Texas Farm Girl by Rebecca Crownover Review

ABOUT TEXAS FARM GIRL

Inspired by her upbringing in a small Texas farming community, Rebecca Crownover’s 

Texas Farm Girl brand uses the farming way of life as a backdrop to teach important life lessons, including llustrated children’s series (for kids ages five and up) “Texas Farm Girl”.

The series debut Texas Farm Girl (December 2013) follows Texas Farm Girl as she works on the farm alongside her grandfather.  She not only learns about the hard work that goes into farming, but also how devastating it can be for a big storm to come through and rip it apart. She ultimately learns about the importance of family.

In the second book in the series, Texas Farm Girl: Reap What You Sow (January 2015), the Texas Farm Girl learns the meaning of ‘Reap What You Sow.’ A costly mistake is made on the farm when she doesn’t follow PawPaw’s instructions for planting corn. This leads to a very important lesson about always taking responsibility for your decisions and actions, as they almost always affect others.

To supplement the books, a country music song and video that tells about Texas Farm Girl and engages kids in the brand and into farming was released in February 2014. Texas Farm Girl is performed by Country Rock Artist, Billy Dawson and produced by Grammy Award Winning producer, Skidd Mills at Rebecca’s family farm with Nashville entertainment company, Saylors Brothers Entertainment.  Additionally, fans of the Texas Farm Girl series can dress like their favorite farm girl and can purchase shirts featured in Texas Farm Girl: Reap What You Sow for purchase at texasfarmgirl.com.

Working with her grandfather not only taught Rebecca about the hard work behind farming, but also taught her about overcoming obstacles in life. Tragedy struck her family in 2009 when her husband, a native Texan and farmer, passed away in an ATV accident. His passing inspired Rebecca’s award-winning children’s book, My Daddy Is In Heaven With Jesus.

Rebecca remains a business partner at Lone Star Family Farms with her in-laws to carry on her husband’s legacy and to continue her contribution to the farming business, an industry that has always been an important part of her life.

My Review:

This is a really nice book about taking responsibility for your own actions, and knowing that your actions have reactions. I loved that the were highlighted words that had their meanings at the bottom of the page. The plot of planting corn reminded me of Little House on the Prairie. A great addition to any library! I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own. 

The tree of Water by Elizabeth Haydon Review

The epic voyages continue in The Tree of Water, the fourth adventure in bestselling author Elizabeth Haydon’s acclaimed fantasy series for young readers, The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme.

As Royal Reporter of the land of Serendair, it is the duty of young Charles Magnus "Ven" Polypheme to travel the world and seek out magic hiding in plain sight. But Ven needs to escape the clutches of the nefarious Thief Queen, ruler of the Gated City, whose minions are hunting for him. His friend, the merrow Amariel, has the perfect solution to his dilemma: Ven and Char will join her to explore the world beneath the sea.

As they journey through the sea, Ven finds himself surrounded by wonders greater than he could have ever imagined. But the beauty of the ocean is more than matched by the dangers lurking within its depths, and Ven and his friends soon realize that in order to save thousands of innocent lives, they may have to sacrifice their own. For everything in the ocean needs to eat…

“A delightful epic fantasy that will attract a readership both older and younger than the target audience.” —Booklist (starred review) on The Floating Island

My Review:
This book is great for kids and adults will have fun reading it too. I loved all the puns and how the author knew when to put them in the story. This story is so creative and the action is very fast moving. I liked that the author had Ven making mistakes and other characters apologizing. Even though this was make believe there was a strong sense of responsibility. There are sea kings, and sea creatures, and so many more members of this world. It is hard not to take a mental voyage with the characters as they take a ship's voyage. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.

Spices & Seasons by Rinku Bhattacharya Review

This cookbook combines her two great loves -- Indian cooking and sustainable living -- to give readers a simple, accessible way to cook seasonally, locally and flavourfully. Inspired by the bounty of local produce, mostly from her own backyard, Rinku set out to create recipes for busy, time-strapped home cooks who want to bring Indian flavours to nutritious family meals. Arranged in chapters from appetizers through desserts, the cookbook includes everything from small bites, soups, seafood, meat, poultry and vegetables, to condiments, breads and sweets. You will find recipes for tempting fare like Mango and Goat Cheese Mini Crisps, Roasted Red Pepper Chutney, Crisped Okra with Dry Spice Rub, Smoky Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Puree and Red Harvest Masala Cornish Hens, to name a few. As exotic and enticing as these recipes sound, the ingredients are easily found and the instructions are simple.Includes: Over 15 recipes, mostly gluten-free and Vegetarian / Vegan; Gluten-free / Vegetarian / Vegan recipes are clearly labelled; Helpful sections on spices, ingredients and utensils; Tips and tricks for getting the best results and green tips for making your kitchen eco-friendly; Colour photographs for each recipe. 

My Review:

This was a really interesting look at how to grow food and cook it in a way that you get the most out of the crop. I really liked that I was able to make some of the winter recipes and that the ingredients are easy to find this time of year. I was so happy that the back of the book had an ingredient index! I love that when I buy something at the store, and come home and find a recipe asap. I also really think that it was nice to describe spices. A lot of spices are touch and go and it is hard to measure them at times. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review from PR By The Book, however all opinions are my own.

The Prodigals: Book Two - Giants in the Land by Clark Rich Burbidge Review

The exciting saga of Thomas continues. He is thrown together with three lost souls who must find themselves, overcome their own doubts and stand against the greatest evil ever to threaten the land of giants.

My Review:

There is a lot of adventure in this book. The pictures are interesting, and I would to see them in color. Thomas is a ward and goes through such a loss that his life is not going to be the same. His new life forces him down a path of destruction. I liked the other characters in the story as well. I feel like I missed some info from the first book though. However this is aimed toward younger reader that might not notice this. Overall this was a good book and my favorite part was on page 23 when Thomas woke up and he had no idea what was going on! I am giving this book a 3/5. I was given a copy to review by PR by the Book, however all opinions are my own.

The Curse of the Thrax by Mark Murphy Review

The children of the Godswood Village grew up hearing stories about the Thrax, a fearsome dragon “with scales like iron
plates and teeth as long as battle swords.” Because the Thrax had not been seen in over 100 summers, these always
seemed like fairy tales to Jaykriss, the 14-year-old son of Glyndich, the powerful village War Chief.
Until the Thrax returned—and killed Jaykriss’s father.
Jaykriss dreams of avenging his father’s death by subduing the Thrax and recovering the Bloodsword, a treasured family
heirloom Glyndich lost while battling the dragon. But Jaykriss struggles with his father’s legacy, balancing the need to
protect his mother and sister with the desire to nurture a budding attraction to Sola, the brilliant baker’s daughter he finds
himself falling hopelessly in love with.
Jaykriss and his best friend Marda are hunting a prize deer in the forest when they are attacked by the Thrax. During their
frantic flight from the dragon, they stumble upon an eccentric hermit named Zamarcus who lives in a hidden cave stuffed
with gadgets and books from long ago. Zamarcus enlightens Jaykriss about the many secrets of the Old Times—and
some ugly buried truths about the all-powerful Dark King, a seemingly immortal being who rules their world with an iron
fist.
Although he is not a warrior like his father, Jaykriss realizes that he can use his intellect—and the knowledge given to him
by Zamarcus—to defeat the Thrax, recover the Bloodsword and save his family. But he soon realizes that there are other
secrets he must contend with, including his own fate. It could be the destiny of Jaykriss to save the world—but that
destiny, however great, may cost him his life.
The Curse of the Thrax is the first book in The Bloodsword Trilogy by Mark Murphy.

About the author
Mark Murphy is a nationally recognized physician and award-winning writer whose first novel, The Shadow Man, was
published in 2012. He has been selected for membership in "America's Top Doctors" every year since 2003, and has
been voted as "Savannah's Best Gastroenterologist" by the readers of Savannah magazine every year that award has
been given. Dr. Murphy writes a regular Op-Ed column in the Savannah Morning News, has been a student at the Iowa
Summer Writing Festival a number of years, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the acclaimed Savannah Book
Festival. Dr. Murphy married his high school sweetheart; together, they raised two sons. They now reside in a house on
the Vernon River near Savannah with a menagerie of semi-wild animals—but no dragons. At least, not yet

My Review:
This is the first book in a series and it introduces the characters and their known world. There is even a map that was helpful as I read through the book. There is even a section that they don't know what is out there. I loved that the hero is 14 and he is trying to avenge his father's death, even though he bites off more than he can chew. There is a cliffhanger at the end, and I hate waiting for the next book in a series. This is a great beginning to a series! I am giving this book a 3/5. I was given a copy to review from PR by the Book, however all opinions are my own.

The Hardest Thing in This World by Nicole Eva Fraser Review

Sexy, smart-mouthed Melody Sawyer is an underachiever, a home health care nurse with good intentions and a chip on her shoulder. Her troubled daughter Renee recently dropped dead at age 24, but Renee’s ghost keeps popping in on the family. And Melody has no clue about her married daughter, Kayla–who since age 16 has been deep in a clandestine affair with pro baseball player Baron Lee Presley. Join the Sawyer women on their offbeat, darkly funny, and sometimes tragic journey as they try to conquer the hardest thing in this world.

Nicole Eva Fraser received her MFA in creative writing from the NEOMFA consortium in northeast Ohio and graduated summa cum laude from Baldwin-Wallace College with a double major in English and communications. She is an adult-literacy advocate in Cleveland, Tanzania and Malawi. She runs 10ks (slowly), used to speak French, and often can be found putting her foot in her mouth.

Find The Hardest Thing in This World on Amazon.

My Review:
Because of the connection I felt with the characters this book was not an easy read, for me. That is a good thing. The mental illness awareness in this book is phenomenal. Not only do we see the characters as adults, but we also see them growing up, and even some as ghosts. Everyone knows at least one person with a mental illness, however we do not know what they go through, or even what their loved ones go through. Melody was a different character to watch. Once we find out how she became who she is, I felt all sorts of emotions for her, and about her. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.

Kitchenability 101 by Chef Nisa Burns Review

• Kitchenability 101

  Kitchenability 101: The College Student’s Guide to Easy, Healthy and Delicious Food, by Nisa Burns, features A+ recipes anyone can make anywhere. READ MORE

  Buy Now on Amazon.com

   

  Buy Now as eBook

• Chef Nisa Burns

  Nisa is the chef and voice of a new generation, appealing to students who want to cook easy, healthy, and delicious food. She is a chef, culinary student, author, speaker and a YouTube sensation. MORE

• My Review:
• I like that the author is teaching a cooking class. She takes you through all different cooking hints, and equipment. I like that the recipes have ingredients that are easy to follow, and easy to find in stores. The recipes taste good, and are healthy too. I like that they can be cooked in a dorm room! Although when my sister lived at her college, her room did not have a stove. I like all the fruit recipes, and who doesn't like Nutella? I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.

The Principle Gang by Bli and Dan Dugi Book Reviews

The NEA reports that 160,000 students stay home from school everyday due to bullying. While ! anti-bullying laws are growing at state and local levels, making schools take action for adverse
events occurring on campus, parents and clinicians are often better able to recognize the signs of
a child being bullied—and can help put a stop to it.

The issue of bullying weighs heavily on the minds of Dan and Bli Dugi, a physician and physician
assistant. While building their young daughter’s home-based library, they saw a need for books that
expressed values in a vibrant way. The Dugis created The Principle Gang series, a collection of six
books that brings to life the timeless messages parents have been conveying to their children for
centuries—messages about family, friendship, community and fairness.

The first book in the series, Don’t Judge a Lizard by His Scales, releases in August and book two,
Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway, debuts in October. Children are invited to become a member of
“The Principle Gang,” by taking an oath to promise respect and encouragement, while learning
important principles to make a difference. The characters in the series have different strengths and
weaknesses that children can relate to.

The Dugis also launched a “No Bullies Allowed” campaign for elementary schools. Every school that
signs up will receive a PG No Bullies Allowed starter pack, which includes an introductory letter,
full-color poster for the school library, coloring sheet, and a powerpoint presentation for classroom
instruction.

“The topic of bullying is not just a school problem, it’s a community-wide problem,” say Dr. Dan and
Bli Dugi. “As health practitioners, we feel it is our duty to address bullying as another key factor in
preventive medicine. Education and prevention are critical for the well-being of our youth.”

Kids, You're Invited: Join The Principle Gang!!
Doctor-PA, husband and wife team create values-based series to address
bullying!

by
Bli and Dan Dugi
ThePrincipleGang.com

@principlegang

About the authors
Dr. Dan and Bli Dugi have a combined 50 years experience as a physician and physician
assistant team. With The Principle Gang series, they have created a way to connect with young
children outside of the exam room. They live in Cuero, Texas with their daughter, Emmy.
Story idea & talking points
• October is National Bullying Prevention Month
• Recognizing the signs & symptoms of bullying
• Physician’s new responsibility: talking to young patients about bullying
• How parents can get involved in anti-bullying efforts in their child’s school
• How teaching social skills and core values at a young age can effectively prevent bullying


Bullying statistics
• The average child has watched 8,000 televised murders and 100,000 acts of violence
before finishing elementary school
• 160,000 students stay home from school everyday due to bullying (NEA)
• 30% of students who reported they had been bullied said they had at times brought
weapons to school
• 2/3 of students who are targets become bullies
• 20% of all children say they have been bullied
• In schools where there are bullying programs, bullying is reduced by 50%

My Reviews:
This is the beginning of a great series. I love that the characters are fun animals, and the authors are teaching good morals. You should never judge a book by it's cover and you should never judge people by how they look. There is also a section of principles at the end for parents, and kids. There are also funny puns like the fly-pad! The second book is about starting a anti-bullying club. There is a feeling of community and helping your neighbors as well. These are great books and I am giving them both a 5/5. I was given a copy to review from PR by the book, however all opinions are my own.