Money Saving Mom by Crystal Paine

Have you ever thought, "Maybe I could make some money doing this for other people?" Or, are you in need of some extra income for your family?  Then this book would be a great resource for you to pick up and add to your own home library.  Crystal Paine shares her life experience of walking down the road to building her own business and adding needed income to their family's budget.  Take some time to read below about a book that is sure to get your "creative juices" flowing.

From the Back Cover:

Entrepreneur, author, and popular blogger Crystal Paine shares the secrets of building income at home, using real life examples to from her own journey in becoming a money-making mom as well as the stories of other women from all walks of life. The nuts and bolts of how to make more money from home are revealed in clear steps that can be immediately and easily put into practice.
But more than just a how-to book for earning extra income, The Money-Making Mom is a challenge to dream big and create a pathway for life. Paine offers examples and insights about what "finding your purpose" can look like in family, career, and service to others. Readers will find inspiration and hope for a life that’s more than “just getting by,” one driven by vision and the freedom to bless others generously.

About the Author

Crystal Paine is a speaker and author of the New York Times bestseller Say Goodbye to Survival Mode. In 2007, she founded MoneySavingMom.com, a site that has since grown to become one of the most popular blogs on the web, currently averaging more than 1.5 million readers per month. She lives with her husband and three children in Wichita, Kansas.

My Review:

I have thought about doing different business type adventures throughout life, but haven't really pursued my dreams.  Maybe because in some way I'm scared to fail, or don't know how to bring about those dreams, or maybe it is just making the time for the project.  I really enjoyed reading Crystal Paine's book.  There are a lot of really encouraging  examples given of women from all walks of life pursuing a way to add more income to their family's budget.   Crystal does a great job of walking "newbies" step by step of how to begin with a concept and turn it into a viable business.  She also encourages people to not only think of themselves, but once your needs are met, to look at how you might be a help to others.  So if you're thinking about starting a business and need help getting on the right track, pick up this book and make sure you have a notebook and pen handy to write down all those great ideas!

***I received this free book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Find Christmas Stocking Stuffer Cards AND Clubhouse Magazine Christmas Stories, Crafts, and Recipes on the Odyssey Adventure Club!

Tired of the Christmas shopping, the baking and sugar overload, the Christmas festivities that keep you away from your family during the season? Take time special time to spend with your loved ones and invest in your community—with Focus on the Family's help!

You can download a fun gift to give to your friends, family, and community! Each Christmas stocking stuffer card directs you to a special place to hear an Adventures in Odyssey Christmas episode. Plus, you’ll be able to read a special excerpt from Imagination Station #12, “Danger on a Silent Night.” Sign up here to download the free cards.

Plus stop by this page for a slew of crafts, recipes, and stories to share with your family during this special time of year!

 

If you're still looking for one last gift to give your kids this year, give the gift of the Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC). It offers safe and free content for everyone in your family, including an Advent calendar, a broadcast download with tips to create a memorable Christmas, AIO cutouts, and Christmas stocking stuffer cards. Membership to the OAC costs just $9.99 a month — or even less if parents make a six-month or one-year commitment. Enrollment provides more than enough content to keep kids engaged throughout the year:

• Access to exclusive content and first looks at books and select Radio Theatre dramas.
• On-the-go access to the OAC app for both iOS and Android users.
• 24/7 streaming access to nearly 800 AIO episodes.
• A new, members-only AIO episode every month.
• A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine, and more.

To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Merry Christmas from Odyssey Adventure Club! Plus a free gift, and access to crafts, recipes and stories to share!

Tired of the Christmas shopping, the baking and sugar overload, the Christmas festivities that keep you away from your family during the season? Take time special time to spend with your loved ones and invest in your community—with Focus on the Family's help!

You can download a fun gift to give to your friends, family, and community! Each Christmas stocking stuff card directs you to a special place to hear an Adventures in Odyssey Christmas episode. Plus, you’ll be able to read a special excerpt from Imagination Station #12, “Danger on a Silent Night.” Sign up here for to download the free cards.

Plus stop by this page for a slew of crafts, recipes, and stories to share with your family during this special time of year!

 

If you're still looking for one last gift to give your kids this year, give the gift of the Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC). It offers safe and free content for everyone in your family, including an Advent calendar, a broadcast download with tips to create a memorable Christmas, AIO cutouts, and Christmas stocking stuffer cards. Membership to the OAC costs just $9.99 a month — or even less if parents make a six-month or one-year commitment. Enrollment provides more than enough content to keep kids engaged throughout the year:

• Access to exclusive content and first looks at books and select Radio Theatre dramas.
• On-the-go access to the OAC app for both iOS and Android users.
• 24/7 streaming access to nearly 800 AIO episodes.
• A new, members-only AIO episode every month.
• A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine, and more.

To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Civil War Meets Romance in Andrea Boeshaar’s New Book (Plus a Kindle Giveaway)

 A Thousand Shall Fall is a new book by Andrea Boeshaar that begins her newest series, Shenandoah Valley Saga published by Kregel. This Civil War novel is worth your time!  The story is not only educational, but is filled with mystery, danger and love.  So take some time to read below and find out why this historical fiction novel should be on your shelf!  Also, don't forget to enter to win a Kindle Fire!

About the book: A Thousand Shall Fall: A Civil War Novel (Kregel, November 2015) A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off---only to find she's fallen into the hands of the enemy. Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they're all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears. Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally---and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust? Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar's extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events. Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1jbj37T About the author: Andrea Boeshaar is the cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers and runs "The Writer's ER," a coaching service for writers. She is the author of thirty published works, including Threads of Faith, a finalist in the Inspirational Readers Choice Awards. Andrea is also the author of a popular devotional and regularly blogs on a number of sites. Connect with Andrea: website, Twitter, Facebook

My Review:
To say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book is an understatement.  Although I did have a hard time getting into this book at the beginning, it surely didn't characterize this book after about the third chapter.  In fact, I stayed up past midnight last night and finished this book in 3 days because the plot was moving so quickly from chapter to chapter that I couldn't put it down!  The characters in this story have very interesting backgrounds in their family life that seem to just pull you into the story.  Carrie Anne Bell, the main character of this story, definitely has a lot of spunk in her personality.  Her quick wit, intelligence and winning personality are huge assets to keeping the reader's interest. When her younger sister, Sarah, foolishly runs off with a no-good-peddler, Carrie doesn't let something like a Civil War stop her from searching for her wayward sister. She is determined to right this situation that has gone terribly wrong. Carrie isn't on a side of this war even though she lives in the South.  She is constantly showing that she will care for the blue or the grey because they are all made in the image of God.  Along the way, she meet the other main character of this book, Colonel Peyton Collier, a colonel in the Union army.  His character is also one that has a lot of depth.  His bad boy image is one he is trying to change, but the past can be hard to overcome when the people around you remember all the bad you've done.  His character is definitely one of change, proving that God can change any heart.
You can head over to the blog tour by clicking here and see what others are saying about this great book.


 
Kindle Giveaway Information: 
The search for her runaway sister goes awry when Carrie finds herself arrested during the Civil War for impersonating an officer in Andrea Boeshaar's A Thousand Shall Fall. Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel who arrested her. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally—and more than that, someone she could love. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

Andrea is celebrating the release of A Thousand Shall Fall with a Kindle Fire giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of A Thousand Shall Fall
• A Kindle Fire HD 6

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 10th. The winner will be announced December 11th on Andrea's blog.

***I received this free book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Looking for a great gift idea? Give the gift that lasts all year!! Odyssey Adventure Club!

Holiday to-do lists often become longer and longer as we get closer to Christmas. From holiday parties to host, Christmas pajamas to coordinate, family pictures, gifts to buy, travel plans to finalize, and more, the joy of the season can often be lost in the midst of the hustle and bustle.

Adventures in Odyssey and Odyssey Adventure Club have you covered. Karen Ehman and Glynnis Whitwer, authors of Everyday Confetti, share ideas and tips for simplifying and taking the stress out of the holidays. Pointing to the real reason for the season, they offer ideas to help you keep Christ at the center. Click here for a free broadcast download to learn how to simplify and de-stress your holiday season.

Speaking of de-stressing, let me help you out with your last-minute gift shopping. One of my top recommendations: the Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC) because it offers free content for everyone, including an Advent calendar, a broadcast download with tips to create a memorable Christmas, AIO cutouts and Christmas stocking stuffer cards. Membership to the OAC costs just $9.99 a month — or even less if parents make a six-month or one-year commitment. Enrollment provides more than enough content to keep kids engaged throughout the year:

• Access to exclusive content and first looks at books and select Radio Theatre dramas.
• On-the-go access to the OAC app for both iOS and Android users.
• 24/7 streaming access to nearly 800 AIO episodes.
• A new, members-only AIO episode every month.
• A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine, and more.

Some other great ideas for gift giving this season are:

Family friendly games--Telestrations, Pie Face Game
Christmas Pajamas
Needed Clothing
Family Pictures for the grandparents
Stocking Stuffers--Favorite snacks, hot wheels, hair accessories, pens/pencils, crayons and maybe a treat or two.

Last year we decided to start a fun new tradition with our kiddos.  They each get 20$ to spend on their 2 siblings (so $10.00 a piece).  It is fun to see them think of others instead of themselves and try to figure out what their sibling would like for Christmas.  It's also fun to watch them give out their presents.  They get so excited!!

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year to think of others and focus on the reason we celebrate this great holiday--JESUS!!  Have a Merry Christmas!

To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.