Thursday, July 27, 2017

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island by Carrie Fancett Pagels


My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring by [Pagels, Carrie Fancett]










Here is the book summary:
Journey now to Mackinac Island where...

A Tangled Gilded Age Love Story Unfolds.

Although the Winds of Mackinac Inn has been in her mother’s family for generations, Maude Welling’s father refuses to let her run it without the guidance of a husband. So she seeks to prove her worth and independence by working incognito as a maid at the Grand Hotel.

Undercover journalist Ben Steffans, posing as a wealthy industrialist, pursues a story about impoverished men chasing heiresses at the famed hotel.  While undercover, he becomes attracted to an intriguing maid. By an act of heroism Ben endears himself to the closed-mouthed islanders—including Maude—and he digs deep for his story.

But when scandal threatens, will the growing love between Maude and Ben be scuttled when truths are revealed?

More from My Heart Belongs in Series...
My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss: Priscilla's Reveille by Erica Vetsch (January 2017)
My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains: Carmella's Quandary by Susan Page Davis (March 2017)
My Heart Belongs in Ruby City, Idaho: Rebecca's Plight by Susanne Dietze (May 2017)
My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley: Lily's Dilemma by Andrea Boeshaar (September 2017)


 And now, my review:
My Heart Belongs series is a great series to read!  If you haven’t read any of them, I recommend you check them out!  This book is located in my home state and having been to Mackinac Island numerous times, I could smell the water and the horse poo, see the bikes and the Grand Hotel and it felt really personal to read this.  To be around the island, on the water and on the mainland was really something that I could see happening.  I enjoyed the characters as they were well-developed.  There was some mystery and intense moments and happy endings are the best.  A favorite part in the book for me was when the leading female is made aware that the leading man is waiting for her and she’s quick to jump up and prepare herself.  Her maid says, “I thought that might put some rise in your shine!”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and Netgalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

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Snow on Martinmas by Heather Sleightholm

Snow on Martinmas (Xist Childrens Books) by [Sleightholm,Heather]
















Here is the book summary:

A grandmother shares the history of a special day with her grandchildren in this charming story about the origins of Martinmas, celebrated on November 11th.
This beautiful book with original acrylic paintings by Heather Sleightholm makes an excellent addition to any Christian child’s library with information about St. Martin, a hero of the early church.

And now, my review:
If you are looking for a book that describes and gives a feel for a man that lived in A.D. 316 and beyond this book might be of interest to you.  At the end of the book it gives a couple pages of history of him but before that, the book is written with the view of a Grandmother telling her grandchildren of how in her life, childhood and later, she has enjoyed celebrating this day, the day of Martinmas.  The day marks the end of harvest and the coming of Christmas.  It’s a time when the first snow is flying.  This book also includes pictures.  Disclaimer:  Although well written and illustrated by this author, this book is written from a Catholic perspective.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


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Design Your Own Crochet Projects by Sara Delaney

Design Your Own Crochet Projects: Magic Formulas for Creating Custom Scarves, Cowls, Hats, Socks, Mittens & Gloves by [Delaney, Sara]

















Here is the book summary:
You love to crochet, but you’re tired of the granny square and other predictable projects. Let celebrated crochet teacher Sara Delaney help you expand your skills while showing you how to create custom-fit wearable accessories. Delaney’s unique, flexible formulas let crocheters of all levels easily design scarves, cowls, fingerless mitts, mittens, gloves, hats, and socks. With fill-in-the-blank templates and a stitch dictionary, you can use your favorite yarn and stitch pattern, and make accessories that fit perfectly. Delaney offers a starter course in the technique with 18 of her own original patterns, along with the formulas she used to create them.

And now, my review:
I found this book very informative.  It starts out with gauges, yarn and all things that you need to know as you start out a project.  It includes Scarves, Cowls, Hats, Fingerless Mitts, Mittens, Gloves, Socks, and gives you freedom to put some design ideas to work.  Personally right now in my crafting I’m focused on socks and this book did not disappoint in that area.  This book includes 3 variations of socks and also a slipper which was really nice.  But wherever you find your flavor right now, this book has at least a couple of everything to choose from and unending designs you can think up yourself with the help of her direction to get started.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Crochet Stories: L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Pat Olski



















Here is the book summary:
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to a charming combination of storytelling and crocheting! Suitable for beginning to intermediate crocheters, this book features a retelling of the classic adventure story, punctuated with nineteen patterns for L. Frank Baum's beloved characters, plus their settings and accessories.
The much-loved tale begins in Kansas and follows Dorothy and Toto to Oz, presenting patterns for the little heroine, her dog, and her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. Storybook chapters of her arrival and encounters with the people of Oz follow, accompanied by patterns for a Munchkin, the Good Witch of the North, the Wicked Witch of the East (consisting of Dorothy's house with the witch's magic slippers sticking out from underneath), and a stretch of the Yellow Brick Road. Subsequent chapters introduce Dorothy's new friends — the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion — and those they meet in the Emerald City — the Wizard, the Wicked Witch of the West, a Winged Monkey, and the kindly Glinda the Good. In addition to these characters, the full-color patterns include key storytelling items such as the poppy, Emerald City spectacles, water bucket, and magical golden cap. A photo gallery of many of the story's characters provides a delightful conclusion to the book.
And now, my review:
All you crochet people out there and fans of the famous old movie, this is a great book to get your hands on!  It’s well laid out and has some really well thought-out designs.  It starts out with an abbreviation page and quickly moves into the CUTE stuffies you can make.  Everyone in my family has a favorite and they are all different.  I’m also encouraged that I can use the pattern to make my own designs with choosing different colors if I want.  Pick up your copy today!

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Thursday, July 13, 2017

Henry Hodges Needs A Friend by Andy Andrews

Henry Hodges Needs a Friend by [Andrews, Andy]













Here is the book summary:

 From the author of The Kid Who Changed the World, this hilarious rhyming story, complete with charming art, offers comfort to children who often feel left out or are in need of a good friend.

At some point, almost every child struggles with feeling like they don’t fit in or are left out—just like Henry Hodges. Henry is a lonely little boy on a lonely little street who longs for a friend. One day, his mother and father take him to a pet rescue shelter and his lonely world is changed! Told in a playful rhyme with adorable illustrations, this book will be a favorite among children and parents who love dogs and, ultimately, will comfort and encourage children who struggle with feeling accepted and finding friends.

Kids will want to read this whimsical and imaginative story again and again!

And now, my review:
This was a nice read.  My children liked it and it opened opportunities for conversation on Jesus being the Ultimate Friend that will never leave us and wants to walk through our days with us.  He is faithful to lead us to the friends He wants us to befriend for Kingdom purposes.  And along the way He is beyond amazing to know us intimately and add blessings to our lives in the way of pets and critters.  We have had our fair share over the years and we count each one a blessing.  I really loved the author’s way of descriptive/creative one-of-a-kind searches.  They had us laughing out loud!  Pick this one up and read it to your littles.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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Who Counts? by Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso


















Here is the book summary:

 One sheep makes a difference. Without her something is missing. Now my flock is complete.

Oh, no! The man is missing his sheep! The woman is missing her coin! The father is missing his son! Can you help them find what they are looking for?

Who Counts? is a creative retelling of three popular parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. As young readers count to help the characters find what’s missing, Who Counts? teaches that every one of us counts in God’s eyes and that everyone should feel counted.

The stories are beautifully illustrated with modern-day characters and a diversity of ethnicities so that all children will be able to see themselves in the stories.

And now, my review:
What a great full color book for children of 3 great parables in the Word of God.  This book covers the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son (prodigal son).  Somethings missing in each of these stories and sought out until found!  My girls really enjoyed this one.  The pictures and the words flow great and it’s beautifully put together.  The illustrator did a great job and we enjoyed her work on this.  We really enjoyed the facial expressions throughout and the amazing hair in the lost coin story. 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
https://www.amazon.com/Who-Counts-Sheep-Coins-Sons/dp/0664262740/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1499975380&sr=8-7&keywords=who%27s+counting

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-counts-amy-jill-levine/1124576239?ean=9780664262747

https://www.christianbook.com/counts-100-sheep-coins-and-sons/amy-jill-levine/9780664262747/pd/262747?event=ESRCG


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Trusting Grace by Maggie Brendan

Trusting Grace (Virtues and Vices of the Old West Book #3): A Novel by [Brendan, Maggie]

















Here is the book summary:
All of her life, Grace Bidwell has longed for a loving husband and children, but now the chances of her dreams coming true are looking slim. Widowed and caring for her elderly father, she struggles to maintain her late husband's ranch, until she places an ad for a hired hand.
Robert Frasier arrives in town with three pitiful, bedraggled children who have nothing but the tattered clothes on their backs and a load of hurt, pride, and anger. Believing this is divine intervention in her life, Grace welcomes them with open arms. As feelings grow between her and Robert, Grace will have to convince him that she is a woman who can be trusted with his heart.

Readers will be swept away into 1860s Montana's lush Gallatin Valley, nestled among towering mountains and proud pines, in this emotional conclusion to the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series.

And now, my review:
The main character, widow Grace, in this book is a delightful person to follow throughout this story.  She has a town friend that is named Ginny and owns a potato farm with her father.  Her father is ill and so her friend, Ginny, advises her to put up a sign looking for help.  The person who responds to the ad is a widower who has inherited 3 children from his wife.  He didn’t know of the children when marrying this lady and thus he has issues with trust.  Can love come out of this situation?  That is the intriguing read of this one. 
I really enjoyed this book.  I felt that it moved quickly and the characters were well developed and believable.  I loved the children coming into Grace’s life after longing for children to love her whole life.  And I loved the road the father traveled and the outcome of that.  What an unexpected turn of events.  You’ll want to check this one out.  Pick up your copy with the links I’ve posted below and happy reading.
I’ve received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trusting-grace-maggie-brendan/1124824715?ean=9780800722661

https://www.christianbook.com/trusting-grace-3-maggie-brendan/9780800722661/pd/722663?event=ESRCG

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