Book Tour: Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet

Book Info

Finding grace and laughter when motherhood gets real Soon after Jessica Kastner became a mother, she wondered if she was the only mom who found pretend play more boring than watching playdough harden and who dreaded yet another friend's Instagram post of homemade deliciousness. In Hiding from My Kids in the Prayer Closet, Kastner shares her experience as an "unmom"-a mom who loves her kids more than she loves the daily experience of mothering. She helps readers laugh at the ridiculous, delight in the unpredictable, and enjoy being the mothers God made them to be. Learn more and purchase a copy. My Thoughts On The Book  I was very excited for this book when I saw it. The premise sounded intriguing, the title was funny, and some of the sample chapters drew me in. I am not a biological mom, but I am a foster mom and hope one day to be a mom. I find it interesting to read books on parenting. I also think I can give my future clients advice, once I get to this point. That's basically what initially made me want to check out this book. I want to start out by talking about the writing in this book. It is just super fantastic. The writing is truly captivating. It will keep your interest and make you want to want to flip the pages continually. The way that she describes her self is super cute and right based on her writing style. She just seems like someone I could be friends with.   She is so honest and real about parenting. About how overwhelming it can be. How stressful it is, and how much love your kids bring you. She is very candid, and she will give you more details than you ever asked for, I believe many women will enjoy that. Although if you are squeamish about childbirth and other situations that happen with children, perhaps skip this book.  I liked that she gave excellent advice. With real-life tips for overcoming issues and obstacles. The book is filled with funny an anecdotes and heavy with amusement. There is so much I could relate to. I felt like she weaved faith into the story without feeling preachy. Hiding from the Kids in My Prayer Closet is probably one of my favorite parenting books I have read in a long time.  I liked a lot of this book, but some things made me cringe at points. For that, it loses some stars. I know that she loves her kids and everything. But her referencing them being "accidents" really bothered me. No child should be referred to as an accident. I know she is saying that they didn't plan to have them. I just didn't appreciate the "jokes" about it throughout the book.  In conclusion, I believe any mother, especially overwhelmed moms would probably benefit from reading this book. I feel like moms from all walks of life could find some humor in this book as well. I believe I will be keeping this for when I have kids. Great book!  Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.  Book Info Jessica Kastner is an award-winning journalist and a contributor for the Christian Broadcasting Network's CBN.com, Beliefnet.com, and the Huffington Post's Christianity blog. As Connecticut's coordinator for Straight Ahead Ministries, she shares God's message of hope by leading Bible studies in juvenile detention centers. When she's not on the trampoline with her three boys in Connecticut, Jessica shares her unapologetically "real" commentary on the Christian life at www.JessicaKastner.com. Find out more about Jessica at http://jessicakastner.com.

Book Review: When My Sister Started Kissing (spoilers)

Actual rating: 2.5

I was sold on this book when I realized that this book was told in verse. This one sort of felt boring at times for me. I also realize that this is more a middle-grade novel, so I am not really the desired audience for this one. This book is told in three different perspectives, which is the lake, Abi, and Claire. What is unique is that each perspective has a different poetical format. Out of all of them, I found the lake to be the most interesting one. I didn't really like how depressive this book was. 

These girls have always spent a month at the cabin on the lake every single summer. A terrible accident has happened and their mother has passed away. What was weird to me was the girls seemed to have issues going to the lake after this with their dad and new mother, but the mom died when they were just babies which made it seem out of the ordinary for them to be so distressed by this trip. I felt like this book was "trying" to solve a problem when there wasn't one. 

The biggest problem is the fact that Abi is becoming interested in boys, which is having a negative effect on Claire. Which I think is a cute part of the story, but it certainly doesn't feel like the point of this story. I will admit this is a sweet story about sisters and family. 

Another major issue why I couldn't give this book more than two stars is that the younger sisters voice is really annoying, and seems a bit immature for a girl her age. It made the whole seem ridiculous and made me lose interest. The last thing that seemed weird was that he continued to come to this little cabin after all the pain that was associated with this place. 

It is a cute middle grade, coming of age story. 

Goodreads Description: 

Claire and Abi have always loved their summers at the lake house, but this year, everything's different. 

Dad and Pam, their stepmom, are expecting a new baby, and they've cleared out all of Mom's belongings to make room.

 And last summer, Abi was looking at boys, but this summer, boys are looking back at her. 

While Abi sneaks around, Claire is left behind to make excuses and cover up for her. 

Claire doesn't want her family to change, but there doesn't seem to be a way of stopping it. 

By the end of their time at the house, the two sisters have learned that growing up doesn't have to mean their family growing apart.

Book Review: The Wild Swan (Bonus Review)

I never can tire of Hans Christain Anderson. 

Two great fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen, this book contains The Wild Swans and The Nightingale. I would dissect the meaning, symbolism, underlying themes, but I won't. I really enjoyed the cover is completely bright and super fun. 

I did feel like it was very long, but honestly, it was good. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 


Goodreads Description: 

A princess has eleven brothers. The twelve siblings live happily and well, until their father decides to remarry.

 Their new stepmother is a wicked woman, and she turns all the brothers into swans and banishes the princess from the palace. 

And so it is left to Elisa to endure countless hardships alone in order to save her beloved brothers from the spell.

This edition also contains a new translation of Hans Christian Andersen's beloved story The Nightingale, a story about a Chinese emperor who prefers the song of a mechanical nightingale to that of the real bird. 

When he falls ill, it is the nightingale who saves him. The story has been adapted for stage, opera, muscial theatre and television many times.

Book Spotlight: A Body Resurrected

Goodreads Description: 

SUSPENSE/ROMANCE/SCI-FI

Sixteen year-old Mira is an Egyptian girl who lives a quiet life in her small village in Lower Egypt 3303 B.C.E. But two visitors from the planet Aut are about to change that. The first “flying metal” that whips across the sky carries a murderous plague by the name of Demen. The second one that follows, brings a bounty-hunter named Weir. Against her father’s wishes, Mira becomes Weir’s accomplice in his mission to apprehend Demen before another woman dies by his hands.

But there’s a problem: Demen is now a powerful Pharaoh in the city of Sharkura. Will apprehending him cost Weir and Mira their lives? 
Almay, California, USA, twenty-first century:

Tina Leggs oversees the artifacts and exhibits of the Graham-Arlee museum. She has no idea that the mummy exhibit that’s drawing huge crowds, is the same Demen that her ancestor, Mira, bravely faced centuries ago.

Demen is no longer a powerful Pharaoh. Now, he’s nothing more than a museum exhibit since he was discovered in the Valley of the Kings. But a rare occurrence will give him life once more. And his desire to kill the misery known as woman is as strong as ever.

Enter Q, a second bounty-hunter sent from Aut to capture him. Like Mira, Tina has been cast into the role of ally to this handsome visitor. Amid the destruction Demen is causing, and the risk to their lives to stop him, they realize their deep love for one another.

But, will she leave her family on Earth for the sake of that love?

Alittle about the Author: 



I was born in the deep south where the number four has two syllables. I somehow did not acquire that distinct Southern accent, but I am accustomed to expressions of "Yall", "Ain't", and when I'm really mad--"Ain't gonna!".

I live with my Queen and best friend who happens to be my daughter. Writing is my passion; it keeps me sane. I couldn’t think of doing anything else. I write clean Suspense and Romantic/Suspense with five books published so far. 

One of my novels, ‘Cause She’s A Good Girl’, was featured on a popular Nashville Talk Show and given a Highly Recommended by BookWoman. 

My favorite time of the year is tennis season. When The French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open are airing, I’m nowhere to be found—unless you know where my 53” television set is. I’m also an avid reader, gardener, and I have an expensive habit of collecting crystal. Did I mention I'm addicted to bottled tea?

I really like to talk and interact with other authors and readers on just about any subject. Thanks to all of you who have added me to their list of authors they are fans of. I'm so honored! And I love when people friend me:) I'm not a big fan of Facebook or Twitter, but I invite you all to email me with your suggestions or questions.

You can contact me here on Goodreads or atreyhu@att.net.

Thank you for your time and Good Reading!

http://www.groovylee.com/