Getting all the dorm room essentials pulled together

I'm so glad that they make more things for dorm rooms than back when I was in college. I don't' even recall having a fridge. I think that I just had a hot plate! I know that my daughter would just die without a microwave and fridge in her dorm room. We're still working on pulling together all of her things for her dorm room before she moves in about a week or so.
I've been looking a lot to see if I'm forgetting anything that she'll need. While I was double checking some dorm room musts online, I ran across the website CLEAR-INTERNET.com. Once I looked through it a little bit, I decided to change over our home internet access to it.
There were a few things that I had overlooked, like a shower caddy and shower shoes. So we're picking up some of those tomorrow. Those are absolute essentials and I can't believe I almost forgot them! We've heard that her dorm is one of the newer ones and it's supposed to be nicer, but I guess that you never really know.

Guest post written by Estelle Graham

Long Time, No See

Sorry I haven't posted on here in a long time. I have been backed up with Author Requested Reviews, going out of town, and spending time with both sides of my family. I fell like there isn't enough time in the day..

Well I just stumbled across this pretty cool site today and wanted to let you know about it.

It's pretty much a search engine where they pull up where to get the cheapest books. Which I am always looking for a good deal. They have titles like Pretty Little Liars, Harry Potter.

They have Romance books, Childrens books, Comic Books, Cook Books, Sports books, Science fiction/ Fantasy books.

Its a pretty awesome site. You should check it out some time!

That's it for me.. In the mean time head on over to The Blogging Book and check out some of my reviews.

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

Title :The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck
Series: Women of the West Series #3
Author: Kathleen Y'Barbo
Genre: Adult Histoical Romance
Format: Paperback, 352pp
Source: Waterbrook Multnomah
Author Website


Synopsis

Unlikely romance is sometimes just an inconvenient marriage away

Charlotte Beck may be entering adulthood, but she can’t seem to keep to her stubborn, independent spirit from bucking social protocol. Fed up with her behavior, Charlotte’s father Daniel pressures her to settle into a nice marriage despite knowing she is set on going to college. Then Daniel sees Charlotte with the handsome but annoying English astronomer Alex Hambly, and everything changes.
Though Alex and Charlotte can barely stand one another, Daniel offers them a deal they can’t refuse: if they agree to marry, he will save Alex’s family from financial ruin and grant Charlotte the freedom to go to college. Reluctantly the couple agrees, but in private they plot to annul the marriage as soon as possible.
But when Alex’s feelings change and he refuses to dissolve their contract, will Charlotte find a way out of her vows? Or will she discover that maybe this marriage isn’t so inconvenient after all?

 
Review

I really do need to start researching a book before I get it. Yet again this is the middle of a series. Although I didn't feel very lost while reading. This book is well written, good details. The book is set in London in 1887, where your family picks your husband. Charlotte and Alex drive each other crazy, but Charlotte's father makes them an offer they can't refuse. If they agree to marry, Charlotte is free to pursue a degree for four years and he will pay off the debts the Hambly family owes. The two agree, secretly planning to annul the marriage as soon as they can. But their feelings change, and in the end realize that the marriage may not have been so inconvenient after all. Over all it was a cute story.


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Check This Out!

I am hosting a Giveaway on The Blogging Book. I have 4 copies of The Billionaires Unexpected Heir by Kathy DeNosky up for grabs. If you or someone you know would be interested please check out my other blog. The giveaway ends 06.29.11

Synopsis

Becoming the new owner of Hickory Hills Thoroughbred farm was not in billionaire Jake Garnier's plans. Becoming a father was even more unimaginable. For his new business came with one Heather McGwire, ranch manager...and mother to Jake's secret child.
After barely surviving his own father's desertion, Jake knew he couldn't walk away from his responsibilities. Marriage seemed the only solution. Yet Heather wouldn't settle for simple sweet talk and seduction. If Jake wanted a real family, he'd have to saddle up for the long ride.

You can read my review here.

I am an Emotional Creature

Title: I am an Emotional Creature
Author: Eve Ensler
Genre:Women's Studies, Drama
Format: Paperback, 192 pp
Source: Random House Publishing



Synopsis



In this daring book, internationally acclaimed author and playwright Eve Ensler offers fictional monologues and stories inspired by girls around the globe. Fierce, tender, and smart, I Am an Emotional Creature is a celebration of the authentic voice inside every girl and an inspiring call to action for girls everywhere to speak up, follow their dreams, and become the women they were always meant to be.

Review

This book is so true. Eve asks questions everyone wants to know, but is to scared to ask. Even me. This book is full of little stories bunched together. They're all about what girls go through, all around the world. It's about eating disorders, sex, pleasing everyone but your self, drugs, cutting, being pregnant. So different, yet so much the same. It's been a few years since I was in High School, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Every thing she says, I had been there, heard or saw it happen. It is so crazy to think back on those days. Every girl goes through it and there's no way to stop it. I wish my 13 year old sister could read this. maybe it would help her through some tough times to come.
 Don't have sex with the jock so you can hang with the popular girls. It's not worth it. After high school you will most likely not even talk to one person you went to school with.It is comforting to know that I am not the only person that went through those things.
If there was one message I got from this book it would be, stand up for your self. Looking back now I wish I could have read this book. I suggest every girl, teen, and woman read this. It helps you remember, relate, cope.


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Author Interview - Leonard D. Hilley II

I am very excited to have Leonard D. Hilley II at The Blogging Book today! Leonard is the author of The Darkness Series. I have read all three, they are amazing! They keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

You can catch Leonard around the web here: Blog | Facebook

Welcome Leonard!

Bio: 

Born in Middletown, OH, in 1966.

1998 graduate from Morehead State University (B.S. biology)

Currently live in the mountains of Kentucky

In one sentence only, why should we read your books? 

If you’d like to be taken away on a suspense-thrill ride that keeps you guessing until the very end, you’d probably enjoy my Darkness series.

What inspired you with the idea for this Series? 

The opening sentence: “Dropping a cat from the top of a ten story office building was not the best way to remain hidden, but it was necessary.”  That sentence came to me one night, and I just had to write it down.  The rest evolved from that.  I didn’t have any plot, characters, theme, just that one sentence.  

About how long does it take you to write a book? 

Generally, about one year from start to finish.

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?   

I believe the genre chose me.  My muse tends to be the one that keeps me here.

What was/is the easiest/hardest part about writing these books? 

I actually finished my biology degree to learn more about the scientific knowledge needed to write this series.  I’ve always loved biology so that was enjoyable in itself.  The hardest part is when I cannot see what is happening.  If I cannot see it, I cannot write it.

Is there anything you wish was different about the books? 

No.

Of the books that you have written, which is your favorite? 

I cannot honestly pick one above the other.  That’s almost like asking which of my children do I love the most.  Why?  I can’t make that type of choice.

What's a typical working day like for you? 

Coffee and revisions first.  Then, I began working from there. 

 

When/where do you write?  I work in my home office. 

 

Do you set a daily writing goal? 

Not really.  I hope to get 3-5 pages written per day.  Sometimes I hit three good pages, and I’ve had the fortune of ten-plus pages some days.

What’s the best thing about being an author?  

Seeing my worlds come to life and the characters working through their situations.

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books? 

I love Dean Koontz, Stephen King, and Roger Zelazny.  The Amber series by Zelazny is one of my favorites.

 If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world.. Which would it be? 

Probably one of the Amber books.  I love the world Zelazny set up.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?  

Keep writing.  Great writing comes from lots of revision.  Write, write, write!

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? 

I’m working on the fourth book in my series and the first book of a dark fantasy series.  I hope to have both finished later this year.

You said you are currently working on a screenplay for Predators of Darkness, what would be your dream cast? 

Hugh Jackman, Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Jennifer Anniston to name a few.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I can't wait for #4 of the Darkness Series!



You can check out my reviews here:
Predators of Darkness | Beyond the Darkness | The Game of Pawns

THe Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World

Title: The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World
Author: Susan Veness
Genre: Travel
Format: Paperback, 242pp
Author Website


Synopsis

Sure, it?s the Happiest Place on Earth, but how much do the 45 million-plus people who visit the Disney World theme parks annually really know about it? From where to find all the hidden Mickeys to the truth behind Madame Leota?s ring at the Haunted Mansion, readers learn all about the hidden magic that permeates these fabulous resorts in this tell-all handbook. Readers also get the insider?s take on:

• The smell of home-baked cookies on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom
• The Fountain of World Friendship in Epcot that contains water from rivers and oceans around the globe
• Walt Disney?s opening day speech tapped out in Morse Code in Frontierland
• The eco-friendly benches (recycled milk jugs) in the Animal Kingdom
• Two versions of The Great Movie Ride at Disney?s Hollywood Studios

Complete with secret tips from Disney?s Imagineers, this book is the perfect in-park companion for Disney World fans.


Review

This is a very informative book.. It seems like Susan took the time to write out every detail. Every sight, smell, sound. Things you would never even think of while riding rides or walking down the street. I have never been to Walt Disney World, but I don't even pay that much attention to my local theme park. This would be a good souvenir for a first timer or even a WDW veteran. With this book you could get a whole new perspective from Disney World. We plan on taking a trip next year, so I'm brushing up on all my Disney facts.

I received this book for free from Book Sneeze in exchange for my honest review.

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