Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus! A book review

 

                               Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus
                                           Joyce Magnin
                                      Zondervan Publishing
                                      ISBN: 978-0-310-33355-5
                                      April 2012/320 pages

I was contacted to do a book review and I agreed. Isn’t that the way most reviewers do it? I was not sure if I was going to like the book based on the title and when I received the book I was still a little skeptical. This is certainly a case of “You do not judge a book by its cover”.

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus is a novel by Joyce Magnin. It is a Christian/Fiction book. Basically, the author takes us on a cross country journey, from Pennsylvania to California, when Harriet Beamer loses a simple bet. Harriet fell off a chair at Christmas and thought she sprained her ankle. Her son and daughter-in-law knew she broke her ankle and that is how the bet came to be. If Harriet broke her ankle, she would have to pack up her life in Pennsylvania and move to California to live with her son and daughter-in-law. I am sure you can guess what happened. Harriet decided to set off to California her own way, however. She decided to send Humphrey, her dog, to California on the plane and she decided to get to California taking local transportation the whole way. She is an avid salt and pepper shaker collector and she wanted to collect those along the way also. Her family, of course, did not agree but Harriet did it anyway. What a journey she had. Meeting a Cherokee Indian, stopping a purse thief, having a newspaper story done on her journey, becoming a YouTube sensation, and getting kidnapped were just parts of her journey. The whole way, God was leading her and pointing her in her adventure.

Harriet and her salt and pepper collection :)

MY REVIEW:

I LOVED IT! Do I need to say more. I felt I was on this journey with Harriet, and felt her joys and her fears. At one point, I asked myself, could I under take an adventure like this? Packing up her whole life and moving to a new part of the country is a huge undertaking. I just chuckled throughout this whole book. I think my favorite part, is how Harriet jumped in a motorcycle sidecar with Snake and his wife, Pearl. Try to picture a 72 year old lady is a small sidecar with her tote bag and rolling suitcase.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Joyce Magnin is the author of five novels, including the popular and quirky Bright’s Pond series and the middle grade novel “Carrying Mason.” She is a writing instructor and frequent conference speaker. Joyce lives in Pennsylvania with her son, Adam, and their crazy cat, Mango, who likes to eat nachos.

 

WHERE CAN YOU FIND THIS BOOK?

This book goes on sale on April 24, 2012. List price is $14.99. Check out Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com or your favorite book retailer.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan and Shelton Interactive as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Where have I been??

Well, that is a loaded question!! In the past year, my husband and I bought a new house and moved our family. Making this house our home has been trying and challenging but fun and rewarding. Does that make sense?

We just love it here and know it was the right move for our family. But I can promise you, I WILL NEVER MOVE AGAIN! What a royal pain . Today, I just got notice that our old house (that has been on the market for 13 months) sold today. HOW WONDERFUL!!

I also have been busy with Girl Scouts. My daughter is now 8 years old and a Brownie. When we moved, we transferred to Citrus Council based out of Orlando. I am so glad that we did it. They were so welcoming and friendly. Her school did not have a troop so I stepped up again to be a leader. It is so rewarding. I have a troop of 9 girls and they are so amazing and special. Everyone gets along so well and we do a lot of great things. I want to share a few pictures with you of our fun…

So this is just a glimpse into what I have been doing. Does not seem like a lot but it keeps me totally busy, just take a look at my calendar…HA!

Stay tuned for a book review that I am doing for next week. Great author, Joyce Magnin takes us on a road trip. LOVED THIS BOOK. See you soon!!

Has it really been a year?

I am back. Phew, it has been a long time and I really did not realize how long it has been. This is my pledge to start blogging more, sharing my life and rising in the ranks of the blogging world! 

Wish me luck

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones

Unexpected. Love. Lively. Romantic.

Those are the words I would use to describe Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones. This is an real heartwarming story about Lucy and Alex. Alex is a ex pro football player turned wanna be Congressman. He is an emotionally unstable Playboy. Lucy is a normal middle class girl with this insatiable urge to give back to young girls that have been dealt a bad hand in life. When funding for Lucy’s girls home starts to fall through, she will resort to anything to save it.

There are some very unexpected twists and turns that will grow these two closer together. It is amazing to find love in the unlikeliest of places.

This was a page turner that I just could not put down! I will be looking out for more books by Jenny B. Jones!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Pirate Queen: A Review

What a great author I have found in Patricia Hickman. When I sat down to read The Pirate Queen, I was not sure that I would enjoy it. Boy was I wrong.

About the book:

Saphora and Bender were your normal Plastic Surgeon and wife. A marriage that was plagued by infidelity and being closed off from one another. The day Saphora is slated to leave and take some time away, she gets news from her husband that will change their lives forever. Dr. Bender Warren had to let down his guard when he was struck with cancer. During this time of illness and struggle, they learn the true meaning of life. He is finding God again, and looks for forgiveness. Saphora learns what it means to love again and to help others. This book is full of tragedy and love and finding the meaning of life again. It will definitely make you think.

My Thoughts:

Going through some trials of my own, I found comfort in reading this novel. When it is hopeless and you have hit rock bottom, turn to Him. The Lord will help you find the way. When forgiving is so hard, try harder. Everyone deserves redemption. It really made me look hard at life, and the changes that need to be made. This was a great book if you are looking for what is really important in life.

I would like to thank Waterbrook Multnomah for providing this book to me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Cookie Time…

YAY for Girl Scout cookies!! I have not come across one person who does not LOVE cookie time. Friday starts my council’s pre-orders. My daughter is psyched about it! I think we might comb our neighborhood this year, she has set some BIG goals for herself.

As the troop leader, my 3 months of stress is just beginning. OMG, the holidays are a breeze compared to cookies. Funny, right?? I so would not trade it in for anything. So three cheers and good wishes for Troop 55 as we embark together on another successful cookie season!!

Lets bring in 2011….

YAY!! It is almost here. 10 more minutes to be exact before we start writing “2011”. As we send 2010 off, with a kick in the pants, I would like to share with you my resolutions/goals for 2011 with you.

1. Lose 50 pounds. Yes, that is the stereotypical resolution but it is a must for me. I am down about 6 pounds now, but my heart needs a break. I think that will be the other piece for me to start feeling even better.
2. Become an even more dedicated blogger. Unfortunately, after my best friend moved, I lost my blogging passion for awhile. However, I am out of my mourning period and I am ready to be back full time. Bring it blogging world. Show me what you have!
3. Become a better wife. It is time for me to re-dedicate myself to the man that means the most to me in my life. I really have neglected him and I will no longer make him feel unloved. The truth is, I love my husband with every fiber of my being. Time to show it.
4. Take my Girl Scout troop to a higher level. Re~focusing and concentrating on these girl’s best interest. Helping them find themselves and guide them in to being better young ladies. I LOVE MY TROOP! Troop 55 rocks!
5. Form better friendships. I have a few friends that I really want to get to know better and form those lasting bonds with. I really need that in my life right now.

Have you given some thought in to what you would like to improve on in 2011? Lets do this together. I will let you know my progress on my resolutions. Together we can do it. Lets make 2011 the best year yet!