Book Review - Burton the Scarecrow

About the Book
V.A. Boeholt brings Burton the Scarecrow to life with endearing tales about gardening, farming, and friendship. Whether he’s protecting Farmer Green’s crops or helping his friends, Burton sets an example of kindness and commitment that will help young readers develop these strengths within themselves. Interactive readers’ guides and curriculum supplements help parents and teachers apply Burton’s wisdom at home or in the classroom, setting the stage for character development in an enjoyable, memorable way. Boeholt’s Friendship Tales from the Farm series a must for children and their caregivers, creating delightful moments of interactive storytelling that will enrich any learning environment.

About the Author

V.A. Boeholt, Ph.D., has made professional contributions to students, parents and instructors around the world as a teacher, author, and curriculum/program developer. Now extending her influence to children's literature, she is delighted to introduce young readers to the endearing Burton the Scarecrow--Friendship Tales from the Farm series, bringing Burton to life with memorable lessons in character development, service, and gardening. For more information, please visit www.ScarecrowStories.com.

Nathaniel P. Jensen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas and contributes professionally across multiple mediums, including architecture, 3-dimensional canvas, print media, and television/feature film animation. As an award-winning children's book illustrator, he has illustrated 10 titles to date. Often dressing the part of his subject matter, Nate enjoys presenting classroom workshops to students throughout the State of Texas.

My Take on the Book
This was a cute book with a message that definitely stands out in my memory. As someone who loves gardening, this was a fun story to share with my own daughters, and after reading it once I was asked to read it again, which is always a good sign. On top of this though were some great messages about friendship that was wonderful to experience and as a parent it was a message that I live to share with my daughters, as the message really resonated with me and them, and I believe that all parents will find this to be similar in their own homes! A great story!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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OZ THE GREAT & POWERFUL

“Like” OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OzTheGreatAndPowerful

“Follow” OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL on Twitter: Twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Visit the website: http://www.Disney.com/TheWizard

Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful wizard but into a better man as well.

When small-time magician Oscar Diggs (James Franco) pulls one flimflam too many, he finds himself hurled into the fantastical Land of Oz where he must somehow transform himself into the great and powerful wizard—and just maybe into a better man as well.

“Oz The Great and Powerful” is produced by Joe Roth and written by Mitchell Kapner and David Lindsay-Abaire (credit not final). Grant Curtis, Philip Steuer and Palak Patel are serving as executive producers. “Oz The Great and Powerful” opens in U.S. theaters on March 8, 2013.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Men of Sunday

About the Book
Step into the locker rooms and living rooms of NFL players and personnel to see how a close relationship with God guides football’s biggest stars.

Compiled from dozens of interviews, Men of Sunday marks the intersection of two Sunday traditions: faith and football. Inspired by the league's "systemic shift" toward embracing Christianity, Bloomberg writer Curtis Eichelberger shows how God is a source of comfort when facing the unique challenges of life in the NFL and the everyday challenges of maintaining strong families and building character. Hear in their own words how the NFL’s greatest rely on their faith to overcome drug abuse, family crises, injuries, and temptations resulting from fame and fortune.

Featured personalities include

• New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson
• Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers
• Former Chicago Bears middle linebacker Mike Singletary
• Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis
• Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy
• San Diego Chargers pastor Shawn Mitchell
• Danisha Rolle, wife of former Tennessee and Baltimore defensive back Samari Rolle
• And many more

Men of Sunday's readers—"normal folks . . . who go to church on Sunday, come home to root for their team, and who live a righteous life . . . most days"—will learn to tackle their own obstacles by trusting the Lord.

My Take on the Book
I have read this author's writing before on Bloomburg, so I was familiar with him, but I have to say that I did not know what to expect when it came to reading this as it was a different angle than I had seen him write in before. As I got into the book though I could see that the strong writing that  have seen form this author continues in this book and his passion for football and the players in the game is definitely shown throughout the book.

If you are a fan of football, you will definitely want to read this book. The author brings out the faith of many well known players and you get to see these players in a completely different light. They become more than just big names on the field, but real people dealing with challenges and tribulations just like the rest of us.

If you are a football fan, pick this book up, you will not be disappointed!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Travels With Epicurus

About the Book
Daniel Klein, the bestselling author of the writing team that created such critically acclaimed books Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar and Heidegger and a Hippo Walk Through Those Pearly Gates was faced with something of an existential crisis recently when, at the age of 73, his dentist told him he’d need to choose either a denture plate or tooth implants. If he chose the implants, he would have to undergo several painful orthodontic procedures spread out over the span of moths. If he chose the dentures, he’d be stuck with a “clunky old-man smile” and restrictions on what he could eat. Klein initially planned on going with the implants. Upon further reflection however, he decided against the drill and went to Greece instead.

TRAVELS WITH EPICURUS: A Journey to a Greek Island in Search of a Fulfilled Life (A Penguin Hardcover Original; On Sale: October 30, 2012; ISBN: 9780143121930; $20.00; 164 pages) is his meditation on that experience. With all of Klein’s trademark humor and wisdom, he reflects on what one of his favorite philosophers, the sage Epicurus, could teach him about embracing those pleasures available only later in life. Klein also learns much from those elderly Greeks with whom he spends time chatting with in tavernas, men who have learned to enjoy a more leisurely pace of life and whose age is seen as an emblem of distinction. In Greece, Klein writes, saying that a man “wears his age on his face” is a compliment. This is a useful tonic to those accustomed to the youth-obsessed culture of the US and Klein reminds us, as he reflects on both daily life in Greece and on the beliefs of classic Greek philosophers, that old age is something to be valued, not shunned.

A travel book, a witty and accessible meditation, and an optimistic guide to living well, TRAVELS WITH EPICURUS is a delightful jaunt to the Aegean and through the terrain of old age that only Klein could navigate.

About the Author
Daniel Klein majored in philosophy at Harvard and then went on to write jokes for various comedians, including Flip Wilson and Lily Tomlin. He is the author, together with Thomas Cathcart, of the New York Times bestsellers Heidegger and a Hippo Walk Through Those Pearly Gates and Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar. He lives with his wife in the Berkshire Mountains.

My Take on the Book
This was a great book that had so much humor within it and I have to say that it was a book that kept my attention from beginning to end! On top of this humor and wit though is a message that makes you think about your own life and how you are currently living and how you want to live in the future. I truly enjoyed the writing of Daniel Klein, and he did a great job at weaving a colorful tale with a great message within it. He also paints a vivid picture for all readers to enjoy! This is the type of book that you will not want to put down (at least I didn't) and you will come out in the end with a smile on your face and feeling uplifted!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Mega Swag Bucks Day

 

It's Friday! Time to celebrate, get pumped for the weekend and search your way to extra large SB bills. That's right, it's Mega Swag Bucks Day. Simply use the Swagbucks search engine for all your online searches, and you will have better odds of winning larger SB amounts starting at 20 SB and more. 

While there's no guarantee you'll win high value Swag Bucks every time, you can visit the Swagbucks twitter page (http://twitter.com/swagbucks) on every MSBD to hear from Swaggernauts like you who are winning big. If you're a winner, tweet a picture of your congratulations screen and include @swagbucks in your tweet. If TSG sees your tweet, he'll retweet it!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Under the Eye of God

About the Book
After decades of madness in the Bronx, Isaac Sidel visits the craziest state in the country.

Isaac Sidel is too popular to be America’s vice president. Once the New York Police Department commissioner, he became the most beloved mayor in the city’s history—famous for his refusal to surrender his Glock, and for his habit of disappearing for months at a time to fight crime at street level. So when baseball czar J. Michael Storm asks Sidel to join him on the election’s Democratic ticket, the two wild men romp to an unprecedented landslide. But as the president-elect’s mandate goes off the rails—threatened by corruption, sex, and God knows what else—he tires of being overshadowed by Sidel, and dispatches him to a place from which tough politicians seldom return: Texas.

In the Lone Star state, Sidel confronts rogue astrologers, accusations of pedophilia, and a dimwitted assassin who doesn’t know when to take an easy shot. If this Bronx bomber doesn’t watch his step, he risks making vice-presidential history by getting killed on the job.



About the Author
Jerome Charyn (b. 1937) is the critically acclaimed author of nearly fifty books. Born in the Bronx, he attended Columbia College, where he fell in love with the works of William Faulkner and James Joyce. After graduating, he took a job as a playground director and wrote in his spare time, producing his first novel, a Lower East Side fairytale called Once Upon a Droshky, in 1964.

In 1974 Charyn published Blue Eyes, his first Isaac Sidel mystery. Begun as a distraction while trying to finish a different book, this first in a series of Sidel novels introduced the eccentric, near-mythic detective and his bizarre cast of sidekicks. Charyn followed the character through Citizen Sidel (1999), which ends with his antihero making a run at the White House. Charyn, who divides his time between New York and Paris, is also accomplished at table tennis, and once ranked amongst France’s top Amazon10 percent of ping-pong players.

Jerome Charyn's web site:
http://www.jeromecharyn.com/

Jerome Charyn's Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/jerome.charyn

Jerome Charyn's Twitter:
http://twitter.com/jeromecharyn

Isaac Sidel's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/IsaacSidel

Isaac Sidel's Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/IsaacSidel

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Under the Eye of God blog tour site:
http://undertheeyeofgod.blogspot.com/

You can find this book for sale here!

My Take on the Book
This was an action packed, suspense filled thriller from beginning to end You will be kept on the edge of your seat as you read through this and the author keeps sending you on twists and turns, to keep you guessing. While I had never read any of this author's books in the past I was impressed with the rich description and the developed characters within the book. Overall this book has a little bit of everything in it for everyone and I for one was impressed and now plan to go and check out some of this authors' other books!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Product Review - The Christmas Web

About the Product
When it comes to preparing for the holiday season, things like home decorating, baking, party planning and purchasing gifts have typically been spearheaded by the woman of the household. But, with the rise of the “stay-at-home husband,” men are taking the lead when tending to household duties, including the holiday planning process.

Proud father, grandparent and former business executive, Kerry Grinkmeyer knows the importance of holiday planning – inspired by his loving family, Kerry has created a new product to help dads and their families prepare for Christmas – The Christmas Web.

The Christmas Web provides a way for fathers to not only establish a new holiday tradition, but to extend the Christmas morning experience, which often ends within 10 minutes of unwrapping gifts. The Christmas Web consists of three spools of yarn, used to create an actual web in one’s home – around window latches, chairs, doors and knobs – ending in a closet or cabinet which hold all Christmas gifts. The web is used as a guideline for locating one’s presents, and leads family members in and out of various rooms and spaces as they uncover their gifts in anticipation. The Christmas Web also includes a Christmas-themed story book for children, which tells a tale of how the Christmas Web came to be.

My Take on the Product
This was a very cool new addition to the holiday season and a great kit to bring your family closer this holiday season. I loved the story that accompanied the kit and the fun that it provides the family. I am especially looking forward to trying this out with my own kids this Christmas and seeing what they think as they have to search out their presents instead of just tearing into them this Christmas morning. I have to thank the creator for developing something that the whole family can enjoy, as it is through these special moments that you get the opportunity to become closer as a family and create traditions that last a lifetime!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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