When Vada was only eight, her mother abandoned her and her three sisters. From that moment on, she had to become a mother to her sisters and her childhood was over. As Vada becomes a grown woman, she continues to care for her sisters and her father while trying to find romance and her own place in life.
The Bridegrooms are a baseball team that have come to Vada’s town to play. When a horrible accident leaves a man in a coma, the entire team descends upon Vada’s home, as her father is the doctor in the area.
With the mystery of who the coma victim is, three younger sisters constantly getting into trouble, a baseball team wreaking havoc, questions unfolding about her mother and her own romantic issues, will Vada remain sane by the end of the book?
For me, this book was reminiscent of Alcott’s Little Women. We have four sisters with the eldest being the responsible one in charge, a middle sister who’s constantly getting into trouble, a middle sister who’s quiet and sweet, and the youngest sister who is the pretty, spoiled child. Though these characters aren’t created quite to the depth that Alcott’s are, they’re still rather enjoyable.
Throughout the book we have dark undertones constantly tugging at us, but the light-hearted manner in which the book is presented keeps us from feeling that deep sadness. Every time something tragic is brought up in the story it’s immediately followed by mirth and merriment which makes this an enjoyable read. I don’t think I’ve ever read a story about abandoned children and a man near death that made me smile so much.
Monday, August 30, 2010
A Wretched Man by RW Holmen
Before Jesus, the Jewish life was all about Torah. Torah must be observed above all else. Torah was law. With the death of Jesus, the Jewish faith was left in a political, as well as religious, wreck. One man, Paul, was given a vision on the road to Damascus. It was a vision from God that showed Paul what Jesus was attempting to accomplish while here on earth. After that night, Paul’s life was forever changed. He became the prime reporter, memorialist, essayist, interpreter, and promoter for the new faith that he believed Jesus had been trying to establish.
First off, remember this is a novel. There are no hard facts proving that what is contained in this book is what happened. I love the fact that the learned author took all of the facts that he did have and combined them into a novel of what may have happened. Given my own lessons in religion, they’re entirely plausible.
We start off the book with getting to know Paul as a person. It was interesting to me to see him humanized. Oftentimes it’s ‘Paul the apostle’ but you don’t really think about what he was like as an individual. You don’t stop to realize that he had hopes and dreams and desires just like the rest of us. For me, this really made the book. Whether any of the theories in the rest of the book are correct or not, it was wonderful for me to be able to take Paul out of the ‘fictional person’ category.
Another great aspect for me is that the book isn’t just about Paul. We also get to follow Jesus’ family and find out what became of them after his death. Although Jesus himself makes a very short appearance in the book, it’s his family that really drew me in. It made me really stop and think about what it must have been like for his family when everyone was calling him ‘the messiah’ when all along they’d just known him as their dreamer brother.
Regardless of your personal religious background, this book is absolutely breathtaking. The time period is so vividly painted that you can’t help but feel real imagery for what it was like then. Both the religious and political aspects of the time are brought to light. This is not a quick read to flip through in a day. I found myself contemplating each chapter after I finished it, just letting it really sink in.
First off, remember this is a novel. There are no hard facts proving that what is contained in this book is what happened. I love the fact that the learned author took all of the facts that he did have and combined them into a novel of what may have happened. Given my own lessons in religion, they’re entirely plausible.
We start off the book with getting to know Paul as a person. It was interesting to me to see him humanized. Oftentimes it’s ‘Paul the apostle’ but you don’t really think about what he was like as an individual. You don’t stop to realize that he had hopes and dreams and desires just like the rest of us. For me, this really made the book. Whether any of the theories in the rest of the book are correct or not, it was wonderful for me to be able to take Paul out of the ‘fictional person’ category.
Another great aspect for me is that the book isn’t just about Paul. We also get to follow Jesus’ family and find out what became of them after his death. Although Jesus himself makes a very short appearance in the book, it’s his family that really drew me in. It made me really stop and think about what it must have been like for his family when everyone was calling him ‘the messiah’ when all along they’d just known him as their dreamer brother.
Regardless of your personal religious background, this book is absolutely breathtaking. The time period is so vividly painted that you can’t help but feel real imagery for what it was like then. Both the religious and political aspects of the time are brought to light. This is not a quick read to flip through in a day. I found myself contemplating each chapter after I finished it, just letting it really sink in.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Garnier Fructis Blow Dry Perfector
Recently, I moved to a much more humid climate than I'm used to so I was really excited when Bzz offered me a chance to try out Garnier's new Blow Dry Perfector. As a Bzz Agent, they send me the product to try out and then tell others about. I have naturally wavy/curly hair that I straighten nearly every day. Since the move, instead of wavy/curly hair, I have a huge frizzball that I can't do anything with. I turned to Garnier in the hopes of taming the massive mess that was my hair.
In the Blow Dry Perfector system you get two different products. The first is a 20 minute deep Smoothing Serum. This serum has an ingredient in it called 'cyteine' which I did a little research on. Cyteine is actually derived from hair and is what gives it it's glossy sheen. At least that's what I found out about it. Any scientists out there, feel free to set me straight. The second product is a heat activated Perfect It cream. This product you put on your hair after you wash and condition it. Then heat from the blow dryer or straightening iron activates it.
My personal experience wasn't quite what I was hoping for. The smoothing serum has a horrid smell! It reminded me of those perms everyone used to get in the 80's. Thankfully after about 24 hours the smell dissipated, but it was really distracting and stung my eyes for awhile. The perfecting cream smells like a heavenly citrus, however. After a few uses, my hair is definitely shinier and smoother. It feels soft to the touch and I don't have any difficulty with tangles at all. The disappointing part for me, other than the odor, is that I'm still plagued by horrid frizz. I was hoping for at least a bit more ease in using the straightener, but no such luck. It did help, but not as much as I was hoping it would for the price.
In the Blow Dry Perfector system you get two different products. The first is a 20 minute deep Smoothing Serum. This serum has an ingredient in it called 'cyteine' which I did a little research on. Cyteine is actually derived from hair and is what gives it it's glossy sheen. At least that's what I found out about it. Any scientists out there, feel free to set me straight. The second product is a heat activated Perfect It cream. This product you put on your hair after you wash and condition it. Then heat from the blow dryer or straightening iron activates it.
My personal experience wasn't quite what I was hoping for. The smoothing serum has a horrid smell! It reminded me of those perms everyone used to get in the 80's. Thankfully after about 24 hours the smell dissipated, but it was really distracting and stung my eyes for awhile. The perfecting cream smells like a heavenly citrus, however. After a few uses, my hair is definitely shinier and smoother. It feels soft to the touch and I don't have any difficulty with tangles at all. The disappointing part for me, other than the odor, is that I'm still plagued by horrid frizz. I was hoping for at least a bit more ease in using the straightener, but no such luck. It did help, but not as much as I was hoping it would for the price.
L'Oréal® Paris Collagen Micro-Pulse™
As a Bzzagent, I often get new products to try out and tell others about. Recently, they sent me L'Oreal's Micro-Pulse Eye kit. I'm in my mid-thirties. Though crow's feet and wrinkles aren't a part of my daily life yet, I know they're just around the corner. The first thing I did when I received my package was rip it open and play with it. On one end we have a wonderful eye cream and on the other end a tiny little micro-pulse 'vibrator' that feels just wonderful! According to L'Oreal, as soon as you use it, crow's feet and eye bags appear reduced. After four weeks, crow's feet appear reduced, dark circles appear minimized and eye bags appear visibly diminished. I'm sure you're noticing the word 'appear' in there a lot, but that's the entire point. That we appear to not have those wrinkly, baggy eyes!
Personally, I really didn't notice any difference to my face using it. As I stated earlier though, I don't really have crows feet or bags under my eyes. I'd love to hear feedback from someone who has noticed a difference. I will say that I enjoyed using the product. It made me feel more relaxed and as if I was doing something wonderfully girly.
Look up L'Oreal Paris on Facebook for more information regarding their products, beauty tips and special offers.
Personally, I really didn't notice any difference to my face using it. As I stated earlier though, I don't really have crows feet or bags under my eyes. I'd love to hear feedback from someone who has noticed a difference. I will say that I enjoyed using the product. It made me feel more relaxed and as if I was doing something wonderfully girly.
Look up L'Oreal Paris on Facebook for more information regarding their products, beauty tips and special offers.
Shadows in Summer by Crescent Varrone
When injured ballet dancer Katrina Nielsen and her American husband, Richard, purchase Sound House, they hope that the charming home will ease their transition from New York to Copenhagen. Katrina was just nineteen when she fled gloomy Denmark, leaving behind her mother, Ingrid, and her grief over her father's death. Seven years later, she returns home to face the ghosts of her past. Yet when weird events begin to occur at Sound House -inexplicable smoke and footsteps, a ghostly face at the window - she starts to think she is being haunted by the ghost of Karl Damsgaard, the original owner. After she's 'attacked' by an unseen force, Katrina becomes convinced that something is trying to drive her out of the house...or out of her mind. (Taken from the back of the book)
What a fun book! It's dark and delicious the entire way through! Each character is carefully constructed with a background full of skeletons and riddles. Though most of their backgrounds have nothing at all to do with the story, they add an intrigue that just keeps you flipping page after page. The fact that each chapter is written in first person by a different character in the book just adds to the realism of each character. Together they form a complex web that snares you into the very core and keeps you guessing until the very end. Is Sound House haunted? You be the judge! I still have no idea!
Overall, this is an excellent read for someone wanting a taste of haunting. It doesn't go overboard on the paranormal, but just gives you enough of a teaser to make it realistic and plausible. If you're still in the mood for a breezy summer read, this isn't it. With fall fast approaching though, I strongly suggest you pick it up for the haunting month of October!
What a fun book! It's dark and delicious the entire way through! Each character is carefully constructed with a background full of skeletons and riddles. Though most of their backgrounds have nothing at all to do with the story, they add an intrigue that just keeps you flipping page after page. The fact that each chapter is written in first person by a different character in the book just adds to the realism of each character. Together they form a complex web that snares you into the very core and keeps you guessing until the very end. Is Sound House haunted? You be the judge! I still have no idea!
Overall, this is an excellent read for someone wanting a taste of haunting. It doesn't go overboard on the paranormal, but just gives you enough of a teaser to make it realistic and plausible. If you're still in the mood for a breezy summer read, this isn't it. With fall fast approaching though, I strongly suggest you pick it up for the haunting month of October!
Apple Turnovers
In a sweet craving mood this morning, I decided it was a great day to make apple turnovers. After a bit of browsing online, I came up with a turnover crust that looked like it might be tasty so I gave it a shot. Honestly, these are the best turnovers ever! I used the crust on this page and filled them with apples, cinnamon and sugar. Then topped with just a simple powdered sugar icing. There were flaky and delicious! I haven't had a chance to peruse through the rest of this web site, but I'm hoping I'll find some more wonderful recipes to try out! Check for yourself and if you try one out, let me know which one and how it turned out! Go here!
Giveaway Scout
With the recent moving, I haven't been checking in as often as I should. Hopping on here this morning, I found a comment from Josh at giveawayscout.com asking me to check out their site and possibly add my blog to it. I went to check it out and I'm decently impressed! Giveawayscout has a huge blogroll that they go through and then they take all the freebies and giveaways and contests and post them for readers to see! It's a great, convenient location to pop in and find a few freebies as well as gain a bit more exposure for your site. There's also a gadget where blog owners are able to go in and post their own contests/giveaways instead of waiting for the site to catch them! Genius idea that I think will catch on quickly! I'm off to add my blog and see what wonderful freebies I can find! Go here!
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