Book Review: Iris and the Dragonflies by Rosemary Danielis

Few minutes ago, I just finished reading Iris and the Dragonflies by Rosemary Danielies. It's one of the books that I can't put down because tensions are building up from one page to another. I can't wait to know what will happen next. Iris and the Dragonflies is a Middle-Grade Fantasy Novel but I never thought that I get hooked with it- a 30-year-old teacher at that! I enjoyed this fantasy novel because it brings out the child in me and broaden my imagination. Thanks to the creative and wonderful description of the author about the beautiful dragonflies, the peaceful creek, and that crumbly castle in Ireland because those places have taken form and I can't help admiring them in my imagination and wishing I'll be Iris for a brief moment of my life to experience her adventure on understanding and talking to dragonflies and to experience how it feels to be able to see the past. I'm really having fun throughout my reading session. I never had a dull moment from page to page. Each chapter has a mixture of everything-  humor, seriousness, friendship, loyalty, suspense, drama and mystery! The author is keen enough to include real middle grade issues that our main character Iris has to face- bullies, first crushes, and school rivalries.

One of my favorite parts was when Iris and her family travel to Ireland. Iris had a life-changing adventure in there and I was drawn to the wonderful stories about dragons, dragon seer and dragon's tooth told by Iris' grandmother. It seems like I'm reading a beautiful, engaging and entertaining history lessons!


Another part  about this book that I love and I could relate to is about the resourcefulness of Iris' teacher, Ms. Aldrich. She's my inspiration to teach my students to save the Earth even in their own little ways. I love how this book integrates ecological awareness and message to help save Mother earth. If given a chance, I want to try my hands on Ms.Aldrich's DREAM Project to encourage children to think of ways to help save Mother Earth. By the way DREAM stands for:

D ecide to
R espect the
E arth and
A dmire its
M agnificence

I'm looking forward for the sequel of this book. I'm so excited to know if Iris and her friends will join Lunaris School. Does it have resemblance with Hogwarts School ( school of Harry Potter)? How will she and her friends defeat the Evil Solaris? How come the dragonflies were once the dragons? I can't wait to continue on Iris' journey and see what else the author has in store!I have this wishful thinking to watch on cinema one day Iris and the Dragonflies. It would be FUN-tastic!

Here's the synopsis of Iris and the Dragonflies from the author herself:

Iris, a feisty, solitary, eleven-year-old prefers being down by the creek near her house more than anywhere else in the world. School is nothing but a joyless prison and uninterested in her classmates she spends each day gazing out the window, waiting for the dismissal bell.

Her only friends are the dragonflies who flit through the bulrushes by the creek. She is thrilled to discover she can talk to them, but must keep this unusual ability to herself. People simply wouldn’t understand.

Iris doesn’t know that the dragonflies are not what they appear to be. They need Iris to unleash the power of the Earth and lead them into battle. This, however, is not what the Solaris have in mind. They have their own plans for the Earth and will not let anyone stand in their way, especially not Iris!

Iris has a lot to learn before she can help the dragonflies and fulfill her destiny and this is the beginning of her exciting journey.

I can't wait to share this book to my twelve-year-old sister. This is one of the good books that she's looking for- something that she'll like to read even if she doesn't want to read.

Thanks to the author, Rosemary Danielis, for giving me this privilege to review her beautiful novel (I'm reading via Kindle apps on my Ipad 2). I can't wait for the next book of Iris and Dragonflies. If you want to purchase Iris and the Dragonflies by Rosemary Danielis, a great fantasy story for middle graders and up, you can do so at Amazon.com.  The Kindle version is only $2.99!  You can also connect the Iris and the Dragonflies facebook page to know more about this book.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Max on Life: Answers and Inspiration for Today's Questions

I'm glad to be given this opportunity to review Max on Life: Answers and Inspiration for Today's Questions. This book is a collection of questions-172 day-to-day questions that covers topics from parenting quandaries to financial challenges,from difficult relationships to God's grace, from church, heaven to hell! I could relate to most of the questions. I have thought about them on days when things weren't good as I think. As I read on the questions, I see in them a reflection of myself that I have to stop once in a while and think "Wait a minute, I ask God about this. This is the answer that  I've been looking for!" Wouldn't it be a relief to finally find answers to your questions? Wouldn't it be great to finally pass along to a friend helpful ideas that may serve as answers to their questions?

God keeps track of us in our troubles. Sometimes God's help comes to us through a teacher, through our parents, through friends or even through books written by inspired people of God like Max Lucado. I like the way Max answered the questions- simple, easy-to-grasp truths , humorous and biblical in a way that it doesn't sound judgmental to those who's still seeking the truth about God and not condemning for those people who are not yet in Christ. A special addendum includes Max’s advice on writing and publishing. This is a great resource for those who wanted to be a professional writer .

Everyday, I read one question, savor the truth, share the blessings and enjoy the blessing of having one question in my life being answered one at a time. For now, let me ponder on this question:

Question #54 WHEN PRAYERS AREN’T ANSWERED AND CALAMITIES HAPPEN, IS GOD SITTING ON HIS HANDS? WHY DOES GOD SOMETIMES OPT FOR SILENCE EVEN WHEN I’M SCREAMING MY LOUDEST?

How did Max answer?

Your question proposes two responses from God in difficult times:

God can not.

God will not.

Can God do anything when faced with disasters and calamities? The book of Daniel states: “[God] does as he

pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him,

‘What do you mean by doing these things?’” (4:35 NLT). The Bible declares clearly that God can. As Paul wrote, “God . . . is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters” (1 Tim. 6:15 PHILLIPS).Jesus can too. “The Son is . . . sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Heb. 1:3).

God made it all. He holds the instruction manuals to everything. He knows how they work. God is unlimited in his power. He can respond, and you can trust his strength. Now, will God do anything when we need him to? Trickier question. I can’t answer that. I would be God. That answer must trust his love and wisdom. God rescues those he wishes to rescue. He heals those he wants to heal. “I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act” (Isa. 48:10–11 NASB).

He may respond, and you must trust his sovereignty. Sometimes silence from God may be the best response.

When you scream at God, do you really want him to scream back? Mountains shake before the Lord. When someone screams at me, I find the best response is silence. Peace begets peace. Anger stirs anger. Be glad God is silent at times like that.

Although God may not speak when we want him to, he is working, silently, behind the scenes, bringing the best possible solution to the situation. So always remember:

God can get it done, and God’s will will be done!

The only thing I wanted to really enjoy this book is to receive it in print form. Unfortunately, this was available only as e-book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Couples Who Pray Together by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt

I received my first book from BookSneeze  for free in exchange for an honest review two weeks ago. Couples Who Pray by SQuire Rushnell  (Author of the bestseller When God Winks at You) and Louise DuArt (entertainer and talk-show host) is surely a book that changes our marriage for good and for yours too!

I grow up in a family that prays together every night and day. I grow up witnessing how God moves His hands to do the things which we can't do every time we pray. When I got married, I continued this tradition with my family before going to bed. But praying as couples, it's inconsistent...if only we can find time or during times that we  faced with BIG problems  I could now assessed that we've not really committed ourselves to joint-prayer as husband and wife. I do pray for my husband, alone. He does pray for me, alone. Why not practiced praying together even for few minutes a day where we can share our innermost thoughts and concerns with our spouses? If the authors and other celebrities like Denzel and Pauletta Washington and Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford, to mention a few, find time EVERY DAY to pray as couples for five minutes amidst their hectic schedules- more hectic schedules than ours, why can't we? On those days that we pray together as couples we experienced happiness for answered prayers, how much joy would it be if we committed ourselves to pray together every day? 

The testimonies of the authors and other celebrities were really inspiring. As they bare themselves before God in prayer for a minimum of five minutes a day for forty days, they experienced extraordinary results like soar in lovemaking satisfaction, elevation of spousal communication, respect rises, miracles, financial breakthroughs and happiness that this world can't give. If they all claim they successfully accomplished something by simply praying together, then it won't be far to happen to us as we're on our tenth day. Moreover, a result of a research conducted provides an evidence that couples who pray together has tangible results.

I came across lots of articles about praying together but this one inspires me a lot, so far . The contents are mostly encouraging, blessed and filled with hope. It seems like the authors are in front of me talking with smiles and showing me on what's the best thing to do in our marriage. Indeed this book is a must-have for every couple. It will be an eye-opener for everybody that the couple that pray together are the couple that stay together. Furthermore, this book has everything you need to begin a more intimate and rewarding relationship. It also offers simple tips to make your marriage better than before and sweeter as the days go by!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”