Blown Coverage (Riley Covington Series #2) by Jason Elam, Steve Yohn

About the book:  Linebacker Riley Covington returns to another season of mini-camp for the Colorado Mustangs just as a wave of terrorist attacks begin to occur across the country. Sleeper cells are being awakened—likely by the leader of the Cause, who has recently escaped from captivity and is coordinating attacks not only on America but also on Riley and his loved ones. As Jim Hicks, Scott Ross, and the rest of the Counter terrorism Division follow leads in Europe, Riley goes on the offensive to draw out his attackers. But can the Cause be stopped before they're able to reach their ultimate goal? Tyndale House Publishers

My thoughts: This story is written by a football player and involves a professional football player and his involvement in taking down sleeper terrorist cells.

Excitement, suspense, intrigue, and danger lurk on every page. Peek into the world of the pro football league (PTL) as Riley Covington takes on the enemy. Riley’s loved ones, team, country, and world at large are in danger of jihad. But as a Christian, Riley prays for God’s protection and care as he races toward danger and battle.

Fast paced, this story is sure to engage the interest of suspense readers and especially appeal to those who follow pro football.

Book one in the series by this team of authors is Monday Night Jihad.

Published by Tyndale House Publishing

Dr. Fischer Anti-Wrinkle Lycopene Night Cream and Serum

Recently, I was given the opportunity to review skin care products for Dr. Fischer's Dead Sea Minerals and I enjoyed the products so much. They also sent me facial care products in another of their lines, that I have been using. They did not ask me to review these two products, but I thought I would share with readers what I thought of them.

First of all, they are pleasant on the skin. You skin doesn't feel greasy nor does it feel drawn and tight. Let's look at the products and what they are all about.....

Product information:  As the body ages, it loses its ability to produce the collagen and elastin protein framework that is critical for its structural support. When this occurs, aging signs, such as lines, creases and wrinkles become increasingly apparent. Dr. Fischer R&D Laboratories have created the Anti-Wrinkle Lycopene range; a world-leading breakthrough and the result of the most advanced and effective anti-aging technology for the immediate
and long-term treatment of wrinkles. Anti-Wrinkle Lycopene instantly and noticeably refines, firms and plumps-up the skin and provides long-term anti-aging protection against wrinkle formation.

IMMEDIATE LIFT SERUM – Noticeably Reduces Wrinkles Firms the skin and reduces dark circles around the eyes. Dry to Normal Skin - Oil-Free
Lycopene, Dynalift™, Hyaluronic Acid,
Q10, Polysaccharide, Polyamides.

• Immediately reduces the appearance of aging signs on delicate facial tissue.

• Polyamide micro-fibers visibly refine aging and facial expression lines.

• Intensive treatment to help create firm, supple and youthful looking skin.

• Powerful antioxidant protection against harmful and aging free radicals.

TIME DEFYING NIGHT CREAM - Effectively Treats Wrinkles (face, neck & décolletage)Works over-night to help reduce lines and wrinkles.
Dry to Normal Skin - Oil-Free
Lycopene, Hyaluronic Filling Spheres,
Vitamin A, Vitamin E, CM-Glucan,
Pro-Vitamin B5, Polysaccharide, Silicone Elastomers. 

• Effectively diminishes aging signs for a noticeably improved complexion. 

• Enriched with optimal moisture and nutrition to help restore and renew the skin.

• Gives the skin a smooth, supple, shine-free appearance and great silky-soft after feel.

• Powerful antioxidant protection against harmful and aging free radicals.

Produced in Israel, I don't know how readily available these are the the United States but here is a site I found them at online:  http://www.israeliproducts.com/c/fischer.html

My thoughts:  The way I used these two products was to apply the serum in the morning under my moisturizer and makeup. Then at night I cleaned my face and applied the night cream.  The serum is nice feeling on my skin and doesn't make it feel drawn like some serums. The night cream is, well, "creamy" and feels very nice on my skin - not oily like some night creams are. I thoroughly enjoyed using these two products.  When I use products of this quality, I feel like I am taking good care of my skin and providing those little extras that will help prevent the wrinkles of aging by keeping my skin toned and moist.

DISCLOSURE: I received one of each of these products at no cost to me. No review was expected. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.

Cascadian Farm Organic Honey Crunch Cereal and Help Save the Bees Program

The folks at Cascadian Farms sent me a surprise package with a birthday card and a box of cereal. The cereal is their buzz crunch honey almond which consists of organic whole grain oats, crisp rice flakes, corn flakes, almonds and honey. This box of cereal is part of a large promotion to help save the bees! (Watch the video below - it is delightful for you and the kiddies.)

For each box sold between 3/1/14-1/1/16  Cascadian Farms will donate $1 until they reach $100,000 to be used to help save the bees. Click the "save the bees" link to read a bit about how vital bees are to our food chain and do enjoy the video.

Now this box of honey almond buzz crunch cereal is delicious! The variety of grains is choice and so good. he Buzz Crunch cereal is a Whole Foods Market exclusive product and there will only be 100,000 of them produced.  I believe you'll enjoy it, too.

SAVE THE BEES

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary box of cereal from Cascadian Farm with no expectation for a review. Opinions expressed are solely my own, unsolicited, and without payment.

One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon

ISBN: 9780800722678

About the book:  Claire Summers is a determined, independent single mother who is doing her best to make lemonade out of the lemons life has handed her. Keith Watson is a results-oriented workaholic with no time for a social life. As the executive assistant to a local philanthropic businessman, he’s used to fielding requests for donations. But when a letter from Claire’s eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk, everything changes. The girl isn’t asking for money, but for help finding the long-lost son of an elderly neighbor.

As Keith digs reluctantly into this complicated assignment, he has no idea how intertwined his life and Claire’s will become–nor how one little girl’s kindhearted request will touch so many lives and reap so many blessings.

Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, Irene Hannon offers readers this tenderhearted story of family connections that demonstrates how life is like lilacs–the biggest blooms often come only after the harshest winters.

My thoughts:  Each of the characters in the book is well-drawn and believable and the story flows very well. This is a pleasant, enjoyable read with joyful moments and glimpses into people's past that will bring shudders to your inner being. A sweet boy meets girl story; a journey into the world of hurting adoptees and broken lives; and another sweet boy meets girl only this time it's a September romance.

But for my liking, I think Haley - that delightful little girl - is the real prize of the story. Her joy and innocence and sweetness will win your heart.

Irene Hannon writes good fiction that is pleasant to read.

DISCLOSURE:  I received a complimentary copy from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I received no compensation for this review.

Purex© Crystals Dryer Sheets (Review and Giveaway)

 As a Purex© Insider, I was given the opportunity to try out and review their new laundry product - Purex©  Crystals Dryer Sheets.  I know about the wonderful Purex© Crystals fragrance additive that makes laundry fragrant and pleasant. And I wondered how in the world would they incorporate Crystals into dryer sheets.

30 days of long lasting Crystals freshness!
Who knew that one little sheet could do so much? Purex Crystals Dryer Sheets don’t just reduce static cling and leave your family’s laundry soft and smelling fresh: They can also keep your whole house smelling fresh for weeks not days!
Choose your favorite Purex Crystals fragrance and tuck a sheet in hampers, in the linen closets, and any other laundry storage areas. 

What scents are available?

• Fresh Spring Water |  

• Lavender Blossom

Already Purex© Dryer Sheets have proved to be a good product that has many uses. Example: 1) for softening your laundry, 2) preventing static cling, 3) making your laundry smell heavenly, and 4) as an air freshener when you stash it in and about your home. So this new Purex© Crystals Dryer Sheets already has a lot to live up to.

The folks at Purex© are suggesting you use it in your dryer for the obvious softening, freshening, and static cling elimination. But they are also suggesting you keep your whole house smelling fresh by tossing one in the dirty clothes hamper, linen closet, and other nifty spots. They are also saying that using the Crystals Dryer Sheets aids in repelling pet hair and lint.

WIN ~ WIN ~ WIN Here is your opportunity as a Chat With Vera reader to win a coupon for a free box of Purex©Crystals Dryer Sheets. (2 winners will each receive 1 free product coupon) GIVEAWAY begins May 2 & ENDS May 19 @ 12:01 a.m EDT. Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE:  I received a box of Purex© Crystals Dryer Sheets in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own and I received no compensation for this review. Free product coupons for the giveaway are also provided by Purex Insiders Group and will be mailed to the winners by Chat With Vera.

Blood Moons Rising: Biblical Prophecy, Israel, and the Four Blood Moons by Mark Hitchcock

ISBN: 9781414397085
Tyndale House Publishers

My thoughts:  When I first saw Blood Moons Rising offered as a book to review, I really thought it was an end-time novel. I had never heard about the blood moons, though I had heard about the moon turning to blood as an end sign. But I am neither a theologian nor a Biblical scholar and am not even well versed in debating or discussing Biblical prophecy. I’m just a lady that has attended church all her life and heard some really good preaching. I am a Christian and I take my Christianity seriously. So when I received the book and saw that it was a non-fiction treatise by Mark Hitchcock on the subject of the four Blood Moons and the theory of blood moons previously and prophetically affecting the Jewish peoples, I decided to do a bit of research prior to delving into the pages of Blood Moons Rising.

As I found in my own research and saw in Mr. Hitchcock’s book, there is theory that John Hagee adheres to based on the premise that since these blood moons centuries ago occurred when major events also occurred impacting the Jewish peoples, that during the years 2014-15 when there would be four of the blood moons occurring the events would serve as a sign of end times.  Mr. Hitchcock disagrees with the reading of signs into these occurrences. Mr. Hitchcock also disputes the methods of interpretation used by these theorists.

Blood Moons Rising is not a heavy read, but it certainly is not light reading either. I believe Mr. Hitchcock has stated it concisely in this statement referring to Mr. Hagee and other theroists …. “speculation and a misinterpretation of Scripture.”  We are to be careful in our interpretation of the Bible and especially in assigning signs in the sky and earth as prophetic to the coming of Christ and the end of time.

Points of interest:

• John Hagee published a book called "Four Blood Moons: Something Is About to Change," which suggesta a link between the new lunar tetrad and a biblical prophecy about the apocalypse.
• Joel 2:31 KJV states: "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come."
• Revelations 6:12: "There was a great earthquake. The Sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair. The whole Moon turned blood red."
• Tetrad dates coincide with Passover (April 15, 2014 and April 4, 2015) and the Jewish observance of Sukkot (Oct. 8, 2014 and Sept. 28, 2015)

DISCLOSURE:  I received a complimentary copy of Blood Moons Rising: Biblical Prophecy, Israel, and the Four Blood Moons from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review.  Opinions expressed are solely my own and I received no compensation for this review.

Blood Moons Rising

Status: Requested

Tour Dates: 01/28 - 03/03

Estimated Ship Date: 03/04/14

- See more at: http://tyndaleblognetwork.com/1_Title/my-titles.php?success=547#sthash.MfIwL6iK.dpuf

Blood Moons Rising

Status: Requested

Tour Dates: 01/28 - 03/03

Estimated Ship Date: 03/04/14

- See more at: http://tyndaleblognetwork.com/1_Title/my-titles.php?success=547#sthash.MfIwL6iK.dpuf

Speaking of birthdays and of Muir Glen Canned Tomato Products

You know, there is something to be said about having birthdays and getting older. Some folks dread them because they are getting older. Some folks anticipate them with joy because they have lots of birthday fun. Frankly, I don't know what category I actually fall into.

3 Wonderful cans of Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes

Seems my birthdays are not something I dread, though I've reached the Biblical 3 score and 10 plus a few. They are just days that happen and they happen to be mile-markers. Hopefully, I've grown a bit wiser as the years have passed. I know I've grown more experienced and learned to appreciate a new day more than in previous years.

This year, I had a nice surprise from the folks at Muir Glen. I've been an unpaid product reviewer (here on Chat With Vera) for them for awhile and it has been a joy to do so. Now what these good folks did is send me a box of goodies and here are the pictures. A picture says much more and usually much better than a bunch of words. So let's see what the camera shows you.....

Beef and tomatoes dish and rice

I decided to use the Fire Roasted tomatoes in a "made up" dish. I had a lovely beef rump roast and wanted to do something different with the left overs. This is a beautifully lean cut of beef. I cubed the cold meat and set it aside. Then I used my Cuisinart Crockpot that sautes and sauteed a green bell pepper and sweet onion in a little olive oil. When it was a bit caramelized.

Here is a close up of the meat dish. No, it isn't a "soup" but it does have this nice and rich sauce that just makes itself.

And one more look at my lovely package. See the tote bag and dish towel? Isn't life good.

DISCLOSURE: I received the above pictured items from Muir Glen as a surprise and there was no
expectation for a review. Opinions and comments are solely my own unsolicited and no compensation received.