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Too Close to Home – Revell Book Tour

Posted by html404 on April 13, 2010
in Books

I received the following book in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

The book Too Close to Home was a refreshing change from the historical romances that I usually enjoy and receive for reviews. It is about Special Agent Samantha Cash entering an investigation with Homicide Detective Connor Wolfe to crack the case of what appears to be a series of unsolved murders and disappearances of teen girls. Of course, intertwined within the case is a budding romance too. The story was filled with suspense and intrigue. It kept my attention and made me want to read until I found who committed the crimes.

This story also comes close to home to parents or it should. Due to the advances in technology, we all need to be watchful of our children’s activities online. I don’t think a week goes by without there being an article on how the police have arrested some person for solicitating sex from a minor online. I also found the details of Too Close to Home interesting in how investigators track and find these perpetrators.

Too Close to Home should also give us, as parents, pause as far as how busy we are in relation to how much time we spend with our teens. Teens need us as much, if not more, than younger children because of the many temptations that are bombarding them. Are we available and open and ready to listen to them when they need us? If we aren’t, then they are going to find someone else who is and just who will that person be?

I really enjoyed this suspenseful book and am looking forward to the next book in the Women of Justice Series, since Ms. Eason left me with a cliff hanger at the end of the last chapter! Reading this book was like watching a really good, clean detective show, seriously. Too Close to Home is Book One is the Women of Justice Series.

“Available April 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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The Promise of Morning – Revell Book Tour

Posted by html404 on March 28, 2010
in Books

I received the following book in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

The Promise of Morning

The Promise of Morning
by Ann Shorey

The Promise of Morning is book 2 in the At Home in Beldon Grove series. This story was heart wrenching in some ways. In other ways it was a typical frontier story that showed the strength and endurance the pioneers are known for during such a tough time in our nation’s history. This story was set in Illinois and I haven’t read too many stories from the 1800s that were based in Illinois.

The pioneers faced many controversial issues just as we do today and the towns people of Beldon Grove were no different. Sometimes people are called to stand alone in certain issues/convictions which makes it a lonely road to travel. Our family can certainly understand what that’s like. Having seven children and another on the way in a time when 1.2 children per family is the norm, we definitely stand out in our townhouse community and when we go to public places. Plus the fact that we homeschool, but that isn’t so different anymore since homeschooling is becoming more well known. Most people are very accepting of that fact. It’s the amount of children we have that blows their minds.

I liked this story and the real life struggles the characters experienced, as well as how their faith was strengthened through their trials. So often during tough times it feels like we are at our weakest, but it is on the other side of the trial that life’s next hurdle of hardship show us how the tough times have made us stronger. The Promise of Morning characters endure hardships only to discover their marriages, their communities and families are stronger because of what they experienced during their trials. If only more people today had the endurance and strength of the early pioneers, how much better would individuals, marriages and families weather the storms of life.

“Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Scattered Petals – Revell Book Tour

Posted by html404 on March 26, 2010
in Books

I received the following book in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

Scattered Petals

Scattered Petals is the second book of the Texas Dreams series written by Amanda Cabot. It is set in the wild west era (1856) and deals with very tragic events that occurred as a result of traveling across country from the East Coast to Texas. The experience of the main character, Priscilla Morton is devastating to her spirit and to her faith.

I devoured the book and cried all through out it. What can I say, I am a cry baby (wry smile). This book tugged at all sorts of emotions. I could only imagine what I would do and feel if I were the one who had to go through what Priscilla Morton did.

The way the author wound the story into one of healing, forgiveness, unconditional love and second chances makes it a delightful love story.

I found it hard to write this review because I really didn’t want to give away any of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for younger readers (11-18) until their mom has had a chance to read it first. The bible deals with many of life’s issues and if our children are exposed to scripture then our children will already be familiar with of life’s problems and sins. I would just hate to unnecessarily scare a young woman, especially one who might be prone to the sin of fearing too much.

“Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Newborns in Dreamland

Posted by html404 on March 19, 2010
in Books

I received the following book free in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

Sleeping Beauties is a book of photography of newborns sleeping in dreamland. It is beautiful. Anyone who loves babies will appreciate the gorgeous newborns in this book. It would be a great photographer’s resource, not to mention gift for moms and moms-to-be.

In edition to the photos on each page, there are quotes to inspire parents as they bring up their adorable babies. Here is a sampling of those quotes:

“We all smile in the same language.” ~ Anonymous

“The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.” ~ Victor Hugo

“Praise is like sunlight to the human spirit: we cannot flower and grow without it.” ~ Jess Lair

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decid forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~ Elizabeth Stone

“Babies are such a nice way to start people.” ~ Don Herold

“Loving a baby is a circular business…The more you give the more you get and the more you get the more you feel like giving.” ~ Penelope Leach

“Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever fresh and radiant possibility.” ~ Kate Douglas Wiggin

Sleeping Beauties is the work and artistic ability of twin sisters Tracy Raver and Kelley Ryden. The sisters live and work in Nebraska in their own photography businesses, but often collaborate in Kelley’s studio and on location around the world; combining their talents to capture the peace and innocence of newborn babies. (paraphrased from their book cover)

Tracy and Kelley are due to be interviewed again on the Today show the week of April 9th. Below is their interview from the fall:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Slide Show from Today’s website:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32795587/ns/today-parenting_and_family/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=1

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Interview with Author Tina Turbin

Posted by html404 on March 15, 2010
in Books, DVDs & CDs, Giving Back/Charity

This interview was conducted before I received any of Mrs. Turbin’s Danny the Dragon products.

FF: I am looking forward to reviewing your products.

TT:Thank you for doing them!

FF: I just have a few questions about your upcoming DVD that is due to be released in March. Official street date is April 14th actually.

FF: Is the DVD an animation or does it have real actors?

TT: Neither, the DVD is the book read aloud by an actress and the DVD has sign interpretation for the deaf.
I am donating the money to the Blossom Montessori School for the deaf as well as for Literacy and Education.

FF: What ages is the DVD geared towards?

TT: 2- 9 years but I have attended many schools with it and the young teens sure love it!

FF: Is there a particular reason that you decided to make a DVD of Danny the Dragon?

TT: Kids love to watch things on TV and computers and I was also asked that I create one off of the book. I also wanted to make something for the deaf as well.

FF: Does the DVD deviate from the book? If so, how?

TT: Not at all. The exact story.

FF: You have included sign language in the DVD. Did you have a personal reason for doing that?

TT: I visited a school to do a reading of my Danny the Dragon book and the school works with kids from very young all through High School and they had a number of deaf students. Carol Downing did the sign while I read to these lovely children. These kids amazed me, the staff inspired me and I walked away from that day with a new view on many aspects, and so did my photographer who came with me for the reading. I got in the car and my ideas starting rolling away on how I could help or do more. I first attended a fund raiser and donated to that and that was not enough. So now we have the DVD as well.

FF: And were actual deaf actors involved? ( please see above)

FF: How was that experience for everyone who participated in the making of the DVD?

TT: We all felt a deep sense of commitment doing it and truly enjoyed working on it. The end was an accomplishment well worth the time and the kids love watching it over and over.

FF: It is great when authors, celebrities and businesses support different causes in the work they are doing. You support the Celiac Foundation and now the deaf; what made you decide to choose these two organizations?

TT: CELIAC: I am passionate about raising awareness to Celiac Disease and the many adverse effects that gluten produces in many children and adult bodies- and even animals! One in every 120-130 people have this disease which means about 2.35-2.85 million Americans to this date have not yet been diagnosed. It takes an average of 4-10 years (depending on who you reference) to be properly diagnosed and in the meantime other auto-immune diseases can begin and a whole mess evolves. People find out about celiac or gluten intolerance and start researching it themselves and bring the topic up to their doctors, after many years of tests and troubles to no resolution. I was one of these people! Also, many kids with autism are taken off of gluten for a very good reason. Much more is on my resource site about these topics: http://GlutenFreeHelp.info DEAF: (Explained above)

FF: I think I have exhausted my question reservoir for the time being. I appreciate the privilege to review your book and DVD, as well as the opportunity to interview you.

TT: I thank you VERY much and you can learn a bit more about me at this site: www.TinaTurbin.com

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A Distant Melody – Revell Book Tour

Posted by html404 on March 14, 2010
in Books

I received the following book free in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

A Distant Melody

A Distant Melody was written by Sarah Sundin, a new and upcoming authoress. After I finished the book, I couldn’t help but compare her to one of my all-time favorite Christian fiction authors, Lori Wick. A Distant Melody engaged me; I didn’t want to put the book down and even declined free pancakes at IHOP on National Pancake Day to stay home to finish it. It is over 400 pages long and I finished it in record time – I didn’t even pull an all-nighter to keep reading.

A Distant Melody is a a heartwarming-heartwrenching story set in the time of World War II. Mrs. Sundin’s detail and research of B-14s had me asking my husband questions about them so I could see if I was picturing correctly how the crew operated.

You know a story is good when the characters come alive to you. After all, that is a huge part of what makes a book a great book. I am already looking forward to the second book.

One thing I will say is that it was pretty predictable in some parts, but other parts had me on my seat – obviously, since I couldn’t put it down. And that’s not to say that there weren’t little things that I didn’t agree with or that could have been left out; there were and I know that most would argue that these “little” things were in keeping with the time of World War II. To that I say, “To each his own.”

“Available March 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Danny the Dragon “Meets” Jimmy – CD and Book Review

Posted by html404 on February 26, 2010
in Books, DVDs & CDs

I received the following book and CD free in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

Book Reviews 003

Danny the Dragon “Meets” Jimmy was written by author Tina Turbin. It is a book geared towards children ages 2-9, but even my older children enjoyed this cute whimsical story. It was refreshing to read a new book whose characters were obedient, respectful and showed manners! You don’t know how many books that we have to discard because of negative character qualities – the reason is those attitudes are catchy, meaning children latch onto those undesirable qualities, especially when they are glossed over through the use of funny incidents. We have enough “catchy” attitudes of our own without adding more to them! (ahem…cough, cough)

Danny the Dragon is a neat little book that will require adults to unearth their buried imaginations as the way in which Jimmy meets Danny is not your everyday occurrence! But my children loved it, as well as the CD and DVD (which I will be posting a review on in a couple of weeks). The ending left us wanting more, so I hope Mrs. Turbin is going to write a series about Danny the Dragon!

Book Reviews 002
The CD is an audio of the book, so you moms who work at home or just need alone time to clean the house will appreciate having this tool for the times when you are rushed and cannot sit to read the book. It also contains some beautifully soothing classical arrangements that I am listening to while writing this review! I looked but was unable to find a sample track online… even on Amazon. So you will just have to take my word for it!

One thing I appreciated about Mrs. Turbin is that she desires to help the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, so the proceeds of her CD will be going there:

Proceeds from the Danny the Dragon CD will go to the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, one of the major research centers around studying and bringing awareness to celiac disease. It is one-hundred percent focused on studying celiac disease and carries out research connecting it with various other diseases which it is believed to lead to if left untreated. Its goal is to change the lives of celiac disease sufferers for the better around the world, a goal which it is actively achieving, little by little, every day.

The book retails for $18.95 in hardcover, $8.95 in softcover. The CD is only $8.95. On the Danny the Dragon website they also offer a gift set of the softcover book and CD for $14.95. FREE shipping on all domestic orders! http://www.dannythedragon.com/buy/

I think I know what my niece might be getting for her birthday….

Additional Resources:

http://GlutenFreeHelp.info

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FREE Webinar on Money-Saving Organizing Tips

Posted by html404 on February 25, 2010
in Books, Free Stuff

This past week I learned of a FREE webinar with author and expert organizer, Jamie Novak. I signed up. Hopefully, I don’t forget when March 11th rolls around, but I am hoping that I can glean some new ideas about how to declutter our lives in our small living space. I am always open to new ways of organizing and with spring around the corner, I am itching to make a huge purge of stuff from our home. With another little one on its way, we will need to free up space and I have a funny feeling most of my family is going to find the purge pretty painful, unless we come up with new ideas.

Tele-Novak

Her new book, Stop Throwing Money Away: Turn Clutter to Cash, Trash to Treasure, and Save the Planet While You’re at It, is more than an organizing book — it offers new ways of thinking and inspires you to change your mindset about organizing, making money and saving the planet all at once. ~Tamara Monosoff, of Mom Inventors

51120377

Barnes and Noble and other major bookstores carry this book. I think I will see if our library can get it first, before I buy it.

Maybe I’ll see some of you on the call….

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Revell Young Adult Book Tour – Out With the in Crowd

Posted by html404 on February 22, 2010
in Books

I received the following book free in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

I thought I would be able to let my oldest daughter read this book after me and do her own book review for her blog, but decided that she cannot. While the book is aimed at high schoolers, I don’t think this book represents what should be a typical high school experience for Christian kids.

Years ago it would be an incredibly shameful to show your face in public with an out-of-wedlock pregnancy; today it is the norm. But I question that it should be for Christians. I don’t think it should be, regardless of what the world around us is doing.

Out With the in Crowd reminded me of a teen soap opera with the boyfriends, break ups, teen girl meanness and teen pregnancy. It is the second in the series Stephanie Morrill has written about The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt. Skylar is a teen who is from a seemingly Christian home, but sows some wild oats by partying and drinking. Then an event occurs to get her attention back on God. The whole book is about her struggle to live for Christ when things around her are falling apart.

I don’t know about you, but we are trying to raise our children differently than the world. I realize that Christian teens attending high school are no doubt facing the very things that this book addresses, but that is one of the reasons we are homeschooling.

The book also fails to even mention Scripture verses that could help Skylar focus on truth rather than her own thoughts and circumstances.

Needless to say, I was disappointed in this book. You may or may not agree.

“Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Book Review – Abigail

Posted by html404 on February 21, 2010
in Books

I received a free copy of the following book from Revell in exchange for writing a review. While I consider it a privilege to receive free products to review, my review is my honest opinion and thoughts of the book.

I usually like historical fiction, although for the past few years I have tried to limit the amount that I read. I do like the reprieve it gives me from the heavier topics that I have been reading of late. I also enjoy reading fictional accounts of a biblical characters. Reading an author’s perception of what life could have been like, had all the details of the character been revealed in the Bible, makes me think more deeply about the character’s life.

Abigail is the second book in Jill Eileen Smith’s series, The Wives of King David. It is a fictional story about the life of a Biblical woman named Abigail. Abigail was first married to a very foolish man and when he died, she married the future King of Israel, David. This book reveals what it might have been like to be one of King David’s many wives.

Jill Eileen Smith does a very good job of depicting what the life of Abigail could have been, had all the intimate details been shared in the scriptures. I believe that Abigail was a very wise woman and that was the character trait that stood out to David upon his introduction to this woman, who so valiantly saved her household from attack after her husband’s foolish decision to be both disrespectful and inhospitable to David and his men. Smith captured this trait of wisdom, as well as the love Abigail had for the Lord Jehovah and King David, which shows throughout the book in how she lives her life. Abigail may have been the only wife David had that shared his faith.

Overall, I really did enjoy Abigail and would probably read the first in the series, Michal, and any others that follow.

“Available February 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”