Category: Uncategorized

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 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 9, 2015

DIY Moisturizing Facial Scrub

I love winter – the snow, the variety of outdoor activities and just the natural beauty of the season. The only thing I don’t love is the how dry my skin becomes in the winter. It is a constant battle to keep my skin moisturized and looking healthy.

My eczema forces me to be extra careful with the products that I put on my face. There is nothing worse than using a new scrub and instantly my cheeks turn red and look raw. This moisturizing facial scrub uses products that you can easily find in your pantry including my favourite item – coconut oil!

You will need:

3 tbsp of coconut oil.
3 1/2 tsp of baking soda

Directions

Measure out the 3 tbsp of coconut oil.
Melt the coconut oil into its liquid form if not already in this state.

Add 3 1/2 tsp of baking soda into the coconut oil and mix thoroughly.

Pour mixture into a small mason jar and secure tightly.

You only need a small amount each time to cover your face. Rub the facial scrub into your skin in gentle, circular motions.

I like to leave the facial scrub on for at least three to five minutes to allow it to absorb and achieve maximum results.

Remove the facial scrub with a warm cloth. You will need to use a cloth to remove the facial scrub because of the coconut oil.

Do you have a favourite homemade facial scrub? Maybe a special ingredient that you like to use? I loved using the baking soda as it wasn’t as harsh on my skin as sugar and other ingredients can be.

October 15, 2014

New Regency from @SarahLaddAuthor AND a Kindle HDX giveaway!

Award-winning author Sarah E. Ladd examines how to escape the clutches of a tainted past in the final installment of her Whispers on the Moor series. A Regency-era novel, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall cleverly shows that even though our pasts may be shameful or painful, God can take the darkest personal histories and turn them into the brightest futures.

Celebrate with Sarah by entering her Kindle HDX giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A Kindle Fire HDX
A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 2nd. Winner will be announced November 3rd here.

October 9, 2014

Kara Tippetts’ THE HARDEST PEACE Blogger Challenge & Giveaway! Share Your #HardestPeace Story

Kara Tippetts‘ brave and touching book, The Hardest Peace is launching with a blogger challenge. Celebrate with Kara by joining the #HardestPeace conversation and share how you are finding grace in the midst of the everyday and in life’s hard moments.

Share your stories of everyday grace in the midst of life’s difficulties and enter to win a #HardestPeace prize pack:

A book club pack (10 copies of The Hardest Peace for you and your small group!)
A handcrafted candle
Journal
Custom Etsy The Hardest Peace print and coffee mug

To enter to win, simply blog about your #HardestPeace story and then submit the link to your post via the link-up (or see link in the Rafflecopter below). Plus stop by others’ stories to leave encouragement and offer prayers as we all travel the journey of life together and discover that the hardest peace is often the most fulfilling peace. Then follow Kara online (via the Rafflcopter) for additional entries into the giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway