"Once Upon a Prince" by Rachel Hauck

After watching the royal British wedding a couple of years ago and reading of other royals marrying in Europe, I wondered just how Rachel Hauck was going to bring a modern Cinderella story to life in the contemporary novel. She brought together Europe and an American Southern coastal island. She was spot-on in her descriptions of coastal life - sand, surf, wind, nostalgia. But back to the story....

This was a very light, easy summer read that has a Prince Charming incognito meeting a just spurned sweetheart of a Southern young lady. It seems that they are instantly drawn to each other, but she being just spurned doesn't really recognize the situation. He being a real prince knows he has restrictions on his future and his future relationships so he maintains a chaste distance. This story has a high level of purity in relationships throughout. (This is much appreciated by this reader as there is too much laxity in today's Christian fiction.)

The prince goes back to his kingdom. The sweet young lady stays on the coast. But then a plot is developed that contrives to bring them together during the coronation of the Prince as King so he can see just how unfit she would be in his social, kingly world. So an invitation is extended and the action begins in earnest.

There is some depth in the story as it examines relationships - boy-girl, parent-child, mother-father, sister-sister, etc.

I enjoyed the book and it was a quick read. This is the second book by Rachel Hauck I've read (The Wedding Dress was the first of hers I read.) I think I would like to read book 2 in the series of royals.

DISCLOSURE: I won my copy on a giveaway at blogger/author's page www.lenanelsondooley.com 

Winter In Full Bloom by Anita Higman (Review & Giveaway)

Anita Higman's "Winter in Full Bloom"

About the book: Lily Winter's wings are folded so tightly around her daughter that when empty nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily's lonely, widowed life changes in a heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who is almost a stranger to her---a woman who also happens to be her mother. During their fiery reunion, her mother reveals a dark family secret that she'd been hiding for decades---Lily has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption when they were just babies. Without looking back, Lily---with her fear of flying---boards a jumbo jet and embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to Melbourne, Australia. Befriended by imprudent Ausie, he might prove to be the key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer imagined possible-the chance to fall in love again. Review:  I found reading Anita Higman's book a delight. Her skill at crafting the novel and portraying the nuances of a character were right on target!  It was a delight to read as she skillfully maneuvered through the personalities and circumstances to bring out the multilayered story. Lily Winter has a strained, at best, relationship with her mother. In fact, it has been years since she has visited her. But she garners her strength and resolve and enters the home of her childhood and broaches her mother's presence. Before she has been there long, the untold history of Lily's early childhood is revealed in that there is a twin sister she doesn't know she has. This daunting information places a desire and burden on Lily to find this twin. This causes her to take to the air on wings - and this is unprecedented for Lily as she has a horror of flying and she must literally fly to the ends of the world - Australia. Broken families. Hurt people. Relationships in dire need of mending. A mid-life romance that blooms. A sister found and loved. Anita Higman skillfully brings the characters through their own personal issues and helps them and others face their fears and shortcomings. This is a delight to read and I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Higman's skillfully written works. GIVEAWAY: The good folks at Litfuse Publicity Group have agreed to provide a copy as a giveaway to share with my readers and you can try to win it by using the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins August 21 & ENDS September 9th  @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only. a Rafflecopter giveaway About the author:  Anita Higman  As a best-selling and award-winning author has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She’s been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends. (Full Bio) CBA best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several co-authored) for adults and children, and she has four books coming out in 2013. DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provide by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.  Opinions expressed are solely my own and I received no compensation for this review.

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin (Review & Giveaway)

About On Distant Shores: Caught between the war raging around them and the battles within, two souls long for peace---and a love that remains true.

Lt. Georgiana Taylor has everything she could want. A boyfriend back home, a loving family, and a challenging job as a flight nurse. But in July 1943, Georgie's cozy life gets more complicated when she meets pharmacist Sgt. John Hutchinson.

Hutch resents the lack of respect he gets as a noncommissioned serviceman and hates how the war keeps him from his fiancée. While Georgie and Hutch share a love of the starry night skies over Sicily, their lives back home are falling apart. Can they weather the hurt and betrayal? Or will the pressures of war destroy the fragile connection they've made?

With her signature attention to detail and her talent for bringing characters together, Sarah Sundin weaves an exciting tale of emotion, action, and romance that will leave you wanting more

My thoughts: I found the historical period interesting to read since I was a young child during the time of WWII and my parents, uncles, and grandparents experienced it first hand. Sarah Sundin captured the spirit of the times in that women were feeling they should and could do "their part" in this fight and there was a sheltering aspect to the men to protect women and keep them at home and in their place and not participating in the war effort.

I found of great interest the status of pharmacists, college educated and decreed, who were so under ranked and carried no respect in the military. It was interesting to read the struggle of the pharmacists in the army and the battle at home in congress to recognize them in the military and grant officer status.

The romance that was threaded through the story spoke of the uncertain times. However, it was refreshing to see that the author positively portrayed virtue and steadfastness in relationships.

GIVEAWAY:  The kind folks at Litfuse Publicity Group are graciously providing one of Chat With Vera's readers an opportunity to win a copy of On Distant Shores. Simply use the Rafflecopter entry form to enter. Begins August 21 & ENDS September 9 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to US addresses only.
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About the author: Sarah Sundin is the author of "With Every Letter" and the Wings of Glory series. In 2011, A "Memory Between Us" was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards, and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. http://sarahsundin.com

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of On Distant Shores from Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of the author and publisher in exchange for my honest review. No compensation was received for this review.

Alone Yet Not Alone (novelization) by Tracy Leininger Craven (Review & Giveaway US & Canada)



ISBN 13: 9780310730538 

About the book: A true story of an American family. Pioneers in an untamed land, caught between two civilizations, a true test of survival, the ultimate test of faith. An ultimate story of survival. This book is the novelization of the movie by the same title which will release September 27, 2013.

My thoughts: This short book was written with the  middle school or older elementary reader in mind. But a parent must keep in mind when purchasing the book that the story portrays a real event with real horror that some children will find difficulty coming to terms with. It is, however, a true portrayal of a true story and a very real bit of history in the growth and expansion of America. The story begins at the cusp of the French an Indian War.

It opens with a sweet homesteading scene of the Leininger family in the early years of Pennsylvania territory. Then there is the feared Indian raid on the home, the slaughter of family, and the capture of the young daughters. Following is their trek across a vast amount of territory with their Indian captors to the home Indian village. The story portrays harsh Indian behavior as well as some with a more compassionate character. The story also brings out the faith of the young girls that sustained them and how they shared it with their captors.

I found this to be a good read and one that the age for which it is intended can gain a good amount of historical information of the times and peoples of the area in early American history. I highly recommend the book and encourage the publishers to continue publishing books of this nature and caliber.
GIVEAWAY:  A copy of the book Alone Yet Not Alone is being provided to one of Chat With Vera's readers. Begins August 20 & ENDS September 3 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to US and Canadian addresses only.
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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from FlyByPromotions on behalf of the publisher ZonderKidz in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.
"Disclosure of Material connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Hooligan Bear - New Friends" by Ian Toynton & Illustrated by Andrea Dietrich (Review & Giveaway)

ISBN: 9781601311436

I recently reviewed Hooligan Bear - Home here on Chat With Vera  and what a delight that picture book is. Today we're going to look at the second book in the series Hooligan Bear - New Friends. In book one Hooligan and Louie bear live in an abandoned bear factory atop a shelf that overlooks the street. Well, here in book two, Hooligan and Louie are looking out their window and wonder of wonders they see a large box tumble from a moving truck. Being the curious bears they are, they investigate.

Then the fun begins. Out pops a skateboard and three more bears. Amidst skateboarding, scarf flinging, and fun the three newcomers are welcomed to share the abandoned factory with Hooligan and Louie.

So you see, Hooligan and Louis have new friends and new escapades and new housemates. But you must meet the new friends, too.  They are Scooter, Waldo, and Lenny.

Again the adorable illustrations by Andrea Dietrich capture the loveable, rascally spirit of the bears. The muted primary colors and whimsical drawings will engage the youngest child and make children out of every reader no matter what their age for the sheer delight the story brings.

What will the child learn from this book?  Friendship. Sharing. Enjoying simple things. Caring for others.  I highly recommend the book for homes and libraries.

GIVEAWAY:  This is #2 in 3 Hooligan Bear adventures giveaways spread out over the next few weeks. Each time I review one of the books, I'll host a giveaway for that book.  Today's  book is Hooligan Bear: New Friends and the kind author and illustrator are graciously providing a copy for one of Chat With Vera's readers. You and your kiddie are just going to enjoy this so much! So get moving and enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Begins August 20 & ENDS September 10 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to USA addresses only.
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Soon I'll review book three, so be sure you watch for it. In the meantime you can continue with the adventures weekly following along on Twitter.   
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy for the purpose of this review. No compensation was received by me for the review. The giveaway copy is also provided by them and will be shipped directly to the winner.

"The Candle Classic Bible" Published by Lion Hudson Com. (Bible Stories Retold in 365 Stories)

About the book: With classic illustrations, 365 of the best-loved Bible stories will become favourites for children and parents alike. Old Testament: From the Story of Creation to Isaac, from Joseph to Ruth, from Job to David, from Elisha to the Prophets. New Testament: John the Baptist to the story of Jesus, to the story of the Apostles, to John's Vision of Heaven. Each story is divided into 'easy to read' sections with the day, heading and scripture reference. Children are encouraged to spend family time together reading a new story each day.

Review:  This volume will be a very good addition to the home library where there are children. It will provide a tool to aid in instilling a love of reading God's Word because it puts into understandable story form the various parts of Scripture from Genesis through the New Testament. I would not venture to say that just because a child CAN read the words, he or she should read this book of 365 retelling of Bible stories on their own. It needs parental guidance. But it is an excellent tool.

Each story has a referencing Bible verse or chapter to connect it and to offer parents an opportunity to read it directly from the Bible as well as this volume of retold stories.  Normally in a children's Bible storybook, you get the basic stories that they hear from the time they are very young in Sunday School. This book, though, is more in depth even though the stories are each very short. It covers more ground than your average children's Bible storybook.

The art work is exceptional! Along the lines of traditional or classic with a bit of the cartoon or "illustration" expression tossed in.  The pictures are in color but the color does not overwhelm - there is a muted or earth-tone look to many of the pictures.

I recommend The Candle Classic Bible Retold in 365 Stories for the family with children who have advanced beyond the typical children's storybooks and are ready to begin learning more of what is in the Bible. It is a bridge-work between kiddie books and the actual Bible.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Kregel Publishing on behalf of Lion Hudson in exchange for my honest review. No compensation was received for this review.

Rogers Family Organic Coffee Company - Review & Giveaway

Organic Coffee Company consists of 100% organic and shade-grown Arabica beans.
Available in a wide variety of flavors and roasts.
Certified by Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) International. 
Decaffeinated by water extraction process. 

When I wake in the morning, I head for the kitchen, get the coffee maker set up with my "to-go-to-coffee" and press the "go" button to get the day started. Once it brews, I settle in with the coffee and my computer to catch up on the news of the day and emails and generally relax and savor the moment. If I have time (Translation: If I got out of beds on time and didn't fall back to sleep), I drink all 24 oz. of the brew. If not, I gulp (oops, I savor as fast as possible) half and put the other half in my "to-go" cup and hit the road.

Coffee that is good needs to be savored but sometimes we need to move our feet into the get-along shoes and move it out the door. But still we need to have a good cup of java that we can drink slow or drink fast. I learned a few years back, that good coffee is worth the difference in price. I want flavor. I want some bite to it but I don't want it bitter. I want it smooth. In essence I want something like the Organic Coffee Company provides its customers. So I was delighted when given the opportunity to sample four of their products. Do I like them all? Well, I have favorites and I have doeables but less liked. So according to my taste testing, here goes.....

Coffees I received.  Did you notice
they are all ORGANIC COFFEE!

• Organic French Roast, This is a strong, roast that opens the eyes and says "good morning" in a big way. If you like a cup that is distinct you will most likely enjoy this French Roast. I found it a mite stronger than French roasts I have tried in the past and will need to moderate the amount of beans I use per cup when brewing.
• Zen Blend, I am really enjoying this blend. It is smooth but has a definitive bite to it.
• Gorilla Decaf, Now there is a very real need for good, full-taste decaf coffee. Gorilla Decaf is definitely full-taste and completely enjoyable. I'm one of those folks that needs decaf later in the day so I can go to sleep at bedtime. Also, I'm one of those folks who the doctor has said "cut the caffeine," (you know, so the old ticker keeps ticking along as it should) so decaf is a very real need for me. I am not "short-changing" myself when I decaf my coffee using Organic Coffee Company's Gorilla Decaf! Good stuff.
• Hurricane Espresso Decaf Now for those that want that "jolt" of expresso but not the consequences, then Hurricane Expresso Decaf will be a good choice. 

Meet the Rogers Family
They're the ones who started
the company in the 70s

Now in the morning when I brew my coffee and in trying to comply with what the good doctors tell me to do, I am brewing half regular coffee and half decaf. That way I get a bit of both worlds. But then later in the day, I brew the decaf and using the Organic Coffee Company products I have NOT sacrificed taste and enjoyment! That is saying a LOT!

Next time I visit San Francisco, I hope to stop by and meet some of the good folks at Organic Coffee Company. They have coffee shops City College of San Francisco's downtown campus. (NOTE: As I am finalizing this post, it is a rainy day in North Carolina and I am enjoying a cup of Organic Coffee's Hurricane Expresso's Decaf!

GIVEAWAY: Now for all of CHAT WITH VERA's readers, you have a chance to win the same 4 bags of this ORGANIC coffee. Isn't that super! This is a real nice GIVEAWAY. At the local grocery store, these coffees cost $9.49 per bag. So the prize value is nearly $40. Isn't the Rogers Family Company generous to provide such a nice prize. These are 12 oz. bags of coffee, too. No skimping with 8 oz. or 10 oz. or 11 oz. bags. The giveaway prize will go to one U.S. reader.  Begins August 18 & ENDS September 10 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open for US addresses only.

Newsletter SignUp:  https://www.gourmet-coffee.com/connect-with-us.html

DISCLOSURE:  I received the coffees reviewed in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no compensation for this review. Giveaway prize is provided by the Organic Coffee Company and will be shipped directly to the winner.