Growing Up In Heaven by James Van Praagh

Growing Up In Heaven by James Van Praagh is a book that shows another side of life after death than most would assume “heaven” is like. If you’ve lost anyone, especially a child, this is the perfect book to read to help ease the pain of their passing on.


Book Description
“In Growing Up in Heaven, New York Times bestselling author and world-famous medium James Van Praagh brings to light the amazing journey of children who have passed from earth to heaven. Growing Up in Heaven follows the path of a child’s soul—their time spent in heaven and their connection to the living.

In this, his most moving work, Van Praagh reveals the reality that love transcends the physical and material planes of this world. Growing Up in Heaven lifts our spirits with the knowledge that our departed ones will always be with us—an extraordinary gift for all of us who yearn to understand life on the other side.

Blessed with an exceptional gift, James Van Praagh has the ability to bridge the gap between this world and the next. Based on nearly thirty years of spirit communication, this renowned and beloved medium takes us on a powerful, eye-opening, and ultimately inspiring voyage. Filled with uplifting true stories and profound messages of love, this astounding look at heaven provides a remarkably detailed portrayal of the child’s soul as it moves from this world to the next. Our eyes and hearts open and we experience firsthand the unbreakable bond between parent and child, all the while glimpsing a vision of heaven.” – Growing Up In Heaven


My Thoughts
Growing Up In Heaven is written very well. It is an interesting read for someone who may not have lost a child or anyone close to them. Yet for someone who has lost someone, especially a child, this would really be an extremely comforting book to read.

James Van Praagh does an excellent job explaining why some people leave the world way before we want them to and gives hope and excellent detail to where these souls go once they leave the Earth. It isn’t a heaven with cherub angels playing the harp. It is more of another school where spirits go to learn and grow up (if they didn’t have a chance to while on Earth). The stories included from spirits he has encountered while giving readings is extremely heartfelt and touching. Warning: some will make you cry.

As explained in the book, family and friends that have passed before us often come back to Earth (as spirits) to try and contact us to let us know that they are okay. Oftentimes though, we just don’t listen to them or brush off the signs they send or perhaps don’t even notice them at all. They often come to us in dreams. I’ve had one such experience and it is truly remarkable and something I’d never forget. Just be open to it, and they will come.

This is a really remarkable read and if you have ever lost anyone or are just interested in knowing what happens after you die, this is the book to read. I highly recommend it.


* Thank you to the publisher of Growing Up In Heaven, HarperOne, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Quotable Rogue: The Ideals of Sarah Palin

The Quotable Rogue by Matt Lewis is a book that gives Sarah Palin quotes. If you like her, this is a must-read. Even if you don’t like her, it is an interesting read that might make you like her more… or less.

Book Description
“Inspiring, impactful, and revealing words from political and cultural icon Sarah Palin.

Many a pundit has tried to define Sarah Palin, but this is one woman who chooses not to wear labels imposed by others but instead to define herself by her own words and actions. Today she is one of the most sought after speakers and commentators and is poised to help to frame the issues in the 2010 election and beyond. The Quotable Rogue encapsulates Palin’s thoughts on such salient issues as health care, taxes, and government spending, the right to life, climate change, what it means for a politician to serve the people, and more.

• “We need to spend more time lifting up America instead of apologizing for the greatest country on earth.”
• “How’s that hopey-changey thing workin’ out for you?”
• “My dad always says, ‘Don’t retreat, just reload.’ Don’t let anybody tell you to sit down and shut up.”

Matt Lewis is a writer, blogger and commentator based in Alexandria, VA. He currently serves as a senior contributor for The Daily Caller.” – The Quotable Rogue


My Thoughts
The Quotable Rogue is actually a good read. Regardless of your personal feelings towards Sarah Palin, the quotes in this collection of things she has said shows that she does really love America. The book is divided into categories of things that Palin has said ranging from her take on family, faith, economics, the environment, the Tea Party Movement, and much more.

The quotes show Palin as being strong, patriotic, caring, and someone who knows her stuff. This is different than we sometimes see her in the media, but we all know how the media often skews the perception of people too, don’t we?

Personally, I find her highly interesting and enjoyed reading what she has said about things and reading about what she has done. For instance, did you know that she officiated at a wedding in Wasilla at the local Wal-Mart? She did!

Overall, I quite enjoyed this book. It isn’t a boring political read at all, and is suitable for fans or haters of the former Governor of Alaska. I recommend it to anyone who likes her or just wants to know more about things she has really said.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Swami Panchadasi’s Clairvoyance and Occult Powers

Swami Panchadasi’s Clairvoyance and Occult Powers by William Walker Atkinson and edited by Clint Marsh is a reprint of the lessons that “Swami Panchadasi” wrote almost 100 years ago. It is still quite relatable though and brings wisdom into this field of metaphysics.

Book Description
“Curious about past-time clairvoyance and clairvoyance of distant scenes? Interested in developing your astral senses and gaining personal psychic influence over others? Then join Swami Panchadasi for twenty lessons in developing the outstanding powers of mentalism!

Prepare for your own adventure into worlds beyond our everyday perceptions with Swami Panchadasi’s Clairvoyance and Occult Powers.

First published in 1916, this metaphysical classic by occultism pioneer William Walker Atkinson’s guru Swami Panchadasi (who, it turns out, was actually Atkinson writing under a pseudonym) offers training for anyone to master a range of telepathic talents. From crystal gazing to clairvoyant reverie, psychic healing to astral travel, transference, and psychometry, the lessons are sure to delight student and adept alike.

The introduction by Clint Marsh, author of The Mentalist’s Handbook, takes us into the strange and multi-faceted life of William Walker Atkinson, a turn-of-the-century occultist, and a real Guru’s guru! A powerful book of knowledge, Clairvoyance and Occult Powers will confound and enchant readers today as it did nearly 100 years ago. ” – Swami Panchadasi’s Clairvoyance and Occult Powers


My Thoughts
Swami Panchadasi’s Clairvoyance and Occult Powers is essentially a reprint of the works by Swami Panchadasi. The lessons included are all an enjoyable read for anyone wanting to learn more about these fields. The lessons mainly include clairvoyance senses, psychometry, crystal gazing, psychic influence and psychic healing.

All of the chapters included in the book may not be something that everyone wants to read fully, and that is okay. You can choose to pick which topics are of interest and just read those.

For me, I enjoyed the lesson about crystal ball gazing the most. It is something I’ve always been interested in but seemed to lack the skill to actually do it. After reading the information in the book, I’ve decided to give it another try. Hopefully the tips I read will help.

Overall, I found this to be an insightful book filled with good tips and stories on each of the topics discussed. It is a great book and I recommend it to anyone who has interest in clairvoyance.


* Thank you to the publisher of Swami Panchadasi’s Clairvoyance and Occult Powers, Weiser Books, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July is Going to be an Interesting Month

This is an e-mail that is going around about how this July is going to be really interesting. I thought it would be something cool to share with everyone, so read on to see just how rare this month will be….


This year, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens once every 823 years.

This year we're going to experience four unusual dates:

1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/11 and that's not all...

Take the last two digits of the year in which you were born - now add the age you will be this year. The results will be 111 for everyone in the whole world. This is the year of the Money!!!


It won’t actually be “111” for everyone in the whole world, but for most it will. Anyways, pretty cool huh?

Follow Your Passion, Find Your Power by Bob Doyle

Follow Your Passion, Find Your Power by Bob Doyle is a more than just a deeper understand of the Law of Attraction. It is a guide to help you actually put that universal law that we can all use into action.

Book Description
“Wondering how to make the Law of Attraction work in your life? With the publication of The Secret, the Law of Attraction has become a worldwide phenomenon. Yet, many people are still not getting the results they want and have been left disappointed and confused.

Now motivational coach Bob Doyle, one of the teachers featured in the film version of The Secret, dispels the misconceptions and myths about the Law of Attraction and offers a practical, easy-to-use program for creating abundance and happiness. Doyle addresses head-on the objections, questions, and comments that many still have about creating abundance to get the things they want in life.

Follow Your Passion, Find Your Power is a down-to–earth, no-hype, motivational approach to take control of your life and get the things you want. Doyle makes it clear that the Law is not a personal development tool you can use the right way or the wrong way; it’s a profound statement of how energy works in the universe. It has to do with paying attention, recognizing where you are, and aggressively striving for what you want. It is all about passion, vision, and purpose.

Get clear on your vision for your life, and follow a step-by-step plan to live your life by design.” – Follow Your Passion, Find Your Power


My Thoughts
Follow Your Passion, Find Your Power isn’t just a book. It is a tool to help you actually start using the Law of Attraction for your own personal growth. If you’ve seen “The Secret” or read any of the other books on the subject, have you actually seen any results? Well, it might be because you aren’t letting go of some of the things that are blocking you. This book explains how to start letting go of those negative thoughts and open up to receive the things that you deserve. It won’t be easy at first, but you can do it, and yes you do deserve everything you want!

Doyle does a brilliant job writing this book. It is like taking a personal workshop class with him, but being able to reference everything in it at all times when needed. I especially like the parts where he explains that yes, you do need to do the exercises, explains why, and urges the readers to actually do them. Just thinking about those things isn’t usually enough, so do it already.

I really enjoyed this book and found it to be quite helpful with envisioning what it is I want in my life. I think that everyone who reads this book will benefit from it tremendously. I highly recommend it to everyone reading this right now.



* Thank you to the publisher of Follow Your Passion, Find Your Power, Hampton Roads Publishing Company, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker

Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker is a money saving book for all types of people. Sure, we won’t all cut back to only one useful present for birthdays or Christmas, but the tips included can help save your family a tremendous amount of money – if you use them. If you need new financial ways to help get out of debt, this is a great book to read to help you get back to the basics.

Book Description
“Discover the money-saving and wealth-building secrets of America’s thriftiest people, the Amish.

Author, journalist, and descendant of the Amish, Lorilee Craker, was just like the rest of us, feeling the pinch from the financial fallout of 2008. As a freelancer, her income was going the way of the dodo—family dollars seemed like an extinct myth, the bank account some archeological evidence of past prosperity.

Then, inspired by a news segment covering her people, the Amish, and how they emerged from the economic crisis unscathed, she realized it was time to get back to her roots and learn a thing or two about their time-tested approach to personal finances. While the middle-class was wringing its hands over the family budget and the wealthy were weeping over their slashed portfolios, the Amish were content as always, spared from the cares of the world and worldliness. They not only had financial health to support their lives, they exuded a wholeness that eludes so many when the financial bottom drops out.

In Money Secrets of the Amish, readers go on an “Amish money makeover,” learning the choices, secrets, and disciplines that safeguarded the contentment and the coffers of America’s favorite plain folk by spending less, saving more, and getting happier doing it.” – Money Secrets of the Amish


My Thoughts
Money Secrets of the Amish is actually a very funny and cleverly written financial help book. The unexpected witty humor was quite a nice treat because who really enjoys reading about money besides bankers? Maybe that is why everyone is in such financial trouble, besides of course learning at a young age that you deserve everything you want. Sure, if you can afford it, right? Well, kind of. Thoughts like that are what make millions of people go bankrupt and in debt.

Going back to how things used to be is still actually done by the Amish people. They have really good financial records and continue to thrive in today’s economy. Something can definitely be learned from that.

This book focuses on all of those budget conscious things that the Amish naturally do. They just take it to the extreme. For them it is normal, but for everyone who isn’t Amish, I really don’t think cutting back so far as having no electricity, sharing clothes and never buying new, making everything you can yourself, and only receiving one present on a birthday or on Christmas probably is going to happen.

The author also agrees on that and instead gives ideas on how you can make do with what you have and save money similar to how the Amish people do. Nothing is really “new” about the tips but they are still helpful to remember. Try these tips out for yourself and start seeing savings quickly!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Sims 3: Generations Expansion Pack Review

The Sims 3: Generations expansion pack is the newest EP released for the series that focuses on life stages for your Sims. This is a really fantastic addition to the game because it gives so much for all of your Sims to do – especially the younger ones.

About the Game
Enjoy a whole spectrum of rich life experiences with your Sims! Start off in the imagination-fuelled world of childhood and embrace the drama of the teen years. Experience the complicated realities of adult life, then reap the benefits of growing up in each life stage. A wealth of new options and activities makes your Sims’ lives more meaningful than ever before, whatever their ages. With new celebrations, dramatic life events, and all-new ways for your Sims to express their creativity, The Sims 3 Generations lets your Sims live life to the fullest!

• Sims of every age can enjoy new activities! Kids can hang out with friends in tree houses. Teens can pull hilarious pranks. Adults can suffer midlife crises. And so much more!
• Whether it’s a raging all-teen party while the parents are out, a high school graduation or an official wedding ceremony, new celebrations make every age more fun!
• From bachelor party hi-jinks to getting in trouble for bad grades to hearing rumors around town about Sims who cheat on their spouses, hilarity ensues when new drama unfolds!
• Sims will enjoy all-new ways to be creative including tinkering with chemistry sets, making their own home movies that they can watch on their own TVs, playing make believe as an astronaut, dinosaur, princess, and more!

All of the new activities, celebrations, and drama are easier than ever to remember and reminisce about with a new Memories system that keeps track of major life moments and also lets you share them on Facebook or your Sims My Page! - The Sims 3: Generations


My Thoughts
As a proud Simmer that enjoys all of the games in the series, I was really excited to get to do more with my Sims with this EP. Sure, no new vacation spots were added or anything as cool as vampires, but that is okay. Regular life things that Sims can enjoy all the time are a great thing to add too.

Sims can now have memories and add these to their scrapbooks. Additionally, if the gamer uses Facebook they can also share their Sim’s memory with their friends on Facebook. I’d advise against sharing all of these memories with your real life friends though because it would get annoying rather quickly.



I really enjoyed all of the new items that were added with this EP. It seriously has a huge amount of new items that you can use for your Sims’ houses. Items added range from tree houses to water slides and new furniture and everything in-between. There was also of course new clothing that was added. It isn’t as high fashion as those added in “Late Night” but that is to be expected.

The Chemistry Set was added and with it Sims can learn logic and also discover and make potions. This is a great addition that can make old Sims “Young Again” and can even transform your Sim into a ghost for a few hours. Very fun!



Adults can now run a daycare at their home. Adults can also randomly have a “Midlife Crisis.” Sims can go on dates and give flowers and other gifts. If Sims are engaged they can also let loose before the big day by having a bachelor and bachelorette party.

Children and teenagers can pull pranks on other Sims in their house or around their neighborhood. This is really funny and their parents can also punish them too. Kids can also be enrolled into afterschool activities. Children can also have a new imaginary friend that can (through a quest or a potion) become real!



Kids are also able to be sent off to boarding schools that will give them skills they need for later in life. Kids that aren’t enrolled in boarding school can attend prom now and even become King or Queen of prom!



Overall, this is a really fun expansion pack that gives a large amount of content for your game. It isn’t as noticeable at first because it centers around the different life stages. It is however, one of the better EPs that you can buy for the series, and will keep you entertained for a long time.







* Thank you to the publisher of The Sims 3: Generations, Electronic Arts, and Gamers Gate for providing me with a digital copy of this game and allowing me to review it. All experiences and opinions expressed are my own.

How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds by Nicholas Boothman

How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds by Nicholas Boothman is aimed to help people who want to make that good first impression. If this is something you need help with, this is a great book to help you do just that.


Book Description
“Yes, it really works: Nicholas Boothman's breakthrough program of "rapport by design" really does show you how to make people like you in 90 seconds or less. Now it's available in paperback, with a newly created workbook section based on the author's hundreds of workshops.

Whether selling, managing, applying to college, looking for a job—or looking for a soulmate—the secret of success is connecting with other people. Nicholas Boothman shows exactly how to make the best out of any relationship's most critical moment—those first 90 seconds that make up a first impression. Armed with his program, readers learn how to establish immediate trust by synchronizing voice tone and body language; the power of a Really Useful Attitude; and how to get people talking and keep them talking. He discusses eye cues, the magic of opposites attracting, and sensory preferences—some of us are Visual people, others are Kinesthetic (responding most to the sense of touch), and a few are Auditory. So when you say "I see what you mean" to a Visual, you’re really speaking his or her language.” – How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds


My Thoughts
How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds can help people make better first impressions by doing small changes when they first meet someone and could even help with making another impression on people (which is harder to change but not impossible).

It isn’t easy, it will take time and practice to master, and if you are shy, it will be even harder. However, the workshop exercises included in this book are a great push towards learning how to make a better impression and essentially make people like you. This isn’t a book that is only read. You will have to take action to get any use out of it.

If you are having problems with social interactions and need some help, this is a really great book to help give you that push you need to make better first impressions.


* Thank you to the publisher of How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds, Workman, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Fifth Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz

The Fifth Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz is a book that is also a practical guide to self-mastery. It is a “Toltec Wisdom Book” that expands on the original book The Four Agreements.

Book Description
“In The Four Agreements, a New York Times bestseller for over seven years, don Miguel Ruiz revealed how the process of our education, or “domestication,” can make us forget the wisdom we were born with. Throughout our lives, we make many agreements that go against ourselves and create needless suffering. The Four Agreements help us to break these self-limiting agreements and replace them with agreements that bring us personal freedom, happiness, and love.

Now don Miguel Ruiz joins his son don Jose Ruiz to offer a fresh perspective on the Four Agreements, and a powerful new agreement for transforming our lives into our personal heaven: the fifth agreement. The Fifth Agreement takes us to a deeper level of awareness of the power of the Self, and returns us to the authenticity we were born with. In this compelling sequel to the book that has changed the lives of millions of people around the world, we are reminded of the greatest gift we can give ourselves: the freedom to be who we really are.” – The Fifth Agreement


My Thoughts
The Fifth Agreement is a self-help or spiritual book about personal growth and enlightenment. It is a really in-depth look at ourselves and can guide you on the path to becoming more awake to what is going on, if you are ready for it that is.

The lessons in this book are invaluable. Reading the chapters feels like you are taking a course straight from the authors and getting one-on-one attention to help you. Not many books in this genre can give you this feeling, but The Fifth Agreement does.


The five agreements help you to discover the story of your life, how to not take things so personally, not to assume things, how powerful beliefs are, how to always do your best, and how to be skeptical with yourself and others.

Reading the book for the first time, it can be quite overwhelming. It will change how you think, what you believe and how you act. Being more peaceful and accepting who you really are is a beautiful thing though. By just reading it, you step into the path towards this. It really isn’t a hard first step, so if this is something that you are seeking too, I highly suggest reading this book.

When you read the book again (or even just parts of it) you will find new things in it to work on or to accept with yourself. It makes this book quite adaptive for your life and also a must-have for your bookshelf or nightstand. I highly recommend this book for everyone wanting to make those small changes to step on this path.


* Thank you to the publisher of The Fifth Agreement, Amber-Allen Publishing, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey – Bar Brawl!

One of my guilty reality TV watching pleasures is The Real Housewives of New Jersey. I honestly don’t watch any of the other Housewives shows, just this one. I really like the characters that are left from the original cast. The new ones are “eh” right now. Maybe I’ll like them more later into this season.

Speaking of later this season… hitting the news today is The Real Housewives of New Jersey bar brawl that happened earlier this year (February) when the cast was filming in the Dominican Republic.

According to MSNBC, members of the cast including Teresa Giudice, Joe Giudice, the Manzo brothers and their roommate are being sued by Adolfo Arreola and his cousin Jason Gomez for the bar fight that they got into while in the Dominican Republic.

They claim that the cast were served too much liquor and it made them “intoxicated, belligerent and rowdy.” Which lead to the fight where they were injured.

Hopefully they show what happened to lead to the fight in this season. What can I say? My voyeuristic ways just want to see how it unfolded. I hope that the people injured are okay, though when cameras and people that are rich around…. well it makes it easy for people to be sue-happy hoping to get something. If that is the case, hopefully the judge sees through it!