Material Disclosure: As a member of FlyBy Promotions, I received a free copy of this book to facilitate my review and to host a giveaway.  All opinions expressed our 100% my own. 

Reviewing children’s or young adult books can be a hit or miss endeavor, because sometimes a book you think will hold your child’s interest doesn’t. This was not the case with Alone yet Not Alone. I will go into more detail about that in my review, but first let me tell you about the book and movie coming in September. There’s a giveaway too at the bottom.

About Alone yet Not Alone:

Settled in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, deep within America's new frontier, the Leininger family celebrates the blessings of a beautiful homestead and bountiful harvest. That is, until tragedy strikes with the beginning of the French and Indian War and the devastating raid known as the Penn's Creek Massacre. 

The lives of this simple, God-fearing family are forever altered when Barbara and Regina, two young sisters, are carried away by the Delaware tribe. Driven by their faith in God and the powerful bonds of family, Barbara and Regina hold firmly to the belief that they are never alone, even in their darkest hour, and that they will be reunited again. 

Rich in historical details, Alone Yet Not Alone is an inspirational, true story of a family caught in the cross fire of the French and Indian War. 

About The Author: 

Tracy Leininger Craven loves history and retelling real-life stories in her historical fiction books. She also loves spending her free time in the great outdoors with her husband David and their four children.

My Review:

I have to admit, I was a little concerned about how in depth the author might go in details of the French and Indian war. Be warned, there are parts of this book that deal with the ugliness of this part of our American history. 

While there are parts in this book that tell of the terrible ordeals this family endured, Mrs. Craven wrote about them in a way that wasn’t graphic or over the top.

I enjoyed this books flow and story line. It drew me in from the first chapter. The Leininger family are a close-knit Christian family that was very relatable even though the lived so long ago.

My ten year old daughter devoured this book! She absolutely loved it and asked to stay up a little longer because she was at a really good part. She had this book read in record time, which speaks volume's to the authors gifted pen. 

We highly recommend this book for your tween reader 10 or over because of the subject matter. This is an inspiring book, full of faith and family love, which in my humble opinion, our world needs more of.

And Alone Yet not Alone Movie will be released in theaters September 27, 2013. 

 Starring: Kelly Greyson, Natalie Racoosin, Clay Walker, Jenn Gotzon, Joanie Stewart, Ozzie Torres, Tony Wade.

Families will love this film based on a true story!  Awarded 5 Doves from the Dove Foundation! 

You can connect with Alone Yet not Alone on their website, Facebook and Twitter or watch the movie trailer on You Tube.

 As always, I hope you found this review helpful. 

About the giveaway:

Enter to win a copy of Alone Yet not Alone for your little reader. Open to United States residents 18 or older. No purchase is necessary. All terms and conditions can be read on the Rafflecopter form below. My WAHM Plan is not responsible for shipment of prize.

Can I wear makeup? Lots of other girls do? My answer: No!

Can I dye my hair? So and so has highlights? My answer: No!

Then can I Kool-Aid the bottom? Everybody does. My answer: maybe.

Can I get contacts? My answer: Not yet.

Can I wear high heels? My answer: Really? Seriously?

I’m not raising you to be some mini-skank I say. Using the terminology she will understand. Afterall, she heard it first at school. 

 Skank - Derogatory term for a (usually younger) female, implying trashiness or tackiness, lower-class status, poor hygiene, flakiness, and a scrawny, pockmarked sort of ugliness. May also imply promiscuity, but not necessarily. Can apply to any race, but most commonly used to describe white trash. Source Urban dictionary.

*Sigh*. Some of you may think I’m referencing snippets of conversation with my 14 year old daughter, but no. Sadly, these are all exchanges between my 10 year old daughter and me.

Yes, 10! Okay, 10 and half if you really want to get technical, but please see my point: She is not a teen yet and I won’t let you have her immoral society!  I will rage against you with all my might! You aren’t getting her when she’s a teen either!

 Even her 14 year old sister does not have this kind of peer pressure! She’s a freshman in high school and she and her friends show way less skin than the majority of elementary school girls my daughter has to swim with. These are some seriously shark infested waters and while my dear daughter knows I’m going say no to stuff, she still feels compelled to ask. She doesn't want to be a mini- skank anymore than I want her to, so why the questions?

One word: Recess. 

Do you know what the topic of conversation is at a 5^th grade recess? You would be shocked!  The populars and even the want to be populars are taking things up a notch. Hang on Moms of little daughters, you are about to get schooled.

Did you know it’s “weird” if you don’t already shave or wax your legs? Did you know that wearing a padded bra makes you "sexy" and "regular" girls who are maturing at a normal rate, like my daughter aren't "sexy"? 

 Did you know that watching R rated movies and T.V. with or without parental supervision is normal? And woe is the child who has no idea what the  other girls are talking about because they'll hear, "um, like, you're weird." Don't even get me started on books. 

Did you know that it is abnormal to come from a full on functioning family? One that has a Mom and a Dad at home every blooming night?

 Did you know that your daughters and sons for that matter are supposed to have already been dating, or at the very least have a crush on somebody?

 Now you do. All this according to the girls doing their best to be mini-skanks and drag all the good girls down with them at the ripe old age of ten. Lord help me.  

What is wrong with this world? They are kids! Just kids! Parents, please wake up.  Don’t help them aspire to be mini- skanks. Don’t teach them that gossip and name calling and being “sexy” is all that life is about. Don't condone mean girl behavior just so they can be popular, or run with the populars, or the want to be populars!

I know it is unpopular for me to even bring this up but isn't it about time somebody does?

I compromise when and where I can so that I don’t make my daughters a social outcast. I try not to see the shorty shorts and multiple bra and cami straps hanging out everywhere when I go to school to volunteer or have lunch with my 10 year old. 

 I make sure I compliment my daughters choices AND her friends choice of attire when I can. A “cute” outfit compliment can go a long way.

I try not to pre-judge the parents of those girls who are clearly breaking dress code. I try not to be upset that I am one of the few reading the flippin’ dress code!

 I try not to be a prude… but some of the parents around here or maybe everywhere, are too tired or non- caring to put their foot down and say no. Or, maybe they see the over sexualization of our kids as okay, or at the very least, no big deal.  Geez, maybe I am a prude. 

 I remember to be thankful for the parents and girls at our schools swimming upstream with my daughter and me.

At the end of the day, it simply isn’t my job to teach or preach or raise the world. Only my daughters.  My beautiful, sweet, fun daughters who have morals and values and thankfully have found birds of a feather to flock with.

I thumb my nose at you mini- skanks of the world, you can’t have them and here’s a newsflash they really don’t want to be like you, they just want you to shut up on the playground or in the halls and leave everybody alone.  

End Rage.

So, how’s your Monday?

I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate my review.  All opinions stated are my own.

When One2One Network sent out the invitation to review the latest CD from Court Yard Hounds, I jumped at the chance.  We've been fans of Emily and Martie's wonderful harmonizing and artistic playing  since the first Dixie Chicks single went mainstream. 

Personally, I am thrilled that all 3 ex- Dixie Chicks are still friends and still recording music! 

About Court Yard Hounds:

About Amelita:

Containing 11 new tracks, Robison and Maguire to a different approach with Amelita than their debut album in 2010. This album contains a new perspective, which is due in part to time passed since Robison's divorce. “I’ve been freed of all of those time-heals-everything kind of things,” says Robison. “Now, I’ve opened up to other ideas and ways of looking at life and the world. I think it’s not only a more hopeful album, but it’s more… well fun.

My Review:

I was so excited to see Amelita in my mailbox! I really liked the style of the CD jacket. I think it tells you a lot about the artists and the songs you are about to listen to. This jacket said “feminine” and “serious” to me. The songs proved me right.

I listened to this CD first with my youngest daughter, who is a big Dixie Chicks fan borrowing my CD’s all the time. So I watched for her reaction before sharing my own. With the very first song, Sunshine I could tell she liked what she heard, as did I.  At the end, we smiled and said “I like it” at the exact same time. Court Yard Hounds was off to a good start.

The title track Amelita is a catchy song and I found myself humming the next day. Some of the tracks weren’t my particular style (Rock All Night) for one. Still, I found the CD has a good, natural flow to it, very easy to listen too.

Emily has a strong, pure way of singing that is only enhanced by Martie’s harmony. And I must applaud Martie for taking the lead on A Guy Like You and Gets you down! You shined!

I thoroughly enjoyed Amelita as did both my daughters. My youngest even asked to borrow it for her sleepover Saturday night, so watch out Emily and Martie ~ you are making some tween fans!

 I do recommend this CD for anybody who likes good harmonizing on songs with a country-pop vibe.

You can learn more about The Court Yard Hounds by liking the on Facebook  You can also purchase their CD on Amazon. (Note: this is not my affiliate link).

I hope you found this review helpful. So, tell me, what’s your favorite harmonizing duo?

Disclosure: 

I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. I received a free copy of the CD to facilitate my review. All opinions stated are my own.

So I changed my plans this morning and started looking at my comments. Who were my top readers? 

To me, this award isn't about who commented most often (although, I'm thankful for each one) it's about the readers who really READ my posts and shared their viewpoints. 

 A few of my readers aren’t bloggers so I can’t share this award with them, but I thank them for reading and commenting!

Here are my nominees. Each have a unique writing style and are true blogging friends. Please visit them.  I am happy to share this award with them. 

Blessings!