I am the kind of person who would get stung by the sole mosquito in a room full of people. I read once that whoever has the highest body temperature - even by a tiny bit - attracts the critters. Whether this is true or not, apparently I am the perfect mosquito treat! My kids seem to have inherited my unfortunate quality.

I am wary about using bug repellents because of all the chemicals they contain. I have been looking for good alternatives that work without exposing my family to a bunch of unpronounceable compounds. Recently, I came across one such product - the Don't Bite Me patch.

The company making the Don't Bite Me patches is based in Houston, TX, where insects are a big problem. The owners are not chemists but parents who wanted to make a difference. The patch delivers a blend of Vitamin B1 and Aloe and reduces human odors that are attractive to insects.

The patch is transparent and easy to apply. I stuck one on myself and on my husband and kids the recommended two hours before we left the house for a day at the zoo. I love that the patches are natural, simple and safe for children as well as for adults. The patch is very discreet and can be worn even under your clothes. For young children, I suggest placing the patch someplace they cannot reach because kids are curious about it and may try to peel it off.

The patch lasts for 36 hours and is easily taken off once you are safely inside and don't need its protection. The Vitamin B1 gives it a faint medicinal smell that is virtually undetectable. No more messy sprays, smelly lotions and wiping squirming children with repellent towelettes! It's so easy to just stick the patch on and feel protected from all kinds of critters. The patch is even waterproof, so you can go swimming with it, take the kids to the water park, and still not have to worry about insects! Whether you are at the park, go camping, do gardening, or are watching an outdoor sporting event, the patch will help you enjoy the outdoors free of insect bites. The Don't Bite Me patch is available online as well as at retailers such as Kroger and Rite Aid.

The company behind the Don't Bite Me patch has generously donated their product to people in countries where disease is a way of life. They work with humanitarian organizations, such as the Light Christian Church and School in Kenya, Feed the Children, and Joyce Meyer Ministries Hand of Hope.

The Giveaway
Three of my readers can win a box of 5 patches each to try this product! To enter, please visit the store search page here and comment below where you can buy the Don't Bite Me patch.

Once you have fulfilled this mandatory entry, feel free to do any or all of the following for extra chance to win:

• visit the product page and tell me something else this company makes;
  
• 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: "3 people win a box of Don't Bite Me patches: safe and natural protection against insect bites #Giveaway @aitmama http://tinyurl.com/ybgll4m";
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• follow me on Networked Blogs;
  
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, facebook, technorati, 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 October 14, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only. Three winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. The winners will receive their prizes directly from the sponsor.

Good luck!

Do you have a checking account with ING Direct? They are giving away $1,000 a day just for paying some bills! All you have to do is pay a bill using Electric Orange Bill Pay from October 1st - November 30th. With each bill you pay, you'll automatically be entered to win $1,000 in a daily drawing or $10,000 in a Grand Prize drawing. You can enter up to 10 times a day. The more bills you pay with Electric Orange Bill Pay, the more chances you have to win. Visit ingdirect.com/billpaysweeps to learn more.

Got bills to pay? Do it the Orange way! (I know, I know - just could not resist ;-))

September 29 is the release date of Joshua Bell's new album, At Home With Friends. Thanks to the One2One Network, I got the opportunity to hear this outstanding selection before it hit the stores. If you have not heard about Joshua Bell and his music, you are in for a real treat!

Joshua Bell is a Grammy Award-winning violinist who has teamed up with a group of musicians to record At Home With Friends. This CD is an eclectic collection of styles, including classical, pop, and jazz tracks, among others. All these diverse tracks have one thing in common - great music. Whether you are a fan of bluegrass or Broadway, you are sure to find a favorite song. I love the entire album but my absolute favorites are Eleanor Rigby and Come Again. Joshua Bell has invited excellent performers, such as Sting, Josh Groban, Chris Botti, Regina Spektor, Kristin Chenoweth and other friends to record a true celebration of music. At Home With Friends would be the perfect accompaniment to a relaxing evening at home, a quiet dinner, or a romantic date.

Check out the complete list of album tracks:
I Loves You Porgy - featuring Chris Botti, trumpet
Come Again - featuring Sting, vocals
Oblivion - featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Cinema Paradiso - featuring Josh Groban, vocals
Para Tí - featuring Tiempo Libre, various
My Funny Valentine - featuring Kristin Chenoweth, vocals
Maybe So - featuring Edgar Meyer Sam Bush and Mike Marshall, strings
Grieg: Sonata No. 3 - featuring Sergei Rachmaninoff (Zenph re-performance)
Eleanor Rigby - featuring Frankie Moreno, piano & vocals
O, Cease Thy Maiden Fair - featuring Nathan Gunn, baritone
Il Postino - featuring Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon
Left Hand Song - featuring Regina Spektor, piano & vocals
Chovendo Na Roseira - featuring Dave Grusin, piano
Look Away - featuring Edgar Meyer, bass and Chris Thile, mandolin
Variant Moods: Duet for Sitar & Violin - featuring Anoushka Shankar, sitar
I'll Take Manhattan - featuring Marvin Hamlisch, piano

Find out more about Joshua Bell and his music at his website, or on Facebook.

Does the space under your desk look like a jungle? With cables coming and going in every direction? Dust bunnies jumping from cable to cable like monkeys? Do you have to spend half an hour figuring out what to unplug from where? If all that sounds familiar, I have a fun contest for you!

Optimization World, an online retailer of quality cables with lifetime warranty, invites you to take a picture of your worst cable mess and enter their contest! You can win $100 in store credit and spend it on more cables ;-) Just kidding - in addition to cables, you can actually buy many different handy items, such as wall plates, switches and splitters, even wall mounts for your TV.

Entering their contest is easy. All you have to do is take a photo of your messiest cable/wire set up and send it to contest@optimization-world.com.

Help me spread the word about the Messy Cables contest, and get an extra 5 entries for all of my giveaways! I am currently giving away fab things such as an Amazon gift card, organic lotion, books, shoes, 25o greeting cards, and a CD. Just blog about the contest and leave the link to your post in a comment. You do not have to enter the contest to qualify - I know not everyone has messy cables! If you are not a blogger, e-mail three people and copy me. Then, head over to my giveaways - handy list on the left sidebar - and comment, "Extra entry for spreading the word about the messy cables contest". You can leave 5 comments for 5 extra entries in any and every giveaway!

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is autobiographical. Donald Miller, a writer, published a successful memoir but his life has become boring and meaningless. He spends his days as a couch potato, eating junk and watching TV. He is surprised when one day someone offers to make a movie based on his memoir. Don is forced to face the reality that while his book may have been a good read, his life does not make for a good movie. He starts working on re-writing his past story to make a better script – and in the process, ends up re-doing his present. Little by little, Don leaves his comfort zone, starts taking risks, and discovers his life does not have to be an insignificant existence, after all.

There were passages in this book that moved me to tears. There were other passages that I found boring and felt I had to push through. I discovered unforgettable characters and pages I felt like skipping. If A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is a representation of life, then the mundane bits are unavoidable. I found even those are worth reading because they are a part of Don’s story and without them the narrative would be less realistic.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, although I found some parts uneven. It’s a moving read with a fascinating premise but it did not leave me wanting to read more of Donald Miller’s work.

Thanks to the Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program for this review opportunity.

The winner of my giveaway for a 18x24" rolled poster print from LargeFormatPosters.com has been selected, courtesy of Random.org. Congratulations are in order for #20, hollowsins, who would use the poster for one of her son's drawings!

Did you miss anything fun bloggers are giving away this week?

I must admit, until I discovered this CD, I had no idea the actor Harry Connick Jr. was also a musician. I've seen him most recently as the hunk in New in Town with Renee Zellweger. Some of his older movies are Hope Floats, My Dog Skip, and Mickey.

Thanks to the One2One Network, I got the opportunity to hear Your Songs, his new album where Harry performs classic songs by some of the greatest musicians of all time, with a full jazz big band and string orchestra. This is an amazing selection of songs that have long become my personal favorites. It's impossible to feel stressed or rushed once you start listening to this CD. Whether you are in the car, having some friends over, or are setting the mood for a romantic evening, this music is the perfect background. You can dance to these songs with your loved one, indulge in an hour of relaxation, or have a cup of coffee - or a glass of wine - and simply listen. Harry Connick Jr.'s voice and the timeless melodies can bring back sweet memories or help create new ones.

Take a look at the track list - isn't this collection just perfect?!

All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

Now Harry Connick Jr. is on my music radar, as well.. I was surspised to find out Harry played publicly for the first time at the age of 6! He has several multi-platinum and gold albums, 25 million albums sold worldwide, Grammy, Tony and Emmy Awards, and so much more.

Your Songs just came out September 22. You can find out more about Harry Connick Jr. at his website. Watch Harry talk about his new album on these shows:

9/28 – Today Show
9/29 – The View
9/30 – Imus in the Morning
9/30 – Letterman
10/1 – Today Show
Week of 10/5 – Rachael Ray

And you can also win Harry's new CD right here! To enter, leave a comment telling me which one of these classic songs is your favorite.

Once you have fulfilled this mandatory entry, feel free to do any or all of the following for 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, feel free to copy and paste: "Win Harry Connick Jr.'s new album Your Songs #Giveaway at Just Another New Blog! @aitmama http://tinyurl.com/y8vbqxj";
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• follow me on Networked Blogs;
  
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, facebook, technorati, 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 October 11, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen.

Good luck!

The winners of our giveaway for 5 copies of Robin Meade's book, Morning Sunshine!, have been selected, courtesy of Random.org. Congratulations are in order for:

#50 Debs Desk, #94 Bingo, #9 afineday, #90 Anonymous, and #7 DarcyO.

All winners have been contacted and claimed their prizes. They will receive Morning Sunshine! from Hachette Book Group, publisher of the book and sponsor of this giveaway.

Are you feeling lucky today? It's Link Your Giveaways Saturday!

Are you hosting a giveaway at your blog? Link it here and check out what everyone else is hosting! My giveaways are listed on the left sidebar.

Choosing shoes for my kids is a major decision at our house. Let's face it, our little ones spend a lot of time on their feet! Walking, running, jumping, even stomping their feet on occasion. Put a pedometer on your child - if she would wear one - and you'll be amazed at the mileage they cover every day. Oh, and if you've ever worn shoes that did not quite fit, you know there is nothing like uncomfortable shoes to put the brakes on your fun.

Of course, sometimes our kids outgrow their new shoes before wearing them out. That's probably why some children's shoes I've seen are made to last just one season. My babies are so active that they have managed to beat this trend - we have had to throw shoes away before they've outgrown them!

If you have a child in your life, you probably know how important good shoes are for growing little feet. As a mom, I constantly looks for quality products for my children - and shoes are on top of my list! I came across a company called Livie & Luca and just have to tell my readers all about this fabulous place and their adorable shoes.

Livie & Luca was founded by three moms who wanted better shoes for their children - thus Livie & Luca was born in May 2005. Here is a little quote from their site:

"Livie & Luca baby and toddler shoe creations incorporate brightly colored leathers, bold designs and whimsical modern touches that capture the playful essence of childhood. Our comfortable shoe construction allows beginning walkers, toddlers and preschoolers to navigate playgrounds, city streets and dirt pathways with style and ease."

I received a pair of the Red Fun Dots shoes from Livie & Luca you see in the picture. They are made of very soft leather, and have a flexible sole that is perfect for my little girl's feet. The design is so cute! The shoes close with a Velcro strap that makes it very easy for little hands to put them on. My daughter fell in love with her pretty shoes. The inside of these shoes is also very soft and cushions her feet just perfectly.

The Red Fun Dots shoes are very lightweight and made by hand. I am proud to tell you that Livie & Luca choose to use high quality leather remains that would otherwise be discarded. And because they are handmade, every pair of shoes is a little different, as unique as the child who wears them.

Livie & Luca baby and toddler shoes run from American size 4 to size 12. They generally fit pre-walkers to preschool aged children. To ensure a proper fit, check out their handy sizing chart.

I admire Livie & Luca's sense of corporate responsibility and their care for the environment. The company uses non-toxic glue in the production of their shoes. Brochures, business cards and postcards are printed on post-consumer product and use soy ink. The shoes I received came in a cute little box that is shaped like a little purse, complete with a handle, for hours of fun and play. The factory conditions in the places where Livie & Luca shoes are manufactured provide for fair and equitable treatment of workers.

In addition, Livie & Luca strongly believes in creating a better world for our children. 10% of online sales are donated to charity. Besides, after your kids have outgrown them, you can send back the gently-worn Livie & Luca shoes for donation to a non-profit that coordinates the distribution of shoes for families in need.

Livie & Luca has partnered with Art for Humanity to arrange for the delivery of donated children's shoes to low-income families in Honduras. Art for Humanity is a humanitarian organization that was formed to assist impoverished families to use their current skills to begin micro-businesses. If you donate a pair of children's shoes, you will receive a coupon for free ground shipping on Livie & Luca shoes.

You can find Livie & Luca shoes in a store near you, or online. I have a special online discount code for my readers: justanother10off will give you 10% off any full price merchandise - not valid with any other offers.

The Giveaway
As you can see, Livie & Luca are a company with great values and business practices. And let's not forget their adorable, high quality shoes for babies and toddlers! Right now, their summer models are on sale. It's time to stock up for next year! You can see their full collection of boots, shoes and sandals here. And take a good look because you can win your choice of a pair of Livie & Luca shoes for your little one!

To enter for your chance to win the Livie & Luca shoes in your choice of size and style, tell me which ones are your favorite.

Once you have fulfilled this mandatory entry, feel free to do any or all of the following for extra chance to win:

• join their e-mail list by sending an e-mail to info-at-livieandluca-dot-com with "mailing list" in the subject line and get 2 extra 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 a pair of adorable Livie & Luca #kids #shoes for your child #Giveaway at Just Another New Blog! @aitmama http://tinyurl.com/yel4l2y";
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• follow me on Networked Blogs;
  
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, facebook, technorati, 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 October 15, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. residents only. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. The winner will receive their choice of a pair of Livie & Luca shoes directly from the sponsor.

Good luck!

I have 24 winners to announce! Several of my fabulous book giveaways ended within the past week and a half, and I have the rare pleasure to list two dozen lucky people! Congrats to all!

On the Line - #43 Stacie, #22 fredamans, #13 etirv, #7 Debbie Rogers, and #55 Mari!

Friends Like These - #10 Ammie, #39 kalea_kane, #107 plb8156, #22 Nicole, and #83 bekki1820cb!

Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind - #3 Wanda, #13 cpullum, #93 clallen, #4 Nancy, and # 15 Ally in WA!

NurtureShock audiobook - #105 I am Lee-Ann…, #75 janetfaye, and #83 { Mom of 3 Dolls }!

Lucan - #79 Cherie J, #135 Jmarie, #128 CherylS22, #2 amanda, and #32 Sarah Z!

Many thanks to Hachette Book Group, sponsor of all these giveaways.

And the winner of my giveaway in honor of Book Blogger Appreciation Week who will receive a copy of French Women for All Seasons - #5 Esme!

All winners have been contacted and claimed their prizes. Whether you won or not, check out my current giveaways:

Poster Print (9/26)
$25 Amazon Gift Card (9/30)
The Self-Esteem Trap (10/2)
Organic Moisturizing Lotion (10/4)
The Sister Pact (10/5)
A Highlander's Temptation (10/8)
250 Greeting Cards (10/12)
Livie & Luca Shoes (10/15)

and - last but not least -

Link Your Giveaways Saturday

Are you preparing for the upcoming holiday season? Some of my friends are already finished with the holiday shopping! While I am not even close to that, I am thinking about holiday greeting cards. In fact, I have started designing our family card for this year.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah or simply the season of giving and generosity, an elegant greeting card is a must. With UPrinting, you can use a stunning design or a simple family photo to leave an unforgettable impression on friends and family. I know I keep all of the family photo cards we receive in my photo album, and look at them every year to see how everyone has changed.

UPrinting offers greeting card printing and custom greeting cards in several sizes. To help you prepare for the holidays, they are sponsoring a giveaway for the readers of Just Another New Blog! You can win a set of 250 Custom Greeting Cards, a $96 value, completely free!

To enter, leave a comment how you'd use the greeting cards if you won.

Once you have fulfilled this mandatory entry, feel free to do any or all of the following for 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, feel free to copy and paste: "Win a set of 250 custom greeting cards - #Giveaway at Just Another New Blog! @aitmama @UPrinting http://tiny.cc/rBd0V";
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• follow me on Networked Blogs;
  
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, facebook, technorati, 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 October 12, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Shipping is free and offer valid for U.S. shipping addresses only. The cards are 7 x 5" (folded to 3.5 x 5"). A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 48 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. A coupon code will be e-mailed to the winner directly by the sponsor.

Good luck!

As you may have read, author E. Lynn Harris passed away this July. In his honor, Karen Hunter Publishing and Pocket Books have created E. Lynn Harris Day on 9/25/09 as a tribute to his life and his final novel, Mama Dearest. Fellow authors and friends of Lynn's will be hosting events tonight across the country (a full list can be found at www.elynnharris.com). Today, I am participating in a blog tour in honor of his life and work.

E. Lynn Harris was the author of eleven novels, including Invisible Life and A Love of My Own, and a memoir, What Become of the Brokenhearted. He placed ten consecutive books on the New York Times bestseller list. There are over 4 million copies of his books in print.

About Mama Dearest
One of E. Lynn Harris's incomparable heroines, Yancey Harrington Braxton, is working her way back to Broadway and beyond. And this diva supreme always stirs up drama in and out of the spotlight....

New York City, you've been warned: Yancey Harrington Braxton is back. The ambitious singer and actress is fired up to move past her recent professional and personal setbacks -- including an explosive romance with NFL tight end John Basil Henderson -- and prove her talents are stronger than ever. After being out on tour, Yancey realizes what she really wants is to star in her own reality TV series, and she's even found a rich and well-connected lover to make it happen. There are, however, two women fierce enough to derail Yancey's plans with ambitions of their own: Madison B., a hot new bombshell taking the music industry by storm, and Ava Middlebrooks, who happens to be Yancey's own mama dearest.

Ava is out, about, and ready to reclaim her throne. Not even a stint in prison for attempted murder has curbed Ava's competitive nature, and it doesn't faze her in the least that her #1 rival is her own daughter. Ava is willing to do whatever it takes to make Yancey pay, including using Madison B. to turn Yancey's world upside-down by forcing her to confront the past...and making her comeback dreams more exciting and dangerous than she ever imagined.

Taking readers on a wild, passion-filled tour of the entertainment world, E. Lynn Harris's Mama Dearest delivers sensual thrills and electric plot twists -- with one unforgettable woman of radiant star power, sexual magnetism, and unapologetic ambition at the heart of the action.

Make sure to visit the other stops on the blog tour commemorating E. Lynn Harris Day.

Drey’s Library: http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/
Found Not Lost: http://jmomfinds.amoores.com/
Rundpinne: http://www.rundpinne.blogspot.com/
My Own Little Corner of the World: http://molcotw.blogspot.com/
The Brain Lair: http://brainlair.blogspot.com/
My Reading Room: http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com/
That’s A Novel Idea: http://www.thatsanovelidea.blogspot.com/
Jeanne’s Ramblings: http://jeannesgifts.blogspot.com/
Cheryl’s Book Nook: http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
My Book Addiction and More: http://mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com/

I am delighted to participate in the blog tour for A Highlander's Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder! Read on about this exciting new romance novel...

Book Description
Darroc MacConacher spends sleepless nights dreaming of a raven-haired beauty who makes him ache with desire. Then his dream comes true: the lady with her lush curves and fair skin appears shipwrecked on his shores. Darroc is immediately drawn to her strength and beauty, and from the moment she lays eyes on this powerful, broad-shouldered warrior, Lady Arabella MacKenzie knows she'll never want another man.

But theirs is a forbidden love. The MacKenzies drove the MacConachers from their lands and destroyed their honor. Now, Darroc can use this sapphire-eyed seductress to shatter his foes. Yet how can he deny the passion that burns between him and Arabella, and ruin the one woman who touches his very soul?

Author Bio
Sue-Ellen Welfonder is a card-carrying Scotophile whose burning wish to make frequent (free) trips to the land of her dreams led her to a twenty year career with the airlines. Bi-lingual, she flew international all those years, working her flights as foreign language speaker. Her flying career allowed her to see the world, but it was always to Scotland that she returned.

Now a full-time writer, she’s quick to admit that she much prefers wielding a pen to pushing tea and coffee. She spent fifteen years living in Europe and used that time to explore as many castle ruins, medieval abbeys, and stone circles as possible. Anything ancient, crumbling, or lichened caught her eye. She makes annual visits to Scotland, insisting they are a necessity as each trip gives her inspiration for new books.

Proud of her own Hebridean ancestry, she belongs to two clan societies: the MacFie Clan Society and the Clan MacAlpine Society. In addition to Scotland, her greatest passions are medieval history, the paranormal, and dogs. She never watches television, loves haggis, and writes at a four-hundred-and-fifty year old desk that once stood in a Bavarian castle.

Sue-Ellen is married and currently resides with her husband and Jack Russell Terrier in Florida. Readers can learn more about her and the world of her books at: www.welfonder.com.

The Giveaway
Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I have the opportunity to give away FIVE copies of A Highlander's Temptation!

To enter, let me know what was the last book you enjoyed reading.

You can do any and all of the following for extra chances 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, feel free to copy and paste: "Win one of 5 copies of A Highlander's Temptation at Just Another New Blog! #Giveaway ends 10/8. @aitmama http://tiny.cc/XnPDA" – you can do this once a day;
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• follow me on Networked Blogs - see widget on my left sidebar;
  
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, etc. this giveaway - you can use 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 October 8, 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 alternates 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!

Remember to visit the other stops on the blog tour for reviews, interviews, and more chances to win this book!

http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/ - Sept. 24 review and giveaway
http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/ - Sept. 24 review and giveaway
http://seductivemusings.blogspot.com/ - Sept. 24 review, giveaway, and Q&A
http://www.startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/ - Sept. 25 review, giveaway, and Original Essay
http://trinsnook.blogspot.com - Sept. 25 giveaway
http://theplumberwife.blogspot.com - Sept. 27 review and giveaway
http://jmomfinds.amoores.com/ - Sept. 27 review, giveaway, and Original Essay
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com - Sept. 27 review and giveaway
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com - Sept. 28 Original Essay
http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/ - Sept. 28 giveaway and Original Essay
http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/ - Sept. 29 giveaway
http://www.mgpblog.com/ - Sept. 30 review and giveaway
http://booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com - Oct. 1 Original essay
www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com - Oct. 1 review, giveaway, and guest post
www.libslibrary.blogspot.com - Oct. 2 original essay
http://www.foreigncircuslibrary.blogspot.com - Oct. 2 review
http://nightdweller20.wordpress.com - Oct. 2 review and giveaway
http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/ - Oct. 3 review
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/ - Oct. 3 giveaway
http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com - Oct. 4 review, giveaway, and Q&A
www.cheekyreads.com - Oct. 5 Q&A and giveaway.
http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/ - Oct. 6 review and giveaway
http://hodgepodgespv.blogspot.com/ - Oct. 7 review
http://aparkavenueprincess.blogspot.com/ - Oct. 7 giveaway

The Sister Pact is a new suspense novel by Cami Checketts. She is the author of five previous novels. This is my first encounter with her work.

Book Description
Savannah Compton is devastated when her sister and best friend, Allison, falls into a coma after a tragic accident. Or was it an accident? Even with a charming and handsome detective at her side, it seems Savannah may never discover the truth. But if she doesn’t her family could be in even more danger. And Savannah’s past holds its own secrets that could change everything.

Now she must prove her innocence to the one person who is beginning to matter most. Join Savannah as she struggles to summon faith and rely on hope, even in the darkest of circumstances, and learn how the bond between sisters can overcome anything.

My Review
The Sister Pact is a suspense novel but it's also a book about love. Not just the romantic kind but the love that bonds sisters, a husband and wife, a father and daughter, a mother and child. Not the sappy kind but the kind that gives people strength to overcome hardship and suffering.

The Sister Pact is quite a gripping page-turner, too - once I started reading, I could not put it down. The main characters are complex, passionate people who carry their own baggage and have to deal with their past before they have a shot at happiness. Whether they succeed or not, the tragic event that puts Allison into a coma will change their lives. None of them is perfect but neither are they fatally flawed. Their insecurities only make the characters more human and believable.

If you are a fan of romantic suspense, you will enjoy The Sister Pact. You can purchase the book at Amazon.com, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Deseret Book, Walmart, Costco, Seagull Book and Tape and The Book Table. A portion of the proceeds from The Sister Pact will be donated to The Child & Family Support Center. For more information on this worthy cause, please go to www.cachecfsc.org.

The Giveaway
TWO of my readers will win an autographed copy of The Sister Pact by Cami Checketts!

To enter, tell me the title of another book of hers - you can find them on the right-hand side of her website.

You can do any and all of the following for extra chances to win:

• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and get 2 entries;
• email three people about this giveaway and copy me;
• follow Cami Checketts on twitter;
• follow or subscribe to one or all of Cami Checkett's blogs and get an extra entry for each blog you follow / become a subscriber to: www.camichecketts.com
  http://camicheckettsbooks.blogspot.com
  http://fitnessformom.blogspot.com;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 2 autographed copies of Cami Checketts' The Sister Pact at Just Another New Blog #Giveaway ends 10/5 @aitmama http://tiny.cc/PvVZA" – you can do this once a day;
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• follow my blog on Networked Blogs - see widget on my left sidebar;
  
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, etc. this giveaway - you can use 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 October 5, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Two winners will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen.

Open to residents of U.S. and Canada. One book per person. Winners will receive their prizes directly from the sponsor.

Good luck!

Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom is an educational software for preschoolers. The recommended age range is 2-5 years. In a fun and engaging way, kids can learn computer skills and practice their shapes, colors, letters and numbers.

This is the first software package I've tried with my preschooler. She quickly learned how to play the adventure games and enjoyed collecting crystals, finishing up words, and counting and matching different shapes. My daughter is at the high end of the recommended age range, and she was most excited about the patterns games and the letters and words sections. The games held her attention for quite a while, and she wanted to play again the next day.

Depending on your child's familiarity with the computer in general and with shapes, numbers and letters in particular, she may find some sections more engaging than others. She does not have to be a Dora the Explorer fan to enjoy the games. There are two levels: easy and hard. Once your child becomes familiar with all parts of the software, you can make the games more challenging for her by switching to the hard level.

Overall, we enjoyed playing Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom. It is a good introduction to learning how to use the computer and provides educational value by letting kids practice letters, numbers, colors, problem-solving and other age-appropriate skills. You can download a free trial of the game for your child to try here. Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom is also available on Amazon.com.

A few weeks ago, Lindsay at Frugal and Fabulous reviewed a brand of jeans I was not familiar with: YMI Jeanswear. She had great things to say about the pair she received, and also hosted a giveaway - which I won! Thank you, Lindsay!

When I received the jeans I had picked, I found out that I had ordered the wrong size. I was bummed out because I loved everything about these jeans: the fabric, the cut, and the color! Luckily, the wonderful people at YMI agreed to exchange them. Thanks to them and to Monica from Enter New Media, I received another pair - the distressed bootcut jeans you see in the picture.

These jeans fit perfectly. The color is called indigo dark stone, and I love dark denim. The jeans are cut to fit snugly on the hips and thighs, and are wider below the knees. The shape is flattering and they are very comfortable. I love the embroidered designs on the back pockets. I have paired the jeans with shirts, tees, sneakers and sandals - they look great with anything. I have to admit, these are now my favorite pair. You know how hard it is to find a perfect pair of jeans! Well, I have found mine. I wear my YMIs constantly, and have received countless compliments. All my girlfriends wanted to know where I got them!

YMI have the look of designer jeans and the price tag of affordability. Right now, they are on sale at YMI's website for $24.99. You can also find them at retail stores, such as Belk, Dillard's, and JCP.

Are you hosting a giveaway at your blog? Link it here and check out what everyone else is hosting! My giveaways are listed on the left sidebar.

I am always on the lookout for good parenting books. I came across a new promising read by Polly Young-Eisendrath The Self-Esteem Trap: Raising Confident and Compassionate Kids in an Age of Self-Importance. This book was published by Hachette Book Group on September 2, and I am reading it right now! Stay tuned for my upcoming review. In the meantime, check out the book information below.

Book Description
Kids today are depressed and anxious. They also feel entitled to every advantage and unwilling to make the leap into adulthood. As Polly Young-Eisendrath makes clear in this brilliant account of where a generation has gone astray, parents trying to make their children feel special are unwittingly interfering with their kids' ability to accept themselves and cope with life. Clarifying an enormous cultural change, The Self-Esteem Trap shows why so many young people have trouble with empathy and compassion, struggle with moral values, and are stymied in the face of adversity.

The Giveaway
Thanks to Hachette, I have the opportunity to give away FIVE copies of The Self-Esteem Trap!

To enter, let me know what was the last book you enjoyed reading.

You can do any and all of the following for extra chances 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, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 5 copies of new parenting book The Self-Esteem Trap at Just Another New Blog #Giveaway ends 10/2 @aitmama http://tiny.cc/5Tet2" – you can do this once a day;
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• follow my blog on Networked Blogs - see widget on my left sidebar;
  
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, etc. this giveaway - you can use 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 October 2, 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 alternates 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!

Last month, I reviewed the organic moisturizing cream from Tropical Traditions. I loved it so much, I decided I wanted to try the moisturizing lotion!

If you missed my earlier post, here is what Tropical Traditions's skin care line is all about. All products are made with organic coconut oil and virgin palm oil. The palm oil contains high concentrations of a powerful form of Vitamin E called "tocotrienols" which is 40-60 times more potent than alpha-tocopherol, the most common form of Vitamin E found in most skin care products. It is also rich in natural carotenes. The palm stearic is also a natural component of the palm oil. The products do not contain parabens or artificial chemicals. Tropical Traditions use a special emulsifying wax that combines the water and oils together in a proprietary blend and is not soy based.

The Tropical Traditions unscented moisturizing lotion has a lighter consistency compared to the moisturizing cream. As with any other cosmetics, I first looked at the ingredients. My rule is, if there are things I can't pronounce, I try to avoid the product. Here is what's in the Tropical Traditions moisturizing lotion: purified water, organic virgin coconut oil, organic jojoba, emulsifying wax (plant-based, no soy), grapefruit seed extract, and organic virgin palm oil. The scented versions also contain organic essential oils. The lotion is hand made with no alcohols, no petroleum products, and no artificial fragrances.

Next, I tried the lotion on my face and hands. This product is unscented but if you know what virgin coconut oil smells like, you will recognize its faint aroma. The lotion is slightly beige / yellowish. It left my skin feeling soft and refreshed, with a faint smell of virgin coconut oil. Just like the moisturizing cream, the lotion can be used on your face, hands, and body. I would recommend getting both the lotion and the cream - use the lotion during the day, and use the moisturizing cream at night. My hands get very dry from washing them countless times during the day, and I find the lotion does a great job hydrating my skin without leaving a greasy feeling.

In short, I love this lotion and recommend that you try it! Right now, it is on sale at 30% off. If you decide to buy the lotion or anything else from Tropical Traditions, as a first-time customer you can get a FREE Virgin Coconut Oil book with purchase. Find out all about coconut oil and its benefits! Just use code 5251001 in the Referred by a Friend section and the book will be added to your order at no charge.

Now you have the opportunity to win the same unscented organic moisturizing lotion that I received. To enter, please take a look at the Tropical Traditions product line and tell me what interests you the most.

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

• subscribe to Tropical Traditions' newsletter - you'll know all about their specials and promotions - and get 2 entries;
• check out the free coconut recipes here and tell me which one you'd like to try;
• 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: "Organic Tropical Traditions Moisturizing Lotion #Giveaway at Just Another New Blog @aitmama @troptraditions Ends 10/4 http://tiny.cc/6Y6Dw";
• 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;
• follow me on Networked Blogs - handy widget on the left sidebar;
  
• 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 October 4, 2009, 11:59pm EST. One winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. The winner will have 72 hours to get back to me, or an alternate 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.

Many thanks to Tropical Traditions for providing the moisturizing lotion for me to review and for sponsoring this giveaway.

One of my favorite things to do is take pictures. Whether we go on vacation, day trip, or just to the park, I find something beautiful to photograph - my family and friends, flowers, animals, trees, buildings, you name it. I have started using my best shots as wall art around the house. Enlarge it, frame it, hang it - and voila, your own work decorates the family room!

I have a great shot we took of the elephants at the zoo recently. My kids love animals, and a poster like that will be the perfect decoration for their room!

Do you have a favorite shot that you would just love to see on display? LargeFormatPosters.com offers poster printing and large format printing that can help you turn that family photo into a work of art. They offer posters in six standard sizes plus in any custom-size up to 60x100" to fit any wall, frame, or budget. The pre-press team checks your file for any errors and you get a free online proof to see how exactly your piece will look.

Now start digging through those picture files because you have a chance to win a 18x24" rolled poster print from LargeFormatPosters.com!

To enter, tell me how you would use the poster print if you won.

Once you have fulfilled this mandatory entry, feel free to do any or all of the following for extra chance to win:

• blog about this giveaway linking to this post and LargeFormatPosters.com 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 a poster print - #giveaway at Just Another New Blog! Ends 9/26 http://tiny.cc/uXdr5 @aitmama @uprinting";
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• follow me on Networked Blogs;
  
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, facebook, technorati, 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 September 26, 2009, 11:59pm EST. Only open to US residents. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 48 hours to get back to me, or an alternate will be chosen. A coupon code will be e-mailed to the winner on October 1, 2009 directly by the sponsor.

Good luck!

Michelle from Flying Giggles & Lollipops is celebrating her daughter Chloe's first birthday with a big bloggy bash! Starting tomorrow, 9/16, she will be posting reviews and giveaways for some fabulous products from these companies:

KaZAM Bikes
Plan Toys
Ecotime Toys
Good Nite Lite
1st Wishes Party Supply
Levels of Discovery
Radio Flyer
Discovery Toys
Cook It Up In a Cup!
Balloon Time
Haba Toys
Citiblocks
International Playthings
Wilton Baking Supplies
Jacquard Products

See you at the party!

The winners of my Tropical Traditions moisturizing cream and wall graphic giveaways have been selected, courtesy of random.org. Congratulations go to:

Tropical Traditions moisturizing cream - #145 Rebecca N.

Wall graphic - #25 { Mom of 3 Dolls } and #39 plb8156.

All three winners have claimed their prizes.

If you did not win - here is a promo code to get a FREE Virgin Coconut Oil book with your first purchase from Tropical Traditions. Use code 5251001 in the Referred by a Friend section and the book will be added to your order at no charge.

As always, check out the list of my current giveaways on the left sidebar. This week, I am also hosting a linky for other giveaways - stop by to link yours, or enter everyone else's!

Have you ever walked into a sliding glass door? Painful and embarrassing at the same time. Or have you told your kids a million times not to open those car windows? I know how I wished there was a way to keep them closed while driving on the interstate at 70 miles per hour.

I came across a simple yet very effective product called Protection Plus. This is a set of two star-shaped "locks" made of heavy duty PVC materials, with a suction cup backing. The plastic is semi-transparent and they look quite good on sliding doors and windows. The stars can easily be mistaken for decorations! I discovered they hold in place securely and prevent windows or sliding doors from being open. You can also use them to keep windows partially open for ventilation purposes. The stars can be placed as a security measure on a partially-open door, as they help "lock" it in place to prevent the door from opening any further. These eliminate having to use that old stand-by - the broom stick handle, a rock or a piece of wood - to prop the door open!

Another way you can use Protection Plus is as an extra handle on a sliding door. The stars can be placed inside or outside on a shower door to hang on a towel or your bathrobe. You can actually hang much more than that, since they hold a weight of up to 50 lbs.

The product can withstand temperature changes and can be used as a decorative hook for plants or holiday decorations on doors or windows.

The starts come in three colors: mint green, light blue or clear. I tried the clear ones - not the green set you see in the picture - and quite like their look and their many uses.

Protection Plus is available on www.inventhelpstore.com. Suggested retail price is $19.95 + S&H for a package of two stars.

Many thanks to Bostick Communications for sending me a sample for review.

I am delighted to announce that I was selected to become a Purex® insider! As a Purex® Insider, I get to try, review and spread the word about new Purex® products before they hit the market. I can also share special promotions and money-saving opportunities with my readers! The first one is a $1 coupon off Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ laundry sheets. Learn more about this new product and click here to get your coupon!

You can also tweet #TweettheSheet daily for the chance to win free Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ products. If you have a website or a blog, post the This Sheet Works button for a shot at winning a year's supply of Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets.

This year, I am participating in the Book Blogger Appreciation Week for the first time! To celebrate the contribution of book bloggers and our shared love for reading, I am hosting a special BBAW giveaway. Join in the celebration and comment below for a chance to win a hardcover copy of French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes, and Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano who wrote the famous French Women Don't Get Fat. I greatly enjoyed reading both of these books, and would like to share this delightfully delicious read with my readers and with all BBAW fans!

Contest ends Sunday, September 20, at midnight E.S.T. Open to U.S. and Canada. I also have six other book giveaways listed on my left sidebar. They are not part of BBAW but since you are here anyway - why not give it a shot? Each has three or five winners and ends some time in September. Oh, and the $25 Amazon gift card I am giving away (link is also listed on my left sidebar) can buy you a few books, too. Good luck!

About the Book
For the legions of fans who asked for seconds after devouring French Women Don't Get Fat, a charming and practical guide to adding some joie to your vie and to your table, every day of the year. After being inundated with requests for more advice from her readers, Mireille’s answer is this buoyant book, brimming with tips and tricks for living with the utmost pleasure and style, without gaining weight.

Here are 100 new simple and appetizing recipes that feature French staples such as leeks and chocolate and many more unexpected treats besides, guaranteeing that boredom will never be a guest at your table.

Book Blogger Appreciation was started by Amy Riley of My Friend Amy in an effort to recognize the hard work and contribution of book bloggers to the promotion and preservation of a literate culture actively engaged in discussing books, authors, and a lifestyle of reading.

As a parent, I am always looking for quality products to enhance my children's physical and intellectual development. Recently, I came across two DVDs that introduce dance and ballet to young children in a fun, entertaining way. Stay tuned for my upcoming review!

In the meantime, I have a request to make. Mary Kate and Stephanie, the two moms behind the Prima Princessa DVDs for children, have been nominated for a small business grant from the Shine A Light contest sponsored by American Express, NBC and iVillage.com. The deadline for voting is today before midnight! They need 25 more votes to be considered for the grant.

Please head over here to read their story and vote! We can make this happen for them, and help Mary Kate and Stephanie finish their 3rd DVD, "Prima Princessa Presents Sleeping Beauty" and to create "Prima Princessa Presents Cinderella".

About Mary Kate and Stephanie
Mary Kate is the mother of two young children, one boy (8) and one girl (5). Stephanie is the mother of four children, two boys and two girls, 2, 4, 6, 8 years of age.

As a former small business entrepreneur, Mary Kate understands how creative talent coupled with hard work and determination, are crucial ingredients for building a business. Stephanie danced in a pre-professional dance company, American Dance Theater, during her entire childhood. After graduating high school she studied in Paris France at the L’Ecole Internationale de Theatre de Paris, Marcel Marceau and then at Martha Graham in New York City.

I am a big fan of Luvs®, having used these quality and affordable diapers with two of my kids. I am thrilled to help spread the word about their new "Take a Stand" campaign!

The people at Luvs® are excited to invite you to join the Luvs "Take a Stand" campaign, which rallies moms to unite and take a stand on things that are important to them, such as not paying too much money for everyday items such as diapers!

Starting September 15, you can go to Luvs.com and receive a $5-off coupon for any Luvs product! There's a limited supply, though, so be sure to get yours right away before they run out.

Marissa Jaret Winokur of Dancing With the Stars and Oxygen Network's Dance Your #$$ Off fame is leading the charge for the Luvs "Take a Stand" campaign. Marissa absolutely believes in the idea of empowering moms to stand for things that are important to them, and you can watch a series of videos on Luvs.com where she talks about all sorts of things that she stands for —from charitable giving, to just trusting your gut when it comes to parenting. Marissa's very adorable baby avatar is the "celebrity" site host!

To learn more about the Luvs "Take a Stand" campaign, visit www.luvs.com.

Are you hosting a giveaway at your blog? Link it here and check out what everyone else is hosting! My giveaways are listed on the left sidebar.

Understanding Other People by Beverly D. Flaxington aims to help readers stop being frustrated by the actions of others and take charge of their own reactions. The book focuses on what the author calls the five secrets to human behavior:

• It's all about me
• Behavioral styles that come between us
• Values speak louder
• Don't assume I know what you mean
• I'm okay; you are most definitely NOT okay

The book is well-written and easy to follow. It is as much about understanding other people as it is about understanding ourselves. When we communicate with another person, we bring a lot of baggage to the table: our own preconceptions, knowledge, and values, our past experiences and current expectations. This book helped me see why we sometimes overreact and feel as if others are just pushing our buttons - but in fact, they are not and it just seems that way to us. Understanding our own filters and respecting those of others can teach us better communication skills and more tolerance, while avoiding unnecessary conflict and misunderstandings.

Understanding Other People is a relatively small volume - at about 100 pages, it does not take long to read. However, to get the most benefit from this book, I recommend that you read it slowly and take time to reflect on each chapter. You can find it on Amazon.com as well as at book retailers.

Special thanks to the author and to Bostick Communications for providing a review copy.

About the book
ISBN: 978-0615272290
Publisher: ATA Press
Date of publish: April 13, 2009
Pages: 104
S.R.P.: $15.95

About the author
Bev Flaxington is a corporate consultant who is also an experienced behavioral expert and hypnotist, coach and mom. She is an adjunct professor at Suffolk University who has taught "Dealing with Difficult People", a unique course about how people understand each other, interact and improve communications.

Last week, I gave you a sneak peak of my forthcoming review of an office chair from CSN Stores. My new chair has arrived, and I just can't wait to tell you all about it!

I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk - paying bills, blogging, shopping online, you name it. Feeling comfortable while I do all that is important to me - and my chair must look nice, too! When I was invited to pick a chair for review, I thought about all the features that are important to me. First and foremost, I care about comfort - does the chair provide adequate lumbar support? Are the seat and back fully adjustable? The Boss chair I selected meets all these requirements. Then, I looked for a chair with contemporary design and simple lines. As a parent of young kids who love sitting in Mommy's chair, I considered the material of the upholstery. I generally prefer leather because it is more resilient than fabric and easier to clean. For my new chair, I decided to go with LeatherPlus, a leather infused with polyurethane for added softness and durability.

My Boss Office Chair arrived promptly, well-packaged in a sturdy box. It took less than a week to deliver. The chair was very easy to put together with just a screwdriver. It came with instructions and all parts were present. It took me just a few minutes to assemble, and I have to say the chair looks even better in my home office than it does in the picture.

The thick padded seat and back are firm yet comfortable. The seat is what they call waterfall which reduces stress to the legs. The construction is sturdy and promises to last for years. The upholstery looks like smooth leather but does not smell like leather. It can be easily cleaned with a moist cloth. My kids were fascinated by the pneumatic seat adjustment, and I must say they gave it quite a test. They also loved the smooth ride of the chair - courtesy of its double wheel casters and powered by Daddy.

Last - but not least - this Boss office chair is very affordable - without sacrificing style, comfort, or quality. Right now, it is on sale for $63.99 and with free shipping. It's a great alternative to pricier chairs and a good pick for your home office, business, or dorm room.

Check out CSN Stores' huge selection of office chairs - you will certainly find a chair that fits your needs and budget!

I came across a new children's book, Aurora of the Northern Lights by Holly Hardin. This is an enchanting story about Aurora, a little girl who is named for the Northern Lights. She loses her parents and begins a long journey North, searching for a place to belong. Aurora is different from the people she encounters, and they all turn her away - until she finds her true home and her trip comes to a happy ending.

The book is composed entirely in rhymes and has a rhythm that reminded me of a ballad. Some verses repeat throughout Aurora's journey, bringing Hardin's lyrical prose even closer to a beautiful song. It is gorgeously illustrated by renowned artist Donald Vanderbeek. The text and pictures bring to life a magical world of adventure, strange creatures and enchantment.

My daughter and I enjoyed reading about little Aurora's journey. She asked me to read the story again and again. Even though the book is sad at times, it all ends well. The message of love and tolerance towards people who are different from us will appeal to readers of all ages.

About the Book
ISBN: 978-1432724399
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Date of publish: Aug 6, 2009
Pages: 31
S.R.P.: $18.95

About the Author
Holly Hardin has a degree in English literature and is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She is the author several published articles for both children and adults. Hardin lives in the north Georgia mountains with her husband, Jeff, and their four spoiled dogs.

Special thanks to the author and to Bostick Communications for sending me a copy to review.

One of my fave bloggy friends, Janet of Grammy Janet's Place, gave me a special gift this morning - the Your Blog Is So Swank blog award! Thank you, Janet - your blog is so swank, too!

In turn, I am sharing this award with these faves of mine:

Mom of 3 Dolls
Live Love Laugh with Leslie
Mama's Money Savers
Chick with Books
Luxury Reading

Make sure you stop by and enter my Tropical Traditions and wall graphic giveaways - both end Sunday night! I have been using my awesome organic moisturizer from Tropical Traditions every day, and I love it! If you have not tried their skincare products, you really should - your skin will thank you.

And, if you want to refresh a room decor in your house - look no further then the wall graphics from LargeFormatPosters.com! You can make a large poster/sticker to place on any flat surface. I've decided I am going with a beautiful nature shot for my bedroom.

Oh, and you can tweet daily for both giveaways, so even if you have already entered, there is time for two more tweets ;-)

Good luck!

The two winners of my giveaway for 500 business cards from DigitalRoom.com have been selected! Congratulations go to:

#3 Carmen7351 and - since the second winner failed to claim their prize - #2 Penelope who commented on the quickie giveaway! Have fun designing your new business cards!

Whether you won or not, you can still enter my other giveaways:

Tropical Traditions Organic Moisturizing Cream (9/13)
Wall Graphic (9/13)
On the Line (9/15)
Friends Like These (9/16)
Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind (9/18)
NurtureShock audiobook (9/19)
Lucan (9/23)
Morning Sunshine! (9/24)
$25 Amazon Gift Card (9/30)

One of the winners of my giveaway for 500 business cards from DigitalRoom.com did not get back to me, so the prize is up for grabs! If you want your own set of 500 business cards, be the first to comment below and provide a way for me to contact you by e-mail. Then please, please keep an eye on your inbox!

Remember the winner must pay shipping - calculate it here - and provide a U.S. mailing address when claiming their prize.

You know I am giving away 5 copies of Serena Williams' memoir, On the Line. I am currently reading her fascinating story - stay tuned for my upcoming review! In the meantime, you can watch Serena talk about her book on these shows next week:

Good Morning America - 9/15
Live with Regis & Kelly - 9/16
Tyra Banks Show - 9/15
Your World with Neil Cavuto / Fox News Channel - 9/14
On the Record with Greta Van Susteren / Fox News Channel - 9/14
Martha Stewart Show - 9/16

On the Line will also be featured in these magazines:

Reader’s Digest – September
Vogue – September
Self – September
Glamour – in “Women of the Year” issue in December
Allure – September

And finally, you have a chance to see Serena in person and have her autograph your copy of On the Line! She will be signing books next week at:

Barnes & Noble / NYC (Fifth Avenue) – 9/16
Borders / Tampa – 9/17

In case you do not live in New York or Tampa, here is a shot at the consolation prize: you can still win her book if you enter my giveaway by 9/13!

Book Description
Robin Meade is the poster child for confidence and self-assurance. But the anchor of Morning Express with Robin Meade wasn't always that way. In fact, there was a period in her career when she was plagued with anxiety and panic attacks. In MORNING SUNSHINE!, she tells how she overcame her fear of public speaking to go on and achieve her dream of becoming a news anchor.

Robin Meade offers her own tried-and-true four-step approach to building confidence. Her trademark warm, personal style translates from the screen to the page in this book, which will give readers even more insight into the young woman who came out of nowhere to become one of the most popular news anchors on television today.

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

To enter, let me know what was the last book you enjoyed reading.

You can do any and all of the following for extra chances 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, feel free to copy and paste: "Win 1 of 5 copies of Robin Meade's book Morning Sunshine! at Just Another New Blog #Giveaway ends 9/24 @aitmama #prize http://tiny.cc/ASNhp" – you can do this once a day;
• subscribe to my blog or become a follower - it counts if you already are, one entry for each;
• follow my blog on Networked Blogs - see widget on my left sidebar;
  
• add my link to your blog roll or my button to your sidebar - one entry for each;
• digg, stumble, etc. this giveaway - you can use 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 September 24, 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 alternates 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!