And Then It Happened: Book One by M & L Wade: Book Review

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What do dead birds and a bicycle built for three have in common? Adventures of three friends which never turn out as planned.

In "The Dead Bird Collection", the three friends sprinkle their neighbors yard with dead birds in the hopes of tricking him into thinking his birdseed killed the birds. Their plan goes horribly wrong and they are rewarded with the opportunity of cutting the neighbors lawn all summer for free. 

At "Summer Camp", the three friends quickly tire of the camp bully and devise a laugh out loud plan to stop the bully from ruining summer camp. 

When the three friends put their heads together to win the school bicycle race in "A Bicycle Built For Three", they almost kill each other instead.


The year does not end on a good note for the threesome. "The Christmas Disaster" they manage to create during the school play is caught on T.V.


And Then it Happened: Book One by M & L Wade is a compilation of short stories that will have the reluctant reader snickering in the corner, hoping nobody notices so he doesn't have to admit the stories are funny. Each story is only a few pages long, which captures and holds the attention of the reader long enough to easily get through one story in a session. Though the stories are geared toward boys, girls will enjoy the humorous situations as well. Recommended for grades 3-6 or ages 8-12, but not beyond this age. Any of the books in the series would make great aloud options. The only thing to look out for is the bright ideas for pranks the books create. 


This book is one of a 10 book set.

**In accordance with FTC guidelines, I received the set of books at no charge for review purposes only. My opinions are not influenced by receiving the books at no charge nor do I exchange positive reviews for books. I often donate review books to local schools and/or schoolchildren. 

Partying with Boogie Wipes

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Though I like to focus on reviewing books and promoting literacy, I also like to include products that help make parenting easier.

As a Saline Ambassador, I get the lucky opportunity to get together with my mom's group to try new kid friendly products. I love the feedback I get from other moms. I love finding products that I didn't know about before. I am often reluctant to buy new products if I haven't tried them. I think it's human nature. I have so many questions like: Will I like the product? Will it be a waste of money? Will my family like it? Boogie Wipes understands my concerns.             

It's nice to meet with others to find out I'm 

not the only one with the same questions and concerns. At my recent Boogie Wipes party I had the chance to introduce this product to some of my friends and family who have never heard of them and were thrilled to try them.

Boogie Wipes are gentle, saline wet wipes for dried, stuck on boogers. A great alternative to dry tissues which don't always take away the dried on mucus and often leave the skin on and around the nose cracked and dry. Other wet wipes can sting the nose. Boogie Wipes are formulated with saline to prevent the sting. They also include aloe and vitamin E to keep skin from drying out. Boogie wipes are lightly scented in Grape or Fresh fragrance. One mom at my party thought it seemed weird to have a scent and was sure her child would not like it. However, the child liked the grape scent quite well. This is my favorite scent as well.

Also available are Saline Soothers for grown ups. Especially popular at my party was was the Cool Menthol scent. Menthol is always soothing when I have a cold so it's no surprise my guest liked them as much as I did.

Our party winners were thrilled to receive their packages of Saline Soothers and Boogie Wipes. One mom told me, "I think this is such a cool idea. I can't believe nobody ever thought of it before."

Not surprising, Boogie Wipes were invented by moms. Who else knows what would make our lives easier? Boogie Wipes are not only mom approved, but recommended by pediatricians as a gently alternative to dry tissues.

Want to try Boogie Wipes? Join the Boogie Bunch for your .50 off coupon.

**Disclosure: As a Saline Ambassador, I receive promotional items and samples to share and use. No monetary compensation has been given.  My opinions reflect my honest experiences.

Book Giveaway: Nothing Special by Geoff Herbach

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Here is your chance to win a funny and poignant young adult book with a rare male protagonist aimed at the teenage boy.

Check out my book review.

Contest Details:


Please use the Rafflecopter form for all entries. Contest is open to U.S. residents ages 16 and up. By entering the contest, you acknowledge you have read the terms and agree to them. Contest ends May 28, 2012 at 11:59 EST.

**This is not a sponsored post. I did not receive anything in exchange for this post. The prize for this contest is provided directly to the winner from the publisher.





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Nothing Special by Geoff Herbach: Book Review

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Felton Reinstein doesn't try to be a narcissist. With the sudden fame of having football recruiters watching him at every game, as well as track coaches taking notice, it's hard not to be self absorbed. Through journal entries to his girlfriend, Aleah, he tries to make sense of why his life is changing in sometimes not so good ways.

When Felton’s picture shows up in the paper in an unflattering pose he wishes he could forget, his life begins to unravel. Only he’s too busy thinking of his own problems to realize his younger brother’s life of living in his shadow has taken a toll far greater than Felton could imagine.

The usually clueless Felton slowly realizes something is amiss when his brother takes off for music camp. Felton discovers his normally sane brother has run off to Florida instead, and embarks on a cross-country trip with his former best friend to find him.

In Geoff Herbach's sequel to Stupid Fast (2011), the look inside Felton's head as he makes inroads in his family relationships is both funny and genuine. The simultaneous road trips and the lack of character introductions make the story confusing at first. However, the hilarious moments and self discovery of the male protagonist easily transition Nothing Special into a novel the hard to reach teenage boy would enjoy. Recommended for the young adult reader who likes self depreciating humor.


This book scan be purchased from the following retailers:

Publishing Information

• Publishing Date: May 1, 2012
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
• Pages: 304
• ISBN: 978-1-4022-6507-5

**In accordance with FTC regulations, this is not a sponsored post. I received a temporary electronic version of this book for a set amount of time for review purposes only which will expire.  NO other compensation was received.  My opinions are not influenced by outside sources.

Book Bloggers Cookbook: Blog Tour

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As a book blogger who loves to cook, I am happy to bring you a guest post from the author of the Book Blogger's Cookbook.






The 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook is a community project from some of the blogosphere's best book bloggers in a simple, easy to read format.  The cookbook combines a love of reading and dining to help you find books you'll devour and recipes you can't put down.

You’ll love The Book Blogger’s Cookbook because…

The Book Blogger’s Cookbook has 50 different book reviewers from every corner of the blogosphere.  It bridges the gap between author and reader—putting you in touch with book reviewers who can separate the 5 star books from the mediocre.
The Book Blogger’s Cookbook showcases great reads and provides an interactive experience with links to author and book reviewer websites. The cookbook is created for those who like to experience what they read long after they’ve closed the book.
The Book Blogger’s Cookbook tells why each recipe complements its companion book.  Recipes and books combine to make the reading experience satisfying and entertaining.

About the author:

Christy Dorrity loves to read about cooking and cook about reading. She was taught early to have a discriminating taste for both books and food. Christy grew up on a trout ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming. She taught elementary school and lives in the mountains with her husband Devon and their five young children. When Christy's not reading or writing, she's probably trying out a new recipe in the kitchen.

Every person who comments on one of the blogs during the tour will be entered to win a grand prize: a copy of every book featured in The 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook (22 in all,

over $200 value). 

Comment below to enter the contest.

Book Giveaway: Return to Exile by E.J.Patten

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For my readers who love fantasy, I am giving away a copy of Return to Exile book one of the Hunter Chronicles. Please be sure to check out my review on the next post.

Contest Details: Winner will receive a hard copy of Return to Exile. Contest ends 5/25/2012. 

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**This is not a sponsored post. The prize for the giveaway is provided by the publisher.

Return to Exile by E.J. Patten: Book Review

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On the eve of his twelfth birthday, Sky Weathers returns to the town of Exile with his family. Noticeably missing is his uncle Phineas T. Pimiscule. The uncle who encouraged Sky to study puzzles, science and the takes if the Hunters of Legend. Unbeknownst to Sky, the things he has studied for the last eleven years are more than a game.

Upon his return to Exile, the scars on Sky's hand mysteriously begin to bleed black, forcing him to confront one of many mysteries that have lingered in the back of his mind for so long.When Sky follows his father onto Phineas's property, he is attacked by monsters he thought only existed in the books his uncle had given to him. After he is saved by fellow students at his new school, he must learn to work together with them to keep the prison from being unlocked and to find his uncle.

E.J. Patten's first book in The Hunter Chronicles weaves together a  complex plot with a complicated back story which makes it hard to follow until almost a third into the book when the action picks up. An imaginative and fresh fantasy for those who enjoy intricate plot and world building. Overuse of  metaphors and similes bog down an already long story. However, humor with the help of the action in the last half of the book helps to lighten the load of an unusually long first novel. Though the audience is middle grade, the complex story make it more appealing toward the upper end of the middle grade group 11-14. Good to recommended for the fantasy reader.



This book can be purchased from the following retailers

Publishing information

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Ages 8 and up
• Hardcover 500 pages
• ISBN 978-1-4424-2032-8

**In accordance with FTC regulations, I received the book at no charge from the publisher to facilitate the review. This in no way influenced my opinion. I was not asked to give a positive review in exchange for the book. No monetary compensation was received.

Book Giveaway: The Mask of Destiny by Richard Newsome

Tweet Enter now for your chance to win a copy of The Mask of Destiny by Richard Newsome.




The Mask of Destiny is the final book in the Archer Trilogy. I have reviewed all three books on my blog. It's a great action adventure series for the middle grade reader. Boys will especially love the action in the series.


Read my review of this book and check out my blog for the reviews of the other two books in the series. Want more great "boy" book ideas, be sure to check out the column on the left for book reviews, all with male protagonists.


Contest Details: Contest begins 5/1/2012 and ends 5/11/2012 at 11:59 EST. Please use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you agree to the terms on the Rafflecopter form, including having your name published as the winner. Prize is provided by the publisher and value of the prize depends on currently published rates or around $12.00.


**This is not a sponsored post though the post may contain affiliate links.