Really Pulled Me In - My Review of Out of the Ashes

Published by: Bethany House

By: Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

I am growing in my love for historical fiction, and it is books like this one that make me want to read more and more.

Out of the Ashes tells the stories of a mix of individuals, some of them with real hurts to overcome. This book is set in Alaska in the 1920's and it is an interesting read.

What I liked:

I really liked reading about each one of the characters. All of them were interesting to me.

I enjoyed following up on characters from book one in The Heart of Alaska series.

The messages in this book - of letting go of the past and moving on - are good ones.

The whole book, overall, was interesting and enjoyable.

What I didn’t like:

There is nothing in particular that I didn't like about this book.

My conclusion:

Overall, I enjoyed this book.

I give Out of the Ashes 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from Bethany House. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Cute and Fun with Lessons Shared - My Review of Little Critter Little Blessings Collection

Published by: Thomas Nelson

By: Mercer Mayer

I remember reading Little Critter books when I was young, so I was happy to have the chance to read and review the Little Critter Little Blessings Collection. I was hoping to check this out and then pass it on to my nieces and nephews so that they can get to know Little Critter, too.

The illustrations:

The pictures in this book are fun and cute and make the stories more interesting.

Who This Book is For:

This book is good for toddlers through about age five or six.

What I liked:

Little Critter is a fun character and it is enjoyable to get to know him through the stories in this book.

There is a message in each story and yet the stories are still enjoyable to read.

The pictures are fun to look at and they add to the book.

What I didn’t like:

One of the stories is a little weird, talking about a thankfulness stone and how the critters carry that around to remind them to be grateful.

My conclusion:

Overall, I liked this collection of stories.

I give the Little Critter Little Blessings Collection 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from BookLook. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

An Interesting Study - My Review of In All Things

Published by: Multnomah
By: Melissa B. Kruger

When I had the chance to read and review this Bible study book before it has even been released, I thought it could be a good chance for me to get deeper into the Bible. I chose to read and review In All Things with the hope that it would help me understand the Bible a little better and that it would also help me find more joy in my life.

Who the book is for:

This book is written for those who would like to find joy in their lives, and it is something that can help anyone understand the Bible a little better.

What I liked:

I like that the scripture passages that are referenced are included right in the book.

I like the spaces that are included for writing in answers to the questions that are a part of the book.

I like the interesting way in which this book is written.

What I didn’t like:
I wish that this book asked more personal questions rather than just asking those which can be answered using the included scripture.

My conclusion:

Overall, I think that this is a decent book.

I give In All Things 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from Blogging for Books. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Slow Moving at First but Becomes Interesting - My Review of Under a Cloudless Sky

Published by: Tyndale Fiction

Written by: Chris Fabry

I enjoy checking out all types of fiction and reading books from a variety of authors. I was happy to have the chance to read and review Under a Cloudless Sky.

This book tells the story of a woman who has been hiding key pieces of her past for a number of years. Now, she must face them.

Who the book is for:

Those who are interested in a complicated story of family and history will enjoy this book and all that it offers.

What I liked:

I didn't know if I would connect with the older woman main character in this book but I found that I did.

I like the parts of the book that give a peek into the past of the main character's life.

The second half of the book is interesting and fun to read.

What I didn’t like:

The first half of the book was really hard for me to get into. I almost gave up on reading the book, altogether.

My conclusion:

Overall, I enjoyed this book in the end.

I give Under a Cloudless Sky 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from Tyndale Blog Network. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Don't Like the Illustrations - My Review of A Very Happy Easter Prayer

Published by: Tommy Nelson

Written by: Bonnie Rickner Jensen

Illustrated by: Natalia Moore

I love giving my nieces and nephews new books to read, and I thought that this one would be a good one to include in their Easter baskets. I was happy to have the chance to read and review A Very Happy Easter Prayer.

The illustrations:

The pictures in this book seem cute until you look at them closely. More on that in the "What I Didn't Like" section.

Who This Book is For:

This book is great for babies and toddlers.

What I liked:

This book is colorful. I love children's books that are full of life and color.

This book is simple and cute in the way that it is written.

What I didn’t like:

The pictures in this book honestly creeped me out. There are animals in this book with bodies that look very human and it is just... weird. I might be the only one who doesn't like the pictures in this book, but they definitely ruined the book for me.

My conclusion:

Overall, I'm not a huge fan of the book but it is okay.

I give A Very Happy Easter Prayer 3 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from BookLook. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Cute Bedtime Story - My Review of Ten Little Night Stars

Published by: ZonderKidz

Written by: Deb Gruelle

Illustrated by: Gabi Murphy

My sister's kids love to read! They go through books like crazy. I am always excited to check out new books for them.

Ten Little Night Stars is something that I was happy to read and review because the cover looks so cute and fun and it drew me in.

The illustrations:

The pictures in this book are all colorful and fun and they show many different animals as they prepare for bed.

Who This Book is For:

This book is obviously made for babies and toddlers, but children who are a little older might like it, too.

What I liked:

I like that this book helps kids as they prepare to go to bed and I think it would be good to read at bedtime.

The pictures in this book are colorful and fun.

The characters in the book are cute, but...

What I didn’t like:

... it bothers me just a little that the story seems to follow one animal as he preps for bed but the pictures keep switching in regard to which type of animal it shows on each page.

There is nothing Christian in this book other than the fact that the animal says that bedtime prayer, which might be an issue for some if you are looking for something overtly Christian.

My conclusion:

Overall, I think this is a decent book.

I give Ten Little Night Stars 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book free to review from BookLook. The opinions expressed in this review are my true thoughts and feeling regarding this book. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.