“Firefly Home” by Jane Clarke

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Becky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup

Shimmer, Glimmer, Glow!

This sweet story is about Florence Firefly who is lost, and the adventures she has trying to find her way home.  One of the book’s charms is that your child becomes part of the story, and helps Florence complete her journey.  This tale would be good any time of the day, but lends itself to being a nice bedtime story.  That is because in the end, the child says goodnight to Florence; which would also be a good time to say goodnight to the little one hearing the story.Firefly Home is an interactive book that asks the child to participate doing things such as clapping, flapping their hands, or saying things out loud.  Illustrations cover the pages of this over-sized, hard-backed book, and the firefly (or lightning bug) is eye-catching because it looks like it really shines.  This tale is great because it has a happy ending made possible because of your child’s assistance. 

Also, this story makes a good lead-in to talk about what the child should do if he were ever lost—so it is a home run on many levels!  This 5-star book would be enjoyed by children in pre-school through kindergarten who like to use their imagination.

Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Firefly Home, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JaneClarkeChildrensAuthor/

The Author’s Website:  http://www.jane-clarke.co.uk/index.htm

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“More Than Words Can Say” by Karen Witemeyer

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Becky

Where There’s a Will There’s a Way….

Determined to keep her family business, Abigail Kemp is resorting to a marriage in name only—and she must do the proposing!  But someone wants her out of business so badly, even that might not be enough.  Abigail is a spunky, hardworking woman in the late 1800’s.  She must deal with her sister, who inadvertently puts her reputation at stake, an enemy who is set out to ruin Abigail, and a secretive, confirmed bachelor.  Despite it all, she doesn’t give up as she faces one roadblock after another.

This is a fun story with lots of predicaments, all told from a Christian point of view.  It was refreshing to have the heroine be someone who DOES not look like a runway model, thank you Ms. Witemeyer!  This is a clean story, but there are some mature themes and innuendo when referring to marriage that might make it inappropriate for young readers. This is the second installment of A Patchwork Family Novel series, but this story stands by itself.  I recommend this 5-star book to everyone who enjoys light stores of over-comers with a dash of humor and romance!Bethany House Publishing through NetGalley has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of More Than Words Can Say, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Author’s Facebook:  http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/index.html

Author’s Website:   http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/

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“Storm Rising” by Ronie Kendig

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Becky

Rapid Moving Action!

Lots of action, dire circumstances and hopping from one end of the planet to another fill the pages of this thriller.  However, there were so many characters in this tale, some with very similar names, that I found it very confusing. It wasn’t unusual for me to re-read pages.  I often had to flip back in the book in an attempt to keep the people straight, and remind myself what part they played in this yarn. There was a lot of fast paced action, along with military lingo, but not a lot of actual story, or much information about each of the large number of characters.

Although this is book one in a series, the many references to other situations made it feel as if I had missed a previous installment.  I am not a fan of the author’s style of starting to write crude/curse words but not finishing them.  The author is a good writer, and could get the point across without that.

Thrilling books are a favorite of mine, but this one fell short in narrative department.  I found this story hard to follow, and even harder to keep my interest.  The main character’s overriding concern is that he has six months of his life missing. But whatever happened was never revealed—at least not in this story–but the ending made it clear another installment will follow this 3-star book.

Bethany House Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Storm Rising, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Author’s Website:   roniekendig.com

Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RapidFireFiction

Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/roniekendig

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What To Watch Tonight? “2 Weeks To Live” with Lum & Abner

Posted on July 27, 2019 by Becky

Tickle Your Funny Bone!

Want to laugh?  There are plenty of them in this black and white, blast from the past jewel, and you will laugh yourself silly listening to all the funny lines the characters say.

When Abner (Norris Goff) receives an inheritance, this small-town man sells shares to expand it before traveling to the big city to claim his bequest.  He takes along his friend Lum (Chester Lauck) and finds his inheritance is not what it appeared, and in fact, costs him money.

Because of a hilarious mix-up, Abner believes he has two weeks to live.  Spurred on by the thought he hasn’t much time, he goes from one funny situation after another, trying to quickly earn money to pay back the hometown investors.

I LOVE this movie. If you like to laugh or need a short escape with a funny story, this is for you! No special effects, just clean humor that can be watched by all ages!

This is the best movie the Lum and Abner comedy characters ever made.  The run time is about 1 hour 15 minutes and should be rated G, not PG.  You won’t be disappointed.

I highly recommend this 5 popcorn (stars) movie!

 

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“Meow Matrimony” by Lisa Lickel

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Becky

And the Cat Didn’t Care!

Ever try to do a good deed, and it backfires on you?  That is what happens when Amanda Preston returns a package mistakenly sent to her to the rightful owner.  Instead of getting thanks, Amanda finds a dead body, and becomes a murder suspect.

All Amanda wants to do is concentrate on her up-coming wedding, but she is pulled into investigating who really did it partially to prove her innocence.  There are plenty of twists and turns to the story, and the cats in Amanda’s life even play a part in the yarn.  Besides who the guilty party is, the next biggest question is whether or not Amanda’s marriage will take place.  Will she be put in jail, or will her fiancé be so upset about everything that he calls off the nuptials?

This is a clean, cozy story told from a Christian point of view.  The story is peppered with quirky characters, including her unusual aunt, a friend named Elvis, and her old boyfriend.  You will enjoy trying to puzzle out the guilty party among the suspects.  This light tale is part of the Fancy Cat Cozy Mysteries series, and definitely ends with the promise of another installment.  Like Amanda, I would like the answer to the question about her sock drawer!  I recommend this 5-star story to armchair detectives everywhere.Pelican Book Group has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Meow Matrimony, for purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Author’s Amazon Page:  http://amzn.to/2bPxi2X

Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lisalickel

Author’s Goodreads:  www.goodreads.com/lisalickel

Author’s Twitter:      https://twitter.com/lisajlickel

Author’s Website:  https://www.lisalickel.com/

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“The Pawed Piper” by Michelle Robinson

Posted on July 20, 2019 by Becky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illustrations by Chinlun Lee

Here Kitty, Kitty!

Ready for some fun?  It all begins with a little girl’s heart’s desire to have a kitty of her own.  Using feline favorites such as catnip, boxes and newspapers, she sets a trail to attract and bring a furry pet to her.  After she wakes up, she is overjoyed to find her room full of kitties, they are everywhere she looks!  But her joy is cut short when she realizes all these  furry friends belong to owners who are now sad, and have hung reward posters all over town.

Delightful illustrations cover the pages of this light-hearted book.  Make sure to look at the posters for missing cats on the inside front and back covers—they will make you chuckle!  Children will love hearing the adventure the little girl has while trying to find a pet, and that she has a happy ending after doing the right thing.  A sweet part of the story is the relationship the little girl has with her family, especially with her grandmother. 

Children, along with the reader, will easily relate to The Pawed Piper.  This over-sized hardbacked book, will be enjoyed by toddlers through early grade school students.  I highly recommend this 5-star story to anyone who would like to bring a big smile to a child.

Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of The Pawed Piper, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/micherobinsonbooks/

The Author’s Website:  http://www.michellerobinson.co.uk/about.html

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Quick Giveaway & Review of “The Wonder that is You” by Glenys Nellist

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Becky

Illustrations by Aurelie Blanz

                                The Day Everything Changed!

Have you experienced the difference a new child makes in your life?  If so, remember how the world around you was transformed.  Suddenly, the universe looks different, everything is seen and heard in a new way, your outlook shifts, and life is never the same.  Such are some of the changes and joy that a new parent feels with the addition of a baby. 

The author recalls the day her world changed saying, “this is such a special book to me, because it’s based on the true story of the day my eldest son was born. It felt as if all creation rejoiced with me!”  Ms. Nellist has written a lovely book that describes the differences that took place in her world after the birth of her son.  She uses rhyming verse to express the feelings of wonder, awe and blessing a new life brings—all presented in an oversized hard-backed volume with colorful illustrations on every page.

The Queen of England liked this so much she stated, “The Wonder That is You will make the perfect gift for Archie Harrison’s christening next month, and also, the flowers on the cover just happen to match my favorite yellow suit. I couldn’t resist reaching out to British author Glenys Nellist and her team at Zonderkidz to request a copy of my own. Now I just have to get Phil to help me wrap it.”

Read this to your child so they know the joy and delight they bring to life.  Just like Her Majesty, you too can gift this to anyone with a new addition in their life.  I recommend sharing this 5-star book with the prized little one in your life!

Win a copy, but hurry & enter right now!

Win a copy for yourself, but do it quickly because time is short!  The author has three giveaways, one on her website, one on Facebook and one on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/glenysnellist/ —and that one will have its winner announced today on July 12.  Go to her site:  https://www.glenysnellist.com/a-three-book-giveaway-of-the-wonder-that-is-you/.  Facebook & website winners announced Monday July 15th.

Zonderkidz and the author have provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of The Wonder of You! for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Website:   https://www.glenysnellist.com/a-three-book-giveaway-of-the-wonder-that-is-you/

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GlenysNellistAuthor/

The Author’s Twitter:   https://twitter.com/GlenysNellist

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“The Number of Love” by Roseanna M. White

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Becky

A Life of Codes

During the Great War, there was a place in London so secret that even today not everything is known about it.  Referred to as Room 40, it was a beehive of activity that contained top code breakers and puzzle masters.  They worked around the clock pouring over the enemy’s coded top-secret information in an attempt to decipher the messages.  The knowledge they gleamed helped protect their country, along with her military and intelligence agents.

Margot De Wilde, is a beautiful and brilliant, no-nonsense young female who is unaware of most people–because she looks at the world through the filter of numbers.  But what really makes her unusual is that she is one of the rare females who works in Room 40. Her work brings her into contact with undercover agent Drake Elton.  Unknowingly, she also becomes involved with a dangerous enemy assassin.  Margot finds herself in the middle of a plot to kidnap her best friend, kill Drake, and bomb London.This action story contains secret missions, clandestine meetings, along with a romance that just might turn out to be one-sided.  However, there were a couple of places the tale slowed down.  I loved that Margot’s strong faith in God was part of the story, and that I learned things about WWI I didn’t know.  This is the first installment in The Codebreakers Series.  Anyone who enjoys well-written intrigue or romance stories will like this 4-star book. 

Bethany House Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of The Number of Love, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Author’s Website:   www.roseannamwhite.com

Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RoseannaMWhite/?fref=ts

Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RoseannaMWhite

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“Sweet on You” by Becky Wade

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Becky

Love, Mystery, Excitement!

Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been best friends for years.  At least that’s what Britt has always thought, but she has been completely ignorant of the fact that Zander has loved her for years.  Never wanting to rock the boat of friendship between them, he has kept his feelings to himself. As time has gone on, Zander has been worn down watching Britt give her heart to others without giving him a second thought.  He doesn’t feel alive if he is not with Britt, but he is tortured when he is around her because of his feelings.

In the midst of all this angst, Zander must cut his trip short and return home because of the sudden death of his uncle.  Shockingly, it appears everything known about the man has been a lie.  He immediately throws himself into discovering the truth, and Britt insists on helping.  Working together not only exposes Zander to more heartache, both of their lives are jeopardized.  The question changes from whether or not Zander and Britt can become a couple, but instead, will the two of them survive?

Setting this in the small village of Merryweather, adds charm and fun to the tale, along with the pleasure of Britt’s amazing chocolate creations, and the faith of the characters.  This thrilling story will keep you on the edge of your seat reading pages as fast you can.  This is the third installment in the Bradford Sisters Romance Series, but Sweet on You stands on its own.  This is the most exciting book of the series, but I have loved them all, and highly recommend every single one.  If you like clean, well-written stories, full of excitement you will enjoy this 5-star book.  Bethany House Publishing through NetGalley has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Sweet on You, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Author’s Website:   http://beckywade.com/home/

Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/beckywadewriter

Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckywade

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“Accessing the Riches of Heaven” by Patricia King

Posted on June 9, 2019 by Becky

Keys to Experiencing God’s Lavish Provision 

Having Heaven on Earth!

Do you want to access the good things in Heaven while you are still living here on earth?  Patricia King claims that she has been able to do that, and the reader can, too.  The author gives instructions in ten chapters that covers areas such as “On Earth as it is in Heaven,” “Heaven’s Abundant Life,” and “Creating Realms of Abundance.”

The author believes in the full use of Christian spiritual gifts.  Although much of that is unfamiliar to me, Ms. King makes a strong case for her perspective of Christian living.  However, I did find some common ground in her section, “Accessing Riches of Heaven Through Praise and Worship.”  One thing I am acquainted with is the change that can come to your surroundings when hymns and choruses are added–peace, joy and blessings can flow through the atmosphere. 

The author has witnessed a lot of interesting thing, and she writes about them in this very easy to read book.  At the end of each chapter, there is a short summary, questions to ponder, and a suggested declaration to make.  This 5-star book will be enjoyed by those who are interested in the Charismatic movement of the Christian church.

Chosen Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Accessing the Riches of Heaven, for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/patriciakingpage

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/patriciaking4JC

The Author’s Website:  https://www.patriciaking.com/

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