EmpowerMoms

The Curiosity Keeper (A Treasures of Surrey Novel) by Sarah E. Ladd

Camille works at her dad’s “curiosity shop” (in todays world it would be know as an antique shop) taking care of the books and selling rare items and treasures. After a violent attack one night at the shop, she is rescued by a handsome stranger passing by named Jonathan. As Camille gets to know Jonathan and his family, she can’t help wonder who she can trust and why someone is after her. As family secrets and deceit come to light, Camille and Jonathan have to work together to solve the mystery of the missing ruby called the Bevoy, and why someone would want to kill for it.

This book was a little long and it took me a couple of chapter to get into the story line, but once I did, I found it very enjoyable and intriguing. Jonathan was a great, strong character who only wanted to protect Camille against harm, and to do the right thing. Even though they were from a different social status, he was very caring towards her. The family dynamics were very interesting with both families, but despite that, Jonathan and Camille start to have romantic feelings towards each other.

This story shows that love, and Faith in others and God, can triumph over greed and deceit. The truth will always come out!

This was a romantic, clean, Christian mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. It was well written and kept my interest. This story was set in England during the early 1800s.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the book:
“It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whoever possesses it.”

Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille must allow a mysterious stranger to come to her aid.

Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content to work as the village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may be the answer to his many questions.

Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, these two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, they will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.

About the author:
Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

You can purchase a copy of the book here:

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Giveaway ends on Monday August 3rd and winner will be notified that week.
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Have you heard of Periscope yet?
It’s live video streaming that allows one person to film a video, while others can join by posting real time comments. The video is then recorded and posted on the app for anyone to view later within 24 hours! It’s like youtube only in real time!! You have to get the app though to participate-watch or video.

I got the app this month and I love it but hate it!
(my name on Periscope if you want to find me: RachelDeVaughn)
First, I love it because I’ve been watching 3 specific ladies this month who are awesome(!) and I’ve gotten great tips and videos from them.

Chalene Johnson creator of TurboFire, Amanda Tress with Fit Parenting and Kate Horney with Beyond Fit Life–in case you’re wondering! 🙂

I hate it though because of the spammers and creepers, and sometimes its distracting because the video person will be talking but then keep stopping their thought process to answer the chat questions. It’s like constantly interrupting someone in real life which is a pet peeve. I like when the person finishes their thought or comment, and then answers questions. I also hate that the video only stays active for 24 hours. 2 or 3 days would be nice at least!

I haven’t done a video yet (I’m scared!) but I’m thinking about using it for a real time Fitness/Health Book Club!

Anyway-I listed to an awesome Periscope video this morning from
Kate, owner and creator of “Beyond Fit Life”
http://beyondfitlife.com/

I have been totally stalking Kate since I joined her program this month because she is SUCH an inspiration and so genuine and HELPFUL! I can’t wait to continue getting to know my “Beyond Fit Life sisters”!

Check out her website above if you’re interested in knowing more about her programs.

Her video this morning was with her husband (they are so cute!) and was about how to get your family and spouse on board with your fitness and health lifestyle.

I learned:

1. Show don’t tell-not being preachy!
2. Be positive-be supportive.
3. Make it Fun-having balance.

SUCH a good video! You must listen to it! I am definitely going to work on all three of these things this coming week!

You can listen to it here:
ONLY AVAILABLE FOR 24 HOURS!
https://www.periscope.tv/w/aIJFpzUzNzM2OTZ8NDYwMzkyMjnMy5zvoqIhE0R3nF40M_buXCFZLhk-Z2bh4q5TQqbErw==

The Berenstain Bears’ Harvest Festival (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights) Paperback – August 4, 2015
by Mike Berenstain

When I told my son that he would be getting an advanced copy of this book, he anxiously waited for the mail EVERY day to see if it came. It finally came yesterday and we read it right away!

I love that the son of Jan and Stan Berenstain-Mike-has continued to write Berenstain Bear stories! I especially love that they are more of a religious nature. This book, Harvest Festival, is part of the Living Lights Faith Story series.

This book talks about mother nature changing seasons to Fall and getting ready for harvest time. The Bear Family go to the Chapel in the Woods for a fall harvest festival spending time with friends and giving thanks for their blessings.

I love that there are activities and questions from “Brother and Sister” at the end of the book that parents can discuss and ask their kids.

We love love love this book!!

I received this book complementary from booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media. All opinions are my own.

Book Description
A new addition to the bestselling Berenstain Bears’ Living Lights series that teaches simple Christian truths to children.

In this newest addition to the Berenstain Bears Living Lights series, The Berenstain Bears Harvest Festival, it’s autumn in Bear Country and the Chapel in the Woods is celebrating its first ever Harvest Festival.

Young readers will delight in joining the Bear family and all their friends as they gather at Farmer Ben’s farm for this new tradition filled with the fun of apple-picking, pumpkin patch wandering, hayrides, and more.

You can Pre-order it here:
(it will be released August 4th)

To Capture Her Heart: A Novel (The Southold Chronicles #2) by Rebecca DeMarino

Indian Princess Heather Flower is captured right at the beginning of the book and forced to watch her fiancee die. She is rescued by Dutchman Dirk who is very caring and thoughtful towards her and brings her home. As the book unfolds, the readers get a glimpse into the rich history during that time, and many characters through out the book. Will Heather find love again, and who will she choose when she has 2 men who care for her?

I did not read book 1 of the Southold Chronicles so I was pretty lost with all of the characters mentioned in this book. This story was too slow of a pace for me, so I had a hard time enjoying it. However, I did love reading about the Native American history, as well as the English and Dutch during the time period of mid 1650s. This book was rich with historical facts and images.

I would consider “To Capture Her Heart” to be a clean, historical fiction, romance book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books, a division of of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

About the Book:
It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montauk tribe, is enjoying her wedding feast when her groom is killed and she is kidnapped by a rival tribe and held for ransom. Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is nonetheless left to die in a Connecticut forest–until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren. Torn between her affection for Dirk and her long friendship with family friend Benjamin Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice–stay true to her friend or follow her heart.

Exploring a unique slice of history, Rebecca DeMarino transports readers to the wild land that would eventually become Long Island, New York. Her attention to detail and her captivating storytelling bring the New World to vivid life.

About the Author
Rebecca DeMarino is the author of A Place in His Heart and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and The Southold Long Island Historical Society. She was a 2011 Genesis Award semi-finalist. Rebecca is retired from a major airline and lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Tom. Learn more at www.rebeccademarino.com.

You can purchase the book here:

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY BELOW!

To Capture Her Heart Book Launch

Walk On: Walk The Weight Off 30 Day Program – $39.95 (+ FREE Shipping!)

Are you looking to take your walking workout routine to the next level but need some structure and guidance to stay motivated and beat boredom?

Do you want to add more resistance training to your routine to safely help boost your metabolism, balance, agility and strength?

Do you want a more effective mix of cardio training that combines both the anti-aging benefits of high intensity training (without the impact) with the fitness and endurance base building of steady state cardio?

Love our 21-day plan and ready for more?

Don’t miss this brand new 3-DVD set that includes 7 complete walking based workouts, 3 bonus routines, plus our recommended rotation calendar to help you easily stick with this 30 day plan without boredom!

What makes this program different:

Our recommended 30 day rotation is printed right on the back of the box so it’s hard to misplace and easy to stay motivated and on track with your daily workout schedule.

This efficient, low impact program focuses on a balanced mix of both steady state and interval cardio sessions along with innovative strength training that uses both dumbbells and resistance band work to challenge your muscles in new ways – all while you walk!

Our bonus routines include a healthy back workout to help you work on sustaining a healthy support system for your spine, a standing abs routine to develop balance and a strong, supportive core plus a chair stretch session that’s custom designed for regular walkers just like you.

We also offer three levels of options to choose from with every workout so you can start with us as a brand new exerciser and progress your way up to intermediate and advanced options.

Try it for 30 days and repeat it for 60 – or even 90 – days if you wish!

Equipment Needed: One set of dumbbells (optional), one flat resistance band.

This 3-DVD pack contains 3, brand new, never released before DVDs:

“Walk On: 3 Weight Loss Walks” – 15 Minute Calorie Burst, 30 Minute Fat Blaster, 40 Minute Mega Burn, BONUS: 15 Minute Standing Abs (100 Minutes)

“Walk On: Major Metabolism Booster” – 30 Minute Pyramid Power Walk, 30 Minute Strength Interval Walk, BONUS: 20 Minute Chair Stretch Routine (80 Minutes)

“Walk On: 5 Day Fat Burn” – 30 Minute HIIT Walk “Party”, 30 Minute Toning Walk, BONUS: 15 Minute Healthy Back Workout (75 Minutes)

THAT’S 4.25 HOURS OF ACTUAL WORKOUT TIME!

Once it becomes available, you can purchase it here: