Book Review: Fashionably Dead by Robyn Peterman

Title:  Fashionably Dead: Book One of the Hot Damned Series (Volume 1)

Author: Robyn Peterman

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Publication Date: September 2, 2013

Length: 322 Pages



This book review was written by guest blogger Cindy Phelps Thomas.

About The Author
Robyn Peterman, writes because the people inside of her head won't leave her alone until she gives them life on paper. She writes snarky, sexy, funny paranormal and snarky, sexy, funny contemporaries.

Laugh-Out-Loud
Astrid is wandering through life at 29 years old with little to show for herself, except her love of expensive clothes. She deems it time to quit smoking, as she has many times before, but, this time, goes the route of hypnotism. One minute a beautiful Amazon woman is hypnotizing her, the next she’s a Vampyre!

Her day just got a whole lot worse. Thankfully her best friend, Gemma, is still around to help (although there is something not-so-mortal about her too!)  And Astrid’s not just any Vampyre, she’s The Chosen One. Being The Chosen One comes with a lot of responsibility, and a lot of Prada.

Astrid has to be trained by a foul-mouthed Guardian Angel, a muscle building/actor look-a-like fairy with a bad sense of style, and more. She is supposed to take out the rogue Vampyres, but who are they?

Is this super-hot, hard to resist Vampyre, named Ethan, one of them?  She has a lot to learn in a short period of time, but with enough Prada, she may be up for the task!

My Thoughts
This book was laugh-out-loud funny and unlike anything I’ve ever read! Peterman takes the reader on a paranormal journey with action, adventure, comedy, and some steamy romance. When I saw the cover of this book, I knew I had to read it. I was NOT let down. From the beginning, I was drawn in and couldn’t wait to read more. I recommend this book for a mature audience. There is A LOT of foul language and several R-rated scenes.  I give it 5 stars and I look forward to book 2 in the series.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book during a promotion on Amazon.com.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: The Ugly Stepsister by Aya Ling

TITLE: The Ugly Stepsister (Unfinished Fairy Tales Book 1) 

Author: Aya Ling

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Publication Date: June 10, 2015

Length: 453 Pages



This book review was written by guest blogger Cindy Phelps Thomas.


About The Author
Aya Ling is from Taiwan, where she struggles daily to contain her obsession with mouthwatering and unhealthy foods. Often she will devour a good book instead. Her favorite books include martial arts romances, fairy tale retellings, high fantasy, cozy mysteries, and manga.

A Cinderella Story
Kat is a shy, clumsy, nervous-around-cute-boys type of girl. She lives with her mom and her sister Paige.  On a day as normal as any, she roams up to the attic to sort through an old box of books for her mom. Inside the box is a book of Cinderella, which falls apart as she picks it up. Kat trips and falls down the stairs as she takes the book to show her mother.

The next thing Kat knows, she has been transformed to another place in time and has become Katriona Bradshaw, daughter of the late Earl Bradshaw. A goblin named Krev appears and informs her that the book was cursed by his King. The only way she will be able to return to her family is to complete the fairy tale from the page she tore to the “Happily Ever After”. 

The problem is she tore the FIRST page! Kat has no idea how or where to start. She only knows that she lives with her mother and beautiful sister, who both seem to dislike her and her ordinary looks, but shouldn’t there be a third sister? Where is Cinderella? And for that matter, who and where is the Fairy Godmother? And how on earth is she going to convince a prince to hold a ball to find a wife, when he is publicly known to dislike social events?

Kat has a lot to do, but she knows that if she ever wants to see her mom and all of the modern day luxuries she has come to love, she has to find a way!

My Thoughts
This book was a great retelling of an old fairy tale! I love the different twist that the author gave it by telling it from the viewpoint of the ugly stepsister. Her writing and descriptions took me back in time. Her characters are well developed, and the descriptions are wonderful. I highly recommend this book for anyone from tweens through adult.  

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

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Book Review: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

Warm Bodies: A Novel

Author: Isaac Marion

Publisher: Atria Books

Date:  April 26, 2011

Length: 256 Pages


This book review was written by guest blogger Cindy Phelps Thomas.

About The Author
Isaac Marion is an American writer. He is best known as the best-selling author of the "zombie romance" novel Warm Bodies.

Favorite Quotations
“You should always be taking pictures, if not with a camera then with your mind. Memories you capture on purpose are always more vivid than the ones you pick up by accident.”  

“What wonderful thing didn't start out scary?”  

“We are where we are, however we got here. What matters is where we go next.”  

“The past is made out of facts... I guess the future is just hope.”  

“Here it comes. My inevitable death, ignoring me all those years when I wished for it daily, arriving only after I've decided I want to live forever.”  

A Zombie Romance
R is a zombie. He lives in an abandoned airport with his fellow undead, zombies and boneys. He can’t help but think he’s different from the rest as they shuffle around all day without a thought.

R does have thoughts, but he’s not sure what they mean or why he has them since he has no recollection of his past life. He does go to town occasionally to feed with other zombies, one of which is M, his friend. While feeding, the zombies can experience memories of the human life they are taking.

On one occasion, while feeding, R experiences the memories of Perry. Perry’s memories all include Julie, his longtime friend and girlfriend. R feels something for Julie through these memories and concludes that he must save her from the other zombies that are feeding. He takes her back to the 747 plane that he lives in. She is scared and he cannot communicate well with her, but as the days pass they become friends.

Julie tells R that she needs to return home to prevent her father from looking for her and attacking the airport. R begins the journey to take her back but also feels the overwhelming desire to keep her with him to ensure that she is safe.  The boneys, the high order of the undead, have discovered that R is different and Julie is living. They are unhappy and start a fight to try to capture her and kill her.

R and Julie manage to make it away from them with a little help, but Julie escapes from R once they are further down the road.  She manages to return home safely, but R cannot be without her. R, M, and a few others who are all starting to experience thoughts and feelings that they don’t understand decide to leave and go to Julie. The boneys are angry and still looking for the group of them.

The feelings between R and Julie are growing, but will R make it out of this? Will the boneys conquer the humans and the zombies?

All they know is there are big changes in the future and the future is coming fast.
 
My Thoughts

Warm Bodies is an interesting tale of a zombie romance. The love of a zombie for a human which is normally considered hunter and prey. I enjoyed this book. It was my first experience with zombies and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. The book does have a considerable amount of adult language so I would not suggest it for children, but if you are looking to try something new, or this is the genre you usually look for, I definitely recommend this easy read.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to Cindy for sharing this book review with us. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

Heart of the Matter

Author: Emily Giffin

Publisher: St. Martins Press

Date: May 6, 2010

Length: 400 Pages


This book review was written by guest reviewer Cindy Phelps Thomas.

About The Author
Emily Giffin is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia School of Law. After practicing litigation at a Manhattan firm for several years, she moved to London to write full time.

No Matter How Flat You Make A Pancake, It Still Has Two Sides

Nick & Tessa Russo have a wonderful relationship. Nick is a world renowned pediatric plastic surgeon and Tessa has recently made the decision to stay at home with their two young children. The couple is very involved socially and have many friends.

Valerie Anderson leads a very different life from Tessa. Valerie is a single mom working as a lawyer who depends heavily on her family for emotional support. Valerie has no real friends due to the stigma that is placed on her for being a single mom in the prestigious area that they live.

Tessa and Valerie have very little in common though they live so close to one another, until the night of the accident. Valerie’s son, Charlie, is severely burned and rushed to the hospital. This is the night Valerie and Charlie meet Nick for the first time. Nick and Tessa slowly become more and more estranged, while Valerie and Charlie are building a relationship with Nick.

Tessa finds herself wondering if quitting her job and increasing her dependence on Nick is causing him to become distant. Valerie is seeing a male figure in Nick that has been missing in their lives for so long and finds herself thinking of him all too often. Charlie is looking to Nick to finally have a dad.

Heart of the Matter takes a journey down the road of love, trust, and forgiveness.

Will Nick and Tessa make it through this obstacle in their life?

Has Valerie finally found someone worth fighting for?

One thing is certain, they will all learn a little about themselves and forgiveness.

My Thoughts
As I read Heart of the Matter, I couldn’t help feeling connected to both of the women in the novel. The character development and the subject nature felt like they could be women I would consider a friend. I liked the style of writing also. Emily Giffin lets the reader experience each story through the eyes of the two characters by alternating views every other chapter.

The subject is a bit controversial, but at the same time it is a work of realistic fiction.

This is the fourth Emily Giffin book that I have read and I look forward reading more. I definitely recommend this novel and all others by this author.

MY RATNG: 5 Stars Out Of 5

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Book Review: Witch Weigh by Caroline Mickelson

Witch Weigh (A Paranormal Romantic Comedy)

Author: Caroline Mickelson

Publisher: Bon Accord Press

Date: April 24, 2012

Length: 154 Pages




This book review is a guest post written by Cindy Phelps Thomas.

About The Author
Caroline Mickelson loves her family and loves to write.  She lives in the American southwest with her husband and their four children.

She Uses Her Magic To Make Sure She Gets Her Way

Contessa Von Hellengaard is a real witch living in a normal world. Tessa is selfish, rude, and if anyone or anything gets in the way of what she wants, she uses her magic to make sure she gets her way.

The other witches in her coven see her behavior as a problem that is eventually going to have them all exposed. They have tried talking to her time and again, but they see no change in her personality. At their latest meeting, the others have planned an intervention of sorts.

They introduce her to Liam Kennedy. Little does she know, her life is about to drastically change. Liam is her charming fairy godfather. He takes her on a journey to better herself and teach her a few lessons. Tessa and Liam go to a beautiful resort. When Tessa wakes in the morning, she has gained hundreds of pounds, her beloved black cat is a white dog, and her magic no longer works.

She learns that she is in a camp to lose weight.  Although enraged, Tessa has no other option but to go along with the rules. As she sheds the pounds, she also gains a few friends, learns to love herself, and may even fall in love.

Will this all be for the best, or will she end up heartbroken wishing she could go back to her less caring days?

This paranormal romance is a fun and fast novella. It was touching at times and comedic at others. If you are looking for a good, quick read, I definitely recommend Mickelson’s Witch Weigh.  

MY RATING:  4 STARS OUT Of 5

Thank you to Cindy for this YA book review. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: The Short Second LIfe of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephenie Meyer

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella (The Twilight Saga)

Author:  Stephenie Meyer

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Date: May 28, 2010




This book review was written by guest blogger Cindy Phelps Thomas

About The Author
Stephenie Meyer is an American young-adult fiction writer and film producer, best known for her vampire romance series Twilight. The Twilight novels have gained worldwide recognition and sold over 100 million copies with translations into 37 different languages.

Quotations
“Don't watch" the redheaded mind reader whispered.
I closed my eyes.”  

“Super-secret Ninja Club sounds way cooler than the whole BFF thing.”  

“I couldn‘t make sense of the mess in my head. Diego was dead, and that was the main thing, the devastating thing. Other than that, the fight was over, my coven had lost and my enemies had won. But my dead coven was full of people who would have loved to watch me burn, and my enemies were speaking to me kindly when they had no reason to.”  

Life As A Vampire
Bree Tanner is a 15 year old runaway trying to escape an abusive father, her mother left when she was young. She is barely surviving when a young man named Riley asks her if she would like to get a hamburger with him. She jumps at the chance for food. She is intrigued by Riley and thinks he is very attractive even if he won’t remove his sunglasses. Riley is nice to Bree, but in an instant strange things happen.

Bree is dragged to a house and feels a tremendous pain in her neck that seeps through her entire body. This is the first night in her life as a vampire. Bree now lives in a crowded basement with 20 other “newborn” vampires. There are often fights among them causing the coven to have to move around and sometimes causing the death of members of the coven.

Bree befriends Diego during a hunting trip to Seattle. He is a wiser and nicer vampire, the first she has felt comfortable around in her three month life. They travel together and discover that sunlight is not as lethal as they had been repeatedly told by Riley.

This gets the two discussing what else Riley may be hiding from the coven. Bree and Diego’s love story is short lived as they discover that the coven is actually intended to be soldiers in an unknown battle with the “Yellow-eyes”.  These yellow-eyes are known throughout the Twilight Saga as the Cullen coven. 

Fred, another loner Vampire, runs away and offers to wait for Bree and Diego in Canada, but first she must tell Diego the plan. Bree becomes entangled in this messy battle, Riley has fled, and Diego is nowhere to be found.

What will come of Bree Tanner in this messy second life of hers?

Readers of Eclipse (Twilight, Book 3) will remember the battle scene in which Bree Tanner debutes. This is the details of the life of the young, desperate newborn vampire, Bree.

RATING:  5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you for reading this book review. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Date: June 3, 2010

Movie Release: November 22, 2013



This book review was written by guest reviewer Cindy Phelps Thomas.

About The Author
Suzanne Collins has had a successful and prolific career writing for children's television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains It All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. Collins made her mark in children's literature with the New York Times bestselling five-book series for middle-grade readers The Underland Chronicles.  In the award-winning The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins continues to explore the effects of war and violence on those coming of age. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut.

Katniss And Peeta Are Back
In this sequel to The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen is back. Katniss and Peeta managed to outsmart the Capital once, but the Capital is not happy about it. Katniss and Peeta were living happily, pretending to be in love whenever the cameras were on them. 

Katniss and Peeta were paraded through the Districts making appearances and giving speeches when Katniss noticed there was something strange going on in some districts. Katniss got word there may be rebellions starting, threatening to overthrow the Capital. The Districts were looking to Katniss as their guide and a symbol of peace for the Districts. She never intended to have this kind of influence on the people of Panem. This made her more fearful for her life than ever.

The news of the Quarter Quell approaching had everyone a bit nervous. Every 25 years the Quarter Quell took place. There was a different type of Hunger Games every time.

The Districts all gathered as the news reported the players in this year’s Quell would be a male and female victor from each of the 12 Districts and they must appear in the Hunger Games. Katniss was the sole female victor for District 12. She never dreamed she would have to survive two games! She knew her male counterpart would be Peeta or her mentor Haymitch, both scenarios made her ill.

In Catching Fire, Katniss entered into the arena for a second time, knowing that this would be her last.

Can Katniss help her partner survive or will this be the end for them both? 

Will there be another victor from District 12?

With 24 players in the arena, this is another action packed tale of survival of the fittest that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you Cindy for this book review! Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

ABCmouse.com Review and Giveaway

I was recently contacted by ABCmouse.com and offered a generous ONE YEAR subscription for one of my lucky readers. I don't have any young children at home so I asked my daughter, Cindy Phelps Thomas, to try this site with my granddaughter for one month.

Cindy is my guest blogger today and tells you about her experience with ABCmouse.com.

ABCmouse.com is a computer-based learning program for young children, ages 3-kindergarten. My daughter is 18 months, but I decided to try this program. The program is personalized, it is set up to your specified age group and even says hello with your child’s name at the beginning of each session.

There is a classroom setting to start. From there you can enjoy the variety of activities they have available, including games, songs, personalizing your classroom, and learning geared toward your child’s age group.

There are multiple themes that you can choose including the beach, the farm, the seashore, etc. In each of these settings there are courses that include learning through puzzles, electronic coloring sheets, songs, math, and more. There are lesson builders available also, if you want to design a particular lesson for your child. As you finish each activity there is a reward of tickets that your child can cash in for prizes.

Although my daughter was a little young for the program, she thoroughly enjoyed learning about zoo animals and listening to the songs. We were able to learn about the specific zoo animals and listen to the sounds that they make. The songs had various settings to listen and sing along with the words. We decided to choose the bouncing ball to guide us along in the song; my daughter was able to point to the ball as it went.

I highly recommend this program to parents of children in these age groups. ABCmouse.com is a great resource for parents to use with their children to encourage the learning process and prepare them for future grade levels. Parents can track the process on this program too. The best part is that the program is not expensive! I will definitely continue to work with my daughter through ABCmouse.com!

How To Win An Annual Subscription to ABCmouse.com
One lucky reader of this blog will win a subscription code for 1 year free use of the ABCmouse.com educational service.

I will conduct a random drawing at 12:00 noon on Thursday, August 29.

To enter the drawing for a chance to win, just leave a comment on this blog post. All you have to say is "I want to win ABCmouse.com!"

Please leave an email address with your comment. I will email the lucky winner on August 29 with the 1 year subscription code. I will annouce the winner on this blog the following week. Good luck to everyone!

Book Review: From Notting Hill With Love...Actually by Ali McNamara

From Notting Hill with Love...Actually

Author: Ali McNamara

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Date: October 1, 2012

Guest Reviewer: Cindy Phelps Thomas



About the Author
Ali McNamara lives in Cambridge with her family and two Labrador dogs. This is her first novel.

Real Life or Movie?

Scarlett O’Brien has an average life; a good job, good friends, and is engaged to a good man. There is very little excitement though. Scarlett has a love for the cinema; this is the only excitement in her life. She constantly quotes and imagines movies, specifically romantic comedies and compares them to her dull life.

As her wedding date nears, it is apparent that she needs to have some time to herself. Her best friend arranges for her to house sit in Notting Hill, the set of one of her favorite movies. Scarlet sets out on a mission. She wants to prove to everyone that real life can resemble movies. She plans to do this by taking note every time she lives out a scene she has seen in a movie.

The first day that she is in Notting Hill she meets an exciting new friend and lives out more than one scene from a movie. She is happy with the start. As she continues on with her month long stay, she starts to search for her mother who abandoned her as a baby. She realizes this is a part of her life that she has been longing to find.  

She begins this adventure with her irritating but attractive next door neighbor, Sean. As the time moves on, she is not sure if her life is the real life movie that she is currently living out with Sean and her new friends; or if real life consists of the boring but stable life she has back home with her father and fiance.

My Thoughts
I adore this book!  I am a huge fan of romantic comedy movies and this is the perfect book for such a fan. The characters are lovable and the scenes are wonderful (especially if you have seen movies such as Notting Hill). There are even cameos of a few famous actors and actresses.

This is one of the best “Chick Lit” books I have read. I did not want to put it down, but unfortunately I  had to. I just finished the book and now have a long list of movies (mentioned in the book) that I will be watching as soon as time allows. I highly recommend this book!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Cindy Phelps Thomas is a U.S. Navy Veteran (2001-2005). She earned her BS in Psychology/Criminal Justice from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She received an elementary teaching certification and is a former kindergarten teacher in the La Porte, TX School District. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is working on her MBA degree at the University of Houston.

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Book Review: Everyone Can Be A Millionaire by Steve Swanson

Everyone Can Be A Millionaire...How To Create Wealth Over Time...Free Copyrighted Retirement Planning Calculator included with every book purchased!

Author: Steve Swanson

Publisher: eBook Publishers Company

Date: December 26, 2012

Guest Reviewer: Cindy Phelps Thomas


About the Author
Swanson was born in 1958. For 30 years he has been working in the banking business and currently is employed as a Bank President. He has been studying personal finance for all of his adult life and was a finalist in Money Magazine's one and only Personal Finance Manager of the year contest in 1994.
In 2012, Mr. Swanson formed eBook Publishers Company.

Financial Planning For Beginners
In this easy-to-understand book, Steve Swanson gives you the steps you need to become a millionaire over a long period of time. These techniques are designed to help you retire comfortably.

Mr. Swanson has personally used these techniques with his wife for the last 30 years. He gives personal examples and unbiased thoughts and also encourages the reader to do his own research.

This book is written with easy-to-read vocabulary for those new to financial planning. The author touches on: budgeting, debt reduction, emergency funds, reserves, 401(k), stocks, the withdrawal stage, and more. There is also the added bonus of a Retirement Calculator and a Budget Worksheet included for your use.

My Thoughts
I thought this 50-page book was a great introduction to financial planning. I have little knowledge in this area and had no problems following it. I definitely would like to try these techniques. I also like that Mr. Swanson relates on a personal level.

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an easy-to-understand overview of financial planning. This book is a good place to start.

My Rating: 4 Stars Out Of 5
 

Cindy Phelps Thomas is a U.S. Navy Veteran (2001-2005). She earned her BS in Psychology/Criminal Justice from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She received an elementary teaching certification and is a former kindergarten teacher in the La Porte, TX School District. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is working on her MBA degree at the University of Houston.

 

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Children's Book Review: WBI; Witches Department of Investigation

WBI: Witches Bureau of Investigation

Author: Richard Capwell

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Date: August 7, 2012

Guest Reviewer: Cindy Phelps Thomas



About the Author 
Richard Capwell is a popular author of books for children and young adults.

Case of the Missing Mother
Nate and Herman's mother had been missing for six months when they stumbled across Agnes Weatherby searching for her silver Phantom Rolls Royce limousine. Mrs. Weatherby was the former director of the Witches Bureau of Investigation. The eleven-year-old twins asked her to help them search for their missing mother.

Mrs. Weatherby was retired so she was hesitant but did agree to help and contacted some old friends to assist in the search. The old friends were a wacky bunch including a shape shifting butler, an orangutan, a nervous praying mantis, and a mechanic who worked on more than just cars. Nate and Herman were introduced to the little-known world of the WBI. 

The boys discovered that there were big problems at the WBI. The whole world could be in danger because of a rogue witch. The boys went to the new director of the WBI, but she was no help because the rogue witch had her fooled. They were going to have to do this on their own. With the help of their new friends, Nate and Herman must find this bad witch and their mother before it’s too late.

My Thoughts
WBI was a quick and easy read. It was written with a younger audience in mind, but is a lot of fun for adults also. The adventure started in the first chapter and continued throughout the book with no lagging parts. Capwell even took the time to add a bit of education, teaching nice vocabulary words and quotes from history. If you enjoyed the Harry Potter series or the Percy Jackson series, I believe you will also find this book appealing. I will definitely pick up the next book in the series.

Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Cindy Phelps Thomas is a U.S. Navy Veteran (2001-2005). She earned her BS in Psychology/Criminal Justice from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She received an elementary teaching certification and is a former kindergarten teacher in the La Porte, TX School District. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is working on her MBA degree at the University of Houston.

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Book Review: Baby Laughs by Jenny McCarthy

Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth About the First Year of Mommyhood

Author: Jenny McCarthy

Publisher: Plume (Penguin Publishing)

Date: April 4, 2006

Guest Book Reviewer: Cindy Phelps Thomas


About The Author
Jenny McCarthy is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Belly Laughs, Baby Laughs, and Louder Than Words.  The former host of MTV's hugely popular dating show Singled Out, McCarthy began her career as a Playboy model, before launching a high-profile comedic television and film career.

Mommy and Baby

Baby Laughs takes the reader through a humorous journey of the ups and downs of the first year of motherhood. The book starts with delivery, touching on natural delivery and cesarean section delivery. She then moves to discuss the debate of breastfeeding versus the bottle, the changes in women’s bodies as they heal (i.e. hormones, post-partum depression, weight loss), split parenting, illness, doctor’s visits, poopie diapers, and even has a section for the dads.  

The topics are looked at in a light-hearted manner. This is not a medically written book, but a book by a first time mother who also happens to be a comedian. There is some graphic language in this book, if you are easily offended you may want to think twice before picking up this book. This book made me laugh out loud (literally, my husband thought I was going crazy a time or two) and it also made me cry thinking about the times that I’ve had with my little ones and comforted by the fact that someone else felt the same way.

My Thoughts
I personally related to this book in so many ways. I love that Jenny calls her son her “Baby Bird” and herself the “Mother Bird”. This always makes me smile. Baby Laughs is easy to read and gives a realistic/comical view to the first year of motherhood. I highly recommend this book for a good laugh and a few tears for new moms (and moms of all ages). Think of this book as learning from a good friend or relative who has already lived through it and is sharing with you.

Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Cindy Phelps Thomas is a U.S. Navy Veteran (2001-2005). She earned her BS in Psychology/Criminal Justice from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She received an elementary teaching certification and is a former kindergarten teacher in the La Porte, TX School District. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is working on her MBA degree at the University of Houston.

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Book Review - The Lamp: Just Believe By Jim Stovall



The Lamp: A Novel by Jim Stovall with Tracy J Trost

Publisher:  Destiny Image

Date:   September 11, 2011

Guest Book Reviewer: Cindy Phelps Thomas



About The Author
Jim Stovall is the president of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network. He is the author of the bestselling book, The Ultimate Gift, which is now a major motion picture starring James Garner and Abigail Breslin. He has authored 15 other books which have been translated into over 20 languages.

Just Believe

Stanley and Lisa Walters have had a rocky marriage for the past two years.  Two years ago they lost their only child, their son Eddy. Stanley has not been able to write a book since then, which in turn caused financial issues. He has been overcome with anger and grief.

 

Lisa works out of the house and briefly considers an affair, but she remembers that there used to be something great between she and Stanley. The local baseball team, which Eddy played for, is having a garage sale to raise funds for new uniforms. Lisa decides that it is time to give back and donates some of Eddy’s things. Lisa also inadvertently inherits an antique golden lamp. The lamp has “Just Believe” engraved on the side. This lamp has a special messenger that comes with it.

 

Charles Montgomery III is the messenger and he is sent to the Walters to bring hope back to their lives. He gives them three wishes but they must follow these rules;

1.) They cannot wish for something that they can do for themselves,

2.) They cannot wish to bring back the dead,

3.) They cannot interfere with another person’s free will.

 

Charles ensures them that life can become happy again and he will return in 30 days. When he returns they are to have decided on their three wishes. Within days the couple begin to feel a renewed sense of hope, they are “believing” that things in their lives can change, even with tragedy in their past. Stanley begins writing, slowly but surely, and he becomes involved with the local baseball team again. Lisa begins to feel like she is gaining control of her life again.

 

As Stanley and Lisa progress on their journey they become closer to each other and closer to their neighbors. What will the wishes grant for these two? Will they ever feel like a real family again?

 

My Thoughts

The Lamp is a quick and easy read. In the Foreword, the book discusses how so many young people start out life with high hopes and dreams and that most end up content with ordinary lives. It proceeds to state that this book could be the change that is needed if we are stuck in such a predicament.

 

This is a heartwarming story of a marriage that is in shambles and is able to find that spark of hope necessary to keep moving forward. “Just believe” becomes their motto, as in “all things are possible if you just believe”.  I like the message in the story although it is a bit predictable and the writing is simplified as if written for a younger audience.

 

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

 

Cindy Phelps Thomas is a U.S. Navy Veteran (2001-2005). She earned her BS in Psychology/Criminal Justice from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She received an elementary teaching certification and is a former kindergarten teacher in the La Porte, TX School District. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is working on her MBA degree at the University of Houston.

 

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Book Review: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)

The Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

Author: Rick Riordan

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Published: April 1, 2006

Kindle Version: January 29, 2010

Book Review by Cindy Phelps Thomas





About The Author 
Rick Riordan is an American author best known for his "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" series. He lives in San Antonio with his wife and their two sons Patrick and Haley, who inspired his Percy Jackson series.

Percy and the Yancy Academy

Percy Jackson is a 12 year-old boy who has been diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. He has always had a hard time in school. His mother has had to transfer him to many different schools because he always gets in trouble. His latest school, Yancy Academy, is on a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art when suddenly his teacher turns into a monster and attacks Percy. He is unsure if anyone else sees this happen. He discovers that his teacher is one of the furies and is trying to kill him. His mother grows concerned and takes him away for the weekend.  His best friend, Grover who turns out to be a Satyr that has been watching over him, appears and tells him he’s in danger. Percy’s mother takes them both to Camp Half-Blood, a camp for demigods. Demigods are the children of Gods/Goddesses and mortals. This is the only place he will be safe. Before they get to the camp a Minotaur begins chasing them. His mother is not able to cross the gates into the camp, so the Minotaur grabs her and she disintegrates into gold dust. Percy is devastated and unsure whether he will ever see her again.

Percy does not know which god his father is so he is placed in the cabin of Hermes until his father reveals his symbol to Percy. During a training game, Poseidon reveals his symbol to Percy. He is the only child of Poseidon’s at the camp. There is fighting in Olympus over a stolen lightning bolt that belongs to Zeus. Zeus believes that Poseidon has stolen the bolt through Percy. Percy sets off on an adventure with Grover and Annabeth to find the bolt, which his mentor Chiron believes is in the Underworld. The three of them encounter many things. They fight Medusa, the Furies, and Ares while making their way to Hades. But will they get there in time? They only have 10 days to complete this journey and return the bolt to Zeus.

Favorite Quotes from "The Lightning Thief"

“If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself.” 

“Deadlines just aren't real to me until I'm staring one in the face.” 

“Go on with what your heart tells you, or you will lose all.” 

“It's funny how humans can wrap their mind around things and fit them into their version of reality.” 

“Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing.” 

“Where's the glory in repeating what others have done?” 

“The real world is where the monsters are.” 

“Suspecting and knowing are not the same.”

My Thoughts
This is a fun book filled with action, adventure, and Greek Mythology. I enjoyed every page. These are similar to Harry Potter, but Greek Mythology versus wizards. I personally prefer these to the Potter series. The author initially started the story of Percy Jackson for his son, who was also diagnosed with ADHA and dyslexia. The stories were his bedtime stories. I think it is touching that this was developed between a father and son. I can imagine the two tweaking the story each night. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the series takes me!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

I want to welcome Cindy Phleps Thomas to the book review team on JanetteFuller.Com. Cindy is a U.S. Navy Veteran (2001-2005). She earned her BS in Psychology/Criminal Justice from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She received an elementary teaching certification and is a former kindergarten teacher in the La Porte, TX School District. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is working on her MBA degree at the University of Houston.

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