Happily Married With Kids: It's Not a Fairy Tale Review and Giveaway 3/7/2012

Granny Publishing sent me a pdf copy of Happily Married With Kids: It's Not a Fairy Tale written by Dr. Carol Lindquist who is an expert in Couples Therapy. She shares her knowledge, wisdom and humor throughout this book. The book is like a bible for couples and a resource book for other experts in the field.


The best thing about this book is it doesn't sound like a therapist is telling you what you do wrong in your relationship. The book gives you hundreds of ideas about how to improve your relationship with your spouse and children. The ideas come from Dr. Lindquist's many years of experience as a therapist, mother and wife. The Dr. doesn't talk down to us, she gives us ideas how to find valuable time with your spouse when you have children. She also tells you the important way to talk to your spouse. I will use the book and its ideas for years to come.

A good marriage is the best gift for yourself and all those around you

A good marriage is one of the best gifts couples can give themselves and to all those around them.

Happily Married With Kids: It’s Not a Fairy Tale, a handy guidebook for developing better relationships, is the perfect gift.

            Affordable, insightful and practical, this gem of a book could even be called romantic. Given as a gift, it will express to your spouse or significant other how much you love him or her because you want your relationship to be the best it can be—now and forever.

This book by therapist Dr. Carol Ummel Lindquist presents well-documented, simple-to-understand, practical advice that helps couples build warmer, happier, longer-lasting relationships. It offers practical, universal advice that would benefit all couples.

Grandparents love it too—as a gift for their kids! “Couples with step kids and gay couples with kids loved my first book,” writes Dr. Carol. And they will love this book, too.

Recent reviews:

 “… the perfect combination of advice and humor to help couples navigate the ups and downs of parenthood …” –Children’s book author Sherry Ellis

“I only wish I had found it sooner,” –Zuzi Reader S. L. Myrick

“Great gift for a baby shower,” –Neil M. Poll, Laguna Beach psychologist

 

Dr. Carol Ummel Lindquist has been a therapist for more than 30 years. She is a board-certified clinical psychologist who has published numerous journal articles and a well-received book. A highly ranked professor who has trained many other marital therapists, she and her husband live in Laguna Beach where they raised their two sons and she maintains her private practice.  For more information visit her website. To purchase go to Amazon.com, Kindle, or Barnes & Noble Nook.

Happily Married With Kids book website: http://www.doctorcarol.com

Happily Married With Kids: It's Not a Fairy Tale by Carol Ummel Lindquist, Ph.D.

Paperback Amazon $16.95

http://www.amazon.com/Happily-Married-Kids-Fairy-Tale/dp/0983130531/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319554067&sr=8-1

Kindle eBook $7.95

http://www.amazon.com/Happily-Married-Kids-Fairy-ebook/dp/B005BJ396M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1319554067&sr=8-2

Barnes & Noble Nook $7.95

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/happily-married-with-kids?keyword=happily+married+with+kids&store=ebook

BOOK SPECS: $16.95 / 239 Pages / ISBN 0-983-13053-1 / 6 x 9-INCH QUALITY PAPERBACK

The giveaway: The winner of this giveaway will receive a real copy of Happily Married With Kids: It's Not a Fairy Tale straight from the publisher here in Sarasota, FL.



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New Beginnings By Rebecca Emin Review and Giveaway 3/7/12

Eleven year old Sam has to go to a new school. She is nervous and she has every reason to be. When she goes to school, it is hard to make friends and one girl (Molly) has it out for her. It takes Sam awhile, but she finally finds friendship with Chloe who is one of her classmates in the new school. When on vacation with her parents, Sam meets a boy who is a computer nerd, but he can sing and act too. Both are very shy, but they begin a friendship between each other. This is the part of the story where the author brings in computer use. I like how the computer use is limited to email and educational activities.

The story continues with Sam learning how to deal with friendships while she is being hurt constantly by Molly in her school. The story shows how Sam is nervous each morning when she has to go to school because of the bullying situation. Sam meets a man who teaches her about self-defensive, she gets an opportunity to get the leading roll in a show opposite her friend Nathan whom she met on vacation with her parents. The story shows how bullying is horrible and how to deal with it. I remember dealing with bullying when I was a child and it is hard to tell your parents, friends and teachers what is happening to you.

By the time eleven year old Sam turns twelve, she has a group of close friends, she has dealt with the bullying problem and she becomes successful in her young acting and singing career. The best part of this story is that it gives hope to young pre-teens and teens at a most difficult time in their lives. It shows them how to deal with bullying, how to and not use the internet and the importance of real friendships. The book is clean and should easily be read by children ten and above.

About The Author:

The Giveaway is for an autographed copy of New Beginnings sent from the UK straight from the author-the giveaway is being run on two blogs for one giveaway-this giveaway is being run on two blogs for the same giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rebecca Emin lives in Oxfordshire, England, with her husband and three children. Her debut novel, 'New Beginnings' was published by Grimoire Books on 23 January 2012. Her second novel 'When Dreams Come True' will be published later in 2012. Rebecca is currently working on her third novel for children. Rebecca enjoys writing flash fiction and short stories and has had several stories included in fundraising anthologies, including '50 Stories for Pakistan' and 'Literary Mix Tapes: Nothing But Flowers.' She was also involved with the selection of stories for '100 Stories for Queensland' as a voluntary reader. 'A Knowing Look and Other Stories' is a collection of short stories for adults, available now. Rebecca is also an author for Ether Books who publish short stories and essays via their app which is currently available for iPhone and iPod Touch. You can find out more about Rebecca's writing… Read more

The Duke's Handmaid By Caprice Hokstad

The Duke's Handmaid was a pleasant surprise to me when I read it. Caprice Hokstad catches your attention immediately. The main character Kee loses her family to some murderous villians and is left all alone in the world. She is heartbroken. Kee meets Duke Vaugn and immediately falls in love with the man. She decides she wants to be his slave. She freely gives herself into slavery to Duke Vaugn. Duke Vaugn is second only to his slightly older twin brother as ruler. Thus Vaugn is the Duke instead of being the King. Duke Vaugn finds the men who kills Kee's family and they are executed. Duke Vaugn has to give his slaves away because his pregnant wife is jealous of the attention he gives to them. Duke Vaugn gives his slaves to his cousin who is planning on opening a bar. Terzak (Duke Vaugn's cousin)treats the slaves harshly and has sex with a few of the young woman and girls. He makes one of the girls pregnant and sends her to live with Kee locked in a dark house. Eventually, Kee finds her way back to Duke Vaugh, but she is near death. The Duke's handmaid is a fantasy story about slaves, loyalty, torture, passion, betrayal, and true love. The surprise ending will warm your heart and give you hope.

Caprice Hokstad's writing is smooth and easy to read. This book is part one of a three part ascendency trilogy fantasy series of books. Hokstad's writing style is smooth and easy to read. Her ideas are based upon the fantasy kingdom of Latoph. "Latoph is an enchanted kingdom introduced in The Duke’s Handmaid, a fantasy novel by Caprice Hokstad. Brimming with adventure, chivalry, and passion, Latoph is a place of beauty and justice, but it has its dark side as well. Rivalry, conspiracy, prejudice and enslavement wreak havoc on the otherwise idyllic existence of a dualistic society ruled by the same glorious dynasty for a millennium..."

Caprice was born in San Diego, California. She attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She currently lives in Southern California, sharing a mobile home with her husband, three children, varying numbers of pet rats, a leopard gecko, a tankful of guppies, a cat, and a dog. Caprice home-schools one of her children, writes SeaQuest fanfiction and sews musical theater and Renaissance costumes in her spare time. To check out her books you can go to her website. Latoph

Starlighter By Brian Davis

Starlighter
by Bryan Davis
This month, CFRB presents Starlighter by Bryan Davis.

About the Book:
In the first novel of a new four-book fantasy series for young adults by bestselling author Bryan Davis, human and dragon worlds collide when Jason Masters enters the dragon planet and meets Koren, a descendant of humans who were kidnapped and are now the dragons’ slaves.

About the Author:
Bryan Davis is the author of the bestselling fantasy series Dragons in Our Midst, Oracles of Fire and Echoes from the Edge. He and his wife, Susie, have seven children and live in western Tennessee where he continues to cook up his imaginative blend of fantasy and inspiration.

Visit Bryan's website.

Purchase Starlighter from
Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.

Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider

Beth Rider is a bestselling author until she meets up with the Rakum. Her life is turned upside down. The Rakum is pretty much the same thing as a vampire. Beth Rider is a Christian (the good) who meets the Rakum ( the bad). This is where we first meet our good vs. evil in Rabit: Chasing Beth Rider.

The Rakum is a creature that lives on the blood of humans. The Rakum have their own groups of people who donate blood to them. They are volunteers who seemed to enjoy being blood donors. However, they do not get the usual donate buttons. They are just allowed to stay alive. The Rakum have other humans who give blood involuntarily. These people are marked by the Rakum and these people are called "Rabbits". Beth Rider has writen a book which has insulted the Rakum leaders and she is made into one of these rabbits. Beth Rider's book introduce humans and Rakum (alike) to Jesus Christ. This is very destructive to the Rakum world.

That is until Jack Dawn, a real-life vampire, vows to kill her because of the vile redemptive message her book is bringing his people. The ancient race of bloodthirsty immortals to which Jack belongs, known as the Rakum, have spread evil among mankind since the Beginning. But Jack alone recognizes the novel’s destructive potential and she must die.

Jack’s proselyte Michael Stone was brought up from his youth to be strong, sensible and brutal. But at one hundred and thirty, Michael is old enough to appreciate his quiet and ordered life. When he stumbles upon the beautiful and apparently innocent Beth Rider, he is puzzled by his Elder’s unreasonable actions against her. Instantly smitten, Michael takes it upon himself to protect her from the limitless lust of his brethren.

Beth Rider is taken by the Rakum. Their plan is to kill her. Through the trials, Beth Rider continues to trust in her Lord and Savior. She does not give in to her fears. She prays to God for herself and other victims of the Rakum.

When the book ends, Beth Rider is safe in the arms of her hero Rakum, Michael. He is no longer a vampire. He was changed (like all of us have been changed) by the blood of Jesus Christ. He beconmes a Christian. You can buy this incredibly enriching book at Amazon

A recovering vampire fanatic, Ellen uses her experience in that subculture to bring the Light into this burgeoning genre. Addicting and delicious, Ellen’s brand of story-telling is rife with deep character study and honest emotion. Ellen lives in Historic Montgomery, Alabama with her husband, daughter, four cats and one spoiled dog. This is her first novel and Ellen has no holes in her neck.

One Smooth Stone

One Smooth Stone by Marcia Lee Laycick is a great book. One Smooth Stone is both easy to read and very well written. I had a few problems reading One Smooth Stone because it brought me back to my childhood. My childhood was very much the same as "Alex Donnelly" in this story. I also grew up with anger and stayed away from people for much of my childhood and early adulthood. If it wasn't for God, I would still be an angry mess. Just like myself, Alex Donnelly's life was finally changed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This book had a bunch of twist and turns. Alex is in trouble with the law. Alex falls in love with a girl, but runs away from her. Alex helps an old man who is also running away from his problems. When the book ends, we find out Alex is really a good person. He was just hiding behind all the pain from his past. "One Smooth Stone" is one of those books you start to read and don't want to put down. When I finally got through my own mixed emotions from my own past, I picked the book back up, and finished reading it on the second sitting. Marcia Lee Laycock is a fantastic story teller. I would rate "One Smooth Stone" one of the best books I have read in the past few years. Can't wait to read more from Marcia Lee Laycock.

FORGIVING SEAN BY Jessica Adriel

ABOUT THE BOOK- FORGIVING SEAN-MARISSA HAS LOST HER FATHER AS A YOUNG GIRL-SHE FINDS HERSELF IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH SEAN. SHE BECOMES PREGNANT AND SEAN DISAPPEARS INTO HIS OWN LIFE. MARISSA MEETS ANOTHER YOUNG MAN, BUT FINDS IT HARD TO TRUST BECAUSE ALL SHE HAS LOST IN HER LIFE. HER EX-BOYFRIEND SEAN COMES BACK INTO HER LIFE. THE TWO MEN BECOME JEALOUS OF ONE ANOTHER OVER MARISSA. SEAN FINDS OUT NOT ONLY DID HE LEAVE HIS GIRLFRIEND, HE LEFT HIS FAMILY. EVERYBODY FELT LIKE HE HAD ABANDONED THEM. I AM NOT THE GREATEST FAN OF ROMANTIC NOVELS. I FOUND SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN THIS BOOK AS I READ THROUGH IT. NOT ONLY WAS THE BOOK WELL WRITTEN, IT HAD PURPOSE. BY THE END OF THE BOOK, WE FIND THAT ALL PEOPLE CAN BE HEALED BY OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. NO MATTER WHAT THEY HAVE DONE OR WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH. JESUS CAN HEAL ANY AND ALL HURT. SEAN WAS GOING DOWN THE WRONG PATH UNTIL HE FINALLY FOUND THE LORD AT THE END OF THIS BOOK. WE COULD ALSO SAY THAT ABOUT MARISSA AND HER FUTURE HUSBAND HAWKE. THIS IS WHAT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR USUAL ROMANTIC NOVEL AND A TRUE CHRISTIAN ROMANTIC NOVEL.


About the Author:

Jessica Adriel is a licensed minister, author, mother and speaker. She spends her days penning books, preparing talks and delving into the world of teenagers. Her gifts of communication and compassion were noticed early on when she composed over 800 poems during high school and yet spent a great deal of time with volunteer efforts. A native to New England, it was Jessica’s tragic stint of car accidents, assaults and a four year career in modeling, that inspired her to write ‘real life’ novels that impact teenagers. Today Jessica inspires and ignites teens to find their God given purpose through her books and challenging seminars. Her stories provide a bridge between today's generation and the pressures of media and peer pressure which lead teens in the wrong direction. Armed with a plethora of stories and a deep love for God, Jesus introduces her audience to Christ in unconventional, yet very powerful ways.