Monday, March 29, 2010

Book Review: Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go by Lucille O’Neal

This book is a brief summary of Lucille O’Neal’s life. She is the mother of the infamous NBA basketball superstar, Shaquille O’Neal. She is very honest about her life and her feelings, but I felt there were a lot of things she left unsaid. She tells about her parent’s divorce when she was only three and how her father took her and her two siblings to live with him at his parent's home in New Jersey. She talks about her grandparent's strict Christian upbringing and her desire for a little space and freedom.

Lucille became an unwed mother at the age of eighteen in 1972. She met and married Phillip Harrison two years later. He raised Shaquille as his own and they had three more children together. My heart broke along with hers when she retold an incident of Phil verbally berating her one day. Phil did a head count when he came home from work and the youngest was missing. She had snuck out the door while Lucille was trying to prepare dinner. She was found a short time later, but unfortunately, I believe that instance was the beginning of the end of their 28 year marriage.

In all, I enjoyed this book. It was a fast, easy read and it held my attention. It was written in dialog as if you were sitting next to Lucille listening to her telling her story personally. It was interesting enough that I wanted to know more. I wanted to hear some “words of wisdom” spoken to her by her grandparents. I wanted some actual dialog between her and her children, husband, and parents. I think Lucille will write a second book because I feel she has so much more to share!

As a side note: I found a typo on page 137.

It reads: "For those of who you haven’t experienced this, there’s nothing more numbing than your first child leaving home for college.”

It should read: " For those of you who haven’t experienced this, there’s nothing more numbing than your first child leaving home for college."

I like to proof-read, I read every word, and I could use a little side income! *wink, wink*

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

I got a FREE sample of Olay Total Effects Body Wash!

I got a FREE sample of Olay Total Effects Body Wash!  It smells really good!  I like it but think it's a little expensive, so I will probably only buy it with a discount coupon or wait for a good sale!  Get your free sample, too, at The Frugal Girls--Hurry!


Sunday, March 14, 2010

I got a FREE bottle of Pantene Nature Fusion Shampoo!

Yesterday, I received my FREE 12.6 ounce sample of Pantene Pro-V Smooth Vitality Shampoo in the mail! This is a $5.99 retail value! Plus, they sent me 3 coupons for $2 off any size bottle!

I found this amazing free offer from "The Frugal Girls" on Facebook. Everyday they list different links for free stuff.

A big thank you goes out to Frugal Girls and Pantene! :)

Book Review: Kaleidoscope by Patsy Clairmont

Kaleidoscope by Patsy Clairmont is a light review of the book of Proverbs. Patsy is a Women of Faith author and speaker who has a heart for the Lord. Through humor and truth God has given her the amazing ability to reach out to millions of women.

The intended audience for this book is busy women, and she builds each chapter around a relevant verse in Proverbs. If you don’t have much time to read, but you’d like something light and entertaining that can be read quickly, then this book is for you! In that way, I think it fulfills its objective very well.

The book is small so it can be carried easily in a woman’s handbag or tote. The chapters are short, and the stories are relevant and entertaining--as is Patsy’s writing style that we’ve come to know and love.

At the end of each chapter are questions and supporting Bible verses. For a further in-depth study of the Proverbs, this book could easily be used either as a small group study or a personal devotion. I enjoyed Patsy’s stories and sense of humor, and I could relate so well with many of the stories!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”