Book Description

Tragedy tore Christopher’s world apart. But Emily believes there are enough pieces left behind to stitch together a beautiful new beginning.

Emily Fisher is eager to meet the new employee at her father’s shop in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. But when Christopher Hochstetler arrives, his cold demeanor freezes her attempts at building a friendship.

Longing for a fresh start, Christopher travels from Ohio to Bird-in-Hand to work at his uncle’s shop. Christopher’s heart is still wounded from memories of home, and making new friends is the last thing on his mind—he knows the pain that comes with losing those you love. When Emily is kind to him, he tries to remain distant, but he soon finds himself stealing glances at her throughout the day.

When Christopher shares his tragic reasons for leaving home, Emily decides to make a quilt for him as a gesture of their friendship. Even though he is not a member of the church, she’s found someone with whom she can imagine a future. The two are quickly falling in love when a family emergency calls Christopher back to Ohio without warning.

My Thoughts:

This book is the third in the Amish Heirloom Series, so many of the same characters appear in all the books. However, there is enough back story to be enjoyed without reading the previous books in the series.

One of the things that I like about this series is how the author balances real life within an Amish setting.  So those who like to read about Amish life will enjoy each story without the saccharine sweetness of some such novels.  Seeing how life’s struggles are handled within the Amish community makes for very good reading. Once I started reading, it was hard to put the book down.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Description:

This iconic prayer is paired with flowing illustrations by award-winning artist Richard Jesse Watson and thoughtful insights by bestselling author Rick Warren, resulting in a book that rejuvenates the familiar prayer for a younger audience. Using poetic scripture from the King James Version, The Lord’s Prayer: Words of Hope and Happiness helps familiarize children with real biblical text while also presenting contemporary illustrations and insightful words that make this beautiful prayer come alive.

My Review:

This is a nice book for little ones.  It goes through the Lord’s Prayer section by section with an explanation of each line broken down for children to understand.  Rick Warren did a good job on his explanations.  The illustrations are nicely drawn and the book is of a sturdy board pages that will hold up.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Description

Could God be offering Charlotte a second chance at true love?

Charlotte Dolinsky needs time to recover after breaking up with her boyfriend, Ryan. But when a surprise visitor shows up on her doorstep in Texas, she’s forced to put aside her own worries to help her Amish friends in Lancaster County. Soon she is entangled in a web of deception and this time, she isn’t the only one keeping secrets.

Daniel Byler struggles each day in his Amish community to heal from his fiancée’s betrayal. When he discovers that a member of his family is in danger of being shunned, his pain turns to fear. His only way to help is by partnering with Charlotte, a woman he barely knows who has already deceived them all before.

Charlotte begins building a friendship with Daniel that she’ll need to lean on when more surprises surface from her past and she once again finds herself torn between two worlds. Will Charlotte’s friends in the Amish community be able to show her the power of redemption and lead her home? And can she help young Jacob realize that God offers second chances at happiness when she isn’t even sure herself?

My Review:

The book starts off with a bang and keeps on going.  The characters are not fake sugar and love but more real life.  Charlotte is being evicted, Daniel is running away and his mother has problems of her own.  You will like this book. Very complex issues are addressed in a sensitive, meaningful fashion. We rarely see how the Amish address drug addiction, depression and dealing with life changing abusive childhoods.

This is the 2nd in the series of this Amish trilogy, with many of the same characters appearing. I haven’t read the first book in the series, but there were enough clues to help me understand the background.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Description

Be part of the fun and join Mama, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey Bear as they cook up holiday favorites and some unique eats for friends and family with the all-new The Berenstain Bears Holiday Cookbook. Filled with traditional holiday favorites like Frosted Sugar Cookies, Pumpkin Pie, Hot Apple Cider Punch, Cranberry Stuffing, and some unique and fun recipes like Papa Bear’s Paw-Licking Good Chicken Wings, this kid-friendly cookbook will help Bear Country families, and families and friends everywhere, have the most wonderful year of eating ever!

Young cooks and their adult assistants will find recipes for beverages, meals and sides, and sweets and treats.

My review:

40 recipes to make with your cub are in this book. Each recipe includes a color photo of the food. There is a section for each holiday with a one page introductory tale to the holiday featuring the bears.

The recipes are sorted by holiday and most are easy to make.  There are such recipes as pizza, mashed potatoes, smoothie, popcorn and more.  You will enjoy making these recipes with your cubs.

Over all I give this book a 4 out 5 stars because of the difficulty of some recipes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Info

Pumpkin Patch Blessings celebrates fall and shows little ones there are blessings all around us, especially in the pumpkin patch! The sweet rhyming text by Kim Washburn and whimsical illustrations by Jacqueline East bring autumn alive for readers young and old as they take in the fun of the fall season and remember how much they have to be grateful for.

My Review:

This is nice little book, just the right size for your little one.  Cute illustrations and short verses will keep their attention as you read it to them.    The book goes through the various items of fall including of course the pumpkin patch and lets them know how great these things are and who made them for them.  All in all a nice little book. I give 5 out 5.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Snuggle Time Psalms

By Glenys Nellist

Book Description

Did you think the book of Psalms was only for adults? Think again! Snuggle Time Psalms, written by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Cee Biscoe, is the perfect way to introduce little ones to the poetry book of the Bible. This padded cover board book uses simple concepts, rhyming text and adorable art to help children engage with the Psalms. Beginning with “Bedtime Peace” and ending with “Wonderful Me!” this collection of fifteen bedtime poems enables young children to discover the One who holds them in his arms, leads them like a shepherd, created them just as they are, and cherishes them with a love that never ends … snuggle and see!

This is a cute book with 15 different verses in it.  Each page has a verse from the Psalms  then  a little poem explaining the verse.  It is a short book with colorful illustrations.  Your child will love this book.

I give it a 5 out of 5

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Description
The third book in this adorable series, I Love You Just Because is the perfect way to show kids that their parents love them just because.
With sales of nearly 75,000 copies for the first two I Love You . . . books, this third addition uses sweet, playful art to depict family dynamics that are grounded in unconditional love.
Through adorable, cuddly art and fun rhyming text, I Love You Just Because will help little ones understand their parents’ love for them and that it doesn’t have to be earned. With playful artwork and the same friendly bear family you already know and love from Donna Keith’s first two books—I Love You All the Same and I Love You Even When—the sweet story of this book will touch you and your family and will remind you that family members love each other…just because.
Parents will gravitate toward the felt need and fun messaging of this book as it seeks to help them explain to their little ones that they are truly loved just because.
My Review:
A tale of three bears, each one is different but Mommy and Daddy love them all the same. Each bear has his own special ability that the others can’t do. Each has things he can’t do that the others can. Mommy and Daddy bear tell them that it does not matter they love them the way they are. It is a cute story that jumps a little but it will keep your little one’s attention. Additionally, there are several Bible verses interspersed throughout the pages. These quotes are from both the Old and New Testament.
I would say this a good book to get for your child.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Description

Little One, God Made You Special, written by Amy Warren Hilliker and inspired by the New York Times #1bestseller The Purpose-Driven Life, is a cute and cuddly board book that let’s children know God made each one of us very special.

My Review:

This 12 page hard board book is cute.  The warm illustrations are fuzzy animals and colorful so your child will enjoy looking at them.  The story is short in easy sentences for you child to understand.  I would give this book a 5-star rating.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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

Book Description

Children count along from 1 to 10, following the sweet rhyming text by beloved author Eileen Spinelli and the cute and cuddly illustrations by Lee Holland. Along with counting, this padded cover board book teaches children to see the blessings in life. With whimsy and joy, Counting Blessings captures the attention of young children, filling their minds with numbers and their hearts with happiness.

My review

This is a cute book.  There are a lot of illustrations of fluffy bunnies and they are very nicely drawn. The pages is the hard cardboard type paper so it will endure the trials that your child put it through  The sentences are easy to read and short so your young child will have an easy time understanding it.

It starts with one animal and it increases up to ten different items to help your child learn to count.  At the end of the book there are many other items for your child to be thankful for to help them learn to count their blessings.  Your little one will like this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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

Book Description

New York City life had crammed sidewalks, gasoline-filled puddles, and angry taxi drivers, but Juliette enjoyed the towering sky-scrapers, the half-block walk to school, and the restaurant smells wafting into her bedroom. She had never cared for a horse, let alone a long-horn, when her mother announced their imminent move to a 300 acre ranch in Texas, where they would be caring for three horses, five dogs, twenty-five longhorns, and a cat … all by themselves.

Juliette couldn’t help feeling excited, even though she’d have to climb a hill to get a bar of cell-phone service. Soon she was running from bats and snakes, rescuing a calf from a twenty-foot ditch, medicating ponies, and having adventures so crazy it’s hard to believe they’re for real—but it all happened exactly how it’s written.

Get ready for side-splitting laughs, heart-wrenching tears, and surprising life lessons learned down on the farm and shared by fourteen-year-old Juliette Turner.

My review:

This book chronicles the move of Juliette Turner from New York to a Texas ranch.  The move starts out slow but once you get to the ranch the pace picks up in the book.  There are tales of going to a new school (will they like me), celebrating a holiday, mishaps with animals and even a snake that outmatches Nagini from Harry Potter.

All in all it is cute book for the tween ages.  I am sure my niece will enjoy reading it.  I give it 3 out 5 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.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