Monday, November 28, 2016

Devotional Review: One: A Daily Devotional

This was an enjoyable, reflective devotional. I enjoyed the length and the content of each entry. Plus it was remarkable how so many of the entries went hand-in-hand with what my life was dealing with at the time.

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

Book Review: A Place For Us.

This was not one of my favorite books by Harriet Evans. I had difficulties getting into it when the voices changed throughout. I tried several times to begin the book but was not happy with it.

Having said that, I do enjoy her writing in other ways. She develops characters well and the story itself was interesting. Personally, I did not enjoy this but others who the changes throughout do not bother will enjoy this family story.

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


Friday, November 25, 2016

coloring book review: The Night Voyage

As my readers know, I love coloring books. When they are by Daria Song it is a double winner.

Like her other books, each page is filled with the intricate designs with a multitude of choices on how to color them. Each page is magical on their own whether they are filled with mystical mechanics, paper birds and flowers, teatime or more, they will keep the coloring going for hours.

In the back of the book are thumbnail copies of each of the pictures, an additional picture and a card to color (mine will go to my grandchildren.

Each page is printed on both sides on a heavyweight, non-perforated paper. The binding is sewn and glued, so they are not easily removed. Many designs cover both pages, so removing some of them would spoil some of the beauty anyways.

Many of the designs carry into the bound margins, which is not superb. The dust cover also can be colored on the inside and the out.

It will withstand most coloring materials except alcohol-based markers.

The beauty of the work and the fun in coloring make up for any shortcomings this book my have. Overall, I love it and recommend it to all.

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

Book Review: The Looming Storm

I loved this book. Once I opened the cover I had a hard time closing it again.

Eva Montanna, a federal agent for ICE, discovers something that could harm her family. She warns her daughter to be careful when she leaves on a class trip to Poland. Of course, the daughter finds danger and needs to be rescued. The action that follows through this book is wonderful. It never feels like it is just jumping from one event to another. Everything is tied up together so nicely. Plus the family places their faith and love of God before everything they do.

I want to just say Wow! I have not read other books by these authors but I will now.  Books that take my breath away and make me want to pray for the characters are the ones that I love the most.

Thank you Munsons, Micah House and The Book Club Network for allowing me to read and review this book in exchange for a copy of it.


Book Review: Dynamo


Dynamo is the name of a horse, one of the main characters in this story. Throughout the book we see the relationship between Dynamo and Jeth.

Jeth has found himself at Rob and Katie Chilton's ranch. This ranch trains, shows and sells horses. For someone like Jeth, who loves horses and needs a breather from the hard times he has experienced, this may be the best place. 

Dynamo is his challenge as he decides he should be the one to tame this horse. However, he is amazed at the spiritual lessons he is able to learn from this horse. 

The author was able to use her own love and knowledge of horses to good use in this book. God's presence is shown throughout as she weaves the lessons that need to be learned in surprising ways. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves horses, or any animals.

I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review. 



Friday, November 18, 2016

Book Review: Mercy At Midnight

Mercy at MidnightI know that if you have read my other entries you know that Sylvia Bambola is one of my favorite authors. This is a little different setting than others that I have read by her. This is set in today's time.

In Mercy At Midnight we are introduced to three different characters, then we are mesmerized by how their lives intersect and the consequences from their meeting.

First we have Cynthia Wells. She is a reporter who, while looking for a story, comes across so much more.

We then have Jonathan Holms. He is a pastor at a large church. God sends him to come to terms with a killer and the connection to him.

Finally, we have Stubby White. This is a man who cannot seem to help but have one bad turn after another. He turns to the mission where he has to decide which road to go down, the road to Gjod or the road he has the most experience with.

I always have a hard time putting books down by this author and this is no exception.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books filled with suspense.

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

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Book Review: Beyond Words by Carl Safina

This was a very interesting book to read, however, if I did not have a college degree I would have had difficulty understanding some of it. I wanted to read through it though because I am an animal lover.

Carl Safina includes a lot of information about different animals. As he goes on his journey he did many once-in-a-lifetime events. He felt the sea spray when an Orca dived into the ocean, he licked his teeth to clean an elephant's breath from them and more. It is a long book, but if you love animals it is a very worthwhile book to read. I came away from the book with a greater sense of the connectivity between the lives of animals and our lives.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company in exchange for my honest review.


Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Book Review: A Sister's Promise

This book, about the love between sisters, makes the reader step back and look at their own family relationships.

Sharda and Puja are more than sisters, they are each other's best friends. Each is unique. One is responsible, one free-spirited. However, they both love fun and each other. However, even as strong as the bond is, a secret can tear them apart.

This story is filled with love, loss and grace. Plus is written with such style, the reader feels like they are falling into the story themselves. As I was reading, I could picture the scene including all that the senses share.

I cannot say thank you enough to Bookoture and NetGalley who gave me the book in exchange for my honest review.
2016 NetGalley Challenge
500 Book Reviews







Saturday, November 12, 2016

Book Review: Poison

Poison (Bloodline Trilogy Book 2)
Poison is the second book of a trilogy. Having said this, I did not read the first book, yet I was able to keep up with names and the story. 

This is a book which has a lot of action and moves very quickly. The author, Jordyn Redwood, is a critical care and emergency nurse and she uses her gifts in the writing of this book as the book is set in the medical community.  This intense book is well-written, in fact, after reading it the reader may begin to look under their covers for the cause of the poison in the story. 

I feel like anyone who enjoys a good adventure story will thoroughly enjoy this book. I was given this book by bookfun.org and Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest review. 


You may feel black widow spiders crawling after reading this thriller by Jordyn Redwood!  Poison is another fast paced, action packed book in the Bloodline Trilogy.  Written by a nurse,  the plot includes the medical community, SWAT team, detectives, and psychiatrists.  Although you can read Poison as a stand alone, you will understand Poison better if you read book one, Proof, first.  The characters are very well-written.  I recommend Poison to anyone who enjoys intense adventure.  I was given the book by Book Fun (www.bookfun.org).  This is my honest opinion.
I posted reviews on Goodreads, Facebook, Amazon, B&N, and Deeper Shopping.

Friday, November 11, 2016

Book Review: Saving Grapes

Saving Grapes centers around Jason, and his friend Stumpy. Jason seems to have been one misadventures, and bad decisions after another. However, he always tries to overcome each one as they come along. Throughout this book his life comes upon many twists and romances.

Whether you like him at the beginning of the book, partway through you begin to cheer for him. He inherits a vineyard, has to learn how to get along with nuns, stay out of jail, and find love.

I loved this book and J.T. Lundy has a way of making you wish that you were in the story.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Company in exchange for my honest review.



Book Review: Your Marriage Masterpiece

Even though I have been married for decades and I take my vows seriously, this book helped me to look at marriage in a different light. 

The book gives us a different view of how we appear to God and what he wants for us. He looks at us as individuals and each marriage individually. God is truly a loving God who wants the best, most joyful, life for each of us. This book helps make that apparent to each of the readers. 

I highly recommend this book, no matter if you are engaged, newlyweds or long-timers, like me. 

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

Book Review: The London Cookbook

The London Cookbook: Recipes from the Restaurants, Cafes, and Hole-in-the-Wall Gems of a Modern City by [Crapanzano, Aleksandra]When people have referred to the food in the UK, at least to my ears, all I remember is how bad it is. However, when I traveled over there, I found their food enjoyable. Now, with this cookbook, I can make some of my favorite recipes, from my travels, in my own kitchen.

Aleksandra Crapanzano has brought some of the culinary delights into one book. She talks about her time in the different restaurants and then she breaks the recipes into an easy-to-follow, easy-to-make format.

The book is broken ito Light Fare; Soups; Pasta, Rica and Grains; Vegetarian; Seafood; Fowl; Meat; Desserts; Chilled Desserts and Cocktails.

The recipes which I tried have been delicious and easy to make.

Anyone who enjoys cooking would enjoy this book. I was given this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Book Review: Benjamin Franklin in London

Benjamin Franklin spent a great deal of time in London as a statesman for the Colonies. He also served many roles at home including those as scientist, printer and philosopher.
He worked tirelessly for the freedom of the colonies, while retaining a connection to England. He felt that the two should maintain an inseparable bond.
His life in London included his time while young then diplomat then agent. In the last roles he represented the colonies in Parliament and at Court. Through discords, Franklin was able to keep his head.
In 1775, he realized his dream of an agreement was not to be. This lead to his ending relationships with friends and his son.
Anyone who is interested in American History, Franklin or of this time period would appreciate this book, as I did.
I was given this book by NetGalley and Yale University in exchange for my honest review.


Book Review: Foster Learns a Law


Foster is a young man who wants to know the why behind everything. This includes the making of a law. After being told that nobody can do certain things, he begins to form his question. When Nobody visits him he begins to receive his answers.

This bright, easily read book is a great way to introduce children to the ins and outs of law in a fun way. I believe that this book could be appreciated by children of almost any age. The pictures are fun and bright to keep young readers' attention.

I feel this could be a great addition to any home or school library.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Charwood Publications in exchange for my honest review


Book Review: The New England Orchard Cookbook

So often it is easy to become overwhelmed with a harvest and go blank as to what to do with the bounty. This cookbook can help to ease that problem. There are a bushel of recipes in here which only require basic cooking skills and ingredients. The pictures throughout the book are beautiful and makes the readers' taste buds prepare for the delicious tastes.

Included are also descriptions of orchards in New England, as well as the history and the people. There are also listings of the websites for these orchards. In the back of the book are the orchards listed by state and include the address, and phone numbers.

I think this book would be a great purchase for all produce lovers.

I received this book from NetGalley and Rowan and Littlefield in exchange for my honest review.