The Bone House is the second book in the Bright Empires series. Having read the first book in the series, The Skin Map, I was interested in reading how the story would continue. I would classify this book and series as science fiction. The characters travel between different times and places by using a ley system.
This second book further develops the characters of Kit and Mina, as well as giving us more insight into the side stories of Flinders Petrie, (the man who "is" the skin map) and Archie Burleigh (the "bad guy"). New characters are introduced as well.
All of the characters, good and bad, are on the quest for the skin map that will lead them to a treasure.
The pace of this book is pretty fast and the chapters jump between the current events of several characters. The characters are also ley jumping between times and places. So, I felt like I had to pay pretty close attention to keep up with what was going on. As the book progressed, the characters began to connect with each other more and we saw bits of the mystery begin to be revealed. Still, there are questions left unanswered that leave us to wonder if they will be found in the third book. After a run in with Burleigh and his men, the book leaves us with Mina taking care of Giles, alliances made with Lady Fayth, and Kit with a tribe in the Stone Age.
I did feel that the author at times rambled on and gave unnecessary information and details that somewhat lost my interest. Science fiction is not my favorite genre of fiction to read, however, I have to say that overall, this series has held my attention for the most part. I can definitely see how fans of science fiction would love this series.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
My Review of The New Women's Devotional Bible
If you are looking for a new Bible, then the New Women's Devotional Bible is one that you may want to consider. It is published by Zondervan and is written in the New International Version. Before each book, there is an introduction which gives basic facts and information about the book. There are devotions for each week day and also a devotion for each weekend. The devotions correspond with the Bible reading you and give helpful thoughts and questions that you can reflect on. Also, there are thoughts that correlate with the Scripture passages in small boxes throughout the Bible. For example, Matthew 24:35 God is Eternal. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
There are some other helpful resources included as well. There is a subject index as well as reading plan. Additionally, in the preface of the Bible, it gives helpful information about the Bible and how it is sectioned off.
Overall, I think this is a very user friendly Bible with some really great devotionals for your quiet time. I enjoyed that the devotions were not just written by one person, but by many different women, including Anne Graham Lotz, Edith Schaeffer, Priscilla Shirer, Joni Eareckson Tada, Carol Kent and Liz Curtis Higgs to name just a few.
I would highly suggest that you consider this Bible if you are looking for a solid devotional Bible. I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my review by the publisher via NetGalley. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.
There are some other helpful resources included as well. There is a subject index as well as reading plan. Additionally, in the preface of the Bible, it gives helpful information about the Bible and how it is sectioned off.
Overall, I think this is a very user friendly Bible with some really great devotionals for your quiet time. I enjoyed that the devotions were not just written by one person, but by many different women, including Anne Graham Lotz, Edith Schaeffer, Priscilla Shirer, Joni Eareckson Tada, Carol Kent and Liz Curtis Higgs to name just a few.
I would highly suggest that you consider this Bible if you are looking for a solid devotional Bible. I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my review by the publisher via NetGalley. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
EXPOTV
I get a lot of questions about Expotv and so I thought I would tell you a little about the program and how I use it.
Expotv is a website in which consumers upload videos in which they give their honest opinions about different products. In exchange for a review, you earn points (typically 500-1000). They also have a tryology program in which they send you the product to try in exchange for your review. My husband got a Braun electric shaver and I have gotten several health and beauty items as well as household items. There are also surveys that you can fill out to earn points.
You can redeem your points for a variety of items, but primarily, I have used my points to get gift cards. I have gotten restaurant gift cards as well as Amazon gift cards. Here are a few of the things that I have done the past few months by using this program.
I was able to fund most of my Christmas shopping last year with my points. I used the points to get Amazon cards and then went shopping!
When we went on vacation for a week this summer, we were able to eat out almost every day with a gift card, which saved us a LOT of money since we are a family of 5. Some of the places we ate were Outback, Macaroni Grill, Cracker Barrell and Olive Garden. So we were able to go to places that were NOT fast food and enjoy nice meals for FREE. We checked ahead to see what restaurants were in the area so that we could get gift cards for those places.
We ate at Carrabba's for our anniversary with a gift card.
I bought my husband a Nintendo Wii with the Sports Resort game package from Amazon.com
I should add that a lot of these events were close together and so I was earning a lot of points quickly to be able to all of these things. So our family has benefitted geatly from Expotv! I have even made my husband sign up so he can earn points too. The great thing is that it is FREE to sign up. I upload several videos a month and it is SO easy to earn points. If you are interested, check them out here Expotv or copy and paste in your browser www.expotv.com/raf/thepresley.
Expotv is a website in which consumers upload videos in which they give their honest opinions about different products. In exchange for a review, you earn points (typically 500-1000). They also have a tryology program in which they send you the product to try in exchange for your review. My husband got a Braun electric shaver and I have gotten several health and beauty items as well as household items. There are also surveys that you can fill out to earn points.
You can redeem your points for a variety of items, but primarily, I have used my points to get gift cards. I have gotten restaurant gift cards as well as Amazon gift cards. Here are a few of the things that I have done the past few months by using this program.
I was able to fund most of my Christmas shopping last year with my points. I used the points to get Amazon cards and then went shopping!
When we went on vacation for a week this summer, we were able to eat out almost every day with a gift card, which saved us a LOT of money since we are a family of 5. Some of the places we ate were Outback, Macaroni Grill, Cracker Barrell and Olive Garden. So we were able to go to places that were NOT fast food and enjoy nice meals for FREE. We checked ahead to see what restaurants were in the area so that we could get gift cards for those places.
We ate at Carrabba's for our anniversary with a gift card.
I bought my husband a Nintendo Wii with the Sports Resort game package from Amazon.com
I should add that a lot of these events were close together and so I was earning a lot of points quickly to be able to all of these things. So our family has benefitted geatly from Expotv! I have even made my husband sign up so he can earn points too. The great thing is that it is FREE to sign up. I upload several videos a month and it is SO easy to earn points. If you are interested, check them out here Expotv or copy and paste in your browser www.expotv.com/raf/thepresley.
My Review of It's Your Kid, Not a Gerbil by Dr. Kevin Leman
Let me begin by saying that I am a huge Leman fan. I have read several of his books on marriage and parenting and have found his advice to be practical and balanced. It's Your Kid, Not a Gerbil is no exception.
When most of us picture a gerbil, we think of the furry creature running on the wheel. He runs as fast as he can, but ultimately ends up nowhere. This is the premise for Dr. Leman's book. In the busyness of our world today, not only are we as adults stressed and busy, but our kids are too. Many parents taxi their kids around from one practice to another event every day of the week, leaving little or no time for family togetherness or quality time.
Dr. Leman walks us through some of the reasons that we give for keeping our kids so busy. So many of us have the mindset that if our kids are busy, then they will stay out of trouble. Other parents feel like if their children are going to be successful in life that they need to be involved in a wide range of activities. Some of us are simply competitive and want our child to make us look good.
This book conveys the message that our kids need to have time with us as parents. They need our input into their lives. I loved the point that Dr. Leman made that there is no coach or ballet teacher or even church leader that can take the place of the influence that a parent has over their children. We need to embrace every opportunity to spend not only quality time with our children, but to give them large quantities of our time as well. Our kids need to be in close relationship with us. They need to feel safe in confiding in us; knowing that whatever they face, we will walk with them through the situation.
I especially enjoyed chapters 3 and 4, which discussed the myths that many parents believe, such as:
Quality is better than quantity
Our kids deserve the things we didn't have
Kids should be able to express themselves however they wish
A gifted child is a successful child
and
It's important to be competitive and finish first
I so appreciate the emphasis that in the long run, character is more important than accomplishments. I HIGHLY recommend this book to every parent. It is filled with nuggets of wisdom and advice from a man who truly cares about seeing successful families and well balanced children...who become well balanced adults.
I was provided with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review by the publisher via Net Galley. I was not obligated to provide a positive opinion, but I am eager to do so!
When most of us picture a gerbil, we think of the furry creature running on the wheel. He runs as fast as he can, but ultimately ends up nowhere. This is the premise for Dr. Leman's book. In the busyness of our world today, not only are we as adults stressed and busy, but our kids are too. Many parents taxi their kids around from one practice to another event every day of the week, leaving little or no time for family togetherness or quality time.
Dr. Leman walks us through some of the reasons that we give for keeping our kids so busy. So many of us have the mindset that if our kids are busy, then they will stay out of trouble. Other parents feel like if their children are going to be successful in life that they need to be involved in a wide range of activities. Some of us are simply competitive and want our child to make us look good.
This book conveys the message that our kids need to have time with us as parents. They need our input into their lives. I loved the point that Dr. Leman made that there is no coach or ballet teacher or even church leader that can take the place of the influence that a parent has over their children. We need to embrace every opportunity to spend not only quality time with our children, but to give them large quantities of our time as well. Our kids need to be in close relationship with us. They need to feel safe in confiding in us; knowing that whatever they face, we will walk with them through the situation.
I especially enjoyed chapters 3 and 4, which discussed the myths that many parents believe, such as:
Quality is better than quantity
Our kids deserve the things we didn't have
Kids should be able to express themselves however they wish
A gifted child is a successful child
and
It's important to be competitive and finish first
I so appreciate the emphasis that in the long run, character is more important than accomplishments. I HIGHLY recommend this book to every parent. It is filled with nuggets of wisdom and advice from a man who truly cares about seeing successful families and well balanced children...who become well balanced adults.
I was provided with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review by the publisher via Net Galley. I was not obligated to provide a positive opinion, but I am eager to do so!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Beaumont Bargain Bee
Here is the Daily Deal for the Beaumont, Texas area.
$40 Haircut and Highlights
$40 Haircut and Highlights
$10 off Yankee Candles!
Here is a coupon for $10 your purchase of $25 or more with Yankee Candle Co.
http://www.yankeecandle.com/assets/email/fall10off25/couponFall10off25.html
http://www.yankeecandle.com/assets/email/fall10off25/couponFall10off25.html
Family Talk with Dr. Dobson
Here is a great audio session worth listening to! Handling Money Conflicts within Marriage.
Resolving Money Conflicts Within Marriage
Resolving Money Conflicts Within Marriage
Free E-book
Free e-book on blogging
Head on over to this site to find out how to get your FREE e-book om Blogging For Moms!
Head on over to this site to find out how to get your FREE e-book om Blogging For Moms!
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