Book Review~The Miting

The Miting, by author Dee Yoder, is a fascinating look at an extremely strict Old-Order Amish community.  Leah is 17 years old and questioning her Amish beliefs.  When her best friend reveals she is being continually abused by her stepbrother, and the leaders in their community are not helping her, Leah begins to question even more. 

After hearing about a Bible Study that many ex-Amish attend, she is curious and attends.  Her heart is opened to learning about salvation, and she begins studying an English bible.  Her parents and church leaders see this as rebellion, and order her to stop.  Leah is stuck between two different worlds-does she push down her new beliefs so that she can stay with her family and boyfriend Jacob?  Or does she leave all she's ever known to begin a new life where she can learn and worship as she chooses?

The Miting was a great story.  It was different from many Amish books I've read in the past, as some of the rules of the Amish were so much more strict.  It was also interesting to read a book where the young person considering leaving the Amish was doing so for religious freedom, rather than to live an English lifestyle.  It was easy to read The Miting quickly, as it held my attention throughout the story. 

Through the end of May, Kregel is offering The Miting e-book for only $1.99!  Click here for more information. 

Disclosure: I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Product Review~Learning Success Program

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

 Does your child struggle in  school?  My youngest does.  He has dyslexia, and it makes every subject a struggle.  Learning Success is an at-home program you can do for 15-20 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week. 

There are 16 basic core skills that help our children learn.  Typical learning difficulties, such as ADHD and Dyslexia to name a few, are often a weakness in two or more of these core skills.  The exercises provided in this program help to strengthen these core skills. 

How does it work?  Each day, you are sent an email with an exercise to download and sometimes a video to watch.  Ive been receiving the emails for a few weeks now, and my son is loving these exercises because they are fun!  They involve movement and fun exercises that are games to him. 

According to the website, it can take up to three months to see results.  I already see that my son is getting better and faster at the exercises.  I'm excited to continue working on this program through the summer while school is out. 

For more information and to purchase the program, visit their website at http://www.learningsuccessblog.com/ .

Visit Learning Success on  Facebook.








I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Product Review~Adovia Purifying Mud Mask

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Adovia Purifying Mud Mask is a mask and skin care treatment for men, women and teens.  It's for all skin types but also works for acne, psoriasis, and eczema.  It can be used as a deep facial cleanser and exfoliator.  It is full of natural ingredients-Pure Dead Sea Black Mud, Aloe Vera, Vitamins A and C, Beeswax, Jojoba Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Olive Oil, and more.

My Adovia Purifying Mud Mask arrived quickly from the company, and was packaged well.  The 5.1 oz. tube came in a sturdy box that has the same design on it as the tube.  The colors and design on the tube are attractive, and on the back of the tube all of the ingredients and directions are clearly written.  The tube has a cap you screw off that is easy to open. 

The mask itself is a thick brownish green and doesn't have much of a scent.  The mask went on easily, and I waited the suggested 10-20 minutes.  After rinsing it off and drying my face, I immediately was struck by how soft my skin felt!  I have combination skin, and often masks can dry out areas of my face.  Not this time. 

Next, I let my young adult son and daughter try the Adovia Purifying Mud Mask.  They both suffer from occasional adult acne.  Both of them were impressed with their results, especially the tightness in their pores.  I never would have thought my son would let me take a picture of him in a face mask, but he is so impressed with this product, he agreed:

A session at a spa using a Dead Sea Mask generally runs $70-$120.  One bottle of Adovia Purifying Mud Mask, containing 30 sessions, is only $33!  Based on our results, this is a product we will be continuing to use.  You can purchase your own tube of Adovia Purifying Mud Mask at Amazon.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Product Review~Valentia Even Glow Vitamin C Serum

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

 

 

 

 Valentia Skincare's Even Glow Vitamin C Serum has 20% Vitamin C, with 98% of the ingredients natural and organic.  Those percentages caught my attention right away-20% is a lot of Vitamin C, and 98% natural is impressive!   I love knowing I'm using natural ingreadients. 

Other key ingredients include Organic Rosehip Seed Oil, Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil, Resistem (Plant Stem Cells), Hyaluronic Acid (Botanical),  and Green Tea Extract.  These key ingredients were all chosen for their ability to enhance and support Vitamin C's effect on the skin. 

The potential results from using Even Glow Serum are:
*Evens Skin Tone (including dark spots and discoloration)
*Increases Glow and Radiance
*Absorbs Rapidly
*Boosts Collagen Production
*Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines

My Thoughts: I have been using Valentia Even Glow Vitamin C Serum for about three weeks, and I have had great results.  First of all, as mentioned above, I love that it is 98% natural, with 20% Vitamin C.  I am also in love with the scent!  I can be picky about my skin care products smelling good-and this serum has a lovely citrus scent.  It goes on easily, and a little goes a long way.  It isn't greasy or messy, and absorbs into my skin immediately.  My skin feels softer and smoother, and my fine lines are not as noticeable.  It feels good knowing I'm putting such a nourishing product on my face!  

Purchase Valentia Even Glow Vitamin C Serum at Amazon.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Book Review~The Kissing Bridge

The Kissing Bridge is the latest book in author Tricia Goyer's Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series.  Rebecca Troyer is a young Amish woman who has decided to leave her strict community to travel across the country and attend nursing school.  After the devastating loss of her sister in childbirth, Rebecca is determined to not let anything like that happen in her community again.  As the Amish do not believe in education past the 8th grade, she must leave to get her schooling.  In secret, she has already received her GED and some college classes. 

On her way to Oregon, Rebecca stops to visit an old friend from her community who has since left the Amish and now lives in an Amish community in Montana.  This Amish community is different than most-more lenient, and Amish and Englisch work and socialize together.  While there, Rebecca meets Caleb, a daredevil Amish bachelor who is looking for an Amish woman that has his same sense of adventure. 

Rebecca and Caleb are drawn to each other, but there are numerous things that should keep them apart-among them her leaving the Amish for schooling, and his lack of faith in God.  Will Rebecca follow her dreams and continue on to Oregon, or stay and find out if love is more important?

My Thoughts: The Kissing Bridge was another wonderful story in this series!  Tricia Goyer is one of my favorite Amish authors, and she just amazes me with how she weaves a story and keeps you on the edge of your seat!  I enjoy reading about this Amish community in Montana and its differences from the Amish back east.  Rebecca was a strong character, and you could feel the pull she was feeling from two different lifestyles.  She wants to obey her family and community, but also wants to do what she feels is best.  I was wondering up until the very end how this story was going to work out!

*Disclosure: I received this book free from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Silenced-Book Review and Rugged Romance Sweepstakes!

About the Book: Silenced, by Dani Pettrey, is the fourth book in the Alaskan Courage Series. " A relaxing day of rock climbing takes a disturbing turn when Kayden McKenna’s route leads her to a face-to-face encounter with a dead climber. Is it a terrible accident or something sinister? When the case is handed to the overburdened sheriff, he turns to Jake Westin. With Jake’s past now revealed, he’s ready to use his talent for investigation again-–but he could never prepare for where the case will take him.

Kayden and Jake soon realize that the death was no accident. And worse, it seems the killer is on to them. When strange things begin happening in Yancey, Jake is terrified that once again his world may put someone he loves in danger.

But the truth is far worse than either of them imagine."


My Thoughts: This book has it all-adventure, mystery, and romance!  I've read and reviewed the first three books in this Alaskan Courage series, and they were incredible!  You know how often in movies and books, the sequels aren't quite as good as the first book/movie?  Well, that's not the case with this series!!  Each book is just as exciting as the last!  Each book of the series focuses more on one of the siblings of the McKenna family.  Silenced is Kayden's book, and believe me I could not put it down!! 

Kayden McKenna is such a complex character-she has a wall up she is determined to not let down.  Family friend Jake has his own issues from his past, and the two are not close..  As they work together on a case, the walls start to crumble. 

I love Alaska (haven't been there yet though), and the description of the scenery just makes me feel like I'm there with the characters.  With each new book, I feel like I get to know the family even better.  I love series, and usually the series I read  have three books at the most, so I am thrilled that there is a fourth book in the Alaskan Courage Series, with a fifth on the way!!

Author Dani Pettrey is a talented writer, one of my favorites, and I highly recommend reading Silenced and the entire Alaskan Courage Series!  Believe me, you will not be disappointed!

For more information on author Dani Pettrey and her books, click here.  To purchase your own copy of Silenced, visit these online retailers:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Indiebound
Books-a-Million
Christianbook


Rugged Romance Sweepstakes!!!

 

 

To celebrate the release of Silenced, author Dani Pettrey and Bethany House Publishers are having the Rugged Romance Sweepstakes!! 

 

 

*Grand Prize: $250 certificate to Alaska Airlines, good towards travel to multiple destinations across the Continental US, Alaska, and Hawaii.

 

 

 

*2nd Prize: This beautiful Framed Art Print, 'The Kiss at Wonder Lake', 31"x23"

 

*3rd Prize: The ultimate picnic pack for a romantic afternoon. This insulated backpack includes silverware, plates, napkins, plastic long-stemmed glasses and a wide selection of gourmet picnic snacks. 

Enter the Rugged Romance Sweepstakes by clicking the banner above, or go to http://www.danipettrey.com/rugged-romance-sweepstakes/ 

Sweepstakes is open to US residents only through May 21st.  Winners will be selected on Friday, May 23rd, 2014 and announced at www.DaniPettrey.com   Good luck!!