Friday, January 3, 2014

Review & Giveaway: Hospice Voices by Eric Lindner

Today it is my honor to kick off the tour of Hospice Voices!

Book Description:
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, Oct. 6, 2013
Category: Memoir, Non-Fiction, Volunteerism, Hospice, Caregiver
Tour Dates: January, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 232 pages
As a part-time hospice volunteer, Eric Lindner provides companion care to dying strangers. They are chatterboxes and recluses, religious and irreligious, battered by cancer, congestive heart failure, Alzheimer s, old age. Some cling to life amazingly. Most pass as they expected.
In telling his story, Lindner reveals the thoughts, fears, and lessons of those living the ends of their lives in the care of others, having exhausted their medical options or ceased treatment for their illnesses. In each chapter, Lindner not only reveals the lessons of lives explored in their final days, but zeroes in on how working for hospice can be incredibly fulfilling.
As he s not a doctor, nurse, or professional social worker, just a volunteer lending a hand, offering a respite for other care providers, his charges often reveal more, and in more detail, to him than they do to those with whom they spend the majority of their time. They impart what they feel are life lessons as they reflect on their own lives and the prospect of their last days. Lindner captures it all in his lively storytelling.
Anyone who knows or loves someone working through end of life issues, living in hospice or other end of life facilities, or dealing with terminal or chronic illnesses, will find in these pages the wisdom of those who are working through their own end of life issues, tackling life s big questions, and boiling them down into lessons for anyone as they age or face illness. And those who may feel compelled to volunteer to serve as companions will find motivation, inspiration, and encouragement.
Rather than sink under the weight of depression, pity, or sorrow, Lindner celebrates the lives of those who choose to live even as they die.
My Thoughts:
When I was approached to review Hospice Voices, I jumped at the chance.  Since I have been a social worker for many years and worked in group homes while attending university, working or volunteering in a caring profession was something I could personally relate to. 
Many would read the title and that Eric volunteered in Hospice and conclude that this book would be depressing.  Let me tell you, it is not. Sure, it is sad when the people, Eric spent time with died but they died with dignity.  Something hospice makes possible.  Eric talked about the orientation process he went through.  It was explained that most people who are dying are lonely.  Their friends don't know how to talk to them so often don't visit them at all.  The hospice volunteer helps this immensely.
Eric came to really care about the patients and families he has worked with and has kept in touch with many of the families even after the passing of his patients.  He, the families, and the patients, themselves are great examples for the enduring human spirit.  Eric learned important lessons for the people he spent time with and has passed those lesson on in this very touching and beautifully written book.
While reading this I realized the I was a hospice volunteer without realizing it.  When I was young, in 9th and 10th grade, I use to visit a neighbor of ours.  Here's a little background.  When I was little I use to ride my bike around the block.  I was to little to go somewhere on my own so I just went round and round the block.  An elderly couple, the Johnsons' use to sit outside and watch me and smile and wave when I passed them.  I always smiled and waved back.  One day I decided to try to talk to them and they were so sweet.
After Mr Johnson passed I kept in touch with Mrs Johnson.  When I was in 9th grade I noticed that Mrs. Johnson wasn't sitting outside any more and saw a woman I didn't know going in and out of her house.  I brought my concerns to my mother and she told me that Mrs. Johnson was very sick and wasn't going to get better.  I started going to her house every single day after school to visit.  It turned out the woman I saw going in and out of the house was Mrs. Johnson's sister and she moved in to take care of her sister.  They both seemed so happy to see me and I them.  
Eric made me realize that I was helping them through their loneliness.  I am 99 percent sure that I was their only visitor.  When Mrs. Johnson died, I was so sad.  Her sister sold the house and moved back to where she had been living and I never saw her again but I still think of them often.
I want to thank Eric for the gift of friend ship he has given people over the years and his gift to me.  Hospice don't have enough workers or volunteer workers.  If you are a individual who can look at it as a positive thing, consider becoming a volunteer.  I am willing to bet that you will receive as much as you give.  It is clear that Eric has.  I highly recommend Hospice Voices!
5/5
I received the advanced print copy of this book for my honest review!
I found this short new piece about the role hospice plays in peoples live and Eric is in it!
About Eric Lindner:
Eric Lindner is an attorney & entrepreneur. He has been a hospice companion caregiver since 2009. He divides his time between Warrenton, VA and Kauai, Hawaii.
Thanks to the author, I am giving away one Copy of Hospice Voices.  Open internationally!  If the winner is a resident of the U.S. s/he has the choice of print or ebook. An international winner would receive ebook.  This giveaway ends on February 1, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Hospice Voices:
Follow the Tour:
So Many Precious Books Jan 3 Review & Giveaway
WV Stitcher Jan 6 Review                          
WV Stitcher Jan 7 Guest Post
 I'd Rather Be At the Beach Jan 8 Review                                  
Teena in Toronto Jan 10 Review                                          
Anastacia Reviews Jan 13 Review & Giveaway
Library of Clean Reads Jan 14 Review                              
Sincerely Stacie Jan 15 Review                                          
Midnight Musings Jan 16 Review                                      
Midnight Musings Jan 17 Interview
Sweeps for Bloggers Jan 20 Review &Giveaway
Every Free Chance Jan 21 Review                                      
Every Free Chance Jan 22 Interview
Daddy Blogger Jan 23 Review                                
Daddy Blogger  Jan 24 Interview
Deal Sharing Aunt Jan 24 Review & Giveaway
As I Turn the Pages Jan 27 Review                        
As I Turn the Pages  Jan 27 Guest Post
Anglers Rest Jan 28 Review                                    
Joystory Jan 29 Review                                          
Bookalicious Travel Addict Jan 30 Review                        
Bookalicious Travel Addict Jan 31 Interview 



Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 6 comments  

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Thursday, January 2, 2014

Review & Giveaway: Organic Beauty With Essential Oil: ver 400+ Homemade Recipes for Natural Skincare, Haircare and Bath & Body Products By Rebecca Park Totilo

Today I have the honor of kicking of the Organic Beauty With Essential Oil tour.  

Book Description:
Publisher: Rebecca At the Well Foundation, Jan. 3, 2013
Category: Health & Beauty, Non-fiction, Self-help
Tour Dates: January, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 232 pages
Organic Beauty With Essential Oil: Over 400+ Homemade Recipes for Natural Skincare, Haircare and Bath & Body Products
Looking for that perfect all-natural bath product?
One that will keep your skin looking great, is appealing to smell, has actual therapeutic benefits, and doesn’t break the bank? Well, here it is!
Sweep aside all those harmful chemically-based cosmetics and make your own organic bath and body products at home with the magic of potent essential oils! In this book, you’ll find a luxurious array of over 400 Eco-friendly recipes such as Exotic Patchouli Massage Oil, Zesty Banana-Lemon Foot Cream and Jasmine Bath Bombs filled with breathtaking fragrances and soothing, rich organic ingredients satisfying you head to toe.
Designed with the naturalist in mind, each formula draws from essential oils’ well-known skin rejuvenating effects, showing you how to best care for your unique skin and hair type using all-natural botanicals. Included you’ll find helpful tips and customizable recipes – all with step-by-step instructions – so you can have the confidence knowing which essential oil to use and how much when creating your own body scrub, lip butter, or lotion bar!
Discover how easy it is to make bath treats like fragrant shower gels, dreamy bubble baths, luscious creams and lotions, deep cleansing masks and facials for literally pennies using only a few essential oils and ingredients from your own kitchen with Organic Beauty with Essential Oil.
My Thoughts:
Organic Beauty Products covers just about everything anyone would what to know about beauty products and essential oils.  It is very easy to understand and follow the recipes.  Rebecca Park Totilo goes into detail about what each essential oil is for and how they work and provides a recipe for just about every bath product under the sun.
I just tried a few of the recipes so far and have loved them.  First I tried the Glistening Winter Night Bath Salts.  The bath made me calm and relaxed and my skin felt rejuvenated.  Then I made the Oatmeal-Almond Exfoliating Facial Scrub.  Wow!  It worked just as well as the very expensive tube of facial scrub I always bout at the health food store.  From now on, I'm making it instead of buying it!  Last, I made the Peppermint and Rosemary Steam Facial.  It was invigorating but relaxing at the same time and my skin felt amazing.
There are several other recipes I would like to try however, because I am vegan, I need to find some vegetable glycerin.   Some of the recipes called for other non-vegan products such as honey, Beeswax, milk, cream, and yogurt.  I will need to find out if there are any substitutes that would work the same way.  For example, would my homemade soy yogurt work?
I am looking forward to trying more of these beauty products and highly recommend this book.  A note to my vegan friends:  I found enough vegan friendly recipes in this book to make it quite worthwhile.  I will let you know what I find out about substitutions. If you know of any, please post in the comments.
5/5
I received the ebook edition of this book for my honest opinion.
About Rebecca Park Totilo:
Rebecca Park Totilo’s flair and passion for life bursts into living color when she writes and speaks, as you will see in the visual way she presents herself.  She literally believes in the “show, don’t tell” principle in everything she does.  Becca has ministered to literally millions of people via television, radio and live appearances. She is an award-winning published author of over 40 books, including “Therapeutic Blending With Essential Oil”, “Heal With Essential Oil”, and “Through the Night With God.” Her credits include working as a contributor writer on two best-selling series (“Quiet Moments with God” and “Stories for the Teen’s Heart”) which sold over one million and five million copies respectively.  She is also a freelance writer for several national magazines include Christian Parenting Today, Discipleship Journal and Woman’s World.
Rebecca’s photography work has appeared in numerous national magazines such as Woman’s World, Sports Spectrum, Evangel, and Sharing the Victory.  But by far, her greatest accomplishment, if you asked her, is after a decade of rejection slips (with almost 150 in one year!), Rebecca hit it big in 1999, with over 13 books contracts, ranging from teaching curriculum to gift books and devotionals for adults.  Truly, its her grit determination that makes her inspirational writings draw such a mass market appeal.
Rebecca graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1986 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Information Systems. In addition, she attended Faith Bible Institute in Richmond, Virginia for instruction in ministry and University of the Nations in Hawaii. She is also trained as a Clinical Aromatherapist and is an international educator offering online courses on the art of perfume-making and how to blend with essential oils worldwide on her website http://HealWithOil.com. Rebecca owns a cute soap boutique, Aroma Hut, near the beach in Florida where she practices as an Clinical Aromatherapist.
Rebecca won the Writer of the Year in Non-Fiction (National Writer’s Association)
Thanks to the author, I am giving away one copy for Organic Beauty With Essential Oil. Open internationally!  If the winner is a resident of the U.S. s/he has the choice of print or ebook. An international winner would receive ebook.  This giveaway ends on February 1, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Buy Organic Beauty With Essential Oil:
Follow the Tour:
So Many Precious Books Jan 2 Review & Giveaway
Teena in Toronto Jan 3 Review
Daddy Blogger Jan 5 Interview  7 pm pst Google Hangout- Live
Saving for Six Jan 6 Review
Taking Time for Mommy Jan 7 Review
Library of Clean Reads Jan 8 Review
Just Another New Blog Jan 8 Review & Giveaway
Jolly Blogger  Jan 9 Review
Jolly BloggerJan 10 Guest Post
Luxury Reading Jan 13 Review & Giveaway
Daddy Blogger Jan 15 Review
Let's Talk About Books Jan 16 Review
Deal Sharing Aunt Jan 17 Review
Princess Gummy Bear Jan 17 YouTube Video Demo
Peppermint Ph.d Jan 20 Review & Giveaway
Mrs. Mommy Booknerds Jan 21 Review
Beagle Book Space Jan 22 Review
Joy Story Jan 23 Review
I'd Rather Be At the Beach Jan 24 Review & Giveaway
Thoughts In Progress Jan 27 Review & Giveaway
Sincerely Stacie Jan 28 Review
Beauty Is a Sleeping Cat  Jan 29 Review
Sammy The Bookworm Jan 30 Review  & Giveaway

Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 23 comments  

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Wednesday, January 1, 2014

January Reviews for: The 2014 ARC Reading Challenge

Here's a reminder of the levels:

Level Bronze (up to 12 Arcs):Freda
Joy
LuAnn
Nicola
Teddy

Working on Silver:

Silver (24 ARCS):

Working on Gold:

Gold ( 35 ARCS):

Working on Platinum:

Platinum (40 ARCS):

You can join this challenge at any time.  If you don't see yourself in the standings above, it is because you didn't leave a comment telling me how many books you read so far. You need to do this at the end of each month.

Please post the books you read in January for the challenge in Mr. Linky, below:
If you forgot to post book in any previous months, please post them in Mr. Link below as well.

Please enter your name and the name of the book in this format: Name: (Your Name, Book Title and Author's Name) for example: (Teddy, Obsessive Reading by Helen Reader). 



Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 19 comments  

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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Giveaway: SHADOW ON THE CROWN by Patricia Bracewell

Thanks to Meredith Burks of Viking and Penguin Books, I am giving away one copy of Shadow On the Crown.

Book Description: 
In the year 1002 A.D., 15-year-old Emma, the daughter of a powerful Norman Duke, crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older Æthelred, King of England. The marriage is part of an alliance forged to keep the Danish king, Swein Forkbeard, from raiding the defenseless English shore villages. But Emma finds herself at once Queen of England and trapped in a loveless marriage.
Alone in England, Emma—clever and adventurous—is a virtual prisoner, friendless and widely distrusted by her new court. Prime amongst her enemies is Lady Elgiva, the ravishing daughter of Ælfhelm, ealdorman of Northumbria and chief among his king’s supporters. Elgiva, prophesied to one day be queen, will stop at nothing to see her rival dethroned. At the same time, Emma finds herself harboring a dangerous secret: a growing affection for a man who is not her husband.
About Patricia Bracewell:
Photo credit Christine Krieg
PATRICIA BRACEWELL grew up in California where she taught literature and composition before embarking upon her writing career. She has always been fascinated by English history and holds an MA in English literature.  Her historical research has taken her to Britain , France and Denmark . She has two grown sons and lives with her husband in Oakland , California.
This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on January 14, 2014.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Update:Rafflecopter was able to bring back the original I had running here and the one I started in case they couldn't has been deleted.  Sorry for the confusion.  If you don't know what I'm refering to, you miss what had happened, so just ignore this update. 

Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 12 comments  

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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Giveaway: WHILE WE WERE WATCHING DOWNTON ABBEY by Wendy Wax

Thanks to Kayleigh Clark of Berkley/NAL, Penguin Group (USA), I am giving away one copy of While We Were Watching Downton Abbey.

Book Description:
When the concierge of The Alexander, a historic Atlanta apartment building, invites his fellow residents to join him for weekly screenings ofDownton Abbey, four very different people find themselves connecting with the addictive drama, and—even more unexpectedly—with each other…

Samantha Davis married young and for the wrong reason: the security of old Atlanta money—for herself and for her orphaned brother and sister. She never expected her marriage to be complicated by love and compromised by a shattering family betrayal.

Claire Walker is now an empty nester and struggling author who left her home in the suburbs for the old world charm of The Alexander, and for a new and productive life. But she soon wonders if clinging to old dreams can be more destructive than having no dreams at all.

And then there’s Brooke MacKenzie, a woman in constant battle with her faithless ex-husband. She’s just starting to realize that it’s time to take a deep breath and come to terms with the fact that her life is not the fairy tale she thought it would be.

For Samantha, Claire, Brooke—and Edward, who arranges the weekly gatherings—it will be a season of surprises as they forge a bond that will sustain them through some of life’s hardest moments—all of it reflected in the unfolding drama, comedy, and convergent lives of Downton Abbey. 

This is Wax’s most successful book to date, it has gone back to press for seven trade paperback printings, was recently published in the U.K. by Orion, has just been nominated for eBook of the Year by the UK e-retailer Sainsbury, and is now published for the first time in a mass market paperback edition (Jove/12-31-13/$7.99).

About Wendy Wax:

Award-winning author Wendy Wax's work, including While We Were Watching Downton Abbey, Ocean Beach and Ten Beach Road, has been highly praised. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says she “writes with breezy wit and keen insight into family relations.” Her novels have been featured in national publications such as USA Today, Ladies’ Home Journal and Woman’s World, and on the prominent book sites On A Clear Day You Can Read Forever, Luxury Reading, Night Owl Reviews, Fresh Fiction and many others. In 2011 she was honored by the City of St. Pete Beach, Florida, where she was born and raised, when the City Commission declared May 12 “Wendy Wax Day.”

Her nine novels and one novella also include Ten Beach Road, Ocean Beach, Magnolia Wednesdays, and The Accidental Bestseller. Her work has been sold to publishers in fifteen countries and her novel, Hostile Makeover, was excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine.

Wendy is currently at work on her next book, The House on Mermaid Point, on sale in July, 2014. It reintroduces the characters from Ten Beach Road (St. Pete Beach) and Ocean Beach (South Beach), and sets them loose in the Florida Keys. Her first e-original, Christmas at the Beach, a holiday novella that also reunites those protagonists has just been published. 

When not writing, she spends her time visiting with readers and signing books at While We Were Watching Downton Abbey parties, continuing to avoid spoilers about Season 4, which has already aired in the U.K, speaking to writer’s groups and book clubs, enjoying time with her family, and devouring books. She has lived in Atlanta for sixteen years.


This giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on January 7, 2014.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 6 comments  

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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Giveaway Winners Galore

Thanks so much to all the authors, publishers, and publicists for all of the awesome giveaways! They are so much fun to host and I know my readers appreciate them!!
Thanks to everyone who entered the following giveaways! Winners, please reply to the email I sent you today within 48 hours to claim your books. After 2 days you will be disqualified and a new winner will be picked. Rafflecopter picks all winners using Random.org. 

The Theory of Opposites by Allison Winn Scotch

The winners are: Tiffany, Linda K., and Carl

The winner is: BK

There Are No Sad Dogs in Heaven by Sonya Fitzpatrick

The winner is: Sharon B.

The winners are: Carl and Sheila

The winner is: Patricia

THE ARIADNE OBJECTIVE by Wes Davis

The winner is: Lisette

Daughter of Sherwood by Laura Strickland

The winner is:  Ikkinala

The winner is: Patricia

Congratulations everyone!






Posted by Teddy Rose at 10:37 PM 1 comments  

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Giveaway: THE SISTER SEASON by Jennifer Scott

Thanks to Kayleigh Clark of Penguin Group, I am giving away one print copy of The Sister Season.

 Book Description:
Sometimes coming home for the holidays isn’t as easy as it seems….

It’s December 21, and the Yancey sisters have been called home. When the girls were young, holidays at their family farm meant a tinsel-garnished tree, the scent of simmering food, and laughter ringing through the house. But as the years unfolded, family bonds fractured, and the three sisters scattered and settled into separate lives. Until now. The Yancey sisters are coming to spend the holidays with their mother. They’re also coming to bury their father.

Claire, the youngest, a free spirit who journeyed to California, returns first. Then comes Julia, the eldest, a college professor with a teenage son of her own. And finally there’s Maya, the middle child, who works so hard to be the perfect mother and wife. 

During the sisters’ week together, old conflicts surface, new secrets emerge, and the limits and definitions of family are tested.      

About Jennifer Scott:


Jennifer Scott has been reading, writing, and loving books for pretty much as long as she can remember. In 2000, Jennifer decided to try to become a published author, and began writing women's fiction novels. But the road to writing success is never quick, easy, or predictable, and Jennifer's official writing career began in 2009 with her debut young adult novel, Hate List, written under the name Jennifer Brown. Jennifer now has four published young adult novels under the Jennifer Brown name. She never gave up on the women's fiction genre, however, and is thrilled to introduce The Sister Season as her debut women's fiction.

Jennifer has a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from William Jewell College, and lives in the Kansas City, Missouri area. 

Sorry, this giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends on December 31st.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.          
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 5 comments  

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Monday, December 16, 2013

Giveaway: Chicken Soup for the Soul: O Canada The Wonders of Winter- co-authored by Janet Matthew

Thanks to Shelby Janner of Shelton Interactive | Chicken Soup for the Soul, I am giving away one print copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: O Canada The Wonders of Winter.  

 Book Description:

 Canadian winters are notorious! But this collection will warm your heart, brighten your day, and lift your spirits with its 101 stories about embracing and making the most of those long winter months.

Winters in Canada are tough, but so are the people! Any Canadian – from east to west coast; from city to rural – will love the 101 stories in this new collection about embracing those long winter days and making the most of them. Filled with amusing and encouraging stories about weathering the cold, creating warm memories with family and friends, and playing great winter sports.

 About  Janet Matthew:


 Janet Matthews is a best-selling author, editor, inspirational speaker and spiritual mentor. As co-author of the Canadian bestseller, Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul, since 2002 she has been inspiring audiences across Canada with her heartfelt journey of creating this unique Canadian book. She has stories in seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and with Chicken Soup for the Soul: O Canada The Wonders of Winter, Janet is thrilled to once again be part of the Chicken Soup for the Soul family. An eclectic individual with diverse interests and talents, Janet is a certified Love Yourself Heal Your Life workshop leader with training based on the philosophy of Louise Hay. She is a certified canoeing instructor, a couturier seamstress, passionate skater and cross country skier, and plays the violin. Now living in Aurora, Ontario, Janet has been a guest on countless television and radio talk shows across Canada, and gives a very dynamic interview. She is generally available for guest speaking spots and interviews, and you may contact her through www.janetmatthews.ca or www.canadiansoul.com.

 Sorry, this giveaway is open to Canadian residents only and ends on December 30, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Posted by Teddy Rose at 6:00 AM 5 comments  

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