Sibella Giorello ~ The Stars Shine Bright ~ Book Review

Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Sibella Giorello
After the FBI suspends her for bending its rules, Special Agent Raleigh Harmon is looking for a chance to redeem her career and re-start her life.
Sent undercover to a thoroughbred horse track, Raleigh takes on a double life to find out who’s fixing the races. But when horses start dying and then her own life is threatened, Raleigh realizes something bigger—and more sinister—is ruining Emerald Meadows.
She’s never felt more alone.
Her one contact with the FBI is Special Agent Jack Stephanson, a guy who seems to jump from antagonistic to genuine friend depending on the time of day. And she can’t turn to her family for support. They’re off-limits while she’s undercover, and her mother isn’t speaking to her anyway, having been confined to a mental hospital following a psychotic breakdown. Adding insult to her isolation, Raleigh’s fiancé wants them to begin their life together—now—precisely when she’s been ordered not to be herself.
With just days left before the season ends, Raleigh races to stop the killing and find out who’s behind the track’s trouble, all the while trying to determine if Jack is friend or foe, and whether marrying her fiancé will make things better—or worse.
Raleigh is walking through the darkest night she’s faced, searching for a place where the stars shine bright. 

Sibella Giorello grew up in the mountains of Alaska admiring the beauty and nature that surrounded her. She majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts hoping to learn more about the landscape she loved back home. From there Sibella followed a winding path, much like the motorcycle ride she took across the country, which led to her true love, journalism.
She found herself in Seattle writing for rock-n-roll magazine and earned a journalism degree from the University of Washington before heading south to the land of great stories.
In Virginia, Sibella became a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. It was there she also met her husband and would hear Jesus whispering her name at a tent revival.
Sibella started writing about Raleigh Harmon as a way to keep her love of story-telling alive while staying at home with her young sons. As a journalist and author, her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. The Stones Cry Out, the first Raleigh Harmon novel, won a Christy award for debut novel in 2008. Sibella now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons.
Visit Sibella Giorello online at www.sibellagiorello.com, Facebook or Twitter.

I really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were really planed out and they were described out. I felt many times that I could really see, hear, or hear the main character, Raleigh. This book's language is not to hard, it was very entertaining to read. I finished the book really quickly and enjoyed ever second I spent reading the book.
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Aftermath ~ Book Review

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Book Review - Aftermath

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Growing in Grace Through Grief

Loss is a four-letter word that grips our hearts and gridlocks our lives. Grief can hold us captive until we surrender it to God. How do we find the necessary grace to journey through the mourning process?

Juxtaposed to the outpouring of her mother’s words about grief, the author shares her parallel journey from the emotional abyss of grief after becoming an adult orphan. With candor, the author shares her own emotions experienced along the spectrum of loss after her parents’ deaths: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—adding interactive options for readers.

Five sections cover these common emotions and provide:

• comfort Scripture lists

• counsel sections from grief experts

• chronicling sections with detailed helps

• tangible handles on dealing with grief during holidays, capturing loved ones’ legacy, and more


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Margaret McSweeney is a well-published author often writing online articles for Make It Better (the former North Shore Magazine) and freelance articles for the Daily Herald, the largest suburban Chicago newspaper. In addition, she has authored and compiled several books including A Mother’s Heart Knows; Go Back and Be Happy; Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace and most recently, Mother of Pearl.

Margaret has a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina in international business. As is the founder of Pearl Girls, Margaret collaborates with other writers on projects to help fund a safe house for WINGS, an organization that helps women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, and to build wells for schoolchildren in Uganda through Hands of Hope. For the past 10 years she has served on the board of directors and leadership advisory board for WINGS. Margaret lives with her husband and 2 daughters in the Chicago suburbs. Learn more about Margaret and the work of Pearl Girls at www.margaretmcsweeney.com.

MY REVIEW:
The author of the book shares her story of her lose in her life, She puts poems in the book that were written by her mother, Carolyn Rhea. The Mother also wrote a book called "When Grief is your Constant Companion.
 
The author tells about the different stages of grief and says things about them that will help you as you move over them. Also, in the end of each chapter there are questions to help you evaluate how you are feeling about your grief. There is also an area for you to write a letter to God, telling him how you feel.

The whole book was wonderful and if would be perfect as a gift to a friend who is in grief of someone who passed.

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group

You can purchase the book HERE

You can read other review of this book HERE
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Naked Binder ~ Product Review and Giveaway!

Thursday, August 9, 2012


 I just received these awesome binders a few weeks ago and I love them! I had the opportunity to review again to the Naked Binder company! They are so nice, friendly, and caring!
This time around I was able to offer you guys a give away for everything listed plus folders! Make sure to enter!!

Naked Binder:
Well, you've found them. Recycled, Bare Board Naked Binders. These Eco friendly recycled binders offer a better, stronger and stylish alternative to vinyl. Strong, recycled and 100% recyclable our 3-ring binders are 100% green to their core.
Most often used for:
Office and Home binders, Art + Scrapbook binders
 Price: 1' D-Ring $7.50


 Classic Binder:
The Classic Binder is cover in black, grained FSC certified Ecological Fibers paper with a cotton spine wrap, this binder stands out in the crowd. Sporting a metal free European style finger pull for ease of getting off the shelf and 9 colors. Strong and striking this binder is a pleasure to use and gets noticed out and about.
How we can help you, your business and the environment
Most Often used for: 
Proposal binders, Project binders, Office binders
Price: 1" D-Ring $8.50
 

Project Binder:
The Project is a bare board Naked Binder with a bit of a modest side. It sports a spine wrap of durable library-grade 100% cotton book=binding cloth applied with water based glue to add color and protection
How we can help you, your business and the environment 
Most Often used for:
Home Storage, Office and School binders, Proposal Binders
Price: 1" D-Ring $7.50  
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer:  I was sent the products mentioned above for free from Naked Binders for the purpose of this review. I was not monetarily compensated in any way for a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. Yours experience with this products might differ from my own.

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EchoVerde Spring 2012 Catalog ~ Review

Monday, July 30, 2012


I had the opinionity to review their EV6003 Versatile Skirt/Dress. Here is a bit from their catalog that tells about it 
Organic cotton/Spandex
Jersey Knit
This super versatile style transforms
from a skirt to a dress! Wear with the
tie around the neck for halter styling,
without tie as banded front with back
slit and detail, or wear as a skirt with
slit at either front back or side. One of
the most adaptable pieces in our
wardrobe – this style is a sure winner
for travel! Double lined waistband,
slight ruching and slit with finished
hem.
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Cherry, Azure, Grass, Black
I recieved this wonderful product in Cherry. The color is beautiful and I love the fabric, it's so soft! You can wear this outfit three ways: two as a dress and one as a skirt.. I like wearing it as a dress better but it still works wonders as a skirt!  


Here is the wonderful dress showing how it can be worn as a dress!  It's perfect for a day on the beach, as a cover up, or just for a relaxing day! I love the cherry color (Pictured on the left), but the Azure color (Pictured on the right) is a nice, cool color for the summer!

 And here is it as a skirt! I love them both ways. Which way would you wear them the most?






 Disclaimer:  I was sent the products mentioned above for free from EchoVerde for the purpose of this review. I was not monetarily compensated in any way for a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. Yours experience with this products might differ from my own.
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Pinterest Friday!

Friday, July 27, 2012
Here are some of the wonderful things that I found on Pinterest today! Let me know if you came across anything else that was amazing!
 



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Fold-Flop ~ Product Review

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Women’s Champagne Foldflops

This neutral color goes with everything. They’re the only pair you’ll ever need…you’ll just WANT more.
Price: $20.00

Foldflops®– Unfold and Go!

The new must-have flip-flop for on-the-go convenience

Style, Comfort, Convenience
Foldflops®  introduce mobile comfort in its patented “unfold and go” hinge technology. Protection and relief unfold in a flash when feet need it most. Folds in half easily for (simple and convenient) storage in its own attractive carrying pouch.
Stylish, Sporty, Lightweight
Perfect for any occasion, lightweight and space-saving foldflops are stylish enough to wear with dresses, pants and shorts and fit easily into a jacket or cargo-pants pocket, purse, glove compartment, or briefcase.
Quality, Waterproof, Cushioned
Unlike disposable or flimsy foldable shoes or flip flops, foldflops custom molded, high quality EVA construction makes them perfect for continued wear.  A porous edged topsole to resist dirt and sweat, a ridged outsole to minimize slip, and a cushioned inset to maximize foot and arch support provide high-level comfort. Foldflops are waterproof and UV resistant.

I really enjoyed wearing them! They are very comfy and they go with almost everything! I would reccomend these to all my friends who are looking for any type of flipflops! They come in all kinds of colors: blue, pink, black, champagne, ect. Check out there wonderful Foldflops!

 Disclaimer:  I was sent the products mentioned above for free from FoldFlops for the purpose of this review. I was not monetarily compensated in any way for a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. Yours experience with this products might differ from my own.
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The Earthbound Cook ~ Book Review

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Earthbound Cook

As a busy working mom and creative cook, Myra Goodman knows how to make food taste good. And as the co-founder of Earthbound Farm, she knows how producing food sustainably can do good. Put those two things together, and you have her new cookbook, The Earthbound Cook: 250 Recipes for Delicious Food and a Healthy Planet.
In this, her second cookbook, Myra weaves all new recipes into an Earth-friendly theme from starters to seafood, meat to side dishes, breakfast to dessert. For example, there’s a chapter devoted to Vegetarian Entrées; the Vegetable and Grains Salads chapter shows imaginative ways to create tasty salads with substance; and there’s a Baking chapter full of wonderful breads, pita, and pizza.
Together with the delectable food, Myra includes easy guidance for conscientious shoppers about making eco-friendly choices at the market, plus primers on cooking methods and tools, sidebars with insightful ingredient information — and tons of Green Living tips, too.
Available at your local bookstore — or order online from Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, BooksaMillion.com or Indiebound.org.
Prefer an eBook version? Get The Earthbound Cook for your device from iTunes/iBooks (for iOS devices); Barnes & Noble (for Nook); and Alibris, Bookshop Santa Cruz or Powell's (for Google eBooks).
$20.95
This book has everything in it. There are tons of tips mixed in with the recipes. This is one of the best cookbook by far. Here is one of the recipes that I like on page 191:
Eggplant Parmesan
I had almost forgotten bout this classic, timeless dish until  summer trip to Italy a few years ago. It was served frequently there, as was a version using zucchini instead of eggplant. It does take a bit of time to cook the eggplant, but this step creates the special melt-in-your-mouth texture and is worth the effort. Whatever sauce you chose to pair with the eggplant, it should be light and fresh-tasting so hat it doesn't overwhelm the delicate flavor of the vegetable. ~~ Serves 6
1 large eggplant (About 1.25 pounds) pelled o unpelled
Kosher Salt
2/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
Freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon cold water
1 cup fine dry unseasoned bread crumbs 
About 6 tablespoons olive oil
2.5 cups Mrya's Heirloom Tomato Sauce
      (Page 416), Quick Tomato Sauce
      (Page 417), or store-bought marinara sauce
20 fresh basil leaves, torn
1 cup freshly grated Parmesn cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 
8 slices (about 7 ounces) provolone cheese, or 3/4 cup grated provolone
 1) Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Sprinkle both sides of the eggplant slices with about 2 tablespoons kosher salt, and set them aside to drain on a rack or in a colander for 30 minutes. 
2) Using a clean kitchen towel, thoroughly blot the liquid and salt from the eggplant slices.
3) Spread the flour on a piece of parchment paper or on a flat plate, season it with kosher salt and black pepper to taste, and stir to combine. Combine the eggs and the cold water in a small shallow bowl, and whisk o blend. Spread the bread crumbs on a piece f parchment paper or on a flat plate. 
4) Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350F
5) Dip the eggplant slices int he seasoned flour, coating both sides lightly. Then dip the eggplant in the egg coating both sides completely. Finally, dip the eggplant in the bread crumbs, pressing them lightly with dry fingers to ensure that the coasting sticks. Set the breaded eggplant aside on a baking sheet.   
6) Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet, preferably cast-iron over medium-high heat. If you have two skillets, heat another 3 tablespoon oil in the second one and you can cook all of the eggplant simultaneously Other wise when the oil is hot, add half of the breaded eggplant slices in a single layer, making sure not to crowd the skillet. Cook until the coating is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.  Flip the slices over, and cook on the other side for 1 to 2 minutes. It is important to cook the eggplant online until it is bare crisp-tender; do not overcook it. Transfer the slices to a baking sheet lined with several layers of paper towels.
7) Add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil to the skillet and repeat with the remaining eggplant slices. 
8) Arrange half f the eggplant in a 9-inch square or a 7 x 10- inch baking dish. If necessary, cut some of the slices to fill in the gaps so your create a sing layer of eggplant without any large holes. Cover the eggplant with about 1 cup of the tomato sauce sprinkle half of the basil over the sauce, and over with 1/2 cup of the grated Parmesan.   
9) Arrange the remaining eggplant slices in over the Parmesan, cover with the remaining 1.5 ups tomato cause, and sprinkle with the remaining basil and the parsley. Cover with the reaming 1/2 Parmesan cheese. Top with the slices of provolone cheese, cutting the cheese as required to cover the entire dish (or scatter the grated provolone over the top). 
10) Bake until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles round the edges of the dish, 15 to 20 minutes. Let sit f or 10 minutes before cutting and serving. In the unlikely event that you have some left over, it can be refrigerated, cover for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a 350F oven until hot, 15 to 20 minutes.
 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Earthbound Farm for the purpose of this review.
 


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