Sophie and Momma

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

If you love Jane Austen, I have a Novel you do not want to miss reading!

Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book for the sole purpose of writing a review. I was not compensated in any other way. All that is written here is my own words and my honest opinion.

I am a fan of Jane Austen's novels, and this book does a great job in honoring her story through Sam and Mr. Knightley.

A little bit about the book:
Author Reay has the main character,Samantha Moore, who has gone through a rough childhood up till her current age at 23. Living in and out of foster homes is hard enough, but the reason why she is out of the foster homes is simply for the fact of not being able to relate at all to the foster parents. Now her age of adoption or foster homes have gone, and she finds herself under the care of Father John at Grace House.
But she is still struggling to get her feet on the ground--trying to find her spot in life...without the help of anyone. She finds life's answers through the pages of Jane Austen's novels. Her escape, her mask are none other than the beloved characters within Austen's novels. Hoping to be a Jane Bennet or Emma she quite often fears she is more of a Harriet Smith.

Yet through a scholarship to Medill School of Journalism she finds hope to be something more than a failure. Through a series of letters to a "Mr. Knighley" she finds herself taking steps she never dreamt to have taken!

What I loved about this book:
Not to mention a little bit of romance! What kind of Jane Austen type of novel would this be without it?

I have to admit my little college goofy self came back for a while as I read this. My husband rolled his eyes at me for squealing at different times in this book when I uncovered the mystery behind the letter. In short, the quotes were perfectly placed, and felt natural coming out of the different charactersn

I quite enjoyed the fact that Samantha was a bit of an outsider. Her awkwardness appealed to me. I can relate to awkward! Author Reay wove so many elements in which a person can be closed off to life and to people. And yet in the end, it was amazing how those same closed doors opened up to a life full. I absolutely love the ending in which Samantha becomes apart of so many lives.

Katherine Reay created so many characters that just really rends your heart! We have Kyle who is one of the orphans that like Sam is in and out of foster homes. But he still has a chance to get adopted. He will not let anyone in. Then we have Cara another orphan who seemed to fall through the cracks. Cara's relationship with Sam is rough and a stormy one, but also helps transform Sam's person. There are other memorable characters...that you will fall in love with such as the Muirs. I can tell you, you will love this book. It is a book that one has to pick up and read twice and a few times over!

Enjoyed this Review and Want MORE?
Reay’s debut novel follows one young woman’s journey as she sheds her protective persona and embraces the person she was meant to become.

Purchase a copy here.

Learn more at Katherine’s website.

Read more Reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour page.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Man with the Violin {Children's Book Review}

I did receive a free copy of this book for the sole purpose to write a review. This did not affect my thoughts on the book or influence a more positive review.

My Review:

Such a fun book for little readers as well as adults. As a parent myself, I enjoyed this book specifically because it reminded me to stop and enjoy the world. The world we live in is vast and awe inspiring for children...and as an adult we can quickly by pass the wonders and splendors right in front of us. I find it quite a keeper of a book, and one that I would want to keep in our personal library. The illustration is entertaining for both child and adult. And what is more, I feel like the illustrations tell the story in and of themselves! The artwork by Dušan Petričić was perfect, meaningful in various ways, and fun. Petričić captures what Author Stinson writes in words. I love it!

In short, Another must have and one I personally do not mind reading over and over again.

A little bit about the book:

We find a child whipped about and speedily following after his mother. What catches his eye are ordinary things, but he observes more than his mother. Along the way to the train, he is mesmerized by the beautiful sound coming from a man playing the violin. Surrounded by passersby the only person who seems to appreciate the sound and the music, is the boy.

Publisher's Description

Who is playing that beautiful music in the subway? And why is nobody listening?

On January 12, 2007, the world-famous violinist Joshua Bell took part in an experiment conducted by the Washington Post. What would happen if Bell played his violin in a subway station? Would anyone stop to listen? Dressed as an ordinary street musician and with his priceless Stradivarius in hand, Bell played for 43 minutes in the L’Enfant Plaza Station in Washington, D.C. Over 1,000 busy commuters rushed past. Only seven stopped to listen for more than a minute. Many children had wanted to stop, but an adult inevitably rushed them along. Inspired by this event, author Kathy Stinson imagines what a child who had wanted to stop might have experienced. From this emerged the lovely story ofThe Man with the Violin.

When young Dylan hears the beautiful music, he tries to get his mother to stop and listen, but like everyone else rushing past, she is focused on catching the train. The strains of the music linger in his head all day long until that evening, when he hears the same music being played on the radio. The announcer reveals who the violinist was and why he was playing in the subway station. As Dylan is swept up again by the gorgeous sound, his mother finally stops and listens too.

Award-winning illustrator Dušan Petričić eagerly embraced the challenge of rendering Stinson’s lyrical text in a way that would capture Dylan’s emotions while interpreting the sounds he heard. With his skillful use of color and imaginative depiction of all the sounds in the subway station, Petričić succeeds in providing the perfect match for the poignant words. Together, Stinson and Petričić have created a picture book classic that reminds us all to open our eyes and ears to discover the beauty around us.

A short biography of Joshua Bell, a recap of the story that inspired this book, and a postscript by Joshua Bell enhance this wonderful tribute to the power of music.

Enjoy this Video about the Book:

Jesus is Greater than Religion {Book Review}

I did receive a free copy of this book for the sole purpose to write a review. This did not affect my thoughts on the book or influence a more positive review.

My Review:

Author Jefferson does a great job in addressing common problems and issues in matters of religion. He is down to earth, real, and shamefully honest. I say shamefully because, I am convicted myself of some of the thought patterns and actions that are wrong that he confronts in this book. I love that he is fearless and unafraid in his writing. Jesus > Religions puts the focus back upon Jesus, and dismisses the religiosity and "good enough" ideal held by many. As Jesus had done so long ago, Bethke, overturns religion and rules and points back to the basics, back to God. What I enjoy about this book is that he writes through his own experiences. He writes in a manner that is understandable and relatable to a wide audience.

What caught me in this book, was how he was in college writing this. He shares with us the struggles of those he comes across in the dorms. As a floor leader/dorm counselor kids come to him for advice, help, and more. Fueled by words like "tried religion but it didn't work for me" he is moved to write this book and change the mindset of so many--that Jesus is Greater than Religion.

I would recommend this book specifically for those who are struggling with a work first kind of faith, hurt by "religion, christianity, church groups", and as a thermometer for checking if their faith is alive or dead. It woke me up and reminded me and be wary of what I see alot in the church and in myself.

Hands up, a must read.

Description from Publisher:

Abandon dead, dry, rule-keeping and embrace the promise of being truly known and deeply loved.

Jefferson Bethke burst into the cultural conversation in 2012 with a passionate, provocative poem titled “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” The 4-minute video literally became an overnight sensation, with 7 million YouTube views in its first 48 hours (and 23+ million in a year). The message blew up on social-media, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.
In Jesus > Religion, Bethke unpacks similar contrasts that he drew in the poem—highlighting the difference between teeth gritting and grace, law and love, performance and peace, despair and hope. With refreshing candor he delves into the motivation behind his message, beginning with the unvarnished tale of his own plunge from the pinnacle of a works-based, fake-smile existence that sapped his strength and led him down a path of destructive behavior.
Bethke is quick to acknowledge that he’s not a pastor or theologian, but simply a regular, twenty-something who cried out for a life greater than the one for which he had settled. Along his journey, Bethke discovered the real Jesus, who beckoned him beyond the props of false religion.

Also Here's a Video by Bethke I thought you might enjoy! Watch the whole thing :)

Friday, November 8, 2013

$1.00 off One Glad Products!

$1.00 off one (1) Glad Food Protection product

$2.00 off any 1 LISTERINE Mouthwash 1L or larger

$0.50 off (1) KRAFT Mayo or MIRACLE WHIP Dressing

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

TreSemme Coupons and Cottonelle Toilet Paper Coupons plus MORE!

I am Proud to post up these coupons as part of the Escalate Network! If you'd like to join up click the Proud Deal Blogger below! You get access to coupons you can share with your readers for your own blog. Thank you so much to all my readers as each coupon you print earns a little bit to to help my family with a little bit of extra income! Thank you!