Disclosure:  Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own.

Nancy Drew mysteries have a fresh new face for the current generation!  As I’ve mentioned before, enjoying classics with your kids is a great way to start conversations and build connections.

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Disclosure: I received a free book for posting in the tour.  Opinions shared are mine.

It’s been a while since I had the pleasure of reading a Rachel Hauck novel.  Her stories are often uplifting and sweet.  The Memory House seemed a bit more solemn to me.  Oh, but what a treat it was!

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Disclosure: I received free books from the publisher. Post contains affiliate links; I may earn commission if you make a purchase. Opinions shared are mine.

For some students, being a good reader means a struggle to find “the right”  books.  I’ve known many children who read at an advanced level (one fourth grader in my class read — and understood — War and Peace!)  It’s difficult to find books that provide a challenge, yet contain age-appropriate content.  The Samantha Spinner series is a great choice for elementary students who want a complex story, engaging drama, and kid-friendly situations.   [Read more…]

Disclosure: I will receive a product sample. Opinions shared are mine.  I am not a dentist; this post is not meant to be health care information.  You may want to consult with your dentist before trying new oral care products.

It’s time to break out those spring colors and summer dresses!  Don’t neglect your smile while you’re at it.  When given the chance to try new Alightener Foam teeth whitener AND give my readers a chance to try it, too, I jumped at the chance.

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Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions shared are mine.

All love stories are ghost stories in disguise.
~The Lost History of Dreams, Kris Waldherr

Does that quote capture your attention like it did for me?   [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received a product sample from Nielsen-Massey. Post contains affiliate links; I may earn commission if you make a purchase. Opinions shared are mine.

I love getting crepes, both sweet and savory, when we go to a restaurant.  So why was I so intimidated by making crepes at home?  It really was as easy as making pancakes!  Just find a recipe online and give it a try.  Instead of using regular vanilla, consider using Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Bean Paste.  It won’t thin the batter, but adds a delicious hint of flavor.

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Disclosure: Post contains affiliate links. I may earn commission if you make a purchase; opinions shared are mine.

I have a habit of adding zillions of books to my wishlist based on what I’ve heard or read about them, then never getting to actually read the book.  That almost happened with Black Out by Lisa Unger.  At some point, I got this in a book swap and it sat on my shelf for a while.  The copy I received was a mass market paperback with a dull, tatty cover.  I passed it over a time or thirty for its shiny new counterparts that demanded to be reviewed.  Oh, what a treat I almost missed!  This was probably my favorite book from all my spring break reads.  You can get a used copy for as little as 10-cents on Amazon, or get one of these 20 available swap copies. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book. Post contains affiliate links; I may earn commission if you make a purchase. Opinions shared are mine.

When I read a great book, my first reaction is to share it with all my friends.  That’s one downfall of ebooks.  The First Mistake by Sandie Jones is the kind of book that would have our little lunch bunch talking for days!

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Disclosure:  Post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.

My job as a language arts teacher is more than a career for me.  It’s a mission!  I want my students to walk out of my classroom with a love for reading.  Putting a book in front of the child isn’t always enough to get them to read it.  I have to use some creative, sometimes sneaky, methods to encourage my students to pick up a book and genuinely care about what it says!  Here are some of my suggestions. [Read more…]

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks.  Opinions shared are mine.

College was an incredibly fulfilling time in my life.  I attended a small private college in the early 90s, and the friends I made have become lifelong family.  In fact, my college roommate and I just got together this week for dinner!  The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves (New York Times best selling author!) brought back such good memories of the college experience.  Those years of growing up and learning about life transformed me, just as they did for the main character Annika.  [Read more…]