8/31/10

Brief Hiatus into Young Adult Books


My sister is a third grade teacher. She lent me two young adult series, and she starts school this week. So I took a short break from my usual reading material and read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympians. They were exciting books, and although a little dark, I did enjoy them. There were great adventures and it was interesting to be reintroduced to the characters from Greek mythology and classic literature. When I finished the series, I found myself comparing the True God to the gods in these stories. One of the things that struck me is that in the stories the children of the gods are often left unclaimed and on their own; but as unworthy as we are, Our God, Our Father does claim us as His own. He is intimately involved in every detail of our lives. I am so thankful for His love and involvement in my life!

While I came away in awe of the One True God, these books could be confusing for young readers. I encourage parents to read them with your children so that you can discuss the falsehoods conveyed within the story. While I know they are "just fiction books," young minds are impressionable and half-truths or veiled lies are dangerous--It is always smart to know what your children are reading and to talk about what they can learn from it (or what they shouldn't learn!)


Berenstain Bears and the Gift of Courage

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card author is:


and the book:


The Berenstain Bears and the Gift of Courage

Zonderkidz (April 9, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:



Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear books in 1962. Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents work together to write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Mike is married to Andrea, and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country.


Visit the authors' website.


Product Details:

List Price: $3.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz (April 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310712564
ISBN-13: 978-0310712565

PRESS THE BROWSE BUTTON TO VIEW THE FIRST CHAPTER:


My Thoughts:

I loved this one!! My kids have been talking about it and acting it out. They loved it too! Too Tall is a bully, and one day he teases Sister Bear. She is embarrassed and angry. That night she and Brother Bear ask Papa to read David and Goliath as their bedtime story. After the story, Papa reminds them that God is watching over them just like He did David. The next day, Sister and Brother have a chance to be brave like David and stand up to Too Tall. There were discussion questions at the end of the story, that my children enjoyed talking about as well.

On the back cover it says "Living Lights Berenstain Bears books help children learn how God wants them to live every day." This book has some great conversation starters for young ones, from bullying to being bullied, and showing courage to relying on God. We will be reading this one, and probably even sharing it with our Sunday School class!!

Teaser Tuesday: Outlive Your Life



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of
Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  1. Grab your current read,
  2. Open to a random page,
  3. Share 2 teaser sentences from somewhere on that page,
  4. Share the title and author, so that readers can add it to their wish list if they are enticed!!!


***Be Careful Not to include Spoilers!! (Make sure that your teaser doesn't give too much away so that you do not ruin it for future readers!)


Today's teaser is from Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado, page 7:

"We are given a choice...an opportunity to make a big difference during a difficult time. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life? What if we followed the example of the Jerusalem church? This tiny sect expanded into a world-changing force."




8/29/10

In My Mailbox Monday: August 30


In my Mailbox Mondayoriginates from two blogs:The Printed Page andThe Story Siren. I am using it to highlight any books that come into my house the previous week, whether they are from the library, from a store, from a friend or actually in the mailbox.



Last week, I received three books for review: For Time and Eternity by Allison Pittman, Petra by T.L. Higley, Song of the Silent Harp by B.J. Hoff.



8/28/10

WINNER! of The Heart Mender....






Emma!

Who won a copy of The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews!!


Email notification has been sent.
Stay tuned for sneak peaks of my two biggest giveaways yet...

BlogFest (Sept 10-12)
&
Blogmania (Sept 15-16)



I have over 20 books, and 7 audio books--Plus bookmarks, and bookholders to give away!

8/24/10

Waiting on Wednesday: August 25


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here are a couple more coming next month that look great!

Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner: September 7
While Jane Lindsay waits for her husband to decide if they'll stay married, she finds a 16th-century betrothal ring. Certain that it belonged to Lady Jane Grey, she's drawn to the parallels in their lives. Was Tudor England's 9-day queen another victim of otherpeople's choices? Will Manhattan's Jane realize she's responsible for her own happiness? 352 pages, softcover from Waterbrook.

Petra: City of Stone, Lost City Series #1 by T.L. Higley: September 15
Young widow Cassia arrives in Petra seeking protection with her late husband's estranged family---only to discover the man she married was heir to the throne! When power-hungry Queen Hagiru immediately begins plotting to murder Cassia's son, will Cassia and a small band of believers be able to win the fierce spiritual battle that ensues? 320 pages, softcover from B&H.



Berenstain Bears and the Job Well-Done

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!


Today's Wild Card authors are:


and the book:


The Berenstain Bears and A Job Well Done

Zonderkidz (April 9, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:



Stan and Jan Berenstain introduced the first Berenstain Bear books in 1962. Mike Berenstain grew up watching his parents work together to write about and draw these lovable bears. Eventually he started drawing and writing about them too. Mike is married to Andrea, and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country.


Visit the authors' website.

Product Details:

List Price: $3.99
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz (April 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310712548
ISBN-13: 978-0310712541


My Thoughts:
My kids and I have a large collection of Berenstain Bear books. We love reading them. So I was very excited to read and review some new ones. When Berenstain Bears and the Job Well-Done arrived in the mail, I pulled it out, and immediately my kids asked me to read it to them. I did! We all enjoyed it. It was a cute family-centered story with a theme of hard work and working together. I loved the image of the entire family going out to work. Years ago, it was common for everyone to have their own job, and the whole family would work together. It is not so common anymore, but it should be! Mama and Papa referred to the Bible when teaching the kids, which is a great practice. Overall, this was a nice children's book, and I'm sure we'll read it again and again!


AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:



8/22/10

Super Sponsor Sunday


Blogmania is just a few weeks away, and I want all my followers prepared for the huge giveaway here! I have a stack of books to giveaway and two sponsors offering items to my winners.
First, Patricia Zilinsky Designs has donated three bookholders and three bookmarks. I have held a preview giveaway for one of the bookmarks and was blessed to be offered a bookholder to keep, which I have on my piano! I love it, and I know you'll want one too!
The Hugger Book Mark ZigZag Bookholder Wave Bookholder

Also, Bits n' Beads by Gilliauna, will be sending one of my winners a beautiful homemade bookmark. The winner can visit her site and choose from a huge selection of gorgeous bookmarks. Here are a few examples.













Please support these wonderful and generous sponsors by visiting their sites and checking out the great products!! Leave a comment telling me that you did and there just may be an extra giveaway involved...

8/20/10

The Heart Mender: Review and Giveaway

The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews is a wonderful book. The story follows Andy as he researches some German artifacts from World War II that he found in his yard. He asks older members of his church and community what they remember about the area during the war. From the discovery and subsequent research, Andrews tells the story of a German submariner, Josef, who ends up on American soil in need of help. The woman who finds him, Helen, has suffered loss after loss and is angry and bitter at the world, but she has people who love her. She does help Josef as they both work through their past and their present situations.

I really liked this book. I was fascinated by the historical information. The characters are well developed. There is a powerful theme of forgiveness and second chances. I would definitely recommend this book! And I'm giving my readers a chance to win your own copy! To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment. If you are a follower, just leave a second comment for another entry. Giveaway will end next Friday, August 27. Winner will be chosen by Random.org on Saturday.

I received both my review copy and a giveaway copy from Tyndale, through their BookSneeze program.
I was not required to give a positive review!

8/17/10

Waiting on Wednesday: August 18

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted byBreaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers releases September 14, 2010

In the dramatic conclusion to Her Mother's Hope, the Cold War has begun and Carolyn is struggling to navigate her shifting family landscape and the changing times. With her mother, Hildemara, away in a tuberculosis sanatorium, Carolyn develops a special bond with her Oma Marta. But when Hildie returns, tensions between she and Marta escalate, and Carolyn feels she is to blame.

College offers the chance to find herself, but a family tragedy shatters her independence. Rather than return home, she cuts all ties and disappears into the heady culture of San Francisco. When she reemerges two years later, more lost than ever, only her family can help rebuild a life for her and her daughter, May Flower Dawn. Just like Carolyn, May Flower Dawn develops a closer bond with her grandmother, Hildie, than with her mother, causing yet another rift between generations. But as Dawn struggles to avoid the mistakes of those who went before her, she vows that somehow, she will be a bridge between her mother and grandmother rather than the wall that separates them forever. Spanning the 1950s to the present day, Her Daughter's Dream is the final chapter of an unforgettable epic family saga about the sacrifices every mother makes for her daughter-and the very nature of unconditional love.


Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker releases September 7, 2010

This story is for everyone--but not everyone is for this story. It is a dangerous tale of times past. A torrid love story full of deep seduction. A story of terrible longing and bold sacrifice. Then as now, evil begins its courtship cloaked in light. And the heart embraces what it should flee. Forgetting it once had a truer lover. With a kiss, evil will ravage body, soul, and mind. Yet there remains hope, because the heart knows no bounds. Love will prove greater than lust. Sacrifice will overcome seduction. And blood will flow. Because the battle for the heart is always violently opposed. For those desperate to drink deep from this fountain of life, enter. But remember, not everyone is for this story.


For Time & Eternity by Allison Pittman releases September 15, 2010

Escaping her legalistic upbringing, Camilla Deardon runs away from home to marry and start a family with Nathan, a young Mormon. But when the church elders give Nathan the honor of taking a second wife, Camilla questions this special revelation and remembers her childhood faith. Will she be able to save herself and her children? 384 pages, softcover from Tyndale.

8/14/10

Congratulations To.....

Tammy (Bluerose)

who was selected using Random.org to win

The Sinner
By Ted Dekker


After all the extra entries were added in,
there were a total of 36!!

So thanks to everyone for visiting and keep watching,
I have another giveaway this week!!

8/11/10

Sixteen Brides Book Review

This book starts in St. Louis, with 16 women boarding a train headed west. They
had been promised free land by a deceitful Hamilton Drake, who plans to make money on marrying them off. When the women realize his plan half of them decide not to finish the trip with him and settle in Plum Grove. The majority of Sixteen Brides is set in Plum Grove, a relatively new and growing settlement. The story follows a handful of the women as they settle into this new territory, try new things and make new friends.

I enjoyed reading Sixteen Brides, but I think it would have been even more fun as a series. With more books, the stories could have been more developed. There were a number of characters in this book. The most involved were well developed, and even the minor characters had strong personalities and fun quirks. This was a quick read with a nice historical element. Truthfully, I wanted more. I ended the book wondering what happened to some of the characters. There could easily be a sequel...I guess we'll have to wait and see! Overall, this was a good book, with sweet messages of hope and second chances.



I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

8/10/10

Waiting on Wednesday: August 11

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted byBreaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here's a few to anticipate in the next month or so....

Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer releases September 1, 2010

Adelaide Proctor longs to find a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a governess position on a remote Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her silly romantic yearnings behind.

Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America’s wool industry, never expecting to end up with a child. To his dismay, five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon—and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions.


While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin releases September 1, 2010


In an unassuming apartment building in Brooklyn, New York, three lives intersect as the reality of war invades each aspect of their lives. Young Esther is heartbroken when her father decides to enlist in the army shortly after the death of her mother. Penny Goodrich has been in love with Eddie Shaffer for as long as she can remember; now that Eddie's wife is dead, Penny feels she has been given a second chance and offers to care for his children in the hope that he will finally notice her and marry her after the war. And elderly Mr. Mendel, the landlord, waits for the war to end to hear what has happened to his son trapped in war-torn Hungary.

But during the long, endless wait for victory overseas, life on the home front will go from bad to worse. Yet these characters will find themselves growing and changing in ways they never expected--and ultimately discovering truths about God's love... even when He is silent.


The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson releases September 3, 2010

An imaginative and romantic retelling of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty! When Rose, a young woodcutter's daughter, falls in love with the village ruler, their relationship is complicated by a curse. Will their shared faith enable them to follow God's will for their lives---even if his plans don't include a happy ending? 272 pages, softcover from Zondervan.


8/9/10

Tuesday Teaser with Giveaway!


I'm sorry to all my readers. I told you last week that I would have a giveaway for my extra copy of Sinner, and I didn't get to it. So even though I am not currently reading it, I am going to post a teaser and the giveaway today!!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  1. Grab your current read,
  2. Open to a random page,
  3. Share 2 teaser sentences from somewhere on that page,
  4. Share the title and author, so that readers can add it to their wish list if they are enticed!!!


***Be Careful Not to include Spoilers!! (Make sure that your teaser doesn't give too much away so that you do not ruin it for future readers!)


From page 131 of Sinner by Ted Dekker:

"'Now, I realize that my words aren't the kind our society takes in stride, but you know as well as I do that plenty of people out there are thinking what I'm just saying. Not even ordinary types of people, but politicians and lawmen. am I not right? The whole world hates you Chrisitans.' "



To enter the giveaway leave a comment with contact info by Friday, August 13.
For 2 extra entries become a follower and leave comments telling me!
This is for US residents only! Winner will be emailed and announced here on Saturday!

8/8/10

In my Mailbox Monday: August 9

In my Mailbox Monday originates from two blogs: The Printed Page and The Story Siren. I am using it to highlight any books that come into my house the previous week, whether they are from the library, from a store, from a friend or actually in the mailbox.


I won a Valley of Shadows by Tom Pawlik from Tree Swing Reading.

I purchased 6 books from our local library book sale: Debbie Macomber's 311 Pelican Court and The Manning Sisters, Widow of the South by Robert Hicks, The Keep by Jennifer Egan, The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers, and Higher Hope by Robert Whitlow.