Category: Reviews-WaterBrookMultnomah

(Review) Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

Posted on by Cindy


TITLE: Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball
AUTHOR: Donita K. Paul
PUB DATE: October 2010
PUBLISHER: Water Brook Multnomah
PAGES: 226

SOURCE: Received from publisher

About This Book (from publisher’s site)
Can mysterious matchmaking booksellers bring two lonely hearts together in time for Christmas?

In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

MY THOUGHTS:
When I got asked to review this book I have to say I jumped at it. I loved the premise of the story and of course really anything involving a bookstore/books you can almost count me in.

I found this to be a quick, fun and interesting read. I thought this was the perfect book to read over the holiday season. The holiday season is a magical time and it makes you believe that anything is possible and this book is exactly like that. I love fairy tales and this reminded me that this book is just like a fairy tale.

I should let you know that this is Christian fiction with a little bit of fantasy thrown in. But honestly it didn’t really feel as though I was reading a Christian fiction book.

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball is about a hard working young lady named Cora Crowder. Cora likes to spend the holidays alone (thats her tradition) but always plans ahead and makes sure she has all her holiday shopping done and shipped to her estranged family. For Cora its not about the frenzy of the holiday but what christmas is really about.

Cora is searching for a present for her uncle and she knows she will look for a book that has knights, castles, sword fighting etc. She happened to find this bookstore online and was her to go and check it out. It seemed as thougth this book was calling out to her online because Warner, Werner and Wizbotterdad’s would always be there in her search.

As she is in the bookstore her boss Simon walks in looking for a book as well. When they both leave for some reason they seem off key. Something has happened and they aren’t sure what.

I thought Simon’s character was fantastic. He appears to be shy and a very private person but really doesn’t appear to be friendly. He is the kind of man I think you hope to meet one day and perhaps he might be the knight in shining armour a girl is looking for. We realize that he is the man and stepping up to take care of his family (mother and sister, Sandy who has down syndrome). He works hard to take care of his family and he does want a family of his own but it just never seems to work for him. This was another thing I loved about Simon, he wasn’t embarassed by his sister.

I loved how both Simon and Cora got tickets to this magical ball that no one really knows about. When they both talk about it Simon would love to take his sister because he things she would love it and Cora has no plans on going and is willing to give her ticket to Simon. Of course circumstances bring these two together. Will the both realize it?

I loved this quote:

Be brave and try new things.

This is something that I try to do and I noticed that as I am getting older I feel as though I am constantly thinking that. I think we all need to be brave and try new things. Stepping outside our comfort zones.

Donita K. Paul is the author of several books and I have to say that this is my first time hearing of this author but after reading this one I plan on checking out some of her other books.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

This Little Prayer of Mine Review

Posted on by Cindy

This Little Prayer of Mine
TITLE: This Little Prayer of Mine
AUTHOR: Anthony DeStefano
ILLUSTRATOR: Mark Elliott
PUB DATE: February 2010
PUBLISHER: WaterBrook Press
PAGES: 40

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nothing Compares to Childlike Faith

I know you’re up in heaven, God, and can hear my voice from there. I’m just a little child.

Will you answer my short prayer?

So begins this delightful book that affirms God’s readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age.

With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near–watching, listening, caring, and eager to respond to their requests. They’ll also learn that prayer isn’t just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.

Most importanly, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children—and those who love them—that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds.

Author Bio:

Anthony DeStefano is the author of The Prayers God Always Says Yes To and A Travel Guide to Heaven. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.

Mark Elliott’s brilliant illustrations have appeared in popular picture books and novels for young readers, including Gail Carson Levine’s Princess Tales series. His acclaimed artwork delivers inspiration, wonder, and timeless beauty on every page.
 
OUR THOUGHTS:
Thanks to Staci at WaterBrook Multnomah for allowing me to be a part of the tour for this book and for sending me a copy of the book to read and review.

Everytime I picked up this book the song  This Little Light of Mine kept popping in my head. Not sure if anyone else felt like that or not.

The illustrations in the book are absolutely adorable and so life like. They went really well with the words as Michael pointed out. For me I think having pictures that suit the words makes that book the more enjoyable and understanding for kids.

Michael enjoyed listening to this book when I read it to him. He pointed out that the story was told in rhymes.

We talk about God and how important it is in our lives and about praying. Michael asked how do you pray and what do you say. I showed Michael how to pray and told him to say what he felt like thank you for my mom and dad, the food that you give me and the house I have. Of course Michael wouldn’t be Michael if he didn’t ask if it was okay to pray for toys etc.

I think this is a great addition to our family library.

You can use this link to purchase This Little Prayer of Mine.

Please note that: This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.

Limelight Review

Posted on by Cindy

TITLE: Limelight
AUTHOR: Melody Carlson
PUB DATE: October 2009
PAGES: 384

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Claudette Fioré used to turn heads and break hearts. She relished the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle because she had what it takes: money, youth, fame, and above all, beauty. But age has withered that beauty, and a crooked accountant has taken her wealth, leaving the proud widow penniless and alone.

Armed with stubbornness and sarcasm, Claudette returns to her shabby little hometown and her estranged sister. Slowly, she makes friends. She begins to see her old life in a new light. For the first time, Claudette Fioré questions her own values and finds herself wondering if it’s too late to change.

MY THOUGHTS:

I am a huge fan of Melody Carlson and I tend to devour her books rather quickly and this one was no exception. I really enjoyed reading the book.

Limelight is about Claudette who use to be the IT girl in Hollywood in her younger days. Claudette is now older and alone and wondering how she will be able to live on her own now that she has lost everything.

Claudette had it all in her younger days, the money, the servants, and staff doing her life for her. They made sure she was properly cared for and she didn’t have a care or worry in the world.

Realizing she has nothing left in Hollywood she has no choice but to head back to her old hometown and live there since she has a house she inherited. The only family she has left is her sister who is estranged from Claudette.

There was so many funny parts in the book that had you laughing out loud and wondered how will Claudette pull herself up from it. But she does perhaps not with grace.

I have to say that I had a hard time to put the book down Claudette sucked me in and I had to continue reading to find out if Claudette could actually rise above it all and come out the strong person that she is. She does and doesn’t let anything stand in her way.

To buy the book you can go here: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400070824

This book was provided for review by Water Brook Multnomah.

copyright 2010, Cindy (Cindy’s Love Of Books)
If you are reading this on a blog or website other than Cindy’s Love Of Books or via a feedreader, this content has been stolen and used without permission.