Library Girl Reads & Reviews

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Title: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble
Author: H.P Mallory
Series: Jolie Wilkins book 1
Publication Date: September 2010
Publisher: CreateSpace (self-published)
Source: Library
Reading Challenge: 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

When I requested Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble from the library, I had no idea it was self-published. I had just won the third book in the series, Witchful Thinking, from the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing and it is being published by Bantam in February. So I was quite surprised that Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble absolutely screamed self-publishing from the instant I saw it. The first thing I noticed when I picked it up off the shelf is that it is not the standard mass paperback size. The second thing I noticed were the fonts used and the blocky layout of the cover. The interior formatting is much the same with a very plain font, odd section breaks, and layout that makes me think of the original manuscript not a finished version of a book.

While I've read several self-published books, some very good and others not so great, I still start a self-published book with a bit of hesitation. I always wonder if the author chose self-publishing as their first route to publication or if it was the final way to get the book out there after traditional publishing avenues had been exhausted. I know H.P. Mallory has quite a following and since she has been picked up by a traditional publisher for the third book in this series, I figured there must be something to her writing.

The first book in the series introduces the reader to Jolie Wilkins, a young woman who can see auras and sometimes receives visions but doesn't realize that she is actually a witch with an unusual power. Rand Balfour, an extremely hot warlock, comes into Jolie's shop one day and hires her to help solve a mystery. When word of Jolie's success on the case spreads, she is drawn into a community she didn't know existed and into a war she knows nothing about. Jolie moves from Los Angeles to England to be under Rand's protection and the close proximity makes it hard for both of them to fight the growing mutual attraction.

I had a hard time getting started with this book. The paragraphs and even sentences seemed short and choppy while the characters were fairly flat in the beginning. I warmed up to the book once the story line really got interesting but every once in a while something would break my concentration and have me rolling my eyes. Now I admit that I read very few books that are considered romance of any sort but some of the descriptions and dialogue in the book just seemed over the top cheesy to me. My overall assessment is that I wanted to like this book more than I actually did but I enjoyed it enough to read the next two books in the series. I'm really curious to see how the writing progresses from this first book through the second and if it changes the feel of the series at all once I reach the third book which has the backing of a large publishing house and all that entails.

Update: I will be going directly from book 1 to book 3 in this series as Toil and Trouble is only available as an eBook. Although Amazon does have a listing for the paperback version, it does not seem to actually exist as my library is unable to obtain it through inter-library loan (they said it is 'in use at the one library in the country that owns it.'). I really wish I had realized that this series was primarily in digital format before requesting Witchful Thinking because I would not have requested it from LibraryThing.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Author Paul Byers on Getting from point A to point B

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Getting from point A to point B
by author Paul Byers

On most DVDs nowadays there are “extra features” with deleted scenes and documentaries on how the movie was made. This article is the “extra features” section in the back of a book describing a little of what goes on behind the scenes. This will give you a quick glimpse into what it takes for a book to go from the “I’ve got a great story idea” stage to the “click here to purchase” button on the internet. So grab a bag of popcorn (yes, you can have extra butter) and that overpriced soda and have a seat.

For the sake of argument we’ll assume that you have written a book and that it has gone through all the proper writing steps (another article by itself) and that it is done. You've written the great American novel. You’ve edited it, polished it, tweaked it, rewritten it and now it's ready to go. Now What? What’s the next step?

You now come to a fork in the road. Do you turn left or right? Submit it to a publisher or publish it yourself? I have traveled down both roads and will give you a quick snap shot look at what each thoroughfare looks like.

Turning right, you decide to have it published by a traditional publishing house. You go online, look up the submission guidelines then send your baby out into the world. At this point there is not much else you can do but wait for an acceptance or rejection letter.

The momentous day finally arrives with the news, they want your book! YAHOOOOOOOOO! After being accepted, the creative aspect of writing takes a backseat as the business side climbs into the driver’s seat. The publisher sends you a contract and after it’s signed, you go to work. Your editor will go over your work and send you suggestion/corrections for you to make. Unless it is something extremely important, the author has the final say and can reject the editor’s advice. This exchange will happen two or three times, depending.

If you have cover art you submit it, if not, most publishers have either in-house illustrators or know people who can design your cover for you. Once everything is agreed upon by both parties, the book goes to press. BAM! You are now a published author. Congratulation!

INTERMISSION: This section of your bonus features is now over. Before you press PLAY > for the second part, go to the bathroom, refill your pop and buy some Mike and Ikes.

PART TWO: >

The second road a book can travel down is self-publishing. In this day and age, it is a very viable option for anyone looking to get their work out there, especially with the explosion of the e-book market. If the publishing house road is a drag strip, straight and smooth, then the self-publishing road is the Baja 1000, full of twist and turns and huge potholes.

First, you have to decide if the book is going to be available in print, e-version or both. If e-version only, then things are a little bit easier with no ISBN needed (for some publishers). For print you need to buy an ISBN number which is the UPC symbol and how sales are tracked for books. There are a variety of companies that sell these and prices range from free to well over $100. You must also find a company who will print your book, looking not only for the best price but one that has the best distribution network. $$

Now, you look at the cover. You must either do the cover yourself if you have the talent or find an artist who is good enough and who you can afford. $$$

Now that you have taken care of the outside, you have to look on the inside. Designing the interior of your book is not done by some lady holding a small dog under her arm like a football using the words “marvelous darling” or “that was so last week.” The interior design is just what it says; the way the book is laid out from the title page to the dedication page to the chapter lay out. But more importantly, the formatting of the book.

Formatting? Yup, the book has to be converted from WORD or whatever writing program you are using to what the publisher is using. You need a format for a print copy and a separate one for e-versions. If you are tech savvy, you can do a lot of this yourself, if not, again, you have to find someone who can do it for you and at a price you can afford. $$$$

Once you have your ISBN, decided on the print publisher, got your cover, laid out the interior, gotten the right formats, you are finally ready to publish. But where? How? Who? You’ve driven your book down the publishing highway but now you have to decide where to park it. You have to find the right media garage to park your book in. You have to seek out all the electronic readers, (remember, people read books on their phones now) as well as those who sell the printed word. Piece of cake. Once all your ducks are lined up, you are ready to go!

So there you have it, a sneak peek at what a writer goes through to get their book published. Looking in the rearview mirror, we’ve seen the road to publishing a book can travel down two paths. If you go through a publisher, there is little cost involved to you and they do all the work. While they do all the work, they are also the ones taking all the risk if your book doesn’t sell and so they are the ones who get the biggest piece of the pie.

For the self-publish highway, you are responsible for all the work, all the money, all the risk so you get the entire pie. There are pros and cons to each path but both lead to the published town known as the Emerald City where we all hope that our books will be driving down the Yellow Brick road someday.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope this article gave you some insight as to the steps it takes to publish a book. Writing the book is the easy part, getting it from Point A to point B is the real journey.

You can check out Paul’s books on his website at www.paulbyersonline.com

About the author:

Paul Byers grew up in Oregon on the shores of the mighty and mysterious Columbia River, and spent endless hours daydreaming on the beach in front of his house, making up stories about the ships from exotic ports all over the world that steamed up the river – what secret cargo might they be carrying; did they harbor spies who were on dark and exciting missions?

Later in adult life, he moved to another mysterious and provocative city – Las Vegas, just outside the famous Nellis Air Force base. After work he would sit on his porch and watch the fighters take off and land, igniting his imagination with visions of secret missions and rich speculation about what could possibly be hidden at Area 51.

After moving back to his native Pacific Northwest, Paul worked for the Navy and took every opportunity he could to speak with veterans from WWII to the Gulf War, listening to them swap stories and relate the experiences of a lifetime.

So it is this combination of a passionate love of history, a vivid “what if” imagination, and a philosophy of life that boils down to the belief that – there are few things in life that a bigger hammer won’t fix – that led Paul to become a writer of exciting, fact-based action-thrillers. His greatest joy is leaving his readers wondering where the facts end and the fiction begins.

Paul is the author of three books: Arctic Fire, Catalyst - A World War II Thriller, & Act of God.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Title: Magic Burns
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels book 2
Publication Date: April 2008
Publisher: Ace
Source: Personal Collection

Magic Burns is the second book in the Kate Daniels series. Kate cleans up magical problems as tech and magic fluctuate throughout Atlanta. Generally there is a reasonable period of time between shifts but every seven years a magic flare occurs, giving magic users and creatures even more strength than normal. Kate is hired by the local were-Pack to retrieve some stolen maps. While attempting to complete this task, she finds herself in the middle of an even larger problem that threatens those close to her and all of Atlanta.

I loved all the same things about Kate in this book as I did in Magic Bites . She still has a the same strong attitude and temper which often gets her into trouble but she continues to demonstrate vulnerability and insecurities. She has issues trusting people but can't turn away an orphan child in need. Sometimes it takes her a bit too long to figure out the details of what is going on but I suppose the book wouldn't have such a build up to the dramatic finish if she understood her situation too quickly.

Magic Burns is another fast paced story bringing in elements from Kate's past that apply to the current crisis. Kate is often so busy dealing with the immediate crisis at hand that she has little time to think through how these pieces fit into a larger, more dangerous, situation. She also enters and leaves each battle knowing that she must protect her secret. While we still don't know the entire truth of this secret, I was very happy that we did see a bit more of the things Kate can do. I love how small elements of her story are being revealed in each book. It makes me look forward to learning more in the next one!

Kate's personal relationships also reveal a lot about her current situation. From taking in the child who has lost her mother to her relationship with Curran, the lion king of the shapeshifters, to her complete acceptance of her friend Andrea when her secret is revealed, each relationship shows Kate as both someone who wants to have people in her life but who also brings danger to the people around her.

Clearly, I am fascinated with Kate Daniels as the central character in these stories but the stories themselves are engaging as well. The action is non-stop and the many story lines are complex. If the first two books are any indication, events from previous books may have an impact on the current one and the relationships will develop through them but the main story line will be independent enough to follow on its own. I will definitely be continuing on with the Kate Daniels series and I can't wait to read the third book, Magic Strikes.

Related Post: My review of Magic Bites (Book 1)

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Title: State of Wonder
Author: Ann Patchett
Publication Date: June 2011 (Hardcover)
Publisher: Harper
Source: Library

State of Wonder is another of my final reads from 2011 that I absolutely loved. I think I devoured it in a day or maybe two which is really fast for me considering that I had other books last year that I was reading for weeks.

Marina Singh, a pharmaceutical research scientist, is sent to the Amazon to determine if any progress is being made by her former mentor Dr. Annick Swenson. Another purpose for her trip is to determine how exactly her colleague, Anders Eckman, died when he was sent on the same journey to find Dr. Swenson. Dr. Singh finds the research scientists working with Dr. Swenson to be very secretive about their exact findings and must spend more time in the jungle than she had hoped earning their trust.

The language used in State of Wonder is fantastic. The descriptive passages really drew me into the story while the story is kept moving with uncertain action. The characters are interesting with their depth and hidden secrets. The circumstances of life in the jungle force past relationships to surface and forgotten skills to be put once again to the test. The contrast between the comforts of Singh's life in Minnesota and the harsh beauty she finds in Brazil highlight the complacency most of us have in our own lives. Rarely do we travel so far outside of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves in a new environment. Patchett holds a mirror up to each reader as if to say see what you could become if you expanded your reality and moved beyond the routine.

Without giving anything away, I will say there was one aspect of the ending I was not thrilled with but I loved the twist to the story that I honestly didn't see coming. Even with the one tiny aspect that I didn't think fit well, I highly recommend State of Wonder . It was a great book that thoroughly captured my attention.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Mega Swagbucks Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the first Mega Swagbucks Friday of 2012! If you have been a reader of Library Girl Reads & Reviews for a while you already know how much I love Swagbucks. The free gift cards that I've earned through Swagbucks have paid for the majority of our Christmas gifts for the past two years and I'm really hoping to continue that in 2012.

So what the heck is Swagbucks anyway? The main component of Swagbucks that I use is the search engine. For me, doing my regular Internet searching through them is the easiest way to earn the Swagbucks that I then redeem for gift cards. There are a lot of other ways to earn Swagbucks as well including watching videos, completing special offers, taking surveys, and finding Swag Codes.

Here is my daily Swagbucks routine:

Having the Swagbucks toolbar installed automatically gives me 1 Swagbuck the first time I open my browser for the day
Answering the daily poll gives me another Swagbuck
Looking through the No Obligation Special Offers gives me 2 Swagbucks each day. I just skip over all of the offers until I get to the point where I can answer the question to get the Swagbucks.

That is 4 Swagbucks for the day before I've even done any searching. At this point, there have been some changes so I'm not sure if there are any other simple ways that I can earn Swagbucks daily. I really need to take some time to explore the site and determine this.

The bulk of my Swagbucks come from searching. I just use the Swagbucks toolbar each time I want to go somewhere online even if it is something I already have bookmarked. Yes, it might add a couple of clicks to getting to my routine places but the Swagbucks that I earn along the way are worth it. You never know how many Swagbucks you will get from a search. Sometimes you don't get any but on a Mega Swagbucks Friday, I once got 50. The other day I got 21 and it wasn't even a Mega Swagbucks Day! Generally, I find that I'm more in the 7 to 10 range though.

Once you build up some Swagbucks, you can redeem them for gift cards or physical merchandise. I usually get Amazon.com gift cards because I know I can buy almost anything from there for Christmas gifts. They have lots of other gift card options as well.

I hope you will take some time to check out Swagbucks and see what they have to offer. I'd love to have you join me in easily earning some free stuff this year!

Are you already a Swagbucks user? What has your experience with the program been? I'd love to hear your Swagbucks tips!

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

How to Be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Title: How to Be an American Housewife
Author: Margaret Dilloway
Publication Date: August 2010 (Hardcover)
Publisher: Putnam Adult (Penguin Group)
Source: ARC won from a blog giveaway

How to Be an American Housewife was one of the final books that I read in 2011 and also one of my favorites. It is the story of Shoko, a Japanese woman who marries an American soldier after World War II, and her daughter, Sue, who is raising her daughter as a single mom. The book explores their memories, their relationship, and the bonds of family as Shoko's heart condition prevents her from traveling to Japan to reconcile with her brother.

Books involving memories, traveling between the present and the past, are delicate things to write. If not done well, they can be very confusing or jarring for the reader as the transition takes place. Dilloway handled this potential pitfall wonderfully in How to Be an American Housewife, capturing just how something from the present can catapult one into memories of the past or another instance can bring one out of those memories. Shoko's memories of Japan are powerful as she experienced so much during World War II and in the aftermath. Her experiences are those of an individual but also of a proud nation trying to find its way in a new world order. The traditional roles that define men and women and the rigid structure of society are examined in the way that they provide a solid framework for expectation and action but also prevent individuals and society from moving forward and transitioning into a more global society. Shoko brings these expectations with her to America, although she attempts to convert them from the Japanese expectations to the American ones. Her life remains ordered and structured even though she has entered a new society with different rules.

Sue grows up learning little about her Japanese heritage but fully understanding that her mother is very different than American mothers. The house runs on routines and rules even if they are American rules in her mother's eyes. With parents who have high expectations and strict rules, Sue naturally rebels and relationships are strained further as she marries young, has a daughter, and gets a divorce. Without a solid family foundation to ground her, Sue floats through life barely making ends meet and giving up on the dreams she once had.

Shoko's illness brings together her memories of Japan with her desire to reconnect with her brother. She is not strong enough to travel to Japan herself so she asks Sue to go in her place. While she fears her brother's reaction to the unexpected visit by relatives he has never met, she desires that Sue see where she comes from and learn about her family heritage. Sue and her daughter undertake the journey and come home with a larger sense of self and family. Shoko's brother, Taro, does not tell the story that Shoko fears he will but instead leaves that for her to share if she wishes. While the reunion is rocky, Taro does eventually come to terms with his rejection of Shoko when she married an American and develops a relationship with his American family.

How to Be an American Housewife captured me from the very first sentence and I just wanted to keep reading. The language used by Dilloway in Shoko's memories and to describe Japan is beautiful. She has a keen understanding of the culture through her mother and this shines through in the essential elements of the story. All of the characters have depth and each memory is constructed for a specific purpose in the story. There is no extra padding here but only words to fill the soul with an understanding of the importance of family.

It is very rare that I give a book a 5 star rating but How to Be an American Housewife definitely deserves one.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:08:00 +0000

Happy New Year! I hope your 2012 is off to a wonderful start. Ours has been nice and relaxing so far despite the lack of sleep last night.

Do you participate in reading challenges? I did in 2009 but found myself nearing the end of the year and having to rearrange my reading schedule in order to complete them. That was even with choosing challenges and levels that I thought would be easy for me to finish! For 2010 and 2011, I didn't do any challenges at all. Instead I let myself get a bit overwhelmed with review books until mid-2011 when I took a bit of a break from reviewing every single book I was reading and just read without any commitments.

For 2012, I plan to continue to limit my review commitments by only accepting books that I am extremely interested in. I'm giving myself permission to catch up on my personal to read pile and to borrow books from the library that have been on my reading list forever. With a baby on the way, I fully expect that my reading and reviewing time will be even more limited than it has been so I definitely don't want to take on too much.

With all of that said, I am going to join one reading challenge this year. Melissa at Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf is hosting the 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge. This one should be right up my alley since I tend to read several of these types of books each year anyway. There are several possible levels for this challenge and I'm going to attempt the second one which is Maiden (6 - 10 books). I know I have three books on my reading list that will count and I'm sure I'll have more by some of my favorite authors as they get released. I'm not going to do a pre-list of what I'll be reading but I'll try to remember to update this post with links to my reviews as I finish books.

Check out the sign up post for all the official rules and join us in reading some witchy books this year.

Books I've Read (link to my reviews):

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Private Selection Frozen Foods

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:00:00 +0000

Kroger is our primary grocery store and we love the Private Selection ice cream so I was very pleased to be invited to try some other Private Selection products through BzzAgent.com.

I found the appetizer selection at our store to be fairly limited and there was nothing I thought my husband would like. He did see one that he thought he might be interested in but I told him I was pretty sure we'd already tried it and not liked it very well. Of course now I can't remember which one that was. I chose the Mediterranean-Inspired Hors D'Oeuvers Collection which contained 3 each of spinach pesto puff, mushroom phyllo triangle, and feta sundried tomato phyllo roll. This is supposed to be 3 servings with each serving being one of each type of appetizer. I ate the entire box for lunch and was still hungry. I really enjoyed the spinach pesto puff and the mushroom phyllo triangle while the feta sundried tomato phyllo roll was just okay. The information I received said appetizer prices range from $3 to $7 per box but I don't remember seeing any at my store for less than $6. I have managed to lose my receipt but I'm pretty sure the box I got was close to the $7 mark making it fairly expensive to me. I can't imagine buying several boxes of appetizers for a party could possibly be cheaper than making something on your own even if there would be plenty of other food for guests to eat. Another thing to note with the variety that I purchased is that even though all the appetizers bake at the same temperature, the spinach pesto puffs take nearly twice as long as the other two. If I had been thinking I would have put the spinach pesto puffs in first and then added the others halfway through the baking time but I did it totally backwards and cooked the other varieties first and then ate them while the spinach pesto puffs baked.

For my pizza, I chose the Barbeque Chicken as it looked like one of the few varieties that my husband might try with me. He is definitely not a fan of unusual pizza toppings! While the description on the box sounded very good, the pizza ended up being somewhat of a disappointment. First when I took it out of the box I wasn't sure it was going to be enough for the two of us even though it says it is three servings. It turned out that we were filled up but we did eat the entire thing in one sitting with nothing left over. We both liked the crispy, flat bread crust although I may have over baked it just a bit in trying to get the cheese to look more melted. There were very large pieces of onion on the pizza and the only good thing about this is that it made them easier to pick off since there were so many. The barbeque sauce had a strong flavor and my husband even said it had a bit too much of a kick for him and he likes spicy foods. I thought there was too much sauce as well. While there was bacon visible on the pizza, neither of us could taste it over the flavors of the barbeque sauce and onions. While $5 isn't a bad price for a frozen pizza, we can purchase multi-packs of pizzas at Sam's Club which come out cheaper per pizza, feed the entire family not just the parents, and give us some leftovers.

Now dessert is where Private Selection seems to have things right. We are big fans of the Private Selection ice creams, although there have been a few flavors we didn't care for as much as others. The offer from BzzAgent didn't include ice cream which was okay because it gave me a chance to try another Private Selection dessert. I found the desserts to have more of a selection than the appetizers or the pizza and had a hard time choosing just one that I wanted to try. The range of sizes is better here too from packages with one or two servings to packages of four servings. The range of prices reflects this also at $3 to $5 a package. When I saw the package of four Belgian Chocolate Lava Cakes I knew that was something everyone in the family would like. These are yummy, rich, and chocolaty and I am sure we will be purchasing them again! They only take 40 seconds in the microwave and come out with lots of delicious molten chocolate in the middle. They aren't kidding when they say to wait a minute or two before eating them though because that chocolate gets hot. Last night my husband and I started out sharing one cake but we had to make a second as sharing was just not doing it for us! I think one cake each is pretty perfect though. It is enough to give you lots of chocolate but not so much that you will be overly full or go into a chocolate coma. Just like warm chocolate chip cookies, these chocolate lava cakes are perfect with a glass of milk.

Overall I was not as impressed with the Private Selection Frozen Foods as we have been with some of the other Private Selection products like ice cream and lunch meat. I don't think I'll be purchasing the appetizers or pizza again in the future but I can see trying more of the desserts and other Private Selection products through out the store. I believe the Private Selection products are available at all of the Kroger family of stores, although selection may vary by location.

Do you shop at one of the Kroger family of stores? Have you tried any of the Private Selection products? Are they products you regularly buy for your family? Any favorites?

Full Disclosure: I wrote this post while participating in a marketing campaign for BzzAgent.com. I received one free Private Selection Appetizer, Pizza, and Dessert in order to provide my honest feedback. I will also receive points for MyPoints.com when this blog post is reviewed by BzzAgent. This review contains my honest opinion and experience and was not edited in any way by BzzAgent, Private Selection, or Kroger.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:48:00 +0000

Title: We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Author: Shirley Jackson
Publication Date: October 2006
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Source: Library

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson is the odd, but enthralling, story of two sisters living with their uncle after the rest of their family is poisoned at dinner. The story is narrated by Mary Katherine Blackwood, the younger of the sisters. She is the only one of the family to venture into the village where she must endure the taunts of the townspeople. Things change drastically for Mary Katherine when cousin Charles comes for a visit and exerts his influence over Constance, the older sister.

I don't always read the introductions to books but in this case I'm very glad that I did. Knowing that Shirley Jackson is the author of the short story "The Lottery" gave me a little better idea of what to expect from this story. I really knew nothing about it when it was chosen as the December selection by the Reading with Tequila Book Club on Goodreads. While the author's name clearly didn't stick with me, I do remember reading "The Lottery" in high school and the impact the story had on me. If you haven't read this short story, I highly recommend it!

I'm honestly not quite sure what to say about We Have Always Lived in the Castle. The story, as Mary Katherine tells it, drew me in completely even though it seems that very little actually happens. I do not think the story would have been nearly as interesting if another of the characters had told it. Being in Mary Katherine's head and seeing how she thinks about her situation is exactly what makes the story so compelling. The other characters seem a bit flat but I think that is because we only see them as Mary Katherine sees them and she is quite wrapped up in her own vision of the world.

As far as what actually happens in the book, it isn't much. While there are a few key events, the girls' situation at the end of the story is very similar to the beginning. Their dependence on each other has only increased along with their self-imposed isolation. The strength of We Have Always Lived in the Castle is in the characters and the writing rather than the plot. Had it been written in another style or by another author, I do not think it would be nearly as successful in capturing the reader.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Giveaway: 52 Small Changes One Year to a Happier, Healthier You

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I recently reviewed 52 Small Changes One Year to a Happier, Healthier You by Brett Blumenthal and think it is a great book to start the new year. Rather than simply providing ideas and suggestions about making lifestyle changes, Blumenthal provides an actual road map for success.

Thanks to Natalie with AmazonEncore, I have a second copy of the book to give away. The giveaway is open to US residents, 18 or older and ends at 12:01 am EST, January 2, 2012. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to respond with a shipping address or another winner will be chosen.

This is my first time attempting to use Rafflecopter for a giveaway so we'll see if I have it set up correctly. If you are unable to use the widget for any reason, please leave your entries in the comments and I will factor them in. If you are seeing this post via email or a feed reader, you will need to visit the blog in order to see the Rafflecopter widget and enter the giveaway.

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Pre- Release: 52 Small Changes by Brett Blumenthal

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:28:00 +0000

Title: 52 Small Changes One Year to a Happier, Healthier You
Author: Brett Blumenthal
Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: AmazonEncore
Source: ARC from publisher for review

52 Small Changes One Year to a Happier, Healthier You is the perfect book to start off a new year. So many of us make New Year's resolutions only to have them fall by the wayside after a few weeks or even just days. We have lofty goals and try to accomplish them all at once rather than attacking them one at a time and breaking them down into manageable portions. We try to turn our lives at 90 or 180 degree angles instead of working on more realistic 2 degree changes. We forget that many little changes add up to some big lifestyle changes over time.

Brett Blumenthal helps to avoid these typical New Year scenarios by providing a concrete road map of 52 changes, one per week, that you can implement over the course of a year. She focuses on the areas of Diet and Nutrition, Fitness and Prevention, Mental Well-Being, and Green Living. Making small changes in each of these areas can have a big impact on the quality of a person's life overall. Blumenthal gives background on why each of these changes are important, examples of how to make each change a part of your routine, and gives you the tools necessary to do so.

One change a week both sounds like a reasonable goal and like too much, too quickly as one of the first things the author admits is how long it can take a change, even a small one, to truly become a habit. One way the author avoids overwhelming the reader is by changing the area of focus from week to week. Another is by letting the changes build upon each other so you have one change established before adding another component. A weekly checklist is included at the end of each week to remind the reader of each change that has already been worked on so past changes continue to be a focus as one moves through the program.

The book is laid out in a very easy to read fashion. It is divided into three parts - an Introduction, the 52 Week Program, and Tools and Resources. The book makes great use of white space by breaking up the text with text boxes, lists (both numbered and bullet points), and charts. Headers of different types are distinguished by bold text and the text size. Icons are used throughout the book for a quick, visual identification of which area a specific change addresses.

I think 52 Small Changes is a program that can be tailored to each individual's specific focus. If you have already implemented the assigned change for the week, Blumenthal provides extra ideas to take that change a step or two further. If a change is something you are truly not interested in pursuing or you don't agree with it, just skip that week and continue focusing on the changes you have already made up to that point. The overall program seems to be fairly well-rounded with changes that will work in harmony to improve one's health and well-being over the long term.

I received an advance reader's copy (uncorrected proof) from AmazonEncore in exchange for an honest review. I also received a second copy because we thought the first had been lost in the transit process. This is great for my readers as it means I get to give away a copy! The 52 Small Changes One Year to a Happier, Healthier You giveaway is now up and running so if this is a book that interests you, please go enter. It is open to US residents and ends January 2, 2012.

What changes do you want to focus on in 2012? I definitely want to get exercise back into my routine and continue to work on making my family homemade meals so I can influence healthy eating.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Kitty and The Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:14:00 +0000

Title: Kitty and The Midnight Hour
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Publication Date: November 2005
Publisher: Warner Books
Series: Kitty Norville, Book 1
Source: Personal Collection

I was introduced to the Kitty Norville series with the eighth book in the series Kitty Goes to War (link to my review). Normally, I wouldn't begin a series with such a recent book but I had received it for review and didn't have time to read the seven previous books in the series. The book was great and I wasn't too lost even without having the background information from earlier books.

I finally just got around to reading Kitty and The Midnight Hour, the first book in the series. Based on the first book and the eighth book, this is definitely a series that I want to catch up on and continue.

Kitty and the Midnight Hour sets up Kitty's world and her place in it. Her personal struggles with being a werewolf are clearly evident even as she endeavors to assist other supernaturals on her late night talk radio show. When she is called in to assist in a police investigation, the publicity escalates conflict within her pack and with the local vampire family. Has Kitty taken on more than she can handle?

Vaughn weaves several different plot lines into this first book and at times I thought there were too many. I can see that each one is a set up for further stories in the series but there were times that threads were being lost only to have them pop up again in what seemed to be a random part of the story. It just seemed like a lot when also introducing characters and creating a world which Vaughn does very well.

My favorite parts of the book were when I learned about Kitty as a person and not necessarily all the action surrounding her. It was interesting to read this book after reading the eighth because I can see how much Kitty grows and changes throughout the books. I really want to see how she develops from a werewolf at the bottom of the pack into an alpha in her own right.

Overall, I can see development in the writing from this book to that one as well and that makes me more eager to continue on with the series. I think Kitty and The Midnight Hour is a good start to the series but the books will only get better.

Have you read the Kitty Norville books? What do you think of them? Any favorites?

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:58:00 +0000

Title: Crocodile on the Sandbank
Author: Elizabeth Peters
Publication Date: January 1988
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Series: Amelia Peabody, Book 1
Source: Library

Crocodile on the Sandbank is the first book in a series of historical mysteries centered around Amelia Peabody. When Amelia's father dies leaving her a sufficient inheritance, she travels to Egypt to indulge in the passion for archeology that she and her father shared. Along the way, she rescues Evelyn Barton-Forbes and they become companions on a journey down the Nile. Upon meeting up with some acquaintances on an archeological expedition, a mummy begins appearing in the night to threaten the group. Who is this mysterious mummy and does it post a threat to a specific individual or is it just trying to scare the archeologists away from their finds?

Crocodile on the Sandbank is a good book that took me too long to read due to various personal circumstances. It is full of very descriptive passages of Amelia's journey through Egypt. I loved the language that Peters used as it was so fitting for the Victorian age Amelia inhabits. However, there were times that the descriptions got a bit lengthy and I found I could only read so many pages before needing to take a break. I do think part of this inability to concentrate was due to exhaustion though so it is hard to know how much was due to the book and how much was just my state of mind while reading it.

I loved the characters in this book. Amelia is so full of fire and personality. She is an independent woman full of ideas and ideals. She is not afraid to go against convention when it suits her and she certainly doesn't mind getting her hands dirty. Evelyn seemed strong at times when interacting with Amelia but other times she was too aware of the conventions of society and concerned about how she would be perceived. Emerson and Walter were both a little harder to read even though they were so integral to the storyline.

The story itself is entertaining, although it did get a bit repetitive at times. I think this is another reason that I was only able to focus on the book in small pieces. Each time the mummy appeared, the group seemed to have the same conversations but came no closer to solving the mystery or catching the mummy. Although the book is not long at 262 pages, I think a few of the descriptive passages and repetitive scenes probably could have been trimmed to tighten it up even more.

Overall I did enjoy reading Crocodile on the Sandbank as the November selection for the Reading with Tequila Book Club. If I have an opening in my reading schedule, I would consider picking up another Amelia Peabody mystery but at this point the TBR pile and my book wishlists are too out of control for that to happen in the foreseeable future.

Have you read an Amelia Peabody mystery or any other books by Elizabeth Peters? If so, what did you think of it?

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Mega Swagbucks Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:18:00 +0000

The first Friday of each month, I post about Swagbucks. That is because every Friday means Mega Swagbucks for searching (but I don't want to overwhelm people with reminders every Friday)! Haven't tried Swagbucks yet? It is super easy - simply use the Swagbucks search engine to do your normal Internet searching and sometimes you will be rewarded with Swagbucks which can then be redeemed for some great prizes. My theory is that if I'm going to be searching the Internet anyway, I may as well get rewarded for doing it.

My favorite prize is the Amazon.com gift card. I did my first Christmas shopping on Amazon yesterday and my entire order was paid for using the gift cards I earned through Swagbucks. With fiances being tight this year, having the gift cards to use for Christmas gifts is a HUGE help in allowing us to continue to give gifts to everyone we want to even if they are smaller gifts this year. There are also tons of other gift cards available or you can redeem for various merchandise as well.

On Fridays, Swagbucks gives out more Mega Swagbucks (anything over 10) than usual which means you can earn your desired prizes even faster. The most I've gotten from one search so far is 59 Swagbucks. I'd love to hear if one of my readers finds a high value one today or any other day!

Swagbucks has added a lot of options for getting bucks on a daily basis even without searching. There are Special Offers, Daily Polls, Surveys, Tasks, Swagbucks TV, and games to play.

With all of these great ways to earn Swagbucks and get gift cards or other items that you really want, what are you waiting for?! Sign up and start searching :-)

Swagbucks links contained within this post are referral links and I will earn some Swagbucks if you sign up using those links.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Peter is Just a Baby by Marisabina Russo

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Title: Peter is Just a Baby
Author: Marisabina Russo
Publication Date: November 11, 2011
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

In Peter is Just a Baby, the older sister relates all the things that she can do that Peter can't like using big words, learning French, and dancing. The story is cute as it leads up to Peter's first birthday and the sister hoping that Peter will now be able to do some of the things that she can do.

I love the way this book is illustrated. The characters are bears and the illustrations are soft. The pictures match the text very well and flow easily on the pages. Some of the pages have several smaller pictures illustrating different activities while other pages have one large picture. This makes the book more visually interesting than having one large picture on each page and it also allows for more activities to be shown. The book has really nice use of white space for the text as well. Some picture books are difficult to read if the text is placed directly over the illustration but this book avoids that issue completely. The text also flows well around the pictures which keeps the narrative moving visually.

Although there is a glossary in the front of the book with the French terms including pronunciation and definition, I didn't care for the use of French throughout the text. I took French in high school and am somewhat comfortable with the pronunciations but I can see the foreign words being a turn off to parents who are not familiar with the language. I know I don't like reading a story to my daughter if I am uncertain of how to pronounce some of the words. This is really the only thing that I didn't enjoy about this book though.

I received an advance copy of Peter Is Just a Baby from the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program in exchange for providing my honest review.

Interestingly enough, Amazon.com shows a shipping time for this book of 3 to 5 weeks, meaning it would not arrive until after Christmas, but Eerdmans Books for Young Readers shows a shipping time of only 3 days.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Torani Flavored Syrups

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:02:00 +0000

As part of a program through SheSpeaks.com I was sent two full-size bottles of Torani Flavored Syrups to review. I received Peppermint and Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

I used the Peppermint syrup in coffee and hot chocolate and loved it! With the Torani syrup, I can have some of my favorite coffee shop drinks at home at a fraction of the cost. I also made a lazy peppermint mocha by making hot chocolate with strong coffee and then adding the peppermint syrup and some milk. I only wish I had some whipped cream to put on top.

Every so often I used to get a peppermint mocha or peppermint white chocolate mocha from a coffee shop but I would often ask for less of the peppermint syrup because I found it to be too strong. The peppermint flavor would overpower all the other flavors in the drink. This was not the case with the Torani Peppermint syrup at all. The peppermint flavor and sweetness were both light, enough to taste but not too strong. Check out some more reviews of the Torani Peppermint Syrup from SheSpeaks members.

I have not actually tried the Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon syrup that I was sent and I will probably end up giving that one away to someone who uses sugar free products. The Torani sugar-free syrups are made with Splenda and we try to avoid artificial sweeteners around our house. In general, I don't like the way they make things taste but that is just my personal preference. The Brown Sugar Cinnamon flavor does sound interesting and Torani does offer it in the regular version as well as the sugar free. Check out what some other SheSpeaks members had to say about the Torani Sugar-Free Brown Sugar Cinnamon Syrup.

I am amazed at the number of flavored syrups that Torani offers! I always thought of the Torani syrups as being just for coffee drinks but the flavors they offer give you so many more options. They have light fruit flavors like Mango, Passion Fruit, and Peach which would be a great addition to lemonade or for making an Italian Soda. You can find an entire list of regular and sugar free Torani syrup flavors at http://torani.com/home/products. While you are there, make sure you check out the recipe section for great ideas on how to use all the flavors.

Torani flavored syrups are available at some retail stores such as Wal-Mart and major grocery stores. Amazon.com also has a large selection of flavors. The best selection of flavors is offered at Torani.com and you can use the discount code shespeaks to receive 10% off your purchase. (Note: I do not know how long this code is actually good for as I did not see an expiration date in the materials I received.)

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Grammar Girl's 101 Words to Sound Smart

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Title: Grammar Girl's 101 Words to Sound Smart
Author: Mignon Fogarty
Series: Quick and Dirty Tips
Publication Date: November 8, 2011
Publisher: St Martin's Girffin
Website: quickanddirtytips.com

Grammar Girl's 101 Words to Sound Smart is filled with interesting words. Each one is clearly defined but not with the clinical precision of a dictionary. Instead, Mignon Fogarty provides interesting background on the origins of most of the words and gives concrete examples of how the usage may have changed over time. Each word is also accompanied by a quotation or two showing it being used correctly. These quotations were very fun to read and their sources ranged from journalists to politicians to popular authors and television shows.

Some of the words contained in this book were familiar to me but Fogarty pointed out subtle nuances of usage that I was unfamiliar with. Other words were completely new. While I do not see myself regularly interjecting these words into my reviews or other writings, I will be keeping this book on hand as a reference guide for those occasions when an extra special word is needed.

The one thing that I found to be missing from this book is a pronunciation guide for each word. While Fogarty is discussing the usage of these words in writing, I still like to know how the word should sound in my head as I am reading it.

I received a copy of Grammar Girl's 101 Words to Sound Smart (Quick & Dirty Tips) from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Products

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:57:00 +0000

My skin isn't normally too sensitive to cleansing and moisturizing products but pregnancy hormones have thrown my entire body out of whack and I can definitely tell a difference in my skin. So I was excited at the opportunity to try out some of the Burt's Bees line of sensitive skin products.

I have used other Burt's Bees products in the past and really enjoy them. Some things that I really like about the company are:

No animal testing
Natural ingredients whenever possible and clearly labeled
Environmental friendly packaging and manufacturing processes

I was sent a full size bottle of the Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Facial Cleanser to try and I love it! I think it actually removes makeup better than the facial cleanser I have been using and it left my skin feeling super clean and soft. You don't need to use a large amount either so the 6 oz package will last a while. The cleanser is fragrance-free but it does have a scent to it. I found that it smelled strongly at first but the scent faded quickly. The cleanser has a very slippery texture which took a little getting used to but it rinsed off very cleanly. I wonder if the slippery feeling comes from the Yucca or Quillaja, both plant ingredients that assist in cleansing the skin. I love that all of the products in the sensitive skin line are 99% natural, hypo-allergenic, dermatologist tested, and allergy tested.

I also received a full size bottle of the Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Daily Moisturizing Cream. While I don't like the moisturizer quite as well as I like the cleanser, it is a good product. The main thing that I don't like about it is actually the container. I find it difficult to get the right amount out. If I use a full pump worth, it is too much but it is difficult to only press the pump part way down. The moisturizer has the same scent as the cleanser but again it fades quickly. To me the moisturizer feels a bit sticky when it is first applied but it leaves my skin feeling soft once it has a minute to soak in. The moisturizer contains rice extract for moisturizing and aloe for soothing along with the cotton extract which is in all of the products in the sensitive skin line. I do wish that Burt's Bees offered a version of this with the addition of sunscreen. I like having moisturizer and sunscreen in the same product so I am not adding layers of products to my face each day.

Other products in the sensitive skin line from Burt's Bees that I did not get to try are Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Night Cream and Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Eye Cream.

Overall, I was very pleased with the products in the Burt's Bees Natural Skin Solutions for Sensitive Skin line. I have always found Burt's Bees to offer high quality products at reasonable prices. Have you ever used Burt's Bees products? I'd love to hear about your favorites!

I received these products from BzzAgent.com and will receive MyPoints for my participation in the Burt's Bees campaign. All opinions and experiences related here are entirely my own. Specific product links within this post are affiliate links.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Pre-Release: Archon by Sabrina Benulis

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:51:00 +0000

Title: Archon
Author: Sabrina Benulis
Series: The Books of Raziel
Publication Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Harper Voyager

Although I read a lot of urban and paranormal fantasy, both YA and adult, the realm of angels was new territory for me. I'm not entirely sure if it is my lack of experience in this sub genre or just this particular book but I found Archon, the first book of The Books of Raziel series, to be completely confusing.

I never felt like I understood the world that Angela and the other characters inhabited. I didn't understand the rules, the prophecy, and even what was actually taking place at times. While it seemed that Benulis often provided details about the physical setting, the best mental picture that I could get was that everything was gloomy and falling apart.

I never connected to the characters either. I had trouble distinguishing the good guys from the bad guys even when characters were labeled angel or demon. It seemed that everyone was simply out to destroy the earth and rule over everything or merely wanted to indulge their own selfish desires. The true motivations behind the characters' actions were often hidden in the midst of the chaotic events and manipulation of others seemed to be the main goal. While Angela was the central character of the story I never felt that I understood her any better than any of the other characters. I simply didn't care what really happened to any of them.

It is also difficult to say what actually happens in this book. While the action and killing seemed to be non-stop, I didn't really see the point in most of it. At the end it felt like very little had actually changed for the characters who survived. The ending definitely has the feel of the first book in the series, as there are so many unanswered questions, but I'm not going to struggle through another book in the series to try to actually understand what is going on. If I had not received Archon: The Books of Raziel through the Amazon Vine program, I would not have read all the way to the end.

Archon has an official release date of December 27, 2011 and is currently available for pre-order.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Mega Swagbucks Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The first Friday of each month, I post about Swagbucks. That is because every Friday means Mega Swagbucks for searching (but I don't want to overwhelm people with reminders every Friday)! Haven't tried Swagbucks yet? It is super easy - simply use the Swagbucks search engine to do your normal Internet searching and sometimes you will be rewarded with Swagbucks which can then be redeemed for some great prizes. My theory is that if I'm going to be searching the Internet anyway, I may as well get rewarded for doing it.

My favorite prize is the Amazon.com gift card. I earned almost $200 in Amazon.com gift cards through Swagbucks last year which is how we paid for Christmas gifts. There are also tons of other gift cards available or you can redeem for various merchandise as well.

On Fridays, Swagbucks gives out more Mega Swagbucks (anything over 10) than usual which means you can earn your desired prizes even faster. The most I've gotten from one search so far is 59 Swagbucks. I'd love to hear if one of my readers finds a high value one today or any other day!

Swagbucks has added a lot of options for getting bucks on a daily basis even without searching. There are Special Offers, Daily Polls, Surveys, Tasks, Swagbucks TV, and games to play.

With all of these great ways to earn Swagbucks and get gift cards or other items that you really want, what are you waiting for?! Sign up and start searching :-)

Swagbucks links contained within this post are referral links and I will earn some Swagbucks if you sign up using those links.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Tropical Traditions Shredded Coconut

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:48:00 +0000

1-Gallon Pail - Shredded Coconut Tropical Traditions is a company that I have ordered from in the past so I was very excited to receive their shredded coconut for review. I thought they would send the one or two pound bag but I received a entire gallon size pail! That is a lot of shredded coconut.

The first thing that I noticed when my husband opened the pail was how incredibly fine the coconut is. I had decided to try the Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter No Bakes recipe listed on the Tropical Traditions site and the shredded coconut was perfect for this. The recipe is essentially the traditional no bake cookie recipe but uses coconut instead of oatmeal and coconut oil instead of butter. To be honest, I wasn't so sure about these cookies when I first tasted them. I like the oatmeal no bake cookies when they are still warm and gooey before they go in the fridge and set up but I didn't like the coconut version at this stage. Once I put them in the fridge and let them get hard, the coconut cookies were very tasty. The coconut is unsweetened and I have a feeling that this recipe uses a bit less sugar than I am used to so these cookies are less sweet overall. I'm sure they are a bit healthier than the traditional version though! My three year old was less than impressed with my first use of shredded coconut but I have a feeling it was probably a texture issue. My husband, his coworkers, and my mother all enjoyed having a special treat.

The cookies used 3 cups of the shredded coconut but I still have a lot left. Some other recipes I'm looking forward to trying are Pumpkin Coconut Muffins, Flourless Coconut Pancakes, and Banana Coconut Cake. I will need to make all of these when my husband is home though because I can't get the lid off the gallon pail by myself. It seals very tightly, which is great since the coconut has no preservatives or whiteners, but this makes the pail difficult to open and close tightly.

Some other Tropical Traditions products that I have use and love are:

Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - great for baking instead of butter or other oils
Organic Raw Honey - this is the best honey I have ever tasted hands down!

There are lots of other Tropical Traditions products that I would like to try as well. Do you have any favorite recipes using shredded coconut or coconut oil? Have you ever ordered from Tropical Traditions? I'd love to hear your experiences with coconut :-)

For more information about Tropical Traditions and how they produce their Gold Label Coconut Oil, check out this video:

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review in return for the free product. Links to specific Tropical Traditions products within this post are affiliate links.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Song of the Nile by Stephanie Dray

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Title: Song of the Nile
Author: Stephanie Dray
Publication Date: October 4, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Books
Website: www.stephaniedray.com

Song of the Nile is the second Novel of Cleopatra's Daughter written by Stephanie Dray. The first book, Lily of the Nile, was wonderful and reminded me how much I enjoy historical fiction. When reading a series, I always wonder if the current book will hold up to the story told in the previous book (or books). I am thrilled to say that Song of the Nile retained the strengths of Lily of the Nile while allowing the characters to grow with their circumstances.

Cleopatra Selene is no longer the frightened, young girl who was dragged into Rome as a captive. She has enchanted Octavian and convinced him to make her a queen. Although her ultimate goal is to return to Egypt as queen, she is determined to take part in ruling the country given to her husband, Juba II. Their marriage stands on ceremony alone and for much of the book, the two are apart. When Juba travels, Cleopatra Selene reigns and when she is absent the country's leadership falls to the council.

Each time Octavian summons her Selene's hopes for being named Queen of Egypt rise and she positions herself for power. While her womanly innocence was stripped from her, she now uses her feminine appeal to manipulate circumstances to her advantage. All the while she longs to see her twin, Helios, again.

Song of the Nile is much more adult in content than the first book of the series but this fits the story as Cleopatra Selene grows into her role as female leader and mother. Dray again gives readers a compelling story with strong characters and fantastic writing. While she also provides a very realistic historic setting, readers must remember that this is a novel, a work of fiction, and as such Dray has taken significant liberties with the factual story of Cleopatra Selene as recorded by historians. In her Author's Note at the end of the novel, Dray acknowledges these changes and also where she has filled information into periods of time in Selene's life which have been lost to us.

I was excited to hear that the final novel of the trilogy has been picked up by Berkley Books although I am unsure if a release date has been announced. Here is a link to my review of Lily of the Nile.

I received a copy of Song of the Nile from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Shutterfly Holiday Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:31:00 +0000

When it comes to designing our holiday cards each year, I’m not sure which is more difficult – choosing the family photo or the card design. It seems like we never have a picture where all three of us look good. Last year I ended up choosing a card from Shutterfly that allowed me to put pictures into holiday ornaments so I could crop each one of us out of the best picture from the year. This year I was really hoping to get a great family picture when we were at Disney World but Elizabeth was just not in the mood to get her picture taken so that didn’t even come close to happening.

Shutterfly doesn’t make choosing the card design any easier since they have so many different designs to choose from. I love that they offer cards that work for various winter holidays as well as cards specific to Christmas. While the main assortment may be overwhelming, Shutterfly allows you to narrow down your options by selecting the card size, number of photos, and style of card that you are looking for.

The process of creating a photo card on Shutterfly is easy as well. You can upload various pictures into your account and then play with the photos, layout, and text on your card until you get it just the way you want it. The cards will come looking just as they are pictured on the website.

Shutterfly offers more than just holiday cards though. They also have various invitations, thank you cards, and photo gifts that can be customized for your special occasions. We used Shutterfly for Elizabeth’s birth announcements three years ago and my mother in law commented that she had never seen a card with multiple pictures like the one we chose. With such a variety of options, I think it would be hard for someone to not find at least one card they like on Shutterfly!

I wrote this post while participating in Shutterfly’s 2011 Holiday promotion and did receive a code for 25 free photo cards. Links within this post are not affiliate links and I will not receive any additional compensation. All opinions expressed and experiences related in this post are entirely my own.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Avery Mini Binder

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:43:00 +0000

The Avery Mini Durable View Comfort Touch Binder helps make organization easy. I love the 5.5 x 8.5 size which is perfect for carrying everywhere and isn't too bulky. The binder is very durable as the name suggests and will hold up to a lot of use. There are pockets on the inside of the front and back covers which are nice for storing any extra papers that do not work with the ring binder system. The front cover also has a see through plastic pocket for adding a cover to the binder. The one inch ring lets the binder hold plenty of material without being too thick.

I also discovered that the binder is very easy to clean. I let my daughter draw on some of my note pages while I was going over some paperwork at the school and she managed to get ink on the back cover as well. It wiped off easily with a damp cloth.

The only feature that I feel the binder is missing is a place to store a pen. There is simply no easy way to keep a pen in the binder at all times.

The Avery Mini Durable View Comfort Touch Binder works very well with the other products in the Avery line designed for the 5.5 x 8.5 inch size including filler paper, write on dividers, and binder pockets.

I received the Avery Mini Durable View Comfort Touch Binder with 1 inch Round Ring, 5.5 x 8.5 Inches, Dusty Blue (17347) from the Amazon.com Vine program for the purpose of providing an honest review. Avery also sent Avery Filler Paper, 5.5 x 8.5 Inches, 100 Sheets (14230) and Avery Mini Studio Collection Write-On Tab Dividers with Retro Flower Design on Divider, 5.5 x 8.5-Inches, 5 Tabs (16187) to use with the binder for review purposes. These products are not included with the purchase of the binder.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

OTL: Swagbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Angela Donner) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The first Friday of each month, I post about Swagbucks. That is because every Friday means Mega Swagbucks for searching (but I don't want to overwhelm people with reminders every Friday)! Haven't tried Swagbucks yet? It is super easy - simply use the Swagbucks search engine to do your normal Internet searching and sometimes you will be rewarded with Swagbucks which can then be redeemed for some great prizes. My theory is that if I'm going to be searching the Internet anyway, I may as well get rewarded for doing it.

My favorite prize is the Amazon.com gift card. I earned almost $200 in Amazon.com gift cards through Swagbucks last year which is how we paid for Christmas gifts. There are also tons of other gift cards available or you can redeem for various merchandise as well.

On Fridays, Swagbucks gives out more Mega Swagbucks (anything over 10) than usual which means you can earn your desired prizes even faster. The most I've gotten from one search so far is 59 Swagbucks. I'd love to hear if one of my readers finds a high value one today or any other day!

Swagbucks has added a lot of options for getting bucks on a daily basis even without searching. There are Special Offers, Daily Polls, Surveys, Tasks, Swagbucks TV, and games to play.

With all of these great ways to earn Swagbucks and get gift cards or other items that you really want, what are you waiting for?! Sign up and start searching :-)

Swagbucks links contained within this post are referral links and I will earn some Swagbucks if you sign up using those links.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.