Cover L♡ver Book Review

Gracie Lou Wants a Zoo  is DELIGHTFUL! The illustrations are adorable, and the narrative is meaningful. Little Gracie Lou has quite the passion for animals. She loves her turtle, George, but begs her parents for more pets. Their small apartment can’t house the monkey, duck, giraffe, or elephant Gracie asks for, and her parents ask her to be patient and to wait on God’s plan. Waiting is something Gracie needs to work on. I love the message this story conveys— Be patient and try to understand. There’s a place and time for God’s plan.  The final page allows the reader to fill in blanks, revealing their favorite water animal, animal noise, pet’s name, zoo animal, etc. This makes it a sweet keepsake for later years. ★★★★★ Author : Shelly Roark Publisher : Little Lamb Books Pages : 36 Target Age : 4-8 years First line :  Gracie Lou lived in a tiny apartment in the BIG city with Mom, Dad, and a turtle named George. Source:  I received a complimentary copy from BookC

The Christmas House  is a modern-day retelling of the Nativity story. Rather than Joseph and Mary searching for a place to stay the night and delivering baby Jesus in a humble stable, the contemporary parents knock on the doors of many houses. Most of the neighborhood residents are consumed with their digital devices and don’t even notice the knock. But one family hears them and opens their hearts and home. Although I felt the author’s emphasis of digital devices is a bit much, she gets the point across that we only hear Jesus’ call if we take time to really listen. I love Christmas stories, whether for children or adults.  This story will resonate with young readers of the digital age, and the charming and colorful illustrations are beautiful. A lovely way to share the Christmas message. ★★★★ Author : Laura St. John Publisher : Sky Sun Pub Pages : 32 Grade Level : 3-4 First line :  This house may look similar to yours or mine, but what happens inside makes thi

On Tour with Prism Book Tours Book Tour Grand Finale for Hall-O-Ween! By Tia Perkin We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below: Launch - Author Interview What was your motivation behind Hall-O-Ween! ? Why did you want to write it? “ Hall-O-Ween! ” was a follow-up to my other books, “ Two! ” and “ Three! ”, which were somewhat autobiographical accounts of life with my twin toddler boys. With those, I wanted to make something for my kiddos to read and hold onto, but they also were a way for me to commemorate their milestones (as crazy as those times were). For “ Hall-O-Ween! ”, I wanted to continue the series, but also weave in some of my memories and fantasies of Halloween as a kid. Halloween was always one of my favorite times growing up. My dad was always helping my brothers to decorate the front yard (in competition with one of the neighbors) and my mom would help us mak

Oh how I love great cover art! This cover is stunning. It shows the setting, time period, and overall essence of Meg Pero.  A Distance Too Grand  is a fresh and unique historical. I love seeing the Grand Canyon in a new light and am amazed at its history. And although Meg and Ben’s stories are a bit predictable, I enjoyed them fully. I love it when a book makes me travel to the past and see today’s world in a whole new way. The danger, romance, and resolutions are full, entertaining, and satisfying. I really enjoy Regina Scott’s writing style and how she makes a long book not long enough. It’s a sure sign of great writing when the reader doesn’t want the story to end. ★★★★ Author: Regina Scott Publisher: Revell Series: American Wonders Book 1 Pages: 384 First line:  “You can’t be the photographer.” Source:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review.  #ADistanceTooGrand

I love books that promote positivity, respect, love, and Godliness in a marriage, so the title,  100 Ways to Love Your Husband , resonated with me. Positivity breeds positivity, and Love empowers the giver as well as the receiver. This book is a bit different than I expected. Rather than tools and techniques, it showcases thought-provoking statements, verses, and explanations. Each page represents a particular theme or  assertion, stimulating a succinct thought process that can change your attitude throughout the day. Although I expected something deeper from this book, I do find value in its simplicity. It takes only a moment or two to read a page that can project your thoughts and actions in a positive way. Similar to a devotion book. ★★★ Author : Lisa Jacobson  Publisher : Revell Pages : 144 Source :  I received a complimentary copy of from the publisher with no obligation to post a review.

I love books that promote positivity, respect, love, and Godliness in a marriage, so the title,  100 Ways to Love Your Wife , resonated with me. Positivity breeds positivity, and Love empowers the giver as well as the receiver. This book is a bit different than I expected. Rather than tools and techniques, it showcases thought-provoking statements, verses, and explanations. Each page represents a particular theme or assertion, stimulating a succinct thought process that can change your attitude throughout the day. Although I expected something deeper from this book, I do find value in its simplicity. It takes only a moment or two to read a page that can project your thoughts and actions in a positive way. Similar to a devotion book. ★★★ Author : Matt Jacobson  Publisher : Revell Pages : 128 Source :  I received a complimentary copy of from the publisher with no obligation to post a review.

I’ve always enjoyed workbooks. They often reveal things about ourselves we don’t fully understand, and offer tools to improve ourselves or our situations. Learning to Thrive  focuses on the most important areas of our lives—such as relationships, health, work, spirituality, etc. I love that you don’t have to go through this book in any particular order. For instance, if you want to work on increasing meaning and purpose in your daily activities, skip to Chapter 7 (Spirituality.) Each topic offers thought-provoking questions, exercises, techniques, and prompts that guide us to live a more thriving existence. ★★★★ Author : Giulia Suro, PhD  Publisher : Rockridge Press Pages : 176 Source :  I received a complimentary copy of from Callisto Publisher’s Club. I was under no obligation to post a review.

I love the simplicity of  The Feel-Good Pregnancy Cookbook.  It offers nutritious recipes with a holistic view of health for the prenatal months.  The recipes are easy, stress-free, with few ingredients that take minimal time to prepare. One important aspect is they are labeled gluten-free, dairy-fee, soy-free, vegan, etc. in case you’re on a special diet. An added perk are the  extra  recipes for pampering. E.g. a face mask, back pain relief serum, and stretch mark cream.  ★★★★ Author : Ryann Kipping, RDN, CLEC  Publisher : Rockridge Press Pages : 178 Source :  I received a complimentary copy of from Callisto Publisher’s Club. I was under no obligation to post a review.

  I’m not a patient person, and I know this is something I need to work on, so this title really caught my attention. I mean, when God says wait, I need to make it a point to listen and listen close. And as a Psalm says,   Be still before the Lord and wait patiently… Presented as a  devotional thought journal , When God Says Wait  is a place to journal and meditate during our waiting season—no matter what we’re waiting for. Each page opens with a Scripture verse or a devotional thought, and leaves plenty of space to write out thoughts. The textured hardback is sturdy, the pages are lined and lightly embellished, and a ribbon is attached as a bookmark.  This is an inspiring, sensible, pretty journal. ★★★★★ Author : Elizabeth Laing Thompson  Publisher : Shiloh Run Press Pages : 224 Source :  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Title : Barbie Forever Author : Robin Gerber Publisher : Epic Inc. ISBN : 978-0760365779 Purchase  HERE My thoughts on the book: Chances are, if you’re sixty years old or younger, you’ve owned, played with, and cherished at least one beloved Barbie doll. I owned loads of them when I was a child, and they played a large role in my growing-up years. “Playing Barbies” was a favorite pastime growing up. My sister and I would set up a Barbie town square, containing a hairdresser, hospital, clothing store, schoolhouse, and more. We each had our handmade homes showcasing our own styles, on each end of the hallway and spent days setting everything up. We wrote out storylines of who would do what, who’d fall in love, who’d start a career, etc. Ahhh… those were the days. I can’t express how much fun we had, or how the Barbie town strewn and stretched across half the house drove our neat-freak mother half-crazy. I look back fondly, with a smile stretched wide, over the

Every now and then I step out and broaden my reading, exploring different genres and subject matter.  Unscripted  is such a book. I can’t say I’ve ever read about a character in the movie industry, so that aspect is very unique. For me, there are so many characters that I got a little confused at times, but Danny stood out and I connected with him. I like how the story opens with him in jail, rather than filling the pages with backstory. I understood his plight and rooted for him to find redemption, and his meeting with Megan piqued my interest. There were thriller-like components, which I enjoyed, but I found the romance a bit fanciful and forced. Overall, this was an interesting read and I’m glad I branched out a bit, but I don’t think legal thrillers will become a favorite genre. Quotes from the book: Danny’s life, career, and professional standing had all been destroyed by one word. Escrow. ...what was he supposed to do with a life where his dreams had all

I love any form of puzzle, from jigsaw to crossword, especially when there is something unique about them. This  75 Easy-To-Read Crossword Puzzles  book not only contains large print, full-page puzzles, but the clues aren’t the standard, run-of-the-mill crossword clues I’ve come across time and time again, and the themes are fun and fresh.  The puzzles are challenging but doable, and some have a special aspect (circled clues within the spaces for an additional effect) that goes along with the theme. I really appreciate the medium-level challenge, and that the pages don’t keep flipping closed as I’m trying to complete a puzzle. Author : Chris King Publisher : Rockridge Press Pages : 176 Source:   I received a complimentary copy from Callisto Publisher’s Club. I was under no obligation to post a review.

I have always had vivid dreams and often wondered what they mean. Sometimes I decipher things on my own, but other times I’m stumped. That’s why I elected to read and review  The Dream Interpretation Handbook.  I really like the straight-forward way the dreams are interpreted—such as the dictionary—offering the meanings of various items, animals, actions, etc. in alphabetical order. Dream about a  bee ?  This may suggest your hard work will pay off. Dream of an  intruder ?  Perhaps someone or something has come into  your life that is unwelcome.  Dream of  being chased ?  Perhaps you’re running from something. As far back as Bible times, dreams have held a special meaning. They often help us deal with things we’re going through or facing. These interpretations are credible and may help us understand or recognize things that need tending to in our waking life. Author : Karen Frazier Publisher : Althea Press Pages : 134 Source:   I received a compli

This sure is a handy book! Not only does it hold lots of fun, easy, and fast recipes, but it also offers suggestions in how to become a fast chef, interesting food and cooking hacks, and other valuable tidbits. The 30-Minute Cookbook  isn’t only for busy people, as the subtitle suggests. It’s for lazy people like ME (when it comes to cooking, anyway) and people who don’t necessarily want to use a million ingredients in a single recipe that they’ll never use again. The recipes are straightforward, simple, and—from the ones I’ve tried—tasty. Zucchini and Tomato Avocado Toast (page 19) for instance, has only a few ingredients, is easy to prepare, and packs a wallop of flavor and nutrients. As with most cookbooks, I wish there were more photos. They are very sparse throughout this one, but the few included are nice additions. Author : Taylor Ellinson Publisher : Rockridge Press Pages : 176 Source:   I received a complimentary copy from Callisto Publisher’s Club. I wa

I love the look of  The Easy Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan . The recipes are succinct (one-two pages) and the illustrations are colorful and enticing. I just wish there were more of them (There is one photo at the beginning of each chapter.)  I doubt I’ll use this book as a 4-week meal plan. I’m more likely to use it as a simple recipe book—I’m not disciplined enough to follow a specific plan, and my taste buds don’t want some of the suggestions.  I’m inspired to eat healthier and implement the Mediterranean way of eating into my lifestyle. For those who desire recipes for gluten-free, dairy-free, Vegan, or vegetarian, this book includes a lot of wonderful options. Author : Susan Zogheib, MHS, RD Publisher : Rockridge Press Pages : 228 Source:   I received a complimentary copy from Callisto Publisher’s Club. I was under no obligation to post a review.

This is such an adorable cookbook. It’s a fun introduction into getting young children interested in baking. I’m a fan of the show  MasterChef Junior  (on television) because it shows young people that they aren’t too young to begin a passion! This cookbook might just do the same thing. Kid Chef Junior Bakes  teaches basic cooking preparation, baking skills, learning about kitchen instruments, and fun recipes. The ingredient lists and recipe instructions are easy to understand, and the illustrations are so colorful and exciting. This book provides an entertaining way to spend productive time with your child, and it may even wake a passion for baking. There is a presentation page for gifting, a photo for every recipe. Author : Charity Mathews Publisher : Rockridge Press Target Age:  4-8 years Pages : 152 Source:   I received a complimentary copy from Callisto Publisher’s Club. I was under no obligation to post a review.

The BLW (baby-led weaning) method guides caregivers in introducing solid foods into baby’s diet that encourages self-feeding. BLW Baby Food Cookbook  contains more than recipes. It provides valuable information about age introduction, nutritional values, motor skills, diversity, etc. The book also includes sensitivities, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and other such diets. When my children were little, they were such picky eaters that I worried they were getting enough nutrition from the few foods they’d eat. If I’d had a guide such as this one, I believe I would have introduced foods earlier and provided more variety.  This book is a wonderful guide for a fun, exciting, and memorable time in baby’s life. As a soon-to-be grandmother, I look forward to trying some of these techniques and recipes with my grandchild. Author : Ellen Gipson and Laura Morton Publisher : Rockridge Press Pages : 200 Source:   I received a complimentary copy from Callisto Pub

On Tour with Prism Book Tours Hall-O-Ween! By Tia Perkin Children's Picture Book Paperback & ebook, 38 Pages October 1st 2018 "Hall-O-Ween!" is a spooky little rhyming book about all the sweet bites and fun frights on Halloween day and night. (Affiliate link included.) Goodreads │ Amazon My Review This is a fun Halloween tale about the sounds, smells, and movements of three young trick-or-treaters!  Hall-O-Ween!  is light and fun read for preschool and elementary school aged kids with light and loose rhymes and colorful, entertaining illustrations.  With real owls and cats, pretend bats and spiders, and fun Halloween costumes, there aren’t scary or frightening scenes. The fonts are fitting and easy to read, and the vibrant illustrations are fun. The repetitious action words— Hoo! Hoo! Boo! Boo! Sniff! Sniff! Shriek! Shriek!— add tons of entertainment for younger readers and trick-or-treaters. Quotes from th

Title : Love Comes Softly Series:  Love Comes Softly #1 Author:  Janette Oke Publisher : Bethany House Genre : Historical/Frontier Romance Release Date : August 6, 2019 (orig. 1979) First published in 1979, Janette Oke’s beloved classic launched a new wave of inspirational fiction and inspired and captivated readers with its endearing story of loss and love. Adapted for television in 2003 by the Hallmark Channel, it went on to become one of their most watched films ever. Millions have laughed, wept, and rejoiced with Marty and Clark Davis, whose tragic circumstances threw them together, suddenly and unexpectedly, on the frontier prairies of the late 1800s. ~*~*~ She ventured west with the man she loved, but in one day her whole world had crumbled around her… Nineteen-year-old Marty Claridge starts west with her adventurous, boyish husband, Clem, seeking to claim land and hoping for good fortune. But when the venture turns suddenly to tragedy, Marty is left alone wit