The Mirror: Broken Wish

 Wow! This is such a wonderful book. Each chapter made me stay around to see what would happen next. This is such a magical book.

 Mathilda and Agnes had such a friendship which led effortlessly into the rest of the story. As was intended, the story is reminiscent of the Grimm Brothers and the tales they created. 

Elva is Agnes' daughter and is one of the main characters in the story. It was easy to love, and feel emotional for her as her story unfolded. She has such a warm heart which touches those around her.

The author has such a magic touch for blending words together that made me want to drink in each word and not to miss one. To all who enjoy reading fairy tales, or stories of family, friendship and aiming to do what is best, this is a wonderful choice. I cannot recommend this book any higher.

I am so glad that those at Disney Hyperion and NetGalley made this book available for me to read. All opinions are my own. This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

On Herring Cove Road: Mr. Jew and the Goy Boy

The Herring Cove Road Books consist of four books. This is the first I have read and I enjoyed it.
In this book the Rosens, Ruth and Av move to a small house on Herring Cove Road. They become friends with their neighbors through an unforeseen accident. Lisa and Dewey, her son, become friends with Ruth and this doesn't thrill Av. However soon he lowers his defenses and lets them in. When Lisa locks her drunken husband out of the house a series of events follow which affects all of them. 
I loved this book which explores friendship, family, PTSD, antisemitism and more. The characters are so well written that it is easy to become apart of their world. This is a quick read because it is one that you will not want to put down. I give this a very high recommendations.
I was given this book by NetGalley and DMD Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Sorry I Missed You by Suzy Krause

This is a humorous book which meant that it was a quick read. I love how Suzy Krause was able to combine romance, humor, and mystery together in a book which had me chuckling out loud, at times.
The story is told through different perspectives with each character sharing their unique view. Three women meet when they rent from the same property. Each of them are dealing with things from their pasts and possible ghosts in the house. It was interesting watching how their relationship evolves into a friendship.
If I were to name a theme through this book I would have to say it is ghosts. There are ghosts in the women's, plus one man's, pasts plus the ghosts that may be in the house. Plus each must face letting go so they can move forward.
This was such a fun read during the time when we are trapped in our homes, trying to stay safe. I recommend this book to anyone looking at a fun, book that is hard to put down. It was great.
I was given this book by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Pony on the Twelfth Floor by Polly Faber

What would you do if you wanted a pony so much? Then you found one at the supermarket? This was Kizzy. She found the pony in the donut section and knew they needed to be together. How would she keep it a secret in her apartment, though? With the help of her best friend, Pawel, she was able to feed, ride and hide him. What will she do as the pony becomes harder to keep.
This is such a good story about dreams, having them and following them even if they seem to be out of reach. I could see how young readers would enjoy this book however, as a parent who wanted her children to tell the truth, I do not know if I would want this to become a favorite. I also felt uneasy when she went some places, with a friend, that it may have been better for them to avoid.
Putting these issues aside, the story is cute and the illustrations are bright and inviting.
I was given this book by NetGalley and Candlewick Press in exchange for my honest review.

The Afternoon Tea Club by Jane Gilley

Jane Gilley wrote a feel-good book with The Afternoon Tea Club.
Although it was difficult to become attached to any of the characters until half-way through, from that point on they became characters that the reader can care about.
I enjoy books that make me smile. Filled with friendship this is a good book to read.
I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This book is humorous, honest, and captured my attention. Each essay also aims us toward God.
I had not read her books before but now she is on a list of authors that I would like to go back and read them all. The way that she shows love is, in my opinion, the way God would want all of us to.
I recommend this book .

Through witty and provocative essays, For The Love touches on all aspects of life: marriage, parenting, friendship, church, balance, womanhood, unworthiness--in a way that's irreverently reverent. I found myself on many pages and thought of a dozen friends that could relate as well. Jen’s words illuminated the recesses of my heart as she emboldens us to intentionally live the simple message: Love God, Love People.
Through witty and provocative essays, For The Love touches on all aspects of life: marriage, parenting, friendship, church, balance, womanhood, unworthiness--in a way that's irreverently reverent. I found myself on many pages and thought of a dozen friends that could relate as well. Jen’s words illuminated the recesses of my heart as she emboldens us to intentionally live the simple message: Love God, Love People.
Through witty and provocative essays, For The Love touches on all aspects of life: marriage, parenting, friendship, church, balance, womanhood, unworthiness--in a way that's irreverently reverent. I found myself on many pages and thought of a dozen friends that could relate as well. Jen’s words illuminated the recesses of my heart as she emboldens us to intentionally live the simple message: Love God, Love People.

Book Review: Camp Rolling Hills 2

I was given this book by Abram kids in exchange for my honest review:
The first Camp Rolling Hills book was a huge success with me and this one, Crossing Over. is just as good.
Each of the characters in this book are well-rounded and Davidowitz does a great job writing each one. I could relate to the issues that each character faced. Once again I highly recommend this book whether a child has been to camp or not. It is a great book.

Book Review: Camp Rolling Hills 1

I was given this book by NetGalley and Abrams kids in exchange for my honest review. This was such a fun book. It made me wish for my summer camp days again. This book is filled with all the things you find at camp, fun, friends, songs and more. The author, Stacy Davidowitz has the talent to share the emotions and relationships which occur at camp. This would be a great book for any child to read, whether they have ever been to a summer camp or not. This book is rated my highest rating: 5 stars

Book Review: Night of Miracles

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I love reading books by Elizabeth Berg and this book, Night of Miracles, was a book that made me feel good yet had enough substance that it kept me going.

Set in Mason, Missouri it follows up from The Story of Arthur Truluv, however, this book also stands very well on its own. Lucille Howard is a retired 4th grade teacher. She now is a master baker and teaches it out of her home.
There is also Jason, Abby and Lincoln who live next door to Lucille and then Iris Winters who is childless.
This is such an endearing novel, that words cannot express how highly I recommend it.

Book Review: The Push

This is a children's book about friendship. I say that it is written for children but I believe that there is a message in there for everyone. It is based on the story of real-life friends Patrick Gray and Justin Skeesuck, who wrote I'll Push You.
In this story, Marcus moves next to John and the two of them became friends almost immediately. The two become inseparable. Where ever and what ever they do, Marcus helps John but having a great sense of  humor and providing the fuel to push John's wheelchair.
I was given this book by Tyndale in exchange for my honest review. However, even if that were not the case, I would have purchased this book for my grandchildren, after I read I'll Push You. Excellent book and I highly recommend it for every family and classroom.

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Book Review: Domestic Secrets

Rachel owns the local hair salon. she serves many of the women in Timbergrove, Oregon. Her friend, Ariel Alexander, used to be a television star. Together they have helped each other through the adventures of single motherhood.
Lately, however, it seems to Rachel that Ariel's parenting skills have been slipping and she has a secret love. In addition to worrying about Ariel, Rachel also has a son who has become distant. The two families are torn apart by an event that Rachel has a hard time understanding. This leads her to discover other things about those she has trusted in the town.
I was taken in by the way the book explores things that tie people together and the things that can separate them. I had a little discomfort with how honest the writing was, but this is a personal feeling. Overall, I feel like Rosalind Noonan wrote a book which will leave the reader satisfied in choosing this book.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel

This is a children's chapter book where June and Mae are new neighbors. After becoming best friends they turn to the Wonder Wheel to determine what their adventures will be each day. Each spin brings fun times for both girls. Perhaps they need to find something blue that day or do a good deed. In addition to this June can hear her dog, Sammy talk. Should she tell Mae?

This book is suggested for grades 2-4 but I believe as a read aloud book children younger than this can enjoy it also. This high energy book will sweep kids away with ease. This is a fun, friendly book that I believe most children will enjoy.

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

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

Book Review: Ava XOX

Ava XOX is part of the Ava and Pip series by Carol Weston. In this book Valentine's Day is coming soon, but Ava really doesn't care until Kelli, a new girl, asks out Chuck, Ava's friend. More than that, he says yes. Ava doesn't know how she feels about this and this whole new world of going out.....in fifth grade?

Another story in this book centers around bullying when Tanya, a friend of Ava, is the victim because of her size. Ava tries to find ways to help her.

Written in diary form, this is a good book covering many different topics. It is written for children between the ages of 10 and 12. I believe it would help to introduce them to these topics which they may be encountering around this time.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 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: The Drummond Girls

I love the title of this book, The Drummond Girls: A Story of Fierce Friendship Beyond Time and Chance.  Having said that, I requested this book and then put off reading it, for one reason or another. As often happens, when I did pick it up, I loved the story within.

There are eight girls who first met, as waitresses, customers or bartenders, in Michigan at Peegeo's Food and Spirits. It then took off at an engagement celebration at Drummond Island. This trip formed a friendship stronger than they anticipated. Each year since they go to the same location, no matter what has happened in their lives. Now, one of their friends is beginning to loose her memories, so they plan on helping her remember.

This book makes me remember the friendships I had throughout my life and how, at the time, we thought we would always see each other or, at least stay in touch. I say Bravo to the Drummond Girls for staying with this commitment and not allowing anything to come between them.

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

Children's Book Review: What A Bragger!

What A Bragger!, by Lee Ann Mancini, introduced children to the world of the friendship. In this book Melissa did not know how to be a good friend. Instead, she spent most of her time bragging about things. One of her friends went home to talk with his parents about it and they decided perhaps she did not know how to be a good friend. Once this was decided, her classmates were able to show her how to be one.

This is a wonderful book about friendship. Plus it lets children know that parents can help them when a problem is puzzling. I loved this book.

The illustrations, by Dan sharp, were bright, friendly and full of details.

This book was given to be by the publisher and bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.

Children's book review: Felicity the Dragon

Felicity is a small dragon who is different from other dragons. She does not blow smoke, have spikes and she has very small wings. Because of her differences she is lonely until she saves a boy who fell into the moat. This allowed her to experience friendship and belonging.

Ruthie Briggs-Greenberg is a painter and illustrator. The artwork throughout this book shows how talented she is. The illustrations fit in with the story line so well that children are entranced as they are read the story. At least my two-year-old granddaughter was.

I am going to go out and purchase the hard copy of this book, as soon as possible, so my granddaughter can enjoy it whenever she wants and not just when I visit.

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

Book Review: The Girls of Mischief Bay

The Girls of Mischief Bay, the first in the series of Mischief Bay, is a funny, touching, romantic, relationship-changing book written by Susan Mallery. In this book there are three friends that are each facing a change in their lives.

Nicole is a supportive wife whose husband is a screenwriter. However, she has not seen any finished work from him so she has to work full-time, and since he does not seem to be inclined to run the house or look after their son, Nicole must do these too.

Pam is also a loving wife, but her children are grown so she is trying to keep the love alive in her marriage. She is faced with an uncertain future due to changes that are placed upon her.

Shannon is a business executive who has placed a larger emphasis on work than her personal life. Now she has met a man who she sees a future with but is it meant to be?

These three women share, support, and advise each other through these times.

Mallery is a bestselling author of Three Sisters and she has done an excellent job with this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you.

Book Review: Aileen's Song

Aileen's Song, the first in the "Sisters in Spirit" series, is a beautiful, uplifting book for all girls and women. Aileen and her friends made a pledge to remain pure until they married. After high school they went their separate ways until they were reunited after college. When asked to perform at a fundraiser, Aileen's friend Liam, name the group of girls "Sisters in Spirit". During this time Aileen and Liam begin to fall for each other. They have issues to overcome but they decide to work on them. This book is so well written and I truly enjoyed every page.

I was given this book by bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson

Steadfast Heart is the first book in the Brides of Seattle by Tracie Peterson.

Lenore Fulchur is a girl who would like to find true-love, while her father believes that she should marry James Rybus, his business partner.

Kolbein Booth, from Chicago, comes into town looking for his sister who he believes answered a mail-order bride ad. This leads him to the Madison Bridal School where he meets Lenore and, as they say, the rest is history.

In addition to these two main characters there is Lenore's best friend Abrianna and Wade. Wade and Abrianna have built a relationship based on friendship.

Peterson, as is usual, has a wonderful of developing characters as she builds a story around love, humor and faith. As with other works by this author, this book makes the reader feel they have developed a friendship with the characters which does not end with the final page of the book. Very well written.

I was provided this book by Bethany House and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.