The Ladies of Ivy Cottage Book Review

Title: The Ladies of Ivy Cottage

Author: Julie Klassen

Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance, Sequel

Plot: Since the scandal of losing all the family money and then her father's sudden death, Rachel Ashford has felt adrift in her social circle, unsure of where her place is meant to be now that so many things have changed. She's currently living with her friend Mercy Grove and Mercy's aunt, helping out with the girls' school as best she can but it's not enough to support herself. So she takes the advice of the local businesswomen and opens a subscription library with her father's vast collection of books and several donations. With the flood of attention at Ivy Cottage, Mercy finds herself the center of attention from two different men and must make a painful choice that will destroy her future as she knows it.

Meanwhile, James Drake learns some secrets of his own that cause a bit of an uproar in several local lives and Jane Bell finally has her coaching inn under control. She's made peace with her broken heart and thinks she's ready for love again but she suffered more than just the loss of her husband. Will the other losses keep her heart broken and cause her to reject the promise and hope of new love?

Likes/Dislikes: It took  me awhile to get started on this book, partly because my kids kept taking the iPad away and partly because it was a sequel and I couldn't remember who all everyone was. Once I got them straight in my head and the story started picking up pace, it was an easy read. I didn't like Rachel though; in the first book she had a lot of mystery about her but in this one she just came across as very whiny and pity me, I'm poor Rachel. It was annoying after awhile. I kinda want Jane to stay single and in control cause if she marries either James or Gabriel they'll just disrupt her life now that she's found her groove. And I'm rooting for a happy ending for Mercy cause the poor thing really needs it. I related to her the most. All in all, an excellent book. I'm just bummed I can't get the next one already.

Rating: PG-12 and up, mainly for content {romance, past miscarriages, etc. nothing graphic}

Date Review Written: December 30th, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publishers for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

God Bless My Family Book Review

Title: God Bless My Family

Author: Hannah C. Hall

Genre: Children's, Christian, Family, Animals, Board Book

Plot: From mom and dad to brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents, family shapes us, surrounds us and fills our lives. Together we cuddle by warm fires, climb trees, play dress-up, go on walks and adventures, listen to stories and have memorable get-togethers. We learn, laugh, cry and love our families, prompting many of us to say, "God bless my family."

With adorable dog families prancing across each page, children will laugh and point our their favorite relatives in dog form as they read this book together.

Likes/Dislikes: My three year old and seventeen month old both love this series and the newest installment is a new favorite with them, particularly the three year old since she loves dogs. Her favorite page is baking with auntie because she loves to bake and loves her auntie. The baby just liked all the pretty colors. All in all, a hit and highly recommended.

Rating: G-all ages.

Date Review Written: December 2nd, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of BookLook Bloggers and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Lady Jayne Disappears Book Review

Title: Lady Jayne Disappears

Author: Joanna Davidson Politano

Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery,

Plot: Aurelie Harcourt grew up in debtor's prison with her father who beguiled away the days with stories of her mother, Lady Jayne. But he died before he could reach the end and finally tell her what actually happened to her mother. Released from the only home she's ever known, Aurelie is forced to stay with her father's stony cold relatives who do everything in their power to keep her from digging too deeply into the past and unearthing their dirty secrets. Meanwhile, she has a job to do. Her father wrote and published the stories he told her under the name of Nathaniel Droll and now, with a deadline approaching, it's up to Aurelie to take up the pen and finish the story. But how does it end?


Likes/Dislikes: The summary of this book intrigued me when it was up for review so I requested it and was sorely disappointed to find it was not what I'd hoped it would be. The writing is so weird. The descriptions come in jabs and broken fragments at badly placed moments {like the ridiculous wet skirt in the opening pages} and I couldn't relate to Aurelie as a writer at all. She kept getting stuck and picking the wrong moments to mentally drift off. It just jarred with me. I actually skipped ahead to see what happened next and it still didn't sit too well. There seemed nothing graphic or overly bad in it, just the writing style. Maybe I'll try again at a future date and see if time fixes our first impression.

Rating: PG-12 and up, mainly for reading level.

Date Review Written: November 18th, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publishers for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

A Name Unknown Book Review

Title: A Name Unknown

Author: Roseanna M. White

Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance, World War 1, Writing, Drama

Plot: Rosemary Gresham is a talented thief whose family is a band of orphans and also more talented thieves. Ever since her parents died of fever when she was a child, Rosemary has been on her own and kept her back to a seemingly heartless God. With rumors flying and trouble from Germany brewing, Rosemary accepts a job that could pay off big time and finally allow her family a chance at food on the table every day and new shoes. But the cost of the job could be very high.

Meanwhile Peter Holstein flees London for his quiet country house to finish his story and try to dig into his family's past, hoping to unearth solid proof that he is in fact English and not a German spy. But given the state of his library, he's certain the needed information won't be found in time, possibly not even for years. That is, until a lovely lady librarian from London arrives on his doorstep.

With both harboring secrets of their own, will Peter and Rosemary be able to find the missing papers before its too late?

Likes/Dislikes: The premise of this book intrigued me and it had promise. Who doesn't want a capable girl thief running around pre-war? But it quickly lost its appeal; we only see Rosemary's thief family for the first couple chapters and then the last chapter {I skipped ahead} though she talks about them consistently. Peter stutters horribly and it was very badly written. Some characters who stutter are written so well that you hardly noticed but this was too obvious and his "fault" was repeated too many times. I can't stand a stuttering hero. I liked how his mental process went through working on his story; that was a familiar writing high. Rosemary's sense of organization for the library really bothered me, mainly because I would've done it differently. And it's four hundred pages of them whining stuttering, worrying and going off on tangents inside of actually doing something. At a different season in my life this would've made a great story but right now it just didn't gel with me. Maybe I'll try it again in a few years.

Rating: PG-12 and up, mainly for reading level. Very clean book.

Date Review Written: November 16th, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Bethany House for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

The Daily Question Book Review

Title: The Daily Question

Author: Waterbrook

Genre: Journal, Self-Help, Five Year Record, Spiritual

Plot: As the cover proudly states, "365 Questions, 5 Years, 1,825 Answers," this journal promises to last you quite a long time on your spiritual journey as you grow and mature. It's even thoughtful enough to keep a record of your growth for you to look back over as time lengthens. Each page has thought-provoking question such as "What are your New Years resolutions for this year?" "What has caused you to feel the nearness of God?" "What have you been studying in the Bible lately?" And plenty of other queries.

Each page is beautifully lined with the month and day marked clearly, and each month has its very own lovely cover page which makes it very easy to tell the months apart and rather exciting to start a new one. And the cover is gorgeous blue design that you could just sink into. There's one golden ribbon marker to help you keep your place. A pen is not included but with such a treat as this journal, I'm sure finding your own pen shouldn't be too much of a worry.

Likes/Dislikes: I love this journal! I have the 365 Q&A edition and have found that the spaces for writing your answers are sometimes too small but that's mainly because I like to ramble when journaling. It's a good size to carry around and fill in the day's entry while on the go and my sister and I had a lot of fun looking up birthdays and anniversaries to see what the question was for that day. Highly recommended.

Rating: G-all ages, though more geared toward 14 and up.

Date Review Written: November 9th, 2017.

I received a copy of this book for review courtesy of Blogging for Books and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions in the above review are my own.

The Low Pressure Guide to Parenting Your Preschooler Book Review

Title: The Low-Pressure Guide to Parenting Your Preschooler

Author: Tim Sanford

Genre: Christian, Parenting, Self-Help, Encouraging, Toddlers,

Plot: In this day and age, more so than any other, parenting is hard. People everywhere you go throw ideas, thoughts, comments, encouragement, discouragement, criticism and so much more. Everyone thinks they can do a much better job at parenting your children than you, especially after they change just that one or two things you're probably doing wrong. Everyone, that is, except for Tim Sanford. He thinks you're doing such a good job that he wrote you a whole book to help you de-stress and reduce the pressure on you to parent perfectly.

Filled with Scripture, encouragement, stories and even more encouragement, this book is exactly what you need if you're feeling the pressure of trying to perfectly parent your precious preschooler.

Likes/Dislikes: After much procrastinating, I finally picked up this book to read. I have a preschooler who gets into way too trouble for someone her size {on top of other issues} and have had my fill of people trying to parent her better than me, so I figured this book would be a nice boost of encouragement. I loved the opening sections on how dads validate and moms nurture their kids, respectively. But after that it got boring so fast. There were six long double-sided pages on why you should stop using the word shouldn't. I understood the general idea behind it but I didn't need six pages to drive it home. I might poke at this book more but I'm leaning toward the did-not-finish pile.

Rating: PG-13 and up, it's a parenting book.

Date Review Written: October 14th, 2017

I received a copy of this book via Tyndale for my honest opinion and I wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Coloring Christmas Devotions Book Review

Title: Coloring Christmas Devotions

Author: Lizzie Preston

Genre: Christian, Christmas, Adult Coloring Book

Plot: With the hectic Christmas season approaching, it's a good idea to have a small reminder on hand of what we're truly trying to celebrate this season, but we don't always have the time or bag space for a thick devotional or even our sturdy study Bible. Entire this slim volume of ready-to-color Christmas themed pages. Perfect for slipping into a bag with a few pens or pencils, or for carrying around the house, and definitely ideal for gift-giving!

Each page has a cute picture, most of them very Christmas-y with snowflakes or decorations, some less Christmas-y such as a deer in a field of flowers. And opposite the picture is either a lovely Scripture quote or a simple little one page story to remind us of the Reason for the season. Very cute and wonderful for Christmas.

Likes/Dislikes: I love how small this book is and the paper feels wonderful. I've tried colored pencil which holds up beautifully but not markers yet. My husband flipped through it the day after I received it and called dibs on one cute picture of some birds so I guess it's a hit with men too. And my toddler has discovered coloring books so she thinks it's hers, even though she already claimed one of my bigger coloring books.

Rating: G-all ages. Highly recommended.

Date Review Written: Oct 2nd, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publishers for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Slow Down Book Review

Title: Slow Down

Author: Nichole

Genre: Christian, Nonfiction, Motherhood, Parenting, Children

Plot: During the hectic busyness of raising children, in this day and age especially, we often find ourselves rushing through beautiful moments or focused on trivial details or so scheduled with one activity after another that we blink and suddenly those adorable chubby babies are grown and heading off to college. And we're left with momentos, shadows of the past and memories.

In her book, mother of two Nichole Nordeman lets us know that we are not alone in the daily struggles of raising children, of dealing with headache after headache mixed in with sticky kisses, clinging hugs that end too soon and the sheer amazement of watching God shape and develope these beautiful,little people He gave us. Every day can be treasured if we slow down and taste each precious fleeting moment.

Likes/Dislikes: I loved the flow of the writing. I could connect with Nichole's parenting struggles and  her cry for more time is echoed with mine. I loved the journal spaces and the questions were very thoughtful. The whole tone of the book read for new moms though, not necessarily moms of older children. I have a three and one year old so I'm right in the hectic "Please just slow down and let me rest!" Moments right now but I'm certain I'll miss these days and I want to look back confident that I did my best and gave my girls plenty of time and attention, not just a clean house and cooked food.

Rating: G - all ages. Highly recommended.

Date Review Written:  September 14th, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of BookLook Bloggers for my honest opinion and I wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions pressed in the above review are my own.

Blackberry-Picking

Late August, given heavy rain and sun

For a full week, the blackberries would ripen.

At first, just one, a glossy purple clot

Among others, red, green, hard as a knot.

You ate that first one and its flesh was sweet

Like thickened wine: summer's blood was in it

Leaving stains upon the tongue and lust for

Picking. Then red ones inked up and that hunger

Sent us out with milk cans, pea tins, jam-pots

Where briars scratched and wet grass bleached our boots.

Round hayfields, cornfields and potato-drills

We trekked and picked until the cans were full,

Until the tinkling bottom had been covered

With green ones, and on top big dark blobs burned

Like a plate of eyes. Our hands were peppered

With thorn pricks, our palms sticky as Bluebeard's.

We hoarded the fresh berries in the byre.

But when the bath was filled we found a fur,

A rat-grey fungus, glutting on our cache.

The juice was stinking too. Once off the bush

The fruit fermented, the sweet flesh would turn sour.

I always felt like crying. It wasn't fair

That all the lovely canfuls smelt of rot.

Each year I hoped they'd keep, knew they would not.

~ Seamus Heaney

God Bless My School Book Review

Title: God Bless My School

Author: Hannah C. Hall

Genre: Christian, Children, Board Book

Plot: With the close of summer comes cool Autumn breezes, falling leaves and this amazing thing called School. Mama bear buys you new shoes, kisses you goodbye and you're off flying excitedly to learn new things with all your friends. At school, books are read, pictures drawn, naps taken, lunches eaten and the playground thoroughly enjoyed before the day ends.

So God bless your school and all your friends too!

Likes/Dislikes: This was an incredibly cute little book. I love all the artwork and the flowing rhymes. Beautiful. My three year old enjoyed the story and picking out the cuddly animals she can name. The one year old has discovered that books are magic and she listened to the story wide-eyed, taking in the colors and watching how each page revealed new pictures to look at. Highly recommended.

Rating: G-all ages.

Date Review Written: July 28th, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of BookLook Bloggers for my honest opinion and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions in the above review are my own.

Tis The Last Rose of Summer

Tis the last rose of summer 

Left blooming alone; 

All her lovely companions 

Are faded and gone: 

No flower of her kindred, 

No rose-bud is nigh, 

To reflect back her blushes, 

Or give sigh for sigh. 

I'll not leave thee, thou lone one! 

To pine on the stem; 

Since the lovely are sleeping, 

Go, sleep thou with them. 

Thus kindly I scatter 

Thy leaves o'er the bed, 

Where thy mates of the garden 

Lie scentless and dead. 

So soon may I follow, 

When friendships decay, 

And from Love's shining circle 

The gems drop away. 

When true hearts lie wither'd, 

And fond ones are flown, 

Oh! who would inhabit 

This bleak world alone? 

~ Thomas Moore

Summer Stars

Bend low again, night of summer stars. 

So near you are, sky of summer stars, 

So near, a long-arm man can pick off stars, 

Pick off what he wants in the sky bowl, 

So near you are, summer stars, 

So near, strumming, strumming, 

So lazy and hum-strumming. 

~ Carl Sandburg

In The Summer

In the summer

I stretch out on the shore

And think of you

Had I told the sea

What I felt for you,

It would have left its shores,

Its shells,

Its fish,

And followed me.

~ Nizar Qabbani

Summer Shower

A drop fell on the apple tree,

Another on the roof;

A half a dozen kissed the eaves,

And made the gables laugh.

A few went out to help the brook,

That went to help the sea.

Myself conjectured, Were they pearls,

What necklaces could be!

The dust replaced in hoisted roads,

The birds jocoser sung;

The sunshine threw his hat away,

The orchards spangles hung.

The breezes brought dejected lutes,

And bathed them in the glee;

The East put out a single flag,

And signed the fete away. 

~ Emily Dickinson

In Defense of Our Overgrown Garden

Last night the apple trees shook and gave each lettuce a heart 

Six hard red apples broke through the greenhouse glass and 

Landed in the middle of those ever-so-slightly green leaves 

That seem no mix of seeds and soil but of pastels and light and 

Chalk x’s mark our oaks that are supposed to be cut down   

I’ve seen the neighbors frown when they look over the fence 

And see our espalier pear trees bowing out of shape I did like that 

They looked like candelabras against the wall but what’s the sense 

In swooning over pruning I said as much to Mrs. Jones and I swear 

She threw her cane at me and walked off down the street without 

It has always puzzled me that people coo over bonsai trees when 

You can squint your eyes and shrink anything without much of   

A struggle ensued with some starlings and the strawberry nets 

So after untangling the two I took the nets off and watched birds 

With red beaks fly by all morning at the window I reread your letter 

About how the castles you flew over made crenellated shadows on   

The water in the rainbarrel has overflowed and made a small swamp 

I think the potatoes might turn out slightly damp don’t worry 

If there is no fog on the day you come home I will build a bonfire 

So the smoke will make the cedars look the way you like them 

To close I’m sorry there won’t be any salad and I love you

~ Matthea Harvey

Summer at North Farm

Finnish rural life, ca. 1910

Fires, always fires after midnight, 

the sun depending in the purple birches 

and gleaming like a copper kettle. 

By the solstice they’d burned everything, 

the bad-luck sleigh, a twisted rocker, 

things “possessed” and not-quite-right. 

The bonfire coils and lurches, 

big as a house, and then it settles. 

The dancers come, dressed like rainbows 

(if rainbows could be spun), 

and linking hands they turn 

to the melancholy fiddles. 

A red bird spreads its wings now 

and in the darker days to come.

~ Stephen Kuusisto

Bed in Summer

In winter I get up at night 

And dress by yellow candle-light. 

In summer, quite the other way, 

I have to go to bed by day. 

I have to go to bed and see 

The birds still hopping on the tree, 

Or hear the grown-up people's feet 

Still going past me in the street. 

And does it not seem hard to you, 

When all the sky is clear and blue, 

And I should like so much to play, 

To have to go to bed by day?

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Beginner's Bible Carry Along Treasury Book Review

Title: The Beginner's Bible Carry-Along Treasury

Author: Beginner's Bible

Genre: Children, Christian, Bible, Carry-Along,

Plot: From Creation to the Fall, to Deborah, Samson, King David, the birth of Jesus, His ministry and His death and resurrection, this little treasury is perfect for beginners and for small hands to carry it along on adventures, to church or even just around the house. Filled with bright colors and the now classic Beginner's Bible artwork, this book is a must-have for anyone with toddlers and young children.

Likes/Dislikes: My three yr old loves this book! She carries it around everywhere and reads the stories to her stuffed animals. The ten month old enjoyed the bright colors and eagerly ripped a page so not for tiny hands that are better suited for board books. But they both listened as I read the stories and they enjoyed them. I personally liked how accurate they are to the actual Bible passages and that lesser known stories such as Deborah's were included.

Rating: G- all ages. Highly recommended.

Date Review Written: June 2nd, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of BookLook Bloggers for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Fireflies in The Garden

Here come real stars to fill the upper skies, 

And here on earth come emulating flies, 

That though they never equal stars in size, 

(And they were never really stars at heart) 

Achieve at times a very star-like start. 

Only, of course, they can't sustain the part.

~ Robert Frost

Wings of the Wind Book Review

Title: Wings of the Wind

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Genre: Fiction, Christian, Biblical Retelling, Romance, Adventure, Drama,

Plot: After wandering the desert for forty years, the Israelites are posed to sweep the land and claim their inheritance. There's just one small problem; the land is currently occupied by bloodthirsty tribes who are not about to give up their land so easily. But God is on the side of the Hebrews and destruction lies in their wake.

Alanah, a motherless warrior Canaanite woman, enters the battle disguised as a man and bent on dying while avenging her fallen father and brothers. But instead she is found wounded by a Hebrew and saved. With her death wish going out the window, Alanah is forced to survive and live among the enemy. While doing so, she learns that these bearded warriors are not as savage as they appear and one in particular takes her by surprise. But Alanah's fight for survival isn't over yet.

Tobiah, a compassionate Hebrew, is a soldier and gladly does his duty but finding a woman on the battlefield wasn't something he was expecting. And the only way to protect her is to marry her. He never intended to fall in love with her.

Likes/Dislikes: This is the third and final book in the Out From Egypt trilogy and concludes the series on the brink of entering the Promised Land. Kiya and Shira are briefly in the story but are not central to the plot so this book can very easily be read on its own. Parts of this book were fun to read, like Alanah and Tobiah trying to figure each other out {though the instant love on his part was a bit unreal}, but several chunks were difficult to read. Set in a brutal time and among very vicious people, the atrocities hinted at in the story were once horrible realities for so many people. Nothing is overly graphic but enough is implied to make this book more geared toward mature readers only. Cossette does a splendid job of painting a vivid picture without traumatizing her readers.

Rating: PG-18 and up, mainly for content {brutal battle, heavy suggestions/implications/threats of rape, murder and prostitution, non-detailed flashback of infant sacrifice, two characters are sold into sexual slavery but escape before anything happens, etc.}. Not for tender-hearted readers, mature readers only.

Date Review Written: June 2nd, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of BethanyHouse Publishers for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions in the above review are my own.

The Flowers

All the names I know from nurse: 

Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse, 

Bachelor's buttons, Lady's smock, 

And the Lady Hollyhock. 

Fairy places, fairy things, 

Fairy woods where the wild bee wings, 

Tiny trees for tiny dames-- 

These must all be fairy names! 

Tiny woods below whose boughs 

Shady fairies weave a house; 

Tiny tree-tops, rose or thyme, 

Where the braver fairies climb! 

Fair are grown-up people's trees, 

But the fairest woods are these; 

Where, if I were not so tall, 

I should live for good and all.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

The Wild Flower's Song

As I wandered the forest,

The green leaves among,

I heard a Wild Flower

Singing a song.

'I slept in the earth

In the silent night,

I murmured my fears

And I felt delight.

'In the morning I went

As rosy as morn,

To seek for new joy;

But oh! met with scorn.'

~ William Blake

Ah! Sunflower!

Ah Sun-flower! weary of time.

Who countest the steps of the Sun;

Seeking after that sweet golden clime

Where the travellers journey is done.

Where the Youth pined away with desire,

And the pale Virgin shrouded in snow:

Arise from their graves and aspire.

Where my Sun-flower wishes to go.

~ William Blake

Leaves Compared with Flowers

A tree's leaves may be ever so good,

So may its bar, so may its wood;

But unless you put the right thing to its root

It never will show much flower or fruit.

But I may be one who does not care

Ever to have tree bloom or bear.

Leaves for smooth and bark for rough,

Leaves and bark may be tree enough.

Some giant trees have bloom so small

They might as well have none at all.

Late in life I have come on fern.

Now lichens are due to have their turn.

I bade men tell me which in brief,

Which is fairer, flower or leaf.

They did not have the wit to say,

Leaves by night and flowers by day.

Leaves and bar, leaves and bark,

To lean against and hear in the dark.

Petals I may have once pursued.

Leaves are all my darker mood.

~ Robert Frost

Wind and Window Flowers

LOVERS, forget your love,

And list to the love of these,

She a window flower,

And he a winter breeze.

When the frosty window veil

Was melted down at noon,

And the cagèd yellow bird

Hung over her in tune,

He marked her through the pane,

He could not help but mark,

And only passed her by,

To come again at dark.

He was a winter wind,

Concerned with ice and snow,

Dead weeds and unmated birds,

And little of love could know.

But he sighed upon the sill,

He gave the sash a shake,

As witness all within

Who lay that night awake.

Perchance he half prevailed

To win her for the flight

From the firelit looking-glass

And warm stove-window light.

But the flower leaned aside

And thought of naught to say,

And morning found the breeze

A hundred miles away.

~ Robert Frost

Enjoy Book Review

Title: Enjoy

Author: Trillia J. Newbell

Genre: Christian, Nonfiction, Women, Self-Help

Plot: Have you ever found yourself enjoying a delicious piece of dark chocolate and then feeling guilty about it later? And then your guilty feelings prompt you to eat more chocolate, less enjoyably this time around? Well, Trillia Newbell's new book will help you to break that cycle by offering you this one radical new thought: God wants you to enjoy that chocolate. Heaven is a long ways away but once we're there, no earthly chocolate will ever compare. Till then, those little bits of chocolate or walks in the sun or the pride you feel in your newly cleaned house or sex with your husband - all of that are just tiny tastes of the joy to come, and they are God's little gifts to us to remind us of His love and to help us get through each trying day till we get to heaven's door.

So grab that box of chocolate, a notebook and a pen, and dive right on in to discover how you can enjoy God's daily gifts and become a happier, more content person today.

Likes/Dislikes: Drawn in by the luscious raspberry on the cover, I figured this book would be a fun little thing to spend a week reading. It was actually quite surprising, very encouraging and I'll have to read it again to further absorb this slice of enjoyment and encouragement that I so thoroughly needed. I particularly enjoyed the food chapter. Some of the chapters started out well and then bogged down in the middle before trying to wrap up and conclude but most were interesting. I told my husband he has to read this book. Th sex chapter was aimed mainly at singles so I got nothing from it but that's okay; I already enjoy sex with my husband. *wink*

Rating: PG-18 and up, mainly for reading level and content.

Date Review Written: April 28th, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Blogging for Books for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Spring Rain

I thought I had forgotten, 

But it all came back again 

To-night with the first spring thunder 

In a rush of rain.

I remembered a darkened doorway 

Where we stood while the storm swept by, 

Thunder gripping the earth 

And lightning scrawled on the sky.

The passing motor busses swayed, 

For the street was a river of rain, 

Lashed into little golden waves 

In the lamp light's stain.

With the wild spring rain and thunder 

My heart was wild and gay; 

Your eyes said more to me that night 

Than your lips would ever say. . . .

I thought I had forgotten, 

But it all came back again 

To-night with the first spring thunder 

In a rush of rain. 

~ Sara Teasdale

God Loves Daddy and Me Book Review

Title: God Loves Daddy and Me

Author: Bonnie Rickner Jensen

Genre: Christian, Children, Family, Board-Book

Plot: A father raccoon and a baby raccoon spend the day together doing fun things they love, like camping under the stars and fishing. Throughout the course of the day, Daddy Raccoon teaches his baby about how much God loves them. God loves them when they play and when they pray. God is loving and forgiving even when mistakes are made and God made the day for them to enjoy.

A delightful story with gorgeous pictures and a wonderful way to teach children {raccoon and human} that God loves them so very much. The perfect Father's Day gift for anyone with young children.

Likes/Dislikes: My three yr. old loves this book and succeeded in getting her busy Daddy to read it to her one night. She tries to say the words along with me while I read it and she thinks the raccoons are cute. The ten month old cooed at a couple bright colored pictures and seemed fascinated that she could turn the pages to see more colors. I don't think she noticed it was about raccoons. Cute little book with cute little animals. Loved it!

Rating: G-all ages.

Date Review Written: April 21st, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Booklook Bloggers for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

The Year's at the Spring

The year's at the spring,

And day's at the morn;

Morning's at seven;

The hill-side's dew-pearled;

The lark's on the wing;

The snail's on the thorn;

God's in his Heaven— 

All's right with the world! 

~ Robert Browning

First Day of Spring

First day of spring--
I keep thinking about
the end of autumn.

~ Matsuo Basho

Spring

To what purpose, April, do you return again?

Beauty is not enough.

You can no longer quiet me with the redness

Of little leaves opening stickily.

I know what I know.

The sun is hot on my neck as I observe

The spikes of the crocus.

The smell of the earth is good.

It is apparent that there is no death.

But what does that signify?

Not only under ground are the brains of men

Eaten by maggots.

Life in itself

Is nothing,

An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.

It is not enough that yearly, down this hill,

April

Comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.

~ Edna St. Vincent Millay

A Prayer in Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day; 

And give us not to think so far away 

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here 

All simply in the springing of the year. 

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night; 

And make us happy in the happy bees, 

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees. 

And make us happy in the darting bird 

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill, 

And off a blossom in mid air stands still. 

For this is love and nothing else is love, 

The which it is reserved for God above 

To sanctify to what far ends He will,

But which it only needs that we fulfil.

~ Robert Frost

Home is Wherever Mom is Book Review

Title: Home is Wherever Mom is

Author: Claire McElfatrick

Genre: Christian, Coloring, Hand-lettering, Inspirational, Motherhood

Plot: Mothers are a valued, vital part of everyday life, the home and family. They give birth to the future, spend large quantities of time, effort, money and caffeine raising and caring for said future, as well as handling housework, jobs, hobbies and husbands. Moms are very underappreciated important figures in this world and the job they do is hard and often thankless. But with this gorgeous coloring book, you can show your mother how much you care. Filled with intricate designs of tea cups, flowers, birds, gardening, a large frog and a bunny {to name a few}, this is sure to provide hours of enjoyment. In addition to coloring, there are also pages on which to practice hand-lettering.

So grab your pencils or markers, a cup of tea and enjoy this colorful token of appreciation for mom.

Likes/Dislikes: This is a lovely coloring book. The pages are smooth and great for colored pencils. I tried markers too and they worked beautifully with a small amount of ghosting. Each page is a delight and the quotes are wonderful. I particularly liked the snacks one. My husband, who normally doesn't take much of an interest in my review books, really liked this one. Ya all need one for dads now! My toddler thinks its for her; we might have to discuss that. *wink* All in all, highly recommended.

Rating: G- all ages.

Date Review Written: March 25th, 2017

I received a free copy of this book courtesy of Booklook Bloggers for the purposes of this review. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Between the Showers

Between the showers I went my way,

The glistening street was bright with flowers;

It seemed that March had turned to May

Between the showers.

Above the shining roofs and towers

The blue broke forth athwart the grey;

Birds carolled in their leafless bowers.

Hither and tither, swift and gay,

The people chased the changeful hours;

And you, you passed and smiled that day,

Between the showers.

~ Amy Levy

Spring is the Period

Spring is the Period

Express from God.

Among the other seasons

Himself abide,

But during March and April

None stir abroad

Without a cordial interview

With God.

~ Emily Dickinson

The ones that disappeared are back

The ones that disappeared are back

The Phoebe and the Crow

Precisely as in March is heard

The curtness of the Jay --

Be this an Autumn or a Spring

My wisdom loses way

One side of me the nuts are ripe

The other side is May.

~ Emily Dickinson

Dear March

Dear March - Come in -

How glad I am -

I hoped for you before -

Put down your Hat -

You must have walked -

How out of Breath you are -

Dear March, how are you, and the Rest -

Did you leave Nature well -

Oh March, Come right upstairs with me -

I have so much to tell -

I got your Letter, and the Birds -

The Maples never knew that you were coming -

I declare - how Red their Faces grew -        

But March, forgive me -

And all those Hills you left for me to Hue -

There was no Purple suitable -

You took it all with you -        

  

Who knocks? That April -

Lock the Door -

I will not be pursued -

He stayed away a Year to call

When I am occupied -        

But trifles look so trivial

As soon as you have come

That blame is just as dear as Praise

And Praise as mere as Blame -

~ Emily Dickinson

Love's Coming

She had looked for his coming as warriors come,

With the clash of arms and the bugle's call;

But he came instead with a stealthy tread,

Which she did not hear at all.

She had thought how his armor would blaze in the sun,

As he rode like a prince to claim his bride:

In the sweet dim light of the falling night

She found him at her side.

She had dreamed how the gaze of his strange, bold eye

Would wake her heart to a sudden glow:

She found in his face the familiar grace

Of a friend she used to know.

She had dreamed how his coming would stir her soul,

As the ocean is stirred by the wild storm's strife:

He brought her the balm of a heavenly calm,

And a peace which crowned her life.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

God Bless Our Baby Book Review

Title: God Bless Our Baby

Author: Hannah C. Hall

Genre: Christian, Children, Family, New Baby

Plot: There's a new special someone on the way, a cute little baby to play with and love! As each animal family {from pigs and bears to squirrels and bunnies} get ready for their special new baby or babies to arrive, so too will the readers as they get ready for their own babies to arrive. Filled with bright colorful pictures and beautiful lyrical script, children of all ages will delight in this treasure, especially if it relates to their newest family member.

Likes/Dislikes: I read this to my three year old and seven month old. The toddler oohed and aahed at all the cute animals and enjoyed the story, especially where it related to being a big sister. The baby cooed at the squirrels and pigs, the brightest colored pages so win-win. I especially loved it; I spent last year tracking down every book on new babies I could find for my toddler before her sister came but this one is the only Christian one I've come across and it's adorable! Would recommend to anyone with second or third babies on the way!

Rating: G- all ages. Highly recommended.

Date Review Written: February 18th, 2017

I received this book from the publishers for this review. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Love's Language

How does Love speak?

In the faint flush upon the telltale cheek,

And in the pallor that succeeds it; by

The quivering lid of an averted eye--

The smile that proves the parent to a sigh

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

By the uneven heart-throbs, and the freak

Of bounding pulses that stand still and ache,

While new emotions, like strange barges, make

Along vein-channels their disturbing course;

Still as the dawn, and with the dawn's swift force--

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

In the avoidance of that which we seek--

The sudden silence and reserve when near--

The eye that glistens with an unshed tear--

The joy that seems the counterpart of fear,

As the alarmed heart leaps in the breast,

And knows, and names, and greets its godlike guest--

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

In the proud spirit suddenly grown meek--

The haughty heart grown humble; in the tender

And unnamed light that floods the world with splendor;

In the resemblance which the fond eyes trace

In all fair things to one beloved face;

In the shy touch of hands that thrill and tremble;

In looks and lips that can no more dissemble--

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

In the wild words that uttered seem so weak

They shrink ashamed in silence; in the fire

Glance strikes with glance, swift flashing high and higher,

Like lightnings that precede the mighty storm;

In the deep, soulful stillness; in the warm,

Impassioned tide that sweeps through throbbing veins,

Between the shores of keen delights and pains;

In the embrace where madness melts in bliss,

And in the convulsive rapture of a kiss--

Thus doth Love speak.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

How To Be a Woman Book Review

Title: How To Be a Woman

Author: Caitlin Moran

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Feminist, Coming-of-Age,

Plot: Modern woman has made considerable strides since witch burnings and getting the vote but they still have murky waters to navigate today. Many of the looming objects in those murky waters include waxings, ill-fitting bras, careers and whether or not they should have children.

With a touch of hilarity, plenty of hard earned self-experience and wisdom, Caitlin Moran gives her decided opinion on first world women's issues, concerns and difficulties as well as sharing her own experiences growing up, becoming a woman, wife, mother and writer.

Likes/Dislikes: I got this from our local library as a blind date {so fun} and was wary. I don't consider myself a feminist and look at feminists suspiciously. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Moran and I agreed on a lot of points - most particularly that it isn't man verses woman, everyone just needs to be polite to each other. However, I very strongly oppose her views on abortion. I'm Catholic and a mother; I could never ever abort my baby and it breaks my heart to read accounts of abortions. Those poor sweet babies. And chapter two was very shocking. Avoid if possible. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was very funny and interesting. Lady Gaga is not a good role model btw.

Rating: PG-18 and up, mature audiences only {graphic masturbation, lots of drugs and drinking, lots of talk of sex, a fairly graphic abortion, and a lot of foul language}. Proceed with caution.

Date Review Written: February 4th, 2017

How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

A Proper Drink Book Review

Title: A Proper Drink

Author: Robert Simonson

Genre: Nonfiction, Alcohol, History,

Plot: The rise of popular cocktails and mixed drinks owes a great debt to the hardworking bartenders of the '80s and '90s who helped to reintroduce the general public to such wonderful concoctions as the Aviation, Boulevardier and Hanky Panky {popular in the roaring Twenties before Prohibition}, as well as chronically the invention of delicious new drinks such as the Espresso Martini and the Cosmopolitan.

Compiled from over two hundred interviews and extensive research, this is the first ever complete history of modern cocktail drinking. In addition to all this interesting information and intriguing history, there are also forty drink recipes that the reader can make themselves and sip on as they continue reading this book.

Likes/Dislikes: To be perfectly honest, I haven't finished this book and I doubt I will. The writing style is horrible. Very stiff and very confusing as it jumps from historical person/event/location to the next without warning and without bothering to help the reader keep track of who's who before bouncing off again. I was under the impression this would be a wonderfully interesting, engaging book about drinking making with fun historical facts and lots of recipes. The only cool thing was the bit on the Cosmo and about three or four recipes that actually sound good. Its probably just me but this book was a disappointment,

Rating: PG-16 and up {its all about drinking, with mild language a few times}

Date Review Written: February 4th, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Blogging for Books and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Always Marry An April Girl

Praise the spells and bless the charms,

I found April in my arms.

April golden, April cloudy,

Gracious, cruel, tender, rowdy;

April soft in flowered languor,

April cold with sudden anger,

Ever changing, ever true --

I love April, I love you.

~ Ogden Nash

God Bless My Friends Book Review

Title: God Bless My Friends

Author: Hannah C. Hall

Genre: Christian, Children, Friends, Poetry, Board Book,

Plot: Friendships come in all shapes and sizes, and in unlikely pairs. A monkey loves to play ball with a fluffy tiger, a duckling goes exploring on the back of a sturdy panda and a chipmunk nestles with a bird under a cozy quilt. All these adorable friendships dot every colorful page and express in beautiful pose what it means to be friends.

Children of all ages will love this book and so will their parents!

Likes/Dislikes: I read this colorful book to my three year old who cooed at all the adorable animals and seemed very interested in the story. I personally enjoyed the artwork and each page was a delight to read. Loved it and would recommend it to everyone!

Rating: G- all ages

Date Report Written: January 28th, 2017

Edit: I also recently read this book to my six month old who also cooed at all the animals and seemed to especially like the panda and duckling duo as her coos intensified.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Booklook Bloggers and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

California Winter

It is winter in California, and outside

Is like the interior of a florist shop: 

A chilled and moisture-laden crop

Of pink camellias lines the path; and what

Rare roses for a banquet or a bride, 

So multitudinous that they seem a glut! 

A line of snails crosses the golf-green lawn

From the rosebushes to the ivy bed; 

An arsenic compound is distributed

For them. The gardener will rake up the shells

And leave in a corner of the patio

The little mound of empty shells, like skulls.

By noon the fog is burnt off by the sun

And the world's immensest sky opens a page

For the exercise of a future age; 

Now jet planes draw straight lines, parabolas, 

And x's, which the wind, before they're done, 

Erases leisurely or pulls to fuzz.

It is winter in the valley of the vine.

The vineyards crucified on stakes suggest

War cemeteries, but the fruit is pressed, 

The redwood vats are brimming in the shed, 

And on the sidings stand tank cars of wine, 

For which bright juice a billion grapes have bled.

And skiers from the snow line driving home

Descend through almond orchards, olive farms.

Fig tree and palm tree - everything that warms

The imagination of the wintertime.

If the walls were older one would think of Rome: 

If the land were stonier one would think of Spain.

But this land grows the oldest living things, 

Trees that were young when Pharoahs ruled the world, 

Trees whose new leaves are only just unfurled.

Beautiful they are not; they oppress the heart

With gigantism and with immortal wings; 

And yet one feels the sumptuousness of this dirt.

It is raining in California, a straight rain

Cleaning the heavy oranges on the bough, 

Filling the gardens till the gardens flow, 

Shining the olives, tiling the gleaming tile, 

Waxing the dark camellia leaves more green, 

Flooding the daylong valleys like the Nile. 

~ Karl Sharpiro

Blue Winter

Winter uses all the blues there are.

One shade of blue for water, one for ice,

Another blue for shadows over snow.

The clear or cloudy sky uses blue twice-

Both different blues. And hills row after row

Are colored blue according to how far.

You know the bluejay's double-blur device

Shows best when there are no green leaves to show.

And Sirius is a winterbluegreen star.

~ Robert Frances

A Winter Night

My window-pane is starred with frost, 

The world is bitter cold to-night, 

The moon is cruel, and the wind 

Is like a two-edged sword to smite.

God pity all the homeless ones, 

The beggars pacing to and fro. 

God pity all the poor to-night 

Who walk the lamp-lit streets of snow.

My room is like a bit of June, 

Warm and close-curtained fold on fold, 

But somewhere, like a homeless child, 

My heart is crying in the cold. 

~ Sara Teasdale

Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind

Blow, blow, thou winter wind 

Thou art not so unkind 

As man's ingratitude; 

Thy tooth is not so keen, 

Because thou art not seen, 

Although thy breath be rude. 

Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly: 

Most freindship if feigning, most loving mere folly: 

Then heigh-ho, the holly! 

This life is most jolly. 

Freeze, freeze thou bitter sky, 

That does not bite so nigh 

As benefits forgot: 

Though thou the waters warp, 

Thy sting is not so sharp 

As a friend remembered not. 

Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly: 

Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly: 

Then heigh-ho, the holly! 

This life is most jolly. 

~ William Shakespeare