Global Arts

The cover is beautiful!

The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell is a must read for history lovers. It shows that Gillian has done lots of research and has great admiration for Nell Gwynn, mistress of King Charles II. 

Nell Gwynn was born into poverty, but her wit and beauty drew her into the enthralling world of 17th century London theater shortly after the return of Charles II to the throne.  As one of the first actresses in the newly re-opened playhouses, Nell catapulted to fame, winning the affection of legions of fans--and heart of the most powerful man in all of England, King Charles II. 

Since Nell started out as simply one of the people and then became a well-known actress before catching the King's eye, Nell remained a beloved favorite of England common people until her dying day, unlike Charles' many other unpopular mistresses.

I didn't want to see this book end.  4 out 5 stars!







I was sent a copy for review from the publisher.

The cover of The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen is very beautiful and elegant.

Olivia Keene flees from her parents' home after she hits a man who was trying to kill her mother. Dorthea, Olivia's mother, gives her a little bag with money and other items, and tells her they shall meet again. Olivia ends up trespassing on Lord Bradley's property, Brightwell Court, overhearing a secret of Lord Bradley's. Olivia gets caught, gets thrown in jail, but is injured in the process.  She ends up recovering her injuries at Brightwell Court.

Lord Bradley hires Olivia as a servant to keep her under his eye for fear of her revealing his secret.  His secret could ruin his chances of being earl and other responsibilities.  Lord Bradley becomes protective of Olivia as well as falling in love with her.  He soon realizes Olivia has is a mysterious person and is not revealing much of her past.  She has her own secrets to deal with.

This regency novel has mystery and romance, as well as some comedic parts. It is a great read.  4 out of 5 stars

FTC: Received a copy of this book for review from Bethany House. Image is of Amazon.

The cover of The Hidden Flame by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke is beautiful.

The story takes place in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is filled with turmoil because of people of the Way, and this does not make the Romans or other religious leaders happy. The Romans don't want a riot at any cost, where other religious leaders think people of the Way (Christian religion) is not an authentic religion.

Abigail is a young woman who was recently reunited with her brother Jacob, after her parents' tragic death.  Although not much detail is given about the reunion between Jacob and Abigail, the reader should be reminded that this book is part of a series.  I did not read the Series #1.  It might be helpful to read the first book,then this book, and then Series #3.

Abigail is constantly praying and seeking advice from God. She seems to be in a weak position. She is portrayed as a delicate female. There are two suitors: Erza, a wealthy Judean merchant and Linuix, a Roman soldier. Although not too religious, Erza is well known amongst his community.  Linuix is considered a nonbeliever, however, he is a good friend of Alban, a Roman who converted to Christianity and left the Roman Army.  Erza and Linuix both want to marry Abigail, but she ends up marrying someone else. (Don't want to mention who she marries--read teh book to find out).

The Hidden Flame was a sort of disappointment read for me. The story line didn't flow that well, there were too many characters to remember as well as plots--too many details being forced in the book.
3 out of 5 Stars.  It was ok.

FTC: I was given a copy of this book via Bethany House.  Image is of Amazon.

Cover: It is ok.  Not as sophisticated like other books I have seen.


Mercy Land, a native of backwoods Bittersweet, has moved into Bay City in Alabama, working as 'Doc's girl', an assistant editor to Doc Phillips, editor and owner of the local daily newspaper in the 1930s.  Mercy knows almost every secret of Doc's, except one when a magical book appears in Doc's Office.


Doc calls Mercy into his office to figure out what is the purpose of the magical book.  They are able to see the lives of every citizen of Bay City, their past and present, their fears and hopes.  Doc thinks he can fix a wrong of the past by calling John Quincy.  Quincy is someone Mercy had known from the past, but she is not sure who he is. 


Not only is Mercy trying to understand the meaning of the magical book and who is John Quincy, Mercy realizes that choices are made by everyone.  "That the choices we made did indeed turn the times for ill or for good--for everyone" (326).


River Jordan, author of The Miracle of Mercy Land, writes the book from three different points of view: Mercy, Doc and John Quincy, which is interesting because the reader is able to get a better idea of what the magical book.  River Jordan never fully describes the book, where it came from, and its ultimate purpose. This book is also filled with suspense as well.


3 out of 5 stars.  There were some questions that could have been answered to clear up some confusion.


FTC:  I received a copy of the book from WaterBrook Multnomah Press.  Amazon link and photo above.

How important is getting a child to read? Very important! Study after study confirms this...as well as my mother and third grade teacher, who encouraged me to read all the time. I’m definitely a better person for it. Just ask my mom!

 BenBella Books Young Reviewers Circle is for your kids to review books.

Your child is invited to review a book!
Getting your kids to read has never been this easy — sign up your 8 - 14 year old for the BenBella Books Young Reviewers Circle, and they’ll receive:

     •    A special pre-release edition of the magical new children’s book, The Sword
          of Darrow (limited to the first 1000 who sign up)
     •    An official BenBella Books Young Reviewers Circle membership certificate
     •    A signed copy of The Sword of Darrow when it’s officially released next year
     •    Your child’s name printed inside the book, recognizing them as a member of
          the BenBella Books Young Reviewers Circle

Let your kid be the critic
Why is BenBella Books inviting your child to join their Young Reviewers Circle? They want your young reader to share their thoughts about The Sword of Darrow and what they’d like to see in the sequel to make it even better than the first. We’re pretty sure it’s the first time ever that a national publisher has asked kids to help review and develop their books, so don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity.

Happy reading!

As one who doesn't celebrate Christmas because of being a different faith, I enjoyed reading the story The Snowman's Song: A Christmas Story. It is beautifully written with beautiful illustrations. This is book is enough to capture the attention of not only the child but the adult as well.

A little snowman wants to sing, but from the kindness and encouragement of others, he is able to achieve his dream. The Snowman's Song: A Christmas Story is accompanied with an audio CD.



Disclosure: I was sent a copy of the book by the publisher Leaping Antelope Productions for review only.

I had the privilege of reviewing Once in a Blue Moon (Platinum Romance Series) by Eileen Goudge given to me by One2One Network. This is a great cozy read, especially during the fall and winter seasons. Two girls are sent to foster care when their mother ends up in jail.

The two sisters end up leading different lives. The younger one, Kerrie Ann, had a rough upbringing and relocates her older sister Lindsay, after the drive to save her daughter. Kerrie Ann is shocked to see how well Lindsay is doing. Despite their upbringings, the two sisters work on the same goal in hopes of bringing Kerrie Ann's daughter back.

This would make a great book club discussion on lives, sisterhood, family and many other topics that members of the book club can share from their own knowledge and experiences.

Helpful links:
Eileen’s website: http://www.eileengoudge.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eileen-Goudge/132678273034?ref=search&
Twitter: http://twitter.com/eileengoudge

For more info about Eileen and Once In A Blue Moon listed in our Newsletter: http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410017173

Wendy Walker was interviewed on Connecting Women Radio about her book Four Wives.

I was delighted to see my son get excited when he asked me to buy "All About Corduroy" by Don Freeman. I asked him why he chose this book, he told me because his kindergarten teacher read it to them before going on vacation.

I love sharing the past of my childhood with my son because I feel it is one of the greatest things you can do with your children. I feel that they will be able to understand themselves by getting to see what you were like as a child like them.

"All About Corduroy" contains two stories: Corduroy and A Pocket for Corduroy. Corduroy is about him living in a store with a missing button and looking for the button while waiting for the rightful owner to take him to their home. A Pocket for Corduroy is about Corduroy wanting to add a pocket to his overalls.

These classics leave children wanting to know what is going to happen to Corduroy as he is on his journeys. Children are relieved to hear that Corduroy overcomes obstacles.

Parents, you need to read to your children not only books on Corduroy but other books you read as a child.

I had the pleasure of reviewing Albert David's and with David Farcy, MD's book, an emergency guide for educators and parents. David and Farcy's book is a complete guide covering everything from preventing online dangers, bullying and sexual abuse to lifesaving procedures in the event of poisonings, drowning, and other injuries.

It is a great reference book for adults to refresh what are specific emergencies and what kinds of things should be known before telling children.

I would highly recommend Keeping our Children Safe and Healthy From Pre-K Through High School: The First A to Z Emergency Guide for Educators and Parents. It is vital to have a quick reference guide in case you ever have to handle a certain type of situation.

Going green is now the latest craze. Whatever the reasons why "going green" is the latest craze, the Earth benefits from the actions of people going green. Author Franke James wrote Bothered by My Green Conscience: How an SUV-driving, imported-strawberry-eating urban dweller can go green to show her experience of doing something "big", not just small steps like changing to fluorescent light bulbs or recycling cans.

James said she looked at her surroundings to see what was using a lot of resources or energy. She and husband decided to give up their SUV and therefore begin on other projects. James documents her and husband's journey on the way to giving up their SUV AND faced challenges as they continued their journey on being green.

This is a must read because not only is this educational, it is written in a whimsical style--entertaining. I would highly recommend this book because it is edutainment for adults.

Many times, we want to read a book that is entertaining, yet not too dramatic or violent. That is what bought by Anna David exactly does. It is a great read about Emma, a journalist, who doesn't really know what she wants in life until she decides do to an undercover story about high class prostitution in Hollywood.

Emma discovers that image isn't always everything, and that often times a manipulator may crumble at any moment. (See, I told you the book is good!). I am being general here because I don't want to spoil the plot or ending for you. ;)

If you buy book on May 19th you still have less than one hour if you are in the Central Standard Time Zone, you could win prizes from Anna David. Buy bought at
http://www.amazon.com/Bought-Novel-Anna-David/dp/0061669180/ref=tag_tdp_ptcn_edpp_url.

Buy bought coming out May 19th, and you could win a Starbucks Gift Card or even a Kindle. Go to author Anna David's: What to Do on May 19th, 2009 for more information.

Expect a review of bought here on Global Arts.

How to Write for Television by Madeline DiMaggio is an excellent writing resource on television. Not only does she give personal examples of her experiences, she explains terms used in the writing for television field.

She doesn't sugar coat the television writing career. She shows the rewards and hardships of television writing. Experienced television writers can benefit from DiMaggio's book as well as a refresher reference.

I know that I will definitely use this book as I begin a try at screenwriting as a research this specific niche. (Can't tell you which niche until I am ready. lol) I am able to apply definitions of terms while I "study" television sitcoms and movies. I will keep referring to DiMaggio's book as I begin my screenwriting.

DiMaggio offers resources such as competitions, interviews and addresses.

For more information, you can go to Madeline DiMaggio.

"Every business, large, or small, has an identity" (Rouda, p. 93).

Real You Incorporated is a must have book in building your personal and business brand. What is especially unique is author Kaira Sturdivant Rouda writes for the female reader (although many of the concepts and ideas can be applied to the male reader).

Each chapter has a personalized story by women entrepreneurs, relating to the chapter's themes. After each personal story, Sturdivant Rouda offers Recommended Reading to supplement the chapter's content. Not only is the content extremely helpful, the book has mini-workbook sections: "Questions to Think About" and "Action Steps".

"You're on a path to self-discovery to illuminate your business dreams" (Rouda, p. 40). These reflective exercises forces the reader to think deeply as a woman entrepreneur, often times making steps clearer.

Sturdivant Rouda will be live on Connecting Women Radio, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/connectingwomen to discuss her book: Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs Thursday, July 9th, 2009 9 p.m. CST.

Since this a blog about the Arts, I have decided that I will pick one children's book per week to review because I take Arts seriously that I want my son to enjoy as much as I do. And besides, it is fun to see what kind of Arts are out there for children.

Tonight I read this Dinosarumpus! by author Tony Mitton and illustrator Guy Parker-Rees, to my five year old son, we'll call him H, because of his energy level.

H and I love this book because of the rhythm of the story and the very colorful illustrations that go with the story. There is a nice rhythm as each dinosaur is introduced in the party, almost like dancing to the beat, throughout the whole story. H begins to know when to recite: "Shake, shake, shudder . . . near the sludgy old swamp. The dinosaurs are coming. Get ready to romp." He gets into the story as well by moving with the beat as the story is being read.

Another thing that I liked (which grownups understand) is that ALL the dinosaurs got along, including yup, Tyrannosaurs Rex. Now how cool is that? That is a lesson to say that we are all different, yet we can enjoy the same things.

This story is a thumbs up!

Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family is a long needed book because of the focus of being green during family holidays, celebrations and traditions. Often time when a person thinks of the concept of being or going "Green", it is usually applied to the daily living life style by making choices that are considered "Green".

Authors and mother and daughter team Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell–Lipson write about how Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family began with the concept of "Green Halloween" making Halloween a healthy yet green celebration by being Earth friendly.

The mother and daughter team also remind everyone about the basic 3R's: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle which proves that if we did follow the 3R's , we are already on the "Green" track. Colwell and Colwell-Lipson give some excellent ideas on what kind of products and activities should be done, for example during Easter, they remind readers to purchase a carton of eggs in recycled material. Not only do they personalize each holiday with examples of their own lives, they also give ideas on how to do activities or traditions like "How to Dye Eggs Naturally".

If you are not familiar with "Green" terms, there is a glossary in the back of the book for you to learn or use as reference. A list of websites that offer great resources to the theme of this book is also provided. A couple of pages are provided for you to write notes and ideas while you are using Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family. I write using because you will be tempted to start the ideas at the same time while reading.

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family. The book can be purchased at www.CelebrateGreen.NET and on Amazon, A Toy Garden and Village Green Gifts.


Be sure to stop by other blogs to see what others have to say about Celebrate Green!Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family and authors Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lispon. Here is the itinerary:

October 1 Jessie Upp & Karin Bigelow Village Green Gifts www.village-green-gifts.com http://www.village-green-gifts.com/536/book-celebrate-green/ Tamara Graham My True Genius www.TrueGeniusMagazine.com New York Women Social Entrepreneurs (NYWSE) The NYWSE Blog www.ywse.org/nywse October 2 Jenn Savedge The Green Parent http://www.thegreenparent.com Elena Lipson The EcoDiva - Sustainable Luxury www.TheEcoDiva.blogspot.com and www.CarrieandDanielle.com October 3 Jenn Sturiale Tiny Choices www.TinyChoices.com October 5 Sarah Sabado Photography, Travel and Life http://sah.i.ph Week of October 6 Paige Torgrimson Green Paige http://www.greenpaige.com October 6 Stacy Williams Sagan's Universe http://www.sagansuniverse.blogspot.com/ Shirley Siluk Gregory Green Living/Suite101.com http://greenliving.suite101.com, Julie Northrop Free Birthday Treats Blog http://www.freebirthdaytreatsblog.com Tiffany Washko Raw Kid Recipes & Nature Moms www.rawkidsrecipes.com www.naturemoms.com/blog October 7 Faten Abdallah Global Arts http://www.theglobeandthearts.blogspot.com Cheryl Morgen Escape to Books http://escapetobooks.blogspot.com/ Elena Lipson The EcoDiva - Sustainable Luxury www.TheEcoDiva.blogspot.com and www.CarrieandDanielle.com October 8 Wenona Napolitano Green Weddings and More and Creatively Green www.everythinggreenweddings.blogspot.com and www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com Shirley Siluk Gregory EcoLocalizer.com http://www.ecolocalizer.com Penelope Anne Bartotto, Interview The Library at the END of the Universe http://bookwormsballroom.blogspot.com/ Linda Blanco SaferForYourHomeAndSelf www.TriCountyMomsBlog.com Jen Vondenbrink Your Life Simplified www.yourlifesimplified.com/blog1

October 9 Angie Goodloe The Herbalist’s Path www.herbalistpath.blogspot.com October 10 Cate O'Malley The Voice of Mom www.thevoiceofmom.com Penelope Anne Bartotto, Review The Library at the END of the Universe http://bookwormsballroom.blogspot.com/ Alisa Bowman Project Happily Ever After http://www.projecthappilyeverafter.com/happy-qa.asp October 13 Mark Caserta 3r Living and 3r Blogging www.3rliving.blogspot.com Tricia Ballard Living at the Speed of Life http://www.triciaballad.com/blog/ October 15 Jen Vondenbrink Your Life Simplified (interview) www.yourlifesimplified.com/blog1 Angie Goodloe Mama Goin' Wholistic http://mamagoinwholistic.blogspot.com/ October 16 Karen Renzi Beyondus Blog - Musings on Marketing, Web, and Life http://www.beyondus.com/blog Work-at-Home-Momma www.workathomemomma.wordpress.com Kirsten Aadahl EcoWomen http://ecowomen.wordpress.com/ Andrea McMann Simple Things http://simplethings1.wordpress.com October 17 Bethany Cagle Brynna Curry http://www.freewebs.com/brynnacurry Unsure of date Stacey Kannenberg Cedar Valley Publishing Blog www.cedarvalleypublishing.com/blog

To purchase Celebrate Green!Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, visit http://www.CelebrateGreen.NET, where you can sign up for updates, blogs, find more tips, ideas, receive special offers and discounts. Authors Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are also interested in hearing from their readers, be sure to let them know what you think!