MiscMayzee

Heroes and Monsters by Josh Riebock

2012-05-21T00:12:00.000-05:00

Heroes and Monsters: An Honest Look at the Struggle within All of Us by Josh Riebock is a book I really, really tried to enjoy and I come out of the experience on the fence. I feel like the best way I can review this book is to just lay out what I did and didn't like and go from there.

What I did like:

I do like to read personal journey's through life and faith. I almost always love introspection....I love introspection so much that I have read books that are little more than paper scribblings from people who were really baked on drugs during the 1970s. Josh's introspections were very interesting when they were interesting. The book opened with Josh and his father taking an unexpected detour/plowing wreck into a cornfield in the middle of the night. Within these passages he falls into what is nearly sheer panic and survival mode to contemplation of life without a father - or at least a father who has been cut down to an imperfect human size - and it is very sweet and compelling and scary and sad all at the same time.

I also really liked some of the interesting graphic elements in this book. Several pages are full illustrations which made it feel much more journalish, which was nice. A little bit of intimacy in reading never huts.

What I didn't like:

Sometimes the introspections went on and on and on and on.........and on. 100% "This Is the Song That Doesn't End." Really great writers of memoirs, autobiographies, and essays know when to pull the plug on a particular anecdote to keep a reader's eyes from rolling back in their head. Sometimes Josh missed this mark. I also don't like it when someone goes a little too far into God talking. It's not that I don't believe God communicates with us...I just don't like going way *wriggles hands in the air* out there with it.

So, at the end of the day, what do I say? If you like an interesting memoir, go for it if my little nitpicks aren't the things that would turn you away. I'm including a brief publisher's description of the book below to offer you a greater idea of the book. You can also read a sample of it on Amazon.

Blurb:

This is a compelling, astonishingly honest memoir which combines reality and imagination to examine both the impulses for good and evil in each of us. Riebock’s honesty and vulnerability help the book to come alive and readers will see the struggle within their own souls mirrored in Riebock’s life.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan - a Blog Tour

2012-05-20T23:47:00.000-05:00

I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to share A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan with you as part of another blog tour. Why? Because it is the second book in her Heart of the Rockies trilogy; I had previously reviewed the first book in this series, A Heart Divided about this time last year.

A Love Forbidden was really interesting because it focused almost entirely on its main characters while also giving us a bit of a peak back at the family we met in the previous volume. Shiloh Wainright is Cord Wainright's little sister. Shiloh and her childhood friend Jesse Blackwater, a Native American with a Ute Indian mother and white father, are the hero and heroine in this book, and Kathleen weaves their story really well.

This is the best exploration of a mixed relationship between a Native American and white person I have read since Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz. Morgan treats both the white and Indian perspectives on life and love with dignity while ultimately bowing to the authority of scripture and doctrine in a few of the trickier situations the book presents.....

Did those last comments catch your interest?

Brief summary: Shiloh goes to teach at an Indian Agency where she bumps into a young man, Jesse, that she hasn't seen since he fled her family's ranch after being treated cruelly by ranch hands after he and Shiloh's sister were found in an awkward situation. Jesse was Shiloh's best friend, and she missed him for years...so naturally bumping into him brings all of this to the forefront of her mind. Meanwhile, troubles are brewing between the man who runs the Agency and the Ute Indians.

Needless to say, it is an awkward situation for love to bloom in, but Kathleen Morgan makes it work. I really liked that she had Shiloh and Jesse spend a significant amount of time with one another talking, sort of goofing off, and struggling against the elements (both natural and man-made). Some of these elements are somewhat grim and will leave you wondering exactly where the line is between a Ute life and a "white-life." I loved that the book could look at both as possibilities instead of it being a foregone conclusion that the Ute man would change. I was really unclear about the ending until the ending occurred which was super.

My only complaint with the book was that, in the latter half, something quite dramatic occurred to a lot of people and only Shiloh's experience was discussed in any portion at all. Considering the conversations had between all of the supporting characters near the beginning, it was a little disconcerting to have the zip on the lips...maybe exploring these elements would have been too much for one book. Anyway, the lack of this didn't keep me from liking the book. Shiloh and Jesse were both well-explored and developed and since they are the main characters - that is the main thing.

I look forward to reading the next and last book in this series next year!

A Love Forbidden is available as of May 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Back to Back Blog Tour

2012-05-19T22:45:00.004-05:00

Ever since I started doing blog tours, I have struggled with exactly when to schedule my reviews because I always have a Sunday through Saturday week to choose a day within. I have finally settled on a set posting schedule for two consecutive weeks with scheduled tours: The Back to Back Blog Tour. If you enjoy stopping by to see the latest great releases from Revell Publishing House, you can expect the best of the content back to back on Saturday and then Sunday.

For example: This week the Saturday listing was The Pursuit of Lucy Banning for the 1st week's tour. My second week starts on Sunday, and I will feature A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan. Any of you who actually follow my affiliate links through to Amazon when they are shared should find this handy too as you can purchase both books on the same day with only a 24-hour delay between reading about the first volume. Given weekend shipping processes, your order will not be delayed at all. I hope you enjoy the new system!

An Interview with Olivia Newport, Author of The Pursuit of Lucy Banning

2012-05-19T22:17:00.003-05:00

I just shared a blog tour with all of you for The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport, and now I am pleased to present a series of questions and answers with Olivia. I am very grateful for her time in answering these questions and am looking forward to sharing more of her work with you in the future.

How did The Pursuit of Lucy Banning get started?

I have Chicago suburban roots, but I had not heard of the Prairie Avenue Historical District until a friend of mine became a docent at the Glessner House Museum on Prairie Avenue. This house preserves the flavor of Chicago’s gilded age when the neighborhood was full of wealthy powerhouses of industry. As soon as my friend began his training, he saw the potential for the setting of a story. He is not a fiction writer, but he knew my interests. It did not take us long to cook up story ideas about a daughter of a privileged family who engaged with the changing social climate of her time.

Your book is layered with historical detail. Tell us about your research process.

My docent friend, Stephen Reginald, is a history buff. He spits out the most interesting details sometimes, and before I know it, I am digging too. We both scoured the archives of the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times for headlines and language of the era. I looked for true events that serve as hooks in the stories. The Internet turns up all sorts of obscure books and historical accounts. One of my favorites was a first person travelogue written by someone who visited the world’s fair in 1893. Stephen’s work at the Glessner House Museum opened a portal into diaries and museum pieces that helped me faithfully recreate the story’s setting.

What impact did your research have on you personally?

One of the most fun research pieces I uncovered was a guide to caring for young children published in 1894. The prevailing expert advice was not to play with a baby before he or she was four months old, preferably six! I love giving a copy of this book to new mothers. On the other end of the spectrum was heartbreaking information about the desperate needs of orphans during that time period. We may think we have more sophisticated system for addressing certain social issues, but we have a long way to go.

Where do you like to write?

I advocate writing by keeping your bottom in the chair, but I’m flexible about the kind of chair! Research happens at my desk where I can spread things out. Several years ago, in a thrift store, I found a wide, comfy recliner with a built-in massage feature. When I’m in serious get-words-on-the-screen mode rather than researching, I write in cushy comfort. However, I also think that writing is a consuming process, and I may solve a plot dilemma while I’m walking through the neighborhood or hear the perfect line of dialogue in my head while pulling weeds. When I’m immersed in a story, it’s hard to set it aside until I get it out of me. The writing follows me around as I go about my life.

Of all of the attractions at the World’s Fair in Chicago, which one would you most like to have seen? (I saw some of the photographs of the fair in the PBS documentary Chicago and could not believe how readily all of this wonder was destroyed.)

Rather than choosing one attraction, I think I would have loved to be present on the first night that electric lights illumined the fair grounds. We take electric lights for granted and grumble if a storm causes a few minutes of darkness before the utility company does its thing. But in 1893, the practical application of electricity was a big deal. The descriptions of the lights indicate it wasn't just a few street lamps, but a breathtaking display on an immense scale for the time. I can just hear the gasps of wonder in that moment!

Thanks again to Olivia, and please check out the blog tour review post here if you haven't already!

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

2012-05-19T21:54:00.002-05:00

This week our blog tour features a wonderful new volume: The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport. I wrote my first review of this book several weeks ago on Amazon and have been watching new reviews roll in to see how my fellow readers felt about the volume, and it looks like most of us really, really enjoyed this book. (To find out more about Olivia Newport and this volume click through to my author Q and A here: An Interview with Author Olivia Newport)

I had first bumped into the volume when it popped up on my recommend items list on Amazon while I was purchasing a couple of other books. I actually preordered it at the time. I was so excited to read it because it features a lot of elements I was excited about: a young woman standing against the social constraints of the gilded age, the Chicago's World Fair, and the "pursuit" of higher education and higher love.

I really wasn't sure what to expect in this book besides the world's fair angle and the other parts mentioned above, but there was actual a great deal of subplot that explored Lucy's relationship with a housemaid (who will be the heroine in Newport's second book set during the world fair), her relationship with her fiancee as it deteriorates as greater opportunities are opened to Lucy, and some of the other social battles that went on behind the scenes as the world fair was staged (female architects, etc.).

In some of these side stories this book touches in a light to moderate way on mental illness in an era when it was only beginning to be explored beyond the standard "lock someone away from the public" method. I am very curious to see if Banning brings back some of the characters touched by illness in future volumes. Until then, I hope you enjoy this wonderful read and visit the interview with Olivia Newport.

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning is available as of May 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this volume from Revell.

I'm Baaaaack to MiscMayzee

2012-05-15T08:21:00.000-05:00

Hello Dear Readers and sometimes visitors,

My apologies for the impromptu extended vacation from blogging, but it is over now! I have had wonderful time for the past month actually catching up on my reading instead of starting, stopping, and starting again and really couldn't bring myself to interrupt the flow for blog posts while I was also juggling school (two week vacation right now) and my usual article writing.

The great news in all of this is....I am basically now caught up with my back log of book review readings and will have lots of great new posts to share with you over the next couple of weeks. I have some suspense, historical fiction, and non-fiction reviews all ready to go...and I am delighted to report that most of the books I read were fantastic which means I hope you will dive into them too!

Until that next post....

Celebrate Curvy Straws in Select Big G Cereals and Enter to Win!

2012-04-23T02:28:00.003-05:00

I am delighted today to bring you an opportunity to put some fun back into breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack featuring your favorite Big G cereals!

Right now you and your family can collect six different colorful straws featuring beloved Big G cereal characters. These straws are featured in specially marked boxes of Big G Cinnamon Toast Crunch® (17 oz.), Lucky Charms®(16 oz.), Reese’s® Puffs (18 oz.), Honey Nut Cheerios® (17 oz.), Trix®(14.8 oz) and Cocoa Puffs® (16.5 oz). Each of these cereals is made featuring more whole grain than any other ingredient. When you combine this goodness with 1/2 cup of milk it really helps kickstart the day!

We love our Big G cereals around here and have collected a few different straws in addition to the free one we received in our My BlogSpark package. You can use one of these straws or connect mutliples to drink up all of the tasty milk left at the bottom of the bowl when the cereal is through - something that is particularly handy when you eat your cereal from a wide-lipped bowl!

To help celebrate the inclusion of curvy straws in select cereals, Big G is providing MiscMayzee readers with a printable coupon for $1.25 off of the purchase of (2) boxes of participating Big G cereal at www.wholegrainnation.com.

I also am pleased to let you know that MiscMayzee was given a prize pack to share with one lucky reader. This prize pack contains:

1 box of a participating Big G cereal
1 Curvy Straw
1 ‘spilt’ milk bowl (a really cool bowl!)
2 glow cups
2 tangle toys

To enter to win this prize, just leave a comment below answering one of these questions:

Which Big G cereal are you most looking forward to finding a Curvy Straw in?
What other creative ways do you drink milk after eating your Big G cereal?

For myself, I am a regular Honey Nut Cheerios consumer, but still love me some Lucky Charms on occasion. My milk drinking from the bowl is largely based on the bowl I'm using. A standard plastic bowl, I'll just tilt and drink but Curvy Straws sure make it handy to get to the milk with our ceramic bowls!

If you want to answer each question separately, I will count two separate replies as two separate entries. Be sure to leave a method of contact in your comments or ensure that your profile as a contact button! Thank you for entering!

Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

The Forgiven Duke by Jamie Carie: Enter to Win

2012-04-20T02:04:00.000-05:00

I recently had the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Forgiven Duke by Jamie Carie, and I am so delighted to report back that this book is more than a suitable follow-up to The Guardian Duke. The quality of writing in this book as well as the progression of the story line is actually markedly better, and it reaches a much more satisfactory conclusion than the previous volume despite being the middle book of a trilogy.

I liked the first book, but this one is truly far better. There is less of complete, unconnected strangers fawning over Alexandria without reason -- none of the melodramatic people being nearly bewitched by her as in the first book. While it was easy enough to overlook for the sake of a fun and interesting story, it was better not to have the abundance of it. My only further wish is that Alexandria would quit using the word "clue" so often. The words 'evidence', 'information' or 'hint' would be a most welcome addition to her sleuthing vocabulary.

Otherwise, this book offers advancement in Alexandria's quest to find her parents, and her journey about Iceland was fairly interesting. It lead me to look up a few things about the land including information on the region where her parents and then she traveled to and about the particular peculiarities of the region like their ponies.

The Duke's story also takes some interesting twists in this book as his cleverness and then Alexandria's reach an end - one by force and one by mutual agreement. I have really liked the explorations into the Duke's hearing loss in both this and the first volume -- particularly in that first book with the vividness of the opera and then the silence of it.

The first volume, The Guardian Duke, ended with a massive cliffhanger, and I am pleased to report that while this book also has a somewhat abrupt ending, it isn't as "why do I HAVE to wait so long for the next book" as the previous title. Of the two points of the plot we were all most actively waiting to see resolved, one point is.

For myself, I'm hoping I can garner a sneak peak of A Duke's Promise later this year...otherwise we will all have to wait until the September 1st release of that volume. As for The Forgiven Duke, you can grab a copy of it on July 1st by pre-ordering it now...I don't think you will be disappointed if you were dying to read this sequel as soon as you put down The Guardian Duke.

To find out more about this volume, please check out the following links:

Facebook: http://jamiecarie.com/books/the-forgiven-duke

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Forgiven-Duke-Forgotten-Castles-Novel/dp/1433673231

Website: http://jamiecarie.com/books/the-forgiven-duke

Also, you can leave a comment below to enter to win your very own copy of this book! Tell me why you want to check out this book or what you liked/didn't like about The Guardian Duke for your entry. The contest will end on May 7th, 2012 at 5:00 pm CST. I will notify the winner, and you will have 48 hours to respond. Please leave a point of contact in your comment or ensure that your profile has a contact link. Thanks!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Discovery by Dan Walsh - a Blog Tour

2012-04-14T23:00:00.000-05:00

The Discovery is the 3rd Dan Walsh book featured in a blog tour here at MiscMayzee. It follows reviews of Remembering Christmas and The Deepest Waters. I really loved the latter and had mixed feelings about the former. This book is squarely between those two.

There were aspects of The Discovery I really liked (see below for a blurb about the plot). The joy Michael and Jenn feel upon becoming really well-to-do overnight was very authentic. I appreciated that an author could and would acknowledge that even in the midst of sadness we can feel joy and happiness when we realize that our loved ones provided for us both in life and death.

I also loved the story within a story aspect of the book. We don't follow Michael for the entire text, instead we delve into an older world you may not expect if you don't read the entire book jacket. I won't spoil it for you, but suffice it to say, I was delighted with it because it is a time period I enjoy reading about and this copy provided a real twist to the usual stories I come in contact with.

I must give Revell serious props for actually going to the bother (though it probably isn't as much of a bother now as it would have been in the past) of highlighting the story within a story pages with a border that differentiates them from the present time. It was a lot handier than the usual italics for dates at the beginning of the chapter in terms of keeping a reference point while reading.

Anyone looking for an adventure story with a really sweet romance tied up in it couldn't go wrong with The Discovery. While it isn't as much my cup of tea as The Deepest Waters was, I think it was equally well written and engaging.

About the book:

When aspiring writer Michael Warner inherits his grandfather's venerable Charleston estate, he settles in to write his first novel. But within the confines of the stately home, he discovers an unpublished manuscript that his grandfather, a literary giant whose novels sold in the millions, had kept hidden from everyone - but which he clearly intended Michael to find. As he delves deep into the exciting tale about spies and sabotage, Michael discovers something that has the power to change not only his future, but his past as well.

Laced with suspense and intrigue, The Discovery is a richly woven novel that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime. Author Dan Walsh delivers yet another unique and heartfelt story that will stick with you long after you've turned the last page.

The Discovery is available as of April 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

Genius Moments When Writing

2012-04-07T16:55:00.000-05:00

Do you ever have a genius moment when you're writing - one of those flashes that makes you think "Eureka!", giant exclamation point and all? I always wanted one of those moments but rarely felt it when writing poetry and most of the celebrity and beauty articles I wrote when I first began freelance work online.

I was quite surprised to find that when I began writing tax articles, accounting articles, and numerous other financial articles I started to have "Eureka!" moments frequently - both from the writing and from the exhilaration of tackling new and sometimes foreign subject matter. Because I am a small business owner, I already had a foot in many of these fields but really began to get into the complexity as I started writing articles intended for Chron.com and Motley Fool and I love that complexity.

I never would have thought I would find my home in finance, but I have...and I love that I combine finance with writing to improve my own financial situation. Having the best of two worlds never hurts, does it? ;)

Tropicana Brings Florida Fresh Orange Juice to the Table

2012-04-07T10:26:00.002-05:00

What do you think of when you hear (or in this case see) the words “farm fresh?” I tend to envision our breakfast or weekend brunch table laden with fresh fruit and cups of cold milk. I don’t always think of juice, but as I was beginning to plot out this post, I thought I should because we have a more consistent track record with orange juice than with any particular fruit. On our journey to keeping everyone as healthy as possible, my husband and I recognize the value of Vitamin C as a means of boosting the immune system to help keep sickness from taking hold as often as possible…a variation on the classic phrase “a stitch in time saves nine” that is more consistently labeled in modern times as preventative medicine.

When we buy orange juice we think it is important to go for the purity that one can find in Tropicana Pure Premium 100% Pure Florida Orange Juice and appreciate that we can pick up several different varieties of juice within this product’s line. I love a lot of a pulp most of the time, but we also keep a bottle of “regular” on hand and prefer to stock up on the pulp with added Calcium to help build strong bones as a supplement to our daily milk/cereal intake since days with full meals can lead to less milk consumption.

All of the juices (pulp, lots of pulp, etc.) that make up the Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice line are 100% pure Florida orange juice. Tropicana uses orange groves in 22 different Florida counties with a focus on central and southern Florida and purchases about 11.6 billion oranges within the state of Florida in a calendar year to create their products. Each of the two major oranges in Tropicana Pure Premium – Valencia and Hamlin – adds its own pizzazz to the Tropicana Pure Premium blend that contains the intense color and flavor of the Valencia and the sweetness of the Hamlin. Since Florida provides a mixture of climates and soil types, fresh oranges can be harvested throughout the entire growing season to keep 100% juice on the family table.

Tropicana manages to bring a bit of the farm to our table every day by providing us with fresh orange juice in our favorite variations. Now, it is looking to bring a bit of Florida to the table as well. Right now Tropicana is sponsoring a sweepstakes on its Facebook page (click here to like Tropicana on Facebook) with 100 Florida themed prizes. Ninety-nine different winners will receive a year supply of orange juice in the form of 12 different coupons for 59 oz containers of Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice. One winner will receive the same year’s supply of orange juice plus a trip to a Florida orange grove for an exclusive experience for themselves and three guests. The trip includes airfare and a three night stay at a Florida hotel. To enter this contest and view the rules and regulations, all you have to do is visit http://www.Facebook.com/Tropicana and click on the “Sweeps” tab.

If you win, invite me over for a glass of early morning juice! Otherwise, keep enjoying the refreshing taste of fresh Tropicana Pure Premium orange juice at your breakfast table. I know we will keep enjoying here in Northwest Illinois and after our move down south (though we will still be unable to see on orange grove from our door!).

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tropicana blogging program, to earn My SocialMoms Rewards Points. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.

Fun in the Sun

2012-04-06T15:23:00.000-05:00

The spring here has been less fun and less sunny than the last days of winter were which makes life a little less spunky. I absolutely loved the days in early to mid-March when I could sit out on the front porch and read for hours in the sun.

I'm afraid now that when it warms back up, the world will be bug heaven which I abhor. I get so freaked out by wasps, hornets, and bees that I can never stay outside long when they are around.

I'll keep hoping that we have enough of a turn for a short enough time that I can still squeeze in some golden days with my books and the fresh air! I don't spend enough time out of doors, so I treasure the moments that I do grab. What is your favorite thing to do outdoors? Read? Sunbathe? Play croquet?

Enthusiasm: Drumming It Up on Demand

2012-04-05T12:38:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it can be difficult to pull out the enthusiasm for blogging on a day to day basis, even when you absolutely love your blog. However, sometimes the lack of drive for your site may mean something a bit more serious.

If every day is a struggle to come up with new material, then maybe it is time to change the game.

I maintain several different blogs in various stages of development so that I always have the ability to talk about several different topics on different platforms where I am able to alter my voice to be more snarky or serious depending on my mood. Here on MiscMayzee I predominantly talk about family topics and Christian topics so some of my other favorite programs/films/personality traits wouldn't really fit here.

When I am in certain moods, I don't really have the motivation to write here, so I frequent my other blogs. When I'm perky again I come back here. Since none of my mood swings last an inordinate amount of time no one blog ever suffers from a lack of content.

However, if I ever feel like one day it gets too hard to drum up new ideas and passion for this or any other project, I would close the proverbial doors to new posts and then merely work on recycling old ideas a few times a month to keep the Google juice flowing so the site can continue to earn ad revenue until that well dries up. On lesser projects still in the tinkering stage, I have shut the doors altogether and removed content and let my domain lapse into the great beyond.

The internet is too transient to waste time on a site that you can't drum up love for on a regular basis, so my ultimate message here is not to let yourself get trapped in feeling responsible for updating a blog or site you no longer love anymore. When you lose your enthusiasm with it, break up!

Dressing for the Season

2012-04-04T15:29:00.000-05:00

I grew up in Northeast Louisiana where it is basically warm and humid or hot and humid for at least eight months of the year. I remember the lamentations one could hear in school about the lack of really good sweater weather in the deep south.

When I moved up North, I thought to myself, "Score. Now I can wear sweaters most of the year." I was totally wrong. Basically, I've just ended up bumping into something worse - the in betweens. It isn't too hot for a jacket, it is to cold for a short sleeve shirt and the next day you need a parka.

For those of us who like to pack away clothing at the first possible opportunity, it bites. Right now I'm making due with a couple of hoodies over t-shirts, but I will try to grab a couple of thinner long-sleeve shirts at a sale I'm going to next week to get by with until I unpack my regular summer blouses.

Exasperating....I think I'm actually looking forward to just plain heat now.

Cataloguing Your Books and Other Collections

2012-04-03T07:18:00.001-05:00

Sometimes I look at Pinterest and Martha Stewart books and want to weep at how beautifully organized and pristine and labeled everything is. Every now and again (except not right now because almost my entire book collection is packed), I set out to catalogue my belongings such as books, magazine clippings, odd quotes, and advertising images I admire into something vaguely resembling a scrapbook, archive, or library worthy book shelf.

...ultimately I fail. I start out winning like Charlie Sheen and things stay that way for a bit but not permanently because my collection is fluid...ever ebbing...ever tiding.

I review books here and at AshleyMott.com (that's my real name), so I am always getting new books to review, buying new books because I like them, and then finally sacrificing that old book over there to make room for this one...unless that old book is one of my antique books that I would carry across the desert on my back. A month or so of giving and getting usually turns my Martha Stewart intentions into a brief glimpse of how someone could end up on a show like Hoarders.

...then I realize

Most people who have highly organized homes spend a lot of time keeping them that way...and that is time I could spend reading, communing with my family, or bathing. We might not take anything with us when we go, but it is certain I can think of better ways to spend my time here than constantly maintaining the veneer of outer perfection.

Back to Basics

2012-04-02T07:04:00.000-05:00

Do you ever forget the basics in life? Sometimes I do. I forget to be appreciative, open-minded...all of those lovely things we all hope we are whenever we watch a movie about the collective masses rising above.

I'm very passionate about politics, life, human rights and sometimes I let these passions rule me in that I can't really muster up empathy for those who would not work toward the greater good that is possible with collective effort.

I don't believe it is necessary to appreciate the point-of-view of others when it is detrimental to society or to the lives of others, but is necessary to appreciate that they...are. I should be open-minded to the fact that their life has a purpose even if they will never give Florence Nightingale a run for her money or fight the good fight.

I'm going to try to work on that...but no promises.

Anticipation Isn't Making Me Wait Any Longer

2012-04-01T03:56:00.000-05:00

I have been anticipating the next to A to Z challenge since last year and am so delighted that it's back again. For those of you unaware of the challenge, click the handy dandy little box in my sidebar to visit and sign up before the day is done!

Since last year's challenge, some things have changed and some have stayed the same.

Changed things:

At the ripe old age of 26, I don't have wisdom teeth anymore (haha!).
I completed my taxes early this year, so I will not need to discuss those in whatever random alphabet letter happened to pop up on filing day.
I fell in love with my husband again...365 times.

I'm planning a move.
I started college.
I completed 2 semesters of college.
I embraced the fact that online writing doesn't easily support three names, so I stopped stubbornly trying to fit my middle name of "May" into everything and just go by plain 'ol Ashley Mott...except here at MiscMayzee.
I dyed my hair for the first time last year and am now growing the dye out because the process was so anticlimactic.
I quit drinking coffee minus the occasional treat coffee beverage.
I am a year older.

Unchanged things:

I still read obsessively (yay for speed reading!).
Most of those books are still Christian fiction.
I still freelance write for my bread and water.
I still have too many daily calendars and journals.
There are still 26 letters in the alphabet.
I am still glad to meet you and will visit your blog soon.

Party on A to Zers.

You're Already Amazing by Halley Gerth - a Blog Tour

2012-03-23T16:00:00.000-05:00

I really enjoyed going through You're Already Amazing. I am actually about 3/4's of the way through so far because I have been taking my time so I could better process the thoughts in the book.

The actual concept of this book isn't so entirely different from other volumes I have read that expound on the uniqueness of each one of us as one of God's creations. What is different about this book is that it presents these ideas without falling too far into preaching, sappiness, or really intricate personal anecdotes. Of those three, the latter is probably the typical problem in many of these volumes.

An author who spends far too long chronicling their own journey to realizing that they're special when writing a book that is supposed to begiving advice loses their position as a counselor in my opinion and becomes more of a mini-memoir writer with a slight self-help spin. Halley Gerth uses herself as an example in this book many times, but it is never overdone. That is what made this a really great read as no part of the book is too much. It ends up being an absolutely charming journey into discovering what is amazing about yourself and owning it like the child of God you are.

You Are Already Amazing is available as of March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume and an absolutely charming note card from the author. My opinions remain my own.

5 Questions with Mesu Andrews, Author of Love's Sacred Song

2012-03-17T23:54:00.000-05:00

As my regular readers may note, I generally review books that I have a strong indication going in that I will enjoy and some of those I end up really, really enjoying. Both of Mesu Andrews books thus far, Love Amid the Ashes and Love's Sacred Song have been really, really good in different ways. Each has dealt with a very difficult story and told it in a way that teaches and helps strengthen faith the way a good friend can except through the painting of a novel narrative around as much Biblical truth as possible. I hope you will use the links above to find out more of my thoughts about Mesu Andrew's work and enjoy the five question interview with the most thoughtful answers below:

1. Did the writing of Love’s Sacred Song present a different set of challenges than Love Amid the Ashes in terms of crafting the historical fiction aspect of the volume?

DEFINITELY! Love’s Sacred Song was much more difficult to write because my research spanned over a decade, and the focus of my research changed drastically. I began studying Song of Songs in late 1998 while teaching it as a Bible study. During those first few years, I had no idea I’d seek publication, so my note-taking was pretty sloppy. Ugh. Add to that my penchant for teaching the story as an allegory, and you’ll have one-dimensional characters that are unbelievable, to the point of laughable. Not acceptable for an engaging novel. The rewrites and characterization on Love’s Sacred Song was an excruciating process for which my editor has won my undying friendship and respect!

Fast-forward to Love Amid the Ashes (LATA). Yes, fast-forward. The story of Job, though published first, was actually the second manuscript I wrote. I completed the research and writing in one year. The challenge of LATA was its context and chronology. Scholars varied widely on placing Job on a timeline, and the extended lifespans during the patriarchal age created some pretty amazing situations. Compared to Solomon’s historical records, there was relatively little information available about Job and his surroundings in the Middle Bronze Age.

Each story holds unique challenges that I get to pray through, cry to the Lord, melt-down, feel His rescue, and then continue with the project. It happened that way with book #3 as well. Perhaps it will always happen...just to remind me that I can’t do it on my own.

2. Which ‘scene’ in the book do you feel was the most poignant for you to craft as a writer or which meant the most to you?

I won’t describe the scene fully, since I don’t want to give any plot spoilers, but perhaps you’ll recognize it by the lesson it taught me as I wrote it. Solomon is utterly crushed by guilt—as I sometimes feel condemned by my sin. He felt unworthy of forgiveness so he lashed out rather than accepting and giving the powerful balm of love. Sometimes, the enemy of my soul tries to use my sin to condemn me, to make me feel GUILT rather than the Holy Spirit’s gentle conviction. There’s a difference. Condemnation says, “You must pay for your unworthiness.” Conviction says, “Love already paid the price.” I wish Solomon would have listened to love...but he listened to his guilt, and I sobbed as I wrote that scene.

3. Within the Author’s Note of your book, you detail the Bible books and verses readers can consult to read the Biblically presented facts of Solomon’s life. Within this core portion of your research, is there a particular Bible verse or verses that you found inspiring or that you feel offers the best description of Solomon?

I just did something that rendered fascinating results, Ashley! So cool! I searched on one of my study websites the words, “Solomon loved.” I got two verses that I think answer your question perfectly. 2 Samuel 12:24 and 1 Kings 11:1, when strung together, give a very sobering image of Solomon’s life: “The LORD loved him...King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women.” God’s extravagant love wasn’t enough for Solomon. That’s the crux of it. Solomon wanted more. And THAT was the sin that ruined him...and tore Israel apart.

4. I find Solomon’s life of particular interest because, much like the story of David, it shows that a man can be chosen and blessed by God but still make horrible mistakes and decisions. What drew you to the story of Solomon and Arielah as your second release?

I love finding the unnamed, less familiar characters in Scripture, and bringing them into the spotlight. It’s a particular delight to find obscure portions of Scripture and fit them together like puzzle pieces spanning separate Bible books and periods of time. When I discovered that God’s Word is one, single story, fit meticulously together—well, I was enthralled! It’s utterly fascinating to see how all these people and places fit together! I try to choose characters that no other author has written about, or at least that hasn’t been written about recently. I plan to stay in the Old Testament since I believe so many Christ-followers today misunderstand our God in the Old Covenant—believing Him to be a god of wrath before Jesus’ coming and a god of love after. He is the One, True God, the same yesterday, today and forever in the Old and New Testaments, and I hope my books uncover New Treasures of His Love in Old Testament Tales.

5. I know that you are hard at work on your next book. Is it possible to share with us the focus of that volume?

I continue to write my weekly e-devotionals and hope to someday publish those. (You can sign-up to receive your free Monday devotional at my website: http://www.mesuandrews.com/)

I’m contracted with Revell for two more biblical novels:

· Love in a Broken Vessel is scheduled to release March 2013, telling the story of Hosea and Gomer—Can Hosea’s faith overpower Gomer’s unfaithfulness?

· Love’s Saving Light is scheduled to release March 2014, telling the story of Queen Athaliah and Baby Joash—Will Jezebel’s daughter snuff out the last king on David’s throne.

Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to share a bit with your readers! I love to keep in touch. Please feel free to email me personally at mesu@mesuandrews.com or share comments here. I’d love to connect on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest!

~~~~~~~

From Ashley/MiscMayzee: Thanks to Donna at Revell House for providing me with this opportunity to interview Mesu, and a super big thanks to Mesu herself for her time and thoughtful answers.

Love's Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews - a Blog Tour

2012-03-17T23:40:00.000-05:00

I read most of Love's Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews today and was really delighted with the volume. I wasn't sure if I would be at first...despite how much I loved Mesu's book Love Amid the Ashes. It took reading about the first 25% of this book to really get into the story whereas Love Amid the Ashes essentially took off immediately.

However, this had little to do with the author's construction of the plot but more to do with the source material. The story of Job contains the elements of a non-stop journey into darkness while the story told in Love's Sacred Song is more sedate, albeit passionate and treacherous.

When I was growing up and being told Bible stories King Solomon's life was basically left at the stories of his wisdom and our teachers did nothing to explore the flaws in the man when they were as notable as his wisdom. Of course, his flaws would have been a bit difficult to explain to children, but I still felt cheated a bit when I eventually found at this paradigm of wisdom also did bad things. I like that this book doesn't shy away from exploring Solomon's failings. However, that very boldness makes it difficult to read because you want to change things as the reader...you want to see the best in people and not the worst and when one is reading or writing about real people, that isn't always possible. Anne Frank still dies and Solomon still forgets himself.

However, more to the task at hand...I think that Mesu did a very good job of weaving a story from the verses in the Song of Songs. Ultimately, I would consider Love Amid the Ashes the finer book of Mesu's two releases only because Job is a more compelling figure to me. The writing in both was tight and fully descriptive in both the expression of great joy and great sorrow. I do look forward to reading more of the author's books in the future as I have found both a source of deeper spiritual inspiration than many books are.

Also, stay tuned! My very next blog post...literally within the next five minutes...is a five question interview with Mesu Andrews!

Love's Sacred Song is available as of March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

Sarai by Jill Eileen Smith: a Blog Tour

2012-03-10T11:59:00.000-06:00

I really enjoyed reading Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith. That book was the last in the Wives of King David series, so I was quite excited to give Sarai, the first volume in her new Wives of the Patriarchs's series a whirl to see if it was as good.

I liked Sarai quite a lot. Considering that any of us who enjoy Christian fiction are likely well-versed in the Bible and familiar with the story of Abraham and Sarah, Jill Eileen Smith embarked on quite the task when she attempted to bring this man and woman as well as the other characters in the book further to life. I think she did a great job with what she had to work with.

What do I mean by this?

I mean that the story of Abram and Sarai waiting for their promised son is one of the stories in the Bible that shows the impatience many of us feel while waiting for things. When Sarai sends her servant Hagar to Abram, you can't help wanting to scream "No, God hasn't forgotten you." However, that would be to second guess God's divine plan because Hagar ended up talking to God through an angel.

It is always difficult to read a book where a character makes a bad decision after a bad decision after a bad decision.

Sarai makes a lot of bad decisions: idol worship, no idol worship, send the maidservant to Abram to conceive, get mad at the maidservant for conceiving, treat maidservant badly.

...but none of this was Jill Eileen Smith's fault. She did the best she could with a story that shows one of the ultimate struggles for faith when a situation seems hopeless. I am looking forward to reading her accounts of Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah as they will not be quite as cumbersome as Sarai. I like Jill's style and will continue to enjoy her former series as I wait for these volumes to release.

Sarai is available as of March 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

Three Hearts: A Joyful Look at Samaritan's Purse: Enter to Win a DVD Copy

2012-02-29T11:18:00.000-06:00

I recently had the opportunity to preview a new documentary named Three Hearts. This program takes a closer look at the Samaritan's Purse organization. It follows three different child patients as they pursue open heart surgery. These three children live in Mongolia where the procedures they needed are not offered. Therefore, they rely upon Samaritan's Purse to connect them with doctors and hospitals who will provide them with the surgery here in the states.

At first glance I was a bit afraid that this documentary would focus more on Cissie Graham Lynch and would be a "watch me reach outside of myself" journey, and I was pleasantly surprised to be proven W-R-O-N-G. The three Mongolian heart patients are really the center of the film, and they really bring the joy with them.

Despite, all of the hardship these children (particularly the two older boys featured in the film) have been through, they are joyful and open and even excited about their opportunity to journey to America and undergo a risky procedure. I felt tears grace my face more than once during this program.

I also really loved the woman who runs Samaritan's Purse, she was delightful, well-spoken, decisive, and informed about every aspect of the organization (sounds like a small thing, but how many times have we seen how poorly managed some organizations are?) and really seems to carry a light inside of her for every single child she comes in contact with. She was truly an inspiration as were the host families.

There is no way that you will regret engaging with this wonderful documentary and finding out a bit more about this aspect of the Samaritan's Purse organization.

About Three Hearts:

A passionate team of people work to save the lives of three Mongolian children with life-threatening heart defects.

Graduating college senior, Cissie Graham Lynch, granddaughter of evangelist Billy Graham, takes on an internship at Samaritan’s Purse working with the Children’s Heart Project. This project is dedicated to saving the lives of children by providing medical procedures that aren’t available in many countries. Cissie is charged with supervising the arrival and surgeries of three Mongolian children suffering from fatal congenital heart defects.

But the task is not easy and filled with unexpected challenges. Cissie balances responsibilities as a newly married wife to a professional football player and her tasks with the internship. Meanwhile the Children’s Heart team turns to a Texas family who travels to Mongolia for the adventure of a lifetime to help bring the children to San Antonio for their surgeries. In Texas, two host families make sacrifices to care for these children and their mothers, while a team of doctors and nurses volunteer their time only to stare directly into the face of life and death. How far would you go to save a life?

It’s a fight for survival, a fight of faith, and a fight for a new life for these three hearts.

To grab Three Hearts on DVD:

Christian Book Distributors Link: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=320721
Amazon: Buy Three Hearts on Amazon

Enter to Win a Copy:

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Enter to Win Seventh Generation Diapers and a Copy of The Lorax

2012-02-28T05:34:00.000-06:00

Today, I am pleased to bring you information about Seventh Generation's new overnight diapers and the motion picture debut of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax* (look for trailer below). Perusing this information will provide you with the opportunity to win a hardcover copy of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss and a pack of Seventh Generation's Free & Clear diapers.

In partnership with Universal Studios’ motion picture debut of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax* also known as the “Speaker for the Trees” who brings environmental truth and ecological hope to all, Seventh Generation will feature limited edition Lorax prints on all our diapers and training pants. These prints are intended to remind parents and caregivers of the lessons of The Lorax, and encourage family reading and environmental awareness while creating a few smiles. Discover (or rediscover) Dr. Suess’ The Lorax as you read about his legacy and messages of sustainability with your child, and inspire a new generation of environmentalists starting with your family!

The Seventh Generation family of Free & Clear baby products continues to deliver on your needs as it expands in March, with the addition of NEW Overnight Diapers. Moreover, Free & Clear diapers have been redesigned with new, improved tabs for better fit while Free and Clear training pants now have an absorbent core that is made with more renewable materials.

Features of Free & Clear Diapers:

NEW Overnight Diapers are absorbent enough to keep your baby and bedding dry through the night or during prolonged travel
Free & Clear diapers have improved, more flexible tabs that provide even better fit
Free & Clear training pants have an absorbent core made with more renewable, plant-based materials. They also feature stretchy, tear away side panels for a better fit and added convenience, as well as inner leak barriers for superior leakage protection
Seventh Generation Free & Clear baby care products do not contain chlorine, fragrance, petroleum-based lotions or latex, and all Free & Clear products are also hypo-allergenic
Starting March 2, you can register for a free The Lorax scrapbook with the purchase of any three Free & Clear diaper products, until supplies last

I believe that the message of The Lorax and the Seventh Generation brand go hand and hand - or at the very least run parallel enough to be a logical example of co-branding. I love that Seventh Generation products provide us with suitable alternatives for household cleaning goods, paper products, and diapers while maintaining a level of affordability.

I hope that all of you enjoy the opportunity to see The Lorax and theaters and pick up these packages of Seventh Generation diapers.

If you want to find out more about Seventh Generation or follow the brand through Social Media, use the following links:

Seventh Generation Website: http://bit.ly/SevGen
Seventh Generation on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/SevGenFbook
Seventh Generation on Twitter: http://bit.ly/SevGenTwitter

Disclosure: The Seventh Generation Diapers prize pack, product and information have been provided by Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.
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Heart's Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes - a Blog Tour

2012-02-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

Heart's Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes is the second volume in her Midwives trilogy, and it really lived up to the expectations she set with the book Lady in the Mist. I might be a bit prejudiced when it comes to this volume because I have a special affinity for two types of historical fiction volumes: those featuring school teachers and those set at sea. This book was set at sea.

The time period is several years after the time period Lady in the Mist took place even though the British and American conflict is still raging. This provides the backdrop in which Phoebe Lee is drug on board a potential pirate voyage. She is pulled along because her sister-in-law is expecting and needed a midwife on board and didn't feel she could coerce anyone else into attending to her aboard Rafe Docherty's vessel.

Rafe and Phoebe are both very interesting characters (the preggers lady is mostly annoying, FYI) and both are dealing with somewhat similar yet different backgrounds. Each was married before and in a marriage that started or lived on less than honest footing. In both cases, the marriage ended violently though I won't get too far into that to allow you to discover the nuances of the volume at your leisure. Suffice it to say that each much overcome some resentment and anger in their heart to arrive at a better place that allows them to truly love each other.

Rafe remained such a complex character until the end of the volume that I wasn't sure what he would do in the end until he did it, and then there were still several interesting plot twists within those last 100 pages or so. One twist I absolutely never saw coming....and would love to discuss further but it would be too big of a spoiler....

Ironically, as much as I enjoyed this book, it is a bit hard to review because there is so much to discover as you read the book that I don't want to take the thrill of reading the pages away from you by being too revealing.

Summary: Read Heart's Safe Passage, you will like it.

P.S. Tabitha and Dominick from Lady in the Mist are featured ever so slightly in this volume which is quite cute. It is always nice to see how our old friends from previous books are getting along, isn't it?

Heart's Safe Passage is available as of February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this volume.

Fighting Bathroom Mold: a Persistent Battle, but Always Winnable

2012-02-23T08:30:00.001-06:00

Tilex® has released a brand new Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover named Refereshing Breeze in an effort to help you/me/us keep your/my/our home stunningly clean and mold-free. In honor of this new product, Tilex's Facebook page is hosting a mega sweepstakes with great prizes. You can enter to win one of three 40" flat screen TVs or one of ten different Netlfix subscrptions. Each friend you invite to the Facebook page to enter the sweepstakes by 3/16/12 garners you an extra entry in the pool!

In our house, mold isn't a huge problem...at least not the naughty kind...except in our bathroom. We live in an older home that was apartmentalized and the small bathroom is prone to developing mold. It doesn't stick around long because my husband is a mold-killing bandit, but it pops up. There are a few different things we do to stay on top of the problem.

First, in the winter we keep the bathroom door open when the room is not in use to keep the room well-ventilated. In the summer time, we keep the window open to allow more fresh air to come in and encourage ventilation since we leave the room door shut in the summer to avoid cooling it. Keeping the room ventilated helps stop moisture from building up in the wall cavities and on other surfaces. Mold loves moisture and we don't need a bathroom-based love affair going on around here when mold is one of the participants.

My husband also makes a habit of cleaning out and reapplying the silicone sealant between our bathtub and splash guard on a yearly basis. Because of our older home and wood flooring and large temperature swings between summer and winter her in the upper midwest, our floor heaves ever so slightly. This leads to miniscule cracks forming in the sealant over time which can allow mold to start growing and working its way toward the back wall. A yearly tune-up really keeps anything visible from ever appearing and stops the nasty stuff from spreading.

We also practice wiping out the tub and shower when we exit and maintain a dedicated towel for this purpose. We don't wipe out the entire unit, but we do wipe down the edges of the tub and the outer rims of the splash guard to keep standing water at a minimum on surfaces that do not really have a path for water to find its way to the drain. To ensure this is done most effectively, I had to revert to the dorm room practice of keeping my shampoos, conditioners, and face care products off the edge of the tub and in separate storage. I basically pick the products I want on any given day, take it in with me, and pull it out after I get dressed. We all do this, but for me it is the bigger inconvenience because I have more stuff. However, I'd rather carry my razor into the shower with me and keep mold out of the unit versus keeping a blade that could give me a knick at any moment near mold. (I pick my battles.)

When we do have mold pop up, my husband believes in bleach, bleach, bleach or a product with bleach, bleach, bleach. I prefer produts with added bleach because the smell of it straight is an irritant for me, but I am more of the mildew attacker so I let my husband choose the tools for fighting his mold battles. He gets in there with old, discarded kitchen sponges, a bucket, and elbow grease and pulls everything out of the bathroom, wipes everything down, uses little improvised tools to get into nooks and crannies, and then brings everything back in. He truly finds this the only way to effectively combat mold, and I would agree. After one of his intensive cleanings it takes a couple of seasons for anything to begin to reemerge...and usually that is because we let one of our other steps slide!

Fighting mold can be a continuous battle when you live, like we do, in an older home. A bit of preventative maintenance goes a long way toward keeping the battles well spaced. However, even the best of us slip up sometimes. At that point, a good cleaning product is necessary to battle the mold you have and help keep it from coming back to such a large extent.

If you want more info on Tilex® Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover, check out the following link: http://www.tilex.com/mildew-stain-remover/

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tilex blogging program, for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.