The Long Journey to Jake Palmer by James L. Rubart

Jake Palmer is a 30 something year old former Ironman racer who coaches people on finding out their true identities by trying to figure out what's in their bottle. But what a lot of people don't know is that Jake doesn't even know what's on his bottle.

Events that transpired 18 months ago keep him from trusting anyone or anything, and it's impossible for him to imagine that anyone could ever love him again. When his friends invite him on their annual summer vacation, Jake turns them down repeatedly until he hears a quiet nudge telling him to go.

While there, Jake is presented with the opportunity to face everything that has left him so scarred. He hears of a corridor that is rumored to be magical and able to restore lives back to what they previously were. Jake is skeptical but can't help but wonder if it's true. Will he risk everything to go back to the way things used to be?

Both the cover of this book and the synopsis intrigued me from the beginning! At first it appears to be a story of a young man who feels a little sorry for himself and can't cope with his current life and the past that goes with it, but it's so much more! There is a tremendous spiritual undertone that is involved. The author does not overtly mention God and spiritual matters but it is implied and written much the same way C.S, Lewis might have written it. In fact, the story even mentions Prince Rilian and The Silver Chair.

Beautifully written. I would highly recommend it!

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.”

With All Due Respect by Nina Roesner & Debbie Hitchcock

"With All Due Respect: 40 Days to a more fulfilling relationship with your teens and tweens" by Nina Roesner & Debbie Hitchcock is the newest book on how to have a better relationship with your kids!

It's created specifically for parents (ie moms) who might already be having difficulties relating to and talking to their teen or tween. Authors help show parents what a successful loving relationship looks like and includes easy to follow suggestions. Some of these have to do with communicating lovingly, enforcing rules, resetting relationships, overcoming fears and handling rebellion.

Each day features a different story for parents to relate to, questions to think about, and a prayer to launch an action plan.

When I first requested this book, I thought it would be great for preparing for my daughter's tween and teenage years. While that may be true, I got a strong feeling that this book was mainly for parents who were already having problems with their tweens and teens.

On another note, I feel as if these two authors have really done their research as they have offered excellent advice on issues that most teens deal with. I would definitely recommend it to other moms with children in the tween/teen age range. I rate this book as 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Wee Alphas: A to Z Postcards!

This week I was able to review "Wee Alphas: A to Z Postcards! This set includes 26 Postcards, each featuring a letter of the alphabet disguised as an animal! It is truly adorable with some common and some uncommon animals. For example, Fox is featured as the F, but Unicorn is featured for the U!

The back of each postcard has something fun to fill out about each letter. The Turtle postcard has boxes to check. It says "You Are:" and includes "Tremendous, Tough, Tops, Terrific, Talented and Ticklish. Each card is the standard postcard size making them super easy to mail!

My girls, who range in age from 10 to 2, loved the diversity of the animals included! It was a little difficult for my Kindergartener to try to find the letters in some of them as she is just learning to read, but still a fun tool to use! They had fun trying to figure out what each of the animals were, and it will be a fun exercise to try out letter writing skills!

I rate this product as 5 stars. I received this product for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

The Wired Soul by Tricia McCary Rhodes

Do you find yourself having to be constantly busy, not being able to be still and just enjoy the quiet? Are you constantly multitasking, trying to rush through your day?

In 2016 we are constantly moving, always on our phones, computers, tablets, televisions, and other electronic devices. What most people don't realize is that by simultaneously checking our email and responding to facebook messages, we are wiring our brains into being busy all the time. We're getting distracted more, and having a hard time falling asleep at night. We struggle to get into God's Word and to be still and listen to God speaking to us.

Tricia McCary Rhodes reintroduces us to classic disciplines of Scripture reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation.

This book teaches readers to slow down and just be still. To install practices into their life that will help them to daily be still and listen to God. To some people, I know meditation may seem a little "New Age" but the author is very careful to base her disciples on Biblical principals. It works almost as a devotional type book because there's different things to work on each day. It's not just a book to pick up and read. If you really want to take this book to heart, you must devote a little time each day to practicing these methods.

I rate this book as 4 stars. I received this book for free from Tyndale in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

Natural Color by Sasha Duerr

If you've ever considered using plants and natural resources to dye clothing, then this is the book for you! In "Natural Color" by Sasha Duerr, readers discover new and exciting ways to use dyes that won't leave you covered in chemicals!

Through research and experiments she has done herself, Sasha Duerr shows readers how to use Indigo, Blue Spruce, Mint, Pomegranate and many other natural resources to create the perfect color you're looking for. Using natural mordants, you can enhance any color to the desired shade.

Another amazing perk to dying naturally is it's medicinal use. Think of all of the chemicals used in traditional dyes. All of those chemicals seep into our pores when we wear clothing that's been dyed. When you dye naturally and medicinally, you are allowing amazing benefits into your body. Plants are beneficial for many different reasons.

This book was super exciting for me to go through! I would love to spend a Saturday experimenting with different plants and dye clothing and fabric! The author explained things very thoroughly and provided pictures of each process. There was a lot of information to go through including colors for each season. The cover is beautifully made and a durable hardcover. It certainly is a beautiful book!

I rate this book as 5 stars, I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

(un)Natural Mom by Hettie Brittz

This mothering thing is hard, and it just doesn't come naturally to everyone. That's the message that Hettie Brittz, author of "(un)Natural Mom" wants you to know.

As much as we'd like to be, we're not Super mom and we can't do everything. Our culture's understanding of motherhood is very different from what it actually is.

One really neat thing this book includes is an online assessment test called Tall Trees Parenting Profile, which helps you determine what type of parenting style you have. Hettie Brittz helps moms understand their parenting type and realize that we don't have to fit in a single mold to be a mother. We're all unique with different traits!

I think mothers of all ages and walks of life can relate to this book. Hettie shares her motherhood experiences...her triumphs and downfalls. She wants readers to know that no matter what, you are the perfect momma to your kiddos. I would highly recommend this book to all mothers! It should be required reading to becoming a mom!

I rate this book as 5 stars. I received this book for free from Litfuse in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

Miracle in Music City by Natalie Grant

"Miracle in Music City" by Natalie Grant is the third and most recent book released in the Glimmer Girls series!

Twins, Mia and Maddie and younger sister Lulu are hot on the case of another mystery! The girls' mom, who is famous singer, Gloria Glimmer, is setting up an auction at the Grand Ole Opry to help raise money for the homeless. When one of the priceless guitars goes missing, the Glimmer Girls immediately get to work gathering clues to solve the mystery.

There's a lot of positive messages going on in this book. First, I love how the author incorporated helping the less fortunate. She explains it in a way children can understand, and even gives some examples of how someone can help a person who is homeless.

Second, there's also a smaller story going on with the girls' friends from school. The girls must learn how to properly deal with jealousy and sensitivity to someone else's feelings.

Honestly, I hope Natalie Grant writes a dozen more books in the Glimmer Girls series. It's so refreshing to see a book for young girls that has role models my daughters can look up to.

This book is aimed for girls between the ages of 8 and 12. I rate it as 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Naturalist by Darrin Lunde

"The Naturalist: A Lifetime of Exploration, and the Triumph of American Natural History" by Darrin Lunde is a look into the life of perhaps one of our most well known presidents, Theodore Roosevelt.

One facet that this book seems to focus on is Theodore Roosevelt's extensive work as a conservationist. Darrin Lunde has gathered facts from Roosevelt's diaries and travel journals so readers can really get a feel for our President's love for nature. It began when he was a young boy, looking up to John James Audubon and Spencer F. Baird...men who developed a taxonomy of the natural world. He even carried this love into his political career as a Statesman and President as he grew older.

I thought this was an interesting look into Theodore Roosevelt's life. A lot of the book was about our former President's hunting practices, and his life as a naturalist. It was very well written and descriptive. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history, the outdoors, and who considers themself a conservationist.

I rate this book as 4 stars. I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

A Beauty Refined by Tracie Peterson

Over the past year or two, I've really begun to like historical fiction. "A Beauty Refined" by Tracie Peterson was no exception! This is the second book in the Sapphire Bride Series, but it is not necessary to read them in order since each book is about a different character.

Phoebe Von Bergen accompanies her father on his long business trip to America. First to the East Coast, then to Montana, and eventually onto the West Coast so her father can purchase Sapphires. However, she has no idea of what her father is actually doing with these Sapphires or his dishonesty in his business.

There is so much more going on in Helena, Montana that Phoebe is not aware of. Things that could cause danger to both her and other people she has grown close to.

In the meantime, she has also grown close to a young lapidary named Ian Harper. This, among other reasons makes her decide that she is going to stay in America regardless of the consequences.

I enjoyed this Historical Fiction so much! From the very beginning, it was a page turner that I just could not put down. The characters are well developed and the story didn't seem to lack anything! Going into the story, Phoebe didn't have any faith in God after growing up in her father's care. That all changes when she learns that God is truly the only one who can help her out of her situation and keep them all safe. I can't say enough positive comments about this book. I would highly recommend it! I rate it as 5 stars.

I received this book for free from Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.


Little does Phoebe know that her father's plans—for the sapphires and his daughter—are not what they seem. If you love historical fiction, romance, and adventure, don't miss Tracie Peterson's A Beauty Refined. When Phoebe meets Ian, everything changes. Yet the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that her family story is based on a lie—a lie she has no knowledge of. And Ian believes he knows the only path that will lead her to freedom.

Join Tracie in celebrating the release of A Beauty Refined by entering to win her Precious Gems giveaway (details below) and by attending her author chat party on August 9!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• One copy of A Beauty Refined
• A sapphire jewelry set

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/9. The winner will be announced at A Beauty Refined Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Tracie and fellow fans of historical fiction, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 9th!

Pumpkin Patch Blessings by Kim Washburn

This week I had the privilege of reading and reviewing "Pumpkin Patch Blessings" written by Kim Washburn with illustrations by Jacqueline East!

I was pretty excited to receive this adorable little book in the mail. It's a board book approximately 5" x  8" in size. The front cover features two adorable bunny rabbits sitting on a pumpkin in preparation for fall. Each page includes an adorable little rhyme about Fall.

It includes the leaves changing colors, wearing warm sweaters, eating roast ears of corn, going on a hay ride, wandering through the pumpkin patch, and choosing the best pumpkin! The book is fairly repetitive, repeating certain phrases over and over again, but I think this is a fun way to get children involved! The book is aimed at children between the ages of 4-8 years, but my 2 year old eagerly sat on my lap listening to the story so I think it's definitely appropriate for younger audiences as well.

It's not a very long book, at 18 pages long. It takes only a few minutes to read through the entire book...perfect for a quick story before bedtime. The illustrations are absolutely adorable! You can't help but love them. My 2 year old and 4 year old daughters thoroughly enjoyed looking through the book while I read to them. I would definitely recommend this book to others. I rate this book as 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”