Published: December 17, 2019
Genres: Health and Nutrition

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Description:

Are you craving junk foods? Feeling sluggish and tired all the time? Fueling yourself on caffeine and sugar? Then it's time to incorporate some Energizing Superfood Juices and Smoothies​ into your day. Jump-start your body with superfoods in the form of juices, smoothies, and meals, with vegetables and fruits selected to coincide with fresh, delicious, seasonal produce.

With over 40 unique and delicious combinations of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices, you can make these yummy green juices and smoothies right in your own kitchen, anytime you want. And if you want to keep the green goodness going, there are more than 25 tasty vegetarian meal recipes included. Plus, the convenient, seasonal shopping lists will never have you overbuying produce that can go to waste.

Review:

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - Rock Point and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

"Did you know that our bodies absorb over 97% of the nutrients contained in raw vegetables and fruits? Compare that to vitamin supplements made in a laboratory, which have an absorption rate of 5 to 25 percent"

WHAT!?!?!?!? No, I did not know this. This fun little fact made me want to dive in and learn so much more. I learned a lot from this book and as a mom of three learning what it means to be healthy, I was very excited. I got a nice little history lesson about how "the hunt" for meat has been the focus of our ancestors instead of the focus on how much not meat they used to eat.... "It was common for our ancient ancestors to eat up to six pounds of leaves per day". This number is insane and blew my mind. With my nutrition portions, I am eating 4 cups of vegetables and 3 cups of fruit. Far from six pounds. 

After explaining "why to juice" and the equipment I would need to be successful, I then found a lot of delicious recipes... and they weren't all juices/smoothies. Eggs, sandwiches, salads, salsas ect. A great verity to keep my belly satisfied. 

I will definitely be recommending this book to my fitness girls and anyone who would be interested in learning to eat a little healthier. 

Aya and Papaya Discover What Makes Everyone Special by MQ

Published: April, 29, 2019
Genres: Children's fiction
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Description:

Aya and Papaya are back!

The sun rises and Aya is awake. She remembers that today is a very special day so quickly jumps out of bed to put on her favorite pink boots that she always wears on special days.

Aya and her best friend, Papaya, are going to go on a plane to visit Aya’s grandparents. At the airport they see lots of different people from lots of different places from all around the world. Aya learns a very important message about what makes us all very special indeed.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

I'm picturing reading this to my 4 year old before we go on a trip to the airport. I have a hard time with the story saying that Aya was thinking this hard about differences among people... "Aya thought about what Faz was trying to explain to her. She realized that because she grew up listening to her parents speak different languages, she learnt how to understand and speak those languages herself. " I would find this in depth thought process from anyone under 9 to be very unlikely and would have found this part more believable had one of the adults been telling her. 

Stories about new places like airports and hospitals are good for little ones. That way they can learn about those huge places that are scary. I like that it talks about the differences among people while there so maybe some awkward conversations can be avoided. I remember one time in a store my four year old asked me why the woman's skin was so black, I was so embarrassed. I live in small town middle of nowhere so my children just haven't had a lot of experience with different culture and people who look different. This book would be great for that!

Hide and Seek, Little Chameleon by Anita Bijsterbosch

Published: June 7, 2019
Genres: Children's Fiction
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Description:

From Kirkus Best Book of the Year author Anita Bijsterbosch!

Little Chameleon loves to play hide-and-seek. He knows a few special hiding tricks. Will you help look for Little Chameleon?

A cheerful seek-and-find book filled with colors, numbers, and animal friends. For toddlers ages 30 months and up, with a focus on the child’s language development.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

Very cute little book. Toddlers of all ages are bound to have fun with this one learning colors,  counting and animal sounds. The seek and find was a little challenging even for me so would definitely keep them engaged for a while. The illustrations were very fun and engaging. 

Away Go the Boats by Margaret Hillert

Published: July 1, 2016
Genres: Children's Fiction
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Description:

A young girl makes bath time interesting by taking an imaginary ocean voyage to a tropical island. There she sees tropical animals, whales, monkeys and other boats on the water. Beautifully re-illustrated with a fresh and appealing look, these Beginning-to-Read books foster independent reading and comprehension. Using high frequency words and repetition, readers gain confidence while enjoying stories about every day life and adventures. Educator resources include reading reinforcement activities and a word list in the back. Activities focus on foundational, language and reading skills. Sections include; phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Teacher notes available on website.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

This was a fun one for beginner readers. Love the tips and tricks as a mom and a daycare provider. I was a little concerned, how old is the girl in the story. The way she is talking seems young and in that case maybe shouldn't have been left in the bath by herself. If she is supposed to be older then the way she is talking is a little off.  Again, great as a "learn to read" not one for the nightstand. 

Illustrations are good. very clean and basic. Done in a great engaging way for beginners without being a distraction too. 

Feel Better, Mommy by Risa Kirschner

Published: March 19, 2019
Genres: Children's Fiction
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Description:

Abby’s mom has a boo boo, so her Nana takes her to the hospital to visit. Follow Abby’s adventures as she finds a magical bed that moves, takes her teddy on a wheelchair ride, and learns that spending time with her mom can make a hospital feel like home. Based on the real experiences of the author’s then two-year-old daughter, this sweet story teaches that hospitals are safe places for healing and that parents always love their children, even if they have to spend time away from home.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

This is a sweet little story that can be read to all littles who are preparing to go visit a loved one in the hospital. Sure to help with all those little nerves and make the hospital so its not so scary. New places like hospitals and airports can be scary for littles ones but having great books like this really helps. When they start getting nervous you can reference the book and the fact that the little girl wasn't scared anymore and was zooming up and down the halls with her teddy bear brings fourth fun and makes things light. I like getting books like this to help my littles when they are off to new places. 

Livi & Grace by Jennifer Lynch

 

Published: June 11, 2019
Genres: Children's Fiction

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Description:

Livi and Grace  are sisters who couldn't be more different. As they go through their days being their unique selves, they share the message that differences are to be celebrated and enjoyed, and that everyone is already perfect and lovable. Join their party--and enjoy yourself--whoever and however you are!

Jennifer Lynch lives with the real Livi and Grace in Austin, Texas. A former teacher, Jennifer currently volunteers as an advocate for abused and at-risk children and is the creator of the “You Are Good” clothing and stationery line. Jennifer was inspired to write Livi & Grace by the many wonderful children she has worked with over the years. She hopes they will realize that they are perfect and lovable just as they are. Visit her online at www.Jenniferlynchbooks.com.

Missi Jay is an illustrator and graphic designer whose work has been nationally recognized. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, she lives in Austin, Texas, with the creative inspiration of her life: her daughter, Ruby. You can find her online at www.gigglebox.net.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

I loved this book. I have two girls that are exact opposites. This is a great story about accepting other people's differences and celebrating everyone's own uniqueness. Definitly recommend this book to any and all parents. This is a great one for entering Kindergarten before children meet all sorts of different and unique individuals. 

The Fairy in the Kettle gets Magical by Pauline Tait

Published: May 7, 2019
Genres: Children's Fiction

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Description:

The Fairy in the kettle gets Magical is the third book in this beautifully illustrated picture book series. Aimed at 4 to 8 year olds it continues the adventures of Leona and her friends...

“They could remember the warm amber glow shimmering and sparkling as it danced through the air. Twisting and turning as it went.” When Leona was woken early one morning, she knew something had to be wrong. But as she rushed to meet the elders nothing could prepare her for what she was about to hear. Life in Fairy Glen was about to change...the words fairy dust were echoing in the air! 

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

Great story about teamwork! The illustrations are so cute and colorful. I absolutely love the cover! This would be an amazing book for lots of little children!

The Big Five by Bella Makatini & Judi Abbot

Genres: Children's Fiction
Published: June 25, 2019

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Description:

"A sweet celebration of family and introduction to some perennially popular animals." -Kirkus Reviews

Danny is spending the week with his grandpa. Grandpa has a painting of five animals. “Those are the big five,” says Grandpa, “the most famous animals from my homeland.” Grandpa tells Danny about one animal each day.

A playful and informative story about wild animals and about the love between a child and a grandparent. For animal lovers ages 3 and up.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

This is a very cute read. As a daycare provider this would be an amazing circle time book. The kiddos would get to learn different words like "grazing" and they can do the actions along with the story. There is also some sequential learning like "first, second, third". Every kiddos loves to spend time with grandpa so they would all find this relatable and engaging. 

The illustrations are adorable. The right focal points are brought forward and are very intercultural. I absolutely would get this for my child or for my daycare kiddos. 

To Catch an Elephant by Vanessa Westgate

Published: June 25, 2019
Genres: Children's Fiction

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Description:

Laugh out loud - and learn!

“If you want to catch an elephant, first you must find out where elephants live . . .”
So begins this tale of a boy and his quest for a pet elephant.
But maybe catching an elephant isn’t as simple as it sounds . . .

A delightful and compassionate story for elephant lovers ages 4 years and up.

Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

I'm not sure if its the copy I received or if I'm just not on the same "page" as the author but there seemed to be some errors in the book like the words weren't matching up with the correct illistrations and what does " h t e p s n t o t h e" mean (loc 15 of 39). 

The book does have some potential my 4 year old wouldn't probably be interested but a 2 or 3 yo wold greatly laugh and listen to this fun story. 

As a mother, I wouldn't be buying this book for my children. 

Princess Arebeena and the Crystal Fairies by Fiona Boyd

Published: May 21, 2019
Genres: Children's Fiction

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Description:

“This book is a joy from cover to cover … children are sure to love it.” - Janey Louise Jones, author of the Princess Poppy series and Superfairies series 
Welcome to the magical Kingdom of Treenesta, governed by King David and Queen Trixie!  
This is the first book in the Crystal Fairy series, which features seven feisty sisters with a touch of attitude. This story is set around the day of Princess Arebeena’s birthday where Princess Arebeena is tasked with a treasure hunt. Accompanied by her best friend Isabella, Princess Arebeena sets out on an exciting adventure looking for her missing tiara… but what else will she find along the way? As you travel through the land of Treenesta, you will meet some interesting animal characters, including Fern the frog, Saffi the barn owl and Dreeva the dragon. Find out how Princess Arebeena makes friends with the seven crystal fairies: Ruby, Amber, Citrine, Emerald, Sapphire, Amethyst and Rose.

Will the Princess find her tiara? And after such a tiring quest, how will she get back to the Royal Palace in time for her birthday celebrations? The storyline encourages a positive attitude, bravery and emphasises the power of friendship, and is beautifully illustrated at each step with detailed, full-colour paintings. It will be enjoyed by children aged 5-7 years.


Review:

Thank you to NetGalley for a Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. As a mother of two young girls, I am always looking for books for them. This could be a fun book that I read to them since they are only 4 and 2 yo. This would also make a great book for new readers expanding their vocabulary. There are enough words that they would feel confident reading on their own as a first or second grader and there are fun words with the names and the fairies for young readers to expand upon. 

I found the main character a little too timid. I'm all about my girls finding other women who they can look to for a strong female example, Princess Arebeena didn't really fill that rold. However, she was kind to everyone she came across so I guess that would be a positive example in that sense. 

This book includes a Princess on a fun journey and comes across fairies and dragons. Girls would definitely be motivated to read this as this would be a great story to step into.

A Danger to Herself and Others by Alyssa Sheinmel

Publish: February 5, 2019 by Sourcebooks Fire
Genres: YA, Suspense, Mental Illness

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Description:
Four walls. One window. No way to escape. Hannah knows there's been a mistake. She didn't need to be institutionalized. What happened to her roommate at her summer program was an accident. As soon as the doctors and judge figure out that she isn't a danger to herself or others, she can go home to start her senior year. In the meantime, she is going to use her persuasive skills to get the staff on her side.

Then Lucy arrives. Lucy has her own baggage. And she may be the only person who can get Hannah to confront the dangerous games and secrets that landed her in confinement in the first place.



Review:

"Time didn't magically slow down, giving me a few extra seconds to consider what to do next. It happened fast. it wasn't graceful. It didn't look pretty."

The title and cover drew me in perfectly and since its around Halloween time I just had to read this book. I gratefully received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my review.

I absolutely loved Hannah! But who wouldn't, that's her thing.. making best friends. As an only child I can relate with Hannah about growing up faster than your friends and the need/want for children your age. As an only child, its easy to come across as more mature because a majority of your conversations are with adults so its something that comes easy to you.

Sheinmel, played this story out perfectly. I was not not expecting any of the twists and turns that were thrown in. This book was impossible to put down. I loved every second of it. I have never experienced anyone close to me with this kind of mental illness or anything similar so this was a learning experience for me. Sheinmel really made me feel like I was sitting in the room with Hannah and Lucy.. I mean Hannah ;)

I was proud of Hannah and how she accepted her illness. It was sad and brought tears to my eyes when she finally started to understand what was happening. Her parents were very abnormal for parents dealing with a child who was sick but they were also kind of strange before she started her illness, who leaves a four year old in a hotel room by themselves.

This book was perfectly done and I will definitely be telling everyone about this title!

After the Fire by Will Hill

Amazon

Published: October 2, 2018 by Sourcebooks Fire
Genres: Fiction, YA, Contemporary

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Description:
Moonbeam lived in a cult.  She was not allowed to leave the property, nor allowed to talk to Outsiders, or to speak her mind. Father John controlled everything. He uses the Bible and twists its words to fit his own needs. Father John likes rules. Disobeying him came with terrible consequences. Then there is an outsider that comes in and stirs things up. Getting Moonbeam to see her life may not be as "true" as she has been lead to believe. She seeks courage to protect herself and the other children of the Lord's Legion. 

Review:
Thank you to NetGalley and to Sourcebooks Fire for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review. 

The cover I feel would be more fitting for a novel about a monstrous child starting a house fire. Or a father trailing his family and leaving the child orphaned. These are just thoughts that had popped into my mind when I first saw the cover. I love the cover, and I guess after reading the whole novel I can see how it fits with so many of the children becoming orphaned. 

I loved the story! Power, Corruption. Father John does such a grand job of twisting the minds and fears of the people whom he "loves" ignorer to get them to obey. I am so shocked at how many people would move to a place like this and absorb so many lies into believe the as their new truth. 

I loved watching Moombeam develop. She goes from nightmares and not really understanding who she can trust or how much she can trust to really trusting and counting on Doctor Hernandez and Agent Carlyle. She turned out to be a very strong character. You can tell as she subdues Father John's voice in her head telling her to keep her mouth shot and calling her a heretic. Eventually those voices are gone and to me this speaks to how strong of a woman she is turning into. 

The story bounces between a "before" and "after" theme. The after being the conversations she is having with those around her in the therapy and before being her recollections of what had happen. I enjoy stories that have this type of set up. It really shows how the character is able to overcome and grow after such a tragic event. 

I have never known anyone who has been in a cult. I can completely see how easy how these things could really get out of hand. Hill really brought the setting to life and made me feel like I was really there and able to picture easily. I will be excited to see if this is made into a movie.

So much of this book was great. Why only 4 Stars? For me, it was a slow read. I was fully enjoying everything about it and I really wanted to know more but it was a bit of a chore to read this through. I am glad I did. I will definitely be recommending this book!

Recently published

Published TODAY: Someone Like Me

SHE LOOKS LIKE ME. SHE SOUNDS LIKE ME. NOW SHE'S TRYING TO TAKE MY PLACE.

Liz Kendall wouldn't hurt a fly. She's a gentle woman devoted to bringing up her kids in the right way, no matter how hard times get.

But there's another side to Liz---one which is dark and malicious. A version of her who will do anything to get her way, no matter how extreme or violent.

And when this other side of her takes control, the consequences are devastating.

The only way Liz can save herself and her family is if she can find out where this new alter-ego has come from, and how she can stop it.

Other Titles by M.R. Carey

The Girl With All the Gifts

Melanie is a very special girl. Dr. Caldwell calls her "our little genius."

Every morning, Melanie waits in her cell to be collected for class. When they come for her, Sergeant Parks keeps his gun pointing at her while two of his people strap her into the wheelchair. She thinks they don't like her. She jokes that she won't bite, but they don't laugh.

Melanie loves school. She loves learning about spelling and sums and the world outside the classroom and the children's cells. She tells her favorite teacher all the things she'll do when she grows up. Melanie doesn't know why this makes Miss Justineau look sad.

The Girl with All the Gifts is a sensational thriller, perfect for fans of Stephen King, Justin Cronin, and Neil Gaiman.

The Boy on the Bridge (The Girl with all the Gifts #2)

Once upon a time, in a land blighted by terror, there was a very clever boy.

The people thought the boy could save them, so they opened their gates and sent him out into the world.

To where the monsters lived.

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoul

Published: October 2, 2018 by Ballantine Books

Genres: Contemporary, Adult, Fiction

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I am such a HUGE fan of Jodi Picoult. I was so excited and honored when I received a free galley of her newest novel, A Spark of Light. She is very brave about the subjects she writes in. Always choosing a topic that is a sensitive subject and making a very amazing story about it. 

I first tried to read Jodi Picoult as a teenager...big mistake. I was not ready. That experience set me off of Picoult and I am really regretting that. I read Small Great Things earlier this year, I'm currently reading My Sister's Keeper. I just want to take a vacation with all of Picoult's books and do nothing else but read them ALL. I am regretting not giving her another try sooner. 

Description: 

In a women’s reproductive health services clinic a gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage. Hugh McElroy, a police hostage negotiator, gets to work. To his horror, he finds out that his fifteen-year-old daughter, Wren, is inside the clinic.

But Wren is not alone. She will share the next and tensest few hours of her young life with a cast of unforgettable characters: A nurse who calms her own panic in order save the life of a wounded woman. A doctor who does his work not in spite of his faith but because of it, and who will find that faith tested as never before. A pro-life protester disguised as a patient, who now stands in the cross hairs of the same rage she herself has felt. A young woman who has come to terminate her pregnancy. And the disturbed individual himself, vowing to be heard.

Review:
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and publisher for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley. 

I love Jodi Picoult. I loved this book! I found her very well researched and as a christian woman who is antiabortion, I was not angry with Picoult for choosing this topic and bringing it to life the way she did. I love that there were so many characters who faced different experiences and how that shaped their perception on this topic. I felt that each argument was brought forward on both spectrums of this argument, many of which I had heard before and a few of which I had not. 

This cover is absolutely GORGEOUS! The abstractness of two woman having completely different views and their minds are just so full of different possibilities. I found the characters to be believable. I have met many woman who have been in these different situations. Some made the same decisions and some did not. 

I will absolutely be recommending this book to friends and family. 

After The Fire by Will Hill

Published: October 9th 2018 by Montlake Romance

Genres: Young Adult

First let me just point out how beautiful this cover is!!! My husband is a fireman so books that have anything to do with fire are an automatic must for me.

Description:

Before, she lived inside the fence. Before, she was never allowed to leave the property, never allowed to talk to Outsiders, never allowed to speak her mind. Because Father John controlled everything—and Father John liked rules. Disobeying Father John came with terrible consequences.

Review:

I have always had good luck with books about cults. I am excited to see where this one goes!!! So far its gaining a lot of 5 stars on Goodreads so I hope this book is as amazing at its being made out to sound. I will return with all my feels