Cheap Chic by Caterine Mack and Carol Troy

Let me preface this review by saying that I am not the intended audience for this book. In the foreword by Tim Gunn quotes the authors saying, "We figure that anyone who's sharp enough to buy this book isn't sitting around spending huge amounts of time 'saving money' with homey handiworks when they could be out making the money to save them the time." Honestly, had I read this before requesting this book for review I would have passed it by. So for me, a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, raising kids and animals. . .doing what we can to live frugally. . .yup, this book is not for me.

Okay, well I requested it and promised a review, so here goes! This is as reprint of a book that is very fashion-y. It is a historical guide through fashions up to and including the '70's. It showcases famous and random individuals' own styles and highlights how to have a style like those. It also gives styles in different countries/industries/hobbies that can inspire day-to-day fashion.

The cover is bright and colorful, the interior pages are filled with black and white photos and line drawings.

All in all, it's not a book for me. If you are a fashion lover you may find it interesting and maybe inspiring, but for me, give me my blue jeans and white t-shirt and I'm all set.

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman

Looking for a fun easy read? Stealing Jake by Pam Hillman will fit the bill! This book was a really nice vacation read for me -- entertaining story with a happy ending :)

The book focuses on two strands of a story that come together eventually. Someone is buying street children from Chicago, shipping (literally in boxes) them to a town to work as free labor (or else get killed) in a sweatshop setting. Another character in the book is a rehabilitated ex-pickpocket from Chicago who has become a follower of Christ through the influence of an older Christian woman with whom she now lives (in a city far away from Chicago) and runs an orphanage.

A boxload of orphans become freed from their crate and begin roaming the streets, living by whatever means they can; also they are trying to free the other kids who are enslaved. Livy (the ex-pickpocket) begins trying to help them though they are suspicious of her.

Add into all of this a sheriff deputy who has recently lost his father in a mine collapse and who is falling in love with Livy (without knowing her past).

SO -- yes, it's kind of predictable, and that is a good thing I think :) It's a happy ending, a little adventure, a little human interest, and a little romance. It is written as a Christian romance, so it refers to the life-changing walk with Christ.

I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it as a fun read!

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.