Allergy Kid Mom

Soaring Above Co-Addiction, by Lisa Ann Espich

2011-06-22T05:15:00.000-07:00

Are you involved with a drug addict or an alcoholic? Do you know someone who has an addiction to something so strong that it is messing up your lives? I have a solution for you, a book by Lisa Espich, Soaring Above Co-Addiction.

Her story is like most people who are in a relationship with a person who has an addiction problem. You are very stressed. People wonder where your love comes from and why it is so strong for a person who seems to be ruining your life. But one of the differences is that she was able to overcome it and find a way to better herself and make her marriage work. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy, but she made it work.

In, Soaring Above Co-Addiction, you learn how to rise above all your problems and come out a better person. Lisa Espich shows you how to deal with your situation by doing a couple of different exercises. For instance, the visualization exercise. With this particular exercise, you picture yourself attached to the addict with a rope. Every time he moves somewhere, you go with him. You either picture yourself being tugged by the addict forever or you picture yourself cutting free. Another thing she teaches you is how to look out for yourself. If you think better of yourself, you will become a better person. In this exercise, you wake up in the morning and give thanks for all the good things in your life. A third one is affirmations and finally keeping a journal. I really like the one about keeping a journal. I believe that writing is great therapy. Of course, these are just a couple and there is a lot more to learn from reading this book.

The purpose of this book is to show you that you can survive. You can make it to the silver lining at the end of the cloud. It is not going to be easy, but it is achievable. It will help you learn how to pick up your head and deal with the situation you are in. You can, and will triumph.

This is a great book, if you couldn't tell by now. I highly advise one to read this book if you are going through or dealing with someone with an addiction. Even if you know someone who is going through this very thing, reading this book will give you a better understanding of what he or she are going through and how you can help them.

Thanks to Lisa Ann Espich for allowing me to read and review her book.

SEAsoned - A Chef's Journey with Her Captain, by Victoria Allman

2011-04-02T05:15:00.000-07:00

Author: Victoria Allman

Categories: Travel, Cooking

Publisher: NorLightsPress

Number of Pages: 200

Book Size: 6 X 9

ISBN: 978-1935254-37-9

Official Release Date: January, 2011

Have you ever turned the television on and seen one of those shows where they have a cook on a yacht while traveling? Have you ever thought how fun that would be if it were me? Well, Victoria Allman, author of SEAsoned - A Chef's Journey with Her Captain, was able to experience that very thing.

When reading this book, you will be taken on a trip in a yacht with rough waters and falling dishes, doors swinging open and shut and people not able to stand. These aren't the things that people think about when they picture themselves working on a yacht. Another thing would be the different attitudes you encounter when people come aboard, some pleasant, some not so pleasant.

Another thing I really liked about the SEAsoned - A Chef's Journey with Her Captain, is how there are recipes all throughout the book. The recipes at the end of the chapters go along with a meal in that particular part of the story. This really excited me because I could actually get into the book even more by trying the different foods that she prepared. Some of the recipes that I am excited about trying are Applesauce Cinnamon Muffins, Chocolate Chiffon Cake, Angel Hair Napoli, and Salmon Tartar. Not only are there recipes listed, she also includes a culinary glossary toward the end of the book.

One thing that I have to make sure and mention is her writing style. She is a very descriptive writer, which makes you feel as though you are right there on the trip with them. I enjoyed her writing so much that I am going to go out and purchase her other book, Sea Fare - A Chef's Journey Across The Ocean, which also includes recipes.

This is a very enjoyable story and I would suggest everyone to read it. SEAsoned - A Chef's Journey with Her Captain kept me engaged from the beginning to the end.

I thank AME Virtual Book Tours and NorlightsPress for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

The Mountains Bow Down, by Sibella Giorello

2011-03-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

Paperback: 384 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 1 edition (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595545352
ISBN-13: 978-1595545350
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.3 inches

{Click to purchase book}

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better . . ..

That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, The Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance.

But when a passenger goes missing and winds up dead, Raleigh's vacation suddenly gets lost at sea. The ship's security chief tries to rule the death a suicide, but Raleigh's forensics background points to a much darker conclusion: Somewhere on board, a ruthless murderer walks free.

Engulfed by one of her toughest cases yet, Raleigh requests assistance from the FBI and receives her nemesis-perpetual ladies man Special Agent Jack Stephanson. As the cruise ship sails through the Inside Passage, Raleigh has five days to solve a high-profile murder, provide consultation for a movie filming on board, and figure out her increasingly complicated feelings for Jack-who might not be such a jerk after all.

And that's only her work life. Family offers even more challenges. Joined on the cruise by her mother and aunt, Raleigh watches helplessly as disturbing rifts splinter her family.

Like the scenery that surrounds the cruise ship, Raleigh discovers a situation so steep and so complex that even the mountains might bow down.

MY THOUGHTS:

I really enjoyed the book. It kept me intrigued from the beginning to the end. At first I did not realize that it was the fourth book in the Raleigh Harmon series, but after finding out, it has made me want to read the rest of them. Sibella Giorello's style of writing had me visualizing everything while I was reading. It actually felt as though I was there. I am not one who tends to read mystery type books, but was glad I was able to read this one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College. After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons. Find out more about Sibella and her other books at her website. http://www.sibellagiorello.com/

Sibella’s celebrating the release of The Mountains Bow Down by giving away a Cruise prize pack worth over $500.00!

One Grand Prize winner will receive:

A $500 gift certificate toward the cruise of their choice from Vacations To Go.

The entire set of the Raleigh Harmon series.

To enter go here!

Then tell your friends. And enter soon - the giveaway ends on 4/1! The winner will be announced at Sibella’s Raleigh Harmon Book Club Party on FB April 5th, 2011! Don’t miss the fun – prizes, books and gab!

Thanks goes to Litfuse Publicity for providing me with my complimentary review copy.

Lily Hates Goodbyes, by Jerilyn Marler

2011-03-23T05:15:00.000-07:00

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace (March 8, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 146096070X

ISBN-13: 978-1460960707

Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches

Do you have a child who has to deal with a parent coming and going because of a job? Whether it is because they are a Truck Driver, in the Military, or an Airplane Pilot, they have gaps in being at home. Does your son or daughter have a hard time dealing with it? Well, if so, I have the perfect book for them. Lily Hates Goodbyes, by Jerilyn Marler and illustrated by Nathan Stoltenberg is about a little girl who has to deal with her father being gone all the time.

Lily is a little girl who doesn't quite know how to deal with the fact that her father isn't always around. Sometimes she gets angry and sometimes she is just plain sad. Because he is in the military, he isn't able to be at home with them like she wants him to. So, she has to learn different ways to deal with all her feelings. For instance, she draws pictures for him, punches pillows to get her frustrations out, keeps track of how long it will take him to come home with a calendar/sticker project, and creates songs for him on their piano.

This book was created to help your child realize that having these feelings is okay and that there are different ways of dealing with them. It also shows the parent how to use the book in order to help the particular child deal with their feelings.

When my daughter got home from school and saw this book, she immediately picked it up and started to read it. She didn't put it down until she was done. I asked her what she thought about the book and she told me that she really liked it. She actually sat there and told me what the book was about, from beginning to end. I honestly believe the simplicity of the storyline and the great illustrations kept her engaged in it.

If you have a child who doesn't quite understand how to deal with a parent's infrequent absents, then Lily Hates Goodbyes is the book for them.

I thank Jerilyn Marler and Bostick Communications for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Music Videos and Performances From The Twilight Saga Soundtrack: Vol. 1

2011-03-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

Can I say AWESOME!? I don't know if that is politically correct when writing a review, but that is the word that comes to mind when thinking about the Music Videos and Performances From The Twilight Saga Soundtrack: Vol. 1 DVD that I was given the opportunity to review. I never thought that I would jump on any part of the "Twilight" bandwagon, but I guess I have. Does that make me a Twilighter? Probably not, which is fine. I guess you can say that I have jumped on the Twilight music bandwagon, if they have one.

To have a DVD that focuses mainly on the music/musician of a film is ingenious. I hadn't heard half of the songs on this DVD, so it was purely musical for me. I got to enjoy them for who they were and what they brought to the films vs. enjoying them for the sake of the films. I also liked how most of the performers set their songs against backgrounds that had something to do with the films instead of having clips of the films all throughout their videos. I felt like this made it easier to focus on the artists themselves rather than focusing on the clips from the films.

There are twenty different songs collected from the three Twilight Saga soundtracks and two bonus songs. My all-time favorite song would have to be "What Part of Forever" by Cee Lo Green. Coming in close would be "Eclipse (All Yours)" by Metric. Some of the other songs that I like were, "Solar Midnite" - Lupe Fiasco, "The Violet Hour" - Sea Wolf, and "All I Believe In" - The Magic Numbers & Amadou & Mariam, just to name a few. The DVD is approximately 100 minutes long and has a special feature that lets you continuously play it repeatedly like a regular CD.

Yes, I think that everyone should own this DVD. Even if you are not a Twilight fan, you will still enjoy it. I highly enjoyed it the first time I listened to it (listening to it right now) and will continue to enjoy it every time I put it in my DVD player. So I implore everyone to go out and purchase Music Videos and Performances From The Twilight Saga Soundtracks: Vol. 1 for their collection. Trust me you will not regret it.

I thank Shelby K. (42West) for giving me the opportunity to review this DVD.

What The Heart Sees, by Kathleen Fuller

2011-03-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

I am a really big Kathleen Fuller fan. So when I was given the chance to review her book What the Heart Sees, I was truly thrilled. Not only do I get to read one story written by her, but also I get to read three all in one book. In this book, she has put a collection of Amish romance stories together.

The first story, A Miracle for Miriam, is about a girl who is young and in love and then has it all taken away from her. That is what happens to Miriam. As a child she has a crush on Seth who one day humiliates her and causes her to harden her heart when it comes to men. As time goes by, Seth moves away and spends time with some English friends. While there, he gets involved in an accident, which causes him to change mentally and physically. When Miriam sees him years later, she notices the changes. But is it good enough for her to let go of the past and move forward with him?

The second story, A Place of His Own, is about two good friends and on tragic moment. Josiah moves away without saying good-bye to Amanda. Years later, he returns to the community a different person. Amanda wonders what has happened to her friend from years ago. Why is he so bitter? Then a barn fire erupts and the community comes together, which has Josiah come to a realization about them.

The third and final story, What the Heart Sees, is about a man name Christopher who is angry from the accident that left him all alone and without a fiance. And after a downward spiral, he enters into a five-year bann. Later he decides to go home where he is reunited with Ellie, who was left blind from an accident of her own. Can they let go of the pains from the past and move forward into the future?

The book also has a couple of Amish recipes in the back that you can try. Can I say Cream Cheese Brownies?

What the Heart Sees is a really great book and if you love Amish books, you will really love this one. Kathleen Fuller is a really great writer and I think everyone should read it.

I thank Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Life Ready Woman (Thriving in a Do-It-All World), by Shaunti Feldhahn & Robert Lewis and Book Giveaway

2011-02-28T05:15:00.000-08:00

How many of us feel because we are women in a modern world we have to try and do it all? I have to say, a lot of times I feel that way. At times I feel as though if I am not doing it all, I am not successfully living my life. Question, does it really have to be this way? Shauntie Feldhahn and Robert Lewis wrote a book called The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World. In their book, they have come up with a great way to show you how it is possible.

Women have come a long way. Before hand it was in the kitchen making food and taking care of the kids. Then things changed. We were given the ability to vote, join the army, hold public office positions, etc. In The Life Ready Woman, the authors state that life happiness doesn't necessarily come from all we accomplish in life but rather the way we open our lives up to God and let him guide us where to go.

The 3 things that stick out the most for me are the 5 common issues that bring about problems for women, the 3 types of core callings, and Faith Step #2. I also really love how they have biblical quotes to go along with their theories and points. There are stories in the book that make you realize that you are not the only one. What is really high on my list are the sections where you can interact with the authors of the book.

Book Giveaway!!!!

In order to give one of my readers a chance to enjoy and learn from the book as I did, I am giving away a copy of The Life Ready Woman.

For a chance to win this book, please leave a comment as to why you would like to read this book. The giveaway will be closed on March 7, 2011, with the winner announced and emailed on March 8, 2011. Please leave your email address, or you will not be entered in the giveaway.

Not only am I giving away a book, but MomLife Today is having a Weekend To Remember giveaway, which can be entered bellow.

To enter click one of the icons below then tell your friends. Winner will be announced on March 2nd on the MomLife Today website.

Thanks to Amy of the Litfuse Publicity Group for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Vidal Sassoon The Movie

2011-02-27T13:15:00.000-08:00

Vidal Sassoon's impact is so profound in so many ways, even forty years after his revolution, he is inarguably the most important person in hairdressing, ever. He is the ultimate hero. His life serves as an extraordinary inspiration to millions of people, reminding them what is possible with the right commitment and passion.

-Michael Gordon, Producer

A feature documentary spanning 80 years of revolution in culture, as told through the life of one extraordinary man, VIDAL SASSOON THE MOVIE is the revealing and inspirational story of how one man changed the world with a pair of scissors.

A true rags to riches tale, the film traces Sassoon’s path from a London orphanage to international success and celebrity. It follows Michael Gordon, founder of the haircare company Bumble and bumble, as he sets out to document Vidal's life in a richly visual book. Sassoon's story comes alive as the design of the book unfolds.

Living through war and poverty, the seeds of his future are spawned as young Vidal becomes driven to rise above the circumstances of his birth. Spurred by his mother’s dream that her son would find success as a hairdresser, Sassoon apprentices in a local salon. “I made up mind, if I was going to be in hairdressing, I wanted to change things.” Through tireless hard work and commitment, he struggles to modernize the old-fashioned world of hair; with modern architecture as his inspiration, Sassoon focuses on geometric shapes and angles that literally changes the way women look, and ushers in the social revolutions of the 60’s. Salons, schools and products follow all over the world, and his tag line, “if you don’t look good we don’t look good” becomes a defining cultural touchstone.

With an added emphasis on his inspirational drive, VIDAL SASSOON THE MOVIE shows Sassoon to be not only one of the great innovators of our time, but a cultural life force as relevant today as ever.

Phase4 Films will release VIDAL SASSOON THE MOVIE on February 11, 2011 in New York; February 18, 2011 in Los Angeles, and other markets nationwide in late February and March 2011.

Thanks to Kenneth Rosenstock (42west) for giving me the opportunity to post this information.

Mubu & Mu-Mu (The Little Animal Doctor), by Peter Alexander

2011-02-23T05:15:00.000-08:00

Mubu & Mu-Mu

The Little Animal Doctor

(click to proceed to website)

I really love reading children's books. I am sure you have read this before, but I do. I was given the opportunity to read and review a book called Mubu & Mu-Mu. I must say, after reading it, I was glad the opportunity was given.

Mubu is a little girl who lives in Thailand with her mother and grandfather. Most of her life is filled with fun and adventure. She spends most of her time playing with animals, running through a forest, etc. The one thing she likes the most is the she has been able to take certain animals under her wing and raise them as her own.

One day, Mubu's grandfather went into the forest to look for some herbs and came back with a gibbon. It was hurt and needed to be taken care of. So her grandfather instructed her on what to do. Of course, like most little kids, she did not listen to his three rules and almost got hurt along with the gibbon.

This story teaches children what happens when they don't listen to adults and how important it is to follow rules. It also shows them about life in another country.

The art in the book is also just as great as the story. The colors are vibrant and kind of pop of the page. The detail is right on point, which also helps to draw you into the story. Another wonderful aspect of this book is the little synopsis and pictures of Mubu as a child and all grown up.

I say people should own a lot of books because I love reading, but I really think this one is one that all kids should own.

I thank Bostick Communications and Kennebec Entertainment LLC for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob (Blue Ocean Bob Discovers His Purpose), by Brooks Olbrys

2011-02-11T05:15:00.000-08:00

THE ADVENTURES OF

BLUE OCEAN BOB

(Click title to go to website)

I am a big fan of children books. I try to collect as many as I can for my daughter to read. I love to read. I am trying to get her to become one of those kids that love to read also. So far, I am proving to be successful.

This book is a great book. First, the story is written in the form of a poem. This makes it easy for kids to read and a great way to keep them interested because of the flow. Secondly, the illustrations are magnificent. They are brightly colored and percisely drawn. They pop out of the book as though they are real and not just a drawing that someone created. Thirdly, and most important, is the story. It lets children know that no matter what, they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.

Bob is a young boy who wants to figure out what he can do in life. Even though he lives on a beautiful island, he figures there is more to life than what he sees. His friend and companion, Xena - a bird, is concerned about him and the adventure he is about to take. But no one can change his mind and he sets out on this adventure. After asking a couple of sea creatures some questions, he makes up his mind about what he wants to be.

If you want to teach your child about believing and achieving a dream, then you should add this book to their bookshelf. I thought it was wonderful and think that anyone can learn a lesson from it. My daughter loved reading it and enjoyed looking at the pictures too. I highly recommend this book for every child to own.

Thanks to Brooks Olbrys for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Left At The Altar, by Kimberley Kennedy

2011-02-08T15:06:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been humiliated, embarrassed, or even ashamed? If you are a woman (I guess even a man), being left at the altar is one of the worst feelings that you could possibly go through. Luckily, I can say that it has never happened to me, but for Kimberley Kennedy, that became a life story.

Kimberley's story begins like most others. She was raised in a traditional family. Of course there were typical problems in her family like most others, but she got through them. After college, she met who she thought would be the love of her life, on a blind date. This was the guy she was going to marry and she was determined to make it happen. After sometime, her fiance started to act different. He started to find fault in everything that she did. A big hint that she didn't pick up on, was her engagement. She was asked for her hand in married out of an argument. But even so, this was still her knight in shining armor. And so the planning began, which led to the downward spiral of her life.

Left at The Altar is Kimberley Kennedy's book about how to deal with rejection whether it comes from divorce, dating, or even her, like marriage. Her goal in writing this book is to be able to help other women understand that they are not alone and don't have to feel the pain of rejection forever. She has ways of helping them heal and move forward in their life by not staying in that same painful place. There is a section on the Five Stages of Grief, diagrams, and different quotes and antidotes. She also relies on God throughout the book to help people understand that it is not the end of the world and that there IS life at the end of the tunnel. There are also other people's stories that help you understand that you are not the only one.

I feel like this is a book that everyone can benefit from. Anyone going through any kind of issue can take this book and remember that they are not the only one going through it. Everyone should include this book on their bookshelf.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Precious Moments Storybook Bible

2011-01-19T08:39:00.000-08:00

Just about everyone has a Precious Moments book in their house. I know when I was younger, we had the coloring books. I remember sitting on the floor with my father and sisters and picking a favorite page to color. Well now I have found a Precious Moments Bible.

This is a really great Bible for the younger generation (the ones that can't quite keep still). At the beginning of the Bible, they have a lot of neat fill-ins to commemorate different things. Like most Bibles, there is a family tree to fill out. This is great to look back on when you are older. They also have a Church record page for when you get baptized, etc. It also comes with a favorite things page. As you can see, it is filled with a lot of pages to fill out and look back on later in life.

The actual Bible part is broken down in four different parts: Favorite Classics, Words of Praise and Wisdom, More Stories of Faith, and Songs and Prayers.

Favorite Classics: Stories that we all grew up with presented in a way that a young child can understand. Stories like Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, etc.

Words of Praise: This is a section that has different Bible verses accompanied with inspirational words.

More Stories of Faith: In this section it has even more stories that go along with favorite classics.

Songs and Prayers: This section has a lot of the songs we learned when we were young. As you teach them to your child, it will take you down memory lane. I know that is what happend with me. It also has the prayers that most kids are taught to say when they are young. Now you can teach them to your children!

This Bible is done in different pastel colors. The pictures are adorable also. I think that everyone who has a young child should get this book or at least get one for someone else with a young child.

I thanks Thomas Nelson for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

CHRISTMAS SHORT FILMS ON iTUNES

2010-12-17T12:17:00.000-08:00

I just had a chance to view some wonderful Christmas short films. They are available on iTunes. You can download them and watch them whenever you want. Not only will your kids enjoy them, but you will love them just the same.

Once Upon A Christmas Village

Have you ever woken up one morning and no matter what you did, nothing seemed to turn out right? Well, that is what happens to Santa in this short film. Due to the fact that his day goes awry, it allows for a town of decorations to come alive. They for once get to verbalize and experience things that they never could before.

The graphics are amazing. Along with the great colors, it really draws you in to this short film. The storyline is great too, which includes song and dance. Two of the actors that lend their voices to make this a really great story come to life are Tim Curry (The Rocky Horror Picture Show) and Jim Belushi (According To Jim). I actually watched it more than one time and I am not a child.

Mr. Bojagi

Everybody wants to find someone the perfect gift right? If only we had a magic way of telling us what would make the perfect gift for someone. In this short film, a grandmother goes to a special gift selector to enlist him in helping her find the perfect gift for her granddaughter. What she finds out is, what really makes a great gift vs. what she thinks makes a great gift.

This short film had an amazing learning lesson and great actors that brought this story to life. The amazing shop owner in this short film is played by British acting legend Brian Blessed (Flash Gordon, I, Claudius).

Monsters & Rabbits

Did you have a make believe friend when you were little? Or do you have a child who has one? Either way you guys will enjoy this short film about a boy who has a pretend friend/world that he goes to when things aren't working out right in his own. But what happens to that make believe friend when you find another friend to play with?

This was just as cute as the rest of them. It can teach kids lessons about friendships and how important they are to have.

After watching these three short films, I have decided to go to iTunes and download some for my daughter to have on hand. I have only downloaded music from iTunes, but do want to see more of these, so off I go to iTunes. If you don't want to purchase any, at least go and check them out. You may know someone who would like to watch them or download them for their kids to watch.

Thanks to Debbie Park for giving me the opportunity to watch and review these short films.

Little Liza Freeze and the Magical Ice Cream Cone Tree, by Barbara Walker

2010-12-14T07:15:00.000-08:00

About the book:

Little Liza Freeze and the Magical Ice Cream Cone Tree by Barbara Walker
ISBN: 978-1439243343
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Date of publish: Nov 17, 2009
Pages: 34
S.R.P.:$14.99

When Liza Freeze prepared to move to a new town, she expected one thing to remain exactly the same: that her shyness would prevent her from making friends. But her new home, Chill Junction, turned out to be a magical place where wishes come true. Liza soon asks for a magical ice cream cone tree that will bring children together and help make her new friends. The tree appears and children flock to Liza's yard, excited to meet her and play in front of the colorful tree.

About the author:

Barbara Walker is a care giver and writer. A recent graduate of the Children's Institute of Literature in West Redding, CT., Walker is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and illustrators. She resides in Oak Park where she is currently working on other projects.

My view:
I think this is a really cute book. The story line is a great one that every child who is moving to a new town could identify with. This book will allow a child to feel comfortable with the idea of moving and meeting new friends all over again. Also, the illustrations are drawn as though a little child drew them. I feel this can help them identify with and also stay intrigued when read the story.

Wear Joy

2010-12-14T05:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as Melody Carlson, Lauraine Snelling, Rachel Hauck, Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang, and more share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.

AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! You may enter once a day. The winner will be announced on New Year's Day at the Pearl Girls Blog! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

Wear Joy
by Rachel Hauck

Thanksgiving day in central Florida broke warm and sunny under a blue sky. The thin fall breeze beckoned me. Taking my bike out, I rode the neighborhood feeling so grateful for all my blessings.

Joy bubbled up in my spirit. I’d been feeling it for a day, these waves of joy, but as I rode my bike and talked to God, the waves strengthened and splashed my heart the entire ride.

I’d laugh. Then tear up. And laugh again. As one who’s battled and won the war on anxiety and fear attacks, the onslaught of joy was welcomed, and actually sparked a new prayer in my heart. I’ve endured attacks of panic, time for attacks of joy.

The journey of joy began earlier in the year while writing a book coincidentally named, “Dining with Joy.”

Sitting at my table one day, revelation hit me. “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10. The more I meditated on it, the more I wanted His joy. I don’t want my strength. I want His.

Not long after, I went to Nashville for a girl’s weekend. One of my friends handed me a coffee cup inscribed with “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Ever just know? God is calling.

During the holiday season, I turn 50. Yep, the big 5-0. Can’t stop it, I might as well embrace it.

Fifty is often associated with jubilee, a time of restoration, and healing, even release from debt and slavery. It’s a time of returning to property, and inheritance.

A time of rest.

A time of JOY!

This past week, a friend gifted me with a beautiful Christmas ornament. Inscribed on it? You guessed it.

JOY!

To me, the world doesn’t look very joyful. There are social and economic woas. But God is speaking and offering joy.

As you go into this holiday season, ask God for a pearl of joy. Like pearls, crafted through abrasion, God’s true joy is often formed in us during difficult seasons.

Here’s the thing, His strength isn’t doled out based on our goodness, our success or failure, or the fact the holiday season is hard or sad for you. He is ready, willing and able to overcome all your weaknesses, fears and anxiety, sadness with the power of His very own joy.

His joy. Your strength.

I’ve been walking into rooms, houses, outdoors, raising my arms and shouting, “Joy!” People look at me funny, but I want to spread the joy of the Lord. To spread the very essence of His strength.

How about you? Can you find the pearl of joy in your life, in the essence of God’s heart toward you?

Wear joy this season.

~~~

About Rachel: RITA-finalist Rachel Hauck lives in Florida with her husband, Tony. She is the author of Dining with Joy; Sweet Caroline; Love Starts with Elle; and The Sweet By and By, co-authored with Sara Evans. For more information please visit http://www.rachelhauck.com/.

Oh, and be sure to enter Rachel's Dining With Joy NOOK eReader giveaway!

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com/) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit http://www.pearlgirls.info/

Pearls of Patience

2010-12-13T05:15:00.000-08:00

Hello - I'm thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual 12 Pearls of Christmas! We've lined up several authors to share their Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along beginning today (Monday the 13th) through Christmas day as Melody Carlson, Lauraine Snelling, Rachel Hauck, Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang, and more share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.

We are also providing this series as free content for your own blogs (as 12 html posts) - if you'd like to share the 12 Pearls of Christmas with your blog readers email (amy@litfusegroup.com) and she'll send you the content.

AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post or any of the following 12 Pearls of Christmas posts (on any of the participating posts) to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! You may enter once a day. The winner will be announced on New Year's Day! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

Pearls of Patience
by Margaret Mcsweeney

As I write by the light of my Christmas tree on a late winter’s night, I reflect upon the poignancy and purpose of this season. The tiny white lights look like strands of pearls draped gracefully (perhaps haphazardly is a more honest description) across the evergreen boughs. Tomorrow I will hang the ornaments and at last place the angel atop the tree

Angels carry a special meaning this Christmas. My brother, Randy passed away on December 2nd from a heart attack at age 53. He was feeding a stray cat on his side porch. Randy was always like St. Francis of Asissi – animals would find him, sensing a kind soul. And my brother was a gentle and patient soul. He loved to fish. He tried to teach me, but I immediately lost interest when I realized worms were involved. And I could never sit still on the banks of a river and just wait. However, Randy could do that. He could wait, and waiting is a true gift. He put into practice the Scriptures. “Wait upon the Lord.” “Be still and know that He is God.” Patience doesn’t have to be passive. Wait is still an action verb. Part of the waiting process for fishing is seeking. Elaine (Randy’s wife of 31 years) told me that Randy said he could see the fish deep beneath the waters. He actively waited for the right time to catch them.

During Randy’s last fishing trip on earth – just a week before his death, he felt an urgency to take a picture of the clouds with his cell phone. When he returned home, he showed the picture to Elaine. They realized that a face of an angel was looking at Randy from the sky – perhaps waiting for God’s timing to bring Randy home to heaven. Maybe this “angel in the sky” was part of the heavenly host that appeared to the shepherds over two thousand years ago. A Christmas Angel.

The Christmas Angels brought tidings of great joy that Jesus, our Lord and Savior was born. And because of that incredible gift from God that these angels announced, we all have the promise of eternity. As we await Christ’s return, let us actively wait by seeking fish – not the kind you have to catch with worms, but rather with words. Words, or rather good tidings, can bring hope to the hopeless and faith to the faithless.

May each of you be blessed this Christmas season by the words you say, the words you hear and the Word you share. And may the 12 Pearls of Christmas be a blessing to you, too.

~~~

About Margaret: Margaret McSweeney lives with her husband, David and two teenage daughters in the Chicago suburbs. After earning a master's degree in international business from the University of South Carolina, Margaret moved to New York City to work at a large bank where she met David. Charity and community involvement are very important to Margaret. She is the founder and director of Pearl Girls. For more information please visit www.pearlgirls.info. Margaret is fast at work on several fiction manuscripts and her book Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace was written to help fund the Pearl Girl Charities. Connect with Margaret on Facebook or Twitter.

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!
12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

12 Pearls of Christmas

2010-12-12T07:23:00.001-08:00

Here's a sneak peak post of the 12 Pearls of Christmas series that I'll be hosting at my blog for the next few weeks! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

Did She Know?
by Anna Joujan

Mary, did you know . . . that your baby boy is Heaven’s perfect Lamb? And the sleeping child you’re holding is the great I AM

I am in the middle of a revival of my used-to-be-annual project of a Christmas card sketch. For several years, with a few years missed, I have done a sketch of some image of Mary the Mother of Jesus, something that came to my mind without complete awareness of why that particular picture was needing to be put to paper. It was originally a simple pencil sketch that, once completed, I would have printed out into a set of cards that would go out to all my friends and family. Along with the sketch, however, I have always had a verse that came to mind to signify the meaning of the drawing in my mind. And so I have had images such as “Be it unto me according to your word,” as well as a more enigmatic one that went with “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me . . .” But each one was important for that year of my life. And so I would spend the necessary costs in order to produce and mail in relatively large scales, for my general penny-pinching tendencies.

This year I did not expect to produce a card. The fact of my life lately as a boarding school librarian/teacher in Zambia, Africa, has made such projects feel rather far-removed from the realm of possibility.
And yet, I have had an image in my head for several months now. I started to put it to paper, and I abandoned it for a bit, figuring it was a bit frivolous with all the practical work I had to do. But then I picked it up again, and it is now nearing the stage of completion, hopefully to be completed with printing and mailing once I arrive in the U.S. for a holiday visit with family.

What I realized is that, frivolous though it may seem, it is actually quite important. For women [especially Western women of faith], the holidays carry with them great amounts of expectation and stresses. So much so that we often get swallowed up with the hectic pace and forget to soak in the meaning. What is important for each of us, I believe, is to “pick and choose.” We must resist the pressure to do what doesn’t not bring meaning for us. And we must cling to those traditions and activities that promote an aura of true, Christ-centered celebration for ourselves and for our loved ones.

So this year, Lord willing, I will be sending out my cards—and enjoying every bit of it; and in case you wondered, Mary did you know . . .? will be the theme

~~~

About Anna: Anna G. Joujan was born in South Dakota, as a Canadian citizen, and was raised in Zambia, the child of missionary teachers. Since her family’s move to the U.S., Anna spent her childhood and early adulthood traveling throughout the world thanks to various educational and work opportunities . . . France, China, Peru, and Jamaica being some of the stops in her journeys. Her undergraduate degree in French Literature led to a Masters in Information Sciences, and to work as a college and high school librarian, and a cross country coach. She has also returned to Zambia multiple times to teach for individual families and for local schools. All the while continuing pursuing her passions of writing, artwork, photography . . . and card-production. You can find her online at http://annajouj.wordpress.com

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

Then Sings My Soul (Special Edition), by Robert J. Morgan

2010-11-18T19:36:00.000-08:00

Then Sings My Soul (Special Edition), by Robert J. Morgan is by far one of the most interesting books I have reviewed so far.What a great book to own!

I was first drawn in by the very beautiful, calm picture that covers the entire book. The green rolling hills along with the sun setting behind the clouds is just magnificent. Then to see the edges of the pages, which are jagged in a way to where it makes you feel as though you are reading a book set back in the era when most of these songs were written. I also love how the actual sheet music to the songs is on one side of the page and right across from it, you have the background story of each song. Underneath the title of every song, is the year that it was written, followed by a Bible verse. Then it goes into who wrote it and why it was written. The history behind some of these songs are very enduring. It is neat to find out where and why some of the best loved hymns (along with Christmas and Easter songs) have made their way into the hearts of so many people.

Within the book you will find 150 songs. Yes that is right, 150 songs! Some of my favorite that made it in the book are as follows:

Christmas:
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
There's a Song in the Air
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

Easter:
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
There Is Power in the Blood

Thanksgiving:
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
Great Is They Faithfulness

Patriotic:
My Country, 'Tis of Thee

Spiritual Hymns:
Amazing Grace
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
When We All Get to Heaven

This book would make a great gift or can be used as a devotional or used to sing songs with the whole family as they stand together around the piano spending quality time together. I really love this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoy singing these songs either in church or at home.

I thank Thomas Nelson for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy, by Sabrina K. Carpenter

2010-11-15T05:15:00.000-08:00

About the book:

The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy by Sabrina K. Carpenter

ISBN: 978-0982773710

Publisher: Perfected Pen Publishing

Date of publish: Sept 25, 2010

Pages: 30

S.R.P.: $12.95

About the author:

Sabrina Carpenter is originally from Connecticut and currently resides in Vero Beach, Florida. She is the business owner of both Perfected Pen and Perfected Pen Publishing and strives to continually act as an advocate for children, education and non-profit organizations.

My thoughts:

Some say good children books are hard to find. I believe this to be true at times. Well, I just recently read a really cute children's book, The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy, by Sabrina K. Carpenter.

This story is about a little boy who's parents decide to take him on a trip, which happens to be a surprise. He eagerly wakes up and tries to figure out where they are going to go. Once he is given some clues as to what to pack, he realizes they are going to the beach. After they arrive, he sees beach balls, makes a sand castle, plays with crabs, etc. They realize how much fun they have had and then decide to go home.

This is a really cute book. It is a very well written story. Every young child should enjoy this story along with the beautiful, soft, colorful graphics that accompany it. I believe every child should have this book on their shelf, along with the rest of the stories that will come with this series.

I thank Bostick Communications and Sabrina K. Carpenter for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Kosher by Design Teens and 20-Somethings, by Susie Fishbein

2010-11-01T05:15:00.000-07:00

How many of you love to cook? How many of you started out at a young age? Well, I have been given the opportunity to review a really great cookbook geared for teens and people in their twenties. I am referring to Susie Fishbein's latest cookbook, Kosher by Design Teens and 20-Somethings. This is her latest in the Kosher by Design series.

The beginning of the cookbook has a couple of different sections. The first one talks about what you need to do to get started cooking. The second one gives you different healthy eating tips along with the right equipment to use. The third one tells you about the different labels and how to read them. Beside every recipe is a label to let you know what type of recipe it is. For instance, there is V for vegetarian, GF for gluten-free, DF for dairy-free, and NF for nut-free. So as you can see, this cookbook isn't just for regular diets, it also accommodates those that have health issues, which in this day in age is a great inclusion.

Just like most cookbooks, the recipes are broken down into different sections. I will break them down for you along with one of the recipes that I liked from each section.

1) Starters - Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wings
2) Munchies - Scones
3) Soups and Salads - Lox and Avocado Salad
4) Poultry and Meat - Teriyaki Mushroom Chicken
5) Fish, Pasta, and Dairy - Pesto Salmon
6) Side Dishes - Banana Pumpkin Cornbread
7) Desserts - Chocolate Chocolate Chip Sticks
8) Parties - Gives you ideas of party themes you can have

The recipes themselves are well written and very simple. One thing that I really loved is that there is a picture for every single recipe in the book. I love this because I like to see what it is going to look like before I make it. I need some kind of idea how it is going to turn out. They are very colorful also. Great presentation!

All in all I have to say that I really love this cookbook. I think that everyone should go out and purchase it. It will make a great addition to the ones they have or a great starter if they don't have one yet. I know this one has convinced me to go out and get her other ones and try them out.

I thank Marcus Wynn Goup Public Relations for giving me this book for an honest review.

City On Our Knees, by Tobymac

2010-10-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of people out there in the world that want to do good for others. Some people still have a genuine heart, even though there is a ton of turmoil out there. In Tobymac's book, City On Our Knees, there is a collection of people's stories that show how much God still uses people in order to help the less fortunate. This book is also somewhat based on Tobymac's song, by the same title.

The book is broken down into four different sections, which are the lyrics from his song.

1) If We Gotta Start Sometime, Why Not Now? Step Across the Line

2) Two Worlds Collide: Out of the Comfort Zone ... and into the Light

3) We Are One Choice From Together: We Are Family

4) Through The Fog There Is Hope In The Distance: Hope Is Just a Prayer Away

Throughout the book you will find different quotes from people and Bible verses. He has them before the stories and at the end of them. You will also find little blog sections that he has included before each section begins. Some of the stories that you will find in the book are of people choosing to adopt a kid from a foreign country or even about a young child with terminal cancer who saves up enough money for research before she dies. A lot of the stories are very touching and make you realize how important God is in some people's lives. How much they rely on him to make the right choices. Within this book you can hopefully take the courage that some of these people have had and intertwine it into your own life.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It showed me how much you can go out there and make a difference in other people's lives. God can use us all in different ways to benefit the lives of other people. I think this would be a good book for anyone to read.

I thank Bethany House for giving me this book for an honest review.

Love Is A Flame, by James Stuart Bell

2010-10-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

How many of you are in love? Now, when I say in love, I mean truly in love. Have any of you ever had your love tested? In the book, Love Is A Flame, by James Stuart Bell, there are a collection of stories about people who either had their love tested or rekindled.

At the beginning of the book is a foreword by Gary Chapman. He is the author of the book The Five Love Languages. In the foreword, he writes about marriage and love and how important it is. He also talks about how he went through a myriad of emotions as he read this book.

When you get to the end of every story, the author gives a little explanation or more or less his insight into what the story is about.

There were a couple of stories that really stood out when I read this book. One touched my heart more than any other story in the book. It was about a couple who got into the typical rut of daily life. The husband wanted things to change, so he planned a trip to Paris for his wife's birthday. When they got there, they had the time of their life. It was what they had needed to get the spark back. After the trip, when things seemed to get down and out, her husband would turn to her and say, (in a Boggy voice) 'Will always have Paris, Schweetheart'.

This book has a lot of touching and enduring stories. I loved reading them. They will bring out all of your emotions. I really enjoyed this book and think that everyone should read it.

I was given a copy of the book from Bethany House for an honest review.

"Big Red" Holy Bible - Contemporary 3-D Art, by Tommy Nelson

2010-10-28T05:16:00.000-07:00

How old were you when you received your first Bible? Did it come from a parent or from a Bible class? Back when I was younger, the Bibles for kids weren't all that appealing. There were just the typical small little New Testament only books. Well, Thomas Nelson has come out with a really great revision of their International Children's Bible. It is the Big Red Holy Bible - Contemporary 3-D Art.

When I first received this Bible I was in awe. First of all, the cover itself is very attractive. It has sparkly colors on the front and a couple of 3-D pictures of some of the Bible stories inside. The picture of Jesus in 3-D is also done very well. The way the Bible is translated for the kids to read is great also. My daughter is only 7 years old and she is able to read and understand it all by herself without my help. As stated before, the 3-D pictures are beautiful. They stand out and the detail in them are true to life. I caught myself looking at them over and over again and wishing that they had more. Also in the back of the Bible is a dictionary, Where do I find it?, a section of God's promises, memory verses, and a couple of maps.

I think this is a great Bible and highly recommend it for every kid to have. It is stated that it is for a Grade 3 reading level, but like I said, my daughter is 7 and can read and understand it on her own.

This book was given to me by Thomas Nelson for an honest review.

Red Ink, by Kathi Macias

2010-10-27T05:15:00.000-07:00

*Click here to follow the Red Ink Virtual Book Tour*

Do you believe in God? If so, how often do you rely on him to help you through your life? In the story Red Ink, by Kathi Macias, the third book in the Extreme Devotion Series, shows just how important God is and how some rely on him to make it through the tough times that they experience.

Zhen-Li is a young woman who has a strong love for God. Even though it has put her in harms way and has landed her in jail away from her family and friends, there is no one who is more important to her than him. While in jail, she has learned that he is the only one that can help her deal with the torture that she faces from a guard who is trying to break her belief. She also takes the time to witness to her cell mate, Mei, about God and how wonderful he is. Even though she realizes that this is highly frowned upon and can get her killed, she risks it just so that she can show her love of God or more or less his love for us.

Tai Tong is a young twenty year old guard at the jail where Zhen-Li resides. He is one of the toughest ones that they have. He prides himself on how great he is at his job. He is know as being able to break anyone that is under his control. That is until Zhen-Li is assigned to him. She becomes the challenge that he has longed to have. Every time she mentioned how much she loved her God, it presented him with the rage that he needed and loved to torture her into breaking and becoming his personal "sex slave". But no matter how hard he tries, there is something or someone who keeps him from prevailing.

Julia is an older women, who lives in an assisted living home due to the fact that she broke her hip and can no longer live on her own. Though she has met a couple of people, God is the one she talks to the most and relies on for help. One day, she feels compelled to pray for a young woman in China who is in dire need of help. She doesn't know any information about this woman. All she know is that God has pressed upon her to pray for her, and she does. Not only does she pray for the young woman in China, she also prays for one of the residents, Margaret, who has a granddaughter that brings new challenges to their living quarters.

Mei (Zhen-Li's cell mate), Zhou Chi (Zhen-Li's husband), Maggie (Margaret's grandchild) and Yin Xei (Zhen-Li's mother) all have pivotal parts in this story also. The way that everyone is intertwined is amazing. It shows how one pray can affect a million people. And that is what happens in this story. A person prays for another and their life is changed by that devotion and pray, which leads to the most surprising result that one could even imagine.

I really liked this story. So much that I am going to go out and buy the first two books in this series. I am going to also purchase the fourth one when it comes out. This story shows you just how much your love for Christ can help you conquer anything if you truly put your heart and soul in his care.

I thank Dee for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

101 Recipes for GLUTEN-FREE Microwave Mug Cakes, by Stacey J. Miller

2010-10-22T05:15:00.000-07:00

Do you or someone you know have a food allergen problem? I do and it is not always easy to handle. At times it can be hard to find really good food for them to eat and enjoy. Due to the fact that food allergies are becoming more and more prevalent, allergy free recipe books are starting to pop up all over the place. One book in particular, 101 Recipes for GLUTEN-FREE Microwave Mug Cakes, by Stacey J. Miller has become a household favorite of ours. If you are gluten intolerant and love cakes, this book is for you. Of course, you can use the book even if you are not gluten intolerant. There are cakes in here that everyone can enjoy.

*Click here to order the book*

First of all, there are 101 different gluten-free microwave mug cake recipes. That alone should be exciting enough for someone who is gluten intolerant to want to own the book. That is over a cake a day for the next three months!!! Another great thing is that they take only 10 minutes or less to make from start to finish. All you do is mix the ingredients together, pour it into a mug, put it in the microwave and wait for it to finish. It is as simple as that.

Just to give you and idea of what is in the book, I have listed a couple of mug cakes below:

Very Cherry Microwave Mug Cake

Banana Chocolate Chip Microwave Mug Cake

Strawberry Cheesecake Microwave Mug Cake

Coffee Cheesecake Microwave Mug Cake

Lemon and Lime Microwave Mug Cake

Pina Colada Microwave Mug Cake

Beside every recipe, there is a small note with a whimsical statement or question for you to answer. Also at the top of some recipes, you will find icons that let you know if it calls for 'no eggs, dairy, sugar, or oil'. Another interesting tidbit is that at the back of the book, the recipes that require no eggs, dairy, sugar, or oil are all organized by their ingredient category. So if you are making one of these cakes for someone and they cannot have eggs, you can look down the list of all the cakes that do not require eggs and find one that they like.

All in all, it is a great book filled with tons of single-serving cakes to make. And they are so simple that a child can even make them. So, grab the book, a mug, the ingredients, and pop it in and out of the microwave and enjoy a gluten-free mug cake.

I want to thank Stacey J. Miller for providing me a copy of the book for an honest review.