Book Review: A Harvest of Thorns

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Many young women die in a garment factory fire in Bangladesh. In the aftermath a picture of a teenager is taken. This young girl has a fabric with Presto Omnishops Corporation on it. This is one of the largest retailers in America.
In its headquarters a man, Cameron Alexander, watches the news coverage of the incident. He watches at the picture of the girl is everywhere making people wonder about the ethics of the company. Alexander starts an investigation which will lead him down paths that could devastate his world.
A reporter, a year later, receives information about the company and the fire. This is all Joshua Griswold needs to cover a story that could save his career from former disgrace.
The story was developed well as the author begins with a central story and then builds each character from there. It is a sobering story that gives insight in the garment industry. The real world settings helped me to see the world in a different light.
A very good book.

Book Review: My Garden of Prayer

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Just the name Helen Steiner Rice made this a book that I felt I needed to read. Her prayers are so faith-filled that I find a sense of peace once I begin one of them. They are filled encouragement and blessings.
I loved this book and I feel it would make a perfect gift for any occasion. Highly recommended

Book Review: The Invention of Wings

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Hetty Grimke, named "Handful" by her mother was a slave in Charleston. Hetty dreams to be away from this world.Then there is the Grimke's daughter, Sarah. Sarah knows that ther is something big in the world that is meant just for her, however, the world as she knows it limits what she is able to do.
Sarah is given Hetty for her 11th birthday. For the next decades the reader follows both of these girls as their relation changes and introduces new feeling to each of them. Hetty discovers loss, courage and self-worth through her journey. Sarah finds betrayal, crushed hopes andmore as she and her sister become abolitionists.
This is a fascinating story and Sue Monk Kidd creates such rich characters that I wanted to continue reading each day and not put it down. She used information that she found on Sarah Grinke and was able build her into well rounded person.
Fantastic book.

Book Review: Change the world before bedtime

I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.
Change the World Before Bedtime is such a cute book. It enables kids to be creative and see how small acts can help to change the world for the better.
From the very first page they encourage children to make this book their own. They then go through a child's potential day. After a good breakfast, filled with "brain food" they then meet their friends to have a day of picking up litter. It continues on with many ideas such as having a lemonade stand and giving the proceeds to a cause.
The illustrations are eye catching and filled with conversation bubbles. Then the simple rhymes throughout will help kids to think about what they can do to change the world.
I love this book so much I will be sending it to my grandchildren as soon as I can.
I highly recommend this book.

Book Review: Death Comes to Dogwood Manor

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This cozy mystery by Sandra Bretting is great fun. Missy, on her way to her shop, Crowning Glory, has a car accident in front of Dogwood Manor. This once beautiful mansion is being changed into a hotel by Herbert Solomon. His is the car that Missy runs into. A Rolls Royce, no less. This is not a big concern to Herbert as he is too busy dealing with the remodel.
Missy returns to the mansion to check out the chapel where one of her clients is getting married. While there she finds Herbert Solomon dead, by poison. Missy just seems to run into one misfortune after another in this enjoyable book.
I have enjoyed Sandra Bretting's books in the past and I have a feeling I will be reading more of her works int he future.
Highly recommended.

Book Review: A Fatal Collection

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I have fallen back in love with cozy mysteries. These are the kind of mysteries that make you want to sink back into your chair with a pot of tea and read.
In A Fatal Collection (A Keepsake Cove Mystery) I have found such a book.
This is the first in a series of books, I will be reading more in the series.
After spending the night at her aunt's house, Callie Reed discovers her aunt is dead. Callie doesn't agree with the authorities when they say her aunt's death was from an accidental fall.
Callie is left a music box store by her Aunt Melodie. This store fits in with the neighborhood as it seems where ever she looks she sees more stores with collectibles. This is the opportunity Callie decided to take. However, soon odd things happen.
This book was so fun to read and I liked the characters that the author, Mary Ellen Hughes created.

Acts: Everyday Bible Commentary

I was given this book by Moody Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
God's ways are amazing. Our pastor announced we were going to be studying the book of Acts. I had just requested and received this book a day or two before. This led my husband and I too take our time and use this as a devotional. It opened discussions and help us to see answers to some of our questions from this Bible book.
The book is broken down into 19 parts and within each chapter it is broken down further to help in the exploration. I have been amazed.
I highly recommend this book to others who would like to look into the book of Acts further.