My Review of "The Overton Window" By Glenn Beck

The Overton Window

A Thriller by Glenn Beck

A plan to destroy America, a hundred years in the making, is about to be unleashed . . . can it be stopped?

There is a powerful technique called the Overton Window that can shape our lives, our laws and our future. It works by manipulating public perception so that ideas previously thought of as radical begin to seem acceptable over time. Move the Window and you change the debate. Change the debate and you change the country.

For Noah Gardner, a twenty something public relations executive, it's safe to say that political theory is the furthest thing from his mind. Smart, single, handsome and insulated from the world's problems by the wealth and power of his father, Noah is far more concerned about the future of his social life than the future of his country.

But all of that changes when Noah meets Molly Ross, a woman who is consumed by the knowledge that the America we know is about to be lost forever. She and her group of patriots have vowed to remember the past and fight for the future—but Noah, convinced they're just a bunch of freaky conspiracy-theorists, isn't interested in lending his considerable skills to their cause.

And then the world changes.

An unprecedented attack on U.S. soil shakes the country to the core and puts into motion a frightening plan, decades in the making, to transform America and demonize all those who stand in the way. Amidst the chaos, many don't know the difference between conspiracy theory and conspiracy fact—or, more importantly, which side to fight for.

But for Noah, the choice is clear: Exposing the plan, and revealing the conspirators behind it, is the only way to save both the woman he loves and the individual freedoms he once took for granted.

I was on the waiting list at the library for what seemed a long time. There were many people that also wanted to read "The Overton Window" by Glenn Beck. I know many people out there don't like Glenn Beck. Personally, I like to listen to him and tend to agree with many things he discusses. I want you to know though, despite who wrote this book, it is a very suspenseful thriller. You are sitting there on the edge waiting to see who will live and die by the end of the book.

In this review, I feel I also need to tell you, that this book is a "Political Thriller". This term means that there are many political things talked about, discussed, and throughly picked apart during the course of this book. I have to admit, there were some chapters I felt like I was listening to one of Glenn's radio programs. To me this is not a bad thing, but to others they may not like to read about this type of political ideology. The book is a work of 'faction' Beck explains... a work of fiction with plots rooted in facts.

As a reviewer, I want to say the characterization left much to be desired. I never really felt like I connected truly with the main characters. I also found the "romance" in the story to be weak and hard to believe. The first part of the book moved slowly, but hang onto your seats with the second half. I almost felt like another writer took over half way through the book. The thriller aspect was great and this is when I could not put the book down. You will be amazed at some of the things that happen in this second half.

The best part about "The Overton Window", is that it makes you think about our country and what is really happening out there. I believe that this is the main reason that Glenn Beck

wrote this book. He really wants Americans to think about our past history and also the future of our great country. This book is worth a read. It is worth your time, to get you thinking beyond your own street and family. We all need to stay active in what is going on around us and be part of the political process; regardless of which political party we support.

"The Overton Window" is the ninth published book by Glenn Beck. If you want to learn more about this book and other books by Glenn Beck go here.

How to Raise a Non-Reader

I found this today and knew I had to share it with everyone I know and even those I don't know. There is so much truth in everything said here. I hope that this makes you think about what you are doing with your own kids/grandkids at home.

Thirteen Ways to Raise a Non reader

BY DEAN SCHNEIDER AND ROBIN SMITH

1.Never read where your children

can see you.

2.Put a TV or computer in

every room. Don’t neglect the bedrooms

and kitchen.

3.Correct your child every time she mispronounces a word.

4.Schedule activities every

day after school so your child will never be bored.

5.Once your child can read independently, throw out the picture books. They’re for babies.

6.Don’t play board games together.Too dull.

7.Give little rewards for reading.Stickers and plastic toys are nice. Money is even better.

8. Don’t expect your children to enjoy reading. Kids’ books are for teaching vocabulary, proper study habits, and good morals.

9.Buy only 40-watt bulbs for your lamps.

10.Under no circumstances read your child the same book over and over. She heard it once, she should remember it.

11.Never allow your child to listen to

books on tape; that’s cheating.

12. Make sure your kids only read books that

are “challenging.” Easy books are a

complete waste of time. That

goes double for comic books and Mad

magazine.

13.Absolutely, positively

no reading in bed.

I can see why I became a voracious reader, my parents didn't follow any of these suggestions. I am not using any of these methods with my children either. Please pass this on to others, so we can raise a world full of readers.

What I Thought About "Linger" by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 368 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press (July 13, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0545123283

I read the first book in the series, "Shiver" several months ago. Unlike almost every reader out there, it was just an OK book for me. It was good enough though to want to read the next book in the series. I looked forward to reading the second book in the series, "Linger".

If you don't know anything about this series let me give you a little back ground on the first book, "Shiver"....

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a

chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Shiver begins the story of the wolves of Mercy Falls.

"Linger" continues on with Grace and Sam's story. The thing I liked more about the second book is that Maggie brings in two new voices, Isabel and Cole. The book goes back and forth between the four characters. I found that this made the story more interesting and more complex.

In an interview, Maggie explains the challenges of writing a book with four distinct voices.

Q: In Shiver, the narration alternates between Sam and Grace. In Linger, you add two more voices—Isabel and Cole St. Clair. What were the challenges (and joys!) of doing so?

Stiefvater: Oh, it was insane. The hard bit was keeping everyone’s voices straight and consistent of course. They had to sound distinct while still sounding like they belonged in the same book. Each had a distinct vocabulary. Sam, for instance, says “amongst.” The others can’t say amongst. Isabel has her own particular brand of swear words. Cole has his own way of describing the world. Grace sees action in a particular way. The challenge was picking which character narrated each scene; who saw what I needed the reader to see? They were all so different. Of course, that was the joy as well. Hard to get bored that way . . .

Here is more about "Linger"...

In Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love—the light and the dark, the warm and the cold—in a way you will never forget.

Now for the ironic thing, I am one of the few people out there that liked "Linger" better than "Shiver". Some have said that it is slow moving and think Grace has turned into a whiner like Bella in "Twilight". I have to disagree with the "Others" and say that I like "Linger" better than it's predecessor. It was an intriguing read and very exciting at the end. I also love Maggie's writing, so beautiful and poetic. The story just seems to flow, not choppy at all.

Another telling sign for me, was that I was almost done with "Linger" when my copy of "Mockingjay" came in the mail. I tried to start reading "Mockingjay" but could not get "Linger" out of my mind. So I finished "Linger" first and then I picked up "Mockingjay".

If you are someone who likes this kind of book filled with teenage angst and falling in love with non-human creatures, give this series a try. The final book in the trilogy, "Forever" will be coming out in 2011.

One more thing, I would recommend this book for older teens and adults. My twelve year old daughter will not be reading this series for many years. There are many adult things that happen that tweens should not be reading about. Read it first and use your own judgment here, but this is what I will be doing with my daughter.

If you want to learn more about this author and her other books she has written go to her website here. You can also visit her blog for more interesting things that Maggie has to say. After reading many interviews with Maggie, I found that she has a fun personality and a great sense of humor.

I will be reading this book again next year before the third book comes out. I do not own my own copies and have borrowed them from the public library.

Here is a pretty cool book trailer for "Linger". If you get motion sickness you may not like it, but it is still good and has pretty music.

My Review of "The Stone Traveler" by Kathi Oram Peterson

Sixteen-year-old Tag can’t believe he’s in this much trouble. He’s n

ot actually a member of the gang known as the Primes — all he did was spray paint some graffiti that caught their attention. In all honesty, ever since his dad and brother left, Tag just wants to be alone. And it’s certainly not his fault that the Primes nearly beat up his goofy cousin, Ethan. But his mom is furious about these gang-related activities and insists that Tag spend the whole summer at his grandpa’s lakeside cabin, which is not Tag’s idea of a good time. So he does what any self-respecting teenager would do: run away. But he doesn’t get far before he encounters three strange men carrying an even stranger object — a stone that glows with radiant light as bright as a thousand sparklers. Tag doesn’t steal the stone — not exactly. He feels like he is supposed to take it. But he doesn’t expect the stone to transport him through space and time to a place he’s never seen before — a place that looks an awful lot like the ancient lands described in the Book of Mormon. And he definitely doesn’t expect to join Sabirah, the entrancing daughter of Samuel the Lamanite, on a quest t

o rescue her father and brother from the evil King Jacob. And he absolutely doesn’t expect to be captured by Jacob’s minions and prepared as a sacrifice to the evil idol of the city. But just as Tag faces his death, a terrible storm begins to break, and the ground cracks into jagged pieces. And he’s not sure which event will impact his life more: his captor’s knife coming at his body, the violent tempest sweeping the land . . . or the men who later appear, glowing even more brightly than the traveler’s stone.

The Stone Traveler is an enjoyable read, but it is also a very moving experience. It has so many things that readers of the Book of Mormon will enjoy. I have come to love novels that bring the Book of Mormon people to life. Kathi also combines something I also love to read about, time travel! I also was impressed with the way Kathi used the stone as the means of time traveler; hence the name of the book.

I also want to mention that "The Stone Traveler" is well written. I have enjoyed all of Kathi's previous books, but she has outdone herself with this novel. Kathi switches back and forth between the viewpoint of her two main characters. This is very effective, as Tag and Sabirah have very distinctive voices. I also want to mention how Sabirah is a very strong female character. I enjoyed reading about her and her struggles to save her family and friends.

Some of the themes in this book center on loyalty, trust, service and forgiveness. Tag is sixteen and he learns so much along the way. It is the kind of growth that we all need to do sometime in our life. Great characters, lots of excitement and a satisfying ending; what more could you want?

I wanted you to see what Kathi posted on her blog today:

I thought I might give you this stone to help you on The Stone Traveler's blog tour. It's very much like the one Tag, the sixteen-year-old protagonist in my story, was given that sent him back through time.

Might I suggest that you take good care of it.

If the stone starts to glow and becomes warm in your hand you might find yourself in a different place and time. You never know where the stone might take you.

Remember: Kathi is hosting a HUGE contest for her blog tour. Read the post below for details of the prizes you could win(including a chance to win a KINDLE) if you comment on this post and other reviewers of this book.

Visit Kathi's blog at....http://www.kathiswritingnook.com

The Stone Traveler Blog Tour and Contest...by Kathi Oram Peterson

Here is the exciting news from Kathi Oram Peterson. Her new book, "The Stone Traveler" is out and she is

hosting a HUGE contest. You will want to participate in this contest because the Grand Prize is.........

A KINDLE!!!

Read more about the contest below. I also will be reviewing the book on my blog this Thursday. So come on back to learn more about "The Stone Traveler".

The Stone Traveler - Blog Tour Contest

When: Weekdays in September.

Important Rule: Leave a comment on "every" site on the tour.

Monday through Friday commenter names will be collected from the blog tour. On Saturday a name will be drawn to win a prize that includes a very cuddly toy jaguar; a stone necklace; and chocolates with the flavor of South America —real cacao and chili. The winner will be announced on the following Monday.

The GRAND prize for The Stone Traveler blog tour will be a (drumroll, please) Kindle. The cutoff to be eligible is midnight on September 30. The winner will be announced October 4^th. If you find the tour midway through and want to participate, you can still go back and comment on every blog simply by going to www.kathiswritingnook.com. Starting in September the sidebar will list each stop on the tour as they are posted, making it very easy to click to any of the sites and leave a comment. AND even if you’ve already won one of the weekly drawings, your name will still go in the jar for the Kindle.

It's All "Mockingjay" This Weekend!

I have been waiting for so long, I can't believe that "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins is really in my hands. The last book in the "Hunger Games" trilogy has caused great excitement. There were many people I know that had already read the book, while I was still waiting for my copy to come in the mail.

I have been very glad that no one has spilled the beans about the contents of the novel. I also hope that I won't be disappointed with the ending. For example, I really liked Harry Potter 7 "The Deathly Hallows", but I hated the epilogue! This is always the problem when you wait anxiously for the ending of a series. Do we as readers raise our expectations too high? Maybe, we shouldn't expect as much from authors to write the best book of the series at the very end? I know I loved "Hunger Games" the first book in the trilogy SO much; it is on my Top 10 list of favorite books. It is exciting as I anticipate reading "Mockingjay" and hoping that Suzanne Collins comes through for me!

My Review of "The Hidden Sun" by J. Lloyd Morgan

"The kingdom of Bariwon is at a crossroads. Ever since Eliana was born, she has been primed to become the kingdom's leader. But she is not to rule Bariwon alone. A contest of sorts, called the Shoginoc, is to be held when Eliana turns twenty one. The victor gains the right to marry Eliana and become king of Bariwon. Rumor has it that the favorite to win the Shoginoc is Daimh, son of malevolent Governor Abrecan. However, Eliana has fallen in love with her personal guardian, Rinan. She is torn between renouncing her title to be with the man she loves or marrying to keep the kingdom out of the hands of those who would rule it unjustly. A plan is hatched to keep her in power while allowing her to marry Rinan, but little does she know the impact this deception will have on everyone in Bariwon for years to come."

The minute I read the premise of this book, I knew I would like this book. I was able to read this book in almost one sitting. I read it while sitting in a car on the way to a family reunion in Idaho. The funny part was, my kids and my parents were able to hear all of my thoughts and feelings about the book as I went along.

I have to admit, I was really worried while reading the first 100 pages of the book. I kept saying, "No, how can he (The author) let this happen?" I am not going to disclose what I was referring to, because I want you to read the book yourself. Then I shouted out, "Not another one? I am not sure I like this book." Again, you will have to read the book to understand what I am referring to.

I am happy to say, after page 95, things picked up for me. This now was the kind of book I loved to read. I started connecting with the characters and having empathy for their individual problems. I also was getting more involved with the mystery of Bariwon. Even though, we as the readers know what it is, we are still on edge waiting for others to figure it out.

My favorite character is Rayne. He stands for everything good in Bariwon and in humankind. There is no way that you can dislike him. He is not perfect, but he is wise, kind and intelligent. An example of this is shown at the end of the book where he is speaking to the people of Bariwon...

"My father had me study the Tome of Laws growing up. It was the one book we owned. We would read and discuss it often. Th Tome of Laws has a pattern of declaring a law followed by the reasoning behind the law. It isn't the words of the law which make it important; it is the spirit of the law. Well intended laws are really of no use unless there are good people to enforce them."

That statement would apply to our country today in all avenues of government.

Overall, this book has action, romance, colorful characters and well written villains. The ending of the story was very fulfilling. I am glad that I kept reading. This is one adventure that is well worth the ride.

J. Lloyd Morgan is writing the sequel to "The Hidden Sun". I am happy about this because I do want to revisit the land of Bariwon, and Rayne and Sunshine.

If you would like to know more about 'The Hidden Sun" and how to pronounce all of the names in the book please go to ...

http://www.jlloydmorgan.com or

http://www.jlloydmorgan.com/blog

You can contact J. Lloyd Morgan there if you have any questions for him.

About the Author

Author J. Lloyd Morgan is an award winning television director. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Communications and a minor in English. Morgan has lived all over the United States, but now resides in North Carolina with his wife and four daughters. He is currently working on a sequel to The Hidden Sun.

Blog Tour Contest for Michele Ashman Bell's New Book: "Hometown Girl"

I first want to apologize to Michele for not getting this up earlier in the month. Something happened, I had to get ready for the new school year. I had to move to a new classroom, so I was unpacking boxes and arranging my new room. School started last Monday, so life has gone somewhat back to normal.(What ever normal means.) This is such an awesome contest I wanted you to know about it! You still have 10 more days that you can enter to win the $50.00 gift card. I previously posted a review for "Hometown Girl"...a month early because I got the date/month mixed up. I will be re-posting my review on my scheduled blog tour date. Here is what Michele posted on her blog announcing about the contest.

BLOG TOUR CONTEST - ENTER TO WIN A $50 VISA Gift Card to use anywhere and SIGNINGS ANNOUNCED

Hi fans and friends! I'm so excited to announce my month-long blog tour for my new release HOMETOWN GIRL. Enter to win a $50.00 gift card!

All blog tour participants are listed down below. My thanks to them for helping me spread the word of my book.

NOW THE EXCITING PART
To enter:
Leave a comment telling me who sent you 1 entry
Follow my blog 1 entry
Tweet about this 1 entry daily
Follow me on Twitter here 1 entry
Add my button to your blog 1 entry

Follow me on Facebook here 3 entries

Blog about the giveaway and leave me a link 5 entries (please leave a comment for each entry)

Giveaway ends on Tues. Aug. 31st, 2010!

DISCLAIMER:
*I personally will be providing the $50 Visa Gift Card

HOMETOWN GIRL - BLOG TOUR

• August 1st, Crystal Porter
• August 2nd, Tristi Pinkston
• August 3rd, Elizabeth Mueller
• August 4th, Braden Bell
• August 5th, GG Vandagriff
• August 6th, Shauna Chambers
• August 9th, Cheri Chesley
• August 10th, Teri Rodeman
• August 12th, Karen Hoover
• August 13th, Allison Palmer
• August 16th, Alexes Covington
• August 17th, Lori Nawyn
• Currently posted - Anne Bradshaw
• August 19th, Rachel Nunes
• August 23rd, Linda Weaver Clarke
• August 25th, Danyelle Ferguson
• Augst 26th, Rebecca Talley
• August 27th, Sheila Staley
• August 30th, Cindy Bezas
• August 31th, Kathi Peterson

My Review of "Trapped" By Rhonda Gibb Hinrichsen

Trapped by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Publication Date: April 29th 2010 by Walnut Springs Press

Paperback, 293 pages

isbn 193521764X

http://www.rondahinrichsen.com/

A Forged Letter, A Golden Vial, An Ancient Curse...Filled with family secrets, intrigue, and romance The blog tour for Trapped by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen http://thewriteblocks.blogspot.com/ will have it all.

You know how writers are told to use a "hook" at the beginning to pull the reader in? Well the beginning of Ronda Hinrichsen's book, "Trapped" does exactly that. Here is the great introduction of the book...

"Secrets thrive in my family.” I wasn’t sure if I’d said the words or dreamed them, but when I heard a drawer slide open in the empty bedroom next to my own, my heartbeat jumped into overdrive, and I pulled the comforter up to my neck. “Sylvie? Is that you, kitty?”

Suddenly, a beam of light flashed across the hall wall just opposite my open doorway, pausing momentarily on my mother’s favorite Mansfield painting, and I no longer doubted what the noise was. Barely breathing, I stared wide-eyed at the now-dark hallway, my ears tuning out the sounds of rain and thunder to focus on the groan of the floorboards as the intruder crossed my mother’s room just through the wall. Then I heard a soft, metallic thwack. A click. A jingle of music. My mother’s jewelry box! I clamped my lips over my mouth, silencing a gasp."


I was very impressed from the very first paragraph of this novel. The thought that went through my head, was that this book needs to be used as an example, at a writers conference, to show how to write a fantastic hook! If you are not a writer or an aspiring writer, you are just going to think that this is a great book from the very first.

I also was pleasantly surprised by the storyline. It was so exciting and suspenseful.
Here is more about the storyline of "Trapped" found on the back of the book....

Her expression remained somber, but excitement crept into her voice. You are the Firstborn She...You must go to them. You want me to act as bait? Not bait, Emi. A spy. Our Trojan horse.

When Emi Warrin wakes one night to find a thief in her mother's house, she has no idea the intruder has planted a trap - a mysterious letter that will change her life forever. Lured to the Austrian Alps with Daniel, the man she loves, Emi is thrown into a perilous, mafia-like world of feuding families and a devastating curse that spans generations. As the Firstborn She - the only firstborn female in hundreds of years - only Emi can free her family from the curse that will soon afflict her as well. But for Emi to break the curse, she must delve into evil designs.

As Emi struggles to understand her destiny as the Firstborn She, she learns that everything isn't as it seems and that all choices have consequences. Can Emi break the curse before it's too late?"


I recommend this book to those who like mystery, romance and want to read a tension filled thriller until the last page. Guess what? You can win your own copy from Mountain Spring Press, here's how...

We will be giving away THREE autographed copies! All you have to do is leave a comment (along with your email address if it isn't on your blog profile) and answer the following question. Which Austrian city would you most like to visit? The more blogs you comment on the more entries you'll receive. All comments must be left by midnight MST on August 27 to be eligible.

A blog tour Filled with family secrets, intrigue, and romance!

August 9
Heather Gardner

August 10
Jewel Adams

August 11
Mary Greathouse
Teri Rodeman

August 12
Lynn Fowlstone
Christine Bryant

August 13
Valerie Ipson
Sheila Stayley

August 16
Deanne Blackhurst

August 17
Connie Hall
C.S. Bezas

August 18
Kimberly Job
Tristi Pinkston

August 19
Karen Hoover
Nichole Giles

August 20
Alison Palmer
Jessica Williams

August 23
Joyce DiPastena
Laurie Lewis

Winners of copies of "Seventh Earth" by Richard Bradford

Yes, you read that correctly, I said winners!! I heard from Richard and he said there were so many good comments on my blog and also on his website, he decided instead of giving one book away, he is giving FIVE books away!!! Wow! That really blew me away!!

Here are the five lucky winners:

-Tiffany Felix,

-Annika,

-Brenda,

-Tycksen Family

-Mommy of four

Here is what you need to do in order to get your copy of "Seventh Earth". Send an email to seventhearth@ymail.com with your address and he will send you your free signed copy.

I know that all of you will enjoy reading this great new book! I am thrilled for all of you winners.

Thanks so much for entering the contest! Please spread the word about "Seventh Earth" and my blog. Hope to see you here again soon!