Elisabeth Gifford's The Sea House: a novel review and giveaway

In 1860, Alexander Ferguson, a newly ordained vicar and amateur evolutionary scientist, takes up his new parish, a poor, isolated patch on the remote Scottish island of Harris. He hopes to uncover the truth behind the legend of the selkies—mermaids or seal people who have been sighted off the north of Scotland for centuries. He has a more personal motive, too; family legend states that Alexander is descended from seal men. 

As he struggles to be the good pastor he was called to be, his maid Moira faces the terrible eviction of her family by Lord Marstone, whose family owns the island. Their time on the island will irrevocably change the course of both their lives, but the white house on the edge of the dunes keeps its silence long after they are gone.

It will be more than a century before the Sea House reluctantly gives up its secrets. Ruth and Michael buy the grand but dilapidated building and begin to turn it into a home for the family they hope to have. Their dreams are marred by a shocking discovery. The tiny bones of a baby are buried beneath the house; the child's fragile legs are fused together—a mermaid child. Who buried the bones? And why? To heal her own demons, Ruth feels she must discover the secrets of her new home—but the answers to her questions may lie in her own traumatic past. The Sea House by Elisabeth Gifford is a sweeping tale of hope and redemption and a study of how we heal ourselves by discovering our histories.

My thoughts:  I always say that everyone has their own boat to row so be kind...you never know just how full their boat might be. Ruth comes to the Sea House with her own troubles and much baggage that she struggles to unload.  As you read deeper into the book you see how much Ruth has been through in her young life and how she has tried to move on and live her life with her husband Michael.  You really feel her pain and suffering even if you have never experienced anything even remotely like that in your own life. This is a great end-of-summer beach read that I enjoyed. 

Don't miss The Sea House, a stunning fiction debut from the UK. Set in a house on the windswept coast of the Outer Hebrides, Elisabeth Gifford's haunting tale effortlessly bridges a gap of more than a century. Adeptly interweaving two tales involving residents of the titular house, Gifford sets up an absorbing mystery revolving around local lore and myths about mermaids, selkies, and sealmen. Stretching seamlessly back and forth through time, layers upon layers of secrets are slowly and effectively peeled away in this evocative debut (Booklist).



Celebrate with Elisabeth by entering her Kindle giveaway!






One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire


• The Sea House by Elisabeth Gifford

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. Winner will be announced October 20th at Elisabeth's Blog.






Watch the trailer:

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. 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."

Don't forget to pick up the Licefreee Spray! with a free coupon nowthat the kids are back in school! #licefree

I received a complimentary bottle of Licefreee Spray! through One2One Network.  My opinions are my own.

It has happened to several of my friends over the years. Not a fun event, that is for sure but an outbreak of lice is now manageable especially with better options out there like Licefreee Spray!  It was actually invented by a fellow mom, Wendy Langley.The active ingredient in Licefreee Spray is salt (aka, sodium chloride or natrum muriaticum). So, the active ingredient is non-toxic. This is a fact that is very important to the vast majority of parents. No one wants to dose their children with chemicals if it is not necessary.  Licefreee Spray! will work the first time it is applied too.

Tec Labs is the maker of Licefreee Products and they have been around for a long time.  They are actually a family owned pharmaceutical company based in Oregon. I am a big, long time fan of Tecnu and Calagel (I am one of those sad souls who is highly allergic to poison ivy). Both those products have saved me from either getting poison ivy or at least reducing the spread and itch significantly. I was thrilled to hear they were the manufacturers of Licefreee Spray! 

It is easy to find the bright purple bottles and colorful packaging.  Licefreee Spray! retails for around $10 for a 6 oz bottle, which is typically enough product to treat at least two children—depending on the length of the child’s hair. Licefreee Spray! can be used on kids as young as 6 months too.  You got the whole family covered with a non-toxic option. A very high quality stainless steel comb is included, in case a parent wants to do a comb out. Licefreee Spray! is pleasant smelling to kids and adults and a cinch to apply.  It couldn't be easier. A parent only needs to saturate the hair and let the hair dry for the lice to be dead.

Licefreee Spray! is available nationally at Walmart, Walgreens, Dollar General, Kroger and many regional chains.  Walgreens has had Licefreee Spray! for a few years now so you can see there are tons of good reviews on their site.  You can get an idea from other consumer experiences to make you feel more confident and get tips from other moms and dads that have been there and dealt with it before. Licefreee Spray! even maintains a toll free Mama and Daddy help and sanity number too.  You can call them anytime at 1-800-ITCHING.  They are so confident that they stand behind Licefreee Spray! and unconditionally guarantee it 100%

Licefreee Spray! just wants to get the word out to help put a parents’ mind at ease. Speaking from experience, a head lice outbreak causes an immense amount of anxiety, fear, frustration, stress,  panic and many other negative emotions for parents and children. Licefreee can help in a real and profound way so a family can, hopefully, avoid all the drama, tears and heartbreak that comes with a head lice infestation.  Here is a manufacturer coupon for $2 off a bottle of Licefreee Spray! at http://licefreee.com/en/save/. (Exp. 10/20/2014)

Their Name Is Today Johann Christoph Arnold Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes. My opinions are my own.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
 

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

There are so many challenges involved in bringing up children today. It seems like it is scarier than ever to ensure you have a child who has their beacon set in the right direction.  Johann Christoph Arnold is confident that diligent parents and educators can set children in the proper direction with proper forethought.  He has some ideas that make you think differently and have hope that you can bring your children up right even amidst all the craziness and internet frenzy out there.

If you want to glean insights into how to raise and influence children to be more compassionate and considerate, more courageous and confident, more independent, secure, and unselfish; if you want your children to be more loving and joy-filled, then get reading!” —excerpt from Mark K. Shriver’s Foreword (President of Save the Children Action Network)

Despite a perfect storm of hostile forces that threaten to deny children a healthy, happy childhood, courageous parents and teachers can turn the tide. Yes, we can reclaim childhood, says Johann Christoph Arnold, whose books have helped more than a million readers through the challenges of education and family life. In Their Name Is Today, he highlights drastic changes in the way our society treats children. But he also brings together the voices of dedicated parents and educators who are finding creative ways to give children the time and space they need to grow. Cutting through the noise of conflicting opinions, Arnold takes us to the heart of education and parenting by defending every child’s right to the joy and wonder of childhood.

A noted speaker and writer on marriage, parenting, and end-of-life issues, Arnold is a senior pastor of the Bruderhof, a movement of Christian communities. With his wife, Verena, he has counseled thousands of individuals and families over the last forty years, as well as serving as an advisor at several innovative private schools. Arnold’s message has been shaped by encounters with great peacemakers such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, Cėsar Chavez, and John Paul II. Born in Great Britain in 1940 to German refugees, Arnold spent his boyhood years in South America, where his parents found asylum during the war; he immigrated to the US in 1955. He and his wife have eight children, forty-four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. They live in upstate New York.

Acclaim for the author:

“A much-needed message not only for South Africa, but for the whole world.” -Nelson Mandela, on Why Forgive (one of Arnold’s books)

“In this book we find a message needed today in every part of the world.” -Mother Teresa, from her forword to Sex, God, & Marriage (one of Arnold’s books)

“Written in a way that is easy to grasp…indeed, very beautifully.” - Pope Benedict XVI, on A Little Child Shall Lead Them (one of Arnold’s books)

You can find out more about the author and Their Name is Today on the official website.

Don't forget to enter to win my Rafflecopter giveaway to win your own copy. A can't miss book if you have children.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. 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."

Children's Claritin has teamed up with KaBOOM!

Always check with your physician before starting any medication or supplement product and specifically Children's Claritin. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.

Children's Claritin has teamed up with KaBOOM!, a national non-profit, to bring Imagination Playground™ to communities in need. Voting is currently underway at ClaritinVoteforPlayspaces.com.Parents! Vote Now to Help Kids Have More Fun - One Playspace at a Time.

As parents, we spend a lot of time discovering creative ways to nurture our children's curiosity. Luckily, being outdoors provides the perfect landscape, fueling young imaginations and creating endless possibilities for exploration, discovery and creativity. Children's Claritin hopes to inspire parents to create innovative play spaces in their backyards, and communities.

Children's Claritin also believes in the benefits of outdoor activity for children, and wants to help children get the most out of every day! They're teaming up with KaBOOM!, a national non-profit, to help bring innovative playspaces to communities in need and you can help! By voting, you can help them pick the four community organizations that will receive Imagination Playground™. What's Imagination Playground™? See imagination at play - watch last year's winner enjoying Imagination Playground™.

Be sure to visit ClaritinVoteforPlayspaces.com where you can place your vote and gather playspace inspirations for creating your own backyard playspace.  

While visiting the Children's Claritin & KaBOOM! Facebook page, you can also:

·         Learn more about the twelve organizations you can vote for receiving Imagination Playground™

·         Download coupon offers

·         Locate a playspace near you 

Vote now and help us pick the four community organizations that will receive Imagination Playground™. You can vote one time per day through 9/26/14. Click here for voting rules.