~Wordless Wednesday-1st birthday fun~

Book Review~Found by Shelley Shepard Gray

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Found Avon Inspire; Original edition (September 4, 2012) by Shelley Shepard Gray

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold over thirty novels to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Harlequin, Abingdon Press, and Avon Inspire. She has been interviewed by NPR, and her books have been highlighted in numerous publications, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, The Protector, the final book in her “Families of Honor” series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, The Survivor, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, Forgiven and Grace, and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, Hidden, was an Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.

When she’s not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine’s annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.

Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page


ABOUT THE BOOK

A murder is solved and a quiet Amish community must deal with the repercussions. Amid the surprising revelations, can a newfound love survive?

As the search for Perry Borntrager's killer continues, Jacob Schrock feels like his world is about to crumble. Right before Perry went missing, he and Jacob got into a fistfight. Jacob never told anyone what happened that terrible night. He's good at keeping secrets—including his love for Deborah, Perry's sister. But when Deborah takes a job at his family's store and their friendship blossoms, Jacob senses everything is about to be revealed.

Deborah has been searching for a slice of happiness ever since her brother's body was discovered. When the police start questioning Jacob, Deborah can't believe that the one person she's finally allowed in could be the one responsible for her brother's death. Will she believe what everyone seems to think is the truth . . . or listen to her heart, and hope there is still one more person who is keeping secrets in Crittenden County?

If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of Found, go HERE.

Review and Giveaway~Combat!!

Most people have heard of the brand Combat.  They have a line of products for different pesky insects you don't want in or around your home.  I recently reviewed a few of their products that helped me get rid of ants.  I received Combat Ant Gel and Ant Bait.  It was perfect timing at the hottest part of summer, and I had an invasion of ants in my laundry room.

Combat Ant Gel is a specially formulated ant gel.  Ants return it to the colony and feed the bait to larvae and queens.  It is a fast-acting formula that works within hours and for up to one month.  Combat Ant Bait is a child-resistant bait station that destroys the queen and entire colony.  It can be used both inside and outside. 

So, armed with my gel and bait, I applied the gel near the ant trail, and set up some of the bait stations around the house.  Combat did the trick, and my ants were soon a thing of the past.  I haven't had any problems since!

Combat is having a $1000  Backyard Bash sweepstakes! One lucky winner will win an assortment of Combat products, as well as $1000 to hold their very own Backyard Bash!  Click here to enter.

The Giveaway!!

One lucky The Loose Screw Reader will win a box of Combat Ant Gel!  There are four entries possible:
1.  Enter the Backyard Bash Sweepstakes for one entry.
2.  Follow The Loose Screw through Google Plus, Google Friend Connect, Linky Followers, and/or Twitter for one entry. All links are in the sidebar to your right.
3.  Follow my Facebook page for one entry.
4.  Tweet, blog, or post on Facebook about this giveaway for one entry.
Please leave a separate comment for each entry, and please leave your email address in one of your comments so I can contact you if you are the winner! 

This giveaway will close on September 13, 2012 at midnight MST.  I will draw the winner through www.random.org and contact the following day.  Good luck!!

*Disclaimer: I received a free sample of Combat ant bait and gel in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Schoolhouse Crew Review~Reading Kingdom

I've mentioned Chad's struggles with reading in the past.  He has Dyslexia, and although he is in 4th grade, he reads at about a beginning 2nd grade level.  I am always on the lookout for good reading helps and programs!  Reading Kingdom has been a great online program for Chad!

Reading Kingdom was created by Dr. Marion Blank, the Director of the Light on Learning Program at Columbia University and one of the world's top experts in reading.  It is for ages 4-10, with the goal to be able to read at a 3rd grade level.

Reading Kingdom is the only program that teaches all six skills needed for reading and writing success:
*sequencing
*motor skills
*phonics (phonemic awareness)
*meaning
*grammar
*reading comprehension
Reading Kingdom makes learning to read fun for kids-bright graphics, incentives, and fun games. Chad loves fun computer games-so Reading Kingdom is perfect for him!  It makes learning fun-he wants to do this program during his own free computer time! 

What I like about Reading Kingdom, besides Chad loving it, is that once the account is set up, the child can do it on their own.  There are still progress reports for the parents, so you always know where your child is in the program.  Also, Reading Kingdom customizes to each student-so no wasting time on things he has mastered already.  I will be thrilled to get Chad to a 3rd grade level by the time he has completed the program-I have already noticed improvement in his reading!

There are many resources at the Reading Kingdom website.  You can access sample lessons,  as well as find learning games, tips, worksheets, and videos.  Reading Kingdom's store is where you can purchase a variety of books, as well as sign up for a  30 day trial.  The regular price of a Reading Kingdom subscription is $19.99/month or $199.99/year, with additional readers costing $9.99/month or $99.99/year.  Your membership is risk-free, you can cancel anytime. 

We are having great success with Reading Kingdom-check it out! 

 

*Disclaimer: I received a free subscription to Reading Kingdom in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Schoolhouse Crew Review~Everyday Cooking

As the busy homeschooling mother of eight girls and foster mom to fifty, Vicki Bentley didn't have the time or money to make gourmet meals every night.  Everyday Cooking began as a chapter in her homeschooling manual, Home Education 101, and has grown to become a cookbook full of great recipes and ideas.  I received Everyday Cooking as an e-book, and I plan to have it printed and bound eventually.  Mrs. Bentley has many good money and time-saving ideas in this book, and I learned a lot from reading it. 

One thing I have never frozen, because I thought you couldn't, is rice.  I read in Everyday Cooking to cook up a bunch of rice and freeze it in individual bags for quick dinners.  I've been freezing it regularly now-what a timesaver!!  I made several of the recipes in Everyday Cooking, and my family's favorite was Hawaiian Chicken.  Here is the finished product:

Yummy!  This recipe is going to be a regular in our dinner rotation.  I liked that many of her recipes could have their ingredients chopped/cooked ahead of time and frozen, to be thrown together and heated up at dinnertime.  The only thing that I didn't like about some of the recipes was that they would say for example '1 quart size bag of cooked chopped chicken'.  I know a lot of people cook without exact measurements, but I'm the kind that likes measurements on everything.  It would also be nice to have pictures of some of the recipes. 

Everyday Homemaking is a website full of great tips and encouragement on homemaking and homeschooling.  You can see sample recipes, including Vicki's Bread Recipe!  There are also several other books available for purchase.  Everyday Cooking is available as an e-book for $14.99, or printed for $17.99.  It is a great resource for busy moms! 

 

*Disclaimer: I received a download of Everyday Cooking in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

Book Review~The Reason

Looking for a book you won't be able to put down?  If you are looking for a real page turner, I suggest reading The Reason by William Sirls.  In a small Michigan town, lightning hits the church's wooden cross and splits it in two.  This event is the beginning of a riveting story about everyday people dealing with life's problems.  The church's minister hears the words, 'only believe.'   The Reason is about learning to 'only believe', and find God amidst their troubles.  The story and characters were so deep-it will make you feel so many emotions!  

This is Mr. Sirls' debut novel, which I was very surprised to learn. There are author's notes, a reading group guide, and an interview with the author in the back of the book.  I think The Reason would make an excellent book club choice.  I highly recommend this book!

*Disclaimer: I received this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.