I’m linking up with my friend Amy Palko for her Summer Read-along. We are reading The Time Traveler’s Wifeby Audrey Niffenegger. Amy has read the book before, several years ago and says that it had a profound effect on her life. I have not yet read the book, nor have I seen the film. However, I have heard good reports about both the book and the film from a wide range of friends.

I joined a book group just over a year ago, and this book was one of their books before I joined. Therefore, I thought I would take this opportunity to read the book and join in the read-along fun with Amy and others.

I ordered the book on Amazon yesterday, and have received it through the post today. (I *heart* being an Amazon Prime customer!)  Therefore, I have yet to start reading it!…

The first official Read-along post (with a blog hop linky!) is for this Friday 24th June, but I just wanted to give you all a heads up in case you wanted to join in.  You still have a couple of days to get your hands on the book!!…

You can find out more about the Summer Read-along on Amy’s blog here, and you can purchase the book from Amazon here:  The Time Traveller’sWife

I’ll be back on Friday for the first official Summer Read-along post to let you know how I’m enjoying the book!….

I’ve read a lot of books that I can truly say I’ve LOVED.  However, there is one book that stands out from all the others.  One book that still haunts me.  One book that gives me goosebumps.  What is that book?  Well, here it is…

…My ALL-TIME FAVOURITE book is….

The Heartsong of Charging Elk


I read The Heartsong of Charging Elk by the late James Welch back in 2000, and ten years on, just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!  It moved me to tears.  I literally sobbed my heart out while reading this heartwrenching novel.

A member of Buffalo Bill’s touring Wild West Show, wakes up in hospital in Marseille, France, after a riding accident.  Seemingly abandoned by his people, and unable to communicate with anyone, the story follows the adventures of this exotic stranger in an alien world.

Based on historical precedent, Welch’s powerful narrative provokes a myriad of emotions.  It is very moving!  I loved it!

Have you read this book?  Have you read anything else by James Welch?

What is YOUR all-time favourite book?  Join in the blog hop over at Beauty Queen Gene.

The King's Christmas List

The King’s Christmas List is a lovely childrens’ book, wonderfully written by Eldon Johnson and beautifully illustrated by Bonnie Leick.    This is the story of a little girl and her dog who are invited to the King’s birthday party.   After selecting a birthday gift fit for a king, they make their way to the castle.  However, their journey is interrupted by the various unfortunate people they meet along the way.

This charming book reminds children and parents the true meaning of Christmas via an enchanting story that children will want to read again and again.  My six year old twin daughters love it!

This book would make an ideal Christmas gift for children up to about eight or nine years old.  It’s the perfect book to read with your child on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, and one that I’m sure they’ll enjoy year after year.

The book also gives details on how children and their parents can give to charities like Blood: Water Mission and World Vision.

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.”

The One-Minute Writer: Today's Writing Prompt: Book


Today, I have to write about a book I’m currently reading.

Every time I pick up my current read, I am transported to the world of Jackson, Mississippi in 1962, where rich white folk have black maids to clean their houses, cook their meals and raise their children.   Page by page, chapter by chapter, I am absorbed by this skillfully plotted novel.

The book centres on the three main characters, whose extraodinary, courageous lives are intertwined to tell a powerful, heart-breaking story, which provokes tears and laughter in equal measure.

I am currently reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and it is the September book for my monthly book group.

I am privileged to have received a review copy of this wonderful and inspiring book by New York Times best-selling author, and in-demand public speaker, Andy Andrews.

The Boy Who Changed the World is a delightful children’s version of Andy Andrew’s book The Butterfly Effect. As with the adult version, this book is about the concept of permanent purpose, where every single human being has the ability to potentially change the course of billions of peoples’ lives, now and in the future. This book teaches children that every single action of theirs matters.

The Boy Who Changed the World is well written. In this book, Andrews tells the same inspiring story as he does in The Butterfly Effect, but this time he concentrates on the heroes of the story as children.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Philip Hurst, and would make a lovely gift for a child. My own six-year-old twin girls were charmed by the book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

You can read my review of The Butterfly Effect here.

I am privileged to have received a review copy of this wonderful and inspiring book by New York Times best-selling author, and in-demand public speaker, Andy Andrews.

The Butterfly Effect is about the concept of permanent purpose, where every single human being has the ability to potentially change the course of billions of peoples’ lives, now and in the future.  This book teaches us that every single action of ours matters.  It’s powerful mind-blowing stuff!

The book is very inspiring, and its pages are works of art.  It is well written and wonderfully presented.  This book made me feel uplifted.  I imagine that it could lift the mood of someone who might be feeling low. 

It is a beautiful book, which I would highly recommend to others.  It would be perfect as a treasured gift for a loved one.  I will certainly be investing in a few copies to share around my friends and family.

The book is released today, and includes a link to view a 9-minute message of Andrews telling The Butterfly Effect story to a live audience.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

This is an inspiring story of a couple who are rebuilding their marriage after finding themselves on the brink of divorce.  Their newly-strengthened relationship is put under strain by problems at work and a catastrophic event which not only tests their relationship and their faith, but also shakes the entire community.

This was the first piece of Christian Fiction I have read and I did not know what to expect.  The book focussed on the characters’ relationships with God and the power of prayer.

I thought the book was okay.  It certainly wasn’t something I would normally choose to read.  Much of the storyline revolves around High School (American) Football of which I have no knowledge or interest. 

I think this book would be an inspiring read to someone going through relationship problems, or to a Christian who is perhaps struggling with their faith.  The book certainly made me reflect on both my marriage and my faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”

 The prize is a copy of: “We All Went On Safari” from Barefoot Books.  The book is written by Laurie Krebs and beautifully illustrated by Julia Cairns.  The paperback book, worth £5.99 (GBP) is aimed at four to ten year olds.

 Learn to count in Swahili while discovering African animals on an exciting safari through the grasslands of Tanzania. Facts about Tanzania, Swahili counting, the Maasai people and a map are included at the end.

 This is a favourite of my five-year-old twin daughters, who love to hear about the language and culture of people from different lands.

 Have a peek inside the book and you will see why it engages a child’s attention and opens up discussion.

Barefoot Books provide beautiful keepsake children’s books and gifts.  You can browse their products online here.

There are several ways to earn an entry into the draw to win this prize:

• Subscribe to my RSS feed and leave a comment to say you‘ve done so.
• Subscribe via email and leave a comment to say you‘ve done so.
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• Blog about the Mamma Kerr blog and this giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.
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• Subscribe to my Top Spots and leave a comment to say you‘ve done so.
• Register as a Barefoot Books customer here and leave a comment to say you‘ve done so.
• Email at your friends about this blog and the giveaway and copy me in on the email at mammakerrblog[at]yahoo[dot]com, then leave a comment to say that you’ve done so.

Each method mentioned above will gain you one entry into the draw. Whatever, method of entry you choose, you need to also leave a comment on this post to let me know how you have entered.

You may be interested to know that, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each copy of  “We All Went On Safari” will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation, to aid in their wildlife conservation and community building efforts in Tanzania.  If you would like to purchase a copy and donate to a worthwhile cause, you can do so by visiting Barefoot Books online here.

 The draw closes at midnight GMT this Friday 9^th October 2009. The winner will be announced next Monday 12^th October 2009.

NB:  I am an official Ambassador for Barefoot Books.

Thanks for your participation, and good luck!

My daughters and I love reading beautiful Barefoot Books together.  Barefoot Books are an ideal way to introduce children to new cultures and ideas. The stories are enchanting and the illustrations are charming.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to one of my daughters’ favourite books – Parrot Tico Tango.

Parrot Tico Tango’s hilarious ways make this book a laugh-a-minute read while the colourful pictures and rhyming text will make this a firm favourite both at home and at school.