Wards of Faerie by Terry Brooks (Review)

Title: Wards of Faerie
Author: Terry Brooks
Publication Date: August 2012
Publisher: Del Rey
Series: The Dark Legacy of Shannara
Source: Amazon Vine
Available Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audio CD
Available for PreOrder: Paperback

After taking time away from the pure stories of Shannara to write the stories of how Shannara was created out of the ashes of our own time, Brooks returns to the world of magic. Conflict is again building between the Federation, the Elves, and the dwindling Druid order. Magic and science are at odds and the atmosphere is tense. As Aphenglow Elessedil searches the Eleven histories, she comes upon the diary of a young girl. This diary could change everything about the way the past is viewed and it certainly shapes the future path for Aphenglow and others. A new quest is undertaken to locate the missing Elfstones and shift the balance of power in the Four Lands.

Wards of Faerie is the first book in the latest trilogy from Terry Brooks. While the characters are new, long time readers will recognize the family names as each main character is descended from important characters in past Shannara books. This connection is important because it indicates to the reader exactly how that character may be important to the story. Brooks is able to pass along gifts and characteristics without having to do in depth character building in each book.

The essential quest format of the book is familiar as well. Brooks introduces the main players, gives them a choice about undertaking a journey, and off they go into danger. Although it might seem that knowing the plot outline ahead of time would render each book too similar to the last, Brooks keeps the reader's attention through the personalities of the characters and the details of the world and action.

My only complaint about this book is that it felt incomplete. It seemed as if the quest had truly just begun when I reached the end of the book. I am very glad that this trilogy will be released in rapid fire fashion with the books coming out every six months so I won't have to wait too long for the next portion of the story. This release schedule also means that I don't have to wait almost a year for the paperback version to come out.

As a longtime fan of Shannara, I am glad to see Brooks adding more stories to the most current timeline again. The jump from the Shannara pre-history (Word & Void series, Genesis of Shannara series, and Legends of Shannara series) was a bit jarring and I had to take some time to reorient myself in the timeline. Overall though I think Wards of Faerie will be a hit with Shannara fans.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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Your Vote Counts! by Harvey Simon (Guest Post)

Presidential election year... A time when everything seems to get a bit crazy. Everyone is asking for your vote. Telling you what they will do for you if elected. Making promises while knocking down the other guy. The media barrage is so constant and the tone so negative that some wonder why vote at all. Today Harvey Simon is here to remind us why each and every vote does count as well as to tell us a bit about his book The Madman Theory.

Think your vote this November in the presidential election doesn’t matter? Then read my novel, The Madman Theory.

The Madman Theory tells a story of what might have happened if just a tiny number of voters had changed their minds about which candidate to support in 1960.

The contest that year was between a young Senator and an almost equally young vice president. The Senator was the Democrat, John F. Kennedy. The Republican was Richard Nixon.

Of course, Kennedy won the election. And you may owe your very existence to that simple fact.

That’s because two years after the election, the Kennedy administration discovered that our nuclear-armed enemy, the Soviet Union, was secretly building a missile base in Cuba. These missiles, just 90 miles from Florida, had the capability to obliterate New York, Washington and other major U.S. cities.

This was the Cuban Missile Crisis, and at its height the secretary of defense thought he might not live another week. Ultimately, Kennedy saved the day – literally saved the world – and ended the conflict peacefully.

We were lucky to have Kennedy as president. That’s what it was – dumb luck. During the presidential campaign Nixon bumped his knee on a car door. His knee became infected and he was hospitalized. He lost a lot of weight and looked terrible – just in time for his presidential debate with Kennedy on television.

Some people think Nixon lost the election because he looked so awful during those debates. In other words, the world was saved because Nixon bumped his knee.

Maybe – that depends on what Nixon would have done during the Cuban Missile Crisis, had he been president.

Read The Madman Theory and find out.

-- Harvey Simon

About the Book: It is 1962 and there are children at play in the White House for the first time since the presidency of William Howard Taft. Richard Nixon, the vigorous 49-year-old president, has been in office less than two years, having won election by a razor-thin margin over Senator John Kennedy. In Moscow, the wildly unpredictable Nikita Khrushchev is looking forward to visiting his cherished revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro. Just 90 miles from American shores, Khrushchev will announce an audacious and dangerous nuclear stunt to abruptly shift the balance of power: a secretly-built network of missiles across Cuba that put American cities in the atomic crosshairs. But President Nixon has his own announcement planned. A U.S. spy plane has discovered the missiles being set up in Cuba and Nixon will soon address the nation to announce his response. Meanwhile, First Lady Pat Nixon is in California to look at a San Clemente house the first couple may purchase. Seeing shoppers crowd around a store-window television, Pat gets her first inkling of trouble. Dick has always insisted she not listen to the news and she is happy, for now, to return to her correspondence. In the coming days, the confrontation between the U.S. and its nuclear foe will escalate. The president will weigh his determination to overthrow Castro against the risk of all-out war as Pat struggles to reconcile her proper role as a wife with her estrangement from the man who thrust her into a public life she despises.

About the Author: Harvey Simon is a Washington, D.C., based writer whose articles have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine and elsewhere. Before moving to Washington he was a national security analyst at Harvard University, where he also wrote about other public policy issues. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and an M.A. in philosophy from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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WW: Playing with Boxes

V playing with the empty wipes box

With all the toys in the house, this kid wants to play with the empty wipes box.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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Closed: Harry Potter Complete Blu-Ray Movie Collection Giveaway

Mommy Bear Media is all about good, clean movies for kids and families! They carefully examine all movies and TV shows and only sell the best family-friendly movies. They also specialize in Christian movies and the best new movies on DVD and Blu-ray. Mommy Bear Media has partnered with Mom Powered Media to bring one super lucky reader the complete 8 Film Harry Potter Collection on Bluray! This amazing 8 disk set includes:

• Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone
• Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secret
• Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
• Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire
• Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
• Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part I
• Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2

 

You can purchase the Complete Harry Potter Set on Bluray from Mommy Bear Media for 99.99. And you can win one right here! Mommy Bear Media has offered one super lucky reader their own set! Please make sure you read the Giveaway Rules before you enter! This giveaway is brought to you by Mommy Bear Media and Mom Powered Media. Library Girl Reads & Reviews is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

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Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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OTL: Unreal Candy

Thanks to BzzAgent I had a chance to try out Unreal candy. Unreal candy is available in varieties similar to your favorite chocolate bars but with fewer calories, less sugar, and more protein. Essentially the claim is that because it has no artificial ingredients the candy will taste better while being better for you than regular candy. Notice that I didn't say the candy will be good for you. It is still candy after all.

BzzAgent and Unreal candy sent me a coupon for a free candy bar plus several buy one, get one free coupons. We used these some of these coupons to purchase Unreal 5 (similar to Milky Way), Unreal 8 (similar to Snickers), and Unreal 77 (Similar to Reese's). We did not try Unreal 41 or Unreal 54 (similar to M&Ms and Peanut M&Ms).

Out of the varieties that we tried the Unreal 8 was by far my favorite. I think it tastes the most similar to the candy it is supposed to mimic. Unreal 77 did not have enough of a peanut butter flavor to satisfy me and Unreal 5 just tasted a bit off somehow. All of the candy bars are less sweet than their traditional counterparts due to the reduction in sugar. The serving sizes for these candy bars are smaller as well which can account for the calorie reduction. Any time something has added protein I'm skeptical about the taste because I usually notice an aftertaste with these products. I had the same experience with this candy. There is that distinct protein taste that seems to be in protein shakes and bars.

While the taste of the Unreal candy didn't "Wow" me, I think it is something that I could get used to as an occasional candy treat. My husband liked the candy well enough and didn't notice the differences in taste that I did.

I do have to say that I HATE the packaging!! I think using numbers for the candy names is really annoying. The name itself doesn't give you any indication of what type of candy you will be getting. I find the super-shiny wrappers hard to read and it is only just now as I sit here writing this blog post that I finally noticed the brightly colored areas actually spell out Unreal in the logo. Considering how long I've been looking at these wrappers for various BzzAgent activities that tells you how difficult it is to read.

We purchased Unreal candy at CVS and have seen it at Kroger as well. The price was the same as other candy bars.

Have you tried Unreal or another brand of "better for you" candy? What did you think of it? What is your favorite type of candy?

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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taste of home Best Loved Recipes (Review)

Title: taste of home Best Loved Recipes
 Author: taste of home
Publication Date: September 13, 2012
Publisher: Readers Digest
Source: FSB Associates for review
Available Formats: Hardcover, eBook

taste of home Best Loved Recipes boasts 1,485 favorites and they aren't kidding. The first thing that I noticed about this book was simply its size. I'm used to receiving books in bubble envelopes or flat rate priority mail envelopes. This hardcover cookbook required a medium size priority mail box! At almost five pounds for 928 pages, it doesn't qualify as a light book either. All of these recipes are contained within a very sturdy cover and a red ribbon bookmark is included so you won't loose your recipe while you are cooking.

taste of home Best Loved Recipes is a selection of favorites from the magazine's twenty year history. The recipes have been submitted over the years by folks cooking in their own kitchens then they are evaluated by Taste of Home editors and tested in their kitchens. The recipes included in this book have a comment from the original author and include the year they were published in the magazine showing the evolution of recipes over time.

I love the indexes that are included in this book because some of the main recipe sections are not the most traditional. Yes there are sections for appetizers, beef, beverages, breads, cakes, cookies, poultry, and salads but you also have celebrations, grand-prize winners, mealtime express, and mom made it best. Some of the categories overlap more than I've seen in other cookbooks so I might find a side dish in any number chapters.

There are so many recipes in this book that I didn't even know what section to look at first! As I flipped through each section I saw so many recipes that I want to try. I really like that the recipes include not only the time it takes for a dish to cook but also the required prep time at the top so it can be seen at a glance. This is especially important with a recipe like Glazed Corned Beef which requires nearly 3 hours for one aspect of cooking plus another 25 minutes in the oven to finish it.

There are so many recipes in this book it would be impossible to include pictures for every one. There are several photo inserts throughout the book showcasing a variety of recipes from each section.

With this cookbook in my kitchen along with the taste of home Cooking School Cookbook, I don't think I will need to invest in any other cookbooks for a long time. I now have recipes to cook for years to come and I'm sure we'll find some family favorites in the mix.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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She Wulf by Sheryl Steines (Excerpt)

Please enjoy this excerpt from She Wulf, an action-packed urban fantasy by Sheryl Steines. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this blog tour, including a Kindle Fire, $550 in Amazon gift cards, 5 autographed copies of She Wulf, and 5 copies of its companion, The Day of First Sun.

Someone screamed; a terrified, naked shrill cry in the distance. There were sounds of hollering, screeching, grunting, stomping. The ground rumbled under Annie as she threw several layers of animal skins to the ground.

Spencer jumped up; the coven roused themselves.

“The mead hall,” he said as they threw open the door and ran to the village center.

Chaos turned to determination as the coven traveled through the forest toward the mead hall. Annie knew the Vikings were running, screaming, panicked— but all she could hear were footsteps, and her heart pounding in her chest. Spencer had come with her; she didn’t know where he was now. She only knew the steady rhythm surrounding her as the coven followed the trail. Instinctively she went into battle mode. This was what had brought here. Her adrenaline pumped through her, her heart beat quicker, her blood boiled with rage, and she ran faster.

They were through the forest and into the clearing that surrounded the mead hall. Annie’s senses changed, grew clearer and louder. She heard terrified voices; smelled fear hanging in the air. The anxious cries of the Vikings moved through her. She listened to the growling and grunting and the rage and horror the demons brought forth. It crowded her as they broke through the wooded area.

Swords swished in the air; metal sliced through flesh. Anxious, chaotic screams greeted them as they entered the massacre.

Blood covered the earth and stuck to their shoes and clothes. Large dark patches already drenched the ground around the hall and rolled off the dead bodies that littered the ground. Annie was sick. Women and children ran from the mead hall in the direction of the coven village, away from the demons that had overtaken them.

She reached down and pulled a small boy out of the way as a demon lunged for him. She threw her first jinx at the demon, surprised by the strength of her magic. The creature flew through the air and landed on another demon. The demon on top grunted, punched the beast below it and stood up. The one on the ground rose and looked around, confused at first until it focused on a Viking running past. It reached its large hands over and plucked the Viking from mid-run and held him in the air.

Terror filled the night; panic surrounded her as she conjured a small fireball. It hovered above her palm; it grew in size and strength, and she released it toward the demon. Its lightweight clothing caught fire easily. The demon hopped around in one spot, patting down the fire, but the flames grew and inched their way upwards before consuming the demon’s skin. It screamed; pain mixed with terror. The battle stopped around them and the warriors watched, entranced by the only known means to kill the demons.

“Fire!” Annie yelled to them. “Kill them with fire!”

As if the coven awoke from a trance, fireballs lit up the night, flying through the air and consuming the demons. Fire ate away at Annie’s demon’s flesh and crackled its bones. They popped until there was nothing left but ash. The last of the monster’s scream reverberated in Annie’s ear as the wind picked up and scattered its smoking remains in the air. She lit another ball of fire above her palm and threw it in the pile of ash, burning any possible traces of the demon. The blaze flashed and died down to nothing. She ran toward another creature.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the She Wulf eBook edition is just 99 cents this week--and so is the price of its companion, The Day of First Sun. What’s more, by purchasing either of these fantastic books at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes. The prizes include a Kindle Fire, $550 in Amazon gift cards, and 5 autographed copies of the book.

All the info you need to win one of these amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment--easy to enter; easy to win!

To win the prizes:

1. Purchase your copy of She Wulf for just 99 cents
2. Purchase your copy of The Day of First Sun for just 99 cents
3. Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity
4. Visit today’s featured social media event

About She Wulf: Annie is sent through an ancient time portal with only a prophecy to guide her; she struggles with a new destiny as she tries to figure out a way to destroy an un-killable demon and return home. Get it on Amazon. Also available in paperback.

About The Day of First Sun: A vampire, a rogue wizard and an army of soulless zombies are par for the course for Annie Pearce and Bobby “Cham” Chamsky of the Wizard’s Guard. But when the non-magical princess, Amelie of Amborix, is murdered by magical means, a deeper plot unfolds. Get it on Amazon. Also available in paperback.

About the author: Behind the wheel of her ’66 Mustang Convertible, Sheryl is a constant surprise, using her sense of humor and relatable style make her books something everyone can enjoy. Visit Sheryl on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

This giveaway is brought to you by Novel Publicity. Library Girl Reads & Reviews is not responsible for selecting winners or awarding prizes. All entries must be completed using the Rafflecopter form. If you are viewing this post via email or a feed reader you may need to visit the blog to enter.

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Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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OTL: Help Aflac Help Kids with Cancer

Do you know a child with cancer? It is sad how many of us do. It is sad how many children spend their days in the hospital having surgery or getting chemo when they should be outside playing with their friends. It is devastating how many parents grieve for children lost to cancer.

Research into cancer treatments and cures is a cause that is near to my heart. My family lost my sister to complications of cancer fifteen years ago. She was only sixteen. Although cancer research and treatments have come a long way since then, there is still so much more to be done.

From now until September 30, you can help the Aflac Cancer Center research for a cure and support families of children with cancer. Sponsor a duck for $12 in Aflac's Swim With Friends virtual duck race and you not only help fight pediatric cancer but you are entered to win a family trip for four to Orlando, Florida. Aflac is also matching each $12 donation. The virtual duck race will take place on the Facebook page on October 9, 2012.

Are you a Twitter user? Tweet using the hashtag #AflacKids and Aflac will donate $2 to pediatric cancer research.

Please give a little so that children can be children and families do not have to feel the burden that cancer brings in so many ways.

Information for this post was provided by Aflac and SheSpeaks. I was not compensated in any way for this post and all opinions are my own.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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Closed: Harry Potter The Complete Series (BluRay) #Giveaway

I am participating in the FREE Harry Potter The Complete Series giveaway event hosted by Mom Powered Media! One super lucky reader will win a BluRay boxed set of Harry Potter 1-7!  

Cost: Free with announcement post or 3.00 with out.  

Prize: Harry Potter The Complete Series on BluRay.  

Giveaway Open to: US and Canada.  

The event dates: September 19– October 13.  

Free Link Option: Pinterest  

Optional Paid Link Options: $2.00 for Facebook or Twitter

To sign up for this event click here. 

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

Pleng's Song by Patrick Maher (Review)

Title: Pleng's Song
Author: Patrick Maher
Publication Date: April 2012 (2nd edition)
Publisher: booksmango
Age Group: Young Readers (as stated by author)
Source: Author for review (paperback)
Available Formats: eBook

Pleng is a girl in Thailand who in some ways has everything. She goes to a prestigious private school, lives in a nice house with a cook and driver, and has access to technology like an iPhone and laptop. On the other hand, her parents are entirely absent leaving Pleng to face disastrous floods on her own. Pleng's Song is the story of a girl forced to grow up and face reality through a series of harsh adventures.

Pleng's Song is fast-paced and easily read in a day. The author accurately captures the voice and attitude of a privileged adolescent girl. While Pleng is not an easy character to like at the beginning of the book, it quickly becomes clear that her story is more complex than that of a spoiled brat. The adults in Pleng's life tend to be cruel, absent, or both. I think kids could identify with many of her feelings even if her situation is far more extreme than theirs.

As an adult, I am clearly not in the target audience for this book and I wonder if the adult perspective leads me to be a bit more critical of the plot. I found parts of the story to be unrealistic in nature although they were related in a very realistic fashion. Pleng becomes famous after she is lost in the floods that ravage Thailand but why is she famous when so many others were lost as well? One simple line relates that her parents had called for a nation-wide search to find her but why would they do that when they had deceived and abandoned her for the majority of her life? Even when she is found and brought to safety, her parents do not show affection for her or make any attempt to apologize for the past.

I also wonder at Pleng's ability to survive on her own especially following a head injury. After a life filled with maids, drivers, private school, and technology it is hard to believe that she would suddenly develop the skills and knowledge necessary to survive in and out of the water for that long.

Despite these plot questions I enjoyed Pleng's Song a great deal. I think this book could be a great way to introduce children to another culture and to show the impact that natural disasters can have on a family and community.

Note: All opinions provided on this blog are my own. If a product was given to me for review, the source of that product is noted in the post. Bookstore links are generally affiliate links and I do earn a small amount for each purchase. Other affiliate links will be noted in the post.

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