Book Review - The Soldier's Homecoming (Home to Covenant Falls #5) by Patricia Potter + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Travis Hammond is an Army Ranger that suffered both physical and emotional wounds. Uncertain what his future holds, he accepts a friend's offer for a job in a little town called Covenant Falls. The job, though temporary, is for helping veterans using equine therapy. Jennifer Talbot is a wartime correspondent and like Travis suffered both physically and emotionally. Jenny takes an interest in equine therapy and travels to Covenant Falls to learn more about it. The two notice a spark between each other but have different goals. Will Jenny and Travis be able to find a middle ground for both of them?

I found the book to be a fun an interesting read. The characters were refreshing and nor were they portrayed as perfect people but as people who are trying to make the most of their circumstances. I like that the story focuses on a therapy that is both beneficial for the animals and humans and they can work together in harmony to help and rely on each other.  My only qualm is that the story was a bit to slow at some parts, but that could be because I am just impatient to see if Jenny and Travis get their happy ever after. It was a good read and I would definitely read other books by the author.

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

The Soldier's Homecoming

(Home to Covenant Falls #5)

by Patricia Potter

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 pages

April 1st 2018 by Harlequin Superromance

He’s looking for roots. She won’t be tied down.

Army ranger Travis Hammond needs to heal physical and emotional wounds. A job in Covenant Falls checking out equine therapy programs for veterans is a start, but it’s only temporary. And he doesn’t need a partner, especially some reporter with the persistence of a terrier and irresistible green eyes. Like Travis, Jenny Talbot’s just passing through town. Unlike Travis, Jenny knows exactly where she’s going next—back to the Middle East, as soon as she recovers from her own war injury. But there’s a bend in the road for both of them.

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin

 

Patricia Potter is the USA Today Bestselling Author of more than fifty books. She has received numerous writing awards, including RT Storyteller of the Year, its Career Achievement Award for Western Historical Romance and its Best Hero of the Year Award. She is a seven-time RITA finalist and three-time Maggie Award winner. She has served as president of Romance Writers of America.The Soldier's Homecoming is her fifteenth book for Harlequin.

Prior to writing fiction, she was a reporter for the Atlanta Journal and president of a public relations firm.

Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Amazon│Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - Ladybug Girl and the Rescue Dogs by Jacky Davis and David Soman

Photo Source - Amazon

Lulu the Ladybug Girl is at the local farmers market when she notices a dog-adoption fair happening. Once Lulu meets all the dogs, she wants to take them all home but her family already has one dog, Bingo which is more than enough for them. Since she is unable to adopt any more dogs, she volunteers to help take care the dogs and help promote the pet-adoption fair since it doesn't receive much foot traffic.

Even though this is the tenth book in the Ladybug Girl series, this was my first time reading a book from the series. The tots I read too enjoyed the book and the fun illustrations and many of them spied toys in the illustration similar to the ones they own. They also like the illustrations with the different ways to take care of a dog, for example, the dog who couldn't play catch. I liked how the book showed how one small change can have a big impact. It is a great read for any animal lovers as well!

Engagement Activities -
1. What is your favorite dog breed?
2. Can you draw your favorite dog?
3. What is your favorite activity to do with your pet?
4. Can you think of other small changes people can do that will make a big difference?
5. What is your favorite thing to do at the farmers market?
6. What traits would your ideal pet have?
7. Can you create an action plan for taking care of a dog?
8. What is one thing you can do to help your community?

**Disclosure - I receieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Book Review - Clod Makes a Friend by David J. Pedersen + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Clod is a magnet for bullies because he is different than his classmates. He is bigger, clumsy and ugly along with having no magic. In a world where magic makes everything possible, Clod has no friends and has trouble getting along with other people.

Clod lives with his mother, Eidy in a small cottage where they barely have enough to survive.  One day after a visit from his teacher, Learned Yugen about an incident at school, Clod is more discouraged than ever. He takes to building a friend out of clay that his mother brings for him every day. One day, the clay girl, Ada comes to life and becomes friends with Clod but her confidence and courage get them both in trouble. Is Ada the friend Clod desperately needs?

The novel was a quick and fun read especially with the dynamics between Ada and Clod. There were portions of the book where I thought the sassy Ada would become another bully for Clod but I was happy when it turns out that they both needed each other. While I did enjoy the book, I wish the author went into a bit more details especially about the dark war and Clod's family. Overall, it was a fun treat to read and I look forward to reading other books by the author.

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

​
Book Details:

Book Title:  Clod Makes a Friend by David J. Pedersen
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction, 174 pages
Genre:  Fantasy
Publisher:  Odysia Press
Release date:  March 2018
Content Rating: PG (There is no bad language, but there is one "boss fight" scene.)

Book Description:

Best Friend Ever?

Bullies love to hate Clod. Not just because he’s bigger, clumsier, and uglier than his classmates - he’s also the only student in his school without magic. In a world where all magic is possible and everyone else is born with great gifts to do amazing things, Clod is alone.

Living with his mum in a broken-down cottage on barely enough, the only thing Clod has to play with is the clay she occasionally brings him. Bleak is an understatement. More than anything, Clod wants a friend. The only way that’s going to happen, is to make one himself.

After an angry visit from the worst of the bullies, his teacher Learned Yugen, Clod’s clay sculpture of a little girl comes to life and introduces herself as Ada. For a clay girl barely the size of his hand, she has more confidence and courage than he knows what to do with. Every adventure she leads him on gets Clod into trouble. She may be the friend he wants, but is she the friend he needs?

After many years, and too many pranks, Yugen becomes convinced that Clod is tainted by the evil slowly infiltrating the Kingdom of Pag. Especially when Ada isn’t the only one Clod can bring to life.

Clod Makes A Friend is a bittersweet fairy tale for all ages from David J. Pedersen, author of the Angst series of fantasy novels.

Meet the Author:

David J. Pedersen is a native of Racine, WI who resides in his home town Kansas City, MO. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He has worked in sales, management, retail, video and film production, and IT. David has run 2 marathons, climbed several 14,000 foot mountains and marched in Thee University of Wisconsin Marching Band and written 4 fantasy novels. He is a geek and a fanboy that enjoys carousing, picking on his wife and kids, playing video games, and slowly muddling through his next novel.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - High Cotton by Debby Mayne

Photo Credit - Amazon

The Bucklin family has a family reunion almost every few months which is why no one really wants to go but they go to avoid being talked about. Shay Henke has mixed feelings about the next reunion. She is looking forward to meeting her family and spending time with them but she has been single for so long and knows everyone would only focus on her being single. Days leading up to the event, Shay learns a secret her sister-in-law is keeping along with juggling her childish twin cousins. When Shay's high school crush moves back home, will Shay be able to deal with all the drama?

The book is enriched with Southern heritage values with names such as Digger, Puddin', Missy, Southern gentleman values, and sweet tea. When I first read the summary, I assumed the deep, dark secret was going to be something terrible and horrendous. When, the cat was out of the bag, the secret was quite laughable especially since the person already knew. The characters' dynamics were interesting and fun to read especially at the family reunion pieces but I felt some of their values were a bit old fashioned. I also found it disheartening that three people go from being alone to finding love in less than 100 pages at breakneck speed.  Along with many characters thinking their problems would end their world but was solved a few pages in. The story was told by four females' point-of-view, but I think I would have preferred maybe just two, so we would get more details into that person's life.

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

Book Review - Rebel with a Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

Jesobel Jones is a loud, bold, brash and confident daughter of a former model and rock star. She sees no need to apologize for who she is including her weight. However, when her prep school has an occasion that allows students to wear their own clothes, Jess had a wardrobe malfunction that makes her a target of the popular girls. It exposes Jess and leaves her feeling vulnerable and questioning her lifestyle.  Will Jess be able to regain her self-confidence?

The witty book reads like a "Mean Girls" episode script. It was filled with teenage drama and angst along with humor. However, I found it be very predictable and hard to enjoy the main character. I like that she was outspoken and self-confident but I found it discouraging that she didn't want to be judged by her looks but did it to others. I don't think being self-confident comes at the expense of others. If you enjoy books with a "Mean Girls" theme, you will enjoy this one.

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

REBEL WITH A CUPCAKE Digital Assets

Title: REBEL WITH A CUPCAKE

Author: Anna Mainwaring

Pub. Date: April 3, 2018

Publisher: KCP Loft 

Pages: 216

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Find it: Amazon, B&N, TBD, Goodreads

Jesobel Jones is bold and brash, the daughter of a hand model and a washed-up rock star. Jess sees no need to apologize for her rambling house, her imperfect family, her single status … or her weight. Jess is who she is. She makes her own cupcakes and she eats them, too. No regrets.

That is, until Own Clothes Day rolls around at school. Jess and her friends dedicate the requisite hours of planning to their outfits, their hair and their makeup for the one day they are free from school uniforms. But a wardrobe malfunction leaves Jess with a pair of leggings split open at the worst spot, and a mean girl calling her the one thing that’s never bothered her before: fat.

The encounter shakes Jess’s formerly iron-clad

confidence, and she starts to wonder if she’s been just a little too comfortable in her own skin. When the boy of her dreams invites her to a party, she must decide whether to try to fit in for the first time in her life, or remain true to herself — whoever that really is.

About Anna:

Anna Mainwaring studied English Literature, which led to a career in banking. She left to travel and then to train as a teacher. Anna took part in NaNoWriMo in 2012, and after endless drafts, Rebel with a Cupcake was born. When not writing, Anna can be found walking up hills or in cafés. She lives in Cheshire, England, with her family, including a murderous gold fish called Moriarty.

Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of REBEL WITH A CUPCAKE, US Only.

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2719/?

Rafflecopter Embed Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

4/2/2018- Here's to Happy Endings- Review

4/3/2018- Confessions of a YA Reader- Review

4/4/2018- RhythmicBooktrovert- Review

4/5/2018- Sincerely Karen Jo- Excerpt

4/6/2018- Two Points of Interest- Review