M.M. Hudson's Blog, page 72
August 19, 2016
Book Blast:Seer: The Ghost of Gray Fable by Eli Bloom #YA #supernatural #ghost
Fifteen-year-old Grace “Gray” Fable can speak to the dead. When her dad moves from Los Angeles to be with his mysterious girlfriend, Gray must attend notorious Willowbrook High School, the scene of a mass shooting five years earlier. When she meets the ghosts of those who died that tragic day – including the school shooter himself – she must uncover a dark secret to lay the victims to rest, and find peace for their families before it’s too late to stop another tragedy. A YA Supernatural novel.
Buy on Amazon Eli Bloom is a young adult author living in Los Angeles with his wife and three cats
– one named Grace, of all things. He believes in ghosts.
Follow the author's Website / Goodreads / Amazon
#Review: And One More Thing Before You Go...by Maria Shriver #selfhelp
Summary:
Graduating from high school is a big step for any girl. She is leaving her childhood behind and beginning the rest of her life. She is also leaving her mother’s protective circle of love and guidance. One of the greatest gifts a mother can give her daughter at this pivotal moment in her life is good counsel. In And One More Thing Before You Go...Maria Shriver, bestselling author, acclaimed journalist, First Lady of California, and mother of two daughters, provides a loving and heartfelt guide for girls as they go off to college.
Expanded from a speech given to her young friend Ally’s graduating class, Maria writes as a wiser, more experienced girlfriend, but also as both the daughter of a mother whose advice she still seeks and as the mother of daughters for whom she wishes a fulfilling and happy life. In this stirring and inspiring guide, Maria talks to young women about how to find abundance and emotional richness, and how not to overlook life’s most special gifts. Her ten rules—told in a witty and poignant anecdotal style—offer a firm grasp on what’s really important in life.
And One More Thing Before You Go... is a book that transcends age groups, a book that will make you laugh, cry, and open your eyes to a new way of looking at life. Thoughtful, compassionate, and above all, filled with love, And One More Thing Before You Go... is a book that will make every mother cry and every daughter stop and think about her mother’s words.
My Review:
Well known, former First Lady of California, Maria Shiver penned this book back in 2005 at the height of her reign. Upon an invite to an all female high school graduation, she gave a speech which is the essence of the entire book.
The message of her speech and her book was meant to be powerful,, uplifting, and motivating. She did seem to do that for the graduating class but I am not so sure for the book. I understood what she was trying to do and her words echoed at the heart of it but being over 10 years later since the book was written...well...
Overall though, I could not help to be a little empowered especially since our election process is in full swing. Her message was loud and clear that women can do anything they want to do but to get there, it takes work. It takes being able to change plans on the turn of a dime and yet, balance everything in ones life. Oh and she notes that everyone makes mistakes; site-ting a huge one she made as First Lady.
Overall, I think this is not her best book but for what she was trying to do with it, still ok.
Disclosure: I picked up a copy free from my local library. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.
Where to find the author:Amazon
August 18, 2016
#Review: Dearest Mother, Dearest Friend by Catherine Marshall #Memoir
Summary:
Based on personal journals and letters of beloved author Catherine Marshall, Dearest Mother, Dearest Friendis a collection of inspirational thoughts and about being a mother. A deeply devout Godly woman, Marshall's mother;Leonara Wood, was one of the most in influential people in Catherine's life--so influential in fact, that her real-life story was the basis for Marshall's most successful novel,Christy.Readers can catch a glimpse of their beautiful relationship in Dearest Mother, Dearest Friend.
My review:
This book is a sweet testament from author Catherine Marshall to her Mother. She chronicles her mother's arrival at a mission school all the way up to the present time prior to the author's death. The book has letters written to and from her mother through childhood, college, writing, children, and marriages.
The book surprisingly concludes with the untimely death of the author. The last mentions are from her own Mother who at the time of publishing in 2001 was then 92 years old and had outlived many of her own relatives including her author daughter. She laments briefly of her loss but as faith is strong for her, knows that she will see her again.
I give the book 3 stars.
Disclosure: I picked up a copy of this book for my own collections. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.
Where to find the author:
Goodreads
Note: Sadly this author is now deceased.
August 17, 2016
Book Blast: Angel Hero by Lizbeth Hartz #CrimeNovels #TrueStory
Dazzled by open-hearted Hawaii firefighter Vic Lazzarini, dispatcher Lizbeth is puzzled by his friendship with Jaku Cardoza, a little man who thinks he’s something big. Liz shakes like a palm frond in the trade winds when Jaku corners her in the alarm room and pummels her with sadistic stories. Gentlemanly Vic couldn’t be more different, and she dreams of romance with this Prince Charming she’s found after too many frogs. But a grisly crime in the gentle rain of a Hawaiian Valentine’s Day morning shocks her out of her fantasies and plunges her into the greatest struggle of her life. Liz knows one wrong move could snuff out her life quicker than she can say, “Fire Department. Are you reporting an emergency?” This is a true story. Names and descriptions, dates, and places were changed to protect the innocent.
Buy on Amazon"I spent 14 of my 36 years with federal civil service employed as a dispatcher for two military fire departments on Oahu. My true-crime memoir Angel Hero grew out of that experience. I live with my fiancé, Barry, in lush Manoa Valley above the University of Hawaii." Follow the Author http://www.authorlizbethhartz.com/ www.kwillbooks.com/lizbeth-hartz
August 16, 2016
Kid Lit Blog Hop-August 2016 #KLBH #KidLitHop #KidLit
We want to welcome you to the August 2016 Kid Lit Blog Hop. It's back to school time! Some kids are already in school, some are going soon. The kids will be bringing home great books from their libraries. How about you share some of those on our monthly hop or for that matter, any great kid's literature.
This month we welcome a new co-host, Bruce from the Bookshelf Gargoyle! We welcome you
aboard and so glad you are here with us!
This exciting, monthly hop, is where we develop an engaged group of people who love everything that has to do with children's literature. Everyone is welcome to join us: bloggers, authors, publicist, and publishers!
Have you seen the new Kid Lit Blog Hopper Facebook fan page. This page has all the news and information related to the hop plus ongoing posts, giveaways, news articles, etc. related to Kid's Lit. Check it out and of course, please like the page.
**This time around I am featuring the "Put Me In The Story" books. This one is Fancy Nancy. I love these books! Go HERE to find out more. ~M.M. aka Naila Moon**
So for our hop, please make sure that your posts are related to Children’s literature only and add it to the linky. (Please make sure to add your direct post only) If you are an author, feel free just to link to your blog.
Once you are done, then hop around to visit others. Please follow the co-host and visit at least the one-two people above your link. Please leave a comment when you do visit, we all like those.Also, it would be appreciated if you grab the Kid Lit Blog Hop Badge and display it on your blog and/or your post.We would also be grateful if you tweet and/or posted on Facebook about the blog hop. Let’s grow this wonderful community.
Our next hop will be September 21, 2016. Thanks for sharing your great children's books with all of us! The hostess will be around to see you. Happy Hopping!
Reading Authors, HostJulie GrassoBeachBoundBooksCheryl CarpinelloPragmatic MomThe LogonautsSpark and PookHits and MissesThe Bookshelf Gargoyle
August 15, 2016
#Review & #Giveaway: Fancy Nancy Tea Parties for Fancy (Your Child's Name Here) by Jane O'Connor/ Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glassner #BookTour #PutMeInTheStory
Summary:
Fancy Nancy, hostess extraordinaire, can’t wait to share her party-planning expertise with your little one! From recipes and crafts to etiquette tips and French lessons, this precious personalized book contains everything your child needs to throw the perfect tea party. A personalized letter from Nancy herself to your fancy kiddo? Oui!
My review:
When I was a little girl, I loved having tea (kool-aid) parties. I would line up all of my dolls and serve the tea to each of them. As I had only brothers, this was my time by myself without them bugging me.
When I was with my grand-daughter, we sometime would dress up and have fun. A couple of times we had "tea" parties too. That is why I am so happy to have received this book.
This book features, Fancy Nancy from the Fancy Nancy book series by the same author, except this time, the book has my grand-daughter's name and photo throughout.
In six short, little chapters, full of colorful photos, my grand-daughter is sure to love! She gets to learn how to put on the perfect tea party and dress up fancy. She even gets to learn a little French, which was fun for me as I know very little.
What I really thought was wonderful about this book, as if there is more to be wonderful about, the end of the book includes 12 spaces to write her own recipes and a graduate certificate. The certificate can be cut our and hung up and since it has my grand-daughter's photo on it, it is sure to make her giggle.
I love these Put Me In The Story books and this one is no exception to that fact. Magnifique! This lovely and fun book gets 5 stars.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.I am not responsible for prize shipment of the giveaway attached to this tour.
~M.M. aka Naila Moon
About Giveaway :Tour-Wide Rafflecopter Giveaway to win a Fancy Nancy Tea Party Kit!Fancy Nancy Tea Party Kit Includes:· Personalized copy of Fancy Nancy Tea Parties· Personlized TuTu Basket· Feather Boa· Children’s Tea Set
Rafflecopter HTML & Link: (giveaway ends 8/31/2016 at 11:59pm CST) http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp... a Rafflecopter giveaway
Where to find:
Fancy Nancy Tea Parties
About Put Me In The StoryPut Me In The Story, the #1 personalized books site in the U.S., creates personalized versions of bestselling books and books where you star alongside your favorite characters. Our gifts capture moments that matter and memories that last. With each touching picture and special dedication message, our readers have become our most dynamic characters.
Put Me In The Story inspires a love for reading, across all ages and generations, through the experience of shared, personalized stories.
August 14, 2016
#Review: Daily Downloads & Fortune Cookies from the Universe by Robert Clancy
Summary:Daily Downloads & Fortune Cookies from the Universe is your guide to enlightened thinking for a peaceful soul. Divided into nine uplifting categories — faith, hope, love, compassion, giving, peace, happiness, strength and leadership — each inspirational thought within those sections will help to center your spirit and encourage your compassion for humanity.
My review:This book is a collection of quotes meant to inspire the reader to something greater than self. It can be considered a self-help book of sorts.
The quotes are garnered from the author's own thoughts but also from others around the world.
The book is put together like one would write on lines pages with some pencil lined illustrations and scribbles.
Overall, a pretty decent book. Although, I read the book in one sitting, it is really meant to be read daily and reflected on.
I give the book 4 stars.
Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.
Where to find the author:
Amazon
Daily Downloads & Fortune Cookies from the Universe by Robert Clancy
Summary:Daily Downloads & Fortune Cookies from the Universe is your guide to enlightened thinking for a peaceful soul. Divided into nine uplifting categories — faith, hope, love, compassion, giving, peace, happiness, strength and leadership — each inspirational thought within those sections will help to center your spirit and encourage your compassion for humanity.
My review:This book is a collection of quotes meant to inspire the reader to something greater than self. It can be considered a self-help book of sorts.
The quotes are garnered from the author's own thoughts but also from others around the world.
The book is put together like one would write on lines pages with some pencil lined illustrations and scribbles.
Overall, a pretty decent book. Although, I read the book in one sitting, it is really meant to be read daily and reflected on.
I give the book 4 stars.
Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for my open and honest opinion. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours.
Where to find the author:
Amazon
August 13, 2016
#Review: Legendary Sport Events: The Olympics by Matt Christopher #MiddleGrade #Sports #Olympics
Summary:
Ask most Olympians how their story begins and they will answer, "When I was young, I always dreamed of going to the Olympics. . ." Some will then go on to tell of their great athletic triumphs. Others will recall agonizing near-misses. But for most, the very fact that they reached the Games at all was a dream come true. For the Olympic Games offer athletes something few others sporting events can: the chance to be recognized as the best in the world at a chosen sport.
With stories of great triumphs and great tragedies, the Olympics not only embodies the competitive human spirit, but also sets a stage stage for foreign relations and politics. Historical references combined with amazing sports stories give this book both an educational and exciting appeal.
My review:
I thought since it was an Olympic year (at this writing Summer Olympics in Rio 2016), it would be nice to read some books on the Olympics or athletes of the Games.
I found this author's book which gave a nice overview of the Olympic Games (summer and Winter) starting at the original in 776 BC. up through what was going to be the Beijing Summer Olympics Games in 2008.
The author runs through a series of years in eleven chapters giving information about stand-out athletes and tidbits of information.
Did you know that the original games barred women? The reason? It was because they were naked! Whoa!
I actually loved the information the author presented. He did not shy away from problems that have arisen either, including: shootings, bombings, bashings, and doping. Yes, it was all in there.
He also included the changes throughout the years and the reasons for them. One major one was the Games not being in the same year.
As I have seen many of the Games over the years, I remember a lot of what he wrote. It was obvious to me that he did his homework before he wrote. The only disappointing thing for me was not having more photos included, there was eight total. I thought it would have been nice to see some of the actual photos on the pages where he would talk about certain athletes. I think middle grade kids, who would be reading this book, would have liked to have seen more too.
Overall, not a bad book and very informative. I give it 4 stars for its comprehensiveness.
Disclosure:I picked up a copy of this book from my local library. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~M.M. aka Naila Moon
Where to find the author:
AmazonGoodreads
