Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

A Rather Remarkable Homecoming book review

Details:  C.A. Belmond author of A Rather Remarkable Homecoming has written 3 other novels in the Rather collection.  C. A. Belmond's "Rather" novels feature the one and only Penny Nichols the American Heiress, and Jeremy Laidley the English hero, as they embark on yet another fantastic journey with a new case that comes directly from English Royalty itself.  Learn just exactly what "For love of King and Country" really means to those who dwell in England and its outskirt-ting provences.  As well as just how fun it really is "to Grandmother's house we go" when Penny and Jeremy are reunited with Penny's Grandmother's historic home by the sea.  Will they be able to out smart gunsmen, gangsters, local myths, and pranks as well as some very scary kidnappers?  Or will they turn tail and run from some very "bad" guys who are buying off everyone who could help Penny and Jeremy solve their case.

My Review:  I recently bought this book at the Dollar Tree during one of our trips to Florida.  I had a lot of time on my hands this trip, and wanted something to read.  I was intrigued the minute I read the title.  What further intrigued me is that its about Penny Nicholas all grown up and married.  I used to read her novels when I was a child because she was just as fun as Nancy Drew.  This novel was a really easy read, only took me a day or so to read.  I was captured the whole time though, wondering what would happen next, how they would out smart the bay guys, if their Great Aunt would save her son, or if their large inheritance would be stolen or not before they could figure out the mystery behind Penny's Grandmother's old home.  Very fun!  This novel was read without knowing there were previous novels that brought the rest of the story together.  When I find novel series that can entertain without me needing to read the previous stories I really enjoy those novels even better!  This is a keeper, and I am already in pursuit of finding the previous novels so I can finish the series.

Pros: fun, easy read, fast read, great read by itself without needing the previous novels in the series

Cons: none

My Rating:  Thumbs Up

Thursday, September 18, 2014

The Christmas Quilt Book Review

Details:  The Christmas Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini is part of the Elm Creek Quilt novels.  Christmas time is a time of family, friends, and traditions.  But at Elm Creek it also means secrets, unresolved anger, and an UFO.  So how can a fairly newly wed couple help get rid of the " Hum Bug" in Elm Creek's owner when it concerns Christmas while trying to keep a promise made long ago.  Jennifer spins amazing stories of love, hurt, betrayal, forgiveness, family, and everything between those layers in this fun novel.  Perfect for Christmas time, but also for anytime you want to curl up with a good book.

My Reviews:  I love the Elm Creek Quilt novels.  8 years ago, I found them at my local library and read every single one that I could during my nursing and breast pumping time as a new mother.  It was the perfect thing to help me get through those times.  I love each story Jennifer has written, and truly enjoy her style, humor, and wisdom as she spins characters into realistic living characters.  The Christmas quilt is one of her best written novels as we learn more about Sylvia's past, her family, the traditions and sacrifice that was done to make Elm Creek what it is today.  2 years ago I was able to be reconnected with the Elm Creek Quilt novels when our local library started selling their used books to the public.  I was able to pick up only 3 Elm Creek Quilt novels, but now that I have 3 I want to own the other 7.  What I love about Jennifer's writing style is that each book can be read on it's own without you missing anything, but when you read them in their order, its truly a lovely story, broken up into 10 different novels.

Pros: amazingly well written, love the history, love the ease of reading, love the characters,

Cons: none

My Rating: THUMBS UP  

Friday, August 8, 2014

Escape From Bondage book review

Details:  Mahlon F. Harris author of Escape from Bondage has spun an amazing story about real life events, real life situations, real life emotions, real life circumstances.  This book "gives voice to the countless stroke victims who may have been forgotten and abandoned by the rest of society and ,sadly, even their families in their time of need" says Harris.  Harry Tucker the main character of this book is a successful business man with 2 adult children whom he loves.  One uneventful day in the office leaves Tucker frozen in time unconscious from a stroke.  Upon awakening he learns the real, unabridged dim future that awaits a stroke victim who was thought to only be a vegetable when or if he awakens.  Tucker's uncompassionate son has given up on him, and left his with nothing, no material possessions, no personal id, not even his own name.  But God has a plan for Harry Tucker and by sure stroke of luck or faith Tucker learns that God hasn't forgotten about him and gives him a will to survive and become a stronger man from this experience.

Disclaimer:  I received a complimentary book from Bookcrash in exchange for 3 honest non-biased book reviews.

My Reviews: When I first read the description of this book it sounded really good, very intriguing.  When I got the book and actually started reading it, at first I had a really hard time getting into the story.  There were a lot of medical terms that I didn't know or really understand.  The way the book in written is a style that I'm not really interested in picking up.  So I seriously struggled to get through the book for the first 2-3 months that I had this book.  Then during a recent vacation, I told myself that on this vacation I'm only bringing 2 books for myself to read if I get bored, and the rest of the vacation I'll be spending and focusing on my kids and my family.  With this determination I was finally able to get over the hump or block that prevented me from getting into this story and really liking it at all.  Meaning it wasn't until the last 1/2 - 1/3 of the book before I finally got into the book so much so that I couldn't put it down, I needed to know what was going to happen, and I can now say with true honestly that I do like the book.  However I will most likely not read it again.  My Mother-In-Law read the description and has been waiting 4 months now for me to finish this book so that I can give it to her to read.  But I think for her who is a woman taking care of her 90+ old Mother she would relate more to the main character and those whom he interacts with more than I would who is a young mother to young children.

I really feel like this book has a specific age target audience in mind and that if you aren't of that target you will not get as much out of this book as others, you will not connect with this book's lessons as much, and you very well may find it hard to just read the first 10 pages.  However the lessons in this book are great, the story does have a very conclusive happy ending, and you do come get to read a book that is clean, and Christian based which are all positives.  So because this is a little different than most books I'm giving this book a Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down because not everyone is going to want to read this, and I myself had to force myself to read it and it took half or more of the book to be read before I finally got into the story and enjoyed reading the book.

My Rating: Thumbs Up and Down

Thursday, July 17, 2014

On Hummingbird Wings Book Review

Details: Lauraine Snelling is a national best selling author.  Her book On Hummingbird Wings about a successful older sister who lives in New York.  Her younger sister has always been Mother's favorite, because she stayed close to home, got married, and gave their Mother grandchildren.  But when a phone call that comes in from the younger sister about Mother, dying the older sister who's heard this many times before wonders why or if it really could be real this time.  As the older sister comes home to California she finds her Mother's beloved yard, garden and flowers wilted, brown and dead.  This just might be the sign she was looking for with her Mother really dying or not.  Can determination, brand new friends and loving warmth bring back the dead plant life and raise her Mother from her death bed or has it gone on too long?  Can a New Yorker make it work for herself here in sunny happy rural California?  Will the handsome neighbor really be a nice guy?  Can family be so important that is changes life priorities enough to bring unknown happiness into someones life?  Lauraine Snelling tackles all these questions in a wonderful novel.

My Review: I bought this book at the Dollar Tree while on vacation.  I wanted something fun, light, and entertaining to read.  This was the perfect fit for what I wanted.  The book started well, then got a little slow, then was a page turner to the end.  It was nice that it was written in this way, because it allowed me to enjoy my book, put it down when I needed to, and not obsess over the characters and their lives.  It was really nice not to live in a book while reading it, but to just read and enjoy it.  I highly suggest this book to whomever loves to read.

Pros: excellent, enjoyable, lovely

Cons: none

My Rating: Thumbs Up

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Linen Queen book review

The Linen QueenThe Linen Queen by Patricia Falvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Details: When World War 2 comes to the neutral country part of Ireland, the people take different stances. A teenage girl living a horrible life dreams on marrying one of the soldiers and be taken to the USA, but when her priorities are changed, and a contest, a crown and an unknown love make itself known unto her, what will she choose, who will she protect, and how will the war affect her and her choices?

My Review: Sheila is a very normal girl as least on the outside: she's a young, pretty, hard working girl. Her home life is awful, and her dreams are on the constant rope of being snuffed out by her mom, aunt and uncle. When a contest comes her way, her life changes but she has to figure out if its for the better or worse, and soon because the war is on, and their home is being invaded by ally soldiers.

Her best friend is a sailor and keeps her updated on the dangers on the waters, but when sparks fly between them, will they be able to work things out or will it end their life long friendship? We get to learn how young people, how people in other countries, and how lives in the direct line of fire are affected by World War 2. Its a great fictional historical book.

Warning: there was native cursing

Pros: very interesting, neat plot details

Cons: lots of swearing, and some sex and abuse scenes

My Rating: thumbs up

View all my reviews

Thursday, February 20, 2014

On the Edge Book Review

Details:  When a young Marine is discharged from duty, he must find a new way to carry on with life. Working for his father, and working for his brother's Ex brings more tension than he planned on.  Death isn't something new to him, but when death is more like murder than just death, everyone has a breaking point.  So when the Marine is forced to go on a Triathlon in his father's place, he finds himself in a position where everyone wants a piece of him, but only if he'll follow their lead, so how can he be the leader, find the killer, and not get caught in the middle of a family feud, and the path of the murder?  Available as an ebook via amazon or printed copy.

Disclosure:  This is an author requested review.  I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my services as a book reviewer, and blogger.

My Review:  Dick Hannah is a great author.  His imagination is colorful, artistic, creative, and detail oriented.  He creates fiction stories and spins real life examples into his novels for a great adventure for all of his readers.  This is the second book I have had the privilege and honor of reviewing for Mr. Hannah, and I'm once again blow away just like last time.  I love the story plots, they are fun, intriguing realistic, thrilling, and full of unknown twists, turns, and hidden mini plots.  I learned alot about athletes, competitions, and triathlons, that I never knew.  I've never run a marathon or a triathlon, but have always been curious about them.  I used to life guard during the early morning hours that the triathlon team would come in and practice so this was really fun and cool for me to read about.  I highly recommend On the Edge by Dick Hannah!

BTW: just have to boast just a little bit, but on the back cover of this book is the review I did for his first book!  Thanks Mr. Hannah for this cool experience!

Pros: well written, great plot, realistic fiction, realistic characters

Cons: none

My Rating: Thumbs Up

Friday, February 14, 2014

The Sheep Walker's Daughter book review

The Sheep Walker's DaughterThe Sheep Walker's Daughter by Sydney Avey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclosure:  I recieved a complimentary copy of this book from Book Crash in exchange for an honest book review.

When weak family ties are tested by the death of a very head strong, independent, social savvy, well known Mother dies, her family is left cleaning up her house, her life relationships, and her deepest darkest secret. But as her Daughter and Granddaughter dig around, will ghosts of the past scare them into silence? Will the skeletons in her closet be too much for them to handle? Will the secret be the end of their own strained relationship? Or can her now resting spirit bring them closer to each other, closer to love, closer to God and closer to family?

What a well spun story. This plot sounds so realistic its like it came from the author's own life experiences. I love how the author weaves her tale: she gives details that might seem meaningless, but are so important, she gives life to every tree branch, car tire, and pebble mentioned in her story that while you read a movie plays in your mind so you can watch everything that her characters do, say, think, and hold back from their friends, family and loved ones.


This is an amazing book, I love how Christianity isn't pushed, and stuffed down your throat, but rather its the focus of the whole book, and how important God wants us all to know family should be to us, as it is to Him. I love the genealogy and the artistic talents are discovered by the characters, I found myself broken into parts: part of me was in the Mother who passed on, part of me is in the Daughter who lives on, and part of me is in the Granddaughter as well.

Pros: AMAZING, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO READ

Cons: none

My Rating: Thumbs up

View all my reviews

Monday, January 20, 2014

Invisible Witness Book Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
Details: Elizabeth Nelson has written an autobiographical book about witnessing her father's abuse to her mother and other siblings on several occasions during her early childhood.  In this book the abuse is just a backdrop for the rest of her story, as she discusses the multiple devastating effects that seeing abuse, and being in a home where abuse was an every day dealing has had on her as she became an adult.  She talks about each issue, and then traces it back to its origin in order to understand and release it.  While this type of book may be hard to read, this book's sole design is to help others learn some proven ways that they too can come to cope with problems related to witnessing domestic violence as a child and eventually moving forwards in life with confidence and light instead of fear and darkness.  Ms. Nelson relays her story very straightforwards so that readers may feel like they are really just visiting with a new friend, someone who really does understand and can relate to their issues.

Quote: "Adults who witnessed violence between their parents when they were children often carry emotional scars that last a lifetime. The trauma to their developing brains can be so great that some psychologists have compared it to what soldiers experience in war. Like soldiers, children from violent homes are hyper-alert and expect to see danger at every turn. Since they don't possess the skills to process what they have witnessed, these children often suppress the memories well into adulthood. It often takes employment and relationship problems, a mental health diagnosis, addictions, and other serious life issues for them to make the connection between the events of their painful upbringing to what they are experiencing in the present."

Disclaimer:I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

My Review: I requested this book on behalf of me 1. being the spouse to someone who has been abused and seen abuse throughout childhood. 2. I am a youth counselor at our church and want to be prepared to help and support and comfort any of my youth who may be in unkind family situations.  3. because I am finding more and more that abuse is strong in the world and the world needs more people to over come and help others to do the same.
So when the Author sent me the ebook Kindle version of this book, I was thrilled.  I read it in 2 days.  I couldn't put it down.  It was well written, I wasn't grossed out, or emotionally torn to shreds from the horror that has happened to Ms. Nelson and her family.  Autobiographies are a genre of book that I haven't read much, but every one that I have read has been very interesting, and intriguing.  This book I really felt that it was an open close case, in the sense that for every issues she brought up, she had a solution that worked for her.  She told facts, and details that were important, she didn't just "woe is me, I was in a horrible situation, I can't help who I am now" attitude.  She found ways to make her life better.  This is actually a very inspiring story, and I hope that she and her family will continue to move forwards in forgiveness and love.  Ms. Nelson is an inspiration, and a very great author and writer.
My husband grew up in an abusive home, and to what extent I will never know, but as we continue to improve our marriage, and be better parents we have learned to over come the bad influences, and unpleasant father figures he's had in his life.  He is an amazing man, the best husband I could ever have.  When we parent we don't touch our children, because he's too worried that his past will become his future.  He can calmly sit down and talk to our kids about what choices they make, why they were a wrong choice, who Satan is, and why he tries so hard to make people be bad etc.  He's my best friend, and even though we have an amazing life together, I have had the unpleasant experience to have people, even extended family, accuse him of being a horrible influence, of being a bad husband and father, etc.  Ms. Nelson has taught me that you can over come negative influences.  You can be happy with who you are, despite what situations you have grown up in.  You can become positive, filled with love, light, and happiness.  For these things I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good read, need a lift me up, wants to know more about abuse and its causes and how to over come its causes.

Pros: well written, amazing, inspiring

Cons: none

My Rating: Thumbs Up

Monday, January 13, 2014

Broken Melody Book Review

Broken MelodyBroken Melody by Trudy Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Details: Danae was forced into the foster system at such a young age that she has no memories of her mother. As she gets older life gets harder, as her foster family break her down to nothing at all. Living in fear, broken and torn between staying invisible and learning to trust friends, teachers, and God. Does He really love her, can He help her change her life? Will she be able to change herself or her life, or will she be trapped in this nightmare forever?

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Book Crash, in exchange for an honest, non biased review. My opinions are my own and I only recommend books that I have personally read.

My Review: WOW! This is the most touching, incredible story I have read in a very long time. I got it 2 months ago, but didn't have time to read it until now, and I read it in one day. It was too good to put down for long periods of time. Every character in this book is so realistic its almost like it was based off a true family. I love that its an Australian based book and author. I love the language! All the friends who worked so hard to help Danae with her secret dreams, what an great group of friends for anyone to have.
This is a very inspirational book, great for youth dealing with dysfunctional family life, or abusive parents, or youth wanting to know what a real friend is.  As Danae does what she feels she must, she comes to learn that family means Love, that God is real, that faith is what happens when you have no control over anything, but you still believe in something good.  That the truth will always come out in the end, and that a natural talent is something beautiful and worth fighting for.  Danae's relationship with Kirra-lea is so precious, and how they take care of each other while trying to stay safe and stay away from both their "Mum" and "Dad" foster parents.

Finding something to help with any situation that brings joy and happiness to one's self and to others is usually the best kind of therapy anyone can have.  Whether is it beautiful music like Danae discovered, or painting, quilting, singing, sculpture.  There is something out there for everyone to share with the world to help make it a better place, we just have to turn to God and find it.  This something is more than a hobby, more than a talent, but a God given gift to bless lives around us.

Pros: well written, amazing story plot line, realistic characters

Cons: none

My Rating: THUMBS UP!


View all my reviews

Monday, November 4, 2013

Homeschool Co-Ops 101 and $25 Amazon GC giveaway

homeschool co-ops 101
Essential co-op tools, tips, and options for today’s homeschool families. Thinking about joining or starting a homeschool co-op? Not sure if a co-op is a good fit? Homeschool Co-ops 101 weighs the pros, cons, and creative options available for today’s homeschool family.
  • Section 1 includes essential, digestible info on co-op ingredients such as planning and organization, schedules, teaching, finances, and addressing conflict and burnout.
  • Section 2 shares a sampling of co-op games and activities, and
  • Section 3 contains five hands-on unit studies. These ready to use studies include lessons on Leonardo da Vinci, Birds of Prey, Public Speaking, Tall Tales, and Creative Writing, and are suitable for co-op or home use. This section also includes unit study guidelines that are easily customized to suit any topic.
  • Section 4 offers suggested books, curriculum, and other resources.
Karen Lange has gathered insight from years of co-oping and now shares her own and others’ experiences in this valuable and encouraging handbook.
Homeschool Co-ops 101 is available at:
~~~Amazon~~~
~~~Kobo~~~

karen lange
About the Author Karen Lange, her husband, and three children were active in co-ops during their sixteen-year homeschool journey. Her experience includes serving as a local homeschool support group coordinator and consultant for a state homeschool network in New Jersey. Karen’s children have since graduated, and she is now a freelance writer and online writing instructor for homeschooled teens. You can connect with

Karen at her Blog, on Twitter, and Facebook. homeschool co-ops 101

Blog Tour Schedule
November 4 ~Ruth Schiffman, http://outonalimbshywritergoessocial.blogspot.com/ ~Robyn Campbell, http://robyn-campbell.blogspot.com/
November 5 ~Carol Alexander, http://lessonsfromthehomestead.com/blog/
~Diane Estrella, www.dianeestrella.com
November 6 ~Gena Mayo, ichoosejoy.org
~Marja Meijers, http://sacredsabbath.blogspot.com/
November 7 ~Sandie Crozek, http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/
~Melissa Brander, http://mkbrander.com/
~Cecelia Lester, http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
November 8 ~Susan Reinhardt, http://www.susanjreinhardt.com/
~Cecelia Lester, http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
November 10
~Laura V. Hilton, http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/
~Melissa & Tiffany, http://www.homegrownfamilies.net
~Janette Dolores, http://janettedolores.blogspot.com
November 11 ~Susan Sundwall, www.sundwallsays.blogspot.com
~Michelle Isenhoff, http://www.michelleisenhoff.com/wp
November 12 ~Carol Alexander, http://lessonsfromthehomestead.com/blog/
~Jeanette Levellie, http://www.jeanettelevellie.com/
November 13 ~Susanne Dietze, http://susannedietze.blogspot.com/ ~Sherryl Wilson, simplysherryl.com
~Anne Payne, duhpaynes.blogspot.com
November 14 ~Rhonda Schrock, http://www.rhondaschrock.com/rhondas_blog/ ~Abi Buening, http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com/
~Amber Schamel, http://www.amberschamel.com/history-blog.html
~Renee, motherdaughterbookreviews.com
November 15 ~Crystal King, http://asimpleheartforhome.blogspot.com/ ~Barb Winters, inthemidstof.wordpress.com/
~Tyrean Martinson, http://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/
November 16
~Julie, soaringeagle8.blogspot.com
~Sarah, myjoyfilledlife.com
November 17 ~Amada Chavez, ascphotosanddesigns.blogspot.com
~Cindi Clubbs, http://ccclubbs.com/
~Rebecca Boerner, http://ohiohomeschool.blogspot.com/
November 18
~Carlene Havel, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440085.Carlene_Havel/blog
~Cindy Loven, http://cindylovenreviews.blogspot.com
November 19
~Karen Loethen, http://taytayhser.blogspot.com.au/
~Amy Smith, myseasonsofopportunities.blogspot.com/
November 20
~Darlene Arroyo-Lozada, http://lovebookslozada.blogspot.com/
November 22
~Sarah Bailey, http://growingforchrist.wordpress.com
~Elizabeth Carr,  http://momsthumb.blogspot.com/
December 2
~Jennifer Shirk, http://jennifershirk.blogspot.com/
~Ticia M., http://adventuresinmommydom.org/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Review Place your review here or remove this section. The Giveaway Open to US addresses only. One person will receive a $25 Amazon GC and a copy of Homeschool Co-ops 101. Please use the Rafflecopter below to be entered: a Rafflecopter giveaway The winner will be chosen from those entries and announced December 5, 2013. Good luck!
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. 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 e-mailed, 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 Diane at That’s What I’m Here For… and sponsored by the author, Karen Lange. The author provided me with a free copy of Homeschool Co-ops 101 to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a giveaway in return for the free book.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.