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Category: Gift Ideas

Review: 500 Mediterranean Dishes by Valentia Sforza

[ 4 ] July 2, 2011

Reviewed by Poppy Johnson

500 Mediterranean Dishes, a chunky half book, is no slouch. If the readers are unfamiliar with Mediterranean food, they will be encouraged to try some of these recipes at the first opportunity. The Lebanese Red Lentil Soup or the Gazpacho are amazingly simple dishes that anyone can try with ease.

The foods of the region are full of flavor with simple spices such as onion and cumin, or fresh herbs such as cilantro and fennel. There are easy recipes, with full color photos of finished dishes throughout. For example, the Baked Stuffed Baby Squid on a bed of fennel is made with some unfamiliar ingredients (chorizo) and some familiar ingredients (fennel bulbs, feta or goat cheese) for an amazing combination. Each recipe is described in easy to read language, with suggested side dishes and possible variations on the pages following the recipe.

The foods typical of this region are good for your health and body, with little red meat, high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains. The author of 500 Mediterranean Dishes point out that there is no one Mediterranean diet, since the region is made up of 21 countries all with their own unique takes on traditional and standard foods.

500 Mediterranean Dishes is small enough to fit into a bag to read at the doctor’s office or to take with you to the beach house for vacation. I would highly recommend getting this book to spice up your weekly family menus or just to try something new and experience food from a different culture.

Rating: 5/5

After a decade of working in several NYC law departments and teaching, Poppy decided she enjoyed writing full-time. She currently works as a freelance writing consultant, and lives with her husband and sons on the East Coast.

Review and giveaway copies were provided free of any obligation by Sellers Publishing. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Doughnuts by Lara Ferroni

[ 5 ] June 26, 2011

Reviewed by Jen Kulman

I can vouch for the accuracy of the title. These doughnuts are simple to make at home and quite delicious. Don’t let the slim volume fool you, there are a surprising number of recipes tucked inside. Worried about deep frying? Try the baked recipe. Afraid of using yeast? Plenty of non-raising varieties to choose from. Not a chocolate fan? Opt for Carrot Cake, Red Velvet, or Chai. Recipes are even provided for vegan and gluten-free diets. There are doughnuts for everyone’s taste here!

The first chapter is split into two parts: dough and glazes. Select your dough recipe and then decide which sweet concoction will be gracing the top. I am of the opinion that an occasional deep fried food never hurt anyone, and seeing that Basic Raised was the first recipe of the book, it seemed only right to start there. The directions were clear and the dough was a snap to throw together in the mixer. The dough needs to be refrigerated for the one long rise, which is flexible – at least one hour up to twelve. I made mine up at night, so that it was ready to go in the morning. It turns out that deep frying doughnuts at home is not a formidable nor overly messy project. The only downside is that my kitchen smelled like grease for the better part of two days, but I don’t hold that against the book. The whole process went smoothly and the results were well worth my efforts.

My confidence boosted by mastering Basic Raised, I happily delved into Chapter 2: Flavors. This is the real genius part of Doughnuts - Lara Ferroni has done a terrific job creating some interesting varieties! With photos for most of these recipes, it is a struggle to decide which to make. The description for Apple Pie reads “Part doughnut, part fried pie, these doughnuts are all apple-y goodness.” I like apple-y goodness. Or would it better to try something more exotic, like Margarita or Maple Bacon Bars?

Doughnuts is the perfect book if you have ever considered making these treats at home. You can go from basic glazed all the way to Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Doughnut Holes with ease. I tend to think that doughnuts are not something that everyone makes at home, which is part of the appeal. This is the book that will make you the person known for amazing homemade doughnuts.

Rating: 5/5

Jen lives in Michigan with her husband and six year old son. She writes reviews of children’s books on her blog, FIRR-Kids and loves filling her own shelves with cookbooks.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Sasquatch Books. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: A Father’s Love by David Goldman

[ 3 ] June 21, 2011

Reviewed by Meg Massey

In the summer of 2004, David Goldman was a man who had it all: a successful modeling career, a beautiful wife, and a four–year-old son he adored. But his life turned upside down when his wife Bruna announced that she and their son Sean would be staying in Brazil, where they had been vacationing for two weeks. Devastated by this news, David plunged into a battle to bring his son back.

In A Father’s Love, David Goldman tells the story that most of us have heard on the news, but in much greater detail. David details his shock when wife Bruna called him from Brazil to announce that she no longer loved him, and that she was keeping Sean in her native country. He describes how he began the legal process to bring Sean home, while his wife Bruna was granted a Brazilian divorce and married a powerful Brazilian lawyer.

After many years of lawsuits and counter lawsuits, David discovered that Bruna had died in childbirth. Convinced that he would finally get Sean back, he was stunned when he discovered that Bruna’s husband had no intention of returning him. But when David finds a way to bring his story to the media and to the United States government, he is finally able to make some real progress in bringing his son home.

David Goldman’s book is a heartbreaking tale of a father who lost too many years with his only son, and the unimaginable things he endured to bring him home. Like so many people, I heard David’s story on the Today Show, but I had no idea about all he went through to be reunited with his son. If you read A Father’s Love, you will surely be moved by David’s love for his missing son.

Rating: 4.5/5

Meg lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, Ryan. Marketing professional by day, freelance writer by night, Meg writes about life, entertainment and everything in between on her blog.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Viking Adult. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Mommy Whispers by Jenny Lee Sulpizio

[ 5 ] June 19, 2011

Reviewed by Alyssa Katanic

Mommy Whispers by Jenny Lee Sulpizio is a sweet book that walks through the life of one little girl from her birth, through the birth of her own daughter. Reminiscent of Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle, which follows a Father/Daughter relationship, Mommy Whispers captures the relationship and special moments shared by Mother and Daughter.

The artwork by Peg Lozier was gorgeously done and definitely adds to the book’s appeal.

I snuggled up and read this story with my own daughters. They loved watching the little girl grow up, get married, and have a baby of her own. Another favorite aspect is the little girl’s cat, which is included in the artwork of each page. My daughters had fun finding the kitty on each page spread, and felt sorry for it when its girl went away to college. This was more than made up for, however, when it went with her after she was married. No doubt, my eldest was thinking of her own dear kitty.

Overall, Mommy Whispers is a beautifully done picture book that mothers and daughters can relate to together. I miss the element of rhyme in this one, but it still carries a refrain that children will pick up on. It can be used to open up conversations between mothers and daughters of multiple ages about their own adventures with the first day of kindergarten, dating, and the dreams they have for their future.

Rating: 3.5/5

Alyssa is a wife and stay at home, homeschooling mother of five, with two boxers, two cats, a soft shelled turtle named after Bob the Builder, and 7 frogs (admittedly a homeschooling project gone froggy). In all her spare time, she loves to read and believes that there is no such thing as having too many books!

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Jenny Lee Sulpizio. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: Prince Etcheon by Joann Arnold

[ 3 ] June 15, 2011

Reviewed by Erin McKibbin

In a world where time is just a destination and magic abounds, those who can wield both are the mightiest of all. Etcheon, a mild mannered young man living outside of a small village, discovers that his loving grandmother (and only relative) has kept a secret from him – a secret that promises to change his whole world and his perceptions about the universe!

The kingdom of the Purcatians was ruled by a benevolent king and queen. Hidden behind an invisible wall deep in the forest, these people who were pure of heart lived out their lives in peace and love. That is, until the day when the greedy King Yiltor of a neighboring kingdom decided to invade and take the Purcatians’ land and prosperity for his very own. Urged on and armed by an evil wizard (with designs of his own), Yiltor successfully conquers the Purcatian kingdom, forcing the king and queen to send their infant son, Etcheon the Younger, into hiding through time and space, knowing that it is his destiny to return and save his people from captivity and torment.

Upon his grandmother’s death, Etcheon the Younger comes into the knowledge of his history and his future. He is whisked away to the age of creation where he is trained by the Ancient and his animal companions on what he needs to know in order to rescue the Purcatians. The Ancient, the oldest tree, holds the secrets of time as well as provides a protected home for Tarainisafari, Etcheon’s teacher, friend, and consort.

In Prince Etcheon, Joann Arnold creates a very ingenious tale of wonder. Concepts of timelines and magical worlds are presented with fresh perspectives with beguiling characters to help the reader find footing in the endearing tale that is Prince Etcheon and the secret of the Ancient.

Rating: 5/5

Erin fell in love with the written word as a small child and subsequently spent most of her life happily devouring literature. She works as a freelance news, marketing, and technical writer as well as a full-time researcher/investigator in the sign industry. Erin lives just outside of Cleveland, Ohio enjoying the beauty of life with her children and grandchildren.

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Media Guests. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Nerd Do Well by Simon Pegg

[ 86 ] June 10, 2011

Please join Simon Pegg, author of Nerd Do Well, as he tours the blogosphere with TLC Book Tours!

Reviewed by Shannon Hopkins

The best kind of memoir is one where the reader feels as if the memoirist is sitting across from them on a couch, sipping a beverage and chatting comfortably – a flowing and dynamic conversation rather than a dry biographical analysis of how s/he got where s/he is today. Simon Pegg, with his characteristic good humor, sets that perfect tone in Nerd Do Well.

Simon Pegg has near universal recognition after roles in the popular Star Trek reboot (2009) and such offbeat comedies as Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2006), both of which he co-wrote with director Edgar Wright. As his star rises, fans and followers will enjoy tracing his path from the British suburbs to the big screen.

This, however, is no ordinary memoir. While Pegg delves into his past to share with the reader the roots of his love for acting and comedy, he is careful not to overindulge in emotional recollections – he openly expresses a reluctance to address emotion, yet does so just enough to make his story come alive. Pegg also tempers personal anecdotes with an almost academic discussion of cinema and science fiction through the last several decades (with special attention paid to the Star Wars franchise), brilliantly illustrating how the development of the latter contributed to his own personal and professional development.

Every couple of chapters, the reader also encounters a pleasant and highly entertaining surprise: a science-fiction story starring a swarthy and heroic Simon Pegg and his robotic sidekick, Canterbury. The story itself is so over-the-top that one cannot help but laugh, recognizing at the same time that the effort is more to blow off steam than to achieve a literary triumph. The effect, regardless, is an exercise in hilarity.

Nerd Do Well is a tantalizing glimpse into the mind of one of Hollywood’s celebrity outliers – a man of extreme talent and humor who nonetheless is still the little boy from Brockworth, or any other little town, who dreams of something bigger.

Rating: 5/5

Shannon lives in Cleveland, Ohio with her fianc é and a room full of books that she peruses when she isn’t trolling Apartment Therapy for new decorating ideas. In her free time she enjoys maintaining her blog, The Writer’s Closet, planning her wedding, and baking tasty gluten-free treats.

Giveaway:
I have 1 copy of Nerd Do Well to give away!

Mandatory entry: Please comment here and include your e-mail address.

Extra entries (please post each entry separately, i.e. 2 posts for subscribing):
- Subscribe via e-mail, follow or subscribe to the feed. You must verify the subscriptions. (1 entry each)
- Enter another current giveaway and tell me which one you entered (1 entry each)
- Share this giveaway on a social network of your choice. Click the “Share/Save” button at the bottom of this post (1 entry each)

This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only. Deadline to enter is midnight on June 24, 2011.

Review and giveaway copies were provided free of any obligation by Gotham. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review: 3D Sports Blast! by David Klutho

[ 3 ] June 4, 2011

Reviewed by Vera Pereskokova (Luxury Reading)

Looking to occupy your young kids with a fun activity for a good long while? Well, if your kids are interested in sports, look no further than 3D Sports Blast! by David Klutho. And quite a few men may be tempted to steal away with this book as well!

The fun begins as soon as you turn the cover and find 3D glasses conveniently tucked into a pocket. After a quick foreword on the making of the photography contained in the book, you will be treated to page after page of mesmerizing 3D images. Hide the blue lens of your glasses, and you will be treated to some hidden images invisible to the naked eye.

The images in 3D Sports Blast! are accompanied by blurbs on sports’ greats like baseball’s Tim Lincecum and basketball’s LeBron James. For example, in addition to seeing the 3D image of Lincecum’s pitch, you can learn that his stride length is 129 percent of his height and in high school, he threw a 94-mile-per-hour fastball.  In an interesting twist, LeBron James’ height, weight and explosiveness are compared to that of a Grave Digger monster truck.

I cannot think of any sport that is missed in this compilation – from football, basketball, swimming and figure skating, to golf, track, and rodeo, they are all here. 3D Sports Blast! is a treat – for the eyes and the mind!

Rating: 5/5

Review copy was provided free of any obligation by Goodman Media. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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Review & Giveaway: Stark Raving Motherhood by Jill Seale

[ 75 ] June 3, 2011

Reviewed by Amanda Schafer

A cute book about “a mother’s pledge to do it all,” Stark Raving Motherhood is a huge hit! Mothers are expected to do so many things, remember every little detail, chase down children, keep track of schedules, and stay sane doing it all. It’s just not possible! But then again, perhaps it is…with a little love and encouragement from the family. Every page reveals another vow or promise that a harried mother feels the need to fulfill.  Within each page you will also find funny drawings and side notes showing what actually happens in real life and why we, as mothers, want to vow to fix our wacky behavior.

I laughed (out loud!) several times throughout this book. How many times have I had to “stitch up the heinie on all split stuffed animals,” or vowed to “clean out the van at least once a quarter?” As the book starts, the pages are relatively neat and tidy. However as it continues the pages get more harried and frazzled-looking, reminding me of how frazzled I feel as a mom when I try to remember every little detail. I found it truly humorous that she mentions “reading all school memos” about 3 or 4 times through the book.

Jill Seale has created a neat little book that is a perfect gift to any mother you think might need a bit of encouragement and a reminder that she doesn’t have to do it all!

Rating: 4/5

Amanda lives in Missouri with her engineering husband, two sons, and one daughter. In between homeschooling and keeping up with church activities she loves to read Christian Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and any Chick-Lit. She never goes anywhere without a book to read!

Giveaway:

I have 2 copies of Stark Raving Motherhood to give away, courtesy of Sellers Publishing!

Mandatory entry: Please comment here and include your e-mail address.

Extra entries (please post each entry separately, i.e. 2 posts for subscribing):
- Subscribe via e-mail, follow or subscribe to the feed. You must verify the subscriptions. (1 entry each)
- Enter another current giveaway and tell me which one you entered (1 entry each)
- Share this giveaway on a social network of your choice. Click the “Share/Save” button at the bottom of this post (1 entry each)

This giveaway is open to all countries, excluding Africa. Deadline to enter is midnight on June 17, 2011.

Review and giveaway copies were provided free of any obligation by Sellers Publishing. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

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