Book Review: How To Survive Middle School and Monster Bots

Katie December 10, 2014 0 Comments

How To Survive Middle School and Monster Bots is about Howard Bower, a middle school student who is pretty smart and therefore not all that popular.  Howard finds out about a robot building contest that the Believer Achievers (BAs) are participating in and he wants to get involved.  He creates a robot out of a beloved Snowman his family has – called Mr. Jolly – that is supposed to hug people. He also is convinced that his partner on a project, Trevor, is actually part Android because he saw him remove part of his head in the bathroom. After Mr. Jolly doesn’t seem to be working out, Howard creates a new robot, Monster, that likes to dance.

Somehow – Monster keeps multiplying and creating new robots. There are also vandals on the loose smashing things in the neighborhoods and Howard starts to realize that this may be the robots! He has to figure out what he needs to do to catch all the robots and get them to turn off so they can stop wreaking havoc on the neighborhood.

I thought this was a cute book for kids, the robots multiplying was a bit far fetched – but the lessons in the book about being a team player and not caring if you win or lose and it’s better to help others among others throughout the book were really great.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

About the Book

Sometimes, being smart just isn’t enough

It’s been a rough winter for Howard Boward, science genius. Not only is he caught in the crossfire of winter’s most dangerous weapon (snowballs), his best friend, Winnie McKinney, is mad at him, and the school bullies seem to have made it their personal mission to make life at Dolley Madison Middle School miserable. But when Howard’s teacher tells him about the upcoming robot-building contest, Howard can’t resist using his superior knowledge of science to gain an advantage, especially since he’ll be competing against archrival Gerald “G-Force” Forster. Unfortunately, the secret goo he uses to make his cardboard robot move turns it into a multiplying, vengeance-seeking monster. If Howard doesn’t stop the robot rebellion in time, they’ll ruin everything—including his friendships and the school dance.

Book Review: Claiming Carlos

Katie December 9, 2014 0 Comments

I have read, reviewed and enjoyed several of Rachelle Ayala’s books since I’ve started doing book reviews and Claiming Carlos was no exception.  This book is about Choco who is Evie’s sister from her book Taming Romeo which I have previously reviewed. Her parents own a restaurant and she is best friends with the cook, Carlos, who also happens to be the son of her godmother.  They live in the same apartment complex and Carlos has the job of escorting Choco to work every day.  Except that now this hotshot restaurant consultant has come to town and is trying to change everything about Choco’s family’s restaurant – and now he, Johnny Dee, is the one escorting her to work.

Choco ends up fixing up Carlos with her cousin Julia who is upset because her fiance left her. (And we can probably guess how well this relationship will work out – especially since it seems like Carlos and Choco are into each other but won’t act on it.)  Johnny takes Choco on a shopping spree and she gets a makeover which hides her freckles.  Johnny also tries to switch up the menu on Carlos and he is not happy about any of it.  Carlos and Julia decide to stage a fake engagement so that Julia’s ex will get jealous and hopefully want her back.  Meanwhile, there is all sorts of other drama going on like Carlos’ mother not believing that Choco is good enough for her son because she had a daughter as a teen that she gave up for adoption – but that she still spends time with as a “big sister” as part of their adoption deal.

There’s a lot more going on too but I feel like me writing about it doesn’t do it justice. It actually flows and makes a lot more sense in the book than how I am explaining it, I assure you!  I really liked this book, it was a fun and quick read with great characters and great storylines!

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.

About the Book

Claiming Carlos is a fun, light-hearted romance with a love triangle, family problems, and recipe disasters. Can Choco survive her deeply religious godmother while struggling to find herself between two eligible bachelors?

Choco Sanchez is stuck in a rut. She’s never hit a softball and has been friends forever with Carlos Lopez, the head cook at her family’s Filipino restaurant. When flashy restaurant consultant Johnny Dee hits her with a pitch, she falls head over heels and gets a makeover.

Carlos Lopez is not about to lose one for the home team. When Johnny launches a full scale change on the menu, Carlos sends him straight into the dumpster. Claiming Choco’s heart proves more difficult, especially when her secrets threaten to doom their love.

Book Review: The Little Book of Big PR

Katie December 5, 2014 0 Comments

I’m always looking for PR tips because they not only can help you promote your blog, but yourself as well if you find yourself in the market for a new job.  And any book that calls itself “little” means I’ll be able to read it relatively quickly, so I’m all in!  The book is little – it is under 100 pages! It focuses on self branding, media relations, social media (which I know is my downfall with this site – I cross post all my blog posts to twitter and facebook but I don’t interact on the pages nearly as much as I should to keep people interested!), networking, speaking engagements, cause-related marking and selecting a PR agency.

I liked that each chapter highlighted “a must” related to the chapter as well as “a must not…” to guide the reader in the right direction!  The book also includes several case studies which I enjoyed seeing as examples as well!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Any size business can benefit from public relations. You can gain attention for your own small business and help build your company’s credibility and brand . . . if you know the tricks of the trade.

The Little Book of Big PR gives you essential advice on how to use public relations effectively as a business-building tool, whether you’re an established company or a cost-conscious start-up. Drawing on the expertise gained during her long career in public relations, Jennefer Witter shares simple, smart, and budget-friendly methods for getting your business noticed. The book concisely covers the seven key elements of public relations, including:

Self-Branding: Communicate who you are, what you do, and how you differ from others, highlighting your own uniqueness to give you a distinct advantage over your competition.

Media Relations: Working with the press involves targeting the right outlets, in exactly the right way. This book tells you how to craft a perfect pitch, when to follow up, and what not to do when dealing with reporters.

Social Media: Find out which social media are most effective for small business owners; what to post and where; and how to integrate social media into your strategy to widen your audience, and ultimately, the opportunity to generate additional revenue. And more . . .

The book features quick tips on key topics including networking and how to find Australian resident director services price–should you choose to work with one. The book also includes real-world case studies and sample content (such as media pitches) to use as-is or to modify to fit your own specific needs.

As an entrepreneur, you need every helpful tool you can get your hands on! Now you’re armed with the very same tactics the PR pros use, giving you the expert guidance you need to help grow your business to new, attention-getting heights.

About the Author

Jennefer Witter is the CEO and founder of The Boreland Group Inc. (www.theborelandgroup.com), a boutique public relations agency headquartered in New York City with a presence in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. A 30+-year PR veteran, Jennefer was ranked as one of the top ten black CEOs and entrepreneurs in the nation by MadameNoire magazine in 2013.

Book Review: The Good Girl’s Guide to Bad Boys

Katie December 5, 2014 0 Comments

Seeing as how I am one to love a “bad boy”, I had to read this book. The book starts with Andrea and her friend Kenzi leaving for university.  But since the dorm rooms are so expensive, the two are instead renting rooms in a flat – just don’t tell their parents.  Kenzi is rooming with a guy named Seb while Andy is rooming with a guy named Hunter – who thinks that Andy is a male and not a female.  Needless to say, they don’t exactly make a great first impression on one another.  As it turns out, Seb and Hunter are brothers (with different mothers) and their father is the leader of a gang.  Andy gets dragged in to all the gang business, while Kenzi is left in the dark.

This book was a real page turner, and I was kind of bummed that I had started it just before I wanted to get to sleep as I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen – but couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. (I managed to push through and get through the first half of the book and finished  the rest as soon as I woke up!)  There is a lot of action and drama and Andy and Hunter end up having an interesting relationship and dynamic. One minute they hate each other, the next they are making out… Would this Good Girl change this Bad Boy? Or is it the Bad Boy that is changing the Good Girl?

A fun, dramatic and action-packed book.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

There’s nothing better than a bad boy…

When feisty break dancer Andrea left for university, she thought she was ready to step into the real world. But she wasn’t prepared for meeting her new neighbour, Hunter.

Arrogant, dangerous and a bit too sexy, Hunter’s everything Andrea knows she should resist…and can’t.

But when she gets swept up into Hunter’s dark, mysterious family, it seems that falling for a seductive rebel might not be all it’s cracked up to be and infact that is what most White Singles Dating is all about these days. Is this good girl really ready to take on a bad boy?

Wattpad sensation Katie Hart is the queen of bad boys! Her debut, The Good Girl’s Guide to Bad Boys, is perfect for fans of Kirsty Moseley.

Book Review: Billy Joel

Katie December 5, 2014 0 Comments

Billy Joel is a biography about none other than Billy Joel. Of course!  The book is cool because instead of being boring and saying “Chapter 1” each chapter is named after one of Billy’s song titles! It also includes photographs throughout the book which you know is my favorite 🙂  The book starts with the history of Billy’s family in Nazi Germany and how they ended up coming to America.  I liked also how it talked a bit about who the girls are that some of his songs are about! Always nice to find out who or what was the inspiration for songs and I love when artists share that type of information, even though a lot of times the songs can be interpreted in many different ways.  There was also talk about how he got into piano lessons and how when he learned he could play things by ear, it got more interesting for him.  Overall a book jam packed with lots of information about Billy Joel and if you are even the most casual of Billy Joel fans – I’d consider this to be a must read!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

In Billy Joel, acclaimed music journalist Fred Schruers draws upon more than one hundred hours of exclusive interviews with Joel to present an unprecedented look at the life, career, and legacy of the pint-sized kid from Long Island who became a rock icon.

Exhibiting unparalleled intimate knowledge, Schruers chronicles Joel’s rise to the top of the charts, from his working-class origins in Levittown and early days spent in boxing rings and sweaty clubs to his monumental success in the seventies and eighties. He also explores Joel’s creative transformation in the nineties, his dream performance with Paul McCartney at Shea Stadium in 2008, and beyond.

Along the way, Schruers reveals the stories behind all the key events and relationships—including Joel’s high-profile marriages and legal battles—that defined his path to stardom and inspired his signature songs, such as “Piano Man,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” “New York State of Mind,” and “She’s Always a Woman.” Throughout, he captures the spirit of a restless artist determined to break through by sharing, in his deeply personal lyrics, the dreams and heartbreaks of suburban American life.

Comprehensive, vibrantly written, and filled with Joel’s memories and reflections—as well as those of the family, friends, and band members who have formed his inner circle, including Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray Joel, Jon Small, and Steve Cohen—this is the definitive account of a beloved rock star’s epic American journey

Book Review: Handmade Christmas

Katie December 5, 2014 0 Comments

I just love looking at cute crafts. Sometimes I try to make them myself other times I just look and never find the time to make things.  The cover of Handmade Christmas really caught my attention. Everything was SO cute!  I mean, just look at that pinecone gnome! The book has a guide to all of the supplies you might need (handy!) and then over 20 different projects that you can make. The only downside is it seems these all call for glitter (it is Glitterville’s book, after all) but that is banned in my house! (It gets everywhere and stays stuck to you for days!)  Some the glitter really completes the look so I’ll have to see if there are any where you can get away without sprinkling glitter all over the place and still have it look whimsical.

SO many great and cute ideas… so little time…  I do really want to try the glitter village (it would be great for my doll Zac!) but we’ll see what happens.  And of course, if I can get my hands on any pinecones I’ll end up with a gnome village!   The gingerbread cookie kids are adorable and also look like they’d be pretty simple and fun to make… So would the nutcracker candy bucket.  And the tips on how to make the Christmas Log actually made me go “ooh!” outloud.  Never thought to use a glue gun to create texture and wood grain!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Have yourself a Glittery Little Christmas — with twenty new whimsical, winter-wonderful projects from the Craft Elves at Glitterville!

 Following the success of Glitterville’s Handmade Halloween, Glitterville is back for the sparkliest holiday of all! Glitterville’s Handmade Christmas is as bursting as a mantle-hung stocking with twenty new whimsical, winter-wonderful craft projects that will fill your home with sleighfuls of cheer. Hundreds of beautiful, easy-to-follow, step-by-step full-color photos and how-tos make the crafting fun and the results foolproof. From a Jolly Dolly Holly Wreath or a charming Glittery Village you can nestle into its own Sparkle Forest, to the frostiest Magic Snow and the jolliest pine-cone-bodied Glitter Gnome, “yule” find everything you need to make your home glisten and shine this holiday season!

Book Review: Wild Tales

Katie December 2, 2014 0 Comments

Wild Tales is the autobiography of Graham Nash and retells the story of his Rock & Roll life. The book starts out with him saying he had decided to leave his country, his marriage, his bank account and his band. He shows up at Joni Mitchell’s house, sings a song with Crosby and Stills, their harmonies are amazing and CSN is born. The book then goes back to the beginning, where Nash tells about the time he was “out sick” from school – but was really in line to get some concert tix. He was caught. Music always had an effect on him and the Everly Brothers were really what made him want to make music.

His first band was The Hollies – who did gigs with the Beatles – even before Ringo was in the band. He also talks about how they had a 15 year old song writer write for them.

About halfway through the book, it begins to focus more on CSN and CSNY – their performance at Woodstock – how they never disbanded no matter what was going on between them (and trust me, it was a lot) and even though they strayed from each other they were still a group.

He talked about how he got his home in Hawaii, how important family became to him, and how they had to have an intervention with David Crosby because his drug use was out of control – but they ultimately failed and he needed to hit rock bottom first.

But what impressed me the most in the whole book was that Nash’s son, Will, knew Adam and Jesse from a band called Kara’s Flowers. He said that they were packing it in because they couldn’t make it in the scene, Nash gave them money for more demos and then they were hitting the charts as Maroon 5!

This was a quick read, an interesting read, and a fun read.

I received a free copy of this book from bloggingforbooks in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book
From Graham Nash—the legendary musician and founding member of the iconic bands Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Hollies—comes a candid and riveting autobiography that belongs on the reading list of every classic rock fan.

Graham Nash’s songs defined a generation and helped shape the history of rock and roll—he’s written over 200 songs, including such classic hits as “Carrie Anne,” “On A Carousel,” “Simple Man,” “Our House,” “Marrakesh Express,” and “Teach Your Children.” From the opening salvos of the British Rock Revolution to the last shudders of Woodstock, he has rocked and rolled wherever music mattered. Now Graham is ready to tell his story: his lower-class childhood in post-war England, his early days in the British Invasion group The Hollies; becoming the lover and muse of Joni Mitchell during the halcyon years, when both produced their most introspective and important work; meeting Stephen Stills and David Crosby and reaching superstardom with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; and his enduring career as a solo musician and political activist. Nash has valuable insights into a world and time many think they know from the outside but few have experienced at its epicenter, and equally wonderful anecdotes about the people around him: the Beatles, the Stones, Hendrix, Cass Elliot, Dylan, and other rock luminaries. From London to Laurel Canyon and beyond, Wild Tales is a revealing look back at an extraordinary life—with all the highs and the lows; the love, the sex, and the jealousy; the politics; the drugs; the insanity—and the sanity—of a magical era of music.

Book Review: Getting Off

Katie November 28, 2014 0 Comments

Getting Off has got to be one of my favorite Cosmo Red Hot Reads I’ve read in a while.  It is about Caitlin Ryan who has never had an orgasm.  She has moved from Ireland to New York City in hopes of finding a job and her brother, but in the mean time she is looking for a bar job to get some spending money.  She starts off by living in her Aunt’s apartment, who is away for a while and eventually will need to find her own place.  She meets a guy at the bar named Liam and is instantly attracted to him, and he to her.  They end up hooking up – and he realizes that she is faking it!  She hopes that she never has to see him again, but wanders in to a bar to inquire about a job and it turns out that Liam is the owner!  She gets the job and the patrons love her because she is a real Irish girl.  But now that Liam knows the truth about Caitlin, he is on a mission to help her out.  Will it work?

I really liked this book – the chemistry between the two main characters was written so well that you could totally feel it while you were reading the book.  At first Liam keeps trying to stay away because he doesn’t want to mix business and pleasure, but it is obvious to pretty much everyone that he has it bad for Caitlin. Definitely a must read if you are a fan of the red hot reads like I am!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Caitlin Ryan has never had an orgasm—and she wants one! So does she

(1) Date lots of Mr. Nice-but-Wrongs and keep faking and hoping?

(2) Do a little DIY with a battery-operated friend and a lot of imagination?

(3) Go to NYC and have a wild night with a totally hot stranger?

When (1) and (2) don’t work, Caitlin goes for (3). But even with motorbike-riding sex god Liam, old habits die hard, and yet again she has to fake it. Only he notices—and is not happy! Could things get any worse? Well, yes, when Liam becomes her new boss. But when Caitlin reveals that she’s never climaxed, Liam rises to the challenge, offering a weekend of hot sex with the only goal her pleasure. Will letting him take control work? Caitlin can’t resist finding out….

Book Review: How To Roll Like Chris P Bacon

Katie November 28, 2014 0 Comments

How To Roll Like Chris P Bacon is the second book in a three book series. I haven’t read the first one but I don’t think you really need to considering Chris so kindly recaps his life in the first couple of pages!  Chris P Bacon is a pig and his back legs don’t work.  His Dad is a vet so he made him a cart to help him get around!  This book is all about some life lessons that Chris has learned along the way that he is sharing with kids because it thinks that it will help them too!  A couple of the things that he says is to be adventurous! And be silly!  The book is written in rhyme and is adorably illustrated with some real photos of Chris in there for good measure.  The end of the book also has a recipe for a great snack recommended by Chris – “Pigs in Mud”!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

This is the second book in a three book series of children’s books featuring Chris P. Bacon—the little pig that’s been inspiring oodles of people. This story will pick up for the first one left off. Here’s a quick bio of dear friend:
Chris P. Bacon is one lucky pig. Born with malformed hind legs, he was taken to a vet with the request that he be euthanized. The veterinarian, Len Lucero, took one look at the little guy who appeared happy and healthy and vowed to keep him. Chris went home with Dr. Len and within a matter of weeks became an internet sensation and media darling. He’s been on numerous television shows includingAnderson Live, ABC Action News, and the Today show. He’s also been featured on the Discovery Channel (Canada). But even more important, he’s won thousands of hearts—he has nearly 80,000 fans on Facebook, a dedicated fan club, many popular videos on YouTube, and even a specially designed T-shirt, which can be ordered on his website (www.chrispbacon.org). Chris P. Bacon’s joyful demeanor and excitement for life have inspired people all over the world to view their lives in a new way.

Book Review: Stuff You Should Know About Stuff

Katie November 28, 2014 0 Comments

Stuff You Should Know About Stuff is all about how to conduct yourself in public, communicating, in really specific situations, with friends, with (more than) friends, with certain other people and in other situations that they wanted to include in the book but couldn’t fit anywhere else.  I especially loves the section on concert etiquette! And I got a kick out of the “$100 says you’re going to regret buying that thirty dollar tour schedule tshirt on the way out.” When I was younger I ALWAYS bought a shirt as a souvenir.  Now I am a bit more selective about it.  There are some that were well worth the $30 and I wear them all the time though!

It touches on Social Media as well which I think everyone should read!  And I was surprised to see that there was a Matt Wertz mention/inclusion on a section about making a mixed CD.  Love Wertz, didn’t realize too many people even know who he was!  There were also 2 John Mayer mentions… but one was making fun of his guitar faces 🙁  (He is making the notes with his face. Watch him closer. It’s actually really interesting to watch once you figure that out!)

And I also like the tip that women need to stop saying “I need to lose weight” in front of women fatter than you.  This is a major pet peeve of mine. Because if you’re thinner than me and you think YOU need to lose weight – then what the heck do you think about ME? That I’m a whale and need to lose even more weight?  I don’t know why women do this and I agree with the authors – It. Must. Stop.

Overall a fun read and a lot of good tips even if some were meant to be comical!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Do you know how to properly conduct yourself in a public restroom? What about while in the midst of a profoundly awkward silence? Have you perfected how to get out of helping your friend move?

If you answered no to those questions, then you need Stuff You Should Know About Stuff, the book that future anthropologists will no doubt call “the Rosetta Stone of handling trivial life situations.”

From the guys who created the viral videos “Sh*t Nobody Says” and “Things You Can’t Do When You’re Not in a Pool,” Tripp and Tyler bring you the written word in Stuff You Should Know About Stuff, a guide instructing you how to navigate the treacherous waters of life’s extremely trivial situations.

There are even photos and illustrations for people who enjoy photos and illustrations and stuff like that. You can read it from cover to cover or you can choose to educate yourself only in conjunction with your bowel movements. Totally your call there.

Stuff You Should Know About Stuff places the priority on the trivial experiences of life, because that’s where we spend most of our time; trying to recover from going for the fist bump when a casual acquaintance wanted a high five.