The Jacket children's book by Kirsten Hall

                                     The Jacket

The Jacket is a book written by Kirsten Hall.  Book is the main character. Every day he longs to be the next book to be pick up.  He hopes that a child will pick him to read.   Then one day, a little girl picks him.  Then he realizes that there is a Dog that the girl loves.  Book becomes very sad when Dog interrupts the girl from her reading.  Then one day, the girl decides to go outside to read.  Dog does something that makes both the book and girl very very upset.  Soon the girl realizes she is able to fix the problem.

Although this book is recommended for ages 4-8, it is a fun book that any age will enjoy.  I am a book lover.  As soon as I saw this book on the shelf, I knew that I must buy it.

I purchased this book at Toy's R Us for this review.

Author: Kirsten Hall

Artist: Dasha Tolstilova

Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books (October 28, 2014)

Age Range: 4-8

                                                                                                                                                                         

Buiscuit Finds a Friend read by Molly Angela

                                                 Buiscuit Finds a Friend 







Here is another fun book about the adventures of Biscuit, the sweet yellow puppy.  Biscuit Finds a Friend, is a story written by Alyssa Satin Capucilli.  It is aimed for Preschool age children. This is a story about an inquisitive puppy. He and his friend find a duck. They take him back to the pond. 

I purchased the book for this review.

              I Am A Manatee by John Lithgow 
 



I am a Manatee is a children's book written by john Lithgow.  This is a story about a little boy who dreams of being a manatee and undergoing sea adventures. You will find this story very entertaining and educational; being that the author uses a sophisticated and rhythmical pattern to project melody and humorous outcome.  Another plus for this story, is that it comes with a CD and music sheet.  This is one of my favorite children's books. You and your child will find this story very amusing and fun to read.

This book is aimed for the ages of 5-8, but it will be enjoyable to any age.


Here is a link to purchase this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Im-Manatee-Book-John-Lithgow/dp/0689854528

I purchased this book for this review.

Book review for Unforeseeable by Nacy Mehl

Nancy Mehl once again has done an amazing job writing this romantic/suspenseful novel.  Unforeseeable is the third book in the series after Inescapable and Unbreakable.  In Inescapable we met Lizzie Engle whom moves away from her hometown because of her troubled past. Five years later decides to go back to her town where with struggles, she manages to make life better and her young daughter. In Unbreakable, we met Hope Kauffman, whom helps her father run a quilt business. She battles between the decision of keeping her commitment to the man she is engaged to, or fall for the charismatic young man who is after her love. 

In Unforeseeable, we met Callie Hoffman who young lady engaged to the new Mennonite pastor.  Many of the previous characters are reintroduced in this story. Lizzie Engle (Housler) is among the previous characters from the first story.

The main event in the story is body is found outside of Kingdom, which seems to be the work of a serial killer.  The people of Kingdom are in great fear.  This story will take you on a suspenseful ride.  It will keep you guessing who the killer might be. 

I deeply enjoyed reading this story, not only because Nancy Mehl has become one of my favorite authors, but the first two book were filled with great suspense and great story line.  This one might yet be the best of the three.  Read it. You will like it.

***I was given this complementary copy by Bethany House Publishers for an exchange of a review.

If You Have A Craving, I Have A Cure: Experience Food, Faith, and Fulfillment a Whole New Way by Sheri Rose Shepherd

If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure: Experience Food, Faith, and Fulfillment a Whole New Way by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Summary:

A fresh encounter with three amazing gifts from God - food, faith, and fun!

Do you find yourself constantly thinking about what you should not eat, or the things you cannot do?  We've all been there, and it leaves us feeling deprived and depressed.  Instead of being energized by following Christ, we waste our days feeling bored and burned-out on our faith, while battling the guilt that comes from craving food and other things we enjoy.

In If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure, bestselling author and speaker Sheri Rose Shepherd encourages you to embark on a new adventure with faith and food.  She reveals the coaching tips that enabled her to lose over fifty pounds and keep them off,  shares specific alternatives to common cravings, and offers fun recipes (for food and for life) in celebration of the healthy meals and activities our God created for us to enjoy. It's time to let go of guilt, grab hold of grace, and recapture the life God craves for you to live!

Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! ~ Psalm 34:8

I love books that draw me in the instant I read the first line.  This book is one of those.  From the very first moment that I read the title of this book, I was captivated. I'm always searching for books that books that will help me with daily life and struggles; and what better than a book that will guide you in cooking healthy with more than 100 recipes that are divided into categories of what you crave, along with Biblical verses to encourage you daily.  

Sheri Rose Shepherd not only encourages the reader to eat healthier, but also to exercise, hydrate the body and soul, eliminate excess in life (pray so that God will reveal to you what you should let go of), and to power up with PRAYER. 

I guarantee that you will enjoy this book as much as I did....specially because there are so many wonderful recipes to try (I have yet to try). One of my favorite tips she offered were to write notes to Jesus and to put post- it notes on a mirror as a reminder to become healthier.   

*** I received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers.

Book review for Unbreakable:The Road To Kingdom book two

After having read Inescapable, I eagerly awaited the second book Unbreakable: The Road To Kingdom-book two.  Like Inescapable, this book is set in the Mennonite town of Kingdom. It was a great pleasure for me to continue reading about Lizzie, Charity, and Noah, although, the main focus and narrative was about Hope Kauffman, her father Samuel, Ebbie Miller; engaged to Hope, and Jonathan Wiese. Throughout the story, we learn that Hope develops feelings for Jonathan. She then realizes that she must focus on her faith and let God lead her towards choosing the right man meant for her.

The story begins slowly, and begins to develop some good action towards the second half - a series of life threatening events. Some of the characters try to encourage others to take matters into their own hands, which becomes of great conflict with Mennonite church beliefs of forgiveness and non-violence. The elders believe that the main focus should be to remain faithful to their beliefs of leaving it to God.

As the story's excitement builds, Hope has to deal with her own dilemma of having to choose between two men who really do love her for who she is. Then we get to know the characters of the first book a little more.     As these events unfold Hope comes to realize who she really is meant to be with.

Nancy Mehl incorporates a series of Biblical quotes to encourage and show the importance of faith, praying for our enemy, forgiveness, and believing that God will protect us in times of distress.  Here are some of my favorite verses/quotes that she used:

"Remember that God offers us blessing and protection, but we must receive it by faith. By trusting Him. God does not force blessings on us, Hope. Especially blessings of the heart."  -Ebbie.

"They are incredible creatures, Hope. Every time I watch them, I'm reminded that with God nothing is impossible.  If they can lift fifty times their body weight, what can we do through God who strengthens us? I believe ants are a message sent from God to encourage us."

"God has given us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."

* I was provided this book for free by Bethany House Publishing Group in exchange for a review.

Book review for Undending Devotion by Jody Hedlund

This story takes place in 1883. We are introduced to Lily Young, a very determined and perseverant girl whom is very concerned for her sister who  has ran away. Lily suspects that Daisy might have been exposed into prostitution.   Jody Hedlund does and outstanding job in illustrating the reality of sex slavery, and how women are forced into this disturbing business; if you wanna call it that.
 
I was fascinated with the character Lily, because of her persistent and determined attitude. Not only that, but Lily finds her calling to help end this terrible thing - to help all vulnerable young women.  Lily is a assistant traveling photographer. The photographer is an older man who sees Lily like a daughter. Being a traveling photographer gives Lily the advantage to search logging camps and towns.  She feels that Daisy might be in Michigan- where most of the plot of the story takes place.

Jody Hedlund writes about the reality of sex slavery, and how women are forced into slavery. She shed's light on how real sex trade is to this day. The portrayal of Lily's perseverance shows how one person be the change that this world needs. It shows how we must be activist and expose the evils and reality the reality of social issues like sex trade.

***I was provided this book for free by Bethany House Publishing Group in exchange for a review.