Review of "Invaluable" by Holly J. Wood



Available at Beehive Books

Invaluable

by Holly J. Wood

Reviewer: Vickie Ricks, the Queen Bee

My Summary: Eliza Moore is a sophomore in high school.  As with most kids her age she is facing many challenges, including a job that wants her to start working on Sundays, a bestfriend who she has had a falling out with because of boyfriend issues, a younger sister who is becoming distant, love notes that she suspects are being left her by a boy that is giving her unwanted attention, and feelings for his bestfriend who she is head-over-heels for.  All of these things combined would give most young people nightmares but, instead, Eliza gets visits from her great-grandmother.  Together they go back in time to see extraordinary women who help teach her about eight important values.  These values and the great example of these women help her with the challenges she faces.

My Thoughts: This book has a great storyline and message.  A little slow getting into it and not a really quick read but good nonetheless.

Review of "Not My Type" by Melanie Jacobson

Available at Beehive Books

Not My Type
by Melanie Jacobson

A 2011 Whitney Award finalist in the Romance category

Reviewer: Vickie Ricks, the Queen Bee

My Summary:  This is a story of a 23-year-old young woman who calls off her engagement to a man who has asked her to give up what she wants to do with her life to support him in his pursuits.  After the second time of almost making it to the wedding day, she calls it off for good and leaves herself with a huge wedding debt and is still living at home.  Unlike most of us, she has a live-in therapist--her dad.  He challenges her to count her blessings by acknowledging those around her who have blessed her life and to set career goals.  She accepts the challenge, but on the way to fulfilling her goals she manages to botch a job interview and inadvertently stumbles into love.

My Thoughts: This was a fast page turner for me.  I loved the funny way the author approaches situations that we all have found ourselves in at one time or another.  Great book for those who love to love!



My Girlfriend's Boyfriend by Elodia Strain

Available in paperback and e-book

My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend

by Elodia Strain

Reviewer: Vickie, The Queen Bee

This book is based on a Major Motion Picture – which I haven’t seen!

Jesse has all but given up on love, when she decides to take one last chance at meeting the “right” guy.  Before she knows it, she meets two “right” guys.  Afraid to make a mistake this time around, she accepts advice from a wacky cousin who sends Jesse Do’s and Don’ts for dating, which add to the hilarity of the dating adventure.  Things seem to be going along just fine until she realizes that someone is keeping a secret, and she learns that things aren’t always what they seem.  Sound familiar……?

My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend has romantic comedy written all over it.  Fun and entertaining and lots of twists that keep the story-line fresh.  Great book for those who love to LOVE!

Other comments: Celeste, daughter of the Queen Bee

I have not read this book yet, but I have seen the movie!  Based on my mom's review, maybe the book takes different twists from the movie.  I'm not sure what the difference is, but I do know the movie is cute and it makes me want to give the book a try!  Here is the movie trailer:

Thanks for stopping by!  Tell us what you thought of this book and/or movie by commenting below.

You can find My Girlfriend's Boyfriend and other books sold by the Queen Bee at Beehive Books at the following website: http://beehivebooksbakersfield.com.  Happy reading!!!





Valentine's Day Thought: Strengthening Families and Homes

Dear Friends,

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to focus in on the quality of our marital relationship with our spouse. This Valentine's Day I thought it would be special and important to review the words stated by The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Let us, together with our loved ones, choose one or more points presented within this Proclamation that we can better implement at home in order to increase the love and closeness in our marriage and family.

Celeste Estes
Beehive Books

This image is taken from lds.org. Click here to visit link.

This post is taken from an Inspiring Thoughts e-mail by Beehive Books.



"Janitors" by Tyler Whitesides

JANITORS

by new author, Tyler Whitesides

Click here to see "Janitors" by Tyler Whitesides on the Queen Bee's bookstore website 

After reading this book you may think twice about sending your children to school. I know that I’m glad mine are almost all done.

Summary: Spencer washes his face with soap in the school bathroom, and all of a sudden he is seeing dust motes and sink sludge in a whole new light.  He can’t get anyone to believe him, though, and he finds himself the laughing-stock of his class.  This doesn’t keep him from trying to warn the teachers and other students of the creatures that lurk in the carpet, bathrooms, and everywhere dirt and grime exist.  While trying to follow one such creature, he finds out that janitors can see them too.  Along the way he makes a new friend, Daisy, and together they set out to clean up their school.

My Thoughts: This is an entertaining book, definitely geared for a younger audience, elementary school, but was cute enough for me to enjoy half-heartedly.  This is Tyler’s first novel but definitely shows good promise for future books.

Book Review by The Queen Bee of Beehive Books

What Shanda at LDS Women's Book Review Blog says,

 

"As soon as I received the Janitors ARC [Advanced Reading Copy], I knew I wanted to read it aloud to my 10-year-old daughter the first time through. I wanted to experience the events in the book for the first time along with her to get the perspective of the book’s intended audience. We read Janitors in just a few days, with many instances of 'Mom, are you busy? When can we read more of Janitors?'...I’ve heard it said that we don’t remember facts as much as feelings. While the details of Spencer and Daisy’s adventures will fade with time, I’ll always remember how I felt every time my daughter gasped and giggled as we read..." - Click here to read the full article



Rachel Ann Nunes, "Before I Say Goodbye"

This book is a 2011 Whitney Award finalist in the General category.

Before I Say Goodbye

by popular LDS Author, Rachel Ann Nunes

Published in 2011 by Deseret Book.
342 pages in length.
Genre, in my opinion, is LDS drama.

In my opinion, this is a story of growth and change.

I love the way the author utilizes a written format that encourages the reader to get to know each of the main characters on a very intimitate level.  As a result, we get to understand the trouble teen and the inactive mother.  We get to relate to the preocuppied Bishop and his unintentionally taken-for-granted wife. 

 

We also get to see how serving others truly helps us to love and understand them.

This was a very satisfying and uplifting book for me.  I couldn't put it down. 

You can find out more about this book and/or purchase by visiting the Queen Bee's book store website at http://beehivebooksbakerfield.com

or at the following direct link to this item:

http://beehivebooksbakersfield.com/#%7Bselector%3A%22.ldsba-body%22%2Cmodule%3A%22/ldsba/productDetail.module%22%2Cparameters%3A%7Bproduct%3A%2220071912%22%7D%7D.

Thanks for visiting our blog!  Feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you thought of this book.

Happy Thanksgiving to All

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

Hey, everyone!  I know I've gotten behind on posting reviews.  I'm so sorry for that.  =(

I am making this post today to rejoice in what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my husband and my kids.  I don't always treat them right.  I will try harder.

I am thankful for a house to live in and food to eat.  Maybe sometimes I take this for granted.

I am thankful for my parents and all that they have taught me.  Sometimes I forget how fortunate I am.

I am thankful for an income.  Not everyone has a job, and I should be grateful for mine even when it causes me stress.

I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I must always strive to remember Christ and His sacrifice for me.  Sometimes I forget.  As I remember, I will become more thankful for all the things that I have.

At this Thanksgiving, I hope you will hold your loved ones tight and realize how blessed you are to have them.  I hope you will feel your stomach full and realize how blessed you are to have a Thanksgiving meal.  I hope you will remember your Savior and His love for you, so you can in turn share it with others.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE QUEEN BEE AND HER PRINCESS BEE.