Book Review: Snow Day by Billy Coffey

Blogger…….now author. That’s Billy Coffey….and his first novel, Snow Day, has warmed my heart this holiday season and has inspired me to look for lessons in the little things.

Snow Day is the story of Peter Boyd, husband and father who lives a great life, but things aren’t perfect. Nothing ever is. The factory where he works is downsizing. Can you imagine the worry? The stress? During the holidays no less. On the day when many think the “bad news” is going to be released, Peter takes a Snow Day. It’s doesn’t go exactly as he would have planned…..

His wife sends him off to the store for basic staples like milk and bread……there’s a snowstorm after all. What transpires on the way to the store, while shopping at the store, and once he returns home, forever changes his life…….his outlook, his family, everything.

He learns a lesson from almost every single situation that day. Important lessons. Ones he might have missed. Lessons about true beauty from the couple with the scars. Lessons about giving, from the guy Peter was sure was a child molester following kids around the store…….he’s not, but I won’t spoil the amazing story here.

One of my favorite quotes: “No matter how little we have in this life in the way of things, we still have much to give in the way of us.”

Peter learns that even when we don’t listen to God, God still finds ways to speak to us.

This is a beautiful story, one that is bound to warm your heart as much as it did mine.

FRUGAL TIP: On amazon right now – Hardcover on sale for $12.80

(This was written as part of a campaign to promote the new book, Snow Day, and a complimentary copy was received for review. All statements are the personal and honest opinions of the author)

Supreme Justice, a novel by Phillip Margolin

An attack on a sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justice, a police officer on death row, and a ghost ship. The latest novel from bestselling author Phillip Margolin, Supreme Justice, delves into the suspense of all these things….and had me sitting up late at night to finish the story!

From the inside cover:

Sarah Woodruff, on death row in Oregon for murdering her lover, John Finley, has appealed her case to the Supreme Court just when a prominent justice resigns, leaving a vacancy.

Then, for no apparent reason, another justice is mysteriously attacked. Dana Cutler—one of the heroes from Margolin’s bestselling Executive Privilege—is quietly called in to investigate. She looks for links between the Woodruff appeal and the ominous incidents in the justices’ chambers, which eventually lead her to a shoot-out that took place years ago on a small freighter docked upriver in Shelby, Oregon, containing a dead crew and illegal drugs. The only survivor on board? John Finley.

With the help of Brad Miller and Keith Evans, Dana uncovers a plot by a rogue element in the American intelligence community involving the president’s nominee to the Supreme Court, and soon the trio is thrown back into the grips of a deadly, executive danger.

With nonstop action, Supreme Justice picks up where Executive Privilege left off, putting readers right back where they were—on the edge of their seats.

Phillip Margolin is the author of 14 New York Times bestsellers and it’s easy to see why. He moves quickly through chapters and keeps the story interesting.  I really never knew where the plot was going next, and that’s a huge thumbs up in my book.  I like to think ahead and make some predictions, but I was thrown off the path.  That makes things very interesting and one of the main reasons why I finished this 309 page novel in just two days, despite having a preschooler and deadlines looming nearby.

Even though I never read the predecessor, Executive Privilege, it didn’t matter. The characters are introduced well-enough that you don’t miss a thing…..except I’m enticed now to go back and read it just for fun. (U.S. President becomes a murder suspect).  Yes, I can tell there will even be another novel involving some of the characters…..and I’ll be waiting for it’s release.

It’s one of those books that has you looking over your shoulder…..and if you are a fan of suspense novels, this will no doubt be a favorite.

(A complimentary book was provided by Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are that of the author.”

O-Cedar ProMist Wet or Dry Floor Cleaning System

I absolutely hate cleaning the floors. It’s probably because I have linoleum in both my kitchen and breakfast area…..oh, to me it’s the hardest thing to clean. Cleaning the floor (at least well) always involves getting down on my hands and knees with linoleum….not comfortable at all.  I don’t like traditional mops and all the germs, and I’ve never bought anything to help me out at all.   So, in lieu of hiring a housekeeper to do this chore of mine, I signed up to test out the brand new O-Cedar ProMist Wet or Dry Floor Cleaning System.

Here’s the Scoop:

• Bucket-Free (wet clean the floor without a bucket)
• Refillable
• Use whatever solution you like (OR JUST WATER, or water & vinegar)
• Reusable Microfiber Pads (WASHABLE)
• Also a Semi-Disposable Pad can use for messy cleanups (I’m thinking stomach flu here)
• Use on all floors (linoleum, ceramic tile, wood & more)

FIRST IMPRESSION: I’ll tell you up front that I was hesitant. First and foremost, I’m quite tall, so I feared that I would be hunched over while cleaning the floor.  I’ve only seen a few systems by other brands, and with all of them, the handles were far too short for me.  After I unpacked the O-Cedar ProMist Wet or Dry Floor Cleaning System, I was shocked. The sturdy handle (and I do mean sturdy) came up to my chest.   First impression – thumbs up!

The microfiber pads attach easily with velcro…..which means everything is quite secure.  It was a bit tricky the first time to get the bottle out to fill it up….but my husband easily showed me how.  I filled up the bottle with HOT water as I don’t like to use a lot of chemicals in our house where we’ve got asthma and allergies.  The trigger to release the water was easy to use and the reach of the spray was great.

I wish I could say that the cleaning system makes linoleum easier to deal with…..linoleum is still a pain in my book and will still require some hand and knees work to get scuff marks out.  BUT, as far as day to day cleaning, I love the O-Cedar ProMist Wet or Dry Floor Cleaning System. It was tall enough to for me to use comfortably, I can use it with just water, and it cleans quite well. Another perk was how easily it cleaned under my cabinets and even the baseboards!

My only question is how many times I can wash the reusable microfiber pad.  While the website tells me 100 times, the packaging box that it came in says only 50 times.  That’s a big difference….so I’m curious. But the fact that I can wash and reuse it means I’m not having to buy anything else. That’s a great deal!

Where to Buy? Looks like they are available at many popular retailers and grocery stores, like Walmart, Target, Ralphs, Costco and more!

FRUGAL TIP: There’s a $5.00 Rebate available

This post was written as part of a promotion for O-Cedar, who provided a cleaning system for review.  No other form of compensation was received. All statements and comments are the personal opinions of the author.

“I am Me and You are You” by Eva Marie Cote

I love children’s books with simple messages, especially ones that are necessary for kids of all ages to hear. That’s exactly what I found when I opened up I Am Me and You Are You. This new release from Second Street Books has only 16 pages, but what lies within is priceless.

A turtle has no busy tail

A lion has no fin

A toad lacks long and silky hair

A centipede a chin

With the clever use of  animals and rhyming lyrics, author Eva Marie Cote, reminds children (and maybe a few adults too) that it’s great to be who you are.  From the cat who can’t possibly ever bark to the lion who can’t swim with a fin, kids will get the picture that each one of them is made to be different….and it’s those differences that make us who we are, special, and one-of-a-kind.

At some point every child wants something different about themselves.  For me,  I’ve always wanted this course curly hair to go away.  But then I talk to those with thin straight hair and they want my curly hair.

I know there’s bound to be something my three old would love to change about herself, but maybe with a bit of guidance, love, and reminding from books like this one, they will be few and far between.

FRUGAL TIP: Available on amazon for only $5.95

(A complimentary book was provided in exchange for an honest review…….nothing else.  All statements are the opinions of the author)

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