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Showing posts with label Book Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Reviews. Show all posts

Monday, November 12, 2012

Maximum Brainpower; Challenging The Brain For Health And Wisdom Book Review and Giveaway

Do you walk in to a room only to forget what you came there for in the first place.  Do you find yourself in the middle of a conversation forgetting what you were talking about?  I do these and many other odd behaviors that make me think that I am either going crazy or worse; succumbing to Alzheimer'sYes, I am only 47 years old, but I do worry about Alzheimer's because I have an uncle who was diagnosed with early onset in his 40's.  He has progressed since and it is painful to watch him retreat into his own mind.

For myself, I think my biggest scare was several years back when I left work and actually forgot where I lived.  It took me about an hour and a half of driving in circles to remember.  I only lived 5 minutes away!  During the same time frame the boys had a baseball game.  I was in the stands and decided I needed a snack.  Once I bought my snack, I turned around and could not remember where I was.  Scary?  Yes! After a doctors visit and MS and other issues were ruled out, it was finally diagnosed as stress. I started exercising and organizing my life and I have not had anything like this happen again.

At times my memory failures scare me, but I have learned to laugh at them more often.  It makes it much easier when I see others around me doing much of the same. In fact, It took me a while to write this book review..............I forgot where I placed the book after I received it.  Ironic huh?

In an era of technology, it is so easy just to Google the name of a song or movie you can't remember.  I found myself using Google a lot.  Now I try to exercise my brain as much as possible doing puzzles, brain teasers, reading, and I make myself sit and think about something I have forgotten instead of just saying "ah it will come to me."  But even these exercises can be of minimal help if you do not develop a lifetime strategy.  I discovered from reading this book that the biggest challenge is to "unlearn" from our past experiences.  Once we learn something we tend to be satisfied to let it end there instead of building upon it.  

I recommend this book to anyone who is experiencing memory loss or who wishes to help avoid it as long as possible.

About The Authors
Shlomo Breznitz is the founder of CogniFit, a company devoted to the goal of improving cognitive fitness. The author of seven books and many scientific articles, he has been engaged as a visiting professor by numerous leading institutions, including the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford University, and the London School of Economics.

Collins Hemingway is a writer and technologist who has co-written several books and written innumerable articles for the general public.


Challenging The Brain

Most people realize that a fit brain is likely the most important contributor to a long, healthy and active life. "Maximum Brainpower" discusses the brain in a way that is understandable, interesting and challenging. The book provides a lifelong strategy to keep the mind active and the brain healthy.


Did you know that?


  • Mental stress can have more devastating impact on us than physical stress.
  • Experts are often less mentally agile than jack-of-all-trades.
  • Hope is a major healing agent.
  • Mental exercises such as crossword puzzles and Sudoku are of minimal help in building brainpower.
  • A college education can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's by two-thirds. The main benefit of college is it provides more interesting and challenging career choices. The more challenging our life work, the more stimulated our brains become and the greater the cognitive reserves we build.
Dr. Breznitz states that we can't change what happened earlier in our lives, but at any age we can begin to engage our brains. We can take college courses NOW. We can learn new skills...a musical instrument or a new language. We can engage in new activities...especially those involving physical exercise, which helps build the brain. The greater the variety of our activities, the better it is for the brain. Every different thing we do stimulates our brain in different ways.

Click here to read inserts from the book. You can purchase Maximum Brainpower; Challenging The Brain For Health And Wisdom  from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble for $17.80.
Want to Challenge your Brain?  One of Victoria's Voice readers has the opportunity to win Maximum Brainpower; Challenging The Brain For Health And Wisdom.  

Entry is easy.  Just leave a comment below on one of the following topics:

1.  What do you hope to gain from reading this book?
2.  What is your biggest fear about memory loss?
3.  Tell a story about an experience (funny or scary) you have had with memory loss.  

The giveaway ends 12/28/2012 at 12:00 am.  A winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be notified via email.


Disclosure: I was provided Maximum Brainpower for review.   I was not compensated in any way in order to provide a positive review. All opinion are my own. For further policy disclosure please click here.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

KCWC "Women In High Def" Blog Tour and Grand Prize #Giveaway



Women in High Def will remind you that when God writes your story, you are in for the adventure of a lifetime! Diane Markins has written a book addressing topics women deal with on a day-to-day basis. If you are looking for a contemporary, captivating read filled with practical advice that will give you insight and wisdom for daily decisions, this is it!”                           
~ Carol Kent, Speaker and Author 
Between a Rock and a Grace Place (Zondervan)


Falling Down Gorgeous
(Excerpt from Women in High Def, Boldly Living Your Purposes with Vibrant Clarity)

Time takes its toll on all of us. Parts of me that were once up here are now down there. My face, once smooth and fresh was becoming a bit weathered and wrinkled. Other areas that used to be firm are now wiggly. As I turned fifty I began to notice that I was becoming invisible, based on my appearance. That’s a big fat horse pill to swallow for my ego. But that’s okay. The good news is that when people start to see less of me, they see more of Jesus. He’s much more appealing and has no hidden agenda. 
I hate to admit it, but I still enjoy being noticed on occasion. My husband and I went on a date to a very fancy mountaintop restaurant overlooking the city. I dressed for the occasion in my fitted black slacks, silky blouse and high heels.

I followed the maitre de to our table, my husband right behind me. I was feeling pretty good about myself and strutted a bit as we crossed a large open expanse of the room. As my stilettos went from carpet to wood floor something strange happened…I began to skate, stumble and flail about, for what felt like ten excruciating minutes, before finally landing flat on my keister. For endless moments all sound ceased except the quiet music in the background. Diners, servers and kitchen staff gaped at me, frozen in mid-action.

Graciously, I was helped up, escorted to and seated at our table, where they elevated and iced my swollen ankle. Then—to my horror—the paramedics arrived, causing an even bigger stir. Servers and managers came by frequently to check on me. Finally, our fellow diners made their way to our table as they departed to share their own “fall down” tales.

Earlier that evening, I had hoped for a little extra attention. But this wasn’t what I had in mind. Now I was just grateful I hadn’t chosen the skirt I had considered that was still hanging on my closet door. My experience that night was a great reminder that the only beauty that matters is what the Lord puts in our hearts. Everything else “falls” short in the end.
 
My Thoughts
I have never been the type that likes to have attention placed on me.  When I was younger I would sneak into a room hoping to be left unnoticed.  If someone would glance my way I would immediately glance at the floor and try to blend in to my surrounding.  Why?  I guess I was so self conscious of my looks that I was embarrassed to be seen in public.  You see for most of my life growing up I was told how ugly I was and after a while I began to believe it.  I could not fully understand why I would always have good looking boyfriends if I was so ugly. I remember after I first married my husband I had a family member visit me.  She saw his picture and stated she could not believe he was my husband.  He was just too good looking.  Though the comment was very hurtful, it opened my eyes to the people I should have in my life.  Thankfully after much maturing and coming into my own, I finally realized that it does not matter how someone else views my looks, the most important part is how I view myself.  It took a while but I am finally comfortable with myself and my looks and I will never let anyone drag me down again.

On the flip-side, I have had friends that were drop dead gorgeous and used their looks to move their way through life. They would always get free meals, drinks and yes some even racked up on clothing and cars.  As they grew older and their looks started to fade they received less attention and to a couple this was devastating.  They had to learn to start looking deeper within themselves to understand what actually made them beautiful.  What we have inside our hearts and how we present ourselves truly reflects our true beauty within.  

In Gods eyes everyone is beautiful!

About the Book: (Check out the Website)
Women are as unique as snowflakes or butterflies, but after surveying hundreds of them, writer and radio host Diane Markins learned that the top needs they feel are the same. She also began hearing a recurring theme: I want more! I want to be better! I want to be bold!

Women in High Def aims to propel women out of a low-def, foggy life of going through the motions in a blur. The profound stories, intercessory prayer prompts and coaching elements work together to catapult women into living fearlessly for God…being bolder moms, having purposeful passions, pursuing marriage excellence, loving themselves with gusto, laughing with abandon, transforming mistakes into blasts of blessings and bravely seeking the Lord in all His majestic glory. The bonus Bible study at the back of the book points them to scripture to gain Biblical insight and direction for each need and role they play. It can be used alone or in a group.


About the Author:
Diane Markins has always aspired to live in High Def. She uses her radio show, writing and speaking to inspire women to transform their lives from mediocre and complacent to bold and vibrant. She settles for nothing less in her own life as a wife, mom, grandmother, friend and colleague. Diane writes two blogs, WomenInHighDefhttp://dianemarkins.com/books/and WordsInHighDef.com, is a regular contributor to the Presidential Prayer Team website and CBN.com. She and her husband of 33 years work and live close to their children in Arizona.


To celebrate the “Going Boldly” Blog Tour Women in High Def is available for free from September 10-September 14 on Kindle at: http://amzn.to/Oey7Sa

 
"Going Boldly" Blog Tour Grand Prize – Retail Value: $70
  • Book (Women in High Def: Boldly Living Your Purposes with Vibrant Clarity)
  • Bright and Vibrant Earrings
  • Sparkling Cider (to celebrate life)
  • Sumatra Coffee (Bold, Earthy Flavor) 
  • Into the Wild body wash and spray fragrance from Bath and Body Works
  • Custom coffee mug: Women in High Def (front), BE YOUR BOLD SELF! (back)
Instructions to Enter the Grandprize Drawing: Drawing will come to a close September 19th.
  1. Leave a comment about the book or author on the blog post during the blog tour.
  2. I will draw one name from those comments on September 19th to send to the tour coordinator by September 21.
  3. The coordinator will put all the names into a drawing from each blog tour host, and select a winner, using an online randomizer.
  4. The coordinator will notify the blog tour host who submitted the winning name.
  5. If one of my readers are selected I will notify the winner and collect the mailing info so the author can send out the prize. 
One of Victoria's Voice Readers won the very first blog tour I conducted.  The grand prize was worth $297.38.   Don't delay!  Leave a comment for your chance to win the Going Boldly Grand Prize worth $70 today!

Disclosure: I received this book free from Kathy Carlton Willis Communications as part of their Blogger Review program.  I was not compensated in any way in order to provide a positive review. All opinions are my own. For further policy disclosure please click here.
 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

MoMumental ~ Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising A Family Book Review

Adventures in the Messy Art of Raising a Family

One mom’s humorous and candid memoir shows would-be supermoms how to create a realistically balanced family life without losing their minds.
A longtime former writer for the Chicago Sun-Times and now a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, Jennifer Grant is no stranger to the common reader. MOMumental is a foray into the enormously amusing, creative, and taxing process of raising a family and a starkly honest memoir that mothers everywhere can identify with. With narrative that is chock-full of humorous, poignant stories drawn from her everyday adventures as a mother and wife, Grant presents an entertaining and inspirational book that will give readers uncommon insights about being an intentional parent.





 Celebrating the joyous art of being a mother, MOMumental offers an inspiring, honest, and infectiously humorous look at the perils and pleasures of raising a family in the real world.

Once a devout believer in the myth of the perfect mother, author Jennifer Grant now has a more realistic yet still upbeat view of parenting and families. Instead of focusing on creating a conflict-free home, raising picture-perfect kids, and being an ideal mother, Grant offers a wiser and more down-to-earth way to love your children that makes room for mistakes and imperfections. She says, "I share stories about family life and how I've come to appreciate the mess of it. I am grateful for my own happy, idiosyncratic, and imperfect family." 

MOMumental
is one mother's account of the unpredictable, creative, sometimes hilarious, and always rewarding process of raising a family. It's filled with funny and poignant stories from her everyday life--a life that mothers everywhere can identify with.

About the Author

Jennifer Grant is mother to four children and author of Love You More: The Divine Surprise of Adopting My Daughter (2011). For more than a decade she wrote for papers in the Sun-Times newsgroup. Currently she freelances for the Chicago Tribune and is a regular contributor to her.meneutics, Christianity Today magazine's blog for women. Grant is a Wheaton College graduate who received her master's in English and Creative Writing from Southern Methodist University. She lives outside of Chicago, IL.

My Thoughts

I did not know what to expect when I received this book for review.  I half heartily picked it up one day to read, and I was pleasantly surprised.  The Author writes this book in a way that any new mom, a mom currently raising her kids, or a mom with grown children can relate.  

This book could have been my story.  I also went into motherhood with high expectations of how I would raise my children and how they would turn out.  Sometimes life throws some very unexpected and sometimes funny curves.  Not everything in life can be planned out to a "T" especially when kids are involved.  I found myself by the time I had my second child to throw a lot of the expectations to the way-side.  This made parenting a little more easier and a lot less stressful.  Though we tripped along the way and things were not as magical as I expected them to be, both my boys turned out to be kind caring people.  Though one still goes through his rough patches in life, I know that we did the absolute best we could in raising them.  

Instead of making our expectations of how we want our life and our children to turn out the priority, make life and our children the priority.  Everything else just falls into place.

I think this book should be a MUST read for all new mothers to be!  You can purchase MoMumental at Amazon for $11.99 or Barnes and Noble for 11.18.
 
I will be offering a giveaway on MoMumental in the next few days.  But until the giveaway starts you can start reading the first chapter here.

I was provided with a free copy of MoMumental to review from Handlebar Marketing.   I was not compensated for a positive review.  All opinions are my own.  For more PR and disclosure please click here.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Head Trip by Jack Eadon Book Review and Giveaway

When two brothers are conceived a month apart--called superfetation--then are born eight months later, one of them is a full-term baby and one of them is a preemie. That anomalie affected their whole lives as one twin struggled to succeed and the other struggled to keep up. For various reasons they were envious of each other, and their journey became a real head trip, both literally and figuratively. It continually challenged them to understand their twin and the dynamic that shaped their lives.


My Thoughts
What a great book!  I was so mesmerized by the way the author captured the lives of the two brothers as they grew in the womb. To think that one thought of the other as an intruder and held on to the envy throughout their growing years.  Both boys were born at the same day. Marcus who was conceived a full month after Roger, was born first a preemie.  Roger after pushing his brother to get rid of him from the womb was born second full term by Cesarean.  He always envied that he was conceived first but was born second and considered the youngest.


Marcus is outgoing and excels at everything he sets his mind to do and has many friends, while Roger is more withdrawn and envious of everything pertaining to his brother.  He seems to set his goals on making his brother's life miserable and even finds himself feeling happy and ecstatic after finding out his brother will need brain surgery to remove an obstruction.  

Being a mother of two boys who are worlds apart, and have never gotten along, I found myself swaying between the characters.  My heart broke for Roger because of the envy he let blacken his heart that he had for his brother.  He was loved equally by his parents but he did not see it.  I felt especially for Marcus, who had a loving, kind heart towards everyone, but found himself being tortured more and more by his brother.



Head Trip is one of a series of the Seven Deadly Sins written by Jack Eadon.  After reading Head Trip, I will definitely be adding the entire series to my book collection!

Author's Biography
Author Jack Eadon’s rich and diverse life has inspired his American Drama Series: his sixties memoir focusing on his rock band in Chicago; a novel of mystical revenge set in a corporation in Texas; the story of getting over loss in his life at a new advertising photography studio in southern California; studying his wife deal with a male-dominated corporation, also in California; a novel about how karma affects a young couple, set in Wisconsin; a novel about a copywriter's email relationship with an abused Asian woman, and a neighborhood mystery surrounding a mysterious hit-and-run death in a burgeoning community in Kansas.


Jack Eadon began by writing a book in grade school, then a short story. In high school he began a decade in rock music with the band Khazad Doom, writing many of the songs with a moralistic drama theme, something he continues to put into his writing today.


He entered the corporate world with his MBA in 1974, which took him to 1983, when he opened a business in southern California. Now, after having lived in Illinois, Texas, California, Kansas, and Illinois, Jack resides back in southern California with his executive wife and Caspurr the Cat and Pookie the dog, and writes full time. He relies on a few close friends and a network of e-mail buddies to provide him a support system. He travels occasionally, doing book talks in the many places he's lived.


Read Jack Eadon's Personal Head Trip to see progress on his recovery from his fifth and hopefully his final brain surgery.  As of today, he is tumor free!  Share in his recover on his new blog Jack's Getting Back.





Head Trip Book Trailer



You can purchase Head Trip by Jack Eadon through Barnes and Noble Amazon or one of your other favorite book retailers for $12.00
.
WIN A COPY OF HEAD TRIP
Would you like to win a copy? Sign up using the rafflecopter form below to try and win a copy of Head Trip.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Beyond Talent by John C. Maxwell Book Reveiw

Book Description
New York Times best-selling author John C. Maxwell shows that talent is just the starting point for a successful impact in any organization. It's what takes you beyond your talent that matters.
People everywhere are proving him right. Read the headlines, watch the highlights, or just step out your front door: Some talented people reach their full potential, while others self-destruct or remain trapped in mediocrity. What makes the difference? Maxwell, the go-to guru for business professionals across the globe, insists that the choices people make--not merely the skills they inherit--propel them to greatness. Among other truths, successful people know that:
  • Belief lifts your talent.
  • Initiative activates your talent.
  • Focus directs your talent.
  • Preparation positions your talent.
  • Practice sharpens your talent.
  • Perseverance sustains your talent.
  • Character protects your talent. . . . and more!
It's what you add to your talent that makes the greatest difference. With authentic examples and time-tested wisdom, Maxwell shares thirteen attributes you need to maximize your potential and live the life of your dreams.
You can have talent alone and fall short of your potential. Or you can go beyond talent and really stand out.
My Thoughts
I am slowly getting my collection of John C. Maxwell up to speed.  His latest book Beyond Talent shows “not all successful people are successful, because of raw talent alone.”   This book is full of great stories and examples that include quotes  from athletes, artists, coaches, corporate executives and historical leaders.


I really enjoyed the chapter exercises and questions at the end of each chapter. They help to steer you in the right direction to determine what needs to be done to become successful, and then how to apply what you just read into your own life.


I recommend this book to anyone who wants to take their talent to the next level or to anyone who needs to tweak what they already have.


Purchase Beyond Talent at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com Book Sneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Sister is My Best Friend Giveaway

We have all heard of the special bond that twins have.  At times no words need to be spoken, they already know what the other is thinking.  My Sister is My Best Friend is a story about the unique and very close friendship that exists between twin sisters. The sisters celebrate their friendship and closeness by doing just about everything together.  
People from all cultures can relate to this heart warming story with the text written in English/Spanish/French on each page. Suggested age range for readers 2-8 years old.  Already receiving great reviews, this would make a wonderful gift

About the Author:
Nicole Weaver was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti. She came to the United States when she was ten years old. She is fluent in Creole, French, Spanish and English. She is a veteran teacher of French and Spanish. Her second children's trilingual book titled: My Sister is My Best Friend will be published by Guardian Angel Publishing. She is also the author of a children's trilingual picture book titled : Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle. The story is about a Haitian little girl who resided by the beach in Haiti.


Click here to read an interview with Nicole Weaver



Retailing at $9.95 you can purchase My Sister is My Best Friend at Amazon.com, and Guardian Angel Publising.


Nicole is offering one of Victoria's Voice Readers a chance to win an autographed copy of her new book My Sister is My Best Friend.  To enter just sign up using the Rafflecopter form below.





Sunday, October 9, 2011

I Believe In You by Marianne Richmond Book Review


Marianne Richmond's new book I Believe in You is another hit!  She has won many awards for her children's books and I believe this one will be no different.

Growing up can be tough on kids.  Things from school activities, or even trying to fit in and make friends can all make a child feel less confident in themselves and hold them back.  We as parents can make it a little easier. I think sometimes as a parent, we take for granted that our kids already know that we are proud of them or that we know they can succeed at whatever they want to do.  But to hear it from someone you look up to helps to instill in them that we have faith that they can accomplish their dreams and goals. Even when they are facing something that seems well beyond their accomplishments we have the ability to say one thing that can make them stronger and more confident - "I Believe in You."

"I Believe in You showcases the spirit of a parent who is on a child’s team no matter what. The encouraging text and beautiful illustrations will speak straight to a parent’s heart, exploring that feeling of unwavering support. Sure to become a new fan favorite, I Believe in You evocatively portrays the complex and tender emotions all parents have for their children."

"Your job of growing up
takes hard work, I know,
but each day is an adventure.
Each problem helps you grow."

"Whether it’s sunny or stormy,
whether you’re happy or blue,
I’m here to say,without a doubt,
That I believe in you!"

I had the wonderful opportunity to review The Night, Night Book as well and I am happy to say that it and I Believe in You will be the first two starter books to my collection.  My boys are grown now, but when the time is right and they have children of their own, Marianne Richmond's books will be a great asset to them as parents, and for their children as well.

Read more on the author.  To find more books by Marianne Richmond you can check out her website.

You can purchase I Believe in you at  Barnes and Noble for $12.99.  It can also be found at most major retail bookstores.

I received I Believe in You for review.  I was not compensated in any way in order to provide a positive review. All opinion are my own. for further policy disclosure please click here.

Monday, August 8, 2011

30 Meals in One Day Reveiw and Giveaway (CLOSED)



Save Time - Save Money - Eat Better is the first line you see when you go to the 30 Meals in One Day Website. What does this mean?  It means that you can have great meals at the fraction of the cost and the time it normally takes to cook dinner on a week night, giving you more time to spend with your family.

Growing up, meal planning in my home consisted of this menu:

Monday - Spaghetti
Tuesday - Meatloaf or Chicken
Wednesday - Pizza, usually from the box
Thursday - Beans and Fried Potatoes
Friday - Hot Dogs or Hamburgers
Saturday - Clean out the Refrigerator Night (Uck!)
Sunday - Pot Roast

Repeat.......................Sooooo boring!  But it worked because my step-mother had more time then moms and dads do today to cook a hot meal every night of the week.

I like more variety and spontaneity in my menu planning.  But our work schedules really make meal planning hard to stick to. Sometimes we do not make it home until 5:30 or 6:00 in the evening and what might have been a meal planned to be cooked becomes a quick drive through at the local Fast Food Restaurant. Could we even with our long hours sit down in the evening and enjoy a hot meal with our family at the end of the day, everyday?  We can now with 30 Meals in One Day!

Friday, August 5, 2011

The Gift Giver by Jennifer Hawkins Book Review and Giveaway (CLOSED)

The Gift Giver Overview:  
The sudden loss of her husband empowers a young widow to open herself to a path of true acceptance. 

An accomplished athlete, businesswoman, and mother, author Jennifer Hawkins believes she has everything, until one morning she wakes up to find her husband's lifeless body lying in their bed. Shaken to the core of her being, Jennifer struggles to put her shattered world back together, rebalancing relationships with friends, family, and her own children as she comes to grips with the vacuum created by the loss of her husband. 

Jennifer teeters on the brink of despair, until she hears a voice--a voice she never thought she would hear again. It is the voice of her husband, who in six simple words tells her of the tragedy that would have occurred had he stayed--how his leaving saved a life, one whose loss would have had ripple effects that were inconceivable. 

My Thoughts:
What a powerful book!  When my dad passed away my grandparents were deeply distraught for weeks.  I felt so powerless in that there was nothing I could do to ease their pain and my own. I walked through the hallway one evening and heard my grandmother talking.  I assumed she was on the phone so I turned back to the living room.  A little while later I returned to her room and she was sitting on the edge of the bed smiling.  She looked up at me and said, everything is going to be okay because your dad just told me so.  I hugged her and gave her a kiss and left the room thinking we should really take her to see a doctor soon.  I was told that my grandfather spoke to my dad as well that night.  I waited, but I never received any messages which to this day I still wonder why.  Maybe this is something that my grandparents minds made up for them in order to cope, or maybe, just maybe, my dad came to them knowing that it was the only way to ease their grief.

We all struggle in our own ways to cope with our losses. And who is to say whether it is right or wrong.  A visit from my dad or an image conjured up through their own grief?  All I know is from that day forward, while they both still missed my dad terribly they were able to move on with their lives.  My grandmother could be heard singing in the kitchen as she made dinner like she used to do, and my grandfather started to whittle and carve again - right up until the days they passed.

Jennifer shares how she coped with her own pain to gain control of her life in order to move forward. This is a well written heart-felt book, that I would recommend for everyone. 
Get Your Own Copy of The Gift Giver
You can purchase this book at Amazon.com for $10.17 or you can enter to win your own copy from me.

Giveaway
Thanks to Greenleaf Book Group LLC one of Victoria's Voice readers will have an opportunity to win their on copy of The Gift Giver.

GIVEAWAY RULES
Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and ends at 11:59 PM on 9/9/11.  The winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to claim prize or prize will be forfeited and new winners will be selected.

Please ensure that you have my email saved in your contacts so that your notification email should you be selected does not go to your spam folder. You can get my email address by clicking on the contact button at the top of the blog. 

MANDATORY ENTRY   
Visit The Gift Giver Web Page and then leave a comment either about the book or the author.  Or, tell me of your own experience.

 EXTRA ENTRIES
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The Gift Giver was provided to me to review by the Greenleaf Book Group LLC along with a copy to giveaway to on of my readers.  I was not compensated in any way in order to provide a positive post.  All opinions are my own. For further policy disclosure please click here.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Here, Hope, Home by Kaira Rouda Book Review


Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors’ seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly’s own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.

From page one, Kelly’s witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan—she places Post-it notes all over her house and car—will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, however, they might rant right along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, too, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.

Here, Home, Hope will surely appeal to readers of chick lit and other women’s fiction titles who are ready to transition into something new in their own life.




My thoughts:  Although the Main Character Kelly and my life are completely different in many ways, I can still relate to her in that I understand what it is like to down play my own self-worth.  Especially as we get older we as women forget about taking care of our own selves.  Taking care of everyone else becomes priority.   I enjoyed the way the author brought the characters together as each were having their own mid-life crisis in their lives,  but as friends they empowered each other to overcome and move on.  In the process of making changes to her own life, Kelly started posting sticky notes all around the house and car.  These sticky notes were a part of her "Things to Change" list.  Her list at times were quite comical, but touched on some of the simplest things that we sometimes forget to do for ourselves.   I recommend any woman whether married or single to pick up this book and read it.

You can read about the Author Kaira Rouda at http://www.kairarouda.com/

Where to Buy Here, Hope, Home
National Book Tour Information
http://www.kairarouda.com/events/

Follow the Author on Twitter or Like Kaira Rouda Books on Facebook

Disclosure: One2OneNetwork provided me a copy of Here, Hope, Home to read and provide a review on my blog.  I was not paid for a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

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