Category: book review

The Egg and I Book Review

The Egg and I Book Review

The Egg and I Book Review

Title: The Egg and I

Author: Betty MacDonald

Narrator: Heather Henderson

Length: 9 hours

Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press⎮2015

Genre: Humor, Memoir

synopsisWhen Betty MacDonald married a marine and moved to a small chicken farm on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, she was largely unprepared for the rigors of life in the wild. With no running water, no electricity, a house in need of constant repair, and days that ran from four in the morning to nine at night, the MacDonalds had barely a moment to put their feet up and relax. And then came the children. Yet through every trial and pitfall – through chaos and catastrophe – this indomitable family somehow, mercifully, never lost its sense of humor.

A beloved literary treasure for more than half a century, Betty MacDonald’s The Egg and I is a heartwarming and uproarious account of adventure and survival on the American frontier.

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author-bio

Betty Bard MacDonald (1907–1958), the best-selling author of The Egg and I and the classic Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle children’s books, burst onto the literary scene shortly after the end of World War II. Readers embraced her memoir of her years as a young bride operating a chicken ranch on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, andThe Egg and I sold its first million copies in less than a year. The public was drawn to MacDonald’s vivacity, her offbeat humor, and her irreverent take on life. In 1947, the book was made into a movie starring Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert, and spawned a series of films featuring MacDonald’s Ma and Pa Kettle characters.

MacDonald followed up the success of The Egg and I with the creation of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, a magical woman who cures children of their bad habits, and with three additional memoirs: The Plague and I (chronicling her time in a tuberculosis sanitarium just outside Seattle), Anybody Can Do Anything (recounting her madcap attempts to find work during the Great Depression), and Onions in the Stew (about her life raising two teenage daughters on Vashon Island).

Author Paula Becker was granted full access to Betty MacDonald’s archives, including materials never before seen by any researcher. Looking for Betty MacDonald, the first official biography of this endearing Northwest storyteller, reveals the story behind the memoirs and the difference between the real Betty MacDonald and her literary persona.

narrator-bio

Heather Henderson is a voice actress and audiobook narrator with a 20-year career in literary and performing arts. Her narrations include the NYT bestseller (now also a feature film) Brain on Fire; and Sharon Creech’s The Boy on the Porch, which won her an Earphones award and was named one of the Best Children’s Audiobooks for 2013 by Audiofile Magazine. She earned her Doctor of Fine Arts degree at the Yale School of Drama, and is co-curator of AudioEloquence.com, a pronunciation research site for the audiobook industry. In 2015, Heather was a finalist for a Voice Arts Award (Outstanding Narration, Audiobook Classics), for her narration of Betty MacDonald’s The Egg and I.

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review

The Egg and I was an interesting look at life in the 1940s on a chicken farm. This was my first time hearing the story (or anything related to the story!) and I enjoyed listening to her story that was infused with humour. She has a great skill in story telling and you feel as though it is a conversation with her versus a biography of her life. I had to look up more information and was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was translated into twenty languages and the Kettles were even featured in a movie. We have an Egg and I restaurant located near us and while it wasn’t associated with the story, I did find several in the US that were inspired by her novel. Pretty cool right?

Betty’s life was not easy – I can’t even begin to imagine how she must have felt moving to a chicken farm (I definitely know I would not be suited for that type of life at all). But both her family and herself made it through it and I think her humour and outlook helped them through it. I found myself literally laughing out loud several times throughout the novel (especially her comments about some of the women she met and the ‘boonies’). My family could hear me giggling from the bathroom as I listened to her novel (I loved that I could listen to the story and do other things like cook or bath while listening to the story – Audible books have quickly become one of my favourite methods to finish a novel). She is a very skilled author and has a great way of story telling that draws you into the story. You can hear, taste and smell everything she is describing. She has an amazing outlook on life, that is inspiring and uplifting, reminding us to embrace all that life throws at us and smile back. Something that I fear too many of us no longer do!

I do have to caution you that some of the references to Native Americans are inappropriate and very stereotypical of this time. Some are offensive but you have to bear in mind the time period this was written in as you are listening to the story. I am sure if she were to re-tell this in present time, it would not have the same tone and wording. It is encouraging to see how far we have come in realizing the inappropriateness of racial discrimination.

The narration was very well done, her voice definitely suited the tone of the story. Her voice and the story matched perfectly – it sounded just like Betty was reading you the story herself!

Rating: 4/5

giveaway

The Egg and I Grand Prize

The Egg and I Runner Up

The Egg and 2nd Runner Up

The Egg and I 3rd Runner Up

tour-schedule

Nov. 20: From the TBR Pile (Spotlight)

Nov. 21: Printcess (Review & Giveaway)

Nov. 22: Voicing Expert (Review)

Nov. 23: The Pursuit of Bookishness (Audio Excerpt, Spotlight & Giveaway)

Nov. 24: A Page To Turn (Audio Excerpt & Spotlight)

Nov. 25:

Nov. 26: He Said Books Or Me (Review)

Nov. 27: Field of Bookish Dreams (Audio Excerpt, Spotlight & Giveaway)

Nov. 28: Que Sera Sara (Spotlight & Giveaway)

Nov. 29: Terri Luvs Books (Review)

Nov. 30: Never Anyone Else (Review & Giveaway)

Dec. 1: Dab of Darkness (Review, Interview & Giveaway)

Dec. 2: Avid Book Collector (Review, Spotlight & Giveaway)

Dec. 3: Ali The Dragon Slayer (Review & Giveaway)

Dec. 4: Never 2 Many 2 Read (Review & Giveaway)

Dec. 5: Celtic Lady’s Reviews (Spotlight)

Dec. 6: Terri Luvs Books (Interview & Giveaway)

Dec. 7: Chapter Break (Interview)

Dec. 8: Jorie Loves A Story (Interview)

Dec. 9: Bound 4 Escape (Review & Giveaway)

Dec. 10: Jorie Loves A Story (Review)
Working Mommy Journal (Review & Giveaway)

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ScriptureDoodle A Six Week Devotional Experience

Litfuse Book Tour

In these two colouring books, we find inspiring exercises and prompts, this unique interactive guide introduces readers to a creative connection between Bible study, artistic expression, and worship.

ScriptureDoodle Book Review

About ScriptureDoodle

The first ScriptureDoodle: A Six Week devotional Experience focuses on that often in the busyness of life, Christians forget that God created them to enjoy creativity. With guided instruction and completed examples, this beautiful book invites readers to draw closer to God through their own art.More than a coloring book, ScriptureDoodle is a combination of Bible study, creative expression, and artistic community with artwork shared online at #scripturedoodle. Exploring topics such as being generous, finding rest, and facing grief, ScriptureDoodle gives the heart the creative space it needs. This book stimulates the reader’s imagination and helps integrate God’s Word into everyday life.

ScriptureDoodle God's Promise

In ScriptureDoodle God’s Promises: A Six Week Devotional Experience we are exposed to sScriptureDoodle God’s Promises refreshes believers who are feeling burned out or stuck in a rut in their relationship with God. Each of the creative worship prompts in this interactive guide includes biblical encouragement and ideas for worship through art. Artist April Knight includes creative lettering tips, color ideas, and completed examples to inspire readers to respond to promises in Scripture related to trust, faith, and the power of God’s Word in all circumstances.ome of the most incredible stories in the Bible are of God’s promises and faithfulness to His children.

My Thoughts

I fell in love with April’s introduction into her books. She had found she was losing her way and working on her art for business versus pleasure. I find so many times in life that I am pulled away from what I love and my relationship with God to focus on earning an income. I love my art and when I was young I decided not to mix my love of art with work, whether that was a selfish mistake is yet to show but I do know that I miss the magic and feel of sitting down and just creating the first thing that comes to mind.

These six week devotionals help you go through day by day exploring scripture and translating it in your own way through doodles. April gives many helpful tips on doodling, items you will need, lettering and bordering but one of her best tips? There is no wrong way – the only wrong way is to not doodle. Art is personal and a reflection of you. There is no wrong art and no bad art. So listen to the scriptures and let your heart pour out in your doodles. The scriptures are well chosen and really help guide you through the six weeks of reflection and understanding.

These two books are great for young adults and adults a like. You will love the easy to follow writing, doodle suggestions and creative freedom.

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here for ScriptureDoodle and here for ScriptureDoodle God’s Promises.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

April Knight is a worship artist based in Asheville, North Carolina. Knight’s work includes live worship painting and leading ScriptureDoodle workshops online and at conferences and retreats around the country and internationally. Her family of four is her greatest joy, along with serving alongside her husband at their local church.

Disclosure: I received a copy of these books in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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The Rebel of Clan Kincaid Book Review

St. Martin's Press

The Rebel of Clan Kincaid is a story of revenge, rebellion and desire.

The Rebel of Clan Kincaid Book Review

About The Rebel of Clan Kincaid

Magnus isn’t who he thought he was. Unbeknownst even to the laird Alwyn himself, Magnus is in fact Faelan Braewick the second son of the murdered Laird of Kincaid and his wife. Magnus wants nothing more than to unleash his revenge. Yet rather than reveal his identity  he returns to Alwyn’s treacherous hall in search of answers about what really happened the night his parents were killed and to also free the mysterious young woman imprisoned in the laird’s tower and claim her for his own.

Tara Iverach is a prisoner. Ordered to marry Bryce, the Laird Alwyn’s brutish eldest son, she has been confined to the laird’s tower “for her own protection.” She fears the day she will be forced to marry Bryce but fears even more that the laird has decided to keep her for himself. The only light in her days comes from Magnus and their fleeting glances and clandestine messages. But with her wedding day approaching and a dark secret rising to the surface, can Tara trust her heart to this rebel?

My Thoughts

The Rebel of Clan Kincaid is so much more than a Highland love story. We have a young man who has lost his memories as a young child, who finds out he is the son of the much loved and respected Lairds in Scotland, Laird of Kincaid. This revelation is almost too much to bear. His parents were coldly murdered and the children were all supposed to have been murdered as well. He has and needs answers to be able to move forward but the path to get these answers is full of danger and murder. Instead he returns to the home of the man who took him and whom he also suspects took part in the murder in order to gain his trust and find out more about the murders.

At this same time, we have Tara the younger sister of the first bride of Bryce. She is full of fear, mistrust and anger. She yearns to be free of her captors and has to learn to rely on Magnus for protection and deliverance to safety. There were so many times my heart went out to Tara in this novel, she had went through so much and still came out fighting throughout the novel.

This novel was fantastic, fast paced and well written. The plot evolves in such a perfect way that you are never left craving more but always have just enough information at the right time. I truly loved every moment of this historical romance, especially more so that it went above and beyond the romance to provide you with a great plot of revenge and rebellion.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Since her earliest days, Lily Blackwood has found a friend in books. Raised an Army brat, her family moved often and books were her constant companions who always smoothed the transition to a new location and a new set of friends. Now, Lily lives in Texas where she writes sexy historical romance novels about fierce Highlanders looking out over a garden tended by her own handsome and dashing husband. She suffers endless (fun and always welcome) interruptions by her two children. And like many authors, she writes with a cat or two wrapped around her legs.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Pursing Gold Book Review

Litfuse Book Tour

In Pursing Gold, two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace.

Pursing Gold Book Review

About Pursing Gold

With his father dead and his business partner incapacitated, Peter Chandler inherits the leadership of a bank in economic crisis.

With only a newly-minted college degree and little experience, Peter joins his partner’s daughter, Mary Beth Roper, in a struggle to keep C&R Bank afloat while the Civil War rages around Chattanooga. Political pressure for unsecured loans of gold to the government stirs up trouble as tempers and prices rise. Their problems multiply when Mary Beth discovers counterfeit money with Peter’s forged signature. Can they find the forger before the bank fails? The two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace.

My Thoughts

A fantastic story! I was completely drawn into this story and couldn’t put it down. Peter inherits his Father’s bank business at one of the most dangerous times during the Civil War. He has had no formal training as he thought he had years left to learn the trade from his Father. His Father’s partner is on his sick bed so is not able to provide the full training he needs. Not to mention he has to learn how to balance the needs of his bank with the bribery and demands of the army. He almost seems to be pulled from every angle and not to mention being lied to in order to purchase fake paper bills. The counterfeit money seems to be the start of a great mystery for him.

With all this going on at the bank, his partner has charged him with marrying his daughter, Mary Beth before he passes. They had a relationship in the past but it is now strained. She is the only person he feels he can trust. Together they set off to discover the mystery of the counterfeit money, save their business and their relationship. When they solve the mystery, it blew my mind! It was not what I was expecting at all.

This was a fantastic, romantic but mystery filled novel that the historical fan in me couldn’t put down. The plot was new and exciting and kept me wanting more.

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Cynthia L Simmons and her husband, Ray, have five children and reside in Atlanta. She has taught for over thirty years as a home school mother and Bible teacher. She’s a columnist for Leading Hearts Magazine and she directs Atlanta Christian Writing Conference. Cyndi has a heart for encouraging women in today’s crazy, upside-down world. She loves history and peppers her speaking and teaching with fascinating vignettes from the past. Her first book, Struggles and Triumphs, was nominated for 2008 Georgia Author of the Year. She co-founded Homeschool Answers and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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The Stages of Grace Book Review

iRead Book Tours

The Stages of Grace was written out of a desire to share with others who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease what I have experience as Grace’ caregiver and friend.

The Stages of Grace

About The Stages of Grace

This book was written out of a desire to share with others who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease what I have experience as Grace’ caregiver and friend. I wanted to capture the emotions, the expected and the unexpected issues, the painful times as well as the humorous and loving moments that Grace and I have shared as a result of this disease. This is not mean to be a handbook for dealing with Alzheimer’s disease, but I hope that by sharing my feelings and experiences, readers may recognize they are not alone on this particular journey.

My Thoughts

The Stages of Grace is beautiful, open, honest look into the life of a caregiver and friend. This book had me in tears, laughing and wanting to give both Connie and Grace a hug. Connie writes in such an open and honest manner, that you feel as though you are right there with her having the conversations, talking about the joys and pains of life with a person with Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is not an easy disease for anyone to deal with (not that any disease is but this one comes with its own ups and downs). It can be painful, it can be frustrating but at times beautiful and honest. We watch Grace travel down her road with Alzheimer’s and some times she is there in every moment while others you can feel how alone and scared she must be. I can’t even begin to imagine the fear that must come from not remembering those around you or what happened hours ago. The frustration and fear must be unbearable for the person involved.

The caregiver, in this case Connie, also goes through a great ordeal as they slowly lose parts of the person they love. That person is still there but the glimpses come in bursts. The love Connie has for Grace is beautiful and brought me to tears at many times. She is such a strong, beautiful and kind daughter.

This is the perfect book  not only for caregivers but anyone that is dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. It is not a book to guide you on dealing with the disease but instead a way to share emotions, the good, the bad and the ugly. It will leave you smiling, with hope and at times in tears.

You can purchase a copy on Amazon and Amazon.ca.

Rating:5/5

The Stages of Grace

About the Author

Connie Ruben is an entrepreneur with well-developed management skills. She has run several large companies, and prides herself on empowering others to work to their full potential. Connie also has an intimate knowledge of the challenges and joys of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease, as her mother-in-law Grace was diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer’s disease in 2003. While Connie still struggles to balance her work life and home life, her understanding of this disease has made it easier for her to negotiate the demands of being a caregiver, as well as a wife, mother, and employer. She has written this book in order to share the insights she has gained as Grace’s primary caregiver and friend. Most importantly, Connie wants this book to assure others that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be enjoyable, life-affirming, and emotionally significant. You can connect with her on her website.

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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