I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I actually finished reading it quite some time ago.

It is a great continuation of the story about Helen Andros and the many other characters. So much happens in this book. I will include a summary at the end of my review.

I still find the characters hard to follow. I need to visit the website again to get a better handle on them. I find that there are too many names for the characters that I can't get them all straight. Last time I found this to be true I went to the website and I was straightened out.

I can't wait to read book 4 which is called - Outcast.

Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided to me by the author for my honest review.

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Surviving the total destruction of her nation and worldwide conflagration, Lady Mary Atlas, former Consort of Azgard, has taken refuge in a submarine with a band of followers.

Lady Mary's personal secretary, Martin Fletcher, discovers that food is being hoarded despite explicit orders to the contrary by Lady Rachel Poseidon, the former queen's granddaughter and leader of the survivors.

To maintain order and her hold on power, Lady Rachel makes a brutal decision that her grandmother knows will cause her much grief. Knowing also that her granddaughter will speak about it only when she is ready, Lady Mary returns to her cabin and her story-telling, more determined than ever to make sure the history of Azgard is not forgotten.

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After a trial in which a surprise document aids in his defense, Lord James Mordecai is acquitted of the adultery charge. He still, however, endures harsh punishment for lesser offenses against the Temple of Kronos that are related to his relationship with Miriam Andros, the Turanian mother of the series' first-generation heroine, Helen Andros.

While Lord James is unconscious from his punishment, the Temple's Supreme Lord, Ezekiel Malachi, injures Helen while putting a death mark on her and revoking the medical credentials she earned at the Sacred Academy of Kronos. Helen escapes Kindred House with the help of her secret love, Colonel Jackson Orlando, who is acting as Lord Protector during Lord James' incapacity.

Aided by Maguari the Mist-Weaver and Isaac Sudras, the Academy's Grand Master and her longtime mentor, Helen finds and removes a lethal agent hidden in her father's welts, foiling one attempt to assassinate him even as another plot from a different source moves forward.

For safety, Helen moves north to her father's manor in Alta Province, guarded by Orlando and a special detail of soldiers. She encounters a member of her father's household staff who threatens her, but says nothing about the cook's hostility out of shame and embarrassment.

Lord James, resuming his duties as Lord Protector, punishes those in the military and their civilian accomplices who stole from the 163rd Regiment's medical and other supplies. At the order of the Exalted Lord, Kefren, Malachi reluctantly investigates those members of the priest-healers who conspired to kill Lord James. The Temple's scheming second in command, Lucan Silenas, suborns the investigation, resulting in the wrong priests being put to death and the murders of the mistress of one of the executed priests and three of their four children. Their eldest child, a boy named Martin Fletcher, manages to escape.

Meanwhile, Helen deeply misses the father to whom she is finally reconciled. Maguari materializes very early one morning to teach her the first steps of kura manipulation, instructing her in how to use energy to be with her parent in spirit. Helen immediately has a vision of being attacked the Temple warrior monks who are tracking her down to slay her, but she remains silent about it as well because she is uncertain whether it is valid or just imaginary.

Once fully recovered from his wounds, Lord James marries Lady Samantha Poseidon, Kefren's niece. He and his new duchess head north to Alta and put on a Turanian wedding ceremony so that Helen may attend and participate.

Lady Samantha soon becomes pregnant. Judith Altair, the best friend of Helen's mother and counselor to the wealthy and powerful, recognizes the energy of the soul to be born anew into the body of Lord James' and lady Samantha's child. It is the spirit of her dear friend, Miriam. The confirmation of Miriam's death leaves Judith distressed despite Maguari's efforts to comfort her.

Lord James' political enemies continue to hound him relentlessly, seizing on the Turanian wedding as presumed evidence of some new offense against the Temple. The Toltecs' legislative body, the Kinshazen, becomes even more polarized. Kefren's nephew and heir once removed, Lord Sargon Poseidon, launches a campaign to seduce Lady Elza Palladin, the Consort's niece, which could have disastrous political consequences if Lady Elza should become pregnant out of wedlock.

Thanks to more of Silenas' schemes, the Temple almost succeeds in slaying Helen, with Lady Samantha nearly suffering a miscarriage due to the attack. Helen uses the green stone to save mother and child and is devastated by the consequences of failing to speak up about the antagonistic cook and her premonition of the assault.

The Temple attempts to use the birth of his son to compel Lord James to surrender his daughter to death. Judith, however, has foreseen this outcome and persuaded Orlando to prepare for the eventuality of hiding Helen. As Book Three ends, Helen again must part with a parent and flee into the unknown to avoid danger and, this time, to avert civil war.

Some of the Divas took the time to read and review the book: The Daughter-In-Law Rules by Sally Shields. You can read our reviews here. Now let's spend some time getting to know the author a little and a little more about the book itself.

Q: What is the concept behind the DIL Rules and how did you derive at that name?

Sally Shields: The Daughter-in-Law Rules is based on the 7th spiritual law of success, which is: the quickest way to get what you want is to help others get what they want. By that I mean, be a loving, kind-hearted, sensitive person, and the world will reflect that back to you, even in the form of your mother-in-law! I loved that book The Rules: Time Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right. I patterned the Daughter-in-Law Rules on that book.

Q: When did you decide on writing as a career?

SS: Actually, the book took me less than a week to write! As the last thing I wrote was a paper in high school, I don't consider myself a writer per se. What I learned was that you only need two things to have a best selling book —a passion for your topic and a sincere desire to help people. To quote Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad, Poor Dad: "I didn't want to be the best writing author—rather I want to be the best SELLING author!" It was the marketing of the book that really intrigued me, so I use the 90-10 rule - I spent 10% of my time writing the book, and the other 90% of my time and energy marketing it.

Q: What motivated you to write the DIL Rules?

SS: Like most women, I got married and got a mother-in-law. But after a couple of years, I was left scratching my head, thinking, where is the manual for this?!!! I wrote to the ladies that wrote the bestselling book The Rules, and told them that since they helped all these women meet and marry the men of their dreams, they then needed to provide some advice on how to get along with the other woman in their man's life—his mom! These two authors told me it was the best idea they'd ever heard. I honestly just wanted some advice on the topic! "You should write it," they said. At first I thought they were crazy since the last thing I'd written was a term paper in high school English class! But, the gears started turning in my mind. So I started to jot down all the troublesome incidents that would pop into my head in regards to my MIL, and came up with a rule and a solution to deal with each and every one. When I put a few of these rules into practice (and saw that they actually worked) I thought maybe I could help save other young wives years of needless contention!

Q: Have you published any other work that you've written?

SS: I have three music books; Modern Jazz Piano (Hal Leonard, 2004), The Pianist’s Jammin’ Handbook and A Baker’s Dozen: 13 Jazz Etudes for the Intermediate Sight-Reader. I've also written The Collaborator Rules: 101 Surefire Ways to Stay Friends with Your Co-Author as well as a poetry book called "A Pond Beneath the Moon.” And I’m currently working on two other books; The Million Dollar Author Club and Naturally Thin or Discipline? Insider Secrets of the Super-Slim.

Q: What makes you unique when compared to other authors?

SS: I am very focused on solving a problem in a very short period of time. I don't mind telling people what to do or how they should do it. Here's the Rule. Now do it. Sometimes people tell me that they don't want to do these rules because it seems like too much work. Then I give them the Dr. Phil answer which is, "Well, how's THAT workin' for ya?!!" These rules are problem-solution oriented so give them a try!

Q: What inspires your work?

SS: I love being creative and just coming up with stuff that I think will help people, or bring humor to a situation, while at the same time solving my own life's problems! My vision is now to create more harmony among mothers and daughters-in-law around the world while at the same time raising money for breast cancer. I am currently working with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation on a unique fundraising idea with Estee Lauder, who also supports breast cancer.

Q: Has your book been featured in any national publications or on television?

SS: Yes! I've been in Star Magazine, Girlfriendz, For the Bride, and Obvious Magazine. I've appeared twice on the nationally syndicated The Daily Buzz, Fox & Friends, Rachel Ray, Tyra Banks, BetterTV.com, as well as having appeared on Martha Stewart Whole Living Radio . As well, The DIL Rules was recommended as Book of the Week by Dr. Laura Schelssinger.

Q: Are you self-published or through a publishing house?

SS: I started off self-publishing with Outskirts Press, a print on demand company, but have re-released The DIL Rules under my own imprint, Safflower Publishing Inc. with a new cover, subtitle, foreword, interior design and illustrations, and am working on a DIL Rules board game and calendar.

Q: Who or what personally inspires you to push forth with your career?

SS: I've been a musician ever since I was a kid, and I just get a lot of energy from performing, speaking, being out there in the media and expressing my ideas in my unique way fuels and motivates me forward.

Q: Have your book sales been positively/negatively affected by the financial changes in the country and if so how you come up with ways to divert from it (if negative)?

SS: I notice that the more radio and TV appearances I do, I can keep the sales up. It seems to be more about continually letting people know about the book that makes more of a difference than the financial state of affairs. It would be fun to compare current sales to what it will be like when Obama whips this country back in shape eventually! :-)

Q: Do you have any events coming up that people should know about or book tours?

SS: As I have 2 small kids, I have been doing virtual book tours from home and doing national radio tours via telephone. I do some local book signings here in New York, and I speak at various events such as the ASJA, and the Catholic Writers Event asks me to speak at their events. I also do a weekly radio show called Blurb! that is a book contest for authors. For more information on how authors can apply to be on the show, check out BlurbRadio.com. As well, the head of the African Women’s Business Network has purchased the foreign rights to the DIL Rules and she has invited me over to speak in Lagos Nigeria sometime in 2010.

Q: What advice would you have for young entrepreneurs and authors?

SS: I would say keep it fun, because otherwise all those hours you put in wouldn't make any sense! And remember that there are only two elements that you need to succeed in any endeavor: a passion for your topic and a sincere desire to help people.

Q: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

SS: I see myself with my own reality show, as a Daughter-in-Law Rules seminar leader, a speaker at Bridal events, fundraiser and spokesperson for Breast Cancer fundraising, and continuing to partner with corporations such as Macys, David's Bridal 1-800-flowers, Estee Lauder, and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Q: Any final words of wisdom?

SS: Never give up on your dreams. You don't have to know the how, but focus on the why. Don't set limits and reach for the sky. Do positive affirmations morning and evening, and you will see your thoughts transform into things. You can manifest your desires by focusing on the things that you want. Don't give up because it takes a while for the universe to prepare the meal that you've ordered, but know that it is in the oven back there so make sure you don't leave the restaurant!

Christmas is here, and as we all know, that means trying to find gifts for family and friends. If you are looking for gift ideas that are different, fun, and meaningful - then I have the perfect solution for you. My friend Matthew Toone just published a book entitled: "Great Games! 175 Games & Activities for Families, Groups, & Children." This book is literally full of fun game and activity ideas for people of all ages, groups of all sizes, and there are games for any category or setting. You can check it out at: www.GreatGamesBook.com

Three lucky people, however, will get a free copy of 'Great Games.' In order to be entered into the contest to win a free copy, simply email either Kim or LaDonna a one paragraph response about a time where you played games with your family or friends and it created a fun memory, strengthened relationships, or simply brought your family closer together. The deadline to send your story in is Dec 15th. If your story is chosen, you will win a free copy of 'Great Games' www.GreatGamesBook.com

Fallout by C. L. Talmadge is the second in the mystic (I think that's the correct word) series Green Stone of Healing. I reviewed the first book, called The Vision, here. I loved them both! I lost sleep; I had quit taking books to bed because I was so tired that I was falling asleep before I'd even read a page. Well, C. L. Talmadge has changed this for me. Or at least these books kept my attention well enough that my tired eyes were able to stay open to read "just one more page". One night, my hubby got called out and was gone all night (he's a fire fighter); I read and read and read thinking he would be home "any minute" so I might as well stay up until he got home. Well, I ended up having to go to sleep because he didn't come home for 19 hours! I couldn't read that long, even if I wanted to!

Fallout is the continuing story of Helen Andros and her developing relationship with her new found father. Their relationship is tumultuous at best. It was near disastrous for more than just the two of them! The community and government system in this work of fiction is intricate and fascinating. I won't give you too many details; you'll have to read the book. However, be sure to read The Vision first and explore the website, Green Stone of Healing. On the website you will find more details about the characters, their connections to each other and about the little mysteries that might not quite make sense when reading the books.

You can purchase The Green Stone of Healing books from here and from Amazon.

A copy of this work was given to me in return for my honest opinion.

Great Games: 175 Games and Activities for Families, Groups and Children by Matthew Toone

This book was a walk down memory lane for me. As I flipped through the pages of games I recognized many games my father taught my brothers and I to play. These games are ones that he and his siblings would play when they were young.

I love that these games require few materials; these are games that you can just grab a pen and paper or some dice or a few coins or a deck of cards. These are games that you can play any where, almost any time. The games have simple rules, straight forward instructions and require common household items. I am amazed at the diversity I saw - games for 2 or 3 people, large numbers, word games, acting games, indoor, outdoor, all seasons, sitting, running. I saw games for everyone. I can see so many uses for this book in our life!

Although we are not a "games family" we are trying to institute a family games night each week. We are slowly adding board and card games to our arsenal; This book is a great addition to our household.

Another idea I have in mind for this book is to take it for use when we volunteer at the seniors' home. The games are simple enough that my children could play (and teach) them to the grandmas and grandpas.

The book can be purchased from Amazon.com.

Thanks to the author, Matthew Toone, for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Before kids, my husband and I were regular game players. We often centered get togethers with other couples around playing games. Three kids later, we don't drag games out near as often as we like, but we are working on it. The Great Games Book has given us a new option in our game arsenal.

One of the main reasons I liked this book was because of the variety. There are a ton of games in this book. There are books fit almost any group size and age level. My husband found games in this book that he plans on using in his work meetings, there are games that we have been able to play with my 3 kids (ages 1-6), and there are games that my husband and I could play alone. I don't know of any games of game books that can fit such a wide range of groups.

The book itself has a great layout. The table of contents breaks the book down in to a vareity of catagories. This makes it very easy to find games that fit your group size or game goals. The games themselves have clear and easy directions. Each game starts out by telling you how many players are needed and what objects are needed.

My family has defintely enjoyed reviewing this book. Our only complaint is figuring out which game to play! This book was provided for review

The Daughter-in-Law Rules

by Sally Shields

Right from the very start of my marriage, my mother-in-law and I seemed to get along really well.  We never met until over a year and one child into the marriage, because my husband's parents were unable to attend the wedding.  My relationship with my own mother became severely damaged during that first year of marriage and so it was during that time that my relationship with my mother-in-law flourished.  However, there came a time when those relationships were changed - about five years ago now.  My relationship and friendship with my own mother is stronger now than it has ever been and my relationship with my mother-in-law is strained, or at best merely civil.

Thanks to the author, Sally Shields, I was able to review The Daughter-in-Law Rules: 101 Surefire Ways to Manage (and Make Friends with) Your Mother-in-Law!  I was excited to know that "this book helps raise money for The National Breast Cancer Foundation whose mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for those in need."  (quote from correspondence with the author)

So having a rocky relationship with my mother-in-law I was eager to read this book and get the hings and tips this rule book would hopefully provide.  Nine or so pages in I said to my hubby, "I love this book."  Then the further I got in the more I was told to lie to my mother-in-law.  I was shocked and disgusted; I have a huge issue with lying.  I quit reading for a time but did eventually come back to the book and finished reading the rules.  As it turns out, the recommendations to lie were fairly well balanced with recommendations of truth and kindness.

I do not agree with lying - including half truths; I am more of a - if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all - type of person.  I will tend to let things slide off my back and deal with the issue on my end.  I guess I'm not big on confrontation.  If my mother-in-law and I have a disagreement, I choose not to call until I'm okay.  If we disagree on something, we just avoid the topic.  I don't tell her what she wants to hear.  I tell her my decision on an issue and leave it alone.

So what did I decide about those rules that suggested lying?  I came up with my own rules, as the author suggests.  (She even includes a worksheet for making your own rules.)  I decided to set boundaries instead of appeasing.

Overall, I found that the rules not only apply to my relationship with my mother-in-law but also with my interactions with people everywhere - my husband, my own mother, my friends and acquaintances, my children.  I understand that our relationships with our mothers-in-law are special relationships and do require some extra attention and effort, so this book is a good, fun way to work on that friendship; just modify each rule to suite your unique situation and moral standard.

You can purchase this book at Amazon.

A copy of this book was given to me for my opinions.

RE-POST REVIEW:

Do you know who I'm talking about?

Amelia Bedelia: the one who puts sponges in sponge cake and calendar dates in date cake.

I've read a few of the "old" stories (written by Peggy Parish) to my kids and the older girls (ages 6 and 7) just loved them. So when we were offered a copy of Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School to review I jumped at the chance.

I loved this story; my kids loved the pictures and the literal "translations". The colors are bright and attractive. Now that my older two are starting to read more everyday, I was encouraged to see them reading some of the words along with me.

The author, Herman Parish, is the original author's nephew! I love that about these books. Too often when there are "add on" books to old favorites there isn't the continuity that one might love; I believe this continuity has been kept.

The Wacky World of Amelia Bedelia is a great place at the HaperCollins website to play games and learn more about the main character and other fun stuff. My kids will be checking it out this week, I think. One of the fun things I did was send an Amelia Bedelia ecard to my kids Grandma.

The book was provided to me by the publisher for my review. The opinions here are all mine (and my kids).

RE-POSTED REVIEW:

We've never read John Grogan's other books nor have we seen the movie sparked by the book called: Marley: A Dog Like No Other. We just don't seem to keep up with such things but I hear it's really really good. If this book is any example of the work that John Grogan can do, than I bet the movie really is really good.

I have five little children and to keep them all interested in a book with lots of words, even if it has lots of pictures, can be a challenge. The pictures are great! My girls were looking to see if there is a mouse on every page. I don't think there was, but they saw quite a few throughout the book. The detail by illustrator Richard Cowdrey is very well done. The pictures really come alive with color and form. The favorite picture is the one inside the very front cover. The kids loved the chewed up pen, and other things.

The story is simple and sweet. The poor little dog just wants to be with his best little friend and can't understand why she has to go off to school without him. He goes too. And, of course, gets into so much trouble. You'll love reading about his trip to the school! And so will your children.

This book was graciously provided to me by the publisher, but the opinions are all mine or that of my kids.

In some email correspondence with Lenore Skenazy about her book Free Range Kids (that I reviewed here) she asked if I would also review Who's the Blonde that Married What's-His-Name? that she co-authored with Carol Boswell. I honestly didn't know what to expect, even after visiting the website. I expected a non-fiction type, give me information type book. What I got was TOTALLY different and in a good way! This book is so cool!

It's a game book, kinda like Mad-Libs but not at all. lol. Mad-Libs are those stories and paragraphs where you fill in a noun or a pronoun, adjective etc without knowing what the story is about and then you read it aloud and it's so silly that you are laughing hysterically and can't read the rest of the story. Well, this is kinda like that in that the blanks aren't parts of speech but rather phrases that come off the top of your head. You fill in the blanks using the other "clues" given under other blanks in the question. Trying to describe it is a little confusing even to me, but take my description and head on over to the book's website and it should all make sense.

The authors move on from that and include other types of "tip of your tongue" questions. "Take 10" is a list of ten clues that all have to do with the same topic. For instance, one "Take 10" is titled Flaming Redheads. So using the clues given, you come up with ten redheads. It's a lot of fun. And the topics cover everything from celebrities to spots stars, history to nature, kids stuff to food. The answers are in the back if you get stuck too.

This book is going in my bus for road trips and long waits while on the road. My dh and I read about 20 pages one evening; we were surprised at how well we answered the questions being that I'm not really a celerity buff and that's the section we chose. By the time we stopped our brains hurt. I don't mean that in a terrible way either. It's a good thing to work the brain muscle from time to time and this book does the trick in a fun and non-confrontational way.

About the authors, in true "tip of the tongue" style:

Carol Boswell and syndicated columnist Lenore Skenazy have collaborated on two previous books and have had more tip-of-the-tongue experiences than they care to mention. They live with their families in that big city with the statues of the lady and the building with the gorilla. Visit their website at www.whostheblondebook.com.

I received this book for review from the author.

You can buy this book at Barnes and Noble and Amazon and other book stores.