Saturday, October 31, 2015

"The Day the Crayons Came Home" by Drew Daywalt

The  Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt is the sequel to the children's book, The Day the Crayons Quit.  I loved the drawings and some of the crayons' stories were pretty good, but I enjoyed the first book better. 
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Here's what Karen's thought of it:
After reading The Day the Crayons Quit I thought this one would be as good, but was very disappointed in it.  The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt was such a disappointment that I didn't even finish reading it.  I thought it was just stupid and it didn't keep my interest enough to bother finishing it even though it is very short.  (1 star)

See our review of The Day the Crayons Quit.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Thursday, October 29, 2015

"Put a Ring on It" by Beth Kendrick (Updated)

Put a Ring On It by Beth Kendrick is a fluffy romance novel about Brighton, an insurance actuary with a passion for designing jewelry. Her fiancé who she is helping to pass his bar exam, breaks off their engagement and marries someone else. On the rebound, Brighton visits an old college friend and gets caught up in a whirlwind romance with Jake Sorenson, a very wealthy good-looking man. This book is about taking risks and following your passion.

I enjoyed this story as an entertaining read; however, did not care for how it treats marriage so lightly. It is absurd that both Brighton and Colin would marry someone they just met, but that’s what happens. I did like the ending very much though and would recommend it if you are looking for a light fun, entertaining romance novel.  I liked the cover although it is really misleading.  The dog in the book has a very small part and the cover led me to believe it was more about the dog than it is.  (Karen's review 10/29/15, 3 stars)


Put a Ring on It by Beth Kendrick is about Brighton Smith, a very rational young lady who is an insurance actuary that follows all the rules and knows them all too!  However, the morning her fiance breaks off their engagement, she does something unthinkable for her.  Will her act turn out okay and will this lead her life to somewhere she does not want to go?

This is a woman's book but I enjoyed it anyway.  The story flowed well and I liked Brighton.  The dog in it was good too!  Give it a chance.
(Gerard's review 10/21/15, 4 stars)

(We received this book free for a review and were not compensated.) 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Monday, October 26, 2015

Teaser Tuesday - Three Today



Gerard's:

The coin was still rotating when four men in black uniforms appeared atop the stone stairs, an assortment of vicious weapons strapped to their bodies.  By the time the copper thudded on the table, the wyvern glinting in the dim light, Aelin Galathynius was ready for bloodshed.

From page 25 of Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas.



Karen's:
"This is a huge mistake," she said cheerfully.  "But you know, it's kind of exciting.
 From page 53 of Put a Ring on It by Beth Kendrick. 

A towering, hooded figure was gliding smoothly toward him, hovering over the ground, no feet or face visible beneath its robes, sucking on the night as it came.
Stumbling backward, Harry raised his wand.

From page 17 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 

Happy Reading!

Saturday, October 24, 2015

"Deeply Devoted" (Blue Willow Brides Series) by Maggie Brendan

Deeply Devoted (Blue Willow Brides) by Maggie Brendan is a light romance about a mail-order bride from Holland to a farmer in Wyoming in the 1800s. Catherine answers Peter’s ad for a bride and they correspond for six months but neither make mention of certain things. When Catherine arrives with her two teenage sisters, Greta and Anna, Peter is very surprised but accommodates them all nonetheless. Peter’s mother is shocked when she finds out he is marrying Catherine because he never mentioned anything about it to her. His mother is suspicious of Catherine so hires a private investigator to check out her background and uncovers a secret she neglected to tell Peter.

I enjoyed reading this light historical fiction romance. It’s about trust in a marriage and how important it is to be honest with your spouse. I liked the younger sister, Anna, best though and her puppies. It’s a quick read.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Friday, October 23, 2015

"Girl Waits With Gun" by Amy Stewart

Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart is based on a true story.  Constance Kopp and her two sisters are riding in their buggy one day when they are run down by a ruthless factory owner.  When the girls want their money to repair the damages, the owner balks and gets his gang ready to terrorize the girls to keep them quite about the accident, or else!

This book kept my interest and the girls are really good, especially Constance, who is enlisted to help the sheriff in the case.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars) 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Thursday, October 22, 2015

"The Battle of our Age-Fighting for the Hearts and Minds of the Next Generation" by Bob Hoskins

The Battle of our Age-Fighting for the Hearts and Minds of the Next Generation by Bob Hoskins is a short booklet about a charity organization called OneHope that seeks to reach every child in the world with the Word of God. Bob Hoskins is the founder of OneHope and his passion is to see children’s lives transformed by God’s word. This booklet contains short stories of various children who have believed in Jesus through this ministry and have had their lives changed. Some were in poverty, in prison, had alcoholic parents, were in abusive situations but turned to Jesus when they read the Book of Hope about Jesus or saw other materials produced by OneHope.

I was very encouraged when I read this booklet and was pleased to learn about OneHope, an organization I wasn’t aware of. I enjoyed reading the stories and found the statistics mentioned staggering! I got this in the mail but you can learn more from their website at www.OneHope.net.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Monday, October 19, 2015

Teaser Tuesday - Four Today



Karen's:

Thank God we weren't able to whisk Tiffany away from that terrible situation we found her in, 15 years ago.  Think of the children whose lives Tiffany is touching now...where would they be without her?

From page 10 of The Battle of Our Age--Fighting For the Hearts and Minds of the Next Generation by Bob Hoskins. 


"So what do you think?" he said to his bride.  "I know it's probably not what you all were used to in Holland, but I think you'll be comforable here once you're settled."

From page 48 (Loc. 627 on Kindle) of Deeply Devoted (The Blue Willow Brides) by Maggie Brendan.


Gerard's:
There was only one thing to do, and she'd never done it before.  Not at work, not in college, not even in high school.
 From page 7 of Put a Ring on It by Beth Kendrick. 

Ordinarily, I would have considered getting run down by an automobile to be the worst sort of catastrophe that could befall the three of us.  But this was not to be an ordinary year.

From page 10 of Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 

Happy Reading!

Saturday, October 17, 2015

"Black Ice" by Becca Fitzpatrick (UPDATED)

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick is told by Britt who decides to do some mountain climbing with her girlfriend. When a bad snow storm forces them to seek shelter, they come to a cabin that has two young men in it.  When they are invited in, they soon become hostages!

I thought this book was very good!  I enjoyed the story line and the twists at the end that I did not see coming that really set the stage for the ending!
(Gerard's review, 10/9/15, 5++ stars)

Karen's review, 10/16/15, 4 stars:
Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick was a kind of fun read because the characters were all sort of strange. It is about Britt and Korbie, senior high girls, going to hike in the mountains during their spring break and stay at Korbie’s family’s cabin. Korbie’s older brother, Calvin who is very familiar with the mountains, was going to meet them there. He is also Britt’s ex-boyfriend who she is still obsessed with after 8 months. He stood her up on prom night and she has never forgiven him, so wants to impress him with her wilderness skills that she studied about in preparation for this trip. When they get caught in a snowstorm in the mountains and have no cell phone reception, they look for shelter and find a cabin with two guys in their early 20s who let them in.

The girls both seemed ditzy to me but it was kind of fun trying to guess who was the good guy of the three in the story. The story is far-fetched and I didn’t understand why Shane and Mason aka Ace/Jude were hostile towards the girls. They could have just been nice the whole time, the girls would have willingly shared their supplies and they could all leave after the storm. Even though I didn’t care for the main character because she was a big liar, immature for a senior, and a big flirt, I stuck with it and finished the book. It’s a light psychological thriller that did keep my interest and was entertaining.


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Friday, October 16, 2015

"Striking Gridiron" by Greg Nichols is Really Good!

Striking Gridiron is a true story that takes place in 1959 in Braddock, Pennsylvania.  Half a million steelworkers are on strike in this steel town, but this town rallies around its high school football team.  This team has a chance to do something really special in 1959.

This book is really good!  I love how the author gave background on the coach, players and the people of the town.  It has great descriptions of the games too.  I was into it from the first page!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Thursday, October 15, 2015

"Prayers and Lies" by Sherri Wood Emmons

Prayers and Lies by Sherri Wood Emmons centers on 7-yr-old Bethany.  When she meets her cousin, Reana Mae, they form a bond that benefits them both.  As the years go on, Bethany finds out that there are a lot of secrets that are going to change the way she thinks about people and events.

I thought this book was okay.  I think it would appeal more to teen girls and women than men. 
(Gerard's review, 3.5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Teaser Tuesday: Four Today



Karen's:

I was abandoning my car to look for better shelter, and I didn't know if I'd find any.  My phone didn't work, I had no way of reaching my dad, and my heart was beating so fast it was making me dizzy.

From page 48 of Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick.  (Click to see Gerard's review of this one)

When Harry woke up on Sunday morning, it took him a moment to remember why he felt so miserable and worried.  Then the memory of the previous night rolled over him.

From page 288 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling.


Gerard's:
I cried till my stomach hurt.  Then I slowly climbed the thirty-two stone steps and headed for home, kicking small stones before me and cursing my sister with every step.
 From page 23 of Prayers and Lies by Sherri Wood Emmons.  (Click link for my review)

It's me, RED crayon.  We need to talk.

From page 3 of The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt. (click link for our review--we both liked this one!)


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 

Happy Reading!

Sunday, October 11, 2015

"Not a Drop to Drink" by Mindy McGinnis

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis is told by a young girl named Lynn.  She lives with her mom and protects their pond because water is very scarce in her world.  When an accident claims the mother, it's all up to Lynn.

I thought this book was okay.  I really liked Lynn and the story line was good enough to keep my interest.  It had a good ending too!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

"The Day the Crayons Quit" by Drew Daywalt is a Best Seller Children's book!

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt is a story told through letters to a little boy from crayons.  As soon as I started this book I was hooked because I wanted to see what each color had to say.  It's cute and liked how this book is told from lots of different point of views.  I think it would get young children to use different colored crayons instead of just one or two colors.  This is a short, fun read that shows what crayons think.   It has over 2500 reviews on Amazon, mostly 5 stars! My husband read this too, see his review below.
(Karen's review)

Duncan is a little boy who one day opened his crayon box and found a bunch of letters from his crayons.  Every now and then you need to read a kid's book.  I enjoyed this one very much!  Happy coloring!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

"Daughter of Deep Silence" by Carrie Ryan

Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan is about a young girl named Frances.  She is on board a cruise ship where everybody gets killed except for her and another girl.  Frances survives, but the other girl does not.  Then she finds out two other people survived but are telling a different story about what happened on the ship.  Why?  Why did they survive? 

This book kept me turning pages and I enjoyed the story line very much!  I read this after seeing this video by Christine at Polandbananas. 


She was right! 
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Teaser Tuesday - 4 This Week!



Karen's:

Love makes people crazy.  
Loss of love makes people crazy.

From page 300 of Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon.  (We both liked this YA one, click link for our reviews)

There was a flash of green light, a rushing sound, and Frank Bryce crumpled.  He was dead before he hit the floor.  
Two hundred miles away, the boy called Harry Potter woke with a start.

From page 15 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling.


Gerard's:

I ain't a Rose Rider.  I want 'em dead just like you, and alls you's done is lose me a horse and get yerself killed."
 From page 30of Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman.  (Click link for my review)

The drop is interminable and I wait, wait, wait for the slap of water that I can't see.  I'm nothing but dark and rain, screams and blood, and then I'm water.

From page 44 of Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 

Happy Reading!

"Vengeance Road" by Erin Bowman

Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman is a western about an 18-yr-old girl named Kate.  One day she comes home and finds her dad dead.  She knows the gang who did it and she wants revenge.   I have not read a western in a long time so this was a good change of pace for me.  The story line kept me interested and there was just enough action.  I really liked Kate, and the other characters were well developed too.  The ending was very well done and caught me by surprise!  This is sort of based on a true story.  Give it a try, you will be happy you did!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Friday, October 2, 2015

"Escape from Baxters' Barn" by Rebecca Bond - Cute Children's Book

Escape from Baxters’ Barn by Rebecca Bond is a children’s book that caught my attention because of the cover with the barn animals and a one-eyed cat. This is a cute story about how the farm animals, the barn cat and an owl work together to get away from the farm when the cat hears the farmer’s plan to burn down the barn! It is a cute fantasy story and I also liked the sketches throughout the book. The theme of the book is that everyone is important and working together results in success when everyone does their part. This is a very quick light read that I recommend to any animal lover.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Thursday, October 1, 2015

"The Big Picture" by Jenny B. Jones (Great Series!)

The Big Picture by Jenny B. Jones is the third book of A Katie Parker Production series that I enjoyed just as much as the first two in the series. This series is shows how a high school girl, Katie, finds hope for her future in spite of having a mother in prison for drug dealing and being put into foster care. Katie is such a well-developed and believable character that I couldn’t help but pull for her. In this final book, she gets reunited with her natural mom but struggles with mixed feelings about it.

This book is Christian fiction that really didn’t have the ending I anticipated for a change. I really found the support Katie got from her church friends to be realistic and liked how this book shows girls and guys can be good friends. . One of the things that makes this book stand out from other teen Christian fiction is that it’s realistic and includes elderly people as well. The romance between the grandmother and her friend added to the story. The grandmother added so much humor to this book, she was such a character! This whole series was entertaining, touching, amusing and heartwarming! Great YA contemporary fiction that I highly recommend!
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Previous books in this series I reviewed were:
In Between (book 1)
On the Loose  (book 2)


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!
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