Mom Loves 2 Read: September 2012

Sep 24, 2012

Uncontrollable by S R Johannes is out NOW - The adventure continues!

Yay! Uncontrollable is out today!

Uncontrollable is the second book in "The Nature of Grace" series by S.R. Johannes . Untraceable, the first book in the series, has won and been nominated for several awards including Winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Award (YA), 2012 Georgia Author of the Year (YA Nominee), and a finalist in The Kindle Book Review's "Best Indie Book of 2012 (YA)".

Kirkus reviewed Untraceable as "A thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance. The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page."

If you like a page turner, you will love this series!

Head over to MundieMoms for a Big Uncontrollable Launch Party with tons of prizes and then over to SR Johannes blog for even more.

To continue on with the blog tour, check out the line up! Where SR talks about anything from marketing to writing to her books to personal interviews and giveaways.

Book Summary

As 16-year-old Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program".

While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is picking silk plants and growing fake plants.

After a couple of wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. However, when a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues.

Little does she know, she is being hunted too.

On Sale Now!

Uncontrollable is on sale in paperback and ebook at all major

booksellers including Amazon, iBooks/Apple (coming soon),

Smashwords, and B&N.

If you haven't read Untraceable, you can get it in paperback and ebook

at all major booksellers including Amazon, Apple, Smashwords,

and B&N.

Author Bio

S.R. Johannes is the author of award-winning and Amazon bestselling Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and new tween paranormal, On The Bright Side. She has also published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes. Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable, is scheduled for September 2012.

S.R. Johannes is a winner of the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Awards (Young Adult) and was also recently nominated for 2012 GeorgiaAuthor of the Year (Young Adult). Untraceable was also recently named a Finalist in The Kindle Book Review's Indie Book of the Year (YA)

After earning an MBA and working in corporate America, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.

Connect!

Follow S.R. online on her website , Twitter , Facebook , and Pinterest

You can also sign up for her newsletter to keep up on author or book news.

**Read my Review of Untraceable (book 1)
**Look for my Upcoming Review of Uncontrollable next Month!

Sep 21, 2012

I Love to Read, and I'm a Horrible Mom!

I’m a Horrible mom.

I read an interesting post on facebook by Jen from Live With Levi, that lead me to read some amazing blog posts and facebook comments by other crappy, horrible, terrible moms - and I thought to myself "this sounds just like ME!

So, I'm joining the "crappy Mom rant" and adding my top reasons why I'm a Crappy/Horrible Mom too!

My top Reasons:

{Keep Reading!}

YA book Ever by Jessa Russo is Released Early - What has Frankie done now?

Hey guys and dolls, how's it going?

Don't look so startled - I don't bite.

My name's Frankie. And I'm just a regular guy.

Well, except for the whole ghost thing, I guess.

You’re probably wondering what I'm doing here. Well, it’s pretty simple actually. Something is coming for my best friend Ever - something I alone cannot protect her from. Regardless of ~~how much I love her~~ how hard I try.

So I have to spread the word.

And I need your help to do it.

I've been a bystander for far too long, trapped in this ghostly shell for the past two years. I've decided it’s time to make myself known and set some things into motion. See, I've hijacked Amazon, Curiosity Quills Press, and blogs all over the internet to make my move.

You're probably wondering why, right?

Well allow me to be a bit more specific. Something isn't just coming for Ever; her actual soul is in danger. So I've decided to stay silent no longer. Word needs to spread. People need to know.

Evil lurks in the shadows.

To give Ever more time to figure things out and try to protect herself from the trouble that awaits her, I'm upping the publication date of our story.

I'm sure you can understand. I mean, souls are on the line here.

So, with that said, EVER IS NOW AVAILABLE. Yes, you read that right. NOW. I couldn't wait any longer, so I did what I had to do to protect ~~that stubborn girl I love~~ my best friend, Ever.

I had to do it. Some things are too important to wait for, and Ever is one of those things for me.

Now as you’re spreading the word about this new development, take heed this one warning:

Evil lurks in the shadows. And not just any evil.

It’s disguised as that slick talking, good-looking bastard, Toby James ... the new kid next door.

Goodreads

Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sep 16, 2012

Review ~ Gruffalo's Child DVD for kids from Kidtoons

The Gruffalo's Child Review

One wild and windy night, the Gruffalo's Child ignores her father's warnings and bravely tiptoes out into the snow into the deep, dark wood in search of the "Big Bad Mouse." Along the way, she meets Snake, Owl and Fox but no sign of the fabled Mouse. Described by her father as "terribly big" and "terribly bad," the mouse proves to be terribly hard to find. Does he exist or doesn't he?

This beautifully animated film based on the best-selling children's picture book by author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo's Child is a companion film to the hugely successful, academy award nominated, The Gruffalo. Directed by Johannes Weiland & Uwe Heidschötter with an all star English cast that includes Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Robbie Coltrane, James Corden, Shirley Henderson, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson.

My Review :
My children absolutely LOVE The Gruffalo, so I was completely thrilled when offered the chance to review The Gruffalo's Child on DVD for Kidtoons! Once again the creators of The Gruffalo have made a children's film that captivates the imaginations of children from all age ranges. My youngest is 4 and absolutely loved this movie. My oldest at age 11, thought it was a great addition to The Gruffalo, and enjoyed seeing The Gruffalo teach his child about the "big scary mouse."
My husband and I also liked watching along with our kids. I love being able to have clean, family entertainment in our home and Kidtoons has always provided just that. I highly recommend this movie for kids of all ages, and parents too.

For just a little taste of the amazing quality of this Movie, watch the trailer below.

About Kidtoons:
Since 2004, Kidtoons has been bringing beloved and well-known children’s brands and entertainment to cineplexes nationwide. We provide a family friendly, affordable, co-viewing experience that parents can count on each month, year-round to bond and create treasured memories with their kids. Each monthly program is designed for kids 2-8 and their parents.

Kidtoons on Facebook: #/kidtoons
Kidtoons on Twitter: Hashtag: #KTGruffalo - #/KidtoonFilms

I received one or more books or products in the post above for review purposes only. I was in no way required to write a positive review. All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion . If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.

Sep 15, 2012

Oral Irrigator Review ~ Products for the home and family

Oral Irrigator Product Review

Finally there is a solution to clean where your floss can't! Professional Oral Irrigator by ToiletTree Products is able to give you the most effective cleaning in the comfort of your own home. This product is ideal for those who don't like to floss, as well as for anyone who has braces, implants, crowns, bridges or periodontal pockets. The ergonomically designed handle and 360° rotated nozzle, let you easy to control water flow to reach all areas of the mouth. The Professional Oral Irrigator by ToiletTree Products comes standard with 3 operation modes - Normal, Soft and Pulse. These are conveniently indicated on the oral irrigator handle with a LED indication. This oral irrigator has a high volume tank capacity, the water tank also has a dual design for easy water refill. Use with water, mouthwash or anti-bacterial rinses, as recommended by your dentist or hygienist.

The new Irrigator has been redesigned in the following ways:

1. We have converted the unit into a Rechargeable Irrigator eliminating the hassle and high cost of changing batteries.

2. We re-engineered each unit so that it will last 45 + days before you have to plug it in for it to be recharged.

3. We have upgraded the motor in order to enhance it’s performance

Website : www.ToiletTreeProducts.com

Facebook : #/pages/Upper-Nyack-NY/ToiletTree-Products/127607620607464

Twitter : twitter.com/ToiletTreeProd

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZRZSR6

My Review :

I have not used an oral irrigator or water pick before. When I was offered a chance to review this Oral Irrigator for Toilet Tree Products, I accepted the challenge gladly. At first I was not thrilled with water being sprayed in my mouth and all over my face as I attempted to learn to use this new device. I wasn't sure if I would like it or not, but determined to give it a fair trial. I have used it off and on now for over a month, and I have noticed a difference in the cleanliness of my mouth in the mornings. I usually use it only at night before bed, and after already brushing my teeth as usual.

The thing I like best is that I feel that my mouth is cleaner and fresher than usual in the mornings (morning breath is much less offensive - lol). Another thing I really like is that it is rechargeable. The battery seems to last for quite a while before needing recharged.

One other positive I have to mention, is that the water tank is easy to fill. It can be removed to fill, or there is a lift-top lid where water can be added while the tank is still attached.

Things I do not like, is that the head does not swivel to aid in getting between the back teeth, or back of the mouth, so I end up spraying a bit more water outside my mouth and getting a bit wet in the process. I do not know if this is a usual occurance with all water pick type devices or just this one, but it is a bit annoying.

Another issue I have is that on high setting, the water is too rough on my gums, but the low setting is not quite strong enough. I'd love to see a medium setting included.

Overall, I will continue to use this Oral Irrigator from Toilet Tree Products as an addition to my oral care regimen, and although I feel it needs a bit of improvement, I did like the overall results enough to continue using it.

I received a free product as listed in the post above for review purposes only. I was in no way required to write a positive review. All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion . If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.

Sep 14, 2012

First Winner chosen in the Comment LUV Giveaway on Loves 2 Read ~ 5 Prizes LEFT!

The First Winner of the Comment LUV Giveaway is:

Linda K.

She has chosen Mystery Prize #6 ~ approx value $120!

Congrats Linda K.!

5 More Winners will be chosen Randomly over the Next 6 Weeks! Enter Today so you don't miss out on YOUR chance to WIN one of the 5 Remaining Mystery Prizes!

Sep 8, 2012

Comment Luv Giveaway ~ 9/1 - 10/31

For the Months of September and Oc tober on Loves 2 Read.

Anyone Who Leaves a Comment on any Non-Giveaway Post will get one entry into my

Comment Luv Mystery Prize Giveaway.

Each Comment = 1 entry (1 comment per post, per day - can post on multiple reviews/posts each day for more entries, up to 5 comments per day) Extra Bonus entries available daily as well.

Winners will be chosen randomly - 6 winners total, and will receive a Mystery Prize worth a minimum of $10 and max of $160.

Some of the Mystery Prizes:

Product Sponsor/Website GC

Products I've Reviewed

Selection of Books

Amazon/Barnes&Noble/Starbucks GC

Special Event Tickets

Sep 6, 2012

Untraceable by S. R. Johannes

ABOUT THE BOOK -

16 year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

When Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. After finding a Cheetos bag and stolen government file, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from imminent danger by Mo, a hot guy who has an intoxicating accent and a secret. Grace has never felt a connection like this before, certainly not with her ex-boyfriend, the adoring, but decidedly un-rugged, Wyn.

After a few run-ins with the town's police chief, her father's partner, and some new evidence, Grace travels deeper into the wilderness that has always been her refuge only to learn that her father's disappearance is not a mere coincidence.

Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.

My Review :
I found Untraceable by S. R. Johannes to be captivating, dramatic and thrilling from page one. I love the main character, Grace. She is spunky, determined and resourceful; though at times a bit foolhardy in her search for clues as to what happened to her dad. She uses the knowledge she gained as his little shadow to search the forest of the Smoky Mountains for clues as to what really happened when her father disappeared. Her emotions as well as her determination captured my interest right from the start. Her dynamic personality gains her help from some intriguing sources, but also clashes with others in ways that lead to dangerous situations.
Her struggle with her relationships with both Wyn and Mo, drew me deeper into her character, made for an exciting love triangle and kept me intrigued throughout the whole story.
If you want a great mystery with a unique love triangle, drama, intrigue, deception, intense survival and captivating characters; then I recommend this story for you! Untraceable is a wonderful addition to the Young Adult genre.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

S.R. Johannes is the author of Amazon bestselling Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and new tween paranormal, On The Bright Side. She has published short novelettes as well as a teen romance anthology with 16 other authors titled, In His Eyes. Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable, is scheduled for Fall 2012.

S.R. Johannes was recently nominated in the YA category as Georgia Author of the Year. She is also the 2012 winner of the IndieReader Discovery Awards for young adult.

She lives in Atlanta Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. After earning an MBA and working in corporate america, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing.

Visit S. R. Johannes on her Website: http://www.srjohannes.com/

To purchase a copy of Untraceable:
*You can Order signed copies directly through the author (price includes bookmarks and shipping).
*Indie bookstore
*Barnes and Noble paperback ($8.01) and ebook ($2.99)
*Amazon paperback ($9.99) and ebook ($2.99)
*Smashwords all other ebook formats ($2.99)

I received one or more books or products in the post above for review purposes only from the author. I was in no way required to write a positive review. All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion . If you have any questions or comments, please see my FTC disclosure or Review Policy.

Sep 3, 2012

When it Rains It Pours. . . When it Pours, It Floods!

My Labor Day Weekend was not Relaxing as I Planned!

My poor computer was not behaving nicely, so I found someone who could take a look at it. He found that my hard drive was ready to crash - :( Not what I wanted to hear! I had tried over and over to save all my files and emails with no success - I was stressing! Majorly! I have thousands of emails saved with Books and Products to review, correspondence with authors and publishers, friends and family - how was I to handle it if I lost it all?

Well, he was able to find and replace my hard drive, save and restore nearly all my data and in less than 24 hours! Amazing! And he saved me tons of money too!

Then, just when I thought things were looking up! Our basement started flooding - YES, we have had rain for 3 days, so we thought that was the problem - well, partially it was - BUT, our sewer line was clogged and was backing up into our basement. My wonderful, ingenious husband rigged a temporary fix while we waited for the Plumbing company to come fix it for us - seems they were quite busy this weekend and could not come right away.

Finally, they showed up today, and after 2 hours of work - Darn those Tree Roots! We have our plumbing working correctly again! Now I can finally do my dishes, get my laundry caught up and flush my toilets! LOL

Some wonderful things that happened during all this: My son helped his dad with the basement and learned quite a bit. My 2 girls entertained themselves and each other, and thought it was an adventure to have a watery basement - lol And in spite of it all, we worked together to fix problems, and solutions were found!

**How was your weekend? Leave me a comment! Who knows, you may win a mystery prize just for commenting!