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How to Drive Your Sister Crazy (I Can Read!) by Diane Z. Shore

mama@creativemadnessmama.com — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:30:41 +0000

I received a portion of this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. See full disclosure at close of post or read my disclosure policy for more details. *Thanks to the publicist for providing material for review.*

How to Drive Your Sister Crazy by Diane Z. Shore
Genre: Juvenile Fiction / Readers Ages 4 to 8, Grades K to 3
I Can Read! – Level 2
Pages: 48 Paperback
Date Published: November 6th, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s

This I Can Read hit-a hilarious how-to guide for younger siblings-is now in paperback!

Bradley Harris Pinkerton knows exactly how to drive his sister, Abby, crazy. Whether she’s in the shower, or on the phone, or just trying to turn on her bedroom light, Bradley has a number of wacky schemes that are sure to make her mad…and guaranteed to make young readers laugh. With a rubber snake, some chewed-up bubble gum, and a really great hiding space, he shows just how easily it can be done.

This is one of those books where I could have sworn that I’d read and reviewed it for you guys already, but see a blank space here so I have to remedy that. This is about a boy and his sister, but coming from me – a little sister to a few, this definitely hits a cord and makes me laugh out loud. This is a fun and family friendly early reader from the Level 2 developing readers category and it’s a good one for all audiences.

Diane Z. Shore has written numerous books for children, including This Is the Dream with Jessica Alexander, illustrated by James Ransome, and This Is the Feast, illustrated by Megan Lloyd. She lives in Marietta, GA, with her husband and two children. You can visit her online at www.dianezshore.com.

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Strawberries by Maj Lindman

mama@creativemadnessmama.com — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

I received a copy of this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. See full disclosure at close of post or read my disclosure policy for more details. *Thanks to Albert Whitman & Co. for providing material for review.*

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Strawberries by Maj Lindman
Flicka, Ricka, Dicka Series
Genre: Vintage Children’s Book
Pages: 32 Jacket-less Hardcover
Date Published: March 2013
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co.

Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka are going wild-strawberry picking. Mother is going to pay them for every basket they gather. When they stop at a cottage along the way, they meet Mary, her baby brother, and Mary’s mother. Mary and her family are very kind, but have patches on their clothes and no milk to drink. After the girls get home and help Mother make strawberry jam, they think of a special way to spend the money they have earned.

Read on April 6th, 2013 – I own a copy.

I’m always reading lists of recommended books for young learners and recently I discovered the vintage series of Flick, Ricka, Dicka. Blessedly I have just recently started reading and reviewing books for Albert Whitman & Co and they are known for great vintage books and a currently released series includes Flick, Ricka, Dicka. My first read is Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Strawberries. Originally published in 1946 and recently published for 2013. These are a nice jacket-less hardcover books in a great 10×8″ size. Definitely quality and I believe they will last a very long time.

I had no idea what to expect, but after reading Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and the Strawberries I am an instant fan and wouldn’t hesitate to add the entire series to my shelves and recommend it to others. It is vintage and full of moral character. The triplets are swedish which given my husband’s heritage will make these books even more precious to my girls over the years with repeat readings I’m sure.

This story is sweet and I even found myself teary eyed. In setting and character it reminds me of Heidi. The way these girls take fun and promise and turn it into a blessing to others is exactly the type of example I’d like to present to my girls in story time.

Rapunzel by Sarah Gibb

mama@creativemadnessmama.com — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Rapunzel: Based on the Original Story by the Brothers Grimm
by Sarah Gibb
Genre: Children’s Picture Book – Classic Fairy Tale
Pages: 32 Jacketed Hardcover
Date Published: March 1st, 2011
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company

Beautiful Rapunzel is locked away in a tall, tall tower, visited only by the little creatures of the forest and the witch who has imprisoned her. Until one day a handsome prince, passing by on his horse, is transfixed by the magical sound of Rapunzel singing to her animals friends and knows he must reach her… Can true love transform Rapunzel’s life forever?

Read on April 21, 2013 – I own a copy.

Because of the Disney version of the Rapunzel story told in the film Tangled, we are all really big fans of Rapunzel. We have read a few stories from the library about Rapunzel as well as a few in treasuries and one specific version from Paul O. Zelinsky which I hope to add to our shelves eventually (as well as his Rumpelstiltskin and a few others…) and this one was similiar, but also different. I enjoyed how this story had the fairy tale feeling (still a little scary for some, but not with the surprise pregnancy, which I’d rather not have for my youngest preschooler age).

For this book specifically from Sarah Gibb, it’s absolutely beautiful. I was not familiar with her art before, but now I definitely want to go back and buy the books by Ursula Jones illustrated by Sarah Gibb including The Princess Who Had No Kingdom and Beauty and the Beast by Ursula Jones. The artwork is gorgeous and challenging. It is different that one usually finds with a lot of play with shadow and coloring in reverse, but still lovely tone choices and shapes.

This Sarah Gibb version of Rapunzel brings the story off the page and is a true treasure from Albert Whitman & Co. and I’m coming to find more and more that they have some amazing quality books both in actual material quality as well as that which is on the page. I love this one and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for every princess’ shelf.

http://www.sarahgibb.com/

Lights, Cowboy, Action by Lesley Ann McDaniel {Preview}

mama@creativemadnessmama.com — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:01:48 +0000

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today’s Wild Card author is:

Lesley Ann McDaniel

and the book:

Lights, Cowboy, Action

Love Inspired (June 4, 2013)

***Special thanks to Lesley Ann McDaniel for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

LESLEY ANN MCDANIEL is a lifelong lover of words, animals, and musical theatre.

Born in Missoula, Montana, she was one of the original Dwarfs in the Missoula Children’s Theatre’s inaugural production of “Snow White”, which is still touring the world.

While earning a degree in acting at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, she fell in love with theatrical costuming, and pursued that as a career while nurturing her passion for writing on the side. Through God’s guidance, she has shifted her focus to honing her skills as a writer of romance and young adult fiction.

Between working as a homeschooling mom and as a professional theatre costumer, Lesley has completed several novels. She would have done more by now if she didn’t also occasionally stop to clean the house and fold the laundry. Fortunately she loves to cook, so no one in her family has starved yet.

She is a member of the Northwest Christian Writers Association, American Christian Fiction Writers, and a wonderful critique group. A native Montanan and a Big Sky girl at heart, Lesley now resides in the Seattle area with her husband, two daughters, three cats and a big loud dog. In her spare time (ha!) she chips away at her goal of reading every book ever written.

Visit the author’s website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Will COURTNEY JACOBS do whatever it takes to keep her job as personal assistant to an A-list movie actress? While filming in Thornton Springs, Montana, Courtney’s demanding boss insists she set her up with ranch owner ADAM GREENE as a romantic “diversion”. The only problem? Courtney’s fallen for him herself. Now she’s forced to merge the resurrection of her lost faith, her growing love for this town, and her attraction to Adam with her Hollywood career ambitions. What’s a girl to do?

Product Details:

List Price: $4.99

Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages

Publisher: Love Inspired (June 4, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0373486634

ISBN-13: 978-0373486632

AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Courtney Jacobs doubted there could be enough coffee in all of Thornton Springs, Montana to see her through this movie shoot.After filling her paper cup with the morale-boosting brew, she headed back toward the set. All around her, sleep-deprived crew members hustled to transform this charming burg into an old western town. She checked her watch. Seven AM. Within an hour, Keith Kingsley, the temperamental director of North to Montana—N2M to insiders— would be ready to call ‘action’, and he wasn’t exactly known for his patience.

“Move it or bleed!” A rigger bellowed as he charged past, swinging an aluminum grip stand just over her head.

She danced around a coil of electrical cables then sidestepped a set painter as he examined the distressing he’d given a storefront. Wincing as the gaffer shouted out coarse instructions to his crew of lighting techs, she ducked to avoid a swooping boom pole.

A contented sigh slipped through her lips. With just four independent films on her résumé— two a year since graduating from college—she felt lucky to have booked a major studio-backed project so early in her career.

She’d been hired as personal assistant to the star, Angela Bijou—an A-list actress with a reputation for supreme diva behavior and for taking up with her leading men. Angela had made it clear from day one that Jeffrey Mark Caulfield (sizzling from the recent success of The Pharaoh’s Tomb), would be no exception.

The bleep of Courtney’s cell phone drew her from her wandering thoughts. Balancing her still-full cup on the edge of her clipboard, she opened a text from the key costumer.

‘Ms. Bju s neded 4 a finl fttng of hr Act 3 pRT gwn 2moro @ 2. B sur sh’s thr.’

Courtney gnawed at her lower lip. If Ms. Bijou didn’t know about the fttng, it would be one more thing for her to take out on Courtney.

Hurrying down the center of the newly dirt-encrusted street, she clenched her cup between her teeth and shoved her clipboard under her arm. She flicked open the phone keyboard and tapped out a response while dodging a gaggle of grips positioning an old wooden wagon by the edge of the just-built boardwalk.

‘2moro @ 2. No woriez.’

Nearing the area where the first scene of the day would be shot, Courtney hit ‘send’ and scanned the street. Several cast members milled about in costume but—no surprise—Angela wasn’t among them. Giving a cursory glance to the pink berry Swatch she’d been given as a ‘thank you’ from her actress on her last movie, she headed toward the make-up trailer in the hope that Angela had made it to her call on time.

Striding across the set, she drank in the liveliness of her surroundings. It was great being a part of something this vital. So what if her job at the moment was keeping the leading lady on-schedule? She was an indispensable cog in the machine.

“Court-neeey!”

Stopping in her tracks, Courtney spun around to face the familiar angry command. From the first day of rehearsals, Angela Bijou had demonstrated an annoying articulation of Courtney’s name that made the word itself sound like an outright accusation.

“You had better explain what’s going on here!” The woman stormed toward Courtney with a heated, resolute gait and fire in her famous jade green eyes. Her flimsy peach silk cover-up and matching turban signified that she hadn’t yet made it to hair or wardrobe, and screamed look at me—I’m a star.

Courtney opened her mouth to respond, but Angela cut her off with a tirade that rivaled Hurricane Katrina.

“Are you completely incompetent?” Angela screeched as she planted her lithe form two feet from where Courtney stood.

As the blood rose to her face, Courtney became painfully aware that the entire cast and crew had turned to gawk. “What’s the matter, Ms. Bijou?” She fought to keep her tone level.

“What’s the matter?” Angela tossed her platinum pin-curled head back with such force her tiny neck made a faint cracking sound. “The ‘matter’ is that I have no water in my trailer.”

Courtney let that register. All this fuss over a plumbing problem?

“D’eau Douce.” Angela crossed her willowy arms. “Imported from France. Does that ring a bell? I’m supposed to have four sixteen ounce bottles chilling in my trailer every morning when I arrive.”

“Oh….” Courtney skimmed her memory. “For…drinking?”

“Yes, for drinking.” Angela gave her a scowl that implied she should audition for the next season of American Idiot. “I wash my face in pure Norwegian spring water, which by the way I didn’t see in there either.”

Courtney heard herself utter something about making a few phone calls to Norway as she took a giant step backward.

“Look,” Angela apparently wasn’t done yelling. “I need sixty-four ounces a day. How else am I supposed to keep my skin so youthful and clear?” She drew her fingertips across her youthful, clear cheek for emphasis. “Every. Single. Day.”

“Uh… okay, Ms. Bijou.” Courtney scribbled out a note on the top page of her clipboard as she took a half-step in what she hoped was the direction of water of all desirable nationalities. A thought stopped her cold. “Was that sixty-four ounces of the drinking water or the washing kind?”

Angela’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t play dumb. Obviously, you knew about this.”

Gripping her half-cup of tepid coffee between her thumb and her index finger, Courtney flipped through the papers on her clipboard as if to exonerate herself from this allegation. She knew nothing about her actress’ water preference and made a mental note to be sure always to ask in the future.

With what she hoped would read as a competent smile, she turned to go, smacking into a carpenter as he flew past with an armload of railroad ties. Coffee flew from her cup, splashing across her papers and down the front of her sea green t-shirt. She winced.

Angela’s shrieky voice rang out from behind. “Check my contract! I need my water every day I’m on the set. I’m supposed to have it!”

Courtney clutched her clipboard to her stained front and darted toward what appeared to be a grocery store in the next block. If the last five minutes were any indication of things to come, this shoot was going to be a nightmare.

***

“Yessir, this is just about the biggest thing that’s ever happened in this town.” Cal wiped his hands on his apron and stretched a long gaze out the front window of his general store.

Casting a dubious glance at Cal from under the brim of his Stetson, Adam Greene drew in a long breath. It was great that the movie people were boosting the town’s flagging economy, but apart from that he really didn’t see what all the fuss was about. “Say Cal, you got any of those red lentils left? Janessa made a killer stew last week and I’d like her to surprise us with a repeat performance.”

Cal wrested his attention away from the window. “That sister ‘a yours is gettin’ to be more like your mama every day. A regular Mary Stewart.”

Adam grinned. “I think you mean Martha. Martha Stewart. Don’t tell Janessa that, though. She’s dead set against the idea of making some lucky man a great wife someday.”

Cal’s head bobbed as he grabbed a jar of beans off a shelf. “Still determined to get outta Dodge now that she’s graduated high school, eh?”

“She’s got plans.” Adam studied a barrel of apples. “Nothing wrong with that.”

“Not a thing. I just know you and your mama will miss her is all.”

“True.” Grabbing the brown bag of lentils Cal had filled for him, Adam raised an earnest smile. He had a full seven years on his baby sister and had been the man of the house since their father’s death when Adam was fifteen. It was strange to think of her leaving the nest. “Far be it from me to stand in the way of an ambitious female—”

Abruptly, the front door burst open and in flew a young woman gripping a clipboard and a paper cup. She pushed a strand of sandy blonde hair from her forehead with the rim of the cup as she scanned the store, urgency fairly sparking from her hazel eyes. Adam’s gaze dawdled a little longer than he liked to consider gentlemanly.

As she surged purposefully toward the counter, his eyes followed. She looked young and pretty in a fresh-faced, no make-up sort of way. Judging from the walkie-talkie clipped to her belt, she must be some sort of behind-the-scenes worker, not an actress. A corner of his mouth lifted. Maybe having the movie people in town wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all.

Cal lit up. “What can I do for you, young lady?”

She spoke with a resolute clip. “Please tell me you carry D’eau Douce.”

The smile slid from Cal’s face. “Doe Do…what?”

“It’s French.” She tapped the clipboard with the cup and scouted around some more.

Sensing that Cal could use a hand on this one, Adam stepped up to the counter. “Excuse me, ma’am. Maybe I can help…uh…translate?”

“Sure.” Avoiding his gaze, she continued to search the shelves. “Do you speak ‘actress’?”

“I’m sorry, no.” While he felt for her obvious United Nations dilemma, he couldn’t help but dwell on how pretty she was. “What exactly is this thing you’re looking for?”

“Water.” She moved a few feet to peruse the refrigerator case where Cal kept the milk and juice. “What kind of mineral water do you carry?”

Adam cast an amused glance at Cal, whose expression had grown even more befuddled.

“I don’t…I mean….” Cal stammered.

Seeing where this was going, Adam chimed in. “You’ll be hard pressed to find any of those fancy bottled waters here, ma’am.”

As her head snapped toward him, their eyes met for the first time. “No water? But what do people here drink?”

Adam tipped a shrug. “We drink well water, mostly. We’ve got the best mountain spring water you’ve ever tasted. I’d be happy to—”

“No. I mean…thank you.” Shifting the cup to the hand that held the clipboard, she pulled a cell phone out of a pouch on her waistband, and started punching in numbers as she moved toward the door. Looking back, her eyes rested briefly on Adam. “Thanks anyway.” With a slight smile, she yanked open the door and bolted out.

Leaning against the counter, Adam pushed his hat back a touch and folded his arms.

Cal gave him a good-natured cuff to the bicep. “Shouldn’t you be finishing that shopping?”

“Shopping?” Adam nodded slowly. “Oh. Right.”

***

Courtney surveyed the street as she darted toward the set, her hope of finding a specialty food store growing dimmer by the second. Her mind whirred. The only thing she could think of was to call the safe, actress-free office of her BFF back in L.A.

“Sheila Macintosh here.”

Courtney breathed out relief at the familiar greeting. “Thank goodness you’re there.”

“Hey, Court.” Sheila let out a little titter. “Don’t tell me you’re homesick already.”

“Not unless by ‘homesick’ you mean ‘desperately missing the Von’s delivery boy’.” Courtney firmed her resolve. “Sheil, I need you to do me a huge favor.”

“Is it a favor for you or for Angela Bijou, ’cause you know I don’t cater to queen bees.”

“Consider it a favor to your best friend who wants to stay employed. I need you to source some bottled water for me. I’ll give you all my info so you can order it and have it billed to the movie.”

“They don’t have water in Montana?” Sheila quipped. “How do they get the mountains so green?”

“Funny. Of course they have water, just not the right kind.” Courtney stopped walking, not wanting anyone of importance to overhear her plight. “Will you do it?”

“I’m ready to write.” Sheila’s tone warmed. “Just remember, you owe me a dinner at Mr. Chow when you get back.”

“On my salary? Better make it Del Taco.” Courtney rattled off the details of Angela’s demand, hoping this wouldn’t be the first of many. “Tell them I need it ASAP. Hire a private jet if you need to.”

Sheila grunted. “Movie people are weird.”

“You said it.” She started walking again.

“Before you go,” Sheila’s voice grew coy. “You have to tell me. Is Jeffrey Mark Caulfield as hot in a cowboy hat as he is in a pith helmet?”

“I haven’t seen him in costume yet.” Courtney’s mind wandered back to the store she’d left a few minutes before—to that tall, handsome hottie in the dusty blue jeans and well-worn boots. “He’s got nothing on the real cowboys out here, though.”

“Oh really?” Sheila crooned. “Any one in particular?”

“Well…” Courtney’s face flushed. What was she doing? She had far too much to deal with to let herself get distracted by an admittedly attractive guy. Especially one she most likely wouldn’t even run into again. Still, she couldn’t lie, especially to Sheila. “Okay, yes. One that I just met was…movie star handsome. And nice too. Really nice.”

“Uh huh. So they grow ’em handsome out there. Must be in the water.”

Courtney smiled. “Yeah, the mountain spring water.”

“So, you will be coming home when this movie is finished shooting, right? Or will you be changing your name to Mrs. Handsome Cowboy and learning to rope cattle?”

Courtney sneered at the phone. “Oh, you are so very funny. Just get my water ordered and pray I still have my job by the time it gets here.”

“Sure thing. Oh, and that’s not the only thing I’ll be praying for, Mrs. Handsome Cowboy.”

Clicking her cell phone shut, Courtney took a deep breath. Sure that guy seemed really great but this was the last thing she needed. She was here to do a job, not fall for some guy who lived a world away from everything important to her. Letting herself get caught up in thinking about him would just be irresponsible.

Her pace slowed as she neared the set. Why did Angela’s personal drought suddenly not feel quite so urgent? Thinking about the cowboy seemed to have a mysterious calming effect on her. She shook it off. With a major problem to solve, she had too much on her mind to leave her head in the clouds.

Cinderella by Sarah L. Thomson

mama@creativemadnessmama.com — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:30:00 +0000

I received a copy of this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. See full disclosure at close of post or read my disclosure policy for more details. *Thanks to Amazon Vine for providing material for review.*

Cinderella by Sarah L. Thomson
Illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli
Based on the Charles Perrault Fairy Tale
Genre: Children’s Picture Book – Fairy Tales
Pages: 32 Jacketed Hardcover
Date Published: September 18th, 2012
Publisher: Amazon Children’s Publishing

This story of Cinderella is based on the version collected and published by the seventeenth-century author Charles Perrault. Perrault’s Cinderella echoes the elegance and luxury of the French court of King Louis XIV, and it’s from his version that we get the famous glass slippers. Sarah L. Thomson’s beautiful retelling of the classic fairy tale is matched with the uniquely stunning artwork of Nicoletta Ceccoli. This is a picture book to treasure.

The first thing that brought my attention to this book was the lovely cover and childlike face of Cinderella portrayed here. This is a beautiful book and I’m enchanted by it and continually being impressed with the quality of books from Amazon Children’s Publishing. This is a lovely retelling of the fairy tale appropriate for all ages with no scary or really “mean” parts (outside of sleeping on a hearth with no bed to call her own) but there is just enough moral lessons to go around.

As a mother of a three year old it was interesting to discover the Disney Animator’s Collection of princess dolls and watch my daughter like those images of a toddler age doll (like herself) over the adult or true to illustration versions that match movies. So when I look at this book that portrays Cinderella and her stepsisters’ faces with very young and childlike qualities I knew it would be a hit and it is. Seeing the child Cinderella is bringing even more imagination out in my own child and she retells the story as she is the princess or she her friend. While I’m sure she could have gotten there with different and perhaps older aged illustrations these are fabulous to look at and for age. Can we say boom inspired dress up and imaginative play?!

http://www.sarahlthomson.com/

A Bride for All Seasons: The Mail Order Bride Collection

mama@creativemadnessmama.com — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:00:35 +0000

A Bride for All Seasons: The Mail Order Bride Collection
Stories by Margaret Brownley, Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher and Debra Clopton
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Pages: 400 Paperback
Date Published: June 18th, 2013
Publisher: Thomas Nelson

1800s mail-order bride catalogs facilitated many happy marriages. Here are the stories of four couples who owe their wedded bliss to creative editing by The Hitching Post publisher.

“And Then Came Spring”-Margaret Brownley

When mail order bride Mary-Jo Parker arrives in town she receives the shock of her life; not only is her fiancé dead, he left behind an eight-year-old son he neglected to mention. But the biggest challenge of all is the boy’s way-too-handsome uncle.

“An Ever-After Summer”-Debra Clopton

Widower Matt McConnell wrote his ad with no room for misunderstanding-Bible believers need not apply. But then Bible-thumping Ellie shows up on his doorstep. Matt’s so desperate for her help that he accepts.

“Autumn’s Angel”-Robin Lee Hatcher

Luvena Abbott’s privileged childhood didn’t prepare her for the hardship she now faces as an adult, especially when it comes to being the guardian of her nieces and nephew. Marriage seems the only answer to her dilemma. Clay Birch hopes to change the hurdy-gurdy house he won in a poker game into the finest opera house in the Northwest, but he’ll need help to do it. Could this unlikely couple actually be the perfect match?

“Winter Wedding Bells”-Mary Connealy

David Laramie is looking for a woman to care for his children. In exchange he’ll make her financially comfortable for life. But no woman wants to marry a dying man. Then Megan responds to his ad. It seems his “edited” letter contained no mention of him dying.

Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret Brownley penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, “Maybe God’s calling you to write fiction.”

It turns out God was and Margaret did. She now has more than 20 novels to her credit. In addition, she’s written many Christian articles and a non-fiction book. Still, it took a lot of prodding from God before Margaret tried her hand at writing inspirational fiction which led to her Rocky Creek series. “I love writing about characters at different stages of faith,” she says of the new direction her writing career has taken, “and I’m here to stay.”

Happily married to her real-life hero, Margaret and her husband live in Southern California.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy…with cowboys. http://www.maryconnealy.com
She is a Carol Award winner, and a Rita and Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the author of bestselling Kincaid Brides Series: Out of Control, In Too Deep, Over the Edge. Her work also includes Lassoed in Texas Trilogy, Montana Marriages Trilogy and Sophie’s Daughters Trilogy. She also wrote Ten Plagues–a romantic thriller, and The Historical Society Murders–three cozy mysteries, under the name Mary Nealy. Mary is married to a Nebraska rancher and has four grown daughters and two spectacular grandchildren.

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 60 novels. Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon and Pinky the feline terror. Join her on her Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/robinleehatcher) and/or Twitter and/or her Write Thinking blog.

Debra Clopton is an award winning, multi-published novelist. http://www.debraclopton.com/

Cinderella by Jane Ray

mama@creativemadnessmama.com — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

I received a copy of this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. See full disclosure at close of post or read my disclosure policy for more details. *Thanks to Candlewick Press for providing material for review.*

Cinderella by Jane Ray
Genre: Children’s Pop-Up Book – Fairy Tales
Pages: 12 Theater Pop-Up Hardcover 10 5/8″ x 8 7/16″
Date Published: September 2012
Publisher: Candlewick Press

Charming three-dimensional scenes transform the story of Cinderella into a fairy-tale gift to treasure.

Jane Ray’s layered cut-paper artwork elegantly retells the time-honored tale of a scullery maid turned royalty. Six meticulously detailed tableaux include a shabby kitchen, a gorgeous nightscape in a magical garden, and a sparkling ballroom filled with nobles, as well as Cinderella’s iconic gilded pumpkin coach. Side panels unfold to reveal the story’s text and evoke an evening at the theater. Little girls who dream of fairy godmothers will adore this unique portrayal of the world’s most famous princess — no glass slippers required.

Read on December 12, 2012 – I own a copy.

Pop up books always provide plenty to look at and seemingly something new each time. However I’m always hesitant to get one because those with pull, push, and turn levers always tear and do not last. This is a hearty book with double thick flaps on each side of the dual pages that open like curtains on the stage. Simple flaps that will last and not tear easily if handled appropriately.

I love this book and I’m completely enchanted. I definitely wouldn’t mind adding others of Jane Rey’s creatively shaped books to my shelf. My three year old is getting to be familiar with various fairy tales and Cinderella is one of them and thus this book had her open mouthed and silently just watching. She was watching and examining each page looking to see what was going on and coming next. It’s an experience and a memory not soon to be forgotten.

The book is suggested for ages five and up and while I’ll let my preschooler look at it with me I would not leave it out unsupervised less she get to curious and think something “should move”. This book would make a great addition to anyone’s shelf and an excellent gift.

Jane Ray is the author-illustrator of SNOW WHITE, THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, THE DOLLHOUSE FAIRY, and THE APPLE-PIP PRINCESS and the illustrator of CLASSIC FAIRY TALES by Berlie Doherty. Jane Ray lives in London.

Psalm 23 by Richard Jesse Watson

mama@creativemadnessmama.com — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:00:34 +0000

Psalm 23 by Richard Jesse Watson
Commentary by Rick Warren
Genre: Christian Children’s Picture Book
Pages: 32 Jacketed Hardcover
Date Published: February 5th, 2013
Publisher: Zondervan

In this follow-up to his bestselling children’s book, The Lord’s Prayer, illustrator Richard Jesse Watson brings to life the beloved Psalm 23. Watson’s use of vibrant color and detailed imagery beautifully captures the essence of the comforting words of David, bringing the King James Version of Psalm 23 alive for readers young and old.

I have eagerly been waiting for the release of Psalm 23 after falling in love with the artwork and the simplicity of scripture verse in The Lord’s Prayer and now that I have my hands on an advanced copy I’m in love. Definitely one to want a real copy and definitely one to recommend. The illustrations are absolutely lovely. Being able to flip through each page and just look, sharing the scripture divided up in easy to memorize bits and discussing the contemporary mix of historical imagery of lamb, child and lion with my young daughter is priceless. Richard Jesse Watson has true talent with art and I’ll be looking for others and hopefully for more scripture and verse ones in the future. Beautiful for your shelves and a great way to introduce memory verses.

— Update on a real copy.

This is gorgeous and a beautiful way to teach an reinforce memorizing scripture. I loved The Lord’s Prayer from Richard Jesse Watson and love this picture book for Psalm 23 also. I hope they keep more and more coming. We will definitely be interested in them. Oh, and I heard they are going to have a board book format too, sounds wonderful!

Alrighty, Who Missed the Creative Madness Mama?!

mama@creativemadnessmama.com — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 17:23:16 +0000

I’m back! Now, calm down. I know you’re excited but just because you’re squealing at home looking at your screen doesn’t translate over the internet. So just give me a poke to let me know that you know I’m back. These last two years have been crazy, I mean crazy! Without getting too wordy, let me see if I can give you an update.

It’s been at least since mid May since AppleBlossom was sick. OrangeBlossom was last ill on June 3rd and we’re experimenting to see if we can figure out what is wrong. She and I have been gluten and dairy free since June 3rd in hopes that if it is a food allergy that might alleviate things. Last checked her platelet count was still low and she is still bruising, but they seem to be transitioning in color faster than before, so that’s a good sign. The plan is to continue the diet throughout the end of June and then slowly introduce each thing and watch for a reaction. AppleBlossom has not been gluten or dairy free, but she hasn’t been sick again either, so I do not know if there is an allergy or intolerance issue or not. It still could have just been a virus that wouldn’t go away or rather returned more than a dozen times, but that is very peculiar.

I haven’t quilted in forever and keep drooling over my machine that I think I’m going to have to schedule time to play with it. Maybe I’ll need to wake up earlier… add in a me-only devotion time and sewing time. That sounds appealing…

I’m gathering supplies for Memoria Press Kindergarten this fall, and I’m ecstatic! The more and more I go through both the lesson plans and the enrichment guide the more excited I am. AppleBlossom can now write all over her letters in uppercase.

Eek! I hear the garage door and I guess that chaotic ones are returning home. So much for getting things done today! Hah.

What’s Your Mark? {Preview}

mama@creativemadnessmama.com — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:02:21 +0000

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today’s Wild Card author is:

Jeremy Cowart

and the book:

What’s Your Mark?

Zondervan; Special edition (March 19, 2013)

***Special thanks to Rick Roberson for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning photographer Jeremy Cowart has traveled the globe photographing some of the biggest names in the music and entertainment industries. With boundless energy, indomitable faith and a mind ever-flowing with creative ideas, Cowart appears utterly tireless and rarely stops. There is always something unique and interesting going on in his world, whether it’s starring in an episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, raising money to fight poverty through his Twitter feed, teaching photography online or taking the cover shot for Tim Tebow’s best-selling autobiography.

Born in Nashville, Cowart continues to make Music City his home. Here in the comfort of familiar surroundings he draws continual inspiration from his wife, Shannon, and their two beautiful children, Aidler and Eisley, ages five and seven. Though he clearly considers his craft a labor of joy, when not holding a camera he has time for his favorite pastime which is doing anything that involves his children, and much to his delight, joy around the Cowart home is about to increase as the family is in the process of adopting two children from Haiti.
Visit the author’s website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

What do an actor, a TV producer, a businessman, and a leader in social justice causes have in common? They’re all making their mark on the world because their lives have been eternally marked by Jesus. You’ll be captivated, challenged, and changed as you read their stories in this full-color, fully illustrated softcover book created by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart. With text from the Gospel of Mark, you are invited to ask—and answer—the question “What mark am I making?”

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99

Paperback: 120 pages

Publisher: Zondervan; Special edition (March 19, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310411092

ISBN-13: 978-0310411093

AND NOW…A SNEAK PEEK. CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW THEM LARGER: