Monday, May 27, 2013

My Book Shelf Review: If the Shoe Fits: A Contemporary Fairy Tale


I was first introduced to Sandra’s books when Amazon offered a free Kindle edition of Always the Baker, Never the Bride (the Emma Rae Creations Series) and The Big 5-0. Since then, I’ve been hooked! While I consider myself an eclectic reader, the inspirational genre is my favorite and I’m always looking for something that is not only faith based, but fun and inspirational as well.  Sandra D. Bricker’s books are all that and more! With each character being believable, it’s not hard to find yourself being part of the book! Like the Emma Rae Creations series, Sandie’s newest book, If the Shoe Fits: A Contemporary Fairy Tale did not disappoint when it came to laughs AND inspiration. When I was given the opportunity to review a pre-release of, If the Shoe Fits in exchange for my honest review, well, I just couldn't say no! 


In this modern day fairy tale, it’s actually the girl searching for the handsome man who wears the boot that fell off the back of his truck. Will this handsome man, who fits the leather work boot left in the middle of a busy intersection, be the Prince Charming God has in store for her or will he turn out to be another toad?

“You know the funny thing about fairy tales, honey? No one reading them ever expects a big unexpected plot twist, or has a single doubt about who the prince and princess are going to end up with at the end of the story.  That’s not the interesting part anyway…the interesting part is how they get there.”

I love this quote!  Just like any other typical girl, when I was a kid, I dreamed of one day finding my Prince Charming! While it took Julianne a bit longer to discover that her Prince Charming was the boy on the other side of the cul-de-sac, it didn't take me long to figure out that my Prince Charming was the boy showing up every day after school to order a large iced tea from the drive-through window of my family’s Dairy Queen- like restaurant.  See what I mean by being believable? Truly, the characters could be any of the people we know in real life!

This is a great read for both the young and young at heart and I couldn't help think of the young women today who are looking for their Prince Charming, but end up with toads because they couldn't see what God had/has right in front of them.  

A great summer read that’s fun, refreshing AND inspirational. You can't help but smile and laugh out loud while reading this wonderful modern-day fairy tale!  I look forward to the next one in this series!
Nathenia

About the book:
Julianne used to believe in fairy tales; she's been watching for Prince Charming to come charging in on his white steed ever since the day her mother read her Cinderella for the first time. But she's never come close to finding the perfect man-instead she's always tripping over her childhood best friend, Will. And who finds their Prince Charming on a 10-speed bicycle on the other side of the cul de sac? Well... Julianne does. Only she doesn't have a clue.

She and Will are attorneys now, and they've joined up in private practice in a beautiful Cincinnati office building that overlooks the Ohio River. And then one day Julianne is on her way to court, and runs right smack dab into Prince Charming. But when she looks again, all she finds is a metaphoric sign she is certain came straight from Heaven: The Prince's toolbox has fallen off the back of his truck, and a work boot along with it. What better way for God to grab the attention of a Cinderella-in-training than to show her a glass slipper...errrr, work boot?...waiting to be reunited with its owner?

So she sets out to track down the mysterious Prince Charming. He's the most gorgeous guy she's ever seen...and a caring animal rescuer, too. Surely he must be the soul mate God has prepared her for.

But, Julianne's prince is starting to look less and less charming all the time. No matter how she tries to romanticize him, he just keeps tumbling down off that dumb pedestal. And with the Bar Association dinner coming up that will honor her for her outstanding charity work over the year, Julianne wants so much for her friends and colleagues to see her with someone besides her best friend Will. To make matters worse, Prince Charming has no designs on wearing a penguin suit and attending a stuffy old dinner. With her pride pressing in on her like sticks from a cactus, Julianne sinks to the bottom of the proverbial barrel and actually offers to pay Paul to be her date.

Julianne is on a collision course with God's perfect plan for her life...if only she could open her eyes and see it before it's too late.

Get your copy of  If the Shoe Fits: A Contemporary Fairy Tale today!


Learn more about Sandra D. Bricker on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SandraDBricker and be sure to check out these other great books too:

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Shoe Sampler Set & Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Hi Everyone!
What a gorgeous day it is here in Western PA! The sun has even come out to dance between the clouds and the first hummingbirds of the season arrived this week too! LOL, I don't know if I'll ever get used to all the cloud cover in this area. I really miss those clear blue skies in The Land of Enchantment, but at least it's finally warm enough here to enjoy the outdoors!

Speaking of enchantment, I just read a wonderful book and am in the process of writing my honest review (which I'll post on my blog when finished) in exchange for a copy of the book, called "If the Shoe Fits: A Contempory Fairy Tale" by Sandra D. Bricker. If you like inspirational fiction that makes you smile and laugh out loud, then I would highly recommend reading it.

If you read my blog a couple of weeks ago then you already know the book inspired me to create an embroidery design set for the princess...or shoe lover :) in all of us! There may even be a Prince Charming shoe set in the future?!?

These would really be cute on shopping bags! Be sure to check out the Shoe Sampler Set 01 at The Country Needle! And if the shoe fits, you could make one in every color! :)

If you're looking to make a special gift for Mom on Mother's Day, you still have time and I've posted a few sets below just for the occasion!

Have a wonderful weekend full of sunshine and smiles and as always...
Happy Stitching!
Nathenia
Shoe Sampler Set 01
NEW!!!
Shoe Sampler Set 01
Mix & Match
•2 Sentiments in 4x4 & 5x7
•2 Filled & Redwork Shoes in 4x4 & 5x7
• 12 designs total

Great Gift Ideas For Mother's Day:
It's In the Bag- Chocolate Chip Cookie Set
FSL Daisy Bowl & Doily Set
•Add a little Spring to your table top with this 4x4 Free-Standing Lace Bowl and Doily Set.
A great gift to make Mom for Mother's Day!
Prim Raggedy Mom
Prim Raggedy Mom Sampler Set

Set includes:
• 2 5x7 & 6x10 Samplers
• 4x4 - 5x7 - 6x10 Filled & Redwork Singles
• 2 4x4 individual sentiments
18 designs total!
Perfect for Framing & totes and makes a wonderful gift for all Mom's!
Mom's Simple Sentiments
Mom's Simple Sentiments

Always full of love and wisdom, there is so much truth in the saying that Mom's hold our hearts forever!

"Mom's Simple Sentiments" are suitable for stitching on card stock or better yet, on Aida cloth and framing!