Friday, February 27, 2015

Check Out My Latest Interview Around The Storyteller's Campfire!


Check Out Books Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Storytellers Campfire on BlogTalkRadio

Thick and comfortable non skid socks



Nice, thick non slip, non skid socks perfect for anything from yoga to plain old slippers. Very few slippers can be thrown in the washing machine for cleaning; these laundered perfectly. They kept their elasticity and hugged my foot. They did not squeeze my ankle like a tourniquet and fit almost like sport socks. If you don't want to walk barefoot in a studio, they make a great addition to your sports bag. Also great for hotel use, they won't take up a lot of room in your luggage and can be washed as soon as you get home. I highly recommend them. They were sent to be for an honest review.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

In Case You Missed It!


Check Out Current Events Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Storytellers Campfire on BlogTalkRadio

WINNERS!!!

The Multi-Cultural Education Series "If You Were Me and Lived In" by Carole P Roman just won a Marble Award! 

Congratulations to all the winners!

Get The Series HERE!


Saturday, February 21, 2015

Marble Award Winners Will Be Annouced Tomorrow Night!

MARBLE AWARDS


Tune in tomorrow night to see if I win! My Captain No Beard series has been nominated along with my cultural series, If You Were Me And Lived In...
Wishing all nominees the best of luck! Create Space and my illustrator, Bonnie Lemaire (Captain No Beard Series) were also nominated!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Fast, sturdy, and a big change from the old rope



Just in time for spring, I have been asked to review the Naturalico jump rope. Things have changed from when I was a little girl. This "rope" is state of the art, fast and adjustable. I took it outside and and couldn't keep up with the speed in which the rope turned. But, with a little practice, I was able to catch up. A great product, way better than the old method.

More about thi s product:

  • New Year, New You! Unlike other ropes which have cheap plastic ball bearing, this has 4 high-grade metal ball bearings, which promote faster turning of the rope. Rope Handle Turns at a 90 Degree angle to prevent tangling and bending.
  • The Ultra-speed Cable Jump Rope is your best workout option for Endurance Training, and General Cardio. The Secret Sauce to Blasting Fat is by doing 50-100 jump ropes, a few times and a few minutes daily, anytime and anywhere! Whether at work before lunch, at home, at a gym or at a park, get ready to master those double unders using our lightweight wire cable for ultra fast spinning!
  • The rope is also very light, making it easy for beginners to master double and even triple unders. The cable is 10ft long, and easily adjustable to be used by people of different heights.
  • This is a wire rope so WIRE CUTTERS may be needed to cut the rope. Made of very tough material, meant to increase durability for the rope regardless of the environment you train in. Perfect for Cross Fitness Training, Boxing, Endurance Training & General Cardio
  • PORTABLE - With the rope, you also get a nylon bag to carry it in so you can bring it with you everywhere and Start Jump Roping when you have a few moments!

Disclosure: I was asked to review this product in exchange for my honest  opinion.

Happy Jumping!
Carole P. Roman 

Friday, February 13, 2015

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Horror story of illness



Heart-wrenching book about a women's decent into Alzheimer's. Still Alice, almost diary-like in it's form chronicles a year in the life of a Harvard professor's progression from the slow realization that something is "off", to full blown dementia. Busy with heavy work loads, John and Alice are well respected academics with careers running at full tilt. Seemingly minor incidents start to accumulate resulting with the final diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's. Genova writes a compelling novel of the stages of illness and the havoc it wreaks on people's lives. From disbelief to weary acceptance, to finally the commitment of the all consuming care, she captures some of the devastation of illness for both the patient and caregivers.

This was a hard book to read, and while I didn't especially like any of the characters, it was still sad to watch Alice's unraveling life. Both Alice and her husband seemed distant, their children selfish and narcissistic. Her preoccupation with her superior education felt shallow and annoying. My father in law, a well respected dentist developed early onset Alzheimer's. His rapid decline was as shocking as it was devastating. While I thought the author portrayed the confusion for Alice well enough, the family seemed more "movie of the week".The build up to the disease was terrifying and insightfully written, the second half, the care-taking side, seemed rushed and glossed over. Illness invades a healthy home like a tornado, ripping apart the fabric of existence for everyone. Life revolves around exhausting routines, mind numbing complications, pills, meals, laundry, the total annihilation of life as you know it. Anger and resentment, grief, and sorrow are two sided. The argument could be that this was Alice's story, but for me the second half seemed one dimensional and fell flat.


Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Monday, February 9, 2015

Sometimes it's just black and white.



Great story about love and the many ways people love each other. Ellen is a single hypnotherapist dating a guy she met online. Patrick Scott is a widower and the father of a young son. He seems perfect, and Ellen approaches the budding relationship with cautious optimism. She has been burned and soon finds that Patrick has a potential secret that may crush their growing relationship.
This was a terrific book. Liane Moriarty knows how to spin a great yarn. She explores all facets of love and passion, the fresh excitement of a new relationship, the weary knowledge that it's over, the obsessive need to still be part of someone's life after the break up. While there was potential for seeing the crazed ex girlfriend as a villain, there were no bad guys here. The author treats her characters with sensitive realism, and rather than contempt, you feel the pain of their loss. As her character Patrick says, "there is no black and white." Essentially, this is a book about the human condition and our need to be valued and loved. Whether it's parent to child, husband to wife, friend to friend, the desire to be loved gives fuel to a beating heart and can drive even the most sane person into a fine madness.


Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Rethinking the food pyramid



Important and articulate book about the new and revolutionary direction diets are taking. For years we've been told to avoid fat. Fat was the culprit for obesity, heart disease, and cancer. The dietary equivalent to the devil had to be reduced to minuscule portions in our daily consumption. This introduced the carb trend, where calories were replaced by whole grains and pasta. Dr. Feinman reevaluates the importance of the right combinations and gives solid facts about the dire directions of unhealthy eating. In a non preaching way, he urges readers to make the right choices, explaining the biochemical reasons to rethink our menus and not to be afraid of fat. Smaller amounts of fat keep one fuller, for longer periods of time. Processed carbs have been instrumental in the diabetes and obesity explosion rocking America. Hard to digest, lol. However, my son has followed this lifestyle for close to three years and the proof is in his dramatic weight loss and healthier lifestyle. Dr. Feinman gives compelling information for the public to question years of training and think about retiring the antiquated food pyramid to the museums, where it belongs.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Little known story of an island in Greece's courageous act of bravery



The Jewish community has lived and thrived in Greece from the time the temple was destroyed 2000 thousand years ago. Almost 90 percent of the Jews in Greece were victims of Hitler's final and horrific solution. Deno Seder tells of a small island called Zakynthos where the Christian community hid their Jewish neighbors saving them from German plans to exterminate them. Seder traces Jewish relationships with both the Greek and Catholic church with historical facts, providing laws and edicts to show the differences in their perception of other religions. He also delves deeply into the destruction of Salonica, with personal accounts of survivors retelling stories of deportation. He discusses the decimation of Gypsies by the German invaders. Something on this small island was different that the rest of Europe, and Deno uses personal accounts to explain it.

"The Greek Orthodox Christians of Zakynthos
did not inherit the centuries-old institutionalized
Catholic and Protestant anti-Semitism. A few
Jewish citizens felt the lingering vestiges of ancient
antipathy, but for the most part, the Jews and
Christians of the island felt connected to one
another. They were friends and neighbors. There
was an unspoken bond of trust, especially during
the darkest days of the occupation. Survivor
testimonies underscored this trust..."

As the records of this small island was destroyed due to a natural disaster, little is know about the brave people of the island. Seder explains the strong and incorruptible backbone of the Bishop of the church as well as the mayor, matched with their ingenuity propelled the Christian villages to band together and save their neighbors regardless of faith. This is an inspiring book, of courageous people that reminds us that we all are indeed "our brother's keepers," regardless of race, creed, or religion.


Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Interesting theory



Fun compilation of numbers and theories that uses advanced mathematics to work out interesting statistics. Charles Ashbacher loves math, and enjoys showing the many ways it can be applied for enjoyment and discussion. From art to sports, he explores various subjects and thoroughly explains the outcome. In his own words, he says,"This is a book full of stories-stories about people, with scant mention of mathematical problems or theorems." He quotes Anneli Lax's explanation of the reason to let go and love math, "the perfect sort of escape: I didn't have to looks up anything; I didn't have to to consult libraries or books. I could just sit there and figure things out."

Math can be a frightening, confusing, and difficult, however in the author's own words, "Armed with this item, some of those groans will be converted into giggles."


Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman