Review of THE POWER OF STARTING SOMETHING STUPID by Richie Norton

Every great once in a while a book comes along that changes your life. THE POWER OF STARTING SOMETHING STUPID: How to Crush Fear, Make Dreams Happen, and Live Without Regret is a book that did just that for me. I am in the process of getting my first novel published, a middle reader, and the contract calls for me to write a sequel, and a series. Wow, is all I could think when I found this out, because although I was thrilled I am quite overwhelmed at this prospect. Reading THE POWER OF STARTING SOMETHING STUPID by Richie Norton seems so much like serendipity for me. I was privileged to receive an advance copy to read and review and the timing could not have been better. 

If you are struggling with getting motivated to start something that is important to you then you really should read this book! And you don't just need to take my word for it, read the great list of important people who have given it rave reviews at Good Reads. 

Review of THE INVENTOR'S SECRET by Chad Morris

I really love reading YA books! One thing you'll quickly figure out-if the writer is good-is that YA is just as enjoyable, if not more so, as adult fiction. YA novelist are like the guy who comes in second place, they have to try harder, for they are writing for a very discerning audience, the young adult.

A great example of this is THE INVENTOR'S SECRET by Chad Morris. The first in a new series set at Cragbridge Hall, the premier educational facility in the world, THE INVENTOR'S SECRET is all about smart kids and time travel. "The Bridge" allows the students at Cragbridge Hall to actually watch history as it happens. The plot is so excellently paced and the characters are totally engaging.

If you love YA and time travel you should really get this book! I loved it.

Review of SIX SISTERS' STUFF Cook and Craft Book

As a book reviewer it is seldom that I receive a cookbook to review, so when I opened my mailbox and found the beautiful SIX SISTERS' STUFF, Family Recipes, Fun Crafts, and So Much More! I about went bananas! Literally. This book is filled with great family recipes, fun craft projects, and as the book states, so much more!


This book is nice enough to give as a gift, ya'll, (as Paula Deen would say!) And it is no lie when it says SIX SISTERS, these gals are all six biological sisters. There are nearly 100 easy to follow recipes with images to help you along.



And craft ideas that are cheap and easy to do. I just love this book!

Right now you can register for the 4x4 Dinner Challenge at the Six Sisters website, where families are challenged to eat together 4 times per week for 4 weeks. According to Pew Research, only about half of families eat together only occasionally or never. This is a great way to jump start spring, family guys and gals!

Review of DON'T SAY I DO! WHY WOMEN SHOULD STAY SINGLE, by Orna Gadish

As a book reviewer I often get to chose which books I'd like to receive complimentary to read and review. When DON'T SAY I DO! WHY WOMEN SHOULD STAY SINGLE by Orna Gadish came up for review I quickly grabbed it. As a woman who has been married and divorced four times this book was a huge breath of fresh air.

It's no fun admitting the above about myself, but Orna Gadish hit the nail on the head in this great book as it applied to the why of me getting married, and divorced, so many times. As women we are raised to believe that the traditional road to happiness is ultimately marriage. That's what I thought every time, if I could just get it right. But the fact is, I am a very independent, self-reliant woman and I don't actually want to be married!

This book does not slam marriage, if anything it approves of the failing institution if people are getting into it for the right reasons. Orna Gadish is just giving single women the freedom to chose not to marry, reminding us that times have changed and the old ways are not working for many women today. There are alternatives to saying I DO and all of them are acceptable. No longer does a woman have to sacrifice what she loves to do, or her personal freedom, to meet what is no longer even society's idea of success.

I would recommend that all women, married or single, read this great book!

Review of Bible Stories for Preschoolers

This book was written by Monika Kustra, adapted by Betty Free Swanberg and illustrated by Andrzej Chalecki and was published by Tyndale House Publishers. I was privileged to receive a free copy to review and gave the book to my grandkids, who are 5 and 4. It was so well received! The girls love the book and the illustrations are so beautiful, I was highly impressed by the quality of the book and by the apt content.

Review of A Conversation with God for Women by Marcia Ford

I received this book, Conversations with God for Women by Marcia Ford, to read for free through Book Sneeze. The opinions below are my own.

I couldn't get past the fact that the author spoke in the voice of God. The book is high quality and physically beautiful but off-putting.

Create Private Label at Mount Veeder Magic Vineyards

If there were a watchword for the luxury lifestyle it could very well be choice. An individual blessed with fortune, or who has worked hard to achieve a high level of monetary success, has the ability to choose in all areas of their life.

One perfect example of individual choice is presented by Mount Veeder Magic Vineyards in Napa Valley, California. At Mount Veeder Magic Vineyards you can create your own private label wine.

Each year the Mount Veeder Appellation produces less than 30 barrels of boutique Cabernet Sauvignon. These exclusive, private-label barrels of wine are created by people like you, with the help of famous winemaker Jeff Fontanella.
The grapes you will be able to select from to create your Mount Veeder Magic Vineyards private label wine are low yield, highly concentrated, estate grown, hand farmed, hand picked, hand sorted and hand crafted. These grapes are highly sought after and not available to the general public.

Also, as part of the Mount Veeder Magic Vineyards experience, you will go behind the scenes at the vineyard for private tours and barrel tastings. Mount Veeder Magic Vineyards will provide you with exclusive farming and harvest updates, and you will receive private invitations to blending and harvest parties.
Privately owned by Greg and Karen Crouse, Mount Veeder Magic Vineyards sits in the midst of Mount Veeder, a 2,677 foot-high volcanic peak shrouded in oak, laurel, fir and redwood trees.

From the Mount Veeder Magic Vineyard website, “The volcanic soils are wide-ranging, the hillsides are steep, the farming is treacherous at times, and the yields are extremely low. Yet, the fruits of their labor render compact, full-bodied grapes with concentrated berries and extraordinary brambly flavors that are distinctive of this appellation and have not been duplicated anywhere else in the Napa Valley.”
Imagine how impressed your friends will be when they experience your private label Cabernet Sauvignon. You create the wine, you create the label, because you have the luxury of choice.