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By Norma, on January 25th, 2012
Rating:  
Book Description:
Food Allergy and Gluten-Free Weight Loss gives definitive answers to the question, “Why is it so hard to lose weight?” It is because we have missed or ignored the most important pieces in the puzzle of how our bodies determine whether to store or burn fat. Those puzzle pieces are hormones such as insulin, cortisol, leptin, and others. Individuals with food allergies or gluten intolerance face additional weight-loss challenges such as inflammation due to allergies or a diet too high in rice. This book explains how to put your body chemistry and hormones to work for you rather than against you, reduce inflammation which inhibits the action of your master weight control hormone, leptin, and flip your fat switch from “store” to “burn.” It includes a flexible healthy eating plan that eliminates hunger, promotes the burning of fat, and reduces inflammation and tells how to customize the plan so it fits you, your allergies or intolerances, and your need for pleasure in what you eat. Information about cooking for special diets, 175 recipes, a list of sources for special foods, and extensive appendix and reference sections are also included.
Anyone that has switched to a gluten free diet knows how hard it can be to stay gluten free but also to manage your weight. I personally know several people who have struggled to maintain the balance.
By incorporating some changes into our diets, we have seen a great improvement. My daughter has several food allergies, so I thought this book would be very informative and it was. It’s filled with the information you need to understand how to eat when you have food allergies or must remove gluten from your diet. The book is packed full or recipes, which can be adapted if needed. One of our favorites is the Quinoa Stuffed Peppers.
I was impressed with the authors grace when writing. Never once did I feel that a reader would feel it was his/her fault that they weren’t able to lose weight before.
She explains how ‘calories in – calories out’ isn’t always true and that hunger means our blood sugar is falling and our insulin maybe on the rise! She also explains how those of us on a gluten free diet often turn to rice to eat or use to make breads and other items. Rice is high on the glycemic index, which will cause blood sugar to rise.
I recommended this book to anyone who has food allergies and suffers from weight gain!
You can visit her websites at www.food-allergy.org or www.foodallergyandglutenfreeweightloss.com
**I did this review for Pump Up Your Book and was kindly given the book to read. My review was my own. Positive or negative. I wasn’t paid in any way to give this review. **
By Norma, on November 20th, 2011
Rating: 
Story Engineering: Mastering the 6 core competences of successful writing.
According to Larry Brooks there are six successful core competencies to writing: concept, character, theme, structure, scenes, and voice.
At first I was a little put off by the attitude the writer seemed to have. After reading a few sections again, I realized it wasn’t so much of an attitude but more of a tone that could be taken the wrong way.
Anyway, after the first chapter, he kind of grew on me enough to finish the book. The book is full of helpful advice and examples. But, if your looking for stripped down information, you will need to bring your highlighter. This is as much as a story and example set than just a plain outline. The author also uses examples of other’s well known works. As you read, highlight the stuff you’d like to remember otherwise it will get lost. To point out- that isn’t a negative, just some helpful advice I myself did.
I think there is are a lot of helpful suggestions for those new to the writing world or for those who’ve written and can’t understand what is missing in their stories or why they are being rejected.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson’s Booksneeze program. In no way did this influence this review. I wasn’t paid to read this book or give it a good/bad rating. I wasn’t even offered a cookie.
By Norma, on November 14th, 2011
Rating:
New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker teams with Tosca Lee to create this gripping thriller set in a desolate future.
Many years have passed since civilization’s brush with apocalypse. The world’s greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace… and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: Every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity.
Fleeing pursuit, with only moments to live, a young man named Rom stumbles into possession of a vial of blood and a piece of cryptic writing. When consumed, the blood will bring him back to life. When decoded, the message will lead him on a perilous journey that will require him to abandon everything he has ever known and awaken humanity to the transforming power of true life and love.
But the blood will also resurrect hatred, ambition, and greed.
Set in a terrifying, medieval future, where grim pageantry masks death, this tale of dark desires and staggering stakes peels back the layers of the heart for all who dare to take the ride.
My take:
I love how Tocsa Lee writes. I love her ability to make words flow like poetry on paper. I also love Ted Dekker’s style and imagination. Combine those two together, and I was sure I was in for a great story. For the most part I really liked Forbidden. There were a few things I think needed to be explained (not in length, but greater detail could have been taken), and a few places I felt were borrowed. There were also a few parts I think were typical Dekker, that seem to be repeated in all of his books that I’ve read. It made it easy to guess what would happen at times.
With all that being said, I did enjoy Forbidden. It was the mix of everything that made the story enjoyable. It seemed to be a biblical story and at times made me think, question, and wonder. I look forward to reading the next two in this series.
**I was received this book from NetGalley. My review was my own. Positive or negative. I wasn’t paid or bribed in any way to give this review. I wasn’t even offered a cookie. *this is the cover yourself stuff laws were made about*- if I don’t put this here (well you know what happens when you cut the tag off your mattress right?) … now back to your regular reading, if your not reading, go buy a book and save an author from starvation. **
By Kara Larson, on November 12th, 2011
Rating:
She was gagged. Violated. Tortured. Nailing the killer is priority number one and only the best will do—that means Frank Quinn. And Quinn wouldn’t want it any other way. Because he recognizes the victim. Years ago, as a homicide detective, he saved her young life.
Now the hunt is on, and deep in his gut, Quinn welcomes it. He knows he’s seeing the work of a truly twisted serial killer. Except it’s not the ritual weapon that makes this killer so disturbing. It’s who he kills—and how he makes them suffer. . .
I have read most of the other Frank Quinn books by John Lutz, I actually had finished the one before this about a month ago. I don’t think you have to had read his other ones to get into this one but you do miss some of the back story about Quinn and Pearl. This is one of those books that have two different story lines going on at the same time but you know they will meet up at some point. I have to say even though I knew that I was not expecting it to end the way it did. The crimes the “Skinner” commits are gruesome to woman who really did nothing wrong and the writing about them might have you squirming as you read. There are twist and turns through out the story that keep it moving and interesting! Loved it like previous Frank Quinn books!
By Norma, on October 19th, 2011
Rating: 
Trent Hawkins is the only survivor of a tragic plane crash. After the crash, he mysteriously began a streak of luck that made him famous, then hated in the Las Vegas poker circles. Before long he’s cast out and blacklisted. After leaving town for several years, he comes back when his wife is offered a job at a hospital.
They aren’t even to their new home before trouble starts. Softball sized hail, fish raining from the sky… why the heck didn’t they turn around and RUN? I would have.
The next day, Trent and his wife Susan find themselves wrapped up in a rescue of a girl, with a demon chasing them around the city. Soon he discovers himself in a fallen angel’s plot to cleanse Sin City with an unholy blizzard.
From page one, Patterson sucks you in fast and never lets up. I started reading right before bed and after a few chapters I thought, “Now how the heck do I sleep after reading THAT?” I wasn’t sure what I expected when I agreed to read and review this book. I wasn’t expecting what lies in between the covers of this one. For some reason I expected a soft thriller of sorts, but this book is anything but. It’s an exciting ride that doesn’t let up. The entire time I was reading I kept thinking it would make a great movie.
If your a fan of thrillers, action, the supernatural, suspense, poker… or just reading, this is a book you should definitely pick up!
You can visit the website at here.
** language and gore warning **
**I did this review for Pump Up Your Book and was kindly given the book to read. My review was my own. Positive or negative. I wasn’t paid or bribed in any way to give this review. I wasn’t even offered a cookie. *this is the cover yourself stuff laws were made about*- if I don’t put this here (well you know what happens when you cut the tag off your mattress right?) … now back to your regular reading, if your not reading, go buy a book and save an author from starvation. **
By Norma, on October 10th, 2011
Rating: 
Posey Osterhagen owns a successful architectural salvaging company and has a great family, even if they are a tad bit off. She kind of has a boy-friend and she has a dog. What more could she need? Hmm… let’s see, what about a tall, brooding and criminally good-looking man? Maybe Liam Murphy?
When Posey was sixteen, Liam unknowingly broke her heart. Then the bad boy left town with the pretty and popular girl -so not Posey. Now the bad boy is back, and Posey is set to avoid him, but it seems fate has other ideas. Will this bad boy from her past break her heart again?
The one thing I love about all of Kristan Higgins books is that none of her characters are normal. They are all off-beat and seem to be a tad bit crazy or have some crazy family members. They make me smile after a long day and I know that when I pick up one of her books. After reading the first one of hers, I quickly made my way through them all. I am now a dedicated fan. Kristan Higgins writes the kind of story that you need to read after a long day… I mean, really… She’ll have you laughing out loud one minute and have rooting for the characters in the story before too long.
**I received this electronic copy from NetGalley. This didn’t influence my review in any way**
By Norma, on October 4th, 2011
Rating: 
Somethings your better off never knowing. This happens to be the case for Sarah Gallagher.
Sarah has always wondered about her birth parents. Her childhood wasn’t the best it could have been. While her adoptive mother was always nice, she was very sick. Her adopted father though, ignored her after having 2 daughters of his own. When her father rejects her yet again, this pushes her to make the decision to find her birth parents, something she’s always thought of doing.
When Sarah finds her birth mother, she’s startled to discover that she was the only survivor of the Campsite Killer- a serial killer who kills every summer. This revelation leads Sarah to realize she was the product of that horrific crime, and the reason her mother gave her up for adoption.
When someone leaks the information to the press, Sarah’s world is turned upside down when her real father – The Campsite Killer – contacts her, putting her and everyone she knows in danger.
What happens when daddy, a serial killer, wants to meet?
My take on Never Knowing- I really enjoyed the book. I do have to say though, Sarah got on my nerves a time or two. Maybe it was the stupid way she reacted to a few things… I’m not sure. She put her daughter in danger, that I as a mother, wouldn’t dream of doing. So, some of the book was a bit of a stretch for me.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers on anything else I felt. There were some tense moments where I wondered what would happen to a few characters, but not in the danger sense, more of a “I wonder what they are thinking or if the daughter will…” At times it book made me think. What traits are passed down through DNA that we are unaware of.
*I received this book in free from Good Reads, it didn’t influence my opinion*
By Norma, on September 28th, 2011
Rating:
A gnarble left his cozy bed along the ocean floor.
He dreamt about a place that he had never seen before!
He headed to the surface for a glimpse of sun and sky.
The trip was so impossible, he’d be the first to try.
Gnarbles can’t swim far with little fins and floppy tails.
What makes this gnarble noble isn’t written on his scales.
You won’t believe the new fantastic creatures that he found.
But did he reach the top or did he quit and turn around?
When we first received this book, my daughter quickly took it from me and it was days, and I mean more than 3 or 4 before she allowed me to look at it. She read this book each night and took it to school to share with her friends.
“The Journey…” is suggested for children 3-6, but my child is 8 and loved it. She can read well beyond what is expected for an 8 year old, but still reads this book over and over.
I asked her what she liked the best and she said the message. When I got a chance to look at it, I had to agree, and I loved how vibrant the pictures were.
This is also a book I think parents will enjoy reading to their child. Both reviewers give this a 5 star rating!
You can visit the webpage here: http://noblegnarble.com/
** I recieved this book from JKSCommunications, and it had no influence on this review **
By Deanna, on September 14th, 2011
The stars are Rating:
Secrets can scandalize . . .
In a lovely suburban town just north of New York City, the gossip mill runs more efficiently than the commuter-train line. And in every impeccably decorated house, they’re talking about Lauren Walsh. They say that nothing could be worse than being abandoned by your husband for another woman. They’re wrong . . .
Secrets can shock . . .
All Lauren wants is to protect her children from the pain of her messy divorce. But when their father goes missing, a case of mistaken identity puts all their lives in danger, and a stealthy predator lurks in the shadows, watching . . . waiting . . .
Secrets can kill . . .
Lauren is about to uncover an unfathomable truth—a truth this cold-blooded mastermind would never let her live to tell . . .
This was a good book! I really enjoyed reading it and went through it quickly. A few shockers along the way keep you turning pages trying to figure out the mystery behind Lauren’s precarious situation. This was a well written mystery/suspense piece.
By Deanna, on September 14th, 2011
Rating:  
In the dead of night, psychologist Erin Reilly is abducted from her Tucson home. Her kidnapper – a serial killer who burns his victims alive. Tormented by his obsession, he wants Erin to cure him before he kills again. If she fails, she’ll become his next victim.
While Erin’s twin sister Annie searches desperately for her, Erin delves into her captor’s psyche and his past, discovering a secret guilt … a complex web of crime and betrayal … and an unexpected connection between the killer and herself.
This was a .99 cent deal on my Nook I decided to download. I’d read it again and pay full price . Excellent book! It keeps you on your toes throughout. I will definitely look into reading more of his work since I found him a good writer and really liked this story. Again, another good mystery!
By Deanna, on September 14th, 2011
Rating:  
Description
In the Colorado mountain town of Glenwood Springs, not far from Aspen, artist/photographer Gwyn Sanders discovers a cryptic letter her sister Kelly left behind. The victim of a deadly hit and run, Kelly reveals she was sexually involved with her sister’s boyfriend and is scared for her life. Both Gwyn and her remaining sister Linda have since married their boyfriends, so either could be guilty of murder. The sisters received a large inheritance before meeting these men, and know little of either man’s background. Worse, both Gwyn and Linda love their husbands deeply, but steps must be taken to find the truth. And the truth is complicated. Is it one of the two men, or another previous lover? Or none of them? Danger abounds and everyone is a suspect as Gwyn tries with the help of a gifted private detective to track a killer…
I loved this book! It kept me up reading well into the night wanting to know the outcome. I’m a sucker for a good mystery and this one delivered. Well written and interesting perspective. An easy read.
By Norma, on September 13th, 2011
Rating:
In her new e-book Mary DeMuth has provided simple easy to understand steps for writers seeking to become published. I found it to be informative without a lot of filler. She gives the steps and doesn’t waste words on unnecessary information, it’s to the point without being dry.
Here are the 11 secrets she covers:
· Learn the craft
· Develop discipline
· Know the publishing industry
· Welcome critique
· Write great queries and proposals
· Embrace marketing
· Overcome fear and rejection
· Understand the key players
· Navigate writers conferences
· Excel in your genre
· Thrive in your career
This ebook is priced reasonably for the tips and information provided. I think it would be a great resource to a writer seeking publication.
*I received this book in digital format from Mary DeMuth, it didn’t influence my opinion*
By Norma, on September 13th, 2011
Rating:
When Eric Yoshida’s wife accuses him of cheating, and throws him out of their house, he thinks his marriage is over for good. In his mind, he’s innocent. But when Eric commits the unthinkable ,his marriage truly is over. As he wakes up in bed with a woman who isn’t his wife, he realizes what he’d been lusting after wasn’t what he wanted at all.
Still with the other woman, his phone rings, and he finds out Kyra, his wife, has been in a car accident. Even though he’s just crossed the line, he still rushes to the hospital. There he finds out she’s lost some of her memories due to a concussion. Kyra still thinks they are happily in love.
Even though he has doubts, Eric uses this opportunity to try to win back the woman he’s never stopped loving. If Kyra’s memory returns, what will she think of his lies?
I have to say, I really like Gina’s writing. I loved her first novel and even though this novel isn’t exactly the same, I have to say, I love the turn she took. She didn’t create a hero, she wrote in the first person pov from a man that is sometimes hard to like. He makes a mistake and works though it making even more along the way. He isn’t a perfect man, and Gina doesn’t make him out to be one.
But Gina does show that while we screw up (and sometimes we do it to the extreme), God can take those opportunities to show his love and grace and move us in a new path or direction.
This novel is written in the Christian genre, but it’s not one of the “everyone is perfect” novels. There is a great message on the surface as well as down deep if the reader is willing to pause and think.
*I received this book in digital format from NetGalley, it didn’t influence my opinion*
By Deanna, on September 7th, 2011
Rating: 
After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, twenty-eight-year-old Justin Halpern found himself living at home with his seventy-three-year-old dad. Sam Halpern, who is “like Socrates, but angrier, and with worse hair,” has never minced words, and when Justin moved back home, he began to record all the ridiculous things his dad said to him:
“That woman was sexy. . . . Out of your league? Son, let women figure out why they won’t screw you. Don’t do it for them.”
“Do people your age know how to comb their hair? It looks like two squirrels crawled on their heads and started fucking.”
“The worst thing you can be is a liar. . . . Okay, fine, yes, the worst thing you can be is a Nazi, but then number two is liar. Nazi one, liar two.”
Almost two million people now follow Mr. Halpern’s philosophical musings on Twitter, and in this book, his son weaves a brilliantly funny, touching coming-of-age memoir around the best of his quotes. An all-American story that unfolds on the Little League field, in Denny’s, during excruciating family road trips, and, most frequently, in the Halperns’ kitchen over bowls of Grape-Nuts, Sh*t My Dad Says is a chaotic, hilarious, true portrait of a father-son relationship from a major new comic voice.
This book was hilarious! A friend of mine recommended it and I have to say, I literally laughed out loud and read out loud most of it to my husband. It’s a guy’s kind of book. Short blurbs/stories, followed by just crazy, zany one liners the author’s Dad said over the course of his growing up. Warning, not for those sensitive to vulgar language. But, well worth the belly laughs.
By Norma, on August 25th, 2011
Rating: 
Indemnity is the second book in the Covenant of Trust Series.
Bobbi’s marriage to Chuck survived his affair. It was tested and now Bobbi feels safe with the last seven years behind them. Then, just weeks before the beginning of a new school year, Bobbi spots a name on her student list: Jackson Charles Ravenna.
In moments, the strength of Bobbi’s marriage is tested and her life is turned upside down when Chuck decides he wants to be a part of Jack’s life. She isn’t sure though that this is what God expects of her. First adultery and now a son. What more can she be expected to endure?
Bobbi doesn’t trust Tracy, Jack’s mother and the woman who Chuck had an affair with, and with good reason. Tracy is hiding something that changes everything.
I didn’t read the first book in the series, but I think this book can stand-alone. I wasn’t confused for long on who the characters were or what they meant to each other. There is a third one, but I think the story could stop with this book if the reader chose to do so.
I found Indemnity fascinating. I loved how the book went without a lot of dead time. I have read a few similar Christian novels that didn’t achieve this. The writing was well done and I didn’t feel lost in the story at all (not having read the previous book).
There are a few minor points that I felt weren’t real. Some of the conversations with the two smallest children in the book to me weren’t as realistic as they could have been. One misspoken word within a very adult like conversation doesn’t really appeal to me. The kids seemed more grown up than they should have been. They did ask good questions and had a few real kid moments, but overall, they didn’t act too much like kids to me. Chuck also got on my nerves quiet a bit. He expected a lot from his wife in a very short amount of time. At times, he was just a jerk, which seemed realistic to me. But her reaction… I wanted her to throw something at him… just once.
The concepts in the book were very well thought out and Biblical principles were drawn upon. This would be a great book for a church club, many questions are asked over the course of the book and makes you wonder if you’d do the same thing if you were in Bobbi’s place.
This writer reminds me of another well-known Christian writer, but this book is far more uplifting and realistic than the others that I’ve read. She managed to use a lot of the Bible in her novel without making it feel pushed or thrown in as an after thought. She managed to make it apart of the characters.
There are many Biblical references in this book, if your offended by that sort of thing, don’t pick up this book. Or do. 
*I received this book free from Pump up Your Book – In no way did this change the my view of the novel I read.
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