The Gratitude Car

 

This is a wonderful tool to use to help a child learn what gratitude is, in a fun way. the boy in the story wanted an elephant but got a goldfish instead. This lead to feelings of hurt but his family encouraged him to make a gratitude car. Then each member of the family filled it with things they were grateful for. Even his grandparents and baby brother put ideas in. Seeing how gratitude worked in his family's life, the boy found his own source of gratitude.

I love this book and feel that every parent or grandparent could be helped by the ideas in it. 

The illustrations are attention getting and filled with imagination. 

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

All opinions are my own.

Where I Found You

This is a well written story about a difficult subject matter.
Ruby is a three year old who doesn't talk much, and depends on routine. Her father walks out on her and her mom, Sara. However, Sara feels like there is something wrong with her little girl. Ruby is diagnosed with autism.
I have read many non-fiction books about autism but this is the first fictional one that grabbed my heart and helped me to see autism from the family perspective. This is so well-done that I felt like I was part of the family from the beginning.
Beautifully written. Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for allowing me to read the arc of this story.

I was given this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

In the Shadow of the Water Tower

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book, In the Shadow of the Water Tower, is the story of the Kelly boys who grew up in Glenville, Indiana. As men in their 60s one moved to the east coast and the other the west coast. They are brought back together when they receive a call from an attorney from their hometown. They need to travel to Indiana to find out the final wishes of a deceased neighbor from when they were younger. The bequest will have these men facing their past as they wield a power that could change the lives of individuals in their town.
I admit, I was attracted to this book by my childhood. I also grew up in the shadow of a water tower, in a small town. In many ways, I could see how I would reflect on my hometown if I were given the same challenge.
This novel will take the reader to small town, America and perhaps show them a little of themselves.

Book Review: You Are

I was given this book by Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
This book is a great way to share love with your child, grandchild or other. It begins with a letter to the parents about the mission of this book and how to use it. Then each page speaks words of love to the child. Some examples: "Precious child you are the start of something new" followed by the verse from Isaiah 43:18-19. I do not believe there is a more powerful book on the market to share with a child.
I most highly recommend it.

Book Review: A Personal Scrapbook: My Little Prince

I was given this book by Dover Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
This is a charming keepsake book for parents to keep track of some of the milestones their "Little Prince" achieves. This is a hardcover book with precious illustrations throughout. There is even envelopes and places to keep those little treasures that come along the way. 
In the beginning of the book they also tell you how to download special content such as birth announcements, packing list, recipes and fairy tales.
The memories begin before the baby is born with thoughts by the parents about different events. They have a place to place newspaper clippings, a family tree, what and how baby eats, some of the things h e loves and doesn't like, physical traits and so, so much more. This will become a book that mom, dad and baby will look at throughout the "Little Prince's" life.
I highly recommend it. 

Book Review: Perfectly Undone

Cooper has just proposed to Dr. Dylan Michels, a woman who has worked for the life she has. Instead of accepting the proposal, which would seem the most natural thing for her to do, she says no. She has spent her entire life trying to be perfect....as a daughter, partner, doctor, yet she has never been able to get over the death of her sister. In order to accept Cooper's proposal, Dylan must face the role she had in her sister's death as well as the information that Cooper sends her way.

This novel about forgiveness and looking-forward was so well-written, I had a hard time putting it down. The characters were rich and true-to-life.

When I first picked up the book, I did not like Dylan at all, but after she looks back at her life and decides to make some changes, she held more appeal for me. I found this book to be more enjoyable than I thought by the description and recommend it  highly.

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

This book may be found at Amazon HERE!
or
Barnes and Noble HERE!

Book Review: Bringing Maggie Home

It has been a while since I have read a novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I am so glad that I picked up this book. It was like seeing a friend who you haven't seen for a long time.

In Bringing Maggie Home, the main character is Hazel DeFord. When she was ten, her sister, Maggie, who was three, disappears while the two girls are berry picking.

Now, almost seven decades later, it is still a mystery as to what happened all those years ago. Hazel has kept this as a guilt as she feels responsible since she was the older sister. This feeling has kept her from becoming close to her own daughter, Diane. Diane does not understand why her mother was almost paranoid about her protection. Diane's daughter Meghan, loves her grandmother, including all the attention.

Meghan takes a leave-of-absence after a car accident which makes all three women living together for a while. While there the secret guilt of Hazel's comes to the surface and causes Meghan to wonder if she will be able to solve this case.

What good writing. I wanted to continue reading to the end so I could find out what happened all those years ago. I love it when this happens. It really touched my heart, even with a subject which almost made me not read it. This story changes points of view throughout, plus time periods. This is handled in such an effortless manner which shows the skills of the author. I felt like I was a part of each life.

This book is one that I thoroughly enjoyed and I highly recommend it. I was given this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

Just Sayin'

Jennifer and Trent were going to be married making a combined family with Jennifer's daughter, Cassie and Trent's children Nick and Julie. Now that they are broken up, the kids decide to do something. Nick and Cassie, through letters, are trying to figure out what happened to their parents' relationship and how they can change things.

They also try to figure out how to get on The Last Insult Standing, their favorite game show. Through all of these letters, the children learn the importance of the words they use.

I loved the way the three children love each other, even though they may make fun of each other in every letter. This is a touching, silly book that will make the reader realize the importance of watching the tongue.

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

This book can be found HERE at Amazon,
or HERE at Barnes and Noble

Book Review: The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

Elizabeth Berg is such a delightful writer. The characters in this book were all warm and easy to have feelings for.

Arthur is visiting his wife's grave when he meets Maddy. Each day he goes there to eat his lunch. Maddy, a high school senior, goes there to help figure out her crush. Then there is Arthur's neighbor who is in love, but the family does not share that sentiment about her.

Arthur is open as he reaches out to Maddy, as a friend. Arthur likes to help others reach a goal.

This book is a nice book to read. It is nice not to have to worry if there is a previous book I missed or if I have to wait for a follow-up. This is the complete story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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

This book may be purchased HERE!

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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: Where We Fall

I found Where We Fall to be the kind of book that I do not want to put down once I start. It is so beautifully written and insightful into depression. As a past sufferer of this infliction I felt she was able to cover the subject very well. Abby has depression and all that it entails. I felt like Abby's character was describing me at times. In addition to Abby's depression, there is so much more to this book. Each character was developed so well and the idea of the promise of salvation is felt throughout as well.

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

Book Review: The Animators

There are not a lot of women in the animation field, however, in The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker, Mel and Sharon have broke through and they are succeeding. Along the road they look into this art as a way to escape or a way to explore their, not always happy, past. This friendship gets tested when their first feature comes together. This success causes strain in their friendship and their partnership.

Whitaker made characters which I care about and created a book that I know I want to read again. The two friends lives are dealt with with humor and heartbreak. In one section you may be laughing while in tears in another. I loved this book and I feel others will love it also.

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

Book Review: Miss Dreamsville and the Lost Heiress of Collier County

Miss Dreamsville and the Lost Heiress of Collier County is the next part of Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women's Literary Society.

Set in 1964, the ladies decide to fight a new development where Delores Simpson lives in a fishing shack.

Darryl Norwood is the ex-husband of Dora Witherspoon, who has given her assistance to the fight. And what a fight is is becoming, including a court hearing and a reappearance of a ghost.

This is a quick, very enjoyable story. I did not feel lost by not reading the first book. The characters are well developed and fun to follow along. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading and laughing at the same time.

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

Book Review: A Window Opens

Alice Pearse has wished to have everything.This married mother with three children is also a good daughter and a so-so dog owner. However, she is not very good at cooking, crafts, decorator, and so on. Her husband makes a job change which requires her to become more. She believes that having a good job and a happy life are right around the corner.

I love this brilliant, smile and chuckle book. Elisabeth Egan created a wonderful story for her first book. I recommend this book to anyone that wants a light story that gives in insight on wanting it all.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Simon & Schuster 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.

Book Review: How to Party With an Infant

How to Party With an Infant is a humorous, touching account about parenthood and humans.

This book presents Mele Bart as a single mother from San Francisco. She tried to meet with other moms and finally found a group that worked. Now this group is going to have a cookbook contest. This book tells the tale of Mele and form which she fills out for the competition and stories about her group. Meanwhile, she is also dealing with complications with her daughter, Ellie's, father.

Anyone that can relate to the challenges of being a mom will enjoy this book.

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