Guest Post! Higher Hope

Guest Review from Knits, Reads, and Reviews!

Enjoy!

Robert Whitlow's second book in the series is one that you can read and easily follow without having read the first book of the series. One may not think you can easily find humor in a religious based book, but Robert Whitlow succeeds in doing just that, this book is not in any way humorous, but yet leads one to chuckle from time to time. Tami Taylor has strong religious beliefs and does not let living in a big city keep her from following her beliefs. To some, Tami's strengths may be seen as weakness, but in the case of Ramona Dabney vs. Jason Paulding Tami is seen as one who can shed light on the beliefs of strongly if not strangely religious Ramona. Tami struggles with moving away from her family, caring for an elderly woman and facing the love of two charming men, but through it all she keeps her head on straight and in the end leaves you waiting excitedly for the next book to appear on the shelves of the corner bookstore!

I would recommend this book, but not for those who are 'squeamish' over religion or find religion somewhat of a difficult subject. This book is truly a Christian story written for those who believe. When I first began the book I was a bit unsure, but after reading a chapter or two I was entirely wrapped up in the lives of the characters. Can't wait to read the next in the series, and I will also go back and read the first book!

Need some Party Tips?

Book: Prom and Party Etiquette
Author: Cindy Post Senning, ED.D., Peggy Post
Rating: 3 out of 5
Cover Rating: 3 out of 5
Release date: January 26th, 2010
Disclosure: I received this book to review, however, all opinions expressed are of my own.

Going to a holiday party? Prom? Homecoming? Or even just a small birthday party hosted by a friend? Then you will need to know some of the common party etiquette rules. Don't talk with your food wide open, don't announce how much money was in a gift that you were given, and be sure to wash your hands before you sit down to eat! These are just a few of the many tricks and tips that you should know and that you can find in "Prom and Party Etiquette."

While this seems like it could be a great book with someone who goes to a lot of parties or as a gift to someone who is starting to go to more and more parties, I didn't really have an interest in it. A lot of the facts seemed commonly known. There were however a few neat tricks, such as one on how to remember which bread plate is your so you don't by accident eat someones elses bread that's not yours! If you are looking for a book on party tips then this one is for you!

Lovestruck Summer Review

Book: Lovestruck Summer
Rating: 3 out of 5
Cover Rating: 3 out of 5

Priscilla is ready for an exciting summer, away from home, down in Austin Texas. Yeehaw! She was planning on spending the summer working as an intern at Amalgam Records and hopefully finding an indie boy to date as a summer fling. However, much, much, more happens than she expects.

Priscilla doesn't expect to fall head over heels with a total cowboy. He is not her taste at all. Or so she thought. After dating a indie boy, she soon finds that she was missing what she really wanted all along, and judging people in ways that she shouldn't be....

"Lovestruck Summer" was a fun, fast read. I found it pretty predictable, but sometimes that's OK. I did get frustrated with Priscilla quite a bit, however, I just wanted to tell her that she is completely missing something! "Lovestruck Summer" was a cute and enjoyable read.

Guest Review! 40 Loaves, Breaking Bread with our Father Each Day

Thanks to Ashley Boyer I was given the book:

40 Loaves, Breaking Bread with our Father Each Day

by C.D. Baker to review.

I really enjoy this book, it is not really a book that you would just sit down and read in its entirety, but rather a bit here and there. This book is a collection of readings and at the end of each reading/chapter is a daily prayer as well as food for thought. I like to pick up this book and read before I fall asleep each night, it is truly inspiring and thought provoking.

I recommend this book for inspirational reading. You can find it at: http://www.randomhouse.com/

Guest Blog by Lauri from Knits and Reads

Hauntingly Wonderful

Rating: 5 out of 5
Cover Rating: 5 out of 5
Author: Nancy Werlin
Book: Impossible
Disclosure: I rented this book from the library

"Impossible" by Nancy Werlin is a story of a 17 year old girl who has just learned of a secret, a secret that could mean the world to Lucy. A curse has been passed down from one 17 girl to another in Lucy's family line. Every girl somehow ends up pregnant at the age of 17 and will give birth at 18. After she gives birth to the baby girl, she will become mentally unstable and will end up like past generations. Lucy is no exception. However, there is hope. There is one way to break the curse and free Lucy's family line from the terrible curse. If she can figure out how to accomplish each of the 4 tasks in the song, "Scarborough fair" before she gives birth, she will be free. However, the tasks are not simple. Will Lucy have enough time and be able to free herself and her daughter?

Have you ever read a book and wanted to buy a hundred copies to give to everyone you know because you loved it so much? That is how I felt after reading "Impossible." It was beautifully haunting, it was romantic, and it was magical. It incorporated past legends and magic into the modern day life of an average teen girl. The other part that I loved about this book was that Nancy used a real life song - Scarborough Fair - in her book as basically, the theme. Lucy was pregnant without fault of her own because of the curse that forced it to happen. Throughout the story I found myself wanting Lucy to succeed in the tasks and wanting her to not give up. This is a great book and I encourage you to read it!

Listen to the song that the story was based off of:

Review: Front And Center

Book: Front and Center
Author: Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Rating: 5 out of 5
3rd in series of Dairy Queen and The Off Season
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin for sending me a copy of this book

D.J. is back with another great story to be told! This time she is struggling to decide which college she should go to, a big league school or smaller one? If she does decide to go to a bigger school, will she be able to handle the stress and competition? Of course, on top of all of that she has Brian who she has mixed up feelings for, should she give him another chance, or let him go?

I love this entire series! They are adorable! D.J. is a very relatable character and you are able to see why she is struggling for the reasons that she is. This book actually got me laughing out loud a few times! Catherine's writing style is believable and I could see a normal teenager facing what D.J. faces in the book and reacting the same way. Overall, this is a really great book and I suggest reading it if you have already read the first two in the series!

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