Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Jul 15

28

Book Tour & Giveaway: Going Home by James D. Shipman

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on July 28, 2015
Posted in Book Tours • My Past Giveaways  | Tagged With: , , | 4 Comments

James D. ShipmanThanks to Robert Soares of Sparkpoint Studio, I am giving away one print copy of ‘Going Home by James D. Shipman.

Description of  ‘Going Home by James D. Shipman:


Based on the true story of Union general Joseph Forsyth, Going Home tells a young man’s heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful story of class, dignity, shameful secrets, and familial bonds. Indentured to a printer as an apprentice at eleven-years-old, Joseph is subject to abuse and alienation before escaping to join his extended family in upstate New York, leaving behind his jobless alcoholic father.

Forced to pay his father’s debt to save the family farm, he sacrifices his own happiness and freedom, but wins the hearts of people in his small town due to his hard work and gentle nature.

As he grows older, Joseph realizes others often take advantage of his kindness, including his new wife Lucy. At the height of the Civil War, Joseph is forced to take a bounty and join the 186th New York Regiment. After the bloody battle of Petersburg, Joseph awakens in a hospital, suffering from grave wounds, and learns his family has been tragically killed in an arson fire.

His nurse Rebecca also lost her husband and family to war, and keeps vigil at his side, clinging to their newfound connection. As Joseph fights for his life, he and Rebecca must make a decision to either live in the past or move on to an uncertain future.

About James D. Shipman:


James D. Shipman

(c) Nakean Photography

James D. Shipman was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. While earning a degree in history from the University of Washington and a law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law, he began publishing short stories and poems; he also completed his first novel during that time.

He opened his own law firm in 2004 and is still a practising attorney. He has served as a superior court judge and commissioner pro tem as well as an arbitrator in hundreds of legal cases. Constantinopolis, his first published novel, blends his love of history and writing. An avid reader, especially of historical non-fiction, he enjoys travelling and spending time with his family.

Giveaway of ‘Going Home by James D. Shipman:


This giveaway is open the U.S. only and ends on August 11, 2015.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

James D. Shipman

 

 

Jul 15

22

Product Review: Alligga Flaxseed Cooking Oil

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on July 22, 2015
Posted in Cooking • Product Review • Vegan  | Tagged With: , , , | 4 Comments

Created with Nokia Smart Cam

Created with Nokia Smart Cam

 

When I was offered the chance to try a bottle of Alligga Flaxseed Cooking Oil, I knew I had to accept.  I have used Omega Flaxseed oil occasionally but you can’t cook with it.  I have used it in things like salad dressings.

Why Use Flaxseed Oil?


Flaxseed oil is very healthy to include in your diet.  It is high in Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and also has some Omega 9 fatty acids. It is also high in fibre.  It is a great alternative to fish oil for vegans and vegetarians. Because of that, I would love to be able to use it more in my cooking and food preparations. So, I tested Alligga Flaxseed Oil out.

How I Tested/Used Alligga Flaxseed Oil:


1. I tried a drop of it on it’s own.

2. I used it to sauté an onion and Gardein Beefless Ground to make vegan shepherds pie.

3. I used it to prepare a recipe, provided from Alligga for a pasta dish. They called it “Simple Pasta”

The Outcome of Tests With Alligga Flaxseed Oil:

Created with Nokia Smart Cam

Created with Nokia Smart Cam

1. When I tried it on it’s own, I found the taste quite bitter. For that reason, I would never use it something like a salad dressing.  It would totally over power the other flavors.

2. It was fine in the shepherds pie, we couldn’t taste it in final product.

3. The name of the recipe, “Simple Pasta” was spot on.  It only took about 20 minutes tomake, including boiling the pasta. The recipe called for a tablespoon of salt which sounded like way too much to me.  I first used a teaspoon and after tasting it, added another teaspoon. You could really taste the bitterness of the oil but the extra teaspoon of salt really helped to mask it.  A whole tablespoon would be too much for my tastes and for Bill’s as well.  We don’t use a lot of salt.

You can get the Flaxseed Linguine Recipe Here.

Would I Buy Alligga Flaxseed Oil?


I might for recipes that I wouldn’t be able to taste it in.  The pasta recipe would be a great one to make using extra virgin olive oil, in fact I plan to do so.  However, I wouldn’t use Alligga for it.  I would still use the Omega brand for salad dressings. I don’t find it bitter at all.  They both say they process it the same way, cold pressed except Alligga also filters it.  I can’t believe filtering it is what causes the bitterness, unless if is filtered through something that makes it bitter. Perhaps they will find a better method that makes it more palatable.

Due to the bitterness, I have to rate Alligga Flaxseed Oil a 3/5.

If the Alligga Flaxseed Gels are 100% vegan, I would love to try those.  Then I could get the benefit without the bitter taste.

Watch This Short Video to Find Out more About Alligga Flaxseed Oil and It’s Health Benefits:


Have you tried Alligga Flaxseed Oil? I would love to know your thoughts on it.

I received a free bottle of Alligga Flaxseed Oil for my honest review.

Jul 15

20

Giveaway: Far Outside the Ordinary by Prissy Elrod

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on July 20, 2015
Posted in My Past Giveaways  | Tagged With: , | 9 Comments

Prissy ElrodThanks to Felicia Minerva of Midpoint Trade/Beaufort Books, I am giving away 6 advanced print copies of ‘Far Outside the Ordinary’ by Prissy Elrod.

Description of ‘Far Outside the Ordinary’ by Prissy Elrod:


If anybody had told Prissy, a conservative Southern housewife, she would one day be driving around town with a stoned, drunk black man named Willie in her backseat while she begged—no, ordered—him into her house for the night, she would have told them they were nuts. But it happened.

An emotionally honest account, Far Outside the Ordinary chronicles the period in Prissy’s life when, during a routine physical, her fifty-yearold husband is given less than a year to live. Southern black caregivers move into her home and work around the clock to aid her family. Soon, Prissy finds herself a spectator in her own home, observing events far outside the boundaries of her once ordinary life.

Far Outside the Ordinary is also a story of happily ever after, a romantic fairy tale. When her high school boyfriend reappears in her life, Prissy learns love has no expiration date. Sometimes a second chance at love can come disguised, and when least expected.

About Prissy Elrod:Prissy Elrod


An artist at heart, new novelist, Prissy Elrod lives in Tallahassee, Florida with her husband while her treasured family lives within four miles of her.

Writing her first novel, ‘Far Out of the Ordinary’ was an exercise of courage. It took four years to write, three computers, two espresso machines, 48 how-to writing books, a Florida State University memoir-writing class, 24 blog subscriptions, a half-dozen periodical journals and 14 revised drafts.

Elrod kept the manuscript to herself, not allowing anyone to read it for the first three years of writing her story and finally, in 2013, she sent the draft to a Pushcart Prize–winning writer in Texas, engaging him to read the manuscript and provide feedback. Elrod is currently working on her second book.

Giveaway of ‘Far Outside the Ordinary’ by Prissy Elrod:


This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S. and ends on August 3, 2015. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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