Book Review - "The Artist's Daughter"

Alexandra Kuykendall has written a memoir titled "The Artist's Daughter" that takes us on a journey with her to explore who she is and what has really formed her to be who she is.
Alexandra grew up being raised by her single mother while traveling around the world, and while she did meet her father he was not a constant in her life.  Once Alexandra became a mother she decided to really take the time and find out about herself and what is defining her in her current role.  Throughout this journey and book, Alexandra focuses on answering three main questions: Am I loveable?, Am I loved?, and Am I loving?. 

This is a very well-written and moving book.  Alexandra has the ability to bring her own experiences to life and draw the reader into the story.  I felt like I could relate with her on many levels throughout the story and even when I could not I felt connected to the story all the same.  This is a must-read for all women as it explores questions that all women can relate to at some point in their lives. 

“Available may 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Book Review - "Once Upon a Prince"

Enter Today - 5/6 - 5/27! Rachel Hauck is celebrating the release of Once Upon a Prince with a fun "Royal Wedding" Giveaway and connecting with readers at her May 28th Facebook Party.

One "royal" winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 27th. Winner will be announced at the "Once Upon a Prince" Facebook Author Chat Party on May 28th. Connect with Rachel for an evening of book chat, wedding trivia, laughter, and more! Rachel will also be sharing a sneak peek at the next book in the series and giving away books and fun gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of Once Upon a Prince and join Rachel on the evening of May 28th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!

Book Info

About Once Upon A Prince: The Royal Wedding Series Book One Susanna Truitt never dreamed of a great romance or being treated like a princess---just to marry the man she has loved for twelve years. But life isn't going according to plan. When her high-school-sweetheart-turned-Marine-officer breaks up instead of proposing, Susanna scrambles to rebuild her life. The last thing Prince Nathaniel expects to find on his American holiday to St. Simon's Island is the queen of his heart. A prince has duties, and his family's tense political situation has chosen his bride for him. When Prince Nathaniel comes to Susanna's aid under the fabled Lover's Oak, he is blindsided by love. Their lives are worlds apart. He's a royal prince. She's a ordinary girl. But everything changes when Susanna receives an invitation to Nathaniel's coronation. It's the ultimate choice. His kingdom or her heart? God's will or their own? Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/kFb0Y Watch the Trailer: Once Upon a Prince, Book Trailer - Rachel Hauck Meet Rachel: Rachel Hauck is the bestselling author of Carol Award winner "Sweet Caroline", and RITA Finalist "Love Starts With Elle", and of the critically acclaimed fiction collaboration with multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, "The Songbird Novels". She lives in sunny, though sometimes hurricane plagued, central Florida with her husband and their ornery pets. Rachel earned a degree in Journalism from Ohio State University and is a huge Buckeyes football fan. She is the past President of American Christian Fiction Writers and now sits on the board as an Advisor. Find out more about Rachel at: http://RachelHauck.com

 

 

My Review:

 

Rachel Hauck's "Once Upon A Prince" is a fun and sweet read.  Susanna is an excellent main character as she is just a typical girl, who wants a happily ever after with her prince.  After being dumped by her boyfriend of twelve years, Susanna does feel a sense of relief although everyone seems to be talking about her.  Susanna knew that he was not THE one, but he was safe and comfortable and provided security that Susanna lacked while growing up.  Susanna had no idea that Nathaniel was a prince and as she struggles to make sense of her life and world, Susanna realizes that she may not be able to control her heart any better than the other areas of her life.

I really enjoyed this book as it is just such a fun and light-hearted read, allowing the reader to escape to a life of royalty and imagining what it would be like to have the love of a prince.  Susanna is such an excellent main character, as she is flawed as we all are and is struggling with everyday issues that we all do as well; thus making her easy to relate to and empathize with.  I loved the details included in this book as it really brought the various scenes to life as they were so vividly described.  The closeness of the families and strong faith of the characters added so much to the story as well.  I am looking forward to the next book in this series! 

 

 

 

To read other reviews that are a part of this tour click here! 

 

 

*Thanks to Litfuse Publicity Group for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review and including me on their book tour!*

Book Review - "When Love Calls"

Lorna Seilstad's new series (The Gregory Sisters) starts off in an exciting way with book 1, "When Love Calls." 

Hannah is a spunky and responsible young woman whom is left in charge of her two younger sisters after their parents pass.  The girls are devastated to lose their family home and despise the man who came to do this horrible deed.  However, this same man shows up to help them move and Hannah is forced to accept his help, although she is determined to do things herself.  Lincoln is a successful and well-off lawyer; however he lives his life by his faith and he feels horrible about having to take away the Gregory girls' home, especially since he knows what it is like to be orphaned.  As Hannah gets a job as a Hello Girl, she finds herself having to adhere to rules which she does not do very well, but she also finds herself having to learn to ask for help and rely on others, one person in particular - Lincoln.  Walt, Hannah's childhood friend, has been arrested for murder and Hannah and Lincoln team up to get him out of jail and Hannah must search her heart to see what she really wants in life and whom her heart is falling in love with. 
This is a fun story to read and one that is filled with romance and suspense, but also one that explores family relationships and bonds as well.  The three sisters are all unique individuals and I am looking forward to reading Charlotte and Tessa's stories in the following books in this series.  Lincoln is a perfect man character, any woman cannot help but fall in love with him!  I love how he treated Charlotte and Tessa and enjoyed reading his interactions with them and when they would team up against Hannah.  George was someone I did not like and did not want to like; however by the end of the story my heart was going out to him and I found myself warming up to him, I am interested to see what role he will continue to play in Charlotte's life.  Aunt Sam is such a fun-loving individual and I love the role she plays in this story and in Lincoln and Charlotte's lives.  I am also hoping that Rosie will be in the rest of the series as well.  If you enjoyed Lorna Seilstad's Lake Manawa series, then this book is a must-read for you!

“Available May 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Book Review - "When A Secret Kills"

I have loved Lynette Eason's Deadly Reunions series and I was looking forward to the conclusion to this series as soon as I finished book 2!  In book 3, "When A Secret Kills," Jillian returns home after being away for ten years, ten years spent living under a different name, and constantly being on alert and looking over her shoulder.  Jillian has changed; however her feelings for Colton have not and very quickly Colton learns his feelings for Jillian are the same as they were ten years ago.  However, Jillian is sure that she saw Colton's uncle kill someone; is Colton someone Jillian can trust and will Colton want anything to do with her especially when he finds out another one of her secrets.  As the group seeks the truth, they are continuing to be on high alert as they are finding their lives in danger and each time coming closer to death. 

This is such a fast-paced read and one that you will not want to or be able to put down until you reach the end!  I was kept guessing throughout the book (really the whole series!) as to what exactly happened on graduation night ten years ago, who was involved and who knows what.  This is an excellent series and one that I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense.  This series is a must-read in order as each of the novels pick right up where the previous one ended.  I cannot wait to see what Lynette Eason writes next!

“Available May 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Book Review - "Couponing for the Rest of Us"

I will be honest, I love the entire concept of couponing and saving a ton of money on each shopping trip; however it has always seemed overwhelming and time consuming (and who has a ton of extra time???)!  So, when I was offered the chance to read and review "Couponing for the Rest of Us: the not-so-extreme guide to saving more" by Kasey Knight Trenum, I was excited and jumped on the chance!  I was not disappointed at all after receiving this book as it is filled with tips and strategies to help me get started couponing and saving money.  Also, this book is so much more than just couponing, it is about saving money, giving to others and budgeting.  There are other ways to save money than the traditional cutting of coupons, there are coupons and deals found in the store aisles, deals found on-line and also rewards from varous store programs.  The author goes into detail on all of these options and explains what they are in terms that are easily understood giving the reader a whole new awareness.  There is also a chapter devoted to stockpiling, what to stockpile, how much one should stockpile and the balance between buying what you need and will use and just buying to get the deal and hoard items.  There are also several tips included that will help you to become organized and keep track of what coupons and deals are available as well as what items are needed.  This book ends with an Appendix A - Appendix I, and each one of these is so helpful!  For example, items which can be bought in bulk and frozen, tips for storing your various stockpiles, and definitions for terms included in couponing lingo.  This book is a must-have for anyone who is wanting to start out with couponing and saving money!

“Available May 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Book Review - "The Guardian"

Beverly Lewis has returned with another excellent Amish novel!  "The Guardian," book 3 in Lewis' Home to Hickory Hollow series, is a story of love and finding one's way back to God. Jodi is a teacher and therefore works with children all the time.  Jodi finds a young child on the side of the road all alone and begins a search for who this child is and where she has come from as the child does not speak English.  However, as Jodi sets out to find answers about and for this child, Jodi really learns about herself and finds closure for herself and opens up her heart once again.                       This is such a sweet and heart-warming book.  Beverly Lewis is such a talented author as she has the ability to really draw the reader into the story and into the characters' lives so that the reader feels a part of the story.  Jodi is an excellent main character and one that readers can relate to.  This book can be read as a stand-alone novel, however I highly recommend reading the first two books ("The Fiddler" and "The Bridesmaid") as well as they are ones that you will not want to miss out on!  I am looking forward to reading book 4 "The Secret Keeper" which is scheduled to release on September 3, 2013!

 

*Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Simply Delicious Amish Cooking"

"Simply Delicious Amish Cooking: Recipes and Stories from the Amish of Sarasota, Florida," by Sherry Gore, is a beautiful collection of Amish recipes and stories that will have your mouth watering and you ready to go to the kitchen to make each and every recipe in here!

Book Description from the publisher:

Unbeknownst to many folks outside the Amish Mennonite population in America, Pinecraft, Florida - a village tucked away in the heart of Sarasota - is the vacation paradise of the Plain People. Unlike any other Plain community in the world, this village is a virtual melting pot of Amish and Mennonites from around the world, intermingled with people, like author Sherry Gore’s family, who live there year-round.

Gore has put together a cookbook that represents the people who make Pinecraft unique. With hundreds of easy-to-prepare recipes, 16 full-color photographs and black-and-white photographs throughout, this cookbook includes traditional favorites such as Sweet Potato Sweet Mash and Mrs. Byler’s Glazed Donuts, as well as Florida favorites including Fried Alligator Nuggets, Grilled Lime Fish Fillets, and Strawberry Mango Smoothies. Interspersed with the recipes are true-life stories about births, engagements, weddings, deaths, funerals, celebrations, wildlife encounters, and accidents told through years of Sherry’s Letters from Home column published in The Budget, the Amish newspaper. This delightful cookbook offers readers a faith-based, family-focused perspective of the simple way of life of the Plain People. It is truly a breath of fresh air from Sarasota, Florida!

My Review:

First of all, this book is a spiral bound edition which is my favorite type of book for cookbooks as the book lays flat and stays open on the page I am using. This book begins with an introduction in which the author explains why she has written this book, who the Amish and Mennonites are and about Amish cooking in general.  The recipes are divided into various sections by type, including breads and rolls, soups and salads, pies and meats and main dishes.  There are pictures and stories interspersed throughout the book as well.  Some of these recipes are ones that are similar to others I have made or are things I have heard about, but all of them sound delicious and I cannot wait to try them.  There is a recipe for Gingerbread Waffles which sound delicious and I am looking forward to making when we get back to colder weather in several months.

*Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers and Booksneeze for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*