A Song For Julia Book Blast & Giveaway (2/1-2/17)

A Song for Julia (Thompson Sisters)

Everyone should have something to rebel against.

Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out
his rage at the world. Six years later, he's still at odds with his father, a Boston
cop, and doesn't ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters
is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job.

The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music
and drive his band to success.

Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in
Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life.
Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and
refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a
guy.

When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002,
the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.

The Thompson Sisters
A Song for Julia is part of a series of novels centering around the Thompson sisters. Though the books center on the same family, they are standalone novels and can be read in any order. From the author of the Amazon bestselling author of Just Remember to Breathe, A Song for Julia has garnered more than 350 five-star reviews on Goodreads and been described by reviewers as "EXQUISITE. Best book of 2012,"
"Absolutely breathtaking story," and "Absolutely heart wrenching."

Purchase A Song for Julia for only $2.99 on Amazon

About the Author

Charles Sheehan-Miles served in combat with the 24th Infantry Division during the 1991 Gulf War, and was decorated for valor for helping rescue fellow tank crewmen from a burning tank during the Battle at Rumayla. He is a former President and co-founder of the National Gulf War Resource Center and later was executive director of Veterans for Common Sense.

Follow on:
Website | Facebook |Twitter | GoodReads
Tour Prize $50 Amazon gift card open where ever you can use an Amazon GC. Fill out the form below to enter

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$75 Pottery Barn Giveaway (2/1-2/28)

 

Hosted and Sponsored by: Everything Mommyhood

A special thanks to my co-hosts for making this giveaway possible

 My Four Littles, My Devotional Thoughts, NY Saving Specials, The Lucky Ladybug, All About the Mommies - Coupons & Giveaways, Simply Sherryl, Java John Z's, Kaisy Daisy's Corner, CouponWAHM, and Conservamom.

One lucky winner will receive a $75 gift card to Pottery Barn.

Can be redeemed at any of Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen,
Williams-Sonoma, Williams-Sonoma Home or West Elm stores, online or by
phone.

This giveaway is open to US residents only.

Giveaway is 2/1 12:01am EST - 2/28 11:59pm EST

Enter below via the Rafflecopter to win. Good Luck!!!

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Disclosure: Everything Mommyhood is responsible for sponsored prize, all other blogs involved are not responsible, nor did they receive any compensation for promotion of this giveaway.Must be 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social media outlets. For detailed disclosure please see rafflecopter.

If you have any questions please contact Everything Mommyhood at everythingmommyhood@gmail.com

I don't do resolutions, I do "bettering myself" with baby steps

I don't necessarily think I am a bad person. People that tend to resolve to do things, typically get let down when it is all said and done. Makes me sad to see people say that they want to lose 50-100 pounds, quit smoking, have more money, etc. All I can say to these people that make resolutions is slow down. Take baby steps. We are human and things are not going to happen over night. We tend to set way too high of goals for ourselves, that let's face it, they are unreasonable and sometimes even out of our control. Like saving money for example. If you are struggling on your budget, it may not be you that needs the fixing. This economy is crap! Take it from someone who clips coupons, finds deals, and second hand shops at consignment for the things that I can. My family still comes up short when it comes down to paying the bills. We are frugal people and we still come up short. Is that a shocker?

 

To many people what I just said is like a foreign language. Sometimes no matter how hard you try to save money, the economy just doesn't allow for it on a middle or low income family wage. Unless you make millions, chances are you should probably take save a whole lot of money out of your new resolutions. I hate being let down and so to me money saving would be a let down, we try our best, come up short.....I don't want to feel like a failure and I know you don't either!

 

As for losing weight, if I were to make a weight goal it would be to gain, but come on...only if I took some kind of pill to slow my metabolism would that ever happen. If you want to lose some weight, fine. If you want to gain some muscle mass, fine. If you want to get your "before baby" body back, fine. Just do not set yourself up for failure. This will ultimately make you feel worse. Take baby steps. Say I want to do this many crunches a day, or run this far a week. Don't put a number on it! Just do what makes you feel good. When you don't concentrate on a goal, things like losing weight tend to just happen my naturally.

Now if you sit there and it pizza and junk food all day and do your workout....you are most likely going to fail. Those two nutrition and exercise go hand in hand. Watch your diet and make workout goals for yourself. Do not ,and I repeat, do not put a number goal on it for it to feel like a success!

 

My "do-better" strategy for me?

I want to find a facial system that actually works for me. I want to find a BB cream or foundation that actually works for me. I want my hair to stop falling out (I think that's due to stress" so I will take Biotin supplement to strengthen my hair. I will keep a planner so I will be organized with where life is taking me. I am in school, stay at home parent, and new blogger. These things take up the most precious thing we have....time. I want to find more time to read books. Another reason why I started blogging. I wanted to find other people that had goals like me and that loved to review products. I was already a member of all of those testing sites. Why not have an outlet to reach out to actual people with? I hated just taking surveys and not knowing if there was an actual person out there reading what I had to say. Now I know!

I know my "do-betters" are not huge but I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin. My own literal skin. That's what I want this year. I am going to finish college, hopefully find my niche, and be a person I can be proud of while doing it. I don't want to be that "I don't care what I look like because I never leave the house and my baby only sees me during the day" mom anymore. I am doing this makeover of life for me.

 

So remember,  baby steps. Start with something small and once that is accomplished, move on. We all have LITTLE things that we could work on.....change of diet, doing crunches, running, maybe saving 20 dollars a week, or in my case making myself feel like a beautiful person inside and out before I get out there after college. Have faith in yourself, and you can do this.....with baby steps :)

Heads Up Designs T-Shirt Giveaway (ends 2/12)

These shirts are absolutely adorable! Make sure that you take a look and love the Etsy shops below as well as enter for the giveaway to win one shirt in any size and design you would like <3


Loving Life and Living on Less and Heads Up Designs have teamed up for a fun giveaway that we're sharing with you!  Kim at Heads Up Designs has all the favorite character you could think of and most can be customized too! She offers holiday shits, birthday shirts, sets in all sorts of designs.

Heads Up Designs Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/headsupdesigns

Heads Up Designs on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeadsUpDesigns

Heads Up Designs is offering a giveaway for one shirt, any design/any size! Open to US and Canada. Enter Below and Good Luck!!!

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Call of Duty (my mini addiction)

Okay, it's not what you think! I don't play Call of Duty but I love to watch my hubby play. I have been an avid fan of watching him ever since Modern Warfare 2 came out. He was really good and in a clan and it was just fun to sit back and watch him kill people. Does that sound sadistic? I sure hope not. We used to stay up until the wee hours of the night waiting for him to get the nuke in Modern Warfare 2. Yes, it was epic. If you got 25 kills without dying you could call in a nuke that would completely wipe out everyone in the match you were playing. Game over, and you were a boss.



Then on came Call of Duty Black Ops. I have to say we pre-ordered this one and my hubs went and waited for it at our local WalMart because Amazon messed up and said our order didn't go through...two days before release! That was not going to stop my hubby from being able to have that game in his hands at midnight when it was released. Zombies was back and him and his friends would basically crack out on this. It was not until this game that I truly understood what the game of Zombies was all about. Mind you, I could never play like he does and he would just get frustrated with me for even trying. Let's just say that I never played when I was younger and my parents never even bought us a gaming console. They had two girls. They thought what the heck they have barbies!

 



 

Zombies and the Easter eggs and the goals were what drew me in and I would stay up until I couldn't anymore watching this happen. It was awesome when him and his friends finally accomplished what seemed unfeasible!

Then like they couldn't come out with anymore...here came Call of Duty Elite. We didn't get the Elite edition with Black Ops because we were not quite sure what that meant. In all what it comes down to is you get Elite and you can have your own clan. You do clan ops and earn points for playing or ranking and they can be redeemed for prizes. Pretty awesome!



You also were the first to be able to get the new map packs when they came out and they were "free". Meaning you did not have to pay per map pack and you would be saving money. We looked at it as an investment. Elite member here we came!

Then as if Black Ops never happened, here we were faced with Modern Warfare 4. This one didn't get played as much because since made by two different companies switching every year the game play was just plain different. Of course, it still got played and eventually gotten used to but.....

I knew all he was waiting for was Black Ops 2!

So now it is finally here and the first map pack just dropped Tuesday. Believe me, that's what has been taking over our house since....



My four year old son even knows what the game play of Zombies is.....he knows the terminology of the game......he is just as much of a watching addict as I am!
The new map pack is pretty awesome that just came out called Revolution. The best part about this is that the Zombies mode is absolutely crazy on Die Rise. There are all sorts of elevator shafts you can fall down or you can be squished if you are on top of the elevator and it gets to the top floor (hubby found this out the hard way last night!)

 




And probably the best thing they did was come out with a gameplay called turned. One person is human. The other people playing are zombies. Whoever lasts the longest as human wins. You can either find an anecdote or kill the human and become a human. Pretty intense and fast paced. Looks so fun. I will never play games but I think I will watch them until the day my hubs decides to give them up.

But honestly.....
I think this will be him and his friends....



So here's to those that love to play the game, and those that just simply like to watch! Happy playing :) Let Call of Duty bring happiness to gamers everywhere!

I am in love.....with my Keurig!

Yes, this would be my new love! I love that I can wake up in the morning and make myself a cup of coffee, relax, and not have to worry about the coffee going "bad" before my hubby gets up 30 minutes later to go to work. I can just then make him his cup and it can be his specific blend that he likes. Me, I am more partial to the flavored coffees and cappachinos. My hubby loves vanilla and I love hazelnut, and of course coffee tastes better when it is flavored than just putting flavored creamer inside. We now can just put sugar and milk, saves some money on creamer!We also are fans of hot chocolate in this house. It used to be such a pain to have to get the water hot enough to put that packet into and hope that it did not turn out lumpy with the powder that did not dissolve. Biggest pet peeve of hot chocolate ever! We no longer have to worry about that. We just get the hot chocolate that we want in the k-cups and TA-DA! Keurig makes it at the perfect temperature and there are none of those lumps. Just creamy and oh-so-delicious hot chocolate.There is also a neat little extra that we got for the Keurig that allows us to use our own coffee grounds in the Keurig. I had no idea that this even existed. That's where My K-cup comes in! You just simply remove the existed K-cup holder and put this handy little thing in it's place. The only downside to this, no easy cleanup. You have to clean the filter between making the cups of coffee. Still you could have separate bags and make your own type. Still a convenience factor if you have different coffee drinkers in your home. I don't think I will ever try every single one that I want in this brewer as it seems like there are hundreds of K-cups out there. If you have a  chance to get a Keurig, no matter what the style, go for it! It will save your life in the morning because it is just so simple and easy. Add water, press the button, and your hot beverage is there in less than a minute.If you want to check out everything there is to offer from a Keurig, check them out!http://www.keurig.com/

Money Code Giveaway (1/30-2/11)

 

The Money Code Book Giveaway

Does it seem as if there's never enough money to do everything you want?

Do you want to feel confident about the financial decisions you make?

Have you ever felt frustrated talking about money with your loved ones?

Manic Mama of 2 has joined up with Xtreme Qpon to bring you this incredibly awesome giveaway! The Money Code is an informative and fun to read book. It will help you learn how to feel confident about your financial decisions and help you talk with your loved ones about money. You can read the full review at Xtreme Qpon.
Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win a copy of The Money Code. You do not have to complete all entries to be chosen, but the more you do complete, then better your chances are of winning! Good Luck!

Be sure to enter on the Rafflecopter link below!

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Disclaimer: No purchase is necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received. This promotion is no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook and is Facebook-compliant. Winners will be notified by email from Xtreme Qpon. Winners will have 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiting their prize. Prize fulfillment is the sole responsibility of the sponsor. The blogs participating may not be held liable for Sponsors who do not fulfill prize shipments.

YumEarth Organics Giveaway (1/30-2/13)

 

YumEarth Organics Giveaway Hosted by Pea of Sweetness

These little bears look so yummy and would be a great alternative for children for a snack! :) 
Valentine’s Day is coming, which means we're surrounded by sweets and treats! Why not offer a healthier alternative like YumEarth Organics? YumEarth offers sweets that are yummy and contain healthy ingredients. YumEarth was born out of our commitment to feed families a diet rich in delicious healthful foods free of high fructose corn syrup and artificial dyes. YumEarth tastes better because they choose real fruit extracts and planet friendly ingredients grown on sustainable family farms. YumEarth also has no gluten, peanuts, or tree-nuts, just award winning taste.

View the full YumEarth organic gummy bears review on Pea of Sweetness.

For More: Visit the YummyEarth Website, connect with them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

Thank-you to our amazing co-hosts: Giveaway Gator , Couponing with Integrity, Mommy Lesson Plans, and Meg's Daily Bytes, Reviews and other Online Distractions and all of the awesome participating bloggers!

About the Giveaway: This giveaway begins on 1/30 at 12:01am and ends on 2/13 at 11:59pm (times are EST) and is open to US residents ages 18+. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

The Prize: A bag of YumEarth Organic Gummy Bears!

Make sure you enter on the link below!!

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may be different than yours. Manic Mama of 2 is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Shower In Style Giveaway Event (1/30-2/9)

 

I am so happy to be taking part in the Shower in Style Giveaway Event! It is such a fun product and looks like it would give a great shower experience. They have a great gallery section on their website and they even offer financing if you were looking at taking on a bigger project!



Sponsored by Change your Bathroom.com, and hosted by S.O.S. Mom, Real Momma and The Bunny's Reviews, one lucky person will win an 8" LED lit shower head (as seen in picture above)! Prize is valued at $120. Pimping your shower, yes we are!

Change Your Bathroom is at the cutting edge of today’s popular home design trend. Their years of experience will guarantee a seamless finish. Whether budget style, or texture is at the front of your mind, they have the right look for you.

The team is composed of Josh, the tile installer/electrician. who has worked in remodeling for 14 years and is proud to be a 2nd generation home builder. His passion lies in turning his concepts into reality. He has created several products including but not limited to the inflowAIR dust containment system and our very own hidden drain system for curb-less showers. He also loves to create beautiful spaces and for the past seven years has made bathrooms his specialty. From custom projects including hidden TVs to more traditional projects, Josh enjoys a challenge.

Michelle, who is in charge of customer service and design. Her passion for design developed around her extensive travel through Europe. She sets new standards in the design industry. Michelle incorporates the strength of ancient architecture and beauty of modern concepts to create a whole new world of design options. Working with the home owner every step of the way, she works to bridge the gap between the contractor and the client. Michelle custom designs each bathroom as a work of art to be enjoyed forever.

And finally, Jesse the plumber/tile installer. Jesse is trained as a skilled tradesman and has been in the construction industry for over 10 years. As a 3rd generation plumber and 2nd generation remodeler, Jesse understands all aspects of the trade from demolition to completion; he has an eye for detail and strives for perfection. Jesse has been with the team for 5 years and continues to keep every project running smoothly. He enjoys working closely with the home owner to make each project simple and seamless.

Please visit Change Your Bathroom at this address http://www.changeyourbathroom.com to get acquainted with the work they do and offer.


This giveaway event will be running until February 9th inclusively and is open to US residents only. To enter, simply fill the form below to gain entries to win.

Special thank you to co-hosts Give Oh Giveaway, Simply Sherryl, Tabby's Pantry and Tunica Mama.

Please enter in the link below!

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Children's Advil Review & Coupon

I was given the chance to try out Children's Advil Grape flavor from Smiley 360. They are an awesome site that allows you to sample products for your honest review. I loved that the Children's Advil that they provided me with was flavored and that it was non-staining. My son is really fidgety when it  comes to taking medicines and has been that way for a long time. He was always staining clothes with the red cherry flavored medicines that I would try to give him. When I poured this clear liquid that tasted like grape inside the little measuring cup, he actually took the medicine with no problem. He thought it was just a little "drink" as he put it.



It really did would the product says and lasted for a good eight hours. I did not have to worry about waking him up in the middle of the night to give him more fever reducer. He would take it in the morning and then also right before bedtime. There were no cons to this product and I feel like if I were to need to use it again, it would be reliable. There could not have  come a better time of year for me to be able to try out this product, as my son normally doesn't get sick with a fever any other time of the year. All he has is allergies during the Spring otherwise.

If you are looking to get some of this for your children this season, here is a link to where you can get coupons:

http://childrens.advil.com/childrens-advil-coupons

Here's to our children feeling better....faster!

 

Disclosure: I was given the chance to try this product free from Smiley 360 in exchange for my honest opinion on the product.

Yes, I am way behind the times.....Just read the first Twilight :/

I am not one that always likes to jump on the bandwagon when it seems like EVERYONE is reading the same thing. I did that when I was younger with Harry Potter and I saw where that got me.....I didn't get passed book four. So, I decided to very deliberately wait until all the Twilight movies had been made to dig into the books. I feel like when I read a book first I am nothing but disappointed with how the movie turns out. Except for in the case of Nicholas Sparks. They always do a great job with his books to movies (which is why there are so many!)



 

Okay back to my point, I just finished the first Twilight book of the series, borrowed from a friend, and let me tell you I would have been utterly disgusted with the first Twilight movie if I would not have seen it first. It does not follow anything of what goes on inside this book. I don't remember seeing the part where Jasper, Alice, and Bella are holed up in a hotel room in the movie.....also I don't remember her ever trying to escape from them to get to the dance studio. This had me very upset. How much longer of production would that have really taken in order for them to have put those details into the movie?

So, now I will have to read the second one and see how the movie stacks up to the book. I will have to buy this one because the girl I borrowed from only had 1,3, and 4. Some meanie did not give her the second book back, so I lose out on that one. I am hoping that I can borrow it n my Kindle off of Amazon, but I am sure just because I want to that it won't be allowed. I loved the book and just would have hoped that they would have stayed more true when it came to the movie.  Does anyone else ever feel like they leave out good parts just to shorten production time? I am sure I will definitely feel this way when I get farther into the series because the books get longer as they go, but the movies are all pretty much the same length for the first three. Hmmmm..?

So pause for a second while I look up whether I can borrow this book or have to buy it!

So boo.....$6.99 on Kindle to own it. Oh well it is the small sacrifice I may have to make if I want to finish the series.

The way I look at it that's all I spent to read the four books :) Quite a steal! I know what I will be doing this afternoon......

---

Seduced by Innocence by Kimberly Kinrade is live on Amazon!

Seduced by Innocence is ON SALE for it's launch and is only $1.99. If you purchase it today and email the author at kimberly.kinrade@gmail.com your purchase receipt from Amazon, you can get another of her ebooks for FREE!

ABOUT SEDUCED BY INNOCENCE

HEIR PASSION WILL DESTROY THEM.
ONLY TRUE LOVE WILL SAVE THEM.

Liquid fire poured into me, filling me with the intimate sense of him as he leaned in to claim my lips with his own. I reached for him, needing him closer, needing to feel his flesh against mine, but my arms couldn’t close the distance between us, which grew wider with each hitched breath. So close to finally feeling something real, something carnal and deep, I cried out in frustration, dropping my hands as he disappeared. My cries deepened into a frenzy of panic and my eyes flew open. I clutched my blanket and stilled myself to calm my racing heart.

Just a dream. Always just a dream.

***

Rose Wintersong didn’t have an ordinary upbringing. Raised in what most would call a hippy commune, but what is actually a powerful coven of witches, she never questions the life fate chose for her.

Until she meets Derek O’Conner.

Derek challenges everything Rose believes and forces her to see the secrets hidden beneath the whitewashed walls of her idyllic country life.

Rose knows she should walk away, that the sexy martial arts instructor is bad news bred to create discord in her tight community… but the animal magnetism between them is impossible to fight.

Caught between the passion of first love, and the steady beat of the life she’s always known, Rose must choose between the innocence of her youth or the pleasures of womanhood—but lost innocence comes at a price, and Rose harbors a dark secret that could destroy everyone she loves—including Derek.

***

Campus Book Rentals: Save Money & Donate to Charity!

-save 40-90% off of bookstore prices
-free shipping both ways
-can highlight in the textbooks
-flexible renting periods
-donate to Operation Smile with each textbook rented

I recently stumbled across Campus Book Rentals. I have always rented from other sources, and am sad that I didn't know about them before I would be graduating from college this Spring. I will definitely keep them in mind if I were to go back to school for my Graduate degree. Their prices on books for rent are unreal, and a great perk that a lot of other rental companies do not offer is that you can actually highlight the text in your books that you rent. Other companies tend to from upon this. I would have loved to have marked these books with important passages that I was paying good money to rent in the first place. Instead I had to make post its and notes.You can even save even more money when you refer a friend to Campus Book Rentals. The more people that you refer the more money that you cash in on.


Do even better because with every text book rental, Campus Book Rentals will donate to Operation Smile. I do not know if all of you know what Operation Smile is, but let me give you the low down. They perform life changing surgeries on children with cleft lip whose families would have never been able to afford to do so. Campus Book Rentals is glad to support this organization and make a difference in these children's lives.



Rent Back is another great program that Campus Book Rentals has to offer. It allows you to sell your books back and rent them to students for about 2-4 times as much as you would get back if you were just to sell them back to your school bookstore. How awesome is that?! Every time your book gets rented to a student....you get paid. So sell your old books back to Campus Book Rentals, let them rent it out for you, and then you cash in.

If you want more information on how this program works, don't hesitate to check out their website: http://www.campusbookrentals.com/

Beauty Challenges (ProActiv and Biotin) Do they really work?

So yes, I am being brave by posting these pictures online. My forehead is not quite the issue. It is my cheeks and chin area. I have been lucky not to experience really bad acne around my hair line, which is great, but still....going out with the scars and these bumps makes me feel like I want to hide.

These pictures are with no makeup on and out there for everyone of you to see.



These are the three products that I just ordered from Proactiv. I have only used them now for two days, and that is when these pictures were taken. We will see if they actually work. I am going to do a weekly update on my progress on my face. I would love for something to actually take these embarassing marks away because nothing out there I have found so far has done that.

My next challenge is Biotin. Does it really work to help keep hair and nails strong?

For some reason this winter I have been having problems with losing hair while in the shower. I am not sure why and I think it definitely has something to do with my roots and the strength of my hair. My nails also lack luster and are brittle. I am deciding to see if taking Biotin will help out with these beauty issues. I will not start this trial run until next week. I don't want to take on too much at once.

Binky Spritz Flash Giveaway (1/28-1/30)

 

Heather Speaks Out is bringing you a wonderful Giveaway for a bottle of Binky Spritz.

 One person will win a bottle. You all will love this product if you have babies, young children or someone who is sick. Binky Spritz is a all natural product that is all natural ingredients, safe to swallow, alcohol free, no added sugar, non-toxic (no BPA's) and has 100's of great uses. It also taste great too. There is no sticky residue to it either. So to enter to win a bottle of this enter the Rafflecopter below.

Brought to you by Heather Speaks Out, Life of a Madtyper, & Mom Are We There Yet
We are not responsible for shipment of prize.

 

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Disclosure: This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact HeatherSpeaksOut@yahoo.com.This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content will always be identified.

UGLee pens Giveaway (1/28-2/11)

 

UGLee Pens Giveaway Hosted by Pea of Sweetness

About UGLee Pens:

The UGLee Pen is good for everyone who writes (even just a grocery list), and is especially helpful to people who experience pain and discomfort when writing, for example those with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.,. It's also the best writing utensil for children who are learning to write and are developing fine motor skills, as well as helpful for special-needs children who find holding a pen or pencil properly difficult. And for high-school and college students who have to take copious notes, this pen helps keep hands and fingers from cramping.

View the full UGLee pen review on Pea of Sweetness.

Thank-you to our amazing co-hosts: Giveaway Gator , Couponing with Integrity, Mommy Lesson Plans, and Meg's Daily Bytes, Reviews and other Online Distractions and all of the awesome participating bloggers!

About the Giveaway: This giveaway begins on 1/28 at 12:01am and ends on 2/11 at 11:59pm (times are EST) and is open to US residents ages 18+. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

The Prize: A set of UGLee pens!

 

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may be different than yours. Manic Mama of 2 is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Sweet Andy's Giveaway!

 

I am delighted to be bringing you this giveaway over from Real Reviews by Savvy K! These cookies look absolutely delicious. This post just has my mouth watering looking at it, so make sure you get your entries in for the chance to win some yummy cookies <3

Sweet Andy's Cookies Giveaway and Review!

My fiance and I just love cookies. Chocolate chip, macadamia nut, oatmeal raisin - you name it, we adore them. That's why when I had the chance to review Sweet Andy's Cookies, I just couldn't say yes fast enough!

Sweet Andy's Cookies were founded by a former Wall Street financier who left his job to pursue a job that was more fulfilling! When times were tough he began to thank friends and family in his community for helping him out with these decadent cookies! Everybody loved his cookies so much that he decided to launch his own business, Sweet Andy's Cookies.

Sweet Andy's cookies are made with all natural ingredients. That is my absolute favorite thing about these cookies. So many snack companies now a days use so many artificial ingredients which I just hate giving to my family. These cookies are a perfect way to achieve a great tasty treat without those non-wanted additives.

Another thing I love about these cookies is how incredibly big and thick they are! Unlike the cookies that I make here at home, these cookies are huge! Just one of these cookies is bigger than the palm of my hand! And thicker too! They also are very soft and moist, unlike most of the store-bought cookies we buy. Instead of munching on 4 or 5 hard, store-bought cookies, my fiance and I grab one Sweet Andy's Cookies and a tall glass of milk and we are set!

We had the chance to review the chocolate, chocolate chip, triple chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, and oatmeal raisin flavors. While all of these cookies were delicious, chocolate chip of course was my number one! My least favorite would have to be the chocolate flavor. To me, it has just a bit too much salt. Other than that, all of the other cookies were a big hit in my household!

If you are looking for a delicious and decadent Valentine's Day treat to give to your loved one, Sweet Andy's Cookies are definitely the way to go!

Can't wait til Valentine's Day to buy these tasty sweets? Win them here! That's right, Sweet Andy's Cookies is letting one of our readers win a Sweet Andy's Cookies Gift Box ARV $36.00! Enter using the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Real Reviews by Savvy K recieved products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, all opinions are my own and may or may not differ from yours. Real Reviews by Savvy K or other blog members participating in this event are not responsible for prize shipment. However, we will do all we can to make sure the sponsor delivers in a timely manner.

Free Kindle Books 1/27

Feed your reader :)

Leopard Moon (Moon Series)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2012
"The Moon series is filled with action and romance, shape shifters and strong heroines."--Melissa Marr, NYT bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series

How do you disappear when you come from a family of predators?

A wereleopard, Kess is forced to flee her home and family in Miami once her brother's obsession with her turns violent. She runs from city to city, trying to stay one step ahead of the investigators her family has dispatched to bring her home. Kess ends up in the mountains of North Carolina and attracts the attention of Cormac, a young man with a secret of his own. As she attempts to live as normal a life as her were-nature allows, her brother Sek continues to hunt for her. He believes she is the key to revitalizing their weakened clan and is driven to extreme measures to ensure their continued existence. As Kess' relationship with Cormac deepens, Sek closes in, threatening Cormac's life and Kess' freedom.

Whenthe moon rises, the hunt is on….

Demon Kissed (A Paranormal Romance-Book #1 in the Demon Kissed Series) (Demon Kissed #1)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2011 ***FREE FOR THE 1st TIME ON KINDLE!***
BOOK #1 IN THE BESTSELLING DEMON KISSED SERIES

The Valefar boy tricked Ivy Taylor into kissing him, but he took much more than a kiss - he stole her soul and left her within inches of death.

By surviving, Ivy is drawn into the conflict between the Martis and the Valefar. The war between these two immortal forces has raged for millennia without distraction. Until now. Ivy is an anomaly--she is the only person who has ever walked away from a demon kiss alive. Her survival gives her unique and deadly abilities. Too powerful to ignore, Ivy is a threat to both armies. These two ancient enemies will stop at nothing to kill the seventeen-year-old.

Surviving is nothing new for headstrong Ivy, but her survival has never depended on another person before. This time it does. And if she misplaces her trust, she's dead. To her horror, she starts falling in love at the worst possible time--with the enemy. He appears to be protecting her. But she can't be certain if he is trying to help her, or help himself to her power.

For Ivy, trusting the right person is the difference between love and survival, or a deadly demon kiss.

92,327 Words, 3rd Edition. Young Adult Paranormal Romance.

BESTSELLING DEMON KISSED SERIES ORDER:
#1. Demon Kissed
#2. Cursed
#3. Torn
#4. Satan's Stone
#5. The 13th Prophecy
#6. Assassin: Fall of the Golden Valefar
#7. TBA

ADDITIONAL DEMON KISSED BOOKS:
VALEFAR VOLUMES (Demon Kissed Novellas)
#1. Valefar Vol. 1
#2. Valefar Vol. 2

Guardians: The Girl (The Guardians Series, Book 1)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2012 The prophecy says I will fall in love with team leader and Angel, Marcus Cane. The prophecy also says that our love will cause his mission to fail and end the world.

Whatever.

This human is not worried. Why?
Because I do not intend to fall in love with Marcus.

The truth is I hate him. I hate his warm brown eyes with flecks of gold, his chiseled face and broad shoulders.
I hate how over protective he is just because a few thousand demons are after me.

In fact, I couldn't care less about Marcus or his perfect telekinetic girlfriend.
And when I see him holding her, I don’t die a little inside…

The Deepest Cut (a MacKinnon Curse novel, Book 1)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2011
(MATURE YA)
***Due to strong language, mention of cutting, alcohol and drug use, and sexual situations, THE DEEPEST CUT is not intended for younger teens.***

Sixteen-year-old Riley Williams has been able to see ghosts since the car crash that took her mother's life and shattered her family. Guilt-ridden over the belief that she's somehow responsible for her mom's death, Riley is desperate to see her mother's elusive spirit to gain her forgiveness.

When her father moves the family to Scotland so they can all start over, Riley believes her life couldn't get worse--that is until the ghost of nineteen-year-old Ian MacKinnon catches her purposely cutting herself. An uneasy truce quickly turns into friendship, and soon Riley's falling hard for Ian.

Riley believes her gift could help Ian end the curse that has kept him tied to the land for centuries, but that would mean letting him go forever and she's not sure she is strong enough to do that. As if her life wasn't complicated enough, the malevolent spirit of the woman who killed Ian returns and she'll stop at nothing to keep Riley from helping Ian find eternal peace.

*****************
THE MACKINNON CURSE SERIES:
The Deepest Cut
The Haunted
The Departed
The MacKinnon Curse (The Beginning) novella
******************
Excerpt:

I stared at him, and I don't know what came over me, but I took the steps that separated us and I kissed him. I had meant for it only to be a chaste kiss, a you-make-me-so-happy kind of kiss, but it ended up being something completely altogether different.

I sensed his surprise, but only for an instant. The next thing I knew, his arms came around me, crushing me to him. I sighed into his mouth and he smiled against my lips before he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine, silky soft.

Exhilaration and need rushed through me as my hands flattened against his back. I could feel the play of muscle and sinew beneath my fingers. What I felt for Ian was real, and ironically he made me feel alive in a way I hadn't been since my mom's death.

Ian pulled away the slightest bit, looking down at me, his blue eyes intense. "We're playing with fire, Riley Williams."

"I don't care." And I didn't care. I wanted Ian MacKinnon more than I'd ever wanted anything in my life.

Chasing Nikki (Chasing Nikki #1)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 27, 2012
Chasing Nikki, #1 Young Adult Contemporary Romance from bestselling author Lacey Weatherford.

Reviews:

"Do whatever you need to do so you can sit UNINTERRUPTED and devour this book. Chase Walker is incredible. This story is AMAZING, POWERFUL, and something that will tug so hard on your heartstrings, you will walk away CHANGED for the better." ~ The Bookish Snob

"Heartfelt & Inspiring!" ~ Midnight Magic Book Reviews

Overview:

A broken heart.
A troubled past.
An unexpected romance that changes everything.
Will love and trust be enough to overcome the ultimate test?
Chasing Nikki

Extended Description:

Chase Walker used to be a good kid--charming, athletic, and with a bright future ahead, but that was before travesty struck his life, sinking him into deep despair. Caught up in a world of drugs and alcohol, he doesn't notice time slipping away until he's arrested for underage drinking one night.

Fed up with watching her son destroy his life, Chase's mom relocates him to live in a small ranching community with his ex-military grandfather. Chase is far from happy about the situation until he meets, Nikki, the cute cheerleader who won't give football players like him the time of day.

Chase enjoys a good challenge though and sets out to claim Nikki for his own. He soon discovers she's more than a pretty face--she's a balm to his troubled spirit also. But when tragedy strikes Nikki's life too, suddenly Chase finds himself put to the ultimate test. Can he trust Nikki, and all that she's taught him? Will it be enough?

Branded (Fall of Angels)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 23, 2010
Jessica’s had the nightmares for as long as she can remember. Nightmares of being judged for people who have died, of being branded by the angels. Her friends and family think she’s a crazy because of it all. Yet she carries the mark of the condemned, seared into the back of her neck, and hides it and herself away from the world.

But when two men she can’t ignore enter her life everything changes, including the nightmares. The two of them couldn’t be more different. She will do anything to be with one of them. Even tell him the truth about angels, why she never sleeps, and the scar on the back of her neck. But one of the two has set events into motion what will pull her toward her own judgment and turn her into the object of her greatest fear.

Featured in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL as a "Self-Published Big Seller." The entire series is now available!
BRANDED - Book One
FORSAKEN - Book Two
VINDICATED - Book Three
AFTERLIFE - Novelette Companion to Vindicated

Call of the Herald (Godsland Series: Book One)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2010
Reviews

"...kind of like a cross between The Lord of the Rings
and Harry Potter...I honestly could not stop reading this book. I
completed it in two days, it was that good." Cheryl's Book Nook - March
2009 review of The Dawning of Power trilogy

"...a bit like
Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Terry Brooks' Shannara series, and
Paolini's Eragon saga rolled into one." Melissa's Bookshelf April, 2009
review of The Dawning of Power trilogy

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book for all ages."
Linda Weaver Clarke, author of the new mystery series "The Adventures of John and Julia Evans."

Product Description

Book
One of The Dawning of Power trilogy. Echoes of the ancients' power are
distant memories, tattered and faded by the passage of eons, but that is
about to change. A new dawn has arrived. Latent abilities, harbored in
mankind's deepest fibers, wait to be unleashed. Ancient evils awaken,
and old fears ignite the fires of war.

Turned (Book #1 in the Vampire Journals)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2011
In TURNED (Book #1 of the Vampire Journals series), 18 year old Caitlin Paine finds herself uprooted from her nice suburb and forced to attend a dangerous New York City high school when her Mom moves again. The one ray of light in her new surroundings is Jonah, a new classmate who takes an instant liking to her.

But before their romance can blossom, Caitlin suddenly finds herself changing. She is overcome by a superhuman strength, a sensitivity to light, a desire to feed--by feelings she does not understand. She seeks answers to what’s happening to her, and her cravings lead her to the wrong place at the wrong time. Her eyes are opened to a hidden world, right beneath her feet, thriving underground in New York City. She finds herself caught between two dangerous covens, right in the middle of a vampire war.

It is at this moment that Caitlin meets Caleb, a mysterious and powerful vampire who rescues her from the dark forces. He needs her to help lead him to the legendary lost artifact. And she needs him for answers, and for protection. Together, they will need to answer one crucial question: who was her real father?

But Caitlin finds herself caught between two men as something else arises between them: a forbidden love. A love between the races that will risk both of their lives, and will force them to decide whether to risk it all for each other…

"TURNED is an ideal story for young readers. Morgan Rice did a good job spinning an interesting twist on what could have been a typical vampire tale. Refreshing and unique, TURNED has the classic elements found in many Young Adult paranormal stories. Book #1 of the Vampire Journals Series focuses around one girl…one extraordinary girl!...TURNED is easy to read but extremely fast-paced....Recommended for anyone who likes to read soft paranormal romances. Rated PG."
--The Romance Reviews

“TURNED grabbed my attention from the beginning and did not let go….This story is an amazing adventure that is fast paced and action packed from the very beginning. There is not a dull moment to be found. Morgan Rice did an awesome job bringing the reader into the story. She also made it easy to root for Caitlin and want desperately to her succeed in finding her truth….I will be looking forward to the second book in the series.”
--Paranormal Romance Guild

“TURNED is a likable, easy, dark read that you can read in between other books, as it is short….You’re sure to be entertained!“
--books-forlife.blogspot.com

"TURNED is a book to rival TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE DIARIES, and one that will have you wanting to keep reading until the very last page! If you are into adventure, love and vampires this book is the one for you!"
--Vampirebooksite.com

“Rice does a great job of pulling you into the story from the beginning, utilizing a great descriptive quality that transcends the mere painting of the setting….Nicely written and an extremely fast read, TURNED is a good start to a new vampire series sure to be a hit with readers who are looking for a light, yet entertaining story.”
--Black Lagoon Reviews

All 8 books in the VAMPIRE JOURNALS series are also available for sale. Morgan Rice's NEW vampire series, THE VAMPIRE LEGACY, which picks up where THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS leaves off, is also available for sale! Morgan Rice's new trilogy, ARENA ONE: SLAVERUNNERS (Book #1 of the Survival Trilogy), a post apocalyptic thriller in the genre of The Hunger Games, is also available for sale. And Morgan Rice's new epic fantasy series, A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1 in the Sorcerer's Ring) is now also available for sale!

All reviews are not my own but are that off of Amazon.com.

Zoobies Review

I won a Zoobies pet in a giveaway from Life With Two Boys right before the holidays! It was perfect because I knew my son, who is four, would love it. He thought it was just a stuffed animal at first when he saw it on Christmas morning. When I showed him that he could use it as a pillow and that it also converted into a blanket, he was ecstatic! He went with his grandparents for a week after Christmas until New Years, and of course he wanted to take the Zoobie Pet with him. My parents thought it was perfect because normally we pack him a stuffed animal a pillow and a blanket for his car ride, and this was that all in one!



Ever since then Kojo the Croc has had a permanent spot on my little one's bed. All of his other stuffed animals have been moved to the bin, and he says that Kojo is now his favorite pal. He carries him around and plays with him on adventures and then when it is time to go to sleep Kojo goes with him. He loves that at night his now favorite pet provides him with a blanket to snuggle with in his bed as well as the animal. If you ever have a chance to get one of these pets for your child...do it! It provides a sense of comfort and warmth that you would never expect.

Little did I know that they also make  Storytime Pals. I am thinking that for my son's birthday this upcoming April I will be trying to get the Llama Llama Red Pajama pal for him. He has loved the books ever since he has had them and I think this would be a perfect accompaniment to that. He would be overjoyed to have Llama Llama with him during storytime, and who knows maybe Llama Llama and Kojo will become friends!



If you want a Zoobie  for your child visit them on their website: http://www.zoobies.com/

It will make the perfect gift for a child of all ages!

Valentine's Day Event Giveaway (Hosted by RosySnail)

This giveaway is being hosted by The Rosy Snail.

By clicking the link to her page it will take you to the other fab giveaways she has going on in her Valentine's Day Event.

WITTLEBEE GIVEAWAY

Wittlebee is a personal shopper subscription where you can get a monthly box with children's clothing.

Here are a couple examples of pictures from Wittlebee's website of what to expect in a box:




If you want to give them a shot and have a chance to win a month's subscription worth $40+, then enter in the link below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Images used are not my own and were accessed from www.wittlebee.com

BUILD-A-BEAR GIVEAWAY

Build-a-Bear is an awesome company where a child can make their own stuffed animal, fill it with stuffing, and give it a heart (they kiss the heart and make a wish before putting it inside of the animal!) My son absolutely loved doing this with his bear when I had the chance to take him, so I am happy to be a part of the Build-a-Bear Giveaway in this event!


The bear pictured here is the Harajuku Hugs Panda. She is absolutely adorable! For your chance to win one please enter on the link to the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dapper Snappers Giveaway (Ends 2/10)

 

Dapper Snappers Giveaway Hosted by Pea of Sweetness

About Dapper Snappers:

The Dapper Snappers Toddler Belt is of a short piece of suspender elastic with snaps that fits in the back 3 belt loops of the child's pants and snaps over the outer 2 loops to cinch the pants, which keeps them from falling down. In essence, it's a kind of toddler belt.

Dapper Snappers "Fix Droopy Drawers in a Snap!" and are a smart, cost-saving alternative to adjustable waist pants for skinny toddlers and preschoolers.

Dapper Snappers are:

• Affordable


• Versatile in a wide range of colors for girls belts and boys belts


• Recommended for ages 9 mo-6 yrs and One Size Fits All


• Perfect for kids who are in between sizes or wearing hand-me-downs!


• Convenient - no need to remove for diaper changes & doesn't impede potty training


• Made in the USA


• Mom-invented

View the full Dapper Snappers toddler belt review on Pea of Sweetness - including a video review!

Thank-you to our amazing co-hosts: Giveaway Gator , Couponing with Integrity, Mommy Lesson Plans, and Meg's Daily Bytes, Reviews and other Online Distractions and all of the awesome participating bloggers!

About the Giveaway: This giveaway begins on 1/26 and ends on 2/10 at 11:59pm (times are EST) and is open to US and Canadian residents ages 18+. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

The Prize: A $25 Gift Certificate for Dapper Snappers

Enter in the link below!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may be different than yours. Manic Mama of 2 is not responsible for prize fulfillment.

Easiest tasty chicken you can ever make!

If you are anything like me, there are just some nights that you don't feel like cooking. That's when an easy dinner comes into play, but hey you still want your family to think you put a lot of effort into this, right? Well don't turn to one of those Helper meals. You all know what I am talking about!

Instead, grab a bottle of Italian dressing and cut up some chicken into strips. Place it all into a saucepan and cover. Flip the chicken as needed and VOILA! You have a main meat for your meal that seems like it took lots of effort to season. Just don't let everyone else know that it was that easy!



Use a side such as mashed potatoes or a pasta, and whatever veggie suits your mood, and it looks like you slaved. My family sure thought I did tonight!

Happy cooking!

Free Kindle Books

The Wizard Takes A Fitness Class
Book Description
Publication Date: April 10, 2012
You asked for it, you got it!

The mysterious Wizard is back, and he's brought along his demons--literally. What's this about a nemesis and a gambling addiction? Can't an old man enjoy a cone of Ben & Jerry's and a nice nap at his favorite San Francisco B&B without a bunch of Chinatown zombies trying to get in on the action? And why are the sidewalks of The Castro suddenly so fabulous, anyway?

You don't have be an LGBTQutie-patootie to shake your booty. Just ask the Wizard, or anyone who's read his latest Wizard Tale.

Better yet, read it yourself!

By popular demand, The Wizard Takes a Fitness Class is also longer than the first wizard story--much longer. Cover art is once again by Nik Caesar, this time with color by John Hageman.

The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back

Book Description
Publication Date: August 15, 2012
Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.

But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?

Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.

Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.

Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.

And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.

"The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back" is a sweet contemporary young adult romance.

Sariah Wilson has never jumped out of an airplane, never climbed Mt. Everest, and is not a former CIA operative. She has, however, been madly, passionately in love with her soulmate and is a fervent believer in happily ever afters—which is why she writes romance. The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back is her fourth happily ever after novel. She grew up in southern California, graduated from Brigham Young University (go Cougars!) with a semi-useless degree in history, and is the oldest of nine (yes, nine) children. She currently lives with the aforementioned soulmate and their four children in Utah, along with three tiger barb fish, a cat named Tiger, and a recently departed hamster that is buried in the backyard (and has nothing at all to do with tigers).

Her website is www.sariahwilson.com.

Witch Flame (Keepers of the Stones)

Book Description
Publication Date: November 3, 2012
Witch Flame (A Keepers of the Stones Novelette)

From the bestselling author of the paranormal Whispers series, comes a new fantasy saga...

Feira, a fledgling witch just discovering her own powers, must battle warriors and monsters before she and her true love can find a safe haven away from the vengeful eye of a jealous goddess.

Bonus origin myth included: The Beginning of Time

This short story is a prelude to Curse of the Ice Dragon, Keepers of the Stones, Book One.

Five (Elemental Enmity)

Book Description
Publication Date: August 10, 2011
Rayla Tate’s life is about to turn vertical…again. As if it wasn’t bad enough her mother disappeared under questionable circumstances leaving Rayla to be raised by her aunt in a horrendously small town. Her overprotective guardian is determined to ruin Rayla’s life. She refuses to let Rayla out of her sight or out of the state. Provincial living might be what her aunt demands of her purposely sheltered niece; but, Rayla has other ideas. In a desperate attempt to follow her dreams she flees the safety of her home and runs away to college with her best friend toward a bright future in the art world.

However, excitement over her newfound freedom turns into terror when she is chased by a mysterious stranger on her way to school. When his motorcycle suddenly morphs into a fire-breathing pegasus, Rayla questions her sanity. Worse, the man riding next to her stirs a burning desire in her soul she has never known or could have ever imagined. Using all the will she owns, she manages to resist the compulsion she feels; yet, as he disappears into the night, she is certain he hasn't gone far.

Rayla quickly dismisses the encounter to her overactive imagination. She is determined to settle into her new life, yet the images and feelings of that night still haunt her. To make matters worse, her aunt seems to be in on the act, insisting that Rayla will soon be hunted by a pack of fae lords for a power over the elements she never knew she possessed—a power that could change the world. Quicker than she ever thought possible, she finds herself surrounded by stunning men that all seem determined to win her heart. Why does she feel drawn to each one of them? More importantly, what dark power do they hold over her? Rayla must quickly learn to fend off these beautiful and seductive pursuers using whatever means necessary or find herself lost to the fae world forever.

All book descriptions not my own, but are from Amazon.com

XBox Gamers out there...do I have a deal for you?

You know how you or your family normally pays $59.99 for a year of Xbox Live?
Well right now on Ebay the lowest bid is $35.99!
Head over here to this link and place your bid!

I know if we didn't already have the year membership, that's what I would be doing!
So go, go, go!

It's Raining Money Free Blogger Event

 

It's Raining Money Event

Hosted by: Mom Powered Media

Prize: $1,000 Cash {paypal or visa}

Event dates: 4/1 - 5/1

Free Blogger Event: Sign Up HERE

Endless Cover Reveal!

 

ENDLESS, The King Series Book 4, will be released at the end of this month! Just to get you ready, here's the official cover release!

This beautiful design is courtesy of the incredibly talented Christine Powell Gomez.

Enjoy. . .and get ready for the final chapter in Tasmyn and Michael's story!

After the tumult of her high school senior year, all is right in Tasmyn Vaughan's world. She's at Perriman College with her boyfriend, Michael. Marica and Rafe are in the past, and she's learning to control her powers. But when she is thrown into yet another battle, this time a deadly fight against forces of evil she didn't even know existed, her extraordinary gifts--along with an endless love--may be the only weapons that can guarantee her happily ever after.

Don't miss the first three books of The King Series:

Read FEARLESS (only 99 cents right now!)

BREATHLESS

RESTLESS

Follow Tawdra on Facebook and Twitter



Check out all the blogs featuring the cover reveal today!

http://takingtimeformommy.com

http://mommyreadstoomuch.com

http://ereadingonthecheap.com/

http://time4mommy.com

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SavingFor6.Blogspot.com

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reviewinginchaos.blogspot.com

http://www.craftymomof3.com

nikita-mattes.blogspot.com

identitydiscovery.net

themochamonsterrants.wordpress.com

http://andisyoungadult.blogspot.com

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http://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/

tawdrakandle.com

www.LizSchulte.com

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mommylessonplans.org

Beef and Potato Soup

This is what I made last night for dinner! Did not get to take a picture as it was scarfed down quickly and everyone enjoyed it :)

BEEF AND POTATO SOUP

1 lb. ground beef/chuck 7-10 potatoes (peeled and sliced into about 1 inch cubes 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 2 cans beef broth 1 16 oz. sour cream 1 chopped onion Boil potatoes for about 20 minutes or until soft. Meanwhile, brown beef and onions. Drain. Add cream of mushroom soup, broth and heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low/med. Add sour cream. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain potatoes and add to pot. Let simmer until ready to serve.This makes a very thick soup but it is delicious!

I then stumbled upon this morning, a different version of the soup that I may try next time!

• Prep: 30 min. Cook: 6-1/2 hours


• Yield: 10 Servings

30390420

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)


• 3/4 cup chopped onion


• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour


• 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided


• 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed


• 5 medium carrots, chopped


• 3 celery ribs, chopped


• 3 teaspoons dried basil


• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes


• 1 teaspoon garlic powder


• 1/2 teaspoon pepper


• 12 ounces reduced-fat process cheese (Velveeta), cubed


• 1-1/2 cups 2% milk


• 1/2 cup Daisy Brand Light Sour Cream

Directions

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Combine flour and 1 can broth until smooth. Add to beef mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.


• Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, celery, seasonings and remaining broth. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender.


• Stir in cheese and milk. Cover and cook 30 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Just before serving, stir in sour cream. Yield: 10 servings (3 quarts).

Nutritional Facts1-1/4 cups equals 327 calories, 11 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 61 mg cholesterol, 832 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 25 g protein.

Originally published as Makeover Beef & Potato Soup in Healthy Cooking December/January 2012, p28

 This just looks a little heartier than what turns out with the recipe I used last night!

Happy cooking everyone :)

Goose Down Comforter Blogger Opp!

 

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Jenn's Blah Blah Blog would like you to join her in this fabulous FREE Blogger Opportunity value at $360!

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Enjoy HairCare Review

I won this incredible Enjoy Haircare set from Miss Jackie's Views back in June of last year. I have to tell you that it was a surprise to me because I had just been winning a few books here and there! The system that I won was the Rejuvenating Shampoo and Conditioner along with some styling products.

I will go into the pros and cons of each in just a minute but the best part about the system was that it left a tingling on your scalp when you would wash your hair! You could feel this shampoo and conditioner working. I had only ever felt that kind of sensation when I would go and get my hair cut and washed at the salon. I will be completely honest, I had never heard of Enjoy Haircare, and I really only entered the giveaway because I needed new shampoo and conditioner. I thought "What the heck!" and I won. I was only expecting the shampoo and conditioner, but a huge box showed up on my doorstep from Enjoy. I opened it and to my surprise there were a multitude of products in the box (actual products shown in above picture)

Okay so...here we go with all my extras that I did not even think I would win!


The Thermal Spray had its pros and its cons. The pro was definitely that it kept my hair safe when I was straightening it. I have looked for a product for a while that would protect my hair WHILE I was doing the damage. This did the trick! Since it was formally known as Enjoy's Styling Spray, I was unaware that it would kind of act like a hairspray. Once I was done and the product had dried, it felt like I had layered a whole canister of hairspray. I take this as my own fault and not the company's, and since then I have had no problems. I just hold the canister farther away from my head so that it doesn't get as "sticky".
The shine spray is a perfect compliment to the thermal spray after you have finished styling. It brings out the natural shine in your hair that could have been dulled by using your flat iron. I was impressed! My hair loses a lot of it's luster when I start applying heat. As soon as I was done styling, I sprayed this little serum on my hair and my fly aways that were still existent immediately vanished.



On to the styling gel :) I have naturally wavy hair and it sometimes likes to get away from me. I don't like to straighten my hair every day, so this product was my best friend. You know how with most styling gels you get that white after effect? Makes me so mad when you buy an expensive styler to only look like you have a bad case of dandruff in your curls. Enjoy has got that covered! No flakes happen with this styling gel and the hold is amazing. It is still flexible so your hair moves, but your curls do not fall. I went a whole day with my kids with this product in with my daughter pulling at my hair and it did not fall.
It can also be used as an agent when you are blow drying your hair. It can be applied to both dry and wet hair which makes it great in my book. If I take a shower at night, I can still use this product in the morning to style my hair without having to have it damp.



The Texture Spray is also an alternative that you can use if you want some volume. You don't have to have curly hair to have volume! The texture spray is great for if you have layers in your hair and want to have some separation between them. I know it sounds like a lot of work but it's really not. Straighten your hair, if it's not already, and add this texture spray and WALA! you have texture without the curls.



This last product had to have been my favorite because I am a fan of mousse! The Volumizing Mousse gives shine, root lift, volume, and definition to curls without having those flakes like I was talking about earlier. I would have to say that this product is really versatile because if you want that "big hair" look you can just use it at the roots of your hair for a little pump up.Overall I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Enjoy Hair Care. I am so happy that I won a prize package and I encourage everyone to try their line of products.
They have multiple types of conditioners and shampoos on their website. I just so happened to get the Rejuvenating series. They have a product recommender on their website which I will post a link to so you can have a little bit of fun and find out their right products for you!

BUY IT: http://www.enjoyhaircare.com/product-recommender

Thanks again to Miss Jackie's Views, oh so long ago for letting me have the chance to try out Enjoy products!