Back To Resolution, Book review

Synopsis:

Bay Anders is lost. She enjoys every privilege a wealthy upbringing affords, but the void in her soul refuses to be filled. Her mother's dying revelation drives Bay to the brink of self destruction, before a move to Australia changes everything. She embarks upon a search for her father that leads her to his island home, into a hazardous melting pot of hostile locals and a mystery - her father's disappearance. The only person who can help her is a strong, self-assured and intensely magnetic man. Bay must fight an overwhelming attraction to stay focused on her goal. Flynn McKenna is hiding from the world. A past filled with mistakes drove him to withdraw from society and live in seclusion. But the arrival of a woman he cannot avoid shatters his solitary existence. As the search for Bay's father unites them, can he resist his desire for her?

My personal thoughts:

There is something magnetic about 'Down Under' and few of us can resist learning more about this fascinating continent. Perhaps that is why there is a definite appeal to reading Australian books for those of us unable to see the real thing!

'Back to Resolution' is one of these novels that will bring to readers the lush Daintree rain forest in its splendour! Rose Dee does justice to the landscape allowing us a glimpse of this beautiful area. That is the best part of reading: discovering new parts unknown to us, and all in the comfort of a cozy chair!

Leaving the predictable plot aside, I hoped to enjoy Rose Dee's novel if only as good entertainment with an Aussie twist.

Every factor seems included: the beautiful beaches of the amazing Australian coastal area, the fierce and at times unforgiving sun, the wandering daughter in search of a long lost father, the locals who bring to the story their own brand of colour and of course, the bad elements such as unscrupulous developers.

Perhaps I expected the  protagonists of Back to Resolution to display a little of the famous Crocodile Dundee appeal we so enjoyed discovering a couple of decades ago!

At times fragmented, it is however a light fiction which perhaps some readers will enjoy. Adult thematic contents despite an occasional touch of Christian faith suggests it is not for young adults.

Any entertainment it will provide will soon be forgotten, and it was with relief I close the book.

As a suggestion, should you tuck it in your beach bag, be kind and leave it behind when finished. If nothing else, it will bring a smile or two to another soul!

3Stars!

About the author:

Rose Dee will be releasing a second novel based on one of the characters mentioned in this novel. For more on this Australian author visit her website (here).

I received this book free from BOOKCRASH as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Just A Thought...

" Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.”

(Mark Twain)

The 5 Love Languages Of Children, Book review and Giveaway

Synopsis:

Does your child speak a different language? Sometimes they wager for your attention, and other times they ignore you completely. Sometimes they are filled with gratitude and affection, and other times they seem totally indifferent. Attitude. Behavior. Development. Everything depends on the love relationship between you and your child.

When children feel loved, they do their best. But how can you make sure your child feels loved?

Since 1992, Dr. Gary Chapman's best-selling book The 5Love Languages has helped millions of couples develop stronger, more fulfilling relationships by teaching them to speak each others' love language. Each child, too, expresses and receives love through one of five different communication styles. And your love language may be totally different from that of your child. While you are doing all you can to show your child love, he may be hearing it as something completely opposite. Discover your child's primary language and learn what you can do to effectively convey unconditional feelings of respect, affection, and commitment that will resonate in your child's emotions and behavior.

My personal thoughts:

Once again Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell gives us an interesting approach to connecting with our children.

Most adults tend to raise their children the way they were raised, and that can prove good or bad depending on the situation. In 'The 5 Love Languages Of Children' the authors raise some excellent points and explains how to identify these love languages.

Some readers might very well identify ways they have already use but others will surely find it a very helpful tool and it is so simple! It is all about love!

Here is where it gets truly interesting: once you identify each group and observe which ones your children react to, you will have the essential key to building a foundation of unconditional love with them! And every child needs love!

According to Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, using these 5 love languages will help Mums and Dads better understand children as well as help discipline them much more effectively (something most of us hate to do but is sometime necessary)!

Even single parents will find in Chapter 11 how to use this book to help them deal with sometime frustration like all the millions of others single parents out there. 

'The 5  Love Languages Of Children' will help you to show your children you really love them! This book also includes how to speak the love language in marriage as well as an exceptionally helpful chapter on additional help for parents. With life as busy as it is for most of us, we can use all the help we can get!

An excellent advice: 'You can never built bridges until you get rid of the walls'! So simple and so very true!

Excellent notes are included with each chapter (including what the children says) and an epilogue on what might be ahead with a love language mystery game for the entire family rounds up this amazing book!

Absolutely marvelous and well worth 5stars!

About the authors:

Author Gary Chapman travels the world presenting seminars as the Director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. He also wrote 'A Perfect Pet for Peyton' reviewed (here).

Dr. Ross Campbell is also the author of 'How to really love your child' and is an authority on parent-child relationships.

Note: For free online study guide, visit 5lovelanguages.com.

AND NOW FOR OUR GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to our sponsor PROPELLER, (Live and) Dream a little dream is offering one reader the possibility to win a copy of this interesting book! 

All  you need to do is place a comment on this post before midnight 15 April 2012. US/Canada entries only please.
Using Random.org a winner will then be chosen and name will be posted on this blog 16 April 2012! Don't forget to include a valid email address (i.e.145 at yahoo period com) for contact.

I received this book free from PROPELLER as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Easter Morning...

BELIEVE...

 The budding trees, the new flowers,

And birds that sweetly sing,

Whisper to me that it’s almost Easter....

The House At Tyneford by Natasha Solomons, Book review

Synopsis:

It's the spring of 1938 and no longer safe to be a Jew in Vienna. Nineteen-year-old Elise Landau is forced to leave her glittering life of parties and champagne to become a parlor maid in England. She arrives at Tyneford, the great house on the bay, where servants polish silver and serve drinks on the lawn. But war is coming, and the world is changing. When the master of Tyneford's young son, Kit, returns home, he and Elise strike up an unlikely friendship that will transform Tyneford-and Elise-forever.

My personal thoughts:

Natasha Solomons was unknown to me when I first spotted a small article in a woman's magazine about this young author. In Decembre 2011 she had just published a beautiful novel* of a young Austrian Jew leaving her family and all that she had ever known and loved for the cold rainy climate of Britain. 

*(UK title is 'The Novel in the Viola')

If the short review of this romantic novel caught my attention, it is entirely due to its introduction:

'Please treat the church and houses with care; we have given up our homes where many of us lived for generations to help win the war to keep men free. We shall return one day and thank you for treating the village kindly. (Notice pinned to the door of Tyneford Church by departing villagers, Christmas Eve 1941)

I found myself adding my name to a long list of (library) readers and could not wait to be introduced to Elise and The house at Tyneford!

With the winds of war blowing over Europe, Elise is urged to move to England in 1938 by her family and finds herself placing an add for temporary employment. She writes 'I will cook your goose'...The add is  spotted by Mr. Rivers, owner of Tyneford house in Dorset and Elise's new life begins.

Natasha Solomons pens an eloquent and deeply moving story, filled with narratives about the running of the great house and its incurring transformations during the late 1930's and subsequent beginning of the war.

It is also a love story and like other love stories it has its bittersweet moments.

Readers will experience Elise's transformation from a well to do society girl to a parlour maid and recall the resilience of a proud country in the face of adversity. 

Natasha Solomons elegy to the enduring English country side of the 1940's reminds us of 'Mrs. Miniver', 'Carrie's War' and 'Goodnight Mr. Tom' and who could tire of this?

Finally I should mention the viola, a hidden novel and the many ghosts wars creates...

This is a story of survival, of heartbreaks and triumphs for one lonely Austrian Jew and the people she comes to know and love.

The author writes of her personal inspiration for this novel, including some very interesting historical notes. 

A book to enjoy without interruption! I am compelled to say a borrowed copy will not do, I must have my own very soon!

5 stars!

Note to readers: As I finish writing this review I feel the need to contact the author and ask if she will clarify something about the hidden novel...Is this perhaps a clue to another story? One can always hope...

About the author:

Natasha Solomons' website (here) reveals she has many talents! For those of us who likes to bake, check out her Baumtorte or Memory Cake (here). Taken from a family recipe book circa 1937 (the things it could tell us if only it could speak...)

A reminder to readers: I was not asked to review this book and received no compensation for doing so. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Good Friday...

'Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!'