Book Review - "Random Souls"

Deanna Rutledge, pastor's wife, brings her expertise, observations and compassion for the body of Christ alive in her novel, "Random Souls."
A church is not just the building a group of people meet in to worship God, the church is the group of people. However, not every group of people or church are immune to tension and friction among of the members. Welcome to Aloha Community Church, a church that has it's fair share of scandal and things are about to get worse! Pastor Jason is new to the church, but that does not mean that everything is smooth sailing. A group begin to meet together for a Bible study, this is very different mix of people, however they are about to find healing, love and joy and becoming a part of the body of Christ.
This book is filled with very realistic characters who the readers will empathize with and want to know more about. No group of people are immune to those who like to spread gossip and add to problems while trying to help. This is a quick read and one not to be missed for those who enjoy religious fiction.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Animal Stories Daddy Told Us"

Innocent Emechete has compiled a collection of stories that were orally passed down through generations in Africa in the book, "Animal Stories Daddy Told Us." There are sixteen stories in this book that each have animals as their main characters. These animals all struggle and deal with issues that humans do as well, such as deceit and revenge. Each story has a lesson or moral to share with the reader. There are illustrations throughout the stories as well adding great detail to them.
This book is not necessarily geared toward children as some of the lessons and topics are not really appropriate for young children. The stories would be a great tool to use with young adults in a creative writing class or in a class that focuses on culture, worldviews and morality. Each story has questions that are great to use for a discussion after reading each story.

*I received this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Kathryn the Grape's Colorful Adventure"

If you are looking for a book for young girls, then "Kathryn the Grape's Colorful Adventure" is for you! Written by Kathryn Cloward with Ginny Hornby and illustrated by Christine Winscott, this book is bold, vibrant and a great lesson!
Kathryn feels unimportant and that her parents love her brothers more than her. Kathryn goes to her room feeling sorry for herself, but her mindset changes when her friend Maggie takes her on a magical adventure. With the aid of a charm bracelet and the various colors represented on it, Kathryn is able to learn how she is important and how to let who she is shine!
This is a really fun book to read with your daughter or with a young girl who you may work with. Kathryn is able to think about and discover things she loves to do and how they make her feel and how she is able to shine in the world. This is a great resource to us to help girls boost their self-esteem and discover themselves.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Nowhere Hair"

"Nowhere Hair" written by Sue Glader and illustrated by Edith Buenen is specifically for children who have a family member dealing with having cancer. This would be a perfect book for a child who has a mother or grandmother who is losing her hair due to cancer treatments.
The girl's mother has been diagnosed with cancer and she loses her hair as a result of the treatments she undergoes. The girl is worried about her mom, wonders if the cancer is her fault and wonders where her hair has all gone. She is reassured that it is not her fault, and she sees her mom wearing all sorts of hats that help in numerous ways.
This is a wonderful resource for children! It is an upbeat book, but it addresses the concerns and feelings that children will experience in this type of situation. Losing hair can be scary for children and this is a great way for it to be explained to children.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review*

Book Review - "Just Fine the Way They Are"

"Just Fine the Way They Are" written by Connie Nordhielm Wooldridge and illustrated by Richard Walz is an account of how the world has moved from having dirt roads to rail roads to interstates.
John Slack, the tavern keeper, is happy with life and believes things are fine just the way they are with the rutted dirt road. Slack is resistant to the changes that congress and others want with building a main road and a railroad. With each change that comes along, it is believed that it is fine and travel is made easier and easier, but as time goes on there are always ways to make it even easier and better. Just as it is with many things today, some are resistant to change, but then when it occurs, the changes are adapted to and even appreciated after time.
This is a beautiful account for children that displays how times have changed with travel through the years. The illustrations are beautiful and filled with details that children and adults will love to look at. There is a thorough time line included as well. This would be a great resource for elementary classrooms.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "The Amazing Adventures of Thomas and Erin with Granddad - the Zoo"

Thomas and Erin have another adventure with Granddad, this time it is a trip to the zoo! John Vasey's "The Amazing Adventures of Thomas and Erin with Granddad - The Zoo" is written and illustrated in the same style as his book describing their day at the market.
Thomas and Erin are spending the day with their Granddad and they decide to go to the zoo. They get to see a variety of animals and interact with them and each other.
This book is very simple book for children to read and enjoy. The illustrations go along with the story and they are beautiful additions to the story. This book is a great one for the reader to be interactive with the children he or she is reading with. There is a blank page at the back for the child to draw an adventure that he or she has had with granddad.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*

Book Review - "Lonestar Angel"

Colleen Coble's fourth Lonestar book, "Lonestar Angel," is the best yet!
Eden is shocked when her ex-husband Clay shows up just as her boyfriend is about to propose to her and says that they are in fact still married. Not only that, but they have not seen each other in years, even since their infant daughter was kidnapped and they suppose murdered, and now Clay says that their daughter is alive and is at a ranch for a summer camp experience. Clay and Eden set off on a journey to rediscover their daughter and work at this camp as counselors. Not knowing which of the girls is their daughter, Clay and Eden must do detective work of their own. When Eden's life is threatened time after time, they realize their is more to the mystery and they must rely on each other and their friends as well.

This is a great book filled with love, hope and suspense! The relationships between the characters are intricate and fascinating. Coble makes the connections in such a way that I was left guessing and surprised at a few of the twists and turns. This is a must-read for Lonestar fans as it has the characters from the earlier novels!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.*