Month: February 2018

February 19, 2018

Waking Isabella Book Review

Waking Isabella is a story about uncovering hidden beauty that, over time, has been lost, erased, or suppressed.

About Waking Isabella

Waking Isabella is a story about uncovering hidden beauty that, over time, has been lost, erased, or suppressed. It also weaves together several love stories as well as a few mysteries. Nora, an assistant researcher, is a catalyst for resolving the puzzle of a painting that has been missing for decades. Set in Arezzo, a small Tuscan town, the plot unfolds against the backdrop of the city’s antique trade and the fanfare and pageantry of its medieval jousting festival. While filming a documentary about Isabella de’ Medici—the Renaissance princess who was murdered by her husband—Nora begins to connect with the lives of two remarkable women from the past. Unraveling the stories of Isabella, the daughter of a fifteenth-century Tuscan duke, and Margherita, a young girl trying to survive the war in Nazi-occupied Italy, Nora begins to question the choices that have shaped her own life up to this point. As she does, hidden beauty is awakened deep inside of her, and she discovers the keys to her creativity and happiness. It is a story of love and deceit, forgeries and masterpieces—all held together by the allure and intrigue of a beautiful Tuscan ghost.

My Thoughts

Waking Isabella is a beautifully written story of discovery, passion, love and hope.

Nora has just left her husband, she realized their marriage was not quite what she had wanted or needed. She had given up so much of her life and passions (her art and jewellery) and she uses this time in her life to regain what she has lost. She had always loved the story of Isabella Medici and applies to do research on the beautiful Princess and her tragic death.

In Italy, she comes upon much more than she expected. She renews her friendship with an old friend who re-introduces her to life in Italy. As she learns more about Isabella, a strange connection between the two seems to develop and it is almost as if Isabella is guiding her to help her solve a great mystery of the missing painting of Isabella. At this same time, Nora meets a young man with unique ties to the art world and the mysterious disappearance of the painting.

The plot is unique and full of mystery and hope. I loved learning about all three women – they all are strong and independent and for two of them, this is what causes their death. I loved the Melissa intertwined their past and future to help solve the disappearance of the Medici painting. In between this, we also have Nora re-discovering herself as an individual and a woman. It is a beautiful story of love, forgiveness, hope and the hurt that lies can cause.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Chapters, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Melissa Muldoon is the Studentessa Matta—the crazy linguist! In Italian, “matta” means “crazy” or “impassioned.” Melissa has a B.A. in fine arts, art history and European history from Knox College, a liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, as well as a master’s degree in art history from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She has also studied painting and art history in Florence.

Melissa promotes the study of Italian language and culture through her dual-language blog, Studentessa Matta (studentessamatta.com). Melissa began the Matta blog to improve her command of the language and to connect with other language learners. It has since grown to include a podcast, “Tutti Matti per l’Italiano,” and the Studentessa Matta YouTube channel. Melissa also created Matta Italian Language Immersion Tours, which she co-leads with Italian partners in Italy.

Waking Isabella is Melissa’s second novel and follows Dreaming Sophia, published in 2016. In this new novel about Italy, the reader is taken on another art history adventure, inspired by Melissa’s experiences living and traveling in Italy, specifically Arezzo, as well as her familiarity with the language and art. For more information about Waking Isabella and links to Melissa’s blogs and social media sites, visit www.MelissaMuldoon.com.

As a student, Melissa lived in Florence with an Italian family. She studied art history and painting and took beginner Italian classes. When she returned home, she threw away her Italian dictionary, assuming she’d never need it again, but after launching a successful design career and starting a family, she realized something was missing in her life. That “thing” was the connection she had made with Italy and the friends who live there. Living in Florence was indeed a life-changing event. Wanting to reconnect with Italy, she decided to start learning the language again from scratch. As if indeed possessed by an Italian muse, she bought a new Italian dictionary and began her journey to fluency—a path that has led her back to Italy many times and enriched her life in countless ways. Now, many dictionaries and grammar books later, she dedicates her time to promoting Italian language studies, further travels in Italy, and sharing her stories and insights about Italy with others. When Melissa is not traveling in Italy, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Melissa designed and illustrated the cover art for Waking Isabella and Dreaming Sophia. She also curates the Dreaming Sophia blog and Pinterest site: The Art of Loving Italy. Please visit the Pinterest page for pictures of Arezzo, the Giostra del Saracino, and all the places we go in Italy in both books. Visit MelissaMuldoon.com for more information about immersion trips to learn the language with Melissa in Italy, as well as the Studentessa Matta blog for practice and tips to learn the Italian language.

Book Trailer

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

February 16, 2018

Beat the Winter Blues with Two New Children’s Books from Raincoast Books!

I am quite ready for winter to be officially over! I am tired of the freezing rain, wind chill that keeps us stuck inside and the mess that the kid’s boots make. I think our kids are almost at the end of their patience as well.

You can beat the winter blues by adding in two new releases from Raincoast Books perfect for your young reader and Mom and Dad to read aloud. Both The Big Bed and The Boy and the Blue Moon were just released this month and will be the perfect new addition to your home library.

The Big Bed

From the creator of the Honest Toddler blog, The Big Bed is a humorous picture book about a girl who doesn’t want to sleep in her little bed. Her solution? She presents her dad with his own bed, a camping cot, in order to move herself into her parents’ big bed in his place. A twist on the classic parental struggle of not letting kids sleep in their bed.

I have to be so honest here, I was literally laughing out loud as I read this book. I feel like this is the struggle and conversation we have every night over who gets to sleep in our bed! This little girl is quite clever and came up with quite the argument and solution for her Dad. Her arguments are priceless – sorry Dads, you have a Mom – you don’t need their Mom too! And really it isn’t fair that Dad gets squished into the far corner OR that he takes it out on her and dare move her to her bed with that inefficient night-light. So Dads, let us present you the cot! We were cracking up as we read this one and I could almost see our little one’s mind start reeling like I wonder if this would work for me? This is a well written and beautifully illustrated children’s book that will infuse story time with laughter.

You can find The Big Bed on Raincoast Books and Amazon.

The Boy and the Blue Moon

On the night of a blue moon, a boy and his cat set out for a walk and find themselves on a magical adventure. Together they travel through fields of flowers, forests of towering trees, and lakes of deep dark blue. Flying through starry blue skies, they reach the blue moon. But the blue planet, Earth, calls the explorers home. Safely back in bed, the boy wonders – was it only a dream?

This is a beautiful story about young boy who makes a big wish under the magic of the blue moon. Even at my age, the mystery of space and the magic of the moon can amaze me. When you hear the words, blue moon, you begin to think of magical things and mystery. In this beautiful written and illustrated book, a young boy learns about the magic of the blue moon but also learns to appreciate his own home too. As he sets out from his home, everything has been washed in shades of blue! When he finds a boat and sets off, he embarks on an extra special journey to the moon. He is the pop of red in the otherwise lonely environment of the moon. He quickly learns that there is nothing quite like home and heads back to the yellow light of his own home. This is a beautiful book to cherish at bed time. We love the journey this young boy and his cat head out on but also the feelings of missing home. Life is definitely a mystery and adventure in this wonderful tale!

You can find The Boy and the Blue Moon on Raincoast Books and Amazon.

Make sure to pick up these two new books on Amazon this month to add some new adventure to your winter reads. What have you added to your home library this month?

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned books in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

February 16, 2018

Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year

The first year of your child’s life is full of love, happiness, fear and bag full of emotions! Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year is here to help you through those ups and downs.

About Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year

There are plenty of books and resources about how to properly care for your new baby, but what about caring for yourself? Maria Lianos-Carbone, founder of AMotherWorld.com, outlines the proper care and feeding” of mothers during their baby’s first year with humor and honesty. From the physical and emotional changes a new mom will undergo to rekindling intimacy with her partner, Oh Baby! Mom’s Survival Guide for the First Year keeps the focus on moms – because you can’t draw water (or breast milk, for that matter) from an empty well. Maria’s straight-talking, no-nonsense approach will give new moms everything they need to survive as they embark on the journey of motherhood.

My Thoughts

I fell in love with this down to earth and realistic self-care guide. I have had two children and Maria gives you what you need to know (and what I wish I had known) in a way that you need to hear it.

From birth to the first birth date, you will experience so many ups and downs. From your own emotions to the expectations you put on yourself and to the expectations others put on you. The list is endless and at times it feels impossible to be that perfect Mom that we want to so desperately be. You see the perfect image of what a Mom should be every day and you feel that you need to be that person. As Moms and women, we can be our own worst enemy by not being able to admit to faults, failures or even a lack of desire to wanting to be perfect.

Maria acknowledges all of your fears, concerns and more and shines light on them, normalizes them and gives you tips and advice on how to get over them. Want to avoid hurting family members feelings by refusing visits in the first week – she offers you great wording and tips on how to get through this. Struggling with breastfeeding – she offers tips, recipes and more (I never knew about the cabbage and wish I had! Those breasts really hurt in the first two weeks!).

This is a fantastic resource for new and seasoned Mom’s to help them get through the best and worst times of the first year. It gives you advice, tips in a fun and open manner. I laughed (I could see so many of my own first year moments throughout this book!) and teared up throughout this guide. This will make a perfect baby shower gift for Moms (and Dads who want to learn more from a Mom’s perspective).

You can purchase a copy of this book on Raincoast Books and Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Maria Lianos-Carbone is a mom of two, social media strategist, and publisher of amotherworld.com, a leading lifestyle blog for women, and lifeandstyle.ca, a travel blog.

Also a freelance writer, Maria’s work has been published in Huffington Post Canada, CanadianLiving.com, TodaysParent.com, and Parents Canada . Maria has worked on digital campaigns with brands such as Rogers, Air Canada, MasterCard, American Express, TD Canada Trust, Best Buy, H&M, Old Navy, Sobeys, Staples, P&G, and more. She has appeared as a guest on CNN Newsroom, CBC’s Marketplace, The Mom Show, and Rogers Daytime .

The Giveaway!

My Canadian readers can now enter to win their own copy of Oh Baby! Canadians, 18 years of age and older can enter via the rafflecopter form below – good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

February 15, 2018

TruthStone, The TruthSeer Archives Book One Review

In TruthStone, one little lie won’t hurt, will it?

About TruthStone, The TruthSeer Archives Book One

When fifteen year old Shaeleen unexpectedly is given a TruthStone, every lie she hears or tells causes her immense physical pain. As she struggles to control her new power and curb the pain, she learns a powerful truth that could thrust an entire continent into civil war. She must choose: reveal the truth and stop the pain – or sacrifice her own well-being to protect her kingdom.

For two hundred years the five kingdoms of Wayland have been protected by the stones of power. Now those stones are failing and a darker power is trying to take control. With the help of her brother, Cole and a newfound friend, Orin, Shaeleen sets out to gather and restore the power of all the stones.

But will she succeed before the endless lies destroy her?

My Thoughts

Little lies, big lies – we are all guilty at some point of telling a lie. We lie for a variety of reasons, to hide mistakes and to hide the truth from someone who we worry it might hurt. Most of the time people have good intentions but other times, people lie to hurt and cause pain.

In TruthStone, Shaeleen, a young woman who is unique and confident young woman, is given a special gift by a strange woman. A TruthStone. This TruthStone, while giving her the ability to decipher the truth from the lies, also causes her great pain. She receives physical pain from lies – from weak pain to a high degree of excruciating pain. I loved how she was displayed as a normal down to earth character – she understands that lying is wrong but sometimes a necessary evil to do what is right. She is conflicted on the inside on what is right and wrong but uses her heart and common sense to make decisions.

With the TruthStone, she has been entrusted with a very important mission. We only find out the great extent to what she has been tasked to as she sets off on a crucial mission from the Prince with a huge plot development! Along her fantastic journey she meets key characters that will help her on her way as well as realizing her own strength and abilities.

This was a well written, exciting novel that I could not put down. Young adults and adults a like can enjoy the adventure and risk that Shaeleen takes on. This was an excellent start to a new series from Mike Shelton.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Mike is now on his third young adult/teen fantasy series. For information on his new releases, book reviews, and other relevant info, please join him at www.MichaelSheltonBooks.com.

Mike was born in California and has lived in multiple states from the west coast to the east coast. He cannot remember a time when he wasn’t reading a book. At school, home, on vacation, at work at lunch time, and yes even a few pages in the car (at times when he just couldn’t put that great book down). Though he has read all sorts of genres he has always been drawn to fantasy. It is his way of escaping to a simpler time filled with magic, wonders and heroics of young men and women.

Other than reading, Mike has always enjoyed the outdoors. From the beaches in Southern California to the warm waters of North Carolina. From the waterfalls in the Northwest to the Rocky Mountains in Utah. Mike has appreciated the beauty that God provides for us. He also enjoys hiking, discovering nature, playing a little basketball or volleyball, and most recently disc golf. He has a lovely wife who has always supported him, and three beautiful children who have been the center of his life.

Mike began writing stories in elementary school and moved on to larger novels in his early adult years. He has worked in corporate finance for most of his career. That, along with spending time with his wonderful family and obligations at church has made it difficult to find the time to truly dedicate to writing. In the last few years as his children have become older he has returned to doing what he truly enjoys – writing!

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

February 15, 2018

A Witch’s Path Book Three Review

In A Witch’s Path Book Three, most witches don’t work for police departments, but Michelle isn’t your average witch.

About A Witch’s Path Book Three

When Michelle pulls an old book out of a fire, she finds answers and heartbreak. The book confirms that a demon walks the land, though according to legend they were all dead. Now, she needs to rediscover the secrets to killing demons before her loved ones fall victim.

Elron’s budding relationship with Michelle suffers a blow when his mate returns. While he struggles with love and guilt, it becomes clear that not everyone gets their happily ever after.

My Thoughts

This was the final audiobook in this incredible boxed book series and by far the best!

In this story, an old diary that Michelle finds confirms some of their worst fears and a lost love. A demon was walking the land! Not only is there a demon but Elron (who has become more than just a friend to Michelle) finds out that his mate/wife never really died like he was led to believed. The diary that Michelle finds confirms that the demon has taken over his mate. This puts Elron through a wide arrange of emotions from guilt to anger to self hate. How could he have not protected his mate and partner? And had he cheated on her with his feelings for Michelle?

Michelle also struggles with this new-found knowledge. She feels strongly for Elron and the pain that this has caused him hurts her just as deeply. On top of this, the clans are all fighting for her to join them. She has strong feelings against this, feeling betrayed by the way they had treated her parents. I loved watching her relationship with her Father deepen throughout the audiobooks. He becomes her teacher, her guide and her buffer when she has to tells her Mother bad news!

This final audiobook in this boxed set was incredible. I loved the plot, the back and forth view points between Michelle and Elron and the exciting new characters (who wouldn’t want a pet t-rex?). I enjoyed each of the books in this set but this was definitely my favourite. We learned a lot about Michelle (her strength, her kind heart and her fearlessness) and even Elron – who I never would have guessed would have become such a major player in this series! This will be a well-loved series for the supernatural fans and adults and youth alike.

You can purchase a copy of this audiobook on Audible. Listen to an excerpt here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

N.E. Conneely lives in northern Georgia with her dog and a mountain of books. They sweat through the summer and freeze through the winter, and life as they know it comes to an end when so much as a single snowflake falls out of the sky. For fun, N.E. plays with her dog, reads, knits, crochets, paints, and does tie-dyeing and origami. She makes a great pizza and is currently negotiating with her husband about raising sea monkeys and growing a vegetable garden.

About the Narrator

Jeff Hays has made a name for himself in the audio book world by creating immersive experiences out of his productions. His versatility and authenticity in voicing characters, expressive low-impact narration, and dedication to offering the highest quality audio possible has earned him a loyal following of listeners. Having been fascinated with sound since he can remember, Jeff takes his background of composing and producing music, and his continual consumption of the avalanche of fictional media we all experience in these modern times, and uses it to inform his style of story telling in the audiobook realm.

And now, having produced more than 80 audio books and perfecting his craft, using the namesake of his live streaming narration show, the Soundbooth Theater shingle has been hung. Soundbooth Theater is dedicated to applying Jeff’s production methods to new audio books with other budding narrator talent, and expanding his scope from audio books, to voicing and producing animation.

The Giveaway!

A Witch’s Path Series Giveaway: 3-Month Audible Membership

Disclosure: I received an audiobook in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.