The Legend of the Christmas Cookie by Dandi Daley Mackall

I received this book from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: October 6, 2015

Number of pages: 32

Genre: Children's

Synopsis;

The Legend of the Christmas Cookie tells the story of a young boy named Jack who learns from his generous mother the story behind the Christmas cookie. The family who began the tradition of baking the special cookies gave them to the needy and shared the story of the very first Christmas. This sweet holiday book offers inspiration for readers to become cheerful givers themselves and encourages them to share the true tale of Jesus birth. A delicious recipe is included on the jacket flap so readers can make their own Christmas sugar cookies."

What did I think of this book:

This was a very touching book to read. From the first page to the last I enjoyed reading this book. The illustrations were very nice and colorful. They had a way of making the story come to life. Your kids will also enjoy the little puppy as he is just adorable. This is a good book to read to your children to teach them how to be caring and generous to others that may not be as fortunate as they are. There is even a recipe included so you can bake your own cookies and start your own tradition with your little ones. 

You Are Woman, You Are Divine: The Modern Woman's Journey Back to The Goddess by Renee Starr - Review/Guest Post/Giveaway

I received this book in exchnge for a fair and honest review

Published: September 23, 2015

Number of pages: 352

Genre: Personal Transformation, Religion & Spirituality, Women's Self Help

Synopsis:

The modern woman often does not know herself as a goddess; her feminine energy is out of balance and her divine essence has yet to awaken. But the time has come, right now, for women to know that being female is special, sacred, and divine. This inspiring, poetic and magically potent book will entice women of all ages to explore and activate their relationship with the divine, feminine and most sacred part of themselves―the goddess within. In You Are Woman, You Are Divine, Back to the Goddess founder Renée Starr takes women on an enchanting, empowering journey, offering ancient wisdom in a fresh, modern way to help woman reclaim all the beauty, grace, and strength that being female is. In Part 1 of the book, she leads readers back through history to revisit the reverence for women that every ancient culture possessed. From the dawn of pre-history, women were perceived as holy, sacred, and divine incarnations of the Great Mother Goddess. Powerful figures full of strength, wisdom, and leadership, women were the keepers of the human race, from which all life flowed. In Part 2, Starr retells in mesmerizing narrative seven of the greatest goddess myths from ancient cultures around the world: Ancient Egypt, Africa, India, Tibet, Ancient Greece, Lakota, and the Judeo-Christian Bible. Each myth presents a quality that modern women can restore back into their lives: Lilith (Power), Yemaya (Creativity), Tara (Stillness), Radha (Passion), Kassandra (Voice), White Buffalo Calf Woman (Wisdom), and Eve (Awakening). Accompanying each myth are anointing, bathing and lunar rituals, instructions for altars, invocations, meditations, and more to deepen their connection to their own inner goddess and inspire living as a goddess on earth. In Part 3, Starr shows women how to integrate the teachings of The Divine Feminine into everyday life, honoring the sacredness of their body and how to be in energetic, feminine balance. The book offers fresh, new ways for women to embrace their ancient and sacred traditions. It uplifts the spirit of any woman―from young womanhood to her elder, wise-woman years. It honors the Feminine spirit that all women can celebrate in themselves to rebalance the world. Readers will live more fulfilled lives and feel more confident, free and feminine…becoming the goddesses they were meant to be. Beautifully designed & illustrated; includes a foreword by Raquel Allegra, noted fashion designer.
Praise for You Are Woman, You Are Divine by Renee Starr:

“You Are Woman, You Are Divine is inspired. You can’t read it without feeling the presence of The Divine Femi- nine, the ancient goddess energy, moving in your bones. It is so beautifully written and woven together; I’m enthralled and I can’t stop reading it even though I should be packing for a trip. My suitcase sits empty as I turn the pages . . . . filling my soul with much needed food. Open this book and unlock the door to important myths, mysteries, goddesses and rituals that were lovingly chosen by Renée Starr. Her deep connection with The Divine Feminine leaps off the pages and enters the psyche in rich and meaningful ways. This extraordinary work brings us close to The Beloved, to Freedom and ultimately to honor our own Sacred–Self. I will give this book to my friends.”—Terry Laszlo-Gopadze, Editor of The Spirit of a Woman: Stories to Empower and Inspire “We live in a modern world where women are expected to achieve greatness, look perfect and made to feel like they are never enough. You Are Woman You Are Divine is a great handbook that gracefully leads women into “beingness” and less into “doingness” and ultimately into their divine feminine self. Through her writing, Renée Starr strives to guide women to restore their inner feminine light, create an energetic shift to claim peace, harmony and well-being. Through transforming ourselves, we can transform the world.”—Mary Ann Halpin, photographer and author of Fearless Women and Visions of a New World “Divine Femininity is a mystery, and the experience of it is always mystical. We can only speak about it in metaphor—it cannot be directly defined, but instead must be evoked from within. Renée Starr in her amazing book You Are Woman You Are Divine uses myth, storytelling, concrete examples, and ceremonial instruction to give the reader a roadmap for what she calls the “journey back to The Goddess.” Every woman would benefit from reading it, no matter how old. In my opinion, it should be required reading for every female high school senior so that she will enter her journey into mature womanhood fully aware of her own power, facing her destiny well-informed and metaphorically girded!”—Connie Kaplan, author of The Woman’s Book of Dreams, Dreams are Letters from the Soul, and The Invisible Garment

What did I think of this book:

I have to say the reason I picked this book to read it I was interested in what the author had to say. Thankfully I was not disappointed. She has filled this book with a lot of information that I will be going back and reading more than once. You will want to be sure to take plenty of notes on this. I like that she included journal prompts and rituals. Now I must confess I did not do many of the rituals but that is not to say that I will not try them in the future. I was just not ready for that part at this time, maybe on my second reading of it I will. This is a book I needed to read at this time as it helps you to make yourself feel special as you should feel. You will learn how to embrace your inner goddess by the time you are finished reading I know this book will not appeal to some but I encourage you to read it with an open mind and I think you will get something out of it.

Guest Post:

There is much talk of women being ‘in power’ these days, as more and more women take their place in the political and business arenas. But there is little talk of women being of power, which in my experience is truly a thing to behold!

What does this mean, to be a woman ‘of power’? It means that you recognize your inner, feminine power—which is something that cannot come from outside of you, and cannot be attained or achieved by something that you do. This power within you is natural, innate and infinite, and its source emanates from the most supreme, and most magnificent essence of all, The Divine Feminine.

A woman who is living her life from this place feels balanced, empowered, confident and strong. She knows that her womanhood is a thing of beauty. She fulfills her life purpose with grace and ease, leaving fear and doubt behind, and she sees other women as sisters, not rivals. A woman of power is aligned with nature, with The Goddess—and with her goddess-self. She recognizes the cycles of nature, and the cycles of the moon and sees herself in them. She flows with life. She radiates with light. And she is not interested in attaining power, for she knows that she possesses and has access to all the power she could ever want from deep within herself.

Do you know of your own power? It took me many years to become aware of mine, and my journey back to The Goddess was, in retrospect, a journey to discovering myself as a woman of power. Whenever I write of Goddess wisdom I feel this power rising in me, infusing my words its magic and blessings, and strengthening my inner, goddess-self.

When I wrote the chapter in my book on Lilith, a biblical/Sumerian goddess of extraordinary feminine power, I experienced my power in an intimate and surprising way:

In the High Desert of the Coachella Valley, in California I drove around and around in the night, looking for a spot to perform a ritual to infuse several candles with the essence of Lilith. I was waiting to hear her call, as she would cause me to stop and I would know that this was the place. My search continued for some time.

Lilith, I knew, was a desert woman, a hot, fiery goddess best sought out on a moonless night, under dark skies and in the wide open, endless stretch of land that is scorched by day and cooled by night. Suddenly, as if she had taken control of the wheel, I turned down a residential street and stopped in front of a public park. Not ever having been there before, I was amazed to find it was the perfect spot with several tall cottonwood trees that formed a semi-circle in a large open field that was half surrounded by mountains.

Taking the paper bag that held five black candles and two bottles of anointing oil—one blood red and one silvery blue—I made my way through the park to the tallest of the trees that was swaying violently in the strong desert winds. The winds had picked up tremendously by the time I kneeled down; they blew my hair into a wild frenzy, almost whisked my shirt right off of me and threatened to knock me over altogether. The Lilitu, the goddesses of wind and storms were here—and I knew this was the right spot.

I laid out the candles and oils in the cool green grass and looked around . . . it was almost midnight. I was in a strange place, alone, in the dark. I knew just how Lilith must have felt the night she left Eden as I, too felt the fear of the unknown mixed with the exhilaration of the wide, open space of the desert at night. Calling out to The Great Mother Goddess and to the dark goddess Lilith, I anointed my palms and touched the damp earth below me. I anointed my heart and looked into the dark night sky—black and studded with stars. I anointed my breasts and my lower belly and felt a sudden, primal surge of power run through me. It felt sexual, female, animal . . . yet it was also tinged with a deep and profound sorrow I could not name. In the dark of the desert night, a wild sound came up and out of me—was this the howl from Lilith? I know that something happened out there, alone in the dark of the desert night . . . I had met the goddess Lilith.

You are the embodiment of The Divine Feminine. And the time has come, right now, for you to know that being a woman is special, sacred, and divine. You are more than we think you are. So much more. You are a spectacular creature and you are beautifully built. You have been specifically designed to be a creatress, the bearer of our species, and to be powerful in the most feminine of ways. You carry within the space of your womb the Light of the world, which you birth anew every morning when you open your eyes. Your very existence makes the world lovelier!

Giveaway:

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About the author:

Renée Starr is a mythologist, sacred storyteller, life coach, and artist. A seeker of ancient Goddess and lunar wisdom for the modern woman, she offers classes, workshops, and Goddess Circles, as well as a variety of women’s retreats through her branded movement, Back to The Goddess. Her passion is to assist women everywhere to awaken to their sacredness, their inner goddess-self and rekindle a relationship with The Divine Feminine. She has her own line of herbal, ritual and Goddess products. 

Website: http://www.backtothegoddess.com/ 

Facebook: http://bit.ly/backtothegoddessFacebook 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToTheGoddess 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tothegoddess/ 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/backtothegoddess/

Buy You Are Woman, You Are Divine by Renee Starr:

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Indie Bound Book Depository 

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Cindy's Notebook Nov 17 Excerpt 

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What U Talking Bout Willis? Nov 30 Guest Post & Excerpt

Presence by Heather Graham

Published: December 28, 2010

Number of pages: 432

Genre: Paranormal - Suspense

Series: Harrison Investigations #2

Synoposis:

The ultimate moneymaking plan—buy the ancient, run-down Scottish castle and turn it into a tourist destination. Toni Fraser and her friends will put on reenactments combining fact and fiction, local history, murder and an imaginary laird named Bruce MacNiall.

Just as someone arrives, claiming to actually be Laird MacNiall—a tall, dark, formidable Scot somehow familiar to Toni—the bodies of young women are found, dumped and forgotten in the nearby town.

But even stranger, how is it possible this laird exists? Toni invented Bruce MacNiall for the performance…yet sinister, lifelike dreams suggest he's connected to the recent deaths. Bruce claims he wants to help catch the murderer. But even if she wants to, can Toni trust him…when her visions seem to be coming from within the very eyes of the killer himself?

What did I think of this book:

I just now realized this book was a part of a series when I was getting ready to write my review. Luckily I was able to read this as a stand alone as I did not feel lost at all. I am now awaiting a copy of the first book as it sounds just as good. This was also the first book I have read by Heather and I have to say I am hooked. I do not normally pick up paranormal books but I would not classify this as that type I would call it more of a suspense story but the added ghost makes it a paranormal I guess. The author had me hooked from the very first page right up until the end. She did a good job of leading you down the path of believing one person may have been commiting crimes/murders while questioning if it could be a second person then at the end she throws in a twist. I thought she did a good job with the setting and making me feel as if I was right in Scotland with this group of friends. This is a must read in my opinion. 

Harrison Investigations Series

#1 Haunted

#2 The Presence

#3 Ghost Walk

#4 The Vision

#5 The Dead Room

#6 The Seance

#7 The Death Dealer

#8 Unhallowed Ground

#9 Night Walker

#10 Killing Edge

Guaranteed to Bleed by Julie Mulhern - Spotlight and Giveaway

The Country Club Murders #2

Paperback: 268 pages

Publisher: Henery Press (October 13, 2015)

ISBN-13: 978-1943390052

Synopsis:

With his dying breath, Bobby Lowell begs Ellison Russell, “Tell her I love her.”

Unable to refuse, Ellison struggles to find the girl the murdered boy loved. Too bad an epically bad blind date, a vindictive graffiti artist, and multiple trips to the emergency room keep getting in the way.

Worse, a killer has Ellison in his sights, her newly-rebellious daughter is missing, and there’s yet another body in her hostas. Mother won’t be pleased.

Now Ellison must track down not one but two runaway teenagers, keep her promise to Bobby and elude the killer—all before her next charity gala committee meeting.

About The Author –

Julie Mulhern is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean–and she’s got an active imagination. Truth is—she’s an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.

Author Links –
Webpage – www.juliemulhern.com
Goodreads –https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8573907.Julie_Mulhern
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/juliekmulhern?ref=hl
Twitter – https://twitter.com/JulieKMulhern

Purchase Links –
Amazon
B&N

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Valley of Decision by Lynne Gentry

I received this book from Litfuse group in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: September 22, 2015

Number of pages: 400

Genre: Christian, Historical Fiction

Series: The Carthage Chronicles

Synopsis:

Every choice has a consequence in the explosive conclusion to the Carthage Chronicles as Lisbeth returns to third-century Carthage for a thrilling final adventure.

Thirteen years ago, Lisbeth made an impossible decision—leave third-century Carthage and her husband Cyprian behind for good. She knew it was to protect her daughter Maggie, so Lisbeth gathered the strength to move on with her life.

All these years, Lisbeth has thrown herself into her work and raising her headstrong daughter, all to live up to the promise she made to Cyprian. But Maggie is sick of being protected. In an act of teenage rebellion Maggie decides to do what her mother can’t—secretly returning to the third century on a quest to bring her father back, leaving Lisbeth no choice but to follow.

With Maggie’s surprise arrival in Carthage, chaos ensues. She finds her grandmother on trial for murder and attempts to save her, but instead the diversion sparks a riot that nearly destroys the plagued city. Only one thing will appease the wrath of the new proconsul of Carthage: the death of the instigator.

Will Lisbeth arrive in time to save her daughter from the clutches of Rome? How can God possibly redeem such a slew of unwise decisions and deep regrets? Filled with heart-wrenching twists and riveting action, Valley of Decision brings the romantic adventure epic, The Carthage Chronicles, to an electrifying conclusion.

What did I think of this book:

This book was a great ending to a powerful series. I did not want it to end. There was plenty of twists, turns and action and I found myself trying to read faster so I could see what was going to happen next. The detail the author uses in this book is so great you feel as if you can really see what she is talking about. I also felt as if she really did her research in writing this book. Of course I love the time travel aspect of this book - what would it be like if you could go back in time. I also thought that this book was appropriately named as there were some hard decisions to be made during the story. I highly recommed this series but you must start with book one and continue on. 

The Carthage Chronicles:

#1 Healer of Carthage

#2 Return to Exile

#3 Valley of Decision

About the author:

Lynne Gentry has written for numerous publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director, and playwright. Lynne is an inspirational speaker and dramatic performer who loves spending time with her family and medical therapy dog.

His Rebel Heart by Amber Leigh Williams

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: July 1, 2015

Number of pages: 380

Genre: Romance

Synopsis:

Being a single mother and successful florist is tough, especially when your new next-door neighbor is the man who shattered your heart. Eight years ago, bad boy James Bracken walked away from Adrian Carlton…and their unborn child. Now he's back. And Adrian's desire to protect her son from the truth of his biological father isn't enough to hide the wild blue eyes of father and son, or to keep Adrian from surrendering to the raw passion between her and James. But is he truly the changed man he claims to be? Maybe this time his rebel heart really is home to stay.

What did I think of this book:

This was a fun quick read for me. I have not read any books by this author before and am happy to say that I enjoyed her writing style. I needed a good book with a happy ending that made me smile as I read it. It must have been hard for Adrian when her ex ends up being her new neighbor. She had every right to be upset and worried about it. There were parts of this book that were very exciting to me and I did not want to put this book down. I also liked how throught the story there were bits and pieces of their history so you could know a little more about them. A great read for a rainy day. 

About the author:

Amber Leigh Williams lives on the Gulf Coast. A southern girl at heart, she lives for beach days, the smell of real books, relaxing at her family’s lakehouse, and spending time with her husband and two children. When she’s not keeping up with rambunctious little ones and two large dogs she can usually be found reading a good romance or cooking up a new dish in her kitchen. She is represented by D4EO Literary Agency.

Her latest book is the contemporary romance, His Rebel Heart.

For More Information
· Visit Amber Leigh Williams’ website.
· Connect with Amber on Facebook and Twitter.
· Find out more about Amber at Goodreads.
· More books by Amber Leigh Williams.
· Contact Amber.

For More Information
· His Rebel Heart is available at Amazon.
· Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
· Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

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Book Excerpt:

“I need you to go.”

“I can’t—”

“We’ll be fine,” Adrian told him firmly. “I just need some peace and quiet so I can—”

“I can’t leave you alone,” James told her. “Either of you. Not now that I know what you’ve been through.”

“We’ll be fine,” she said again. “I’ll keep Kyle’s BB gun close.” She paused, wrestling over the next words. “And…and you can come by tomorrow morning. For breakfast, if you want.”

James looked at her, his eyes skimming between hers, then over her cheeks, the line of her jaw. “I don’t want you to be alone,” he murmured.

She sighed. “James, I have been alone, for a really long time.” You made sure of that, she added silently. When you left me. The resentment and anger that were usually brought to life by the words didn’t stir. Tired. God, she was so tired.

“Adrian, I’m so sorry,” he said again. When he drew her into his arms, she was helpless to stop him. She had nothing left to fight him with so she closed her eyes as the chest she had fantasized about burrowing herself against moments before rose up to meet her. She felt his lips come to rest on the top of her head. His arms wrapped around her back, closing her in, tightening.

He held her, simply held her, for what seemed like ages. Long enough for the tension to drain from her body. Long enough for her to lean into the hard, strong line of him without scruples, to breathe in the work shirt permeated with the sweet scent of grass and the slight tinge of motor oil. At some point, her arms rose to his waist, folding around to the small of his back to complete the embrace.

A small eternity passed in the space of moments. A hundred unspoken words. Memories stirred, whispering to life, ghosts of what had been.

He moved first, just enough to move one hand up to the nape of her neck. He made a noise in the back of his throat, drawing her attention upward. When his lips touched hers, it felt so natural for her mouth to receive the firm, yielding line of his.

Minutes before, she’d felt drained. Fatigued. The simple press of his lips brought her back to life. Her heart fluttered, lifting and soaring in a way she hadn’t felt since…well, since being with James.

She should have pushed him away. After everything, she should shove him back, make him leave. Instead, she let the moment stretch, slide, deepen until she felt him brush up against the soul she’d buried from everything and everyone.

You First: Journal Your Way to Your Best Life by Lea Michele

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: September 22, 2015

Number of pages: 240

Genre: Self-Help

Synopsis:

‘You first’ is about respecting and understanding what you really want—and then going out to achieve it.

In Brunette Ambition, Lea Michele shared a lot of the secrets and stories behind her success, and how she manages to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle despite her hectic schedule. Now, in her second book, she will teach readers how they, too, can be their best selves. In Lea's opinion, keeping a journal and asking yourself the hard questions about what you want out of life is the best way to achieve your dreams, so she has outlined a series of exercises, prompts, and lists based on her own personal program. Lea's guided journal will address all the topics she wrote about in Brunette Ambition, including fitness, diet, work, school, and relationships, but with all-new material to help readers reach their goals. Peppered between the advice and exercises will be fun personal anecdotes from Lea to motivate and inspire readers to put themselves first and live their best life.

What did I think of this book:

I am enjoying this journal. I like the way that you feel as if the author is talking to you. It is like you are sitting down for a visit with a good friend. Another nice thing is that there is plenty of room for you to write down your thoughts unlike some other journals I have seen. For me I am a list lover so I liked that she has included lists based on her experiences. I also enjoyed the quizzes she included. All in all I thought this was an inviting book. This is a book that I will go back to time and again. I think it would be a good thing to do every few years to keep you on track with your goals in life.