When We Last Spoke Paperback by Marci Henna [Review & Giveaway]

About the book: With the heart and humor of Fannie Flagg’s Fried Green Tomatoes and Rebecca Wells’s Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, author Marci Henna introduces you to the Cranbournes—a mostly lovable and undoubtedly nutty family who’ve had more than their fair share of hard times.

A beautiful blend of tears and laughter, When We Last Spoke tells the tale of sisters Juliet and Evangeline, who are dropped off by their Broadway-bound mother at their paternal grandparents’ Texas ranch in 1967. After their cherished father is killed in Vietnam, the girls are orphaned. Still mourning their son’s death, grandparents Walt and Ruby accept their role as guardians, only to be surprised soon after by another permanent houseguest’s arrival—Walt’s kooky mother, Itasca.

Fast-forward to the present, where the warmhearted home in which the girls grew up is now just a faint memory. The estranged sisters are in need of a good dose of Walt’s famous stargazing wisdom: “You’ve got to look real close. Pay attention to what’s around you in this life. You’re liable to miss something important if you don’t.”

Packed with plenty of quirky characters and hilarious escapades, this must-read novel also digs in deep to the things that matter most—family, friends, love, and forgiveness.

My thoughts:  On today's bookstore shelves and libraries, there are many styles of writing, genres of interest, and types of characters and events to portray. As I began reading When Last We Spoke, I quickly saw that this was not a style or character portrayal I prefer, but I thought perhaps I need to infuse a bit of variety into my reading. So I continued to read.

The story is of two little girls abruptly dumped on their grandparents by an uncaring, selfish mother who flees the scene. The father is in Vietnam fighting the war. I felt deep sympathy for the girls as well as the grandparents for being thrust into this situaiton. Early in the book the paternal great-grandmother is also brusquely deposited on the threshold of Ruby's and Walt's home and quickly insinuates herself rudely into each one's life. Situations and events evolve day by day and in a quirky way Ruby and Walt show grace and caring.

As the story progressed,  I saw that during a visit to town, the little girls got a perception that their beloved grandfather, Walt, was having an affair with the local woman who wore tight pants (and grandmama had had choice words about how the woman's bottom moved) and real flashy makeup. Then in several spots the words "durn," "damn," and "dammit" were used. I do not care to read books with curse words and children seeing actions which caused them to perceive and discussing a grandparent's adultry. Perceptions can be wrong and wrong can be done based on wrong perceptions.

The book is well written depicting life in a small Southern town with quirky characters whose conversations are rife with quirky "sayings" that will keep you chuckling and sometimes simply wondering.  I think the book is essentially clean and and wholesome and it is certainly heartwarming. For this reason, I am offering a giveaway for one of my readers.  

GIVEAWAY ~ FLASH

Begins February 2

Ends February 9 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to Continental USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Also, the author will be giving away a

 FREE Kindle version copy of the book Feb.20-14 on Amazon

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Buy at: Softcover (http://bit.ly/WWLS_softcover) &  Kindle (http://bit.ly/WWLS_Kindle)

I’M GOING TO GIVE YOU A BEAR HUG by Caroline B. Cooney [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: This is giggly, tug-at-your-heart, tickle-your-funny-bone charming. There is just so much fun and, yes, sweetness blooming on each and every page.

Just how many different kinds of hugs are there? Bear hug? Well, it would be crushing, big, furry, warm. But what about all those other hugs?

I just love Cooney's lyrical text as she hugs her way through the cornucopia of hugs ....

I'm going to give you a cat hug. A simple purr, stroke my fur, don't do more than that hug. 

....a sheep hug. A lamb's wool, blanketful, don't make a peep hug.

The illustrations by Tim Warnes are sweetness and charm rollicking with fun and gentlenesss. Softly colored but bright enough to engage the attention of the young child. A child can picture him or herself amidst all this fun.

And as it began.... "way beyond compare hug," it ends with a bear hug that is "A just right turn off the light, sleep tight, say your prayers and kiss good night, way beyond compare hug."

I highly recommend this book.

About the book: I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug!, written by bestselling author Caroline B. Cooney, is a playful and comforting bedtime book that imagines all the wonderful ways a child might give and receive a hug.

Whether it’s a big bear, gasp for air, knock over a chair hug or a wet and drippy, slimy, slippy fish hug, children will giggle their way through all the imaginative examples. Cooney’s sweet and simple rhymes encourage playful interaction between parent and child and ultimately help them wind down before they snuggle into bed and drift off to sleep.

GIVEAWAY ~ ~ FLASH

Begins January 24

ENDS February 3 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to Continental US Addresses Only!

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

The Beginner’s Bible® from ZonderKidz and Zondervan [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: Bible story books are such a wonderful tool to have on hand to introduce the young child to the Bible and the bare-bones of the Word of God. You can choose to have one or you can choose to have a variety so that your child can experience the many "tellings" and "illustrative styles" of authors and artists as they bring to life what God reveals to mankind in his word.

Now a Bible storybook is not nor should be considered to be the actual Word of God. It is an introduction to and base of study for beginners. Hence the writers, illustrators, and publishers have labored diligently to bring to your home a book worthy of it's title - The Beginner's Bible from ZonderKidz an imprint of Zondervan.

This new edition of the originally published in 1989 Beginner's Bible just exudes life and brilliance in the attention-grabbing, child centric illustrations rendered in a virtual 3-D effect in stong, bright colors.

This will become a well-loved book by your child and you will delight that your child loves hearing about the  many wonderful men and women from the Bible. A  great preparation for the years when the real Bible will become an integral part of their own life.

About the Bible: The Beginner’s Bible® has been a favorite with young children and their parents since its release in 1989 with over 25 million products sold. Now it’s redesigned with fresh new art that will excite children for many more years to come. Full of faith and fun, The Beginner’s Bible is a wonderful gift for any child. The easy-to-read text and bright, full-color illustrations on every page make it a perfect way to introduce young children to the stories and characters of the Bible. With new vibrant three-dimensional art and compelling text, more than 90 Bible stories come to life. Kids ages 6 and under will enjoy the fun illustrations of Noah helping the elephant onto the ark, Jonah praying inside the fish, and more, as they discover The Beginner's Bible just like millions of children before. The Beginner's Bible was named the 2006 Retailers Choice Award winner in Children's Nonfiction.

FLASH GIVEAWAY

Begins December 18

ENDS December 28 @ 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

Only one entrant  per mailing address, per  giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.”

SAY & PRAY DEVOTIONS First Words, Stories, and Prayers by Diane Stortz [Review & Giveaway - USA/CANADA]

My thoughts: I just love this little book. Designed with the young child and very early reader in mind, it has sturdy board book construction. The book has more pages and information than your traditional little kiddie board book.

The objective of Say & Pray Devotions is to teach and enable the young child to focus on simple objects, read aloud the word, and pray about it. The devotions are focused on specifics: God's World, God's Gifts, and God's Love. Under each specific section, the child can pray about the morning, family, rain, and activities.

Each two-page spread has a short statement, a Bible verse, and a prayer. On the page objects are labeled such as on the pet page: Fish, Hamster, Cat, Brush, Water, and Dog. So the child can learn to recognize words, learn a Bible verse, and say a short prayer.

This is a superb way for the very young reader to learn about devotional time. I highly recommend.

About the book: Perfect for beginning readers and even verse memorization!

Bestselling children’s author Diane Stortz has sold nearly 300,000 books—Bible storybooks, devotionals for  children, and more. This brand-new title, Say & Pray Devotions, is the perfect beginner devotional for little ones.

Parents who already know and love the Say & Pray Bible will love Say & Pray Devotions as it helps their youngsters continue to engage their faith in a personal way. Featuring the same fun style of artwork and the educational elements as Say & Pray Bible, this devotional for little ones will teach the basics of identification and comprehension while sharing biblical principles for life. Each devotion offers a topical message to help little ones learn and follow biblical principles.

GIVEAWAY

Begins November 1

Ends November 11 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA & CANADA addresses

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

OFFICIAL  WEBSITE TO PURCHASE - CLICK HERE