Monday, November 25, 2013

Snackistan by Sally Butcher- Cookbook Review

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book:

Hot on the heels of Veggiestan, Sally Butcher brings us Snackistan: a fictitious land where tummies are always full, and there’s a slightly naughty smile on every face. Snackistan does not, of course, exist, any more than Veggiestan does. It is, rather, a borderless confederation of the Middle East’s favourite foodstuffs. The simple fare that people actually eat on a daily basis: dishes they prepare at home, or cook to share with friends, or look forward to indulging in at the end of the week. We all like to snack – increasingly, formal dining is being nudged aside in favour of meze-style spreads. And, at the same time, street food has come of age. In malls and farmers markets across the world, food on the hoof has become a stylish and popular way to feed. This book picks out the Middle East’s most exciting street foods and meze dishes, together with a range of homely and simple snack recipes elicited from family and friends. Chapters comprise Nuts and Nibbles, Fishy Things, Meat on Sticks, Meat Not on Sticks, Salady Stuff, Hot Veggie Dishes, Mostly Carbs, Puds, & Something to Wash it Down With. The burst of flavours is intoxicating, as is Sally's trademark wit and attention to detail – a must-buy for all Middle Eastern food enthusiasts.
My thoughts:
 My knowledge of Middle Eastern street eats ends and begins with kebab, so I was super excited to see some of the very interesting recipes offered in Snackistan. Middle Eastern countries sometimes have similar foods to one another (not always, they have some very different, distinctly their own dishes as well!) but they always put their own spin on these dishes, so there are definitely some variations on the kebab (and other dishes) to be found here. The recipes I found myself most interested in jejeh kebab, beef kebab Georgian style and the shwarma kebab. I married a Persian man and Persian men are serious about their meat (as are their offspring apparently), so it is super important to be familiar with kebabs- essential really! This is not to say the other chapters didn't hold wonderful recipes on their own- There is everything from nuts & nibbles to seafood offerings, drinks desserts and several other wonderful types of food. These recipes are all snack-ish type foods, but I think pretty much any of them could be turned into a full meal! I also need to note that there are some fabulous dessert and drink recipes to be found in the pages of Snackistan. I personally would love to have some saffron, pistachio and rose water cream, thank you very much! This cookbook will keep me busy experimenting in the kitchen for a while, no doubt!   Here are some highlights of recipes you can find in Snackistan:
  • Shwarma Kebab
  • Beef Kebab Georgian Style
  • Borani-ye-Bademjun
  • Krygystani Noodles
  • Persian Style Herb Wraps
  • Algerian Street Stew
  • Ali's Mother's Pudding (Egyptian)
  • Iranian Date Squares
  • Turkish Coffee and Yogurt Cake
  • Saffron, Pistachios and Rose Water Cream
  • Chai Tea
The above is but a tiny peek into a recipe packed book! Something else I really enjoyed about Snackistan are the little stories sprinkled throughout. It gives a tiny peak of the culture that these foods are a part of. I found myself smiling more than once while reading those anecdotes. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Middle Eastern fare or trying new foods from different places!





Saturday, November 23, 2013

Riiviva 4 Day Black Friday Sale- Save 30% on Everything & Free Shipping + Win Riiviva Microderm Kit ($299 Value!)

*Disclosure of material connection- All information provided below is courtesy of Riiviva, who will also be providing the giveaway prize. I was not compensated for this blog post.

We all want to look our best, but as we get older, we may need a little help. Microdermabrasion is one of the top 5 most popular skin treatments nationwide and for good reason- these treatments provide immediate and long lasting results! Riiviva is the first company to offer a handheld rechargable microdermabrasion device with real diamond tips. The diamond tips help to gently exfoliate the skin and get rid of age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. Who doesn't want a device that can help them look their very best?

Riiviva is getting rave reviews from some big names and publications! Vogue, In Style and Fitness Magazine all recommend Riiviva to their readers, and even Oprah Winfrey gives it her seal of approval,

"Because it's light and cordless and left my skin only slightly pink, the Riiviva is going to be the one that's going to score a permanent home at my personal skincare operations center." - Oprah Winfrey

A clinical test highlights just how highly effective Riiviva's microderm tool really is:

  • 92% of people reported tighter skin tone after one treatment
  • 85% reported fewer lines and wrinkles following six treatments
  • 82% reported a decrease in brown spots following treatment
  • 100% of those tested were satisfied with their results
  • 100% of those tested found Riiviva to be and effective treatment for their skin
  • 100% reported better absorption of their skincare products following Riiviva microderm
  • 100% reported that make-up was easier to put on following Riiviva microderm


I am so excited to share Riiviva's Black Friday sale with you! Not only will you get 30% off your entire purchase, you will also receive free shipping! The sale will actually take place over a four day period, beginning November 28 (Black Friday) and ending December 1. Keep yourself looking young and vibrant AND save money! You can't get much better than that!!

If the Riiviva Black Friday sale wasn't exciting enough news, One of my (very lucky) readers will be taking home their very own Riiviva Microderm Kit- a $299 value! Enter via the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!

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Scentsy is having a Super Sale! Up to 70% off RIGHT NOW!



*Disclosure- post contains affliate links. 


If you are a fan of home fragrance, do yourself a favor and check out the Scentsy Super Sale. It started yesterday and will run through 11/25, but only while supplies last so you will want to purchase asap if you plan to get anything. There are warmers, gift packs, scent bars, scent circles, scent sprays, scent paks, layers products, scentsy buddies and even more on sale priced to move! You could knock out several holiday gifts and have enough money leftover to get yourself something too!

Here are just a FEW of the things you can get right now at the Scentsy Super Sale-

















Thursday, November 21, 2013

Catie's Secret by Laura Allen Nonemaker Blog Tour & Book Review + Win a Kindle Fire Kid Pack!

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse Group. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book:


Catie
Caterpillar looks different from any bug Herbie and Bella have ever seen. When Herbie makes fun of Catie, Mayor Benny shows him why he should not judge anyone by how they look. In the end, Catie reveals a secret and the bunnies learn the joy of forgiveness.


Catie's Secret is the second book in Laura Allen Nonemaker's children's series, God's Secret Garden Adventures. Like the previous book, Benny's Angel, Catie's Secret invites young readers to join an exciting adventure while it teaches a valuable lesson.
My thoughts: 

Catie's Secret is such an important book to have in your little ones' libraries.  Not only does it teach kids have a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, it teaches that God makes all things and that all things are different. More importantly though, it teaches children that teasing others is not okay. This book reinforces all 3 of these topics on ways young children can understand. My 6 year old was especially excited about this story because she loves butterflies, so she was very interested in how butterflies life cycles begin and all of the steps in between until the final beautiful butterfly emerges. The illustrations are really cute and animated and go along perfectly with the story. Another cool feature about this book is at the end of the story there are several discussion questions for you to begin a dialogue with your children about bullying and ways to get them thinking about how they would react if they saw someone else being picked on. After that page, there is another with some great facts about butterflies. I would recommend this book to parents of young elementary aged children.
About the author:

Laura began writing as a child in Bermuda when a favorite teacher had one of her essays published in a local newspaper. She is a contributing writer for Kentucky Monthly Magazine and her first children's book, Benny's Angel, was published in 2011. She is on the planning team for Artful Missions, which produces juried art shows and donates most of the proceeds to ministries that help women and children escape human trafficking. When Laura is not dreaming up her next God's Garden adventure, she enjoys spending time with her large family.

Connect with Laura at: http://godsgarden.tateauthor.com
Catie’s Secret is the second book in Laura Allen Nonemaker’s children’s series, God’s Secret Garden Adventures. Laura is celebrating Catie's Secret with a Kindle Fire Kid Pack giveaway!
catiesecret-400

  One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Butterfly Pavilion Hatching Kit
  • Butterfly Pattern Carryall Bag
  • Butterfly Suncatcher Kit
  • Benny's Angel T-Shirt (small)
  • Catie's Secret and Benny's Angel with free E-Live audio downloads by Laura Nonemaker
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 23rd. Winner will be announced November 25th at Laura's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Laura's blog on the 25th to see if you won.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Storyland Yoga Review


Disclosure- I received a copy of the dvd in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

I have always been a huge fan of yoga! I love the the sense of accomplishment I feel when I finally do a pose correctly for the first time and I always love how refreshed I feel after finishing up a yoga session. I was so excited to have the opportunity to review the StoryLand yoga dvd because I really have been wanting to share my love of yoga with my kids. StoryLand Yoga offers a great way to teach children yoga poses by having them pretend to be animals. This makes yoga poses for kids much more fun and easier to grasp. One of the coolest things about Storyland Yoga is that through both yoga sessions, there is a story being told. These stories are socially conscious messages about endangered animals. I really like how the flow of the condor story teaches kids to do a sun salutation. I remember thinking at the end of that session how absolutely cool it was to tie that in with the condor story! The kids on the video seem to really enjoy yoga, it is almost a fun game for them and we all know exercise is better when it doesn't feel like a chore. I tried out the video with all 3 of my children, but we used it as one on one time with me, so I did it with each one of them at a different time. I forgot to take pictures with the other two, but I did take pictures with my little man Noah who had a great time trying to figure out all of the poses! My 6 year old loved following the story of the condor and the whale and asked me lots of questions about each of the stories. The boys are a little young to completely follow the story lines, but they sure had fun acting like animals and doing fun yoga poses! I think this is a wonderful video to introduce kids to yoga, a great thing that they can do daily to work their bodies and minds. I know it will be something that my kids and I will continue to enjoy together and often!

More information on StoryLand Yoga can be found at PlayfulPlanet.chttp://playfulplanet.com/store/video/storyland-yoga.htmlom
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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.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

1 Girl Nation CD Review + Giveaway

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the cd from FlyBy Network in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

When I turned on this cd and listened to the lyrics to the very first song, it reminded me of my youth and some of the great Christian pop artists that it felt like wrote songs specifically for me because they understood what I was going through. As a young pre-teen or teenager it is important to have an outlet like that, to realize that your thoughts, your feelings, your struggles, they are not just things you are the only one going through. For me, SuperChick and Relient K got me through my youth and I think 1 Girl Nation will be for today's youth what those bands were for me growing up. Even as an adult listening to this album, some of the lyrics really hit home for me in some of the songs, particularly "In the Eyes" and "Count Your Rainbows". It's so awesome how God can work that way through music to speak to us when we really need to hear something. 1GN is made up of Carmen, Kayli, Kelsey, Lauryn Taylor and Lindsey, who have a passion for sharing Christ through their music. Their debut single can be heard on radio stations nationwide and their self titled debut album is available now.

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Enter via the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win a copy of 1GN's cd!
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Monday, November 18, 2013

GattiTown Frisco Review

*Disclosure- My family and I were treated to a complimentary trip to GattiTown in exchange for our honest feedback. All opinions stated are 100% my own.

Our whole family was excited for our trip to GattiTown. Our 6 year old, who is in Kindergarten, told all of her friends and her teacher at school how excited she was to go get pizza and play games that night after school. I love the way that GattiTown is set up. When we arrived, immediately when you walk in the doors there is a counter to pay for your meals and game cards. I love that GattiTown presents their food as a buffet. There are several pizza options, a salad bar, some fruit and some dessert pizzas. There is plenty to choose from and it is wonderful for me with three very young children to be able to eat our food right when we walk in the door. . There is a room that you eat in that is seperate from the midway with all of the games and attractions. In the eating room, there is a movie going that you can enjoy while eating your pizza. Monsters University was on and all of my kids were excited to watch it! After we ate, the kiddos were super excited to go play! I love how wide open the midway is and how they are far enough apart that you don't feel so crowded while you are trying to play. We love going to GattiTown because they have the very coolest attractions. There is a mini bowling alley, a little boat that rocks back and forth, a carousel. a huge bounce house maze with a slide, and that is in addition to the little midway games and arcade games. We were there for a while and probably could have spent more time playing if our kiddo didn't have school the following day. At the end of our time at Gattitown, we brought our game cards to the prize room. It is quite nice to not have 100's of tickets to hang on to, it is great to just have them loaded on the card. When you swipe your card for your games, it tells you how many tickets you have and how much money is left on your card. The kids picked their prizes and were definitely ready for bed after all the running around they did! We had a great time and the kids have still been talking about our trip and all of our fun together days later. We will definitely be going back to GattiTown very soon!

Connect with GattiTown Frisco on Facebook
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Saturday, November 16, 2013

When Calls the Heart: A Film by Michael Landon, Jr.

Disclosure- I received a copy of the movie from Edify Media in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.
About the Movie:

"When Calls the Heart" is the story of Elizabeth Thatcher, a cultured young school teacher in 1910 who, through the discovery of her aunt's secret diary, finds the courage to leave her big city home to accept a teaching position in a frontier coal mining town. And in the process, she also finds the potential for love with a handsome Royal Canadian Mountie.

My thoughts:

I am always excited to have the opportunity to review any film by Michael Landon Jr. "When Calls the Heart" is an adaptation from best-selling author Janette Oke, one of the most well-known (and most read) Christian authors on the planet. If you haven't heard of her Canadian West Saga, you have probably heard of her Loves Comes Softly series, several of which were also turned into movies, so you know Oke can craft some amazing love stories. I was interested in "When Calls the Heart" from the opening scene. I love movies about high society in the early 1900's and this one was especially interesting because it was about Elizabeth Thatcher finding her place in this world. She is offered a job at a school in a small town out west, very far away from her family and the life she knows. Her parents are pretty weary of her going, as is her sister. Elizabeth begins reading the diary of her namesake, her aunt, who also took a teaching post. The two Elizabeth's stories parallel each other, so it is a fun movie to watch, since it is set in two different time periods. I really enjoyed the flashbacks of the elder Elizabeth's adventures in teaching and with her own Mountie. The present day Elizabeth struggles with whether or not she can handle being on her own, but she really wants to try. I thought this was a great story to bring to life on the screen and I enjoyed all of the actor's portrayals of their respective characters. I especially enjoyed seeing Maggie Grace play the role of the elder Elizabeth Thatcher. There is a great behind the scenes look at the movie on the dvd that I loved. It is always so interesting to get insight into how a movie is made, what the actors think about the characters and where the movie is filmed.  I was excited to hear in the special features that the Where Comes the Hearth will become a television series on Hallmark and that this movie is to be considered a 2 hour pilot. It left on a pretty big cliffhanger, so I look forward to seeing Elizabeth Thatcher's story unfold completely. The series is set to continue January 2014.

"When Calls the Heart" debuted on the Hallmark Channel to more than 3.2 million viewers, making it the No. 1 movie of the week on ad-supported cable. It will be available to purchase on DVD at Christian Retailers November 19, 2013.


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Watch the movie trailer below:

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

VeggieTales Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas Review

*Disclosure- I received a copy of the movie from Big Idea Entertainment. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

I was so excited when this movie arrived. I have loved VeggieTales since they first began and I have always particulalry enjoyed the Christmas movies. In Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas Larry the Cucumber stars as Head Elf at a mall who is on a quest to help a compassionate little girl who wants to help her neighbor in need for Christmas. Bob the Tomato stars as Phillip Fleagle, who takes some time to reflect on there being more to Christmas than material gifts and light displays. This feature will help little ones understand what the true meaning of Christmas is and what a joy it can be to give to others, especially those in need. Si Robertson of Duck Commander fame stars as the new okra character Silas and Owl City and TobyMac team up for the theme song of the movie "Light of Christmas".

My 3 kids and I have already watched this movie several times. I love that VeggieTales movies always have a great message for kids and the message in this one is particularly important. Sometimes kids can get so wrapped up in the fun of presents and lights that they may not know that there is a more important meaning to Christmas. This movie opens up the discussion that other people might not have money for presents or even for food and that we should always try to help when we can. It is a message I hope to instill in my kids, a conversation I want to continue to be openly discussed in our house, that we should take care of others when we can, even if it is just a small thing, compassion is an important quality to have. Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas is not only a great teaching tool, it has all of the elements we would expect in a great VeggieTales movie. There are catchy songs and vibrant characters. My kids love the song at the beginning of the show, but their absolute favorite was the new silly song "Wrapped Myself Up for Christmas". I can't even tell you the number of times that we have watched the sing along video in the extra features and my boys just giggle the whole way through it! There are also some other nice special features including a behind the scenes peek with Si Robertson which Duck Commander fans will absolutely adore. This is a great movie for any VeggieTales fan to add to their collection and a great Christmas movie to add to any household in general. I know my kids will look forward to watching it for years to come!

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Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas
is now available Amazon.com and Mardel, as well as other retailers nationwide.

Monday, November 11, 2013

The Promise Box by: Tricia Goyer (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher Zondervan via the Book Sneeze Blogger Program in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book:

Every year, young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive “resident” status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides!
In The Promise Box, the second book of bestselling author Tricia Goyer’s Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series, Lydia Wyse, a book editor from Seattle who grew up Amish, returns to the small community of West Kootenai, Montana to give comfort to her father after her mother's death. She is drawn back to the familiar Amish ways after finding her mother’s most precious possession, a Promise Box of prayers and scripture. What her publisher sees, though, is an opportunity for a sensational “tell-all” book about the Amish.
Lydia soon finds herself falling in love with Amish bachelor Gideon Hooley. She wants nothing more than to forget her past and look forward to a future as an Amish bride. Will the pain of her childhood— and her potential betrayal of her community—keep her from committing her whole heart?

My thoughts: 

I have been waiting for this book to come out since I finished up The Memory Jar, which was the first book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelor's series. The Memory Jar is one of my favorite Amish fiction novels of all time and I haven't met a Tricia Goyer novel that I haven't liked yet. I was excited to read about how another Amish couple was to come together in The Promise Box. I have to say that I love this book every bit as much as the first. I got pretty wrapped up in Lydia and Gideon's story. Lydia's mother told her at age 16 the tragic event that led to her birth mother putting her up for adoption and it causes Lydia to question where she belongs so she leaves the Amish. She comes back for her mother's funeral and her very first meeting with Gideon is definitely an interesting one! I love learning each of their back stories piece by piece throughout the book. I really feel like I need to point out that I think the most romantic scene I have ever read in an Amish fiction novel occurred in this book, my heart got fluttery for them a couple of different times, that's how strongly Goyer writes these characters, that you feel what they feel. I absolutely love that I can read a love story and feel like one of the scenes is that wonderfully romantic, but that it is completely innocent behavior, these are the kinds of love stories I want my daughter to grow up and read, the sweet ones that sweep you away! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish fiction or a really sweet love story. Is it bad I am already ready for book #3 in this series? The Kissing Bridge doesn't come out until April, 11 2014 so I guess I'll have to be patient!! :)

About the author:

Tricia Goyer has written more than thirty-five books, including both novels that delight and entertain readers and non- fiction titles that offer encouragement and hope. She has also published more than 500 articles in national publications such as Guideposts, Thriving Family, Proverbs 31, and HomeLife Magazine.

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http://www.triciagoyer.com/

The Promise Box is available now on Amazon.com.

The Jesus Story by Dr. William H. Marty Book Review

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book: 

 Rediscover This Compelling Story The story of Jesus is the most remarkable ever told. It's an exciting adventure, a tender love story, and a drama full of danger, betrayal, and the ultimate sacrifice. But sometimes the genealogies, the confusing repetition, and the varying order of events in the Gospels can distract readers from this powerful narrative. Or maybe you've heard the story so many times that it has lost its impact. Here, Dr. William Marty presents the complete narrative of Jesus in an easy-to-read, chronological account. It's a fascinating retelling of everything from his birth to his ascension--as well as what happened in the church after he left. The Jesus Story is perfect if you want to get to know Jesus better or recapture the amazement of hearing his story for the first time.

My thoughts:

I think the majority of people who come to Christ want to feel as deep a connection as possible to Him and I think one huge way to accomplish that is to read The Bible. I know that because there are so many different translations/versions available that sometimes it's hard to know which one will be the right fit for you and which will give you a clear understanding of what happens and what it is all about. Dr. William Henry has written The Jesus Story with that in mind. He's written in this book a conversational version of all the events of Jesus' life beginning with his birth all the way through the crucifixion and ending with the story of the church (Acts) in a conversational tone in very plain English. What I really like about this book is that it would make a perfect gift for a new Christian. Sometimes picking up The Bible for the first time can be overwhelming, it's so big and so full of so many pages, why not start with the bare basics- the story of Jesus and how He's saved us. The chapters are broken down by event and all begin with a list of characters and the setting for where the story took place. This makes it really easy to keep up with what's going on and where each event took place. The way the book is written makes it extremely easy to follow along on the journey of Christ's life and death. Each chapter also ends with a summary to help re-iterate what you've just read. I think this book would make a great addition to any Christian home library, either to grab yourself for when you want to have a quiet time meditating on Jesus and his sacrifice or as a teaching tool to have around to offer to new Christian's who might be overwhelmed with The Bible initially. 

About the author:

Dr. William H. Marty (ThD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute and has published two textbooks, Surveying the New Testament and Survey of the Old Testament. He is unique among Bible college professors in that he teaches and writes on both the New and Old Testaments. Dr. Marty lives with his wife in Chicago.

 Connect with Dr. Marty on Goodreads

The Jesus Story is available now at Amazon.com and other retailers nationwide. 

Friday, November 8, 2013

MASH Up Conditioning Tempo Workout DVD Giveaway

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of Tempo from MASH Up Conditioning in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

At the end of October I wrote about an amazing workout video called Tempo from MASH Up Conditioning. The video actually contains several different high intensity interval training workouts and has people demonstrating three different levels of intensity that you can follow depending on your experience exercising. MASH Up Conditioning recently had an article spotlighted in Dr. Mercola's website entitled "How You Can Benefit from the Combination of Mind/Body, Agility, Strength and High Intensity Interval Training". The article highlights why HIIT workouts are such a good choice for working out all areas of your body. There is even a video included of one of Mash Up Conditioning's workouts so you can try it out for yourself!
Mash Up Conditioning was also recently invited to showcase the DVD at the 2013 American Music Awards in a celebrity gifting suite, so this is definitely going to be a go-to work out for many people!

The wonderful people at MASH Up Conditioning want to give one of my reader's the opportunity to win their own copy of Tempo. Enter below via the Rafflecopter for your chance to win!

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Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Nightmare City by Andrew Klavan Blog Tour & Book Review + Win a Copy of the Book

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson Publishers via YA Bound Book Tours. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.


About the book- 
  
Tom Harding only wants the truth. But the truth is becoming more dangerous with every passing minute.

As a reporter for his high school newspaper, Tom Harding was tracking the best story of his life when, suddenly, his life turned very, very weird. He woke up one morning to find his house empty . . . his street empty . . . his whole town empty . ..empty except for an eerie, creeping fog and whatever creatures were slowly moving toward him through the fog.

Now Tom s once-ordinary world has become something out of a horror movie. How did it happen? Is it real? Is he dreaming? Has there been a zombie apocalypse? Has he died and gone to hell?

Tom is a good reporter he knows how to look for answers but no one has ever covered a story like this before. With the fog closing in and the hungry creatures of the fog surrounding him, he has only a few hours to find out how he lost the world he knew. In this bizarre universe nothing is what it seems and everything including Tom s life hangs in the balance.


My thoughts:
 
I thought that this book started off in an interesting way, but after a while it kind of drug out in the beginning about getting down to what was really going on. Once I got to the middle of the story though, I was definitely invested in finding out what was going on all around Tom and interested in finding out what exactly it was that had happened to him. I did feel that the book dragged out a little in a few places, but overall I really liked the plot line and felt that the story was woven together very nicely. There were a couple of plot twists that I didn't see coming, which I always count as a big win. I love being surprised and caught off guard and it doesn't often happen, so a few times in one book was pretty cool. Nightmare City was a pretty quick read, a thriller that demands your attention and makes you think as you try to think of the possible reasons of why Tom is going through what he is going through. There are several characters throughout the book that you think might be involved with what has happened to Tom, so it was fun trying to think of all the possible scenarios. I thought the story flowed well throughout and that the ending worked rather nicely. I would recommend this book to a reader who enjoys YA fiction or suspense novels.



About the author:

Andrew Klavan is a best-selling, award-winning thriller novelist whose books have been made into major motion pictures. He broke into the YA scene with the bestselling Homelanders series, starting with The Last Thing I Remember. He is also a screenwriter and scripted the innovative movie-in-an-app Haunting Melissa.





Nightmare City is now available at BarnesandNoble.com & Amazon.com.
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