Creating Time by Marney K. Makridakis

Creating Time by Marney K. Makridakis is a book that changes your view on “time” forever. Just about everyone has said they don’t have enough time to do something, but in reality we all have the time to do it. We just need to change our viewpoint on time and create time to do those things that we really want to do. This book will help you do it!

Book Description

“Most of us have said, “If only I had more time,” as a way of explaining why we aren’t leading our most fulfilling lives. This book turns the concept of time management upside down by presenting exciting new tools for viewing and experiencing your time. Creating Time combines creativity with science in a gorgeous colorful format that presents a fascinating adventure in which you will imagine, create, and completely reshape the way you experience time. Each chapter presents a shift-making concept illustrated by real-life examples, step-by-step introspective processes, and powerful creative projects that inspire a new sense of time, a liberating view of self, and a fresh perspective on the meaning of being human, empowered, and fully alive.” – Creating Time

My Thoughts

Creating Time is as the title suggests, a creative book that helps you to learn how to create time. There are a variety of books that tell us how to make time to do things or plan better so we have a 15 minute block of “me” time. What makes this book different is that we “create” the time for whatever purpose we want to use it for. Makridakis helps us to stop enslaving ourselves with time and instead work with it so it doesn’t work against us.

The “ARTsignments” included throughout the book are creative projects that are used to help us change our view on time, and create something cool. There is no right or wrong way to complete the assignments, and there are many pictures of other people’s creations to help serve as inspiration for the projects too. This book helps to not just create time, but also helps gently nudge us to create cool things to show our relationship with time.

I really enjoyed reading this book and doing the ARTsignments. I highly recommend this book for everyone that wants to create time, or just be more creative.

* Thank you to the publisher of Creating Time, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders by Gyles Brandreth

Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders by Gyles Brandreth is the fifth book of the “Oscar Wilde Murder Mysteries” series. It has humor, excitement, and is fast paced enough for even those with short attention spans to enjoy.

Book Description

“Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders opens in 1892, as an exhausted Arthur Conan Doyle retires to a spa in Germany with a suitcase full of fan mail. But his rest cure does not go as planned. The first person he encounters is Oscar Wilde, and the two friends make a series of macabre discoveries among the letters—a finger; a lock of hair; and, finally, an entire severed hand.

The trail leads the intrepid duo to Rome, and to a case that involves miracles as well as murder. Pope Pius IX has just died— these are uncertain times in the Eternal City. To uncover the mystery and discover why the creator of Sherlock Holmes has been summoned in this way, Wilde and Conan Doyle must penetrate the innermost circle of the Catholic Church and expose the deadly secrets of the six men closest to the pope.

In Gyles Brandreth’s captivating and richly atmospheric novel, Wilde’s powers as a detective are put to the test in his most compelling case yet.” – Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders

My Thoughts

Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders is the first book in the series I read. However, I don’t think it is necessary to have read the others to enjoy this one. So, go ahead and check this out if you also like Sherlock Holmes and mystery novels.

The two main characters are Oscar Wilde and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and they are definitely not disappointing. At the beginning of the book, when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is on vacation yet has to answer all of this fan mail, I found a bit humorous. Then, when Oscar Wilde and he find the finger, hair, and an entire hand - I couldn’t help but keep reading to find out what would happen. They then head to Rome to the Vatican, and from there things get even more interesting. To find out what happens, you’ll have to read this one for yourself. Mysteries aren’t quite as fun to read if you know everything that is going to happen, right?

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read. I think that this would be a great novel for fans of mysteries and of course, “Sherlock Holmes” to read.

* Thank you to the publisher of Oscar Wilde and the Vatican Murders, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Discover Atlantis by Diana Cooper

Discover Atlantis by Diana Cooper is a book that was channeled, so it isn’t a science-fact book about Atlantis. Maybe those books will be available one day when it is discovered, for now though – this one reveals how things could have been in Atlantis.

Book Description

“World-renowned author Diana Cooper, with spiritual consultant Shaaron Hutton, brings you a comprehensive and compelling guide to the ancient and mysterious civilization of Atlantis. For the 1,500 years of the Atlantean Golden Age, the spiritual level of the planet was the highest it has ever been; people enjoyed incredible psychic gifts as well as technological and spiritual powers beyond our current comprehension. Here you will learn all aspects of the fascinating and inspiring lives of the Atlanteans, from their social structures to their extraordinary technology to their beliefs and practices including the tools they used, most of which are still available today. With guidance on how to understand the profound truths of the Atlantean culture, and special exercises – some practiced by the High Priests and Priestesses themselves – Discover Atlantis enables you to apply the wisdom and power of this most spiritually enlightened time and place to your own life today.” – Discover Atlantis

My Thoughts

Discover Atlantis covers such a large variety of how the civilization was, according to the information channeled by Diana Cooper and Shaaron Hutton. It covers how Atlantis began and was populated, how daily life was like, what the homes and buildings were like, how the people worked together, how people were healed with crystals and sound, and much more.

This book doesn’t just detail what Atlantis was like, but it also includes meditation exercises and things you can do to help you better attune yourself spiritually, and with the energy from Atlantis. I didn’t do all of them, but the ones I did I quite enjoyed. Diana Cooper also has meditation CDs which you could use to accompany this book.

Atlantis has always been a huge fascination of mine, and since I do believe in past lives, I am quite certain that I had (at least) a few lives in Atlantis. I understand that not everyone believes in the myth surrounding Atlantis, so for those people, this is obviously not a book that you’d find worth your time reading. However, if you do enjoy reading more about the possibility of what Atlantis was like, or if you too thought you had a past life there, I strongly suggest you to read this book.

* Thank you to the publisher of Discover Atlantis, Findhorn Press, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Enchanted Tarot by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber

The Enchanted Tarot by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber is a beautiful deck of tarot cards. It also includes a 192 page guidebook that is 5 ½ x 9 inches, which details the meaning of the card and also enchantments for each card so you can take your reading to the next level.

Description

“The Enchanted Tarot is for everyone who loves fantasy and fairytales. Amy Zerner's visionary art makes the deck a magical experience to use. Each of the seventy-eight cards is a richly detailed miniature work of art in Amy's award-winning tapestry collage style. 

Based on the ancient traditions of the tarot, this contemporary oracle is a remarkable system for self-counseling and understanding. Used with the accompanying book by Monte Farber, The Enchanted Tarot can illuminate and inspire our innermost being and will allow any seeker of guidance direct access to the wisdom of his or her Higher Self. The book includes an interpretation of each card along with 'Preparation for a Reading', 'Using the Enchantments', 'The One Card Technique', 'The Three Level Spread' and 'The Celtic Cross Spread'. Everything you need to conduct a reading for yourself or someone else is included, so you can start having fun right away.” – The Enchanted Tarot

My Thoughts

The Enchanted Tarot is one of the most visually appealing tarot decks I have used. The images on the cards are all fluid and beautiful. Amy Zerner is a fantastic artist! It looks like she did them in a mixed media fashion, and it honestly inspires me to want to make similar artwork.

The guidebook is also a nice size and really details the meaning behind all of the cards. Most tarot or oracle decks have a small guidebook with just general meanings to the cards. I love that this one is so detailed and also gives an “enchantment” for each card that can be used in addition to just the reading.

The only thing I wish was a little bit different is the length of the tarot cards. They are just a little bit too long for me shuffle easily. I don’t have big hands, so it made it a little awkward for me to shuffle. However, after I shuffled the deck many times (and did quite a few readings), it wasn’t as big of an issue.

I really enjoy using this tarot deck and highly recommend it to everyone who also reads tarot cards. If you want to start reading them, I also think that this deck would be a wonderful one to start with because the guidebook makes it is so easy to learn how to read them.

* Big thank you to the publisher of The Enchanted Tarot, Connections, for providing me with a copy of this set for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

True Blood – Season 5 – #WaitingSucks

My favorite show on TV is True Blood. It is a long time in-between new seasons because it is an HBO series. This also means, it only has around 13 episodes each season, which again is just not enough for fans of the series. I love it though so really, no complaints here.

I’ve watched the teaser trailers and have seen the previews on HBO before Game of Thrones (another big favorite of mine). Season 5 of True Blood starts on June 10, 2012 and from the looks of it, it won’t be much like the book series at all. It looks like there are a ton of new characters and the storyline has gone so far off track it is really like a whole different story. I’m definitely “Team Eric” though (Alexander Skarsgard is so drop dead gorgeous!), so I really hope that he and Sookie Stackhouse at least end up together in this version of the series.

I’ll definitely start trying to most more again about both True Blood and Game of Thrones. After my last post about doing that, there was the water explosion in the house which we still haven’t gotten all fixed yet. It is definitely making things harder to do, including blogging. Anyways, until then – I leave you with this little preview of the next season. Enjoy!

Preview: Don't Cry It's Back

“Dracula” by Bram Stoker and Illustrated by Becky Cloonan

Dracula by Bram Stoker and illustrated by Becky Cloonan is the classic tale with a new feel to it thanks to Becky Cloonan’s marvelously illustrated graphics in the novel. Bram Stoker’s Dracula was originally published in 1897, and is still a favorite of many even today. If you enjoy vampire tales, be sure to check out this classic story.

Book Description

“Prince of the Night. Lord of the Damned. King of Vampires. He is Dracula, the most well-known vampire in the world—and this new illustrated edition of Bram Stoker’s classic tale of terror offers Dracula as you have never seen him before. Brought to life through the stunning visual artistry of Eisner Award-winning illustrator Becky Cloonan (Demo, American Virgin, Victor Von Doom), this new graphically compelling novel offers a spellbinding, edition of the book that launched the world’s enduring fascination with vampires: Bram Stoker’s complete and unabridged Dracula. Illuminated and accentuated by the visionary hand of one of America’s most gifted illustrators, Dracula is perfect for fans of the ghastly and paranormal, and unmissable for fans of True Blood, The Vampire Diaries, and Tim Burton’s macabre new film, Dark Shadows (release May 11, 2012) starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, and Jackie Earle Haley.” – Dracula

My Thoughts

Dracula is a book I’ve wanted to read for a long time, but one of those classics that I just never got around to reading. It is written as a large volume of diary entries and letters, which I found interesting at first, but couldn’t really enjoy as much as I had hoped. That being said, I did like this edition of the book. The illustrations helped bring the book to life and gave it even more suspense.

It does have an excellently crafted story about Jonathan Harker seeing horrific things while staying with Count Dracula. He writes to his fiancé Mina and she eventually finds him “feverish” and her best friend Lucy suddenly dies from blood loss, only to become an undead seductress. Many times I wondered how they couldn’t know vampires were at play here, but in this novel, they just didn’t know about vampires. Van Helsing enters into the novel about halfway through to help save them, which helped the story become more exciting.

Overall, I am glad that I finally read Dracula. It is one of the first “big” vampire stories and paved the way for some of my favorite vampire tales, so I am very thankful that Bram Stoker wrote this novel. It is not one of my favorite vampire books, but I appreciate it for what it is: a classic. I recommend this for everyone who enjoys vampire stories.

* Thank you to the publisher of Dracula, Harper Design, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory

The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory is a novel in the “Cousins’ War” series which tells the story of the noble family that paved the way for the Tudors. If you haven’t read any of the other novels in the series, don’t let that stop you from reading this one. It isn’t necessary to read the others first, but it may make you want to go back and read them after you’ve finished.

Book Description

“A story rich in passion and legend, “The Lady of the Rivers” is the story of Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford, a woman who navigated a treacherous path through the battle lines in the Wars of the Roses.

When Jacquetta is married to the Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke’s squire Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen.

The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta can sense the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of their royal York rivals. As Jacquetta fights for her king and her queen, she can see an extraordinary and unexpected future for her daughter Elizabeth: a change of fortune, the throne of England, and the white rose of York…” – The Lady of the Rivers

My Thoughts

The Lady of the Rivers is written with a significant amount of historical accuracy, right down to the speech and mannerisms used during this part of history. I can’t stand historical novels that put in words that weren’t used back then or clothing descriptions that come from this century as opposed to then. You won’t find those issues in this book.

As for the characters, I found them to be intriguing and memorable. Jacquetta is by far my favorite character, and her gift of second sight and her link to a Goddess kept things interesting throughout the novel. Women struggled to be a part of society and to have power in this era, so her power showed hope for women in the future.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. Historical fiction is either a hit or a miss, and this one is definitely a hit. If you are a history buff and enjoy historical books and/or movies, this is one that I think you will really enjoy. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of The Lady of the Rivers, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Chaldean Numerology by Heather Alicia Lagan

Chaldean Numerology by Heather Alicia Lagan is an in-depth book that teaches you how to read numerology for yourself and others. This may be written as a beginner’s guide, but it would be well received by anyone who studies numerology at any level.

Book Description

“Chaldean numerology paints a clear picture of you and your personal “blueprint”—your essence, talents, desires, lessons, and ideal directions for this lifetime. This introductory guide presents highly effective techniques for decoding the energetic vibrations and information held in names, birthdates, addresses, phone numbers, and much more.

Master Numerologist Heather Alicia Lagan has simplified Chaldean numerology, making it accessible, practical, and easy to use. In addition to providing the original meanings behind numbers and letters, Heather also offers detailed sample readings of three celebrities—Apolo Anton Ohno, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Drew Barrymore—to help you understand, share, and benefit from this treasury of ancient knowledge. Chaldean numerology offers guidance, inspirational and enlightening messages, and a framework for identifying and achieving goals.” – Chaldean Numerology

My Thoughts

Chaldean Numerology is different from the average book on numerology I’ve read before. Heather Alicia Lagan takes it to the next level, and gave me the inspiration to read not just my own numerology, but also family members and friends.

She teaches it in this book in a very easy to read and understand way that made me really want to try it out for myself. The results were amazing! My personal numerology was quite accurate in many places. When I did the readings on a few family members, I found that it was accurate for them as well. So, I was very pleased with the book and new knowledge I now have on numerology.

If you enjoy looking for patterns, have an interest in astrology, and of course numbers, I think this book would be a perfect fit for you to read and learn more about numerology. I found it to be a fun book that I will reference again and again. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Chaldean Numerology, Llewellyn, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Running Out? Run In to Publix

I hate running out of something when I need it. Usually it happens with things I really need and just forgot to stock-up on. This May Publix has an in-store event called “Running Out? Run In” event to reward their shoppers for shopping with them, and stocking up on their favorite products.

More About the Event:

• From May 17th through May 23rd, look for the “Running Out? Run In.”event at your local Publix store and “run in,” to take advantage of the great savings available on some of your favorite brands from General Mills and Procter & Gamble, including Cheerios, Totino's, Charmin, and Crest
• Also, don’t forget to look in-stores for over $15 in coupon savings – coupons are valid May 9th through June 2nd
• Receive a $5 Publix® gift card to use on your next shopping trip when you purchase $30 or more in participating items during the event (5/17 – 5/23); simply mail in the rebate form found in-store or online at runningoutrunin.com along with your original receipt(s).
• For more details on this great rebate, visit RunningOutRunIn.com

A new Publix just came into a town near where I live, so I plan on going there tomorrow to stock up on some gluten-free items. They carry a good amount of items I can eat that other stores don’t carry. Plus, it is affordable. I’m not one to pay $10 on pretzels just because they are gluten-free. If you plan on saving money and stocking up on items you and your family eat, which ones do you plan on getting during this event?

Disclosure:  The Publix gift card, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Red Cell by Mark Henshaw

Red Cell by Mark Henshaw is an exciting debut novel about CIA outcasts that are trying to prevent a world war. This is not a boring book in any way, and would make for an excellent summer read for people who enjoy action-packed adventure novels.

Book Description

“From the Tom Clancy for a new generation, a debut thriller following two CIA outcasts who must race to stop a secret Chinese weapon that threatens to provoke a world war.

After her first assignment in Venezuela goes disastrously awry, rookie case officer Kyra Stryker is brought back to Langley to work in the Red Cell, the CIA’s out-of-the-box think tank. There she’s paired with Jonathan Burke, a straitlaced analyst who has alienated his colleagues with his unorthodox methods and a knack for always being right, political consequences be damned.

When a raid on Chinese spies in Taiwan ends in a shoot-out and the release of a deadly chemical, CIA director Kathy Cooke turns to the Red Cell to figure out why China is ready to invade the island nation without any fear of reprisal from the US Navy. Stryker and Burke’s only lead is the top CIA asset in China, code named Pioneer. But when Pioneer reports that Chinese security has him under surveillance, Stryker is offered a chance for redemption with a highly dangerous mission: extract Pioneer from China before he’s arrested and executed. The answers he holds could mean the difference between peace in the Pacific or another world war.

From CIA headquarters to the White House to a Navy carrier in the South China Sea and the dark alleyways of Beijing, Red Cell takes readers on a whirlwind race against time as Stryker and Burke work to save Pioneer and discover the hidden threat to America’s power: China’s top-secret weapon.

CIA analyst Mark Henshaw infuses expert knowledge of the intelligence world into a pulse-pounding plot to create a fascinating, authentic, and unforgettable read.” – Red Cell

My Thoughts

Red Cell is detail oriented and beautifully written. The characters are all brought to life with the author’s excellent attention to detail and weaving a memorable story. The actual story takes place in a short amount of time, but it is full of suspense and action. This is a book that I could easily see being turned into a summer blockbuster movie. For now though, pick it up and enjoy it for the amazing book it is.

This isn’t the type of book that I usually grab to read. However, I was really taken in by it. I think that the author is amazing and the story was fantastic. This novel kept my attention, and left me wanting to see it take place in a movie. It is just that good.

* Thank you to the publisher of Red Cell, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.