Thursday, August 25, 2016

Book Review: St. Martin's First Fall 2015 Sampler

As with other samplers, I have found a few books from this book that I thoroughly enjoyed
Dream Things True by Marie Marquart

The Weight of Feathers The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore by Anna-Marie McLemore

The Marriage Pact The Marriage Pact (The Marriage Pact, #1) by M.J. Pullen by M.J. Pullen

I was given this book by St. Martin's and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Sneak Peeks

This preview of six books that will be released soon, is an excellent purchase for any book lovers. There are excerpts (2 chapters) from six different books that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will be releasing.

I love reading these because if an excerpt leaves me wanting more, then I know that the book will be a good purchase in the future. This way I will not be disappointed by purchases.

I highly recommend this book to those that enjoy getting a preview of a variety of books.

I was given this book by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Buzz Books 2015

These books are wonderful. They give the reader the chance to check out the books that will be launching so they can make a more insightful choice. I know that I have found some that I thought I would like but didn't and vice versa.

If you are a reader that does not like to be disappointed by books that have been purchased, this is a wonderful investment to make.

I was given this book by NetGalley and BuzzBooks in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Feeling Great

Feeling Great helps the reader discover ways to feel new levels of optimism and contentment.  The authors explain some of the reasons why a person stops feeling these things and the steps to take to get there again. The book is filled with antidotes and ideas, such as meditation or relaxing several times a day.

This book was given to me by NetGalley and HCI books in exchange for my honest review.


Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Book Review: Jesus Talked to Me Today

Jesus loved children, so it makes sense that he wants to talk with them, This book is filled with stories of these times when children were blessed with times with God, Angels and miracles. What better ways to open the ears and hearts of others than to hear from a child how they spent time with God.

It serves as a confirmation that when we are open to him, He loves to take time to share with each of us. I enjoyed the format of this book, stories straight from the children to our hearts.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys this acknowledgement that God wants to be with you.

I was given this book by Bethany House in return for my honest review.

Saturday, August 20, 2016

Book Review: Home to Chapel Springs

Home to Chapel Springs, by Ane Mulligan, will take the reader away, willingly. This is the third book in a series, of which I have not read the other two. I did not feel lost and I loved the characters and the settings created by this author.

I found myself so happy that the characters are able to call this place home. This is not something that I usually say, but the fit was just so right. Then the author was able to catch my attention early in and kept it all of the way home. I did not want to put it down. I found myself laughing and at the verge of tears but throughout God's love is demonstrated.

I was given this book by the author Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolina and bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Book Review: Courageous

Courageous (Valiant Hearts, #3)Set during the Crusades, Courageous is the third book in Sleiman's Series Valiant Hearts. This book is written for Young Adult readers, however I found myself drawn to it after reading her previous books in the series.

This book is sure to hold the attention of its audience as it combines action, romance and history. This time period has never held great interest for me, but the research put into this book and the viewpoint of this book helped me to dive in. She covers the different reasons some chose to go on the Crusades and the different groups of people involved. She also showed us some of the background and difficulties encountered along the way.

Sleiman has such a gift in the way she writes and I have enjoyed this entire series. I know that hers will be a name I will look out for in the future.

I was given this book by Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: Pop Manga Coloring Book

I love coloring books and the innocent appearance of Manga. Put them together and you have this wonderful coloring book. I am always excited when a coloring book comes up for review and this one will be a joy to add my own flair to.

The book has a removable dust cover, which can be colored. The pictures are beautifully drawn and will be fun for adults or older children to color, although they do say to not be afraid to stray outside of the lines.

If there is one negative it is this, I like to take my pages out of the book while coloring and the binding on this book may make that difficult without tearing the pages. This will not keep me from enjoying the book however or recommending it to all who enjoy coloring.

I was given this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.


Thursday, August 18, 2016

Book Review: Searching for Eternity

Emile E Bonnery was born in France, then in the 1960s he ended up on the other side of the ocean, in Atlanta. While there, he discovers many things about his father, some good, some not so good. Emile finds a friend in search of their own answers. Together they search together.

Searching for Eternity is such a well-written book. Set in the time of the French Resistance, Elizabeth Musser was able to make the time and the characters come to life. Her characters were well-rounded and very well defined. I feel like five stars is not enough for this book. Thank you for allowing me to read this book.

I was given this book by the author, Bethany House, and bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review. 

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Book Review: Land of Silence

Land of Silence is a beautifully written Biblical fiction.

Elianna is known in the Bible as the woman who was healed of a 12 blood issue simply by touching Jesus' clothing. The author makes this woman a courageous woman of faith while staying true to Biblical detail.

This woman had her dreams stopped almost before they started, at a young age. However, she never gave up, and she held on to God's love for her. This book is an amazingly written book which I cannot possibly say enough positive things about.

I was given this book by bookfun.org and Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.



Friday, August 12, 2016

Book Review: Buzz Books 2015

OOPS! I just noticed that I did not review this book last year. Buzz Books publish selections from their upcoming books several times a year. This was the volume for the Fall and Winter 2015. This allows me to get a feel for the books that I want to be on the outlook for during the next year. Each summary includes a cover of the book, including the back cover summary, then, usually a chapter or two of the story.

There have been quite a few books, each time, that I look forward to reading and this one was not an exception.

These books are a great read for anyone who wants to plan their reading to make sure they are going to like a book before they purchase it.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.





Book Review: Unexpected Journeys: My Search for Adventure, Love and Redemption on the Other Side of the World

Unexpected Journeys, by Paul Perkins, talks about his time of reflection while traveling Asia. While on the trip he also discovered things about himself and the world around him.

This is an exciting book that many readers will enjoy, as well as I did. Especially those that like to read how God reveals Himself in everyday, or not so everyday, experiences.

I was given this book by bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.


Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Cookbook Review: A Super Upsetting Cookbook About Sandwiches

There are times when all we want to eat is a sandwich. This book allows the reader to fulfill that wish in numerous, delectable ways. Even if the reader doesn't want to make a sandwich right now, this book is a great purchase just to read the recipes and look at the pictures. From the forward to the index, this book is filled with recipes, pictures, words of wisdom and so much more. Chef Kord even encourages the reader to take the sandwich ingredients to make a plate of food.

I am so excited by this book. I have cut back on the amount of bread that I eat, so the mixtures of ingredients suggested helped place me in a creative place and try some myself.

The chef does like to use colorful language at time, but if you can look past that, I would recommend this for everyone.

I was given this book by blogging for books in exchange for my honest review.


Book Review: Change of Heart

Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh.

Evelyn Brandt has a life that is the envy of many, however, this does not mean it is a happy one. While hosting a dinner party, she is confronted of her husband's embezzling by the FBI. All at once she discovered who her true friends are and how to depend on herself. A friend gives her a place to go to in order to reflect which helps set her on a new and better life.

Courtney Walsh has written other works which I have enjoyed. When I read the summary of this book, I knew that I would enjoy this one also. She has a way of writing which touches the heart, holds the drama of the moment and yet is honest. She was able to handle the difficult parts of this book so well that I just wanted to keep reading. I did not read the first book in the series but I did not feel left out or lost. I know this book will stay with me for quite a while.

I was given this book by bookfun.org and Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Children's Book review: the King's Wish

The King's Wish (B-Happy Kids) (Volume 1)The King's Wish, by L.K. Reyes, is a beautifully illustrated story about a kingdom who had lost its happiness. That is, until the King calls on his adviser for some words of wisdom.

The story tells about happiness from a couple of different views. First, our own happiness can be found by the thoughts we are thinking and the actions we take can affect others.

The illustrations were a good reflection of the story on each page and I can see myself reading this book to my granddaughter when I see her again.

I loved this book and its message.

I was given this book by bookfun.org and the author in exchange for my honest review.

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Book Review: Come Rain or Come Shine

Jan Karon is equals excellent reading. Come Rain or Come Shine meets this statement. In this book Dooley Kavanaugh and Lace Harper are getting married in North Carolina, on their farm. As the day approaches they are fixing up their farm, purchasing animals and preparing to house a veterinary clinic.

With all this going on, what difficulties could they possibly have. It is a fun read as it tells the story from different perspectives.To anyone who has enjoyed Jan Karon books in the past, this one will keep them equally entertained.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam in exchange for my honest review.


Book Review: The Tank Man's Son

Mark Bouman is a loving father, husband and a Christian. Each of these are hard to imagine when reflecting on the difficult life he had as he was growing up. He became the tank man's son when his father brought home a true tank. This is a man who was liked to collect "toys" like these and he was not afraid to let his anger out on his family.

The reader will find their heart breaking as they read this account, yet filling again as they see how this boy was able to find Christ and how this faith saved his life.

I thought that I would have a difficult time reading this book but I am so glad that I stayed with it and finished it.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.



Book Review: Finding Myself in Britain

Amy Boucher Pye found herself having to adjust to a new country, Great Britain. Through this adjustment she discovered her faith in the Lord would help her adjust to many things, such as the language, and the way of life.

She shared her humor and her faith throughout this book, but not in a way that felt like preaching. It was more like a storyteller who knows how to reach her audience.

I loved this book. Amy Boucher Pye has such a talent.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Authentic Media in exchange for my honest review.