The Imagination Station: Captured on the High Seas by Marianne Hering and Nancy Sanders

Review: I read The Imagination Station: Captured on the High Seas by Marianne Hering and Nancy Sanders. Focus on the Family does another great job with an adventure story in this book. We meet the two heroes as they are on their way back home, but suddenly get thrown into another adventure.

The story takes place at sea during the American Revolution where our two heroes are captured by the British and taken to a slave ship. Along the way, they try to frustrate the British Navy any way they can. One neat aspect to the story is our heroes meeting two other people who are real characters from American history. The book gives a clear picture of what life was like for the captured during this time.

This book is a quick read and part of a series that children will enjoy. My daughter read the book, and she really enjoyed it!(Reviewed by B.Lyles)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher, Tyndale House,  in exchange for our honest review. No compensation was received for this review.

A Child's Introduction to Culture Around the World: If You Were Me and Lived in Russia & ....... India (Review and Giveaway)

Today our introduction to cultures of the world takes us to Russia and India. Author Carole P. Roman continues writing her series of little books giving youngsters a glimpse into the lives of children in various countries.

RUSSIA

In learning of Russia, you first learn that it is comprised of many different nationalities and ethnic groups within its vast borders. Russia is famous for being cold, big, yet with a variety of warm to cold climates. Next, the author introduces you to the names you would call your parents and to the fact that you will most likely purchase a warm fur hat with ear flaps. The architecture of Russia’s famous churches is beautiful and has colorful onion shaped domes.

Russia has joyful holidays with dancing, singing, food, and fireworks. They celebrate with Grandfather Frost and have presents under the tree.

In the back of the book there are two pages of English words and definitions that you would need to know in Russia.

INDIA

As with all of Carole P. Romans Introduction to Cultures books, we begin with locating the country on the World globe. Did you know that India is the second most populated country in the world? And did you know that there are over 100 different languages spoken there?

Indian money is called the rupee and their movie industry is called Bollywood (kind of like Hollywood). Eating in India involves interesting spices such as cumin, curry, cinnamon, and chilies. Some people in India do not eat beef or pork.

They have their own holidays, too. One is Holi which is a two-day celebration of good overcoming evil. And just like other children all over the world, children in India love to play and they go to school.

At the end of the book there is a page of words with definitions that are good to know about India.

To date, Carole P. Roman has written and printed the following If You Were Me and Lived in…… at least nine books. 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  one copy each of "Russia" and "India" that Carole P.Roman is so generously providing. Begins July 16 & ENDS August 6  @ 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 Russia  and also .... India in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I was not compensated for this review.

Behind the Scenes of Captured By Love by Jody Hedlund - Why I Visited a Chicken Farm (blog tour & giveaway)

Getting Down & Dirty . . . at the Chicken Farm

During all of my researching for Captured by Love, there was one other strange research trip that I took.

My heroine, Angelique MacKenzie, raises chickens. In fact, in the opening scene, she's hiding fresh eggs in her pocket as she tries to smuggle them to one of her starving friends. In another scene, Angelique is mucking the hen house, a lovely job that was necessary every spring (particularly after all the droppings had accumulated all winter).

As I was attempting to write about the chickens, I realized I knew absolutely nothing about this awkward breed of animals, and that to write authentically about the wildly flapping squawking creatures, I would need to do some research.

Of course, I headed to Google, typed in "raising chickens" or something like that, and got one million websites and blogs giving me every detail I'd ever want to know (and then some) about raising chickens.

But I quickly realized that I needed to know how to raise chickens in Michigan, more specifically in the northern part of Michigan. After futile searching, I decided to do what I should have done to begin with, ASK AN EXPERT.

Fortunately, I have some long-time family friends who own a chicken farm. So I emailed my dear friend and pestered her with questions. In response, she invited me to come out, visit the chickens, and get a hands-on experience at the farm. She encouraged me to come in the spring, before they mucked the chicken coop just so that I could get a really accurate feel for what it would have been like for my character. She even offered to let me help them muck. Wasn't that SO sweet of her? :-)

Needless to say, for this city girl, whose idea of raising chickens is going to the store and "raising" the eggs off the shelf into the grocery cart, I learned a lot on my research trip to the chicken farm. In fact, after listening to my friends share their wealth of knowledge about chickens, I was quite amazed about how little I actually knew.

Even more importantly, I learned some things that are specific to raising chickens in Michigan's frigid winter temperatures. 

•  Did you know that chickens can get frost bite if they get too cold?
•  Did you know that lanterns are needed during the winter for chickens to lay eggs? With so few hours of daylight, the artificial lighting is necessary for egg production.
• Did you know that even with artificial lighting, that hens still lay fewer eggs in the winter? 
• Did you know that eggs will last longer and stay fresher if you brush them off rather than wash them?

I learned all those details and many more during my time at the farm. Believe it or not, I even appreciated getting to walk into a chicken coop in the spring, feel the nip in the air, taste the grit of dust, smell the odor of you-know-what, and hear the scratches and screeches of the various types of hens.

Even if all those facts didn't make it into the book, knowing the information helped lend an aura of authenticity to the story. And I had fun in the process. Isn't that what it's really all about?

So did I end up helping muck the chicken coop? Well, let's put it this way, some things are better left to the imagination! (But hey, I did wear boots and jeans as I was instructed to do. And as you can see, I did pick up the shovel. Does that count?)

What about YOU? How much do you know about chickens? And what's the dirtiest job you've ever had to do?

GIVEAWAY: Jody Hedlund, author, has graciously provided a copy of Captured By Love for one of Chat With Vera's readers to win. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Begins July 6 & ENDS July 28 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open for USA addresses only.
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About the author:  Jody Hedlund is an award-winning historical romance novelist and author of the best-selling books, The Preacher's Bride, Unending Devotion, and A Noble Groom. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work. Currently she makes her home in Michigan with her husband and five busy children. 

Death Takes a Ride by Lorena McCourtney

About the book: It's official. This case is above her pay grade--and Cate's in over her head.

Cate Kinkaid arrives at H&B Vintage Auto Restorations to give a friend a ride. But, as usual, trouble finds Cate even there--this time in the form of one dead man, one wounded man, and what appears to be a pretty obvious case of self-defense.

Despite having been merely an unfortunate bystander, Cate finds herself sucked into the case. And the deeper she gets, the more she begins to suspect that the shooting in the H&B office may not have been as cut-and-dried as it appeared.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lorena McCourtney takes you on wild ride in this clever cozy mystery that will keeps you guessing.

My thoughts: Light reading and cozy mystery. Some quirky characters. Simply a fun read! But don't let "simple" fool you. The end kind of takes you by surprise. Death Takes A Ride is the third book in this light mystery series. I've enjoyed them all. Cate Kinkaid can act a little flighty sometimes, but she comes through in the end.

Finalizing and waiting on her PI (Private Investor) licensure to make her an official PI, Cate still gets her act together helping catch the bad guys.

Lorena mcCourtney writes a book that entertains and challenges (even if the challenge is light - but that is what is desired in a cozy mystery, isn't it!). A good book to  grab for poolside or beach reading this summer.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I was not compensated for this review.

Renola™ Grain-Free Granola by LÄRABAR (Review & Giveaway)

A blend of non-GMO fruits, nuts, and seeds,
Renola™ is a granola truly worthy of the LÄRABAR name.
Free of grain but full of flavor,
Renola is Reinventing Granola.™

If you're like me, you love a good snack. Now by "good" I mean a snack that tastes good and is also good for you. That is sometimes pretty hard to come by. Some folks even have to make certain that their snacks are gluten free. I don't have that particular worry, but I have family that does.

I have been a reviewer for the folks that produce the good products under the name of LÄRABAR.  Being one of their friends and reviewers, they send me little packages as surprises now 'n then. Recently they sent a little box with three little bags of Renola™. (See the picture)

I hardly know words to share with you the good taste of these snacks. All three flavors are WINNERS! Yep, this is a winning product. My husband just simply loves them, too, and the Cinnamon Nut is his favorite. My favorite? Well, it is hard to beat chocolate anytime, but they all are superb.

When I saw how good they were, I contacted these good folks and asked could I host a giveaway so one of my Chat With Vera readers could have a chance to sample these, too. Just to let you know how  much we like this product, I couldn't find them in my local grocery store and we wanted some more! So I ordered an 11 oz. bag of the Cocoa Coconut and a box of 15 little individual serving bag  of the Cinnamon Nut. I realize that is a bit obsessive, but...... well, we like 'em. (Enter giveaway below. Begins July 15 & Ends July 31@ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.)

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DISCLOSURE: My sample of Renola™ and the winner's prize package are provided by LÄRABAR. I was not compensated for this review.

Maisy and the Missing Mice! by Elizabeth Woodrum (Book Blast Giveaway)

Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Book Blast for the first book in The Maisy Files mystery chapter book series by Elizabeth Woodrum, "Maisy and the Missing Mice". Book 2 in the series, "Maisy and the Money Marauder" is coming August, 2014. If you haven't checked out Book 1, you can grab a copy from Amazon!

Title: Maisy and the Missing Mice (The Maisy Files) | Author: Elizabeth Woodrum | Publication Date: September 24, 2013 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 75 | Recommended Ages: 6 to 10

Summary: Maisy Sawyer is not your average fourth grade student. She is a detective with a special skill for solving mysteries. She loves black and white mystery movies, cherry lollipops, and her dog, Reesie. When a thief known as The Black Boot steals the school's mascots and her lollipops, Maisy sets out to solve the case. Can she help return the mice to their home in the science lab? Will she ever see her beloved lollipops again? Find out in the first book in The Maisy Files series.      

 

PURCHASE FOR 99 CENTS 

 

The Buzz About the Book

"Maisy and the Missing Mice is a fun chapter book featuring a smart and sassy tween girl as the title character; a solid and interesting plot featuring age-appropriate intrigue and suspense; and some terrific writing that carries the reader on a journey as a detective uncovering clues and solving the mystery of who stole the missing mice. I highly recommend this book as a read aloud book for children between the ages of 6 and 10 or for independent readers between the ages of 7 and 12 who love to read mysteries." ~ Renee, Mother Daughter Book Reviews

"Woodrum certainly knows her target audience and does a very nice job with the character development of Maisy. This is an incredibly kid-friendly story that makes a great introduction to the genre of mystery for newly independent readers. It's a quick page turning read that encourages kids to think outside of the box." ~ The Children's Book Review

"The delights from this book start with the cover art and continue with a fun story that is well-written." ~ 5 Star Review, R. Johnson, Amazon

"My name is Kat. I am 9 years old. I would rate this a five because I like everything about it, the mystery the most. It was fun to read. My favorite part was the mystery and the end. I love this book so much. I think other kids would love it too because it has mystery and most kids would like mystery books. Most mystery books have a good mystery. I would love to read the whole series." ~ 5 Star Review, Heather A., Amazon

"What an Amazing book. I totally love it. I admire the author dedication for writing an incredible book. While reading this book, it was very clear that author understand kids. I’ve always been an avid reader and this book is one of the best books I have read in 2014. This book grabs my attention from the very start of the book and couldn't put it aside till I finish it." ~ 5 Star Review, KristinT, Amazon

"I knew I would love this book simply because I knew it would remind me of the mystery books I read in my childhood. I really love how much trust the teachers and community as a whole put in Maisy. She is well deserving of their admiration as the way she finds clues and finds the mascot for the school is well thought out. This is a story any child would love to read. I hope Maisy continues to solve mysteries..." ~ 5 Star Review, Josh, Amazon 

About the Author: Elizabeth Woodrum

Elizabeth Woodrum is an elementary teacher in Ohio. She came to love writing when she was in elementary school, but more recently began writing material for use in her classroom. From that writing, grew the desire to write books for the general population of children and adults alike. The Maisy Files, a children's series, is the first series that she has published. As a reader, Elizabeth prefers the fantasy genre, but she enjoys realistic fiction as well. Some of her favorite authors include JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Rick Riordan, Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins, and Nicholas Sparks. Originally from Indiana, Elizabeth currently resides near Dayton, Ohio with her two pets: a cat named Butterscotch and a dog named Reese Cup.  

* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: August 7, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Elizabeth Woodrum and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
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PERSECUTED by Robin Parrish Based on a Daniel Lusko Film - (Review & Giveaway - US & CANADA)

About the book:  The Question Is Not IF Attempts Will Be Made to Limit Religious Freedoms, But When
The most popular evangelist of his day, John Luther, simply wants to share the Gospel and enjoy a quiet life with his family. He never asked to be at the center of a political controversy, but an ill wind has been blowing through the halls of Congress, and supporters of a new religious-equality bill see Luther's endorsement as critical. But when Luther refuses to lend his support, he unknowingly sets in motion an explosive plan bent on destroying his reputation and undermining everything for which he stands. His once-normal life is turned upside down as he becomes a fugitive left with only one dangerous option--putting will everything he holds most dear at risk while he fights to expose the truth. It is a mission that brings him face-to-face with the coming storm of persecution that could threaten the very fabric of our nation's freedoms.

My thoughts:  The novel Persecuted by Robin Parrish is the novelization of the movie by the same title that will release Summer 2014. The intent of the movie and the novel is to present to the public the possibility of our religious freedom becoming legislated to the extent that compliance with laws that demand adherence to a “Faith and Fairness” law where all religions worship the same God and together.

The main character in Persecuted is a world-famous evangelist whose earlier years were spent in sin and degradation. Evangelist John Luther will not yield to the demands placed on him by the Senator to abide by and endorse the “Faith and Fairness” act. Luther’s act of defiance unleashes the might and fury of political evil in the form of a hired gunman to take-down Luther. This begins a plethora of ruin, deceit, murder, lying. This is an ultimate persecution.

This story, while a work of fiction, should sound the alarm to alert Christians around the world to the truth that we are so near a time of persecution. We are only a short “act of congress” or “law” from having our freedom to worship according to the dictates of our heart removed.

The treatise of this book is I Will Not Be Silent. In light of the possibility of persecution, would you say, “I will not be silent”?

GIVEAWAY:  One of Chat With Vera's readers has the opportunity to win a copy of the book, Persecuted by Robin Parrish. Just enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to USA & CANADA addresses only. Begins July 9 & ENDS July 23 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT.  Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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About The Author:  Robin Parrish is a journalist who's written about the intersection of faith and pop culture for more than a decade. He's also the author of Offworld and The Dominion Trilogy . Robin and his wife and children live in North Carolina.

Be sure to check out PERSECUTED the movie at a theatre near you, July 18th!

Visit the official movie website: http://www.persecutedmovie.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/persecutedmovie

Bethany House Publishers presents Robin Parrish’s official novelization of the Daniel Lusko film, Persecuted. Available in cloth hardback, trade paperback, and ebook formats.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.