Category: book review

February 11, 2015

Becoming A Spiritually Healthy Family by Michelle Anthony

We all want the best for our children and our family. We want to watch our family grow in love and God. Life can get so busy that sometimes we step away from these values and beliefs. Becoming A Spiritually Healthy Family by Michelle Anthony brings family and God back into the forefront.

About Becoming A Spiritually Healthy Family

We all want to guide our children into the abundant life that Jesus offers. But when we as parents pursue the more, the better that life offers over the pursuit of Jesus we fall into dangerous parenting habits. In Becoming A Spiritually Healthy Family, Michelle Anthony breaks down six of the most common dysfunctional parenting styles that we may fall into because of habit, lack of attention or oversight due to busyness. If you long to show your children Jesus but unsure of how to do this practical guide is for you! This guide includes scripture passages, reflection questions and real life family examples.

My Thoughts

“This is the way God intended His family to respond to one another. God knew families would suffer loss and pain, and that no family would have the perfect life they anticipated. His provision was that we would, in His name, fill in the gaps for each other. No one family can provide for its needs in the powerful ways that the family of God can!” (Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family, 123).

This is the perfect resource guide for busy families. The moment I picked up this book I could not put it down. I found so much of myself and those around me in the parenting styles Michelle highlights. Michelle breaks down parenting styles into six of the most common ones: the double minded parent, can’t say no parent, driver parent, micro manager parent, criticizing parent and the absentee parent. Instead of throwing blame at parents for their parenting styles she visits why we have come to this route of parenting style and how it can affect our family life and children. She then gives real examples from not only her own life but those around her. She ties in Bible scriptures breaking them down to help us see the bigger picture. At the end of each chapter she allows room for us to complete discussion questions and assessments.

It can be hard to guide our children in our faith – I am not going to lie I find this hard! I take them to our Church and try to teach them moral lessons but I know I can and should be doing more. I loved the real examples Michelle gives us – ideas that I would never have even thought of on my own! The passage that I started this section with is one of my favourite from the book. It truly exemplifies what God asks us to do when he says we are part of his Kingdom and one family.

You can purchase a copy of the book here. For more reviews you can visit the Litfuse Blog tour page.

Rating: 5/5

About Michelle Anthony

Michelle is the Vice President of the Learning Resources and Family Ministry Architect at David C. Cook. She is the author of Spiritual Parenting, Dreaming of More for the Next Generation, A Theology of Family Ministry and The Big God Story. She has over twenty-five years of church ministry experience as a children’s and family pastor. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

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

February 9, 2015

The Dandelion Field by Kathryn Springer

The Dandelion Field is a story of strength, overcoming obstacles and finding faith.

About The Dandelion Field

After Raine’s Dad walks out on them, Ginevieve Lightly never lives in one place too long – a rambling lifestyle that defines her daughter’s youth. When their car dies in Banister Falls, Wisconsin, Gin promises Raine that they can stay until she finishes her senior year of high school. Gin will do anything to make sure her daughter has a bright future – a future that is compromised when Raine reveals she is pregnant.

Dan has only ever called Banister Falls home. After losing his best friend in a tragic accident, Dan devotes himself to fighting fires, rescuing the helpless and guiding Cody Bennett, his best friend’s son. This was always an easy job until Cody said “The baby is mine.”

Knowing gossip of the pregnancy will erupt sooner or later because of the small town nature, Gin’s reflex is to run. But with each passing day Gin finds herself rooted to this small town unable to leave and she falls more and more in love with Dan. Dan works hard to show her not all men are the same and not all men will run when the smoke starts.

As Gin and Dan do their best to guide the two young teenagers they discover that romance can bloom in the rockiest of situations.

My Thoughts

I fell in love with this book as it resonated strongly with me. I was a young Mother who also went through some of the same things Raine was forced to go through in her pregnancy. Those initial reactions Raine faced of anger, feeling the need to hide and facing negativity from others is difficult to overcome. When she turns to those she needs the most, Gin would do anything for her daughter. Gin sees an opportunity to protect her daughter from the terrible things that happened to herself when she was pregnant as a teen with Raine.

Raine’s pregnancy is only one small part of this story. Through Raine’s pregnancy we are introduced to Gin’s past and the hurt she has had to overcome when her boyfriend left her and family abandoned her. Gin finds it hard to believe in others and to trust. It was incredible to be able to watch her character grow and trust again all because of Dan. Dan also benefits from his relationship with Gin as he finds himself, forgives himself for his past and moves into the future.

A fantastic story of forgiveness, healing and moving forward. It does not disappoint! You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page here. You can purchase your own copy here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Kathryn Springer is a USA Today best-selling author. She grew up in Wisconsin where her parents published a weekly newspaper. It is the time she spent with her parents writing and reading that gave her a deep passion for both areas. Kathryn has written nineteen books and close to two million copies sold.

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

February 6, 2015

Almost Perfect by Diane Daniels Manning

Dogs are loving, nurturing and healing animals. They sense our pain and are there to help us through the worst moments of our lives. Almost Perfect by Diane Manning follows the relationship of a young boy and an older woman with her aging dog.

About Almost Perfect

Seventy year old, Bess Rutledge, has fantasized about winning the Westminster Dog Show all her life. She has now come to the decision that she is just too old to follow her dream. By chance, she meets Benny her neighbour one night. Benny is an angry, fourteen year old with mild autism and ADHD. Benny has his own dream: to impress his self-absorbed mother. He becomes convinced that the only way to do so is by winning Westminster with McCreery, Bess’ aging champion standard poodle. Trying to get Bess on board with his plan is not going to be an easy accomplishment.

My Thoughts

When I first read the excerpt of this book I knew it was going to be one that just melted my heart, made me cry and bring me back up again. Diane Manning delivered on this and more!

The relationship between a dog and it’s owner is special. There is an unconditional love and bond that forms that lasts a lifetime. I still miss my Pepper with all my heart – the way she would jump and bark by just hearing our voices even over the phone! A dog can also be very therapeutic and help a child learn responsibility.

When we meet Benny you can tell this is exactly what he needs. He is hurting inside and is angry at the world. He has a Mother, that no matter how hard he tries does not want to be part of his life. She is so absorbed in her own life and her needs that she places a great burden on Benny. He shows this burden through his actions and anger at others. I wanted to cry and reach out to him as my heart broke for the pain he felt. From the way Diane writes you can tell she has had experience with children with social and emotional challenges. I was not surprised at all by her education and work experience! It shows through strongly in her work.

Almost Perfect is a well written, emotional journey that will reach to the heart of every parent and dog lover. You will not be disappointed with this read! You can purchase your own copy on Amazon, Audible and Barnes and Nobles.

Rating: 5/5

About Diane Manning

Diane Daniels Manning is the co-founder and director of The New School in the Heights, a therapeutic school in Houston, Texas which helps children dealing with social-emotional challenges find success in school and life. She has a Ph.D. in Education and a post-doctoral M.P.H from Harvard and is a practicing child psychoanalyst certified by the American Psychoanalytic Association. She was formerly the Director of the Reading and Learning disabilities Clinic at Tufts University, Lecturer and Research Associate in the Department of Behavioural Sciences at Harvard and Chair of the Department of Education at Tulane University. She learned the inner workings of dog show kennels by writing an oral history of a lifetime President of the Poodle Club of America.

You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook and her website.

The Giveaway!

Bonus Info: Westminster Dog Show!

This year the 139th Westminster Dog Show will be running from February 16-17. Make sure to check out their website.

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

February 2, 2015

Authentic Arts: Venice Travel Guide

I was blessed to be able to visit Venice while I was in my teens. I immediately fell in love with the history, romance and architecture. Every street has a story and being there was like taking a walk through history. I was able to see glass being made which was just an incredible tradition to be able to see. With its beauty, Venice can also be home to tourist traps as I know I was witness to some – many times with blankets laid out in the streets selling traditional Venetian items.

The author of Authentic Arts: Venice Travel Guide, Laura Morelli, is an art historian and trusted guide in the world of cultural travel and authentic shopping. She guides you to the best of the city’s most traditional arts: Murano glass, carnival masks, gondolas, lace, paper, and more. This indispensable guide includes practical tips for locating the most authentic goods in one of the busiest tourist destinations in the world. The Authentic Arts: Venice Travel Guide is full of useful information on pricing, quality, and value, and with a comprehensive resource guide, Laura Morelli’s Authentic Arts: Venice is the perfect guide for anyone wanting to bring home the unique traditions of Venice.

Artisans of Venice is the companion to Laura Morelli’s Authentic Arts: Venice, A Travel Guide to Murano Glass, Carnival Masks, Gondolas, Lace, Paper, & More. Put both books together and you’ll be the most knowledgeable traveler in Venice!

In Venice, it’s not easy to tell the treasures from the trash. This is true now more than ever before, as increasing numbers of carnival masks, glass, and other souvenirs flood into Venice, imported from overseas and passed off as authentic. There is no substitute for an educated buyer. Laura Morelli helps you locate the city’s most authentic artisans–those practicing centuries-old trades of mask making, glass blowing, wood-turning, silk spinning, and other traditions. Wouldn’t you rather support authentic Venetian master artisans than importers looking to turn a quick profit without any connection to Venice at all?

Venice boasts some of the most accomplished master artisans in the world. Here’s how you can find them.

Laura Morelli leads you beyond the souvenir shops for an immersive cultural experience that you won’t find in any other guidebook. Artisans of Venice brings you inside the workshops of the most accomplished makers of Venetian fabrics, Murano glass and millefiori, carnival masks and masquerade costumes, gondolas, Burano lace, mirrors, marbleized paper, hand-carved frames, and other treasures. This book leads you to the multi-generational studios of some 75 authentic master artisans. If you’re reading on your Kindle device, tablet, or smart phone, you can click directly on their street addresses for an interactive map, and link to their web sites and email addresses directly from the guide. A cross-referenced resource guide also offers listings by neighborhood.

Laura Morelli, an art historian and trusted guide in the world of cultural travel and authentic shopping, leads you to the best of Venice’s most traditional arts. Laura Morelli’s Authentic Arts series is the only travel guide series on the market that takes you beyond the museums and tourist traps to make you an educated buyer–maybe even a connoisseur–of Florentine leather, ceramics of the Amalfi Coast, Parisian hats, Venetian glass, the handmade quilts of Provence, and more treasures.

Bring Laura Morelli’s guides to Venice with you, and you’ll be sure to come home with the best of Venice in your suitcase!

About Laura Morelli

Laura Morelli holds a Ph.D. in art history from Yale University, where she was a Bass Writing Fellow and Mellon Doctoral Fellow. She authored a column for National Geographic Traveler called “The Genuine Article” and contributes pieces about authentic travel to national magazines and newspapers. Laura has been featured on CNN Radio, Travel Today with Peter Greenberg, The Frommers Travel Show, and in USA TODAY, Departures, House & Garden Magazine, Traditional Home, the Denver Post, Miami Herald, The Chicago Tribune, and other media. Recently her art history lesson, “What’s the difference between art and craft?” was produced and distributed by TED-Ed.

Laura has taught college-level art history at Trinity College in Rome, as well as at Northeastern University, Merrimack College, St. Joseph College, and the College of Coastal Georgia. Laura has lived in five countries, including four years in Italy and four years in France.

Laura Morelli is the author of the guidebook series that includes Made in Italy, Made in France, and Made in the Southwest, all published by Rizzoli / Universe. The Gondola Maker, a historical coming-of-age story about the heir to a gondola boatyard in 16th-century Venice, is her first work of fiction.

Connect with Laura on Facebook, Twitter and her website.

The Bauta

The baùta is the quintessential Venetian mask, worn historically not only at Carnival time but any time a Venetian citizen wished to remain anonymous, such as when he may have been involved in important law-making or political processes in the city. The simplest of the traditional Venetian mask types, the baùta is a stark faceplate traditionally paired with a full-length black or red hooded cloak called a tabàro (or tabàrro), and a tricorn hat, as depicted in paintings and prints by the Venetian artist Pietro Longhi. Most baùte were made of waxed papier-mâché and covered most of the face. The most prominent feature is a distinctive aquiline nose and no mouth. The lower part of the mask protruded outward to allow the mask wearer to breathe, talk, and eat while remaining disguised.

The Giveaway!

January 29, 2015

A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott #LitfuseReads

Quilts tell stories of love and loss, hope and faith, tradition and new beginnings. The Quilts of Love series focuses on the women who quilted all of these things into their family histories. A new book releases each month and features contemporary and historical romances as well as women’s fiction and the occasional light mystery. You will be drawn into the endearing characters of this series and be touched by their stories.

About A Stitch in Crime

Thea James, our main character, is hosting her first quilt show and it appears to be falling apart at the seams!

She had gladly accepted the assignment of co-chair for Larkindale’s first quilt show but she begins to find that juggling the show and running her antique business is leaving her feeling frayed.

Mary Alice Wentworth, the much adored town matriarch, respected quilt judge and Thea’s own dear friend, is covertly knocked on the head during the kick off of the quilt show which throws immediate suspicion on her guests. To add even more to the situation, Mary Alice’s valuable diamond brooch had been stolen during the attack! The family is furious but it is unclear if it is the theft or their hurt mother which angers them more.

When a renowned textile expert goes MIA and the famous Wentworth heritage quilt disappears, Larkindale’s reputation as a tourist haven is at risk. Thea attempts to piece the mystery together and save the town’s investment in the quilt show before Mary-Alice is attacked again with far worse results.

My Thoughts

I have loved all the novels I have read so far in the Quilts of Love series and A Stitch In Crime is no exception! Full of mystery and just that little bit of budding romance combine to make a perfect novel.

A Stitch In Crime, while not full of nail-biting mystery and suspense, has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. It is the perfect mystery for me – the kind that gets you thinking but is still light enough to read without being overwhelmed and frustrated. The community in A Stitch In Crime are your typical small town community who know and look after each other. This is what makes the mystery that much better – how could someone do this to the much-loved matriarch?

Through in the comic relief from, Thea’s Mom with her ‘British’ accent and it tops it all of perfectly. I wish the romance between Thea and her friend evolved a little bit more but that may have been too much to accomplish in just one book. I do hope that there is a second part to come back to for this book as I think it was left off with enough to build on.

Make sure you check out the Litfuse Blog tour page for more reviews!

Rating: 4.5/5

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