Book Review - The Sound of Falling Leaves by Lisa Cox Carter

 

Tessa survived a devastating fire that caused her to lose her voice. She retreats to her aunt's apple orchard to heal. She still wants to keep music in her life but, she is struggling after the fire. Tessa decides that she will research and collect folk ballads.  While researching folk ballads she discovers a connection between a murder and a woman who disappeared. Tessa gets a first-hand experience behind the corrupt politicians in the isolated Appalachian community. She has a hard time finding someone to trust.

Tessa finds herself drawn to Zeke. He is the quiet and mysterious caretaker. He tries to show her that mountain justice is neither impartial nor just. Tessa is unsure if she can trust him but, she finds herself drawn to him.

I was very torn reading this novel. There were some moments where I enjoyed reading the characters and then other times, it was like the character snapped. For example, Zeke got annoyed that Tessa was "obsessively" looking for a certain singer when Zeke was doing the same thing. I found the book to be slow during some parts but, it had a few twists. One thing I really didn't like is that on the cover of my copy, Zeke was colored in to appear darker as he is of mixed descent. I am not sure why they just didn't find someone of tan skin instead of coloring in the person's face.

  **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - God Bless America: The Story of an Immigrant Named Irving Berlin by Adah Nuchi and Rob Polivka + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Izzy Baline and his family emigrated from Russia to America. Shortly after arriving, the Baline family falls in love with their new country. His family never had much. When his father passed away, Izzy decides to run away and try to make his own future. Izzy has a passion for music and creates beautiful songs that his fellow citizens enjoy. When Izzy joins the army, he realizes he can put his passion to better use and creates an inspiring song that can rouse the entire nation.

The book was beautifully drawn. The characters had a comic book feel. I found the book to be fun and engaging. However, some of the pages were a bit confusing and lacked context. I would recommend reading the last few pages in the book before reading the story to make it easier to understand. This was definitely a fun book and I look forward to reading more books like this.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

GOD BLESS AMERICA: THE STORY OF AN IMMIGRANT NAMED IRVING BERLIN

Title: GOD BLESS AMERICA: THE STORY OF AN IMMIGRANT NAMED IRVING BERLIN

Author: Adah Nuchi, Rob Polivka (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: June 5, 2018

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 40

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks,  TBD

An inspiring portrait of an immigrant and the gift he gave his new home.

Persecuted as Jews, Izzy Baline and his family emigrated from Russia to New York, where he fell in love with his new country. He heard music everywhere and was full to bursting with his own. Izzy's thump-two-three, ting-a-ling, whee tunes soon brought him acclaim as the sought-after songwriter Irving Berlin. He ignited the imaginations of fellow countrymen and women with his Broadway and Hollywood numbers, crafting tunes that have become classics we still sing today.

But when darker times came and the nation went to war, it was time for Irving to compose a new kind of song:

A boom-rah-rah song.

A big brass belter.

A loud heart-melter.

A song for America.

And so "God Bless America" was born, the heart swelling standard that Americans have returned to again and again after its 1918 composition.

This is the tale of how a former refugee gave America one of its most celebrated patriotic songs. With stirring, rhythmic text by Adah Nuchi and delightful, energetic art by Rob Polivka, readers will be ready to hum along to this exuberant picturebook.

About Adah:

Adah Megged Nuchi was first introduced to the children's publishing world at home, as the daughter of a children's book art director. She began her own publishing career at the National Book Foundation, and later at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers, where she was an acquiring editor of picture books, middle-grade, and young adult fiction for seven years. Her books have been named to the Kids' Indie Next List, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, and Indies Introduce New Voices lists. As an editor, she most loved finding new talent and working with authors to shape a story.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of GOD BLESS AMERICA: THE STORY OF AN IMMIGRANT NAMED IRVING BERLIN, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2757/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

6/11/2018- Savings in Seconds- Review

6/12/2018- Little Red Reads- Review

6/13/2018- Reading Is My SuperPower- Review

6/14/2018- Two points of interest- Review

6/15/2018- A Dream Within A Dream- Excerpt

Old Factory Candle - Man Cave Gift Set

I have always been a big fan of soy candles. So, I was super excited when I had gotten the opportunity to try these soy candles. All the gift sets are specially curated and has three different scents that come in 2 oz glass containers. The labels are super cute and has an very old apothecary look. Each candle lasts around 20 hours and has a cotton wick. The candle works well in one small room but you can combine 2 candles for one large room. I am not what each scent smells like but my favorite was the straight razor which has a clean and fresh scent.  

Here are the links to all the available gift sets -

http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MRF8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MPGE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8L902/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8LBIM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8L9J8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MQUE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MQ9U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8LAWY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MO7E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8MORY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00NR8LA1U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle
http://www.amazon.com/Candles-True-To-Scent-Hand-poured/dp/B00MX6F36U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413003610&sr=8-1&keywords=candle

Disclosure - I have received a free sample of this product to review.