Rocky Road

From the back of the book:

THE ST. GEORGE SPECTRUM
Dr. Trenton Hendricks was last seen Friday, April 8, when he set out alone on a backpacking trip. Hendricks's Jeep Grand Cherokee was located Tuesday at the Chuckwalla Trailhead, but after six days and thousands of man-hours, the official search has been called off. He is presumed to be deceased.

It was supposed to be a girls' weekend in scenic St. George, Utah, that would included shopping, trying out the local cuisine, and participating in a breast cancer fund-raiser. The fact that one of the organizers of the fund-raising event, alocal doctor, had disappeared two months before was not supposed to be Sadie's problem.

When Sadie learns that her friend Caro and Caro's cousin, Tess, have started a grassroots investigation into Dr. Hendrick's disappearance, Sadie graciously refuses to be a part of it. With her wedding to plan and her most recent case still fresh in her mind, Sadie is determined to leave this case to the police—until she meets the ex-wife of the missing man.

How could she not ask a few questions ... that lead to more questions ... that lead to a small town and even more questions? When the local police ask her to be their eyes and ears, Sadie can't help but jump in with both feet. Before she knows it, she is on the rocky road of another investigation, following a convoluted trail of good intentions, hidden motivations, and philanthropy turned big business.

This is the next installment in the Sadie Hoffmiller series. I love Sadie more and more with each and every book. This adventure was a little bit of a departure for Sadie's normal curiosity driven entanglements. However it doesn't stop Sadie from becoming entangled in things almost beyond her. There is no such thing as a smooth road to a relaxing weekend for Sadie no matter how hard she tries. And she really does try.

This is the second book review this week where things really surprised me in the who, what, where or why categories. There were times I thought I had it figured out but then there would be a twist in the road to the end and I would have to rethink my theory.

Well done, Josi, well done.
disclaimer: I am part of the test kitchen for this series and do get a complimentary book, but know nothing of the story other than the setting before I read the book.

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Indeed

Pumpkin Roll

Just in time for Halloween comes a new book from Josi Kilpack.  I loved this book and I think it is the best so far of the Sadie Hoffmiller series.  In fact, at one point I was reading this at night and had to put it down because it was dark outside and too scary to induce sleep later. Josi just keeps getting better and better.

From the back:
As Halloween approaches, Sadie is looking forward to spending her favorite baking season of the year making delicious New England recipes in boston, Massachusetts, with her favorite leading man, Pete Cunningham, as they babysit his three young grandsons. When the bosy insist that Mrs. Wapple, the woman who lives across the street, is a witch, Sadie and Pete are anxious to distract the boys from such silly ideas.

Josi has outdone herself this time as she serves up a mystery worthy of the spooky season. I usually have the mystery solved pretty early in the book but this time I kept changing my mind about who done it up until almost the end.  I only guessed the real culprit mere pages before it was revieled.

And the recipes in this book are amazing.  As a member of the test kitchen, I should know.  But they are recipes that my children keep asking me to make.  In fact Jacob is disappointed that it has been awhile since I made Baxter's Clam Chowder- but really, when it was 90+ degrees outside I just was not in the mood for a hot soup!  But if fall ever gets here, this is one that will be on the stove frequently.

Get it, read it, love it.
Pumpkin Roll by Josi Kilpack

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Indeed

I'm late, I'm late for a very important.... something

So I have always been the person that puts up their Christmas lights to turn on on Thanksgiving evening and then spends the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving decorating the trees and the rest of the house. (and yes that says trees with an "s")

But Brandi had a soccer tournament in St. George the weekend after Thanksgiving and we pretended to have a blizzard the week before Thanksgiving so the decorating didn't get done. Last week in the grocery store, a neighbor stopped me and wondered if I was ok because lights weren't on the house. Then when I got home another neighbor came over to ask the same thing. I got lights on the trees on the porch by Sat. night and on the house by Monday night. Yesterday I also got all the snowmen in the front entry. but that is as far as I have gotten. By the time I got home from work, after running a couple errands, it was time to go to Brandi's concert and then I needed to put Matt's Christmas box together to be shipped tomorrow so he will have it in time for Christmas and now it is time for bed.

 When am I supposed to decorate? Wed? I have class. Thursday? The boys have a concert. Friday? possible Saturday- I have to proctor the ACT, Brandi has a game, clean house (yet again) do the laundry and all that other stuff.  My goal is to have it done before I go to bed on Saturday. Really. But don't hold me to it. It just may be the year of sparse decor that I always threaten.

In other news- I was at Deseret Book and the woman in front of me was purchasing Key Lime Pie by Josi Kilpack. I asked her if she was buying for herself or someone else and had she read it yet? It was for her and she had not read this one, but had read the others and was excited to read it. As the conversation went on, I mentioned that I was part of the test kitchen and that Sandra's Chocolicious Frosting from Devil's Food Cake was my creation and named after me. She was so excited that she took the book out of the clerk's hand as he was bagging it, cleared the counter, handed me a pen and asked me to sign her book. She then left the store with it held to her heart and she was beaming from ear to ear. Sweet little old ladies, gotta love em. (Sure beats being told you are fat.)

And it yet still more news- I finished my gingerbread house. all of my kids did a house and so did my grandbabies. So far those are the only entries. Not very exciting when I give my family the prizes.  Don't forget you have until Friday to get me the pictures.  And don't be afraid to use the pre-baked ones from the store.

And the final piece of news- and I am doing this news because I don't know if I will be online tomorrow where I can share this, but
Happy Birthday tomorrow to the best daughter-in-law in the world!!! I love you.

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Indeed.

Key Lime Pie

MISSING!



Name: Megan Burton

Age: 25

Description: dark hair, blue eyes; no identifiable scars; wearing a diamond tennis bracelet

Last seen three years ago in Key West, Florida

If you have any information, please contact the police immediately.



When Sadie Hoffmiller's new friend, Eric Burton, receives word that his missing daughter's body may have been found in Florida, he immediately packs his bags, but Sadie is determined to stay home and prove to everyone that she is not a busybody.



But when she senses Eric is hiding something, Sadie is compelled to take action. Before she knows it, she's in the heart of Miami, trying to piece together a trail littered with broken relationships, mysterious strangers, and forged documents that might just provide Eric the answers he's been desperately searching for - or reveal a truth he may not be ready to face.



Sadie must also face a difficult question: Where is her heart leading her? Onward into Eric's adventurous arms? Or back home to the stable and steady Pete Cunningham? Of only love was as easy as following a recipe.



Once again, Sadie finds herself in the company of some colorful characters and on the hunt for some good old-fashioned Southern cooking. But despite the drama and intrigue, all Sadie really wants is to go home ... as soon as she does just one more thing.

Can I just say that I think this is Josi's most delicious book yet? And the fact that my new favorite recipe is the first one in the book has nothing to do with it.

When we last left Sadie Hoffmiller she was set to serve her sentence of community service in light of her stirring the pot when the guest speaker at the annual library dinner is killed just as the Devil's Food Cake with Sandra's Chocoliscios frosting is served. And she was trying to decide which of her suitors, Eric or Pete, best matched her palete- the one that brought her blood to a quick boil or the one content to simmer slowly.

My thoughts on Key Lime Pie- every single recipe we tried before Josi settled on the one Sadie copies in the book was yummy and my kids were in heaven every time I started to make yet another one. Oh, wait, I was doing a book review wasn't I?

Never has any character infused me with frustration as Sadie. Sadie is Sadie- what  can I say. I always want to say to her, "Don't ask it. Just don't!" But she never listens to me. Ever. Unless I am giving her advice about a recipe. This time is no exception. But in this case I am alright with that because she brought back the most wonderful recipes.

So you are just going to have to read the book if you want to know how  Saie's love triangle turns out- which of her romances falls flat and which one turns out perfect?  And how does missing daughther Megan help Sadie sort it out? And will Sadie ever get that piece of Key Lime Pie she has been craving?

Those of you that have read my blog for awhile know that I am part of Josi's test kitchen, and I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for my culinary skills and opinions. In fact, I recieved two copies of this book- 1 for me and 1 to do with as I please and it pleased me to give it to one of you, my readers.

I thought about all kinds of contests I could run for you and your friends to enter to win an outographed copy of Key Lime Pie. Should I have you give me your favorite Southern recipe? Or maybe guess what my favorite Southern recipe is? Or my favorite recipe from this book? Or something else?

Here is the recipe for a perfect entry:

Key Lime Pie Perfect Entry

servings: to be determined

Serving size- 1 per method of entry (8 total possible)

Prep time- varies

Finished in 5 days (Sept 16 , 10 p.m. MST)

Method

To blog comments add the following ingredients in the combination desired:

Comment

Tweet

Facebook post

Your own blog post about contest

Guess my two favorite recipes from Key Lime Pie (download free PDF of all the recipes at http://www.josiskilpack.com/ ) {worth two entries- 1 for each correct guess)

Share your favorite Southern recipe

Tell me what you would like me to make for my cooking blog.

Simmer for 5 days, wait for post announcing winner, then either dig in and enjoy or cook up something else to comfort you until next time when we will find Sadie baking up some Blackberry Crumble in the Spring of 2011.

Purchase Key Lime Pie here

Read excerpt here

Book facts:
Size: 5½x8
Pages: 320
Published: 2010
 
 
P.S.- Did you know, according to my pedometer, if you take 12,254 steps in one day, you have walked 5.22 miles? Who knew?

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Indeed.

Devil's Food Cake

It’s been years since author Thom Mortenson has been back to Garrison, Colorado. As part of the committee who invited the bestselling writer to speak at the library fundraising benefit, Sadie Hoffmiller wants everything to be perfect—right down to the homemade devil’s food cake she baked herself. Certainly, murder was not on the menu.

When Thom’s manager ends up dead on stage, Sadie jumps in to offer her guidance and expertise to investigators. But when the police refuse to take her seriously, Sadie has no choice but to pursue justice on her own. After all, is Sadie to blame if she keeps stumbling over information? Can Sadie turn her back when people intricately woven into the deception keep crossing her path? With her son, Shawn, at her side, her reputation on the line, and a full cast of suspicious characters, Sadie Hoffmiller is once again cooking her way through a case that offers far more questions than answers.

In this, the third book of the Sadie Hoffmiller culinary mystery series, Josi Kilpack has served us a scrumptious story that leaves us wanting more.

Never mind that I already knew how wonderful the menu would be. First because I tasted it all before hand. Second because some of the recipies came from my personal cookbook (and one of them I cooked up just for the book). None of that matters because they are just the icing on the cake. The main course, the meat of the story, comes from Josi. And it is to die for good.

Calling All Book Lovers!

Please join us this Friday as the Garrison Library welcomes

favorite son Thom Mortenson for a special appearance

to discuss his bestselling novel Devilish Details.

It's guaranteed to be a memorable evening!

Place: The Carmichael Hotel ballroom

Time 6:00 PM

Its not her fault. Really. All Sadie did was agree to help organize the evening and bring cake for the evening. Is it her fault that for the third time in the last few months a dead body just happened to be where she is? Is it her fault that she keeps finding valuable evidence? Is it her fault that no one will listen to her when she does?

And just exactly who is that man taking pictures of the dead body?

And whose number is that on Sadie's caller ID?

Who could resist an Angel Snowball Cake as comfort food?

Who would commit such a public murder and why?

Can Sadie figure it out or will the killer gets to her first?

And most importantly, should I serve Evil Chicken for dinner or Killer Nachos?

The best way to find out for yourself is to grab a mug of Melinda's French Chocolate, a blanket, a copy of the book and dig in.

Purchase book here

Read an excerpt here

Win a signed copy right here:

If you just can't wait and want your serving of Devil's Food Cake, signed by author Josi Kilpack, I can help you. I have a copy to give away. All you have to do it leave a comment with your favorite chocolate dish. A second entry if you leave the recipe. And a third entry if you blog/tweet/ or otherwise let your friends know about the giveaway (just leave a comment letting me know). Contest closes Friday, the 5th, at midnight. Saturday the 6th, I will put all entries in a hat and have one of my kids draw out a name.

3 ways to get entered in the drawing

1) Leave a comment telling your favorite chocolate dish

2) Leave the recipe

3) Blog/Tweet or otherwise tell others about giveaway

Now I am off to enjoy a serving of Died and Gone to Heaven Cake*

*Thanks for that, Loretta

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Indeed.

Guess What?

Look what came in the mail today!!

Yes!

I am so excited.

And one of the recipes in here is named after me

But that is only because I created it

I got two books so I will be giving one of them away

Right here on The Dance

As soon as I figure out a cute/silly/fun way to do it

But now?

I am off to partake of a little Devil's Food Cake topped with

Sandra's Chocolicious Frosting,

the newest Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery
By Josi S. Kilpack

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Indeed.

English Trifle

Things to do in England:
Visit Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and the London Zoo
Take the Jack the Ripper tour--- creepy!
Sample authentic English scones and crumpets
Discover a dead body

What begins as a holiday trip for amateur sleuth and cooking aficionado Sadie Hoffmiller and her daughter, Breanna, turns into a bizarre mystery when they discover a dead body in the sitting room of an English manor. Breanna's boyfriend, Liam, is heir to both the family title and the family estate of Southgate, where everyone seems to have a secret . . . or two. When the body in the sitting room disappears, Sadie and Breanna are stranded at the estate until the police can clear them to leave. With their departure delayed, they might as well solve the murder.
Armed with a jogging whistle, her personal recipe collection, and an unfailing sense of American justice, Sadie begins her own investigation to find the killer. But as Sadie uncovers layer after layer of misdirection, secrets and outright lies, she wonders if anyone is telling the truth--or if the case is really as hopeless as it appears to be.
Take a missing family history, toss in a secret romance, mix with a mysterious murder, and this is one vacation Sadie will never forget.

True story- A package came in the mail. I saw Josi's name in the return address space and knew what was inside. One of the boys said, "What's in the package?" Brandi, smarty pants that she is, said, "It's a book. Am I right?" I said, "Of course, but what book could it be? hmm." Then Brandi gets a gleam in her eye and says, "I bet it's that cooking book with your name in it. I know that because its from Josi." I told you she was miss smarty pants.

You know I turned to the acknowledgement page first because I had to see my name in print before doing anything else. Awesome feeling. How do authors stand it? seeing their books with their very own name on shelves in bookstores and libraries and in people's hands?

So, on to the actual book. Only Sadie Hoffmiller could go on vacation and become embroiled in a murder investigation. An investigation that almost doesn't happen when the body and all evidence disappears. Only Sadie would think to snoop around where she shouldn't be and believe that a jogging whistle will save her.

(Everytime Sadie put her whistle in her pocket I was reminded of my friend's daughter. When she was a teen, she often wanted to go jogging by herself. Her mom didn't think it was a safe idea for a young girl. The daughter would always say, 'But mom, I have my phone." to which her mom and I would laugh because we could just picture it-- bad guy is trying to snatch young girl, young girl says Wait while I whip out my phone and call for help-- Ya, not gonna happen. But I digress)

Where was I? Oh, yes. Sadie. Cooking is in her blood. She can't help it if she takes a measure of curiosity and layers it with crumpets, family secrets, lost loves and tops it with her desire for one last answer. Or recipe. Either one will do, both would be better.

Josi has outdone herself with this one. I could not figure out who done it until Josi told us. Well done, Josi.

And be sure to read chapter one of book three which is included at the back of the book. It opens with an amazing chocolate cake that I promise is to die for. And given Sadie's propensity to get embroiled in murder, I am sure someone will.

Purchase book here

Product details
Publisher: Shadow Mountain (August 5, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1606411217
ISBN-13: 978-1606411216
Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches

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Indeed.

Lemon Tart

A recipe for murder!

•5 families living on Peregrine Circle
•1 flowered curtain tieback
•1 missing child
•1 body in the field

Mix with a long list of suspects and top with two very different detectives. Increase heat until only the truth remains.

Award-winning author Josi S. Kilpack introduces a new series of culinary "cozies" that is sure to tantalize mystery lovers. In this debut volume, cooking aficionado-turned-amateur detective, Sadie Hoffmiller, tries to solve the murder of Anne Lemmon, her beautiful young neighbor - a single mother who was mysteriously killed while a lemon tart was baking in her oven. At the heart of Sadie's search is Anne's missing two-year-old son, Trevor. Whoever took the child must be the murderer, but Sadie is certain that the police are looking at all the wrong suspects - including her!

Armed with a handful of her very best culinary masterpieces, Sadie is determined to bake her way to proving her innocence, rescuing Trevor, and finding out exactly who had a motive for murder.


Mom’s Lemon Tart
Crust
1 cup all- purpose flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter (cut into smaller pieces)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor or mixer, combine ingredients for crust. Pulse together until a dough starts to form in clumps. Press into tart pan, making sure to cover bottom and sides evenly. Pierce the bottom of the crust with a fork and place in freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Place tart pan on a cookie sheet and bake until crust is a golden-brown color, approximately 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Filling
5 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 large lemons—DO NOT use concentrated lemon juice)
2 large eggs
Zest from one lemon (get zest from lemon before juicing)

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Mix cream cheese with electric beaters until smooth. Add sugar. Mix until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each egg. Stop and scrape bowl halfway through. Add the lemon juice and zest and mix until smooth.

Pour filling into tart crust and bake on cookie sheet for 20 to 30 minutes or until filling is set. Let tart cool on wire cooling rack. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Use whipped cream as an optional topping. It can be piped on instars or served on top with each piece. For extra flavor in the whipped cream, add a teaspoon of lemon zest..

I thought I had reviewed this book when I read it back in April? March? But I guess I didn't. So here you go.

I loved this book. Sadie is your standard neighborhood busy body. But not the kind you don't like. In fact, she is the one that everyone relies on to know things or to help out. She doesn't mean to get involved in a murder investigation. It just sorta happens. Can Sadie help it if she noticed something strange at Anne's house and walked in on a murder investigation? Or that she becomes a suspect because she notices things that others don't? Or that the murderer is not who you think it is?

I am usually pretty good at guessing who the bad guy is fairly early in the book. Imagine my surprise when it wasn't who I thought.

This genre is a departure for Josi. And I think she did a great job. Even though you will find this series of culinary mysteries at Deseret Book, it is not a Mormon book in the sense of the characters being Mormon, because they are not.

I have always loved Josi's writing. She has a way of telling a story that makes you love her characters and you feel as if you know them all personally. You can find my reviews of others of Josi's books here, here and here. You can purchase them here. Read Josi's blog here or go to
Josi's website here.

While you are at the website, you can preorder book two in the series, and read chapter 1.

Then when you get your copy of book 2, turn it over and open the back cover. Read about the author then turn the pages until you get to page 351. Notice that it is chapter one of book 3. Don't stop to read it yet because you need to turn the page two more times. See the top of page 347? Where it says Acknowledgements? yes? Scan down to the bottom of the page then back up one line. See that second word? Sandra? Woo Hoo!! that would be me.

And how do I know that it is on that precise page in that precise spot. Because I have my copy of the book sitting right next to me and I am headed to my room to do some serious reading.

Oh, and the reason I didn't tell you the title of book 2? Because it is the location of the next Where in the World?

Last time we were in Scotland and today we are headed not very far away from there. Here we can eat scones and crumpets, take the Jack the Ripper tour, see the changing of the guards. Hopefully we don't discover a dead body like Sadie does in book two of Josi's series. If you are my family you know that my sister, Sharon, (and I think my brother in law as well?) went there on her mission. Or you may know that President Hinckley went there, too.

But the easiest way to know, Head over to Josi's and read the first chapter.

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Indeed.

Her Good Name

I just finished a book. A good book. I hadn't planned on reading this weekend. No, I had planned on cleaning out my office so that I can reclaim my diningroom table. Then I was going to start on my paper that is due Wed. night. But instead I picked up Josi Kilpack's new novel, Her Good Name.

Chrissy is having an identity crisis. As a single woman and convert to the Church, she has always managed to find her place in life — at least until someone else begins using her credit cards, her bank account, and, most important, her name. Now the real Chrissy must prove her innocence against a growing pile of collection notices and unpaid bills. But with no job, no money, a warrant for her arrest, and a closet full of high-heeled shoes, a girl can only get so far.
When Chrissy meets Micah Heet, the other half of a blind date gone bad, the two discover they are facing the same battle and join forces to find the perpetrators. Little do they know that the small semblance of life they have left will be put on the line in the process.

Josi's books reflect real life. The things that happen to her characters can, and often do, happen to real people in real life. This time it is identity theft. I would not recommend chasing the bad guys yourself, but rather going to the police. Even if it means a night in jail through no fault of your own. A night in jail beats dead in my opinion. But chasing the bad guys makes for a better read, so that is ok.

Oh, and just so you know, Josi knows how to write a good break-up scene. Loved it.

Purchase book here
Read the first chapter here

Now I need to get to some laundry and that paper.

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Indeed.

Unsung Lullaby

I won this book during Karlene's Summer Reading Thing. Josi even shipped it to me personally, and I took it with me when I went to San Diego, but I ended up doing most of the driving and didn't get to read it. When we got home, life got in the way and I didn't get to it until Christmas break.

Stepping over the threshold seemed symbolic of a certain level of acceptance- a joining of the hopes and dreams formed within these walls to the bitter reality that those dreams were dead. They would not have a child-not ever.

For years, Matt and Maddie have held onto their hope of becoming parents. Now, suddenly faced with the reality that they will not have a child together, Matt is shocked to discover that the consequences of a past mistake may change their lives forever. Having completed the steps of repentance years earlier, Matt has chosen not to tell Maddie about his prior misuse of intimacy. But how can he tell her now- especially when she seems locked inside her own sorrow? In this story of loss, forgiveness, and perseverance, a romantic beginning transitions into a true love story made stronger through the trials the characters face and overcome together.

Published: May 2006

Josi is a wonderful writer. I love how she paints each and every scene in her books with reality, and this book is no different.

There is the scene where Maddie is mad at God for what is or rather what is not happening in her life and she lets Him know it. I swear Josi tapped into my prayers and captured this one word for word- or maybe this particular prayer is one that we all have to have with the Lord at one point or another in our lives in order to grow.

Or there is the way that Matt talks himself out of listening to the spirit. Which of us hasn't done it and used some of the same reasons ourselves. And the consequences are always worse than they would have been if we had just listened to start with.

Or how about the way Walter was so excited to be able to pick out paint? I could see the expression on his little face when he realized that it would be his, all his. Or when he got to pick out a surprise for Maddie?

And then there were the adoption issues. Been there, felt them and Josi got them exactly right, again.

I really liked this book. It was a quick read, but it wasn't light and frivilous. These people feel real emotions and express them in realistic ways. I felt their highs as well as their despairs. In fact, Matt and Maddie are people I would like to have as friends.

Sheep's Clothing

I didn't get to bed early. I tried, I really did, but I picked up Josi Kilpack's book, "Sheep's Clothing". I thought I would read a bit to relax before drifing off to sleep. Well, I turned the last page of the book about midnightish.


You can read the teaser from the back of the book over at Josi's site.
And Karlene reviewed this book here.

I agree with Karlene's review. I also agree with the balance between reality and the happy ending, but I was really afraid that Josi would go the "we all fasted and it was revealed to us what the problem was, and so we all hugged and made up and lived happily ever after, after all the nonmemebers joined the church". I am so glad that she didn't go that route.

I also liked the arguments between the parents- well the way Josi handled them. It seems that too often in LDS lit. that one of the parents is perfect and the other one is always at fault and the perfect one looks down on everyone and can't understand why the family doesn't get it. These parents are real, they work and don't give enough time to the people that need it. They make mistakes, they lose patience with their kids and each other, they argue, they don't know what to do so they don't do it.

When I finished the book, I felt decidely unsettled and wanted to do something about this problem. I realized how I had gotten lax with my computer rules the last little bit, especially with the child that I never have to worry about.

Quoting Karlene
"If your children have access to the Internet, YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. If those children are over the age of 12, THEY NEED TO READ THIS BOOK."