MINI CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW FOR - IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN.....THE MAYAN EMPIRE - BY CAROLE P. ROMAN

pic and description taken from amazon.com

DESCRIPTION:

Join Carole P. Roman and travel through time to visit the most interesting civilizations throughout history in the first four books of her new series. Learn what kind of food you might eat in Ancient Greece, the clothes you wore in 15th century Renaissance Italy, what your name could be in Viking Europe, and what children who lived during the Han Dynasty did for fun. If You Were Me and Lived in...does for history what her other award-winning series did for culture. So get on-board this time-travel machine and discover the world through the eyes of a young person just like you.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I have loved reviewing these books for Roman!  I enjoy learning about new places myself.  This one however, I liked to learn about it, but am so thankful I didn't live during this time.

These are such fun books for kids.  They explore different cultures.  They get to learn the terms that were used during that time, the writing, and customs, all such great things for children to be exposed to.

I was a little horrified in this book with some of the practises that the Mayans had...shaping babies heads.....it was definitely one of the more interesting books I have read of Roman's.  

I love being exposed to new things, and this children's book taught me a lot of new things.  If you have little people around you these are great books to add to your collections.

Source:  I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.  I have not been compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born."Captain No Beard- An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life" has not only been named to Kirkus Best of 2012, it received the Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award for 2012. "Pepper Parrot's Problem with Patience" Book 2 in the series, received 5 Stars from The ForeWord Review The Clarion Review. Strangers on the High Seas has won second place in the Rebecca's Reads Choice Awards 2013. It has followed with six more books to the series. This year, Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis was named to Kirkus Best 2015. The entire cultural non-fiction series If You Were Me and Lived in... was named Best Series by Shelf Unbound. She has begun work on two new series that will be released in early 2016.

Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be. 
Her new non fiction series, "If You Were Me and Lived in..." combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us. The debut book in the series, "If You Were Me and Lived in...Mexico" has won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children's Non Fiction 2012. France, South Korea, and Norway. Rebecca's Reads has given If You Were Me and Lived in...Norway an honorable mention in the 2013 Choice Awards. If You Were Me and lived in ...France won second place. ForeWord Review has nominated If You Were Me and Lived in...France for best in children's non fiction literature 2013. They will be followed with Kenya, Turkey, India, and Australia. She plans to do Portugal, Greece, and Argentina next year.
Carole was recently featured in a two part article on Forbes.com where her book, Navigating Indieworld was discussed along with her self-publishing success. 
Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - ONE OF US IS LYING - BY KAREN M. MCMANUS

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Pay close attention and you might solve this.

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule.

Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess.

Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.

Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.

And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app.

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention Simon's dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn’t an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he’d planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who’s still on the loose?

Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I saw that this book was compared to THE BREAKFAST CLUB...so I had to buy it.  That is probably one of my favorite movies when I was younger...much younger.  There are always this group of people at school.  Thankfully I didn't believe in cliques then and don't till this day.  Everyone needs to include everyone in my opinion.  

I cannot give anything away so I am just going to talk about each character a little.  I loved each and every one....or loved to hate them!

Bronwyn:  First of all, what a unique name.  I really liked it.  She is the "princess" of the group.  She is bound for an IV League school.  At first she is just like Molly Ringwald's character in THE BREAKFAST CLUB.  Snotty, stuck up, and looks down on everyone.  No one likes a " spoiled princess"!  I think she turns out to be one of my favorite characters.  They all have something special, but she ended up being one of my favorites.

Addy:  is also a lot like Molly Ringwald's character.  She is beautiful, and has always had a boyfriend.  She is dating the most popular boy in school.  Which makes her cool..Apparently.  She is a doormat.  I don't know what else to say about her other than that.  Read and you will understand what I mean.  She plays a great one though :).

Nate:  Is the criminal.  So naturally, the most alluring character right?  I think so.  Nate is by far my favorite character.  This kid has had a tough life.  He hasn't made the best choices.  No one wants to associate with him.  He just comes off at a jerk.  Let me tell you though....this boy is my favorite.  Some don't like him, but I ended up loving him.  

Cooper:  The athlete.  Okay, Cooper is another favorite :).  Not as much as Bronwyn or Nate, but pretty close.  He is the ultimate pitcher for their baseball team.  He has talent scouts coming out to watch him all the time.  He has offers coming in from several colleges.  What's not to like about him.  Right?   This boy's dad is a horrible human.  When you read you will understand what I mean.  Cooper has a lot of things to figure out.....but when he does, he just shines.  He's so cute.

and then there is......

Simon:  He is an outcast.  There is a VERY good reason why he is the outcast.  When I say everyone should involve everyone, this kid is the perfect example of what happens when someone is not included.  He is a great character to hate.  I loved hating him....oh, this boy.  Naughty, Naughty, Naughty.

It's killing me not to say what I want to say, but even the slightest thing might give it away.  This was such a good book.  I loved the different narrators, and the different POV's.  I devoured this audio book.  I loved every minute of it.  

I have always told my kids that lies always come back to bite you in the butt.  Someone ALWAYS finds out!

Source:  I bought this book for myself on Audible.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book

Content: Drugs, dealing, sex, but too descriptive, and kissing.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from her website here

As a kid I used to write books when I was supposed to be playing outside, and not much has changed. I'm a marketing and communications professional who also writes Young Adult contemporary and fantasy fiction in Cambridge, MA.

When not writing or working I love to travel, and along with my nine-year old son I've ridden horses in Colombia and bicycles through Paris. A member of SCBWI, I hold a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross and a master’s degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Which I have never, ever used professionally.

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - EVERY DARK CORNER - BY KAREN ROSE

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Every Dark Corner is the nail-biting new thriller from Sunday Times bestseller Karen Rose, and Book 3 in the Cincinnati series, following on from Closer Than You Think and Alone in the Dark.

When FBI Special Agent Griffin "Decker" Davenport wakes from his coma, he is desperate to find the missing children he knows are in danger. At the end of his last investigation, when he thought it was all over and justice had been served, he discovered that not everyone had been rescued, but he was shot before he was able to tell anyone.

Special Agent Kate Coppola has recently moved to Cincinnati. She says she's chasing a promotion but she's actually running away from heartache. She's found the recordings from Decker's time undercover and has been at his side in the hospital while she tries to put together the pieces of the crime he was investigating—and what connection it has to his own mysterious past.

When someone tries to kill Decker in his hospital bed, he and Kate realizes that the children are not the only ones whose lives are threatened, and that they must stop at nothing to hunt down the perpetrators. And danger is waiting in every dark corner.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

** might be spoilers if you haven't read the first two **

I have loved every book in this series.  They are so awesome and the narrator is becoming a favorite of mine.  

In book three we get to revisit all of my favorite characters from the previous books, but get introduced to a new fabulous character.  Special Agent Kate Coppola.

Kate has recently moved to Cincinnati and is on her first case.  Which happens to be Special Agent Decker's case also, or is connected....HOW????

Kate shoots Decker thinking he is someone else, and in so doing puts him in a coma.  While she sits by his bed after finding recordings from his undercover work, she finds that she is fascinated with this man who she has never spoken to.  She wants him to wake up so he can make sense of what is going on in the recordings.  Decker in his comatose state can hear Kate and feel her touch and it only gets steamier from there :).

While Kate is away someone tried to kill Decker in his hospital bed.  This makes Kate realize that there is more to her case than meets the eye and Decker might have the answers.

Decker is moved to a safe house where Kate also stays until she can move into her apartment.  Convenient?  I say YES :).

Decker and Kate grow closer and closer as they work on their case together.  Kate finds out that there is more to the investigation than she previously thought.  There are children in danger, videos being made, nurses, students and drug addicts are dropping like flies. 

Finding how they connect to each other is difficult enough, without their lives being in danger also. 

I could not put my ear buds away on this one.  I have loved Rose's writing.  Her world and character building.  I love how her writing pulls me in from the first sentence to the last sentence.  I love how she surprises me around every corner in this book.  Thanks Karen Rose for the Cincinnati thrillers.  They were amazing!

Content:  Language, and very descriptive sex scenes - I would consider it a very Adult book

Source:  I bought this book on Audible for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for my review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

bio and pic taken from Goodreads

Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”

Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016.

Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!

Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.

A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.

ADIO BOOK REVIEW FOR - A CONFLICT OF INTEREST - BY ADAM MITZNER

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

Alex Miller is a criminal defense attorney and, at thirty-five, the youngest partner in one of the most powerful law firms in New York City. He's a man at the top of his game with the life he's always dreamed of, complete with a devoted wife, who remains patient with his long hours and high-stakes cases, and the love of a beautiful young daughter.

At his father's funeral, Alex meets Michael Ohlig—a mysterious and nearly mythic figure in Miller family history—who presents Alex with a surprising request: to represent him in a high-profile criminal investigation . . . an alleged brokerage scam that has lost hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Wealthy beyond words, Ohlig insists he's done nothing wrong, and Alex, who's experienced enough to know that clients always lie, uncharacteristically believes him.

As the facts come out, shocking secrets are revealed that threaten everything Alex believes in–about the law, his family, and himself. Yet Alex's desperate need for the truth propels him to unscrupulous depths, and to confront a past defined by deception and a future in jeopardy . . . with the realization that one false step could destroy everything Alex holds dear.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I love thrillers and add the legal to it, it becomes even more fascinating.

Alex's father has just passed away and he finally gets to meet the all illusive Michael Ohlig.  Someone he has heard about most of his life but never met.  When they do meet Ohlig asks Alex to represent him in a criminal investigation that is going on with one of his companies.

Alex has a lot to take in.  His dad just died and this mystery friend just asked him to represent him.  Alex's job has him already working way too much, and he doesn't think his wife would appreciate the added load.

I guess he should have listened to his wife! ;) Nothing good happens when you don't listen to your wife...hehe  Plus his marriage was already in a lull...

Needless to say, as soon as Alex takes Ohlig's case things in his personal life, and work life start to change.  

Work is getting confusing.  It seems that Ohlig and his life are more intertwined than he thought.  As secrets come out, Alex finds out that mixing his personal life and his work life together is a recipe for disaster.

I really enjoyed this book.  It kept me on my toes and the narrator was great.  I devoured the book in just a couple of days.  Usually I only listen when I am cleaning or driving, but I found myself with my ear buds in listening to it all the time.  

Without giving the ending away, I love how everything is discovered and how Alex has to face the choices he has made.

If you like legal thrillers, I think you will enjoy this one.  I listened to it and I think I am glad I did.  There is a lot of legal stuff in there that I probably would have skipped over if I was reading it....but it is important.  I would have missed some things if I read it.  

Content:  Language, and sexual innuendo, and some sex, but I don't remember it being explicit.

Source:  I bought this book on Audible for myself.  I was not compensated in any way for the review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

I grew up in East Brunswick, New Jersey, which is about an hour outside of New York City. I graduated from Brandeis University with a B.A. and M.A. in politics, and from there went directly on to law school at the University of Virginia.

After law school, I joined the litigation department of a large New York City law firm, and after a few more stops, am currently the head of the litigation department of Pavia & Harcourt LLP, which is located in midtown Manhattan. Pavia & Harcourt recently received some fame because it is the law firm where Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor practiced before she was appointed to the bench.

BOOK TOUR / REVIEW FOR - SAFE HOUSE - BY SHANNON SYMONDS

Welcome to my stop on this awesome tour!

Pic and description taken from tour media (Cedar Fort)

DESCRIPTION:

As a victim’s advocate, Grace James is used to rushing into trouble to save her victims from abuse or assault. And with a handsome officer like Joe Hart at her side, Grace is sure there’s nothing she can’t do. But an ominous storm brewing on the Oregon horizon is about to change everything-and bring with it dangers and revelations Grace and Joe never expected.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I have to admit that reading books about abuse of any kind is very hard for me.  I like to read books to escape reality and not read about it.  Having said that, this book ended up being such a great book to read.

I loved this story.  I am saying this will all love behind it.  My sisters and I love these kinds of books.  We call them "Mormon Smut Books"....hehe.  I really do mean that as the best compliment.  I love to read books that have to do with my religion and love.  Or any religion for that matter.  I know that when I read it, it will be clean.  

I loved that this book covered a hard topic, and showed how people could get out and move on to bigger and better things.  I am a HUGE advocate for Sexual Abuse, and the author of this book is a HUGE advocate for Domestic Violence.  I think that's why I liked the book so much.  Hard topics are hard to read, so they have to be done well.  The author definitely did well with this book.

We all take the chance when we marry someone, that they are not all they say they are.  We may not know what their demons are until after marriage.  Then sometimes they have groomed you so well, that it's impossible to leave.  Amber and Kelly realize this after they have gotten married and are both faced with the challenge of what to do now.  

As they navigate their lives with the help of Grace, they realize that there is a possibility of life outside of an abusive marriage.  They find their faith in God again, and the power to fight for what is missing in their lives.

This is such a good book about love, life, faith, religion and suspense.  Their stories are heartbreaking, and life changing all at the same time.  I hope that you take the time to read this book.  It is so wonderful.  

Enter to win a copy of this book here.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Safe House by Shannon Symonds

Giveaway ends September 7, 2017.See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Source:  I was given this book as part of a blog tour in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

Content:  Clean

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

       

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Pic and bio taken from tour media

Shannon Symonds currently works as an Advocate serving victims of intimate

partner or family violence. Shannon responds with law enforcement to the

scene of domestic or sexual assaults, works with victims, accompanies them to

the hospital and provides follow-up care. She is a trained trauma and recovery

specialist, has completed the Oregon Coalition training as a professional

advocate, has completed training as a parent educator, Head Start Teacher,

early childhood education certification and one year program, an Associates

Degree with an emphasis in Social Services, has worked and trained as an

advocate for over 15 years total. She is the recipient of the Oregon Trial

Lawyers award for her work to change housing for victims of domestic violence.

She is a confident trainer and speaker, and is comfortable working with the

public.

Author Residence: Seaside, OR



A SPECIAL THANKS TO:

BLOG TOUR / REVIEW FOR - I CAN LOVE LIKE JESUS - BY HEIDI POELMAN

WELCOME TO MY STOP ON THIS SUPER CUTE TOUR!

pic and description taken from tour media (Cedar Fort)

DESCRIPTION:

Help your little ones live and love like Jesus did with this adorable picture book. The simple text and beautiful illustrations show children exactly how Jesus loved others and how to emulate Him with small acts of kindness, like sharing, forgiving, and comforting. Invite the Savior into your home and feel His peace each time you read this book together.

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I love this book so much.  This is such a great book to read with your little ones.  It's so important to teach them from a young age how loved they are by Jesus.  This teaches them such great things.  It teaches them that they can help, love, teach, share and how to not judge others.  

The world needs more books like this :).  I don't have little ones any more, but I have lots of nieces and nephews, and one day I will have grandchildren.  This is definitely going to be added to my collection of children's books.

The illustrations are beautiful.  The story is perfect.  Plus, just look at how cute that cover is!

You should pick this one up, I promise you won't be disappointed.  It's just so sweet.

Source:  I was given this book as part of a blog tour in return for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own "PERSONAL" thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

      

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from tour media

Heidi Poelman is the author of A is for Abinadi: An Alphabet Book of Scripture Heroes, A Mother’s Greatest Gift, The Two-Minute Marriage Project: Simple Secrets for Staying in Love, and the upcoming books I Can Love Like Jesus and A Is for Adam: An Alphabet Book of Scripture Heroes. Heidi received her degrees in communication from Brigham Young University (BA) and Wake Forest University (MA). When she’s not writing, cooking, cleaning, or carpooling, Heidi loves playing in the outdoors with her family, going out for date night, and reading bedtime stories. She lives in Utah with her husband and four children.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR:

pic taken from tour media, bio taken from chasejensenart.com

Chase Jensen graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Illustration at Brigham Young University. Painting is my passion! I love to create characters because it allows me to tell a story through something that has been influenced by my experiences.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO: