Book Review: Wicked by Gregory Maguire!

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Head on over to the Book Blogging Beauties blog and check out my review of the book Wicked by Gregory Maguire!

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Illusion by Frank Peretti Book Review

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New Book Review: Blood Magic by Jennifer Lyon

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Soul on Fire Review!

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Picture of the Day: Library

This is a digital version of a photo I had to take for our first project in Photography 2. It was a scavenger hunt, and one of the things we had to take a photo of was books. So I went down to my hometown library & they were so kind as to let me take some photo's there.

Those library ladies are the best!

:)

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Pain

I was sitting down today, reading one of my books, and I came to this passage. It really inspired me. So I thought I would share it with you guys, in hopes that it might speak/inspire you was well.

:)

"What we hadn't known,back then, was pain.

Sure we'd faced some things as children that a lot of kids don't. Sure Justin had qualified for his Junior de Sade badge in this teaching methods for dealing with pain. We still hadn't learned, though, that growing up is all about getting hurt. And then getting over it. You hurt. You recover. You move on. Odds are pretty good you're just going to get hurt again. But each time, you learn something

Each time, you come out of it a little stronger, and at some point you realize that there are more flavors of pain than coffee. There's a little empty pain of leaving something behind-graduating, taking the next step forward, walking out of something familiar and safe into the unknown. There's the big, whirling pain of life upending all of your plans and expectations. There's the sharp little pains of failure, and the more obscure aches of successes that didn't give you what you thought they would. There are the vicious, stabbing pains of hopes being torn up. The sweet little pains of finding others, giving them your love, and taking joy in their life as they grow and learn. There's the steady pain of empathy that you shrug off so you can stand beside a wounded friend and help them bear their burdens.

And if you're very, very, lucky, there are a very few blazing hot little pains you feel when you realize that you are standing in a moment of utter perfection, an instant of triumph, or happiness, or mirth which at the same time cannot possibly last-and yet will remain with you for life. 

Everyone is down on pain, because they forget something important about it: Pain is for the living. Only the dead don't feel it. 

Pain is a part of life. Sometimes its a big part, and sometimes it isn't, but either way, its a part of the big puzzle, the deep music, the great game. Pain does two things: It teaches you, tells you that you're alive. Then it passes away and leaves you changed. It leaves you wiser, sometimes. Sometimes it leaves you stronger. Either way, pain leaves its mark, and everything important that will ever happen to you in life is going to involve it in one degree or another."

-Harry Dresden

The Dresden Files: White Night

Jim Butcher

Book Review: Iris and the Dragonflies by Rosemary Danielis

Iris And the Dragonflies

Rosemary Danielis

After dragons, in the form of spell-bound dragonflies tell Iris she is their long-awaited Dragon Seer, Iris takes the first step toward her destiny by challenging the greedy mayor who wants to destroy the local creek, the dragonflies' home.  But evil never works alone and a man with his own mysterious connections to Iris will do anything to stop her.

Review:

When I originally chose to review Iris and the Dragonflies, I'd planned to read it to Miss *a*.  We've recently been enjoying the Narnia books, and it seemed rather similar.  A few chapters in, I realized it might be a bit over her head...and frankly, it was so enjoyable, I couldn't stop long enough to read out loud.  

The target audience for this is actually closer to the twelve year old range, and even then, the author uses some words that might send them running for a dictionary, not that that's a bad thing.  (Most adults I asked weren't sure the definition of "insidious".)  Regardless, this book is a wonderful read for adults as well, especially those of us raised on the works of CS Lewis and the like.  


A blend of modern day, and Celtic legend, many can relate to poor Iris, frustrated with knowing she's special and being told that her imagination is wild, and that she must leave such talk behind.  Saved by her understanding mother, and her believer grandmother, Iris stands firm in her belief that "There are more things in this world than are dreamt of in your philosophies." as Shakespeare would say.

Although parts of the modern day dialogue come off stilted, the author has clearly done her research, and the myths and stories of yesteryear flow easily off her pen.  I highly recommend this book for any reader who feels a kinship to the stories of old, or who has ever taken refuge in their imagination.

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The Book Blogging Beauties received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, We only recommend products or services We use personally and believe will be good for our readers.
We were not compensated for this review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion on books, products, whatever the case may be.

Book Review: Turkey Talk by Lisa Nazarian

Turkey Talk by Lisa Nazarian

Lesruba Books

Turkey Talk is a young children's picture book with fun facts about turkeys. 
Turkeys are best known for being the main course of Thanksgiving dinner. But learning more about these birds might make you think twice before eating them for supper. 
Turkey Talk ultimately has an animal compassion, vegan/vegetarian message and even gives you information about where you can adopt a turkey instead of eating one.

K Says:

So, we're trying something new here with our kid's book reviews. While me transcribing what Miss *a* says is fun, to really get her opinion, you kinda have to be there. Since my house isn't big enough for ALL of you, what's better than a Vlog?

The book in question today is Turkey Talk by Lisa Nazarian. 

Now, I'd originally wanted to review the book, as it was described as a book of facts on turkeys, and Miss *a* had been full of questions around Thanksgiving.  When Hannah assigned us to review it, she'd mentioned it was supposed to have a vegan slant to encourage children towards a meatless lifestyle.  That gave me pause, but what the heck...nothing wrong with learning about other options, right?

Ok, first...this isn't a book.  Calling it a book is insulting to anyone who ever wrote a book.  This is a PowerPoint presentation....one at a middle school level, at that.  The facts are mostly  given.  "Turkeys have a mom and dad."  Well....yes...doesn't almost every animal?  The illustrations, and I hate to use that word at all, are stock cartoonish images, and cheesy ones at that.  Slapping a piece of clip art at the top center of a page, and rattling off some random "fact" does NOT a book make.  At one point, there were just a pair of cartoon eyes, with the fact "Turkeys have excellent vision."  That's what you have to work with here, people.  As for the vegan slant, the only time it was mentioned was in the last two pages.  We were "informed" that turkeys hate Thanksgiving, and that a kid could give a turkey something to be thankful for this thanksgiving by eating more stuffing instead.  Seriously?  That's all you're going to try?  'cause my kid hates stuffing.  It's gonna take more than that, trust me. I realize I'm coming off a bit harsh here, but I was mildly insulted...both that the author would try to pass this off as a book, and that she expected even small children to think that as well.  In fact, let's see what Miss *a* had to say about it. 

A Says:

I think it's easy to tell, she was not impressed either. All in all, this book might be a good read, if you need encouragement to become an author on your own.  If this is the stuff that's out there, trust me, you can do much better.  Now, I'm off to make my own PowerPoint so I can add "Children's Book Author" to my resume.  Feel free to forward me any clip art you find, the cheesier the better. 

Hannah Says:

I completely agree with K and A on this book. It was kind of a joke. I asked K & A to review it as well because I don't have kids and I think that its always nice to get a kids perspective on a children's book, rather than just look at it from an adult standpoint.

As you can see, this didn't hit well on the children or adult level. I read the "book" and the whole time I was thinking that I think I've seen all these illustrations on Microsoft Word. Also the facts about turkeys weren't at all convincing me to not eat turkey. In fact, I never would have known that was the point of the book if I hadn't read the description.

It was just a very poor way of going about the whole book.

I would say that the author needs to do a bit of tweaking on this book to make it more interesting to children, as well as find a better way to demonstrate her point.

*The Book Blogging BeautiesI received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, We only recommend products or services We use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. We were not compensated for this review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion on books, products, whatever the case may be.

Five Weeks of Giving: Book Lovers Giveaway!

Welcome to the Five Weeks of Giving!

I'm the cohost for this weeks giveaway for Book Lovers!

I have 3 fabulous prizes that you could win!
How exciting!

To enter this giveaway, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
Good luck!

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Prize 1:

An ebook copy of the book Best Left Buried by Cindy Hutchins!

Read our review here

Prize 2

1 UGlee Pen

Read my review here

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Prize 3

A signed ARC of the book Candlewax by C. Bailey Sims!!

Read our review here

Pack 4

A copy of Healing With Words: A Writer's Cancer Journey by Diana M. Raab

Read our review here

Just enter using the Rafflecopter form below!

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Book Review: Candlewax by C. Bailey Sims

Candlewax

Author: C. Bailey Sims

Publisher: Terabyte Press

Category: Juvenile Fiction - Action & Adventure

Publication Date: April 3, 2012

 An Ancient Prophecy. A Powerful Relic. An Insatiable Evil. When all three converge, the fate of every living thing will be in peril.

All her life Catherine had hoped to see a fairrier cat. No book, no scroll provided to her by her tutors had ever mentioned this legend, much to her frustration, and now-at the worst possible time-she was getting her wish. Only, in her wish the cat wasn't about to kill her.

A 732-year-old fairrier cat the size of a horse has killed his fair share of hunters. Driven to the brink of extinction for the supernatural powers of his coat, is he indeed the last of his kind?

Sheltered, 16-year-old Catherine is about to find out. Unwitting heir to the Ancient Onyxes, she flees an arranged marriage only to stumble upon the cat's secrets, the force of the ancient relic she wears, and the dangerous mission they must undertake.

Hidden under a desert that was once a fertile land, millions of predators are waiting to feast again. Catherine must discover the secret of the Ancient Onyxes and stop the creatures known as trodliks before they consume everything in their path. A whispered prophecy becomes her only guide and a rejected suitor just might be the one warrior she desperately needs.

Review

Catherine is a sixteen year old princess from the land of Lackanay who is dreading an arranged marriage.  That is, until she decides to escape her castle in search of a life that suits her better.  Little does she know the tangled web she will find herself a part of sooner than she knows.  Catherine quickly realizes her plans of a more normal life are far from her grasp when she meets a supposedly mythical fairrier cat named Spelopekos (Pokos for short).

Catherine soon finds that in the neighboring lands of Lackanay and Candlewax nothing is as it seems.  Pokos is her guide throughout her journey in discovering the truth about her grandmother (Catherine’s namesake) and her role in saving her world from trodliks- creatures that are not supposed to exist.  With a powerful amulet passed down to her from her grandmother, a demanding fairrier cat, and others she meets along the way, Catherine soon discovers there is much more to her family history and the history of Lackanay than she ever knew.  She is faced with sorting through family secrets and ancient prophecies, in her quest to save Lackanay- because she is the only one who can.

Candlewax is a medieval fantasy that serves as a coming-of-age story of young Catherine, who discovers who she is and her place in her world throughout the story.  While at times a bit slow and overly descriptive, Sims has given us an enjoyable and exciting addition to the YA Fantasy genre.  For the adult reader, it may be a bit predictable.  However, for the younger reader for which it is intended, Candlewax is sure to be an entertaining read, and serves up a strong and courageous heroine with Catherine.  The ending ties up well, but leaves it easily open for the next installment of what is intended to be the Candlewax trilogy.  

Find this book on Goodreads!

The Book Diva's received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and Terabyte Press. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books, products, whatever the case may be. We were not compensated for this review.

Book Review: The Fresh Egg Cookbook by Jennifer Trainer Thompson

The Fresh Egg Cookbook 

Author: Jennifer Trainer Thompson
Releases: February 01, 2012

Description:

The Fresh Egg Cookbook, author and chicken keeper Jennifer Trainer Thompson serves up 101 creative recipes for enjoying and celebrating the versatility of eggs.

From the perfect soft-boiled egg to French toast, omelets, eggs Florentine, and huevos rancheros, readers will find a wealth of favorite breakfast offerings with new twists. Local, fresh eggs bring out the best in classic preparations such as Caesar salad, spaghetti carbonara, eggnog, and homemade mayonnaise. In recipes ranging from smoothies to casseroles, deviled and stuffed eggs to stews, Thompson offers inventive variations for spicing up eggs and combining them with fresh seasonal vegetables for every meal of the day. She also shares amusing anecdotes about her own chickens and family life with a backyard flock. 

With easy recipes and tasty flavor combinations, The Fresh Egg Cookbook is the perfect book for any egg-loving kitchen (and especially one within clucking distance of a backyard coop!).

Review

It isn’t often that I consider a cookbook a “good read”, however when I picked up The Fresh Egg Cookbook by Jennifer Trainer Thompson I was immediately enthralled.  This is a cookbook that is captivating! Thompson has a beautiful way with words and her book is filled with stories about her backyard chicken experiences as well as amazing recipes, and helpful hints. She talks about the triumphs and failures that come along with raising chickens as well as loving any animal.

The recipes in this book are simple, clear, and absolutely delicious. I made a host of different recipes, but two recipes were my absolute favorite. My favorite recipe by far was the Mango Smoothie. The smoothie was refreshing, easy to make and it was filling enough to have for breakfast!    

The other recipe that I found very useful was the recipe for hard boiled eggs.  I love hard boiled eggs, and when I first started raising urban chickens I was excited about the prospect of having tons of hard boiled eggs!  However, every time I attempted to make hard boiled eggs I would end up with eggs that were pitted and impossible to peel.  I learned from Thompson that my eggs were too fresh.  She recommends in her book that you allow fresh eggs to sit several weeks before hard boiling them.  I tried this technique, and it works!  The shells peel off easily and there are no pit marks on my eggs anymore. 

I would recommend this book to people who love to cook as well as people who have no clue how to cook.  Thompson’s recipes are simple, healthy, and delicious!  

Find this Book on:

Amazon

Goodreads
Barnes & Noble

The Book Diva's received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and Storey Publishing. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books, products, whatever the case may be. We were not compensated for this review.

Book Review: Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes by Larry Peterson

Willie Wiggles hates his slippery feet. He just slips, slides and spins all over the place. But what he hates even more are the special shoes that have been made for him that will help him to walk just like all the other kids. Willie thinks that they are the "stupidest, ugliest shoes in the whole world."

Discover how sometimes we worry about things about ourselves when actually there is nothing to worry about in the first place.

Review

I really loved this book. Even though it's a children's book, it has a really great story that everyone can learn from. We've all felt self conscious at some point in our life or another, just like Slippery Willie. This book addresses that and accepting the differences in people, in a way that kids will love! 

I loved all of the adorable little illustrations. Kids will love reading this book, and may even enjoy a little dose from their parents at story time. You and your kids alike are sure to fall for Slippery Willie's silliness.

;)

I also like that they have discussion questions in the back of the book so that you can talk to your children about the topics in this book. I think that this book would be great to use if you are a school teacher as well, thanks to the great discussion questions and valuable lessons found in this book.

Whatever your age, wherever you're from, you're sure to love and learn from this book, just as much as I did.

Here's a bit of info about the author, Larry Peterson.

Larry Peterson was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. As a freelancer, he has written many newspaper columns for local publications. Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes is his first children’s book. Peterson has lived in Pinellas Park, Florida for the past 28 years.

Book web site:http://www.slipperywillie.com

Larry Peterson Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/#!/larrytpbx

Tribute Books website:http://www.tribute-books.com

Tribute Books Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks

The Book Diva's received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. We were not compensated for this review. All opinions are that of the reviewer.

Book Review: Healing With Words by Diana M. Raab

Healing With Words: A Writer's Cancer Journey is a compassionate and wry self-help memoir written by an award-winning prolific author, nurse and poet, who at the age of forty-seven found her life shattered first by a DCIS
(early breast cancer) diagnosis and five years later by another, seemingly unrelated and incurable cancer—multiple myeloma. The book includes the author's experiences, reflections, poetry and journal entries, in addition to writing prompts for readers to express their own personal story.
Raab's journals have provided a safe haven and platform to validate and express her feelings. Raab views journaling to be like a daily vitamin—in that it heals, detoxifies and is essential for optimal health.

Readers will learn to:

• Understand the importance of early cancer detection and how to take control of their own health
• Discover the power of writing to release bottled-up emotions
• Learn how the process of journaling can facilitate healing
• See how a cancer diagnosis can be a riveting event which can renew and change a person in a unique way

Raab’s memoir is very accessible to the reader. It flows in a natural, easy, and conversational way. Her poetry is intimate and allows the reader to see into her thoughts and emotions as she is dealing with her diagnosis and treatment. Raab never sugar coats the things she felt or experienced. Instead, she gives her honest feelings and opinions on everything from the doctors to the depression that came after surgery. The journaling prompts that are included are creative and urge the reader to recount parts of their own journey with cancer. Many readers who have suffered from cancer will find the exercises to be cathartic and perhaps even healing. This memoir is a fresh and honest piece that shows how cancer can touch everyone and the obstacles that one must overcome in order to survive it.

The Book Diva's received this book through  Business To Blogger for review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books, products, whatever the case may be. We received a free book for this review.

Book Review: Care for Creation

Children learn to protect the environment and respect nature through recycling, home energy conservation and neighborhood clean-ups. Through accompanying Bible verses, they are encouraged to be responsible stewards of God's creation.

Review:

I was excited to be given this book to review because of the valuable lesson of recycle-reuse-renew, something I’m already teaching my children who are 7, 9, and 12 years old. We read the book together, marveling at the soft, bright colors the artist chose. We especially liked that the brother and sister were working together to care for their environment. We all appreciated the tips for conservation, and agreed that it is our job to care for the world around us, but all of us struggled with some of the inconsistencies throughout the story.

While talking about chemicals polluting our water supply, there was a picture of the kids swimming in a pool which requires chemicals to keep it clean, and the scripture on that page references a stream in the mountains. It shows the children unplugging their Wii to conserve electricity, and then depicts them watching a TV as old as I am, with dials to change the channel – not Wii compatible or as energy efficient as newer models. We live in a big city with lots of bright lights, yet the book looks at that as a bad thing (listed alongside poisonous smog) because we can’t see the moon and stars, and where we live in Colorado, it is illegal to collect rainwater for your garden, so we talked about other ways we could conserve that are relevant to us.

My oldest son questioned why the author used scriptures that have nothing to do with caring for the planet. Good question. This book is clearly written for Christians and I’m all for using scripture when teaching, but I was as puzzled as my son.

I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.

I feel as if I’m starting off on the wrong foot with this as my first book review for Book Divas. I rarely give negative reviews, but as a reviewer and a believer, you’ll always get my honest opinion.

Over all, my children liked the book and it was a good discussion starter. While I appreciated the author’s heart for teaching children valuable lessons about caring for creation, I would not intentionally choose this book as that tool. I will say that this is the first book I’ve read by Christy Baldwin, and I would give her other books a chance.

About Christy Baldwin:

Writing has been a passion of Christy's since she was very young. As a child, she loved to write stories for her grandfather and poems just for fun. She lives in Mason, Ohio with her family and is active in church, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and volunteering with various organizations. Christy has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Cedarville University and a master's degree in Special Education from the University of Scranton. She is a stay at home mom who enjoys spending time with her kids and being involved in their schools. Her previous children's titles include Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night and Remembering Wilma.

Book web site:

http://www.CareForCreationBook.com

Christy Baldwin Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001044000739

Tribute Books website:

http://www.tribute-books.com

Tribute Books Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archbald-PA/Tribute-Books/171628704176

Tribute Books Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/TributeBooks

The Book Diva's received this book through  Tomoson.com for review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books, products, whatever the case may be. We were not compensated for this review.

Book Review: Cook Like A Rock Star: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets by Anne Burrell

Cook Like a Rock Star: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets by Anne Burrell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book not only gives you the recipes but idiot proof cooking directions in the recipe. I only gave this book 3 stars because while the directions were very easy to follow I would not make 90% of the items in this book.

I did try two recipes though, Truffle Deviled eggs and Mac and Cheese.I almost never follow a recipe to the t we substitute out things we will not eat and replace with things we will. 

TRUFFLE DEVILED EGGS:

First off lets be honest I left the truffle oil out so I followed the directions and made deviled eggs. Why you may ask would I leave the main ingredient out? Simple have you seen the price of truffle oil. $24 a bottle for a small bottle of something I will probably never use again. But the rest stayed in. see pictures:

Ingredients

Boiling the eggs 13 min exactly

Final Product

Final verdict the kids loved them even the one kid who usually wont eat them.

MAC-N-CHEESE

I also tried the mac-in-cheese This one I followed. I found it strange that it called for spicy brown mustard in it. It was easy enough to follow but the overall response to this one was pass.

*The Book Diva's received this book through Crown Publishing Group for review. All opinions are that of the reviewer.

We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books, products, whatever the case may be. We were not compensated for this review.*

Book Review: Isabella: Girl On The Go by Jennifer Fosberry

Isabella: Girl on the Go by Jennifer Fosberry

ISBN:1402266480

(Expected Publication: February 1st, 2012)

Isabella's back, and her dreams are turning an ordinary backyard into an exciting adventure!

Join Isabella on a new imaginative journey in Isabella: Girl on the Go

Jennifer Fosberry has created an inspiring follow-up to her New York Times bestselling series featuring everyone's favorite purple-haired, little girl. Previously, Isabella discovered her favorite heroes in My Name Is Not Isabella. Now she travels around the world experiencing its greatest wonders without ever leaving her own backyard.

Isabella, as precocious as ever, spends the day playing her dad as they discover some of the greatest places man has made around the world. She pretends everyday things (like the sandbox) are extraordinary places (like the desert and pyramids of Egypt). Isabella ends the day in her own home-sweet-home, the most wonderful place to be.

A back of the book "Places that Changed the World" section features descriptions of all the places Isabella visits.

Review:

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

New York Times best-selling author, Jennifer Fosberry, continues her Isabella series with Isabella: Girl on the Go. In this book, Isabella, plays side by side with her father as he accomplishes his to-do list. From archaeologist, to astronomer, Isabella travels around the world, exploring the greatest wonders of the world…all without leaving her own backyard.

Lucy says she liked the book. She liked the pictures and Isabella pretending to be a Queen on her tire swing. She loved the pictures and the story.

Mom (me) says - This was a really cute story about a little girl helping her dad do chores while using her imagination. It is a story the kids will want to read again and again. Isabella was everything from a warrior building the Great Wall of China to Lady Liberty defending freedom. Knowing that this is a series I'm sure we will be looking for other Isabella books at our library.

*The Book Diva's received this book through Netgalley for review. All opinions are that of the reviewer.

We are dedicated to providing our HONEST opinion about books, products, whatever the case may be. We were not compensated for this review.*