Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fischer Book Review
January 12th, 2012 | 
Author: 
About the Book:
About Suzanne:
Love on the Line – Book Review
Love on the Line
Love on the Line is the latest Christian fiction novel by author Deanne Gist.
The Book:It’s a Battle of Wills … and Love Is on the Line!
Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man’s world . . . which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.
Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He’s a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.
The Author:Deeanne Gist–known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee–has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very original, very fun historical & contemporary romances. Add to this three RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.
She has a very active online community on her website at => I Want Her Book
My Thoughts: This was a light quick read with Deeanne’s usual touches of humor. I enjoyed the historic insight and the opposites attracting and wishing they weren’t element. I found myself laughing at bits of the character Luke’s thoughts in the beginning.
But…The book starts out kind of slow and halfway through really takes off so it took me some time to get into. I usually like to feel a bond with my heroine in a book but this one was made to be a little too quirky with her bird crusade so it was hard to take her feelings seriously. I think this book had potential to go a bit deeper and become longer than it was. I also would have liked to see more about the Georgie character before she met Luke.
As far as being a Christian novel there are only a few slight references to God.
Truthfully I had a little bit of a hard time getting into this book. I usually really like Deanne Gist’s books but this one didn’t grab me like they usually do. It was just okay.
It was humorous, a little quirky with the bird angle and a mystery to solve.
Enter to win an iPad2 & RSVP for Facebook Party on 11/8!
Posted in Reviews | 
Tags: Bethany House, book review, Christian Fiction, Deanne Gist | 
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The Wonder of Your Love – A Book Review
I recently had the extreme please to read The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman. Ooh I really liked this book! Read on….
About the book:
Katie Ann lost the love of her life. Then God offers her a new beginning in Colorado. Katie Ann Stolzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan, Colorado. At forty she is widowed and raising her first child. But baby Jonas will never know his father, and Katie Ann wonders if her Heavenly Father hasn’t forgotten about her as well. Is it really God’s plan for her to be a single parent?
Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation. Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester. He’s enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.
When Katie Ann and Eli meet, there is an instant connection. Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work. He is done parenting, while she has just begun. But as their friendship slowly blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God’s plans. Can Katie Ann entrust her heart to another man, and rediscover the wonder of God’s love?
About Beth:
Beth Wiseman is hailed as a top voice in Amish fiction. She is a Carol-award winner and author of numerous bestsellers including the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaanseries. She and her family live in Texas. www.bethwiseman.com, Twitter @bethwiseman, www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-of-Beth-Wiseman/47576397539
My Thoughts: Let me just say I really, really enjoyed The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman. I, like a lot of other people, like Amish fiction. Because it is nice and clean but also because they are real people who have real problems like the rest of us.
This book was a sweet read and I just had to pass it on to my mother who enjoyed it also. I enjoyed all the main characters a lot and found myself interested in each one’s story. From the heroine to the hero to her best friend and more. It was one of those books I just couldn’t put down.
I found I could sympathize with heroine in this story and as such really was rooting for her. And as is not usually the case I was very fond of the hero. I don’t usually dislike them but they are usually not portrayed as such happy, happy go lucky characters. He just seemed so happy and sweet and in a very good way.
There was no mystery, fights, no natural disasters, and no extreme drama. Just a really good read. If you enjoy Amish Christian fiction you will really like The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman.
Other Blogs on the Tour
Kris at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
Patricia at It’s Time To Read Mamaw
10/18
Jill at Book, Books Everywhere I read it all in one evening. The characters were well written and felt real.
Renee at Black ‘n Gold Girl’s Book Spot The author deals with a difficult situation in a tasteful manner while not skirting around the side affects like bitterness. The message of hope and love in Christ and learning to trust make this book a pleasant read for anyone, fans of Amish stories or not.
10/19
Reviews By Jane Ruth at This That and the Other Thing
10/20
10/21
10/22
Deborah at Books, Movies and Chinese Food
Kate at Fuzzy Black Slippers & a Pink Hoodie
10/24
Lisa at A Casual Reader’s Blog
10/25
Lauri at Knits, Reads and Reviews
10/26
Debra at Footprints in the Butter
10/27
Kemi at Homemaking Organized Blog (you are here)
Lena at A Christian Writer’s World
10/28
Paula at Thrifty Momma’s Brain Food
Becky at Christian Chick’s Thoughts
10/29
Sara at Shoopette’s Book Reviews
Jennifer at For Such a Time as This
10/31
Alena at Little Bit Of Wonderful
Heather at Mommy Of 1 and Counting
11/1
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity Group as part of their Blogger Review 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Fairer than Morning, Fairer Than I Thought – Book Review
Fairer Than Morning
Fairer Than Morning, a Book Review
The Book: Ann dreams of a marriage proposal from her poetic suitor, Eli-until Will Hanby shows her that nobility is more than fine words.
On a small farm in 19th-century Ohio, young Ann Miller is pursued by the gallant Eli Bowen, son of a prominent family. Eli is the suitor of Ann’s dreams. Like her, he enjoys poetry and beautiful things and soon, he will move to the city to become a doctor.
Ann travels to Pittsburgh, accompanying her father on business. There she meets Will Hanby, a saddle-maker’s apprentice. Will has spent years eking out an existence under a cruel master and his spirit is nearly broken. But Ann’s compassion lights a long-dark part of his soul. Through his encounters with Ann’s father, a master saddler, Will discovers new hope and courage in the midst of tremendous adversity.
When the Millers must return to Ohio and their ministry there, Will resolves to find them, at any cost. If Will can make it back to Ann, will she be waiting?
The Author: Rosslyn Elliott grew up in a military family and relocated so often that she attended nine schools before her high school graduation. With the help of excellent teachers, she qualified to attend Yale University, where she earned a BA in English and Theater. She worked in business and as a schoolteacher before returning to study at Emory University, where she earned a Ph.D. in English in 2006. Her study of American literature and history inspired her to pursue her lifelong dream of writing fiction. She lives in the Southwest, where she homeschools her daughter and teaches in children’s ministry.
My Thoughts:
I jumped at the chance to review Fairer Than Morning by author Rosslyn Elliott for Litfuse because…
a) I like to read.
b) It was based on a real family
c) It is a Christian book
d) It is historical.
And not in that order.
Having read my share of Christian fiction books I had not yet heard of author Rosslyn Elliot nor this title and maybe that’s because she was new on the scene. Go figure. But that has changed. Rosslyn Elliot will surely make her mark with Christian readers with this great historical read.
Showing the power of forgiveness and how God can heal a crippled soul.
Fairer Than Morning is a great read. Full of details that have you picturing a Dicken’s novel (as one reviewer put it) the fact that it is based on a historical family makes it that much more.
The story of an indentured slave helping out in the underground railroad is not one that I would generally pull off the shelf (too close to home) but I’m glad I did choose to read it.
I found myself not wanting to put the book down and pouting when it ended all too soon. I’m hoping it is a series.
I don’t like to give too much away about books. If you read the synopsis above and the first chapter below you can get a feel for if Fairer Than Morning is a read for you as it was for me. And now off to give my Mother the book who has been patiently waiting.
You can read the opening scene of Fairer Than Morning here on Rosslyn’s website.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity Group as part of their Blogger Review 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Posted in Inspirational, Reviews |
Tags: book review, Christian Fiction, Fairer Than Morning, review, Rosslyn Elliot |
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Truck Coloring Books for Kids and a Giveaway
A Truck Coloring Book for Kids
Giveaway has ended.
I know another giveaway. But I had to. This one I’m doing personally because I love the author and I’m just tickled with his latest work.
First of all I just love this Big Rigs: A Truck Coloring Book for Kids because it is so perfect for a truck loving child and has the added benefit of being a bit of a teaching tool where trucks are concerned.
Do you have a child that calls out the grills, headlights, and whatnots on passing trucks as you motor along the roadway on your daily jaunts?
Big Rigs: A Truck Coloring Book for Kids is just for him (or her as in my case). 31 pages of simple but detailed truck descriptions and coloring pages.
Each set of truck pages includes an informational paragraph about the truck to be colored.
What it looks like and how it is used.
Learn vocabulary words such as Tractor, and Refrigerator.
The front of the book has a simple vocabulary list so your child knows what is being talked about it the descriptive paragraphs.
These truck coloring pictures were drawn by a young boy (now shortly to be a young man) who loves his trucks and it shows.
And now there is a new book in town A Day in the Life of a Trucker.
A Day in the Life of a Trucker
Our author of Big Rigs has grown up a bit and wants us to meet Tim, a fictional trucker, and color his day. Each page in this coloring book is lovingly hand drawn (he really likes trucks) and shows the detail of great trucks of the road.
Visit Free Truck Coloring Pages to find out more about each book and download free printable coloring page samples
Giveaway
One incredibly lucky person will win a copy of A Day in the Life of a Trucker.
Leave me a comment about someone you know (or you) who would like a copy of this book (of course personal details kept to a minimum).
Open to US addresses only
You will need to supply me with your mailing address so don’t enter if you’re not comfortable with that.
Giveaway ends October 8th Midnight.
Posted in Giveaways, kids, Reviews |
Tags: Coloring book, free printable, truck coloring pages |
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Learning to Read with ClickN Kids – Review and Giveaway
Giveaway has ended….AND NOBODY ENTERED!!! SHAAAAMMMMME!
Although scheduled to begin actively learning to read this year in Kindergarten my little Peanut has been chomping at the bit to get some reading fundamentals down.
In comes ClickN READ Phonics.
The ClickN READ Phonics is a scientific research based online reading curriculum program designed to provide an interactive learning experience in an individualized environment…. It’s been created based on research to provide a great reading program that works for kids in a nutshell.
I was given the chance to review this program for my little Peanut (at just the right time I might add) and offer a giveaway to YOU! There are two programs but I’m reviewing ClickN READ Phonics but you can win either ClickN READ Phonics or ClickN SPELL.
The Gist:
Click N READ Phonics is set up as interactive animated lessons with an outer-space type theme and character (dog) that guides your student to the various learning rooms and through the various lessons, such as letter sound chamber, and listening cube, to work on phonics lessons.
You start ClickN READ Phonics at a specific point in the lessons depending upon where your child is in the reading game. So say your child has already been learning to read and may have the letter sounds down (the case with my child) then you would start at a later lesson. If your child is just starting on the path to reading then you would start at the beginning. A child who may be having a bit of difficulty grasping reading would start at another spot. And so forth.
It’s internet based so to get to work you simply log on with a simple logon and password and then you can further customize it and lock that down with a password so your child can fiddle with it except to learn.
When you first start you enter you child (or children’s) name and what lesson they will be beginning on. They take it from there and follow the guided instruction through phonics reading lessons.
At the end of each lesson there is a read out of what was missed, how many times, and what could be worked on. The parent can view progress reports at any time. You can preview lessons, print out practice sentences and words for ongoing review and view samples of lessons to come.
Drawbacks:
No product is perfect for everyone.
If your child needs more personal support in learning to read then this might not work for you.
It’s all online so if you’re on dialup or don’t have great computer access this probably would not work for you.
Your child will need to be slightly proficient on the computer (using the mouse and occasionally keyboard).
My Experience:
Since we have a few computers in the home and I do work on one I like to have a few educational programs for my Peanut to enjoy at times during the day. Although she learned basic letter sounds at the end of preschool last year and is scheduled to actively learn to read (phonics) this year in Kindergarten I decided it would be a nice idea to supplement with some activities such as ClickN READ Phonics until school starts in a few days.
I have to say I am impressed and had I known about ClickN READ Phonics before I probably would have started my daughter on it a year ago. Seriously. Sometimes a child wants to learn things faster than they are being taught in school and she has been chomping at the bit to read. We all know every child and their capabilities are different but I like what I’ve seen so far. I started her with the sample to see how I would like the interface and if she could do it by herself (I’m in the room).
Although it is animated I very much liked that it wasn’t rife with glitchy loud music and goofy antics that had no relation to what the goal is which is teaching your child to read. This was important to me as I have tried a few programs that think I want my child to learn through rap or rock. No thank you. The dog character has small interactions with the animated screen which are not over the top (in my opinion) or too distracting. It was just enough to make it fun for her.
BUT! Is she learning?! Yes! She’s been at it for a week and we (my husband, I and other family members) can see the progress. Of course she doesn’t read the daily paper to me each morning but she has been pointing out words here and there that she is reading. They are usually four to five letter words.
Don’t just take my word for it. Head on over to ClickN READ Phonics and sample the lessons for yourself.
GIVEAWAY:
Okay I probably should have had a separate post for this but here are the giveaway details for ClickN READ Phonics
One winner will recieve a free account for either ClickN READ and ClickN SPELL for their child.
#1 visit the ClickN KIDS site
#2 try the ClickN READ and ClickN SPELL FREE lessons on the homepage (on the right hand side)
#3 Come back here and leave a comment about the programs
#4 Extra entry for doing that twitter thing where you put @momtools in the post (you can follow me too but that’s not necessary nor will it earn an extra entry)
#5 Extra entry for writing a post on your own blog and tracking back to this post.
Giveaway ends Wednesday September 22nd at Midnight
Winner will be picked via Random.org. I’m taking my lovely assistant off duty since she will be in school and needs her sleep. I’ll contact the winner via email (so please leave a valid one).
{Although I am an affiliate for this product the above review and links are without an affiliate code. I did recieve an account to try with my child. If you do decide you would like to purchase an account after reading my lovely review and want to use my affiliate link here it is: ClickN KIDS }
Posted in Giveaways, kids, Reviews |
Tags: ClickN Kids, homeschool, reading, teaching |
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52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Domestically Challenged: Book Review
On an average morning I get up an hour or so before my daughter and have my devotions, get things going in the house, breakfast ready etc. Dinner is planned and ready to go and I have a bit of web work under my belt. Then she wakes up and the day begins in earnest.
But lately I have noticed a little less pep in my step. About the last few months to be exact. I’ve been feeling the need for a tune up. A jump start. And no I’m not into cars. Sometimes it’s energy but mostly I was looking for a little motivation. I know what I do is important. The little peanut growing by leaps and bounds is proof daily of that. And so are all the emails of thanks for this tidbit or that. But still…
Being a big reader I have been browsing the homemaking book sections lately looking for something more than just your average how to organize, clean, cook book. I have tons of those and have written a bit about it myself. I wanted something more.
So when Lynn Bowen Walker contacted me to take a look at Queen of the Castle: 52 Weeks of Encouragement for the Uninspired, Domestically Challenged or Just Plain Tired Homemaker
What a great read! And I mean that sincerely.
It’s not just that she added all those wonderful vintage (and some modern) quotes from books I know and love.
It’s not that the book is arranged so that each week’s focus is timely to the season and time of year and even possibly how you’re doing right about that time in this big job of homemaking.
Nor her new words for the week that gets a nod ’cause I can soooo relate.
Not even for the timely scripture at the end of each chapter or prayer example to remind you what this homemaking is all about and Who you ultimately serve by giving it a go.
It’s that this book is a big hug for women out there who need to know that the work they do at and for the home and home life is truly important.
And YES! there are homemaking tips in there. These are practical application tips and even recipes that Lynn has learned along the way and is passing along.
Designed for the Christian homemaker (and by the way whether single, married, with children and without if you have a home of any size and/or description (palace, to studio) you are a homemaker) this book is a year long, 52 week long advice book on picking up your chin and being proud of what you do.
Right now I’m on Week Two where I am reminded to Give Homemaking My Best. There is the suggestion, especially if you have children or a spouse who may not quite understand, to give it your all and then take a vacation. One that takes you off the premises so others in the household may understand all you do 
I do this now and again. Also incorporated is the reminder that no one is super woman. This is perfect wisdom for one of close friends who is struggling with feelings of inadequacy on not being able to work part-time, raise two children and foster for two more who are under the age of five. This in addition to being a wife and very active in her church’s music ministry. It’s okay to say no. To only do the amount you can do well. When we start giving less than our best it’s time to cut back. No comparison to anyone else. No other homemaker, blogger woman, business executive etc.
See how inspiring the book is?
Although listed as 52 Weeks of encouragement you’ll read through each chapter (which is for the week) rather quickly and be tempted to jump ahead. My advice? Read your chapter at the beginning of the week and use that week to digest and apply the tips Lynn provides. As with a foreign language, which this may be for some of us, it sometimes takes digestion over and over to get the message.
You can also visit Lynn on her recipe blog at Queen of the Castle Recipes. Did I mention there are recipes in the book?
Posted in homemaking, Reviews |
Tags: book review, Christian, encouragement, mom, Queen of the Castle |
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