Children's Book Review: Jesus Inspires Me

This book in a fun way to show children how "Jesus Inspires Me". Some of the coloring or activity page helps children learn how to know the heart and mind of Jesus," and the meaning of inspire. There are Bible verses throughout so the child can think about His Word while they are being creative.

I thought about keeping this book but then I thought my grandchildren will LOVE this book. I cannot wait to see the lessons and the fun they have while looking and coloring this book.

I sincerely thank The Book Club Network for allowing me to receive this book in exchange for my honest review.

Children's Book Review: the Berenstain Bears' Easter Blessings

I love The Berenstain Bears and I love Easter. So placing these two together is awesome. This brought back the feelings I used to have when I would read the Berenstain Bears' to my own children and now I hope that my grandchildren will enjoy Easter Blessings.

This book emphasizes the importance of looking for blessings, especially at Easter. The family, including Gramps and Gran look around and see blessings in the weather, friends, family and so much more.

This is such a wonderful, feel-good book. I would recommend it to anyone that would like to bring the Berenstain Bears into their family, or those who would like to introduce children to Easter blessings.

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

Book Review: The Gift for All People

I love Max Lucado books. I read them over and over and this book, The Gift for All People, is no exception.

As with his other books, Lucado is able to take stories from different viewpoints and use them to help the reader understand and value salvation. Those who are not Christians can see the importance of this gift and learn how to embrace it. In fact, the final story in the book shows these readers how to give their lives to Jesus Christ.

This does not mean that Christians will not find the book valuable. I feel it is always a good idea to review the promises from God to us and from us to Him.

I cannot recommend this book more highly. I would like to give this to each one of my friends and family.

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

Book Review: Crazy Stories Sane God

This book, Crazy Stories, Sane God,  is filled with stories from the Bible with a different view given to each one. The author looks at the stories of the Bible and shows how God had a purpose behind each one. For example, the story of Lot and his wife, he gives us their viewpoint where they believed the world was being destroyed and it was up to them to repopulate the world. We now have lineage from them in the Bible.

Turner helps us to see why these stories are placed in the Bible. There are stories included from throughout the Bible such as the demons in the pigs.

I did have to go into each story with an open mind, realizing that these views are what the author sees as a purpose, but I did see the reasoning behind the telling of the tales. I would recommend this book.

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

Book Review: The Gift by Alfia Idle

The Gift is written by a natural healer. She wrote this book with the hope that at least on of the thirteen stories will sing to their being. Through the stories she also believes a person is able to start anew.

I was not thrilled with the stories. They were cute and were like stories we would read to children, but they are for adults. The illustrations are cute and help cement the meaning of the stories.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Amazon Kindle in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Sweetheart Deal by Polly Dugan

Polly Dugan took some tender subjects and created a beautifully written book. The Sweetheart Deal. Grief can be difficult to write about but I felt like she was able to touch the subject truthfully. 

There are two best friends, Leo and Garrett. Leo is a firefighter so death is a part of his job, so even though he did not like to think about dying he knew that Garrett would be the best person to take care of his wife and family, if needed. When it happens, the ties of friendship are tested as Garrett has to decide if he will honor the promise and he needs to see if Audrey, Leo's wife, will take his help. 

The emotions shared throughout this book are very real. It may not be an easy book to read but it is a well-written and heart-touching one. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Little, Brown and Co. in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: Homeschooling Can Be Murder Susan Lyttek

  Homeschooling Can Be Murder 
This is a cute story where Jeanine is a busy mother whose schedule is cram packed. All at once her husband receives orders and they must move. She sends her hubby ahead to find a house and he does....next to a Civil War graveyard.

Even though this is a quiet location during the day, at night there are noises and lights which scare her, the kids and the dog. The next morning, the dog discovers a fresh dead body and the adventure begins. This was so cute and a very quick read.

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

Book Review: Once Upon a Christmas Rosanne Croft, Linda Reinhardt, Sharon Bernash Smith

I am embarrassed to say that I found this little jewel in my list of book I have already read. I guess I forgot to review it when I finished. 

Once Upon A Christmas  is a charming collection of 55 short stories written by Rosanne Croft, Linda Reinhardt and Sharon Bernash Smith. Each of stories are centered around Christ and the Christmas season. The stories also range from the 18th century to the present time and from a variety of countries. These were enchanting books to read at the holidays and I would recommend it to any lovers of that season.

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

Book Review: Still Life Christa Parrish

Still Life  by Christa Parrish is such a rich book, filled with interwoven words and images that lead from one to another effortlessly.

The main characters, Ada and Julian, are brought together by an unknown force, or sixth sense. Ada came from a closed off sect and Julian is a photographer who is sent to cover the sect. 

I cannot recommend this book enough. I do not want to give away the plot but I will say that Christa Parrish has such a gift and it is a blessing that she is willing to share it through this book.

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

Children's Book Review: Kidding Around NYC

Kidding Around NYC: For Kids Who Want the Inside Track on the City is a great book for kids to see what wonders there are in New York City. The illustrations draw the attention of the reader while the entry is filled with facts, history and a brief description of the item.

This would make a great addition to a family who are planning a trip to the city and a way to draw the child into the trip's planning. They can get a little foresight of what they will be seeing and why it is so important. It is also a good book for the adults to look at and see little known sights that they may want to see.

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

Book Review: The Daughters of Palatine Hill

The Daughters of Palatine Hill, by Phyllis T. Smith, is a historical fiction which takes place during the time of Caesar Augustus. Smith brought this time to life. I generally have a difficult time embracing this time period but not with the pictures that Smith was able to place in my mind.

The story's main characters include the emperor's last wife, the woman he loves, and his only daughter, and the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. The last one was held in Rome.

The setting was so vivid as was the culture of the time.

I had a difficult time picking it up, because of the previous mentioned bias, but once I picked it up, the author whetted my appetite so much I had a difficult time putting it back down. This is a great book for any love of historical fiction or of this time period.

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

Book Review: Roots and Sky: A Journey Home in Four Seasons

Christie Purifoy takes the reader on a year-long journey towards making their house their home. In Roots & Sky Purifoy share her trip as she looks for a sense of roots and belonging. She moves to a Victorian farmhouse called Maplehurst. She wanted to create a place where neighbors, friends and her family feel like they belong.

The details that she records are so amazing, both visually and audibly. Through this book the reader can see what they can do to help make this journey also. I highly recommend this book.

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

Children's Book Review: Melvin Invents Music

It's 3200 B.C. and Melvin creates "music." Others don't seem to enjoy it nearly as much as Melvin so they send him to a home for wayward children. The children here have similar "problems." All the children here decide to make Melvin's music even more special by creating different instruments they have created.

I love this book and I cannot wait to share it with my granddaughter. She is little Miss Music and I know that she will love it as much as I did.

I was given Melvin Invents Music

by NetGalley and CBay Books in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: The Glass Castle

Avery was kidnapped on her thirteenth birthday and taken to a castle where there were other thirteen-year-old children from the kingdom. It seems that every castle in the area had dark secrets and Avery needs to find out what these are so she can find her father and brother.

The authors attracted me to the book originally. I knew that I would be drawn in and feel like the I was in the story. They did not disappoint, I felt like I was in the story and the events were surrounding me. The characters were so well-developed and there is enough mystery to keep its audience engaged.

I feel like this book would be enjoyed by a wide audience, including middle school children.

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