Category: book review

February 22, 2015

Aoleon The Martian Girl: Part Two by Brent LeVasseur

Part Two of Aoleon The Martian Girl is here!

Aoleon The Martian Girl Part Two by Brent LeVasseur is jam packed full of adventure and fun that does not disapoint.

About Aoleon The Martian Girl Part Two:

Aoleon and Gilbert receive a special mission from PAX, a wanted criminal and leader of the Martian resistance movement to investigate the Luminon of Mars who he believes is planning an invasion of Earth to steal it’s cows. Gilbert has an encounter with the Luminess and discovers something strange about her and the pair are chased by the Royal Guard.

At Aoleon’s home, Gilbert meets her family: her sister Una, her mother Phobos and her father Deimos as well as her pet Zoot. Gilbert also meets Bizwat, an undercover Procyon Commando who uses his job as a pizza delivery boy as a cover.

Gilbert is able to visit the Martian Space Academy where he encounters Aoleon’s nemesis Charm Lepton. He also receives a history lesson of the Martian people.

My Thoughts:

As a family, we loved book one in the Aoleon The Martian Girl series and could not wait to dive into part two. Brent did not disapoint with this book!

Both Aoleon and Gilbert find themselves in even more adventures than the first book but this time on Mars! Science fiction fans will love the technology and aliens while readers of all kind will fall for the adventure and friendship that forms between this unlikely pair.

In Aoleon The Martian Girl Part Two we are exposed to more of the maritans including Aoleon’s family and friends. We find that martians are just like us and some can be unfriendly and unkind to others. They feel, think and act just like humans do!

The illustrations in part two are incredible in this series. The illustrations are bright and large drawing you right into the story. They help to break up the novel making it easy to read for all reader levels. This book is perfect for the recommended age group of 8-18. Both my son and I loved reading it!

You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author:

Brent LeVasseur enjoys crafting stories based on lovable characters designed to translate into multiple media platforms. His hobbies include writing, 3D animation, musical composition and space travel. You can connect with him online through Facebook and Twitter.

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

February 16, 2015

Baby Comes Home: A Parent’s Guide

Baby Comes Home by Dr. Paul Roumeliotis is the ultimate parenting resource guide to ensure your baby is happy, healthy and feels loved.

About Baby Comes Home

In Baby Comes Home, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, an expert pediatrician takes a unique approach to baby care by emphasizing what scientific approach already has proven – that what happens early on in a child’s life will affect their overall health later down the road.

Baby Comes Home communicates the latest science that explores how positive or negative early childhood experiences can have lifelong consequences. The book begins by describing the vital changes that occur in a child’s brain in the first eighteen months of life. The book then goes on to explain the Science of TLC – that shows that tender, loving and caring relationships will help to positively shape a child’s brain. The book then presents more practical information on safety, baby patterns, immunizations, injury prevention and more. Dr. Paul also describes common illnesses in the first few years of life.

My Thoughts:

Bringing a new child home is hard whether or not you are a new parent or a seasoned parent. Each child is unique and different and you face new challenges with changing opinions and differences in parenting styles.

What I like the most of Baby Comes Home is that Dr. Paul presents child care in an open way with no links to certain parenting styles or condemns certain styles. His basis is on loving and caring for your child. That is what counts the most – our children need to know they are loved and cared for. This will help them to become stronger and independent adults.

Dr. Paul breaks down each section and highlights the important parts. The information is useful for not only baby but also for older children as well making this a book you will cherish for years to come and not just for the first twelve months of life (ex. pool safety, petting zoo safety,etc.). Dr. Paul also adds practical points that are easily appreciated by many parents to give you real life examples (how to mix cereals and introduce solid foods).

One of the biggest concerns I have as a parent is questioning whether or not my child is meeting important developmental milestones. The sooner this is recognized (if they are not achieving these milestones) the sooner you can help your child. Dr. Paul breaks these milestones down and gives you clear developmental milestones by age. Remember if you have a concern to openly speak to your family doctor – they are so important for caring for your child!.

Baby Comes Home will be one of the best investments you make in a parenting resource. A perfect guide for parents and grandparents alike this book will last long into their childhood. You can find the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Rating: 5/5

About the Author:

Dr. Paul is an expert of early child health and wellness and a health communications pioneer. His education content has reached millions online as well as being featured on television and radio. Dr. Paul believes that the future of health care is in communication of health information in a variety of media formats. This vision inspired him to become a writer/publisher/publisher of multi format health and wellness resources.

You can connect with Dr. Paul online, on Twitter and on Facebook.

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 13, 2015

Return to Exile by Lynne Gentry

How far would you go to save the ones you love? In Return to Exile by Lynne Gentry, Lisbeth would cross centuries.

About Return to Exile

Six years ago, impossible circumstances found Dr. Lisbeth Hastings leaving behind the love of her life, not just in another country but in another time period. Her work as an epidemiologist and single Mother help alleviate some of her pain but at night she misses her Cyprian and it haunts her.

Cyprian Thascius returns from exile a broken man. He has lost his faith, the love of his life and his purpose. He attempts to move on, to face the danger that is looming over Carthage but when the love of his life returns his heart becomes as imperiled as the Church he seeks to save.

Have the years that kept apart Lisbeth and Cyprian created too wide of chasm to bridge? In the midst of disease and oppression will their love be the most costly fatality?

My Thoughts

An exciting novel full of time travel, love and history! All of my favourite subjects wrapped up in one well written novel.

The story line in Return to Exile is fantastic and kept me guessing through out the novel. I was heartbroken for Lisbeth at times (which also made me wish I had read the first in this series!). She literally crosses time to return to the man she loves with his child he never knew he had. He never thought she was coming back so he moved on with his life still loving her. With her she brings life saving medical knowledge and vaccines. The world she returns is not even close to the one she left leaving me heartbroken for her. I can’t even begin to imagine her pain on her return. Her only comfort in this world is her Mother who is being kept as a slave.

The novel finishes off with just enough to leave you hanging and just enough to make you ready to read the next novel in this series (honestly can not wait for the next book!).

You can find more reviews of Return to Exile on the Lifuse blog tour page here. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Lynne Gentry has written for several publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director and playwright. Lynne is also inspirational speaker. You can connect with her online on Facebook and Twitter.

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

February 13, 2015

Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma

A gripping World War II story, Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma will have you reading long into the night.

About Remember the Lilies

Interred by the Japanese, missionary Irene Reynolds comes across a mysterious note while working at the censor’s office. She memorizes the parts she must block out and delivers it to the wealthy nightclub owner, Rand Sterling. Before she knows what has happened, she is drawn into a web of secrets and danger.

Rand Sterling wants nothing more than to open his nightclubs once the war is over. But Frank Covey, a man not to be trusted, wants his hand in the till and will stop at nothing. More importantly, Rand will stop at nothing to ensure that Irene does not find out the information that Frank knows about Rand.

When Irene is attacked by a Japanese solider both of their secrets are exposed. Irene and Rand must learn the meaning of forgiveness if only they can fight off starvation until the American troops arrive.

My Thoughts

This is the second book I have read from Liz Tolsma and I fell in love with this book just as much as the first one! She has a way of writing that touches your heart and draws you right into the story.

Historical fiction has always been a personal favourite of mine. Liz draws you into the World War II setting in the Philippines and gives you a glimpse of life during those years for Americans living there. The starvation and death that surrounds them is almost unbearable but even in those moments they find God and their faith. It is God that brings them through the worst moments and helps them see the light.

The characters change as a person so much in this novel and in a completely positive light. They grow in faith and forgiveness. Rand becomes a whole different man from start to finish and it was a privilege to be part of this adventure with him.

This will definitely be a book you will not want to put down until it’s done and then re-read again!

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

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Liz Tolsma is a New York Time’s bestseller and is the author of Daisies are Forever and and Snow on the Tulips. Liz lives in Wisconsin with her husband and adopted children. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook.

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

February 13, 2015

The Monster That Ate My Socks

Monsters, missing socks and homework awaits you in A.J. Cosmo’s The Monster That Ate My Socks!

About The Monster That Ate My Socks

Max is a young boy who is always getting in trouble for losing his socks! He does not know where they go but if he doesn’t solve the mystery quick his Mother will ground him for the whole summer.

Max discovers that a little green monster is sneaking into his room at night and eating his socks! His Mother doesn’t believe him no matter what he tells her. Max decides to call on his best friend for a sleepover in order to help him catch the monster.

Together the boys develop a plan to trap the monster. To their surprise the monster can speak! It had never meant to hurt the boys, the monster was just trying to feed his family. The monster takes the boys to meet his family and begs the boys not to turn them over to his parents because adults only want to destroy monsters.

The boys are left in a difficult decision. Turn the monsters over to their parents so they don’t get in trouble or let the monsters run free. Together they design a new plan for the monsters.

My Thoughts

I was so pleasantly surprised with this book! I had thought it would be a story of evil monsters who were stealing away poor Max’s socks! Instead A.J. puts together a story of compassion and understanding. When Max realizes that the monster is just like him, he can not help feel a connection to him. The monster talks and is remorseful but all he was doing was just trying to feed his family. Max is left with such a difficult decision – to either help or turn in the monster. His decision shows children that kindness and compassion will solve any problem.

The illustrations are just adorable and go along with the story perfectly! They really help to make the story come alive in your mind. I loved seeing the children monsters.

As a parent, I want the books my children to read to teach and guide them. The Monster That Ate My Socks is the perfect story for this! It teaches children kindness and compassion for everyone.

You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

A.J.’s stories are designed to help parents teach their children everyday lessons in an easy to understand format for children. A.J. pairs artfully illustrations and language, children are challenged to explore his magical world. Connect with A.J. on his website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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