Diary of an Ugly Sweater by Cassi Eubank

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I have read books from many different perspectives. This is the first time I’ve read a book told from the perspective of a sweater. That made this book very interesting. Sophie is the sweater’s name and she is a Christmas sweater. Her story is told in diary form. The beginning is charming. She describes her family as the “Tree with Pom Balls” family. She is a sweater with a Christmas tree on the front and pom poms that decorate it like ornaments. She refers to other sweater families such as the “Santa Sitting on the Toilet” family. From the different “families” she mentions you get the idea of what each sweater looks like. She addresses issues such as judging others based on looks, attitudes, how to get what you want out of life. This is a unique way  to teach life lessons. The story is charming and the lessons are subtle enough not to detract from the story. It is so well written that you can feel the emotions throughout the story.  This is a book that is for young and old alike.  I don’t think  I will ever look at an “ugly” sweater the same way again, and never without thinking about this story.  This is the perfect read for the Christmas season.

Author Bio from her Site:

Results Coach Cassi Eubank is passionate about showing women how to create extraordinary success and fulfillment in their life by changing their BS (belief system) and connecting with their purpose and passion. After spending over a decade studying the psychology of success, she has created an innovative and effective system, implementing techniques which will unconsciously keep you motivated and focused, increasing your level of success and abundance in all areas of your life. As a speaker and author, she shares with others to guide them to the results they desire and deserve through her Train Your Brain for Rock Star Success programs. She is also passionate about health and wellness and hosts a KYSS Retreat (Kickstart Your Skinny Self) which is mostly about taking care of yourself and having a mindset for living a healthy, active life. That with her famous accountability calls will give you results in your waistline and your frame of mind. Visit her website to learn about upcoming speaking engagements, workshops and events where you can connect with Cassi, or to read her blog along with other valuable freebies that will be gifted to you. www.CassiEubank.com

2016 A - Z Reading Challenge

A to

Z Reading Challenge

It has been several years since I participated in any reading challenges. There was a time when I would have 5 or 6 going throughout the year. Then I started writing. Between the writing of books and the reading for review, I got lost. My book piles, especially on my Kindle kept piling up. I would find a book I wanted to read, purchase it and then I would not get to it because I had a deadline for a review. I have decided that this year I am going to tackle that list of books on my Kindle. I figure the best way to do that is to schedule, IN ADVANCE, on my calendar, books for this challenge. I live by that calendar for my reviews. If it is there and I get a request I can pull up the calendar, see something already posted and schedule the review for a different day. If I don't do this I will NEVER get my pile down. My blog is called Musings of a Book Addict for a reason. I once had a student ask me if there were organizations for people like me. He was being dead serious. When I asked him what he meant he said, "You know, they have AA for alcoholics, so do they have something for book addicts like you?"  My reply to him was, "No honey, there is no hope for people like me." I laughed as I looked at him and watched him shake his head as if to say, that is so sad.  He truly felt this addiction was out of control.  He was a student who loved to read and talk books. He thought I just went overboard.

So, it is time to try some interventions and get this addiction under a little bit of control. The books on this list are for my Kindle books only. I will be crossing them off here as I read them. I may even add to the list. I will not start this challenge until January 1st, so if you have an addiction like I do, feel free to set up your own challenge.  I am not joining an official challenge out there as that seems to sabotage me. This is just my own version for my own pleasure.  I think I will also bring this up to my students to see who would like to join me.

Most of these books were purchased in 2011. With close to 3,000 books on my Kindle it is time to read them down.

Alias Dragonfly - Jane Singer 

Bone Ash - Riley Russell  

Creative Spirit: A Supernatural Thriller -  Scott Nicholson  

Down a Lost Road - J. Leigh Bralick 

Emerald River, The - J.K. Drew  

Fall Girl by Marybeth Smith 

Ghost College  - Scott Nicholson 

Healing Lily - D. Stephenson Bond

Invisible - Lorena McCourtney   

Just As I Am - Virginia Smith  

Kiss of Adventure, A - Catherine Palmer 

Love is the Higher Law - David Levithan  

Mistletoe & Mr. Hoe - Lorraine Nelson  

No Fear - Allie Harrison  

Orphaned Hearts - Shawna K. Williams  

Preacher’s Bride, The - Jody Hedlund  

Quilt, The - T. Davis Bunn  

Roseflower Creek - Jackie Lee Miles   

Surviving  September 11th - Dan Holdridge  

Trapped - J.A.Konrath 

Untraceable - S.R. Johannes  

Vision of Sugarplums, A - Jennifer Blake

Wrong Side of the Tracks, The - Mike Wells 

XGeneration 1: You Don’t Know Me - Brad Magnarella 

You Can’t Stop Me - Max Allan Collins  

ZZZZ - Catriona Crehan 

Zanta Claus:There's a new Claus in Town by D.C. Little

Genre: Adult, Humor, Fantasy
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Zanta Claus is the perfect story to read to start off your Christmas Holiday. David Kringle is Santa's brother. He is a successful writer who has Santa's support one hundred percent. Unfortunately not everyone loves what he writes. His latest best seller has put some of the elves in a bad light. Martin has been named in several of his books. When it is time for his family meal with his brother and family, he learns just how upset Martin is with him. To say the ride was frightful is an understatement. But, David isn't going to let this ruin the surprise he has for his brother. He has finally figured out what he wants to do with his life and he sees it as a compliment to his brothers life. David wants to become the Zanta Claus. As Zanta Claus he will reach out to all of those children and adults who no longer believe in Santa. He gets his brother's support and takes it before the Fairy Tale council where he is granted a one year trial. He has one year to set everything up and make it work before he meets back with the council. I loved that everything was the opposite so as not to take away from Santa. David's outfit was black with red fur and his shop was setup in the South Pole. They didn't make traditional toys, they went more with what would get the attention of those who no longer believed in Santa.  Will he succeed?  You will have to read it to find out.

This was a super funny book. I kept picturing Tim Allen and Will Ferrell as I read. I could see this as a great Christmas movie. I loved that the author gave Zanta his start with what appeared to be a mismatched group of elves and reindeer. Like all "Hallmark" type Christmas story, there was even a love story to go with it. It is so fun to read that I found I was finished before I knew it.  I definitely will reread this each year because in my book it is just that good.  I am so glad I was asked to read and review this book.


Author's Bio
D.C.'s passion for life has always burned bright. His writing is directly focused on providng readers a break from the realities of life through moments of laughter and joy.
. 

Pieces on Earth by Cathy Bryant

Genre: Adult, Christian Fiction

Source: I purchased a copy

I am the mother of a young man who has been deployed twice. The first time he was able to come home a couple of weeks for his second son’s birth. He spent last Christmas deployed. I applaud his wife. She is a very loving wife and someone I admire very much. It takes a lot of love, patience, and trust to be married to a military person.  This is a book I will definitely recommend to my daughter-in law.

I am sure she could definitely identify with Liv, who wanted so much to spend Christmas with her husband. Life is never predictable when a family member is in the military.  Unlike Liv she has always accepted his deployments. I am sure she didn’t like them. I once asked her about how difficult it was for her and she said she entered the marriage understanding what can and does happen when married to someone in the military. She has two young boys she raises by herself and an 11 year old daughter who spends time with her when her husband is deployed.  God has always been a strong part of our life. I was happy to see how Cathy Bryant placed so much emphasis on relying on God.  This is another wonderful story by a wonderful author. It is a must read any time of the year, but especially recommended during the Christmas season.

Two Wonderful Books by E.E. Smith

Boardinghouse Stew by E.E. Smith

Genre: Adult, Memoir

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I love memoirs. For me they are a peek into the way of life during a time period in which I did not live. E.E. Smith has taken her memories and fictionalized them by changing the names of those involved. What comes out is a look at life, hers in particular, sprinkled with lots of humor. During World War II many women worked in the munitions factories. Food was rationed and life was difficult. Eileen, an eleven year old didn’t want to work in the fields so she lied about her age, saying she was thirteen,  in hopes of being hired as a cook and maid in a boarding house. This would be a daunting job for an adult, but because of Eileen’s age the book is fun to read. This is not just a book about Eileen. This book is about all of the people who live at the boarding house and how they interact with each other. For me personally, a book that can touch my memories and emotions is a great book. Having said that, I will have to admit this was a great book.  I found myself so irritated that the gardener, like so many other Japanese was placed in an internment camp. The reactions toward him were appalling to me.  I loved how caring the doctor was.  Mrs. Mumsford is a personality I could not nail down. I found her quirky habit of setting a place at the table for her deceased husband, and talking to his picture quite humorous, but at the same time it was sad. It was a reminder for me that she was having trouble moving on.  For anyone familiar with stories of that time you will recognize several things that indicate what the time period was like. There were ration books, which made feeding so many very difficult. It also meant when a recipe went really wrong, you ate it anyway. We see people creating victory gardens which helped provide food when there was such a shortage. I couldn’t imagine the blackout curtains and the air raid drills.  Eileen had to grow up so fast. Growing up on a farm in the sixties I could relate to the amount of work that was required of me compared to my cousins who lived in town. I would not trade that for anything.

This was originally written as a play. I believe I would have enjoyed it no matter how it was written. The author took things a step further by including pictures that really help with the visualization of that time period.  The title was very fitting for the book. The mixture of different people, their beliefs, jobs, habits and political ideas all mixed together the same way a cook would mix different ingredients to form a stew. Each character added their own “flavor” to the book. What came from this was a great dish worth reading.


Times Like These
Genre: Memoir
Source: I purchased a copy

Synopsis:
The year was 1943, midway through World War II, when no oe kew what would happen next.  Two years later, the times are even less predictable for the young heroine of Times Like These, on her way to a new home and an uncertain future with her volatile parents.
The war rages on in the Pacific, amid heavy casualties. Harry Truman is now president and secretly cosidering the use of a horrific new weapon to foce Japan to surrender. What would happen next?

My Thoughts:
Like her characters in Boarding House Stew, the characters don't disappoint. You can feel the pain Evelyn goes through with a father who is an alcoholic. One she loves so much she is willing to lie for him when he is drunk so often. However, as a child she can do only so much. When her father's drinking causes a train crash and her mom runs off with another man, Evelyn is sent to another state to live with another family. One thing is for sure, you realize real fast that Evelyn is a survivor. That doesn't mean she always makes the right decisions. This book will hopefully be followed by a third book very soon.  This is an author you really need to look out for

What Lies Within by Jamie Cortland

Genre: Adult, Suspense
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:
Evelyn Valentino, still half-way in love with her super-star ex-husband, meets James McMann, a handsome and charismatic builder in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Meeting him in a coffee shop, she is immediately attracted to him while her young daughter calls him "Mr. Stranger Danger." Swept away by James and his incredible charm, she is taken on a whirlwind courtship. Warned by her parents and friends to go slowly, she ignores them. Caught in his web he drops his mask and Evelyn discovers he is not the man of her dreams, but of her nightmares. Her only thought is of escape.

My Thoughts:
This is one of those books that is suspenseful enough to creep you out. I was concerned for Evelyn after she met James McMann. Why? When I read he was hearing voices, and he was drinking to shut the voices up, I knew immediately  the guy had some major issues. The fact that both of Evelyn's parents and her daughter didn't like the man made it clear that something was wrong.  When they say that love is blind they are right. I loved the fact that Evelyn's father was a psychiatrist and picked up on something, especially the fact that James was bothered by the fact Evelyn's father was a psychiatrist. There were all of these little hints throughout the story that told you things were only going to get worse. I won't say how much worse because I really think you should read this book.  It is a quick read, but will hold your attention all the way through. This was the first time I'd read anything by this author. I believe I will need to check out her other works.

Super Awesome Coloring Book by Mark Cesark

Genre: Adult Coloring Book
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Most people think that the only thing teachers do when they get home is work on lesson plans and grade papers. Well that is mostly true. However, when the daily grind and life in general begin to get me down, I pull out my coloring books, or I doodle.  When I was asked to review this book I jumped at the chance.  It has taken me a while to review this because of the reasons listed in the first sentence. With a brand new department under me it has been a rough year. After spending a large amount of time planning a field trip, trying to  teach  and handle the holidays I’d reached my point where I had to stop and color. I love this book because it isn’t just one type of design.  I loved that they were only printed on one side. In this way if I chose to use markers instead of colored pencils or watercolor pencils then I didn’t have to worry so much about ruining a picture on the back side.  I still place paper, or freezer paper between the pages so as not to run a chance of bleed through. Here is a hint for you. I keep several pieces of precut  freezer paper around. When I am going to use my watercolor pencils or markers I press with a warm iron, one of these sheets on the page beneath. The freezer paper sheets are removable and can be used over and over. I have to say, that like my reading I’m an eclectic colorist. It depends on my mood. One of my favorites in the book is a page that t first glance is a page of circles. Layered on top are buttons, sewing machines, scissors, needles and thread. They are just tiny and tedious enough to take my mind off of work. There is something for everyone here, form the simple to the intricate. I would definitely recommend this man’s work. This is a phenomenal coloring book and one I highly recommend.

Want to see more of his work? Go to his website.

PIECES ON EARTH Blog Tour info

Description:

As the wife of a naval aviator in sunny Pensacola, Florida, Liv Tulley eagerly anticipates the first Christmas in several years with her husband, daughter, and extended family. Then her husband is unexpectedly deployed for an undetermined amount of time, smashing her white Christmas dreams. Can she find God's peace in the midst of life's pieces?

Excerpt:

Liv finished filling out the necessary paperwork in the medical clinic waiting room, doing her best to keep her fears at bay.

She rose to her feet and carried the clipboard with the completed paperwork to the receptionist. The harried woman took the clipboard without so much as a glance her way. "Have a seat. A nurse will call you back momentarily."

Liv trudged back to the worn gray chairs and slumped into one of them, once more cognizant of her reason for being here. October marked her second month without her period. For most women her age, that would be a sign of promising things to come, but no such luck in her case. She'd known since her daughter's birth that having more children just wasn't in the cards for her. A fact that made Chesney's life even more miraculous.

She gnawed the inside of her lip and watched a little boy--probably about two years old--playing in the floor with a toy car. Without warning, the fear returned, bringing with it only one thought. Was it possible that she'd somehow inherited the gene that lead to the ovarian cancer that claimed her grandmother's life? Was that the reason for her current symptoms?

Liv pressed her lips together and forced her thoughts to happier ones. How wonderful it would be to add a fourth member to their clan. Chesney would make such a great big sister, and Jeff would be ecstatic to have another child. Since being promoted to lieutenant a few months ago, he had qualified for a stateside assignment as an instructor pilot at Pensacola NAS. How wonderful would it be to be able to raise a child with his or her parent actually around to help out? Even the few short months of having her daddy at home had made a huge difference in Chesney.

A pent-up sigh whooshed from her lungs. This current line of thought was landing her nowhere except in the dumps. There wouldn't be another baby. She grabbed her large sack of a purse and rummaged inside until she found an old envelope. Forcing the baby blues away, she started a to-do list of things to accomplish for her family's first Christmas together since before Chesney was born.

Get the Christmas shopping done. Well, that was a no-brainer. But this year it was especially important, since they'd also be buying gifts for nieces, nephews, siblings, aunts, and uncles. How fun it would be to have both sides of the family all together again in the mountain cabin vacation rental her mother had located online.

Now happy thoughts wound their way through her insides. Liv leaned her head back against the Plexiglas partition and allowed the happiness to wander unchecked. Warm sweaters, cups of cocoa, a gigantic tree stuffed with presents, laughter of loved ones, and fluffy white snow.

Though she loved the sunny weather of Pensacola where Jeff was stationed, during the holidays she always yearned for the cold weather and snow of her Colorado upbringing. This year it would finally become a reality.

She straightened in her seat, checked the clock above the receptionist window, and returned to her list. Buy Chesney some cold weather clothing. Hmm, maybe she could order a ski bib online, since there was very little to no chance that she'd find one in Pensacola.

One thought led to another, and Liv scribbled as quickly as possible, unwilling to let even the smallest detail escape. A few minutes later, she brushed some escaped frizzy hair from her face and once more scanned her list. Yeah, that should do it. Now if she could just get these health concerns out of the way so she could concentrate on more pleasant tasks.

Liv glanced at the clock once more. Unbelievable. She'd been here for a half hour already. At this rate, she'd never make it to Chesney's preschool in time to pick her up. She grabbed her cell phone and hit speed dial for Darcy, one of many military wives in her group who all looked out for each other.

Her friend picked up immediately. "Hi Liv. What's up?"

"My blood pressure."

Darcy's contagious giggle sounded through the phone. "Let me guess. You're still waiting to see the doctor."

"How'd you guess?"

"Umm, 'cause I've been there and done that. Need me to pick up Ches?"

"Yeah, if you don't mind. And if a miracle occurs and I get out of here in time, I'll shoot you a text."

"Sounds good."

Liv had just dropped the phone back into her purse, when a short blond nurse in pink scrubs called her name from the doorway that lead to the exam rooms. She followed the nurse through the door where the dreaded scales awaited. After getting off the scales, fresh resolve took root in Liv's mind to cut back on carbs and lose those ten extra pounds that had plagued her since Chesney was born. Four years was way too long to lug around the unwanted weight. She followed the woman down the hallway and dutifully entered the room to which she motioned.

The nurse smiled and pulled the door toward the closed position. "Dr. Amy will be with you soon."

Liv perched on the edge of the exam table, once more on pins and needles about the potential problem. Lord, please let me be okay, and please, please, please, don't let this affect our Christmas plans.

Purchase Links:

Print: http://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Earth-Christian-Fiction-Christmas/dp/1941699103/

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/PIECES-EARTH-Christian-Fiction-Christmas-ebook/dp/B017FV5AAG/

Author Bio:

Amazon best-selling author Cathy Bryant loves to write heart-stirring stories of God's life-changing grace, and has done so through six Miller's Creek novels, two Bible studies, one Christmas novella, and two devotional books written in collaboration with other Christian authors. She's also written for The Upper Room devotional magazine. When she's not writing, you'll find her rummaging through thrift stores, romping in the great outdoors, or up to her elbows in yet another home improvement project in the mountain cabin she shares with her minister husband of over thirty years. You can connect with Cathy in the following online spots, including her website: http://www.CatBryant.com, where you can download a free eBook copy of one of her novels.

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PIECES ON EARTH $200 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway:

Forsaken by Ross Howell, Jr.

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This book was the story of Virginia Christian, the youngest African American female to be executed. Virginia Christian was put on trial and then found guilty of  killing the white woman for whom she did laundry. A white reporter named Charlie Mears covered the story. This story takes place from his perspective.   Virgie was only 17 when she was executed in Virginia’s electric chair. They waited until the day after she turned 17 to perform the execution. The author used actual court documents, actual stories from the newspaper to tell this story.

There was so much tension throughout the book. My initial reaction was shock that they would just decide she deserved to die because she was African American. This is an eye opener whe it comes to showing the lopsided rules and laws when it came to dealing with African Americans

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoy anytime we can take a look back in time and what really happened. I definitely will recommend this book to those I know enjoy reading historical fiction.  You must read the book then truthfully ask yourself has much really changed today?

Author Website

An Assortment of Picture Books

Genre: Children's Picture Books
Source: I received copies of these books to facilitate my reviews. The opinions expressed here are my own.

An Illustrated Bedtime Story For Children: Little Darling and the Fuzzwells by Ness Kelly

The premise of this story is a great one. A young dog goes to the beach with her family. While chasing away birds from her owners belongings she gets lost. She finds her way back to the beach oly to discover her family is gone. She decides to wait for them. They never come. A kind-hearted man finds her and takes her to a dog shelter. After several months she finds a forever home. The story was one that kept your emotions high, which in my book is a great thing.  Unfortunately the language drove me nuts. I felt while reading it that one of my students had written it. The author used a lot of slang, for instance they used the word 'cos' throughout the story. I know this is how kids speak, but I would have preferred the author kept the language a little more formal to make it a well rounded book. It wasn't enough of a deterrant to make me stop reading the book. All in all I really enjoyed the book.

Your Special Space by Sagit Cohen
This is a wonderful book to read to a child when the are old enough to ask questions about their birth. This book talks about how a mother prepares the child's first home, her tummy and then the child's room for when they come home from the hospital. You can feel the love and warmth in this book. Every new parent to be should have this book read to read to their child.

Wizard Bill's Secret by Anat Umansky
What if crocodiles had elephant ears and zebras had pink stripes? In this cute story Bill the wizard visits the zoo after al lthe people have left, and grants the wishes of the animals. When daylight returns, the animals return to their normal selves. The first thing I thought about after reading this book was that this would make a great read to use for creative writing. Having students write about other things the wizard could do to the animals. Another writing idea that popped into my head was, what if the sun rose before the wizard could turn them back. Great mentor text for creative writing possibilities for children.


Danny's Great Heart by Sagit Cohen

This is another wonderful book by Sagit Cohen.  This book teaches children that when something happens like your best friend moves away, you will always have room in your heart for new friends.  Like all of Sagit's other books this not only teaches through rhymes, but leaves the readers with those warm fuzzy feelings.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Your Amazing Dad by Sagit Cohen
Sagit Cohen has written a book praising the efforts of new fathers and fathers-to-be. In this wonderful book we are taken on a ride from the moment a man finds out he is to be a father to the day his child is born. We see the father stepping in to help the mother/mother-to-be with everything she may need. He cooks, cleans and when the baby is born he can hardly contain his excitement. He is ready. He's watched shows to prepare himself. He changes diapers and most importantly he speaks lovingly to his child while he holds the baby with pride. What a wonderful book to celebrate fatherhood.
I received a book to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I Wish I Was a Brownie by Marsha Casper Cook

I don't know how many times I hear my students wish they were someone else, or looked different. This story is just like their's. Chippy is a chocolate chip cookie who wishes he was a brownie. In his mind if he was a brownie the other chippies wouldn't laugh at him and he wouldn't feel so alone. His teacher Mrs. Chipster invites him over to her house and presents him with a costume to try on. It is a brownie costume. As he looks at himself in the mirror he discovers it is what is inside and not on the outside that matters.
What a wonderful story.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.






Are You Eating My Lunch? by Dr. Nicole
This is a wonderful bi-lingual book. Xavier goes to the zoo. When it is time for lunch he begins to ask the animals one by one if they are eating his lunch. When they answer the reader earns what that animal eats. The repetition makes this a great book for a beginning reader. The pictures are wonderful and it is written in English and French. The story has a wonderful ending and wonderful pictures to go along with it.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinons expressed here are my own.




Strike at Charles' Farm by Dr. Nicole

When Charles' animals on his farm refuse to cooperate, they tell the farmer what they want. The horse wants to pull a lighter cart, the rooster wants to have more hens under his control. The list goes on and on. The farmer listens to each of the animals then simply tells them they can go live in the zoo and that way they can have what they want.  The animals suddenly decide they like their freedom and want to stay and do their jobs. The farmer throws the a party out of gratitude.  A great way to teach children that everyone must do their part for things to move smoothly.





Dog Tails From The Dog Park II by Max and Luther
In this second book Max and Luther once again charm us with their stories about the dog park. Luther loves mud after it rains. Unlike most dogs he doesn't like to roll in it, he likes to eat it. His mom doesn't approve, but he just can't seem to help himself.  Max loves to dig holes and search for gophers.  We learn many more things they love to do and the family fun they have.  However, for me the most enjoyable part of this book is all of the facts we learn about dogs. This information is sprinkled throughout the book.  Like the first book in this series, this is a keeper, a must read.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.