Beam n’ Read Personal Light: Anywhere, Anytime: Product Review and Tour Giveaway

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Nov 142014
 

  Beam n Read

  Beam N Read Hands Free Travel and Reading Light  
New edition Beam n Read Hands-Free Light delivers a wide and bright light that lights up 2 book pages and doesn’t disturb others. It’s a true reading light that works with all printed books, Kindles and other eReaders (whether naked, skinned, or covered), PLUS newspapers, magazines, newsletters, loose documents, and other items that can’t support a clip-on light. Worn around the neck, there’s no need to shift it when reading paperbacks. Included are two 2 special Relaxation Filters: BNR Orange for a softer, warmer light that blocks energizing blue light (especially useful when reading to relax in bed); BNR Red to block blue light and reduce ambient light for sensitive bed partners. Standard alkaline AA batteries (not included) last an extra long 100 hours, far longer than flashlights and clip-on lights resulting in a lower cost to use (and fewer batteries in the trash). This light is still bright when others have gone dim. Save batteries for when you’re on the go with the optional USB/AC Power Kit with 12 ft of cable that lets you plug into the included USB/AC adapter. Or plug into a USB car adapter/charger, or a computer USB port, or a USB adapter/charger for cell phones, etc. In addition to reading, this 3 LED hands-free light is great for crafts, travel, and walking in dim or dark places such as an attic, basement, or around the house during a power outage. Use it for writing journals, working, camping, changing diapers at night, and a lot more.  
 

My Review:

I’m one of those readers that like to read into the wee hours of the night. I’ve tried using other book lights before, but they have always been a real fail for me. The batteries go dead quickly and the light is not what I need to do some good reading. I was very excited to try the Beam N’ Read Personal Light. It met all of my expectations and more!

One of my favorite things about this product were the “Relaxation Filters”. They come with an orange one that is a softer light that is perfect to help me fall asleep faster. With my lamp on, I usually keep reading and reading because the bright light keeps me awake. It’s great to keep reading, except on the mornings I have to get up and teach the next day. So, this product allows me to enjoy some reading(Which I have to do or I can’t fall asleep. This habit started when I was six years old.) and fall asleep sooner than I normally do. I also liked the hands free quality of the Beam n’ Read because you wear it around your neck. The product is so light and small that you forget that it’s even there. The addition of it having a Flip-Up Light was great, because you could change the direction of the light according to if you were sitting up or lying down in bed.

This product is highly recommended for all readers and crafters. I like the Beam n’ Read so much, that I’m buying one for my mom for Christmas. She’s an avid reader like me and also crochets a lot. So this will be the perfect gift! Thank goodness she doesn’t have the internet so she won’t be reading this blog post. ;)

 

 
  Testimonials 
 “I’ve never liked clip-on book lights because they add weight to the book, sometimes fall off, make it awkward to hold the book, and interfere with page turning. The Beam N Read has none of these problems, making them a pleasure to use” – BethFishReads.com 
“The red filter is my favorite. My hubby doesn’t like when I turn on a bright reading light in the dark…It cuts down ambient light, making everyone happy.” – Momwitha.com 
“The Beam N Read is by far the best personal reading light we have ever come across,” – Scott Carmichael, Executive Editor, Gadling.com    
Features
  • For hands free personal light anywhere; extra bright light is easy on the eyes; doesn’t disturb others
  • Wide light from 3 LEDs in a row lights up 2 book pages; works with ALL Kindles, eReaders
  • BNR Orange Relaxation Filter softens and warms the cool LED light and blocks energizing blue light
  • BNR Red Relaxation Filter blocks blue light, reduces ambient light, & helps maintains night vision
  • Alkaline AA batteries (not incl) last Extra Long 100 hours, 3-10x longer than most clip-on lights

   

Also Available
Beam N Read USB/AC Power Kit Beam n Read USB Adapter

  Save batteries for when you’re on the go or the next power outage with the Beam n Read Accessory USB Power Kit. It works with all Beam n Read LED Hands-Free lights (3 and 6 LED lights). In addition to the adapter’s 6 foot BnR to USB cable, this kit includes an additional 6 foot USB extension cord letting you work up to 12 feet from a USB-A socket. Need a longer cable? – just add a standard USB extension cable. Use the included USB/AC adapter or a USB DC car adapter/charger, or a computer’s USB port, or the USB adapter/charger for your cell phone, e-reader, etc. You may leave batteries in the Beam n Read or take them out to make a super lightweight light. Please note this kit is for external power adapter and will not recharge batteries.

Purchase your Adapter from Amazon
Beam n Read (1)
November 10th to December 10th

$25 Tour Giveaway

Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/15/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway — ~Inspired Kathy~ I Am A Reader Book Blasts & Blog Tours Feed Your Reader – Kindle Ebook Freebies &Deals

Lady Emma’s Campaign by Jennifer Moore — Blog Tour

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Nov 122014
 

23497684Lady Emma’s Campaign

Author: Jennifer Moore

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: November 1st, 2014

ISBN13: 9781621087885

Paperback: 224 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

She would follow him through peace and war.

London, 1811

The London Season is ushered in with a thrilling flurry of invitations, gowns, and parties. But despite her status as belle of the ball, lovely socialite Emma Drake simply cannot fathom becoming entangled with any gentleman of her acquaintance. For in truth, since childhood her heart has belonged to Captain Sidney Fletcher, a man of the sea—and her brother’s best friend. Emma knows that Sidney’s directive to free the Spanish city of Cadiz from French occupation will be dangerous, but when word arrives of his capture, she is frantic. Determined to aid her brother in Sidney’s rescue, she hides aboard his ship and sets a course to Spain. But the realities of war are a far cry from the drawing rooms of London, and Emma finds the man she loves a mere shadow of his former self. When a series of events leaves them trapped together behind enemy lines, Emma and Sidney must embark on a journey fraught with danger—from a bloody hunt for Spanish treasure to the battlefields of war-torn Spain, new threats lurk around every turn. As their flight becomes increasingly perilous, Sidney and Emma must trust each other with their lives—but can they trust the other with their heart?

My Review

Jennifer Moore is one talented lady.  I thought her writing couldn’t of gotten any better with her first book Becoming Lady Lockwood, but I was wrong.  I was blown away by this book.  It was so amazing.  Emma was beyond anything I could have imagined her to be.  She was an impressive gal when we first meet her, but what she had to endure through this book astounded me.  She was a rock star.  From the summary we know that Emma loves Sidney, and has for years, when he is thought dead, she does whatever it takes to try to find the truth and save him.  At one point while reading, I just screamed (out loud mind you, with an empty house), someone please help them!  Emma endured a lot as a child with her drunk father, but oh my goodness, she amazed me throughout this book.  Sidney was incredible too.  I loved the journey he took with himself as he figured out how he felt about Emma.  What he had to live through as a prisoner for two months, was heartbreaking.  I was impressed that the author didn’t skirt around the issues that he and Emma faced.  Nor did the author shield the reader from the spoils of war.  Her war details were so descriptive, it helped me get a glimpse of the horrors of war.

5 out of 5 stars.  Although this book could be meant as a stand-alone, I think you will understand and relate to Sidney (as well as William and Amelia) if you have read Becoming Lady Lockwood.

Author Links

Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

Blog Tour Schedule:

Lady Emma Campaign Bannera Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas by Emily Belle Freeman

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Nov 122014
 

Celebrating A Christ-Centered Christmas.FCelebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas: Seven Traditions to Lead Us Closer to the Savior

Author: Emily Belle Freeman

Publisher: Ensign Peak (Shadow Mountain/Deseret Book)

Published: September 30, 2014

ISBN13: 9781609078997

Paperback: 94 pages

FTC FYI: Received a paperback copy from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Summary

Discover how each figure of the nativity can lead your family closer to Christ this Christmas season.  Learn the tradition of the tinkling bell, whip up a batch of French cocoa, create a tender mercy tree, and find ways to make your gift-giving more meaningful as Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas guides you through seven meaningful traditions inspired by the nativity setting.  These simple experiences will give you an opportunity to escape from the frantic busyness of the Christmas season to spend time reflecting on the Savior and the miracle of His birth.

My Review

I was excited to review this book with the holiday season upon us.  Even more so, to take the time to reflect on and read a lovely book centered on Christ and Christmas.  I really appreciated the author’s introduction and what inspired her to write this book.  I loved how each chapter started with a verse of scripture, and ended with a summary of each tradition with suggestions how to incorporate it in your life.  As well as a sweet paragraph describing the tradition.  The author’s heart-felt stories and ideas make this book all the more enjoyable.  I can’t wait to start some of these and add to our own family Christmas traditions.

Author Info

Emily Freeman and Simon Dewey collaborated on the bestselling book The Ten Virgins. For nearly 20 years, Emily has addressed groups of women as a writer, songwrite, and motivational speaker. Her deep love of the scriptures comes from a strong desire to find their application in modern-day life. Emily and her husband, Greg, are the parents of four children and live in Lehi, Utah. Simon Dewey studied at a London art college before launching his career. In 1999 he entered the world of published fine art and soon became on of the bestselling artists of LDS religious works. He is the artist of Beloved Savior; This Is the Season, Beloved of the Year; and He Lives.

Links

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Deseret Book

ChristCenteredBanner

The No-Stress Holiday Organizer: An All-In-One Guide to Planning and Recording Your Holidays -Review

 Posted by  Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Nov 112014
 

 

 

 

 

Product Details

 

  • The No-Stress Holiday Organizer: An All-In-One Guide to Planning and Recording Your Holidays
  • Authors: Angela Baxter, Rod Fife, and Whitney Lindsley
  • Paperback: 144 pages
  • Publisher: Plain Sight Publishing (August 12, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1462114911
  • FTC, FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Details
Get organized this holiday season! Make your plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s as enjoyable for you as it is for your guests. From calendars and checklists to budget sheets and journal pages, this book saves you the time and money to enjoy family traditions old and new-year after year!

My Review:
With my first glance at this book it blew me away! Could it be possible to have everything to help me get organized…like EVERY detail, for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years in one book? Yes it is! I love everything in here from the calendars, to the check-lists, to the spaces for you to write down your guest lists. I also really liked where you could list the presents you’ve already bought and those still needed to buy. 

Another great thing you’ll find in this book are tips and details to help you budget and stick to it, make detailed lists of items you have stored for the holidays and inventory of what may need to be fixed or replaced, and also a place for recipes used and how to carve a turkey.

If you are looking for some help to get organized for the holidays, this is the perfect gift for yourself. This book will truly take the stress factor out of this years celebrations. 

You can purchase your copy of The No-Stress Holiday Organizer HERE at Amazon.

 Comments Off on The No-Stress Holiday Organizer: An All-In-One Guide to Planning and Recording Your Holidays -Review  Tagged with:

Broken Smiles by Tara Mayoros-Review and Author Interview

 Posted by  Book Reviews, Sheila's Reviews
Nov 052014
 

 

 

Product Description

  • Title: Broken Smiles
  • Author:
  • File Size: 584 KB
  • Print Length: 319 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Astraea Press Publishing, LLC (September 22, 2014)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00NU69UMU
  • FTC, FYI: I received a review e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
  • Review by Sheila

Book Description
One fateful night while performing at the Grammys, the pressure from the music industry becomes too much for Laidan. She is quickly carried off the stage, leaving the world audience stunned and amazed by her emotional performance. Accompanying her are a trusted bodyguard and a close childhood friend. Together they make for the jungles of China where she meets Doctor Rafe Watkins, a humanitarian who has reasons of his own for why he has chosen to live deep within the bamboo forests. The handsome doctor is building an orphanage and runs a clinic that fixes children’s broken smiles or cleft palets. Watching him perform his many acts of kind service, Laidan’s “broken smile” is also healing and she begins to fall deeply in love with him. She has finally found a place where she belongs. One problem – because of Rafe’s intentional seclusion from society for the past seven years, he does not know Laidan’s true identity. What will he do when he finds out? Can love conquer all, or is Laidan’s rock star fame too big for his quiet life?

My Review
Broken Smiles has many wonderful things going on in this novel. The beautiful descriptive settings in places like China and Morocco, sweep you away as if you were there. Not only do you “see” what it would look like there, but you also learn many things about the culture. You can clearly see the large amount of research that Author Tara Mayoros has done in the writing of this book.

 I also love the characters in this novel. Main character Laidan is bold, beautiful, honest and kind. She is very different from many heroines in a romance novel that are weak and whiny. She is always trying to find ways to help her family and friends. Laidan’s musical talents bring both happiness and heartache to her life. In the book, we read many of the lyrics that Laidan writes and makes into #1 hits. I have to say, I was very impressed with the lyrics that Tara wrote for her character. I also really liked the male lead character, Dr. Rafe, with his life mission to help the orphan children in China, especially those that needed to have cleft-palet surgeries. Both Laidan and Rafe have many things to overcome from their past, but they really click and their love story is real and melts your heart. This is a book written for adults, so some of the scenes have a little heat, but no sex. I also loved the way that Laidan sticks to her morals and comes right out to tell Rafe that she is waiting for marriage before sex. The side characters are also some of my favorites with Laidan’s quirky best friend Andi and her devoted, Tongan bodyguard, Kort. They both brought much needed humor and support for Laidan. In fact, I’d have to say that they are some of my favorite supporting characters that I’ve read in a long time. 

Let me warn you now, Broken Smiles will bring out many emotions in you. One minute you will be sad, then the next laughing, then you’ll be cheering someone on, then again something will bring you to tears. But in the end, you will be completely satisfied with the ending and wishing for more. Tara is an author who I know will be writing many more great novels in the future, and I’ll be there cheering her on.

I hope that you’ll enjoy this interview that I did with Tara!

 

Interview with Author Tara Mayoros

 

 

 

1. What inspired you to write Broken Smiles?
It is best to read my blog post http://taramayoros.com/2014/04/22/my-debut-novel-broken-smiles-coming-mid-2014/   My inspiration for the novel Broken Smiles came first from song lyrics that came to mind. They would not leave me alone. The dreams soon began and characters talked to me and the settings came to life. Then of course my living in China was fuel for the story and setting.

 

2.What is your favorite place to travel to?
My love for Asia is in my life blood. As a child I lived there and went back to visit many times and then lived in China as a college student. I also love Yellowstone, Moab, and the beach.
3.What are the most important things you’ve learned about being a writer and an author?
Have patience and determination. Those are tools that are crucial when it comes to writing. Things happen very slowly. There are times when you will wonder why this whole crazy process even matters. But there is someone out there who needs your voice and your words. What you write is important. 
4. What book/s are you working on right now?
I have a Christmas Novella releasing very soon called “Eight Birds for Christmas.” It is a companion novella to Broken Smiles.

I am also working on a YA fantasy trilogy called “Vagabond.” It is so different than my women’s fiction, but I am loving writing fantasy with a bit of horror.

5.What is your best advice for aspiring writers?
My best advise for aspiring writers would be to not give up. Seek out critique partners and like minded people who can be your cheering section and brainstorm with you. Be a constant student of the writing craft. No matter where you are in the writing and publication process, there is always more to learn. Go to conferences, enter writing competitions, don’t get discouraged. The process of creation should be fun.
6.What makes you the happiest?
Being with my family makes me the most happy. I have learned to stick to a writing schedule. I used to write whenever the muse nagged at me, even if it took away from family time. Now, I am much more strict about if I will listen to my imagination and itchy fingers when I am not at my scheduled writing time. Balance makes me happy. It is easy to get so wrapped up in your story that things begin to become off tilt. The act of creation, whether it is writing, painting, or playing my music, makes me very happy and it is a huge part of my life.
Author Bio: 
As a child, Tara Mayoros moved to Asia with her family where her love of different cultures and travel began. In college she satisfied her wanderlust by moving to China, filling her head with countless stories, and occasionally writing them down.Years, marriage, children and many adventures later, she picked up her dusty pen and paper (or laptop) and realized that writing took her to different worlds and gave her the experiences that she yearned for. As an author, artist, baker, music teacher, gardener, and nature lover – she sees the beauty in the process, and the miracle, of creation. The Rocky Mountains are her home and they call to her whenever she finds herself in need of inspiration.

You can contact Tara here at her website: http://taramayoros.com/

or at her Facebook page HERE

 Purchase at Amazon,

The Fortune Cafe by Heather B. Moore, Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson

 Posted by  Book Reviews
Nov 052014
 

19267246The Fortune Cafe: A Tangerine Street Romance

Authors: Heather B. Moore, Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson

Publisher: Mirror Press

Published: March 17th, 2014

ISBN13: 9781941145104

ebook: 280 pages

FTC FYI: Received a ebook copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads Summary

Welcome to Tangerine Street

Tangerine Street is a must-see tourist stop with a colorful mix of one-of-a-kind boutiques, unique restaurants, eclectic museums, quaint bookstores, and exclusive bed-and-breakfasts. The Fortune Café, situated in the middle of this charming collection of shops and cafés on Tangerine Street, is a Chinese restaurant unlike any other because, well, to be honest, the fortunes found in the cookies all come true…

MIS-FORTUNE: Emma, a waitress at The Fortune Café will do anything to avoid opening a fortune cookie. Each fortune is rumored to somehow magically come true. Being a girl grounded in reality, she doesn’t have time for that kind of nonsense. But when trying to prevent a food fight at the café, Emma accidentally cracks open a fortune cookie: “Look around, love is trying to catch you.” If there is one thing that Harrison, her former best friend in high school is good at, it’s catching her unaware.

LOVE, NOT LUCK: Lucy has always been lucky . . . until her parents meet her fiancé’s parents at a disastrous lunch at The Fortune Café, and she breaks her lucky jade necklace. Even worse, her fortune cookie reveals that “True love is for the brave, not the lucky.” How is she supposed to read that? She’s always considered how she met her fiancé lucky. But after breaking her necklace, Lucy’s luck takes a dive. And when her fiancé dumps her, the only person she can turn to is Carter, the unluckiest guy she knows.

TAKEOUT: Stella is content in her new life of taking over her mom’s jewelry shop. No more boyfriend to worry about, and as long as she stays busy, she doesn’t have to dwell on her non-existent love life. When Evan comes into the shop with his young daughter, Stella is charmed. But she is reluctant to complicate her straightforward life, so when she reads her fortune after ordering takeout from The Fortune Café, she completely ignores it. After all, how can a fortune as vague as “Do the thing you fear and love is certain,” apply to her?

My Review

These stories are so fun!  I thoroughly enjoyed each one.  I loved how they mixed with each other subtly, but in an entertaining and important way.  I loved the main characters in each.  Especially Emma and Stella.  My heart broke for Lucy and I loved the twist of her being dumped in her story.  I don’t want to reveal what happens in each, but each author does a great job of telling their stories without giving us everything at once.  Each part reads quickly and I felt satisfied after each one ended.  They’re sweet, clean stories that will leave you smiling.

Book Links (see above for author websites)

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Goodreads

 

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