M.A Grace's Blog, page 7

Book Review: The Boy Who Played With Dark Matter

Zeddy, a 6 year old boy in the year 2099, finds himself setting out on an incredible adventure following the mysterious disappearance of his father. Zeddy discovers that there is more to the world than meets the eye and things in the universe that he never imagined. As the journey begins, Zeddy encounters sorcerers, strange creatures from another world, and a professor who may just hold the answers to the location of Zeddy's father. Unfortunately in 2099, the world is a much different place than now. An International Government rules the planet and attempts to thwart the search for Zeddy's father. Will Zeddy's adventure continue or will his father be lost forever? This action-packed adventure will entertain both young and old as the harrowing saga of the Count of Monte Cristo continues. Book 11 takes us into the future of the Count of Monte Cristo series leaving readers waiting for book 12 to understand the connection to The Sultan of Monte Cristo (book 2) and That Girl Started Her Own Country (book 6).

 About the Author   Who is The Holy Ghost Writer?   
The mystery of the identity of the author is part of an international contest. The first person to discover the identity of the HG Writer, from the clues found in the Count of Monte Cristo sequels, will receive a reward of $ 1000. Write to prize@ sultanofmontecristo.com in order to win this reward along with letting us know the clues that led you to discovering the identity of the author. Should the winner wish his/ her discovery to be known in the press, he/ she may request same. Those that already know the author or have worked with him/ her will not qualify. 
Good luck.


MY REVIEW

One thing about the Holy Ghost Writer is you never know what to really expect from them. However, you do know that the story will be unique and out of this world. Well this story takes you a bit further out of this world. Following an idea of a children's book with fun adventure, characters, and a boys adventure to find something lost you are also met with a very intelligent science fiction feeling as well. Having the two clash together in the typical writing of questions and unanswers the Holy Ghost Writer gives us yet another sneak into the growing list of books in the Count of Monte Cristo series. Having the books out of order makes you wonder  more and with only 3 available reads you'll just have to keep coming back to put together the puzzle of  who the ghost writer is but also of how all of the Count of Monte Cristo series is connected. Very quick and enjoyable read. Can be finished over a decent amount of time for a lazy or rainy afternoon.

Book Review: That Girl Started Her Own Country

Book Website
International Playgirl Zaydee finds herself in the midst of a crisis fueled by international intrigue, multinational corporate greed, and a convoluted legal system. Imprisoned for computer hacking, this brilliant jet-setter becomes an international media celebrity as she defends herself, an unknown girl labeled Princess Jane Doe,
against unknown charges. With complicated and shadowy plots brewing, the book is lush and captivating and perhaps the best addition to the series yet.




 About the Author   
Who is The Holy Ghost Writer?   
The mystery of the identity of the author is part of an international contest. The first person to discover the identity of the HG Writer, from the clues found in the Count of Monte Cristo sequels, will receive a reward of $ 1000. Write to prize@ sultanofmontecristo.com in order to win this reward along with letting us know the clues that led you to discovering the identity of the author. Should the winner wish his/ her discovery to be known in the press, he/ she may request same. Those that already know the author or have worked with him/ her will not qualify. Good luck.





My Review I've read the story and I've read others reviews about this story. Personally I found the story very strong willed. The strength of the main lady in the story is almost empowering. To think someone could be handed such rough luck and turn it around so well all while falling in love and having a mystery solved. It is a very easy story to read and it contains enough pull to keep you reading until you run out of words. This is part 6 of the series and the only pre book before this is part 1. 2 thru 5 are not released yet but I don't feel that it pulls you away from the story to much. Its a very quick read but a lovely read. I can't wait to see what happens to Zaydee and Larson next.

Book Review: Fat is all in your Head

Why "FAT...HEAD"?
If you think about it... the actions that made us fat all started out as thoughts in our head. 

So, the next logical question is, “How many of us really control how we think?” 

Dave’s knowledge of the human mind allowed him to get rid of over 50 lbs. of his own fat and also teach others how to take control of their health, and their lives, by changing what goes on in their head.

Why Small Decisions?
Life is a series of small decisions. That is how people get fat and it is also how we can get back into the best shape of our lives. We know big changes don’t work. Simple changes have the best chance for long-term success. 

In this book, Dave shares insights from his own journey along with 101 of the best ideas for amazing health with you.
Book Website



 About the Author:
d.Mark “Dave” Wheeler 
BS-BioPhysics, BSME, MBA, DTM

Dave Wheeler is an award-winning speaker whose topics include mindset conditioning, performance psychology and personal fulfillment.

Dave is an expert on “How your mind works” and is known for his keynote speeches which help audiences take control of their minds while achieving greater success, satisfaction and fulfillment.





 Author's Website




MY REVIEW I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it cover to cover with wide eyes, a pencil, and a notepad. About an hour or so later I was done with the book and had 3-4 pages of notes on how to improve my life. Not just how to lose the extra weight but how to stop talking my self out of doing the things I know I need to do. This book provided easy to read and easy to understand small steps that can be done at ones own pace. You can add twenty of the tips at once or you can add one. It really doesn't matter as long as you add something and start moving.  Dave doesn't just write down and tell you this is how it is he goes through it with you. He has been there he gives you real life situations where he himself was in the position you'll find yourself. How hard it is but how great it feels to accomplish. I did not write down all 101 tips. Either because I don't plan to do that or I'm not ready to face the fact I need to do that. But I do have over half of them wrote down and a handful of them are already in my daily routine. (I've lost 2.5 lbs in a week just by adding small things to my daily lifestyle. All of the things I was doing are listed in this book.) I highly recommend this book for people who want to start bettering their lives but don't know where to start at. The only thing missing is a reference or list of some easy exercises to start off with. Great book. 



MAKE SURE TO GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!!!
Or on Barnes and Noble

Book Review: Quexistence: The Quest for the Meaning of Existence

Quexistence: The Quest for the Meaning of Existence
Time Dreams is the story of one man’s search to find the meaning of his existence. It is a story of adventure, fantasy, dreams and love. While Angie assembles and decorates the family Christmas tree, Gork shares his story of how he met Angie’s grandmother, Amani. Gork has been studying prehistoric history at college and goes to California to volunteer at an archaeological site near the Calico Hills. No one knows where Man came from or how long he’s been on this planet. Gork hopes to find some insights on the origin of Man. He is met at the airport by Charlie, who has lived in the area for many years, and is helping at the site. During the drive across the desert, Gork has his first dream, a dream that takes him to another time, another world. In his dream he sees a girl, the girl of his dreams, Amani. Gork travels through space and time, compelled to follow his dream. His dreams take him back to a time and place long forgotten. While in reality he discovers an underground cavern that holds the secret to Man’s past. A secret buried in Time.



About The Author
Tom Stafford arrived on this planet many years ago. He has been haunted by nightmares of flying monkeys for most of them. He studied at the University of Iowa, where he first had visions of writing "Quexistence: The Quest for the Meaning of Existence".

He was blessed with two daughters, before God sent him an angel, along with her three daughters. They were married with five little girls standing at their sides. And now, his five daughters have grown into beautiful women, and they have blessed him with eleven grandchildren.





MY REVIEW!!!
If you’ve never thought about why something happens, or questioned existence of something you will. This is a wonderful story of questioning where things came from and why things happen that pushes back the boundaries of free thought and fills the extra space with questions you have no answers too. As we follow Gork in his story of eternal love that he is telling his granddaughter Angi you are given a heavy dose of how questions can drive a man to adventures of a lifetime. You learn the events and the dreams that brought Gork to the girl of his dreams Amani. But Amani is not only his dream girl but also a girl he meets in real life and is instantly in love with. This book is well crafted with enjoyable characters, story line, and details to help make you feel like your Angi hearing the story from your own grandfather. Or even Gork and witnessing the story first hand. Either way it will have you thinking and questioning many things by the end, if not sooner. A very enjoyable read for a rainy afternoon or leisure morning.




Buy your copy today!

The goal to lose weight....

As each new year comes up to play most of us have one common goal for the upcoming year. That is to lose weight. But we don't know how to start. Or we fail within a few days or weeks. Things come up and its just to hard to pay attention.

Well I myself am hoping to lose weight in 2013. Like 90lbs worth of weight lol. That is almost 2lbs per week for the whole year. Talk about a crazy goal lol and I thought my 100 books read in a year was going to be my hardest goal this year.

In order to help me do this insane stunt of exercise and eat right I enlisted in a few websites. Most of which have apps on my phone that make tracking and logging easy.



I've not used Shape Up Club yet. I just made the account. But from first glance it appears to be a diary to write down all you ate for the day and it will track your calories for you. It does have an option to purchase a GOLD membership to track more information and to show you how your lifestyle and diet are. But I don't see anywhere to add friends. (Iphone App)



I LOVE LOVE LOVE Myfitnesspal.com it lets you track your food intake, how much sugar you intake, or fats, etc. Whatever you want to track. It keeps track of calories for you. You can put in your exercise and it automatically adds the burned calories back to your daily intake. You connect with friends, have multiple discussion boards, and it connects with other apps you may have already. BodyMedia FIT, Endomondo, Expresson Exercise, FINIS Swimsense, Fitbit Aria, FitBit Tracker, MIO Active, runtastic,runtastic pedometer, RHYTHM pulse, Striiv Play Smart, The Withings.  (Iphone App)



Withings could be a good app. I haven't used it yet. Withings also has their own scale so your phone syncs to your scale when you weigh yourself every day or every week. However often you weigh yourself. I don't have a Withings scale yet nor do I know how expensive they are so I'm not sure what all you can do with the app for free yet. Will update you later when I get around to buying their scale and syncing up. (Iphone App)








FitBit is another site that syncs to multiple devices you can buy. The devices are pretty expensive for my budget. (I can't afford $60 trackers and $130 scales) Fitbit does have a space to add friends, join communities, and have discussion groups. The Premium version gives you extra reports, gives you a personalized training schedule and lets you rank against your peers. This does sync also with MyFitnessPal.com account. (Iphone App)


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Runtastic has a basic and Gold membership. Gold offers you the ability to compare with friends, discounts on training plans, reports, and other workout things. Runtastic is more of a tracking your workout and tracking your running/walking type thing. You can buy a runtastic watch that you can sync with this account. Also your MyFitnessPals.com account does link to this one. (Iphone App. Free and Pro versions)


Endomondo is another workout tracker. This lets you connect with friends, track workouts, join challenges, discussion groups, keeps track of events like walking and running marathons, has a calendar to keep track of your own training and workouts. It also syncs up with multiple other sites including withings, MyFitnessPal, Nike+, and FitBit. To get a premium membership ($20 a year) you get access to weather conditions, your heart rate range, you can compare yourself to friends or other Endomondo members, you can compare your workouts to see how you're doing or where you should change things up, training help, and you get to keep records of your personal best items. (Iphone App, Also confirmed available on Android as well)



Most of the pictures if you click on them will take you to MY personal account/profile on each site. We can link of up and be friends. On those I couldn't link to my profile it just takes you to the site. Here is a small list of other places I am at:


Nike+: http://nikeplus.nike.com/plus/profile/DarkenScorpio/ DailyMile: http://www.dailymile.com/people/gracie_t_frankl#ref=tophdRunningFreeOnline: Along with online sites and profiles I have a ton of Fitness Iphone apps as well

Virtual TrainerNexercise (This one lets you connect with friends so let me know if you get it)Fitness TipsPedometerPedometer UltimateDB TrackerIRunnerRunTraineriSmoothRunRunner Lounge (Not liking this one very much)RunHelperGymPact (This one lets you earn money by going to the gym) AthleteIdeal WeightFitMeisterSocialCycleSocialRunnerIBikerRace MeRunTarget
Hopefully you will be able to find one of these or a couple of these helpful in your fitness goal too. Remember losing weight is a combination of eating healthy and exercise.



My Goal : I want to lose 90lbs by Dec 31st.
What is your goal for 2013?

Looking Forward to 2013

As one year comes to a close we look forward to the new slate and clean starts that the year upcoming is providing us. We make resolutions that we plan to stick to. Most common ones are to loss weight and exercise, to quit a habit, or spend time with people we haven't lately.




A new idea on facebook has suggested to people to make a happiness jar for 2013. Every time something good or happy happens write it on a small piece of paper and drop it into the jar. At the end of the year take your jar and reread everything good that has happen to you during that year. Which I think is a fabulous idea!!


Along with this idea came my own idea. We as humans tend to remember bad experiences more often then good ones. So if I have a failure or a grudge or something come up that is negative to me I am going to write it down and put it in a shoe box. Through the whole 2013 year. So if I get a bad review on my book I write it down or print the review and put it in the shoe box. Now when the end of 2013 comes I will not read these problems and upsets. I will go in my back yard and dig a hole to bury them in. I will learn from my mistakes but I will not let them follow me into 2014.






So my New Years Resolutions are as typical: 
Lose WeightExercise MoreEat HealthierSpend lessBe more proactive in my lifeConnect with friends and family moreBe the best person I canLearn something new


What are your New Year Resolutions? 

Winter...The season of sickness....

Well it never fails for me. I have to get sick multiple times during each season. This last year I haven't really been sick to much. I mean other then a few female times that we wont get into. I was thinking alright the move to the warmer weather has been good for me. The tempature doesn't change to much and so I am good to go....

NOT!!!

HELLO SICKNESS! UGH I feel horrible today. Congestion in the head, body aches, shifting from hot to cold, sinus pressure, ears draining, scratchy through, starting of a cough, heavy chest, upset stomach, overactive bowl movements, IT SUCKS!!!

And thus  I am reminded that my husband is super man against germs while I am the sponge that soaks them all up...


Well on other news... I released my newest book a few days ago.

Available on Amazon: Link to Buy

Also I've gotten a good bit done on Turning Pages new website (CHECK IT OUT HERE) I've joined up with a bunch of other author friends in a new group you'll learn more about over the weekend. I've got some organized progress going with Xchyler Publishing (Oblivion Storm Releasing 12-12-12)
I've got a good process going with the newsletter for Turning The pages as well. If you want to get in the newsletter send me a message to (turningthepagesbooknews@gmail.com)
Still need a lot of people willing to do book reviews and join the book club. You can learn more about Turning the pages on the blog.
I've also started writing more on my other books, started a few new short stories, and writing Sports articles for YAHOO VOICE. Could really use some fans and subscribers on my Yahoo Voice Profile :)

Also if you haven't voted in the BOOK OF THE YEAR 2012 contest yet go vote!! 140 books are up for nomination and 3 of them are mine!!!
VOTE NOW!

Are you guilty of this? And which NFL teams do you downgrade?

WOOHOO!!! I love sports, I love writing about sports, and I love being published. SO send me some support and go check out my article on Yahoo about how we Overlook and Misrank NFL teams. 
http://voices.yahoo.com/overlooking-misranking-nfl-teams-11917296.html?cat=14

Time management is not my strongest ability...

If you are anything like me it seems that you can run 200mph during the day and still not make any progress on your to do list. I always have a list that could probably wrap around my whole house a few times. And I never feel like I get any of it done. Even though I do.

Between all my jobs (Stay at home wife, Author, Owner/Manager/Marketing Director/Promoter/Scout of Turning the Pages, Marketing Assistant for Xchyler Publishing, Mother to our two dogs who I treat just like children, Cleaning lady...etc ) I have a constantly large and constantly growing list. I feel guilty sometimes when I walk away but I have to otherwise I'd be bald, with dark circles, and jacked up on sugar with no sleep for a week getting it all done.

Don't get me wrong. I love everything I do. I love the people I meet and help. I just need to find a way to make it all mash together. So I did. On Monday-Friday (Minus major holidays) from the time I wake up (between 7 and 9) till 4:30pm I work on Turning the Pages and Xchyler Publishing promotions. My lunch break is 12-1 when my husband is home and I fix him and me something to eat. Friday Mornings I take a short break to pay all upcoming bills and dues. Saturdays and Sundays are for time with Family and Friends and to clean house and do yard work. From 4:30 - 10. It is Hubby time and cook dinner time and watch tv or play video games time. 10-11 it is bedtime.

Busy busy bee. Problem is I don't like my schedule and I can't figure out a new one that I like either. Which is the reason for this post.

Does anyone have a good system they use to try to set up a schedule? Do you have a special program or trick you use? Obviously I'll hang out with my current schedule till I find a way to fix myself a new one I like but any extra ideas and input would be lovely.

Recently posted Amazon Reviews by me

 These reviews were put on Amazon today. They will have their own post coming. And they will be cross posted to the following locations where applicable:

Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
Shelfari
My Review website
Tumblr
Pinterest
And others to come..
Enjoy them here now though :)




Book of Death – S. EvanTownsend

S. Townsend has done it again. Bringing you an action packed book that will not disappoint. You may already know who the villain is but it won’t stop you from wanting to read on and find out what trouble our agent gets himself into this time. Also how can he get out safe? With a mix of magic, military and the famous blood thirsty vampire on his tale you will be on your seat edge through each eager page flip. What better way to spend your afternoon then watching a true action film in your head? (no this is not a movie though it probably should be).









One Eyed Jack –Christopher Lynch
 
Make sure you have a full afternoon to enjoy this read because you won’t put it down once you open it. One Eyed Jack is one of those stories where you end up pulling for the villain. Intense and gripping book that pulls you in more and more as you flip each page with great descriptions and very realistic and well-rounded characters that don’t let you go. A perfect book for any reader fan and even a good choice to convert people into reader fans.






Children of the Enemy– D. J. Swykert
 
*WARNING: NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 16 OR WEAK OF STOMACH OR HEART. USES FOUL LAUNGAUGE, DESCRIPTIVE ABUSE, AND DEALS WITH DRUGS*
This is a down right in the dirty world gritty tale. I almost had to stop reading it myself because it was just so descriptive I didn’t want to know this stuff was still around. But it is and I finished the book just to find out how it all ended. There are no veils to protect your mind from what it is about to read and not hidden truths. Everything is in black and white and thrown in your face for you to take notice. Parts are even bone chilling to know what people live with and through. And some don’t live through. From the first page you are sucked into the world of Drugs, Abuse, Bad Choices and revenge.







Of time and Place –B. R. Freemont
 
A real question on life and the real consequences from your actions. As you slowly read through this story (And yes I did have to read through it slowly to understand and because parts of it were very drawn out for me) you start seeing firsthand how one choice can make another person’s options change. And how you are pulled more and more into choices and decisions and how each outcome could or could not happen. Even if we think we know how it will go it doesn’t always do that. This book takes some time to really warm up and get into it but if you have a rainy day with a few free hours plop down in your favorite big cozy chair with some coffee or hot coco and dive into this book. You probably won’t look at your own choices the same again.






Don’t call me Angel -Alicia Wright Brewster
 
Novella’s take a skill to write. They give you more insight then short stories but also are cut short of novels giving you less time to really connect with the characters in the tale. I find this to be great story but rushed to fit so much into a small space. Six is strong and I would have loved to know more about her. But as it stood I felt she wasn’t developed enough and made it hard to connect to her on any level. I found the relationships to be unclear. Ultimately the story is good and descriptive but to short. I would have much preferred reading a longer story that let me connect and understand the characters more. I will be looking for more from Alicia in the future though as I find her writing style is wonderful. I just want more of it.








Wild Princess – Mary HartParry
 
I understand we have to change things. I understand that a story is more enjoyable to more people if we fudge some of the facts. But to just throw out common known facts about the life of the family you want to portray is disrespectful in my mind. I don’t know if they needed the facts to be different because of some random reason or if they didn’t do research or if they were looked over in editing. But I can’t give a book a high review when they take the story they are telling about real people and just make it up. Even though they do disclose that the story is a work of fiction in the beginning. I was hoping for a bit more truth behind the characters.





Queen Morgana and theRenfairies – Teel James Glenn
 
This book has it all. This was the first of Teel James Glenn’s books I have read but it will not be the last one by a long shot. As you read through the comedy, love, hate, passion, and adventure you will find yourself with a mix of emotions that will just keep you reading on. The characters are very well detailed and alluring you into their lives as they float through the story with ease. All around a great book and one that I’m sure it will have you hooked as a Teel James Glenn fan. It hooked me.







Dark Inspiration – RussellJames
 
Trouble really does seem to prefer some people over others. And this book proves it. After a new move for a fresh start things just turn the opposite direction and become even worse. Keeping me on the edge of my seat from page to page I couldn’t put the book down. I think nightmares could come from part of the sections of this book. As dark forces are at work and creepy sounds with unknown origins are heard you get to follow along as secretes are unturned and the truth is slowly unveiled. You will find yourself so caught up in the book you could experience goose bumps, random acts of jumping in your seat, and the possible even shriek of surprise. The ending will blow your mind and then you’ll just want to reread the whole book and lose yourself again.  






Forged in Flame –Anthology by Xchyler Publishing
 
Was a bit iffy I’d enjoy this as much as I did because I am not into the steam punk style. I honestly just think it is a bit weird to me. However, this book was right on the mark for me. I loved the different stories and styles. The tales and adventures. I am so glad I gave it a shot. Dragons are mystical creatures and these stories are no different. They pull you in from the first words and don’t let go till you’ve read it all. Each story offering its own unique adventure that leaves you wanting more even after the story is done. Just to jump into the next story and have it happen all over again. Looking forward to more Anthologies and books from these authors.


 

Forest of Shadows –Hunter Shea
 
A book that keeps me giddy and on my toes from the start to the end has me sold. Hunter does this. After reading what the book was about and looking at the cover the book was practically calling me to read it. So I obeyed. I was caught up in the web of characters pretty quickly and found myself peeking into what I thought their fates would hold and to have something change causing my theory to leave and be replaced over again. As his stew of clues, people, personalities, and bump in the night noises started to boil I felt myself want to jump in the pages and be part of the story. When the last page was turned I couldn’t help but want to read more. Hunter Shea is a new collection on my bookshelf and I think he should be on everyone else’s too.






Life is a balance -Philip Nork
 
Real. That is what you get when you read Life is a balance. (Or its earlier counterpart Misguided Sensitivity.) We have all been there and done that. Tried to fit into a new lifestyle, tried to find our path to the future, and tried to find and collect friendships and relationships on the journey. As we flip from page to page we are guided through Phil’s journey. He holds nothing back and unveils all leaving nothing protected. It isn’t thrown in your face but it is brought to the surface of the constant struggles and decisions we are faced with as we grow.