Guest post by author Jess C. Scott

The following is a guest post by author Jess C. Scott. Her latest book, The Other Side of Life, tells the story of a thieving duo who’s world turns upside down when an Elven rogue uncovers the heinous dealings of a megacorporation. The genre of this book is a mixed of urban fantasy, cyberpunk and YA with adult crossover appeal. It is recommended for adults or young adults seeking cyberpunk themes (not hardcore sci-fi), and a love story (not fluffy romance).

I will be offering a book review and giveaway from May 15th until May 30th. Write it down in your calendars and make sure you check back in during those dates to get in on the action!  All the details will be announced then! In the meantime, you can read Jess C. Scott's guest post and get to know her a little better!

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The Real Dystopia

Mark Twain defined a literary classic as “a book which people praise and don’t read.”

I’ve enjoyed reading classics since I was sixteen years old (a Poe anthology had me completely mesmerized!). I read George Orwell’s 1984 during my early 20s, and it’s by far one of the best books I’ve ever read.

1984 can be considered a classic cyberpunk and dystopian novel.

Cyberpunk can be defined as a genre that “is about expressing (often dark) ideas about human nature, technology and their respective combination in the near future.” (Cyberpunk Review)

Dystopia can be defined as: “An imaginary place or state in which the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror.” (The Free Dictionary)

I was talking to a friend from the U.K. recently, who had this to say about commercialism:

“Wow! I never knew about Battle Royale. To be honest, I hated The Hunger Games without knowing anything about it. Partly it was because I kept seeing it in the Kindle best seller charts. I assumed it was just some badly written self-published garbage that had been hyped on Twitter. But I see now it has been hyped everywhere and has big money behind it.

These big companies are businesses first and foremost. Stories are product. The ones they pick up are largely irrelevant. The marketing campaign is the main thing. Well, in fact the return on capital is the main thing. The marketing campaign is the way to achieve that. The product is just one small piece in the corporate plan.

I have always been put off by commercialism in any media. In fact I’m prejudiced against commercially successful things. Too much trash is touted as worth our while. Journalists desperate for readers jump on any bandwagon they can. Things are famous because they are famous and not because of any intrinsic merit. This is truer now than it’s ever been.”

I think it’s scary how “dystopia” itself has become a marketing label. I think it’s scary when people trash classic books as being “for pretentious people” only, while they praise modern-day bestsellers as being superior to classic books because “these books were more popular” than classic texts that (1) had some amount of depth to them, and (2) have stood the test of time. I think it’s scary how quality doesn’t seem to matter anymore, because some people see the ‘elite’ as being ‘elitist’.

Crass commercialism and corporate greed often go hand in hand. This is the real dystopia, where hype replaces meaning, where mediocrity is celebrated over something original and substantial, all in the name of profits. After all, how good can something really be if it can be replaced by another manufactured franchise in the next 5-10 years?

Keep that in mind when the next hyped franchise comes around :)!

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Jess is a professional non-conformist with a fresh, youthful world view. She is an author of relationship-based erotic fiction (and other unique projects, including a series that features “cyberpunk elves”). She’s cool, supportive, and writes with both intellect and a lot of emotion.

She has most recently co-authored Teen Guide to Sex and Relationships with Matt Posner (Spring 2012). For more info, please visit http://jessink.com/teenguide.htm

Jess can also be found on jessINK, Facebook, and Twitter.

Review Divine Appointments

Divine Appointments
Charlene Ann Baumbich
320 Pages
Author of the Dearest Dorothy Baumbich series

This is a heartwarming story that reminds us of what really matters.

As a lady who is fast approaching the BIG 50 I can relate to this book in so many ways and I did.

There was many times when I was reading this book that I thought I would quit as it would get to be boring or I could not relate but every time I started to put it down I would run into a part that I just had to finish as it kept me on my toes.

This book well make you laugh, sigh and cry.

It is got a lot of things going on in it that you would not expect.

So I would like to recommend this book to anyone who is stuck in a rut and can not figure out how to get out.

I also like that it is not a true Love story but that it does have this element.

I look forward to reading many more of her books.

January 31st

Jennifer Pereyra Book Review

I will be doing book reviews and you are welcome to add your book blogs please!

Book Reviews

~Meet Jennifer Pereyra ~

In terms of a summary of the book and the story behind it, well it all started when my oldest daughter, Rebeca, began questioning why my husband and I dropped her and her baby sister off at pre-school every day. As I began to think of how I would respond to her, I was reminded of my own trials and tribulations as a five-year-old starting kindergarten.

The year was 1983 and I wore my brand new red dress and Buster Brown shoes. The first day of school wasn't altogether that bad. However, the tearful days that followed culminated with my mother finding me on the front porch of our house crying my eyes out. I had actually walked home from school, alone. She had dropped me off one morning at the front door but I never made it all the way to my classroom. I turned around and made my way back home, sure that I was never going to go back. So here I am today, a college graduate, a wife, a successful working mother of two young daughters of my own, and a published author. Obviously, I did end up returning to kindergarten. It was all because of my teacher sharing with me the story of "The Little Engine That Could" by Watty Piper, and the words, “I think I can, I think I can”. That book became my security blanket of sorts and ultimately helped to turn fear into strength and inspired a life-long love of learning.

Fast forward a few years (okay, many years), remembering how helpful that book was to me at that age, I began my search for a story that would help me to answer my daughter’s questions in a simple, yet entertaining way. Shockingly, I found the children’s picture book market to be devoid of stories about families with two working parents. As such, one sunny Saturday afternoon I sat down at the kitchen table with a carpenter’s pencil and a piece of computer printer paper and began to write. Shortly thereafter I had to travel out of town for a national meeting and shared with some of my colleagues the result of my efforts. Quite unexpectedly, I was met with incredible words of encouragement, many commenting, “you have to get this published…there’s nothing out there like this.” I shared the story with the director at my daughters’ school who responded, “I have goose bumps. That’s the kind of book I need. That’s exactly what our parents go through every day.” It is my dream that this book, and those I have in mind to follow, will be as influential in the lives of young children and their caregivers as, "The Little Engine That Could", was in mine.

Description of the book:
Rebeca doesn't want her parents to leave every day. But then Mommy explains why she and Daddy must go, to make a living and provide for their girls. Young children will love the fanciful rhymes and find reassurance when they understand why "Mommy and Daddy work to Make Some Dough". Jennifer Pereyra's charming tale is an excellent story for the children of working parents.

About the author:
Jennifer Pereyra has sought balance between her career and home life. While earning her B.A. from Lake Forest College, Jennifer studied in Madrid, where she met her husband, Ignacio. They are now raising their daughters in Columbus, NJ.

Endorsement:
"When I heard this story, I got goose bumps. Jennifer has perfectly captured what our families experience every day. The rhyming and authenticity will entertain both child and parent alike." --Denise Johnson, center director, The Goddard School, Bordentown, NJ

The official release date of the book is April 5th at which point it will be available to be ordered wherever books are sold. For pre-release autographed copies, I can be contacted directly at www.facebook.com/jpauthor or at jennifer.pereyra@yahoo.com.

The book is also an eLIVE book, meaning each printed copy contains a special code redeemable for the free download of the audio version of the book.
The cost is $9.99+tax and applicable S&H. For any of your readers who place an order directly through me, they should mention the discount code MPOV1 and I will extend a 10% discount

~Glenda's Point of view~

Mommy & Daddy Work To make Some DoughJennifer Lynn Pereyra


I was a single mom for many years and I remember getting my daughter
ready for daycare and how much she would beg me to stay home with her.
I wish I had this book then to share with her as it would have made it so much
easier to explain.
Plus it might have kept us both from being so frustrated.
Many days I would walk in my office crying as I had to leave her.
This time around I get to stay home with my son who is 3 but if I ever have
to go to work I can tell you I will purchase this book to share with him.
Plus I will get a copy for his teacher to read to him as well.
As I think it would help us both.


So Please go get yourself a copy and let me know what you think of it.
I was blessed to be able to give one of my readers a copy to win you need to
follow me on all three blogs Please
http://www.mommiespointofview.blogspot.com/
http://www.authorsbookcorner.blogspot.com/
http://www.daddyandsonsviewpoint.blogspot.com/
Once you do leave me a comment stating you are following me and why
you would like to win this book.

Bethenny Frankel's Secrets to Staying Fit

Interviews and Business Reviews from Work at home moms and dads~

Contact Glenda Cates if you would like to be our feature Wah of the month; Includes an one on one intreview with Glenda and a business review of your company, banner/button ad with url link and text featuring your business. Get exposure to your business and let others know more about you in a professional interview! Email here for a schedule interview.

** Now taking applications on new book challenges and book blog tours in topics of interest to mothers,baby care and children products. Please contact mommies point of view for more information.


 

Big Changes~Updates

Important, Please take note coming in July I will be introducing a whole NEW blog for parents that is all about product reviews, book reviews on parenting, blog hops with parenting focus blogs, giveaways for parent friendly products and other cool stuff.... so Please stay tune as this blog and the one my husband was working on daddies and sons point of view will marry into ONE blog.

More details coming soon. If you follow our blogs please be sure to follow the new one as well.
After the 5th of july this blog and daddies and sons point of view will no longer excist.
Please read blog post on information to get to the new blog coming soon!

not ashamed~ a father's pray poem

Not ashamed

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study.

The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice.

The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does God still speak to people?'

After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'God...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.'

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk.

He shook his head and said out loud, 'God is that you?' He didn't get a reply and started on toward home.

But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk.

The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.

'Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.

As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, 'Turn down that street.'

This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.

Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street .

At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh.

Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, God, I will.'

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi- commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either.

The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.

Again, he sensed something, 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.' The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.

'Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid.' Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk.

Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for some thing, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here.'

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?' Then the door opened before the young man could get away.

The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What is it?'

The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you.'

The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway.

Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen.

The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.

The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk.'

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some.

Are you an Angel?'

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers.

Sometimes it's the simplest things that God asks us to do that cause us, if we are obedient to what He's asking, to be able to hear His voice more clearly than ever. Please listen, and obey ! It will bless you (and the world). Phil 4:13

Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'

Not ashamed...Pass this on.

Hands...

This is good; I'll never look at my hands the same!

        
Grandpa, some ninety-plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands.  When I sat down beside him, he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was OK. 

Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK.  He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," he said in a clear strong voice.
               
"I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to him.  "Have you ever looked at your hands," he asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them.  I turned them over, palms up and then palms down.  No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making.  Grandpa smiled and related this story.

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
                          

"They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.  As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.  They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. 

"They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.  Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. 

"They trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.  They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw.
"And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well.  These hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life.  But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home.  And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ ." 

I will never look at my hands the same again.  And I remember well the day that God reached out and took my Grandpa's hands and led him home.  When my hands are hurt or sore I think of Grandpa.  I know he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.  I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying for one another.

Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend  will bless you both.  

DaGeDar are coming~

Racing DaGeDar™ balls requires skill, practice, agility and finesse. Players must control the speed and velocity of DaGeDar™ balls in order to propel them through thrilling loops and turns without forcing the balls off the tracks. Exciting tricks and stunts can be refined by whirling DaGeDar™ balls in Spinners or loading several balls into Battle Launchers to unleash them with supercharged battle play.

My little boy would play with these things for hours... I too would love playing them. Back in my days as a kid all we had was marbles and jacks or stick and match box cars... I would have to use wooded ramps if i wanted my cars to race down a hill. Nowadays toys are so much better to play with.  No wonder us dads haven't grown up yet and love playing with our kids!

DaGeDar™ (pronounced DAH-geh-DAAR) collectible supercharged battle balls have a special feel and weight that almost demand to be raced! Each DaGeDar™ battle ball boasts a graphic design that reflects the true energy contained within. More than 240 different DaGeDar™ ball graphics are planned for release this year, with varying degrees of rarity. Each ball carries a special code number that when registered on the DaGeDar™ website (www.dagedar.com) will reveal the true spirit contained within the DaGeDar™ ball, as well as its hidden powers, which can assist in racing strategy and let kids unleash the power within!