Another Dawn

Another Dawn

by:  Kathryn Cushman

When life gets complicated, Grace Graham runs. She's left romantic relationships, friendships, and even her family after the death of her mother. But now her sister, Jana, is giving her once last chance: Come home and help care for their father--whom Grace still blames for her mother's death--or never show her face in Shoal Creek, Tennessee, again. 

With her son, Dylan, in tow, Grace returns home from California. But is she returning for the right reasons? And when costly decisions from the past suddenly put her son's life and the lives of other children in town at risk, will she have the strength to stand strong and await Another Dawn?

Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. After practicing as a pharmacist, she left her career to marry and begin a family and has since pursued her dream of writing. Leaving Yesterday is her third novel. Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California. Visit Kathryn's Web site at www.kathryncushman.com  

My Review:  This book was emotional and dealt with a very controversial subject in a sensitive manner.  I really appreciated how the author was able to show how there are always two sides to a story.  I definitely enjoyed this story of trust, forgiveness and understanding.

***Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  Available now at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group***

Promises To Keep

Promises to Keep

by:  Ann Tatlock

Eleven-year-old Roz (Rosalind) Anthony and her family have just moved to Mills River, Illinois, to escape an abusive situation. Only days after settling into their new home, they are surprised to find the previous owner, Tillie Monroe, on their front porch reading the newspaper. Though her sons have sold the house and sent her to a facility for the aged, she is determined to die in the place she lived her life and somehow manages to find her way "home" day after day. Feeling sympathy for the elderly woman, Roz's mother allows Tillie to move back in.

Mara Nightingale becomes Roz's first friend in Mills River. In spite of their many differences, the girls discover they have something in common that binds them together--both are hiding secrets. So they make a promise--"cross my heart and hope to die"--never to tell anyone else.

When danger stalks the Anthonys, Tillie exhibits unimaginable courage and selfless love in her determination to protect the family she has adopted as her own.

Ann Tatlock is the author of the Christy Award-winning novel All the Way Home. She has also won the Midwest Independent Publishers Association "Book of the Year" in fiction for both All the Way Home and I'll Watch the Moon. Her novel Things We Once Held Dear received a starred review fromLibrary Journal and Publishers Weekly calls her "one of Christian fiction's better wordsmiths, and her lovely prose reminds readers why it is a joy to savor her stories." Ann lives with her husband and daughter in Asheville, North Carolina. Visit www.anntatlock.com

My Review:  This was a well-written book.  I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters were well developed.  It was not a easily predicted ending, which I always appreciate.  I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this new author as much as I did and I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by Ann Tatlock.

***Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  Available now at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group***

Picture It Picture Books

The one and only book series that children illustrate themselves. We write the stories and leave out the illustrations, giving children a chance to set their imaginations free. Our books focus on the environment, social responsibility, positive human interaction and creativity.

A Picture Book Without Pictures?

The most important part about Picture It Picture Books is that they don’t have any pictures.  We give our readers the opportunity to illustrate their very own books.  By visualizing the images to a story as it unfolds and then committing those images to paper, readers engage with our texts in a meaningful, physical way.  This increases reading comprehension and encourages readers to apply what they’ve learned to their own lives.

Picture It Picture Books:  Drawing on your imagination.

My Review:  Brianna, age 7, absolutely loves "The Moon Story" book that we were given to try out!  She is definitely a budding artist, and is usually found sitting at the table drawing or painting a picture for someone.  So the concept of her getting to create the pictures for each page of a story is brilliant!  It taps into her creative side and allows her the freedom to make the story her own, as she imagines it in her mind.  When I asked her what she liked best about it she said, "It's fun" and "Drawing is better than words".  Brie has spent quite a bit of time with her book already and I know that this will be a keepsake forever.  These books would make a unique gift for any creative child!  These books are available online at Chapters or through Picture It Picture Books directly.

***I was given a free copy of "The Moon Story" courtesy of Picture It Picture Books and Mom Central Canada in exchange for my review.  The opinions on this blog are my own***

Softly and Tenderly

Softly and Tenderly
by:  Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck

Jade has moved from her past toward a bright future. But then the man she loves most destroys her trust.

Jade Fitzgerald's hope for a perfect marriage shatters when her husband confesses he has an illegitimate son. What’s more, he wants to raise the boy in their home.

Hurting and confused, Jade embarks on a road trip to Iowa to take her sick mother to her childhood home. In the comfort of the old homeplace, Jade struggles with her fears and the tug of her first love. With the help of her family and her faith, she comes to understand her future doesn't rest on the power of her past, but in the goodness of God's mercy.

My Review:  I enjoyed this book and I easily read it as a stand-alone book, despite the fact that I have not read the first book in this series.  The main character has a lot of difficult things going on in her life which leads her, at times, to make some bad choices along the way.  Yet through all of the pain she is able to find healing and a fresh start.

***I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ***

Bluewater Holiday Appys

A large portion of Christmas is about spending time together with friends and family.

And eating good food!

I am a big fan of eating appetizers, especially potluck style where everyone brings their own favorites.  You can get so much variety and it's also a good time to try out new recipes to see what everyone enjoys.

If you are looking for some new ideas, Bluewater has some great recipes on their website.  I have previously reviewed their products, and my family continues to buy their products since we all enjoy it.






Maybe you could try out the Popcorn Shrimp in Puff Pastry.

It looks delicious, and anything with cream cheese is always a hit.










Or you could try the Shrimp Quesadilla.

Mmm!














Or if you want something on the healthier side, this Grill Salmon and Cucumber Salad looks super yummy.

Christmas at Harringtons

Christmas at Harringtons

by:  Melody Carlson

Sometimes the best gift is a second chance

Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

Reading Christmas at Harrington's, a story full of redemption and true holiday spirit, will be your newest Christmas tradition.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. She also writes many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. Melody was nominated for aRomantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon. Visit Melody's website at www.melodycarlson.com.

My Review:  I thought this was a cute heartwarming Christmas story.  Some of the story was predictable, as would be expected from a Christmas story, however there were a few unexpected plot-lines as well.   The main character was very likable, and despite some challenges in her personal life she manages to stay upbeat and positive.  I really appreciated the new tradition created as she became "Mrs Claus".  It was a fun twist on a regular custom.  Overall I enjoyed reading this book.

***Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.  Available now at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group*** 

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

by:  Nancy Guthrie

How many Christmas mornings have you found your family gathered around the tree with presents beautifully wrapped and a scrumptious feast on the table, but with hearts that have not been prepared to truly take in the wonder of God become human? Not this year.


Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room, a family Advent devotional from Bible teacher and mom Nancy Guthrie, is designed to bring your family together during a season that is oftentimes too much about programs and presents, and simply not enough about Jesus. Along with devotions for every day in December, this resource includes explanations of some hard-to-understand aspects of popular Christmas carols, and discussion questions to draw in your elementary through high school-aged kids, transforming this time together from a dry lecture into a treasured family experience.


My Review:  I love the idea of doing a family devotional together every day, especially in preparing for the Christmas season.  Each devotional is brief, yet includes some great points to discuss in order to understand it more clearly.  Our kids have been engaged in the discussion,although I did find that they are too young for all aspects in this book, as it is geared for families with elementary through high-school aged kids.  We are looking forward to continuing on in this book throughout the month of December.

***I received a copy of this book from the Tyndale Media Centre in exchange for my opinions.  I was not required to post a positive review***