Review: Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

Nicole Renard and Darius Thornton are on missions to save people. Nicole is determined to save her father and his business. Darius has resolved to find an answer to save passengers and crews of steam engine ships. As their paths cross, they find that in order to save others they need to work together and save themselves and their relationships with God.

When I picked up Full Steam Ahead, I assumed it was about trains in the Wild West of America. I was surprised to start reading and discover that it was not about steam trains, but steam boats. What a new niche! It was refreshing and unique. Beyond the theme of engines, Witemeyer weaves in suspense, treasure hunting, family, friendship, self-sacrificing, and faith. I really enjoyed the faith journeys of Nicole and Darius. They were not quick or easy revelations. It was seeing beyond past events and painful experiences. It was digging deeper into the Word and drawing closer to God rather than running away from Him.

This was an excellent read. Witemeyer wrote a novel full of seriousness and humor, adventure and travel, heartache and love. I would highly recommend Full Steam Ahead.

Time Period: Post Civil War, 1851
Location: Galveston & Liberty, Texas, USA

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Bethany House Publishers!

Review: Reasons My Kid is Crying

Reasons My Kid Is Crying by Greg Pembroke


Are you familiar with the blog http://www.reasonsmysoniscrying.com/? If so, this is a small glimpse at the blog in book form! If you are not familiar with the blog, please go and take a look!


In the book, Pembroke shares snippets of why some crying episodes happen and working with little ones, I do agree. They're new to the world around them and they cannot always comprehend what's happening or why things happen. Sometimes it can be heartbreaking, but other times hilarious! As adults, we've experienced so much that these moments can frustrate and tickle the funny bones as well. Parents, family members, and professionals who work with children can easily relate to Reasons My Kid is Crying.

This is such a great book to read ... and share! The paperback is full color with a good mix between photographs and a pages of "Dispatches from the Front Lines." The dispatches are typed tales of various toddler moments. Pembroke does divide his book into chapters which cover everyday moments, family get-togethers, and out in public. The size of the book can easily fit into a purse or diaper bag to enjoy a quick read or to share with someone else. It's definitely a book I want others to read and enjoy. Thank you, Greg Pembroke for sharing a laugh with the world!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Review: Reasons My Kid is Crying

Reasons My Kid Is Crying by Greg Pembroke


Are you familiar with the blog http://www.reasonsmysoniscrying.com/? If so, this is a small glimpse at the blog in book form! If you are not familiar with the blog, please go and take a look! Here's a little book trailer glimpse as well:




In the book, Pembroke shares snippets of why some crying episodes happen. As I working with little ones at the libraries, schools, and childcares, I do agree. They're new to the world around them and they cannot always comprehend what's happening or why things happen. Sometimes it can be heartbreaking, but other times hilarious. As adults, we've experienced so much that these moments can frustrate and tickle the funny bones. Parents, family members, and professionals who work with children can easily relate to Reasons My Kid is Crying.

This is such a great book to read ... and share! The paperback is full color with a good mix between photographs and a pages of "Dispatches from the Front Lines." The dispatches are typed tales of various toddler moments. Pembroke does divide his book into chapters which cover everyday moments, family get-togethers, and out-and-about in public. The size of the book can easily fit into a purse, backpack, or diaper bag to enjoy a quick read or to share with someone else. It's definitely a book I want others to read and enjoy. Thank you, Greg Pembroke for sharing a laugh with the world!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Review: The Heart's Pursuit

The Heart's Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher

Silver Matlock is upset by being left at the altar, but the fleeing fiance took more than her love. Bob Cassidy stole her family's money. She needs to find Bob, find the money, and save her family's home and mercantile. Silver hires bounty hunter Jared Newman to hunt down Bob and he begrudgingly agrees, but he's looking for another man with a scar. Will revenge or redemption save the day?

Robin Lee Hatcher took a new direction with her latest novel. (She did explain that in her Author's Note at the end of the book.) The Heart's Pursuit is full of action, heartbreak, hurt, revenge, and redemption. It's historical romance with an edge. I would recommend it to other readers who enjoy novels taking place in the Old West. It's an action packed read!

The pursuits were different (yet similar) for each character; the main characters (Jared and Silver), as well as, the minor characters that showed up throughout the couple's travels. Each person pursued someone or something, but it boiled down to finding peace and with peace comes love. Love in friendship, in family, and a dash of romance.

This is a great standalone novel. If you'd like a glimpse, Hatcher shares a sample chapter on her website. 

Time Period: Western, 1873
Location: United States of America

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Zondervan!

Review: Love Comes Calling

Love Comes Calling by Siri Mitchell

"Oysters and clambakes" what a tale! Siri Mitchell's newest novel jumps into the Roaring Twenty's in Boston. Ellis Eton becomes wrapped up in unbelievable adventures dealing with school, football, friends, speakeasies, telephones, disappointments, and love. Ellis Eton had a plan - a plan to be a movie star! She had it all worked out, but her friends and family keep making plans and requests for her. She wants to breakaway, but circumstances keep pulling her back.

Siri Mitchell shares Ellis' story in first person, so the reader can see and understand her thoughts, desires, and motivation. At the beginning, it was difficult for me to get drawn into the story because of the perspective, but as the story progressed it becomes clear why Mitchell chose to write her latest novel in first person. Mitchell also adds an author's note at the end of the novel to share more insights about Ellis.

The author's notes also includes historical notes about the 1920's and Prohibition. I greatly appreciated the supplemental notes at the end. I was concerned about some of the faith aspects of the story. Mitchell shared the historical movement of self-improvement and psychoanalysis which includes Emile Coue's mantra, "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better." Mitchell wraps up her novel and notes well with the truth, "only God can change hearts."

Love Comes Calling can be a fantastic companion novel to Julie Lessman's novels. Lessman also writes about Boston in the 1920's in her Daughters of Boston series and Winds of Change series.

Time Period: Roaring Twenties, 1924
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Bethany House!

Review: The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting

The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting: An Easy, Organic Way to Deter Pests, Prevent Disease, Improve Flavor, and Increase Yields in Your Vegetable Garden by Josie Jeffrey


As a beginning gardener, I appreciate every gardening book that I can access. I especially appreciate easy to read and imaginative titles. This title caught my attention from the title: The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting. Mix & Match, eh? Sounds like an imaginative and fun book to read for this Children's Librarian. (Here is the original press release.)

The book arrived in it's package and I could not wait to see beneath the cardboard and bubble wrap! (Thank you Reda for packing the book so carefully!) As I unfolded the plastic covering, I was immediately impressed at the sturdiness of the book. I expected the book to be a paperback, but it is a hardcover with wire binding (versus a more commonly seen plastic comb for binding books). The opening pages are glossy and colorful, while the mix & match section is printed on cardstock in earthtones and full color plant images. Well done, Ten Speed Press!

The opening chapters highlighted a variety of information from history to biology in gardening with a dash of beliefs and theories thrown in. It was a quick read and very informative. Certain sections reminded me of high school biology, but a little refresher never hurt anyone! The touch of background information gives the beginning garden (like myself) an understanding of the reasoning behind publishing "another book about gardening." This book is unique and created a niche for itself. If more information is desired by the reader, Jeffrey shared excellent science terms that can easily be researched. The only text that caught me off guard was the very occasional phrase of harmonizing with the universe or the cosmos. I'm just interested in growing a garden.

The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting by Josie Jeffery

Now to the Mix & Match section! There are three sections - aboveground companions, central crop, and belowground companions. Each section contains 25 different plants from flowers to veggies to herbs and fruit. I recognized most of the plants offered as companions. Each card contains a picture, the name of the plant, if it is a perennial or annual, and brief growing tips. Beyond that information is the companion system that Jeffrey created with different colored circles to identify different ways plants can be companions. Jeffrey shares 16 different ways plants can benefit each other, which are shared at the beginning of the book. (I do wish that the chart was a foldout, so it could be viewed at the same time as finding plant matches, but a photocopy will work just as well.) Not all plants will be all matches, but gardeners can mix and match and try a wide variety of different matches! This collection definitely goes beyond my companion planting of tomatoes and marigolds.

I think gardeners of any age or ability will enjoy this title. The Mix & Match pages will entertain and enthrall a wide audience. Thank you, Blogging for Books for this review copy! I cannot wait to try some companion planting!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.