Saturday, June 30, 2012

Asher's Chocolates Peanut Butter Bites R&G!!

Woo!! I am not a big chocolate fan. But when you combine chocolate and peanut butter, you just might tempt me to eat some. So when I heard from Asher's Chocolates that I would be able to review their Peanut Butter Bites, I jumped at the chance! There is also a giveaway for my readers!

I have to tell you, I am very much used to the regular peanut butter chocolates you buy at your local grocery store, etc. They are full of additives and junk that does your body no good. Most of them have been sitting on the shelf for months as well. So when these arrived, I was very excited to try them out. I just knew they were going to taste different! And boy were they good!! These were gone within 3 days of me opening the package!

First off these smell delicious. You open the box and just smell the chocolate and peanut butter. I had to slap some wrists to keep hands away so I could take pictures before I ate any of them:) And when I took my first bite? Talk about heavenly! These have such a fresh taste to them that I will probably never eat a regular peanut butter cup again. You take a bit and it just bursts with fresh peanut butter and chocolate. I am so in love!

If you are the type of person who likes something fresh and out of the ordinary, you will enjoy these. And if you have only eaten store bought peanut butter cups, I would urge you to try these. You will not believe the difference! Asher's Chocolates has a ton of different chocolates to try and they also have a section of gluten free products.

Guess what? One of my readers will receive their own package of Peanut Butter Bites to try out for themselves!! Enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter form below.

Giveaway ends 7/16. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
I received product for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.


The Director's Cut By Janice Thompson

Every once in a while a series comes out that you just have to finish. It was that way with this latest book, The Director's Cut by Janice Thompson. This is the last book in her series, Backstage Pass. I have been able to read the first two in the series and I have to say, this was my favorite in the whole set! Absolutely loved it!

Tia Morales is used to calling the shots. She's the director of the popular sitcom Stars Collide, and her life on set is calculated and orderly. Well, most of the time. But her life outside the studio is another matter. If only she could get her family to behave as well as her stars do! When she starts butting heads with handsome camera operator Jason Harris, it's enough to send a girl over the edge. Will she ever learn to let go and take life--and love--as it comes?

Full of the humor and crazy family dynamics Janice Thompson fans have come to love, this colorful story gives readers an inside look at Hollywood and a healthy dose of romance.

MY REVIEW-Janice Thompson is one of those writers that has you laughing hysterically one minute and in tears the next. I cried several times throughout this book and yet I ended it with such a happy feeling that all was right in the world of Stars Collide. If you ever wanted to know how life is when you are the director of films, this is the book to read:)

The love story in this book is sweet and romantic. Not the typical story of love at first sight but a fight at first sight and then a slow turn that advances into a great story! Tia and Jason made such a cute couple and so sweet. That was the first thought when I was reading this book. The christianity is well done with people who are growing and learning to give things over to the Lord. Tia is a director and is used to being in charge of her life and what goes on but she slowly learns to let the Lord control her life and take the script.

The only person I had difficulty with at first was Benita, Tia's little sister. She is such a flirt and can't stay away from the guys. But you learn that this is a security issue from her dad. He was always leaving and taking off for weeks at a time. So she wants to be secure in her relationship with men. Needless to say, this all comes to pass throughout the book. Along with a great mending of relationships with their parents.

Overall a great book that swings your emotions back and forth. Sweet story and funny characters. Loved the plot! If you want to find out what happens in the end of Stars Collide to all the cast members, don't stop, go pick up this book right now!

Available June 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Connect Your Home Services

As a blogger, one thing I cannot live without is my internet. This is just a service I have to have available, or my blog and business goes downhill. And believe me, I have searched far and wide to see what the best bet is on internet and phone service. Because it is much better to get this in a package deal and you pay a cheaper price as well.

One company I found is Connect Your Home. They offer internet, home phone service, etc. And their slogan is, Get a Bundle, Save a Bundle. Believe me, it doesn't compare to pay for these services separately! A bundle is the only way to go. So I was browsing their site and found several things I liked from what I saw. The biggest thing of course was the bundle aspect. You can actually go on and find the best deals in your area so you find what works for you. The other thing I liked was that the price starts at 14.99 a month for your internet service. This is for high speed internet service and you can search the area for free to find out your best deal and your best provider. Or, if you have a company you have worked with in the past, you can just go directly to that company.

They also have home phone service available. I personally use a cell phone a lot because I travel quite frequently. But I do like my home phone for those times I am stuck at the house:) Not really stuck, but you know what I mean. Again, this works in the same manner as the internet above. Whether you want your relied on and trusted company or you want to go with the best deal, you can check it all here.

I really like their bundle deals and you can actually get your internet and home phone from the same company so you pay less. This is personally the way I go. I know some people who prefer to have their internet through another company but that never made much sense to me. So, if you have just moved to your area, or you are just looking on cutting down on your bills, take a look at Connect Your Home. They have a ton of options available and several free things you can check out so you know they are the place to go with.

I have never purchased from this company. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Favorite Vehicles and Semi Trucks

This post was written on behalf of semi trucks for sale.

Okay, most people I talk to have a favorite vehicle or type of vehicle. Not many that I know of like semi trucks as an overall favorite. But there have been some that a semi truck would be their second favorite. The vehicle of my dreams would be a pickup truck. Not a little truck but a nice one. I know most gals like a sports car but not me. I am a southern gal:)

I have recently seen a fad of travel trailers being pulled by semi truck cabs. I looked into this and have actually seen many benefits to a semi truck and I thought I would point some out below.

#1.The Space.
You can not get past the size and space you have in a semi truck. There is so much room that you could sleep in it! You could put a fridge in it, a sleeping bag, etc.

2.The Horsepower.
Semi trucks have a lot of power to them. Whether you are taking a trip, pulling a camper or trailer with it, you definitely do not have to worry about having enough power.

There are so many benefits to a semi truck but you do have some drawbacks like parking in certain areas, etc. Not anything major but you do have to take that into account. Not many people want to just drive one around as their personal vehicle.

This is a sponsored post for Navistar, however, all the points and views
are my own.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Tips for Purchasing A New Home

This post is written on behalf of Pasadena Homes.

Wow! This last week has been extremely hot in our part of the country and our air conditioning has not been working right. Just another push for us in our search for a new house. We are not definite yet that we want to purchase another home, but we have been looking around and picking up some brochures. We are not experts by any means, but I have some tips I thought you all might find helpful the next time you are looking to purchase a new house.

1.Have Rules Set Before-Hand.
In our circumstances, and with our family size, we need a house with a lot of room. As we set out looking for a house, we made sure to write down a list of rules that we would not bend on. These were things we would not live without in a house. Things like at least 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plenty of yard space, etc. Because we did this ahead of time, we automatically marked off anything we knew would not work or did not fit our requirements. This will stop you from looking at a house you will not fit into. I mean, if you have 4 children, you definitely will not fit into a one bedroom apartment:)

2.Be Flexible.
Now, I know you are going to think this goes against what I said above, but there are certain areas you have to be flexible. Things like the layout of a bedroom, the walk-in closet, the bar in the kitchen, etc. There are some things you may have to do without!

3.Set a Budget.
In my daily life I work this way and I saw no reason not to do this for a big purchase. Set a budget of how much you want to spend and stick by it. Sure you may want to get the house with the garage, but is the extra price worth it? Or is it better to stick with the money you have and maybe look at adding on a garage in the future? This will help you in the long run so you don't get into debt and end up hating the house you buy.

So, there are some of my tips. If you have any you would like to leave for my readers, please comment below.

This is a sponsored post for The Partners Trust, however, all the points
and views are my own.

CFBA Blog Tour for The Doctor's Devotion by Cheryl Wyatt

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Doctor's Devotion
Love Inspired (June 19, 2012)
by
Cheryl Wyatt




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Born Valentine’s Day on a Navy base, Cheryl Wyatt writes military romance. Her Steeple Hill debuts earned RT Top Picks plus #1 and #4 on eHarlequin's Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists including NYT Bestsellers. Cheryl loves interacting with her readers and can be found almost daily on Facebook.



Word from the Author:

I do regular giveaways including a Kindle for every 250 people who join (aka "Like) my Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/CherylWyattAuthor and I'd LOVE for word to spread about that. We have a lot of fun there as I ask for frequent reader input on current books, with helpers being mentioned in the acknowledgements and fun stuff like that.





ABOUT THE BOOK







A Doctor’s Vow.



When he fled Eagle Point years ago, former air force trauma surgeon Mitch Wellington left only broken dreams behind. Now he’s back with a new dream—opening a trauma center in the rural area and saving lives. He hopes to hire the quick-thinking nurse who impressed him during an emergency. But Lauren Bates lost her faith and doesn’t believe she deserves to help anyone. Mitch knows firsthand what loss feels like. And it’ll take all his devotion to show Lauren that sometimes the best medicine is a combination of faith, community—and love.



Eagle Point Emergency: Saving lives—and losing their hearts—in a small Illinois town.



If you would like to read an excerpt of the first chapter of Doctor's Devotion, go HERE.



MY REVIEW-Recently I have been very disappointed in the Love Inspired books. They tend to be somewhat corny or the characters aren't likeable, or I just can't get into them. Well, this LI book is one I started and finished in one day! The Doctor's Devotion is written by Cheryl Wyatt and is part of the Eagle Point Emergency Series. The characters are very likable and it is one of those love at first sight romances. But they take it slow, knowing that one of them is leaving in a few months. Lauren's grandfather is such a hoot and when he tries playing matchmaker by throwing Lauren and Mitch together it is really funny.

I found that I learned a lesson while reading this book. Throughout the story Lauren is somewhat miffed and jealous of Mitch's relationship with her grandfather. She feels like her grandfather should be closer to her instead of Mitch, even though Mitch is the one who has been there for him while she was gone. But in the end she figures out that they both can have a relationship with her grandfather, especially when he has done so much for Mitch. This just struck me as something interesting. I know people have a tendancy to get upset when someone is closer to their relative than they are, but there is room for both.

Overall a really good book and one that took me by surprise. I am going to have to go back though and read some of Cheryl's other books as there are characters who I think are in her previous books. Excellent Love Inspired novel! Thank you also Cheryl for signing my book! Such a sweet surprise:)

I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Dry Idea Deoderant Review and 3 Winner Giveaway!

I am someone who is very particular about my deoderant. That is why I was very excited to try out this new deoderant, Dry Idea. It is not a new product but definitely new for me. I am very picky about my deoderant with all the exercise I do so I was anxious to give it a try. Check it out below and don't miss the giveaway at the bottom!

  • Regular, Unscented and Powder Fresh Roll-On (2.5 and 3.25oz.)
  • Silicone-based formulation - our secret to dry
This formulation puts the “Dry” in Dry Idea® antiperspirants. It contains no water – for a drier application. And it’s time-released for longer-lasting odor protection and fragrance.


I have always been the type of girl who uses the cheap brand of deoderant. I get one I like and use it forever. I use the plain ole scented stick deoderant. So when I first opened my package and pulled out an unscented, roll-on deoderant, I was somewhat skeptical. But I am always open to trying something at least once:)

I used this on a morning that I went to the gym. We go often and play racquetball. Needless to say, you need a good deoderant that will keep you dry and smelling nice! This morning I put it on right after the shower and was surprised at how it worked. Maybe you have used roll-on deoderant before but this is my first time. Basically it is cone shaped at the end and the liquid dries almost immediately. So, soon after we headed out the door to the gym.

We play a hard game of racquetball and this time we played for roughly 45 minutes. During the game I had a little bit of a wet spot in my armpit. I kind of expect it with playing so hard but I think it was a little bit less than my normal deoderant. After the game was over, guess what? It dried within a minute or two and I even smelled my armpit in the bathroom. No smell!! I was pretty shocked about this. I expected at least some, but there was nothing.

After using it several days in a row, I am happy with this product. I found out they do have a scented one I can purchase so that will probably be on my list from now on for my regular deoderant. One other big thing for me is that it is hypo-allergenic. The #1 hypo-allergenic deoderant! If you are up to trying a new deoderant or this is something you buy on a regular basis, you just might want to check out my giveaway below.

Dry Idea has a Sweepstakes going on with $1000 in prizes. $500 first place and 10 $50 2nd place prizes. Check it out as somebody has to win and it just might be you! That extra money could really come in handy for a vacation:) Click on the link to see how to enter.

Three of my readers will each win a coupon for a free 3.26 oz bottle of Dry Idea AdvancedDry deoderant. Follow the directions below and enter through the Rafflecopter form. This giveaway will end 7/9. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

USA ONLY AS I AM MAILING!!

Dry Idea provided a free sample of their Dry Idea Deoderant so I could review this. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.

Stainless Steel Appliances

We have recently been redoing our kitchen and getting some new appliances. One thing we wanted to check on was stainless steel items. From what we had heard, stainless steel appliances really work better and they look so much nicer! Not saying the other hasn't worked for us in the past, but we wanted things to really look nice. So I went searching on the internet and found this website that sells something called blomus. Never heard of it before but glad I did after researching it!

Now, blomus stainless steel products are more the small type of things. We were looking at a stove and an upright freezer, but I found some other things that would work in the kitchen. And since stainless steel is so easy to match, you have no worries about buying things afterwards! We did go ahead with the stainless steel freezer and boy does it work great! The style and design of stainless steel is so sleek and chic it is amazing.

The blomus kitchen products range from just a basic soap dish to your more out there items like the carafe, sushi set, etc. These are well made and I have yet to hear a bad review or rating of a stainless steel item, whether it is a big appliance or a small item. So, if you are looking for a stainless steel item, this is a site to check. Good prices and a ton of things to browse through! Just make sure you have a lot of money or a strong discipline;)

I have not purchased from this site. All thoughts are 100% mine.

CFBA Tour for The Search by Shelley Gray

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Search
Avon Inspire; Original edition (June 19, 2012)
by
Shelley Shepard Gray




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold over thirty novels to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Harlequin, Abingdon Press, and Avon Inspire. She has been interviewed by NPR, and her books have been highlighted in numerous publications, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.



Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, The Protector, the final book in her “Families of Honor” series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, The Survivor, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, Forgiven and Grace, and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, Hidden, was an Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.



Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.



When she’s not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine’s annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.



Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page





ABOUT THE BOOK



In the second book in her Secrets of Crittenden County series, New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray delivers another page-turning romance set in Amish country



The serenity of the quiet Amish community of Crittenden, Kentucky is disrupted when Abby Anderson discovers the body of Perry Borntrager in an abandoned well. Perry had been missing for months. Everyone figured he had left the order during his rumspringa. As friends and family reel from this news, and are faced with the first death by mysterious circumstance to occur in their small town in over 20 years, a homicide detective arrives to help solve the crime



Before Perry disappeared, Frannie Eicher and Perry had been secretly courting. Now that it’s common knowledge that he was murdered, it’s up to Fannie to decide whether or not to tell everyone about the secrets he told her.



After much deliberation, she decides to tell Luke Reynolds, the visiting police officer, what she knows. At first, the two meet only on the context of discussing Perry’s death. Then, Luke begins to feel more and more at home, both with Frannie, and in Marion. The only problem is that he feels a romantic pull toward Frannie. Frannie feels that same attraction toward Luke, but is afraid to give her heart to him. After all, she doesn’t want to leave her faith.



As Luke uncovers more secrets about Perry and the case draws out, his time in Marion runs out. He has to decide whether to go back to his job with the Cincinnati Police Department…or stay in Marion.



If you would like to read the Prologue of The Search, go HERE.

MY REVIEW-My book has not even arrived yet so review will be upcoming:)

Friday, June 22, 2012

Mailboxes

Hello!

How is everyone today? It has been really neat getting to watch our deck being built. It will be so nice to be able to go sit out there together as a family! We spend alot of time outdoors anyway between volleyball, doing Bible reading at our picnic table, playing other outside games, etc. but I have a feeling we will be out there even more after this is finished. We are really trying to make the yard look nicer. We have several rose bushes in the front yard along with a bird bath and some bird feeders. In the back yard we have a volleyball net set up, two picnic tables, etc. Once the deck is finished we will be adding some comfortable chairs, the grill, the hammock, etc. Another thing I have been looking at is a mailbox and post. I personally think custom mailboxes look really nice. One company I have been checking out is the whitehall mailboxes. They have some that look great!

I have not purchased from this company. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Ipad Cases

Hello.

How have ya'll been doing? Have you been looking in to getting any ipad 2 cases? I have and I found a very interesting Ipad 2 case. At a few different places I have found some really neat cases. A few different favorites of mine are the wholesale ipad 2 cases, Leather Ipad 2 cases, Silicon Ipad 2 cases and just the regular Ipad cases. Which one would you choose?

You could also get one for a friend for their birthday if they have an Ipad. Do you have an Ipad? If so, please let me know in a comment. And if you are ever looking for ipad cases, check out this site. My Mom has an Ipad but it is not an Ipad 2 it is a Ipad 1 and it is very nice. My little sisters borrow it to play games on sometimes (they think it is very nice?. Talk to ya'll later.

I have not purchased from this company. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Laptop Batteries

Anyone out there own a Laptop? Well, in this day and age I doubt there are many out there who don't have a laptop:) I remember when we used to have the regular desktop computer and we first saw a laptop. Now we own several and they all require upkeep. I have had to purchase laptop batteries and believe me, it is hard! You have to get the exact one for your laptop and the prices are often expensive. This website I found has some good ones I thought I would reccomend to you all.

If you are looking for Apple Laptop Batteries, you might want to check them out. I personally don't own an Apple but my sister does. Needless to say she loves it! Never had to replace anything on it but she always has an extra battery in case she needs it. I own a less name brand laptop but they do carry my battery. They also carry batteries for camera, camcorders, phones, etc. Check it out! The ultimate place for all your battery needs.

I have not purchased from this company. All thoughts are 100% mine.

The River Rose by Gilbert Morris Review & Giveaway!

Wow! If there was one name in Christian fiction that most people have heard of, I think it would have to be this author here. Gilbert Morris. Gilbert Morris has been one of my heroes and I first got started reading Christian fiction with his Winslow series, and boy it took me a while to finish:) Would you know it? I started reading one of his books and found out it was part of a series. By the time a person is done reading the whole Winslow series, you will have gotten a whole history lesson from the beginning of America. You may think I am kidding but I am dead serious. Tomorrow I am going to post an interview with Gilbert Morris and the first chapter of the book so don't miss that!

So, when I heard about a new series he had started, I knew I had to get them. I was very excited to actually be part of his blog tour for The River Rose. This is part of the Water Wheel series but they are pretty much stand-alone novels. The only thing that links them is the paddle wheeler aspect. The River Rose is the second one and after finishing it I have high hopes for the third installment in the series.
Life hasn't been easy for Jeanne Bettencourt, a widow approaching thirty and struggling to provide for her eight-year-old daughter. But hope arrives in the form of the Helena Rose, a steamboat she unexpectedly inherits from a distant, departed relative. Jeanne's father had captained a similar vessel and taught her how to pilot a steamer along the banks of Memphis. She's looking forward to a renewed livelihood on the mighty Mississippi.

However, as plans are made, news comes of another heir to the Helena Rose - a tough man named Clint Hardin - and a clause in the will that says claimants of the estate must live aboard the boat. Jeanne, a Christian woman, makes it clear she won?t stay with a man who is not her husband. But both are desperate for work, so they agree to keep their distance as Clint occupies the lower deck and Jeanne takes the captain?s quarters.

As they restore the Helena Rose, the slowly softening Clint becomes attracted to Jeanne - who is now being courted by a wealthy plantation owner. With her family and future at stake, the desires of Jeanne's heart are duly complex. Only her simple faith can navigate her through what's about to happen.


The plot of this book was very intriguing. A widow with a little girl, a boxer who has an amazing singing voice, and a wealthy plantation owner all mix for a delightful cast of characters. What happens when the widow and the boxer have to work together after they inherit a paddle wheeler? A lot of fun, tough times, and some romance thrown in! Jeanne was my favorite out of them all. She is so proud and stubborn at first but slowly changes throughout the book. Marvel is her cute little six year old who is ill. She is such a sweetheart though! So many times I just wanted to hug her! I kind of went back and forth on Clint. He is quite the gentleman but at times it didn't mix with his seeing other women, etc.

One of my favorite parts is when Marvel is so sick and Clint sings to her, Ave Maria;) I don't want it to be a spoiler but that part will about make you cry. This book runs you through the gamut of emotions including sadness, a victory dance, and joy. And Morris takes you through twists and turns as well. You think everything is wrapped up nicely and someone shows up who throws a big wrench in the plans.

Overall an excellent book with a 5 star that showcases the writing skill of author Gilbert Morris. There is a lot of history included in this book like many of his previous ones. I found the history of the paddle wheeler on the Mississippi river quite interesting. This book just makes me wish for the simpler life but also makes me glad I don't have to live without the simple amenites. Can't wait for the next book in this series!

This is an author that you will really want to stay up with. Whether you catch him on his blog, Facebook or Twitter, you won't want to miss his updates. While you are at it, check out the next series he is working on set in the Oklahoma territory. It is called Western Justice and features western lawmen. Already have the first one on my wish list!

Also readers, I have been offered the chance to host a giveaway for my readers. One of you will be the proud new owner of The River Rose. This will not be shipped until September but believe me, you will love this book!

This is going to be an easy entry giveaway. No rafflecopter forms or anything. This giveaway will end 7/2. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. USA ONLY and no PO Boxes please.

MANDATORY ENTRY-
LEAVE A COMMENT TELLING ME ONE THING YOU COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT ON A PADDLE WHEELER. WHETHER AN ELECTRONIC, ETC.

EXTRA ENTRY-
LIKE GILBERT MORRIS'S FACEBOOK PAGE AND TELL ME YOUR FB NAME.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from B&H Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Friday, June 15, 2012

CFBA Tour for Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Short-Straw Bride
Bethany House Publishers (June 1, 2012)
by
Karen Witemeyer




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:





Karen Witemeyer is a deacon's wife and mother of three who believes the world needs more happily-ever-afters. To that end, she combines her love of bygone eras with her passion for helping women mature in Christ to craft historical romance novels that lift the spirit and nurture the soul.



After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master's degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid- to late1800s.



Karen is living her dream by writing Christian historical romance novels for Bethany House.







ABOUT THE BOOK



No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.



Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.



if you would like to read the first chapter of Short-Straw Bride, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS-Well, get ready for a fun adventure set in the past! If you like a book that has a fiesty female, a tough yet tender hero, and lots of rip roarin' fun, this is the book you want to pick up! Ever since reading my first book by Karen Witemeyer I have enjoyed them all. But this one really took me by surprise. Great plot that you don't often see. The heroine goes out to warn a man she only met once before as a young child. While there an accident happens and she is knocked unconscious and happens to spend the night(no fallen morals here people). Come the next morning, she is awakened from her unconscious state to find out that her reputation has been tarnished, even though nothing has happened. So she if forced, or rather, the Archer brothers have to choose which one gets to marry her. From this point on the book just picks up speed and doesn't stop! Excellent characters and I can't but hope that we see more of the Archer brothers in a later book:)

I received a copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Shaving Tips 101

Well, these are not exactly the greatest tips of all time, but they do get the job done:) The following tips are actually taken from my brother. So not sure how they work:D Just kidding! These are actually some tips he gave me but they sound somewhat close to what I use when shaving so check them out and let me know if they work.

1.First Thing is Hot Water.
This is one of those well known tips but it is amazing how many people shave using cold water. For me the warm water helps stop ingrown hairs and kind of moistens the face. This helps the shaving cream stick better as well.

2.Invest In A Good Razor.
I personally use a nice razor. This is a ProGlide razor and is a little bit more expensive but worth the price. In the long run it is better to pay a little more and have a razor that works well and will last a while. I know others who will swear by the electric shavers but I prefer this one.

3.Use Shave Gel.
For those who use shaving cream, please don't bite my head off or attack me, but I prefer the shaving gel. This one is pretty cheap and I get it from a company you order from online but I like it. It works well and the gel seems to work better than the cream.

4.Apply Aftershave.
A good aftershave will ensure you smell good and that you get a good moisturizing. This will help the next time around shaving:) Again, I like the cheaper one but you can always pay more to get a better brand. Aftershave is a definite must have for a guy!

So, let me know your shaving tips or that must have item for you! And let him know if he did a good job in the comments below:)

This is a sponsored post for The Art of Shaving, however, all the points
and views are my own.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Last MinuteTravel

I don't know about you, but occasionally the urge just hits to travel somewhere. Whether it is local or international, you never know when you might have to travel last minute. Well, that is where this website comes in handy. For that last minute accommodation, this is the place to check for the best prices, straight flights and all the extras.

What about last minute flights? I know one time I had to take a trip last minute and the highest price was for my flight. Needless to say, a friend knew exactly where to check to get the best buy and I am telling you, this comes in realy handy!

And for your last minute hotels, this place has a ton of them to choose from. You can get it with car hire, as a gift, etc. Choose your Country, the dates you want to spend there, and you can even find out the star ratings your hotel is! This is really helpful as I know some hotels that look good from the outside but then you read the reviews and check the ratings and the hotel turns out pretty pitiful.

So, if you are in need of this site, check it out. Good prices and lots of options.

I have not used this site. All thoughts are 100% mine.

CFBA Blog Tour Love In Disguise By Carol Cox

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love in Disguise
Bethany House Publishers (June 1, 2012)
by
Carol Cox




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:







Native Arizonan Carol Cox has an abiding love for history, mystery, and romance. The author of more than 25 books, she believes in the power of story to convey spiritual truths. Carol lives with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where deer and antelope really do play--within view of the family's front porch.



A word from Carol:



As a native of Arizona, I have a longtime interest in the Southwest and its history. My family shares my love of the Old West, as evidenced by this photo taken back in the halcyon days before my son turned to a life of crime and started robbing trains for a living...





ABOUT THE BOOK



When costume-maker Ellie Moore suddenly finds herself out of a job in the middle of a bleak Chicago winter, she uses her knowledge of theatrical disguise to secure a position as an undercover operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her assignment: find the culprit behind the theft of silver shipped from the mines near Pickford, Arizona.



Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie begins her investigation. Soon she finds she must also pose as the dazzling young Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Love in Disguise, go HERE.

MY REVIEW-I have read a couple of Carol Cox's others books and enjoyed them. But this one took me by surprise! I LOVED this one! The whole Pinkerton detective plot pulled me in as I love spy or detective books. The book opens with setting up the later plot and giving a background of Ellie. But then it plunges you into the middle of a mystery, romance and lots of disguises! I thought the first meeting of the Pinkerton detectives and Ellie was quite hysterical and when I laughed, my sister wanted to know what was going on:) The characters are well fleshed out and the detail is well done. I felt like I was actually in Arizona!

Steven was quite the sweetheart and I had to laugh at certain times with him and Lavinia. Believe me, you will think it is funny when he thinks it is an old woman and she is making eyes at him!! He is very protective and sweet. Jessie Monroe was a little bit different and I can see why Ellie wanted to be more like her but yet, Jessie was a bit flighty at times:)

So, if you want to take a vacation somewhere without leaving the comforts of home, pick up this book. I can't really tell you much more or I will be giving away some of the book. You just have to pick it up for yourself:)

I received a copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts are 100% mine. I did not receive any monetary compensation.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Rhinestone T-Shirts

I am one of those people who likes customized items. To me it makes the item personalized and more about you. So when I ran across these Custom Rhinestone T shirts, Let me tell you, I fell in love with them! Check out what I liked below:)

Custom shirts are really nice. But a rhinestone custom shirt just makes it even better. Have you ever seen a rhinestone shirt? They look soo nice! This website makes custom rhinestone shirts that are really gorgeous. Need a nice bridal gift? Check out their Bridal Custom T Shirts! These would make great gifts for any bride or for that bridal shower:D My favorite is the Bride To Be Shirt. LinkAgain, the nice thing with a custom shirt is that you can pick the color of your shirt, choose what color you want for the rhinestones, and pick your type of shirt. I personally like the full size instead of the fitted kind. Or, if you don't want a shirt, try out the tote bag!

So, whether you want one for your bride to be, or you are the Baseball Mom Rhinestone T Shirts type of gal, this is a place to check out. Their prices are reasonable and like I said, I enjoy the custom designs. You can even go in and make your own design! Or go with one of their designs. Either way, they make great gifts! Also, check out Rhinestone T Shirts on Facebook.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Book Review of The Anniversary Waltz by Darrel Nelson

Anyone ever read a debut novel that just totally surprised you? Well, that is what happened to me when I read The Anniversary Waltz by Darrel Nelson. This is a debut novel and set in a time frame I really don't care about reading but this book just really drew me in. Check it out below and find out more about Darrel Nelson.

The Anniversary Waltz
At their sixtieth anniversary party, Adam Carlson asks his wife, Elizabeth, for their customary waltz. After the dance they gather the family and share their story-a story of love and courage overcoming adversity and thriving in the face of overwhelming odds.

It's the summer of 1946, and Adam has just returned from the war to his home in Reunion, Montana. At a town festival he meets Elizabeth Baxter, a young woman going steady with his former high school rival and now influential banker, Nathan Roberts.

When Adam and Elizabeth share a waltz in a deserted pavilion one evening, their feelings begin to grow and they embark on a journey, and a dance, that will last a lifetime.


About the Author

Darrel Nelson is a graduate of the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, with bachelor's degrees in English and education. He is a schoolteacher by profession, with thirty-three years of teaching experience, and currently teaches fourth grade at Raymond Elementary School. Nelson has had an article published in Lethbridge Magazine and has written several dramatic plays, two of which won provincial recognition and were showcased at a drama festival. He won the CJOC radio songwriting contest two years running and has had one song receive international airplay. Writing has always been a passion, and over the years he has written four novels intended for the juvenile market. They are unpublished as yet, but he reads them annually to his fourth-grade students. The Anniversary Waltz is his first novel intended for the adult market.

MY REVIEW-Like I already mentioned, The Anniversary Waltz totally thrilled me. This is a book set around a time of war. I am not a big fan of war books and was somewhat skeptical because of this and the debut aspect. Believe me, I have read some debut books that I definitely did not want to finish. But this one was not like that at all! Excellent plot and storyline. Characters that made you feel for them and like them. Writing that will pull at your emotions and romance that sizzles. You have it all in this one book:)

The book opens with Adam and Elizabeth at their anniversary party and he walks over and asks her for a dance. The grandchildren are all there and to me this part just painted a sweet picture. This is their sixtieth anniversary, guys. Get the picture? After the dance Adam sits down and tells the story from the beginning of how him and Elizabeth met. You then go back to when it first started and it just gets better from there. I wasn't too sure I liked how Adam and Elizabeth got together and she was almost flirting with Adam while being pretty much engaged to Nathan. But in the end, it was for the better. But she has to make the decision of marrying the man who can give her everything she wants, or the one who makes her heart beat faster and gives her the thrill. I understand sometimes you can't make that decision, but this was a choice she had to make, even though relatives would be upset, etc. There is one part near the end of the book that had me in tears. You will definitely want a tissue reading this book.

Overall a great book with a good plot. Sweet and yet thought provoking. Shows the trials a family faced in this time period like losing a farm because of foreclosure, etc. This poignantly displays how even though a person may change in appearance, if you really love someone, it won't change a thing. That knight on a white horse just might come to take you away:)

I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Bulletin Boards and Projects

I know right now school is out but this is something that can be done anytime. Our family loves doing crafts together and enclosed bulletin boards are something we use quite often! During the school season they often do projects using bulletin boards, but even now we do crafts using them.

Enclosed fabric bulletin boards are really nice to use for a display. When I was little we did one with horses and I made this gorgeous display board that had a bunch of pictures and such. You can do so many things with these and they look professional! Whether you are using it for a school project or a Church missionary display, this will do the job. And if you don't want the fabric ones, they have enclosed cork bulletin boards available as well. You can also get the ones for outdoor use that would be great for a Church.

I have not purchased from this website. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Friday, June 8, 2012

CFBA Tour for Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Touching The Sky
Bethany House Publishers (June 1, 2012)
by
Tracie Peterson




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.

She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.



In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.



She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.



Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.



Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books.





ABOUT THE BOOK





When Laura Marquardt first meets Brandon Reid, their encounter is anything but pleasant. But when the two are seated together at a dinner party, they soon find that they share similar interests--Laura desires to educate blacks, and Brandon, as a white officer over colored troops, eagerly supports her cause.



When Laura's sister, Carissa, marries her Confederate beau, Laura finds herself in a difficult situation when she overhears plots to kill Union soldiers. Though in her heart she feels she should share this information with Brandon, Laura fears she will betray her sister's trust and possibly endanger her sister's life. And when Brandon's motives for pursuing her come into question, her heart is even more conflicted. Where is God leading her?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Touching The Sky, go HERE.

MY REVIEW-For me recently, reading books by Tracie Peterson has been touch and go. But this one was one of my favorites! The whole plot of this is somewhat different and the mystery is pretty good but the romance is even better:) The characters are very good and likeable, at least most of them. Carissa kept getting on my nerves but in the end I fell in love with her as well. When Laura and Brandon first meet I was really laughing. It is quite funny! Of course if it had been me, I probably would have slapped him. The whole concept of the title is very thought provoking, which you will find out if you read this book. Just don't want to spoil it for anyone else. There is a lot of history in this book and some things I didn't realize with all my studying of the Civil War. This is not a dry book though by any means. Entertaining and well written! Waiting anxiously for the third book in the series. Hoping that maybe it will be about Carissa and Tyler as they seemed to hit it right off.

I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Big Fish Games Avenue Flo Review & 2 Winner Giveaway!

How many of you like to play games? What about online or PC games? In our family, we like ones that the kids can play without us having to worry about what is in the game. Well, Big Fish Games is one of those places. I may not agree with everything they have on their site to play, but there are a ton of good, clean games on this site. So when I was given the chance to review one of their games, and to host a giveaway for 2 of my readers, I jumped at the opportunity!

The game I chose was Avenue Flo. The girls like to play the Diner Dash games but they do get a bit repetitive. Sure they are different places ot restaurants, but the overall game is the same. Still, I enjoy doing them a little bit at a time:) This game has all the same characters such as Flo, Quin from Wedding Dash, etc but it is a different genre of game. Instead of the same old time management, this is more of an adventure game. There are certain puzzles that have to be done, items to find, and lists of things to do before you can progress. To give a good honest review of this, I played for a little bit and then M finished it. Now she is 11 so I think she has a good grasp of the game and the puzzles. Check out what we thought below!!

Avenue Flo

Due to a series of mysterious events, the biggest wedding in DinerTown history is on the brink of disaster! As Flo, you will have to explore the whole town, interacting with your neighbors and enlisting their help as you solve puzzles, collect missing items, and complete challenging activities that will put everything back in its place, in this exciting Adventure game. Deliver all of the items Quinn needs in time to save the wedding in Avenue Flo!
  • Tons of scenes to explore
  • Familiar cast of characters
  • Save the wedding of the year!

MY REVIEW-This game opens with Flo at the restaurant and receiving a call from Quinn that everything is going wrong for the upcoming wedding. Flo obviously jumps right in to help and get things done. You play as Flo and can walk around different parts of town and do man y things. You have a list which gets automatically marked off as you complete certain tasks. One of these tasks is to find 33 butterflies in each part of town you go to. There are three areas and you can't go on to another area until you complete the tasks in each one. The puzzles are not extremely hard but they do make you think and remember. Most of them start out easy and then progressively get harder. Like at one point you are finishing a beading pattern on a dress and you have to put each bead in order. Doesn't sound too hard but it gets harder with each pattern.


The tasks range from finding bottles to recycle, getting coffee for a drowsy man, finding lace for the wedding dress, getting oil to open a stuck window, etc. The puzzles run the gamut from the beading pattern I mentioned above to remembering a chicken cluck chorus, organizing a clothing display, wrapping and arranging packages, etc. M played through most of this without needing any help from me. There were two things she got stuck on but it was more that she didn't understand whay they wanted. One of these is near the end where you have to find out the code for the safe.


Overall this is a fun family game that the children will enjoy. Not overly hard(younger children may need some help with the puzzles) yet still challenging enough that they will want to figure things out. There is somewhat of a mystery throughout as you have to find out who is trying to sabotage the wedding. M. enjoyed it and has asked to play it again. This took roughly 2 hours to play through but that was with some other stuff going on as well. There are two times of saying G** that I didn't care for and was somewhat odd coming out of a girl scouts mouth.

I am pretty impressed with the Big Fish Games and what they have on their site. Like I said above, there are some I don't agree with but overall their games are family friendly. One thing I like with their site is that they have a 1 hour free trial option for every game! This allows you to download a game and play it for one hour. At the end of that time you can delete the game or purchase it. And new customers receive a code to download a game for only 2.99! This is a pretty good buy but please read the small text. This is for new customers and only applies to certain games. There are a ton of games to choose from including some neat adventure games.

Readers, two of you will win a code to get a free game from Big Fish Games. The codes will be able to get any game for free except iphone, ipad, or collection edition games. These are pretty fun and I am sure the kids will enjoy them. Enter through the Rafflecopter form below.

USA ONLY!!

This giveaway will end 6/22. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
I received a free code for review purposes. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Spark and Hustle Book Review and Excerpt

Most people don't think of it this way, but in reality, blogging is a business. Which is why I was pretty excited to review this next book, Spark and Hustle, Launch and Grow Your Business Now. I also thought it would be good for my younger brothers who have been looking at starting a business. And boy am I telling you, there is a lot of good information in this book!

I found Tory Johnson's approach to be refreshing, entertaining and very useful. One thing I really liked was her penchant for joining up with someone who complements you. For me, that means someone who knows computers. I enjoy blogging and have fun, but for the life of me, I am not a computer geek. Now my sister? She knows all the fun techy aspect of computers, internet, html, etc. So guess what? When I need help with something like that, who do I go to? You guessed it:) My sister.

Another thing I liked was all the work sheets. This is a book that not only gives you ideas but puts those ideas into action. Whether you run a small business already or want to get started running a business, this is one book you won't want to do without. I will be using some of these approaches in my blogging and have already passed on the book to my brothers. I will be posting a couple other excerpts like the one below in the next week.

Also, Tory Johnson is hosting a Mobile Conference Series National Tour that is coming to a lot of cities across America. I would urge you to see if she is going to be in your area. Check out the dates and see what you can find. You might be amazed at some of her answers!

I received a book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.



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Thursday, June 7, 2012

Reasons Why Google Maps Marketing Works

Before I did a lot of traveling, I had never really used Google Maps marketing. I guess when you live in an area you don't really have to search for things. You just use your local phone book and word of mouth reccomendations. But now that I travel quite a bit, Google Maps has become one of my mainstays. I use it pretty much everywhere I go for different things. I have even become so used to it I will go there instead of look in my phone book:)

So, does Google Maps work? It sure does! Check out a few reasons why below.

1.People Find Things Easily.
For me, I like to use Google Maps in an area I am vacationing at, staying overnight, or just passing through. But the nice thing I have found with Google Maps is that I put in the address I am going to be at and then I can press the Search Nearby button. Then I can put in restaurants(generic or specific), hotels, shops, medical, etc. and this will pull up whatever is nearby. This also gives you the name, phone number, and reviews from people who have been there. I don't know how many restaurants I have gone to because I found them through Google Maps. Think about how many people see a business and then visit? There is no count to how many people this reaches.

2.The Street View.
This is another aspect I really like with Google Maps. Have you ever tried this out? The street view actually places you on the road of an address! We recently took a trip to Wisconsin and I was able to look at the road near the hotel, see what was nearby and find out how the area looked! This is a totally amazing aspect and one I use quite often. It is really amazing the technology we have nowadays. I can be hundreds of miles away and see what a street looks like without visiting it.

So, does Google Maps marketing work? Absolutely! If you own a business, make sure it is on there. And if you are traveling or working in another town, make sure to check out the area ahead of time:)

This is a sponsored post for OrangeSoda, however, all the points and views
are my own.

Diamond Candles Looking for Blogger!

Hey everyone, just a quick announcement. If you have a blog, Twitter and Facebook, you can go sign up to review and giveaway Diamond Candles. Now, the neat thing about this is, not only are they candles, but they have diamonds in the middle! The first 100 people to sign up get chosen!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Spice Racks In the Kitchen

We have recently been redesigning the kitchen and boy is it hard work! But it is also fun:) One thing I knew I wanted to get for sure was a wall spice rack. My spices are a daily part of my cooking and I don't make a meal without them. So what better than having them hang right by your stove?

My normal spice rack is actually a cupboard that has small shelves so I can put my small spices on them. When I went browsing for a new spice rack I found a lot of different options I could choose from. I personally like a wall rack but there are some other really nice ones. Another favorite of mine is the spinning carousel rack. This makes it much easier to find the spice you are looking for.

So, if you are looking for spice racks, this is a good place to get them. Make sure you check out all your options, including the wall mounted rack, and watch for deals.

I have not purchased from this site. All thoughts are 100% mine.

CFBA Tour for Harvest of Rubies. Excellent Book!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Harvest of Rubies
River North; New Edition edition (May 1, 2012)
by
Tessa Afshar




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:





TESSA AFSHAR was voted "New Author of the Year" by the Family Fiction sponsored Reader's Choice Award 2011 for her novel Pearl in the Sand. She was born in Iran, and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She moved to England where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds an MDiv from Yale University where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School. She has spent the last thirteen years in full-time Christian work.





ABOUT THE BOOK



Remarkable Talent Threatens to Cloud a Life



The prophet Nehemiah’s cousin can speak several languages, keep complex accounts, write on tablets of clay, and solve mysteries. Her accomplishments catapult her into the center of the Persian court – working long hours, rubbing elbows with royalty, and becoming the queen’s favorite scribe.



Not bad for a woman living in a man’s world: so why does Sarah feel like a failure?



A devastating past has left Sarah with two conclusions: that God does not love her, and that her achievements are the measure of her worth – a measure she can never quite live up to.



Darius Pasargadae is accustomed to having his way. A wealthy and admired aristocrat, the last thing he expects is a wife who scorns him.



Can two such different people help one another overcome the idols that bind them?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Harvest of Rubies, go HERE.

MY REVIEW-Okay, I have to tell you, it is not often I get so engrossed in a book the way I did with this one! I read it all in one day and it was just amazing! Tessa is quite an author that knows how to pull you into the story. I was also blessed by some of the things she brings out in this fictional account. Not only is this an enjoyable read but it really makes you think about things. There are so many lessons hidden in this book. The title is just an example of something that we learn. It is so amazing but I don't want to give anything away. I have put this book on my WL as I received an ARC copy and I want a real one for my shelf. If you like a good Biblical novel, I would urge you to pick this one up.
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