Shabbat Monsters - Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod

Genre:  Children's Picture Book

Source:  I received a digital copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

The illustrations in the book will appeal to children everywhere.  For me a Christian, who knew little about Jewish customs and religious beliefs it was an opportunity to learn more.  Shabbat is a celebration of the Sabbath.  It is a holy time.  In the book four little monsters are all enjoying this day, when a fifth monster asks to join them.  They refuse and ignore him.  He reminds them what Shabbat is truly about.  They reflect on this and decide to allow him to join them. This is a great way to teach children about other religious beliefs.

About the Author

Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod is a proud mother of four (two big and two little) who lives in northern Israel. A freelance writer for magazines and newspapers, she also loves writing stories for her kids and their friends.

Charlie Glass's Slippers: A Very Modern Fairy Tale - Holly McQueen

Charlie Glas'ss Slippers
Genre: Adult, Contemporary
Source: I received a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Book Blurb

When Charlie’s beloved father, iconic shoe designer Elroy Glass, dies after a long illness, everyone expects that he’ll leave his business to his glamorous wife and eldest daughters. After all, they’ve been running the company for years. But Elroy surprises everyone from beyond the grave: at the will reading, it’s announced that his fashion empire has been left to Charlie, his youngest—and plumpest—daughter.

Before she can run the company, Charlie decides she needs to make a few changes in her life. After several weeks at a California boot camp, she returns to London a new woman: thinner, blonder, and ready to revitalize the Elroy Glass brand. But as she’ll soon discover, a good esthetician and a killer pair of stilettos can only go so far, and there’s more to reinvention—and running a fashion empire—than meets the eye.

 

My Thoughts

Holly McQueen has taken one of my favorite fairy tales and created a wonderful modern day story.  Let me tell you some of the things that made this really stand out in my mind.  First we have Charlie which is short for Charlotte.  She is the plump member of the family.  She gets walked on by her sisters.  She is a peacemaker. She is not exactly a fashionista.  Her sister Gaby is all show and about as snooty and uppity as they come.  Robyn tries to put on airs. She definitely has some problems. She’s just come back from getting help from having a break down.

Charlie has a small dinner and ends up trying to keep peace the entire time. When two of the guests, one of whom was not originally invited complain they can’t eat the food and order food in, she takes it in stride.  She is definitely someone who needs to stand up to others. I love that she considers her step-mother the “Ice Queen”, “High Priestess of Mordor”, She Who Must Not Be Named.”  It gives us an idea of what she thinks of the woman. Something else unique about this story is the way she became Charlie’s step-mother.  Charlie’s father was married to Gabby and Robyn’s mother.  They got a divorce and later he married Charlie’s mom and they had her.  Charlie’s mom died when she was run over and Charlie went to live with her Step-family. She was always considered lowly because her mother was a domestic and not high society like her step-mother. Charlie’s step mom is so verbally abusive to her. In front of other people she tries to put on a good act.  I believe that is one reason I really could not stand her.  I took great pleasure in learning Charlie’s dad had left 51% of the shares to her because she had given up her own life to take care of him, while the other members of his family only took from him.

Revenge might not be what Charlie set out to get when she takes a leave and comes back with a new look and a new idea for moving the business forward. That is exactly what she gets. 

I loved the book.  The characters were so well developed that you could not help loving some and really despising others.  I really look forward to reading anything else this author puts out.  I would highly recommend this book with a lot of quirky twists.  It is one you have to sit and read cover to cover.

About the Author:

Holly McQueen is the author of four novels—The Glamorous (Double) Life of Isabel Bookbinder, Fabulously Fashionable, Confetti Confidential, and There Goes the Bride. She lives in London with her husband.

The Repurposed and Upcycled Life - Michelle Rayburn

The Repurposed and Upcycled Life Blog Tour
 

 

 

About the Book

Life is frustrating sometimes. It can be hard and ugly. Hurt, frustration and regret can make everything seem hopeless. But, God has a plan for everything in our lives. He offers unconditional love and grace, despite our imperfections. He offers hope where we see only despair. 

Discover the repurposed and upcycled life. This is a life where no experience is wasted. Like the best trash-to-treasure decorating project, it's alife where God repurposes our juky experiences. It's where he upcycles---turns hopeless situations into something so much better than we ever imagined---when we let him work with the trash. When we surrender to his leading, god demonstrates his creativity in revealing how our greatest disappointments, mistakes, and painful experiences can be priceless treasures.

Through humor and stories, Michelle Rayburn addresses how to unpack emotional baggage and let go of the past. Readers will learn how to confront perfectionism and negative attitudes, change perspective on circumstances, and let go of regret and shame. It's an opportunity to learn how to build positive healthy relationships, and dream big and live with purpose. Through inspiration from God's Word and examples from everyday life, readers will discover the joy–filled, hope–rich way of viewing their past, present, and future.



 

My Thoughts
The title of this came at just the right time.  We were going through things in our house to see what we could get rid of and what we could recycle or repurpose.  This book does the same thing with events in our life.  The whole gist of this is that when you look at your life and things you are holding onto you need to  ask yourself if you need to continue to hold on to it. Is it important? Chances are it is not. Can you use it to change things in your life to improve things?  I have always seen myself as a fairly positive person.  However, there are areas in my life that when I bring them back up, turn into something very negative.  I had to ask myself if it was doing good or harm in my life?  I had to give myself permission to let go of it.  It definitely was not something God wanted me to hold on to.  It is like holding on to a grudge.   God has so much more for us.  This book is full of ways to help you do just that.  If there is one book you need to read this year it is this book.  I will recommend it to all of my readers and my family and friends.

ABOUT MICHELLE

Michelle wants to help you connect the dots between faith, creativity, and everyday life and discover the joy of finding God in the most unexpected places. Years ago, she left her career as a registered nurse to raise her family, and along the way, she discovered her true passion for writing, speaking, and singing.

Michelle has written more than 100 articles for publication, and this is her debut book. Her writing has also appeared in Christian Communicator, Focus on the Family, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Vista, Queen of the Castle Magazine, and more. She has also written several Bible studies for ChristianBibleStudies.com, and does freelance editing and copy writing.