I spend a lot of time at the computer, and sometimes it seems like my hand is permanently glued to the mouse. Often, my fingers feel stiff and cold - especially during the winter. Even now, with the air conditioning on, my hands get uncomfortable when I've been clicking away for a while. So, I was excited to try out the ValueRays® USB Mouse Hand Warmer.

The ValueRays Mouse Hand Warmer is a 12x12" pouch that can fit comfortably just about any mouse pad and mouse. The pouch is fleece on the top and has a non-slip bottom side with net opening to facilitate clear optical connection with a wireless mouse. For people like me who use a USB-connected mouse, it is recommended to cut a small slit into the mesh and pass the mouse cable through there.

The mouse hand warmer connects to your computer via a USB port and uses electricity generated by your PC. Once you connect the USB cable, there is no need to crawl behind your PC every time you want to unplug it - there is an easy disconnect right next to the pouch so you can turn off the heating device when not in use. The heat is infrared and the wiring is low, 5V, safe for computers and people.

The pouch felt like a soft, warm blanket on my hand, and I liked the cozy feeling. The infrared heat decreased my discomfort from spending long hours using the mouse. I remember reading about infrared heat therapy being used by physical therapists to relax muscles and speed up healing of injuries. Here is some more information about infrared heat from the Warm Mouse, Heated Keyboard's website:



The pouch can be hand-washed and air-dried - just be careful not to wash the cord or the USB connector.

The Mouse Hand Warmer is ideal for people with cold hands and for just about anyone who spends long hours with a mouse in hand. It would make a great gift, too.

In addition to the Mouse Hand Warmer, Warm Mouse Heated Keyboard offers a variety of ValueRays hand warmer products, such as a mouse, mouse pad, keyboard pad, and two- to five-piece sets that include everything your computer hands may need to feel warm.

ValueRays® USB Mouse Hand Warmer
ValueRays® WARM Mouse
ValueRays® WARM Mouse Pad
ValueRays® WARM Computer Keyboard Pad

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win the same Mouse Hand Warmer that I received, courtesy of Warm Mouse Heated Keyboard!

To enter, comment below which product you are most interested in. Please make sure to leave an e-mail address if not visible in your blogger profile. Also, if you qualify for any of the bonus entries, leave a separate comment for each.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• subscribe to their e-mail list and receive a discount code;
• if you have a website or a blog, join their affiliate program where you can earn 20% commission;
• visit the learning center and tell me one thing you learned;
• visit their Partners page and follow them on twitter and / or Facebook;
  
• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Mouse Hand Warmer Review and Giveaway at Just Another New Blog http://tiny.cc/A3dm3";
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, etc. this giveaway using the Share / Save buttons below this post - one entry for each;
  
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did - you get one extra entry for each giveaway you enter.

The deadline to enter is August 15, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. only. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Good luck!

Book Description
In a world of modern, involved, caring parents, why are so many kids aggressive and cruel? Where is intelligence hidden in the brain, and why does that matter? Why do cross-racial friendships decrease in schools that are more integrated? If 98% of kids think lying is morally wrong, then why do 98% of kids lie? What's the single most important thing that helps infants learn language?

NurtureShock is a groundbreaking collaboration between award-winning science journalists Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. They argue that when it comes to children, we've mistaken good intentions for good ideas. With impeccable storytelling and razor-sharp analysis, they demonstrate that many of modern society's strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring--because key twists in the science have been overlooked.

Nothing like a parenting manual, the authors' work is an insightful exploration of themes and issues that transcend children's (and adults') lives.

The Giveaway
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I am giving away FIVE copies of this book! You can enter by commenting below with the title of a book you really liked.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Parenting Book Giveaway: 5 readers win NurtureShock at Just Another New Blog http://tiny.cc/T6bnp ";
• add this giveaway - or any of my current giveaways - to a Mr. Linky and let me know where to find it - you get two entries for every giveaway that you help promote, leave a separate comment for each;
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, etc. this giveaway using the Share / Save buttons below this post - one entry for each;
  
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did - you get one extra entry for each giveaway you enter.

The deadline to enter is August 20, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. or Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information was provided by the publisher.

Good luck!

Hachette Book Group is about to release two fascinating new titles that are definitely on my to-read list! The first one, Light Up Your Child's Mind, falls into the education, family, and relationships category, and is co-authored by Joseph Renzulli, Sally Reis, and Andrea Thompson. The second book, NurtureShock, will be published in September and is written by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. I am happy to introduce both!

Book Description
Based on the renowned "Renzulli Method," which has been adopted in schools all over the country, LIGHT UP YOUR CHILD'S MIND presents a practical program to help children fire up a love of learning to last a lifetime. World-renowned experts Drs. Renzulli and Reis illustrate the crucial role parents can play in their children's development and address how they can work with teachers to enhance their children's education. They uncover the hidden potential of daydreamers, rebels, and one-track minds, arguing that gifted behavior--basic smarts, high levels of task commitment, and creativity--can be fostered in bright children, even unmotivated ones. Step by step, LIGHT UP YOUR CHILD'S MIND will show parents how to set their kids on the path to a rewarding future.


The Giveaway
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I am giving away FIVE copies of this book! You can enter by commenting below with the title of a book you really liked.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Parenting Book Giveaway: 5 readers win Light Up Your Child's Mind at Just Another New Blog http://tiny.cc/JiCrU ";
• add this giveaway - or any of my current giveaways - to a Mr. Linky and let me know where to find it - you get two entries for every giveaway that you help promote, leave a separate comment for each;
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, etc. this giveaway using the Share / Save buttons below this post - one entry for each;
  
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did - you get one extra entry for each giveaway you enter.

The deadline to enter is August 20, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. or Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information was provided by the publisher.

Good luck!

Our friends at SwagGrabber found a great deal on a McAfee product at Amazon.com! When I went over to investigate, it was quite a bit later in the day, and the product was different - but the great deal remains! If you need an internet security software, hop over to Amazon where you can get the McAfee Internet Security Software 2009 (3 users) for free after rebate! The price is $60 and there is a mail-in rebate form for $60. Make sure you purchase it directly from Amazon and not from one of the sellers serviced by Amazon. You have to act fast because the software must be purchased by 8/1 and rebate form postmarked by 9/1. This is perfect if you have more than one computer at home!

I have a great treat for you! Not one but two fun summer reads. If you are a fan of historical romance, A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore is just the book for you. What about witches and fiends, thrown in a mix of mortal danger and all-engulfing passion? Then check out My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel.

Book Description: A Hint of Wicked
Now Sophie must choose between her first love and her new love, knowing that no matter what, her choice will destroy one of the men she adores. Will it be Garrett, her childhood sweetheart, whose loss nearly destroyed her once already? Or will it be Tristan, beloved friend turned lover, who supported her through the last, dark years and introduced her to a passion she had never known?

“…one of the best historical romances I have read this year.” --Fallen Angel Reviews

Book Description: My Forbidden Desire
Alexandrine Marit is a witch in mortal danger. An evil mage craves the powerful, mysterious talisman that supplies her magic, and the only person who can keep her safe is a dark and dangerous fiend called Xia. With his fierce animosity toward witches, he's hardly the ideal bodyguard. Yet as days turn into nights, she can't deny the white-hot passion between them.

“My Forbidden Desire is a sexy, engrossing read, one that I really enjoyed.” –DearAuthor.com

The Giveaway
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I am giving away FIVE copies of EACH of these books! You can enter for either or both, just mention your preference and recommend a book you read and loved.

For extra entries, feel free to do any or all of the following:

• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Romance Package Giveaway: Win Two Great Summer Reads at Just Another New Blog http://tiny.cc/SI672 ";
• add this giveaway - or any of my current giveaways - to a Mr. Linky and let me know where to find it - you get two entries for every giveaway that you help promote, leave a separate comment for each;
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, etc. this giveaway using the Share / Save buttons below this post - one entry for each;
  
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did - you get one extra entry for each giveaway you enter.

The deadline to enter is August 19, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. or Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information was provided by the publisher.

Good luck!

I love trying new foods and recipes. It is important to me to make healthy and nutritious meals for my family. We use mostly olive oil and canola for cooking. I had never tried coconut oil so I was excited to receive some Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions. I had no idea what a versatile product it was! I learned a lot about coconut oil from the book that came with it: Virgin Coconut Oil: How It Has Changed People's Lives, and How It Can Change Yours!, by Brian and Marianita Jader Shilhavy. The book contains over 85 recipes and I am looking forward to trying them out. In addition, it is full of information about coconut oil and its many uses.

The Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is unrefined and made from organic coconuts. The coconuts are used fresh and come from small family farms in the Philippines. According to the company's website, the volcanic soil there makes these coconuts some of the most nutritionally rich coconuts in the world. No chemicals or high-heat treatment are used to make this coconut oil, and it contains no trans-fatty acids.

There are many ways to use coconut oil in the kitchen. Any recipe calling for butter, margarine, or other oil can be substituted for coconut oil. I have not tried it in coffee, tea, or smoothies but people use it that way, or eat it by the spoonfull.

I was surprised to find out that coconut oil has been used for hair treatments for thousands of years. I plan to try it, and if you are interested, read more about this use of coconut oil here.

Nutritionally, one tablespoon of this coconut oil has 117 calories, about the same as my favorite brand of olive oil. The first thing I noticed when I opened the jar was the thickness and the pleasant smell. I made some eggs and a vegetable stir-fry using the coconut oil, and my kitchen smelled heavenly! Coconut is one of my favorite scents and I use coconut soap and candles all the time. The oil gives a nice, subtle nutty flavor to the food and it tastes delicious.

The Tropical Traditions website has loads of information about coconut oil, including recipes. The book I received is also a great resource.

Giveaway
Tropical Traditions is giving away one quart (32 fl. oz) of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, the same I received, to one lucky reader of Just Another New Blog!

To enter, visit Tropical Traditions and leave a comment about something you learned, a product you are interested in, or a recipe you'd like to try.

For extra entries, do any or all of the following:

• subscribe to Tropical Traditions' newsletter and get 2 entries;
  
• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "Win one quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil at Just Another New Blog giveaway ends 8/19 http://tiny.cc/htDST";
• add this giveaway - or any of my current giveaways - to a Mr. Linky and let me know where to find it - you get two entries for every giveaway that you help promote, leave a separate comment for each;
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, etc. this giveaway using the Share / Save buttons below this post - one entry for each;
  
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did - you get one extra entry for each giveaway you enter.

The deadline to enter is August 19, 2009, 11:59pm EST. One winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. You will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. only. No P.O. box addresses, please. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Good luck!

The five winners of our The Impostor's Daughter giveaway have been chosen at random! Hachette Book Group, the sponsor, will be sending copies to: #91 Carolyn, #124 Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug), #172 etirv, #180 MoziEsme, and #196 Shawna. They have claimed their prizes.

Congratulations to our winners, and remember to check out my other nine giveaways!

As a parent, I have had to take my kids to a doctor numerous times - and many of these have been weekend visits. We are fortunate to have a children's hospital and urgent care facilities nearby, but an emergency is still an emergency. I have never second-guessed myself about taking my children to urgent care - better safe than sorry.

Dr. Lara Zibners, author of If Your Kid..., has worked as an emergency room pediatrician and has put together a comprehensive manual to help parents tell apart real emergencies from less severe conditions that can be treated at home. It is not a substitute for professional medical care and as the doctor herself states, it is just a guide and you have to trust your gut. However, if you are going online at 2 a.m. to find out if your kid's vomit has a color you should be concerned about, this is the book for you.

Dr. Zibners devotes a chapter each to the newborn's body, behavior and sympthoms, the breathing and circulation, the head and the nervous system, eyes and ears, nose, mouth, and throat, and so on. She basically covers the whole body in the 300-plus pages of her book and gives her readers the point of view of a medical professional, while keeping her sense of humor. Some important advice is clearly highlighted in text boxes throughout the book. The 911 situations - when you absolutely need to take your child to the ER right away - are similarly set apart.

If Your Kid... educates and prepares parents as best as a book could for emergency situations. It contains a wealth of useful information that I think is best learned BEFORE crisis strikes. In case you are one of the people who can keep their cool enough to be able to consult a book while under considerable stress, there is a comprehensive index covering everything from abdominal pain to zipper injuries, with the corresponding page number.

If Your Kid Eats This Book, Everything Will Still Be Okay would make a valuable addition to any parent's library, and a great and much appreciated gift both for new and experienced parents and caregivers. Find out where to purchase Dr. Zibner's book here.

Many thanks to Hachette Book Group for this review opportunity.

Fairy Hunters, Ink. is a children's book by Sheila A. Dane that came out at the end of last year. In the spirit of Alice in Wonderland and Winnie the Pooh, Fairy Hunters, Ink. tells the story of the fairies who live around us. The book follows the adventures of a group of fairy hunters - Ashley, Big Rabbit and Turtle - who meet a number of magical creatures. We discover the mud puddle fairy, the closet hanger fairies, the teacup fairy, the button fairies, the basket fairy, the book fairies and other mischievous friends. If you ever wondered why your clothes end up on the closet's floor or what teacup fairies like to eat, this is the book for you. The story is narrated by Laura, an amused yet wise observer who teaches tolerance and helps resolve conflicts among the fairy hunters.

I liked the whimsical illustrations by artist Rose Csorba. The pictures are a perfect addition to the story and together, take the readers' imagination on a journey filled with magic and wonder.

My daughter was enchanted by this book, and as we read it, we had discussions about what other fairies may live in our house. We figured there must be a cookie fairy who likes to snack on cookies from the pantry, and laundry fairy who makes our clothes dry overnight. The dance fairies help us with ballet class, and the music fairies love to dance.

One thing I would recommend for a future edition - maybe in hardcover - would be to use brighter paper, so the illustrations stand out the way they deserve.

Fairy Hunters, Ink. is available as an e-book or in paperback. You can see samples of the book and illustrations, as well as find out where to buy it, on FairyHunters.net.

Many thanks to the author and Bostick Communications for this review opportunity.

One of my favorite things to do when on vacation is taking pictures. I enjoy capturing my memories and take photos of everything - my family, scenery, buildings, just whatever strikes my fancy. Ever since I started using a digital camera, I have taken thousands of photos. I diligently edit them and back them up regularly. One thing I have not been good about is printing pics out. So this year, one of my resolutions is to have some of my favorite shots printed out in poster size and hang them up around the house.

If you love taking photos as much as I do, chances are you have plenty that you would love showing off! Now you have a chance to win an 18x24" photo poster print from Digital Room and enlarge that special picture you've been wanting to display.

Digital Room offers standard and custom-size photo posters. I love supporting businesses that are environmentally responsible, and am happy to say that Digital Room uses soy and vegetable based inks and recycled FSC / SFI certified stocks. They are a division of U-Printing Network and have a wide variety of products, from brochures to calendars to cards and flyers.

Digital Room have generously offered one 18x24" poster print to a reader of Just Another New Blog! As a thank you for hosting this giveaway, I am also getting one poster print. You can see my picture choice above - it's going to look great, framed on my wall!

To enter, comment below and tell me what photo you would have printed if you win. Once you have fulfilled this mandatory entry, here are some ways you can get an extra chance to win:

• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day;
• add this giveaway - or any of my current giveaways - to a Mr. Linky and let me know where to find it - you get two entries for every giveaway that you help promote, leave a separate comment for each;
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did - you get one extra entry for each giveaway you enter.

The deadline to enter is August 3, 2009, 11:59pm EST. One winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. You will have 48 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. or Canada only. Ground shipping of prizes is free, but there is a $5 handling fee that must be paid by winner. Digital Room reserves the right not to print obscene or offensive materials. All designs submitted in the form of a giveaway may be used by Digital Room for online marketing and promotional uses. The designs will be used solely as examples and will not be printed or commercially distributed.

Good luck!

Today, July 23, Amazon is having a 50% off sale on kids' clothing! If the children in your life are fans of brands such as Quiksilver, Roxy, DC, Hurley, Puma, Guess, and O'Neill, make sure you check out the deals. About 280 items are included in the sale.

This is Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day, so hurry - these do not last very long.

I found a new site, SheBlogs.org, where women bloggers can register and get opportunities to connect with PR and marketing professionals. The site is now in pre-launch and accepts registrations - for free! Check it out and when you register, please mention that Just Another New Blog referred you!

Off Season is the first Anne Rivers Siddons book that I have read. Rivers Siddons is the bestselling author of 16 other novels, and now I feel I need to read every one of them.

Lilly, the book's main character, is a woman in her 50s who has just been widowed. She travels with her husband's ashes to their favorite spot off the coast of Maine, and in the process, tells the story of her life. From growing up enjoying summers in Maine with her perfect family, to falling in love for the first time and encountering tragedy and loss, Lilly's journey has been filled with beauty and emotion. The author masterfully depicts both the picturesque Maine nature and the feelings of Lilly and the people who surround her. I loved Lilly's character and, along with her, experienced joy and grief, excitement and despair. Her parents' characters - the university professor and the beautiful, accomplished painter and activist - are convincing and complex. This is one of these books I did not want to end. Speaking of endings, Off Season's finale is surprising and would be unexpected for many - it certainly was for me.

Off Season is a wonderful book, and I recommend that you read it. You can buy it at book retailers, or enter my giveaway by 7/28 to win one of five copies!

Many thanks to Hachette Book Group for this review opportunity.

The three winners of our The Bourne Deception audiobook giveaway have been chosen at random! Hachette Book Group, the sponsor, will be sending copies to: #1 Suzanne, #20 CherylS22, and #44 Toni. They have been contacted and have 72 hours to claim their prizes.

Congratulations to our winners, and remember to check out my other audiobook giveaway, The Juror (ends 8/5).

* Update: CherylS22 has won this audiobook elsewhere, so the new winner is #61, The Bluths! All winners have now claimed their books. *

I have added some cute share / save buttons below each post. You get an extra entry in any of my giveaways that you stumble, technorati, digg, etc. using these. Feel free to do as many as you like! Just leave a separate comment with your user name or a link. And don't forget you can add my button to your site for TWO extra giveaway entries!

The three winners of our Swimsuit audiobook giveaway have been chosen at random! Hachette Book Group, the sponsor, will be sending copies to: #29 Debs Desk, #38 Mama Snow, and #11 Secret Life of a WAHM. They have been contacted and have 72 hours to claim their prizes.

Congratulations to our winners, and remember to check out my other audiobook giveaways: The Bourne Deception (ends 7/21) and The Juror (ends 8/5).

* Update: #11 has already won this book at another blog, and the new winner is #17, Holly! *

A month ago, we came back from a family vacation to find out that our Bissell vacuum cleaner has lost all suction. After unpacking five suitcases and doing a mountain of laundry, cleaning could not be put off any longer. We had been gone for three weeks, and I could almost see the dust bunnies partying. So, I did what I always do when a major purchase is looming - I went online and started weighing my options.

I had heard about Dyson vacuum cleaners before, and even eyed them at my local Costco a few times. From what I read, many people swore by their Dyson vacuum and some complained about their carpets losing some fibers because of the strong suction. The higher price was a downside - an upright Dyson can cost you between $400 an $600, and this is not an amount I would spend without careful consideration.

I have mostly carpet at my house, some hardwood and tile. No one at home has allergies or asthma but a clean house is important to me, especially since we have kids. Vacuuming is not my favorite chore - it ranks below doing laundry and somewhere above dusting, scrubbing bathrooms, and ironing. I'd rather spend time with my family, books and computer, than with household cleaners and appliances.

That said, I wanted a good vacuum cleaner since we would be spending quality time together every few days for the next five years (at least that's how long the Bissell lasted). So, after a couple of hours reading reviews and comparing prices, I headed to my local Costco where, according to their website, the Dyson DC17 was priced at $399, about $150 cheaper than most other stores I could find it online.

Besides the Dyson, Costco had several cleaners of similar size - Bissell, Electrolux, Hoover, and Eureka. I did not want another Bissell because I was not particularly happy with mine, despite using it for 5 years. It was heavy, needed various filters to be replaced regularly, and did I mention how it just lost suction one day? The Dyson was actually priced at $429 - about three times more expensive than the average other vacuum on the shelf, and $150 more than the Electrolux model, the second most expensive one.

What finally sold me on the Dyson - besides all the rave reviews I had seen - was the 5 year warranty and the cyclone technology that makes it not lose suction, ever. Not to mention the dusting brush, flexi crevice tool and mattress tool that came with this DC17. I also loved the design - elegant lines, gray and blue, with just a touch of red on the release button. I decided that if this vacuum does not live up to my expectations, it was going back to the store, pronto.

I took the DC17 home, still reeling a bit from the price shock. I knew Dyson was pricey but having just paid for one made me just a tad light headed. When my husband hauled the box out of the trunk, he asked how much it was. Since Dyson does not manufacture cars, I imagine the brand means nothing to most guys, so I was not surprised that he thought I was kidding when I told him the DC17 price. Well, he knows my money-saving ways and was surprised I would choose an expensive alternative to the Bissell that seemed perfectly adequate - that is, until it died. What can I say, vacuuming is not one of hubby's chores.

I got the Dyson out of the box, put it together - a breeze, despite some reviews that said people had a hard time doing this - and started vacuuming. I was amazed at how much dust it sucked out! True, my carpets had not seen the business end of a vacuum for three weeks but none of the others I have owned was ever able to do anything like this. I had to empty the canister three times before I was done with the whole house. I did not see any noticeable carpet fibers in the trash, maybe because my carpet is 5 years old and all potential shedding is over by now.

Emptying the dirt is very easy - just hold the whole canister, still closed, over the garbage bin and press a button. The bottom opens, and out with the dust! There is a washable HEPA filter that does not need to be replaced. If you are like me and have bought the original, factory sealed filters for your Bissell cleaner online, then found out they do not fit by a fraction of an inch - just larger enough to be useless - you would understand how great this feature is. I read that Dyson are the first and only vacuums certified as asthma friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.

The DC17 is surprisingly nimble and easy to move around. The brush can be turned off to clean floors without carpeting. The handle is ergonomically designed and the cleaner does not feel very heavy when I had to lug it up and down the stairs. The Dyson sounded less noisy than our old vacuum, too.

My carpets looked clean, and felt fluffier than they have ever been since we moved in the house five years ago. I was sold! When my husband saw what the DC17 had sucked out of our seemingly clean carpets, he was impressed, too. Even my daughter wanted to use the vacuum, although she does have a small Eureka that I let her use to vacuum.

One thing I would like to see in the DC17 is a retractable cord. I have not tried the telescopic wand that allows for high-reach cleaning, and I am looking forward to testing the dusting tool, as well.

Overall, I must say that these days I cannot wait to use my Dyson. Vacuuming has climbed the charts and I consider it my favorite household chore. It remains to be seen whether the Dyson DC17 is the household investment that I consider it to be; I like that Dyson offers the 5-year warranty, should anything go wrong. For now, I would say the DC17 is worth every penny.

* Disclaimer: this review was not sponsored or endorsed by Dyson nor Costco. The views and opinions expressed in this post are based on my own experience. The picture of the DC17 was obtained with permission from the company's website. To see more pictures of this and other Dyson products, as well as technical specifications, please visit www.dyson.com. *

The three winners of our The Way Home audiobook giveaway have been chosen at random! Hachette Book Group, the sponsor, will be sending copies of this George Pelecanos book to: #26 JenniferB, #52 Julie, and #68 Sue. They have been contacted and have 72 hours to claim their prizes.

Congratulations to our winners, and remember to check out my other audiobook giveaways: Swimsuit (ends 7/20), The Bourne Deception (ends 7/21), and The Juror (ends 8/5).

***Update: all winners have claimed their prize. ***

The three winners of the Cemetery Dance audiobook giveaway have been chosen at random! Hachette Book Group, the sponsor, will be sending copies to: #11 Risingsouth, #20 I am Lee-Ann.., and #31 Eowynlyn. They have been contacted and have 72 hours to claim their prizes.

Congratulations to our winners, and remember to check out my other audiobook giveaways: The Way Home (ends 7/19), Swimsuit (ends 7/20), The Bourne Deception (ends 7/21), and The Juror (ends 8/5).

***Update: all winners have claimed their prize. ***

Summer is vacation season for many. With the kids out of school and the weather warming up, we start thinking about changing the scenery and exploring other places. Personally, I love to travel but dislike the crowds that popular locations attract. I recently came across a great travel guide that Reader's Digest revised and updated this year.

Off the Beaten Path lists more than 1,000 travel destinations that are rather overlooked as typical touristy spots. It is printed on high quality paper and beautifully illustrated, complete with travel maps. Armed with this book, you can become a modern road warrior in search of exciting natural wonders, breathtaking scenery, and surprising destinations. When you return from your trip, keep Off the Beaten Path on the coffee table and boast to all your friends about the discoveries made during your last vacation.

The book is organized by state, and every destination is listed with an address, phone number and website, when available. There is short description of its history, how the name came about, and so on. You can find out whether the place is open year round, charges admission, or encourages donations. Icons below each site information show what you can do there: picnicking, camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, bicycling, and so on. Pet friendly and accessible facilities, as well as wi-fi access are indicated, too. For each state, there is a list of seasonal events by month, complete with a state website where you can find additional information. I particularly enjoyed reading the curious tidbits that appear in "Did You Know?" boxes throughout the book.

For every state, there is a well-designed map that shows the numbered location of every point of interest in the book. The legend explains the additional information available on the map - for example, whether the road is free or toll, the distance between major highways, and recreation and features of interest.

I found several spots within a couple of hours from my house that would be perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. State parks, museums, reserves, the possibilities are many and exciting. For kids, I found fun and educational places that would be attractive for the whole family.

Whether you are planning a road trip or a field trip, this wonderful book will help you find interesting places that you probably never heard of - and are still relatively uncrowded.

Many thanks to FSB Associates for this review opportunity and for the cover art used in this post.

The three winners of The Scarecrow audiobook giveaway have been chosen at random! Hachette Book Group, the sponsor, will be sending a copy of The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly audiobook to: #4 Natalie W., #49 Gwendolyn B., and #58 Sara. They have been contacted and claimed their prizes.

Congratulations to our winners, and remember to check out my other audiobook giveaways: Cemetery Dance (ends tonight, 7/18), The Way Home (ends tomorrow, 7/19), Swimsuit (ends 7/20), The Bourne Deception (ends 7/21), and The Juror (ends 8/5).

The winners of the How to Score giveaway have been chosen at random! Hachette Book Group, the sponsor, will be sending a copy of How to Score by Robin Wells to: #50 amanda, #81 Shelly T., #86 Jenny N., #98 throuthehaze, and #31 Anita Yancey. They have been contacted and claimed their prizes.

Congratulations to our winners, and remember to look for this fun summer read at book retailers.

I finally have my own button! It's on the right sidebar. If you have a blog and would like to add it to your collection, thank you! And for those who enter my awesome giveaways - I will give you TWO extra entries in every giveaway if you grab my button for your site. Just leave a comment on the giveaway post and tell me where to find the button.

Thank you, Kathleen of Katydid and Kid, for the wonderful Tech Tuesday post that helped me figure out how to share my button code.

* Update: See how to get extra entries here and here! *
Book Description
The Harmattan wind scorches across Nigeria, and an old man lies dying. His community gathers to pay its respects; their haunting songs echoing in the warm twilight. Tomi Akinyanmi, his eldest granddaughter, is present along with the rest of the family, and as she listens to Grandpa's last words, she feels a resonance deep within her heart. For Grandpa doesn't talk of regrets, or petty grievances, instead he talks softly about life; how to survive, how to be happy, how to achieve self-respect.

My Review
Tomi's book is a moving tribute to a loved grandfather, honoring the legacy of a long life in simple yet powerful prose. This book is small, barely a hundred generously spaced pages, yet it is filled with wisdom and beauty. I could tell that the author's first love was poetry - short verses can be found in her narrative, and at times, even her prose sounds like a poem. Tomi's book is a tribute to a long and well-lived life. She fills page after page with simple wisdom and reflections on life, love, happiness, giving, power, and time. A Worthy Legacy made me think about what we leave behind for our children, and how worldly possessions may wither and disappear but the wisdom of past generations lasts forever.

A Worthy Legacy has received several literary awards.

I am delighted to participate in the A Worthy Legacy blog tour. Tomi will be visiting each blog on the day of the tour stop, and you can ask her questions, too!

Make sure you visit the other blog tour stops and see what everyone has to say about A Worthy Legacy. You can buy Tomi's book on her website, or find it at book retailers.

The Giveaway
Tomi has graciously agreed to send ONE AUTOGRAPHED COPY of A Worthy Legacy to a reader of Just Another New Blog! To enter, please do one - or both to double your chances! - of the following:

• join A Worthy Legacy on Facebook;
  
• follow Tomi on twitter (@tomiakinyanmi).
  

• tell me what was the last book you enjoyed reading;
• follow my blog (see right sidebar);
• subscribe to my feed by e-mail (see right sidebar);
• add my link to your blog roll;
  
• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and leave your twitter name;
• tweet about this giveaway and comment with the link to your tweet – you can do this once a day;
• add this giveaway - or any of my current giveaways - to a Mr. Linky and let me know where to find it - you get two entries for every giveaway that you help promote, leave a separate comment for each;
  
• add my blog to your Technorati favorites (click on link or see right sidebar);
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did.

The deadline to enter is July 31, 2009, 11:59pm EST. One winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. You will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. or Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. Book information was provided by the publisher.

Good luck!

* Update: See how to get extra entries here and here! *
Book Description
Killer Chevy Bankes is a master of disguise, and just paroled, he's coming after the woman who sent him to jail, the beautiful antiques expert Beth Denison. A set of antique dolls brings Beth into his sight, and inspire Chevy's disturbing crimes as he draws closer to Beth and her young daughter. Chevy sends the dolls to Beth one-by-one and she soon realizes that these antiques carry the same marks as his victims, signaling that the final piece in his collection will be for her.

Neil Sheridan gave up his FBI shield five years ago, but his best friend Rick, a cop, pulls him in as a consultant on a case involving a serial killer who is eerily similar to a murderer Neil encountered in the past. The investigation leads Neil to Beth's doorstep, and he is certain she isn't telling him the truth. Neil is the only one who can get through Beth's defenses and, as they grow closer, discover the secrets that Beth is hiding about her fateful night with Chevy.

The Giveaway
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have the opportunity to give away FIVE copies of One Scream Away!

To enter, please leave a comment below. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address if not visible in your blogger profile.

For extra entries, you can do one or all of the following - please leave a separate comment for each:

• tell me what was the last book you enjoyed reading;
• follow my blog (see right sidebar);
• subscribe to my feed by e-mail (see right sidebar);
• add my link to your blog roll;
  
• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and leave your twitter name;
• tweet about this giveaway and comment with the link to your tweet – you can do this once a day;
• add this giveaway - or any of my current giveaways - to a Mr. Linky and let me know where to find it - you get two entries for every giveaway that you help promote, leave a separate comment for each;
  
• add my blog to your Technorati favorites (click on link or see right sidebar);
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did - you get one extra entry for each giveaway you enter.

The deadline to enter is August 7, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. You will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. or Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information was provided by the publisher.

Good luck!

* Update: See how to get extra entries here and here! *
I have an exciting audiobook giveaway for you - The Juror by George Dawes Green, read by Lolita Davidovich and John Heard.

Book Description
Annie Laird is Juror 224. A good citizen who has been summoned to what looks like a routine tour of civic duty. But the trial she is called to serve on is a mob trial, whose outcome has been meticulously orchestrated by a man of insidious power and deadly precision. THE JUROR is a tour de force of crime and obsession, evil and innocence -- a story that taps into fears so primal they linger long after the last page has been read.


The Giveaway
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have the opportunity to give away THREE copies of The Juror!

To enter, please leave a comment below. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address if not visible in your blogger profile.

For extra entries, you can do one or all of the following - please leave a separate comment for each:

• tell me what was the last book you enjoyed reading;
• follow my blog (see right sidebar);
• subscribe to my feed by e-mail (see right sidebar);
• add my link to your blog roll;
  
• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and leave your twitter name;
• tweet about this giveaway and comment with the link to your tweet – you can do this once a day;
• add this giveaway - or any of my current giveaways - to a Mr. Linky and let me know where to find it - you get two entries for every giveaway that you help promote, leave a separate comment for each;
  
• add my blog to your Technorati favorites (click on link or see right sidebar);
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did.

The deadline to enter is August 5, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. You will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. or Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information was provided by the publisher.

Good luck!

The five winners of The Night Gardener giveaway have been selected, courtesy of Random.org. Hachette Book Group, the sponsor of this giveaway, will be mailing a copy of this George Pelecanos book to: #20 Barb, #42 Carol, #88 Vmichelle, #95 Ammie, and #141 Darcy.

Congratulations to our winners, and if you are a Pelecanos fan, remember to enter for a chance to win The Way Home audiobook! This giveaway ends on Sunday, July 19.

Stay tuned for my forthcoming review of The Night Gardener.

The five winners of the Julie & Julia giveaway have been selected, courtesy of Random.org. Hachette Book Group, the sponsor of this giveaway, will be mailing a copy of this Julie Powell book to: #24 ilja, #106 nfmgirl, #119 Nancy, #127 Amy, and #160 CherylF. (The Lucky Ladybug).

Congratulations to our winners, and check out my recent review. I am looking forward to seeing the movie - Julie & Julia opens in August!

* Update: See how to get extra entries here and here! *
Are you a fan of historical romance? I have a new treat for you! Margaret Mallory's first book, Knight of Desire, just came out July 1. A handsome warrior, a beautiful woman with secrets, love and passion, intrigue and danger... Read on!

Book Description
His surcoat still bloody from battle, William FitzAlan comes to claim the strategic borderlands granted to him by the king. One last prize awaits him at the castle gates: the lovely Lady Catherine Rayburn.

Catherine risked everything to spy for the crown. Her reward? Her lands are declared forfeit and she is given this choice: marry FitzAlan or be taken to the Tower. Catherine agrees to give her handsome new husband her body, but she's keeping secrets, and dare not give him her heart. As passion ignites and danger closes in, Catherine and William must learn to trust in each other to save their marriage, their land, and their very lives.

The Giveaway
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have the opportunity to give away FIVE copies of Knight of Desire!

To enter, please leave a comment below. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address if not visible in your blogger profile.

For extra entries, you can do one or all of the following - please leave a separate comment for each:

• tell me what was the last book you enjoyed reading;
• follow my blog (see right sidebar);
• subscribe to my feed by e-mail (see right sidebar);
• add my link to your blog roll;
  
• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and leave your twitter name;
• tweet about this giveaway and comment with the link to your tweet – you can do this once a day;
• add this giveaway - or any of my current giveaways - to a Mr. Linky and let me know where to find it - you get two entries for every giveaway that you help promote, leave a separate comment for each;
  
• add my blog to your Technorati favorites (click on link or see right sidebar);
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did.

The deadline to enter is August 4, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. You will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. or Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information was provided by the publisher.

Good luck!

In May, I hosted a giveaway for The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson. Five of my lucky readers won this book, courtesy of Hachette Book Group. I also received my review copy and last night was up way after my usual bedtime because I just could not put it down! I finished it after midnight, and although I am feeling a bit sleep deprived, I cannot wait to share my thoughts.

Laurel has a picture perfect life: a beautiful home, successful husband, adorable teenage daughter. One night, this peaceful existence is shattered when her daughter's best friend is found drowned in their pool. Laurel must find out the truth about the girl's death before it destroys everything she holds dear. In her search, Laurel has to confront her own painful past and deal with her family's secrets before the ghost of the drowned girl can be put to rest.

Joshilyn Jackson is a master storyteller, peeling layer after layer of deception, until she leads the reader to what really happened to The Girl Who Stopped Swimming. Laurel's quest is painful yet redeeming, and she finds truths of her own while uncovering the secrets of her family and friends.

Ms. Jackson said in an interview once that her book was about poverty. This is certainly true - poverty not just as in lack of money but also in terms of moral and emotional depravity. In my opinion, this book is also about family, love, and truth, about asking and finding forgiveness, and facing one's darkest demons in order to move on.

I greatly enjoyed this book, and recommend that you check it out.

A few weeks ago, I hosted a giveaway for The NDD Book by William Sears, MD, as part of the Gift of Health package. I received my review copy from Hachette Book Group, and started reading The NDD Book right away. I was familiar with Dr. Sears because of visiting his site, AskDrSears.com, many times - both before and after I had my kids.

William Sears, MD and his wife Martha Sears, RN, have practiced pediatrics for over thirty years, and have eight children of their own. Several of these children grew up to join the medical profession, as well. In The NDD Book, Dr. Sears shares his vast professional and personal experience, as well as the latest scientific research on how what our children eat affects their health, behavior, and development. NDD stands for Nutritional Deficit Disorder - a term Dr. Sears came up with to describe just how important proper nutirion is for children and how serious the negative effects of bad eating habits can be.

The NDD Book consists of three parts. In Part I, Dr. Sears explains what exactly Nutrition Deficit Disorder is, how unhealthy food causes NDD, and what steps parents need to take to counteract it. In Part II, the author talks about the seven simple steps parents can take to prevent NDD. He lists good foods and bad foods, and goes beyond that by providing advice on how to communicate good nutrition principles to kids of all ages. It is not enough to simply know what junk food is - as educated parents and consumers, we need to learn how to read labels and recognize what Dr. Sears calls "the sick sixteen" - fake foods and chemicals that have no place in your family's kitchen. On many occasions, I have observed the effects of junk food on myself - how bad food choices make me lethargic and tired, and seem to weigh me down. If an adult can feel like that, imagine how a child whose body is much smaller and more sensitive to additives and chemicals.

Eliminating junk food from kids' diet can have dramatic effect on their learning, behavior, and general wellbeing. Dr. Sears gives many examples of how a child can change thanks to nutritional improvements. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on reshaping young tastes where Dr. Sears gives many ideas of how to best present healthy foods to our children. His 20 ways to introduce new foods to picky eaters are just priceless for parents whose little ones tend to refuse unfamiliar fare before they have even taken a bite.

The chapter on raising supermarket savvy shoppers has tips on how to build lifelong habits of selecting healthy products for best nutrition. I loved the supersnack list and the advice on packing the healthiest school lunch box in later chapters, as well.

The last section of The NDD Book contains child-friendly recipes and menus and is packed with healthy meal ideas I plan to use regularly.

I think any parent, grandparent, or childcare provider who is interested in providing children with the best nutrition and in raising healthy eaters will benefit from reading this book. I recently recommended Smart Mama's Green Guide as a great resource to help limit your family's exposure to toxic chemicals. The knowledge that Smart Mama's Green Guide provides for your home environment, The NDD Book does for your family's food. Buy this book, read it, and follow its advice - your children will thank you.

The Impostor's Daughter is Laurie Sandell's autobiographical book and her first graphic novel. Sandell is a journalist who grew up in the shadow of her father and as an adult, tried to figure out who her dad really was. Her book is about growing up and dealing with relationships, addiction, working with celebrities and disappointment. It is also a detective story as the reader follows Laurie's efforts to peel layer after layer of deception from her life. As much as she loves her father, he is never the person she thinks he is. As an adult, Laurie feels she would never be able to truly deal with her problems until she has dealt with her father's.

This is the first graphic novel I have ever read, and although I am not much of a comics fan, I found Sandell's approach refreshing. Laurie's illustrations add an extra dimension to her funny and honest memoir.

The Impostor's Daughter will be published on July 29. Now you can pre-order it on Amazon, or enter my giveaway for a chance to win one of five copies!

Thanks to Hachette Book Group for this review opportunity.

* Update: See how to get extra entries here and here! *
Book Description
The new Americana romance from bestselling author Dorothy Garlock, this time set against the backdrop of WWII.

Sophie Heller's family immigrated from Germany to Victory, a small town in Illinois, before WWII began. Now that the war has affected the town, the townspeople discriminate against Sophie and her family. When a train derails, it is an accident but the Heller family is blamed. Coming to Sophie's rescue is a teacher from the high school, and despite their cultural differences, a romance starts to bloom.


The Giveaway
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have the opportunity to give away FIVE copies of The Moon Looked Down!

To enter, please leave a comment below. Please make sure to leave your e-mail address if not visible in your blogger profile.

For extra entries, you can do one or all of the following - please leave a separate comment for each:

• tell me what was the last book you enjoyed reading;
• follow my blog (see right sidebar);
• subscribe to my feed by e-mail (see right sidebar);
• add my link to your blog roll;
  
• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow me on twitter and leave your twitter name;
• tweet about this giveaway and comment with the link to your tweet – you can do this once a day;
• add this giveaway - or any of my current giveaways - to a Mr. Linky and let me know where to find it - you get two entries for every giveaway that you help promote, leave a separate comment for each;
  
• add my blog to your Technorati favorites (click on link or see right sidebar);
• enter another one of my giveaways and leave a comment you did.

The deadline to enter is August 1, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Five winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. You will have 72 hours to get back to me, or another winner will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. or Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information was provided by the publisher.

Good luck!

This month, I am hosting a giveaway of Robin Wells' new book, How to Score. I received my review copy from Hachette Book Group last week, and it's a perfect summer read! A handsome FBI agent, a beautiful museum curator, sparks flying, danger brewing, undercover operation in progress, dangerous mobster on the loose - all the ingredients of an exciting story. The book is funny, entertaining, and would make a great romantic comedy movie.

Sammi and Chase seem the typical example of opposites attract. Their chemistry is irresistible, and despite their differences, the two quickly find out that they are a perfect match. However, there are complications: he had been impersonating her life coach, and her romantic past has all too many frogs that did not turn into Prince Charming. Will they live happily ever after?

Sammi and Chase are not the only appealing characters in the book. Sammi's museum nemesis, Ms. Arnette, and her landlord, Mr. Landry, her sister, Chloe, and Horace, the life coach client, are all flawed but endearing, and I liked their stories, too.

I enjoyed reading How to Score, and if you are a fan of contemporary romance, you will, too! You can read the book synopsis at my giveaway post, and enter by July 16 for your chance to win one of five copies.

I was very excited about reading Julie Powell's book, Julie & Julia. I have to tell you - it did not disappoint! In this autobiographical book, Julie, a 29-year old secretary with a dreadful government job, decides to spend a year cooking every recipe from Julia Child's legendary Mastering the Art of French Cooking. And - as a blogger, I find this pure genius! - blogs about it.

Julie's journey is hilarious, filled with mishaps and successes. The complicated French recipes sound foreign and exotic - until Julie translates them into plain English and makes them seem somehow less complicated, even when they are quite challenging. As someone who has taken a few years of French lessons, I loved reading aloud the names of all these recipes in French, just to hear how they sounded.

Somehow, between cooking over 500 dishes of seafood, beef, pork, and desserts, Julie escapes the boredom of her daily grind and finds excitement, even - dare I say it? - joie de vivre. Julia Child and her French cooking change Julie's life. She becomes somewhat of a celebrity, interviewed on national television. The New York Times food critic comes to dinner! As in every good story, there is drama and comedy, triumph and failure, as Julie stubbornly conquers one recipe after another. She makes all 524 in 365 days, just as she planned. And her lucky bleaders (blog readers) are with her every step of the way - just like the readers of her book will. Julie's cooking adventure is inspiring, and I was rooting for her and hoping for a happy ending. Indeed, she learns more than the art of French cooking - she learns the art of living with joy.

Oh yeah, I did look up Julie's blog! Although fascinating, this is not the blog where Julie documented her cooking adventure. The first entry is from August 2005 when she had already finished writing the book. I was somehow disappointed - but hey, I did read the book, so I know all about The Project now. And I need to let you in on a little secret - Julie's second book, Cleaving, will be published this December.

Read this delicious and delightful book - and you can go see the movie next month, too. Julie & Julia premiers in August, and I plan to watch it! Amy Adams stars as Julie, and Meryl Streep as Julia.

In the meantime, you might be one of the five lucky winners of a copy of Julie & Julia! Enter my giveaway - ends July 13.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group for this review opportunity.