5.15.2018

Beyond the Sun ~ Movie Trailer and Contest

Sometimes the greatest adventures can be found where you least expect it and when it is one filled with special memories of a time spent with loved ones it is even more special. Adventures don't have to take you far from home because they can be hiding just around a corner or behind a tree.

When we moved to Florida we didn't know what to expect ~ when you're a little kid anything different or new seems like an adventure.  The house we moved into was so much fun especially the backyard. Though we had yet to hear of The Secret Garden we had found ours. There were trees we had never before seen and Spanish moss that cascaded from the branches creating a hidden world in which to play. There was a small winding trail between the trees which could become a tropical jungle or a magical fairyland. And just beyond the fence was the best thing we could have ever hoped for (though maybe not for my parents) we had a railroad track that was well used each day. When we'd be out playing a train sounded its whistle that was our signal to run along the fence and pretend to blow a whistle of our own which the engineer was more than happy to answer with another blast of his own whistle. 

These adventures were ones of our own making and imagination which have stayed with us through the years. These memories are now an adventure in the retelling to those who were not part of the making. 

Each day can be an adventure you just have to be ready for it to find you and one that is shared is more enjoyable.


BEYOND THE SUN  - About the Movie:
A heartwarming family film is releasing this week.  Distributed by AMBI Distribution, BEYOND THE SUN, is a modern day tale of hope, faith and courage based on stories from the Bible. This delightful family movie chronicles the adventures of four young friends in search of God.

The film features a very rare special appearance by Pope Francis.  In support of the film, AMBI Media Group is holding a special contest where one lucky winner will win an Exclusive Private Tour of the Vatican and Front Row Tickets to an Audience with The Pope For Four! 

For anyone who has ever wanted to visit Italy and The Vatican, this is your chance!  For additional details about the contest and to enter, please go to: www.freetriptorome.com.

BEYOND THE SUN will be available for purchase across multiple platforms including iTunes, Amazon, and TUGG on May 15th.

Movie Trailer:


In celebration of this movie one random commenter will receive a Target e-gift card.
Comments have to placed by May 19, 2018, at 11:59 pm CDT to be eligible.

5.09.2018

Defeating Dementia ~ Review

Defeating Dementia 
What You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer's and Other Forms of Dementia
By Richard Furman MD, FACS


Dementia. 


Alzheimer's. 

Both words conjure up feelings of dread - fear of what may be ahead. But what does one truly know about this topic? In Defeating Dementia Richard Furman attempts to educate the reader in both the stages of Alzheimer's and the steps one can take to reduce the risks of developing this dreaded condition.

Offering personal insights into his mother-in-law's progression through the stages of Alzheimer's Dr. Furman shares the slow and steady mental decline of a loved one. These insights are offered throughout the book as the disease is explained in terms that most people can readily understand. Possible causes are explored as well as lifestyle changes one can make when diagnosed to hopefully slow the progression. Those who have no symptoms can also benefit by taking proactive measures to hopefully stop dementia before it starts.

One statement that is worth memorizing (per Dr. Furman on page 81) is "a healthy brain depends on the health of the heart as well as the arteries of the heart and the brain." The heart-brain connection is vital as it supplies the brain with the oxygen and the nutrients it needs while removing waste from the brain. 

The five risk factors that one needs to eliminate (high cholesterol, a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, high blood pressure, and diabetes) are examined, with each having a chapter devoted to each. Similarly, the lifestyle changes one can make are also covered in their own chapters. A healthy diet which is more plant-based while eliminating saturated fats, sugar, and alcohol. Sample meals are presented so that the reader has an idea of what to eat. Achieving an ideal weight is important with tips on how to make it happen. Exercising so that one has regular physical activity thus increasing blood flow to the brain and offering other heart and brain health benefits. The final change is to stay mentally and socially active - in other words, exercise your brain by making it work.

I highly recommend this book to any and all readers as it is beneficial to everyone and it is never too early or even too late to make a change. There is always something one can do to extend the health of one's life and by following these recommendations this has both physical and mental benefits.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Revell with no expectation of a positive review ~ All opinions expressed are my own.

  

About the Book:


In the fight against dementia, the most powerful player is you.

Dementia. It's one of the most dreaded conditions we face as we age. Many people claim they would rather be diagnosed with cancer than Alzheimer's. What many don't realize is that dementia is not a forgone conclusion as we get older. Our own lifestyle choices and habits can have a significant impact--for good or ill--on our chances of developing the disease.

And that means there's hope.

Drawing from the latest medical research, Dr. Richard Furman helps you understand dementia and Alzheimer's and shows you how to make three powerful lifestyle changes that can help decrease the probability of developing this disease. He explains how eating the right foods, exercising, and sustaining an ideal weight can dramatically reduce the likelihood of developing dementia in the first place, and how these habits can even slow the progression of the disease in someone who has already received a diagnosis.

If you or your loved ones are concerned about Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, let this book be your guide into a healthy future.

5.07.2018

Coach Wooden's Forgotten Teams ~ Review

Coach Wooden's Forgotten Teams
Stories and Lessons from John Wooden's Summer Basketball Camps
By Pat Williams with Jim Denney

Foreword by Nan Wooden

I don't personally remember seeing Coach Wooden during his coaching years but I do remember my mom and grandmother talking about what a gentleman he always appeared to. (And living in LA County and Thousand Oaks they had many opportunities during which to form this favorable opinion.) So when offered a chance to review this book and learn about Coach Wooden from those on whom he had a strong influence I admit I didn't think twice about it. And I was in no way disappointing in getting to know this man who was and is so highly respected.

In Coach Wooden's philosophy, there are no unimportant parts whether it be players on the team or the rules that he established for success. This fundamental belief is one that can be carried through into all aspects of life. Success is found in the details and the details are conditioning, execution, and teamwork. And when you make mistakes have the wisdom to admit it and rectify it immediately by apologizing with humility. Be a leader who helps others lead.

It is a shame that such people are so few in the world today, we need those who are willing to teach and inspire those who are seeking instruction now. I enjoyed getting to know the man behind the legend. This is a book that should be enjoyed and the wisdom within it shared. I highly recommend this book for any reader aged 13 and up as the lessons one can glean will stay with you for a lifetime.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Revell with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Rediscover the man, the coach, and the legend you thought you knew.

Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden is known for his record-breaking run of NCAA championships and for working with some of the best players in the sport. His principles for success have been used by not only coaches and athletes but also entrepreneurs and leaders of all kinds. But his reach stretches even farther than most people know--into the hearts and lives of the people who learned the game of basketball on one of Coach Wooden's forgotten teams.


For nearly twenty years, John Wooden ran scores of summer youth basketball camps, imparting wisdom and teaching skills to thousands of boys and girls between the ages of eight and fifteen. Most would not grow up to play professional or even college ball, but all of them found their lives changed by their interaction with the greatest coach who ever lived. In those camps, Coach Wooden also impacted hundreds of camp counselors and assistant coaches.

This one-of-a-kind book shares their inspiring stories, along with six fundamental lessons from Coach Wooden for a life of success and unforgettable impact on others.

The Story Peddler ~ Review with Giveaway

The Story Peddler
The Weaver Trilogy #1
By Lindsay A. Franklin

Tanwen En-Yestin dreams of becoming the Royal Storyteller to the King. The city of Urian seems to Tanwen the perfect place to live, a place where she'd not have to work for a cruel mentor or take works of drudgery just to survive on a day's wages.

Tanwen loves telling stories as the various ribbon threads weave together creating a work of crystalline art. Telling stories is her passion but when her stories start going wrong Tanwen finds herself in more trouble than she ever imagined possible. And she is now one of the most wanted people in the kingdom for her accidental act of treason.

Has Tanwen revealed a truth the king wants to be silenced or has she woven a lie that she can never take back? Suddenly the life she wanted to leave behind seems so much better than it had just days before. But can she give up her gift - suppress it and the truths she must share just to stay safe? With a reward for her capture nowhere will ever truly be safe.

Meanwhile in Urian Princess Braith is in a precarious position as she questions her father's motives and cruelty. Following the dictates of her conscience, she tries to speak for the people who suffer under the heavy burden of taxes and poor conditions.  But King Gareth Bo-Kelwyd is a hard ruler with equally hard advisors who only wish to elevate their own positions within the ever-expanding realm. And there are whispers and rumors of secrets long hidden away that Braith seeks to learn for in her heart and mind both tell her that this is the only way to learn what she seeks to know. 

The Story Peddler is the first book in a new series and I for one can't wait for the second book to come out. This story is as intriguing as the cover portrays and one is quickly whisked away to this world of story weaving where truth is suppressed and lies grow steadily. This book has an allegorical quality to it that is at the heart of the lies that are being perpetuated as truth seeks to be released.

I highly recommend this book to those who love a well-presented story that dwells in the speculative fiction realm. Though targeted to the Young Adult audience this book will appeal to any fan of fantasy aged 12+.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours with no expectation of a positive review ~ All opinions expressed are my own.

Selling stories is a deadly business.

Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.


During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too.


Title: The Story Peddler
Series: The Weaver Trilogy, Book 1
Author: Lindsay A. Franklin
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Release Date: May 1, 2018
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Link*: Goodreads 

TO PURCHASE A COPY*

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lindsay A. Franklin is a best-selling author, award-winning editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She lives in her native San Diego with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder of a husband, their precious geeklings, three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following.


CONNECT WITH AUTHOR:  
Website | Facebook | Twitter  | Google+  | Instagram

GIVEAWAY:


  • Signed print copy of The Story Peddler
  • Custom Story Peddler candle from Novelly Yours
  • Set of five Story Peddler art prints
  • Custom bookmark
  • A Story Peddler map print
  • A fun fluffhopper sticker
  • Little Women writing gloves from Storiarts

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    Full terms and conditions noted on Rafflecopter form.


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    More Than a Promise ~ Spotlight

    Photo by Just Commonly
    More than a Promise 
    by Ruth Logan Herne


    About the Book:
    Artist Elle Drake returned to her small town for peace and solace after a devastating break-up. She never expected to find herself posing as a widower’s fiancée to help him keep custody of his three rambunctious boys. And she certainly never expected to fall deeply, desperately in love with him. The newest Christian romance by Ruth Logan Hearne combines heart and humor with a dose of small-town reality.

    JustRead Publicity Tours









    Starting today May 7 go to http://bit.ly/mtapgive for
    a chance to win a More Than a Promise Prize Pack. 
    Enter on the tour landing page on JustRead's website.
    Hurry, giveaway ends in 5 days!







    This book can be purchased at https://amzn.to/2jyN2tb

    #RuthLoganHerne #MoreThanAPromise #justreadtours

    5.01.2018

    Closure ~ Review

    Closure
    A Javin Pierce Thriller #3
    By Ethan Jones

    The action set in motion in the two previous Javin Pierce books comes to a head in this third offering. Javin is on the run attempting to pit various intelligence agencies against the one that betrayed him and Claudia. The only problem someone is still working against Javin in his attempt to bring retribution against the man who turned against him and this leak is destroying his alliances before he can make any headway.

    With Claudia being held in a Saudi prison and time working against him Javin's options are in few and those he trusts is shrinking by the minute...

    As the action, suspense, and danger build Europe and the Middle East may never be the same. The only question for the reader to discover is who will be left alive when the dust and political fallout settles. This book brings this three-book story arc to an intense and satisfying conclusion. Ethan Jones has created another cast of characters to keep the reader flipping the pages to learn what happens next!

    And a word of warning never betray a Corrector ~ It could very well be the last mistake you will ever make...


    About the Book:

    Covert operative Javin Pierce will avenge his betrayal or die trying . . . 
    Off the grid, Javin Pierce is struggling to heal from his wounds. Immediately he's forced into a shaky deal with former enemies not only to secure his partner’s release from a Saudi jail but also to settle the score with the traitor who double-crossed them.
    While his new rogue team crosses Iraq’s treacherous lands, he can barely stay ahead of the deadly threats coming from all sides. As Javin sets his sights, alliances around him crumble. So with no one left to trust, in an ever-changing maze, how will Javin survive the deadliest mission of his life?
    With a plot ripped from tomorrow’s headlines, Closure, the third book in the all-too-real Javin Pierce international espionage thriller series, confirms Jones’s status alongside Flynn, Clancy, and Dawson. If you like novels that are loaded with action and suspense, barreling at neck-break speed, with well-crafted characters, and ingenious plots, you are guaranteed to love Closure. 

    Becoming the Talbot Sisters ~ Review and Author Q and A

    Becoming the Talbot Sisters
    By Rachel Linden

    Time and life choices have come between twin sisters Waverly Talbot Ross and Charlie Talbot. But when Aunt Mae dies the two are drawn together in a time of sorrow. For seventeen years the closeness they once shared has slowly drifted away. But when Waverly shares her secret sorrow with Charlie a most unique opportunity to reclaim their sisterhood is offered.

    Waverly knows she is supposed to be a mother and to her secret pain, she has never carried a child through the first trimester. And her chances of trying again ended with this latest loss. Charlie has never considered herself mother material but she offers to be a surrogate for her sister. With lives that couldn't be more different, Charlie and Waverly are about to embark on a journey they never expected one that will allow them to discover who they truly are and how the pain of their past has shaped them into who they have become.

    When an unexpected bump in her seemingly perfect world occurs Waverly heads to Budapest and Charlie's apartment. Waverly's surprise visit is the last thing Charlie expected and though she doesn't know what's wrong she knows something is weighing Waverly down. With a little more than 3 months before the baby is due, Charlie finds her life even more upended as she deals with issues at work and her own daily changes. Waverly's visit allows the two to spend time together that they haven't had for years.

    Becoming the Talbot Sisters is a story about the power of family bonds and the holes that are created when that which we hold dearest is taken away. This is a contemporary fiction that deals with some difficult issues that add an additional layer to an already complex story. Book clubs will want to consider this book for an upcoming selection. Those familiar with Corban Addison's work might want to give this book a consideration as there are some similarities that will appeal to those who like the style of his writing. Hard hitting and eye-opening to the hardships and dangers faced in a world set on exploiting those who are disadvantaged while wrapping it up in a fictional story without being a preachy hit you over the head format.

    I was provided an advanced review copy of this book by the publisher through TLC Book Tours with no expectations of a positive review ~ All opinions expressed are my own.


    About the Book:
    Twin sisters Waverly and Charlie Talbot have drifted far apart as they pursue opposite dreams of stardom and service to the poor. On an astonishing journey across Central Europe, they must come together to face their fears, find their courage and fight for what they love.

    Celebrity chef Waverly Ross has built a successful career with her home-entertaining show Simply Perfect. Yet she and her husband, Andrew, have never been able to realize the true desire of Waverly’s heart: to become a mother. Meanwhile, Waverly’s twin sister, Charlie Talbot, buries her bitter disappointment and shattered idealism beneath a life spent serving others as an international aid worked in Budapest, Hungary.

    When the beloved aunt who raised them passes away, Waverly and Charlie come together in their grief after living years on separate continents. Struck by a fierce desire to bridge the distance between them, Charlie offers Waverly and her husband the selfless gift of surrogacy.

    But soon the sisters find they are each in danger of losing their jobs, seemingly putting their dreams on hold once again. When Waverly shows up unannounced in Budapest with a plan to rescue Simply Perfect, the sisters embark on an adventure across Central Europe that could save them both from occupational hazards. Though the twins haven’t had to rely on each other since childhood, an unforeseen dangerous turn in their journey across Europe forces them to stand together to save their careers, the baby, and each other.

    Purchase Links

    About Rachel Linden:
    Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures living and traveling in fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her stories. She holds an MA in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College, a BA in Literature from Huntington University, and studied creative writing at Oxford University during college. Currently, Rachel splits her time between Seattle, Washington and Budapest, Hungary where she lives with her husband and two children. Rachel enjoys creating stories about hope and courage with a hint of romance and a touch of whimsy.

    Connect with Rachel




    Author Q and A with Rachel Linden

    1) Do you have a favorite go-to to help you get into your writing? (ie. favorite
    music, place to write, beverage or food to get you into your writing)

    Silence! It puts me in the mood to write almost instantly. I’m an introvert, so I try to
    limit all distractions which is tough with an exuberant 18 month old and 4 year old
    in the house. I’m completely useless at writing in coffee shops or public places.
    Honestly, I just need quiet and somewhere comfy and I’m set! Right now I have a big
    leather chair in our basement storage room. That’s my writing nook. It faces the
    water heater! Very glamorous.

    2) Do you have a favorite genre you wish you could call your home-away-
    from-home?

    I’m a sucker for anything related to food and travel, so if I could live in a culinary
    travel memoir in, say, Thailand or Japan I would!

    3) If you could spend the afternoon with any 2 writers (1 from the past and 1
    from the present) who would you pick?

    Louise May Alcott and Marilyn Robinson. Little Women was my favorite book
    growing up, so I’d choose to have tea with Louisa and discuss issues related to
    women and why she wrote her books. And Marilyn because I find her rare
    combination of razor sharp intellect and luminous faith quite remarkable. I just
    want to peek inside her brain and learn from her!

    4) What is your favorite book that you would recommend others read? 

    For fiction, Gilead by Marilyn Robinson. For memoir, The Bright Hour by Nina Riggs.
    For inspirational non-fiction, Love Does by Bob Goff.

    5) What is the one question that you wish you would be asked and how would
    you answer it?

    Question: “Why do you write the stories you write?”
    My answer: “I love writing stories about hope, courage and relational connection
    with a dash of romance and exotic settings thrown in for fun! With my newest story,
    Becoming the Talbot Sisters, the message is all about women being every day brave.
    I hope it encourages women to have courage in the face of whatever life throws at
    them…every single day! That’s a message I love to share!