Book review: Secrets of the Realm by Bev Stout

Blamed for her uncle's death, fifteen-year-old Annie is on the run. Knowing the perils she will face on the streets of 18th century London, Annie disguises herself as a boy. Her life changes course when she becomes Captain Hawke’s cabin boy. Not only must Annie work alongside the Realm's motley crew of outcasts and gentlemen, she must also keep her superstitious shipmates from discovering she is a girl. Annie vows she will never leave the Realm, where dreams are chased, shattered lives can mend, and secrets are stowed like keepsakes in an old desk drawer. But when Annie’s past catches up with her, can she stay on the Realm? More importantly, will she have a choice?

My review: Secrets of the Realm is an enjoyable YA book and a welcome break from the current vampire/witches and paranormal trend. And while many other novels set in that

time period are somewhat predictable or sappy, Stout stay clear of the common clichés. 

I’m also happy to say that this was a clean read with no foul language or sexual content. My thirteen-year-old was thoroughly disappointed when the book ended, but was happy to learn that a sequel is in the works. 

About the author: Bev Stout's love of the sea began while growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and continues today with visits and vacations to Cambria on the California coast. As far as writing is concerned, she is a late bloomer. She began writing about six years ago for fun. But with encouragement from her cousin, who is a published author, she decided to take the craft seriously. She became a member of SCBWI, attended writing conferences, and joined two critique groups. The rest is history.

Bev Stout lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with her husband, a thankful rescue dog, and an insane but lovable cat

Bev Stout’s author page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bev-Stout/358523410934351

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. 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.”.

Make A Happy Bee Garden

Making bees happy is an easy task and a fun way to create a garden that attracts these beneficial insects. A happy bee garden promotes overall environmental health as honeybees are on a drastic decline lately. In order to make a happy bee garden you need to plant flowers they love, provide a water source, and provide a little shelter when it gets hot out. Here is a quick guide to make your bees happy and get them to come back to your garden all year to pollinate your flowers and vegetables.

The best way to attract bees to your garden is to plant wildflowers that are native to your area. One thing to remember is that the honey produced from one swarm of bees is directly related to the types of flowers that they are helping to pollinate in that specific geographic area. What’s interesting is that even a bee hive located a few miles down the road will have honey that tastes different. Happy bees have a diversity of plants and flowers to choose from. Make sure to not only to plant native wildflowers but go ahead and mix in other gardening favorites.

Flowers that have a single row of petals are more attractive to bees as they are easier for them to get the nectar from. Many layers of petals are harder for the honeybees and they don’t visit them as often. The single petal flowers also have more pollen than other flowers, which provides more food for the honeybees.

Bees are naturally attracted to certain colors more than others. They gravitate towards yellow, white, blue, and purple flowers. Of course they will pollinate others, but these colors are their favorites. Another thing to remember is to plant flowers that bloom at different times of the year so the bees will have a reason to come back to your garden all year long. Bees are hungry and spend the majority of their time in search for nectar.

If you live in the colder regions of the US, a happy bee garden would include flowers like Crocuses, Foxglove, Geraniums, Hyacinths, Roses, and Lilacs. Bees love to pollinate fruits and vegetable plants as well and will visit blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and peas.

In areas where there are milder winters with warm summers, these bees prefer Asters, Black-Eyed Susans, Clovers, Cosmos, Crocuses, Daylilies, Foxglove, Geraniums, Marigolds, Roses, and Zinnias. Make the bees happy by also planting strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and cherry trees.

The hottest zones in the southern states also have a great collection of native bees. The bees in the south like the nectar from Cosmos, Dahlias, Geraniums, Hibiscus, Hollyhocks, Marigolds, Poppies, Roses, Sunflowers, and Zinnias and even most cacti.  Don’t forget to plant watermelons, squash plants, pumpkins, cucumbers, and their absolute favorite are citrus trees!

$100 in prAna Clothing Giveaway - US Only ends 04/03

Hosted by:

 NYSavingSpecials

Sponsored by:

 prAna

Co-hosted by:

Simply Sherryl, Rainy Day Pennies, 

Barbara's Beat and  Capris' Coupons 

One lucky winner will win:

$100 in prAna Clothing

Dates:

March 20 12:01am to April 3 11:59pm

All entries are optional

Continental US resident only

We appreciate the support of our sponsor, co-hosts and bloggers promoting, please show your support by following them on their social media pages.

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Disclaimer: Mom Loves 2 Read is not responsible for the awarding of the prize.  If you have any questions about this giveaway, please email the host at nysavingspecials@gmail.com

Eureka Vacuum Giveaway US Only ends 03/31

Welcome To The Eureka Airspeed All Floors Vacuum
Giveaway! 

We're gearing up for Spring Cleaning and we have the #EurekaPower! The
Mommy Island and The Kids Did It along with a great group of bloggers are
happy to bring you this Clean Sweep! Whether you have hard floors,
carpeting or both you're going to love how the Eureka Airspeed All Floors
quickly adjusts and how it never loses suction. Two lucky winners will each
receive this new vacuum to help clean their home.

New from Eureka the Airspeed All Floors is ready to meet the
challenge of cleaning your home! This bagless upright vacuum features
Airspeed technology to keep air flowing and removes more dirt. Never losing
suction the multi-surface cleaning with a simple on/off brushroll switch.
Featuring on board attachments you'll love the Stair and Upholstery Turbo
Nozzle for deep cleaning those heavy traffic areas.

Get started on your Spring cleaning now with the Eureka Airspeed All Floors. Available
for purchase at Walmart for around $98.

Two lucky readers selected by the rafflecopter will each receive (1) Eureka
Airspeed All Floors Bagless Upright Vacuum AS3011A. Open to readers in the
US, 18 years and older. Open for entry from 3/17-3/31 at 11:59pm EST. Enter
using the simple rafflecopter below. Good Luck!



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Disclosure: neither Mom Loves 2 Read  nor the other blogs hosting this event are responsible for prize
fulfillment. All views and opinions are those of The Mommy Island.

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. 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.”.

Make Your Own Gifts - A Book Review

If you are looking for a gift for a child who likes crafts, then a great option would be a copy of “Make Your Own Gifts” from Dorling Kindersley. This great hard back book has over 50 wonderful projects to make lovely handmade gifts for all occasions.

There are very simple step-by-step instructions along with the clear, detailed photographs that Dorling Kindersley do so well. This means that children of all ages and abilities can find something in this book that they can make. Some projects will need some adult help but others are completely child friendly for them to create by themselves.

Handmade gifts can be so much more meaningful than their store bought counterparts and “Make your own Gifts” even has instructions on how to make your own wrapping paper, gift bags and gift tags! That way you can make the gift and wrap it in a truly personal way.

From pom-pom scarves and felt animal bags, pop art cup cakes and flowerpot lollies to rocket pen pots, a polar bear savings bank and glass jar candle holders there truly is something for everyone to make and everyone to receive. Many of the crafts could be adapted for different occasions. For example the candle glass jars are decorated in flowers in the book but we have plans to make our decorative pieces easter eggs and use them on the dinner table. 

Evey has already suggested we make one with Dr.Who decorations for her sister -  I just have to work out how to make a tissue paper Tardis

I am off now to supervise the creation of some glass jar candle holders and some gift bags from cereal boxes – wish me luck!

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. 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.”.