Book Review: Memoirs Aren't Fairytales by Marni Mann

Memoirs Aren't Fairytales (Young Adult Edition)

by Marni Mann

Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description

WARNING: While intended for young adults, this book does contain drug use, strong language and graphic imagery. Reader discretion is advised.

"I could feel my chin falling toward my chest, my back hunching forward. My body was acting on its own, and my mind was empty, like all my memories had been erased. There was scenery behind my lids. Aqua colored water and powdery sand that extended for miles. I was never going back to coke. I wanted more heroin. And I wanted it now." 

In this Young Adult edition of her debut novel, Marni Mann tells the story of nineteen-year-old Nicole, who escapes her home of Bangor, Maine, to leave behind a haunting nightmare. Starting a new life in Boston, Nicole desperately seeks a fresh beginning to help erase her past. But there is something besides freedom waiting for her in the shadows--a drug that will take her independence away. 

Heroin. 

With one taste, the love that once flowed in Nicole's veins turns into cravings. Tracks mark the passing of time, and heroin's voice grows louder. It holds her hand through death and prostitution, but it's her addiction that keeps her in the darkness. 

When her family tries to strike a match to help light her way, Nicole must choose between a life she can hardly remember, or a love for heroin she'll never forget.

My Review

Memoirs Aren't Fairytales is a fiction story about addiction told from the perspective of nineteen year-old, Nicole. While the book contains graphic material about drug use and sexual assault, I think it was necessary to get a truthful look at an addict’s life.

Nicole’s drug use begins with marijuana and then escalates to harder drugs when she moves out of her hometown of Bangor. Nicole and her best friend Eric start a new life in Boston and wind up in a downward spiral once they get hooked up with drug dealers and heroin.

Nicole resorts to prostitution to keep up her habit and nothing in her life can shake her up enough to get help. She loses friends to this dark addiction, gets physically and sexually hurt, and betrays the ones who love her the most. All she craves is her next fix.

I was incredibly impressed with author Marni Mann’s debut novel, Memoirs Aren’t Fairytales. You truly get caught up in Nicole’s life, and it feels as though you are reading her memoir. This work of fiction is a realistic portrayal of the ugly and desperate life of someone who is being controlled by a drug addiction. I appreciate the ups and downs in this story because with addiction, there never is a quick mend or perfect ending. I am eager to read book two of The Memoir Series, Scars from a Memoir.

GIVEAWAY - 3 Month Conscious Box Subscription

I love the idea of subscribing to Conscious Box and receiving a variety of all natural products from reputable businesses. It gives me the opportunity to discover new organic and vegan items. Plus, fun monthly themes and healthy tips in each box.

How Does Conscious Box work?

Conscious Box is the best way to discover the most ethical and sustainable products on the planet! Focusing on strict tenets of organic, fair trade, and pure and natural products, each month Conscious Box will introduce you to healthy and honest alternatives for every aspect of your life and for every member of your family. Discover the best natural products, earn points for leaving feedback and reviews, and buy your favorites at incredible discounts!


I am thrilled that Conscious Box has given one of my readers the opportunity to WIN a 3-month subscription. That is a $59 value.

AND they are also offering my readers a 25% OFF discount to any Conscious Box subscription. Use code: LOVELIFE

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Crazy Dumplings Virtual Blog Tour

Today, I am hosting a tour stop for the Crazy Dumplings Virtual Blog Tour. Author Amanda Roberts has created a Kickstarter campaign for her upcoming cookbook, Crazy Dumplings. Below you will find information on Amanda's exciting project and detailed information about how you can participate.

From Amanda

Crazy Dumplings will contain 30 of my original dumpling recipes plus 5 dumpling recipes submitted by backers, the dumpling wrapper recipe, and several original sauce and dip recipes such as buffalo sauce, guacamole, and salsa. There are dumpling recipes for appetizers, main courses, and desserts. You could even prepare a whole Thanksgiving dinner totally out of dumplings with this book!

I am self-publishing this book, but cookbooks (largely due to the cost of a photographer and testing recipes) are far more expensive to produce than regular books. This is why I am turning to Kickstarter for help. There are some great reward levels including a digital copy of the book at only the $10 level, a physical copy of the book at only the $15 level, and the awesome dumpling dumplinger at only the $20 level (the most popular level for this campaign). But at the $50 level, backers can even submit their own awesome dumpling ideas to be included in the book.

Crazy Dumplings Virtual Blog Tour 

Click here to view the tour schedule and follow along as Amanda Roberts stops at different blogs sharing her experience cooking abroad and some delicious dumpling recipes.

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Author Bio

Amanda Roberts moved to China in 2010 to live out her dream of becoming an English teacher. Little did she know that the hardest adjustment to life in a new country would be the food! After three years, Amanda is ready to release her first cookbook, Crazy Dumplings!


Join Amanda Roberts on her journey:

• Crazy Dumplings Kickstarter
• http://www.twoamericansinchina.com
• http://www.facebook.com/TwoAmericansinChina

Product Review: BODY WORKS

Energy is always something I could always use more of. I spend my days juggling the schedules of three children, which are all different, and working from home full-time. Like most busy mothers, I put the needs of my children before my own which means I don’t eat as well as I should, make the time to exercise, or get enough sleep.

When I was given the opportunity to review BODY WORKS, I grabbed it. I was intrigued by an all-natural energy shot that would help and not harm my body. When I think of energy shots, I think of the large cans loaded with sugar.

BODY WORKS shots contain all natural ingredients, amino acids, herbs, and vitamins. The shots come in a mixed berry taste and contain zero calories and NO sugar. I was skeptical. It sounded too good to be true, but I have to tell you, BODY WORKS is truly a high quality company with unbelievable energy shots.

There are six different shots to choose from: Energy, Sleep, Relax & Unwind, Wellness, Perform Under Pressure, and Sport. I received a six-pack box that contained one of each shot. The bottles are small and perfect to toss in your tote bag, purse, or backpack.

The first one I tried was the Energy shot! Within ten minutes or so of drinking it, I could feel a boost of natural energy. I was actually zooming around and accomplishing things. Both Relax & Unwind and Perform Under Pressure calmed my mind and I felt as though I had a comforting cup of chamomile tea. I think the shot that impressed me the most was the Sleep shot. Within fifteen minutes of drinking it, I was curled up on the couch napping. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to have a Sleep shot on those restless nights where you are tossing and turning.

I highly recommend the energy shots by BODY WORKS. The shots are affordable, tasty, and most importantly, they help you both physically and mentally. These products could do wonders for people who lead active lifestyles.

For more information or to order your own energy shots, visit http://bodyworksforme.com/ 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

UPDATE #2: 100 Things in 2013

31. Wash my van. - Done!

41.  Write 30 letters in 30 days. - Throughout the month of February I sent 30 pieces of mail which included all handwritten letters & postcards.

51.  Find a cheaper place to live in Olympia. - I talked to my landlord & was able to come to an agreement where I can stay in my current residence with a reduced monthly rent. AWESOME.


97.  Buy floor mats for my van. - After I washed my van & vacuumed the inside, I purchased floor mats. I feel fancy now.



To view my list of 100 Things in 2013, go HERE.

Enjoy the First Ray of Sunshine in Spring 2013

Enjoy the First Ray of Sunshine in Spring 2013

With the sun shining and the weather really starting to heat up, it's time to grab some new sunglasses. You can go for a conservative retro-chic look or something totally wild and colorful. Summer is coming so you will get a little more freedom than usual. Embrace it. Yes, Sunglasses have been a wide application around all groups of people. The main reason is that sunglasses play an important role in UV radiation protection. Indeed, millions of people around the world benefit a lot from the sunglasses.

In comparison, wraparound sunglasses are better choice for sunglasses because of their wraparound design. First, they will offer better eye protection by preventing UV rays from more than one angle, the front and the sides. Second, they can shield wind or other fine articles from reaching your eyes and cling firmly to your face. Third, they can make your face look smaller. Fourth, they will protect the skin around your eyes by covering larger parts of your face with their distinct shapes. All and all, these features undoubtedly make wrap round sunglasses an ideal choice for you to enjoy comfort and fashion at the same time.

But for the people who have vision problems, a pair of sunglasses is not enough. In this case, prescription sunglasses can provide an excellent service. Nowadays, prescription sunglasses have attracted more and more people and played an important role in our life. They are specially designed for people with myopia, hyperopia or presbyopia. Stylish prescription sunglasses not only provide you with a clearer vision but more importantly they put you in a position of fashion and vogue. If you have to wear prescription glasses and want to wear sunglasses, stylish prescription sunglasses are the very item you can lay your hands on.

Where will you get sunglasses? Purchasing online may be a better choice. You can buy the high-quality sunglasses at wholesale prices. The latest styles and designs will make you outstanding among the public. I love shopping at Firmoo because they carry interesting frames that mimic my funky personality. Firmoo should be one of your better choices. 

Firmoo.com is the world's most popular online eyeglasses store. Years of expertise in optical industry enable Firmoo.com to offer varieties of prescription eyewear to the consuming public in high quality yet at extremely affordable prices. The low prices in Firmoo.com never compromise the quality of eyewear while treating the quality and services to consumers as top priority.

Enjoy fashion & comfort at the same time. Now is the brightest time to buy sunglasses! 

Book Review: Faithful Shadow by Kevin J. Howard

Faithful Shadow
by Kevin J. Howard

Pages: 392 
Also Available in Ebook Edition
Publication Date: Aug. 8, 2012

Purchase Link: Amazon

Book Description

Faithful Shadow takes you beyond the splendor of nature to the terror that lies beneath, one that should have never been discovered. Yellowstone is suffering from the largest forest fire in the park's history. Ranger JOE RAND, once passionate about nature and now drowning in alcohol after the recent death of his son, notices something is very wrong within Yellowstone after a string of disappearances. But when a fireman is found dead in the Old Faithful Inn after falling into a hole earlier that day, his body mauled and deprived of all its fluids, Joe knows he has no choice but to set down his flask and investigate. Joe and Lieutenant DALE CAFFEY of the Billings Fire Department go into the woods to search the hole the fireman had fallen into. They discover a series of tunnels lined with bones, the air thick with smoke. Joe and Dale conclude that the creature that had killed the fireman had left its subterranean dwelling to flee the overwhelming smoke from the fire above. The creature takes shelter inside the Inn, concealing itself within the darkened crevices, emerging to feast on passersby. After staging an evacuation of the park, they lock themselves inside the Inn to hunt the creature. After just a short while it becomes frighteningly clear that it is, in fact, the creature that is hunting them.

My Review

Kevin J. Howard does not waste any time introducing readers to the horror that lurks within the forest of Yellowstone National Park. While the park is experiencing the largest forest fire in its history, visitors and locals begin to disappear without leaving much evidence of their existence behind. It’s up to long time park ranger, Joe Rand, to get to the bottom of this mystery while dealing with his own personal issues and alcoholism. With the help of fellow rangers and dedicated firemen, the group uncovers a darkness that shakes up their solid team.

Within the first few pages I was hooked on Howard’s story. I couldn’t help but get sucked into finding out about the evil that roamed Yellowstone claiming its inhabitants. I appreciated the realistic dialogue between the characters and the development that took place. The gruesome and eerie details kept me hanging onto each page wanting more and ultimately I was satisfied with how the plot unfolded.

Faithful Shadow consists of 392 pages. Sometimes in text heavy books, I find that I reach slower areas that lack excitement and I can confidently say that I did not experience this at all in Faithful Shadow.

DIY Green Crafts: Fishing Game

I've seen the green company,  Green Kid Crafts, on a few different parenting blogs and kept meaning to try them out. Last month they had an awesome special where the company offered their monthly art kit for FREE, you just had to pay shipping. Of course, I jumped on that deal.

I was super excited when the box arrived, and I found four different green activities for my son to make. Plus, a small bag of Annie's snack crackers, yay!

The first craft we chose was the fishing game. A fish template and colorful felt squares were included in the box. I'd like to mention that everything we needed for this craft was included except scissors.

Next, we attached one end of a stretchy cord to a pencil and the other end to a washer. Finally, velcro circles were stuck onto each side of the washer. Then, it was fishing time! We spread the fish on the ground, and my son "went fishing." The velcro pieces easily stuck onto the felt fish. A cute craft!

Next week I'll be posting about another activity from our "Food Adventures" themed box.

Learn more about Green Kid Crafts on Facebook and Pinterest!

DISCLAIMER: I wasn't hired or paid to write about Green Kid Crafts. I paid for the product and chose to do my own write-up.