Good Night Little Sea Otter - Review

Good Night, Little Sea Otter by Janet Halfmann

Illustrated by Wish Williams

Details: Paperback, 24 pages - Childrens book

Published August 15th 2010 by Star Bright Books, Incorporated

Fur and Feathers (See My Review)
another great book from the Author

Authors Site: http://www.janethalfmann.com/

Description: (Taken from the back of the book) Children will want to settle down for bedtime with Little Sea Otter as he snuggles onto Mama's chest in a cozy bed of sea kelp and bids good night to all his ocean friends. From sea lions to sea snails, seagulls to seals and sea urchins, it seems he'll never close his eyes. But gently rocking seas, twinkling stars, and Mama's loving arms lull Little Sea Otter - and children everywhere - to dreamland.

My Thoughts: The story takes place right at bed time and the little sea otter's mama is trying to get him snuggled up in bed. But before he can drift off to bed he has to tell all his sea friends and creatures good night. What a cute story.

This book actually reminds me of my youngest daughter who is pictured with the book. When I get ready to settle her down at night she has to give every stuffed animal in her room a kiss before she can get into bed. Just like the little sea otter has to tell everything goodnight.

The pictures in the book are just beautiful and she loves to sit with her book looking at all the pretty colors and all of the sea animals on the pages. Since receiving this book a few months ago this has become one of her favorite books to look at. We have to keep it on her favorite book shelf and it is often grabbed at night when she gets to pick out the night time story.

What a nice story book and a really colorful way to learn about different animals and sea creatures that live in the sea.

I rate this childrens book 5 out of 5 stars



The Giveaway: ** Winner has been announced***

*I was provided a complementary copy and a giveaway opportunity of Good Night, Little Sea Otter by the Author Janet Halfmann . I am an honest reviewer. My reviews are written by me and are based on my own opinion (I'm not a review expert).

Rosador and the Dark Forest (Night Knight Therapeutic Bedtime Stories) - Review

Rosador and the Dark Forest:
Night Knight Therapeutic Bedtime Stories
By Emma Piers

Illustrated By Mark Turner

Details: Paperback, 78 pages

Published January 15th 2011 by Emma Piers UK Ltd

Description: (Goodreads) The author uses her background experience in counseling, to help children who are struggling with feelings like guilt, shame, depression, and other immobilizing and self destructive emotions. During times of change and challenge, it is very easy, and often inevitable, that a child can assume they they've done 'something wrong' and there's 'something wrong 'with them. The author uses various fantasy characters who undergo various challenges, and are shown by their friends, in ways that children can respond and relate to easily, that they are not the cause of the circumstances. The book has been carefully crafted to help children develop a sense of wholeness, happiness, peace and self confidence. This helps them avoid self injurious preoccupations with seeking others approval, or need to control and dominate, as they become older.

My Thoughts: I received the special narrated edition with 2 Cd's and we read the story plus we also did the book with the Cd's playing so my daughter got a double dose of the story. My daughter was just a little younger then the age recommendation of 5 - 11 years but she really enjoyed me reading to her and even hearing the Cd's read to her at night.

I love the fact that the story is in parts so it can be read a little each night and at the end of each part it has some encouraging phrases for the child to think about while sleeping. For Example: "Tonight as you settle to sleep, remember that you are just as amazing and unique as Fumblekins. You don't need to prove this to anyone. You just are." I just loved the positive note that each part ended on.

The four stories each have 2 parts and they each deal with a different problem or issue that a child might experience. This book sure is a nice tool to have to help young children deal with issues and to help encourage them.... I really enjoyed reading this book to my young daughter and I'm sure it will become one of her favorites as she grows.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars


About The Author

Emma Piers is an author, wellbeing coach and narrator. She lives in rural Dorset in the UK with her life/working partner Mark Turner. Emma was born in a rambling old vicarage in Kent, in 1958. Her father was a vicar, and she had two siblings. During her early years, the family moved five times. During these years, Emma developed a deep love and sense of connectedness with the natural world around her. Walking and writing stories about mythical creatures and people became a big preoccupation, alongside a love of English that was instilled in her by two teachers who were both passionate about their subject. As a counter balance, she managed to fail her Maths ‘O’ level three times. Friendships came and went with five different schools in short succession being attended. A working year exploring the USA and France was followed by another year feeling out of place in a technical college studying pitman script, shorthand typing and profit and loss accounts. Many years and several homes later, after her younger child started grammar school, Emma started studying counselling and creative writing. After a number of years in counselling practice, and travels in Australia, Emma’s more recent studies are encompassing both traditional therapeutic and mythological storytelling. This form of storytelling incorporates understandings of the holistic ways in which human and environment interact.

Her latest book is Night Knight: Therapeutic Bedtime Stories.

You can visit her website at www.emmapiers.com.

*I was provided a complementary copy of Rosador and the Dark Forest (Night Knight Therapeutic Bedtime Stories) by the Author Emma Piers from an opportunity of Pump Up Your Book. I am an honest reviewer. My reviews are written by me and are based on my own opinion (I'm not a review expert).

Blood Of My Brother - Review

Blood Of My Brother By James LePore

Details: Paperback, 316 pages

Published December 28th 2010 by The Story Plant

Description: (Goodreads) When Jay Cassio's best friend is murdered in a job clearly done by professionals, the walls that he has built to protect himself from the world of others begin to shatter. Dan Del Colliano had been his confidante and protector since the men were children on the savage streets of Newark, New Jersey. When Dan supports and revives Jay after Jay's parents die in a plane crash,...moreWhen Jay Cassio's best friend is murdered in a job clearly done by professionals, the walls that he has built to protect himself from the world of others begin to shatter. Dan Del Colliano had been his confidante and protector since the men were children on the savage streets of Newark, New Jersey. When Dan supports and revives Jay after Jay's parents die in a plane crash, their bond deepens to something beyond brotherhood, beyond blood. Now Jay, a successful lawyer, must find out why Dan died and find a way to seek justice for his murder.

Isabel Perez has lived a life both tainted and charmed since she was a teenager in Mexico. She holds powerful sway over men and has even more powerful alliances with people no one should ever try to cross. She desperately wants her freedom from the chains these people have placed on her. When Jay catapults into her world, their connection is electric, their alliance is lethal, and their future is anything but certain.

Once again, James LePore has given us a novel of passions, intense moral complexities, and irresistible thrills. Filled with characters you will embrace and characters you will fear, Blood of My Brother is a story about a quest for revenge and redemption you won't soon forget.

My Thoughts: I haven't read anything from this other until receiving Blood Of My Brother for review. Blood Of My Brother is actually the authors second novel. When I read the description on the book it sounded like a novel that I would enjoy. I love a good murder mystery, action packed book.

I really enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end. The book had a great story line that pulls you in right from the start and keeps a hold of you tell the end. The characters in the story were easy to get to know and follow... Jay stopped at nothing to get Dan his best friend the justice he deserves.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars

About The Author:



James LePore is an attorney who has practiced law for more than two decades. He is also an accomplished photographer (his work can be seen at www.nakedeyeimages.com). He lives in South Salem, New York with his wife, artist, Karen Chandler.

A World I Never Made, his first novel, was written after extensive research into the history of Islam on the Iberian Peninsula, and travel in Europe and North Africa. Mr. LePore writes novels of suspense, driven as much by gripping stories as by strong, complex characters. His second novel Blood Of My Brother, will be released on December 25, 2010; his third, Sons and Princes, in May, 2011.

Mr. LePore is a writer of short fiction as well. His stories stand alone as dramatic works, but are also meant to illuminate the central characters in his novels. Anyone Can Die, a collection of short stories written to accompany A World I Never Made, will be released in February, 2011.

Mr. LePore is currently at work on his fourth novel, the story of a Manhattan district attorney whose son is wrongly accused of murder, which The Story Plant will publish in fall, 2011.

To find out more about James visit James LePore Fiction

*I was provided a complementary copy of Blood of My Brother by the Author James LePore from an opportunity of Pump Up Your Book. I am an honest reviewer. My reviews are written by me and are based on my own opinion (I'm not a review expert).

Teasure Tuesday - What Are You Reading?

Pull up a chair, grab your current book or the book next to you, flip it open to a random page and share your Teasers.

**** My Teaser ****

Shine By Lauren Myracle
page 229 (YA Book)

"I didn't know which was more messed up: Robert relaying the story like it was no big deal, or the fact that Beef had shared all that with Robert in the first place.
Since I couldn't make sense of either, I focused on something else."


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along just do the following.

Here’s what you have to do:

1. Grab your current read.

2. Open to a random page.

3. Share two (2) sentences (teasers) from somewhere on that page.

4. Be careful not to include spoilers. (Make sure that what you share doesn't give to much away. You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the books to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

If you have a blog leave your teaser link in the comments and if you don't have a blog you can leave your teaser in the comments.... I can't wait to read everyone's

Don't Throw Those Coupons Away! - Review

Don't Throw Those Coupons Away!
By Kristin L. Peoples

Details: Paperback, 82 pages

Published April 7th 2010 by Bootcamp Mommy Media Group

Find This Book On
Amazon $10.00
Barns & Noble $9.50 (on Sale)

Win A Copy @ Happy Mom Of 5 - Click here to enter. Giveaway Ends May 5th @ Midnight CST.

Everywhere you turn you hear about the economic downturn. People are losing their jobs and are left without the money they need for everyday necessities. There are some people who have taken jobs making substantially less in order to help them survive. Meanwhile, the price of food has not decreased. In fact, the prices are continuing to soar. Grocery items are essenti...Description: (Goodreads) Everywhere you turn you hear about the economic downturn. People are losing their jobs and are left without the money they need for everyday necessities. There are some people who have taken jobs making substantially less in order to help them survive. Meanwhile, the price of food has not decreased. In fact, the prices are continuing to soar.

Grocery items are essential for each and every family. Those of us who have children know that you cannot just eat ramen noodles. Children and babies must eat to help them grow. The worst thing in the world for a Mom or Dad to hear is that their child is hungry and there is nothing they can do.

You may have heard about people who save a lot of money with coupons but may be confused as to how to actually do it. Most television segments show you only bits and pieces of what the 'Coupon Queen' did to save so much money. There wasn't a lot to go on. It can be a very frustrating process if you don't have all of the information to make it work for you.

My Thoughts: This book is a wonderful aid in helping you understand and learn about coupon usage. I have been extreme couponing for over a year now and I had to learn most of this on my own threw bits and pieces of information found on the internet. This book puts all the information you will need to learn how to save big money all in one book.

I found this book easy to follow, read and understand. In this book it shows you where and how to get your coupons, tips on how to use them at the stores and so much more. One of my favorite parts in this book for me was the section on the drug store coupon usages and register rewards programs. It is so hard to keep all of the drug stores policies figured out for me between Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid. This sure is a great book for me to keep with my coupon folder for quick reference.

This book has so much information in it and it is small enough to carry with all of your coupons that I have no problem recommending this book to anyone wanting to learn how to coupon. I have a family of 5 children and in the past year I have saved so much money just by using my coupons.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 Stars

*I was provided a complementary copy and giveaway item for Don't Throw Those Coupons Away! by Kristin with Sonoran Marketing and PR for my Happy Mom Of 5 Blog. I am an honest reviewer. My reviews are based on my own opinion (I'm not a review expert) and my reviews are written only by me.

Fifo "50 States" by Hayley Rose - Review

Fifo "50 States" By Hayley Rose

Illustrations by Jessie B. Oriet

Details: Perfect Paperback, 106 pages Published November 16th 2010 by Inkwell Productions

Description: (Goodreads) Fifo s been bitten by the travel bug! Digging up diamonds in Arkansas, looking for fossils in Kansas, enjoying a delicious bowl of gumbo in Louisiana, and even seeing a Broadway show in New York. America is an exiting place! In Fifo s second book, told in rhyme, Fifo dreams about visiting all 50 states. A colorful reference-like book, Fifo discovers the wonders each state has to offer. He learns along the way each state s capital, shape, flag, motto, and much, much more. The possibilities are endless! So, come along with Fifo and you ll soon discover the beauty of America one state to another

My Thoughts: Fifo is a little teddy bear that helps children learn about the 50 states by rhyming. This is a young childrens book but can be enjoyed by children of all ages.

I really enjoyed reading this book to my little girl and she sure loved the pictures. As I read her the rhymes about the 50 states I was able to point to the things in the picture that corresponded to the things in the rhyme.

This book makes it fun and easy to learn about each states capital, shape, flag, state birds, flower and much more. I wished I had this fun little rhyming book when my other kids were growing up this might of made it much easier to learn about some of these state things and capitals early so they would know them when it came time to study them in school.

This is a wonderful learning and teaching tool for little children. I would have no problem recommending this book to all children.

I rate Fifo "50 States" 5 out of 5 stars


About The Author

Hayley Rose grew up in the beach side town of Pacific Palisades , California, to a family of visual artists. In the early 1990’s she traveled the U.S. with her band Crush Violet. In 1994, after a family reunion, she was inspired to write a children’s book. Looking for a cute and catchy name for a main character, she kept hearing “first in, first out”. Hence, the name Fifo was born. Hayley’s mother would often ask her what she wanted to be when she grew up, so Hayley decided to start her series of “Fifo” books with that very question. Her first book, Fifo “When I Grow Up” was published in 2002. Her love of travel inspired her second book in the Fifo series, Fifo “50 States”, published in 2010.

Along with writing children’s books, Hayley has been working in entertainment business management for the past 15 years, specializing in concert touring. She has worked with many “A list” musicians including Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart and Candlebox just to name a few. Hayley hopes to one day soon release an album of children’s songs. She is a currently member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and resides in Los Angeles, CA.

You can visit her website at www.fifothebear.com.

*I was provided a complementary copy of Fifo "50 States" by the Author Hayley Rose from an opportunity of Pump Up Your Book. I am an honest reviewer. My reviews are based on my own opinion (I'm not a review expert) and my reviews are written only by me.

A Look At What Arrived - In My Mailbox #46

Welcome to my weekly post about what books I have received.... I post the books I received free for review, Books From My Local Library, Books I have bought, Ebooks ect.. Click here to see previous weekly In My Mailbox Posts. Links are from Goodreads.

Hello everyone! I haven't posted In My Mailbox for a couple of weeks because my computer has been at the shop... I had to borrow my husbands so I couldn't get on all the time like I am use to.. So I have quite a few books to post today.

In My Mailbox

Never A Gentleman by Eileen Dreyer
Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
The Bone Trail by Nell Walton
The Summoner by Layton Green
Rock Bottom by Erin Brockovich with CJ Lyons
Lily Hates Goodbyes by Jerilyn Marler
Borneo Tom by Tom McLaughlin

From The Library (I love, love, love the library)

Cleopatra: A Life By Stacy Schiff
Cross Fire by James Patterson

Promotional Items For My Blog


I am a Harlequin Ambassador and every couple of months Harlequin sends me a box of 5 books one for me and 4 to giveaway.... I received these last week - So look out for an upcoming giveaway from Harlequin....

Smokin' Six-Shooter by B. J. Daniels


My Giveaway Wins: I am always happy to be able to post in this category... Yea!!!!

Princess Grace and the Little Lost Kitten - I won this book from Energizer Bunny's Mommy Reports blog. My little girl just loves this book. Thank you Energizer Bunny's mommy reports for this great giveaway.



I found a blog that hosts a weekly MeMe called In My Mailbox... It's hosted by The Story Siren....

If you post an In My Mailbox post please leave a link to it in the comments... I just love seeing what everyone else is getting....

Happy Reading

Review - Torment By Lauren Kate

Torment By Lauren Kate
A Fallen Novel

Details: Reviewed Hardcover, 452 pages

Published September 28th 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Young Adult (YA)

Fallen Series: Fallen #1, Torment #2, Passion #3 & Rapture #4

My Reviews on the Series: Fallen Book #1

Description: (Goodreads) Hell on earth. That's what it's like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel. It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts - immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students -Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn't told her everything. He's hiding something - something dangerous. What if Daniel's version of the past isn't actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else? The second novel in the addictive FALLEN series . . . where love never dies.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed Torment book #2 in the Fallen Series. This book continues the love story of Luce and Daniel and gives us a little more (but not a whole lot)look into the mystery that surrounds them. We do get to find out what Luce's shadows are and how she learns to use them to her advantage.

In this book Luce gets moved to a new school for her protection and meets more good and bad angels. Unlike the school of sword and cross from book #1 this school is a dream. She meets new friends and has to try to learn how to deal with the Luce and Danial fame that has now surrounded her. The Luce and Danial story has been told and passed down from generations of angels for hundreds and hundreds of years. It's a shame that Luce can't remember her past lives to figure out the bits and pieces of her and Daniels story.

I am hooked on finding out about Luce and Daniels story so I am planning on getting Passion book #3 when it comes out. I wished this book gave me more incite into their lives together but I hope the next book can give me more. This was a nice Young Adult book and I would recommend this book to YA and older.

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars

The cover gets 5 stars...
I love love love this cover


*I checked out this book from my local library. I am an honest reviewer. My reviews are based on my own opinion (I'm not a review expert) and my reviews are written only by me.