The Black Shard -Book Review

About the Book:

The Black Shard, Victoria Simcox’s fast-paced, intricately woven sequel to The Magic Warble, takes Kristina Kingsly and her schoolmates back to Bernovem … and into a thrilling, often dangerous adventure.

Kristina’s stay at summer horse camp is horrible to say the least, and it’s all because Hester and Davina are there as well, making her life miserable. When Hester’s cruel prank goes terribly wrong, it’s actually what sends the three girls back to the magical land of Bernovem. In Bernovem, Kristina is very excited to see her former friend, Prince Werrien. When he invites her to sail with him on his ship to his homeland Tezerel, putting it simply, Kristina can’t refuse.

Reunited with her gnome, dwarf, animal, fairy friends … and best of all, Werrien, things seem like they couldn’t get any better for Kristina. But when Werrien becomes fascinated with an unusual seeing stone, the “Black Shard”, Kristina is haunted by a ghostlike old hag. Struggling against suspicion, guilt, illness, and ultimately the one who wants to possess her soul, Kristina will see it’s in her weakest moment that she will encounter more strength than she has ever known.

Finally this book has hit the shelves!! The Black Shard is the sequel to the Magic Warble, which my daughter absolutely loved! (You can read our review here.) Both books are great for tween and teen readers, yet adults will love these books too. This book picks up where the Magic Warble left off, yet if you have not read the Magic Warble first,(which I recommend) you would still enjoy reading this book.

The Author, Victoria Simcox, does such a great job keeping the reader guessing and interested as she weaves the characters and story together. This book is full of adventure and just alittle romance as the characters are a few years older then in her last book. I don't want to tell you too much and ruin the story for you, but there are twists and turns and the way this story ended, the door was definitely left open. At least, I hope that Victoria is in the process of writing a third book.

For more information on The Black Shard please visit: www.theblackshard.com

This book can be purchased on Amazon and would make a great Christmas gift!

You can Follow Author Victoria Simcox on twitter and The Black Shard on Facebook.


*Disclosure: I received this book from the Author to read. This is my honest thoughts and opinion.*

DVR Deleted

Guest written by our friend Gladys Fuentes

I was so mad at my husband last night. He somehow managed to delete every show that I had recorded on our DVR. I used to watch my shows on the nights they came on, but once we got directv, I was able to record my shows when they came on and watch them whenever I wanted to. I have been pretty busy lately and it has been several weeks since I watched my favorite TV shows, so our DVR was starting to fill up. My husband took it upon himself to free up some space so he could record three football games on the same day. He said that he did not mean to clear everything on the DVR, but he did. I was already irritated that his obsession with football has taken over three nights each week. Now that the only things left on the DVR are his football games, I am even more annoyed. He told me I could go online and watch any episodes I had missed, but I do not enjoy watching shows online. Maybe I will accidentally delete his football games.

Looking for that perfect gift? Shopping Online?

As the Holiday's are getting closer, many of us are shopping! I have been shopping in the stores and online. The problem I'm having is finding just the right gift for everyone.

My husband is easy to buy clothes for, but sometimes he wants truck parts like cheap nerf bars so I have do look online to order something like this. I'm thinking about asking his buddies to give me ideas for him.

My kids love to play sports! As they play different sports, they need different gear and equipment. As the new sports season starts, the kids need new cleats. I have been looking online for cheap nike soccer cleats and basketball sneakers. My son has been growing like crazy and needs to be prepared and have the right gear to play his best. Sports related gifts are always good for him.

My Grandmother is really hard to buy for. She has just about everything! She loves the outdoors, but with the weather getting colder, she loves to sit in the sunroom and watch the birds. I found a cheap rocking chair that would be great for her. I think this could be used inside or outdoors. I hope that she likes this.

I'm taking suggestions and tips for the perfect gift, and as the weather is starting to get colder and snowy, shopping online would be much easier. Feel free to leave me any suggestions.

*This post was brought to you by your friends at www.become.com*

Chicken soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Tough Times Giveaway

101 Daily Devotions to Inspire and Support You in Times of Need

By: Susan M. Heim and Karen C. Talcott
Foreword by Mary Beth Chapman


Life has always been filled with trials, including illness, job loss, grief, addictions, and much more. God never promised that our earthly lives would be without difficulties, but He assured us that He will always be with us to share our burdens. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Devotional Stories for Tough Times is filled with stories that show God's presence during a time of trouble. Readers will find encouragement, solace, and strength in these personal stories and prayers.

These devotional stories are complete with scripture and prayers and will introduce you to the personal experiences of people who have gone through tough times and found faith, joy and strength in God's love and wisdom.

This book may be purchased through Amazon.

Stop by Chicken Soup for the Soul's website and check out all their great books. They make Great Gifts!!


Win it!! Three of my lucky readers can win this Chicken Soup for the Soul Book: Devotional stories for Tough Times.

MANDATORY/REQUIRED ENTRY:Please leave me a comment telling me your best tip to get through tough times.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry. But in addition you can:

■Subscribe via e-mail (1 extra entry)
■Follow me via Google friend Connect (1 extra entry)
■Follow me via NetworkedBlog (1 extra entry)
■Add @Shawnmh to your Twitter -Leave me your twitter ID (1 extra entries)
■Add @chickensoupsoul to your Twitter -Leave me your twitter ID (1 extra entry)
■ Tweet this giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include a link to this contest page (Leave me the link)(1 extra entry/this may be done daily)
■Add my button to your site AND/OR add me to your blog roll.(1 entry for each)
■"Like" me on facebook (2 extra entries-leave me your facebook name)
■"Like" ChickenSoupforthesoul on facebook (2 extra entries-leave me your facebook name)
■Blog about this contest: Add a link to this post (5 extra entries)

This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.(Please make sure if you are anonymous you leave your email address with your comments.)
This giveaway will end on December 15th at 11:59 pm Est. The winners will be notified and have 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.

*Disclosure- I received this book for free to review as a member of the Chicken Soup for the Soul blogger network*

Digital Photography Book Review and Giveaway

Digital Photography: A Basic Manual
By: Henry Horenstein

Book Description:
This thorough, concise, and easy-to-use guide to capturing digital photographs provides an entire step-by-step course for budding digital photographers. All concepts are fully illustrated with sample work by internationally renowned professionals, representing editorial work, photojournalism, and everything in between. Topics covered include essential information for both film and digital photography, such as exposure controls and shutter speed, as well as digital-specific information on image editing, printing methods, and even file storage. The first digital textbook by legendary photography teacher Henry Horenstein, Digital Photography is the best guide yet for aspiring digital photographers, essential both for photographers transitioning from film to digital and those learning the art of photography for the first time.

About the Author:
Henry Horenstein is a widely published and exhibited professional photographer and the author of more than two dozen books, including the classic texts Black & White Photography and Beyond Basic Photography, and monographs such as Honky Tonk, Animalia, Show,and Close Relations. Horenstein is a professor at the Rhode Island
School of Design, where he has taught for more than twenty years. He lives and
works in Boston.

I love taking pictures! I love using a digital camera as you can usually tell if you get a good picture or not. Sometimes, though, I don't always get the best quality and I often wondered if it was me not knowing how to use my camera or my camera not performing that good. After reading this book, I know that it was a combination of my picture taking technique and my camera.

This book provides an entire step-by-step course on today's digital workflow. You get the essential information about exposure controls, shutter speed, subject lightening and more. Among the many things you will learn how to choose a camera that's perfect for you. (Which is great knowing that my daughter wants a new camera for Christmas.) Also, you learn tips and technique about when and how to use the manual settings and also you learn how to troubleshoot and solve problems in image making, editing and printing. This book is very helpful and is easy to understand. I think that the newest camera users and even those advanced would love this very useful guide.


Buy it!
You can purchase this book from Hatchette Book Group.

Or on Amazon.

Or Win it!!! The Hatchette Book Group has offered Two of my lucky readers a copy of Digital Photography Book.

MANDATORY/REQUIRED ENTRY:
Please leave me a comment with your favorite photography tip.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry. But in addition you can:

■Follow me via Google Friend Connect (1 extra entry)
■Subscribe via e-mail (1 extra entry)
■Follow me via NetworkedBlog (1 extra entry)
■Add @Shawnmh to your Twitter -Leave me your twitter ID (1 extra entry)
■Add @Hatchette Book Group to your Twitter -Leave me your twitter ID (1 extra entry)
■ Tweet this giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include a link to this contest page (Leave me the link)(1 extra entry/this may be done daily)
■Add my button to your site AND/OR add me to your blog roll.(1 entry for each)
■"Like" me on facebook (2 extra entries-leave me your facebook name)
■Blog about this contest: Add a link to this post (5 extra entries)

This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.(Please make sure if you are anonymous you leave your email address with your comments.)
This giveaway will end on December 13th at 11:59 pm Est. The winners will be notified and have 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.
*Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule,which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests ,you will only receive one copy of the title(or set in case of grouped giveaways)in the mail from the Hatchette Book Group.*

**Disclosure: I received this book free of charge from the Hatchette Book Group for the purpose of this review. This is my honest thoughts and opinion.**

BellyWashers,TummyTickler & TummyTickler Tots Review

BellyWashers for Children ages 5-10

~100% juice, fruit punch flavor(apple, pear and grape juices)
~No added sugars, flavors, colors, or preservatives
~8-oz. serving size (equal to one cup of fruit)
~Washable and reusable
~BPA-free
~Spill-proof and mess-free spout ( Perfect for on-the-go )
~Dishwasher safe
~Ergonomic Grip for small hands
~Select and Collect characters (like Disney Cars, Hello Kitty, Batman & More)

What's not to love?

Kids love these! Parents love these!! BellyWashers are a big hit in our home.
My son loves these... Now they have a Basketball top which I was informed he needs to take with him to basketball practice. (Which I don't mind, because they are reusable and I can fill the bottle with water ).
The cool characters get the kids hooked but parents love the fact that these drinks are made with 100% juice and healthy for the kids. These are great to pack in your child's lunches, for the car ride and they make perfect stocking stuffers!!!


TummyTickler For Children ages 3-5
~100% apple juice
~No added sugars, flavors, colors or preservatives
~Each 6-oz. serving size (equal to ¾ cup of fruit)
~Washable and reusable
~BPA-free
~Spill-proof and mess-free spout ( Perfect for on-the-go )
~Dishwasher safe
~Ergonomic Grip for small hands (perfect for a preschooler’s grip)
~Collectible characters (like TinkerBell, Bob the Builder, Mickey Mouse & More)

TummyTicklers are perfect for the preschoolers!! They are affordable, convenient and the just right size for the younger ones!



TummyTickler Tots for Children ages 1-3
~40% reduced sugar apple juice (pre-mixed with purified water)
~No added sugars, flavors, colors, or preservatives
~4-oz. serving size
~Washable and reusable
~BPA-free
~Spill-proof sippy spout (Perfect for the diaper bag )
~Dishwasher safe
~Bottle size and shape perfect for toddlers
~Collectible characters (like Winnie the Pooh, Thomas, Clifford the Big Red Dog & More)

These are great for the little ones! Moms love these for the convenience.(They are already diluted) They are perfect for introducing the little ones to juice. Collectible character toppers for an added bonus!

Carmex Skin Care Review and Giveaway

Giveaway Closed! Congrats Yona

For nearly 75 years, people have come to love the healing power of Carmex lip balms.
What Keeps your lips Healthy Now... Makes your skin Happy!! (New!)Carmex Skin Care is here...


The new Carmex Healing Lotion and Healing Cream use a patent-pending process made with rich healing ingredients to heal, moisturize and help repair even the driest, roughest skin.
The Healing Lotion is for everyday use, while the Healing Cream is intended for more intensive healing.


Carmex Healing Lotion
The 5.5-ounce Healing Lotion features aloe and vitamin E to moisturize, heal and protect skin from dryness. It has a light, pleasant scent and is formulated for daily healing and moisturizing.
I really like this new lotion. You can use this daily, apply anywhere your skin feels dry. I have been using this on my hands and it coats my skin going on so smooth. It leaves my hands feeling soft and I love that it absorbs fast so you don't get a greasy feel.

Carmex Healing Cream
The 4-ounce Healing Cream is a thicker, more concentrated formula that penetrates deep into the skin to help repair extremely dry, cracked skin. It features nine concentrated healing and moisturizing ingredients and can be used anywhere on the body. It is particularly effective on areas that typically get very dry, like the hands, feet, elbows and knees.
This is to be used on your driest skin, like my elbows and feet. I have been using this for about a week now, and really can notice a huge difference. This is concentrated, so alittle amount goes a long way. This is also non-greasy and I like the light clean scent it has. This has really helped to repair my dry skin and I love the price.

These Carmex Skin Care products can be purchased at Walgreens,CVS and Walmart for a suggested retail price of $5.99 each. These Carmex Healing Lotion and Healing Cream are great for yourself or give them as a Gift. The smaller size ones sell for $.99 and are great to keep in your purse. They would make great stocking stuffers too!!

Win it!!! One of my lucky readers is going to Win a Carmex Kit! . This kit contains: One 5.5 oz. Carmex® Healing Lotion, One 4 oz. Carmex® Healing Cream, One 1 oz. Carmex® Healing Lotion and One .75 oz. Carmex® Healing Cream.


MANDATORY/REQUIRED ENTRY:
Visit MyCarmex.com and tell me which product is your favorite or which one you would like the most.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry. But in addition you can:

■Follow me via Google Friend Connect (1 extra entry)
■Subscribe via e-mail (1 extra entry)
■Follow me via NetworkedBlog (1 extra entry)
■Add @Shawnmh to your Twitter -Leave me your twitter ID (1 extra entry)
■Add @Carmex to your Twitter -Leave me your twitter ID (1 extra entry)
■ Tweet this giveaway on Twitter. Be sure to include a link to this contest page (Leave me the link)(1 extra entry/this may be done daily)
■Add my button to your site AND/OR add me to your blog roll.(1 entry for each)
■"Like" me on facebook (2 extra entries-leave me your facebook name)
■Like Carmex on Facebook (2 extra entries)
■Blog about this contest: Add a link to this post (5 extra entries)

This giveaway is open to US residents only. Please leave a separate comment for each entry.(Please make sure if you are anonymous you leave your email address with your comments.)
This giveaway will end on December 2nd at 11:59 pm Est. The winner will be notified and have 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.




*Disclosure: As a member of the Carmex Blog Squad, I received the same Carmex Kit that one of you are going to win, for the purposes of this review. This is my honest thougths and opinion.*