Where I've Been ~ Summer Edition ~ Pt. 2 Awesomeness!

So I spent every Wednesday night at the Concerts in The Park events that my town holds. They had a Market Night that they held along with the concerts.  My daughters Marching Band/Color Guard and Dance Team Booster Clubs both had booths there.  I volunteered to be one of the parents that sat with the kids since it didn't involve anything strenuous and gave me a chance to help my kids teams out as well as get to meet their friends. As an added bonus I also got to see some awesome local vendors.  Two in particular I'd like to share with you.

The first that I found was Potion 9 Sweet Designs.  They really got my attention because I myself love cakes and cake decorating and the cupcakes they had for sale were AMAZING!  

Seriously this cupcake looks awesome,
and it tasted great too!

Sooo Pretty!!!

I chose to try the one labeled Love Potion #9.  It was sooooo good!! Since it came in it's own little cup with a lid I was able to enjoy it for a few days.  Sorry love my chocolate and wanted to make it last! They had other great looking cupcakes that I wish I could have sampled as well. *Sigh* But at least I got to enjoy this wonderful creation and since they are located nearby hopefully I will be able to take advantage of that in the future.













The second one was Gigi & Co. Shoes. OMG! The shoes were soooo pretty! I had seen her booth a few weeks before but hadn't gotten a chance to actually go over and check it out. So when I saw that they were being set up right across from us when they rearranged the market set up I got over there as fast as I could.  I love shoes. Shoes are amazing. Whether they are heels, flats, sneakers there are always so many options.I think that if you have a chance to make a statement with what you wear that your shoes should be just as important as the actual clothes. These shoes they sooo make a statement!
I actually got to spend some time talking with the owner of the company and she is just as awesome as her shoes! Those who follow my Facebook page may remember the picture of the shoes I posted that I was lucky enough to get my hands on. For those who don't here's the pic again:

Sooo Awesome!

Not only did I get an amazing pair of shoes but she also agreed to offer a giveaway to my readers that will be starting tomorrow!!! So be sure to come back tomorrow to enter for your chance to win a gift certificate to Gigi & Co. Shoes.

And be sure to keep checking back for more of Where I've Been this summer! 

Manga/Graphic Novel/Video Game Novel Challenge 2012 August Round Up

This challenge is being hosted by Mother/Gamer/Writer.

 For more details on the challenge such as levels, guidelines, PRIZES!!!, just click here.

This post is to  link to all reviews of the books I've read for this challenge this month. To check out  books for this month read by other readers that are taking part in this challenge click here! 

Ok. So I two reviews rounded up for this month.

 

My first review is of:

Kirby: Genesis Vol. 1

By: Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross, Jackson Herbert

Summery from Amazon:

The Kirby Event of the new millennium by the bestselling and award-winning creators of MARVELS! Superstars Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross bring Jack "King" Kirby's creations to life in a way you'll never forget! The Pioneer 10 space probe carried a message to the stars. Now an answer's on the way - but not one we expected! When it arrives, the lives of three ordinary people - and the entire world - will be changed forever! This is the beginning. This is THE Genesis! Featuring Captain Victory, Silver Star, and more of Jack Kirby's greatest concepts, including characters never-before-seen in comics form! The Kirby: Genesis TP collects issues #0-8 of the hit series, along with a complete cover gallery and tons of bonus material.

My Review:

I was lucky enough to get a copy of this from NetGalley before it has even been released. Very cool.  

I really enjoyed this one.  I thought the main character Kirby was funny and honest.  There are times when he turns to the reader and speaks directly to them. In the process of which he even acknowledges some parts of the book just seem to get silly.  For example how all the different characters from different universes just start showing up.  Also while Kirby is the main character the book isn't just told through his eyes or his voice.  The reader also gets to see into the heads of a few other characters along the way.  

I really enjoyed the artwork as well.  Very detailed. There was always something to see in the pictures and the colors weren't dull.   Click here to read the rest of my review.

My second review is of:

Please Save My Earth Vol. 1

By: Saki Hiwatari

Summery from Amazon:

Please Save My Earth is part science fiction, part fantasy, and completely engrossing; from a master of the shojo style. Alice's dreams of being a lovely woman living on the moon provide an escape from her job babysitting the holy terror Rin. When he goes one step too far, she slaps him, causing him to fall off a balcony and into a coma. When he awakens, he seems changed — and strangely connected to Alice. Meanwhile, at school, Alice meets a pair of boys with an oddly close relationship. She soon learns that they, too, have dreams of living on the moon.

My Review:

So my kids have been telling me I need to read this one for awhile.  So glad I finally got a chance to!  Of course now this means I will have to find a way to get my hands on the next volumes in the series. *sigh* (must remember to see if the girls have it somewhere hidden on their bookshelf)

I really liked this one.  The artwork was great.  I loved the detailing in the various scenes.  Plus I really liked all the different flowers.  Plus at the end of the book there's a nice little list of all the flowers that are pictured and their different meanings.  

I liked the story too.  There were a lot of parts that made me laugh out loud.  Plus there were some really sweet parts too.  I liked Alice and her brother...but personally I wanedt to slap Rin too.  He's such a little brat!!!

Click here to read the rest of my review!

Review of Classroom Inspirations Based on The Hunger Games

Classroom Inspirations: The Hunger Games

By: Dr. Shelbie Witte (author), Juan Mendizabal (contributor), FSU English Education Students (Contributor)

So a while back I sent a copy of this book to my cousin who was able to put it to good use in her home schooling program.   She was able to integrate it into her school curriculum this year and here are her results:

~~~~~

I bought the whole series of Hunger Games and had my girls read them. Great great story! Thank you so much for turning us on to them. I am sure some where in the mix of home school moms someone won't like them, but we loved them.

I added in the curriculum guide and must say that it was met with little resistance. That speaks volumes! Lol!

I really liked the layout or format of the book and lessons. It was easy to follow. Loved the Materials needed section, and Objectives. I felt that the lessons reach many levels of learning, some challenging, and options for those with learning issues.

   
One draw back was that there was no consistence with the reading levels. each lesson had a different level.

I liked that it was specific to the English / literature class subject, yet would really like to see something more developed for multiple subjects. I can imagine this series of books being a classroom discussion platform for many subjects. Such as: 

~ Science
~ American Government 
~Economics
~Geography 
~Art and more 

IT would really bring to life many classes that students find boring. The curriculum offers a lot of options for learning in creative ways. It was a pleasure to be able to use this in our home studies and I hope that they will continue to develop more like it. 

~~~~~

I'm so glad that she was able to use the book and that she found it useful in her class! I really would like to thank the people who developed this book and let them know how encouraging it is to see kids not only get into reading but be able to use the books to further their education!

****In compliance with FTC guidelines, I'm disclosing that I received this book for free through GoodReads First Reads. ****

(I recommend everybody should go check out all the awesome first read giveaways they have!)

Where I've Been ~ The Summer Edition ~ Pt.1: Reviews

So my summer didn't really start getting crazy 'til about the end of July.  Between all the practices for my daughters clubs and helping out the boosters at the summer concerts in our local park. AND planning a surprise, last minute trip to see my dad in Jersey.  Throw in a car that felt the need to breakdown in 100+ degree weather (yeah that was TONS of fun) and my Kindle breaking!  Honestly though, overall  I think it's been a great summer.  However I did let my blog go a bit during the last few weeks. So I'm going to try to make up for it.  Starting with some Where I've Been posts to show all the fun and awesome things I've come across this summer and also I'll be having some amazing giveaways in the next few weeks so be sure to check back in for those too!


So let's get started catching up....I thought first I'd start Part 1 with  the reviews I've done over the summer for  Books and Things and MotherGamerWriter.

Demoneater

      and 

                                  Demoncity

Both by: Royce Buckingham

*Loved both books!*

The Restoration Game

By: Ken Macleod

Now is the Time For Running

By: Michael Williams

*Really touching!*

Succubus Unleashed

By: B.R. Kingsolver

*Enjoyed as much as the first! Can't wait for #3!*

Arson

By: Estevan Vega

The Darkest Day

By Britt Bury

*LOVED IT!*

* (check out the review to see who else did too!)*

The Chronicles of Egg #1:

Deadweather an Sunrise

By: Geoff  Rodkey

*Loved this one too!

but...

The actual copy I had of this book gave me so much stress. I took it with a few other books to give to my nephews.  The other books traveled perfectly. This one however somehow got all wrinkly (like water damage) Not sure how water got in my suitcase....*sigh*.  At least it was still readable, hopefully they will be able to see past the wrinkles to the great story that is underneath.*

Random Magic

By: Sasha Soren

*I'm taking part in a Pinterest review of this one.  I sooooo enjoyed this book it was amazing! Come check out the awesome pics I myself and other reviewers have chosen that remind us of different scenes in the novel!*

These are all the wonderful books I've reviewed this summer. Unfortunately my Kindle breaking required me to do some rearranging of the reading list...One of the biggest problems was I took LOTS of notes on books I'd read on the Kindle.  *Sigh*  Am in the midst of trying to download the books onto my laptop and go from there.  Hopefully there will be some more stuff up asap.  

Tomorrow:

Where I've Been ~ The Summer Edition ~ Pt.!

OMFG! I am soooo MAD!!!

OK so I take my daughter to the dentist today and of course I bring my Kindle, cause who wants to wait in a dr.s office forever without something to do. Right?   And I open the M-Edge case I got for it.  AND this is what I saw:

My Kindle...My baby!!!! It's completely fubared!!!!  Seriously!  You can't see it in the pic but it is still in the protective case that I bought for it that was made my M-Edge. Needless to say they got a very nasty email from me! I called Amazon, but unfortunately my warranty expired already. (just got it a little over a year ago) and the best they can offer me is a discount on a different type of Kindle.  It will still be approximately $70.  

**SIGH**  I didn't have the money to get my Kindle in the first place, I got REALLY lucky and won it from a contest offered on another blog.  And right now $70 is NOT in my budget...

Jeez now I wanna cry all over again just thinking about it.  I know I can read my Kindle books on my laptop but it's just not the same.

Anyway I wrote my letter to M-Edge expressing my extreme displeasure. (To put it mildly) And I told them I would be sure to tell all my readers, facebook followers, twitter followers, friends and family exactly how well their product protected my Kindle.  You have to understand even with the case I baby this thing. Yes it goes with me to dr's appointments and when I have long car rides. But most of the time it has a place of honor on my nightstand or on my shelf in my living room. I don't bang it or throw it around.  I don't leave it on the floor. I won't even take it to the pool since water and electronics don't mix and I don't trust others to be as careful with my stuff as I am. Not even my boyfriend gets to touch my baby! Nor my kids! I am very sad for the loss of my Kindle. I highly recommend if you are purchasing a Kindle anytime soon to definitely search out a different company to use to protect your electronic equipment.  I doubt M-Edge will even respond to my displeasure much less offer to do anything about it. Since after all they are a nice big company and I'm just little old me. Plus I'm smart enough not to believe that the little guy always comes out in the end....*sigh* *sniff* 

A moment of silence for my wonderful Kindle it gave me a little over a year of excellent service and I'm sure if it had had better protection it would have served me well for many years to come...

To all the authors out there who have been patiently waiting for me to do their reviews. (You know who you are!) I must unfortunately report it will be about another month at least before I get up any reviews.  I know some of you have been waiting a while and the only reason you haven't gotten your reviews is because personal things have come up that have taken precedence over books, my blog, and pretty much everything else in my life.  Please forgive me and I will have your reviews up asap.

Again another moment of silence for my poor Kindle....

Thanks for reading...

AimeeKay

Summer Giveaway Hop August 1st-7th

Welcome to my post for the Summer Giveaway Hop.  Let me start by saying thank you to the wonderful host  I Am A Reader Not a Writer , Mary from BookHounds &  Forever Young (adult). 

Now own with the prize!   One lucky hopper will win an e-copy of :

Superheroes Wear Faded Denim By: Law Reigns.

Blissany Cherry is tired of sleeping around. Her neurologists’ sleep solutions have failed her. Now that her bizarre sleeping habits have begun to include week long dreams she has resorted to her own methods for a cure.

METHOD ONE: CONTROL DREAMS. All attempts to morph dreams about a gorgeous warrior into romantic fantasies are thwarted. He keeps on insisting she is destined to marry a great king and lead their armies into war. At the end of every dream he asks her: will you fight the war and save mankind?  

She laughs in his face.

METHOD TWO: RESIST! Blissany has plans for her life. None include fighting an intergalactic war.  When her dreams begin spilling over into reality, she is forced to make a decision that will forever redefine her life. Standing between destiny and desire, she is left with only one option.

METHOD THREE: SURVIVE.

The contest is open Internationally and super easy to enter just use the Rafflecopter below! Then Hop! Hop! Hop!  Onto the next blog on the list below the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway