Book Review: The Three Trees by Elena Pasquali

I have always enjoyed this children's book from the time I first read it as a child and even now as I am reading it to my own children. 

The Three Trees is a traditional folktale that talks about, of course, three trees.  Two trees want to be cut down and made into something great.  The other tree doesn't want to be touched.  It just wants to continue growing and pointing to heaven.

Years later, all the trees get cut down and are used for a purpose that was not what they were hoping for.  I can't really tell you anymore or I'll spoil the book!  The illustrations throughout this book are beautiful.  They are very appealing to the eye and isn't crowding the pages.

If you have children, this would make a great stocking stuffer or present for any child who likes to read or be read to.  It also opens the door for some questions to be asked from your children, which I always welcome that.

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I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Book Giveaway!!!

I am giving away a copy of this book to the first person who leaves a comment at the bottom of this blog.  Be sure to leave your email address so I can get your address to mail the book to you!  You'll like this book.

Book Review: Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

The second book in the Emma Rae Creation series, Always the Wedding Planner Never the Bride is a book for any girl.  If you are looking for a book full of humor, pick up this book.  I found myself laughing and enjoying the romance that filled these pages.  It's also full of wedding tips and recipes.  I definitely want to try a few o the recipes that are included.  They just sounded good!

Sherilyn is a wedding planner who is engaged to a man that she's only known for a few months.  They move to Atlanta where Andy works at a sports medicine hospital and Sherilyn takes the job as a wedding planner where she is helping everyone else but herself plan their weddings.  Her mother-in-law doesn't like her and she has trouble with her wedding dress.  Oh, and did she just happen to not inform Andy of her past?  How will Andy's ex-girlfriend respond when she finds out that Andy is back in Atlanta for good?

I'm going to have to check out the first one in the series now and am looking for the third book.

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About the Book:

As a wedding planner, you'd think she would have the perfect wedding experience... Sherilyn Caine has left Chicago behind to marry Andrew Drummond IV, an Atlanta native with a family name that tops all the social registers. Landing the job as The Tanglewood’s wedding planner is a piece of cake for someone with a Type A personality; she’s the perfect fit for a wedding destination hotel known for its attention to even the tiniest details.

But when everything else is going along swimmingly, why are her own wedding plans drowning right before her eyes? One way or the other, Sherilyn is determined to make this wedding work—until the latest development threatens to call the whole thing off. Is it possible that Sherilyn is allergic to her fiance? For more than a decade, Sandra D. Brickerlived in Los Angeles and, while writing in every spare moment, worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. Since then she has written three novels for middle-grade readers and several romance novels, including unWANTED: Husband, Change of Heart, Sins of the Past, Wish I Weren't Here, Love Finds You inSnowball, Arkansas and The Big 5-0h!. Visit Sandra on the web at www.sandradbricker.com.

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I received this book free from NetGalley and from Abingdon Press Publishers in exchange for my review of this book.

Book Review: Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent

I'll be honest.  I was doubtful of this book.  I honestly didn't know what to think when it first came up on the Booksneeze list of available books.  I let it pass the first time.  However, after my mentor read it, I decided I wanted to read it.  Thankfully, it popped back up on the list and I was able to check it out for myself.  I fell in love with this little boy and his family.  I honestly pray that I never have to go through what his mom and dad went through, but what an encouraging book that reminds me that even if I do, a much better place exists. 

For me, this book reminded me of how wonderful heaven will be.  It will make me not want for the things that I'll leave behind.  After Colton experience an illness that left him with a glimpse of heaven, he came back to life and was able to share with his parents people that no one had ever told him about. 

Whether this book is true or not, I found myself thinking purely about heaven and how awesome it will be when I get there and can see Jesus. 

I would definitely recommend this book for all!  It was very encouraging and reminds you that there is more to this life than what we see here and now.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Playtime with Daddy

I came across this post of B that I never posted and thought I'd share it with you.  Actually, it's more for me for his book:)  I can so see Baby M in him when I look at these pictures.



B loves his Daddy. He likes to run and jump on Daddy T when Daddy T is lying on the floor. He likes to tickle our belly buttons and laughs when we laugh. He hates it when Daddy T tries to tickle me. Good boy!  Daddy T has really enjoyed getting to spend so much time with him. I never get tired of watching them interact with each other.  Daddy T can get heartier laughs out of him than I can. I get better cuddles out of B than Daddy T does, so I guess we each play our own roles in his life!

My Babies

Baby M's new word that she likes to say is "Bubba."  She tries to say B's real name but it doesn't always come out where you can understand it.  She loves her brother on most days and B loves her, except when she gets ahold of his horses, horse trailer, or trucks.  He's the only person that can get her to squeal in such a high pitch that you think your ears won't be able to handle all of the high pitches!  These two are different but both are strong-willed when they want their way.  They are so much fun to be with.  Just looking at their faces make my day.  Hard to believe my babies are growing up!

Book Review: I Am In Here by Elizabeth M. Bonker & Virginia G. Breen

Autism.  Most of you who know me know that this is a passion of mine.  I work with many children with autism and am a firm believer that they can do most anything any other person can do.  All that's needed is a little adaptation to help them find their voice and for them to express themselves.  For many, music is a voice for them.  For others, it's poetry, nature, etc.  For Elizabeth, it's poetry.

Elizabeth and her mom co-write this book, which is filled with poetry written by Elizabeth.  Her poetry offers insight into the world of autism that many of us don't get to hear about.  She is a non-verbal girl, but when she gets her letter board, she's an open book.  She shares about how she hates when people stare at her and she wishes people wouldn't.  She talks about how people look at her when her body does things, and she wishes she could stop it but she can't.  She wishes people would respect her and treat her as smart.  (By the way, she has quite an impressive IQ!) 

Elizabeth's mom writes in between Elizabeth's poetry and shares things from her mother's heart.  You can see the persistence in which she has fought for her daughter and the guilt that she has in her heart that she wants to be rid of so badly.  You see her joy when Elizabeth expresses herself and you hear her sadness when people treat her differently or don't want to offer to her what she needs.  You see the difference caring teachers make in a child vs. the ones that think it's more of a burden to work with Elizabeth.

I think that EVERY person should read this book, but especially EVERY therapist, friend, parent, family member of someone who has autism.  You will find yourself tearing up as you read Elizabeth's heart poured out through poetry.  You will also laugh to find out how she runs a hard ship when she is writing her poetry!  Read this book and tell someone else about it.  What an encouraging book for all.  I hope that Elizabeth releases more poetry so that we can all have another collection of her writings and into her world of autism. 

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Book Review: A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes

Lydia feels like she is spending her whole life making up for the mistakes she feels she has made as a wife and even as a daughter. (I think this is the character most women can identify with because we probably all feel like we are disappointing people all of the time when we are really trying our best.) When she gets word that her husband has died but that a Frenchman helped her husband, she seeks him out to obtain his parole. While out for a stroll at her parents house, a stranger meets her on the road and blackmails her, wanting her to introduce his friends to all of the people who present themselves to her house. She could object, but that would mean certain danger for her family and for her. What happens if she obliges? What does this stranger really want and why does the Frenchman present himself to her at her parlor? Will her younger sister fall for the friend of the stranger? If so, what will she tell him? Can Lydia trust the Frenchman and who was her husband, really? This was a different type of book for me than I normally read, but I found that I really did enjoy it. It had suspense, but not enough that made me feel like I needed to turn to the back of the book to see the ending! It had a love story attached, of course, but it was a love story that made sense for the time in history and for the characters. It was a book that was very believable. I can't wait to read book 2 in the series when she finishes it!

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Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Confident Heart video promo

A few posts ago, I revied the book A Confident Heart.  You can see my post here.  I wanted to include a video of the author discussing this book to help you get a good idea of what this book is about and why she wrote it.

Book Review: Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacy

Ever wonder what some Chinese people go through on a daily basis?  Do we realize the heartache that couples feel when they must give up a child because they can't afford to pay the fines for another child?  The Chang family had to put Lily up for adoption.  Due to the strict Family Planning Law, the couple was forced to give up Lily, who was their fourth child. 

Eager to adopt a child, Gloria and her husband Andrew, a pastor, have chosen to adopt 10-year-old Lily.  Lily's name is changed to Joy and she begins her new life in America.  Joy gives the Powells a run for their money and is completely rebellious and not very fond of Gloria, who does tend to be a bit overprotective. 

Back in China, Joy's sister, Kai Chang, has taken care of her mother who ends up dying from PKD.  Her promise to her mother was that she would find Lily and bring her home to be part of the Chang family again.  Kai, who has become a doctor and studies PKD, has found her sister and family living in Texas.  Kai feels it is urgent to talk to Lily because she's afraid Lily has inherited the PKD disease, as well, since it's genetic. 

Once Kai is reunited with her sister, Joy, Joy just wants to be with her biological family.  You can only imagine the hurt that Gloria and Andrew feels.  However, thanks to Kai, Joy starts treating her adoptive family better and actually forms a much better relationship with Gloria.

How will things turn out for Lily?  In the midst of all of this turmoil and heartbreak, will she turn to the one person who can give her hope?  Does she have PKD and if she does, how will it change her outlook on life?  Will the Powells and Changs actually become friends or will there always be hurt between the two families?

This is a must-read for absolutely anyone who likes a heartwarming story.  This book has so many twists and turns and problems that arise that are similar to what a real family going through this might would face.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on this book if you read it.

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For more reviews, check out : http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13431458)

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse. This is my honest opinion and was in no way compensated for this review.

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Title: Win a KindleTouch from Patti Lacy!

Patti Lacy is celebrating the release of her latest book, Reclaiming Lily,  with a KindleTouch Giveaway, blog tour and FB Book Chat Party!

Follow the blog tour and read the reviews!

Patti and her publisher, Bethany House, are giving away a Reclaiming Lily prize package worth over $150 to one lucky winner!!!!

Enter the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway and you could win:

• A brand new just released KindleTouch with Wi-Fi


• $25 gift cetificate to Amazon.com

But, wait there’s more!

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. Giveaway ends on 10/19! Patti will be announcing the winner of the Reclaiming Lily Giveaway at her Party on Facebook October 20th! She’ll be hosting a book club chat of Reclaiming Lily (it's okay if you haven't read it - you could win a copy!) and giving away other fun prizes! (signed copies of her books and gift certificates to Amazon.com, Starbucks, & iTunes!). Don’t miss the fun at Patti’s FB Author Page on 10/20/11 at 5pm PST ( 6 pm MST, 7 pm CST, & 8 pm EST)! RSVP today!

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