Angel Eyes

If you are looking for a quick summer read - I've got one for you!!  Shannon Dittemore's Angel Eyes is wonderful!  It is YA fiction and does not preach - but truly challenges you spiritually as you read!  Some of the quotes in the book were such great wisdom that I had to copy them down - they share truths but not so overtly that it turns readers off.  It is an intriguing story of Brielle and her finding her way back after a devastating life event as she was just setting out on her own.  When she returns home to take some time to heal, she meets Jake - but Jake is ANYTHING but normal and she sees in him many things that just do not add up.  When she finds out that Jake and his friend are sent to help her - the ride really begins.  I thoroughly enjoyed this and can't wait for the sequel!
What the publisher says about the book:

Once you've seen, you can't unsee. Everything changes when you've looked at the world through . . .Angel Eyes

Brielle went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She's come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can't seem to shake.

Jake's the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.

Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what's going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start.

A realm that only angels and demons-and Brielle-can perceive.

*I was sent a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

To read what others are saying on the blog tour - click HERE.

Celebrate with Shannon by entering her "Angel Eyes" Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 6/26!

Find out what readers are saying here.

One "angelic" winner will receive:

• A Brand New Nook Color
• A copy of Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on June 25th. Winner will be announced at the "Angel Eyes" Author Chat Facebook Party on 6/26. Shannon will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills and giving away some great prizes!

So grab your copy of Angel Eyes and join Shannon on the evening of the June 26th for a chance to meet Shannon and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 26th!

Lucy Come Home

I have loved Dave and Neta Jackson's work for YEARS!!  I enjoyed them as a young reader - I have enjoyed them with  my children and now am enjoying new ones as an adult!  Lucy Come Home is their latest novel.  As usual, their books have a lot of intrigue - tying history with mystery and exciting adventures!  My boys have enjoyed their work right along with our girls - I love that  - their books appeal to all genders and many ages. 

This is the story of 15 year old Cindy - she lives in Michigan and lives a hard life - she works hard and becomes enamored with a traveling carnival fellow.  He adds a whole new side to her life and that excites her.  But their future becomes quite  twisted as they flee for their lives together.  I love Lucy, the old lady that the two meet up with, she is a gem and leads Cindy on finding all new meaning to her life. 

Here is what the publisher says:
Lucy Come Home
Dave and Neta Jackson
Fifteen-year-old Cindy worked long days beside her migrant worker family in Michigan's sugar beet fields in the early 1940s -- the "war years" -- until she met a dashing young man from a traveling carnival, bringing some joy and fun into her hard-scrabble life. But a tragic twist of fate -- and a dead field boss-- sent the two young people on the run, leaving behind family and everything she'd ever known. Lucy Tucker, the crotchety old bag lady from the popular Yada Yada House of Hope series, is a veteran of Chicago streets and not about to give up her independence, even as she approaches her 80th birthday. Until, that is, a young displaced woman with her gentle aging mother and a dog named Dandy seem to need her -- unsettling the secretive Lucy, who doesn't let anyone get too close. But just when it seems her past is catching up with her to bring her in out of the cold... Lucy disappears again. How these two tales intersect and intertwine between past and present gradually shines light into the dark corners of Lucy's murky past. But... why won't Lucy come home?

Dave and Neta Jackson are award-winning authors living in the Chicago area where their parallel novels from the Yada Yada House of Hope and Harry Bentley series are set. As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. Visit http://www.daveneta.com for more info.

If you would like to read others' reviews on this blog tour - visit HERE.  This is a great new book - if you want a book that will make you think AND provide some suspense and mystery - this one will do it!!  And when you read it - let me know what you think!


*I was provided a review copy by the publisher.

The House that George Built

Hillary has another wonderful review of a brand new book that was sent our way - go see what she has to say!!
The House that George Built




*I was sent a review copy by the publisher for review purposes.

The Moon Over High Street

I do not think I have ever read a Natalie Babbitt book that I did not like - and her latest, The Moon Over High Street, is no exception!  I loved everything about this book - at first I was copying quotes like crazy - there were just hints of wisdom all over in this junior fiction novel.  So I gave up copying all of my inspiring quotes and just sat back and read.  It was wonderful - it is the touching story of Joe, a young teen boy, with almost no family left to raise him.  His Grandma and Aunt take over the responsibility and Joe thrives under their care.  But when a stranger, Mr. Boulderwall, offers to take him under his wing and raise him and give him an opulent lifestyle, Joe must make an important decision.  I thought the story was brilliant and one our young readers will enjoy but SO WILL ADULTS - there is just so much to love about this touching tale!


*I was sent a copy by the publisher for review purposes.

Growing Up Ziglar

"No one can tell you who you are. It doesn't matter who your parents are or where you come from; you're the only one who gets to decide who you're going to be. Few people can demonstrate that better than Julie Ziglar Norman. The daughter of one of America's most well-known and loved motivators, Julie found God where most of us do: somewhere in between the lofty ideal we're told about and the big mess we often make of our lives."
~ Dave Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio host

And if that isn't enough to get you intrigued - then pick up a copy and read Julie Ziglar Norman's Growing Up Ziglar.  Julie has not lived an easy life - so what she says comes from the heart.  I was touched by her story - it was real and encouraging.  She is honest and admits where she made some wrong turns, but she is also honest that God has never let her down and that's where her true source of life comes from.

Here is what the publisher says:
Julie Ziglar Norman often says her dad is the king of 'doing life right' and she is the poster child for 'doing life wrong.' For over a quarter of a century she lived every day with regret, shame, guilt, and depression. But she was the daughter of the motivator's motivator, Zig Ziglar, and knew that she needed to be positive. So she gathered up all her negative self-talk and squashed it deep down inside where it couldn't ruin the bright and practiced smile she presented to the world. 'People might assume Zig Ziglar's daughter would automatically grow up to have a positive attitude,' Julie says. 'For a large portion of my life, I was just positive I was miserable!' Her powerful and heartwarming story will move readers to laughter and tears. Mostly it will renew their faith in God's power to redeem all the wrong choices and bring them full circle to hope and healing. Julie urges readers not to settle for okay when God has true joy waiting for them. She shares tools to equip them to make the changes needed to find true freedom in every area of life.

Julie Ziglar Norman is the daughter of Zig Ziglar and for 20 years has been his personal editor. With a background in sales and business management, Julie has become a dynamic international motivational speaker. She lives in Texas with her husband, Jim, and continues the Ziglar legacy of encouragement.

I would encourage you to take a minute and read through this inspiring book - it's a quick read and it will challenge you!  Also don't miss Julie's website meant to encourage women - ZiglarWomen.


*I was sent a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

Room

Emma Donoghue has written Room, a haunting fiction tale that is like nothing I have ever read.  It is the story of Jack, a five year old boy, that is being kept in an 11 x 11 foot room with his mother - against their wills.  Their captor has created this tiny room for them and just gives them weekly rations of food and necessary clothes, etc.  Wow - does this ever make you think - not only how you would survive - how they DID survive - but it broaches questions like "What would you be like when you did get out?"  or "What is ok to survive?"  I thought the book was very readable - I could hardly put it down and that's saying something since we were even on vacation!  I thought the characters were strong - you honestly feel sometimes like you are right inside Jack's little 5-year-old mind.  And yet you feel so strongly for his mom as well - she is all Jack has and she does the best she can with her limited resources.  It is quite a psychological read - I would highly recommend it!