Saturday, May 17, 2025

The Dada Base by Allen Brokken

About the Book

Book: The Dada Base

Genre: Comedy

This book is a compilation of the most popular one-liners, head scratchers and total groaners shared on social media by Author Allen Brokken.

Awarded the prestigious Cool Dad Everyone Talks About by his own kids these wholesome jokes are sure to be a hit with your family.

Plus this book contains his complete Telling Jokes and Puns for kids class with free digital access to course videos.

Click here to get your copy!

"The Dada Base" by Allen Brokken is a short book, only 60 pages. This is a book of jokes for kids. I thought some of the jokes were really cute. Such as these, " Did you hear about the girl who got her hair caught in the printing press? It was all over the papers! and " You know....If you don't like all these laundry jokes I've been telling. I think you need a dryer sense of humor!

At the end of the book, he has suggestions on how to write your own jokes and things to avoid. I really think of a person likes jokes then this would be a good book to have. He offers a free class on telling jokes and puns for kids, giving a QR code to sign up.

I'm going to end this review with 2 more jokes from the book, "Did you know that ice cream can receive education? It goes to Sundae school " and " You can never trust an oak tree... they are way too shady! and "when I tell this joke a lot of people want to make like a tree and leaf!"

About the Author

Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband, and a father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age-appropriate way. He’s dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off to college, he’s sharing his life experiences at home school conferences and through his blog and newsletter at his website. You can get sneak peeks of the ongoing adventures of Lauren, Aiden, and Ethan (plus their pets!) and the #dadjokeoftheday on all the major social media platforms.

More from Allen

When you are an author the industry encourages you to “have a social media presence”. As a new author that’s pretty intimidating because the focus is generally on long form writing which is very different than a 140 character tweet. For the first couple of years I tried different things in the hopes of engaging an audience and nothing seemed to gel.

Then my son introduced me to TikTok. He said, Dad sometimes your jokes are actually funny so why don’t you do them on Tik Tok? I was skeptical at first, but I have been known to be pretty PUN-ny at dinner parties so I tried it.

Given that my office has a lot of Star Wars memorabilia from when I was a kid I landed on telling Star Wars jokes at first. I had very little success only getting between 200 and 1000 view. Then one day I told this joke and my Tik Tok took off.

“So my son was on his way to take his drivers test and I handed him my collectable life size Storm Trooper helmet.”

He looked at me and said, “What’s this for?”

I replied,”So you don’t hit anything.”

If you’re not familiar with Star Wars that joke is funny because Storm Troopers notoriously don’t hit their target. Now I’ve broken the cardinal rule of joke telling, jokes that require the audience to do homework are not good jokes. Which is just one of the many rules of joking around that I learned over the past couple of years.

As my joke list increased I found a group of them that did particularly well online and realized the might make a good joke book. However, I also realized there are a lot of joke books for kids and I wanted to do something different with mine. So I decided I should include my class on telling jokes for kids as a part of the book. So in addition to a collection of funny jokes the book provides a workbook for learning how to tell your own jokes and access to my virtual class for kids on telling jokes and puns.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 16

Vicky Sluiter, May 17 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 19 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 20

Blossoms and Blessings, May 21 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 22

Stories By Gina, May 23 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 24

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 25 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, May 26

A Reader’s Brain, May 27 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, May 27

Artistic Nobody, May 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 29 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Allen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54219

Thursday, May 15, 2025

A Practical Guide to Healthy Aging: Strategies to Achieve Physical and Mental Health by Andrea Jo Rodgers

About the Book

Book: A Practical Guide to Healthy Aging: Strategies to Achieve Physical and Mental Health

Author: Andrea Jo Rodgers

Genre: Nonfiction

Release date: November 16, 2024

Embark on a journey to healthy aging!

Would you like to improve your vascular health by lowering your blood pressure, avoiding weight gain, and increasing your aerobic activity level? How about saying goodbye to urinary incontinence and overactive bladder while improving your bowel health? Have you thought about building a healthy framework of muscles, joints, and bones as you sail into middle-age and beyond? Could you benefit from a home exercise program to build bone density and manage osteopenia and osteoporosis? Would you like to keep your youthful appearance, understand your immune system, and learn strategies to improve balance and prevent falls? In A Practical Guide to Healthy Aging: Strategies to Achieve Physical and Mental Health, veteran Doctor of Physical Therapy Andrea Rodgers, who is CAPP-certified in pelvic health by the American Physical Therapy Association, a nationally certified lymphedema therapist, a PORi-certified oncology rehabilitation therapist, emergency medical technician, and a low pressure fitness instructor, expounds upon all these topics and more. Join Andrea as she shares valuable information in this one-of-a-kind book that will aid in your quest towards healthy aging.

Click here to get your copy!

"A Practical Guide to Healthy Aging: Strategies to Achieve Physical and Mental Health by Andrea Jo Rodgers" is a well packed book that provides important information about mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. She gives examples on what to do and what not to do, she explains exercises and has pictures within the book. She even has a chapter on how prayer and volunteering and spiritual practices have benefits to keep us healthy.
Yes, some of the info seems like schoolbook text but I would say it is grade school or early middle school, so it is easy to follow along, I have learned plenty of things from this book and this is one book ( yes, I know I say this a lot but for this book it is really true) that I will be rereading or at least looking up information from time to time. The reason I can say it for this book is my husband deals with several of the issues she addresses in this book such as Blood Pressures and Heart Issues and Diabetes and many more.
I recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

Andrea Jo Rodgers holds a clinical doctorate in physical therapy and has worked as a physical therapist for 30 years. She is CAPP-certified in pelvic health by the American Physical Therapy Association, a nationally certified lymphedema therapist, a PORi-certified oncology rehabilitation therapist, and a low pressure fitness instructor. She also specializes in orthopedics, osteoporosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Writing is one of her passions, and she is the award-winning author of numerous inspirational books. She has served as a volunteer emergency medical technician on her town’s rescue squad for 38 years and has responded to 10,000 first aid and fire calls. She enjoys reading, day trips, and savoring a cup of green tea. She lives with her family on the east coast.

More from Andrea Jo

Aging can be defined as the process of growing old. The key to graceful aging is to stay in good health as the years slip by. One of the best ways to do this is to be proactive. What you do today can help ensure better health tomorrow.

People often start to think about aging when something goes amiss. Perhaps they develop an ache or pain that lingers: a stiff neck, an achy back, or painful hips and knees. They may receive a diagnosis that forces them to confront their health head-on, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, obesity, or perhaps even cancer.

I’ve worked as a clinical Doctor of Physical Therapy in both the hospital and outpatient setting for thirty years. During this time, I’ve helped people with wellness initiatives as well as various health problems. I’m CAPP-certified in pelvic health by the American Physical Therapy Association, a nationally certified lymphedema therapist, a PORi-certified oncology rehabilitation therapist, and a certified low pressure fitness instructor. During my 38 years as a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT) with my local rescue squad, I’ve assisted countless people in times of medical crisis. The goal of this book is to share pearls of wisdom that I’ve learned from my experiences as a physical therapist and EMT.

Some may be reading this book to stay healthy as you get older. Others may be looking for ideas to improve your current condition. Perhaps you are looking to build muscle and bone strength, improve flexibility, or choose a healthier lifestyle with respect to diet and exercise. Or maybe you wish to stop leaking urine or say goodbye to constipation and countless hours in the bathroom.

Do you think wellness simply means freedom from disease? Well, it includes much more than that. Wellness can be defined as the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal. Wellness serves as a cornerstone towards the vision of healthy aging. Wellness constitutes a dynamic process of change and growth in which individuals actively become aware of healthy choices and consciously make a decision to choose them. It’s a balanced lifestyle which encourages physical and mental health and well-being. Wellness emphasizes the mind, body, and spirit. Wellness means being proactive about staying healthy as you get older. It involves using available knowledge and tools to achieve optimal health. Many of the chapters in this book focus on different areas of wellness as a means to strive towards healthy aging. My goal is that each of you stay active, embark on a journey of wellness, and enjoy your middle age and golden years in good mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 7

It’s Mama Safe, May 8

Simple Harvest Reads, May 9 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 9

Texas Book-aholic, May 10

Book Looks by Lisa, May 11

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 12

Artistic Nobody, May 13 (Author Interview)

Girls in White Dresses, May 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 15

Guild Master, May 16 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 17

Fiction Book Lover, May 18 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 19

A Reader’s Brain, May 20 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Andrea Jo is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54214

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Fathoms by Lisa T. Bergren

About the Book

Book: Fathoms (Oceans of Time Book Three)

Author: Lisa T. Bergren

Genre: Adult Historical Portal Fantasy

Release date: April 22, 2025

Can the She-Wolves of Siena survive the lion’s den?

Luciana Betarrini is living a nightmare. Blinded in battle, she is unsure what her future holds.

When Lady Tiliani Forelli volunteers to serve as the young Lady Romano’s governess—in order to protect the child—Luciana quickly follows suit, volunteering as a tutor. But as they navigate life in the

treacherous neighboring castello, they find Lord Ercole a chameleon of adversaries, intent on mastering the She-Wolves of Siena any way he can.

Together, Luciana and Tiliani must find a way to bring Ercole down and buy time for Domenico and Marcello to establish new allies. But Luciana continues to find herself at a crossroads: Is she willing to risk leaving Sir Giulio Greco forever in order to chase healing through the time tunnel?

Or is she called to accept her plight—in light of the myriad blessings of her new medieval life—and make her way through the best she can?

Click here to get your copy!

"Fathoms, by Lisa T. Bergren is the third and final book in the series. This series is about time travel. I am actually surprised that I enjoyed this series. Because, as a rule I am not a fan of fantasy. This book has drama and suspense and hardship. This book also has clean romance.

I recommend reading the books in order as they were written. This is a clean book, and God is talked about, and the characters do pray. There are also faith lessons in this book.

If you like time travel and strong women than I recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

About the Author

Lisa T. Bergren is the author of over sixty books spanning a variety of genres, from children’s picture books to women’s historical fiction to supernatural suspense and time travel. She lives with her husband and three gradually-flying-from-the-nest young adult children.

More from Lisa

I love to read and write books about “found families.” People that are brought together by a shared cause, purpose or passion. More and more, our world seems divisive, so I suppose it’s my small effort to plant a flag in the sand and state, “Look, I know we’re all different, but we can all decide to love first.”

The Forellis created that sort of found family in River of Time for the Betarrinis, especially as Gabi and Lia were mourning their dad. And in Oceans, they again make way for my twin hero and heroine, who are in many ways orphaned. I strive to make room in my life for those around me who are a bit adrift, missing a family “anchor.” Tim and I love to host dinners and make feel people welcome in our home with good meals and good conversations around a fire.

Of course, in medieval Italy, the family is striving to survive when many want to see them die. When it’s “us against them” to the death, that’ll cement a bond. But even in today’s society, I think we have enough against those of us who stand for Christ, family and traditional values, that perhaps we can link arms with one another and grow stronger for the bond. And my hope in doing so, is that we will not distance “the other side,” but rather draw them to us with a winsome, welcoming and loving spirit—seeking places we can bond and celebrate one another, even though we differ.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, May 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 14

Texas Book-aholic, May 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 17

Blogging With Carol, May 18

Artistic Nobody, May 19 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 20

Sylvan Reads, May 21

For Him and My Family, May 22

Guild Master, May 23 (Spotlight)

Romances of the Cross, May 23

Simple Harvest Reads, May 24 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Fiction Book Lover, May 25 (Spotlight)

To Everything There Is A Season, May 25

Lily’s Corner, May 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lisa is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54218

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, May 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 14

Texas Book-aholic, May 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 17

Blogging With Carol, May 18

Artistic Nobody, May 19 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 20

Sylvan Reads, May 21

For Him and My Family, May 22

Guild Master, May 23 (Spotlight)

Romances of the Cross, May 23

Simple Harvest Reads, May 24 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Fiction Book Lover, May 25 (Spotlight)

To Everything There Is A Season, May 25

Lily’s Corner, May 26

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Shadowed Secret (Mirror Estate Series Book 5) by S.F. Baumgartner

About the Book

Book: Shadowed Secret (Mirror Estate Series Book 5)

Author: S.F. Baumgartner

Genre: Christian Suspense Thriller

Release date: May 13, 2025

In a world of secrets and shadows, a priest, two accountants, and an elite task force must protect what’s hidden or risk it all.

Fr. Phil, a former Navy SEAL turned priest, finds his quiet life at Mirror Estate shattered when a priest from the Vatican pays him a visit. Asked to retrieve a secret book before it’s auctioned on the dark web, Fr. Phil must face lethal adversaries and race against time, knowing his life is on the line.

Tommy Rivers’s date with Mia Granger turns deadly when they’re attacked upon discovering a colleague murdered at the office. Assuming they have the book, ruthless operatives have Tommy and Mia in their sights.

With the exposure of the secret book threatening the lives of countless operatives, Fr. Phil, Tommy, Mia, and an elite FBI task force must prevent a catastrophic intelligence leak before time runs out.

Click here to get your copy!

Let me start this review by saying "Shadowed Secret" by S.F. Baumgartner is book 5 in the series and is over 500 pages and lots of characters, but it was easy reading. But I recommend reading these books in order. From the ending of this book, I see a new another book in the future. At least I hope so. If you have read the other books in the series, you will be drawn back into the character's adventures and their adventures. This is, as well, as the other book in the series are a page turner. Yes, there are deaths, but it isn't in a lot of gory details. I am not a fan of thrillers or suspense novels, but I have enjoyed this series and will read any forthcoming novels.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

About the Author

S.F. Baumgartner crafts fast-paced Christian suspense thrillers, weaving tales of complex characters, secretive operatives, and relentless agents. Her gripping storytelling has earned acclaim, with Living Secrets—Book 1 of her Mirror Estate series—named a Top Pick in the thriller category at Killer Nashville, 2024. When she’s not plotting her next twist, she’s binge-watching crime TV shows, like NCIS or playing with her cats. Fans of James Patterson’s style, especially those who appreciate short, punchy chapters, will find much to love in her work.

More from S.F.

Unraveling Secrets: The Journey of Writing This Book

Some books come together effortlessly. Others take their time, demanding patience, persistence, and more rewrites than I care to admit. This latest installment falls firmly into the latter category. The story simply didn’t gel the first couple of times I attempted to write it. I knew where it needed to go, but the journey to get there felt off. Characters resisted the paths I initially set for them, subplots unraveled at the seams, and the pacing never quite clicked the way I wanted it to.

It took several drafts and a fair amount of frustration before things finally started falling into place. Looking back, I realize that part of the struggle was that this book needed to do more than just continue the story—it had to weave together past threads while setting the stage for what’s to come. That’s a delicate balance, and it wasn’t something I could rush.

Why I Wrote This Book

The simplest answer? It’s the next chapter in the story. After everything that has happened in previous installments, there were lingering questions that needed answers, loose ends that needed to be tied up—or, in some cases, unraveled even further.

This story is about Fr. Phil. He’s no longer just the priest of Mirror Estate’s chapel; he’s once again being pulled into the shadows of his past. Old alliances resurface, and new threats emerge. At the same time, Olivia and Simon’s upcoming wedding adds a deeply personal layer to the story. In many ways, this book is about past decisions catching up with the present—whether in matters of faith, espionage, or personal relationships.

And then there’s the Ghost. Marge Beaumont remains as enigmatic as ever, and while she’s playing by the rules—for now—it’s clear she’s still ten steps ahead of everyone. The question isn’t just whether she can be trusted, but whether anyone can truly outmaneuver her.

The Challenge of Getting It Right

What made this book particularly challenging was the complexity of the narrative threads. There’s a missing book that may or may not contain dangerous secrets. There’s an auction on the dark web that threatens national security. There’s a decades-old mystery involving hidden treasure. And, of course, there’s the ever-present undercurrent of trust and betrayal—who’s telling the truth, who’s working an angle, and who’s about to make their next move?

Balancing these elements while keeping the pacing tight and the stakes high took longer than expected. Some subplots had to be reworked entirely, others had to be trimmed down, and a few surprises emerged that even I didn’t see coming in the early drafts.

What’s Next?

Now that this book is finally complete, I can say with confidence that the struggle was worth it. The twists, the revelations, and the character moments that emerged from this process have made it stronger than I initially imagined.

For readers who have been following this series, I hope you enjoy the ride. Expect high stakes, hidden agendas, and a few moments that might just leave you breathless. And as always, thank you for sticking with me on this journey—because the story is far from over.