Book Review: Flood

Laura Brooks left Hannibal, Missouri years ago, now she is coming back. She doesn't tell anyone she is coming. When she get there she tells everyone that she is only going to be there for a short time and to attend her high-school reunion. Soon, her friend Rosie pulls into her divorce proceedings, and her former fiance, Sammy McGuire is there.

Laura had left this town at eighteen because she felt she was drowning in the town's past, both the ties to Mark Twain, and the cultural and economic.

I felt that the author knows about her hometown, Hannibal and conveys this knowledge very well to the reader, in a contemporary way. I enjoyed this novel. I felt like she was able to create real characters, flaws and all. I enjoyed the details that she included throughout.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Faithwords/Center Street in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: 101 Things you Should Do Before Going to Heaven

I think the books that give lists of what to do before.... are wonderful. In this book, there are many ways to enrich your spiritual life through simple things. There are some that take a little more thinking, or meditating but it is so worth it if it will help us to have an eternal home with the Savior.

Some of the ideas are as simple as Do Something that Scares You, Watch a Meteor Shower, Greet the Dawn or Spend a Day Alone with God.

I believe that this is a book that everyone should purchase for themselves and for their loved ones.

I was given this book by NetGalley and FaithWords/Center Street in exchange they receive my honest review.

You may purchase the book HERE!

Book Review: The History Major by Michael Phillip Cash

Amanda Greene, a college freshman, work up with a hangover, after having a huge fight with her boyfriend. When she wakes up her room seems the same but that is all. She has a different roommate, her class schedule is filled with classes she did not register for and all the people are acting strangely, however, they seem familiar. On top of this there is a shadow that seems to be stalking her. She is not sure what is or is going to happen next.

There are some books that are impossible to put down. I began reading this book on Saturday morning and I finished it that afternoon. I could not wait to see what would happen to Amanda next. This writer has such a gift. He kept me captive with the pace of the book and with allowing odd things to happen at good intervals. It kept me on the edge of my seat.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Chelshire, Inc in exchange for my honest review. I thank them so much.

This book may be purchased HERE!

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Children's Book Review: Wow! The Good News in Four Words

How great! A participatory book for children about the Bible!
I received this book, yesterday, for free from Tyndale Kids, and the first thing that struck me was the bright, expressive colors on the cover. And illustrations that will draw kid's attention to it.

This book gives the children four words that they are encouraged to say, loudly, when they see them on the page. Each one has its own shape to go with it. So Wow is in a red heart, Uh-oh is in a broken purple heart, Yes is on a brown cross and Ahhh is in a blue cloud. The text is written in a rhyme so children will catch on to it very quickly, plus the story itself is the Good News.

Before the story begins, there is a page to parents to give an idea of how to use the book and then at the end there are Scriptures for the parents to take the story further with the children. The Scriptures are given for each of the words.

I am so excited to share this book with my grandchildren. What a fun way to present these little ones with the Good News!

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

Pre-Order book HERE!

Book Review: The Little French Bistro

Married for 41 years, Marianne decides to leave her marriage and life behind. So she set off for Brittany. While there she finds many interesting people. People she will remember forever. They welcome her like an old friend and they all seem comfortable with her from the beginning. Soon Marianne feels like she is rediscovering all the good parts that make her up.

I love this book and the joy and warmth that it gives the reader. I had read "The Little Paris Bookshop" and loved it, so I was looking forward to this book. I did not sink into it as quickly but soon I fell in love with this world. I loved taking in the language and the characters.

This book may not be for everyone, but it is well worth picking up and enjoying.

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

Book Review: I'll Push You: A Journey of 500 Miles, 2 Best Friends and A Wheelchair

This is such an inspirational chair of two friends and a journey to remember. Justin and Patrick were best friends practically from birth. They have always been there to support and cheer each other own. Justin was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease which took away the use of his arms and legs and Patrick was there for him. Even when the two and their families lived in different places, they still had the connection that only best friends can have.

Justin saw a travel show about the Camino de Satiago, a 500-mile journey in Spain, he called Patrick and asked what he thought about this trip. Patrick's response was simply, "I'll push you."

This is the story about this friendship and the journey. There are moments that made my heart swell and made me laugh out loud. All along the way, I felt the spirit that these two have enter my heart and helped my love for God grow.

I recommend this book very highly and as a former teacher I would give it an A+ and as many stars as I could find.

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

Book Review: The Vanishing Throne

This book, The Vanishing Throne, is the second book in the Falconer Trilogy. This book is suspenseful, however, I had a difficult time staying with it, since I had not read the first book. However, saying that, Elizabeth May has a gift of writing which makes the reader feel as if they are part of the action.

I would like to come back to this book after reading book one. I would recommend this for anyone who has an interest in this book. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Chronicle Books for my honest review. 

Book Review: Beside the Music

Brenda Dunkirk considers herself to be so lucky. The rock band that she liked, and wrote to in the 80's, are now going to record their album, announcing their comeback, in her house. Needless to say this was not quite the thing she was expecting. She romanticizes the experience, even risking her own marriage. Hydra, the band, has made her home and her live a mess. Her hubby walked out and her boss is threatening to fire her. She isn't sure what to do.

The book's pace is set by the thoughts that Brenda is always thinking which kept me from losing interest. The author's choice of words made it easy to feel Brenda's mood throughout the book, including the frustration, and downright anger. Keeping this in mind we also have a feeling we know the other characters in the book from Brenda's thoughts and descriptions. BJ Knapp did a great job with this book.

This book was given to me freely.

Book Review: Lake of Destiny

Anna Cameron has set off to help her aunt with the Beltane Festival in Scotland. Having a broken engagement and losing her job, this seems like the perfect way to escape. Once there she finds that her aunt has stretched the truth about the size and finances behind this festival, so Anna has her work cut out for her. Plus this festival is always extra special because on Beltane morning, this place reveals the face of one's true love. This is called the "Sighting".

This sweet story takes place in Scotland, so, in my view, it was going to be a success from the beginning. Add to it a love story filled with the sounds and descriptions of the setting and it made me wish I was there viewing it myself. However, with her writing, Martina Boone allowed me to travel there in my mind. I found myself getting lost in the words and not wanting to return home when I was done. I love it when a book does this so I would say this book is a big success.

I received a free copy of this book.

3 more crafty book reviews and giveaways

Book Review and Giveaway

Book Review: Catching the Wind

Daniel Knight escaped from the Gestapo with ten-year-old Brigitte when he was thirteen. Together they made it to England where they were separated. Daniel promised to find her after the war and he has tried to accomplish this for over 70 years. Now he has placed the quest on Quenby Vaughn, and American journalist in London. Quenby has her own battles but is drawn into the story. Many lies, and sacrifices were made and many futures would be healed through this journey.

Such an intriguing story which has a story line that draws the reader in. Despite the idea that there were two story lines, the writer was able to bring them together. She also made each of the characters come to life. They were definitely complex characters and in the end the story ended in such a way that felt like this was the way it should be.

There were a few scenes which I would rather not see in a Christian book but overall it was well written and well researched.

*I received this from Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review*

Book Review: Baking Powder Wars

This book is filled with the history of baking powder. I did not realize that there was such a war between different brands. This one little product changed the way that people around the world would bake fro 1856 to the present. Even though she focused on the top brands she did mention how there were over a hundred that were vying for the consumers' business.

This unique history book was fascinating to me, a history buff. I wasn't sure what to expect but I found it interesting. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and University of Illinois Press in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: Death in the Abstract

This book, Death in the Abstract, is part of the Katherine Sullivan Mysteries.

Katherine Sullivan has moved to New Mexico, mainly to see the artistic part of her. Soon, though Nathan Walker, a friend and a previous workmate from when she was a police officer, is missing and they have called her, so, Katherine flies back.

There has also been a murder in her old home town. A local woman. There also seems to be a connection to Nathan's disappearance.

The plot and writing were very good. The story was intriguing and was easy to fall into. Overall, I found this cozy mystery to be a very enjoyable book.

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

May be purchased HERE!