This and that and another book review

First off....a big shout out to my friend Alexes over at One Cluttered Brain! I helped her redesign her blog and although I required nothing in return she sent me a huge box of goodies! It definitely made my day! Yummy yummy! Thank you!

Also, I am floored that I got 25 comments on my post about depression after getting only 6 for my giveaway.....I think I'm starting to realize that the giveaways aren't the reason people come back and read. Your comments brought happy tears and a smile. So thank you. I've always known I wasn't alone, but it still feels good to be reminded. And it also feels good to know that you won't all just unsubscribe and hightail it outta here when I bring out my dirty laundry. (ha ha, you just have to come to my house to be assaulted with that!)

Okay, now as you all know I do the occasional review. And I love reading so books are one of my favorite things to review! But I still have mixed feelings about this book. I was sent Once in A Blue Moon to review as part of the One2One network and while I enjoyed it, I have to be completely honest in saying I probably wouldn't buy it. (Although that doesn't really say much since I am so poor I can't buy books. That's what the library is for!)
It was an interesting story, two sisters with a messed up Mom sent out to foster families only to be reunited years later. Add in a court battle over a piece of property and another over the custody of a child, romance, God, and a change of heart and you have an interesting story. Just not one I will be likely to pick up again. (Although I would be willing to read more by Eileen Goudge). But don't take my word for it....check it out for yourself! Here are the links:

Eileen Goudge's Website: http://www.eileengoudge.com
Her facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eileen-Goudge/132678273034?ref=search&

And don't forget to leave a comment with the number 20 to be entered in my October giveaway of $20!

Who has time to read when they're bloggin'?

I do!! Unfortunately I just don't have time to blog about what I'm reading. Which is why I am sooo behind on posting about the books I've been reading. I promised myself I would stay on top of this and keep track......*sigh*

Anyway, here it is. If you're a book lover hang around, if not go enter my giveaways and stay posted for more fantastic stuff from The Mom Nerd! (ha ha)

My reviews will be very short if not nonexistent because there are just too many.

Hard Times by Charles Dickens
I am going to be completely honest here. I had a really hard time getting through this book and actually read probably about three other books while reading this one just to have a break. But I set a goal to read "good", "educational", "classics" at least once in a while and this was just about one of the only ones in my library I hadn't already read. This book is very antiquated so I found myself having to use my dictionary more than I like to, and it was depressing. So yeah, I'm sure it had a good message about life and reality but I've already forgotten it if it did. I think for now I'll stick with Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol. I love those!

Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage. I read Magyk, Flyte, and Physik.
I have been delving into the Junior Fiction section more and more lately. Partly because I've read most of what I wanted to from the Adult Fiction section and also because they are usually a fun light read with a good message and a happy ending, which I like. These books were fun and entertaining. A little too trying to be like Harry Potter for me, and a bit scattered, but worth reading. I definitely want to finish the series.

Her Good Name by Josi S. Kilpack.
This book is LDS fiction, another genre I like. It was an interesting story and opened my eyes to what Identity theft can really mean. I was a teensy bit bored with this book, but it was worth reading once.

Stormbreaker (the first in the Alex Rider series) by Anthony Harowitz.
Here is another junior fiction series. I actually remember when I finished this book I wanted to get the others but I forgot. Not sure what that means..... It was a fun book to read, and I just discovered they made a movie of it that I'll have to check out. I think this was the one I read that seemed a little too juvenile and farfetched for me but I can't remember very well. I'll have to read more in the series and let you know.

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong.
This is another first in a Juv Fic series. All I can remember about this book is that I really liked it and that I was mad that there weren't any more out yet in the series. I just discovered the next is out so I'm excited to read it. I can't even really explain what I liked about it. I tried this series a bit ago called Sweep or something like that and I couldn't even get past the first chapter it was so bad. But this one was interesting and I couldn't put it down. The Summoning is about a teenage girl who sees dead people and how she ends up in a home for "disturbed" kids. Turns out there's more to it than that...

Hand of Evil by J.A. Jance
I've liked JA Jance for a while. I'm not sure I'm quite in love with her Ali Reynolds series but still a pretty good read. My favorite is her Joanna Brady series.

Grave Secrets by Marlene Austin
I liked this book. I thought the main character was a little silly at times but a fun read. I could say more but I'm too tired.

Maximum Ride by James Patterson books 1 and 2.
Juvenile Fiction This book is about a group of kids that were kidnapped as babies and given wings of all things. It's a fun concept and a fun series, if you can call it that. Sometimes it drives me nuts to hear it from a kids perspective but once I got into the story I didn't notice it anymore. It's also pretty fast paced, I like books (and movies) that are not go go go all the time. But what it comes down to is that I am going to the library tomorrow to get the next one, if that says anything.

Only 11 books in two months......that's actually not too good for me. Guess I'm blogging too much. ;) I can't keep my eyes open anymore....

Book Review and Giveaway

I have this bad habit of reading these books I'm supposed to review so early that I can't remember very well how I liked them by the time the review comes around. This was one of those books that sounded intriguing. I'm always afraid that books that are sentimental or sad will just depress me, but this one didn't. It was interesting to explore the world of a married couple who once loved each other so much, coming to the crossroads of whether they will stay together. This book delves deeply into what goes on in the mind of a young woman who hasn't been able to become a mother. This is something I've never experienced but I feel that it gave me more insight into how I can help those that do.

This book was a sweet, interesting story that I would definitely recommend.

Book: If Tomorrow Never Comes

Summary:

Childhood sweethearts Kinna and Jimmy Henley had simple dreams—marriage, children, a house by the sea… Everything they needed for happily ever after. What they didn’t plan on was years of infertility, stealing those dreams, crushing their hopes.

Now, all that’s left is the memory of young love, and the desperate need for a child to erase the pain. Until…

When Kinna rescues an elderly woman from the sea, the threads of the past, present, and future weave together to reveal the wonder of one final hope. One final chance to follow not their dreams, but God’s plan.

Can they embrace the redemptive power of love before it’s too late? Or will their love be washed away like the castles they once built upon the sand?

Author Bio:

Marlo Schalesky is the author of several books, including Beyond the Night and Empty Womb, Aching Heart. A graduate of Stanford University, Marlo also has a masters of theology with an emphasis in biblical studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. Married over twenty years, she lives with her husband, Bryan, and their five children in California.

Would you like to buy this book? Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1601420242

Or would you like to win one? Here's how:

(Required for initial entry) For a chance to win this tell me your favorite book of all time!

For extra entries (please leave a separate comment for each one):

• BEFORE YOU DO THESE MAKE SURE YOU'VE SUBMITTED YOUR INITIAL ENTRY!
• Subscribe to my totally awesome blog! (you know you want to, top left)
• Put my adorable button on your blog. (oh, you know it is!)
• Follow my blog! (top left)
• Follow me on Twitter
• Tweet about this contest!
• And seriously, if you want to do anything else like blog or stumble or whatever you just do it and let me know and I'll count it. Sound good?
• And make sure you leave a separate comment for each one!!

This contest will end Wednesday, April 1, at 11:59 pm and I will announce the winner the next day. Please leave your email address or make sure your blogger profile is public so I can find you. Good luck!

Books you want to jump into

Aside from music time, story time is the best part of teaching preschool and being a mom.

Not that you can't read picture books if you're not a mom, if you're not, you're definitely missing out! But there's just something about a new book you've never read before that is so exciting.

A little while ago I discovered Sterling Publishing. They were on Twitter looking for possible reviewers and I was all over that action! They offered to send me a few books to review and I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was! I buy books for my preschool from scholastic quite often and I do love them but they always wear out really fast. I was expecting a similar experience with these books.

Boy oh boy, was I wrong!! The three books I got are big, hardcover, bright, cheerful, fun and honest to goodness the nicest children's books I have ever owned. Hands down.

Here's a little more about them, you can click on the picture to find out more!

Otto Grows Down was definitely my 8 year old's favorite and he has read it over and over again since we got it.
Little Otto is at his sixth birthday and about to blow out the candles when his new baby sister ruins it all by crying! His parents ask him to shake his baby rattle for her. So he makes a wish.....that Anna was never born. Next thing he knows everything is going backwards and he can't stop it! At each birthday he tries to undo his wish but as he gets younger he can't even talk and he even has to wear a diaper! You'll have to read the book to find out what happens at his one year old birthday..........
This book is so fun and the pictures are fantastic! It is one I would definitely recommend buying, especially if you've got little siblings coming along! Your child will see that having a baby isn't so bad. Of course like Ethan said: "Why does he want her gone? He got a sister!"

This adorable little book No More Blanket for Lambkin! was Roo, my 4 year old's favorite. He is my snuggler. We're still trying to get him to stop sucking his thumb and he has a blanket he loves to carry around as well. Although not to the extent of Lambkin, he forgets about it unless he can see it. Roo was upset the first time we read this book because he didn't want little Lambkin's blanket taken away. But Lambkin's friend Ducky makes washing it an adventure. In the end Lambkin's blankie may not be the same......but Lambkin is still happy! This book really is sweet and the pictures are just adorable. It makes me want to jump right in that book and snuggle Lambkin myself!

Our next story, Chicky Chicky Chook Chook is the kind of book that I just love to read with my preschoolers. It is full of bright, fun, splashy colors, alliteration, rhyming and good old fashioned fun! After the first few times reading it my preschoolers were reading right along and we even turned it into a song! This is a book that will have your kids asking you to read it to them again and again! And you'll find they'll read right along with you! Fizzy, fizzy, buzz buzz, fizz, fizz buzz.....

You've got to go to the Sterling Publishing and check out all of their fabulous books! And while I was focusing on children's books they have books of all genres and for all ages! They are fabulous quality!

P.S. Thank you for all of your sweet comments on my last post. I know everything will work out and I appreciate all of your prayers.

Books, and one that brought me to tears

Hidey ho! I promised myself that I would blog short reviews of my books this year but I've been slackin! Honestly, I've been spending way more time on the computer than reading. I guess I'm still reading but you know what I mean.....

So you can skip this if you're not into books or whatever, I won't cry. I promise.

Now this first book...... it did make me cry.


In My Hands by Irene Gut Opdyke with Jennifer Armstrong

I actually ventured out of the world of fiction for this one. (a miracle, I know!) It was actually the last one from the library in the last set of books but I had put it off until the end. The night that I posted about my other books I finally read it because I didn't have anything else to read. (that's how much I wasn't excited about non-fiction) Boy, was I wrong! I started this at about 10:30 pm and put it down, finished, a little after 2.

I can't remember the last time a book has affected me so deeply (that wasn't the scriptures). It's the middle of the night, I'm so tired, but I can't put this book down, and then I read these words: "It was not a bird. It was not a bird. It was not a bird." I started to physically shake to the point that I couldn't even hold the book and tears were streaming down my face. At that moment I was not in my bed, safe and sound. I was that mother, that was my baby.

I can't even talk about this book again without tearing up. You have to read it to know. I was filled with despair. If I didn't know what I know about why we are here, and where we are going, this part of the book could have sent me spiraling down into the depths. I still can't believe that it actually happened. I don't want to believe it. But it did, and all we can do is learn from it. And be comforted in the knowledge that our Savior suffered what those people suffered, and is there to comfort them.

Double Take by Catherine Coulter
This book is one in a series of FBI thrillers by Coulter that I have been enjoying for some time now. Exciting, fast paced, interesting, and a fun read. Sometimes her books get a little too graphic for me in the "physical" sense and definitely have more cuss words than I like but I do enjoy them.

Ever by Gail Carson Levine
I really enjoy reading Levine. This book was a little different from the others I have read by her but I still enjoyed it. It had a greek mythical feel to it and was a bit juvenile but it was a sweet story and I recommend it especially to youth.

Testimony by Anita Shreve
This book was horrible. I know that sounds harsh but I really pretty much hated it from beginning to end. I almost put it down after a few pages but I wanted to be able to give an honest review. This book represents for me everything that is wrong with the world today. And the attitude that people have of excusing themselves and bad choices. I do not recommend this book.

All's Fair by Julie Coulter Bellon
This book was very interesting. You start out with a bride who has just escaped her wedding and is trucking it through the woods in the rain. Then you pan to her brother serving as a doctor in Iraq. With some fun twists and turns their lives come together in ways you wouldn't expect, mingled in with romance, action, and good values. A good, clean, fun read!

Above and Beyond by Betsy Brannon Green
This is the sequel to Hazardous Duty that I talked about last time. Good book, clean, suspenseful, a little silly at times because you want to just tell the girl to stop mooning and play hard to get but a fun read! I look forward to the third and last this summer.

Books and blog anxiety

First off, I am having blog anxiety. Ridiculous, I know. My blog is for ME. It really truly is, or at least I'm trying to make it be. I'm not even sure what I mean by that, but I know that my blog should not be an added stress or a new way for me to feel bad about myself. And yet I always seem to find ways.

This week my sister had this on her blog: "Other blogs I read are so interesting. Like Melanie's, they are always so funny and she always has such cute pictures, or Stephanie's where she truly is a story teller. Or Sharla's where she has tons of cool giveaways and ideas or Becky's where you always leave the blog feeling uplifted."

Most normal people would read that and think, well, I don't know. Whatever normal people think. And yet I read that and think...okay, so I am not funny, don't have cute pictures, am not a story teller and do not leave you feeling uplifted. I just have cool giveaways which my sister has never entered (I don't even think she reads this blog.) Okay, I know that's not what she said. But I honestly don't think I have any family members who read this blog, and only very few that read my private family blog. I'm not trying to pout or be a brat, I'm just saying that I know I am silly for letting things bug me (imagined or not). I have met some amazing people through blogging, and just think, if I had never started a blog I would never have met them. Too sad for words.

So, I am glad I blog. But I need to learn to be okay if people don't read it, or don't like what I write, or think it's boring, or think it's all over the place, or think the colors are yucky. I'm going to suck it up and take it like a Momma. Tomorrow. (really I will, seriously, I promise)

Okay, on to the book business at hand for those who are interested in that. Only three books this week.

The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton
I have always liked Crichton. Sometimes he gets too technical which is not a bad thing, I like to be educated, but reading for me is an escape so I usually pick books that let me relax, not that leave me leafing through a dictionary. Anyway, this one was just fine in that area. It is very definitely dated. One of those books that is science fiction but a lot of the fiction is now fact kind of thing. The copyright is 1972 so a few years before I was even born. It is about a man who has a device of sorts implanted in his brain to help him with his seizures, which are really just bouts of violence after which he wakes up and has no recollection. Things definitely go wrong. It was interesting, I enjoyed it. What I liked, which Crichton has in all of his books, is the underlying message or even warning I would say about where we're headed as a society. His books are often out there, but there's always a message there that applies to all of us.

Yearbook by Allyson Braithwaite Condie
This book follows a group of students, teachers, and even the principal through a year of high school. Considering that this was Condie's first book I was very impressed. It was on a slightly more juvenile level than what I usually choose but I enjoyed it. Simple, sweet, touching, and worth reading.

Hazardous Duty by Betsy Brannon Green
Here was one of those books that you turn after the last page and can't believe it's over. And then I looked at the binding and saw the #1. So, it was the first in a series of three books that I am really excited to finish. This book had it all in what I like to read. Kidnapping, mystery, romance, and all of it well written in a book that is enjoyable to read (and clean). I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it wasn't one that really made me think or cry but it was a great escape from life and the kind of book I usually go looking for. I see the second book is out already so I better go find it.

Do you love me? Do I WHAT??!!

Okay, seriously you guys, I have so much to say I don't even know where to start and yet at the same time I don't have anything important to say. But now that I have subscribers...... oh yeah baby, I seriously do... I am a lot more aware of what I say and what I put on my blog. I want it to be interesting for you. But I have to remember.....although I love to have readers, this blog is for me. Sorry but it's true.

So, I have a few items of business to take care of in this post. First of all, I have decided to take part in a Valentine's Day Goody swap. I did a Christmas stocking swap and it was sooo much fun that I've decided to jump on the love train and give (and get) some v-day goodies. If you'd like to jump on the love train too check it out here. You might even get to send ME some goodies! Here is my questionnaire for this swap:

Questionnaire:

• What is your idea of a romantic Valentine’s Day? Romantic dinner at a nice restaurant without the kids. But since there are no nice restaurants here (or really any at all) maybe a nice candlelit dinner that I didn't have to cook.
  
• In reality, what is your Valentine’s Day really like? Varies from year to year. Usually a bit nicer dinner here at home with all the kids. Last year I got a root canal on Valentines day, bitter irony, huh?
  
• If you could have a lifetime supply of your favorite sweet indulgence, what would it be? Dove chocolates.
  
• Is there any sweet treat you absolutely do not like? Conversation hearts, black licorice(which hubby loves, blah)
  
• If you fell into a pool of chocolate, how would you get out? Why would I?
  

Secondly, I took this fun little survey about what kind of reader I am. Not really a huge surprise here. It's quick and easy if you want to take it too and see what kind of reader are you.... (bad grammar on purpose)

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Dedicated Reader You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.
Literate Good Citizen
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Book Snob
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

That will be my little segue into my next item of business. As you can see, I am addicted to reading. Last year I kept track of the books I read from the library and I got to about 96 (I think). I've been debating about how I want to share what I've read. I know a review is good but to do a review for every book I read is a LOT of work. So.... I'm going to post about the books I read, maybe about once a week and give a small review for each. I will probably forget some because I read a book every couple of days but I do want to keep some kind of record and tell you all what's good as well. (At least in my opinion) I know I've read more than this so far this year but these are the only ones I've written down so far. And if you're not interested, no problem. You can just stop reading now. Just don't tell me you do or I'll be sad.

Recovering Charles by Jason F. Wright
A SERIOUSLY amazing book! The best book I've read in a while, in so many ways. You can read my full review here.

Silver World and Silver City by Cliff McNish
I read the first in this series Silver Child last year. They were interesting but are written for Youth/teenagers and are really really weird. I can't think of a better word for them. I still can't decide if I really liked them or not.

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale
This is another youth fiction novel but I loved it. It is one of the series that started with Princess Academy. Similar to Levine's books these are fairy tales with a twist. I must say however that the book by this author that I enjoyed the most is an Adult Fiction novel called Austenland which is one of my favorite books ever. If you like Jane Austen you have to read that book! (actually, I want to go read it again now)

Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke (one of the Hannah Swensen mysteries)
This is the latest book in a series of murder mysteries featuring Hanna Swensen, a woman who runs a cookie shop and solves murders on the side. I have really enjoyed this series. I love murder mysteries and hers are always light and fun. Plus she has these amazing recipes at the end of each chapter. The only thing I wish is that Hannah would pick her man already! I look forward to the next one.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine (the author of Ella Enchanted)
I loved Ella Enchanted and I loved Fairest as well. This one is a spin off of Snow White and gives us great insight into the minds of young girls these days. It explores the importance of being beautiful from the inside and not just the outside. I would highly recommend this book, my husband even liked it!

Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz
I am a pretty big fan of Dean Koontz. I always look for his newest books and get on the waiting list at the library. I like books that surprise me. The only things I haven't liked that is especially prevalent in his older books is when he delves too far into the mind of serial killers and phychos. What I do love about his books are that they are strange, they can take any turn and that they end on a good note with a good feeling and a good message. However, this book is one of my least favorites. I just could not relate with the main character. Still worth reading once but I won't be buying this one. A couple of his I really like is Odd Thomas,The Strangers and From the Corner of His Eye.

The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen
This one is definitely adult fiction. It starts out as an ancient Egyptian mystery and morphs into a modern murder mystery. I did enjoy this book, although this is the latest book I have finished and I already can't remember much about it which is not a good sign.

Well, that's it for now. Thanks for bearing with me!

Wow, lemme tell you wow!

So...... guess what? I already have more than 80 comments on my last post. And I only posted it yesterday?? Maybe the day before, I can't remember now. Yes, I know I could go look but I don't wanna. Of course, many of those comments are multiples from the same people but so what??
It's still over. eighty.

I should have offered up some cash a while ago. So, some good comments so far. After reading them I wanted to change my blog in a million different ways and make everyone happy but soon discovered that wasn't possible. Soo, I am still trying to find what I like. So just know that my blog will probably be constantly changing. At least until I am happy with it. And who knows if I ever will be?

Two things I decided needed to change:
1) I couldn't even read the comments very well on that blue background so that had to go.
2) It was too busy for me with all the colors so I had to simplify. It still seems to busy but whattayoudo?

But thanks again for the comments and keep them coming! So, on to better topics. I know people like pictures and many liked the stamping post but today I'm want to mention a book I recently finished.

I bought this at a Seagull Book in Provo for 3.99 this last weekend because I forgot to bring a book to read. I knew I liked the author because I liked "Christmas Jars". But I didn't really expect great things because there were a ton on the back table for way cheap.

But I loved this book! It isn't really what I usually go looking for. I like books that take me away from my worries. I want to be able to lose myself in the story and while I like to have a good feeling at the end I tend to go more for mysteries than feel gooders. This book was a bit of a mystery but it honestly had a bit of everything that I love. I'd tell you more but I want you to have just enough to go buy it and read it for yourself. I am telling you, you have got to read this book! And if you live in Provo you can go to the Seagull book on Univ. Pkwy and buy one for 3.99. It's worth it! Actually, it's worth the full price.

Oh! And go here to hear the song that was written for this book. You will read about the process of writing this song. I love it!

Here is my favorite line:

"Every note tells a song's story," Dad liked to say. "And every song, no matter how short, has a second verse. You just have to find it. "

Changes are coming.... (and book giveaway)

Hello devoted fans! Hope you all had a wonderful New Year's celebration! Ours was pretty relaxed, we were watching a movie and didn't realize it was past midnight until we heard the fireworks next door. I don't really have any New Year's resolutions per se. But I do have a lot of plans in the work for this blog! I am hoping to have it changed to what I want permanently very soon. And then I am going to start researching into how to get more people visiting my blog and doing more reviews and giveaway and also hopefully much more witty (and frequent) posts. So keep checking back! You can now subscribe to my blog via email and I will soon have my very own button as well. And I've got a special giveaway in the works. I have to share the love that I received this Christmas season. Until then I've got a book to give to one of my readers. Here's the info:

Book: Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight

Summary: Every woman longs for change in some area of her life. Unfortunately, fear, fatigue, adversity, heartbreak, past failures, and even the choices of other people get in the way and make lasting change seem out of reach. Having been there herself, Karen Linamen knows exactly how to take readers from where they are to where they want to be.

In Only Nuns Change Habits Overnight, she examines 52 powerful actions readers can apply to any change they long to embrace. Her insights apply to career, finances, personal health and fitness, relationships, faith—in fact, every facet of a woman’s life.

Blending laugh-out-loud humor and sage advice, Linamen shows readers the link between dissatisfaction and transformation, how to remodel habits, the little-known truth about procrastination, how to generate the energy they need to pursue the life they desire, how to benefit from options and resources they never dreamed they had, and much, much more!

Author Bio:

Karen Linamen is a popular speaker and the celebrated author of ten books for women, including Due to Rising Energy Costs the Light at the End of the Tunnel Has Been Turned Off and Just Hand Over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt. She has been featured on more than one hundred radio programs, including FamilyLife Today. Publishers Weekly describes her as “funny, forthright and unforgettable.” Linamen lives with her family in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visit her website at www.karenlinamen.com.

Cover art:

Author Photo

I've got to be honest, I haven't made it past the first few pages but what I read was witty and interesting. I tend to tackle my problems and need for change on my knees rather than in books but I think this will be an enjoyable read in any case.

So, if you'd like to buy it go here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/140007400

But if you'd like to win it leave a comment (any comment will do) and I'll pick a winner a week from today so Friday, Jan. 9. I think I may be slipping a little extra something in with this book so who knows what else you may end up with?? Want an extra entry or two? Here's what you have to do:

• Subscribe to my blog! (link in upper right corner)
• Be a follower
• Follow me on twitter (link on the right)
  

Just leave an extra comment for each one you do and include your twitter handle if necessary! Good luck!

Book giveaway

My Mother’s Wish

by Jerry Camery-Hoggatt

An affecting tale, My Mother’s Wish will remind you of the power of grand hopes and effect of impossible expectations. You’ll witness the influence every life has on another, and you’ll find new reasons to believe in the comfort and joy in an everyday, American version of the story of Christmas: being known and loved, just as you are.

I really enjoyed this book. It honestly took me less than half an hour to read and left me with a happy peaceful feeling. It really wasn't at all what I expected and I look forward to reading it many more times when I need a pick-me-up. (Actually that might be right now). This would be a wonderful gift or book to add to your collection.

Want to win it? Just leave a comment telling me what your favorite Christmas story is. I only ship to the U.S. I will choose a winner Friday, November 21. Good luck!

Want to buy it?

- www.Amazon.com

- www.ChristianBook.com

- www.FamilyChristian.com

Summary:

A grandfather’s song turns a diner into hallowed ground, like a church. A contrary girl with a gypsy heart feels the tug of home. A mother, far away, confronts impossible expectations. And a truck driver named Jedidah keeps his foot on the gas to sweep you into an unforgettable story of belonging and grace.

Readers looking for a meaningful, powerful read on a winter’s evening or with the family will love the rich 1960s nostalgia captured in the Midwest of Jedidiah’s and Ellee’s story; the peace found when family strife boils over, and the gentle reminders of the influence and effect every life has on another.

My Mother’s Wish is an unforgettable, powerful tale that ends on a memorable Christmastime note, but will be cherished and reread year-round for its bold message of grand hopes, impossible expectations, and the gift of grace that comes in between.

Author Bio:

Jerry Camery-Hoggatt, Ph.D., is professor of New Testament at Vanguard University, in Costa Mesa, California. A professional storyteller, he is the author of the highly-acclaimed Christmas stories When Mother Was Eleven-Foot-Four (in trade adult and children’s picture book editions) and Givers of Gifts; plus Irony in Mark’s Gospel and Grapevine: A Spirituality of Gossip. His passion is theology and storytelling, which he believes are meant to go together. Jerry and his wife, Shaleen, are the parents of three children.

Book Giveaway

It's time for another book giveaway! This is definitely a unique book in a class of it's own. This is not really a book you read, it is kind of what I think of as an interactive journal. It's been fun to fill out and I know that it will be fun to look back someday and see what my answers were at this time in my life. It explores your past with questions like Growing up, I attended church... or The period of my life that felt most out of control.... It explores the present with questions like A day in your life.... and it asks a lot of questions about where you are spiritually and where you want to go.

Overall, it has been fun to read and fill out and I have learned more about myself in the process. Very interesting and creative book. It takes all of the guesswork out of journaling, you just have to answer the questions!

Want to win one? Just leave a comment before midnight on Thursday, November 13. Any comment will do, although the more interesting the better for me. I can only ship to the U.S.

Want to buy it? You can find it here:

- www.Amazon.com

- www.ChristianBook.com

- www.FamilyChristian.com

Book: Me Myself & I AM

Author: Created by Matthew Peters in partnership with Elisa Stanford

Dates: November 3^rd – 7^th

Summary:

A new experience of God comes one question at a time in this fun and provocative journal. Made up entirely of insightful, profound, and occasionally ridiculous questions, Me, Myself, and I AM invites you to open to any page, open yourself to God, and be the author of yourown story.

Questions range from spiritually intriguing—

You overhear God talking about you. What do hear him saying?

to thought-provoking—

You are on a long car trip with a close friend who is not a Christian and the conversation turns to faith. What is your biggest fear about what your friend will ask or say?

to challenging—

Do you believe that all of Jesus’s followers have a responsibility to tell others about him?

to just plain fun—

If your life before you became a Christian were a movie, its title would be:

Animal House

As Good as It Gets

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

It’s a Wonderful Life

Me, Myself, and I AM will entertain, inspire, and get you thinking about your spiritual life from brand new angles. Whether you use Me, Myself, and I AM as a reflective tool, a way to start conversations with friends and family, or as a spiritual time capsule to look back on years later, their own words will create a powerful journey of self-discovery.

Book Giveaway winner!

Just a quick note that the winner of my book giveaway is the Memmott family who said "I love to read. " Stay tuned for another review in the next few days.

Another Book Giveaway!

It's already time for another book giveaway!! The book this time is Bon Appetit by Sandra Byrd. I really enjoyed this book. It was a sweet, fun read that is good for an escape from worries for a little while. It is supposedly the second in a series but I didn't even notice, it can definitely stand alone. And it definitely made me crave french pastries!! Want to win it? Just leave a comment and I'll announce the winner on Friday, October 31. Good luck to those few people who actually read this. :) I love ya!!

Summary: In this second book in the French Twist series, readers join Lexi Stuart in a crème de la crème adventure!

Deciding to leave her familiar home in Seattle and her could-be boyfriend Dan, Lexi moves to a quaint village in France to pursue her dream of becoming a pastry chef. Life among the French initially proves to be less than easy as Lexi is challenged by her coworkers, missing her friends, and failing to master the perfect baguette.

Determined to find her place, Lexi settles into the culture and life becomes la perfection. She finds a church, meets a new friend, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine—as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father, Philippe. Even Patricia, the gruff pastry cook, shows a softer side as she mentors Lexi in the art of baking.

Fast, fun, and packed with French culture, foodie appeal, and unique recipes readers will love accompanying Lexi on her journey in Bon Appetit as she tries to choose between two countries, two men and the faith to lean on God while savoring the surprises life brings!

Author Bio: Best-selling author Sandra Byrd enjoys a successful career writing adult, teen, and children’s books, including the Friends for a Season, Secret Sisters series and the French Twist series, including the first Lexi Stuart novel, Let them Eat Cake. She is also a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines. Sandra lives in Washington state with her husband and two children.

Book giveaway winner!!

Thanks to you four wonderful people who actually left a comment on my blog!! I wish I could send the book to each one of you!! The winner is.......

The Nielson Family who said...

Oooh, I would love to win!!! Sounds like a good book--I found you on Becky's blog by the way, always up for a good free book! :)

Congratulations!!! To my other faithful three, I'd be glad to let you borrow mine to read anytime! And I have two more great books coming up in the next couple weeks so keep checking back!

Shape of Mercy Book Review and Giveaway

I really don't think that anyone even looks at this blog, especially when I don't post for forever but this is my blog where I talk about my book reviews and do my book giveaways so if you actually read this and post a comment you have a really good chance of winning! I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. It was smooth flowing, easy to read, engaging, and had a good message for everyone. When I finished this book I had a renewed vigor in helping those around me and in looking beyond what you first see to what is really inside each person. I also came away feeling that I am sometimes too hard on myself and that I need to stop focusing on my own faults and give myself the same courtesy that I give to others. A truly interesting and inspiring book!

Book: The Shape of Mercy

Summary: Lauren Durough is a college student longing to break free of family expectations when she stumbles into a project for eighty year old Abigail Boyles—transcribing the journals of Mercy Hayworth, a seventeenth-century

victim of the Massachusetts witch trials. Almost immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships with the mysterious Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to discovering the candid truth, Lauren must earnestly ask if

she is playing the role of helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and recognize who she really is?

In our high-pressure, success-oriented culture, readers will identify with Lauren’s struggle to forge her own identity separate from the plan her family designed for her. Offering intrigue, romance, and heartbreaking drama, this contemporary novel with a historical twist conveys the intense beauty that emerges when we see how our stories affect the lives of others.

Author Bio:

From early school-day projects to becoming editor of a local newspaper in Minnesota, Susan Meissner’s love for writing has been apparent her entire life. The Shape of Mercy is her latest novel in a string of books that delve into the deeper issues of life. She is the author of nine novels and lives with her family in San Diego, California. Find out more about her at www.susanmeissner.com.

Author Photo

Want to buy it? Go here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400074568

Want to win it? Just leave a comment before next Wednesday, Oct. 22 and I will use random.org to pick a winner. I also have lots of book giveaways coming up in the next few weeks so keep checking back!

Book Giveaway Winner!

The winner of my book giveaway is Angela P. who said: "Always looking for good books worth reading--these are really cute! Thanks for sharing!" I used Random.org which generated number 2. Good luck to everyone else next time!

Congratulations Angela!

Awesome giveaway! Three books for children!

I'm a total slacker! I was supposed to post about these books on Monday and I spaced it and now it's (AAAH!) Thursday! I am SO EXCITED about these books. As many of you know I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a mother of four boys, I am always on the lookout for good books that teach about God and I was lucky enough to be asked to be part of this blog tour. So I got three free children's books, and I have three to give away, too!!

I will make my review brief: I love them, my kids love them, and they have a good message for any home that believes in God. These books are great ways to reinforce our belief that we are all Children of God. My favorite was When God Created My Toes and especially the phrase that reads:

"When God created my heart
Did he make it beat?
Did he make it sweet?
Did I love him from the start when God created my heart?"

Even now it gives me goosebumps. Below is some more information about these books and where you can buy them. And if you'd like them for FREE leave a comment and I'll post the winner by next Friday! Good luck!

Book: God Gave Us Heaven

Summary: Little Cub awakens one morning with some important questions on her mind: What is heaven like? How do we get there? Will we eat in heaven? Will we be angels?

During a delightful day spent wandering their arctic world, Papa gently answers each question, assuring Little Cub that heaven is a wonderful place, “a million times better” than she can imagine. He explains how God has made a way for those who love him to enter their heavenly home forever after their lives on earth are over.

Reuniting the best-selling author-illustrator team from God Gave Us You, this gentle story provides satisfying answers for a young child’s most difficult questions about heaven. Parents, grandparents, childcare professionals, librarians, Sunday school teachers, and others will appreciate the gentle approach to a topic that’s on the minds of so many “little cubs.”

Through captivating, full-color illustrations and tender, biblically sound storytelling, young readers and those who love them will find reasons to rejoice in knowing that God Gave Us Heaven.

Author Bio: Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than one million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Heaven is Lisa’s fourth children’s book, following in the tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.

Illistrator Bio: Laura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/God-Gave-Heaven-Lisa-Bergren/dp/1400074460/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218755286&sr=8-1

Books: God Loves Me More Than That, and When God Created My Toes

Summary: In two new books from best-selling children’s author Dandi Daley Mackall, clever rhymes and delightful illustrations help young children, ages three and up, understand God’s huge love for them and his joy in creating them. These enchanting picture books from the writer-illustrator team of Dandi Mackall and David Hohn will instill awe in young children as they revel in each page. Parents alike will appreciate the engaging stories that communicate God’s perfect plan and his divine purpose for little hearts.

In God Loves Me More Than That, children learn that God loves them deeper than a wishing well, wider than a semi-truck, louder than thunder, and softer than a kitten’s sneeze. Each question, presented with charming child-like faith will help young ones grasp the great love of God through comparisons and descriptions they can easily understand. In short, they’ll discover that His love is bigger, wider, higher, and deeper than anything they could imagine!

In When God Made My Toes, kids are drawn into the wonder of their creation by God. Their masterful artist who fashioned them just right for amazing and delightful adventures, such as roller skating, finger-painting, doing flips, and drinking cocoa. Children will come to an understanding that God shaped each part of their amazing bodies with joy, delight, and humor.

Author Bio: Dandi Daley Mackall has published more than 400 books for children and adults, with more than 3 million combined copies sold. She is the author of WaterBrook’s two other delightful Dandilion Rhymes books, A Gaggle of Geese & A Clutter of Cats and The Blanket Show. A popular keynote speaker at conferences and Young Author events, Mackall lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, and a menagerie of horses, dogs, and cats.

Illistrator Bio: David Hohn is an award-winning illustrator who graduated with honors from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has worked as both a staff artist and an art director for a children’s software company in Portland, Oregon, a position which led to his art directing an award-winning project for Fisher-Price. Hohn’s recent projects include Lisa Tawn Bergren’s God Gave Us Christmas.


Amazon links:
http://www.amazon.com/Loves-More-Than-Dandilion-Rhymes/dp/1400073162/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218755325&sr=1-1

and

http://www.amazon.com/When-Created-Toes-Dandilion-Rhymes/dp/1400073154/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218755355&sr=1-1