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The Silver Strand

Posted by html404 on November 1, 2013
in Ebooks, Kids Stuff, Reviews, Uncategorized

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

The Silver Strand is a kid’s fantasy book. My 13 year old daughter wrote this review of The Silver Strand by L.J. Clarkson. Here is what she had to say:

I thought is was a good book. I really liked Isabelle. She was a strong character. I liked how her mother helped her. Her friend was a good friend. Esme was hilarious, so was her partner or whoever he was. I cannot remember his name.

I liked the dragon. He didn’t eat Isabelle. He was nice.

The school bully was just mean.

Isabelle’s dog was cute.

It made me happy when Isabelle and her friend, Bianca, made up.

It was cool how the world was set. The fantasy world was cool.

The Silver Strand part was weird, but good.

The ending left me thinking where was the rest of it. I wanted more. It was a cool book.

Learn more about L.J. Clarkson and her other two books at http://mastermindacademy.net

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One Thousand Gifts Review and Giveaway #1000gifts

Posted by html404 on October 26, 2013
in Books, Encouragement for Moms, Gift Ideas, Holidays, Reviews

I am not sure what I was expecting when I agreed to read Ann Voskamp‘s book, One Thousand Gifts, but it wasn’t what I thought it would be. All I know is I was interested in Ann’s book because she lives on a farm, has six children and homeschools. I thought she and I had a lot in common and I’d be interested in what she had to say. It turns out we had more in common than I thought.

Ann lost her two year old little sister when she was four years old. A delivery truck driver didn’t see her and backed over her. 🙁 Talk about tragic. Talk about the family being grief stricken. Ann did not get over it easily, even though she was four years old, as a matter of fact, it seemed to take her years. Her journey is at the root of One Thousand Gifts. It is Ann’s story of going from a less than joyful existence to living more fully in the joy of the Lord.

One Thousand Gifts is not “candy” reading. Remember when I said I like to read “candy” books to relax and just get away from every day work and life. It’s my rest so to speak. This book requires deep thinking and even personal examination, if you are willing to delve into your soul on a new level. I know I couldn’t just zip through reading the book at high speed. I took it slow so I could digest its words.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ann’s word studies, especially on eucharisteo (you’ll have to read the book to find out what that is! 😉 ) It really helped me see some areas in my life where I’ve been lacking. I will say one thing about living a joyful life, it is first necessary to be a thankful person. Discontentment is a sure fire joy robber.

I’d encourage all women who are looking for more meaning to life to read this book. It is definitely inspiring, soul searching and taught me enough to make me want to change my outlook from one of discontentment to joy and to choose to make gratefulness an every day habit. It’s definitely a must read.

Could you make a list thanking God for 1000 things in your life? If you could, how do you think that exercise would change you? Or would it?

One Thousand Gifts may be purchased at any major book retailer.

One Thousand Gifts Review and Giveaway

If you are looking for a great gift for mom, just because gift, encouraging gift, birthday gift, Christmas gift……enter to win a copy of One Thousand Gifts below!

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Perfectly Matched by Maggie Brendan

Posted by html404 on October 24, 2013
in Books, Ebooks, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

Perfectly Matched by Maggie Brendan is the third book in the Blue Willows book series about mail order brides. It is a sappy, but cute story of Anna, a mail order bride and Edward, a clock maker, who live in Denver Colorado.

Like most newlyweds, who haven’t lived together before marriage, they have a time of adjustment; which is often hilarious, but also heart wrenching when feelings are hurt and miscommunication occurs. Edwards OCD (OCD – Obsessive-compulsive disorder – apparently emerged in 1877, did you know that?) was a major contribution to Anna and his rocky start, just as much as Anna’s spontaneity. They had to learn how to live a balanced life between the two.

It was interesting learning a bit of the history of the A.S.P.C.A. (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and Anna’s efforts to star the first shelter in Denver. Both were admirable.

I wanted to read this book because of my interest in mail order brides. I cannot fathom how women, girls even, could do this. Usually they left their families behind in another city, state or country. I mean, I did that but I knew my husband before I made the move. I have read the first two books of this series and thought the first was the best one. To me Perfectly Matched was a regular fictional romance novel. It isn’t a book I get excited about or would read again, unfortunately.

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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A Reluctant Courtship by Laurie Alice Eakes

Posted by html404 on October 19, 2013
in Books, Ebooks, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

A Reluctant Courtship by Laurie Alice Eakes is a historical romance with a mystery twist. It’s actually the third book in Daughters of Bainbridge House series, which I thought I had read but must have mixed them up with another series.

I actually thought of Downton Abbey a lot (which I thoroughly enjoy, by the way!) as I read this book. English propriety. Social Standing. Prim and proper decorum…well…to a point because we all know scandals rock the English just as much as the next.

I loved Honore’s (the main female character) faithful companion who showed her love and devotion amidst Honore’s ostracized state. I felt bad for Honore and the judgement placed on her because of some poor choices in past suitors and the scandal they brought into her life. I had a love-hate relationship with the reluctant suitor, Ashmoor. I love the honor and devotion he displayed for his family but hated the reasons for his reluctance to court Honore. Whatever happened to believing the best in people first?

The mystery case really did not surprise me as I had guessed which character at one point in my reading.

As love would have it’s way, love did triumph at last, which is no surprise in this type of book. However, I enjoyed the humor, the scandal and journey of Honore Bainbridge and her suitor Lord Ashmoor. I’d probably even read this book again and am interested in reading the first two books of the series (ChristianBooks.com has vol. 1-2 for $4.99 + shipping!)

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Under a Blackberry Moon by Serena B Miller

Posted by html404 on October 12, 2013
in Books, Gift Ideas, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

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Under a Blackberry Moon by Serena B Miller is a historical fiction novel about a Chippewa woman, Moon Song, and a white lumber man’s, Skypilot, journey back to the Chippewa reservation.

I really liked this book. Unlike other historical romances, I did not find this one predictable. I was eager to see where the storyline took me and what obstacle or adventure was about to happen. This wasn’t a cheesy romance but an enduring one.

Both Moon Song and Skypilot’s determination was admirable.

I loved the respect and devotion Moon Song had for her elderly grandmother, an elder in her village, as well as how she displayed that love and devotion towards her tribe.

Moon Song gave Skypilot quite the chase, which I thoroughly enjoyed. To be honest, I have advised our girls to give any future suitors a run for their money and not be so easily caught. Bad, aren’t I? I just figure if guys stick around and think our girls are worth the chase, then they are serious and worth the girls’ time and whatever else it may lead to. Skypilot was up for it and proved how much he loved Moon Song through his desire to learn the ways of the Chippewa.

Having grown up in Nova Scotia, Canada, I lived within 20-30 minutes of a couple MicMac Indian reservations. I even had a couple of friends in college who had grown up on the reservations in Canada. However, I was pretty oblivious as a child to the problems the reservations faced, not to mention what the people had to endure. It was not until I was older that I would feel a keen sense of sadness and loss for native Americans, their culture and heritage. I believe much has been lost due to them being forced to live on reservations.

In light of the above, I appreciated Serena B. Miller’s fictional spin on the Chippewa’s plight and how she ended this story with a special twist and positive outcome for one segment of the Chippewa. If only the ending of Under a Blackberry Moon could be or have been the fate of all native American people.

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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A Plain Disappearance by Amanda Flower

Posted by html404 on October 9, 2013
in Books, Girl Stuff, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product from Handlebar Publishing in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

A Plain Disappearance by Amanda Flower is the third book in the Appleseed Creek Mystery series. It is a stand alone book. I am rather glad I came in on the third book because the main couple was already together making A Plain Disappearance seem more like a mystery than a fictional romance. Though it did make me want to go back and read the first two installments.

In this book, I saw a glimpse of the struggles Amish families must go through when their children decide to leave their Amish communities for what is considered “English”. This story showed some of the not so good aspects of being Amish or being an “Englisher” dating an almost shunned Amish man. It also revealed a dishonest side to the Amish. Something that usually isn’t seen in the Amish books I have read in the past.

The best thing I liked is the fact that I was kept guessing right through to the end. Gotta love that suspense! I was actually surprised how the mystery concluded.

A Plain Disappearance was a really good read.

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The Long Awakening

Posted by html404 on October 5, 2013
in Books, Encouragement for Moms, Family Stuff, Gift Ideas, Pregnancy and Birth, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

The Long Awakening by Lindsey O’Connor is a memoir dedicated to Lindsey’s youngest daughter, Caroline Aileen. This book is a story of Lindsey’s 47-day coma just after giving birth to Caroline, her journey of her recovery, and that of her family’s.

I have 2-3 pages of little bits from the book that touched my heart. After three pages I stopped because I would have an incredibly long review if I wrote about all of my notes. For the sake of this review, I will just touch on a few more important ones.

Let me start by saying I really enjoyed The Long Awakening and found myself reading faster to see what how Lindsey’s story ended.

First, I am always impressed when a family rallies around one another and does what needs to be done through difficult circumstances, such as the O’Connor’s 47+ day tragedy. For example, Lindsey’s oldest daughter postponed college in order to stay at home to take care of her baby sister. This is something no parent wants to force on their oldest child, but the fact that Jacquelyn decided on her own her baby sister needed to be in their family home and not “farmed” out to another home to be cared for showed her love, devotion and sacrifice to do what was in the best interest of not only Caroline, but the whole family.

Jacquelyn’s intuition about her sister Allison was amazing too. I loved reading about how she got her little sister to open up and showed her it was ok to cry, to grieve over what had happened to their mom. The O’Connor’s must have been so proud of her.

Secondly, Lindsey’s family had so much support, love and help that it was a sweet testimony to one nurse in particular, who said, “she’d never seen people come around a family like that.” They had a church that put love into action – for the long haul.

I’ve been taken to emergency surgery during a couple of my miscarriages, but I never uttered the words Lindsey did when she was being wheeled away:

“Please take care of me. I have five children now.”

Weird, but I felt guilty. Granted her situation was completely different but still. It’s amazing what another woman’s story can illicit from my own soul.

I could not have been as calm as Lindsey was when she found out she had an emergency hysterectomy. Listen to what her response was:

“Why does this matter? Uterus in, uterus out. A little rain. Get out the umbrella. I had no use for that body part anymore.”

Not having been in her situation, I can only imagine how I would have responded. I guess this was the least of her concerns at the time. More important matters had her attention, such as, communicating, moving, holding and bonding with her baby, getting her life back.

I could go on for another 500 words, but the last thing I wanted to share had a profound affect on me was when Lindsey spent two hours tapping a spoon against her bedside table only to be ignored. The reason they found out later was because this was a physical quality brain damaged people exhibited. Lindsey’s words were:

“I lay brain damaged and didn’t warrant a response.”

That made me so very sad. The hospital staff heard her but ignored her. Thank God she had her husband advocating for her!

I highly recommend this book. It will make you cry, but Lindsey’s story is a must read. Talk about triumphing over huge hurdles!

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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LeapReader “Ready, Set, Read & Write!”

Posted by 278Wife on October 1, 2013
in Books, Downloads, Education, Family Stuff, Kids Stuff, Parenting, Reviews, School, Techie Stuff, Technology/Electronics, Travel, Uncategorized

I received free LeapFrog products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I am thrilled that I was able to be a host for the LeapReader “Ready, Set, Read & Write” Party, sponsored by Leapfrog! LeapReader is the complete learn-to-read-and-write solution. It combines reading, writing, and listening into one easy and fun system. LeapReader uses books, flash cards, workbooks, audio book apps, music apps, and even trivia apps to enhance the learning experience. If you’ve never tried a LeapReader, you must. It is lifechanging! My son and I call it a magic pencil, since it knows everything.

The activity book that came with the LeapReader was great. It really taught us how versatile the LeapReader was. For example, we turned to the page featuring “Cars” and the LeapReader read it to us. It also had a game to play, and it would sound out the words for you if you touched the words with the LeapReader.

When we turned the page to the “Leap and the Lost Dinosaur,” my son loved pointing the LeapReader on the different pictures and learning fun facts about them. He was engaged the entire time, and was learning. It is the best of both worlds! Another page he loved was a game you played with the “Muscular System” page. The LeapReader would give you a clue and you had to point to the answer. For example, touch the muscle you smile with. We played that for a good ten minutes.

The LeapReader flash cards were a hit, too. You are able to mix and match letters to build words. It has rhyming, spelling, and singing games as well. My son’s favorite were the singing games. If you touch one of the pictures with the LeapReader it sings a song, spelling and sounding out the picture. It actually made him start to remember how to spell the words, it was very catchy! My favorite feature was the included sight words list. Just touch the word with the LeapReader and it would say it.

We attempted the Writing books, but my son was more interested in hearing the stories than writing. Some of my friends’ kids came over and tried them, and they had a ball! The LeapReader really tells you step by step how to write Upper and Lowercase letters, while saying letter sounds. I found it amazing that the writing magically appears on the special paper.

Each of the writing activity sets includes a workbook filled with fun activities as well as extra writing paper so you can practice. The activity books are so interactive that the kids are constantly engaged.

The Get Ready for Kindergarten book is a must for all preschool aged children. It teaches letters, vowels, beginning sounds, blends, patterns, numbers, skip counting, math, months, seasons, community places, and more. This was my son’s favorite book. He plays with it almost daily. There is so much to do on each page, that he rarely does the same thing twice.

My son really enjoyed reading the Monsters University LeapReader Interactive Book, too. You can either touch on the book picture and it will read it for you, or you can touch word by word to read and follow along. For now my son likes to listen to it, but I’m sure in no time he will be wanting to touch word by word. This will then teach him how to read.

I am absolutely in love with the LeapReader “Ready, Set, Read & Write” system. In additon to all of the workbooks, flash cards, and books you can buy for your LeapReader, you can also download apps to put on the LeapReader. Mine was conveniently loaded with two audio books, learning music, and a trivia app. Let me just tell you how amazing this is for travel. My son brings this in the car, plugs in his headphones, and enjoys listening to the stories and music. With a touch of a button you can switch between apps. The LeapReader is lightweight so I carry it in my purse or diaper bag when we are out and about so he is always entertained and more importantly, learning. The best part is that no batteries are required. Simply charge it with the included USB cord and you are good to go!

I can honestly say that this LeapReader is life changing. I will be telling all of my mom friends about how great of a learning tool this is. It is great for reading, writing, and listening skills. My son has yet to become bored with it, and continues to ask me to buy more books or apps for him. I love that he asks me to buy him books rather than toys. The LeapReader is definitely going to create lifelong learners for all children who use it!

www.LeapFrog.com

I received free LeapFrog products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty. The opinions expressed here are my own.

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A Surprise for Lily

Posted by html404 on September 19, 2013
in Books, Family Stuff, Girl Stuff, Kids Stuff, Reviews, Uncategorized

This review was written by my second oldest, “B”.

A Surprise for Lily is another great book. The fourth in the series written by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. I really like the Lily Lapp books. Lily has grown and matured so much throughout the series. A lot happens in this installment.

Lily’s cousin, Hannah, and her family moves away and her grandpa passes away. I really felt bad about it for Lily because Hannah was her best friend. Lily misses them very much. Lily’s brother, Joseph, finds/gets a dog which he names Dozer, short for Bulldozer. Joseph loves his pup and makes excuses for every naughty puppy thing he does, such as: stealing boots, pulling clothes off the line and digging in the garden. Lily does not quite appreciate Dozer’s talent for getting into mischief. 🙂 I like Dozer, but could understand why Lily found him annoying. He caused Lily and Mrs. Lapp an awful lot of extra work.

The long awaited baby “sister” arrives and turns out to be a new brother, much to Lily’s disappointment. Poor Lily, she waited so long for a sister.

Other news, Danny started going to school with Lily and Joseph, a new family comes to town, the Hershbergers, who have six children (3 boys and 3 girls). One of the boys, Harvey, who is nine and a bit of a trouble maker…..until Lily’s mother helped the new teacher (Teacher Judith) with English classes and outwits him. He suddenly never acts up again. I don’t think I could have treated Harvey the way Mrs. Lapp did. She did an amazing job.

Aaron Yoder still plagues Lily but she, Aaron, and Harvey actually became friends in this book, after the boys helped Lily in two incidents – both involving Dozer, who she learned to appreciate and love. I loved the fact that Harvey, Aaron and Lily became friends, it showed how much Lily had grown up.

Two thumbs up from “B”!

“Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Trapped by Irene Hannon

Posted by html404 on September 5, 2013
in Books, Gift Ideas, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

Trapped by Irene Hannon is the second book in the Private Justice series. It is a romantic suspense novel about a woman named Laura Griffith and her half sister, Darcy, who runs away because her sister’s rules are too much for her to live with. When Darcy goes missing Laura not only contacted the police but also hired a PI (Private Investigator) named Devlin, to find her and bring her home.

I always enjoy Irene Hannon’s books. I like how she keeps me hanging and wanting to read more to find out what happens. I like that there are usually a few elements of surprise and suspense in her storylines.

However, the romantic interest always seems way too predictable. In Trapped and Vanished it seems that the main characters fall in love at first sight as much as they try to fight their attraction. I’m not one for love at first sight, neither is my husband, who says he believes in infatuation at first sight, I tend to agree with him. It must start out as attraction and infatuation, not love. How can you fall in love with someone you don’t even know anything about?

I do like that Dev maintains his professional relationship and does not pursue romance until his work on the case is complete. That is an example of professional integrity, something the real world is lacking.

Nevertheless, because Trapped kept me on my toes I give it two thumbs up.

For more information visit http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/trapped/338190

Irene Hannon’s website, twitter and facebook:

http://www.irenehannon.com/

https://twitter.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Irene-Hannon/426433004084567

“Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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