Tebow Homeschools

"Know Who You Are: Live Like it Matters" by Tim Tebow is an interactive guide for homeschoolers.  This book mostly pertains to writing curriculum as well as reading and self expression.  Designed to be read one lesson a week for 36 weeks; each lesson contains a key verse, a reading material, an in your own words, and something to think about.  The In Your Own Words section in the writing lesson is either journaling, poetry, lists, etc.  There is usually a focus as well, such as being descriptive, using dialogue, or acrostic poetry. 
Having never been homeschooled I am not sure how well this would go over in that environment, however, I am a certified teacher and I can see where the varied writing assignments would be stimulating.  He also kept the writings in a middle schooler's interest level.  I would recommend it to homeschooling parents.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.bloggingforbooks.com. 

Laura

"The Lauras" by Sara Taylor is the novel about a child's journey across America as Alex learns his mother's past and present.  Alex, a non-gender pre-teen, is the child of a mother who is constantly needing to be on the move. She had lived a life of constant movement in both foster homes, her parents series of moving, and group homes.  She leaves his father and their home abruptly in the middle of the night without much plan other than to make good on promises made 20 years before.   Alex gets to know his mother in a way that most people don't think about.  Do you really know your mother?  Do you know her past?  Really?
The writing in this book is amazing.  The characters are enthralling.  I originally was just reading it when another book I was reading grew tiring, but couldn't put this one down.  I highly recommend this book.  I can't figure out why the star average isn't much higher.  It does have some sexual content, including an assault, so it might be for the adult crowd.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.firsttoread.com. 

Surprisingly good

"A New Model" by Ashley Graham is an autobiography about a supermodel and her journey for acceptance for her size.  Ashley Graham is a plus-size model that has reached the supreme level in the modeling/fashion industry.  Which is not a group of words that are  usually put together.  Though she is so gorgeous she will make the most straight woman question her sexuality, she still has a constant uphill battle to not only represent her size, but to also be a trailblazer at acceptability. 
I love this woman; she is soo great.  Her writing, however, I wasn't expecting much.  I was thinking supermodel quality.  She is actually a very good writer.  She writes in a speaking voice, so it more like you are talking to a friend rather than reading a traditional autobiography.  She does state that she is dyslexic, so that would explain the nontraditional style, which makes it all the more enjoyable of a read.  She is only 29, so the read is a short one, but I still highly recommend this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.edelweiss.plus. 

Teen self esteem

"Let's Be Real" by Natasha Bure, social media star and The Voice contestant, has written a book to help teens with their self esteem and goal setting in their lives.  Now, I am no teen, but I do have two daughters: 12 and 21; and a 19 year old son, so I live in the world of teens every day.  Bure gives advice in every aspect including how to post on social media and how to deal with the backlash of what you post.  She writes tips on goal setting, on confidence, and at the other end of the spectrum, make up tips and clothing choices.  The whole while she wears her Christian faith with confidence, drawing from it to share her advice honestly. 
Though she is incredibly young to be handing out life advice, she is also mature and perfect for the eyes and ears of the upcoming generation.  Her writing is arranged in a format that keeps the younger reader's attention.  There is a running dialogue as well as boxes of short information; a sort of magazine style.  My 12 year old has started to read this book and has taken an interest.  I recommend it to anyone (probably a girl) who has started the trek of finding herself.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.booklookbloggers.com.

Serial Killers

"Dark Deception" by Nancy Mehl is the second book in the Defenders of Justice series.  In this one Kate is the survivor of a serial killer who goes by the name Blue-eyed Killer.  The Blue-eyed Killer targets women with long hair and blue eyes across the states of Kansas and Missouri.  After testifying Kate enters the witness protection system, living under the name Emma and running a café in Arkansas.  Following the accused killers release for tampered evidence, Tony, a US Marshall, goes to Arkansas to retrieve Kate to testify once again.  That is when the killer goes missing and the mystery is on. 
I love these books by Mehl.  The mystery, the writing, the whole serial killer story line; they are great!  Now in this particular novel, I know if I were Kate I wouldn't want Tony to be anything more than a love interest, cuz for a Marshall, he's got a big mouth!  The story also didn't seem to want to end when it should.  That being said, the love story was sweet, the serial killer investigation was good and I liked the characters.  I give it 4 stars.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Bethany House Publications. 

Poor Little Kitties

In the last month we have lost two of our Beauty Queens, FR CO Fair Grand Champion Cat 2010 and FR CO Fair Alt Champion 2016.  They have both succumbed to the dreaded Bobcat Disease.  Both of them suddenly stopped eating, drinking and moving.  The first went to the vet and after blood work discovered what the cause was.  The second was gone before there was a chance.  The disease is passed from bobcats to house cats through ticks.  Though both had been mostly indoor cats and flea and tick treated, they stick were gone within three days.  There really isn't anything one can do, but please, make sure they are treated.  It's really all there is to do.  Poor Summer and Sawgwa. 

A little witchcraft

"Akata Witch" by Nnedi Okorafor is a fascinating book.  The book stars Sunny, an albino girl who was born in America and raised there until she was nine, then moved to her parents home of Nigeria to live.  Sunny discovers shortly after moving to Africa that she is a "leopard person".  That is what people of the Western African nations call someone with a gift for powers.  A person of another culture might call themselves a Shaman, witch, or Sorcerer.  She starts her training to be a leopard person and becomes friends with three other people in her class.  The four of them begin the take down of the Black Hat Killer, a serial killer in there area. 
Though this is a Young Adult book, I would recommend it to anyone of any age.  It is truly a wonderful book and I was enthralled the whole time reading it.  Five stars.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.firsttoread.com.