Daisies are Forever by Liz Tolsma (Review & Giveaway)

About the book:  Gisela must hold on to hope and love despite all odds in the midst of a war-torn country.

Gisela Cramer is an American living in eastern Germany with her cousin Ella Reinhardt. When the Red Army invades, they must leave their home to escape to safety in Berlin.

However, Ella is a nurse and refuses to leave, sending her young daughters with Gisela. During their journey, Gisela meets Mitch Edwards, an escaped British POW. She pretends she is his wife in order to preserve his safety among other Germans, especially one wounded German soldier, Kurt, who has suspicions about Mitch's identity. Kurt also has feelings for Gisela and tries to uncover the truth about her "marriage."

Their journey to Gisela's mother in Berlin is riddled with tragedy and hardship, but they strive to keep Ella's daughters safe so they can reunite with their mother. During the journey Gisela and Mitch begin to develop feelings for one another beyond friendship. They reach Berlin, but their struggles are far from over. Gisela and Mitch must learn to live for the day and find hope in the darkest of circumstances.

In this moving, historically accurate portrayal of WWII Germany, the characters learn that, even with destruction all around them, some things last forever.

My thoughts: No matter how one tells the story of war or the people involved in war, the pen can not describe the horror of it adequately. No matter which side of the conflict is being chronicled, war and its horrors are unspeakable. The stories of World War II usually tell of the brutality of Germany against those deemed unworthy to live. The plan of Hitler to cleanse Germany and produce a pure nation resulted in horrific acts toward those condemned.

In Daisies Are Forever, the focus is on the peoples of Germany as the war turns in favor of the Allies and against the German war machine. The men, women, and children not involved in the atrocities that made up the war effort of Germany. Their fears. The dangers they faced. The ones who could not flee. The stumbles and falls along the way to flee the sweep of soldiers into their own cities and villages. The hours and days in bomb shelters. The destroyed buildings and lives at the hands of the Allies.

This story milks one of our compassion for a people caught in the throes of war – a people for whom we normally would not feel compassion.  A people who would have rejoiced in victory had the Allies not defeated them. A people who still, even in the face of invading Allies, believed in their Fuhrer and all that his purification of Germany held.

This story is well written and it does show how the ordinary people are caught in the conflict of war.
But you can not paint the story of war – especially so brutal, intense, and hugh a war as WWII was – with a gentle, loving brush. War is brutal. The conquering armies of Germany were not gentle as they swept through Europe. So it is difficult to hold compassion for the people of Germany when the tide of war turn in their disfavor.

It is difficult but it is not impossible. For forgiveness is of God and from His heart we are able to forgive.

I found Daisies Are Forever an interest read but not one that I enjoyed. I could not enjoy a story of such intense emotions, but I could think well of the author and her writing abilities and handling of an intensely conflicting story. I felt she showed a pretty true side of history, but one that none-the-less can be difficult to read.

GIVEAWAY:  A copy of Daisies Are Forever is waiting for one of Chat With Vera's readers. Use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter. Begins May 31 & ENDS June 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.
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About the author: New York Times best-selling author Liz Tolsma is the author of Daisies are Forever, Snow on the Tulips, and the contributing author of A Log Cabin Christmas. When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children, all adopted internationally.

Connect with Liz: website

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of Daisies Are Forever in exchange for my review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Day By Day Beauty Vitamin C Serum (Anti-Aging Product Review)

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

• I have been using the Day By Day Beauty Vitamin C Serum for two weeks - morning and evening. I cleanse (wash) my face first and then apply the serum followed by my moisturizer.  Using the serum completely by itself tends to have a slightly sticky feel, but the moisturizer takes care of that. I don't believe the serum is intended to be the sole product for skin care. The company indicates users should follow its use with a moisturizer.

Since it is intended for skin evenness and dark spots, I have also been lavishing it on my the tops of my forearms just to give it further trial.  I followed this with my body lotion of choice.

Now just what do I think of this product? First of all, I have not seen any outstanding, noticeable results in the brief two week span. But neither have I seen any deleterious effects, either. When using the Day By Day Beauty Vitamin C Serum followed by my moisturizer, I do see a smoothness to my skin, a "glow" that is not present with moisturizer alone.  I see this as a favorable result. I like the pump bottle, too.

I think that with continued use, the serum will prove beneficial. It does, of course, have to be taken into consideration that we take care of our skin but we do not expect to end up with the beautiful smooth and soft skin of a baby. We must consider our age and the abuse that we have subjected our skin to through the years. We must consider that we are what we eat as well.

Frankly, I am delighted to be a part of reviewing this product and others of a similar nature because I truly hope that when I encourage men and women to care for their skin they will take heed and seek out effective products to do just that very thing. As I have said many times, "Cream your face!" That means use whatever products you have at hand and can afford to moisturize and care for your face. Skin treatment with a serum such as Day By Day Beauty Vitamin C Serum perhaps is one of choice that my readers will find beneficial to the care and upkeep of their skin. Product may be acquired online at Amazon.

Who are likely users of this anti-aging product - Day By Day Beauty Vitamin C Serum? Anyone who desires  to improve their skin's appearance. Young and middle age men and women, and older men and women. 

From a news release by Day By Day Beauty
Natural Ingredients, No Fillers, Day by Day Beauty's Vitamin C Serum recommend that someone new to Vitamin C Serum may want to consider trying a Percentage under 20%. This gives the facial skin the opportunity to adapt to the new product and in a way build resilience to it. "Many people forget that Vitamin C is an acid, and too much acid right away for some will cause breakouts or irritation. So it isn't that the Vitamin C Serum is a poor product, it is that their selection in which product and percentage was poor," Co-Founder Pamela from Day by Day Beauty shares.

Day by Day Beauty designed their Vitamin C Serum to be an 18% being very well aware that first time users, or those with sensitive skin, may not have success with a 20% - 30% Vitamin C. Many customers with sensitive skin share their surprise in reviews on the company's Amazon listing.

Day by Day Beauty sees these types of reviews on a regular basis and are so glad they decided to stay with an 18% potency despite the marketplace.

Be informed about the percentage of Vitamin C within a serum and make a decision what is best-fit for your skin. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact Day by Day Beauty's customer service or consult your dermatologist.

About Day by Day Beauty, Inc.  
Day by Day Beauty is a top-rated seller on Amazon.com. The company is proud to provide deeply nourishing beauty products made from certified organic ingredients. Day by Day Beauty keeps the environmentally conscientious beauty gurus in mind. All products are made in the United States under FDA guidelines. There is absolutely no animal testing, no parabens, no alcohol and no additives. Product will come with minimal packaging and is recyclable.

DISCLOSURE: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Explore the Bible Sticker Book (Candle Discovery Series)

• ISBN-13: 9781859858189

About the book:  Explore the Bible Sticker Book helps children discover life in Bible times as they search for the detailed sticker that relates to each fact or story. As children find the correct sticker that completes the page, it helps them retain knowledge and, once completed, the book serves as a fully illustrated resource. Explore the many facets of life in Bible times, including the people, professions, architecture, journeys, and daily life that make up a rich biblical history.

Perfect for today’s 7 to 9 age range, Explore the Bible Sticker Book is interactive and informative!

My thoughts: This is the third book in the children’s Candle Discovery Bible Reference Series that I have reviewed here on Chat With Vera recently and it has been a pleasant privilege. In Explore the Bible Sticker Book this “over-the-top” quality sticker book is not for the wee little ones. It is for those ages 7 and up. Salient facts are encapsulated with beautiful, realistic art to give detail in learning the various Bible facts on lands, times, and characters. Arranged loosely along the same lines as the timeline of the Bible (Old Testament to New Testament), you can see how they lived, cooked, fought, built houses, grew food, etc. There are pages devoted to the Egyptian World, the Greek World, and the Roman World. Transportation, writing, the religion of the Jews, and Bible People are just some of the topics.

When finished going through reading and matching the stickers with pictures, the book becomes a good reference tool for future study. I see this as being enjoyable and educational for the elementary child. What a treat it would be to receive this as a gift! I recommend Explore the Bible Sticker Book.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of Explore the Bible Sticker Book from Kregel Publishing in exchange for my honest review. No compensation was received and opinions are my very own.

Memorial Day. What does it mean to you?

Memorial Day.  What does it mean to you? What does it mean to me?

I know what it is designated to be and that is a day to remember those who have given their lives, the ultimate sacrifice, in battle to secure and maintain the freedoms we hold dear here in this beloved United States of America. But really, what does it mean to you and to me?

It depends on how you’ve been raised to remember the day and it depends on how your community remembers the day. But it also means how you as an individual have brought into your own being a desire to take moments or a day to recall the struggle of battle, the cost of war, the ultimate sacrifice of thousands upon thousands who have won our freedoms.

As a small girl in the 1940s, I had three uncles who were Army men. Two served in Europe and one was an Army pilot. An army pilot who trained others to pilot planes to fly in Europe or in the Pacific. My father could not serve because he had medical problems. He tried to serve. He signed up. He joined. And then they said, “No, go home.” My grandmother had four sons and they would have all served. But only three were accepted.

Dad loved photography and he took pictures – stills and movies. We have a special 16mm movie he took. It shows a little boy dressed in a play army uniform – my older brother around 10 years old. It shows a little girl with a mass of curls and big little girl smile – me – around four years old. It shows a grandmother and grandfather proudly smiling. It also shows a handsome young man in full army uniform. My Uncle Herbert. We’re all smiling, waving, and enjoying ourselves.

That was my Uncle Herbert’s final trip home.

Brother Sam & Uncle Herbert

Grandfather & Grandmother With Uncle Herbert

Uncle LH, Uncle Bill, & Dad

He died. Not on a battle field. Not from an enemy bullet. Not from a crash of his airplane on foreign soil. He died teaching another how to fly a plane. But he, too, gave the ultimate sacrifice. He, too, was lost to a mother and father who loved him. I lost an uncle. My brother lost an uncle. My uncle never had a wife. Never had children. He was America’s youth. And like so many of America’s youth in the 1940s, he gave his all.

My other two uncles served in Europe. Thankfully, they came home. They married and had children. And they loved on the little girl that lost her other uncle.

Our family has had others who also served. I think of…..

My husband – US Airforce during the Korean War
My cousin, Lee – US Army served in Vietnam
My brother, Herb  - US Army
My brother, Sam – US Army
My father-in-law – US Army, WWI

So what does Memorial Day mean to me, it means family time. It means time to be thankful for our freedoms. It means a time to recall those who served our country and especially those whose service was the ultimate sacrifice.

If you were me and lived in... Australia: A Child's Introduction to Cultures around the World (Volume 8) by Carole P. Roman (Review & Giveaway)

• ISBN-13: 978-1490522395

Former teacher, Carole P. Roman, writes children’s social study books that are an introduction to learning about other cultures. I am reviewing If You Were Me and Lived in Australia which has a little boy and girl showing the location of Australia on a globe. You learn first of all where Australia is located and that it is a continent all by itself.
Some of the basics of Roman’s culture books include names for Mommy and Daddy, types of food enjoyed in that culture, and activities – sports, etc. – they have. I found particularly interesting the page covering the Great Barrier Reef which is peculiar to the ocean around Australia.

Australia is English speaking but they pronounce their words differently from the English spoken in America. Roman provided a pronunciation guide in the back, with brief definition, of specific words.

To date, Carole P. Roman has written and printed the following If You Were Me and Lived in…… books: Mexico, France, South Korea, Norway, Turkey, Kenya, India, and Australia. Chat With Vera has reviewed most of these. I invite you to read my reviews and see if these might be good books to add to the library of that special child of yours. They are especially nice to have on hand in the homeschool library or school classroom library.

GIVEAWAY: Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. You may be blessed to be the winner of a copy of the book that Carole P.Roman is so generously providing. Begins May 23 & ENDS June 12  @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only. 
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DISCLOSURE: The author provided a complimentary copy of If You Were Me and Lived In Australia in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I was not compensated for this review.

Christmas Eve Blizzard by Andrea Vlahakis and illustrated by manuel (Manny) Schongut (Review and Giveaway)

ISBN: 9780976494331
Ages 5-9, Grades K-4
Hardcover $15.95

About the book: Christmas Eve Blizzard is the tender story of a beautiful cardinal who is trapped in the snow until a young boy rescues him. Nicholas places more importance on caring for the injured bird than in decorating the Christmas tree or opening his gifts on Christmas morning. Christmas Eve Blizzard will truly touch your heart. The "Creative Minds" section contains information on how to make your backyard into a bird-happy habitat, several simple bird-feeder crafts, "cardinal numbers," math games, and information on what to do if you find an injured bird.
           
Review:  This is a lovely picture book reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s books for children. The illustrations are soft, sweet, charming and beautifully drawn. The story is somewhat bilingual in that the characters, Nicholas and his Abuelo (grandpa) use Spanish words here and there. The story is in English.

It is Winter and there is a blizzard raging and it is Christmas Eve. There is a small, young apple tree in the yard which Nicholas and Aubelo have planted. Nicholas is worried about his little tree. Looking out the window he spies a fallen Cardinal and rushes out to rescue the little bird. They feed, shelter, and water the bird and the following day - Christmas - they release the bird.Then a bit of folklore style magic takes place - for many following years the apple tree is covered with Cardinals on Christmas Day.

In the back of the book, Arbordale lives up to its reputation for educational stories by factoring in some "Creative Minds" activities - Spanish and English Glossary, Teaching Trivia about birds and especially Cardinals, Making a Bird-Happy Backyard Habitat, and then a couple of pages dedicated to bird feeders.

A super book to entertain and educate. (rev. V.G)

About the author: Andrea Vlahakis (Christmas Eve Blizzard) is a busy children's author, having been published in Highlights for Children, Turtle, Ladybug and Appleseeds. In addition to her own writing, Andrea is an instructor at the Institute of Children's Literature. A large portion of Andrea's work revolves around nature and birds. The inspiration for this book comes from her childhood home. When she was eight, her father hung a cardinal-red birdfeeder from their old apple tree and her love of bird watching was born. It also comes from her own rescue of a bird during a blizzard a few years ago, with the help of an equally snowbound wildlife rescue person on the other end of the phone. Andrea lives in Connecticut surrounded by woods, streams, and lots of birds to watch. For more information, visit her website at www.AndreaVlahakis.com.

About the illustrator: Emanuel (Manny) Schongut (Christmas Eve Blizzard and Turtles in my Sandbox) is a prolific, multi-faceted freelance illustrator who works in children's books, book covers, textbook illustration, editorial art, posters, and advertising art - essentially he does it all!. Some of his numerous clients include Masterpiece and Mystery Theater, Public Television, New York Magazine, and The New York Times Sunday Magazine. His cover art and/or illustrations grace books from a wide variety of book publishers including Harper & Row, MacMillan, Doubleday, Morrow, Green Willow Books, and now Arbordale. In addition to his own artwork, Manny taught reportorial art and figure drawing at Pratt Institute in New York for several years. He now illustrates and teaches in the San Francisco Bay area.

GIVEAWAY:  The good folks at Arbordale Publishing (formerly SylvanDell) love for kids to read their books. They have graciously agreed to provide one of our readers with a copy of Christmas Eve Blizzard for a special child in their lives. Giveaway begins May 22 & ENDS June 16 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.
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DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by Arbordale Publishing for the purpose of this review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton

ISBN:  9780307731494
Waterbrook Press

About the book:  In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance.

Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?

My thoughts:  Fearing the worst situation to be the outcome of a marriage arranged by her abusive stepfather, Tamsen entrusts her well-being to a man she does not know to flee the scene and escape marriage to Ambrose. She and her defender, protector leave North Carolina to The State of Franklin. This is where the history buffs have a bit of fun. Little known history of North Carolina and Tennessee is The State of Franklin which is/was situated in the mountainous area nestled between the two states. This was a rough time in history and men took to arms over seemingly small circumstances.

Traveling on horse hundreds of miles and in ill designed clothing for travel (especially the shoes), Tamsen soon hardened to the journey. All was not just traveling difficulties, Tamsen and her protector, Jesse, soon discovered that her stepfather and wealthy suitor were pursuing them. Fear and dread were around every tree and curve for Tamsen. But there were kindnesses here and there along the way, too.

Lori Benton's writing and research have made this book a pleasure to read.  And who doesn't love to read of a damsel in distress being rescued and cared for? The story is adventurous with strong characters who hold true to their faith and beliefs. There is sweet romance that stays clean and pure. You feel the soaking rain, the cold, the fear that the characters feel. You see in your mind's eye the beauty of the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains and land. A totally good read.

DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.