The World's Greatest Adventure Machine by Frank L. Cole [Book Spotlight & Giveaway]

About the Book: An adventure novel about four lucky kids and a mysterious, but thrilling ride for fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Jurassic Park!

CastleCorp and the famous Castleton brothers are unveiling the World's Greatest Adventure Machine! The roller coaster is an experience like no other, and four lucky kids have won the chance to be the first to ride it.

There's Trevor, whose latest stunt got him in trouble at school again. There's Devin, whose father is pushing him to be the next Internet sensation. Nika's wealthy grandfather isn't too pleased about her participation. And Cameron, he'll be the first to tell you, is a certified genius.

The whole world is watching. But as the kids set off on their journey, they begin to realize that there is perhaps more to their fellow contest winners than meets the eye. And the Adventure Machine? It might just have a mind of its own.
Join the contestants on their wild ride if you dare. Your adventure starts now!

About the author: FRANK L. COLE lives with his wife and three children out west. When not writing books, Frank enjoys going to the movies and traveling. The World’s Greatest Adventure Machine is Frank’s ninth published book and his second with Delacorte Press. His first was The Afterlife Academy. You can learn more about his writing at frankcolewrites.com or find @franklcole on Twitter.

~ GIVEAWAY ~

Begins August 31

Ends September 21 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Buy: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Greatest-Adventure-Machine/dp/0399552820/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-worlds-greatest-adventure-machine-frank-l-cole/1125138718?ean=9780399552823

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from MMPublicity to facilitate this spotlight on the book. I received no compensation.

Maverick and Me by Katherine Schwarzenegger & illustrated by Harris Phyllis

My thoughts:     This delightful children's picture book is definitely for those who love dogs and would-be dog lovers. Also, it focuses on the need to adopt a dog rather than shop for one. It weighs heavily on the appeal that little forlorn lost puppies who are neglected have on tender hearted individuals and the universal appeal of a child with a puppy.

Katherine Schwarzenegger has written a sweet story involving Maverick who is the forlorn lost and neglected puppy. Found by a caring lady who takes him to a pet store. The owner of the store encourages her to take the puppy home and clean him up a bit returning soon to an "adopt a dog" event at the store.

After little Maverick gets a bit of tender care, he still doesn't have a lot of appear to some of the pet seekers. Finally a charming little girl adopts Maverick and they are forever in love in their "forever home."

The illustrations by Phyllis Harris are sweet and charming and beautifully capture the emotions of seekers and doggies alike. The joy of being in a "forever home" is exuberantly displayed in the ending pages of the story.

A lovely book about a way to provide homes for dogs and have that sweet pet of your own without adding to the population of pets being sold in the market.

About the book:  Dog lover and animal advocate Katherine Schwarzenegger draws from her own experience with fostering and adopting dogs to create a picture book that introduces children to the concept of “adopt, don’t shop.” In the heartwarming story of Maverick and Me, Maverick is rescued by a kind-hearted stranger after being dumped on the side of the road. The little puppy’s luck takes a turn for the better when young Scarlett meets him at an adoption event. Scarlett is so moved by Maverick’s story that she and her mother decide to give him the forever home he is looking for. Each year, millions of dogs find themselves in shelters and with animal rescues through no fault of their own. Maverick will help teach children about these dogs and empower even young readers to advocate for shelter pups.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a copy by Worthy/Ideals Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

Beauty and the Beak by Deborah LeeRose and Janie Veltkamp [Blog Tour & Giveaway]

Welcome to Day #3 of the Beauty and the Beak Blog Tour!

To celebrate the release of Beauty and the Beak by Deborah Lee Rose and Janie VeltKamp (8/27/17), blogs across the web are featuring exclusive content from Deborah, plus 5 chances to win a copy of Beauty and the Beak!

Surprising Facts About Conservation and Endangered Species

I was amazed to learn—and kids love to hear—how scientists worked to bring bald eagles back to regions of the U.S. where they had almost disappeared. The biologists had to take very young bald eagle chicks from parts of country where there were lots of bald eagles, and transplant the chicks to parts of the country where there were almost no bald eagles. The chicks had to be relocated before they fledged (learned to fly), because once a young bald eagle learns to fly, it will always consider the place it first flew as its home and come back there year after year to nest. So the scientists had to make sure the young eagles learned to fly in the new areas that would become their homes. Once they had taken bald eagle chicks to a different part of the country, biologists placed the chicks in special nesting boxes in trees in the wild. The biologists then camouflaged themselves, so they could feed and care for the chicks without the young eagles having direct contact with humans. As soon as the chicks started to fly and could hunt for their own food, the biologists left the eagles to their new wild life. Because of this amazing conservation effort, today bald eagle populations are increasing all over the U.S. and millions of people can now watch bald eagles in the wild.

*****

Blog Tour Schedule:

August 28th – Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust

August 29th — Word Spelunking

August 30th — Chat with Vera

August 31st  — Late Bloomer's Book Blog

September 1st — Living Simply

Buy: Persnickety Press

Follow Deborah: Website | Facebook | Twitter 

  Follow Janie: Website;| Facebook

BEAUTY AND THE BEAK is a new, nonfiction picture book about Beauty, the wild bald eagle that made world news when she was illegally shot, rescued, and received a pioneering, 3D-printed prosthetic beak. BEAUTY AND THE BEAK follows Beauty close up from the moment she uses her baby beak to emerge from her egg, through her hunt when she uses her powerful adult beak to feed herself, to the day her beak is shot off leaving her helpless. This brave and heartlifting story continues through her rescue, into the months of engineering her 3D-printed prosthetic beak and intense hours of her beak surgery, to the moment she takes the first drink of water by herself with her new beak. BEAUTY AND THE BEAK captures the spirit and courage of this amazing bird and America’s national symbol―whose species was nearly wiped out by human activity, only to be restored and thriving because of environmental conservation and human compassion. This book will resonate with stories of other animals endangered or in need, and with stories of humans, from young children to military veterans, in need of prosthetic limbs, who are being given new lives with state-of-the-art devices. The book includes expanded information about bald eagles as a top predator species, their near extinction in most of the U.S., their successful reintroduction back into the wild, and efforts to conserve this critical raptor species today.

About the Authors: Deborah Lee Rose is an internationally published, award-winning author of many beloved children’s books. Jimmy the Joey: The True Story of an Amazing Koala Rescue is a Reading is Fundamental/Macy’s Multicultural Collection title and Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Students K-12. Into the A, B, Sea was named to the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing. Deborah helped create and directed communications for the ALA/AASL award-winning national STEM education website Howtosmile.org, and helped created STEM activity apps for Lawrence Hall of Science which have been downloaded more than one million times. She also served as Director of Communications for Lindsay Wildlife Experience, which includes one of the first wildlife rehabilitation hospitals established in the U.S. Deborah lives in Walnut Creek, CA, and speaks at book events, conferences, schools and libraries across the country. Visit her website at deborahleerose.com.

Jane Veltkamp is a raptor biologist and rehabilitator, wildlife educator, trained nurse, and master falconer. She led the team who developed Beauty the Bald Eagle’s prosthetic beak and has lifetime care of Beauty. Jane is founder and executive director of Birds of Prey Northwest, in Idaho, a raptor center which educates the public about raptor conservation, including through live raptor programs, and has provided medical treatment and rehabilitation to thousands of injured birds of prey to return them to the wild. She spent ten years of her career reintroducing ospreys and peregrine falcons to regions where they had disappeared from their habitat in South Dakota and Indiana. She rescues and cares for Bald Eagles, including Beauty, by permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Jane lives near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and is also the eagle expert for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Native American Aviaries. Visit her website at birdsofpreynorthwest.org.

About Persnickety Press: Persnickety Press is the sister imprint of the Cornell Lab Publishing Group. Persnickety publishes a broad range of books for children and young adults, both fiction and nonfiction, from picture books through teen titles. Our books focus on empowerment, showing young people that what they do matters, what they care about is worthy of their attention and dedication, and even as children, they can make a real difference. 

~ GIVEAWAY ~

One (1) winner will receive a copy of Beauty and the Beak
US addresses only
Begins August 30
Ends September 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of Beauty and the Beak from MMPublicity to participate in this blog tour. Materials are provided by MMPublicity. Giveaway is hosted singularly on Chat With Vera with prize being provided and shipped by MMPublicity to the winner.

Good Earth Beauty Skin Care Set - Toner, Moisturizer, and Cleanser [Review & Giveaway - US & CANADA]

Searching the shelves of stores or the internet for skin care products can be a daunting and/or perplexing experience. You almost never know what the spend your hard-earned money on and fear it will be the wrong product for you.

If you're searching for natural products, you don't know if they are well-done, safe, pure, or will do the job you want - cleanse, protect, and help you avoid those awful signs of aging. So is it give and take, search and seek, hit and miss? Yep! A bit of all of that. However, there is hope.

On the Good Earth Beauty website there is a plethora of products some of which you will readily recognize from shopping elsewhere. And there is the Good Earth Beauty Exclusive product line which is affordable and made in the U.S.A.! Real winning attributes. They also SHIP FREE. Wow! That is a super plus. In addition, some of the Good Earth Beauty Exclusive products are carried in Whole Foods stores.

Good Earth Beauty Vitamin C Facial Cleanser

Today, we're looking at three of the Good Earth Beauty Exclusive skin care products. Since my skin is normal I'm looking at products formulated for normal skin - a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer (click here to see the skin care kit). I used the three products this morning and was completely satisfied with the way they performed. It takes a very small amount to do the job. The end result is skin pleasing to the touch, it feels good, looks good, and with a light brushing of blush makes for a good-to-go look for me.

Good Earth Beauty Rose & Green Tea Facial Moisturizer

I was pleased with the scent of each product. Frankly, there is little scent at all. The cleanser lathers very nicely and rinses well. It doesn't seem to be drying at all. Wonderful! The toner is a little denser (think light gel thickness) than the usual "Witch Hazel toner" that is astringent in nature. It is quite soothing. The cream moisturizer really moisturizes and leaves the skin feeling great. Don't use too much since a little goes a long way!

The Products: (from the Good Earth Beauty website)

FACIAL CLEANSER - VITAMIN C FOR NORMAL SKIN 

Exquisitely gentle and edifyingly healing....this Botanical Gel Wash is exactly what you have been looking for. Plant actives enrich this inspired formula with healing components. Plant lipids sooth and protect the upper dermal layers for a desirable washing experience....every day! Aloe Vera heals all that ails you skin wise...and coconut and sugar derived surfactants gently wash away the grime and goop of daily living for a fresh new start......one delightfully sudsy and luxurious drop at a time.

FACIAL TONER MIST - ALOE & LAVENDER ANTI OXIDANT FOR ALL SKIN TYPES

Spray Mist Bottle.  Loaded with unusual superstar ingredients, this toner performs above and beyond expectation. Treat half of your face for one week and marvel at the noticeable difference in color, texture, elasticity, tone, and smoothness. Each ingredient was carefully chosen for its youthening properties. You will be beyond thrilled with this toner.

FACIAL MOISTURIZER - ROSE & GREEN TEA FOR NORMAL SKIN

Pamper your skin with this moisturizing, all-purpose lotion. This delightful lotion absorbs right into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling yet provides the glide of a deep penetrating moisturizer. It conditions your skin while it moisturizes and softens, replenishing through the day.

Now in Whole Foods stores in New York & New Jersey - click to see list

Now one of my readers has the opportunity to win their own set of these three skin products. You will be able to choose the skin type products that you, personally, need.

GIVEAWAY - USA/CANADA

Set of 3 Skin Care Products

Begins August 29

Ends September 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
DISCLOSURE: I received 3 products to facilitate this review by personally trying the products and commenting on my experience. Review opinions are my own and freely given. Winner's products will be provided and shipped by Good Earth Beauty to the winner.

Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson (Bethany House Publishing)

My thoughts:  One never knows when opening a book by an author one has never read before just what to expect. Will it be enjoyable? Will it be intense? Will it entertain? Just what will this author convey to the reader, and will I come back for more?

I can honestly say that this novel had me turning the pages wanting to know just what else young Ian Wells - attorney, loving son, good guy - will stumble into next. I thoroughly enjoyed Todd M. Johnson's writing style and the way he was able to keep my attention and weave the story of a young man, a law firm, lots of money, and long ago crimes all the while featuring the sad truth of a mother in the throes of Alzheimer's.

Mystery, suspense, touch of romance (squeaky clean), unsolved crimes of years past, quirky personalities, good guys, tough guys. Guns and secrets.

As this young attorney begins investigating and delving into the simple case of disbursing a trust fund, he finds himself joyfully facing an unprecedentedly large fee to perform his responsibilities and an unrealistically limited number of days in which to do so. Coupled with these facts is his recurring dream of a time in his childhood that seems to have some connection to the people involved in the trust.

When I discovered the bad guy in the story, I was totally surprised. This is a must read. Todd M. Johnson draws from his knowledge as a practicing attorney and weaves legalese well into the narrative. This is an author I'll be watching heretofore.

About the book: A Simple Job. An Unbelievable Payout. But in Risking It All On Blind Trust, He May Just Lose Everything . . .

Ian Wells is a young, ambitious Minneapolis attorney struggling to build up a law practice while caring for a mother with Alzheimer's. As the stress and bills mount, Ian is nearing the breaking point when everything changes with a single new case. All Ian must do, the client demands, is judge whether three men qualify for nine million dollars of trust funds soon to be paid out by determining whether they've been involved in any criminal activity for the past twenty years. Ian's fee for a week's work: the unfathomable sum of two hundred thousand dollars.

The job seems too good to be true, and Ian wants to turn the offer down, but his needs weigh more heavily. He warily accepts the job--but is quickly dragged deep into a mystery linking the trust money to an illegal enterprise dating back to Prohibition and the greatest unsolved crime in Minnesota history. Ian soon finds himself the target of a swiftly tightening criminal investigation--realizing too late that this so-called simple job has spun out of control and now threatens his career, his future, and his life.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Bethany House publishers to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

God's Crime Scene for Kids by J.Warner Wallace & Wallace [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts:  The story flows nicely and grabs one's attention from the onset. Love the descriptive language as it seems to really be a "detective" talking about what is seen. Terse - singular - "detective style."

I wasn't impressed with the illustrations and felt that a publisher with the reputation of David C. Cook Publishing (http://davidcook.com) would have been more professionally done.

Sprinkled throughout the book are sidebars with instructions to "dig deep" and "CSI Assignment" with a Scripture reference to read and fill in the blanks.

As the story progresses, the study of forensics turns to the morgue where the doctor in charge discusses the brain, thoughts, reading, and God's creation of man in His image. Pretty heavy thinking and reading for the 7 to 12 age reader. Not completely beyond them, but still, pretty heavy.

I appreciate the author's writing, the story, and the endeavor to clearly teach children to think for themselves about understanding and "proving" the evidence of God's existence.

About the book: In this companion to Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, Jason uncovers a mystery in his grandmother's attic. He and his friends, Hannah, Daniel and Jasmine, enlist the help of Detective Jeffries at the Jr. Detective's Academy. Along the way, they develop the skills needed to investigate the mystery and the evidence of God's existence. The cadets learn logical-thinking skills as they examine the contents of a mysterious box and the vast universe.

In God's Crime Scene for Kids, real-life detective J. Warner Wallace shows kids ages 8 to 12 what skills are needed to solve Jason's mystery, and at the same time looks at evidence in the universe that demonstrates God is the creator. Ultimately, kids will learn how to make their own case for God's existence.

Give kids the tools to investigate the evidence of God in His creation!

About the author: J. Warner Wallace is a cold-case homicide detective who has been featured on Dateline, FOX News, and Court TV. A former atheist, he is the author of Cold-Case Christianity and God's Crime Scene. Wallace has a master's degree in theology and lives in California with his wife and four children.

  

  

GIVEAWAY #1 - A Copy for One Reader

Begins August 15

ENDS August 31 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More reviews and information -click here

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary "Advance Reader's uncorrected proof" copy from Litfuse Publicity Group to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and freely given. Winner's copy is provided and shipped to winner by author or publisher.

Beautiful crystal necklace in Vintage Bohemian style

I was presented the opportunity to review a piece of jewelry from Babies R Here - an online distributor. When I received this lovely necklace, I was quite impressed with the workmanship. A variety of sized crystals in blues and clear "white" are arranged in a vintage or bohemian style that is truly lovely.

This necklace can be worn day or evening. If worn in the evening, though, lights will surely reflect beautifully from this rounded, floral design. The design is available in either blue, green, or red stones and it sells for around $40 online at Babies R Here.

DISCLOSURE: I received this necklace at a discounted rate and was requested to review. Opinions are my own and freely given. I was not compensated.