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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Review: Mary Had A Sleepy Sheep by Julia Dweck


Mary Had A Sleepy Sheep by Julia Dweck, Wilson Williams Jr. -Illustrator, YR, 2013, Kindle edition ebook, 25p, Rating=2
Source: own --free on Amazon

Young Mary had a little lamb.
His name was Sheppard sheep,
And everywhere that Mary went
That sheep was sure to sleep.
This is not your average Mother Goose nursery rhyme. In this hilarious parody, poor Mary has one very sleepy, slumbering, snoozing sheep named Sheppard and Mary’s mom is not happy.
Can Mary can keep her sleepy sheep awake?
Young readers will laugh along at Mary’s zany attempts, as she tries everything from spicy-hot fiestas to water fights. The humor is fast and fun in this easy to read rhyming adventure.

This is a parody to the well known nursery rhyme, Mary Had A Little Lamb.  However, I didn't care for this rendition. I liked the animated illustrations, the activity page at the end of the book (and find Whiskers challenge), and overall cute premise; but the part when the mother kicked the sheep out of the bed did not sit well with me (it was a very harsh depiction).  It was early in the book and it set an unpleasant tone to my read.  I also felt that some of the rhymes did not flow quite right.  Although, it seems that I'm in the minority.  Thus far this book has received mainly 5-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.  I don't see it.

The Kindle edition ebook is still available for free on Amazon so those who have a Kindle can download it.  If you do, let me know what you think.

Follow the link below to download:


Monday, October 28, 2013

Author-Book Profile: The Afterlife of Trinity Rose by Amy Armbruster

Please welcome Ms. Amy Armbruster and her latest book, The Afterlife of Trinity Rose.  This fairly new off the "e-press" (10/23/13) paranormal romance book sounds intriguing.  A 5 star review on Amazon thus far so it's at least worth checking out.  :)


Amy Armbruster has always enjoyed writing and now she loves to share her stories with her readers. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her immediate and extended family. She has many interests including ghost hunting, antiquing, cemetery exploring, shopping with her daughter, and amateur photography.

Her current Paranormal Romance titles include Whispering Coves, Devon’s Curse, Sisters Forevermore, and Death Becomes Me: Murder In Paradise. Her Christian Romance is God's Hands. Keep a look out for her next Christian Romance novel, In God’s Golden Time and for more paranormal romance novels to be released in the years to come!

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(click image for details/purchase)



It started out like any other Friday night for Trinity Rose; she was in a rush to return home after a long day of work. Her mind was on a million other things besides the curvy road she knew all too well. But this night, didn't end with Trinity arriving home to prepare for a date with a stranger. For once, this all too familiar road didn't lead her home or to the life she knew; instead, it led her to her afterlife.


Start below.  Find out more about her books or for purchase:






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[Helping authors promote their books.  Being profiled does not necessarily mean I recommend the book.]

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Blog Tour + Giveaway: The Faerie War by Rachel Morgan

Yay, Book #3 is here!  This is a fantastic series ..action packed and a nail biter (Books #1 and #2)!  Looking forward to seeing how it all ends.  ~Look for my review of this book in January. 


The Faerie War by Rachel Morgan
Publication Date: November 21, 2013

The fate of the fae world is in her hands ...
Violet Fairdale is in big trouble. Her home is gone, her beloved forest lies in ruins, the guy she gave her heart to has deserted her—and she doesn’t remember any of it. The powerful Lord Draven is taking over, brainwashing guardians into fighting for him. No one is safe from the evil spreading throughout the fae world.
As alliances are forged between the remaining free fae, Vi struggles to reclaim her identity and figure out where she belongs in this new world. When someone from her past shows up, life gets even more complicated. He brings with him a long-forgotten weapon and an ancient prophecy that places Vi at the center of the fight against Draven. With the future of the fae world at stake, can Vi carry out the prophecy’s instructions before it’s too late?


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Rachel Morgan was born in South Africa and spent a large portion of her childhood living in a fantasy land of her own making. After completing a degree in genetics, she decided science wasn’t for her—after all, they didn’t approve of made-up facts. These days she spends much of her time immersed in fantasy land once more, writing fiction for young adults.
When she isn't writing, she's reading (duh!), catching up on addictive TV series, and baking things that almost always include chocolate.

AUTHOR HOSTED GIVEAWAY:


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Friday, October 25, 2013

Review: Consider the Blessings by Thomas S. Monson


Consider the Blessings: True Accounts of God's Hand in our Lives by Thomas S. Monson, NF -Religion, 2013, 160p, Rating: 5
Source: hardcover copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

If you ask people what they love most about President Thomas S. Monson’s teaching style, chances are they’ll say something about the personal experiences he relates. The accounts President Monson shares are always true, taken from his own life or the real lives of other people. Those warm, memorable accounts have truly become a hallmark of his messages.
Who can forget the woman who saved one of the two sticks of gum Elder Monson passed out to youth in postwar Germany? Or the neighbor who returned a box of baseballs to young Tommy as a thank-you for his kindness to her? Or the father who declined to attend a “Mormon” meeting with his family but had his heart softened by a message he heard on a radio that was actually broken?
In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of his call as an Apostle, Consider the Blessings presents fifty of the true accounts President Thomas S. Monson has shared over the years. With beautiful photographs and heart-touching content, this is a book to treasure with the whole family.

This is an absolutely exquisite book.  The attention to detail in the art and design (embossed book cover writings, photograph images, glossy paper, font, etc.) was impeccable.  Each of the fifty stories had its proper serenity in the pages.  Accordingly, the content was its greatest masterpiece.  The book really did show affirmations of God's hand in our lives which to me clearly shouted that there is a loving God.  The events addressed were not coincidences as one might argue but examples of quite miracles happening in our time.  Oh, how my heart rejoiced.

This is definitely a tried and tested family book.  I read three to four stories each night to my children at bedtime for nearly two weeks.  I often found myself struggling in reading because I was dissolved in tears.  The stories were that piercing.  There's just nothing like knowing the love of God for us through the kindness that people show for each other.  It's certainly a testament to me that life is meaningful.

Feed your heart and soul.  Read this book.



Thursday, October 24, 2013

Filipino Friday: The Pinoy Book Drop

Thursday in the U.S. but Friday in the Philippines
(Go HERE to join the fun!)

This week we were asked to do a book drop, The Pinoy Book Drop.  I had so much fun doing this!  I certainly will do this again!!

Find the complete instructions HERE but here's my condense version:
1. Pick a book (or two, or three, or yes, four!) that you wish to give away.
2. Paste or stick a bookplate.
3. Take a photo, noting the date, time, and place where you left each one.
4. Tweet or Facebook your book drop using hastags #pbdrop and #filreadercon and tag Filipino ReaderCon @FilReaderCon.

I dropped off three books this morning.  Hope the new owners enjoy the treat. :)

Book #1, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Dropped at a nearby windy road that the locals go to walk/jog/run/bike.

Book #2, Vision in White by Nora Roberts.  Dropped at a nearby convalescent home.

Book #3, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.  Dropped at a nearby park.

I made my own bookplate that I printed on a blank address label. It read (adjusted font & size to fit):

I'm not really lost. I'm just looking for a
new owner. Will you be mine?

Brought to you by a participant in The Filipino Book
Drop. http://filipinoreadercon.worpress.com
#PinoyReaderCon #filreadercon #pbdrop
Oops! Should have been an "@" not "#" on the PinoyReaderCon. Oh well.

Update, 10/25/13: Yikes, I missed the most current instructions (I went by the initial drop instructions I linked above)!

Here’s the topic question:
"First, kindly detail all the books that you have dropped, and where and when you dropped them.– Next: tell us all about your experience. How did you feel before and after you dropped the books? How did you choose the places where you dropped them? Did you check back and see if the books were still there? Do you have any idea who might have found them?"

My Answer:
I was late in the game for this week’s topic because I don’t check my FB or Twitter often so I missed the instructions. I finally found it on Wednesday night so I brainstormed a plan that night and made it happen the following morning. Before the drops I thought that the project was a great idea but when it came to taking pictures of the drops, well, that was dicey (especially the convalescent drop)! I had to work quickly, timing them when no one was around. Of course, before I knew it someone was coming. I took the pictures, all the time thinking they’re going to think I’ve dropped off a bomb, I’m on a surveillance camera, and SWAT is on its way!! But after the drops I felt excited and happy. I haven’t gotten the chance to check back on the books (maybe later today) so I have no clue who ended up with them.

About the books/purchase:



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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

WoW: The First Phone Call from Heaven

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.


Here's what I'm eagerly anticipating ...


Publication Date: November 12, 2013

The First Phone Call from Heaven tells the story of a small town on Lake Michigan that gets worldwide attention when its citizens start receiving phone calls from the afterlife. Is it the greatest miracle ever or a massive hoax? Sully Harding, a grief-stricken single father, is determined to find out. An allegory about the power of belief—and a page-turner that will touch your soul—Albom's masterful storytelling has never been so moving and unexpected.
Readers of The Five People You Meet in Heaven will recognize the warmth and emotion so redolent of Albom's writing, and those who haven't yet enjoyed the power of his storytelling, will thrill at the discovery of one of the best-loved writers of our time.

...but I'm frugal queen so this will actually go to my wish list.  Crossing my fingers that it'll be in my local library to check out. :)

Pre-order here:


Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Teaser Tuesdays: Rocky Road by Josi S. Kilpack


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB @Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along. Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Just started this book. I haven't the faintest idea what's going on in the quote below but now I'm curious to get there!!

"Tess turned in her seat to say hi to someone in the row behind them.  Sadie focused on the portrait that stood in place of the coffin or urn." (32% / (1208) on my Kindle)



THE ST. GEORGE SPECTRUM
Dr. Trenton Hendricks was last seen Friday, April 8, when he set out alone on a backpacking trip. Hendricks's Jeep Grand Cherokee was located Tuesday at the Chuckwalla Trailhead, but after six days and thousands of man-hours, the official search has been called off. He is presumed to be deceased.
It was supposed to be a girls' weekend in scenic St. George, Utah, that would included shopping, trying out the local cuisine, and participating in a breast cancer fund-raiser. The fact that one of the organizers of the fund-raising event, a local doctor, had disappeared two months before was not supposed to be Sadie's problem.
When Sadie learns that her friend Caro and Caro's cousin, Tess, have started a grassroots investigation into Dr. Hendrick's disappearance, Sadie graciously refuses to be a part of it. With her wedding to plan and her most recent case still fresh in her mind, Sadie is determined to leave this case to the police—until she meets the ex-wife of the missing man.
How could she not ask a few questions ... that lead to more questions ... that lead to a small town and even more questions? When the local police ask her to be their eyes and ears, Sadie can't help but jump in with both feet. Before she knows it, she is on the rocky road of another investigation, following a convoluted trail of good intentions, hidden motivations, and philanthropy turned big business.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Book Loot Giddy: 10/8/13 - 10/21/13


Yeah, I got a little freebie happy! ;)

*Click on book images to direct you to Amazon detail/purchase*

Kindle Freebies (at time of purchase):

Smashwords Freebie (at time of purchase):

For Review:


Gifted to me:
Death of the Mad Hatter by Sarah J. Pepper

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