May 31, 2013

June Social Connection Blog HOP ~ Come link up your social media - gain followers - make new friends

Welcome to the June Social Connection Blog Hop on Mom Loves 2 Read!

At the beginning of Each Month, a  new hop will begin.  Join in anytime - follow those above you - add your links - come back often and follow more!
Leave comments on other's blogs and they might stop by follow and comment in return!
What a fun way to have bloggers helping bloggers!
Join us for this month long blog hop where you can link up all of your social media and blog.

JuneSocialConnection

1. Feel free to link up all of your accounts, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linked In, Google +, and anything else you have linked to your blog or website.
2. Please place the blog hop button on your side bar after linking up
3. Please tweet or share this hop, help spread the word.
4. Come back throughout the month to make new connections with those who link up after you.

The Social Connection is your place to share and connect with new friends and fellow bloggers.  Enjoy!  Come back every month to join us again.
I would like to introduce you to this months Co-Hosts:

If you are interested in co-hosting next month's hop, please email me at

Topaz Heat by Halle Bridgeman ~ Review & GIVEAWAY on Mom Loves 2 Read

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 
Topaz Heat by Hallee Bridgeman 
~ Book 3 of the Jewel Trilogy

The very moment Derrick meets Sarah, he realizes he has a reason to live. Sarah sees only an unshaven tough kid covered with tattoos and shuts down every advance.

Sarah Thomas has no memory of her broken young life leading up to the tragic murder of her mother. Her memory begins the morning she wakes in the home of her loving adoptive parents. She doesn’t even know her sisters exist until her 15th year. She learns to love her siblings, but always feels a little out of place in their presence.

A benevolent billionaire offers Derrick DiNunzio a home and an education. Fresh off the streets and rescued from a criminal future, Derrick sheds his old life. He trades his ripped leather jacket for silk suits; dealing drugs for mentoring “at risk” youth; lock picking and back door jobs for the rigors of mountain climbing and hotel management.

Sarah cannot seem to see beyond the past Derrick left behind … until one day she does. When they finally come together, an indictment threatens their future. Now the heat is on. Will Sarah finally set aside her prejudices and open her heart to true love or will the long forgotten past tear them apart forever?

May 30, 2013

Greater Than Rubies by Hallee Bridgeman ~ Review on Mom Loves 2 Read

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 
  Greater Than Rubies by Hallee Bridgeman 
~ Book 1.5 of the Jewel Trilogy
Robin Bartlett said, “Yes!” Will she say, “I do,” when the big day arrives?

From his cultured handsome looks to his vast fortune, Antonio “Tony” Viscolli is every red-blooded American girl’s dream match. It doesn’t hurt that he completely loves and adores Robin with all his heart and soul from practically the moment they first meet. Robin comes from a blistering past, struggling and fighting for the survival of herself and her two younger half-sisters in a cold, cruel world. By the time Tony thaws her heart, she has known hunger, poverty, violence, and want. Robin never had a chance to dream of a white wedding gown or a prince charming. Instead, her dreams were nightmares dark and clouded with fear and desperation.

For months, Tony courted the blond beauty with the sapphire eyes. He teased Robin and pursued her. He showered with attention, respect, and charm. He covered her in diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. Tony satisfied every heart’s desire. Finally, Robin came to understand God’s love for her as imitated by the unconditional love Tony freely offered. Then, on a sunny Florida beach, Tony proposed and Robin eagerly said “Yes!”

May 29, 2013

Baby Fanatic MLB Gift Set ~ Review & GIVEAWAY on Mom Loves 2 Read #sponsor: Baby Fanatic


"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 



To celebrate this baseball season, Baby Fanatic is partnering with Target stores across the country to rally fans of all teams with our 3-piece Gift Set. 

Get your little one started on the road to fandom with this officially licensed gift set from Baby Fanatic. It includes a bib - a bottle - and a pacifier. Each item is  100% BPA free - and is boldly decorated with colorful team graphics and colors. The pacifier and bottle feature a silicone nipple while the bib is 100% cotton with a velcro closure and embroidered logo.

Baby Fanatic provides clothing and gift sets for MLB, NFL and College teams - check them out here:

Emerald Fire by Hallee Bridgeman ~ Review on Mom Loves 2 Read

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 
Emerald Fire by Hallee Bridgeman 
~ Book 2 of the Jewel Trilogy

A terrifying past imprisoned Maxine Bartlett all her adult life, shackling her with fear anytime a man even touched her.

In a spontaneous weekend, she unintentionally elopes with an unlikely groom. After a magical wedding night filled with love and passion, “Maxi” finally discards her dreadful chains.

She doesn’t know that her new husband has turned his back on God. Worried over how the world might see the completely unexpected – and some would certainly say inappropriate – marriage, in his pride he promises Maxine a quiet annulment.

Unwilling to let their marriage disappear as if it never happened, Maxine refuses to cooperate. Seeking God’s will, she moves in with him and informs him that when he decides to act like her husband again, he will find his loving wife waiting for him right there in their home. As the days stretch into weeks, the newlyweds slowly begin to trust and even love each other.

Then, just as they begin to live the “happily ever after” love story that neither of them ever dreamed could come true, a sudden and nightmarish catastrophe strikes that could wreck everything. Will her husband realize that he must trust God once more? Can he find peace and strength enough to carry them through the flames?

May 28, 2013

Wordless Wednesday Link Up 5/29/13 on Mom Loves 2 Read

As I'm cleaning the house and getting ready to start packing for our Summer Vacation - I found this picture from 2 summer's ago when we took the "big" kids to Wisconsin Dells for the first time!  We are headed back there again in a few weeks - thought you might get a kick out of the adorable picture of Allison!

Hugo the Happy Starfish teaches children about bullying ~ Review on Mom Loves 2 Read


"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 
Hugo The Happy Starfish book


Happiness Begins With Respect

Hugo is a little starfish and so it’s not surprising that in this story he comes across several bigger fish in the ocean. Sadly, they are bigger fish with the wrong attitudes – they are bullies! After seeing his friend getting bullied, Hugo decides enough is enough. He forms the Anti-Bully Club and teaches the bullies a valuable lesson about respect.

By working together as a group, Hugo and his friends manage to show the bullies that there is always a bigger fish in the sea and that happiness comes from respecting others not bullying them.

Sapphire Ice by Hallee Bridgeman ~ Review on Mom Loves 2 Read

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 
Sapphire Ice by Hallee Bridgeman 
~ Book 1of the Jewel Trilogy

To Robin Bartlett, men were nothing more than violent users. After a hair-raising childhood, Robin and her two younger half sisters battled simply to survive. Determined to give her sisters a very different life from that of their mother; to never have to rely on a man for anything, she worked two jobs and put them both through college, while accepting help from no one. Her heart had turned to ice and she had no use for men or God.

Antonio “Tony” Viscolli had grown up on the streets, homeless. At seventeen, he entered a downtown church with the intent of casing it, but found himself on his knees at the altar. After being fostered by the youth minister, Tony followed God’s leading and eventually became a very successful and powerful businessman. In a fallen world, he was a gem.

When Tony bought the restaurant where Robin bartended, she immediately resented his intrusion into her well ordered, but exhausting, life. She suspected his offering her special attention and constant kindness was merely his way of expecting something from her in return, something she wasn’t willing to give.

May 27, 2013

Swept Away by Mary Connealy ~ Review on Mom Loves 2 Read

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 
Laughter, Romance, and Action Abound in Swept Away, book one in the Trouble in Texas Series.

Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn't make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can't just abandon Ruthy, so she'll have to come along.

His friends--a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers--take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that's rather rude--he's the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love
Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.


My Review :
Once again Author Mary Connealy has written an amazing western romance sprinkled with danger, adventure, humor and faith in God.  I have previously read several of Mary Connealy's books, and was excited for the chance to read and review Swept Away.  I was not disappointed!
I loved this story and each of the characters.  The main characters, Luke and Ruthy were wonderful to read about as well as many of the lesser mentioned characters.  I loved Ruthy's fire and determination, and Luke's story just tugged at my heartstrings!  Their romance was so unique and intriguing, I just couldn't stop reading!  I can't wait for the next book in this series (I already have it on my Amazon Wish List!)
The story captivated me from page one and kept me reading long into the night to finish.  I was so into Luke and Ruthy's story that when it ended I was not happy to be done reading.  I decided to go back and re-read the first three series that I'd read by Mary Connealy:  Lassoed in Texas Trilogy, Montana Marriages Trilogy and Sophie's Daughters Trilogy.
Now I'm on fire for the next book: Fired Up, Trouble in Texas book 2 which is due in August of 2013!  Ugh, so long to wait!

I received one or more items for this review from the sponsor mentioned in the post. All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion and are not influenced nor reviewed by the sponsor prior to posting. If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.

May 25, 2013

Space Warriors Blog App & Movie GIVEAWAY on Mom Loves 2 Read ~ #sponsor: Walden Family Theater

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED
I am a PartnersHub Ambassador.  All info in the post above was provided through PartnersHub.  All prizes are the responsibility of the Sponsor . If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.

May 24, 2013

Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade ~ Review on Mom Loves 2 Read

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 
Undeniably Yours
Bethany House Publishers (May 1, 2013)
by
Becky Wade


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, and eventually returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. Her first contemporary Christian romance, My Stubborn Heart, has been named a finalist for Romance Writers of America's RITA Award. Her newest release, Undeniably Yours, is available now.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Meg Cole's father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted--more interested in art than in oil--she's forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father's empire.

The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father's thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo's determined to resent the woman who's decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them--her wealth, his unworthiness, her family's outrage--and earn the right to love her.

But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg's past. Can their love--and their belief that God can work through every circumstance--survive?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Undeniably Yours, go HERE.


My Review :
When I began reading this book I expected it to be a slow, soft romance.  It was much more.  So worth reading!  I was captivated by Meg and Bo and their situation.  The struggles they go through drew me into their story and kept my interest from beginning to the very end.  This is a wonderful story to read, much faster paced than I expected and such a fun story.

I received one or more items for this review from the sponsor mentioned in the post. All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion and are not influenced nor reviewed by the sponsor prior to posting. If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.

Super Deals on Girls Dresses, leggings and boys tops for Summer ~ #sponsor: #teacollection

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 

Check out this Absolutely Amazing sale alert from Tea Collection! 
Starting today, through Monday, May 27th, Tea Collection is offering $15 Girls Dresses, $12 Girls Leggings and $12 Boys Tops.  


Just in time for summer!  
Need a few more cute dresses? or tops?  Check out this fabulous sale!
Just click the link and you can start stocking up on comfortable and durable tops for boys. Mix and match adorable girls' legging and dresses for endless outfit combinations for those cute little misses in your life. 

Don't miss your chance to take advantage of this amazing sale from Tea Collection!
Happy Shopping!




I am an affiliate for Tea Collection.  Any purchase made through the link above May result in a small compensation for me.  All $ earned through affiliate links on my blog goes toward giveaway prizes for future contest . If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.

Bet On Your Baby Blog App and GIVEAWAY on Mom Loves 2 Read ~ #sponsor: #ABC

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 



GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED
I am a PartnersHub Ambassador.  All info in the post above was provided through PartnersHub.  All prizes are the responsibility of the Sponsor . If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.

May 23, 2013

Official Copperhead Movie Pack Blog App and GIVEAWAY on Mom Loves 2 Read! #Sponsor: #Copperhead

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 


GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED


I am a PartnersHub Ambassador.  All info in the post above was provided through PartnersHub.  All prizes are the responsibility of the Sponsor . If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.

May 22, 2013

Wordless Wednesday Link Up 5/22/13 ~ Come link up your Wordless Wednesday on Mom Loves 2 Read

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday on Mom Loves 2 Read!
 Playing Peek-A-Boo

May 21, 2013

Review ~ Twice a Bride by Mona Hodgson

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 
Love lost doesn’t mean love lost forever. 
Can unexpected romance deliver a second chance for two deserving widows? 

Full of resolve, young widow Willow Peterson decides to pursue her dreams to be an artist as she settles into a new life in the growing mountain town of Cripple Creek.  When she lands a job working as a portrait painter with handsome entrepreneur and photographer Trenton Van Der Veer, the road before Willow seems to be taking a better-than-anticipated turn. 

With questions tugging at several hearts in town, including the Sinclair Sisters’ beloved Miss Hattie, change is traveling down the tracks as several unexpected visitors make their way out West.  Will the new arrivals threaten the deep family bonds of the Sinclair sisters and the roots of love that are just taking hold for Willow?    

Filled with the resonating questions that all women face, this romance awakens hope against grief, love against loss, and dreams against life’s unexpected turns.



My Review :
Once again author Mona Hodgson has taken the story of the Sinclair sisters to new heights of adventure.  This story tells of two widows who find new love and new life, but face their fears with God and their loving friends at their side.
This story is well written, intriguing and kept my interest from page one til the end.  It is a Christian Fiction novel so there is mention of scripture and faith.  It is not "preachy" and is easy and fun to read.
I love all the stories in the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series, and this one does not disappoint.  I can't wait to continue reading and see what happens next with this amazing family.

I received one or more items for this review through the Blogging for Books program for reviewers. All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion and are not influenced nor reviewed by the sponsor prior to posting. If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.

May 17, 2013

Maytag You're It Daily Sweepstakes & $100 Giftcard for h.h. gregg GIVEAWAY on Mom Loves 2 Read

"This article may contain a book or product sample and/or links to other website(s). See my FTC disclosure for more details." 
h.h. gregg, one of the nation's leading and fastest growing retailers of home appliances and consumer electronics with over 220 locations.  In Promoting their “Maytag You’re It” sweepstakes, they are giving away a Maytag laundry pair every day during the month of May.
 
Win a Maytag Washer & Dryer Set - New winner EVERY DAY in the month of May!
Prizes include:
* Maytag Front Load Combo approx value $2,200
* Maytag Top Load Combo approx value $2,000

You can enter the Daily Sweepstakes using this link:  http://hhgre.gg/144Yjmq

To celebrate this fun event, Mom Loves 2 Read has partnered with h.h. gregg to provide a $100 Giftcard that can be used in any h.h. gregg Store! Just enter below using the giveaway form provided!
Giveaway ends on 5/31.
To find a store near you, CLICK HERE 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

HH Gregg Social Media Links:
#/hhgregg
#/hhgregg

I received compensation for posting this giveaway event from the sponsor, h.h. gregg If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.