Writing A Book

 I love reading other people's blog.  I don't have the time these days to comment on all the posts I read, but I do spend a lot of time reading.  A blog friend of mine recently went through the process of self publishing a book, and I wish I had the money to buy a copy.  The story sounds amazing, and as soon as Christmas is over and I have a little money to spend on myself I am getting a copy. 

I have always thought it would be fun to write a book.  I have several ideas running around in my head, but honestly, I don't think I have it in me to put the words on paper.  I read a lot.  In fact, I am always in the middle of something, whether it be a book or a magazine.  I always keep a book and magazine in my van for those times when I am waiting to be loaded and unloaded.  I know how descriptive writing needs to be, and to be honest, I just don't think I can do it.  I am a simple girl.  If the grass is green, it's green.  I can not make that simple statement into a paragraph in a book.  I would love it if someone would take my idea and write a book off of that, but I want no part of the actual writing process.

If you are interested in my friends book, called Jordan's Return, check out her blog.  It's All Stace, All The Time, and the link is over there in my sidebar.  On her blog she has links to her book's website, and to the many places where you can purchase the book online. 

I Love Reading

I am a big reader.  There is hardly ever a time when I am not in the middle of something.  Right now, I am reading Lisey's Story by Stephen King.  I've had in it on my bookshelf for years, but I just started reading it a few weeks ago.  I keep it in the van and when I stop for breaks or when I am waiting to be loaded or unloaded, I read.  I have an ereader, but I don't ever use it.  For me, I love the feeling of holding a book in my hand and turning the pages.

That's not to say that I haven't looked into books read online.  In fact, I read that Twilight book from Edward's point of view online.  My problem was that after a while, my eyes started crossing from staring at the computer screen.  That doesn't happen when I read a real book.  I don't know why.

There are several books out there right now that I can not wait to get my hands on.  I need the latest edition of Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series, but I don't have the money to buy it right now.  So, if you are reading this and want to buy me a present, hint hint.

Faithful By Kim Cash Tate ~ A Review

What does it mean to be faithful?

Four different women in four different stages of relationships find the answer to that question in this book.

First, we have Cyd, who is single and strong in her relationship with God.  She meets Cedric, who is a confirmed ladies man.  Can God help him become the man she wants in her life, or will he lead her away from her beliefs?

Then there is Stephanie, the newlywed.  She is also Cyd's sister.  Although she believes in God, she doesn't exactly live a Godly life before marriage.  Will things change after she says "I do"?

We also have Dana, who finds her husband in bed with another woman.  Can she find it in her heart to let God help her forgive her husband, and let Him heal her marriage?

Lastly, we have Phyllis.  Although strong in her beliefs, her husband does not believe in God.  Will her years of praying for him to find God be answered, or will she give into temptation herself with a man who is more Godly?

All of these women find strength in their relationship with God, but they are all put to the test when it comes to their mates.  There were several parts of this book that I found comforting.  I don't go to church myself, and to read about what can happen when you live your life faithful to Christ, well, you might just see me sitting in a pew come Sunday morning.

That said, there were a few parts of the book that I just couldn't get behind.

I don't believe that it is wrong to kiss before marriage.  Or that you should not be alone in private with a man before marriage.  I think that part of the book was a little extreme.

I do believe that once a man cheats, he will always cheat, and I don't think any amount of prayer would get me to be the forgiving wife.  Sad, I know, but that is what I believe. 

All in all, I enjoyed this book and found it easy to read.

***I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Zombie Girl ~ A Book Written And Illustrated By Brandi Wylie

A few weeks ago I was asked to do a review for Growing Tree Toys.  If you are unfamiliar with this site, they offer a wide variety of educational toys for all ages.  They kindly sent me a Create Your Own Pop-Up Book Kit to use and review.

The kit comes with two hardcover books, one that measures 8.5”x8.5” and the other 6.25”x6.25”.  The girls flipped a coin to see who would get which book.  Brandi ended up with the smaller one, and I have to say that I was impressed with these books.  They are sturdy, with strong, thick pages.

Here is a shot of Brandi's cover:

Those of you who know my child, know that she has an amazingly awesome imagination.  This book allowed her to put that imagination to work, and she came up with quite a story.  She wrote about a girl who is a zombie.  This girls friends don't know she is a zombie until she starts eating everyone's brains.  You can see in the picture below that she used a bunch of the stickers and the markers that came in the kit to show the cat and dogs heads exploding.  She was very insistent that all that red is blood. 

Do you see that little spiral in the left upper corner?  If you pull on the end, you can read about how zombie girl is warning people that she is going to eat their brains.  Have I mentioned that my daughter is only 8 years old?  Yeah, I'm so proud of her.  I have a future Dean Koontz on my hands.

If you have a child, or know a child who loves to tell stories, this kit is a great way for them to bring their stories to life.  There are also lots of other toys on this site that can challenge a child's creativity.  I plan on keeping Brandi's book forever so I can show it to her kids someday.

***I was sent this product to use and review free of charge as part of Growing Tree Toys Blogger Review Program.  I was not required to write a good review, only an honest one.  The opinions above are my own. (and my daughters)

It's A Book

I just watched the trailer for "It's a Book" (above), and I have to say, I can totally relate to the poor ape.  In this day and age, my son would rather be online than read a book.  The good thing is, he does know what a book is, because I read them all the time.

The donkey asking questions about what a book can do is interesting, and I could totally see my son asking the same questions.  I would answer by saying, a book can take you on an adventure; an adventure that you can see in your mind.  It belongs to you, and you make it what it is.  To me, that's pretty cool.

"It's a Book" will be available at Macmillan kids on August 31, 2010.  

a Girl's Guide to Life

I was really looking forward to reading this book, and I was not disappointed.  When I first read the title, I knew that this would be a book that I would want Kasi, and someday Brandi, to read.  I was right.

The book starts off discussing how a girl should be true to herself, and be who she wants to be, without worrying what other people think of her.  Talk about easy words to say, but hard words to live by.  Growing up as a girl (you're shocked, right?) I could relate to so many topics in this book.  From weight issues and eating disorders, to dating and having a period, this book covers it all.  I love that it lists "Big Myths" along with "Real Deal"s, guiding girls to choose the right path.  I remember having so many questions as a pre-teen and teen, but not feeling comfortable discussing them with my mom.  Those questions are answered in this book.  Do I think this book should be a substitute for my girls talking to me about things?  Absolutely not.  I do hope that this book will open up the lines of communication between us.

I will say, though, that I did not agree with all of the advice given, and I will explain my reasons why to my daughters.  But as a whole, I think this book can be a great tool for girls and parents alike.

***I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

God's Promises For Girls

Be Beautiful On The Inside


Lip gloss and nail polish
Fancy clothes and earrings -
None of these compare with
What inner beauty brings.

"God does not see us the same way poeple see.  People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7




 I really like this book.  Each "promise" has a little poem, like the one above, and then bible versus (taken out of the best-selling International Children's Bible) that reinforce the promise.  I love the one above, because I grew up having self-esteem issues, and I do not want my girls to experience that.  I want them to be happy with who they are, no matter what they look like on the outside.  Don't get me wrong, my girls are beautiful!  I just hope the rest of the world sees it, too.


The illustrations in this book are adorable, just like the one on the cover.  It is tiny, too, which makes it easy for little hands to grasp.  This is the perfect bedtime book, I think, because it provides the opportunity to talk to your daughter while relaxing.  I know Brandi and I love to read together before bed, and this book has become one of her favorites.  I am going to let Kasi read it, too.  Even though it may be a little young for her, I still think the messages it provides will have an impact on her.


 ***I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

House Of Night Series

I've made it to book five!

I seriously can not believe how much I am enjoying this House Of Night series.  I was with the family in Walmart this afternoon, and the kids asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day.  I quickly replied "the next book!".  Brandi was convinced that she needed to get me something better, but finally gave in when I told her that I really, really, really, wanted the book.

Thankfully, I am feeling better (maybe it was something I ate?) and enjoying the book. The good thing for Junior is that I could not find the next book in paperback, like the others I bought, and because I am insane when it comes to my books, they all need to be the same. (when I read the Twilight series, I had all paperbacks, except Breaking Dawn...I made Junior buy me the other three in hardback, even though I had them in paperback, so that the series would match.  I know I'm crazy!)So, I will try and wait until the next two are in paperback before I buy them.

Notice I said try. 

Marked

Last week, I did a post about the latest book in the House Of Night series, Burned.  I was able to read the first chapter of this book online, and it was pretty interesting, so I decided to read the series.

So off to Walmart we went, and I found the first book in the series, Marked, for around $8.  Not too bad, so I bought it.  As we were checking out, the cashier made a comment about it being one of the old books, and didn't I want to read the newest.  (keep in mind the cashier was about my age)  I told her that I just heard about the series, and I was curious about it, so I wanted to start at the beginning.  She looked at Kasi and said, "Oh, I thought it was for your daughter.  You do know that it was written for teens, right?".  Well, no, actually, I didn't. The cashier admitted to reading them, because her daughters left them laying around the house.  I asked if they were good, and she said they were okay.

Great.  So now I'm thinking I just wasted $8 on something I won't enjoy reading.  Then Kasi asks if she could read it.  I told her I would let her know after I finished reading it.

So now it's a few days later, and I am about 100 pages in.

Kasi will not read this book.  Maybe in a few years when she is a little more, um, I don't even know.  The thing that did it in for her...well, let's just say that the main character, Zoey, happens to find herself witnessing an act of, um, well, oral, yeah, you get it.  There is no way in Hell that my 12 year old is reading that.  Nope.  Not going to happen.  I am really, really glad I told her I had to read it first.

As far as the book goes, I will admit to being hooked, and I will most likely read the entire series.  I already know about sex, so there's no shocker there for me.

Tell me, though.  Have you read any of these, and if so, what did you think?

***I wrote this post two days ago, and saved it as a draft.  Since then, I have finished the second book (which I bought yesterday) and am about a quarter of the way into the third....seriously, this is addicting!

Burned

I feel like I have been missing out on something really great.  Everyone seems to be talking about the book series, House Of Night. I read the first chapter of the seventh book in the series, Burned, and to be honest, was a tad confused.  But, that is to be expected, since I haven't read the first six books in the series. Yet.

Just that one chapter has me wanting more, so I am going to start at the beginning.  This means a trip to the library one day this week, but that is okay.   For those of you who are like me, and had no idea that this book series existed, let me share with you what I have learned by doing a little research.

The series, written by P.C. and Kristin Cash, follows 16-year-old Zoey Redbird as she becomes a vampire.  She must leave her family behind, and enter the House Of Night, which is a boarding school for others like herself, who are becoming vampires.  From reading the first chapter of Burned, I get the feeling that she becomes a special kind of vampire. 

You can even download the Burned song free by following this link. There are also several different banners, My Space layouts, wallpapers, and a screen saver that you can use. 

I really can not wait to read this series, and seriously, how have I not heard of these books before?

If I Could Ask God Anything By Kathryn Slattery

What was the resurrection of Jesus?

Why is Jesus' Resurrection so important?

It was the answer to these questions that led me to this book, If I Could Ask God Anything by Kathryn Slattery. You see, Easter was about a month ago, and I felt it was important that I explain to Brandi that looking for eggs and getting Easter baskets from the Easter Bunny was great, but there was a whole different, more important reason that we celebrate the Holiday. I tried my best to remember all the things I learned in Sunday School as a kid, but I found myself lacking the answers to some of her questions. In fact, I ended up scaring her, because the way I explained it, she was convinced that all people can come back from the dead, and she was terrified to go to sleep that night.

I knew at that point that I needed help. Luckily, I found the answers I was looking for in this book. Not only did the author explain things in kid friendly language, she listed the scriptures to back up her answers. This was a great way for Brandi and I to look up this story in the bible.

I believe this book is geared more towards kids, but I think adults who know nothing about God, or have never been to church, can benefit from it as well. It is laid out nicely, with each chapter focusing on a different topic, and while the answers are simple, they are spot on. At least that is my opinion.

***I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book Of Grub

The title just about says it all. If there is anything you want to know about food, you will more than likely find it in this book.

This book, written by Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey, the self-proclaimed "sexiest fat men in America", is hilarious! I could not put it down once I started reading it. To be honest, I was expecting it to be more of a cookbook, and while it does have a few recipes scattered throughout, it is more about their take on food. Which, by the way, is pretty funny. I mean, when they quoted Big Bird from Sesame Street to prove a point about giblets, I was literally laughing out loud. They also have a few "top ten" lists which were great, especially the "Never-To-Be-Broken Rules Of The Church Potluck".

But, if you only read one section in this entire book, it should definitely be "The Rick And Bubba Restaurant rating System". As funny as it is, it is also so true!

I would not recommend buying this book if you are looking for a traditional cookbook, because that is not what this book is about. This book is written to make you laugh, with a few recipes thrown in. I can not wait to try their Peanut Butter Bars Of Joy. I love chocolate and peanut butter, and these bars have both. Yum.

I would recommend this book to anyone with a sense of humor.

***I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Breathless

Imagine going about your day, just as you do everyday. All of a sudden, you see these two creatures who are beautiful and innocent. Creatures unlike anything you have ever seen before. Imagine how much your life can change in that single moment.

That is what this book is all about. These beautiful white creatures come to earth through a bright light, and change the world. They bring two friends with horrible pasts closer together. They bring a damaged man back to his family. They bring peace to other animals. They are magical, to say the least.

As a huge Dean Koontz fan, this book was the only thing I really wanted for Christmas, and my mom made sure that I got it. As with most of his books, I read it in just a few days, and I loved it. I will admit that there was one storyline that didn't really fit with the rest of the book, but for the most part, it was a great read. In fact, I am going to let Kasi read it. She has been after me for years to read something that he has written, but there has always been some kind of adult content that I felt was too mature for her. This book didn't really have any of that, so I think she will enjoy it. Of course, when she is done we will discuss it, and if she has any questions while reading it I will be happy to answer them for her. The only bad thing is that she will have to wait until we moved, because it is already packed.

I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.

Climbing The Mountain by Anne, a lay Apostle

Are you looking for an inspirational book to read? If so, you should check out Climbing the Mountain by Anne a lay Apostle. This is just one book in a series of books where she explains how God has spoken to her, and in each book she reveals what God has shown her. In reading what other people have written about these books, I am led to believe that they can teach you how to strengthen you relationship with God, and become closer to Him.

We all have our own journey to take, and climbing our personal mountains can be a little easier if we have Faith. I am not a very religious girl, but that doesn't mean that I don't have my own personal relationship with God. I will admit to being a little curious about these books, and might just get a copy for myself.

The Lunar Antics

I will admit that whenever we get a daily paper, the first thing I read is the comics. I know, as an adult I should be reading about world news or politics, but those things don't interest me too much. I would rather laugh than have to deal with the reality that is our nation these days.

So imagine my delight when I was asked to review this new comic book, called Boy, I'd Hate To Be Made Out Of That Stuff. The comics inside are geared more towards adults, or at least teen aged kids. I tried to get Ryan and Kasi to read it (my 14 and 12 year olds) but they didn't get a lot of the jokes. I found them (the comics, not the kids) really amusing. Their take on our everyday doings are right on.

There are three things you should know about these aliens:

they have antennas

they have flying saucers

they are good in math

I think it's time to meet the cast of characters:

Zeno: He spends a lot of time making sure us Earthlings know that he is a lot smarter than us. He spends a lot of time pointing out our (us humans) shortcomings.

Zed: The math expert, but also very shy.

Linda: The only female alien, she is more than capable of going up against the boys. In fact, she is often threatening to straighten them out.

Drusus: This guy is hard to describe, because he is not in a lot of the comics. But when he does make an appearance, it is usually to assist one of the other guys in one scheme or another.

The Professor: The unlucky (or lucky, depending on how you view the situation) human who is hosting this alien family.

Check out one the comics from the book:

This book is set to be released on January 18th, but you can get an advanced copy right now. Just head to their website and order your copy. You can even get free shipping. Oh, and if you ask nice enough, you may even get a signed copy. How cool is that?

***I was sent a copy of this book to review, but please know that the opinions stated here are my own. I was not paid to say nice things. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

How Well Do You Know Your Kids?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Raising a Father. All opinions are 100% mine.

How is your relationship with your father? Or with your children? Do you know anything about them, other than what you learn from twice yearly phone calls? Well, in this day and age, do you know more than what you learn through emails or facebook updates?

My husband works very hard to have a great relationship with our children. He is always including them in the things he does, from working on cars with Ryan and fishing with the girls. He didn't have a very good relationship with his father, and he wants better for our kids. I love that about him.

There is another father in this world who decided, years ago, that he didn't know his daughter, and he wanted to do something about it. He ended up quitting his highly stressful job that kept him away from his family, and started a home based business, all so that he could get to know his daughter better. He wrote about his experience in the book, Raising a Father. It highlight the stories that show how his daughter taught him how to be a better dad, and in the long run, a better man. Of course, quitting your job to spend time with your kids is a little extreme in my opinion, but I love the concept.

I know Junior hates to read, but I am hoping I can convince him to read this book. In fact, I think every father should read it, if for no other reason than to be inspired to spend more time with their own kids.

You Better Not Cry

Oh, the stories we could tell. Or you could tell. We all have those moments of fear whenever family gathers together for the Holidays, and the stories start flowing. It's especially bad when there are new additions to the family, and they have never heard the embarrassing tales that always make us cringe and laugh at the same time.

Augusten Burroughs has taken his stories and put them together in what looks like a pretty entertaining book called You Better Not Cry. Just take a look at the book trailer below. It's hysterical! If the book is half as funny as the trailer, it will be a great Holiday read.



You can win a copy by entering the "You Better Not Cry Book Promotion Sweepstakes". Even if you go out and but your own copy, like I plan on doing, enter the sweepstakes, too. You could win a copy to give to someone on your Christmas list.

I Need A New Book To Read

I always have to have something to read. It's weird, I know, but when I have nothing new to read, I will reread something I love. I used to reach for a Dean Koontz book, but last week I wanted something different. I grabbed Twilight. That was probably on Wednesday or Thursday. Tonight, I am almost done with Eclipse.

I don't know why I like reading these books so much. I am just as absorbed this time as I was the other three times I have read this series.

How many times have you read them?

Chin And The Magic Stones

"When a moment of magic presents itself to ten-year-old Chin it is good that he has Eagle, his talking dog, to turn to for guidance. The magic leads Chin and his canine companion to encounter dark forces lurking beneath their quiet and otherwise uneventful town. Ultimately Chin learns to trust himself and his own powers, taking on the challenges that he faces with pluck, resolve, and a loyal friend at his side.", from the Chin and the Magic Stones website.

My youngest daughter Brandi, who is seven years old, loves to read. Like me, she always has a book close by that she is in the middle of reading. Recently, she asked if she could read Twilight, and I had to explain to her that she wasn't really old enough for that book. She said she wanted to read a book about the supernatural (though that wasn't her exact word), so I went on a quest to find the perfect book for her. Chin and the Magic Stones sounds like it has everything she is looking for, and it is written for kids her age. It is about a boy and his talking dog who go on a wonderful adventure, and along the way they learn the power of positive thinking, among other things. The main character in this book is a boy, which is a rare thing in children's books. Most books write a girl as the main character. I know Brandi will enjoy the fact that the dog can talk, although deep down she will probably wish the dog was a cat.

This book is available for $9.85, and can be purchased on the book's website, www.ChinMagic.com, and amazon.com. I have a couple of nephews that I think will also enjoy this book, and I think it will make a great Christmas gift. Once Brandi reads it, I will let you all know what she thought of it, in her own words.

Reading

I am a huge reader. There is rarely a time when I am not in the middle of a good book.

Junior is not a reader. In fact, I think he has only read one book in his entire life. It was a book about the Hell's Angels. I keep telling him if he finds another book about something he enjoys, he might find it fun to read.

He doesn't believe me.

When I finish a book, I like to talk about it, but sometimes it is hard finding someone who has read it. I love when my sister passes books down to me, because I know when I am done we can talk about it. I also discovered reading chat rooms, where I can connect with people who also love to read, and might have read the same books as me.

Right now I am reading a cheap paperback I bought at the dollar store. Anyone want to recommend something better for me to read?