Archive for November, 2011

Review: When Cancer Hits – Britta Aragon

Thursday, November 10th, 2011
 
 Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Cinco Vidas Press (September 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982917503
ISBN-13: 978-0982917503
Order book here:

amazon

Review

I think everyone at some point has lost a loved one to cancer. I lost my mom over 10 years ago. She never had to undergo chemotherapy though. If she had, I would have wished I had this book. In When Cancer Hits, Britta Aragon, herself a cancer survivor gives a ton of information on how to help people cope with chemotherapy.

I never knew prior to reading this, that just simple products such as lotions, over the counter shampoos, etc. should for the most part be avoided. Many contain chemicals and carcinogens, and can actually do more damage. She talks about her father’s skin would blister after using some store bought care products.

I also had never thought about all the poisons we pump into ourselves on a daily basis through our shaving cream, makeup, toothpaste, etc. Just about every product we can buy is full of poisons. She recommended though some products such as organic products. She covers the wide range of things made to make a person undergoing chemotherapy feel good about themselves. The book covers makeup, hair products, skin products, wigs, spa’s. Anything that can be done to help the person feel better about their appearance is included in this book.

If you are undergoing chemo, or know someone who is, I would definitely recommend this book. It would also be a good gift guide. Even for those not undergoing chemo though, I think it would be valuable, in the information it contains on how to cut down your toxic levels.

Definitely pick it up, you never know when it might come in handy.

About the Author

Britta Aragon, natural beauty expert, author and entrepreneur, discovered her passion for promoting safe self-care through her experience as a caregiver during her father’s eight-year battle with cancer. A survivor herself of Hodgkin’s Disease at the age of 16, she sought solutions for the difficult side effects her father suffered on his hair, skin and nails, but was disheartened by the lack of straightforward information or effective products. Even when she tried products specifically touted for “sensitive skin,” they were often laden with potentially harmful chemicals that actually irritated her father’s fragile skin. For the first time, she became acutely aware of how devastating the side effects from drugs and medical treatments could be. Inspired and determined to help others, she founded Cinco Vidas in 2008, and dedicated her work to her father’s legacy.

A lifestyle brand of products and services, Cinco Vidas provides expert resources and safe solutions to those experiencing side effects from chemotherapy, radiation or medication, or who experience skin conditions like eczema, sensitivity and chronic dryness. With the goal of fostering prevention and encouraging change, Cinco Vidas also works to increase awareness of potential carcinogens in food, personal care products, and the environment.

As a result of years spent working as a makeup artist and skincare expert, Britta lectures on Safe Self-Care for Compromised Skin in the New York area. Her blog, Cinco Vidas, is a popular resource and community support center for those dealing with medical treatment side effects and difficult skin conditions. She is also the author of

WHEN CANCER HITS, a hand-holding guide for the newly diagnosed, and the creator of CV Skin Labs, a safe, non-toxic range of products to soothe and repair damaged skin without harmful chemicals. Visit her website at www.cincovidas.com.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Rebecca at Cadence Group for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

Blog Tour – Laurel Dewey

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

Today We’re taking part in a blog tour sponsored by Partner’s in Crime Tours See our review for Promissory Payback here or Unrevealed here.

Tour Host Participants

October 1st: Author Showcase, Review~Cheryl @ CMash Loves To Read
October 3rd:  Review~Jocee @ Novel Reaction
October 4th: Review~Tammy @ News and Reviews from the Heart of the Dragons Den
October 5th: Review~April @ Cafe of Dreams Book Reviews
October 6th: Review~Lori @ Dollycas’s Thoughts
October 7th: Review~Rae @ Best O’ Books Reviews
October 8th:  Review~Mary @ Sweeping Me 
October 10th: Review~Gina @ Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
October 11th: Review~Lindsay @ Everyday Is An Adventure 
October 12th: Review~Julie @ Reading Without Restraint
October 13th: Review~Joel @ Author Joel M. Andre 
October 14th:  Review~Madison @ Genre Wench
October 17th:  Review~Fenny @ ***The Crazy Rambler***
October 18th: Review~ Orchid @ The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia (GR),ShelfariTwitter
October 19th: Review~Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews
October 20th: Review~Amanda @ Hippies, Beauty and Books OH MY! 
October 21st:  Review~Wendy @ Minding Spot
October 22nd: Review~Gina @ Hott Books
October 24th: Review~Joy @ The Readers’ Suite
October 25th: Review~Kaye @ Pudgy Penguin Perusals 
October 26th: Review~Emily @ What Book is That?
October 27th:  Review~Mickey @ I’m A Book Shark 
October 28th: Review~Stef @ I’m A Book Shark I’m A Book Shark 
October 29th: Review~Alan @ Tontowilliams’s Electronic Scrapbook
October 30th: Review~Krystal @ Live To Read ~Krystal 
November 1st:  Review~Jodi @ Words By Webb

November 2nd: Review~Kari @ From the TBR Pile
November 3rd: Review~Molly @ Reviews By Molly
November 4th: Review~Senora G @ Reading, Reading & Life
November 5th: Review~Jacque @ For Love and books
November 9th: Review~Rick @ Rhodes Review
November 10th: Review~Shandy Jo @ Mama Knows Books
November 11th: Review~Caite @ A Lovely Shore Breeze
November 14th: Review~ Niina @ For The Love Of Reading!
November 15th: Review~Kristi @ Books and Needlepoint
November 16th: Review~Vicki @ I’d Rather Be Reading At The Beach
November 17th: Review~Dana @ Let’s Book It
November 18th:  Review~Nicole @ Bless Their Hearts Mom
November 19th:  Review~Kristin @ Kristin Can Read
November 20th: Review~Val @ Carabosse’s Library

Review: Promissory Payback – Laurel Dewey

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
 
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: Story Plant, The (August 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1611880076
ISBN-13: 978-1611880076
Order book here:

amazon

Order E-book here:
amazon

Review

This is a brief novelette featuring Detective Jane Perry. Detective Perry is a smoking, tough talking, former alcoholic. She’s one of the closest females I’ve seen close to the likes of Sam Spade. In this story she is involved in a murder. The one major clue is a promissory note.

The story is a fast roller caster, and due to it’s short length, is a very fast read. I enjoyed the story though, and would recommend it to fans of Ms. Dewey or for those wanting a quick mystery to read while waiting at the doctor’s office.

About the Author

Laurel Dewey was born and raised in Los Angeles. She is the author of two nonfiction books on plant medicine, a Silver Spur-nominated Western novella, hundreds of articles, the Jane Perry novels, PROTECTOR, REDEMPTION, and REVELATIONS, and the Jane Perry novelette, AN UNFINISHED DEATH. She lives in Western Colorado with her husband, where she is currently working on a standalone novel.

Connect with Laurel Dewey:
Website: laureldewey.com/
Facebook: Laurel Dewey: Author

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Molly at Partners in Crime tours for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

Review: Unrevealed – Laurel Dewey

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Story Plant, The (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1611880238
ISBN-13: 978-1611880236
Order book here:

amazon

Order E-book here:
amazon

Review

This is a brief novelette containing four short stories starring Detective Jane Perry.  The Stories are as follows:

Anonymous

A missing person shows up at one of Perry’s AA meetings asking Perry to find her sister who disappeared on 9/11/2001 in the world trade center.  The mystery will take many twists on the way.

You Can’t Judge a Book By Its Cover

Perry is called on to give a talk at a school.  She runs into a boy with a mysterious secret, one that unnerves her.

You’re Only As Sick As Your Secrets

A man is suspected of killing his wife, but did he?  Find out as Detective Perry uncovers the clues.

Things Aren’t Always What They Seem

Jane Perry wonders into a bar after investigating a crime scene.  It’s there she runs into a friend she had met at AA.  As the night unfolds, so does a story about how the woman ended up at the bar.

Review

Each of these stories is different than the other.  Some are character drive, while others are the quintessential mystery complete with clues.  That tended to give the book a fresh feel.  Throughout you managed to get a broader look at the character of Jane Perry.  I’d recommend this collection of short stories to any fans of the mystery genre.  One again Laurel Dewey delivers an enjoyable reading experience.

About the Author

Laurel Dewey was born and raised in Los Angeles. She is the author of two nonfiction books on plant medicine, a Silver Spur-nominated Western novella, hundreds of articles, the Jane Perry novels, PROTECTOR, REDEMPTION, and REVELATIONS, and the Jane Perry novelette, AN UNFINISHED DEATH. She lives in Western Colorado with her husband, where she is currently working on a standalone novel.

Connect with Laurel Dewey:
Website:  laureldewey.com/
Facebook: Laurel Dewey: Author

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Molly at Partners in Crime tours for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

Interview: Natasha Deen

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

Today we’re pleased to have Natasha Deen appear on our pages. Ms. Deen is author of True Grime, a comedic fantasy mystery.

Rhodes Review: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

Natasha Deen: In university, after trying to read a poli-sci article where the first sentence (I’m so not kidding you) was half-a-page.  I realized as much fun as it was reading about animal experiments, Freudian theory, city bylaws, and the importance of the “sliding slope,” I really needed to do something else with my life…

Rhodes Review: How long does it take you to write a book?

Natasha Deen: I try to write a book in three months, but the editing takes another six—sometimes longer.

Rhodes Review: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing? 

Natasha Deen: I wake up anywhere from 5 or 6 in the morning, and stumble into the study, cup of tea in hand. Check emails, look at last night’s writing and wonder what made me think the pages were any good.

Keep writing.

Have breakfast.  Try not to look at the pages I’ve just written.

Keep writing.

Have second breakfast—try to convince pets that they’ve already eaten and it’s not fair to come after my food.

Check emails. Give into urge to re-read pages.   Weep at how horrendous it all is. Email writing friends. Ask them what made me think I could do this.

Have snack.

Get emails from writing friends threatening me with horrible fate if I stop working on my manuscript.

Keep writing.

Have lunch.  Take a break.

Keep writing.  Realize it’s not going well at all.  Email writing friends.  Resist urge to burn pages.

Have snack.

Feel despondent.

Have another snack.

Get emails back.  They’re going to take my chocolate if I don’t reach my day’s goal.

Keep writing.

Wonder what made me think I could do this.  Check job sites to see if MacDonald’s is hiring.

Get emails from friends. They’re on to the MacDonald’s plan and threaten to take away my Columbo DVDs if I stop writing.

Keep writing.

Eat enough chocolate to induce diabetic coma.

Wait for husband to come home and make dinner.  Keep writing.

Husband comes home. 

Shut down computer for the night.  Tell husband about trials of the day. Let him convince me that tomorrow, the pages will be better, and I really can write this book…

(I’m exaggerating, of course.   I never shut down my computer.).

 Rhodes Review: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? 

Natasha Deen: My inability to work unless there’s a cup of tea and mounds of chocolate/chips/popcorn surrounding me, and having to have at least one of my four pets (two dogs, two cats) in the study with me.

Rhodes Review: Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? 

Natasha Deen: I’ve gotten a lot of great advice, but during my numerous conversations with Agatha Christie and Calvin Coolidge, I got the most lasting advice. (Doesn’t matter that they’re dead. Here’s a piece of advice for you, the dead give the best advice. Honest).  And of course, it’s always best to hear it from the advice givers, themselves, so Agatha, why don’t I hold your cup of tea and you go ahead and tell them what you told me.

Agatha: Oh, yes, thank you.  I said that there was a moment when I changed from an amateur to a professional. I assumed the burden of a profession, which is to write even when you don’t want to, don’t much like what you’re writing, and aren’t writing particularly well.

Thank you. Here’s your tea.  Calvin, dear heart, do you remember what you told me?

Calvin: Yes.  Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Brilliant.  With wisdom like that, is it any wonder that I talk to them all the time?

Rhodes Review: What inspired you to write True Grime?

Natasha Deen: The answer is simple but multi-faceted: I wrote the book because the BP Oil scandal made me wonder if we’d ever stop destroying the environment. I wrote it because I remembered the Exon Valdez oil spill and realized that we were getting better at dealing with global catastrophes. And I wrote it because I work in the schools and I had something to say about bullying, and I wanted to talk of the things we tell kids (and ourselves) about what it means to be a boy or a girl.

Rhodes Review: How did you start writing?

Natasha Deen: Honestly, I took a breath, opened a Word file and just started typing.

Rhodes Review: What are some of your favorite authors/books?

Natasha Deen: Ohh, too many to mention, but Dean Koontz always tops the list because 1) he can make me laugh at the same time he’s scaring the pants off me (2) I love his ability to describe.

Rhodes Review: What was the hardest part to write in True Grime?

Natasha Deen: Ha ha. No word of a lie: every part in between the covers. From the description to the plot to the characters, there were a lot of sleepless nights and very long days.

 Rhodes Review: How did you come up with the decision to make Pepper an amputee?

Natasha Deen: Because I didn’t see a lot of stories featuring amputees…also, from a metaphorical point, I like the fact that she’s missing part of her…for most of us, we’ve had our psychic explosions that have robbed us of a piece of ourselves…I liked that Pepper continued on despite the injury because it gave me inspiration to continue on, too.

 Rhodes Review: The book seems to look at some of the worst aspects of humanity.  Did you draw this from your own life?

Natasha Deen: Yes—I was bullied in junior high and the incident with Aponi and Malcolm was a diluted version of what transpired between a girl and one of the bullies in my school…bullying is such a big topic right now, and I wanted to say to the kids who’re going through it, “Me too. I had the same experience, but there’s light on the other side of that very long, very dark tunnel.”

Even though the story deals with heavy topics, I really wanted a message of hope and joy—that yes, things are terrible, but every day, we have a chance to become the people we really want to be.

Once again we’d like to thank Ms. Deen for taking the time to talk with us.

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