It's Your Kid, Not a Gerbil by Dr Kevin Leman book review

It’s Your Kid, Not a Gerbil!
By: Dr Kevin Leman

I received this e-book from Tyndale publishers in exchange for a book review. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started It’s Your Kid, Not a Gerbil! by Dr Kevin Leman. I have read many books claiming to help with the parent/child relationship. I was very impressed with this book. There were many pointers and tips to take away from this book. I am anxious to apply them to my own kids and see what happens. Some ideas I had heard before; some I don’t think would work in our family. Overall, Dr Kevin Leman did a great job. I would recommend this book to anyone who has young children. Mine are older, so I felt I had missed out on some of the ideas he presented. However, his 10 Ways to Rear a Kid From the Inside Out really hit home. I can do this now.
1) Understand Your Child’s Uniqueness: No two relationships are the same, and that goes for relationships with your kids as well. Their personalities and yours result in a different relationship with each child.
2) Give Your Kids a Piece of You: Your kids want you. It’s that simple. Have a pizza night, or game night, just you and your kids. You will be amazed at what you find out when your kids feel they have your attention and your love.
3) Treat Each Child Differently: Each child is different and enjoys different things. Now, my daughter fusses because I don’t treat her like her 17 year old brother. She is 14. I think this would work more for younger children. As they get older, they recognize the differences and feel slighted.
4) Give Your Kids Rituals: This is an interaction that meets their needs and builds your homegrown bond. Things like wrestling after work, building forts, making breakfast on Saturday mornings.
5) Put Your Relationship with Your Kids First: When they know you love them for them, they’ll want to please you, not act out. Again, I think this works more for younger children. By the time they are teenagers, they are pushing the limits to see what they can get away with. You have to stand firm and show your love and trust.
6) Be Real: Let your kids know your experiences.
7) Nurture Your Child’s Trust: If they ask a question, answer it age appropriately. Take them and their questions seriously. When they get older, they’ll come to you with everything.
8) Model Values Worth Catching: You want them to be respectful, genuine, caring. They must see you acting that way, also.
9) Use Chores To Teach Character & Responsibility: If you see something on the floor that shouldn’t be there, pick it up. Don’t walk by and think that isn’t my job. Whether you’re at the store, walking through your kitchen, or at the ball game, you teach your kids to pitch in and be a help.
10) Look Out for Others: Teach them to think of others.

This book really gave me some ideas to ponder. I want to raise a kid who has character, not one who is a character. You have to know their heart, what makes them unique. In order to do this, you have to spend time with them, not relegate it out to babysitters, coaches, or camp counselors. They just want to spend time with their parents and feel loved and respected by their parents for being who they are. This book helps you lay a firm foundation for a lifetime relationship with your children. When they get older and move away, they’ll want to come back and visit! No one can take your place instilling your child’s positive self-image, view of the world, concept of faith, and sense of security. Only you can do that. Reading this book will show you how to make the most of your time with your child. You’ll be glad you took the time to read this book and form that bond with your child!

1105 Yakima St by Debbie Macomber book review

1105 Yakima St
By Debbie Macomber

I received 1105 Yakima St by Debbie Macomber from Harlequin in exchange for a review. This book is another great one by Debbie Macomber. Once you meet the characters, you can’t put the book down until all their problems are solved. This story deals with teenage daughters, loves gone wrong, a father tearing his family apart because he doesn’t like who his daughter married, and two people finding out they are in love but fighting it every step of the way.

Bruce and Rachel separate because Bruce’s daughter, Jolene, is jealous of her taking up her time with her daddy. You’ll be cheering for Bruce and Rachel to get back together, but reading how they deal with Jolene is very interesting. A teenager can be rough on a relationship! Charlotte and Ben’s house catches on fire because she is becoming forgetful. Follow them as they come to a decision about an assisted living complex. Chad Timmons and Gloria Ashton decide to break up, but she is pregnant with his child. Watch how they overcome their differences to become a family. Linc and Lorie get married without her telling her father, Leonard. He has Linc’s business, Wyse Man Garage, blackballed in retaliation. He then loses his wife, too. She moves out because of his stubbornness. This seems like a long list of characters and plots, but it is actually easy to follow from one to the next. You will get caught up in each life and wonder how things are going to turn out for each one. You won’t be able to put this book down!

Debbie Macomber deals with teenage rebellion, dementia, stubbornness, and falling in love in flowing, humorous language. She is very insightful into how these characters act and react in a realistic way. You can sympathize with Bruce’s way of dealing with his daughter—make peace and it will get better. He soon realizes that isn’t what Jolene needs at all, but it takes Rachel leaving for him to see it clearly.

Whether you’re a fan of Debbie Macomber’s, or this is the first book of hers you’ve read, you will love this book and won’t want to put it down until the last issue is resolved.

Catch Me by Lorelie Brown book review

Catch Me
By: Lorelie Brown

I received this e-book from Carina Press in exchange for a book review. Catch Me by Lorelie Brown will catch you from the get-go and not turn you loose! This is a descriptive love story between Dean the bounty hunter and Maggie the bank robber. There is romance, mystery, and figuring out what you are missing in life.

Dean becomes a bounty hunter when his wife and son are killed. He is dead inside and doesn’t realize it until he meets Maggie. She brings to life things inside of him he had forgotten about. Maggie robs a bank to pay for her father’s care. She is feisty and constantly trying to run away from Dean after he catches her to take her back for her trial. Follow Dean as he goes from not caring to realizing life is worth living and he doesn’t have time to allow anger to rule him, all because of Maggie. The ending of this story will have you reaching for a tissue. Sometimes things do work out in the end, and everyone lives happily ever after! I look forward to reading more by this author. If you enjoy a fast-paced romance, this book is for you! You won’t want to stop reading once you start.

Treasuring Emma by Kathleen Fuller book review

Treasuring Emma
By Kathleen Fuller

Here is another amazing story by Kathleen Fuller, Treasuring Emma. Fuller describes the Amish way of life, incorporating mystery, faith, and romance into her stories. Treasuring Emma will catch your attention in the first page, and you won’t want to put the book down.

Emma & Clara’s mother has died from cancer. Clara’s husband, Peter, wants Emma and her grandmother to move in with them. That’s when you see things are not like they should be between Emma and Clara. Adam has left the Amish community and turned his back on his faith and Emma. Watch how Emma finds the faith and love to forgive Adam and become whole again. Follow Adam as he realizes what he wished for isn’t all he thought it would be. He left the Amish way to join the real world. Now he is wondering what is real. Adam deals with all our own insecurities—our doubts, our questions, and our fears about God and our faith.

As you read this story, you will become intertwined in these characters’ lives. What has Mark gotten away with? He’s Peter’s cousin who shows up unannounced. What are his intentions toward Emma? Will Clara and Peter rediscover their love? Will Emma and Clara work on their problems? Will Adam and Emma figure out they love each other? Emma deserves to be treasured, just like she has treasured her mother when she was sick and now her grandmother. Will it be Mark or Adam treasuring Emma? You’ll be glad you read the book to find out! You’ll enjoy the romance, and grow in your faith as well.

Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman book review

Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman

I received Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman from Vicky Lynch at Tyndale publishing in exchange for a book review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters are very believable and the situations they encounter make for an enjoyable and interesting story. There are many different plot lines running throughout the book. Livy used to be on the streets, until she learned to trust Mrs. Brooks. Jake is the deputy; he feels everything has to be in order before he can love and live his own life. Mrs. Brooks runs the orphanage. There are also kids being kidnapped and kids loose on the streets.

Livy catches two kids stealing a watch from the deputy. She recognizes what they are doing because that is what she used to do as well. Her heart goes out to them and she tries her best to help them. Then, she runs into Jake Russell—literally. She can’t trust him and runs from the law and love. Livy has to learn to accept her salvation and increase her faith in what God has done and will do for her. Jake has to learn to love, but then he has to convince Livy to trust him—even though he is the law. If you are looking for a great romance, a good mystery, and following Livy and Jake’s walk in faith, this book is for you! You will be hooked from page one, and won’t want to put the book down. Pam Hillman has a knack for telling an awesome story. She will draw you in, and won’t let you go until it’s all wrapped up!