Book Review: Toe The Line by Dick Hannah

Toe The Line

by Dick Hannah

Date Published: April 2012

Pages: 258

ISBN: 9781475079258

Wynn Johnston is a small business owner who actively participates in triathlons. He finds himself caught up in a homicide investigation after his best friend and business partner, Brian Wheeler, is murdered at the Sea-Tac Airport. As Wynn attempts to prove his innocence, a story unravels about his best friend and business that leaves Wynn feeling trapped, confused, and helpless. In the midst of all the madness, Wynn finds himself rekindling a romance with his ex-fiancé, Madison, that he felt was lost long ago. While Wynn slowly uncovers the truth behind Wheeler’s murder, his life is put into jeopardy.

For someone who has no interest in sports, I found myself completely wrapped up in this mystery that surrounded various triathletes. Dick Hannah has an inviting writer's voice that captures your attention with his descriptions of the characters and Pacific Northwest setting. Toe The Line is a suspenseful story that had me wondering who the guilty party was the entire time. I was fond of the main character, Wynn Johnston who juggled a plethora of nightmares and reacted to each one in a way that I found believable. I feel Hannah included just enough romance, thrills, murder, and athletic talk to make this novel a great read.

Guest Post: Gardening with your children

I've had such a busy week that I completely forgot to share my guest post that I wrote about gardening with my kids. Going Green with the Grizls featured my post on Monday, check it out!

Gardening with your children Guest Post by Sage @ My Name is Sage

Christmas in July - Crafty Chica Goodies

I've been known to gush and turn into a complete fangirl over certain things and people, and I am okay with that. On that note, I adore the Crafty Chica! Kathy Cano-Murillo is a talented, fun, down-to-earth, mom, artist and writer. I have been following her work for a few years now.

Kathy organizes the Crafty Chica Art Cruise every year and attendees receive a giant tote bag filled with supplies that would make any crafter squeal with delight. Last month, she hosted a giveaway on her blog for two of these tote bags and I won one!

Yesterday I received my goodies - Christmas in July for Sage!

The package included so many crafty items and I just cannot wrap my head around the awesomeness that is now mine. Along with crafting supplies, there are also three books, the annual cruise t-shirt, and my favorite, a Crafty Chica bobblehead signed by the lovely, Kathy Cano-Murillo.

I'm in fangirl heaven, friends.


I'm currently enrolled in one of Kathy's summer online courses, Get Motivated! 23 Ways to Turn Your Ideas into Action! and it is nothing less than inspirational.

If you don't know the Crafty Chica, you need to: /http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com/

Free to Love, 21-day Meditation Challenge

Meditation is commonly associated with relaxing the mind, but it also has many physical health benefits. Here are just a few of them:

• Increases blood flow
• Reduces anxiety attacks
• Decreases muscle tension
• Enhances the immune system
• Relieves PMS

Another appealing benefit of meditation as an artist and writer, is its ability to help with creative blocks and enhance the flow of your natural creativity.

I’ve held an interest in meditation for many years because I am a busy person, like most of you, and we all need an outlet to release stress and pressure. I practice yoga, so I am familiar with breathing techniques and the basics of meditation but I want to dig deeper.

I signed up for the Chopra Center’s Free to Love, 21-day Meditation Challenge. Today is Day 1 of the challenge and I am excited to make the time this afternoon to sit, listen to the audio from Deepak Chopra, and relax!

It’s not too late to sign up, and it’s free. You’ll receive helpful tips, an email reminder each day with a link to the daily meditation audio, and a daily centering thought.

From the challenge, “We have divided our Free to Love challenge into three themes. The first week will focus on "Your Pathway to Freedom," letting go of anything in the past that no longer serves us. Our second week is entitled, "Healing the Heart," looking at all the positive emotions that can emanate from the heart, provided we listen to its voice. Finally, we will focus on "Living in Love," from self-love, to love of family, and finally expanding our love into the world."

Chopra Center Meditation Challenge on Facebook.

Book Review: Compass by Erik Hansen

I recently reviewed Compass, New and Selected Poems by Erik Hansen. I haven’t read a book of poetry in quite awhile so I was happy to be so fond of Compass.

My Review

Compass, New and Selected Poems

by Erik Hansen

Author's page (Outskirts Press)

Date Published: April 2012

Pages: 66

ISBN13: 9781432786960

Compass is a collection of poems written by Erik Hansen from 1987 to present day. Hansen’s fondness for the outdoors is prominent in his poetry. His writing arouses the senses and sweeps you along a whimsical journey. Passion, nature, and nostalgia are the primary themes of Compass. The title perfectly matches the poetry. The poems navigate an excursion guided by the poet.

Hansen’s words feel natural and hold a beautiful rhythm. They invoke a multitude of emotions and paint alluring imagery. Each line dances together, creating an intense swirl of excitement. Compass is an invitation to Hansen’s world and each poem is an unlocked door for us to open, enter, and explore. It’s a magical place that I won’t forget.

Video: Swimtrainer in action!

Two weeks ago I posted my review of FREDS SWIM ACADEMY SWIMTRAINER. We’ve been enjoying pool time every week, so my son is getting lots of use out of his Swimtrainer. I also noticed how much he is kicking his feet in an attempt to swim. He also has more freedom to terrorize his big sisters in the pool! I took a few videos of him in the pool and wanted to share one with you. Reviews are wonderful, but it’s really great when you get to view the product in action.

Introducing Sage's Blog Tours

For the past eight years I've been running an online store called Sweet Candy Distro, where I distribute self-published zines, books, and magazines. It has been wonderful to work with a variety of creative people. Now that I have been steadily blogging this year, I have connected with quite a few independent authors. I've had the pleasure to review their books and share their work with my readers.

The experience has inspired me to start a new venture called, Sage’s Blog Tours. I will be scheduling blog stops for authors (or musicians and filmmakers) to help promote their work. I have three different packages for clients to choose from. 

I am also compiling a team of bloggers who are interested in being a tour host. This would entail reviewing the work and possibly doing an interview for our clients.

Maybe you can help me spread the word about Sage’s Blog Tours? I would be grateful for tweets, Facebook shares, blog posts or even exchanging banners with us. 

Here is the banner, you can link it back to http://sagesblogtours.weebly.com/ - Let me know if you post the banner on your blog so I can do the same for you.

Also, if you’re a blogger who is interested in being a part of our team, please fill out the contact info that is located on the website.

Exciting stuff, right?

Read what author, Kate Evangelista, has to say about Sage’s Blog Tours.

DIY: Nest Depots

My daughter’s second grade class spent their last few weeks of school learning about habitats. A representative from Olympia's Hands On Children’s Museum came to her school to talk about different animal homes and gave each child two Nest Depots.

Nest Depots are similar to birdhouses, but instead of being full of bird food they contain supplies birds can use to build their nests. The Nest Depots my daughter received look almost like square canvas frames for cross stitching. They included scraps of yarn, ribbon, and colorful craft feathers.

We have many neighborhood birds who hang out near our home so we hung up the Nest Depots on our back patio. We are keeping a list of the materials we used in the depots so we can track what the birds are taking and finding useful. We love helping out our local birds!

Bella watching the birds outside.

Empty Net cover reveal!

I am excited to be a part of this excellent cover reveal! 

Empty Net (Assassins #3) by Toni Aleo

Expected release date: September 11, 2012 self published.

Synopsis: 

Definition of an Empty Net: When a team pulls the goalie for an extra attacker, desperately seeking a goal.

Audrey Parker was in a horrible place.

She hated her job, her sister was getting married and moving out, but worst of all, she was in love with a total jerk. No matter what she did, every guy she met hurt her. All she wanted was her happily ever after. Her Prince Charming. Her Lucas Brooks! She didn’t know how to change her life but she knew she needed too.

Feeling like she was about to hit rock bottom, Audrey wakes up next to Tate Odder.

Tate Odder had lost everything.

After being brought up from the Assassins’ farm team, the Florida Rays to the Nashville Assassins, Tate hopes he’ll forget everything he has lost. He doesn’t. Each day gets harder to live in a place he doesn’t know. Even being the first rookie goalie to shut out an opposing team three times during the Lord Stanly Cup Finals, he still felt empty. With the loss of his parents and sister still heavy on his heart, Tate isn’t sure how to live like everything is okay.

But when he wakes up beside Audrey Parker, things start to change. She turns his life upside down with her kooky sense of humor and her bright clothing. She is intelligent and beautiful, and for once, he doesn’t feel empty.

Will Audrey be the person to fill the holes in Tate’s heart, making him whole again?

Or will another player ruin everything, leaving him feeling forever like an empty net?

Read the first chapter of Tate and Audrey's story here!

Toni Aleo - Author Bio

I am a wife, mother, and hopeless romantic.

I have been told I have anger issues, but I think it’s cause of my intense love for hockey!

I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!

When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughters dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, and reading the latest romance novel.

I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, and did I mention I love hockey?

Website | Facebook | Twitter: tonilovesweber6 | Goodreads

Get the first two books in the series, Taking Shots and Trying to Score!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Empty Net GR

The Assassin Series GR

Blog Tour Stop: Saving Mary: The Possesion by Deidre Havrelock

Saving Mary: The Posession

by Deidre Havrelock

Author's blog: http://deidrehavrelock.wordpress.com

Date Published: April 2012

Pages: 170

My Review

Saving Mary is a spiritual memoir written by Deidre Havrelock. Readers are quickly introduced to a young girl who is a recipient of abuse and dysfunction in her family. Early on, Deidre is sensitive to the paranormal and feels constantly watched by someone or something. She is consistently searching for guidance and help from God, but darkness seems to be more of a prominent presence in her life. Deidre experiments with a Ouija board and connects with a spirit named, “Fred” who stays with her for some time. The battle between good and evil is Deidre’s main struggle.

As I became wrapped up in the story, I had to stop and remind myself I was reading true events that the author endured. That reality made this book more intense. Diedre’s honest writing allowed me to understand the desperation she felt while she tried to reach out to receive God’s grace. She is persistence in her attempts to battle wickedness and simply be “normal.” I admire that about her, she is always striving to understand the entities and paranormal experiences, not ignore them or make excuses about them. I am eagerly awaiting book two of Saving Mary.

Deidre D Havrelock grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where she eventually met her husband to be, DJ. It was DJ who initially noticed Deidre’s dark state and worked to seek out someone willing to perform her exorcism. Eventually, the newlyweds found their way to the southern hot spot of Brooks, AB where Deidre began writing. From there the family trekked across eastern Canada to Moncton, NB where they learned to love French fries with cheese curds and gravy. Currently nestled in the hills of Kennewick, Washington, Deidre has two horses, one dog, three cats and too many rabbits…and let’s not forget her wonderful husband and three energetic daughters. Her memoir, Saving Mary: The Possession chronicles her dark childhood and the path that led to her demonic possession. She is currently working to finish book two of her spiritual memoir, Saving Mary: The Deliverance.


Author Interview

How hard was it for you to write such a personal and deeply spiritual book?
It definitely got easier as I moved along. At first I was pretty adamant about keeping everything a secret. I had become an introverted and private person. This doesn’t mean I was quiet. (Trust me, I definitely wasn’t a quiet person!) It just means I didn’t usually share intimate details of my life with people. I guess I didn’t want to have to explain everything…or anything for that matter. Actually, I didn’t want to give those events much thought at all. It all seemed too chaotic.  But as time moved on it became apparent to me that it would be healthier to talk about the events of my life. The first person I told was my aunt Glenda (along with my sister in law and cousin). My aunt then encouraged me to tell my dad. From there I slowly opened up to most of the people in my family.

Telling both family members and some friends about what had happened was difficult at first. I mean, can you image your niece or cousin or best friend coming up to you and telling you this bizarre story about spirits and possession? But in the end talking about the events of my life was incredibly helpful. Family members often related to my story (many of them have had encounters with spirits), and they encouraged me to write about my story. As I spoke out and began to write, I realized everything was linked together. My life wasn’t just a list of weird things that had happened. My life contained a clear linear line of development.  I realized I was a child who grew up with this profound hope in God, along with an intense hope for a spiritual life…and that something was dead set against me finding these things. In the end, I realized my life made sense and that it was actually a good life. This made me want to open up about it.

Would you say writing Saving Mary was therapeutic for you?
Writing the books provided the healing I needed…and the order I needed for what seemed like a chaotic life. I’m healed from being married to the devil and it’s not an issue at this time. I’ve moved on. I’m more interested in keeping an open and vibrant relationship with the Holy Spirit.

What books have you read recently?
Right now I’m reading Fresh Air: The Holy Spirit for an Inspired Life. I’ll be reading plenty of Holy Spirit books as I get ready for a conference I’m planning in May of 2013: MotherHeart Conference 2013: God is Family.

What is your status on the second book?
I will be spending my summer finishing book two (which is almost complete). I have a wonderful editor waiting to get her hands on it in order to ready it for the ebook market.

---

For the month of July, Saving Mary: The Possession is available for $.99
Purchase on Amazon or Amazon UK


Deidre Havrelock has kindly offered my readers an opportunity to win a FREE ebook copy of Saving Mary: The Possession! Fill out the rafflecopter below for your chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product Review: FREDS SWIM ACADEMY SWIMTRAINER "Classic" Orange

SWIMTRAINER is available in three different models for children ages 3 months to 8-years-old. I chose the “ Classic” Orange model for my son who will be three-years-old next month. We haven’t had much luck with the typical swimming aids so I was eager to try the SWIMTRAINER. What appealed to me about this product is the overall design that focuses on both safety and helping children learn to swim.

It was very easy to inflate and to put on my son. No struggling like with previous swimmers. The SWIMTRAINER has two different clip fasteners, and everything is adjustable, ensuring a snug and safe fit for your child.

As soon as my son entered the pool, he was thrilled. The first thing I noticed was how well the safety belt worked by preventing him from tipping forward. The safety belt comfortably covers his abdomen and gives him the support to stay afloat. He had fun holding onto the side of the pool and kicking his legs as though he were swimming.

He is happier during pool time because he has a bit more freedom to move his arms and legs in the kid’s area of the pool with his SWIMTRAINER. I am a lot happier because I know my son is experiencing the beginning skills in learning how to swim while being protected.

I would highly recommend this product to any parent searching for a swimming aid for their young child. I can’t rave enough about the quality of this product.

Thanksmama.com is family owned and operated natural baby store. They offer a great selection of cloth diapering products, potty training pants, swim diapers, natural baby care products, baby carriers, bibs, toys, nursery furniture and bedding, strollers and much more. They look for innovative products that are good for the baby and the environment and they never forget that most families are on a budget. That’s why Thanks Mama offers the Lowest Prices, Free Shipping on orders over $60 within USA, 90 days easy returns; Buy Safe Guarantee and Price Guarantee. Thanks Mama does ship worldwide!

Follow Thanks Mama on Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest or Google +. They host weekly Giveaways, Contests, Sweepstakes, Twitter Parties, talk about modern family fun and challenges, natural parenting and green living.