THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
Source: Harlequin Ambassadors Program

* I received this book free of charge with no obligation for review*

  • Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Silhouette; Special edition (November 1, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0373249330
  • ISBN-13: 978-0373249336
SYNOPSIS:

Christmas was tough for widow Jenna Wheeler and her four children. But even though she’d sold part of her family’s land to make ends meet, she was determined to spin the holiday into the stuff of magic—no matter what it took. Now if she could only find a job….

Maybe her new landlord could oblige—gorgeous, child-averse Carson McRaven. He needed a chef, and he knew the lovely Jenna could do a bang-up job—if only she could keep her brood out of his hair. But as he found himself catapulted into the cheerful chaos of her family…not to mention Jenna’s arms… he learned more about the spirit of Christmas than he’d ever dreamed. 
MY THOUGHTS:

I thought this book was a breath of fresh air for a sweet winter time romance.  Harlequin hardly ever fails me with a sweet story with characters in the story that actually seem like real people.  They have problems that are believable and the authors writing made the characters have chemistry.  I loved the interaction of Carson with Jenna’s children and how he came to love all of them. 
The book is set around Christmas time, but the romance will keep you captivated anytime of the year.  Even the cover looks like the actual characters described in the book.  It all falls into place perfectly and leaves you with a feel-good feeling after reading it.  The steamiest it gets is a hot kiss, but if you are just looking for a sweet romance, then this is it.  A new author to add to my ever-growing favorite author’s list!
MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!


To start off, my husband was called for jury duty service, which is just so wrong. Why do people who have jobs have to serve jury duty?? Especially when there are thousands of people who are out of work and looking for a job that could serve on jury duty??
Anyway, my mom called me and told me that my husband shouldn’t feel bad about being called for jury duty because she saw on the news that a CAT has been summoned for jury duty.  Yes, you read that right. A Cat. How the hell is a cat suppose to serve jury duty?? The family called the jury system and explained the situation to them, and yes, the cat has to serve jury duty. WTF??!! I can just see the Judge’s face and questions now.
Have you ever killed a mouse?
Have you ever caused a hit and run?
Anyway, if you don’t believe me feel free to read the story below.
CAT SUMMONED FOR JURY DUTY

It’s Sunday and that means another edition of Spread The Love Sunday! This is a weekly event here on My Overstuffed Bookshelf where I give back to my readers who have been great friends, followers, inspiration and all around great people! A place to showcase YOU!

If you would like to be featured on Spread the Love Sunday, just drop me an email and I will be happy to feature you!

This week we have Becky!

1. Tell us a little about your blog.
Page Turners is a blog where I review every book (and ebooks) that I read. The reviews cover why I chose to read the book, what the book is about and what I thought of it, including a recommendation.  If you see a lot of Australian books reviewed that’s because its been my goal for some time to read a lot more Australian literature, as I’m born and bred in Sydney Australia. Its just meant to be a fun place for me to talk about my books and hope that other people want to read them as well!
I hope that it’s interesting, because I’m very enthusiastic about it. I want people to feel my enthusiasm for books and reading when they read my blog and I hope that my recommendations are useful for people looking for their next great book.
2. Why did you start your blog and what is your favorite thing about having a blog?
I began my blog initially more as a diary for myself to keep some record of what I was reading. I felt like I was just finishing a book and then moving onto the next without taking any time to think about what I had read. Over time though, it has evolved into something more, and I hope that it will keep evolving and more people will enjoy it!
My favourite thing about having a blog is that not only do I get to read the books, but I get to re-live them by writing a about them!
3. If you could be any character from any book, who would you be and why?
That’s a difficult one, but I think that I would have to give in to the daggy side of me and say Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. She is just amazing. So self assured and sensible, but still kind and fun. I love the way she loves her family and stands up for them no matter what. I love the courage she has to stand up and be herself in the face of ridicule. And I love the fact that she gets her man in the end.
4. Who is your favorite author(s)?
Wow, that’s a really tricky one, I definitely can’t say that I have one favourite author. I would have to say that my favourites are Margaret Atwood, Isabel Allende, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jane Austen and Richard Flanagan (an Australian author that I highly recommend!).
5. What is your favorite genre to read?
I don’t know that I have a favourite genre to read – I think the books that I read would have to be classed as general fiction. I love general fiction and classics. I also try to read some children’s literature, just to take me back to my childhood.
6. What book are you reading right now?
I am reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. My boyfriend’s sister gave it to me for Christmas this year, it’s her favourite book and I hope that I enjoy it just as much as she did.
I am also reading The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit. I loved the movie as a child but I have never read it, so I downloaded it onto my iphone and I’m off and away. So far Im really loving it, I love the children’s generosity and naivety.
7. Name some of your favorite blogs.
I enjoy reading quite a few, but my favourites are My Overstuffed Bookshelf (of course), At Home with Books, A Novel Menagerie, J Kaye’s Book Blogs, Bookworming in the 21st Century, Good Books and Good Wine and The Blog Doctor (for all my blogging needs).
8. Any tips for new bloggers?
As a new blogger myself, I’m still trying to get my own blog going. I did read a tip somewhere that I plan to keep in mind – to remember that blogging is meant to be fun and that no matter how many people do (or don’t) follow your blog, to keep having fun and enjoying yourself!

THE UNOFFICIAL TWILIGHT COOKBOOK
Love At First Bite
Author: Gina Meyers
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Paperback: 80 pages
  • Publisher: iUniverse.com; 1st edition (March 7, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1440128383
  • ISBN-13: 978-1440128387
SYNOPSIS:

The international phenomenon known as Twilight fever has ignited a fire in the kitchen. Delectable delights to satisfy the appetites of the humans found in the fictional book Twilight. Love At First Bite, The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook is meant to offer a satisfying array of warm, lovely dishes that anyone of any age can cook with ease and enjoyment.
Whether you are planning a Twilight-Themed Birthday Party, just a simple get together with friends, a Halloween party, or just what to try your creative hand to some culinary delights you are in luck. Brimming with mouthwatering recipes, brace yourselves, and bring your very best table manners, and appetites. Don’t forget your forks. Beautiful Bella Swan will be serving up some scrumptious delights to satisfy even the pickiest, puritan “vegetarian” vampires. Intertwined in the pages of Love At First Bite, The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook, you will find Bell’s Lasagna, Harry’s Famous Fish Fry, Mushroom Raviolis, Red Velvet Cake, Blushing Bella Punch, and much more. is served ala Bella style. 

MY THOUGHTS:

I admit that the main reason I wanted to review this book is because it is Twilight related.  You can tease me all you want, because I don’t care. This cook book was amazing! From the quotes that are included, to the catchy recipe titles, to even the yummy recipes!

The first part of the book is info on the movie and books.  It has Twilight trivia and the list of the Twilight movie cast.  Then as you read along, it gives you the best recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and snacks! It even includes some wonderful drinks as well!

Below is a sample of the menu that you could create for a day:

Breakfast-  Charlie’s Fried Eggs,
Lunch- Jacob Black’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Snacks and Appetizers- Bat Chips, Salad A La Cullen, Bagel Bites
Dinner- Lion and the Lamb Stew, Irritated Grizzley Bear SteaksArizona Corn Bake, Easy Chicken Swan Parmesan
Dessert- Jasper Cookie Bars, Sink Your Teeth Into Peanut Butter Pie, Vampire Cupcakes, Vampire Bites, Apple of My Eye Pie, Werewolf Chow, 
Beverages- Vampire Blood Punch, Blushing Bella, Werewolf Brew, Bella Temple, Vampire Venom, Virgin Bloody Mary


Then after the recipes you get pages on Cutting Down on the Fat Content, Substitutes, weights and measures, Cooking terms and translations and a little info about the author.


The recipes are fairly easy, so even a beginner can make this wonderful stuff.  If you are a Twilight fan, or just a person that wants to try their hand at some creative yet easy recipes, then this is a must have cook book!


MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!


ADD MORE ~ING TO YOUR LIFE

Author: Gabrielle Bernstein
Source: Meryl L. Moss Media Relations
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: QNY; 1 edition (January 12, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 084371655X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0843716559
SYNOPSIS:

Lots of people are selling happiness these days as if it were a marketable commodity. But in her hip self-transformation book, Add More ~ing to Your Life, motivational speaker and life coach Gabrielle Bernstein truly shows you how to make happiness a way of life. Ms. Bernstein is bringing happy back.

Designed to bulldoze negative thought patterns and create personal change through positive affirmations, physical activity, and visualization meditations, Gabrielle guides the reader to happiness in 30 days through her dynamic ~ing, a proven method of sharpening one s intuitive senses and activating untapped inspirations.

Gabrielle will prepare you to change your life by accessing a state of flow, helping you connect with your ~ing, your inner guide, and readying you to release your limiting beliefs and to choose happiness.

MY THOUGHTS:


If you are a woman whos is needing a big change in your life due to negative thoughts and patterns, then this is the book for you.  The author teaches you how to get true happiness and focusing your inner strength in a way to bring more positive changes to your life.  It gives you tons of positive prespective on relationships, happiness and overall well being and worth of yourself. The author is a sought-after life coach, speaker and ~ing master. The book is a thirty day exploration on repetition of physical activity, positive training and creative visualization that will throw your negatice thoughts and way of thinking out the door. The author puts a modern day way of thinking in her book.


MY RATING:




Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!