Book Review: Not Another Boring ABC Book by Sharon Cohen

Title: Not Another Boring ABC Book

Author: Sharon Cohen
Publisher: Sharon Cohen
ASBN: B00D4YEYYW
Release Date: May 31, 2013
Pages: 29
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: A is for apple, B is for ball, C is for cat...so boring, isn't it ?
Well, this is Not Another Boring ABC Book!

Join Nina, a spunky princess, while she is doing fun and adventurous things that start with the alphabet letters, like riding dragons in the desert and throwing meatballs at monsters.

"Not Another Boring ABC Book" will get your kids excited about learning their ABC's and at the same time will send them a message of fun and empworment.

Mine: What a lovely illustrated book, not only does it show the ABC words in each picture that are written about, but there is usually another word in the picture that is of the same letter.

It’s not a boring book, since it’s not your normal alphabet. With the age range of 3 -6 there are some big words – yo-yo, Zipper, volleyball.

“I like playing Volleyball in the valley with my friend Vera” 2 princesses playing volleyball is illustrated.

“I like writing in my notebook at night” Night, Notebook, Nose

The illustrations are colorful and fun. Will definitely be looking for more books from this author.


Reading Challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
150+ Reading Challenge for 2013
2013 E-Book Reading Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge
2013 Read-A-Latte Challenge
2013 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Book Review: William L Finley: Photographer and Conservationist by Denise & Daniel Ankele

Title: William L Finley: Photographer and Conservationist
Author: Denise & Daniel Ankele
Publisher: Ankele Publishing, LLC
ISBN: B005DL27W0
Release Date: July 19, 2011
Pages: 66
Genre: Photography
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Amazon: WILLIAM L. FINLEY Art Book contain 55+ Photographic reproductions of birds, elk and self-portraits with title, date and interesting facts page below.
Book includes Table of Contents, thumbnail gallery and is formatted for all Kindle readers and Tablets (use rotate and/or zoom feature on landscape/horizontal images for optimal viewing).

BORN: August 9, 1876 in Santa Clara, California.
DIED: June 29, 1953 in Portland, Oregon

MOVEMENT: Wildlife Photography and Conservation

INTERESTING FACTS:
§ The William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is named in his honor.
§ Finley and his associate, Herman T. Bohlman’s photographic work in the Lower Klamath Lake and Tule Lake, prompted President Theodore Roosevelt to set aside federal land as bird reservations.
§ In 1906, Finley was elected the second president of the Oregon Audubon Society.
§ In 1911, he joined the Governor’s office serving as Fish and Game commissioner.
§ Finley wrote books, founded the Oregon Sportsman magazine, and made motion pictures for wildlife conservation.

Mine:
What a wonderful book showing some great nature photos in black and white. It was amazing how he made himself fit into nature to take the photos. This was way before time lapse photography.

This interesting fact is that I had no idea that he was born in Santa Clara, CA. I will definitely be checking into that , since it’s about 6 miles away. It would be interesting to see what local history says about him.

In book format this would be a wonderful “coffee table” book.

Reading Challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
150+ Reading Challenge for 2013
2013 E-Book Reading Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Read-A-Latte Challenge
2013 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Book Review: Dawn's Big Move (The Baby-Sitters Club, #67) by Ann M Martin

Title: Dawn's Big Move (The Baby-Sitters Club, #67)
Author: Ann M Martin
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 0590470051
Release Date: September 1st 1993
Pages: 192
Genre: Children’s
Format: Paperback
Source: TBR

Back Cover: Dawn loves here life in Stoneybrook – her new stepfamily, the kids she sits for, and especially her friends in the Babysitters Club. But lately, Dawn really misses her dad and brother in California. Seeing them on holidays and vacations just isn’t enough. So Dawn’s made a decision – a big one. She’s going to move back to California for six months.

Of course, everyone’s shocked. What’s Mary Anne going to do without her best friend and stepsister? Who will replace Dawn in the Club? And will she really come back?

Mine: I haven’t read one of these books in a while but had one on the shelf and thought what the heck. It took me back to jr. high when friends abound. I know it was a hard decision go visit her Dad and brother in California or stay in Stoneybrook. Dawn’s friends make it hard and easy at the same time. Not the best one of the BSC books.


Reading Challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
150+ Reading Challenge for 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge
2013 Mount TBR Reading Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Read-A-Latte Challenge
2013 WHERE Are You Reading Challenge
50 States Challenge 2013

Book Review: Congo: Picture Book by Planet Collection

Title: Congo: Picture Book (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B0097K9LG8
Release Date: September 7, 2012
Pages: 17
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the updated Planet Collection, "CONGO" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of Congo.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the large photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the fun fact filled passages.


Mine: The Congo is found in Central Africal. The rainforest is the habitat for most of the wildlife – there are some like the Grey Parrot that can only be found there.

The Congo (Zaire) River is the 9th longest river in the world. There are 62 different languages spoken in the country.


Reading Challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
150+ Reading Challenge for 2013
2013 E-Book Reading Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge
2013 Mount TBR Reading Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Read-A-Latte Challenge
2013 WHERE Are You Reading Challenge

Book Review:Ethiopia: Picture Book by Planet Collection

Title: Ethiopia: Picture Book (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B0097K9LIG
Release Date: September 7, 2012
Pages: 17
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the updated Planet Collection, "Ethiopia" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of Ethiopia.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the large photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the fun fact filled passages.


Mine: Ethiopia is the 2nd most populated country in Africa with a very diverse influence. Camels are popular as transportation for trade. There are 31 species of mammals that are only found here. They are hope to a total of 9 UNESCO sites – the most popular being – Church of Saint George

Reading Challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
150+ Reading Challenge for 2013
2013 E-Book Reading Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge
2013 Mount TBR Reading Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Read-A-Latte Challenge
2013 WHERE Are You Reading Challenge

Where are you Reading

Book Review: Uzbekistan: Picture Book (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 by Planet Collection

Title: Uzbekistan: Picture Book (Educational Children's Books Collection) - Level 2 (Planet Collection)
Author: Planet Collection
Publisher: Planet Collection
ISBN: B0097KA4GY
Release Date: September 7, 2012
Pages: 17
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: As a part of the updated Planet Collection, "UZBEKISTAN" offers facts, descriptions and thought inspiring questions alongside amazing photographs of Uzbekistan.

Toddlers and babies will love looking at the large photos, while the older children will be able to grow their minds through reading the fun fact filled passages.


Mine: A major supplier of cotton, spices, and silk. They are known for they handiwork in wood and silk.

Great photos and some interesting facts about the country of Uzbekistan. Where nomads live in tents and travel the desert with their livestock.

Reading Challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
150+ Reading Challenge for 2013
2013 E-Book Reading Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge
2013 Mount TBR Reading Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Read-A-Latte Challenge
2013 WHERE Are You Reading Challenge

Where Are You Reading Challenge

Book Review: What Do Penguins Want for Christmas? By Casey Crayne (ebook)

Title: What Do Penguins Want for Christmas?
Author: Casey Cray
Publisher: Smashwords
ISBN:
Release Date: November 26, 2011
Pages: 20
Genre: Children’s Illistrated
Format: ebook
Source: Smashwords

Description:
Santa had to expand his operation to the south pole. It doesn’t take long before a little penguin starts to become curious about what this strange old man is doing in his home. Find out what penguins really want for Christmas.

Review:
What a cute story about how Santa decided to set up a small shop in the South Pole so that he can pick up toys at both the North Pole and South Pole to make it easier. The penguin isn’t happy in the beginning, but after hearing Santa (the strange old man) out he decides maybe it won’t be so bad.

Book Review: My Glasses by Jessica Arnold

Title: My Glasses
Author: Jessica Arnold
Publisher: Marquette Press
ISBN: B008C1RSAE
Release Date: June 15, 2012
Pages: 25
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle: Samantha returns to school as a sixth grader and discovers that there is something unusual going on with her vision. Sentences look blurry causing her to have trouble reading. Her mother makes her an appointment with the eye doctor and she soon learns about what it's like to have glasses for the first time.

This is the fifth book written by 13-year-old Jessica Arnold, who became an author at seven years old with her positive story, "I am good at Lots of Things." Later, she followed up with "Nobody Can Take My Happy Away." Jessica's lively illustrations and vivid imagination make the "My Glasses" come to life.

Mine: Wow can I relate to this book. I had to get glasses in 6th grade also (like you aren’t awkward enough at that age).

Four eyes wasn’t the worst I got – chicken pox the same year so I was called raspberry fact too.

I like that it’s written by a “child”. I like that there is a “bully”, but Samantha does find another friend that is probably better than the one that teased her.


Reading Challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
2012 Reading Challenge Addict
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
2012 Read to Me Picture Books Challenge

Book Review: ABC’s For You And Me by Michael Mitchell

Title: ABC’s For You And Me
Author: Michael Mitchell
Publisher: N/A
ISBN: B0073NCSA4
Release Date: January 30 2012
Pages: 52
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle:
Learn ABCs with a whole host of fun and funny characters. Very educational childrens story for everyone and a great family activity


Mine:
What a wonder rhyming book with silly pictures to go with it. It’s silly enough that you can remember the pink puppy in the puddle or the owl that likes oatmeal.

Reading Challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
2012 Reading Challenge Addict
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
2012 Read to Me Picture Books Challenge

Book Review - Easter Bunnies Everywhere by Renae Rae

Title: Easter Bunnies Everywhere
Author: Renae Rae
Publisher: N/A
ISBN: B007GLJHHS
Release Date: March 2, 2012
Pages: 41
Genre: Children’s
Format: ebook
Source: Kindle

Kindle:
A cute story showing how many unique bunnies can work together to make Easter baskets for all the boys and girls. Easter Bunnies Everywhere, combines rhythmic writing and colorful illustrations to make this a fun fook for all ages but it was designed with your toddler and early reader in mind.


Mine:
This book is beautifully illustrated, but the best part is that it shows a child about working together and sharing responsibility. It’s amazing what a group can do.

There are also nice rhyming lines in the book – “There’s Stella, who’s as sweet as pie, and Daisy, who’s a little shy. Now, Dilbert likes to get into trouble and poor Seymour, he see double.”

Reading Challenges:
101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge
2012 100+ Books in A Year Reading Challenge
2012 100+ Books Reading Challenge
2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
Pages Read Challenge
2012 Reading Challenge Addict
An Illustrated Year: 2012 Picture Book Reading Challenge
Why Buy The Cow? Reading Challenge 2012
2012 E-Book Reading Challenge
Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge
What An Animal Reading Challenge V
2012 Read to Me Picture Books Challenge

Book Review: Carrot Cake's Chistmas Book by MK Bashlor (ebook)

Title: Carrot Cake’s Christmas Book
Author: M K Bashlor
Publisher: Smashwords
ISBN:
Release Date: December 6, 2011
Pages: 13
Genre: Children’s pictorial
Format: ebook
Source: Smashwords

Description: Carrot Cake is trying to say “Merry Christmas” in a special way. Find out how he finally does it. Short and sweet, a quick bedtime story for Children ages 1 and up.

Review: This is a short mostly pictorial book of how Carrot Cake a guinea pig wishes all a Merry Christmas. Very cute to see how this cutie poses.

Book Review: The Yellow Hummer by Ivet Graham-Morgan

Title: The Yellow Hummer
Author: Ivet Graham-Morgan
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
ISBN:978-1-4327-4784-8
Release Date: March 11, 2010
Pages: 26
Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Readers/Beginner
Format: Paperback
Source: For Review

Back Cover:
A shiny yellow Hummer! It is a gift that would please any little boy, and Jordan is excited to show it to his beloved grandmother. But a terrible mishap occurs, and Jordan is very sad-that is, until he makes a very important discovery. Are things more important than people? It is a lesson that will forever stay with him.

Mine:
Jordan is so happy to get a Yellow Hummer as his new toy at a Christmas party. In his hurry to start playing with remote control Hummer he has his Grandma help him open the package. Oops – Grandma where are your glasses. She cuts through the remote cord. Jordan is disappointed and crying.

After spending time in his room and having time to think he comes out to forgive his Grandma. He realizes that the person is more important than the prize of the new Yellow Hummer. What a wonderful story about material things not being all there is.

Book Review -Big Girl by Danielle Steel

Title: Big Girl
Author: Danielle Steel
Genre: Chick Lit

Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, The Naming Convention Challenge, Book Around the States Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, TBR Challenge 2010, 100 + Reading Challenge, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge, Audio Book Challenge 2010, Contemporary Romance Challenge in 2010

Rating: 5/5
No. of Pages: 536 (Audio)
Published: 2010


Back Cover: Victoria Dawson has always felt out of place in her family, especially in body-conscious L.A. Her father, Jim, is tall and slender, and her Mother, Christina, is a fine-boned, dark-haired beauty. Both are self-centered, outspoken, and disappointed by their daughter’s looks. While her parens and sister can eat anything and not gain an ounce, Victoria must watch everything she eats, as well as endure her father’s belittling comments about her body and see her academic achievements go unacknowledged. Ice cream and oversized helpings of all the wrong foods give her comfort, but only briefly. The one thing she knows is that she has to get away from home, and after college in Chicago, she moves to New York City.

Behind Victoria is a lifetime of hurt and neglect she has tried to forget, and even ice cream can no longer dull the pain. Ahead is a challenge and risk: to accept herself as she is, celebrate it, and claim the victories she has faught so hard for and deserves. Big girl or not, she is terrific and discovers that herself.

Mine: What a wonderfully timely book as we talk about bullying and obesity. Victoria suffers both, but worst of all the bullying comes from her own family. She’s just the “tester cake” that comes before her perfect sister. There are time while listening to the book – it was frustrating to think that her family is the cause of a lot of her heartache.

The wonderful thing about this story is we travel with Victoria through her journey of self-discovery and healing. She does finally discover she is worth of someone’s love as the person that she is, not what her family thinks of her.

Book Review - Eddie Robinson by Denny Dressman

Title: Eddie Robinson “…he was the Martin Luther King of football.”
Author: Denny Dressman
Genre: Biography

Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, The Naming Convention Challenge, Book Around the States Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, Read Your Own Books 2010, TBR Challenge 2010, Reading From My Shelves Project 2010, 100 + Reading Challenge, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge

Rating: 5/5
No. of Pages: 373
Published: 2010


Back Cover: Eddie Robinson told everyone that “America is the greatest country in the world” and overcame racial discrimination with quiet, humble achievement. “to me, he was the Martin Luther King of football, “ said retired Jackson State coach W. C. Gorden, a long-time friend and adversary who joined Robinson in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Thousands who paid tribute upon Robinson’s death in 2007 share Gorden’s view. Covering six decades, Robinson’s coaching career paralleled the Jim Crow era of segregation in the Deep South and every major event of the Civil Rights Movement. His historic tenure spanned 11 U.S. Presidencies and four wars involving American Troops – 57 years all at the same university: Grambling. His football teams won 408 games and nine black national championships, and played in 28 states and Tokyo, Japan. Robinson opened the National Football League to players from historically black colleges, and sent more than 200 players into pro football, including four members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This remarkable leader also sent thousands of athletes and students into society as educated, responsible, productive citizens. This story of his life is based on dozens of interviews and extensive research into six decades of football history and half-century of civil rights progress.

Mine: What a wonderful man Eddie Robinson, must have been. He sounds like a very strong man – he must have had to have been to live through the times he did, being a black man in the South. He also had to believe in the kindness of his fellow man. I had no idea that he also coach Basketball in the early years along with football.

He was a maker of men. He took young boys who played football and made them into respectful men. With all the wonderful championships that he won – this seems to be his greatest achievement. Grambling made a name for itself for the way they played football.

Book Review - April Adventure by Ron Roy

Title: April Adventure (Calendar Mysteries)
Author: Ron Roy
Genre: Young Adult

Challenges: To Be Continued…Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Monthly Mixer Mele, Read and Review Challenge 2010, Young Readers Reading Challenge 2010, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge, 100 + Reading Challenge, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge,

Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 69
Published: 2010


Back Cover: April is for Adventure….It’s springtime in Green Law, and Bradley, Brian, Lucy, and Nate are on an Easter egg hunt. They search high and low and find lots of eggs. But soon it’s clear that some of the eggs aren’t just well hidden. They’re gone! Who would steal Easter eggs? It’s up to the four kids to crack this egg-cellent case.

Mine: The kids (younger siblings to the A-Z mystery characters) are off on an Easter egg hunt. There are clues along the way, but the golden eggs that they are really seeking have seemed to disappeared. They are hidden in the park, but who would take Easter eggs? The snake, the raccoons, the swans? Time will tell and the mystery will be solved.

Book Reveiw: February Friends by Ron Roy

Title: February Friend (Calendar Mysteries #2)
Author: Ron Roy
Genre: Young Adult

Challenges: To Be Continued…Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge, 100 + Reading Challenge, Young Adult Reading Challenge, YA Through the Decades, 1st In A Series, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge, What An Animal III Challenge


Rating: 3/5
No. of Pages: 69
Published: 2009


Back Cover: It’s a Valentine’s Day party! Bradley is passing out his class’s valentines, but one of them has no name on it. Inside, the card tells the class to look in the closet. When they open the closet door, the kids find a rabbit named Douglas in a cage! What mysterious “friend” left him there? And why? Then the bunny gets sick. It sup to Bradley, Brian, Lucy and Nate to track down his owner and figure out what is wrong with poor little Douglas.

Mine: The kids are committed to finding out who left Douglas behind for the class to take care of. The kids do manage to find the owner and realize they actually know him. He’s left Douglas, because he feels he can no longer take care of him himself. The kids help him realize that he can still take care of him.

Book Review -Double Play At Short by Matt Christopher

Title: Double Play At Short
Author: Matt Christopher
Genre: Young Adult

Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, Read Your Own Books 2010, TBR Challenge 2010, Reading From My Shelves Project 2010, 100 + Reading Challenge, Young Adult Reading Challenge, YA Through the Decades, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge,

Rating: 3/5
No. of Pages: 139
Published: 1995


Back Cover: Danny Walker is on eof the best players the team has; in fact, his adoptive parents and sister consider him a shoo-in for the shortstop position on the All-Star team. But that was before Tammy Aiken, the opposition’s new “Hot Dog” shortstop, showed up. Danny has a sinking feeling the newcomer is as good as he is – feeling her stats back up. And yet something besides her threatening to steal the All-Star spot from him is bothering him.. The more he watches her, the more he becomes convince that he’s seen her – or someone just like her – play before. Why does Tammy seem so familiar?

Mine: (I try to read some of the same books as my nephews. The older one loves Matt Christopher and I love baseball.) This is a great way great way to also discuss adoption, when do you tell someone that their were adopted.. Danny seems to have always known. Having a brother who was adopted as a baby, it’s nice to see how Danny belongs in the family.

Book Review: Masks From Around the World by Garth Dahl

Title: Masks From Around the World – A Personal Collection
Author: Garth Dahl
Genre: Reference

Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Monthly Mixer Mele, Read and Review Challenge 2010, Read Your Own Books 2010, TBR Challenge 2010, Reading From My Shelves Project 2010, 100 + Reading Challenge, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge

Rating: 3/5
No. of Pages: 82
Published: 2006


Back Cover: Garth Dahl bought his first mask in Costa Rica in 1989 as a travel souvenir, and this book details his discoveries in mask buying that followed. Beautiful photographs bring out the visual energy of the masks that he assembled over 15 years, on five continents. Dahl shares valuable practical advice with beginners who might wish to collect masks themselves – in other countries, in Canada and on the internet.

The author’s interview with noted West Coast carver Reg Davidson reveals how a mask maker expresses culture through masks, and leads to Dahl witnessing a highly significant event in the history of the Haida nation of British Columbia.

Mine: What an interesting book about masks. I’ve always enjoyed looking at them at museums, but have never thought about the collecting part of it. The photographs are wonderful – they follow Dahl on his adventures around the world to find his prized masks. It’s interesting to see that almost every continent or area of the world has masks. My favorite masks are the “Head in the Air” that looks much like a giraffe and the Stone Faced with it’s beautiful mother of pearl.

This should be considered a wonderful starting resource about masks.

Book Review - Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber

Title: Hannah’s List
Author: Debbie Macomber
Genre: Chick Lit

Challenges: 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge. Book Around the States Challenge, Monthly Mixer Mele, Read and Review Challenge 2010, 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge, 100 + Reading Challenge, Romance Reading Challenge 2010, Audio Book Challenge 2010, Pages Read 2010, Contemporary Romance Challenge in 2010, A to Z challenge,



Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: Audio (354)
Published: 2010


Back Cover: On the Anniversary of his beloved wife’s death, Dr. Michael Everett receives a letter Hannah had written to him.

In it she reminds him of her love and makes one final request. An impossible request – I want you to marry again. She tells him he shouldn’t spend the years he has left grieving her. And to that end she’s chosen three women she asks him to consider.

First on Hannah’s list is her cousin, Winter Adams, a trained chef who owns a café on Seattle’s Blossom Street. The second is Leanne Lancaster, Hannah’s oncology nurse. Michael knows them both. But the third name is one he’s not familiar with – Macy Roth.

Each of these three women has her own heartache, her own private grief. More than a year earlier, Winter broke off her relationship with another chef. Leanne is divorced from a man who defrauded the hospital for which she works. And Macy lacks family of her own, the family she craves, but she’s a rescuer of strays, human and animal. Macy is energetic, artistic, eccentric – and couldn’t be more different from Michael.

During the months that follow, he spends time with Winter, Leanne, and Macy, learning more about each of them… and about himself. Learning what Hannah already knew. He’s a man who needs the completeness only love can offer. And Hannah’s list leads him to the woman who can help him find it.

Mine: As ever Macomber gets to the heart. Michael must live with the fact that his wife Hannah who died over a year ago is giving him permission to move on with his life. She has left him a letter with 3 choices of ladies who might be suitable. As always the least likely on paper is probably the best choice for him; if he will just let his heart open.

Book Review - Lily: A Basset Hound’s Tail of Love by Cathy M. Rudert

Title: Lily: A Basset Hound’s Tail of Love
Author: Cathy M. Rudert
Genre: Children’s

Challenges: PB & J Challenge, 101 Books in 1001 Days Challenge, Read and Review Challenge 2010, Read Your Own Books 2010, TBR Challenge 2010, Reading From My Shelves Project 2010, Young Readers Reading Challenge 2010, 100 + Reading Challenge, Pages Read 2010, A to Z challenge, What An Animal III Challenge

Rating: 4/5
No. of Pages: 32
Published: 2006


Inside Cover: Lily…(The loosely part) – Join a homeless basset hound on her last lonely, but somewhat fun day searching for someone to love her. She travels with her guardian blue bird, who leaves his new family for one day to show her the way.

She encounters many folks on her journey who seem nice, but go on their way. Her luck changes at the end of the day, just in time for dinner, a tour of her new back yard, a bubble bath, and YES, a nice warm bed! Lily meets many people, but the ending is clear! Her new best friends are saved for last, and are very dear.

Lily…(the true part) – I found Lily wandering the streets newar my hometown. She had been abandoned for a long time, according to a lady who noticed her roaming in her neighborhood. Lily has no tags. I stumbled upon the situation and brought her home to live with Chloe and myself at Pine Meer. This all happened on St. Francis’ Day. I did no know what that meant at first, but I figured it out later. St. Francis is the patron Saint of animals, so maybe,just maybe, dogs are an additional or subsidiary deity designed to catch the overflow and surplus of the world’s worship!

Mine: What a wonderful quirky book. Illustrated with collage – drawing and pictures makes this story pop. The most wonderful part is Lily is learning about her environment around her, so that she can survive when given the wonderful care that she deserves. She meets some funny people along the way, but none seem to notice her.

Lily is a wonderful dog that must have learned to spread love all around. Cathy has made rescuing basset hounds a calling: Please check out Cathy’s website that helps rescue Basset Hounds – Basset Hound Town