Category: reviews

August 5, 2015

Among the Fair Magnolias

In the most turbulent decade of our nation’s history, four Southern women whose destinies are forged by birth, hearts steeled by war and who face near impossible choices on their journeys in life and in love.

About Among the Fair Magnolias

Four books in one make up Among the Fair Magnolias: To Mend a Dream, An Outlaw’s Heart, A Heart So True and Love Beyond Limits.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander

Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when the new owner, Aidan Bedford (a Boston attorney and former Union soldier) seeks help to redecorate the house for his fiancée, she jumps at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking – can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war (and may hold the key to her financial security) before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time the battle will be one of the heart.

An Outlaw’s Heart by Shelley Gray

When Russell Stark returns to Fort Worth, he is determined to begin a new life. But when he arrives at his mother’s homestead, he discovers she’s very ill and the woman he loved is still as beautiful and as sweet as he remembered. With time running out for him, Russell must come to terms with both his future and his past.

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love

Abigail knows all too well what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles and take her place in society. But her heart belongs to another man. A terrible incident forces Abby to choose between love and duty.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser

Emily has a secret: She is in love with one of the freedmen on her family’s plantation. Meanwhile, another man declares his love for her. Emily realizes some things are not always as they seem and that secrets must be kept in order to keep those she loves safe.

My Thoughts

I always worry when I read a novel that contains more than one story, that the story will not be developed enough or will feel too rushed. This was definitely not the case in Among the Fair Magnolias. Each of the four stories brings its own unique writing skills (that also complement each other) and story. At the root of each story is a difficult decision each main character has to make – accepting the past and present in order to find love, forgiveness and hope. It is a novel that explores love and forgiveness in many different forms, that will not leave you disappointed (but maybe craving for some more!).

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour Page. You can purchase a copy here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Authors

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of numerous books including A Lasting Impression and The Inheritance. Tamera is a two-time Christy Award winner, two-time RITA winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Library Journal Award. A native of west Tennessee.

Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels.

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, recently made the New York Times best seller list.

Elizabeth Musser, a native of Atlanta, Georgia now living in France, is a novelist who writes what she calls ‘entertainment with a soul.’ For over 25 years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in mission work with International Teams.

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

August 4, 2015

Believe and Know by Cathy Bryant

A companion Bible study, Believe and Know by Cathy Bryant asks all the hard and important questions we all ask no matter what faith.

About Believe and Know

Each human being, on their journey and search for truth, must at some point reflect on their life and answer some important questions such as: Why am I here? Is there life beyond life as I now know it? How did the universe and man come into existence, and how does the answer affect me?

We must also carefully consider the avenues open before us. The wrong choice will be detrimental to our current life as well as the life to come. Believe and Know addresses the hard questions and decisions that accompany the search for truth.

It was written with three types of readers in mind: those who struggle with faith, many times because of skewed perceptions or even anger; those who profess faith in the unseen, but find it difficult to live out; and finally those whose faith is strong, but who need information to combat the arguments and questions of others.

My Thoughts

I strongly believe that it is important for all individuals to step back at least weekly from their busy lives to re-focus on God and their faith. In Believe and Know, Cathy helps Christians deal with many of the difficult questions we have in our faith.

Cathy breaks down each section (for example: how do we know the Bible is accurate, why would God want us to suffer,etc.) and includes specific scriptures to read. Each scripture helps to illustrate and defend her points, as well as providing you with your own opportunity to read the scripture to discover your own thoughts on it. Cathy presents valuable and important questions and reflections for individuals in all stages of faith. Believe and Know is not about just reading Bible scriptures but to also work through your faith and understand the meaning of God’s love for us. No matter where we are in our faith, it is always important to re-visit God’s teaching on His love for us.

An excellent Bible Study guide for individuals in all stages of their faith. Cathy will leave you enlightened and re-examining your own life. You can find more on Believe and Know on her website.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Amazon best-selling author Cathy Bryant writes Christian fiction set in the heart of Texas. Her popular romance and romantic suspense novels take place in the fictional town of Miller’s Creek, where folks are friendly, the iced tea is sweet, and Mama Beth’s front porch beckons. Her debut novel, TEXAS ROADS, was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist and has been on the Amazon Best-Seller list. Since then four other stand-alone novels have been added to the series, one of which was a reader-nominated 2013 Grace Award nominee (PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE). Readers have compared her work to that of Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks.

A native Texan, Cathy has written devotions for The Upper Room devotional magazine, two devotional books, and for online sites. She also has written two Bible studies that correspond with the spiritual themes of Miller’s Creek novels. In addition to her writing, she enjoys thrift store shopping and romping in the great outdoors. To learn more about Cathy and her books, visit her website at www.CatBryant.com.

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

July 30, 2015

Keep Learning Fresh in the Summer with My First French Book Words

While summer is all about fun and getting outside, don’t forget about learning too! Our children can forget so much over the summer months so it is important to keep up those skills by practicing their math and language skills.

Our eldest had his first year of French lessons at school and he fell in love with the language (can you blame him?). It also brought back so many memories for me as well. Children that can speak two languages definitely have a strong advantage and I want this for my kids, especially as Canadians it is important to speak both French and English.

My First French Book Words covers topics ranging from toys to farm animals to shapes food. The book contains both the English and French word to accompany each picture.

The best features of this book:

bold and bright photos that draw your attention
easily divided tabs on the top and side of the book so you can jump ahead to a preferred section (or find your spot again)
a fantastic variety of words that goes well beyond the basics (for example parrots, budgies and guinea pigs are included in the animal section)
thick pages to help little hands turn the pages themselves (a must for those independent children!)
the writing was kid friendly and easy to read

DK Canada’s My First French Book Words will be the perfect tool to expose your children to the French language and garner their interest in learning a second language. Make sure you check out the DK Oh Canada Boutique this summer for lots more fun!

Does your child speak another language at home?

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

July 28, 2015

Two Hearts by James Eric Richey

Will doubts of being true to her ruin her marriage in Two Hearts?

About Two Hearts

Jaxon Tagget is a cattle-rancher’s son, born and raised on the Double T, just outside of Dillon, Montana. He is in love with his high-school sweetheart, Annie, so much so that Jaxon proposes on graduation night. He presents her with a wedding ring made from gold he had mined himself. Annie accepts immediately, to the horror of her bitter, man-hating mother.

Jaxon is a wonderful husband, but the warnings of Annie’s mother linger in the young bride’s ears. And it doesn’t help that women continue to fall all over the markedly handsome Jaxon.

Unaware of his wife’s persistent doubts, Jaxon is struggling with his own troubles when he finds out his Dad is in need of money to save the ranch. But hope glimmers gold when he rediscovers the old mine on the Double T.

While Jaxon travels to verify the mine’s productivity, Annie grows increasingly suspicious. Is Jaxon’s absence what it seems, or does he have another, less faithful reason for his travels? When Annie sees a picture of the beautiful laboratory owner whom Jaxon is visiting, she’s sure the only gold he’s interested in is long, blond hair. Is Annie right, or will it be her doubts that forever sever their Two Hearts?

My Thoughts

Our past experiences shape our current actions and thought patterns. It is hard to ‘unlearn’ everything that has shaped us throughout our childhood. This is the same for Annie in Two Hearts. She loves Jaxon with all her heart but because of her childhood she is quick to not trust him and find fault. This is a typical thought pattern so many of us get into and is even that much harder to break. It is the ‘safer’ road for us, just as this is the safe road for Annie.

Jaxon loves Annie with all her heart but the constant accusations and lack of trust is eating away at his heart. He wants and needs her to see how much he loves her. That when he said ‘I Do’ he meant it and always will mean it.

Two Hearts is not only an honest, romantic novel but touching and provides readers with a good lesson. Trust is the basis of any relationship and without it a marriage can fail easily.

You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

James Eric Richey was born and raised in California. He attended Brigham Young University, studying English with an emphasis in Literature. After graduating from BYU he returned home to California to further his education by attending law school. After passing the bar, James practiced in California for several years, but he quickly learned that he did not have a passion for the law.

In 1998 James obtained his real estate appraiser license, which has given him a flexible work schedule and allowed him to pursue his true passion, writing books. Besides his writing, he also enjoys reading, running, and sailing. James currently lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with his wife, Heather, and their two daughters.

You can connect with him online, 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.

July 27, 2015

Navigating the Sea of Bras to Find Your Perfect Fit with Wacoal

Navigating the Sea of Bras with Hudson's Bay and Wacoal

Do you ever feel as though your bra was purposely designed to torture you and make you despise it?

I know that I personally feel this way on a daily basis. My bra is the first thing that I put on in the morning and it is the first thing that I can’t wait to rip off when I get home from work. My bra leaves me feeling sore, uncomfortable and longing for freedom. These are the feelings that I had been accustomed to and naturally assumed were normal, that all bras were like this but I was completely surprised to find out this is wrong! You should be able to comfortably wear your bra for twenty-four hours minimum. I don’t think I have ever worn mine for more than the eight hours I am in the office (and that is only because I am required to).

So what makes the perfect bra and how do you find one?

Firstly, you need to understand that all breasts are different sizes, shapes and weights. I know that this sounds like common sense but I did not realize that this would affect my bra design choices so greatly. Pregnancy and breast-feeding have altered the shape of my breasts and my cup size, so much so that the bra that I was wearing was actually emphasizing their irregular shape instead of smoothing and giving them the natural push up that I desired.

This is the most important part here, have a proper bra fitting. Over the last two years, I have had several bra fittings and have been told two different cup sizes (one of the fittings told me that I could get away with a C or D whichever I prefer!) which only led to greater confusion for me – how could I possibly fit into two cup sizes?

My first real fitting experience happened at Hudson’s Bay this past weekend. I met with a lovely consultant named Brenda, whom not only sized me (which by the way was a cup bigger then I was wearing and went from a 38 bust to a 44!) but explained the differences in bras designs and figured out in under five minutes what type of bra design would better enhance my breasts. The wealth of knowledge she shared with me was jaw dropping. I always purchased my bras by running in a store, quickly finding my assumed size, paid for it and ran out. No wonder I was always suffering with discomfort, escaping underwire and pinch marks on my skin. If there is one thing you can do when you go to purchase your next bra, take the time to meet with a consultant to be properly measured and shown the best bras for your breast shape and weight.

All bras are not created equal and each design has a unique job to fill. Your bra is more than just frilly lace designed to make you feel pretty. Brenda took me through the section of Wacoal bras in their intimates department. The Wacoal brand is relatively new to Canada, hitting Hudson’s Bay stores roughly five years ago. Wacoal has designed a bra that fits every shape and weight of breast imaginable.

So what are the different types of bra designs?

A woman with a larger cup size and heavier breast weight is our first example. She would need the proper bra support to keep her breasts elevated and preventing shoulder strain, in order to do so the bra needs to have a thicker shoulder strap like found in the Wacoal Awareness bra. These thicker straps help elevate the breasts while minimizing the shoulder strain that comes with a heavier weighted breast.

The t-shirt bra is a must-have fashion item for every woman. This is the bra that you will wear everyday and you want to make sure it is comfortable. The angled straps on the Wacoal t-shirt bra hides the straps from being visible if you are wearing a tank top, provides seamless support and gives a comfortable push up for your breasts. I actually left the store with two of these bras in hand (actually one on and one in my purse!!) because they are that comfortable.

The bralette is a cute alternative for smaller cup sizes and young ladies who are just starting to wear bras. They are lightweight, stretchy and resemble a sports bra (just cuter). If you have a daughter, bring her in store to try one of these out. This will not only expose her to the bra selection and buying process but help her with her comfort level of talking about her breasts and being measured.

Sometimes, we all just want to feel pretty and our bras help us feel this way. The intricate design and European fabrics of this Wacoal bra screams gorgeousness and helps you feel your best.

The process of purchasing a bra can be overwhelming (this is coming from a dash in and dash out bra shopper!) but you can simplify the shopping experience by having a bra fitting with a consultant. Your bra fitting will change the way you look at and purchase a bra. Have your consultant show you the best brand for your shape and breast size, for me this was the Wacoal brand.

Tell me your bra stories! Were you like me and completely in the dark about the different bra designs?

This post has been brought to you by Hudson’s Bay, but the images and opinions are my own. For more information, please visit thebay.com.