Shadow in Serenity...Review & Giveaway!

 I just finished up a great new read that would be perfect to curl up with on a crisp fall day.  Here is the scoop on Shadow in Serenity by Terri Blackstock...

Carny Sullivan grew up in the zany world of a traveling carnival. Quaint and peaceful Serenity, Texas, has given her a home, a life, and a child. Logan Brisco is the smoothest, slickest, handsomest man Serenity, Texas has ever seen. But Carny Sullivan knows a con artist when she sees one---and she's seen plenty, starting with her father. As far as Carny Sullivan can tell, she's the only one in town who has his number. Because from his Italian shoes to his movie-actor smile, Logan has the rest of the town snowed. Carny is determined to reveal Brisco's selfish intentions before his promise to the townspeople for a cut in a giant amusement park sucks Serenity dry. Yet, as much as she hates his winning ways, there is a man behind that suave smile, a man who may win her heart against her will. Shadow in Serenity is a modern-day Music Man, penned by a Christy Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author.



Sounds intriguing, right?  Well, it really is!  Right away I was swept into the story of  Carny and I found her character to be very likable endearing.  I also really enjoyed the whole amusement park/carnival theme which I found to be very fresh and unique.  I felt like the story moved along nicely and kept me engrossed the entire time (no boring "scan through the pages" bits!).  I was actually sad to put this book down when it was done....not that it ended in an unsatisfying way but because I did not want it to be over!  This is the first book by Terri Blackstock that I have ever read but I already have plans to pick up one of her other titles.  She did a great job reeling me in with Shadow in Serenity and I am her newest fan!  Pick up your copy today on Amazon...

You can also read more about Terri Blackstock on her website by clicking HERE. I am so pleased to tell you that TWO lucky readers will win a copy of this great read!  Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

Quiet Bunny & Noisy Puppy...Review & Giveaway!

I have been reading the most delightful book to the kids over the past few weeks....Quiet Bunny & Noisy Puppy by Lisa McCue.  This charming book has been a hit with Little R as well as her "big" now 5 year old brothers.  Here is the scoop on what has been keeping them captivated at story time...

Quiet Bunny is back--with an adorable new friend!
Snow is falling, and Quiet Bunny's friends are settling in for winter. Bear Cub is hibernating in his den. Bullfrog is fast asleep under the ice. Who will play with Quiet Bunny? Along comes a very NOISY puppy, all ready to romp in the snow. Can Quiet Bunny be friends with someone so different?
A heartwarming tale of friendship for the coldest of winter nights.

This book is just so sweet.  First, a word about the illustrations...they are just darling.  The animals are roly-poly balls of fluff making you just want to hop onto the page and squeeze them.  McCue does a wonderful job of bringing the sweet characters to life with pictures of them playing and frolicking.  The story is a hit with A&W and even Little R.  Quiet Bunny is on the hunt for a playmate and his usual friends are otherwise busy (hibernating etc...).  Noisy Puppy is an unlikely candidate for a new friend because he is so noisy and different.  Quiet Bunny and Noisy Puppy quickly realize difference don't matter at all when it comes to friendships. 

Quiet Bunny and Noisy Puppy by Lisa McCue is a great read for the younger set (recommended age is 4-8 but Little R at almost 2 is a big fan of the illustrations) and packs an important message.  A friend is a friend no matter what the differences are.  Well done!  Pick up your copy today on Amazon....

I am so happy to tell you that the publisher, Sterling Publishing, will be giving one lucky RBM reader a copy of Quiet Bunny, Noisy Puppy by Lisa McCue. Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

The Giant Book of Giants by Saviour Pirotta...Review & Giveaway!

I have just shared the most GIANT hit of a book with A&W.  The Giant Book of Giants by Saviour Pirotta  is an absolute hit at our house for scary (but not too terribly scary!) fun and excitement.  Here is the scoop...

With an incredible, huge, interactive poster and six adventurous stories, The Giant Book of Giants is larger than life!


The pop-up, pull-out poster in this BIG tome measures over four feet tall--and offers plenty of playful extras, including flaps to lift and removable items such as a clock tower pocket watch, pipe organ harmonica, and even the giant's ear wax! The action-packed tales in the book include “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Sinbad's Third Voyage,” and “Coyote Tricks the Giant.” Monster fun for any child--tall or small!

This book is the ultimate in interesting for A&W.  The Giant Book of Giants is filled with great stories.  We have read through all six and the boys enjoyed them all and ask to hear them regularly.  The only one of the six included stories we had read before was "Jack and the Beanstalk" so the others were all new to us and the boys really enjoyed each (the other stories not mentioned above are "Momotaro, The Peach Boy", "The Curious Giantess" and "Finn and Buggane").  Each of the stories are 5-10 minute reads each which have made them perfect "snack time" stories for us.  My guys like scary things but these would be a little much for them right before bed.  For an older child they would be super bedtime stories!  The illustrations are very well done and depict each giant from the story in an original fashion which my boys liked a great deal.  They love those scary giants!

While the book alone would have been a hit in our home, the poster made it a real standout.  The included poster which is in a front pocket of the book is amazing.  It is almost as tall and as wide as I am and the giant is an actual pop-out.  It really is outstanding.  The poster is full of fun giant "facts" and lift the flaps which A&W just love.  They, naturally, think pulling out the earwax is great fun (ewwww!) and they also like how you can pull things from his pockets.  The poster is made of substantial paper and is of great quality.  We have not hung ours up yet because we like having it as a companion to the book which we now read daily.

The Giant Book of Giants is an absolute standout for creativity and is sure to be a hit with the 5 and up crowd.  Grab a copy today on Barnes & Noble by clicking HERE.  It is on sale now for just $12.21 which is a steal.

Sterling Publishing is giving one lucky RBM reader a copy of The Giant Book of Giants by Saviour Pirotta.  Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

Hamlet's Blackberry...Review & Giveaway!

I just finished up a great book that is a must for those of us trying to find balance in a digital world.  Hamlet's Blackberry by William Powers.  Here is the scoop...

A crisp, passionately argued answer to the question that everyone who's grown dependent on digital devices is asking: "Where's the rest of my life?"

At a time when we're all trying to make sense of our relentlessly connected lives, this revelatory book presents a bold new approach to the digital age. Part intellectual journey, part memoir, Hamlet's BlackBerry sets out to solve what William Powers calls the conundrum of connectedness. Our computers and mobile devices do wonderful things for us. But they also impose an enormous burden, making it harder for us to focus, do our best work, build strong relationships, and find the depth and fulfillment we crave.
Hamlet's BlackBerry argues that we need a new way of thinking, an everyday philosophy for life with screens. To find it, Powers reaches into the past, uncovering a rich trove of ideas that have helped people manage and enjoy their connected lives for thousands of years. New technologies have always brought the mix of excitement and stress that we feel today. Drawing on some of history's most brilliant thinkers, from Plato to Shakespeare to Thoreau, he shows that digital connectedness serves us best when it's balanced by its opposite, disconnectedness.
Using his own life as laboratory and object lesson, Powers demonstrates why this is the moment to revisit our relationship to screens and mobile technologies, and how profound the rewards of doing so can be. Lively, original, and entertaining, Hamlet's BlackBerry will challenge you to rethink your digital life.



What an interesting read!  I am always staggered by how we, as a world, are connected....all the time.   Don't get me wrong, I am a blogger for goodness sakes, so I love the digital world but I also think it is so very important to make connections with those around you as well.  Powers did his research well in this book and even had his family become studies when they instilled the no Internet on the weekends rule (love it!).  This is a must read for anyone trying to find a good balance between staying current with technology and staying present in the "real" world.  A+ read!  Pick up your copy today on Amazon...

I am so pleased to tell you that one lucky reader will win a copy of Hamlet's Blackberry!  Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

Devil Sent the Rain...Review & Giveaway!

There is a new release from the award winning author, Tom Piazza....Devil Sent the Rain.  Here is the scoop... 

Tom Piazza’s sharp intelligence, insight, and passion fuel this new collection of writings on music, literature, New Orleans, and America itself in desperate times. 

For his first book since his award-winning novel City of Refuge and his stunning and influential post-Katrina polemic Why New Orleans Matters, Piazza selects the best of his writings on American roots music and musicians, including his Grammy-winning album notes for Martin Scorsese Presents: The Blues; his classic profile of bluegrass legend Jimmy Martin; essays on Jimmie Rodgers, Charley Patton, and Bob Dylan; and much more. 

In the book’s second section, Piazza turns his attention to literature, politics, and post-Katrina America in articles and essays on subjects ranging from Charlie Chan movies to the life and work of Norman Mailer, from the New Orleans housing crisis to the BP oil spill, from Jelly Roll Morton’s Library of Congress recordings to the future of books. The third and final section delivers a startlingly original meditation on fiction, sentimentality, and cynicism—a major new essay from this brilliant, unpredictable, and absolutely necessary writer. 



My mother in law, the Queen Bee couldn't wait to dive into this one and this is what she had to say...

essay: a short piece of writing on a particular subject

Tom Piazza is an essayist, author of novels and  a TV writer. He lives in New Orleans and has a lot of insight into the still unsettled lives of the people who live there. He also is "in-tune" with the music industry, particularly the blues musicians. These two topics are included in the essays of his new book Devil Sent the Rain.

One essay stands out for me. He tells of living in New Orleans after the hurricane and spending four years rebuilding his home. He comes home one day to find that he has been robbed. Of course, he would like to catch the person who did it, but he says that they probably have a wretched life already. He then tells us that a worse fate for hundreds of families in the city is that in an effort to rebuild a bigger & better hospital , the city will "take" a hundred rebuilt homes and demolish them. A different kind of robbery.

I was very interested to read one essay about his meeting Norman Mailer and developing a friendship that lasted until Mailer died. Another good essay was about Bob Dylan's transition from folk songwriter/singer to rock'n'roller.

Many good essays in this book, worth the read.

Sounds like a great read to me!  Pick up your copy today on Amazon...

I am so excited to tell you that my friends at Harper Perennial are giving one lucky RBM reader a copy of Devil Sent the Rain! Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

I See the Sun in Afghanistan...Review & Giveaway!

I was recently sent the latest book in a series I really enjoy sharing with the kids.  The I See the Sun series is one I have read to A&W before so when the latest installment hit the shelves, I See the Sun in Afghanistan, I could not wait to read it to them.  Here is the scoop...

Nearly every day we hear something about Afghanistan in the news. Our children hear "Afghanistan," too. Some children have parents in the military stationed there. Some children know our country is fighting a war there; others may simply know that Afghanistan is someplace somewhere else. Period.

I See the Sun in Afghanistan is the third book in the award-winning I See the Sun series written by Dedie King and illustrated by Judith Inglese. The book provides a glimpse into the daily life of an Afghan family as seen through the eyes of Habiba, a young girl growing up in the town of Bamiyan. Without negating the realities of a war-torn country, this is a story that accurately and sensitively sheds light on the fact that Afghan children have the same basic needs and concerns as children everywhere: family, food and shelter, education, and security. Children will be able to recognize the similarities as well as the differences between their own daily life and the culture of Afghanistan. 

This book is lovely.  It does a wonderful job of showing the differences in our American cultures while driving home the important message that despite our difference we really are the same deep down.  Habiba goes to school, spends time with family, goes to the store and helps with chores just as most American children do.  She eats things that are likely different and lives in a different sort of house and also has worries about war that our children experience in a different way.  I think I See the Sun in Afghanistan does an amazing job of introducing children to different cultures and of promoting acceptance.  This entire series is a gem and should be on bookshelves everywhere.  Bravo! 

You can pick up a copy of I See the Sun in Afghanistan today on Amazon...



I am so pleased to tell you that one lucky RBM reader will win a copy of I See the Sun in Afghanistan.  Thank so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

The Cave Monster by Thomas Weck & Peter Weck...Review & Giveaway!

My boys, A&W are super fans of the children's authors Thomas Weck and Peter Weck.  They first became hooked on The Megasaurus and then How Back-Back Got His Name and both titles are bedtime staples.  When The Cave Monster was coming out and I received an early review copy I became the coolest mom "evah (hey, we ARE Mainers!)".  Here is the scoop on what I read the boys at bedtime tonight (and last night....and the night before that...and that...and that....)....

Oh no! L. Joe Bean, Lima Bear's cousin, has been captured by the Cave Monster. Lima Bear and his friends must enter the Black Cave to try to save L. Joe Bean.

Venturing into a new place, especially if it is potentially scary--like a dark basement or somewhere unknown--is not something most children would choose to do, and certainly not alone. That is the situation the animal friends face in The Cave Monster.

All 4-8 year olds will love following along as Whistle-Toe (the rabbit), Maskamal (the raccoon), Back-Back (the opossum), and Lima Bear (a tiny bean-shaped bear) come up with a plan to save Lima Bear's cousin. Bringing along the thing each one thinks might be the most useful--a tiny sword, a rustic bow & arrow, a red flag and a canteen of water--the band of friends tentatively approaches the scary cave.

Will their ideas go according to plan? Will they get to L. Joe Bean in time? Will they save themselves?

The take-away message of this book is friends, individually afraid, find courage when acting together.



I have done reviews for both The Megasaurus and How Back-Back Got His Name and both times I was dubious about the story lines....bear beans and animals losing their backs just seemed SO out there to me.  Both times I was so far off the mark on my gut instinct.  Thomas and Peter Weck KNOW what kids like and what they relate to.  This time when I got my hands on The Cave Monster I did not bat an eye at the little bean bear cousins and a scary monster being overtaken by animals with questionable weapons.  I knew the kids would love it and they did.  It was just scary enough to get them excited (without being so scary they were too scared to sleep!) about the book and the animals in the stories are now familiar heroes to them.  Seeing the animals work together helps drive home the message we as parents are always trying to portray to our kiddos...teamwork is the way to go.  As with all the books in the Lima Bear series, the last pages are dedicated to "Extend the Learning" and "Activities" pages which allow you to take the book to other levels with thought provoking questions and help with vocabulary.

Thomas Weck and Peter Weck know what children like.  They also have a way of portraying important life lessons through child friendly characters.  The Cave Monster is a new favorite and the Lima Bear series as a whole is one I highly recommend.  We are already anxiously awaiting book number four!  You can pick up The Cave Monster today on Amazon...

I am so pleased to tell you that TWO lucky RBM readers will win a copy of The Cave Monster.  Thank you so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

The Legacy: A Novel by Katherine Webb....Review & Giveaway!

 I just finished an absolutely, fabulously, wonderful book. Seriously.  It is, hands down, in my top ten of all time which is saying a lot because, dear readers, I am quite a bookworm!  Let me give you the scoop before I get into why I loved this novel by Katherine Webb so much....

When they were children, Erica Calcott and her sister, Beth, spent their summer holidays at Storton Manor. Now, following the death of their grandmother, they have returned to the grand, imposing house in Wiltshire, England. Unable to stem the tide of childhood memories that arise as she sorts through her grandmother’s belongings, Erica thinks back to the summer her cousin Henry vanished mysteriously from the estate, an event that tore their family to pieces. It is time, she believes, to lay the past to rest, bring her sister some peace, and finally solve the mystery of her cousin’s disappearance. 

But sifting through remnants of a bygone time is bringing a secret family history to light—one that stretches back over a century, to a beautiful society heiress in Oklahoma, a haunting, savage land across the ocean. And as past and present converge, Erica and Beth must come to terms with two shocking acts of betrayal . . . and the heartbreaking legacy they left behind. 



For me, this book had it all.  There was mystery, a couple of love stories, adventure and more family drama than you can imagine.  The story is told from two points of view, Caroline in the early 1900's and Erica in current times.  I really liked how the chapters alternated between the two times and I felt like Webb did a great job in creating two very complex and interesting characters.  I also thought the author did a tremendous job in creating a twist that kept me guessing.  When I was reading this book I was at the edge of my seat and I fought to keep awake each night so I could read just one more page.  I was so intrigued by the story line and characters that I hated to put the nearly 500 page book down.  This is a book you will lose yourself in and one that will leave you wanting more.  Katherine Webb has created a book that will stay with you and make you want to recommend it to friends so you can talk about it (perfect for book clubs!).  I am anxiously awaiting the next book from from this author so please, Ms. Webb, put the pen to paper soon!  Pick up your copy today from Amazon (after you read it e-mail me so we can talk about the twist!!)...


I am so pleased to tell you that my friends at Harper Collins are giving one luck RBM reader a copy of The Legacy.  Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just for Preteens....Review & Giveaway!

In addition to the great new Chicken Soup for teens that I told you about over the weekend there is another new Chicken Soup for the Soul book to celebrate....Chicken Soup for the Soul:  Preteens.  Here is the scoop...

101 Stories of Inspiration and Support for Tweens

Being a preteen is harder than it looks! School is more challenging, bodies are changing, relationships with parents are different, and new issues arise with friends. But preteens can find encouragement and inspiration in this collection of stories by other preteens, just like them, about the problems and issues they face every day. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just for Preteens will help readers as they navigate those tough preteen years from ages 9 to 12 with its stories from others just like them, about the highs and lows of life as a preteen. It's a support group they carry in their backpack!

Once again Chicken Soup for the Soul delivers a powerfully motivating read.  The stories shared are ones preteens can relate to.  I am not sure which is harder being a teen or being a preteen but Chicken Soup helps to guide each group through with touching stories meant to teach and soothe.  Thumbs up again Chicken Soup!  You can purchase your copy today on Amazon...

The folks at Chicken Soup for the Soul are graciously giving THREE lucky RBM readers a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just for Preteens! Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just for Teenagers...Review & Giveaway!

I have been lucky enough to share several Chicken Soup for the Soul books with you all this spring and summer.  I am a big fan of these books.  The stories are inspiring and just the balm for what ails you at any given time in your life.  They make you laugh, cry and provide insight and advice.  The Chicken Soup books never disappoint!  Today I am pleased to tell you about a brand new title in the series...Chicken Soup for the Soul:  Just for Teenagers.  Here is the scoop...

101 Stories of Inspiration and Support for Teens

Teenage years are tough, but this book will help teens as they journey through the ups and downs of adolescence. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just for Teenagers provides support and inspiration for teenagers as they grow up, reminding them they are not alone, as they read stories from teens just like themselves about the problems and issues they face every day. The stories in this book serve as a guide on topics from the daily pressures of life and school to love, friendships, parents, and much more. This collection will encourage, inspire, and amuse teens, showing that, as tough as things can get, they are not alone!

This book is a gem.  Being a teenager is tough.  I still remember it now all these years later.  There are so many changes, so much pressure....just so many things going on.  It is tough for a kid to handle.  Just for Teenagers covers a lot of ground with the issues most pressing to teens.  Crushes, dealing with cliques, family issues, school issues, peer pressure...all the topics that make being a teen tough are covered.  This is a wonderful book for the teen in your life.  Knowing you are not alone in your struggles can make the road easier to travel.  Grab a copy for the teens you know....

THREE lucky Reviewed By Mom readers will receive a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul:  Just for Teenagers!  Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

The Call: A Novel by Yannick Murphy...Review & Giveaway!

Earlier this month a brand new book was released by Harper Collins....The Call:  A Novel by Yannick Murphy.  Last night I was up burning the midnight oil (well....not quite midnight but late for me!) because I couldn't put this one down until I finished it.  Here is the scoop...


The daily rhythm of a veterinarian’s family in rural New England is shaken when a hunting accident leaves their eldest son in a coma. With the lives of his loved ones unhinged, the veterinarian struggles to maintain stability while searching for the man responsible. But in the midst of their great trial an unexpected visitor arrives, requesting a favor that will have profound consequences—testing a loving father’s patience, humor, and resolve and forcing husband and wife to come to terms with what “family” truly means. 



Yannick Murphy has a very unique way of telling the story.    The entire book is set up in a sort of "memo" or log style.  It is a way of setting u7the stage for the events that take place that I found very interesting.  I have never read anything quite like it.   It always starts with "The Call" (the main character is a vet) and then things like "Action", "Result" and "What "so and so" said or did".  When I first started I thought it might be tough to read in this set up but it was not at all.  Now for the story...this one will stay with you.  Murphy has a gift for bringing a family to life...I feel like I KNOW the Appletons.  She also managed to depict the small town and its' residence to perfection.  I fell in love with the characters and could not have put this down last night no matter how late it got!  This is a book that will stay with you and will be one you want to share with friends so you can talk about it.  Two thumbs up for this read!  Pick it up today on Amazon...



Great news, readers! Harper Collins is giving one lucky RBM reader a copy of The Call: A Novel by Yannick Murphy! Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

Q: A Novel by Evan Mandery....Review & Giveaway!

Later this month (August 23rd) a wonderful new book will be released from Harper Collins....Q:  A Novel by Evan Mandery.  Here is the scoop...

“Q, Quentina Elizabeth Deveril, is the love of my life.” 

Shortly before his wedding, the unnamed hero of this uncommon romance is visited by a man who claims to be his future self and ominously admonishes him that he must not marry the love of his life, Q. At first the protagonist doubts this stranger, but in time he becomes convinced of the authenticity of the warning and leaves his fiancÉe. The resulting void in his life is impossible to fill. One after the other, future selves arrive urging him to marry someone else, divorce, attend law school, leave law school, travel, join a running club, stop running, study the guitar, the cello, Proust, Buddhism, and opera, and eliminate gluten from his diet. The only constants in this madcap quest for personal improvement are his love for his New York City home and for the irresistible Q. 

My mother-in-law, The Queen Bee, got first dibs on this book and had this to say about it...

" You must not marry Q". Those were the words that set a whole lifetime full of regrets in motion for Mandery's character in this new novel. The person who delivered those words, sets this story in motion. 

The reader never learns the name of the main character, as the story is told in the first person. But I didn't realize I didn't know his name, until I was ready to write this review.  He was always "I". And that one letter/word becomes an important part of the story. I am sure this must all sound very "out there". And this book is kind of science fiction-y, but it doesn't feel that way. I am not a science fiction lover. BUT I loved this book.

The main character is a 20-something aspiring author /college professor hoping for tenure. He falls in love with Quentina Deveril. Q happens to be the love of his life. As they get into the final stages of wedding planning, the author is visited by a very sad looking 55 year old man, who happens to be his own 55 year old self ( I-55), transported back in time with the help of a time machine. "You must not marry Q".

Crazy, huh? Except it doesn't feel that way as you read along. This young man goes on a roller coaster ride through-out his life, the paths dictated by his older-selves (I-57, I-60,

I-80.....) coming back to visit and changing the coarse of his life over & over & over.

All because he didn't marry Q.

Long after you read this book, you will still be thinking about it, which is the gift of a good book.  

After talking to the Queen Bee about this book I can't wait to read it!!  Doesn't it sound so interesting and well done??   You can pick it up today on Amazon for pre-order...

Thanks to the publisher, Harper Perennial, one RBM reader will win a copy of Q:  A Novel!  Thanks so much to the sponsor.  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment telling me what makes you want to read this book.  You must complete this entry for all others to count.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry per other giveaway entered.

4.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

5.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

6.  Follow Harper Perennial on Twitter= 1 entry

7.  Follow the guest reviewer, Queen Bee's blog=  3 entries

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US  residents and will end on August 29th    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on August 30th and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen .  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

The Sun's Heartbeat by Bob Berman....Review & Giveaway!

There has been a very popular book being handed around my house the past few weeks...The Sun's Heartbeat by Bob Berman.  I was all set to dive into it when my husband swiped it from me!  Here is the scoop on what had us both vying for the same page turner...

The beating heart of the sun is the very pulse of life on earth. And from the ancients who plotted its path at Stonehenge to the modern scientists who unraveled the nuclear fusion reaction that turns mass into energy, humankind has sought to solve its mysteries. In this lively biography of the sun, Bob Berman ranges from its stellar birth to its spectacular future death with a focus on the wondrous and enthralling, and on the heartbreaking sacrifice, laughable errors, egotistical battles, and brilliant inspirations of the people who have tried to understand its power.

What, exactly, are the ghostly streaks of light astronauts see-but can't photograph-when they're in space? And why is it impossible for two people to see the exact same rainbow? Why are scientists beginning to think that the sun is safer than sunscreen? And how does the fluctuation of sunspots-and its heartbeat-affect everything from satellite communications to wheat production across the globe?

Peppered with mind-blowing facts and memorable anecdotes about spectral curiosities-the recently-discovered "second sun" that lurks beneath the solar surface, the eerie majesty of a total solar eclipse-THE SUN'S HEARTBEAT offers a robust and entertaining narrative of how the Sun has shaped humanity and our understanding of the universe around us.

About the Author

Bob Berman is one of America's top astronomy writers. For many years, he wrote the popular "Night Watchman" column for Discover magazine. He is currently a columnist for Astronomy magazine and a host on NPR's Northeast Public Radio, and he is the science editor of the Old Farmer's Almanac. 

Doesn't this all sound fascinating?  Now, I am not really a gal who is all that into science but I was still really interested in this book.  On the other hand, my husband is way into all things scientific and loved it so, to me, this book really is a winner because it captures the interest of people on both ends of the "sciency" (yup, I know I just made that word up!!)) spectrum.  I think we all know how important the sun is to our existence but this books supplies the hows and the whys as well as the benefits of that great, big powerful star.  Bob Berman has created a book that is highly readable and light even when the subject is heavy.  This one is a great read for the entire family!  Pick it up today on Amazon...




THREE lucky Reviewed By Mom readers will win a copy of The Sun's Heartbeat by Bob Berman!  Thanks so much to the sponsor and here is how to enter...

Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy...Review & Giveaway!

I just finished up a wonderful new read that you will definitely want to add to the top of your reading list for the summer....Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy.  Here is the scoop...

Rebecca is young, lost, and beautiful. A gifted artist, she seeks solace and inspiration in the Mediterranean heat of Athens—trying to understand who she is and how she can love without fear.
George has come to Athens to learn ancient languages after growing up in New England boarding schools and Ivy League colleges. He has no close relationships with anyone and spends his days hunched over books or wandering the city in a drunken stupor.
Henry is in Athens to dig. An accomplished young archaeologist, he devotedly uncovers the city’s past as a way to escape his own, which holds a secret that not even his doting parents can talk about.
...And then, with a series of chance meetings, Rebecca, George, and Henry are suddenly in flight, their lives brighter and clearer than ever, as they fall headlong into a summer that will forever define them in the decades to come.

This book is stunning.  The author, Simon  Van Booy, writes unlike any other author I have ever read.  His writing is, in a word, poetic.  It is kind of hard to explain but I felt like his words were all filled with meaning (no "fluff" here!) and he created characters which I felt an instant connection to.  I really enjoyed how the story was told through different perspectives which I felt added even more depth to the story.  This is a book I will be thinking of for a long time to come.  I am also anxious to read more from Simon Van Booy and am quite smitten by his writing style.  Be sure to read this one....you will be so glad you did!  Pick up your copy today on Amazon...


I have great news! The publisher, Harper Perennial is giving one lucky RBM reader a copy of this wonderful read!  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: Visit the author's website and tell me something you learned about one of my new favorite authors!  You must complete this entry for all others to count.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry per other giveaway entered.

4.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

5.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

6.  Follow Harper Perennial on Twitter= 1 entry

7.  Follow Simon Van Booy on Twitter =  1 entry

8.  Follow Simon Van Booy on Facebook = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US  residents and will end on July 29th.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on July 29th and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen .  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with a copy of the above book for purpose of review..  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

The Beekeeper's Lament...Review & Giveaway!

There is a new book out that should definitely make its' way onto your summer reading list...The Beekeeper's Lament by Hannah Nordhaus.  Here is the scoop on this new release from Harper Perennial...

The honey bee is a willing conscript, a working wonder, an unseen and crucial link in America's agricultural industry. But never before has its survival been so unclear—and the future of our food supply so acutely challenged.
Enter beekeeper John Miller, who trucks his hives around the country, bringing millions of bees to farmers otherwise bereft of natural pollinators. Even as the mysterious and deadly epidemic known as Colony Collapse Disorder devastates bee populations across the globe, Miller forges ahead with the determination and wry humor of a true homespun hero. The Beekeeper's Lament tells his story and that of his bees, making for a complex, moving, and unforgettable portrait of man in the new natural world. 

OK...as soon as I heard the title you KNOW I had to let my mother-in-law The Queen Bee have fist dibs on this one!  Here is what she thought...

If the honey bee disappears, half the items in your grocery store would, too.

With this fact in mind, I read The Bee Keepers Lament. Bee keeper John Miller is the main focus of Nordhaus' research but you meet many "bee guys" in the book. What I learned from reading this book was that putting honey on the market's shelf is not an easy task.  It is kind of like farming or commercial fishing (a subject I am very familiar with), it is a feast or famine life.

One very interesting fact of bee keeping these days is that the keeper will move his hives from home base (say Florida) and truck them to the almond farms in California to pollinate the trees. There are not enough honey bees in the wild to pollinate such huge farms. The almond industry is a massive market, world-wide, with most of the almonds coming from California farms. Farmers now make 150.00 & upwards for hives they used to get 6.00 for and after the pollinating is complete they truck the bees to their winter home to rest, which may be at a farm in North Dakota somewhere. Who would have thought?

The plight of the honey bee has been in the news of late, a phenom known as Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD has been devastating hives all over the world. Although it seems that this is a new disease, from what Nordhaus found, it may be ancient. Bees suffer from many diseases and parasites and it is not unheard of for a keeper to lose a quarter or third of his bees every year. This CCD is mysterious in that all the bees in the hive disappear, leaving a crazy queen and a few stragglers behind. The positive in all this is, if you can find one, would be that it brought the problems of the honey bee and it's keepers to the forefront and money is flowing in for research. Large sums of it from the very profitable almond farm owners! So the moral of this story is to buy local honey and keep the bee keepers in business.

I recommend this book to any & all lovers of honey..actually to anyone who likes fresh fruit, veggies and almonds, it is a real eye-opener !

Sounds interesting, doesn't it??  The Queen Bee certainly thought so!  You can pick up your copy today on Amazon...

Thanks to the publisher, Harper Perennial, one RBM reader will win a copy of The Beekeeper's Lament by Hannah Nordhaus!  Thanks so much to the sponsor.  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: In the spirit of the book's theme, leave a comment below telling me what you use honey for the most. In our home it is a staple for my secret crock pot ribs recipe!    You must complete this entry for all others to count.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry per other giveaway entered.

4.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

5.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

6.  Follow Harper Perennial on Twitter= 1 entry

7.  Follow the guest reviewer, Queen Bee's blog=  3 entries

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US  residents and will end on July 27th    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on July 28th and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen .  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

Ellis Island by Kate Kerrigan....Review & Giveaway!

I was recently blissfully lost in a book.  Do you know that feeling?  When a book captures you and takes you along and you are so involved that when it ends you are more than a little sad?  Oh, how I love a book that wins me over in this way!  Ellis Island by Kate Kerrigan had me so thoroughly engrossed that I neglected everything but my children the whole time I was reading it.  Housework, website and favorite television programs?  No thanks...I must get back to my book!  Here is the scoop on why I was MIA from dishes and laundry last week...

Sweethearts since childhood, Ellie Hogan and her husband, John, are content on their farm in Ireland—until John, a soldier for the Irish Republican Army, receives an injury that leaves him unable to work. Forced to take drastic measures in order to survive, Ellie does what so many Irish women in the 1920s have done and sails across a vast ocean to New York City to work as a maid for a wealthy socialite.
Once there, Ellie is introduced to a world of opulence and sophistication, tempted by the allure of grand parties and fine clothes, money and mansions . . . and by the attentions of a charming suitor who can give her everything. Yet her heart remains with her husband back home. And now she faces the most difficult choice she will ever have to make: a new life in a new country full of hope and promise, or return to a life of cruel poverty . . . and love. 

This book was SO interesting.  I am a fan of historical fiction so this was right up my alley but it was really the character of Ellie who had me flipping the pages long after I should have been in bed (Baby R STILL wakes up before 5 am each day!).  Kate Kerrigan did a superb job of bringing Ellie to life and making her likable without making her "too good to be true".  I loved the love story of Ellie and John and I appreciated the realness of it.  I was kept guessing about Ellie right up until the end of the book (I don't want to give too much away!).  I was really sad to see the book end...it was that wonderful.  I actually have visions of it being made into a movie but I fear there is no way film could do this outstanding book justice.  Please, please read this book...you will not regret it.  Pick it up today on Amazon...


Harper Perennial is giving one lucky RBM reader a copy of this must read!  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: Visit the author's website and tell me something you learned about one of my new favorite authors!  You must complete this entry for all others to count.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry per other giveaway entered.

4.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

5.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

6.  Follow Harper Perennial on Twitter= 1 entry

7.  Follow Kate Kerrigan on Twitter =  1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US  residents and will end on July 23rd.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on July 24th and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen .  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

How Back-Back Got His Name by Thomas Weck and Peter Weck...Review & Giveaway!

Last month I told you about a new favorite book of A&W's The Megasaurus by Thomas Weck and Peter Weck.  When I heard there was an upcoming release by these two talented authors (just out TODAY!!) I could not wait to share it with the boys.  I had a feeling How Back-Back Got His Name would captivate them just as much.  Here is the scoop on the latest from the Lima Bear series...

Can you imagine what it would be like to lose your back!!? Well, that is exactly what happens to Plumton, the Opossum. Lima Bear and his clever friends become detectives searching for this missing back.

Follow them as they try new and different ways of thinking to solve the mystery. See how they band together to protect each other in times of danger! Will they ever find Plumpton's back? 


OK....even though I knew The Megasaurus was a big hit with A&W I was a little dubious again with the theme with Back-Back.  An opossum losing his back?  Um...OK.  I decided to open my mind, open the book and share it with A&W who were, by the way, beside themselves with excitement when I told them it was written by their Megasaurus heroes!


I am going to just come right out and admit it....I was way off the mark when it comes to being unsure how A&W would process the book.  An opossum losing his back?  Why not!!  They did not bat an eye at this and spent the entire book laughing at the antics of the animals and watching them work together to problem solve.  Thomas and Peter Weck have a true gift when it comes to discovering what children like in order to share an important message.  There is plenty of silliness which is always a huge hit with the intended age group (4-8 year olds).  My boys erupt in giggles each time Maskamal (a raccoon!) tries to disguise himself as a tree by rolling in mud in leaves.  The silliness does not overshadow the positive messages of the book which are acceptance, teamwork and friendship.  The illustrations, done by Len DiSalvo are superb and really bring the animals to life.  I am also a fan of the last two pages of the book which include an "Extend the Learning" and "Activities" section which really allow the book to become an interactive experience for you and your child.

This book is delightful and is proudly standing on the shelf next to the beloved Megasaurus!  You can order your copy of How Back-Back Got His Name on Amazon...







One lucky Reviewed By Mom reader will win a copy of How Back-Back Got His Name!  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry:  Visit the author's website and tell me something you learned about either or the authors or the illustrator.  You must complete this entry for all others to be counted.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Enter one of my other giveaways &let me know you have done so = 1 entry per giveaway entered.

4.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

5.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it (each can be done once per day) = 1 entry per each
6.  Enter this giveaway into another giveaway linky and leave a link to it= 1 entry

7.  Comment on one of my non-giveaway posts and let me know you have done so = 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on July 22nd.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on July 23rd and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with the above mentioned book  for purpose of review.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

The Complete Idiots Guide For Dummies Challenge: American History VS U.S. History....Review & Giveaway!

Last month I told you about a fun new challenge going on....The Complete Idiot's Guide for Dummies Challenge! I was lucky enough to get host two reviews on this challenge and I was super excited. In case you missed my first round (how could you??) this competition takes two popular "how-to" books and gives them a side by side comparison....love it!  My round two contenders?  The Complete Idiot's Guide to American History VS U.S. History  for Dummies.  Here is a description of each book...

American history is one of those subjects that students frequently labor over and can seem like a random collection of names, dates, and events. Understood as a collective biography and free of the cheerleading found in many text books, the fully updated fifth edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to American History explains the changing tides in America's most pivotal periods.

• From a seasoned author and researcher
• The most current and comprehensive series title on American history
• Heightened interest right now in the question of how America got where we are-a question that can only be answered by an understanding of history

About the Author

Alan Axelrod, Ph.D., has nearly 20 years of history book writing expertise and is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to the American Revolution, The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to the Civil War, Second Edition and The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to World War I. He is now the president of the Ian Samuel Group, Inc., a research and writing firm. 

Filled with fascinating trivia and lore not found in textbooks. People, places, and dates with a dash of fun — history will never be the same! Don't know much about history? Don't worry! With this friendly reference, you can bone up on all those facts you missed in history class — and have a good time in the bargain. From the Revolution to the Civil War, from the Great Depression to the Cold War, this is history the way it ought to be — fresh, memorable, and fun.
Discover how to: Astound friends with fun facts about the Founding Fathers Understand terms like "Manifest Destiny" Get a grip on the legacy of slavery Impress your family with Civil War lore Put current events in historical context.
The Dummies Way^™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun. 

First of all, I am not exactly a history buff.  I did not pay nearly enough attention in high school when my teachers were teaching history (Sorry Mr. Rand!) so I missed a lot of important details.  I am, however, really interested in NOT sound foolish when people talk about The Cold War or The Great Depression or about who ran in popular elections.  I am also all too aware that A&W will be off to school next year and I do not want my 5 year olds able to name more presidents than I can!  As I thumbed through the books I found them BOTH to be packed full of facts, dates and important people.  I think BOTH books will give you the information you need to pull off intelligent conversation about the history of our country.  The big difference is in the packaging though....I found The Complete Idiot's Guide to be more readable.  What do I mean by more readable exactly?  Well, I mean less boring!  The language used was far less dry than in the US History for Dummies book.  I am not going to lie...in each book I got a little glazed over (hey...some things don't ever change!) but this happened a whole lot less in the Idiots guide and when it happened I just headed over to the specially marked "the least you need to know" section.  For me there was a clear winner in this competition...The Complete Idiots Guide to American History!  Pick up your copy today on Amazon...




DEAL ALERT!!  Reviewed By Mom readers will receive a 50% off discount for any regularly priced books placed until August 1st on the Complete Idiots Website!!  Yes....50%!!!  There are so many titles to choose from in the Complete Idiot's Store...it really is staggering!  To receive your discount, enter CIGBlog11 at checkout.   

One lucky RBM reader will win a copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to American History!!  Thanks so much to the sponsor for a great discount and giveaway!  Here is how to enter... 

Mandatory Entry:  Visit The Complete Idiot's Website and tell me which of their books most appeals to you.  You must complete this for any extras to be counted.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3. Like The Complete Idiot's Guides on Facebook = 1 entry

4.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry per giveaway entered.

5.  Enter this giveaway in a giveaway linky and let me know where = 1 entry per additional linky

6.  Follow The Complete Idiot's Guide on Twitter = 1 entry

7.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it (each can be done once daily)  = 1 entry per each

8.  Write a review of RBM on Alexa and let me know you have done so  = 3 entries 

9.  Comment on one of my non giveaway posts and let me know you have done so = 1 entry 

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US residents and will end on July 21st.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on July 22nd and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I was provided with the mentioned book  for purpose of review. The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

You Can Do A Graphic Novel...Review & Giveaway!

Are you looking for something fun and unique to do with your older children this summer?  Well look no further than You Can Do A Graphic Novel by Barbara Slate.  This little gem of a book will unleash your inner creativity in no time!   Here is the scoop....

Graphic novels, a variation of comic books, are slowly but surely gaining popularity with tweens and teens. Thousands who just went to see Thor are eagerly waiting for the opening night of Captain America, Green Lantern and The Avengers. The movies that are expected to generate millions in the box office will also refresh curiosity in graphic novels.

Creating a graphic novel combines writing and illustrating with great creativity. It can be educational, exciting and fun. For young graphic novel enthusiasts the process of creating a graphic novel can be a great adventure that exercises their inner artists and makes a great project for long summer days.

Barbara Slate, graphic novelist and author of You Can Do a Graphic Novel guides readers through the same process she learned in her early days working for Marvel and DC Comics-a process she has simplified for the classes she teaches and for the syndicated column she writes. The book teaches readers how to:

         Be creative in a way that works for you.

·         Find your own artistic style!

·         Create characters that get people's attention ... and hold it!

·         Develop a great plotline and write believable dialogue.

·         Lay out pages to keep the story moving forward.

·         Keep those creative juices flowing when you get stuck.

First of all, I have to say something about the author, Barbara Slate.  She is probably one of the best and most qualified people on the planet to write a book like this.  Check out her credentials.....

Barbara Slate has done it all. Her first character, Ms. Liz, appeared on millions of greeting cards, in a regular comic strip for Cosmopolitan magazine, as a spokesperson for Dupont's Lycra and as the star in a series of animated segments on NBC's Today Show. Her big break in comics came when she created Angel Love for DC Comics. From there, she created, wrote and drew Yuppies from Hell, and Sweet XVI for Marvel and put her own spin on the Disney classics Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, Archie's Betty and Veronica, and Mattel's Barbie. Barbara's art has been exhibited in many galleries and reviewed by The New York Times. She is profiled in the seminal work A Century of Women Cartoonists. Stan Lee, Chairman, POW! Entertainment and Chairman Emeritus, Marvel Entertainment, calls Barbara "titanically talented." 

Yup...Barbara Slate knows her graphic novels!!  My kiddos are too young for this now but I had a wonderful time checking it out and it is incredibly interesting.  Slate gives you all instruction you need in clear language and direction to create your own graphic novel.  She also has all the insider tips so that makes it even more valuable.  There are sections cover topics such as  creating your characters and organizing your ideas all set up in ways that are easy to follow and fun to read.  When the kids get older this is exactly the way I want them to be able to express their creativity and I think this would make a wonderful project for families to work on together...what fun!  You can pick this up on Amazon now for just $14.96.  A bargain to beat the boredom. 

Great news. THREE lucky Reviewed By Mom readers will win a copy of You Can Do A Graphic Novel!  Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry: Visit Barbara Slate's website and tell me something you learned about this very talented author.  You must complete this entry for all others to count.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry per other giveaway entered.

4.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

5.  Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it (each can be done up to three times per day) = 1 entry per each.

6.  Blog about this giveaway and link back to Reviewed By Mom = 5 entries

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US  residents and will end on July 19th. The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on July 20th and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen .  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.