THE 12 PEARLS OF CHRISTMAS- A HIBISCUS BY MARGARET MCSWEENEY (CONTEST)

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series!

Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days.

 We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items from the contributors! Enter now below. The winner will be announced on January 2, 2014, at the Pearl Girls blog.

If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls.

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A Hibiscus "Hug from Heaven"
by: Margaret McSweeney

The flurry of festivities during Thanksgiving weekend came to an abrupt halt as I began the first week of December 2013 with an empty nest. My husband was back at work. My daughters were back at college. And my brother, Claude, and niece, Mary, were back in Alabama and Tennessee.

Bare branches accentuated the overcast gloom in the Chicago suburbs on what marked the third anniversary of my brother Randy’s passing. Randy had been feeding a stray cat on his deck when the fatal heart attack struck.

Walking downstairs, I whispered a prayer. “Lord, I am feeling really sad right now. Please help me experience your joy.” As I walked into the family room, my heart smiled. The pruned hibiscus plant balanced a solitary flower that had blossomed overnight! This was truly a hibiscus “hug from heaven.”

In her book "When Grief Is Your Constant Companion" my late mother shared her poignant poem about a hibiscus plant. She wrote this following poem several years after losing my dad to a sudden heart attack while he was in Paris on a business trip.

TEARDROPS: EVERLASTING JOY

By Carolyn Rhea

My love, how can it be

That I no longer think of you

Almost every waking moment

And grieve for your loving presence?



There are small spaces of time

When my life is so absorbed in present living

That you are not in my thoughts at all.

How unthinkable!

How sad that I should forget you even for an hour!



But I have not forgotten you, my dear.

You are forever a part of me.

You helped God shape my life

Into my present self.

I carry your love in my heart.

I miss you so very much and always will.



But now I’m caught up in trying to reconstruct

With God’s guidance

A meaningful life for myself.

One in which I can help,

Serve, share, love, grow.



I remember the hibiscus plant

We bought at the annual show.

It was called Teardrops,

For several perfectly-shaped white teardrops

Spattered the broad expanse

Of its gorgeous pink blooms.

How we loved it!



Then later, after it had grown much taller,

We saw a different kind of bloom:

Multitudes of small, sturdy, happy pink blossoms

Swaying merrily in the Florida breeze!

Teardrops had been grafted onto a stronger plant!



We named it Everlasting Joy.



Teardrops still bloomed at the lower level,

But as the plant grew ever upward and outward,

Everlasting Joy bloomed in profusion!



Lord Jesus, when teardrops fall,

Help me remember that through faith

I have been grafted in You –

You, the vine;

I, a branch –

Eternally secure in God’s love through Thee!

Blessed with Thy fullness of joy on earth

And the promise of everlasting joy in heaven!



Thank you, dear Father for sharing your everlasting joy with me today in my solitude. We are not alone in our grief. You are with us.

“Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” John 16:20

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Margaret McSweeney is well-published author (A Mother’s Heart Knows, Go Back and Be Happy, Pearl Girls, Mother of Pearl, Aftermath), host of Kitchen Chat, and the founder of Pearl Girls™. Through Pearl Girls™, Margaret collaborates with other writers on projects to help fund a safe house for WINGS, an organization that helps women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, and to build wells for schoolchildren in Uganda through Hands of Hope. For the past twelve years she has served on the board of directors and leadership advisory board for WINGS. Margaret lives with her husband and 2 daughters in the Chicago suburbs. Learn more at Margaret's website.

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REVIEW OF VIVA LABS ORGANIC EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL

I have heard so much about the benefits of coconut oil but I never had the chance to try it. thanks to Viva Labs I had the opportunity to try the oil.

About the Product:

Viva Labs #1 Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
(From Amazon)
USDA certified organic, non-GMO, non-hexane and free of bleach or deodorizers, our coconut oil is the pure choice to suit your natural lifestyle. Can be used as a dietary supplement, for cooking, baking and as part of your natural beauty routine.

My Thoughts:

When I opened the product, I could smell the coconuts and I imagined myself on a tropical island drinking a pina colada. The product was thick and hard but when I placed it on my skin it melted rather quickly. The smell was a bit overwhelming but it faded quickly. It takes a while for the product to be absorbed into the skin so it was a bit greasy. I have rosacea and many products can cause my face to become irritated  but the coconut oil did not cause my rosacea to get worse. I liked the taste but I did not get the opportunity to cook with it. Overall I was impressed with the product and I will continue to use it.

Disclaimer: I was given free jar of the product for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

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REVIEW OF HOW TO TIME TRAVEL BY LOUIS A. DEL MONTE

I want to welcome Louis A. Del Monte to Books R Us. Louis is the author of  How to Time Travel: Explore the Science, Paradoxes, and Evidence. Thanks for stopping by.


About the Book:

How to Time Travel explores time travel science, paradoxes and evidence to answer an age-old question: Is it truly possible to secure passage to a time fixed in the past or future? According to physicist Louis A. Del Monte, there is ample evidence that time travel has already occurred, as well as an arsenal of scientific data to back up this bold assertion. Now, he reveals his own theoretical research in support of this claim in a thought-provoking, mind-bending new work, How to Time Travel.

How to Time Travel provides insight into this perennially popular topic, covering the science of time travel, proposed time machines, time travel paradoxes, and time travel evidence. Organized into three major sections, the book demystifies the main tenets of this complex subject, including: Time Travel Evidence, The Science of Time Traveling, and Building a Time Machine. From explaining how Einstein's theories of relativity underpin time travel to detailing proposed methods of time travel, this comprehensive book will ensure that you never look at time in quite the same way again. 

The book also includes several new contributions to the field, including the Existence Equation Conjecture, the Grandchild Paradox, the Preserve the World Line Rule, and the Time Uncertainty Interval. A fascinating and radical foray into popular science, How to Time Travel will enthrall anyone who has a consuming interest in the subject or is newly compelled to mine the universe's most confounding mysteries.

 About the Author:

Louis A. Del Monte is an author, award-winning physicist, featured speaker and the chief executive officer of Del Monte and Associates, Inc. For over thirty years, he was a leader in the development of microelectronics for IBM and Honeywell. Subsequent to those positions, he formed his high-tech e-marketing agency and authored Unraveling the Universe's Mysteries (2012) and How to Time Travel (2013). He has also developed several patents fundamental to the fabrication of integrated circuits.

Del Monte is the recipient of the H. W. Sweatt Award for scientific/engineering achievement and the Lund Award for human resource management excellence. He has a bachelor of science degree in physics and chemistry from Saint Peter's University and a master of science degree in physics from Fordham University.

Connect with the Author:

http://www.louisdelmonte.com/
Facebook
Twitter

My thoughts:

I have always been fascinated with time travel and if it was ever possible. The book was well researched, informative and  was written for the average person. The book included theories from famous physicist that include Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and many other remarkable people fascinated with the concept of time travel. I would love to travel through time but it will not happen in my lifetime because we do not have the technology to master the art of time travel. Maybe in the future that may be possible.The science surrounding time travel is very complex and the author included a glossary to explain the terms used in the book. Overall this is a fantastic book that kept me interested and engaged.

Disclaimer:

I was given a free copy of the book for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review.

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GUEST POST - GIRLS,SUCCESS DOES NOT DEPEND ON TWERKING BY M. J. RAPINI

Girls, Success Does not Depend

Upon Twerking

by Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC

Miley Cyrus had us all talking after the MTV-VMA Awards, but the talk wasn't positive. A woman who had grown up influencing girls with Hannah Montana and Disney doesn't naturally choose twerking unless she has run out of artistic options or is rebelling against the crowd that helped make her a childhood legend. I am over the story of Miley, but unfortunately moms, girls and young women are not. Young people feel as though Miley was like them, and if Miley is desperate for fame, what will they resort to? Things such as selfies in inappropriate places, body parts texted to boyfriends, and other risky behavior further damages young women's self-esteem, self-respect, and body image. We talk frequently about the bad things happening to women and young girls, but focusing on the things that set successful women apart from those sinking into desperation should be studied as well. In fact, there are so many qualities that successful women exhibit in that sets them apart, I decided to remind parents and girls once again. If you can adapt these qualities and practice them each day, you will have the confidence to handle the success you earn. The key to being a successful woman is not dependent on your looks or your body, but rather how you feel about yourself, and strong beliefs in your abilities.

Here are a few general suggestions

Find a few things you are interested in and explore them. Be willing to take risks, but prepare for possible consequences. Take good care of your body with exercise and diet. Girls and women who are successful take time to schedule their own self care. Educate yourself and have a career goal and dream. Women and girls who succeed have parents who are on their team of success. Befriend women of all ages, careers and ethnicities. Choose wisely before you begin dating someone. Get a job, if not a paid one, then volunteer for an organization you are passionate about. Try to shadow someone in a career of interest. This will help you explore dimensions of the career you may not have thought about. Focus on what you want, instead of how you look compared to your friends. Your looks (although they seem important now) aren't as important to your ultimate happiness and success as is your drive to be successful.

Telling your daughters what not to do will not be as helpful as suggesting things they can do. Embracing these suggestions, and practicing them with your child, will put you in a position to be their number one mentor and on their team for success. Girls have to believe in themselves, and that is a lot easier to do when their parents believe in them too.

Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC, is a licensed psychotherapist and co-author with Janine J. Sherman, of Start Talking: A Girl's Guide for You and Your Mom About Health, Sex or Whatever. Read more about the book at www.StartTalkingBook.com and more about Rapini at www.maryjorapini.com.

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REVIEW OF THE AUDIOBOOK CASSIE SCOT PARANORMAL DETECTIVE

I want to welcome Christine to Books R Us, Christine is the author of Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective and is touring the blogosphere with Innovative Online Book Tours. Thanks for stopping by

• Written by: Christine Amsden
• Narrated by: Melissa Reizian Frank
• Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins 
• Format: Unabridged



Release Date:09-20-13

About the Audiobook:

Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private investigator in the shadow of her family's reputation isn't easy. When she is pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs.

When sorcerers call the shots, what's a girl without powers to do? Get ready for a ripper of a murder mystery full of romance and intrigue, where magic potions bubble, passions spark and vampires are definitely not your friend. Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective grabs you by the heart and won't let go.

  
About the Author:

Christine Amsden has been writing science fiction and fantasy for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, a condition that effects the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams.

In addition to writing, Christine teaches workshops on writing at Savvy Authors. She also does some freelance editing work.

Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. They have two beautiful children.

My thoughts:

 I have always enjoy Audiobooks and the narrator Melissa did a fantastic job. she was able to change her voice to fit the different characters in the book. I was immediately sucked into the storyline and I stayed up way past my bedtime to listen to the story. Cassie is the only person in her family who does not possess magical powers and sometimes she feel unworthy and has to prove herself to her family. She has two love interests Braden, who is just like the boy next store and Evan who has magical powers. Evan's family clashes with her family but that does not stop Cassie from interacting with him. The book was well written, entertaining and I cannot wait to read (or listen to) the Next book in the series. 



Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the audiobook for my honest review and I was not compensated for my review in any way.

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ENTANGLED EDGE PRESENTS BITTERSWEET MAGIC BY NINA CROFT- WIN AN AMAZON GC- (18+ ONLY)

Edge, a digital-first single-title romance line from Entangled Publishing, takes its lead from our popular Select imprint but gives its novels an edge in the marketplace by bringing great stories to readers at reasonable prices in a quick-and-easy way. Whether sexy or sweet, traditional romance or love and lust with a women’s fiction bent, at the center of every Edge book is heart. From Urban Fantasy to Contemporary Romance to Science Fiction Romance, Edge has a book for all romance readers—and right at their fingertips! As they say, all’s fair in love and war. To find out more about our titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow us on Twitter, and like our Facebook page.


Today I'm happy to be featuring Bittersweet Magic by Nina Croft! This followup to Bittersweet Blood is sure to please, but don't worry, it can easily be read as stand alone. Nina Croft's stories are Out of This World, so you won't want to miss this one!

Roz has been indebted to the demon Asmodai for five hundred years, and her freedom is just around the corner. All she has to do is complete one last task for him—obtain a key that had been hidden in a church centuries ago.


Piers, the Head of the Order and an ancient vampire, is intrigued by the woman who comes to him for help. She’s beautiful and seemingly kind, but she’s hiding something. And he’ll find out who she is and what she really wants once he uses his power to get inside her head. But Piers has no idea that Roz is immune to his mind-control...or that he is simply a pawn in her dangerous mission for freedom. 



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Author info:

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of nine-to-five work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.




Nina's writing mixes romance with elements of paranormal and science fiction.

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ENTER THE MIRACLE HOLIDAY HOP GIVEAWAY- (WORLDWIDE 18+)

Start your holiday’s off right and win Free books in our Miracle Holiday Hop Giveaway -


Perfect for fans of Robyn Carr and Debbie Macomber, New York Times bestselling author Emily March’s seventh book in the Eternity Springs series is a heartwarming story that celebrates the miracle and joy of love during the holidays.




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