Children's Book: Kyle's Smile: (Children's Picture Book On How To Raise A Kind And Caring Child)
by Assaf Marcus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Have you ever thought what impact could a simple smile have on the world around you?
Well, in Kyle's Smile, author Assaf Marcus tells the impact of one little boys smile, how it affected those he smiled at, and how that smile grew and became something larger.
This is a wonderful story for kids, to show the idea of kindness and that it doesn't have to be a huge effort to do something kind for someone, sometimes it is small things, such as a smile, a thank you note, and such that have the biggest impact on people.
The is a great book for adults to read along with their children, because sometimes we as adults need to remember to practice these same acts of kindness every day.
If every person practiced kindness each day, could you image what the world would look like?
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Guardian
by A.L. Crouch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite .
As a child Alex was in the car when her parents were killed, saved only by a voice and vision that only she could see. She ran from her small town home and the memory of that vision, but fate has brought her back home now, at age twenty-five. Her original goal was to get in and out of town as fast as she could, but once there, and in her old home, the vision from the past returns. Memories of the murder also return, and to keep herself alive, Alex must learn to have faith and trust in something that she cannot see. Guardian is a warming tale of the idea that there can be someone out there watching over us, loving us and keeping us safe, even if we can't see or hear them. A.L. Crouch does a wonderful job mixing faith and paranormal together to come to this unique blend in this story of seeing a vision that is not really there yet is.
Guardian is unlike any other story about a guardian angel that I have ever read. It is not that there is a heaven that sends those to watch over you, but is something entirely different, and it takes just the faith to believe in the unseen to see them. A.L. Crouch has written a story that gives you adventure, romance, suspense, mystery and intrigue along with faith and the paranormal, all wrapped into one amazing tale. It is something to read, and one that you will be hard pressed o put down before you finish it.
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James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra
by Colm McElwain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra is a pleasing, fictional mix of Narnia, Harry Potter, and the classic, Knights of the Round Table. With these favorite elements comes a fresh new tale from a debut author sure to capture the middle-grade reader’s attention.
James considers himself an average orphan, if there ever was one, with an old grandfather he looks forward to seeing each Christmas. His two best friends, Ben and Mary, also orphans, and James are a family (kind-of); and they look out for each other. When the psychic (who James believes might actually be psychotic) foretells that he and his family “are in terrible danger. I sense there is a man trying to find you. He’s trying to hurt you!”
When James, Ben, and Mary visit James’ grandfather, Wilmore, for Christmas—they learn that the psychic Belinda was extremely correct in her prediction. They are led on a chase to Orchestra, which he knew he recognizes from a painting and the stories his grandfather entertained him with each Christmas. When they finally find, what can only be described as a “secret portal to another world,” James learns of his destiny and will do anything to protect his birthplace.
As a young adult book, with the main characters in their pre-teens, I feel that kids would really relate to the story. The chapter where James, Ben, and Mary explore Orchestra is strikingly vivid and fun. It has plenty of adventure and action, including bloody battles that may be too intense for the elementary-aged reader but perfect for the middle-grades.
Even as an adult reader, I was entertained by the story and compelled to keep reading, not wanting to put the story down until finished. With the book ending on quite a cliffhanger, I do hope that there is another book in the works.
*This review was done for the author. In no way, shape or form did that influence my review.*
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My Virgin Diet Recipes: The Recipes I Used To Lose 17 Pounds in 3 Weeks
by Stacy Longoria
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
We've all heard how gluten, eggs, sugar and other highly reactive foods are a harmful to our diets, but what to do about them. This cookbook gives you clear and easy to follow recipes that cut out those foods from your diet. This allows you to lose weight, and feel better all at once. It also gives you recipes to later slowly reintroduce some of this foods again in small quantities.
I have a good friend who is actually allergic to dairy, gluten and eggs. She has lived this type of lifestyle all her life, and has never had trouble with weight or fatigue. I had discussed with her about trying to lose some of those items from my diet, but it always seemed too difficult. I wandered onto this book by accident, and I have to say it is the greatest money I have spent.
It gives me clear and easy to follow recipes that allow me to start this journey without feeling like I am drowning in a sea of unknowns. I already have some favorites! I can also see, from the list of substitutes at the back, that I will be able to update and change the recipes easily to suit my tastes, once I get much more comfortable with the requirements.
New Year, New You, well that is my goal and this is going to be my handbook to that goal! I am actually excited to start a diet, for once in my life. That has to say something about this amazing book.
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Author: D. S. McKnight
I recently "met" Deborah McKnight on a book review community I am on in Google+. She was posting about her first novel being published and was looking for people to give it an honest review. By now, you all know, I love to read and even more love to share what I read with you all here on the blog, so of course I had to check into this. She allowed me to read the book, in exchange for an honest review. One word of note here, my reviews are always honest, even if I don't like a book, I am going to write it anyway. I made sure she knew it would be honest, whether I liked the book or not. Fortunately, I ended up loving the book. So I have info to share with you about this new author, her first book, and let you all decide for yourselves.
Author Website
This is her website. It gives you information on the book and book signings and such.
Author Facebook Page
This is her Facebook page, which allows you to interact with the author. If you liked my review, want to read the book or want to know more, please like her facebook page and follow along. I am looking forward to following and seeing what more she has to offer.
Author Blog
The author's blog, which has info about this book, but other info as well. Guest posts from other author's and more. It's a great blog to follow.
Amazon Book Link
Yep, an Amazon link. You know what that means. You can buy the book. It comes in paperback or Kindle versions. Not trying to pressure you, but I think it is always in our best interests as readers to support the Indie writers, the new and up-coming. Just my two-cents.
Amazon Author Page
Of course this is the Amazon Author page, and although it is pretty sparse, not much in there for Amazon to put on it, I wanted to include it for those that like to check out those pages too.
Now that I have shared all that information, let me share one last piece, the author has no idea that I am writing this post! Yep. This is all me! She only wanted my honest opinion of the book and I have given her that, but at the same time, I love to share, and I think I have found one of the next big names in writing. Of course I have to share. Every time you read a good book, you just have to tell someone, and I have to tell you all about this author.
