Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks - Confessions of April Grace 2

This is the second book in the series, i never read the first one and didn't need to, to be able to follow this great plot.
This is a good book to read. It speaks of April Grace who is 11 and all the trials she is going through, with school and family. She has Isabel who took over her big sister's room (Myra Sue). Myra Sue is now rooming with April Grace and never keeps the room room clean. Her one friend turned snobby on her over the summer. Her mom is having a baby and it seems like it is a difficult pregnancy.

I would recommend teens to adults to read this, i think that the problems in this book are pretty well relate-able to a lot of people.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.



Book Description

Just when April Grace thought the drama was over . . .

After an automobile accident, Isabel St. James—resident drama coach and drama queen—needs help putting together the church play. Mama insists April Grace and Myra Sue will help. April’s fall is now devoted to spending every afternoon with Isabel and Myra Sue—if anyone is as big of a drama queen as Isabel, it’s Myra Sue. Plus, she’s dumb. (Okay, not dumb, but "older sister dumb.") If that’s not enough, Isabel is wreaking havoc in the community trying to get Rough Creek Road paved, the new boy at school will not leave her alone, and then Mama drops the biggest bombshell of all . . . April Grace is no longer going to be the baby of the family . . .

Girls will completely relate to April and love her sense of humor as she deals with siblings, boys, and the many changes that come with growing up.

Softly and Tenderly

I think this book was great. This was well written, and doesn't overdo the descriptions. It explains some of the back stories as you go along and meet with each of the characters. I got really into the book in the first 3 pages.





Here are some extra tidbits to get you interested, hope you like them. :D

Jade wants to have a baby, but seems to be unable to, she always miscarries. Her husband Max and her mother-in-law June think they can adopt, and don't really need to actually choose "the right one".

She thinks that because she had an abortion once, that God is saying that she blew her chance, to have one of her own, and she doesn't want to use a surrogate cause that bring another woman into their marriage intimately, and it would feel like cheating. She says if God wants them to have children, then they will when He decides. Max wants a boy and says if they don't get one then they can just keep trying.


Jade's mom has leukemia, and she looks after her, as well as manages her 2 shops. She has a really old truck, and nothing really works in it.

She find out her father-in-law is cheating (after she and the mother-in-law catch him).




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.




Book Description

Maybe out there in the country she could catch her breath, learn to breathe again.

Happily married and owner of two successful boutiques, Jade longs to begin a family with her husband, Max. But when she discovers that Max has an illegitimate son—who he wants her to help raise—Jade’s life is turned upside down.

She flees to her childhood home, a rambling Iowa farmhouse, with enough room to breathe. There—while her mother’s health grows fragile, and the tug of her first love grows stronger—Jade begins to question everything she thought she knew about family, love, and motherhood. In the wide-open landscape, Jade begins to see a future that doesn’t rest on the power of her past but in the goodness of God's tender mercies.

How to Bend and Snap

This move was on Legally Blonde and when I went to see just the video of the move to show my daughter (cause I thought it was funny, especially the guy at the end saying it works every time) I came across a site that tells of the "steps" so thought I would share them here:

1. Assume a target. It might be your crush, a guy you've never seen before but have fallen for "just like that", or it might be someone you know well, and just want to try out this move on for a test (you can explain afterward).

2. Casually find an object that is not heavy and is easy to pick up. It needs to be something that you'd normally be carrying around, such a pen, piece of paper, tweezers, your watch, etc.

3. Invite the guy over for a casual conversation. He will be unaware that he has propelled himself into your plan. Alternatively, it might be easier to approach him––it all depends on the context.

4. Drop your chosen item. Do it "by accident", right in the middle of the conversation -- if things are going well. Now comes the move.

5. Slowly bend forward while sliding your hand delicately down your leg. It's a good idea to practice this in front of the mirror, as you might feel self-conscious about how it comes across otherwise.

6. Pick up the item. As you do so, brusquely "snap" upwards, at the same time lunging your chest outward and towards your chosen target. Think of it like being a tree branch snapping back into position after bending in the wind.

7. Glance into your target's eyes. Don't break eye contact. Giggle playfully. Hopefully, he will now be totally attracted to your charm, or at least, very much paying attention!





This was found here:

http://www.wikihow.com/Bend-and-Snap

His Steadfast Love

This is a good story. I liked it. I would recommend this book for people to read.

This book is about a young woman named Amanda, she is the pastor daughter, the fathers temporary position as pastor has lasted 2 years. Her father's name is Ezekiel. She has a brother named Daniel. She has 3 younger sisters who are introduced as the "three little Belle sisters". 10 year old Emmaline, 4 year old Mary and 6 year old Catherine. They have a family dog named Sam Houston (named after their governor) whose nick name is Sam. Amanda's best friend "Claire" is Daniels fiancee.

Captain Kent Littlefield come to Texas, and starts coming to every Sunday church service. He says thought he is a Presbyterian he enjoys Amanda's fathers (Methodist) sermons. He is even considering moving from Pennsylvania and setting down in Texas (after he retires from the army) since he has no sweetheart or anything to tie him down there. He asks her permission to ask her father permission to call on her. She has to ask him to wait for a while, cause she gave her mother a promise that she would always help look after her siblings.



Here are a few tidbits from the beginning, (cause i don't want to give the Whole story away, just enough to interest you).

Because Kent needs to go to war, the father finds out that he is fighting for the North (Union) and tells Kent that he wishes his daughter to marry a Southerner (Confederate) gentleman.
Daniel decides to put on a "Gray" coat and join the Confederate army to fight the "Blue" coats. Amanda is upset that he is doing this.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.


Book Description

The Civil War - a defining time of great sacrifice, change, and betrayal which determined the fate of the Nation.

It isn’t until it comes into her very home that Amanda Belle must face impossible choices of love, loss, and loyalty.

It's the spring of 1861 on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Although Amanda never thought she would marry because of her promise she made to her dying mother, her attraction to Captain Kent Littlefield is undeniable.

When Texas secedes from the Union, her brother Daniel marches off to war to fight for the Confederate States and Kent remains with the Union troops.

Her heart is torn between the two men she loves and the two sides of the conflict. When she turns to God for help, Amanda expects direction and support, but hears nothing. Is God listening to her anymore? Where is God in the atrocities of war—and whose side is He on?

Amanda senses her life is at a turning point. But she must trust God to bring her family through the chaos that threatens her home, her family, and the beloved state of Texas . . . with her heart, and her faith, intact.

Distortion - Moonlighters #2

By Terri Blackstock
Published by Zondervan
Average Blogger Rating: 4.56 Stars

This was the second book in the series. I hadn't known that when I decided to read it, but I was still able to understand the storyline. It was an interesting book. I had read one of Terri's books before and thought it was good so thought I would read this one and I was not disappointed in it. I loved reading this, it was action packed.

Juliet's husband is killed in front of her right at the start of the book. They were married for 15 years. Juliet find out the man she is married to isn't the same person she thought that he was. She and her sisters and a private investigator take matters into their own hands to find out all of what Bob was up to all these years. They find a drug trafficking history, a fortune in cash, and a secret family










Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.








Book Description

Juliet Cole’s life has been dismantled by the murder of her husband. She doesn’t know who—or what—to trust when everything she has believed to be true about her marriage has been a lie. When Juliet Cole’s husband of fifteen years is gunned down in a dark parking lot before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning. When she’s finally allowed to return home to break the news to her boys, she hears a voicemail that takes the situation from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. "Mrs. Cole, we know you have access to the supply and the money. If you don't turn fifty million over to us and give us the codes, then you'll be burying more family members."

Suddenly, Juliet realizes that she and her children could be in danger. She teams up with her sisters and PI Michael Hogan to dig into the sham Bob has been living for years. The more she learns, the worse the betrayal. A drug trafficking history, a fortune in cash, and a secret family all emerge to turn Juliet’s belief system on its head, and threaten the things she loves. Are she and her sisters skilled enough as sleuths to get to the truth?

Heroes and Villains of the Bible

I know this a childrens version of the bible events, but I think that anyone would enjoy reading this book. My daughter having a somewhat short attention span, did like the book but I have to say with only a few pictures, it didn't completely captivate her. But she said it has some nice pictures, like of Eve being tempted by the Serpent. It talks of the very beginning and lots more events that are in the bible, like how Cain took the life of his younger brother.

"Cain was the first son ever born. But instead of being a good example, he was the worst example. Cain let anger take over his heart. And then he chose to do something that could never be undone."


It tells the story of Noah's Ark, how it rained for 150 days and then dried up in over another 150 days. How he sent a dove out to see if the earth was dried up enough.

"I will never again destroy all living things by floodwaters. A flood will never again destroy the earth. . . .I am putting my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of the agreement between me and the earth."


A very great read.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.


Book Description

50 true-life adventures of real people from the Bible—stories of good versus evil, right versus wrong, and heroes versus villains—and their life-shaping lessons that point children to God—the greatest hero of all!

The Bible is packed with stories of courageous people who loved and served God, and how He used them to do great things in the world. It is also filled with villainous people who disobeyed God and did horrible things. Heroes and Villains of the Bible encourages its readers to aspire to become great, courageous, and heroic servants of God, and reject all that is evil in the world.

With Heroes and Villains of the Bible, children will realize some of their favorite heroes aren’t from the movies, but are real people from the Bible.

Sunrise on the Battery‏

I started reading this, and have to say it started off sort of slow. It didn't really draw me into the book. I have to say out of 5 stars this one gets a 3. It does make tells of thing that does happen in real life. One parent has faith in god and the other doesn't.

Mary Lynn tries to help her husband love god. He does eventually but not till way close to the end.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.



Book Description

Now that she’s arrived at the ultimate address, can Mary Lynn’s view of the harbor – and success – satisfy the deeper longings of her heart?

After decades of carefully working their way up the social ladder, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living their dream: a life of luxury and ease in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina. Jackson made a small fortune selling low country real estate, so now the couple is determined to provide for their three daughters the life they both longed for as kids.

But lately the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood has been trying to get her attention in ways so unusual that she can no longer deny His presence. When she prays for Jackson to open his heart to God, something radical happens. Jackson has a dramatic conversion that leads to street witnessing, giving away money, and inviting less-than-reputable people into their home.

Starring out into the harbor, Mary Lynn ponders whether or not she is willing to give up her life of luxury to join Jackson in his new-found faith. What would it look like to go “all out” for God…to allow Him to lead their family regardless of the cost? Just when Mary Lynn felt she had all the desires of her heart – she finds herself being called into a much bigger story of true faith and love.

Just in Case You Ever Wonder

Daughter loved this book. It tells of how He makes everyone in a unique and special way, just as He made the earth. And how God picks where you live. Max Lucado writes good children books, that i think that all children would enjoy.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.




Book Description

A timeless children's classic by best-selling author, Max Lucado, that reinforces the love of a parent.

There are certain words that every child longs to hear . . . affirmation of unconditional love, promises of support, and words of encouragement. Just in Case You Ever Wonder wraps your children in its tender message of love, comfort, and protection, showing them that as they grow and change, you'll always be there for them—whether it's "monsters in the closet" or hard times when other kids are mean. Beloved author, Max Lucado, helps express unconditional love for a child—simply, powerfully, and forever.

Night Night Blessings

Daughter thought this book was ok but kind of short. The book talks about the different blessings you can have. It is mostly like a small little prayer. Which when i told my daughter she then understood.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading to and with the child.







Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.


Book Description

Cuddle up with your little ones and count all the blessings God put in their day.

This book is a precious way to put your little ones to bed at night and fill their thoughts with the many good things that have filled their day. It’s a great way to teach them gratitude and help them sleep soundly at night.

Whether it’s Mommy’s goodnight kisses, Grandpa’s comfy lap, or pancakes stacked THIS high, there are so many blessings to count before bed! Written in rhyme and coupled with adorable illustrations, this follow up book to best-selling Night Night Prayer will be an instant bedtime hit.

Gabby, God's Little Angel

My daughter really enjoyed this book. She looked around to "call to her angel, and say thanks". This is a really great story and it quotes the bible in one spot.
"The Lord is your protection. . . . He has put his angels in charge of you. They will watch over you wherever you go.
—Psalm 91:9, 11"

I would recommend this book to any child old or young. I think all would enjoy this.
The pictures were great and really helps children to get into the story.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.



Book Description

This first book in a delightful new series offers a comforting message for young readers—God loves you very much and is always watching over you!

What little girl wouldn’t love her very own guardian angel? Parents and children alike will be won over by this humorous tale of Gabby, a guardian angel in training who has much to learn about taking care of God’s little ones. Her new assignment is to protect a young girl named Sophie, but Gabby soon realizes that watching after Sophie is a bigger challenge than she had expected! After a close call while riding her pony, Sophie learns what the Bible says about guardian angels: “He will put his angels in charge of you. They will watch over you wherever you go” (Psalm 91:11 ICB).

Hermie, a Common Caterpillar

Read this to my daughter tonight as a bedtime story, and she really enjoyed it. One of the things she wanted to know was if Hermie's God was the same as ours. She liked seeing how Hermie turned out and was a little upset that she didn't get to see Wormie's transformation. This is a great children's book. I would recommend it to anyone to read to their child.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.



Book Description

This Max Lucado’s Hermie & Friends® best-selling story now available in easy-to-read format!

Hermie and his friend Wormie have always felt common. They don’t have stripes or dots, they aren’t very strong, and they can’t find anything special about themselves. But every time they pray, God tells them that He loves them all the time just as they are and that He isn’t finished with them yet. When Hermie becomes a beautiful butterfly, he realizes just how special God’s plan is for him!

This classic story has been revised for kids to read and enjoy on their own as a Lever 2 Reader. With fresh new art and a story kids can read themselves, plus a new, low price—this classic story will find a whole new generation of kids who love Hermie and his garden friends!

Wrapped in Rain

Great read. Good story line. Loved the descriptions in this book. This is not a fantasy type book, where a prayer will save you no matter what. This book writes of people who have issues, that need solving. After I started reading this, it took me only a day to finish (and less than that actually). I didn't want to stop reading once I began, cause this book really holds your attention with the problems and solutions thereof.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.



Book Description

"Life is a battle, but you can't fight it with your fists. You got to fight it with your heart."

An internationally famous photographer, Tucker has traveled the world and seen both the serious and the strange. But when his brother escapes from a mental hospital and an old girlfriend appears with her son and a black eye, he is forced to return home and face the agony of his own tragic past. Back in rural Alabama, Tucker comes to terms with the ghosts he left behind. Miss Ella Rain once loved Tuck and his brother like they were her very own. Hiring her to take care of Waverly Hall and to keep them out of sight was the only good thing their father ever did. And though Miss Ella has been gone for many years, Tuck can still hear her voice. And she keeps telling him, encouraging him, that by reaching out to this young boy he can redeem his father's tarnished legacy and pass on the good she brought into his life.

Baka and Test

It was quite interesting to watch. I had just randomly picked an anime from Netflix and this was it.

1 Season
13 episodes
















Plot

The story centers around a boy named Akihisa Yoshii, the titular baka (idiot) of the story. He attends Fumizuki Academy in Japan, a school where the staff rigidly divides the students based on the results of their academic scores. At the start of the school, students are academically sorted by entrance exam test grades. The higher the grades, the higher the class, and the better the benefits. In this case, Class A is filled with the highest-scoring students; therefore, their classroom is filled with many prestigious items (air conditioners, fancy seats, laptops, a free snack bar, etc.), while the state of Class F is the complete opposite of that, representing the "bottom of the barrel" amenities, such as mats and low wooden tables.

Fumizuki Academy has a special system, whereby all the students are able to call forth Summoned Beings (Shōkanjū, or "Avatars" in the official English translation[4]). These Beings are used for battles between classes with the goal of capturing (or retaining) the best classroom facilities. Since Class A is filled with prodigies, they all have strong Summoned Beings, while Class F has drastically weak ones in comparison. A teacher must authorize/supervise each battle, and the health and strength of each student's Summoned Being is based on their last test score in that teacher's subject (i.e. Math, History, etc.). The Beings lose points when struck by an opponent, and should their point count reach zero, the being and student are disqualified, and must take supplementary lessons with the strict remedial teacher, Nishimura (nicknamed "Iron Man"). However, if the student can leave the battle before reaching zero, these points can be replenished by taking a supplemental exam. The student's Being may then return to the battle.

On the day of the placement test, an intelligent girl named Mizuki Himeji suffers from a fever during the test and is unable to complete it, hence her reining in a score of zero. As a result, she is pigeonholed into Class F together with Akihisa. Akihisa, who dreams of the day when the academy would no longer be divided by grades, pitches an idea to his class to rule over the higher-level classes by conducting a Summoner War for both Mizuki's sake and to get more privileges. Aside from Mizuki (who happens to be the second-ranked student in Year 2), there is also the class representative Yūji Sakamoto, the bishōnen Hideyoshi Kinoshita, the perverted Kouta Tsuchiya (AKA Ninja pervert,Muttsurīni), and the tomboyish Minami Shimada, who struggles with kanji having recently moved from Germany. (Akihisa claims she is his worst enemy, but she actually has a crush on him and is reluctant to show it). Throughout the year, Class F attempt several Summoner Wars against higher-ranked classes.

My Bride is a Mermaid

I seen this was on Netflix. It has one season (with 26 episodes). It tells of a boy who almost drowns but is saved by a mermaid. When a human sees a mermaids true form they have to die, or the mermaid has to die, or marry that Mermaid.

He agrees to marry the mermaid and this show tells of some of the problems that arise.....









Plot

The story of Seto no Hanayome revolves around a young teenage boy named Nagasumi Michishio. One day during his summer vacation at Seto Bay, Nagasumi is saved from drowning by a mermaid, Sun Seto. Under mermaid law, however, either the mermaid whose identity was revealed, or the human who saw the mermaid, must be executed. In an attempt to save both Nagasumi and Sun's lives, Sun's family, which is the head of a mermaid mafia group, reluctantly decides that the two are to be married. Sun's father Gōzaburō is enraged about his daughter's sudden marriage. Between Gōzaburō's constant attempts on his life and the madcap antics of a slew of antagonists, Nagasumi has a hard time transitioning into his new married lifestyle.

Heaven's Lost Property

I watched this show, which has 2 seasons. It was on Netflix. It is a cute show that was kind of interesting (i watched it in Japanese with subtitles) I will now be looking for the movie and trying to remember to watch for the second movie and third season.

Sweet Sanctuary

I like this book and how it put the bible into the book, but not too much that you would get fed up with it. I would suggest anyone read this book.


It starts out with the grandmother/mother arriving at her daughter/grandsons home and telling them that she is going to stay there for a while and that when they get back there will be a surprise (which the daughter of her hates). She also tells them that the rest of her children will be coming to join them to throw herself a party.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.




Book Description

"Without the storm, how would we know the sweetness of shelter?" -Ruth

Out of the clear blue, Wren’s Grandma Ruth arrives on her doorstep, dreaming of a grand party to celebrate her 95th birthday. Wren and her young son Charlie love the idea, but it quickly gets complicated: Ruth wants Wren’s estranged siblings to attend and she wants Wren to sing her all-time favorite song: “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.” It’s the very song Wren sang one fateful day during her childhood . . . and Wren hasn’t sung a note since.

Though she’s glad to have Grandma back in her life, Wren’s sleeping on the couch in her own house now . . . and worried about the expenses piling up. After all, her job at the community library is in jeopardy after budget cuts, and the fancy music program she wants for her son is getting farther and farther out of reach. What’s more, Paul—the guy she's drawn to yet avoids—ends up being a major part of an important library project.

With family arriving and old wounds resurfacing, Wren’s about to fly when she discovers something special—a gift of grace beyond her wildest dreams.