Children's Book Review of Nana's Three Jars series, by Carol Round

Giving Generously, the third book in the delightful children's series of stories with a moral, is now available in time for Christmas from Author Carol Round. 

Nana’s Jars series

Children’s Fiction

Carol Round

ISBN 978-0692532423

September, 2015

$12.95 paperback only at this time

Buy on US Amazon

From the publisher:

Charlie has a dilemma. Christmas is approaching and he wants to give his teacher a special gift. He’s been saving his money to purchase a present for Miss James but until he and Emma make a trip to visit Nana, he isn’t quite sure what he will do. Join Charlie and Emma as they learn more about the third jar — spending wisely — and why it’s just as important as the giving and saving jars. “Nana’s 3 Jars: Spending Wisely” is an interactive book for adults to read and then make hot chocolate mix with children using the recipe in the back of the book. It is the third and final book in the “Nana’s 3 Jars” series.

My review:

Carol Round’s delightful third book of her series of children’s stories with a moral is a great read with sweet illustrations to subtly teach children about giving gifts with a purpose. Gifts are personal and meaningful when they come from the heart and are created with thought, based on affordability. The stories are based on a lesson Charlie and Emma’s grandmother teaches about earning and saving money, when to give, and when to spend it. Charlie visits his grandmother on the farm and sees the perfect holiday gift for his teacher. His grandmother and mother help him create the gift using donations and purchased items from his savings for him to give.

Included in the book are the directions for this gift—hot chocolate mix in a jar, directions, as well as labels to create readers’ own Saving, Giving, Spending jars. Beautifully illustrated, not too long for a good sit-down read, and easily read.

Volumes One and Two, Giving Generously, and Saving Pennies, are available as well.
See Carol Round's Amazon Page, US, for more information.

About the Author, Carol Round

I am a transplanted Okie. I was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana. However, my parents, who were originally from the Sooner State, decided to return to their roots in 1969 when I was 16-years-old. Although I have only returned to my birth state three times, Oklahoma people still detect a bit of Cajun accent. I think that’s funny because they don’t think they have an accent.

No matter where I’m living—I’ve moved ten times since I graduated from high school—I love being outdoors any time of the year. Whether it is raining, snowing or the sun is shining or hiding behind a cloud, I prefer the beautiful landscape of God’s creation anytime. Being outdoors, even when I’m weeding my flowerbeds, helps me to reconnect with God.

Visit Carol's website.

Deanna Nowadnick returns with Signs in Life

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·        Book Description

$12.95 Paperback: 144 pages

Publisher: Rhododendron Books

ISBN: 978-0983589754

Sellers:

§  Amazon Print

§  Barnes & Noble 

$1.99 EBook: 3382 KB

Publisher: Rhododendron Books

ISBN: 978-0983589761

Sellers:

§  All major digital retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble

·        Tell us what you love about this book

As you’ll learn from Signs in Life, I’m not the best driver. Imagine having a book’s worth of driving antics! Your followers will be glad they’re states away!

I’ve always felt God’s direction. I’ve always believed in His guidance. Have I always listened? Have I always seen the signs? No! But looking back, I’ve learned that God not only directs, but redirects. He’s connected my own silliness and misadventures to bigger, more important lessons in life.

In the book, we travel with Moses. Never did I expect to be strapping on a pair of sandals to journey together, but what a journey we take, that we all take. Remembering the Israelites’ trek to the Promised Land, let me add that I’ve never known the brutality of slavery or been forced from my home. I’ve never had to walk through a desert, never been nomadic. I don’t camp for goodness sakes! Still God’s traveled with all of us, meeting us wherever we are and wherever we’re going.

·        Can you share something unique that you learned during the writing and publishing of this book?

After writing my first book, Fruit of My Spirit, I expected this second book to come even easier. In many ways it was harder. Wanting to get better and better as a writer, I connected with a new editor. She took one look at an early draft and groaned, “I don’t know where to begin!” We began chapter by chapter, paragraph by paragraph, sentence by sentence. It was hard. At times it was miserably hard. But together we slogged through rewrites.

·        What's coming down the road for you?

My third writing adventure is a Christmas book. I’m putting together another inspirational memoir, this time sharing stories about the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Not only did the Christ child receive unique gifts, but we have also—throughout life. 

·        About Deanna:

Signs in Life is my second book. My “day job” is with The Planner’s Edge, an investment advisory firm in Washington State. The boss and I have been together for 25 years. Today I’m his Client Service Coordinator. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of his practice and working with his clients. And since I telecommute, I have even more time to write! I live in Monroe, Washington in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I’m the mother of two delightful young men, one who has read the books and one who has decided they’re just way more information about Mom than he needs at this point in life. I’m active in my church, serving on the Leadership Team and playing the violin during worship services. I love to knit, I adore chocolate, and most important I enjoy a blessed marriage to my best friend, Kurt.

·        Want to connect with Deanna?

·        Facebook

·        Twitter: @DeannaNowadnick

·        LinkedIn: Deanna Nowadnick

·        Blog

Carla McDougal's new book, Sold Out: Live for Jesus releases

About the Book: Do you sometimes feel like you live to exist? Does one day seem to run into the next without much meaning? Do you want more out of life? 

God desires for us to live each day with meaning. From the moment we wake up, God waits for us to connect with Him. His voice calls, but do we listen? 

In "Sold Out: Live for Jesus," Carla McDougal encourages readers to find purpose in life by drawing nearer to Jesus in real and practical ways. As in "My Prayer Chair," her heartfelt messages and analogies bring laughter, tears, and understanding to God's Word. Be inspired to live in victory and sold out to Jesus through your thoughts, words, and actions. "Sold Out" not only nourishes the soul but also ignites a purpose for living. 

Lucid Books, Publisher
September, 2015
Paperback $15.99
Kindle $7.99
Barnes and Noble

About the Author: Author. Speaker. Film producer. Carla McDougal founded Reflective Life Ministries in Author. Speaker. Film producer. Carla McDougal founded Reflective Life Ministries in 2008. Her true passion is her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It humbles her to realize His love, grace, and mercy go beyond her understanding. She truly believes laughter is medicine from the Lord that breaks down walls and removes the masks in our lives. As a result, God has taken her around the world to encourage others to live every day for Him. Her latest book, SOLD OUT Live for Jesus, released September 2015. And her book My Prayer Chair won multiple awards in 2013 and is now available in Spanish and as an audiobook through Audible. Carla and her husband, Fred, live in the Houston, TX area and have three sons, one daughter, and two daughters-in-"love." She smiles to think of the experiences God has allowed in her life to teach and remind her "He is in control."2008. Her true passion is her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It humbles her to realize His love, grace, and mercy go beyond her understanding.

Book Review of historical American hisorical fiction Cassia by Susan F Craft

Buy Cassia by Susan F. Craft on Amazon Kindle $1.99
Amazon Print
Barnes and Noble

September 2015

Lighthouse publishing of the Carolinas

Historical fiction

From the publisher

The Xanthakos family’s voyage from South Carolina turns ugly when the ship’s captain maroons Lilyan and her family on an island along North Carolina's Outer Banks. There, the family is captured by pirates and taken to a secret island hideout where they witness a mock trial and a hanging.

Forced to rebuff the advances of the murderous pirate, Captain Galeo (The Shark), and fearful that her children will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, Lilyan forges an escape plan. Meanwhile, her husband, Nicholas, calls upon his skills as a captain in Brigadier General Francis Marion’s militia to devise a battle plan to save his family.

Will the couple’s faith be enough to see them through? Or will their declaration to rescue the infant slave girl, Cassia, from the pirates prove too high a price?

My review

This third story of the early American historical family saga starting with The Chamomile wraps of the story of the Greek Xanthakos family. Plenty of references to their past adventures didn’t interfere with the telling of this adventure. If you like pirates, ships at sea, family love and sacrifice, you’ll love this gentle, faith-based tale of strong women who are willing to do what they must to save not only their own family but the lives of strangers.

Lilyan’s life is an adventure as one experience builds upon another. Her daughter has reached marriageable age, and Lilyan and Nicholas wonder if they’ve done well enough as parents. She’s attracted to men of valor in their own way, and both have declared their intentions. Both are capable men who would be a good match, both could save her, but only one can hold her heart. On the ship, the family witnesses a dreadful event when a slave ship dumps its dead and dying. She demands they care for one of the dying at the risk of the entire ship and ends up put ashore on a pirate island. Deciding reluctantly to separate, Lilyan waits while Nicholas goes for help, but neither realize the danger that waits when the pirates see who’s been set ashore on the other side of their island.

The title of this story refers to a promise as much as a character who plays a subtle, circular role rather than an overt one. Lilyan is a good judge of character and proves it when her life and that of her children are at stake.

An epilogue wraps up the family saga. Told from Lilyan’s point of view throughout, This novel is recommended for those who are fans of early American history and love the references to everyday objects, the lifestyle, and costuming. Those who read Cassia before the others will find their interest piqued and want to pick up the other stories. 

Cassia follows The Chamomile, currently available only in Print
and the second book in the series, Laurel, available on Kindle, sale, .99, and Amazon Print

Muse It Young Special All Month - Kiddy Lit!

Book Review Manila Marriage Ap by Jan Elder

Passport to Romance Series

April 2015

Pelican Ventures, White Rose Publishing

Romantic novella

115 pp

Ebook - $3.99

Buy on Amazon

About the Book

It all began as a lark. Shay Callahan’s life was just fine, thank you, but when the seemingly misogynistic missionary, Timothy Flynn, places an advertisement in a Christian magazine for a wife, Shay decides to give it a whirl. Why not? After all, she’s not currently seeing anyone, and this man truly needs to be taught a lesson. 

When Dr. Flynn picks Shay's application, she hops on a plane and flies to the Philippines. The strategy is to jet in, enjoy an exciting two-week vacation, and jet out again, all at his expense. Instead, her plan backfires. The handsome missionary man is not what he seems, and the foreign land has far more to offer than Shay could imagine. 

Embark on a tropical adventure with Shay that challenges everything she believes. 

My Review

For a sweet romantic novella, a lot of good reading and adventure is packed in. Shay’s character is never in doubt, even if she is, about her personality. From the moment she cheerfully but regretfully changes her ruined heels for too-big flip flops after being baby barfed on en route to meet her prospective fiancé with dried peas in her hair, the reader knows we’re in for a great tale. Timothy is nothing like Shay expects, and the author has fun unpeeling his tough outer hide.

The Philippines grow on Shay the more time she spends there; an accident, an unexpected visit, and a life-threatening illness draw this couple together. If anything, there is too much packed into this short little read and some clues could be drawn out. Told from Shay’s point of view in first person throughout, readers are treated to a whole lot of fun introspection, subjective cues, and tangled emotions. Nicely done. Those who like a quick and clean romantic read with a too good to be true hero will love Manila Marriage Ap. Check out the Passport to Romance series.

About the Author

Jan Elder is a Christian romance writer with a zeal for telling stories other women can relate to. She strives to write the kind of book that will strengthen the reader's faith, while also providing an entertaining and engrossing love story. Pelican Book Group/White Rose is publishing her first novella, Manila Marriage App, one of many in their successful Passport to Romance series. 

Besides writing romance, she enjoys the occasional hazelnut cappuccino while watching Turner Classic Movies. Always an avid reader, she devours books voraciously, both Christian and secular. She was born a cat-lover and all future books will, no doubt, feature a feline in some way or another. 

Happily married for twelve years to loving (and supportive) husband, Steve, the two live in central Maryland along with Jamie (a tuxedo cat), and Shu-Shu (a tortoiseshell cat). On the weekends, Jan and Steve comb the nearby countryside in search of the perfect ice cream flavor.

Avalon by Vanessa Morgan

Non-fiction, memoir

105 pp

June, 2015

e-book: $3.89

p-book: $9.99

From the publisher:

Some cats need nine lives to make a difference. Avalon only needed one.

From Amazon bestselling author Vanessa Morgan, Avalon is the heartwarming and once-in-a-lifetime love story of a girl and her neurotic Turkish Van cat.

With humor, the author details how Avalon made other creatures cringe in distress whenever he was around, how he threw her dates out by means of special techniques, and how he rendered it almost impossible for her to leave the house. Avalon was so incorrigible that even her landlord ordered her to get rid of him. But beneath Avalon's demonic boisterousness, Vanessa recognized her own flaws and insecurities, and she understood that abandoning Avalon would be the worst she could do to him. Thanks to her unswerving loyalty, Avalon transformed into a tender feline, and even landed a major role in a horror movie. In turn, Avalon made it his mission to be there for his human companion.

By turns jubilant and deeply moving, Avalon is a memoir for anyone who has ever been obsessively in love with a pet.

My review:

Vanessa Morgan is a Belgian and author and screen writer.

Anyone who quotes Dean Koontz as an epigraph gives you a certain expectation.

You’d think Europeans would have a different take on animal obsession, but apparently not. Even after visiting Greece and Turkey last summer where cats roam at will and become beloved but not possessed by locals, it’s apparent that kitty love exists on a different plane of reality.

Morgan writes the memoir of a twelve-year relationship with a found feline in her neighborhood in Belgium where she lives and works. Her cat love for the rare species of Turkish Van helps her see her life and career through different eyes. On one hand Morgan uses Avalon, the cat, to excuse difficult relationships with people, and on the other, she uses him to realize and bring out the qualities of love and self-fulfillment she has buried within her.

Told in first person, real time. Recommended for those who like true pet stories, from bringing the critter home, through antics, feeding, and all the difficult choices one makes regarding lifestyle and life end.

  

About the Author:

Vanessa Morgan is an author, screenwriter, and blogger. Two of her works, The Strangers Outside and A Good Man, have been turned into films. Her short film script Next to Her is currently in pre-production. When she's not working on her latest book, you can find her reading, watching horror movies, digging through flea markets, or photographing felines for her blog Traveling Cats. http://travelling-cats.blogspot.com/ She lives in Belgium.