Apr 30, 2012

Loves 2 Read ~ HUGE Mother's Day Giveaway Event ~ Over $600 in Prizes

Welcome to the Mother's Day Giveaway Event on Loves 2 Read!




EVENT HAS ENDED

Karen Pokras Toz ~ Guest Post about School Visits

Why I Love School Visits – by Children’s Author: Karen Pokras Toz



I’ve always loved kids, which is a good thing since I’m a children’s book author, and I have three kids of my own. But, I never realized how much I LOVE kids until I started doing school visits recently. 

What started out as what I thought would turn into a promotional tool to sell more books in my Nate Rocks series, actually turned into heart-warming and eye opening experiences. 

Giveaway on Loves 2 Read ~ Mother's Day, It's Our Day Giveaway ~ Envirosax bag

Guest Post& Giveaway Event Hosted by Jenny @ I'm a Full-Time Mummy:



I'm a full-time mummy
and a bunch of awesome bloggers have teamed up to bring you the
Mother's Day, It's Our Day Giveaway!
The giveaway will be open for entries from May 1st until May 31st.
We have arranged for the following prize to be given away:

Apr 29, 2012

Searching Google for a Happy Mother's Day by Susan Morse

Searching Google for a Happy Mother’s Day
By Susan Morse

On the big day in Ethiopia, mothers make a meat hash, smear butter on their faces, and dance.

In present-day Yugoslavia and Serbia, women wake up on their festal morning tied to the bedposts. Their children won’t release them without a candy payoff.

If you were lucky enough to be a mother in Mexico in 1942, you got a real treat: On this one very special day only, you could actually reclaim your pawned sewing machine at no extra cost!

I guess I could try tying my mother up, but the thing is I might be tempted to leave her there for the whole day. . . .

If you were a mother in Boston just after the Civil War, you might decide to fall in behind Julia Ward Howe, author of The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and push for a Mothers’ Day for Peace:

Apr 27, 2012

Sponsor Spotlight #1 - Mother's Day Giveaway Event!


With Mother's Day right around the corner (and My Birthday as well), I have spent time emailing and coordinating with several wonderful sponsors for the Upcoming Mother's Day Giveaway Event , hosted by Makobi Scribe!

2 of my wonderful sponsors are: Open Road Media & Thomas Nelson  ~  Here is what these wonderful Publishers are providing as prizes:

OPEN ROAD MEDIA     ($150 total prize value)          
Donating 5 ebook copies each of 8 wonderful books!

GIFT by Andrea J. Buchanan   (YA paranormal fiction)
Blurb:   High school sophomore Daisy Jones is just trying to get by unnoticed. It doesn’t help that she’s the new girl at school, lives in a trailer park, and doesn’t even own a cell phone. But there’s a good reason for all that: Daisy has a secret, unpredictable power—one only her best friend, Danielle, knows about.

Despite her “gift” (or is it a curse?), Daisy’s doing a good job of fitting in—and a cute senior named Kevin even seems interested in her! But when Daisy tries to help Vivi, a mysterious classmate in a crisis, she soon discovers that her new friend has a secret of her own. Now Daisy and her friends must deal with chilling dreams and messages from the beyond. Can Daisy channel the power she’s always tried to hide—before it’s too late?



THE HABBIT by Susan Morse     A "fresh, funny, utterly irresistible memoir"
Blurb:  A beguiling journey of love, forbearance, and self-discovery, The Habit introduces two unforgettable women you'll be glad to know-from a safe distance.
Reviews: "Susan's epic effort to differentiate herself from the consuming power of this unique woman is every woman's struggle, but writ large, crazy, and funny." -Rosanne Cash, author of Composed
"Susan Morse writes in a dream state, and The Habit is funny and moving and wise. After reading it, you'll see Susan's mother in a whole new way, and your own mother, too." -Michael Bamberger, author of The Swinger
"In her portrait of her hilarious and heroic struggle with an almost impossiblemother, Susan Morse has captured the mother-daughter paradox like no one else in recent memory." -Rebecca Pepper Sinkler, former editor of the New York Times Book Review
"A sometimes searing, often hilarious account of a mother-daughter relationship Hallmark probably doesn't have a card for." -Ellen Gray, Philadelphia Daily News




Canal House Cooking, Vol. 1, Summer     Fun Cookbook!
  Canal House Cooking Volume No. 1, Summer is a collection of Christopher and Melissa's favorite summer recipes, ones they cook for themselves all through the long lazy months.







A Knitter's Home Companion, by Michelle Edwards  
Blurb:   A Knitter’s Home Companion is an illustrated collection of stories, patterns, and recipes from beloved knitter and essayist Michelle Edwards. This heartwarming title will appeal to knitters interested in not only stitches, yarn, and patterns, but also in the lives of other knitters, the lessons that can be learned from their craft, the ways knitting helps knitters cope during difficult times, and the role of knitting in family life.






Celebrity Inc. by Jo Piazza      
Blurb:   From $10,000 tweets to making money in the afterlife, a recovering gossip columnist explores the business lessons that power the Hollywood Industrial Complex







The Replacement Wife by Eileen Goudge      A "hauntingly beautiful story"  "captivating"
Blurb:  From New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge comes a poignant new novel that asks the question, “What would you do if you were told you had only six months to live?” For one professional matchmaker the answer is heart-wrenching: She must find her husband’s next wife.

        


Franklin Says I Love You by Paulette Bourgeoise and Brenda Clark (CHILDREN'S TITLE)
Blurb:   In this Franklin Classic Storybook, our hero is a very lucky turtle. He has the best friends, the best little sister, the best goldfish and, of course, the best mother. But when he discovers that his mother's birthday is coming up, he can't find the best present. After giving it some serious thought, Franklin decides to do everything for his mom. On the morning of her birthday he takes her breakfast in bed, makes a brooch, draws a picture and cuts fresh flowers from the garden! And then Franklin gives his mom a great big hug and says, "I love you" -- which is, of course, the best gift of all.



Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly     Sci-Fi Thriller
Blurb:  After donning a cursed necklace for the cameras, a silent screen starlet and her entourage are terrorized by an ancient demon.








Open Road Integrated Media 
180 Varick Street NY NY 10014




THOMAS NELSON   ($140 total prize value)
Donating 5 print copies each of these 2 wonderful books:

God's Wisdom for Mothers
Blurb:  What better way to bless a mother and child than with uplifting, comforting thoughts from God’s Word?
This collection offers 100 Bible verses from the International Children’s Bible ® and New King James Version ®, each accompanied with a reflective writing. Fifty verses encourage mom during both her sweetest and her most challenging moments and 50 verses plant God’s words in the heart of her precious child.
Motherhood—there are no days more delightful, more difficult, or more in need of a dose of inspiration and guidance from God.



100 Bible Verses for Mommy & Me
Blurb:  The crown of a mother is found in her faithfulness and character as it’s reflected in her children.
God’s Wisdom for Mothers was created to give timeless wisdom and guidance for Scripture meditation and application. It is divided topically to include 11 categories (62 subjects) pertaining to motherhood, such as Wisdom with Children, God Delights in Mothers Who . . . , God Walks with Mothers Through Heartache, Adversity, Worry, and many more. Included are pages at the back for prayer lists and personal study notes. This book is a spiritual pathway to help every mother become all she wants to be in the eyes of God and her family.



Children's & Gift Books
P.O. Box 141000    
Nashville, Tennessee 37214



Sponsor Spotlight #2 ~ Mother's Day Giveaway Event!


With Mother's Day right around the corner (and My Birthday as well), I have spent time emailing and coordinating with several wonderful sponsors for the Upcoming Mother's Day Giveaway Event , hosted by Makobi Scribe!


3 more of my wonderful sponsors are: authors: 
Karen Pokras Toz, Penny Zeller & Ey Wade  
Here is what these wonderful Authors are providing as prizes:


Karen Pokras Toz:   1 print copy each of Nate Rocks the World & Nate Rocks the Boat
Website:  http://www.karentoz.com/

 Nate Rocks: Part Super-Hero, Part All-Star Athlete, Part Rock-Star… Part Fourth-Grader?
  Ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge cannot catch a break. After all, life as a fourth-grader can be hazardous - what with science projects to deal with and recess football games to avoid. Everyone, including his best friend Tommy, seems to have bad luck when hanging around Nathan. Throw in an older sister who is a royal pain, a dad who is stuck in the past, and a mom who keeps trying to poison him with her awful cooking, and poor Nathan’s life as a fourth-grader appears to be completely doomed.
 Armed only with his sketchpad, his imagination, and his wits, Nathan Rockledge navigates the perils of the fourth grade in style, to emerge heroic, as Nate Rocks, proving that even a ten-year-old can accomplish great things.
Follow the adventures of ten-year-old Nathan Rockledge as his cartoons and adventures come to life.

To Read my Review ~ Click HERE
To Read my son's Review ~ Click HERE


The Adventure Continues...
With fourth grade finally winding down, 10-year-old Nathan Rockledge is looking forward to a fun and relaxing summer at home with his friends. That is, until his mom decides he has to go to overnight camp with his annoying older sister.  When his best friend Tommy decides to tag along, Nathan thinks maybe his summer won’t actually be so bad. After all, he does get to be away from his mom's awful cooking for an entire six weeks.
Amongst Color War competitions, a flaky counselor, and a bully named "No-Neck,” Nathan turns to his trusty sketchpad, transforming himself into Nate Rocks: 10-year-old extraordinaire. His speedboat ready for action, Nate saves the day time and again from the perils of floods, snakes, ghosts, and even the most wanted criminals.
Join Nathan, Tommy, Abby, and a whole new cast of characters as Nate Rocks once again proves nothing can hold him back.

Review of Nate Rocks the Boat will be posted on May 1st on Loves 2 Read!

Release Date: May 1, 2012



Penny Zeller ~ 1 Copy of McKenzie (book 1 in the Montana Skies series
Twitter:   www.twitter.com/pennyzeller
 
Desperate times call for desperate measures is the reasoning that prompts McKenzie Worthington, a young lady of Boston's high society, to respond to an ad for a mail-order bride for a man in the Montana Territory. McKenzie is desperate, after all, to save her beloved younger sister, Kaydie, from her evil, abusive husband, who robs banks for a living. And so, it is with reckless determination that McKenzie runs away from the comforts of home and hearth to head West and meet her new husband-whom she'll divorce, of course, after she rescues her sister.

Desperate times call for desperate measures is the reasoning that also prompts Zachary Sawyer, a rugged rancher after God's own heart, to post an ad for a mail-order bride in various newspapers across the country. Managing a ranch and caring for his adoptive son, Davey, has become more than one man can handle alone, and Zach prays for God to send him a wife with whom to build a life and share his dreams.

When McKenzie arrives at Zach's ranch, she immediately puts her plan in motion, searching for her sister and doing all she can to keep her new husband from forming an attachment. But his persistent kindness and significant self-sacrifices begin to change her heart-and ruin her plans. God has a way of working things out to the good of those who love Him, though, as McKenzie will soon see.

To read My Review:  Click HERE

Sponsor Spotlight #3 ~ Mother's Day Giveaway Event


With Mother's Day right around the corner (and My Birthday as well), I have spent time emailing and coordinating with several wonderful sponsors for the Upcoming Mother's Day Giveaway Event , hosted by Makobi Scribe!


More of my wonderful sponsors are:
 Origami Owl, 

Easy Lunchboxes
& Pambras
Want to know what these sponsors have in store for prizes?
Check these out:
Origami Owl ($25 GC)







About Origami Owl:
Some tell their stories with words and others with charms!  Since the locket stays closed with magnets you can change your story as often as you want!  Origami Owl was started by an ambitious 14 year old girl who was determined to save money for a car when she turned 16.  She began by hosting home parties, craft shows, and a even opened a mall kiosk.  The product is only available through Independent Designers now and there are only 1,000 Designers nationwide.


Easy Lunchboxes (container set & cooler)

About Easy Lunchboxes: 

Packing a lunch is not only frugal, but can really support a healthy and green lifestyle as well.  
Although EasyLunchboxes are sized right for all ages, the kid-friendly, easy to open lids have made the containers a hit with moms, teachers, and of course kids!  Healthy, homemade "Lunchables" are now a cinch to prepare at home :)

(Please note that the containers are NOT leakproof and do function best when carried in our cooler, as recommended.)

My personal review can be seen/read HERE

My kids LOVE these Easy Lunchboxes, and I do TOO! 



 PAMBRAS (1 set)


 


Sponsor Spotlight #4 ~ Mother's Day Giveaway Event


With Mother's Day right around the corner (and My Birthday as well), I have spent time emailing and coordinating with several wonderful sponsors for the Upcoming Mother's Day Giveaway Event , hosted by Makobi Scribe!


My final Sponsors for this amazing event are:
Harlequin,  More than Alive
& Geopalz



 HARLEQUIN (4 print books)
 





MORE THAN ALIVE ($25 GC)

About More than Alive :
This great website has a multitude of Healthy Items for the whole family.  Some of them include:
Water Filters, Organic Foods, Herbs, Coffee, Essential Oils, Skin & Hair Care and so much more.
Also available are many DVD's, CD's, Silk Scarves, Supplements and lots of Unique Items to choose from.





GEOPALZ (5 pedometers!)

GeoPalz is the first fitness tracker that lets you “Walk to Win.” The more steps you take, the more pedpoints you get. Trade’em in for all types of prizes, from Frisbees and jump ropes to baseball bats and footballs, you can also save your points to win a Bike or skateboard.





Guest Post ~ Going Under by Georgia Cates

Going Under By Georgia Cates
Genre: YA

About the Book:
Jessie Boone is a self proclaimed bad boy and doesn’t march to the beat of anyone’s drum, but his own. Growing up in less than desirable circumstances has made him no stranger to the hard knock life and his determination to leave it behind is fierce. When he finds himself transferred to East Franklin High School, he sees his opportunity to use his athletic ability to snag a college football scholarship, but Forbes Henderson, the player Jessie means to replace isn’t giving up his spot willingly. In fact, Forbes is willing to go to extreme measures to retain his place as first string quarterback. When Forbes’ malicious plan to injure his replacement fails, Jessie is furious and determined to show him he messed with the wrong person; not only is he going to take the position of first string quarterback, he’s going to take his girl, too.

Claire Deveraux is perfection at it’s best. She is beautiful, intelligent and unaware she just became Jessie Boone’s conquest as revenge against her boyfriend, Forbes Henderson. Like her flawless performance as the perfect daughter and student, Claire’s production of being the perfect girlfriend has everyone fooled, except Jessie Boone, and she fears this tattooed bad boy will see her secret desire to explore his crude threats and promises to rock her perfect world. If she decides to give in to one uninhibited moment with Jessie, will she learn too late that it was all an act of vengeance or will Jessie learn the taste of first love is sweeter than that of revenge?


Excerpt Going Under
I watched a cigarette butt fly out of the new guy’s driver’s side window, then his door swung open in front of me, preventing my escape. He stepped out of his truck, looked down at me and grinned as he said, “Pardon me, Princess. I didn’t mean to block your way.”
His voice was velvety smooth, but I didn’t mistake it’s coolness as his tone conveyed his contempt for me. His unmistakable dislike of me immediately raised my hellcat flag because he had nothing to base his aversion on since he didn’t know me.
This was our first time face to face and up close. The other times I saw him was when I stole a few glances during cheerleading practice over the last two weeks during the times I was certain Forbes wasn’t watching me.
I realized he was so much more handsome than I originally thought now that his face mask wasn’t obstructing my view. His hair was as black as I expected, and spikey, and his pale blue eyes were piercing. The contrast of their paleness against his dark hair was almost shocking and I had to force myself to not become lost.
I was angry with him for making assumptions about me, but I was furious with myself for finding him so captivating. I tasted my bitter reaction as it formed on my tongue, but couldn’t stop myself from blurting out, “Asshole.”
He placed his hand over the left side of his chest where his heart would be and said, “I felt that straight through my heart. That’s definitely going to leave a mark.”
I watched him shut his door while he waited for my counterattack and I pushed past him as I said, “Screw you and my name is not Princess. It’s Claire, so if you’re going to insult me, at least have the decency to get my name right.”
“Hmm, I think I’ll stick with Princess. It seems to suit you better,” he said to my back as I walked away.
I couldn’t be certain there weren’t flames coming off the heels of my boots as I practically ran away, but Payton managed to catch up with me and said, “I’m totally disgusted by you, Claire.”
“And why would that be?” I almost yelled.
“That was one of the best displays of underthinking I’ve ever seen. He bested you and I know I taught you better than that. You basically rolled over. How can I call you my best friend when you caved so easily? And by the way, you’ve got something on your ass.”
I spun around to look at the back of my dress as I pulled the skirt part around to look and said, “What is it?”
“Hot New Guy’s eyes.” She died out laughing and said, “Sorry, Claire, but you walked right into that one.”
I narrowed my eyes and pursed my lips as I said, “Maybe you’re the bigger asshole of the two of you. You should definitely be a couple.”
“That lacked creativity and it’s insulting to me as your slander master. We have to work on your comebacks because you are seriously letting me down,” she said, then added, “I wish you could see your face right now. Whatever he just did to you has you clueless. You can’t decide if you should be pissed off at him or hot for him.”
I turned to look at this crazy person I called a bestie standing next to me. “I’m jealous of whatever are you smoking because it has you completely reality challenged.”
“He got it all wrong when he called you Princess. He should have called you Queen of Denial because you’ll never admit what’s going on here,” she accused.
It was just like Payton to draw a conclusion with no real evidence to support her theory. “I have no idea what kind of nonsense you’re talking about.”
“I hope he got plenty of rest last night because his legs are gonna be really tired after he runs through your mind all day,” she laughed and joked, making me livid.
“You must have taken your sleeping pill this morning instead of last night because you are dreaming.”
“When you look back on this moment months from now, don’t forget the one word I’m about to say to you, Claire Deveraux. Foreplay.”




About the Author :
I reside in rural Mississippi with my wonderful husband, Jeff, and our two beautiful daughters.
I spent thirteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before I decided to pursue my dream of becoming an author.
Blood of Anteros, Book One in The Vampire Agápe Series, was my first novel and it was released in September 2011.
I decided to step away from the paranormal genre to try my hand at a young adult romance and I loved it. It was so much fun, I plan to do it again in the near future.


Links  




*Guest Post provided by BWBT & author Georgia Cates *

What a Woman Wants Event Sign Ups



Apr 26, 2012

Dinner With Lisa - Guest Post on B'Tween Prose

Dinner With Lisa by Rod Prendergast

Genre – Historical Fiction
Format – Print & Ebook
Publisher – Dekko Publishing
Release Date – November 1, 2011
  
In the disastrous economic times of the 1930s, Joseph Gaston, a young widower with four children, arrives in the small town of Philibuster seeking security for his family. Instead, he faces barriers everywhere. He does his best despite great adversity, but the strain of feeding and protecting his family whittles away his strength. Finally, destitution forces him to consider giving up his children in order to save them. Enraged by his situation, he attempts one last desperate act—on the night he learns about the mysterious Lisa.

Heart wrenching, humorous and historically authentic, Dinner with Lisa incorporates the crucial issues of the depression: poverty, unemployment, drought and racism. In the midst of love and loyalty, trickery and despair, the ultimate message of the novel is one of hope and the courage to survive even the worst odds.



Book Links:


Website – www.rlprendergast.com


Purchase Links:

For the print version:






 For electronic version:









 About the Author:
 
R. L. (Rod) Prendergast was the entrepreneurial kid you saw on your neighbourhood street selling lemonade on a hot summer's day. Recognizing young Rod's preoccupation with money, his mother bribed him to read with an offer of 25 cents per book—and instilled in him a lifelong love of reading. Although he continued down the path of industry—he started and sold his first business before completing his Bachelor of Commerce—he continued to read voraciously. After a number of years working in sales, marketing and management for several companies he spent a year's sabbatical surfing and reading in New Zealand and, free of business pressures, he began to write. Those first words became the backbone of  The Impact of a Single Event which was long listed for the Independent Publishers Book Award for literary fiction, and which became a national bestseller in Canada. Spurred on by the success of his first novel, he took another sabbatical and wrote  Dinner with Lisa . He is currently working on his next book.



*Guest Post provided by VBTC and author Rod Prendergast* 

Apr 25, 2012

Giveaway on Loves 2 Read ~ Kate Spade Purse $425 value

Review Easy Lunchboxes ~ Fun, waste-free, great for school, picnics & more


I was given a wonderful opportunity to try out and post a review of Easy Lunchboxes.  I was offered a set of containers and a cooler of my choice to try out for this review and an upcoming giveaway during the Mother's Day Giveaway Event coming May 1 - 18th.



My Review :
To go with the set of 4 lunchbox containers and lids; I chose the cooler in blue (so my son and daughters can use it without complaining that it's too "girly" or something - lol)

There are quite a few colors to choose from when selecting a cooler bag:  Pink, Orange, Blue/aqua, green, purple, black and burgundy.  Although I was personally drawn to the purple and thought the girls would love the pink, I thought the blue, since it is a light blue would be best for the whole family to use.

Josh ~ 10 yrs old: school outing 
My son took his lunch to school using this cooler, one of the lunchbox containers - which fit perfectly inside the cooler - and a juice drink, bottle of water, and ice stick inside.  He decided right before leaving to add a yogurt as well.  There was still plenty of room to add it! 

My son chose to take "nachos" in his lunch for his school outing.  He packed the large section with tortilla chips, the next smaller with salsa, and the smallest with grapes.
*I forgot to get pics*
Allison 7 yrs old:  school lunch
My daughter wanted to take her lunch to school, and chose to use one of the containers to put her food in.  She used her own lunchbox/cooler with it.  She packed a turkey & cheese sandwich, cheddar cheese snack mix, and baked chips in the container.  Then added a juice drink and sugar free pudding on top.  Everything fit nicely in her personal cooler lunchbag.  She said it was a fun lunch!  :)


More about Easy Lunchboxes:
The cooler can fit 2 of the containers with lids snugly inside with just enough room on top for a flat ice pack.  Perfect for school lunches, work lunches, snacks on the go, or a fun picnic - Each child can pack their own, or 2 kids can share! Perfect for the whole family!
Each container has a large square area for sandwiches or larger items, and 2 smaller areas (1 slightly larger than the other) for fruits, veggies, chips, pickles, snacks or sauces.
My family really enjoys using the Easy Lunchboxes containers and cooler.  My kids are already planning picnics in the near future using the containers for our healthy foods.


Want more info on how YOU can get your own set of Easy Lunchboxes and cooler bag?  Check out the website:   http://www.easylunchboxes.com/
Find them on facebook:  #/EasyLunchboxes
YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/EasyLunchboxes
Twitter:   #/#!/EasyLunchboxes


**And don't forget to come back in May for the Mother's Day Giveaway Event - One of the Prizes will be a set of containers and cooler of choice from Easy Lunchboxes!!!



*I received a free product as mentioned above through Easy Lunchboxes for this review.  All reviews are my personal opinion.  See my Policy & Disclosure page for the FTC guidelines.