Category: book review

October 18, 2017

13 1/2 Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything

This myth-busting visual encyclopedia will amaze kids with 13 things they need to know about every topic they love and one “half fact” that dispels a common misconception or half-truth.

About 13 1/2 Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything

This myth-busting visual encyclopedia will amaze kids with 13 things they need to know about every topic they love and one “half fact” that dispels a common misconception or half-truth.

Extraordinary images and irresistible fact snippets on each topic spread—from space to gemstones to the food we eat—make learning fun, but it’s the “13½” fact that kids will be most eager to know. Does cracking your knuckles really cause arthritis? Do ligers really exist? Are scorpions really deadly to humans? The answers to these questions and many others are revealed and will have kids digging for even more information behind the truths.

A perfect gift for curious young minds, 13½ Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything will stimulate the imagination of young readers, satisfy their thirst for knowledge, and allow them to look at the universe from a new perspective as they explore a wide variety of topics and discover the truth.

My Thoughts

Children love to learn and explore the world around them. This book covers everything and anything that a young mind can think of or would want to know!

This large, hard covered book covers topics from animals to planets to technology and everything in between (ex) hot rocks, blood rush, chocolate chunks and busy bees are topics to name a few! Each topic comes with thirteen interesting and unique facts (think: a tiger’s claws are made up of the same substance as human nails, who would have known!). It also includes that very important 1/2 fact that clears up common misconception we may all have.

This is an excellent book for both young readers and more mature readers. Even adults will enjoy this book – I learned quite a few new interesting facts myself. I love this about educational books, if I can learn something new then I know it is a must read for my children. The illustrations are perfect and well suited for each topic. They are very realistic and seem to pop out of the page.

13 1/2 Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything is a fantastic educational resource for your child and makes a perfect gift for the young child.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

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

October 18, 2017

Good Night, Baby Moon Book Review

A special bedtime story that follows a family of curious rabbits on their nighttime walks to explain the phases of the moon, with a charming design that includes a light-up LED moon.

About Good Night, Baby Moon

A special bedtime story that follows a family of curious rabbits on their nighttime walks to explain the phases of the moon, with a charming design that includes a light-up LED moon.

When we first meet the family of rabbits in Good Night, Baby Moon, the moon is full and shining bright, but as the days wear on and the nights come and go, the baby rabbits ask their parents why the moon looks different and worry as it disappears and loses its glow. Their parents reassure them that all will be well and that soon it will be back, for this is not farewell.

This delightful story teaches little ones that the moon will always return, and is a fun and exciting way for them to learn. The sweet illustrations and light-up moon make it the perfect gift and will cause little ones to swoon.

Our Thoughts

A very special bed time story can be found in this book. Children are always full of questions and wonder, this book tackles the topic of what happens when something/someone goes away? Will they come back? These are honest fears in children and can sometimes be difficult for them to voice and understand.

This book uses the moon and its cycle to tackle the topic of leaving and coming back. The little rabbits love basking in the glow of the moon but are puzzled when it disappears. It isn’t until the next moon phase that the moon returns to their delight! It helps them to learn that things sometimes go away but they will always come back.

This book is done in darker tones which suits the story line. It also includes a light up moon on the cover to really help engage your child in the story! The story is easy to read out loud together with your child and flows very well together.

This is beautiful bedtime story perfect for children up to the age of seven.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and DK Canada.

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

October 18, 2017

How to Turn Your Mom Into a Monster Book Review

Guess what: Mom can be a monster too! It’s up to you to make your mom’s monster come out to play!

About How to Turn Your Mom Into a Monster

Do you like smearing your lunch all over yourself? Do you fight with your sister just because she’s there? Do you find yourself unable to go to bed because mysterious ninjas keep stealing your pajamas? Then you’re a little monster! Guess what: Mom can be a monster too! It’s up to you to make your mom’s monster come out to play.

Our Thoughts

Have you ever read the title of a story and saw the front cover and knew that you were going to love it? Even better that your kids would love it too? This is that book!

We are forever teasing our boys that they have this special magic power that can turn us from nice, quiet parents into grumpy monsters. But it is way too hard to stay mad at them because they are so cute as they do naughty things. Or when they are driving us batty! Those sweet little smiles just can’t help but make us smile too.

This was an awesome book to read together as we could make silly voices and we would alternate turns reading the story. The plot of the story is fantastic and I am sure that both parents and children alike can relate to each page. For example, tooting in public and your child blaming you. Yup, we can definitely relate!

This is a laugh out loud book that is perfect for bed time and basically anytime during the day. Our boys were begging for more! Our youngest even added in his own suggestions for turning Mommy into a monster, boy were they good!

This book is in paperback format and done in bright colours, greens, oranges, purples and blues. The monsters were adorable (just like your child) and not scary at all which is great for all ages. The actual length of the book makes it great for reading any time of the day and the wording is perfect for reading out loud to your child or together. This book is a definite must have addition to your child’s personal library.

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

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Aurora Whittet started out as a wild red-haired girl in Minnesota dreaming up stories for her friends to read. Today, she has completed Bloodmark, Bloodrealms, and Bloodmoon of the Bloodmark Saga trilogy, Mama’s Knight: A Cancer Story of Love, and How to Turn Your Mom into a Monster. She’s a national award-winning graphic designer in her day job. Aurora lives with her family in Minnesota.

The Giveaway!

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

October 17, 2017

First Crush, Last Love Book Review

Elizabeth McKenna’s latest novel, First Crush, Last Love, will have you remembering the angst of high school, the grief of a failed relationship, and the happiness of true love.

About First Crush, Last Love

Remember your first crush? How your heart raced and your cheeks flushed whenever you saw him? Jessie Baxter does, and it’s happening again. Ten years ago, despite her best efforts, Lee Archer wanted to be just friends. Now, he wants more, but Jessie’s still recovering from a psycho ex-husband. Can she learn to trust again and make her first crush into her last love?

Elizabeth McKenna’s latest novel will have you remembering the angst of high school, the grief of a failed relationship, and the happiness of true love.

My Thoughts

Do you remember your first crush? The way you felt and how you blushed and stammered? The way you felt that this person was going to be your forever love and that you couldn’t imagine your life without them. It truly is a magical and special feeling. Sometimes though that person can be your forever love and even when time separates you, when you meet them again – those feelings come rushing back.

This book touches on the crush and growing love that Jessie has for Lee. She loves and admires him but he is stuck in an unhealthy relationship with the most popular girl at school. He doesn’t allow himself to have a healthy relationship and I honestly feel this stems from his upbringing and childhood. Life was not easy for him growing up and I truly feel this is what causes him to make the decisions he does, to not have healthy relationships and to be afraid of one who would be healthy and positive for him. Instead he keeps Jessie as a best friend, close enough that he can count on her and have her in his life but never altering their dynamics.

Jessie on the other hand tries to move on from Lee but instead allows herself to enter into a hateful marriage. She wants so much to be love and doesn’t feel like she deserves it and doesn’t know what love feels like, that she accepts being treated awfully, physically, mentally and emotionally abused. Your heart breaks for her throughout the novel.

When the two have the chance to make things right between them, you can see them struggle with their own feelings of inadequacy, distrust and self-confidence. You want to make them give their heads a shake but also understand this is years of damage done to their esteem and self-love, that they need to move slowly and re-learn how to trust and have faith in another person. This is a truly beautiful story of hope, love and a second chance at first love again.

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

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Elizabeth McKenna works as a full-time technical writer/editor for a large software company. Though her love of books reaches back to her childhood, she had never read romance novels until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene).

She had always wanted to write fiction, so she combined her love of history, romance and a happy ending to write Cera’s Place and Venice in the Moonlight. Her short story, The Gypsy Casts a Spell, is available for free on her site http://elizabethmckenna.com/. She hopes you will enjoy her first contemporary romance novel, First Crush Last Love, as much as others have enjoyed her historical romances.

Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.

The Giveaway!

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

October 17, 2017

Hope at Christmas Book Review

Nancy Naigle delivers a heartwarming Christmas story in Hope at Christmas that proves you can always go home again.

About Hope at Christmas

Sydney Ragsdale is looking for a fresh start far away from her controlling ex-husband and the self-doubt that has plagued her since the divorce. Returning to her childhood home in Hopewell, North Carolina is just what her soul needs. Praying some Christmas magic will follow her she moves with her daughter to a farmhouse that once belonged to her grandparents. While there Sydney finds solace working at The Book Bea, her favorite bookstore.

Single dad Kevin MacAlea, Mac to his friends, is the local high school history teacher and baseball coach. He is also the towns best kept secret―he has been playing Santa since his son was born twelve years ago. Mac loves the enchantment of the season and wants his son to share in his joy.

When a catastrophe forces The Book Bea to close before the end of the year, everyone in the small town is feeling the loss. While Sydney is already off-balance by the bad news, her ex-husband breaks a promise to their daughter that sends her running away and threatens the relationship that she has begun with Mac.

As Sydney and Mac try to figure out what their next steps are together they will soon discover that there’s always hope at Christmas.

My Thoughts

While Christmas can be a special time of faith, love and happiness, for others it can be a reminder of loss, hurt and pain. It can remind us of loved ones who have passed, relationships and marriages that have failed and may even darken depression.

In this story, Sydney is just recovering from her ex-husband’s unfaithfulness and their divorce. While he is off building a new life with his new wife, she is trying to pick up the pieces and help not only her daughter heal but herself as well. No easy task right? She does this with such grace and strength, I am actually quite proud of her. You do see her struggle at times but she is one amazing woman who tries to hold it together not only for herself but her daughter as well.

In this moment walks in Mac, the town’s Santa (but that is under cover!) and most eligible bachelor who also comes with a child package. His wife left him and their son when he was quite little and he has had to pick up the pieces and be both Mom and Dad. He does an amazing job at this and you can see the love and hope he has for the future. He falls for Sydney and wants to take that leap of faith with her but can understand and respect how hurt she still is. He has such a kind and good soul.

This was a beautiful story of hope, learning to trust again, recovering from a painful situation and moving into the future. All of this can be difficult but when you find a person who helps you want to be better, appreciates you for you and wants you to continue to grow is an important thing. I couldn’t put this book down!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and SMP Romance.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author NANCY NAIGLE whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing,
and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she currently calls North Carolina home. Nancy is the author of Christmas Joy.

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