“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

Healthy Mom
Iva Young

Where can Moms go to for advice on nutrition, healthy ingredients and a happier lifestyle for their family and themselves?

Healthy Mom Most mothers learned to cook from their own mother or grandmother. Often these recipes, while filling, are actually overloaded with the wrong types of food. Fat, Sodium, Cholesterol…these are all the obstacles that Moms face everyday in their quest to help their families live longer and healthier lives.

A mother must be equipped with not only knowledge of healthy eating habits, but also recipes that children will ask for time and time again. In her new book, Healthy Mom, author Iva Young not only shares her expertise, but also time tested recipes that will have families leaving the table full, healthy and happy.

Iva Young is the family meal planner, ingredient buyer, cook and a Healthy Mom. Many of her friends asked her over and over, “Iva, How is your family so thin and healthy?” Her secret: purchase, prepare and eat healthy foods, including nutritious fruits and vegetables.

A graduate of the California Polytechnic University with a Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies with an Emphasis in Kinesiology and Health Promotion, she believes that by truly educating yourself on the right nutritional data, choosing the right food products, learning about a system known to make your body work for you and not against you, and following meal plans are the keys to maintaining a lifelong healthy nutritional life.

She lives in California with her husband and two children With her next book, Healthy Kids, Iva continues to inspire and motivate Healthy Moms everywhere. For more information, visit www.healthyiva.com.

I have a few friends that are amazingly healthy cooks. Everything in their homes and kitchens are “organic”, “100% …”whatever….you will not find junk or processed food in the pantries regardless of when you show up.

But I think that most of the world is a bit more like me. We’d love to eat healthy, we’d love to make better shopping decisions and create healthier more nutritious meals for our families but we get a little overwhelmed at all the information and choices about nutrition that we find staring us in the face.

Thankfully Iva Young has created a book that is easy to ready, easy to understand and easy to follow.

This is not a book where you will read it from cover to cover rather this is more of a reference book that you will keep in your kitchen or book shelf for a very long time.

Starting with the basic information of “understanding your digestive system” to the joy of “recipes” you’ll find facts that will inspire you and educate you to do “better” for your family.

Here are a few of the simple steps that make this book special. There are a few more but I chose my favorites to share with you.

· Facts based on scientific literature

· Tips on how to read labels

· Top 10 lists for fruits and vegetables with tips on how to cook them

· Shopping lists with brand name foods

· Lists of herbs with their benefits and how to use them

One of my favorite things about this book is Iva’s reference to Romans 12:2  ^“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”

While I have never applied this verse to my eating lifestyle…it truly made me think…perhaps it is time to do so.

This book was provided for review by Yorkshire Publishing
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.

Read my reviews at Amazon.com

“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

A Girl Named Mister

Nikki Grimes

Bestselling author Nikki Grimes, author of Dark Sons, Barak Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope, and Voices of Christmas, presents the story of Mister, a teenage girl who honestly and poignantly tells her story of temptation and teenage pregnancy through free verse, and who finds support and forgiveness from God through a book of poetry presented from the virgin Mary’s perspective.

My boyfriend used to think it was cute, a girl named Mister. Used to think I was cute. Used to be my boyfriend what feels like a million years ago. Then again, I used to be a good Christian girl, the kind who would never, well… Just goes to show how little people know. Even I was surprised by me. Now, I close my eyes hoping to see exactly where I went wrong.

Mary Rudine, called Mister by almost everyone, has attended church and sung in the choir for as long as she can remember. But then she meets Trey. His long lashes and smooth words make her question what she knows is right, and one mistake leaves her hiding a growing secret.

Another Mary is preparing for her upcoming wedding and has done everything according to Jewish law. So when an angel appears one night and tells her that she—a virgin—will give birth, Mary can’t help but feel confused, and soon finds herself struggling with the greatest blessing the world will ever know.

Feeling abandoned, Mister is drawn to Mary’s story, and together both young women discover the depth of God’s love and the mysteries of his divine plan.

In theory I thought this would a very unique and delightful book to read but in reality I found it very difficult to be engaged with the story line or character.

I have read other Nikki Grimes titles and have enjoyed them so I was looking forward to reading A Girl Named Mister. After all, what an unusual title but what a sadly unusual situation the main character finds herself in. Mary Rudine (aka Mister) is a “good” Christian girl until she meets her boyfriend, Trey. He is very attentive and loving until his selfish desires are met. Then he doesn’t have much time, energy or interest in Mary unless it is to “play” around again.

Mary’s life turns upside down after one moment with Trey. She soon learns that some decisions will have a life time of consequences. Through it all Mary finds comfort in the life and story of another Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

The story line sounds enjoyable but you might be a bit lost or bored (as I was) when you realize that the entire story is written in poems. Each poem is a different chapter and is either a reflection of Mary (MR’s) life or life of Mary the mother of Jesus.

If you are a poetry lover or a Nikki Grimes uber fan then you may be able to be find yourself intrigued with this book but unfortunately I wasn’t.

I enjoy poetry but am not a die-hard fan and therefore found the lyrical pose of this book difficult to get lost in and therefore, difficult to find interest in the story line.

This book was provided for review by Zondervan
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.

Read my reviews at Amazon.com

“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

Rendezvous

Melody Carlson

Paige and Erin Forrester take their fashion-focused TV show to Paris, visiting renowned salons, designers, and international models. They meet up with designer Dylan Marceau, as well as with their new friends Taylor Mitchell and Eliza Wilton. When they take time to visit Eliza’s family estate in Provence, romance, jealousy, and some surprises threaten the stability of On the Runway.
Lost in translation?

Having learned some hard lessons about the costs of recklessness and fame, sisters Paige and Erin Forrester feel ready to take their fashion-focused TV show on location to Paris. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for many of their good intentions to get lost in translation. An unplanned week of filming at runway model Eliza Wilton’s family estate leads to romance, jealousy, and surprises. With cameras rolling, both girls have to be careful or the future of On the Runway could end up as wobbly as Paige’s stiletto heels.

I liked this book. I enjoyed the relationships between the two beautiful sisters, Paige and Erin. Described as Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn look-alikes it easy to understand how these two sisters have become “stars” of their fashion reality show.

While one sister is clearly the Fashionista and Diva of the two the other is more down to earth and quite mindful of the fact that she is the 2nd fiddle on the show.  Their are moments of temper tantrums and jealousy but overall you are clearly made aware that these two sister have each other’s back and that life is pretty sweet for these two young women.

Rendezvous is the 3rd book in the series and I wish I had read the first two. There are some flashbacks and references to “past” situations that I was a bit lost when they were mentioned. Not so much that I didn’t want to read the book but just enough lost to realize it would have been nice to have that tidbit of information.

Because I have twin girls and older sisters…it was easy for me to relate to the sibling rivalry between the main characters, the arguments, the apologies and overall feeling that we were reading about “real” sisters. It is an illustration of life that could happen between two women.

My only negative with the book and it played a very big impact on my rating was that the end was left rather undone. Literally the last paragraph seemed as if there was so much more to say that I turned the page expecting another chapter. Imagine my surprise when I realized that was it. The story had ended. I believe an audible “are you kidding?” was uttered from my lips.

Rendezvous is created for the Young Reader but it is a fun, light-hearted, enjoyable story that can be enjoyed by any age group.

Rendezvous – Available September 2010

This book was provided for review by Zondervan
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.

See my reviews at Amazon.com

“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

Love Finds You in Victory Heights

Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

The war has stolen Rosalie’s fiancé, Vic, from her forever.  But rather than wallow, Rosalie distracts herself by cramming her days full of activity—mainly by shooting rivets into the B-17 bombers that will destroy the enemy.

When a reporter dubs her “Seattle’s Own Rosie the Riveter,” even more responsibility piles up. Her strong arms bear all this, but when intense feelings surface for Kenny, the handsome, kind-hearted, and spiritually unwavering reporter, the fear of losing another love propels Rosalie to leave.

It’s only when Rosalie realizes that God has brought her to this place—and this person—for a reason, the sparkling grace of God compels her to let go of her own strength and lean on His, as well as open her heart to love.

About Tricia Goyer: Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-four books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. For more on Tricia visit www.triciagoyer.com

About Ocieanna Fleiss: Ocieanna Fleiss is a published writer and has edited six of Tricia Goyer’s historical novels. She lives with her husband and their four children in the Seattle area. For more about Ocieanna visit her blog.

Allow yourself to step back in time when although war was real…life and relationships were more simple.
Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss create likeable and loveable characters in their latest “Love Finds You” novel.

Love Finds You in Victory Heights opens up with the main character, Rosalie “Rosie” sending her boyfriend and wanna be fiance, Vic, off to war. Vic is madly in love with Rosalie and would marry her in a blink of eye but Rosalie doesn’t quite feel the same way. She is  hoping the time and distance that the war will cause will give her the chance to determine what her feelings really are about Vic.

Unfortunately, life does not go as Rosalie plans and Vic never returns. Rosalie realizes that her love for Vic was not on the same level as his for her but she is determined to do him proud as she contines to work as a Riverter. Life is routine if not exciting until she meets Kenny Davenport a local reporter.

Kenny is a wonderfully written character that has a strong sense of pride, integrity and a great faith in God. He reflects on His word and His instruction for Kenny’s life constantly. He is blown away when he meets Rosalie.

…and so the story begins.

You will find yourself rooting for Rosalie, then rooting for Kenny and along the way… rooting for their relationship and love.

As you discover more about the two central characters you’ll unlock a treasure trove of information on the supporting characters, the war, the area and life in general  back in the 1900’s.

Love Finds You in Victory Heights will warm your heart, delight your soul and interest your mind. A triple threat in print.

Blog tour schedule: http://www.litfusegroup.com/Blog-Tours/love-finds-you-in-victory-heights-washington.html

8/16

Ruth at Booktalk & More

http://booktalkandmore.blogspot.com

Martha at Our Family’s Adventures

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Martha

Jami at Intentionally Living…

http://jamibalmet.blogspot.com

Jennifer at The Toy Box Years

http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com

Lori at Love, Honor & Stick Together

http://www.babybittenbender.blogspot.com

8/17

Gwendolyn at A Sea of Books

http://aseaofbooks.blogspot.com/

Beckie at RBC Library

http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com

Nise’ at Under the Boardwalk

http://nisefunpages.blogspot.com

8/18

Maggie at Tethered Mommy

http://www.tetheredmommy.com

Sharon at Sharon’s Garden of Book Review

http://sharonsgardenofbookreviews.blogspot.com

Renee at Black ‘n Gold Girl’s Book Spot

http://steelergirl83.blogspot.com

Margaret at Creative Madness Mama

http://www.creativemadnessmama.com

8/19

Christa at Fairfield Corner Academy

http://www.christadarr.blogspot.com

AimyMichelle at The Random Ramblings of Miss Aimy Michelle

http://aimymichelle.blogspot.com

Karla at Ramblin’ Roads

http://ramblinroadstoeverywhere.blogspot.com

Amydeanne @ The 160 Acrewoods

http://www.the160acrewoods.com

Stacey AT WORD Up!

https://word-up-studies.blogspot.com

8/20

Mindy at A Room Without Books Is Empty

http://detweilermom.blogspot.com

Lena Nelson Dooley @ A Christian Writer’s World

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Ashley at Ashley Eddins

http://ashleyeddins.blogspot.com/

Molly at Book Reviews by Buuklvr81

http://buuklvr81.blogspot.com

8/21

Christine at The IE Mommy

http://www.theiemommy.com

Michelle at New Horizon Reviews

http://newhorizonreviews.blogspot.com

Freda at Freda’s Voice

http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com

Katy at A Few More Pages

http://fewmorepages.blogspot.com

Crystal At My Reading Room

http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com

8/23

Gina at Portrait of a Writer…Interrupted

http://portraitofawriter.ginaconroy.com

Desiree at Wee Share

http://weeshare.blogspot.com

Jody at The Corner Book Blog

http://thecornerbookblog.blogspot.com/

Stacie at Hobbit Door

http://hobbitdoor.blogspot.com

Elizabeth at Elizabeth at Count It All Joy

http://texasjoy.blogspot.com

8/24

Jennifer at Rundpinne

http://www.rundpinne.blogspot.com

Laura at Lighthouse Academy

http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com

Janet Ruth at Along the Way

http://a-long-the-way.blogspot.com

8/25

Christy at Southern Sassy Things

http://southernsassythings.blogspot.com

Jettie at jettiesramblings.com

http://jettiesramblings.blogspot.com

Carly at Carlybird’s Home

http://www.carlybirdshome.blogspot.com

Deborah at Books, Movies and Chinese Food

http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com

Leticia at My Daily Trek

http://leticiasworld.blogspot.com

8/26

Amy at Writing in the Margins

http://amyletinsky.wordpress.com

Urailak AT Living for God

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/servingtheKingofkings

Mel @ Real Heart Prints

http://www.realheartprints.com

Christy at Christy’s Book Blog

http://christysbookblog.com

Cindy at Cindy’s Reviews

http://cindylovenreviews.blogspot.com

8/27

Heather at Mommy Of 1 and Counting

http://www.heatherandavery.blogspot.com

Jennifer at Irish Splendour

http://irishsplendour.blogspot.com/

Lauri at Knits Reads and Reviews

http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com

8/28

Pamela at Daysong Reflections

http://daysongreflections.com

Andi @ Radiant Light

http://www.frommipov.com

Marissa @ The Review Stew

m_biebs@hotmail.com

Holly AT Woman Tribune

contact@womantribune.com

Jennifer at Mrs. Q: Book Addict

http://web.me.com/quirion

Angie at Never A Dull Moment

http://neveradullmoment-angie.blogspot.com/

JHS @ Colloquium

http://www.jhsiess.com

8/30

Chrissy @ Chrissy’s World Of Books

http://chrissysworldofbooks.blogspot.com/

Carol at Book Before Bed

http://bookbeforefood.blogspot.com/

Kat@Heart2Heart

http://godsheart-heart2heart.blogspot.com

Revka at The Porch Light

http://ourfamilyporch.blogspot.com

Kay@My Random Acts of Reading

http://myrandomactsofreading.blogspot.com

Susan at His Morning Glory

http://hismorningglory.blogspot.com

8/31

Amber Stockton AT A Fiction-Filled Life

http://amberstockton.blogspot.com

Amber AT Seasons of Humility

http://www.seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com

Tammy at Tammy’s Book Parlor

http://tgteecher.blogspot.com

Edna at My Favorite Things

http://edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com/

Missie at Thirsty

http://fillmythirst.blogspot.com

Rebecca at Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

http://rebeccatyndall.blogspot.com

9/1

Jennifer at Adventures in Unsell land

http://www.theunsells.blogspot.com

Anna AT Mingle Over Mocha

http://www.MingleOverMocha.com

Mommy 4 Life at Mommy Daily Vent

http://www.mommydailyvent.blogspot.com

Michelle at Life in Review

http://michellevsblog.blogspot.com

9/2

Mrs. White @ The Legacy of Home

http://thelegacyofhome.blogspot.com

Shawna at My Father’s Oldsmobile

http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/

Jodie at Digging For Pearls

http://diggingforpearls.blogspot.com/

Kaylea at My Scrappy Life

http://kaytebug2002.blogspot.com

This book was provided for review by LitFuse
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.

Read my reviews at Amazon.com

“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

The Healer’s Apprentice

Melanie Dickerson

In this book by author Melanie Dickerson, the story of Sleeping Beauty is retold through the life of Rose, the young daughter of a woodcutter, who has fallen in love with the perfect man for her, only to be kept away from him due to a curse.

Two Hearts. One Hope.

Rose has been appointed as a healer’s apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter’s daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.

When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she’s never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose’s life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

Loved this book! While this book is created for the younger reader…I could not put it down. It was written as a sweet and romantic love story. Loosely created from the tale of Sleeping Beauty…The Healer’s Apprentice is a wonderfully written tale of love, romance, intrigue, deception and loyalty.

From the moment I received this book…I was drawn to the beautiful cover and the interesting title. So intrigued was I…that I finished the book in one day!  Rose is a beautiful young girl who was not born into money or prestige. Unless she succeeds in becoming the town healer’s apprentice she is destined to be married to whomever her parents choose for her  .

Unbeknown to her…Rose’s life is not as simple as it seems. To further complicate Rose’s life…the beautiful, kind and charming, Duke Wilhelm becomes her friend. What a dreamboat! While he is betrothed to another (someone he has never met) he is enamored, enchanted and enthralled with Rose.  Try as they might…Duke Wilhelm and Rose are drawn together and towards each other. They compliment each other in everything they do. Yet, they are destined to be a part.  But are they really?

If I was not told that this story was based on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty I would have guessed it was a tad more similar to Cinderella…either way it is a sensational tale.

The characters are enchanting. The detail descriptions are perfectly placed. The story line moves along at a fairly fast pace so you are never bored with the story nor are you impatient for the next turn of events.  I loved the biblical references to scripture and the intense yet not scary mentions of demons and witchcraft.

Every nuance and twist led to a special love story that will remain in my memory and conscience for a long time. The Hearler’s Apprentice will remain on my bookshelf even longer.

The Healer’s Apprentice – Available September 2010

This book was provided for review by Zondervan
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.

“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

The Tortoise and The Hairpiece

Don M. Winn

Such a cute book. I loved the concept of The Tortoise and The Hairpiece! A sweet little tortoise who doesn’t feel special, pretty or fancy because he is bald (as are most turtles). But his desire to “change” his appearance leads him to look even sillier with a “faux” feather wig.

This simple story clearly teaches children that each person is special regardless of their physical appearance. My girls have a sweet dusting of freckles over the bridge of their nose. It is adorable but makes them a tad self-conscience as no one else in the family has freckles.  Similar to the Tortoise they have to learn that they are perfect just the way they are.

A delightful and easy to understand message that everyone is unique is clearly explained in this sweet tale. Wonderful questions at the back of the book help parents or caregivers to dig a bit deeper into what the child(ren) have learned.

This book was provided for review by Cardboard Box Adventures & Yorkshire Publishing
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.

See my reviews at Amazon.com

“Show me the books she loves and I shall know the woman…“

The Incredible Martin O’Shea

Don M. Winn

The Incredible Martin O’Shea is the delightful story of a little boy with a huge imagination.  Martin spends all day in school daydreaming about the many adventures he will have someday.  Unfortunately, Martin’s school work begins to suffer from his day long adventures in his head.  One day, Professor O’Tool comes to Martin’s class to share his work with the class.  Martin learns that all the adventures he wants to have in the future depend on his grades and work in school.  With this change in his approach to school, Martin is set on the track for a great future.

When I read “The Incredible Martin O’Shea” I had to laugh out loud…the book reminded me so much of my twin daughters.  Bright little minds with huge imaginations! So it was with great pleasure that I read this book to my girls and was able to have a real teaching moment with them at the end.

Martin is a little guy who loves to dream…and he can dream up all sorts of stuff! But, finally when a wise teacher helps him to focus his imagination Martin realizes that learning is a great asset as well as imagination.

This is a great little story to share with a classroom or Sunday school. The Incredible Martin O’Shea is a wonderful bedtime story that will help children to learn the necessity of imagination and education.

At the back of the story was a list of six great questions about the story that will help parents and children interact and further understanding how learning can be a wonderful partner to dreaming.

This book was provided for review by Cardboard Box Adventures & Yorkshire Publishing
Opinions are strictly those of the blog owner.

See my reviews at Amazon.com