"Yuletide Ice Cube Fair" by Karen Poth

The Yuletide Ice Cube Fair is a very special time of year. The excitement mounts as everyone prepared for the fun and enjoyment of the day. Come, enjoy this new VeggieTale celebration.

Winter brings many things and the Ice Cube Fair is one of them. The towns' folk gather together to enjoy food and games, celebrating the season. They skate, have a burlap sack race, enjoy delicious drinks, and even choose a queen. But the highlight is the ice sculpting contest. Everyone who wants to can take a block of ice and sculpt what Christmas means to them. They have seven hours to do their work. Who will have the winning sculpture?

What a cute book! This is a book that will appeal to parents of preschoolers because of the wonderful pictures and easy to understand words. The poetry is fun to read and the lesson is priceless. If you have young children, this is a great book for your library. That also applies to grandparents and other relatives, as well as young children's ministries and nursery work. I received my review copy from the Book Look program in exchange for an honest review.

"Never Give Up" by Erik Rees and Jenna Glatzer

Jessica Joy Rees was only eleven when the doctors found an inoperable brain tumor (DIPG). Did she give up and let it take her without a fight? No, Jessica started to help other children with cancer. This is the story of her "JoyJars."

What would you do if you found out you had a brain tumor that was going to take your life? What if you were only eleven and hadn't begun to live? Jessica decided she needed to help others, and she concentrated on children with cancer. Thus began her family's journey in the "Joy Factory." They turned their garage into a place where they could put together "JoyJars" for the children. Gathering toys, games, and whatever else they could, they made the jars and Jessica personally delivered them! But, since that start, "JoyJars" have gone all over the world to over 200 children's hospitals and 175 Ronald McDonald Houses. The JOY of helping others blossomed because one little girl never gave up.

This story will inspire you and will enourage you to reach out to others and help. I felt badly for the entire family, but found myself encouraged and lifted up by their example. Each of us has the opportunity to help others. How much do we do? How many excuses do we make? Read this book and you will find the reason to get busy. I received my review copy from Handlebar Marketing in exchange for an honest review.

"Cupcakes and Kisses" exerpt

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Release Date: November 18, 2014

ABOUT Cupcakes & Kisses:

One bite of her luscious cupcakes and you just might fall in love…

Nineteen-year-old Glynna Balcora’s super power is baking. A young witch, she’s lived her entire life tucked away in the quaint city of Spokane, WA with her domineering aunt and sweetheart of a grandmother. It’s not an ideal situation. Although Glynna loves her grandmother dearly, and treasures the special times they spend in their magical greenhouse, Glynna’s aunt keeps her niece on a tight leash using threats of vague enemies.

Since Glynna graduated from high school a few a months ago, her aunt’s be-home-before-dark curfew seems more ridiculous every day. It isn’t doing much for the young witch’s social life, either. With encouragement from her best friend, Glynna sneaks out one night to go to a bonfire party at the lake. There she has an unexpected encounter with Spokane’s most eligible bachelor, Ashton Bass. Glynna’s been crushing on Ashton since she was five years old. But when they share their first kiss, thunderstorms and lightning follow… and Glynna’s aunt realizes it’s time to tell the young witch the truth about who she really is.

Cupcakes & Kisses is the first book in a playful New Adult Romance trilogy…

Excerpt:

My heart races as I’m drawn across the bakery. The mere sight of this guy makes me lose all my senses. I stumble a little and accidentally knock a few of my favorite pink pens off the display counter.

Really?! How can I stumble in flats?!

This is bad. Just bad.

Ashton to the rescue. He dives—dives!—to catch the silly pink projectiles flying through the air! Yes, silly and devious! They’ve sprung to life with a mind of their own and are determined to make me look like a klutz in front of the guy of my dreams!

Evil felt tips!

I can’t let them win.

I lunge forward to grab them myself, and an overwhelmingly awkward moment becomes even more awkward when my hand collides with his, I lose my balance, tilt forward, and Ashton has to grab my forearms to keep me from doing a face plant in his crotch.

Heat creeps up my face. Naughty pens!?! “Uhhh… s-sorry about that,” I say as I shift back onto my heels and… I forgot—I’m wearing a dress—not my skinny jeans. My knees are about a foot apart. I’m sure he can see my panties. I push myself forward, and my knees smack against the hardwood floor with a bang.

Ashton’s perfect features skew with concern. He still looks amazing. “Are you all right?”

I pretend that I’m not going to have black and blue knees for the rest of the year. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” I wave my hand.

Goodreads

~ About the Authors ~ 

Heidi Garrett is the author of the Daughter of Light series, a fantasy about a young half-faerie, half-mortal searching for her place in the Whole. She's also the author of the contemporary fairy tale novella collection, Once Upon a Time Today. In these stand-alone retellings of popular and obscure fairy tales, adult characters navigate the deep woods of the modern landscape to find their Happily Ever Afters.

Heidi is collaborating with Billie Limpin to write The Magic Cupcake series, a special blend of magic, romance, and humor.

Heidi was born in Texas, and in an attempt to reside in as many cities in that state as she could, made it to Houston, Lubbock, Austin, and El Paso. She now lives in Eastern Washington state with her husband, their two cats, her laptop, and her Kindle. Being from the South, she often contemplates the magic of snow.

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Billie Limpin lives in the Philippines where the sun always shines and people always smile!

A  hopeless romantic inside and out, when Billie’s not swooning over a book boyfriend (which she often does!), you’ll probably catch her daydreaming (over a fictional character!). A reader by heart, and now a writer for the first time, she’s thrilled to put her daydreams into written words.

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~ Giveaway ~

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"NIV First Century Study Bible" with notes by Kent Dobson

Have you ever wondered what it was during Bible times, especially when you are reading a passage of Scripture? How about having  a map at your fingertips while reading? In this new study Bible, readers get those opportunities and more to step back in time.

Opening this Bible is like taking a step back in history. The pages come alive with things like: "Word Studies," "A Day in the Life," maps, drawings, pictures, etc. One example is Solomon's Temple. Not only are the pictures located in the right place (I Kings 6) but, there is a bit of extra information as well. The pictures certainly bring each topic to life! Each Bible book has an introduction with historical facts and artifacts. At the end, readers will find tables, Endnotes, a Topical Index of Articles, a Glossary, and a Concordance. With this Bible, the reader will have pretty much everything they need to study at their fingertips.

I really like the features of this Bible. Maps and word studies are great to delve into as I am reading my Bible. I also really enjoy the introductions at the beginning of each book. The pictures of historical artifacts show me something tangible from the timeframe. If you enjoy studying your Bible, no matter which version you prefer, this one will hold treasures for you. I received my review copy from the Book Look program in exchange for an honest review.

"The Paleo Manifesto" by John Durant

In this new book, John Durant takes a look at eating habits and how they affect the chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, that are on the rise. Does what we eat affect how our body functions? What role do other factors, like sleep and hygiene, have on our bodies? 

The divisions of this book set the tone: Origins, Here and Now, and Visions. Mr. Durant takes his reader along a path to health, giving great information about food but also incorporating the world around us, showing his readers how things have changed over time. Exercise, rest, and food all correspond to how we feel and survive in our world. This book takes the reader from caveman to present, showing how to truly survive and be healthy in today's world.

This is an interesting book filled with information and research. The points make sense and the writing style invites reading. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking into the Paleo life style. It will probably answer many of the questions you have. I received my review copy from Blogging for Books in exchange of an honest review.

"God's Great Creation" a ZonderKidz book

This is a wonderful little book that takes children through the creation of the world. It is based on the "Adventure Bible" which is also geared for children. As an "I Can Read" book, children are able to read it out loud to others, and will encourage them to pick up others in the series. 

ZonderKidz put the book together and David Miles did the illustrations, which are beautifully done. While geared for  4 - 7 year olds, younger children will enjoy it too, especially the illustrations. The variety of words will help challenge beginning readers to keep practicing.

I really like this book for young children. It will make a wonderful addition to a home, school, or church library. With easy to read words and wonderful illustrations, children will want to read! I received my review copy from the Book Look program in exchange for an honest review.