"Once Upon A Baby: A Tale of Adoption"

FIRST, MY U.S.A. FRIENDS, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TODAY IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO ALREADY! :)

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Welcome to my stop in this blog tour.  A big thank you to Kathy @I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting and author Shari Guess for this opportunity to read and review this book.  Be sure to stop by the Tour Page and check out others who are participating in the tour.  Then after reading my review, enter for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card and a printed copy of this book at the end of this post. 

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by Shari Guess, YR, 2012, 28p, rating=4
Source: provided by author for review
Find Book:  Amazon | BYU | Author's Website | LDS Bookstore

A heartwarming tale of LDS Adoption. Follow a child's journey from the Pre-existence to his family's home on Earth. The divine guidance of the Savior, along with the love and prayers of both birth and adoptive parents are gently and lovingly portrayed in this tender story of the ultimate "Happily ever after".

I can imagine that at some point an adopted child might have some questions about his place in the family.  Should this occur during the early years, this sweet picture book would serve as a wonderful resource that will help answer those questions or at least get the conversation going. 

What I particularly like about this interpretation was the emphasis on how important and wanted the adopted child was from the very beginning.  Because this was based on true spiritual principles, this rendition was able to capture that great love for the adopted child.  This tale provided assurance that the adopted child was especially placed with the rightful parents through fervent prayers from the receiving parents and the "tummy mommies" to a loving Heavenly Father.  Moreover, declaring that the adopted child maintains his place in the family for good ... for eternity!  How precious is that?!  Well done, Ms Guess.

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Praise:
"Shari Guess has written a "must read" for every LDS family. She made a relevant issue for our time seem simple, yet to the heart."
~Brenton G. Yorgason, PhD

"I cried grateful tears to finally find a book for our children that explains their unique place within our family in a spiritual way."
~Nancy Reynolds, CA

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Find Author: Facebook | Twitter | Website

SHARI GUESS is a proud, first-time children’s book author and lives in rural North Texas where she is “Mom” to her beloved 9-year-old adopted son, Garrett. Happily married to her husband Walter for going on 13 years they share their cabin-in-the-woods with a small herd of Great Danes and farm animals. Shari is currently a part-time real estate agent and property manager and prior to marriage worked for over a decade in the music business, spanning from Los Angeles to Nashville. She wore many hats as a journalist and publicist representing multiple recording artists, magazines and music publishing companies, along with being a part-time performing artist and songwriter. Her hobbies include choral, Americana and rock music, martial arts, photography, travel and anything in the mountains.

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Tour Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card + copy of Once Upon a Baby
Copy of Once Upon a Baby
(Book available to US & Canada only)
Ends 11/30/12

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Giveaway is the same in all tour stops.  Please see host for complete giveaway details)

Book Loot Giddy

Yay, I received a book in the mail!  I finally won a picture book for my little four year old.  I had won books for his older brother and sister, now he gets finally gets one too!  Thanks Mr. Goodman!!

Won:

title We're All Different but We're All Kitty Cats: First Day of School (Thanks Kathy @I Am A Reader, Not A Writer)

author Goodman, Peter J.

Kindle Freebie:

title All I Want for Christmas is You

author Mondello, Lisa

title Learn To Love Me

author MacDughlas, Sinead

title The Seven Gods of Luck

author Kudler, David

Leonardo Dicaprio Life Snapshots And Biography

by Youssef Sherief

For Review:

title GPS with Benefits

author Morgan, Vanessa

title Jeremy's Christmas Journey

author Johnson, Scott

title Open Adoption, Open Heart: An Adoptive Father's Inspiring Journey

author Elkins, Russell

How about you?  Get any fun loot?

Books Reviewed in Collage

Picture collage of books I reviewed

September and October 2012

It was a rough couple of months in reviewing.  My reading and blogging took the backseat to a busy life. 

I have no absolute favorites in this batch but as honorable mention I enjoyed Cameron Jace's Grimm Diaries Prequels and of course Madeline by Ludwig Bemelman.

September:
Fairy Tale Fail by Mina V. Esguerra
Indecent Proposal by Jack Engelhard
Not So Secret Email of Coco Pinchard, The by Robert Bryndza

October:
11th Hour by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Beauty Never Dies by Cameron Jace
Headache by Crystal Marcos
Justice at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels
Ladle Rat Rotten Hut by Cameron Jace
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Mary Mary Quite Contrary by Cameron Jace
Snow White Blood Red by Cameron Jace
Twilight: The Graphic Novel by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim

"Reaping Me Softly"

Welcome to my stop in this blog tour! A big thank you to AToMR Tours, Omnific Publishing, and author, Kate Evangelista for this opportunity to read and review this book.  Be sure to stop by the Tour Page and check out others who are participating in the tour.  And don't forget to enter for a chance to win an ebook copy at the end of this post!!

 

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Reaping Me Softly by Kate Evangelista, YA, 2012, Pre-edit ARC ebook, 220p, rating=4
Source: provided by tour host for review

Find or request this book at your favorite bookstore
Find Author: Facebook | Twitter | Website

Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper. At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?

Ms Evangelista did it again!  She has crafted another fine book.  It's books like these that gets me hungry for the young adult genre and this particularly has given me a head-turn toward paranormal.  I'm glad that this is going to be a trilogy because I get to read more!! 

The author has an exquisite way with words and storytelling.  I was sucked in very early on.  I liked the sisterhood bond right off the bat.  A book with heart is my thing so it was off to a good start for me.  Throw in school teen chaos, overcoming romance, and reaping jurisdictions/rules and you've got yourself a sapid paranormal read. 

I'm hooked!  There were definite characters that I loved and those I disliked.  There were fabulous twists and shockers that got me screaming, "NOOOOOO!" (now I see the arrival and accurateness of the book title and what's going on with the blindfold scenario on the cover).  Hence, such reaction is telling of the involvement that this book can have on a reader.  In other words, one can get invested!

Fantastic characters, endearing love story, and simply a winsome read.  Give it a try.

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Now enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
(Giveaway is the same in all tour stops)

"11th Hour"

*First, I want to send out positive thoughts and prayers for safety to those within Hurricane Sandy's way. Be prepared and stay safe!*

11th Hour by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, AF, 2012, Playaway digital audio book, 7hrs, rating=3
Source:  library

Your best friend
Lindsay Boxer is pregnant at last! But her work doesn't slow for a second. When millionaire Chaz Smith is mercilessly gunned down, she discovers that the murder weapon is linked to the deaths of four of San Francisco's most untouchable criminals. And it was taken from her own department's evidence locker. Anyone could be the killer--even her closest friends.
Or a vicious killer?
Lindsay is called next to the most bizarre crime scene she's ever seen: two bodiless heads elaborately displayed in the garden of a world-famous actor. Another head is unearthed in the garden, and Lindsay realizes that the ground could hide hundreds of victims.
You won't know until the 11th hour
A reporter launches a series of vicious articles about the cases and Lindsay's personal life is laid bare. But this time she has no one to turn to--especially not Joe. 11TH HOUR is the most shocking, most emotional, and most thrilling Women's Murder Club novel ever. (Goodreads)

The Foursome are back and lots of drama happening but only two crime mysteries to solve.  The drama:  Lindsay is pregnant and hormonal, Yuki is sleeping with Jackson, Cindy is engaged to Rich, and Claire has her hands full trying to find out more about the skulls.  Then the crimes:  (1) Two heads appear at a renowned actor's home; and (2) A man nicknamed "Revenge" is killing drug dealers.  Sounds like ingredients for an interesting mystery read, right?  Indeed it was ..well, in my case, an interesting audio read. 

On the softer side of this novel, immediately I thought Lindsay overreacted to the alleged affair her husband was supposedly having with an old flame then I remembered that when I was pregnant with my second son I had a moment when I convinced myself that my husband was cheating on me.  Of course it was all in my head and attest to how hormones can play in a person's mind.  Granted Lindsay took it over-the-top here but I suppose her fictional pregnancy fart must have affected all logic!  Anyway, I like the continued female bonding among the foursome and overall flow their lives play along the mystery part of the book.  Thus, all together this book was a good blend of drama and thriller.

"Headache"

Headache by Crystal Marcos, YR, 2012, Kindle ebook edition, rating=3
Source: purchased for free

The magical adventure continues in the spine-tingling fantasy-adventure, HEADACHE: The Hair-Raising Sequel to BELLYACHE! Crystal Marcos delivers another whimsically entertaining escapade for ages seven and up. Readers will delight in more sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat, non-stop action adventures of Peter and his best friend, Lina.
When Peter Fisher sets out for school one morning, he has no idea that trouble is stirring in his hometown. With the unexpected arrival of his new Candonite friends from Maple Town, Peter and Lina have extra help saving their beloved town and loved ones from the clutches of the one villain they had hoped they would never see again. Humorous and thought provoking, this unforgettably entertaining story teaches a valuable lesson about standing up and facing one’s fears. (Goodreads)

This was a cute, adventurous children story.  Although I haven't read the first book to this sequel, it provided a glimpse to the generality of what went on.  Which was, Peter and Lina were transported to a fantasy candy land called, Maple Town, where they meet and befriend Candonite characters.  They had an adventurous experience there.  They later return back home.  Unbeknownst to Peter and Lina, a couple of their Candonite friends, Joe and Angela, got transported too including the evil Goaltan and his minions, the Peblars.  So this is where this book comes in ..Joe and Angela searches for Peter in hopes that he can help them get back home to Maple Town.  Then come to find out that the gang (Peter, Lina, Joe, and Angela) will have to work together again to fight Goaltan (and the Peblars).  This time around, Peter and Lina's families get involve and we (the readers) find out a secret!  The story continues with the journey they all had in the battle and adventure to saving earth and such.

I think young kids will enjoy this series.  They'll find fun characters and exciting adventure.  Also will learn the value of friendship, family history, and courage. 

Oh, Lina and family are Filipino so there's a few Filipino terms.  Cool!  *I suspect the author and/or someone in her family is Filipino???

"Madeline"

by Ludwig Bemelmans, YR, 1967, c1939, 48p, rating=4
Source: library

Madeline is one of the best-loved characters in children's literature. Set in picturesque Paris, this tale of a brave little girl's trip to the hospital was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1940 and has as much appeal today as it did then. The combination of a spirited heroine, timelessly appealing art, cheerful humor, and rhythmic text makes Madeline a perennial favorite with children of all ages. (Goodreads)

I recognize this famous name and I do not doubt that the story, whether through book or TV show. have come across my way.  But I do not remember such a specific event (you may recall, I have a memory of a thousand elephants) so I wanted to read it and experience this well loved classic picture book. 

Certainly Madeline, the character, had spunk.  A lovable Anne of Green Gable spirited quality that is likable.  Madeline stood out among the twelve children and put fun into a rigid routine.  She initiated the spirit of being a lovely, carefree child which later the rest wanted to emulate. 

This is a wonderful and simple rhyming book for young children.  The illustrations were a great compliment as well.  The setting, a treat.  Overall, a read that was whimsical and invited this reader to see Madeline's sweet outlook.  It gave me a bit of a homesick feeling for similar innocent times in my girlhood. 

Simply a charming book.  The children exemplified what being a child at heart means.