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Book Description
Kate Woodbridge has spent most of her life sailing to exotic ports around the globe, acquiring an expertise in botany, along with a few less ladylike skills. So when a deathbed promise to her parents brings her to London to seek reconciliation with her grandfather, the imperious Duke of Cluyne, she feels like a fish out of water. Her outspoken views and fiery temper tend to set off sparks in Society-especially with the rakish Conte of Como.

A devil-may-care rogue, Marco finds the alluring and mysterious Kate a tempting target for his flirtations. But when murder strikes at the duke's country house party he begins to suspect that she's hiding a dark secret. He has his own clandestine reasons for offering to help her prove her innocence... And so begins a journey of dangerous deception that leads from England to the glittering ballrooms of Vienna, where Marco and Kate must duel with a deadly villain... and their own explosive attraction.


The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of To Tempt a Rake by Cara Elliott.

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

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

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win 1 of 3 copies of To Tempt a Rake by Cara Elliott! #Giveaway ends 2/14 @aitmama @ForeverRomance #contests #books http://tiny.cc/o1fgy" – you may do this once a day;
• if you follow Cara Elliott on Facebook, comment below for an extra entry;
• follow @ForeverRomance on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is February 14, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The 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. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title in the mail. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

Book Description
After teaching and raising her family for most of her life, Agnes Scofield realizes that she is truly weary of the routine her life has become. But how, at 51, can she establish an identity apart from what has so long defined her?

Often eloquent, sometimes blunt, and always full of fire, The Scofield clan is not a family that keeps its opinions to itself. As much as she'd like to, Agnes can no more deflect their adamant advice than she can step down as their matriarch. And despite her newfound freedom, Agnes finds herself becoming even more entangled in the family web. She shepherds her daughter-in-law, Lavinia, who moves in with her own two daughters to escape her husband's drinking. She puts out fires, smoothes fraying nerves, and, stunned as anyone, receives a marriage proposal. Having expected her life to become smaller, Agnes is amazed to see it grow instead.

Robb Forman Dew intricately weaves together personal and family life into a richly wrought tapestry of the country in the 1950s and beyond. Being Polite to Hitler is a moving, frank, and surprising portrait of post-World War II America.

My Review
The plot of Being Polite to Hitler spans two decades: from October 1953 to 1973. It's a masterful portrayal of small-town life against the backdrop of major events in American history. The Scofield family has its matriarch and its opinionated members who go through ups and downs, dramas and celebrations, happiness and disappointments. Being Polite to Hitler is a fascinating book that I greatly enjoyed.

Being Polite to Hitler just came out on January 6 published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher or PR firm.

My kids love cereal for breakfast. I never cared for cereal with milk but I love eating it as is for snack. Recently, we tried Mom's Best Naturals cereals.

Mom’s Best is a family-owned company based in Minnesota. The company aims to make choices that benefit families, enhance communities and sustain the environment. Their cereals have no artificial colors or flavors, no artificial preservatives, no hydrogenated oils and no high fructose corn syrup. Mom’s Best Naturals include 13 varieties of cereal – Sweetened Wheat-fuls, Honey Nut Toasty O’s, Raisin Bran, Toasted Wheat-fuls, Honey-ful Wheat, Mallow-Oats, Oats & Honey Blend, Honey Grahams, and Toasted Cinnamon Squares, as well as four kinds of oats cereals in several flavors.

We sampled the Toasted Cinnamon Squares and the Honey Grahams. Both cereals are very flavorful and taste so good! The cereals come in 17.5 oz family-size boxes and contain 10 grams of whole grain per serving for the cinnamon squares and 7 grams for the honey grahams. My kids loved them with a bowl of low-fat milk, and I grabbed a handful when I wanted a quick treat.

Besides making great cereal, Mom's Best is a company committed to sustainability and stewardship. They support renewable energy development by purchasing 100% of the electricity consumed by the production of our natural cereals from Windsource. They have programs to reduce energy and water use in production through creative conservation. Over 99% of the waste in their Northfield plant is recycled, and the cereal carton boxes are made from 100% recycled paperboard with at least 35% post consumer content.

I found Mom's Best Naturals at my local Kroger but they are also available at WalMart and other stores nationwide.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader of this blog will win two (2) boxes of Mom's Best Naturals cereal!

To enter, please comment below which Mom's Best cereal you'd like to try.

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

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win 2 boxes of delicious @MomsBestCereal! #Giveaway ends 2/13 @aitmama #contests #food #NewYearResolutions http://tiny.cc/dkj7v";
• if you like Mom's Best on Facebook, comment below for another entry; 
• follow @MomsBestCereal on Twitter; 
• check out their store locator and tell us where you can find Mom's Best Naturals near you;
• share something you learned at their site;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is February 13, 2011, 11:59pm EST. 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. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. Mom's Best Naturals and Malt-O-Meal are not sponsors, endorsers, or affiliated with the giveaway.   

I am a big fan of Tropical Traditions - the excellent coconut oil, the delicious organic food, the quality skincare, and the eco-friendly household products. A month ago, I posted a review of the Household Traditions Dish Liquid. It's only fitting to follow up with the Household Traditions Powdered Dish Detergent.

The dishwasher detergent is an ultra-concentrated formula that comes in a 5 lbs container, complete with a measuring scoop. The powder is non-toxic and safe for the environment. The Household Traditions dish detergent contains enzymes and is free from chlorine, phosphates, fillers or fragrances. It dissolves completely and leaves my dishes sparkling clean. I found I got great results even when using less than the recommended 2 oz per load.

Here is how to use it: fill one dishwasher cup for regular loads. Fill both cups for tougher problems. For really tough jobs, like baked-on food, soak item for 30 minutes or more in sink full of hot water and 1 scoop of detergent.

I am very happy with the Household Traditions Powdered Dish Detergent. A 5 lbs. container is now on sale for $19.99.

Deal Alert
Right now, domestic shipping is free with promo code 31111! Find out all the details here. The deal expires at midnight EST Monday, January 31, 2011, so hurry if you want to place an order. In addition, if you decide to buy the dishwasher detergent 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 uses! Just use code 5251001 in the Referred by a Friend section and the book will be added to your order at no charge. You get a free book, and I get a coupon for referring you.

The Giveaway
Tropical Traditions are generously giving away a 5 lbs container of dishwasher detergent to a lucky reader of this blog!

To enter, please take a look at the Tropical Traditions product line and tell me what else you'd like to try.

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

• subscribe to Tropical Traditions' newsletter - you'll know all about their specials, sales and promotions - and get 2 entries;
• check out the free coconut recipes here and tell me which one you'd like to try;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win 5 lbs tub of great #eco-friendly dishwasher detergent from @TropTraditions! #Giveaway ends 2/12 @aitmama #contests http://tiny.cc/z59xj";
• follow @TropTraditions on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is February 12, 2011, 11:59pm EST. 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. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. or Canada. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. The opinions are my own.

Got giveaways? Please do share! Linky is below. Good luck, and enjoy browsing!

Silver Heart Pendant 1/29
Sins of a Highland Devil - 3 win 1/31
Yoplait Original Prize Pack 2/1
My Immortal Assassin - 3 win 2/3
$25 GC Dapper Snappers 2/4
How Sweet It Is - 3 win 2/7
$20 GC to Luna B. Tee 2/8
Notorious Pleasures - 3 win 2/10
Silk Tie 2/11

My husband does not wear a tie every day but when he does, he goes for small geometric patterns on dark background. I admit I have a hand in his choices, too. So I was surprised how much I liked the paisley tie we received from Tiecoon.com.

This beautiful silk tie is pure silk and loom woven. The paisley design comes in vibrant shades of blue, yellow, and green. The picture really does not do it justice because the tie is even more stylish in real life. The material is thick and has a luxurious feel to it. I love how the tie stands out against a white or pastel shirt.

The tie is hand made, with a length of 59", and a full matching loop on the reverse side. The tip lining is embroidered with the Jon vanDyk brand name.

In addition to the paisley design, Tiecoon.com offers all colors and patterns of silk ties from black, white, blue, red, yellow, silver, gold, and green to striped, solid, and floral. Their silk ties are very affordable - always only $10.  These cheap silk ties look anything but cheap, and I would have never guessed the price of the one we received. They would make great gifts, too!

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win a Jon vanDyk silk tie, just like the one I reviewed!

To enter, please check out Tiecoon.com and comment below which other tie(s) you like.

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

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win #handmade Jon vanDyk silk tie! #Giveaway open #worldwide ends 2/11 @aitmama #contests #shop #gifts #fashion #style http://tiny.cc/yg2dl";
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is February 11, 2011, 11:59pm EST. 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. Open worldwide. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product reviewgiveaway Disclosure. & Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Book Description
Mysterious dreams draw costume designer Isabella Silviera to Angel's Bay, the California coastal town where angels occasionally dance above the waves. Bestselling author Barbara Freethy enchants again in this emotional and compelling tale of family secrets, abiding friendships, and heart-touching romance.

Isabella's drive to Angel' s Bay would have ended in tragedy when her car slid off a cliff if she hadn't been rescued by Nick Hartley. As he helps her to safety, she realizes he is the man who has haunted her dreams. Nick, however, is committed to reconnecting with his estranged teenage daughter, refusing to respond to his powerful attraction to Isabella. And Isabella's police chief brother has his hands full with a missing mother, an abandoned baby, and an unknown father. What is Isabella's role in the mysteries -- both past and present -- that swirl around the town?

When she starts helping at the Hartley family theater, all the pieces begin to link together. Loves found and lost, heartbreak and happiness, courage and betrayal are all part of the patchwork quilt of the community -- and of life. Isabella's gift is seeing the patterns ...

My Review
At Hidden Falls is an enchanting romance story set in a small California town. The characters are likable and well-developed, the plot interesting and the picturesque Angel's Bay is a place anyone would love to visit. Isabella is haunted by bizarre dreams and a feeling of imminent danger that drive her to Angel's Bay where her older brother is the chief of police. Unexpectedly for a girl used to big city life, Isabella finds love, friendship, and a place to belong.

I enjoyed At Hidden Falls and now intend to read the other books in Barbara Freethy's Angel's Bay series. You can get a taste of this charming novel by reading an excerpt at the author's website.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher or PR firm.

Granola Gourmet is a line of energy bars created by a diabetic and his family. These energy bars contain no refined sugar, no diary and no wheat, and are high in whole grains and Omega-3 fatty acids. They are also kosher, vegan and have very low sodium.

I received a bar each of four flavors: Ultimate Berry, Ultimate Cran-Orange, Ultimate Mocha Fudge, and Ultimate Fudge Brownie. Always the chocolate person, I tried the fudge brownie flavor first. It was very tasty, with a chewy texture and nice flavor. My daughter's favorite was the cran-orange, and I also loved the berry. I was impressed that the bars are all-natural and made with over 75% organic ingredients. Usually, I am not a fan of energy bars because so many I've tried taste like modified cardboard. Granola Gourmet are not your average energy bar. The texture reminds me of the no bake oatmeal cookies I make sometimes but of course these energy bars are much healthier and lower in calories - between 140 and 150 calories per bar. Each Granola Gourmet energy bar provides 3 g of fiber, or 12% of the recommended daily value. The complete nutrition information is available here.

Connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter (@granola_gourmet).

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product reviewgiveaway Disclosure. &

Book Description
Their lives were perfect . . .
Lady Hero Batten,the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother Hero. Until she meets his notorious brother . . .

Until they met each other.
Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, is far from perfect - and he likes it that way. How he spends his days is a mystery, but all of London knows he engages in the worst sorts of drunken revelry at night. Hero takes an instant dislike to him, and Griffin thinks that Hero, with her charities and faultless manners, is much too impeccable for society, let alone his brother. Yet their near-constant battle of wits soon sparks desire - desire that causes their carefully constructed worlds to come tumbling down. As Hero's wedding nears, and Griffin's enemies lay plans to end their dreams forever, can two imperfect people find perfect true love?



The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt.

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

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

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a copy of Notorious Pleasures by @ElizabethHoyt! #Giveaway ends 2/10 @aitmama @ForeverRomance #contests #books http://tiny.cc/wjw4p" – you may do this once a day;
• if you like Elizabeth Hoyt on Facebook, comment below for an extra entry;
• follow @ForeverRomance on twitter;
• follow @ElizabethHoyt on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is February 10, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The 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. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title in the mail. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

Ola Loa multivitamins are powdered drink mixes in a variety of flavors. There are formulas aimed to increase energy, support active lifestyles, and repair. The kids’ multivitamin formula is all-natural with no preservatives, artificial colors, flavors or artificial sugars. Ola Loa multivitamins were created by Richard Kunin, M.D., a nutrition-oriented physician and Orthomolecular specialist with over 30 years of experience in nutrition medicine and practice.

I received a sample pack including 5 flavors: Ola Loa Sport in lemon lime, mango tangerine, and mixed berry, Ola Loa Energy in orange, and Ola Loa Kids in cran-raspberry. All except the kids version contain 1000 mg Vitamin C as well as various doses of other vitamins, minerals, amino-acids and herbs. I found the taste quite pleasant, although I prefer to use more than the recommended 4-6 oz of water. My favorite is the Mango Tangerine. The kids tried the children's version and my daughter said it was OK but she liked orange juice better.

If you are among those who have trouble swallowing pills, or just prefer your multivitamins in drink form, Ola Loa mixes are a good option. A 30-count box can be purchased at the company's site for $34.99. Shipping to the U.S. and Canada is free on orders over $75.

Disclaimer / DIsclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Luna B. Tee offers custom printed personalized T-shirts for kids, adults, dolls and dogs. The t-shirts are available in short and long sleeves and feature vibrant graphics printed on 100% ring-spun cotton.

I received a personalized short-sleeved tee for my daughter. Since she does ballet, I picked the adorable ballerina design. The fabric is soft and of great quality, and the colors are beautiful. My daughter is in love with her new tee, and can't wait for warmer weather to show it off.

In addition to the ballerina design, Luna B. Tee has many others to choose from - birthday shirts, holiday shirts, sibling shirts, and more. These shirts would make a great gift and a cool fashion statement. Last but not least, Luna B. Tee carries memorable designs for many important causes, such as Breast Cancer Awareness,  Multiple Sclerosis Awareness, Pediatric Cancer Awareness, and Praying for.. 

The Giveaway
One lucky reader of this blog will win a $20 gift certificate to Luna B. Tee!

To enter, please like Luna B. Tee on Facebook or follow @Luna_B_Tee on twitter, then leave a comment below. Leave two separate comments if you do both.

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

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a $20 #giftcard to Luna_B_Tee! #Giveaway ends 2/8 @aitmama #contests #kids #shop #baby #babygear #moms #parents http://tiny.cc/yg2dl";
• share what you would buy with the gift certificate if you won;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is February 8, 2011, 11:59pm EST. 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. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure. Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Book Description
Single mom Lizzie Bea Carpenter learned long ago that no white knight was coming to save her. A hardworking waitress at the local diner, she's raising her daughter to be like the independent women in her "Enemy Club"--high school rivals turned best friends, promising to always tell each other the whole truth and nothing but!

Yet part of Lizzie wishes she did have a man's help, just for small stuff, like fixing up the house. Her fairy godmother must have been listening, because Dante "Tay" Giovanni soon appears. He's sexy, kind, and offering assistance - no strings attached.

Slowly, steadily, Lizzie's heart opens. But the grip of the past is fierce, and nothing in life is ever really free. Tay has his own tragedies to overcome, but if he can, he'll fix more than Lizzie's home. He'll show her just how sweet it is to be loved by him.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of How Sweet It Is by Sophie Gunn.

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

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

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win 1 of 3 copies of How Sweet It Is by Sophie Gunn! #Giveaway ends 2/7 @aitmama @ForeverRomance #contests #books http://tiny.cc/cjgoj" – you may do this once a day;
• if you are a friend of Sophie Gunn on Facebook, comment below for an extra entry;
• follow @ForeverRomance on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is February 7, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The 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. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title in the mail. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

Valentine's Day is about three weeks away, and the Smiley Heart Cookies are a delicious gift idea. I received a dozen of these adorable treats, packaged in a cute box decorated with smiley faces. Smiley Heart Cookies are heart shaped sugar cookies covered with pink and white frosting. I am not a fan of frosting but here it complemented the sugar cookies just perfectly. The cookies look scrumptious and live up to expectations.  They made me smile, and my kids loved them. The Smiley Heart Cookies are very tasty, with just the right balance between soft and crunchy to make them irresistibly addictive.

SmileyCookie.com offers much more than heart shaped cookies. You can get the original round smiley cookies, a gift basket, or make a custom order choosing the shape of the cookies and the colors of the icing. I love the Smiling Bouquet Gift Basket! No matter what the shape and packaging, these cookies would make a sweet gift for any occasion - or just because you want to brighten someone's day.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product reviewgiveaway Disclosure.

Got giveaways? Please do share! Linky is below. Good luck, and enjoy browsing!

Euphemania - 3 win 1/21
Plein Air Life Prize Pack 1/22
Thai Kitchen Prize Pack 1/23
$50 GC to Babies R Us 1/24
How to Marry a Duke - 3 win 1/24
Silver Heart Pendant 1/29
Sins of a Highland Devil - 3 win 1/31
Yoplait Original Prize Pack 2/1
My Immortal Assassin - 3 win 2/3
$25 GC Dapper Snappers 2/4

My daughter has always been tall for her age. She is also average in weight. When she outgrows the length of her pants and skirts, the next size up is always too big around the waist. 

Dapper Snappers are kids belts that only use the back three loops of their pants. We received one of their girls belts in a nice shade of pink, my daughter's favorite color. The Dapper Snapper is a wide piece of elastic complete with snaps. It can be adjusted to four different lengths. This belt does a great job in keeping my daughter's jeans in place. It does not have a buckle in the front - sometimes those are hard for little fingers to manage - and it's out of sight, so she is not tempted to take it off. Besides, the Dapper Snapper lets my kid be as independent as always - she can easily dress herself, even with the belt in place.

The Dapper Snappers can be used with kids from 9 months up to 6 years old, and come in many colors and patterns. If your kiddo's pants or skirts do not have loops, there is an equally smart belt called Dapper Snappers Clips that helps keep those where they are supposed to be. There are also Dapper Snappers for moms - I wish I had a few of those when I was pregnant!

The Giveaway
One lucky reader of this blog will win a $25 gift certificate to Dapper Snappers!

To enter, please like Dapper Snappers on Facebook and leave a comment on their wall letting them know that you are visiting from Just Another New Blog - then come back and let me know below.

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

• share how you would spend the $25 GC if you won;
• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a $25 #giftcard to @DapperSnappers belts for #kids and adults! #Giveaway ends 2/4 @aitmama #contests #shop #baby http://tiny.cc/ckaj2";
• follow @dappersnappers on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is February 4, 2011, 11:59pm EST. 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. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. or Canada. The winner must follow the company on Facebook and Twitter and will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure. Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Book Description
Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother’s demand that she marry by year’s end:  become engaged to a rogue!  Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel.

And who better to play the part of Minerva’s would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular gothic novels she writes?  The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered with Minerva, though she has no intention of falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him! Little does she know, Giles really is a covert government operative.  When the two team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents’ deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles’s secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back to her heart.

My Thoughts
I only received this book last night so I've read about a third so far. I love Ms. Jeffries style and the book has an exciting plot. The intrigue is just unfolding and I can't wait to get back to it. On the surface, Minerva and Giles are an improbable couple and yet a perfect match in temperament and intellect, and sparks are flying. I am enjoying the remaining characters as well, especially the grandmother and Minerva's overprotective brothers.

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries just came out on January 18, and you can get a glimpse of the book by reading an excerpt on the author's website here.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher.

Book Description
Grayson Spencer is hellbent on killing the dark mage who destroyed her life. But when her attempt fails, she is forced to turn to Durian, a feared demon and expert assassin. Newly armed with powerful magic she's barely able to control, she'll do whatever it takes to complete her mission - even surrender to a dangerous fiend whose eyes promise unimaginable pleasure.

Sworn to protect all mages, Durian can't let Gray threaten the uneasy peace among demons, humans, and mages. So he proposes a deal: He'll train Gray to master her gift if she'll bind herself magically to him, submitting to his control. As Gray's powers intensify, so too does Durian's hunger for this fierce, irresistible woman. When the dark mage makes a final play for Gray, will the passion she and Durian share be the key to their survival or the seed of their destruction?

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of My Immortal Assassin by Carolyn Jewel.

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

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

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win 1 of 3 copies of My Immortal Assassin by @CJewel! #Giveaway ends 2/3 @aitmama @ForeverRomance #contests #books http://tiny.cc/8n9qa" – you may do this once a day;
• if you follow Carolyn Jewel on Facebook, comment below for an extra entry;
• follow @ForeverRomance on twitter;
• follow @CJewel on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is February 3, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The 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. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title in the mail. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

One of my resolutions this year is to make sure I get enough calcium every day. I've always thought that yogurt and milk each provide about a third of my daily calcium needs per serving. I was surprised to find out that my preferred low-fat plain yogurt actually has 40% of the recommended daily value of calcium, and a glass of milk has 30%.

The newly reformulated Yoplait Original style yogurt has even more calcium: 50% of the daily value in a 6-ounce cup. This is twice the amount of most other yogurt. Yoplait Original also contains 50% of the DV of Vitamin D, which helps with the absorption of calcium.

Yoplait Original yogurt is available in 4-cup packs and easy-to-store 8-cup fridge packs in 23 delicious flavors including Strawberry, French Vanilla, Harvest Peach, and Blackberry Pomegranate. I like to mix a handful of frozen berries to add a fiber kick to the French Vanilla yogurt - the result is a delicious dessert with zero guilt!

You can get a coupon for a free cup of Yoplait Original yogurt by signing up for the 1 Million Cup Giveaway here, by May 31, 2011 or while supplies last.

Speaking of New Year's resolutions, in addition to the coupon for a free cup of Yoplait Original yogurt, I received a wonderful prize pack that will come in very handy for my visits to the gym. The duffel bag, speed rope, water bottle and sport towel will be helping me stay active.

The Giveaway
One of you will win a Yoplait Original Prize Pack just as the one I received - including a coupon for free Yoplait Original, duffel bag, speed rope, water bottle and sport towel. This coupon for a free pack of Yoplait yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.

To enter, please comment below which flavor of Yoplait Original you'd like to try first.

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

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a @YoplaitYogurt Original prize pack! #Giveaway ends 2/1 @aitmama #contests #sports  #food #MyBlogSpark http://tiny.cc/ebvam" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @YoplaitYogurt on twitter; 
• if you like Yoplait on Facebook, comment below for another entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is February 1, 2011, 11:59pm EST. A winner will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail. They will have 72 hours to get back to me, or alternates will be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules. Open to residents 18+ of U.S. only. Winner will receive their prizes directly from the sponsor.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post. The opinions expressed here are mine and may differ from yours. Review product, related information, image and prize package provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.

Book Description
The first book in the Highland Warriors trilogy, in which three heroes make a pact to insure that a rival clan does not take over their Glen of Many Legends. At the same time, three women plot to marry these heroes to insure peace.

In SINS OF A HIGHLAND DEVIL, James Cameron is concerned when the King's decree states all three neighboring clans must have a battle to the death in order to lay official claim to the scared Glen of Many Legends. James attempts to make a pact with the heads of the other clans to fight this decree. But he ends up fighting his own fierce desire when coming head-to-head with Lady Catriona of the opposing MacDonald clan, who has her own plan for peace.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder.

To enter, please comment below what's the last good book you've read.

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

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder! #Giveaway ends 1/31 @aitmama @ForeverRomance #contests #books http://tiny.cc/kw92b" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @ForeverRomance on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is January 31, 2011, 11:59pm EST. The 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. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Open to residents 18+ of U.S. and Canada only. No P.O. box addresses, please. Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title in the mail. Winners will receive their prizes directly from Hachette Book Group. Book information and image courtesy of the publisher. No compensation was provided for this post.

Do you still need gift ideas for Valentine's Day? I have the perfect heart-shaped pendant from Joolwe!

In case you are not familiar with Joolwe.com, they are an online jewelry store that offers a large selection of necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings. UPS Ground shipping is free, and you get a free gift box, price guarantee and easy 30-day returns. I had the hardest time choosing a piece to review because I loved so many of them! Their prices are very reasonable, and I was happy to see that the workmanship and quality of the heart pendant I received is excellent. I received the jewelry within a few days and could not be happier with the service.

The beautiful Sterling Silver and Round-Cut Cubic Zirconia Encrusted Dual-Textured Heart Pendant is a great choice for everyday elegance and for a special occasion. The heart is just the right size to stand out, and the cubic zirconia add the perfect degree of bling. The asymmetric shape of the heart contributes to the understated elegance of this pendant. I love the simple chain, and the overall effect is very attractive. No one would ever believe that this stylish piece only costs $19.99! Not that I would tell them, of course.

Joolwe has a jewelry reward program where you can learn points for every purchase and for writing reviews or contributing to the Joolwe community. The reward points can be redeemed for free jewelry from their reward catalog. Joolwe runs bi-weekly giveaways for their newsletter subscribers. In addition, Joolwe has introduced an annual Selfless Woman Jewelry Award where you can nominate a woman who has touched the lives of others through selfless actions. The award recipient is announced mid-December and can choose a piece of jewelry from Joolwe.com. 

Make sure you check out the beautiful jewelry on Joolwe.com - many of these pieces would make excellent gifts for Valentine's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, or just because you know a special someone who deserves a nice surprise. Hey, it may be you! I've got my eye on the Sterling Silver and Oval-Cut Blue Lace Agate Openwork Vintage Ring... and the 18k Gold Over Sterling Silver Blue and Yellow Cubic Zirconia Teardrop Pendant... and the Sterling Silver Diamond Accent Heart Charm Drop Earrings... the list goes on.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader of this blog will win a sterling silver and zirconia heart pendant - just like the one I reviewed!

To enter, please check out Joolwe.com and comment below with a piece you'd like to have.

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

• follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway – you can do this once a day, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a #silver heart #pendant from @Joolwe, great #ValentinesDay #gift! #Giveaway ends 1/29 @aitmama #contests #jewelry http://tiny.cc/06mn4";
• if you like Joolwe on Facebook, comment below for another entry; 
• follow @Joolwe on Twitter;
• subscribe to their newsletter - remember they have bi-weekly giveaways for subscribers;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is January 29, 2011, 11:59pm EST. 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. Open to those with mailing addresses in the U.S. and Canada. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received free product samples for review purposes. No compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied. The post reflects my personal opinions which may differ from yours.   

Got giveaways? Please do share! Good luck, and enjoy browsing!

Peace and Plenty - 3 win 1/14
Lastingness - 2 win 1/15
ReUsies 1/16
WinterSport Sunscreen 1/17
How Music Works - 3 win 1/18
Euphemania - 3 win 1/21
Plein Air Life Prize Pack 1/22
Thai Kitchen Prize Pack 1/23
$50 GC to Babies R Us 1/24
How to Marry a Duke - 3 win 1/24
Silver Heart Pendant 1/29

Wholly Guacamole, the makers of my all-time favorite guac, queso and salsa, are celebrating the big NFL play-off weekend - the Wholly way!

Wholly will overnight party packs to the biggest fans of this weekend's playoff teams.

“Like” Wholly on FB and tell them why they should pick YOU as a winner. Hurry and do it today!

Make sure you start off by saying what team you are cheering for: Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh; Jets vs. Patriots; Green Bay vs. Atlanta; Seattle vs. Chicago.

The boss is giving away 2 party packs for the Patriots since she is from Boston :) Cooler will arrive SATURDAY 1-15 ready for chips and dipping.

GO TEAM!

Book Description
Dora has always taken the path of least resistance. She went to the college that offered her a scholarship, is majoring in "vagueness studies," and wears whatever shows the least dirt. She falls into a job at the college coffee shop, and a crush on her flirty boss, Gary.

Just when she's about to test Gary's feelings, Mimi, the grandmother who raised her, suffers a stroke. Dora rushes back home to Forsyth, NC, and finds herself running her grandmother's vintage clothing store. The store has always been a fixture in Dora's life; though she grew up more of a jeans-and-sweatshirt kind of girl, before she even knew how to write, Mimi taught her that a vintage 1920s dress could lift a woman's spirit.

While working there, Dora befriends Mimi's adorable contractor, Conrad. Is he after Dora, or is working from a different blueprint? And why did Mimi start writing down - and giving away - stories of the dresses in her shop?

When Mimi dies, Dora can't get out of town fast enough and cedes control of the store to her money-hungry aunt who wants to turn it into a t-shirt shop for tourists. But ultimately, she returns to Forsyth, willing to battle whatever may stand in the way of her staying there. Dora can trade her boring clothes for vintage glamour, but can she trade her boring life for one she actually wants?

My Review 
Dora, the heroine of The Secret Lives of Dresses, has always been a go-with-the-flow kind of gal. Having lost her parents as a young child, she has learned the hard way how little control we have over life. She is smart and does well in school but her decision to start a graduate program has more to do with her crush on her boss at the college coffee shop rather than with her interest in her studies. Then her grandmother who had raised her is rushed to the hospital, and Dora goes back home to revisit her past and contemplate her future in more ways than one. There she finds out that the key to sorting out her complicated emotions over the loss of her parents, the passion of her grandmother for vintage clothing she never quite understood, and the path she seeks in her own life may just be hidden behind the racks of those old dresses...

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters, as well as the atmosphere of the small North Carolina town. The Secret Lives of Dresses is a charming book about a girl who finally finds where she belongs - a place that's always been hidden in plain sight.

The Secret Lives of Dresses will be available from 5 Spot, a division of Hachette Book Group, on February 10.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher.

Book Description
Georgia Bottoms is known in her small community of Six Points, Alabama, as a beautiful, well-to-do, and devoutly Baptist Southern belle.

Nobody realizes that the family fortune has long since disappeared, and a determinedly single woman like Georgia needs an alternative, and discreet, means of income. In Georgia's case it is six well-heeled lovers-one for each day of the week, with Mondays off-none of whom knows about the others.

But when the married preacher who has been coming to call (Saturdays) decides to confess their affair in front of the whole congregation, Georgia must take drastic measures to stop him. In Georgia Bottoms, Mark Childress proves once again his unmistakable skill for combining the hilarious and the absurd to reveal the inner workings of the rebellious human heart.

My Review
Georgia Bottoms is a proper Southern lady who comes from a good family and never misses church. Under that cover of perfection, there is an imperfect, feisty, resourceful woman who is forced by circumstances to find a way to make ends meet. Rather than getting a job as a shop girl or a waitress, she comes up with an ingenious solution - making a gentleman happy, six days a week.

Mark Childress, author of One Mississippi and Crazy in Alabama, does not disappoint in Georgia Bottoms. He draws a funny, engaging picture of small town life with all its little oddities, social customs set in stone and less than idyllic secrets. He has a great eye - and pen - for the absurd and ridiculous. Kudos to whoever selected this beautiful cover, as well. I greatly enjoyed the story and the characters. Georgia, with all her imperfections, is a likable heroine - in her own words, she is a sinner but not a hypocrite.

Georgia Bottoms will be available from Little, Brown on February 23.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher or PR firm.

Book Description
In Office Hours is the story of Stella and Bella, two intelligent working women who each fall for impossible lovers - at work. Kellaway's keen observations on the way in which affairs move from state to state are a sort of masterclass in office love, bringing to life both the excitement of illicit romance and the ridiculousness of business behavior and language with a sharp sense of humor.

In Office Hours is intelligent, funny, moving and agonizing, but it's also so painfully recognizable to any woman who has ever worked in an office or ever been in love. Kellaway hits a real nerve with her depictions of how people come to get into the emotional messes that we do and then how very difficult it is to get out again.

My Review
In Office Hours is a moving and funny story about the two women who happen to fall in love with men they meet at work. Their affairs are at times exhilarating, at times excruciatingly painful. The absurd and hilarious in office life is not lost on Stella and Bella, the two smart and beautiful heroines of this book. The story follows each love affair as it unfolds, going back and forth between Stella to Bella in each chapter. The two women are different - one is young, single, and just starting her career while the other is middle-aged, married, and a successful executive. Their love interests are polar opposites, too - the ambitious young intern and the middle-aged manager with a wife and family at home. A lesson in what not to do in love and at work, the two love affairs are somewhat doomed from the start but that does not make the book any less intriguing.

In Office Hours will be available from Grand Central Publishing on February 7.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher or PR firm.

Book Description
From the moment she's struck by lightning as a baby, it is clear Mary Anning is different. Though poor and uneducated, she learns on the windswept, fossil-strewn beaches of the English coast that she has a unique gift: "the eye" to spot fossils no one else can see. When she uncovers an unusual fossilized skeleton in the cliffs near her home, she sets the religious community on edge, the townspeople to gossip -- and the scientific world alight with both admiration and controversy. Prickly Elizabeth Philpot, a middle-class spinster and also a fossil hunter, becomes Mary Anning's unlikely champion and friend, and together they forge a path to some of the most important discoveries of the nineteenth century.

My Review
Remarkable Creatures is the fascinating story of two women and the unusual passion that brings them together. Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot could not be more different in personality, and their social standing is miles apart. Yet, their dedication to the search for fossilized creatures and the secrets they bear brings them together and makes them unlikely friends. It also makes them rivals for the attention of several men who are drawn to them because of their talent to collect fossils. Mary and Elizabeth's fossil quest is highly unusual for the times but even more so because, as women, they are not supposed to be concerned with anything other than running a home and finding a husband. Their discoveries, though extraordinary, only take them further away from these social expectations.

Mary and Elizabeth are strong, passionate characters, based on true historical personalities from the early 19th century. Remarkable Creatures is a work of fiction but many of the people in it existed and some of the events did indeed take place. I greatly enjoyed the story and the characters, every bit as remarkable as the creatures they discovered.


Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation - monetary or in kind - has been obtained for this post. Cover art and book description courtesy of the publisher or PR firm.