed full of information about the country and the children who live there. Each unfamiliar word has the pronunciation so that it can be pronounced correctly. The young reader will learn about customs, festivals, food, and historical information about the country. The back of the book includes a glossary for all of the new words.

My children enjoyed reading the book. The style of writing makes it more like a story than a list of facts. The information is presented in such a way that children are more likely to remember it. I liked the pronunciation help so we didn't have to try and guess how the words sounded. The series would make a great addition to any school library. 

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

A Most Inconvenient Marriage

A Most Inconvenient Marriage
Regina Jennings
Abigail, a nurse, marries a confederate soldier on his death bed. After she buries him she keeps her promise to go to his home and care for his sister. She also uses her extensive knowledge of horses to keep his farm running. But the entire community is shocked when the man returns home a few months later. If Abigail didn't marry Jeremiah Calhoun, then who was the man she buried several months ago? And what is she supposed to do now?

The plot was unique and it was a nice change from the usual. I enjoyed all of the characters and felt the author did a great job of showing their flaws while also making them endearing. The story, while fun, also had an underlying message of forgiveness. The author also brought in some romantic drama, suspense, and a little bit of heartache. It was a really neat story that made me want to check out her other books.

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