Our blog is full of author, book and product news, reviews and giveaways aswell as blogger information and little bit of humour on the way............................................
Voted a Book Reviewer Yellow Pages 'Top 10 Book Reviewer 2015'
*Publisher’s Note: 'Beck Valley Books is an influential book review site and book tour host.'
A native New Yorker, April Alisa Marquette, who also happens to be an editor, is the eldest of three. She garnered her love for reading from her mother, a songwriter and recording artist, who, as far back as April can remember, was always active in the arts. From her father who pastored, she learned to research and write. While attending college, and thoroughly enjoying the Creative Writing and Literature electives offered, the path for her life was charted.
April is also a platwrite, editor, and motivational speaker, one who tutored middle and high school students -- the very students others had given up on. She yet successfully shares her love of reading and writing with young people, and she gives precious time to a fledgling foundation that seeks to bolster students who might otherwise 'slip through the educational system cracks.'
The
debut novel! Fast-paced, Book I
of The Cohort Trilogy
introduces three women
and Beau, their gay male roommate. The foursome call
themselves Cohorts and believe their friendship is near perfect -- until one of
the women betrays
Beau... by
cavorting
with his man.
Then oh, the drama!
As life,
twisting and turning, continues, one of the Cohorts winds up with a secret. It
is one that will further hurt everyone, should they find out...
This provocative,
sexy, fun, and sometimes sad page-turner highlights the beating that the
Cohorts’ friendship takes. It also shows that theirs, like any friendship, is
flawed. Yet, can they exercise absolution -- can they learn to
forgive?
Book Review
I don't tend to read this genre but I must say I really enjoyed reading the book. Once I got passed remembering who was who, I found the book a nicely flowing, entertaining read, feeling the friendship between the characters enabled you to easily step into the story and feel the love, laughter, drama and tears of the close group of friends.
The story follows a group of four friends, Val, Ronnie, Kismet Staar and Beau, they call themselves the Cohorts and apart from Kistmet Staar, all share an apartment together. Val, who found true love only for it to be taken away from her so brutally, will she ever find love again? Ronnie, seeking so much the attention she desires but not in the right way, can she be honest about what she really desires? Kismet Staar is Beau's cousin who is always there for him, keeping a watchful eye on him. Which then leaves Beau himself, who could have any lady with his looks and charm, but sadly for them he prefers the opposite sex.
Then one friend crosses the line of friendship the whole group falls to pieces and you almost feel annoyed with them for making it happen. A sad and hurtful time for them all, leading to a shock discovery. Can time heal the pain they caused? Can they learn to forgive before it's too late, realising that love should never leave.
Every weekday, I am going to have a daily
feature post from one of my blogging friends to share with you all. A little
something different for you all to read xx
I was sent the PMD Personal MicroDerm System and the Daily Cell Regeneration System Starter Kit to go along with it. This system comes with a DVD and you are urged to watch it before using the system. So, I did just that and read the instructions.
List of authors to turn down OBEs,
CBEs and knighthoods also includes Aldous Huxley, Robert Graves and Evelyn
Waugh
Roald Dahl ... no thank you, ma'am. Photograph: ITV / Rex
Features
Authors CS Lewis, Roald Dahl and Aldous Huxley all turned
down honours from the Queen, newly released documents have revealed.
A
freedom of information request saw the list of people to have rejected an honour
between 1951 and 1999 and since died published last night by the Cabinet Office
. Literary names were prominent amongst those to have said no to CBEs, OBEs
and knighthoods in the annual New Year or Birthday Honours list, with Dahl,
Lewis, and Huxley – who turned down a knighthood – joined by fellow naysayers Eleanor Farjeon, the children's author,
the poets Philip
Larkin and Robert
Graves, who said no to both a CBE and a CH (Order of the Companions honour),
literary critic FR Leavis, Booker winner Stanley
Middleton and the authors JB Priestley and Evelyn Waugh.
In the past, this information has generally only
been made public if the individuals to have snubbed the recognition announce it
themselves – a step taken by the poet Benjamin Zephaniah in 2003, when he wrote
in the Guardian:
"Me? I thought, OBE me? Up yours, I thought. I get angry when I hear that word
'empire'; it reminds me of slavery, it reminds of thousands of years of
brutality, it reminds me of how my foremothers were raped and my forefathers
brutalised."
Novelist JG Ballard rejected a CBE for services to
literature the same year, saying: "I think it's
deplorable when left-wing playwrights like David Hare, who have worn their
socialist colours on both sleeves for so many years, should accept a knighthood.
God almighty, this man actually knelt down in front of the Queen."
Also included on the list of 277 individuals
refusing honours between 1951 and 1999 are the sculptor Henry Moore, the artist
Lucian
Freud, the film director Alfred Hitchcock –
although he later accepted a knighthood – and the painters Francis Bacon and LS
Lowry. Lowry was the individual to have rejected recognition from the Queen the
most often, turning down a total of five honours, including a
knighthood.
HEY, BACK OFF! Tips for Stopping Teen Harassment by Jennie Withers with Phyllis Hendrickson
About the Author
So about me, Jennie Withers. My
first priority is being a mom. I am lucky to have two
daughters, ten and eight, who teach me something new every day. I
am also stepmom to a very intelligent seventeen year old. I am
married to a great guy who lets me, be me. We live and play in
Boise, Idaho.
I graduated fromBoise State Universityin
Boise, Idaho -
GO BRONCOS!I started teaching in 1996, but after the 2010-2011 school year I
decided to hang it up and focus on writing. I still hope to work with
teens through workshops and things. I have taught Sophomore and Senior
Language Arts, Reading, Creative Writing and Technical Reading
and Writing.
I
enjoy watching (particularly Boise State
football) and playing sports. I am an Idahoan, so outdoor
activities such as camping, hiking and fishing are a must. Of
course, reading and writing are also important in my world.
Bullying among teens is epidemic. Many teens are harassed on a daily basis by
mean text messages(cyber bullying), sexual harassment, teasing (verbal), hitting
or punching (physical) and some are guilty of harassment without knowing they
are perpetrators of illegal acts. Now teens will understand that bullying can
have serious long-term consequences on self-esteem and be the root of antisocial
behaviors, dropping out of school, health problems and even suicide.
"Hey,
Back Off!" by Withers and Hendrickson is the first comprehensive teen guide to
harassment prevention. It uses narrative real life examples and stories that are
relatable to teens, while incorporating strategies and coping tips for not only
teens, but also parents and educators to help stem this growing epidemic that is
affecting 60-80 percent of school children.
Book Review
This is a great book for all parents who have teenage or pre-teen children. As a parent myself I certainly found the book useful and in parts an eye opener. Each chapter deals with a separate issue, such as understanding the meaning of harassment, learning about the law and support resources, taking the personality quiz, doormat kids and passive parents, bullies and aggressive parents, winners and positive parents, dealing with harassment issues. Throughout the book there are work tables, questions and answers, goals for both child and parent.
Through each chapter the author gives us an insight to what constitutes intimidation, bullying and harassment with clear and definitive descriptions. Explaining what signs to look for in our child and most importantly to talk to our children on a daily basis to find out if there is an underlying cause to certain behaviour.
Informing us also of what is expected both from the establishment your child is attending and also what law (US only) states is expected and which is unlawful. These guidelines are great for a parent to know so they know where they stand with the law and the educational department.
The book then describes the different personalities the teenager will have or show, as well as the parent!! For example, if you are a dominant parent - does that make your child passive? and vice versa. There is a multi-choice personality quiz for both child and parent to complete which points towards us having an assertive, aggressive or passive personality. Don't worry it then follows on, in detail, how this can be changed.
From case studies and intensive research the book picks out the important pieces of information, both from the mistakes that we can make and the over protectiveness, to try and make us as parents understand our children and the signs and emotions they display better.
The important message the book portrays is that as a parent, if we do notice something our of the ordinary in our childs behaviour we must act, knowing your own child and being assertive will stop and prevent further harassment. A really informative read for all families.
Every weekday, I am going to have a daily
feature post from one of my blogging friends to share with you all. A little
something different for you all to read xx
Today we have -
Beautiful Ice Candle Holder Made with a Balloon! from Slop Swap
(yes you did read balloon!!)
My husband and I went to a retirement party last weekend and lining the driveway were these beautiful round ice candle holders. I absolutely loved them and had to attempt to make them myself!
I’m going to have to attempt it a few times but here’s my first attempt with instructions so you can try it too.
First, I’d recommend buying a heavy duty 12″ balloon. I got a smaller size but it still worked. (this is one of the reasons I say I’m going to have to attempt it again.)
Love letters which reveal Charlotte Brontë's infatuation
with her Belgian
professor are to be published.
The letters were sent by the Jane Eyre novelist to Professor Constantin
Heger, an older man with a wife and children.
Heger tore them up in shock, but they were retrieved from a rubbish bin by
his wife who sewed them back together and preserved them.
One, composed in French, reads: "If my master withdraws his friendship from
me entirely, I shall be absolutely without hope."
Another, with a postscript written in English, reads: "I must say one word to
you in English - I wish I would write to you more cheerful letters, for when I
read this over, I find it to be somewhat gloomy - but forgive me my dear master
- do not be irritated at my sadness - according to the words of the Bible: 'Out
of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaketh', and truly I find it difficult
to be cheerful so long as I think I shall never see you more."
The letter was written in 1844, two years after Bronte, then age 28, met
Heger, her tutor, and three years before the publication of Jane Eyre, her first
major work.
The story echoes the plot of her 1853 novel Villette, about a young women
with an unrequited love for her Belgian teacher.
By the time Heger was shown the letters by his daughter on his death bed,
Bronte had died age 38 and was a recognised writer. The family decided to keep
the correspondence, but the writer's love for Heger was tactfully omited from a
biography written by her friend, Elizabeth Gaskell.
Rachel Foss, of the British Library, said: "Having been burnt, sold, cut up
and destroyed, it is remarkable that these letters have survived.
"Seeing the torn-up letters with the careful stitches holding them together
is remarkably evocative and moving. You get a really vivid sense that they have
a story to tell." Love Letters: 2000 Years of Romance, is published by the British
Library and features correspondence from Oscar Wilde, Henry VIII, Rupert Brooke
and Lord Nelson.
Once you
have entered our fantastic giveaway please take a look at all the other book
giveaways listed at the bottom of the post (after entering mind
!!!) OUR GIVEAWAY
SIGNED COPY OF HEY, BACK OFF!! Tips for Stopping Teen Harassment
by Jennie Withers with Phyllis Hendrickson
Open Internationally
Ending on Wednesday 1st February at 12.01am EST Bullying among teens is epidemic. Many teens are harassed on a daily basis by
mean text messages(cyber bullying), sexual harassment, teasing (verbal), hitting
or punching (physical) and some are guilty of harassment without knowing they
are perpetrators of illegal acts. Now teens will understand that bullying can
have serious long-term consequences on self-esteem and be the root of antisocial
behaviors, dropping out of school, health problems and even suicide. "Hey,
Back Off!" by Withers and Hendrickson is the first comprehensive teen guide to
harassment prevention. It uses narrative real life examples and stories that are
relatable to teens, while incorporating strategies and coping tips for not only
teens, but also parents and educators to help stem this growing epidemic that is
affecting 60-80 percent of school children.
This book will help teens and their
parents:
Recognize harassment - bullying, sexual
harassment, stalking, hazing and cyberbullying
Understand harassment laws and how they protect victims and
punish harassers
Identify your passive,
aggressive or assertive personality types
Discover what your personality
type has to do with harassment prevention
Learn how to become assertive
and how to maintain an assertive personality
Know
strategies that work and those that won't when dealing with
harassers or bullies
Read stories and quotes from
real peoples' experiences
Complete activities designed to
help you prevent harassment
Prepare to become a person who is confident, happy and
successful
This amazing giveaway is Open
Internationally ending on Wednesday 1st February at 12:01 AM
EST
Please wait for Rafflecopter to load, if
it does not load, please refresh page, thanku x
Every weekday, I am going to have a daily
feature post from one of my blogging friends to share with you all. A little
something different for you all to read xx
Today we have - So you want to Blog...what you need to know to start blogging. from Jade Louise Designs
"I want to blog, but how do I get started?"
I've actually been asked this question
quite often lately; and so I thought, what a great blog series! Mind you, I'm in
no way an expert but I can definitely help you get started, hopefully point you
in the right direction, and give you some great resources so you can create a
blog that is just right for you! The biggest part to getting started is
brainstorming ideas and the direction you want your blog to take. So
introducing Step By Step Instructions on How to Begin Blogging.
Fantastic post read the full post here
Follow Frenzy brings you the chance to win cash or an Amazon gift card each month!
This month you can win $100 paid via Paypal or Amazon!
It’s the winner’s choice!
Each entry is another chance to win, so check out the Rafflecopter form below and get clicking to visit all of the amazing blogs participating in this event!
You will be able to enter until 11:59pm EST on Sunday, January 29th
Open Worldwide.
At the end of the event, the winner will be drawn and notified via email.
The winner will have 48 hours to confirm their win or another winner will be drawn.
Book Review Signed Copy of The Wellbeing Revolution by James McWhinney
About the Author
Hi, I’m James McWhinney. To say that I’ve had an incredible journey over the past 10 years is a massive understatement. I’ve gone from being arrested, kicked out of school, money hungry, selfish, unhappy, anxious, fearful and insecure and then turned it all around to become a philosophising, life loving, meditating, spiritual, giving, caring, ultra healthy, on purpose human being. You’d be hard pressed to find a happier person living on this earth.
Life is hard, and for many of us meaningless, trivial and unfulfilled. We are
increasingly depressed and anxious, increasingly addicted to unmoderated
behaviours and transient pleasures believing they are the solution. But they are
NOT and we need to WAKE UP and make a change.
In his book The Wellbeing
Revolution - Mastering Extraordinary Human Living - author James McWhinney shows
us how to change by offering a new approach to living that will satisfy our
deepest needs and bring meaning and wellbeing into our lives. The wellbeing
revolution begins now. Your wellbeing is dependent on your willingness to
courageously flaunt your unique inner drive. Yes, you have a unique inner drive,
and the quality of your life is determined by your compliance and manner in
which you fully give it to the world.
This book has been specifically written to
help you create an extraordinary life, a life that frees you to do whatever you
want, whenever you want - a life truly worth living. Now is the time to create
the life of your dreams, to fulfil your potential and shine your light brightly,
proudly and playfully upon the world. Now is the time to start living the
incredible life that you are meant to live.
Book Review
The book captivated my attention from the start. Although the author truthfully told of his colourful past it was encouraging how he totally turned his life around. As this was early in the book you automatically engaged with him as most of us have in our lives done things which we are ashamed of or have someone in our close families that have gone off the straight and narrow.
The book explains in great depth how we must look at the bigger picture in our lives and explains that had we not done things wrong then we couldn't move on and turn things round to better ourselves.
The author also makes you sit up and really think about your life, your work and your ambitions. Whilst reading the book you realise that you CAN change situations and you do not have to put up with the same mundane things. He encourages you to look at the positive things in life rather than the negative.
The book also goes in depth about the universal energy and really makes you notice things that you wouldn't normally ie how day changes to night, how the seasons change plants, flowers, trees and the weather. Most of us take for granted these things, that they are just there and they just happened, but the author makes you really think 'how do they happen' and 'why'.
The book, even when finished, makes you more aware of life around you and how it changes so quickly. After reading it you do think more of what you are doing and why. I would definitely recommend reading this book.
Every weekday, I am going to have a daily
feature post from one of my blogging friends to share with you all. A little
something different for you all to read xx
We're taking part in the Cozy Up Book Hop!! Hosted by Mommy Reads Too Much x Once you
have entered our fantastic giveaway please take a look at all the other book
giveaways listed at the bottom of the post (after entering mind
!!!)
Our Giveaway
SIGNED COPY of The Wellbeing Revolution By James McWhinney
Open Internationally From January 23rd at 12:00am – January 29th @11:59pm est
Life is hard, and for many of us meaningless, trivial and unfulfilling. We
are increasingly depressed and anxious, increasingly addicted to unmoderated
behaviours and transient pleasures believing they are the solution. But they are
NOT and we need to WAKE UP and make a change. In his book The Wellbeing
Revolution – Mastering Extraordinary Human Living – author
James McWhinney shows us how to change by offering a new approach to living that
will satisfy our deepest needs and bring meaning and wellbeing into our
lives.
The wellbeing revolution begins now. Your wellbeing is dependent on your
willingness to courageously flaunt your unique inner drive. Yes, you have a
unique inner drive, and the quality of your life is determined by your
compliance and manner in which you fully give it to the world. This book has
been specifically written to help you create an extraordinary life, a life that
frees you to do whatever you want, whenever you want – a life truly worth
living.
Now is the time to create the life of your dreams, to fulfil your potential
and shine your light brightly, proudly and playfully upon the world. Now is the
time to start living the incredible life that you are meant to
live.
The Wellbeing Revolution is one of those rare books that hold the power to
literally change your life. Within this book lies the wisdom to create a
life of constant fulfilment, meaning and wellbeing.
Every weekday, I am going to have a daily
feature post from one of my blogging friends to share with you all. A little
something different for you all to read xx
Today we have - What We're Cooking! - Savory Meat Roll #Gluten Free from Living Life Gluten Free
Ryan and I were watching Guy's Big Bite last week and we saw this recipe for Savory Meat Rolls but it's not gluten free. We
decided to come up with a version that is and I think we did a pretty good job.
Enjoy!
2 pkgs Chebe All Purpose Bread Mix, prepare dough according to
package directions 1 roll breakfast sausage 1/2 onion, chopped 1/2
green pepper, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 3/4 8 oz pkg cream cheese,
softened 1/2 C Parmesan 1 C grated mozzarella
Host a giveaway on your page worth $25 or more that starts on March 12 at
midnight and ends at midnight on March 20 (rafflecopter ends on 3/21) Post
about the event or pay $5 click here to join
Every weekday, I am going to have a daily
feature post from one of my blogging friends to share with you all. A little
something different for you all to read xx
Baby Gourmet ~ Natural Organic Baby Food ~ Review
Feeding the little man healthy nutritious foods has always been important to me. I’ve tried buying organic produce and making my own baby food for him, but honestly, as a busy working mom, I no longer have time for that. I was on the search for natural nutritious meals for him. This is why I was thrilled to learn about Baby Gourmet, who offers a line of natural, organic baby food!
Baby Gourmet was started by a mom who wanted to feed her babies food that was healthy and tasty, but was disappointed by grocery store options. She and her sister put their heads together whipping up baby-friendly batches of tested and much-loved family recipes. Together they make sure the recipes are filled with only the best, freshest, organic, kosher ingredients from around the world!
This giveaway will run from 1/24 to 2/10 so you have plenty of time
to do all the entries and be sure to come back each day to tweet for an extra
entry!
This giveaway is open WW to anyone with a Paypal account! (Payment will be in US Dollars). While appreciated, comments do not count as entries. Please enter via the Rafflecoptor form below.
The 90 Day Challenge is not just a weight loss program it is a health and wellness program
that can help you loose weight, tone up, or build muscle. Visalus offers those looking to become healthy the ability to refer 3 of their friends or family to the program and get their monthly kit for free. Plus everyone who joins the Challenge is eligible for the prizes, trips, and rewards offered by the company. Every 90 days new winners are chosen in several categories for the biggest overall transformation to win prizes like Hollywood Make-Overs and Tropical Cruises.
For thoses of you who made Health New Year Resolutions now is the time to start!!
Take advantage of this fab giveaway and good luck!! Brought to you by Two Little Cavaliers
Every weekday, I am going to have a daily feature post from one of my blogging friends to share with you all. A little something different for you all to read xx
How Special Needs Children Change Your Life...from MamaLuvsBooks
(Pic of me and my hubby)
This first post I am sharing is a personal
story about my niece.
I
decided to travel down to my hometown in Virginia (just outside of DC) to see
the birth of my sister’s first child. After having two kids myself, and
absolutely loving the days I gave birth to them, I wanted to share in this
miracle with my sister (without having to endure any pain myself this time).
She said I could be in the room with her, and I was so excited to help her and
see her first child be born. I think if I could have another occupation in
life, it might be to be a labor and delivery nurse. I know it wouldn’t all be
roses, but being able to witness so many miracles might be worth the hard
times.
It
was early in the morning when we went to the hospital. My sister got hooked up
to all the monitors and was getting ready for the big event. I had both my kids
and our parents in the room as well. They would have to leave after the labor
progressed to the pushing stage. Unfortunately, it never did get to that
stage. My sister’s baby’s heart rate was dropping, and they needed to perform
an emergency c-section. Obviously, I was not allowed to be in the room. I
waited with my kids until we saw sweet little Evelyn get whisked away to the
NICU. I had just enough time to get one quick picture. She was a little blue
after the birth, and the doctors said she needed some attention. Then, the wait
began.........
(Evelyn in the
NICU)
I
felt so sorry for my sister. Evelyn was being looked at for about four hours
before they even came to see her in recovery. From previous experience, I know
the feeling of giving birth and wanting to hold on to your little one and stare
into his or her eyes. My sister was feeling sad, worried, and detached from
everything. I wish the doctors had been more attentive to my sister’s needs and
given her some reassurance and answers quicker.
Finally,
after the doctors came in, she got a few answers. First, her daughter was
breathing well and she could see her soon. Next, she has three holes in her
heart, a straight line across her palms, signs of low muscle tone, and a
protruding tongue. Finally, they said, “We think your child has Down Syndrome.
We will know in a few days after the blood tests come back.” Silence, shock,
tears......... My sister was 29, no signs or risks of having a child with Down
Syndrome. It was quite shocking for everyone.
I live in a small town (population 1200) in Wisconsin. From my deck I can see
the Mississippi River on one side and the bluffs, where eagles live,
on the other side. I live with my husband Dave and my dog Sammy. Our two
children are grown and one has children of her own (which makes me a
grandmother) and for that fact I am blessed. I love people and while I worked
for awhile I was lucky to be a stay at home Mom and then when the time
came I was a stay at home grandmom. I've been writing for awhile now and I
find it's rewarding. I love to create characters and put them in a
troubling situation and just sit back and let them do all the work. They surprise even me at times. They take on a life of their own and the twists
and turns become a story. I tried writing romance but I found I
liked mystery/thrillers the best. I like to keep my readers guessing
until the very end of the book. But that's just me...
After a three year search for a serial killer known as The Prophet, FBI agents
Sean Sebastian and Rheta Morgan; both who have a personal reason to stop him,
finally get a break and The Prophet is within their reach. Confrontation leads
them to discover a secret network called the New Brotherhood and the more they
find out about the New Brotherhood, the more determined they are to stop
it.
When The Prophet takes Rheta and Sean's sister hostage, the race is
on to free them and bring down the Brotherhood.
Book Review
The author takes us on a page turning thriller. Investigation into the trials and tribulations of the FBI as they try and not only locate but also apprehend a serial killer only known as The Prophet.
The Prophet holds meetings in secluded areas and picks a chosen one, the chosen one is always found dead. He cons his followers into giving him money and then absconds leaving no trace.
The two FBI agents who are pursuing him both have hidden agenda's in capturing him. Rheta's reason is that he killed her sister three years ago, but Sean's reason is hidden and only comes to light when Rheta has doubts about him. They get a tip off and this information leads onto a trail of destruction, death and corruption. The Prophet has declared war on Rheta and Sean for their meddling, can he destroy them before they destroy him?
The characters portrayed are vividly described and the emotion the reader feels in wanting the killer to be caught and brought to justice is first class. The storyline is easily followed and text is pleasing to the eye, the chapters are broken down into small passages giving the reader time to digest and taken on board what has happened, which I really liked.
This novel was right up my street, a good thriller with a great storyline based around a few characters, thus making the plot uncomplicated. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers.
