Friday, July 25, 2014

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

One single mom. One chaotic family. One quirky stranger. One irresistible love story from the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You



 American audiences have fallen in love with Jojo Moyes. Ever since she debuted stateside, she has captivated readers and reviewers alike, and hit the New York Times bestseller list with the word-of-mouth sensation, Me Before You. Now, with One Plus One, she’s written another contemporary opposites-attract love story that reads like a modern-day Two for the Road.

Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’s life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight-in-shining-armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages . . . maybe ever.

One Plus One is Jojo Moyes at her astounding best. You’ll laugh, you’ll weep, and when you flip the last page, you’ll want to start all over again.

My thoughts...I admit it, this is the first novel by Jojo Moyes I've read. Now I've been buying her books along the way, I believe I have three others--but I often don't get a chance to read books I buy when I'm trying to keep up with my review piles. Well I have been missing out!

I have to start with the main character Jess! I absolutely loved Jess. Here she is working her bum off to take care of her family--no one helping her, but she could really use the help! She is resourceful, helpful and wants to do right by her kids. She is everything a mom should be. She honestly reminded me of my own mom. We also struggled financially and she just did everything she could to put us first. I was sad for Jess, wanted to cry for all the struggles, yet I was clapping for her and cheered her on because she doesn't want anybodies tears.

Then there are Jess' children, Tanzie and Nicky. What great kids and they love their mom. Tanzie is just a sweetheart who loves her Maths. I could completely understand how Jess would do anything she could to help Tanzie get into a good school--I mean I wanted to pull out my own checkbook to help! Oh and Nicky...I just wanted to give that boy a hug!

These characters felt so real. Their story felt real. All the mishaps, sadness, joy--life. Moyes captured the beauty of the ordinarily wonderfulness of life.

One Plus One is a wonderful novel, with imperfect characters with messed up lives who are just trying to get by. Told in multiple voices (mostly Jess). A book you don't want to miss. One Plus One equals a perfect summer read! Highly recommending.


Thursday, July 17, 2014

Best Birthday Gift

I am just gonna go on and on about these Magna Tiles I got my daughter for her birthday from Amazon. I had seen my kids play them once at the Children's Museum while back and never thought of them again. Then a month or so ago I saw some kids playing with them in my seven year old's Sunday School class. I asked the teacher about them and tolId me the kids were nuts for them. Well knowing I'm going to be home with my kids 24/7 with homeschooling I am on the look out for lots of activities to keep them occupied and thinking.

     I looked around on different educational websites for them and to be honest was shocked when I saw the hefty price tag. My first thought was to go with one of the other brands. I researched them and didn't really find any negative reviews. I also searched for different prices. In the end I did go with the name brand because it wasn't so much cheaper to go with another brand and for the cost I liked that I wasn't reading negative reviews. I went with the 100 pieces from Amazon (the best price I could find). My husband ordered them the next time he made a book order.

     Once we got them, we started playing with them. I thought gee maybe if they were younger, but I couldn't imagine my kids would love them. Well, the day after my daughters fifth birthday party I found out what they thought of them...they got up to play with them. My son lead the charge (he knew what they were). All over the floor they went. Within minutes he was building rocket ships. My daughter building a city. Hours later...they were still playing. Never have my kids sat and played anything for hours. They barely look at legos or any type of block toy ( I had reservations about the Megna Tiles for this reason, but I did find a few ideas to incorporate them with homeschooling--my pinterest board for them). 

     It's been a few weeks and they are still enjoying them. It's a great toy for using their imaginations and I couldn't be more thrilled with the purchase. I wish I had bought them when they were even younger :)

Here is my affiliate link to them, but I was not asked to review this product. 


Here is also a link to the other set if you are interested, but don't want to spend as much. Like I said I don't recall reading any negative reviews.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The Midwife by Jolina Petersheim

The story about a mother who risks everything to save a child not genetically hers . . .

The Past — Graduate student Beth Winslow was sure she was ready to navigate the challenges of becoming a surrogate. But when early tests indicate possible abnormalities with the baby, Beth is unprepared for the parents’ decision to end the pregnancy — and for the fierce love she feels for this unborn child. Desperate, she flees the city and seeks refuge at Hopen Haus, a home for unwed mothers deep in a Tennessee Mennonite community.

The Present — As head midwife of Hopen Haus, Rhoda Mummau delivers babies with a confident though stoic ease. Except in rare moments, not even those who work alongside her would guess that each newborn cry, each starry-eyed glance from mother to child, nearly renders a fault through Rhoda’s heart, reminding her of a past she has carefully concealed. Past and present collide when a young woman named Amelia arrives in the sweeping countryside bearing secrets of her own. As Amelia’s due date draws near, Rhoda must face her regrets and those she left behind in order for the healing power of love and forgiveness to set them all free.

"Jolina's lyrical storytelling absolutely sings--but it's her quick-paced plot, complex characters, and insights into the Plain world that made it impossible for me to put The Midwife down." ~Leslie Gould, #1 bestselling author of The Amish Midwife

My thoughts...The Midwife is an absolute outstanding read. Jolina didn't just write Beth breathed life into Beth. Beth is a young girl trying to do something good to help someone else by becoming a surrogate at a time when it was relatively new. Things get over her head when the doctors believe the baby has abnormalities and the parents want to terminate the pregnancy. A mother's hedge of protection surround this tiny soul within her womb and Beth runs to protect her. As I read Beth, I felt for her I cheered for her. I couldn't believe the people around her and what she was seeing. She wanted to give this little baby a chance.

Over time, Rhoda a Midwife in a Mennonite community becomes cold and a little distant from those around her. Her past she keeps hidden until her past shows up on her doorstep. I honestly wasn't sure how all these stories were going to come together and one piece had me completely thrown off (I won't give more of a clue than that), but as the novel closes I was dumbfounded by the last piece of the puzzle.

The Midwife is one I had a hard time putting down. The story is told with alternating voices of past Beth, current Rhoda and Amelia. I love when I can't put everything together just right and The Midwife offers that. My heart broke for Beth and Rhoda...I wanted them to find peace and happiness. Sometimes there is no greater punishment, than the punishment we inflict upon ourselves and this was evident in The Midwife.

Do not label this book as Christian, or Amish/Mennonite fiction--labels are limiting. A stunning story of healing, of walking through our past, and coming out in-the-end a better person because of it and understanding who we are.

A book I will highly be recommending to all my friends. Jolina Petersheim is fast becoming a favorite author of mine.


Buy THE MIDWIFE

Jolina Petersheim