New Memory and Traditions with PackageFromSanta.com

Have you heard about PackageFromSanta.com? PackageFromSanta.com offers packages that provide personalized letters, calls and videos from Santa. Can you imagine how excited your kids would be to get something personalized from Santa? It will be something that they can remember in years to come. 

Click here to see a video to learn more about this very special Santa memory service that will be a part of my family for years to come!

The Silver Package ($24.95) comes in a red box & includes:

• Personalized Letter from Santa
• BONUS! Personalized Video from Santa (retail $9.99)
• BONUS! Personalized Phone Call from Santa to a cell phone OR land line! (retail $9.99)
• Personalized Nice List Certificate
• Autographed Santa Claus Photo
• Autographed Rudolph Photo
• Genuine North Pole Stamp
• ...and so much more!

It also comes with a 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee. There are 3 different packages offered, so you can choose a price point that works with your budget. I will be reviewing the Silver package ($29.95) on a later post.

Order this holiday must-have for your child by clicking here and save 25% OFF your order when you use FAMS17 at checkout.

Cleo Madison Review

Cleo Madison offered to send me a product to review. Cleo Madison is an online modest clothing company with very reasonable prices. I chose the Veronica Floral Dress, which is currently on sale for $27. What an awesome deal! The Veronica Floral Dress has a high neck, floral pattern, long sleeves and is made out of a soft jersey material. It also doesn't have a tailored waist and has a longer length, which I love. After having two kids, I am not fond of things with waists or things that are too clingy. It's hard to find modest clothing companies that have dresses and skirts that work for moms. I have gone into stores and gotten frustrated with the sizing, options and fit. As soon as I tried it on, I knew this dress was a keeper. Cleo Madison's clothing sizing is in women's sizing. Cleo Madison offers dresses, skirts, tops, shoes and more! To find out more about Cleo Madison, click here.










Please note that I received this product for free in exchange for my review, however, I gave my honest opinion.

Saving Shadow Review and Giveaway

When ladies begin to mysteriously disappear in London, Lady Elizabeth Beckett knows that only one man can be blamed. As the world's most notorious spy, Shadow, she will do all she can to stop him.

Lord Sinclair worked as a spy for the Crown and was content at being the second son of a marquess. When his brother is murdered, Lord Sinclair requests special permission to work one last mission and bring his brother's murderer to justice.

Lady Elizabeth Beckett and Lord Sinclair run parallel investigations until they are assigned as partners. Can they learn to trust each other?

Saving Shadow is a clean, action-packed romance that was fun and very enjoyable to read. I loved reading it! I liked that the main character, Lady Elizabeth Beckett, was a strong female lead that showed vulnerability and a super-hero like strength. She was smart, skilled at fighting, compassionate, athletic and able to climb walls. The book deals with some weighty issues like human trafficking, finding good in a world filled with evil, and the roles of women. It also has romance and some humor. The romance with Lady Elizabeth and Lord Sinclair was quick, but I could see that happening realistically since it sometimes happens that way in real life. Lady Elizabeth Beckett didn't start letting down her emotional walls until Lord Sinclair was inside her home, a castle. The castle seemed to represent her emotions and the guarding of herself. I also liked that the author hinted at what was going to happen in her second book. It shows that she has thought through her plots and characters. Saving Shadow is Laura Beers debut novel and I can't wait to read her next book, A Peculiar Courtship (Becket Files, Book 2) (release date of December 1, 2017). To learn more about Saving Shadow, click here.

The author, Laura Beers has generously allowed me to giveaway an ebook version of Saving Shadow. I will be running three giveaways: one on this blog post, one on Instagram, and another on Facebook. That's a total of three Saving Shadow ebooks that will be given away.

The giveaway on this blog post will run through rafflecopter until December 8, 2017 at 12 am. The giveaway is open to US residents only and 18+. The winner will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to respond.

a Rafflecopter giveaway  


“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Laura Beers for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Please note that this post also contains an affiliate links.

Things to Do in Boise: Week of November 27 - December 3, 2017

Are you looking for fun things to do this week in Boise? Check out this listing of great events:

• November 23 - January 1, 2017: Winter Garden aGlow from 6-8 pm at the Idaho Botanical Garden. See the Idaho Botanical Garden glow with over 300+ lights. Click here for more information. 
  
• Monday, November 27, 2017: Toddletales at the Main Library from 10:30-11 am. Storytime for toddlers 2-3. Click here for more details. 
• Monday, November 27, 2017: Veterans Housing Outreach at the Main Library from 10:30 am -12 pm. Learn about housing and medical care opportunities for veterans. Click here for more information.
• Monday, November 27, 2017: Family Storytime and Craft Night at the Main Library from 7-7:30 pm. Click here for more information.
• Monday, November 27, 2017: Meditation from 12:15-12:45 pm at the Main Library. Click here for more information.
• Tuesday, November 28, 2017: Tinkertots at the Main Library from 10:30 -11 am. Enjoy a story and playtime. For ages 0-5. Click here for more information.
• Tuesday, November 28, 2017: DIY Cards and Left Over Exchange from 10-5 pm at Library! at Hillcrest. Registration is required. Click here for more information
• Tuesday, November 28, 2017: Tasty Tales at Guru Donuts at 10 and 10:30 am. Come bring your kids to listen to a free storytime. For more information, click here. 
• Tuesday, November 28, 2017: Preschool Storytime at Library! at Cole & Ustick from 2-2:30 pm. Fun for ages 3-5 years old. Click here for more information.
• Tuesday, November 28, 2017: Library Pokemon League at the Main Library from 4-5:30 pm. Come battle it out with other Pokemon fans. Click here for more information.
• Tuesday, November 28, 2017: Baby Bownders at the Library! at Bown Crossing from 6:30-7 pm. Come listen to baby storytime. Great for ages 0-2. Click here for more information.
• Tuesday, November 28, 2017: Bogus Basin 75 years at Main Library from 7 to 8 pm. Here the history of Bogus Basin! Click here for more information.  
• Tuesday, November 28, 2017: Fit and Fall Proof Class at Library! at Cole & Ustick from 10:30 -11:30 am. Work on simple exercises to increase your balance and strength. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Toddle Tales Storytime at Library! at Hillcrest from 10:30-11 am. Come listen to stories, count and more! For ages 2-3. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Preschool Storytime at Library! at Main from 10:30-11 am. Listen to stories and learn math for ages 3-5. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Bloomin Babies Storytime at Library! at Main from 10:30-11 am. Come listen to stories, puppets and songs (ages 0-23 months)! Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Music and Movement at Library! at Cole & Ustick from 10:30 -11 am. Come sing and dance to music. For ages 2-5. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Storytime at Library! at Collister from 10:30-11 am. Listen to stories and more! Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Tiny Explorers at Library! at Bown Crossing from 11-11:30 am. Explore, learn and play at the library. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Mid-day Meditation from 12:15-12:45 pm at Library! at Cole & Ustick. Come relax and meditate. Click here for more information. 
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Stitch Niche at Library! at Bown Crossing from 1-2 pm.  Bring your knitting, crochet and stitch projects to the library. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Teens Weekly Meet-up from 3:30-4:45 pm at Library! at Hillcrest. Enjoy a variety of fun activities. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Geeks and Gizmos from 4-5 pm at Library! at Cole and Ustick. Enjoy science and technology activities from legos to robots. For ages 6-12. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Weekly on Wednesday at Library! at Collister from 4-5pm. Learn from a variety of themes and activities. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 29, 2017: Wild Card Wednesdays at Library! at Bown Crossing. Ages 6-12 are welcome to have fun at the library and enjoy arts and crafts, robots, presenters and more. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Preschool Storytime at Library! at Hillcrest from 10:30-11:15 am. Listen to stories and learn math for ages 3-5. This is also a workshop for parents to learn these skills. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Bloomin Babies Storytime at Library! at Main from 10:30-11 am. Come listen to stories, puppets and songs (ages 0-23 months)! Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Storytime at Library! at Collister from 10:30-11 am. Storytime for children of all ages. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Little Logic Learners at Library! at Main from 10:30-11:15 am. Come to a fun and interactive storytime that will also introduce preschoolers to technology and math skills. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Music and Movement at Library! at Bown Crossing from 10:30 -11 am. Come sing and dance to music. For ages 2-5. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Paint, Paper and Scissors at Library! at Hillcrest from 2-4 pm. Create one of a kind multi-media collages. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Technology Basics at Library! at Collister from 3-4 pm. Learn from email to e-reader technology basics. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Tech and Games at Library! at Collister from 3:30 -5 pm. Have fun with tech and toys. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: School Age Fun at Library! at Main from 4-5 pm. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Teen Science and Engineering Cafe at Main Library from 6:30-8:30 pm. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Family Storytime at Library! at Bown Crossing from 6:30-7 pm. Come as a family and enjoy storytime.  Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 30, 2017: Teen Night at Library! at Bown Crossing from 7-8 pm. Enjoy a special program for teens.  Click here for more information.
• December 1-2, 2017: A Joy to the World: Live Nativity 8620 Goddard Rd. from 6-8:30 pm. Please bring a canned food item to share with the Idaho Food Bank. Includes musical performances, live nativity and more!
• Friday, December 1, 2017: Technology Basics at Library! at Collister from 10-11 am. Learn from email to e-reader technology basics. Click here for more information.
• Friday, December 1, 2017: Babies Storytime at Library! at Hillcrest from 10:30-11 am. Come listen to stories, puppets and songs (ages 0-23 months)! Click here for more information.
• Friday, December 1, 2017: Play and Learn Time from 10:30-11:30 am at Library! at Collister for ages 0-4. Click here for more information. 
• Friday, December 1, 2017: Morning Meditation from 10:30 am to 11 am at Library at Bown Crossing. Click here for more information.  
• Friday, December 1, 2017: Tots and Toddlers from 11-11:30 am at Library! at Cole and Ustick. Come listen to stories, sing songs, and more. Click here for more information.
• Friday, December 1, 2017: Family Storytime at Library! at Bown Crossing from 11-11:30 am. Come as a family and enjoy storytime.  Click here for more information.
• Friday, December 1, 2017: Afterschool Adventures at Library! at Hilcrest from 4-5 pm. Kids from kindergarten to 6th grades are invited to join fun science experiments, book themed parties and more. Click here for more information.
• Friday, December 1, 2017: Lego Club at Library! at Bown Crossing. Come build with legos. For kids ages 6-12. Click here for more information.
• Friday, December 1, 2017: A Christmas Story Play at Boise Little Theater at 8 pm. $14 for adults and $11 for seniors/students. Click here for more information.
• Friday, December 1, 2017: First Friday Square Dance Concert with Caleb Klauder and Reeb Williams from 6:30 -10 pm. Concert from 7-8:15 and then followed by the square dance. Tickets $10 at the door. Free for children under 13. Click here for more information.
• Friday, December 1, 2017: Carriage Rides for FREE at the Washington Trust Bank from 4-8 pm. Click here for more information. 
• December 1-2, 2017: Handels Messiah at St. John's Cathedral at 8 pm. Tickets are $30 and $35 at the door. Click here for more information.
• December 1-2, 2017: Idaho Steelheads vs. Tulsa Oilers at Centurylink Arena starting at 7:10 pm. Click here to buy tickets and learn more.
• Saturday, December 2, 2017: Your Health Idaho Open Enrollment from 10 am to 5 pm at the Library! Main. Learn answers to your questions about Your Health Idaho and enroll. Click here for more information. 
• Saturday, December 2, 2017: Capital City Public Market from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm on 8th St. - Main to State Streets. Click here for more information.
• Saturday, December 2, 2017: Family Storytime at Library! at Main from 10:30-11 am. Come as a family and enjoy storytime.  Click here for more information.
• Saturday, December 2, 2017: Boise Farmers Market at 8th and Fulton from 9 am to 2 pm. Click here for more details.
• Saturday, December 2, 2017: City Santa at DL Evans Bank at 890 W. Main St. from 10 am to 2 pm. Photos with Santa are free. Collection donations for the Women and Children's Alliance. 
• Saturday, December 2, 2017: Santa at Old Boise at Old Boise Leasing Office from 12 pm to 4 pm. Take pictures with Santa. Click here for more information.
• Saturday, December 2, 2017: TubaChristmas at the Idaho State Capitol Bldg at 4 pm. Click here for more information.
• Saturday, December 2, 2017: Claws N' Paws at Zoo Boise - a free day at the Zoo from 10 am to 4 pm. Click here for more details.
• Saturday, December 2, 2017: Carriage Rides for FREE at the Washington Trust Bank from 4-8 pm. Click here for more information.  
• Saturday, December 2, 2017: A Christmas Story Play at Boise Little Theater at 8 pm. $14 for adults and $11 for seniors/students. Click here for more information.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for download your coupon for 1 FREE Mentos (1.32 oz., fruit or mint flavor) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates (Smith's, Fred Meyer, City Market, Dillon, Fry's, Kinger Sooper, etc) and must be redeemed by Sunday, December 10. Click here for more details.

Family Honor Plate and Table Thyme Discussion Cards Review

We received a Family Honor Plate and Table Thyme Discussion Cards to review. The Family Honor Plate starts off as a fun craft where your kids can decorate their own Family Honor Plate by painting the rim. The adult then bakes it in the oven. After the craft is completed the plate turns into a learning tool. Each time your kids demonstrate one of the virtues listed on the plate, you bring the plate out for dinner and honor them by talking about what you saw them doing and about how proud you were of them. This is a great tool for positive reinforcement and affirmations. The Table Thyme discussion cards are topics that you can discuss as a family at the dinner table to help generate conversation and really get to know your kids. These products are very family friendly. My kids got really excited when these products arrived. They couldn't wait to open the box. They loved painting the Family Honor Plate and making it their very own. Please note that you should put old t-shirt or aprons on your kids before they get started painting and put newspaper underneath the plate. It became a very messy project, very quickly. This will be a great tool to use to help encourage good virtues in our family. It's also something that can easily became a family tradition and something fun for your family.

To watch a video that explain more about this, click here. See an additional video by clicking here.

To find out more about Family Honor Plate, click here.

This is a great gift for the holidays!


Please note that I received the products in the review for free in exchange for my opinion. This does not influence my opinion.

Thanksgiving Books for Kids

I love reading holiday books to my kids. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to read books on gratitude and celebrating Thanksgiving. Here are some of my favorite children's books for Thanksgiving.


 

Karma Wilson's bear books are one of our favorites. My kids love the rhymes and the animals in these books. In this book, Bear says thanks by having a nice dinner with all of his friends. To learn more about Bear Says Thanks, click here.





Llama, Llama books are wonderful for babies and toddlers. Llama shares what he is thankful for in simple, easy-to-understand rhyme. Learn more about Llama Llama Gives Thanks, by clicking here.





The Berenstain Bears books are great for preschoolers and kids going to school. In The Berenstain Bears and The Prize Pumpkin,  Papa Bear becomes obsessed with growing a 1st prize pumpkin and forgets to be thankful for the things around him. To learn more, click here.


 What are some of your favorite children's books on Thanksgiving?


Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

Things to Do in Boise: Week of November 20 - November 26, 2017

It's the week of Thanksgiving and there are a couple of things to do in Boise this week:

• Monday, November 20, 2017: Toddletales at the Main Library from 10:30-11 am. Storytime for toddlers 2-3. Click here for more details. 
• Monday, November 20, 2017: Veterans Housing Outreach at the Main Library from 10:30 am -12 pm. Learn about housing and medical care opportunities for veterans. Click here for more information.
• Monday, November 20, 2017: Family Storytime and Craft Night at the Main Library from 7-7:30 pm. Click here for more information.
• Monday, November 20, 2017: Meditation from 12:15-12:45 pm at the Main Library. Click here for more information.
• November 21-27, 2017: St. Al's Festival of Trees from 10 am -9 pm (except Thanksgiving  2pm-9 pm) at the Boise Centre. Includes various performances, scavenger hunt, North Pole village and more. Click here for more information.
• Tuesday, November 21, 2017: Tinkertots at the Main Library from 10:30 -11 am. Enjoy a story and playtime. For ages 0-5. Click here for more information.
• Tuesday, November 21, 2017: Tasty Tales at Guru Donuts at 10 and 10:30 am. Come bring your kids to listen to a free storytime. For more information, click here. 
• Tuesday, November 21, 2017: Preschool Storytime at Library! at Cole & Ustick from 2-2:30 pm. Fun for ages 3-5 years old. Click here for more information.
• Tuesday, November 21, 2017: Library Pokemon League at the Main Library from 4-5:30 pm. Come battle it out with other Pokemon fans. Click here for more information.
• Tuesday, November 21, 2017: Baby Bownders at the Library! at Bown Crossing from 6:30-7 pm. Come listen to baby storytime. Great for ages 0-2. Click here for more information.
• Tuesday, November 21, 2017: Bogus Basin 75 years at Main Library from 7 to 8 pm. Here the history of Bogus Basin! Click here for more information.  
• Tuesday, November 21, 2017: Fit and Fall Proof Class at Library! at Cole & Ustick from 10:30 -11:30 am. Work on simple exercises to increase your balance and strength. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Toddle Tales Storytime at Library! at Hillcrest from 10:30-11 am. Come listen to stories, count and more! For ages 2-3. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Preschool Storytime at Library! at Main from 10:30-11 am. Listen to stories and learn math for ages 3-5. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Bloomin Babies Storytime at Library! at Main from 10:30-11 am. Come listen to stories, puppets and songs (ages 0-23 months)! Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Music and Movement at Library! at Cole & Ustick from 10:30 -11 am. Come sing and dance to music. For ages 2-5. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Storytime at Library! at Collister from 10:30-11 am. Listen to stories and more! Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Tiny Explorers at Library! at Bown Crossing from 11-11:30 am. Explore, learn and play at the library. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Mid-day Meditation from 12:15-12:45 pm at Library! at Cole & Ustick. Come relax and meditate. Click here for more information. 
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Stitch Niche at Library! at Bown Crossing from 1-2 pm.  Bring your knitting, crochet and stitch projects to the library. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Teens Weekly Meet-up from 3:30-4:45 pm at Library! at Hillcrest. Enjoy a variety of fun activities. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Geeks and Gizmos from 4-5 pm at Library! at Cole and Ustick. Enjoy science and technology activities from legos to robots. For ages 6-12. Click here for more information.
• November 22, 24, 25: Steelheads Hockey vs. Allen Americans at Centurylink Stadium starting at 7:10 pm. Click here to order tickets. 
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Weekly on Wednesday at Library! at Collister from 4-5pm. Learn from a variety of themes and activities. Click here for more information.
• Wednesday, November 22, 2017: Wild Card Wednesdays at Library! at Bown Crossing. Ages 6-12 are welcome to have fun at the library and enjoy arts and crafts, robots, presenters and more. Click here for more information.
• Thursday, November 23, 2017: Turkey Day Run at 8:30 am in Downtown Boise. Click here for more information.
• November 23 - January 1, 2017: Winter Garden aGlow from 6-8 pm at the Idaho Botanical Garden. See the Idaho Botanical Garden glow with over 300+ lights. Click here for more information.
• Friday, November 24, 2017: Technology Basics at Library! at Collister from 10-11 am. Learn from email to e-reader technology basics. Click here for more information.
• Friday, November 24, 2017: Babies Storytime at Library! at Hillcrest from 10:30-11 am. Come listen to stories, puppets and songs (ages 0-23 months)! Click here for more information.
• Friday, November 24, 2017: Music and Movement from 10:30-11 am at the Library! at Main. Dance and have fun with music for ages, 2-5. Click here for more information.
• Friday, November 24, 2017: Play and Learn time from 10:30-11:30 am at Library! at Collister for ages 0-4. Click here for more information.
• Friday, November 24, 2017: Tots and Toddlers from 11-11:30 am at Library! at Cole and Ustick. Come listen to stories, sing songs, and more. Click here for more information.
• Friday, November 24, 2017: Family Storytime at Library! at Bown Crossing from 11-11:30 am. Come as a family and enjoy storytime.  Click here for more information.
• Friday, November 24, 2017: Afterschool Adventures at Library! at Hilcrest from 4-5 pm. Kids from kindergarten to 6th grades are invited to join fun science experiments, book themed parties and more. Click here for more information.
• Friday, November 24, 2017: Lego Club at Library! at Bown Crossing. Come build with legos. For kids ages 6-12. Click here for more information.
• Friday, November 24, 2017: Wizards World Club at Library! at Main from 4-5 pm. Click here for more information.
• Saturday, November 25, 2017 - Capital City Public Market from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm on 8th St. - Main to State Streets. Click here for more information.
• Saturday, November 25, 2017 - Boise Farmers Market from 9 am to 1 pm at the Republic parking lot, 10th and Grove St. Click here for more information.   

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for download your coupon for 1 FREE Mist TWST (2-liter, any variety) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates (Smith's, Fred Meyer, City Market, Dillon, Fry's, Kinger Sooper, etc) and must be redeemed by Sunday, December 3. Click here for more details.

JORD Watch Review, Sale, Discount Code and Giveaway

JORD watch sent me a watch to review. I don't wear watches a lot, but lately I am finding I need a watch more and more as our schedules get busier. When I received the JORD watch in the mail, I was amazed at the care that went into the packaging. The watch came in a wooden box that my son instantly grabbed, claimed and stowed away in his room for his treasures. There was also a cleaning cloth and preserving oil included. The watch itself is the finest watch I've ever seen.The wood work is well done, smooth, simple and elegant. It's beautiful. The clasp in the back is also easy to work and doesn't pop open unexpectedly. My husband was even impressed with the watch and was amazed that the company sent it to me for a blog post! I have seen a lot of bloggers post about these watches, seen a lot of  social media traffic on JORD watches and now I know why! The quality and craftsmanship on these watches are amazing. The prices range from $139 to $429. My readers can also save an additional 25% off with the code, "lifeiswhatitscalled." You can also have the opportunity to win a giveaway for a $100 credit by clicking here. 

You can also check out JORD watches Black Friday sale now, by clicking here. If you click on this link and then click five times on the words "Black Friday" in the title that says, "The Holiday Season Has Begun Black Friday," the page will change and the savings increase where you can save up to $125 off. Please note that the Black Friday savings will not work with the promo code, "lifeiswhatitscalled" for 25% off.


Ladies Wood Watch


Wood Watches by JORD




Please note that this post contains affiliate link. I was given a watch in exchange for this post, however, my opinions remain my own.

The Darkest Summer Blog Tour

The Darkest Summer, set in the stormy summer of 1816, tells a regency version of the mythological tale of Hades and Peresphone. Cora's (Peresphone) life runs according to her mother's plan and expectations. Cora dreams of freedom and becomes fascinated with the dark Duke of Blackdale. When her mother forbids further association with the Duke, the Duke takes matters into his own hands and kidnaps Cora. Cora faces a scandal and must decide what her future holds.

When I was first started reading, The Darkest Summer, I found it interesting that this novel followed the mythological tale of Hades kidnapping Peresphone. Sarah Eden's novel, Seeking Peresphone, also does a regency version of this tale. It was also interesting that the male protagonist was also named Adam like in Sarah Eden's novel. I looked up the name Adam in relation to Hades and according to the New World Encyclopedia, Hades was derived from Adam since he was the first to enter the land of the dead. Besides those two similarities, The Darkest Summer and Seeking Peresphone greatly differ in style, plot and characters. Adam in The Darkest Summer actually kidnaps the heroine, Cora, exactly like Hades kidnapping Peresphone in the Greek Myth. The kidnapping of Cora seems odd for a character whom the author tries to build up as a nice guy that cares about his servants, takes care of his family and past regiment, and is trying desperately to not be like his own abusive father. I think Hades is also known to take great care in his own realm, the underworld. It's hard to sympathize with a man that takes away someone else's freedom and to see him as a hero instead of a villain. The Hades and Peresphone myth is not an easy romance and it's hard to see it play out in a novel form. I wasn't sure if I liked Adam and most of the other characters in most of the novel, however, if Adam represents Hades and the other characters represent other mythological figures maybe I should be uncertain as to their likability. The Greek Gods weren't a very likable bunch. The more I think about the characters and the plot of the story the more depth there is to the book. Adam loses one brother to the sea like Hades brother, Poseidon. His other brother is married and has frequent affairs similar to Zeus. Cora means maiden and enjoys caring for plants like Peresphone. Cora's mother owns a vast farm and land similar to Demeter. The Darkest Summer should be a great book for a book club discussion. To learn more about The Darkest Summer, click here (and for a limited time get it for your kindle for only .99).

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Darkest Summer

by Rebecca J. Greenwood

Giveaway ends November 27, 2017.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Blog Tour:
11.13.2017 - Heidi Robbins
11.14.2017 - Mel's Shelves
11.14.2017 - Katie's Clean Book Collection
11.15.2017 - Life is What It's Called, Robyn Echols Books
11.16.2017 - Bookworm Lisa, Singing Librarian Books
11.17.2017 - Min Reads and Reviews, Wishful Endings
11.18.2017 - Blooming with Books, LDS and Lovin' It
11.19.2017 - Rockin' Book Reviews
11.19 - 11.20.2017 - (Review and Interview) Jorie Loves a Story
11.20.2017 - Literary Time Out
11.21.2017 - Books are Sanity, My Book a Day

For a limited time, you can get the promotional prequella, The Darkest Hour, for free. When Lady Hester learns that her brother, the Duke of Blackdale, survived the Battle of Waterloo. She rushes to his side with the Reverend Gilcrest as an escort. Lady Hester is resolved to keep her brother alive and her to keep her greatest secret buried - that she is in love with the Reverend Gilcrest. Will she able to?To get your free copy of The Darkest Hour, click here.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. I received a free digital copy of this book for my review, however, this does not influence my opinion.


Reference:
Hades in Relation to Adam: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Hades

If You Give a Moose A Muffin Learning Activities

I usually do a learning time on the days my son doesn't have preschool. We did a muffin counting activity based on the "More" Game in Sally Moomaw's book, More Than Counting: Math Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten. I didn't have the exact counters that were mentioned in the book, but I had muffin counters from the Learning Resources Mini Muffin Match Up. Since I used muffin counters for the math game, I decided to make the rest of the learning activities based on muffins.

We read If You Give a Moose a Muffinby Laura Numeroff and made muffins. The kids had fun measuring out the ingredients for muffins and mixing the ingredients together. I looked online for other preschool activities about muffins, but then decided to make some of my own.















I created worksheets: prewriting and matching the picture with the letter the it starts with.

I also created a color muffin match game where my kids could match the "muffin tops" to the "muffin bottoms."

We also created an M with moose antlers. This was on a few other sites. I just quickly cut out antlers and an M for them to glue on a piece of paper. My son added arms and other things to his picture.

What learning activities do you like to do?

Please note that this post contains affiliate links.