Wednesday, September 21, 2016

The Berenstain Bear's Book of Prayer Review!!!

The Berenstain Bear's Book of Prayer

by Mike Berenstain

Book Description:

A collection of prayers from the iconic Berenstain Bears brand for children ages two to five.

This new prayer book for toddlers features Mama and Papa Bear, Brother, Sister, and Honey. Nearly 50 simple rhyming prayers cover a typical day and the typical worries of a young child. From waking in the morning to going to sleep at night, from thanking God for a meal to praying for His comfort when afraid, the prayers will help little ones see that any moment is a good moment to talk to God.

With its soft padded cover and convenient size, the book is the perfect way to teach children about prayer and the ways God cares for us each day.

Visit the author’s website: http://www.berenstainbears.com/index.html

To purchase a copy of the book: CHRISTIAN BOOK , BARNES & NOBLE

My Opinion:
What a GREAT tool this could be! I think that everyone should be taught that you can pray to God about anything, anytime, and anywhere! :) There are many of these prayers that really touched my heart! I LOVE THEM! And while I feel everyone should know that you can talk to The Lord just like anyone else instead of memorizing prayers, I really hope that this book fulfills it's goal and becomes a fabulous tool! Overall I think this book is a great book to share with the little ones in your life at bedtime or anytime!

Song: "Whisper a Prayer" from The Wonder Kids
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Philippians 4:6-7

~ASC

*I received a copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above is my true thoughts and feelings about The Berenstain Bear's Book of Prayer ~ASC

A Lady Unrivaled Review!!!

A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna White

+Roseanna White

Book Description:

Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile--even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won't wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.

Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he's determined to live a better life. But that proves complicated when old friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into a life of crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her--and his daughter--from those dangerous people who seem ready to destroy them all?

My Opinion:

Torn! I'm a little torn with this one, and I'm finding it even hard to write my review. On the one hand I absolutely LOVED all of these characters and how Roseanna shows us where the main characters from all three books end up. I love the mystery and the twists! I LOVE the romance!!! And I love some of what Roseanna did with the character Catherine. But on the other there where things that I wanted to be different. I had thought Rushworth would have been different than he is in this book, and on many levels I wished he had been. And the addition of Indian religion and such did not appeal to me and I found myself skipping through those scenes. I understand that the diamonds were from India, but I personally would have preferred a little less depth into their "history". I also was left longing for something I can't quite put my finger on. There are characters added in this book that I wanted to be wrapped up more completely, and the way things end with the diamonds wasn't what I expected, and while I'm not really sure on how I wanted it different, I just felt like it fell a bit flat. Overall I have many favorite scenes that I could read again and again, I LOVE all of the characters, but the book as a whole leaves me missing and longing for something.... The second in this series is still my favorite and the one I recommend the most! :)

Songs: "Worth It" by Francesca Battistelli, "East To West" Casting Crowns, and "Mended" by Matthew West

Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Romans 8:28

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Bethany House for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about A Lady Unrivaled. ~ASC

Saturday, September 17, 2016

The Wedding Shop Review and Giveaway!!!!!!!!

The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck

+Rachel Hauck

Book Description:

Purchase your copy, click here.

Two women separated by decades.

Both set out to help others find their dreams when their own have crumbled.
It's the early 1930s, but Cora Scott is walking in stride as a career woman after having inherited her great aunt's wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, where brides come from as far away as Birmingham to experience her famed bridal treatment. Meanwhile, Cora is counting down the days until her own true love returns from the river to make her his bride. But days turn into months and months to years. All the while, Birch Good continues to woo Cora and try to show her that while he is solid and dependable, he can sweep her off her feet.

More than eighty years later, former Air Force Captain Haley Morgan has returned home to Heart's Bend after finishing her commitment to military service. After the devastating death of her best friend, Tammy, and discovering the truth about the man she loved, Haley is searching for her place in life.

When Haley decides to reopen the romantic but abandoned wedding shop where she and Tammy played and dreamed as children, she begins a journey of courage, mystery, and love.

As Cora and Haley's stories intertwine through time in the shadow of the beloved wedding shop, they both discover the power of their own dreams and the magic of everyday love.

About the Author:

Rachel Hauck is a USA Today Bestselling author. Her book, The Wedding Dress, was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Her book Once Upon A Prince was a Christy Award finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and two pets and writes from her ivory tower.

Visit her online at rachelhauck.com,

Facebook: rachelhauck,
and Twitter: @RachelHauck

Guest Post from Rachel Hauck:

Hey everyone! I’m so excited to share The Wedding Shop with you. This book is one of my favorites.

While all books are my “babies,” this one found a special place in my heart.

This standalone novel is part of the Wedding Collection – The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel – and it came to life when I discovered the story of Cora Scott, a 1930s wedding shop owner.

At 30, she’s an old maid, but the best “bride’s maid” in fictional Heart’s Bend, Tennessee. But she’s in love with a charismatic, charming river boat captain.

The contemporary heroine, Haley Morgan, is a retired Air Force captain returning to Heart’s Bend to restart her life. She’s recovering from a broken heart. The handsome, dynamic, charming man she loved was nothing but trouble.

Returning home, Haley is set on keeping a childhood promise she made with her best friend—to open the old wedding shop.

The shop is legend in Heart’s Bend. Haley grew up with stories of Miss Cora and the shop, hearing the town’s mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers reminiscing about their “day in the shop,” walking down the grand staircase in their wedding gown.

But in 2016, the shop is dilapidated, neglected and in need of more money than Haley possesses.

While writing this story, I had to ask a lot of questions. Why reopen the old shop? Why not just open a new one?

Haley was a combat veteran, deployed to Afghanistan twice, why would she want to open a wedding shop?

I also investigate the meaning of the shop to the town? To Cora? To Haley?

As I developed the backstory for the characters, the shop and the town, Cora’s came to life. She fascinated me. I admired this fictional woman. She exuded ingenuity, courage, and deep, deep devotion.

On the other hand, Haley was a bit of a mystery but from the start, she saw value in something no one else did.

What if we all saw value in people or places others wanted to reject?

Isn’t that what Jesus does for us?

The heroes of the book, Birch and Cole, are just stellar guys. Princes among men. I love writing about slightly wounded but strong and tender men.

The theme of family and community populates the story. Also, how misconceptions and preconceived ideas often ruin relationships.

Booklist gave The Wedding Shop a Starred Review and called it, “Spellbinding.”

There’s a lot of fun drama in this book! I hope you enjoy spending time with Cora and Haley, the men they love and the shop they bring to life.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Connect with me at www.rachelhauck.com.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour,

Rachel is giving away her Wedding Collection Series!

Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a366

My Opinion:

A Captivating Tale! :) The Wedding Shop is the first book I've read from Rachel. I have heard great things, so when the book description sounded very interesting to me I jumped at a chance to read this book! I am happy to report that I will be looking for her other titles! I LOVED this story! Weaving the past and the present flawlessly, Rachel takes us on a journey that comes together in the coolest of ways! This is one of those books that I wanted to reach the end quickly, because I had to see what was happening, while at the same time I didn't want it to end!!!! :D As a matter of face I'm still in the "OH NO I'M DONE!" blues! ;) Filled with surprises and twists this is a sweet story of redemption and romance! The pace is nice and steady. You don't want to put it down, while at the same time you can find a good place to take a break and then pick it back up without having any problems remembering where you are in the story. I LOVED all the Faith and Message moments; though I did wish there were a few more characters that came to Jesus in the end! I really LOVE how Rachel begins every character switch with the character's name at the top in large letters. So there is absolutely no confusion when past and present changes and you always know whose aspect you are reading from! Haley is a really neat character! She's different and unique! Cole is lovable, as he faces trials and issues throughout his journey! Cora is also a unique and awesome character! I loved her touch of spunk, but also her tender and beautiful heart! And then there's Birch! I LOVED him, even though in the middle/close to the end I was mad as a mashed cat at him, in the end he's still pretty lovable. ;) Followers of the series will also be happy for the return of Charlotte and her husband! I haven't read her story yet, but found her to be one of my favorite characters! Warning! If, like me, you are starting with The Wedding Shop, reading scenes about Charlotte will make you long to read her story! :D Rachel reveals just enough in a way that leaves you wanting to know more and more! Overall I LOVED this story and found it to be a tale I could read again and again!

Songs (I really think this song goes with this book beautifully all the way around!): "Worth It" by Francesca Battistelli
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Romans 8:28

~ASC

*I received a copy of this book for review. This in no way affected my opinion, and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about The Wedding Shop. ~ASC