Book Spotlight: The Daughters of Bainbridge House Series by Laurie Alice Eakes

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to take a few minutes today to spotlight a series I've been reading, The Daughters of Bainbrigde House by Laurie Alice Eakes. This series is set during the British Regency period, which occurred in England from 1811-1820. While the secular romance market is filled with Regency Romance writers such as Julia Quinn, Loretta Chase, Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverly, Eloisa James, and the list goes on, the inspirational fiction market has seen only a handful of authors write about this period.

Julie Klassen is one of the more recognized inspirational Regency authors. Her books have won numerous awards and hit the Christian Booksellers Association's bestseller list. Laurie Alice Eakes is another inspirational Regency author whose books are quickly gaining in popularity.

In the Daughters of Bainbridge House Series, the three heroines are sisters, and also daughters of a rather controlling and politically ambitious baron, who manages to muck around in his daughter's love lives a little too often. Here's more about the books:

Book 1: A Necessary Deception 

 When young widow Lady Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreamed he would turn up in her parlor. But just as the London Season is getting under way, there he is, along with a few other questionable personages. While she should be focused on helping her headstrong younger sister prepare for her entré into London society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting her family in danger?

Readers will enjoy being drawn into this world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades. Author Laurie Alice Eakes whisks readers through the drawing rooms of London amid the sound of rustling gowns on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past and let love guide the future.

 
Book 2: A Flight of Fancy

Cassandra Bainbridge may be a bit of a bluestocking, but when Geoffrey Giles is near, love seems a fine alternative to passion for Greek and the physics of flight. With his dashing good looks and undying devotion to her, the earl of Whittaker sets Cassandra's heart racing with his very presence. It seems his only flaw is his distaste for ballooning, the obsession that consumes so much of her thoughts.

When a terrible accident compels her to end her betrothal, Cassandra heads for the country to recover from both her injuries and her broken heart. With time on her hands and good friends to help her, she pursues her love for ballooning and envisions a future for herself as a daring aeronaut. But when Lord Whittaker slips back into her life, will she have to choose between him and her dream?

Book 3: A Reluctant Courtship

A Reluctant Courtship releases in October 1213 and will tell the story of the youngest and most beautiful Bainbridge daughter, Honore. Honore, for all her beauty though, seems rather cursed in love and always tangles with the wrong men. It will be refreshing to see her get things right when she finally has her own story!

*****

This week, at Regency Reflections (where I blog once a month  with the author of the Bainbridge House series), we're having a giant party to celebrate the release of A Flight of Fancy. The author is giving away a Regency gift basket complete with tea, cookies, and even an amazon gift card. To enter the giveaway, you'll need to participate in the fun little Regency quiz we're giving. So if you've got a few minutes, head on over and join the party!

Book Spotlight: Romance Novels Set in Michigan

Today I wanted to introduce you to two novels I've been waiting all summer to read. They're both set during Michigan's historical logging boom, which started just after the close Civil War and lasted until the end of the nineteenth century.

The first book is Unending Devotion by Author Jody Hedlund:

  
In Her Darkest Hours, Is He the Man She Needs?

Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer's assistant. And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan--and the sights of Connell McCormick.

Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he's living an upright life, that's what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye.

Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell's help, drawing them ever closer to each other. Will standing for what's right cost them both everything?

I just read this book two weeks ago. (Okay, actually I admit to being a total book geek and having the release date set on my calendar, then waking up on September first and downloading the book to my eReader before I even got out of bed. Pathetic, I know. But that's what happens when you're a book geek.)

Anyway, Jody Hedlund did an excellent job of portraying the logging industry as a rugged, lonely, and even dissolute means of employment. She shows two different sides of the logging industry: both the side that provided timber and affordable housing to settlers in the west, and the side that mercilessly stripped Michigan of it's virgin pine forests and destroyed river life as the logs were floated downstream to sawmills.

On the opposite side of the table, you have Serena Miller's A Promise to Love, which releases the beginning of October:

Ingrid Larsen, a young Swedish immigrant, arrives in Michigan in 1871 to search for her brother who has disappeared into the woods to work the dangerous lumber camps. Destitute and barely hanging on to hope, she encounters a newly-widowed farmer who is struggling to raise five children on his own. Marriage would solve both of their problems, and so Ingrid proposes to a man she barely knows. She will fight to protect her new family--but the hardest battle of all will be winning the heart of her new husband.

You may wonder why I expect Serena Miller's novel to be opposite of Jody Hedlund's. After all, both have the same setting and contain a search through Michigan logging camps for lost siblings. But I expect Miller's novel to have a sweeter flavor than Hedlund's. Miller's already written one book set during Michigan's logging boom. It's called The Measure of Katie Calloway (I reviewed it here), and it was full of realistic yet quaint pictures of life in a Michigan lumber camp.

While Miller doesn't ignore the debauched lifestyle loggers often lived, she creates a rather wholesome lumber camp that offers safety rather than danger in the Measure of Katie Calloway. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Hedlund's novel looks at the debauched lifestyle that often went along with logging. It contains a bitter fight for morality in a world that is blatantly immoral and also looks at the large-scale picture of logging. Miller's last novel looked at a very specific logging camp.

Conclusion: Since I'm terribly fascinated with Michigan's logging history, I personally think everyone should read both these novels. But if you have to pick between them, I'd base my choice on the type of novel you like reading. For fans of sweet, gentle stories choose either the Measure of Katie Calloway or A Promise to Love by Serena Miller. If you like action-filled scenes and lifelike, flawed characters, then I'd go with Undending Devotion by Jody Hedlund.

Have any of you read these books? I'm curious to know your thoughts and whether you enjoyed the backdrop of Michigan's logging boom? 

Book Spotlight--Historical Romance Titles for June (Part 2)

 In keeping with our book introductions this week, I've got two more novels to tell you about from Love Inspired Historical. Last time I introduced you to Winning the Widow's Heart by Sherri Shackelford and A Baby Between Them by Winnie Griggs. Now today I've got details about two novels set in England. The first is A Proper Companion by Louise M. Gouge:

With her father's death, Anna Newfield loses everything—her home, her inheritance and her future. Her only piece of good fortune is a job offer from wounded major Edmond Grenville, whose mother requires a companion. The Dowager Lady Greystone is controlling and unwelcoming, but Anna can enjoy Edmond's company, even if she knows the aristocratic war hero could never return her love.

Even amid the glittering ballrooms of London, nothing glows brighter for Edmond than Anna's gentle courage. Loving her means going against his family's rigid command. Yet how can he walk away, when his heart may have found its true companion?

I don't know about you, but the title Dowager Lady of Greystone makes me think of the dowager countess on Downton Abbey. What a hoot! I sincerely hope the dowager in A Proper Companion is every bit as entertaining as the dowager in Downton Abbey.

The second book for today is The Baron's Governess Bride by Debra Hale.

(Now I just want to pause right here and say: Doesn't that title make you think of the Sound of Music? Okay, granted the setting is a century or so before Sound of Music and a couple of countries away. But still, wasn't the von Trapp dad a baron? And he marries his governess, right? Goodness, even the cover of the book makes me think of that picnic scene in Sound of Music where Maria's teaching the von Trapp kids to sing!)

Here's what the back cover of the book has to say : 

Lord Steadwell's three motherless daughters were heartbroken when their last governess ran off to elope. In her dowdy cap and spectacles, Grace Ellerby seems an ideal replacement—a nurturing, intelligent woman uninterested in marriage. No wonder Rupert doesn't recognize Grace as the golden-haired vision at a masked ball, who slips away before midnight….

Frightened by the unwanted attentions of previous employers, Grace resolved to hide her beauty…and her growing feelings for Rupert. One enchanted evening—and a sweet, breathtaking kiss—changes everything. For with Grace's three adorable charges playing fairy godmother, Rupert may discover his happy ending is closer than he thinks.

Well, now that I read the cover wording, it makes me think of Cinderella.  I've got a good mind to read the book just so I can figure out if it's at all like either story!

So there you have it, all four books releasing from Love Inspired Historical in June 2012. These books cover everything from the American West to Regency England, so whatever your reading preferences, I trust you'll be able to find a book to your liking from this group. 


Has any read one or more of these books yet? I've started Winning the Widow's Heart, but haven't had the chance to read very much of it yet. And I'm wishing each of you wonderful blog readers lots of extra reading time over the weekend!

Book Spotlight--Historical Romance Titles for June (Part 1)

It's the beginning of the month again. (Can you all believe it? It seems like 2012 has been flying by at bullet speed in our household.) But a new month means it's time for me to introduce you to the new novels from my publisher. I'm super excited about one novel in particular, Winning the Widows Heart by Sherri Shackleford.

This novel is special to me because about this time last year, Sherri and I both finaled in the Genesis Contest, a rather prestigious contest for unpublished inspirational writers. Finaling in a contest like Genesis allows agents and editors the chance to read your material and often opens up the doors to publication. Well, this was the case for both Sherri and I, as we were finalist in the same contest and then both went on to sell our stories to Love Inspired Historical. My debut novel, Sanctuary for a Lady, released in April. And now it's June, and Sherri's debut novel, Winning the Widow's Heart is releasing. How fun is that!

When Texas Ranger Jack Elder stormed the isolated Kansas homestead, he expected to find a band of outlaws. Instead, the only occupant is a heavily pregnant woman—and she's just gone into labor. A loner uneasy with emotion, Jack helps deliver widow Elizabeth Cole's baby girl and can't get back on the trail fast enough. The robber and murderer he's after killed one of Jack's own, and he vows to catch the man. But when he returns to check on Elizabeth and her little one, he discovers that she may hold the key to his unsettled past—and his hoped-for future.

I must admit, last year Sherri and I traded contest entries so we could each see what the other had written. I was amazed by Sherri's writing and hooked into the story right from the beginning. I'm going to give you just a sneak peek of the opening two lines of Winning the Widow's Heart:

A shrill scream from inside the homestead split the frosty air.

Jack Elder flattened his back against the cabin's rough-hewn logs, his Smith & Wesson drawn. Icy fear twisted in his gut. He couldn't think about the woman inside, couldn't let himself imagine what had ripped that tortured sound from her.

See? Now doesn't that book look good? I can't wait to start this novel, and am hoping to do so later in the week. Congrats on the release of Winning the Widow's Heart, Sherri!!!

Next I want to introduce you to A Baby Between Them by Winnie Griggs. A Baby Between Them is the third and final book in the Irish Brides miniseries. I've been sharing this series with you for the past two months. This book goes along with The Wedding Journey and Mistaken Bride, and the series is about three sisters who journey from Ireland to the United States in the mid 1800s and all find love. Here's what the back cover of A Baby Between Them says:

For two months, Nora Murphy has cared for the abandoned infant she found on their Boston-bound ship. Settled now in Faith Glen, Nora tells herself she's happy. She has little Grace, and a good job as housekeeper to Sheriff Cameron Long. She doesn't need anything more—not the big family she always wanted, or Cam's love….

A traumatic childhood closed Cam off to any dreams of family life. Yet somehow his lovely housekeeper and her child have opened his heart again. When the unthinkable occurs, it will take all their faith to reach a new future together.

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm excited about both these novels. It's nice to see a satisfying conclusion to the Irish Brides trilogy, and I'm super thrilled to see my friend Sherri's debut novel release!

Now I'm wondering about the rest of you. Do you have any fun books on your reading list? Are any of you planning to read all three books of the Irish Brides miniseries? And what about Sherri's book? Doesn't that look like a fun one, especially for those of you who love westerns?

I'll be back on Thursday to introduce you to the next two books releasing this month. In the meantime, enjoy your week.

Book Spotlight--Historical Romance Novels for May (Part 2)

Hi Everyone!

Continuing on with the books I introduced you to on Monday, I want to share the next two Love Inspired Historical books with you. First is The Marshal's Promise by Rhonda Gibson. Here's more about the book:

Mail-order bride Rebecca Ramsey arrives in the New Mexico territory full of dreams—but they're shattered when she discovers her intended husband has been killed. If it weren't for U.S. marshal Seth Billings's housekeeping job offer, she'd have nowhere to go. Rebecca loves tending to Seth's home, but the strong and silent lawman is harder to figure out. What secret is he hiding?

Caring for Jesse Cole's would-be bride is the least Seth can do. If it weren't for him, the young man would still be alive. Seth had promised to look after Rebecca—and to keep her safe from Jesse's enemies. Now if only he can keep his heart safe, as well….

Now I have to admit, I LOVE this book cover. It is by far my favorite cover out this month, and I'm not quite sure why. Maybe it has to do with the ominous sky in the background. Or maybe it's because just a man is on the cover--a rather attractive, dangerous looking man at that. What is it about dangerous looking men that make women swoon? I have no idea, but if any of you figure it out, be sure to let me know.

The last book for this month is called Homefront Hero, and it's written by Allie Pleiter. Allie is a long time Love Inspired Historical author who has attracted many readers with her adventurous novels. In fact, she's one of the first Love Inspired Historical authors I remember reading. Here's more about her newest novel:

Dashing and valiantly wounded, Captain John Gallows could have stepped straight out of an army recruitment poster. Leanne Sample can't help being impressed—although the lovely Red Cross nurse tries to hide it. She knows better than to get attached to the daring captain who is only home to heal and help rally support for the war's final push. As soon as he's well enough, he'll rush back to Europe, back to war—and far away from South Carolina and Leanne. But when an epidemic strikes close to home, John comes to realize what it truly means to be a hero—Leanne's hero.

So there you have it, all four of May's releases from Love Inspired Historical. If you've got a few extra hours set aside for reading over Memorial Day, I'd encourage you to pick up one of these books. And here's a link to Part 1 of the post, if you missed the first two novels I highlighted on Monday.

Wishing you all a lovely Memorial Day weekend,


Naomi Rawlings

Book Spotlight--Historical Romance Novels for May (Part 1)

Hi Everyone!

I'm running a bit behind in my book introductions for this month, but I want to tell you about the books releasing from my publisher, Love Inspired Historical, in May (you know, before May turns into June and I have more books to tell you about).

The first book is The Homesteader's Sweetheart by Lacy Williams. This novel is on the top of my list, as the snippets and scenes I've seen look terribly interesting. Furthermore, this is only Lacy's second novel, and she's a young mom with two kids under 5. Sounds a little like "yours  truly," as she's just starting her writing career and has a couple little ones running around at home, doesn't it? So without further ado, here's more about the book:

To escape a dreaded arranged marriage, Penny Castlerock will face anything--even life on her grandfather's farm. But it isn't the rustic lifestyle that's got the Philadelphia socialite tied in knots. It's the handsome homesteader and his eight adopted children next door....

With seven boys and a girl to raise, transplanted farmer Jonas White could sure use some help. He just didn't expect it to come from the high-spirited, copper-haired beauty he's always admired from afar. But surely working the land is no life for a woman like Penny. Yet a threat to Jonas's farm just might show him how perfect Penny is for him after all. 

Seven boys! Can you imagine? Wow! Makes me want to read the book just because I know I'll have to laugh through half of it. In fact, I read an extra scene where one of the boys in this story is plotting to help his daddy and the prim Miss Castlerock fall in love. It looked super fun. Also, Lacy's book has gotten some great reviews from places like the Romantic Times.

Next I want to introduce you to Mistaken Bride by Renee Ryan. Mistaken Bride is book two in the Irish Brides Series that I introduced you to last month. If you read book one (The Wedding Journey by Cheryl St. John) you might want to check this one out as well.

When William Black's mail-order bride fails to appear at the Boston docks, he's relieved when beautiful, vibrant Bridget Murphy steps in. However, she has a surprise in store. She will be a temporary nanny to his young twins…but she will not marry without love.

Faith Glen, Massachusetts, is worlds away from the poverty Bridget knew in Ireland. And William Black couldn't be more different from her faithless ex-fiancé. Yet that integrity Bridget so admires binds William to a promise that could keep them apart forever. In this new land of opportunity, does she dare to wish for a happy ending?

Got to love it when Mail Order Bride A is supposed to arrive, but Mail Order Bride B shows up instead!

So there you have it, two great books from Love Inspired Historical this month. We'll look at the next two books on Thursday. Now I'm curious about you. Have any of you read either of these books? Does one catch your eye? Let me know your thoughts!

Book Spotlight--Historical Romance Novels for April (Part 2)

Now that we've spent the pat week meeting Author Jessica Nelson and looking at her debut novel, Love on the Range, I decided to swing back to some of the other Love Inspired Historical novels out this month and highlight those. The Wedding Journey is a novel that takes place at sea, aboard a ship heading from Ireland to the United States, written by well-loved Author Cheryl St. John. Here's a little more about it:

The mysterious inheritance is the answer to a prayer. Now Irish lass Maeve Murphy and her sisters can come to America! She's sure happiness awaits her, even if it won't—can't—come from widowed ship doctor Flynn Gallagher. Yes, he made her his assistant, but she's not foolish enough to fall for the man all the eligible, wealthy female passengers admire.

Flynn Gallagher may have his pick of ladies, but only one cares as he does for the sick and poor. Flynn vowed never to marry another woman who could break his heart. With Maeve, has his heart found safe harbor at last?

Doesn't that novel sound great? I must admit, I recently read another novel set aboard a ship, Heart's Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes, and I ended up LOVING it. So I'm more than happy to head back to sea as I read another story.

The last novel I'm featuring this month is called Brides of the West. It's a novella collection, comprised of three shorter stories written by familiar Love Inspired Historical authors. Take a look:


Josie's Wedding Dress by Victoria Bylin
Desperate for someone to help her save her ranch, Josie Bright makes a deal with Ty Dormer. Now the man who'd left her waiting at the altar is making her hope for things she had long stopped wishing for.

Last Minute Bride by Janet Dean
Elise Langley was stung to the quick when her would-be suitor suddenly left town. But when David Wellman returns and they are thrown together organizing their friends' wedding, can she open her heart again?

Her Ideal Husband by Pamela Nissen
As a girl, Lydia Townsend hoped to marry Jebediah Gentry—until his rejection spoiled her dreams. When family duty brings her home, it's Jeb's chance to show Lydia that now is the time for her wedding dreams to come true.

So there you have it, the Love Inspired Historical releases for the month of April. If you missed the highlight of the first two novels (which includes Sanctuary for a Lady by Yours Truly), take a look at this post. 

Now I'm curious how many of these novels you've read. Any? None? One or two? Let me know what you thought in the comment section below.

Book Spotlight--Historical Romance Novels for April

Hey Everyone,

Did you all have a fabulous Easter Weekend? I know I did, and I'm hoping you enjoyed your own Easter as much as me and my family did. I wanted to kick off the week with our Book Spotlight, highlighting the novels available from my publisher this month. The first novel I'm going to introduce you to is . . . MINE!!! (I know, it probably surprises some of you, but I'm eager to give my book a shout out whenever possible.) Here's a little about the book:

The injured young woman Michel Belanger finds in the woods is certainly an aristocrat. And in the midst of France's bloody revolution, sheltering nobility merits a trip to the guillotine. Yet despite the risk, Michel knows he must bring the wounded girl to his cottage to heal.

Attacked by soldiers and left for dead, Isabelle de La Rouchecauld has lost everything. A duke's daughter cannot hope for mercy in France, so escaping to England is her best chance of survival. The only thing more dangerous than staying would be falling in love with this gruff yet tender man of the land. Even if she sees, for the first time, how truly noble a heart can be….

Obviously I'm excited to see Sanctuary for a Lady release, as it's my debut novel and will always be close to my heart, but did you know I'm not the only author debuting this month with Love Inspired Historical? Jessica Nelson also saw her book, Love on the Range, hit shelves for the first time last week. Here's more about the novel:

Any other socialite would view being packed off to a remote Oregon ranch as a punishment. But Gracelyn Riley knows that this is her opportunity to become a real reporter. If she can make her name through an interview with the elusive hero known as Striker, then she'll never have to depend on anyone ever again.

Rancher Trevor Cruz can't believe his secret identity is being endangered by an overly chatty city girl. But if there's one thing he knows, it's that Gracie's pretty little snooping nose is bound to get her in trouble. So he'll use her determination to find "Striker" to keep an eye on her…and stick close by her side.

We'll be spending next week with Jessica, here on Making Home Work. She'll be doing an interview and giveaway, plus and sharing a recipe with us, and I'm excited to have her. Jessica interviewed me on her blog last week? If you missed it, stop by to check out the interview. On Friday, we'll be hearing from our monthly blogger, Sarah Hamaker. And in the meantime, if you're wanting to try out a book by a new author to see how well you like it, I can think of a couple to recommend . . .

Weekend Assignment--Read to Your Kids

Since we've been talking about reading to children this week, you've probably already guessed what your assignment is for this week. That's right: READ TO YOUR KIDS.

Pick at least two books over the weekend to read to your little ones, and make the time to do it. You might even take a trip to the library.

And our question for discussion today: What type of books do you prefer to read to your children? Dr. Sues? Richard Scary? Fancy Nancy? Any other thoughts or ideas? Leave your answer in a comment below!

Reading to Children--Quotes

I have quotes to share today, some from rather famous writers and celebrities, about reading to children. Enjoy!

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall."
— Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
— J. K. Rowling

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."
— Emilie Buchwald

"Teaching reading IS rocket science."
— Louisa Moats

"Babies are born with the instinct to speak, the way spiders are born with the instinct to spin webs. You don't need to train babies to speak; they just do. But reading is different."
— Steven Pinker

"Many things we need can wait. The child cannot. Now is the time his bones are formed, his mind developed. To him we cannot say tomorrow, his name is today."
— Gabriela Mistral

"Reading aloud with children is known to be the single most important activity for building the knowledge and skills they will eventually require for learning to read."
— Marilyn Jager Adams

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all."
— Jacqueline Kennedy

"No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting. She will not want new fashions nor regret the loss of expensive diversions or variety of company if she can be amused with an author in her closet."
— Lady Montagu, providing advice on raising her granddaughter, 1752

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go."
— Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

"Wear the old coat and buy the new book."
— Austin Phelps

"You may have tangible wealth untold. / Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. / Richer than I you can never be – / I had a mother who read to me."
— Strickland Gillilan

"To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark."
— Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

If that's not encouragement to read to your children, I don't know what is.

Side note: I'm also blogging today over at Regency Reflections, where I'm sharing a review of a simply wonderful novel I read over the weekend, Heart's Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes. Stop by if you have a chance.

Reading to Your Child--Three Reasons Why You Should

I'm a rather busy mom, and on this blog I usually post about ways to optimize your time and make homemaking and raising children simpler. But today I'm going against my usual mantra, and I'll address something that will add time to your busy schedule. But it's worth every minute of sacrifice you make. Today I'm going to talk about reading to your children.

Child psychology experts advocate you should read 20 minutes a day to your child, and they have myriad reasons to back up their advice. Here's a few:

1. Reading to your children helps develop their imagination, while on the flip side, too much television hinders your child's imagination. This is interesting to me, as I actually force my oldest son to go up to his bedroom and play with his toys for forty minutes per day. No coloring books, no TV, no computer games. Just his imagination and his action figures, or blocks, or Lincoln Logs or Legos. And when I do this early in the day, I notice that he's more responsive and better behaved throughout the day.

2. Reading to your children helps them associate reading with pleasure. Whether or not your child becomes an avid book lover later in life, he or she will spend much time reading: newspapers, blogs, magazines, textbooks, text messages, emails, and those annoying forms you have to sign at the doctor's office once a year. Your child won't be able to get away from reading as he or she matures into adulthood. Reading to children when they are young can help prepare them for the future responsibilities they'll face in our busy, modern world.

3. Reading to your children boosts their background knowledge and curiosity. If your child has a question or something piques his interest in one of his books, go to the library and get more books on the subject. Fill that thirst for knowledge your child is already developing, and do so in a way that makes learning fun for him.

I know reading to your children takes time from your busy schedule. And if you read before putting them to bed at the end of a long day, it might be the last thing you want to do or have energy for. But the end result is worth it.

I'll have more on reading to your children in my next post. In the meantime, I'd love to hear what your son's or daughter's favorite book is in the comments below.