Great product

One of the best products I've ever been asked to review. This handy battery charger uses the sun to recharge. It's water resistant, shock proof and has two usb ports. Useful to keep in the car, or for a hiker, even a boat. Lightweight, it's a perfect gift for any occasion that may turn out to be a lifesaver. I received this product for an honest review.

Great idea

Perfect little multiple hook for the office or closet to hold your jacket, a bag, or anything else you want up and out of the way. A simple idea that can be used in a pool house, garage, or bedroom. Sturdy, it comes with two anchors to hold it securely in the wall. I was given a sample of this product for an honest review. It was put to use immediately in my office.

Loved this book. Exciting read.

Paula Hawkins has penned a thrilling mystery that keeps the reader engaged until the last page. Rachel is commuting every day on the same line. Her life is crumbling. Her husband has left her for another woman, her drinking has affected her job, she is on the verge of being tossed out by her landlady. Reviled, divorced and an alcoholic, she daydreams on the train, creating fantasy lives for a couple she passes on her route. She can't let go of her ex and it destroying her life. One day, she observes something strange at the house of the golden couple, and she finds herself being sucked into a missing person's investigation. The problem is she can't recall her whereabouts or trust what is real or in her mind. This book was filled with unexpected twists and turns. Despite Rachel's lack of appeal, I found myself rooting for her to turn her life around. She is a loser, with nothing to endear or redeemable about her character, yet, Hawkins imbues her with such a pitiable humanity, that I hoped life would work out for her. The Girl on the Train starts with the sterility of our age, the assumption that if it looks like a pig, act's like a pig, we will accept that it is a pig. Hawkins takes her characters and scrapes away the patina covering them to reveal that every train is filled with passengers, and all of them have very interesting stories to tell.

Happy Reading,
Carole P. Roman

Adorable

Charming book that celebrates both Jewish holidays and being the littlest in a group. Hannah Levine is having a hard time. Everybody has jobs to do in preparation for many of the holiday celebrations. Poor Hannah is relegated to the minimum amount of work, because she is the littlest.On Sukkot, she needs her dad to help her hang the pretty paper chains. When they light the Channuka menorah, grandma must guide her hand. With every chore, she is reminded that she has limitations and resents her position in the family. However, her grandfather assures her that there is a benefit to being the youngest. Passover arrives, and even though she cannot do the things she wants, Hannah learns that being the littlest Levine has its perks when she is the one chosen to ask the important four questions, a very special role only given to the youngest person at the table. Sandy Lanton writes an adorable book that serves double duty by naming several of the wonderful holidays of the year, as well as a subtle lesson that teaches that everyone has something special in store for them. The illustrations are bright and cute. It is a sweet book that teaches every member of the family is valued and even if they can't keep up,or are the youngest, they have an importance in the group.

Happy Reading,
Carole P. Roman

Great book that teaches tolerance and acceptance

Wonderful book that addresses gender intolerance for both boys and girls. In a terrific rhyme, Niki Bhatia writes of two brothers who are discussing what is acceptable behavior for a boy. The younger brothers likes the color pink and is told that he should prefer blue better. He explains that pink is alright, because even daddy wears pink shirts. And so it goes, from rough housing, to sports, to the types of toys the younger boy is supposed to enjoy. He explains that mom says it's okay if he prefers different things than his brother. He introduces a friend who happens to be female and enjoys more masculine pursuits. "Mommy says pink is just a color...like red or blue. What really matters is what's deep inside of you." A truly thoughtful book that teaches children that labels are not necessary, and that any which way you choose is fine. I loved this book.

Happy Reading,
Carole P. Roman

A tale of two families

Sande Boritz Berger debut book is a representation of life in both America and war-ravaged Europe during World War II. Rosha Kaninsky is the beloved child of her doting parents, who live Vilna. Protected and coddled, her parents and grandmother shield her from the gathering storm raging outside their door. The Nazi's have invaded, wreaking chaos with everyday life, and her loving parents are forced to make heart-wrenching decisions to save their only child's life.
On the other side of the world, Mira Kane, Rosha's first cousin is growing up privileged in
Brooklyn. Chafing from her father's stifling over-protection, she strives to break free from
his control to embrace life on her own terms. Two women, both loved, living under totally different circumstances, Rosha's tragedy influencing the way Mira's life is allowed to develop. Berger paints a realistic portrait of war-torn Europe, as well as the care-free, but guilt ridden Jewish existence in the states. Unknown by her American relatives, Rosha is hidden by a sympathetic candlemaker. At the same time her cousin navigates the shifting reality for women in the States while dealing with the heavy burden of knowing they were both safe and free, the unthinkable is happening in Europe. Lovingly written portrait of a family separated by war.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

I didn't do anything special. I did what anyone should do.

author with her sons

Last night I attended a Local Author Showcase at my library, where I shared the stage with ten neighbors, including my own son, (author Michael Phillip Cash) who all have written and published books.

The library did a beautiful job, setting up a semi circle in the auditorium (Something I'm embarrassed to say I never knew the library had.) to a wonderful spread of coffee and cakes from a local bakery. Sadly with my son present, I was unable to even taste any of the goodies, as he watches and worries about my weight more than I do.

Each author was invited to get up and do a five minute spiel about anything they choose. As usual, both my son and I were unprepared. We both ascribe to the school of being impromptu when public speaking, sometimes a fool hearty endeavor, but always a learning experience. 

I was amazed at the array of subjects my colleagues tackled, ranging from the holocaust, to vampires,a YA book about death of a young friend, to a children's book dealing with the death of a parent. It was an eye opening experience that filled me with both pride and respect, a doctor here, a housewife there, a teacher, grandmother. People from all walks of life, dedicated professionals  who have decided to go out on a limb and write about what they know, and in some cases even about what they don't, to follow a dream and perhaps change another person's life. It was awesome being in such august company. Regular people who stepped outside of their comfort zone to gamble and take a chance. 

I must say with a mother's pride, I enjoyed my son's presentation. He's funny, irreverent, motivating, and fearless. He has tackled multiple genres, writing a self help book under the name Michael Samuels when he was barely out of his teens, to his paranormal and horror novels, that often find themselves on best sellers lists all over the world. He writes for the joy of writing, and I am filled with wonder at his diversity.

I must add that with even more pride, my younger son does all his covers, runs the IT department, and reigns in both his brother's and my impulsiveness for our enterprise. We are a team and I cannot say enough that all of our success depends on our group. Just as Michael says in Schism The Battle for Darracia, "The Trivium is whole. One cannot exist without the other."

Mother's pride aside, I want to discuss something that happened last night. The speaker before me went up to the podium, and I think the combination of white hot lights and nerves got the better of him, and he grew flustered. Despite the staff's encouragement, I think he froze and couldn't finish his presentation. I have been there. Your heart is pumping, you look out at your friends and family, hoping and praying that you don't embarrass both them and yourself. He gave up, saying he couldn't do it. It was clear he was humiliated. My heart went out to him.

I was next and without thinking, I discussed the value of his book. I forgot about my own, explained how hard it was to stand before an audience, how it challenges even veteran speakers, and used my five minutes to complain about the glare of the lights, the challenges of publishing for anybody, and lastly, oh yeah, I've written and published about twenty children's books. I didn't think about lost opportunity, or 'paying it forward'. The man before me was in trouble, and I just wanted to help, anyway I could to ease his anxiety.

Afterwards, the librarian and her staff approached me, thanking me for what I did. Some called it a random act of kindness or a real example of 'paying it forward."  I must admit I looked at them blankly. It wasn't random, it wasn't done to inspire others to repeat a 'good deed." It's what you're supposed to do, all the time. It''s what my parents and their parents before them put in our DNA. It wasn't done on purpose, it's instinctual as running when you hear any child cry, "Ma," in a playground. It's as programmed in me as giving up my seat for a pregnant woman, (even at sixty,) or offering to help a person challenged by everyday activities. It's about not saying things that don't have to be said, including everybody in your game, and making sure everybody has enough. Enough of what, you may ask. It doesn't matter, really it doesn't. I'm not a martyr, and never feel that I've been sacrificed or eclipsed by someone else. I have absolute confidence that my turn will come.

When I replied I had done nothing special, it was what anybody would do, the librarian shook her head sadly. "No, they would only want to talk about their own book."

Well, I repeat. I didn't do anything special. I did what anyone should do. It shouldn't be paid forward or a random act of kindness. It should be back where it belongs in our society, ingrained and expected as our parents taught us to do. I'm just saying!