and the book:

Chosen Ones (Aedyn Chronicles, The)

Zondervan (April 13, 2010)

***Special thanks to ***Special thanks to Pam Mettler of ZonderKidz for sending me a review copy.***

Alister E. McGrath is one of the most respected Christian theologians of this century. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dr. McGrath currently serves as Professor of Theology, Ministry and Education, and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture at King's College, London.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (April 13, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310718120
ISBN-13: 978-0310718123

My Review

Chosen Ones is a book kicking off the series The Aedyn Chronicles.

Click to read more ...

I'm pretty sure that almost everyone has heard of James Patterson.  Alex Cross being one of his series of books, a couple which have resulted in movies.  I have read a couple of Patterson's Alex Cross books, and they don't fail to disappoint.   Now TRIAL is available in paperback, a nice addition to book readers' shelf.

Click to read more ...

My mother enjoys cooking.  She's not "a chef" per se.  BUT, I never remember as a child, not having a good meal on the table for supper.  Until we were old enough to value sleep more than food, there was a good breakfast before school.  Sometimes money was tight, one year in particular, we didn't have enough for store bought birthday cakes, and my brother's birthday and mine are but a week apart.  Handmade cakes were not "cool" to have in my social circle (I was like 6!  What did I know, really!), but my Mom made an event of it, where I helped along and looking back over the years now, I think it was my favorite cake ever.  Thanks Mom.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom, is a tribute to mothers everywhere, through all times, from their children.  Biological or not, moms of all kinds are a vital part of our lives.  Most of us, if we're fortunate enough to still have our moms with us can't imagine them not being there.

Click to read more ...

There's more than one way to eat a meatball.  Casa Di Bertacchi helped Stephanie Ashcraft to pen 101 one of them!  101 Things To Do With Meatballs has yummy Appetizers and Sides, Soups, Stews and Chili, Sandwiches, Wraps and more!  The Family Favorites will be asked for again and again.

Click to read more ...

ALEX AND BRETT HARRIS founded TheRebelution.com in August 2005 and today, at age 19, are among the most widely read teen writers on the Web. The twins are frequent contributors to Focus on the Family's webzine Boundless, serve as the main speakers for The Rebelution Tour conferences, and have been featured nationally on MSNBC, CNN, NPR, and The New York Times, as well as in publications like WORLD magazine, Breakaway, and Ignite Your Faith. Their first book, Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, was released on April 15, 2008, by Multnomah Books.

Click to read more ...

I've said it before, and I don't mind saying it again, the thing that I like best about Chicken Soup for the Soul books is when you're done reading them, it's like you just got a hug on the inside.  The inside world of NASCAR racing is full of good things and Chicken Soup for the Soul: NASCAR 101 Stories of Family, Fortitude and Fast Cars, tells only a portion of them.

While these famous drivers duel it out on the track, but when the caution flag goes up in life, they're there to help faster than the cars' speed.  The book includes a chapter dedicated to Dale Earnhardt and the significance he had to fans and why it is he will always be a legend in this sport.

Click to read more ...

The Cradle 

Publisher: Back Bay Books
List Price: $13.99/$16.99
Publish Date: 4/12/2010

Only as Matt tries to track down his wife's mother, he discovers that Caroline, upon leaving Marissa, has led a life increasingly plagued by impulse and irrationality, a mysterious life that grows more inexplicable with each new lead Matt gains, and door he enters. As hours turn into days and Caroline's trail takes Matt from Wisconsin to Minnesota, Illinois, and beyond in search of the cradle, Matt makes a discovery that will forever change Marissa's life, and faces a decision that will challenge everything he has ever known.

Click to read more ...

Two new books for kids from Abrams Books.

Ballroom Bonanza: A Hidden Pictures ABC Book

Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age

Click to read more ...

How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly
Connie May Fowler
Grand Central, Apr 2 2010, $23.99
ISBN: 9780446540681

How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly is the transcendent story of a young woman who, in a twenty-four hour period, journeys through startling moments of self-discovery that lead her to a courageous and life-altering decision.

Click to read more ...

and the book:

In the Midst of it All

Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (February 22, 2010)

Click to read more ...

You may have heard or already seen the movie adaptation of Diary of a Wimpy Kid that opened in theaters on March 19th, but do you know the steps that landed it there?

Jeff Kinney, author of the popular book series takes kids on a surprising journey through the process of making a book into a movie in The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary.  He starts with the original movie pitch and explores all the work that it takes from there to get to the test screening.

Click to read more ...

True Love never fails.  It's not like picking the daisy petals off when you were little, she loves me, he loves me not. 

For those that might be a little cynical about true love, Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love has 101 heartwarming and humorous stories.  Tales about first loves, unexpected love and love that waits.  All filled with the truth that although some may think it is rare, true love exists.

Click to read more ...

If you have not heard of The 39 Clues book series, let me give it to you in a nutshell...wealthy matriarch scatters cryptic clues to a mysterious fortune around the globe.  Siblings Amy and Dan Cahill are in a competition with the rest of their family to get the fortune by discovering all 39 clues. 

It's targeted audience is ages 9 - 12, but I'm sure there are older and younger that will enjoy the series alike.  Spanning 10 volumes, #8 The Emperor's Code is set for release on April 6th, 2010.

Click to read more ...

Shawneda Marks

and the book:

It's in my Blood
SC Creations (December 1, 2009)
***Special thanks to Shawneda Marks for sending me a review copy.***

Shawneda Marks is known as the activist author. She loves to sound the trumpet about important issues. In addition to being a tree hugger and running her charitable organization she loves to weave stories. Her heart and passion surround helping people be wellness walkers. Marks novels address issues in the faith based community while bringing laughter, conversation, revelation and hope. The nonfiction books are written at this time explicitly for women to be encouraged, empowered, beautiful from the inside out and most important whole!

Click to read more ...

The Rose Legacy - by Kristen Heitzmann

Carina DiGratia always thought she would marry long time family friend Flavio, until he breaches her trust with none other than her sister. 

She decides to punish him by picking up her roots in Sonoma, and moving to Crystal, Colorado which the advertisements state is the "Diamond of the Rockies".  Carina was leaving a life of privilege behind, and without realizing, moving to a mining town where women only worked in one profession. 

Click to read more ...