Rosslyn Elliott is celebrating her newest release "Sweeter Than Birdsong" with a Book Tour and a big Facebook Party where she's giving away an iPod, Books and more! The Facebook Party is 2/28 and will be LOADS of FUN!
Would you please Tweet:
Win an iPod Nano and #DowntownAbbey from @rosslynelliott in Sweeter than Birdsong Giveaway. FB Party 2/28 @litfuse http://ow.ly/8XqOY
And share it on Facebook, Google+, Stumble (whatever trips your trigger!)
" Enter to win an iPod Nano and Season 1 of Downtown Abbey in Rosslyn Elliott’s Sweeter Than Birdsong Giveaway! Find out who won during the Author Chat Party on Facebook (Feb 28th)! Chat fun prizes and more. All the details here: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13456229/birdsong"
The Book Tour Schedule:
(pls be sure to come back for GivingNSharing's on 2/22)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on February 28th. Winner will be announced at Sweeter than BirdsongAuthor Chat Facebook Party on 2/28. Rosslyn will be chatting with guests, sharing a sneak peek of the next book in the series, hosting a trivia contest, and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, season 1 of DowntownAbbey, and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club AND a LIVE Author Chat for your group with Rosslyn.)
So grab your copy of Sweeter than Birdsong and join Rosslyn and friends on the evening of the 28th for an evening of fun.
Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!
Dear Friends ~ We all know that GFC is ending and this week I found out that Linky Tools has created a very similar gadget that bloggers can use to link up their followers. I removed GFC about a month ago and have had several people comment that they couldn't figure out how to follow me. I am so glad we have another option and I can see who my friends are!
Link up your blog with your "HOME" page (no giveaways please) on this blog. If you are ready to switch to Linky Followers ~ click here to set up your account and add the gadget to your blog.
Please share on your favorite social media:
Link Up Your GFC & Linky Followers! Pls RT @familyliteracy http://shar.es/fDpuI ~ It'll be up all weekend!
About the book: Three lives are bound by a single book . . . and the cleansing waters of Molasses Creek.
Having traveled to the ends of the earth as a flight attendant, Ally Green has finally returned to the Lowcountry to bury her father as well as the past. But Vesey Washington is still living across the creek, and theirs is a complicated relationship—he was once her best friend . . . and also part of the reason she’s stayed away so long. When Ally discovers a message her father left behind asking her to quit running, it seems her past isn’t through with her yet.
As Ally’s wandering spirit wrestles with a deep longing to flee again, a young woman on the other side of the world escapes her life of slavery in the rock quarries of Nepal. A mysterious sketchbook leads Sunila Kunari to believe there’s more to her story than she’s ever been told, and she’s determined to follow the truth wherever it leads her.
A deep current intertwines the lives of these three souls, and a destiny of freedom, faith, and friendship awaits them all on the banks of Molasses Creek.
My thoughts:
Beyond Molasses Creek takes place over a 50 year span from the 50's to present day. Ally is the sheltered daughter of a small town doctor who knows she shouldn't be friends with the little black boy across the river and he knows that his parents and her parents wouldn't want them sneaking off to fish or talk. The relationship between these two is innocent and friendly and even though Ally would like it to it never goes further. Ally eventually initiates a kiss between them and Vesey's mother who had followed them catches them and separates them by sending him to his Uncles farm where he ends up learning to farm, gives up his schooling and dream to be a doctor. The difference between both families is vivid and almost startling.
This is the story of Ally, Vesey and Sunila. The story of racism and prejudice travel around the world to Nepal where the story of Ally becomes the story of Sunila - Ally's greatest loss.
I will say that even though this book is said to be about faith I wouldn't say it is a Christian book. Ally's parents and Vesey seem to have faith - but Ally doesn't. There are several comments about her having statues of various idols from around the world (Greek, Buddha, and others) and she talks to them. She also says that she prays - but she doesn't know to whom and isn't even sure there is a god. There is no scripture and nothing that shares salvation or a Christian faith. There is some comment of Ally sleeping with someone and getting pregnant and she refuses to have an abortion. I will say - there is no language, drinking, drugs in the book and her neighbor (Vesey) who talks about his believe in God and that there is a heaven, but that is about it. There are also questions in the back for group discussion.
Nicole Seitz is the author of several critically acclaimed novels. The Inheritance of Beauty, Saving Cicadas, A Hundred Years of Happiness, Trouble the Water and The Spirit of Sweetgrass. She is the graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Journalism, and also has a degree in Illustration from Savannah College of Art & Design. Her paintings are featured on the covers of her books. Visit her at @NicoleSeitz, Facebook and www.nicoleseitz.com for more information.
Save the Date! 2/16!
Litfuse Publicity Group offered me a copy of Beyond Molasses Creek for review. No money exchanged hands and I was not required to write a positive review.
Welcome back to GivingNSharing for Linda Weaver Clarke week! We will be featuring 2 of her books, along with an interview on Saturday and a giveaway (of course). Today we will be featuring.... Mayan Intrigue
The discovery of a priceless artifact puts Julia s life in great danger! From valuable artifacts to shady businessmen, the Yucatan Peninsula becomes a dangerous vacation spot for John and Julia Evans. While on assignment for the newspaper, the Evanses try to enjoy a romantic vacation among the Mayan ruins, but when Julia accidentally comes upon a couple suspicious men exchanging an item, she quickly turns and leaves but it is too late. The men have seen her. As a reporter, Julia does not easily give up and her curiosity gets them in a mess of trouble. Before John and Julia realize what is going on, they are both in danger and find themselves running for their lives through the jungles of the Yucatan.
My thoughts:
Linda is back again with Book Two of the John & Julia Evans Adventures. This time John is in the Yucatan on business and Julia has come with him for a little R&R and the idea of strengthening their marriage with a little romance and time spent bonding while on vacation in another country.
One day Julia is out on a walk while John and their friend Paul are talking and she happens across an exchange of a priceless artifact. Realizing what she has seen, she turns and leaves right away - but from then on she see's someone watching her and following her. Follow along as John & Julia stay one step ahead of artifact thieves, travel (and hide) in the Mayan ruins and the surrounding jungles, struggle through injuries ~ while sticking together and helping each other survive as only a close couple who relies on their faith can.
Purchase It:
Be sure to check out the 3 books in this series. Anasazi Intrique, Mayan Intrigue and Montezuma Intrigue. Just click on the title and you can read their descriptions, purchase your own copy (paperback or ebook available).
This week Linda is offering 2 winners 1 ebook each. The first drawing will receive the book they want to read Anasazi IntriqueorMayan Intrigueand the 2nd winner will receive the remaining book. The nice thing about this series is they don't have to be read in order - they are completely self contained and you won't be totally lost if you read the 2nd book first. =D
Welcome to the 2nd Annual Follower Love Giveaway Hop! Hosted by Kathy from I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Rachel Renee Anderson. For the next 8 days, you will find 328 blogs participating in reviews and giveaways of interesting books, book paraphernalia and more!
This week be sure to return back to GivingNSharing for my feature author - Linda Weaver Clarke. We will be featuring two of her books, along with an interview and a giveaway (of course). At the bottom of this post you will find the linky to hop around.
Anasazi Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke ISBN: 978-1589825871 ASIN: B0048ELLN4 $19.95 Paperback $9.85 Kindle
About the book: When a devastating flood wipes out homes in a small town, residents are shocked by the news of a possible poison spill that also kills many of the fish and neighbors’ pets. The people don’t know what to think or do, until Julia, the town’s newest reporter, jumps into action and begins her investigation. Quickly Julia realizes the story is much bigger and more dangerous than she thought.
As information unfolds, Julia and her husband find themselves on the run, trying to save their lives while finishing the story of a lifetime. Will Julia and John be able to get the scoop and survive?
The Intrigue Series:
My thoughts:
Anasazi Intrigue is the 1st book in The Intrigue Series by Linda Weaver Clark. My interest in archeology & the Mayans and Aztecs has been part of me since I was in about 5th (9 yrs old) grade and so I was intrigued (grin) when I read a review on another blog and entered to win the book - and I WON it! Linda found out I had a book blog of my own and 6 months down the road I'm finally caught up on my own reading (and all 3 blogs) to have time to read this wonderful series of books.
I actually started with Anasazi Intrique (what I thought was book 2). I wasn't sure which book was book 1 so I just started in. The nice thing about the books is that each is self-contained and if you read it out of order that's OK - you won't be totally lost! Anasazi Intrigue is the story of The Adventures of John & Julie Evans. Julie is a news woman who longs to bite into a "real" story - something with meat and substance and wants to prove herself to her coworkers.
Julie and John both have a heart for the people and head out one day to help the victims of a flood and as they are pitching in where they can Julie comes across dead fish and animals in an area seemingly untouched by the flood. Julie's intuition tells her something is wrong here and she ends up bring home a dead cat and the dead fish to be tested. The result shows that they have been poisoned and Julie talks her newspaper into allowing her to investigate and write a series of articles on the flooding and it's affect in the area along with the poisoned wildlife.
This is a very interesting series. Linda Weaver Clarke is an experienced writer who has written many books and it shows in the writing of this series. The books are well researched, well written and smoothly flow from one scene to the next. The characters are thought out and each thread is completed by the end of the story.
I personally had some trouble getting involved in the story at first but by the end I wanted to know what was coming up next and was looking forward to reading the Mayan Intrique.
Please Tweet: " Stolen artifacts, a devastating flood, and mysterious events - #KINDLE Book!! RT @familyliteracy WW Win It 2/14 @ http://tiny.cc/zlayw "
You can purchase any of the books from The Intrigue Series by Linda Weaver Clarke on Amazon. They are available in a paperback or for your Kindle. Click here to purchase Anasazi Intrigue.
Linda has very generously offered a Kindle copy of Anasazi Intrigue and a copy of Mayan Intrigue - 2 winners - 1 book each! Again, be sure to come back throughout the week, Tweet the giveaway, read my review of Mayan Intrigue (Thursday) and also my interview with Linda (Saturday).
Cookies are comfort food - you can't help but smile when you bite into one and that little mouthful of goodness makes that smile go from ear to ear.
I received a box of the Smiley Facedheart shaped cookies last week and they were wonderful. Not a single one was crumbled or broken - they were securely packaged in a plastic tray, standing up and then wrapped with plastic to keep them as fresh as possible. They also came in the cutest box covered in smiley faces that I'm going to reuse for a birthday gift - it's guaranteed to make them smile!
For Valentine's this year why not send a box of Valentine's Day Cookies to your loved one at college, in the nursing home (or a shut in) or even a missionary friend a box of hand decorated cookies to tell them you love them.
Note: they also have Kosher, Nut-Free and Cookie Baskets galore!
Place your orders now for your Valentines Day Gift Basketsand use this code "BLOG10" at checkout to receive 10% off of any of their awesome cookie gifts, except gift cards !
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
1) Each blog will host a giveaway of at least $25.
2) 2 ways to participate:
1) Post on your blog about the upcoming event OR
2) Pay a $5 administration fee through Paypal
3) Post MUST go live 4/16 by 12:01 AM
4) Display the button on your sidebar - the more prominent it is the more people see it. =D
5) Join the Facebook group "Blog It Forward". It will keep you up to date with everything Avoiding April Showers related. You will receive the link after you register.
Brancott Estate, a winery based out of New Zealand, just created and launched their free "World's Most Curious Bottle" app and are putting QR codes on all of their wine bottles. You can use the app to scan the code printed on the label with your phone's camera to get food pairing suggestions and more information on things like the aroma, which is great when you're on the go and don't have time to research what wine you want to have with dinner. There are 14 unique experience ranging from taking a tour of Brancott Estate Winery to making music on your phone.
There are so many great recipe and cooking apps out there, it might be fun to explore how these are making cookbooks obsolete - the World's Most Curious Bottle app is just one of them.
Fit Moms for Life
How to Have Endless Energy to Outplay Your Kids
by Dustin Maher
ISBN: 978-1614480808
$14.13 (Amazon)
About the Book:
This new book FITMOMSFORLIFE chronicles the successes of 31 mothers who used Dustin’s fitness and weight loss program with stellar successes. Armed with personal stories with before and after photos, Dustin takes the reader through the five pillars of fitness: Mindset, Nutrition, Strength Training, Burst Training, and Environment. Ultimately leading to the end goal: Staying FitforLife.
Fit Moms for Life is for Mother's (and women in general) who want a fitness program that works. Dustin Maher says:
Traditional Cardio Doesn't Lose Fat
You Can't Work Out to Compensate for Poor Eating
See Results 9 Times Faster with Burst Training
Learn One Exercise That Shrinks a Waistline WITHOUT Diet Changes
Burn Fat While You Sleep
A Healthy Environment Equals a More Fit Family
My Thoughts:
I was recently sent a copy of the Fit Moms for Life book by Dustin Maher and I'm so glad. As my Fibromyalgia has progressed I find myself more and more sedentary and sleeping more and more. For me it's more a matter of choosing one or two things I can do well such as walking on the treadmill and using a stationary/recumbant bike for short periods of time. Fit Moms for Life is a great book for those who want to make small changes and for those that like to "Bite the Bullet" and jump in head first.
Dustin has spent his career helping women who want to get their figures back after having their baby - and he has also helped us women who want to have a figure period. LOL. Fit Moms for Life is easy to read, filled with testimonials from women of all ages and all walks of life. Part of what I liked about the beginning of the book is that Dustin doesn't spend half of the book explaining how our body works (thanks Dustin) - he uses that time to encourage us, to show women how using your mind, your thoughts and your energy to make changes works (Change Your Mind, Change Your Body, chap 3).
Dustin provides suggestions on small steps you can take to get started - take measurements, how to take a Fitness Reality Check, set goals, his Meal Options include suggestions for those who are Gluten Free and Dairy Free (thanks Dustin) and the recipes he gives are NORMAL - Egg Salad, Veggie Quiche, Crock Pot Chicken with Herb Rub. He gives you healthy snack ideas & suggests that you DON'T clean your kids' plates.
I highly recommend this book if you want to lose weight, make changes in nutrition, exercise or just make some changes in your life. It will encourage you, support you and help you make better choices.
3 Ways You Can Get Involved:
1) Easy: Purchase the Book - it's $14.13 on Amazon right now.
2) Kinda Easy: Take your chances and WIN the book!
3) The Best Way: Join the 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge for Mommy Bloggers!
Join the Challenge for $27 and you get the Book, Exercise Video, 21 Days of
Recipes, Menu's, Shopping lists and more! Best of all - you have the
opportunity to make changes with the best group of people - Bloggers! You'll
make lots of great friends and be surrounded with a strong, encouraging group
of people!
Tweet: " Join the Fit Moms 4 Life Bloggers Group - lose weight, get motivated & have fun! @fitmomsforlife, Win the book, 2/5, US http://tiny.cc/2z96a"
WIN it: Win a copy of Fit Moms for Life - ends 2/12 @ Midnight, US please.
To CELEBRATE Nicole’s hosting a fabulous "Friendship" Facebook Party and giving away several fantastic prizes – a KINDLE, some of her own beautiful artwork, a book club prize pack, and more!
Discover Nicole's unforgettable coming-of-age story about love, loss and purpose. Blog Tour details
Pls Tweet:"Win a Kindle from @nicoleseitz at Beyond Molasses Creek Facebook Party 2/16! Click for details and RSVP! http://ow.ly/8NjSE @litfuse"
Pls Share on FB: "Nicole Seitz's Beyond Molasses Creek has just released! To CELEBRATE Nicole’s hosting a fabulous "Friendship" Facebook Party and giving away several fantastic prizes – a KINDLE, some of her own beautiful artwork, a book club prize pack, and more! Click for details and don’t miss the fun. Discover Nicole's unforgettable coming-of-age story about love, loss and purpose.http://litfusegroup."com/blogtours/text/13454766"
I love Orange Juice - for breakfast, dunking graham crackers, with cinnamon rolls, popcorn or as a snack. I recently tried the Raspberry Lemonade which is my favorite. It's not overly sweet which is great for me - I find regular Orange Juice can almost be too sweet for me and sometimes it just makes me thirstier. I'll definitely be keeping this juice on my grocery list in the future.
Tropicana has created a new drink designed to help you lose weight and control your sugar intake at the same time. Trop50 Beverage is naturally flavored Stevia and comes in 12 great flavors including:
Raspberry Lemonade,
Red Orange,
Farmstand Apple,
Pomegranite Blueberry,
Pineapple Mango Orange w/ Pulp, No Pulp and Calcium!
and 3 great teas too!
50 percent less sugar and calories,
and no artificial sweeteners.
Be sure to enter the giveaway for a $1000 gift card on Tropicana's FB page. It ends 1/31 - so today is a Flash giveaway of sorts - only it's on FB!
Share on YOUR FB page: Reveal the truth behind your New Year's resolution and receive a $1 off Trop50 coupon for yourself and 50¢ off coupons for 50 of your friends. You can also enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card (NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends 1/31/12. See Official Rules for details.). http://tiny.cc/d6eba
Tweet: Reveal the truth behind Ur New Year's resolution; grab a $1 off #Trop50 for yourself & 50¢ off coupons for 50 friends. http://tiny.cc/d6eba
I was given a coupon to try the NEW Trop50 drink of my choice. I was not required to write a positive review and no money exchanged hands.
" Enter to win an iPod Nano and Season 1 of Downtown Abbey in Rosslyn Elliott’s Sweeter Than Birdsong Giveaway! Find out who won during the Author Chat Party on Facebook (Feb 28th)! Chat fun prizes and more. All the details here: http://litfusegroup.com/
