Tag: reviews

Review: With Jesus, I Tell the Truth

Published on by Erica

Synopsis as on Amazon

With Jesus I tell the truth

Telling the truth is a vital part of growing up, so this beautifully illustrated book is a great way to start teaching your child the value of honesty. Most adults will agree that lying to someone is a gargantuan no-no. This story is a great way to begin explaining why you should always be honest through use of an example.

The main character in this story, Macy, lied to her parents about eating a piece of cake. After that, her father tells her a very loved and familiar Bible story about Jesus and the truth. Jesus had many opportunities to lie but he always told the truth. This puts Jesus in a different light for little Macy who then decides that she would like to be more like Jesus and tells her parents the truth.

Some great characteristics about this book:

  • It can help change a child’s behavior
  • It opens an honest dialogue between parent and child.
  • It is easily read and understood and great for kids and families
  • The illustrations are bright and colorful both of which make it appealing to young readers.
  • It also teaches an important Biblical principle that is not easily forgotten.

So grab a copy today and start teaching your child the value of honesty.
Scroll up and click “Buy Now” button

My Review:

I loved this book. I was misty eyed by the end.

The prose is lovely. The illustrations are beautiful. I love that this story involves both Macy’s parents and that Macy gets the courage to be more like Jesus and tell the truth. The way it played out is realistic to family lice. Beautifully done.

Review: A Bright Heart

Published on by Erica

Blurb:

What if you could avenge your own murder? A brilliant young woman gets a second chance at life in this debut YA tale of vengeance, court intrigue, and romance, inspired by classic Chinese tropes.
 
Mingshin outsmarted three princes to help the man she loved become king. But she doesn’t see Ren’s betrayal coming, not until she’s lying in a pool of her own blood on the palace steps.
 
As she’s dying, Mingshin makes a desperate plea to the gods to turn back time and give her a chance to make things right.
 
Mingshin wakes up two years earlier, her prayer granted, and swears two things: Ren will never become king, and she will never fall in love again.
 
But the timeline in this life has changed: a dignitary gifted with dark magic is threatening her kingdom’s peace, and Ren’s thirst for power runs deeper than Mingshin could have imagined. 
 
She finds herself allying with Jieh, another contender for the throne. Mingshin knows better than anyone not to give her heart to a prince. But in the viper’s nest of the royal court, she and Jieh prove a phenomenal team. Can Mingshin avert the catastrophe of her past by once again learning to trust…and maybe even love? 
 
Master storyteller Kate Chenli introduces a singular YA heroine in this vividly rendered and utterly original new fantasy series. 

My Review:

The cover caught my attention as I love Asian based fantasy.

I waver between a 3 and a 4 star on this one, but by the end, I really loved this book.

Mingshin wasn’t that likable in the beginning. Yes, she’d been wronged. And she had good character growth. By the end, she was both likeable and admirable. (And I really really want to read the next book.) And I was rooting for Jeih from their first meeting.

Things to be aware of:

First is the minor foul language. (The a and b words.) There was only a few usages, thankfully. Does not really support the setting or feel of the story, but you understand why.

Secondly, too many lines went into what could have been epic kisses. Less is more.

This story does hint at a lesbian romance between Yunle and Fei, but it is both respectfully and tastefully handled.

Now, I think the next book will be an epic conclusion. If it’s anything like current C-dramas, and with the talent this author has for storytelling, I expect it even. (Don’t let me down!)

I received an ARC via Netgalley.

Review: An Inconvenient Letter

Published on by Erica
this book comes out March 5, 2005

Synopsis

Complications arise when Marietta’s secret love letters are accidentally found by the wrong man. 

1828, the London countryside

For years, Marietta Stone has harbored a secret infatuation for the handsome Frederick Finch and has poured out her deepest feelings in a series of passionate love letters that she keeps in a locked drawer. But when Marietta’s private letters are accidentally delivered to Frederick’s house, she must retrieve them immediately before they fall into the wrong hands. If the letters were read by anyone else, the resulting scandal could jeopardize her reputation. 

Gerard Hartwell has no time for infatuations, courtship, or even love. He must find a wife with a substantial inheritance if he wishes to save his late father’s bankrupt estate. When he accidentally discovers Marietta’s love letters at his cousin Frederick’s estate, he strikes a bargain with her. If she helps him court her older sister, Anne, he will return the letters and help Marietta win Frederick’s heart.

Marietta agrees, and the two quickly pretend to be courting in order to spend time with their individual love interests. Yet, what appeared to be a straightforward bargain becomes complicated when Gerard realizes that the more time he spends with Marietta, the more he wishes he could court her for real. But can he persuade Marietta to give him a chance when her heart might belong to another man?

Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I stayed up late reading this book. It’s so much better than the synopsis lead to to believe. (With this book, Julie Wright has secured herself as one of my favorites.)
I loved Etta and Gerard.
I loved Etta and Anne. I adored Lucy. (When Etta and Anne go by her house, even though it’s in part a desperate attempt to get letters back that wasn’t meant be sent, Lucy’s immediate and emotional reaction at seeing her friend was emotionally charged.)
The dynamics between all the characters and inner family workings was realistic and relatable.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the ARC, and thank you to author Julie Wright for another beautiful story.