Raven Stole the Moon is the story of Jenna who has a great deal of pain in her life. When the book opens, we don’t know all the details but it is soon revealed that Jenna lost her son. Her marriage has been suffering since, and one night, feeling adrift, Jenna takes a spontaneous trip to Alaska where it happened.

There are secrets in the Alaskan town. Deep dark secrets and reasons for the death and pain and they all relate to the legends and native religion. Jenna begins to believe and is led to suspect that her son’s soul is in torment. She wishes to save him before it’s too late. Can she save him and preserve her marriage?

I’m going to be honest with you and tell you that I didn’t really like this book. I found the writing a chore to get through, the characters weren’t sketched sympathetically enough for me, it was crude in unnecessary ways, and it was far too long.

When I started reading it, I thought I would like it. I did enjoy the premise and I was really intrigued by the supernatural element of the story. But the pacing dragged in parts which made it hard to keep that momentum going. Mostly I struggled with the style of the writing, the awkward shifts in point of view and the tense changes.

A lot of other people enjoyed this much more than me, so if the premise interests you please google a few more reviews!

This book was received for review from a publicist.

My Review: I have had my eye on this series for a while, and when my local Christian bookstore reduced the price, I bought it!  Actually I started with the last book.  This didn’t matter except that I knew some things that were coming.  I grew to love these books more with each one I read.  The characters are definitely people I know, and the setting is of great interest to me, since I have a son living in CO.  Most of the main characters are about my age, with the exception of the sheriff’s daughter, so I think these books could appeal to almost all ages of women, but maybe especially those 35 and older.  The Potluck is a prayer group within a church that gathers together to pray and eat (right up my alley!).  Many recipes are included at the end of the book – which I also love.  The story includes drama, laughter, and tears.  Most women’s problems seem to be addressed through one or another of the characters.  This book is written about women from a woman’s point of view.  The Potluck Club series is Christian fiction as well as Christian chick lit, but someone of another faith could also read and enjoy it.  The Potluck Club is an enjoyable winter read!

When I was in college, I took a course called The Progress of Redemption.  I loved the course because it opened my eyes to the fact that the Bible is not only a collection of stories that tells us who God is and what He did.  Nor is it merely a book on how we should live our lives in order to please God.  Rather, it is one beautiful story from beginning to end that tells of God’s love for us and of His plan to redeem us through His perfect Son Jesus Christ.  From the beginning God knew that one day, out of His great love for us, He would send His Son to die in our place.

While teaching my children about God and His Word, I have often tried to illuminate the stories in light of the greater context of the entire Bible, as this college course did for me.  So when my children were given this storybook Bible as a gift last year, I was delighted.   The subtitle “Every story whispers His name” was exactly what I had been trying to teach my children all along.  To me, the fact that this children’s Bible hints at God’s plan for Jesus from the beginning is the best part about the book.  My children love that it is also written with a good deal of humor – we laugh as we read the author’s take on these age-old stories.  And that is good, too.  It’s always good to see a story you have a read a thousand times in a new light or different angle.  The illustrations (Jago) are also quite good and the length of each story is perfect for bedtime or to be read around the breakfast table.  Highly recommended.

Louis needs to write an essay for school about young Abraham Lincoln. But it’s 1951 in Alabama, and African Americans cannot use the public library. Mama says one day soon they’ll be able to check out books, but Louis isn’t going to wait! When he makes a brave journey into the “whites-only” library, something surprising and wonderful happens – he meets a brave young librarian. Ann Malaspina’s moving story and Colin Bootman’s rich paintings evoke the troubles and triumphs of days not long past. Includes a note on the history of racial segregation in public libraries, a brief history of Abraham Lincoln’s life, and an “If You Want to Read More” listing.

My Review: Click on the above link to YouTube to get a good idea about this book.  I saw it online and thought it would make a good transition from Black History to Presidents’ Day and I was right.  My class (2nd grade) and I enjoyed this book, and I cried as I read it although it ends with a cliffhanger.  We love the librarian who goes out on a limb for the book-loving Louis, but the whole problem is not resolved in this book – which is very real to life.  Thank goodness we are well past legal segregation as these books can be upsetting.  A great addition to the library of Black history and Presidents Day!

watch?v=tRow0fPkzMo Click on to see “Kelly’s Chance” on YouTube

Life for Kelly McGregor is a daily drudge of driving her overbearing father’s mules along Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Canal. She dreams of one day owning an art gallery where her own drawings and paintings are on display. But these dreams don’t include marriage. . .not after seeing what her father has done to her mother. How then can Mike Cooper, a general store owner, make her realize he is different than her father and wants to support her artistic talent? Will Kelly learn that dreams can walk hand in hand with a love created by God?

My Review: This is a sweet book.  Any female from age 13 to 100 could enjoy it – a great read for Valentine’s Day because it is a love story.  I appreciated it because it shows that not all people are the same.  This is a Christian fiction book,  but is mild and not over the top as far as “preachiness.”  The Wanda Brunstetter books I have read in the past have been about the Amish community.  This book I would consider more historical fiction.  Kelly’s Chance is entertaining and light reading.  I would recommend it for a great escape when life gets too hectic.  It kind of reminds me of the Grace Livingston Hill books I used to read if you are at all familiar with that author.

So I have to admit.  I caved.  I’ve almost finished reading the first novel in the Twilight series.  And I actually plan to read all four books.  I watched the first movie when it came out and thought it was way too “teeny-boppy” for my taste and even at that pretty awful.  But then . . . I saw the second movie.  And while the second movie was only slightly better (because there was a bit more action!), it did make me want to find out what happens next and so here I am reading the novels.

What do you all think of these books?  I think the the vampire mythology is interesting and the story is somewhat creative, but the relationship between Edward and Bella is pretty dreadful.  As soon as they meet, life is not worth living if they are not together.  She is miserable when she is not with him.  I want to shout, “Get a life!”   These books will not be read by my daughters (when they are older of course!) without some serious discussion about what makes a healthy relationship.   Plus, how can she get so worked up about a guy who is so cold every time he touches her?  Brrr!

I’m not giving a real review here, because I haven’t finished the book.  I almost feel like I’m going to need to finish all four before I really know what I think about this series.  I’ve heard that the books are better than the movies, and the fourth book is the best.  Care to voice your opinion?

Macomber2010Bookmark

This book is slated to be published in May of 2010 – be watching for it!

My Review: This was a great read!  I cried and I laughed.  If you have read any of the Blossom Street books, you will recognize many of the characters.  What a different concept.  A husband receives a letter from his dead wife which listed  three women she wanted him to consider for remarriage. He thought it impossible because he was still deeply grieving her death.  The characters are colorful and probably resemble some of your friends.  I know they reminded me of people I know.   Three couples are highlighted so I would call this book a romance and slice of life read.  The link above will take you to a Debbie Maccomber bookmark that lists all of her books being published in 2010.  I’m also looking forward to the new Cedar Cove book.  If you enjoy easy, enjoyable reading with happy endings you will love this book!

But with the recent news that several publishers are moving to an agency model for pricing (this basically means different prices for different ebooks), I’ve been thinking more about it.

In the past, I considered that the advantage of an ereader would be the ability to store several books without having to worry about actual physical storage space. Additionally, I must admit the idea that ebooks themselves would be cheaper made the idea of paying a lot of money for an ereading device more attractive.

But with the reality that publishers can’t actually afford to make ebooks much cheaper, I’m reconsidering the advantage. I can’t help but wonder how often I would rather just spend that money on a physical book to hold in my hands. I think I would still find advantages to it, but I wonder if old habits die hard?

Do you have ereader? If so what kind? Do you find you use it more and more often? How much are you willing to spend on ebooks?

The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond is one of my favorite valentine’s day books for small children.   It is a simple story about a little girl named Cornelia Augusta who catches hearts as they fall from the sky and makes them into valentines for her friends.  Each valentine is made in a special way for each of her unique friends.  The endearing illustrations that accompany the story give the book an overall cozy feel.

Everyone loves a good Clifford story, and Clifford’s First Valentine is no exception.  In this story, Emily Elizabeth and Clifford make some valentine’s day cards together (Clifford tries to taste the glue and very quickly finds out that it is not so tasty!) and then have quite an adventure getting the cards delivered.  A sweet story, and the love between Emily and Clifford is always satisfying.

My mom got this book, ABC Valentine by Pamela Jane, for my girls a few years back.  I have always enjoyed reading it to them at this time of year.  ABC Valentine uses the alphabet to talk about all the different ways Valentine’s Day is celebrated- from cards to sweets to decorations.  The illustrations use lots of red and pink and show wintery weather outside.

Some other great choices would include The Berenstain Bears’ Funny Valentine by Stan and Jan Berenstain – always a good moral to be learned with Brother and Sister!  And also Franklin’s Valentines by Paulette Bourgeois.  Franklin learns that any day is a great day to show his friends how much he cares for them.

What are you reading with your kiddos this Valentine’s Day?

The kitchen clone recipe king is back with a new Top bestselling Top Secret Restaurant Recipes collection-the first book since his bestselling Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2. Wilbur takes readers behind the scenes, revealing the key ingredients in some of our favorite foods such as Starbucks’ Peppermint Brownie, Krispy Kreme’s original glazed donuts, Panera Bread’s cranberry walnut bagel and Wendy’s Garden Sensations Manadarin Chicken Salad. The book will feature 115 new recipes, including 40 previously unpublished recipes such as:

•Panera Bread French Onion Soup

•Burger King Onion Rings

•Chick-Fil-A Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce

•McDonald’s Cinnamon Melts

•Stouffer’s Macaroni & Cheese

•Chipotle Mexican Grill Chipotle-Honey Vinaigrette

•Popeye’s Buttermilk Biscuits.

Forget takeout-with these fun recipes and blueprints, all using ingredients you can buy at your local supermarket, you can re-create your favorite restaurant signature dishes right in your own kitchen for a lot less!

My Review: This is such a fun book.  I have tried two recipes and one my daughters made once and I made once that is Panera’s broccoli and cheese soup.  It is yum and is really really close to the original.  I also like it because it doesn’t take long too make, and with my new food processor it’s a real snap!  The ingredients are easy to come by as well.  I’m very thankful to have this recipe because we no longer live close to a Panera (St. Louis Bread Company) and this is my husband’s favorite soup from there!  I can’t wait to try some of the other recipes!  Also included is Panera’s French Onion which I love!  I would have to also say that I haven’t heard of some of these places and/or recipes, but they all look user friendly and Todd Wilbur has made them as easy as possible as well as including pictures to help you assemble the finished product.  Also included are many Starbucks’ recipes.  I want to try my personal favorite which is gingerbread latte.  I wish it included the white chocolate peppermint mocha, but I’m happy with the gingerbread to begin with.  I’m looking forward to many hours of  happy cooking from this cookbook!