The Hidden Chamber In The Great Sphinx Book Review and Giveaway

As a lover of all things history, one of my favorite genres to read is historical fiction books. So, it was pure excitement when I got the opportunity to review the book The Hidden Chamber In The Great Sphinx by Linda Cadose.

This book peaked my interest right away as I truly find anything Egyptian dealing with pyramids, pharaohs and especially the Sphinx quite fascinating. Linda Cadose has all of that in the pages of this book along with factual information for the reader.

photo source

The book follows archaeologist Dr. Cliff Post and his friend, Dr. Abdul Saad who discover a hidden chamber in the Great Sphinx. The right paw is opened to find much more than originally could be imagined and leads them to an even greater discovery. Many organizations get involved including the United Nations and The Museum of Antiquities of Egypt. Each organization has its own part in the discovery and gives  its own account to what exactly was discovered in factual detail.

The plot is written in such a way that the reader learns information about not only the Great Sphinx but also about Egypt, its mysteries, and the study of archaeology. Twisted among the pages is an endearing love story between Dr. Post and his next door neighbor. Also, there lies deception and intrigue.
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Linda Cadose writes a good tale but I do think the factual information over ran her story line. I was also surprised that some references in the book would be over the heads of young readers as they would have no frame of reference. Overall though, this book is obviously directed to the child who would love to read about Egypt and the historical nature of it and I am positive they would love it!

This book is recommended for the 9-15 year old reader. I personally would recommend it for the young pre-teen to young teen because some words in the book would be a bit difficult for the younger child.
~Naila Moon


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Would you like to own your own copy of this book?  Well, now you can!

Author Linda Cadose is generously offering one of my readers a copy of The Hidden Chamber In The Great Sphinx. Enter in the rafflecopter below.



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest and open opinion.

Featured Faces and Friday Blog Hopping 2/1/13

It is unbelievable that we are now on to February. So much to do, so little time it seems.
Anyway, today is Friday and that means hopping around to the different blogs around the Blogsphere.

As always, I also Feature 1-2 of my blog followers on Fridays and ask you to go say hello to them, wish them well and by all means follow them if you want to. If you are featured please go over to my sidebar and grab the special button I have for those that are featured for the week. Wear it proudly!

Featured Friday Faces

This week I am featuring two. Introducing...

Judy of Judy's Handmade Creations    

Gina Alfani

Friendship Friday

This week our lovely host asks the following questions for us to answer:

What type of books do you like to read? Are there any genres you try to avoid? What are you currently reading?

My answer: I actually like to read a variety of books. However, my favorites are historical fiction, biographies, autobiographies, children's and Young Adult.

I really try to avoid romance novels or real trashy books.  I am probably the only person on the planet that has not read "50 Shades of Grey".  I am not opposed to them, just not my style.

You can see always what I am currently reading down in my sidebar on the left. However, to speed things along here I am reading "Yanni", "The Three Lost Kids & Cupid's Capture", "No Laughing Aloud" and "The Chamber in the Sphinx". 

I am a book reviewer for Amazon and Goodreads plus a host for Innovative Book Tours. So, I have a ton of books I read at one time.  Yes, you will see the reviews here. :)

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Aloha Friday/Anything Goes/Friendship Follow

Aloha Friday is a day to relax and just ask a simple question for your blog readers to answer and to post a question of their own.

My question: Next Thursday is National Send a card day. (Probably sponsored by Hallmark. hee hee) Do you send cards to people any more or do you just do e-cards? Would you send a postcard  to me? (I like good mail and I collect them.).

My answer: I do like to send cards when I actually get them in the mail box. I have sent e-cards before but very rarely do I do that. I think the only thing people get in the mail anymore is bills and junk mail. Who wants those?

I would not send myself a postcard, that would be cheesy and waste of a stamp. However, if you want to send me one, shoot me an e-mail and I will send you my snail mail address. I will post it on these blank walls of mine and take photos of them for a future blog. nailamoon1968 at gmail dot com

~Naila Moon

***Don't forget to come by on Saturday for Saturday Snaps. Will your photo be featured this week?

Thankful Thursday and A Song...1/31/2013

Here we are at the end of January already. It seems like this month just flew. Wow!

Today is the last day of the month and it just also happens to be my Grand-daughter's 3rd birthday. Happy Birthday my little sweetie. Grandma loves you and misses you.

Photo taken by my daughter, Natasha

Today I am grateful for not only her but also my new Grandson as well. These two little ones bring such continued joy in my life.  My only heart break is that I cannot see them more often.  I have not even seen my Grandson except through Skype.  I have only seen my Grand-daughter once via Skype since I left Missouri and I lived with her awhile!

photo taken by my daughter, Natasha

Their smiling faces make this Grandma one happy person and I could not possibly be anything but thankful that they are in my life.
~Naila Moon

Don't forget to link up with your thankful thoughts after the video.

Wordless (ish) Wednesday... Aunt M. 1/30/2013

This is a photo I took this past Summer of my favorite aunt, Aunt M. . She is holding one of her dogs, Bibbi.
I told her that it was sad that she was wearing the cone of shame.

My Aunt replied, " She is not! She is on temporary medical disability."

That made me laugh so hard!
~Naila Moon

 Link up with any or all of these folks:

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Tuesdays Topic-The Round up and some links

http://yaknowstuff.blogspot.com/

Coming in here late with my weekly forum of Tuesdays Topics. I invite you to discuss, comment and share on any of the topics I discuss on Tuesdays. The only thing I ask is to be respectful of all that come here.

Today I am taking the time out to discuss a fantastic opportunity I had this weekend and one that will return in June.  It was dubbed  Blogathon2.



Honestly, I had no clue as to what that really meant but I was intrigued by the idea of getting my to do blogging list done and maybe learn something along the way. The incentive to strive for the full 72 hours allotted for this event was prizes. Of course no one really had to do the whole 72 nor was it expected.

After nearly 30 hours of working on my blog, networking and fantastic Twitter party fun, I learned a thing or two.  First of all, you cannot get a to do list done if you are social networking too much. However, I really did not mind because I met some really great people and I hope to stay in contact with the majority of them.

I did manage to create a new fan page which can be found HERE. Please drop by and like the page. I would be very grateful.

I did learn about tweet grids and how to use them. I also won an e-book at one of the parties. I found out about a program called sumopaint.com and got some great information on blogger planners.

There were 13 mini-challenges that were available to do for additional entries. I wish I could say I got to all of them but I simply didn't. In any case, all of them were different and informative.

As an outreach from this event, I created the Facebook Group #Goodreads Rocks. This group was created for those of us who were discussing our love of books, reading and the site Goodreads. If you would like to join, you can do that HERE.

What I took away from Blogathon2 will certainly stick with me for awhile and I do look forward to the next one scheduled for June. I encourage you to sign up for it as soon as that time becomes available. It is worth the time and effort. You just might learn something.
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As there were several newbies involved with Blogathon2, they wanted to know about some linky parties and other imemes/info. I am including ones (below) that I am involved and/or know about but if you know of other good ones, let me know in comments with the links and I will pass that information along. Note: I am posting by day for your  ease of access.

~Peace and love,
Naila Moon
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Monday
Mondays Music Moves Me aka 4M's- http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/

Inspire Me Monday-http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Tuesday
Tuesdays Topics with Naila Moon-http://yaknowstuff.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays Favorites with Mark- http://creativeminds-tamirisc.blogspot.com/

Show off Tuesdays (Giveaways and reviews)- http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/

Treasure Hunt Tuesdays- http://royalegacy.blogspot.com/

Wednesday
Wordless Wednesdays-(numerous)
http://www.create-with-joy.com/
http://royalegacy.blogspot.com

Vlogging Workshop-http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/

Thursday
Thankful Thursdays and A Song- http://yaknowstuff.blogspot.com/ and co-hosted  by http://thenewxmasdolly.blogspot.com/

Thursday Giveaways- http://www.thenightowlmama.com/

Writer's Workshop- http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/

Alpha-Be Thursday- http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/

Friday
Aloha Fridays/Anything Goes- http://stacysrandomthoughts.com/

Friendship Fridays-http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Friendship Follow- http://poshonabudget.com/

Featured Faces Friday- http://yaknowstuff.blogspot.com/

Poetry Friday- http://creativeminds-tamirisc.blogspot.com/

Saturday
Saturday Snap- http://yaknowstuff.blogspot.com/

Saturday Centus- http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/

Saturday Cereal-http://creativeminds-tamirisc.blogspot.com/

Sunday
Sunday Vlogging- http://yaknowstuff.blogspot.com/

Mondays Music Moves Me...1/28/2013

Welcome back to Monday. I actually like this day because I get to rock out with Xmas Dolly and the train crew for Mondays Music Moves Me or what we fondly call, The 4M's.

This week is a theme week and it turns out, I happened to pick it.  The theme I picked is music based on the four elements. I said that this could be loosely interpreted but still had to do with Earth, wind, fire or water.

Let's go and get some musical inspiration on.

Water:

Fire:

Earth:

Wind:

Yes, I have a bonus too! *smiles*

Sunday Vlogging-Another Little Unknown Holiday. I'm Celebrating!

Please subscribe to my YouTube here! Thanks so much!

Saturday Snaps (Linky) 1/26/2013

Welcome back to Saturday Snaps. My fun meme where you can feature your photos and I certainly feature mine.  I also pick a "winning" photo every week to be featured on my blog for the week. (upper right hand corner of this blog) This is totally done through random. org... Will it be you?

Before I get to that, this is my daily snap shots for this week.

Day 19-the ticket from the free movie we went to see at the re-open of the theater

Day 20-My painting of "The Eye of Ra Looking for Peace Among the Worlds"

Day 21-I bet many of you can relate to this one.

Day 22-our apartment numbers. What is that weird drip?

Day 23-my painting-"Angel Of the Night"

Day 24-yummy bean and chicken soup

Day 25-I call this Something-Something Over Rice. (Have you seen Mark's video on YouTube about this?)

Mark cooking-wk 4 of 52

Me in front of our apartment complex-wk 4 of 52

Now for our winner of the week chosen by random.org is...

Amiko with her "Window Views"

Congrats Amiko!

Make sure you link up and who knows, YOU might be featured next week.
~Peace...Naila Moon

Blogathon Challenge-Drop and write 250

Picture this.

You are working along, doing whatever it is you are doing and someone says, “Stop!”

You respond, “What? Why?”

This someone continues on and says, “Drop everything and write at least 250 words. You are having right now, a smack down challenge.”

Now, I am thinking that is crazy speak.  I mean sheesh, I am up to my ears in stuff I know! Not to mention still cleaning up water that I have managed to pour all over my table that I am working on and have said stuff.

How in the world am I supposed to write 250 blooming words that would be…well…awesome!

So, I said to this person, “Look, I just got done doing a post but I will take that challenge and I will do it with flair.”
Of course I waved my hand in the air like I was some French poet or something.  Just picture me in the beret ok?

I then took a long hard drink of my newly fresh glass of water and plugged in my computer. After all, I needed not to pass out from dehydration and for my computer to continue working.

I looked at my blank screen and began to type what surely would be the utmost profound piece I had ever written.  People from miles away, or possibly other planets would admire my work. I would be known as “that woman of the 250 words”.

Can you see it?

Oh yes, my fingers fly across the keyboard as fireworks pop off in the air at my greatness. Children outside my apartment are waving banners in an effort to cheer me on. Music played by the local band gives a rah, rah to rally my cries.

Then, just like that…with almost 300 words, I am finished.

Featured Friday/Friendship/Aloha 1-25/2013

Hello one and all on this lovely afternoon.

I am participating this weekend in the January Blogathon. You can check it out by clicking on the button on my sidebar. You will see updates from me from time to time all weekend besides by usual memes and stuff. ;-)

As it is Friday and I hop around on this day, I am going to start off this week with Friendship as she is asking about this very thing today.
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Friendship Friday
What are your current Blogging Goals and do you have a plan for achieving them?

My answer: Currently I plan to keep up with the new memes I created this year and have many more giveaways for everyone. At the same time I want to stay true to myself and not lose sight of what my original purpose for blogging was about.

I do have a plan of sorts. Right now, I am working on the blogathon which should get me ahead of the game and organized.
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Aloha/Anything Goes and Friend/Follow
Question from me: My husband and I love to watch movies! We especially like when we can go to the theater and both of us have been going since we were kids.
Have you ever made out in the back of a movie theater? Be honest!

My answer: *blushes* Yeah, when I was a teen I went every week with my then boyfriend. We ALWAYS made out. LOL  Now, there is no way I would because of the way theaters are designed, because there is usually kids back there and because I would not want to lose all that cash for a movie I didn't see! :)
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Featured Faces Friday
As you may or may not know, I feature one (sometimes two) of my followers every week on my blog page. You can find that person of the week up in the right hand corner of my blog. Go over and say hello to that person and by all means, do follow. Tell them I sent you!
If you are featured please grab the special button of my Grandma and post proudly on your own blog.

This week I am featuring...drum roll...Jennee Thompson. GO say hello!



~Naila Moon
PS>Do not forget to come back tomorrow for my meme Saturday Snaps. You never know what I have been taking photos of. Of course check back in for update all weekend too.

Getting the Blog-a-thon started!

Whee...IT'S FRIDAY! LOL 

Seriously, I am just excited for all of you that are always ecstatic when it it Friday and because today is the first day of the January Blog-a-thon.

Oh yes, I have decided to embrace this opportunity and blog, blog, blog my way in to euphoria.This 72 hour blog-a-thon ends on Monday and I have big plans.

Some of the things I have in mind are: 
1. Update my page for February (pretty, pretty)
2. Write a blog post or two for another couple other blogs of mine (you did know I had more than one right?)
3. Update my Mom's blog
4. Pre-plan a ton of blog post
5. Write a bunch of those blog post
6. Do a fun video for this Sunday
7. Pre-plan some videos for Sunday vlogging
8. Photo shoot

This is only a few of the things I know I will be doing this weekend.  
The rules for the blog-a-thon are a bit lose but the host would like for us to at least do a set amount of hours. The more hours we do, the better our chances of winning prizes. YES, PRIZES!
There is also mini-options along the way to win more prizes that we participants can do all week.

So, having said all that, this post is my official start. Wish me luck...and off I go!!
~Naila Moon

PS. Be watching for updates all weekend. You can also find those updates on my Facebook page and from Twitter. Look for hashtag #blogathon2

The Grand Tour!

Thankful Thursday and A Song (Linky) 1/23/2013

Hello my lovely blog-y friends. This week my mind has been on freedom and what that means. As I mentioned on Tuesday the definition is vast.  I guess though today I am feeling particularly thankful for the freedom to write my thought and feelings.  I have that right as a free thinker and am happy to write what comes to mind.

However, I do know that with that freedom (as with any freedom) there is a sense of responsibility  I suppose I am glad that is one of the things my parents taught me well is to be responsible with what you say and do.

I am also thankful for those people who have come before me to pave the way for my rights as a writer and a free thinker.  I especially am grateful for my maternal Great-Grandmother who was a suffragist.  She had no problem telling you what she thought. hee hee

Yes, I suppose I have a lot to be thankful for today and be free to do so.
~Naila Moon

Wordless(ish) Wed...Freedom of the Road on Rte 66 1/23/2013

Hello my Wordless Wednesday pals.  Keeping with the theme I seem to have set for myself this week of "freedom", I present the following photo to you. This photo I took this Summer on vacation with my Mom.
We stopped off here which is a break in the Old Route 66.

The car you see there is actually an art installation (of a real car) of the old cars that traveled down Route 66. If you look in the background there is a line of electric wires. That line denotes the old route. (those are real too) Right in front of actually where I was standing is a plaque that tells a bit of the history and also the information I just gave you.

I thought this was the coolest thing ever and could just imagine myself in that old car being free and carefree and getting my own "kicks on Route 66".

Happy Wednesday ya all!
~Naila Moon

PS>Don't forget to come back tomorrow for Thankful Thursday (linky) and A Song.

Innovative Online Book Tours Review of Forbidden Fire by Kimberly Kinrade

Forbidden Fire by Kimberly Kinrade is the second book in the Forbidden trilogy. The title of the book is a tease for it gives the illusion of a steamy romance. This is far from what the book  actually is.
 What makes this book so interesting is it is told in the voice, eyes and ears of three of the main characters, Sam, Drake and Lucy.

This sci-fi fantasy book continues the tale of  Sam and Drake who have escaped from the Rent-a-Kid Organization and "school" for para-normal kids. Throughout the book Sam and Drake are stalked by the Seeker who wants desperately to have them back in the fold. The Seeker will stop at nothing to get them back and only  mayhem follows them. If that is not enough, Sam and Drake struggle with a blossoming love affair, worry and utter disappointment as they try to bring down the organization.

In the mix of things the reader learns about the students and friends of Sam who are still stuck at the "school" and facing demons of their own. A Mr. Black and his goons have been hired by the Seeker to keep the students safe, or at least so it seems. Instead he locks down the students and in his wake is anger and murder.

Sam's best friend, Lucy and her twin brother Luke, become reluctantly involved with the group The Freedom Fighters who work to take down Rent-a-Kid. Through mind reading, Lucy is able to inform Sam of the trouble at the "school" and seeks her help.

In the end, using their para-normal powers, Lucy, Luke, Sam, Drake and all the other students overcome their captors but not before heart ache and loss comes their way.  A couple of  surprise twists in the plot not only assist but encourage their endeavors.

I highly recommend this book as a must read and I look forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. Thumbs up!

~Naila Moon

Disclosure: I was given an e-book copy of this book from the author for my honest opinion.

Tuesdays Topics...Freedom 1/22/2013

Welcome back to Tuesdays Topics with me, Naila Moon.
Today I want to talk to you about freedom. Yeah, I know...do not send me letters...ok, just hear me out.

picture source

Per Webster's Dictionary:

Definition of FREEDOM

1

: the quality or state of being free: as

a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : independence

c : the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous <freedom from care>

d : ease, facility freedom

>

e : the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken freedom

>

f : improper familiarity

g : boldness of conception or execution

h : unrestricted use freedom

 of their home>

2

a : a political right

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Most people I would safely say, see the correct definition is #2. However, I find #1b to be interesting.

Yesterday our nation celebrated not only the 2nd inauguration of our President but also celebrated Martin Luther King's birthday, a man who is synonymous with freedom.

The word itself conjures so many ideas of what it really is to the varying people to whom the word applies.

picture source

Here in the United States we do indeed see freedom as a political right for everyone in the whole world but yet, we also define that right based on our own thoughts and life style. Just in this past year I have seen fights over the "freedom" to marry, the "freedom" of religion, the "freedom" to smoke/not smoke, the "freedom" to be born, the "freedom" to...you name it here.

So, I suppose that brings me back to the definition of #1b, we want to be free of another's restraint over us but yet we can not seem to agree on just how that is to be done when so many of us disagree on the same issues.  Yes, we also have the "freedom" to our own opinion but if that "freedom" restrains me then I am not free either. Am I?

Oh such a perplexity! 

~Naila Moon

Tell me what you think about my topic today. I welcome your comments. I just ask that you be respectful of all.

Make your own seasoning

This is just a quick blog post (so I can pin it) hee hee

I found this recipe for making your own taco seasoning (which we use a ton).
It is so simple and it seams you could make a larger batch to put in a mason jar.

I found three different recipes and posting all.

1st Recipe

• 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp onion powder
• 1/8 tsp ground red pepper
• 1/8 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

2nd Recipe
1 part chili powder
1 part ground cumin
1 part garlic powder
1 part onion powder
1/4 – 1/2 part crushed red pepper

Directions

1. Mix all the spices together and store in an airtight container.  Use sparingly or liberally. 

3rd Recipe

source

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container. Yields about 2 3/4 tablespoons.

To use: Use about 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning for every 1 pound of meat. Use more or less depending on your preference. Brown meat and drain the fat. Add your taco seasoning along with about 1/2 cup of water. Simmer and stir until water is absorbed. If you want more of a sauce throw in about 2 tablespoons of flour with the water.

Mondays Music 1/21/2013

picture source

Hello everyone. As most of you know( or may not know) today is the day that Martin Luther King Jr's birthday is celebrated. Today happens to also be the day the President is sworn in to office again. It also just happens to be a "freebie" day for Mondays Music Moves Me hosted by Xmas Dolly and the train crew.

Having said all of that I have freedom (all kinds) on my mind and music in my heart so let's work with both of those shall we?

Up first in tribute to MLK:



Next up:



And this one:



Finally this one:



~Peace, Naila Moon
Make sure you come by tomorrow for Tuesdays Topics.