Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge

About the Book

Title: Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge  
Author: Susan Barnett Braun  
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction  
Release date: July 25, 2013, and updated with chapters on each of William and Kate’s children

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is known to most of the world as Kate Middleton. She was an ordinary girl on her way to an ordinary life until she met her Prince Charming. Now, she appears on television and in magazines. She wears beautiful, expensive clothing and travels all over the world. One day, she will be Queen of England. But along the way, she was bullied as a schoolgirl and she waited nearly ten years before marrying Prince William. 

Learn more about Kate’s road to royalty in this book! Written at Lexile level 930 (same as the Little House on the Prairie books), this book will appeal to girls eager to learn more about the most popular royal since Princess Diana. Full-color photos; timeline that places Kate’s life events into context next to world historical events

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Thoughts

“One million Britons lined the London streets,

hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couple

either before or after the wedding. On television,

two billion  more were glued to the action.”

As one of those two billion people glued to the TV, I enjoyed Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge by Susan Barnett Braun, an excellent biography for children interested in learning details about Kate Middleton’s life and her journey to become the wife of England’s future King. It’s a fairly short book, but very thorough, concise, and easy to follow. While entertaining and informative in itself, it would also make a great educational resource for children.

I have always admired and enjoyed following the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended to the throne when I was a child. And like many Americans who were later drawn to Charles and Diana, I’ve longed for William and Kate to have a happy marriage. I loved how this book follows Kate from her school years – when a fellow student described her as “ordinary, hard-working, athletic, and easy-going” – through the birth of their third child. Although I was fairly familiar with Kate’s journey, there were some interesting facts that I learned, such as the bullying she experienced at one school and that, at 29, she was the oldest woman to ever marry a future King of England.

I had to laugh at these stats about the college William and Kate attended: “Applications to St. Andrews were up 44% the year the prince started there, and 90% of those extra applicants were female.” The author does a good job at showing a couple who want to be as normal as possible – and, while no lurid details are given, it’s obvious that William and Kate seek to avoid the mistakes of the past.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Author

Susan Barnett Braun earned a BS in retail management from Indiana University and an MA in education from the University of Alabama. She taught for eight years in northeast Indiana, earning a Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship and a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Study Scholarship. 

Susan has had work published in Parents, Children’s Ministry, and The Secret Place. She also writes online for Fort Wayne Visitor’s Bureau and blogs at Girls in White Dresses. 

She is married with three wonderful young adult daughters. Susan enjoys reading, playing piano and organ, and spending her time with her family and pets (currently three rabbits and a chinchilla). She has loved the British Royal Family since Diana came onto the scene back in the 1980s.

Guest Post from Susan

Back in 1981, as a teenager, I woke early to watch Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer. My fascination with the British royal family began with Diana. As a high school senior, I submitted my senior paper topic: Charles and Diana and the royal romance. My teacher was not amused — but once he read the paper, he did enjoy it and asked to keep a copy. 

Over the years, I’ve continued following and enjoying the British royals. When I worked as an elementary teacher, and the next generation of royals came along, I felt that there should be books about Prince William’s wife, Kate. I fondly remembered reading books about Diana when I was younger and felt that today’s girls might be fascinated by Kate in a similar way. I didn’t find many books about Kate, so I decided to write one myself. I learned much while researching Kate (or Catherine, as she prefers to be called). She’s a wonderful role model for girls today in many ways. To name just a few examples: she overcame being bullied by other girls at one of the schools she attended. And, she developed lots of patience during her nine-year courtship with Prince William. 

I hope you and the young people in your life will enjoy this biography of the Duchess.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away a grand prize of a paperback copy of the book and a stuffed Beefeater bear!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the image above or the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/d9a7/kate-middleton-the-duchess-of-cambridge-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

The Power of Words, February 7

Multifarious, February 8

Moments, February 9

Texas Book-aholic, February 10

A Reader’s Brain, February 11

All-of-a-kind Mom, February 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 13

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, February 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 14

Janices book reviews , February 15

Bibliophile Reviews, February 16

Carpe Diem, February 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 18

Just Your Average reviews, February 18

A Baker’s Perspective, February 19

Bigreadersite, February 20

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Kelly's Search for Family by Bertha Schwartz

Welcome to the circulating blog tour and giveaway for The Searchers series of middle grade historical fiction by Bertha Schwartz, hosted by JustRead tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Kelly's Search for Family (Searchers #2)

Author: Bertha Schwartz

Publisher: Ambassador International

Release Date: December 1, 2018

Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction

It's 1880 and Kelly lives alone with her Papa, a lighthouse-keeper in Massachusetts. She longs to know more about her Mama, and Papa has finally promised to tell her the truth on her fourteenth birthday. Before Kelly can learn much though, dangerous men the notorious Blackburn Brothers arrive unannounced and take Papa away. Kelly is left alone and responsible for the lighthouse.

Granny, a former slave and family friend, learns of Kelly's plight and decides to help find the answers to her questions. Mysterious letters, snow storms, and violence threaten Kelly's safe haven as new friends help unearth old secrets in Kelly's lighthouse home. How can she bring her papa back? Who is her true family?

PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Ambassador

MY THOUGHTS

Kelly’s Search for Family is the second stand-alone story in an impressive series for young readers. I would have loved these stories had they been available when I was growing up, and I even enjoyed them as an adult. They are well written, provide good historical detail – and, because of the subject matter, they create excellent opportunities for discussion. I would recommend them for pleasure reading, book reports, or homeschooling resources.

One reason I’ve been looking forward to Kelly’s Search for Family is because of its atmospheric setting – a lighthouse on a small island off the coast of Massachusetts. Kelly’s father is about to convey some long-sought information to fourteen-year-old Kelly about her mother, when he is suddenly taken away by some mysterious men.

The importance of faith and the key part that prayer plays in that faith are clearly conveyed in this story. Timeless themes of forgiveness and a faith that sustains in the midst of hardship are also woven throughout.

Recommended.

I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Please click on the title to see my review of the previous book, Daisy's Search for Freedom

 

BOOKS IN THIS SERIES

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bertha Schwartz is a Swiss Amish transplant to the beautiful farmland of Nappanee, Indiana. She loves spending time with family and friends, including fifty-two nieces and nephews. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, sewing, and reading. 

Raised near the lovely Swiss city of Berne, Indiana, Swiss is her mother-language. Languages and different dialects are a special interest of hers.

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive:

• a set of all 3 books in The Searchers series (US only)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight January 9, 2019 and lasts through 11:59pm February 4, 2019. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops - and remember to visit the tour each week for more posts.

Review: Daisy's Search for Freedom by Bertha Schwartz

Daisy’s Search for Freedom
By Bertha Schwartz
The Searchers #1
Ambassador International, 2018


Summary

It’s the 1850s and Daisy, a slave girl from Alabama, is thrilled when her Mama is brought to her plantation to be the new cook. Six Oaks Plantation has been Daisy’s home for years, and the future looks bright now that she and her Mama have been reunited. The happiness doesn’t last, though, when a dangerous encounter with a notorious slave hunter endangers Daisy’s life. She has no choice but to run. Leaving behind everything she has ever known, Daisy strikes out alone on the Underground Railroad.

Daisy’s search for freedom leads her deep into the woods. Along the way she is joined by Simon, a four-year-old boy and his pet kitten. Pursued by dogs, uncertainty, and a slave tracker determined to capture them by any means necessary, Daisy starts to wonder if she will ever be safe again. Does Jesus care about runaway slaves lost in the woods?

Daisy's Search for Freedom contains thought-provoking discussion questions for young readers.

CBD │ B&N │ Amazon


My thoughts

Opening in Alabama during the 1850s, Daisy’s Search for Freedom is a suspenseful, emotional, educational, and inspirational read. It brings history to life for young readers and introduces us to the young slave girl, Daisy, who captured my heart. The author put a lot of care into the writing of this novel, for it touches on the atrocities of slavery without going into great detail or being overly graphic, and is definitely age appropriate for middle-grade readers. I enjoyed this story personally and loved seeing the people of the Underground Railroad in action.

Because Daisy had been taught to read, a crime for slaves, she was able to decipher code and pass on messages related to the Underground Railroad. Cruelty was prevalent, but so was kindness and courage. There are several twists and turns, right up to a surprise ending that I loved.

Daisy’s courage and simple trust in God are an inspiration for us all. She exemplifies how, with God’s guidance, we can rise to meet a need, doing more than we’re normally capable of. Thought-provoking discussion questions are also provided, making this story an excellent teaching tool.

Recommended for readers in the middle grades and also as an educational tool – book reports, home-school curriculum, etc. There are two more books in the Searchers series which are well worth looking into: Kelly’s Search for Family and Sarah’s Search for Treasure.

I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Bertha Schwartz is a Swiss Amish transplant to the beautiful farmland of Nappanee, Indiana. She loves spending time with family and friends, including fifty-two nieces and nephews. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, sewing, and reading.

Raised near the lovely Swiss city of Berne, Indiana, Swiss is her mother-language. Languages and different dialects are a special interest of hers.

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Why Did You Choose Me? by Katie Cruice Smith

November is National Adoption Month, and we're celebrating with the Why Did You Choose Me? Saturday Hop and giveaway, hosted by JustRead Tours and Ambassador International! Every Saturday in November, hop along to the different host blogs and enter the great giveaway!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Why Did You Choose Me?  
Author: Katie Cruice Smith 
Illustrator: Sarah Strickling Jones 
Publisher: Ambassador International 
Release Date: November 12, 2017 
Genre: Children's Picture Book, Adoption

Most adoptive and foster children struggle at some point in their life with knowing who they are and where they belong. They want to ask questions, and parents need to be prepared with an answer that helps their child feel loved and secure.

After searching for adoption storybooks to read to her own adopted children, Katie Cruice Smith decided that there was a need for more books that parents could read at bedtime to connect with their adopted and fostered children.

In Why Did You Choose Me?, Katie Cruice Smith answers that question in a way that young children can understand. Drawing from her own experience as an adoptive mom to three children, Katie uses the questions her own children have asked to help them see there never really was a choice she knew right away that they were hers.

With beautiful illustrations by artist Sarah Strickling Jones, Why Did You Choose Me? lovingly demonstrates the uniqueness that each child brings to a family.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Ambassador International



MY THOUGHTS

I was blessed to grow up in a home where love and security were never in doubt, almost to the point of being taken for granted. Beautifully written and illustrated by Katie Cruice Smith and Sarah Strickling Jones, Why Did You Choose Me? caused me to reflect on what my growing up years could have been like had my situation been different. This book gives voice to a child’s insecurities and questions, and also the parent’s need to communicate feelings of unconditional love, security, and acceptance. Best of all, it opens the door leading to a pathway for that communication.

I’m not familiar with children’s books, but I suspect there’s a void in this area and that Katie Cruice Smith will speak to many adoptive families with these words that God put on her heart, for questions will arise if they haven’t already. This story is easy to read, filled with heartwarming and cute illustrations that will capture a child’s imagination, yet contains a profound message.

Why Did You Choose Me? would be an asset to any church library. It would also be a great gift for adoptive parents, those on the path to adoption, or even someone just thinking about it.

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katie Cruice Smith is a freelance writer, journalist, and editor, and she resides in the Upstate of South Carolina with her husband and three adopted children. Katie is an adoption and foster care advocate, and she and husband are licensed foster parents and the founders of their church’s orphan ministry. She is currently working on a devotional book to accompany Why Did You Choose Me?

CONNECT WITH KATIE: website | Facebook | Twitter
 

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Sarah Strickling Jones enjoys working with oils, acrylics, ceramics, and printmaking. She creates her artwork and teaches students of all ages from her country home. She lives in Greer, South Carolina, with her husband Darren and four children: Trevor, Peyton, Blake, and Renea. Why Did You Choose Me? is Sarah Strickling Jones’ first illustrated children’s book in watercolor.

CONNECT WITH SARAH: Facebook

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive

• a print copy of Why Did You Choose Me?
• "For This Child I Prayed" ornament (more info HERE)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 3, 2018 and last through 11:59pm December 1, 2018. US only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Follow along at JustRead for a full list of stops/dates!

Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: Fallen Leaves by Tessa Emily Hall

Welcome to the blog tour & giveaway for Fallen Leaves by Tessa Emily Hall, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Fallen Leaves  
Author: Tessa Emily Hall  
Publisher: Illuminate YA Fiction  
Release Date: October 26, 2018  
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction  

Selena Taylor thought her only worry this fall was starting her junior year at a new arts school in North Carolina, miles away from home. But when she finds out her mom could graduate from rehab sooner than expected—even worse, she could work for her former nothing-but-trouble boss—Selena's determined to create a new life for them. Back in her childhood Kentucky hometown.

Step one? Track down her dad and brother that she hasn't seen in eight years. Her anxiety is put to the test, though, when she unveils a truth that could threaten her dreams. Add to that an art competition that pushes her outside of her comfort zone and a girl who seems determined to come between Selena and her hopeful boyfriend.

Soon Selena must decide whether or not to continue her search for her dad and brother. But is there any hope that the ruins of her broken family could be resurrected? And how could God possibly have a purpose in the midst of these changing seasons?  

PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon

MY THOUGHTS

Let me begin by saying that I wish Christian fiction like this had been around when I was a teen. Fallen Leaves is a YA novel that is entertaining, poignant, and filled with inspiration for our daily walk. Tessa Emily Hall has crafted characters that are relatable and who deal with situations applicable to any young adult. Although picking up where the previous novel, Purple Moon, left off, adequate background is provided so that I had no trouble getting into the story. I am thrilled to find a YA Christian novel of this quality and have no hesitancy in recommending it to all teens.

Another description comes to my mind, and that is realistic. Real-life situations and addictions are dealt with tactfully and with a message that readers can take to heart. Selena’s mom had “broken the promise of a ‘new beginning,’ leaving me to become her caregiver once again,” and is soon to graduate from rehab when the story opens. I loved the art theme, as Selena is accepted into the prestigious Lake Lure Academy of the Arts in North Carolina. The artistic part of me (musician) makes it easy to connect with Selena’s creative sketching & painting. “Art is a mirror of our souls; a reflection of our deepest longings and emotions.”

Selena is also a new Christian, and I so easily identified with not only her spiritual growth, but occasional steps backward. Selena’s dreams are to reunite her broken family, and to see the relationship with her boyfriend strengthen. The overall message is the timeless issue of trust … giving control to God and trusting that He is good, even when things don’t work out as we’d like, and that His plans are better than anything we could ever come up with.

This story of grace and hope comes to a very satisfying conclusion, and yet is open for much more to come. What makes Fallen Leaves work so well is that Tessa Emily Hall has a heart for teens that shines through her words. To give a hint of what readers can look forward to, I’ll end with this beautiful closing passage …

     There’s a lot of hurt that’s been buried in my heart over the years. Brokenness in our family that might take some time to repair.
     But I also know that these imperfections can give Him the opportunity to make something new. Something that will be even more beautiful than it was to begin with. Because these cracks in our family? I have a feeling they’ll only allow for more of His light to shine through.
     Perhaps that’s why God created autumn … Because He knew that, on the other side of death, new life beckons.

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tessa Emily Hall writes inspirational yet authentic books for teens to show them they’re not alone—and because she remembers the teen life like it was yesterday (or a few years ago). 

In addition to being a frequent contributor to both online and print publications, Tessa’s debut novel was published while still in her teens. She’s the founder and editor-in-chief of PursueMagazine.net, a Christian teen magazine, and enjoys mentoring other young writers. 

She’s guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. Tessa’s favorite way to procrastinate is by connecting with readers on her blog, email list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: http://www.tessaemilyhall.com.

Connect with Tessa: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a FALL KIT, consisting of:

• a signed copy of Fallen Leaves,
• book swag
• a fall candle
• Starbucks Instant Pumpkin Spice Latte

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 8, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm October 15, 2018. Void where prohibited by law. US addresses only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustReadTours for a full list of stops!

Spotlight + GIVEAWAY: Cindy Vincent and "The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks"

       Readers, I want to introduce you to Cindy Vincent – a talented author, woman of faith, and dear friend. Cindy, who loves both cats and mysteries as much as I do, writes the inspirational Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective series.
       I first met Cindy almost four years ago when reviewing her sweet devotional, Cats Are Part of His Kingdom, Too (please click on title to see my review), a thoughtful collection of meditations that will touch any cat lover. Not long after that, I discovered her delightful Buckley & Bogey mysteries, one of my all-time favorite series. What I love about these stories is that they are fun and entertaining on one level, but they also subtly teach Christian values – like respect, teamwork, gratefulness, reaching out to people with disabilities, etc. They’re great for young readers and for the young at heart of all ages.
       I’m excited about this series, as you can surely tell – because of the enjoyment factor, but also because of all the Christian lifestyle teaching opportunities. If you haven’t already discovered Buckley and Bogey, I hope you’ll try one of these stories soon.

Here’s my review of two books from the Buckley and Bogey series:
The Case of the Jewel Covered Cat Statues
The Case of the Clever Secret Code

I’ve asked Cindy to tell us about Buckley and Bogey’s Christmas story, The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks. This would make a great gift for young readers or as a read-aloud family story. Now enjoy as Cindy shares about Buckley and Bogey’s Christmas story …


Q: Cindy, please tell us a little about The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks.

First, thank you so much, Carole, for hosting me here today!  It’s always a pleasure to be part of “The Power of Words!”

       The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks is the second book in my Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Capers series.  In this book, Buckley, a two-year-old Maine Coon Cat, is spending his first Christmas with his new forever family, after being adopted from the local cat shelter.  Being a naturally nervous guy, Buckley is a little scared when he first sees the Christmas tree going up in his home.  But Bogey, his older brother, takes him under his paw, hands him a couple of cat treats to calm him down, and starts to explain about Christmas.
       Minutes later, Officer Phoebe Smiley of the St. Gertrude Police Department arrives to let everyone know about a recent break-in in the neighborhood. Days later, another robbery takes place just a few houses away, and before long, the Christmas Crooks have hit homes all over town.  And since Buckley and Bogey are worried their own home and family may fall victim to these brazen burglars, the boys set out to solve the case and uncover the identity of the crooks.  Their investigation leads them all over St. Gertrude, including their mom's antique store and a local Christmas craft fair, where they meet some interesting and sometimes scary suspects — both human and feline.  Along the way, Buckley continues his quest to understand Christmas, and the boys engage all the cats in the house to help protect their family.  Their action plan is put to the test one dark night when someone starts pounding on their door . . .


Q: What was the inspiration for The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks?

       As you know, my own cats, Buckley and Bogey, are the inspiration behind this series. We had adopted Bogey first, and as a kitten living in a house with three much older female cats, he was pretty bored. Naturally, he wanted to play 24/7, but the older girls had no intention of playing, and we soon realized that Bogey needed a brother.  So we adopted Buckley, too, after seeing him at a Petco adoption center.  Within five minutes of meeting, the two boys became best friends and have been inseparable ever since.  And because they seemed to explore our house together every night, we joked about them "running surveillance" to make sure the place was secure.  That's when the idea hit me — Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Capers.
       But the idea of writing a Christmas book came to me after Buckley's first Christmas with us.  He was both fascinated and nervous as the tree and decorations came out of storage and went up around the house.  Bogey, who'd already been through one Christmas, seemed to take the lead and show Buckley around the trees and decorations.  It was as though he was explaining it all to his little brother and telling him not to be afraid, that Christmas was "the best."  I knew right then that I had to write a Christmas book as one of their mysteries.


Q: What are your favorite scenes in this book?

       Ha! This is a hard question to answer, since, of all the books I’ve written, Buckley and Bogey’s Christmas adventure is very near and dear to my heart. But even so, two scenes stand out to me. The first is the night when Buckley accidentally gets locked out of the house, and he cuddles up next to Baby Jesus in the Nativity scene in the front yard.  He looks up at the night sky, and tries to find the brightest star, thinking of the star that led people to where Jesus was born.
       And my second favorite scene has to do with the ending of the book.  I can’t say more, so that I don’t spoil it for anyone, but there was a part where I found myself shedding a few happy tears as I wrote the words.


Q: Is there a single character that really touched your heart and why?

The Buckley character is probably the most special to me, since he is so anxious and fearful about every new thing he encounters.  Yet he somehow manages to swallow that fear and go on to do brave and daring things.  He even ends up saving others, despite his own anxieties.  That to me is the mark of a true hero.  It's easy to be brave when you're not afraid, but much more of a stretch when you are terrified.


Q: How has this story touched your life?

       I'm always a little surprised whenever I finish writing a book.  I look back and think, now where did that come from?  I especially like the "feel good" ending on this book, which takes place right on Christmas Eve.  Not only did I have the chance to write about the true meaning and spirit of Christmas, but I got to feel it the whole time I was typing away.  And since Christmas is my favorite time of the year, this book holds a special place in my heart.  As the story talks about the joy of giving rather than receiving, I feel like this book is my Christmas present to my readers.  Though in all honesty, I’m the one who has been blessed, as writing and publishing this book has brought so many wonderful people across my path, and I am always thankful for that!
       And I’m very thankful that I met you, too, Carole, during one of our blog tours. You are such a blessing to so many!  Thank you again for hosting us.  Buckley and Bogey send hugs your way.  Here’s wishing you a very merry and blessed Christmas, and all the best in 2018!

Cindy, it has been an honor to have you visit, and your most gracious giveaway is greatly appreciated. I hope you’ll be back very soon.

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GIVEAWAY

Three winners will be awarded a copy of The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks plus Cindy’s new Christmas novella, Yes, Carol … It’s Christmas! To enter, please do the following:

1) Click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here letting me know you shared;
2) Briefly tell about your favorite Christmas tradition.

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Wednesday, January 3. Each winner will be contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents

Review: Eden: The Animals' Parable

Eden: The Animals’ Parable
By Keith Korman
Liberty Island, 2016


Summary

"Ask the animals, and they will teach you." -Job 12:7

Experience the Gospels in a way that you never imagined.

In this beautifully inspired retelling of the Gospels, we see Jesus and his disciples in the Holy Land through the eyes of the animals---especially his intrepid and loyal dog, Eden.

With a wise, old donkey, innocent lambs, and legions of curious field mice---the animals follow their master's journey across Galilee and onto Jerusalem, rapt with awe and wonder and bearing great tidings---even if they don't fully comprehend the divine events they witness.

Simple, clear, and spiritually profound, Eden is for readers of all ages, this artful retelling is captivating, moving, and alive with the joy you felt the first time you opened the Bible.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2icLyBY


My thoughts

Eden: The Animals' Parable is a unique book and I loved it. The reader becomes an eyewitness to the life of Jesus, from birth to resurrection, through the eyes of the animal kingdom. The story is well written and I was impressed by how seamlessly it flowed. I was also surprised by how completely I was pulled into the narrative. The original artwork by Lisa Paris is creative and adds interest. 

Allegory or parable is a great vehicle for giving fresh approach and insight to something that is very familiar to most of us. Each day was filled with new experiences for Eden, the Master's dog, and I was inspired by letting myself feel the same. Honestly, I really felt like I was there. I couldn't help but think of the many Scripture references that talk about all creation giving praise.

Eden: The Animals' Parable is a touching book for all ages and a great way to share the Gospel with children. I think anyone reading this story to young children would have their undivided attention. And what a wonderful message to end with . . .

      The animals left the Gardener behind the garden wall and once more trotted to catch up. Maryam was glad to see them and put her arm over Samson's neck as they walked along.
      "Where shall we go now?" the donkey asked.
      Eden ran on ahead. "Everywhere," she barked.
      "Who shall we tell?" asked the littlest lamb.
      "Everyone!" Eden said.

Recommended.

I was provided a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Keith Korman is a literary agent and novelist. Over the years he has represented many nationally-known writers of fiction and non-fiction at his family's literary agency, Raines & Raines. The idea for Eden first came to him as a child when he saw the little calf jump across the stable in the prelude to William Wyler's Ben Hur. And he's been thinking about it ever since. 

Website | Facebook

http://litfusegroup.com/author/kkorman